#cus I didn’t have the right color

[mothmanthebreadwizard]

You’re on a path in the woods. And at the end of that path is a cabin. And in the basement of that cabin is a princess.

[sourcherryandsprinkles]

How about Aegon and twin sister after death of jaehaeryss he needs to ahve another heir but he doesn't want to have one with heleana. he wants you

Request: Aegon and twin sister being in love but he married Helaena instead and wants YOU to have his babiess and be the next conqueror

Warning: mention of pregnancy, mention of child death,

my taglists are here + you can send requests here at any time

—

After the murder of Jaehaerys, things changed inside the keep. Aegon enforced the security and diminished the number of people who were allowed inside Maegor's Holdfast. His family lived there, he didn't want a repeat of what happened to his little son. And he didn't let you, his darling twin sister, although capable of defending yourself, go anywhere without your sworn protector. 

Aegon was in pain by the death of his little son, and he was hurting for Heleana who had to witness such a horrific act, but if these rat catchers would have come to your chambers, if they would have harmed you, Aegon would have gone completely mad. 

There was nothing in the world that Aegon cared more about, loved more, than you. You were his other half, a part of him. You grew together in the same womb. 

If you had married Aegon instead of Helaena, he would have had no difficulty performing his duties. You would possibly have many children by now. You were the right choice, his darling twin sister. You were the one he wanted to warm his bed at night. You were the one he wanted to stand beside when he would get crowned.

But your grandsire, Otto, didn’t allow the betrothal. He pressed to the King for Helaena, claiming she was more suitable and would balance his depravity. It was all bullshit. Otto wanted her on the throne because she was more malleable and manipulable than you. Unlike Helaena, you could see through his webs and plottings. 

You were fresh out of your bath when you received a knock on your door. The hour was late, making you wonder who it could be. You tightened your robe, making sure it covered your body as modestly as it could, and allowed the servant to come in. 

‘’What is it, Dyana?’’ you asked, hissing as your handmaiden brushed through a knot in your hair. Could she be more delicate?

She stepped in, dressed in her red dress and earth colored apron. ‘’The King is requesting your presence in his chamber, Princess.’’ 

You tried your best to conceal your confusion. 

Tonight, per the small council’s request, Aegon was supposed to summon Helaena to his chamber and impregnate her with a new heir. Two moons had passed since he lost his heir…and another was needed. Aegon had informed you of the duty in the afternoon after meeting with his small council. He was not happy about it, preferring to bed you, but Helaena was the one he was wed to.

Ser Aeron followed you to the King’s chambers, taking place beside Aegon’s guard standing outside the door after you stepped inside, as they have been doing for the past two months. Assigning a sworn protector at your door wasn’t enough for Aegon, he also requested you sleep in his bed, refusing to close his eyes unless he could feel you next to him.  

You stepped into the solar with careful steps and alert eyes, not wishing to walk in on your sister and Aegon having sex. You understood and respected that it was part of their duties, but you could not be a spectator. 

‘’She’s not here,’’ Aegon’s voice echoed through the large space. He came into view, his breeches half unlaced and his tunic untucked. ‘’I sent Helaena back to her chambers.’’

That was fast, you couldn’t help but think. 

‘’We didn’t fuck,’’ he said bluntly, pouring wine into a cup, then a second — for you. 

‘’What do you mean?’’ 

Aegon handed you the other cup while taking a sip of his own. ‘’I didn’t put my cock in her cu—’’

You shot him a look, cutting him off. It was not what you meant. ‘’What of your royal duties? Your small council is demanding a new heir.’’ 

‘’I’ll give them one.’’ Aegon pulled you closer and pressed his palm over your empty stomach, right where a babe should grow. ‘’We’ll give them one.’’ 

The sincere look in his violet eyes told you he was not jesting. He would never jest about having children with you, he’s dreamed of it for so long. To see you beautiful and swollen with his babe. 

Your mother would be furious. She knew of your and Aegon’s adventures behind closed doors and warned you about the consequences of not taking moon tea after he spilled his seed inside you. The shame it would bring upon the family.  

‘’Aegon, we can’t—’’

‘’We can. I’m the King, I take the decisions now.’’ He caressed your stomach, imagining a babe inside. ‘’No more tea,’’ he murmured, pressing his forehead against you, repeating himself. ‘’No more moon tea.’’

‘’What of Helaena?’’ you asked, fighting the smile that was trying to curl on your lips.

Although Aegon didn’t share any romantic love for his younger sister — and neither did she —, to the eyes of the Sevens, she was still his wife. 

His lips turned into a grin. ‘’The Conqueror had two wives. I wear his crown, don’t I? I can too.’’

—

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[mara-and-its-the-same]

Incoming Steddie thoughts…..(brief mentions of Eddie losing weight, but it’s really just one sentence and he’s ok)

So you know how Eddie tapes his rings to make them fit? You’ve seen the pictures of his hands. Yes, you have don’t lie to me. So he wraps tape around the underside to make them fit his fingers.

Yeah, so what if they’d been together for long enough that they want to give each other things. But like subtle ones, cus like, 1980s middle america… So Eddie gives Steve his guitar pick necklace because of course he would, and he can just tuck it into his shirt. (and I really feel like Steve is a necklace type of guy, like not just a chain guy- no absolutely not he needs some kind of pendant somehow) But Steve needs to give Eddie something inconspicuous too, something people won’t notice right away and even if they did, something they wouldn’t question.

So he decides on his class ring but Whump Whump, Steve has bigger fingers than Eddie and he already knows that so before he gives it to him he gets some string and he wraps it around the back because it’s softer than tape.

“Eddie?”

“Yeah Stevie?”

“You know how you gave me your necklace?”

“Yeah and I told you I don’t want anything back so get that hand out of that pocket and it better be empty”

“I didn’t get you anything, I already had it.”

“I said you don’t have to give me anything.”

“Too late, take it” and he presses it right into his palm.

Eddie looks at it and he shakes his head and makes a face, “Stevie, what- I can’t take this from you.”

“Yes you can, I’m giving it to you. Does it fit?”

“Yeah, uh perfectly, actually”

Then nobody really notices for a while, Eddie’s hands always flying around so fast no one gets a chance to really look at the numbers engraved on the side. They all know they’re together, but no one really gets the intensity of their relationship, considering they’ve only been together for so long. But they do notice the different colored string on the other side. Then Dustin and Gareth get worried that he’s losing weight again. So they ask him about it and he cannot make eye contact and he’s just fidgeting with his rings, which only worries them more but then they see his goofy little smile under his bangs and he just spills about how he and Steve traded and it was so cute and “Steve’s just so ugh- I can’t even make it into words, but he got the size perfect and everything, and I just-“ and they haven’t said they love each other out loud yet.

Then one day he’s cleaning all his rings so he has to take the string off and he sees the engraving underneath it. On one side, in the standard times new roman every one got, a nice, even SH. Then as he’s unwrapping it, he sees something else, and he starts panicking “oh my god I scratched it, he’s gonna be so upset, I scratched it Jesus H Christ.” Then after he paces his bathroom for a solid 15 minutes, his hands dragging down his face, rubbing his nose, he finishes unwinding it and there, in the most scraggly looking etching is a little, uneven EM

@haydipoof

[awniie]

HELLO KITTY

ㅤㅤㅤ⭑ summary: sukuna breaks your favorite stuffed animal

content: fem!reader, pathetic attempt at fluff n angst , reader cries when he breaks the stuffie, mean!sukuna-ish, readers gets called a baby (derogatory), reader is called small, modern au, implied sex, proofread to an extent

ㅤㅤㅤ⭑ notes: I’m not sure what compelled me to write this, like at all !! also I tried not to refer to him as a boyfriend in this cus I don’t see him as one :sob:

“what..is that?” Sukuna asked as he entered the room. He was talking about the little cat toy you were snuggling with. You held it tightly against your chest, the blue light of your phone casting onto the dolls white cotton covering.

“Oh her? It’s hello kitty!” You exclaimed, quite proudly for a grown woman with a cat doll between her chest. You shut off your phone and roll over to show him the toy. Sukuna snatched it from off your body and inspected the…thing. It was white and fuzzy with black sewn eyes and a matching butter-colored nose. As if that wasn’t trivial enough, the toy wore a tiny little pair of overalls and a small pink bow ontop its ear. He wrinkled his nose in disgust, It was the epitome of naivety and childishness, and it made him sick. Curiously, He tested the elasticity of the toy, pulling and stretching her limbs in awful ways.

“Kuna, be careful! You’ll break her.” You warned, arms reaching for your poor kitty. You quickly remembered why you were hesitant to show him the doll earlier, that your hello kitty was small and delicate and sukuna was quite the opposite, and now your worst fears coming true. Your protests fell on ignorant ears, and the sickening sound of ripping fabric filled them instead. Scratchy white poly-fil spewed in the air. Your boyfriend stood in front of you, a look of mild surprise played on his features as he held the now-headless hello kitty.

“Huh.” he murmured before throwing it on the floor sending more fluff scattered across the room.

“Sukuna! What is wrong with you?” You accused, rushing over to where your beheaded kitty laid. He couldn’t believe how quick you left off the bed, cradling the ripped doll in your hands.

“It’s not my fault it was made so cheaply. Plus, you too old to be playing with dolls anyway.” He said, quickly disregarding the whole thing.

“No! That was my hello kitty, you had no right to break it.” You told him between sniffles, holding the two pieces of your hello kitty in each of your palms. Warm tears ran down your cheeks and your nose reddened.

“Do you see yourself right now? You’re acting like a fucking baby.” Sukuna retorted, annoyed at your reaction. He honestly didn’t mean to break it, but what’s done is done and you were a fool for thinking that lashing out at him could change that. “It’s just a child’s toy, get over it.”

“You are sick. I hate you!” You yelled, holding the pieces of your broken toy close and leaving the room, not before slamming the door with teeth-rattling force.

Sukuna sighed and rolled his eyes. He didn’t expect you to get so animated over a cartoon cat replica, but then again human emotions were much more sporadic and quite frankly annoying. He gave your outburst no more than another thought. He knew you well enough to know you’d be back soon, crying and whining and begging him to talk to you and give you some attention. He’d just have to patient until your came your to senses..

..Or at least that’s what he thought. Your boyfriend seemly underestimated your ability to hold a grudge. You hadn’t truly spoken to him in 3 days, the most he’s gotten out of you being “uh huh” or “no”. He pretended your coldness didn’t bother him, but it did. A lot more then it should’ve. The pointed shoulder-checks, the refusal to make any eye contact, leaving the room whenever he walked in. It really bothered him. He knew that the only way to get back your favor was with probably some form of atonement. But, he has his own pride to worry about and he refused to be the one to grovel at your feet and apologize. No it would be you. He was Sukuna Ryomen and he would not bend to the will of a foolish mortal girl.

But, a week without speaking to your other can be unbearable, even for a callous curse such as Sukuna. After being with you so long, he found himself having a sort longing for you. Why would he though? He didn’t need anyone, especially not you. If anything, you needed him…so why weren’t you acting like it?

Even though you were mad at him, outwardly you seemed fine. You were doing everything on your own, pretending as if this giant curse of a man didn’t even exist. You still laughed at stuff on your phone, you still ate your favorite foods and enjoyed yourself, while Sukuna clearly wasn’t.

He hated the silence that he had grown unfamiliar with after being with you. You seemed to never shut up before, but now? Sukuna found himself longing for your annoying voice and pestilential chattiness.

He missed your body. He missed your delicate fingers that you would intertwine with his rough, pointed ones whenever you went to the store with him. He’d express so many times that he didn’t like you doing that and he’d “cut your fingers off” if you did it again. But you always did, and it never happened.

He hated the absence of your warmth. He had become so accustomed to your late night snuggling, he had trouble sleeping without it. One particular lonesome night, he watched you sleep from the door you always left slightly cracked. He longed to be next to you, to feel your faint breath tickling his neck, to run his hands down the curve of your spine, to have your sleep-mucked face be the first thing he sees in the morning.

So, that’s why he was now on the couch, hissing and cursing as he attempted to put the stitch through the tiny hole of the needle. He was trying to sew your god-damned hello kitty back together, which proved to be a much harder task than he thought initially. Sukuna had watched you do it many times, stitching whatever article of clothing he had ripped off of you the night before. You made it look simple, and of course you were just a little human. Nothing you did would take much skill, right?

“Fuck!” He hissed through clenched teeth and he stabbed the pin through the pad of his finger. A bead of dark-red blood swole and eventually dripped down his finger. Watching the blood drop made him think of you. You would’ve taken his tattooed hand and cooed at the injury, leaving a kiss on the stabbed finger. He always thought you were stupid for making such a display over a little nick, but now? He felt some sort of…emptiness without your comfort. Sukuna quickly chased those thoughts away, telling himself that he was only doing this for his own benefit, not for you. No, he’d never do something like this for you.

-

“Kuna…?” You called, the moniker sounding foreign on your tongue after a long week of ignoring the man to whom it belonged too. His head quickly snapped as he watched you come into the room, treading lightly as if the tension could break with a footstep too heavy. In your arms was the patched up doll, looking a little limp but still in one piece.

“What do you want?” He asked, his tone glacial, suggesting that he didn’t care. But he knew he cared a lot, a lot more than he should’ve.

Just a few minutes ago, Sukuna creeped into the bedroom, ensuring sure you wouldn’t hear him over the sound of a running shower. Afte the coast was clear, he meticulously placed the doll on your bed, propped up on a pillow, the hello kitty freshly washed and sewn. He relished on his work, shoving away the feeling of…anxiety? Then he waited and waited for you, hurrying back to his place on the couch only when he heard the shower faucet stop running.

“Did you…fix my doll?” You asked, leaving the question hanging in the heavy air. You avoided eye contact as you sat across from him, fiddling with the hello kitty’s stubby arms.

“What does it look like? It’s fixed, isn’t it?” He retorts, gesturing to the crude stitches that encircled that dolls neck. He sounded pissed off, but he was far from it. He missed your voice, even if you were wasting it by asking him stupid questions.

“Oh,” was all you were able to say. Sukuna rolled his eyes, mimicking your “oh”.

You stumbled with your speech, trying to find the right response. In all honesty, you were shocked. “T-Thank you.” You murmured, your voice a little louder now.

“yeah, whatever. Now you have your doll, so you can stop your damn sulking.” He muttered, waving his hand in dismal. The two of you stayed like that for a moment, careful not to break the delicate silence.

Warmth bloomed inside of your chest. Yeah the stitching was clusmy, revealing his lack of delicacy, but somehow it felt better than him buying a new stuffed animal. There was something that was almost thoughtful about it, and sukuna ryomen was anything but the sort.

He couldn’t believe himself either. Had he really done that, for you? It was impossible. He could’ve easily forced you to speak to him, or lashed out at you for being a brat. So why didn’t he? He sat there, waiting for the repercussions of his actions to hit him. Disgust. anger. anything. but strangely, it never came. Instead he felt a sense of relief and lets out a breath he had no idea he had been holding.

You then slipped into his arms, your ear resting against his surprisedly-existent heartbeat. The hello kitty was still in your grasp, and you fiddled into between your two hands. He didn’t say anything, because he wasn’t even sure that words would come out of his mouth. You felt so nice on him again, and he placing his around you, never wanting to let you go.

As the two of you laid there, distressing fact came crashing down on him. You had broke him. You contorted his barbarous heart into ways that no stich could fix.

[ecstasyhighway]

yall hear me out on principal yaga…like idk i didn’t see it at first but whew….now?? i know his dick is big and heavy.

i just know if that man were to put his dick in your mouth it would be hard to take. and when i say he cums alot i mean like a fucking lot. thick creamy loads. like... when he is pumping his cock into ur cunt and he cums? its spilling out and you better not waste that shit cus he will fuck you again... definitely has a breeding kink when he saw you treating panda like your own son???? he KNEW he needed to get your pregnant. when i say his dick is big and heavy, i mean like 5 inches soft and maybe 6.5 inches hard, a vein on the side that hits all the right spots..girthy with a slight curve... slightly darker at the base with a tanish tip. circumcised definitely. groomed fairly well, definitely has a bush but he keeps it neat. his cum comes out in thick ropes...not tiny spurts i mean ROPES. probably salty with a creamyish color... OOOOUUU and i knowww that man eats pussy like its his last meal... diving into your cunt making you stay still as you squirm and leak on his chin... thick fingers pumping in and out of your leaky hole as he overstimulates you and you say "no more! s'to much" he tells you "you can take it you're being such a good girl f'me" JESUSSS I NEED THIS MANNNNN. NO AND HE MAKES LOVE BUT WHEN HE WANTS TO FUCK HES GONNA FUCK. when hes making love to you hes just giving you deep strokes (in missionary) his heavy balls hitting the plush of your ass as he thrusts into you telling you how good you are for him and how much he loves you. but when he fucks?? he fucks like he hates you... hes the principal of a very high stress school, having to deal with gojo and the higher ups and whatnot. so when i say he fucks? i mean he is hitting it from behind pushing your head into the mattress one leg propped on the bed while the other is one the floor so he can fuck into you harder. whew and when he wants to get you pregnant?? expect the meanest mating press ever. hes so big and tall. throwing your legs over his shoulders as he cums deep into your womb babbling about "gonna make you a mommy...you're so pretty. gonna be such a pretty mama to our kids" goes multiple rounds jus to make sure it takes. whew give this man the nastiest sloppiest head ever!!! hes groaning and gasping for air as you try to deep throat him. ONE TIME you wanted him to fuck your throat so you laid on the edge of the bed with your head hanging off his big cock enters your throat and he just goes hard bruising the back of your throat definitely. hes mean with it too. plugging your nose as he just stops and stays in your throat. he lovesss watching you struggle to breathe. he pulls out just to cum on your face and tits. anyways i need him

i scared my friend when i sent this to him 😁 it was just supposed to be a short little thing about how fine he is…something inside me just…snapped

[lumosinlove]

Vaincre

June Part VII

~

So so grateful for all of you who love this story even when I take forever to post!! Happy holidays to all <3 <3

~

No, there's nothin' you can

send me, my own true

love

There's nothin' I'm wishin'

To be ownin'

Just to carry yourself

Back to me unspoiled

From across that

Lonesome ocean

~

Remus ran down the cottage’s porch steps and threw his arms around Lily. It was easy to lose service out at the lake, and he’d last talked to her at the coffee shop he’d always stopped at halfway through the drive from Gryffindor. He had a beloved photograph of Sirius and Julian sitting at an outside table there, the first time Sirius had come to the lake. He’d tried his best to specifically explain the forks and bends in the roads to Lily, but it was still a relief to see them getting out of their car.

“You made it,” Remus said into her shoulder.

“Sure did. Wow. This is the cutest.” Lily gave Remus one more squeeze before pulling back. She pushed her sunglasses into her hair and smiled up at the cabin. “J, look.”

“Hold on, you know this buckle hates me.”

Remus squinted against the sun to see James with his entire upper body in the backseat of the car. When he emerged, he was red-faced and holding Harry—who was already squirming towards Sirius. The slight delay of James closing the car door was even too much for him. Harry burst into tears, then abruptly stopped as Sirius jogged down the porch steps and scooped him away from James. Remus couldn’t make out what Sirius said to him, but he could read the broad smile on his face just fine.

“Oh, it is cute, for sure,” James said. He had his hands on his hips, and maybe a few cheerios in his hair, as he looked over the cottage, then Sirius. “Yeah, hi, good to see you, too, friend.”

“Sorry, sorry,” Sirius said appeasingly, but held a hand out for James to clap and bring their shoulders together. “How was the drive?”

“Very pretty.” James shaded his eyes to look down the stone pathway that offered a glimmering sliver of the lake. He whistled. “That looks inviting.”

Lily brought Remus’ attention back to her with a squeeze to his hands. “How are you, Lupin? Feeling almost married?”

“More almost each day.” Remus wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Come in, we’ve got lunch.”

Maybe Remus shouldn’t have been surprised when Julian and Harry took to each other immediately. Harry couldn’t do much, but he could giggle at whatever Julian was doing and take the small pieces of food Julian held out to him. He could sit in the waves while Julian safe-guarded him against any bigger swells caused by a passing boat. If his mom squeezed his hand when she caught Remus watching them one day with his sunglasses firmly hiding his damp eyes, well, that was fine.

James and Sirius took to each other, too, even after just a short time apart. There was lots of football and jumping off the raft to catch flying passes. Remus didn’t mind. With his parents reading in the shade of the lake-facing porch up above and Julian entertaining Harry a few paces away, he basically had Lily to himself, which almost never happened.

“This is heaven,” she said. “Like, it’s more heaven than a tropical resort or something. I mean, the house is right there, it’s way cooler and less humid than some island, and I have you to make me a drink.”

Remus smiled. “I’m glad you like it here.”

“Would I ever have seen this place if you hadn’t started playing?”

“You? Yeah, if you wanted. Everyone else? Probably not if I never got with Sirius.”

She nodded slowly, turning the ice cubes that clinked against her cup. Her hair was pulled back in a low bun, and she had a large, floppy hat shading her face. Remus reached forward and lifted the brim with two fingers.

“What’s up?” he asked.

“Yeah, yeah,” she said. “I was just thinking about…I don’t know. James has been down about losing the season like this. And maybe—” Lily flipped the brim up and turned to him. Her green eyes were the clear color of the lake. “Okay, I forgot after winning the Cup last year about how every summer’s beginning was like…It’s like they forget they’re good at their jobs. And that it’s going to be okay. And this year…It’s just back. James has been so hard on himself.” She sighed. “And probably losing Logan made it even harder, but he’s been down.” She looked back out at the water. Slowly, a smile crossed her face. “I don’t know. I’m rambling. But look at those lunatics out there. It’s just nice to see him smile.”

Remus nodded. Sirius and James were treading water near the raft. Their voices carried across the water, though he couldn’t make out their words. He didn’t need to. James made Sirius laughed so hard that his head disappeared under the water for a second before he surfaced again, flicking his dark hair out of his eyes.

“Ugh, the cutest,” Lily said.

Remus watched Sirius splutter and toss the football at James’ head. “Hm, yeah.”

“Okay, yeah, but I meant those two.” Lily held up her phone towards Julian and Harry. “Boys! Over here!”

“How do you want us?” James shouted over the water. He already had his arm around Sirius’ shoulders, grinning and ready for a photo.

“Not you,” Lily said, waving Sirius and James off.

“No, no,” Remus laughed and reached for his own phone. “Stay like that.”

Julian pointed at Lily so Harry would look, then tickled him into another grin. James wrapped both of his arms around Sirius and pulled like he was trying to lift him up, startling Sirius into a laughing one in his own.

The sight tightened Remus’ throat. He almost forgot to take the picture as he stared over the edge of his sunglasses instead.

“Did you do it?” Sirius called, then pushed James down again into the water.

Remus nodded, flashing a thumbs up.

“Anyway,” Lily sighed. “When does Logan play? James with his little hockey-pout face wants to watch.”

“Rangers are up against the Lightning tonight,” Remus said. “And yeah. I don’t think Sirius has fully realized Tremz isn’t a Lion anymore. I mean, really. Like, even less realization than Finn and Leo.”

“Yeah, those two cubs seem to be doing better.”

“Mhm,” Remus said. “I hope so.”

“Mais, non, non—” A shout of laughter came from the water, and a fast flow of French that got garbled as Sirius did a cannonball off the raft and caught the football. Remus didn’t know what the rules of their game were, but James, floating nearby, wiped the water from his eyes and looked devastated.

Remus leaned forward, digging his cup into the sand. Sirius surfaced again with the football held high. He shook his soaking hair out of his face, threw his head back, and whooped. It traveled to them over the waves, through the sound of sifting sand and Harry’s babbling. Sirius dunked his head again, and his dark hair plastered back from his face. The smile was still in place. Remus knew all about the down of a poorly ended season. In college, getting knocked out early and having to go to classes with that weight on his chest had felt like hell for the first two weeks. And Sirius Black didn’t do just down. He did devastated and punishing. He did end of the world and hard work and nextyearnextyearnextyear.

But there he was. In Remus’ lake, laughing like—

“Re?”

“Yeah,” Remus whispered. He tore his eyes away, looking at her. “Sorry, sorry, yeah?”

Lily had her hat flipped back again. He was watching him carefully with a small smile on her face.

“Sorry I didn’t hear what you said,” Remus said. “I…”

“That’s all right.” Lily leaned forward, too, checking on Harry once when he let out a loud shriek, before turning back to him. “What’s up?”

“He doesn’t always…” Remus passed his fingers over his mouth, over a smile. “It’s kind of like what you said about James. About summer. But it’s also the opposite. Sirius…He doesn’t always laugh like that.”

If there was anything Remus knew, it was Sirius Black’s face. He knew it guarded, and he knew it open.

“Like a little kid’s laugh,” Remus said softly.

“Pretty deep for a little kid.”

Remus grinned at her. “No, like—”

Lily put a soft hand on his arm. “I’m joking, Re. You’re right.” She squeezed his fingers and let go. “It is. It is nice. I mean…You were there. Before.” She shut one eye against the sun. “Did you love him then?”

“Love? No. Want? Maybe. Mostly I just…I don’t know why because he was fucking mean to me…” He smiled. “But I—no, really. You were there. He was so stubborn. Honest to God, I don’t think he trusted me until his ankle.”

“He’s Sirius Black,” Lily said. “I don’t think he was raised to be trusting.”

“That’s why I like hearing that laugh,” Remus said. “Fuck, Lils, I love that laugh.”

The boys were swimming in now. Julian had Harry in his lap and was waving at them.

“Good thing you’re getting that laugh for life, then.” Lily held up her drink. “To good laughs for a good life.”

Remus picked up his own drink. “Oh yeah, you’ve got one of your own.” He clinked his glass to Lily’s, sand sprinkling between them. “To good laughs for a good life.”

Lily flipped her hat back down. “Okay, okay, before we cry, let’s watch their abs appear from the water.”

“Oh, for sure.”

~

Maybe it was a slight miscalculation on Finn and Leo’s part to walk Logan to Madison Square Garden for his third game against the Lightning, but if there was anything that was worth getting a few good-natured heckles for losing their series, it was watching the Rangers fans waiting at the players’ entrance absolutely fawn over Logan.

Really, for Finn, it was watching fans fawn over Logan while Logan held on tightly to Leo’s hand. It was holding Logan’s bag for him while he…signed a man’s body.

“You really want me to sign…” Logan was staring apprehensively at a shoulder a man was offering him. “For a tattoo?”

“Don’t mess up,” Leo said, then grinned at Logan’s pleading eyes. “Just saying.”

“yeah, yeah,” the man said, grinning. “Just your signature and number. Please. Thank you.”

“Aha,” Finn said, holding up a finger. “Which number?”

“Oh, ten,” the man said hurriedly. “Please. I’m a firm believer that you’ll be back to ten some day.”

Logan looked at Finn.

“Would you look at that,” Finn said.

Smiling, Logan took a breath and uncapped the Sharpie. “D’accord.”

He signed his name and number more slowly than he usually would have, tongue peaking out in concentration. 

