#but i'm taking the opportunity to put stuff inside the drawers

[rubberbandballqueen]

they should invent a pocket notebook that's 200 pages thick and waterproof and fountain pen friendly and has a spine that can be folded backwards and also isn't spiral-bound

[erwinsmithsmissingleftarm]

Do you think Reiner likes wearing condoms during sex?

CW: postwar!Reiner

Condoms. Who honestly invented that?

Reiner hates them, they feels just so oily and sticky. They have NOTHING in common with the spongy and warm walls of your pussy. Okay fine, he understands that condoms are a good way to avoid unwanted pregnancy or STD's but why the creator made them so... gross? Okay, he knows that he has no problems with giving you cunnis which is also considered gross by many people but condoms are honestly worst! No?

"Reiner... you forgot to put the condom on."

You can literally hear him letting out a whine mixed with a grunt when he is about to push his dick inside you and you stop him. Your legs close by automatism, not allowing him the access to your private part.

"But baby... they are so gross! Can't you take the plan B pill once, please?"

He is looking at you with those puppy eyes that he mastered over the time with you. How could you refuse him? Don't you want his precious cum to coat your walls white? However, you know that trick and shake your head in disapproval.

"I already took it the three last time, I'm tired of it."

These words are just like a stab to his heart. He knows that he should not be upset or sad as your decision is totally normal and understandable but he can't. His face immediately turns into a pout as he let a little sigh. Fine, you won this time.

Reiner reaches for the drawer where your intimate stuff is usually disposed before grabbing a condom and ripping the small package with his teeth. He then rolls it quickly on his shaft before looking at you.

"Happy?"

Your boyfriend asks and your legs spread again in respond. A smile stretches his lips anyway as he slides carefully inside you, his dick wrapped more than usual and making him feel even warmer. That's okay, next time he will find a way to fuck you without that stupid rubber. Maybe you will even be the one to ask him to fuck you raw, who knows?

Reiner is just a bit disappointed that he won't have the opportunity to breed you, to make him his again. It is in his dreams to impregnate you, he wants you to carry his child. Your lover wants to make the perfect family. With you.

With those thoughts, he starts to thrust into you harder and faster, soon making you both cum at the same time. His face crunches into discomfort as the condom is now full of his seed. Seeing his face like that make you laugh.

"Alright Braun, remove that thing and transform me into a fucking creampie, will you?"

[riley-phoenix]

Pairing: -

Canon: Real Person Fic (Arsenal FC)

Content: Reality Show, crack fic

Author's Note: There's a few references to the 2023/24 edition in this fic so you're welcome to read it before reading this one.

Summary: Ahead of the 2024/25 Season, Arsenal offers fans a look at the drama going on behind the scenes at Emirates Stadium.

Mikel woke up, stretching his arms and yawning as he basked in the yellow-orange glow of the Spanish sunrise. He looked over to his nightstand and opened the top drawer, revealing his unnecessarily large collection of hand mirrors. Mikel picked his favorite one before bringing it to his face. "I'm so handsome", he said to himself as he climbed out of bed and walked up to his calendar, observing the date circled with a bold, red marker. One week. One more week until the start of the new Premier League season.

He continued to observe the calendar, until he heard a sound coming from downstairs, someone had rung his doorbell. Mikel placed the mirror down and proceeded to walk down the stairs, he then curiously approached the door. Upon opening it, he found there was no one there. Mikel shrugged as he prepared to close the door but then something caught his eye. There was a package left on his doorstep. He cautiously took the box in his hands and brought it inside, placing it down gently on the table. Upon opening it, he found a note. It read, "Another one to add to your collection". Underneath said note, there was a bottle. A bottle with an Arsenal logo on it. Mikel's eyes filled with tears as quickly as his voice filled with rage. He fell to his knees and exclaimed with a scream full of resentment, "PAPIII!!! IT WAS NO FUNNY LAST YEAR!!! IT IS NO FUNNY THIS YEAR!!!".

Meanwhile, at the training ground...

Saka stood with his arms in his pockets, a look of mourning on his face as he stood before a pair of graves. "Tell me it gets easier", he said, as he looked to his left, where Ødegaard stood, still standing before the grave that read, "Granit Xhaka 2016-2023", as he had been doing for the entirety of last season. When he finally looked to his right, he simply uttered, "I'd be lying if I said it did". Saka nodded gloomily before turning back to the pair of headstones. They read, "Emile Smith Rowe 2018-2024" and "Eddie Nketiah 2017-2024" respectively. Fabio Vieira looked on from a distance, "Oh, bloody hell", he said to himself. "Now there's two of them", David Raya added.

"I'm so handsome. Team meetings are always so important. It's an opportunity for me to convey my thoughts about how we can improve and achieve our goals. And it's also a safe space for the players to share their opinions and feelings about everything that's been going on, there's no reason for anyone to be afraid. I'm so handsome".

"Not gonna lie, we're all scared shitless".

"Mikel really likes Kai. At first, no one thought anything of it but now it's just gotten weird. He calls him "son" , like, all the time. And I mean, he used to call all of us "son" every now and then and it didn't mean anything 'cause we were pretty sure he just meant it in a figurative way. But now I'm concerned that he may actually think Kai is his son".

Mikel approached the front of the room as everyone took a seat. "I'm so handsome. Good morning, everyone. We have a lot of important stuff to get through today, but first I have an announcement to make". Mikel pulls out a document. "After taking a DNA test, I am proud to announce that it has been medically proven, that Kai Havertz is, infact, my son". Mikel closes his eyes and puts his hands out, awaiting a round of applause that never comes. Subsequently, he pulls out his AK-47. Suddenly, the room is filled with applause, everyone has risen from their seat to give Mikel a standing ovation. While clapping, Declan Rice slowly leans towards Leandro Trossard, both with artificial smiles plastered on their faces. "Is that real?", Declan asked. "No", Leandro replied. "He just told the doctor that if he didn't sign it, Win would maul him". Mikel smiles and returns to his seat, "Thank you, thank you, I'm so handsome... And so is Kai. My son".

"So, last year, it was like, so annoying when Mikel bought Timber, 'cause like, Saliba, Gabriel and I were like, The Three Musketeers, and because he's a defender, Mikel was forcing us to play with him, but then I found out that Timber could get us free Taylor Swift tickets, so then we became friends, and now we're like... The Four Musketeers".

Ben marches angrily up and down the room. "Another defender? Another defender!? HE'S BUYING ANOTHER DEFENDER!???. Who the hell is even Ricardo California!?".

Gabriel lifts his finger, ejecting himself into the situation. "I think it's 'Calafiori'".

"I DON'T CARE!", Ben exclaims as he groans and flops himself onto his chair, falling backwards and placing his hand on his forehead.

"Ben, you might wanna see this", Timber said as he passed him his phone, showing him an Instagram post of Ricardo Calafiori giving all his friends free tickets to an Olivia Rodrigo concert.

Calafiori is doing his regular training exercises when Ben White pulls up next to him in his Ferrari. "Get in loser, we're going shopping", Ben says as Ricardo shrugs and climbs into the car. He sits in the backseat, next to Gabriel, who hands him a shirt. "On Wednesdays we wear the away kit".

"The amount of pressure Mikel is putting on the strikers this season is actually working out really well for us defenders. I've had a lot of time to relax recently and Tomi has been teaching me a thing or two about meditation".

Zinchenko and Tomiyasu stand side-by-side on long, wooden stumps, both balancing on one foot. They have their palms together and are taking deep breaths with their eyes closed. Both men then slowly reach out, extending their arms into a Karate Kid-inspired crane pose before transitioning into scissor kicks.

Meanwhile, Mikel is prepping the strikers for the upcoming season. "I'm so handsome. Last season, we came very close to winning the league, but once again we were just short. I want every single one of you to be on your A-game and ready to score 20+ goals, so I've put together this obstacle course to see how far along you've come". Mikel presses a button and some cardboard cutouts pop up onto the training pitch. "Martinelli, you're up first".

Martinelli effortlessly glides past all the cutouts, when one suddenly moves on a swivel, he's unfazed, doing a roulette around it and moving forward. As he approaches the goal, the goalkeeper cutout moves forward, but Martinelli simply chips the ball, allowing it to smoothly glide into the net.

"Decent. But I've seen better", said Mikel. "Next, Jesus".

Gabriel Jesus stepped up, controlling the ball as it's lobbed to him, he then proceeds to run forward. When the cardboard defenders start to close in, Jesus nutmegs one, then another one, then fakes left and goes right, then dribbles another one. As he approaches the goal, ten more cutouts pop up and form a wall with no gaps Infront of the goalkeeper. Jesus chips the ball high into the air, turns around, does a backflip over the wall, and catches the ball on it's journey back down, sending it into the net with a bicycle kick.

He falls to the floor and exasperatedly looks over to Mikel, seeking his approval.

"Eh", Mikel says as he shrugs. "Now let Kai show you how it's done. He is going to help us beat my Papi, his Grandpapi, and win the Premier League!". He gives Havertz a cheerful pat on the back. "Go get 'em son!", he says excitedly as Kai steps up to the starting point.

As Kai receives the ball, all the cardboard cutouts, including the goalkeeper, retract. Kai kicks the ball from halfway across the field, and watches it roll slowly into the net. As it does, Mikel starts jumping around and screaming in a celebratory manner, "I'm so handsome. I think it's only appropriate, that for a moment of such brilliant skill, we pair it with equally brilliant commentary". Mikel reveals a tape recorder and hits the play button, on the tape, is the iconic voice of Peter Drury. "And that, ladies and gentlemen, was a moment of unbridled talent. A second coming for a man, who, despite doubt, despite ostracization and exclusion, emerged from the shadows to revel in a level of brilliance previously unheard of. Once, dressed in blue, feeling blue, now, unequivocally, undeniably, red hot. Kai Havertz: Reborn... There I said it, now please, let my family go--". Mikel quickly turns the recorder off.

"Towards the end of our time in Spain, when we were getting ready to go back to London for the start of the new season, I was using the public computer when I stumbled upon an open tab. It was pictures of Mikel... NUDE pictures of Mikel!".

"How else did you think we were going to fund the Mikel Merino transfer. I'm so handsome".

Mikel stands at the entrance to the plane as he counts heads. "Alright everyone, time to get back to the UK". he waits patiently for everyone to board before taking a seat himself. "We didn't forget anyone, did we?", Kiwior asked . "No, not that I can think of", said Mikel.

As the plane took off and left the runway, Aaron Ramsdale stepped out of the bathroom. "Guys... Guys?... Where is everyone?".

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Tags: @colorsofmyseason

[pretoriafics]

Teenage Dream Pt. 2 (Interactive story)

Man! I think this one is the most amazing thing I'd ever written! I'll request from all of you guys special attention at the end of this chapter. I'll let you a message, and I'm pretty sure you will love it!

Derek took you to his loft. While you are alone, you start to understand the environment you were now part of. Word count: 2.056 Pairings: Different Dimension!Reader x Derek; Different Dimension!Reader x Platonic!Laura; Different Dimension!Reader x Platonic!Cora; Different Dimension!Reader x Platonic!Talia Contain: It’s pretty fun; AU Warnings: English is not my main language <3 PART 1 ALTERNATIVE VERSION TEEN WOLF MASTERLIST

You finally entered Derek's loft. Oh, man... It was just like in the tv show!

You enter the loft just like if you had entered paradise. With your mouth opened in pure fascination, you swirl around your feet while looking around. Derek came just behind you with arch eyebrows. It would be funny if it doesn't be scary.

"Oh. My. Godness. Is it here that all the pack meetings are made?"

Derek didn't reply to you. Instead of it, he just stares at you. He gives a few steps forward, getting closer to you.

"What's your name?"

You swallowed hard. Derek was with his usual cold expression, arms crossed in front of his chest, and no patience for bullshit.

"(Y/N) (Y/L/N)."

"Good. Look (Y/N) (Y/L/N), you will stay right here. You will not get out, you will not call anyone, or speak with anyone. If you run away from here, I'll kill you faster than you could say to me what happens at season one. Did I made things clear to you?" Shrunken in fear, you just nod, and Derek narrows his eyes to you. "Okay. I need to see someone that you probably know, so-"

"Braeden? Jennifer? Deaton?"

Derek sounds confused to hear the first two names. So, you simply thought that he didn't meet them yet.

"Not of your business."

He gives his back to you, walking out of his loft and closing the door, locking you there. And, wow, you have Derek's loft all for you! Oh man, it just like on the fanfics!

Well, you were curious and excited as hell. Your first thought was something pretty plausible: You used to watch Teen Wolf when you were a teenager. So, being inside the series was just like time-traveling. Smartphones aren't a thing yet, and Dua Lipa music still unknown. As a way to test this theory, you walk in the radio's direction and turn it on. The music that started to fill the room was Friday by Rebecca Black. Yeah, you remind that song, and you instantly felt nostalgic. But it could be just random music on the radio, right?

