#but like-- tomorrow as in after i sleep which is basically later in the afternoon once i wake up
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aria0fgold · 1 year ago
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Staring at this fic and wondering how to tag it. I'm done writing it, pretty short! And everything formatted, all I need now is to figure out how to tag this thing.
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ejzah · 2 months ago
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One Wrong Move, Part 10
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After Kensi left, a nurse brought by a toothbrush and other toiletries. Apparently he’d been deemed well enough to worry about basic hygiene again.
His entire body still ached and he felt fairly crappy—apparently another lovely side effect of the preventative medication and his negative reaction to the first stuff—but in comparison, it was a significant improvement from a couple days ago. It didn’t feel like his skin might spontaneously combust at any moment, he had a tiny bit of energy, and best of all, he’d stopped hallucinating about surfboards.
Earlier, the doctor warned him he wasn’t quite out of the woods yet and would need to quarantine for the contagion window. That part sucked.
He’d give just about anything to sleep in his and Kensi’s bed again. Or kiss Kensi. Anything that didn’t involve stiff hospital sheets, disinfectant, and harsh lights.
He was lucky to be alive, he reminded himself. Even if it didn’t feel like it right now, it could have been so much worse. If Kensi had been the one to grab Fadel…no, he couldn’t even imagine Kensi in his place.
Deeks winced as something twinged in his back and he shifted around to find a more comfortable position. He’d already done a couple laps around the room, and a PT was supposed to come by tomorrow (assuming he continued to improve) to run through some safe exercises. Otherwise, he’s been instructed to limit his movements to trips to and from the bathroom. Yeah, that was gonna get old real fast.
After unsuccessfully moving around for a few minutes, he finally grabbed one of the books Kensi had left, raising an eyebrow at the cover, which features a shirtless guy, lustily kissing a woman.
“At least somebody’s getting some action,” he muttered.
Three chapters later, Deeks was drawn out of a spat between the two lead character by sharp knocking outside his room. He looked up, squinting at the mostly glass door to see a familiar blonde-headed figure. Reaching just past his chair, he pressed the intercom button.
“Beale?”
“Hey, you want some company?” Eric responded, waving enthusiastically through the glass.
“Sure, but what are you doing here? It’s a little out of your neighborhood,” Deeks said.
“Kensi might have mentioned she was leaving for a little bit and I thought you might like a visit.” Eric held up what appeared to be a tote bag. “I brought some games, a couple of your favorite books, and some snacks. If you’re allowed to have them. Kensi didn’t say if you’re on a special diet right now. Maybe I should have brought jello instead.”
“I’m not on any restrictions, though you know I’ll never say no to some lime jello. “Grab a mask and come in. I’m finally allowed to move around some, but I’m not exactly approved for field trips yet,” Deeks told him, standing up long enough to greet Eric once the nurse buzzed him through.
Eric stepped through his eyes lighting up behind the mask and he made a move to hug Deeks before he remembered, and stepped back. “Close contact probably isn’t recommended, right?”
“Not really. Thanks for coming, man.” Deeks say down again with a heavy sigh. “You didn’t have to do all this.”
Eric shrugged a little sheepishly. “Honestly, I’ve been looking for an excuse to come over. As soon as Kensi told us you were doing better, we all wanted to come.”
“Oh I’m sure there was a mad rush,” Deeks drawled.
“Actually, we drew straws to see who would get the afternoon off and I won. Nell’s not too happy with me. This really freaked everyone out,” he admitted.
“Sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. We’re just glad you’re ok.” He paused, looking away and cleared his throat. “Anyway, what do you want to eat?” Pulling up a chair, Eric began taking out several bags and containers. “I brought pretzels, pudding, bagels from the place you and Kensi like—they might be a little cold by now.”
“The bagel sounds good,” Deeks said, even though he wasn’t really hungry yet. He appreciated the gesture, and Eric seemed eager to do something for Deeks.
“Coming right up.”
Once they both had bagels covered with a liberal amount of cream cheese, some of Eric’s restless energy dissipated.
“So, how’s work?”
“It’s definitely a struggle without you two, but we’re managing ok. We have Anna and a couple other agents on rotation when there’s an active case,” Eric explained, picking at his bagel. “Oh, and Sam’s going crazy. With both you and Kensi out, he has no buffer between him and Callen.”
“I bet Callen’s making the most of the that,” Deeks said, and Eric nodded.
“Yep. This morning, he took a page out of your book and paid a kid to plant a realistic looking fake snake in his bag,” Eric shared and Deeks laughed, imagining Sam’s initial terror and then irritation upon discovering the surprise.
“Sam’s threatened to make Anna his semi-permanent partner until you or Kensi is back full-time.”
“That’s amazing. I wish I could have seen that.
“Yeah.” Eric paused, then eyed Deeks seriously. “I think everybody wishes you were there too.”
“Hey, I’m going to be alright,” Deeks assured him. “I know I’m not my usual glamorous self right now, I don’t have access to my favorite pillow for hairstyling purposes—” Eric cracked a smile at that. “And it’s probably going to take me a while to get back on my feet, but I will be back.”
“You sure?”
“I’m positive.“
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softsky-daily · 1 month ago
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4/25/2025
Mirrors of the same afternoon sky...
Positive thing: I finally had my shoulder appointment, I had lots of good food, and I got to do a bunch of hobbies.
My day started with my shoulder appointment and a loose to-do list and ended up rather spontaneous. Firstly, my shoulder got all fucky wucky most likely from my bad posture (or so I was told), and the doctor immediately clocked that I was a #gamer, which I found pretty funny. I didn't even say much beyond my name and my symptoms and she asked "So do you hunch over a lot when you play video games?" I wonder what gave me away. I was wearing pretty normie clothes today. My taiyaki bag I guess?? Or maybe she's just seen so many gamers with fucked up shoulders she can recognize them by musculature? Either way, I was very tickled by it.
In short, my shoulder muscle was inflamed, and she gave me a cortisone injection and prescribed me some meds to take for the next week, so hopefully it'll stop aching. On the plus side, when they took my x-rays they said my bones were very healthy, which is always good news.
After that I picked up a package with my OHSHC poster that I ordered off of Ebay and then I had a delicious burger.
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I love burger with egg. I really want to go back and have it again, it was so good.
Then I took the long trek over to my internship and dropped off the cards I wrote. Unfortunately the coworkers I was giving them to were in their respective sessions, so I didn't get to say hi, but they each texted me later saying they really appreciated them so I was more than happy with that. I know they're quitting soon, so I hope they find better workplaces.
That was the end of my to-do list, so I wasn't really sure what to do with myself after - I wanted to finish reading ルックバック since it had just been sitting on my desk the past month, but since it's in Japanese it takes a lot of concentration for me to get through it. In other words, it's hard for me to read at home because I get distracted easily there. I ended up deciding to go to a cafe and read my manga there in peace while looking up words I didn't know.
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I ordered their "green potion" (it's a fantasy themed cafe) and it was like it was a flavor tailored just for me. Basically it was apple syrup with vanilla and some sparkling water for fizz, and the end result really did make me feel like I was regaining HP. Also it matched the skirt I wore today which is a fun bonus.
I finished ルックバック which mentally ruined me in the best way, and as I was sitting around processing it, this live band walked in?? And it began to get really noisy and overwhelming, so I left pretty soon after that. By that time I was hungry again so I tried going to my usual Chinese place for their spicy chicken, but they were closed for some reason. So I meandered over to Bento instead.
I think the universe is trying to be extra niceys to me because it turned out their chicken katsu was reduced price today for some random special, and that's my favorite thing to get there. So of course I couldn't resist ordering it.
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It was soo perfect and crispy too. Just how I like it.
After that I went home and finished my OHSHC yuri art, and I've been feeling pretty content ever since. I guess this is what it's like to be relaxed and feeling balanced for once. My last Conversation Table meeting is tomorrow and we're celebrating with karaoke, and the day after I'm marathoning all the Lion King movies (minus the weird realistically animated ones) with some friends in preparation for the Broadway show next week, so there's more good things in store.
Also we pinged our roommate again to acknowledge our messages and still no response. Such a bewildering situation. But he'll have to answer at some point, like literally he has to or we're just going to keep pressing, so I'm sure an update will happen eventually.
I can't wait to sleep in tomorrow... maybe I'll go back and get another burger too.
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bugbyte · 2 years ago
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Today was good! I’m a little overwhelmed!
3:30 am posting because I’m feeling slightly wound thanks to today being a whole day, but it wasn’t a bad day?
Short version: bunch of appointments, thankfully all online, but after last week being stress central this was tolerable. I got my MMJ eval and it was quick and easy and if anything I over prepared because I’m so used to not being believed and having to back myself up with data. (Which I have to gather and keep for myself because medicine is apparently just a free for all where no one communicates with each other through the online app they have specifically so they can all access data about me from each other! Neat!)
Anyway that was a major relief and I was ready to cry because they said that this should work really well with the conditions and symptoms I have. I’ll probably write something up on the process later (because I would’ve liked a plain English walkthrough of what to expect but that’s ok) but I got my card from the state, which is all digital now, so welcome to the future, I guess.
We headed out to a pretty well reviewed and priced medical dispensary in the area and had a long info session on what would work best for me and landed on some low dose (for now) capsules and gummies. Then we got fried chicken because I’d had enough for one day and went home to see if it would work.
I took a capsule, ate my chicken, and waited. They did advise taking it with a fatty food (could’ve been peanut butter or avocado or anything really; we just got chicken for its uh, health…improving….properties….yeah that sounds right) It took like a solid hour and change to notice anything, and the effects were pretty minor.
I kept trying to explain what was happening to Delade but it was a very subtle thing and hard to get across. Basically the calmest I’ve felt in ages (bonus) and like a slight tiredness, like when you’re tired at the end of the day but not exhausted or like drugged tired if you take something to get to sleep and it hits hard. Just a nice soft calm feeling.
I got brave and tried adding in an extra half a gummy (watermelon flavor!) and that hit much more quickly and mostly just added to the soft feeling. Trying to put it in better words, it was like the different between laying directly on the hard floor, or laying on a puffy blanket on the floor. You can still feel the floor, but it’s much more comfortable than otherwise. I didn’t really feel particularly loopy other than finding a few things funnier than they probably actually were. I think I would compare it in drowsiness more to like…if you’ve been given an opioid after surgery or dental work or something, it’s kind of more like that than feeling just knocked right out. I always felt like these kinds of things gave me a sort of “cozy,” safe feeling while still being conscious enough to do some light things, and this was similar. Everybody’s different though so I might be a weirdo.
So yeah, it does work! I wasn’t expecting like a 100% change in pain levels, and this will definitely take some fine tuning to get right, but there was a difference for sure. I had the makings of a nasty headache after being stressed out all afternoon, which didn’t seem affected much by anything I took so that’s interesting. If I hadn’t had the headache I probably would have attempted some comic work but staring directly into a screen felt like a bad idea. In any case the sharp edges of the pain in the rest of my body got filed way down and I’m pretty amazed overall.
I know this can work now! So I can try again tomorrow! Hopefully with less stress headache so I can get a better gauge on how it actually feels! And hopefully try to draw.
So now I just have to figure out how not to feel weird about this talking to various doctors. Some recommended it, some I can imagine being less positive, but I think the anxiety about being judged is mostly in my head.
Anyway! It was a good experience overall, both the process for getting the card and actually trying the drug itself. If it’s something you’ve been looking into and have questions I can try and answer based on my (admittedly brief) experience so far. I only know how things work in NY, but being pretty anxious I get how it can feel more enormous to figure out when you don’t know the whole scope of a thing or what it’s like to actually do.
This entire thing makes me cackle btw because in fifth grade I won some DARE essay contest in school and I think got some kind of gift card I spent on art supplies, and a hat with the DARE lion mascot thing on it, which I think I still have and should probably start wearing for maximum dumbassery.
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dufreydiaries · 1 year ago
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Dufrey Diaries Chapter 26
Lucline woke very early the next morning, hearing Tira whimper and cry out from her room. She got up and heard Rasina stir beside her.
”I got it, honey. You get your rest.” Lucline kissed her wife, how exciting she could call Rasina that now, on the forehead. Rasina smiled and settled back into sleep.
Lucline padded barefoot down the hall and to Tira’s room, which had been her own since she and Rasina took over her parent’s old room. Tira was trapped in a nightmare, tears leaking down her cheeks. Lucline wiped the tears away as she sat on the bed next to the child and runs a hand through her hair.
“Wake up, baby. It’s just a bad dream.”
Tira’s blue eyes opened. Lucline was still not used to her having blue eyes. Her siblings had said Tira was identical to how she had looked at that age. I guess that is what happened when a child was made without a second parent.
“I… I was back on the slab.” She whimpered. “Only this time, you were able to save me. It was horrible.”
“It was just a dream, Tira. You’re safe now. The ones that hurt you are gone and won’t be bothering you again.”
She nodded and hugged Lucline. “Mama, can I start training with Mother tomorrow? I know I’ll be required to master most weapons to be a knight.”
Lucline smiled and hugged her daughter back. “Oh course, baby. I’m sure she would love to teach you. Besides, being able to defend yourself is important. If you like, I can start your learning in Restoration magic, though you will quickly overtake me in skill.”