“Tongue, tongue,” Finn whispered, nudging his elbow into Leo’s side.

“Shh…” Leo was trying hard not to smile.

Logan had had to let go of Leo’s hand to hold the man steady, and Leo wandered closer to Finn, slinging an arm around his shoulders. Others were taking videos, and Finn felt some of the cameras train on them once Logan had finished signing. He flicked his sunglasses down over his eyes, half because he knew he needed to take it easy on direct sunlight for a while yet, and half so he could just stare at Logan all he wanted while he slipped his arm around Leo’s waist.

“Okay?” Leo whispered back, settling his hand over Finn’s.

“Yeah,” Finn said. “Just taking it easy.”

“There you go.” Logan sucked air through his teeth, surveying his work, then laughed and capped the pen.

“Thank you,” the man said, bending to look. “Thanks so much.”

Finn would have thought the guy’s enthusiasm was a little over the top, but he could pinpoint at least a couple times in his life when he would have gladly let Logan Tremblay write all over him.

“Thanks, guys,” Logan said with a wave. He looked back at Leo and Finn. “Ready?”

Finn hitched Logan’s bag more over his shoulder. “Lead on, Ten.”

Finn saw the way Logan’s shoulders relaxed once they reached the elevator, away from prying eyes. He held out his hand to Finn. “You really didn’t have to carry my bag for me. Feels like you’re dropping me off at class.”

“Should have packed you a lunch,” Leo said.

Logan took his bag, shouldered it, and stepped into Leo’s space. “What would be in my lunch?”

“Oh, the usual,” Leo said. “Turkey sandwich, apple slices, a cookie…” Leo slid his hands around Logan’s waist. “A note telling you that I can’t wait for you to get home so…” The rest was lost to Finn as Leo bent and whispered into Logan’s ear.

It was all right that he didn’t hear. He got to watch Logan sway into him like Leo had hooked his very heart and pulled.

“See you for your nap,” Leo said sweetly. He tucked his hands behind his back and gave Logan a quick kiss.

Logan narrowed his eyes at Leo as he put a hand on Finn’s chest, twisting his t-shirt in his fist. Okay, fine, Finn was hooked, too. “Yeah, if I nap.”

Finn wrapped Logan up in a short hug, knotting his fingers in his hair. “Hey Tremblay…Sign my ass.”

Logan pulled back, shoving Finn away. But he was smiling, brighter than Finn had ever thought any of them would be able to do in this place.

“Game three,” Finn said. “You got this.”

They watched the elevator doors close, Logan leaning over to see them until he was just one green eye. Until he couldn’t anymore. They waved off the remaining fans when they walked back to the street level. Finn made straight for the subway—he didn’t want to be in this traffic hell Midtown longer than he had to. Leo followed him closely, their knuckles brushing until Finn hooked their little fingers together, then took his hand.

“So, what’d you whisper?”

Leo’s laugh echoed off the tiles as they descended the stairs underground. “Maybe you’ll find out later.”

“I hope so.” Finn let Leo through to the platform first, then went through himself. “Alex always dared me to jump these, and I never could. Lo did it once. First time he came home to the city with me.”

Leo raised his eyebrows. “That stray freshman puppy you found did that?”

Finn grinned, putting his hands in the pockets of his shorts. “He was trying to impress me. He just didn’t know it yet. Spent the rest of the time waiting for the train looking over his shoulder all nervous.”

“Okay, that’s more like him.” As the train began to pull into the station, a rush of air that did absolutely nothing to break the heat ruffled Leo’s hair. Leo nudged a toe of his sneaker against Finn’s. “Hey, where you taking me?”

Finn reached out and touched the blond strands, then settled a hand against Leo’s cheek. “Surprise.”

Leo wrinkled his nose. “I’m sweaty, sorry.”

“Like that’s ever bothered me.”

As the doors opened and Finn shuffled them inside, he caught Leo eyeing the pole distastefully.

“Hang onto me instead,” Finn said, taking Leo’s hands and placing them on his waist.

“And what are you gonna hold onto?”

“My New Yorker feet.”

Leo rolled his eyes but squeezed his hips. “Twenty bucks say you fall.”

“Not with you holding onto me.”

Leo eyed him until the doors slid shut with a ding and the train lurched forward. Finn balanced like he’d been doing his whole life, easing them both into the train’s rocking and jolting with his hands on Leo’s hips. He tilted his forehead down to Leo’s and winked.

“All right, city-boy. Now really,” Leo said, their lips brushing. “Where are we going?”

“Somewhere,” Finn replied. “But don’t worry. We’ll be home in time for me to buy you take-out and watch baby play.”

Finn led them back onto street level when they reached uptown. The sun felt brighter up here, with Central Park relieving some of the crowded, hot feeling that the buildings gave out. Sweat shone on Leo’s temples as he put his sunglasses on.

“Hmm,” Leo said. “Okay. Interesting.”

“You game to walk across the park?” Finn asked. “Because we’re walking across the park.”

“I’m game for anything. But I have one condition.”

“Name it.”

“I want to make out under a tree on our way.”

Finn closed his eyes and turned into Leo. He kissed the salty skin of his neck. “That’s not a condition. That’s a reward.”

“You’re walking with your eyes closed.”

Finn smiled and opened them. He brought Leo’s hand up to kiss. “Sometimes feeling you and seeing you at the same time are just too much.”

He liked the way it made Leo stare at him. He slapped a hand against Finn’s chest, but kept it there. “Shut up.”

“Pick a spot.”

Leo looked forward. They weren’t in short supply. There were baseball diamonds just ahead of them and The Great Lawn beyond that, speckled with picnic blankets and kids running around.

“C’mon,” Leo said. “Let’s get your pretty little head out of the sun.”

Leo jogged ahead, but Finn didn’t mind. He stopped when he found a dappled spot of shade and waited for Finn there, spreading his arms out with a grin before sitting down in the grass.

“Here!” he called. “Get your butt over here, city-boy, and sit in the dirt and grass.”

‘Yikes,” Finn teased, but he let himself down beside Leo with a huff, being careful of his shoulder. “You think I don’t sit in grass?”

“You do love a good leather booth and bistro chair.”

Finn laughed. “Fair.”

“Speaking of.”

“Speaking of?”

Leo leaned in and brushed their noses together. “Take-out is nice. But I think tonight you should take me, sit me down practically in your lap in one of those leather booths, and order us ice cold martinis and that to-die-for steak at that place we love. Then you take me home to watch Logan play.”

Finn grinned and hooked a finger in Leo’s closest belt loop. “In my lap, you say?”

“Yes. The place where they have those garage doors that open and let all the heat in.”

“Okay, I will.”

“So I can start the night watching the sun set, and end it in a dim enough corner for kissing until a waiter has to clear their throat to get our attention.”

“I thought the kisses were reserved for this very tree right here.”

Leo smiled as he tilted his head into Finn’s palm when he cupped his cheek. “Your ears get pink—” His words broke off into Finn’s first kiss. “—when you drink gin.”

“You and Lo say that about everything.” Finn kissed the corner of his mouth, his jaw, before finding his mouth again.

“We think about it a lot.”

Finn felt his cheeks warm when Leo reached up and tweaked his ear. Maybe he did prefer booths and bistros and couches and warm soft chairs that bookstores kept in their corners, but when Leo laid him down in the grass of the very place he used to wonder about finding someone, about loving someone, he wouldn’t have traded it for the world. Leo’s mouth was soft. He kept Finn still and heavy with kisses that made Finn feel like the warm earth was becoming as cloudy as his head. Everything was so soft, so smudged and perfect, that he almost missed it when Leo said—

“I missed you.”

“I missed you, too, Le.” His time with Logan was invaluable, but there was nothing like the three of them. Nothing at all. “But you came back to me happier, so—”

“No, I mean…” Finn felt him press his mouth down on his shoulder before Leo pulled back to look at him. He was framed by the sky. “I missed you while I was away, yes. But I missed you in the locker room after what Jack did. And when you were home but you were hurting and not yourself. And I missed you when—when…”

“When Logan got traded,” Finn said softly.

“Yeah,” Leo said shakily. He stroked Finn’s hair back from his face. He bent down and kissed the shell of Finn’s ear then came back smiling. “Yeah.”

Finn wished he could see the two of them. The way Leo put one thigh over his, and the grass stain on his t-shirt.

“Needed this,” Leo sighed.

Finn kissed the corner of Leo’s mouth. “I’d like a list of all the things you need, ranked in the order you’d like them.”

Leo’s laugh was soft, and Finn kissed his left dimple when it appeared. “Finn…”

“Okay, fine, we’ll start here,” Finn whispered. “Help me and this slightly bum shoulder up, and come with me.”

~

The cottage always seemed to take the sunset into its very paint and walls. It soaked through the windows and made it almost impossible to sit at the dining room table without the gauzy white curtains drawn. Those curtains turned the lake into a glistening blur. It set the rosé glasses on fire. Remus wanted to sit between Lily and Sirius and look at Harry happily babbling from his mother’s lap for the rest of his life.

“So, Logan’s sisters called me—well, Noelle called me,” Remus said. “And they’re sticking around in New York until the Rangers—you know.”

“Win or lose,” Julian supplied, and then knocked on wood at the same time as Remus. Sirius was holding the wooden salad bowl to pass to Hope and drummed his fingers on it once.

“Right,” Remus said. “So, that’ll happen. And then they’re going to be at the Shore Hotel, so that’s really close. And Logan is surprising Leo and Finn with a cabin, they think they’re staying at a hotel.” Remus put a hand on the sun-warmed back of Sirius’ neck.

“Ouais,” Sirius said. “I told him to get one because if we’re doing what we said—you get ready here at the cottage, I thought I would get ready with Reg, James, Tremz and Pascal there.” Sirius took Remus’ hand and kissed it, smiling. “Then I meet you at the end of the dock.”

“I have so many plans,” James said. “I mean, Dumo vetoed like eighty percent of them, but I still have so many plans.”

Sirius grinned. “Maybe I have plans, too.”

“What?” James shook his head. “No, I do. You can’t have plans, you’re the—one of the grooms!”

“I also have plans,” Lily cut in, looping her arm through Remus’. At Remus’ face she patted his cheek. “Super chill plans. Leo and I brought Talker down a few notches.”

“A few?”

“A lot of notches.”

“Hold up,” James said. “Whose side is Finn on?”

“He requested to, and I quote, ‘wander between the two,’” Lily said.

“Classic,” Remus said.

“Oh, those O’Hara boys are just the sweetest,” Hope said. Harry slapped the table as if in agreement.

“Why do all parents love Finn so much?” James asked.

“He’s just charming, that’s all,” Lily said. “But yeah, I don’t know how he’s going to pull it off, but he wants to wander.”

“If we forget any last minute things, he can run to the shops,” Hope said.

“I actually think he’d love that,” Sirius laughed.

Remus grabbed for another bread roll and Sirius passed him the butter without a word.

“Plans or no plans,” Remus said. “My original point was we have dates for everyone’s arrival, no matter how far the Rangers make it. Literally all we have to do is remember to pick stuff up.”

Hope hummed. “You’d be surprised at how difficult that can be. The flowers are late, the cake is late—it turns into a whole thing.”

“For sure,” Remus said, but smiled at her then pulled a face at Harry who giggled. “But do I really need flowers and cake or do I just need my husband?”

“For sure,” Lily parroted. “But your guests definitely need flowers and cake.”

Julian raised a hand. “I totally need cake.”

James raised both hands. “I totally need flowers. For reasons that are beyond me.”

Remus laughed and felt Sirius stretch his arm out over the back of his chair. He knew it meant Sirius only needed one thing for this wedding, too, and it was him.

“What kind of plans?” Remus knelt on their bed to push open the windows. The night had cooled, and he wanted to clear out some of the stuffiness the day’s heat had trapped. He got hot enough with Sirius pressed up against his back all night.

Sirius looked up from where he’d been checking the time on his phone. “Puck drop in five. Plans for what?”

“About your bachelor party, you said you had plans.”

Sirius laughed. “Reg and I were talking about it. I just wanted to freak James out a little. We’re gonna have dinner at that place you showed me. Play pool, darts.”

Remus pushed himself off the bed. “Dinner, huh?”

“Oh, come on.” Sirius clicked his tongue. “You know me. Dumo will order good wine, Leo will order the best—”

“Hey, hey, hey.” Remus pointed a finger at him. “Leo’s on my team.”

“Your team?”

“My team.”

Remus loved that outraged, amused smile Sirius was giving him now. He gave it to refs, he gave it to Logan. Remus wouldn’t choose it over the little-kid laugh, but it was something—especially as Sirius walked across their room’s creaking floorboards and set two palms down on either side of Remus’ hips, pressing into the old mattress springs and making them whine.

“Creek creek,” Remus whispered. He tilted his mouth up to brush Sirius’.

“So, we have teams now,” Sirius whispered back. He kissed Remus so lightly. A feather, there-and-gone.

“And here you were thinking you’d finally gotten me on yours,” Remus put his arms around Sirius’ neck, pushing until Sirius was straightening and Remus could put his socked toes on Sirius’ toes and press their bodies together, standing there in a bedroom he’d been sleeping in since he was little.

Sirius smiled. “Almost.” Both his palms pushed under Remus’ t-shirt. “So close. Any day now.”

“Hey, Cap!” James’ voice came from below. “Lo’s taking first face-off!”

Remus sighed. “Self-torture.” Then, he kissed Sirius’ protests until they tasted like a smile.

~

Leo recognized the steps immediately. They were broad and stone and timeless, leading up to stone pillars. School kids were led in lines—the little ones jubilant, the older ones shuffling. Tourists raised their cameras high, and groups of people on their lunch break made clusters at various heights.

“You’re sweet,” Leo said. “You took me to the MET?”

Finn smiled. “I like watching you look at things. And besides, we better do it while Lo’s busy or else he’ll sulk if we bring him along and sulk if we leave him behind.”

“A-plus timing,” Leo laughed as they began to climb. “Hey, speaking of Lo. I think he doesn’t want to ask if we’ll come to Florida…but.”

“Oh, he definitely wants us to come to Florida.” Finn reached for his wallet. “I can feel it when he stares—” Leo snorted, Finn tilted his head back, laughing as they crossed into the grand entrance hall. “You know the stare.”

Leo pushed his nose into Finn’s cheek, eyes wide open. “This one?”

“Bit of an exaggeration and also wildly true.”

Leo grinned. “You, Logan, ocean. Sounds good to me.” He looked down at the red member card Finn had gotten out. “You keep a membership while you live in a different city?”

“I am nothing if not loyal, Butter.” He held his card out to the guard waiting in front of a long, white room flooded with light.

“One guest?” She scanned his card.

“Yes, indeed.” Finn smiled at her.

“Your name is Butter?” she asked.

Leo stared at her, trying to figure out if she was being serious. She just looked back with slightly uninterested blue eyes.

“I…” Leo nodded. “Yes. My name is Butter. Thanks.”

He pulled Finn into the waiting galleries before she could see him laughing.

~

Logan found a spot on the floor while they waited for coach to get the pre-game video loaded. He stretched his legs out, kneading one of his thighs. Percy was singing, Will was trying to cover his mouth, and Saint was watching them both with narrowed eyes. Logan didn’t know if he knew he was crushing the red bull can in his hands, but Luke gently eased it out of his fingers and drained the remaining liquid.

“Hey.” Alex settled himself down beside him.

“Hey,” Logan said. He sent him a quick smile, then did a double take. “Hey…”

Alex might not be Finn, but Logan liked to think he knew his O’Haras. He knew that lilac color. He knew that slightly vacant brown-eyed stare that only came out when Finn was trying oh-so very hard to be all right. Logan had put that look on his face more than once. He didn’t like seeing it.

“What’s wrong?” Logan asked quietly as someone turned the lights out in the room. The screen flickered to life, showing Florida’s starting line frozen in the middle of a play.

“Hm?” Alex didn’t look at him.

“Maybe I’m summoned when you get that look on your face.”

Alex, recognizing his own words, let out a tired laugh. He glanced Logan’s way.

Logan pushed their shoulders together. “By my inner Finn.”

“I’m all right,” Alex said.

Logan waited, keeping his eyes ahead as Coach began to talk through defense. It felt nice to sit surrounded by teammates. Nice to be in the dark. He was tired and exhilarated all at once, heart fast but limbs sore.

“It’s kind of—I don’t know. I was wrong,” Alex said softly. “You know when you just play something out in your head, but it turns out that what you were thinking only makes sense in your head?”

“If Finn was here—” And maybe Logan couldn’t stand that he wasn’t, that Leo wasn’t, and he wasn’t sure if that feeling was ever going to give him any peace, “he would say I’m the dictionary picture of that.”

Alex smiled slightly. “That boy has a lot of sayings.”

“That boy?”

“What? My baby brother? Fish-Finn.”

Logan smiled. “I remember hearing you call him Fish the first time.”

“When?”

“Well—not the best time. First concussion.”

Alex’s face lit up, but only in recognition. “Oh, that’s right. You were asleep in the chair.”

“Yeah. That was the first time I dreamed about kissing him. Ever.”

Alex’s eyebrows went up. “And you’re telling me I woke you up from that?”

“Yeah, fuck you.”

It earned Logan a smile at least. Alex still looked troubled as he returned his eyes to the screen. They listened. Logan took note of positions and numbers and the warning that there was some bad blood towards him and number 56 wanted to fight. When he shrugged, Luke and Percy laughed at him.

The lights came up to soon, and he was left looking at Alex as they both squinted a little in the sudden brightness.

Alex patted a hand on his chest. “I’ll be okay, Tremz. Really. Let’s do this first.”

The words seemed tired, but not like a lie.

~

Ice Floes. Claude Monet.

Finn’s shoulder pressed warmly against Leo’s as they stared at the hazy white landscape. The gallery was calm around them. A tour group murmured in another room. Two older women sat on the bench with their canes between their knees.

“For Lo’s birthday once,” Finn said softly. “I took him to a pond to skate because he said he missed it. Looked like this.”

“That first birthday you knew him, right?”

“Uh-huh.” Finn’s pinky finger found Leo’s and he hooked them together. “And—well, you know the rest of that story.”

“That I do.” Leo shivered just remembering it. His eyes found the small, paint scratched signature in the painting’s corner. A thought made him laugh.

“What?” Finn asked.

“Artists sign their work.” Leo pointed to it. “That man wanted Logan to think he was a piece of art.”

Finn laughed—maybe too loudly for a museum. “That man could only be art because he wants Logan’s name tattooed on his body.”

“Oh? Do you want Logan’s name tattooed on your body?”

“No,” Finn said, but he tilted his head. “I would, however, like Logan to get some more tattoos.”

“Mm, yeah.” Leo leaned his temple against Finn’s. “Where? Arm?”

“Forearm.”

“Forearm, yeah. Collarbone.”

“Oh, yeah, good one. Back?”

“Mm. No, I like it as it is.”

“True,” Finn said. “You’d look good with a tattoo.”

Leo wrinkled his nose. “Eh.”

“You would. I’m not a tattoo person. I don’t think.”

“There’s something pretty about just you and all your freckles.” Leo squeezed their linked fingers. “Your head okay? Shoulder?”

“Knees and toes, knees and toes…”

Leo laughed. “Okay, okay. Where to next?”

They walked back downstairs to the bright sky-lit rooms of ancient Greece and Rome. They passed the large column, the intricate vases of fighting warriors and seated Gods. Leo wondered if he could find any replicas of the pretty Roman glass. He lost a wandering Finn while he was taking photographs to show his mom, but found him again in front of Heracles. He had his head tilted at the statue’s thick chest, only covered by the paws of the thick lion skin draped across the statue’s back.

“Halloween costume?” Leo asked, and Finn rolled his eyes and pulled him away.

They walked to the room transported from Pompeii, then deeper into the museum to suits of armor and lances. Leo found himself thinking of a school field trip. He’d been a junior in high school, whispers and stirrings about the NHL already surrounding him so much so that some of his teammates in his history class thought it was stupid for him to be excited about something as small as a field trip to a local museum. He had been though.

At least until Jack wouldn’t so much as look at him on the bus, never mind sit beside him.

Now, he felt Finn’s palm push under the hem of his shirt, brushing a thumb over the small of his back. They were in a darker part of the gallery, dim except for the low lights aimed at the weapons. Finn had pulled out his glasses to read the museum sign, but pushed them into his hair as he finished.

“Cool,” Finn said. “The hilts come off, so you can replace your blade. Or I guess change the hilt with your outfit? Do you think—”

Leo put a hand on his jaw, turning his head, and kissed him.

Finn hummed when Leo pulled away. “Fantastic. Kisses and weapons.”

“Thanks for sitting with me on buses,” Leo whispered. “And taking me to museums.”

Finn put those Jack-tinged pieces together quickly, and his eyes softened.

“Thanks for telling me you wanted me the first time I asked,” Finn said.

Leo’s eyebrows went up, and Finn smiled, wrapping his arm more fully around Leo’s waist.

“Like you didn’t know Logan wanted you,” Leo said.

“I did. I just didn’t know if he’d ever let himself take me.”

“Those words sure sound sweet coming out of your mouth.”

“Oh yeah?” Finn smiled. “Besides, I am pretty Lo-fluent.”

Low on his stomach, Leo covered Finn’s hand with his own. “Funny, he’s said the same thing about you.”

“Oh, I bet he has.” Finn nosed against Leo’s cheek, and stole a slow, leisurely kiss—far too much for a museum, even the quiet corner of one. “But still. You looked me in the eye. One-for-one.”

“And then I ran away from you?” Leo reminded him, kissing his jaw.

“But you let me come find you.”

“He wanted that, too. Believe me.”

Finn laughed. “You don’t have to defend him. You know I’d have kept him in my pocket if I could. Always.” Finn gave his hand a little tug on Leo’s waist and began to nudge him towards a free corner. “I’m taking about you. I’d keep you there, too.”

“Your pocket? Honey, I like it in your arms just fine.”

“Oh,” Finn said around a smile, then “hm” just before he kissed him again.

Leo didn’t know if he should be leaning against a wall here, didn’t know where a guard was to yell at him, and didn’t really care. At one point, he put his hands into Finn’s hair and had to catch the glasses he’d forgotten about. The small gasp he gave as his fingers fumbled for them let Finn right in, and suddenly any sort of footsteps or place was simply gone.

“Ready to go,” Finn guessed when Leo made a wanting sound, then smiled and kissed him again, quick. “Yeah, we are.”

~

Kasey was waiting for Alex on their floor outside their building’s elevator. Alex was pushing his hair back, still damp from his shower at the rink, and rubbing sleep out of his eyes when he saw him. He’d already begun tugging his tie from his neck. His muscles ached, and his shoulder had felt just a little off since that open-ice hit in the middle of the third, but when those doors opened and he saw Kasey leaning against the wall in the hallway, it all dimmed. The caught gaze between them felt as unfinished as their words.

“Good game,” Kasey said.

“Thanks,” Alex tugged his tie all the way off and let the elevator close behind him. “How did you know I was home?”

“I tracked your location.” Kasey slid his hands into his pockets. “Just like to know where you are. And what you’re doing.” His mouth pulled to the side. “And if you’re okay.”

Alex rolled his shoulder. He dropped his go-bag, walked forward, and kissed him. It maybe came out a little rough. Kasey’s hands found his hips. They slid up the arch of his lower back. Alex held onto his shoulders, turning into the softness of Kasey’s mouth until they had to breathe. He broke the kiss, catching his breath, then tried to lean back in. He was stopped by Kasey’s hand on his jaw. His thumb came to rest just over Alex’s bottom lip. Alex kept his eyes closed, waiting. Kasey’s thumb tapped twice. The silence was long, but it was like basking in sun.

“What, you couldn’t…” Kasey began softly. “You couldn’t talk to me about it?”

Alex was sure he could feel it each time Kasey’s brown eyes shifted over his face.

Kasey grasped Alex’s shoulders. “All the times we… Al, you took me ring shopping. I feel horrible, I feel so, so horrible—”

Alex couldn’t help it. He turned away. He rubbed a hand over his chest and beating heart.

“I need you to tell me things,” Kasey said. “I need you to.”

“I…” Alex’s voice hardly came out. He looked at the warped reflection of the two of them in the elevator doors. More silhouettes than anything. “I want you to be happy.”

“What does that mean?”

“Nothing. I don’t know.”

“Alex, what—” Kasey stepped forward, voice raising. “And you think you don’t make me happy?”

“It wasn’t about me!” Alex turned back towards him. He couldn’t keep the break out of his voice. “It was—”

“I want it to be! I can’t—I can’t come home and—it turns out that you think—” Kasey was shouting now. Alex had seen it happen once. Maybe twice. “It turns out you think you’re sometimes to me? Sometimes?”

“You were getting married!”

“You said you were okay with it! You’re still ours.”

“What the fuck was I supposed to say?” Alex could feel the burn in his throat. “What the fuck was going to happen if I said no?”

“So you decided to lie?”

“I decided to keep you for as—” Alex broke off. Aware they were in a hallway, he dropped his voice. “For as long as I could.”

Kasey flinched. He took a step backwards. He filled up the hallway with his broad shoulders and the way the light caught his hair. He filled up Alex’s head with everything from the way he tossed anything he was holding between his hands like a puck, to the sheepish way he kissed in the morning.

“What?” Kasey’s whisper was hoarse and desperate. “What?”

Alex just shook his head. He wanted to take the words back. Right then, if he could have, he would have reeled back every word he’d ever said in his life. “I…I don’t know. I’m so stupid, Kase, I don’t…I’m…”

Kasey made a frustrated noise, and then Alex was being crowded against the wall. Kasey put his hands on either side of his head so they were eye-level.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Kasey whispered. He nudged his nose against Alex’s cheek. “You—Hazard…”

Alex nodded. He’d always liked his nickname, but right then it just felt like the truth.

“No,” Kasey whispered. It had a scolding tinge to it. “You’re not. Not like that.” Kasey kissed his cheek. He let his mouth stay there, warm and soft. “You’re not.”

Alex realized he was was kissing tears.

“I’m a mess,” Alex said.

Kasey pressed a palm to Alex’s other cheek, thumbing away the trails. “You’re not a mess. You’re crying.”

That made Alex laugh, startled and, well, a little snotty. “What’s the difference?”

“The difference is you’re not a mess,” Kasey said. He kissed the corner of Alex’s mouth. “And you look fucking gorgeous.”

“You’re mad at me,” Alex said.

“A little, yeah.” Kasey leaned back to look at him. “And I love you so much I might lose it.”

Alex sniffed again. “God. God, I love you, too. You’re angry.”

“I can be both. And one part will fade. Guess which? Not the love part. That’s been here to stay since the first day I met you and you wouldn’t shut the hell up up and let me go to sleep.”

“I…” Alex took a few moments to twist an end of Kasey’s hair around his finger. “I don’t—I have this little brother, you may know him?”

Kasey’s eyebrows went up, amused. “Uh-huh. Think so.”

“He had this boy at college that he…” Alex sniffed, blinking away the wetness from his vision. “I don’t remember his name. Liam Trombone, or something.”

