#been going to these meets every weds for flow artists to hang out and flow at a park

[clownpassing]

hmmm

[ikemenomegas]

There's a curse, it runs through us (3)

Omega!Izuna Uchiha x Alpha!Reader

pt 1 pt 2

cw: ongoing discussions of period typical sexism, arranged marriage, implied female alpha

Ane-san's mantle hangs heavily on your shoulders.

The situation is one that is unique, and so is the kimono that you now will wear to the ceremony. The kimono and hiyoku have been dyed from the original white, so that the traditional black of an alpha's layers show beneath the outermost layer.

The coat, which is a glorious sunset red, patterned in gold flames and black clouds and white rivers. It is what would have suited ane-san's high standing at the wedding but it feels too fine on you, stepping into the occasion. Which one of you now is the ghost for the other?

Your aunt smooths back your hair and meets your doubtful look in the beaten bronze mirror, the line of her brows soften.

"It's been in our family for generations," she says, tugging the collar of the uchikake to lay perfectly flat. "You look like a bride," she says. It is both consolation and encouragement.

The position you are going to take up in the clan will require a careful balancing act. That knowledge made your chest tighten, but in the mirror it didn't appear to show. The traditional white powder smoothed your features made your eyes appear more stark and you forced yourself to blink slowly, focusing on the flow of chakra through your body.

"Has any like me worn it before?" you can't help but ask. You feel vulnerable and young in a way that you haven't since your first year in battle as a warrior for the clan.

She smiles, and you can feel the strength in your aunt's hands when she lifts you to your feet and keeps holding on as you step carefully into the new zori just outside the door.

"Yes."

The ceremony was already notable for its unavoidable complexities. As an itinerant mercenary shinobi, and a second son, Uchiha Izuna would have traditionally made his way to your family's compound and joined your household, adding the branch family's honor to his own. However, Izuna and his brother were to be the next heads of the clan and took their orders directly from the main branch. You would travel instead with those your sister's had chosen to take with her from the household and hold land for Izuna as part of the main family lands.

The path to the temple, in what felt like a particularly futile attempt, had been picked clean of forest debris in an attempt to keep the hem of your kimono clean. You held the fabric close anyways to keep it off the ground.

Since you would be traveling to main family compound, Izuna had chanced the travel to your family's lands in return. His name would be bound to yours in the family records at the same temple that had offered the funeral rites for ane-san. This path was the same which you had taken when following her casket.

You shook those thoughts away and tried to dismiss the feeling of dread just the same. The path diverged, the place of burning separate from the place you were going. Wasn't a wedding supposed to be a joyful affair?

Your aunt took lifted the back of your coat gently with one hand, the other carefully clutching her own, so that all of your moves were carefully and silent as ghosts, making no noise even over the leaves that had fallen since the children first cleaned the path.

You reached out into the forest and sought to see forward.

Ane-san's residence still had Izuna's portraits, all fifteen years worth. Every painting the main family had ever sent was there, but you had only opened the last one. All of the others had been stacked so carefully, but the ties around them were crisp, without the wearing that frequent opening and closing might cause. You didn't know why ane-san never opened the old portraits, but you left them alone.

Perhaps it was desperation that drew your senses, searching for the original which could have inspired the artist's rendition even though you would meet him soon, even though you had no familiarity with which to identify your betrothed. You felt as though you were walking into a trap. There were too many factors that would be entirely out of your control.

Uchiha Izuna's mother was long dead and Uchiha Madara, as far as you knew, was not yet mated. They were the only two of Tajima-sama's sons still living. You would be the only alpha in the immediate main family, even if it was by marriage, and the only wife.

You would also be the first marriage into the main family in this generation, making you the first child related to the head by giri, by the obligations and responsibility of being Izuna's mate. All of this would place you immediately into the clan's upper hierarchy, but you knew your own clan well enough to know this didn't remedy your being an effective outsider.

Yours would also be the first fulfilled betrothal from Tajima-sama's five sons, even if your hand hadn't been the first one offered. Another pang of grief struck through your chest, already the most familiar wound on your body. It would do no good to regret what had already come to pass. The duty of that old oath weighed heavily upon you, it dragged behind you and was carried by one of your few remaining family at your side.

The temple was in sight when you sensed it, a well of unfamiliar power approaching from the opposite direction. It was dark and light and deeper than your own but somehow familiar. Your eyes ached in a way that was becoming familiar.

Light broke over you and the others. You crossed the threshold of the temple grounds where the forest had been cut away. The others, Izuna's escort, were a little ways ahead of yours, and you withdrew your senses, perturbed.

You came upon them soon enough, waiting. It was mostly men, battle hardened warriors. Among them you could see one other who was as alpha as you were, although much older, and scent another omega, although that presence was skillfully disbursed.

A man stood at the forefront of the group, the colors of his montsuki haori inverted just as yours were. His jacket was as white as the kimono you wore had once been, the Uchiha crest splashed in red and careful embroidery in the usual places.

None of you had concealed your presence and he turned when he heard. There was no reaction of any kind on his face. Even as an omega, you were both shinobi, and his face had also been left uncovered, with no hood or veil. His thick hair was bound into a tidy braid which fell down his back.

You felt as though you were sitting behind the eyes of a ghost.

Ane-san, forgive me.

He only bowed when you approached but you knew who it was. He looked too much like his picture to be anyone else.

A priest emerged before a word could be said, as though the bow had been the signal, and began the familiar rhythm of ceremony.

Music struck up around the courtyard - instruments and your own clans' humming. Purification, pouring cold water from a ladle for every person who would enter into the temple, including you and then Izuna.

You walked side by side, step by step. It was unnerving how his steps aligned with yours, or yours with his, until it was as though one body walked towards the altar.

You sat on polished wooden stools, side by side, while drums beat alongside your heart and the hum took on a different tone. There was the familiar feeling of seals activating, enclosing the marriage of an Uchiha heir from prying eyes.

The priest, an omega male, began a warbling song, announcing your name and Izuna's before the altar. You snuck another glance from the corner of your eye and could only thank your training for not startling when you saw him doing the same.

Three stacked cups, each shallow and each of a different size and material were place before you. The first was offered to you, and you drank it carefully. The alcohol scorched a path like katon down your throat. The cup was filled again and Izuna drank in three measured movements while you watched with the curiosity entitled to a new bride.

The second cup was glazed red as the clan crest and Izuna once again drank, the alcohol dropping smooth and clear between his lips. Once again it burned, sweet and warm, when the cup was traded back to your hands.

The third was filled with three sharp movements from the priest, the clan's dispersed sound rising around you. The liquor pooled in the dark earthenware clay cup and ignited the fire in your belly when you drank.

You caught Izuna's gaze over the lip of the last cup as you lowered it.

He watched you with quiet dark eyes, eyes liquid as ink. He was beautiful. It was not fair that you be here when elder sister was scattered ashes. A breath caught in your throat for just a second.

It was in that second that you saw the tinniest movement from your new mate, his fingers curling inward as if to form a fist. You blinked slowly, focusing inward once more to burn more quickly through the alcohol from the ceremony, feeling your chakra heat your body. It let you pretend the drop in your stomach was not a confusing amount of disappointment.

Izuna took the last dark cup in his hands and drained it without hesitation.

You could understand his apprehensions easily. They were after all the same as yours. Izuna had spent all of his life expecting one thing, only to presented with an entirely different scenario. Your name was already traded for ane-san's in the family register. The ceremony was only a requirement of tradition. By clan law, he was your spouse and you were his.

Of course it would be disconcerting to be confronted with that truth and a stranger who looked nothing like the painted portrait that had been sent to him every year.

A younger priestess handed you a folded sheet of paper and you and Izuna stood. The vows were the same you had heard at other clan weddings. Only, in order to indicate a balance in your pair, you read them with Izuna instead of alone.

Together you recited gratitude to the clan for a good match, promised harmony in your intentions, protection that your omega would not need, a devotion that he could not give you, and a kind of honor which was the only thing that the two of your had left.

The priests began circulating with wine for the guests while you and Izuna made your final offerings before the altar and the clan's humming came to a gradual end as each one drank their own mouthful of the rice liquor.

And just like that, with the last offering, it was done. Unless he killed you while the seals were still up guarding the temple, you would leave with him for the main compound in the morning.

*the described ceremony is intentionally altered from the resources I could find on traditional Shinto style Japanese weddings and is meant to be reflectively symbolic of izuna and mc. Please excuse any issues in it

[odetogyus]

wait

↳pairing/s: idol boyfriend!yugyeom x fem!reader

↳genre: angst (w/ a happy ending lol), idol!au

↳warnings: profanity, mentions of alcohol consumption, trust issues

↳song: wait by maroon 5

✎author's note: idk what I was going through when I wrote this but this was from my 2018 archive and I think this baby needs to see the light of day,, so here it is!

—

"The concert should be done now," you thought to yourself while staring at your phone.

Since your brother's wedding was in 2 days, you didn't have time to fly to Toronto to see your boyfriend and his group perform. You've been on a few tours with them– sometimes working as a stylist for Yugyeom and the whole team. JYP himself even sends you an extra ticket to every single country the boys go to just in case you wanted to come with, but this time however, you had to stay home to help out with your brother's wedding.

It's been almost 3 years since you started dating Yugyeom. What started out as a very unexpected interaction at a dance showcase, later bloomed into something so beautiful. Your relationship wasn't always pretty. In fact, it's true what they say about the first year; it definitely is the hardest.

You've seen them grow, not just as artists but as people, too. You've built such tight relationships with each and every one of them, even the staff members. GOT7 was a family and you were over the moon to be a part of it.

After a few hours of waiting, you decided to take a hot shower before taking a nap. It was a tiring day for you and your family. The wedding was in 2 days and there were a lot of things left to do. You also knew very well that the boys come out exhausted after every show, and so you fought back the slightest feeling of worry in your head and fell into a deep sleep.

–

You woke up to the sound of your phone going off.

BREAKING NEWS

MEMBERS OF THE KPOP GROUP– GOT7, WERE SEEN AT A CLUB IN TORONTO AFTER THEIR CONCERT. MEMBERS MARK TUAN, JACKSON WANG & KIM YUGYEOM WERE SPOTTED HEAVILY INTOXICATED WITH 3 UNKNOWN WOMEN JOINING THEM AT THEIR TABLE. NO OFFICIAL STATEMENTS REGARDING THE INCIDENT HAS BEEN RELEASED BY JYP ENTERTAINMENT.

People you knew and didn't know were tagging you everywhere. Every photograph, every article, they all had their eyes on Yugyeom, and they all had their eyes on you, too.

Your brother's fiancée barged into your room shortly after the news broke out. She was always there for you, and the relationship you shared was a very special one. You trusted her, and you never hid anything from her after the first time she saw you cry.

"Y/N," your almost sister-in-law cooed. You both knew that it was very unlikely of Yugyeom to act that way, but then again, the people surrounding them aren’t always angels. No one really is.

Just then, the name you've been waiting to see finally popped up on your screen, but this time, you weren't sure if you had the guts to answer him.

"Should I answer?" You asked, sounding miserable as ever. Tears escaped your eyes, glistening like broken glass when the sunlight hits the surface.

"You need to hear it from him, Y/N. I'll be in the kitchen, let me know if you need anything."

Accepting the call, you swallowed hard enough and prepared yourself for what could either be the most painful truth you had to hear, or the biggest lie ever you had to believe.

"Y/N.. hey, please let me explain," Yugyeom's voice was incredibly raspy and shaky, and you knew damn well that he was in tears. It's only been a few hours since the incident, so it was safe to say that he was still quite hungover. You knew they were well taken care of, but what happened cannot be rewritten again. What's done is done.

"Go ahead," you answered. Holding back your tears is always the hardest when you know that you have no choice but to endure the pain.

"We had a few drinks, and we had fun. We had so much fun. The boys and I, the staff. Me and Jackson hyung tried the hose thingy, it was so– cool– but, but I'm sorry babe, I'm so sorry–"

"Do you just.. wanna talk when you’re not like.. this, Yugyeom? Because if you're gonna keep doing this, I might as well just hang up and talk to my fucking wall–"

Oh, the theatrics of a brokenhearted beast.

"No.. stop, listen to me, I'm trying to explain!"

"Okay, then do it," you said angrily. The tears from your eyes were flowing down uncontrollably. It was so painful that you couldn't even hear anything else but the sound of his lies breaking you continuously.

"Mark hyung joined us, and we got so drunk, and next thing you know, these random girls sat with us at the table. I don't remember a lot but– I think one even bit my neck– it hurts, and she– I think she sat on my lap but I think I tried to push her off but I passed out. I don't really remember anything else–"

"You know, Gyeom? Sometimes, I wish you knew what it's like to be the one that patiently waits for you to come home, hoping that the worries in your head just disappear. How could you be so irresponsible? Man.. how could you do this to me? To us?"

"Y/N, you know I love you more than anything else but for fuck's sake, will you please believe me? My head hurts so much and you're acting up! Jesus!"

Yugyeom knew not to push your buttons, but in that state of his, he pushed it all, not missing one.

"Well, if that’s the case then I’m sorry. I’m sorry for caring too much, and for being all up in your business all the fucking time. Have fun remembering how you got that stupid hickey of yours, I’m done–"

"No, you are not hanging up on me, Y/N. It was a mistake, okay? God, my head is killing me and I just.. need you to believe me. I drank too much, and I know it’s bad, but I swear to fucking God, I didn’t do anything to hurt you. I would never hurt you. But you need.. to stop being difficult.. you’re making things worse here–"

The tension grew even more. You were both screaming your lungs out at each other, thousands of miles away from the other.

"Really now?" You spat bitterly. That was it for you. The last straw. "Well then, I know my brother invited you to the wedding, but don't bother showing up. I don't want to see you."

Your harsh words must've hurt Yugyeom so much, that his screams of anger just managed to slip out of his already worn out body.

"You're really throwing this all away– huh? Almost 3 years worth of memories? Just because I made a mistake, just because I don't remember everything that happened to me while I was intoxicated? You think I wanted those girls to come close to us? You're so– Y/N, you really think I wanted to hurt you, don't you? So now.. you do this? You're really breaking up with me? On the phone? Are you fucking kidding me?"

"Trust, Yugyeom. Trust. You broke the most important thing we built. Do you know how hard it is to do this? To date someone like you? People send me death threats, Yugyeom. Just because I decided to be with you. Do you even know how I feel? Do you know how Mark's girlfriend feels? How Jackson's girlfriend feels? Because I do. We all fucking get it!"

"Okay, trust. But let me ask you Y/N, if things were so difficult, why are you still here? Why date me when you could've left? That's what you wanna do anyway, right? You wanna leave, you wanna be free, right?"

But it’s not freedom if it’s not with you.

The bitter taste of surprise was too much for you. It was never meant to hurt that much, but it did.

"Wanna know why I'm still here, Yugyeom?"

"Why," he spat coldly.

"Because I thought that– loving you, oh god, I thought that that was more than enough to believe that we'd make it. But at this point, maybe we're both just better off alone. Separate ways, Gyeom."

Yugyeom let out a faint laugh. The most painful laugh one could ever laugh. A laugh of defeat.

"You're really doing this, huh? This is what you want? You're really doing this to us–"

"You don't need to show up at the wedding.. I'll just, tell them about us after. We'll meet when we're both ready to talk. Be safe."

"Fuck this, Y/N. Fuck–"

And with that, you hung up.

Your heart was broken once again, not by the same person, but because of the same reason you kept your heart safe and hidden in the first place.

Trust.

Yugyeom was your true love. The man you believed to be was your person. The person you entrusted your fragile self to. The person you needed.

But maybe he doesn't need you.

Putting your phone on silent, you cried yourself to sleep, wishing you'd never wake up.

—

wedding day.

Your eyes were still tired and gloomy, but you were better. You haven't heard from him since the fight and although it hurt you too much to be that person to hang up and end things, you knew better than to mope all day and question your existence.

"You look so beautiful in that dress! I'm so happy you chose that style! It's just perfect," your brother's soon-to-be wife exclaimed. She was the one who held you tight when your heart broke for the wrong guy, and she was also the one who held you when Yugyeom couldn't. It's safe to say she's the sister you never had.

"Thanks, I'm happy to be here. I'm so excited for you and my brother. I don't know what you see in him but I'm thankful you stuck around."

The bride smiled with tears welling up in her eyes. "You stick around for the one you love, Y/N. Even when the storm hits and everything falls apart, wait it out, then love again."

The wedding venue was everything you imagined it to be. A beautiful pathway to the garden, red and white roses everywhere, and photographs of your brother and his soon-to-be wife hung from the stringed lights wrapped around the tall trees to create the most beautiful ambiance.

Your quick peek of the venue ended since it was almost time for the actual ceremony. You were one of the bridesmaids, and you had to be wherever the bride was.

From afar, a tall figure walked towards the venue in a red suit. His dark hair complemented his outfit, and his handsome face was the cherry on top of it all.

Yugyeom showed up to the wedding a few minutes before it actually started. He took his time exchanging words of happiness and support to your brother. Yugyeom's relationship with your brother started out like any other brother – boyfriend relationship, but the two ended up being very close friends. A few moments before announcing the beginning of the ceremony, Yugyeom found his way to his seat. He sat close to the front, but in the corner.

The ceremony began, and every second felt longer than it should have. Closing your eyes, you took slow, but steady, steps to the podium where your brother was. You both agreed to welcome the bride with your whole family present next to him.

dirty looks from your mother

never seen you in a dress that color, no

it's a special occasion

not invited but I'm glad I made it

He looked at you like it's the first time he's ever laid eyes on you. His heart thumped like crazy, seeing how your hair fell perfectly down the length of your spine, in a red dress that exposed most of your back. Yugyeom couldn't resist every urge to kiss you. Every thought of you possibly breaking up with him completely made the poor boy pale. He was madly in love with you, in every possible way, that losing you meant losing everything to him.

The moment you stood next to your brother, your eyes met his. The eyes you hated to look into, but missed the most. Yugyeom stared at you for a long time, before you both snapped out of the trance only you two were in. You saw him mouth a "wow" before facing the bride and giving her a hug.

Walking to your designated seat, your mind went crazy just imagining how hard it would be to keep your composure when Yugyeom would literally be inches away from you.

"Beautiful," Yugyeom said in awe as you sat next to him. "You're beautiful, Y/N."

Without looking at him, you extended your gratitude. "Thank you, Yugyeom," was all you could say.

You both tried so hard to focus on the wedding. For the most part, it felt like no one else was there. You were in the moment, and so was he.

The exchange of vows was definitely something. Every word your brother and his wife exchanged was pure love. And deep down, you prayed that the love you needed was Yugyeom's.

oh, let me apologize

i'll make up, make up, make up, make up for all those times

your love, I don't wanna lose

i'm begging, begging, begging, begging, I'm begging you

As if on cue, Yugyeom held your hand without looking at you. His hand was shaky, and so was yours, but you didn't pull away. You held onto him, too. You held onto him like your life depended on it, and you held onto the person that longs for you the most.

"I do," your brother speaks into the microphone, looking at his woman. Yugyeom holds your hand even tighter, saying the same words your brother said, loud enough for you to hear it. Only you.

I do.

The bride reciprocates, and tears immediately stream down your face as the rush of emotions take over you.

Not wanting to lose the love of your life ever again, you follow suit, and said the same words the bride said. Only for you and Yugyeom, it meant something else. Only something the two of you could understand.

I do.

You both stood firmly, not letting go of each other, when the officiator finally said the words everyone wanted to hear.

You may now kiss the bride.

Not wasting a precious second, Yugyeom pulled you into a tight embrace, holding your head against his chest. His lips planted kisses at the top of your head, and suddenly everything was right in the world.

The scent of his perfume was home to you, and it made you feel so much better.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm so stupid, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry," Yugyeom whispered, still keeping you in his arms.

"I'm sorry, too, Gyeom," you answered, trying hard not to let the tears roll down your cheek and ruin your makeup.

Yugyeom finally kissed you.

He kissed you without stealing the spotlight from the newly weds. He kissed you softly, but it was clear that he longed for it. For you. He kissed you just the way you needed to be kissed, reminding you that he is yours in full surrender.

"I love you, Gyeom."

You finally meet his gaze. The prettiest eyes you've ever seen, and he really was the best thing that's ever happened to you.

"I love you, Y/N. I love you."

Wait it out, then love again.

[barbasbodaciousbeard]

If You Love Someone, Let Them Go: Part 6

Summary: Since starting with SVU, Sonny hadn’t kept much terribly close to the chest. The squad knew about his family, growing up on Staten Island, the classes at Fordam. What was hidden was why he didn’t date. Sonny Carisi was also separated from his childhood sweetheart, a separation neither ever took to divorce. They had the same haunts. They’d grown up neighbors. Their paths crossed every few months, and divorce talks would turn into reminiscing would turn into a night spent together, sometimes sex sometimes just talking until the early morning. It always ended with one of them waking up alone however. How will that change when the squad finds out?

Pairings: Sonny Carisi x Original Character

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5

April 2015

“You ready?” Sonny called as he came into her apartment. They’d agreed to skip the pretense and drive together, and Sonny had booked a hotel room within walking distance after confirming she’d be okay with it. His bag was in the trunk, and he grinned when she came out bundled up, the same Fordham sweatshirt she’d stolen under her coat and the little wheeled bag beside her. 

“Ready,” she grinned, stretching up to kiss him, and he felt like he could do anything. He took her bag despite her protest.

“I got us a room for the next two nights. We ain’t gotta stay both, but I thought it might be nice to go to dinner? I got both nights off, too.”

“That sounds real nice. I packed some real people clothes anyway.”

“Perfect. Now let’s get going. Bella said you guys got a make up artist coming.”

“Yeah. She got one and a hairdresser.”

“She’s definitely the one who wouldn’t wanna get herself ready.”

“Yeah. We gotta get there in time. What’re the groomsmen doing?”

“Playing video games and taking turns shaving and showering.”

“Not fair.”

“You look hot. You don’t need hair and make up.”

“You always think I’m hot.”

“That’s because you always are.”

“So are you. I got real lucky on the husband front.”

“You really think so?” She could sense the current under what he said. It wasn’t just Am I hot? but was also Are you lucky?

“Incredibly lucky. I got you.” He slammed the trunk shut, cheeks pink when he settled in the driver’s seat. It was familiar to drive with their fingers laced, and he smiled to see her wedding set in place. Bella had gone by the bakery to surprise her one day, and his sister was very pleased to let him know both rings were on her left ring finger. He’d told the squad the same day he told Olivia, and his ring had been on his hand every day since, the cross the only thing on the chain again.

“Think they’d notice if I do my own make up and hang out with you?”

“She really does have y’all going like two hours longer than Gina did.”

“Yeah. Gina was very ‘Let’s get down to business, get photos, and get married.’ Bella’s way more into the matching robes and face masks vibe. But she’ll be happy.”

“I’ll check in a lot, okay? I don’t like the video games Tommy does.”

“You just like Sims. It’s endearing.”

“It’s kinda fun.”

“You spent six hours building a house once.”

“I had t’make sure it was perfect. They were having twins, Tor.”

“I love you, you absolute nerd.”

“Your nerd.” 

“Damn straight.” Sonny dropped her off at the venue, checking them in at the hotel and dropping off their bags. He stopped by the bridal suite when he got to the venue, thankful the weather moved the ceremony inside now that he was out of the cold. 

“Dominick! No boys allowed,” Bella said, wagging her finger at him, hair in rollers. 

“I know, I know. I’m just bringing Tor the key and her charger, okay?”

“You got her key?” Gina asked, leaning back to look at him and lifting her brow. “That sounds like you’re sharing a room.”

“We are,” Victoria said plainly, taking both items gladly. All the girls had changed into robes, but she’d opted to stay in his oversized sweatshirt until the inevitable photos. A primal part of him liked knowing that.

“That sounds like a reconciliation,” the younger Carisi sang, and Victoria rolled her eyes. “And you two snuck out of the party early like you used to.”

“I’m real glad you approve of our progress, but if you put too much pressure on us, we might break again.” Victoria knew he didn’t mean it and just wanted them to drop it, which she was grateful for. They weren’t quite there, but she trusted he’d probably open up by the end of their weekend together. Even if he didn’t, she’d decided she wanted to start planning to see him more after the wedding. Several late nights with Margy and a bottle of wine had told her that much. If you prove you’ll be there and patient, he’ll probably feel less like he’s scaring you off, she’d told Victoria after another night analyzing their last four encounters.

“Fine. But just know I’m telling ma. Maybe she’ll stop being mean to Tor.”

“Ignore Bella. She’s been glaring, but I think Sonny talked sense into her at Thanksgiving. She’s mad at both of them now.”

“As she should be,” he shrugged, kissing Victoria. “See ya for pictures.”

“See ya,” she grinned, ignoring his sisters’ squeals. This marathon made her kind of tired. Her hair and makeup were done soon enough, and she was grateful the dress was a dusty, dark enough pink in person to look good on her. She liked pink on Sonny, especially since the sides of his brunette hair had started going gray, against the blue of his eyes. The bridesmaids, the two Carisi sisters, Victoria, and a couple of Bella’s friends, all posed together in the matching silky robes before slipping their dresses on. 

“And you thought that pink wouldn’t look good,” Sonny said softly against her ear before kissing her cheek. 

“You like it?” Her hands rested on his shoulders as she smiled up at him, and he felt giddy. It was official. This was how they acted before, no almost needed. 

“I do. Beautiful color on you. And damn, my wife got a figure.”

“You’re the best hypeman,” she hummed as she straightened his tie. “I ever told you how handsome you look in a suit? Or how pretty pink makes your eyes?”

“I can stand to hear it again.” There was the cocky smile he got sometimes. “I’m starting to look old, doll.”

“Nah. Getting hotter.”

“Even with the gray?” He’d been self conscious about it before, when the evenly dispersed gray in his dark hair could be mistaken for a dirty blonde. His temples gave him away now, but she loved it.

“Even hotter with the gray.”

“Stop being gross,” Teresa whined. “It’s like when you were getting ready for homecoming again.” She was rewarded with her brother and sister-in-law’s middle fingers, and Victoria was pleased with Gianna’s disapproval and the picture the photographer snapped. They took pictures, and Sonny was glad when they settled in the back of the venue. He could see the back of Olivia, Barba, Amaro, and Rollins’ heads, and the change in his dynamic with Victoria had him looking forward to showing her off at the reception. 

“Shoes off at the reception. I intercept ma?”

“How’d you know?”

“I’m pretty sure I’m supporting ninety percent of your weight, Tor.”

“Love you.”

“Do I need to hold ya until we walk?” 

“Not enough time to make a difference. But you’re a saint for offering.”

When Olivia saw Sonny with Victoria on his arm, it made sense why he’d been calmer the last two weeks. He’d been texting her more, though he thought he was sneaky enough no one noticed how he smiled at his phone throughout the day. She seemed to smooth his edges, and she and Amanda shared a look over the way the pair watched each other across the front of the venue. The ceremony was a quick enough affair, and Bella had decided to let her bridal party sit wherever they wanted. That led to Victoria stepping out of her shoes, pleased to be spared a big entrance. Heels in hand, she followed Sonny to the table his squad was at before dropping into her seat and giving a wave.

“Means a lot to Bella and Tommy you all came,” Sonny said, taking her shoes and tucking the wall by his chair. “This is my wife, Victoria. Tor, meet Rafael Barba, Olivia Benson, Nick Amaro, and Amanda Rollins.”

“Nice to meet all of ya. I’ve heard a lot.”

“Wish we could say the same,” Rollins said, and Victoria immediately recognized what Sonny had meant. No venom. Just protective of her occasional partner. And Benson was definitely the mother hen, shooting the blonde a look as Amaro and Barba concealed smiles.

“Get it all out now,” she joked, rolling her eyes. “Married into this family nine years ago.”

“Been putting up with Carisi that long? I’ll petition the pope for sainthood.” The three piece suit. The snark. Barba was just what she expected. 

“Think she deserves it,” Sonny chuckled, arm flung easily over the back of her chair. “I can be a pain in the ass.”

Conversation started to flow easily, and he was glad Victoria was tough enough to bite back at Rollins and Barba when they referenced anything touchy. Tommy’s family filled out the rest of the table, and he was glad to see the trial had brought them around to agree that what happened to Tommy was wrong. Teresa and Tommy’s brother gave the speeches, and he liked seeing the squad join in as Bella threw the bouquet and Tommy threw the garter. 

“Bella caught my bouquet, remember?” Victoria smiled up at him.

“Yeah. And Freddy Esposito got the garter.”

“Both of ‘em got married this year.”

“Was delayed for us. Our friends from back then are just now getting married.” 

“We’ve been married nine years and aren't even thirty. I think we were ahead of the curve.”

“But now my baby sister is married and pregnant.”

“Dom, you do know she and I are the same age?” Sonny blinked, squinting at her. 

“You’re fucking with me, right?”

“We’re both twenty-seven.”

“No way Bella’s twenty-seven.”

“I like how you can fully separate me and Bella graduating together.”

“I forget,” he shrugged. “You always picked me anyway.”

“Then married you. Duh. Long game.”

“I hear people making noise.”

“They’re cutting the cake. Amaro has the garter half in his shirt pocket, and a three year old caught the bouquet. The same age you think Bella was when she caught mine.”

“Shut up,” he laughed, pulling her to stand at the edge of the dance floor to watch the first dance. His arms slid around her waist as he rested his chin on her shoulder.

“He wouldn’t have to stoop so low if you’d wear your damn shoes, stellina.”

“Ma, leave her be.” Gianna rolled her eyes, but Sonny squeezed Victoria as the music started. “She’s coming back around. Called ya stellina instead of Victoria.”

It was kind of fun to watch the four members of his work family loosen up around the room. Amaro and Rollins were across the dance floor and not fooling anyone. Barba wasn’t sure what to make of any of the Carisis or Sullivans, but since they’d easily figured out that Olivia was not involved with him, the singles from both families had circled the man who was suddenly the most eligible bachelor. The best part was how hard Olivia ignored his visual pleas to be saved as she talked to one of Tommy’s uncles. It was nice not pretending work and personal life were separate; the squad had taken him in like he hadn’t anticipated, and now his family was taking the chance to accept his squad. 

