#but anyway hope this at least a nice distraction on your dashboard

[anotherduckinthedepths]

Breif little ramble about a more dsmp-centered, Superhero AU esque idea my brain has been rotating every now and then

Dont fully have everything planned, originally it was just a few stray thoughts caused by me listening to the Opening OSTs of both I Expect You to Die games that has started to spiral out of control from there (honestly I wouldn't be surprised if there's also some inspiration from Grimmijagger's Cursed Town AU due to some spoopy themes) General sorta modern world setting where some people have superpowers, most of the world looks to a group of powered humans known as Pantheon to guide them and protect them, having somehow been granted two powers. Pantheon has been around for generations, with members coming and going through the years. ...Well I say somehow, the actual reason just tends to be hidden to almost all but Pantheon In the setting, there are sinister, sorta eldritch sorts of entities that for the most part, lurk just beyond the boundaries of the material plane, most desiring to shape, control, and generally invade the world... but they can't sustain a physical form in the material plane on their own, so they are for the most part, stuck in areas for dreams and general unconsciousness and dimensions tied to specific aspects of the world such as time or death. They can mess around with dreams ...That is unless they make a pact with a creature that originates from the material world, creating a sort of link between the two and even allowing the vessel to harness a fragment of their power The members of Pantheon fit into this category, humans who one way or another ended up making a pact with one of these entities (there can be several vessels connected to the same entities), their second power being that fragment they received in return, (currently vessels connected to the same entity will have the same secondary power). The sinister nature of the pact becomes apparent overtime, as a vessel will slowly have their every thought given access to, loose any form of autonomy over their body and have more and more of the entity they're bonded to control them, until the pour soul is practically a puppet for their entity to use to interact with their world and carry out their will, whilst the person themselves becomes trapped within their own body, in this state, they are functionally lost. ___ Outside of the the most I have for the first main plot focuses on Kristin (Or Lady Death), a member of Pantheon who made a pact with the entity that lurked within the realms of the dead, now capable of seeing spirits and conversing with them.

She's been a member of Pantheon for a while, not as long as Jubilant (name may change) , who's sort of taken up the role of leader amongst them, but long enough to become aware of the position she's in (for the most part, she isn't full aware of just how much control of her own body will eventually be taken), she's stuck in this life now, she is the vessel of the entity of Death who she's aware doesn't have noble goals but has fallen into the idea that there's nothing she can do, she made the pact, so she must play the part of Lady Death, she who brings to those who she hunts at best into the steely hands of her fellow commanders and at worse, the cold reaching grasp of the beyond. She who is inevitable. She who no one can outrun. But there's something that shakes that beleif... Whilst hunting for those the Pantheon deemed criminals (often being those who didn't fall in line and/or knew too much)... one gets away entirely. Sisyphus, a name for the criminal given by the public and quickly adopted by the Pantheon, the one who escaped death herself. The Pantheon treated him as a stain on their perfect streaks, someone who made the public think they had flaws, Kristin follows this mindset, the entity insistent that he may have gotten away but no one could outrun death forever, Lady Death and Sisyphus develop a sort of rivalry... but with each escape, each time the idea that the fate of those Death hunted were doomed wavers, something in her worldview changes bit by bit. If this man who to some degree may as well have been any old resident could escape his fate, well maybe she could to... and that's the most I've got for now outside of plans for Kristin to eventually break away from Pantheon and for the two of them to work together to avoid the rest of Pantheon and find a way to make it impossible for the fate of the vessels to ever befall her. ___ So yea those are some of my silly ramblings, hope at least some of you enjoy them, incoherent as they may be Might doodle for this AU of sorts sometimes, brains got some spooky visuals especially for Jubilant

[alloftheimaginesblog]

Life Without Colour (PART FIVE)

Soulmate AU: Your vision is in black and white until you meet your soulmate. You and your boyfriend, Steve Rogers, aren’t each others soulmates but you love each other. He introduces you to his friends, the Avengers, and a very odd thing happens.

Characters: Steve Rogers x Plus Size Female Reader, Bucky Barnes x Plus Size Female Reader

Note: ignore that i don’t even question bucky being able to get through security at the airport, i couldn’t think of how he would be able to get through the airport security bc of his metal arm so i’ve skipped that detail completely. i hope it doesn’t detract from the story! 

this is nearly 6000 words!

Taglist:  @domainoflostsouls​  forgetthisbull  handon-h-art  yourspecialcrush  giulsgotmusic  mrsbarnes-rogers  luosymekawa  linzeyzarcone  forgetthisbull   calamityreads  talgra   marina-darling  btsforlif  lamoursansfin  classic1985  lovesicksofi  fandomsfallnomore  thebivirgin  classygladiatorcupcake

PART ONE

PART TWO

PART THREE

PART FOUR

PART FIVE

PART SIX

Seconds turned to minutes and minutes turned to hours. You had long since stopped trying to figure out what state you were in and where you were headed. Bucky had been driving non-stop aside from two bathroom breaks at a small gas station in the middle of nowhere. You had stopped crying a long time ago, too drained and too tired to continue. You felt horrendous. You hated this, you absolutely hated this but you had no choice in the matter. The car had been silent for the whole way aside from the quiet chatter on the radio. Bucky hadn’t wanted to speak in fear of upsetting you further. He had been driving you out of state to go to an airport that would be a little harder to find. It had been Fury’s idea, to go to an airport that Hydra wouldn’t look for straight away. It gave you a little more time to get away without being watched.

You took a break from watching the blur of trees and roads to glance at the clock on the dashboard; 13:42. You hadn’t eaten yet, barely had anything to drink either and you knew that you weren’t far away from a dehydration migraine. As if on cue, your stomach rumbled loudly. Bucky, without speaking, reached behind his car seat and produced a rucksack and dumped it on your lap with a, “Here. There’s water and some snacks in there. We’ll get a proper meal when we’re at the airport.”

You dug through the bag, producing two bottles of water. You opened one and offered it to Bucky, he accepted with a nod, draining half before handing it back to you. You offered him a muffin but he shook his head. You dropped the bag to between your feet and began to have your water and muffin. It helped curb the hunger, at least for a while, and you felt a lot better once you had something in your stomach. After a while, you sank back into your seat with a yawn.

Bucky glanced over at you, “We’ve still got a few hours to drive, you can sleep if you want.” You looked at him and he gave you a small smile, “It’s okay. I’ll wake you up when we’re there.”

You thanked him quietly before closing your eyes. It didn’t take long before you fell asleep and your soft snores filled the car. Bucky looked at you for a couple of seconds, smiling to himself. Man, it’s gonna be a long few weeks.

It only felt like you’d closed your eyes for a few minutes when Bucky was saying your name, gently shaking your shoulder. Groggily, you opened your eyes to meet his blue eyes and it almost gave you a fright seeing them. Sometimes it still surprised you to see colour and especially when Bucky was around... colour seemed to be brighter and those deeper blue eyes seemed so bright in person.

“We’re here,” he said, pulling back quickly, not wanting to upset you by being too close. Bucky was very careful of boundaries, he always had been but especially after the Winter Soldier incidents. He knew what it felt like to not want to be touched or have your personal space invaded so he was always careful to not overstep.

“You’ve got the fake passports and stuff, don’t you?” You asked him, yawning and stretching in your seat.

He nodded and told you that they’re in his bag. In order to help the process of becoming anonymous, Fury had fake IDs and fake passports made for the two of you. They’d even gone so far as to create two new backstories for the pair of you just in case anyone ever questioned the pair of you. You and Bucky got out of the car, your legs ached from having sat in the car for hours upon hours. It was dark outside now, you didn’t know the time. Bucky grabbed the bags out of the car and handed you the two passports to hold. As you walked into the airport, you flicked to it. Miss Jane Smith and Mr John Smith. Two very common and obvious fake names but you hoped that it wouldn’t be picked up.

The check in process was much easier than you anticipated, the passports passed the ID checks and soon, the two of you were through security and heading for the food outlet. Bucky had told you to keep your head down for most of the time and to avoid direct eye contact with cameras. The airport was relatively quiet which was good in the sense you didn’t have to worry about people around you noticing Bucky. Bucky led you to a small café which was quiet and the two of you sat at the back. Everything was kind of passing in a blur and it only seemed like a few seconds until Bucky was back with your food.

You began to eat in silence and it was then you realised where you were going, “Estonia?” You asked quietly, making sure to not be overhead.

Bucky nodded as he took a bite of his burger, “Managed to find a secluded house, already furnished. The owner agreed to let us stay for a discounted price as well.”

“I’ve never been,” you shrugged, taking a bite of your food, “Where are we right now?”

“Pittsburg,” he said, glancing around the café to make sure no one was taking notice of the pair of you, “Steve thought it would be a good idea to leave from an airport a few hours away from New York. Hydra and Rumlow would check New York airports first once they realise you’re out of town.”

You smiled sadly as you looked down to your food. Leave it to Steve to think of everything. Bucky told you that the flight would be leaving in an hour and it would be a long ass flight but it was okay because you were exhausted and you could absolutely sleep for a good portion of the flight anyway.  

You sighed, “When can I take this stupid disguise off? I’m so uncomfortable!”

Bucky studied you carefully, “When we’re in the safe house.”

“Do I look stupid? I feel stupid.”

“You look... different. Not bad just different,” he paused before speaking again, “I prefer you as you are though, without the wig, contacts and flashy clothes. I think you look much better when you’re being yourself.”

You didn’t know how to respond to that with anything other than a nod. It felt foreign and wrong to receive a compliment from him, even though it was a genuine, friendly compliment, it felt wrong. The two of you didn’t say much after that.

After eating, you and Bucky went to get some plane snacks. You grabbed some water and some treats, you also wandered to the book section and picked up a book. As you were walking to the books, you saw a little boy and girl pass wearing matching Captain America t-shirts. Your breath caught in your throat as you watched them pass. It seemed to hit you in that moment that this was real and this was truly happening.

“(y/n)?” Bucky asked appearing behind you.

You turned to him, “Sorry... I just can’t believe this is happening.” 

Bucky nodded before gesturing to the check out, “Let’s get this all checked out and then hopefully we’ll be able to go to our departure gate.” He didn’t really know how to help you without overstepping or potentially upsetting you. He didn’t want you to get upset in public so he thought that he could keep you distracted and that would help ease your worries. It helped, having him there to guide you and distract you from possible sad thoughts helped a lot actually.

You found your airplane seats quick, the two of you were bang smack in the middle and you were both in a two seater section. Bucky let you go in first, saying that he preferred not to look out of the window when taking a flight. You sunk into it, keeping your head down and wrapping your arms around yourself to get warmer. As Bucky sat beside you, tapping his foot and his hand on the armrest impatiently, you looked at him curiously, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” Bucky said, “Just... not a big fan of flying.”

You pulled out the magazines which were in the pocket of the chair in front of you and handed him them, “I find that reading the safety procedures always helps. Also reading the magazine where you can just check out the meal deals and the perfume deals help a bit.”

Bucky took them off of you and began to flick through them. In the meantime, you closed your eyes. As the plane began to move, Bucky tensed beside you and you opened your eyes to look at him, his hands were clenched around the arms of the chair, jaw clenched too.

“Hey, show me that,” you said, sitting up straighter and pointing to the magazine. He looked at you and then handed it to you. Bucky had been helping you out by distracting you from being sad, the least you could do is distract him from being anxious. You leaned over, probably a little closer than you would’ve felt comfortable with in normal circumstances. Bucky stiffened as he smelled your perfume when you came closer. You took no notice of the closeness.

“Look at that!” You said, pointing to the menu that they were offering that night on the flight, “What would you have?” Bucky shrugged and you rolled your eyes, “C’mon. I’d have the chicken curry and the cheese and ham panini and then I would absolutely have the tiramisu afterwards. What about you?” You held it closer to him for him to study.

“Uh... I mean, I suppose the lasagne sounds nice. The breaded mushrooms too, I like those. Never had tiramisu but it sounds nice enough so I’d give that a go too.”

“No way,” you said shaking your head, “I would order the tiramisu and you would order the chocolate and raspberry mousse and we’d share them both.”

Bucky snorted slightly, “Sure thing, whatever you want.”

You flicked through more of the pages, “Ooooh,” you said noticing the deals on the perfumes, “I love airplane and airport deals. I only ever buy my perfume from duty free, honestly. No point in buying it full price anywhere else.”

“I still find it crazy that there’s a shop on an airplane.”

You nodded, “I mean, it’s pretty weird but I’m not complaining about the deals. Some of the stuff you can buy is so bizarre though. I was on this flight once, going on holiday with my family when I was younger, and they were selling t-shirts with a picture of the airplane we were in on them saying ‘I rode in this plane and all I got was this lousy t-shirt’.”

“That sounds like it’s a total dad shirt,” Bucky laughed slightly. He looked a lot younger when he smiled. He was always so stony and serious but when he smiled or laughed, it knocked years off him. He was already a handsome man but when he smiled, he was just... wow.

You burst out laughing as he said it, “My dad did buy it and he wore it so proudly!”

Bucky laughed with you, finding his nerves easing up as he spoke to you. He hadn’t had a chance to talk to you about anything other than the fact you were soulmates so it felt rather nice to talk to you on another level. It was still prettty strange but it was nice. Steve always told him that you were easy to get along with so he wasn’t too surprised. As you continued to chat, you gasped audibly when you came to the ‘collectibles and merchandise’ page, “There it is!” 

“No way!” Bucky grinned as he looked down at the picture of the t-shirt exactly like the one you described, “Oh, god, it’s hideous.” The two of you lapsed into laughter again, talking and looking at it before Bucky happened to glance out of the window, “We’re in the air?”

You looked out, “Yeah, we took off about fifteen minutes ago actually.” Bucky breathed out an impressed laughter, “My distraction technique always works. Keep the mind occupied on something else like the ugliest t-shirts in the world.”

Bucky smiled, “Thank you and thanks to the ugliest t-shirt ever-” it was then that a man wearing the exact t-shirt you had been slating got up from the seat in front of you and shot you a dirty look as he walked past, “Oh, shit.” It was hard to keep your laughter in but somehow you both managed it.

As you calmed down, Bucky sighed, “No, really, thank you for that.”

You smiled as you handed him the magazines back and sunk back into your seat, “And now, I sleep.”

When you woke up a few hours later, you found yourself to be sitting alone with no Bucky Barnes in sight. You looked up to see a flight attendant coming down the aisle, “Excuse me,” you said with a smile, “do you know where the man sitting next to me went?”

She smiled, the same warm smile that every flight attendant has, “Yes, your husband is in the queue for the toilet, he should be back in a few minutes.”

You nodded, she went to leave when you caught her again, “Sorry, can you do me a favour?”

When Bucky came back, he was pleasantly surprised to see you sitting awake, smiling at him, “Good sleep?” You nodded,  “Don’t worry, you didn’t snore... too loud.” 

Your cheeks burned as he teased you, “Shove it, Barnes,” you scoffed, “I bought us a present.”

He frowned, “A present?”

You grinned as you held up two t-shirts, the exact same one that you both said was the ugliest shirt in the world, “No way!” He laughed, clapping his gloved hands together, “Oh my god, they’re worse in person.”

You laughed as you handed him his, “You’re so welcome. I will make us wear these at some point by the way, don’t think you’re getting out of it.” You’d never seen Bucky smile so wide with pure joy radiating from him. It was nice to see; it made you feel a lot better about the situation that was happening. You and Bucky hadn’t broached the subject of being the other’s soulmates, you actually really didn’t want to have that conversation anytime soon, but it was nice to know that at least you got on a little bit.

The fact that the pair of you were laughing so soon felt wrong. It felt like you were betraying Steve for merely getting along but it was nice. You were scared of what was going to happen and Bucky had been anxious about flying so the pair of you had nothing to do but talk to each other. Sure, it wasn’t a particularly interesting conversation but it was something. It was still a little awkward and a little weird at times but you could look past that for a few minutes to just appreciate the fact that Bucky was doing this.

Soon, you were curled back into your plane seat, your own jacket draped across you, “Thanks,” you said quietly as sleep began to take over,  “for doing this for Steve. I know that it’s not ideal and I know you probably don’t want to be stuck with me for weeks. I appreciate it, Bucky.”

Bucky nodded and didn’t say anything. I’m not doing it for only Steve, I’m doing it for you too. He watched you for a moment longer before closing his own eyes and resting into his own seat.

The rest of the flight went by in a blur, you slept some more, read your book and ate some food. It wasn’t long before it was time to land and Bucky could not have been more happy than in the moment the wheels of the plane landed on the runway. The airport was a relatively quiet which meant that security and getting your bags was a lot faster than anticipated.

Soon, you were waiting with Bucky in line to get a rental car. To your surprise, when it was your turn to speak to the receptionist, Bucky slid a wad of cash over the counter, “I want a car to keep and I want it off book.”

The receptionist, who was a middle aged man with salt and pepper hair, eyed Bucky with narrow eyes and Bucky stared right back at him. You glanced between the two men wondering who would give up the staring contest first. After a pregnant pause, the receptionist shrugged and dug around in the drawer next to him before pulling out a car key, “Grey sedan in Lot C, registration plate ends with RUS. It’s old and a little worse for wear but for this price, best I can do.” He glanced from left to right before sliding the keys across the table. Apparently he seemed to accept the bribe. You raised your eyebrows, looking between the man and Bucky.

Bucky thanked him with a nod before taking the keys and picked up his and one of your bags before walking away with you in tow, “Wait,” you said quietly, rushing to keep up with him, “You just bought a car?!”

Bucky nodded, “We needed a car. This one will do for a while, keeps us off of the radar for a while.”

Finding the car was easy, the hard part was trying to keep up with Bucky. He took long, quick strides that were hard to keep up with. The car was parked alone in Lot C. It was a little old, with some dents and scratches in the doors from previous bumps and accidents and some of the paint had chipped but aside from that, it seemed to be fine. Bucky loaded the bags in the trunk before getting into the driver’s seat. You settled into your seat and Bucky said that it would be a forty minute drive but could do it in half the time if the road’s were quiet. Then, you both set off.

You couldn’t stop staring out of the window, looking at every single detail of Estonia. It seemed like a dream that you’d be waking up from any second now. Your hands fidgeted with your jacket sleeves as you stared out to the vast unknown. What would become of you and your relationship, you had no idea. You didn’t know what was going to happen and you had absolutely no clue where you would be going. A wave of uneasiness crashed over you as you tried to swallow down the nausea. 

The drive seemed to simultaneously be the longest and shortest drive ever. Seconds felt like years and minutes felt like nanoseconds. You just wanted things to go back to how they were two months ago when things were easy and simple and life was without colour. You glanced over at Bucky, wishing that it had been anyone besides him that was your soulmate. Bucky was a decent enough guy from the short time you’d been with him, I mean, he was willing to take you to a safe house for god knows how long after meeting each other less than three times so obviously he was a good guy but... even if you and Bucky ended up friends, ended up falling in love... nothing could ever happen. You just couldn’t do that to Steve. 

Oh, Steve. 

You wondered what he would be doing just now. He would probably be in the gym with Sam, boxing his feelings and emotions about the whole situation out. That’s what he usually did when things were tense or when he was stressed, he would go to the gym and work out for hours. Sam would usually go with him, being his comic relief to make things less stressful for him. You had never been so thankful for Sam Wilson than in that moment of realisation. You had been so focused on what this meant for you and how this would affect you that you’d practically overlooked your boyfriend’s feelings.

Steve would be blaming your kidnapping on himself, even though it wasn’t his fault that Hydra were dickheads. He would be devastated that he’d had to send you off with your soulmate, knowing fine well that you could easily come back home in love with Bucky. It had been so hard for Steve to make that decision but it had to be done. He wished that he could’ve came with you but it was his mess to clean up and he couldn’t just let his friends do it. He wasn’t that selfish even though he wished he could have been. Steve would rely on Sam pretty heavily over the coming weeks. Sam had been such a good friend to Steve in the few years they’d known each other. Sam understood Steve, they shared the same values and same morals and that was something you liked about Sam. Sam wasn’t afraid to stand up and fight for what was right. You knew that Steve would be in good hands with Sam at his side.

Little did you know, Bucky was thinking of Steve Rogers too as he drove. It was surreal that he was driving with you, through Estonia, to a safe house where you’d be for weeks, potentially months. It scared Bucky, honestly. He liked you, not in a romantic way (yet), but he had heard all about you from Steve. All of those months that Bucky was in Wakanda, Steve called every week to check on him. Every week, Steve would talk about you. He remembered the things he would say about you. ‘She’s great, Buck. She’s got this smile, this really wide smile that I’ve only seen a handful of people have in my life. You know the one I mean. That genuinely happy, makes you smile when you see it smile.’, ‘You gotta meet her, Bucky. She’s everything I’ve been looking for and even though we’re not soulmates, we are.’, ‘It’s crazy. After Peggy, I never thought I’d fall in love again but (y/n) came into my life when I needed her most. Every day, I wake up thankful for her. My god, you have to meet her. You two will get on so well. She keeps my on my toes and is hilarious.’

Bucky glanced at you, a familiar pang of guilt shooting through him. You were his best friend’s girl and he could never do anything to pursue you because he cared about Steve too much. Steve was the one person who had given him a chance and had stuck by him through everything. Steve deserved you, Bucky didn’t.

It wasn’t long before Bucky pulled into a driveway. You looked around, realising that you were deep in the woods. It was an off road cabin that seemed to be pretty far from civilisation, “This is it.” Bucky cut the engine before getting out of the car. You stayed put, staring at the cabin in front of you. From the outside, it looked a little run down but very liveable. It was made with a dark oak wood which blended in well with the trees. Passers by would have to do a double take at first because of how well it blended in.

You got out of the car, grabbing the rucksack that had been by your feet. Bucky appeared beside you, carrying all of his and your bags, “Ready?”

You didn’t look at him, eyes stuck on the cabin in front of you. This was it. This was your future. You were unusually terrified as you stared at it. As soon as you stepped into that cabin, your future would change forever. Everything would change. Life as you knew it with Steve would completely change as soon as you walked into that cabin. With your heart beating fast, you took a breath and nodded, following him up the stony path and to the front door. He unlocked it and swung the door open before disappearing inside. You hesitated at the front door, staring at the line on the floor to mark the cabin’s entrance.

“I love you, Steve,” you whispered before stepping into the cabin and closing the door behind you.

The cabin had an old musty smell to it, the smell of emptiness. Clearly, no one had lived here for a long time. The décor was simple and pretty outdated but it was nice. Bucky had flicked the lights on throughout the cabin and was checking each room just to double check. You wandered through each room. The living room was simple with a couple of recliners and a small couch with a small TV on an old coffee table. You’d be surprised if the TV still worked with a thick layer of dust coating it. There was a large fireplace in the middle of the side wall which would be nice on a cold night. The kitchen was nice with everything that the pair of you would need to get started in the wooden cupboards and on shelves. It had a small table in the corner of the room, looking out of the window. Bucky told you that tomorrow, he would go get some shopping and food supplies until then you had the water and a few more snacks.

Next, you ventured into the bedrooms. Yours and Bucky’s separate bedrooms were adjacent to each other. Bucky had dropped his bags in the slightly smaller room. You went to object but the look on his face told you not to even bother. Bucky’s room was smaller yet still spacious enough for a double bed and a wardrobe. Your room was pretty much the same though as well as a wardrobe you had the chest of drawers as well. The shared bathroom was beside your room and it was... well, it was just an outdated bathroom. And that was it.

The cabin wasn’t particularly big or luxurious but it was much than you had expected. You seriously were expecting to sleep on the floor on a bug infested hotel but Bucky had done pretty good. You’d long since abandoned your disguise, feeling much better when looking like yourself. As you wandered around again, checking cupboards, finding extra duvets and pillows in the wardrobe in your room, you remembered something important. You dug around in your bags until you found it; a picture frame. Bucky knocked on your bedroom door. You turned to him, “You don’t need to knock,” you said.

“Come so I can show you something.”

You followed him into the living room as you held the picture frame in your hands. He stopped in front of a painting on the wall moving the painting to reveal a safe, “Oh, wow,” you said surprised.

“I got this safe installed and I’m putting this gun inside it, okay?” He told you, taking a gun from his back pocket. You jumped slightly, not expecting him to wield a weapon in front of you, “This is for emergencies, got it? I’ll teach you how to use it but for now, I’m locking it up in here, okay?”

“I don’t want to use a gun-”

“Neither do I,” Bucky said, cutting over you, “but I have to at least show you how to use it just in case, okay? The code is 0407-”

“Steve’s birthday.”

Bucky faltered before nodding and continuing, “Yeah, Steve’s birthday. Type that in,” he typed it in, “and it’ll unlock.” He dropped the gun inside of it before closing it over, “Re-type the code and it locks. Got it?”

You nodded.

“I always have at least one weapon on me at all times, okay? I have my gun and I have my knife. I’m only putting this here and showing you just in case, okay? We’ll probably never have to use it but it’s just in case something happens, just so I know that if I can’t get to you, you can have some way to protect yourself.”

Again, you nodded. Bucky eyed you carefully, making sure that you were okay with this. You didn’t really know how to feel about it. You weren’t surprised that he had weapons but it scared you the thought of you having to use them. Hopefully it would never come to that though. He could see the toll this was taking on you and you’d barely been gone a day. He was about to ask what you had in your hands when you wandered over to the fireplace and put the photo atop. It was a photo that you had once upon a time hated. It was you and Steve laughing as you posed for a picture in front of your Christmas tree. Nat had taken it on Christmas Eve. You wore a dress that hugged your curves a little too tightly for your liking but Steve had loved to see you in that dress. He always said the colour complimented your complexion so well and now that you could actually see colour, you could see where he was coming from. You loved that picture now, you remembered the night fondly where he twirled you around, telling you how beautiful you were every other minute. So yeah, you could see your protruding stomach and your bigger arms but you loved it. You smiled as you looked at Steve’s smile, heart soaring as you looked at him. Steve could make you feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. With him, you truly believed it. Your weight never defined your worth, you defined it.

Almost instantly, Bucky lunged for it, grabbing it and almost tumbling into you,  “What the fuck?!” You hissed, leaping backwards. You hadn’t expected the dark haired super soldier to lunge from across the room, almost knocking you off of your feet to grab the picture frame down.

Bucky released a sharp breath, “The window,” he said gruffly. He pulled the curtains shut quickly, “We can’t put any photos up.”

“Why the fuck not?!”

He rolled his eyes, Steve had warned him that you could be stubborn, “In case we’re being watched. If someone’s tailing us, they might look through the window and have our identities confirmed if we put photos up.”

You rolled your eyes, “If someone’s tailing us then I’m pretty sure that they know our identities already. Give me it back.”

“Fine but you’re not putting it there,” Bucky said.

You glared at him as a bubble of anger boiled in your stomach, “My god, how am I meant to stay here with you for weeks if you’re such an arse over a photo?!”

“Yeah?” Bucky scoffed, “I didn’t have to come here, (y/n). I came because Steve asked. I came for you.”

You were breathing heavy as you glared at each other, “Yeah well maybe I don’t want you here.”

“Maybe I don’t want to be here!”

“Keep the stupid picture.” You turned on your heel and stormed into your bedroom, slamming the door shut behind you. You knew that you weren’t angry at Bucky, you knew that the two of you were tired and hungry. You knew that you were a flurry of emotions from having your life flipped upside down. You knew that Bucky was looking out for your safety but you were pissed and he was the only person near you so he would have to deal with it. 

Bucky sighed heavily as he fell onto the couch, pursing his lips and pinching the bridge of his nose. Yeah, Steve, she’s fucking brilliant. 

It was hours later when you rolled over with a huff. Sleep wasn’t coming easily. You were still too pissed off and because you were still so pissed off, you were only getting more annoyed. You knew that if the anger faded, you’d probably end up crying and you didn’t know which was worse so you just stayed angry. You wished that Bucky would’ve just been able to talk to you normally instead of treating you like a child. You would’ve absolutely understood the picture fiasco had he not leapt over the table and yanked it like a dog stealing someone’s dinner from the table. 

You sat up in bed. Usually, if you couldn’t sleep you’d watch TV or go on your phone but you didn’t feel up for watching the tiny TV in the living room and you obviously didn’t have a phone so you couldn’t do much than think. You’d need to see if there was a cheap CD player and CDs in town so that you could at least have some background noise. The cabin was eerily quiet at night. It was a different surrounding in a different country and everything just felt a little uneasy. You were used to New York where the hustle and bustle was part of every day life but the woods was so quiet aside from the rustling trees... it would take some getting used to.

With a huff, you grabbed your dressing gown from the bag on the floor and made your way into the kitchen. You grabbed a glass and filled it with water before taking a long drink. You didn’t know why you wandered into the living room but you found yourself venturing in and it was then you noticed, in the dim light from the moon, you saw a note and the picture of you and Steve that sat on the coffee table in front of the TV. You picked up the note.

I’m sorry about freaking out over the picture, it’s been a long day. Steve warned me you were stubborn but I wasn’t prepared, I guess. Let’s not put it on the fire place until we’re absolutely sure that no one’s tracking us. Until then, it can go here where it’s not facing a window. Hope that’s okay. It is a lovely picture of you and Steve... Again, sorry. - Bucky

You smiled slightly as you read it before slipping the note into your dressing gown pocket and going back to bed. So Bucky Barnes was decent after all.

[donablue]

the ringing stops and they're greeted with an apprehensive "hi there."

"hello."

there's a sharp intake intake of breath but nothing else follows.

grognak waits a couple of beats but the only things they hear are the waves close by, constant and soothing, and the seagulls overhead, also constant, much less soothing. "hello? if you're there, i would like to hang up and try again but i don't have any more change. oh, i know. pretend i called back." she clears her throat, readjusts her grip on the handset. "hello, this is g-r-o-g-n-a-k a-t-t-o-r-n-e-y a-t l-a-w, grognak the destroyer, attorney at law. is this p-o-s-e-y posey?"

"no, but this is p-o-s-y posy," comes the trembling reply.

"oh." dismayed, grognak double-checks her phone's screen. "posy, your name is wrong in my contacts."

"if you are having your phone, why are you being calling from a payphone, grognak?" posy asks, and there's something to her voice that grognak can't place.

"i think, young lady, the better question is why are you answering calls from unknown numbers? stranger danger is very real, you know," they admonish instead.

posy's ensuing laugh is borderline hysterical.

"anyway," grognak continues, tucking their own phone away, "my phone turns on but it won't do anything. technology these days, posy, doesn't last."

"we can be getting you a new one. where are you?"

"i am at the pier. very quiet, much more interesting at night."

"can you be meeting me at the digital den?" posy asks, and grognak overhears some rustling and the sudden slam of what's probably a car door.

"i don't have a car, posy."

"what–? but– sad and sassy...?"

pleased, grognak nods to herself. "yes, i am, thank you!"