Tira smiled up at her. “I would like that. Are you going to see a healer in the morning?” Lucline nodded. She could feel her stomach grumble like it had the other morning. “Speaking of, I should go before I have to run out holding my mouth.” ”Can I come too when you go? I want to know if my baby sister is on the way as soon as I can.”
Lucline chuckled and kissed Tira’s forehead. “Of course, Tira. I’ll come get you when it’s time.”
By the time Lucline made it back to her and Rasina’s room, she had to kneel over the bucket and be sick. She felt strong hands rubbing her back.
“Hey, did I wake you?” She asked, her mouth foul and gross. She felt a cup against her hand, and she took it and swished her mouth out and spat it into the bucket before drinking the rest.
“Yes, but it’s fine. Hoping the healer has good news for us later.”
She smiled and snuggled into Rasina’s arms. “So does Tira. She is excited to have a little sister.”
Using magical assistance with two female partners would guarantee a female child, though no one understood why. If Rasina had used magic to become male for the purpose of procreation, they would have a chance at a son, but Lucline did not find men attractive. She hoped she would be able to get past that for her beloved but thankfully, Rasina was more than fine with only daughters.
“I had three males cousins growing up like brothers.” Rasina had winked as she said. “I would rather have had sister figures personally.”
Lucline let her wife lead her back to bed and they snuggled in together to wait for the morning.
*Elder-Scrolls*
Before her appointment, Lucline had business to attend to. The running of the various Dufrey estates and businesses took up much of her morning. Lobamog was going through ledgers, looking for all the places her parents had laundered money to fund the Brotherhood. It was looking to be a very long task. Once she was done, she got up and waved to Lobamog.
“Good work today, Lobamog. Why don’t you take the afternoon off? I’m sure your paramour would enjoy lunch with you.”
He smiled widely. “Much obliged, Lucline. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Lucline walked outside and found Rasina correcting Tira’s stance, leading her through basic forms with a wooden sword. She stopped and watched her spouse and child interacting. Rasina was firm but patient with Tira as she helped her perfect each stance. After a few minutes, she stepped out into the courtyard.
“is it time for the appointment with the healer, jewel of my desert?” Rasina asked, giving her a wide smile. She stepped in and kissed her wife with a smile on her own lips.
“Yes, my love. Let’s go and see if we will have another little Dufrey soon.”
Tira clapped her hands eagerly and the three of them walked towards the temple.
*Elder-Scrolls*
Mirada smiled as her brides were each feeding from the neck of a young woman. They had gotten lucky, and a decent size group of young women were visiting Camlorn to learn about the Werewolf attack in the second era. Her human pet had arranged for the girls to camp near where the vampires could come down and charm them in the night.
The girls thought they were having a party, and to some degree they were. They were topless and very drunk from the wine her servant had provided to help the situation. Mirada walked through the room, each of her brides infecting a different girl with vampirism. There were girls of every major race in attendance, and Mirada had to prevent herself from adding the races she was missing to her personal Brides. The last girl was slumbering next to her throne, fang marks in various places on her body. Mirada had to bite the Breton girl multiple times to infect her.
“When you are finished enjoying your meals, take the girls to the cells until they complete their transitions. Once they have turned, we send them back to their homes to start spreading the disease to their families. Each of you will go with your turned victim and be their handler. You will personally command your own coven of vampires turned from her fangs. Gather your army’s and prepare for war. This is but the first step in my plan.”
She picked up the girl, meant for Daggerfall and her own attentions. Then she sent a mental signal to her pet in Camlorn. It was a little early, but she would turn her now. She would get Abee Dufrey as her servant on her own. She needed a Bride in Camlorn and who better than it’s Countess.
She let herself smile as her brides picked up their seconds-in-command and took them to the cells. Soon, High Rock would be filled with vampires and then she would be queen of a vampire nation.
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letthylightshine · 1 year ago
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What has my day been like?
Good Afternoon, friends! I am going to let you all know what my day has been like. First of all, my sleep was sweet but my schedule was completely off. The weather has been affecting my sinuses so bad. My nose has been running and stopped up for almost a week now. Its contradicting because the weather in the past two days have been in the 60's. Why is it so cold in my house? I have been making arrangements to keep it warm. I've got my spaceheater going in addition to the AC Heat.
So, I am a FT Wife to Carlos Ramirez. My days consist of cooking for him and I, cleaning the house, organizing anything I can get my hands on, sleeping & napping, studying Spanish, reading my bible, praying, personal hygiene, and now blogging and social media. All these things together are like a Full-Time job. And now I am looking for a job because I am desiring an increase in my living standards. Hopefully, I can get a job that is for me and I will be able to simplify some things for Carlos and I. Carlos and I are both independent people. If we can do it ourselves, we will do it. And that even narrows it down to fixing our own vehicles because Carlos is Mechanic.
However, in the past few years I have been quite fascinated by the: "Hi, we are calling you about your cars extended auto warranty!" phone calls because who would have know that car warranties came with such convenience. I'll have to tell you all about it later. Let's get into my day!
"You may not believe, but you will see my power." - Jesus
This morning, my day began at about 7:00AM. I woke up to achy, stuffy nose because of the sudden weather change within the past two weeks. Fall seems to be transitioning out and Winter is transitioning in. In my most recent 5 years, I decided: "I like winter because its not so bad on the body. Plus, I can dress cute with my winter clothes - layers, scarves, boots, flannel button downs." Do you get the jist ?" I am going to have to see how this winter is going to be. As I stated, the past two days have been in the mid-60's, which is good, but its still quite cold for me. My husband, Carlos, is from Mexico. He's told me how, in Mexico, they don't experience a Winter Season. Atleast, not where he lives in VeraCruz. I'd much rather live in Veracruz at this point, but he's enjoying the stability he's gained in Estabas Unidos. So, I don't rush it but I have said: "I'd like me a Mexico Original home in the suburbs of Mexico or atleast on some nice land." With the curvy brick- style shingles. Yes!
Carlos is funny and he loves to tell jokes here and there but last night got me! He said, "You're working on the roof with me tomorrow?" Half serious/Half joking I said, "Yes!" very seriously. Meanwhile, I said: "Yes!" at maybe 8pm in the night. I have not really been out of the house, especially in the morning time, in a long while. Plus, its "cold outside." I believe I answered too soon. I woke up about 7AM and I was like : "Yes! New day. (I was sleeping on the love seat in our bedroom. I had fell asleep there after my shower.) Now, it's time to get in bed and have the real sleep." Moments later, Carlos' alarm goes off at 7:30 AM.
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He's like: "Mi Reyna, despierta! Wake up! We are working on the roof this morning! Let's get ready!" I am like: "Oh no, I was just playing when I said yes." So, I layed back down. Carlos began getting ready. Friends, my nose was stopped up, sinuses congested, throat mildly sore - Can we say it may have been the end of the world considering the circumstances! Carlos has to basically peel me out of the bed like you use a spatula to scramble eggs when you forgot to put a little oil or butter on the skillet! Mama wasn't ready!
So, I got up! I was upset! But, I got up, brushed my teeth, put on clothes, and we were out the door. We had to go to Collierville for his work today! Carlos work sites vary from Arlington, Cordova, maybe Memphis, Millington, Covington, or Southaven - all in Memphis and surrounding areas. Today we went to Collierville. These houses are nice and beautiful too. They are brand new houses - some are for sale and others are still new construction or under construction.
This Morning began to be a beautiful day after I finally got up! We drove towards Collierville and I started having faint memories of my days when I used to be in Collierville and East Memphis with my friends. It was sweet memories and maybe I also teared up but it was nothing compared to the NOW. We stopped at the corner store for gas. Carlos offered to purchase me something from the store. Carlos is so kind, caring, and nurturing. He's awesome. I love him! I ordered me a Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit with a V8 Vegetable Drink. Talk about good! It was delicious! The biscuit was perfectly soft, flaky, and mouthwatering. I tore that biscuit up! Carlos got more coffee, LOL. He'd just had coffee at home, but I guess, "When you gotta go, ya gotta go!"
We arrived at his worksite. I began to become a little nervous because I had not worked with Carlos in a while. Especially moving those heavy shingles, as he asks me to assist him with. And thats exactky what he needed me to do. I have been meditating on the verse that says: "Do not be greedy for money and appreciate what you have." I have been appreciating God blessing me to be a Stay-At-Home wife. So, Carlos asking or making me come to work with him this morning really put me a little on edge and out of my normal routine. I said NO to helping with the shingles today. It's as though the Holy Spirit said, "Carlos should have called his boss and requested emergency back-up since he was the only person working. I did not sign you up for this and you're allowed to say no." So, I said no. I felt a little bad for my honey but alls fair in love! He accepted my NO and got to work. So, I decided to pray for us so that we can have a good day with our great expectation. After praying, the Sun came out and I swore I could see the Father's face. It was well with my soul.
Then, I'd remembered that I'd been having knee pains. The neighborhood was a pretty good size to walk around, even offering a walking trail. Do you know what I did? Got to walking!
Listen to a favorite of mine:
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Yes, you all - I began walking this really bad knee pain off. I did not understand where it came from but I did realize I have not been exercising as much since it got colder outside. This was perfect timing to begin building my motivation to walk in my own neighborhood. As I began to walk, the pain slowly but surely began to go away. I am going to keep on walking until the pain is no more. I am going to have to manage it throughout the winter. I have to get back motivated to exercise all together.
Once I had enough walking, I rested in our van, took a nap, and woke up to Carlos asking for more assistance with those heavy shingles. This time, I said: "Yes, my love!" You all, I could only do so much. Then, it began sprinkling! "Yes!" I shouted in my mind because I did not need Carlos to get frustrated thinking that I did not want to help. Neither did I want the Lord to think the same. So, I prayed like Elijah that it would not rain, LOL. My prayer was: "Lord, please don't let it rain today. And don't let it rain for 3 years. And keep hydrating the Earth and its inhabitants. Amen." I had to show that my faith is strong and unfaltering. Then, it began to rain harder! Ha, sometimes you gotta be happy and joyful even when you don't get what you've asked for. Its possible with gratitude!
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I'd like to share the story of Elijah and the Prayer Of Rain:
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit (James 5:17-18).
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It began to rain even harder. I got so happy and I am sure Carlos did too because then we could go home and spend some quality time with one another, which is rare in the afternoon time of most days. Carlos usualy gets home after the sun has gone down. So, we packed up all the tools - nails, ladders, nail guns, and more. Then, we headed home. Our day was adventurous because we received what we did not expect - but the flowers need the rain, so it was good. And we need the rain to replenish the harvest. Take a good look at the fields, the harvest is ready!
We got home, cooked dinner, and I am now relaxing and concluding my day! It was short but sweet. Carlos is outside looking at my vehicle. Its been a tiring day so relaxation is needed.
Thank you very much for reading! Until next time....<3
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sostanotes · 2 years ago
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Myth Hunters (11/?)
Day 61
At the gate, Mai told me that, the last she’d heard, things were still calm in the Highlands this morning. After talking with the Security Corps, I convinced them to escort me from Cogita’s home to the Highlands, so we didn’t waste extra time, and I headed to see her first.
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Volo arrived shortly after I did; is it just good timing or is he watching me? Either way, Cogita, while glad to see we’d tracked down all the Plates she had hinted at, wasn’t ready to tell us any more information. And since I don’t currently have access to three logs of wood, I’ll have to come back later. Luckily the Highlands are quite heavily wooded and it won’t be that hard to pick up a few logs for Cogita during my investigation of the outbreaks.
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Sabi was also in the Highlands, and reported that there was an outbreak of all Alphas, like the Ursaring I encountered in the Mirelands.
Despite Sabi’s warning, I didn’t encounter any Alpha Pokémon during my investigation, which took most of the day. However, with the sun setting on my way back to report in to Mai, a Space-Time Distortion began to form. Checking my map, I realized that it was centered exactly over one of the places that there had been an outbreak; perhaps this a point in favor of the the Professor’s theory.
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There was an Alpha in the distortion at one point, an Octillery. I also encountered the first Rowlett I’ve seen outside of the one the Professor recently gifted me with. By the time I cleared the distortion, it was morning again. I’m going to check in with Mai and sleep until the afternoon; Cogita can wait until tomorrow.
Day 62
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While I was debriefing Mai, Adaman stopped by. Seems he’s feeling left out of all the cooperation going on in the investigations and wanted to step up. I do quite appreciate all the crafting material for Sticky Globs he brought by, as they should keep me well supplied for a while.
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Always nice to learn a bit more about my friends, and the banter between Adaman and Mai was a goldmine of information. Mai made clear here what I was already suspecting, she’s basically the big sister of everyone in the Diamond Clan.
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Adaman asked a question that feels like another piece of the puzzle.The professor theorized that the locations of the outbreaks were somehow connected to the Space-Time Distortions, and as Dialga and Palkia and the rulers of Time and Space, they may be involved in both. But if anyone is setting this challenge, it’s probably Arceus, since this is massively helping me reach his stated goal for me: “Seek out All Pokémon”. Still, I’m exhausted. I’ll see what Cogita has to say tomorrow.
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avyannaxa · 2 years ago
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Should practice making this my safe space instead of my journal
Entry#1 - 13 June 2023
So its 1 am and I have work tomorrow but I can’t sleep. I am laying next to my boyfriend, who actually read my journal that is why I am moving my thoughts here.
Let me tell u a little history about the guy I am currently with. He and I met in my new workplace and when we initially met he said that he was single. But he was actually courting another girl and I found out only when I followed him on instagram.