Kasey smiled, just a little. “You have the weirdest sense of humor.”

“Lionel Trustfund.”

“Finish the story that I already know.”

  “Okay.” Alex dropped his eyes, studying the curve of Kasey’s upper lip. “The little brother burned up a little, waiting for him. And there was nothing I could do to help him.”

“Okay,” Kasey’s expression had softened, listening.

“I didn’t know how to help him, but I knew how much he was hurting.” Alex put his hands on Kasey’s chest. “I think that little brother’s stronger than I am. I think he’s smarter than I am. I think he could survive it. Even if it didn’t work out.”

Kasey’s hands covered his.

“I don’t…think I could,” Alex whispered. “So I tried to stop it before it was too…”

“I get it,” Kasey said. “Don’t worry, I understand now.”

“Maybe I’m jealous,” Alex said. “Or I’m insecure, or something fucking stupid like that—”

“Maybe,” Kasey cut him off, “you’re as in love with us as we are with you. Maybe we’re fucking stupid or something like that. Maybe I was leaving hockey and I knew just one part of this new life that I was about to have, and that part is Natalie.” Kasey ducked until Alex looked at him. “Maybe I couldn’t believe I actually got you back and I didn’t…” Kasey pressed his lips together against tears. “You’re not just sometimes, Al. Of everything in my life, you’re the only thing that’s always been always. I don’t have this incredible family like you do, I don’t have…I’ve always had my teammates, and then I had Natalie, but first I had—first there was suddenly this really kind, fun…loud person—”

Alex let out a breath of a laugh and Kasey smiled, brows drawn together against the tears.

“Really beautiful person suddenly filling up my life,” Kasey finished, carding Alex’s hair back from his face. “First there was you.”

Alex nodded hard. “You’re that for me. You’re that for me, too.”

Suddenly, Natalie’s voice filtered down the hallway. “This hallway has very bad lighting for confessions of love.”

Alex closed his eyes and laughed when Kasey grinned. They turned to see her leaning out of their doorway. She wore Rangers blue.

“Hi, gorgeous,” Alex said, rubbing at his eyes. “Where is my bag?”

“I’ve got it,” Kasey said.

Kasey picked his things up and followed Alex to their door.

Natalie stood aside from the doorway, letting them in, and looked up at Alex. “I would have gone with Leroy Trampoline.”

“Laurence Trespass,” Kasey added from behind him.

For some reason, it was that that truly made Alex cry. Natalie was ready for it. She didn’t let Alex put a hand over his eyes. She caught it and kissed it. She smoothed a hand over Alex’s shoulder, as she kissed his cheek.

“And when were you going to tell us this hurts, too?”

“My shoulder hurts a little,” Alex said somewhat dutifully, and she smiled, shaking her head.

“O’Hara,” Kasey began to protest.

“Barely,” Alex said. He wrapped Natalie up around her waist and lifted her off her feet a little. “Okay, okay, I promise. I don’t know why I hide it, I really don’t. Natalia?”

“Alexander.”

“You look so beautiful when you look at wedding things,” Alex said softly. “Are you sure you…Are you sure you don’t…” Alex shook his head. He looked at Kasey pointedly, then shook his head down at himself. “I mean, I…Are you sure?”

“What can I say,” Natalie said, leaning up to kiss the corner of his mouth. “I want two diamonds. And two pairs of brown eyes. And two hearts. And you. You.” She kissed him more fully, hands in his hair, and said her next words against his mouth. “Let them call me greedy, see if I care.”

~

“No,” Leo pushed at Finn’s cheek, laughing. “Lick Logan all you want, don’t lick me.”

They were just a little tipsy after a full dinner and watching Logan play, tucked into a booth at Finn’s favorite place with whiskey and Leo’s mouth on on his neck. Finn was possibly feeling a little riled up from Logan’s intense expression on the TV, and Leo’s bright smile right beside him. He’d let himself be pulled home, pulled through their door, pulled into Leo’s arms, pulled against his body. Leo was salt and sweet. Finn had gotten him off once already—right here, Leo had said, pushing Finn to his knees in the entrance hall. Ever since Lo said about you two…He’d glanced over his shoulder at the mirror and laughed. Finn liked the way that small table rattled against the mirror. He and Logan bit back smiles whenever they locked eyes in that mirror now, coming in from a walk or dinner. He’d never walk through there the same way now. Not with Logan, not with Leo, not alone.

“Okay, okay, okay, come back.” Finn kissed Leo’s cheek, turned against the pillows. He was stretched out against the bed now, bare except for his boxers. “Come back.”

Leo pretended to keep his face turned away, smiling, but his hands were sliding down to Finn’s hips, pushing into his boxers and turning back to kiss him.

“Do I get to—” Finn couldn’t help the low sound in the back of his throat as Leo closed a hand around his cock. “—hear—to hear more of the list of the things you want?”

Leo’s palm was warm, his pulls slow and teasing. “You’re hearing it right now.”

“Oh,” Finn’s voice felt tight and coiled in his throat. “Uh-huh.”

Leo hooked an ankle over the back of Finn’s knee. His free hand scratched through Finn’s hair, angling his chin for another kiss. Finn pressed his hands into the pillows by Leo’s head, fingers fisting the material as Leo’s hand sped up. But then, Leo was using that ankle as leverage, and suddenly Finn found himself on his back.

“Don’t…” Leo whispered the word, even mouthed it. He let Finn slide his palms down his ribs. “Move.”

Then he was grinning and gone, leaving Finn staring up at the ceiling.

“I—wait, I, what?” Finn stuttered. “I—what?”

“Don’t move!” Leo shouted from the living room.

Finn heard rummaging, and Leo’s bare feet on the hardwood.

It was funny, being alone in this bedroom. Logan’s bedroom. He turned his head into the pillow and could smell his scent there. Logan’s bed had been a rare delicacy at one time. Being in it. Being warm in it, being cold in it. Being cramped in it. Waiting for him to come back but waking up alone in it.

He’d never been in Leo’s bed when they’d lived together before they were together. He’d sat on top of the covers. Or rumpled covers. Warm from Leo just waking up, Finn back from his run and showered, watching him go back and forth from the bathroom, getting ready. A little hard in his jeans at Leo’s smile and skin.

“Le?” Finn called. He looked down at himself, briefs tight, and ran his thumbs just above his waistband. He’d leaked a mess while sucking Leo off and he was tempted to kick away the darkened material. But he wanted Leo to do it. “Come back.”

“I’m coming!”

“Whatever you think you need, you don’t,” Finn called again.

“Oh-ho, yes, I do.” His voice was closer now. He came back to the doorway, still in his boxers. Finn’s heart gave a kick at the shape of him, trapped tight against his body. Nothing looked new. He wasn’t holding anything that Finn could see, but his hands were tucked behind his back. He was smiling, teasing almost, but his eyes dropped to Finn’s hips and it turned soft. He bit his bottom lip and tilted his head, then withdrew a hand and held something up—a Sharpie.

“You left me for a pen.”

Leo uncapped the pen with a flourish and pointed the nib at Finn’s body. “Art.”

“Oh my God,” Finn said.

“You are so turned on right now,” Leo said delightedly. He knelt on the bed, jostling them both, and swung a leg over Finn’s hips. They both let out a breath as Leo spent a few moments grinding down on him. Finn got a hand around the back of his neck and pushed his nose against Leo’s left dimple.

Leo smiled into it. “Kiss me.” He traced his tongue over Finn’s bottom lip, coaxing Finn into opening his mouth and kissing him properly. When Finn did, Leo groaned softly, pleased.

“Yeah…Like that,” Leo murmured, and Finn made his own pleased sound when Leo slumped against his chest to be kissed. Finn had just settled back against his pillows, tilting his head to scrape his teeth gently against Leo’s lower lip, his hands guiding Leo’s hips down in slow rolls against his own, when Leo gasped for air. Finn smiled and kissed him again, harder, sloppier, before Leo broke away.

“God, Finn.” Leo leaned back, hand rubbing at himself through his boxers, then Finn. “Okay, okay, where to write first?”

Finn laughed. “There are a whole lot of things we could be doing that don’t involve writing.”

Leo ignored him. He studied Finn’s torso, then spread a warm palm against his ribs and bent down. Finn tried not to jump when the cool point of the pen began tracing a slow line over his skin.

He tried to pick out the cursive letters, but couldn’t. Instead, he let his head rest back against the pillows. “That’s kind of nice.”

Leo capping the pen and admiring his work. He blew softly on the ink, though it had dried, and Finn shivered. When he looked, he saw that Leo had written his signature, and he laughed at the fact that he’d even included his number like he’d do for fans.

“Wow.” Finn reached forward to pull Leo down against him. “Do you have any idea how much I’d be worth on Ebay now?”

“Oh, shh,” Leo said, but let Finn steal the pen from him.

“Shh,” Finn parroted, and grasped Leo’s knees and flipped him onto his back. The pen was warm, so was the center of his chest when Finn kissed it. He sat back on his heels like Leo had. “What do you want, Sunshi—oh, I’m doing that.”

Finn chose the spot on Leo’s hip were Logan’s tattoo resided and drew a small sun. Circle, rays coming out. Over the bump of his ribs, he started the straight line of his signature. F. Then the loop of the O. Then, smaller, 17.

“What number would I be if I wasn’t 17?”

Leo snorted. “Ten.”

Finn smiled. “No way.”

“Hm…Maybe 22.”

Finn made an interested noise. He drew a small heart near Leo’s left nipple. “That’s a good one.”

“And me? And don’t just say another classic goalie number. Like, 30 or something.”

Finn capped the pen and swiped his thumb over the sun. “Maybe…Something with a seven in it. 72. Or a 4. I like 4 for you. 74. Or 3. Three of us, three on your jersey.”

Leo put his hands behind his head, smiling. “I ask for one number, of course you give me four.”

Finn shrugged. “What can I say? You’re versatile.” Finn put his hands over Leo’s wrists where they were resting above his blond, messy hair. “I like that about you.”

One moment Leo was grinning, and the next he was swinging his weight up to put Finn on his back again. “Oh?”

Finn ran his hands down the full length of Leo’s back and gripped the back of his thighs.

“I really, really want you,” Leo whispered. “Fuck, Finn, I loved today.”

“I know,” Finn whispered back. “Me too.” When he messed with the band of Leo’s briefs, Leo was helping him get them off before he could even ask, “yeah?”

Leo moaned into Finn’s kiss, and Finn’s cock jumped at the want and relief in it. Leo just pushed the elastic band below his balls and pressed against Finn’s body like he couldn’t wait any longer. Finn got a hand between them, giving him a tight hold to fuck into. He was already slick.

At the same moment, their front door slammed.

“Hello?” Logan shouted. Keys in a bowl. Bag dropping down to the floor. “I’m home.”

“Oh…” Leo panted. “Oh—”

“Good?” Finn settled a warm hand on his lower back. He didn’t care that he himself was aching. He wanted to make Leo come again the second Logan found them. “Come when you see him.”

Leo was too far gone for his laugh to be anything by half-breath. He was rocking into Finn’s fist more roughly now and Finn crossed an ankle over the back of Leo’s knee to give him more leverage.

“You wanna finish like this?” Finn swiped a soothing thumb over his back. “Hm, baby? Anything you want.”

“I need to.” Leo’s voice was shaky. “I’m so…”

“Yeah, you are.” He could hear Logan’s footsteps coming towards them and knew Leo could, too. Gently, Finn nudged his nose into Leo’s hot cheek until he turned his head towards the bedroom doorway. “Look.”

Leo’s breathing jumped. “I’m coming, I’m—”

Finn felt the first hot streak of Leo’s come on his chest, his neck, just as Logan appeared in the doorway. He was still in his suit, a light grey three-piece that Finn loved him in. His hair was dark, damp still, dripping on his collar. He had a new but shallow cut on his jaw. He stopped hard when he took in the sight in front of him.

“Hello, Lolo.” Finn’s voice was a little tight from the feeling of Leo pressing down on him. “What’s up?”

“Fuck,” Leo panted, eyes hooded.

Logan just stared. “I…”

Finn smiled and turned back to Leo. He carded his fingers through his hair and loosened his grip around his cock, bringing him down with gentle strokes. He was so hot in his palm, spent and softening. Finn felt like even the fabric around him could set him off.

“You,” Leo whispered, smiling as he noticed. “You’re so…”

“I’m good. You’re perfect,” Finn said. “Feel like I’ve come twice just watching you.”

Leo’s smile turned wide and sated. His kiss was slow. Out of Logan’s view, Leo slipped the Sharpie into his hand and Finn grinned, arching into Leo’s hips and the kisses he’d began placing on the underside of his jaw.

Logan just crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway. Slowly, he found the different marks and dark lines on their skin, and frowned. “What is…that?”

Finn brought the pen up to his mouth and took the cap off with his teeth. “C’mere, Ten.”

Logan took a small step back, one corner of his mouth lifting, unsure. “What the fuck?”

Leo leaned back from what Finn was sure was entirely different type of artwork now dotting his neck. “Finn took me to the museum.”

“Artists sign art,” Finn added.

He gave Leo’s shoulder a small push and settled him on his back again and sat up with his knees parted over Leo’s hips. Leo reached out a hand to cup Finn’s covered cock, and Finn let himself rock into it gently as he surveyed Leo’s lean, pale skin, already marked in a few places. He felt like he’d been on the edge for hours. Sometimes, he didn’t want it to end. “Ah. Here.”

He wrote slowly, scrawling his signature again across Leo’s inner arm. He watched the way Leo’s breathing hitched and how goosebumps spread out from the marker’s cold nib. Leo didn’t laugh like he had before. He just pressed up into Finn’s hold as Finn scooted backwards and hooked one of Leo’s strong, slender legs over his shoulder and considered the expanse of Leo’s inner thigh, right where it was softest and sprinkled with blond hair. Finn steadied him, fingers in the strong crease of his hip, and drew a heart.

“Huh.” Logan’s mouth was slightly open. “Isn’t that bad, like, for skin?”

“Not my skin,” Leo whispered. He had his hands above his head and watched Finn through dark, half-closed eyes. “Not in those hands.” He turned his head. “What are you still doing over there?”

“Waiting for someone to take this suit off of me.”

Leo gave Finn a small smack on the hip that Finn took as go. Finn slipped off the bed. In two strides, he was in front of Logan, gently tilting his neck to the side, and writing a small 17 just below his ear.

“Hi, demanding one,” Finn said, then capped the pen a put it between his teeth to hold while he got to work on Logan’s tie.

“Why do you keep putting that in your mouth?”

“To draw your attention to it,” Finn said around the pen.

“Please remember I have to go into a locker room.”

“Oh, come on. You know I gotta show Luke what’s mine.”

Logan tilted his head back and groaned. “Finn.”

“Just kidding.” Finn took the pen out from between his teeth, cupping the back of Logan’s head to pull him into a kiss as he slid his tie out from his collar.

“You’re not kidding,” Logan protested, looking at Leo. “Le’s not jealous of Luke. He’s a mature person.”

“I’m jealous of anyone who gets to spend that much time with you these days,” Leo said.

Logan’s eyes turned soft, still staring at Leo as Finn slipped his jacket from his shoulders. It fell uncaringly to the floor. Finn could have watched them look at each other forever. He could feel their locked eyes like a strand of heat beside him. He undid the top buttons of Logan’s shirt and pushed it off his shoulders just enough to get at the center of his chest.

Logan looked down when he felt the cold pen. “What—”

“This is so much better than writing on shoes.”

H-E-A-R-T. Finn wanted to circle the letters, carve himself a space, and fall in. He settled for a kiss to the skin, then lower, lower, until he was kneeling and Logan’s shirt was on the ground. There was a fresh bruise on his ribs and Finn gently traced its shape before writing Logan Island.

“You’re so weird,” Logan said faintly. He gave Finn’s hair a little tug, brushed a thumb over his bottom lip, then went to kneel on the bed and kiss Leo.

Finn grinned at his soft salut and the sound of a kiss. He pushed himself up and sat on the edge of the bed. While they were busy, he tugged Logan’s socks off and pushed his pant leg up enough to draw a couple stars on the back of his calf. He heard Logan laugh into the kiss. The ink looked different against Logan’s more tan skin. With Leo it was stark and beautiful. Logan made it like it had always been there.

“Good win by the way. We watched you from that corner place we love,” Leo said when Logan rolled on his back to kick off his pants. Leo turned on his side to touch the bruise. “Maybe you should take it easy.”

Logan grumbled something Finn didn’t catch, down to his underwear now.

Leo glanced at Finn, smile knowing. “One more time?”

Logan huffed. “I’ll have big Florida hotel beds to take it easy all by myself all I want.”

Leo reached out for the Sharpie and gave Finn a nod. He hooked a knee over Logan’s thigh and began drawing small stars over Logan’s collarbone.

“Big Florida beds, huh?” Leo asked.

Logan watched Leo’s face as he drew. “Yes.”

“All by yourself?” Finn repeated.

That got Logan to look at him. He still looked put-out by the thought, but there was hesitation there, too.

“Ouais,” he said.

Finn tilted his head. “Says who?”

Leo capped the pen and blew on his stars. They were in a pattern, Finn realized. A constellation.

Logan pushed himself up onto one elbow. He looked between them, mouth open. “Quoi—non. What?”

Finn moved forward to settle in between Logan’s legs, smoothing his hands up Logan’s thighs when he wrapped them around Finn’s waist. “I said, says who?”

“Merci.” The word nearly got lost in Logan’s relieved sigh. Then he was reaching for Finn, locking his fingers around his wrists. “Really? Really?”

“Of course we’re coming with you,” Leo said. “What do you take us for?”

Logan looked like someone had just taken some heavy weight off his shoulders. He turned his head to put Leo’s forehead against his own.

“Thank you,” he whispered. “Thank you…”

“Honey, there’s nothing ‘thank you’ about it,” Leo said. “If we can follow you, we will. You know that.”

“I—still. It’s not like I’ll have much free time,” Logan said. “And—And I thought you’d probably want to go home.”

Leo smiled into Logan’s kiss. “Take a look at Harzy. I think he feels pretty at home right where he is.”

“Oh yeah,” Finn said. He leaned down over their them, barely having to turn his head to place a kiss to the corner of Leo’s mouth, then Logan’s. “We’re going to get you some silver. We’re going to go watch our best friends get married. There’s nothing not ‘home’ about any of that.”

~

It almost felt strange, to watch hockey like this again. To worry about who was going to win and not be able to help a team get there. Sirius spared half a moment to glance at Remus as he set his tea down on the table. He said something soft and smiling as Lily handed Harry over to settle sleepily against his chest.

Sirius watched for a moment as a drone image of a Florida beach took up the TV screen. He stood behind the couch with his arms crossed, and as long as the blue water was on the screen, he could lower his hands to mess gently with the hair at Remus’ nape. Remus, rubbing Harry’s back, looked backwards and upside down at him.

“All right, Black, I’m not kidding, you standing there like that is not going to make the Rangers win.”

“I’m not—” The TNT logo flashed and suddenly Logan’s face filled the screen. He had his mouthguard half out of his mouth, and there was a neat line of stitches on his cheek from a re-opened cut. The camera panned to the ice where the Rangers were about to lose the last seconds of a power-play, and Sirius crossed his arms again, back into their original position. “I don’t want them to win.”

Lily scoffed. “We do for right now.”

“Gah,” James put a finger over her lips. “La-la-la.”

“I won’t say that out loud,” Sirius replied.

Around Harry’s sleeping back, Remus mocked Sirius’ position, crossing his arms. “You’re saying you don’t want Logan to win you-know-what?”

Sirius actually flinched. “I’m saying—I’m not saying anything that could influence anything. I’m standing here, watching a friend on television.”

“You’ve had your arms crossed like that since Logan scored in the first period.” Lily looked at the living room clock. “That’s about an hour and a half ago.”

“Oh my God.” Remus let out a loud ha, then put a hand over Harry’s head as if to say sorry. He held up his phone to Lily and James, who made similar sounds, then flipped it to show Sirius. Leo had sent a picture of Finn to the team group chat. Finn was sitting with his back straight in what looked like a hotel room, palm trees outside. He had his hands placed specifically on his knees, his eyes on an out of sight TV.

Leo had written, he hasn’t moved at all since Lo scored but he “isn’t superstitious.”

Sirius pointedly looked back to the television. Logan was on the ice now, gliding into Florida’s zone.

Sirius glared when he heard the sound of Remus’ camera click.

~

They were about to go into their second over time, and Logan had blood in his mouth as he walked down the tunnel to the visitor’s locker room. He checked his teeth, but it was just a cut lip.

“Fucking seventy-four,” Luke said from two steps behind him. “Got a fucking mouth on him.”

“Ouais.” Logan handed his gloves over to be dried and pulled his helmet off. He rubbed at the red mark the tightness had left and tried to think what Finn would be saying over his shoulder right then. He would be talking a mile-a-minute and pressed right up against his back. Logan could text him and Leo and read the words, but that wouldn’t feel the same.

He could imagine it in snatches. If we had gone around—Too early—So fucking gorgeous, Tremzy—I tried to but he cut me off, so next time—

That wasn’t the same, either.

He got a bag of ice, twisting it closed, before sitting down heavily in his stall and holding it against his mouth. It felt swollen already. The bleeding had stopped, at least.

From his stall, he heard his phone buzz.

Sixteen texts from Finn and Leo. Two from Remus.

One from Sirius.

The Sirius one, for some reason, sent his heart all funny. They talked. Of course they talked, but not much and never during games. Too many lines blurred like that, and it was bad enough that Logan still couldn’t look at Sirius without thinking of him as his captain. But there it was. Sirius Black. One new message.

Finn and Leo’s texts were a tangled string of admiration that ranged from sweet to dirty. Logan bit back a smile and vowed to take another look at those later.

Remus had sent him a screenshot from the Lion’s group chat. A photograph of Finn, sitting tensed on the couch. The beat of warmth that Logan got when he realized that intense look on his face was because he was watching him was another thing to be examined later. The second photo, sent by Remus, was of Sirius standing behind a couch with his arms crossed. He wore the same intense look on his face.

Sirius’ lone message was simple. Bring it back home.

Logan knew Sirius was talking about the game. Bring it back to New York, finish this round on home ice, and move on to the final round for the Cup. But the word bled and healed like the cut on Logan’s cheek and lip. Sirius shared more than one home with him. Home was speaking French. Home was Pascal. Home was letting themselves go, and letting themselves love. Logan had been sitting there, trying to imagine home around him. Home was waiting for him in a hotel room not even twenty minutes away. He’d be washed in blue eyes and sun later tonight, in pale skin and auburn hair. The lonely feeling was half-habit when it came to Logan—and Sirius. Sirius knew that better than anyone.

For a fraction of a second, Logan’s world didn’t feel so very far away.

[feelbokkie]

L♡VE IN F♡CUS | Chapter 14

PAIRING: idol!Changbin x fem reader

WARNINGS: swearing, mention of food

GENRE: smau, crack, angst, fluff

P♡V: 1st/2nd person (depending on how you view it)

SUMMARY: Amateur concert photographer Y/n has recently been promoted to junior music journalist. Her first assignment? An exposé on the popular Kpop boy group, Stray Kids. Spending an entire tour doing in depth interviews with eight men seems simple enough, but one member isn't exactly open to the idea. Will Y/n be able to break down the walls around his heart, or will her big break turn into a big disaster?

TAGLIST: closed

W♡RD C♡UNT: 5,066

SCREENSH♡T C♡UNT: 2

A/N: Christmas in November??

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©feelbokkie (2024) — all rights reserved. reposting/modification of any kind is not tolerated.

"Y/n! You're home! Come in, come in!" Wonseok's mom shouts from the hallway once she hears the front door open.

"Hi, mom," You greet warmly as you pull your bags in, Wonseok pushes the door shut to keep the cold air out.

You neatly put your shoes to the side and drop your bag down to greet her with a hug. Her hair is in a messy low bun held together by a gold-colored clip you bought her for her birthday this year.

"Goodness," She pulls away from you and cups your face, examining it from every angle. "Look at you! Have you not been eating well on your trip? Have they been working you too hard?"

You can't help but laugh as you gently place your hands on her wrist. "I ate well, I promise. I'll even show you pictures."

"I'll make you something to eat right now. Wonseok, go put Y/n's stuff in her room." Her hands drop from your face to your hands, ready to drag you off to the kitchen with her.

Wonseok’s mom has been like your surrogate mother ever since your first trip to South Korea. You were a university, studying abroad for your last year in the city that you’d hopefully move to once you graduated. You worked hard, during those first few years of university, to save money to even be able to afford the plane ticket alone. You took on as many jobs as your body would allow you, and you worked hard to maintain a high grade point average so you had no excuse not to go.

You met Wonseok during your first class. The journalism department was small, but still, the class was full nonetheless. You had gotten to class early so you could get a good seat and get some reading done. Wonseok, less studious compared to you, got to class later and took the only remaining spot that just happened to be next to you. He was quiet, either exhausted from the early class or general shyness from sitting next to a complete stranger. He was two years older than you, which you realized was the norm. Wonseok completed his military service right after high school rather than start university and pause halfway through like many men in your department did. He also didn’t want to wait until after he graduated because he wanted to start his career right away.

You found out later that he really didn’t have much interest in befriending you, not that you had any either. But your professor walked in and announced that everyone would be partnered with their current deskmate for the entire semester so you had no choice. After that, you two became quick friends. It didn’t hurt that you were in most of each other’s classes.

It wasn’t until your second semester when Chuseok rolled around and he realized that you had nowhere else to go. So he invited you to go home with him, despite your protests. His mother was more than happy, especially at the fact that her 24-year-old son was bringing a woman home for such a big family holiday. Even after explaining that ‘it wasn’t like that,’ she kept watching the two of you with a hopeful eye sharing anecdotes about how it also ‘wasn’t like that,’ with her and her first boyfriend but they ended up married with two sons. You were worried at first about meeting her. You’ve watched more than enough dramas to know the archetype of the overbearing, protective mother who would scrutinize and ridicule every woman in their son’s life. And you weren’t even dating him. So you were cautious at first when she welcomed you with open arms and a warm smile. It wasn’t until a few months later you realized that she was just like that.

Christmas in South Korea is celebrated more like Valentine's Day in respects to it being more of a couple's holiday than a family one. Which is why you were more than willing to stay in the country and not fly back home the first year that you were there. You wouldn’t have to fly home and deal with unnecessary family drama, not that you were welcomed after “abandoning your family,” as your mother had so kindly put it when you told her that you were studying abroad. And you wouldn’t have felt as lonely if you watched families celebrating around you. When Wonseok mentioned to his mother in passing that you were staying for Christmas and that you were just going to stay at the dorm, she insisted that you come over. Baited by the free food, you went expecting a small, simple Christmas holiday. Only, when you got there, she had insisted on celebrating in a “Western way” so that you would feel at home. It was the first Christmas in your entire 22 years of living where Christmas felt like how you were led to believe it would feel like in Christmas movies. And for the past 6 years, that’s what Christmas has been.

“Mom, let me help Wonnie. My stuff is too heavy.” You laugh as you pat her hand.