You switched the radio station, and then Party Rock Anthem By LMFAO starts to play. Well, another song of 2011... But you aren't so sure yet, so you switch the radio station one last time. You almost fell on your back when Domino by Jessie J fills the room. You took a confirmation that yeah, you were back in the 2011's. You are probably during the events of season one.

Well, Scott has just been bit by Peter, Derek just came back from town, and... You are now in the middle of all of that.

"Oh, man!"

You can't do anything for a while. So, all you could do is wait for Derek and whatever he was doing now. You look around while Jessie J sings on the radio, giving you a few nostalgic feelings. Well, you would take a relaxing bath. There's just one problem: All the clothes you have is the one you're wearing now. Without giving a damn, you walk to Derek's wardrobe direction.

"I'm sorry sour wolf, but I'll borrow a few clothes of yours." You open it and take a black shirt. Man, you felt thrilled! "Jeez, this is so like the fanfics!"

You go to the bathroom's direction, taking off your kitten pajama, and putting yourself under the hot water of the shower. Man, Rude Boy by Rihanna starts to play on the radio. You couldn't contain a laugh. It was funny because you were taking a shower and would wear clothes from a legit rude boy.

And, well, you started to sing. It was everything really nice for a few minutes: You were wearing Derek's shirt, listening to a few old pieces of music, and, now, you were in his kitchen making a sandwich.

When you sat on Derek's bed, with your wet hair and your sandwich, Starstrukk by 3OH!3 and Katy Perry started to play. Yeah, that time alone was being nice! You move your body in the music's rhythm while bites your sandwich, still sat on the mattress. You should enjoy that peace while it lasts!

The sandwich was cool, the music either... But you realized that, now, you had a golden chance that every fan would die to have: You are alone in Derek's flat. What kind of things he hides there?

After finishing your sandwich, you look around. You stand up from the mattress and walk around the loft. Getting upstairs, you could find some supernatural books, some weird things that you thought could be some magic stuff, and his laptop. Oh, man! What else hides in his internet searches?

You hold yourself, trying to decide if you should snoop his history on the internet or if you should see what he hides on his bedside table drawer.

When you go downstairs, Animal by Neon Trees fills your ears. You run to Derek's bedside table and opens his drawer. You found his cell phone charger, as well as the laptop one, a coin with a triskelion and... tons of condoms.

Your eyes got widen. This is definitely the kind of thing the TV show hasn't expose.

Also, you noticed Derek's loft needed some... cleaning.

Bored as never before, you walked to the kitchen searching for some cleaning stuff. You found some on a cabinet: A mop and a few other products. Oh, perfect! You took them and, soon, you were sliding the mop through the flat while sings Animal. The flat smells like lavender now, and the floor is so clean that you are proud.

You heard Magic by Rivers Cuomo and B.o.B on the radio, and you sing with the music reminding the parties at your friend's house after school. Suddenly, the door finally opens, and you heard Derek's voice.

"...She's not lying, and I need to know if you already saw something like that before."

You froze with the mop on your hand when you saw Derek. He froze as well. It was understandable: A complete stranger is cleaning his flat and wearing his clothes.

"...Oh, hi! I've borrowed your shirt."

Then, a female voice came behind him.

"There are tons of things that could cause this kind of thing. We need to investigate."

Talia Hale came after his son, as well as Laura and Cora. They also froze with the scene of you wearing Derek's clothes and cleaning his loft. You? Well, your eyes almost had pulled out of your face when you saw them. Talia inhales the air to her lungs, clearly smelling the air.

"Are this... Lavender?"

"Yeah, it is." Laura replied her mom, looking at Derek after that "I think lavender suits you. It's perfect for your flat. It is really your thing, Derek."

You were so confused! What are they doing there? Your chin fell, letting your mouth opened in pure disbelief. Derek rolled his eyes at Laura before look at you again.

"...She'll freak out."

"Oh. My. Gosh. Oh my gosh!!" The mop fell on the floor, and you ran through Talia, Cora, and Laura's direction. "What the hell are you doing here?!"

The Hale women look at each other, and Cora looks at you.

"Well, mom came here to help Derek with, uh, you. And I guess you already know us."

"You shouldn't be here!" You stare at Cora "You should be in South America! And both of you" You stare at Talia and Laura "I can't even talk about you two! Jeez!"

You put your hands on your head, with your mind blowing while the Hale family enters into the loft. Derek turns off the radio before staring at you again.

"I thought you were used to seeing me with them."

You stare at him, with your eyes widen. Your mind was full of theories already.

"Derek, you are definitely not understanding what is happening here. Your family shouldn't be here."

He arches his eyebrows, noticing there's something pretty wrong here.

"What do you mean?"

"Look" You approach them, looking at everyone "I'll do just one question: Did your house was burned some years ago?"

They look at each other, with the engines on their head trying to work. Talia stares at you.

"Yeah, but we had fortunately escaped."

"How about your brother?"

"Peter was the only one that hasn't managed to."

Oh, man... That means one thing. Scared as hell, you sat on the mattress. Derek started to feel anxious and approaches you.

"What's happening?"

You breathe in, staring at the family.

"It shouldn't happen. At the TV show, Talia dies at the fire. Cora ran to South America, Peter got burnt and goes to a clinic, Laura turns herself into alpha, and she stays with Derek. It means that I'm not on the TV Show. I'm inside a fanfic."

Oh, man... It means, basically, that you even haven't so sure about what will happens next. If you were inside the TV Show, you could predict the future. You couldn't do it if you were inside a fanfic.

While you were in complete shock, Talia looks at her family.

"Well... I'll search the most plausible theory of (Y/N)'s arrival. I think we can start looking for some witches near. It can be some work from a coven."

While the Hale family talks about you, you still sat on the mattress, thinking about what the heck was going on. Well, what kind of fanfic did you got into? Was It an insert-reader one, or was It just a common one? Are you the protagonist?

You would test your theory, and you would do it right now.

Knowing the opportunity was just right there, you ran through the flat's door. However, Derek notices your escaping.

"She's running away!"

A mess quickly takes form inside Derek's loft: His announcement made all the Hale run after you, trying to avoid your escaping. They don't know anything about you yet. It could be dangerous to have you simply walking around Beacon Hills.

Fast, you ran through the building until you go outside. A storm quickly takes form, and heavy rain starts to fell from the skies. To everyone's surprise, you stopped in the middle of the asphalt, looking at the sky.

"Hey!" You yelled to something up there "I want a sign! Hey, writer! Readers! Anyone! Am I inside of a fanfic? Answer me! Send me a clue, anything!"

A thunder lightens the skies, and you fell on your knees with a lack of a clue that could help you to find out what was going on. Then, you felt a hand grab your arm.

"Enough, weirdo." Laura said, holding you while the Hale family surrounds you to keep you from running away "You'll stay inside the loft."

With all the last hopes of yours, you look up from the skies. The rainwater runs through your body while you wait. You just want a sign! A clue!

Then, you thought you had seen something. Laura pushes you, making you stand up from the asphalt. And when she was started to drag you to the loft again, you saw something falling from the sky. Derek saw it too.

"Laura, wait."

Everyone looks up, noticing what the heck was that: It was a post-it paper falling from the skies in your direction. When it came close enough, you took it.

Man... When you read it, your face became pale as a candle, and you simply pass out on Laura's arms. Caught by surprise, Laura holds you while everyone runs in your direction. Cora took the post-it paper from your hand and, when she read it, she stares at her family completely incredulous.

"What?" Derek looks at her, in urgency to know what was that. Cora swallowed hard, starting to read the post-it paper out loud.

"Here says: Author's note: Yeah, you are inside a fanfic. Author's note two: Your story has just started, girl."

Yeah, for sure, the Hale family stares at each other in complete shock. Of course, they weren't expecting that your call for a sign would be replied to. Especially by me, the author of your story! Ha! And honestly? I'll think carefully if I'll help you during your journey inside your favorite TV Show, because, honestly? I'll not let things easy for you.

FINAL AUTHOR'S NOTE Here's the thing about this series: I'm the author mentioned at the end of this chapter, y'all are the readers mentioned in the story AND the (Y/N) of this story. Consider that the (Y/N) is the "you" from a different dimension, okay? Why should you consider this: Because you all can communicate themselves with the (Y/N) of that story! At every ending of the chapter, I'll request you to send me something to help the (Y/N) inside the story. You will send it through my ask, right here. Well, the (Y/N) has requested to the readers sent her a sign that she is really inside of a fanfic. Send me your clue for (Y/N) through my ask, and I'll put it on the next chapter to makes her freaking out.

I'll be waiting for y'all!

[itspdameronthings]

Nice Surprise

A/N : This is based on a lively discussion on @lucrezia-thoughts's blog yesterday.

📷

Ever since Benny moved in with you. He is getting used to your habits. You are getting used to his. One afternoon he found out one habit by accident. Which turned him on.

Was a Saturday morning. He just got back from his morning run. Since you were going out with Will's girlfriend aka your best friend for some retail therapy. Perfect opportunity for him to recover from the fight from the night before. Before you left. Told him not to forget about the laundry that is in the dryer. Also reminded to rest. He loves how you worry about him. Kiss you on the forehead," scouts honor babe I'll be a good boy.wont do anything stupid." Soon you left. He went into the garage to get the laundry out of the dryer. Started to fold the clothes. He started to fold your stuff. Noticed something. Sports bra. Pink with lace on the sides. Very cute. Thinking nothing about it. Went to your shared room to put stuff up. Part of him wanted to take a peak in your drawer. Couldn't help it though. Opening the top drawer caused him to gasp! Whole drawer is full of sports bras! Lots of different colors and styles. Benny moans," hot damn! I'm in heaven! " right on cue. Hear your angelic voice. Noticed you were talking to someone. Heard you on the phone," love how it feels to go braless. Not just in public,but at home! Freedom. Besides, I would love to tell Benny about that. " he was leaning against the wall listening to the conversation. Getting rather turned on when he sees you taking your sports bra off. By the way, remove it from reaching under your shirt. Benny couldn't take it anymore. Tried to move,but lost his footing from leaning against the rocking chair. Thud cause you to jump. Benny laughed as he was laying on the floor. Sitting on his legs," have you been eavesdropping? You know that is not nice, my sexy soldier. Have to pay up." Benny let his hands roam inside your shirt," love to learn something new about my lovely baby girl. Which I discovered by putting your laundry up. I love that you wear sports bras. It is so easy to remove. Was so hot how you took it off. Now if you don't mind if I took your shirt off. Need to feel those breasts." Cant say no to that. Whispers to him to carry you to the bedroom. So they can make out like teenagers.

[shra-vasti]

Hello

Pairing : Kim Mingyu x reader

Type : Soulmate au, idol au

Genre : Fluff

Warnings : none

Word count : 3-4k approx

Soulmate au type : In which the soulmates have spirit animals who guide them towards each other and the spirit animals themselves are each other's soulmates too.

Mingyu is someone who has always set himself as his priority, there was a time when he was insecure about himself but he has learned to not let his insecurities take a toll on him. He worked hard to be the Mingyu he is today and he's thankful that his members were by his side through everything.

He has a reputation in the kpop community, he's outgoing and is very friendly in nature which helps him in having many connections to expand himself and his group further into success. It's his way of making himself useful for his group and not feel pressured that the group's responsibility lay only in the hands of leaders.

With that said, even if he tried his hard he gets tired, there are still the times when he feels insecure and useless but asking members to always cheer him up would just make him look like he's trying way too hard so he never asked their help.

He instead opt for going out with different girls, he enjoys people being wrapped around his fingers, it gives him satisfaction. He doesn't date seriously he wants to save his love for the one fate has tied him to. But he doesn't like being lonely. He never stay with the same girl for long and doesn't keep them blinded just so they don't potentially hurt themselves. He is very clear about his intentions and avoids all sort of feelings involved.

The members don't approve of his behaviour especially the 3 oldest ones. Seungcheol doesn't want him to go wrong way, Jeonghan wants him to maintain his image for the sake of his soulmate's feelings as he knows how it feels to hurt your own soulmate and potentially wither the bond and Joshua has been in the very unfortunate situation where he had recklessly fallen in love with someone else and ended up hurting himself and his soulmate and he doesn't want the younger to go through the same.

But Mingyu isn't getting emotionally involved with anyone, he likes hooking up with them and hang out casually nothing more serious, he just wants to be his best version for his soulmate.

