#dad stop trying to be matchmaker-

[luxthestrange]

HOUSAMO Incorrect quotes#23 Enemies to Lovers

Mononobe*Coming into your Bedroom*I invited the Genocider family to dinner! Do me a favor, Be sweet to Arc they kinda of have a crush on you

Mc*On bed with Book on lap*Really?...I had no idea

Mononobe: Of course, you didn't, You never do*Closes the door as he leaves*

Mc*Cover smiles with the book and chuckles, peeking over the edge of the bed to see Arc*?~

Arc*Crawling out from under your bed with a red face*SHUT UP-

The Ultimate Enemies to Lovers Duo-

[queenpiranhadon]

╰┈➤ 𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒 ✶.ᐟ: Your daughter and son, ever the matchmakers, wonder why your husband, their father, isn't the most romantic. One night, when you come home from work, you witness your kids trying to wrangle Sukuna into a suit, excitedly telling you he's taking you to a fancy restaurant.

✶ 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒: f!reader, you and Sukuna are married, you have a 7 year old daughter and a 5 year old son, Sukuna isn't very big on PDA but he loves you so so so much, your kids love their mama <3, icky food, no curses AU, mentions of postpartum insecurities, ooc Sukuna - for a reason dw

✶ 𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒: Sukuna Ryomen x Reader

𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓: ✶

You're in a good mood today - work went smoothly and you were able to finish up early so you could come home to wind down with your family for the evening.

As you grab your keys to unlock the front door of your home, you mentally go through a list of ingredients for what you plan on making for dinner tonight.

However, a loud crash breaks you out of your thoughts, startling you as you hurriedly open the door, wondering what in the world you husband and kids have gotten up to now.

Stepping inside, you're not exactly sure what to make of the scene that graces your eyes.

Your husband has a grumpy look on his face, red eyes squinting at the little girl in front of him with an equally annoyed expression on her face.

Your son is nowhere to be seen, but you hear another crash from the kitchen, flinching as you have a nagging suspicion what's going on.

What's even more jarring however, is the fact that your husband is wearing a suit.

It's been a while since you've seen Sukuna in formal wear, especially in a suit that deliciously clings to his frame in a way that showcases his defined arms and sculpted torso.

"Stop complaining Daddy! You need to look good for- oh Hi Mommy!" your daughter's voice cuts you out of your daydreaming, her small angry face brightening up in excitement once her eyes fall on you.

Running up to you, she grabs your hand and tugs you closer to your husband, whose face looks slightly embarrassed - which should've immediately signaled some alarms in your mind because Sukuna and embarrassed did not fit in the same sentence.

"Daddy's gonna take you on a date to a fancy restaurant!" your daughter chirps, and you blink at her slowly.

"He- what?"

"Go get ready Mommy! Look extra pretty too!"

You protest helplessly, unable to do much as your daughter pushes you into your room, leaving you to contemplate what the hell just happened.

You chuckle at your daughter's antics, sighing as you set your bag down and take your shoes off.

It wouldn't hurt to play along for a bit.

Rifling through your closet, your eyes widen as they land on the dress Sukuna had bought you for your birthday a while ago.

Changing into it, you stare at yourself in the mirror. You know it's been a hot minute since you've ever dressed up so nicely, but the way the dress clings to your figure seems different than how it used to. Then again, the last time you wore this dress was before your daughter was born, and thus it was bound to fit a little differently due to the changes your body had undergone due to postpartum. Your husband has assured you that he genuinely did not care, and that he loved you the way you are, and yet... you couldn't help but feel a little insecure as you stared at yourself in the mirror.

Before you could change your mind though, your daughter barges into the room, giving you a quick once-over before grabbing your arm again and dashing to the backyard with you in tow.

Like father, like daughter, you snort mentally, knowing full well your little girl got her impatience from her dad.

Bringing you to the patio, you blink in surprise as your drink in the view in front of you. It's a fairly nice setup, fairy lights twinkling from the veranda ceiling and a table with a vase of flowers that you recognize to be the one you set on the kitchen counter just a few days ago.

"Aw honey, did you do all of this?" you say, and your daughter grins nodding.

"I hope you're hungry!" she says and you raise an eyebrow.

Before you can ask any further though, you hear someone clear their throat behind you. Turning you see your husband, clearly out of his element as he eyes your figure in a way that makes you feel almost vulnerable to his gaze.

"H-Hey." You say, awkwardly. Though being married for so long, it's been a while since you and Sukuna have been on a date - not to anyone's fault, but between balancing both your work life and managing your kids' schedules, there just hasn't been any time.

He smirks, approaching you and wrapping an arm around your waist, tugging you closer to him. "Hey, gorgeous. Ya ready?"

You flush - was Sukuna ever this flirty? You feel like a schoolgirl again - which is strange, considering you've been married for nine years. Maybe the lack of dates has really caught up to you.

You shake yourself out of your thoughts. If your husband could act a little out of his element, so could you.

You bring a hand up to his face, tracing his jawline before your thumb grazes the outline of his lips. Your look at him lovingly, but there's a tinge on shyness in your gaze too.

"You look really good, Ryo." you say, and it's like you're 17 again.

Sukuna hums, kissing the top of your forehead. "Yeah? You don't look so bad yourself, love."

Guiding you to the table, he pulls out your seat for you, making sure you're situated before sitting down in his own seat.

You're not sure how your daughter managed to get Sukuna to act like this, but you mentally thank her because this was so worth it. You make a note to treat her later.

Just then, you son loudly enters the area, wearing what you notice to be your husband's chunky black boots and your white jacket and sunhat in what you gather to be a poor attempt at a chef's outfit. You wince mentally noticing a stain that definitely wasn't there before but your son looked so hilariously adorable in the clearly oversized clothing that you couldn't bring yourself to be mad.

You see him adorably trying to look at mature as possible, with a mustache drawn on with what you hope isn’t permanent marker.

“Here are your menus.” your son says, with a terrible French accent, and you cover your mouth with the back of your hand to stifle your laugh.

“Thank you very much… um what’s in the-” you squint, trying to decipher what you know to be your son’s handwriting “special?”

Your son frowns, thinking for a minute. “The special? The special has uh…” you wait for him patiently, extremely amused.

He just shrugs. “I dunno.”

You laugh a little and sigh, eyeing the menu that consisted of the unknown special and baked beans for some apparent reason.

“I’ll just take the baked beans then.” you say, smiling down at your son, who takes your menu, turning to look at your husband, whose red eyes were already staring at you.

You flush and clear your throat, looking away, but you can still feel his assessing gaze, as if he's trying to drink up every square inch of you, memorizing your beautiful face in the moment.

Your son looks up at his father impatiently and Sukuna blinks in confusion before realizing that he needed to order too. “I’ll just take the baked beans or whatever I guess.” He grumbles and you raise an amused eyebrow.

The moment your son stomps away in his (read: Sukuna’s) boots, your husband mutters under his breath. "God I hate baked beans."

You snort. "Weren't you the one who wanted to eat healthier in this house?"

Sukuna grumbles"When I said eat more proteins, I meant meat, not stupid beans." You almost want to take a picture of his expression- looks like your daughter was rubbing off on your husband as just much as he was rubbing off on her.

“WE HAVE A PROBLEM!” you hear your son call out, and you flinch as another crash can be heard from inside.

You start to get up, but you’re stopped by the feeling of Sukuna’s large hand on your thigh.

“I’ll take care of it.” you hear his gruff voice say, and your heart warms at the sentiment, watching him and his daughter leave the room.

Sukuna groans, watching the catastrophe in front of him.

Taking on that stupid bet with a 7 year old, what was he thinking?!

He can picture her smug face in his mind, drawing a random picture on the countertop before asking the most out of pocket question in the world.

“Why does Mommy love you?”

Sukuna raises an eyebrow. Because we’re married…?”

She rolls her eyes. “I know that, I mean why does Mama love you- it’s not like you give her kisses and hugs all the time.”

Sukuna blinks. She wasn’t wrong. But that didn’t mean he didn’t show his affection to you. Any PDA was done behind closed doors, away from prying eyes, which included your own children. And you knew that- and reassured him that his alternate ways of showing affection didn’t bother you at all. However…

“Daddy’s not romansic!” Your son chimes, his pronounciating a little off, but the message was clear.

Your daughter nods. “Yeah Daddy! You can’t be romantic at all!”

Which is how Sukuna found himself staring at the spilled can of baked beans, food splattered across the tiled kitchen floor. He eyes another stain on his (your) jacket as well- and groans internally, knowing that he owes you another one.

"What the f- heck, happened here?"" Sukuna gapes, catching himself before he said something he would surely get sent to the couch for.

"....I spilled it." Your son looks back at him meekly. Unlike his daughter, your son looked and acted almost exactly like you- which was a problem for Sukuna because it made it almost impossible to get mad at him.

Your husband groans, knowing wondering how he's going to clean the mess, when your daughter's small hands star pushing him out of the kitchen again.

"Go be romantic Daddy- I'll clean up the mess and we'll make something." she says, and in that split second, he gets immediate whiplash from the resemblance your daughter has to you.

Maybe not in looks, Sukuna had that covered, but in the way her mouth curved up in a determined little smile? All you.

Sukuna knew you were as used to this whole date thing as he was - the last date you had been on was about 7 years ago, and so he was a little nervous.

But when you saw you, god you looked so heavenly it was almost sinful to even be able to lay his eyes upon you. The way your dress hugged your curves, the sparkle in your eyes he loved so much, and that gorgeous smile - he wanted to give you the world. He wants to give you the world.

He sees you sitting patiently by the table, tracing invisible patterns on the tablecloth, before a shadow looming over the table catches your attention.

Sukuna's behind you, draping his arms around you to loosely rest against your collarbone, burying his nose into the crook of your neck.

"Huh- oh, hi Ryo!" you say, smiling softly and giggling as his hair tickles your neck.

Fuck... I love you so much baby...so, so, so, damn much." he mumbles and you coo, threading your fingers through his hair and pressing a kiss to the pink tufts.

You laugh slightly. "What's gotten into you, hm?"

Sukuna still doesn't lift his face from your neck, his words muffled. "Shut up woman, and let me love my wife."

You smile warmly, gently removing your hands from his hair to tilt his face towards you, leaning in to kiss him tenderly.

Sukuna almost melts from your touch, and you're a little surprised, wondering who ever managed to get him so...soft.

Sukuna didn't have to wonder though. He knew. It was you. It always has been. Sukuna's not one to look at the past, or get sentimental, but this? Spending some time with you, being able to be surrounded by you and your love, being able to watch his family grow with you by his side - he can't help but feel the need to love you even more than he has.

What you both don't notice are the two sets of eyes that peer out the back window, your daughter and son fist bumping as a mission accomplished.

A/N: I think I rewrote this a good three times :,)

𝚝𝚊𝚐𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝: @tootiecakes234 @gina239 @its-liberty-frazblair @lilyadora @callmeanythingyouwant00

@milkm4nz @lightsgore @skaiblu-e @that-one-lightskin @hahajsphaha

@beaniesayshi @abinformyobsessions @sharycatx3 @meddykip @riririr11

@ladygojooo @abyzissupersleepy @lilaccmilk @anime2006

[love-belle]

tujhe kitna chahne lage !!!

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ in which the entire world is convinced that they do not like each other but it's actually quite the opposite.

or

for when they make you go crazy in a good way. ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

social media au // lando norris x fem!reader

warnings - language

author's note - another desi!reader bc why the fuck not!!!!!! hope you like it, i love you so much <3

≡;- ꒰ °instagram ꒱

liked by lilymhe, carmenmmundt, landonorris and 758,427 others

yourusername lando norizz said i sparkled (derogatory)

tagged landonorris

6,829 comments

username NAH MARRY ME RN

username sirf ek chance plzzz (just one chance please)

username MAATE???? ( mother )

username OH MY GOD

username nah im in love what yhe fuxk

carmenmmundt you shine ❤️‍🔥

*liked by yourusername*

username THAT LEHNGA THOUGH

username traditional clothes hit different and that's just facts

username hayeee nazar na lage ( no evil eye )

username SHE ATE AND LEFT NO CRUMBS

username lando rn: ur a vampire

-> username forgive me in my head that was wayyyyy more funny

username marry me PLEASE

carlossainz55 i'm blinded

-> yourusername STOP MAKING FUN OF MY SEQUINS

-> landonorris only i'm allowed to make fun of her so back off sainz

-> carlossainz55 child i taught you everything you know now

-> landonorris OMG DAD STOP EMBARASSING ME

-> yourusername i'm blocking both of u

username she's so W

username traditions attire 🔛🔝

username i love all the drivers just randomly popping up on her post and leaving after pissing her off like that's MY source of entertainment and serotonin

username mother slays 🔥🔥🔥

mickschumacher your aunt (???) is setting me up with her daughter help

-> yourusername walk AWAY

username not the desi aunties trying to play matchmaker 💀💀💀

username i love her so much omg

username waiting for lando's comments before going on with my day like it's the morning news or something

landonorris you DO sparkle

-> landonorris disco light like looking witch

-> yourusername i'm honestly gonna go and tell lewis that ur being mean to me

-> landonorris WAIT NO

landonorris you sparkle (🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮)

-> yourusername here lewishamilton

-> lewishamilton lando no

-> landonorris I WASN'T EVEN DOING ANYTHING

landonorris imagine wearing silver on silver

-> yourusername you wear dumb on stupid everyday do u see me complaining

-> usernme nah she gagged him

landonorris boo 👎👎👎

-> yourusername ur so obsessed with me ☺️☺️☺️🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️ go on 🔥🔥🔥🗣️🗣️🗣️🙏🙏🙏 log out 💯💯💯❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥😘😘😘

username they make me so ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

username i want what they have

username just make out already

≡;- ꒰ °instagram ꒱

liked by yourusername, carlossainz55, pierregasly and 789,514 others

landonorris when y/n managed to *not* burn the kitchen down while boiling water

tagged yourusername

7,826 comments

username lando babe this js proves that you're all sunshine and smiles when it comes to her

username they hate each other???? lol

username nah what in the enemies to lovera shit is this

username HIS SMILE OMG

username sunshine boy

username he's so adorable

username nah they're definitely together

charles_leclerc says the one who burned the hello kitten mittens

-> landonorris IT WAS AN ACCIDENT and YOUR hello kitty mittens

-> charles_leclerc LANDO WE AGREED TO KEEP THAT OFF THE INTERNET

-> username me randomly discovering that charles loves hello kitty in the comments of a post about y/n from lando is so wild if u think about it

username hiii im new to f1 can someone please explain who y/n is and why do lando and her hate each other :)

-> username ofc angel <3 she's the daughter of one of the BIGGEST sponsors for f1 and she's like very close with most of the drivers and their partners and attends as many races as she can!!!!

-> username lando and her have had a very *rocky* relationship since the beginning bc the first time they met, lando pushed her into the pool and then she pushed him into a fountain so !!

-> username they're all currently in india atm bc y/n's sister is getting married and it's like the event of the decade!!!!!!!

-> username NO BC THAT FOUNTAIN CLIP WOULD FOREVER BE ICONIC

danielricciardo this is not helpful in beating the crush allegations !

-> landonorris shut the fuck up !

username he's so ☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️

username not danny ric calling him out

username this comments section is WILD

username they're together idgaf they HAVE to be

username atp they're just playing with us

username no bc lando and y/n are SO iconic like from the moment they met to here like all of their public interactions are so entertaining

-> username one of them is always ready to throw hands with the other one and most of the time it's y/n

-> username nah bc i know my girl is DONE with his shit

yourusername you forgot how to crack an egg.

-> landonorris YOU CRACKED AN EGG ON MY FOREHEAD

-> yourusername HOW IS THAT RELEVANT RIGHT NOW

yourusername *when y/n is actually the love of my life

-> landonorris hahahahahahaha!!!!!!! babe what!!!!!!!!!

-> danielricciardo both of you are so dumb 😭😭😭

-> maxverstappen1 oh my god

-> charles_leclerc what just happened

-> username "babe" SAY WHAT

username im gonna go and walk my fish

-> username i suddenly need to iron air

username they're idiots (affectionate)

≡;- ꒰ °instagram ꒱

liked by lewishamilton, carmenmmundt, landonorris and 897,527 others

yourusername tujhe kitna chahne lage ( just how much i love you )

tagged landonorris

comments are disabled for this post

≡;- ꒰ °instagram ꒱

liked by yourusername, charles_leclerc, danielricciardo and 897,426 others

landonorris she's mean but she buys me chocolate so ❤️

tagged yourusername

9,457 comments

username AHHHSHHSHSHD

username i am not okay

username IM SO

username HER.

username im heartbroken 💔💔💔💔💔💔 both of my parasocial relationships gone just like that

username nah bc she can fuck me up and i would say thank u and sorry for wasting your time

maxverstappen1 she's mean to all of us but she doesn't get us shit

-> yourusername aren't you like a millionaire

-> maxverstappen1 SO ARE YOU

-> yourusername lol i get p and kelly chocolates

-> kellypiquet 🥰

-> maxverstappen1 you're never getting to babysit p ever again

-> yourusername WAIT NO I'M SO SORRY

username they both said fuck soft launch

username ENEMIES TO LOVERS

username apna time aayega ( our time will come )

danielricciardo idk she makes me chai

-> landonorris didn't she almost hit you with a rolling pin because you said "chai tea"

-> yourusername it was honestly so deserved

-> danielricciardo i am TRAUMATIZED

username LOOK!! AT!! THEM!!

username we've come so far oh my god

username y/n posting a couple dumb pictures of lando and a cute one of them together and then disabling the comments while lando posts these MASTERPIECES is so on brand of them

-> username cool gf 🤝 obsessed bf

yourusername i am NOT mean

-> landonorris sure

-> yourusername im not!!!!!!!!!!

-> landonorris sure!!!!!!!!!

yourusername love u ig

-> landonorris guess again

-> yourusername I LOVE YOU SOOO MUCH

-> landonorris k

-> yourusername blocked

yourusername hey ur kinda pretty

-> landonorris hey you're very pretty

username THESE BITCHES

username i feel like i've entered an alternate dimension

username ngl im gonna miss y/n and lando shit talking each other

[worseforwords]

The Arrangement

(Alessia Russo x Reader)

Chapter I of Marshmallow

“Sweetheart? Can you hear me?” your mom’s voice cackled through the phone. “Take your phone off your ear, mum, you’ve facetimed me,” you chuckled. “Oh, right. Hi, darling, lovely to SEE you,” she giggled at her own joke. “How are you, love? And where are you? I don’t recognise that wall behind you,” she inquired. “I’m in the changing room at Arsenal, you know, my job.” “Right, ‘course. Everything alright? How’s your g-” “Yeah, everything’s good,” you quickly interrupted her, hoping no one in the changing room caught on to what she was about to say. “I have to head to training soon, mum. Did you want anything from me?” “Right, busy woman, no time for chit-chat with her mum. Your dad and I were just wondering if we could come visit you anytime soon. We haven’t seen you since Christmas, and we would both really love to meet your girlfriend!” She said that last part with a bit too much excitement, and you were sure you saw some heads snap your way from the corner of your eye. “Ehh, yeah, I’m just a little busy at the moment with football, so I’m not sure when I’ll be free,” you said as you quickly turned down the volume of your phone. “I know, darling, but I noticed there’s no match scheduled the weekend after the next one, so you’ll be free then, right?” Another disadvantage of being a professional athlete: usually having a very public schedule. “Right, yeah, I think so. I’ll call you after training, mum.”

You hung up after both of you exchanged goodbyes and you immediately noticed a few eyes on you. One pair belonged to a smirking Katie, who quickly plumped herself down next to you. “What was that I heard? Does somebody have a new girlfriend?” “What the hell, why haven’t I heard about this?” Leah joined in. “Lotte, did you know?” Your roommate Lotte shook her head. “Haven’t seen or heard anyone at our house.” “How is that even possible?” Victoria wondered out loud. “Is it a long-distance thing?” Caitlin joined in on the conversation. By this point, you were surrounded by your teammates, gazing at you, awaiting answers, and your head was spinning, trying to come up with anything to explain your situation.

Ultimately you decided on just telling them the truth, knowing full well a lie wasn’t getting you out of this situation. “There is no girlfriend,” you said quietly. Clearly, your answer wasn’t satisfactory as everyone kept staring at you frantically. “My parents kept asking me when I would finally bring someone home because my brother and sister are both happily married or engaged homeowners starting their own families. They keep telling me not to wait until it’s too late. At Christmas, when they started again, I finally snapped. I lied and told them I have a girlfriend.” You took a quick breath before you continued. “Only it backfired because now they won’t stop asking me about her, and apparently, I have to find a girlfriend within the next week or so.” You let your head fall into your hands dramatically. There was a short silence as everyone around you processed what you had just told them. Then a loud shriek as Katie burst out laughing. “Oh boy, you’ve gotten yourself into some trouble, mate!” she shouted. “Good luck with that.”