"no! your van! how did you get to the piers?"

pulling back to frown at the receiver, grognak huffs, "i walked, how else?"

there's another shorter bout of silence before posy tells them, "okay, i will be getting you. stay on the pier!"

"okay!" grognak agrees cheerfully before hanging up and setting out towards the pier's entrance.

right as grognak finally reaches the main street's sidewalk, a purple car comes to a screeching halt just in front of them. the driver's window rolls down and they're met with a bright smile and an enthusiastic "grognak!"

"posy! it's so good to see you," she returns warmly, wasting no time in rounding the small car to pile into the passenger seat. her knees press uncomfortably into the glovebox compartment.

"strap on!" posy reminds her, and grognak nods, fastening her seatbelt as posy pulls away from the curb.

"this is a very nice car," grognak notes before their sister can start talking. they try and fail to rearrange their legs into a more comfortable position. "a little small. cute, though."

"thank you! this is maxwell!"

leaning forward, grognak pats the dashboard fondly. "hello, maxwell. i hope you've been taking care of posy."

"he can be seating five people and go up mount chiliad backwards," posy lists proudly. "maxwell is a tank! he also does not like having doors."

nodding understandingly, grognak eyes the car door to their right skeptically. "i agree. they are restrictive, and they don't let you feel the wind in your hair."

posy glances at her quickly before swerving them into another lane. "you can be rolling the window down, you know."

"no, thank you. the wind makes my head chilly."

"okay," posy agrees easily, and they lapse into silence.

"i have a lot to be telling you," posy says after several minutes of grognak fiddling with the radio, stopping to listen to some songs, belting along to others, and skipping others altogether. grognak glances at her and her knuckles have gone white around the steering wheel. the only way they can think to describe her expression is unhappy. at least it's not directed at grognak.

and there it is. the guilt, the discomfort, the twisting uneasiness in the pit of their stomach that grognak has been trying to outpace. "phone first," they stipulate, and posy, charitable and kind as she is, acquiesces.

they wind up somewhere in the mountains. grognak's new phone proclaims it to be mount gordo.

once they've parked on a cliff ("i am wanting to be able to see all angles."), posy perches on maxwell's hood and watches as grognak finds a place to stand, finally deciding on a spot to posy's left.

devoid of distractions, she finally gets a good look at posy.

"you look tired, posy," grognak observes, eyes roaming over her sister's painted face.

"i am being very tired," posy admits.

her voice wavers.

posy's shoulders slump inward and she looks so small.

"a lot has happened since you left, grognak. mostly it is being bad things. serial killers, cults, people dying, people leaving, people getting hurt. steven got hurt! shirley got hurt! they are hunting me and rory! i know too much, grognak, i am being too curious! chroy has been out of the city a lot, and i am missing him but at least he is not being in dangers. pillbot was broken and now he is unbroken but people do not treat him like a person! and anto thinks that you might be being the leader of one of the cults!" she lists off, voice growing in shrillness until she punctuates her frustration with a smack to a spot on the hood next to her.

struggling to process the sudden slew of information and unfamiliar names, grognak blinks rapidly, at a loss. "i think i would remember being a cult leader. very busy job, i'd imagine," they finally offer. "too much responsibility, though. not very grognak."

posy rewards them with a weak smile. "i told him it couldn't be you," she mumbles. the smile falls and a shadow crosses her face.

"i did alcohols."

"that's not so bad–"

"and drugs. the serious ones."

"oh."

"i had not been doing either before! and now–" she slides off her car and hits the ground hard. grognak stands motionless as posy slips her hands under her glasses and presses her palms to her eyes. "and i have been missing you, on top of all that," posy changes tacks.

grognak steps closer and stares down at the top of posy's ducked head, taking in the near foot and half of difference between them for a second. it feels a little robotic, a little unnatural, but it's the only thing that comes to mind, so grognak closes the distance and wraps her arms around posy's shoulders in a stiff hug. there's a quiet sniffle, then posy winds her own arms around grognak's middle and leans her weight against her, head coming to rest on grognak's chest.

it feels nice, simultaneously familiar and unfamiliar. something in their chest suddenly starts to ache. their chest also starts to grow damp.

slouching as far as she can, grognak drops her chin onto the crown of posy's head and readjusts her hold on her into something less awkward, tightening the embrace.

"i missed you too," grognak quietly tells her wig, and posy hiccups, burrowing her face further into grognak's chest.

[btssmutficslovingfan01]

Friendly Encounters- Chapter One

𝒮𝓊𝓂𝓂𝒶𝓇𝓎: A friend challenges you to go out of your comfort zone and talk to one of the cute boys at the café. However, after attempting to flirt with one of them, they reveal that they are in a relationship with each other. It’s fine, though, because you’re all friends now!

𝒢𝑒𝓃𝓇𝑒: Romance

𝑅𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔: Fluff

𝒲𝒶𝓇𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈: Domestic Yoonmin, fluff, Jimin is literally too good for this world, barista boys, swearing, mild language, lots of character development, realistic insecurities, Jungkook makes a bad decision.

𝒲𝑜𝓇𝒹𝓈: 6k+

𝒫𝒶𝒾𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔(𝓈): Jimin x Yoongi x Reader

Masterlist

Author Note: This story is available on my archiveofourown as well so go check it out!

⇤Prev | Next⇥

                             ______________________________

“Do it.” Your friend pushes you towards the incredibly adorable busboy as he passes by your table.

“No, it’s stupid.”

“Y/N, I dared you. Now you have to do it.” You roll your eyes.

“That’s not even how dares work.” You lay back in your chair, eyes drifting over to the two handsome men who now stand talking at the cash register.

“Okay, fine, if you can’t have a conversation, at least get his number! I’ll go for that cute barista over there with the sleepy eyes.” How can eyes be sleepy? You shrug as she confidently strides to the counter to order another drink. Jasmine has always been the type of girl to tell people what she’s feeling in the heat of the moment. You had no idea where she got her confidence from, it just happened one fine summer day in sixth grade. 

You’ve been best friends ever since you moved into the house across the street, along with Jaehyun and Jungkook. They are the non-identical twins that go to your school and the four of you were a group all through middle school. Things changed after highschool, Jae started hanging out with the wrong crowd and he moved out after saving up some drug money. 

Jungkook, on the other hand, is still a sweetheart, protecting you and Jasmine as if you were his sisters. Sometimes you wonder how you even became friends with this meth-head of a girl, but then you realize you’re the same, you both are crackheads and that’s why you’re best friends. You sometimes doubt your friendship when she tries to push you out of your comfort zone. You hate opening up to people, and Jasmine knows it. 

Yet, she still tries pushing you towards trying new things and being more extroverted. Your mind is already buzzing with a million different ways this can go wrong, but you’re surprised when the waiter approaches you with a smile on his face. I wonder if he’s truly happy or putting on a fake smile for the customers. You think to yourself. Sometimes you like to look at people and try putting together a life story for them. It helps your creative juices flow, as an amateur writer. 

“Can I get you anything else?” He asks with a refreshingly soft voice for a man. You’re a bit taken aback by his melodic tone, and how freaking adorable he sounds with his Korean accent. You can’t tell what dialect it is, because his English flows very well.

“Actually…” You look over at Jasmine, who gives you a thumbs up as she sips her Pink Drink. “Can I have your number?” The man’s eyes widen momentarily and his gaze flickers up to the barista at the counter.

“Oh...Miss I’m very flattered but...see that man over there?” You turn around and face the barista who is busy on his phone at the moment.

“The sleepy-eyed one?” You ask, knowing full well where this is going.

“Yeah, him. Um, that’s my boyfriend.” Your smile falters for a moment but you feel a sudden sense of relief. You were afraid he would actually flirt back and possibly be a douchebag but he is exactly what you hoped he would be. A decent person who won’t cheat on his partner.

“Oh, thank goodness,” Your reaction makes him raise his eyebrows. Normally girls would sigh or be sad that he’s taken/gay, but you’re the first one who’s ever reacted like that. “I mean, sorry. My friend just forced me to ask for your number because she wants me to make friends and step out of my comfort zone, and now I’m...sorry just nevermind.” You trail off, cutting off your pointless rambling as the busboy wipes your table slightly.

“Hm, you’re interesting. You know what, just for that attempt, I am going to give you my number.” He winks at you, sliding you a piece of paper. Did he always have that paper with him? You laugh as he walks away and Jasmine bolts back to your table, excited to hear the juicy details.

“You did it!” She screeches, making half of the people whip their heads around to stare at you. You blush and sink in your seat when you see the adorable busboy speaking to his boyfriend. Just when you’re about to tell Jasmine what happened, you see the sleepy-eyed man look at you with a glare. You bite your teeth and suck in your cheeks as Jasmine starts talking about her encounter. 

“Too bad, though. The sleepy dude just waved me away saying he already has a boyfriend.” She folds her arms. You stretch your legs, yawning a bit as you listen to your friend. “What? Am I boring you? Anyways, tell me what happened with the cute blue haired dude!” You giggle to yourself as your friend expected something more out of the interaction.

“Jasmine, he’s gay. And they’re-” You gesture to the two men talking behind the counter. “Together.” Jasmine sighs. You simply shake your head, flipping your hair to one side.

“Well, I guess my luck with men hasn’t changed. But at least they’re cute.” You giggle as your best friend sighs dramatically and then you move onto discussing other topics, like school. 

Just as you’re about to exit the café, you realize that you didn’t ask the cute busboy for his name. During the whole five minutes that you talked to him, you didn’t even introduce yourself?! Great job, Y/N. You turn around, reaching for the piece of paper in your pocket to find that he indeed did write his name down for you. Jimin. What a beautiful name for a beautiful boy. 

As you climb into the jeep that Jasmine’s parents bought for her 16th birthday, her phone rings, and she turns to you, puffing out her chest. You wiggle your eyebrows at her and then you both laugh after the awkward moment.

“It’s Jungkook.” She throws her phone at you, switching back to her “serious” persona.

“Whoa, what happened between you two for you to act this way?” You give Jasmine the stink eye as she caves under your pressure. She’s acting weird—weirder than usual. 

“Nothing, just...ugh.” She clicks her seatbelt in and starts backing out of the parking lot. 

“Jasmine, if you don’t tell me I’m gonna jump out the window. And we both know I’m not bluffing because I’m actually really short and this window is huge.” Her eyes widen in panic and her hands start shaking on the steering wheel.

“You see…..um ....Jungkook and I may or may not have gone all the way after a deep conversation about relationships.” I gawk at her, unable to process her words. 

Sure JK is a flirt, but he never would’ve moved past touching, seeing how he’s practically scared of girls. There was even a point in your middle school lives where Jasmine believed he was gay and started calling him her “gbf.” Yeah, that wasn’t greatly received by your homophobic class of 2020.

“Bitch, you did not.” You slap the dashboard, shaking your head in disbelief. You can see guilt written all over her face but what’s worse is the fact that you had a crush on him for the longest time and she had no clue about it. 

It’s not her fault, but sex can change a lot of things for different people. And you know despite whatever bullshit Jasmine tells you about it being a ‘one-time thing no feelings involved’ type deal, you know things are going to change between you, Jasmine, and Jungkook. 

You don’t know how anyone will react, since you’ve never been in this situation before. You just know that your best friend, without even knowing it, broke your heart in two. Including Jungkook’s, who is probably crying by himself at the moment.

Your silence is enough to shut her up, as she stops talking mid-sentence and plays an EXO song on her phone, hooked up to the lavish quality stereo system which is connected to her fancy Jeep Wrangler, the vibrations sending shivers down your spine but you assume that’s from your gut, twisting in disgust planning for revenge with Jasmine. She has no regard for feelings when it comes to sex, and you’re more worried about your other best friend at the moment.

“Drop me off at JK’s place.” Your command makes her flinch, and then her eyes widen when she digests what you said.

“You aren’t going to tell him that I told you, are you?” 

“Of course I’m gonna talk to him about it! While you’re over here thinking about how to end your friendship, that boy is probably breaking down in tears right now, or worse, binge eating and watching soapy K-dramas all alone!” 

You slam her car door shut, stepping out with your red converse basking in the sunlight. It’s so bright out today, a little bit chilly but otherwise nice. Too bad Jungkook’s having a rainy day. You knock on his door, and his brother opens the door.

“Hey baby. Wanna join me and my buddie-”

“Yeah, nice to see you too Jaehyun, is Jungkook home?” You ask, pushing past him and his stoner pals on the couch.

“He’s upstairs.” There’s not much that needs to be said when you walk into his room.

As expected, he’s lying in his bed, blankets wrapped around his entire body, forming a cocoon of some sort as he distracts himself from the real world, again. It’s like every breakup ever, as you have seen him do all sorts of crazy shit while being heartbroken. He’s dated so many people, but none of them were his close friends. This time, it’s different, and you can tell he’s hurting more.

“Did you see Jasmine?” Is the first thing he asks when he sees you.

“I was with her earlier and she told me some stuff happened between you guys. And now I’m here for you. Tell me what you need.” Jungkook slowly rises, and you can see his hair standing straight up from the static, and his normally bright eyes are colored red from crying, his cheeks are red and puffy, and he looks exhausted. Drained, in fact.

“I made a mistake. I started kissing her first, it was like the time after my breakup with Madi-” He cuts himself off. You shiver, beginning to remember his touch. You hadn’t slept with him, not in a sexual context, anyway. He only kissed you, and his hands slid down the small of your back, tracing circles with his thumbs. You can feel the strange sensation creeping up on you, and then it hits you like a wave. 

Jungkook is no longer the little boy that you once knew. He’s a grown man, and he can take care of you if you let him. But, you’re not that type of person. You would never take advantage of him, especially when he’s so vulnerable. “I promised myself I wouldn’t let it get in the way of our friendship, but after that night I knew we could never be just friends.” You take his clammy hands in your soft ones, kissing his fingers gently as tears threaten to spill from his eyes again.

“It’s okay, let it out.” You spend a good chunk of your time cuddling with him, and for a moment you imagine what life would be like if you actually started dating, but alas, he is too in love with your best friend. That’s how life is for you, you’ll always be a side character in a love story, and when it comes to love, guys always pick Jasmine. Guys talk to you because they see that you are friends with Jasmine. Girls invite you to sleepovers to ask you what you know about Jasmine, and worst of all, she stole multiple crushes from under your nose. But they were never truly yours to begin with. 

After arriving at your house after a long day spent consoling Jungkook, youlop down on your bed, scrolling through some texts. 

                   ༻• The Next Day, at Your Local Highschool •༺

“Jungkookie, are you feeling any better?” You make your way to your best friend but then you overhear him speaking to some people.

“Oh yeah, she was the best in bed, don’t let her tough smart-girl act fool you, she was amazing, so submissive for me.” You hoped they were talking about someone else, but when you stick your head past the lockers, checking for a split second, you see that it was none other than your sensitive friend who was speaking to a group of younger males.

“Wow, you’re so cool, Hyung. I thought Y/N was the hardest girl to pin down.” Wait, what?! You resist the urge to storm out, eavesdropping a bit longer to see if you misheard things.

“Yeah boys, she came to me while I was playing Overwatch in my room and then she offered. Just straight up asked if I could fuck her.” You slam your fist against a locker and then you clench your teeth, about to confront him when the bell rings. 

It’s 5th period. You don’t have a class because you have a release period. You instinctively check your phone, making sure you didn’t miss any important texts or calls before running out. You don’t know who to trust, or who to go to, as you lost your two best friends within the span of less than 24 hours. People suck.

Then you get a text, as you park your car in front of the coffee shop.

You don’t text back, hoping to surprise him. You forgot to ask him about his work hours but you assumed he worked part-time everyday or something. As you walk up to the counter, you see him standing there, with a bright smile on his lips and crescent-shaped eyes.

“Ah, what a surprise! Hello, valued customer.” His playful attitude is enough to light up your day. 

“Hey Jimin. Sorry for dropping in but I couldn’t think of anywhere else to go, c-can we talk?” You stutter, not realizing you were slurring your words together. Jimin nods, obviously worried about his new friend.

“What happened yesterday?” He takes you to the back of the café, an area where there are less people and you have more privacy. 

“You know the friend that was here with me yesterday?” He nods, allowing you to grip his hand and squeeze it for comfort. He’s a really kind person, letting you open up to him without judgement. “She slept with another good friend of mine and ghosted him. And yesterday I went to his house and we talked about it and he cried on my shoulder, but today…” 

You feel tears threatening to spill from your eyes. “...He was talking about what a good lay I was, lying about sleeping with me to a group of underclassmen.” 

Your breathing is uneven as Jimin stares directly at you, keeping his gaze strictly on you. You feel naked, exposed, and vulnerable. But his reassuring smile makes you feel a little bit better. Just a little bit.

“Hey, break’s over, get out there.” You see the same man from yesterday, the guy who Jimin claimed was his boyfriend. He looks like the polar opposite of your mellow friend, with a darker aura radiating from him. 

You feel like a deer under a lion’s gaze, as he closes in on you, backing you into your corner, making you feel even more vulnerable than before.

You only hoped he wouldn’t try to chase you away, as yesterday he gave you a very uncouth glare, displaying his annoyance with your friendship with Jimin.

You hope with time he will be able to accept you and possibly become a friend of yours as well, but for now, you can only run with your tail tucked between your legs. Just as you’d been running away from your so-called best friends in school. 

You were even considering running to Jaehyun and trying one of his edibles, since he had offered a generous amount of times; it would only be courteous of you to finally accept and try it, as you’d been hearing “don’t try it, don’t try it,” your whole life. 

You don’t care anymore, and hopefully under Jimin’s wing you will be able to learn about true friendship. 

“Aren’t you the girl who asked for Jimin’s number yesterday?” His surprisingly solemn tone catches you off guard, as his eyes tell another story. Maybe that’s just the way he is, physically a very intimidating person but on the inside he might be a fluffy kitten! Okay, maybe not a total kitten, but still squishy. Why else would Jimin date him? He has to be a decent person, unlike all the people you called your friends.

“I am, thanks for noticing. Is there anything you wanted to tell me?” You try to sound as non-threatening as possible, holding your breath, waiting for an answer. You hoped Yoongi didn’t see you as a boyfriend-stealer, nor a generally annoying person.

“No, just wanted to ask you if you need anything else, an iced coffee, some tea...pink lemonade?” His lame attempt at cheering you up makes you crack a smile after a while. 

“Maybe some water? I’m a little bit thirsty.” 

“Coming right up,” After filling up a glass with water, he slides into the seat across from you, whipping out his phone and humming a tune of a familiar song you recognized from the radio. “I’m on break. This time of the day, things get a bit slow.” You nod in understanding, respectfully keeping your legs crossed and your arms folded in your lap, not wanting to show any sign of weakness.

“What song are you listening to?” You ask, hoping to make some small talk.

“Uncomfortable by Chase Atlantic. It’s my go-to after a stressful day.” You shift in your seat when you hear that name. You absolutely adore that band, and the lead singer’s vocals are absolutely heavenly. You could go on for hours, but you don’t want him to know that yet.

“Oh, that’s...cool I guess.” You try not to jump

up and down in joy as that’s a lesser known band and not very many people know about them.

“Do you know this song?” He leans forward, sliding you his phone and showing you the cover of an old album, one you recognize to be “Don’t Try This,” and the song is GREENGREENGREEN. Their song titles are a bit questionable, but they are true works of art, so you can let it pass.

“I suppose I’ve heard it once or twice…” You trail off, watching how the curve of his smooth lips turn upwards, and carefully, you watch how he mouths the words.

“All I see is green yuh

Moving on your seat yuh yuh yuh

All I see is green, All I see is green, All I see is green.” You smirk, slowly singing the next part.

“It's green where the grass grows

Let the cash flow

You can keep your head high, keep that ass low,” You laugh, the man across from you grinning at how weirdly you sang the lyrics.

You and Yoongi continue listening to Chase Atlantic songs together late into the evening hours. It’s around seven in the evening and the air is cool and humid.

“You have amazing taste in music, I’ve never met anyone else who listens to Chase Atlantic with such passion! Jimin’s an Alec Benjamin person but I always tell him they have similar music styles…” He trails off suddenly, worrying you with the pace of his cutoff. “Listen, I had a lot of fun talking to you. And at first I really didn’t get why Jimin wanted to get to know you better but now I see what he saw. You’re cool, Y/N.” You’re more surprised he remembered your name.

“Thanks Yoongi.” You share a moment of silence, just smiling at each other as Jimin makes his way back to your table.

“It’s time for me to clock out, we’re closing soon.” He slides into the seat across from you, next to Yoongi, and you watch as Yoongi expertly sneaks his arm around his boyfriend’s shoulder, and you feel small fireworks bursting in your heart. It’s not a weird feeling of jealousy, per say, but rather you feel mellow. You like seeing them together. You like this. 

“Feels like just yesterday I walked in here and you gave me black coffee instead of an iced vanilla mocha because you were distracted by my sexiness.” Jimin girlishly flips his hair, and the three of you share a laugh before the lights start flickering. 

“What’s going on?”

“Looks like there’s something wrong with the power. Jin!!! Did you mess with the electrical again?!” Yoongi runs back inside the kitchen, making sure everything is fine.

“We’re good, just a minor fix,” you hear the voice of another man from inside. You and Jimin exchange worried looks as the lights stay on for a total of 1.032342352 seconds and then they just turn off completely.

“Dammit, stupid thunderstorm outside caused a power outage through town.” You heard Yoongi cursing from the kitchen before he opened the door and stumbled outside back to you.

“Well, when are the lights gonna come back on?” You ask, clutching onto the table as you sink back on the wooden surface.

“News reports say power lines are under service and will be back in function in an hour.” Jimin shows you the article, making you shiver from the thought of spending the night at the café. You most probably won’t have to do that, since your car is right outside and you can just drive home. But do you really want to face your neighbors after a really tough day of school? No. Your bets are that they will probably try to infiltrate your home, failing are trying to “make it up to you.” You’ve lost any trust you had in them before, Jungkook and Jasmine really screwed up this time.

“It’s cold, isn’t it?” Jimin sounds steady, but you can faintly see the outline of his striped shirt and how his muscles contract as he shivers right in front of you. You admire him for putting up the dauntless act, but it doesn’t help as the sound of his teeth clashing give it all away.

“Here, take my jacket. I’m not that cold.” You offer him your coat and he hesitantly slips it over his shoulders. He doesn’t wear it, afraid of stretching out the expensive material and risking threat or wearing it out. 

“Thanks.” 

“Hey guys, can you come in here please? We need help with the door.” You and Jimin carefully make your way to the pantry, which is at a door at the end of the kitchen. You’d never been inside one in a restaurant, but you assumed it was the same as your school. The kitchen was the darkest room, but thanks to the dim lighting from Jimin’s phone, you safely arrived at the end of the path.

“What are you doing now?” You see a second man, taller than Yoongi and Jimin combined, holding a large box.

“We’re just taking this inside. This stuff is smelly, so we make sure they stay sealed in the pantry until we need them,” The older man has a charming smile, and you can already tell he is a gentleman. He looks a little bit older than you, but you can tell by his mannerisms that he’s a bit older. “And hi, I’m Jin.” He introduces himself, winking at you as he walks past, with Yoongi rolling his eyes at the lame flirting attempt. You thought it was cute.

“Coming through! Move over babe.” Yoongi warns Jimin, who holds the door open while you watch over his shoulder, making sure he doesn’t fall back. Not that you will be of any help.

“Oh crap, I think I forgot something in the kitchen!” You and Jimin make your way into the pantry, shrugging at the way Jin quickly left his post.

“So...what’s exactly in the box?” Your curiosity seems to know no limits as you keep asking questions, over and over again. Yoongi and Jimin, however, find it amusing.

“Vinaigrette. All the same type, same brand.” Yoongi dusts his hands and walks back to the closed door, wrapping his fingers around the cool metal knob before turning it….to find that it doesn’t open. 

“What’s wrong, hyung?” Jimin asks, wrapping your jacket around him more tightly. You sigh at his adorable pout. But of course, you try to ignore their moment, focusing on your phone instead. Your battery is at 8% already, and you need to save as much power as you can. However, you also need to distract yourself.

“It won’t open.” You stand up. You’ve hated small spaces since you were a little girl and you refuse to get stuck in a food pantry with two insanely attractive men. What if you run out of oxygen? It’s not them, it’s you.

“Whoa, are you okay?” Yoongi notices your mini panic attack, as you pant heavily, now looking for some sort of opening to crawl through. You need to escape.

“I need to get out!” You shudder as the dim lighting of your phone suddenly disappears. Your phone just died. What the fuck are you going to do now?!

“We’re fine, we just need to call Jin,” Yoongi knocks on the door, and you all stay quiet to hear any feedback. What you didn’t know was that Jin had gone out to run errands and he wouldn’t be back until much later.

“Let me text him.” Luckily, Jimin’s phone has enough power to send one text. Jin replies quickly, telling Jimin that he’ll be back in half an hour, maybe even later because of the horrible weather.

“Looks like we’ll be stuck here for awhile.” Yoongi sits down on the floor first, making himself comfortable between two flour bags. You and Jimin make yourselves comfortable on the floor, shrugging as you snuggle into some things but the lights are off so you have no idea where you’re sitting. Your eyes are adjusted to the darkness, so you can see the faint outlines in the pitch darkness. 

Then you think of all the things that happened today. How you overheard Jungkook telling people lies, and how heartlessly Jasmine let go of him (even though he partially deserved it), and all of the lies and betrayal. Jasmine has cheated on a lot of her past boyfriends, but for some reason you thought she would treat Jungkook differently. And Jungkook just cares about fitting in. You wish you could forget it all and go back to being friends, but you are just so, so sad. They broke your heart. You don’t know if you can trust anyone else ever again. You silently sob, hoping they wouldn’t notice.

But your stupid sniffles give you away. 

“Are you..crying?” Jimin asks after a long silence.

“No…” You wipe your tears and turn to his voice.

“Tell us what’s wrong.” Yoongi’s warmth creates an almost suffocating feeling in the air as your breathing falters and you feel very disconnected from your environment. You can’t even tell if your eyes are open or not because of how long you’ve been trapped. It’s driving you mad. The only thing keeping you sane are the two men sitting in front of you...or behind you. You can’t tell anymore.

“I just want my friends back. And I want to believe that everything will be alright but lately...everything’s been horrible! Life just keeps throwing one obstacle after another and I just want to believe that everything will be okay but it isn’t! My best friend slept with my other best friend and now everything’s weird between the three of us, and my other friend decided to tell everyone that we’re screwing. I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING! Everything is spiraling out of control and I can’t do shit,” You breathe heavily and silence follows, as the boys allow you to catch your breath, not inputting anything just yet. “Thanks for letting me rant. I just needed to let that out, I guess.” You bite your bottom lip, and you can smell the anticipation in the air as the boys wait for their turn to speak.

Oh wow, now you’ve robbed them of their words. Aren’t you the best friend ever.

“Can I say something?” Jimin waits for a moment before dictating his thoughts, “It sounds like you were just thrown into a random mess that had nothing to do with you directly.” He says, earning a cough from Yoongi. Luckily, the sleepy-eyed man is kind enough to cough in his sleeve (ugh corona) and he says, “I agree with Jimin. And that guy sounds like a bitch boy. I’m pretty sure he’s one of those coconut headed e-boy wannabes. Or just a plain fuckboy.” You scrunch your nose. “Jungkook isn’t like that.” 

“Oh, with a name like that he’s bound to have a talent. Maybe he dances really well? Lemme guess, he’s a really good singer but is as shy as a goat.” You didn’t know goats were shy. Yoongi seems knowledgeable, so you don’t question him.

“He’s a good singer, alright, but he wants to be a progamer when he graduates.” You reveal it to them, all of a sudden going off on a tangent about your childhood crush and best friend.

“It sounds like you guys are close,” Jimin whispers in a hushed voice, so quietly that you almost miss him. “And from what I can tell, he’s insecure and wants people to think he’s cool. So he used you, as stupid as it was, I think he’s worth fighting for.” You feel a sudden lightness in your chest, like you just confessed something you felt guilty about. It’s as if he’s in your head, and he understands exactly what you’re going through.

“Jimin and I actually got together because of a misunderstanding in the first place, if he hadn’t fought for us, who knows where he might’ve ended up?” You can’t see what Jimin does exactly, but you assume that his face is scrunched up into a cute cringe of sorts, anything that man does is adorable.

“My parents would’ve forced me to become a pastor. They aren’t exactly the most open-minded people...coming out to them was the hardest thing I ever did. And luckily, Yoongi was with me all through the process after they disowned me and threw me out of the house. I guess I lost my biological family but I ended up with something even better.” You feel your lips turn upward, the first feeling you’ve experienced since sadness. You feel hopeful, and happy that the two men can freely be together without judgement from those around them. 

You feel slightly jealous as well, since their relationship worked out and yours with Jungkook are in shambles. Maybe it’s not too late to fix this, but seeing as he hadn’t even sent you as much as a “Good morning” text, you decided it was better to leave him alone for now. The darkness is not only making you blind; it’s making you unempathetic. You do feel a bit of fear though, as the sense of not knowing what else might be in here with you is overwhelming and you literally want to curl into a ball and cry. “Your breathing is heavy again...are you okay?” Yoongi’s voice soothes you as you slowly recover from the mini-panic attack. You don’t know if you can take it anymore.

“Sorry, I’m just a little claustrophobic.” You hear some shifting as Yoongi makes himself more comfortable.

“Oh shit, I forgot about Jin,” Jimin pulls out his phone, as it vibrates with a text. Your vision is blurry, but you can see his face with the help of the dim light from his device. “Jin said he’s running late in traffic. We might be stuck for a little longer.” You snap, reaching for the closest thing to you, standing up on your two wobbly legs.

“I can’t do this! I’m going crazy, I need to get out! Anything...away….can’t breathe!” You start taking deep breaths, slightly embarrassed at showing the two boys you barely know your weak side. Of course, they are absolute sweethearts about it.

“Honja jjujeo anja

Saenggag man keojyeoga

Eonjebuteo neon nal apeuge haessdeonga

Neo jochado moreujanha,” He slowly makes his way behind you, snaking his arms around your shoulders in a very intimate manner.

“Neodo apeujanha 'cause you’re mine

I just want to blow your mind

Ireohge neon tto meoleojyeo man ganeunde,” You close your eyes and sink into his embrace, swaying in a movement that could only be described as heaven. His voice is heaven. 

“I want you to be your light, baby

You should be your light

Deoneun apeuji anhge

Nega useul su issge

I want you to be your night, baby

You could be your night

Ibami neoege soljighal su issge…” He trails off, leaving you feeling speechless from listening to his honey-like voice. The song is also new, something you’ve never heard. You clap, astounded by his vocals.

“That was amazing!!! Thank you so much for doing that.” You can almost picture the cute blush on his cheeks as you praise him, but you aren’t going to let him know that.

“No problem.” As you both share a moment, Yoongi finds a supposed way out.