"Where are you going?" Mingyu turn his head towards the voice to see Jeonghan leaned on his doorframe eyeing him with a questioning gaze. Mingyu turned his attention back towards the mirror taking one last look at his outfit and spraying some perfurme on his neck and wrist ready to go.

"Date." he replied simply looking into the elder's eyes through the mirror.

"What about coco? Has it shown itself lately?" Jeonghan asked raising his eyebrows talking about Mingyu's spirit animal, a puppy, who summons itself whenever it can feel his soulmate's presence and try to lead Mingyu towards his soulmate.

"Nope." Mingyu shrugs disappointment laced in his voice but bears a nonchalant look on his face. There hasn't been much time since he got his soulmark and coco has shown itself not more than once or twice from then till now. For Mingyu the occurrence of Coco is his one in a million chance and he had witness himself passing out the first time it showed up ultimately leading the members to take him to the hospital and him losing his chance to meet you. The situation itself was funny and pathetic enough and he beats himself regularly for being such a dramatic guy.

"I hope you meet your soulmate before you meet up with your fling though. I don't understand how you even get them to agree with your stupid deal." Jeonghan exclaimed as he turn around and made his way towards his own room which was located right beside Mingyu's. There wasn't a point in trying to explain the cons of the situation Mingyu was putting himself into, he had done it countless of time.

Mingyu shook his head still processing Jeonghan's words as he grabbed his jacket since it was cold outside and phone and left the dorm to meet up with his date.

▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️

You stood up from your reception seat to greet your senior who was promoted recently to a higher position. He was the one who handled the reception before you did. You were the intern in the pledis building working on the reception area by the main entrance as a part of your internship program held by your college.

"How's the work going? Are you comfortable?" he asked trying to have a small talk. It hasn't been much time since you started and you were still getting a hang of things. You nodded at him.

"I'm still trying to get used to being busy all the time." he laughed at your response telling you about the time when he was new in the building and how much struggle he went through as well as complimenting you for doing way better than he did at his time.

You haven't met any idols here yet not all atleast. You have seen few members of nuest and bumzu and other than them majority of your time you had just met the trainees who were working hard to reach their goals. You hadn't met Seventeen yet, although the group is the most active group pledis ever produced, because they had a world tour when you joined in and then they moved to bighit building all together.

You finished up your remaining work without a break after your senior left, determined to finish all the work tonight itself so that you can get a day off of finishing the work and focus on other aspects of your internship and relaxing.

You looked at the watch as you kept your last file inside your drawer, cracking your knuckles and moving your head up and down to ease the numbness built up due to constant sitting. It was past midnight as you blamed yourself for not keeping a track of the time. Walking alone at night wasn't a good idea, you could have just finished the rest of the work at home. It was going to be your first time going home this late so you were a bit worried.

You packed your stuff and got your coat as you made your way out of the building. You head towards the main gate when a car pulled up in front of you, the windows rolled down as you saw your senior get out of his car surprised to still see you in the building.

"What are you doing up this late?" he asked as he stood in front of you hands clad inside his pockets as he waited for your answer.

"Lost track of time while trying to finish off the work. I'm heading off to my house now so I guess I'll see you around." you bowed as you continued to walk when he stopped you.

"It's midnight and I don't think it will be good for you to go home alone. Let me drop you otherwise it will keep on bugging me that I left you all by yourself. I'm your senior I am just looking out for your safety." he suggested, you contemplated for sometime but gave up when you realized he was right and being with someone atleast a bit familiar to you was better than being anxious while going home.

You made your way towards the passenger seat and he drove off. You gave him the address of your apartment complex as you relaxed on the seat.

"I had some things to discuss with you about working at the reception." he said, his eyes still trained towards the road ahead. You looked in his direction.

"What about it?" you asked as you played with your fingers.

"Wanna talk about it while having a drink? I bought this new wine and wanted to drink and this is the perfect opportunity to do it in the name of you successfully getting the internship program and me welcoming you to the building." he said as he nonchalantly eyed you before once again bringing his attention towards the road.

"It's totally fine, I'll just head home as I'm really tired." you politely declined his offer when you felt him narrowing his eyes at you.

"The drinking isn't the main reason just so you know. I said I wanted to discuss somethings with you and also give you some files essential to carry out the task more easily." he said matter of factly his tone a bit off in offense. "Are you thinking I'm going to take advantage of you or something?"

"No no it's not like that." you mumbled frantically waving your hands in the air as you tried to come up with a better reason. "I'll go with you." you sighed as you turned your head to look out of the window cursing at yourself for bringing yourself to this situation. The drive was quiet of a while before he spoke again.

"You look more beautiful with your hair like this. Not that you don't look good always but you look exceptionally good today. Just wanted to compliment you and nothing else."

You heartbeat quickened as you mumbled a quite thanks trying to avoid any sort of conversation with him. You were going to talk to him about the work, take files from him and head towards home straight.

Your eyes narrowed in confusion when the car stopped in front of a big mansion. The name plate in the main gate gave you that it's your seniors house. Why would he bring you to his house?

"To clear your confusion I have the files in my house so let's get them." he said as he made his way towards his door and opened it motioning you to come inside as he did too. You made your way towards his door and decided you would just stand there till he bring the files and leave.

"You aren't coming in?" he asked as he realized you weren't following him. You shook your head telling him to just give you the file and leave.

"At least have a drink with me now that you have came this far." he said getting impatient by the fact that you didn't seem to gave in to what he had to say.

"No sir I would like to kindly reject the offer." you said as your breath hitched when he angrily stomped towards you.

"You know I'm capable of making your life miserable at the building right?" he mocked as he looked towards you laughing. "You haven't hit the rock bottom till now right? You should just give into me, your internship will run more smoothly if you would do so."

"I'm a college student ofcourse I'm already at my rock bottom what's the worse that can happen? I've my pride and I would like to decline your offer I can manage my life myself." you said as you bowed him one last time before making your way out of his door.

"Then go ahead. Do what you want and just go to your home by yourself I'm not dropping you off I'll see how you manage to go home now, my house is in completely opposite direction of yours." he said as he shut the door on your face harshly.

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Mingyu fixed his shirt's button as he made his way out of the house of the girl he was on date with. He put on a mask and his jacket, too much disguise bring more suspicion so he preferred to not disguise too much.

He got inside his car as he started driving towards the seventeen dorm. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as he lightly hummed to himself. He hung out with her and made out not feeling in his system to hookup with someone for a quite while, he decided he would just head to the dorm as it was 3 in the morning.

It had started to rain lightly making Mingyu check the weather forecast, it was winter season and very unlikely to rain, he shrugged he was in his car so it wasn't much of a hassle. The unlikely occurrence of the rain wasn't much shocking as compared to the shock he got when Coco, his spirit animal summon itself and started pacing furiously on the dashboard of his car making Mingyu stop his car in an instant.

"Are they near?" Mingyu asked as he began opening his car door. Coco nodded his head, completely understanding what he was saying. "Lets go."

Mingyu's heart was beating fast as he locked his car door cursing at coco for not stopping for him as it was already running towards the direction where it could feel its soulmate's presence. Mingyu's one hand was above his head, an unsuccessful and useless attempt at keeping himself dry from the rain.

He kept on running and running till he stopped, watching as Coco was straddling another small spirit animal, puppy, which he assumed was of his soulmate. They looked happy but where were you?

He looked here and there to see a silhouette near the bus stand watching the two puppies playing around. No one other than the owners could see them. He smiled as he saw your expressions change in realization, a shock clearly evident on your form as you finally locked eyes with him.

He made his way towards you while his hands came up and he waved his hands towards you, smiling up at bit. You got up from your seat, all drenched in rain feeling cold but happy at the same time as you took small steps towards your soulmate.

Your feelings were overwhelming you at this point. The earlier event and then suddenly meeting your soulmate together was too much for you. You were all alone with no buses at such time making you wait for the earliest bus possible for returning back home. You had been sitting on this bus stop for 3 hours straight with no one else and it started raining.

The sight of Mingyu was enough for you though. He came near you speeding towards you when he noticed your drenched form and your scared face. He hugged you the moment he came close enough not bothering to even introduce himself as you hugged him back and finally started crying holding onto him tightly.

He was confused as to what has happened for you to react this way, it was sure that it wasn't his fault considering how tight you were holding onto him. He patted your back with one hand as the other run through your hair softly as he mumbled in your ear that you were safe with him and that you can let it all out. He figured it has stopped raining as your cries subsidised too.

"I'm sorry." you sniffed feeling embarrassed that your soulmate had to meet you this way when you haven't even property glanced at him. You pull away after that wiping the tears from your face as you pulled your head up to look at him.

"No worries. I'm here for you from now on."

"Mingyu?" your eyes widened at the sight of the idol in front of you. You had heard and saw a lot about Seventeen and you never once even thought that the visual of Seventeen was also your soulmate.

"You know me?" his eyes widened as you nodded your head.

"Hello." he awkwardly said making you laugh loudly. "Are you perhaps a carat?"

"No but I do like your music and you are very popular so I know." you told him as you felt yourself getting flustered the more you look in his direction. You didn't know if it was the bond or he was actually that attractive but you know that he already had some sort of effect on you. He was more beautiful than tje pictures you have seen from the magazines and subways.

You attention shifted towards the puppies who were now beside you as they faced each other with their tail wagging furiously.

"What's its name?" you asked eyeing the unfamiliar puppy playing with your spirit animal. Both of them looked so happy with finding each other. You suddenly felt sorry for not paying attention to your spirit animal as you were focused more on yourself to even notice the fact that the creature only summons itself when your soulmate is near.

"Coco. What about yours?" he asked as he felt amused as to he wasn't the only one who named their spirit animal. He felt like he was weird for naming it but not now.

"Chips." you said as you duck your head down in embarrassment. The first time your spirit animal showed up was when you were out for buying chips and hence the name.

He raised his eyebrows at your answer then laughing slightly. "So they together become Coco-chips then?"

"Oh god they do." you laughed alone with him watching as the two puppies played with each other.

"Let me drop you home you'll get sick if you keep on wearing those clothes." he said as he intertwined your hand with his and dragged you back towards where his car was. Both of you were silent all through the time when you were going towards his car and making your way towards your house. The only words shared between both of you being your name and address.

He didn't ask you anything about how you ended up so far away from your home at this time of the night and you were more than thankful to him for giving you your time. He kept on holding your hands and draw meaningless pattern on them with his thumb.

"Here." you welcomed him inside your house as both of you reach your apartment. He nodded at you as he took off his blazer and put in on the table. He was not drenched in rain as he wasn't out in the rain unlike you so he made himself comfortable on your couch as you excused yourself to get changed.

"Do you want some coffee?" you asked as you made your way towards him after you change. He shook his head and motioned you to join him. You sat on the couch as you contemplated on what to say.

"Are you alright now?" he asked concern laced across his face as he spoke to you. You nodded your head smiling at him.

"Mind telling me about it? Only if you are comfortable though."

"I was returning from pledis building to home when my senior asked if he could drop me. It was already midnight...." and you went on and on telling him about each and everything that happened till the time he found you.

At this point he was by your side, his arms around you as he swayed you back and forth as you let all the frustration out.

"You don't have any schedule tomorrow?" you asked after sometime.

"I do have but not untill later. So I get to spend some time with my soulmate." he grinned at you making you blush.

"I'll protect you from now on. You don't have to worry about him I'll make sure he is out of the building tomorrow so you don't have to face his shitty attitude. I don't know if it's too early but I will do anything for you to not get hurt." he smiled as he kissed your forehead telling you to just go to sleep after the hectic night.

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"You, these kinds of feelings I hope I’m not the only one who has them. You, more than mine I'm curious about your feelings. You, from now on I want our days to be each other’s days, me and you."

[amethystpath-writes]

BTHB Communication Suddenly Cut Off

@badthingshappenbingo

Original work!

Communication Suddenly Cut Off

******

Hero adjusted her shoulder, elbow on the arm of her chair. "No way!" She dropped her spoon into her bowl of cereal. "She actually said that to him?"

On the other end of the line, Friend laughed. "Oh yeah. I don't blame her a single bit! I mean, he was borderline stalking her. You remember when we were at Max & Erma's and he dressed up as a waiter just to see her? Insane."

Picking her spoon back up and shoveling it into her mouth, Hero mumbled a 'Yeah, guess you're right'.

"So what have you been up to? I missed you at the party today. You doing alright?"

Bending forward with legs bent on the cushion, Hero put her bowl on the coffee table in front of her. She grabbed her phone with a hand instead of holding it between her head and shoulder. Hero was cramping enough without having to take up weird body positions.

"I'm alright," she said. "Just exhausted from work, you know?" Exhausted from fighting a villain you hopefully know nothing about.