When the first dance was over, Sonny pulled her onto the dance floor, holding her flush against him in a way he hadn’t been brave enough to before. They’d talked every day the last two weeks, and he’d realized they really had hit the turning point. The songs weren’t slow, so his chest was against her back as his hand splayed over her stomach as they swayed. Both their voices were off key as they sang along to each song with the rest of the guests on the floor. Nick and Amanda were wrapped up in each other, and Olivia and Rafael seemed perfectly entertained, so he didn’t feel bad slipping out after a couple hours. 

“I know you two. Go ahead and dip. You stayed for all the important parts,” Bella had grinned, bumping Victoria’s hip with her own. “I’m the only sober one here, so this is gonna wrap up earlier than anyone realizes. Baby and I gotta sleep.”

“You sure?” 

“Positive, Tor.” That was all it took for Sonny to lace their fingers, duck out of the venue, and start the couple of blocks to their hotel. At first, she wore the heels and walked,  but he quickly realized it was the shoes, not the wine, making her unsteady.

“That’s it,” he said, squatting in his suit. “Hop on.”

“My bag’s heavy.”

“I can handle it, babe.”

“You sure?”

“You don’t hop on, we’re going spider monkey front carry, and we both know that always ends in me tripping more.” She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and Sonny held her thighs, careful to keep the fabric under his palms to save her some modesty. When they were outside the room, she slipped the key from his breast pocket, helping him push the door open before he dropped her on the bed. 

“Thank you,” she sighed, toeing the pumps off and letting them fall. 

“Glad to be of service.” A little salute as he started to strip out of the suit and hang it. “Thanks for always ditching early for pajamas with me.”

“Glad to be of service.” She hung the dress and tucked the strapless bra away, and when Sonny turned from the closet, he saw her in the oversized sweatshirt again as she pulled the blankets back on the bed. He hadn’t bothered for two. They’d had that option every time but hadn’t used it when they were fighting. 

“Comfy?” He ran a hand through his hair, breaking up the gel before flopping beside her.

“Very.”

“It’s literally nine o’clock. Are we old, Tor?”

“Old? No. Codependent? Maybe.”

“We been living apart a year and a half. Maybe we’re just a clique.”

“Very true. We’re like if the plastics were millennials who had been married a decade.”

“We should write that script.”

“Forget law school. Teen movie parodies based around our marriage.”

“Perfect. I’ll drop all my classes tomorrow.”

“I missed you. It’s been nice talking all the time.”

“I missed you too,” he murmured, watching her with his cheek pressed to the pillow. 

“Regardless of if you’re ready to tell me, I wanna keep talking a lot.”

“I’m ready. I just was going to wait. Don’t wanna ruin our weekend.”

“I feel like you’re going to tell me and realize I don’t care as much as you thought. Unless you fucked somebody.”

“First, last, and only, Tor.” He rolled onto his back, taking a deep breath, and Victoria knew him well enough to know this really was going to be the moment. She sat up, legs tucked beneath her. Leaning towards him a little, she put her hand on his chest and rubbed what she hoped were soothing circles as he put his hands behind his head. When he was nervous, Sonny talked to the ceiling, just needing her to anchor him.

“Just trust me, okay?”

“I trust you, vita mia,” he murmured, and that particular Italian term of endearment let her know it was really happening. “You remember when my hours changed? End of 2011. Became a detective. Acted funny when you took me upstate. A year before I fucked up and forgot your birthday bakery combo dinner.”

“Of course.”

“I was working homicide.”

“Okay?”

“It really fucked me up, Tor. What I seen, it was so bad. The women. There were so many women, and they’d be so pristine. One of them was in a fuckin’ dumpster even. But he took all the time to give her a bath and do her make up and get her dressed. And you know what that always told me?”

“What?” she whispered, taking the hand that went from behind his head to rest on top of hers.

“It was their husband or boyfriend. The person who they trusted. And their faces were so peaceful, Victoria. They knew what was coming. And I’d go talk to people. You know what they’d say? They weren’t surprised. They’d seen it. They’d heard it. Those men hurt their wives and girlfriends. Took advantage of the fact they trusted and loved them. I started seeing you when I saw them, Tor.”

“Sonny,” she whispered, hating the way his voice sounded. It was thick with emotion, and he’d closed his eyes. She was well aware that if he opened them, they’d be rimmed red and tears would be falling. “This is what you couldn’t tell me?”

“You’re so proud of me. I didn’t want to disappoint you. I couldn’t sleep and it hurt so badly. I’d wake up freaking because I thought it was you. I’d never hurt you, but my brain just- I don’t know. And then you’re so good. You deal with cakes and fondant and cannoli and things that make people happy. I was so scared that if I talked about it, it would blot out the light in you. I felt like the only light I had was you. I think I pulled away because of that and it snowballed. When it got so bad, the last six months? It got to the point I thought all that darkness and the stuff I was seeing and the stuff my brain was picturing would- fuck- leak into you through osmosis or something. When I wanted to tell you, my brain would just change the words I wanted to say.”

“Sonny, I didn’t know it was like that,” she murmured. 

“You couldn’t have known. I wouldn’t tell you.”

“I should have figured it out.”

“Don’t do that, doll. If you’re willing to trust me to tell you moving forward, I just want to move forward.”

“I shouldn’t have left, Dominick. You were hurting, and I just abandoned you.”

“I was depressed. I should have told you or talked to someone. Being depressed doesn’t make it okay to neglect you. I need to take care of myself.”

“And I should have stuck with you. Figured out the why.”

“You did though. I’ve known that I can come to you for the last two years. I just couldn’t get past myself. Doc’s been working through it with me. Says I gotta learn that dad bottling it up wasn’t good. It works better for him and ma because she couldn’t read him when they met. I never had to tell you so I didn’t know how. And then dad doesn’t believe in men sharing their feelings. It’s easy to ignore that for the good feelings. I didn’t want you to think I wasn’t tough enough.”

“I didn’t know how to tell you how I was feeling. I knew you saw dark stuff and I was scared to make it worse. I didn’t want to pressure you.”

“Are we okay?” His voice was almost pleading, barely a whisper as his eyes finally opened to look at her. She laid against him, cupping his cheek as his hand flew to rest on hers. They were both crying, and she hated it. She hated to know that it was such a stupid miscommunication. If she’d pressed on it, taken guesses, asked around, maybe she could’ve helped him not hurt. This new squad seemed good for him, and therapy was helping. She probably needed to address their relationship more in therapy, learn how to ask for what she needed. They had to an extent, helping her hold out as long as she had for him to open up.

“We’re okay, Sonny. I’m so proud of you.” She was nudging his nose with her own, not dropping his gaze. 

“Thank you for being so patient.”

“I’d have waited for ya forever. First, last, and only, Sonny.”

“Come home.”

“We gotta consolidate now,” she teased gently. “But I’ll come home.”

“It’s in Brooklyn now. You’ll like it. I didn’t even get rid of that stupid dog statue.”

“He’s a very important dog statue.” 

“I love you, you weirdo.”

“I love you too, nerd.” He missed laughing with her, even when they were both crying. The relief that flooded him was suddenly exhausting. Not telling her had been heavy on him for a long time, but he didn’t expect his body’s physical response to the openness. He felt like he did before he went on this pointless journey to hide the bad parts of his field from her. She knew what he did. She kissed him, slow and sweet and loving, and Sonny’s arms snaked around her. They’d kissed plenty since she left, but there was always a hesitance behind it. Unsureness around their status. Now, he was kissing his wife, not his estranged wife. Even if it took time, they were working towards her coming back home. They hadn’t had sex since their ill fated first run in post separation. It was slow and sentimental, and afterwards, he had a half second of panic she’d disappear. Instead of pulling away like his gut wanted, he curled around her frame, nuzzled into the crook of his neck. 

“I missed that,” he murmured. 

“Me too.” She rested her hand on his, and he could feel that she was smiling in how her cheeks moved. He felt greedy, wanting to feel every bit of her skin he was able to before he fell asleep. When he woke to find her still there, he was relieved, and even better, she’d twisted in the night, leg hooked over his hip and her chest pressed to his. They’d spent most of the night talking or tangled together, so they’d slept in until ten o’clock. He checked his phone to be sure everyone had made it through the night before. Once he reminded his mom he was spending the weekend and really wouldn’t be at Sunday dinner, he settled back in to watching her. After a while, she started to stir, pulling him closer. She’d been right, everything had changed once he told her. He didn’t feel like he had to keep any space between them.

“Morning, beautiful,” he whispered, and she stretched her arms over her head.

“Heya, handsome.” She pressed a kiss to his lips, and it took all his attention not to take her again. He’d made plans for the day, and he was determined to stick to them. Even if they hadn't reconciled, she was a sucker for the beach, even when it was cold, so he’d planned to take her to lunch, take her to get her nails done, and take her to walk the little shops he’d found. It would make her smile, and he’d missed the little trips they’d taken before. Other than going to the cabin, something she’d planned, it had been years between work and school and money. For their tenth anniversary, he was already planning, even though there was just over a year to plan. He wanted to take her back to New Orleans, just the pair of them together now and no disappointment on her part that her mom was there but ignoring her. 

“I planned a day for us.” His hands trailed her spine, and he realized something else had shifted since he told her the reality. While he thought it wasn’t possible, he felt even closer to her. The men in his family, though well intentioned, had always told him it would be viewed as weaker to share his emotional world with anyone. They thought it was a little girly for him to be as sappy with her as he tended to be, tearing up at weddings and when he talked about how proud of her he was. But the bad things? Those were weaknesses that would drive her away. The realization that the depression and inability to separate work from her didn’t scare her off made him realize that letting her see it wasn’t going to break them. Hell, it seemed to bring her closer.

“Really?”

“Yeah. Lunch on the beach. Little walk on the beach after. Manicure- I know you, Tor. Don’t try to say you got one for Bella’s weddin. You love them but won’t take yourself ever- and then we can walk around some of the little shops and stuff.”

“That sounds like a real romantic day, Dom.”

“What can I say? I learned my lesson about not being romantic.”

“I’m excited to come home.”

“Me too, Tor.”

Tag: @cycat4077 @fear-less-write-more

[embrassemoibebe]

tennis skirts & strawberries ― claes bang

pairing ― Best Friend Dad! Claes Bang/Reader

summary ― When your friend invited you to visit her house in the country, you expected a quiet evening with your best friend but when you're introduced to her father a handsome man with no qualms of flirting, your plans change as find yourself unable to control your lust for him.

warning ― Infidelity, Sneaking Around, Seducing, Smut, Teasing, Dirty Talk, Fingering, Penetration, Semi-Public Sex, and Strong Language. 

additional notes ― I don’t condone cheating, however, is a fictional world it can be hot. This smut piece (that I wrote at 7AM with no previous hours of sleep) is from a convo I and @hoefordarkness​ had.

           You hadn’t seen him yet, but he had seen you. As clear as a pretty picture there you were, batting away at a tennis ball with his daughter as you danced around the court. He wasn’t sure what caught his eye. Something about it seemed so picture-perfect, the sun illuminating your figure as your cute little skirt flowed from the wind. The game was ending he could tell, so he let himself get comfortable. Sliding back into his chair and unbuttoning his shirt as he distressed from such a long flight home. Watching you as if you were playing on the TV until the game ended, you won, and you and his daughter walked towards him.

        Walking from the court was fun as you shared a water bottle with your roommate and best friend, Olly. Cheerfully talking as you two walked to the patio of her house until she stopped in her tracks, "That's weird," she muttered softly.         "What?" you asked her, turning around.         She shook her head continuing to the patio "My dad's here... I thought he was in Sweden for the rest of the week." As you walked beside her, the man came into view. He was handsome, leaning back against a lavish blue chair with his white shirt lazily unbutton, his dark locks were slightly messy as the wind tussle them in its strides. As you got closer to the man, he lifted his hand waving to both of you with a smile and finally you could truly see him. Olly's father was a gorgeous man with high cheekbones, playful dark eyes, and a roguish smile that made a part of your stomach turn in a warning.

        It felt as if those eyes were burning holes into your body as Claes put out no effort to hide the fact he was looking at your body. Taking your beauty in just as you had just done. Studying every curve, dip, flyaway from your hair, and the powder pink blush that formed on your cheeks from his gaze. Every time though he returned to your long legs, every step you took made the tiny white tennis skirt you wore shift. The thin material hugging the curve of your hips.

        "Dad!" Olly said snapping his gaze away from you "I thought you were Sweden for the rest of the week? That's what mom said." He smiled at his daughter, "I came home early good client, good taste - even though your mother tries to keep me away for as long as possible. Now, Olive, don't be weird. Introduce me to your friend," he said, waving towards you. "This is," Olly pursed her lips "This Y/N she's my roommate. We've gotten close, so I thought I'd bring her home while we're on a break, show her around maybe."

        Stretching out his arm he held his hand out for you, "It's lovely to meet you, Y/N," he smiles.

        Smiling back you shook his hand "It's nice to meet you too-"

        "Call me Claes. Mr. Bang sounds ridiculous," he let out a soft laugh.

        It was easy to make conversation with Claes. You and Olly sat near him. Trying to be polite you asked why he was in Sweden where he informed you about how he sells art. You were drawn in from how he described it. He spoke about art with such passion and elegance that you felt yourself hanging on every word. He was surprised by you too as you chimed in your favorite piece of art Anna Razumovskaya, a Russian artist you deemed underappreciated. Pulling out your phone you showed him your favorite painting and hummed, "She has potential. Prayer of Love..." he read the name of the painting "Aren't we a romantic?" he lightly teased, causing you to laugh.

        "One must dream."

        Olly stood up informing you she wanted to get something other than water leaving you with her father. "One must dream," he repeated "I find it hard to believe the only time you experience romance is while your dreaming," Claes softly told you looking at you with skepticism.         You laughed, "College boys are not romantics. I've yet to be painted or told I bewitched somebody," you told him.         Claes nods, "Young men never know how to satisfy a woman. Can't provide the finer things, the romance, the touch, that's why I've always maintained that Olly should stay single."         Nodding along you leaned forward "Why don't you show me your favorite piece of art? I always find it hard to find beautiful pieces that aren't the stereotypical pick," you tell him. Claes nods in response grabbing his phone.         "Finding beautiful art that isn't stereotypical is my job, so you're in luck," he said showing the phone to you it was the painting of a little girl reading, so simple yet beautiful "Art isn't just brushstrokes and colors. It's soul, its beauty the most beautiful piece of art can only be one from the heart."

        You turned your head to see him so close to you now. The cracks of his face showing as he stared into your eyes before brushing a strand of hair out of your face, "It's like a beautiful woman. They're like searching for pearls, easy to find with a beautiful exterior that you hope has something underneath of it. Most of the time you look inside of it and you find nothingness. The beauty is gone but - but - you find another and when you look inside of this one and you see it," Claes voice was so soft and he sat beside of you his hand slowly sliding up your leg as his eyes glance to your lips, his dark eyes meeting yours again. His warm hand rubbing your leg as he finishes his sentence "It's a pearl. It shines with beauty, and everybody wants it. It’s one of a kind."

        Staring at each other you could feel your face getting hot. You let out a laugh to break the ice as you pull away but Claes keeps his contact with you "I'm sorry, am I making you uncomfortable?" Claes ask not taking his hand away.         You shake your head "No," and feel his hand grip your leg with more pressure.         "Good. Why don't we go find Olive and have a snack?"

        Olly lived in a huge house so as Claes lead you through it you couldn't help but marvel in the things she had. The kitchen where you two had ended up was larger than the house you grew up in. With a large island and two fridges. Who needs this much space? Claes yelled out for Olly who never returned his yell so with a shrug he opened the fridge and reached inside, pulling out a carton of strawberries and chocolate. 

        "Come here," he told you while he rinsed the strawberries, "You said you wanted a snack."

        Hesitantly, you walked until you were beside him and watched as he grabbed a strawberry and slowly dipped it in the chocolate. Before patting it softly and turning to you, his hand slowly came towards your mouth and he watched as you bit into the strawberry, your lips brushing against the skin as you stared into his eyes. His thumb came up and gently swiped beside your lip before he brought it up to his and you saw his tongue dart out of his mouth to lick his finger "Chocolate." 

        Finally, understanding what was happening, a part of you told yourself to run away. The other part, though, ached for it to continue. You could feel yourself getting slick when brought another strawberry up to your mouth, it was time to decide. The decision was made immediately almost like your subconscious took over and your hand came up to his to catch his before he could pull away. Keeping it there you closed your eyes slowly, biting into the strawberry and pulling away with a moan. Claes smiled as he watched and listened to the sight, your eye-opening and looking up at him through your lashes "Taste delicious... Feed me another?" you asked.         With a nod, he grabbed a strawberry, dip it in the chocolate and brought it to your lips. Before you could eat it though, he brought it high up and towards him, making you giggle while you followed him to get the strawberry.  Pressing your hands on his chest you ate the strawberry letting out another moan right beside his ear and you felt his arms wrap around our waist forcing you to stay there. Pulling back you looked up to him and grabbed a strawberry "It's so juicy and wet, try one."         "I'm sure it isn't the only thing that isn't wet. Though, I have a feeling one of them will taste sweet," he said looking at your lips.         Playing coy, you turned your head "I don't want you mean..." but soon enough he brought his face down and captured your lips in his. Dropping the strawberry you put your hands on the back of his head deepening the kiss as he slid his tongue into your mouth. Massaging your tongue with his, he slowly made you walk backward until you hit the island. His hand on your waist traveling down and grabbing your ass making you whine into his mouth.  As his tongue and yours massaged each other, you thought about what you were doing. You hadn't been here for five hours and here you were making out with your best friend's father in their kitchen.          He pulled away causing an involuntary whine to leave your mouth "What I mean," he hiked up your skirt "is that your probably wet enough where I could just slide my cock inside of you without having to do anything," Claes said sliding his fingers into your panties and feelings how slick you had become but before he could slide his fingers inside of you the front door opened and a woman yelled out. 

        It was only then you felt the cold feeling of his wedding ring against the lips of your cunt. 

        Dinner was awkward, to say the least, Ollys' mother and Claes wife, Darla stumbled upon the two of you in the kitchen (luckily with his fingers not up your skirt) and began working on dinner while chatting with you as Claes fled up to his office. All four of you sat at the table Olly telling her parents about a time in class where a student had gotten into a fight with the professor. Claes and Darla laughed along with the funny parts while you sat in your seat trapped in your thoughts. What had you been thinking earlier? 

        "I remember a time when your father got into a fight with one of my business associates," Darla recalled "It was embarrassing! They brawled right in the office of him all because he invited me to get drinks."

        "That's not how I remember honey," Claes let out a chortle. As you began to pay attention you felt his handset on your knee slowly rubbing it back and forth. Darla pursued her lips but Claes continued "If I remember correctly," back and forth - higher - "You asked him out to get the drinks without me being invited," playing with the hem of your skirt "And he made some comment which caused the fight," fingers sliding inside of your panties, his voice is tough with an edge and as he slides his fingers in between your lips he hums when he feels how wet you still are "But I suppose it's alright," his fingers slide inside of you as he gives his wife a cool smile. His fingers slowly pump in and out of you as they continue their conversation. You shovel food down your throat as you try to hide what's happening. Why did he look so collected?         "So," Darla started looking at you "What are you studying at college, Y/N?"         Taking a sip of your drink to calm yourself you smile at her "I'm s-studying psychology. I'm trying to become a psychiatrist," you pray she doesn't ask any more questions.         "Do you have a specialty picked out, yet?"         Opening your mouth to answer you quickly close it as Claes thumb begins to play with your clit as he speeds his pace up, him turning to face you as you try not to crumble in front of everyone "I believe she mentioned that she was specializing in eating disorders earlier," Claes says for you.          You nod "Yes. I'm planning on going into eating disorders," luckily the conversation drops as Olly begins another story. Letting you sit the rest of the dinner out by cover your mouth, biting your lip, and breathing heavily as her father fucks his fingers into you before curling them up to hit your g-spot. Your eyes roll into your back of your head as he doesn't relent from his attack until you drop your fork to discreetly cover your mouth as your pussy spasms on his fingers. He doesn't stop until your pussy stops responding to him where he pulls out his fingers and acts as if he caught a piece of mash potatoes brings his fingers up to his lips and sucking on them "Delicious."

        As everybody finishes their dinner Olly helps her mother collect the plates letting her father stand up and stretch before leaning down and kissing the top of your head "You did so good. You were perfect for me," he praises before leaving the room and you alone. 

        "Y/N," Olly says grabbing your plate "I wanted to know if you wanted to stay the night? It's already dark out and I know you don't like driving at night," she asks. Looking around for a little while you stumble your words your eyes finally land on Claes he smiles at from the kitchen before giving you a wink. 

        "Okay." 

        She smiles "Yay! It'll be like our own sleepover!" she laughs. 

        "Olly we're roommates! We have a sleepover every night," you reason with her getting up to help clean up the dishes.  Both of you chatting as you do so until Claes walks towards you.         Reaching above you to open the cabinet for a cup as his body pressed against your he leans down "Meet me in my office."

        You nod and put up the rest of the dishes before excusing yourself to take a shower. Traveling up the stairs you find his office, far away from everyone else and open the door. He's sitting at his desk waiting for you and he grins when he sees you he stands upcoming towards you and grabbing your face bring your lips to his. You can still taste yourself on him and you moan in reaction, bringing your hands to the back of his neck as you deepen the kiss. You hear him shut the door behind you as he pulls away "You did so good at the table," he pecks your lips "You were such a good girl for me," you bring your lips to his again but still he pulls away. His eyes have a mischievous glint in them and smile "You deserve a reward."

        Leading you to his desk he picks you up and sets you on it bring his lips to your neck as he gently begins to strip you of your clothes. He slowly descends to his knees kissing every part of you before lifting your legs to sit on his shoulders as he slides the skirt off of you. Claes presses a kiss to your thigh as he leads up to your cunt. His lips press one more kiss to the top of it as you whine for him and finally, you feel his tongue glide in between your lips parting them before he starts to gently lap at you. His tongue teasingly prods you but instead, he wraps his lips around your clit sucking on it as he slides a long finger into you. You moan loudly as he pumps it in and out and he sucks on your clit, your fingers going into his hair. He flicks his tongue against your clit before he goes back to lapping at you while he keeps his finger inside.          Moans leave your mouth as he pleasures you sliding another finger inside. As he curls his fingers and starts to suck on your clit again your back arches "Yes! Oh God, yes! Please, make me cum, Claes." You feel the knot in your stomach get tighter and together as you reach your speak letting out a loud moan while pulling at his hair. He lets you ride out your high as you grind against him while you pant, 

        Kissing his way out of between your thighs, you close your eyes and rest for a moment calming down after it. As you breathe it out you suddenly feel Claes cock part your lips as he thrust himself inside of you cried out"Oh!"          Claes let out a laugh as he nestled in between your thighs again "Shh," he shushes you quietly "The walls are thick not made of concrete," he teases before bringing himself out of you just to thrust back in as you mewl.         Soon enough he has a rhythm, his hands holding your legs onto the side of you as he watches his cock disappear every time he snaps his hips. He lets out a groan and rests his head on your shoulder, pressing your hands against his chest you realize he never took off his shirt and you start grabbing at it "Take it off. You have too many clothes on," you manage to get out. 

        He chuckles unbuttoning it and throwing it off. His hands go back to rest on your ass and he pulls you forward on his desk making you closer to him. You tangle your arms behind his neck and kiss his lips as he spreads your legs more to just drill into. His arms wrap around your waist as your body rock against each other your moans and pants filling the room. Claes slows though and you look up at him confused but he just gives your a smile "I wanna switch positions. I wanna take you from behind."         You nod and he helps you slide off the desk, you just now noticing the pool of your both arousal that had formed. Turning you around he bends you over his desk and you moan as he teases you with the head of his cock. Slowly rubbing it against your clit and pushing it slightly inside of you only to pull it out "Please!" you moan "Please fuck me..."         He laughs his hand going in between your thighs and playing with your clit "Tell me how you want. Tell me you want your best friend's dad cock to be inside of you. How your a dirty girl that fucks married men. How you're my good girl."        

        Whining you press up against him bite your lip for a second "Please fuck me, Mr. Bang," you say with as much innocence you can muster up at that moment, teasing him, "I wanna feel my best friends dad cock inside of me. Making me moan and fucking me until we both cum. I wanna go back downstairs and be around them knowing you fucked me so well -"         A sharp thrust cut you off as you brace yourself on the desk letting out a cry. Claes wasted no time on pounding into you. His hands gripping your hips as his hips slapped against you. The dest rocked back and forth as he fucked you on it, some little things falling off of it when he gave a few particularly hard thrusts. He groaned as you clenched him tighter feeling another orgasm in your stomach "Fuck, your so tight," he moaned.          "Oh, God I'm gonna cum!" you tell him as he thrust get harder. He lets one hand go in between your legs and starts fastly rubbing your clit as you moan out for him. Breaking down in front of him you let it go as you reached your high, moaning loudly and toes curling as he continued to use you as his own personal cock sleeve.          "Are you on birth control?" he asked his thrust losing rhythm.          You tried to respond while you calmed down. Nodding as you thought about if you had taken your pill for today but it was too late to elaborate as he grabbed your hips and thrust deep into you. Both of you moaning as he went balls deep with a few hard thrusts, emptying himself inside of you. Grinding against you Claes let himself rest on top of you pressing wet kisses on your neck. 

        Turing your body slightly he let you wrap your arms around his neck and nuzzle into his chest while he held you. Claes presses a kiss on your forehead "Are you okay?"         "Huh?" you asked looking up at him.          He gave you a soft smile "Are you okay? Did you enjoy it?"         You smiled and nodded "Yes. I don't think I've ever had a guy make cum like that or that many times," you laugh.         He chuckled "It causes your wasting your time on college students and not real men."         "In contrast to married men who are too old for me?" you tease him making him pinch the side of you.          He nuzzled against you and held you for a little longer before pulling away "Don't forget to get in the shower. Wouldn't want Olly figuring out what you were really doing, do we?" he asked pulling away and out of you. Claes helped you off the desk and handed you back all your clothes, smoothing out your hair for you before giving you a kiss and sending you on your way. 

        Sneaking into one of the bathrooms you turned the water on and let it get hot before jumping in. Rinsing off the sweat and smell you had gathered before grabbing a towel and wrapping it around yourself. Olly was in her room when you got there sitting on the bed reading. She smiled at you "I couldn't find you earlier."          You take the clothes you had in your bed getting dressed "I showered on the other side of the house. These halls are kind of confusing," you lied to her before getting on the bed once you dressed fully "What'd you think I was doing?"         "Masterbating."         You both laugh as you crawl under the sheets "You don't mind me sleeping in here with you, right?"         "No," she tells you snuggling underneath the blankets too "Oh, I need to tell you something."         "What's that?"         "My mom signed me up for this wine tasting thing and she only got two tickets so I was wondering if you'd be okay staying here with my dad tomorrow? Maybe he could take you to the art gallery?" ​​​​​​​        Smiling you rolled over "Sounds great.

the end

        This was a long one but I had a bunch of fun writing it. I started at seven in the morning, fell asleep, and restarted at ten. As I said in my additional notes this was inspired by a conversation I had with @hoefordarkness​. I hope you guys enjoyed this!         I haven't written a celebrity fic before so I hope this was good. If your interested in more content around the very handsome man that is Claes Bang I highly suggest @hoefordarkness​ because she has a bunch of great series with him as the main lover.

[iwriteaboutkpopsometimes]

Hyunjin "Play With Fire (Feat. Yacht Money)" (원곡 : Sam Tinnesz) | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]     ~A Love Letter~

I talk about why I love this video so much and deliver an excruciatingly detailed play by play of it, but why read a two thousand word, five page essay on a three minute video when you can just go watch the aforementioned three minute video? Forget me spending hours writing this, why are you here, seriously, it would take you significantly less time to watch the actual video. Regardless, enjoy my attempt to refrain from saying the same three things, “he's so cool”, “I love him”, and “this is so good”, in exchange for a  more, hopefully, academically professional sound.

Watching him perform never fails to put me in a trance, it’s incredibly captivating how precise and sharp while simultaneously lively and energy-filled his movements are. This video feels reminiscent of enjoying a movie I’ve seen countless times, memorized every line of dialogue from, and genuinely think of every part as the best it has to offer. I greatly missed seeing him dance and having this as his grand welcome back into the spotlight is nothing less of a gift. Every second leaves my heart pounding and as excited as the last, as he continuously tops himself the longer I watch. I feel that revisiting the video is the least I can do, for giving it only one view doesn’t feel morally acceptable if I intend to truly appreciate it for that art that it is. Dramatic of me? Perhaps, but I can’t help but perceive it as more than just this one video that was uploaded onto their YouTube channel. It isn’t just about all of the work he and others put into the making of this particular video, his choreography for the song was a result of years upon years of practice and learning different techniques. A performance this good doesn’t only involve technical skill though, but also skill in regards to one’s inner mind. To have confidence in one’s self, to hit every move powerfully, to know what you’re doing and be unapologetic about it, that is skill. Sure, the performer is at the focus of any performance, but don’t forget that it’s also about the audience, it is after all for the enjoyment of the viewer. If the audience senses your doubt and insecurity and uncertainty, it will make your stage that much less enjoyable. Whatever you feel, they can feel too. When I watch him, I don’t feel any of that. In fact, I feel the exact opposite, I feel inspired, motivated, confident, excited to advance in my own endeavors. The emotion that this video evokes from me goes beyond anything Stray Kids or K-Pop or even dance itself, it makes me want to be a better person, be kinder to myself and work harder. That might sound like a lot for one video to do for someone, but it’s the truth. All of the details, even down to the individual frames, it all works together to create the most gratifying viewing experience. At the time of writing this, the video has just hit five million views and has over one million likes, only a mere three days after its initial upload.