“Ah, that boy—It wouldn’t be too heavy for him if he kept up with his military training. He was in the Navy, you know.” She waves you off, gently tugging you away from the entrance.

“I know,” you laugh again. “I kind of miss when he was all buff. Sitting behind a desk most of the day has made him soft. He even gets winded climbing the stairs to get to my apartment.”

“You two do realize that I’m right here, right?” Wonseok rolls his eyes as he sets his own bags down.

“Just leave the stuff by the door, I’ll ask Wonjae to take it up when he gets back from the store.” She returns the eye roll before dragging you off to the kitchen.

You get a glimpse of the living room on your way to the kitchen. It looks like a Hallmark Christmas movie bomb went off. A 6-foot-tall tree stands in the corner of the room undecorated, a task she leaves for when you and Wonseok arrive so that you can do it together.

"Hurry, hurry, you don't want the food to get cold." She pulls you along faster. "Wonseok, quickly put your things away and come eat!"

You stifle a laugh as you hear a string of swears come from Wonseok's direction. His mom either doesn't hear him or is choosing to ignore it for your sake. You've heard about Wonseok's mom used to be when he and his older brother were younger, but that's almost a completely different from the woman you know now. "She's gone soft with her two youngest kids," as Wonseok and Wonjae like to remind you and Frankie.

She ushers you to sit at the small table in the corner of the kitchen. It's too small to be a regular use table to eat family meals at. There's only enough space to barely fit three people in it. It's mostly used for meal prep like cutting vegetables, marinating meat, and sifting through beans. Wonseok once told you that it was the table where he and Wonjae would sit and do homework while their mother cooked dinner. If they were done with their homework or if they didn't have anything to do, they'd sit there and help their mother by doing all of the prep work for her. The first few times you went over to visit, you'd sit there and help her too while you two got to know each other before she let you work alongside her directly.

"What did you make, mom?" You ask as you spread out the utensils she left on the center of the table.

She walks over to the table slowly, carefully holding a hot bowl in hers with only a thin cloth protecting her skin. “I made kimchi-jigae because the two of you have been out in the snow.”

“Wow,” You look at her with an open mouth smile and a twinkle in your eye. “How do you always manage to know what I want?”

“A mother just knows,” she says simply as she turns around to get a bowl of rice and side dishes for you.

“I smell Kimchi-jigae,” Wonseok announces as he makes his appearance in the room. He quickly tosses something in the trash and joins you at the table. “I’ve been craving this for ages!”

“See?” Wonseok’s mom gives you a simple wink as she gets Wonseok some food.

After a few more minutes, Wonseok’s mother comes back to the table with his food. She sets it down in front of him before scurrying off to the stove once more. The two of you wait silently for her to return to the table, both out of politeness and fear of burning your mouths.

She slowly walks back to the table, careful to not spill a drop of whatever is in the mug in her hand. Finally, she takes a seat in the vacant chair at the table.

“Oh look at both of you, so well-mannered waiting for me. You can go ahead and eat,” She cheers as she gestures at both of you.

You watch as Wonseok resists the urge to make a wisecrack remark and instead takes a careful sip of the stew from his spoon.

“Thank you for the meal.” You say quickly before taking your own sip.

Wonseok's mom nonchalantly sips from her mug and watches fondly as both of you eat your food. The heat from the soup and the spice from the kimchi work quickly to thaw out your body from being outside in the snow.

You've been back in Seoul for a few days, but it's barely now setting in that you're on vacation mode. Your flight landed a little earlier than planned and after some convincing, Wonseok drove you to the company building so you could pick up some of the packages and mail that Wonseok and Frankie weren't allowed to pick up for you. Mostly signed "thank you" albums from the groups you wrote album reviews for over the past couple of months.

Wonseok's mom takes another sip of her drink, which you can only assume is tea and lets out a satisfied sigh. “How’s my other daughter? Did she get home safely?”

“She did, she sent us a text when she landed. Knowing Frankie, she’s probably asleep right now. It’s almost 9pm over there and her trip was almost 17 hours long.” Wonseok relays and he searches through his phone. You’d check yours but Wonseok confiscated both your phone and your laptop the second he picked you up from your apartment.

It's all a part of his "make Y/n take a break" initiative. For the next couple of weeks, everyone is going to be allowed to work from home to give the staff members who want to travel for the holidays to do so. The only days that you actually have off are Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Wonseok, knowing you very well, made you hand over your phone and laptop and told you that you’d get them back on the 26th.

“She’ll be here for Seollal, right?” Another sip, another question.

“Um,” You watch as Wonseok goes to his calendar app. Different color bars fill in the dates. “She will be back. She’s only staying until her mom’s birthday.”

“Y/n? Are you going to be here for Seollal or are you going back on the road?” She shifts her attention back to you.

You blink for a moment, trying to remember your schedule for the first half of the year. Korean Lunar New Year changes its date every year. This year it was at the beginning of February. Next year it’s… “When is it?”

“January 29th—a Wednesday! This year it was on a Saturday.” Wonseok grumbles as he slides his phone back into his pocket.

“Oh, I’ll be back home then. There are two more shows in Hong Kong but they’re on the 18th and 19th so we’re not going to rush back. After that, I’m home until the second leg of the tour starts in March.” You nod quietly to yourself. There’s not much in your head at the moment other than Stray Kids’ tour schedule.

“Oh good!” She sets her cup down on the counter and claps her hands together. “That means the three of you can come here.”

“Mom, I love you but I’m not spending Seollal at home with my parents.” Wonseok whines.

“Ah, cover your mouth before you talk.” His mom nags as she gets a napkin and places it in his hand. “And you wouldn’t have to spend holidays with your parents if you had a girlfriend.”

“Y/n is single too. So is Frankie! And Wonjae hyung too.”

“I'm not worried about Y/n. She’s almost there since she’s traveling with all those handsome and pretty men. There's eight of them, right? You're still young, you don't have to settle down with one of them. Just have fun and--"

"Mom!" Wonseok groans, burying his head in his hands.

“What?" She asks innocently. "I was young once. How do you think you got here?”

“Adoption,” Wonseok answers quickly.

“That would have been easier than what actually happened. I was in labor with you for 12 hours. You had a big head." She pats Wonseok's normally shaped head.

Wonseok stares into space for a moment thinking, or maybe dissociating, before letting out a deep sigh and setting down his spoon. “…Suddenly, I’ve lost my appetite,”

You clear your throat both to stifle a laugh at Wonseok's expense and to redirect the conversation. Fortunately, the redirection worked. Unfortunately, the attention is brought back to you.

"Speaking of which, Y/n, has anything sparked between you and any of those boys? What's their name? Lost Boys or something like that?" Wonseok's mom eagerly turns to you. You know she doesn't get these kinds of interactions with either of her sons. You and Frankie are the only ones who'll even talk to her about this sort of thing.

"Stray Kids," You correct politely. "And no, it's not exactly professional. I'm there just to take photos of them and interview them for the company."

"That's true, and I admire your professionalism. But your heart and your brain aren't always in agreement. Your brain might be focused on the business aspect of things, but your heart has no true understanding of those boundaries. Nobody is going to fault you for having feelings for one of them. And you're a very intelligent, loving, and capable woman who is also very beautiful, I wouldn't be surprised if all of them fell for you."

"Mom," Wonseok quickly grabs a napkin and wipes the corners of his mouth. "The heart may want what it wants but you don't understand the field Y/n works in. Even if the idols are allowed to date, many of their fans will cause an uproar so it's just better not to. Plus, even if it were easy, she would do all of them all of the time or work in her hotel room. She doesn't have the time."

Wonseok isn't completely incorrect. He's right about how difficult and troublesome dating an idol would be. The amount they work alone is taxing and you're not sure how any of them would have time for a personal and dating life on top of that. But some members of their fanbase don't understand the meaning of the word "boundaries" and would make the life of whoever is dating an idol, hell. But he is wrong about the fact that you're with all of them all of the time. In your free time, you are with some of them as they continue to visit you while you work in cafes. But more recently, Changbin has made more of an appearance in your daily life, without any of the other members.

You know for a fact that he hates the idea of being pent up in a hotel room when he's on tour so he tries to do something every day so he's not stuck inside. But after the two of you officially reconciled, he's been making his way down to the cafe where you're often emailing your team members back and forth or working on your parts of the project. Most of the time, he sits there quietly, doing his own work while you do yours. And then after a while, he'll invite you to go and eat with him somewhere to take a break. Somehow, you've found yourself around the person you disliked the most at first. It’s not like you’ve imagined crossing the boundary between artist and journalist into…romantic partners (?) with Changbin. But you somehow found yourself being the closest to him out of all of the members and you two are alone in public a lot. So if there were ever an opportunity for a dating scandal, it would be with him.

"Love knows no bounds. Trust me, I hated your father at first and he hated me. Once we reconciled our differences, we started to become friendly, but my parents weren't the biggest fans of it. And his mother absolutely hated me. Still, we got married, had you and Wonjae, and eventually your grandparents got nicer. It was tough but we survived it."

“I think having your in-laws hate you is different than having basically the whole world hate you. What’s that phrase you always say, Y/n? ‘Hell hath no fury like a sasaeng scorned?’” Wonseok turns his attention to you, an amused smile creeping up on his face.

“That’s one part. The company will always make matters worse too. Plus, I’m meant to be behind the camera. Not in front of it. That's where I'm most comfortable.” You shrug him off, gently kicking him under the table to tell him to change the subject.

"Alright, alright, enough about Y/n's nonexistent love life," Wonseok laughs, turning back to his mother. "When are dad and Jae hyung coming back?"

"Maybe they ran away," She shrugs nonchalantly before taking one more large sip from her cup.

Both you and Wonseok can't help but laugh at her unbothered nature. The three of you continue to eat your food, making light conversation as you catch up. Both Wonseok's dad and brother returned home by the time you finished eating and began sorting through the ornaments in the box beside the Christmas tree.

The rest of the day was pretty much similar. The five of you stayed in the living room, setting up the tree while a drama played in the background. You, Wonseok, and Wonjae decorated the tree while their mother went back and forth between cooking and directing where to put what. Their dad mostly sat on the couch, micromanaging where the ornaments should go and commenting on the drama. As stressful as it was--decorating for holidays always comes with its own stressors--it was the most relaxed you've been in a while.

***

"It's bulletproof, mother fucker," You, Wonseok, and Wonjae quote in unison.

"Goodness," Wonseok's mother yells from the kitchen. "Can't the three of you watch something more festive? It's Christmas!"

You and Wonseok chuckle quietly to yourselves as Wonjae grabs the remote and raises the volume. You watch as he sets the remote back down on the coffee table, next to a few opened boxes from earlier.

Much to your annoyance, both Wonseok and Wonjae had woken you up around 8 in the morning, despite the fact that the three of you were up late drinking and talking outside until late. While you were still waking up, they went to wake their parents up and then all 5 of you went downstairs to open gifts and eat breakfast together. After a couple of hours of opening gifts and eating, the three of you decided to just sit around and watch movies while their dad went on a walk and their mom disappeared off into the kitchen.

"Ah, it's a duplicate. Wonnie, do want either of these?" Wonjae nudges his younger brought with the bottom of his foot. Wonseok looks up and sees that his older brother is holding up two Pokemon cards, part of the Christmas gifts you brought both of them from Tokyo.

"Munchlax and Snorelax? I already pulled those," Wonseok shakes his head and goes back to going through his cards and watching the movie.

"Can I have them?" You sit up on your elbows and turn your attention away from the movie.

"Yeah, sure," Wonjae reaches over Wonseok and hands you the cards. You take the cards from him and go back into your original position, examining the foiled cards in your hands.

"When did you start collecting cards?" Wonseok peers over his shoulder at you as you set the cards down in your pile of gifts.

"It's not for me. I know someone who loves Munchlax and Snorelax. Might as well give them to someone who'll appreciate them." You hum as you try to focus on the movie again.

Ring ding dong, ring ding dong

Ring diggy ding diggy ding ding ding

Both you and Wonjae look around the room for the sudden music. A few seconds later Wonseok jumps up and digs his phone up from the pile of Pokemon card wrappers.

"When the fuck did you change your ring tone to Ring Ding Dong by SHINee?" You scoff as you sit up.

"When my K-pop-obsessed best friend stopped being here to harass me with music every day," He mutters under his breath, his ears quickly turning red as he answers the call. "What do you want?"

You settle back down on the couch, making sure to throw your legs over Wonseok's lap before trying, once again, to watch the movie.

"Huh? Y/n? She's right here...Why are you calling me if you want to talk to her?"

"Because you took away my phone, you dumbass," You kick Wonseok as you pull yourself up again.

"Oh, that's right," He says sheepishly. You grab the remote and pause the movie. "I'm going to put you on speaker."

"I'm going to go, I have a date later. Thank you, Y/n," Wonjae smacks the back of Wonseok's neck and pats you on the head as he gets up before retreating upstairs to his room.

"Thank God Wonnie picked up the phone or else I would have thought something absolutely diabolical was going on," Frankie whines on the phone.

You quickly grab the phone from Wonseok's hands. He pulls a face at you, almost like the mere idea of dating you can make him throw up. You try your best to keep your own breakfast down. "Never say that again, Franks." You whine back.

"Well, you're the one who didn't pick up their phone!" You hear some rustling on the other side. "Merry Christmas, by the way."

"Merry Christmas, Francesca!" Both you and Wonseok cheer in unison.

"I'm only calling now because I've had a day today and I'm planning on getting shit-faced and sleeping in tomorrow." She mutters, the exhaustion heavy in her voice. "What did you guys do? What did you get?"

"Not much," You grab some of the wrappers that fell on the floor and hand them to Wonseok. "Got some clothes, books, and self-care stuff. We've been watching movies all day though. Which is why my phone has been held hostage."

"I'm craving hotteok so I'm going to see if I can convince you to go out with me to get some later." Wonseok pips up. He tries to get his phone back from you but you pull it just out of his reach.

"I'd kill for hotteok right now. Seriously, I'd trade my sister for a bite." She groans on the other end of the phone.

"How's Cape Elizabeth?" You ask softly. You know how stressed she gets around her family. And if she's calling you close to midnight her time, she's probably losing it.

"Small," More rustling plays through the speaker. "Speaking of which, Wonseok op--Wonnie, I need to ask you something."

There's a slight pause both on the phone and in the room. If you didn't know any better, you'd think you accidentally hit the pause button on the room. Maybe even yourself. Like you're somehow interrupting something. Wonseok doesn't look at you and instead focuses on the phone in your hands.

"It's fine, you can talk. I'm going to go and take a shower since someone wants me to leave the house in below-freezing weather on my last day off for a while." You hand the phone back to Wonseok and collect your things.

"Are you sure? I did call to talk to you."

"Yeah, just call me after if you aren't too drunk by then." You make a kiss noise over the intercom and then organize your bags of gifts.

Ready to go, you stand right in front of Wonseok and stick out your hand, palm facing up. He looks at you for a moment before digging into his pocket and gently placing your phone in your hands. You let out a satisfied hum before running upstairs, going right past the first articles you, Frankie, and Wonseok ever wrote printed and framed on the wall right next to pictures of all three of you.

You quietly scroll through your phone as you walk up.

You still aren't used to your lock screen or the contact names on your phone. Seungmin changed them for you while you were at the airport. Originally, you thought he was only going to change the lock screen. Before, you had a picture that you had taken at a concert you covered earlier in the year.

But then Seungmin went on a longwinded rant about how unprofessional it was for you to have another group on your phone while you were temporarily on the staff for them.  You gave him your phone and told him to "go ape shit" thinking that he'd just change the photo. You didn't expect him to change the contact names and photos of all of the members while he was at it.

You set your phone down on the bed and dig through your suitcase for something you can wear when you go out with Wonseok. It's only to get hotteok but knowing Wonseok, the two of you are going to get sidetracked and be out later than you planned.

Oink, oink!

You look around on the floor, confused about where the noise came from. Your eyes finally land on your phone with the screen lighting up brightly. Another thing you didn't realize. Seungmin gave everyone custom ringtones. You laugh to yourself as you pick up your phone and answer.

"Hello?" You continue digging around your bag, tossing possible contenders onto your bed to look at later.

You hear some movement on the other end of the line before someone clears their throat.

"Good morning, noona! Merry Christmas," Changbin's familiar soft, warm voice rings in your ear.

"Good morning and Merry Christmas to you too." You find a sweater that you like at the bottom of the bag and set it on top of everything else. "You didn't have to call by the way."

"What? I can't call and greet my elders properly?" He jokingly scoffs.

"I'm barely 3 years older! Don't act like I'm on my deathbed!"

"Three years is a lot at your age. Be careful, noona!" He teases further.

"Did you call me just to bully me, Changbin-ssi?" You press your phone between your shoulder and cheek while you get up from the floor.

"I called to wish you a 'Merry Christmas!'" You can hear him click his touch over the speaker. "And to make sure you're not working on stuff right now."

"It's Christmas Day,"

"You never know with you!"

"This is coming from the man whose group announced a comeback two days after a Japanese release, during a world tour." You backflop down onto the bed, staring at the smooth white ceiling. Part of you wonders if Changbin is also lying in a similar position.

It's weird, how normal this conversation is. If someone were to tell you that you'd be sitting on the phone talking to one of the idols you followed and admired on Christmas Day and that he had hated you for a few months, you're almost certain that you'd have a stroke.

"Touché," A loud laughter rings through the phone. "No, but seriously, I'd rather call and wish everyone a merry Christmas."

"All of your group members texted me,"

"They're boys," You can almost picture the creeping up on Changbin's face as he tries not to laugh. How his neck and ears might be slowly turning red. "And incredibly shy. Even the extroverted ones"

"Oh trust me, I know. I've been around all eight of you long enough to know."

There's a pause. You can hear a low hum coming from Changbin's end of the line. Other than that, you can only hear your own breathing and the buzzing from the heater above. It's still awkward between you and Changbin, even more so over the phone. At least when you were on tour, it made sense to have conversations like this with him. But now--

"If I'm being completely honest, I'm kind of bored. My noona has plans with her boyfriend and my parents are taking naps before going out to dinner." He admits softly.

"Then it's a real shame that I'm going to have to leave you soon."You flip over to your stomach and start to pull at the fabric of your comforter.

"Oh, you have plans? I didn't realize that you had a b--"

Knock, knock, knock

"Y/n! I'm going to take a shower real quick and then we can go!" Wonseok calls from the other side of the door.

"Okay!" You call back, You scramble to your feet and grab clothes at the top of the pile. "Sorry, Changbin, I have to get ready or else there's going to be a hangry situation. I'll talk to you later?"

"Yeah, I'll call again around the New Year's. Goodbye, noona!"

"Merry Christmas, Changbin!" You hum one more time before hanging up the call and getting your things ready.

—

Buy me a coffee?

—

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[ponderingmoonlight]

waayy to classic but having to share a bed while they were 'just friends' ? Yk where they actually like each other but too shy ore prideful? MAYBE WITH MEGUMI cu he's my our pretty boy ANY ANY OTHER CHARACTER YOU WANT

THANK YOU THANK YOU I LOVE YOUR WRITING

Okay, that escalated quickly. This might be a classic, but I simply love the idea! I added a little twist to each character so it isn’t always the same. I’m thinking about writing this for every character, so let me know if you’d want to read that. Hope you enjoy <3

JJK men sharing a bed with (y/n)

Pairing: Megumi x reader; Nanami x reader; Yuta x reader

Word Count: 3k

Notes: Part ll (Gojo sharing a bed with (y/n) at a love hotel

Part lll (Toji, Geto, Haibara, Choso)

Megumi Fushiguro

You hated big parties. To be honest, you hated every kind of party, although it’s comforting that Megumi is here too. A glimpse into his grumpy but forbidden stunning face is enough to perceive the fact that he dislikes it here as much as you do.

“I don’t know why I’m even here. How did she manage to pull us with her?”, Megumi grumbles, arms crossed in front of his chest.

“Well, I guess Nobara can be quite persuasive”, you remark while watching Yuji play twister with a screwed up face.

You sign. The music blasts so loud that it threatens to rip your eardrum apart, your head began to ache the minute you stepped into this big house. Who lives here anyway? It doesn’t matter. If you don’t come out of here within the next few minutes, you’re going to throw up on the expensive looking carpet in front of you.

“Hey (y/n), are you alright? You look quite pale”, Megumi comments while eyeing you intensely.

Fuck. Your heart hammers against your ribcage. He is so close to you that you can take in the sight of his gorgeous face in great detail, only one look at his lips is enough to change the color of your face into deep red.  

“To be honest, I don’t feel so good. This is just too much for me I guess”, you whimper, eyes glued to the ground in a despairing attempt to stop yourself from staring at him so ruthlessly.

“Why didn’t you say something sooner? Come with me.”

He grabs your hand and pulls you with him, through the endless crowd of people, the blasting music and stinging scent of alcohol. Is he…really holding your hand? He’s touching you. Megumi Fushiguro is really touching you. You feel like flying and drowning at the same time, tired while being wide awake. Of course he touched you from time to time, after all he is your training partner mostly. But tender contact like this is very rare. You know this is actually your fault, given the fact how shy you act around him. But something about Megumi Fushiguro just makes your heart skip a beat and turns your senses upside down. Maybe you will tell him some day. Maybe…

“Nobara, is there a place where (y/n) and I can rest? She doesn’t feel well”, Megumi literally barks at her.

“Um, I think there’s a guestroom down the hall on the right. It’s a little quieter there I guess.”

He doesn’t answer. Instead, he turns on his heels, your hand still intertwined with his own, and dashes down the hallway.

“Finally”, he mutters and opens the door to a small but cute guestroom.

You close the door behind you and take a deep breath. Finally no loud music, drunk people and scent of alcohol that stings in the air. Megumi flops onto the bed, gaze set upon you.

“What are you waiting for? I thought you don’t feel well, lay down.”

Your eyes widen. There is only one bed in this room and he’s lying on top of it. Could you possibly…lay beside him? It would be big enough to fit you both, but with very little space. This means you are forced to touch each other, even if only your skin brushes against his. Your head turns pink all over again, eyes pressed closed to get the image of him holding you in his arms until you slowly drift off to sleep out of your dirty mind.

“B-but there’s only o-one bed”, you stutter.

“So what? It’s big enough to fit us both. Come here.”

He pats the soft mattress beside him invitingly. Can you really do this? It seems like there’s no other possibility anyways, so…

You let your worn-out body fall next to him, arms slightly brushing against his. It feels so good to finally breathe and to rest your head a little. You curse yourself for coming her in the first place even though you know well enough that you absolutely hate big and loud parties.

The reason for you being here lays right beside you, though.

“Are you feeling better? Maybe I can get you a glass of water or-“

“No”, you interrupt him.

“I’m absolutely fine, thank you.”

“You look a little red, almost as if you have fever. Are you really feeling alright, (y/n)?”

He places his hand on your forehead and you swear you can see the sparks that evaporate from your skin the second he touches you. You wish you could tell him how you feel, that you want to stay with him like this forever, but you are too shy to even admit your feelings to yourself. Megumi is a friend, a colleague. Nothing else, right?

“Let’s just rest a little, okay? Maybe you’ll feel better after a good nap.”

“Do you really think we can just…sleep here?”, you question.

“Sure, why not? It’s a guestroom with a bed in it”, Megumi replies dryly and shrugs.

“Only one bed though”, you blurt out.

Megumi shifts his weight beside you and now faces you completely.

“Is this a problem for you? I can go if you’re uncomfortable.”

“No I’m not! You’re not the problem here! It’s just…”

You can’t find the words. In fact, you feel like your whole head is empty.

“Let’s just nap, shall we? We can talk about this tomorrow when you’re feeling better”, Megumi suggests.

You simply nod and turn to the order side, heart still racing inside of your chest. Maybe a little sleep wouldn’t hurt after all…

______________________________________________________________

“Quiet Itadori, (y/n) and Megumi are in there.”

“ALONE!?”, Yuji cries out.

Nobara rolls her eyes and hits him roughly.

“How dumb are you actually? Shut the fuck up, idiot. We need to be quiet.”

Slowly, she opens the door to the dark room. There you both lay, bodies intertwined with each, your steady breath being the only sound that fills the rooms.

“They’re cuddling!”, Yuji screams and turns on the lights before Nobara is able to stop him.

“What the hell?”, Megumi’s sleep drunken voice mutters.

You open your eyes and blink against the harsh light that invades the whole room. What time is it? Why do you feel so warm and cozy? Did you still get home somehow? Oh, that delicious smell that tingles your nose. It reminds you of…

MEGUMI.

Megumi’s hands are wrapped around your waist, his broad chest pressed against your back. Your eyes widen, suddenly your body feels on fire. And even worse, Nobara and Yuji stand in the doorframe and stare at you with their mouths wide open.

“Did I miss something?”, Yuji cries out.

“We just shared a bed. You’re embarrassing me in front of (y/n)”, Megumi mumbles, his hands still resting still against your body.

“Hey, you owe us an explanation! You never told us there’s something between you both!”, Nobara speaks up, her finger pointing directly into Megumi’s face.

“So sorry about that”, he whispers into your ear, his warm breath against your ear sending shivers down your spine.

“N-no p-problem.”

Your voice isn’t more than a fade whisper, still completely in shock by the fact that you are held by Megumi Fushiguro. In presence of his friends. In. A. Bed.

Nanami Kento

You toss and turn in your sleep. How many nightmares did you have this week? You lost count. Over and over you repeat Haibara’s death in your head and the way you just stood there and didn’t do anything about it. That was over 10 years ago, but the death stare in his eyes still haunts you to this day late at night.

Your whole body is covered in ice cold sweat, whimpers escape your mouth as you desperately try to shake away the scorching pain that repeats the second time around.

“Why are you just standing there, do something (y/n)!”, Nanami’s voice screams at you.

It isn’t true. Nanami never raised his voice at you like that.

“You are absolutely useless. Do you really call yourself a jujutsu sorcerer? You should have died in his place.”

“N-no”, you mutter, shaking your head over and over again.

Nanami is a light sleeper anyway, but the sound of your whimpers and silent screams wake him up immediately. He sits up in bed, feet carrying him automatically to your doorstep. It isn’t a secret to him anymore that you are plagued by nightmares since the incident with Haibara. It always feels like a knife in his throat to see you this broken after so many years.

“(y/n)”, he softly whispers.

There you lay, completely covered in sweat, body shaking uncontrollably while you sob in your sleep. He kneels down next to your trembling frame, gently caressing your face with his thumb. God, why do you have to suffer like this? It isn’t fair that you have to feel so miserable because of some fucking curses. You don’t deserve the pain that dreadful day caused you.

“It’s just a dream, (y/n). Wake up, I’m here”, he speaks into the unforgiving darkness of night.

“Nanami, I-…so s-sorry…All my fault…”, you mumble, tears streaming down your disturbed face in a river.

His heart clenches. What are you dreaming about? Nanami’s grip tightens around your shoulders, softly shaking you in a frantic attempt to wake you up.

“Hey, none of this is real. I’m here, (y/n).”