“Look, there’s a duct back here. Should one of us go through and see if they can let the others out?” You and Jimin share a look of suspicion but you volunteer anyways. 

“I guess I’ll do it. Seems logical.” You get to your hands and feet, and Jimin gives you his phone, tenderly. There’s a gentleness in his eyes and through the blinding light of the flashlight on his phone, you could see his pupils dilate slightly. For a moment, it’s just you and him, as the rest of the world fades to black. You snap out of your daze when Yoongi coughs into his arm again, and you prepare to crawl into a dusty duct that’s been closed for decades.

You eventually find an exit, and you’re surprised at how long Jimin’s battery life was. It was only at 49%, despite him using his phone for half the time you were together. He must’ve charged it to the full 100%. You find a screw loose on another duct, opening it with ease and slipping into the kitchen. And then when you shine your flashlight, you realize your location. 

You quickly run to the locked door and find that opening it from the outside is a piece of cake. The two men are thankful, but they still complain about the power. Jimin texts Jin that all of you got out, and he just tells you to go home.

The time is about 9:41, 2 hours later than you’d hoped to go home. Nonetheless, you had fun spilling your heart to these two wonderful men. You’ve never felt so close with a pair of strangers, but you can tell these two will become an important part of your life very soon.

                                     ༻• At your House •༺

“Where were you?” Your mother yells as you walk through the door, and you put your bag on the floor, flopping face down on the couch.

“I was at a café but then there was a power outage and I got stuck in a food pantry.” You nonchalantly tilt your head upwards at your mom, as her look of anger changes into one of worry.

“How did you get out?” She asks, bringing you a cheese sandwich. You plug in your phone upside down, but it’s okay because you can see the logo pop up after a minute.

“I crawled through a duct. It was fun but dusty. Oh, sorry for not texting you. My phone died.” She raises an eyebrow.

“Y/N...is there something you’re not telling me?” You fold your arms, whining like a baby. “Was there someone else with you?” You nod, not wanting to tell your mom in detail. “Okay, I’m not gonna ask any more questions. But earlier Jungkook came by, he wanted to talk to you in person. After he left, Jasmine dropped by an hour ago, saying she wanted to see you too. Did something happen between the three of you?” You sigh, turning right-side up on the couch, resting your head on your mother’s shoulder.

“Mom, can I please just go to bed? I don’t feel so good.” Instead of pestering you to tell her, she complies with your wishes, leaving you alone to go into the kitchen.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you, I started renting the top floor of our house to two nice young men. They’ll stay with us, and we can get money.” You raise your eyebrows at her, not believing her fully. Your mom was never the type of person to do that. You had suggested it in the past, but she had never fully gone through with plans before. Especially big ones.

“And why did you agree to it?”

“Because they are so charming, Y/N, when I put the ad up, they immediately responded, saying that they’d do all the housework and help cook, and take care of the house as if it was theirs, even though they are paying to stay in one room.” You grab your backpack and make your way upstairs. After finishing your nighttime routine, you tuck yourself in and retire for the night.

You wake up with the sudden urge to pee. So, you run to the bathroom only to find a very unexpected sight. The same man with the crescent shaped eyes when he smiles is standing in your bathroom, brushing his teeth.

“J-Jimin?” He turns his head, looking at you with wide eyes.

“Y/N? What are you doing here?” 

“I live here!”

“Me too!” Dear God, what has your mother done?

[waywardwrestlewritingwaif]

Fortune’s Rule, Part 1

So I had a conundrum: wait until this fic was finished and nice and way too long for anyone to read in one sitting, or break it up into parts and hope that readers don’t mind that the “leading man” doesn’t actually appear in the first part. SIGH. So I’ve decided to go with the second one. 

If anyone has some pointers for me on how to write stories that are short, concise and don’t require people to fight their way through my word jungle in order to get what they want out of the experience, that’d be swell. 

Anyway, here’s the first part of this story. I promise that there will be subsequent parts coming soon.

Pairing: Damian Priest x OFC (I wasn’t joking, he literally doesn’t appear in this first section)

Word count: 2,386 (And it’s just a bloody intro???? Yes, I’m sorry)

Content advisory: violence, criminal behavior, drug use

“What the hell was that?” Cynthia whimpers, sinking into the backseat a little further. 

You twist your neck from the passenger seat, although there’s nothing to see from the outside of the house, at least for now. You both heard it, a few sharp cracks that echoed in your brains, if not in reality, like those stupid cherry bomb fireworks people were always setting off when you were kids. The sort of thing boys were always into. 

Cynthia clamps a hand over her mouth and shakes her head. This is not her scene. This is way beyond her scene. She’s here because the two of you were supposed to score some mushrooms out of the deal, but more importantly, she’s here because she’s your friend. You were the one who assured her that it was no problem for the two of you to accompany your boyfriend, Johnnie, to actually buy the drugs from his supplier. Yes, you’d known that he was picking up a lot more than mushrooms. And yes, you’d been aware that there was some kind of tension between him and the guys that he was going to buy from. But you’d told yourself that it was no big deal and, just to make yourself feel that much more confident, you’d told Cynthia that as well. 

A few seconds later, you see Johnnie come tearing out of the house, a few more loud firecracker-sounds following him. He crashes into the car like a missile, jumping so forcefully into the driver’s seat that he almost ends up in your lap. He drops a worn canvas satchel onto the console between you and as it shifts closer to you, you can see what looks like a lot of bills inside. 

“Keys!” he rasps. 

You shove your spare set into his hand, not wanting to ask where his keys have gone. He fires up the engine and takes off so fast that the back of the car fishtails and the tires screech. 

“Johnnie, what the fuck just happened?” you growl, your heart pumping as you see the sweat pouring from him and a trickle of blood from a cut on his brow. 

“Don’t fucking start,” he snaps. “Don’t start with me now. We’re going to go back home and I’ll explain then but until we’re home I don’t want to hear a fucking word, you got that?”

His voice rises threateningly for the last three words and you hear Cynthia sob behind you. You know that there’s a problem, a big problem. You just want to know that those sounds you heard weren’t shots. That’s all you want to know. 

“It’s just that we heard… there was something that sounded…” You don’t want to anger him. His eyes are so intently focused on the road ahead that you feel like distracting him will cause some sort of meltdown. 

“I said shut the hell up!” he bellows, grabbing something from his pocket and tossing it into your lap. 

The weight hits you and you almost scream in shock before you even know what it is. Then, when you see what it is, you want to scream even more. Sitting in your lap is a handgun. You’ve seen them, even held them before when your father used to take you to shoot handmade targets in the field near the trailer park where you’d grown up. But this is different. The metal is warm and the damn thing is much bigger than anything your father used to use. It’s something that would intimidate other people when you whipped it out. It’s the sort of thing that should end a dispute through intimidation alone. But in this case, you’re pretty sure it didn’t. 

You’d love to punch Johnnie right in the fucking ear. You want to demand to know what’s going on, but he’s the one who’s managing the vehicle that’s rocketing through the back roads to get to the highway and it feels like anything you say is going to freak him out. 

From the backseat, Cynthia whispers your name, wanting to know what’s going on. 

“Don’t worry, Cyn,” you reassure her. “It’s no big deal.”

“Shut up,” Johnnie spits, almost under his breath. 

You can’t miss the look on Cynthia’s face as she pushes her cherry red hair out of her eyes. She knows that something has gone very wrong as surely as you do. 

“Just take it easy, “ you grunt in Johnnie’s direction. “You don’t want to get pulled over for speeding.”

He looks like he’s about to turn and punch you in the face but almost immediately, a wave of calmness passes over him. He takes his foot off the gas just a little and seems to focus on the road and not whatever he’s just seen. 

The three of you ride in silence until you hit the offramp to the freeway, at which point it seems like there’s enough distance between you and the place you’ve left for you to speak. 

“You need to tell me what the hell happened back there,” you snap. 

“I didn’t have anything to do with it,” he mutters, pulling out to pass the car in front of him like the guy owes him money. 

“Dude, something went all the fuckin way wrong and you need to tell us because we need to know what to say in case anyone comes asking questions.” You let the emphasis fall on the final word so that he catches your full meaning. The three of you need to get your stories in line. 

“It was nothing,” he insists. “I went there to conduct a little business, some other guys showed up and started an argument. I didn’t feel good about the whole situation so I left.”

“Johnnie, no one else came up to the house while you were in there. And it seemed like whatever argument happened involved guns.”

“Why the fuck are you contradicting me? You wanna know what to tell the cops? Tell them exactly what I just said!”

“Oh yeah? And what if there are traffic cameras or neighbourhood watch cameras? What happens if there’s a nosy fucking neighbour? No other car pulled up. No other people walked into that house after you did. So get your shit together and tell us enough of what happened that we can come up with a story that the cops will actually buy.”

“What the hell is going on?” Cynthia groans, staring at you with her almost perfectly round eyes. 

You want to grab her hand and reassure her. After all, the two of you have been friends since junior high school. You skipped school together and hitchhiked to the city to go see so many shows. Almost all of your first drug experiences have been together. You’d lost your virginity to the same sleazy guy who always showed up at high school parties even though he was clearly too old to be there. 

But for all the time and experience you’ve had together, you feel like you can’t help her right now. Things had been a bit weird since you’d hooked up with Johnnie and since she’d gotten a scholarship to art school. She hadn’t even applied on her own, hadn’t ever considered education beyond high school, but some of her paintings got picked up by a local gallery and a big shot from a nearby college had been awestruck. He’d pushed her until she applied and when she’d gotten accepted, he’d made sure that she was able to get a full scholarship. In a couple of months, she was heading away. 

You hadn’t ever considered education beyond high school either but all it meant for you was that you’d spent the last few years working at whatever minimum wage shit job you could find and doing as much as you could to distract yourself when you weren’t on the clock. 

She’d found a lifeline. You hadn’t. You tried not to be jealous of that. You liked to think you were keeping her open-minded by doing psychedelics together. 

Johnnie is gripping the steering wheel like he’s trying to choke it to death. Although he’s eased off on the speed a little, he’s still going way faster than he should, well over the speed limit, and you don’t know what’s going to happen if you get pulled over. As a precaution, you take the gun off your lap and slide it under the passenger seat. Cynthia notices and gasps when she sees what you’re doing. 

You keep your eyes on him as he stares furiously at the freeway ahead, his concentration unbroken until he sees two police cars, sirens blaring, headed in the other direction. 

“Fuck,” he gasps, jerking the wheel to the right. 

The car swerves violently and both you and Cynthia scream. 

“Shut up! They’re headed to the house. I just need to take the next exit and stay off the highways for a while.”

You’re about to ask him how he knows where the police are headed when he slams the car to the right again, lining up to take the next exit. 

Another police car, this one followed by an ambulance, rockets by on the far side of the freeway, siren howling and lights flashing. 

“Fuck!” Johnnie gasps. 

You’re hardly able to process the sound before you hear yourself screaming. The exit is just ahead but he swings the wheel wildly, propelling you off the road entirely and into the thick foliage on your right. The car bounces violently enough that your head slams off the side, the dashboard, and the roof, the howls and yelps of your two companions echoing like something in the distance. You hit a series of hard bumps, like you’re going down a very steep staircase and it feels like every part of your upper body gets banged up in the descent before you finally hit bottom and your skull slams hard into the dashboard. 

It’s a long few minutes before you recover enough to realize where you are and realize that the car is quickly filling with murky water. . Instinctively, you unfasten your seatbelt and try to force the car door open, to no avail. It’s then that you become aware that the car has taken a nosedive into the swampy river and that it’s sinking quickly. Your window is down enough that you can, somewhat painfully, pull yourself through it, although being sucked down into the mud and water doesn’t feel much safer on the outside of the car. 

You keep a grip on the door and look inside. Johnnie is unconscious over the steering wheel, his neck bent at an ugly angle and a stream of blood slowly falling from his mouth. You hesitate a moment before reaching through the window again and grabbing the satchel from the front seat. At first, Cynthia looks like she’s unconscious and face down in the water but as you’re about to move away, she raises her head and wriggles her body towards the door. 

She hisses your name as she pulls herself up to the window, extending her hand for you to pull her out. “Shit,” she moans, “this fucking hurts. Let’s just get out of here.”

You can see her legs, which you hope she can’t. They’re mangled, the bone of one shin ripping through the skin, both obviously fractured in multiple places, trailing after her like strange, jointed snakes. 

You back up a step or two. “I’m going to go get help,” you croak. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

She shakes her head violently, a long stream of blood and saliva escaping her bottom lip. 

“No way. Come on, get me out of here. We’ll make up some story for the hospital.”

You don’t know what the hell you could tell a hospital, particularly if the police are on the lookout for some people who fled the scene of a crime along the exact same route you’d been taking before you crashed. You need to get away from here. You’re dazed but you’re not broken. No one needs to know that you were ever here. 

“I’ll be right back,” you assure Cynthia, backing away from the car and into the river. 

“Godammit, don’t you dare leave me here Leeanne!” she screams. 

“I’ll be right back,” you repeat. 

She’s injured. She’s too injured for you to help. The police will find the car. The police will rescue her. Whatever she tells them, they’re not going to prosecute her because she’s just an innocent bystander. She just went to get some mushrooms with her deadbeat best friend and her wannabe drug kingpin boyfriend. She’ll be fine. 

“Don’t worry,” you yell at her as you step back into the river, the current pulling at your legs.

Her screams resonate for what seems like a long time as you let yourself be carried a bit by the current. If the police come with their dogs, they’ll lose your scent in the river. For some reason, this is something that you remember even as you’re fighting to keep your head above water. Finally, feeling that you might be reaching the end of your strength, you grab hold of a low-hanging branch near the far side of the water. You just cling to it for a while, trying to catch your breath and summon the strength to rescue yourself. As you listen to the sound of your laboured breathing, you swear you can still hear Cynthia’s screams. 

Finally, you haul yourself up the river bank and crawl onto dry ground. You pull yourself over the forest floor, not trusting your legs, until your lungs simply refuse to give you the oxygen to move any farther. Looking out over the river, you can see the back end of the car, slowly sinking beneath the surface in the distance. There are sirens again and noises, voices, people closing in on the wreckage. You want to watch, to know if Johnnie and Cynthia are alright. But you also need to sleep. Your head is pulsing from the point where it hit the dashboard, so painful it feels like your skull is cracked. You try to keep your eyes open, wanting to know, but the world is growing darker and colder and you’re too exhausted to fight it off any longer. 

[ohtheseboysilove]

Omg, I’m living for the winter writing prompts! Could you possibly combine 1 and 6, smutty and fluffy with Ben?

01. we just had a one-night stand but a massive storm hit so now we’re snowed in, hello awkward.

+

06. we always carpool home for the holidays from college but a storm hit and now we’re taking the last room at the local b&b (bonus: bedsharing! we’re adults!)

4248 words (???). Smut and fluff.

!!! Christmas / Winter prompts !!!

"You got everything ?"

You nodded with a tired smile and slid into the car seat, buckling your belt, immediately turning on the heater. The weather was bloody cold and foggy, making you winced.

"You’re sure it’s safe to drive home ?” You asked as Ben jumped behind the steering wheel, taking off his favourite brown beanie from his head.

You chuckled at the mop of curly blond hairs emerging on the top of his head, making him looked much younger than his age.

"My mom said it must be alright, if it’s not snowing we should be okay" He shrugged, always the positive one and started the car, letting you decided for the music. "And I don’t know you but I, really want to go back home for Christmas, no way I’m staying in my shitty uni room for the holidays” He smirked, one hand on the wheel and the other hand scratching the stubble on his chin, eyes focusing on the busy road.

“Yeah, true" You agreed and changed the radio station until you stopped when you heard the familiar rhythm of an old Arctic Monkeys’ song.

You and Ben were from the same little town in the north of England so for every holidays — when the two of you went back home at least — the both of you did the travel together. You shared the petrol price and sometimes when Ben was really tired, he would ask you to drive. It was a win-win situation. So for the third year in a row, you were driving to home, only five little hours away from your native town.

Only two hours into the travel, the traffic was still awful, cars barely moving as everyone wanted desperately to go home for Christmas.

"Ben, close this fucking window ! It’s bloody cold" You scolded him as he took a big puff of his cigarette, blowing the smoke outside the car.

"If I don’t have my fag right now, I’m gonna wreck this asshole who is honking for the past five minutes" The blond groaned and yelled something to the man, giving him his middle finger when he finally managed to pass him. “What a prick" Ben scoffed and watched him drive away, his hands and lips red from the coldness.

"You have literally no patience" You chuckled and popped a m&ms in your mouth, lazily chewing it.

The blond shrugged and threw his cigarette butt on the road, earning a warning glance from you. He gave a big innocent smile and you would lie if you said that your heart didn’t miss a beat at this moment.

"Gimme one, missy" He opened his mouth, head lightly turned toward you.

You threw it one which fell on his lap then somewhere on the floor, he complained about your aptitude to throw correctly and you gave him your middle finger for all answer. He asked again and this time the sweet hit him square on the teeth, a pathetic whine escaping from his plump lips.

"You’re such a baby" You rolled your eyes.

"Am not, you could have break my fucking teeth" He scolded and ran his tongue on his mouth, checking if everything was still here in the little mirror above his head. "Now gimme one correctly please"

"For a rugby player you’re a total pussy, you know that ?" You sighed and handed him the packet, ignoring the memories about the few times you had the chance to witness Ben in his tight little rugby short. It was true sight for the eyes. The blond smirked with amusement but didn’t move his hand, simply opened his mouth. "I’m not gonna feed you, Benjamin" You stated with a death glare, pushing another m&m’s in your mouth instead.

"My hands are busy" He gave you a cocky grin, wiggling his fingers firmly wrapped around the wheel. "Come on, pretty please ?" He fluttered his eyelashes exaggeratedly but you simply ignoring him, gaze looking outside the window.

"Ouch !" You gasped when you felt a harsh pinch on your right thigh. "Asshole" He simply smiled wider, still waiting for his chocolate.

He squeezed your thigh again and this time you decided to cave. The warmth of his hand around your leg was distracting you way too much. And you still have few more hours before arriving home so it wasn’t really the time to get naughty thoughts about Ben. You pretended to be annoyed and grabbed two m&ms, popping them between his pink, pillowed lips. You felt warmth spread around your neck when he playfully bit your digits, giving you a teasing smile.

"Thanks, love" He sent you a smirk and gazed back at the road, a satisfied smile floating in his face.

You mumbled a low ‘you’re welcome’ and swallowed nervously, hoping your cheeks weren’t as red as you were feeling hot. That was the thing with you and Ben, this constant...sexual tension. You knew each other for three years, hanging out together sometimes, no quite as usual as you did with your other friends but still friends nonetheless. Ben was hot, you couldn’t denied that and you weren’t bad yourself, you caught him checking you out more than once and he probably did the same with you but nothing never happened. Mostly because when you met, you had a boyfriend for most of the year. Then he started seeing this girl from his class when you broke up with Chris. Timing was always a bitch for the two of you and honestly you weren’t a fan of one night stand with one of your friend. It could be really awkward. But for the first time that you found the both of you stuck in the car for hours, you were both completely single. Meaning anything could happen. But you weren’t sure if you wanted something to happen. Or if he wanted that.

**

You were already three and half hours into the drive home but still bloody far away as the roads were busy and slowed down because of the bad weather. You both decided to stop for a wee and a coffee at the first gas station.

"I took you a latte" Ben yawned when you came back from the toilet, seating in front of him at the little picnic table outside.

"Thanks Benny” You lazily replied, the cold wind making winced.

You drank in silent and quickly, stealing little glances to each other. You hated how cute he looked with his beanie back on his head, few curls escaping from it.

"I’m gonna buy fags, do you need anything, love ?" You shook your head and thanked him when he threw you the car keys.

You rapidly went back into the warmth of the car and slid off your shoes before dropping your clothes feet on the dashboard, stretching lazily your arms.

"It’s so bloody cold" Ben complained when he came back few minutes later, rubbing his hands together as he sat back. "And bad news, it’s snowing"

"It is ?" You gasped and opened the window to check, few snow flakes falling slowly onto your hands before melting. "Shit"

"The cashier said a storm is coming and most of the road would be close soon enough" You dropped your head back into the seat with a desperate groan. "He said there is a little motel not far from here but we should get going if we want to find available rooms" He sighed and looked at you, a grimace on his face.

"Great, this is great" You crossed your arms above your stomach and shrugged. "Well let’s go I guess. We don’t really have any choice, right ?" You watched Ben nodded weakly as he started driving again, fingers drumming nervously on his thigh.

You only had fifteen little minute to the cheap motel but the weather turned out absolutely horrible. It was now heavily snowing, you could barely see the road and it was quite dangerous to keep going without snow chains. When Ben finally reached the motel you were both relieved and quickly made your way to the reception, praying there way still rooms.

"Hi, could we rent two rooms for tonight, please ?" You asked with your nicest, pleading smile.

The old lady at the reception checked the reservation on a clipboard, her glasses pressed on her nose as she looked for available rooms.

"Unfortunately we have only one room left for tonight, would you still have it ?"

You and Ben exchanged a quick glanced and immediately accepted. The options were pretty limited anyway. She handed you the keys of the fifteenth room on the second floor and the blond told you he would go grab your and his stuffs. You walked to the room and sadly, it wasn’t twin beds but only a double one in the middle of the room. The situation was awfully cliché but it did make you nervous.

You sighed and checked the tiny little bathroom, your body craving for a hot shower. You decided to take one now, it would be done for the night as it was already six in the evening.

"Feeling better ?" You almost jumped as you found Ben laying on the bed, one arm flexed under his head as he watched something on the small t.v hanging on the wall.

"Yeah, much better" You tightened your grip around the white towel around your body as you entered the room, looking into your bag for some comfy clothes.

You felt your heartbeat quickened as Ben’s eyes followed your movements, glancing at your legs freshly exposed. It was certainly going to be a tense and long evening.

**

The both of you were munching on ham sandwiches nicely made by the lady owning the hostel as mostly everything around was close because of the snowstorm, the electricity was long gone because of the weather. No t.v or lights. That why you were in a strange romantic atmosphere with candles and flash lights, seating criss-crossed on the bed, sharing a bottle of rhum together. The heater wasn’t really good and there was nothing much to do expect play cards and get drunk.

"Alright, you won again" Ben sighed and threw his cards on the night table after losing for fifth time in a row against you. "Can we do something else ? It’s not fun anymore” He complained as you beamed with pride, loving teasing him about your wins.

"You’re a sore loser Benjamin” You smirked and took a good swing of the rhum, grimacing a bit at the strong taste. "But I agree, it’s a bit boring to always beat your ass"

He rolled his eyes and snatched the bottle from your hands, taking an equal big sip as you.

"Never I have ever...suck a dick" Ben grinned, apparently really proud of his phrase as he knew you would probably drink.

"Very mature, Benny" You clicked your tongue but took a sip, feeling like in a fucking teenage movie. You played to this kind of game quite often but with much more people in the room usually. You felt like the situation could get out of hand really quickly. "Never I have ever...lick a pussy" You decided to play his little game and childishly blew him a raspberry.

"You don’t know what you’re missing. Pussies are delicious" He shrugged and drank, running his tongue on his pillowed lips to catch a lost drop of rhum. Your neck warmed at the thought of Ben eating you out, his pretty red face buried deep inside your thighs could certainly be a beautiful view.

The game went on with stupid sex questions which had for only goal to make the other drank more. When you both ran out of ideas you stopped the games and instead told each other awkward and a bit embarrassing anecdotes.

"He didn’t not !" You giggled loudly as Ben’s eyes were wide open after you told him about the time you ended up spending the night with a weirdo. "God, that’s crazy"

"Right ? And fuckin’ embarrassing, I was so drunk" You giggled more and squeezed Ben’s knees. "You turn now, mister Jonesy"

He nodded and wiggled his button nose, thinking about something funny to tell you. Your gaze lingered on his face, admiring his strong and perfectly well-define jaw, his high and beautiful cheek bones or his large shoulders barely hiding by his thin white cotton tee-shirt. You felt your features burned when you met his — gorgeous — green eyes, catching you checking him out shamelessly. He held your gaze for few seconds, wetting his pink lips with his tongue. You quickly looked away, pressure bubbling in your belly at his intense stare.

"Okay, I have a good one" Ben announced with a raspy voice. You looked back at him, ignoring the goosebumps spreading on your arms. How where you supposed to sleep next to him tonight ? "Do you remember Sasha’s party for his twenty-two birthday ?"

"Of course I do" You snorted at the memories, it had been a wild night.

"And this girl I brought home with me ? Natalia ?" You frowned your brows then nodded, remembering the beautiful blond girl from Sasha’s class. "So we hum...we had sex but I called her the wrong name" He confessed, the tips of his ears reddening.

"What ? Oh Ben, this is awful" You cackled loudly, covering your mouth with your hand to stop the stupid giggles.

"I know I wasn’t very proud" He playfully smiled and swallowed quietly, his Adam’s apple bobbing harshly. "And now she hates me"

"Can’t really blame her" You teased him.

"True but I can blame you" Ben said bluntly, his large palm rubbing his chest under his top. Thing he did when he was embarrassed.

"Me ?" You squealed with arched brow, not sure where he was going with this information.

"You" He repeated and you shared a long, heavy gaze, only broke when you watched his hand slowly rubbed on your clothed thigh. "I...I said your name that night" Your eyes widened but you stayed silent, not knowing if you were supposed to laugh or not. "I saw you wearing this tiny little skirt, the brown one and I couldn’t think about anything else that night" You felt your breath stopped for a long second, excitement bubbling inside your stomach.

"Y—yeah ?" You murmured quietly as he crawled next to you, his hot breath falling against your face.

"It’s wasn’t the first time I thought about when I was with someone else" He whispered back, the shadows of light from the candles were dancing on his face, the green of his eyes deeper than ever. "Thought about you a lot, more than I should" He slowly trailed a pad on your burning cheekbone, testing the water.

You were silent, a bit shocked by his words. Ben, probably one of the hottest person you ever met had naughty thoughts about you. It was insane. A pool of wetness was already forming in your knickers.

"I did too" You breathed quietly, shivers rolling down your spine at the just filling his pretty eyes. It was happening. For real.

"Can I kiss you ?" His nose bumped slightly against yours and for all answer you pressed your needy lips against his.

The kiss was hungry and hot, tongues quickly messing with each other, hands roaming on both of your bodies. It was a kiss from years of building tension finally exploding in a rough, eager kiss. You tugged on his top and he took the hint pretty quickly, throwing it somewhere on the floor as you immediately sponged pecks against his strong and smooth chest, heavy sighs escaping both of your mouth.

"God, I need to see you, love. Please" The blond murmured and you let go of his nipple, taking off your tee-shirt and exposing your bare breasts to the gorgeous man under you. "Holy shit, you’re so hot" He cursed, tongue trailing around your tits, one of his hand already working inside your pants, fingers rubbing against your socked panties.

"Ben, need more" You cried, hips bucking against his frame, your hand firmly gripping his curly hairs. "Take my pants off” You said in a panting pleading, watching him with quickly did it before doing the same with his own.

He didn’t lost a second and dove two fingers inside your mouth, making you suck them before caressing your folds, earning loud moans from you. Soon enough it wasn’t his fingers anymore but his burning tongue inside you, legs bended on his shoulders, his thumb taking great care of your throbbing clit.

"Oh shit" You whimpered, pressure building inside you dramatically quickly and you couldn’t do much expect pushing his mouth further between your legs. "Keep going Ben !" You rolled your left nipple between your digits, babbling incoherent words as you reached the edge of your orgasm.

You came in a shamefully loud pleading of Ben’s name, waves of pure bliss crashing down you. You could here him sucked his fingers clean, making you whimpered at the obscene sound. He grabbed your chin for a lusty kiss, teeth knocking against each other but frankly you couldn’t care less, you just needed him at this moment.

"Oh god, love !" Ben cried when you wrapped your fingers around his cock, giving few pumps on it.

"Do you have a condom ?" You breathed quietly, nails sinking into the skin of his neck as he nibbled naughtily your collarbone.

"Yeah" He pushed himself of the bed and you didn’t miss the occasion to look at his perky pretty ass before he came back, proudly shaking a condom. "Come here, love" You did as he said, spreading your legs just for him and he quickly rolled the protection on his hard length, his chest panting up and down. "You’re ready ?" You nodded, bottom lip trapped between your teeth as you watched his thick shaft disappeared inside you, a grunt falling from Ben’s throat at the same moment.

It was clearly better than you could have imagined.

**

You were freaking out. Hands against the sink and your gaze facing you into the mirror.

What now ?

You just had sex with Ben. Incredibly good sex by the way. But still, what now ? You hated this kind of awkwardness, you were already overthinking every little details of the evening and it was wasn’t looking good. You still have two hours and half of driving tomorrow with the blond, why on earth did you sleep with him ? Was it only a one-night stand ? Probably. He never mentioned any feelings toward you.

You swallowed nervously and after peeing, you splashed fresh water onto your face, taking a deep breath before joining Benjamin. He was casually laying under the covers, only wearing his boxer and it was incredibly distracting but you didn’t look at this chest, feeling already too uncomfortable. He was lazily scrolling on his phone and gave you a little, tight smile when he met your gaze. Awkward. He seemed as uncomfortable as you were. Great.

You hurried up to the bed, wearing your fluffy pyjama and slid under the heavy covers, barely looking at him.

"Goodnight, (Y/N)" He called your by your name and it was a very rare fact. You felt even worse, rolling the covers until your nose to hide your flushed face.

"Night, Ben" You closed your eyes and quickly fell asleep, as far away as possible from him, — without being too obvious — tired by the amazing sex you just had.

**

The next morning was even worst. Few words were exchanged as you both packed your things after a quick shower and a disgusting cup of coffee, making your way to the reception in a dead silence.

"Oh my dears, but the roads aren’t clear yet, the snowstorm is probably going back in the end of the morning so no circulation before at least tomorrow afternoon" The old lady explained when you handed her back the room’s keys.

"What ? Are you sure ?" You asked with nervousness, the thought of staying stuck here with Ben was making your stomach churned. You weren’t one for confrontation, more like avoiding awkward situation like this one.

"It’s all over the news, sweetie. The electricity is back but I’m not sure for how long" She gave you an apologetic smile and you kept the keys, not having much choice anyway.

Ben was surprisingly silent as you made your way back to the room, a ball of stress eating you alive. It was the worst fucking scenario ever.

"I’m gonna for a smoke" The blond said before disappearing quickly, leaving you all by yourself in the bedroom.

"Bloody hell" You cursed and let your face fell in your palms, wondering how the fuck you were supposed to spend more time together in this tense atmosphere.

You opted for a coward escape and slid under the covers, pretending to nap when you heard Ben in the hallway. He opened the doors and silently took his shoes off, seating on the side of his bed, sighing quietly.