Friend was silent for a moment. "I get it. It sucks not seeing you though. Maybe we could have a movie night." Her voice pitched at this. "Be exhausted all you want that way. I'll get us some popcorn. And! I'll get the nacho cheese stuff to sprinkle over it!" Hero smiled in her seat. "I'll pick up a few movies from Redbox, too, so we don't have to watch a bunch of oldies. Okay, that's it. That's the plan. Now," Friend hummed then began mumbling, "It's five o'clock and Mom needs eggs from the store. I'll try to be there by-"

The line went fuzzy, a quiet chshhhhhh. "Friend? Hey, you're cutting out." Hero stood from the chair, walking to the window. Maybe there was better reception there? If it was on Friend's end then it didn't matter much, but she could at least try. "Friend? You there?" She pulled the phone away, the screen of her phone lighting up. Hero was on a second call. No name though. Weird. She hung up, or at least tried to. The screen hadn't changed when she tapped the little red phone. Hero tapped it again, but nothing happened.

Next time she tapped the counting timer that told her how long she was on a call with Friend. The phone call returned normally and the other disappeared. She shook her head.

"H-ero? I th-ink-"

Hero cut to the chase. The call wasn't getting any better. "What time?"

Chshhhhhh.

Damnit, Hero thought, and peeked at her phone again. 'Unknown Caller' it read for a second time. "Hello?" she said impatiently. No answer. "Hellooo?" Nothing.

She hit the home screen, tapping the text message icon then tapped on Friend's contact. 'Hey. Phones are acting weird. What time do you think you'll be here?' Hero typed. Hitting send, a red and encircled X appeared. 'Message failed to send' it said below. She touched the X and then touched where it said 'Retry'. The X reappeared. Hero repeated the process once. Twice. Three times. Four. Five. Nothing, nothing, nothing. "What the hell?" Her phone was slow sometimes, but never this bad. "She'll get here when she gets here I guess."

Her phone began to ring just as she tossed it on the couch across the room. Sighing, she went to pick it back up. 'Unknown Caller'. No. If it was important, they could leave a message or text her. Hero didn't pick up from numbers she didn't know, or from numbers that didn't appear on screen. She pushed the lock button on the side of the phone, rejecting the call.

"How rude, rejecting my call."

Hero froze. Her shoulders drew tight, her spine straightened so much that it cramped as badly as when she held her phone with a shoulder. Her jaw clenched and her eyes went wide, staring vacantly at the couch cushion in front of her. Was Hero breathing? If she was, she didn't feel it.

"Won't talk to me on the phone and now not in person either, hm?"

Goosebumps rose along her arms as she heard the villain stepping closer. How had he gotten in? She turned. "How did you find me? Where did you get my information? What else do you know?" Information being both her address and phone number, maybe even her specific phone if he was able to block her communications the way he did.

Villain looked so casual, he always did. You'd never expect him to be a madman who plotted humanity's demise. He looked like a fancy historian; brown pants, black turtleneck, plaid and half buttoned jacket. He had his hands planted in his pants pockets now. Hero still had no idea how he managed to get inside of her apartment.

He chuckled at her uptight-ness. "Can't we just chat for once- for a minute before you question my how-comings and motives?"

"No," Hero responded shortly.

Villain fake-pouted. "How's come? You and your friend seem great. I would love to gossip to you the same way."

Hero rolled her eyes. Her shoulders were still tense, but she was relaxing- not so far that she wasn't prepared, but just enough that she wasn't uptight beyond movement. "You didn't answer me. What else do you know? How did you learn anything about me?"

He smiled at her. "Now that's a fun story. Guess I get to monologue after all."

"Make it short."

"Or what?" He dazzled her with a wider smile, one that showed teeth. Was it just her or were they sharpened? It was just her, definitely just her- and her anxiety, her terror.

Villain strode to the chair Hero had been sitting in just minutes ago. He plopped down, ankle on knee, arms on either side. "Go on," he told her. "Sit."

"Maybe you should stand."

He chuckled without moving. "Darling, I don't think you understand how easy I have been on you. In multiple ways, actually." His eyes fell from her own to the couch behind her. "Sit." Villain looked at Hero again and she swore something changed in his eyes. They almost seemed darker. She obeyed.

"Now, I think you recall that little stalker of your friend?" Hero squinted, but nodded. "Did you know he's able to take up the appearance of anyone he wishes?" He didn't wait for a response. "In that, he's also able to project his own appearance onto bystanders, even control what they would do as him. Very talented, very...mindfully aware."

Hero shook her head. "Where are you going with this?"

He shushed her, softly, as if she was a baby. "He came under my employment about a month ago. Remind me," he said, "how long ago it was that your friend became ill."

Her eyes went wide and she nearly launched from her seat, realizing what he meant. Villain might attack her if she acted out so suddenly though. Hero remained seated.

"What have you done with her?" she demanded. It made sense what he said. Whoever his worker was, he made himself look like Friend 2 then made anyone else appear like him. But where was Friend 2 if she hadn't been with Hero and Friend all along?

"Nothing too dastardly. She isn't starving, but I'm sure she would appreciate a nice chicken dinner."

"And Friend?" she asked, somewhat panicked. Friend was okay, she had to be. Yeah, the phone call ended somewhat abruptly, but that was just because Villain interfered. Beyond that, she was fine, right?

Villain shrugged. "What do you think?"

Her eyes stung with tears she refused to let fall. She shook her head. "Why are you here? What are you doing?"

"Entertaining myself mostly. You're my opponent. I wanted to brag."

"I'll kill you," she swore. "If not tonight, I will find you like you did me, and I'll kill you when I do."

Villain's eyes twinkled from afar. "Cute. Very cute." He laughed heartily. "I told you already that I've been easy on you, right?" Again, he didn't wait for an answer. "I'm here for more than bragging rights. I want you to come with me. I've given you opportunity enough to back down on your own; I'm giving you another now. Come with, or I'll have to force your hand."

Her eyes became squinted and her lip lifted. "I'm sorry?"

"Surrender," Villain said simply. His legs uncrossed and he leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "If you don't I'll take you away forcibly."

Hero huffed a laugh. "As if you could. When have you ever bested me?" In truth, she was terrified. He was being serious, no amusement crossing his features. And the number of times he'd mentioned 'going easy on her'...what if he was telling the truth?

"Try something now then. Lunge at me." His lips were in a straight line. No emotion.

She considered him. Serious. He's serious. Villain was inviting her to attack him. Maybe she should take the opportunity.

Without another thought, she leaped from the couch, ready to tackle Villain, even though he was in a chair. She would have knocked the whole chair back if she could. But, something stopped her, a- a wall of sorts, one that glimmered like a bubble. "What-?" She touched that wall. Her fingers couldn't pass through. Shaking her head, she spun on a heel trying to return to the couch. Unfortunately she ran into another wall. "You're doing this," Hero muttered, facing Villain once again. She swallowed seeing his smile.

"So, you'll come with on your own. Otherwise I can push you along myself, and I think that would be rather humiliating, don't you?"

"This doesn't prove anything. You can push me, but you can't command me."

"Isn't it the same?" Villain sighed seeing Hero's fiery stubbornness. "Fine then. Let's have a little charade." He stood from Hero's chair, face forming into something...something Hero didn't quite understand. "I forgot to grab something to drink before I came here. Do you have something for me to drink, Hero?"

Her lips moved. "Yes, of course, Villain. Let me show you to the kitchen." Her hand flew to her mouth afterward. She hadn't said that. She hadn't said that. Hero's eyes found Villain's.

"Lead the way," he said.

Hero's feet moved on their own, leading the two to her kitchen despite how she tried to resist. She couldn't even feel herself pulling back. There was no resistance except for in her thoughts. She began unwillingly talking again. "There's some water bottles in the bottom right drawer. Fruit punch juice boxes on the left- though my younger cousin will be disappointed when she finds not only me missing, but her juice as well." 'When she finds not only me missing.' So this was how Villain would take her, by commanding her just like she said he couldn't.

What was almost worse was that what Villain made her say was exactly right. Water bottles, bottom right drawer. Fruit punch juice boxes in the left drawer. One of three things could have happened. One, Villain had that stalker, body-switching guy, go through her home while she was gone. Two, Villain himself went through her house while Hero was absent, or when he somehow snuck into her house while simultaneously messing with her phone today. Three, he had access to her mind. The last one would have sounded ridiculous if it weren't for the way Villain was controlling her now.

"You're realizing you have no choice now, aren't you?"

Hero nodded her head. She couldn't tell whether it was her doing it or if Villain was still possessing her. Either way, he was right.

"Why?" she asked. Villain tilted his head. Hero believed he could have gotten his answer if he wanted. Still, she continued, "Why are you doing this? Taking me? Is it not enough that you've taken my friends?"

Her body turned to the exit. She began walking through, walking to the front door of her apartment. They were really leaving. She was going to get sick.

"I'm tired of you fighting is all. It will be much easier to accomplish my goals if I don't have to worry about turning you away every time."

"Then kill me." She swallowed after she said it. Hero didn't really want him to kill her, but she also didn't want to be taken. Villain said Friend 2 was okay, not starving, but would certainly be happier if she was given more. Hero had a feeling she wouldn't be given the same treatment. Villain might actually starve her because of her putting a kink in all of his plans, for not surrendering when she was given multiple chances to.

"Am I really so awful to be around?" Villain asked behind her as she led the way to the elevators. "I should think my style makes up for any unpleasantness. This jacket was bought yesterday. I'm rather dashing in it, aren't I?"

Just as unwillingly as before, Hero said, "Yes, very."

******

Requests are accepted!

[scoundrels-in-love]

If I go (if you ask me to), I'm goin' crazy (Let my darlin' take me there)

On the cusp between spring and summer, Jaime and Brienne say goodbye to a house that was never home.

In Winterfell, there is a fresh start ahead of them. (That's what they say.) At least for her. (That's what he doesn't say.)

--

Angst | Emotional Hurt/Comfort | Pining & Yearning | Hopeful Ending Runaways  | Implied abuse in the past | Implied J/C in the past

Also on AO3.

There are two long knocks, a pause and two knocks again on the door.

Jaime bolts upright from where he's been lying on the lumpy mattress, the Knights of Westeros book falling to the side. (He had been flipping through it, half mindlessly, trying to not think of Tyrion as much as he tried to recall his brother's smile. It's faded, like the picture of Goldenhand the Just that peers up at him. Like the value in the Lannister name.)

There are three knocks now, a brief pause that drags out and boils down to one heartbeat all at once, and four more rapid knocks. That's when the mad scramble begins.

It shouldn't be as haphazard as it is - the little he owns (and even less he is going to take with him) is all carefully stowed away and arranged just for this, but as his knees hit the floor with an impact that sends pain through the limbs, it feels frantic.

Jaime removes the floorboard beneath the bed with too much fervor and it creaks, breaking the silence like whiny thunder and he freezes, wondering if lightning won't strike after, this time. Listens and hopes he won't hear any footsteps, fears Brienne's scream spearing through him if she's been caught.

It never comes and he pulls out the bundle wrapped in rags, peels them away to peer into the contents of the plastic bag beneath, just to double check. Spare, clean clothes to shove in his backpack, some non-perishable foods he has squirreled away from the store he works at part time. (Brienne would disapprove, if he told her. But silence let's her look away from that and also from things Jaime wishes she'd at least steal a glance at. Then he could hope.)

Finally, he dives as deep as he can beneath the bed and fishes for the tin can in the hole. Cuts his shaking hand a little on the sharp edge when he pulls plastic-wrapped money out of it, but instead of that pain, there's a sting in his heart.

To think he has to keep few paper dragons and stags like this, when Lannisters used to...

He stops midthought, reels his attention to more important things. There have been many things that had been true once. There have been even more things that he had thought to be the truth. He thinks it's what you make it, these days. And he has to make his now.

Jaime puts the rags and board back in place, stuffs everything in his bag and moves to take a step, before he backpedals toward the bed and the nightstand beside it, the one that is always leaning away, as if the state of the bed disgusts it and it is any less dingy itself.

He picks up the book (also stolen, from the local library, but no one has even noticed it missing, he's sure) and forces it in the backpack that now won't zip up and hesitates, again. There is a matchbox in the back of the bottom drawer and Jaime knows it'll fizzle in the back of his mind if he leaves it. And it will smolder in his bag if he takes it.

He does it anyway, squishes it in one of the side pockets so it won't get ash and remnants of the photograph all over his stuff, just in case. His twin - them - have left enough marks on him as it is. (And he never did, for her.)

Just a year ago, he would've climbed out through the window, but now there is only searing pain in his right hand that cannot hold his weight and the inevitable loud crash in that direction, so Jaime takes the long road, through the corridor and down the stairs where every floorboard creaks, even when he steps close to the wall where they are less worn, for so many foster kids have used the exact same trick for years now.