Your eyes snap open and dart around with no aim. Your rushed and sharp breathes ring through your ears, heart hammering against your ribcage.

“There you are”, a familiar voice next to you comments.

“Nanami”, you breathe out.

It was just a dream. All of the things he said, the things you saw over and over again weren’t real.

“Fuck, I’m sorry”, you mutter and bury your face in your hands.

Was he here the whole time? Your cheeks feel puffy and soaked and tears, embarrassment consumes you entirely. How much you hate it when he sees you like this, vulnerable and weak. It’s not the first time that Nanami puzzles you back together after a nightmare.

“Don’t be, come here.”

His strong arms embrace you in an instant and slowly but surely push your nightmares away.

“What was it this time?”

“It’s like my brain wants me to think that you hate me I guess”, you mutter into his arms while holding onto his shoulders for dear life.

This situation is so common that you lost count on how many times he visited you already over the last few years. The second you open your eyes, you stare into his brown orbs that make your world whole again. Since the day Haibara lost his life. Since the day your nights turned into nightmares.

“But I’m right here and I’m telling you that I don’t hate you at all.”

You let out a silent laugh. Oh, how much you hoped this would come to an end. You aren’t even able to remember the last night with proper sleep.

“Would you mind staying here for a while?”, you shyly request, avoiding eye contact.

“Scoot over.”

Your back rests against the cold wall while he wraps one arm around your shoulder and places your head on his chest. The way his heart beats steady against your ear seems to calm you down immediately, almost therapeutic.

“I hope you don’t mind having so little room. I’m slightly taller than you I’m afraid”, he murmurs, gently stroking your back.

“I’m the one who should ask you that. After all, I woke you up and now force you to stay with me”, you reply with a nervous grin.

“Wouldn’t be a problem to put in some ear plugs or leave you alone. Come on, (y/n). I’m here because I want to be and not because you force me to. You are my friend, I hate to see you like this and I’ll do anything I can to make you feel at least a little better.

You bury your head in his soft t-shirt and hold onto him a little tighter. How do you deserve that this great man is lying next to you in your very own bed night after night? You really don’t know. All you hope is that it doesn’t stop though. Maybe, just maybe he will someday stay here with you forever…

Yuta Okkotsu

“Are you alright (y/n)?”, Yuta’s worried voice shouts over the blizzard that mercilessly haunts both of you this late at night.

You feel like dying. Hands and feet? No more feeling. Your nose? Running like a river while being numb at the same time. Your limbs feel like they’ll fall off any given minute while you want nothing more than a warm bed, a cup of tea and to watch some Netflix. How the hell did you end up in this living hell? Oh right, that stupid mission. Well, at least Yuta is with you. Otherwise you would have gave up already.

“Actually no. Everything just hurts”, you choke out.

Yuta takes you in his arm, hand covering your face from the unforgiving whipping of the wind.

“I know this is rough, but we have to hold on for a little longer. Gojo-sensei told me that the cabin is only a few minutes away”, Yuta assures you.

“He also told us to bring bathing suits with us…”, you grumble.

Do you have any other choice than to rely on Gojo’s word and Yuta’s sense of direction? Absolutely not. Your feet carry you on their own trough the snowy street, eyes glued to the ground underneath while you can’t shake the comfortable feeling of Yuta holding you in his arm away. God, let this hell end. Otherwise you’re really not sure if you’ll stay conscious within the next hour.

“There it is!”, Yuta announces.

Your eyes dart up. The last house of the street, rather a small cottage to be exact.

“That doesn’t look inhabited at all. Are you sure this is the right house?”

“We’ll have to find out! And to be honest, do we have another choice? I don’t want to spend another minute outside if I’m being honest”, Yuta replies while scratching the back of his head.

Fair enough. You follow him to the doorstep and watch him turn the key in the lock. At this point it wouldn’t be a surprise if the door doesn’t open, but it does. You enter the dark cabin.

“It’s still fucking cold”, you hiss through gritted teeth.

“Let’s see if there are some blankets or even better a heater.”

You can’t help but stare at the boy next to you. A few months ago he was so shy and unsure about himself. But now it seems like his confidence never wavers as well as his cool head. At the moment he’s definitely the more collected one.

You do as he told you, searched the tiny cabin for a heater only to find a small bed and one single blanket.

“It’s not much but it’s more than nothing. Go ahead, you can have the bed and blanket.”

“That’s completely out of question, Yuta. Your lips are totally blue and your whole body shivers. I’m not taking that blanket alone”, you reply, shaking your head violently.

But what is the solution, then?

“You can have it.”

After all, Yuta is the one who guided you here. You’ll get through this night somehow.

“I have an idea, but it might sound dumb…”, he begins, voice showing no sight of his new grown poise.

“Just say it”, you demand while eyeing him.

Why does his face suddenly turn even redder and why is he fumbling with his hands this nervously?

“You know, we…we could share the blanket and bed…But only if you want to and are comfortable with it!”, he blurts out.

Huh. Your heart skips a beat when the consequences of his suggestion hit you.

“So like, cuddle?”, you question with your eyes bored into him.

“Please forget I ever said that.”

“I mean, you’re kinda right. In this cold it’s better to warm each other up…”, you stutter.

Thick silence hangs in the air between you two and makes you want to go back into the blizzard. Fuck, the fact that you caught feelings for him doesn’t make this easier at all. Normally you are outspoken, self-assured and centered…What the hell happened to you? Why are you just standing there like an idiot, staring at him with your eyes wide open?

Yuta is the first who dares to move. With a swift motion, he takes off his shoes, positions himself in bed and puts the blanket on top of him.

“Then come here. Maybe we’re even able to get some sleep!”

You hesitate. This is the first time you get so close to him apart from training sessions. Yuta never touched you, let alone shared a blanket and a whole bed with you. But your body screams in icy agony and begs you to take his offer desperately. Jump over your shadow, just close your eyes and lay down beside him.

The warmth of his body seems to swallow you whole the second your body brushes against his. God, you never realized how good he actually smells. Has it always been like this? And that look in his eyes seems so…different.

“You know, I’m glad to be stuck with you, (y/n)”, he confesses, his hand sliding down your arm and leaving a trace of prickling fireworks under your skin.

Fuck it. You bury yourself against his warm and large frame, face resting on his neck while his arms immediately take your invitation. While it’s still cold, the adrenalin that rushes through your veins and the heat that radiates from his body are more than enough to keep you warm in this adventurous night.

“Me too, Yuta”, you confess shyly.

[loveroffictionalmen]

hi !! could you possibly do a oneshot or something where Mike comes home from work early one morning and he sees that the reader (could be GN or male if you happen to write male stuff) is still asleep on the couch, (they take Max’s place in being Abby’s babysitter but they DON’T work for the aunt) and he’s so tired that he ends up grabbing a blanket and cuddling up next to them? and then when they wake up they’re like “mike?? are you okay??” and he’s just a flustered mess? thank you so much! <3

Wakey Wakey

Pairings: Mike Schmidt x male!reader

Description: after a long night at work, mike just needs some comfort from abby’s babysitter, aka, his boyfriend

Warnings: little tiny sexual innuendo at the end if you squint, falling asleep together, fight scene kinda? mostly fluff tho

Words:  704

Prompt: cuddling

A/N: I LAURVED WRITING THIS MIKE IS MY LOVEEEEEEEEE send me more requests for him cus tbh, this was fun af

Mike had just had one of the worst nightmares in his life. So bad, in fact, that he left work early. It was the same nightmare he had been having for years, but instead of finding his little brother, Garett, gone a minute too late, he came face to face with the kidnapper. Only the kidnapper had a mask on- a yellow bunny mask with a purple bowtie at the bottom.

Having been caught off guard, Mike ended up on the ground, beaten and bruised, as he watched his younger brother be coaxed into the station-wagon, and driven away, never to be seen again.

As if the dream wasn’t enough, he had woken up feeling incredibly sore. Bruises littered his arms and torso, but nothing too serious. Mike was too tired to stop and question why he even had bruises in the first place. It was only a dream after all... right?

It was only 4:58 when Mike got to his house- a mere hour before he should have even left work in the first place. He fumbled with his keys, trying to find the right one to open the house. When had he acquired so many keys?

All the lights were off, except for the light above the stove, which provided just enough light for Mike to find his way to the sofa. He sat, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness, when he heard a soft snore. He looked to his right to find y/n curled up under a fleece blanket. He smiled softly. How did he get such a handsome boyfriend? And one that happened to babysit as well?

Mike scooted closer to y/n, pulling him close to his body and laying down against the pillow behind him, so that he was holding y/n. After a while he let sleep overtake him.

When y/n woke up, he was definitely surprised to see Mike home early, much less on the couch with him rather than in his own bed. Y/n crawled over Mike quietly, tiptoeing to the kitchen and turning the stove light off, as the natural light began to fill the kitchen.

He pulled out the egg carton from the fridge, as well as a pack of bacon. If Mike was home early, y/n might as well surprise him with breakfast.

“Is that eggs and bacon I smell?” Abby loudly ran into the kitchen.

“Shhh, we don’t wanna wake your brother, do we?”

“Oh right,” She whispered. “Is that eggs and bacon I smell?” She said much quieter that time.

“Yeah, thought I’d surprise Mike,” Y/n said, laughing a little to himself.

“And why is that?” Y/n jumped a little when he heard Mike’s voice. He turned to see Mike still in his security outfit with messy hair and a crooked smile on his face.

“Well you certainly surprised me when I woke up,” Y/n said. Mike blushed.

“That wasn’t- I didn’t-”

“It’s okay Mike. I liked waking up like that.” Y/n said with a soft smile.

“Waking up like what?” Abby asked, looking between the two boys.

“In your brother’s arms,” Y/n said, making Mike blush again. Abby simply stuck her tongue out and faked throwing up.

“When I grow up, I’m never gonna be in love. It’s gross,” Abby said.

“You might change your mind hun,” Y/n said.

“No,” Abby stated, matter of factly, pulling a piece of paper out of who know where and began coloring with the crayons that were already spread out on the table from last nights drawing session.

Mike wandered closer to y/n, wrapping his arms around y/n and hugging him from behind. When y/n placed his hands over Mike’s, Mike hissed.

“Mike-” Y/n looked at Mike’s knuckles that were raw from the “dream” fight. “Are you okay love? What happened?”

“It’s nothing, don’t worry about it,” Mike murmured. Y/n got the hint that he didn’t want to talk about it but he kept it in his mind that he should ask again later.

“I liked waking up like that,” Y/n said.

“Yeah?” Mike asked, placing a kiss on y/n’s jaw.

“Yeah.”

“Well I liked falling asleep like that. Let’s do it in my bed next though. WAIT- I DIDN’T MEAN IT LIKE THAT!”

[tightjeansjavi]

Girl, I’ve never loved one like you

A/N: well, I have mixed feelings about this piece at the moment. I poured my heart and soul into this, and I hope everyone enjoys this story that truly touches home for me. In high school I always felt like an outcast because I wasn’t that girl that had a boyfriend, and I didn’t have dates to the school dances. I dreamed of having that magical prom night with the guy of my dreams. It never happened, and I moved on. Years later I sometimes wish I did get to experience that magical night. Well, now I get to, and it feels like a piece of my past is being healed. I know that not everyone will be able to relate to this experience, but I know there are those of you out there that will. Thank you for reading, and please be kind. 🩷

Pairing | AU high-school student! Joel Miller x high-school student! f! reader

~word count: 12.12k~

Summary: Senior Year, 1985, a month before prom and Joel Miller has yet to find himself a proper date, until he and Tommy stop in for a late night bite at your parents diner, and everything changes. Joel Miller gives you a prom night of your dreams that you’ll never forget…18 years later, you’re running into each other at the very same diner you first met.

Warnings: fluff, young love, meet-cute, injuries sustained from falling out of the bed of Joel’s truck, (please buckle up it’s the law) alcohol consumption, smoking, implied smut, right person wrong time, some negative feelings, reader gets harassed by a guy, Joel steps in, Joel is a total sweetheart, friends to lovers, no age gap, reader has no physical descriptions, reader’s nickname is darlin’ (+18) minors dni!

main masterlist

A truck door slams, gravel crunches under the weight of heavy worn boots as two teenage boys bicker.

“Ain’t you the least bit concerned about askin’ a girl to prom, Joel? It’s a month away, and you still haven’t asked a single gal? C’mon, what’s holdin’ ya back? Your mug ain’t as handsome as mine, but your charm oughta make up for it!” Tommy Miller was real good at getting under his brother's skin without even having to lift much of a finger.

“I ain’t concerned about findin’ myself a prom date cus’ I ain’t goin.’ It’s a silly dance that literally holds no personal value for me. I jus’ wanna graduate n’get out of this fuckin’ shit-hole town.” Joel gruffed a response back.

“Jus’ a silly dance? Brother, do ya hear yourself? It ain’t jus’a silly dance! For fuck sakes, it’s supposed t’be the night of our lives! One last hurrah before goin’ to college n’facin’ the real world.

The older by just a few months,Miller brother clenched his jaw tightly as he grinded his teeth together. He twirled his keys between his fingers absentmindedly. “Like I jus’ said, it’s jus’ a silly dance. Besides, even if I wanted to go, I ain’t have anyone in mind to ask. So can ya jus’ please drop it?” Joel grumbled as he grasped the handle to the diner door and swung it open.

“Well, that’s bullshit. I’m gonna make it my personal mission to find you a lucky gal to take to prom.” Tommy caught the edge of the door with his boot just as Joel tried to close it in his face.

“Yeah, lets not fuckin’ do that. I don’t need you findin’ me a prom date.” Joel snapped back as he shoved his hands deep into the worn out pockets of his worn out light-wash denim Levi’s.

Tommy snickered as he wrapped his arm around his brother's shoulder, “With an attitude like that, you ain’t gonna find a date. Dontcha worry, big brother, we’re gonna find ya a real nice gal.”

“I’m only a few months older than you, you fuckin’ hillbilly.” Joel grumbled under his breath.

“I’ll be with you boys in just a second! Do you want a booth or table?” You whizzed past the two brothers on your roller skates, holding a tray of burgers and fries above your head with ease. Your skates were light pink, with ruby red hearts stitched along the fabric. The laces were a creamy white color and there were three cherry-red heart beads on either side of the tied laces.

Joel cocked an eyebrow as you skated past without missing a step. He had half expected you to eat shit in those skates, but was thoroughly surprised that it didn’t happen. Even more so that the tray of food you were holding on the flat side of your palm, didn’t topple over.

“A booth would be great, thanks darlin.’” Tommy responded with a lopsided grin to which Joel immediately smacked him on the back of the head for.

“I thought you already asked Mackenzie Patterson to prom Tommy? I don’t think she’d appreciate it if she knew you were sendin’ heart eyes to another girl.” Joel lightly chuckled as he plopped down into the nearest booth that wasn’t occupied.

“Yeah, I did ask her but I wasn’t makin’ heart eyes at anyone.” Tommy flipped him off as he plopped down onto the other side of the booth.

“Uh-huh. Sure you weren’t.” Joel fought the urge to roll his eyes.

After grabbing two menus from the register, you glided over to your next customers with ease. It was easy work skating along the black and white checkered flooring. “Welcome to Patsy’s, here’s a couple menus for you, take your time, there’s no rush and whenever you’re ready, just give me a holler.” Your parents were more than willing to give you a job as a waitress at the diner they recently opened. You made decent tips, and for the most part, your job was pretty fun and easy-going for a highschool part-time job.

“Patsy’s, huh? Does that name hold any significant meanin’ to ya? Tommy inquired with genuine curiosity.

“Yeah, it’s actually named after my mom. It was my dad’s idea to name it after her. Pretty sweet, huh? Guess romance is truly alive and well.” Your response was light, and your smile was infectious. Joel didn’t want to admit it then, but your smile lit up the entire diner. It was brighter than the damn incandescent neon lights that flashed along the crystal clear windows.

“Romance is definitely alive and well. Awful sweet that your pops named this joint after your ma. Hey darlin’ you don’t happen to attend McCallum highschool, do ya? Never seen a pretty thing like you skatin’ around the halls.” Tommy effortlessly worked his sweet talk. It flowed out of his mouth like his own personal song. You already imagined that girls at school probably swooned at his very boots, just from his smooth Texas drawl alone.

It didn’t surprise you that a guy like Tommy Miller never noticed you in the passing period hallways. You kept to yourself for the most part. Being a teenager, let alone being a teenage girl was not easy in the slightest. You struggled to build friendships with girls in your class. They all would look at you funny when you participated in gym class, finished the homework on time and in their eyes, became the teacher's pet. You went to the mall with your mom and spent your weekends reading at home with your dog curled at your feet under a soft knitted blanket. You were happy..until you weren’t.

You couldn’t help but feel slightly envious towards the group of girls that went to the mall every Friday to buy a new outfit for whatever house parties were going on that weekend. You hadn’t even had your first sips of alcohol or tasted nicotine on your tongue. Truthfully? You felt like a loser because your highschool experience wasn’t exactly like the movies said it would be. Where the fuck was your Han Solo or Indiana Jones? Where was that one special guy to swoop in and sweep you off your feet, and single-handedly wipe out a quadrant of clone troopers with his blaster alone—

“Huh? Oh, highschool. Yeah, I’m a senior at Mccallum high.” You weren’t flustered over Tommy’s incessant style of flirting, you were flustered because you were thinking about Harrison fucking Ford.

“Don’t mind my brother. He’s a fuckin’ hillbilly, and our ma dropped him on his head when he was just an annoyin’ lil shit.” Joel’s eyes flitted up to yours over the top of the menu that was grasped between his hands. His Texas twang was deeper than his brothers, it had a distinguishable edge to it. Similar to the way that gooseflesh rises upon your skin when you hear something that is particularly delectable, and itches that figurative spot in your brain so good.

Did that make any sense? Who cares. All you could presently think about was how fuckin’ gorgeous this guy was. A total dreamboat, and you didn’t even know his name.

“It’s alright. I wasn’t offended or anything..but uh, can I get you guys something to drink maybe?”

“Yeah, you got any cherry cokes, darlin?’” Joel asked you casually.

“Cherry cokes? Yeah, of course! Coming right up.” You scribbled two cherry cokes onto your notepad before you skated away.

“That’s her.” Tommy uttered with a gleeful grin.

“What in the hell are you talkin’ about now?” Joel set his menu down with an annoyed sigh

“Brother, that’s the girl you’re goin’ to ask to prom.” Tommy gestured to the spot infront of the booth where you were just standing a few seconds prior.

“Her? No. I am not askin’ a total stranger to be my prom date.” Joel crossed his arms over his chest as he sank back into the cushioned seating of the booth.

“She ain’t a total stranger. She goes to our school! Never seen her around before, but does that really matter? She’s awfully pretty, and I bet you whatever I got in my wallet, she thinks you’re good lookin’ too. Take it from the guy who just knows what gals are interested in.”

“Do you ever fuckin’ think before you speak? Or does your brain not work the same way everyone else’s does? Again, she’s a stranger, and what makes you think she’d even want to go to prom with me, huh? Don’t be ridiculous Tommy.”

“No, you jackass. I just say whatever comes to mind and then make up the rest as I go. You’ll never know unless you try, big brother. Don’t act like I didn’t see the way you were lookin’ at her when she rode past in those skates. You were positively flabbergasted.”

“Yeah, cause I surely thought she was gonna eat shit on those things, and I was imagining the tray of burgers and fries smacking you right in your big-ass forehead.” Joel stifled a chuckle as Tommy leaned over the booth table and swatted his arm.

“You’re such a fuckin’ asshole sometimes I swear.”

“Yeah, well..you still love me so I can’t be that awful of a brother.”

Tommy was just about to reply with some snarky comment when you had skated back to the booth with two cherry cokes in hand, and placed them down in front of the brothers with two straws. “Are you guys ready to order, or do you need more time?”

“I think we’re all good here darlin.’ Thanks for bein’ a real peach. Now I’m gonna have the double bacon cheeseburger with crispy onion straws and a side of cheese fries..andmybrotherherewantstoaskyoutoprom.” Tommy blurted out suddenly, throwing you and Joel for a complete curveball.

Joel had just taken a sip of his cherry coke, and nearly spit it back into the cup as he glowered at his brother. He could feel the tips of his cheeks turning bright hot red as he sucked down a hefty sip of the sugary drink to hide his redness.

You felt like a deer in headlights as you scribbled down Tommy’s order as quickly as humanly possible. The heat was rising to your cheeks fast as you did your best to hide it. “Oo-Kay and for you?..”

“Jus’ a double cheeseburger and regular fries. Thanks, darlin.’” Joel presented you with his order without making eye contact as he was too busy thinking of all the ways he wanted to brutally murder Tommy with his bare hands. He was kind enough to grab both menus and hand them back to you with the tiniest reassuring nod.

“Coming right up!” You squeaked out before scurrying back to the kitchen area to put the order in.

“You’re fuckin’ dead, Tommy. Dead as a fuckin’ door nail I swear to god—”

“Look, I’m doin’ this for your own good Joel. You’re a sour puss, grumpy son of a bitch 99% of the time and you’re gonna grow a pair of goddamn balls and ask that girl out to prom. What’s the worst she could say? No? I don’t think she’s going to say no to you.”

“For fuck sakes..there’s a way to go about these things! Poor girl looked like a deer in fuckin’ headlights cus’ of your fuckin’ big ass blabber mouth.”

“A cute deer though.”

“My god, you are fuckin’ hopeless.” Joel uttered with an unenthusiastic sigh.

You were counting out your tips for the evening at the front register when Joel Miller sauntered up. His demeanor was casual, yet by the way his hands were shoved deep in his pockets, you could tell he was nervous..but perhaps even embarrassed?

“Hey darlin,’ jus’ wanted to personally apologize for my brothers behavior earlier. He really is a fuckin’ hillbilly sometimes, and I hope he didn’t uh—make you feel too uncomfortable. Anyway, jus’ need to pay the bill and then I’ll get out of your hair.” He was already pulling his wallet out of his back pocket when you threw him for a loop.

“I’m free on the weekends after seven.”

He was thumbing through his bills as he pulled out a $20 and placed it along the counter. He slowly looked up at you, cocking a brow at your sudden boldness that came out of left field. “..I’m sorry?”

“You want to take me to prom, right? Well, don’t you think we should go on a proper date and get to know one another before I agree to be your prom date?” You grabbed the $20 from the counter and placed it in the register as you counted out his change.

“I’m sorry, I’m so fuckin’ confused right now. You want to get to know me? Look, I don’t even want to go to prom. It’s just a silly dance that I really have no interest in, and my brother is really the one who put me up to—”

“A simple no would have sufficed y’know. Regardless, what’s wrong with me wanting to get to know you? I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I don’t have a lot going for me right now. What’s the harm of one date? Who knows, maybe you’ll actually have a good time.” You responded with a shrug.

“Keep the change, it’s for your tip. I wouldn’t exactly say that you don’t have a lot going for you. For starters, you're the only waitress here that knows how to skate..doesn’t that count for something? I suppose there wouldn’t be any harm of goin’ on one date. What’ll it be then? Dinner and a movie?” He was leaning his elbow against the side of the counter top as he reached into the jar of lollipops and pulled out a cherry flavored one. You couldn’t help but watch the way that his fingers effortlessly unwrapped the sweet and placed it between his lips.

He did that on purpose..right?

“Dinner and a movie sounds great. How about next Friday night? Pick me up around 7:30? I don’t believe I caught your name earlier either..should probably tell me what it is, right?” You gave him a little grin as you pushed the cash register drawer shut with a soft clink.

“Well, if I’m going to pick you up, I suppose I’ll be needin’ your phone number so that you can tell me your address? Or you could write it down..but what if I randomly want to call you up and tell you all about my shitty day? It’s gonna be hard for me to do that if I don’t have your number.” He gave you a little lopsided grin as he tilted his head to the side.

“Alright, well I’ll tell you what, I’ll give you my phone number in exchange for your name. That sounds like a pretty fair deal to me. What do you think?”

“Ain’t gonna be necessary for an exchange, darlin.’ I was just playin’ a little game with ya. Anyway, my name is Joel. The buffoon waitin’ in the parking lot is my brother Tommy. What kinda food are ya into?”

“I know you were, Joel. That’s why I played it right back.” You pulled out your little pen pad and wrote down your phone number and address. “Feel free to call me at random to tell me about your terrible, no good, rotten shitty day. I’d love to chat some more, but I have tables to wipe down. I’ll leave it up to you to pick out the restaurant.” You placed the piece of paper into his outstretched palm with a small grin playing on your lips.

“I like a girl that knows how to keep up with me. Nothin’ gets past you, huh?” He teased as he slipped the piece of paper into his back pocket. “Well, I’ll leave it to ya then. Wear somethin’ pretty, kay darlin?’” He shot you a playful wink before pushing himself off the edge of the countertop.

You desperately fought hard to not roll your eyes at his request to wear something ‘pretty’ “uh-huh. See ya around, Joel.” You brought your hand up to your forehead, giving him a little salute. Only when you were positive that he was back in his truck, and could no longer see you through the glass doors, you let out an excited squeal as you twirled in a tight circle on your skates.

Joel had an unmistakable pep in his step as he approached the drivers side door of his truck. Tommy was waiting for him, witn a cigarette perched between his lips, and an eyebrow raised in his brother’s direction. “What’s gotten you grinnin’ like a devil jus’ now?”

Joel reached into his back pocket and pulled out the folded piece of paper and handed it to his brother. “I’ve got myself a date Friday night. I didn’t even have to ask her, she jus’ pretty much beat me to it.”

“Uh-huh. I am sure that’s exactly how it went.” Tommy snickered as he handed the folded note back, sinking into the seat as he took a long drag from the cigarette. “So, where are you and the lucky gal gonna go?”

“I was thinkin’ keepin’ it simple..dinner and a movie. She said I can pick the restaurant, so I was probably gonna take her to the nicest place in Austin.” he shrugged his shoulders before starting the ignition. “Or do ya think that’s too bold?”

“Damn, look at you! Wantin’ to treat a lady right. ‘Atta boy.” He reached over and lightly punched Joel in the shoulder.

“Jus’ like momma taught me.”

Joel Miller arrived thirty minutes before you had expected him to show up for your date. You were just finishing up on your makeup when you heard the familiar sound of truck wheels crunching along gravel. Your parents were at the diner all evening, so that left you at home to dance around the house while you got ready. You had pretty much demolished your closet as you struggled to figure out what to wear. The butterflies were already fluttering rapidly in your stomach. Joel wanted you to wear something ‘pretty’ but you didn’t like the way that any of your dresses fit currently, so that was out of the question. You opted for suede olive green lace up shorts, a floral tie up top and your favorite pair of baby sky-blue go-go boots.

A warm breeze moved freely through the open windows in Joel’s truck as he was casually smoking a cigarette with his forearm resting along the outside of the window. He glanced upwards to where he imagined your bedroom was. A grin was playing on his lips as he caught a glimpse of you dancing around through the billowing curtains. He could faintly hear Tainted Love, by Soft Cell playing through your portable radio. You were using your hair brush as a pretend microphone. You were a burst of fun-loving energy, and Joel was already feeling infected by it. He didn’t want to come across as a cliche and drop the classic ‘you’re not like other girls’ line, but how could he not? Especially when you were dancing like no one was watching.