The next few minutes were filled with everyone either light-heartedly teasing your situation or attempting to play matchmaker and find you a girlfriend, which you knew was futile with only 10 days to go. This was precisely why you avoided going on dates. All the unwarranted attention and people meddling in your life, you didn't need it. You’d rather concentrate on the love of your life that you did have some control over: football. Fortunately, Kim took her captaincy very seriously and summoned everyone out of the changing room for training to begin, but not before sending you a sympathetic smile as you mouthed a quick “thank you” to her.

Training went by swiftly, and afterward, some of the girls gathered at Beth and Viv’s for dinner. You sat on the sofa with Laura and Viv as Alessia was directing Vic in the kitchen, and Beth was setting the table. “So, Y/N, are you going to tell your parents the truth about your girlfriend... or lack thereof?” Laura asked. “I don’t know; it’ll be so embarrassing. And I definitely won’t be able to hold off on them trying to set me up with their neighbour’s son, who is studying to be a doctor, or my mum’s colleague’s daughter who’s in law school.” You imitated your mom as you talked about the people your parent wanted to set you up with before dramatically making a barf gesture. “But what else can you do?” Viv asked. “Let’s see... Fake my own death and start a new life elsewhere? Start studying robotics and learn to design my own robot girlfriend? Pretend I’ve got short-term memory loss and have forgotten who my own girlfriend is?”

“Okay, I need to join in on this, scoot,” Beth waved her hands, gesturing for you to move over. “The fact that you thought of building a robot girlfriend before considering finding an actual girlfriend is insane,” she said, almost like she was scolding you. “I get it,” mumbled Viv as Beth immediately sent her a stern glare to which she responded with by blowing her a quick kiss. “I don’t want a relationship right now. Besides, 10 days is way too little time to find someone,” you said, ignoring their antics. “Fine, have it your way, go with the robot. Vic can help you; she’s studied maths,” she joked as she got up again. “Excuse me,” Vic got involved from the kitchen. “Which of my subjects do you think is about robot girlfriends?” She giggled. “I say go with the Dory thing.”

“Vic, stir this sauce for a bit, please,” Alessia spoke sternly as she turned towards all of you. “Okay, I can’t believe no one has thought of this, but the solution is very simple. You just find someone who can pretend to be your girlfriend for the weekend your parents visit,” she explained as all of you listened. “Yes! Less, that’s a perfect plan,” Beth exclaimed. “But who should it be? Maybe you can hire an actor!” She added as you seriously considered this option for a moment. “Hm, I don’t know, seems kind of risky if they don’t really know me,” you said. 

“Yeah, you should probably pick a friend, someone you’ve known for a while and who knows what you’re up to these days,” Laura stated. “Sooo, maybe a teammate?” Vic suggested. “Yes!” Beth shouted again. “A teammate. But who? Obviously not someone who is openly dating someone else already, so me and Viv are out,” she then stated more calmly. “Laura and I can’t make it either, we’re going out with the Aussies, remember?” Vic asked as Laura nodded.

A silence fell as everyone sort of stared at Alessia, who was too focused on her cooking to notice. “Less?” Beth caught her attention, making her jump a little when she noticed everyone’s hopeful gazes fixated on her. “Are you available?” she asked. “Oh yeah sure, I’ll do it.” Alessia sent you a quick smile before continuing to make dinner. “That settles it then,” Beth said, giving you no say in the matter whatsoever. If you were being honest, though, you were just glad you had found somewhat of a solution to your problem. Besides, you didn’t know Alessia that well, the two of you usually being in different friend groups within the team and you had been intrigued to get to know her better for a while now.

The next few days in training everyone was mostly focussed on the game ahead. Some new pieces of gossip flooded the changing room and much to your delight, you and your love life were left unspoken of. It almost seemed a bit too good to be true, and you were now starting to worry it had all been a joke that you took too seriously. After all, the whole plan was a bit insane, definitely unlike anything you had ever done before. Were you just too desperate to notice that it was all banter?

"Everything alright, Y/N?” Alessia's voice jolted you from your mental spirals. “You seem a bit distracted.” “Yeah, all good. My mind just wandered for a second.” You feigned a smile. “Okay.” She returned the smile. “Hey, Alessia,” you began before she could exit the changing room. “Can I talk to you for a second?” “Yeah, of course. What’s up?” She settled herself beside you.

“So, you know about our crazy fake girlfriend plan, and—” “Correction, it’s my crazy plan, not ‘our’. My idea.” She interjected with a satisfied expression. “Right, your crazy plan. Anyhow, I realise you were put on the spot when Beth asked if you were available. I just wanted to say you don’t have to do it; I can find someone else,” you spoke hesitantly. “Oh no, I want to do it. Unless you’d prefer someone else, of course.”

“No, I didn’t mean it like that,” you quickly clarified. “Alright then, let’s do it.” You offered a shy smile. “Ehh, I hope that’s not how you planned on asking me,” she giggled. You shot her an ‘are you serious?’ look. She responded with what you assumed was her best ‘yes, I’m serious, how dare you even question that’ expression. “Give me one second.”

You darted around the corner, returning a few seconds later with a ring made from bright blue kinesiology tape. “Alessia Russo, will you do me the honour of being my fake girlfriend for the weekend?” you proposed, getting down on one knee before her. “Yes, YES, a thousand times yes!” She dramatically pretended to swoon as you slid the makeshift ring onto her finger.

“Right, so my parents will be visiting from Friday night until Sunday, most likely,” you swiftly changed the subject, attempting to avoid any blush creeping onto your cheeks. “But you don’t have to be there for the entire duration, of course. If you could just pop in for a bit on Saturday, that would be great,” you suggested. “Oh, well I don’t really have any other plans because I assumed this would be an all-weekend kind of thing,” she replied softly, and you felt the warmth in your cheeks intensify. “And Dan is out of town anyway.”

Right, Dan. Her boyfriend. You were aware of him, you had met him – this wasn’t new information. So why did you suddenly feel a knot tightening in your stomach at Alessia mentioning him? “So, what do you want me to be like?” She brought you back from your thoughts. “What do you mean?” You asked. “I mean, how do you want me to be around your parents? We’ve got to impress them, right?” She explained. “Oh, just be yourself. They’ll love you. I know they will,” you assured her as she got up from the bench, ready to go warm up.

“Whatever happened in here?” Leah asked as she entered the changing room, followed by some other girls, right after Alessia had left. “What do you mean?” You inquired. “Well, Less just almost walked into me; she was all flustered and smiley, and now here you are, looking all flustered and upset,” she explained. “Nothing happened. I’m not upset. Just a bit nervous about my parents visiting and everything,” you lied. Either Leah didn’t notice or she decided to let you off the hook, but either way, she didn’t ask any further questions about it. As one of your best friends, Leah knew you very well, and she also knew that questioning you in a room full of people was the worst thing she could do to you. 

“So is Less still coming?” Beth inquired. “Yes,” you mumbled, not wanting everyone to get involved again, but with no success. “Less?” Katie jumped in. “Why would she come?” Luckily, Beth came to your aid and explained the whole situation to everyone there so you didn’t have to.

“That’s a great plan,” Katie finally spoke. “But how will we make it believable?” “I’m sorry, we?” You tried to interrupt. “We should quiz them!” Beth suggested loudly, ignoring you entirely. “What is happening?” You mumbled to Leah who just laughed at you in response. “Yes! Lotte, can you come up with some questions about Less, and Leah, you can do the same for Y/N.” 

Somehow, everyone had agreed on the quiz idea, and once again, you had no say in it. On Wednesday night, a few of the girls gathered at Lotte and your place to prepare you and Alessia for the weekend. The anticipation in the air was as thick as the excitement before a big match. Tables were set up, and a stack of papers with questions lay in the centre. Lotte, with her mischievous smile, and Leah, ever ready for a good laugh, were the architects of this grand interrogation.

You, Alessia, and the rest of the team settled in around the living room. The atmosphere was a mix of nerves and amusement, everyone eager to see how this plan would unfold. Beth, who put on an oversized blazer and a bright red Arsenal bowtie for the occasion, took charge, announcing the rules with a theatrical flourish.

“Alright, everyone! Welcome to the Ultimate Fake Girlfriend Quiz Night!” She exclaimed, earning a round of laughter. “We’ve got questions about Y/N for Alessia and questions about Alessia for Y/N. Let’s see how well our fake couple knows each other.” The room erupted into cheers. Lotte, holding a list of questions about Alessia, winked at you. Leah, armed with questions about you, looked equally mischievous.

The first round began, and Leah fired off questions about you. Alessia, to everyone’s surprise, answered with remarkable accuracy. “Alright, Alessia,” Leah said with a smirk, “what’s Y/N’s guilty pleasure snack?”

Alessia pondered for a moment, a playful glint in her eyes. “Chocolate-covered pretzels. She hides them in the back of a cabinet, but I always find them.” Laughter filled the room. You couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at Alessia, impressed and slightly amused that she had picked up on your secret indulgence. Apparently her close friendship with your roommate had given her quite an advantage.

Lotte, taking her turn, quizzed you about Alessia’s life. “What’s Alessia’s weirdest talent?” she asked with a sly grin. You thought for a moment, realising Alessia had shared a few quirky skills in the changing room. “She can do this weird thing with her tongue, like roll it into a clover shape. It’s bizarrely impressive.”

Alessia blushed, seemingly surprised that you remembered such a minor detail. The room erupted into cheers again. As the quiz progressed, Alessia consistently demonstrated an uncanny knowledge of your habits and likes. It seemed like she had been paying much more attention than you thought.

The highlight came when Leah, with a devious smile, presented the final question: “What’s Y/N’s weirdest habit in the morning?” Alessia, grinning confidently, answered, “She talks to herself in the mirror while doing her hair. Full-on conversations with her own reflection.” Your face turned crimson, and a chorus of laughter echoed through the room. You shot Alessia a playful glare.

The quiz ended and the consensus was clear — Alessia and you knew each other surprisingly well, considering this was supposed to be a fake relationship. However, Katie, ever the provocateur, couldn’t resist stirring the pot.

She leaned forward with a teasing grin. “So, you two aced the quiz, but do you even have any chemistry?” Her question hung in the air, causing a collective intake of breath from the spectators. Alessia looked at you, a subtle uncertainty in her eyes. “Seriously, guys, you need to up your game. You look way too platonic.”

Your teammates, now fully invested in your fake romance, decided to play relationship coaches. “Alright, stand up,” Beth commanded. “Let’s see how you two handle physical proximity. Hug. Now.” You and Alessia exchanged a glance, both feeling a bit awkward. You hesitated for a moment before tentatively wrapping your arms around each other. The teammates observed and then erupted into a chorus of opinions.

“Too stiff!”

“More like you mean it!”

“Look into each other’s eyes, not the ceiling!”

You and Alessia shared an amused yet bewildered look. The teammates continued their analysis, discussing everything from hand-holding techniques to the positioning of your bodies. It was like a crash course in relationship theatrics. “Alright, sit down,” Beth commanded again. “You two are sitting too far apart. Scoot closer.”

As you and Alessia moved to sit side by side, Steph suggested, “Try a more casual touch. Like, Y/N, put your hand on Alessia’s leg.” Panic flashed across your face, but you complied, very carefully placing your hand on Alessia’s leg. The room erupted into laughter again.

“Okay, she said casual, Y/N. She’s not made of thin glass now is she?” Beth joked, and Alessia chuckled as you adjusted your grip, secretly wanting to disappear into the couch. The teammates continued to give advice, critiquing every move and gesture. Amidst the laughter and chaos, Laura suggested, “You guys should try the 36 Questions. You know, that study that makes people fall in love?”

That mention drew curious looks from you and Alessia. Beth explained, “People say you’ll fall in love if you answer them honestly with someone. It could help you two look more... well, in love.” The idea was met with a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism. “Homework for our fake couple!” Beth declared, and everyone laughed.

As the evening wound down, the teammates left your place. Everyone but Alessia, who offered to help you clean the place up. Lotte went to bed, leaving you and your now approved ‘fake girlfriend’ with a newfound list of relationship do’s and don’ts, along with the prospect of a homework assignment that promised to make your fake relationship more convincing.

“So… I guess we’ve got some homework to do,” you said, feeling very awkward all of a sudden now that it was just you two. You then realised you had never really hung out together without at least one other person being there. “Yeah, 36 questions,” she started as she grabbed her phone. “Do you believe in this?”

“No of course not,” you said, ever the sceptic. “But I do believe Katie is gonna murder us if we don’t do our homework. Both of you exchanged glances like, ‘Are we really doing this?’ and rolled your eyes in silent agreement that this was a bit of a silly experiment.

“Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?” She read the first question from her phone, immediately gazing at the ceiling as if in thought about her answer. “I bet yours would be Michael Jordan,” you said. “Hey, I’m asking you about your answer not mine!” She giggled as she elbowed your shoulder. 

“Fine, let me think. Do they have to be alive?” You wondered. “I mean I guess it says ‘anyone’, so if you want to have dinner with a corpse, by all means,” she chuckled. “No, not like that, ew,” you now elbowed her. “I just mean I would love to have dinner with my grandma. She’s sacrificed so much for our family, but I only ever knew her as a child so I’ve never been able to thank her for it.” Still in thought you stared at your feet for a bit until you realised it had been quiet for a while in your living room. 

“Sorry,” you said, quickly looking up and finding Alessia’s eyes already on you with a look you couldn’t quite place. “I’ll just go with Beyoncé, she’d be a cool dinner guest,” you quickly changed your answer. “No, no, that was really sweet. I bet your grandma would love to have dinner with you too. And I’m sure she knew you’d be grateful,” she said softly, her eyes remaining on yours. “Yeah well, you just called her a corpse so that idea is kind of ruined for me now,” you teased. “No I didn’t!” She protested.

The first couple of questions were mostly light and you chuckled at each other’s silly answers. However, as you continued down the list, the questions became increasingly deep and personal and as eye-rolls turned into thoughtful pondering, you both found yourselves sharing way more than you had expected. 

Alessia’s responses were open and honest as she shared stories about her childhood dreams, the hurdles in her football journey, and her aspirations beyond the pitch. One question, in particular, struck a chord: “If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?” Alessia’s response was heartfelt. “I’d want to be fearless. Not just on the field, but in life. There are times when I feel held back by my own doubts and fears. I’d love to face everything without that weight.”

Her openness made it easy for you to share your own dreams and fears. The conversation flowed easily, moving through topics of love, aspirations, and personal histories. It felt like something shifted between the two of you. Alessia was no longer just a teammate or a fake girlfriend to you. She was someone you could talk to, someone you felt a genuine connection with and you had a newfound appreciation for her.

By the time you had finished the first set of questions you finally looked at the time. “Oh my god, Alessia, it’s 2 am!” You both jumped up. Two hours had passed since everyone had left and you had an early training the next morning. “Really? How did that happen. I should run then,” she said.

“Hey, do you want to stay over?” You asked as you immediately noticed her questioning expression. “In the guest room I mean. Just cause we have an early training tomorrow and I don’t want you to be exhausted.” You quickly added. “Yeah, that’d be nice.” She smiled shyly at you. “Okay, be right back.” You stated as you sprinted towards your bedroom.

You returned a few minutes later with a bunch of stuff in your arms. “Here’s an unused toothbrush, towels are in the bathroom cabinet, and I didn’t know what you like to sleep in so here’s some shorts, joggers, a t-shirt and a hoodie. Wear whatever you want.” You rambled nervously as she chuckled. “Thank you Y/N. Good night.”

The next morning, your alarm blared, pulling you from the depths of sleep. Groggily, you stumbled out of bed, rubbing the sleep from your eyes. Training awaited, and as you yawned your way through the morning routine, the events of the previous night flashed in your mind. You couldn’t help but glance at Alessia, who was already up, seemingly more awake than you were. She flashed you a tired yet friendly smile. “Morning,” she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep. “Morning,” you replied, trying to shake off the remnants of your dreams. The two of you exchanged a glance, a silent acknowledgment of the peculiar situation you found yourselves in.

As you headed to training together, you couldn’t ignore the amused glances from your teammates. Alessia, clad in your training gear because she hadn’t brought her own, was the target of playful banter. “Nice walk of shame, Alessia!” Katie teased, eliciting laughter from others. “You two look tired, looks like our chemistry experiments worked a little too wel!” Quipped Beth, pointing out the bags under both your eyes.

Training progressed as usual, but not without the occasional teasing from one of your teammates. You knew none of them really meant anything by it though. Everyone knew it was just a bit and that the two of you were no more than friends. And so did you, cause that was the deal, right? 

“You know,” Alessia began when the two of you were alone for a second after Katie asked her when you were planning your next sleepover, “despite all the teasing and the fake girlfriend stuff, I’m kind of enjoying getting to know you better.” You felt your cheeks starting to flush as you took in her genuine smile. “Yeah, me too. It’s strange how these things work out.” You tried your best to reciprocate her smile without blushing too hard. What on earth was happening to you?

The day went by swiftly as the prospect of having Alessia around as your fake girlfriend all weekend had you slowly spiral into a nervous wreck. When Friday afternoon finally arrived, you stood in front of the bathroom mirror as you went over the many things that could go wrong. What if your parents didn’t believe it? What if they did? What would that even mean? What if she never even showed up cause who were you to think she would do something like that for you? What if her boyfriend got mad? What if she suddenly started liking you, for real? What if she didn’t?

You splashed water in your face, desperately trying to stop your mind from spiralling, and more specifically to erase those last thoughts. Where was your mind coming up with all this none-sense? Was there something more to this? Another splash. No. None-sense. You groaned as you watched drops of water trickle down your face. 

“Y/N? Everything okay?” You heard Lotte’s voice call out from the other side of the locked bathroom door. “Less is here.” You inhaled a sharp breath as you felt a familiar knot form in your stomach. “Shit,” you mumbled to yourself. “Be right there!”

“You’re early,” is the first thing you said when you came out of the bathroom after quickly drying yourself off and fixing your hair. “Nice to see you too.” A kindly smiling Alessia appeared once you opened the door. “Thought I’d help you prepare before your parents show up. Hey, are you okay?” She gazed at you as if she was examining your current state. “Yeah, I’m okay. Sorry, hi, thank you for being here.” You opened up your arms as an invitation for a hug which she accepted immediately.

“Allright, lovebirds, I’m out.” Lotte said, suitcase in hand as she hugged you both goodbye, leaving for a little romantic getaway with her boyfriend. “Have fun!” You both shouted at the same time as she closed the door behind herself.

You spent the next hour or so getting the house ready for your parent’s arrival and providing Alessia with all the necessary information on your family, as if you were doing a last minute study session for an exam.

Then, a knock on the door echoed through the house, signalling the arrival of your parents. A surge of nerves shot through you as you exchanged a quick glance with Alessia. You both took a deep breath, steeling yourselves for the upcoming performance. “Ready?” Alessia whispered, and you nodded, though your heart was doing a drumroll in your chest.

-> Chapter II

[nyoomfruits]

osctober day five

prompt: teacher pairing: charles/oscar word count: 900

“Seriously, Ames?” Oscar says, when he rounds the corner and finds her sitting on a chair just outside the classroom.

“It was for love, dad!” Amelia exclaims, jumping up when she sees him. “I can’t just not do it if it is for love.”

Oscar has conflicting opinions on that. It is, sweet, of course. He’s glad Amelia still believes in the concept of love at all, seeing as her own father is so completely shit at it. But like. He really wishes she would stop hosting flashmobs. Or serenades. Or that time she and that boy from her Spanish class that was really good at programming tried to make a matchmaking app.

“Right, yeah,” Oscar says, ruffling her hair. She’s too old for that now, and he knows he only gets away with it because she knows she’s in trouble. “Just. Maybe find a more quiet avenue next time, yeah? How about a good old fashioned love note?”

Amelia’s eyes light up in a way that the unexperienced eye would find adorable, but that fills the person who has been raising her for the past fifteen years mostly with dread. “Yes,” she breathes out, and then grabs for her bag, probably to retrieve a notepad.

“Okay, well, I guess while you go plan your next ‘disruption of a calm learning environment’ I will go speak with Mr. Leclerc yeah?” He says, hand on the doorknob. She barely glances at him and he sighs as he pushes open the door.

“Ah, Mr. Piastri,” Mr. Leclerc says, looking up from his desk with a wide smile. “You made it.”

Oscar thinks, generally, that he would have a much better time coming to the school to talk about his daughter’s behavior if her teacher wasn’t so goddamn pretty. With bright, sparkling eyes, and a lazy smile, and the kind of artfully tousled hair Oscar couldn’t even achieve if he tried.

The horribly baggy pants and oversized button up combo don’t even ruin the look. Somehow it makes him look cool. Oscar hasn’t looked cool since, well. Possibly ever.

“Yeah, I’m sorry,” Oscar says, sitting down in the chair Mr. Leclerc gestures at. “Again. I don’t know who he has it from.”