But Roose Bolton has not been home for two days, and his wretched son seems to be gone as well. Jaime tries not to think of what Ramsay might be up to or what the Brave lot might attempt to out-trump him in cruelty. He isn't afraid, because he knows the slick warmth of wretched blood already and even the hand they tried to take from him is still strong enough to protect himself or Brienne, but he fears a delay might unravel their plans. (The look she gave him when he asked her to go ahead if he doesn't come to the oak within forty minutes of the signal had branded itself on his heart. Hers, hers not to abandon.)

In the end, he exits the house unnoticed. Still, the tension leaves sharper indents in his shoulders than the straps of his backpack as Jaime slips into the garden that has not known maintenance other than some furious and undiscriminate weeding of anything that grows as punishment for the foster kids.

He sees her peer around the oak tree and suddenly, there's no weight to him at all as he runs toward Brienne and then they are sinking to the ground, half to hide behind the bushes and half in relief that vibrates sharply around the edges. (It's just one step, one step that feels like a mile and hums of all the miles taken before it.)

Brienne's face is lit with bright determination, but even it casts shadows and he almosts asks, but later, later. Instead, he nods to her unspoken question and stands up.

There is just one good bye to say.

Jaime looks at the evenstar carved into the bark and smiles. This house doesn't get to keep anything more of them, only an indent left by hope they made themselves and then made real. His hand had hurt for days afterward, but each line had been a mark of his angry determination, a reminder that they can want more than they've picked up from carelessly thrown, often rotten scraps.

He had tried to add a lion instead of hearts or their initials next to it, but it had been far too complex and so Jaime had scratched the attempt out, furiously. (He tries not to look at it and think how symbolic it really is. Fails.)

Jaime places his palm over the star, asks for guidance one last time, though he's lucky enough to take his guiding star out of here and follow it into the unknown. (Fear of the unknown has nothing on walking the same patterns within your cage until your feet bleed, until the bone scrapes the dirt.)

Brienne's hand comes cover his own, large and warm, and callused, and he has never felt more grounded than in this moment. He tries to memorize this feeling as he meets her eyes, sees it reflected in the blue that has become the criteria to match up all other shades to in the last year.

And then they're off, weaving their way through the edge of the garden and onto the dirt road leading away. He doesn't look back. Everything he wants is walking right next to him, or ahead of her.

---

As they travel toward Winterfell, the cusp between spring and summer trickles through their fingers, leaving hot days and balmy afternoons in its wake.

It's not easy, getting by with less money than all the suspicious stares they earn along the way, though they become less frequent once the school year is over.

He half expects Brienne to eventually explain why that evening, why then and not a month later when high school diplomas, as unalike in their grades as the two of them are, would've been crumpled up at bottoms of their bags. But she never does. After all, there is a fresh start ahead of them. (That's what they say.) At least for her. (That's what he doesn't say.)

In unspoken agreement, they don't call Catelyn Stark the first week or the next, or any afterward. As if having the Starks coming to pick them up from anywhere else than their front door could make them change their minds.

He had thought it to be anger, red hot and tight around his ribcage, when she had told him Catelyn had recognized her as Selwyn's daughter and offered to help. That she had thanked and accepted the number, without jumping on the chance immediately. For coming back to this house for more than her bag.

And it had been that, in a way. Anger and desperation, and ache. To know she is safe and happy, even if on the other side of the country. Especially then, maybe. Because it had scared him, the campfires growing wild on the barren, littered beach inside of him, though even distraught, the oceans of her eyes could put them out.

It was that night that he had realized. Love meant the difference between anger contained and welts on someone's skin. And he had never been loved.

There is more to discover about love, still, and he has done almost every day since then. But never more than on this trip.

Some days, they both go more hungry than full. (He gives up on convincing her to take his share after the third time, but offers nonetheless.) Some nights, he whistles her lullaby under the open sky and curls up next to her, unable to steal minutes dipped in this peaceful warmth away from himself with sleep.

And yet, Brienne is often bright with cautious happiness these days and sometimes, it blows to this pure joy that he would never grow tired of watching, even if it would render him blind like the sun.

He does almost sneak away to call the number he has memorized as well as she has, in Moat Caitlin, ready to preserve that light even if it means their parting will be colored red with her angry blush. They're hungry and tired, and no one seems to want to give them a chance to haul some boxes around for a few stags. Their post-graduation adventure story isn't holding up much anymore, just like his shoes.

(He craves a smoke more than he’s craved it since the first month of quitting, but one implied promise broken is bad enough, so he grits his teeth and bears it.)

But when he enters a small family shop, in hopes to borrow a telephone, a different opportunity presents itself in the shape of Pia. His shaggy appearance doesn't deter her from flirting repeatedly, not even when Brienne follows him in and freezes in the doorway before approaching, and in half an hour, they've got an invite to stay for a while at her place, while her parents are visiting her grandmother.

The implication where he's sleeping are quite clear and he hopes his smile doesn't look as acidic as it burns across his lips. There are worse ways his body has been used in the name of love.

And yet, he cannot look at Brienne through the nice (he thinks, he can hardly taste it) dinner, there is sluggishness in him that spreads breath by breath.

Afterward, the hot water of shower feels too much, too much (like it had been over a year ago, when he had been just out of hospital and almost drowning in the bathtub before Brienne hauled him into her arms and back into life) and when doors of Pia's bedroom close behind him, he is numb and logy like his limbs aren't entirely his own. There may be a smile on his lips, Cersei liked when he smiled through everything she gave him, even when there was blood on his teeth.

She gives him one look and frowns. "No, Jaime, no. This... isn't whatever you think it is. I just thought we could have a bit of fun." Pia pushes him out of the room and into the living room, before hurrying off to bring him a blanket and an extra pillow and he just lets it happen, no witty quip in reach where he's hiding away.

"Does she even know?" Pia asks, lingering in the doorway after she's turned out the lights, and his silence in the darkness is an answer. "Well, she should."

"It's better if she doesn't, she won't get as hurt," He won't be as hurt if he doesn't know. The yes or the no and the very sweet, crushing uncertainty in between, or the softness of her lips and the glimpse of the ocean's taste in the sweatdrops on her neck.

"I doubt it protected her tonight," she says before walking upstairs and Jaime stays, sitting in the middle of the couch, buried neck deep in a blanket cozier than any he has known in years. That's where Brienne finds him the next morning.

"Jaime," she calls him as she kneels in front of him and he guesses, by her drawn expression and hand on his shoulder, not for the first time and he tries pull up a smile from the well reserved just for her, but the bucket falls off the hook, and he cannot do anything but lean forward and rest forehead against her shoulder.

"What happened, Jaime? Are you hurt? Did Pia..." she trails off, but he's already shaking his head. "No, nothing happened," he croaks and it grates on his tongue like the lie it is. But there's nothing that he can define or explain. Yet, she understands somehow and takes him to the kitchen, makes sure he drinks the tea and eats the food that he cannot remember later. And then she brings him to her bed and he thinks it to be so warm from her, though it must've been an hour since she got up, and that's where the rest of the day melts away.

When he wakes the next morning, he is crowded in the wall. She's facing him, her hand holding his in the small space between their bodies on the pillow. Jaime lays there watching her and the sun rises in him as it does beyond the windowpane.

He doesn't think he will ever be completely free of the void placed in him, emptiness that Cersei nurtured for it was endless space that sung in echo of all her desires, but in this moment, he knows he wants to build a fence around it, plant trees and little flowers that look brighter for the darkness that lays beyond them.

And that desire, he thinks, is the start to something that may shrink the void some day.

Maybe then, he can tell Brienne that she threw a falling star in the dark and when it wasn't extinguished, he realized there was an edge to it. Maybe then, he can build a home for her laughter, instead of fearing it'll finally break through the sky and escape him. Maybe then...

A million wishes hum softly when Brienne blinks sleepily at him, smiles faintly. He shifts his hand, to free hers, but her fingers tighten just so and he gives up immediately. (It's not like how he used to know it; she doesn't demand him to and the surrender is only for his own indulgence.)

"Looks like sleep did you some good," she says softly and brushes a few curls away from his face and he has to swallow thickly, not from desire for anything more, but the way the warmth and tenderness of her brings a flood of tears pressing against the dams he's determined to uphold.

"Oh Jaime," she murmurs and scoots closer and there are no more dams, just the ocean of her eyes that blur and overflow, in him and through him.

He buries his face in her neck, shakes apart until he's coughing and heaving and is only held together by her arms wrapped around him. Grieves all that could've been, all that has been broken, all that he will never touch with untainted hands, worships regret and guilt and then casts them out.

In their place, he anchors the weight of her hands on his back, the tickle of her hair against his forehead, the soft tremble of her inhale when he pulls back, breathing still uneven.

There's a tear streak on her cheek that he reaches to wipe away, because of course, she's hurting too and he-- But no, he cannot, will not take a new guilt on immediately. (He does, anyway.)

Brienne releases him then, gets up and brings some paper towels from the bathroom for him, because they're saving the tissues in their bags, and he blows his nose again and again. The silence between them should be uncomfortable, somehow, but instead of being embarrassed, he just feels dull and tired, but better for it.

"Fuck, my head hurts," he finally says.

"I'll bring some painkillers and water," she says, already halfway to the doorway and part of Jaime wants her to stay, wants to sink in sleep with her hand in his again, but instead he goes to the bathroom to wash his face.

"What are you going to do?" he asks the reflection that is familiar and unknown all at once, fingers tight around the sink. "What are you going to do?"

And finds the answer.

They leave Moat Caitlin almost a week later, truly rested and with almost-honestly earned food and necessities in their bags, thankful enough to actually plan to keep the promise to let Pia know how everything pans out in Winterfell when they get there. He knows Brienne will want to repay the money Pia has invested in them, if nothing else. Before they depart, their kind host tucks another "tell her" behind his ear, "because otherwise it's really not fair to the rest of us".

This, he cannot promise still, so he only smiles.

When they reach White Harbor, there is a stone in Jaime's chest, all the more heavy and jagged for the knowledge he will try to toss it out soon. He finds them a cheap trashcan of a motel and leaves Brienne to settle in, moves through the streets like the hounded, as if hesitating could mean he never goes through with it, or he just can't wait to get it done. (It's somewhere in the middle)

He stops only on a bridge over White Knife river, the nearest that he could find. The matchbox trembles briefly in his hand, like a flame about to be blown out, but then he presses close to the railing, and the quiver is gone.

Jaime opens it and dumps the content into the river below. He knows that the frail ash will probably never even reach water, but it doesn't matter. What matters is that he's given them burial in the water and the wind. That maybe with time the photograph in his mind will fade, too. That maybe he'll stop asking if it is his fault there's not a shadow of those two smiling children left.

He stays on the bridge for a while longer, thinking about their childhood (because he still can't think of that part of life in singular), about her smile and Tyrion's laughter, about games - the ones that didn't hurt anyone. The good things you're supposed to speak of at funerals. There hadn't been much good said at Tywin's, but he's seen the proper sort on TV.

When the sun sets and he comes back to the hotel, Brienne greets him almost wary, looking him over as if looking for injury. "Are you okay?" she asks, offering him a sandwich as Jaime plops down on the bed next to her. (They'll be sharing again and he doesn't mind in the slightest. Brienne had not complained either, not that she was one to do so.)

"Yeah, I am," he tells her, honestly, and realizes that there had been no splash when that stone had fallen into the river along with the ash, but it's gone nonetheless. There is empty space now, saved for a smile, and he does so, luring one from Brienne in response.

(When they're falling asleep, he presses the kiss to her forehead that has been aching on his lips.)

---

Winterfell is not as cold and miserable in late summer as he imagined, but it's no dream destination. Still, Jaime tells himself he's glad he won't have to make a home here, because even colorful ads don't bring much life to Wintertown. (What kind of name is that, even?)

It's not a lie that holds up when they're standing in front of a phone booth. They stare at the chipping paint on the door like it holds all answers to questions they don't even know, before Brienne turns to look at him, grabs his hand and pulls him inside.

The booth would barely hold her and the backpack, but with him, quite literally folded into it as well, it becomes absolutely cramped. Still, she finds a way to grab his hand somehow, after she's paid the fee.

"Hello Mrs. Stark? This is Brienne Tarth, daughter of Selwyn Tarth. Last year, you extended an offer - I was wondering if it was still open?" She listens and it's her grip that betrays her emotions, not her steady voice. They had discussed what to say, beforehand, but it had not been revibrating around them in a tiny phone booth then, so real and with the possibility to change their lives.

She looks at him, eyes wide and stormy and nods to not keep him in suspense, before continuing: "Thank you, Mrs. Stark. I am currently on the corner between Builderstreet and Ravenroad in Wintertown. And I have brought a friend with me. This is non-negotiable, though I understand if it changes your mind."