A few minutes later Joel was being torn from his trance when he heard the porch door swing shut, and the sound of your go-go boots clicking down the wooden steps. He nearly dropped his cigarette from between his lips when he got a first look at your outfit. He had half expected you to wear a dress, but the outfit you picked was fitting for your personality. You looked beautiful, and now he was beginning to feel his own butterflies flapping in his stomach. He wolf whistled as he reached over and unlocked the door for you.

“Well, ain’t you just a sight for sore eyes? Christ, you look so goddamn pretty, darlin.’” The way that he was looking at you was the way that all girls dreamed of being looked at. His eyes held a certain twinkle to them that had you feeling weak in the knees. Were all those failed crushes about to finally pay off? Well, only time could tell.

“How long have you been waiting out here for?” You responded with a shy smile as you climbed into the passenger seat.

“Long enough to see ya dancin’ to Tainted Love.” He chuckled.

You could feel the heat rising to your cheeks as you reached for the seatbelt, but he was already doing it for you. You got a proper whiff of his cologne, as he leaned over the center console. He smelled faintly of sawdust and cigarette smoke. His cologne was both sweet, and musky and god, did his hair look soft.

“You saw me dancing?”

“Mhm. You looked cute, and I swear I wasn’t bein’ a creep about it.” He slowly retracted himself after snapping your seatbelt in place.

“What can I say? Tainted Love just really gets me going.”

“Really? I totally couldn’t tell.” He teased as he slowly reversed down the driveway.

Your eyes zoned in on the collection of CD’s that were stored along the dashboard, and you wasted no time to grab the stack and flip through them. “Wow, you actually have good taste in music..i’m surprised.” You glanced over at him with a small grin. “Who’s your favorite?”

“I’m a big fan of Depeche Mode and Fleetwood Mac.” Responded as he rested one hand along the wheel, and the other on the center console. “You wanna pop one of those in?”

“Ahh, I love Stevie Nicks with my whole heart. Depeche Mode is really good too.” You gently opened one of the CD cases and placed the disk that you chose into the player. “So, are you gonna tell me where we’re going to dinner, or is it going to be a surprise?”

“Hmm..I could tell ya, but then that would ruin the surprise. I’m tryin’ to make this the best first date of your life darlin.’”

“Woowee. Best first date of my life? Y’know, those are some awfully big shoes to fill. I think it's gonna take more than dinner and a movie to accomplish that.”

“The evenin’ has only jus’ begun. I’ve got all night to show ya a good time. Spare me a lil’ faith, will ya?” He reached over and played with the volume toggle before he reached for another cigarette from the pack resting in the cupholder.

“Can I have one of those?” You gestured to the pack of cigarettes.

“A smoke? Sure ya can. You ever had one before?” He asked curiously as he pulled out a cigarette and placed it between his lips, using his freehand to light it.

“No, but I have always wanted to try one. I always think that the hollywood actresses and models in magazines always look so fucking cool smoking a cigarette. They're all just effortlessly cool.”

Joel couldn’t help but chuckle at your explanation for wanting to smoke. He didn’t want to go and crush your romantic dream of looking as cool as the magazine models. “Well, I don’t think you need to smoke in order to look as cool as the models in magazines. That being said..welcome to the darkside.” He pulled out another cigarette and placed it between your lips. Your eyes locked for a millisecond as he brought the lighter to the unlit end.

Your first inhale of the smoke from the deathstick was rough as the toxic chemicals invaded your lungs. “Fuck. That tastes like complete ass. Why did I expect it to taste sweet, like cherries or strawberries?”

“Never said it was gonna taste sweet, darlin.’ You’ll get used to it after the nicotine kicks in.” He softly reassured you as he reached over and gave your knee a gentle squeeze.

The restaurant Joel had picked was immediately out of both of your comfort zones. It was filled with the snobby upper class members of society. You and Joel stuck out like a sore thumb as you were seated at the table in the middle of all the rich people bullshit. The prices on the menu were absolutely ridiculous and even the water that was being poured looked expensive. Joel looked particularly uncomfortable as he felt that every pair of eyes in the damn establishment were looking at you and him, as if you were zoo animals trapped behind a glass case.

“Hey, Joel?” You asked as you set your menu down on top of your perfectly folded napkin.

“Yeah darlin?’”He was playing with the ends of the table cloth nervously.

“Can we stop playing pretend for just a second here?” Your question immediately caught him off-guard as he looked across the table at you with a quizzical expression on his face.

“What do you mean by that exactly?”

“What I mean by that is do you really wanna sit here making fake small talk about the weather to fit in with the upper snobs of society, or do you wanna go out and have some real fun?” You asked while leaning over the side of the table slightly. A woman to your left let out a disgusted sound when your elbows touched the edge of the table as if it was some terrible sin you had just committed.

An immediate look of relief washed over his face as he relaxed his uncomfortably straight posture. “Fuck. I was hopin’ you were gonna say somethin’ like that. Let’s ditch this joint.” He was already pushing his chair back in a haste.

You reached for his hand as you slung your purse over your shoulder. It wasn’t technically dine and dashing when you hadn’t even placed your food order yet. That didn’t make it any less thrilling to run through the kitchens and escape through the backdoors with your fingers still interlocked as you raced back to his truck.

“I’m so sorry for bringin’ you here darlin.’ I was thinkin’ of impressin’ you somehow, but there’s no way either of us were gonna last a minute longer in there. I hope this hasn’t completely ruined my task of makin’ this the best first date of your life. Do I get a second chance?”

“Joel, it’s alright. I’m just glad I finally said something. Did you hear that woman’s disgust when my elbows touched the table? I never wanna join that group of society. What a bunch of fucking losers.” You responded with a soft giggle. “The night is still young, remember? I have the perfect place in mind for us to go and have some real fun.”

“That woman is probably absolutely miserable in her stupid mansion filled with materialistic shit that she buys to make up for the fact that her husband is cheating on her with her sister. What did ya have in mind sweetheart?”

“Thank goodness she has Chanel and her fur coats to keep her warm at night. Have you ever gone to a roller-rink?”

“How did I know that was going to be your suggestion? Are you just lookin’ for an excuse to watch me eat shit? Cus’ that’s exactly what is goin’ to happen.” He chuckled.

“Me? Nah. I would never! That would just be so cruel of me. C’mon. I promise you’ll have a good time, and we can hold hands?”

“Like they do in the movies?” He looked over at you with a lopsided, boyish grin.

“Exactly how they do in the movies.”

“I’m all in darlin.’”

The roller-rink was packed and teeming with people of all ages but mostly teenagers. There was a large shimmering silver disco ball dangling from a wire in the center of the rink.

“I’m gonna look like an absolute fool in these things. How the hell do ya make it look so easy, huh?” Joel muttered as he laced up his skates with a huff.

“Hey, you’re not gonna look like a fool, okay? Trust me. This place is a judgment free zone. No one is going to make fun of you if you slip and fall on your ass.”

Joel looked over at you, squinting a little from the bright flashing light from all the little mirror tiles reflecting on the disco ball. “Okay, but if I fall, i’m takin’ you down with me. Deal?”

“Deal.” You hopped up from the bench with a grin as you offered him your hand to which he gratefully took as you helped him up.

You could feel just how sweaty the palm of Joel’s hand was as his fingers interlocked through yours. He had his other hand outstretched to the side to help with his balance. “So do I like..try and walk in these things or is more like a glidin’ motion?”

“You won’t get very far if you try to walk in them. It’s more of a gliding side to side motion to start, and if you feel like you’re about to fall, you can use the toe stop at the front of the skates. It almost acts as an emergency break.”

“You’re so fuckin’ lucky I like you darlin.’” He squeezed your hand gently as you helped him onto the rink.

“You’ll get the hang of it in no time. Just let me guide you for the first few times around the rink, and then I’m sure you’ll be able to try it out on your own. Unless..you wanna skate with the little tykes in the middle?” You teased as you slowly started to glide across the smooth surface with ease.

“Absolutely not. I will not be skatin’ with the kids. What if someone from school sees me?”

“Who cares? Just have fun!” You gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. You thought Joel looked quite cute looking all grumpy, but you hoped that by the end of the night you’d be able to get at least one smile out of him.

As the night progressed, Joel gained a little bit of confidence the more he skated and at one point, he had gently released your hand so he could try it out on his own. He was getting a hang of the gliding motion just as you decided to one up him and skate backwards.

“Now I think you’re just tryin’ to one me up darlin.’” He grumbled as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“Hey, none of that! You’re doing great, Joel. Keep it up. I’m just going to go and grab us some refreshments, okay?”

“Really..? Thank you. It’s actually not as hard as I thought it was gonna be. Y’know, I might actually be having a good time..jus’ don’t let that get to your pretty lil’ head too much, okay?”

“I told you it wasn’t going to be so bad. You’re a natural. I’ll be right back.” You brushed your hand gently across his bicep as you skated past him and exited off of one of the openings to the carpeted area. You ordered two cherry cokes and a basket of fries. While you were waiting off to the side, you didn’t notice the guy to your left checking you out until a shadow casted over the wall from his presence.

“You here alone?” The guy asked as he leaned his elbow up right next to your head. He reeked of cheap liquor and you immediately grimaced.

“I’m not interested.”

“Ouch. That quick to shut me down, huh?”

“Yep.”

“Ain’t interested cause you got a boyfriend or somethin’ sweetheart?”

“I really don’t think it matters. Please leave me alone.”

“You don’t have to be such a fuckin’ bitch about it. Thought you would be interested considering your dressed like a fuckin’ slut.” He spat.

“Excuse me?”

Just when the piece of shit excuse of a man was about to open up his mouth to spew some more shit in your face, Joel was suddenly skating off the rink and to your rescue. He had noticed the guy harassing you from the other end of the rink.

“Hey man, how about you leave her the fuck alone? She ain’t interested. Fuck off.”

“Who the hell are you? I don’t have to listen to what the fuck you gotta say. Why don’t you just mind your own business?”

“I’m the boyfriend.” Joel deadpanned. “So, I’m gonna give you exactly five seconds to step away from my girl, or I’m gonna break your fuckin’ jaw.”

“Hey man, I don’t want any trouble I was just—”

“Five..four..three..two—” Joel started to countdown.

“Okay, okay! I’m goin!’” The guy scampered off like a dog with its tail between its legs.

“You alright?..I’m sure you had that handled, but it didn’t look like that guy was going to fuck off.”

“I’m okay. It’s unfortunately not the first time I’ve dealt with guys like that. I appreciate you stepping in though..”

“Of course. I’m sorry that you’ve had to deal with guys like that before. I don’t understand why it’s a rare occurrence for men to respect women. It’s the bare minimum, y’know?”

“Yeah, I really can’t understand it either. Men act like they are so entitled sometimes. At least you’re not one of them. You’re a real gentleman.”

“It’s how my ma raised me to be. She’d have my head on a spit if I ever disrespected a woman.” He grabbed the two cherry cokes and basket of fries from the counter as you sat down along the bench, with the fries placed between the two of you.

“Are you have a good time at least? You skated all the way over here without eating shit. I’m impressed.” You teased as you popped a perfectly crisp fry into your mouth.

“I’m actually havin’ a blast. This was a great idea to come out here. I guess the adrenaline sorta jus’ kicked in at the last minute? I definitely want to show ya my new moves I learned. Maybe impress ya even more?” He chuckled as he took a sip from his bottle of coke.

“I’d love to see your new moves. You think they’re gonna make my heart swoon?”

“Absolutely positive that they will make your heart swoon darlin.’”

Joel’s ‘moves’ consisted of him attempting to spin, and skate backwards. He ended up falling on his ass and taking you right now with him. You both were in fits of laughter as you hit the floor in unison. He was muttering about his ass hurting while you were clutching your stomach from how hard you were laughing.

God, you had such a cute laugh.

Midnight was the closing time for the roller rink. You and Joel were the two stragglers that weren’t ready to leave just yet as you skated in the middle of the rink to Take On Me. Your eyes were twinkling brightly like the disco ball above as Joel playfully spun you around.

In the end, you were kicked out by the closing staff and you and Joel walked back to his truck with infectious smiles on your faces. His arm was around your shoulder where your hands were interlocked, and before you could unlock the passenger side door, Joel was stopping you as he gently pressed your back up against the side of the door.

“I really want to kiss you right now.” He softly admitted as his arms encased your head on either side. He was broader than you realized as he loomed over you.

“So then kiss me.” You whispered through the thick palpable tension that was growing between you rapidly.

“You want me to kiss you?” He breathed softly as he dipped his head down, lightly brushing his nose against yours.

“Please kiss me Joel.” You whispered eagerly as your lashes fluttered shut.

His lips were slightly chapped, but you immediately liked the way they felt on yours. He was testing the waters out to see how you would respond as one hand dropped down and encased around your waist, pulling you up gently so you were flush against his chest. It was the kind of kiss that stole your breath from your lungs, and spun your brain like a ferris wheel. He tasted faintly of cherry coke, and tobacco.

He deepened the kiss only when you gave him the silent signal which consisted of your breath hitching in your throat, and your fingers twisting through his soft coffee-colored tendrils of hair. His tongue swiped confidently across your lower lip as you yanked on the roots of his hair gently.

He let out a soft grunt that vibrated up his throat as he gave your hip a gentle squeeze.

“Hey! What are you kids still doin’ here! Go the hell home!” A security guard at the roller rink shouted as he shone his flashlight directly in your faces.

“Hey man! We were just leavin!’” Joel grumbled in annoyance as he reluctantly detached his lips from yours and popped open the passenger side door.

“I’m serious! Get the hell outta here before I call the cops!”

Joel wasn’t the least bit threatened at the mention of cops being called as he lifted you into the passenger seat with ease. He stole one more kiss before he gently shut the door and sauntered over to the drivers side.

He started the ignition and rolled the window down just enough for him to stick his hand out and flip his middle finger up to the security guard before he peeled out of the parking lot.

When he finally looked over at you, he saw that your fingertips were lightly pressing into your lips where he had just kissed you minutes ago. You appeared to be in a trance as he reached his freehand over and gently squeezed your thigh. “You alright over there darlin?’” He softly asked.

“Yeah, I’m good. Just..happy.” You admitted as you looked over at him with a small grin.

“Ohh. Is that why you have that dopey look on your face?” He chuckled.

“Yeah, and because that was my first kiss. Could..you tell that it was?” You were playing with your hands in your lap now.

“Wait, I was your first kiss?..You’re serious about that?”

“Yeah, I mean..I’ve been kissed on the cheek by a couple guys but none of them ever properly kissed me. I guess maybe I should have told you that earlier?”

Joel couldn’t help but frown when he sensed the hesitation in your voice. It affected him so much that he was pulling over into the nearest gas station and turning his body completely so he was facing you. “Hey, it’s no biggie that you didn’t tell me earlier, sweets. I’m honored that I was your first kiss. I guess I'm just surprised that I am your first? I mean, you’re fuckin’ beautiful. You’re witty and smart. You’re like a breath of fresh air man. Sounds like these other guys are fuckin’ fools.”

“You think..I'm beautiful?” You finally looked up at him. “I guess I was afraid to tell you because I thought you’d..think it was weird or a turn off that i’m basically a prude?”

“Yeah, you’re literally a gem. You don’t see it? Look, I won’t lie to you and say that I haven’t been around the block a few times, because I have. I’ve had girlfriends here and there and casual hook ups just like the next guy, but as cliche as it's going to sound, you’re different. Now of course there’s nothing wrong with girls just wantin’ to flirt with me and fuck at some house party, I respect them just as much as I respect you. Don’t beat yourself down because you’ve never been kissed, or had sex. Real men aren’t gonna give a shit about that stuff because at the end of the day, that’s your personal choice. Hell, if you told me you slept with twenty guys it wouldn’t make me any less attracted to you than I am now. You’re not prude, and anyone that has ever made you feel that way is a piece of fuckin’ miserable garbage that is probably missin’ some substantial happiness in their lives.” Joel’s statement was one that was rooted in passion. He knew that he wasn’t the perfect guy and he made loads of mistakes, but he always made a point to respect the women in his life.

Your lips parted in pure surprise at Joel’s words, and even more-so when his hand that once was resting along your thigh, was now gently cupping your face with his thumb stroking your cheekbone. He was looking at you like you were the only girl in his world (you were). Ridden with overwhelming emotion, you found yourself wrapping your arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. “Thank you for respecting me, Joel. I know it’s silly for me to worry about these things but it’s just so fucking hard being a girl. Let alone a teenage girl. Sometimes I just feel like I'm behind everyone else, y’know? I see so many girls at school with boyfriends and dates to prom..and sometimes it makes me feel like there’s something wrong with me.”

“I can only imagine how fuckin’ it is to be a woman. Y’all deal with so much crap that men ain’t have to ever worry about. I know as a white straight male, I have it easy in the world and you don’t. I’ll never understand why the fuck society views women on such a low scale compared to men. Hell, maybe in our-lifetime we’ll see that change? One can only hope that by the time we’re our parents age, maybe the world will become a better place. Anyway, you shouldn’t feel like anythin’ is wrong with you darlin.’” You’re not behind the rest of us, and you’re completely normal. I’m tellin’ you this not because i’m tryin’ to get you to fall for me or anythin’ but because it sounds like you’ve been rough on yourself for years, and you deserve to hear the truth and some reassurance.”

“I don’t think you’d have to do much for me to fall for you, Joel. Not when I have been this entire evening.”

He took in a harsh inhale at your words. Was this what it felt like to fall in love with someone? Was it even possible to fall in love in one night?

“Well, if we’re goin’ and spillin’ secrets like that..i’m fallin’ for you too darlin.’”

“You’re right about me being hard on myself Joel. I’ve gotten so sick of my negative mindset and feeling this way that I decided I needed to do something about it. I’m really happy that I did.”

“You gotta stop that shit, okay? I know it’s hard, but you got your whole life ahead of ya. Just focus on havin’ fun. Fuck all that other noise.” He was leaning in close now with his hand still gently holding your face.

“You’re right. Fuck all that other noise.” You couldn’t help but laugh at the wonderful situation you had found yourself presently in. Just a week ago you were feeling like you’d never experience romance in your last month of highschool. Well, you were wrong because here was a guy, sitting next to a girl, wanting to kiss her.

“Before we finish what we started back at the roller-rink. I got one question to ask ya.”

“Shoot.” You whispered as you threaded your fingers through his hair as his nose gently brushed across your cheekbone.

“Will you go to prom with me darlin?’”

You responded to his question with a kiss as you climbed over the center dashboard right into his lap.

“I take that as an enthusiastic yes.” He mumbled into your lips with a warm chuckle as his arms encircled around your waist.

“Yes, I'll go to prom with you Joel.” You kissed him deeper as he pulled you in close.

It was the night of prom, and already you felt like you were living in a fairytale. Your dad had just come home from the dry-cleaners with your dress just as your mom was finishing up your hair and makeup.

“When is your lucky fellow gonna come and pick you up hun?” Your dad asked as he handed you your dress that was protected by a sheet of plastic.

“He said he’ll be here around six. You’re going to be nice..right?”

“Honey, of course I will. I’m not gonna bite the guy's head off.” Your dad responded with a chuckle. “You look beautiful sweetheart.”

You gave your dad a quick kiss on the cheek and a hug. “Just checking to make sure. He’s a nice guy. I’m sure you’ll love him. Thank you for picking up my dress, dad. I love you.”

“I’m sure I will love him, and I love you too kiddo.”

Joel pulled up into your driveway a little earlier than he said he would. Truthfully, he was a little nervous to meet your parents, but especially your father. His mom sent him over with a bottle of wine and he had stopped at the market to pick up some fresh flowers. He used what was left of his last paycheck from his dad’s carpenter company to purchase a fine tailored suit. The only hint you had given him about the dress you were wearing was that it was silver. So, he purchased a silver bowtie so that he would be matching you.

He swallowed his bubbling nerves as he knocked on the front door. Your dad greeted him with a polite smile as he opened the door. “You must be Joel. It’s so nice to finally meet you. Come on in, son. I promise I won't bite.” Your dad reassured him with a wink that immediately relaxed his muscles from having a spasm.

“It’s good to finally meet you as well, sir.”

Your father and Joel were deep in a conversation at the foot of the stairs when you had finally made an appearance. Joel found himself stuck in a trance, and perplexed by your stunning beauty as you gracefully descended down the stairs.

Your dress was made of silver shimmering fabric. The tool wasn’t poofy like the other dresses you had seen. It looked as if it was made for you. The top of the dress dipped down into a delicate sweetheart neckline, and his eyes zoned in on the silver pendant that laid against the middle of your breastbone. It was heart shaped and twinkled under the light. Your heels were silver, and just high enough to give you a couple inches. What really sent Joel’s heart racing was the bright smile you gave him when your eyes locked at the bottom of the stairway.

“Wow.” He uttered in disbelief. “You look absolutely beautiful darlin.’”

Your smile only began to intensify from his words as you gave him a little twirl before hugging him so tight, he thought his heart would burst. “You’re not looking too bad yourself, handsome.”

He could feel the blushing rising to his cheeks as you called him handsome, and he turned beet red when you pressed a soft kiss to his cheekbone.

Before either of you could leave, your mother insisted on taking a few photos while your dad told Joel to have you home no later than midnight.

As soon as you were safely in Joel’s truck, you wasted no time leaning over the center console and kissing him deeply. He responded to your kiss immediately as his hands gently found purchase around your waist. “I missed y’too.” He chuckled against your lips.

“I’ve been wanting to kiss you since you walked in that door.”

“Ditto.” He didn’t hesitate to respond.

“Ready to do prom with me, Joel?” You slowly pulled away and used your thumb to gently wipe away the lipstick residue that stained his lips.

“Ready as i’ll ever be darlin.’”

The theme for prom was “A Night To Remember” and boy, was that an understatement. Joel wasn’t much of a dancer, but he would be damned if he didn’t make his girl happy and dance the night away with her, even if his feet ended up aching by the 20th song. His favorite part of prom was the stupid little photobooth. He had so much fun making silly faces and kissing you like a man in love while the little camera in the booth flashed brightly. By the fifth slow song of the night, you were ready to get the hell out of there.

He was in mid conversation with Tommy when you had gently plopped yourself down into his lap and innocently whispered into his ear, “Wanna get out of here, cowboy?” As his arm wrapped around your lower back for support.

Joel’s eyes widened slightly at your suggestion, and he was silently grateful that he remembered to tuck a couple of condoms in his wallet. “Yeah, baby. Where do you wanna go?”

“Anywhere.” You pressed a soft kiss just below his ear before you slid off his lap.

Joel wasted no time to grab his suit jacket and gently drape it over your shoulders as he snatched up his keys and gave Tommy a little salute.

“Have fun kids! Don’t do anythin’ I wouldn’t do!” Tommy yelled as you and Joel were making a b-line for the nearest exit with his hand gently resting along your lower back.

As soon as you were outside, Joel wasted no time to scoop you up into his arms bridal style as he carried you back to his truck. Your arms looped around his neck. You could faintly smell moisture in the air as a storm was slowly beginning to roll in.

Joel used his freehand to open the passenger side door and gently set you down on the seat, making sure that your dress was tucked in before he closed the door. You were on one another like a moth to flame as soon as he was in the driver's seat.

“Where d’ya wanna go darlin?’” Joel mumbled against your lips.

“I want to go to the nearest park, and dance under the moonlight with you.”

“a lil’ bit of moonlight dancin’ with my baby? I’m all in honeypie.” He was holding your face in his hands so delicately as you kissed. “We can even celebrate with a lil’ splash of champagne after? I was savin’ it just for this special night.”

“Moonlight dancing AND champagne? Joel Miller, you sure know how to spoil a gal rotten.” You giggled softly as your hands slipped down over the patchy spots in his facial hair that were just beginning to grow in.

“Only the best for my baby.” He hummed thoughtfully as you gently ran the pads of your fingertips across his jaw. He pulled away from the kiss slowly and dragged the tip of his nose against yours in a kiss. “Don’t wanna mess up your hair and makeup just yet, darlin.’ We got all damn night for those shenanigans..although, your old man did say to have you home by midnight.”

“He really meant one in the morning.” You pressed one final kiss to his lips before you buckled yourself up.

“Mmm. Did he now? Are you absolutely positive about that darlin?’”

“Deadly.”

“Well, if ya say so.” He looked over at you with his usual boyish grin as he started the ignition.

Joel drove to the nearest park that was situated right in the middle of a little pond. There were only a couple people taking an evening stroll when you and Joel excitedly hopped out of his truck, finding one another’s hands as they interlocked like two puzzle pieces.

Your combined giggles painted the night air in the pure joy of young love as your heels echoed along the pavement. The moon was full, and bright in the stardusted sky as Joel pulled you into his arms and spun you around playfully.

There was no music to be heard, but you created your own with the clicking noises from your heels and your heartbeats entwined. Even when the wind picked up, and blew the skirt of your dress around your ankles, and the thunder rumbled its baritone tune, you continued to dance. The heavens opened up as rain droplets danced around you, and the sky lit up in brilliant flashes of white hot lighting.

“Baby! We should uh—probably get back to the truck now, don’tcha think?” Joel had to shout over the pouring rain that had already begun to soak through your dress and turned it a darker silver color.

“Not yet! Just dance with me a little more! The rain can’t hurt us baby, c’mon!” You grabbed both his hands gently as you spun each other around in a circle along the wet pavement. All it took was one threatening crack of thunder above for both of you to scamper back to his truck.

You sat side by side in the backseat, laughing about nothing in particular as the rain pounded into the roof of the truck and windows. Your giggles died down when he slowly looked over at you and gently grabbed your hand in his own. “Hey, even though we totally almost got obliterated by some lighting out there, I had so much fun. However, this storm seems pretty bad..won’t be able to drive you home until it passes through..any ideas on how we can make good use of our time?” He wiggled his eyebrows at you suggestively.

“Hmm..that’s a really interesting question for you to ask, baby. How do we make good use of our time?” You asked in a suggestive tone as you kicked your heels off to the floor of the truck and pulled yourself into his lap. “I think that all depends on what we both want to do..”

Joel felt his smirk tugging on his lips as you straddled his hips. His hair was soaked and stuck to his face until you had gently ran your fingers through the wet strands and pushed them off his forehead. “Well, what I wanna do requires me ruining this pretty dress, baby. I don’t wanna ruin it. You look so goddamn gorgeous in it.”

“Joel, it’s already pretty much ruined from the rain..”

“We’ll only do what you wanna do. Okay?” He reassured you.

You nodded, swallowing the lump growing in your throat as you looked deeply into one another’s eyes. The tension was slowly beginning to build as your forehead gently rested along his. “Joel?..” you asked softly.

“Yes darlin?’”

“I want you to make love to me. Just like how they do in the movies.”

He took a sharp inhale of breath as his lashes fluttered shut momentarily before he reopened them. “You sure that’s what you want baby? There’s no rush, I promise.”