The first shot of his footsteps alone,  as he goes to stand in front of the mirror, I already feel this sense of importance coming from him, delicate, yet powerful. The setting, cold and empty, yet inviting, it makes room for him and gives him just enough light to be seen, for he doesn’t need all that much help to surely shine. The credits that pop up use a dark shade of pink-red for it’s background color and white text that acknowledges the same deep red imagery and text associated with the material of the original work. His outfit is neat and pristine with some sparkle, resembling one a prince would seem fit. He stares at his reflection, holding a sheer white ribbon in his mouth, gathers a section of hair behind his head and proceeds to tie it with said ribbon. The music starts as he finishes tying and lets his arms fall down at his sides. The over the shoulder shot looking into the mirror, shows that his expression is neutral, almost calm. This can most certainly be described as “the calm before the storm”, except the storm itself is antonymous to a tragedy, because when the singing starts, it’s as if his performance persona was turned on by a switch, a charismatic possession that took place in a matter of seconds that sends chills down your spine in the best way. His previously neutral, calm-like expression and gently resting arms are quickly replaced by the sudden placement of his right hand around his neck and a look that resembles more of  a vengeful, hesitant, and somehow playful one. Similar to what I’d imagine a villain would look like right before being bested during an epic fight sequence at the climax of a film. It’s satisfying to see him popping to the beat’s rhythm, his arms, wrists, and head smoothly illustrating the flow of the words, his focus and the secure angles he’s able to form before even fully utilizing his lower body. On the line “Got secrets I can’t tell”, he delicately places his pointer finger in between his teeth, as he turns back to meet the camera with his eyes, the shot now semi-closely focusing on both Hyunjin and his reflection as opposed to just one or the other. He extends his right arm, his hand forming a fist, and the camera movement making it as if I’ve been punched and sent flying. He stumbles to the middle of the room, does an opening gesture with his arms, like a proud baker showing off their completed wedding cake, along with a dramatic spin incorporating his thin, white, flowy cape. Reaching the pre-chorus, we get to see the room more clearly, like the stone pillars and the contrast of the small, warm lights on the walls to the grand grayness radiating from the large window that makes him appear as a near silhouette. There’s a certain holiness about him spending a count with his head down and arms out, much like the Crucifixion of Christ, before showcasing more of a demonic energy when he faces the window with his body, but bends backward and looks to the camera upside down. He rips off the cape, tosses it behind him, to his right. This could symbolize a transformation, an abandonment of a particularly purer image of oneself, a liberation. The music picks up, and the manner in which he dances is like a visual representation of one’s inner turmoil combined with an agenda to seduce those watching, wanting to dance for himself while taking us along for the ride. Now that the first minute of the video is out of the way, let’s continue.

The music fades into the background and the video takes on a sudden widescreen and grayscale appearance as he falls back on his right hand, flings his left hand over to his right shoulder, as though he’s been shot, and is being supported by his knees. He leans forward, places his right hand on the ground in front of him, uses his left hand to push his right knee over to achieve ideal balance, setting up his body roll. He extends his right leg back, getting close to the ground, and there’s something quite feral, yet intimate about the way he traces the length of his arm with his face and left hand. It looks like he’s taking out his frustrations through his moves while never sacrificing the detailed quality of the performance as a whole. It reminds me of how it’s more than common for artists to use their pain in their art, whether it be a point of well-intentioned expression with a specific purpose or simply an outlet for them to channel into. Hyunjin is the definition of aggressive elegance. The fullscreen, colorful display and music entirely return when he spins and lands on the ground in a Spider- Man esc pose, the room a lot warmer than even before the stylistic grayscale section. There’s hints of red, acting as a match that’s set to illuminate and ignite the puddle of gasoline that is him and his performance, that replaces the once colder, icy blue that previously enveloped his silhouette. He bounces to the beat showing off his proud, devilish smile that, instead of striking fear, makes me feel proud, as I’m essentially rooting for the villain in the movie. If the transition to the grayscale widescreen was him getting shot, then the transition back to fullscreen color is him emerging from his grave, an awakening. His shirt is no longer neatly tucked into his pants, but rather, hanging very loosely and mostly unbuttoned. He covers his face with his left hand, pulling it down for just a second before revealing his expression that has swiftly reverted to a roughly indifferent one. The inner conflict has greatly subsided, and focuses on the hesitant-free embracing of his newly discovered self, one of immense confidence and sex-appeal. Although, something about the flow of how he averts his gaze, looking to the left and not the lense, while pointing and doing body rolls at the camera, covers his eyes with crossed arms, and then allows for his hair to cover his eyes as well, makes me feel like he doesn’t want the viewer to know he is still at least a little bit shy. He quickly makes you forget though, because the next and final minute exaggerates everything he’s shown us up until this point, taking it to a whole new, spectacular level.

The bridge of the song creates a slower, softer atmosphere, which is beautifully interpreted with how Hyunjin carries himself during this part. Bigger gestures that blend into each other seamlessly, centering on really taking up the space he’s in. He gently and precisely lowers his body to the floor, collecting a white rose between his teeth. As soon as he returns to his upright stature, the setting changes dramatically. His hair now completely down, he’s under a spotlight in an otherwise pitch black and foggy room. There’s blue and red light reflecting off of his white top and his skin as he dances. This part feels more humane compared to the rest, with more of an obvious balance between sharp, impactful moves and tender, compassionate ones. He draws attention to his shoulders, brings his hands and feet close to his body, and showcases his red lit back. I particularly enjoy when he flicks his wrists and twists his ankles to the right in unison on the second syllable of “unstoppable”. For the “legendary animal” part of that line, his arms create a cage-like structure by doing a climbing motion and carrying it over all the way to the left. A cage in which he destroys the walls and breaks out of, shown by him punching downward on beat. From holding the rose in his mouth to holding it in his hand, he brings it over his head to his left shoulder, and raises his heels. He carries the rose down and around his left arm, his left arm momentarily resting at his waist, his right arm extended downward, he raises his heels again. His whole body lowers as a rigid wave starts at his up flicked wrists and subsequently elbows and shoulders. This collection of gestures results in petals falling off of the rose. He then inevitably throws it into the void, out of the reach of the lovely spotlight. I see this spotlight dance as a danse macabre, or dance of death. The white ribbon, white shirt, and white rose all coming together to illustrate this innocent and pure quality to him, that through this dance, he finalizes the renouncement of. He is more than ready to embrace a new and different side of him, but especially to get rid of the older and repetitive side that felt restrictive more than anything. The spotlight dance ends with Hyunjin looking directly into the camera, tracing his right hand down his chest and to his side, and the camera backing away. The last chorus of the song brings us back to the oh so familiar main room, Hyunjin’s hair back to being tied up, the lighting is the same, but there’s something that stands out. His shirt is on the verge of being completely unbuttoned and that allows for something alluringly shiny to be fully in view compared to before. The video comes full circle with Hyunjin’s hand around his neck, he stands in the hallway, and walks away a new man as the screen fades to black. 

As I wrap up this essay on Hyunjin’s “Play With Fire (Feat. Yacht Money)”, original song by Sam Tinnesz, Stray Kids: SKZ-PLAYER, the video has reached six million views, a million more than when I first started writing this, and I feel proud to have spent a day simply pouring my heart and mind out on this wordy display of my appreciation. Don’t be fooled though, for my necessary research, I guess you could call it, for this project may no longer be so necessary, I shall continue to watch and applaud the masterpiece and experience that is this video for my own personal enjoyment, much like how this whole piece was written for my own personal enjoyment. It was an interesting challenge to properly voice not only the contents of the video but also my thoughts and feelings on it. Hyunjin is a highly valued dancer, member of Stray Kids, and person and five pages isn’t ever going to be enough to fully explain the respect and admiration I feel for him and his various projects. I think he’s really cool, I experience all sorts of fiery euphoria watching him dance, his rap and singing alike are addictive as hell, and he’s pretty, haha. I missed him a lot while he was inactive, and I’m so happy to have him back and doing great things as per usual. I’m excited to see what he and the rest of the group have left to show us this year. I advise you to watch the video if you haven’t, but somehow ended up reading an essay on it first, and if you’ve already seen it, watch it again, yeah. I’ll leave you with lovely thoughts and lovely vibes and I hope you too can appreciate the work he’s put into the video, as well as my work on this essay. Thank you for taking the time to read my love letter, essentially, and bye for now ^ ^

[artificialqueens]

There's No One There, 3/? (Group fic) - Marmalade

Summary: One student missing multiple classes without warning can be explained away but when more girls start disappearing, it can’t be dismissed. Jaida, Jackie, Gigi, and Crystal may not be friends but if it’s to figure out what’s going on, they’re willing to work together.

A/N: Hii, I’m just going to make a habit of putting the summary in front of each submission. In other news, I’m not vibing with the pen Marmalade but I haven’t figured out a new name yet and we’ve reached a point in the story writing where I’ve had to make a separate notes page to keep my flow right. I’ve been trying to come up with an all girls boarding school mystery for ages now and it feels good having one.

—–

The search for Widow kicked off to a worrying start. Gigi chose to accompany Crystal, mainly to avoid stepping in mud with Jaida and Jackie as they walked around the school asking about Jan. Widow hadn’t been in any of her usual spots and none of the four shared a class with her after lunch forcing them to resume their search after the school day had ended. Their final bet was checking her dorm.

“What’re we gonna do if we go and she’s not there either and we have another missing person?” Crystal asked as she reached into her pocket to pull out some of the candy she had grabbed yesterday. Gigi was keeping a few feet of space between the two of them in the hopes that it wouldn’t seem like they were hanging out but Crystal’s outstretched arm offering her pieces of candy destroyed the illusion. Gigi begrudgingly took the piece of candy and inspected the label.

“I don’t know. Tell the others and wait for them to come up with a plan instead?” Crystal let out a laugh. “…What flavor is duranzo?”

“Peach? Ooooor maybe orange? I don’t know, my mom never actually taught me Spanish. I just know that brand’s like, good fruity taffy things.”

“Oh, can’t then.” Gigi handed the piece back to her.

“How come?”

“Does it matter? We’re trying to find a missing girl; are we close to Widow’s dorm yet?”

“Yeah! It’s just a little farther ahead!” Crystal powerwalked down the hall until she arrived at her friend’s dorm, her curled hand raised to knock before she stopped. There was a whisper behind the door, she heard it but couldn’t make out any details, and she waited a moment for the voice to speak again but nothing else came. Gigi had caught up to her so Crystal finally knocked.

“Widow, are you thereee?”

There was a faint sound of shuffling before the door opened and a sudden chill took both girls by surprise. At first the door only cracked open, Crystal leaned to the side to flash a smile and the door opened wider, revealing Widow to be thankfully not missing. There were dark circles under her eyes but she somewhat returned the smile before she spotted Gigi, her brows knitted together.

“Since when do you two hang out? Whatever- what do you want?”

“Since now, sort of.” Gigi interjected.

“I wanna know what’s been bothering you! A lot of weird stuff’s been going on and I’m worried about you.”

Widow let out a quiet, wheezy chuckle and shook her head.

“What’s so funny?”

“Well, for starter’s you brought someone neither of us know basically at all to have a serious conversation.”

“We can talk in private if you want, can I come in?”

Widow looked back into her dorm and then to Crystal. “…Now’s not a great time for that.”

“Why, who were you talking to in there?”

Widow opened her mouth but closed it without saying a word. Her eyes narrowed inquisitively and she looked over Crystal’s face like she was trying to find something. “You wanna know what my problem is? This damn school. The same walls, the same people, the same shit every god damn day, it can drive a bitch crazy and this place is damn good at it. Trying to make sense of it is a complete mess.”

“Maybe it’s a mess because you’re trying to do it all yourself?”

“…Fine.” It was only one word and yet it made Crystal’s face light up. “I’ll tell you because I know you won’t judge me if I tell you but I don’t know Gigi like that. Not here though, the walls have got ears or something, just meet me in town this weekend, okay?”

-

“I can’t believe we haven’t found a single witness. It’s not like she could jump through space.” Jackie said as she wrote another name down on the list. They knew the walk around the school was unlikely to turn up any tangible clues but both girls had expected to find some students that would be able to provide useful information. Jackie had been able to gleam was that Jan had now missed two full days of class without anyone seeing head or tails of her but that was about it.

They made their way back to the school’s entrance, curious if Crystal and Gigi had better luck then them. Standing in the doorway was Vice Principal Visage, they passed by her without paying her any mind only for her to stop them.

“Jaida, Jackie, will you both come with me?” She phrased it like she was asking but the both knew they had no option.

“What did we do?” Jackie asked but Miss Visage didn’t answer, only spinning on her heels and beckoning them after her, keeping them in silent suspense as they made their way to the principal’s office. Jackie gulped and held her notebook close her chest.

Crystal and Gigi sat on chairs outside of the headmaster’s office and got onto their feet upon seeing Miss Visage. She opened the door to the headmaster’s office without knocking and poked her head in. “The girls are here.”

“Send them in.” Miss Visage swung the door open and ushered them inside. At his desk was the headmaster, Rupaul, his fingers steepled together. There were only two chairs in front of his desk and the girls weren’t sure which two of them ought to sit down, or if they even should sit.

“I’ve been hearing that you four have been really on edge recently, care to tell me what’s this all about?”

There was a beat of silence before all of them but Gigi stumbled over each other trying to explain. The headmaster put his hand up to silence them and then gestured to Jackie to go first.

“Sir, last week Nicky stopped showing up to classes and now Jan’s missed two days’ worth of classes. Both of them were acting out of character before then and, well, we’re concerned that something might have happened!”

The headmaster didn’t respond right away, instead twisting his fingers together. Finally, he stood up and turned to the cabinets behind him, patiently going through them until he deposited two files onto his desk and sat back down, pressing his hand down on top of the manila folders.

“Giving out student information to anyone outside of their immediate families is a violation of student privacy…” A small, reassuring smile formed on his face. “-so, this doesn’t leave this office. Let’s see…” He picked up the first folder and looked through it. “Ah, Nicky. I’m sure you’re aware that most of her family still lives in France, her sister is getting married and from the sound of it, Nicky was left out on a lot of the planning. She left on a flight last Thursday for the wedding but between you and me, I think her parents are letting her skip more class than necessary, and she’s scheduled to return by the time class starts up after the break. Going to be interesting to see how she catches up on all her missed work.

Now Jan, Jan had been coming in to see the counselor a few times. Juggling grades with extracurriculars and her social life got overwhelming I suppose. One of the campus security guards caught her trying to leave campus without permission and we contacted her parents. After a long discussion they decided to have Jan sent home, now they’re trying to decide if returning to school is still the right choice for Jan, unfortunately, we’re expecting their final answer sometime during the break.”

“But- that doesn’t sound like the Jan I know!”

The headmaster hummed and nodded, putting the folders back in their places. “Do you girls know why you’re here?”

“In the office?”

“At this school.”

“Be…cause you don’t charge tuition?” Gigi replied dryly with a raised eyebrow.

“Because we saw something great in each and every one of you. The girls at this school aren’t here because they have the highest test scores or because their parents shelled out a lot of money to put them here, they’re here because each of them has the potential to do something amazing in whatever field they choose. That’s why we try to keep the school’s cost as low as possible, so that girls who otherwise wouldn’t have a chance can have this opportunity. This school is hard, you knew that when you applied but the sad truth is that not everyone can handle it.

All those voices in your head that tell you ‘you can’t do this’ and ‘you should quit’ that’s your inner saboteur trying to tear you down. Your job is to quiet those voices but some girls can do it better than other. If you ask me, you four need to worry about yourselves. In a matter of days, you’ve managed to make yourselves completely paranoid. Put down the magnifying glasses and go do something you enjoy! Like you, Crystal, I know you’re an artist. I’m going to challenge you to put all that creativity onto a canvas. This goes to all of you, I want you to find an outlet for all this negativity because what you’re doing now isn’t helping. Okay? Now get out there, go learn something, kiddos.”

The four girls were released back into the hall where they found themselves rooted in thought.

“So that’s it?” Gigi was the one who broke the silence. “We worked ourselves up over nothing? Two days of anxiety and work that we didn’t have to put ourselves through?”

“Maybe we all just wanted there to be a mystery that we filled in the blanks?” Jackie conceded. She feathered through the pages of her book until she found her page of notes. It felt absurd now, childish even.

“Look, child, maybe we did go off the rails but-! If something had happened, we would have been on top of everything. Of course, now we’re getting court marshalled to find hobbies but you know.” Jaida’s lips pulled into a smile and she laughed but no one really joined in.

“Guess we’re done then. No more of-“ Gigi gestures vaguely to the group. “-whatever this is. We can go back to our normal social circles now.” It was an odd realization, none of the girls had ever hung out with one another and yet they fell so quickly into a groove for the sake of a mystery. Now that the mystery was gone there was nothing to keep them together anymore. An awkwardness settled between them like the strangers they were until it was so heavy that they were repelled to their separate directions.

Crystal had remained quiet through out the dissolving of the group, even if they were wrong about Nicky and Jan, Widow still had something going on and Crystal was going to talk to her friend about it. As she took her leave, Crystal heard a hushed murmur and stopped, looking back over her shoulder at the other girls but they were already out of earshot with no one else in the hall.

[harthuntcr]

( sabrina carpenter. nineteen. she/her.  )   everything’s fine, MAYA HART-HUNTER,  you’re in the good place!  do you remember your last days in GIRL MEETS WORLD? but don’t worry, your  ( bay windows, perfectly messy hair, pencil sketches, subway stations, layered necklaces)  will fit perfectly with the rest of the good place, so long as you commit to the  UPBEAT OPTIMIST  despite your tendency to commit to  (a constant need to prove she isn’t broken)  that the architect of the good place said you were. it’ll just be like a fun acting exercise! just play along and everything will continue to be fun.

honestly the only one that’ll fully read this is me but i just rewatched all of gmw so here’s a few of maya’s defining quotes with some info tacked on ! (to sum it up: major daddy issues, minor mommy issues, craves stability, great artist, cares SO MUCH about her friends, deserves better !)

maya penelope hart-hunter, nineteen, crossning

“hi, i’m maya. you’re really cute. we should hang out sometime. you make me happy. you don’t pay enough attention to me. this isn’t working out, it’s you, not me. we can still be friends, not really.” 

maya is introduced as riley’s shawn, as her very best friend in this universe. she’s bold, fierce, rebellious, loud, and everything that riley isn’t. she wears lip gloss, she marches right up to cute boys on the subway, she is the night. she is dark and mysterious. 

“ i was a little girl, and i climbed through an open window because i heard singing. i was attracted to what i saw inside. it was someone safe…”

she and riley meet as small children when she wanders into her open window. her parents are fighting. they never seem to stop fighting. 

she never leaves riley’s side. it becomes a simple understanding that they are an extension of each other, no longer separate entities. her loyalty is a defining quality to her.  

“i do go outside, riley. i watch the light move during the day. and you know what happens at 5:30? you turn gold. everything is more beautiful at the beginning and the end of the day, and i want people to see that. i want to capture that. i didn't mean to believe in something.”

maya is an amazing artist. she can also sing, but she is partial to painting and sketching when she is at home. her favorite teachers are, as expected, her art teachers, and that is always the class she excels in. 

"when i was real young, i used to come to this park and look at this statue and wonder if i would ever have friends as good as these. that would hands with each other and smile. i used to wonder what it was they were so happy about. now i know.”

this just be a cute quote. her friends are the stars in her sky and she really would do anything for them if they need it, sacrificing herself over and over if it meant they could be spared for even a second longer. 

“i’m gonna get an education from him. and i’m gonna earn my own money. and someday i’m gonna have a good place with good walls and a good roof.” “and what are you gonna do for everybody else?” “everybody’s a lot of people. but if i could afford it, i would fix somebody else’s roof.” 

she understands not having a lot. maya has a hole in her wall and a leak in her roof. she takes care of things gifted to her because she knows the value they truly hold. she comprehends that if her mother didn’t work extra shifts, her lights wouldn’t be on and their water wouldn’t flow. she doesn’t take what she has for granted, and it definitely stuck with her as she grew into adulthood.  

“you had everything. family meals around the table. i wanted that. ‘how was your day, maya?’ ‘it was great, dad.’ you had that. you went to bed with a smile on your face every night, while i went to bed wondering if my father was going to be at the breakfast table in the morning. i wanted that.” 

maya has half a mom and her father left, which she blames on her half a mom. of course, she doesn’t realize that it’s because her mother also got left, but shawn helps her see that. this also starts to build up her wishing for shawn to step in as a more permanent part, but hope is still for suckers, ladies and gents! 

“my teacher thinks if i forgive you, it'll bring me peace. and he's usually right about these things, but i don't see how he's right about this one. and i can't. your job was to stay. you don't think i had it in me to allow my father to grow?”

when maya writes to her father for an assignment, she gets the closure she needs to understand that it isn’t her fault he left. of course, it doesn’t fully settle. it never does. and she realizes that she can’t forgive him for leaving yet. daddy issues galore. but she’s not angry anymore and that’s important.

“i could always hear my mother crying in her bedroom. i’d try to go in and stop her from crying… but i couldn’t. so, i’d try to fall asleep next to her… but i couldn’t. ‘mom, would you stop crying if daddy came back?’ ...and she’d look at me and say, ‘we don’t need anyone else, babygirl. all i need is you…” too much responsibility. can’t sleep, riley, been up since i’m four.”

after katy and shawn get engaged, maya is scared. she doesn’t know why they can’t just date forever. she really doesn’t like change. plus! they don’t have the best records! she even tries to come between them, to ask why shawn would be doing such a thing when he knows what the universe does to people like them. 

they get married anyways!!! shawn surprises them with an entire wedding set up on the roof because that’s how he rolls (spontaneous and romantic), and he surprises maya not too long later with adoption papers which is why she’s maya hart-hunter now. 

“my voice is still my voice, riley. you're gonna need to show me a lot more than clothes and hair and a boy before i believe that it isn't.”

when maya starts to get good grades, starts wearing more dresses, starts showing signs of growth as a person, she is told she simply is becoming riley. i personally hate this plot line! but it’s canon so i gotta mention it! i feel like she should’ve been allowed to grow!!!! she should’ve been allowed to have good things happen to her!!!!!!!!!!!!! but whatever!!! 

“i feel like... if you know me at all... and you know the last thing i would ever do is want anything that was riley's.”

triangles are one of maya’s biggest triggers because she was part of one and it really almost tore apart her entire life. liking the same boy as riley consumed the better part of her middle school years and her first year of high school. i don’t think she ever actually stopped liking lucas, but she stepped back again for riley’s sake because, as she says, the last thing she would want is something that belongs to riley. her first boyfriend falls directly under that category. so she filed all of those feelings away to never be touched again because if they were horrible things would happen! 

“boyfriend and girlfriend eventually.”

stepping back from lucas worked out in her favor because it opened the door for josh! who riley could never like because that is indeed her uncle! she went out here and there with a few artsy boys throughout her high school years just so that she could double date with riley, but nothing ever stuck. she didn’t mind. her and josh were also awkwardly always more than just friends but never more than friends, but as she got older, her feelings for him just got stronger, so she buried them and focused on school and art and life and boys are simply just not everything! contrary to popular belief! and what her journal from sophomore year with ‘mr. and mrs. josh and maya matthews’ doodled all over it say! 

then toward the middle of her senior year, she started going to more nyu parties after a messy breakup (not technically a breakup because maya didn’t think they were dating which was the entire issue!) with missy bradford (who hosted the best parties) and that is where she starts running into josh more often. he starts walking her home, they are constantly talking, they’re hanging out, and it’s not that they didn’t do that before during family game nights and family outings and family things or even sometimes just to do it when he was around, but now she sometimes actually on campus because she has friends at nyu, mutual friends of his from parties that invite her to trivia and concerts and events. then, her birthday passes and their age isn’t an excuse anymore. 

when she dies, she is rounding out her freshman year at nyu. she is majoring in art education, is finally dating the guy of her dreams, and has the world in her reach. :( 

exactly how she dies in my app/ last memory: she and josh were driving in the car and she turned the voice off the gps because it interrupts her music for no! good! reason! plus why does he even need the voice? she is sitting right there she can just tell him when to turn. it’s so annoying and her voice is way better and so she is turning it off despite his protests because she wants to get through one song peacefully, it’s not going to kill them to turn off the stupid robot voice- but it definitely does. she gets too lost in her song, forgets to tell him to turn, he takes his eyes off the road because he is sure they have missed one, she can’t believe he doesn’t trust her navigation skills, he points out that she was giving a concert not navigating, she repeats it back in an annoying voice with a face that he laughs at, she restarts the song because he interrupted it, and bam! dead.

[blurry-fics]

Chapter Ten

Tear In My Heart | Series Masterlist

Warnings: None

Word Count: 2904

Authors’ Note: We hope you enjoy this Beau-free chapter! :) (picture credit)

February 2017 - The Grammys

You couldn’t stop staring at yourself in the mirror as the stylist did the finishing touches on your hair. It was definitely a new experience for you, to be doted on by makeup artists and stylists, but it was something you could see yourself getting used to. The final product - in this case: you - was stunning to say the least.

Next to you, Jenna was pulling on her heels. The bright yellow of her dress kept catching your eye as she moved around the room, occasionally being stopped by her own stylists as they noticed little details that were out of place.

“Ok, you’re done,” the stylist smiled, resting a hand on your shoulder.

You turned your head slightly, admiring the waves in your hair and the elegant bun that the top half had been pulled into. The last time you had felt this beautiful was Jenna and Tyler’s wedding, and that had been years ago.

“Thank you so much,” you smiled, turning to the stylist. “My hair looks gorgeous.”

“You look gorgeous,” she said, returning your grin.

You grabbed your own heels from nearby and pulled them on before getting out of the chair that had been carried into the bathroom for this occasion. Slowly, you hobbled your way over to where Jenna was standing on her phone. Heels had never been your first choice of shoe, even for formal events, but you figured an exception had to be made for the Grammys.

“Are the boys ready?” you asked.

“Just about,” Jenna answered, not looking up from her phone. “But I want to get a couple pictures of us before we head downstairs to meet them.”

She finally looked up from her phone, getting her first proper glance at you. Her eyes lit up as she took in your appearance, from the glossy nude lipstick to your earrings.

“Y/N!” she gasped. “Look at you!”

“Look at me? Look at you!” you said, reaching out to rest a hand on her arm.

“Look at us!” she giggled, turning both of you towards the mirror.

Your eyes widened as you looked at your reflection standing next to Jenna’s. It was weird to see the two of you dressed up like this after so many nights spent at her house in sweatpants with your hair thrown into messy buns. You couldn’t stop yourself from smiling.

“We look like a couple of highlighters,” you said.

“You heard Tyler, we have to wear yellow dresses.”

“What an interesting choice.”

“Hey, at least you’ll match Josh’s hair. Here, let’s take a couple pictures.”

Jenna pulled out her phone and together the two of you cycled through a variety of poses as Jenna took pictures. Even before seeing the final result, you knew at least a few of them would end up framed in your house.

“Alright, enough fun. We should get downstairs before Tyler has a fit.”

You linked arms with Jenna and allowed her to lead you out into the hall. Even from the bedroom, you could hear the commotion downstairs from the boys and their own stylists. Your heart was pounding from the anticipation of seeing Josh all dressed up in a suit again, as well as what had happened the last time he was in a suit.

Jenna stopped you right in your tracks as you reached the corner that led to the stairs. You nearly ran straight into her, you had been so wrapped up in your own head.

“Hey, Ty!”

“Yeah?”

“Josh?”

“What’s up?”

“Are you ready to see us?”

The boys both called back excitedly. Jenna turned to you with a smile before once again leading you down the stairs.

Your eyes automatically went to Josh, who was standing near the bottom of the stairs with his hands clasped behind his back. His suit was tailored perfectly to his frame, and his bright yellow hair looked amazing paired with the plain black and white fabric. You swore that your breath caught a little in your throat when he started smiling.

Jenna automatically went to Tyler and started gushing over him, to which Tyler did the same in return, so you casually made your way to Josh. Even while he was smiling, his mouth was hanging partially open in awe at you.

“Wow,” he said, once you were only a few feet away from him. “You look… wow.”

“Thanks,” you grinned. “I wouldn’t have this dress if it weren’t for you.”

Josh shook his head, “I was just helping because you haven’t been to an awards show before. I didn’t really-”

“Josh, I mean it. And you don’t look half bad yourself, you know.”

Josh finally quieted down and cast his gaze to the floor. His ears had already turned that all-too-familiar shade of pink.

“I, um, got you something,” he finally said.

Your eyebrows shot up, “You got me something?”

“Yeah, you know, because… well, we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you helping us when we were first starting out. And now I’m dragging you along as my date… I just thought I should get you something.”

Josh dug something out of one of his inner jacket pockets and handed it to you. The moment you saw that it was a velvet box, you felt all the color drain from your face.

“Josh… you didn’t.”

“I did,” he grinned.

You pressed your lips together and slowly opened the box, revealing one of the most gorgeous necklaces you had ever seen. It was a simple silver chain with a small diamond at the end; it was prettier - and more expensive - than anything Beau had ever given you. Josh watched as you carefully pulled the necklace out of the box.

“Do you like it?”

“Like it? Josh, this is gorgeous.”

“Here, I’ll help you put it on.”

Josh took the necklace from your hand and you spun around so that he could help, using one hand to carefully pull your hair out of the way. His fingers ever so slightly brushed against the back of your neck as he closed the clasp, very nearly giving you goosebumps all down your arms.

“Thank you,” you smiled as you spun back around. “For the necklace and for helping me put it on, it’s beautiful.”

“I’m glad.”

“Hey, I hate to ruin your moment,” Tyler said, “but our ride is here and we can’t be late.”

“Right,” Josh said, turning to his friend. “You have everything, Y/N?”

You grabbed your purse and rested a hand on Josh’s outstretched arm. “Yep, I’m ready.”

Tyler smiled, “Then let’s get this party started.”

*      *     *

The beginning of the night had become a blur to you. As soon as you had exited out of the vehicle that brought you to the awards ceremony, you were bombarded by people shouting at you and blinded by constant flashing lights. This was not a life that you were used to and it seemed as though Josh wasn't either, as he made his way down the red carpet with you - Tyler and Jenna in tow. You looked over your shoulder to see that the two lovebirds were easily fitting into the scene, but when you looked back to the yellow-haired beauty beside you, it was easy to see that he was anxious. Walking to his side, you placed a hand on his arm and he looked down to you with a small smile, as though he had instantly been put at ease.