Moving on, we became good friends with another girl. It was fun hanging out with the two of them. Our trio was a weird, unexpected start but i liked hanging out with them until I started to notice that he was getting flirty with me.
At first I was thinking to myself, maybe I should let it flow and just flirt back since he’s basically single. But one fine afternoon, he chatted in our gc and asked “would you guys believe me if I said that I finally have a gf?” I mean ngl I felt a sting in my heart.
Before that, I would like to mention that I also dated a guy and another guy that were secretly still seeing their ex gfs so thus the ptsd. Then I decided that I don’t ever want to be placed in a situation where I have to question my value. That is why I came up with a solution to keep my distance from him.
And so I maintained distance and a friendship with him with boundaries. Weeks later he started reaching out to me again and I thought to myself, I’m bored why not just have a friendly chat with him and not reply again tomorrow? So I did entertain his chats.
But the bad thing was I can’t stop replying to his messages again and worst is that I was waiting for his chats whenever I get home. I was thinking to myself this is bad but why can’t I stop? You see I finally realized that I have a little crush on this guy.
I mean despite the red flag that he is super friendly with girls, there was kindness and this unique bond/emotional understanding that I share with him. I was thinking that I could maintain such bond by staying friends with him but deep down I know that I actually wanted to be with him.
And so our messages and calls after work continued. I felt more comfortable around him and felt like I wanted to get to know him more. Its been a long time since I opened my thoughts to anyone but with him, it felt so easy. Days after I finally called him to address the situation.
I wanted to clarify the confusing situation that we were having. So I said that I kinda like him and he said he also likes me not just a friend. But at that time I knew that I wasn’t ready to be in a relationship so I said that I think the perfect solution for this confusing situation is to just detach.
Ofc I was still aware that he had a gf at that time so I said that once again, I will remove myself from the situation. But it was hard maintaining the distance. I thought that if I address it, he would understand and keep his distance from me too. But he and I didn’t.
Fast forward to our company’s national convention, things between us became more intense. I think the thrill of wanting to be together but not being able to freely got into me. Might be because of my Aries venus. So on the first night of the convention, we had drinks with our workmates.
It felt nice to finally bond with them but the whole night I was actually trying my best to avoid looking at him. Funny thing tho, during that night I found out that out close girl friend also has a confusing situation with our other workmate who also happens to have a gf. So after drinking we all finally went back to our designated hotel rooms.
That’s when I had the talk with our girl friend and stupidly told her my own confusing situation then we both decided to do something stupid which is to meet both the guys in the hotel lobby at 4 am. So I chatted M to go down and meet me and we all met in the lobby
Funny thing is that we all looked confused and awkward but to get the situation over with I pulled M to the side and gave the two space to deal with their own situation. Honestly, at that moment, I was fixed to just let him go and be the bigger person in this confusing situation.
But when I finally said to him that we should stop, I was shocked at his response. He didn’t want us to end and he didn’t want me to detach myself again from him. At that moment, I didn’t know how to handle the emotions or feelings that was flooding that time.
When the two finally ended their short conversation, they asked us to go back to their room with them. I wasn’t thinking straight and was kinda drunk so I agreed. As we were walking towards their room, the two became more close and started holding hands while M and I were just both confused at the revelation the two showed us.
In my mind, I wasn’t expecting much to happen in the room since I was thinking that M was not the kind of guy to make a move on a girl. When we entered the room, the two weren’t even awkward to each other and proceeded to cuddle in bed. Meanwhile, M and I were just confused so we stayed by the door and talked more.
It was almost 5 am and both of us were getting tired and sleepy so he offered to lay down in his bed and so we did. When I was laying down he removed my face mask and pulled my face towards his face. There, at that moment, the thought that I know he is going to kiss me popped. He run his thumb across my lips and after a few seconds, I felt his lips pressed on mine.
I was confused about how I was going to feel about it at first but I just let him do whatever he wanted at that moment. I was a bit shocked tho, cause M was always perceived as a quiet and respectful guy in the office so I wasn’t expecting him to proceed to kissing my neck or touching parts of my body.
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orangelemonsstuff · 3 years ago
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Harana
Lilia Vanrouge x GN! Filipino Reader
(This is tagged to Filipino Readers/MCs)
Summary: you tell Lilia about a certain way to court somebody back in your world/country, not realizing the sneaky little ol' him had an idea to try it out on you.
Quick Note: Harana, one of the Philippines traditional form of courtship in which a man (in many cases) woos. a woman by singing underneath her window or. outside her house at night (credits to google). Basically haharanahin ka ni Lilia sa fic nato (translation: basically Lilia is going to do Harana to you outside the Ramshackle dorm) although it is normally performed by a guy to a girl, it is not limited to any gender that is why this fic is also gender neutral so all genders are included, this fic contains tagalog words which is I'm too lazy to translate but they are just basic words so now worries ^^
Lilia was kind enough to accept your offer to study magic history together for he perhaps has a bit of history knowledge back in his olden days, he is the perfect person to go to if you truly want to study this curriculum hard and prepare for the quiz tomorrow
but as kind as he is, you still feel a little bit guilty for feeling like you had taken advantage of his knowledge of history so you would ace your test and show it off to your friends, you decide to ask what would he want something for an exchange of his smarts after your study session on the library
"i never knew you were like Ashengrotto, always wanting to clear up your debt from somebody so you wouldn't have to deal with it later-- ahaha just kidding just kidding~" Lilia laughed as you nudged on him slightly with your elbow
"Hmm, i do not want anything in particular but you could do something for me, no worries it is fair and something you could easily give to me" you tilt your head at him
"i would like to know about your world's culured courting, how do the people back from your world or country court somebody they like" you are surprised, Lilia liked somebody? you have no idea why would he ask for this information but as much it is none of your business if Lilia would love to use your culture to ask somebody out. and in fact it is a fair exchange for a study session from him
you tell him about the most famous and common way to woo somebody bacm in your country, a Harana, when a binata sings a romantic song with his guitar and his wingman friends under the dalaga's window to woo her, even how common it is for a way of panliligaw or courting, it is one the most romantic courting culture every filipino of your country knows.
"I see, it is truly romantic even if i was the lady herself i would instantly blush at the thought of somebody doing that for me" you nod in agreement "so you would like it if somebody does that to you?" he asked as he looked at you directly in your eyes waiting for an honest answer, you agree smiling at him, it is a sweet way to say "i like you or i love you" to someone after all, you wouldn't mind having somebody use that courting technique to you.
"Oh hoh i see i see~" he chuckled, then proceed to think to himself but you interrupt him with your question, why does he ask about this and what would he do with it?
"Mm you truly are naive little one no wonder many is drawn to you including me, i got another favor to ask, can you hold sleeping too early tonight?" he asked as you reply with another nod
"great! now should we continue back to our studying? you are done with my condition but im halfly not fufu~" he grin at you as he shifts in close to look at your notes, well if those are the only requirements for the long awaited studying to be started then you have completed them all and the deal is done.
the afternoon on the library was spent with you both browsing his memory to help you with his study.
~•~
you yawn as you review some notes that you had written earlier while studying with Lilia, he was a big help, everything was covered completely and you didn't miss any single detail on magic history with his help, you are ready to take the test tomorrow and completely pass it
"Oi, I'm done with the bath it's you turn now" he flooped straightly to bed leaving his wet towel on the floor and napped instantly
you sigh, you stood up to pick it up as you heard a strings of guitar played outside your window, you taught it was just your head but it continued to play a rhythm of your favorite song outside.
you open the crooked wooden window and peeked your head out, in sight was Lilia and the Light Music Club with their instruments, Lilia himself have a wooden guitar and playing with its chords, he noticed you and grinned with a bright smile. wait, is Lilia doing the courting thing you told him earlier?
you duck down with a flustered face, is it because you told him that you would like to experience it too!? this is too much for you but at the same time....kinda cute of him to do.
you once again peek out, you believe the sound of your favorite song draw you in to listen more but you are pretty sure it is Lilia that brought you out of your embarrassed state.
You giggle at them, this is so romantic for that dork guy to do, good thing he managed to hook up those other two to perform, but knowing their personalities no wonder they would agree to something like this
the song finished, and you clap your hands, you hope your appreciation reach them even from high up your window
"I HOPE YOU LIKED LILIA-SAN'S HARANA TO YOU!!" Kalim shouted
"Kalim, you don't have to shout they are not that far" Cater patted Kalim's shoulder, the white haired boy couched down picked up his dropped drumsticks rolling on the ground
"Oh hoh~ this had been fun" Lilia laughs, not noticing your figure disappearing from the window, running down outside to meet him. you pull the Ramshackle's door open and ran straight at him surprising him with a hug
"Salamat, ang sweet nun" you whisper at his ear, you do not know if he did understand it or not you just want to express your him for his sweetness
translation: Thanks, that was sweet
"Now, i repaid you for doing the second favor for me earlier fufu~ i don't want to take advantage of you for asking you to stay u--" you interrupt him by kissing his cheek making him stop mid sentence and stare at you
"Ooh lovebirds~" as Cater said that Lilia pulled you in to kiss you on your lips
"eh? Cater why did you cover my eyes?"
"shh Kalim im afraid we might ruin this lovey dovey moment if we say another word" Cater had his hand on Kalim's eyes as he tapped Cater's hand confusedly
"ehehe, if you are going to pull something like this i might do this Harana again, what do you think?" just like before, you don't mind if somebody does it for you, especially if it's Lilia.
a/n: AAAAAAAAA YES FINALLY A LILIA X READER LETS FUCKING GOOO, HELLO TO FILIPINO READERS WHO ALSO WANT TO GET HARANA'D BY SOMEBODY >:)
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cheri-translates · 2 years ago
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[CN] ASMR Transcript - Soft Words
🍒 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for an ASMR, 细语, which has not been released in EN! 🍒
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This little space where the both of you can snuggle against each other is the entire world.
[ Released in CN: 9 December 2022 ]
[ sound of running water ]
I’ve washed the dishes.
Why are you lying down?
If you lie down right after eating,
Your stomach would feel uncomfortable.
It’s better to sit up for a while before sleeping.
Hm? You’re too tired after eating and don’t feel like getting up?
[ chuckles ]
Come on. I'll carry you.
[ rustling noises ]
It feels like a long time since
We last spent the weekend in such a leisurely manner.
Lately, we’ve either been busy over the weekends
Or having fun outside.
We haven’t had time to have an afternoon nap together.
Didn’t you say
That you’ve been wanting to watch a TV series?
Want to watch it now?
It could pass the time.
Mm. I’ll look for it.
Hm... “The 365 Days of Little Transparent”.
“Slacking Off At Work”.
The titles of TV series these days
Are becoming increasingly novel.
“Rebirth of the Female Official.”
Are you sure you want to watch this?
Sure.
It’s not that I dislike it.
I’m fine with anything.
The things I enjoy watching
Aren’t really suitable for watching before an afternoon nap.
This one’s just right.
I remember that this TV series has been really popular recently.
During my afternoon breaks,
I often see Hang Jie engrossed in it.
She even teased me
About how I can’t keep up with trends.
But
Tomorrow,
She won’t have the chance to say that.
[ TV series noises ]
Is sitting uncomfortable?
You’re too full?
Sit a little closer.
I’ll give you a rub.
[ Gavin breathing noises ]
It tickles?
What if I use this amount of force?
I’m not tired.
All you have to do is relax.
This TV series seems very similar to those novels you read from before.
Based on typical tropes,
The female protagonist will probably have another chance at life.
And overcome many obstacles
And take counteractions the whole way through.
My guess is correct?
In that case, could I ask for a reward?
[ kiss ]
Mm.
This works.
Hm? Why are you frowning?
You’re asking about why the female protagonist didn’t return the attack?
Because it wasn’t the right time.
Although she lived again
And knew about what would happen in the future,
She hadn’t built up sufficient abilities.
That’s why she chose to hone her strength.
Mm.
I heard about what happened in the later portions from Sis Hang.
Okay.
No spoilers.
But after you’ve watched it,
You’d probably be filled with energy.
My thoughts?
I find it okay.
There wasn’t enough guidance when it came to the martial arts.
But it has a well-knit plot.
It’s no wonder everyone enjoys watching it.
But
Why is it that whenever the male protagonist looks at the female protagonist,
He glares at her?
To get her attention?
I see.
Why are your eyes getting bigger too?
You’re not tired anymore?
The male protagonist is so handsome
That you can’t see anything else?
Nope.
I’m not jealous.
Whether he’s good-looking is a separate thing.
His acting is passable.
The first episode has ended.
You can go to sleep now.
[ rustling noises ]
Hm? You don’t want to sleep?
You want to watch another episode?
Because the male protagonist is too handsome?
Is he very handsome?
I can do whatever he can.
That move he used earlier -
It’s just a basic wrestling technique.
It restrains the other party by controlling the joints,
But doesn’t cause pain to the other party.
This move appears to be an attack
But it’s actually used for protection.
It’s very suitable to be used on a special “target” who is under arrest.
[ intense rustling noises ]
For example,
Using it against someone who isn’t willing to take an afternoon nap.
[ Gavin chuckles ]
It's too late to surrender.
Mmhmm. Playing coy won’t work.
[ Gavin in pain noises ]
That counterattack was pretty good.
It’s deft
And struck a weak spot.
But...