“Joel, please. I want you to take care of me. I don’t care if it’s not in a bed. I don’t care that it’s in the backseat of your truck. I want you fuck me like it’s our last night.”

He was kissing you then as his hands came up to hold your face once more. “I’ll take care of you, I promise baby. We’ll go as slow as you want. I—I brought condoms..not because I was expecting this to happen tonight, but I just wanted to bring them to be safe.” He mumbled softly against your lips.

“Baby, I know you’ll take care of me. I trust you.” You did. You really did trust him with your entire heart. As if it was made only for him.

“Lay on your back for me honey..nice and easy now..” he kissed you slowly as he gently eased you on your back. He detached his lips from yours for only a moment as he reached for his suit jacket and tucked it under your head so you would be more comfortable. His lips found yours once more as his hand slowly trailed up your calf to your knee. He didn’t want to rush this experience for you. He wanted every moment of it to be enjoyable, because he cared about you that much.

His hand had just found its way up to your middle thigh when you had let out a wanton whimper. You’d never been touched like this before by a man. It set a fire deep within your belly when Joel began to pepper kisses down your jaw. He kissed down the column of your neck, and that valley between your breasts. You opened for him like a blooming flower.

Gooseflesh rose upon your skin as his freehand slipped under your lower back in search for the zipper of your dress. You could feel his lips curving into a grin against your skin as he slowly tugged it down. He shimmied your dress down over your breasts and hips and gingerly laid it across the center console. “You’re so beautiful, darlin. I could stare at your beautiful body for hours..but why do that when I can just show you how beautiful I think you are?..” he whispered against the spot where your collarbone met the base of your throat.

“Joel..” you whispered.

“Shh. I know, baby, I know. I jus’ wanna take my time with ya. Savor every inch of your skin on my tongue.” He lowly hummed as his head dipped back down. When his lips enveloped your pebbled soft flesh, your back arched upwards as a sweet moan slipped past your parted lips.

He rolled his teeth across the bud, flicking his tongue across it expertly, just as his hand slowly dipped under your cotton panties. His fingers stroked you gently, moving in tight circles as your thighs fell open. You had touched yourself under the bedsheets many times before, but it never felt as good as this.

His name dripped from your lips as his fingers played you like a violin. He was carefully attentive to your body language and the way you reacted to his touch. He learned that you were ticklish around your hips, and you liked it when he lightly nipped at the soft flesh of your inner thigh.

He learned that you especially liked the way his tongue worked your cunt into ruin, and his patchy beard scratched at your sensitive skin. He learned that you loved to kiss him, and hold his face as close to your own as possible. He learned that you enjoyed slow, deep thrusts where you could feel him in his entirety. Every stretch and pull as your body hugged itself around his cock like a warm blanket. He learned that kissing just below your ear would cause you to giggle, kissing your neck made you moan.

He learned that your body may as well have been created just for him, and his for you. He never felt so emotionally connected to someone in his life, and now here he was buried so deep inside of your warmth, he swore he could see stars behind his eyelids as he kissed and nipped your chin gently.

He had never made love to any woman he had ever been with. He never moved so slowly, so thoughtfully with the only goal in mind to bring you to that high that felt like no other. So when you came undone around him, he praised you, he kissed you and held you as tears fell down your cheeks. He knew they weren’t unhappy tears. They were tears of overwhelming emotion, and he kissed them all away before he gathered you up in his arms.

It was far past midnight by the time the storm had stopped, and you and Joel found yourselves in the bed of his truck, sharing the bottle of champagne while you were wrapped up in a blanket together. You talked of the future, your relationship and what it meant. You giggled like school girls when he brought up how sweet you tasted, and how he wouldn’t mind having you as a meal everyday.

You talked about the stars and the moon and if the sun ever felt lonely that she never gets to see the night sky like you and him do. You talked about your dreams, your desires and wishes after highschool. He wanted to say he loved you, he really did; he just didn’t know how to articulate it.

You had drunk more than enough champagne, and the bubbly effects were beginning to take their toll on you as you struggled to stand to your feet. Joel was a second too late to catch you before you fell right over the side of the truck and hit the concrete below with a thud.

He screamed your name as it happened in slow motion before his eyes. Panic swirled deep in his gut as he hopped down from the bed and immediately rushed to your side. You were scraped up pretty bad and had a gash an inch long across your forehead that was oozing crimson blood. “Baby! Are you alright?” He was scooping you into his arms in a haste but you didn’t even seem to notice that you were injured.

“Babyyy why do you look so sad? Why wouldn’t I be okay?” You giggled drunkenly.

“Fuck. I knew I should have cut you off from the champs sooner. Baby, you’re bleedin’ all fuckin’ over the place. I’m gonna take you to a hospital, okay? I’m so sorry I didn’t catch ya.” He lifted you up bridal style

“Bleeding? Baby, what are you talking about? I’m not bleeding!” Your giggles continued as you reached up and touched the gash on your forehead. You saw the blood droplets on your fingers, but were unfazed. “Oops! I am bleeding. How did that happen?”

He was already placing you into the passenger seat and buckling you up quickly. He didn’t speak until he was in the driver's seat and peeling out of the parking lot to the nearest hospital. “Baby, you had a lot of champange and fell out of my truck. Your daddy is gonna fuckin’ kill me sweetheart.”

“Champagne must be numbing all the pain, because I don’t feel a thing! Joel, my daddy is going to have to go through me first if he wants to kill you. I’ll protect you baby. He won’t touch you.” You were reaching into his glove box for his pack of smokes and lighter.

“Baby, you don’t feel a thing at all? Fuck. Well, I guess that’s a good thing cus’ you nearly fuckin’ broke your ass. Don’t worry, m’gonna get you to the hospital, and they’re gonna fix ya right up. You’ll be good as new.” He spoke as calmly as he possibly could. Inside he was absolutely freaking the fuck out.

You took a long drag from the cigarette as you made yourself comfortable in the passenger seat. You reached for his freehand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

It was in those exact moments that he realized just how deeply he had fallen in love with you.

Your daddy did in fact want to kill Joel when he drove you home from the hospital. He profusely apologized to your father, while your mother ushered you upstairs. You kept looking over your shoulder to find his face, but your dad was blocking the doorway.

The last time you saw Joel Miller was graduation day. It was outside in the school parking lot. He was leaning against the side of his truck, with his graduation cap in hand. His shoulders were slumped forward, and from the angle you were at you couldn’t tell if he was crying. You were about to call out his name, but he was already getting back into his truck.

Eighteen years had suddenly passed. You went off to college on the other side of the country. You met loads of boys that kissed you, and fucked you, and loved you, but none of them were Joel. You kept a little piece of him in your heart all those years, wishing you could go back to that magical night. The faint scar along your forehead was a constant reminder of those last moments you shared together. Now you were older, and feeling lost in life, and returning home seemed like your best option.

Your parents were more than happy to have you home again, and it felt like nothing had changed. The diner was the same way you had left it, and your old skates were still in the back cubby. Nostalgia washed over you when your eyes locked on the corner booth where you and Joel had first met. It was so long ago, but it had felt like just yesterday he was asking you out on your very first date.

You closed the diner up half past 10 when you could hear the familiar sound of crunching gravel under truck tires. A car door slammed shut as you were locking up the front door.

“Hey stranger.” The familiar Texas drawl nearly had your knees buckling inwards.

“Joel?..” you asked in disbelief as you slowly turned around to face him.

“Yeah, it’s—it’s me darlin.’” He shoved his hands deep into his pockets as he looked over at you.

“What—what are you doing here? I never thought I’d see your face again.”

“Truthfully? I..don’t know. I just heard from Tommy that you were in town again, and I jus’ figured there was no harm in comin’ to see you. I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to just grow a pair. I wasn’t sure how you would react to seein’ my face again after all these years.”

You took a few cautious steps forward as you twirled your keys between your fingers. “Do you want to come inside?..we can talk and I’ve got some leftovers in the fridge—”

“Please.” He cut you off suddenly. “I would love to come inside and talk to you.”

“Two cherry cokes and a basket of fries?”

“Jus’ like our first date.” He murmured softly as he followed you into the diner he knew so well.

“You remembered?..”

“How could I forget? It was the most fun I ever had on a date darlin.’” He cleared his throat nervously as you walked over to the booth in the corner.

His presence was suddenly so close, you felt like you couldn’t breathe as he slid into the booth. He had grown much broader over the years. His arms had filled in and his beard was less patchy. His eyes still held that same familiar warmth to them like they did the first time you met. He clasped his hands together along the table as you disappeared into the back area of the kitchen, and returned minutes later with two cherry cokes and a basket of fresh fries. You sat across from him, and the beverages and fries were left untouched as you sat in silence for what felt like hours.

“So, how have you been?” Joel started the conversation as he slowly reached for a fry.

“I’ve been better. How about you?”

“Not that great if I’m bein’ honest with you.” He popped the fry into his mouth, chewing slowly.

“What’s..going on?”

Joel let out a heavy sigh as he sank back against the worn booth seat. “For starters, I have a 12 year old daughter that I’m raisin’ on my own. Tommy has been helpin’ out thank god. It jus’ ain’t easy, bein’ a single father.”

Your lips parted in shock. It was easy to forget just how much time had passed. Of course Joel had been married, and had a child now. Of course he moved on. You couldn’t blame him, especially when you had gone and done the same.

“You..have a daughter? What’s her name?..”

“I do, yeah. Her mom left us when she was just a few months old. Really fuckin’ messed me up. Anway, her name is Sarah. She’s as cute as a button, really she is. I’m just strugglin’ to make ends meet with my job. I do everything for that little girl, and sometimes I feel like that’s not enough.”

“I bet she is adorable, Joel. Do you have a picture of her? I’m sorry that your wife left you to raise her. I’m glad that you have Tommy to help out at least.”

“Yeah, I’ve got a photo of her right here in my wallet. S’okay. You don’t have to be sorry. Sometimes those things just don’t work out. I’ve moved past it the best that I can.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet and opened it, revealing an adorable little girl with a head of thick black curls, and eyes just like her daddy.

“Oh, Joel. She’s absolutely beautiful.” You were holding in tears you didn’t realize were building as you gently stroked your thumb across the photograph. “She’s got your eyes.”

“She is beautiful. She’s one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I’m so grateful that she’s my little girl. Enough about me, what about you? What’s goin’ on in your life darlin?’ Are..you married?” He was almost too nervous to ask you. He just had to know, even if the answer would hurt him forever.

“I’m miserable if I’m being honest with you now. I’m not married, no. I actually just broke up with my long term boyfriend and moved back home. I quit my 9-5, and just realized that I was pretending to be happy for so long.”

“Why did you break up with him?..”

“Because he wasn’t you Joel.” Your confession fell heavy upon his heart as his face slowly fell into a deep set frown. “He was good to me. He loved me, and wanted to marry me, but he wasn’t you. He’ll never be you.”

“Darlin?’”

“Joel?”

“Do you remember that day you fell outta my truck?” He asked softly.

“I sure do, you came jumping out after me.”

“Well, you fell on the concrete, nearly broke your ass and you were bleeding all over the place. I rushed you out to the hospital, you remember that?” He could feel his own tears begin to well up along his waterline as his voice nearly cracked.

“Yes, I do.” You were reaching for his hand across the table, gently placing yours on top of his.

“Well, there’s something I never told you about that night…” he trailed off.

“What didn’t you tell me?”

“While you were sitting in the passenger seat smoking a cigarette you thought was gonna be your last, I was falling deep deeply in love with you, and I never told you ‘til just now.” His tears had freely begun to fall in sync with your own. You both were reaching for each other's faces to gently wipe the tear droplets away.

“All these years?…”

“Yes, all these years I have wanted to tell you. That night, after we made love, I was going to say it. It was on the fuckin’ tip of my tongue and I froze. I chickened out, and lost my chance. I haven’t stopped thinkin’ about you, or that night for eighteen years. You always have had a piece of my heart, and I’ve never been able to fully let you go, and I don’t think I ever will.” He admitted.

“I wanted to tell you that night as well. I lost my chance when I got too drunk to stand and toppled over the side of your truck. I knew it when we danced in the rain, and when you took care of me the way that all women want to be taken care of. I’ve tried to move on, and love someone else, but I’m incapable. I didn’t just come home because I was miserable in my present life. I came home because I was hoping I’d run into you.” You gently stroked your thumb across his cheekbone.

“Joel, do you believe in the idea of the right person, but at the wrong time?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Do you believe that then can turn into the right person, at the right time?”

“Yes, darlin’ I absolutely believe that to be true. Now, I have one very important question to ask you.”

“What is it that you have to ask me?”

A knowing smile graced his aging features as he leaned in close, close enough that you could see the warmth held in his irises.

“Will you go to prom with me darlin?’”

Fin

Tagging people I think will enjoy: @chaotic-mystery @cavillscurls @morning-star-joy @dinsdjrn @cupofjoel @thetriumphantpanda @darkroastjoel @tessa-quayle @saradika @kirsteng42 @amanitacowboy @sinsofsummers @lovers-liability

Banners made by the lovely @saradika

[just-a-gamer-daydeamer-girl]

More stuff from the PLvsPW rewrite inside my head. (Thanks @aceblaze01 for the name idea)

Here we have Phoenix Wright Nicolas and Mia Maya Fey, two completely normal Labrithan Citizens.

I am still learning how to draw ace attorney and Professor Layton characters. I swapped his eye colors cus it looks better.

For Nicolas I did my best to make his outfit remenestant of a modern day suit while staying period acrute. So I went with a vest, I thought there would be no pure white shirts in this time as well so the undershirt is a bit of a dirty white color. The main thing I had to think about was what could replace a tie? The most accurate thing would be a Cravat, but a normal one seems to fit better on someone who would oppose Nicolas, so I gave him one that was tied in a bow instead. Nicolas does his best to make sure his clothes are in good condition to be presented in, that’s why it’s difficult to see the repairs done to his clothes.

Mia was a bit trickier, I wanted her to have a different outfit then Espella, and commoners back in the day didn’t really wear purple. First I thought about giving her a yellow outfit (as it is complementary color) but ultimately I gave her a lavender color with the yellow undershirt. accuracy be dammed. I am happy I managed to make her hairstyle work while still being age appropriate. As well as some hints to her spiritual nature. She is also a bit dirtier than Nicolas due to her having a wild nature.

These two make their living doing odd jobs around Labyrinthia (at one time they were bakers and worked for Patty Eclair) they are a bit lost on what to do with themselves, as they hop from job to job, from goat milker to blacksmith helper, but nothing seems right. Who knows maybe they will find their calling sooner or later.

(Don’t worry they will still wear the aprons in the story!)

[zorosleftshoe]

Hi, con you done when the r ader and Colby get into a reality bad fight and Colby actually slaps the reader and you make up what happens next cus you need your creative freedom ❤️

Love Lost - (c.b)

Pairing: Colby Brock x reader

Warnings: swearing, slight violence, pure angst

*I changed the slap to having something thrown because I don’t feel comfortable writing about Colby hitting our reader, I hope that’s okay*

The room fell silent as Colby’s words sat heavy amongst us. You wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for me. In some sense, he was right. When I met Colby I was just a sandwich maker in the low end of Los Angeles who was barely scraping by.

Even though his words held weight, my stomach churned at the thought of our friends witnessing this fight. True or not, it didn’t need to be discussed unless it was behind closed doors. Colby tapped his foot in anger as he studied every reaction in the room. Sam, shocked his best friend would cause such an unnecessary scene. Kat, sympathy oozed from her eyes as she looked back and forth between Colby and I. Nate, uncertain of how he should react to his two friends arguing. And Seth, who sat with his head down trying his best not to engage with either of us.

“Now you don’t want to talk? A minute ago I couldn’t get you to shut up.” His words were sharp as if they were intended to wound me to the worst extent.

“Colby.” Sam shot out warning him to take it easy. His feelings may be valid but I was still human and my heart was slowly starting to crack around the edges. “Ease up, man.” Colby shot daggers at him before jumping to his feet and pointing a finger at me as he looked at the blonde boy.

“No, Sam. She used my status to get that interview and she didn’t think to ask me beforehand?” Now he was looking at me. Rage burned behind his baby blues. “Were you afraid I’d say no? Afraid you couldn’t get it on your own so you had to use your boyfriend’s big name to get the job done? Tell me.”

“Colby-“ he immediately cut me off.

“Do you know how much shit I’ve dealt with throughout this relationship?” I scoff at the question before shrugging my shoulders in disconcern.

“I don’t know, Colby. Why don’t you fucking enlighten me? Because from where I’m standing, all I can see is your big ass ego. Yes, I name dropped you, because, the interviewer asked if you were my boyfriend. It wasn’t voluntary information. The woman had done her research before I even set foot into that office. Oh,” I pause pulling lightly on the Mayo stained work shirt I had been wearing. “I’m sorry I was trying to figure my shit out to do better for myself. I don’t want to make sandwiches my entire life and I definitely don’t want to only be labeled as Colby Brock’s girlfriend!” By now both of us were glaring at the other. Neither looking away or moving but just watching the others reaction to what was said.

“Yeah? Well from where I’m standing all I see is a charity case.” My face paled at the words as they left Colby’s lips. The room fell into an uncomfortable silence. No one knew what to say. Unsure of what would spark the next outbursts. After a moment, I nod at Colby and grab my phone from the table.

“Well this is one less charity case you have to worry about, Brock. You’ve paid your dues.” I turn away from the sympathetic looks and start to retreat from the all too crowded living room. Just as I’m about to pass through the doorframe leading to the kitchen of glass pass in front of my face and I hiss in pain as one connects with the apple of my cheekbone. The sound of shattering glass echos off the vanilla colored walls and for a moment I’m stunned unsure of what had happened.

“What the hell, Colby?” I hear before two arms grip my shoulders helping me maneuver away from the pile of glass now on the floor by my feet. The room erupted in chaos once I was sat safely on the couch next to Kat. Colby and Sam were shouting at each other while Nate and Kat both tried to check me over for any other surface injuries. Colby’s face had paled as he looked at his hand as if it had betrayed him.

“I, I don’t know what just happened.” Sam’s face was flushed red as anger radiated off of him.

“You threw a glass, Colby. You let your anger get the best of you.” My eyes met Colby’s and for the first time that night they held a softness behind them. Before he could say another word I rose to my feet and left the room as fast as my feet could carry me. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I packed a bag to last a few days unsure of whether we could come back from this.

[whoisneo404]

If you have the chance could you possibly continue Proud of you, buddy . Maybe it could be him asking the boy out and calling nick to tell him or him coming out to the family and nick just there supporting him through it ( also wanted to tell you that i love your stories )

Proud of you, buddy. Part 2.

Summary: after talking with Nick, you stayed up all night thinking about confessing your feelings to Jackson, you decided that tomorrow (Friday) will be the best day to do it, since it will be the start of your summer break.

Tw: cursing.

I wanted this to be perfect. Last night I couldn’t sleep, so I made it Nicks problem.

‘’You know I am bad at crafts.’’ He said while folding the color papers I gave him.

‘’I know, but I need help. This paper bouquet won’t do itself.’’ Nick rolls his eyes.

‘’What are you doing anyways that you don’t do the bouquet for your boyfriend.’’

‘’He’s not my boyfriend, shut up. I’m writing him a letter.’’ I blush and look down at the empty piece of paper infront of me.

‘’Oh boy, teenage love is so cute, I feel like a grandpa right now.’’

‘’Yeah, ‘cus you are old.’’ I laugh and he scoffs.

‘’I won’t help you anymore, then. My hands are too old to be folding these tiny papers’’

‘’NO, it was a joke, you are as young as a baby.’’ he laughs and keeps folding the papers.

‘’Hey, I know it can be scary, just write what you feel, yeah?’’ I nod and let out a sigh. Starting to write on the paper.

We talked until it was too late, we laughed and he shared his experiences declaring to boys and things like that. I knew I was close with my older brother, but I feel like this brought us even closer. I ended up sleeping 3 and a half hours, the next morning I was looking rough, Nick woke up early to help me pick an outfit and to drop me off to school with dad.

‘’Remember buddy, breath and say what you feel.’’ I nod and he pats my shoulder. I walk into my first period which was chemistry, I have to wait until 4th period to talk to Jackson.

I talk with my friends; I laugh with them. But I can’t shake away the though of Jackson and what he might say. I take deep breathes on the halls as I change classrooms, 3rd period ends and I’m walking into my english literature class, I feel some arms wrap around me, I look besides me and see Jackson smiling at me.

‘’Hi, why didn’t you wait for me?’’ he asks me.

‘’Oh, shit. I forgot.’’

‘’You forgot about me? AUCH. My heart, I am dying.’’ He grabs his chest dramatically and puts most of the weight of his body on me. ‘’Carry me, I am bleeding out.’’

‘’I didn’t forget about you, I forgot to wait. I didn’t wanted to be late again.’’

‘’Again? We are late to english literature like… 4 times a week?’’

‘’Yes, and we have it 4 times a week, you dumbass.’’ He stands straight, one arm still around my shoulder.

‘’Right, I forget. What would I do without you?’’

‘’Probably die.’’ He laughs

‘’True. You are my savior.’’ We enter the classroom and sit on out places, which are next to each other, we share table because the teacher says Jackson pays more attention and gets better grades when he’s with me, I think it’s because he just copies everything I do.

‘’Good morning class.’’ The teacher enters the classroom with a mug of coffee on her hand and starts talking about what we will do today.

‘’Hey, Jack.’’ I whisper and punch him softly.

‘’Hm?’’

‘’Can we talk at the end of the day?’’ I ask trying to not sound nervous.

‘’Yeah. Why not now?’’

‘’You’ll see. Just pay attention to what she’s saying.’’

‘’All right, Mr. Favorite Student.’’

The rest of the day went smoothly, Jackson and I lunched together as always. I wrote to Nick on the bathroom because I was panicking. At the end of the day Nick told me he will be waiting for me with a giant ice cream container, to celebrate or just in case.

I was outside the building, on the quiet part, where people didn’t hang around as much. I looked at Jackson approaching with a wide smile on his face.

‘’Heyo! What is it that you wanted to talk about?’’

‘’It’s a bit complicated.’’ His smile fades and nods.

‘’It’s all right dude, whatever you need I’m here to listen.’’ He pats my shoulder and sits on the ground, his back against the school bricks. I sit beside him.

‘’Well, there is something I’d like to give you.’’ His eyes widen and smiles again.

‘’Bring it out man.’’ I take a deep breath and take out of my backpack the card and the little paper bouquet. ‘’Aw, dude, that’s so cute. Thanks. Is it our anniversary or something? Why are you gifting me flowers honey?’’ he jokes, as he often does. I shrug my shoulders and point at the card. ‘’Yeah right, I should read it.’’ He reads it quietly, he bites his lip while doing so, a small smile on his face, I look down at my hands and try to not cry on stop. ‘’Shit, you are such a dork.’’ I feel his hand grabbing my face and turning my face to him, he kisses my lips. ‘’I like you too, dumbass. Can I be your boyfriend?’’

‘’What? Really.’’ My brain feels dizzy, I’m trying to process what jus happened. ‘’YES, yes.’’ After I can keep rambling, he kisses me again. We break the kiss because my phone is ringing.

‘’Where the fuck are you?’’ Matts voice sound on my ear.

‘’Shit, sorry. I lost track of time. I’m on my way.’’ I close the call and give Jackson a small kiss on the lips. ‘’Bye, see you at the dinner.’’

‘’Bye. I will be there, wait for me.’’

I rush to the car, a big smile on my face.

‘’Damn buddy, what got you so happy?’’

‘’Matt… I have a boyfriend!’’ Matt looks at me dead in the eyes and blinks twice.

‘’That’s amazing, I’m proud of you buddy.’’ He gives me a small hug and starts driving home. ‘’Is he a good guy?’’

‘’Yes, he’s really kind.’’

‘’Does he know you have 4 older brother that can beat him up?’’

‘’Yes, he knows. He’s cool Matt.’’

‘’He better be.’’

We arrive home and I swing the door open, Nick is sitting on the couch, already eating some of the ice cream.

‘’HE SAID YES!’’ Nick stands up from the couch, his eyes wide open.

‘’OH MY GOD, YEEES!!!’’ he hugs me and we jump happily.

‘’What am I missing?’’ Chris who was also eating the ice cream looks at us confused. ‘’Matt, who the fuck said yes?’’

‘’Don’t ask me, the news are as new to me as they are to you.’’ He messes up my hair as he passes by Nick and I.

‘’Chris. I have a boyfriend.’’

‘’A what?...’’ he stares at me for a few seconds. ‘’DAMN, THAT’S NICE, BUDDY. Come here, hug your older brother.’’ He walks over to me and Nick and hugs the both of us. ‘’Be who you aaaare.’’

‘’To soon, Chris.’’ Nick mutters.

‘’Oh shit, sorry.’’ He chuckles. ‘’Proud of you, buddy. When will we get to meet him?’’

‘’He’s coming for mom’s birthday.’’

‘’Oh, that’s cool.’’ Nick says.

‘’Yeah, I think I’ll tell mom, dad and Justin that day.’’

‘’Sounds like a plan.’’ Chris says. Then looks at Matt that was sitting on the couch. ‘’Don’t be a grumpy fuck Matt, come hug your brothers.’’ Matt smiles and gets up to hug us.

‘’Thank you guys, you are the best.’’

‘’We are.’’ Nick says.

[miyagifangkai]

Autumn Nights

Word Count: 4.0k

Warnings: A LOT OF DIALOGUE!!! Extreme cheesiness!! It is so cliche I couldn’t help myself lmao! Maybe some cussing?? Use of “Y/N” And a kiss.

Also not proofread!!!

Summary: Dalton, Chris, and Y/N attend a Halloween party and feelings start to come to the surface as the night progresses.

A/N: so I watched Insidious The Red Door and I got inspired to write something fun and cute so I hope you all enjoy! 🥰



Your eyes slowly open and adjust to the morning sun. You raise up and stretch your arms with a big yawn glancing out your dorm window and your gaze is met with the colors of autumn. You smile to yourself, giddy with the excitement of your favorite holiday coming up. Halloween and Fall was the time of year that you thrived in. The brisk air, the smells, and the coziness was just a few things you enjoyed with this time of year.

You had plans tonight with your roommate, Chris. You two were going to a Halloween party. You weren’t necessarily an extrovert like your counterpart but you didn’t mind going to a fun party for a little bit. Especially when it’s that dumb frat house. You couldn’t wait to see what costumes they were made to wear this year so you could silently make fun of the assholes.

Chris had mentioned taking her other friend with her, Dalton, but you weren’t too sure if he would come. You had only met him a few times and he was always extremely quiet. He definitely fit in with the whole starving artist cliche; but you didn’t mind it, he always listened to what you had to say and sometimes would carry the conversation. You couldn’t help but crush on him just a little bit but you’d be damned before telling Chris about it. You couldn’t imagine the absolute torment that girl would put you through.