“Not you, I presume?” Mr. Leclerc says, eyes twinkling. He doesn’t seem mad, so that’s. Good. Amelia’s previous teacher consistently got their panties in a bunch about the well. Singing. And dancing. And everything.

“No, god no,” he hasn’t tried in a while, but he doesn’t think he could dance. Or sing.

“Her mother, perhaps?” Mr. Leclerc asks, flipping through some folders on his desk.

“Maybe,” Oscar says. “She hasn’t been around for a long time, so. Yeah. I think she mostly gets it from Lando? I mean not the singing and the dancing but this. Need to perform? He’s a DJ, so.”

“Ah, your partner?” Charles asks, looking up at Oscar now, curiously.

“Oh Christ no,” Oscar says, trying not to pull a face, remembers he’s talking to his daughter’s teacher, and schools himself into a more neutral expression. “No, uh. Lando’s just a friend. Of the family. He’s not. He has a boyfriend.”

“Ah,” Charles says. “Alright. Well, I mostly summoned you here because-“

“Because my daughter upheaved your class by performing a perfectly choreographed flashmob to Bruno Mars’s ‘Just The Way You Are’? Yeah, I uh. I heard. And I apologize, again. I’ve been trying to talk to her about it, but it’s-“ he pulls a face. “It’s just me and she’s just uh. Very different and sometimes I just. I don’t really know how to get through to her?”

It’s the most honest he’s been in a while. He doesn’t know why he’s suddenly blurting all of this out to Mr. Leclerc of all people. He’s blaming the big sparkly eyes. Stupid eyelashes, too.

“Hm, I can imagine. All parents kind of feel like that when they reach this age, though, don’t worry. No, I was actually wondering if you were aware of our after school theatre program? I think she would do wonderfully in there. If it’s more the dancing she’s into, or the singing, there’s also a dance team and a choir.”

Oscar blinks. Process. He’s so used to hearing Amelia’s teacher admonish her behavior he wasn’t really expecting anyone to. Well. Encourage her.

“Oh,” he says.

“They’re free, school funded programs, if that’s a concern,” Mr. Leclerc continues. “But I do think it might be a nice outlet for her.”

“Yeah,” he says. He knew, vaguely, that there were clubs. But Amelia had never expressed an interest, and he’d been too busy juggling his demanding job and raising a teenager to ever properly look into them and. Yeah. He takes the folder Mr. Leclerc hands him.

“Thak you, Mr. Leclerc,” he says. Mr. Leclerc stands, and so does he.

“No problem. That was all, really. I do some of the musical accompaniments for the theatre and choir programs so if you have any questions feel free to ask.” By the door, Mr. Leclerc takes his hand. Oscar shakes it a little dazedly. “And please. Call me Charles.”

“Oscar,” Oscar says. Charles hands are soft, and his smile is gentle, and his eyes are still so incredibly stupidly sparkly and fuck. Fuck.

“How did it go?” Amelia asks, when he steps back out the door.

‘I think I might be in love with your teacher’, he thinks. “We’re enrolling you into the school’s theatre program,” he says.

[xomakara]

Second Chance at Love

SUMMARY |  Jongho’s twin daughters really want you to be their new mom ever since you have been taking care of them after their mom passed. They’re trying to play matchmaker between you and Jongho to fall in love, but in actuality, you and Jongho already have feelings for each other.

PAIRINGS | Jongho x Reader

GENRE/CONTENT/WARNINGS |  widow!Jongho, nanny!Reader, singledad!Jongho, dilf!Jongho, lots of fluff, smut, vaginal sex, unprotected sex (wrap it ya’ll!), face riding, creampie, impregnation, dirty talk, praise kink, pet names

RATING | Mature, 18+, NSFW

LENGTH | 7134 words

TAGLIST | @yourlocaljonghoe (tagging cuz I know you're waiting for it lol)

NETWORKS |  @illusionnet @atzhouse @cromernet @wonderlandnet

@k-vanity @othersideoutlawsnetwork

AUTHOR’S NOTE |  Hi, hello. Thanks @itsnotmydejavu for all the brainstorming. I really appreciate it! This was more fluffy that I anticipated lol. We really need more dad!teez fics out here~

"Joomi, I think we should make Daddy fall in love."

"With who, Jooeun? Y/N?"

"Yeah! Wouldn't Y/N be a great mommy? She already takes really good care of us! And she's mommy's best friend."

"Mommy would be happy if Y/N was our new mommy."

The two five-year-olds were huddled by the stairway, looking down the hall into the kitchen where you stood by the sink and Jongho cleared the table. After their mom passed away, the twins knew that their dad was struggling to raise them himself, he had no clue what he was doing. When you, their mom's best friend and their favorite person in the whole wide world, moved into the home to help out, they were thrilled.

They knew you had been close to their mom, but seeing how much you care for the three of them just proved to them even more that you are the perfect match to take over the role of their mother. You cook all their favorite meals, you read bedtime stories to them, and you even help them brush their teeth! You loved all three of them very deeply and would do anything for them. The girls admired you and adored your kind heart and the loving smiles you had for their dad and them. The girls noticed the way the two of you looked at each other when you thought no one was looking. Their dad had it bad and Joomi could tell that you did too. But you and their dad always insisted you were 'just friends' and that there was nothing more than that. So, being the bright children they were, Joomi and Jooeun put their minds together to hatch a plan.

If they made you two fall in love, you could get married, and become a family!

Their dad was walking into the kitchen. "How did their snacks go? Were the girls okay?"

You nodded. "Oh, it went wonderfully. The girls were perfectly sweet the entire time."

Jongho exhaled a sigh of relief. "I'm sorry for leaving. I had to stop by a client's office since we are having trouble meeting a deadline for a project that needs to be completed by Friday. If anything were to go wrong or anything would happen..."

You put a hand on his arm, stopping him from rambling. "Everything was fine. Don't stress yourself out, everything's under control here. You just take care of whatever work you need to do."

Jongho nods but hesitantly stops. "I'm...just afraid something will happen. The girls...they've been through enough. I feel bad for asking so much from you, I don't even pay you to take care of them or live in my home or-"

You chuckled. "Hush. No money is necessary to watch over the people I care about. Plus, this is more than a payment. You've given me a place to stay, food, and the company of two adorable girls. Now stop worrying."

The look Jongho gave you after that was too warm and sent butterflies fluttering throughout your body, but it made your cheeks heat up.

Joomi and Jooeun made small noises of "falling in love, falling in love, falling in loveeeee," over and over while they looked over at their dad and you by the stairway. They were careful not to be noticed by either of you and they were patient as they watched.

"Okay...you're right," Jongho breathed out a heavy sigh and you saw the way his shoulders visibly relaxed, his built figure leaning forward and closer to you.

You laughed. "Let's start planning a summer trip, okay? When things are not as busy."

He smiled. "That'd be lovely."

As soon as he said that, you heard the girls giggling by the stairs. "Were they listening to our conversation this whole time...?"

You covered your smile. "Probably."

Jongho scrunched up his nose, laughing to himself. "You know what they're trying to do, right?"

"I mean- they've been playing their games lately..." You let out a small laugh.

You can see Jongho shaking his head from behind you. The two of you walked up the steps, approaching the kids at the top and grabbing them. The girls screech playfully in shock, holding back a snicker at what their next plans could be. Jongho holds both of them in each arm, one girl in each, and you're unable to hold back your laughter at how precious they are. Jongho carries them both off to their bedroom, where he drops them softly on the big bed that the two girls shared. They're laying on their bellies, kicking their feet back and forth like fish, a huge grin plastered across both of their faces.

"I know your tricks, ladies. So do be a little less obvious about trying to play matchmaker." He scolded them playfully, hands on his hips and giving them a pretend serious look.

Joomi snorted, still kicking her little feet. "We've noticed you and Y/N."

"What does that mean?" He chuckled.

Jooeun flipped over, the bedsheets making a small swoosh sound underneath her as she laid down on her back. "You and Y/N have crushes!"

Your eyes widened. You felt yourself redden up. "Oh. Girls! No no no, your daddy and I are just friends. Best friends! Like, soooo best of friends!"

Joomi furrowed her little eyebrows. She glanced back and forth from you to her father. "You and Daddy love each other like mommy did, but don't kiss."

"Or...at least haven't kissed. Yet," Jooeun sang.

You let out a shaky sigh. "Where are they learning these things? Don't go saying things like that, the two of you."

Joomi nodded with a shrug. "Why not? Are you embarrassed?"

You let your gaze wander over to Jongho to look for some support on the matter. But Jongho was flushed and looking everywhere other than at you. It was obvious that this wasn't an easy conversation for either of you to have, much less in front of the twins.

Joomi noticed your actions and she smiled, snapping her head over to her father. "What? Are you embarrassed, Daddy?"

Joomi was giving him the same look she always did when she's trying to convince him to get something for her. With big puppy eyes, a wide smile, her bottom lip out with just a twitch at the end. Her eyebrows wiggle just a little, begging him silently and sweetly. She and her sister knew their father couldn't resist when they pleaded in that certain tone of voice, looking in their sweet little girl ways. They've played their games so many times, so why not try again?

"Joomi..." Jongho sighs, putting his hands on his knees, not being able to escape her large dark brown eyes. "What am I going to do with the two of you?"

The twins only let out tiny laughs, shrugging and hugging each other in the bed as Jongho stood. The girls love him very much and are grateful they have such a good father, despite their circumstances. Jongho leaves the room and you stay in the room with them, sitting on the bed, wanting to get to the bottom of where the girls' idea of a crush came from.

"Who told you about what a crush is?" you asked the girls after they sat themselves on the bed and changed into their PJ's.

"Uncle San!" Jooeun squeaks as the top half of her head peeks out of her PJ top.

You internally facepalmed, thinking about how Jongho's older cousin, San, was whispering conspiratorially with the girls after they asked him questions about life in a school filled with friends, crushes and parties.

"We thought you and Daddy liked each other," Jooeun had confessed innocently.

"Do you hate Daddy?" Joomi frowned, getting teary-eyed as her head pokes through the collar. "Do you hate us? Are you going to leave?"

You give her a hug, cupping her face with your hands and giving a sweet, reassuring smile. "No, no, no, sweetheart. Not at all, it's just complicated. Please don't say those things again, okay?"

It hurt, seeing the disappointed looks in their eyes and on their pouty lips, but you tried not to show it on your own face.

"Promise?" Jooeun had pleaded.

You took in a shaky breath. "Of course. Come now, time to get to sleep."

You helped the little ones into their beds, tucking the blankets around them and reading from a fairytale book as the light to their night-light flickered from the wall outlet. They slowly drifted off to sleep and you shut the bedroom door with a gentle click behind you. With a sigh, you approached the master suite across the hall and opened the door quietly, catching sight of Jongho flopped stomach-down on the mattress, buried with a duvet as you chuckled at the sight.

You clicked the bedroom door shut as you entered, stepping over to him. "The kids are asleep," you announced softly, moving to sit on the side of the bed and leaned over, poking his shoulder blade.

With a quiet huff, he rolled over, his face and shoulders now facing you. His fluffy hair lay flat over his eyes and a low sigh passed through his nose as his eyes shifted to meet yours, eyelids drooped.

A smirk found its way to the corners of his mouth. "Those two will be the death of me."

"You know we'll have to tell them about us eventually if they keep it up with their shenanigans," you warned him, laying yourself overtop of him.

"I was thinking of ways to approach the subject with the girls in my head just now." he revealed to you, reaching his arms around you. "I'm nervous that I don't know what they're really thinking or feeling."

Your hands came up and framed Jongho's cheeks. "Oh, Jongho...those girls are too smart. They even asked San about what crushes are.”

"San? Why'd they ask him?"

"That's not the point." you whispered, running your thumb across his soft cheek. "Do you think we should sit down with them? Explain?"

"Explain what? That their daddy and their nanny are secretly in love with one another because they can't stop sneaking kisses in secret places of the home?"

"Shut up." you said with a playful nudge at his chest.

"But you admit those kisses are nice." Jongho says as he sits up, dragging you onto his lap, the blanket sliding down his toned chest as his arms remain around you.

"Extremely," you confirmed, wrapping your arms around his neck as you feel the hands on your waist move to cup the underside of your thighs, adjusting the way you're positioned on him.

"Hey." Jongho brushed his nose with yours as a whisper against your lips.

"Hello," you replied with a giggle, already finding his mouth and leaning in with the full intent of kissing him again.

"Would you be happy with a widowed, single dad?" He continued to stroke the back of your leg with his fingers. "What it be wrong for me and the girls to be happy again?"

The tips of your thumbs draw little circles on the back of his neck. "Nothing is wrong with that, Jongho... I think Eunmi would be happy if you and the girls were finally able to move on and be happy."

"What if that happiness was with you? With us?" he asked, pressing his forehead against yours and rubbing his hands up and down your sides and you gently rub his back with your fingers.

You lean into the embrace and inhale, closing your eyes for a moment, then pulling away. "When Eunmi told me her last words to take care of you and the girls... I think maybe that was her way of telling me that it was okay for us to be happy. It's not like we're strangers. Not like we haven't been together before."

You and Jongho had known each other for years, and at one point, the both of you dated back in high school for a year or two but broke off your relationship for various reasons. You met Eunmi in college and ended up staying good friends with her throughout the rest of the years. And when you found out that Eunmi and Jongho started dating and eventually got married, you couldn't have been more pleased for the two of them.

You were never jealous that Eunmi and Jongho were together. Never jealous when they got married or when you helped Eunmi with the twins' birth. 

Never once.

Because you loved them dearly and you wanted them to be happy together.

When Eunmi fell sick and lost her fight with the sickness that plagued her body and spirit, she pleaded for Jongho to promise her to live his happiest life possible, and that meant starting a family all over again. Because she couldn't anymore. She couldn't raise their kids, or start over as husband and wife with Jongho, so the least she could ask for was for him and the girls to be happy. When you visited her in her final days in the hospital, she grabbed your hand and asked you a favor.

"If you love Jongho and want him to live a fulfilling and happy life... then please, look after him for me when I'm gone," she had begged with tears in her eyes. "You know how to take care of our girls, and if Jongho were with you and the girls are happy with you, I know he would be more at ease. With more help, with love...and if somehow the both of you were to fall in love all over again with one another...don't leave him, okay? Take care of him...take care of the three of them...love them, make them happy...my family is your family now."

That was over a little more than a year ago, and Jongho, although still hurt over his past love's untimely loss, was healing. So were Joomi and Jooeun. That was proven by the fact that Jongho was finally starting to love again, albeit slowly, after a while. The twins were right. They knew that he was happy when he was around you, just like he knew the twins were happier when you were around, just as their mother, Eunmi, knew the same thing.

And the last promise he made Eunmi on her deathbed was one that he will make sure he keeps.

Live his best, happiest life possible, even with the way that his life was now.

Even if it meant being with you, the woman he once loved before and recently was falling for again.

Your thoughts are interrupted by the feeling of your back hitting the plush comforters as Jongho shifts to pin you on the mattress below him. You look up and see the gleam in his eyes that have turned a shade darker from before. Your hands snake their way around his neck as he reaches and traps your face with his fingers and palms. A mischievous smirk danced across his features, his thumb rubbing the spot below the corner of your mouth, his index and middle finger rubbing at the shell of your ear. You shivered at his actions.

"Let's make them happy, Jongho..." you cooed, relishing in the soft, tickling touch of his fingers along your neck and shoulder. "Let's be happy, together, with them. Like Eunmi asked."

"I love you, you know that? I can't help but think that Eunmi knew what was going to happen, the whole time," he expressed with a big exhale as you pull him forward and close. "And she never once left me. Never doubted that I loved her even with my...previous feelings for you resurfacing."

"She loved you so, so much, Jongho. Don't ever think she didn't love you, or that she thought you didn't love her, despite the things that happened when we were in high school," you reminded him with a reassuring smile. "She loved you until her final breaths and beyond, and wanted nothing but a lifetime of happiness for you and your girls. You deserve that. Everyone deserves that. Including you."

"Do you love me too...?" he whispered against your lips, his thumb grazing your cheek.

"Always have, always will," you promised, smiling and finally pulling him in for a sweet kiss.

The next few days passed in a blur. The girls were constantly scheming or attempting to make you and their father become 'official' to their little eyes. You and Jongho would playfully play the fool, knowing their secret plans, and doing small things that would give them the belief that their tricks would work.

But in actuality, you and Jongho were having a good time trying to guess what would come next. One day, you woke up early and had just finished washing the dishes from breakfast. The girls scurried up behind you, wrapping their small bodies around your legs like adorable monkeys clinging to trees.

"What are you two up to, huh? Going to try and climb Y/N like a tree and claim that I stole your new favorite?" You hear Jongho joked as he leaned on the doorframe between the living room and dining room.

The twins giggled in unison at the ridiculous accusation as Jongho slipped closer, grabbing both girls from either side and tickling their sides as he lifted the twins up on his broad shoulders.

"Never! Our favorite is still you, Daddy!" the girls gasped in between fits of laughter as you watched on in amusement at their antics.

You rolled your eyes at the girls' silliness.

"Careful there. Make sure the two of you are hanging on tight," you playfully warned them as they straddled Jongho's shoulder blades.

The two girls immediately sat and hung on to Jongho for dear life, faces buried on either side of his head. You and Jongho chuckled at the adorable display of their devotion. You reached out and bopped the twins' noses in turn as they peered up, big bright grins adorning their cherubic cheeks.

The weekend is arriving soon, and with it, comes an overnight trip for the four of you.

"Are we there yet, are we there yet, are we there yet?" the twins cried out, looking out the passenger's-seat windows in anticipation.

"We'll be there soon," you laughed from the front seat where you were seated beside Jongho as he drove along the road to the campsite.

You and Jongho decided to take the kids camping, along with his friends and their kids to get a break from the bustling city life. His friend Mingi has a lakeside cabin and lots of land on which you can pitch a tent, start a fire, roast marshmallows, swim in the lake, and go canoeing or kayaking, just a few hundred meters away from the cabin itself. Jongho explained this to you as you looked out the window, smiling and watching the pine trees on either side of the vehicle whizz by at lightning speed.

Your thoughts drifted from the scenery out the windows to the scenery in the passenger seat beside you.

Jongho has his eyes focused on the road. His mouth was set in a small smile as he maneuvered the vehicle and focused on his driving, looking back into the rearview mirror to glance back and see his children giggling and talking amongst one another.

Then his dark brown orbs flickered over to your side briefly before his eyes landed back on the road before him. He turned and tilted his head towards you and his smile only got wider as his eyes crinkled at the sides, an adoring look settling over his handsome features.

"What's on your mind?"

"Not too much," you murmured, not realizing that you were being called out because of the pensive look you've been wearing on your face while looking out the windows. "Just thinking about stuff, you know, as a typical human is prone to doing from time to time."

"Got something you wanna share or something you want to keep to yourself?"

"Mmm...let me get back to you on that one."

Jongho let out a chuckle, shrugging and facing forward again. He kept his hand on your thigh the entire drive.

As soon as Mingi came into sight and everyone pulled up and parked in the driveway near his cabin, the twins were ecstatic. Unable to keep themselves in check as they jumped up and down and opened the door, they hopped out onto the ground and rushed towards him. Jongho's other friends' kids did the same thing and rushed forward, enveloping Mingi in a big group hug and pulling him downwards to smother his face and neck with affectionate kisses and screaming 'Uncle Mingi! Uncle Mingi! We're here!!' at the top of their lungs. A look of bewilderment crossed Mingi's features and he laughed heartily.

"Oh man, I wish I was that popular," San muttered as he watched the kids crowd the tall man, shaking his head.

"You're just jealous that Haru likes Mingi more than you," Wooyoung said teasingly, punching San's shoulder playfully.

"But I'm his dad!" San said with wide-eyes.

"And Mingi is his favorite uncle." Hongjoong pitched in.

"I've been replaced." San faked a dramatic swoon.

"Yunhee, make sure you get money from Uncle Mingi!" Yunho yelled at his daughter who only responded with a loud 'Got it!' from Mingi's front porch before turning around and giving her father a thumbs up.

You watched as the kids greeted Mingi on his porch and then he turned his attention to the adults and waved enthusiastically, pointing at the cabin door.

"Lunch is inside already and is ready whenever you guys want! Help yourself! We got games set up in the back if anyone wants to get their butts kicked in basketball or kickball. We also have kayaks in the back we can take out onto the lake. We've also got plenty of seating on the deck and some patio furniture. Make yourselves at home!" He announced, his voice booming out with laughter.

The adults nodded at him, not missing the mischievous twinkle in his eyes as he continued to yell at the kids. "KIDS. There's a small playground behind the cabin with a swing set, sand pit, slide, etc. and the water's right behind that. BUT-"

With that, the kids perked up and looked at him, eye-wide, eagerly hanging on every word that would leave his mouth.