"(Y/N) ? Are you awake ?" He murmured and ran a hand into your messy hairs, making you swallowed silently. "Come on, love, I know you don’t nap so early in the morning" You simply buried your face further into the covers, neck bright red with shame. "We need to talk" He added and tugged on the covers, trying to see your face.

"I’m sleeping" You mumbled and he simply chuckled, opting for an other tactic. He slid under the cover and moved until he was face to face with you.

"Hi there" Ben murmured with a little smile. "It too hot under these covers, how can you even breath ?" He exclaimed and you simply shrugged, nose buried into the pillow to avoid his intense gaze. "(Y/N), come on. I wasn’t that bad, was I ? Can you at least look at me ?" He tried to joke but the glance you gave him making stopped immediately.

You were so uncomfortable and Ben was just making the situation worse.

"I don’t wanna talk about it" You whispered. "We just had sex, it’s not a big deal" You mumbled with a bitter tone and wished you could just disappear from here right now.

The blond chewed on his lip for few seconds, one of his finger gently caressing the shape of your jaw, making you froze.

"I think it’s a big deal. Or you wouldn’t react like that. Not talking to me, barely looking at me" He stated the fact and you felt even more ashamed. It wasn’t your fault if you were the kind who get too easily attached or who couldn’t just have sex with someone then pretended it never happened. "I can’t read your mind, love. You need to talk to me" He slid two fingers under your chin, forcing you to finally look at him and you probably never felt more vulnerable than right now.

"Does it mean something to you ?" You murmured anxiously, cheeks burning from how uncomfortable you were. "Or was I just a...random shag ?"

"Of course not, (Y/N) ! You’re my friend, I would be totally stupid to go to you if I only want a quick fuck" Ben frowned his brows, a bit destabilised by your words. "I like you, (Y/N), I thought it was quite obvious" A delicate shade of pink painted on his face, his voice less confident than usual. "Especially after yesterday night"

You were both a blushing mess, the memories of the night before still freshly inked in your minds.

"I...didn’t know" You replied in a whisper. "You barely talked to me this morning, I thought you regretted it" You voice broke at the last word and Ben’s face fell when he noticed that you were hurt because of him.

"I’m sorry, I should have said something yesterday but you were so uncomfortable, practically running to the bathroom then going straight to bed..." He sighed heavily, his warm hand softly cupping your cheek. "I didn’t want to push you to talk to me so I thought we can talk about it today but it was even worst, I didn’t know how to speak about the subject anymore. I’m sorry if you felt like I used you like for a cheap and easy shag, it’s not true"

You let out a shaky breath, relief rolling down your body and pressed a hand on Ben’s cheek, giving him a timid smile.

"I’m sorry too, I hate awkward conversation and I didn’t know what to say so I just...avoid it" He rubbed his thumb against your skin before pressing a butterfly kiss on your cold nose. "But I like you too, Ben. For few months now" You admitted with a shiver.

"Try few years" He chuckled softly and you looked at him with shock. "It’s alright our timing had always been awful but we finally got it right” He winked and you nodded shyly, biting on your lip before capturing his mouth for a slow and tender kiss.

"You know what ? I’m pretty glad for this shitty snowstorm" You giggled as he trailed few pecks on your face, looking at you with tenderness.

"I think people called that a Christmas miracle" Ben smirked and you cackled louder before he found your lips again, sweet and perfectly shaped for each other.

**

[rainandhotchocolate]

Movie Star - Part 3

A/N lel sorry this took so long, but here it is!! Part mofo 33333333

“You look very nice,” Sirius smiled over at Y/ from the driver's seat. Y/N looked down at the silky, bright red wrap dress she had stolen from Lily’s maybe a director will see me clothing pile.

“Thanks, Mary’s instructions were very overwhelming, so good to know I look ok,” Y/N laughed awkwardly, playing with the hem of it so it didn’t ride up on the leather seats of Sirius’ car. It was a very nice car, pastel blue open-top buggy with white leather seats. Y/N couldn’t help but feel like she was in a classic film and should have a scarf wrapped around her head, hair blowing in the wind down a long, spiralling highway.

“Yeah, she’s a bit like that. I worked with her on a movie about four years back, when she was an assistant, and she was already taking charge of just about everybody who’d listen. As much as she can be overwhelming, she knows what she’s doing. And we’re about to get a free brunch so that’s a win in my book.”

Sirius winked at her and pulled into carpark across the road from the cage, handing his keys to a valet who seemed to be waiting as if he’d anticipated Sirius’ exact arrival. Maybe he actually was Y/N thought, her nerves spiking again as her brain spiralled into thoughts of how famous Sirius really was. How many people would be watching her?

“You ok?” He’d stepped out of the car and to her side to open the door for her. She’d been staring straight ahead at the dashboard.

“Oh yes, sorry, I’m fine,” Y/N plastered on a smile and took his hand, stepping onto the concrete. He closed the door, placing his hand softly on her lower back and leaning in towards her ear.

“Don’t worry about everyone else, just pretend it’s just you and me.”

Y/N’s heart did a little jump and she swallowed hard, trying to ignore it.

“Did you practice that in the mirror?” Y/N nudged him with her shoulder, smiling. Sirius barked a laugh, throwing his head back and letting out a warm throaty sound that made Y/N want to smile up at him for the next hour.

“Well this is going to be a harder fake date than I thought if you call me out on all my trash lines.”

“You’ll have to come up with some better ones then.”

“At least that was a terrible comeback, so at least we’ll be evenly matched.”

Y/N rolled her eyes but was still smiling a little giddily up at him. They walked up to the hostess stand where a very tall, blonde woman smiled perfectly at them, greeted Sirius and walked them immediately over to a table towards the back.

“I’m Bianca, if you need anything at all please let me know, I will be you personal server this morning.” Her smile was still going strong and was beginning to make Y/N slightly uncomfortable.

“Thanks Bianca, I’ll grab a three quarter soy latte, what were you after Y/N?”

“I’ll just have a long black, thank you.”

Bianca smiled slightly wider as she turned on her heel and walked towards the counter to put through our orders.

“Ok this is a lot,” Y/N laughed, turning to face Sirius who grimaced.

“Yeah, sorry, I probably should have warned you. Alice does enjoy setting up a bit of a show, don’t get too surprised if the waitresses start whispering, she’s likely told them to drop hints that we are here to the rest of the café.

“Oh great that doesn’t make me want to puke.”

“Ok ok, lets just talk about something else, distract you.”

“Like what?” Y/N felt like everyone was watching them, her cheeks growing red.

“Tell me where you grew up,” Sirius leaned back in his chair, smiling softly at her, his grey eyes looking into her own. Y/N couldn’t help but laugh at the slightly clichéd question.

“Uh… I grew up in the Bay Area, with my mum and brother.” Y/N paused, wondering if Sirius actually cared or if he was just trying to get her distracted from the slight clicking noises indicating cameras were taking photos very nearby. Sirius nodded for her to continue.

“Yeah, so I don’t know what else to say?” Y/N laughed, “It was a small town like an hour from San Francisco, so it was very quiet which I sort of hated.”

“Yeah I get that, I grew up in a small town in the west of England, it drove me insane.”

“You grew up in England?” Y/N narrowed her eyes, “You are not British, I call bullshit.”

Sirius snorted, grinning mischievously at her.

“I am in fact British,” His accent suddenly changed, a posh English accent replacing the unassuming American one he’d previously used.

“Ok, this is ridiculous, are you in witness protection?” Y/N stared at him, wide-eyed and feeling a little more intimidated if that was possible.

“I’m actually a secret agent,” He leaned in as close as possible, pretending to glance around suspiciously. Y/N giggled at him. “Nah, I was very self-conscious of it when I moved here, I was 17 and everyone with an accent was automatically typecast so I hired a voice coach to work with me until I could hide it. It happened to just become a habit. Might be a bit awkward to change my voice in the middle of an interview now.”

Sirius huffed out a laugh.

“Anyway, now I can surprise producers with my incredible accent skills.”

“I was curious about that on set, you were much too impressive for it to just be pure talent.”

“Oi!” Sirius grinned, “I have much more talents than you’d expect.”

“Well I’m excited to find out.” Y/N gave him what she hoped was a sly smile. Was he flirting?

Bianca came back with two parfaits, compliments of the house, and took their orders before they fell back into easy conversation about their hometowns and similarly frustrating experiences trying to find an acting class that wasn’t just doing beauty and the beast every season.

“I can’t believe you had to play Mr Darcy! You really are a multi-faceted actor,” Sirius cackled when Y/N had shown her a photo of her dressed up in her all girls Pride and Prejudice play in her last year of high school.

“I mean I had to be going up against all the other girls vying to play against Sirius Black himself.” Y/N grinned back at him.

“Ahhh, so that was the real reason you applied for this role huh?” Sirius leaned in again, placing his hand underneath his chin and tutting loudly.

“You caught me, I’ve been secretly stalking you, that’s why I had no idea we were in the same show when I arrived, like an idiot.”

“It is the perfect ploy, girl accidentally bumps into guy,” Sirius chuckled loudly, stretching back into his chair and checking the time on his watch.

“Oh my god, it’s nearly 2! I’m meant to meet up with someone in thirty, I might need to get going. Sorry to rush out on you like that.”

“No no! So fine, sorry to keep you from your lunch date.” Y/N grabbed her bag and pulled out her wallet.

“Don’t you bloody dare,” Sirius held out a hand, a slight twinge in his accent coming through as he became less composed, “This is a date remember.”

“Right, right,” Y/N laughed, “And I guess Alice is paying you back?”

“That is also correct,” Sirius grinned, “I’ll drop you home?”

“I actually wanted to have a walk around this area, I’m still trying to get a feel for where everything is.”

“Ok, the fact that you just said you were going to walk makes it that much more obvious that you are still an LA newbie,” Sirius shook his head. “I’m dropping you off, and at some point this week I’m driving you around LA.”

“No, no, don’t stress, I can steal Lily’s car at some point.” Y/N brushed him off, trying to push down the little ball curling around in her stomach. He wants to show you around – shut up you actual fool.

“Not hearing another word, we can organise another time when I see you on set tomorrow,” He smiled brightly at her, pulling a hand through the curly black mass of hair that seemed to constantly be falling in front of his eyes. “Give me a second I’ll pay and I’ll drop you off.”

“OK, can do.” Y/N watched him turn around and head towards the hostess stand to pay. Her heart was pounding a little faster than normal. She took in a deep breath, and swore under her breath, fuck.

Taglist: @ WANGMANGAGAVROCHE    HERMIONIE-IS-MY-QUEEN   @DEMIWITCH52  @riddikuluslypotter   @loveyourppl    KATEXWOW   SLEEPINGALASKA   @siriuslyjanhvi 

@averytruerayofsunshine  @blushingskywalker @blackpinkdolan @thebabblingbookworm @cherrie511 @imlukesnirvana​ @avengersassemblee​ @maraudersandco​ @sly-vixen-up2nogood​ @katbernoulli @sirius-lysad​ @evyiione​ @minerva26love​ @aikeia​ @gollyderek​ @greatwombatblaze​  @songforhema​  @your-typical-giggle @myownviperroom @hermionie-is-my-queen @demiwitch527

[lucastheunlucky]

Admissions | Jared&Lucas

Location: National Park TWs: It soft, none Summary: Luke and Jared have a few things to confess, and Lucas, with the looming threat of Gotch always on his mind, wants to be sure Jared knows he’s thankful for having him in his life. @themidnightfarmer

Luke had told him not to worry, but like hell was Jared going to let himself miss the obvious trouble in the words ‘should something happen to me’ again. Not after how serious last time had been. The nymph sat on the outer gate of the farm and looked down the dirt track in the direction most people approached the place by car. Luke had said he’d pick him up after all. Jared sat with one arm crossed across his chest, and the other resting on top so that he could chew on his thumbnail nervously. He plastered on a smile and made a show of waving both arms when he spotted Luke coming however, no use in looking worried if he was going to find out anyway. Maybe it wasn’t so bad? Maybe he was thinking too much into the words like Luke had suggested he had. “So, socks or toes? Where are we at with shoes?” He grinned when the other was close enough to call out to. 

When Jared got in, Lucas took them towards the National Park for some rock climbing. Jared’s easy going smile was a nice thing to see, but Luke’s stomach was in knots. Something had struck him hard when he got back from the full moon, his thoughts darker than usual and he knew the ghost that was attached to him was probably amping it up. She would soon be dealt with, hopefully. Lucas pointed to the few pairs of shoes on the floor at Jared’s feet. “One of those might fit you, I have a couple pairs now since some of my other friends like to come with me,” Lucas said easy, and tried not to make the mood heavy like the weight on his shoulders was. “You doing okay? Haven’t seen you online much. Was wondering if you decided the farm didn’t need wifi.” 

Jared almost bonked his head on the dashboard leaning over to inspect the shoes at his feet. He crossed one leg over the other and started to untie his boots in preparation for trying on a pair. “You mean I’m not the first ever friend you've ever taken to climb? I’m hurt.” He said dramatically, throwing his wrist up against his forehead with a smirk and a small laugh. Luke asked about his last few weeks and Jared couldn’t hide his grimace. “It was a bit stressful, I won’t lie. But I think things are going to work out. I’m hoping at least that they’ll think about working out.” He supplied before managing to remove a boot and shifting to the other. “What about you bud? Out of town for something good?”

“No, you are not,” Lucas chuckled at the dramatics. The scent of Jared in the truck was extremely nice, and with the window down, it calmed Luke down a bit. Having worked himself up after he got back and realized that he was falling so easily into life. Not accounting for what that always meant for him. “Stressful? Shit. Life does that crap, if it rains it pours kinda deal sometimes. I’m glad it will or might work out for you, whatever it was. I’d say I’ll help you, but I’m not in any position for that right now.” Lucas clearly meant it, he never wanted his friends in trouble, and his shoulders seemed heavy while he held the wheel. “I was out of town for the full moon.” Lucas simply answered, but sighed. Jared would either get it or not. If he played it like he assumed Regan would, Luke would turn the convo around. “That’s part of what I wanted to talk to you about.” 

The others words held a lot of weight and Jared abandoned his shoelaces in favour of looking at Lucas fully. The gears in Jareds head were turning, but he was slow on the uptake, it took him a few minutes to put together the tone of voice and the implication. And yet, even connecting the ‘full moon’ to some of the more supernatural stuff in town Jared still managed to get it completely wrong. “For a….ritual?” He asked hesitantly before trying to gauge how Luke reacted to that question. “You thought I’d be...angry?”

“What? No,” Luke’s brows wrinkled, not sure what that meant in anyway. Lucas wasn’t ashamed of being a werewolf in any way, if anything, he was quite proud and loud about it with those who knew, but he also always wanted to be sure people didn’t lose their minds over realizing supernatural things existed. It wasn’t entirely fair to them. But Lucas has definitely eaten a small handful of Jared’s ‘children’ and Luke couldn’t imagine Jared was stupid enough not to know they weren’t normal. He offered a sharp smile, and the faintest amber to his eyes. “I kinda know your children aren’t typical livestock, Jared. I didn’t put it together until I saw you again. But I was the one that broke into your farm. Didn’t realize anyone was there over the winter, seemed empty at the time, and I can’t entirely help a good hunt when the moon is up. I always set something up to keep me occupied, I’m quite dangerous.”

His initial guess was out the window as Luke denied one of the two choices Jared had in his head. Spellcaster was out. So werewolf it was. And maybe it should have been more shocking. But Jared had been finding out a lot about people he’d grown up with lately. This spring when he’d returned to the farm he’d not stopped being surprised by someone else from the past. But he did look at Luke with new eyes. Curious eyes of his own, and eyes wondering how long Jared had been blind to the facts. His stomach did jolt however at Luke’s admission. On one hand he was livid. Hunting. His kids. But on the other he had to rival that with logic. It was a choice to protect others. A choice that hurt him, a choice that went against what he believed in. But given what he protected and everything that had happened recently how could he be angry? A werewolf had an instinct to hunt, and wasn’t that just what he defended his kids from doing as well? Would he be a hypocrite? He was at war and every emotion flashed across his face unimpeded. “I… that’s… uh.” He didn’t know what road to take. He was torn. 

“I know it’s a lot, which is why I wanted to do it in person.” Lucas could tell Jared was struggling and he really didn’t blame him. This kind of stuff could be overwhelming for anyone, and there was a piece of him that was waiting for Jared to tell him to ‘stop making shit up’. But Lucas wasn’t sure if he would be alive in the next month or so, and the low point he had yesterday over his mortality and being a liar to those he cares about-- the weight of knowing that those people he called friends, so many didn’t know the real him. It made it important. Jared had to know. Luke couldn’t face Gotch without saying his sorry. “I’m not human man. Never have been. I was born a wolf and it’s challenging during that time of the month, but it doesn’t entirely mean I’m not apologetic over it. So-- seriously, I’m sorry I killed your kids.” Lucas pulled into the parking lot just near where the trail was and turned the truck off. He leaned on the steering wheel, giving Jared more of his attention now that the road wasn’t important.

One shoe on, one shoe off. It was exactly his reality at that moment as well as where his mind was. “Oh.” Jared settled on as the truck engine ceased and the two of them could make full eye contact. “I didn’t know...you could be born a werewolf.” He admitted after a moment of quiet trying to comprehend it all. “Thought it was all-” he made a mouth with one hand and mimed biting his other arm with it, it was the movement of a child trying to speak before they could properly vocalise but it was what he managed finishing with a helpless shrug. “My kids...I… I suppose I can’t fault you for doing something you felt you had to. Something...natural to your kind? I’ll admit I don’t... “ He took a breath. “I mean if we’re coming clean I can go next?” Jared paused a moment before adding his own admission to the mix. “I’m not...well human either?”

Luke expected that. “We are kinda rare, but my entire family is. Makes for good training though, it’s why I can appear human so easily and why I can reassure you I won’t bother your barns again. I have excellent control, it’s why I left town. Found a different hunt.” Luke didn’t mention the harpy nest Miles and him took out. Jared attempting to justify Luke’s actions which clearly were hurtful to him, had Lucas’ heart aching. He reached out, squeezing his thigh, his expression soft and trying not to appear anything but worried about Jared’s feelings. “You don’t have to do that. To you, if it’s wrong, then it was. I’ll try to make it up to you.” When Jared presented the last bit Lucas could only smile. “I mean, I figured. It’s the only reason I’m even telling you anything. I don’t like to involve humans into supernatural business.” 

“I… yeah, I’d ask you to leave my kids alone.” Jared was so much more closely connected to the charges on his farmland, he would still be distracted by the idea that somewhere else more of his charges were in danger, but truly that was pedantic and even he could agree with that. Werewolves were a part of this world, this natural world he quoted often. Not taking any of his direct charges was more than he could hope for. “…I’ll try to forgive Luke. I’ve been on a bit of a ride recently concerning my kids. I'm...trying to be more understanding that not everyone sees them like I do.” It still hurt, it would hurt. But Luke hadn’t known. So truly Jared felt it was unfair to blame him. He patted the hand on his leg and returned the smile as best as he could. “You’d be surprised at the humans that are running around town in the know. I’m a nymph though I’d say born that way as well if I uh...had technically been born? Bit of a weird one. Josie isn’t my actual twin, but we did arrive on the same day I suppose.”

“Did someone else hurt them? Is it normal for you to fight so much to keep them safe? I mean, I don’t know exactly what they are, but-- shit,” Lucas was more worried about someone coming for Jared if he was honest. Did he get threatened? He could be a soft guy, and Lucas didn’t want to see him hurt ever, which is why this was a conversation that was so hard. Lucas had to reel that overprotective energy real fast before he spiraled. “I see. I’m not overly familiar with the Fae, but I’m not ignorant about it. I’m a little relieved we could tell each other this. I didn’t want such a big secret between us--” Luke trailed off, not finishing the sentence about why. “Come on, let's get to the rock site,” Luke got out, grabbing gear from the back of the truck. “So tell me something interesting about your kind. You are safe on the farm right?” 

“It’s not normal. I glamour them all to look normal, or as normal as I can manage if I know someone regular is coming around. The farm is so far down the track it’s not usually an issue. The only people who know are trusted. But recently I had someone come try to steal one. I uh fixed it though.” He’d shot the guy, taken him hostage and forced him to promise never to tell anyone or return. How did you tell a friend that? Jared glanced at Luke and figured he’d tell him at some point. The secrets were ending. Luke could be trusted completely with every little thing now he was confident in that. The nymph finished changing his shoes quickly and rounded the truck to help. “Interesting? OH I have horns bud! Like real horns, grew in while we were in school. Absolute nightmare at the time, but I think they’re pretty cool!” He tapped Luke on the arm and pointed into his hair, where 4 horns emerged from glamour for a moment. Focusing on the exciting parts of this revelation was a lot easier than dwelling on the other bits. “But hey what about you bud! Growing up werewolf and all?”

This all felt good, and the pressure on Luke’s chest from anxiety, didn’t ache as much. It would always be there, worried, and concerned over the people who wanted him in their lives. Lucas having been told by the worse of people that he couldn’t be loved. Luke was genuinely surprised by the horns and the falling of the magic or illusion keeping them hidden was really interesting. “You know, it’s you. It really suits your face. I am so naive with magic, fae or not. I always joke and say I’ll take on a dragon before attempting to get it.” Luke started walking them to a place he frequented, and kept him in decent shape all around. “Growing up werewolf,” Lucas huffed a laugh. “Shit, man. I dunno. I was a troublemaker. Hormones are no joke, and while dealing with first changes. It was awkward, sometimes I’d be somewhere and I could hear someone’s private conversation or the gym locker room would reek so badly I’d throw up. I was so confused when I was younger. All the time. I had all this information and couldn’t really tell anyone I knew it.”  

Even with the comment Jared covered his horns back up again. It was safer this way, and it was always good practice. With so many more emotionally stressful situations happening since he had gotten home in spring he’d found that he needed all the practice he could get just in case he at some point had to cover a whole lot more than just himself. “I mean if dragons ever decide to become real I will be right behind you in wanting to meet one.” He joked. A childhood like that sounded on par with his own. Growing up was hard when you were something different. Especially when you felt like the only one that was. “But hey. Made it to be an adult despite it all.” Jared chirps, trying to bring the mood up. His elbow pops out to nudge Luke playfully as they walk the trail. “And no more secrets. Us not normies have to stick together now. The good the bad and the musty.” 

Luke could leave it there. He jokingly pushed him back then took off running, taking them to where the rocks jutted from a hill and made for some fun low climbing or high bouldering. It would be so easy to let this be the moment Jared remembers, right? Let this memory overlay the issue with his farm, and maybe, if Lucas didn’t survive it, he could think on this and smile. Knowing Luke a little better, enough to make them feel closer. Gotch’s voice was heavy in his mind, saturated with words that made him second guess why he did things. Jared’s statement is stale on his tongue. He put his stuff down, and faced Jared proper. “Hey man, I have to tell you one more thing. If I am not around at any point, like-- if something happens, just know that I really appreciated this little bit of time, and just being friends as kids too. Having you-- period, making me smile and shit. I’m thankful.” 

Jared grinned as Luke shoved him back before taking off after the man. It was fun to act like kids again with each other after so much time apart. LIke nothing had happened. Like they both hadn’t just admitted to lies and identities that they’d never shared with one another. 

Luke had some heavy stuff on his mind but Jared was feeling light, his secret was held so close to his chest for so long. But lately, finding people to deem trustworthy was getting easier. And he was glad that him and Luke could be so open. This mood shifted rapidly however when Luke spoke again. “Is something going to happen?” He asked. Luke had said something similar over the phone and it had set off alarm bells in his mind, it was so similar to the talk Nell had tried to have with him before she’d left to potentially die getting her sister back. “Is something wrong?” He wasn’t going to let another moment like that pass in stupidity on his part by not picking up on it.

“Yeah man,” Lucas sighed, scratching the back of his head. Along his forehead and into his hairline a rounded scar from getting shot years ago, and the newest one up his forearm that almost cost him his arm and a long stay at the hospital. Not included, the multitude of other ones, all in age, all the same. Starbursts under his shirt, raised lines. “These scars aren’t there because of some fun. I’ve got a hunter problem, and it’s a personal vendetta and it’s not good. I have people looking out for me, but I’ve dealt with this guy since I was young. He won’t let me live peacefully for long. I’m waiting for the shoe to drop. I don’t know how it will end. It’s why I wanted to be honest with you. I just wanted you to have a good memory with me, just in case it goes badly this time.”

Climbing was completely forgotten by the nymph. Jared turned to look at Luke, his eyes flickering over the scars being gestured at before his face screwed up in worry. “I have loads of good memories with you.” Jared said trying once again to process a horrible truth coming to light about his friend. “And we’ll have more. Don’t be…..saying goodbye okay it makes it seem like you’ve given up. Don’t give up.” It came out a little like a plea. But Jared didn’t want to upset Luke, he just wanted to know Luke wasn’t planning on just resigning himself to what he thought was coming. “Can I do something? You could… we could do something?”

“I’m not giving up, that might be the problem though,” Lucas smiled softly, reassuring  and knowing he has good memories with Jared meant a lot to him. He couldn’t always remember well with his old head injury, and the confirmation was pleasing to know. Even if it was all grim around it, and he could tell Jared didn’t like how it all sounded. Luke knew it felt like a goodbye, but in a bad way, it was a small one. Just in case. “In the past, I just let him have his way with me. Even a few months ago, he attacked me and put me in the hospital-- I let it happen. Just sat there man, stuck in my head. He’s fucked me up mentally, I’m a mess around him.” He admitted, and it was rancid on his tongue. He sighed. “I’d rather you not be anywhere near this man. He kills brutally, and without care. The pack will handle him. I know its heavy, I just was alone for so long, and now having you all back in my life, I was desperate for you to know how appreciative I was of having you. Friends don’t say that enough.”

Jared’s emotions always ran a little higher when it came to his friends. Especially considering Luke in particular had come back into his life all of a sudden and not that long ago. Jared had memories of them in school, but the newer ones, where they so easily fell back into friendship wanted his heart the most. So hearing his story was hard, hearing his struggle, and knowing that it was only today he was being granted the knowledge when Luke had clearly been struggling with it a long time. Jared never claimed to be a strong man, he always had and always would be soft to the core in situations like this, and it reflected in how glassy his eyes became. The tears stayed in his eyes but the blonde didn’t hesitate to wraps his arms around  the other. “Friends don’t say that enough. You’re important Luke. Don’t hesitate to ask me for help, if I can I would want to know you’d ask.”

Lucas huffed, accepting the hug and wrapped his large wingspan around the other tightly. The unique scent of Jared was easily marked this close, and now knowing that he wasn’t human made their friendship feel even more special. Luke didn’t have to lie as much, and he wanted to learn more about Jared’s life that was just as hidden as his own. But these moments, small pockets of hours filled with friends, and laughter, and feeling like he was living-- made Lucas feel happy. That was what he was after more than anything. Lucas could see Jared’s watery expression, even if he was holding it in, it made a bubble of emotion hit his chest and he matched. “Don’t cry, I’ll win--” he promised softly, neither were in fact crying but close enough that it seemed like he was telling himself not too as well. The slightest of growls vibrating down his chest and in his lungs. “I’ll fucking win and I will ask you, alright?” Though Luke didn’t want to pull him anywhere near this, knowing the violence that wrapped around the hunter, he understood why Jared needed that reassurance. “So, phew, I feel so much better getting that off my chest. Emotions are crazy.” He tried to joke, letting go of Jared. “Ready for fun now? Or you have something you need to work through with me? I’m all ears if so, bro.” 

Too many of Jared's friends were in danger, and so many of them had some sort of idea in their head that he wasn’t strong enough to hear it. And maybe he was soft, a little too emotional at times too, but he wanted to keep them safe. He wanted to keep Luke safe. No matter if he’d unknowingly been hunting his charges. How could he fault a werewolf for natural instinct, trying their best to not hurt people? He hadn’t known about Jared, and had already promised to leave the farm be now that he did know. Sniffling, the nymph pulled back from the hug and nodded his head a few times firmly. “Emotions are crazy.” Jared agreed before shaking his head. “I accidentally kidnapped someone once, but they’re fine now.” and with that, said quickly like ripping off a bandaid, all was out in the open. “Lets climb.”

[twoidiotwriters1]

Starcrossed Losers XIV (Josh Wheeler xReader)

A/N: This is officially the largest thing I’ve ever written on tumblr and I’m proud of it. Pardon my use of PUBLIC, the playlist demanded it (not really but I make the rules) I hope you like this chapter!

Words: 8,639

Warnings: Fights, cursing and blood.

Previous chapter // Next chapter

So now that I embrace my new title, things seem easier. Fuck it, I save lives (not really but you know what I mean), I’m creative, people come to me when they have problems normal solutions can’t fix. I’m awesome.

After I help to clean the store, I look for KJ since I’m already running late. I find her... talking with Josh. I analyze the scene, my friend is holding a book and he goes frantically through the pages as he talks to her. Next to me, I hear some ruffling and I see a small figure peaking through the garbage.

“Hello,” I lean over the pile of trash, I hear a yelp, “what are you doing dressed like a piñata?”

“Watching their interaction,” Replies Angelica, “since you’re going with Alex at least Josh seems to finally make up his mind”

“And that’s a victory cause..?”

“He needs the rebound sex!” I can picture her rolling her eyes, “I get it if you’re virgin and don’t want to lose it with Josh-”

“Hey, my thing has nothing to do-”

“He needs a distraction, if KJ can do that for him then I have to kindly ask you to not get involved!”

“What is he holding?” I cross my arms, now just as invested as my friend on the scene unfolding before us.

“A Chinese-English dictionary, he’s trying to speak in her language”

“That’s so dedicated,” I'm touched by his actions, “he doesn’t need to...”

“Let him be a gentleman!”

“That’s not why I said it!” I poke her head, “Anyway, I think you’re wrong. He’s not asking her out.”

“Why do you think that?”

“A hunch,” I shrug.

“Or jealousy?” She says in a suggestive tone.

“You’ll see I’m right,” I start to walk over to where they are, ignoring Angelica’s hurried whispers.

“Hey!” I put one arm around his shoulders, it’s hard since I can barely reach them, “What’s up?”

I see KJ’s eyes widened for a moment, maybe thinking that I’m about to uncover her secret. I wink at her in complicity.

“Hey,” Josh smiles at me, lifting the book so I can see it, “I was asking KJ about her headphones, I think we could use something like that for the noise problem”

“You don’t say,” I pretend to be surprised, KJ snorts but she manages to change it into a sneeze, “Bless you! So uh, tell you what then, you bring as many headphones as you find and I’ll tell KJ about what we’re trying to do. Give me...”

I gently take the book from him and start rummaging through the pages, pretending to look for some words.

“You sure?” He asks, starting to walk away, “You’re the best Y/N! See you in a minute!”

He runs off excitedly, KJ and I start laughing.

“I have to admit, his effort is kind of endearing,” She smiles.