You could tell in the few times you three hung out Dalton acted different with you. You weren’t sure if it was a good different or a bad different but you definitely noticed that his demeanor would change when you would join them. You had heard a couple of conversations exchanged between the two on the phone and most of the time he was cracking jokes and having fun with Chris; and then he would hear you laugh or shuffle around and he would go quiet. Chris claimed that it was because he was shy but you had feeling it was something different. False hope, right?

Maybe so.

“Y/N! Wake the hell up!” You hear Chris yell throughout the room as she busts in the door.

You turn your head away from the window and look at Chris with Dalton standing beside her with a coffee in his hand.

You give a small smile, “I am awake, excuse you!”

Dalton lightly pushes past Chris to hand you a coffee, “I got you one. I—I— uh— wasn’t sure if you liked coffee? But I thought I would get you one just in case,” he awkwardly smiles. You feel your heart beat skip a little and small blush creeping up from your neck towards your cheeks.

“I do like coffee, thank you.”

You glance behind Dalton to Chris and you see her with an inquisitive smirk on her face.

Oh shit.

Is she onto you?

No way.

You’re not that obvious.

“So,” Chris lightly claps her hands and makes her way to the bed and sits on the edge, “what’s your costume gonna be, Dolphin?”

Dalton shrugs his shoulders at her, “Dunno.”

She scoffs, “ you don’t know? C’mon! You must have something in mind!”

Again, Dalton shrugs his shoulders with a small exhale and no answer.

Chris gives up for the moment, “Fine. Y/N, what about you?”

“Okay, I have two options and I need your help picking one!”

Chris perks up, “The options are?”

Dalton makes his way to edge of the same bed as Chris and sits beside her patiently waiting for your options.

You run to your small closet space and take out the costumes. You remove them both from their bags so you can hold them up to your body.

“Option one is obviously sexy nurse! Classic, right?”

You hold the costume up to your body and make eye contact with Daltons wide eyes but you quickly subvert your gaze to Chris.

“Totally cute but so basic!” Chris laughs causing you to chuckle.

“Option two is cheerleader but with a twist. A dead cheerleader.”

You hold the short skirt up with your hands and tuck the shirt under your chin with a smile.

“Alright! We’re getting somewhere with that. Sexy but spooky!” Chris exclaims.

“So Chris votes for dead cheerleader!”

You look at Dalton who still has wide eyes but he’s expressionless.

You break him out of his daze, “Which one do you vote?”

He meets your eyes, “Uhm— which ever one you feel more comfortable in, I guess.”

“Dude you’ve gotta pick,” Chris lightly slaps his shoulder.

“I like the cheerleader idea,” he, again, shrugs his shoulders at you.

“Ha! Two votes dead cheerleader!” Chris screams.

“Dead cheerleader it is! Chris, what’s your costume?”

“Oh, I’m going as a pirate! The bandana was cute so.”

“Of course you bought a whole ass costume for a bandana,” you laugh.

“Now. It’s time for you,” Chris points at Dalton.

“Me? I already told you I’ve got nothing.”

“Don’t be boring, Dalton!” You say causing him to look back at you.

“I am not being boring. I just don’t have a costume.”

Chris quickly stands up with a mischievous smile on her face, “I have an idea!”

“Oh no,” you say.

“Oh yes! Wanna know what it is?” She raises her eyebrows, smirking.

“Not really. But I’m sure you’re gonna tell me any way,” Dalton unsuccessfully hides his annoyance.

“Dead football player!”

You scoff, “No way.”

“Way.”

“I am not dressing as a football player. Shoulder pads all night? Absolutely not.”

“Awh! It’ll be cute though! You two will match,” her devious smile returns and you see a shade of pink wash over Daltons face.

You decided to run with it, “I mean, she has a point. It would be kinda cute to match.”

Daltons eyes soften at your statement, “I don’t know.”

You sit down beside him and nudge him with puppy dog eyes, “Please? It could be fun, ya know.”

He looks down at you with a tight lipped smile, “ugh! Fine, I’ll be the dead football player.”

“Yes! This’ll be so much fun! We need to go get the costume! Daylight is burning!” Chris exclaims making her way towards Dalton and grabbing his hand which for some reason made you feel a twinge of jealousy.

“You guys go get the costume. I need to start getting ready,” you say with a small drop of bitterness that Chris didn’t seem to notice but Dalton did.

“You’re not coming?” He asks.

“Nah, I gotta get ready,” your tone is short.

“Okay, we will see you later then?”

“Yeah, I’ll see you later.”

They both exit the room and you start to put on your costume and your makeup. Close to an hour later you’re done with everything and you’re satisfied with the look. Dark eyeshadow and pale makeup to make you look like the life had drained out of you. Chris walks back in the room quickly and starts grabbing her costume to get ready. As you two finish up the looks you both look in the mirror together and smile.

“Damn! We look good!” Chris exclaims.

“Yeah, we do,” you say quietly, “I wonder how Dalton looks?”

“Why don’t you go check on him?”

“Yeah, maybe I should. He might need help with his makeup,” you say.

“Yeah, sure, help with his makeup,” Chris says with air quotations.

You look at her with mock confusion, “What does that mean?”

“Oh, nothing.”

You shrug pretending that you don’t know what she’s talking about and leave the room to go check on Dalton.

You lightly knock on his door, “who is it?”

“Uh— it’s Y/N!”

You hear shuffling as he comes to answer the door and you were met with Dalton in his costume with his hair half up in a small bun, you were pretty sure that your heart skipped a few beats when you met his eyes.

“Hey, come in,” he says quietly.

You step in and shut the door behind you, “I just wanted to make sure that you didn’t need any help.”

“Oh! I’m managing, do I look okay?”

You nod your head not being able to find any words.

Dalton chuckles lightly, “you sure? I know you and Chris are kinda picky.”

“I am so not picky!” You laugh.

“Ha, yeah, sure,” Dalton jokingly rolls his eyes at you.

“Anywhoo,” you sigh, “you look great Dalton.”

Dalton looks down at the ground trying to hide his slight blush from you.

“Hey guys!” Chris busts in the door interrupting you two from your little bit of flirtation, “I need help with— whoa! Dolphin! You look hot! Good for you.”

“Thanks.”

“What do you need help with?” You ask.

“Well, I need help with what boots I should wear? I need to capture the pirate vibes.”

You and Dalton help Chris pick out her boots and then you all head off to the party. The walk there made you feel like you were trick or treating again. The slight breeze nipping at your legs, goosebumps starting to creep down your appendages. You unsuccessfully hide a shiver and you feel an arm rest over your shoulders pulling you closer.

“Cold?” Dalton mutters, you almost couldn’t hear him.

You lean into his touch, “Yeah, I am,” you chuckle.

You catch Chris glance at you two with a small smile.

You all make it to the frat house and greeted with gross looking lime green Jell-O shots with gummy worms in it.

“Hello, ladies! Interested?” The young frat boy asks ignoring Dalton’s existence.

“No. We’re good,” you answer feeling Daltons arm move away from your shoulders. You almost shiver again from the cold wrapping it’s fingers around your shoulders, but you hide it. You three walk into the house met with the absolute ear shattering rap music playing in the background.

“I’M GONNA GET A DRINK FOR US!” Chris yells and you nod in response.

You make your way through the sea of bodies with Dalton closely behind slowly reaching the kitchen. You wanted to see what snacks they had because you were feeling a little hungry and the music wouldn’t be so blaringly loud there either.

You two make your way to kitchen and stand where someone wouldn’t be able to bump into you all. Dalton leans on the counter and you make your way to the snack bowls filled with wrapped candies and chips. You take a piece of candy and unwrap it looking at Dalton and offering him one, he declines.

“Nervous?” You say loud enough for him to barely hear.

“A little. I’ll be okay,” he gives you a small smile.

Chris approaches you two with drinks and you practically chug yours hoping to get tipsy quick. You were a lot more fun when you’re tipsy. Dalton takes a small sip of his, actually, you weren’t even sure if he sipped it. Finally, another song starts to play and you hear Chris say, “my jam! Come on, Y/N! Let’s go dance!”

You take her hand and you two run to dance. As you two were dancing you lose sight of Dalton thinking that he decided to leave. He wasn’t into parties any way and you were surprised he even came or dressed up for that matter. You go get another drink or two… or was it three?

You down them starting to feel it hitting your system. Your head and body becoming light and the room slightly spinning a bit. You keep dancing and laughing until you start to get vertigo.

You knew what was gonna happen next. You make a beeline upstairs to find a bathroom. You check each door to see if they’re unlocked. At the end of the hallway the last door opens and you find Dalton laying on the floor hyperventilating.

“Dalton?”

He quickly looks at you with wide eyes, “Y/N? Is that you?”

“Yeah, yeah. It’s me,” you rush over to him on the floor your nausea starting to dissipate and you start to feel sober from the pure adrenaline rushing through your veins, “are you okay?”

Dalton sits up, hair disheveled, “Yeah, fine. I got too drunk I think.”

He wasn’t drunk. You knew that. He barely even sipped his cup but you didn’t want to push when he was clearly shaken up like this.

“Oh, seeing shit?”

“Yeah, seeing shit.”

You look away from him and stare at the wall in silence. You can feel the vibrations of the bass from the loud music in the living room but for some reason you were comfortable. Quaint, even. You wanted to say something to him but you didn’t know what to say. You and him have hung out and talked alone and even had deep conversations before even with the few times you’ve talked to each other. You couldn’t help but wonder if he felt the same way about you.

You weren’t sure if it was from the alcohol and the second hand smoke from the marijuanna filling your system but you had a sudden burst of confidence. You look over at him and catch him staring at you.

“Shit, sorry,” he readjusts himself on the floor sinking down further.

“No, it’s okay. Is there something wrong with my outfit?” You glance down to see if you had spilled something or even puked on yourself without knowing it.

“No! There’s nothing wrong at all!” You could tell he’s holding something back but he speaks again leaving you practically speechless, “you look beautiful.”

As you were sitting down the intoxication has slowly started taking over again. You didn’t want to speak because you knew that what you had to say would be something stupid but your brain couldn’t control what you say, “No. no. You look beautiful, Dalton!”You let out a bubbly laugh.

He raises an eyebrow, “How much have you had to drink?”

You look at him with doe eyes feigning innocence, “Oh you know— not much.”

“Not much?”

“Nope! Maybe one drink? If that!”

“Right,” he chuckles.

You laugh with him and look back at him taking in his features despite your drunken haze. He had a slight 5’oclock shadow and his hair had a little bit of wave to it from the heat of the house.

“What?” He asks.

“Nothing. Just taking in the view,” the small portion of your brain that was becoming sober wishes it could slap you in the face, “a nice view.”

“Yeah, okay, I’m calling it. Let’s get you back, huh?”

“Aw! I don’t wanna go yet. It’s just getting started!”

Dalton stands up and holds out his hand for you to take which you unwillingly do. He starts to lead you out of the house trying to catch a sight of Chris. He pinpoints her standing in the kitchen eating some chips.

“Hey, I’m gonna get her back to the dorms! She’s smashed,” Dalton exclaims.

“Hey! I’m not that bad!”

“Okay, I’m gonna stay here a bit. I’ll see you all later,” she waves you both off.

Dalton tightens his grip on your hand slightly and leads you out of the house.

“Shit! It’s cold!” You wrap your arms around yourself.

“Sure is. Let’s go.”

You and Dalton make your way back to the dorms trying to ignore the annoyingly freezing temperature outside. You were sure you would get a cold from this. You two finally make it back and Dalton walks you to the door.

“Before I go, do you need anything? Water?”

You flop on your bed and take a deep breath. You lean up a bit so you could look at Dalton balancing on your forearms, “I hate to ask but water sounds pretty good. If you don’t mind?”

“Of course I don’t mind,” He walks over to your mini fridge and grabs a bottled water and opens it for you, “small sips, okay? We don’t need you getting sick.”

You heart flutters at his low voice filled with so much love and care for you. Even if he liked you or didn’t he was a good friend.

“Thank you,” you sip on your water.

Dalton sits there for a second making sure that you are able to keep the water down and you lay back down.

“I gotta get this makeup off,” you groan.

Dalton stands up and walks over to your makeup bag and grabs a few makeup wipes. He hands them to you and you start wiping your face, “don’t be alarmed when you see me without makeup. I look like an actual goblin.”

“Don’t say that about yourself.”

“Listen, I know truth is truth,” you smile at him.

“You’re perfect, Y/N.”

You wipe the last bit of makeup off your face, “You’re sweet and all but you don’t have to lie.”

“I’m not lying.”

You turn to look at him again, “You really think I’m pretty?” Shit. Here comes the drunk man’s words.

“Yes. And so much more.”

You felt it. The word vomit starts to seep out of your mouth.

“I like you, Dalton. Like, like you.”

Dalton sits there for a second trying to calculate the right words to say. He didn’t really know how to answer that. He liked you too but did he want to take it to the next step? This could not only jeopardize you and him but also Chris.

“Dalton,” you lean back up and place your hand on his warm flushed cheek, “say something.”

“I—I don’t know what to say,” he genuinely admits.

The liquid courage was still hitting you almost full force as you lean in. Dalton is quick to stand up leaving you disappointed in his rejection.

“Not like this,” he whispers.

“But I like you?”

“I like you too! But you’re intoxicated.”

You felt tears well up in your eyes but you push them back, “it’s okay. Thank you for walking me back and the water,” you raise your bottled water in the air.

“Y/N, I didn’t mean it like that,” he huffs out air, “I just don’t want to take advantage of you.”

“No, no, I get it. Have a good night Dalton. I’m tired. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

Dalton gives in, “I’ll see you tomorrow,” and with that he walks away.

After you hear the soft click of your door you cover up not bothering to take your costume off and lay your head on the pillow accidentally letting a tear escape as you start to drift off.

You wake up the next morning with vague memories from the night before and a pounding headache. You check your phone to see what the time was. It read 11:20AM and you saw a few messages from Dalton.

“I’m sorry that I hurt your feelings.”

“It wasn’t my intention.”

“I like, like you too.”

You put your phone down and lay your head back on the pillow and sigh loudly.

“What are you sighing about, grumpy?”

You weren’t sure if you wanted to tell Chris about it yet. You were afraid it might hurt your friendship with her and Dalton. You wanted to tell her she was your best friend but… you just weren’t sure. You laid there in silence for what felt like hours but it was only a few seconds before Chris raised up a bit and turned on her side to look at you. You didn’t want to look at her because you knew if you did then you’d tell her everything that went down. Even though, most of your memories were coming back in as quick flashes.

Your phone lights up again and curiosity definitely killed the car when you picked it up to see who it was.

Dalton.

“Wanna get lunch?”

Your eyes widened without you even noticing, “Who was it?”

“When’d you become so nosy, Chris?”

“No reason. Just curious, I guess?”

She was obvious. Too obvious. Had she caught on?

You give in a little, “It’s Dalton.”

“Dolphin? What’d he say?” Her tone was excitement. Too excited.

“He asked if I wanted to get lunch with him.”

Chris fully raises up and dangles her legs off the edge of the bed, “No way!”

“Way.”

“Well? You should go!”

“You think?”

“Yes! You two would be so cute together!”

You were shocked by her positive reaction. Chris was a very supportive friend and was happy for you in any situation but you didn’t expect her to fully support you being in a relationship with Dalton.

You decided to agree so you message him back, “Sure!”

He messages back almost instantly, “Meet me at my dorm in about an hour.”

“I have an hour to get ready. I’m still in my Halloween costume!”

You hadn’t even noticed that you were still in your costume that smelled weird from the night before.

Chris practically jumps off the bed and claps her hands from excitement and jogs to your closet space to find you the perfect outfit while you gather your shower supplies.

After you shower and get ready you take a quick glance in the mirror admiring the outfit Chris chose for you.

“Are you ready, cutie?”

You laugh, “Not really. But I guess I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Don’t be nervous! He really likes you.”

Your breath catches in your throat, “He does?”

“Uh— yeah. He fricken adores you, dude.”

You smile at her and grab your things to head out. You say your goodbyes to Chris and make your way down to Daltons dorm. You lightly knock on the door.

Dalton answers with a small smile, “Hey.”

“Hey.”

“Come in.”

You walk in and you can smell the scent of his cologne, “Let’s just address the elephant in the room. I was really drunk last night and whatever I did or said I’m sorry.”

“No, no! It’s no problem. You were pretty gone last night. I’m surprised you even remember most of it.”

“Yeah… I remember.”

“I’m sorry for hurting your feelings. I just—” he stutters “— I just didn’t wanna take advantage of you.”

“Thank you for that. Really. Thank you, that was so beyond sweet,” you continued, “and I was a little asshole about it.”

Dalton chuckles and scratches the back of his neck awkwardly, “It’s okay.”

“But nevertheless I meant what I said.”

You take a step closer to him and he answers, “me too.”

You smile, “you know,” you hesitate, “you can kiss me now, if you want.”

Dalton takes the invitation and gently places his hand on your cheek and leans in touching your nose and staying there for a second or two just savoring the moment; so you make the move and connect your lips with his. You could tell he was nervous with shaky hands and not knowing exactly where to place them. He decides on placing them on your waist to pull you in closer. You then moved your hands behind his neck and through his hair. You felt like your world was spinning, fires were igniting, and fireworks were going off all at the same time. The kiss was damn near perfect and you weren’t sure if this would ever be topped.

You two separate for a second to breathe but you both end up chuckling from pure bliss. You both stand there for a second and just breathe, taking in each others scent and happiness. You looked into his eyes and you weren’t sure if there was anyone prettier or more perfect than he was.

You break the silence, “I have waited so long for that.”

“Me too.”

“I like, like you, Dalton,” was the next sentence you muttered not sure of what else to say.

“I like, like you too,” he laughs.

Nothing was never going to compare to this moment, this time of year, the person you were with. Nothing would compare to him. You felt like he was your sun, your moon, your stars, your galaxies, and everything in between.

This was gonna be a Halloween you’d never forget.

[fr33ze-y0ur-br4in]

Hey so I saw that your requests were open and you’d be open to do Khonshu stuff. I’m so excited because he’s like my go to but there’s not a ton of content to keep me fed so I’ll just as a simple fluff head canon stuff from you. I understand if you’re busy or whatnot so no rush, have a beautiful day!

.:*・°☆. Murder Bird My Beloved.:*・°☆.

My link list is here

Pairing: Khonshu x GN!Deity!Reader

Summary: general fluffy headcanons for Big Bird Khonshu dearest (includes backstory for “meeting” I suppose, maybe how you got together? (A/n: they kinda merged together), and then just general fluff stuff)

Warnings: it’s so much omg, Reader is god/goddess/deity of Promises and has a counterpart that’s the deity of Karma, GN!Reader, 2nd POV (“you” is used in reference to reader), Y/N not used, possible spoilers for Moon Knight, canon-divergent in most aspects, as usual probably cringey, also as usual should be POC friendly but if any descriptions of skin color are detailed please let me know so I can fix it, Reader’s godly form is said to have “eyes […] so golden they seem to reflect […] stars […]” but they have an unspoken human form that doesn’t have such specifics

Word Count: 1,134

Genre: headcanons, fluff

Beta/Proofread?: yep!

Notes: I told my friend to hear me out on Khonshu and she just sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose🧍listen I can eXPLAI- It started out so well but went down in quality in the second part ;-; Would anyone like to hear about what my OC that Reader is based of looks like cus I love how she’s designed

How you met + Getting together:

Technically speaking, you had always known of each other’s existence, just rarely having spoken

Given that you are not part of the Ennead, you and your counterpart were not held to as high of a pedestal as them.

You, being the deity of promises, and your counterpart, being the deity of karma from broken promises, often kept to yourselves, only going to the other deities when necessary so as to not be reeled into fights and rivalries

Honestly it worked

No one really had an issue with either of you and you had few issues with the other deities

The only reason that you would have a negative encounter with another god would be if they broke a promise, swear, or deal they made with anyone else or if their Avatar did so

That being said, you and your counterpart always knew when and if someone would break a promise. Much like Ammit, you judged someone’s (or something’s) character before anything bad happened, looking into whether they would keep their end of a bargain when they made it. Similar to Khonshu and to the disappointment of your counterpart, you didn’t give punishment until after the deal was broken, giving them a chance to change their decisions.

This is why Khonshu held a certain level of respect for you whether he’d admit it or not

He knew that even though someone was almost guaranteed to continue down the same path or fate they begun, there was always that slim chance that they’d be able to change their path, either giving them salvation and rightful rewards from you two or appropriate punishments for their wrongdoings

He saw that you were all similar in style and execution of your duties, though he held a certain level of fondness for you that he didn’t hold for your counterpart

Perhaps it’s the way your eyes are so golden when in your true form that they seem to reflect the very stars Khonshu tends to manipulate

Perhaps it’s the way you’re the reason people gain a second chance, your counterpart wishing to be more like Ammit in that they believed you should punish the bad before they can affect the world

Perhaps it’s the way you have your own set of rules that you are determined to stick to:

Minor broken promises that have little effect on the world and anyone in it are not to be punished with anything more severe than a lingering feeling of regret for a bit of time

Promises broken having something to do with love are to be punished over time, rarely having an instant punishment to quickly get over, and shall have a lasting effect on the person or people in the wrong

Mortals are to have only three chances to break a major promise before their punishments are to be fitting for their level of importance to the course of the world

Gods, sometimes understandably having to go back on their word for the sake of the greater good, have five chances at most to break positive world-changing promises

You and your counterpart are to never break a major promise more than one time, two times being the point of worthy imprisonment

Never in your several thousand years of existence have you felt it necessary to break any or your rules, always sticking to them no matter what

Your counterpart, unknown to you being slowly corrupted by Ammit, disagreed with the rules and thought that humans shouldn’t break a promise more than once to be worthy of punishment, deities should have no restrictions on their deals, and you two of all people shouldn’t have to be punished for your wrongdoings

After Ammit and your counterpart nearly succeeded in taking all bad in the world and turned it in their favor, you helped the Ennead to imprison the two of them burying them deep in tombs so as to never be released.

Khonshu saw how even you, the counterpart and friend of the Karmic deity, were unwilling to bend your principles even if it meant taking on the entirety of the world’s promises and karma on your own

He decided you would be a good person to have on his side, beginning to call upon you in any situation he deemed fit, even daring to call upon your own judgment within the Ennead’s circle of decisions whether the other gods saw it appropriate or not

This is how over the course of a few thousand years, it became known to any who heard legends of the two of you that you belonged to each other, finding a mutual love for each other over the time you share

General Headcanons (after establishing relationship):

If you weren’t already a god/goddess/deity, you’d better believe he’d make you one. Although since you already are one, he holds you to the highest degree of devotion possible, not having any regard for whether or not it offends the others

Even though you didn’t, he’d treat you as though you helped to hang the stars above

Boy you have him wrapped around your godly finger 💀 (

Probably the typical “I hate everyone and refuse to listen to anyone except my perfect wonderful amazing lovely wife” type of god, yk?

Genuinely thinks you can do no wrong, it’s probably not even healthy but he loves you so it’s fine

(okay I know this is probably so unlike him but I am so obsessed with the idea that anyone resembling a crow in any way loves to bring random shiny things to people they like so I can just see him bringing you random bits of precious metals and gems to the point that all that he collects is able to be made into a whole ahh shrine or smt for you)

Not a headcanon but I’m now realizing i should’ve done human!reader cus that’d be easier for general headcanons but I’ll make that later

After he gets banished, you become more enraged than you ever had been, choosing to follow him instead of staying with the others

Hopelessly devoted to youuuuu~🎶

Falls even harder if that was possible

He makes sure that any Avatars he picks are worthy in your eyes

After a particularly difficult mission Marc took on, before the events of the show, Khonshu considered dropping him altogether

You easily convinced him to do otherwise, telling him how crucial he’d be to the world in the future

The only reason Khonshu held onto Marc and Steven for so long even if he’d threaten to drop them was because of your words always echoing in his mind even with the slight doubt that came with seeing Steven’s performance

After the events of Ammit, he never doubted a word you said again, always taking your words as the highest level of truth to be said

A/n: I’m sorry the last half sucks, I tried to make it as well as possible but I think my tiredness is getting the better of me seeing as it’s now 11:30 at night for me rn- I hope you like it either way <3

[lifmera]

hazbin/helluva (one for each) matchup for an acearospec he/they/it with massive audhd swag (masc leaning attraction ways)

i love art and fiction, both as the audience and artist/author,

especially collaborative storytelling like roleplay or improv!!!!

and i love to use my artistic skills to make things for others.. or myself. alot of the time just myself. theres probably a reason im called an egotist

im very creative imaginative or whatever and daydreaming isnt an oddity. or just getting stuck in my head re-narrating the same idea over and over.

im known to have a large vocabulary but if you ask me what any of the words mean i cant tell you (i know im using them right but i learn all my words via inferencing rather than precise definition)

hidden role games are my bread and butter (think mafia,,, or among us)

in the past i made for a very convincing serial killer. take that how you will

i can also get well enough into character to genuinely provoke tears in an acting scenario. though im a quick crier regardless so that doesnt say much

I'm very over the top "fashion"-wise wearing bright garish eccentric colours.

this overbearingly true to my selfness extends to basically every facet of my being which is only balanced out by how god damn low energy i am (chronic pain ass mfer)

I'm probably cold blooded, put me under a heatlamp idk

id say that i bite but im too germophobic for that shit

thank you :]

HEY HEY!!

I didn’t pair you up w Velvette… only cus i wasn’t sure if you were gay or just prefer men!

I’ve decided to pair you with…. BLITZØ & VOX 



He’d probably force you to do some pony role play with him. Please do it- he just loves his ponies :(

ALSO DRAW HIM PONIES!! OR TEACH HIM?? He had to pay so much for art classes, just for him to still suck…

He want’s to hear your thoughts most of the time. He’s like.. “whats going on inside their head rn…?”

He’d think you are a little like Stolas using big words- but he’d be impressed. He’d probably ask you to help him increase his vocabulary so he can actually sound more intimidating and boss like.

Serial killer? Join the IMPS :) they only have like 3 other people anyways.

Well enough character?? Lure in the clients like Loona did??? SIGN HIM UP!!! He’s already offering you a job.

Roleplay…. Games? He’d probably ask wtf is that, but then enjoy it sm. Probably asks moxxie and millie to play in their free time.

He’d be surprised you are wearing bright colors!! Usually people in hell wear all red, black, white and pink.

He’s definitely think you’d get along with Loona, so he was like “perfect lover?!!? Esp if they might become close to my daughter?!?”

Ok, VOX time!!

If you are able to Improv… it’d be perfect… you can help him manipulate people…

Especially being able to cry on spot??! If you can act he’d probably bring you everywhere- and you’d join the face of the company.

He’d need someone with a creative imagination to help him come up with new/more ideas for vox tech. Eventually he might run out.

Your large vocabulary would also help him out a ton. You can help write scripts for him, and act them out that’ll make everything sound WAYYY convincing!

Serial Killer? Join the Vees x2!!! They need someone, esp against Alastor.

Fashion? Thank god! You’d get along with Velvette!!! And he wouldn’t have to worry about you not getting accepted into the Vee’s.

~~

Hope this was okay!