"But~ If you don't behave well, Uncle Joong and Uncle Hwa are going to turn into super spies and capture each and everyone one of you!" Mingi announced in his serious adult's voice as he eyed the kids before continuing with, "Don't even try us! You can run, but you can't hide. Uncle Woo and Uncle Yeo have superhuman hearing and can detect trouble-makers from a hundred feet away. They'll be on you before you even realize it! Uncle Yunho and Uncle San have lightning reflexes! One little slip up and they'll snag you faster than your father can!"

The kids gasp and run past them in a hurry towards the playground that lay behind the cabin. The adults looked amused after their gleeful retreat, and it's not long before the noise of playful squeals and shrieks fill the air.

You and the rest of the adult pack burst into a fit of laughter at the fact that Mingi just riled the kids up into a frenzy. The others looked back and watched their offspring tear into the backyard. You watched a fond look cross Jongho's face, the smile reaching his eyes as he watched the scene in the back unfold.

"Jongho," Mingi said, interrupting Jongho and shaking him from his thoughts. "Are you and Y/N okay to share the bedroom in the back of the cabin? All the kids wanted to have a sleepover in the living room, and all the other bedrooms were claimed, save for one. I mean, I could sleep on the couch and one of you can take my bedroom..."

"It's okay, Mingi." Jongho smiled, pulling you to stand beside him and wrapping an arm around your waist, looking at you for approval.

"Ohhhhhhh~" the rest of the guys exclaimed, slapping him on the back, playfully. They were happy that Jongho was moving on.

"Wait," Wooyoung cried out, confused, "Wasn't there another room open?"

Mingi wiggled his brows. "Totally open."

“So why…” Wooyoung scrunched his face in confusion. Then his eyes widened in understanding when it clicked in his head. "Oh. Oh, damn!"

"Did you plan this or something, Mingi?" you laughed.

He holds his hands up. "Nah, the kids suggested sharing the sleeping arrangements. I would've switched our sleeping places around, but Joomi and Jooeun gave me puppy-dog-eyes and asked me to go along with their plan. Don't think any of the adults or kids here could resist a face like that."

"The twins and their shenanigans. Their mom was such a schemer so the apples didn't fall far from the tree," you said affectionately, remembering the woman you called your best friend.

"They take after Eunmi but their hearts are in the right place." Seonghwa laughed. "They know that you two like each other and have been wanting you two together for a long time. Guess today, we're accomplices to their 'Matchmaker-Twins'. Right, Captain?"

"Yes, we are," Hongjoong piped up.

You giggled at the remark, realizing that the others were in cahoots with the twins' scheme. You rolled your eyes, not surprised that all the kids and adults are in on the plans the two made for the day, the rest of the group joining in, egging the girls on, and enabling the twins to go along with their plots and plans.

After helping the twins and the other kids settle into their 'camping spots', and getting them properly settled in their temporary sleeping arrangements in the living room and putting them down for a nap, you and Jongho retired to the back room to relax in peace and quiet until the kids wake up again.

The two of you climbed into the bed and under the sheets, settling down on top of the covers. You and Jongho simultaneously sighing in relaxation and content. Jongho rolled over onto his left side and pulled your body, snug to his and against his chest, hooking his chin on your shoulder.

"Want to get a quick nap in?" you ask.

"I know something that will put us right to sleep," Jongho whispered, pressing a gentle kiss against your neck, right below your ear, causing you to shiver at the contact.

"Now?" You teased, a smirk playing across your features.

"Why do you think Mingi gave us the very private room in the cabin? I guarantee he put two-and-two together, plus heard my little munchkins' schemes, so..." Jongho retorted, continuing his little trail of pecks along the expanse of skin on your neck. You bit your bottom lip in anticipation. His mouth was trailing hot and open kisses along your exposed flesh, his tongue flicking at the curve of your shoulder. The trail continued downward until he was stopped by the cloth covering your skin. Jongho looked up at you. "What do you say, baby? Wanna?"

In response, you reach down to pull up the shirt you were wearing up and over your head. Dropping it to the floor next to the bed. "We need to hurry, though. Mingi said the kids are probably going to wake up in the next hour, maybe, to finish up their outdoor activities."

"An hour is more than enough time," Jongho murmured against your jawline, pulling you towards him and capturing your lips in a hungry, passionate kiss as you grind against his groin. "More than enough..."

The atmosphere grew heated rather fast and in no time at all, the two of you were bare of your clothes, warm skin touching warm skin, his lips chasing yours and yours chasing his, trying to feel him as close as possible. 

"Get your pretty ass up here. Ride my face." Jongho demanded.

"You're kidding," You choked out in disbelief, he shook his head at your words, his hands traveling down your curves.

"Nah, get up here. Sit on daddy's face." His words were a breathy moan against the crook of your neck and you felt yourself blush from head to toe.

"Jongho," you whined.

Jongho moaned desperately and pinned you to the bed, lifting you by the back of your thighs easily and throwing your legs over his shoulders as he laid back on the bed, his dark eyes burning into yours, "Please?"

"Are you trying to kill me?" You asked, giggling as he stared at you.

"Just turn around," Jongho chuckled, and the next second you gasped as his hands grasped you tightly and pulled you around to where his face was inches from your soaked core. "Hands on the headboard and keep still."

His firm demand sent heat shooting throughout your stomach and down into your aching pussy, and you quickly scrambled to grab onto the headboard. You almost jumped out of your skin as his tongue took a long, slow lick up the length of your slit, your grip on the wood tightening as he slowly began circling his tongue over your clit.

The wet heat that pressed against your sensitive bundle of nerves was almost overwhelming and you ground your teeth as Jongho began pushing his tongue against you rhythmically, licking and sucking at you as he tried to fuck you with his tongue. His ministrations were methodical and measured, never picking up the pace too much, but applying an immense amount of pressure every time he moved against you.

Your head was swimming at this point, the feeling of his soft mouth pressing against your drenched pussy was sending shockwaves of pleasure all throughout your body, causing your nipples to harden and your mind to reel. You couldn't keep yourself from whimpering slightly at the way his fingers dug into the soft flesh of your thighs, and your hips jerked downwards involuntarily in an attempt to feel his tongue deep within you.

A guttural groan erupted from within his throat, and it reverberated against you as his grip on your thighs became impossibly tighter. He pinned you against his mouth so that you couldn't squirm against him again, keeping you on his tongue so that it could continue massaging over every sensitive bit of your pussy.

And before you even realized what you were doing, you had clenched your thighs around his head, not allowing his head to budge from underneath your hips. He moaned against your flesh and picked up the speed of his movements, sloppily lapping at you and dipping his tongue deep inside, stretching your clenching walls, working your entire core in a way that was sending you barreling into a quick and intense orgasm. Your legs bucked out on either side of him as you moaned loudly, pressing his tongue deep inside of you.

"Gosh, Jongho! F-Fuck!" You moaned, pushing your hips down and riding his face vigorously until your entire core pulsed, sending warm shockwaves rippling through your whole body.

When you finally finished clenching your thighs around his head, Jongho managed to lift his head up just enough to begin sucking hard on your oversensitive clit. "Don't fucking move," He murmured against you.

As your head slowly spun, he held himself there, moaning against your wet flesh. Jongho would not allow you to recover, and his tongue never stopped its movements, continuing to lick at your walls as if he could drink every bit of you in.

"Taste so good…" He breathed, kissing your inner thigh gently.

"Oh please..." you whispered and gasped as the pressure of his mouth against you suddenly increased, Jongho moaning obscenely beneath you.

"You make the prettiest noises..." Jongho said as you felt his hot breath fan against your overly sensitive pussy, his mouth moving against you rapidly, almost as though it couldn't kiss you deeply enough. "Couldn't help but be noisy could ya? Little tease..."

"Baby, I can't cum again..." Your whole body was beginning to spasm now as the warmth between your legs threatened to burst again, his lips pressing hard against your clit and sucking deep and slow. Your vision was going white as the pressure built in you. You could feel yourself climbing toward yet another earth shattering release as you leaned against the headboard for support, knuckles turning white from your iron-like grasp.

But Jongho never let up, relentlessly dragging his mouth over your swollen sex and moaning hotly as he pleasured you, eyes closing in rapture as he lost himself in the taste of you. "Can you cum again? Can you cum on my tongue, beautiful?"

Your grip on the headboard tightened impossibly and before you knew it, you were cumming, your body jerking in time with your pulsing pussy, soaking him as you released everything within you.

Once your high fizzled out, and your heartbeat returned to a normal rate, you were feeling your body growing tired. Your fingers and arms and legs were sore. "Jongho..I need a break..." you sighed, leaning down to try and push his head away, your words sounding more desperate than you'd meant them. "I can't cum again like this, it's too much.."

"Then do you want me to fuck your pretty pussy?" Jongho asked, looking up at you through dark eyelashes as he circled his tongue against you. "I could kiss this pretty pussy all day long, but I don't think you can wait anymore."

You bit your lip hard at the words and glanced behind you to see Jongho pumping his thick member with his hand, still holding you in place with his other arm. "Please..." you murmured.

With a pleased groan, he helped turn you back around, moving both of you until he was positioned on top, spreading you wide apart and nudging his tip against your swollen entrance.

"Stop teasing me," you whined, the sight of his twitching length inches from where you needed it made you a bit crazy. Jongho chuckled lightly and captured your lips as he slowly pushed himself in.

You could not stop the moan that escaped your lips the second Jongho was balls-deep inside your pussy, your arms flying around his neck, clinging on tightly. He fit inside you so well, filling you up in every conceivable way, the tip of his cock hitting every hidden part of you.

His lips travelled along your neck and collar, sucking and kissing the soft flesh. Your mouth was still agape, hanging low with no sound, only letting out little gasps as his tip brushed past the deepest part of you, sending warmth radiating throughout every nerve-ending. 

"My beautiful baby.." Jongho hummed, pulling out gently before pounding into you, one strong arm wrapping around your hips and lifting them so he could pound against a different spot deep within you.

Suddenly it seemed to you as if Jongho's tip were brushing over your clit each time it pulled back before sliding deep into your entrance.

You gripped him tighter as his hips moved back and forth. Before you knew it, Jongho's name tumbled out of your lips as he hit a soft spot of yours. 

"Jonghooo..." you moaned, losing your mind.

"Gonna fill your pussy up with my cum...make you take it..." Jongho growled, snapping his hips up again with more force. 

"Wanna give you my kids. Would you like that? Add another to our family?" He groaned against your neck, squeezing your ass, then swatting it.

He pushed himself in as far as he could, biting your earlobe as his member twitched inside of you, "Tell me, baby. Do you like being a mommy to me and my twins, and being my pretty wife? Don't want anyone else...only my baby. I love you so much. You and my girls..."

"I love you and the girls too, Jongho. So, so much." You respond, feeling the tell-tale signs of the pleasure building deep within.

"Do you want to cum, my love? Gonna take every drop of daddy's cum inside?" he moaned into your ear. His husky voice was so hot, and the feeling of him, pressed into you, so unbelievably warm and powerful, caused your body to tense, and then go limp under his strong hands. "Want to give you a baby too, sweetheart. I'm ready for another set of twins, and another set after that, if I'm blessed with it."

And when Jongho slid his tip between your sensitive folds, hitting every raw spot he could as your body shook, that was it. The walls of your pussy contracted against him, a gush of his cum emptied inside of you, making its way to your awaiting womb, hoping for it to take seed and create more lives. You moaned and threw your head back, thrusting your hips upwards to meet his one final time.

Jongho grunted into your shoulder as he fucked his load into you, cumming as deep inside you as he could possibly go and taking deep breaths.

You wrap your legs around his waist, locking him against you and pushing his cock to the hilt inside your dripping walls, not willing to let a single drop escape. His pulsing cock makes your core pulse. The two of you stay as still as possible as you catch your breath, Jongho breathing hot air down your chest.

"Don't you dare pull out yet, Choi Jongho," you ordered firmly. You needed him close, wanted him near you. Jongho smiled up at you.

"Is that what you want?"

"Mmmmhhmmm..." you moan, and wiggle your hips to make his cock stir your insides. Jongho moaned back into the mattress and grabbed your waist tightly. You squeal in delight at his sudden movement, then press your lips firmly against his, claiming him as your own.

"Y/N...would you marry me?" Jongho asked softly a few minutes later, as he propped up on his left elbow and looked deeply into your eyes, stroking your hair gently. "Officially be the girls' mother and my wife? I was hoping..." 

He reached down beneath the pillows, and pulled something from underneath it. He looked shy as he revealed a black velvet box in the palm of his hand, holding it out towards you. "Would you, please?"

"Yes, Jongho." You say in response, watching him open the small, velvet box. Jongho exhales and a smile appears on his handsome features as he pulls the ring out of its housing, sliding the metal band on your ring finger of your left hand. "Absolutely yes."

It fit perfectly.

He crushed his lips to yours and you sighed into the passionate kiss, running your hands through his hair as his tongue pressed inside. It felt good, almost too good, but he pulled away and laid back on the bed. 

After a while of cuddling, kissing, and playing with his hair, Jongho buried his head in the crook of you neck. "I think we should clean the sheets, shower and just cuddle..." He said quietly. "I have a feeling that the girls will barge in once they're awake and we don't need them seeing this mess or smelling the room."

You hum in agreement. You and Jongho kiss softly, barely audible 'I love you's' being whispered between the two of you, your fingers running through his silky strands. You love this. You're so in love and you can't imagine not being with Jongho, and you truly love and adore his two girls.

After getting the room and the two of you cleaned, and the sheets changed and clothes pulled back on, the two of you laid comfortably in  bed in each other's arms.

Jongho turned so that he was hovering over you, one hand propping him up, the other lightly caressing your cheek and thumb tracing your bottom lip. He lowered his head and brushed his nose against yours, lightly pressing his lips against yours. He pulled away to see your cheeks a rosy tint of pink. He leaned his forehead on yours and chuckled. He went back in to continue kissing you.

The door flew open and the bed dipped as two weights jumped onto the end of the bed. Jongho rolled over, the twins landing in the bed, bouncing with their jump, laughing loudly. Joomi moved to sit on your lap, and Jooeun did the same with her dad.

"How was your nap?" You asked the girls, hearing the loud screams of the other children and their parents somewhere in the cabin.

"Good but we're hungry and Uncle Joong told us to wake you up for lunch, so we did! But we didn't run here. We walked." Joomi said.

"Yes," Jooeun agrees.

"Are you sure you walked or ran? I heard some feet scampering down the hall when I woke up," you smirked and booped their noses. They giggled.

"Y/N, are you and Daddy a couple now?" Joomi whispered in your ear. You heard Jooeun asking her dad the same thing.

You and Jongho both chanced a glance at the other before saying at the same time, "Are we?"

Jongho laughed before leaning in and giving you a small kiss on the lips. He also glanced at the girls who were jumping and cheering in your arms. "Why don’t we get you girls and Mommy something to eat?"

"I could hear them telling the other adults that their little plan worked." You whispered. The twins were talking your ears off, excited that you were going to be their new mother now that you and their daddy had finally gotten together.

"I love you." Jongho kissed you as the four of you walked together out to where the other adults were, to have their lunch.

"I love you, too." You kissed him back before kissing the top of the twins' heads. "And I love my new little girls so much."

The twins squealed and screamed louder, "Mommy, yay!" They both launched at you, hugging the life out of you.

"C'mon Mommy, lunch now!" Jooeun pulled you forward towards the table that had been set up for the lunch buffet style. Joomi held out her hands, palm open, to her dad. Jongho chuckled before interlacing his fingers with hers. The four of you walked towards the long table where the rest of your friends and the kids had already made their way to and piled their plates with their food, before sitting together and enjoying their food.

"Told you the plan would work!" The twins exclaimed, the adults laughing.

[wanderingsoul6261]

Match has been Made

credit for gif goes to k-wame

james beaufort x reader

synopsis: Lydia plays matchmaker for James and her friend

Note: I have Jury Duty next week, so I want to try and get everything done before then, but if not, I will try to have most finished so that I can post them periodically through next week so that I can still provide y'all with content. I also want to start writing for other fandoms, such as Call of Duty, NCIS, Criminal Minds, Uncharted, etc) so if you are interested in more works, keep an eye out for those.

Not a big fan of this one honestly. Might delete it later and do a better version of it. Just didn't have any other ideas for it, so if anyone has a better way for this to have gone, let me know, and I will definitely consider redoing it after some of the others are completed.

Lydia wasn't as stupid as James and Y/N. Maybe stupid wasn't the right word, as oblivious seemed fitting, not that the two were stupid. Although, they were definitely oblivious. Lydia had wanted to strangle them both, considering how blind they were. James, staring all the time at Y/N, not thinking anyone would notice. Lydia definitely noticed. And then Y/N, not even noticing James looking at her and how long he would do so. Lydia also noticed that too. 

Many who also noticed had just thought that maybe Y/N wasn’t interested in him, but Lydia had taken to disagreeing. Y/N was a good friend of Lydia, and therefore, she was also a good friend of James. Y/N and James had initially butted heads quite often at the start of the friendship between the two girls, but over time, it had gradually stopped, and had actually turned into a playful teasing. 

Now, Lydia could tell James was smitten with Y/N just as much as she was smitten with him, and this had sparked Lydia’s plan into getting the two by themselves and admitting their feelings. 

Initially, it also meant getting their driver, Percy involved. He would have a large part to play in the plan, helping her get one or both of them to the Manor, hopefully when their parents were away on their upcoming business trip, and then leaving with Lydia. Percy and Lydia would then find something to pass a few hours by. Whether she went over to a friend’s house, or she treated Percy to a friendly night out for all his work done for the family. 

Percy was inclined to help, considering he too had noticed what was, or the lack of what was happening between James and Y/N. It didn’t matter how he spent the time afterwards. Him leaving the manor would then mean that neither James or Y/N had a way to leave. 

It was a sound plan, and Lydia knew that the probability of it working was high. 

—

“Hey! Y/N!” Y/N turned around at the sound of her name being called. Behind her, Lydia hurried over to her. She stopped, waiting for her friend to catch up so that they could walk side by side. “What are you doing tonight?” Lydia asked. Y/N shrugged. 

“Nothing really. Mom and dad are home but I don’t have anything planned with them. I was probably just going to watch some movies and call it an early night.” 

“Would you want to come over for a bit? Do some swimming. Maybe stay the night? Our parents are out of town for a few nights for a business trip.” Lydia had explained. 

“Who all is going to be there?” She had asked. 

“Just me and James, plus you. Figured the three of us could hang out without the suffocation of a party.” Lydia had explained. 

Y/N thought about it. Admittedly, getting out of the house for a little bit had seemed like a better idea. Lydia could tell she was contemplating it. The way Y/N tilted her head and bit the inside of her cheek, some of the very few mannerisms she possessed that gave away when she was truly thinking about something told her so. Mannerisms that James had appeared to have fallen in love with. 

After several moments, and pausing in the hallway of Maxton, Y/N had given Lydia her answer. 

“Alright. I’ll come over.” 

“Cool! I’ll have Percy pick you up at about 5!” Y/N agreed, telling her that that worked for her, and left her friend behind so that she could move on to her next class, which she also shared with James. 

Lydia watched as Y/N met up with James outside of their next class, a smirk on her face, and then left quickly, before either of them noticed that she was watching. 

“Hey.” James smiled at Y/N as they walked into the classroom. “So did Lydia talk to you yet?” He asked, as they set their stuff down on the shared desk and took their respective seats. “Something about just us three. Swimming. Maybe some movies. Something like that.” 

“Yea, actually. Just before I came here. I told her that I should be free to come over. She said she would send Percy later to come get me.” 

“What about your driver?” 

“Sick. I gave them a few days off.” Y/N flipped through her notes, trying to find where she left off. James watched as she did so, his eyes on her fingers as they flipped through the pages, before he turned his attention to her face. She was concentrated, focused on trying to find where she left off in her note taking. 

“What time did she tell you?” 

“Percy will be at my place at five.” He nodded slightly as she finally looked up at him. “She said I could also potentially stay the night. Mentioned something about how your parents are out of town for a business trip?” 

“Yea. Meetings with potential business partners for their next clothing line.” He explained. “They will be gone most of the week.” She nodded in understanding. James flashed her a smile, one that she had returned as their professor walked in, introducing their topic for the day.

—

Percy was a few minutes early, rolling the car in the driveway of her family manor at about quarter to five. Stepping out of the car, he greeted her politely, flashing her a small smile as she advanced over to the car. 

“Good evening, Percy.” She flashed a smile back at him, thanking him as he opened the back door for her. He had taken her overnight bag, putting it in the trunk of the car. 

“Good evening, Miss Y/L/N. I hope you are well.” 

“I am. Thank you. I hope Lydia and James are treating you well.” She teased. He flashed her a smile of amusement as another voice rang out, just as she climbed into the vehicle. 

“We are treating him just fine.” Y/N was met face to face by James, who flashed her an amused smile as she took her seat next to him. The door closed and the two flashed each other a smile. 

“Miss me?” she asked. Percy climbed into the driver side seat, putting the car into drive and taking the three of them back to the Beaufort manor. James smiled brightly at her.