[ rustling noises and Gavin noises and a kiss ]
It’d take a little more
For it to become a “one-hit kill”,
Keep it up.
I’ll teach you.
Bring your hand a little upwards.
Yes.
Right here.
Mm... Give it a try.
[ Gavin heavy breathing noises ]
Mm. You learn pretty quickly.
[ Gavin heavy breathing noises ]
Does this count as my weak spot?
When I’m with you,
Yes.
If it’s anyone else,
They won’t have this chance...
All of my weaknesses
Are only open to you.
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seungly · 3 years ago
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Hiii!
I literally found your page last night and may or may not have stayed up until 2am because I was reading your work and omg it’s so so good 😍, like I’m addicted!
If it’s possible can I request a Lee Felix imagine, in which him and the reader haven’t seen each other in like a week because the reader has been stressed with uni and essays and when they see each other the reader just casually mentions that they haven’t eaten as well as they should sort of like “I haven’t eaten in -“ and stops dead in their tracks because they know they’re gonna get told off and Felix glares at them and is just like “go on” but like it’s really fluffy in the end?
I’m really sorry if that’s confusing or you can’t write it!
Thank youu 🥰
2am?! hahaha thank you so muuchh!! I hope you won’t change your mind after reading this hehe I hope you like it!!
pairing: Lee Felix x gn! reader
genre: fluff, angst if you squint
wc: 1.5k 
warnings: stress, lack of eating, mentions of food
notes: my readers really need to take care of themselves huh. Pleasee don’t forget to eat, sleep, and take breaks, especially during a rough time. I hope everyone will do well! take care, Stays <33
proofread
: ̗̀➛ © seungly 2022
-
Essays can be fun sometimes, especially when writing about a topic you’re really interested in but right now there’s nothing more you’d want to do than to jump off your 3rd-floor apartment. You were stacked with unfinished essays that were due by next week, and you had more unfinished work. You were basically living off of coffee and 20 minutes of nap time. The last time you had a full meal was Tuesday afternoon. You were sure to fail this semester unless some god-sent freckled angel drops by this weekend. 
Though in this case, there will.
You were sure to rest tomorrow since your boyfriend is coming to visit, but today isn’t tomorrow so you have to continue faceplanted on the screen of your laptop.
You open your eyes to the sound of your phone ringing somewhere on the couch. You groaned, sitting up from the floor you’ve fallen asleep on- god it was uncomfortable. You wipe the drool from the side of your mouth and almost as if an instinct, you swipe the half-empty coffee cup from the coffee table and take a sip. Quickly regretting your decision, you brush it away and continue to look for your phone, “ha!” you grab the phone from under a throw pillow and smiled smugly to yourself. 
You opened your phone to check who called and sure enough, it was your boyfriend with a whopping 14 missed calls and over 20 texts. You were sure to get scolded later. You decided that you had enough of typing so you decided to call him instead. Not even five seconds when you heard his voice, “I was worried! Why weren’t you answering your calls??!!” he sounded panicked.
“I just woke up, Lix.” you check the time and almost choked on nothing when you saw it was almost lunch.
“Alright.” he sighed, “Well, I’m almost there. Do you need anything?” you could hear the excitement in his voice.
“Just you, please!” you let out a little laugh. 
“Coming right up!” he joked as well, “I need to go, it’s almost to a green light. See you there!” he made sure to kiss you through the phone before ending the call.
After the call ended you place your phone down and let out a sigh. You needed more sleep, but you tell yourself that it can wait a little longer. You try to stand up and successfully do so, but the condition of your living room was not a sight to see. Your notes were scattered, bag tossed in the corner, the blanket you were looking for was draped over one of the armchairs, there were at least 3 cups of coffee on the table, all probably reused to get more. You wanted to fix up a little before he arrives, so soon enough the cups were placed in the sink, the paper cups discarded in the trash, and your armchair and sofa organized.
You bent down to fix the scattered notes but were only able to stack it a quarter through when someone knocked on your door. You quickly stood up—which was a mistake. You ended up falling on the sofa at the sudden movement. Nonetheless, you waste no time checking who it was, opening it as fast as a person who hasn’t eaten well in a week could, ”Felix!” you wrap your arms around him.
Felix supports your frame by wrapping his arm around your waist and steadying the both of you, “Hello to you too!” he laughed though he noticed you got much lighter which sent him to worry, “I bought us food.”
You invite him in, mumbling an apology for the mess, “but here uhm, I’ll just change my clothes while you fix the food on the table. I’ll be quick!” you run to your bedroom once you close the door behind him. You hear him laugh and mumble something, but you were already too far to hear.
Felix places the bags of food down on the small table, unpacking them neatly. When he was going to get water from the kitchen, he saw the unwashed dishes on the sink and decided to wash them for you as well, since there wasn’t much anyway. After washing he notices the scattered papers on your floor. He grabs one to take a look and places them all in the stack, “You’re still not done changing?” he calls out. You respond by opening the bedroom door and walking out in new clothes.
Felix smiles, you look nice wearing the loose green shirt he gave you and your favorite white loose shorts. It was a simple casual fit you’d always wear at home but he found it endearing—because it was you; simple, beautiful, love of his life, you.
“Alright! Let’s eat.” you smile at him, walking past him after placing a gentle kiss on his cheek, “What did you buy?” you sit on a chair.
Felix followed, sitting on the opposite side, “Chicken and some rice.” he waits for you to take a bite before he does.
When you took a bite did you only realize how hungry you were. You were practically starving because of the overwhelming stress from activities and work they’d give you. You eat a spoonful of the food, and another, then another, “This is so good! I—god, I haven’t eaten in li-” your words come to a halt when you finally realize. You were too lost in the savory of the chicken that you manage to out yourself. Felix was always reminding you to eat and sleep. Never missing a day to check up on you. Now he knows you lied. 
You slowly raise your head to face Felix, an anxious smile on your face. Felix had his utensils placed down. He leans back on his chair, eyes never leaving you as he crosses his arms, “Why’d you stop talking?” he raises an eyebrow at you, motioning his head for you to continue talking, “Well? go on.”
“Listen, I didn’t mean to. I just- I didn’t...I mean, I mean it just left my mind.” all the while you explain yourself, Felix remains silent, frowning at you, “I ate some snacks in between during my breaks.”
“Snacks are not enough to fill your stomach. You need to eat properly, especially when you’re not even sleeping right.” you understood why he was like this. He’s always concerned for your health since you always get carried away and you forget to take care of yourself, “You said you were eating right. You said you were okay and you’re taking care of yourself. You promised. That’s why I didn’t come to check on you personally even though I really wanted to.” his tone became more sad than angry, and it broke your heart.
You made him sad, “I’m sorry, Lix.” you get up from your chair and walk over to his side, “I’ll take better care of myself okay? I promise.” you sit on the chair beside him, taking his hand in yours.
“I don’t want you to become sick. You sure this is just because of uni?” he turns to look you in the eyes. You nodded with no hesitation, “If I have to drive here every day just to make sure you’re doing well, I will.”
You shake your head, “You don’t have to do that. I swear this is just because of uni. I’ll take care of myself more. I’m sorry.” you lean your head on his shoulder.
“I just want to be with you for a very long time.” his lips curve into a smile, “So please do take care.” he drapes an arm over your shoulder and presses a kiss on your head, “and because I’m madly in love with you, I’ll let you off with a warning.” he lets out a laugh which made you smile.
“I’ll eat beside you instead.” you stand up and lean over to get your food so you can eat beside Felix, “Thank you for always taking care of me.” you give his cheek a kiss once more.
“It doesn’t come free, you know?” you look at him puzzled, “I accept kisses and hugs.” he gives you a close-eyed smile making your heartbeat 10x faster.
“I’ll be sure to pay you then!” you giggle.
“Pay me now.” he pouts. You roll your eyes at him before taking his face in your palm, tilting it towards you as you carefully lean closer to him. Your lips almost meet his when you playfully blow on his face instead, ”Y/N!” he decided to take matters into his own hands and snake his hand to your nape to pull you to him. Your lips curve into a little smile as he kisses you softly.
You were the first to pull away, “The food will get cold, Lix.”
“I can always buy another one.” he shrugs, pulling you into another kiss.
You pull away again, “I’m hungry.” you laugh. 
Felix sighs in defeat but still smiles, “Eat up then. If you’re still hungry I’ll order us more food.” he pats your head before tenderly running his fingers through your hair, “and then I’ll help you with some of your work hm?” you nod at his words, smiling at him. 
Felix had always held the stars in his eyes. You couldn’t help but get lost in them. It held such sincerity and admiration. Sometimes you couldn’t help but wonder how could someone so lovely and genuine love you so much.
-
note: I hope I was able to reach your expectation hehe. Feedback is appreciated!! <33
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x-ceirios-x · 3 years ago
Text
Inseperable
canon typical violence mentioned. other than that no cws. first part / prev / next
reblogs appreciated/encouraged
Since that afternoon, the two of them were basically attached at the hip. They knew they wouldn’t be at the camp long, so whatever time they had together, they took. This meant the occasional glare from Katara because they were making faces at each other at meetings or ensuring the other one ate dinner at a decent hour. Sometimes they’d sneak into the other’s tent but they swore to Toph when she caught them it wasn’t for anything she needed to be grossed out by. They just wanted to spend time together (which was true). 
This all led to the evening before they agreed to leave—time was coming for their final battle when Aang would hopefully take down Fire Lord Ozai and put a stop to this war. Zuko would be traveling with Katara to the palace and Shou would be staying with the White Lotus League to take back Ba Sing Se.
He didn’t know how he was supposed to stand amongst the ranks of the greatest bending masters in the world, but he’d try his best. 
“I can hear you thinking,” Zuko said, nudging his arm with his elbow. “Tomorrow?”
“Yeah,” he sighed. “I’m worried. I just want everything to go well.”
“Me, too.”
He leaned his head against the cool stone behind them, setting his bowl to the side for now. Later, he’d have to remember to thank Piandao for the taste from home. 
Not home. Ba Sing Se was home to him, now. He wasn’t even sure if he wanted to return to the fire nation after the war. Maybe.
Surviving tomorrow was the first goal. Thinking about his future didn't matter if he didn’t get through that. 
He laid his head on Zuko’s shoulder silently, enjoying the quiet. The fire crackled a few feet away from them and there was idle chatter from the others, but it was a strangely peaceful night. 
The calm before the storm, he supposed.
Zuko took his hand and brought it to his lips—he kissed the back of his hand without another word. Over the last few days they’d gotten much more comfortable with subtle things like this. It said more than either of them could form the words to when the air was heavy. 
It only got heavier as the night went on—everyone tried to go to bed early so they were well rested for the following day, but that didn’t mean he could sleep. He could hear the crickets chirping and the occasional bird, too, but it didn’t help at all. 
Hoping fresh air would help, he got up and decided to take a walk outside of camp. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one with that idea, because when he got a bit of a ways away, he saw another fire crackling in a clearing.
Upon closer inspection, it was Zuko—no doubt trying to clear his mind, too. He cleared his throat from behind him, letting him know he was there. 
Always on defense, he gathered a bit of the fire from in front of him and spun with it in his hand, but let it fizzle out when he realized who it was. “You scared me,” he said rather flatly, sitting back down next to the fire. 
Shou smirked and sat next to him. “Easy, hothead, it’s just me.”
“I don’t appreciate all the fire-related nicknames now. Bad enough Aang calls me Sifu Hotman.”
He scoffed, turning to brush a bit of hair out of his face. “You like it and you know it.”
He’d never mention it and knew Zuko wouldn’t admit it, but he could swear he saw him blush before he turned away. 
“Talk to me,” he said, all teasing tone gone from his voice. “We said no secrets anymore. What’s going on—what are you thinking about?”
“I could ask you the same.”
“I asked first.”
Zuko took a breath and laid his forehead against his collar. “I don’t know what to do about tomorrow. There’s so many unknowns, I—everyone trusts me, now, but tomorrow is everyone’s real test. I’m…I’m worried someone won’t make it home.”
He ducked, taking his face in his hands. “Everyone is going to make it home tomorrow. I promise.”
“How can you know?”
“I don’t.”
He sighed, eyes dropping to the ground beneath them. “I can’t lose anyone else, Shou. I—I don’t have anyone else. Everyone who loves—or even just cares about me is here.”
There wasn’t anything he could do to reassure him because none of them could predict the future. If he could, he wouldn’t have spent years in Ba Sing Se, in fighting rings and job hopping. All he could do was make promises he would do his hardest to keep. It wasn’t fair, but it was his only option. 
He pulled him in, something they were both getting more accustomed to as they understood what a relationship looked like for them. 
“I know you don’t wanna think about this,” he muttered. “And I don’t know how much, realistically, I could do. But I will make sure, Zuko, that Iroh gets back to you.”
“And what about you?”
The question sounded so empty—so broken, like a child heartbroken over something they lost—that he didn’t know how to reply right away. “I’ll do my best.”
Zuko’s hands flew to his, almost like he was ensuring he wouldn’t disappear on him. “Promise me, Shou. Everyone means you, too. I care too much about you to lose you.”
He figured, to save his pride, he wouldn’t mention the tear that fell down his face. 
He hung his head, a wry smile on his face. “You know, for the last…well, however many years since I got to the Earth Kingdom, I’ve been reckless. You saw me with black eyes and cut lips, probably broken ribs—I spent my time fighting for money but also for the thrill of it. Most people had enough dignity not to kill their opponent, or at least not in the ring. It was shady, but…now that this is really life or death tomorrow, I don’t know how to feel.”