"Josh, your bowtie is looking a little crooked. Mind if I fix it?"

"No, go right ahead."

Smiling back to him, he turned toward you as you reached your hands up to fix his bowtie. You could feel his eyes staring over your face, but you refused to look up at him just yet. Once you were done adjusting it to make sure it sat just right, you decided to let your gaze move up to settle on his chocolate brown eyes. They had a way of immediately captivating you with their depth and his warm smile pulled you in. Just then, a series of flashes appeared and you just knew that that moment had been captured by the paparazzi. That could be a really bad thing in hindsight, but you didn't seem to care in that moment. You just started to go with the flow from then on, your confidence rubbing off onto Josh.

"I think that we should really get them going," you started, a grin appearing on your lips as you spoke as Josh stared at you, a bit concerned by what you had in store. "Let's just give them a bunch of poses. They'll eat it up."

Earning a laugh from Josh, he nodded in agreement and then the both of you decided to pull out every pose in the book. Anything from silly, to serious, to happy and then to... nearly romantic. Tyler and Jenna had seen what the both of you had planned and even decided to join in for a few of the shots. At the end of the carpet, you all were laughing and having a good time with one another, waiting a few moments before going inside. You decided that now was the best time to give the boys a pep talk.

"Once we go in there and settle in, the awards are going to start. So, I just wanted to take the time now to let you know what an amazing and crazy ride it has been being your manager. You guys deserve this nomination and you especially deserve an award. You're amazing and I... I love the both of you. Really."

This earned "aw”s from all three of them, causing you to laugh as Tyler pulled all of you in for a group hug.

Josh looked down to you with a smile after all of you had pulled away, "You're special to us, Y/N. You know that I lo- we love you too."

You, Tyler and Jenna all stared at him with quirked eyebrows for a few moments as his face progressively turned as red as a tomato. You weren't quite sure if what he had just said was a confession or accidental, but regardless, your heart was pounding in your chest.

"Come on, guys. Let's go find our seats," Jenna pointed out and dragged Tyler inside, with you and Josh following behind shyly.

Aside from some issues finding your seats and a brief debate about what order the four of you would be sitting in, the award show was going smoothly. Josh had seemingly relaxed now that there weren’t photographers at every corner, pulling his attention in every which way. Although you were hesitant to admit it, you were enjoying the lack of eyes on you too. It was nice to not have to worry about every touch or glance you shared with Josh being caught by cameras and misconstrued on Twitter.

Tyler leaned over and whispered something in Josh’s ear, which he responded to with a nod. You elbowed him lightly in the side to grab his attention.

“What?” he whispered.

“What was that about?” you asked, nodding your own head in Tyler’s direction.

“He said he thinks one of the awards we’re up for is after this one.”

“Nervous?”

Josh’s mouth curled up into a partial smile, “Yeah.”

Your conversation was interrupted by the room bursting into applause for whoever had just finished giving their speech. You watched as the artist walked off stage and the next set of presenters walked up on stage. Next to you, you could see Josh’s breathing pick up a little.

“Hey, it’s going to be ok,” you said, reaching over to rest your hand on his forearm.

Josh turned and looked at you. His eyebrows were pulled together in concern and worry was written all over his handsome features. Despite never saying a word, both of you knew exactly what the other was thinking. It was just how you and Josh worked.

You kept your hand on Josh’s arm while the presenters did their little intro. Beside Josh, you could see Tyler’s leg nervously bouncing. Jenna had one of her hands wrapped around his arm.

“And the award for best pop duo or group performance goes to…”

Josh moved his arm so that your palms were now pressed together. His fingers slid between yours and curled around your hand. Yours instantly did the same in response, as if this was the hundredth time Josh had held your hand and it was second nature by now. His grip was tight, but you hardly noticed. You were so busy trying to figure out what was going on that you nearly missed the announcement of the winner.

“Twenty One Pilots for their performance in Stressed Out.”

The room erupted in applause once again. Cameras were on the four of you in an instant, monitoring your reaction to the award win. The boys and Jenna had already stood up, so you were quick to follow suit. Josh pulled you into a hug the moment you were on your feet.

“Congrats,” you whispered in his ear, hoping he could hear it over the cheering around you.

“Couldn’t have done it without you,” he answered before pulling away.

You watched as Josh carefully stepped past Jenna, unable to keep the smile off your face as you thought of how far they had come. It seemed like just yesterday that they were playing shows in front of tiny crowds, and now they were accepting an award in front of some of the most influential musicians in the industry. A few tears were even starting to pool in your eyes.

And then you noticed Josh starting to unbuckle his pants.

At least, that’s what you thought you were seeing. It wasn’t until he pulled them down over his legs that you confirmed that that was, in fact, exactly what he was doing. On live television. In front of thousands of people. You looked to Jenna, gauging what kind of reaction you should be having in this situation, but she was acting completely unaffected by this entire chain of events.

As soon as the cameras were off of you, you stepped towards her and leaned close to her ear. “What is happening?”

“This has been their plan for years,” she answered.

“To accept a Grammy in their underwear?”

Jenna grinned, “Exactly.”

You nodded and scooted back towards your chair.

As the boys made their way up to the stage, Josh in his black boxers and Tyler in his striped ones, your eyes were glued to one person in particular. Obviously it wasn't Tyler, because that would just be weird, but the snack next to him was the eye candy that you needed. Initially, you thought this to be a bad idea... but the more that you watched as Josh stood there speaking into the microphone - also making you very proud of him - it was more of a blessing in disguise. Thank goodness the cameras weren't on you and Jenna anymore or else they would zoom in on the drool that you felt almost escape your lips. Your best friend knew you all too well and occasionally would look your direction to see how you reacted to seeing Josh up on stage. Once their speech was over, they picked up their pants and walked offstage with their award so that the ceremony could continue.

*     *     *

Once the award show’s festivities wrapped up for the night, you and Jenna were finally able to properly congratulate the boys for their accomplishments.

"I'm so proud of you two!" you shouted out to Josh and Tyler, big smiles plastered on their faces. Jenna laughed and nodded in agreement, giving Tyler a big hug and kiss on the lips.

"I knew that you and Josh would be able to do it, Ty."

"I couldn't have done it without you, Josh and Y/N. You guys really helped me through the processes and kept me grounded," he replied.

Your eyes teared up at Tyler's kind words and you then felt a pair of strong, warm arms wrap around you. Looking up, you saw that it was Josh giving you the nicest hug you'd ever received. Finding yourself not wanting to leave that spot, you slightly leaned into his embrace but didn't get to enjoy it before Tyler chimed in.

"Come on, guys! We should head out. We have that after party to get to, right?"

"Yeah! Let's go!" Josh exclaimed.

Removing his arms, to your dismay, and taking hold of your hand as he had earlier that evening, he started leading the way back to your ride. The driver would know just how to get there. You couldn't help but feel a sinking feeling in your stomach as you thought about Josh having one too many drinks later to celebrate. You'd never had to deal with drunk Josh before and didn't know what would come of it. There have been many accounts of drunks spilling their feelings or doing things that they regret. Now that you thought more on it, you were scared that you were going to get too drunk. You would definitely hold out on the liquor this time. Piling into the car, you all took turns admiring the award and taking selfies with one another. It was one thing to act like children in public, but it was more than allowed in secret.

*     *     *     *     *

Taglist

@topownsmyheart​ @faceofcontvsions​ @ohprettyweeper​ @tylersheavydirtysoul​ @svintsandghosts @wearebxnditos​ @breadbinishigh​ @patdsinner33​ @leam-2001​

[thepropertylovers]

Feature Friday with Corey & Dan Prince

Happy Friday! This week’s Feature Friday is a married couple who love the life they share together in their upstate NY town. They discuss how a break years ago saved their relationship, how easy it was to decide who’s name to take, and a certain obsession with a certain Queen B. These guys seem like they would be a blast to hang out with, and we think you’ll agree. Take a look below to see what we mean…

Where are you from? Corey: I am from a little town in Upstate New York called Hoosick Falls lived there until I was 6 then moved to Hendersonville TN until I was 10 then moved to Ohio until I was 15 and back to good ol’ Hoosick Falls and have been in New York ever since.

Dan: I grew up in a town just outside of Albany, called Colonie New York and have lived there my whole life.

Where do you live? We bought our first house together last August in one of our favorite places Troy, NY. Its like a mini Brooklyn in Upstate. Cute shops, and wine bars, and restaraunts. Always something new going on from farmers markets and summer concerts but somewhere that’s just nice to walk around and see the buildings and history.

Instagram handle: Corey: @CORBOR2, Dan: @dprince2

Age: Corey: 26, Dan: 27

Where is your favorite place you’ve ever travelled to and why? Corey: This is tough. Before Dan I never travelled. The furthest I had gone was Maine and Florida. When we first met Dan begged me to go on a cruise and I was in school at the time, but I went and realized there is much more to the world than both Maine and Florida. But my favorite place is called Shorelands Guest Resort in Kennebunkport Maine, it’s just a little place with cute cottages that has bikes that you can take down a road with horses on the way and to a very secluded beach. I have always just felt so relaxed and collected there.

With Dan being a travel agent on the side of his full-time job we are always looking to go new places and see new things so maybe our favorite place is still out there. A lot of the world to see!

Dan: Playa Mujeres, Mexico. Rightfully so my favorite destination was where we went on our honeymoon. I am an independent travel agent and was always searching for the perfect place, but it was a task to find a gay friendly resort. The Finest Resort by Excellence was everything we wanted. Playa Mujeres is just north of Cancun. It was relaxing we met another couple Liz and Tina there and got invited to their wedding earlier in October. We couldn’t go but the memories there and the treatment and relaxation made it my absolute most favorite place.

How did you two meet? Oh goodness, well I was talking to his best friend at the time, we hadn’t met but once before that but then things didn’t work out with him and then Dan and I were talking to the same person not knowing it and then we realized, and he apologized for talking to the same person I was. It wasn’t long after that he asked me to a movie and the rest is history!

Who proposed to whom? Corey: We always planned a getaway for my Mimi and Aunt’s birthday and we went to Old Orchard Beach in Maine in 2015. We told Dan’s family about it and so by the time we were actually booked we had about 20-25 family members and friends on this trip and it was my Aunt and Uncle’s 17th wedding anniversary  and a few birthdays so we got some champagne and went out to the beach to do a cheers and Dan was saying the cheers and then he stopped and was like I also have another cheers I would like to do and he pulled his shirt off to reveal another shirt that said Feyonce got down on his knee and asked me to marry him.

Of course, I said yes!

The next year we planned a trip to Kennebunkport and we took a trip back to the beach that we got engaged at with a smaller group but in the same spot a year later I proposed to him 😊

How did you decide who's name to take? Oh, that was a no brainer. Dan’s last name was just easier, Prince. My last name just wouldn’t have worked. I don’t think it was even a thought of like hyphenating or him taking my last name and who doesn’t want to be a Prince?

You two took a break in 2014. What happened? Corey: I was so young when we met in 2011 and I was starting to not feel a connection or feel happy so as hard as it was for both of us I needed to make sure that this is what I wanted. it was about a month a half that we weren’t together still would talk occasionally. We met one day for a “first date” and opened about why we felt certain ways and made a pact to always be forward, honest, and not let feelings build up. It was rough. That’s never an easy thing to go through and we worked together and got through it and here we are living a beautiful imperfectly perfect life together.

What did you learn from the break? Corey: That communication is key. That things are not always rainbows and glitter. Relationships take work and compromise. It gave us a new start to learn about each other and build in new ways.

Dan: A break in a relationship can sometimes save it and can lead to a more fulfilling relationship.’ While a break doesn’t always prove to be a good thing, it can work to help you discover what you really want. If you’re questioning taking a break from your relationship, don’t be put off by the fact it may mean the end. Because it may also mean the beginning of getting your relationship back to the way it should be.

Tell us about the wedding! (click here to see their wedding pictures) The wedding! With keeping the theme of Dan’s last name, we went with The Royal Wedding theme. We were looking for every way to take a traditional wedding and flip it. We had looked at multiple castles in New York and Vermont and reached out to them to check availability and take tours. We ended up looking at Highlands Castle in Bolton Landing New York. Absolutely stunning, we called, and we had too many people for there, so he said, I have a friend in Altamont who owns a castle… don’t we all? So, we found Breitenbach Castle. The owner was an artist Thomas Breitenbach who built the castle from the ground up out of the rock from his land. Very talented. So, we did it. booked it in 2015 and chose the date of 9/9/17. We loved every aspect of planning. We had so much time to do it the right way where we didn’t put any stress on ourselves to plan something on a large scale in a short amount of time. I pitched the idea to Dan about doing a surprise wedding. Have the guests not know where they are going, give them the address on the invitation to the caterer’s venue and hotel where our room block was. We rented trolleys and had everyone shuttled in to the castle. It was a gamble. But it left everyone trying to figure it out for 2 years only like 10 people knew. It was magical. We just had the best day. The weather cleared up right around our ceremony, our amazing 18 groomsmaids, friends, and family all together celebrating love just made us want to go back and restart the minute it was over.

What is your favorite thing about one another? Corey: This is gonna sound so cliché, but Dan is truly one of a kind. He is so handsome, He is so passionate about everything he touches or does. He is organized. He is so responsible in every aspect. He supports my Beyoncé obsession. He just wants the best of life. I am honestly and truly very lucky that I get to call such a genuine, true human being my husband. I could go on…and on.

Dan: We both share a passion for an alternative life. We are happy homeowners and are proud parents to our wonderful chocolate lab named Blue Ivy Prince! We are great at compromising with decisions. Not all the time! But most of the times. We both have the want to see what the world has to offer. Our home is our pride and joy. Constantly making updates, as you know it never ends. Although we share a lot in common Corey has this crazy Beyoncé obsession, the first thing he does in the morning is google her to make sure she didn’t drop an album or a new picture or something while he was asleep. and I am completely opposite country music is my lane. I always tell him all my country concerts for a summer would take 2 years to pay for his one Beyoncé ticket. He usually says, “look at who we are talking about here sir”. Our differences set us apart but make for a great team that will just go with the flow. He is kind, caring, supportive, and compassionate. What more can you want?

[mollymauk-teafleak]

but the heart of a man is a simple one (part 3)

Sorry this took so long, you know how school be 

Ao3 | ko-fi of a broke trainee teacher/author 

reblog & comments = a very happy and motivated author 

Caleb wasn’t very good at sitting still.  

His leg itched to bounce, his spine to slouch, his fingers to drum restlessly against his kneecap. But every time he did, the painter would give him a sharp look, as if Caleb had ran up and kicked his easel over with no word of warning. Every time it happened, he could feel his husband next to him trying to hide a bemused smile.

He’d tried to protest this, trying to argue that having a portrait done was a senseless extravagance, a waste of time and money. But it was tradition apparently, that all newly married couples who dwelt in the palace be immortalised in paint and plaster and a huge, grandiose gilded frame. Caleb had tried to find the courage but, after a supercilious smirk from the Grand Mage, his argument that just because something had been done thousands of times before didn’t mean it was the right thing to do had stayed on his tongue and he’d slumped into his chair and not spoken for the rest of the meeting. He sometimes felt that the other archmages only ever allowed their little pet, quota filling commoner a certain number of spoken words per meeting and after that he was little more than a prattling child to them.

So here they were, a bitter Caleb and a faintly perplexed Mollymauk, sat in a ridiculous half- reclining pose on two of the most hideously fancy and most uncomfortable chairs in existence, getting all manner of aches and bruises while a commissioned human artist, with squinting eyes and a long pointed nose that made him look rather like a fastidious little rodent, sketched out their forms and filled them in with colour over the course of five hours. Caleb was ready to scream within five minutes.

After the hundredth or so time of being asked it the honourable archmage could please tilt his head up a little further, thank you, the wizard had been ready to snap until Mollymauk shifted beside him and soothingly squeezed his arm while flashing him a sympathetic grin, flickering back to his statuesque pose before the painter could notice.

Caleb felt a small smile tug at his own lips, his blood cooling a little bit. At least there were much worse people to be stuck posing beside.

The month or so since their wedding had been odd, though not in an uncomfortable way. Caleb was still getting used to having someone else there in his apartments, to there being another set of footprints, soft breathing next to him in the night, the water running in the bathroom when he wasn’t in it. Purple hairs clinging to some of his clothes, jewellery that was definitely too extravagant to belong to him left abandoned on the dresser, a scent of lilies and jasmine lingering in the air even when he was alone.

It was new, which meant it automatically made Caleb feel dizzy. But there were good bits about it too.

Sometimes there would be a pot of tea waiting for him on his desk beside all the books, steaming contentedly. Mollymauk would make light comments over dinner, not seeming to mind that Caleb would mostly read through the meal, making light fun of the people he’d encountered and the things he’d done that would always make Caleb laugh and feel as though he was being entrusted with a secret. The warmth of another person beside him in the night was a comfort too, especially the moments where Molly’s hand would stray as he slept to rest on Caleb’s arm or his shoulder. The first time that had happened, Caleb had been tempted to gently shrug it away, Molly would never know to mind. But somehow he hadn’t. Somehow he’d started to wish for it.

True to his word, Mollymauk had never expected anything more than Caleb was ready to give him. Right at the start, he’d even offered to remain in the guest suite that he’d been allocated back when he was simply a visiting dignitary and not a lord of Zadash by marriage. Touched but understanding that it would only raise suspicions and but him more in the council’s firing line, Caleb had declined and his humble apartments were slowly starting to fill up with all of Molly’s things, somehow slotting in beside his own with minimal disruption.

Caleb found it strange how two lives that were so startlingly different could be stitched together so easily. Next to Molly, he felt like rough, cracked leather next to the sheerest, most elegant silk and yet their peculiar patchwork seemed to be coming together, slowly and tentatively but all the same.

“I am finished, my lords,” the painter announced, waking Caleb up from his own thoughts, “Your portrait is complete.”

He turned around the canvas far bigger than himself, for the two of them to see. Caleb didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Molly apparently did, as he stifled a laugh with a cough that quickly turned into effusive praise that seemed to please the artist, even as hollow as it sounded to Caleb. He just stayed staring at the painting, feeling his heart sink further and further.

In short, they looked utterly ridiculous. If it were just a bad painting, Caleb probably just have giggled along with Molly and shrugged it off as a waste of the council’s money but it wasn’t that simple. The two figures were so far removed from the actual people they were supposed to portray that it was more caricature than portrait. In the painting, Archmage Widogast had the most smug, most haughty expression that clearly didn’t belong on a face as long and drawn as his. It was as if the painter had pulled the expression Caleb detested most right off the face of the Grand Mage and pasted it onto a thicker, more farcically masculine version of Caleb himself. Mollymauk looked slightly better though his natural colourfulness clearly hadn’t translated well into the more traditional, baroque Zadashi style, like hastily trying to cut a ball gown into a pair of overalls. The painter hadn’t even done most of his tattoos, completely inventing imaginary long sleeves to cover his forearms and a high necked shirt to cover his chest.

They looked like two people who had absolutely no business being together, being in the palace even. Under the direction of those in charge, they’d been forcibly remoulded into the people they wanted them to be, not who they actually were, and the result was a depressing misery.

“Well, at least we got a laugh out of it?” Molly chuckled as soon as the door closed behind the artist, “Though I swear, that abomination is not hanging in our apartment. Shall we fake a mortal accident? What do you think, we accidentally left it too close to a candle and it went up in flames or oh! Maybe Frumpkin thought it was a new toy for him and clawed it to shreds…”

He didn’t see. He didn’t see the spite that lingered behind the ridiculousness. Of course he didn’t, he hadn’t been here long enough, he’d been born into this life, he’d never felt out of place in this world.

“I’m going to go to the library,” Caleb mumbled flatly, unable to even try and sound normal.

Molly’s smile died, “Oh…okay, love. I’ll see you for dinner?”

“Yeah, maybe,” he was already at the door, already letting it close behind him.

***

There had been revels going on through the city right from sunrise and even now, at sunset, the faint shouts and songs and even the low booms of firework spells still reached the palace.

Caleb could read the wistful expression on his husband’s face as he paused in the process of getting ready for the ball, standing by the window and watching as flowers of fire and light and noise bloomed over the city at the base of the hill. He had no doubt that his high-spirited, colourful husband would be much happier down in amongst the citizens, drinking ale and watching the parade and the fireworks and dancing in the streets. Certainly happier than he would be at the archmages’ own celebrations, a lavish ball with only delicate flutes of champagne and expensive canapés and dignified conversation, in the room they’d been married in just a few months ago though considerably more pomp was being thrown behind this event. Distinguished people were coming from all over the realms to attend the performance masquerading as a party. Caleb was already sourly wondering what new deals and agreements would be made over the caviar and wine that would suck even more funds out of the charitable foundations he’d been arguing fruitlessly for at all the recent meetings.

“Your people seem to really love this day,” Mollymauk murmured suddenly, making Caleb lift his head from trying to tie his cravat to very limited success. He hadn’t been paying enough attention to his husband as they’d been dressing, only now could he see how elaborate his dress actually was. It was tight, clinging to his body, adorned with so much gold thread that it seemed entirely made of spun metal and over the top was a loose, flowing curtain of almost see through purple silk that would brush the floor when he danced. His jewellery was just as elaborate, amethysts in a tight, almost lace like web around his neck and piercings dripping with gold, arching right up to his horns like the metal had taken on a life of its own and grown like vines.

“It’s one of our most important feast days,” he nodded in agreement, moving over to stand by his husband at the window. Zadash really did look beautiful from up here, a maze alive with colour and light from the many lanterns hung high the streets and the folk in bright costumes wandering through the merriments, “It celebrates the city’s founding.”

Molly frowned, trying to remember, “You did tell me, didn’t you…it was the one in the book about the young elf woman lost in the woods who found the spring, right? And she had her family there and the city grew…”

“You were listening!” Caleb smiled, teasingly.

“I only fell asleep towards the end,” Molly rolled his eyes, grinning, “I got the gist of it.”

“But yes, that’s it in essence. Everyone in the city gets a day off and there’s music and a parade and all the children dress as folk heroes and hold treasure hunts all through the streets.”

“Sounds fun,” the wistfulness deepened. Caleb could easily picture Mollymauk in his gilded mask and his peacock feathers, part of the parade as he juggled his scimitars atop a cart strewn with flowers, running with the children and directing them subtly to where the gold coins were hidden in the nooks and crannies of the alleyways, complimenting all the regular attendees to his shows on their costumes and re-enacting the tales from which they’d sprung, playing the parts of the dragon or the monster to make the children laugh.

“Maybe…” Caleb bit his lip, “Maybe we need only show our faces tonight? Have a drink and then make our excuses and go into town? No one would know us in costume.”

Molly’s eyes brightened for a few moments before he slumped a little and sighed, “No. No, this is our place now. I need to stop pulling stunts like that, I promised the lords back home I would. Time to grow up and be old and boring…”

Caleb smiled slightly, reaching out and taking Molly’s hand. He was getting much better at that, offering touch and accepting it in return. The whole concept was really starting to grow on him; it was almost like every brush of Molly’s hand against his own, every time Molly would let him brush his hair of a night because the movement of the brush through his long, silken curls was comforting to him, every time the tiefling would squeeze his shoulder or brush a stray lock behind his ears or nudge him to punctuate some whispered joke filled a hole inside his stomach.

“You could never be boring, Mollymauk,” he said gently.

Molly seemed touched at that, his smile growing back. He turned to Caleb, his hands gently flickering up to redo his cravat correctly, “Flatterer. Here, let me fix that for you…”

He tied it with effortless elegance whereas Caleb had been struggling with it for what felt like an hour. And as soon as it was done, he leaned forward and kissed him, just softly, just swiftly, on the cheek.

“We should head down there, don’t want to be late…” the tiefling whirled away carelessly to give himself a last check in the mirror.

Leaving his husband standing rooted to the floor, his cheek burning where the kiss had landed, mouth slightly open. As another spell infused rocket whistled and exploded over in the distance, Caleb felt much the same sensation in his chest.

The elaborate decorations that had arched overhead when they’d entered the ballroom, the canopy of the traditional blue roses that ridged the ceiling like the spine of a creature hunched over in slumber, the scented candles drifting atop levitation spells that moved though the room like lily pads on an invisible pond, the behemoth of a crystal chandelier that hung over the heads of the guests, it was all starting to look rather sinister as the evening wore on and the light of the sunset dimmed. Everything seemed to have an edge to it, the sharp lances of crystal lengthened and became more pointed, like teeth and the elaborate dress of the guests looked pale and washed out, greying, ghost like. Empty glasses lay abandoned on tables or the windowsills, on their sides or lopsided, as tipsy as the guests who’d drained them. The laughs were growing more strained, the conversations thinner as the night grew older and the alcohol was drunk more liberally.

Caleb was more than ready to retire and head up to bed. Maybe the fireworks would still be going on and he and Mollymauk could watch them from the comfort of their blankets. He’d made his limp circuits of the room, standing the fringes of conversations, nodding and making noises of agreement. He’d introduced himself to all the people who he knew would be expecting it, gave rehearsed, pleasant answers to many questions about his wedding and more enthusiastic ones to the few about his work. Though of course the other lords and ladies had the standard response of looking slightly alarmed as Caleb launched into descriptions of his studies into crystal refraction to amplify magical traces and then pointedly not ask him any more about that or make their excuses and offload their conversation on whoever was standing nearby that they didn’t like all that much. He’d done everything that was expected of him and now he was eager to flee.

He looked around and managed to find Mollymauk, over the other side of the room, holding a conversation with several other people who looked incredibly important, looking as at ease with them as could be. The kiss came back into his mind as he weaved through the crowd towards him. It was a little distressing that one brief second was commandeering his mind so completely, making his face feel hot and his feet want to fidget and his heartbeat pick up. Caleb shoved it out as mind as best he could as he eventually gravitated to his husband’s side.

“Hello, love,” Molly beamed at him as soon as his red eyes settled on him. They were always a little more demonstrative in public, keeping up the image as it were. But then again, Mollymauk did give pretty much everyone he met a pet name.

“Ready to go?” Caleb asked quietly, hopefully, giving him a tired smile.

He got a flash of an exaggeratedly relieved look in response and a squeeze of his hand, a silent pledge that he’d be ready in five minutes.

“You’ve met my husband, haven’t you…” Molly continued the conversation smoothly, making Caleb feel part of it the way no one else had all night. He was so much better at this than his husband, at talking to these people and blending in, acting like one of them.

Caleb felt a little awful thinking it but he could see why so many people who met his husband assumed he was just another privileged little lordling with more money than personality, who’d never had to develop beyond the surface level because his title would open every single door he ever encountered. He could see why they only saw the easy, airy party boy in him, why they loved to swap gossip about his extravagant orgies. It was only after spending time with Mollymauk that it became clear how much of it was simply an act. More clever than any of these people put together, he very deliberately managed the façade of the archetypal young lord while keeping all of his true self, his wit and kindness and perceptiveness, hidden away where they couldn’t reach it.

But Caleb was allowed in. And he was slowly starting to realise just how much he appreciated it.

The older woman was talking now, something about the opera house she’d founded back in her own city of Bladegarden that actually sounded quite interesting, maybe he and Mollymauk could go…

“…utterly ridiculous, the fact that they even let such a creature through the gates is a disgrace. I mean, not only does he frequent whores, he dresses like one too…”

Caleb went very stiff and very still. The voice came from somewhere behind them, no doubt meant to be a conspiratorial whisper though swelled with drink and slurred, but the words and the tone of derision was unmistakeable.

Another voice, though the spite and the wine in it was twin to the first, “…made a freak show out of the institution of marriage. That sort of thing might be acceptable on the Menagerie Coast but we’re a little more civilised here…”

“…should never have allowed it, I have no idea what the Grand Mage is thinking. How are they supposed to produce an heir, what’s even the point? An utter farce. Widogast must be ashamed to even leave his room…”

“Prancing, preening little thing. Half the lords will be laughing in their cups at us, having someone like that around…”

“…they’re all descended from demons, that lot, they can’t be trusted. We’ve let a devil into our midst and invited him to infect us as he pleases with his deviant behaviour. The empire will crumble within the year, just you wait…”

The hand in Caleb’s disappeared suddenly, yanked away before he could even try and hold on.

“Please excuse me, my lady,” Molly’s voice was flat and stony cold, killing off any hope Caleb had clung to that he hadn’t heard the voices. Quick as he’d ever seen him move, the tiefling turned and ducked into the crowd, disappearing into the press.

Caleb swallowed back a cry of his name, mumbling his own hasty apologies and making to follow his husband. Though before he did, he whirled to find the sources of the two voices. He wasn’t surprised to see them, two of the other archmages, two who had wanted to cancel the betrothal as soon as they realised they’d sent another man, two who had opposed Caleb’s appointment to the council in the first place, two who raised their hands to vote against any measure Caleb proposed before he was even finished speaking.

Caleb narrowed his eyes and exhaled sharply, muttering a word as he did, walking away as soon as he saw a faint pule of light emanate from the glasses the two men held. No one seemed to notice.

Just as he reached the door he assumed Mollymauk had fled through, there was a sudden horrified shout from the crowd and a sickening, strangled noise, accompanied by a wet slapping sound as two of the archmages, for seemingly no reason at all, suddenly found their tongues lengthening grotesquely and springing from their mouths to roll across the marbled floor like a grisly carpet. All after just a sip of their drinks.

Caleb allowed himself a small smirk before he left the ballroom.

***

“Caleb? My love?”

The wizard started a little, he hadn’t even heard the door open. That happened a lot when he got so engrossed in his work that everything else seemed to fade away to an easily ignored static in the back of his mind. Often Frumpkin would jump into his lap while his master was in full flow and scare him so badly that he’d tip backwards right out of his chair.

“Oh, hello,” he turned in his seat to see Mollymauk standing just a little ways behind him, hovering close to his husband’s desk. He’d changed out of the ridiculous traditional robes they’d been given to wear for the painting- Caleb had balled his own up as tight as possible and thrown them against the wall- and was now dressed more simply in fawn coloured leggings and a knitted tunic in stripes of warm browns, oranges and greens that Caleb had no doubt he’d made himself.