Brienne squeezes his hand, jaw set in challenge that rings clear in her voice and he is felled by it, frozen though he should grab the receiver and shout "no, no, I don't matter, forget about me, just please take her in". But he wouldn't even be able to locate it, he can only see her face and think that it almost glows somehow. He is no match for her in this moment, no one is.

"We will stay there, yes. Thank you again." And just like that, the time resumes, but he is still swept up in the river of her determination, not its flow.

"Breathe, Jaime," she tells him, smiling so brightly that he is suckerpunched by the reality of the sun's gravity and the almost tangible heat of her power, and he thaws, inhales deeply and shakily.

It would be so easy to tangle himself further into her and press a kiss to her mouth, a thank you and worship in one, to brand his lips with hers just so he could always remember I was hers, briefly, brilliantly. Here, in this space still bobbing along independent of everything beyond it.

And it would be the most unfair thing of all. To ask even more of her, to hurt her if Stark kindness runs thin when they learn just who is her companion, to give her only something so brief and not him whole as she deserves. (But will there ever be more of him?)

So, he pulls them back into the sunlight.

They are holding hands still as they wait for the Starks, strings of tension humming the same tune in both of them, but there is fierceness in Brienne's smile. It runs hot enough to light a kindling in him, not the destructive sort he's grown accustomed to, but a more dangerous one. Because like this, she looks like a knight that will champion for him, no matter the odds. And win.

He still wants to kiss her, like a favor given and taken before the battle, and the way she's looking at him right now, defiance melting into reassurance and warmth, something sparkling he can't define within, when their eyes meet, he can almost believe she wouldn't mind. But there is a world between not minding and melting into his touch like it's home. And no time to find out.

So he presses kiss to her forehead instead, breathes her in and swears it's not the last time, knows more than ever he can't let her go, and then they are ready to face the future.

Together.

[ooohyou]

Submitted to r/nosleep by u/NemesisLuce

Please support the original author.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my job. Cute little bookstore in a quaint little town. I love helping customers find the right book for their mood. I love showing cute children’s books to curious kids. I love talking with sales reps and figuring out exactly which new releases to order from them.

I also fucking hate my job.

It was ten minutes past closing time, and I had my brightest, fakest smile on while trying to get the last customer out of my store. No sir, I cannot look up a book on the computer if all you know is the cover was red when you saw a poster for it 5 years ago. No sir, “I think it was about the cold war and a detective who drank too much but maybe it was something else” does not help me at all. Look sir, all my historical thrillers are on this shelf. Does anything ring a bell? No? Was it made into a movie? You don’t know? Oooookaaaay then, I’m sorry to inform you that we are already past closing time, here’s the store number, if you remember the title give us a call and we’ll order it for you if it’s still available. Thank you, good evening to you too sir, goodbye. Yes you have your umbrella, it’s right here in your hand sir. Okay bye bye.

I sighed and gave my cashier the biggest eyeroll I could manage before locking the door and turning over the sign that previously said ‘come in, we’re open!’. I heard the coins clanking in the coin counting machine (do these have a name? I don’t know. Coin counting machine is pretty self-explanatory and I’ve never bothered to check if they were actually called that), signifying that Alice had started to sort her cash drawer. I would only need to take out the profits of the day, make sure she had enough cash for tomorrow, and send her home. I went through the motions mechanically, only thinking about the nap I was about to have in the breakroom. It was going to be glorious. I really needed it if I wanted to be alert for the night shift.

Oh, yeah. We’ve got a night shift here. It’s my store’s most… peculiar aspect. We close at 6pm, but we open again at 11, up until 5am. Then we open again at 10am. So when I said ‘nap’ earlier, I actually meant the first half of my night, since I am working both shifts. Yes, I live in my store. Please buy books instead of reading stuff on the Internet, I would really love to be able to afford another employee.

So there I was, counting money fully on autopilot, daydreaming about drinking a nice cup of herbal tea and hugging my pillow, when Alice said something that ruined my plans.

“I forgot to tell you, something weird happened when you were on break.”

I snapped out of my daydream instantly and shot her a questioning glare.

“Yeah, this old lady came in, looking for something about fairy tales. I showed her the section but she didn’t want to have a look there apparently, and she asked me about something from the back. And I was like ‘do you think we’re hiding books from our customers or something’ so I just told her everything we had was on display in the store but we could order any book we didn’t have if she wanted. And she just shook her head and mumbled something and then she handed me this pamphlet and I was like ‘okay feel free to look around’ and didn’t even look at the pamphlet before shoving it in my pocket because a kid entered the store holding an open juice box and that was a disaster waiting to happen so yeah but that was weird right?”

She had actually run out of breath by the end of her sentence, and I wasn’t surprised. I was pissed though.

“Alice for FUCKS sake. Give me the pamphlet, don’t look at it. I’ll write that you were fired because of the store’s financial situation and give you a glowing recommendation.”

All color drained from the young girl’s face. I wasn’t mad at her, but I was still mad. She was supposed to know the rules. Hell, I even had her train the temps we hired to help around Christmas time. In retrospect, it was a miracle nothing bad had happened.

Okay, I was slightly mad at her. But I really didn’t want to be.

I saw in her eyes that it had finally clicked. She understood the gravity of what she had done, and handed me a crumpled pamphlet from her pocket, making sure to avert her gaze. God damn it. She had one momentary lapse, and it cost me a good cashier. Fucking hell.

“I’m sorry…” she started.

“It’s okay Alice, you didn’t mean to. You were alone on the floor, she was an old bat, it could’ve happened to anyone. You’ll be missed around here, but please don’t visit.”

She nodded. She finally remembered the rules, and she understood that there was no other way.

I put the cash drawer in the safe while she gathered the stuff she had left in the break room. I opened the back door to light a cigarette. She had tears in her eyes as she exited the store. I gave her a smile and clasped her hands in mine.

“You were a good employee, Alice. You’ll do great in a regular bookstore. Don’t doubt yourself and avoid this street for a few weeks. Call me if you run into any trouble, okay?”

“Thank you for the opportunity, boss. I really loved working here.”

“I know you did. Now hurry home. Don’t answer to anyone knocking on your door. Be safe.”

She nodded and scurried away, her backpack bouncing with her steps. I crammed my half-finished cigarette into the already-full-but-I-keep-forgetting-to-empty-it ashtray and went back inside.

The pamphlet was sitting on top of the safe, and as I grabbed it I felt the urge to read it. Nope. In the bin you go. I was accustomed to those old tricks. First rule of working with my clientele is to know when you can’t trust your instincts because something’s fucking with them. Second rule is to trust your instincts. Confusing? Welcome to my life.

So I ended up sitting at my desk typing furiously on my computer instead of napping. I still had a few hours until night shift, but I absolutely had to start interviewing prospective employees in the next couple days – in the meantime I just had to hope one of my part-time employees would like to work a few extra hours. I just have too much work to spend all my time manning the register and keeping the tables neat. While the store isn’t that big, it still is a lot for one person.

I obviously had to update the employee rulebook as well. Just emphasize that you can’t take chances with crazy old people. You never know if they’re truly crazy or something else.

“Never accept anything a customer hands you directly if it’s not (real) money. If they’re promoting something, make them leave any cards, pamphlets, posters at the register. If you end up accepting whatever they gave you, don’t look at it, and come to me immediately.”

Yes, it’s weird. I know it’s weird. Look, I pay my employees a fair enough wage that they make sure to follow the rules. I don’t care if they think I’m crazy. I probably am. It doesn’t matter.

I pressed enter and added:

“If a customer asks if they can see what we have in the back, politely decline and offer them to order whatever book they need. If they persist, come get me.”

God damn it, Alice actually handled this part well. But she grabbed the pamphlet, and I had to protect her.

I don’t write the rules to make my employees better workers. I write them to make sure they survive. The main reason any infraction is cause for termination is that, well, it could be the cause for the actual termination of their existence on Earth. Getting fired from a job is a way better alternative.

Alice accepted the old lady’s pamphlet. It could’ve been anything else. A tissue, a cigarette, a glass of water. She unknowingly made a bargain with whatever the woman was. ‘I gave you something, now I’m free to take something’. Entities like the old lady abide by archaic rules. In a store, this is what applies. I lost a regular day customer that way. The poor lady was watching over her kid, who was merrily making a mess looking through the 3-5 years old section, when a young girl came up to her. “Look miss, look I made a drawing”, she said. My customer grabbed the piece of paper and the girl ran off. A couple days later, posters popped up everywhere in town for a missing toddler.

I was obviously pissed. I’d been waiting to see that little girl again and tell her that business rules applied only between merchant and customers and she had no right to force an innocent, unaware person into a contract. My night clientele is well aware of that, and treasure having a place to find literature enough to not risk jeopardizing the fragile balance between both worlds. Nonhumans can be facetious little shits though, and I’ve never seen that girl again. Some entities enjoy chaos just for the sake of it. This one just danced around the rules, grabbed what she wanted, and ruined two lives. My customer sank into a deep depression and ended up gouging her eyes out during a manic episode. Her toddler was never found, but I don’t think he will grow up to be a respectable, human adult.

I checked the time and decided I could get 2 hours of sleep before having to get the store ready for night shift. So obviously I went to check out who – or what – was knocking on the glass window near the entrance because who needs sleep anyway.

It was an old lady, her wrinkled bloated nose pressed against the glass, her skeletal fingers tapping against it in a rhythmical fashion that was getting on my nerves. She had piercing, blood-injected eyes that were fixed on me and a grin so large it couldn’t possibly be natural.

I didn’t have time to be scared, but I still felt the fear creeping up on my stomach, slowly making its way through my body. No matter how hard I tried to reject it, I couldn’t. Stupid human nature. I adorned my best customer service smile and walked up to the old lady.

“My apologies, you seem to be a bit early. We will be open for business at eleven.”

I didn’t need to yell. I knew she could hear me clearly in spite of the glass separating us.

One… two… three taps on the window. Her already impossibly wide grin grew even wider, revealing rotten teeth sticking out of black, putrid gums. Thick, yellowish saliva was dripping down in strands from her non-existent lips. By the time the corners of her mouth reached her temples, I was sure I would lose my fake confidence and run in the opposite direction. No matter how many times you deal with unnatural entities, being mere centimeters away from a nightmarish mouth full of rot and decay will shake you to your core. I tried to breathe calmly, being secretly thankful for the glass that separated me from what was probably the foulest smell I’d ever submitted my nose to, hoping the old lady would see me standing my ground and respect the rules of business. I could deal with her inside my bookstore, where she would be a customer. I just needed to stay brave and meet her transfixed, unwavering gaze. Her eyes were more blood vessels than pupils, and I found myself focusing on those instead of whatever was moving in her mouth. I did not want to see her tongue, not after seeing the state of her teeth. And I sure as hell did not want to see whatever I clearly caught moving around her mouth if it wasn’t her tongue. No, her eyes were scary but I could deal with them, no matter how unsettling it was to see them bulge in and out of her head in a slow motion, almost as if they were breathing. The glass became foggier and foggier on her side due to her heavy, animalistic panting, but I kept my gaze straight, only catching glimpses of fog and movement in my peripheral visions. If I were to treat her like an animal, I needed to assert myself as the alpha. I don’t yield to rude, entitled customers, and I wouldn’t yield to rude, entitled nonhumans breaching the unspoken contract that allowed them to enjoy my store.

After what felt like forever, she stopped tapping on the window. Her grin reverted back to a normal, almost friendly smile. She blinked, soggy wrinkled eyelids covering those eyes I had stared at for far too long.

“I guess I’ll see you when you’re open, then”. In spite of the glass panel separating us, I felt her putrid breath against my ear as she whispered her parting words.

Just like that, she turned and left.

Understandably, I was not looking forward to seeing her during the night shift. My regular customers were unsettling enough, I did not want to add the batshit-insane-nightmarish-grandma to the list.

I’m a business owner. The customer may not be always right, but they are always my priority. I will have to open tonight, because while some may not consider books to be a necessity, I guarantee you that it is vital not only for my business, but for some of my night customers that I open every night. I complain about my life a lot, but some of them face issues they can’t simply look up on the internet nor ask a friend or even a therapist. They may urgently need something from the night inventory, and I will do my best to provide it for them. I’ve always loved being a bookseller, but helping nonhumans find whatever fits their very specific needs has given me a sense of purpose I’m not ready to give up just yet.

I will open tonight. And I will protect my business and its rules, to ensure that I can open tomorrow night.

(Note: edited some words to fit in with the location LOL)

[sativaaaaaaa]

Three Doesn’t Seem Too Bad || Sarah Paulson

Part 3 of Just Us Two

Part Two🔽

https://sativaaaaaaa.tumblr.com/post/190819033133/just-us-two-sarah-paulson

6: "Stop yelling and listen for a second!"