It was quiet for a while. Zuko pretended like he wasn’t silently crying and tried to stop, Shou chose to do him a favor and ignore it. They sat there in tense silence, watching the stars and the fire. 
“We should go back to sleep,” Shou said, squeezing his hand. “It’s late, and we have a long day tomorrow.”
They put out the fire and walked back to camp, back to Zuko’s tent. Rather than ducking in, he stayed there, fiddling with his hands. He smiled—he was using any excuse to not have to go to sleep without him, he could guess. 
“Would you like me to stay?” he asked gently, taking one of his hands in his.
“Yes, please.”
It was a short answer, but exactly what he wanted to hear nonetheless. They curled up inside, Zuko’s back pressed into his chest, and thin blankets over them. The warm summer air made it perfect weather, hopefully enough to get them both to sleep soon. 
“You never gave me an answer,” he mumbled, tiredness evident in the way his words slurred slightly. He yawned. “Come home to me tomorrow.”
Shou sighed and squeezed him for a moment. “I promise, Zuko. I’ll do my best.”
He hummed in reply, finally drifting off to sleep—he knew he’d be up for a while afterward, but he wasn’t awake enough to bother leaving camp again. 
Thoughts raced through his mind, but he kept calm and eventually slept listening to Zuko’s steady breathing and reminding himself he was safe.
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chasing-the-persea · 2 years ago
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Here's my rough draft of my pjo fic! It follows the story of Koralia Jackson, Percy and Annabeth's daughter, as she tries to find her place in a world where her parents are legendary heroes and everyone expects her to follow in their footsteps.
As this is a rough draft things get kind of confusing, the pacing is worse than a three-legged race, there's a few accidentally time-traveling tenses, and two narrator shifts (which i've marked). basically, good luck!
i do plan on posting the other four chapters ive drafted for this eventually but, in all honesty, it's going to take a bit to get them even somewhat readable and im only posting these because i lost the motivation to keep writing so like. it may be a month before i share chapter two.
also, there's very vaguely described/implied panicking, character deaths, and drowning.
GRIP OF FATE
CHAPTER 1
It's 1:48 in the morning and Koralia Jackson can't sleep. She's been tossing and turning for hours. Tomorrow is her last day of summer school. If she manages to survive it, she'll be a sixth grader.
If.
She's done her best to prepare: she spent all afternoon doing the last bit of homework her teachers assigned, double-checking it, then triple-checking just to be sure. Her clothes, carefully chosen to avoid being dress-coded, were laid out flat to prevent wrinkles. Her books were already in her backpack, as was her chapstick, extra pencils and pens, hair ties, bandages, and granola bars. Everything she could need was packed. So why was she still so nervous?
Maybe because of the mysterious phone call her parents received that evening.
It wasn't the fact that her parents got a call so late. They volunteered at an organization that helps kids in foster care, and a late call often meant a kid was needing an emergency placement for a night or two.
No, what was mysterious was that after the call, her parents barely said anything the rest of the night. The atmosphere in the house - normally warm, easy, and homely - turned cautious and cold. Her parents were distant; something obviously was bothering them, but when Koralia asked about it they assured her there was nothing wrong. You know how adults can be while talking about something they don't want you to overhear.
Tired of not getting answers, and maybe hoping the extra sleep helps tomorrow go better, Koralia had gone to bed early. Besides, if it was important her parents would have told her what the call was about, right?
Hours later, she wasn't so sure anymore. Hundreds of questions have run through her head and all it's done is get her nerves even more worked up. The only thing she is certain of is that if she lays down for another minute she's going to scream. So, wrapped in a blanket cloak, she tip-toes upstairs for some chamomile tea. She can't help noticing the front door is locked and their dog Mrs. O'Leary is on the porch and laying in front of it.
Mrs. O'Leary wouldn't hurt a fly, but you wouldn't believe it if you saw her. She's like their own Clifford, if Clifford was a mastiff with fur black as night. When she barks it echoes for miles across the empty farmland around them. Koralia's dad jokingly calls her a hellhound because of it. In reality, she's just a big sweetie—emphasis on big. Her dad only puts her outside to run off energy and scare away any unwanted strangers when kids are staying the night. Whatever reason she was outside tonight, it didn't help Koralia's nerves.
It also didn't help when a sobbing scream cut through the silent house like a knife. After nearly jumping a foot in the air she looked towards the two guest bedrooms for the source of the sound, but they were empty; no kids staying the night after all. The cry had come from another floor up. Her parents' room. One of them must be having a nightmare—an all too common occurrence in the Jackson household.
Desperate to overcome her nervous energy, Koralia sips her chamomile tea and looks outside. She realizes there's one thing she hasn't done, one thing that's sure to make everything better: star-gazing.
She tip-toes back downstairs for her glasses, then outside to her hammock. She knew she should be cautious, especially for whatever reason Mrs. O'Leary was outside. But to protect Koralia was why she was out there in the first place, no?
Besides, it was a perfect night.
The air was cool for summer but the dense cover of humidity leftover from the day took away any chill. A gentle breeze blew from the east, surrounding her with the warm scent of growing crops. Fireflies lazily danced in the air, glittering in the twilight. Bullfrogs croaked mournfully in a nearby pond. Whip-poor-wills and screech owls called to each other from trees lining fence rows. If someone listened close enough they could hear the chittering of bats flying around.
Then, of course, there was the reason for going outside in the first place: the stars. The sky was crystal clear. The moon was just beginning to rise, and being so far in the country meant minimal light pollution. Stars light up the night, their violent blazes becoming a soft twinkle in the distant heavens. It made no difference to them if an eleven-year-old girl was having trouble sleeping. Their performance had started millennia ago, before life itself, and would continue long after everyone was gone. Every night the same thing, over and over again, for eternity.
(Not the same every night, Koralia reminded herself. Everything was always moving, on a cosmic scale. She was just too impossibly irrelevant to see anything more than a minuscule change in her lifetime. Not that that thought comforted her any.)
Their consistency is why Koralia liked them so much; the stars were dependable. In a life where everything is constantly moving or changing, it was a comfort to know one could look up and always find their way.
As her eyes found the familiar constellations, she recalled stories her mom had for each one. Straight upwards was Hercules, the mighty hero. A little further down, and to the northwest was Draco, the dragon; Cygnus, the goose; The bears Ursa Major and Minor, with their Big and Little Dippers. Andromeda was nearing the horizon, chased by Cassiopeia, and Perseus had nearly disappeared. Koralia's personal favorite, The Huntress, was rising in the east.
With the soft, comforting words of her mom running through her head, Koralia was asleep before long. And her own nightmare began.
<narrator shift, first-person Koralia's POV>
It started the way it always did. My family and I are swimming in a nearby creek, something we’ve done hundreds of times before. I had even invited some friends I made in kindergarten that year to come with us. The creek itself is one of the smaller ones in the area; it disappears completely during dry spells. But that doesn’t mean there weren't any deep spots or areas with a fast current due to the shallows.
One of my friends is begging me to go to one of the deeper spots with her. She wants to talk about the crush she has on a boy in her class and doesn’t want my brother Evan to overhear. He’s four years old, two years younger than me. My parents don’t like me leaving him out of things, but there are only so many places you can go that he can follow.
As much as I hate to admit it, I was getting tired of him whining and clinging to me like a monkey. I tell him to stay near the shore where Mom and Dad are setting up lunch. It’s shallower there, and we can play his favorite game of seeing who could find the most crawdads when we get back. But he’s not listening. He keeps following us further and deeper.
“Evan, go see Mom and Dad. We’ll be back in a couple minutes, I promise!”
“But Kora, I wanna go with you!”
I don’t know how it happened. The nightmare always gets fuzzy at this point. I don't know what's real anymore and what my mind has made up trying to make sense of everything. Maybe he jumped onto my back as a last resort to stay above the surface. Maybe I tried to shove him off. I dimly remember something grabbing my waist and pulling me backward, then my head hitting something hard on the creek bed. Someone screams. Everything goes black.
It only lasts a couple of seconds, but they feel like a lifetime. Slowly it starts to get brighter. I hear a hissing-humming sound, like someone whispering. I open my eyes but there’s a murky-green darkness all around. I take a breath and water fills my nose instead. I panic.
Where-am-I, where-am-I, underwater. Underwater? Not good. Not-good-not-good-not-good. Don’t-breathe-head-hurts-need-help? Help. HELP!
I kick as hard as I can. I reach up–was the water always this deep?–and I don’t break the surface. I’m sinking? Something grabs my hand. Dad? In my head, I hear his reassuring voice.
"It’s okay, I’ve got you now. You’re safe."
Then Mom is standing over me. She’s looking away, one hand to her mouth, tears running down her face. She has her other arm around a friend, who’s hugging her tightly. I’m laying down somewhere. It’s hard and bumpy. The bank of the creek? I rub the back of my head. My hand comes back red and sticky. Very not good. I attempt to sit up and the world starts spinning. A wave of nausea overwhelms me and it takes all I have to stop it.
Now Dad is here, relief washing over his face. But it doesn't wash away his red eyes, that even now are flitting toward the creek.
People keep popping up, asking if I'm alright. I hear others call out, "Not over here, either. Mr. Hendrick is still searching his branch of the creek."
"What's going on?" I ask. No one meets my eyes. I remember the scream and think of all the faces I saw looking at me, and whose face I didn't.
"Where's Evan? Is he okay, is he alright?" Nobody talks. My chest is hollow.
"What happened? Where's Evan?!" Mom looks to Dad, seeing if he's going to say anything. Now that his relief had worn off, he almost looked numb. But his fists were clenched and shaking, and his eyes were so full of anger they could have set the creek on fire.
Mom bent down and gently took my hand. Tears were already falling on her cheeks. She took a deep, quivering breath and said, "There was an accident in the water. We don't know how it happened but you fell and hit your head...and Evan got caught in the deep current after following you. Both of you went under...you're the only one who came back up.
"Everyone's been searching downstream, the water patrol is on the way, but..." Mom broke down, no longer able to hold back her sobs. Dad tore his eyes away from the creek and grabbed Mom in a hug. He spoke for her, but his anger was still evident as he spits out, "Evan was taken by the current. All we can do now is pray he's found."
<narrator shift, reverting to the previous POV>
But Evan was never found, and five years later Koralia still blames herself for his death. As much as her parents tell her that it wasn't her fault, she will always believe deep down that it was. After that, Koralia refuses to go in water any deeper than her ankles for fear of drowning.
Tonight finally had mercy on her. She was woken from her nightmare by a ball of light shooting across the sky; the biggest meteorite Koralia's ever seen. The amazing sight brought a cheerful ease to her heavy heart, and she found herself smiling when Mrs. O'Leary ran in the direction it was falling, like she was chasing a giant tennis ball. Koralia nodded off once again, and this time no nightmares interrupted her rest.
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no-droids · 4 years ago
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Ok I’ve thought about it more and Din for sure knows where she’s at. It’s why he didn’t call right at midnight because of the bells, sweet girl kept looking out the window for reasons she didn’t understand, and him and the kid sleeping under the willow tree for a *second* night and saying they’ll find her again tomorrow. He just wants her to have an adventure 😭 but I think it’s the first time he found her
YESSSSSS I know this was probably a bit confusing but it will be explained in the actual story, because he absolutely did find her. If you would prefer not to know until the chapter comes out (idk if it’ll be in the next one or the one after) DONT CONTINUE READING as this will be addressed within the fic but I don’t mind clarifying some confusion right now
I’ve seen some people ask about the line at the end where he mentions how often the guy turned back to face her in line, but I’ll say right now that that was indeed from her footprints and the fact that he could see blonde dude’s feet constantly turning back to face her in line while they shuffled up over time. Din didn’t know where she was the whole time, he wasn’t just tagging along behind her and letting her get ahead of him for funsies. He could tell every single time she stopped to talk to someone because her footprints wouldn’t just continue walking, they’d be directly next to each other to let him know she stood there for a little while. In the first chapter, sweet girl stopped for a bit in Osiruu and listened to a melody being played on an instrument, so I imagine Din would also stop there and try to figure out what caught her attention—if there was another set of footprints that also seemed to stop in the same place, it means she had a conversation. He would see the children she stopped to speak to, the vendors she chose to visit, like... he’s basically learning more and more of who she is when nobody is looking.
the only time she ever truly felt Din’s presence was later on in the afternoon on day four. When she snuck into the temple to donate all her credits and then the two brothers found her, she had a weird feeling that she was still being watched. But then again, Din mentioned how she’s not able to have many friends with him, so he must’ve been looking earlier than that. He was also in the inn at midnight, and the narration said he laid up against the willow tree for two nights in a row, which means that after he called her up that first night in the orphanage and she told him she hoped he’d sleep in the bed, Din hung up and immediately left to follow her. He said “see you tomorrow” because he knew where she was and he WOULD see her the next day, and he also said “I already—” when she offered to give him her coordinates because again, he already knew. HE HADNT FOUND HER YET, but he knew where she’d be.
so yee day four was when he actually found her, i imagine while she was attending the service in the morning and just zoning out and thinking about him. so I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for her or think he knew where she was the entire time and was just messing around with her because he wasn’t. He predicted her plan during day 3’s check-in (the last part of chapter 16), figured out where she went on day 3, but he didn’t actually find her until day 4. then he decided to give her just one extra day once he saw where she was and that she was safe. That is why he “wasted time” in the city. He found her and decided to let her finish out her adventure, confident that he’ll be able to get her the next day. He left the city as soon as she fell asleep that first night after speaking to him in the belltower.