Molly’s gentle smile only made his husband feel more awkward, like a small child who’d thrown a tantrum and now had to explain himself. Molly had pointedly not approached him since yesterday after they’d sat for that disastrous painting, had only made the lightest conversation over dinner and kept his distance as they’d slept, taking a long, long bath and only coming to bed after Caleb was dozing. It was obvious that he was giving his husband space to cool off and bring up whatever had upset him in his own time, an obviousness that Caleb had ignored, embarrassed and anxious.

Clearly Mollymauk had decided to take matters into his own hands.

“You’ve been working for a long time,” the tiefling raised an eyebrow delicately, “Fancy taking a break? Your friends are all in the parlour?”

Caleb’s eyes drifted to the pile of notes on his desk, the ones he’d made frantically as he’d been carrying out his experiments and now had to decipher and make into a formal report. Even after working all afternoon, he was barely a quarter of the way through.

Almost as if he’d read his mind, Molly sighed, “Please? It’ll only be for a little while, I promise.”

A little taken aback, Caleb tried to think when the last time was that someone had shown so much concern for him. His friends had long since given up on reducing the time he spent scribbling away at his desk or in his lab to a more human friendly level, preferring to just pick up the pieces by having Fjord lift him into bed and Nott tuck the blankets around him and Jester heal his headaches after he would crash out in his chair.

“I mean…yeah, okay,” Caleb finally said, seeing no other available answer. Maybe he did owe Molly a little, after staying so stubbornly clammed up all night. He tried for a smile, “Maybe one game of chess…”

Molly wrinkled his nose and groaned. Caleb had been trying to teach him chess for a week or so, the game not being very popular on the coast, and the tiefling had quickly developed a vendetta against it, refusing to call anything a game if it involved this much thinking and remembering facts.

“Or maybe you could finally make good on your promise to teach me your best drinking games in return?” Caleb smiled, nudging his husband playfully as he got up and shook some feeling back into his legs.

His husband laughed, “Oh, all in good time. But I have something else to show you tonight.”

Caleb blinked in surprise as he walked into the small parlour in his apartments, where they often spent their free time in between Fjord and Beau’s patrols and Jester’s stints in the healer’s house and Nott clearing away whatever messes she’d manage to make in the lab trying to find inventive ways to cook up her acids. His friends were flopped over the furniture as they always were, across the comfortable old chairs of cracked leather and overflowing stuffing that Caleb had picked up from antique shops in the city and handmade blankets Jester had provided a long time ago during her macramé phase.

But there was a large blanket covering something tall and rather square in the middle of the room.

“Is…is this that intervention about the amount of coffee I drink you’ve been threatening me with?” Caleb felt rather lost, every pair of eyes in the room suddenly on him.

“No, no,” Mollymauk came up behind him, putting a hand on his shoulder, “As necessary as that sounds, that’s not it. I asked your lovely Jester to made a few…amendments to our portrait. So it better reflects you and me. Jester, if you would, my love?”

“Oh…” Caleb murmurs softly, looking over just as Jester swept the cloth away with a bright trilling ‘tad dah’ and her usual sunny fanfare.

He’d known what a talented artist his good friend was. But he hadn’t realised that she had enough skill to actually make him look beautiful.

Instead of a stiff, unnatural pose on awkward furniture, the two of them were sat on the sofas of the room they were currently stood in, perfect paint recreations that somehow managed to capture exactly how comfortable they were, how the smooth old leather felt underneath his hands, even how they smelt of must and home. There was a fire roaring in one corner, so real it almost seemed to flicker as he gazed at it, bathing the two of them in light, as well as the bookcase behind them, all the titles even done in minute calligraphy. The painted Molly looked as relaxed and confident as he always did in real life, every single inch of his beautiful tattoos lovingly recreated, as well as the perpetual kindness in the smiles he gave his friends.

And Caleb would himself looking at a much more comfortable, much more content version of himself. In his own clothes, his old motheaten brown jumper and patched trousers, with Frumpkin wound around his neck and his hair tied back in a leather thong. His smile was small but comfortable and didn’t look out of place on his face at all, the way smiles often did. His shoulders slumped, relaxed, his eyes were bright and alive and confident in a quiet sort of way.

And his hand rested lightly on top of Mollymauk’s.

Unsurprisingly, Caleb felt tears slide down his face and the wind rush out of his lungs as Jester threw her arms around him and hugged him tight. He returned the embrace as fiercely as he could, trying to show the gratitude he knew he’d never be able to fully express in words. As the painting shattered into colourful fractals before his streaming eyes, he realised what he saw on that canvas, just what Jester and Molly had been able to show him, why it made his chest feel so warm.

Caleb didn’t see himself as he was now. Instead he saw a future. A warm, safe, happy future with his friends and his new husband. It was the first time he’d been able to see that maybe everything was actually going to turn out okay for him.

After deciding that the inaugural hanging of the painting required some drinks to celebrate, the friends trouped out towards the palace’s cellars. But just before they joined them, Caleb reached out and tapped Molly on the shoulder, keeping him back for a moment in the fresh silence.

“Mollymauk, I…” the words caught in his throat, the tears still in his eyes. Caleb cried so infrequently, it was always a while before he could stop once he got going, “I just…I can’t thank you enough.”

The tiefling shook his head, reaching out and gripping Caleb’s arms reassuringly, “No thanks necessary, darling. What they did with the first one…it was disgusting.” A flicker of anger crossed his face, like a bitter taste had entered his mouth, “The way they treat you is just disgusting.”

There it was again, the unfamiliar and dizzying feeling of someone else caring about him. Maybe he was going to have to start getting used to that.

“I mean…it’s okay, I’m used to it. It’s always been like this…”

“But not anymore,” Mollymauk smiled defiantly, “As long as I’m here, you have someone in your corner. Got that, Caleb?”

“Yeah,” the wizard smiled, eyes meeting his husband’s, “I got that.”

***

Mollymauk hadn’t gone far. He didn’t know the layout of the palace very well just yet and Caleb imagined he didn’t want to get lost.

The guests had been handing their coats and furs off carelessly to dutiful servants who’d then hung them up with painstaking care in a nearby closet, thin but deep, disappearing off into shadow and close enough to the ballroom that the music could be heard faintly, the efforts of the flutists and violinists reduced to vague mumblings and the chatter to an indistinct buzz. It was here that Caleb found his husband, slumped to the floor and leaning miserably against a row of coats.

In the low light, the tear tracks on his cheeks were silvered rivers. Caleb felt his stomach lurch; he’d never, ever seen his husband cry. It filled him with disquiet, with grief, with fury, making his hands start to shake where they rested awkwardly on the doorframe.

“Mollymauk?” he made the word an offer, willing to reluctantly withdraw if his husband didn’t want him there. He wasn’t good at comforting others, it just wasn’t in his nature but despite all that, his heart ached to at least try.

“Hey,” the tiefling grunted thickly, eyes gazing up at the ceiling, “Look, I’m sorry if I made a scene…”

“Not at all,” Caleb shook his head quickly. That had been his own doing, “Can I come in?”

Molly gave a shrug of assent, shuffling over so the wizard could slump against the wall and slide down beside him. He still didn’t look at him, eyes staying upturned to the shadows though Caleb was fairly certain that wasn’t what he was truly seeing.

Often, Caleb found the best way to approach a situation was to stay silent. So, unsure of any alternative approach, that’s what he did, simply offering his closeness and the warmth of his body next to Mollymauk’s. No one was more surprised than him when it actually worked.

After a few moments, Molly let out a long sigh and wiped his eyes on the sleeve of his dress, “Believe me, I don’t like letting those assholes get to me like this. I’ve had stuff like that said about me so many times and…and I try so hard…”

Caleb reached over and threaded his fingers through Molly’s, face tight and pained with sympathy. Still, he didn’t say anything.

“But…gods, I just feel so homesick,” Molly’s voice broke like glass and fresh tears budded in his eyes, defying his efforts to wipe them away, “I miss the beaches. I miss my friends. I miss the sunsets and my bed and my home. I…I just hate realising that I can’t ever have that back and now I’m here where I’m not even wanted…”

“I want you here, Mollymauk,” Caleb insisted softly, squeezing his fingers, “Please don’t forget that.”

The tiefling managed a shaky smile that looked more like a grimace in the low light, “I know, Caleb, thank you…I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be offloading all this on you, when you didn’t want this any more than I did and you’ve been so welcoming.”

Caleb shuffled closer, feeling the silk of Molly’s train whisper under his knees, now close enough that he could smell his perfume and hear his raspy breathing, “No…I didn’t want this, Molly, but you’ve…you’ve actually made it the best thing that’s ever happened to me here?”

Molly’s red eyes, shining and shimmering until they looked like dancing candleflames, turned to Caleb, surprised, “Really?”

“Yeah, really,” Caleb grinned crookedly as he realised just how true it was, “It’s so strange, I feel as though I know you better and you understand me better than people I’ve known for years. I feel safe around you. I feel…happy. And I know those others might not want you here but I do, I love everything about you that they’re scared of. Cos that’s all it is, Molly, you tear down all the ridiculous ideas they have and show them the things they want to believe aren’t true so they decide they hate you when really…they’re scared of you.”

“Little old me, huh?” Molly chuckled, thickly.

“Exactly!” Caleb nodded, “And…no matter what they think, as long as I’m here…you’ve got someone in your corner. Got it?”

This time his smile was sure and genuine and his fingers clasped Caleb’s in return, “I got it. Thank you, my love.”

“Believe me, Molly, the pleasure is all mine,” Caleb breathed a soft sigh of relief to see that smile return, “I’d say we’re done with the festivities tonight. Shall we steal a bottle of champagne, go upstairs and read and watch the fireworks? I think they’re still going on…”

The tiefling smiled and rose to his feet, a little shaky but he had Caleb to cling to, clearly having no intention of letting go of his arm, “I’d like that very much, Caleb.”

Mollymauk looked surprised at the commotion coming from the ballroom as they passed it on their way to the stairs , his ears pricking up, “What on earth is going on in there?”

“I have no idea,” Caleb shrugged.

[dylanssprayberries]

Picture Us - Luke Hemmings

"You're not getting cold feet, are you?" Your best friend is standing in front of the mirror, eyeing herself with a doubtful look. She's not even dressed yet, only wearing the slip-on that's supposed to go underneath the dress. "I was joking." You say when you see how distraught she looks. "Hey, everything okay?"

"I never thought I'd be the first to get married." She shrugs. "You were supposed to set the example.." She trails off a little. "That was the plan right: you're older, God knows you're wiser." She chuckles a little, then shakes her head. "I know this is stupid. There is no right order for us to do this, it's just that-" She sighs. "I am not going to be a girl anymore. I'm going to be someone's wife and I'm not sure I know how to be one. We haven't discussed any ground rules for this marriage, I have no clue what he expects of me. I don't know how to be a wife. Or a mother."

You walk over and wrap your arms around her from behind. "Calum is the luckiest guy in the world." You smile. "So you haven't figured everything out yet, truth is no one has. And we're not supposed to follow the scripts we wrote of our lives when we were nine, if anything I think reality turned out better than anything we've dreamed of."

She smiles. "I guess you're right."

"And this little one is going to be so loved." You say, resting your hand on her stomach. "They don't even know it yet, but they have the coolest parents around. I mean, Calum is this famous star that has every girl falling at his feet and he picked you. And that doesn't make you the lucky one. Out of thousands of girls he has been fortunate enough to meet this sensitive and caring and vibrant young woman who sees right though him and always reminds him of what matters most. It is your love that inspires people all over the world. It's why we're all here today." You smile. "It's why you need to hurry up and get into that stunning dress of yours."

Your friend giggles. "I love you."

"I know." You nod. "Love you more." You let go of each other and you start rummaging around with the settings on your camera's while your best friend slips into her dress. It's a gorgeous v-neck piece that fits tightly around the torso and flows out at the waist. No sparkles, like you girls used to picture. Instead lace draws out the shape of roses all over the fabric. It's flowy and almost casual for a wedding dress, but it suits your best friend perfectly. "Calum's not gonna know what hits him."

"I'm gonna cry." Your best friend smiles, tearing up just the slightest bit.

"No, no, no. Don't ruin the make-up." You smile. "We worked hard on that." You chuckle.

"Right, right. Calum is marrying a mess." She chuckles. "How did Meghan Markle make this look so effortless?"

"Everything's easy for the royals." You roll your eyes. "I'm sure they were nervous, too, you know. Underneath it all."

"Yeah, okay." She nods. "I'm just so glad you're here."

"Of course, through all of it." I smile. "Now let me get a photo before we go out there." You grab hold of your camera and snap a couple of photos of your best friend in her dress. "All right, I'll go get your dad."

"Thank you."

You hug her one last time. "Next time we talk you'll be a wife." You grin. "I'm so proud of you."

"Go, go, you're gonna make me cry again." She chuckles. "I'll see you out there."

"Smile pretty for the camera."

"I'll try." She grins.

You leave the dressing room and really take in the location as you make your way to the room of your friends father. The wedding is held at a massive yet cosy house. Far enough from the city to have complete privacy. It's an outdoor wedding, which really was the best idea with this 28 degrees weather. But even if the weather was bad, the ceremony could easily be held inside. The house is decorated with extravagant art pieces, something both your friend and Calum love. It was part of why they picked the place. Just as you're about to knock on the door, your best friends father opens up.

"[Y/N]," He smiles warmly. "Is she ready?"

"Ready as she'll ever be." You grin.

"Who would have thought.. my little girl." The old man smiles. "We'll be right out, will you make sure everyone is ready?"

"Will do." You nod and take that as your cue to take off. The ceremony is held at the far end of the backyard and when you get there everyone is already seated. Excitement is in the air and you shoot Calum a wink. Nerves seem to kick in at the sight of you, it really is happening now. You get closer to take a couple of shots of the crowd. Then the ceremony begins and as your best friend comes into the picture, you don't shoot her. Instead you turn to Calum, capturing the exact moment he sees his bride. You grin in accomplishment as you look back at the photo; Calum his eyes are watering and he's wearing the biggest smile you've ever seen on him. It's so genuinely sweet, with just a touch of shyness, almost as if he can't comprehend she really is going to be his.

Then you turn to your friend to take a couple of full-body shots of her with her father by her side, walking down the isle. That's when you spot a pair of eyes watching you with intrigue. You hold the guy his gaze for a moment, then get out of the way for the crowd to really focus on your friend, no distractions. But even when you're off to the side, the boy his eyes are still trained on your. You allow your eyes to wander. He wears a loose black silk shirt with black trousers, which would be kind of odd at any other wedding. Calum and [your friends name] let everyone wear whatever they wanted, they're all for creative expression like that. The all black outfit makes the guy stand out, but not necessarily in a good way. The longer you look, though, the better he seems to get. His slicked back hair falls in waves down to the crook of his neck. His brows are kinda thin and messy, hovering over vivid baby blue eyes. His pale skin makes him look devilishly handsome.

Completely mesmerized, unaware of your movements, you take his picture. Only when you look through the media on your camera you realize you know this guy. Or, of him. He's one of Calum's bandmates. You feel a little stupid for not seeing it before. Ashton you recognized in a heartbeat, you've met the guy plenty times before. Michael isn't very hard to spot in a crowd, he stands out no matter how hard he tries not to. But Luke, Luke seems to blend in a little easier. At first glance there's nothing to make you stop in your tracks. It's all in the details, you just have to be lucky enough to catch them.

"I do." The voice of your best friend sounds perfectly certain as she commits her life to her greatest love. You focus on snapping pictures, instead of on the eyes you feel burning into your skin every time you walk by.

After the ceremony, everyone sits around the yard. There are tiny sitting areas sprawled around, huge pillows providing comfort to whoever decides to sit. You wander around the premises, taking shots of cute details like the basket of blankets with a note that reads: to have and to hold, in case you get cold. There are two guestbook tables, both unconventional. One holds a massive jar and heart-shaped pieces of paper to write your best wishes on. The other does hold a guestbook, along with a polaroid camera to capture the memories of tonight.

"Should we take one?" Beside you, Luke flashes a small smile. You return a weak one, accompanied by a blush. "A photo." He clarifies. "Although I guess you've been taking those all day, huh?" He asks, pointing to the cameras hanging from your shoulder.

"[your friends name] made me swear years ago that if she ever married I'd be the designated photographer."

"You're that good?"

"When she asked, I definitely wasn't." You chuckle. "But, I mean, what fifteen year old really knows how to see the beauty of the world and is able to capture it?"

"So you're the best friend. [Your name], is it?" You nod. "Wow, it's great to finally meet you."

"Eventually we were supposed to, don't you think?"

"Ah, you do know who I am." Luke smiles but he looks a little confused. "You had this kind of look, like you had no clue."

"I didn't, not at first." You confess. "Years ago, when your band was just gaining popularity, [your friends name] told me you were all drop-dead gorgeous. I've been looking out ever since."

"And yet we didn't catch eyes for the longest of time. You don't think I'm drop-dead gorgeous?"

"I think you're an interesting subject." You tease.

Luke laughs. "You know, that sounds far from a compliment."

"I do have eye for this kind of stuff." You joke.

"So do I." Luke dares. He brings the polaroid camera up to his eyes and before you know it he has taken your photo. "I have something to tell you." He says, biting his lip. "But it's kind of a secret, you really can't tell anyone."

You giggle. "What is it?"

"Most single people, like myself," he seems to put emphasis on stating that fact, "attend weddings to find a date, you know, for the next wedding season. Or just to get laid." He shrugs, making you laugh. "Not me."

"So what are you here for?"

"Apart from my undying love for my brother and best friend Calum Thomas Hood." His lips twitch up as he fights a smile, determined to keep up his performance. "I am here to steal your job."

"Oh are you now?" You smile.

"I am." He confirms, this time unable to stop himself from smiling. "See, I have great eye for anything beautiful. As all artists do." He states, matter of factly. "And there's this girl I saw earlier, and this is gonna sound cheesy but I swear to God her smile is a work of art. The only problem is that no one has taken her photo yet." He pouts a little. "Well, that is, until just a minute ago." He grins as he shakes the polaroid, waiting for your image to appear.

"What's next? Am I going to get a song?"

"You want one?" Luke raises his brows.

"You're the artist, right?"

"Well," he sucks in a deep breath as he looks at the polaroid. Turning it around to show you, he laughs. "Not the best around." The lighting has caused for horrible flashes through the photo, making the contrast look the absolute worst. There's not much of your face to see, actually.

"It's not that bad."

"Thanks for not breaking my heart." Luke grins.

You take the polaroid camera from his hands. "Guess it's my turn, since we're supposed to compare." You take his picture and wait for the polaroid to clear up. You purse your lips together when you see the result. "Guess that's my career down the drain." You chuckle.

"Oh come on, you didn't even try!"

"Just stick them in the book." You shake your head, smiling. "Ten years from now, when you're a famous photographer, I'm sure we will all have a great laugh."

"You want to see me ten years from now, huh?" Luke holds your gaze for a little too long, making you look away to hide your blush.

Recollecting yourself, you tuck your hair behind your ear. "I said all of us, as in Calum and [your friends name] and their kids, probably. Maybe you'd be there, I don't know, it did take us five years to meet, after all."

"So I'll take you out on a date then, say, five years from now. To keep the tradition up."

"Sure, yeah. And second dates could be dinner at home, right? So we'll double date with the newlyweds, who will probably be sick of each other by then, perfect timing to have a look back at this day because it will save their marriage, right? And we'll still be in that awkward getting to know each other phase. I read somewhere that equal embarrassment instantly creates a trusting bond, which is a perfect fundament for any relationship."

"How many years from now should I write you that song?"

"Sixth date?"

"That's in thirty years."

"He's good at math." You note.

"My mum teaches."

"I'm not supposed to know that yet, whatever will we talk about during all those dates we've got planned?"

"What do you usually talk about on dates?"

"Well," you start. "There always is some bashing about either Tinder or Badoo, whichever app I met the guy on. We both agree to totally hate the platform even though it is how we met. Then we discuss the basics, like where we went to school, where we grew up, what we do now, that sort of stuff. And by the end of the night I know all this information about someone I know I'll never see again, because both parties would just rather forget it ever happened." You explain. "And we'll both return to the app we claim to hate to do it all over again." You chuckle. "Which is why we are going to skip all of that. The small talk, I don't want any of it." You state, leaving the options of what you are going to do open for his interpretation.

"You're just full of ideas, aren't you?" Luke smiles a little.

"How would you know? We haven't even been on our first date yet." You bite your lip, then turn around to join the rest of the party.

"Friday. Seven." Luke calls out from behind. You grab hold of your camera and turn to capture the moment. Luke is smiling, ear to ear, top row of his teeth on full display, his eyes closed. "Did you just?" He asks, only seconds later.

"Gifts are for our three months anniversary, guess you'll just have to wait and see."

____

Wasn’t gonna post this at first bc it feels like betraying the teen wolf roots of this blog, but what the hell this blog is a fandom mess anyway.

Let me know what you think of this! Would love to hear from you.

[exotahu]

It’s here, the giant Bronycon post!

As per usual I don’t usually make this many words ever so shit might be wonky. and also it was written over the course of a few days so things might not line up in the right order. Also, fair warning I get kinda weird and sentimental at the end there. Also I have no idea if tumblr will break the formatting real bad so heres hoping it doesn’t

Thursday We left early without much incident. Only a group of 4 this time. Me, Andy, his brother Justin, and Andy's girlfriend Sam who was coming in via plane.

It was a really easy journey. Even stopped at the one Speedway with the good hotdogs. I decided to tie a ribbon in my hair too, I always say I should do something more with it than just tie it back. So I figured I'd try it. We got to Baltimore in what felt like no time at all. We checked in and went to our rooms and waited for Sam. I fiddled with my little electric name badge thingy I bought last year. Got it to say my name and Bronycon 2018 with some hearts and sparkles. Once Sam got settled in, we all met back up to go to pre-reg. She and I were afraid we'd weird each other out but we ended up getting along great. We all went to pre-reg and picked up our badges. Then, after dropping our stuff off at the hotel we ventured back out into the inner harbor for food and hanging out. We opted not to go to Dick's this time, opting instead to go to Tir na Nog. Got my usual pub food. The Vodka cranberry (yes even though I planned on drinking later) and the plain cheese burger. I like to eat the same thing at all the places, because I think it's neat to see the same food through the different lenses of different restaurants. Tir na Nog in Baltimore is different than O'Toole's in Albany is different from Jack Astor's in Toronto. After that we went to the big Barnes and Noble and looked at books and stuff. Then we all went to that ice cream shop thats right next door. They sell tea apparently so I got a small one. Missed the regular size straws so I had a huge straw (Like a goddamn footlong) in a tiny cup (like 3 inches). We went to the bars in Fells point after that. We only got slightly lost, but we found it. We didn't register for the actual bar trot, cause you don't really have to to enjoy drinks. We went to the Dog's Watch Tavern first cause they usually have a good shot, which in this instance was a Pinkie Pie shot. Don't know what was in it but I had several. We went to the Admiral after that. It was the best as it usually is. I think I drank like, 4 of the Trixie, there was a Sunset Shimmer drink (But it was secretly the Applejack. I liked it anyway). And I had most of a Rainbow Dash drink. I must say, I absolutely adore the atmosphere at this bar. The bartender is great and clearly loves what he does. A couple people recognized me cause I sit in the same spot more or less every time, and the goggles that I wear. That was pretty neat. Got pretty drunk, decided to go back after that to prep for the next day. We got a little bit lost on the way back too, but it brought us by the CVS so I bought a couple boxes of PopTarts. We got back to the hotel and went to bed.

Friday

Tried to get up for opening but missed most of it. Caught the tail end of it though. Sleep deprivation got me, plus the buttload of alcohol didn't really help. Hung out in the harmony plaza til the apple family panel. There was a photoshoot that happened but there wasn't a ton of people there. Saw apple family VA panel. It was pretty funny. Went to the vendor hall and walked it to get the layout, I didn't want to just chaotically walk around and not know where anything was so I strictly just walked each isle in a pattern. Actually helped me remember where booths were. I spoke to an artist about getting a comission for a friend who couldn't make it. His slots were full for the day so I figured I'd come back Saturday. I bought an original piece from him, which was actually pretty cool. I then went to the comic booth. I am trying to get at very least the A and B covers for every comic, Plus I wanted first prints of the first issue mane 6 covers. I got the first prints of the two #1 issues I needed. Then I got invited to Jonny Rockets, and due to needing to finish something in the vendor hall it took me a little bit. My friends are cool and waited for me even though I went on one hell of a journey to get there. So I got out of the vendor hall which exited by the Hilton sky bridge. Figure, shit I'll just take the sky bridge on the opposite side so I go for it. Get out there, pass the other hotel (hyatt?) and what used to be a wide open plaza. (Now it's a parking lot). Realize the goddamn thing ends there and there is no way down (unless I went back through the convention center and all the way back around), and more of the bridge is missing. Figure I don't want to walk all the way back so I go through the hotel. No idea if I was supposed to go through that door cause it looks like there were unused decorations everywhere. Nobody stopped me so I made it out to the street. Realize I still have to walk to the corner to cross, but say fuck it and randomly cross in the middle to the street island thing. Then I almost died to a puddle walking on the sidewalk behind some food trucks. Caught myself though. Finally I get there and we hang out and get a burger. On our way back I managed to drop a Pokemon on the Bronycon gym. We went back to the vendor hall. Hung out and looked at stuff. Me an Sam went shopping for pillows. We each bought one, only the case though. Had no space to store the full whole thing.  We went to the whoves line pannel after that. It was really funny, especially the bit where they acted like the friendship map was a computer that got a ton of viruses and went to a "bad dragon" website. I am surprised I've never gone to it before. We went to Jimmy Johns for dinner and then dropped our stuff off at the hotel and headed to the palooza. The performances were great, although they somehow got super off schedule. I bought a Shake-Ups CD. I stayed until the end. I enjoy the palooza immensely, but those 2AM nights are rough. My legs end up being noodles and its a guarantee I won't get to bed until atleast 330. Which is about when I went to bed.

Saturday

Had a bit of a slow start but I wanted to speak to the artist about that comission for my friend who couldn't make it. Even though I was slow, I still got there early enough. The thing he wanted would have been too complex, so I came up with something I think he'll like. Then I went to the comic booth and figured out what I needed to complete the A and B covers for the main comic series. It was cool cause they just let me into the booth to look. I believe I've done it, I just have to add everything to my app to make sure. I ran out of space in my comic storage, so I only did the main series. Next year I will buy for the side series. (There is a lot less). As of typing this out, I found the shop's location. Only a 3 hour drive. Might make a trip of it so I don't have to worry about it at next year's con. Dunno. Met back up with Andy and Sam in vendor hall. We looked around before leaving to get food and make a hotel drop. We got lunch at the JJ before heading to the script reading panel with Tabitha. Usually they're pretty strict about recording at these. Usually one of the staff says something about my camera, but nobody said anything. Or mentioned not recording it at all. I wonder if anyone uploaded it. It was about the mane 6 and a convention called "boomycon" which was about an alt. universe Derpy as a comic character who rides a meteor or something. The comic characters crossed over into the regular universe and shenanigans ensued. It was pretty funny. After that we went back to vendor hall to check on something, and I bought another of those dang pillows, and these weird flow rings, plus some other small stuff, including some super fucking adorable chibi-ball plushie things of Fluttershy and Tempest (Pretty sure I posted pictures). We made a hotel drop and got food. We tried to get into the DIY pony plush making but ultimately the wait list was too long. At this point we went to the sky terrace thing. Apparently there was a wedding, which is really fucking cool! Then we just found some chairs to just kind of chill in. Justin had a mini-pizza that came in a mini-pizza box. We're just sitting there talking and some guy came up and leaned over. We all thougt maybe he had left something. Then we notice he's signing the empty pizza box? He then just says you're welcome and leaves. It took a second then we realized... It was MA Larson. Fucking hillarious. I went back to the hotel again, meeting up with a friend on the way back. Met back up with everyone else at the palooza after that.  Brought the rings I bought and was playing with them, while doing my awkward-ass flail dancing. A couple people thought they were cool which was neat. I really enjoyed all the performances. A cover of 500 miles happened, Eurobeat was fantastic. Great show. I caught a T-Shirt that was thrown. (Which never happens ever and even though it's a small size it still fits.) Again I stayed until 2 AM, got to bed about 330.

Sunday Sundays are usually always the chill day where not much happens. Woke up around the usual time and headed over to the vendor hall. I wandered and bought some last minute things (Pillow #3...). I met back with everyone else around noon. We spent most of day in vendor hall just hanging out. One thing I did, was get a comission of my pony OC. I've been wanting to for years, just to say I had so I finally did it. I'm looking forward to it. Also saw a little digital badges that you could store pictures in. After that we went to the fountains to hang out before lining up for closing ceremonies. They opened with a nifty performance by Step2Harmony. Some of the guests said their farewells before the con chairs started talking about the numbers, a little more than 5000 people. (I don't remmeber the exact number, might have been closer to 5600?). After that was a skit involving the mascots. Blank Canvas got accepted into an art school and Hoof Beatz was going on tour, and the date they were leaving was the end of August next year. They run off stage and Mane Event just stood there like "What about us... : (" Scene end. Sure enough, the con chairs came back out and annouced that next year is going to be a 4 day event instead of a 3 day event. They also anounced that next year is going to be the last Bronycon and that they are ending the event in 2019. You could feel the moment where everybody's hearts broke. There were a lot of people crying. I was pretty choked up too, and I'm honestly not sure how I kept myself together. We walked back to the hotel. While we were waiting for the elevators, you could tell the mood was pretty sombre. Dropped off my bag and went back down to the lobby to wait for Andy and Sam. We all headed down to the inner harbor to go to Bubba Gumps. We had a hour and a half wait, that we spent hanging out in the harbor and the pavillion. One of them seemed to be closed this year. They seem to get smaller and smaller each year. Bubba Gumps as always was fantastic. I got the usual Shrimper's Heaven. Even got to eat the shrimp that Sam didn't eat. Bonus shrimp! Spent 60$ on my check and regret nothing. We went back to the hotel with the intent of playing some Shipfic in the one banquet room the hotel usually has open, which we did! Another group played the pony movie which was neat. We also saw an Insomnia Cookies down in Fells Point so we decided to order some. It took a little more than an hour. But I got the call and they showed up to the hotel and handed me a very warm box. The cookies were fantastic. Every bit worth the wait. I think I have one somewhere relatively close to my home but I'm nowhere near the delivery radius. Probably a good thing because I would go broke buying cookies. They're pretty awesome. Some guy had also had a baby skunk! No idea how he pulled that off or how the hotel was cool with it but it was really cute. Once the movie ended most of the people left. After that we went back to our rooms. Me and Sam got a group picture of all the pillows we bought. I packed most of my stuff after that and went to bed.