“Just when I think he can’t get cuter, he does this,” I point to the book and leave it on top of the beauty stand.

Ah, fuck. Why I never think before I talk?

“Cuter?” She smirks, “Are you crushing on Josh Wheeler?”

“Are you?” I ask out of pure panic.

“Hmmm, not really,” KJ shrugs, “but... I can’t say that I haven’t thought about it”

“Hah,” Her words sting in my chest, I try to play it off as casual as possible, “the headphones, then. Let’s go over to the stage and see if we can make it work”

“Cool”

Josh comes back with a bag full of headphones and wireless earphones, looking different than the first time we were standing here today.

“You told her?” He asks, carefully leaving the bag on the DJ’s table.

“She’s in,” I smile innocently, “should we start?”

“Yeah,” He nods excitedly, grabbing three sets and handing us one to KJ and me.

“What’s your plan for this super-amazing-legendary Homecoming do-over?” I ask while breaking the package of my earphones.

“Well, now that you mention it...”

Alex passes by and calls out my name, I look up to see what he wants.

“Should I wear a tie or a bow-tie?” He inquires.

“Whatever you prefer Al,” I grin.

“Alright, don’t say I didn’t ask!” He walks away, raising his hands in defeat.

“He’s taking the dance too seriously”

“I think he’s just making sure everything goes according to plan, maybe he’s worried about our matching outfits not really matching or something...”

“Match?” He frowns, “Why would he... oh”

“Oh?” I frown, “What?”

“You’re going with Alex?”

I really wish this question didn’t make me feel so awkward.

“Uh, yes. He asked me today after I went to the pharmacy... it’s his way of fixing things”

“No, I understand,” He scratches the back of his neck, “you... you wanted that, right?”

“I don’t know if I wanted... it feels nice, getting my best friend back like old times”

“Old times...” He nods, now somehow quieter, “I’m happy for you, Y/N”

“Thanks?” I abandon my earphones on the table, “Is everything okay?”

“Huh?” He looks back at me, “I... I was thinking about the last dance I ever assisted to back in Canada”

“Was it fun?”

“Fuck no,” He chuckles, “I never asked any girl so I always went alone. I had this coach that made us dance with a mop to get the extra credits”

“You went with a mop to your last normal dance?” I ask in disbelief.

“Don’t laugh.”

“I wasn’t going to,” I reply, laughing.

“Stop!” He whines, focusing on his headphones, “I’m aware of how shitty that sounds, no need to rub it on my face. I bet you have this really cutesy story of your last dance”

“I went with my group of friends. We refused to ask someone so we all just went together. It was fun.”

“You always did that?”

“I never thought it was a big deal”

“I did,” He shrugs, “I had a plan for this Homecoming... I asked Sam”

“She said yes?”

“She did,” Josh puts the headphones away, “can we not talk about that right now?”

“Totally,” I reply, picking up my earphones.

KJ speaks up (in Chinese) and points to the DJ’s dashboard, then to our headphones.

“I think she’s saying it’s ready for testing,” Josh says.

“Put them on...” I put on mine and Josh follows my lead.

KJ gets closer to me and whispers.

“Connect your phone to the dashboard and pick a song, it should work.”

“Thanks,” I do what she says.

Since I’m still in the mood for PUBLIC, I grab the phone from my back pocket and open the music app, searching.

“Ready?” I ask, both give me a nod of approval.

“Sweet,” I mumble, pressing play.

And the music starts playing, but this time, only for us to hear.

I’m thinking about what Josh said to me. He asked Sam to the Homecoming dance, How tragic could things get before they stop? I’m starting to rethink my decisions, maybe getting too close is too dangerous. Staying is going to get me killed in more than one way. 

Although how could I leave, when that means abandoning a newfound family.

“I’m a playin' it safe? I've been here for too long Haven't made a mistake There's a reason to stay - 'Cause I feel so alone”

Josh’s face lights up when he starts hearing the music, nudging KJ’s arm and nodding. The girl smiles and waves, her way of saying “Welp, my work here is done!” As she takes off the headphones and gets off the stage.

However, Josh and I stay to listen to the music, I see him mouth a “Well done!” and I answer with a “Same to you!”

“Make up reasons to wait Run so nothing goes wrong But everything that she said, I'm overthinkin' while I'm drivin' back home”

I start to follow the rhythm with my foot, sort of awkwardly dancing to it. 

I won’t overthink what Josh said, there’s no point. Like I said to Angelica, he’s here and he’s staying and so am I. 

Why would I be afraid? He’s told me before he’s not leaving me behind. I’ve said the same thing, I got his back.

“'Cause she said, 

"Call me up when you're all alone 'cause I'm down for hangin' out

We'll stay up all night and I'll just crash on your couch.”

Josh starts dancing as well, we’re goofing around and not really showing our best moves, kinda like the hand-holding thing a few hours ago.

I’ve noticed how I do silly things with him often just for the sake of it, ever since he told me about his fight with Sam we have that sort of dynamic, we can act stupid and the other won’t judge.

“...Maybe that's her, that's the girl I'm just terrified And maybe that's her...”

Does this count as the soundtrack of my life? I mean we attached this song to a memory permanently. Who cares if it’s another PUBLIC song? Their songs are good, don’t underestimate them!

“How will I know if I never try? Maybe that's her, that's the girl, that's the girl I've been waitin' for”

He extends his hand and I take it, dancing in unison. I gotta say, we look pretty stupid. But it’s that spark in his eyes that makes me throw all the embarrassment out the window so I can get an extra minute with this side of him. 

We’re laughing, loud. I know it even if I can’t hear us. I know it for the way his shoulders move and how it gets harder to breathe.

We have our own party going on, I accidentally trip on some wires so of course, I fall forward and Josh catches me.

Am I clumsy or is my body just sabotaging my plan to not flirt with Josh until I think the time is right? 

Or is this just happening for the reader’s entertainment? We will never know.

The thing is that it happened and now Josh’s arms are on my waist and he’s chuckling and saying something that I can’t hear, he lifts me up so I’m standing on my own again. The music has gotten to the part where it’s a bit slower, and suddenly the choir seems to be ten times clearer than before.

“Am I playin' it safe? I don't know anymore Do I keep pushin' away 'Cause I'm just too afraid that someone's gonna get hurt”

Oh, fuck off, PUBLIC. I don’t need you spreading my thoughts out there like I’m desperate to send a message. 

Though I did pick the song myself, maybe I did do it expecting Josh would understand that I’m scared of what I’m feeling. Maybe I’m hoping he’ll understand without me having to say anything and then he can kindly reject me and I can move on with my life.

Please, please just listen to the song, Josh.

For a moment I think he does, his stare suddenly gets all serious and he opens his mouth like he’s about to say something. He steps back so he’s no longer holding my waist and takes off his headphones, I take off one of my earphones and look at him, my hands are shaking.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, trying to sound calm and mildly confused.

“I...” He looks down at his headphones and lets out a short laugh, “I didn’t know you like this band”

“They’re not bad!” I complain.

“Yeah, I know. I like them,” He smiles, “I mean I’m not a huge fan or anything but... you know how I said I had this song in mind apart from Mastermind?”

“I do,” I give him a small smile, “you refused to tell me which song was...”

“It was a PUBLIC song” He grins, “a recent one. I can’t remember the name, that’s the reason why I didn’t choose it but the music video had this cool story where they’re in like a movie set? The singer has a crush on the actress..?”

“I know which song it is! It’s-”

“You guys fixed the problem?” Angelica climbs over to the stage, “wireless headphones? Nice!”

“Thanks,” I reply, “it was Josh’s idea. He asked KJ how did she set up hers so we could do the same with these”

I give her a pointed look and she just scoffs, then she looks to a side and nudges my ribs.

“Look at that...”

I look at the main entrance of the mall and I see Maya heading out.

“Where is she going?” Josh asks.

“Y/N kicked her out”

“You- What?” He says with wide eyes.

“It’s a long story,” I shrug it off.

“It was really badass,” Angelica adds.

“Later,” I insist, “we have a decoration to finish”

“C'mon Y/N, I wanna hear!” Josh insists.

“Basically Maya was throwing a tantrum cause she couldn’t find her knife-”

“Actually it was because I discovered the real reason why she isn’t with the Cheeramazons. It’s cause they kicked her out, but go on...”

“No way!” The boy exclaims, mouth agape.

“Let me finish!” Replies Angelica, “So anyway, she was running around Y/N’s pharmacy and when she walked in I hear Maya screaming at her and I was ready to set her on fire when I heard she was looking for her stupid knife. I took it cause I was helping with some decorations and we needed to cut papers and stuff”

“Maya lost her shit when she saw An holding it and then started to scream louder, then took the knife and cut her”

“My finger,” Angelica proudly shows her bandaid, “and then Y/N lost it.”

“What do you mean?” 

“She told Maya that she needed to leave, cause her job as Healer was to make sure everyone was alright and since she hurt me she couldn’t stay”

“We need to surround ourselves with people that have some limits,” I try to explain so I sound less like an asshole, “Maya had none, she always expects to be the leader or the star of the group, this is how she reacts when she can’t have it. Besides, no one gets to touch Angelica on my watch. No one.”

“I’m not judging you,” He raises his hands, “if anything, I’m proud.”

“You... What? Why?”

“You found your thing,” He adds in a teasing voice, “Healer.”

“Ah,” I roll my eyes, smiling, “I figured that since you keep calling me that against my will might as well own it, right? I got an assistant and all! Alex is great on his job and calls me boss,” I grin.

“You do a pretty decent job,” Angelica shrugs, “just don’t fuck up”

“It’s getting late,” I see Angelica’s watch and realize the night is getting closer, “we get ready for the dance”

“Right!” Angelica perks up, “Eli is looking for you. He said he wanted to talk and that you could meet him back in the salon”

“Okay?” I frown, “I better go then...”

“Have fun!” She smiles, walking off the stage.

“I should go get dressed too,” Josh mumbles, leaving the headphones on the table next to him.

“I should do that after I talk to Eli as well”

“See you... Y/N?”

“Hmmm?”

“Bow-tie or tie?” He asks with a smile.

I let out a laugh, thinking about it for a second.

“Bow-tie. I think it suits you.”

“Bow-tie it is,” He gets off the stage as well.

The store is crowded, I’m starting to think maybe Eli is no longer here when I hear him calling my name from the back.

“Your campaign failed? Are you going to kill me with scissors?”

“What? Nah. I decided to not run for the crown.”

“Why?” I frown, getting closer to where he is, “Wasn’t that your goal?”

“I have a bigger goal now, which is not die,” I’m about to ask what the hell is he talking about when he speaks up again, “I’m giving you a makeover”

“How about no?” I backtrack, trying to be as far as possible from his grasp.

“Don’t be shitty, you know I used to work with my aunt!”

“I don’t need or want a makeover”

“You don’t wanna feel pretty for one night? Do a Cinderella entrance when they see you come down the stairs and all that shit? Do you even know what you’re gonna wear?”

“I was thinking black jeans..?”

“Good fucking- Sit on the chair, Y/N.”

“But-”

“You need a break. You’ve been curing all the kids since you came back and you have a sprained wrist. When was the last time you slept properly like, on a bed?”

“Not that much,” I huff, “like... a week?”

“It shows,” He gets closer and pushes me towards one of the chairs, “sit and relax, princess. I got this shit. When I’m done with you, you’ll look like real-life Barbie”

“How exciting,” I snort, “including the outfit?”

“That’s all on you. I trust you’ll pick something better than jeans. Ask Wesley, he’ll know how to capture your vibe”

“I think I can do it alone”

“Uh...”

“I used to dress up on my own before this whole thing happened,” I say, “the reason why I didn’t want to be all fancy this time it’s cause I just don’t see the point, it’s a made-up dance.”

“So were the ones back at school,” He retorts, already putting some sort of oil in my hair “the difference is that you didn’t plan those. This thing is to help us forget the bullshit, just play along”

I never thought I’d say this but maybe I should follow Eli’s advice. We’ve been through a lot of shit and this thing helps us cope, mend our inner wounds as a true healer would say.

He doesn’t let me look at my reflection until it’s done. He turns around my chair and sets me in front of the mirror. I don’t know how to react to what I’m seeing.

“So?” He inquires, raising a brow, “Will you let me handle those curls without doubting my abilities next time?”

“I...” How did he do that? My hair looks so soft and... clean. Hydrated as well, I have no split ends and it’s just so... in place, I look amazing. 

And my makeup? Yes, he did that too. And I don’t know how did he manage but I don’t regret it at all.

“Eli,” I gasp, “you’re my favorite boy right now”

“I tend to have that effect on the ladies,” He smirks.

“I love you,” I say mesmerized, softly passing a hand through my hair, “don’t take it the wrong way, I don’t wanna date you”

“You don’t need to specify,” Eli scoffs, “I know that you only have puppy eyes for dumbass Josh”

“Oh, come on,” I groan, “you too?”

“Princess if you wanna keep it casual then don’t drool all over the floor,” He replies, “even Crumble can notice”

“Shut up,” I complain, standing up and brushing little hairs from my overall, “I’m gonna go get changed. You better start to get ready as well.”

“Bold of you to assume I don’t have my suit ready. I might have quitted the throne, but I’m still ruling hearts”

“Sure,” I stifle a laugh, “get them all, tiger”

I spend the next two hours searching for something my size and not claimed by the other kids. One hour trying to find them in a color that could match in a killer outfit. In the end, my look is not devastatingly perfect but it’s enough and it makes me feel good, I can’t complain.

Alex finds me when I’m walking out of the store, fully dressed and ready to dance.

“Holy shit, I feel like a proud father right now!” Alex takes my hands and makes do a quick twirl so he can see the result, “I wish I had a camera with me”

“Wait! I have a phone”

“Didn’t you lose your phone when... you know”

“I got one after I left the jocks,” I pull the phone out of my pocket and open the camera app, “you take it, I’m terrible taking selfies”

“Happy Homecoming do-over!” Alex presses the icon on the screen until he feels satisfied, we check to see if we like the pictures and then he gives me the phone back so I put it back in my pocket, “Ready to dance all night?”

“As long as my wrist allows” I lift my hand, still covered in bandages, “I’m ready to have fun”

We walk in and I freeze, amazed by the final result of all our efforts these past days. It looks great, I even start to consider that maybe this wasn’t a waste of time.

“Neat, right?” Wesley walks up to me, giving Alex and I two sets of earphones so we can listen to the music, “I made it work, which means you lost.”

“Not now,” I whisper once that Alex puts on the earphones, “let’s wait until tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? Na-ah,” He frowns, not even in a playful way, he looks genuinely upset “tonight’s the perfect romantic setting and you’re thinking about wasting it? You’re thinking about wasting your shot when you’re looking like that? Not on my watch, sister.”

“Wesley...” Alex looks at us slightly confused and I shake my head, “listen, I’m here to have a fun night with Alex and it’d be rude to leave him only to go and flirt with some other dude”

“I’ll only say this once, but you’re losing precious time Y/N,” Wesley warns me, I get the feeling that he’s hidding something from me but I can’t think of anything in particular, “just like you lost your chance to add a song to the soundtrack of our lives. You never told me your choice!”

Shit, after what happened with Maya I totally forgot I was supposed to tell Wesley which song I wanted. Still, I don’t worry too much about it, my mind lands immediately on a song.

“Am I still allowed to tell you?”

“Depends. Which one is it?” I lean closer and whisper the title to him, along with the name of the artist, “I don’t know who that is.”

“Just type it like that, it should appear right away,” I insist.

“Is it good?”

“Hey! You told me I could pick any song, so just add it to the list!” I push him towards the stage, all the way Wesley curses under his breath.

“You need to calm down!” He backs up, “Don’t ruin the suit!”

“You gonna play the song?”

“Yes, now leave the DJ alone.”

“Fine,” I go to find Alex again, he’s waiting for me next to the food and quickly takes off one of the earphones so he can talk to me.

“You want a drink?”

“Does the punch have alcohol?” I say as I put on only one of the earphones, keeping the other in my pocket.

“I don’t know?” He frowns, leaning closer to the bowl.

“I don’t wanna get wasted,” I shake my head, “can’t risk another injury so soon”

“I’ll get you coke”

“I’ll go with you”

We move around the mass of bodies until we reach the other table. There, we see Josh dancing with... a mop?

“Josh?” He’s wearing earpods, so I have to poke his arms to get his attention, when he turns and sees me, he immediately takes one off, “What are you doing with that mop?”

“Hi-woah! You look... so...” Josh looks at me and then at Alex, maybe hoping to get some help from my friend but Al stays silent, waiting for him to end the sentence himself, “you... Hi.”

“Hello,” I chuckle, “I see you’re wearing a bow-tie”

“I see you kept the aesthetic and just changed the overall for a... more fancy overall”

“It’s called a romper,” I clarify, “yes, it’s a fancier version but just as comfortable as the original. I’m also wearing heeled boots so you can’t say I’m not trying.”

“No, I wasn’t going to,” He corrects, “I think you look great. Both of you. Hi, Alex.”

Crap, I forgot I was with Alex. I’m a terrible friend.

“Hi Josh, your date seems pretty shy... Are you going to introduce us?”

“Yeah,” Josh smiles, “Y/N, Alex. Meet Mop-Sam. She’s here to represent real Sam now that she can’t be here”

“Hi Mop-Sam,” I tilt my head, “is this some kind of regression? Are you going back to when you were thirteen and your coach made you dance with a mop as a coping mechanism?”

“No. I just want Sam to have one last good night”

“Fair, but you could’ve used a mannequin,” I agree, “Why a mop?”

I stay quiet as I see the realization hit Josh, he stares at the mop with a new found resentment for his lack of brain.

“I didn’t think of that,” He whispers.

I pat his back.

“You should’ve asked me first, buddy,” I shake my head, “enjoy your night with mop-Sam though, she looks nice.”

He glares at me as I giggle, walking away with Alex beside me, casually holding me by the waist.

“Josh is really weird,” He says while handing me a soda, “yet, he’s got good intentions. I get why you like him.”

I choke with my drink. I don’t even try to deny it, apparently there’s no use to it since everyone has a radar to identify my crush from miles away.

“I just think he’s really fun to be around,” I shrug, “it’s thanks to him that I found you so I’m thankful that he found me”

“I can tell he’s glad that you found him,” Alex raises a brow, “why didn’t you come to the dance with him?”

“Because you asked me first.”

“You could’ve said no. If you wanted to come with Josh I would’ve understood. Don’t use me as an excuse you had all the time in the world to ask him and you didn’t, you don’t want to admit that you chickened out on the last second.”

“What if I did?” I reply sternly, “Is not like he wants to be with me, I’ll get hurt if I try”

“Dude, didn’t you see the way his brain short-circuited when he saw you? I could practically see the hearts floating around his head”

“But Sam-”

“Sam’s gone. If he can accept that, Why can’t you?”

That’s a good question. Why can’t I? 

Josh and I could be everything I always wanted, why am I so against it? It isn’t Alex. Josh wasn’t dating one of my friends, he’d broken up with Sam way before I had even returned to his life and we’re both so fitting for each other, why can’t I let myself enjoy life in the apocalypse? Why do I always have to feel sorry for myself?

“I think I’m still not over it,” I say, voice hoarse, “part of me doesn’t think I deserve something good happening to me after what I did to Katie.”

“That’s bullshit,” He frowns, “you spent most of your life looking after me whenever my parents weren’t home, made sure I always had food and slept well. You make sure all these kids are safe and clean their wounds when they need it, even with a sprained wrist. Shit, Y/N you’ve grown to be strong and you’ll be bigger than what you expect but please cut you some slack, let yourself be happy.”

“I think...” 

The music is loud on my left ear, barely leaving me room to think. What Alex wants me to do is to follow my heart, that I can hear loud and clear even with all the noise surrounding us tonight.

“I want a break. I wanna have all the little, ridiculous nice things that used to make me go all giggly inside”

“That means?”

“How about we dance until I can’t feel my feet?”

“And after that?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Seems appropiate”

Time flies when you’re having fun, specially when it’s during the night. I only realize it’s been three hours when Eli walks up to us and asks if we voted for a homecoming gender-neutral royalty since it’s about to close so they can start to count the votes and tell us who won before midnight.

Alex and I step to the voting box and when we’re done he lets me know that he has to go to the restroom so I’m left alone. 

I decide to use my free time wisely. I walk towards the stage and after a mute conversation Wesley agrees to put the song I asked for, I make my way towards Josh, who’s still cheerfully dancing around the mop.

I poke his back again and he turns around, smiling brightly when he sees me. He’s about to take off the earpods but I stop him, signaling him to listen to the next song.

I promise, dear reader, that this is the last time I’ll use PUBLIC as the soundtrack of my life. You can agree with me when I say this one demanded a place on the list. After all, it was Josh’s song but it also means something to me, the lyrics now more than ever, say everything I can’t dare to say directly at his face.

So now I’m asking you and Josh, to dance along to the beat of my love declaration.

“Oh, here we go again, on this ride Incapable of just being friends Always on my mind...”

He lifts his head up as soon as he hears the first few seconds of the song, smiling. I can read his lips saying “You found it!” and I nod, just as happy as him. I extend my hand and ask him quietly if he wants to dance this one with me and he takes my hand with no hesitation.

I know I’ve only known Josh for like, eight days. Without counting the time in highschool cause we didn’t know each other that well. 

I know that’s not enough time to say I love him, or that he’s the love of my life. Yet, is enough to know I like him and that I would love to know him better. I want to be with Josh as close as possible, all the time. Maybe the feeling will fade away, maybe he’s not the love of my life. 

I rather be with him until it fades away than letting the feeling die without trying.

“Waiting for something A message late at night Are you gonna say what you wanna say? Are we gonna do this right?”

At first, we dance awkwardly, slowly from one side to the other cause we don’t know how to dance like this: So officially. This is not a random day when we’re fooling around and dancing like stupid people. This is the homecoming do-over and we’re supposed to do it right.

Then we share one look of panic where both of us are like “oh my god, what the hell are we supposed to do with our arms?” and instantly relax cause we remember: “Hey, this is us, why are we trying so hard?”

“But I'm hesitating when I'm around you I can't escape that look in your eyes It's getting late and we're just talkin' My feels locked inside”

He takes my hands and makes me twirl and slide, we get stuck in some movements but none of us gets stressed about it. Meh, whatever, we’re having fun.

We aren’t talking, yet I feel like I’m having a whole conversation with just our eyes, he laughs when I accidentally step on his foot and I do it when he trips on his own feet. I’m not capable to look away, it’s just us here.

You know, maybe I’m imagining this, maybe I’m exaggerating what’s going on between us during this song. Does it matter? Life would be so dull if we saw our reality only in one way. Isn’t it better to think you’re the only person left in the world and witness as time stops for you to remember every single little, ridiculous detail that makes your life worth it?

This right here, is what makes my new life worth it: The people in it, the feelings I have whenever I’m around them.

Josh.

How everything is possible when I’m with him.

“'Cause you're the one that I want 'Cause you're the one that I need I just wanna fall in your arms So I'm begging down here on my knees”

He pulls me closer and I put my arms around his neck. I’m nervous at first, I’ve never been this close to him, besides the times when I crashed into him or that time back at the factory where I lost my cool and hugged him in front of everyone... okay fair, I’ve fallen into his arms plenty of times before.

This hits different because of the pretty lightning, the music that we both like, we’re wearing fancy clothing which is always a nice plus, the ambient feels so... normal. Finally, I got to have a little piece of my old life back.

I imagine that this is the actual Homecoming, Alex is somewhere with Stuart and somehow Josh and I kept talking after our school project, one thing led to another, then we came to the school dance together.

Think of all that could’ve been, if only I had decided to let go of my feelings for Alex sooner, to give this a chance. I could tell Josh was something special even if I didn’t like him that way, he always caught my eye one way or another.

Maybe if I’d talked to him one day back in Highschool to say more than just ‘Hi’, if I had invited him over to the movies with the rest of my friends, things would be different. I don’t know exactly how different, but perhaps, better.

The solo comes in and Josh uses the opportunity to take off one of his earpods and asks me to do the same. 

“This is the song you chose for the soundtrack?”

“You like it?” I grin.

“I can’t believe you used your only chance on a song that I wanted, that’s not cool!”

“Hey, who said I did it for you?” I tease, “I love that song, it’s a banger”

“You don’t think it was too much?”

“Why would it be too much?” I frown, “it’s good, not as corny as you make it sound”

“It wasn’t the song what I thought it was too corny,” He rolls his eyes, “I was planning on dedicating the song to someone”

“Oh,” I feel my blood run cold, and burn my chest at the same time, “to who?”

“Not important,” He shrugs it off, “she’s not available”

That’s it. That’s how the spell wears off. Josh has a crush on someone else.

Wait.

How can Josh be crushing on one of the other girls? For all I know, he barely knows like five people out of everyone here. The only girls he talks to are Angelica, KJ, Crumble and I. Angelica is a child, KJ has no dance partner, Crumble is like ten years older...

Is he talking about me?

“I wanna know, wanna go to the deep end Tired of all this actin' shy I wanna know, wanna go to the deep end”

He puts his earpod back on and I do the same. My mind is running wild to search for the next step after the song ends.

Should I tell him everything? How crazy will I sound if I tell him, ‘Hey, guess what? This was supposed to be my love declaration and it’s my way of saying I’m crushing on you, my friend.’

No, this is nuts. I can’t do it.

Oh my god, I can’t tell Josh.

I’m a coward. I’m such a gigantic coward but fuck, I can’t.

I feel his hand pressing lightly on my waist and I look up, his eyes are blue but they’re so clear that they reflect all the lights in the room, two little kaleidoscopes. I can’t stop looking, I’ve never been able to look away.

He asks me if I’m okay and I silently reply that he has nothing to worry about.

It’s true, he doesn’t have to worry, I will keep my mouth shut forever.

‘Y/N, what if he does have feelings for you?’ You're back with the nosy questions. Well, if he does, it’ll pass. Love isn’t constant.

It’s better this way, right? No strings attached means no one gets hurt and we stay together as a whole tribe.

Right?

“'Cause you're the one that I need That I need”

The song ends and we stay close to each other. Josh has this cute, tiny smile while he stares at me, I probably look like I’m worried sick. 

Shit, I need some time to think.

I take off both my earphones and step back.

“Thank you for allowing me one song with you,” I mumble, too nervous to speak like a normal human being.

“That’s cool, Mop-Sam was getting tired of me kicking her bucket anyway” I laugh, it’s a tense grin, barely cheerful. Josh notices right away, “It’s something wrong?”

“Alex must be looking for me,” I change the subject, playing with the straps of my romper, “I should go find him” 

“Alex,” Josh’s demeanor changes, now acting distant, “he’s probably worried.”

“It was nice,” I add, slowly backing up, “we should make this more often”

“Sure...”

I find Alex in no time and I decide to tell him everything, he’s completely understanding and I’m so relieved to have him back.

It’s like I’m so much lighter ever since... Ever since Josh found me.

“You need space to think,” Alex agrees, walking me towards a set of stairs, “go to the second floor, no one’s there right now. Clear your head, make a decisión, come back when you know what you’ll do and then we’ll enjoy the rest of the night without you overthinking every little detail” 

“Okay...”

“Promise?”

“Don’t get so pushy, Alex,” I complain, “I’ll try, okay? I can’t promise I’ll fix it tonight.”

“Fair,” He huffs, “now get your shit together, I’ll dance with Angelica in the meantime, I like her”

“Have fun...”

I do as Alex told me to, leaning over the rail so I can watch my former classmates dancing to a song I only hear on one ear, keeping the other earpod inside my pocket so I can listen if someone looks for me.

Should I accept my stupid fate? Give in and be like, ‘welp whatever God wants for me I’ll have it’ cause I’m honestly getting tired.

I’m an orphan with a bunch of kids I have to look after and a crush that is not over his dead girlfriend. I’m dumb. I need a good night of sleep and something besides pre-packaged food or I’ll die before I turn twenty of heart disease.

“There you are,” I turn around to see Josh, he already fucked his bow-tie, “I was starting to worry”

“Why?”

“I saw Alex dancing with Angelica, don’t take me wrong, that’s cute and all but... did you guys fight?”

“No?” I frown, “I needed a moment to clear my head. I’ve been stressed lately.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Josh stands beside me, “do you remember Sam’s video here?”

“The compliments video?” I smile, “It was sweet”

“You’re in it,” He grins.

“No, I’m not?”

“You are,” He pulls out his phone out of his pocket and unlocks it, “I was watching it this afternoon while I was getting Mop-Sam ready and I saw you... There!”

He gives me his phone, the video is paused where Sam is holding the camera and Josh is the one facing it. Behind him, a bit far but still able to recognize our faces I see Alex and me, walking out of a shop.

“That’s me!” I exclaim, “I’d never noticed before...”

“Sam and I never saw you there,” He adds, “where were you?”

“Oh, we left early that day,” I reply, nervously avoiding any further explanation, “We had an argument, sort of, so I left”

“That’s too bad,” Josh frowns, “I’m sure Sam would’ve chosen you guys for the compliments”

“Maybe,” I sigh, “I wasn’t hunting for compliments that day”

“Or ever,” He jokes, “always running from compliments...”

“Hey! I can take a compliment,” I lightly slap his shoulder.

“Really?” My friend smirks, “okay then, let’s see...”

He takes the phone and steps back, pointing the camera to my face.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m about to make a compliment video”

“Please don’t.”

“You said you can take a compliment, I’m only checking if that’s true”

“Josh...” I whine, turning away from the phone.

“Y/N,” He speaks up, grinning, “Y/N! I wanna let you know that I think you’re cool and that your weapon is actually more badass than my katana. You looked really scary the first time I saw you hit a Ghoulie with that thing. Also, you have a terrible taste in colors but you’re clothes are always fun and you’re not afraid to wear them. You are fucking impressive, I’m impressed. All the time.”

“What?” I look over at him, still a bit camera-shy, “Josh, stop!”

“And your healer abilities rule. I think you should learn to use a skateboard, just cause it would look badass on your resume,” He laughs, “you make the best instant chicken noodle soup I’ve ever eaten and that’s important, I usually hate fast food.”

“I think that’s enough,” I chuckle, walking over to him and trying to put down the phone. Josh is taller so he easily avoids my hand, “c’mon!”

“You’re hilarious most of the time, the best sense of humor I’ve seen in years,” He continues, holding his phone above me and smiling like an idiot, “By the way, I was too blown away a few hours ago when I first saw you to say it, but you look beautiful tonight. You look good all the time. I like how you look all the time but I mean-”

“You’re rambling!”

“I... yeah I am,” Josh grins, “sorry. What I’m trying to say is... you’re so, so nice.”

I laugh loud enough to feel like I need to cover my mouth since everyone is silent downstairs, Josh and laughs with me, finally putting the phone away.

“You’re better now?”