So yes sweet girl did her absolute best and to be entirely honest, if she had kept going and been weathered enough to match Din’s sleeplessness and constant movement, AND keep up her clever little tricks to disappear, she would’ve been able to evade him for quite awhile longer. But she says before she even gets to the temple that she’s not good at running, it’s not who she is, and if he finds her there then that’s okay. There was like... no pity aspect to it or ANYTHING, it was a choice they both made for each other so yeah🥺🥺
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please-buckme · 4 years ago
Text
A Broken Heart.
Lee Bodecker x fem!reader
Chapter 2
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Chapter warnings: 18+ mentions of death, mentions of sex, cursing, Lee being an ass, angst, meninist behaviors
Chapter summary: You move back home after three years to find your heart still in shambles.
Masterlist
Series Masterlist
Chapter 1 // Chapter 3
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3 Years Later
After moving a whole county away, Highland Ohio to be exact, you stayed for quite some time. Your aunt was amazing and the sweetest woman you’d ever known, and living with her was a breeze. She’d even gotten you a job at the auto shop her recently deceased husband left to her, which you loved. Life was good, for a while. You never had a reason to come home until your momma got sick.
For the past year you watched as your momma slowly faded away until the last week of April when she finally passed in her sleep. You were devastated, of course, but not only because of her death. She didn’t have much to her name besides a couple thousand in the bank and the house you’d left so long ago, which she left all to you.
The house was old. White paneling a faint tint of brown, grey shutters that were almost all off their hinges and rust anywhere you looked. It was a fixer upper and there’s no way you could sell it in its current condition. So, you decided to move back to Knockemstiff, just for the time being.
In all honesty, you’d grown to hate that town. Nothing but bad memories and any good memories you’d had were tarnished completely. So, once the house was decent enough to sell, you were out of there and back to the life you’d created in Highland.
Your aunt and you drove together in her pick up truck back to the house after your momma passed. She helped you unload your stuff and take things to the necessary rooms.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay? I can make my famous pancakes. I know you love’em.” She grinned.
“As tempting as that sounds, I’m fine. Please, I insist you go now before it gets dark.” You pull your aunt into a hug, a tight hug.
“I’m gonna miss havin’ you around, kiddo.” She sighed, her breath fanning over your neck.
“It’s only for a few months. I’ll be back to annoying you in no time, oldie.”
“Hey, I’m not old.” She laughed and pointed her finger at you sternly but still in a lighthearted way.
“And I’m not a kid.”
She laughed a little more then sighed, “Well, I guess I’ll head out. Call me if you need anything and don’t forget to go down to Billy’s tomorrow. He’s excited to bring you in.”
You smiled, “How could I forget? I need some sort of income to fix this craphole up.”
You walked your aunt to her car and waved her goodbye as she drove way. Your eyes welled up but you made sure not to cry in front of her or she’d never leave.
Once you went back in, you immediately got to work. Starting in the kitchen, you didn’t have much but a few coffee cups. The house was still occupied with your momma’s things and you were already dreading having to go through it all.
Things started to come together room by room as you worked most of the day away. You cleaned and rearranged things to your liking now that it was your house. It felt almost empowering to do what you want. You’d never lived alone so, in a way, this was an adventure as well.
You took your old room instead of the master, since that’s where your momma passed. It gave you goosebumps just thinking about and you knew you’d never get any sleep if you stayed in there. Your room wasn’t big but it was good enough for now and much better than sleeping in your momma’s death bed, hard pass.
You’d taken a seat on the couch with some tea you’d brewed up earlier that morning. This was the first time you sat down since arriving, and of course there’s a knock at the door.
“Whatever you’re selling, I promise you, I ain’t interested.” You shout, too exhausted to even attempt getting up.
The knocking continued, “Oh, for fucks sake.” You groaned under your breath and stood on your aching feet to tell them to fuck off in person. You opened the door, “did you not hear me the first time. I said-“
“Hi, Y/n” Lee greeted as he removed his hat.
You scoffed, “Can I help you with somethin’, Sheriff?”
Lee stood there, fiddling with the bill of his hat. His belly had gotten a little bigger and his cheeks had gotten a little chubbier, but you couldn’t help the hitch in your throat when his wedding ring caught your eye. Just a basic silver band, nothing special. But it still left a hollow pit in your stomach.
“I-“ he cleared his suddenly dry throat. “I heard you was back in town. Thought I’d come see for ma self if the rumors were true.”
“Welp, here I am. You can go now.”
“Y/n, I-“
“No, Lee, please. I’ve had a long day and I honestly don’t feel like talking to you right now. No, I take that back. I don’t feel like talking to you at all.”
“That’s a bit harsh, don’t you think, doll.” He grins.
“Goodbye, Sheriff.” You shut the door only to hear him holler at you from the other side.
“Still can’t say my name, huh, Doll? Boy, I really did a number on you, didn’t I?” Your heart sank at his words. It seemed your pain was a joke to him this whole time. You’d always pictured him crying alone like you were but clearly that was never the case. Y’all’s relationship didn’t seem one sided until you were the only one hurt by the fall out.
“Welcome home, Y/n.” He said before you heard his boots click against the porch as he left.
You took a deep breath as you backed away from the door. Tears rimmed your eyes and you scoffed aloud to yourself. After three years you still weren’t over him and you knew that. You didn’t know, however, that he’d still have such a hold on you. And by the way he reacted to how sensitive you were towards the situation still didn’t help the ever growing void that ran through your entire loveless body. The only man you ever loved looked at you as if you were a quick fuck and a punchline.
A tear burned against your cheek and you were quick to wipe it away. You swore to yourself that you’d never cry over that man again and you won’t, instead you decided it was time for a much needed bath.
The bath was scolding hot, just how you liked it, and you opened up a bottle of wine as a sort of reward for the work you’d done today. Once the water got cold and the wine ran out, you brushed your hand and teeth and went to bed.
//
The sun beamed down against your skin as you walked to the local auto shop where your aunt had set you up with another job. You were always good with numbers and they desperately needed someone on the books. Your job would be to look at their spending over the last few months and figure out some sort of budget. You did that for your aunt at her shop, so this didn’t worry you at all.
“Hi, you must be Billy.” You greet the owner, “I’m
y/n, Peggy’s niece.”
“Oh, yes. I’m glad you finally made it down.” He beamed, shaking your hand, “How long will you be here for?”
“I’m not sure, actually. Just until I get my house fixed up enough to sell.” You say, retracting your hand from his sweaty one.
“Ah, well as luck would have it, our secretary just quit on us last week, so there’s a position you’ll adjust to right fine.”
You scoffed, “Wait a minute. Did you say secretary?”
“Yeah. You need to get your hearing checked, Honey?” He grinned. What is it with the men in this town?!
“No, I heard you just fine. My problem is that I was supposed to be your Budget Holder, not a damn secretary.” Your face was turning a touch of pink as you became increasingly annoyed.
“That’s a man's job, sweetie. We don’t you blown a fuse tryin’ ta add up all them numbers, now do we?”
“You can’t be serious.” You say flatly.
“Look, it’s the only position we got. Take it or leave it.”
Everything in you wanted to March out of that shop and never go back again. A secretary's position is nothing to frown upon, but to only be offered it because you’re a woman was despicable. Sadly, you needed this job and it would only be for a few months. So, when you told him you’d take the job you swallowed every ounce of respect you had for yourself. Knockemstiff was truly the worst town in America.
“Sounds great. We’ll see you tomorrow for training. There’s no dress code but there are a few things you’ll need to know before starting. I’ll fill you in once we start your training tomorrow.” He shook your hand again, completely ignoring the furious grimace on your face.
“Great. See you tomorrow.” You mumbled, walking away so you didn’t ‘accidentally’ hit your new boss.
//
Before heading home you decided to stop and grab some things for the house. Being sick, your momma didn’t eat much besides soup, and there was an over abundance of vanilla flavored Ovaltine cans littering the kitchen counters, which you hated.
The second the doors opened, all eyes were on you. You even heard a faint gasp coming from the woman at the register. A smirk crept upon your face. These people's lives were so boring that they still aren’t over your breakup that happened so long ago. Rolling your eyes, you grabbed a cart and headed down the produce aisle.
Once you grabbed the vegetables you’d need for a stew, you headed towards the baking aisle. You need the ingredients for an upside down pineapple cake your momma used to make for you as a kid. Your aunt was coming into town on Saturday to lend a hand and celebrate her birthday. You told her to go have fun, but she insisted on spending her special day with you.
As you searched for the baking soda, you heard your name.
“Did you see Y/n’s back in town?” A lady with a high pitched voice whispered.
“I did. I just saw her. Poor thing. She’s probably still caught up on the sheriff. Prolly wish it was her that was on his arm instead of Laura-Jean.”
You rolled your eyes.
“I know it. Wouldn’t you, though? He’s so handsome.” The lady with the high patched voice giggled.
“Oh, hush! Don’t say things like that.” The other lady joined the high pitched one in whispered giggles. “Oh my goodness, here he comes.” She cleared her throat, “Afternoon, Sheriff.”
“Evenin’,Ladies. Y’all behavin’ yourselves?” You could hear the smirk in his voice.
They both giggled and in unison said, “Yes, Sheriff.”
“Oh give me a break.” You grimaced to yourself.
“Heard Y/n’s back in town.” The high pitched one spoke up. Your face burned. Why would they bring you up to him so bluntly like that? Everyone in this town was so unbelievably nosy.
“I- I heard. Actually just went to see her yesterday.” He said, clearing his throat.
“Uh-oh, the misses didn’t like that, I’m sure.” They giggled.
“Oh, no. She didn’t mind. I was just droppin’ by to give her my condolences about her momma dyin’. Then, she slammed the door in my face. I guess she’s still pretty upset with me.” He was pouting, trying to get some sort of sympathy. If you rolled your eyes any harder you thought they’d pop out of your head.
“Oh, you poor thing. Is there anything we can-“
Suddenly the baking soda slipped from your hand and scattered all other the floor in a puff of dust. “Shit, shit, shit.” You whispered to yourself.
“What was that?” One of the ladies asked.
“Excuse me, ladies.” Lee said. You could hear his boots clacking against the floor on there way over to you.
Shit.
You desperately wanted to run away but leaving this mess for someone to clean up wasn’t right, not even with the predicament you found yourself in. “Well, well, well,” Lee mocked as he rounded the corner. “Only here for less than a day and you’re already causin’ trouble.”
“Stay out of this, Bodecker.” You huff, trying to scoop the baking soda back into the card box it spilled from.
“Was you eavesdroppin’, girl?” He asked, kicking the soul of your shoe.
You scoffed, “Oh, please. I could give two shits what you say about me, Bodecker.”
He leaned in close, hovering over your left side. You heard him chuckle which startled you. He was so close. You could feel the familiar heat radiating from his body and smell that familiar cologne. His lips came down close to your ear. He licked them and then whispered, “If ya weren’t eavesdroppin’, how’d ya know I was talkin’ bout you, hm?”
Your eyes shuttered closed as he spoke, feeling his hot breath against your cheek. His deep southern drawl always made you weak. It took you back to those times in the back of the cruiser. He whispered such dirty praises in your ear when you would ride his cock. Those dirty words that could make you cum in seconds.
“You still with me, doll?” You felt him tuck a strand of your hair behind your ear.
You flitched and stood up, “I- don’t touch me and stop calling me doll, alright? I really don’t have time for your games today, sheriff, and I’m not even really sure what you’re playin’ at in the first place.”
He smirked, running a thumb across his lip, “Darlin, I think the only thing I ever played was you..”
“I-“ your breath hitched in the back of your throat, “I have to go.” You turned to walk away, leaving the mess you’d made and your cart behind. Your eyes welled up with tears again. You didn’t know the man that stood in front of you. Lee was nothing but good to you when you dated and now he’s the most hateful man you’d ever met. The man you loved had disappeared and there’s nothing you could do to bring him back, no matter how bad you wanted to. A tear stained your cheek as you sped through the aisle. You could hear Lee hollering for you to stop but you wouldn’t this time.
All the heartbreak and sorrow that you’d left behind was creeping its way back in. The sooner you sold the house and got the hell out of there, the better.
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Dividers by: @firefly-in-darkness
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evermoreholland · 4 years ago
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in harmony | tom holland
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-> singer!reader x tom holland
-> summary: after a nasty break up, you go to london with your two best friends in hope to find inspiration for your upcoming album and a london boy soon became your muse.
-> word count: 5.7k
-> a/n: wow. this is probably my favorite fic of mine. i hope you all enjoy it as much as i do. big thank you to @rainbowrobin for hyping this fic up and being its biggest fan. also thank you to @cali-holland for beta reading this for me! your support means the world to me and you inspire me every day to keep writing. love you to bits <3
~~~
Breaking up with someone you used to care about was never easy. In fact, grieving and eventually getting over that person was the hardest thing to do. You were a singer so relationships that went public usually ended up terribly wrong. The good part about it is that you can write a hit song about the experience.