Monday.

Woke up, got the car all packed and cleared the rooms pretty quick. We had thought to do some other stuff, but we really didn't have time. Instead we went to Tir na nog and just hung out until we had to leave. Any day you can be mildly drunk before noon and have it not be a problem is a good day. We dropped Sam off at the airport after saying our goodbyes. We hit the road after that and started our journey home. Which was honestly fairly uneventful. No one's windsheild broke. No one's catalytic converter got stolen. We made a couple of stops but nothing really interesting. Got home way earlier than I'm used to. Like 5:30-6PM. And then I realized, Bed, Bath and Beyond was still open. So I drove out there to get the actual pillows for the pillow cases. Found the exact ones the guy at the booth I bought them from. They were on sale, so they were only 20$. Then I had the fun time of fitting 3 hugeass pillows in my really tiny car. Got back home and finished unpacking.  

Conclude:

I had a really good time this year. It was very a relaxing trip and I enjoyed spending time with everybody. It never quite feels long enough. I didn't make any real attempt at cosplaying this year. Just didn't really feel into it. I did wear my Sylveon ears that were given to me by a friend though. And I had my goggles, which are just kind of a thing now I guess. I tied a blue ribbon in my hair too. I never do anything with it and I guess I decided now was the time. I think I'm going to do that more often from now on. Next, I am beyond incredibly sad that next year is the last one. Bronycon has been one of the big things I look forward to doing each year. It's easily been one of the best cons I've ever been to. The atmosphere was great, the staff was great. The con ending will also mark the end of a 12 year tradition for me of going down to Baltimore for a con. The only year I wasn't able to go to was 2010 because there was just no way I was going to be able to swing it. Aside from that, I went to Otakon from 2006 until 2012. I had honestly kinda burned out on that though and wasn't sure if I was gonna go back, but it would be shortly after returning from the 2012 Otakon, Bronycon announced that they were gonna move to the Baltimore Convention Center in 2013. Some other friends were interested in going, and since I knew the area so well, we decided to go for it. I went every year after that. Hell, it's how I ended up meeting Andy (which is a pretty funny story all on it's own), it's also how I ended up recconecting with another friend of mine from way back in the day as well as others. There were good times and adventures to be had outside the Con as well. Bubba Gumps, the bar trot in Fells Point(that goddamn Trixie drink, looked like something I'd never have been able to drink, but it is easily my favorite alcoholic drink that has ever existed. I really hope I can get the recipe next year), the bigass barnes and noble, the aquarium, the pavillion. It seems like every year it gets better and I've never felt bored of it or burned out. I am going to miss this immensely, I suppose I'll have to find another con to go to, or atleast other adventures to have but one thing is for sure, I'm never going to forget any of this. All the good times that we've had, or this big thing I've been a part of or this place that has brought me so much joy over the years.

(Once next year ends and I walk out of that convention center for the last time, I am going to be a complete goddamn mess. It's going to be a terrible day for rain...)

Also, though I don't know if you'll ever read it, as I don't think we've spoken in several years now, to the person who convinced me to go to that first Otakon back in '06, Thank you. For introducing me to this place, and setting off a real wacky series of adventures. I don't know if any of this would have happened if you hadn't convinced me to come down here all those years ago. Once again, thank you, and I hope you're doing well.

tl;dr Good fuckin' con, but Pete fuckin' sad.

[carolina-bleus]

Prologue...Two Weeks Before Thanksgiving

“Seriously, if you want to experience this city in a different way, just take this man with you. As soon as he opens his mouth, it’s like you get a key to the city. His accent opens doors to a whole new world.”

“Michonne,” Rick said while blushing slightly. “I think you are giving new meaning to the phrase ‘artistic license.’ People don’t treat me any differently.”

“Rick, come on,” Michonne scoffed. “Once people hear that accent, they start bending over backwards being nice and helpful. And I’m not complaining because I benefit as well.”

Sasha laughed. “You sure it isn’t his face that’s opening all those doors?”

Michonne squinted her eyes and pretended to exam Rick’s face. “No. I think it’s strictly the accent,” she said to the amusement of everyone, including Rick.

“As y’all can see, if I ever get the notion to overinflate my ego, Michonne is right there with a sharp tool at the ready to keep me grounded.”

“Are you referring to my mind or my mouth?”

After a quick glance at her mouth, Rick locked eyes with Michonne. “Both.”

Michonne responded with a smile which Rick couldn’t help but return.

Sasha and Aaron sat on the other side of the table and watched their friends’ interaction before casting a smirk at each other.

“Alright,” Michonne said as she turned back to Aaron and Sasha. “I see folks need some convincing. Let me tell you what happened the other night when Rick and I went out for drinks after work.”

Before Michonne could get her story going, Rick’s phone rang. He looked at the caller id and pushed his chair back and stood.

“Sorry, y’all,” he apologized. “I need to take this. It’s my mama calling. I’ll be right back.”

Aaron and Sasha watched Rick walk out of the café.

“He’s handsome, smart, has a great job, and he loves his mother, too? It almost seems unfair to other men,” Aaron murmured to Sasha.

“I know, right?” Sasha agreed.

“What’s all the whispering going on over there?” Michonne asked.

“Oh, nothing. Go on with your story.” Aaron urged.

Michonne eyed her friends before continuing. “So, anyway, Rick and I went out last week for drinks at that new spot that opened up on Porter Street. They were nice when we walked in, but as soon as Rick said ‘table for two’ in that Georgia drawl of his, y’all, they went crazy!”

Michonne shook her head and laughed at the memory. She stopped laughing when she noticed Sasha and Aaron staring at her. “What?”

Sasha looked at Aaron before speaking. “Uh, do you realize what you just said?”

“What do you mean?”

“You just said ‘y’all’ and it wasn’t a joke. It just legit flowed off of your tongue like it’s used to being said.”

Michonne shook her head in disbelief. “No, it didn’t. That word’s not part of my vocabulary and never has been. Y’all are being ridic-“ Michonne abruptly stopped speaking and her eyes widened. “Oh my goodness. I just said ‘y’all’! When did that happen?”

Sasha shrugged. “You spend so much time with Rick, I guess he’s finally rubbing off on you.”

“Lucky girl,” Aaron commented. Sasha smacked him on the shoulder before they both gave into a fit of laughter.

Michonne was not amused as she scowled at her friends. “We don’t spend that much time together.”

Aaron and Sasha gave Michonne identical screw faces.

“We don’t,” Michonne insisted.

Aaron cleared his throat. “Let the record show that not only are you two co-workers, you’re also neighbors, workout buddies, lunch buddies, dinner buddies, happy hour buddies...”

“To add to that,” Sasha interjected, “you are also on such good terms with his parents that you all have a standing dinner date whenever they come to visit Rick. Aaron and I have never even met Rick’s parents. I mean, you do pretty much everything together, you are friends with his parents, and now you are even starting to talk like each other. That’s pretty substantial evidence.”

“Rick does not talk like me.”

Sasha arched a brow. “Rick told Zeke he was trippin’ if he thought the Giants had a chance to go over .500 this year.”

“Have you seen their season thus far? Rick was right. Zeke was trippin’.” Michonne shrugged. “Now is the dynamic tag team duo finished? May I rebut?”

Sasha nodded. “Go right ahead.”

“Well, Sasha, I’m glad you’re a doctor and Aaron a marketing exec because you would both make crappy lawyers.”

“Hey! We’ve seen every episode of HTGWM,” Aaron protested.

“I don’t even know what to say to that or the acronym usage. But, I will say that Rick and I don’t spend any more time together than I spend with the two of you. Yes, we stay in the same complex and work at the same university, but that’s just a coincidence. There are others in the building who also work at the university because it’s so close to campus. And, yes, I know Rick’s parents pretty well but, again, that’s because Rick and I live in the same building so I’m there when his parents visit him. You two could come over anytime and meet them. I’m sure Suzanne and Harold would love it.”

“You just made this too easy. I got this, Sasha,” Aaron held his hand out for Sasha to tag it. An action which got an eyeroll from Michonne. “Two things. First, how often do you and Rick hang out with your coworkers who live in the building?”

“Well...um...” Michonne floundered for a second. “We don’t hang with them often because we spend so much time with you guys.”

“Shenanigans!” Aaron called out.

“You mean ‘objection’,” Michonne said.

“No, I mean shenanigans. Sasha doesn’t have much time at all with her schedule and between work and wedding planning with Eric, my plate is pretty much full as well. So, you and Rick have ample time to spend with others. Come to think of it, I think you may actually see Rick more than Sasha and I see Zeke and Eric.”

“Shenanigans,” Michonne said dryly. “Your last statement is a complete stretch. What’s number two, Annalise?”

“We both take that as a compliment, you know, cause Annalise is that chick.”

“I know, Sasha. One of you please continue.”

“Okay, I will,” Sasha said. “Two, you are on a first name basis with Rick’s parents?”

“Yes, they both insisted.”

“Mmhm. Interesting.”

“Not really. We’re all adults. What else am I supposed to call them? Now, is that all y’all have?”

Sasha and Aaron smiled at each other. “Nope. You just gave us the smoking gun,” Sasha said lightly.

“And that is?”

“You just said y’all again and didn’t even notice.” Aaron sat back and crossed his arms. “Case closed.”

“Did I really just say it again?” At her friends’ nods, Michonne sighed. “Shit.”

“Face it, Michonne. You and Rick are joined at the hip. Anyone on the outside looking in would think you two were a couple given the way you are with each other.”

While Aaron and Sasha congratulated each other on a case well argued, Michonne sat back deep in thought. She looked out to see Rick in front of the café’s picture window.  Have Rick and I been spending that much time together? Is it too much time? It doesn’t feel like it. When Rick suddenly caught her eye, Michonne glanced away as if he could read her thoughts.

Rick paced up and down the sidewalk in front of the café while speaking to his mother. She’d called to discuss this year’s Thanksgiving celebration.

“Mama, I know you are excited planning everything, but can we have this discussion a little later? How about I call you tonight? I’m out with some friends right now.”

“I’m not calling about Thanksgiving planning...well, not exactly.”

Rick immediately stopped pacing. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine, sweetie. Um, who all are you out with right now?”

Rick wondered at his mother abrupt change of subject. “I’m here with Aaron and Sasha. I don’t think you’ve met them yet. And, of course, Michonne is here.”

“Oh, how is Michonne doing? I just love her!”

Rick’s parents had met Michonne during one of their trips to visit their son in DC. The three had quickly hit it off. Rick’s parents absolutely adored Michonne and the feeling was mutual from her end. Now they always made a point to have dinner or some outing that included Michonne whenever they were in town.

“She’s good.” Rick glanced into the shop and saw that his words weren’t exactly true at the moment. Michonne was scowling at their friends who were leaning against each other laughing. Rick chuckled silently at the scene before turning away and focusing on his call.

“You’ve got to convince her to come visit me and your daddy one of these days.”

“I’ll see what I can do, Mama,” Rick promised.

“Good.” Suzanne took a deep breath. “Now, here’s the reason I’m calling. You remember Selby Graham, right?”

“Of course,” Rick nodded. “You are good friends with her mama. And Selby and I always sat next to each other in classes growing up because of our last names. What about her?”

“Well, you know she got married right out of high school.”

“Yeah.”

“Not surprisingly, it didn’t last and she’s divorced and back home with her two young kids.”

“Okay,” Rick said in confusion. “What does that have to do with Thanksgiving and me?”

“Weeelll...it seems like Selby has set her eyes back on you.”

“What?! What do you mean ‘set her eyes back on me’? Selby and I were never anything more than friends.”

“You did take her to prom junior year.”

“You asked me to because Mrs. Graham is your friend and Selby really wanted to go but didn’t have a date! I wanted to stay home and read.”

“You always were such a book lover. I’m not at all surprised you became a literature professor,” Suzanne said with pride.

Rick massaged his temples. “I’m an assistant professor at the moment, Mama. But let’s get back to Selby.”

“Do we have to?”

“Yes, Mama. You’re the one who called me.”

“Yes, that is true,” Suzanne sighed. “Well, I was talking to Selby’s mama, Amy, last week and, according to her...” Suzanne paused and cleared her throat uncomfortably.

“Mama, please don’t drag this out.”

“It’s moments like this that I wish I’d learned how to text.” Suzanne mumbled  before continuing. “Selby is looking to sew some long-lost wild oats and she wants you to be the seamstress.”

It always amused Rick whenever his mother, a farmer’s wife, got that idiom wrong, but now he was anything but amused. “What?! That’s not right.”

“Uh...the tailor?”

“No, Mama, that’s not what I meant. I’m not going to be the farmer, the seamstress, the tailor, the butcher, the baker, or the candlestick maker for Selby Graham and her wild oats.”

Against her will, Suzanne let out a laugh at Rick’s words.

“She needs to set her eyes elsewhere.”

“Son, I don’t think y’all suit either, but can’t you just be nice and take her out a couple of times while you’re home for Thanksgiving? It would be the nice thing to do.”

“Mama, I love you, but no. That would just open up a can of worms and feed into whatever revisionist history of our past that Selby has going on in her mind.”

“But it would just be for the week and then you’d be back in DC.”

“What happens when I come home for Christmas?” Rick shook his head. “I’m sorry, Mama, but I can’t do it. I am not available for Selby or any other of your friends’ single daughters. I’m off the market.”

“Off the market? Ricky, are you dating someone and didn’t tell me?”

Rick had a life-altering decision to make and he had a split-second in which to make it. He crossed his left index and middle fingers and spoke. “Yes. I am dating someone, Mama.”

“Who is it? When did this happen? Why didn’t you tell me?” Suzanne asked at rapid speed.

“Well...it happened very recently. It’s so brand new that it feels like it just happened. I’m still getting used to it at the moment.” That was true at least.

“Who is the lucky lady? Is it someone I know?” Suzanne asked hopefully.

His mother’s question caused Rick to glance back into the café. He spotted Michonne staring in his direction. She glanced away when he caught her eye. “You sure do. I’m dating Michonne.”

Rick’s mother gasped in delight. “Michonne?! Oh, sweetie, I’m so happy! I didn’t want to say anything, but I always thought you two would be great together. She is an amazing young lady.”

His mother’s reaction was a surprise for Rick. “You wanted us to get together? Why didn’t you say anything?”

“You know I don’t like to meddle in my kids’ love lives.”

“Says the woman who forced me to take her friend’s daughter to prom,” Rick uttered dryly.

“Oh, that was one time.”

“And you were about to force me to go out on some more dates with her.”

“Okay, two times. But it doesn’t matter now because you certainly can’t go out with one woman while you are dating another.”

“You sound relieved.”

“I am. Amy had been about to work my last nerve bringing this up every time we talked. I’m glad I can just finally tell her ‘no’ and not feel guilty about it. Thank you, sweetie.”

“You’re welcome, Mama.” Rick felt a little guilty himself for lying to his mother but it was for both of their good so that eased his guilt a smidgen.

“I’m so glad everything is settled. We’ll see you and Michonne in two weeks.”

“Uh, come again?”

“Y’all just have to come and spend your first Thanksgiving together as a couple with us. Plus, your daddy and I really want to see Michonne again. Y’all dating makes her visit even more special.”

“Mama, Michonne has a family you know.” Rick’s heart started racing but he tried to keep his voice calm.

“I do know that, but can’t you see if she’ll spend Thanksgiving with us? Please, son?” Suzanne asked plaintively.

Rick easily relented at his mother’s plea. “Well, her parents are going on a cruise for the week of Thanksgiving.”

“Perfect! She can’t spend Thanksgiving all alone.”

“She has a brother and sister, Mama.”

“They can come, too. We have the room and the more the merrier. Just talk to her for me sweetie. Or, even better, I can call her. I have her number.”

Rick didn’t want his mother speaking to Michonne before he had a chance to explain. “Oh, don’t worry about it, Mama. I’ll talk to Michonne. We’ll definitely be there for Thanksgiving.”

“Wonderful! I’m even more excited about Thanksgiving than I was before! Tell that lovely girlfriend of yours I said hello.”

“I will, Mama. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Alright, sweetie. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Mama.” Rick ended the call and wondered what in the hell he’d just gotten himself...and Michone...into.

When Rick returned to his friends, Michonne was staring into her tea cup while Aaron and Sasha talked to each other.

Rick touched Michonne’s shoulder as he sat down beside her. “Hey, you okay?”

Michonne jumped, startled at the sudden contact. “Huh? Oh, yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking about some things.”

Rick figured it was more than that but he let it go because he had some things to think about as well...like how he was going to convince Michonne to go along with his Thanksgiving scheme.

“How was your conversation with your mother, Rick?” Aaron asked.

That’s the last thing Rick wanted to talk about at the moment. “Uh, it was fine. She just wanted to talk about some Thanksgiving thangs. I reckon she’s real excited about everyone comin’ home for the holidays.”

Michonne looked closely at Rick. She knew there was more to it than that. His accent always got thicker when he was nervous, trying to hide something, or when he was drunk.

“Oh, Mama said ‘hey’, Michonne. She’ll probably be giving you a call later this week.”

All thoughts about what Rick was hiding flew from Michonne’s mind at his words. She knew this would only add fuel to Sasha and Aaron’s fire. “Okay,” she uttered weakly.

“Oh, you and Rick’s mother talk on the phone? Isn’t that just so sweet?” Sasha said with a little smirk. “Isn’t that sweet, Aaron?”

“Absolutely adorable,” Aaron agreed. “It took me a whole year before I could talk to Eric’s parents without stammering. It takes time to get comfortable with other people’s parents.”

“Well, my parents love Michonne.” Rick figured he’d start laying the Operation Thanksgiving Couple groundwork right now. “They keep wanting her to come visit King County.”

“Is that so? I didn’t know that little tidbit. Did you know that, Sasha?”

“I certainly did not know that, Aaron.”

Michonne couldn’t take her friends’ little act any longer. She turned to Rick. “Can we cut this short? I suddenly have a splitting headache.”

“Sure, we can go. Did it just come up all of a sudden?” Rick asked in concern.

“No, it’s been brewing since we got here.” Michonne turned and looked at Aaron and Sasha. “And it’s only gotten worse since we’ve been here.”

Michonne used two fingers to rub her temple and when Rick stood to grab their coats she pulled her index finger away so that she was giving Aaron and Sasha the middle finger. Aaron nearly spit out his coffee laughing.

“I’m sorry that you don’t feel well, Michonne. If your headache isn’t any better, give me a call,” Sasha offered.

“Oh, you’ll definitely be hearing from me,” Michonne said as she stood up and allowed Rick to help her with her coat.

Sasha smiled. “I look forward to it.”

“Make sure you call me, too, Michonne.”

“Aaron, I see why Michonne would call Sasha about her headache with Sasha being a doctor and all. But why would she call you about it?” Rick asked.

“Well, I did a campaign for a...um...”

“An aspirin company,” Sasha supplied.

“Yeah! So I’m pretty well-versed on which ones work the best.”

Michonne simply stared at their friends while Rick looked on in confusion before speaking. “Uh...okay. We’ll see y’all later. Have a good evening.”

“You too!” Sasha and Aaron offered in cheerful unison.

Michonne spent much of the ride back to their complex staring out of the window. 

Rick let her be and used the time to rehearse his pitch. Maybe I should have asked Aaron for some advice. He’s good at convincing people to do things. No, I’d never hear the end of it with him.

Once they were inside and on their floor, Michonne tried to make a beeline for her condo.

“Hey, Michonne, I know you aren’t feeling well, but do you think we could talk for a minute?”

“Sure,” Michonne said with a sigh. There was something clearly bothering Rick and she wouldn’t let her issues get in the way of helping her friend. “Come on in.”

Michonne let Rick into her apartment and went about cutting on lights and adjusting the heat.

“You have a seat and rest your head, Michonne. I’ll get us something to drink.”

Michonne was about to protest, but then she remembered that her “headache” was what brought them home early, so she remained quiet while Rick moved around her kitchen like it was his.

I’m just as comfortable in his apartment.

Rick came out of the kitchen carrying a tray loaded with drinks, a light snack, and aspirin that he placed on Michonne’s coffee table before sitting beside her on the couch.

“Here, why don’t you try eating something first? You know you get a headache sometimes when you haven’t eaten.”

“No, I’m good...but thank you.” Rick’s care and consideration was hitting Michonne in a way she didn’t want to consider at the moment. “So what did you want to discuss?”

Rick’s eyes took a quick look around the room. “Oh...well...you see I was talkin’ to Mama and she was givin’ me the rundown on some goings on back home and, well, we got ourselves a bit of a situation that needs handlin’,” he rushed out.

“Wait. Rick, I need you to take a breath and calm down because if you get any more country on me, I’m going to need subtitles to understand you.”

Rick nodded. “Sorry.” He and inhaled and exhaled a few times before continuing. “You know Thanksgiving in is two weeks. Well, I’ve told you how huge it is in King County. It’s a week-long celebration with all sorts of activities that bring people back home from all over the place.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, one of the people coming back home this year is a girl named Selby. We grew up together and her mother and mine are good friends.”

“Were y’all—” Michonne cleared her throat. “Were you guys a couple?”

“Me and Selby? Goodness no. We were just classmates and I took her to prom junior year...at our mothers’ insistence.”

“That’s...different. Did your mothers want you to get together?”

“Mama just thought it would be a nice thing to do. I don’t know about the intentions of Selby’s mama back then. But I do know about Selby’s intentions right now.”

“And what are they?”

“She wants me.”

“WHAT?!”

“Hey, don’t talk so loud. We don’t want your headache to get worse.”

“I’m fine, Rick, really.” Michonne waived off Rick’s concern with a tight smile. “So...how do you know she wants you?”

“That’s what Mama told me this evening...in so many words. I guess Selby has got it in her head that I’m the perfect solution for her post-divorce woes and she’s determined to go out with me while I’m home.”

“Is that what you want?”

“No. Selby was always a nice girl, but I never saw her as anything more than a friend. I figured out during prom that she had a crush on me and I made sure I did nothing to encourage it, but I guess it didn’t matter. She’s single and looking to mingle with me.”

“Okay, so what are you going to do when you get home?”

“Well, Mama asked me to take Selby out a couple of times while I’m home...just to be nice.”

“That doesn’t sound like a good idea, Rick. It would just encourage her.”

“Exactly! But I knew Mama would continue to insist that I go out with Selby, so I had to give her a reason to...not insist.”

A real headache started forming behind Michonne’s eyes as if her body already knew what was about to happen next.

“And how did you get Suzanne to stop insisting?”

“I told her I was dating someone.”

“And who did you tell her you were dating, Rick?”

“You.”

Rick knew there would be no sudden outburst from Michonne. That wasn’t her usual style. She’d want all of the facts before acting.

“You told your mother, whom I know and see on a pretty regular basis, that you and I are dating?” Michonne asked quietly.

“Yes.”

Michonne nodded. “How did she take it?”  For some reason, the answer was very important.

“She was actually really pleased about the whole thing.” Rick decided to leave off the part about his mother saying she always wanted the two of them to be together. He didn’t want to scare Michonne off and he, frankly, needed more time to digest the statement himself.

“And when exactly did we start ‘dating’?”

“I told her it happened very recently...like just happened.”

Michonne let out a chuckle. “That’s cute...really cute. Just happened.” Her chuckled turned into a full-bellied laugh.

She continued to laugh while Rick looked at her with worry. This was not the reaction he was expecting. Michonne noticed his expression and laughed even harder.

“I don’t know why I’m laughing right now. I must be delirious or having a fever dream or something because between Sasha and Aaron and now you with this whole thing I feel like I woke up in an alternate universe.”

“What happened with Sasha and Aaron?”

Michonne instantly sobered. “Nope, we are not going down that rabbit hole when we have this bear trap you have us stuck in at the moment. Why didn’t you just tell your mother ‘no’ to going out with Selby? Wouldn’t that have been simpler than making up a relationship?”

“With anyone else, yes. But, trust me, with my mother and my hometown, it was a lot simpler to say we were dating. If I told Mama no, then it would have led to hurt feelings and embarrassment for all involved. I couldn’t do that to them.”

“But you could do it to me?”

“What?! Did I hurt your feelings?”

“No.”

“Oh. Then are you embarrassed at the prospect of being my girlfriend...even a fake one?” Rick asked with hurt in his voice.

“Rick, any woman would be over the moon to be your girlfriend.”

“Just not you?”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying.” Michonne sighed in frustration. “Rick, you just can’t go around involving me in something like this without asking me first.”

“Michonne, I’m sorry, but I was put on the spot and I had to think fast.”

“And I was the first person you thought of for your fake girlfriend?”

“Well...yeah.” Rick blushed and shrugged. “Outside of my mama, you’re the best woman I know.”

“Oh.” Michonne smiled and looked away.

Trying to lighten the sudden intense atmosphere surrounding them, Rick asked, “So, who would be at the top of your list for fake boyfriends?”

“Aaron,” Michonne said without hesitation.

“What?!”

“You’d be a strong number two, but Aaron can talk his way out of pretty much any situation. That’s a good trait to have when you’re dealing in subterfuge.”

“First, you should take points off for that aspirin explanation of his from the café. Second, how would Eric feel about you using his fiancé for your schemes?”

“Are you kidding?!” Michonne scoffed. “Eric would want us to somehow tape everything so he could watch it all later.”

The pair laughed as the tension eased. But Rick still had a question.

“Would you really use Aaron as your fake boyfriend?”

“I’m just messing with you, Rick.” Michonne tugged at one of Rick’s curls. “Of course, I would use you, but we’d have to work on some of your tells. Your eyes start going all over the place like your following a fly around the room when you are trying to hide something. And you’d also have to get that accent under control. It’s fine when we are just out and about and it opens doors for us, but when you get nervous, it becomes a liability, Gomer.”

Rick laughed. He didn’t care what names Michonne jokingly called him. He was just secretly pleased that he was her first choice of fake boyfriends.

“So, you seem to be in a better mood. Are you okay with what I told Mama?”

“I’m not okay with lying to your mother,” Michonne shrugged, “but what’s done is done. You’ll get through Thanksgiving without any embarrassing situations and then the next time your mother calls you’ll just say we decided we were better off as friends. No muss, no fuss and I never have to actually lie to Suzanne and Harold.”

“Well...” Rick began. When Michonne pinned him with a stare, his eyes started bouncing around the room.

“Well what? Rick, what else aren’t you telling me.”

“I kind of promised Mama that you would come home with me for Thanksgiving.”

“What?! Why in the world would you do that?”

“Mama and Daddy really want to see you again. They ask me all the time when you are coming to visit and Mama figured this would be the perfect time with us being a new couple and all.”

“Please tell me that you didn’t really agree to that. Why didn’t you tell your mother that I was spending Thanksgiving with my family?”

“I sort of let it slip that your mama and daddy were going on a cruise for Thanksgiving.”

“You lie about us being a couple, but you are suddenly Honest Abe about my holiday plans? Great.” Michonne sighed. “What about Jacqui and Noah? You didn’t tell her I was spending the holiday with them?”

“I tried. But if it’s any consolation, Mama said they are welcome to come stay for the week as well.” 

“No, Rick, that’s no consolation whatsoever. I don’t want to make this more complicated than it already is by dragging in more people. The two of us are more than enough.”

“’The two of us’? So, does that mean you are considering it?”

“Am I considering pretending to be a couple for an entire week in your hometown and under your parents’ roof. Call me crazy, but, yes I am.”

“Wil you do it? For me?”

Ignoring her earlier conversation with Aaron and Sasha, Michonne agreed to help her friend. “Yes, I’ll do it. For you.”

Rick whooped and grabbed Michonne up in a huge hug. “Thank you so much, Michonne! I owe you one!”

“You own me more than one for doing this. But I have been wanting to see your parents again. Maybe it won’t be so bad.” 

Michonne relaxed into Rick’s embrace for a moment before a sudden thought made her pull back.

Rick looked down at her. “What’s wrong? Is your headache worse? Do we need to call Sasha?”

“Um, your mother is too traditional to have us sharing a room, right?”

Rick let out a laugh. “Oh, yeah. Mama would never have us sleeping in the same room if we’re not married. That’s one thing you don’t have to worry about.”

“That’s good.” Michonne nodded. “I can handle this. We can handle this.”

“We sure can. The week is going to be so full of activity that it will go by before you know it. Despite the circumstances, I can’t wait for you to come home with me, Michonne. You are going to fall in love.”

Michonne looked at Rick sharply and then told herself to calm down. He meant fall in love with his hometown, silly. I’m going to throw something at Aaron and Sasha the next time I see them for messing with my head like this.

“Fall in love, huh? We’ll see about that.”

Rick and Michonne used the time before Thanksgiving to coordinate their stories about their relationship so there wouldn’t be any slip ups. Surprisingly (to Rick and Michonne but not to Aaron and Sasha whom they decided let in on the plan), the pair didn’t have to make up too much. Their time spent together gave them a lot of genuine stories about their relationship. They stuck to the actual way they met and just decided to say that they eventually started seeing each other in a different light and their friendship blossomed into love.

Two Weeks Later

The Saturday before Thanksgiving saw Rick and Michonne arrive into Atlanta pretty late in the evening. They’d had a university function to attend earlier and they’d had to take a late evening flight out of DC. By the time, the pair had driven the hour from Atlanta into King County, it was a little after eleven o’clock at night.