“After that whole pro speech?” I joke, “Obviously, I’m ready to keep on dancing”

“Great,” He throws a fist in the air, guiding me towards the stairs, “It’s almost time to know the gender-neutral royalty”

“Where’s Mop-Sam?” I ask while we go downstairs.

“She got a bit jealous after we danced, I’m giving her space,” He whispers like is serious business.

“Oh, damn,” I put a hand in my mouth, faking surprise, “should I go over to apologize?”

“Nah, she’ll be fine,” Josh shrugs, “how about we get drinks instead?”

“I’d like that,” I nod, “before I go back and steal Alex from Angelica”

“Ha, yeah,” Josh passes a hand through his hair, “Oh! Do you mind if I put back both airpods? This is the song I asked for the soundtrack of our lives!”

“Not at all,” I smile, “How about you enjoy the song and I bring the drinks?”

“Thanks,” He says, putting the airpods back on.

I walk towards the table and see Wesley making his way over to Josh, I glance at them for a second and I notice how nervous Wesley looks. I stay still, listening. 

“I need to tell you... everything”

I put the cups downs and I listen as Wesley rambles about him and Turbo, I want to stop him cause I know Josh isn’t listening but I’m not sure Josh needs to listen to all this tonight. Why is he telling him this tonight?

“...You’re going to die because my ex-boyfriend can’t stand that you and I are friends”

Oh. Okay, that’s why.

Josh takes off one of the airpods.

“You put my song on the soundtrack of our lives,” He says, deeply touched, “Deltron 3030? Thanks for making me feel so cool, man”

“Did you hear what I said?” Wesley asks in disbelief.

“I thought you were just singing along,” Josh shrugs.

“I heard,” I get to Josh’s side, “all of it”

Now I understand why he insisted so much on me making a move tonight. he didn’t want to kill Josh before I could confess.

Wesley’s eyes widened and he starts to speak, the buzzer sets off and cuts his speech. It’s time for the gender-neutral royalty. Everyone applauds and cheers, I step closer to him and I whisper.

“What the fuck did you do?”

He gives me one desperate look before his name is mentioned and he has to go over to the stage, along with Mop-Sam. I look around and I lock eyes with Eli, who has a panicky expression, I immediately know he’s also in this. I walk over to him and I give him a pointed look.

“You’re planning on killing Josh?!”

“How the fuck did you find out?” 

“How the-? Oh my god, you were going to do it. I can’t believe it,” I hiss, “Was... was the whole makeover a distraction? It was, wasn’t it? Eli I... I trusted you”

“That’s exactly why I’m doing this,” He shakes his head, “I’m trying to protect all these kids, that’s what you want, right?”

“I want us to be a good tribe, a loyal one! Not a fucking Game of Thrones rip-off!” I exclaim.

“Is not important anyway!” Eli exclaims, “He was supposed to die with the crown but Wesley won, he’s gonna die instead!”

“He what?” I turn to see Wesley walking up the stairs, deadly silent, “Oh, you fucking stupid martyr”

I run over to the stage, the kids don’t let me get any closer. I scream his name, but so are the rest of the children. 

I’m not gonna make it, Wesley will die. 

They get closer to put the crown on top of his head and...

“STOP!” He slaps the hand away, the crown flying to the floor, “No one touch that crown!”

“Thank god,” I clean my forehead from the sweat and whisper: “man, you are stressful!”

“Turbo told me that he’s gonna come and kill you all. But I have a plan.”

“Oh, so you did have a better plan?” I frown, speaking loudly this time.

“I know how we can fight back,” He replies, then looks back a Josh, “you have to trust me”

Josh shakes his head clearly pissed, then looks down at where I’m standing.

“We don’t have time,” I cross my arms, “let him talk”

Wesley talks and we set up the mannequins, we wait.

Turbo gets here in no time, breaks the door’s chains and throws punches in the dark like a madman, he stops until every mannequin is on the ground, realizing his mistake. We walk out of our hiding spots, I had to go over to the pharmacy to get my hammer, I feel more than ready to break some bones if I have to.

“You’re not supposed to fight,” Josh whispers beside me, “your wrist is not okay”

“I’ll manage,” I reply dryly.

The fight begins. I don’t break any skulls or knees but I do manage to break bows and swords, I feel like I’m kicking serious ass when someone throws me on the ground, I fall on my face.

“Are you protecting all your children, Y/N?” Maya sneers above me, putting a foot on top of my head, “I bet you’re having fun-”

I hear her grunt and suddenly her body falls next to mine, someone grabs me by the arms and lifts me up. 

It’s Alex.

“You can eat shit, Maya,” Alex replies, handing me my hammer, “your wrist is swelling again, you have to stop”

“I’ll stop with the hammer,” I kick a Jock in the crotch, “I’ll start with my legs”

“Good enough,” Alex nods.

Suddenly a loud scream echoes in the room.

“Turbo’s hurt! Retreat!”

It’s almost like the room is on fire, the Jocks run away picking up their weapons and lifting up their friends from the ground. I don’t see Maya, yet I know she’s with them. I don’t see Turbo either.

We’re left a mess, all our things are on the ground and the floor is slippery, mixed with blood and soda. Alex was right, my wrist feels awful as well.

Josh waits until everything is deadly quiet and looks over to Wesley.

“I have to lock you up”

As soon as he says it, a bunch of kids surround Wes and drag him to the nearest store, I see Eli quietly chuckling and I speak up.

“Eli helped him,” I point over to him, “he has to go too”

“I was only trying to help!”

“You hid important information to the group, we can’t trust you as long as you keep playing to your convenience,” I reply.

Another group of kids take him, pulling the heavy metal curtain so they stay in their place.

“Y/N?” Angelica speaks next to me, “you need something for your wrist”

“I’ll ask you this one time,” I say, ignoring her comment, “Did you know what they were doing?”

“No!” She responds in honest outrage, I believe her.

“Then you’ll keep an eye on them while I go and take something for my wrist”

“I already have it here,” Alex throws a small container with pills that I catch with my good hand.

“Thanks,” I look over to Angelica, “you think you can do it?”

“I’ll be more than happy,” She replies, already sitting on the ground, facing the store.

“I’ll stay with her,” Alex says, “I think you should check on Josh... he just got a death threat and immediately after had to fight for his life. He might need to talk to someone”

“I’ll be right back,” My mind is a bit too fuzzy after the fight, but I think I can have a small conversation with Josh, “I’ll do that...”

I walk around asking if anyone has seen Josh, one tells me they saw him walk out to lock the mall’s doors again.

I find Josh in the middle of the parking lot, he’s standing there quietly.

“Josh?” I inch closer.

I get no answer, I can only see his back.

“How are you feeling?” I’m merely five feet away from him.

“Did you know?” He inquires coldly.

“What?”

“What Wesley and Eli were planning,” Josh explains, “Did you know?” 

“No,” I say, “I had no idea. I heard though, when Wesley was talking to you moments before the crowning”

Josh turns around, tearing up.

“You didn’t help them?” He steps closer to me, his breathing faltering, “You swear you’re not lying?”

“No!” I repeat, this time exasperated, “Josh, I would never hurt you. I promised, remember? I’m with you.”

He looks at me with the same odd expression he makes every time I say something he’s not expecting to hear. 

My wrist is hurting but there’s also a warmth that spreads through it thanks to the ointment and the pills. I stand there, with nothing else to say. 

I don’t know what to ask. Josh doesn’t want to talk, I can see it on the way he keeps his mouth tightly shut.

Instead, he kisses me.

“And they all fall down...”

Taglist.

@letsbloodmagic @slythermyg  

[keanubot]

I Love You Like The Sun Came Out (Keanu Reeves/Reader) Chapter 3

sorry for another bit of a wait on this one, thank you all so much as usual for being so patient 💖 i promise i have so much planned for this fic its ridiculous, so if i’m ever a bit late with the posting it doesn’t have anything to do with me not wanting to write it, don’t worry.

warnings for this chapter: none

You start packing immediately after hanging up the phone, not even bothering to get dressed as you pull things from your closet and shove them into your travel bag. As you pack, you attempt to process exactly what’s even happening right now; you’ve really been asked by Keanu Reeves himself if you want to move into his house. Two weeks ago you hadn’t even wanted this job, and now suddenly you’re so incredibly grateful that you got it. In what other world would you get an opportunity like this to get away from your roommates and actually have some time to yourself for once? You’re already fantasizing about all the rehearsing you’ll get to do without ears pressed against doors, without being told “Well, what if you did it this way instead?”, without constantly feeling like you’re in a never-ending competition.

It feels amazing.

You quickly shower and pack up your bathroom items, then head downstairs with your bags and peek into the kitchen to see what awaits you. All three of your roommates are sitting at the kitchen table, although only Becca and your third roommate Hayley are talking; Alexis sits across from them on her phone, clearly ignoring the conversation. Hayley and Alexis are the ones who haven’t spoken to each other in at least a month after Hayley won a role they’d both gotten to the final auditions for. You’ve never seen such dramatic passive aggressiveness in your life.

You place your bags quietly by the front door and then head back to the kitchen, not wanting to announce your news until you absolutely have to; you know there’s going to be a lot of questions and you don’t even know how to answer them at this point. No one talks to you when you enter, so you fill up the kettle and start preparing your morning cup of tea, hoping they don’t notice when you take the whole box of tea bags down from the cupboard so you can add it to your bag. You’re the only one who drinks it anyway.

Speaking of which…you can’t remember if Keanu has a kettle at his house. As soon as the water is finished boiling you add it to your mug and quickly drain the rest in preparation to take it with you.

Just as your tea is finished steeping, Becca gets up from the table, “Well, I’m going for my run.”

“Have fun.” Hayley replies, looking down at her phone.

Alexis briefly looks up to give Hayley a dirty look before going back to whatever she’s doing. God, you can’t wait to get away from this.

Becca leaves the room and about ten seconds later she rushes back, expression confused, “Who’s leaving?!”

“What?” Alexis finally speaks, putting her phone down, “Leaving?”

“Someone’s bags are in front of the door,” Becca explains, voice anxious, “Are one of you guys moving out because a group meeting definitely wasn’t called and if you’re leaving without giving us a warning, that’s fucked up.”

You try not to roll your eyes, taking a sip of tea before licking your lips and sighing, “They’re mine,” everyone looks at you and you can practically hear them gasping internally, “I’m not moving out though, I’m still paying rent. I’m just gonna go stay somewhere else for a few weeks.”

Becca looks at you as if you have three heads, “Somewhere else? Where?”

Before you can answer, Hayley chimes in, “Somewhere closer to Keanu’s house? Because of all the driving?”

You’re honestly surprised that someone’s been paying attention, and Hayley’s assumption gives you a new way out of all the dreaded questions.

“Yeah,” you lie, nodding, “One of the other girls from the housekeeping service said I can stay at her house for a little while. She’s, um, going away for a bit. A vacation or something.” For an actress, you’re not the most amazing liar, but they seem to be buying it, “It’s only about a ten minute drive from Keanu’s.”

“Must be a nice house, then.” Alexis mutters bitterly, and you can feel her jealousy radiating from where she’s sitting; cleaning Keanu’s house was one thing, but moving somewhere nicer to do it? She’s annoyed. As mean as it sounds, her irritation makes you feel a bit smug.

“I’m gonna take the kettle with me, if you don’t mind,” you’re not sure why you’re asking for permission – you’re the one who bought it after all – but you feel bad for lying.

Becca waves her hand, “Oh, go ahead, you know none of us use it.”

“So, you’ll still pay your part of the rent? Next Friday?” Hayley asks, and you nod.

“Yep, don’t worry about it, I got it covered.”

Just as you say this, your phone rings – Keanu’s assistant. You excuse yourself from the kitchen and walk to the front door to escape the listening ears behind you. Your call is brief – she tells you that your rental is ready and you plan for it to be waiting outside your apartment as soon as possible.

She also tells you that Keanu actually did end up picking it himself, which admittedly makes you nervous as hell.

-----

An hour later, after scrolling through some casting calls and responding to a few e-mails, a car pulls up outside. You’re the first to see it, and you feel your heart drop to your stomach when you see how nice it is; it’s definitely expensive, and definitely not like anything you’ve ever driven before.

“Whose car is that?” Hayley is beside you before you can even process everything, and you splutter a bit before replying.

“Um – uh, mine, I think,” you get up and slide into your shoes, eyes glued to the car, “It’s a rental.”

“How the fuck can you afford an Audi?!” Alexis asks, suddenly standing on the other side of you looking confused.

Before you can reply, Becca appears in the doorway, back from her run with a shocked expression on her face, “Is that for you?”

You really hate attention, absolutely despise it, actually – which certainly isn’t what you’d expect considering the profession you’ve chosen – and all the eyes of your prying roommates being on you makes you feel incredibly uncomfortable. You pick your bags up off the floor, slipping past Becca and walking out to the front step.

“I’ll talk to you guys soon.” you say, with every intention to do the exact opposite. You turn around and walk quickly to the car, the driver getting out and helping you put your bags in the trunk. You don’t look back at your roommates, knowing full well they’re already talking about you.

The drive to Keanu’s house is relatively quiet – you don’t really know what to say and you’re also extremely distracted by how luxurious the interior of the car is; Alexis had said Audi, and your very, very limited knowledge of cars tells you that it’s a pretty high quality brand. It’s sleek, with a black exterior and interior, and the number of gadgets on the dashboard is already overwhelming – and you’re not even the one driving.

The driver does say a few things throughout the drive, telling you that all your necessary information for the insurance has already been forwarded by Keanu’s assistant. According to him, you have the car for 2 months, which is more than enough time to get your car fixed. It can’t be cheap to rent a car this nice for that long, and you spend most of the drive simply marveling at Keanu’s generosity.

You pull up to Keanu’s house and quickly sign a few documents for the driver, who hands you the keys and then gets out to walk over to the other car in the driveway – his associate. You watch them back down the driveway before disappearing down the road.

And that’s it. Suddenly, you’re sitting completely alone in a beautiful car in front of a beautiful house that you will be living in for the next few beautiful weeks. It honestly feels like a dream you hope you never wake up from. It’s crazy to think that you’d initially never even wanted to apply for this job. Hoo boy.

You carry your bags inside and immediately come to the realization that you have no idea where you’re sleeping. Obviously Keanu’s bedroom is out of the question, so you know there are two guest rooms to choose from. There’s a small one on the left side of the house, closer to the garage, and there’s one across the hall from Keanu’s room, a lot bigger with a jacuzzi in the en suite bathroom. The choice is pretty easy, so you bring your stuff to the room and start unpacking.

It’s been tempting the past two weeks to try out one of the beds, but obviously it had been incredibly inappropriate and you hadn’t dared. Now, however, there’s absolutely nothing stopping you. With a sly smile, you fall backwards onto the bed, the black and red blankets enveloping you as you sink into the soft mattress. You’re not sure if you’ve ever laid on something this comfortable in your life. Oh my god…this is heaven.

You’re not sure how it happens exactly, seeing as you only woke up not long ago, but the sudden relief and relaxation you feel sends you into unconsciousness pretty quickly.

-----

The sound of footsteps in another part of the house wakes you up a few hours later, and you practically fall over trying to get off the bed. You hear distant voices, none of them recognisable, and for a moment you’re terrified that you left the door unlocked and accidentally let fans or paparazzi into the house. But no, you distinctly remember locking the door, so it must be someone who has a key.

You walk out into the main hallway and see two men placing bags on the floor – groceries. One of them turns and heads back out to grab more, while the other notices you and gives you a smile, reaching his hand out.

“You must be the housekeeper,” he says with a charming smile, then pulls his hand away and points to himself, “Gardener.”

“Oh, nice to meet you.” You tell him your name and he smiles wider.

“I’m Jay. Sorry for letting myself in, I usually just stay outside but this guy was knocking and I had to let him in.”

“Totally fine,” you say with a reassuring nod, “I didn’t even hear him, so…”

You both stand there a bit awkwardly for a second before the grocery man re-enters and places the last few bags on the floor, “Have a nice day.” He says before walking back outside and getting in his truck.

“Let me help you with those.” Jay says as you reach down, and you feel yourself sigh internally – you came to this house to be alone.

Even though you’d rather he just go back to his duties, you figure he has just as much of a right to be here as you do, considering he’s been working here longer than you. Plus, he seems harmless. You both carry the groceries into the kitchen and Jay begins to pull items out when you put your hand up to stop him.

“No, that’s okay! I’ll do it, seriously, it’s my job,” you try to say it without sounding like you want him to leave, but he sees right through you.

“You wanna be alone,” he says with a laugh, and before you can interrupt he laughs again, “No, it’s fine, I get it. But it was really nice meeting you!” he backs away, winking one of his blue eyes at you, “I’ll see you around. I’m here once a week so we’ll bump into each other again.”

He’s got a very flirty vibe surrounding him that you’re not really feeling, but you toss him a smile, “See ya.”

As soon as you hear the front door shut, you sigh in relief and begin to put away the groceries, trying to figure out where everything goes. Keanu doesn’t have that much in any of the cupboards – you suppose there’s no need for him to keep it stocked when he’s away.

He doesn’t have many magnets on the fridge but he does have those word ones, the ones you can mix and match to make sentences and poems with. The words have been scrambled since you arrived, no poem or sentence discernible, and now that you’re staying in the house for a little while, it doesn’t feel as weird to put one together.

Once all the groceries are put away you spend a few moments standing in front of the fridge, pulling and pushing the magnets back and forth with your tongue between your lips, trying to come up with something good. In the end, you end up with this:

Please be quiet I am busy being alone.

“I mean…it’s fitting.” You say aloud to no one in particular.

-----

After feeding the fish and doing a few things here and there, the urge to test out that amazing bath in your bedroom becomes way too strong. You soon find yourself kneeling beside it, dipping two fingers in the water to test it before standing and beginning to undress. At first you have to admit that it feels a little bit creepy to be taking a bath in the house of someone you’ve never met – not to mention even creepier once you’re naked – but there’s a slight thrill in it too. You have to keep reminding yourself that you’re allowed to be doing what you’re doing; Keanu wants you to be here.

(Yeah, definitely a thrill.)

As soon as you’re submerged in the hot water you feel immediately at peace, closing your eyes and leaning your head back. After a few moments of relaxation you reach for the mug of tea resting on the side of the tub and take a long sip, putting it down again when your phone suddenly dings. You pick it up and see an e-mail notification.

It only takes a few seconds to realize that it’s from your agency, notifying you that you’ve booked an audition for another commercial. You bite your lip, skipping through most of it to see what you’ll be advertising: dish soap. Great. You put your phone back down and completely submerge yourself in the water.

----

You spend the rest of the day puttering around Keanu’s house, not really doing anything in particular but also not wanting to stay in one place. You find yourself by the koi pond a lot, watching them and trying your hardest not to name more of them, though you’re pretty sure one of the orange and black ones is a definitive Nemo.

The couch in the living room is extremely comfortable, and in your solitude you end up somehow managing to take another nap. You hadn’t realized how much stress being in that house with those girls has caused you; finally having a chance to be away from them is already doing wonders.

You wake up to another email, this time containing your lines for the commercial. You really hate reading off a screen so you head to Keanu’s office where you know there’s a printer, hoping he won’t mind you going in. He’d said in his initial note that no room was off limits, but you’ve only been in here once, so it still feels a bit odd. Especially with the space being so obviously personal – the movie memorabilia, awards, and treasures from sets and places all over the world peppered around the room.

You sit down in the black desk chair and turn on the printer, setting up the bluetooth and humming to yourself. Once it’s set up, you lean back and wait for it to print, your eyes scanning the room and taking in everything. This is what he sees when he’s working, you think to yourself, wondering if this is where he rehearses. You look at the computer and hesitantly reach down to shake the mouse, your curiosity getting the better of you. I just want to see what his desktop wallpaper is.

You come face to face with a picture of a beautiful view, from what looks like a canyon. You wonder if he took it himself or if it’s something he found online. His administrator icon is the logo for his motorcycle company.

Not wanting to go any further than that, you turn the monitor back off and grab your script, getting out of the chair and heading to the door. Before you can leave however, you gravitate toward the award shelf again, eyeing each of them meticulously. He doesn’t have any of them protected by a glass case, they’re kind of just… sitting there.

Your curiosity definitely getting the better of you at this point, you place your script on the desk and reach out to grab one of the bigger awards – a Bambi from Germany shaped like a fawn. It’s sleek and smooth, and you notice there’s dust all over the top of it, like no ones touched it in years. Feeling incredibly vain, you turn toward the mirror on the wall and stare at yourself holding the award for a few moments, heart in your throat. So that’s what it would look like.

During this extremely selfish moment, you’re interrupted by your phone ringing, and it surprises you so much that you almost drop the award, a shocked gasp escaping your mouth as you frantically grab it before it hits the floor.

“Jesus fucking Christ,” you say aloud, relieved but terrified as you hold the award in one hand and pull your phone out with the other. There’s no name but that number looks familiar, and your eyes widen when you realize it’s Keanu, “Jesus fucking Christ.”

Still holding the award, you bring the phone to your ear, “Hi.” you say, and you hope he can’t hear how breathless you are.

“Hi there,” his voice replies, kind and pleasant, “Just wanted to check in, make sure everything’s okay over there.”

“Oh yeah, it’s great,” you say immediately, licking your lips nervously, “All settled.”

“That’s good to hear. What do you think of the car?”

“Oh, uh, very fancy,” you say with a breathless laugh, “Like, way fancier than anything I’ve ever been in. You didn’t have to do that, you know.”

“Nah, it’s nothin’,” he says, brushing your words off quickly, “But yeah, Audi is definitely a favorite of mine. It was between that and a Porsche but I felt like that might have been a bit too much, if you know what I mean.”

You walk around the room as you talk, eyeing all the objects as you pass them, “Yeah, I mean, not that I really know the difference but I appreciate it.”

He laughs, and the sound sends a strange thrill through you that causes you to almost drop the award again, an audible yelp escaping your mouth as you catch it.

“You okay?” he asks, voice concerned.

“Yep,” your voice is higher than normal as you carefully place the Bambi back onto the award shelf, backing away slowly, “Almost dropped something, sorry.”

He chuckles, “Where are you?”

You freeze, “What do you mean?”

“Like what room? Are you in my office?”

You stand perfectly still, blinking a few times in disbelief, then pull the phone away from your ear to look down at it in confusion. You’re suddenly worried that you’ve accidentally facetimed with him, but nope, the camera is off.

“How…did you guess that?”

He laughs again, your anxiety ebbing, “Don’t worry, I don’t have cameras on you or anything, don’t get freaked out.”

“Too late.” You reply, meaning for it to be a joke but the nervousness in your voice is obvious.

“I heard the printer beep,” he explains, “It does that until you disconnect from the bluetooth, I have no idea why. Were you printing something?”

“Well, uh –”

“’Cause that’s fine!” he reassures you immediately, “I told you nothing was off limits! Actually, ignore that question, it’s none of my business.”

“No, no, no it’s totally fine, I was printing off a script.”

There’s a pause in the conversation and you stand there waiting for him to say something, scrunching your eyebrows.

“Like…” he trails off, trying to come up with the words, “Like, one of my scripts? Are you copying something?” The sudden hint of confusion in his voice brings all your anxiety back to the forefront.

“Oh my god, no, not at all! It’s one of mine, it’s for an audition I have coming up,” you explain, stumbling over the words, “It’s only short, they e-mailed it to me but I like having a physical copy.”

“You’re an actress?” he sounds interested – genuinely – which makes you even more nervous, and you swallow before slowly sitting down in his desk chair again to calm your nerves.

“Um, yeah. Your assistant, uh, didn’t tell you that?”

“She didn’t,” he replies, sounding a bit disappointed that he’s only just now learning this information, “How long have you been working?”

You laugh without humor, leaning back in the chair, “I mostly only go to auditions, if you’d call that working.”

“No, I mean, when did you first start? When did it come into your life?”

His gentle curiosity makes your cheeks warm a bit; a famous actor asking you questions about your craft? You’d never expected something like this to happen so early in your career, and it’s nerve-wracking but thrilling at the same time to get a chance to tell your story – or, some of it at least.

“Um, well, in elementary school I did this school play. It was a Christmas concert thing, I played Mary,” you snort, “I think I had maybe three lines, I was only in one scene. But from that moment I knew it was something I wanted to do.”

There’s silence, and you realize Keanu is listening intently to you, waiting for you to continue.

You swallow, “After that I started going to theater camp every summer; it was kind of just a hobby for a while. I was in a few more productions in high school, and that’s when I decided it was what I wanted to pursue, like, officially or whatever.”

“You started earlier than me, I like that,” Keanu says softly with a chuckle, “So, have I seen you in anything?”

Fuck. The question you dread constantly when telling someone about your job. How the hell are you supposed to sit there and tell Keanu Reeves that your most recent acting gig was a tampon commercial? The humiliation alone would probably make you never want to enter this house again.

You think on your feet, but probably not in the most well executed way: “I’d tell you but then I’d have to kill you.”

He laughs immediately, gentle and child-like as usual, “Ah, a mystery,” he says in a faux mystical voice, “How intriguing.”

You can’t help but giggle, playing absentmindedly with a button on your pajamas, “I met the gardener today – Jay,” you change the subject, wanting to move away from the acting stuff before he presses it further, although a part of you feels like he wouldn’t, “He’s nice.”

“Oh yeah, Jay’s a cool guy,” Keanu agrees, switching subjects easily without making it awkward, “If you ever need help with anything around the house I’m sure he wouldn’t mind lending a hand, I’ll ask Candice to give you his number.”

Yeah, I’m sure he wouldn’t, you think to yourself, remembering the flirtatious way he’d carried himself, “Sounds good.”

“Well,” Keanu says with an exhale, “Sorry to keep you from rehearsing, let me know how the audition goes, okay?”

It’s incredible that despite not knowing you at all, he really seems to be genuinely interested, not a hint of insincerity in his voice whatsoever. You can’t help but smile wide, the warmth in your cheeks spreading to the rest of your body and sending a surge of confidence through you.

“I will,” you reply softly, “Thank you for calling.”

“It’s my pleasure,” he replies, that familiar huskiness you’d heard early this morning back in his voice, “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

[beckzorz]

Midnight Drive (one-shot)

Pairing: Bucky x Reader Words: 1490 Warnings: Depression Summary: You don’t know how long you’ve been sitting on the couch, but around midnight, Bucky Barnes whisks you off into the night. A/N: Written from a prompt from the lovely @coal000! Thank you dear Theo <3 Depression isn’t always curled up in bed, but it is always helped by sweet guys doing nice things for you :3 Hope you enjoy! Please let me know what you think!

“How long’ve you been sittin’ here?”

You tear your eyes away from your phone and blink up at Bucky Barnes. “Um. What?”

Bucky smiles gently and plops down on the couch beside you. He peers down at the paused game screen in your lap, humming with mild interest.

“It’s almost midnight,” he says.

“Oh.” You put your phone to sleep, stuff it in your back pocket, and rub your forehead, not meeting Bucky’s eyes. “Guess I lost track of time.”

Bucky studies your face. His smile has faded. You look away, stuffing your hands in the front pocket of your giant sweater.

“What’s eatin’ you?”

You sigh. Already your mind is drifting towards your mistakes, your faults; how much time had you wasted today? You should have been doing work, catching up on personal things on your day off, but…

You’d done nothing. Just futzed around the compound, settling in hours ago on this couch in the lounge as other people, normal people, came and went. Totally useless.

“Nothing’s eating me, not so long as I’m distracted. Thus the game. And thus, midnight.”

“What about now?”

“Now…” You blink rapidly. “Now I think I wasted too much time today.” You sniff. “Sorry,” you mumble.

“Don’t be sorry,” he says. He takes your elbow and stands you up alongside him. “C’mon.”

Arguing is pointless; when you’re feeling like this, it always is. With exhaustion seeping into every bone, you don’t have the energy to successfully carry a point. You usually do it anyway, but right now, you’ve got nothing left. Your eyes slide mostly shut as you let him guide you along. Maybe he’s bringing you to your room. Maybe he’ll leave you alone there to stew in your pain, like you deserve.

He doesn’t take you upstairs, though. Instead, Bucky leads you to the garage. It’s chilly, even with your sweater, and you shiver. Bucky ushers you to the closest car, a little black coupe that’s already on, and opens the passenger door.

“Seat’s warmed up for ya,” he says, eyebrows raised expectantly.

“Oh,” you say dumbly. You sit down on the warming leather and stuff your hands between your thighs.

Bucky shuts the door and in seconds slides into the driver’s seat. “Buckle up.”

You buckle up. Bucky backs out of the spot, then peels out of the garage. The lights in the compound blot out the stars. You lean your head against the window and close your eyes.

Bucky’s quiet too. The hum of the engine and your out-of-sync breathing is all you can hear.

Where is he taking you? He’s not a brainwashed assassin anymore, but it’s not like you know him. Or he knows you. If he knew you, he’d never have brought you into this car.

You’re too tired to open your eyes even as Bucky puts on the blinker and turns, even when the car picks up speed and you’re sure you’re on the highway. The warmth under you is enough to send you into a doze.

Bucky taps your leg before you can fall fully asleep. You flinch at the unexpected touch, but his hand is already back on the wheel.

“Look up,” he says. “There’s Orion.”

You keep your eyes on his face for a little longer. The lights of the highway slide across his face, basking him in light and shadow and back again. His face changes with the shifting shadows, one moment soft, another sharp. He glances over at you, lips quirked up.

“Look up,” he repeats.

You lean forward in your seat and stare up at the sky. Your mouth drops open in surprise. The sky is perfectly clear—not a cloud in sight. The streetlamps are garish, but not strong enough to blot out the sky. And there, to the southwest, is Orion. “It’s beautiful!”

“Thought you’d like it,” Bucky says. Out of the corner of your eye, you can see his smile.

You keep your eyes trained on the heavens, but Bucky’s smile snapped something inside you. He thought you’d like it? He thought? He thought about you? Desperation claws at you as you try and stifle the shuddering sobs threatening to burst from you. You clamp your hands on the dashboard, nails scraping across the plastic.

“You okay?” Bucky asks, and that’s enough.

A sob tears out of you. You fling yourself back into your seat and bury your face in your hands, tears running down your face and ugly noises catching in your throat. Bucky clasps your shoulder, but you shake him off. He shouldn’t—you don’t deserve—

“It’s okay,” he murmurs. “It’s okay.”

You can’t stop crying. His words only make things worse.

After a few minutes with just your sobs echoing in the car, Bucky pulls off the highway. He winds the car around side roads until your crying has subsided. The car rolls to a stop.

Your face is wet with tears. You take a deep, shuddering breath and force yourself to lower your hands. They tremble.

“Here,” Bucky says, passing you a handkerchief.

A little laugh bubbles out of you as you take it. A handkerchief? Old-fashioned, maybe, but better than using your sleeves. You wipe your cheeks.