Breaking up with your past boyfriend was probably the worst experience for you thus far. You thought that he was the one, every move you made was for him and you ended up depending on him constantly. And he broke your heart. He played you like a fiddle and played with the strings of your heart. He cheated on you with someone you were insecure about the duration of your relationship with him, which made everything feel worse.
You decided that you needed a change of scenery in hopes to clear your head. You had been spending time in your Los Angeles apartment moping around, trying to get over your ex-boyfriend. You also had a deadline for your new album and you haven’t even started. Your album was due towards the end of the summer, and it was now spring.
You sat down on your sofa with a pen and notebook in your hand. You were determined to write something. You didn’t want to write songs about your breakup, but that was all you were thinking about. You saw your phone on the coffee table light up and buzz. It was your manager and agent, Cassandra. You picked up the phone nervously, knowing that she was going to ask about your progress or lack thereof.
“Hello?” You answered.
“Hello, Y/N,” Cassandra greeted sweetly. “How’s the album coming along? We need to start recording soon.”
“Funny you ask.” You always tried to make fun out of an uncomfortable situation.
“Y/N.”
“I’m sorry, Cass! I have no idea what I should be writing about for this album.” It’s not like you didn’t want to write. You did, but you had no idea what to write about.
“Maybe you need a change of scenery, dear. You haven’t been out in months,” Cassandra suggested.
“Maybe you’re right.”
“Where would you want to go? You can stay there for the rest of the spring and the beginning of the summer.”
You thought about it for a moment. You definitely wanted to leave the country.  “How does London sound, Cass?”
“Sounds nice. I’ll book you, Natalie, and Sarah tickets for this weekend and I’ll rent the three of you an Airbnb for your stay,” Cassandra confirmed. Natalie was your personal assistant and your best friend. Sarah was your older sister who traveled with you everywhere and she helped you with many of your songs. She was good to bounce ideas off of. You had the perfect team.
“Perfect. Thank you.” You both said your goodbyes and hung up.
***
Tom got off the airplane and sighed in relief. He was finally home. After many months of filming on another continent, he was back in London. Tom was ready to finally sleep in his own bed and hang out with his brothers and friends once again.
Harry and Tom took an Uber back to Tom’s apartment. It was fairly late and all Tom wanted to do was sleep. In the Uber, Tom and Harry made light conversation.
“You want to go to the new pub by our flat this weekend? Haz and Tuwaine want to hang out,” Harry asked.
“Sure,” Tom mumbled. To be quite honest, Tom had absolutely no desire to go out at all this weekend, but he knew that his mates wanted to see him. He did want to see them too, so he agreed.
“Sounds good.”
***
You packed your suitcases for London at the last minute. In your defense, Cassandra only booked Thursday night’s tickets on Wednesday, so you didn’t have that much time in the first place. You were planning on using your time in London to relax and to create a healthy headspace to write your next album.
You called Natalie to ask her opinion on some of your outfit choices. “Nat, am I going for a  casual look this trip? Like sweatpants and t-shirts?”
“Absolutely not, Y/N. Are you insane?!”
“It was just a question, Natalie.” You defended yourself. “What should I pack then?”
“I don’t know, just look hot. You need to get out of the post-breakup sweatpants phase.”
“Fine,” you grumbled. You grabbed some cute spring sundresses from your closet and threw them into your suitcase. You packed some jeans and blouses as well.
You hung up with Natalie and took a look at your bag. “Should be good.”
***
The flight to London from Los Angeles was long and exhausting. You arrived at Heathrow airport in the early afternoon on Friday. You immediately went to the house to rest up from jetlag. Once you woke up a few hours later, Sarah was pressuring you and Natalie to get dressed. “We’re going to the pub! Get up, ladies!”
“What? Why?” Natalie groaned. You and Natalie were laying on your beds in your shared room. Sarah jumped onto your bed and tackled you.
“Sarah, we’re exhausted,” you said. You pushed your sister off of you and sat up. “We can just go tomorrow.”
“It’s the pub’s grand opening! It’s supposed to be fire!”
“Fine,” you mumbled. You got up and began unpacking your suitcase. “But I refuse to wear heels.”
***
Harrison made his way to his best mate’s flat to pick him up for the Cheer Beers grand opening on Friday night. Harrison used his spare key to get into Tom’s place. “Tom,” Harrison called out. He made his way to Tom’s bedroom to make sure he was ready for the night.
“In my room!” Tom exclaimed. Tom sounded upset and agitated. Harrison entered his room anyway because he wanted to hang out with his best friend. He opened the door and noticed Tom laying his bed under the covers.
“Are you alright, mate?” Harrison asked. Harrison noticed Tom in his pajamas while in bed. “Why aren’t you ready to go? Harry already went out with Tuwaine to wait in line.”
“I want to hang out with you all, but I’m just so jetlagged, mate.”
Harrison took his phone out of his back pocket to check the time and noticed an Instagram notification from you. He opened it out of curiosity and it was a direct message. It said that you would be at Cheer Beers tonight with your friends and asked if he was going. Harrison and you had met at an award show a few months back and you became friends. “You know what I just found out, Tom?”
“What?”
“Y/N L/N is going to the grand opening tonight.”
“You’re lying just to get me out of bed!” Tom accused him. Tom didn’t want to admit it, but he fancied you. He has been following you on social media and listening to your music for a while now, so Harrison saying you were going to be at the pub caught his attention.
“I’m not.” Harrison showed Tom his phone with your direct message. “I had no idea she was in town, though.”
“No clue, either.”
“Now will you come?” Harrison asked. “I know you have a huge crush on her.”
Tom eyed him skeptically but then let out a sigh. “Fine, I’ll go.”
***
You waited in line outside of Cheer Beers with Sarah and Natalie. You were wearing a black sleeveless cocktail dress with black slip-on vans. You saw a few familiar faces approach you and you realized that it’s your friend Harrison and his mates. You recognized one of his friends to be Tom Holland.
“Hey, Haz!” You greeted. He pulled you into a hug and squeezed you tightly. You pulled away and said, “Following me, I see?”
“Very funny,” he replied. “We were coming to opening night anyway. We were planning this in honor of Tom’s return from filming.”
“Oh, that’s right,” you said and then turned to Tom. You put your hand out for him to shake. “I’m Y/N.”
He shook your hand and you felt his sweaty palm touch yours. You could assume that he was either unwell or nervous. “Tom. Nice to finally meet you.”
“Likewise.”
You introduced Natalie and Sarah to Harrison and he introduced the rest of his friends to the three of you.
“Would you like to share a table with us?” Harry, Tom’s younger brother, asked you.
“I’m sure that Y/N L/N would have much better opportunities than to sit with us, Harry,” Tom interjected.
“Actually, Tom, we would love to.” You all entered the pub and grabbed a table in the back room. Harrison sat between Sarah and Tuwaine. Harry sat by Natalie. You sat between Natalie and Tom, per Natalie’s whisper in your ear to go for it. You all got your first round of drinks.
“So what brings you to London?” Tom asked.
“Needed to clear my head,” you said and then ate the olives from your martini.
“So you flew halfway across the world?” Tom was amused and you could tell. He wasn’t trying to laugh at you particularly, he just thought it was funny that you chose London of all places.
“Shut up,” you teased. “We’re here for the summer. A vacation, or holiday, if you will.”
“Nice, nice.” You could feel the slight awkward tension between the two of you. You were basically strangers so it made sense. You decided to try and break it. “How was filming for the third Spider-Man film?”
Tom’s eyes lit up at your sudden interest in his work. “Can I tell you a funny story?”
***
Three hours passed by and you decided to call it a night. You talked with Tom the entire night. You enjoyed his company but you were also jetlagged. “Tom, I’m tired,” you said as you leaned on his shoulder.
“Me too.”
“Want to walk me home?” You asked.
“Would love to.” You both got up from the booth and Tom paid for your drinks, even though you protested. Harrison, Tuwaine, Harry, Sarah, and Natalie didn’t look like they were ready to leave any time soon so you said your goodbyes to them and left with Tom.
“How far are you away from here?” Tom asked you.
“About a ten minute walk.” You began walking in the cool London air.
“So, Harrison told me that you were writing for your new album. How’s that going?”
“Not well,” you said as you crossed your arms over your chest. “It’s been fucking difficult.”
“I’m sorry, love.” The pet named warmed your heart and body even more. Tom wrapped his arm around your shoulder and pulled you closer to him. “I wish I can help you out somehow.”
“It’s alright. Getting out tonight helped me get into a good headspace,” you said.
“Glad to hear it.” You arrived at your Airbnb and Tom walked you to the front door. “I had a great time tonight, Y/N.”
You smiled, the first genuine smile that you’ve had in a while. “Me too, Tom.” You opened your door to enter.
“Wait.” Tom stopped you. “Let me get your number.”
“Sure.”
***
Two weeks had passed since you arrived in London and you and Tom have been texting back and forth. He had even taken you on a tour of London. He took you to all of the hot spots. Occasionally, Tom, Harrison, and Harry would come over to your Airbnb to hang out with you, Sarah, and Natalie. You were developing friendships with everyone, but you felt a bit stronger about Tom. He was charming, kind, and really funny. You enjoyed his company and you finally got the chance to start writing for your upcoming album. You realized that you didn’t want to write about your breakup with your ex, but instead write about your crush on the brown-haired London boy.
“How is the album coming along?” Cassandra asked you on the phone.
“Pretty good. I have a killer single coming your way and many other songs too.”
“Remember, we need to start recording at the end of July.”
“You got it.”
“You sound happy,” she commented. She was right. You were happy and finally completely over your ex. “It’s a good look on you.”
“Thanks.”
“What are you writing about?”
“Oh, you know… London, pubs, boys,” you trailed off.
***
Harrison was busy planning his upcoming date with your sister, Sarah. They hit it off extremely well at the opening of Cheer Beers. They got each other’s numbers and planned to go on a date. To be honest, Harrison was stressed out. He scored a date with Sarah L/N, which ultimately shocked him. So, he decided to go to his best mate for some advice.
Tom was sitting in his living room and Harrison entered with two dress shirts in hand. One of them was a white button-down and the other one navy. “Which shirt should I wear on my date with Sarah?”
“Black slacks, right?” Tom asked.
“Yeah, and a black leather jacket.”
“Go with white,” Tom suggested.
“Thanks, mate. Another question,” Harrison proposed. It felt natural for Harrison to ask Tom about his lady troubles, even though Tom had been single for a while.
Tom nodded his head to urge Harrison to continue.
“What if I fuck this up?” He asked nervously. “I really like Sarah.”
Tom got up from the couch to come closer to Harrison and put his hand on his shoulder. “You’ll be fine, mate. Just be yourself. She’ll fancy you, I promise.”
“How are you so good at giving me advice but you can’t get a girlfriend?”
Tom mocked being bothered. “Rude,” he scoffed.
“What are you waiting for?”
“If I say the perfect girl, will you slap me?” Tom joked.
“Yes, yes I will,” Harrison laughed as he replied. “I think that you already found the perfect girl at Cheer Beers.”
“We’re still getting to know each other. Why must we move so fast?” Tom wondered. He wanted to take things slow. His life had always moved fast and he wanted something to move at his pace, for once. Too many relationships have moved too fast and he ended up hurt.
“Because she’s only here for so long and I have a feeling that she likes you,” Harrison reasoned. Tom was starting to feel the same way about you too.
“Fine. While you go on your date with Sarah tonight, I’ll see if Y/N wants to hang out.” He picked up his phone from the coffee table and texted you asking if you wanted to come over. You replied saying yes and he smiled. “We’re hanging out.”
“Great. Don’t forget to use protection,” Harrison said as he ran away to go get dressed for his date.
“Fuck off, you div!”
***
Tom went to the grocery store to pick up some snacks and beers before you came over to his flat. He tidied up the living room once he got home and made sure to fluff the pillow to make them look nicer. Even though you and Tom were only friends, he couldn’t help but make sure that everything looked perfect for you.
You arrived 30 minutes later. You wore sweatpants and a sweatshirt, along with your slides. Your hair was out of your face and Tom thought that you looked stunning. “Hey.”
“Hi,” Tom blushed. “Nice sweatshirt.” Your sweatshirt was light blue and it had butterflies on it. Tom realized that he loved that color on you.
He led you to the couch and he sat beside you. “So what did you do today?” You asked.
“I worked on a script that I’m writing and then I helped Harrison get ready for his date with your sister. What about you, love?” The pet name made your heart flutter. Tom was definitely charming.
“I worked on some songs for the album,” you answered proudly.
“Care to share?”
“Willing to share what the script’s about?” You asked back, already knowing the answer.
“I’m legally not allowed to share, so no. I’m sorry, darling.”
“Then my answer is the same.”
“Well played, pretty girl,” he flirted. “Wanna watch a movie?”
“Sure, what do you have in mind?”
“Avengers: Age of Ultron?”
“Yes, it’s one of my favorite Marvel movies!” You exclaimed. “I have a feeling that you knew that already.”
Tom smiled at you as he picked up the remote from the coffee table and turned on the television. “I may have, but only because Haz told me. Don’t worry, though. It’s one of my favorites too.”
Tom found the movie and before he hit play he got up from the couch. “May I offer you some popcorn before we start the movie? I have beer as well.”
“Yes to both, please.” Tom went to the kitchen to pop the popcorn and grab some beers. He came back around five minutes later with everything.
“Here you go,” he said as he handed you a bottle of beer. “I know it’s not a martini.”