Rick was going to use his key to enter his childhood home, but the front door opened as soon as his and Michonne’s feet hit the porch. Suzanne Grimes stood in the doorway wrapped in a robe.

“I was starting to worry about you two. I thought you’d be here earlier. Come on in out of the chill.” 

The screen door creaked as Suzanne pushed it open to let Rick and Michonne into the house. They put their luggage down and Suzanne gathered them both into a hug before closing and locking the doors.

“We would have been here sooner, Mama, but the traffic was pretty crazy driving out of town. I guess other people decided to come in early for Thanksgiving as well.”

“I’m just glad you all got here safely. Michonne, it’s so good to see you again, sweetie.”

“It’s good to see you, too, Suzanne.” Michonne looked around briefly. “You have a beautiful home. Rick didn’t do it justice when he called it his little childhood home.” 

The farmhouse exterior belied the rustic elegance and size of the home’s interior. Despite the modern upgrades, the house still held a country hominess to it that felt warm and welcoming.

“You know Ricky. He’s the king of understatement when it comes to most things. That’s why I probably shouldn’t have been so surprised that you two are dating. He’s the most animated that I ever see him whenever he talks about you and it’s been like that from the beginning. I felt like I already knew you the first time we met.”

Michonne looked at Rick. “You’ve been talking about me that much, Ricky?” she teased, pleased and pleasantly surprised.

“Not really.” Rick’s glanced around the entryway before landing back on Michonne’s. “I have to warn you, Michonne. While I may be the king of understatement, Mama is the queen of exaggeration.”

“I am no such thing! Don’t get all embarrassed now that Michonne is here.”

“Mama, it’s late and Michonne and I are tired. Can we go up to our rooms please?”

It was Suzanne’s turn to avoid eye contact. Now I see where he gets it from, Michonne thought.

“About that. Your daddy and I were actually going to surprise you two and pick you up at the airport this evening but we got some unexpected visitors.”

“Who were they?”

“Your Uncle Lawrence and Aunt Diane...and their five kids.” Suzanne sighed and leaned closer to Rick and Michonne. “I guess they don’t have telephones out in California cause they sure didn’t call to tell me they were coming home or that they were planning to stay here. I don’t mind because they’re family, but a little warning would have been nice. I declare Lawrence lost all his home-training when he moved out west.”

“You can handle it, Mama. And if you need any help, I’m here.”

“I’ll help out, too, Suzanne, with whatever you need.”

“Well...there is one little thing I need you to do and, believe me, I hate to ask and I wouldn’t under other circumstances.”

“What is it, Mama?”

“I need y’all to sleep together.”

“What?!”

“Mama!”

Rick’s mother turned bright red. “Oh, goodness. I didn’t mean it like that. Ricky, you know how I get when I’m stressed...words just start jumbling out.” Suzanne took a calming breath. “I meant that I need y’all to share a room while you’re here. Michonne, I had a nice room for you but with the California Seven showing up unannounced, all the rooms are taken...except for Rick’s and his brother, Jeffrey’s, rooms of course.” Suzanne shook her head. “My mama is probably somewhere spinning over and clutching her pearls at this very moment because I’m having my unmarried son and his girlfriend share a room.”

Michonne looked confused. “I thought this grandmother was still alive?” she asked Rick.

“Oh, she is,” Suzanne responded for him. “She can just feel this type of stuff in her spirit. I just know I’m going to get a disappointed phone call tomorrow morning.”

Michonne cleared her throat to stifle a laugh. “Suzanne, it’s fine. No one else will know...besides your mother I guess.”

“Yeah, there’s nothing much that can be done to help it. Ricky, get the bags and let’s get y’all settled in upstairs. With this late night, I know y’all are ready to get some sleep.”

Rick grabbed the suitcases, and despite Suzanne’s protest, Michonne got their carry-ons so Rick wouldn’t have to make another trip downstairs tonight.

While leading the way upstairs, Suzanne said, “I know y’all will probably sleep in tomorrow while Harold and I are at church. Just make sure you are ready in time for the dance.”

“Dance?” Michonne asked.

“That’s why I asked you to bring some dressy clothes,” Rick answered. “It’s sort of a welcome back, holiday opening type thing we have every year.”

Once upstairs, Suzanne walked down a hallway right off the main and stopped in front of a set of double doors.

“Okay, we’re here. Michonne, that’s Jeffy’s room across the hallway. He should be arriving tomorrow afternoon sometime.” Suzanne opened the door and let the couple walk in past her. “It’s all freshened up. Ricky, you know where everything is. Michonne, I’m at the other end of the main hallway if you need anything and Rick isn’t around.” Suzanne let out a sigh. “Okay, I guess this is it.”

Rick laughed at his mother’s dramatics and walked her back into the hallway. “Mama, Michonne and I are sharing a bed, not getting ready to go on a crime spree.”

“I know. And it’s not that I really care what folks say about me...except for Mama of course. I just don’t want anyone finding out and thinking bad about you and Michonne...you know, thinking she’s fast.” In true Southern fashion, Suzanne whispered the word “fast.”

“They won’t think that, Mama. Anyone who meets Michonne falls in love with her.”

Suzanne smiled at her son. “Well, you would know, huh?”

“Uh, yes, ma’am, I would.” Rick remembered Michonne’s advice about his tells and forced his eyes to stay focused on his mother.  

“I’m really happy for the two of you, Ricky. And while I understand that the two of you are a new couple in love and you have this side of the house pretty much to yourselves, please promise you’ll keep the sheets clean.”

“Mama!”

“Oh goodness!” Suzanne clapped a hand against her chest. “I’m sorry. It’s the stress acting up again. But, also, it’s practicality speaking. I gave our housekeeper the week off and I just don’t have time to change everybody’s sheets. Harold said your Uncle Lawrence used to be a bedwetter. I hope he didn’t pass that on to any of the California Five cause that youngest was drinking like a goldfish at dinner.”

“Okay, Mama. I get it. You go on and have a good night.” Rick rushed his mother down the hallway before she could say anything else embarrassing to him or about Uncle Lawrence.

Rick returned to his room and found Michonne pacing in front of his bed. “What’s the matter with you?” he asked as he closed the door.

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s all just hitting me that I have to lie to your parents and your apparently humungous family for an entire week. Not only that, but now we have to share a bed. This is spinning out of control.”

Rick stepped into the path of Michonne’s pacing and rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “Hey, you’ve been doing great thus far. I know this is a lot to ask of you and I’m so grateful that you agreed to do it. But it’s like you said before, we can handle this. You know I would never put you in a situation where you could get hurt or embarrassed, right?

Michonne looked up at Rick with a sigh. “I know. I’m just having some last- minute jitters. But you’re right, we can do this.”

“We can and we are. Besides, it’s not as if we haven’t shared a bed before.”

Michonne smiled at the sudden memory. “Oh, you mean—”

“Yep, that huge winter storm that came through about two years ago. Our power went out and you came over to my apartment because I actually have a real wood burning fireplace...unlike some people.”

“Hey! Gas logs are cleaner.”

“And useless without power,” Rick countered. “But we made it work. You stayed over and we huddled under the blankets Grandma Bess knitted for me. And I discovered that you snore.”

“Rick, I still say you’re lying. I do not snore,” Michonne protested.

“You do. It’s a cute little snore, but it’s a snore nonetheless.”

“Video or it didn’t happen.”

“Michonne, I’m not taping you while you sleep. That’s creepy. You’ll have to take my word for it.”

“Umm, let me think about that. Nope.” Michonne smiled up at Rick.

“You feeling better?” he asked. At her nod, Rick let her go.

“Yeah. Thanks for calming me down.”

“That’s what we do, right? We’re there when we need each other most.”

“Yeah, that’s what we do.”

Rick shook his head. “I don’t know what I did before I met you.”

“You probably just went around talking like Jed Clampett and freaking people out with your wandering crazy eyes.”

Rick laughed and pulled Michonne to him. “Oh, that’s what you imagine, huh?”

“Yep. Just being honest.”

“Well, since we are being brutally honest at the moment, let me share this little tidbit I’ve been holding back. Not only do you snore, you also drool in your sleep.”

“Rick!”

Rick pulled back and went over to his suitcase still laughing. “You still sleep on the left side of the bed?”

His answer was a pillow to the back of the head.

Sunday Morning

Rick awoke to a weight on his chest and soft snoring in his ear. He looked down and smiled to see Michonne sleeping with her head on his chest and her arms wrapped around him. Rick was messing with Michonne when he told her she drooled in her sleep. He figured telling her instead that she was an extreme cuddler would have been too much for her to handle.

The first time they shared a bed during the storm and he woke up to Michonne in his arms, Rick thought the cold had driven her to seek out his warmth. But when they fell asleep on her couch while watching movies one summer night and she did the same thing, Rick realized Michonne just liked being close to someone as she slept. She was so put together and on top of things during her waking hours, that it was nice for Rick to see her so unguarded and completely at ease. That’s something she seemed to reserve for only him and her family.

By now, Rick was an expert at maneuvering out of Michonne’s embrace without waking her. He carefully slid out of bed and went to freshen up. When he found her still asleep after he came out of the bathroom, Rick decided to let her sleep and checked in with his parents before they left for church.

When Michonne woke up an hour later, she found herself in bed alone. After checking her messages and getting in touch with Aaron, Sasha, and her family, Michonne decided to get dressed. She’d just moved to get out of bed, when the bedroom door opened and Rick walked in carrying a tray laden with food and drinks.

Rick kicked the door closed behind him. “I’m glad you are still in bed. I was trying to get this done before you woke up. You wouldn’t believe the number of people roaming around this house. I thought I was gonna have to draw on the California Seven to get our tray out of the kitchen unscathed. They act like Mama didn’t leave food in the oven for them.”

Michonne sat back and took the tray from Rick. It looked and smelled delicious.

“You made me breakfast in bed?”

“Yeah. It’s just a little thank you for doing this and being here with me this week.”

“Well, if it gets you to make me food like this, I’ll offer up my subterfuge services more often.”

“Hey,” Rick protested as he stretched out beside Michonne. “I cook for you all the time.”

“Yeah, but it’s mainly dinner and lunch. You’ve never made breakfast for me. Whenever we do weekend movie nights, we always go out to have breakfast the next morning.” Michonne placed the tray between them. “Now Aaron and Sasha can stop bragging about that famous French toast you made for them and Eric and Zeke last year.” Michonne took a big bite of the sweet treat and moaned. “But I see why they brag. This is delicious!”

“Well, you could have had some if you’d decided to join us all that weekend. Instead I was the fifth wheel and you were with him.”

Michonne rolled her eyes. “Don’t remind me about him.” Him was Michonne’s ex-boyfriend, Mike. They’d dated for about six months last year.

“I told you you’d have more fun hanging out with me and our friends than going to some artists’ retreat. And I was right.” There was no love lost between Rick and Mike. They’d never gotten along.

“I was trying with Mike. He was already upset that I spent more time with our friends...and you...than I did with him.”

“Well, you spent an entire weekend with him and you broke up right after.”

“Then I guess it’s a good thing that I went. It finally opened my eyes to the fact that Mike and I weren’t a good fit.”

Rick grimaced. “I certainly hope you mean that metaphorically.”

“Shut up,” Michonne chuckled. “But, yes, that’s what I meant. I know you kept telling me he wasn’t the one but I thought you were just...”

“You thought I was just what?”

Michonne shook her head, embarrassed. “It’s silly.”

“No, tell me.”

“Okay. I thought you were jealous of Mike.” Michonne took another bite of French toast and waited for Rick’s reaction.

Rick shrugged. “I was.”

Michonne quickly swallowed her food. “What? I thought I was just imagining things.”

“I didn’t like Mike and he didn’t like me for the same reason. We each felt like the other was taking you away from us. And I can admit that was selfish on my part because he was your boyfriend. But there was just something about him.”

“Was it the same ‘something’ you didn’t like about D?”

“Okay, first of all, what person goes by just a letter for their first name? There is no way his parents named him just D.”

“His name was Desoto.”

Rick made a face. “I see why he went by D. Anyway, Desoto was an ass.”

“He wasn’t an ass. He was just really intense and sensitive about his art.”

“Maybe that’s your problem. You need to leave artists alone.” Rick was quiet for a moment. “Have you ever been jealous of anyone I’ve dated?”

“No.”

Rick squinted. “Seriously?”

“Seriously. I was never jealous because I knew they were going to be gone soon.”

“What about Elise? You barely spoke two words to her whenever she was around.”

Michonne’s face tightened. “I wasn’t jealous of Elise. I just didn’t like her. She was pretentious and thought she was smarter than she actually was. That’s not the type of woman for you.”

“Well, who is the type of woman for me?”

“I don’t know.” Michonne shrugged. “You’re sweet, kind, intelligent. I think your girlfriend should be the same. Your family and friends are obviously extremely important to you, so she needs to get along with both. You are very driven and sometimes have an intense focus on your work. Some people may not understand that if they aren’t from our world of academia. But even if you come from totally different work and life backgrounds, she shouldn’t try to change who you are to suit her. I think you should complement each other from the beginning, but also grow together as individuals and a couple.”

Rick pressed a soft kiss to Michonne’s forehead. “You have some amazing thoughts in that beautiful head of yours.”

“Thank you.” Feeling slightly uncomfortable with all she’d just said and the feelings Rick’s gesture elicited, Michonne focused on cutting another slice of bread.  “I’ll try to remember what I said so you can put it all in your next online dating profile.”  

Rick chuckled. “You just don’t know how to have a tender moment do you?”

Michonne held a piece of French toast to Rick’s lips. “Be quiet and eat before our food gets cold.”

Rick let Michonne feed him the bite of toast and leaned back against his pillows while he chewed. “I know I made it, but damn this is good.”

“I know, right?” Michonne leaned back and looked over at Rick. “What’s on our agenda for the day?”

“After breakfast, I figured we can get dressed and I’ll show you around the farm. Then we’ll have lunch, maybe take a nap, and then get ready for the dance tonight. You’ll meet all of my childhood friends there.”

The prospect made the normally confident Michonne feel nervous. “Should I be worried?” She wanted to make a good impression on Rick’s friends.

“No. I would say you’d have to worry about Shane hitting on you, but he’d never try to make a play for his best friend’s girlfriend.”

“Hey! I thought I was your best friend.”

“You’re more than my best friend.”

“What am I?”

Rick shrugged. “Sometimes I think you’re my better half.”

Rick said those words without glancing away once so Michonne knew it was the absolute truth. While Rick finished the rest of their meal, Michonne didn’t have room for much beyond the sudden butterflies in her stomach.

Sunday Evening

After a day spent seeing Rick in his element on the farm, complete with seeing him in a denim button down, worn jeans, and even more worn cowboy boots, Michonne was putting the finishing touches on her outfit for tonight’s dance.

Rick, who had gotten ready in Jeffrey’s room, was waiting on Michonne downstairs. When she made her appearance at the top of the stairs, all conversation ceased.

For a moment, Michonne wondered if she’d worn the wrong thing for the dance. She’d scaled back her original outfit, figuring that Rick’s hometown definition of dressy might be different from DC’s. She’d opted for a simple deep plum long-sleeved shift dress. The dressed flowed softly just above the knees. Michonne paired it with gold jewelry, tights, and four-inch stiletto leather booties.

Before Michonne was halfway down the stairs, Rick ran up to walk her the rest of the way down.

“You look amazing.”

“Thank you,” Michonne said in relief. “The way everyone was staring, I thought I needed to go back and change.”

“No, you are going to be the best dressed woman there. Hell, you are going to be the best dressed person period.”

“It’s not too much?”

“Not at all. It’s just right.” Rick gave Michonne another onceover. “You ready to go?”

“Yeah. Are we going with your parents or...?”

“They went on ahead to help set up. Jeffy was supposed to be here by now and ride with us, but I guess he’s going to be late.”

“Think again, brother. The fun has just arrived.”

Rick and Michonne turned to see a young man coming from the back of the house.

“Jeffy, why didn’t you come in through the front?”

“What would be the surprise in that, big brother?” Jeffy held out his arms to Rick. “You miss me?”

“Like I miss having chicken pox,” Rick said as he gave his brother a big hug.

Jeffy finally noticed Michonne when he pulled back. “Well, hello. My name is Jeffrey C. Grimes, but my friends and family call me Jeffy. I definitely know we haven’t had the pleasure of meeting. And you are?”

“Michonne Richardson.”

“Michonne. A beautiful name to match a beautiful face.”

It took all Michonne had to keep from rolling her eyes.

“Oh, wait.” Jeffy snapped his fingers. “You’re Rick’s friend from DC. If I’d known Rick had a friend this beautiful in DC, I would have visited him a long time ago. Tell me, Michonne, are you single or...?”

“Or,” Michonne answered simply.

Rick didn’t know whether to be amused or upset that his brother was trying, and failing miserably, to hit on Michonne in front of him. “Jeffy, Michonne is my girlfriend.”

Jeffy burst out laughing. “Huh? Your girlfriend? Good one, Rick.”

“I don’t understand the laughter. I am Rick’s girlfriend, Jeffrey.”

Still laughing, Jeffy turned to Michonne. “First, you can call me Jeffy. Second, I get what’s going on here. Rick wanted to come back and show Lori that he was doing fine without her. And, trust me, having you on his arm would definitely prove that, but there is no way my bookish brother could...” Jeffy broke out into more laughter. “How much is he paying you to go along with this scheme?”

Michonne could feel Rick tense up beside her, but she spoke up before he had a chance to do so. “First, we aren’t friends so I won’t be calling you Jeffy. Second, are you implying that I’m a commodity to be bought and sold?” she asked icily.

“What? No, I just meant that Rick...”

“It appears what meant is that the only way Rick can get a date is by paying for one. So, by implication, that would mean that you think I’m your brother’s paid escort for the week. Is that what you meant, Jeffrey?”

“Of course not! You don’t even look like that.”

“What do I look like, Jeffrey?”

Suddenly flushed and extremely embarrassed, Jeffy decided to quit while he was behind. “I was trying to make a bad joke at my brother’s expense and I apologize for implying anything untoward about you. It was incredibly rude and thoughtless on my part.”

“It was. Don’t try it with me or Rick again.” Michonne turned to Rick. “Are you ready to go?”

“I sure am.” Rick said with a huge smile. He grabbed Michonne’s wrap from her hand and placed it around her shoulders. They walked to the door hand-in-hand.

“Wait,” Jeffy called out. “I thought I was riding into town with y’all?”  

“I don’t know, Jeffy. It might be better if you walk. I think that foot of yours is going to need some exercise once you pry it out of your mouth,” Uncle Lawrence suggest with a cackle.

“Nice to see you again, too, Uncle Lawrence,” Jeffy greeted dryly.

Rick looked down at Michonne. “Are you okay with Jeffy riding with us?” If she said the word, Jeffy would have to find his own way.

“I’m fine with it, Rick. I think Jeffrey is done with comedy hour.” She raised a brow at Rick’s brother. “Right?”

“Right. And thank you. Just let me run up and put my luggage in my room and change my jacket and I’ll be right back down.”

“We’ll be out in the car,” Rick yelled as Jeffy raced up the stairs.

Rick turned to Michonne once they were seated in the car. “Are you really okay with him riding with us?”

“Yeah. I wasn’t really offended. I knew it wasn’t about me. He was trying to throw off on you and that pissed me off so I had to put him in his place. Plus, I was afraid you were about to spill the beans.”

“I wasn’t going to do that, but I was going to tell him off for speaking about you like that. You just beat me to the verbal punch.”

“Well, I hope you were going to tell him off for how he was talking about you as well. But, it’s all yours the next time he gets out of pocket.”

“With the way you handled him, I don’t think there will be a next time.” Rick laughed before sobering and looking at Michonne. “Thank you for defending me. I’m glad you are in my corner.

“That’s what we do, right?”

“Yep,” Rick said softly. “That’s what we do.”

The pair’s moment was broken when Jeffy got into the backseat.

“Hey, are we going or are y’all gonna make out right in front of me?”

“Jeffy—” Rick warned while Michonne merely caught Jeffy’s eyes in the rear-view mirror.

Jeffy blanched and swallowed. “I mean, are y’all ready to go or do you need more time alone? Cause I can come back.”

“We’re good, Jeffy. Put on your seatbelt and we’ll get going.”

“Okay, no problem.” Jeffy quickly complied.

Rick smirked at Michonne before starting up the car and heading into town.

“This is like something out of Mayberry...except with more Black people,” Michonne quipped as she walked into the dance.

The dance was being held in the banquet room of the town hall. There were balloons and streamers in muted oranges, yellows, and reds. Fake trees full of fall leaves and twinkle lights sat in the corners of the room. A huge cornucopia was on the center of the table holding the food and punch. Mini pumpkins were the centerpieces of the various tables around the edges of the dancefloor. There was even a place to take photos.

“I know it’s not what you’re used to back in DC but...”

“No, Rick, I love it! I feel like I stepped into the middle of a Hallmark holiday movie. And we are definitely getting our picture taken under that arch over there.”

“You really like it?” The happiness was evident in Rick’s voice.

“Yes. Did you think I wouldn’t?”

“You’ve never wanted to come home with me before, so I was afraid you just didn’t like small towns.”

“It’s not that I didn’t want to come home with you. I guess it would have felt odd just coming as your friend. I don’t know why.”

“Good thing you’re his girlfriend, right?” Jeffy offered. It was the first time he’d spoken since the ride over from the farm.

“Yeah, good thing I am.”

“Hey, Rick! Get your crooked leg ass over here! Feels like I ain’t seen you in ages, man!”

“Let me guess. That’s Shane,” Michonne said.

“Yep,” Rick confirmed. “Let’s go over there before he starts yelling again.”

“I’m going to get some punch.” Jeffy moved off towards the refreshments.

“Jeffy knows better than to go against Shane and he tries to avoid him at all cost.”

Michonne nodded in approval. “I’m liking Shane already. Let’s go.”

Rick walked Michonne over to a group of five.

“Hey, y’all,” he greeted.

Michonne stood back as Rick exchanged hugs with everyone. Rick reached back for her hand and gently pulled her into the group.

“Michonne these are some of my oldest and best friends...Shane, Glenn, Maggie, Teddy, and Andrea. Everyone, I’d like you to meet someone very special to me. This is my girlfriend, Michonne.”

Shane let out a low whistle. “Well, hot damn! You done good, Rick. Real good. It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Michonne. I’ve heard nothing but good things about you from Rick and his mama and daddy.”

“It”s a pleasure to meet you as well, Shane. I’ve heard a lot about you. I’ve heard a lot about all of you actually. Rick likes to tell stories from your childhood.”

“Is that so? Did you tell Michonne about the time we all went skinny dippin’ and your di—”

“NO!” Rick interrupted Shane. “I haven’t shared that one with Michonne, Shane. But thank you for bringing it up.”

“You want me to go ahead and finish it for you?”

“No, I’m good. But thank you for asking.”

“Anytime, brother, anytime.”

“Don’t mind Shane. His breath is worse than his bite.”

Shane cut his eyes to a blonde woman. “It’s bark, Andrea.”

“Oh, it sure is. My bad. Freudian slip I guess.” Andrea smiled sweetly as Shane checked his breath in his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Michonne. It’s nice to add another woman to the mix. As a sign of solidarity, I promise to give you all the dirt you want on Rick,” Andrea offered. “By the way, I love your dress.”

“Thank you. I really wasn’t sure what to wear.”

“Don’t worry, you nailed it,” Maggie complimented. “And those booties are killer.”

“Thank you, Maggie. And killer is the right word because my feet are screaming bloody murder right now. I didn’t we’d have to walk so far to get here. Parking was crazy outside.”

“I’m not surprised,” Teddy said. “This is one of the biggest events of the year. Everybody comes to it and comes back for it.”

“How about we get a table so everybody can get off their feet?” Glenn suggested.

The group had just settled down when Michonne felt eyes on her. She looked around and saw a dark-haired woman quickly avert her eyes.

That must be Selby. Hopefully she gets the message and leaves Rick be.

“Hey, Rick...everyone.”

Michonne felt Rick gently nudge her thigh under the table before he answered. “Uh, hey, Selby. I heard you were back in town. How are you?”

Michonne turned away from the brunette and looked at the redhead standing by Rick at the table. Wait, if this is Selby, then who is that woman who was staring at me? Michonne tried to discretely look at the woman again. This time she was staring straight at Rick with a wistful expression on her face.

Andrea looked in the same direction as Michonne and rolled her eyes. “In case you’re wondering, the woman currently staring a hole into Rick is Lori, his high school sweetheart. She must be kicking herself that she let him get away. It’s her own fault though. If she tries anything, let me know. I already like you better than I ever did her.”

Michonne smiled her thanks and threw one last glance in Lori’s direction. So that’s who Jeffrey was talking about earlier. Well, it looks like Selby isn’t the only one with her heart set on Rick.

The mention of her name brought Michonne’s attention back to why she was here in the first place.

“Selby, I’d like you to meet Michonne...my girlfriend.”

“Oh.” Selby suddenly looked like she bit into a lemon. “My mother said you’d met someone in DC, Rick. I didn’t think we’d have the, um...pleasure of meeting her so soon. It’s nice to meet you, Michonne.”

Shane looked at Teddy. “I got to give it to her. That was a damn good try. If her face wasn’t so red and pinched up, I might have halfway believed her.”

Teddy hushed Shane and looked off to keep from laughing.

A/N: Don’t worry. I don’t do love triangles.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday-Thanksgiving Friday/Epilogue

[foreverinthesun]

Music questions thing

Alabama Shakes:Favorite female lead? Kelly Clarkson

Arctic Monkeys:Favorite male lead? Alex Gaskarth

Ben Howard:An album that reminds you of your favorite season? I have nothing that reminds me of spring, maybe Mystery Jets - Curve Of The Earth

Bon Iver:An album you could listen to on repeat for years? Pretty much any All Time Low album

Bastille:A song that brings back bad memories? Most old Simple Plan songs

The Beatles:An artist you think is overrated? Justin Bieber

Coldplay:A band you used to love but never listen to anymore? Simple Plan

Daft Punk:Favorite instrumental (no vocals) song? Yiruma - River Flows in You

Dawes:A genre of music you absolutely cannot stand? None really? but I might’ve just forgot they exist. I’m a strong believer every genre has good and bad stuff these days.

Electric Light Orchestra:Favorite song to help you cheer up? All of Kelly Clarkson’s album Breakaway (so Addicted I suppose, it’s my fav)

Elliot Smith:Favorite song to listen to when you’re sad? Blink-182 - Stay Together For The Kids

Evanesence:Ever done drugs and listened to music? No

Fun.:Put your music on shuffle and list the first three. All Time Low - Runaways, The White Stripes-Seven Nation Army, The Amazons - Something In The Water

Fall Out Boy:First album you fell in love with? Markoolio - Dikter från ett hjärta

Green Day:A song that makes you feel rebellious? Don’t think I have any, cause I never really feel rebellious. What feeling is that?

George Ezra:A song that reminds you of a past lover? None

Genesis:A band that your parents always played when you were little? Tomas Ledin, Ted Gärdestad & a bunch of 80′s

Hozier:Favorite brand new artist? The Amazons (do they still count as brand new?)

Iron & Wine?:What song would you want to be played at your wedding?“ Making Love Out Of Nothing At All by Air Supply maybe?

Imagine Dragons:What song would you want played at your funeral? All Time Low - Good Times might be fitting idk

Jack Johnson:A song you heard in a movie and fell in love with? My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion

Joy Division:Your least favorite album by your favorite band? The three words to remember when dealing with the end EP - All Time Low

The Killers:Name your top three songs of all time. All Time Low - Return The Favor, Blink-182 - Stockholm Syndrome, Sum 41 - There’s No Solution (idk if they’re my top 3 but I know I’ll never get tired of them)

Linkin Park:Suggest a band you think I might like. All Time Low (obv)

Led Zeppelin:Favorite album art? All Time Low - So Wrong It’s Right (@me: chill with the atl)

Muse:Craziest music video you’ve ever seen? - I don’t usually watch or remember music videos

Mumford & Sons:Favorite cover version of a song you love? Yellowcard - Don’t You Forget About Me (Simple Minds)

The National:A song you sing in the shower? Whatever I’m Listening to

Nathaniel Rateliff:A song that never fails to make you emotional? Ken - Mamma (in a I’ll-be-sad-for-the-rest-of-the-day kind of way)

One Direction:Backstreet Boys or NSYNC? Backstreet Boys

Pink Floyd:You can go back in time to see any band you want. Who would it be? Queen

Queen:You can meet any band member, living or dead, and hang out with them for 24 hours. Who would it be? Jack Barakat

Radiohead:Favorite concert you’ve ever been to (or a band you want to see live). Green Day at Ullevi 2010, or Coldplay at Ullevi 2017 (ullevi is the best place for summer concerts)

Rihanna:A musician you respect, even if you might not like their music? Beyonce (it’s not that I don’t like it, just not nearly as much as most people)

Roo Panes:Favorite acoustic version of a song? All Time Low - Therapy

Simon & Garfunkel:Favorite album movie? (Ex. Yellow Submarine, The Wall, Help!, The Graduate) Don’t think I’ve seen one

Skrillex:What’s the strangest song you have on your Ipod right now? The Beloved - Sweet Harmony

Tame Impala:A band none of your friends listen to? idk for being so obsessed with music I don’t talk about it much with ppl

Taylor Swift:Name that one artist that literally makes you so angry you’re willing to throw the damn radio right out the window to make it stop. Justin Bieber & Taylor Swift

U2:A song or album that somehow got onto your Ipod but you have no idea where it came from??? None, there’s not much room so it’s been carefully picked.

The Vaccines:What are your favorite lyrics? Quote them for me. Do they mean something special to you? “You keep me safe, keep me sane, keep me honest. You keep me alive…” from ATL’s The Edge of Tonight. It just makes me want to scream and cry and hug people but from happiness or warmth.