Where are you? You glance around, curiosity getting the better of you. Thick trees, a parking lot… Are you at a park? You blow your nose, eyes darting about. Bucky’s checking his phone, looking not the least bit bothered.

That makes one of you.

Once you feel halfway presentable, you fold the handkerchief in half, then again ad nauseum.

“Bucky,” you say at last, “what’s going on?”

“You like drivin’, and you like stars,” he says. He shrugs a shoulder and drums his metal fingers on the wheel. “Figured I could take you out—for a drive,” he adds quickly. It’s dark, but his cheeks look a little pink. “It helps me, when I’m not havin’ a great day.”

Tears prick at your eyes; you sniff, overwhelmed all over again.

“Just because I wasted my day doesn’t mean you needed to do anything about it,” you say.

“Course I didn’t need to,” Bucky says. “I wanted to. So I did.”

You stare at him. A fresh tear runs down your cheek. “Why? I don’t deserve this.”

Bucky doesn’t answer. He just opens his door and climbs out of the car. You wipe your eyes with the heel of your hand just before Bucky wrenches open your door and holds out his hand. You unbuckle yourself and let him pull you to your feet. Your breath makes little clouds in the air.

You shiver.

He leads you to a picnic table just beyond the line of evergreens lining the parking lot. The light snow crunches underfoot. Bucky helps you up onto the tabletop and sits close beside you, your feet resting on the bench. You still don’t really know what’s going on, why Bucky’s being so kind.

Pity?

Bucky’s fiddling with his phone again; the light is too bright in the dead of night, but it doesn’t seem to bother him. Soft music pipes out. You blink in surprise— how does he know your favorite singer?

“You like this stuff, right?”

“It’s my favorite,” you say with wonder. “How did you know?”

“You’re not invisible, ya know.” Bucky scoots a little closer, his gentle blue eyes on yours. He gently wipes your cheeks before wrapping his warm right arm around your shoulders. “I don’t like seein’ you so unhappy, doll. Course I’m gonna do what I can to change that.”

You bite your bottom lip as it starts to tremble. God, you had no idea. He’d caught your eye, of course he had, but you never suspected you were anything more than just another medical tech in his eyes. And here he is, calling you doll?

Doesn’t he know how useless you are?

“But I’m not… I don’t—”

Bucky wraps both arms around you and rests his chin on top of your head. “You’re enough, sweetheart.” He rubs circles on your back even as you shudder. “I know things are eatin’ ya, but that doesn’t change anything. It just means we gotta work harder sometimes.” He kisses your forehead and tightens his hold on you. “Will you let me help you through this?”

You’re crying again, but the tears don’t feel so ugly anymore. The music is still playing, the stars are still twinkling in the sky, Bucky’s arms are still holding you close.

We?

“That doesn’t sound so bad,” you whisper into his shoulder. You slowly wrap your arms around him, sliding them inside his open jacket and pressing your hands against his solid back.

He lets out a little laugh. “Good. Cause no matter what your whack brain chemistry is tryin’ to tell ya, you’re fuckin’ awesome.”

Your heart swells in your chest. Here in his arms, the cold biting at your exposed ankles but his hands spreading warmth through you, you can believe it.

[mythologymonsterlover]

Male! Robot lover

This takes place in the same universe as CWXH story, and I enjoyed making this robotic boy.

warning: sexual content, cussing

Female reader X Male monster

My life is simple enough, well, for a police officer anyways. I worked in the force for three years now, and so far I've seen everything a person should see. Today I was driving to the station as I saw a little boy and a helper robot escorting him. I don't mean this in a rude way, but seeing one of those robot's makes a cold sweat break out on my forehead. Ever since the daughter of a famous scientist got control of her father’s companies, she has banned cyborgs in being used in the military. It took everyone by surprise that the general of the United States Military was experimenting on his own soldiers, making hybrid killing machines. Thinking about it now, it still amaze me that a high official could get away for so long doing that to human beings. Luckily, three years ago the media outlets let us know that the general was sentenced to life in prison for  his crimes. It took much effort of  accepting cyborg life again, but the scientist cleared the name of  their organization by promising to help the disabled only. Being a police officer in training at the time, I really looked up to the organization for how they stopped continuing wars with machinery. Unfortunately, this year has not been so kind to everyone. Some how other companies manage to make humanoid symbiotic robots for the first time. These thing aren't necessarily people, but robotic materials that are made to integrate with human flesh to their skeletal frames. Sadly, this has caused terrorist groups and other deviants to get hold of the technology causing crimes rate to escalate. We at the police department are surprised, and not happy either with these new symbiosis creations. Many gentleman in the police force who have received bad injuries from these robots, refused to have anything to do with robotic technology as its seen as a evil now. Not only them, but the public are afraid of losing their human side, and have started to discriminate robotic and cyborg beings alike. It a sad sight to see, but as a police officer personally I have no choice but to remain neutral. …

When I finally get to the parking lot, I see a colleague of mine waving his hand towards me. I try doing the same, but I feel the aching pain in my right arm run though my entire being. It hurts too much, so I try casually putting it down as I get out of the car. Not to long ago I got shot in the arm by one of those robots, which caused a muscle tendon to get ripped from my bone. It’s healing, but the doctor said I  won't be able to use my right arm like I used to. They offered me a cyborg arm, but I declined repeatedly as it makes me nervous and also scared. I try my best to not think about it too much, but I know it will bug me another time. I enter the building, and register myself into the police system. “Good morning!’ the receptionist, Lola, greets me with a smile, and I nod back to wish her a good morning as well. Today, I was hoping to get some police files done before anything else, and walking down the hallway to my carrel seemed simple enough. Well not for me. A crowd of my coworkers were surrounding the middle of the hallway talking loudly. I try to shuffle around the mess, but because the hallway is so damn narrow, I could barely get my body to move without having an elbow jabbed into my side. annoyed, I tap on a female officer shoulder to get her attention. “What’s going on here?” I say wide eyed, thinking that this might be a possible emergency. The women though just rolls her eyes exaggeratedly and comes next to me saying, “We have a new police officer joining the force, and his a real keeper.” I stand back confused, and try looking over the crowd to see this new officer, but everyone is just too closed to one another to see anything. I let out a sigh, not believing everyone is getting so worked up for a rookie. Finally having enough of this, I try again to push forcefully into the crowd and walk around the ever growing mass of people. When i’m finally halfway around the officers, a hard jab hits into my right arm. This causes me to fall straight to the middle of the floor, and I cradle my already wounded arm to my chest. I feel the heat rise to my head, and i'm ready to punch someone. I get up gritting my teeth, and before I could fall back down from a person hitting the back of my head, I feel a strong arm around my waist hold me up. “Whoa, easy! Are you alright?” A man’s voice says, and I could barely react until I felt a hand slid under my chin. There, I see a young man who looks to be in his twenties, and is entirely made out of robotic parts. His wearing an officer uniform, and has his sleeves rolled up to show off his blue metallic arms. His face is also made out of the metallic material, but only his left side. His right side of his face is made out of skin, and his blue eye is normal, while his left eye is red without an iris. I felt uncomfortable from him staring at me for such a long time, and I removes his hands off my body. “I’m sorry officer, I forgot my place.” He smiles a crooked grin, and turns around to face the crowd with narrow eyes. “Alright, It was great to meet you all, but let's get back to work!” all the other officers stand erect by his deep commanding voice, but all mummer irritably. Yet just like that however, each person goes back to what they usually do in the department. I’m startled to see officers listen to a robot, but glad that they dispersed so I could get to my corral finally. I walk away but feel a cold hand touch my shoulder, and looking back I see the robot rubbing the back of his head. “I’m sorry about that, and also I’m the new recruit.” He laughs heartily and I just nod my head and continue to walk away from him before he could keep speaking. Yet, I hear a pair of feet walking right at my heels as I turn into my carrel. “Is there something you need, new recruit?” I say polity but sternly, already feeling the day drain me out from the aching pain going through my arm. He looks at me blankly for a second, but just backs away with apologetic eyes. “I'm sorry, it’s nothing, I just realize I didn’t introduce myself...my name is Lex.” He reaches out for my hand to shake it, and I grab it. “Nice to meet you Lex.” After that I say my farewell, and turn to sit in the chair. I go straight to work not wanting to waste anymore time. I see Lex walk to his desk out the corner of my eye, and realize I’m sitting right across from him. He gets straight to work on the computer, and I can tell the police department is going to be railed up by our new recruit being a robot. I try not to let that distract me, and continue with my day.

…

After a week or so of Lex being in the force, he got almost every female officer swooning for him. To say I saw this situation coming to the horizon would be like saying dinosaurs came back to life. I thought these officers had at least some more self control over their emotions, but being the only reasonable one in the building I guess not. This also just made some of the girls love crazed frenzy for Lax worse when they heard I was the one to be paired up with him. Some started to act colder to me, and even talk about petty shit behind my back, saying I was probably a man and just looked like a girl. I almost choked on my coffee more then once hearing such absurd commits, and I also had to hold back my laughter from the stupidity of it all. The people who didn’t find it funny though where mostly men of the police force. They been giving Lex the stink eye ever since he arrived, and I saw one of them trip Lex making him fall face first to the ground. They laughed of course, and the sheriff had to shut them up in order to calm down the tension between them and the rookie. It took some swearing and things but it died down eventually when the sheriff threaten to fire people. Lex and I even would be gone for the entire day, and that made most of the officers relieved. Were ordered to portal a quarantine area to make sure no dumb teenagers are vandalizing it. The place is located at the most run down parts in New York City, and we parked in front of a abandoned building. Its a hospital, and it corroding so fast that the owners don’t want a lawsuit on their hand if someone dies from exporting the abandoned ghost building. As I parked the vehicle, I let out a long sigh and kick back my legs on the dashboard. Lex is tense though, and seems to be on high alert ready to take someone down. “Hey Lex, relax. You don’t need to be so tense.” I say grinning at the newbie, thinking of myself in those days. “Ah, sorry..” he glances at me once but keeps his eyes focused on the building. It almost looks like his scanning the whole thing. What a minute… “Hey since your a robot do you have x-ray vision?” I ask now as erect as him, and he nods his head once. “Yeah, I do, but I don’t really like it.” “Why don’t you like it? I say with a hint of confusion, since he was built with that function to be a police robot anyway. “What I mean is..I don’t feel real with having functions like this.” I shallow, not sure how to respond to such an odd comment. I have heard that companies have made their robot by splicing human bodies to robotic skeleton, and even revived the dead by copying their brain neurons into a robot. This then makes me think possibly, that Lex was human once. I feel sadden my the thought. With little confidence, I decide to ask him a question. “Where you human once, Lex?” I almost instantly regret my words as I see his eye cast down to his lap. He looks hurt by my words, and I feel stupid for asking such a personal question. Yet before I could apologize, he looks up at me with a hint of amusement on his face now. “I’m surprised you were able to catch on so quickly, that’s impressive.” I blush a little from seeing him smirk, and from his eyes looking me up and down for a moment. To stop myself from being unprofessional, I turn my head away coughing into my fist while looking at the building once again. “I’m sorry officer Lex for asking questions of your personal life, but I hope we can continue on our duties now.” I say in my stern voice trying to sound professional, but I hear him chuckle at my sudden change of attitude. His laugh sounds cute I think to myself, and I feel a flutter in my stomach as he turn his head away while grinning. Why the hell am I acting like a schoolgirl now? I shudder away from the thoughts as we sit in the car with one another in silence.

...

Eventually as the time flies, Lex and I where done with our shift before we knew it as the station radioed us in. I drive us back to the place, clock myself in for the day, and get ready to head home. As I get to my car, I feel my heart skip a beat when I see Lex leaning on the side of it. Instead of wearing his uniform, his now wearing an black jacket, pants, and combat boots. When I think about it, he looks like a bad boy from the 90’s with how he holds himself up now. I roll my eyes however, not wanting to think of him like that. When I’m only two feet away from him, he looks up and smirks. He towers over me by three inches, and I feel like I’m going to swoon for him just like any girl does for a guy like this. “Good evening, officer.” He says, moving away from my car door and giving me space to open it. I nod my head in greetings, and fumble with my keys as I speak to him. “Do you need a ride home, Lex?” I say this turning to look at him and he shakes his head. “No, no I don’t need a ride, but I need to tell you something important.” I look at him again, and he rubs his hands together while looking nervous now. “I’m quitting as of today.” When he tells me the news, I feel my heart sink into my stomach. I literally freeze on the spot. Did I do this, did I make him want to leave or… I feel sick for a moment, but with a lot of effort I nod my head in understanding in his decision. “I’m sorry to hear that Lex, and I hope your gonna be okay.” as I open my car door, I start to feel tears actually sting the corner of my eyes. I barely knew Lex long enough, but I felt already heartbroken to see him go. I don’t know why, but I started to actually want to know him more, but now it seem like I never will... I sit down in my car seat, and I put my keys in the ignition, but I see Lex’s hand reach in and touch my cheek. He looks at me straight in the eyes, and he parts his lips as he stares at me. “I’m leaving, but I want to keep in contact with you.” He moves his hand away from my cheek, and steps back a little to fetch something out of his pocket. There, he pulls out a piece of paper and hands it to me. “Call me whenever you want, and don’t feel pressured or anything. You don’t have to accept it.” I look down at his handwriting to see his number, and when I look up I nod my head excessively. “Don’t worry, I will Lex.” I smile up at him, and with that he waves me off as I pull out of the parking lot. Driving home, I feel a few tears go down my cheek, and when I look at the paper again I smile at the name written on it. Lex.

…

After a couple of days of texting Lex back and forth on my breaks, we both set up a date to meet up. It’s on a Friday at the movie theaters, and I’m going to meet him their at five. I didn't tell anyone about me still talking to Lex, since most of the people here are glad his not here anymore. I was cornered though the other day by an officer who seems to especially hate Lex. His older than me, and has a lot of more experience on the field then many of the officers here. His eyes are hawk-like, and when he speaks it deep as thunder booming out in the horizon. “What happen to your partner, officer?” He ask me suspiciously, and I have to gulp down my fear to speak. “I’m afraid he has resign from his position, sir.” He lets out a sigh, and rubs his hand down his rough face. “I know that, but why did It leave? Is the thing defective or something?” Now, I have to control myself from not letting out a sigh from this man’s ignorance. With little politeness in my voice I say ruggedly, “No, I highly doubt that was the reason” and walk away so I don’t have to deal with him any longer. After that ordeal with the officer, I finished hours of Friday’s work load. Then I headed home to shower, get dressed, and put on some makeup. When I look into the mirror I saw the old me again, which was surprisingly not a bad thing. I’m wearing my red dress I had for ages and golden necklace I got from my now deceased grandmother. Looking back on those days, I was more relaxed as well as skinnier, which I hate to say I miss most. I wonder even how Lex could look at me as attractive after I acted somewhat cold to him. Maybe he likes girls that are bitchy. As I’m lost in thought though I hear a knock at my door, and when I walk over to open it, I see a tall man wearing a butler uniform staring back at me. “Hello, I suppose your Lex’s date tonight?” He says with a hint of surprise, and I notice a limousine behind the man too. “Hey Fred, play nice to my date please!” I see Lex run up from behind, and squeeze in between the side of the man to get to me. When I look at him now, I feel bashful at his appearance. His wearing a blue suit with a bow tie, and his face softens at me. “You look quite beautiful tonight.” He says happily, and he reaches his hand out to grab mine. I smile back tenderly, but also I’m very confused on what the hell is going on. “Umm...how did you know where I lived?” I say hesitantly, not sure I ever gave him my address before. Lex looks back at the butler with some irritation, and rolls his eyes. “Well Fred here..got your address from a friend, and also I kinda wanted to pick you up in a fancy car, love.” He walks me down the steps and opens the door wide for me to step in. The exterior of the car is red as well as the cushions, which gives it a soothing atmosphere. I sit quietly though, not wanting to get riled up by my racing thoughts of the situation. When we finally get to the movie theater, we realize quick that it probably not gonna work out. The crowd is unbearable as the reason being a popular new movie just came out tonight. I feel disappointed at the outcome right now, but I feel a arm hug my shoulder tight. I look up to see Lex face, and he shrugs his shoulders while looking into my eyes. “Don’t worry, I knew this might’ve happened anyhow.” With that we walk back to the limousine, and Lex says an order to Fred. “Hey Fred, drive us back home for tonight!” I hear the butler make a grunt noise, and we start off again on the road. Instead of being quite this time, I decided to ask Lex some questions. “So, I’m taking it that your rich?” I laugh a little at the thought, since Lex seems like the guy who lives in a apartment not a mansion. He nods his head however, while crosses his legs and leaning back into the seat. “Well, I took over my father’s company for a little while, but I’d never really wanted to since it wasn’t my dream job. You see, I wanted to be a police officer since I was little kid, but I had to pick one profession..” He grabs a glass for in a cup holder, and pours a little bit of wine for me as he continues with his story. “So at first, I picked police officer since I didn’t want to be sitting in a chair all day. It worked out for a little while until, well, I got hit by a truck driver.” I almost spit out my entire drink all over his face, but put a hand over my mouth before I could. “That’s what happened to you?!” He lets out a chuckle, but nods his head somberly while looking out the window. “Yep. Took my life nearly, but the doctors were able to remove my brain into a holding container so I could be transferred into this body.” Lex looks at his hand and wiggles his fingers as if to make sure their working properly. He then looks back up at me, giving me one of his charming smirks. I can see how he made some girls go wild for him, and I shove his arm playfully. “Taking that you must win every girl’s heart with a sad story like that.” I say halfheartedly, but know that was probably kinda mean. I try not to think absurd, and as we get to his house I know it’s too late to turn back.

…

We enter the living room, and I’m surprised to see food already laid out before me. Knowing though Lex can’t eat, it makes me feel kinda awkward to dine in front of him. We sit their though talking a while about his childhood, mine, and what our families are like and I’m surprised he lives here all by himself. His sitting an arms length away, and I keep having thoughts of touching him. Lex seems to read my mind as he reaches out to move a piece of hair away from my face, and looks me lovingly in the eyes. I feel like this is the moment I’ve been waiting for, and I can't resist because, well, how could I? His treated me better than most men, and it’s not like I didn't see this night turning sexual. If it was with Lex especially, I could tell I would like it. So with that, I close the distance between us and place my lips on his. Their cold as ice but feel so smooth against mine. He pulls away for a moment looking startled, but seems to know that I want him to keep going. He moves both his hands to my face and slowly presses his lips harder to mine, deepening the kiss to a make out. I move my hands down his back and scoot closer to him, letting him feel my body against his. He lets out a wimpier as my hand moves to his crotch, and I’m kinda startled to actually feel something bulging down there. “You didn’t let the doctors just transfer your brain, huh?” I say with a dark smirk, knowing full well I have control of the situation. Lex seems to enjoy me touching him however, as I move my hand down to unbutton his jacket. I see his metallic chest as I remove his jacket, and I work on getting his pant’s buckle off when he suddenly stops me. “Ah, not in here love, up stairs.” Before I could even get up to do so, Lex grabs me up by the waist and carries me up the stairs. I run my hands down his neck, feeling even more attracted to his strong frame as his arms lay me gently on the bed. Looking at his metallic body above me, I watch as he moves his mouth down my bare neck, gently biting it. Not wanting to wait any longer, I gently start to tug his pants down all the way to his ankles. He kicks his pants off the rest of the way, and starts working on my dress removing it off my body. As we’re both lying in our undergarment clothing now, he studies my body by running his fingers down my thighs and stomach. He looks up at me then, placing his head on mine. “Your so soft, and warm…” He whispers, and looking at him I see his eyes look heated with a longing. I move my lips on his metallic chest, stomach, and down to his crotch area, and before I can take his boxes off, I look up worriedly. “Is this alright..if I do this to you?” I keep my hands on each side of his hips, while I keep my head up high looking at him. He smirks at my comment, and runs his hand in my hair while grinning. “Yes love, it’s more than alright for you to do so.” With that, I pull his boxers down past his waist, and his dick practically pops up. As I study it for a moment, I see veins still circulating as it’s throbs with precum on the tip. I brush my thumb on the top, and slowly emerge the entire thing into my mouth. Tasting the cum, I also taste something metal as I lick and caress his dick in my mouth. Lex lets out a low moan, and rubs the side of my face as I increase my pace ever so slightly. Soon, I have him shoving me down on his shaft hard as his about to cum. “You..ahh, so- good..” he strains out his voice as his seeds spill inside my mouth, spilling down my chin. When I suck every drop from it, he lays their motionless rising his chest up and down. I let him recover for a few seconds, but then straddle his waist letting my folds get wetter. Lex doesn’t refuse me as I emerge myself on top of him, letting it cock hit all the way to my g-spot. I feel the pleasure instantly and I have to stop myself from doubling over. Lex rest his hands on my now shaking legs as I bounce on top and moan out loud my pleasure. Suddenly, he's the one thrusting inside me and I hold tight to his shoulders, not wanting him to stop. “Ah-ahhh, Lex.” Grunting out, I feel my insides start to tighten around him as I’m close to the edge. I don’t even realize I’m screaming out his name as my vision becomes white. Then just as quickly I feel his cum fill me up inside, and he grunts loudly as I tighten even more around him, not letting a single drop spill out. I sit on his shaft panting as I recover, and he pulls me down kisses me. moving off him, I lay spread out and keep kissing him not wanting to break the moment. “You…” He says breathlessly, and kisses my neck as he pulls me into his chest. “-Your so warms..” Lex says smirking, and I kiss him hard on the cheek for being so damn cute. “your too much fun, Lex.” I say warmly, and lay my head down on his solid arm feeling my mind drift off into a sleep. “Will you stay with me?” Lex says suddenly, and I flash my eyes wide open at his comment. “What do you mean..Lex?” Being confused by his comment, I try not to have high hopes that he actually wants me.. “What I mean is - is that I need you.” He says shakily, and when I look into his eyes I can see he genuinely means it. He wants me. “I want to get to know you more, but yes, I would like that.” I reply calmly, but internally I knew I hit the home run.

[fanficshiddles]

You owe me, Chapter 2

Loki drove while April gave him directions, she seemed to have a destination in mind so that was good enough for Loki.

‘Are you going to tell me your name?’ He asked.

‘April.’ She replied quickly.

‘No, your real name.’

‘Margaret.’

Loki’s jaw clenched and he looked over towards her, eyebrow up. She had her feet up resting on the dashboard and the seat back slightly in a more comfortable position. She looked at him and gave him a big toothy over the top grin.

‘I will pull over now and chuck you out if you don’t tell me the truth.’ He growled.

April tapped her finger against her lower lip, in thought for a few moments. ‘Fine. Only if you tell me something in return.’

‘What do you want to know?’ He certainly hoped he wasn’t going to regret this bargain.

‘Why you tried to take over Earth those few years back.’

Loki’s eyebrows creased, but he kept his eyes forward on the road. He strummed his fingers on the steering wheel while he had a battle with himself about whether to tell her about what happened or not.

‘I take that as a no?’ April asked when he never replied, only giving her an irritated sigh.

She felt triumphant at getting him to stop asking her name. She sat up straight and pulled her feet down, leaning forward to search in the glove box. She pulled out some lipstick and flipped the sun visor down to use the mirror.

Loki looked at her in slight wonder and confusion. She was an odd one, that was for sure. He was normally really good with reading people, but this one was baffling him. She was going to be a hard nut to crack.

April smacked her lips together, pleased with herself. Then she put the lipstick away and sat back again, resting her arms up behind her head.

‘Take a left at the end of this road, then just drive down the motorway for a good hour at least.’

‘If you won’t tell me your name, are you at least going to tell me where we are heading to?’

‘Only on one condition.’

‘I am not telling you what happened.’ He drawled.

‘No, no. That was for my name. I have another question.’

‘What kind of question?’ Loki had a lot of patience, but it was certainly getting put to the test with the infuriating girl.

‘Why are you not as powerful as you were before? I mean, you put up one hell of a fight in New York. But two measly agents with handguns you couldn’t take down? I didn’t even think bullets would affect you much. And where’s your fancy armour?’

Loki sighed again before answering. ‘My powers have been taken from me, including my Seidr.’

‘What is that? Voodoo or some shit?’

‘No. It’s… you would know better as magic.’

‘Like pulling rabbits out of a hat? Cutting people in half?’ April turned to face him more, getting excited.

‘No.’ He shook his head.

‘No?’

‘No.’ Loki said firmly.

April bobbed her foot up and down as she looked out of the window. Trying to get details out of Loki was like pulling teeth.

‘You owe me an answer.’ Loki said after a minute silence.

‘I have a friend who lives near the border. She has an empty flat just down the street from hers, we can stay there for the night. Let things calm down.’

‘Remind me again why I am trusting you?’

‘I don’t know. I didn’t hold a gun to your head and force you to come with me.’ April shrugged.

Loki said nothing. Neither of them did for a while, just drove along in silence. Then April turned the radio on and flicked through the stations until she found one she wanted, she turned it up.

Loki shot her a look, then turned it off.

‘Oi!’ April reached out to turn it back on, but Loki’s hand shot out quickly and he seized her wrist.

‘Leave it.’ He snarled.

‘You don’t like music?’

‘I do.’

‘Sooooo what’s the problem?’ She asked, snatching her hand back.

‘That incessant racket is not music.’

‘Of course it is.’ April turned it on, but it was turned off in a flash. Then she turned it on again but this time she pulled her gun out and pointed it towards Loki just as his hand was mid-way to the radio.

Loki laughed. ‘You wouldn’t dare.’

‘Do you want to take that chance?’ She cocked an eyebrow at him and released the safety latch from the gun.

Loki clicked his tongue and shook his head. ‘You’re one crazy woman.’ He gave up, realising he wasn’t entirely sure whether she would pull the trigger on him or not. Even though his ability to make out lies was still very much working, he found it wasn’t so strong around her.

April put the gun away in her pocket, smirking cockily at her win.

They drove for around twenty miles down the road, April had her feet up on the dashboard again. Suddenly Loki put his seatbelt on.

‘Put your seatbelt on and put your feet down.’ He said firmly, slowing down slightly.

She scoffed. ‘No.’

‘Put your damn seatbelt on.’ He snarled, whipping out his dagger quickly from his pocket he held it against her throat.

‘Ah, touché.’ She laughed, but kept her upper body still while she pulled her feet down.

Loki then removed the dagger while she grabbed the seatbelt and sat up straight. ‘What’s wrong anyway?’ She asked, then she noticed ahead there was a car accident and plenty of police officers at the scene. ‘Oh.’

Traffic was slow while passing the accident, but Loki and April got by without raising any suspicion.

Loki still let out a breath of relief once they took off again.

‘Next time I tell you to do something, you do it.’ He said through gritted teeth.

‘Yeah, course I will.’ She said sarcastically and rolled her eyes at the God.

The rest of the journey was in silence, apart from April telling Loki directions to the street where her friend lived. He parked up outside a block of flats and waited in the car while April went to get keys from her friend.

He was so tempted to drive off, leaving her behind. He was actually contemplating it, with his elbow on the side of the door and his chin resting on his hand. He never noticed April coming back and she opened his door, causing him to half fall out of the car sideways.

‘Smooth.’ April grinned while Loki scrambled back up and glared at her.

‘Are you coming? Or are you going to just run away with the car?’ She asked, swinging a set of keys around her finger.

‘Do not tempt me.’ He turned the engine off and got out of the car, grabbing his bag.

If he hadn’t been so tired, he might have done just that. He was hungry too, and he knew driving around to find somewhere for the night while hungry would just annoy him.

He followed April up to the block of flats and inside. They were on the third floor; Loki was pleasantly surprised to find it was a nice flat. Furnished too.

Loki dropped his bag down and went straight to the kitchen, raiding through the cupboards until he found suitable food. Suitable food being a packet of cookies. He sat down on the sofa, stuffing his face with them.

‘Just make yourself at home, why don’t you?’ April rolled her eyes and went to find something for herself to eat.

Instead of returning to the living room, she went to the only bedroom in the flat but stopped dead in the doorway when she saw Loki on the bed instead, sprawled out on top of the covers.

‘This is rather comfy.’ He said smugly when he closed his eyes.

‘That’s not your bed.’

‘It’s not yours either.’

‘It’s more mine than yours. My friends place. Get back to the sofa.’

‘Nope.’

April went over and tried shoving him off the bed, but it was like trying to move a boulder. He was solid and not going anywhere.

‘Don’t be a dick! I thought you were a gentleman?’ She punched his chest.

‘Well, you thought wrong.’ Loki shrugged, keeping his eyes closed.

‘Fine.’

Loki felt triumphant, but then curious when he heard her rustling about the room. He opened one eye to look, surprised to see her stripping off her clothes. He closed his eye again, but he couldn’t help himself and opened it again to watch while she stripped down completely.

Loki felt his cock stir, he was still a man after all. And seeing such a luscious woman naked would do that. He noticed she had a large tattoo that ran up the right side of her body, from just under her armpit right down over the side of her thigh. It was vines of roses with the thorns included. But it was in grey instead of colour.

‘It’s not nice to stare.’ April smirked and jumped onto the bed next to him, but on her stomach and top to toe instead.

Loki swiftly crawled over the top of her. She turned around onto her back, to find one of his hands wrapping around her neck.

‘I already told you. I’m no gentleman.’ He growled. ‘What is your game here, girl?’

April’s lips tugged up into a smirk. ‘I play lots of games, oh God of mischief.’ She said cheekily.

She bent her knee and brought her foot up to press against his crotch, easily feeling his arousal, the move caught him off guard and he groaned. April took that moment of distraction and quickly hooked her leg around his side and then pushed his chest and rolled him off to the side, straight off the bed.

‘Oof!’ He fell to the floor with a thud and groaned.

April laughed and quickly got under the covers, making herself comfortable.

‘I think there’s a spare blanket in the wardrobe. Sleep well, Loks.’ She said smugly, turning onto her side and closing her eyes.

Loki’s jaw clenched angrily, so annoyed that she had got one up on him. He got up to his feet and wiped his clothes down. Glaring once more at the infuriating yet sexy girl in the bed, he grabbed the blanket from the wardrobe and made peace on the sofa for the night.

[imagine-loki]

You owe me, Chapter 2

TITLE: You owe me CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: Chapter 2 AUTHOR: fanficshiddles ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine after the battle in New York, Odin sent Loki back to Earth without his powers as punishment. SHIELD are after him and he meets a woman who isn’t all she seems at first and she has her own agenda. The two end up teaming up, to help one another. But it’s not quite as plain sailing as they’d hoped. RATING: M 

Loki drove while April gave him directions, she seemed to have a destination in mind so that was good enough for Loki.

‘Are you going to tell me your name?’ He asked.

‘April.’ She replied quickly.

‘No, your real name.’

‘Margaret.’

Loki’s jaw clenched and he looked over towards her, eyebrow up. She had her feet up resting on the dashboard and the seat back slightly in a more comfortable position. She looked at him and gave him a big toothy over the top grin.