“It’ll have to do,” you teased. You pat the seat beside you to urge Tom over. “Now, come sit.”
Tom pressed play and the Marvel introduction appeared on the screen. You moved closer to Tom and he wrapped his arm around your shoulder, just like he did that night at the pub. “Is this ok?” He asked.
“It’s perfect.”
Around an hour into the movie, the popcorn was finished along with your first bottle of beer. Tom’s hand was still resting on your shoulder but now your head was resting on his. “Y/N?” Tom called out.
“Yeah?” You asked as you moved your head away from him so you could look at him.
“Can I be honest with you about something?” You nodded so he would continue. “I really want to kiss you.”
“Can I be honest with you?” You asked while smiling.
“Yeah.”
“I really want you to kiss me,” you said as you leaned in. He pressed his lips against yours in a soft first kiss. You kissed back almost immediately. After a couple of seconds, you pulled away from him.
“Wow,” he said.
“Ditto,” you said and then pulled him back towards you. You kissed him again and you knew that from now on, you couldn’t get enough of him.
***
Tom and you didn’t finish the movie the other night. After your many makeout sessions with him, you decided to go home, and you promised him that the two of you would get together again soon. You went home with the biggest smile on your face. Since your kiss, you and Tom have not talked about the status of your relationship. As of right now, you were just friends who have kissed before. No biggie.
It was now the 28th of May and you were sitting on a park bench having coffee with Harrison. It would be Tom’s 25th birthday in four days and the two of you were attempting to plan the perfect party for him.
“You’ll get the decorations, Sam will cook a few dishes, and I’ll provide booze,” Harrison said, listing things off. “We’ll host it at my new flat and I already called everyone.”
“Sounds great, Haz. I just hope he has a great time.”
“I’m sure he will,” he said as he winked at you, indicating something.
“What is that supposed to mean?” You asked, referring to his wink.
“I know that something happened between the two of you last week. Tom hasn’t stopped smiling since the two of you started hanging out. I’m sure he’ll be happy to know that you planned a party for him.”
“We all are planning it,” you corrected him.
“Yeah, but it’s not like he fancies me,” Harrison laughed.
You rolled your eyes at the blonde-haired boy in front of you. “Whatever.” You got up from the park bench and began walking towards his car. “Come on, Harrison. We need to go to the market.”
***
It was the 1st of June; Tom’s birthday. You woke up early to make sure that everything was ready to go for the party tonight. Harrison and Tom’s brothers planned a golf trip with Tom while you set up Harrison’s flat. You brought Sarah and Natalie along with you to help.
“Move that banner a little more to the right,” you told Sarah. She moved it as you requested. The banner said, Happy 25th birthday, Tom! in light blue glitter. “Looks great. Thanks, sis.”
You blew up balloons, set up tables for the food and drinks, got streamers and ribbons, and finally assembled the cupcake tower with the cupcakes you and Natalie baked the night before.
“Red velvet. Nice choice,” Sarah said as she took a look at the cupcakes on display.
“They’re Tom’s favorite,” you pointed out.
“Seems like you know a lot about him.”
“Well, he is my friend.”
Natalie laughed at your response to your sister’s comment. “Is that all he is?” She asked.
“For now.” You pulled out your phone from your pocket to check the time. It was the early afternoon and the party would start in a few hours. “We better get going to get ready. Sam will bring the food and set it up within the hour.”
Before you got into the car, you texted Tom to wish him a happy birthday and he responded with a heart emoji. You smiled to yourself and then got into the car to drive to your Airbnb.
The three of you washed up and got dressed for Tom’s party. You decided on wearing a light blue sundress with daisies on it. You matched it with white wedges and you did your hair to your liking. Once you were all ready you drove to Harrison’s. When you got there, Harrison, Sam, Tuwaine, and a few other friends of Tom’s were already there.
“Harry is bringing Tom in around 15 minutes,” Harrison told you.
“Ok. Everything seems to be going pretty smoothly.”
“We make a pretty great team,” Harrison said in appreciation for all of the work to make Tom’s party happen.
“Tell that to Sarah over there,” you teased him. His date with your sister went well from what she told you, but because of Harrison’s nervousness, they haven’t talked much since. “She’s been dying to hang out with you.”
“Are you just saying that so you can have Tom all to yourself when he gets here?” He tried to joke.
“No,” you said seriously. “Go talk to her, Haz.” You pushed him lightly in her direction to encourage him to go talk to her.
“I see Harry’s car pulling up!” Sam said a few minutes later. “Everyone get ready.”
Harry used Harrison’s spare key to get into his flat and once both of them entered you all yelled, “Surprise!”
“Thanks, guys!” Tom said in shock. Tom made his rounds to greet everyone to say thank you. You waited patiently in the kitchen for the birthday boy. He finally approached you after a few minutes. “Hey, love.”
“Happy birthday,” you said as you pulled him in for a hug. “You look very handsome.”
He pulled away to look at you. “Thank you, but you’re absolutely stunning.”
You leaned in to kiss his cheek and then said, “Thanks, Tom.”
“I should be thanking you,” he said and then grabbed your hands to intertwine your fingers together.
“For what?”
“Harrison told me that you helped him plan all of this, so thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure,” you said genuinely. “You like it?”
“I love it. He looked over to the counter and saw the cupcakes. “Is that a cupcake tower?”
“A red velvet cupcake tower,” you confirmed. “I baked them.”
“You’re a goddess.” He kissed your lips for half a second and then grabbed a cupcake from one of the tiers. He unwrapped the cupcake and then took a bite. He hummed in delight.
“I’m taking that you like them,” you giggled at the man in front of you. He could seriously make anything look cute.
“They’re heaven,” he moaned. Tom dipped his finger in the frosting and swiped your nose with it. You looked at him in shock. “Aw, you look so adorable,” he said.
You laughed at his antics. “Glad you think so, babe.”
Tom’s lit up at the pet name. “Babe? Hmmm.”
“Yeah, babe.” You took some frosting from what was remaining of his cupcake and placed some on his nose to match you. “You look very cute with frosting on your nose, babe.”
Tom grabbed a napkin from the counter and cleaned the frosting off the both of you. “We’re both very cute.”
“Ok, lovebirds,” Sam called out for the two of you. “Let’s get this party started!”
“Before we go out there, I have something to ask you,” Tom said.
“And what may that be?”
“Will you go out on a date with me?” He asked nervously. You felt your heart skip a beat and you could’ve sworn that you felt Tom’s heart beating rapidly from how close you were standing to him.
“I would love to, Tom,” you said and then kissed him to confirm that you really wanted to.
***
The rest of the night went well and Tom enjoyed his time with his friends. You, Sarah, and Natalie crashed at Harrison’s place along with Tom and Harry. The party ended late and the five of you were too tired to drive home, so Harrison offered to let you all stay there.
You woke up early and made your way downstairs to heat the kettle for tea. As you were waiting, you heard footsteps, and soon enough a pair of arms wrapped around you. “Good morning, beautiful,” Tom said and then kissed your clothed shoulder.
“Morning.” You turned around so you could face him. “How did you sleep?”
“Not so well,” Tom said as he stretched out his arms. “Harrison’s a kicker.”
“Poor baby,” you teased, and then Tom pouted. “Quit pouting, Tommy. I know you’re faking it.”
“Fine,” Tom mumbled.
You turned to the stove and saw that the kettle was ready. “Want tea?”
“Please. A splash of milk and a spoonful of sugar, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all,” you said as you poured him a cup. “So where are we going on our first date?”
“That’s a surprise, darling.”
***
A week after Tom’s birthday, Tom texted you asking if you were available to go on your first date. You had been working on the album the entire morning so you thought it’d be nice to go out with Tom. You replied yes and he told you to be ready within the hour. Tom knocked on your door around an hour later, with a bouquet in his hand. “These are for you, love,” he said with a smile as he handed them to you.
“Thank you, Tom,” you said and then sniffed the flowers. “Come in while I put these in some water.” Tom entered your Airbnb and you searched for a vase in one of the cabinets. Once you found one, you filled it up with water and put the flowers in. “We should be good to go now.”
Tom held your hand as he led you to the car. He opened the door for you and then got in and started the car. “You ready?”
“Where are we going?” You asked.
“You’ll see in around 15 minutes, angel.” Tom grabbed your hand that was resting in your lap and brought it up to his lips to kiss it. “I don’t think I told you this, but you look ethereal.”
“You’re quite the charmer, Holland.”
“I aim to please,” he joked. “But in all seriousness, you always look gorgeous.”
Tom was by far the kindest man you have ever met in your entire life. You have known him for barely two months but he made you feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. You had never felt this way about anyone before.
Tom drove down to a lake. “It’s one of my secret spots,” he told you.
He led you down to the grass near the water and he set up a picnic there for the two of you. “I made sandwiches, cut up some fruit, and some apple cider.”
“It looks good. Thank you, Tom.” He pulled everything out from the picnic basket and handed you one of the sandwiches.
“Anything for you.”
“So this is one of your secret spots, huh?” You asked.
“Mhm,” he mumbled as he took a bite from his sandwich.
“So you bring a lot of girls here?” You teased and you could’ve sworn that you saw Tom almost choke on his sandwich. “Is that why it's so special?”
“Very funny, love,” Tom said. “No, I actually come here alone.”
“I’m guessing because it’s quiet.”
“Yeah, I come here when I need to clear my head.”
You looked around the area and you immediately understood why Tom liked it so much. There was a beautiful, cool breeze and the birds chirping sounded like music to your ears. “It’s beautiful. Thank you for bringing me here.”
“I can drive you here to write songs if you’d like,” Tom offered.
“That would be lovely.”
You and Tom spent a couple of hours at the lake. You talked about anything and everything, and you finally felt yourself get closer to him. You felt him opening up to you too, which you felt good about.
“Would you like to go on a drive with me?” Tom asked once you both packed up the remainder of the picnic.
“Will there be music involved?”
“What would be a nice evening drive without music? C’mon, let’s go.” Tom led you to his car and you began your drive. The sun was setting and it was beautiful. “It’s wonderful outside, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it is,” you said.
“I had a great time with you, Y/N.”
“Me too.”
*** Once Tom dropped you off, you began writing another song. His date left you inspired and you were starting to like him more and more. Each time you saw him your feelings for him grew. He inspired you to write your song, London Boy.
Tom wanted a second date. He felt so good leaving the first one and knew that he wanted to pursue a relationship with you. He knew that it would be hard but relationships won’t always be easy. He decided to call you the next to ask when he could see you again.
“Tom, we just went out,” you teased.
“I know, Y/N, but I like you. A lot.” You thought that it was cute how Tom was eager for a second date. You were excited too.
“I like you, too. I would love to see you again, too,” you said.
“Coffee? I don’t drink it but I know how much you like it,” Tom offered.
“How about tea? Know any good spots for a cup of tea and maybe breakfast?”
“I know just the place. See you soon, Y/N.”
***
Many amazing dates with Tom and a bunch of fun days in London later and you know that you’re ready to start recording your next album. People had their assumptions about you and Tom. Rumors had gone around but Tom and you didn’t address them.
London inspired so much of your album that you decided to record there. The rest of your team flew out and you began recording.
You called Tom asking him to come to the studio. “I’m recording one of my favorite songs today. I would love for you to come if you’re free.” You were recording London Boy today and you wanted Tom to hear it since he hadn’t before. It would also be a good way to officially tell Tom that you’re falling in love with him.
“I would love to come. Send me the address.”
“You got it. See you in 20.”
You sent Tom the address of the studio and he was there within 15 minutes. You greeted him at the front. “Hey, babe.”
He kissed you on the cheek and then asked, “Are you excited for today?”
“Very. I’m excited for you to hear the song,” you said as you led him into the studio. You introduced him to Cassandra and the rest of your team.
“Y/N, get your pretty ass in the booth,” Cassandra said. You walked into the recording booth and put on your headphones. “Let’s do this.”
“Tom, sit up in front,” you said and then he took a seat beside Cassandra. “This one is called London Boy.”
The upbeat music came on and you knew that you were skipping the intro for now so you went in with the first verse.
I love my hometown as much as Motown, I love SoCal And you know I love Springsteen, faded blue jeans, Tennessee whiskey But something happened, I heard him laughing I saw the dimples first and then I heard the accent They say home is where the heart is But that's not where mine lives
You heard Cassandra tell you to stop so they could play it back. You saw Tom smiling at you as you were singing and you took that as a good sign that he was enjoying it.
“Now for the chorus.”
You know I love a London boy I enjoy walking Camden Market in the afternoon He likes my American smile, like a child when our eyes meet Darling, I fancy you Took me back to Highgate, met all of his best mates So I guess all the rumors are true You know I love a London boy Boy, I fancy you (Ooh)
You ended up finishing the recording of the song in an hour. You left the booth for your break and you first greeted Tom. “What did you think of it?”
“I love you, too,” he said. You leaned up to him and kissed him with every fiber of your being.
“That’s good because many of these songs are about you.”
“And I can’t wait to hear them all,” he said and then smiled.
“I can’t believe how I’ve only been here for three months and I already feel this way,” you said honestly. You have never fallen so fast for anyone, but it feels right with Tom. Everything feels right with him.
“Well, believe it because it’s real,” Tom confirmed. “Be mine, Y/N?”
“I thought you’d never ask, lover.”
~~~
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