“Always.” 

Percy watched them from the rearview mirror, taking in the interactions to the two of them. Lydia had been right, about the way the two of them look at each other. The way James looked at her when she was talking, like he wanted to take in everything she was saying and have it memorized. The way Y/N watched as he drew in his sketchbook or the way he watched her as she watched the numerous trees and other flora as they drove. Lydia was right when she told Percy all those days ago about how oblivious they were. The emotions in their faces surely show how they feel about the other, but both are too oblivious to say or do anything.  He smirked, turning his eyes back on the road. 

Arriving at the manor, Percy had stayed with the car, while James and Y/N had gotten out. James took her bag inside, handing it to another person to take to Lydia's room, where she would likely be sleeping. 

Lydia was already outside at the pool when the two finally joined her. She looked up and back at them, a smile on her face. Standing up from where she was dipping her toes into the pool, she walked over to them. She bypassed James, who only playfully rolled his eyes as she hugged Y/N. 

“Glad you can make it. You guys enjoy the water and snacks. I’m going to go and get changed. Be back in a jiffy.” And with that, Lydia was gone. James, who was already wearing some swim trunks with a t-shirt when they picked up Y/N, had taken off his shirt, leaving Y/N the only one who had yet to show her swimsuit. 

Her eyes were on James body for several seconds and had stayed focused on him for several more seconds after he had jumped into the pool.

Y/N had been smart, having put her swimsuit on underneath her clothes before Percy and James arrived at her home. She had slipped off her shirt, exposing her skin and the bikini top that she wore. James had caught sight, his eyes on her before he dipped underneath the water before she could catch him staring. When he had come back up, she had already pulled her shorts off, fully revealing herself in her two-piece bikini. 

While James slowly swam around the perimeter of the pool, Y/N relaxed on a floaty, drifting around the pool. The two relaxed like that for a little bit until one of them realized that one of them was still missing. 

“James.” He had looked over at Y/N, who now sat on the end of the pool, a water bottle in her hand. 

“Hmm?” 

“Did Lydia come out at all?” She asked. “I would have figured that she would be out here by now.” James stopped swimming, moving to stand in the shallow end of the pool. He looked past her, towards the open doors that led into the house. 

“No I haven’t.” He finally answered. His eyes drifted back towards Y/N, where some droplets of water rolled down her stomach. Her hair was wet, meaning that she had slipped into the water at some point and he didn’t notice. She tilted her head in thought, turning her body around as well to look inside the house. 

James watched as she stood up and walked over to the chairs. She didn’t find any sign that Lydia might have even been there in the first place, and no phone was found. 

“Her phone isn’t here. Maybe she has it. I can give her a call.” Y/N walked back over to her own phone, picked it up, and easily dialed Lydia’s number. James watched as she pressed her phone to her ear, but after several seconds, put her phone back down. “No answer.” 

“She’s probably okay. Probably just got caught up doing something else. Maybe she’s taking a nap so she can conserve energy for movies later.” James reassured her, and Y/N agreed. James wasn’t sure where his sister went, and it definitely wasn’t a part of their plans. 

Unless it was a part of her plans. 

Y/N shrugged and had gone back to sit on the side of the pool, her feet dangling in the water. James went back to floating around the pool. His eyes moved over to Y/N several times. They were alone and she was right there. He could say what he wanted and make his move. If he was rejected, no one would know. 

Her eyes were on the book she was reading, invested in the pages and the words that told the story within them. He hovered in the water for several moments before he finally decided to slowly make his way across the pool. 

His eyes had remained on her, watching her movements as he neared her. The way her fingers flipped to the next page. How her expression changed based on the scene she was reading. He was happy to listen to her when she went on and on about a book that was either currently reading or had just finished, having loved the way that she got so much joy and excitement from something so simple. 

When he finally reached her, his hand reached out for the book, gently setting it aside without getting it wet. Y/N was confused, a noise getting caught in the back of her throat as James put his palm on the edge of the pool, hoisting himself partially out of the water and slightly closer to her. He made eye contact with her, before he looked down at her lips. She caught the movement, relaxing as she waited. She knew what he wanted at that moment, and when he didn’t make the move first, she did. 

Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him even more closer, and pressed her lips against his. He quickly melted into it, one arm wrapping around her waist. James tugged her into the pool once more, before pinning her against the side of it. Her arms remained around his neck, while his arms looped behind her, settling the edge of the pool. 

It was a slow and gentle kiss, allowing the two to enjoy and savor it. Her hands tangled themselves into his hair, and one of his hands moved to her back, his fingers splayed across her skin. James was running out of breath, as was Y/N, but the two hesitated to separate, as both of them seemed to have wanted their first kiss together to go on longer than what was physically possible. 

And when they finally pulled away from each other, they rested their foreheads against each others, breathing heavily, a small smile on their lips. 

“Do you think Lydia left?” Y/N asked. 

“I think this was part of her plan.” James agreed. “Get us alone together. Means Percy was probably also in on it.”  Y/N laughed a little. 

“You sister, playing matchmaker, and Percy helping. Who knew.”

“My guess is that they knew something we didn’t.” He had smiled, kissing her again, this time with a bit more energy. James had stared at her lips, before moving away and planting kisses along her jaw, pressed one final one to her forehead, and then moved back down to her lips. He was kissing her like a man starved of it all.  

“How about we watch those movies?” He finally asked, after finding the heart to stop kissing Y/N and finally allowing her to breathe. She gave him a smile and nodded. 

That was how Lydia had found the two of them. They were laying on the couch in the shared living area that Lydia and James shared, the tv going on in the background. James was on his back, his head against the arm of the couch, and Y/N was asleep on his chest. Her arms wrapped around James, and a blanket was wrapped around her. 

Lydia had smirked, snapped a photo to show Percy that the plan had worked, and wandered off to get ready for bed, leaving the two by themselves.

----

taglist: @honethatty12 @lifeonawhim @ashamedtobewhitemanswhore27 @maryvibess @wheredidmyeyesgo @imasimptoowth @avada-kedavra-bitch-187

@sillyfreakfanparty

[corroded-hellfire]

As You Wish - Eddie Munson x Reader, Part 5

A collaboration with my dearest @munson-blurbs 🧡

Summary: A fun day out with Eddie and the boys has you running into some familiar faces, who may or may not be aware of your current situation.

Note: About time this gang had a little fluff in their lives, huh? Well, let's see if that's what their day brings!

Warnings: Suggestive conversations, should Brittany herself be a warning? i think so

Words: 7.2k

[As You Wish masterlist]

“Okay, you know the rules,” Eddie says to Ryan and Luke as he pulls into the Chuck E. Cheese parking lot. “Stay together, don’t talk to strangers, and try not to spend all of your tokens on one game.” He throws the car in park and turns around to face them. “Got it?”

“Got it!” The boys echo in unison, practically buzzing with excitement. Luke’s been kicking his feet into the back of Eddie’s seat on the entire ride over, much to the man’s chagrin. Eventually, he just reached around and grabbed Luke’s little ankles, jokingly threatening to cut off his feet if he didn’t stop. 

You get out of the car, silently reminding yourself that you’re the babysitter today. The kids still don’t know about you and Eddie, and you’re determined to break the news in a way that doesn’t traumatize them. Or make them hate you, for that matter. 

Eddie holds out his hand for Luke to take while you all walk across the lot, but the little boy shakes his head. 

“C’mon, bud,” Eddie says, a warning tone in his voice. “You know you gotta hold my hand in the parking lot.”

Luke’s gaze drifts towards you. “Can I hold her hand?” He asks softly, and Eddie’s heart just about melts at the way his boys adore you. 

“Gotta ask her first,” Eddie reminds him, watching as his younger son carefully walks to the other side of the car, where you’re standing. 

“What’s up, Luke?” You say, smiling at him. “Y’ready to go have some fun?”

“Yeah!” Luke exclaims, jumping up and down. He nearly forgets the reason why he came over, until he goes to start towards the building. “Oh! Um, can I hold your hand?” 

You beam at him, taking his tiny right hand in your left. “Of course!” At that, he smiles back at you. There’s a hint of mischief in his eyes, but you chalk it up to the anticipation of going to Chuck E. Cheese. 

Eddie’s a few paces ahead, but he stops in his tracks when Ryan calls out, “Daddy, wait!” The older boy looks at Luke—and did he just wink?—as their dad turns to them. 

Luke reaches out to Eddie with his left hand. “Now you hold this one!” he urges. 

“What do you think we are, your personal bodyguards?” Eddie teases, but he clasps Luke’s hand in his own ringed one. 

You expect Luke to let go and fly into the building as soon as you reach the sidewalk; instead, you feel his chubby fingers maneuvering against yours. You look down just in time to see him placing your hand in Eddie’s. 

You can see that Eddie’s eyes are also drawn to your joined hands, and the both of you lift your heads at the same time and meet one another’s gaze. The heat you feel lets you know you have to be blushing just as much as Eddie is. He gives you a sheepish smile and you can tell it’s a mixture of this is absolutely the cutest thing they have ever done, and should I be letting go? Deciding to take an excuse without making it look too intentional, you step away from Eddie and open the front door for the three of them. Luke’s face has a smug smile on it as he passes you, and the proud glint in Ryan’s eyes lets you know he was the mastermind behind the plan. 

“Clever little matchmakers, aren’t they?” Eddie mumbles as he comes up beside you. He takes the door and gives you a characteristically over-dramatic bow. “After you, m’lady.”

“Why, thank you,” you say, following in behind the boys. It seems now that the games and prizes are in their view, and the loud shouts of other children and the chiming of games ringing in their ears, the brothers have forgotten about the two adults behind them. 

Luke is about to take Ryan’s hand and make off for some of the machines, when he realizes they don’t have any tokens yet. Suddenly, he remembers his father is there and turns around to give him pleading eyes. Eddie’s already pulling out his wallet by the time the five-year-old turns around, and you take care of watching the kids while Eddie goes to get the bronze coins with a giant mouse head on them. 

“Do you like these games?” Ryan asks.

“Some of them,” you say. “I’m really good at skee ball and whack-a-mole.”

“Oh, I’m so good at whack-a-mole!” Luke says, not surprising you in the least. “If you and I play together we can win all the tickets!”

“I’ll do my best,” you promise him. 

Eddie returns with a cup full of tokens. He raises an eyebrow as he looks down at his sons. Pursing his lips together, he goes to hand the cup to Luke before pulling it back to his chest. Luke whines and Eddie goes to hand it to Ryan before snatching it back.

“Daaaaddy!” Luke whines.

“Luuuuke,” Eddie mimics. “What are you going to play first?”

“I dunno,” Luke says with a shrug. 

“Well, both of you tell me what you want to play first, then I’ll decide which is my favorite.”

Luke groans, but Ryan is still eyeing the cup eagerly. He also knows his dad’s tricks and knows what his favorite game is.

“Air hockey,” Ryan says.

“And he wins right there!” Eddie says, handing the cup to his oldest. “You’re going to share those, though. I hear one little squabble over the coins and I’m taking them away and the grownups will play.”

You choke over a laugh at his choice of words, that being the same term Eddie chose to describe what the two of you did before you got out of bed this morning. Obviously, Eddie did it on purpose as a smirk dances across his lips. 

“Yes, Daddy,” Ryan says at the same time that Luke says, “Fine.”

You watch as they scamper off to the air hockey table. Ryan has an advantage over Luke to begin with, but it certainly doesn’t help that the youngest Munson can barely see over the top. 

“Think Ryan’ll go easy on him?” Eddie murmurs in your ear, and you shiver at his closeness. 

“Not a chance,” you reply. You want to wrap your arms around his waist and kiss him, but you know you can’t.

It’s like he can read your mind, because he says, “I know, babe. I hate having to hide us, too.” There’s some guilt behind his eyes, and you let your arm graze his to tell him that it’s okay. 

“Even if we were ready to tell the boys—and they clearly wouldn’t have a problem with it,” you tease, alluding to their earlier hand-holding scheme, “I’m definitely not ready for their mom to know. And asking them to keep a secret from her wouldn’t be right.”

Eddie nods in agreement, scratching at the light stubble on his cheeks. “Have you thought about how we’ll tell them?”

Thought about it? God, you worried about it constantly. What if they blamed you for the divorce? What if they didn’t like you living with their dad? Were you even ready to be a stepmom?

“Uh, a little,” you lie, hoping he’s too focused on making sure the boys follow the rules to notice. “You?”

A blush creeps into his cheeks. “Oh, yeah,” he chuckles nervously. “Which reminds me—I still owe you that official first date.”

You’re about to ask him how the two relate when a familiar voice bellows, “Munson! Fancy meeting you here!” Steve Harrington strides across the thin carpet; baby Amelia is strapped to his chest and his son, Theo, is holding his hand. Nancy and their older daughter, Natalie, follow right behind him. 

Eddie grins, jogging over to his friend and his family. “How’s it going, Harringtons?” He presses a kiss to Nancy’s cheek and ruffles Theo’s hair before Amelia begins to coo, taking complete control over Eddie’s attention. Your boyfriend turns to the baby, staring up at him with big blue eyes that look just like her mother’s. She babbles in her baby language and Eddie nods along, as if she’s telling him about what a rough day she’s had strapped to her father. 

“Well, hello, Miss Mia,” Eddie says. Her round little fist darts out and Eddie happily offers her his finger, which she takes in her vice grip. The baby giggles, making Eddie’s whole face light up. 

You stand watching them from a few feet away. It’s not the first time you’ve seen Eddie interact with a baby, but it hits you just as hard. It’s so obvious how much he wants a daughter, and seeing him play with his best friend’s baby, a genuine smile on his face has you ready to vow right then and there that you’ll give him one. Shaking yourself, you tell yourself to be realistic. You were just worrying about telling Ryan and Luke you were dating. Never mind dropping the news of, “oh yeah, I think I’ll have another kid with your dad, what do you think?”

Eddie’s voice breaks you from your thoughts. You look over to see him waving you over, calling your name. Glancing at Steve, it’s obvious he knows the nature of the relationship between you and Eddie. As you walk over to the family, you look to Nancy, trying to gauge if she knows anything by the look on her face. But there’s nothing there except for a kind smile before her daughter tugs her down to whisper something in her ear. 

“You remember Steve, the one who burned the burgers at Ryan’s birthday party,” Eddie says, making Steve scoff.

“They were five seconds away from burning when you shoved the spatula in my hand and said, ‘Steve, take over for me.’” Steve rolls his eyes at Eddie before turning to face you. “Hi, it’s great to see you again.”

“You too,” you say, suddenly remembering the joke Eddie made about you fucking Steve. Something must flash across your face because Eddie’s moving on to introduce you to Amelia—or Mia, as apparently “only her favorite uncle can call her that”—and small Theo with the tousled curls. Next is Natalie, the very polite eight-year-old who is the spitting image of her mother. Then there’s Nancy, who intimidates you the most out of the Harrington clan. 

“Where’s Dan the Man?” Eddie asks when he only counts three Harrington offspring. 

“Playdate,” Steve says of his three-year-old son. “But he sends his warmest regards to his favorite Uncle Eddie.”

There’s a beat of awkward silence before Nancy makes the first move to break it. 

“Hi, it’s nice to see you,” she says, extending her hand. “The babysitter, right?”

It shouldn’t feel like a blow to the chest. That’s what you are. What you’ve been. But it feels like with all that’s gone on the past few weeks with you, Eddie, Brittany, the boys…you deserve some other title; you just don’t know what. 

“Yep, that’s me,” you say, and out of the corner of your eye you can see Eddie’s body get tense. “It’s great to see you again, too.” There’s an awkward silence before you crouch down to Natalie and Theo’s height. “Ryan and Luke are playing air hockey, if you two want to join them!” You try to pepper some excitement into your voice, and the two small Harringtons scamper off towards their friends. 

Eddie clears his throat. “Come sit with us,” he says before lifting Mia from the carrier and placing her on his lap. “I think Mia wants to hang out with her Uncle Eddie, yes she does!” He lets the baby wrap her tiny hand around his forefinger, and she tries to put it in her mouth. “Um, little miss!” Eddie exclaims with feigned offense, “You can’t eat me!”

“Seriously,” Steve wrinkles his nose. “God only knows where those hands have been.” His face blanches when he realizes what he’s just implied. “I-I mean—”

“So, Steve,” you interrupt him, for your sake more than his, “Eddie told me that you’re heading back to work soon.”

“Yup,” he nods. “Figured I’d go back part-time, y’know, three days a week. Now that Amelia’s old enough to go to daycare, and we’re not having anymore kids, unless…” He glances over at his wife hopefully. 

“You pushed your luck with four,” Nancy jokes, rolling her eyes. “We are closed for business.”

“If you, um, need a babysitter or something—it’ll be cheaper than daycare, and that way she’s not around all those germs while she’s so little—um, I could do it.” God, why are you such a blabbering idiot? Why can’t you just have a conversation like a normal human being?

Nancy gives you a confused look. “Don’t you watch Eddie’s kids?” The expression on her face tells you everything you need to know—she doesn’t have a clue about you and Eddie. 

You press your lips together, unsure of what to say next. Why didn’t Eddie tell his friends? Is he embarrassed? Ashamed? Is he lying about this being long-term? You understood him not wanting to say anything to Luke and Ryan, but why wouldn’t he want to tell his closest friends?

“I-I do watch them, yes. But, uh, Natalie and Theo go to the same school as Ryan and Luke, right? So, I have no trouble picking all of them up from school. A-And, it kind of would work out well because I only have classes on two days this semester. So, I’d be free for Amelia and Danny on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.”

“Huh,” Steve muses, rubbing his hand along his stubbled jaw. “That is perfect, actually. Those are the three days I’ll be going into work. Would you be able to watch them at our house?”

“Of course,” you say. “As long as it’s okay that Ryan and Luke are there too.”

“They’re always welcome at our house,” Nancy says, and you can’t gauge how she feels about this particular situation. It’s not helping the little voice in the back of your head that’s been telling you that Nancy isn’t going to like you. 

“Honestly,” Eddie chimes in from where he’s letting Amelia chomp on his knuckle. “It’d probably be better for Luke and Ryan this way, too. Easier to know they’ll be spending the afternoon at Uncle Steve and Aunt Nancy’s rather than wonder if they’re going to their mother or father’s place.”

“Yeah, and after Nancy comes home—or Steve, whoever would be first, I can bring Luke and Ryan wherever they’re staying. The house or the apartment.”

“You got the apartment?” Steve asks, grinning at his friend. 

“I did!” he says, bouncing a fussy Amelia in his lap. “Right there on Crane Street. Three bedroom, nice sized living area and kitchen. Moving in a little under three weeks.”

“Wait,” Nancy says, brow pinching in confusion. “So, where are you staying now?”

An awkward silence settles around the table, everyone but Nancy and Amelia knowing the answer to that question. The tension keeps climbing until Eddie finally decides to speak. 

“Well,” he says, taking the hand that Amelia is not currently trying to nibble on, and sliding it over the table towards you. His hand slides over yours and you don’t hesitate to link your fingers with his. “With my girlfriend.”

“Your—oh.” Nancy’s eyes widen as they land on your hands. She looks genuinely surprised, but you don’t see any anger there, which is a relief. “I didn’t know you guys were…involved.”

Eddie nods. “This probably makes me sound like a sap, but she’s…she’s been my rock throughout all of this. And she’s been there for my kids, too. They love her almost as much as I do.” He blushes, making you giggle softly. 

“Do the boys know about…this?” Nancy asks, and Eddie shakes his head. 

“We’re still waiting for the right time. Don’t wanna rush them or make them feel uncomfortable,” he explains. “Although from today’s antics, I don’t think they’d have much of a problem with it.” He launches into their plot to get you two to hold hands, making everyone at the table laugh. Even Amelia lets out an amused coo, though she has no idea what’s going on. 

Nancy looks like she’s about to ask another question when you feel a tug on your sleeve. You look over to see Ryan, with Natalie standing next to him. 

“What’s up, bud?” You smile, shifting your hand from Eddie’s as discreetly as possible. 

Ryan’s suddenly shy, and you suspect it has something to do with the pretty girl he’s with. “Natalie and I were wondering if you would play whack-a-mole with us.”

“Of course!” You jump up, eager to avoid any further interrogation. “Be right back,” you say to the rest of the adults, although you’d gladly spend the rest of the afternoon hammering away at plastic rodents if it meant escaping judgment. 

Eddie watches as you walk away, the gentle sway of your hips as you follow the kids to their game. He’s only drawn from his trance at the sound of Nancy’s voice. 

“Eddie, what are you doing?”

“Um, checking out my girlfriend’s ass?” He shrugs, giving a sheepish grin. 

Nancy shakes her head. “No, I mean, why are you dating someone so much younger than you? And while you’re getting divorced?” She looks at her husband for backup. 

“I think what Nance means is, we’re happy that you’re happy, but…we just wanna make sure you’re thinking this through.”