Vampire Weekend:A band or artist you follow on Twitter? Mark Hoppus

Vance Joy:An artist where you can never tell what the hell they’re singing? Patrick Stump

Weezer:Favorite oldschool band? AC/DC atm (and no it’s not because of im2, not at all)

The xx:A genre/band you’ve been getting into that you never thought you would enjoy? DJ’s? Dance? Whatever Calvin, Aviicii, The Chainsmokers and those are

[beautifulramblingbrains]

Bound By Fluff

Fandom: Divergent/Insurgent Pairing: Eric and Sarah Rating: Mature (Because I like to swear and go into major detail, a bit too much) -  But also *GASPS* Major fluff warnings. Potential choking hazard of fluffy content filling your lungs like cotton.

A/N: Thanks @murmelinchen for helping sort this abundance of constant scene pummelling. Request and you shall receive. A complete fluff drabble. If you’re feeling fluff, read. If not, you’ll probably melt. 

This is a small peer into the future, and I had a great time writing it. Thanks for reading! :D

Passing through the halls and depths of Dauntless, Eric could feel the festive buzz of the people; could see the decorative displays littered here and there, and the constant blabber from his colleagues was disgustingly cheerful. It was that time of the year, and the Christmas spirit was just too high for his liking.

By the time he left his office, it was barely hitting four and he was eager to get back home, knowing that Sarah was there as she had messaged him a few hours ago. These days he preferred to be home more than he did busying himself with the daily grind of his office work. He had never had a family before, never dreamt of having one or even wanting to be tied down like that - and here he was, with an impending arrival to make them a family of four.

It becomes more quiet on his way to the apartment and the beep from the control panel on his door seems deafening. It doesn't come as a surprise when he finds it dark and silent inside. The honest truth is that Sarah had been sleeping… a lot. Jack had certain hours with Meredith during the day or whenever Sarah needed time - which seemed to be often. Their growing daughter was draining, and Eric would smile thinking about the foreshadowing of perhaps that this is what the next eighteen years of their daughter's life would bring.

Kicking off his boots, he throws his jacket on the back of the couch and heads for the bedroom. Opening the door slowly, he finds Sarah asleep on her side, the covers entwined between her legs and her swollen belly supported by a pillow. This second time around her stomach grew faster than before, almost from the moment Sarah had announced their daughter to her family. She also wasn’t sick with this one; if anything, she glowed more than she did with Jack.

Dressed in just a cottoned bra and underwear, she looks too peaceful to disturb, her arm resting along her body and hand on her hip where he could see the glint from her wedding ring.

He can still feel the uncomfortable sensation of having to wait for her to enter the boardroom, surrounded by only a handful of colleagues and her family. John had walked her towards him - though he was still split from Meredith, he’d taken a decent turn. He had relatively come to his senses and sobered himself enough to even be considered for the job.

Traditions weren’t his thing, but they were hers, and he went along with any planning of their ceremony - to a point.

But it was that wait, that unknown feeling whether Sarah would even turn up. And the eyes that were all on them as he confessed to every true feeling openly in front of a group of people.

When she had appeared through the door and their eyes met, he knew that this was what he wanted. Her golden hair was braided neatly with white flowers crowned around her head. Her dress floated, a bow wrapped around her midsection with the lengths trailing behind her. She was blushed and shaky, but he couldn’t fault her. The same flowers adorning her hair were bunched in her hand, and when she had stopped in front of him, her head barely reaching his shoulder, a sense of pride had overcame him; all the doubtful feelings erased in an instant.

They were two polar opposites. Him in his black, fully tailored uniform, pressed and laundered. Her in loose white and washed with innocence. But yet, they so perfectly matched. It was them, presented so clearly.

Eric remembers her bright yet shy smile that day. She was happy, which made him happy. And the months that followed flowed naturally.

It almost looks like she’s smiling in her sleep. Eric creeps closer, touching her gently to let her know he was there and perching on the side of the bed. “Sarah,” he whispers as not to startle her. She hums sleepily, just turning her head over her shoulder to squint at him through sleep heavy eyes. On instinct, he places a hand on her belly, and she covers his with her own. “What time is Meredith coming back?”

“What’s the time?” she huffs through a yawn.

“Four’ish,” he shrugs.

“We have another hour.” She rolls onto her back, her legs still bent away from him, but enough to meet his eyes. “Do you want to lay down with me?”

He could think of plenty of things he wanted to do with her, but he can settle for just lying with her if that’s what she wanted. “Move up.”

As she struggles towards the middle of the bed, he slips off his clothes, not realizing she’s watching till he looks back up. She lingers on his tattoos running down his ribcage, her and Jack’s names artistically curled down his body. “You’re going to have to make room for another.”

Eric smirks at her before he crawls onto the bed to slip in next to her. He makes a point of kissing her stomach, her hands scraping against his scalp until he brings himself back up to her level. Propped up on his elbow, he gazes down as she strokes his cheek gently, and with the doting look in her eyes that he can’t resist, he leans down to just taste her lips.

Shifting herself up to meet him, Sarah’s intentions become clear when she keeps pulling him to her. He smirks - he should’ve guessed her motives. He helps her rid of her underwear and then his boxers as she gets to her knees, climbing on top of him.

Sarah begins running a hand down his chest as they kiss again, her teeth pulling on his lip and he can’t help but chuckle to himself. He finds her amusing but beautiful when she’s not in control. Her hips grind against him, he can feel the warmth emitting from her core and he growls impatiently. She entwines their fingers together where he can feel her ring, but it’s short lived when her tongue trails down his jaw. She bites at his neck harshly and suddenly which makes him jerk at the sensation. He grips her thighs hard while watching the bliss on her face as she inches herself down his length, shuddering when she pauses.

She takes what she wants slowly, gripping his chest while they relax into each other and her hair messily hangs from a knotted braid that danced every time she moved. He sucks in his lip and watches her in a state of sheer ecstasy from such simple acts. All coherent thought suddenly dissipates when she moans sensually, hissing when she leans up slightly to touch herself between her legs as she moves back and forth on him. It’s the sight threatening him to spill, the sopping wet warmth and extra stimuli from her friction and Eric groans throatily, “Sweetheart, do not do that.”

“Then do it for me,” she whispers, watching him through hooded eyes. It’s more of a command than anything, but while pregnant he wanted her to guide him. This was a fragile subject for Eric and in her condition he was hesitant of doing anything she didn’t initiate first. He slips two fingers between them and grits his teeth to her voice. “Yes. Eric. Uh… shit…” she whines the cuss sweetly, a usual he was used to hearing all while trying to think of amity bread, praying she’s satisfied soon. He doesn’t have to wait long, feeling her coming before she tells him, her walls gripping him and her nails bite harder into his skin. He rolls with it, letting it consume him, like everything else she has done in his life - and he wouldn’t change it.

When she gives out and falls forward, he helps her get onto her side, her leg draping over him with her stomach pushed up against him. They will sleep like this now until Jack comes home. The child that is into everything, learning to walk like a drunk man when he was only eleven months old and it had seemed impossible to achieve. The child that can now run away when he does bad things and often blames an imaginary dog.

Yeah, that fifteen to twenty minute nap doesn’t seem such a bad idea right about now.

When Eric finally wakes from their nap, Sarah is just pulling a dress over her body at the other end of the room, stopping to smile at him. “My mother’s knocking…” she talks quietly, pulling her hair through the neck hole of her dress and flattening it to one side. “...didn’t you hear?”

No, in fact he did not. He pulls himself up from the warmth of their bed and throws on the shirt and pants he was wearing earlier, still slowed by the quick sleep.

“I was in the shower,” Sarah continues, then walks from the bedroom. He can hear the front door being opened and Meredith panting, then Jack calling out “Mama”.

Even though it is cold outside, Meredith looks clammy, taking a minute to catch her breath and dropping Jack’s bag by the door. “How are you feeling? Have you rested enough? Have you eaten?” Meredith’s eyes slide to Eric when she notices him crossing his arms as he gets to the end of the hallway. Sarah’s too busy baby-talking to Jack on her knees on the floor and brushing off her worrisome questions. “Hello, Eric.”

“Hi,” is all he gives her, still not completely trusting of the woman. His voice startles Jack and he pulls away from Sarah, toddling up towards him with his arms out and a blanket with a dog's head Mary had made for him in one of his hands.

“You both carry him around too much,” Meredith says, flapping an arm at them both, before aiding Sarah up from the floor with much effort. “He expects to be carried too often. Sarah, you won’t be able to for much longer.”

“It is fine, mother. Dauntless isn���t very considerate of pushchairs, and besides, you can hardly expect him to climb the mountain of stairs around here.” As Sarah turns towards the kitchen, she rolls her eyes at Eric as Meredith follows her towards the counter still endlessly complaining.

Eric rolls his eyes in reply; Sarah says it’s because her mother cares but to him she’s an annoying parasite.

With Jack in his arms, his son’s wispy hair is pushed over to one side by hand and Eric messes it up to his preference. “Dada, dog. Woof.” Jack presents his usual comforter to him, almost hitting him in the face with it. But Eric is frowning. “Yes, woof.” Then his sight is set on Meredith. “What are you saying?” he almost hisses, being careful not to raise his voice and Jack points at Meredith.

“Nananana,” Jack sing-songs with his tiny arms raised above his head.

“Not Nanna, Jack. Grandma, please,” Meredith calls over her shoulder but still watching Sarah critically as she sits up at the island counter, pouring herself juice she had fetched from the fridge.

Jack keeps calling over and over again, “Nananana.”

Eric comes up beside Sarah to create distance between her and the bitch. “Sarah is fine. Are you saying I’m not caring for her enough?” In the corner of his eye, Sarah rubs at her temple. “And if he wants to call you a banana, he will.” He huffs and chuckles at the thought.

“It’s okay, Eric,” Sarah sighs. “Mother, I don’t carry Jack too much. I am fine. I wasn’t this tired with Jack, it’s just the baby. I’m perfectly well.”

“You’ll put your back out. He’s a heavy boy. - A very active one at that.”

Sarah grimaces. “Well, you had four of us, so… let’s stop with the preaching.”

“And he’s saying Nana, Eric. Not banana.” Meredith sticks up her now crooked nose.

“Dada, woof.” Jack shows him his toy comforter again. “Nananana.”

“Whatever,” he brushes her off, restraining himself from insulting her witch-like features and gently nudges Jack’s hand away from his face. “What are you still doing here anyway?”

Meredith eyes are sharp at him and he merely lifts his lips in spite. “That is a good point. I’m here to tell you I’m hosting Christmas dinner this year, with everybody. I took the opportunity to ask Mary and Mark today and they thought it was a magnificent idea.” However, Meredith speaks to Sarah more than him. “Your father, too,” she ends unsurely, dusting at the counter top.

“Get out of here,” Eric snorts to himself. “I give a talk every year…” He pauses when Sarah peers up at him. “It’s not happening.”

Sarah gazes back down to her glass. “Eric is right. He’s very busy.”

“But I’ve arranged it!” her mother protests.

Eric shrugs. “Well, unarrange it.”

“So, you're telling me you are going to leave your heavily pregnant wife and young son up here in this apartment while you amuse yourself down with those… animals?”

Eric raises his eyebrow in exasperation; he had little to no interaction with Meredith and this was exactly the reason why. “Think about who you are actually talking to.” He points to himself, turning from the counter as his anger rises.

Meredith puts her hand on her hips. “My son-in-law, actually.”

“Show your mother out, Sarah,” he calls behind him, dropping himself down onto the couch with a fidgeting Jack, grunting as he tries to stand up on his lap. “Show her out before I throw her out.”

“Dada, woof!”

“Yes, Jack.” He watches his son clamber down to the floor, going to the coffee table. He picks up a book and throws it onto the floor. “No, that’s bad.”

“Dog,” is Jack’s reply.

“Did the dog throw that?” Jack shakes his head and then changes to a nod, repeating “Dog,” again. As he stumbles around the room, his diaper rustles against his pants and Eric can’t be mad at him. He’d read about phases children went through and he put it down to that.

Sarah clears her throat and captures his attention. “I actually… kind of, want to go.” She keeps her eyes down and swallows, and if he didn’t already feel guilty enough after Meredith’s accusing - he did now.

“It will be our last time with just the three of us. And then next year, maybe Mary will have her own children... And I haven’t seen Thomas in a while because I’ve been too tired.” Sarah speaks cautiously though, she knew how he felt about spending time in the presence of Meredith’s constant arrogant remarks.

He didn’t remember her being like this when she worked for him, so that means because he is with her daughter, she’s taking the opportunity to open her big mouth. The audacity. Maybe if he cut out her tongue she wouldn’t be so…

“So, it’s settled then!” Meredith claps her hands together, turning for the door.

“I haven’t agreed yet!” he calls after her.

“Nananana!” Jack yells out while everyone else does, then slowly and exaggeratedly points at his nose with his chubby fingers. “Ose!”

Proudness overcomes Eric and he puffs out his chest, patting his lap. “Come here.” When he’s just in reach Eric growls playfully, standing and lifting him through the air as the boy giggles. Looking between Sarah and Meredith, he states firmly, “We’ll think about it. Goodbye, Meredith.” He shows her out quickly, Jack still in his arms and when she’s gone with a short farewell, he breathes out slowly. That was an extreme amount of effort on his part.

Sarah appears forlorn though, the corners of her mouth turned downwards. “Can you at least think about it, not pretend to.” She hops down from the stool, going to the fridge to start dinner with her back to him.

“It’s what I said, didn’t I? That we’ll think about it?”

“That’s usually a no.” Well, he couldn’t say she was wrong about that. She turns around, gripping the counter but not meeting his eye. “I’m sure they won’t miss your speech too much this year at Christmas. I feel like we should spend it together.”

“We will be together.”

“With the entire family, Eric. Soon we will be consumed with a new baby and a toddler, there won’t be much time for anyone else.”

That’s how it should be, rings in his mind while he pinches the bridge of his nose. That’s all that mattered. He makes the short distance between them, grabbing at the packaged food she was about to open and makes her look at him. “Is that what you really want?”

“Yes,” she says, looking up at him hopefully.

He sighs. Fuck it.

The truck rolls to a stop, right outside the home Sarah had once resided at that Meredith opted to occupy. - Something about too many memories in the old home, and Thomas was much happier with a bigger room, being her excuse to stay. Jack is seat-belted between them both, him and Sarah wrapped up with heavily knitted scarves and hats.

“Don’t move,” Eric tells her opening the cab door and hopping down, marching quickly round to her side to open the door for her. He helps her out, but Sarah takes the opportunity to pull on his neck, beckoning him to kiss her.

“Thank you,” she whispers, smiling at the most formidable man in the city. The same one who agreed to spending Christmas day in Abnegation just to make her happy.

The weather wasn’t too bad but it was slippery and snow blanketed the floor, but not enough to warrant caution to traveling. Eric releases Jack from his seat belt and carries him, letting Sarah hold onto his arm as she waddles cautiously down the path to the house.

The front door swings open to Mary and Mark, a warm welcome of hugs as they greet each other and the smell of Christmas dinner wafting out from behind them. Thomas appears too, excited to see Eric more than anything, and Jack reaches out to Mary.

Mary strokes Sarah’s stomach, leaning down towards it. “Not long now! How exciting! Isn’t this exciting?” she addresses Mark and he nods, shaking hands with Eric quickly.

Mark and Mary were waiting for the right time to have their own children. They were both working hard and Mary was in the midst of heavy duties and demands which didn’t leave much time. They were both young though, and still had plenty of opportunity later on.

The air changes when John gets up from the set table, kissing Sarah’s cheek and shaking Eric’s hand. He doesn’t say much, still wrapped in shame and guilt of his previous actions. Even less of a man than he used to be.

“Dinner is almost ready!” Meredith calls from out of the kitchen. “Everyone sit down at the table and get yourself a drink!”

There was not one bottle of alcohol on the table and for a second Sarah looks at Eric, his face set in stone as he scans his surroundings. She could almost see him counting down the minutes until they could leave. Once settled at the table, Sarah smiles at Eric who doesn’t leave her side.

“Have you thought of any names yet?” Mary asks, peering between them both expectantly.

Sarah scoffs a little. “We haven’t given it much thought. She’s due the middle of March. So I think something beginning with ‘M’?” This hadn’t actually been discussed but it made sense. She looks up at Eric and he’s watching Jack, the boy grabbing at various cutlery. “But as I said, we haven’t spoken about it.”

“That’s new,” Eric comments.

“I thought it was only fair considering we named Jack after the month he was born.”

Eric leans forward on the table, fetching water and filling his and Sarah’s cups quickly. “I like Maddison.” There’s a silence as everyone stares at him. It was obvious he had been thinking about it.

“Maddison?” Sarah nudges his arm with her elbow.

“It’s a strong name, easily shortened, and I don’t know anyone with that name.” He sips his water and looks down at Sarah’s. “You need to keep drinking. And make sure you eat enough.”

“Yes, Sarah. You should do as he says…” Meredith enters holding a massively covered tray and bustles over to the table. She takes the lid off the top and presents a roasted turkey. She disappears again in the kitchen and comes back with more ceramic dishes filled with potatoes and various vegetables - no garnish though. “Would you like to cut the turkey, John?”

It seems John was in a daze and coughs as he stands up hurriedly, pulling the tray toward him. He slices diagonally and while doing so, Eric addresses Mark. “I guess congratulations are in order. You have your own team now.”

“Yes, sir. I’m enjoying my new role. But…” Mark hesitates. “I thought that was you?

Eric scoffs. “Just because we are related, doesn’t mean I’m going to let you waltz around Dauntless.” Eric sips his water again, looking completely casual. “Glen’s in charge of that area now. I had enough work on my plate.”

“Oh… right.” Mark furrows his brows in thought. “Of course.”

“It’s a compliment, Mark,” Sarah says through her smile. “It means you did everything off of your own back. You should be proud.”

“And what about you, Sarah? Has the council been pushed back?” Meredith interrupts, pushing in next to her to put vegetables on her plate.

“I had to, I’ve been too tired.”

“Which is understandable.” Eric takes Jack from Mary, seating him on his lap instead and cuts up small bite-size portions for his son to eat and share with him. He blows on the first forkful before slowly feeding him.

“You don’t sound happy for Sarah to be on the council at all, Eric. If you don’t mind me saying,” John finally speaks up.

“I think Sarah has enough to be worrying about than whose laundry didn’t get separated properly last Tuesday,” he mocks, but it’s viciously towards her father. “But, if that’s what she wants to do...”

Sarah leans into him to try and make him relax. “You know that’s not what I do. We have healthy debates and it’s nice to see what people are troubled over and if you can solve them, it feels good.”

“It feels good when you are in my-” Sarah knocks him with her knee quickly to stop whatever suggestive comment was about to fall out of his mouth. “Sarah likes to feel good.”

Mary almost chokes and Mark laughs while she blushes. “I like being able to help, yes.” She scowls at him.

“She helps me… every day.”

“Well…” Meredith drawls unsurely. “Isn’t that good, John?” She looks at Sarah’s father who just snorts through his nose, turning back to his food.

“Dada…” Jack prompts another mouthful, then stares at Thomas in awe who is happily eating by himself.

“Are you going to stop at two?” John’s tone has changed, and Sarah knows he’s biting for a reaction.

“Maybe twelve.” Sarcasm drips from Eric, even his body language turning arrogant as he peers over Sarah to her father. “Who knows? Maybe I can start my own platoon made up completely of Coulters.”

“Wouldn’t put it past you.”

“What?” Eric barks in response.

“John!” Meredith scolds him. “I want a normal family Christmas meal, please.”

“John didn’t get the memo,” Eric mumbles. Sarah rubs at her temple and Eric peers down at her. “What’s wrong?”

“This hierarchy battle is just tiring.”

“It’s not a battle when one of them used to be a useless drunk that couldn’t handle his family.” Everyone stops eating and Eric shrugs. “Well, if nobody was going to say it...” Sarah shakes her head at him. “From the moment I walked through the door he’s been waiting to get a reaction out of me.” Eric points towards John, turning all his attention to him. “And you got one. So what if you didn’t like it.”

John braces his arms in front of him. “You’re right,” he confesses. “I’m still trying to get used to the fact two of my daughters are married to Dauntless. But do you really have to wave it in front of my face with your previous comments?”

“I was merely pointing out the fact I prefer Sarah to be at home with me where I know she is safe.”

“It’s disrespectful!” John shouts and Jack startles.

“John!” Meredith yells.

“Mother…” Mary contests, shaking her head to keep her quiet.

“Your dad’s a real dick,” Eric mumbles at Sarah.

“Eric,” Sarah scolds him, looking around the table as everyone flashes a look between each other.

“Nananana!” Jack chants holding up Eric’s fork in the air.

“You’re both acting like children!” Sarah shouts. “Both of you! Yes, there is still some previous animosity between you. Maybe you’ll never see eye to eye, but for the right here and now, it is Christmas!” She lowers her voice to a harsh whisper, snapping the words out quickly. “And I swear to god, if we cannot sit here and have a civilized conversation over a family meal, there is something seriously wrong with you!” She growls to herself, pushing her plate diagonally towards Meredith across from her. “I would like some more turkey, please!”

Sarah knew that Eric was still livid over John’s comments when they found out about Jack. And he still hadn’t forgiven him or the suggestion that the child would be a stain, regardless of his apology at the time. It was clear what her father thought of anything to do with Dauntless. She also wondered if he blamed them for his break-down in his marriage.

They eat in silence for a while until strangely Thomas speaks up. “Eric,” he asks cautiously. “Can I sit in the truck before you go?”

“How about I take you and Jack for a drive in it?”

The little boy's face lights up. “Can I?” He turns to Meredith who smiles tightly and nods.

“Of course. But dessert first. I made Sarah’s favorite... apple pie.”

Sarah blushes instantly and peers up to Eric, a thousand memories coming back to her and the sudden urge to go home as he handsomely smirks back. “My favorite,” she cries and can’t help but laugh, trying to cover her grin with her fork. But her swell of anger and Mary and Mark chuckling quietly to themselves are contagious. Maybe it’s because she is pregnant and her hormones were flying around like nobody's business. Maybe it was the fact she called Eric and her Father a pair of children and got away with it. Or maybe it’s because her Mother looks at her strangely none the wiser. But her laugh is hysterical and she can barely sit up straight as the tears form in her eyes.

It’s worse when Jack begins giggling too, throwing his head back and barely able to sit on his dad’s lap.

“Oh my god… oh my god… I can’t laugh much more, stop…” she wheezes to no one in particular.

“I really don’t see what’s funny,” John comments and Sarah grabs Eric’s arm as she hurls into another fit, his body shaking as he pinches the bridge of his nose to calm himself.

“Apple pie!” she points out as if it was obvious.

“Maybe this is a good time to wish everybody a Merry Christmas?” Meredith proposes, raising her bland glass of water to only add to the comedy of the whole family meal event. To be honest, it would never have been the same if it was ever normal.

Mark and Mary kiss and Sarah leans over to Jack to peck the top of his head.

“Happy Christmas, Sarah,” Eric whispers and presses his lips to hers.

“Merry Christmas, Eric.”

When March arrives, their daughter’s birth was imminent. Eric rushed home and kept his phone close by just in case, but it seemed their daughter was going to be trouble from the get-go.

When Sarah passed her due date, it felt as though the child would never come. Mary took to staying day and night to help with Jack and to keep an eye on Sarah, but still nothing…

It’s three in the morning on a Wednesday night when Sarah suddenly jerks upwards, throwing the covers off of her and pushing him to get up. “Eric, Eric, Eric…” she repeats over and over again, sounding panicked and scared, and grips his arm tightly.

He sits up quickly, even though groggy, and stands up to get rid of the sheets entirely. The bed is saturated and he frowns at her. “Did you piss yourself?”

“No!” she snaps back just as haughtily. “Help me up,” she orders, holding out her arms. Before he can even reach her, she stands up on her own and immediately hunches over to grip the bed.

His eyes widen, a sense of confusion washing over him. “What the fuck, Sarah?”

“The baby!” she pants. “It’s coming now. She’s coming.”

Eric runs a hand through his hair, peering at the door then back at her at a sudden classical loss of what to do. All the time to prepare but when it came to it, he knew nothing. He almost wanted to ask her but that would be entirely inappropriate.

“Get me a new dress!” She begins pulling the old one over her head, and with this view he can really see how heavily pregnant she is. He clambers to get her a dress and she rips it from him. By the time she gets it over her head, another contraction rolls through her and she has to hold onto him. “A towel, I need a towel!” she orders to an almost frozen Eric. There’s still a wetness dripping between her legs and she rolls up the end of her dress to hold. “Wake Mary, we have to go now!” she calls after him.

As he leaves the room, he can hear Sarah whimper to herself and he felt utterly useless. Just the sound of him and Mary sits up. “What? What is it? Is it the baby?!”

“Yeah…” His voice comes out hoarse with his throat dry. “But I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing.” It’s something he thought he’d never admit.

“All you have to do is be with her. It’s all you can do. I’ll stay up and listen out for Jack but you have to get to the infirmary. Now!”

Eric switches from fleeting father to Leader, because that is all he knew. He strides back to the bedroom and grabs Sarah’s bag of stuff she had packed and hooks his arm around her.

The infirmary felt like a million miles away as they made their way out of the bedroom. “We’ll go slow.”

She nods, still breathing heavily and begins walking with him.

“Good luck!” Mary shouts from the door.

A polystyrene cup is shoved into Eric’s face, full with steaming coffee. He glances up tiredly at Glen. “Thanks. Word gets around fast it seems.”

“I was going to leave it. But when I found out it had been a full twenty-four hours, even I felt the fatherly sweat.” Glen takes the seat next to Eric in the quiet corridor of the infirmary. “What are they saying?”

“Considering a C-section in the next few hours if nothing changes. Sarah is against it, of course.” He swigs some of the coffee even though it burned. He was too tired to register anything and his body felt like somebody else's. “She’s trying to sleep right now.”

“Maybe you should do the same?” Glen offers, and for once he’s right. “I’ll leave you. I’m a phone call away.” Glen pats his shoulder, his boots squeaking on the floor as Eric watches him walk away.

He sighs to himself, getting up to look for a nurse to find some suitable and close place he could sleep.

Sarah’s sleep is almost a non-existent slip between unconsciousness and full awareness. She could feel herself curling up but too tired to physically do anything, not even speak. The IV in her hand hurt as she moved, her body too hot. She gripped the gas and air nozzle tightly in her free hand, but it was utterly useless, making her head spin more if anything. The pain killer she believed she had received hours ago, she could feel waning.

Then something marvellous happens. Her body involuntarily tenses up till she can’t breathe. It panics her but she knows the feeling from before. In her drunk-like haze she throws her hand out around the bed, finding the button and presses multiple times, just as the urge to push again hits with a vengeance.

Suddenly there is multiple people in the room, one checking the monitors, two parting her legs and by the glance the doctor gives up to her, she knows her baby is coming.

“Eric?” she mumbles to one of them, but at the same time he enters, reaching her in a matter of seconds.

“This time, we want you to push with everything you have,” the doctor orders, barely looking at her, peering between her legs.

“I don’t think I can.” There was nothing more to give. She didn’t have the energy, she could barely keep her eyes open.

“You can, Sarah.” Eric grips her hand in his tightly, but he’s watching the consort of nurses.

There’s not much time to argue when her body naturally takes over. It’s a whirlwind of flashing images as she opens and closes her eyes, gritting her teeth and listens to the demands they ask of her. All the while, Eric pushes back her hair, telling her continuously that she can do this, that their baby is almost here, and how well she was doing.

There’s a pause and silence in the room as she feels the doctor go between her legs, she howls out at the burning sensation and they tell her one last push. She gives every last part of her into the final act, and just when she cannot take anymore, she feels her daughter's legs leave her womb.

The relief is overwhelming, and she cries uncontrollably. Eric leans down so their foreheads touch and he didn’t seem to mind how clammy hers was. Her sobs are joined by bleating, and then a strong wail as she catches the sight of the newborn being wrapped in a blanket, arms up and out, a paled blotchy wash of pink.

“Is she okay?” she whispers hoarsely to Eric as he wipes at his face and turns to take their baby. He’s relaxed and natural, staring down at their daughter with every ounce of admiration she sees every day when he looks at Jack.

There is still things going on around her, and he shows her their baby’s face, her cries quieting when he rocks her. Sarah reaches out to her waving hands and feels her tiny fingers, counting them, peering up at Eric who has not once looked away as his smile grew.

“I am so fucked…” he whispers, and Sarah laughs lightly.

“What’s her name? Is it Maddison?”

“No,” Eric says through his smile. “April. It’s the first of April.” He hushes her whimpers, then motions for Sarah to take her.

“She’s so tiny,” she whispers.

“She’s nine pounds, Sarah,” Eric tells her and her eyes widen.

“Well, she looks tiny compared to seeing Jack now.” She pulls down her gown and places her against her skin, feeling her love grow impossibly stronger for every single member of her family.

A few days had passed and Sarah was finally allowed to go home. Upon their arrival they were greeted by Mary and Mark, holding Jack up to inspect his new sister. The small boy had just looked confused, hiding his face and asking for “Dada” to the new change.

Sarah’s recovery is quick and it doesn’t take long till she is sitting comfortably in the living area on the couch with April cradled in her arms. Mary made her a dress easy accessible to breastfeed in decency, and there on the couch Eric watches her feeding from the kitchen, leaning on the counter, having taken time off to be at home till things settled.

Jack clambers up next to Sarah and sits with her, pulling on his sisters blankets to see, telling Sarah it was a “Dog,” and not his sister.

“Can we keep her, Jack?” Sarah asks him and he thinks for a long time, furrowing his brows so characteristically like Eric. “Do you like your new sister?”

“No.”

She scoffs light-heartedly. “That’s not very nice…”

Jack loses interest and scoots away, sitting perfectly with his comforter and brings it up to his nose, yawning.

Peering down at their daughter in devotion, Sarah suddenly looks up at Eric as if she could read his mind. He wouldn’t be surprised now if she could. She smiles with something more meaningful than genuine, just as Jack leans against his mommy, beginning to suck his thumb.

Eric couldn’t think of any sight or place more beautiful and innocent than the one in front of him in this moment. He will do anything to love and protect his family, no matter what it is. He’ll correct his mistakes, he’ll worship the ground Sarah walks on, and he’ll nurture his children till his last breath.

And Sarah knows he will.