25: "I thought I'd never see you again."

|| Another time skip: 4 years after the ice cream shop incident. Ava still doesn't speak but she and Gina communicate through sign language. Also, they moved from Central LA to San Diego. Not a major move but far enough from Sarah 🥴 Or so she thought. Below is a picture of Ava.||

Gina

"Ava! Its time to go sweetie! Tell Mrs. Alex bye." I shoved all of my things into my purse after finally finding my wallet. I paid for Ava's therapy session before grabbing her hand and walking out of the building.

Its been almost 3 years we moved and since she started her therapy sessions and she's improving so much. She still doesn't talk much so we rely on sign language but she's musically inclined so that helps strengthen her voice and vocal chords.

We walked out of the building swinging our hands playfully as we made our way to the local ice cream shop. We established a new tradition since our move; after every session we go and get ice cream before heading back home or to my office; I am now the head of a real estate company.

I opened the door to the ice cream shop letting Ava go in first before following in behind her. We walked up to the counter together and the usual worker greeted us.

We ordered and paid for our ice cream taking it to go this time since I had to go back to work. Luckily everything was in one vicinity so we could walk almost everywhere.

"When we get back inside I need you to finish your homework and stuff then you can get your ipad okay?" I looked down at Ava and saw ice cream all over her face.

I just chuckled and reached into my purse grabbing the pack of baby wipes I had in there.

"You're always making a mess munchkin. You must like being sticky huh?" I softly cooed at her whilst tickling her sides in order to hear the laugh that absolutely melts my heart.

I smiled brightly as I watched her fight to get my fingers from her sides as she hopped around. I stopped after a few seconds before squatting down in front of her to finish wiping off her face and hands. I took her bowl from her since she was done with her ice cream and threw it away in a nearby trash can before grabbing her hand and walking back towards my office with her.

Soon we were back in my office; she was doing her homework on the floor next to me and I was sitting at my desk filling out some paperwork when I assistant called me.

"What's up Rachel?" I put the phone on speaker since I was still typing but I quickly picked up the receiver after I heard her words.

"You have a visitor here.. Its uh.. Its Sarah Paulson.." I could hear her trying to hide the excitement in her voice.

"What does she want?" I huffed in annoyance.

"She said she wants to speak to you. Should I send her up?"

"Yeah go ahead and bring her up here. Put all my calls on hold until she leaves here too alright?" I hung up the phone before running my fingers through my hair.

"Ava, Mommy's friend is about to come up here so I need you to behave okay?" I turned and faced her as she peeked up from her homework. She nodded before signing to me that she was done with her homework.

I took the papers from her setting them on my desk as the door opened revealing Sarah and Rachel. I gave Rachel a slight nod letting her know it was okay to leave as Sarah walked into my office.

I ignored her presence for a moment as I reached into my drawer pulling Ava's ipad out. I unlocked it and handed it to her letting her do her own thing before giving Sarah my attention.

"Can I help you?" I raised my eyebrow slightly and my voice stayed emotionless throughout the question.

"Well hello to you too." She remarked sarcastically. She sat down in one of the chairs in front of my desk before folding her arms.

"Oh cut the bull shit. What do you want and how did you even find me?"

"I have my sources..."

I raised my eyebrows before chuckling softly. I shook my head at her before speaking again.

"Keeping tabs on me? One, that sounds very stalkerish and two, you lost that right when you left out of nowhere after I found out my daughter had asthma. So you can go ahead and waltz right up out of here and lose your tabs." I scoffed in disgust. How she gon keep tabs on me and she the one who left? The hell?

"I didn't just up and leave."

I interrupted her quickly as my voice raised slightly.

"Yes you did. You left me high and dry plus you blocked my number and all my social media so I couldn't get in touch with you. You left the rights to pop up on me when I woke up to an empty house at 7 months pregnant."

My eyes were quickly watering but I wouldn't let the tears fall. I was not going to give her power over me by letting her see me cry.

"You didn't even try to - "

"I didn't try to what? To call you? Cause I did. Text you? Certainly tried that too! Get in touch with you through other people?! Did that every single day!"

"Stop yelling and just listen for a second!"

I stopped in the middle of my rant and looked at her like she was crazy. I went to open my mouth to say something else but she put her hand up to keep me quiet.

"Its very rude to interrupt someone when they're speaking especially when you don't know what they're about to say. So as I was saying you never tried to give me a chance to explain the last time I saw you so I'm gonna use this time to explain."

I sat there looking at her with an annoyed expression because I really just wanted her gone at this point. I glanced over at Ava to make sure she was fine since I had started yelling but she was up phased by our arguing.

"I left because I was scared okay? I felt like I was going to  fail the both of you honestly. We had found out she had asthma and the only thing that kept running through my mind was me messing up and leaving her alone for too long just to come back and find her not breathing."  Her voice wavered a little bit. She closed her eyes before taking a deep breath.

"I was just really scared. I should have expressed that in someway or form but I saw the opportunity to run and took it without even thinking which was heavily wrong on my part and I deeply regret it."

"But you still did it. You didn't even try to come back or talk to me. I had to bump into in public to see you after I thought I'd never see you again." My voice was low and slightly cracked at the end of my sentence. I bowed my head looking at my lap as some of my tears fell.

I quickly wiped them before she could see them but I kept my head down when I heard her get up and walk around my desk. She turned my chair out to face her before crouching down in front of me.

She lifted her hand to my face slowly but I still flinched at her action. She softly sighed before grabbing my chin gently and lifting my head so I was looking at her.

"Who have you been around to making you scared of me?" She questioned me softly.

"I- I'm not scared. You just caught me off guard." I wasn't lying but I wasn't really telling the truth either and I think she could tell because I avoided eye contact.

"I call bullshit. What's happened to you within these past years huh?" She pried again making me a little angry.

"You've been keeping tabs so you should know!" I sneered back at her.

"That's a no no and you know it. Now calmly tell me what's happened while we weren't together. Get smart with me again and I won't hesitate to take you over my knee like I use to. Understood?" She responded calmly.

I lightly gasped thinking back at the times she spanked me in the past. I grew a little flustered as I shifted in my seat as I responded to her.

"Ava and I just ran into some people who weren't too understanding or too nice is all. They put up a nice facade though." I remarked softly looking down in my lap again.

"Well you won't have to worry about that anymore because I'm here."

"So you're just gonna pop back up after 6 years and think everything is gonna be okay? Yeah, no. Definitely not that easy lady. Don't you have a girlfriend at home?" I slumped back in my seat with my arms folded.

"No I don't have a girlfriend at home and I'm very well aware that everything isn't going to go back to how it use to be but I'm gonna make things right and this time I won't run when the going gets tough. Pinky promise." She held her pinky up towards me. I stared at it for a few seconds before holding my hand out with my pinky up as well. We wrapped out pinkies around each other before pressing our thumbs against each other to seal the deal.

"Alright then. Ava, come here munchkin." I glanced back at Ava waving to her to catch her attention. She out the ipad down and walked over to my side.

"This is mommy's friend Sarah. She's gonna be around for a while so can you say hi to her please?" I asked gently. I reached over and lifted her up before setting her in my lap.

She leaned her head back onto my shoulder and waved to Sarah shyly. Sarah smiled at her before looking back at me.

"Guess we're a party of three now huh?"

"Yeah, I guess so. I'm so use to it being just us two but three doesn't seem too bad."

__________________________

word count ~ 1774

|| I feel like this is trash but I've rewritten this 3 times already so we're gonna stick with this version for now. So it took so long, I worked 2 doubles and finally got off on time today so whoot whoot.|| ~ T

[bnha-hcs]

Hi! I'm glad requests are open again. I was wondering if you could maybe do a scenario of Kirishima asking his s/o to move in together, and then maybe write a little about their interactions. Like maybe they cook each other breakfast, give goodnight/good morning hugs, lifts or kisses? or anything of the sort?? Thanks! I really enjoy your writing!! ^^

alksd Yes more Kirishima requests! I love this boy he’s such a good I would die for him. Thank you anon for this quality request (sorry I couldn’t get a lot of your suggestions in bc if I did this would have been like a short novel omg I could go on forever writing fluff for this boy)

It was early morning, the golden rays of sunshine gently filtered in through the slits in the curtains. Kirishima sat at the foot of his bed, phone in his hands, trying to patiently wait for a reply. He had been hinting to something for the past few days, nothing saucy or anything like that, but more of a wholesome idea. His idea was, of course, that he wanted you to move in with him. Although, he had just now had finally been able to put his thoughts into words. Staring at the screen of his phone he wondered if you were even awake at this hour. Sending you a text asking about a possibly sensitive topic probably wasn’t the best move now that he thought about it. He nevertheless waited for your answer. After all, he did have his own apartment and you had been complaining about your roommates for as long as he could remember. In his head it all made sense. The two of you had been dating since high school and things have been a little lonely for him since Bakugou had moved out. 

Kirishima got up to move to the main room and into the tiny kitchen to browse his options for breakfast. With a frown he picked up some leftovers of whatever the hell he managed to make from the night before and shoved it into the microwave. Classy. He moved to get a glass of water and nearly choked on his water when his phone buzzed and he saw the preview for your text. Without a moments hesitation he unlocked his phone and practically flew to the door, grabbing his keys and ignoring the beeping of the microwave. 

As soon as he arrived at your apartment he got the stink eye from one of your roommates when they answered the door. He ignored them and waited for them to yell at you to come to the door. The second you appeared in the door frame he reached out and grabbed you pulling you into a tight hug, lifting you up and spinning you around. You laughed at his excitement and gave him a quick kiss as soon as he let you go. Looking like the love struck fool that he was, he followed after you as you beckoned him inside the apartment. 

“You sure got here fast.” You laughed giving him a coy look. He responded by tugging you over to you to pepper your face with kisses while you giggled your little butt off.

“I was just so excited! This is so exciting!” He beamed after his onslaught of kisses. 

“Just help me pack already.” You said tossing him a few things. “I didn’t ask for you to come over just to talk.”

The both of you managed to pack things up relatively fast. You hated to admit it but you hadn’t even unpacked most of your things since moving in with your awful roommates. It was a mixture between procrastination and the slow realization that your roommates, were in fact, awful. You had decided to leave things packed in a few large boxes in case you had the chance to flee this place. Although you were a little hesitant at first, thinking that they would be upset with you for moving out you almost refused Kirishima’s request for you to move in with them. Luckily for you, as one of your roommates screeched across the apartment that you were, “out of ass wipe,” definitely swayed your choice. 

You arrived to your boyfriend’s apartment in record time considering it was pretty much down the street. It was clear that the two of you wanted to get there and spend some time together. So after hefting all the boxes up the stairs to his apartment you flopped down onto the couch, reveling in the new found freedom. It wasn’t long before Kirishima joined you and pulled you to him. He nuzzled his face into your neck and blew a few raspberries earning some surprised squeaks and sputters from you. 

“This is so unfair!” You managed you yelp through laughs. 

“Well now that you moved in I get to torment you with affection!” He grinned before continuing to tickle and kiss you.

“No, stop! It’s too much I swear you’re going to get kicked and it’s not going to be my fault!” You almost wheezed. “Someone help! I need a hero!” 

“Oh well that’s just cruel. Are you calling me a villain now?” He said with a pout. He feigned being hurt and stopped, putting a hand over his eyes and pretending to cry. You jabbed him in the side and he lifted his hand giving you a coy smile. 

“You’re such a butt Kiri, are you going to be this dramatic all the time?” You asked poking his cheek. 

“You should know by now how I am you know.” He said poking you back. 

“I know exactly how you are unfortunately.” You said. “And I know that you probably don’t have anything here for lunch do you?”

Kirishima sighed letting his head fall back onto the couch, thinking back to his forgotten leftovers in the microwave. He didn’t try to negate your statement which gave you your answer. Getting up you sauntered over to the little kitchen and opened up some of the drawers and cabinets. You frowned and looked over to the small pantry seeing that there was barely anything in there. 

“Kiri, this is just sad.” You called to him. 

“I know it’s bad.” He replied weakly. “I’ve been meaning to go shopping but..”

“I’ll see what I can do.” You huffed putting your hands on your hips. He perked up and poked his head up from the couch. 

“You’re cooking?” He asked. 

“Well you have enough for… some things at least.” You said. “It’s going to be better than whatever is seeping out of the microwave.”

You jabbed your thumb over your shoulder to the very sad looking microwave. Kirishima felt bad for leaving such a horrid thing in there. He’d have to open it to clean it but he wasn’t looking forward to the smell. He let out a groan and slowly got up to make his way to the small kitchen. You watched as he carefully opened the microwave and take out the smelly leftovers. 