A glare settles on Eddie’s face. “Sounds like you wanna make sure I’m not shacking up with someone younger than me because of a post-divorce crisis or some bullshit.” He hands Mia back to Steve and stands up. “You guys didn’t see what Brittany and I went through. You weren’t the one watching her traipse through the door, acting like she was going out to dinner with friends when she was actually sleeping around. All the family dinners she ditched, just to be with her boyfriends. One time, she got so caught up in one of her little ‘meetings’ that she completely missed the boys’ school holiday concert. I almost ended up going alone, but you know who went with me?”

Nancy and Steve are silent; there’s no need for them to answer. 

“And this was before anything happened between us. Before she even knew that Brittany was cheating on me. She did it because she loves my boys. So fuckin’ sue me for wanting to be with someone who makes me feel…” He searches for the right word, “…who makes me feel complete.” He walks off, pulling a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket as he pushes the door open. 

Amelia starts to fuss in Steve’s lap, partly because she can sense the tension around her, and partly because her favorite uncle just walked away. Steve tries to bounce her gently, pressing a kiss into her dark red hair. 

“It’s okay, angel. Uncle Eddie will be right back,” he says.

“Should…should you go after him?” Nancy asks, craning her neck to try and glimpse Eddie out the front doors. All she’s able to see from her vantage point is his elbow, looking like his hand is planted on his hip.

“Nah,” Steve says with a sigh. “Known the guy long enough to know he just needs some time to cool off.” 

Nancy doesn’t have time to acknowledge her husband’s statement before they hear two familiar voices shouting. 

“I won it!”

“Yeah, with MY token!”

“So? You kept losing! If you played, you would’ve lost again!”

“Oh, boy,” Steve mutters under his breath, ready to hand Amelia to Nancy and intervene in the brewing conflict between Theo and Luke, but he stops when he sees you crouching down to their level. 

He and Nancy watch as you hold out your hand expectantly, and Luke drops a king-size candy bar into your palm. You’re saying something that Steve can’t quite make out, but you’re not speaking from anger; in fact, both boys seem to untense as you talk to them. There’s a pause as you look at the two of them before breaking out into a grin and heading over to the table. 

“Everything okay?” Nancy asks, holding her breath for an onslaught of he-did-this and he-said-that. 

“Yes, Mommy!” Theo says with a smile. “Me an’ Luke were fighting because he won the candy but I gave him the token. And we didn’t know who should get it. So she,” he points to you, “said to think about a way that we could both have the candy!”

“And then I said that we can split it down the middle,” Luke proudly announces, “so now I get half an’ Theo gets half!”

“And we don’t have to fight!” Theo adds, watching as you take a plastic knife and cut into the chocolate bar. Gooey caramel oozes out of each side, and you hand each boy their piece. 

As they inhale their candy and head back to the arcade, Nancy looks at you gratefully. “I can’t remember the last time that an argument between Luke and Theo didn’t end in a WWE smackdown,” she muses, giving a small laugh. “Are you some kind of miracle worker?”

Your heart sings at her approval as you return the smile. “Nah, just years of babysitting experience.”

“Well, you’re hired,” Steve blurts out. “I mean, Nancy and I will have to discuss it, like a team or whatever.”

“No, but seriously, you’re hired,” Nancy says. She looks like she has more to add, but her gaze snaps up, focusing on something right behind you. 

“Welcome back,” you say, pulling him in for a quick kiss. His lips brush against yours, soft and tobacco-stained as usual, but he’s stone-faced when you gently break the embrace. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he grumbles, scratching the back of his head as he sits back down in the hard plastic chair. “Everything good here?”

“Just your girlfriend winning Babysitter of the Year,” Steve says, handing Amelia back to Eddie before she starts to whine for him. “Luke and Theo got into it over some candy, and she resolved it before anyone had time to draw blood.”

Eddie’s toughened exterior melts a bit at his friend’s praising words, and he puts his arm around the back of your seat. “Told ya she’s the best.” 

“You also think that metal is the best music genre, so excuse us for having some doubts,” Steve jokes, and Eddie flips him off. 

“Do you also listen to metal, or do you actually have decent taste in music?” Nancy asks you, giggling as Eddie adds a second middle finger to his response. 

“I listen to a lot of different things,” you say, “but my favorite artist has to be Billy Joel.”

Nancy’s eyes widen. “I saw him in concert!” she exclaims. “Junior year of high school, my best friend Barb and I went to Indianapolis for his Innocent Man tour.” She wrinkles her nose. “What year was that? Like, 1984? Way before your time,” she adds with a laugh. It’s a joke; she’s poking fun at her own age and not yours, but it still stings. 

“An Innocent Man is his best album,” you say, trying to let the nagging insecurities roll off your back. 

“You think it’s better than The Stranger?” Nancy asks. There’s no judgment in her tone, it’s purely curious. But it still makes you feel like you’re being inspected under a microscope. 

“The Stranger has some of his best songs on it, for sure. But Uptown Girl is my ultimate favorite, so I’m partial to the Innocent Man album,” you explain. 

“Huh, Uptown Girl is your favorite?” Steve asks. 

“It is,” you tell him with a smile. 

Steve smirks and slides his gaze over towards Eddie, who just raises his eyebrows at him in return.

“What?” Eddie finally asks, Mia playing with a few of his rings. 

“Uptown Girl,” Steve repeats, looking at Eddie with eyes that say you really have no idea what I’m getting at? “That’s the one with the music video with the mechanics, right?” Steve says, eyes sliding back over to you. “Where the mechanic falls for the girl who is so clearly out of his league?”

Now Eddie gets it and rolls his eyes. You, on the other hand, start to giggle. A flush of heat warms your face as you realize Steve’s right, that is what happens in the music video. But Steve’s also joking around by saying you’re out of Eddie’s league—which you find preposterous. 

“That’s the one,” you affirm. “But I’m no Christie Brinkley.”

“Eddie’s no Billy Joel,” Steve says with a shrug. 

“No, Eddie is much better at the guitar. And singing,” you say, glancing behind you to make no kids are around before you lean in towards him. As you do, Amelia picks her head up and eyes you curiously. You give her a wave and a smile before a smile breaks out on her face in reply. 

Amelia starts to wiggle in Eddie’s lap, which has him frowning. She’s always so good for him, rarely causing a fuss. But now, her small chubby arms reach out towards you. As her eyes look at you imploringly, you feel your heart melt against your ribs. 

“May I?” you ask, looking over at Steve and Nancy. Their youngest clearly wants to be in your lap. 

“Of course,” Nancy says. Turning back to Amelia, you take her from a pouting Eddie. 

“Traitor,” Eddie huffs under his breath. 

“What can I say?” you ask as you settle the baby in your lap. She happily leans against your body, her head resting against your breasts as she picks up one of your hands to inspect it all over. “I’m just so loveable.” 

“Amen to that,” Eddie says with a wink. 

“So, where was your first date?” Nancy asks with a bright smile. She rests her elbow on the table and her arm props up her chin. There’s a sparkle in her eye, like she’s waiting for a romantic tale. 

“Uhhh,” Eddie says, not meeting her eyes, instead watching Mia in your lap. “We haven’t exactly had that yet.”

“What?” Nancy’s dreamy look is quickly replaced by a confused pout. “A few minutes ago you called her your girlfriend but you haven’t even been out on a date yet?”

You’re unable to keep the smile off your face at the fact that Eddie referred to you as his girlfriend in front of his best friends. 

“Life’s been getting in the way,” you say, stepping in to defend the lack of an official date. “School, work, kids, and uh, other people.” The look you give Nancy lets her know you’re referring to Brittany without having to mention that bitch’s name. Part of you hopes that you and Nancy become good friends just so you can hear how Eddie’s friends have really felt about the narcissistic woman all along. 

The conversation flows smoothly for the next thirty minutes, until Mia starts to wail, signaling that it is way past her naptime. “Looks like that’s our cue to go,” Steve says apologetically, waving his kids over from the prize area. Theo is proudly holding a Mr. Potato Head, and Natalie has enough tickets to trade in for a fuzzy purple journal and a matching pen. 

“Yeah, my boys are probably ready to crash, too,” Eddie agrees. As if on cue, Luke comes bounding over with a shiny red Hot Wheels car. “Daddy, look!” He exclaims. “I can’t wait to show all my friends at school, an’ my teacher, an’ the lunch lady, an’ the—”

“I bet they’ll love that,” Eddie replies with a chuckle. “Where’s your brother?”

Luke pinches his eyebrows together at the question, as though he was unaware that he had a brother. “Oh, I think he’s still pickin’ out a prize. But nothing is cooler than my HOT WHEELS!” He yells the last part as loudly as his little lungs allow and sticks the car out in front of him. 

“Jesus H, how much sugar did you have?” Eddie mumbles, rubbing his eyes. He glances over towards the prize area again and calls for his older son. 

“Be right there!” Ryan calls back, and as he makes his way back to you, you see a matching journal and pen set in his hand, nearly identical to Natalie’s, except this one is yellow. 

“I didn’t know you liked to write!” You motion towards the prize. 

Ryan flashes a sweet smile. “Actually, this is for you,” he says shyly. “I figured you could use it to take notes at school.”

Your heart melts at the gesture. “Ry, I love it! But you didn’t have to spend your tickets on me!”

“You showed me and Natalie how to win at whack-a-mole, so I wanted to get you a prize.”

“I can’t wait to bring this to class,” you tell him. “And I love the color, too. Very sunny and warm.”

“My Hot Wheels is red!” Luke yells, shoving the car in your face. “See? It goes vroooom!”

Eddie picks up his younger son and flings him over his shoulder. “Munsons, let’s ship out!” His eye catches yours as he says it, but he doesn’t correct himself. “Onwards!”

Once you’ve all bid your goodbyes to the Harrington’s, the four of you pile back into the truck. Luke drives his Hot Wheels over his legs, across the seat, and over as far on Ryan’s legs as he can reach. The little motor noises he makes with his mouth have Eddie raising his volume a little just to get their attention.

“Hey, guys?”

“Yeah, Daddy?” Ryan asks, swatting Luke’s car away from him. 

“I’ve got some news for you,” Eddie says. Though he’s driving and focusing on the road, you can see both boys in the mirror of your sun visor. At Eddie’s declaration, they lean in towards one another and Luke points from you to their dad, and Ryan murmurs something too low for you to hear. They both catch you looking at them in the mirror and snap back to how they were originally sitting, Luke giving you an over-the-top cheesy grin, and Ryan’s face turns pink from having been caught conspiring with his little brother. 

“What is it?” Luke asks. 

“I got an apartment. Which means that you guys can come stay with me half of the time!”

Both boys cheer, forgetting in their glee how they both thought the announcement would have something to do with you. 

“Where is it?” Ryan asks.

“Do I get my own room?” Luke questions.

“It’s by the mall. And yes, both of you get your own rooms. I move in soon and then we can decorate your rooms however you want,” Eddie says. 

“I want a Hot Wheels room!” Luke says, making his new car do trick flips in the air. 

“When do you move in?” Ryan asks.

“A little over two weeks. Maybe before then though, you guys can help me shop. I’m gonna need a lot of stuff.”

“Like what?” Luke asks, his eyes still focusing on his new toy.

“Well, plates and towels and all kinds of stuff,” Eddie says as he turns down the street his old house is on—Brittany’s house now. 

“And a dog?” Luke presses his luck.

“Keep dreaming, buddy,” Eddie says. 

Luke huffs out a groan, but Ryan speaks up.

“When are we gonna see you next, Daddy?”

The question breaks Eddie’s heart. What’s worse, is that he doesn’t know the answer. Next weekend seems like such a long time away. But if he tells them he’ll see them before then and Brittany doesn’t let him? Then he looks like a liar. 

“Not sure, pal,” Eddie says as he parks the truck in front of the house. “Hopefully during the week, but if not, next weekend for sure.” 

The lawn is overgrown now that Eddie isn’t there to mow it every other week. The weeds are popping up in the once pristine garden, and Eddie swells with pride at knowing he was the one that kept this place looking as good as it did. 

“Should I stay here?” you ask Eddie softly. You briefly have to encounter Brittany every day since she comes home just to tell you to leave—but not in the presence of Eddie. If the kids are in the room when you’re leaving, Brittany’s pretty decent about it. If they’re out of earshot, it’s not uncommon for her to gripe, “You’re free to go. Back to your apartment where you’re fucking my husband while I’m here taking care of our kids.” Before, it might have bothered you. Now it’s all you can do not to laugh in her face before you’re out the door. She never pays you, either, and you know it’s intentional. Brittany must figure that if Eddie has to pay you, you’ll feel like a prostitute or something. Nothing could be farther from the truth though, when the first and last thing Eddie does every day is tell you how much he loves you. That, plus the fact that you know you take care of her children way more—and way better—than she does, has her attempted insults rolling right off your back. 

“You can come in if you want to,” Eddie says as he unbuckles his seatbelt. “Don’t let…her keep you out.” Eddie was going to use a far less friendly term, but he remembered the boys are in the backseat. 

You get out of the truck along with everyone else, and Ryan takes your hand as you make your way up to the front door. Did you trust Eddie being alone in the house with his soon-to-be ex-wife? Absolutely. Did you trust Brittany to be alone with him? Not on her life. 

Eddie doesn’t bother knocking, and why should he? It’s still legally his house as well, after all. The four of you step inside and Luke is instantly running to his collection of Hot Wheels in his room, eager to add his new one to the mix. 

“My kids are home—oh. You’re here.” Brittany’s words do nothing but have you resisting the urge to roll your eyes. “You know you’re not getting paid for this, right? Unless you’ve struck a bargain about how much you charge for sucking—”

“Okay,” Eddie says, clapping his hands loudly a few times. He looks down at Ryan and ruffles his hair. “Why don’t you get your backpack organized for school tomorrow?”

“Sure.” Ryan gives his dad a tight hug before moving onto you. “Glad you came with us,” he tells you. “Thanks for helping with the game.”

“And thank you for my new favorite journal,” you say, squeezing him in your arms. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

“Okay!” He heads down the hallway towards his room, and once he’s out of sight, Eddie is rounding on Brittany.

“Seriously?” he demands in a low tone. “You were about to say that in front of our seven-year-old? Jesus, Britt. That’s great for me in the custody case, you know, so thanks.”

Brittany rolls her eyes and crosses her arms over her chest. “I don’t need parenting advice from the orphan.”

You don’t realize your fists are clenched and you’ve taken a step in Brittany’s direction until Eddie’s hand is on your shoulder, pulling you back. An amused smile curls on Brittany’s lips as she looks you up and down. 

“Look,” Brittany says, turning her gaze back to Eddie. “I’m going out of town so you’re taking the boys. But not to the harlot’s place. So work something else out.”

“And what days will you be gone?” Eddie asks, avoiding the bait she laid before him. “You know, so I can let the neighbors know that if they see any strange men entering the house, it’s not one of your tools this time, and that you’re probably being robbed.” 

“I’m leaving Thursday morning,” Brittany tells him with a glare. “Come back Sunday night. Late.”

“Feel free not to come back,” Eddie says, turning around and heading for the door.

“So, you’re watching ‘em, right?” Brittany sneers.

“Of course,” Eddie says, turning back around to face her. “I’m not just going to let my kids sit here all alone. Who am I? You?” With that, Eddie swings his arm over your shoulders and heads out the front door, leaving a steaming Brittany behind you. 

Once the door clicks closed behind you, you turn your head to look at Eddie as you walk back to the truck. “Do you want me to pick the boys up from school on Thursday and take them somewhere else?”

“Fuck, no,” Eddie says with a laugh. “I’m staying here with them. You’re more than welcome to join as well.”

“Hmm,” you muse as Eddie opens the passenger’s side door for you. “Fucking in the bed and knowing Brittany will be sleeping on it does sound pretty amazing.” 

Eddie presses a kiss to your forehead once you’re in your seat. “I love the way your mind works, beautiful girl.”

Back at your apartment, Eddie flops down onto the couch and heaves his legs over the arms with an exaggerated groan. “Remind me why I continue to chase the boys around Chuck E. Cheese?” He laments dramatically. “I think my arthritis is flaring.”

“First of all, you don’t even have arthritis, you drama queen,” you tease him, gently sitting on his outstretched legs. “And second, you do it because you love them.”

He smirks before pulling you down on top of him, making you yelp out in surprise. “I do love those little menaces,” he agrees, pressing a kiss to your temple. “Hate saying goodbye to them.”

“I know, babe,” you say, nuzzling into his chest. The sound of his heartbeat relaxes your muscles and helps you steady your breath. “Hopefully you won’t have to do that much longer.”

“Yeah, okay,” Eddie laughs bitterly. “I don’t know what judge is gonna agree to give a parentless orphan full custody. How the hell do I even know what to—”

You silence him with a kiss, slow and passionate, while caressing his cheek with your thumb. His echo of Brittany’s orphan comment isn’t lost on you. When you finally break the kiss, you can see his misty brown eyes. “Eddie Munson, do not let her in your head. Ryan and Luke adore you. If you had a fan club, they’d be co-presidents.”

“But—”

“No ‘buts,’” you shake your head. 

Eddie pouts. “Not even your butt?” You giggle, and the corners of his mouth tug up in the beginning of a smile. “I just worry that if I do get custody, I’m not gonna be enough for them, y’know? What if I’m not a good enough dad without their mom?”

You brush a lock of hair from his face and tuck it behind his ear. “You are the best dad, and that has nothing to do with her,” you insist. “Everything you’ve done for your kids has been because of the love you have for them. That won’t ever change.”

“That’s true,” he muses, lacing his fingers with yours. 

“And,” you add, wriggling in closer to him, “when Brittany’s away, you’ll get to spend every waking moment that they’re not in school with them. And probably some non-waking moments, too, since they love to wake you up in the middle of the night.”

“Also true,” Eddie laughs. “Well, mostly. I’ll have to leave them with Wayne while we go on our date. Unless you found today’s outing to be the pinnacle of romance.”

“Tempting,” you giggle along with him. “Really, though; you’ve already asked me to be your girlfriend, you’re staying with me, and we’ve said ‘I love you,’ like, a million times. You don’t have to take me on a—”

Eddie holds you even tighter, effectively silencing you. “LET ME WOO MY LADY!” he all but shouts, wrapping his legs around yours. 

“Okay, okay, I’ve been wooed,” you relent, wiping tears from your eyes after laughing so hard. “So, where are you taking me, my knight in shining armor?”

“That is a surprise,” Eddie says mischievously, wiggling his eyebrows. 

“But I have to know what to wear,” you say with a pout, hoping it will work on him as well as his pouts work on you. But no dice.

“I can pick out your outfit, baby.” The gleam in his eye has you immediately shaking your head, though.

“I’ll end up wearing one of the pieces of lingerie you bought for me last week,” you say.

“Would that really be so bad?” Eddie teases, running his fingers up and down your spine. 

“You’d want other people to see me in that? You’d take me out in public wearing that?” You raise an eyebrow at him, already knowing what the answer is.

“Fuck no, I’m the only one who gets to see you like that,” Eddie says as he buries his head in your neck. He places soft kisses against the skin there as you giggle.

“Okay, then I need to know what kind of date I’m getting ready for,” you say.

Eddie pulls back and looks at you. He’s clearly deliberating, and you can almost hear the gears in his mind clanking. Eventually, he shakes his head. “I’ll tell Jess where I’m taking you. She can help you pick out your evening attire.” 

“Can I at least know when?” you ask.

“Friday night,” Eddie tells you. “I’ll even take off work early and pick the gremlins up from school. That way you can get ready at home, and I can pick you up like a proper date.”

Grinning, you lean in and press your lips against his. “S’gonna be the best date ever.”

A few days later, Eddie’s finishing up his lunch break from work and heading back out to finish installing some new brake pads when he hears the familiar voice. 

“Munson!” Steve calls out from the reception area, jogging over to his friend. “How’s it going?”

“Can’t complain,” Eddie replies with a grin. “Got my boys again this weekend, since Brittany’s gonna be out of town.” He leans on the hood of the car. “What can I do ya for?”

“One oil change and one playdate,” Steve laughs. “Nancy really loved getting to meet your girl, and the kids love her, too. Natalie keeps asking if she can take them to Chuck E. Cheese.”

A blush creeps into Eddie’s cheeks when he hears his friend praising you. “Yeah, she’s kinda the best. You want synthetic?”

“Huh?”

“The oil,” Eddie clarifies. “You want synthetic, right?”

Steve shrugs. “Whatever you usually do. You’re the car guy.”

Eddie gives a small salute as Steve tosses him his keys. “I’m gonna take her out on Friday, so maybe we can do Saturday?”

“What?” Even after years of friendship, Steve still has trouble adjusting to the way Eddie’s thoughts bounce all over the place. “Oh, the playdate? Yeah, Saturday works for us.”

“Sounds good,” Eddie says. He goes to head towards the car before stopping and turning back to his friend. “Do me a favor before Saturday?”

“What’s that?” Steve asks.