‘I will pull over now and chuck you out if you don’t tell me the truth.’ He growled.

April tapped her finger against her lower lip, in thought for a few moments. ‘Fine. Only if you tell me something in return.’

‘What do you want to know?’ He certainly hoped he wasn’t going to regret this bargain.

‘Why you tried to take over Earth those few years back.’

Loki’s eyebrows creased, but he kept his eyes forward on the road. He strummed his fingers on the steering wheel while he had a battle with himself about whether to tell her about what happened or not.

‘I take that as a no?’ April asked when he never replied, only giving her an irritated sigh.

She felt triumphant at getting him to stop asking her name. She sat up straight and pulled her feet down, leaning forward to search in the glove box. She pulled out some lipstick and flipped the sun visor down to use the mirror.

Loki looked at her in slight wonder and confusion. She was an odd one, that was for sure. He was normally really good with reading people, but this one was baffling him. She was going to be a hard nut to crack.

April smacked her lips together, pleased with herself. Then she put the lipstick away and sat back again, resting her arms up behind her head.

‘Take a left at the end of this road, then just drive down the motorway for a good hour at least.’

‘If you won’t tell me your name, are you at least going to tell me where we are heading to?’

‘Only on one condition.’

‘I am not telling you what happened.’ He drawled.

‘No, no. That was for my name. I have another question.’

‘What kind of question?’ Loki had a lot of patience, but it was certainly getting put to the test with the infuriating girl.

‘Why are you not as powerful as you were before? I mean, you put up one hell of a fight in New York. But two measly agents with handguns you couldn’t take down? I didn’t even think bullets would affect you much. And where’s your fancy armour?’

Loki sighed again before answering. ‘My powers have been taken from me, including my Seidr.’

‘What is that? Voodoo or some shit?’

‘No. It’s… you would know better as magic.’

‘Like pulling rabbits out of a hat? Cutting people in half?’ April turned to face him more, getting excited.

‘No.’ He shook his head.

‘No?’

‘No.’ Loki said firmly.

April bobbed her foot up and down as she looked out of the window. Trying to get details out of Loki was like pulling teeth.

‘You owe me an answer.’ Loki said after a minute silence.

‘I have a friend who lives near the border. She has an empty flat just down the street from hers, we can stay there for the night. Let things calm down.’

‘Remind me again why I am trusting you?’

‘I don’t know. I didn’t hold a gun to your head and force you to come with me.’ April shrugged.

Loki said nothing. Neither of them did for a while, just drove along in silence. Then April turned the radio on and flicked through the stations until she found one she wanted, she turned it up.

Loki shot her a look, then turned it off.

‘Oi!’ April reached out to turn it back on, but Loki’s hand shot out quickly and he seized her wrist.

‘Leave it.’ He snarled.

‘You don’t like music?’

‘I do.’

‘Sooooo what’s the problem?’ She asked, snatching her hand back.

‘That incessant racket is not music.’

‘Of course it is.’ April turned it on, but it was turned off in a flash. Then she turned it on again but this time she pulled her gun out and pointed it towards Loki just as his hand was mid-way to the radio.

Loki laughed. ‘You wouldn’t dare.’

‘Do you want to take that chance?’ She cocked an eyebrow at him and released the safety latch from the gun.

Loki clicked his tongue and shook his head. ‘You’re one crazy woman.’ He gave up, realising he wasn’t entirely sure whether she would pull the trigger on him or not. Even though his ability to make out lies was still very much working, he found it wasn’t so strong around her.

April put the gun away in her pocket, smirking cockily at her win.

They drove for around twenty miles down the road, April had her feet up on the dashboard again. Suddenly Loki put his seatbelt on.

‘Put your seatbelt on and put your feet down.’ He said firmly, slowing down slightly.

She scoffed. ‘No.’

‘Put your damn seatbelt on.’ He snarled, whipping out his dagger quickly from his pocket he held it against her throat.

‘Ah, touché.’ She laughed, but kept her upper body still while she pulled her feet down.

Loki then removed the dagger while she grabbed the seatbelt and sat up straight. ‘What’s wrong anyway?’ She asked, then she noticed ahead there was a car accident and plenty of police officers at the scene. ‘Oh.’

Traffic was slow while passing the accident, but Loki and April got by without raising any suspicion.

Loki still let out a breath of relief once they took off again.

‘Next time I tell you to do something, you do it.’ He said through gritted teeth.

‘Yeah, course I will.’ She said sarcastically and rolled her eyes at the God.

The rest of the journey was in silence, apart from April telling Loki directions to the street where her friend lived. He parked up outside a block of flats and waited in the car while April went to get keys from her friend.

He was so tempted to drive off, leaving her behind. He was actually contemplating it, with his elbow on the side of the door and his chin resting on his hand. He never noticed April coming back and she opened his door, causing him to half fall out of the car sideways.

‘Smooth.’ April grinned while Loki scrambled back up and glared at her.

‘Are you coming? Or are you going to just run away with the car?’ She asked, swinging a set of keys around her finger.

‘Do not tempt me.’ He turned the engine off and got out of the car, grabbing his bag.

If he hadn’t been so tired, he might have done just that. He was hungry too, and he knew driving around to find somewhere for the night while hungry would just annoy him.

He followed April up to the block of flats and inside. They were on the third floor; Loki was pleasantly surprised to find it was a nice flat. Furnished too.

Loki dropped his bag down and went straight to the kitchen, raiding through the cupboards until he found suitable food. Suitable food being a packet of cookies. He sat down on the sofa, stuffing his face with them.

‘Just make yourself at home, why don’t you?’ April rolled her eyes and went to find something for herself to eat.

Instead of returning to the living room, she went to the only bedroom in the flat but stopped dead in the doorway when she saw Loki on the bed instead, sprawled out on top of the covers.

‘This is rather comfy.’ He said smugly when he closed his eyes.

‘That’s not your bed.’

‘It’s not yours either.’

‘It’s more mine than yours. My friends place. Get back to the sofa.’

‘Nope.’

April went over and tried shoving him off the bed, but it was like trying to move a boulder. He was solid and not going anywhere.

‘Don’t be a dick! I thought you were a gentleman?’ She punched his chest.

‘Well, you thought wrong.’ Loki shrugged, keeping his eyes closed.

‘Fine.’

Loki felt triumphant, but then curious when he heard her rustling about the room. He opened one eye to look, surprised to see her stripping off her clothes. He closed his eye again, but he couldn’t help himself and opened it again to watch while she stripped down completely.

Loki felt his cock stir, he was still a man after all. And seeing such a luscious woman naked would do that. He noticed she had a large tattoo that ran up the right side of her body, from just under her armpit right down over the side of her thigh. It was vines of roses with the thorns included. But it was in grey instead of colour.

‘It’s not nice to stare.’ April smirked and jumped onto the bed next to him, but on her stomach and top to toe instead.

Loki swiftly crawled over the top of her. She turned around onto her back, to find one of his hands wrapping around her neck.

‘I already told you. I’m no gentleman.’ He growled. ‘What is your game here, girl?’

April’s lips tugged up into a smirk. ‘I play lots of games, oh God of mischief.’ She said cheekily.

She bent her knee and brought her foot up to press against his crotch, easily feeling his arousal, the move caught him off guard and he groaned. April took that moment of distraction and quickly hooked her leg around his side and then pushed his chest and rolled him off to the side, straight off the bed.

‘Oof!’ He fell to the floor with a thud and groaned.

April laughed and quickly got under the covers, making herself comfortable.

‘I think there’s a spare blanket in the wardrobe. Sleep well, Loks.’ She said smugly, turning onto her side and closing her eyes.

Loki’s jaw clenched angrily, so annoyed that she had got one up on him. He got up to his feet and wiped his clothes down. Glaring once more at the infuriating yet sexy girl in the bed, he grabbed the blanket from the wardrobe and made peace on the sofa for the night.

[wildroseofarran]

Winter Ball, Part II || Jaidan & Letcher

June: June felt like Cinderella. Ice princess Cinderella. Dressing on theme wasn't a requirement for the gala, but why wouldn't she? This was something that only happened once a year, and if she could go crazy with the stars and stripes on the Fourth of July, she could be ice princess Cinderella for the gala.

Now if only she wasn't worried about her men abandoning ship before they got there.

She pulled up Fletcher's name and hit 'call'.

Fletcher: June would be greeted by a cough, a muttered curse and something falling on carpet. Nothing broken, at least.

"Hey, Junebug. Sup?"

June: She laughed. Those were not very encouraging sounds. “Well hello to you, too. I can practically feel your excitement for today.”

Fletcher: "Right. Today." Luke wouldn't pass up this opportunity to see him especially dressed for the occasion.

"M'not runnin' away if that's what you're worried 'bout."

June: “I’m not worried. Just making sure you’re still on board. I know you’re not a fan of these kinds of things.”

Fletcher: "M'not gonna lie t'ya 'bout somethin' like this. M'still goin'. Luke, too."

June: "Okay. Is he excited? Are you excited?"

Fletcher: "Well, I get t'see him all dressed up. That's kinda, ya know, hot."

June: June laughed. "Yes, it is. And he gets to see you all dressed up. It'll be very romantic."

Fletcher: "Ehhh. If ya say so. Are we meetin' ya there, or am I pickin' y'all up, or...?"

June: "I figured we'd meet ya'll there. Aidan is picking me up."

Fletcher: "Yep. Still a gentleman. Y'all feel free t'drink. I'll be sober for it."

June: "You're volunteering yourself as designated driver? You don't have to. If we're in no condition to drive home we can call someone to pick us up."

Fletcher: "I wasn't gonna be drinkin' anyway. Really, the two of ya have a good time. Luke too, if he can even get trashed on wine."

June: "Okay, thank you. But if you change your mind, tell me, okay? I want you to have a good time too."

Fletcher: "Drinkin' doesn't equate a good time, Junebug. I know workin' at a bar the patrons have fooled you," he laughed.

June: "You at least have to have a glass of champagne in the honor of the season."

Fletcher: "Fine. One. Right when I walk in with ya. Okay?"

June: "Deal! I also demand at least...two dances."

Fletcher: "Two?! Ya get one."

June: "Aw, come on! What's two little dances?"

Fletcher: "Luke's also gonna want dances n'I don't dance."

June: "Then we'll space them out. One at the beginning of the night and one toward the end."

Fletcher: "...Maybe." Easier than saying no. "What time is the party?"

June: "Six-thirty."

Fletcher: "Wanna do anything 'fore then?"

June: "My sister is coming over at three to help me do my hair so I'm free until then. Whatcha have in mind?"

Fletcher: "Shit I meant from today till then. Like ya wanna hit the gym?"

June: "Oh, today! Yes, I'm free and yes, I wanna go to the gym!"

Fletcher: "What we gonna work on today?"

June: "Arms. Got inventory coming up."

Fletcher: "Want some boxin'?"

June: "Yes. Been a while."

Fletcher: "I'll come pick ya up in an hour."

June: "Sounds good. See you then!"

Fletcher: As that time rolled around, June was given a text at a red light. Just a few blocks away.

Luke: As he drove, Fletcher would be receiving multiple pictures of Luke in different outfits.

Which one? they'd ask.

Like this, or like that? This colour, or that? That, or this?

The process also included him switching between genders, trying to figure out what would be more comfortable for them both, or if it made any difference at all.

He knew Fletcher wouldn't care as much as he is making out Fletcher will care, but he's stressing! The gala's a big deal!

Fletcher: The sudden switch in genders left him at the red light a few seconds too long. Should June know? What about Aidan and the rest of the Archers? It had been something intimate between them. The idea of others knowing hadn't crossed his thoughts.

{Text: Angel} What are you feelin more a dress or suit?

Luke: Fletcher: {Text} Almost to June's I'll call you then baby

He pulled up to the side of the road and sent a quick message to June. He'd be waiting outside talking to Luke. She could take her time.

The phone was pressed to his ear, elbow on the window as he counted the rings.

June: {Text to Fletcher} AHH I'M SORRY I GOT DISTRACTED TALKING TO MY BROTHER

{Text to Fletcher} I'LL BE OUT SOON I PROMISE

Luke: It would only ring thrice before Luke answered. He sounded exasperated immediately.

"Fletcher!" he exhaled. "Hi, Beautiful. Are you with June now?"

Fletcher: "Hey, baby. Yeah, she's almost out. So..." He turned up the A/C. "So ya wanna be Light for the gala?"

Luke: "It... it isn't so much a want as it is... I don't know the people who will be there. What if being a woman with you would be easier? But then Aidan and June... I'm... I'm torn. I don't know what to do."

Fletcher: "I know m'the first t'fuckin'...not want somethin' 'cause of...the shit in my life. I know I - but a lotta people know m'with ya. I don't think m'explainin' this right. M'not afraid t'be seen with ya at the gala as ya are."

Luke: There was silence on the other end of the phone. Some rummaging, material moving. "Alright, then. I trust you."

Fletcher: "Ya wanted t'be in a dress, didn't ya?"

Luke: He laughed shyly, "It wasn't that, I just started to wonder whether things would be easier for us."

Fletcher: "Us or me?"

Luke: "Us."

Fletcher: "Things ain't been easy 'cause I'mma guy?"

Luke: "N-no but things like... like sexual things and general homophobia and... I..." he sighed and rubbed his forehead, "I just mean more convenient."

Fletcher: "... Elaborate on that first part. D'ya like sex more as a woman?"

Luke: "I thought you might, given we... clash less."

Fletcher: "I uh..." He cleared his throat. "I like - I like both." Too bad Luke couldn't see the blush.

Luke: "Equally?"

Fletcher: "D'you like both equally?"

Luke: "I wonder if such extremely different things can be compared in such a way so as to be considered equal."

Fletcher: "Thank god you're so good with words."

Luke: "What... do you mean?"

Fletcher: "'Cause you're in love with an idiot that can't talk right. I love ya male or female, baby. I can do both."

Luke: "Don't call yourself an idiot." his soft retort while Fletcher finished speaking. "That's nice to hear... but perhaps strange for anyone who might be eavesdropping."

Fletcher: "She's just comin' outside. Wanna pick this up after the gym?"

Luke: "Sure. Tell her I said hello. See you later, love you."

June: June's first word the moment she got in the car was "Sorry! Blame my brother. And me a little bit, but mostly him."

Fletcher: "Love ya, too, baby."

His phone was tossed onto the dashboard. She was given a smile. "S'fine. Was talkin' t'Luke. Ya ready?"

June: "Yep! How is he? Excited?"

Fletcher: "Ehhh a little... nervous? Two men... Uh, he also says hi."

Fletcher pulled out to the road and turned down the radio.

June: "I hope you told him no one will care. And if someone does, I'll just beat them up."

Fletcher: "Ya got the skills to," he smiled.

June: "I should hope so, by now. But seriously, tell him not to worry."

Fletcher: "I'll let him know." Miles down the road, and the ugly concrete building came I to view. This was a part of his week he looked forward to. Through the grunts of determination and twinges of pain, despite the slams of gloves against gloves and bags his mind could be quiet. A momentary sense of peace waved over his paranoia.

June: June's mind was the opposite in a way. Her mind was racing, but not in the way it usually was. It was like her thoughts were...organizing themselves.

In her head she was doing her makeup and hair and picking out jewelry and thinking up a timetable getting ready.

She had her look complete in her head by the time they were finishing up.

"God," she sighed, nearly inhaling water. "Whoever decided humans should sweat should be kicked in the shin."

Fletcher: "C'mon. It feels good. Keeps ya cool n'pheromones," he grinned. "Go home t'Aidan n'just get naked."

June: “That’s just what someone who doesn’t have to deal with boob sweat would say.” She inhaled more water.

Fletcher: "I've got tits."

June: “You’ve got pecs. Big difference.”

Fletcher: He looked between them jokingly. "Okay, so, they were bigger than yours before we started this."

June: She laughed. “Now you’re all ripped and unrelatable.”

Fletcher: "Unrelatable? You're a lioness."

June: “A lioness with uncomfortably sweaty boobs.”

Fletcher: "They got lockers n'showers here. Girls' side probably better than what I step in."

June: "I wouldn't be too sure about that. That's why I only rinse here and shower at home."

Fletcher: "Like I said, give Aidan a surprise," he laughed. "M'really feelin' them right hooks from ya. My fuckin' wrist!"

June: "If I ever do give him this particular surprise it'll be with much cleaner hair. Also thank you! I'm really excited to kick someone out of the bar. I'm gonna go rinse off."

Fletcher: "I'll be watchin' n'takin' pictures t'hang."

His gloves were stuffed back in his bag. "Same. See ya in ten minutes."

June: "You're such a good friend."

Ten minutes later, June was no longer sweaty and much happier.

"I'm so ready to get ready."

Fletcher: "That excited, are ya?" His hair still very much damp, Fletcher was in the middle of arguing with his bag for the keys.

June: "Yes! It's going to be so fun and magical."

Fletcher: "Just hope s'somethin' Luke is gonna enjoy."

June: "I really think he will."

Fletcher: "Pretty much every big event now's gotta be more elaborate n'memorable for him."

June: She tilted her head. "Why?"

Fletcher: "I did somethin' shitty on New Year’s Eve a while back."

June: "Did you apologize and make it up to him?"

Fletcher: "Tryin' all the time. It ain't what the whole relationship is or should be, but it ain't somethin' m'ever gonna, ya know, let go of."

June: "If Luke has forgiven you or does forgive you, it's okay to forgive yourself, Fletcher. I'm sure he wouldn't want you to feel guilty for the rest of your lives, especially if you've tried to make it up to him and improve. And maybe I'm wrong, but Luke doesn't seem like the kind of person that needs or demands grand gestures."

Fletcher: "Ya ain't gotta demand em t'deserve em. Aidan should be givin' ya the same."

June: "That's true but what I'm saying is, you shouldn't feel pressured to make every big event or big thing a Big Thing, you know? Aidan took me on a walk to the ice cream place and remembered what flavor I like two months ago and I haven't stopped thinking about it."

Fletcher: The Samsa snorted, wiping his mouth in an attempt to remove the smile and very much failing.

"That's all it takes, huh?"

June: She smiled. "It really is. It's not about the size of the gesture. It's the love and meaning and thoughtfulness behind it."

Fletcher: "Well, he's lucky t'have ya."

June: "I'm lucky to have him. And you and Luke are lucky to have each other. Tonight will be memorable."

Fletcher: "Alright," he jiggled the keys, "lemme take ya home t'turn into a princess."

June: "Yes, let's go. I can turn into a princess and you and go turn into a price."

Fletcher: "Ha." But he could watch Luke transform, and that would be arousing and plenty of other things.

June was dropped off just outside of her house. A quick kiss to her cheek later, and he was well on his way home.

June: June watched Fletcher drive off, grabbing her phone from her bag as she made her way inside her house.

{Text to Aidan} Hey Prince Charming :)))))

{Text to Aidan} Just got back from the gym, about to start getting ready for tonight

{Text to Aidan} You excited?!?!?!?

Aidan: Aidan blinked at the messages which seemed to come one after another. He'll never understand why people send multiple texts, but he'll endure it for her.

{Text} Why do you have so many mouths?

June: {Text} What???

[hellofellowweirdos]

Chapter 4

“We going shopping or shoplifting?” Ava laughs when she sees Tony’s ‘inconspicuous’ attire (a pair of jeans, a blue hoodie, and blacked out sunglasses) as she gently closes her bedroom door. Tony meets her at the top of the stairs and they proceed to walk down together. Tony shrugs.

“Well, I don’t mean to brag but I am Tony Stark aka Iron Man. I have many adoring fans who would love to take pictures.” It’s meant to come off as sarcastic, although Tony’s afraid it may have sounded big-headed. However, to his relief, Ava laughs.

They make it to the elevator; Rhodey telling them to ‘have fun’ just before the doors slide shut.

“Hey, I’m doing this for you: if I’m not recognised the more time I get to spend with you,” Tony says this lightheartedly, however still manages to keep a slight tone of seriousness in his voice that he hopes Ava can hear.

Ava’s quiet for a moment, and Tony thinks he should have made the seriousness of the statement more prominent. Before he can even begin to overthink, however, Ava speaks up.

“Thank you,” she says sincerely; looking up at him with an expression Tony can’t decipher.

“No problem, kiddo.” His words are also sincere. And, although he doesn’t know why, his statement means a lot to Ava - but he dare not ask why, or even point it out.

The elevator finally reaches the lobby floor; and as the doors slide smoothly open, the two are greeted by Happy.

“Good morning, where are you two going?” Happy asks, taking his position as head of security seriously - as always. At first this was extremely annoying to Tony, however as time passed he’s become more fond of Happy’s approach to things.

“Shopping,” Tony answers and picks up his pace.

“I’ll get the car,” Happy states, moving towards the garage before his path is blocked by Tony.

“I was planning on driving today,” Tony informs him as he switches his gaze subtly back and forth between Happy and Ava, hoping he gets the message. Happy gives a slight nod.

“Oh, ok. I get ya.” Tony gives him a quick smile and a thumbs up, and is about to walk away when Happy says, “I’ll follow behind.” Tony’s patience is beginning to ware thin.

“Happy, I know you mean well, but you gotta give me some space,” he tells him as gently as he can; Happy opens his mouth to interrupt, “At least for today.” Without waiting for a reply this time, Tony leads Ava towards the garage. Just as they reach the door Happy calls after them.

“Be back before 7.” Tony chuckles to himself; he even hears Ava let out a slight giggle.

“Yes mom!” he calls back, to which Ava laughs at. He’s very chuffed with himself.

As they enter the garage, Tony notices the way Ava’s eyes widen at the sight of his vast collection of cars. He eyes are immediately drawn to the bright yellow Lambourghuini. Whilst Ava gawps Tony strolls over to all of the keys hanging on separate hooks, and take they keys to the Lambourghuini. Casually, he strolls over to the sports car - tossing the keys up and down as he walks.

“What happened to keeping a low profile?” Ava chuckles at her dad leaning against the side of the car, a smirk on his face.

“This could be any obnoxious rich guy’s car,” Tony explains as he opens the passenger door for Ava.

“It literally says Stark on the back,” she laughs, noticing the number plate, before climbing into the car.

“Would you rather take the subway?” he asks sarcastically, closing the door for Ava. He jogs round to the driver’s side. He doesn’t bother to open the door, he just jumps right over it into the seat.

“Hell no!” Ava replies enthusiastically, running her hand over the dashboard in admiration. Tony smiles.

“Got your seatbelt on?”

“Yep,” Ava replies as she clips herself in.

“Good.” Tony turns the keys in the ignition and the car roars to life.

                                                        ~ ~ ~ ~

“So, where do you wanna go first?” Tony asks Ava as they get out of the car. Ava thinks for a moment.

“Maybe a painting would looks good above my bed,” she replies, unsure as to what she could buy - it’s not her money after all. Tony nods and leads them towards the nearest relevant store.

The store they end up in is a rather large home store, so it takes them a while to find the section they’re looking for.

Ava wanders down each of the aisles, her eyes passing over each of the art pieces on display but none of them have caught her interest so far.

“Seen anything you like yet?”

“Not yet,” Ava mumbles back a reply, her eyes still scanning over her options. They walk a few more feet before she hears her dad’s footsteps behind her come to a stop. She turns around to see him pointing towards a canvas print of Iron Man.

“Now this is very nice. A masterpiece!” Ava giggles. Tony picks up the canvas and shows Ava.

“What do you think? This would look great in the living room,” Tony exclaims, turning it over to see the price on the reverse, “And such a good price! I’ve got to get this.” Tony puts the painting under his arm and continues down the aisle.

“Wait, you’re serious?” Ava giggles, watching her father walk away.

“Of course. I’m gonna hang it above the sofa; see how long it takes someone to notice,” he chuckles. Ava shakes her head in amusement and they continue wandering through the aisles.

***

Eventually, Ava finds a couple pieces of art that she likes.

“I don’t know which one I like more,” Ava mumbles to herself as he looks back and forth between the two canvases.

“Get them both,” Tony encourages.

“Really?”

“Of course. What did I say this morning?” Tony states, already taking one of the paintings from Ava to carry. Ava thinks back to this morning.

“Sky’s the limit,” she remembers, following Tony from the aisle.

“Sky’s the limit,” he confirms enthusiastically, “you can redecorate your whole room if you want, kiddo.” Ava becomes excited at this news.

“Well in that case we’re gonna need a shopping cart,” she exclaims, leading Tony out of the aisle.

***

Throughout the morning, Ava drags Tony around the store and many others looking for the perfect decorations for her new room. Tony doesn’t really mind, in fact, he’s enjoying himself - although by the time lunch time rolls around he’s exhausted.

“You hungry?” Tony asks Ava, interrupting her hunt for the perfect vanity.

“I am kind of peckish,” she doesn’t remove her eyes from inspecting the furniture, “where were you thinking?” Ava continues to move down the aisle, after deciding that particular vanity is not what she wants. Tony trails behind her, pushing the overflowing shopping cart.

Tony thinks for a moment before answering.

“You like Burger King?” she replies, still not stopping her scan of the aisle.

“Great, there’s one just round the corner. We’ll pay for these and then head there,” he looks down at the cart’s contents skeptically, “they deliver don’t they?”

Ava suddenly halts. In his distraction Tony almost doesn’t stop in time, although she didn’t seem to notice - which he’s glad for.

“This one’s perfect,” Ava exclaims, running her hand over the wooden surface of the vanity. She reaches round to the back of the mirror to turn on the large bulbs surrounding it. She squeals in joy, causing a few surprised glances from the surrounding customers. Tony chuckles, I guess she likes this one. He hasn’t failed to notice how picky she is.

“Grab the box and balance it on top of the other stuff,” Tony instructs, and Ava does just that. With the right amount of manoeuvring the contents on the cart, the compact box is now balances on top as safely as it can be.

“Right, food.” Ava sighs dramatically, already charging off towards the checkout. Tony struggles to turn the heavy cart around in the right direction.

Thankfully there isn’t much of a line, although it was enough to make Tony debate on whether to just run around the corner to get their food while they wait. Although he’s starving, Tony decided against it soon enough as waiting to get their food together means that the two of them can spend more time getting to know each other.

                                                         ~ ~ ~ ~

Over lunch the two make small talk, which is extremely awkward at first, however they soon get into an easy and natural conversation about Ava’s school.

“Well, science is pretty cool. But I used to hate it before I got this new teacher, Mr. Burner. My old teacher was really boring, he head this voice that just droned on and on. No emotion in his voice whatsoever! Although you could lead him off on a tangent really easily, we once got him talking about different cookie brands for almost the full lesson,” Ava pauses to shove a few fries into her mouth, “Anyway, Mr. Burner made the lessons really interesting. Like, instead of just lecturing us for an hour he would actually let us do stuff. He’s the reason I joined the chemistry club, which I really enjoyed.”

Ava takes a moment to think, “I’m also pretty interested in engineering. We had a careers day at school not too long ago, it certainly made my mind up about whether it was for me or not.”

“So you want to be an engineer then?” Tony asks enthusiastically, Ava knew this was a topic that she could bond with him over.

“Yeah, although I haven’t had much chance to actually do any - my school doesn’t exactly have the facilities to offer such a curriculum.” Tony seemed disheartened by this comment, almost more than herself it seemed.

“Aww, that’s a shame,” he says sympathetically; his face brightens, “Well I could teach you some things. I have plenty of projects that I’m working on, I could use an assistant.: His voice is laced with hope; Ava finds his shy hopefulness very sweet.

“Really? Does that mean I get to work on the Iron Man armour?!” she squeals excitedly, barely able to contain her excitement.

“Maybe,” Tony replies with a sly chuckle, causing Ava to let out an excited gasp.

“I have so many ideas, I can’t wait to show you. I have them all drawn out in my notebook!” Ava rambles.

Tony raises his eyebrow, “really? Wow, I can’t wait to see them. Are they like cosmetic ideas, weaponry ideas, or just general maintenance ideas?”

“Bit of everything really,” she shrugs, “although I don’t actually know if any f it will actually work: I’m not great with math.” Tony smiles fondly.

“Tell you what, after we finish our food you can get your notebook and we’ll go down to the armoury and take a crack at your ideas. I’ll help you with the math. We can do it together,” he suggests, finishing off his burger in one bite.

Ava beams at the idea, she can’t believe he want’s to work on her ideas with her. And help her learn how to do the math!

“Let’s go!” she exclaims as he gets ready to leave, her mouth full from having just inhaled the rest of her food. Before Tony even gets a chance to say anything she’s marching out the door.

                                                         ~ ~ ~ ~

“Why don’t you go grab your notebook and I’ll meet you in the armoury. It’s just down here,” Tony suggests when they exit the elevator into the living room, gesturing over to the staircase. With a quick nod Ava is running upstairs to her room, prompting Tony to run downstairs - he needs to clean up all the crap he left lying about yesterday.

When he opens the door the mess isn’t as bad as he had thought, just some tools lying out on the counters. Although he does spot his half eaten sandwich and coffee cup left by the computer. He quickly throws the rest of the sandwich in the trash but doesn’t have time to take the mug and plate up the the kitchen as Ava comes bounding down the stairs, notebook in hand. She begins flipping through the pages as Tony sets down the mug and plate on the desk again.

“What you got for me?” Tony pulls an extra stool up to the holographic computer for Ava to sit. She doesn’t look up from her notebook while doing so, still flipping through the pages, making Tony wonder just how many ideas she has.

The two spend quite some time looking over each of her designs. Tony is not only amazed by her ideas, some that even he could never have fabricated, but by her art skills as well. Each idea is mapped out in a painstakingly detailed diagram, not like the kind Tony whips up either: it’s artistic detail, almost like concept art for a movie.

“Wow,” is all Tony can say.

Ava sheepishly glances at him, “I know they’re probably not the best ideas but I worked really hard on them and...” Tony cuts her off, realising she’s getting the wrong end of the stick.

“No, I mean ‘wow’ as in they’re well,” he struggles for words, “just simply... outstanding.” Ava beams; Tony cherishes the sight.

“Thank you. I’ve never actually shown these to anyone before.” Tony is so proud of her, his daughter. Wow, this father thing is catching on pretty fast, he thinks as she flicks through the rest of her drawings: he never thought he’d get to experience this feeling.

Gently taking the notebook from Ava’s hands he continues to flick though the designs.

“They’re all so artistically drawn as well,” he looks up from his inspections to Ava, still grinning form ear to ear, “You, young lady, have talent.” Seeing her so happy and proud of herself makes Tony happy, and in that moment, he realises what it feels like to be a dad. There’s so much love in his expression it wouldn’t take a genius to figure out how much she already means to him - he’d do anything for his little girl.

After flicking through a few more pages he stops, examining this particular design with trained eyes.

“This one!” He exclaims, slapping the notebook down in front of Ava, “Let’s start with this one.” Tony shifts his gaze from the notebook to Ava, smiling a proud smile. Ava nods, and they get to work.