“Gross…” You gagged and pinched your nose while fanning the air in front of you with your other hand. “Just put it in the trash already!”

“I’m going, I’m going!” He said rushing to the trash and slamming the odorous mess into it. 

You turned away and gathered things for whatever your could make out of this very limited amount of supplies. You knew it was definitely going to include rice considering you pretty much lived off the stuff yourself. Sometimes you just need to eat a bowl of plain rice and deal with it. After cleaning up his mess, Kirishima turned his attention to you and watched in admiration as you started to prepare something for lunch. He was completely smitten with you and he’d shout that to the heavens if you so much as asked. With a little smirk he slowly made his way over to you and snaked his arms around your waist and rested his head on your shoulder. You huffed and tried to wiggle out of his grasp. 

“Oi, if you’re gonna stand here and be a nuisance you’re not gonna eat.” You said attempting to try and combine ingredients. “Here, chop these things up and be useful.” 

“Yes ma’am!” He chirped taking the assigned ingredients and moving to the side. His heart was soaring just being able to cook with you and he kept glancing at you like some sort of middle schooler with a crush. After cutting up all he needed to cut he leaned over and threw it into the pan as you instructed him to. Of course he didn’t do this without stealing a little kiss from you. You shook you head but he knew you were secretly delighted. It took him a second to realize that you had set the lid over the pan to let things simmer letting him try to take this opportunity, 

“(Y/n)...” He cooed. You turned around and yelped as he lifted you up and set you on top of the small counter. His hands rest on your thighs while your hands had flown up to his shoulders instinctively. He reached up and brought your face down a bit to kiss you. His lips were a little chapped but you didn’t mind because they were warm and inviting. You were lost in the feeling and as he pulled away you found yourself cupping his face and bringing him into another kiss instead. He hummed into the kiss obviously pleased with his own decision to put you on the counter. You broke and nuzzled your nose with his, both of you grinning at each other like idiots. Oh how you could get used to this…

[warlocksass]

I can't decide between these two, so either, or... (would not say no to both, either, but I'm so greedy!!

It took me a bit to come up of what I wanted to write, but here it is! I went with the first prompt but I might write something for the second one, too! :) 

Thanks for sending it! ♥♥

I apologize for the random mistakes you’ll probably find. It’s after midnight and I should be sleeping :D

Read on AO3 :)

Here’s the prompt list if you feel like sending me one :) 

“You’re kidding.” Magnus looked at the man in the passenger seat of his car. “You have to be kidding. Magnus! This looks haunted in broad daylight! There’s no way you want to hold a photoshoot there!” 

Magnus’ sly smile was all the answer he gave as Alec continued to freak out.

“And please tell me how do you know this place doesn’t have any security and we can just go inside? It looks private. And fancy. And very very  haunted.” As if on cue a stronger gust of wind made some of the older windows rattle and Magnus chuckled as Alec shivered.

“Relax. This place belongs to my dad. Well, used to, anyways.” Magnus shrugged and turned off the engine when he determined to be close enough to the building so carrying all of his equipment wouldn’t be a hassle. 

“And what happened to him?”

“He’s in jail. Did a lot of bad stuff.” Magnus was surprised Alexander hadn’t made the connection himself, it wasn’t like he was hiding who his father was. Magnus even carried his name due to some legal matters and not having enough time to change it. 

Alec gasped and looked at Magnus, all fear replaced by a softer look. “I’m sorry, I didn’t…” He bit his lip before continuing to look like he was thinking about what to say. Magnus shrugged, saving Alec from that awkward speech. There was nothing he could say that would help, anyways.

“I don’t really care, we were never close.” Magnus shrugged again and rubbed his fingers together, resting his forearms on the steering wheel. When he managed to talk Alexander into helping him wit his photoshoot Magnus wasn’t sure if the subject would come up, but he was hoping it wouldn’t have.

“I still can’t believe I let you talk me into this…” Alec murmured and Magnus took the opportunity to change the subject.

“Well at least I’ll owe you a favor. Besides, there’s really no one else I could see as a model in this shoot.” Magnus grinned at him and could see a faint blush appear on Alec’s cheeks as he gave a weak smile back.

“But still… Does it have to be here?” Magnus nodded excitedly and Alec groaned, stepping out of the car and into the cool morning air.

The sun played really well on Alec’s body and Magnus took a second to admire as he stretched, bathed in golden sunshine. The day would grow hotter, but now, in the early morning, it was still chilly and Magnus could see goosebumps rising on Alexanders skin. 

As if feeling his gaze on him Alec turned to look at him with raised eyebrows. “Are you having second thoughts? Because I’d love to get out of here. This place is creepy. No offence.” 

Magnus grinned and shook his head and motioned for Alec to follow as he stepped on the few steps before the front door and took out his keys that he had to fish out from the back of one of his unused drawers. Shouldering the door open Magnus managed to make it creak open and stared inside. 

Truly, it was a grand mansion at one point, but now everything was dusty, trash littered inside. Some belongings still remained, but most of it was sold out in the auctions instead of leaving it to collect dust inside. 

Magnus could still see the details in all the wall decorations and on the rails of the grand staircase that led to the second floor. He’d only been here a few times and he always hated coming here when his father was still a free man, but now his presence wasn’t weighing him down and Magnus felt that the house was just that, a house. 

Perfect for a photoshoot. The whole place had an eerie vibe, like it was halfway between life and death and it was perfect. Even the dust had a certain charm to it. That is until a gust of cool wind picked up a cloud of it and made Magnus and Alec cough their lungs out. 

“Okay, let’s go exploring!” Magnus was somewhat excited, already taking out his favorite camera out of its case and onto his neck so he could take some tryout pictures. He heard Alec groan and mumble something along the lines of “can we just get over with this?” and chuckled to himself.

The first floor had some pretty places, but nothing that stood out to Magnus. His favorite one was probably the old living room that still had some sofas standing around an ornate fireplace, with a broken grand piano leaning in the corner. One of its legs was broken so it looked sad just sitting there at the back of the room. 

They continued to the second floor, Alec trailing behind him, but keeping close. Magnus wanted to make some conversation, but he was too occupied in exploring his surroundings, looking for the perfect spot, taking a few pictures. Opening room after room they explored with minimal conversation, Alec too creeped out by every crack and groan and Magnus too curious to see what he could find. 

He opened one of the heavier doors, that would have probably led to a master bedroom. It was mostly empty now, some sheets piled on the floor, but what caught Magnus’ attention were the double doors. They were tall and with glass windows and they led to what looked like a balcony that overlooked the once immaculate garden. 

Magnus grinned at Alec. “I think I found the perfect spot!” 

Alec wasn’t a difficult model to work with. He was stiff at first but soon relaxed into Magnus’ orders of what to do. His photogenic face helped, too. Magnus had once worked with Isabelle, Alec’s sister and while she was way more natural at modeling and the camera loved her, Magnus had to admit he had more pleasure when working with Alec. 

Alexander liked keeping to himself more than being in the spotlight, so for Magnus to have an opportunity to draw something more out of him was a pleasure. He’d ordered for Alec to take his bow and arrows so he could feel more at ease while being photographed and it certainly changed the whole photoshoot.

With his favorite bow in hand Alec changed, he grew confident and calm, Magnus was so happy to get to see him like this when no one else could see them, both in their element. In a way it felt really intimate, sharing their lives like that.

Magnus managed to get Alec talking about his siblings and archery and how his own studies in the graphic design department were going and managed to get a few stunning shots of Alec with a full blown smile, cheek to cheek, his eyes crinkled in an adorable way. Magnus knew instantly that he would never delete those photos, even if they wouldn’t end up in his final project. 

The sun was full on shining now and they decided to take a small break. Alec was starting to sweat with all the sunlight shining right at him through the windows. Magnus watched as a few stray drops of sweat trailed down the side of his face and into the material of his dark shirt where they disappeared. And suddenly he was surprised with the sight of Alec taking off his shirt.

Magnus was sure his brain just shut off for a few seconds with all that view of sweaty skin. It made him think of other ways he could make Alec sweat and it was distracting. Distracting enough that he had to force himself out of a daydream after a few seconds before it went too far. 

“Sorry, it’s too hot, I can’t take it.” Alec gave him an apologetic smile. 

Magnus almost rolled his eyes and gave him his best smirk. “Oh don’t apologize. I’m enjoying the view…” He made a show of trailing his eyes all over Alec’s torso and back to his hazel eyes. “In fact…” Magnus raised his camera and took a picture. Or a few. Just in case one didn’t capture how perfect Alexander looked. No other reason, of course. 

When he lowered his camera Magnus wasn’t sure how Alec would react, but he didn’t exactly expect this. Alexander was looking at him in a similar way Magnus imagined he was looking at Alec. With obvious hunger. Though Alec’s had this tone of sweetness to it, especially when he tilted his head just a fraction and looked Magnus straight in the eye.

Neither of them talked or moved for a moment. But then Alexander’s eyes lowered to Magnus’ lips and he licked his own. Magnus found himself mirroring the action and took a few slow steps closer to Alec where he was leaning on the cool wall. 

When Alec didn’t stop him, but instead seemed to welcome him in his space Magnus walked so close to him there was barely a breath of space left between their bodies. Magnus could feel Alec’s strong hands resting on his sides, welcoming him and keeping him close. Alec’s body was so warm Magnus could feel it on his own skin, along with his warm breath fanning his face, so close to his lips.

Slowly reaching out Magnus did what he’d wanted to do ever since he saw Alec in his college building and put his hands on Alec’s chest. His very naked chest. The chest hair tickled his fingers and Magnus looked him straight in the eyes, feeling the tension between them. It was like a current running through their bodies and Magnus thought that even if he wanted he wouldn’t be able to pull away. 

His eyes scanned Alec’s face, his perfect cheekbones, the light stubble on his jaw, before resting on his lips. Alec gasped quietly and licked his lips again. Magnus could feel his fingers digging into his sides and back, encouraging him to get closer even if there was barely any space left between them. He trailed his fingers up from Alec’s chest slowly, over his shoulders, up his neck an into his hair. He could feel the anxiety roll off Alexander, but he found it fun to prolong the moment, to tease before giving in.

When Magnus finally kissed him he was sure that no one in his life had kissed him the way Alec did. Alexander melted into the kiss, responding immediately and holding Magnus close. Their lips moved together as if they had done this numerous times, Alec knew just the way to kiss him to make him weak in the knees. The soft touch of lips and the tiniest amount of tongue, just enough to leave Magnus wanting more left him feeling like he was about to melt just from the way this man was touching him. 

It grew hotter and more frantic as Magnus tugged on Alec’s hair and the man groaned into his mouth, retaliating with a nip on his lip, licking over it in apology right after and it was Magnus’ turn to groan. He raked his nails over Alec’s scalp and chest, which made Alec pull him impossible closer, nudging one of his legs between Magnus’. 

When they finally came up for air Magnus was a little dazed, not sure if it was the lack of oxygen or the mind blowing kiss itself. Alec rested his forehead on his and smiled his bright smile still panting and holding onto Magnus. 

“I’ve wanted to do that ever since I saw you in your photo exhibition.” It wasn’t easy to make Magnus blush, but that did it. Alec had seen his art shows and it made a shiver run through Magnus. 

“Well it took you long enough.” Magnus grinned and pecked Alec’s lips softly just in case Alec got mad at his teasing. Alec chuckled and drew him in closer, hugging Magnus.

Magnus wasn’t sure how long they stayed like that, trading soft kisses from time to time, but it was as if the time stopped for them. It was Alec who first brought them out of their little bubble.

“So are you done with the shoot now? Because I’d still like to get out of here.” Magnus laughed and Alec grinned at him.

“Fine. We can go.” Still chuckling Magnus went to pack and put away his stuff. He had enough photos for his project and even a little more, or at least he hoped so.

When they were finally settled back in the car Alec turned to Magnus. “I think I know what I want in exchange for this.” Magnus just raised his eyebrows and waited. “Would it be weird to ask for a date in exchange for modeling for you?” He was grinning now and Magnus couldn’t help the answering smile on his face.

“Usually it would be weird, but I’ll make an exception for you.” He winked at Alec and looked around to see if he had everything. “Aw, crap, forgot to close the door. One second.” 

But before he could turn to the car door the front door of the house slammed close sending shivers up Magnus’ spine.

“Can we go?” Alec sounded just as creeped out as Magnus felt.

“Yep. Yep. Never coming back. You win.” Magnus shook his head and if he was speeding just a little Alec didn’t say anything. “Hey, at least I got you out of it, right?” Magnus grinned at Alec as he took his hand ant let the intertwined fingers rest between them.

“Yes.”