“Hide all the Billy Joel music in your house.”

[fangirlingpuggle]

So half asleep thinking of modern One Piece AU with DadCroco and DadMihawk and just thought of modern day cross guild being a company Mihawk and Crocodile run together (Buggy being there to) of course Zoro and Luffy still being friends and of course still friends with all the other straw hats and constantly causing chaos.

Just in the middle of meetings Mihawk and Crocodiles phones ringing at the exact same time and both of them just sighing because they know it's about their youngest. (Crocodile gets more calls because he also has Ace and Sabo as his kids as well and they are also chaotic just not as much as Luffy but Mihawk still gets calls from Perona as well those are the ones that worry him because she's better at discretion so it's either for bail money or her telling him she's maxed out a credit card on plushies...again)

Mihawk and Crocodile also confusing their kids because they sometimes have meetings at each others houses (Simply because they want to avoid Buggy giving some big speech) Zoro walking into Luffy's house seeing his dad and being like '... I was sure I was at Luffy's house what the fuck?' there's also been Luffy trying to sneak into Zoro's to avoid his dad (and protective older brothers) after doing something chaotic and is just face to face with his dad.

Luffy at some point getting the idea to match make Mihawk and his dad. Much to Zoro's protests because No Luffy I do not want to even think about my dad doing anything with ANYONE please stop. Perona is totally for it though, she's been trying to matchmaker her brother with Sanji for years with no luck so she'd like a win for once.

In the process of this Buggy finds out what they are planning and is horrified because those 2 are scary enough already as a couple. They'd be terrifying why would you inflict that on the world straw hat? WHY?

Luffy's disappointed cause he wants his dad to be happy and he hasn't tried to matchmake him since that time he was little when he tried to matchmake him with Shanks.

Buggy: YOU TRIED TO SET CROCODILE UP WITH SHANKS??

Luffy: Kinda I was trying but then Benn found out and said it wouldn't work cause Shanks was already in love with someone

Buggy: I what he

Luffy:Yeah Benn said that shanks was totally hung up on some blue haired idiot who he'd known since he was a kid

Buggy:...

Buggy:...Wait.

[oldfangirl81]

Fic Idea Teen Wolf

Traveling Nurse AU

The Hale fire happened but with only one death (an elderly relative). Kate's crimes starting with Derek get revealed. She goes to prison. The Argent matriarch expelled her from the Argent line, using magic that would prevent any future kids of Kate's to be considered Agents ever. Gerrard is still angry.

Still Derek was guilt ridden and withdrew from everything. Immediately graduating high school (he refused to walk) he left moving to Alaska. He attended college and got a degree in graphic and web design.

Now closing in on thirty Derek hasn't been back to California in over ten years. He makes a living doing designs from his home. That pays the bills to allow him to write. He writes science fiction detective stories under a penname.

In this universe Claudia Stilinski was a nurse before she got sick. Stiles befriended the nurses taking care of his mom since he spent the most time there with his mom, since his Dad was always working. A butterfly flapped it's wings and Stiles doesn't dream of going into law enforcement but becoming a nurse.

Since kindergarten he has always had a first aid kit in his backpack. It adds an inhaler after becoming friends with Scott. He gets into a few fights because a boy should want to be a doctor not a nurse. Until one day Cora Hale steps in and stops the bully. She ends up making them an odd trio.

Gerrard, Alphas and Jennifer Blake still tries pulling things when they are in high school. Secrets are revealed. Scott still gets bit. With an intact Hale pack most of them make it to graduation alive.

After the last several years of chaos college felt like a dream for the most part. After Stiles gets his RN license he decides he wants to travel and not settle down in Beacon Hills yet. And for the next several years he works all over the US and just going back home for his Dad's birthday.

When Cora finds out Stiles is going to be in the same town as Derek she asks him to keep an out for her disaster bi buddy. (She might be trying to matchmake a little by dropping that information)

Derek finds Stiles Stilinski annoying and obnoxious but he also keeps hanging out with him. Stiles finds Derek grumpy and hot. Derek can turn into a full wolf, something that any wolf can do with a lot of mediation.

Stiles tried petting him the first time he saw the wolf form. Derek growled in annoyance.

Group chat with Stiles, Cora and Scott-

Stiles: look it's Derek

Scott: but he is a wolf

Stiles: Use your imagination, dude!

Cora: 😂 I still can't believe you tried to pet him.

[starry-eyes-love]

Masterlist Joel Miller

Main Masterlist

🖤 Welcome to the Joel Miller Fanfic Masterlist 🖤

So happy you've stopped by. Below you will see series and one-shots written about Joel Miller, both within the Last of Us Universe and also Alternate Universe.

Please remember, all works written here are fiction.

Any series that is marked "complete" means that the main storyline within that series is completed, but I may still write one-shots within the storyline.

Feel free to comment and reblog anytime, even if the fics are older.

Please mind the tags, I place warnings on all of my fanfics. You are responsible for the content that you consume.

My Journey to You (ongoing series)

Summary | Joel Miller x F!Reader (Post Outbreak) For the past year Joel, Ellie, and you have been traveling and searching for Joel's brother, Tommy, who now is rumored to have settled in Jackson, Wyoming. Survival in the wilderness does not come easy, and neither does falling hard for Joel Miller. The question is, are you able to survive the journey?

Love Never Fails (ongoing series)

Summary | Joel Miller x F!Reader AU (no outbreak).  Joel has been your dad’s good friend, and a father figure to you, even though you two are only 15 years apart. One year you come home from college for a visit to find that everything in your life has changed, especially with moody old Mr. Miller. You soon realize that no matter what life throws at you there is only one rule, and that is: Love Never Fails. 

Marriage Dynamics (ongoing series)

Summary | Joel Miller x F!Reader AU (no outbreak). Joel and you are married and share in the typical husband and wife dynamics. You're trying to navigate married life with two kids, and another unplanned baby on the way while still navigating the waters of a rocky marriage. These stories are sometimes cute, funny, sexy, and sometimes hard arguments, hence true Marriage Dynamics. But it ends with a happy ending. (If you want to read these two's origin story, read the series Love Never Fails).

Mini Series

Too Young to Die (3 Part Mini Series) No Outbreak, AU -

Part 1 Part 2

Series Summary | Three years ago you were diagnosed with autoimmune disease, a disease that created havoc in your joints, muscles, and body with inflammation and pain. Now three years into your journey you get referred to Dr. Joel Miller, a massage specialist, to help manage your joint and muscle pain with your autoimmune disease.  What you didn’t know was that Dr. Miller was going to change your life, in every best possible way.

One Shots

Darlin' You're Beautiful - No Outbreak, AU, Joel x F!Reader:

You've been stood up again by another date from another guy. Joel (your best friend) takes you out to a park to cheer you up and reminds you (and himself) that you are beautiful.

Darkened Days Become Light - Post Outbreak, Joel x Ellie:

Joel looks back on the emotions that brought him to this moment 20 years later, the moment when his story was re-written. Life is a story, if you don’t like the outcome then re-write it to one that you do, and that’s what Joel Miller did.

Nursing - No Outbreak, AU, Husband Joel Miller x Wife F!Reader:

Your six-week-old daughter, Isabell, is fussy and won’t settle down enough to nurse from you.  Joel, being your soft and understanding husband (and an experienced father) soothes you and shows you how to relax. Who knew seeing Joel sing to Isabell, and whispering soft praises into your ear would help calm your fears at being a mom.

Lord of the Manor - No Outbreak, AU, Joel x F!Reader

Joel Miller is Lord of the Manor, and you are the woman who has been helping him for years in raising his two daughters. Joel, holding a matchmaking party, decides to dance with every maiden in the room, everyone but you. After seeing him do this, you are exhausted and jealous, so you leave the party early. Joel notices your absence and follows you down the dimly lit hallway, where you confess your feelings for him. It ends with him telling you he wants you in his bed.

Farewell Ballad - No Outbreak, AU, Husband Joel x F!Reader

Summary | Joel takes one final walk in the park before his spirit passes on. Written from Joel’s point of view.

Let's Make a Memory- No Outbreak, AU, Joel Miller x F!Reader

Summary | Joel takes you out to a restaurant for the first time after knowing you for a long time and has sex with you in the bathroom. (Slight D/s dynamic vibes with this one).

Just A Man- No Outbreak, AU, Joel x F!Reader-- coming soon

Summary | Pleasure is a beautiful thing.  It makes someone feel wanted, desired and loved.  In the hands of the right person, it can make someone come alive, especially when you feel anything but.  Walk inside the mind of a man and woman as they obtain the best gift of all: pleasure from being seen. (Written from Joel's and F! Reader POV's).

Headcanon's

Wedding Anniversary - Joel Miller is on a tropical vacation with you celebrating your wedding anniversary where he takes control and has you go down on him on your private secluded beach

Wanting Someone to Care- Recently breaking up from your boyfriend you are staying at the Miller's household and you can't sleep. Joel invites you into his bed and he helps you relax by lazy bringing you to an orgasm.

[hannie-dul-set]

CAN’T HANDLE THIS — N.JM.

SUMMARY. how are you supposed to explain that you and na jaemin started dating just to prove each other wrong and ended up catching feelings.

PAIRING. na jaemin x female! reader GENRE. strangers to lovers, college! au, matchmaking! au, yet another richkid! au, jaemin is an asshole again, romance, humor. WARNINGS. excessive swearing, a near death experience, drinking and smoking, more than a handful of illegal shit, mentions of vomit, again jaemin is kind of a dick but he’s an attractive dick, jaemin also likes it when you tell him his personality is trash. WORD COUNT. teaser: 490 | full fic: est. 10k. RELEASE DATE. next week.

NOTE. i’m sick and tired of jaemin being a sweetheart so i’ve made it a mission to turn him into a piece of shit for this fic and the next. idc if you tell me it’s out of character idc idc i am forwarding my asshole! jaemin agenda once again and no one can stop me.

also, don’t worry about getting blueballed because i’ve already drafted and outlined most of the fic. once i finish my last final exam this week, i’ll be free enough to go feral and finish this.

send me an ask/dm to be added to the taglist. preview under the cut.

“This the girl you’re trying to set me up with this time?”

Your expression falters, but it’s fine because the way his voice just sounded can forgive the disrespect he just rendered for referring to you without even sparing you a greeting. It’s a raspy flavor, almost a mumble in his throat. One offense— you can take it for now. If he can behave for the next hour or so and prove the rumors wrong, you might actually grace your dad with approval that you’re going to give this a shot.

His mother lights up, giving him your name and a brief introduction.

“Hi. Nice to meet you,” you smile. Jaemin’s eyes stay on you for a good five seconds. This is dangerous. He shouldn’t be allowed to do that.

Heat swirls around your cheekbones, giddy from the prospect of your love life finally flourishing after all those failed matchups. If only Jaemin decided to shut up for the rest of the night, then maybe the heat in your cheeks wouldn’t have shot up into your head and triggered a nerve.

“She’s pretty cute,” he says, and you’re almost hopeful. “But I doubt she can handle me. I’m going. Don’t wait for me to come home.”

Your smile twitches. Oh. Oh, so he’s like that.

His mother tries to stop him, but Jaemin is already up, not caring about the collateral damage of clattering plates and glasses on the table from his careless movements. 

There’s no way you’re gonna let him leave like this after injuring your ego like that.

“What makes you think I can’t?”

Jaemin freezes, his back turned towards you but his neck slowly cranes, revealing the side profile of his face. His eyes are narrow when he looks at you. There’s a subtle quirk of his lips. He breaks into a scoff. “What makes you think that you can?”

God damn, if only he didn’t start acting up, you would be on your knees.

“I don’t know. You look pretty easy.”

Something tugs on the corners of his mouth, then he fully turns around, walking back up to the table. He plasters his hands on the tablecloth, slightly leaning forward that his head blocks the chandelier light and his shadow hovers over your face. “Free tomorrow?”

“I can make time.”

“Great.”

Jaemin leaves behind a choking, arid tension when he exits the booth. You look at your father who seems like he can’t choose between feeling horrifically alarmed or pleasantly surprised. Clearing your throat, you take another sip from your drink before resuming your meal. You’re sure you’re going to get indigestion, but you can’t think of another way to get your parents and his to move on from the events that just transpired.

Eventually, the tension was swallowed by the clatters of knives and sauces and conversations once again. The only conclusion you can come up with is that this time, their matchmaking failed successfully.

can’t handle this. © hannie-dul-set, 2023.

[sunlightmurdock]

Touching dbf Jake under the dinner table eeeeeeek 😳

this is kind of piggybacking off of the blind date one bc I’m imagining that it’s some kind of family party, maybe a 4th July one, but your dad has decided to play matchmaker once again. There’s a woman at the party that your dad is just adamant that he’s going to set Jake up with.

But you’re wandering around in a bikini top and shorts, keeping a very close eye on the guy next door. And he’s doing absolutely everything in his power to keep his eyes off of you.

So, while people are enjoying the bbq food, you slide into the seat beside Jake while he’s conversing with the woman your dad seems to think is his soulmate. She’s beyond polite to you, but you’ve seen the way she’s been looking at Jake, and you’re not happy about it either way.

“Oh, yeah — Jake’s great with his hands,” You tell her with a polite smile, leaning in closely, resting your hand on Jake’s thigh. He stares at you, silently. “He actually just put up those new cabinets in our kitchen last week.”

“Wow, you did all of that? — Really?” She grins, intrigued. Jake smiled politely back at her as your index and middle finger walk along the inside of his thigh, quickly reaching the hem of his board shorts.

“Yeah, I, uh… it was no big deal. They just asked me to help and I, uh—“ He stops abruptly as your fingers stray up the leg of the shorts, trying to grab your wrist under the table without making it too obvious. “I helped.”

Your mouth twitches, watching charming ladies man Jake become a stuttering mess under your touch.

“So what do you do for fun?” You ask for him, smiling across at her as Jake drags your hand out of his shorts and sets it back in your lap. The second that he lets go again, you’re grabbing him over his shorts this time, palming softly at his length.

“Oh, all kinds of things. Cooking, love to cook. Reading, um—“

“Oh, cool, what do you read?”

“You know what?” Jake interrupts abruptly, redness spreading across his neck and shoulders. He turns his head and stares you down. “I think I just heard your mom call you.”

“Really? I didn’t, did you—“ you try to turn to aim the question back at the woman again, biting your cheek to keep from smiling as Jake grabs at your bicep.

“Yeah. I did. Let’s go find her.” He tells you seriously, pulling you up from the chair without excusing himself, turning you in the direction of the garage.

Then, Jake putting you on your knees for him in the basic privacy of the garage, teaching you a quick lesson about manners.

[taylorkellysburneraccount]

Y'all are weird as fuck about Tommy Kinard

the reason this "oh LFJ/Tommy are RACIST and that's why we hate him" bullshit never worked is because...YOU LOT ARE RACIST.

You Anti-Bucktommies are hypocritical homophobes who reduce all the female characters into Buck's caretakers (Henren, Athena, Maddie) well past the age where he needs them to comfort him at every minor convenience, or evil harpies trying to destroy your gay ship(Ana and Taylor). What is this, the supernatural fandom? You reduced Chimney into "Maddie's husband that agrees with his wife's buddie opinions". You babied Chris in the most ableist way possible, removing his agency into a buddie matchmaker with no opinions of his own other than "Dad and Buck should get together, also I suddenly lost all of my trauma and fears based around the fact that everyone who has ever loved me and my dad have left us behind".

I didn't forget how you all reacted to people defending Lou from your harassment. You lot didn't accuse the bucktommies of not protecting the female actresses, you tried to argue that its only fair to treat Lou like them! You admitted to treating real life women like shit! You admitted to being terrible people, and made excuses for your behavior! Forget about Tommy's apologies, where are YOURS?

Maybe you hate Tommy because he didn't need to lay on his knees for forgiveness, because he actually earned it by changing his behavior without making it a big deal that the story had to stop in its tracks to spotlight to make sure the white tears were acknowledged. You need to pretend that Hen and Chimney hate him, because you feel robbed of having a get out of jail free card for your own rancid past (and present) behaviors.

Dear Christ, Gay Men pointed out how bummy sounded like you combined "bummer" (a british slur) with Tommy's(a gay character) name, and you lot DOUBLED DOWN. You have no moral high ground, you are in the trenches with the worst bucktommies. YOU sold your morals to win a fucking ship war.

I already dealt with this in HP, SPN, Teen Wolf, Voltron - every shitty fandom that thought they couldn't be homophobic or sexist because they thought shipping a gay pairing they butcher in their mediocre fics and meta made them pioneers of gay rights.

No, you just ruined the reputation of one of the fandom's best ships by being bigoted assholes.

[pimosworld]

Pairing- Javier Peña x f!reader

Summary- Javier gets a dog

CW- Angst,Fluff,lots of fluff, adopting a pet, shameless flirting, Chucho being adorable, Javi talking to a dog a lot.

WK-3k

A/N- This is my first time writing for Javi so be gentle. This wasn’t an ask but someone really wanted a Javi beagle fic and it spoke to me since I work at a pet hospital. Please enjoy this adorable one shot. This is for you @keylimebeag

Not beta read

My shelter

Life in Laredo was fine. 

  Javier had his father, his health, plenty of things to do around the ranch to keep him occupied. It was also a plus that he wasn’t being shot at everyday. 

  It was fine. 

  He tries not to seem ungrateful for his life, especially in front of his dad. He always worked so hard to provide for him and his mother. He was so proud, telling everyone in town his son was going to take down Pablo Escobar. 

  He didn't miss the way people treated him when he moved back home. He was not a celebrity, nothing special…just doing his job. At least that’s how he felt. Now everyday was the same, get up at the crack of dawn, feed the animals,have breakfast with his pops,do whatever project was assigned so that he could feel useful, have dinner and go to sleep. 

Sleep wasn’t usually easy to come by these days. 

  Rinse and repeat, day in and day out. 

  Tonight is going to be one of those sleepless nights. He’s been nervous  all day, smoking more than he’d care to admit. None of his daily tasks seemed to quell the oncoming anxiety. His dad is making dinner and even that is setting him on edge. The clinking of the plates, the scraping of the pan. 

  Chuchos has been treating him like a scared animal in a cage all day and he wants to tell him to lay off but he can’t. 

  “I think you need a companion.” 

  “What!”Javi looks up from his plate at his dad. 

  “Ms. Valencia said that could help with ptsd.” Chucho scrapes the remaining carnitas onto Javier’s plate even though he had said he was done. 

  “Listen pops, I don’t really need Ms. Valencia’s advice on ptsd or help finding a companion right now.” 

  Chucho sighs and looks down at his plate, moving the food around with his fork. “I mean…like a dog or something. I’m not trying to play matchmaker.” 

  Javier points toward the window. “I have plenty of animals to keep my company.” 

  His dad laughs, easing some of the tension of the conversation. “Well son they can’t come inside or go on walks. It was just an idea.” 

  “Thanks but I’ll be fine with the cows. You’ve been… spending a lot of time with Ms. Valencia.” 

  “Don’t change the subject Javier.” He stands to grab his plate but Javi ushers him to sit and heads to the sink to start the dishes. “Thanks for doing those son…I’m gonna head out, don’t wait up for me.” 

  Javi smirks as his dad throws on his coat and fixes his hair in the reflection of the toaster. 

  “You kids be safe.” Chucho waves him off before closing the back door. 

  ****

  After another long sleepless night, Javi decided to head into town. He was just going to the market to pick up a few things for dinner and stop by the hardware store for longer screws to fix the fence so the cows would stop getting out. 

  He’s driven by it dozens of times, somehow he’s never had a reason to go inside. He really shouldn’t go inside. He’ll never hear the end of it from Chucho. Laredo Animal Protective Society free adoptions. Maybe he’ll just go in and look. 

  There’s a few dogs playing in the small yard next to the building, all happily wagging their tails as they follow him along the fence. He can’t imagine how there's any dogs here at all with how cute they all look. He’s not even inside and he’s already a goner. 

  ****

  The bell chimes at the front door and you have to cease petting the senior cat October or Tobi for short. Despite it being free adoption day, you didn’t have very many customers so you’re excited to maybe help make a connection. It comes as a surprise when you enter the front lobby and see the last person you would expect to be at your job. 

  Javier Peña 

  Even with his back turned you can still make out that stance. He’s standing with his head cocked to the side as he reads the information board. 

  He hears you shuffle in and turns to greet you. His shy smile puts you at ease, knowing his reputation it was a relief to see him a little nervous. 

  “Welcome to LAPS, are you here for our free adoptions?” 

  Javi can see your mouth moving as you approach him, but he’s not entirely sure he heard a word you said. Your disarming smile and bubbly charm has him feeling something he hasn’t felt in quite some time. 

  Maybe his dad was right. 

  You’re patiently waiting for him to respond as he stands there dumbfounded. You don’t seem intimidated or annoyed by his presence as he nervously rubs the back of his neck. 

  “I’m ugh…not entirely sure what I’m looking for.” 

  “Well let’s start with something easy then. Are you a dog or cat person?” You turn towards the kennel doors hoping he gets the hint to follow you. 

  “A little of both I guess, but I’m here for a dog.” Now that the words have left his mouth it starts to feel a little more real. 

  You clap your hands together and lead him into the doors on the right. “The dogs are this way, we try to keep them separate so the cats can relax.” You turn to him and smile again, he’s not sure how every single person that walks in here doesn’t leave with a pet if this is how you treat the customers. 

  You pass a few cages that are marked in various colors, he silently follows you as you explain what the colors mean. Some are already adopted and others are just boarding. A few of them are getting acclimated to the shelter or waiting for people to come get them because they’re just lost. He hasn’t really looked at any of them, too focused on the way your blue scrubs hug your curves. 

  At the end of the cages are some long runs, a beautiful German shepherd is in the first one. Jesse James is his name, he��s 4 years old and very excited as he puts his large paws on the front of the door. 

  “He’s a sweetheart, his owners couldn’t afford his knee surgery so they surrendered him to us. Unfortunately he needs another surgery so keep that in mind.” 

  Javi thinks he’s nice, but that’s a lot to take on. Plus he already has large animals to take care of.

  The second run has an elderly looking golden retriever Audrey is the name on the tag, you stop to open the door as she gingerly makes her way towards you wagging her tail. Your soft voice as you crouch down and greet her has his heart practically melting. Her face is golden and graying in some spots. 

  “She’s twelve…so I don’t know if  she’s a good fit for you.” You answer the silent question on cue as if you can read his mind. 

  “What’ll happen to her, if no one takes her.” The timber in his voice cracks slightly at the prospect. 

  You look up at him while Audrey enjoys your soft pets and see the heartbroken look in his eyes. 

  “Oh…this is a no kill shelter. If no one takes her she’ll just live out her life here with us.” You stand and close the door and she slinks back to her plush bed. “We have to do free adoptions occasionally when space gets limited.”

  The final run has no tag on the door. A small beagle comes to the front as you open the door. He looks young but not a puppy. You step aside and let Javi crouch down to greet him. Javi scratches him behind the ear and is rewarded with small licks to his face. 

  “Hi buddy, you want to come home with me.” He barks once and wags his tail and Javi has all but made his decision. 

  It’s adorable the way Javi coos at the small dog, you can’t help but look at the way his jeans stretch when he crouched down to say hi. His black shirt is taught over his muscular frame and a sliver of skin just barely shows as he leans forward. 

  “What’s his story?” He catches you checking him out briefly when he turns around. He’ll have to send some flowers with his pops to Ms. Valencia as a thank you. 

  “She was roaming the streets a few weeks ago. She’s past her waiting period for someone to claim her.” 

  “Oh so you’re a lady.” You chuckle at the way his voice changes as he properly addresses her. “Hola cariño, cómo te llamas?” 

  “She doesn’t have a name just yet.” She barks twice in his face and he lets out a hearty laugh. “She likes to bark, I hope you don’t mind.” 

  “No one out at the ranch will complain.” He says it mostly to himself as he’s all but confirmed that he won’t be going home empty handed. 

  ****

  “Well let’s get your paperwork sorted out.” He’s muttering half phrases to her in English and Spanish as she rolls over for him to rub her belly. “I promise she’ll be here when we’re done Javier.”

  It’s not just the way you say his name but the fact that he doesn’t remember even introducing himself. He looks up at you then and notices your name tag. The name is vaguely familiar but he knows he’d remember your face. 

  “Have we met before?” He asks as he stands and closes the run door. 

  You laugh as you make your way towards the front, knowing he’ll follow close behind. 

  “Yes Javier Peña we’ve met before.” 

  A slight panic falls over him as he tries to rack his brain for any memory of you. You’re grazing your fingers along the cages as you speak softly to the other animals. 

  “I’m sure I’d remember if we met.” That flirting tone that you knew to be the real Javier makes an appearance as you round the corner to the front desk. 

  “I won’t hold it against you. I was a few years under you and I guess you would call me a late bloomer, but I hate that term.” You nervously bite your lip as you slide him the paperwork for the adoption.

  He feels a little bad that he didn’t remember you. He had blinders on back then, only had eyes for one woman before he left for Colombia. He wants to ask you out for coffee, maybe even go to lunch. He’s still hesitant now having to approach women in a proper manner. When women practically throw themselves at you it’s hard to remember how to court someone. 

  You gasp and skip to the back before he has a chance. You return with an arm full of stuff and set it on the counter. 

  “We just had some donations so you’re in luck Javier Peña.” He doesn’t normally like when people use his full name. It makes him feel old and official, but he loves the way it rolls off your tongue as you lick your bottom lip, a nervous habit he’s noticed during your interaction. “ Food to last a few weeks, toys, and a leash. Perfect way to get you started.” 

  It does feel perfect.

  “I’ll go get your girl. You’ll have to tell me when you come up with a name.” You wink at him and disappear behind the doors again. 

  ****

  His new companion is sleeping comfortably in the passenger seat of his truck. She stirs occasionally when the road gets a little bumpy but relaxes almost immediately. 

  The setting sun shines through the passenger window and she lifts her paw to cover face. He chuckles to himself at the human-like gesture as he reaches over and scratches behind her ear. 

  “Never thought I’d have a partner in crime again.” She lifts her head and barks at him. “You’re just as talkative as my old partner, Steve.” She speaks again, her hearty boisterous bark echoing in the cab of the truck. 

  She sits up as he drives down the path leading to the ranch. Her soft pants and excited tail wags as she takes in the sight of all the farm animals has him feeling a sense of contentment. 

  “Steve is no name for a lady, cariño.” She paws at his arm and lets out a small whine. “How about Murphy?” She barks twice in his face as he parks his truck in front of the house. 

  Steve is gonna love this. 

  ****

  Chucho drops a piece of meat on the floor as Murphy hurriedly scarfs it down. 

  “Dad, don’t feed her your food, she has her own food.” Javi looks at Murphy as she licks her chops. 

  “I didn’t give her anything son.”  Chucho slowly dips his hand below the table to feed her another piece. He holds his hand up to shush her as he saunters off to the hallway to enjoy her treat. 

  Javi rolls his eyes as she returns from the hallway and lays down in her bed near the back door. She looks outside and lets out a puff of air as she buries her head under the blanket. 

  “I’m glad you took my advice, Jav.” He looks up at his dad smiling to himself while he finishes his meal. 

  “Technically I took Ms. Valencia’s advice.” His dad scowls as he shrugs his shoulders, standing to gather his plate in the sink. 

  ****

  “You named your dog after me!” He can hear the girls giggle in the background as Steve shoos them away. 

  “Not exactly, she’s tolerable and I like her company.” He stares down at the dog, perched at his feet while he stands in the kitchen at the receiver. 

  “If you missed me that much you could’ve come visit.” 

  “Ha,ha very funny.” It’s true he did miss his partner, Murphy is turning out to be a wonderful replacement. 

  “I’d like to meet this girl that convinced you to get a dog.” His teasing tone is clearly evident over the phone. He briefly mentioned you so he’s not sure how Steve could even pick up on his obvious crush. 

  “Goodnight Murphy.” 

  “Are you talking to me or the dog?” Connie can’t disguise her laugh on the other end, clearly eavesdropping on the conversation. 

  “The girls and Connie will get to meet your namesake the next time you come to see me.” 

  They say their goodbyes as Javi hangs up the phone. Murphy lets out a long drawn out yawn and Javi agrees it’s definitely time for bed after a long eventful day. Her first night not sleeping in the shelter, it pains him and warms his heart all at once knowing she won’t ever have to go back there. 

  “Let’s go to bed Murph.” The pitter patter of her feet follows him down the hall to his room. He places her bed in the corner and strips off his clothes. She hops up onto the edge of the bed before he has a chance to tell her no. 

  “Your bed is down there cariño.” She rolls over exposing her belly as she nuzzles further into the blankets and he knows it will be nearly impossible to tell her to get down. 

  “Fine, but just tonight.” He doesn’t even want to address the fact that he spent most of his day talking to her, he wonders if she can even understand him. 

  It won’t be until much later that he realizes how peacefully he slept that night. 

  ****

  Javi stretches his tired muscles as he takes in the soft morning light peeking through the window. He doesn’t immediately register how comfortable he is or well rested. He’s usually up before the crack of dawn so he knows it’s much later than he’s used to waking up.

  The edge of the bed is empty save for the small indent where Murphy laid all night. Her bed is empty as well and the door is slightly ajar. Panic sets in as he throws back the blanket and pulls on his sweats forgoing a shirt to look for his companion. 

  You said she was roaming the streets when she was found and he hopes she didn’t decide to run off in the middle of the night. Despite requiring opposable thumbs to open the door, he can’t think straight until he knows she’s safe. 

  He’s calling her name throughout the house as he takes note of the kitchen being gently used. There’s a small plate next to the food bowl of untouched kibble with some leftover scrambled eggs. 

   Chucho 

  It’s the first morning since he’s been home where he really takes in the sight. His dad is at the fence with the calves and Murphy is sitting beside him. She’s looking up at him as he explains something to her as if she can understand him. 

  He points out to the pasture and she looks out and barks at the small calves running to their mother. Javi is very glad he took that step and brought her home because more than one person seemed to need her presence in their lives. 

  He should call and thank you. 

  He heads over to his truck to pull out the paperwork from the adoption. It’s really the only way he has to contact you so he hopes it’s you who picks up the phone. 

  He slams the truck door and sees Murphy running toward him full speed. 

  “She’s excited to see her papa.” Chucho exclaims as he sends a wave to his son. “I’m going to feed the rest of the animals. I'll catch up with you later.” He winks at Javi as he lumbers off to the barn. 

  ****

  His hands are a little shaky as he dials the number to the shelter. Murphy is laying on his feet beside the table as she drifts off to sleep again, probably having been awake for hours with Chucho. 

  “Laredo Animal Protective Society.” Your sweet voice comes through the receiver and he’s nervous and relieved all at once. 

  “Hi, it’s Javier…Peña.” You chuckle a little on the other end. 

  “I hope you’re not sick of her already.” 

  “Oh no, not at all…Murphy loves it here.” He looks down at her as she rolls over exposing her belly again. 

  “Murphy? I’m guessing there’s a story there.” 

  “Ya there is…I’d love to tell you over lunch or dinner.” Murphy barks and he nearly drops the phone. 

  “I think that bark means dinner, and I’d love to hear it Javier Peña.” 

Comments and reblogs are much appreciated

[tgmsunmontue]

SunMonTue's TG and TG:M MASTER LIST

This post is linked from the pinned post of WIPS, and kept up to date. Fic title links to AO3, hashtag links to the first tumblr post/chapter for the fic (which also have the photos etc which I often leave off AO3 unless critical).

If there is no AO3 link, that's because it isn't on AO3 yet. (I usually posted fics on AO3 when they're finished, or within a few chapters of being finished. There are exceptions.)

HANGSTER

Another Time Mature ~17k Hangster

Jake wakes up in Rooster's body about ~30 or so hours post-Mission and they have to deal with it. They're adults. Apparently. #Another Time

Bird on a Wire  Explicit ~8k Hangster

Hangster AU Meetcute. Jake tries to make a good impression on one of the servers at a restaurant. Except he turns out to be the head chef. Who in turn tries make a good impression. Their families try and help. #Bird on a Wire

Caring, Keeping and Collecting Transformers - A Guide TBC? WIP Hangster

Maverick is unknowingly surrounded by Transformers. He knows something is up though. Just not quite what it is exactly. Bradley and Jake, having never met, are embarking on their own journeys and will have to learn to deal with the fact that they've both been adopted by Transformers. Despite having years more experience, Maverick is no help at all. #Caring Keeping and Collecting Transformers - A Guide

Can't buy me love Explicit ~16k Hangster

Jake doesn't need help around the ranch, but he's not going to turn down cheap able-bodied labor either. He's not stupid. The fact that Bradley knows nothing about ranching doesn't exactly help his case, but he's a fast learner. #can't buy me love

Come on baby light my fire… Explicit ~5k Hangster

An apartment fire alarm at 1am featuring Jake in his underwear and Bradley with kittens. (And a writer that cannot decide on an ending...) #Come on baby light my fire...

Get your motor runnin' Explicit ~8.5k Hangster

Bradshaw is apparently the best mechanic Maverick knows. Which Jake considers high praise from Maverick. If Bradshaw can fix his car then maybe he is. Jake is expecting an old-timer with lots of experience. What he gets, is surprised. And it doesn't stop there. He's a bit of an idiot about it all. #Get your motor runnin'

Guilt doesn't help. Try Remorse. Teen+ <1k Pre-Hangster

Set on the carrier in the evening directly post-mission, Hangman and Rooster have a conversation. Sort of. #Guilt doesn't help. Try Remorse.

I'd know you anywhere Explicit ~9k Hangster

Set when Hangman first meets Rooster. Bradley and Bradford Bradshaw are twins. Most people know this. Some people need to be brought up to speed. Quickly. #I'd know you anywhere

It's all academic darlin' Explicit ~38k Hangster

Bradley is a professor but living his best life with IceMav parents. Jake is a pilot. Maverick sort-of tries (and fails) to play matchmaker, so he tries again. Touch of epistolary and sprinkling of one-sided unknown/mistaken-identity. #It's all academic darlin'

It's not who you know Mature ~13k Hangster

Low-angst Nepo!Baby Bradley and his four years at the USNA and his head-in-the-sand approach to the nepotism and the fact that he ends up being known as the guy with the two hot dads instead... #It's not who you know

Jake's Cakes Teen+ ~2k Hangster

MeetCute. Iceman has tasked Bradley with organising Maverick's 60th birthday cake. This goes as planned until Mav decides to be a gremlin. #Jake's Cakes

Life is too short to waste time matching socks Explicit 5k Hangster (side Bob/Nat/Javy)

Also features Bob/Javy/Nat - set post mission with the Dagger Squad having been made a permanent squad. #Life is too short to waste time matching socks

Lonely Nights Explicit ~11k Hangster

Set in 2009, Bradley is ~27 and Jake is ~23. They're both on leave, out in a gay club and looking to hook up. This is a PWP and sits in the longer Sagas of Solitude Series. (A Nepo!Baby-Bradley AU where Bradley went to the USNA and has a better relationship with Maverick, however DADT has not yet been repealed.) #Lonely Nights

Mercury & Manganese Teen+ ~2k Hangster

An AU MeetUgly (where I failed to meet the assignment as it feels too soft, nice and gentle to really be a MeetUgly? Maybe?). No one is in the Navy. This centres around chefs and restaurants and drinks, but it's all very background. Background established IceMav. #Mercury and Manganese

More than movie magic... Explicit ~25k Hangster

Jake is a Hollywood actor and Bradley is a stunt coordinator. Jake's about to make a few self-discoveries. So is Bradley. #More than movie magic...

Never knew I was missing you Explicit WIP Hangster

Jake is just trying to find a connection. Shame the guy he connects with the most is lying about his identity online; because he sure as hell isn't A-list Hollywood star Bradley Bradshaw. #Never knew I was missing you

Online and Anonymous Explicit ~60k Hangster

Years before they meet in person Bradley and Jake strike up a friends-with-benefits relationship online. And then something more like an actual relationship. Epistolary fic set in a world where papers were pulled and events of TGM will take place and DADT exists until it is repealed at the end of 2011. #Online and Anonymous

Peer Reviewed Mature ~3k Hangster

Secretly married Hangster in an academic environment. Outsider POV then Hangster back and forth with a 5+1 feel (“feel” because it’s a 9+1). #Peer Reviewed

Saga of Solitude Explicit WIP Hangster and IceMav

Nepo!Baby Bradley and his life at USNA. DADT fully in force. Hangster AU. #Saga of Solitude

Season to taste Explicit WIP Hangster

Through a series of sheer dumb luck and pure stubborn pig-headedness Bradley runs as far away from Maverick as he can. He ends up in Italy, under the tutelage of Leandro Gallo, a retired but very accomplished chef. He takes Bradley under his wing. #Season to taste

Second Time Lucky... Teen ~3K Hangster

College AU featuring Bradshaw!Twins Bradford and Bradley, a Jake Seresin with a crush, and a long-suffering Javy Machado. #SecondTimeLucky...

Take more chances, dance more dances Explicit ~13k Hangster

Meet!Cute with Jake as the best man at Natasha and Javy's wedding and Bradley is the instructor teaching them how to dance... Very slight whiffs of Cyclone/Mav and Javy/Nat/Bob if you're looking. #Take more chances, dance more dances

Team Player Explicit ~7k Hangster

Jake's cousin plays for the Sydney Roosters and gifts him with merchandise. Regularly. Bradley has an unexpected realization. #Team Player

The Roost Teen+ ~2k Hangster

Hangster AU MeetCute. The Dagger Squadron have put Jake in charge of organizing a cake for Mav's 60th birthday and retirement celebration. Little does he know he's about to ask Mav's son to make it. #The Roost

To wake, perchance to dream Explicit WIP Hangster

Jake wakes up 10 years in the future and thinks he has amnesia. Instead it's a glimpse of what his life could be. When he wakes up right before being called back to Top Gun for the special detachment he's going to try his damndest to make that future come true... #To wake perchance to dream

Upon which our Souls touch Teen+ WIP Hangster

Tradition and the stories have been the same for thousands of years. Until Bradley and Jake came along and broke all the rules without ever speaking a word to one another... #Upon which our souls touch

We walk our path together now... Mature 2k Hangster

Years after Javy and Natasha get together they think their best friends could maybe try dating each other. It'll either end in disaster. Or not. #together or not at all

Where do I know you from? Mature ~11k Hangster

Hangster crackfic-adjacent. There are too many Jakes and Bradleys for Jake and Bradley to be dealing with. Or the Universe is just as fed up with them being blind. #where do I know you from?

With our pets, a house becomes our home Explicit ~5k Hangster

Jake adopts a puppy and then proceeds to fly across the country to take up a flight instructor position at Corpus Christi where Bradley is the vet (DVM) that Jake takes Brisket to once he arrives. Bradley asks him out. MeetCute. #With our pets, a house becomes our home

You are all five senses to me and always will be Teen+ ~500 words Hangster

Jake is sent a tumblr post and his default object is apparently Rooster. He's okay with that. #You are all five senses to me and always will be

You found me Explicit ~13k Hangster

AU - Soulmates first words are on your skin. Started for the Bingo. Jake is a singer and Bradley is the newly arrived member of his security detail. Tooth-rotting FLUFF and SMUT. #You found me

You need to learn how to fall Explicit ~17k Hangster

Bradley keeps growing past the 6'5" limit of being a naval aviator, Maverick lets out an internal sigh of relief. He's not going to be the one responsible for stopping Bradley from becoming a pilot. However, because karma is a cruel mistress, Bradley becomes a sky diver, specialising in spin recovery. Mav will never understand why his godson continually jumps out of perfectly good planes. Later Bradley's level of skill is such that he becomes a civilian contractor to the Airforce and Navy to teach pilots how to survive parachute spins from ejections. The Airforce contact Bradley first, it annoys Ice to no end. #You need to learn how to fall

OTHER

From the Top - Explicit WIP IceMav (background Hangster)

Featuring not-mistaken identities (where they (Ice and Mav) pretend to be in the dark for REASONS), Ice is Jake's Uncle Tom, Mav is Bradley's Dad, everyone knows everyone, (un)requited love, coming out as an older person, and a little bit of a circus-vibe where Ice has a horrible realization that this is indeed his circus and these are also his monkeys. #From the Top

He remembers... Teen+ ~1k IceMav + Bradley slice-of-life

An AU set just before Bradley enters the USNA (so ~2001?). 18 year-old Bradley remembers key points and people in his life. Prologue of Saga of Solitude. #He Remembers

I want you so bad it hurts. But you heal me. Explicit 8k Macheresin (JavyxJake)

Jake wakes up to sixteen missed calls, three voice messages and over five-hundred and fifty messages via three different messaging apps. Javy is in Vegas for his brother's bachelor party and a hospital is trying to get a hold of Jake because he's listed as Javy's partner. When the hell did that happen? GIFT FIC for @cottagecori - this fic is not on Tumblr.

Life is too short to waste time matching socks Mature 5k Hangster + Bob/Javy/Nat

Also features Hangster - set post mission with the Dagger Squad having been made a permanent squad. #Life is too short to waste time matching socks

Once Upon a Time in 1996... Explicit ~25k IceMav

Maverick wakes up to a great day. Then it all turns to shit. Timeloop fic. #Once Upon a Time in 1996...

Saga of Solitude Explicit WIP IceMav and Hangster

Nepo!Baby Bradley and his life at USNA. DADT fully in force. IceMav established AU with them both married but widowed/divorced (just read the prologue). #Saga of Solitude

Together or not at all... General ~2k Javy/Nat

The evolution of Javy and Natasha's relationship as viewed from the outside. Mostly. #Together or not at all...