#did i go a little overboard with the language? maybe. was it fun? hell yeah

[mariyekos]

FF/IV Week Preview

Okay now I'm excited for FF/IV week so I thought I'd try to draft a little something. The final fic won't be in script format like this, but this bit branched from bullet notes so it stayed in that format and that's what you get as your little preview. This is for the prompt(s) Taste of Freedom/Locked Up!

Rosa or someone: “If anyone has shackled you, it’s yourself. Though they may be a symbol of Baron’s past, they need not be Baron’s future. Baron has succeeded without Dark Knights in many a battle before, and can continue to succeed without them in days to come. They’re so few in number; would it really make that much of a difference to remove them entirely?”

Cecil argues yes. A good military is well rounded. If they’re to keep Baron and her people safe, they must be skilled on multiple fronts. He in no way means to discount the efforts of the Dragoons, the Black and White Mages, the Cavalieres, the Footmen, or the Kingsbow, but they are not Dark Knights. Someone must hold the van (hold the fore? Front the van? Phrasing). They need someone to protect them. 

Rosa: “Then let us create a new Dark Knight! If we are lacking in protectors, if Dark Knights are truly so indispensable because we have none to take their place, then let us mold a new sort of Knight. Let us forge a newer, stronger shield to helm Baron's defense. You need not throw away your life-”

Cecil: “I am not throwing away my life, Rosa, I am putting it to use! I am honoring my king and country! I am doing as my forebears did, fully cognizant of the cost and fully willing to pay it! Why can you not understand this?”

Rosa, unbelieving/scoffing: “Do you not hear yourself? Have you not listened to your own words; have you no awareness of the tone in which you speak them? Where is the Cecil of my childhood? Where is the boy who treated all with kindness, who thought the best of people and did not let fear overcome him when it had not earned its stay?"

Cecil, angry: “I have grown, Rosa. Father- the King grows fearful of war. Mysidia has grown more covetous of its crystal, Fabul is raising an army, and Damcyan-”

Rosa: “Damcyan is a center of the arts, Fabul holds fast to its traditions in order to fend off the monsters that lap at its border just as they do ours, and Mysidia covets its crystal no more than Baron covets her own. What wrong have these places done, Cecil? What reason have you for action other than unfounded fear and insecurity?”

Cecil, doubting himself: “You know not of what you speak.”

Rosa: “I know well enough! And if I do not, then tell me, Cecil. Let me bear some of the load which has burdened you so. Since you claimed that armor I’ve been watching it freeze your heart bit by bit, and I fear that one day it will be lost to a frost that shall never be thawed. Please, Cecil, listen to yourself. When you speak, who do you hear? Yourself? Or the armor?”

Cecil, after a long pause: “The king.”

Rosa: “…So you say. But you are your own man, Cecil. Speak for the king if you must. I only ask that you think for yourself as well. The old Cecil would. The true Cecil.” 

Cecil: “...”

Other convo? Or the same with a bridge?

Rosa: "Does your heart not cry out for these people? Do your eyes not ache with sympathy?"

Cecil: "Of course they do-"

Rosa: "Then why do you not listen? Why do you insist upon following this course? Why ignore the feeling born from your very core?"

Cecil, trying to convince himself as much as he is Rosa: "Because the heart is not the only place from which one should make decisions. It is at war with my mind, and much as I would like to listen to it, as much as I have listened to it in the past, I cannot ignore what I know to be right. I cannot ignore my King’s words. He has given me orders, told me to look for our enemies to keep our people safe, and it is my duty as both son and knight to listen. It is for the good of Baron. For the good of its citizens, you chief among them. What if in bowing to my heart I invite disaster? Decisions must be made by logic, and in this case my mind is set. I must listen to it. I cannot afford the travesty that might result were my softness to harm us."

Rosa:" You limit yourself. Wound yourself. You are fading, Cecil, and every day I see you I fear I’ve lost another part of the man I grew to love. If you continue to chip away at what makes the man I once knew, one day there will be nothing left. Who will protect me then? A man? Or an empty husk?"

Cecil: "Rosa-"

Rosa: "I must take my leave. I’ve dallied far too long; I promised to tutor one of the new mages at the tenth bell, and it rang out some few minutes ago. I hope you take what I’ve said to heart, Cecil. I know it still exists somewhere down there. You need only find it."

(she leaves).

(note: cecil absolutely places his heart first, but he's trying so hard to be an impassive/impartial judge that he's overcompensating. If it came down to it, and in Mist when it DOES come down to it, he would absolutely bow to his heart, no matter how much he claims to value reason.)

[thefanficmonster]

My Kind

Corpse Husband x Reader (Female)

Warning: Swearing

Genre: Fluff, RPF (Real Person Fic)

Summary: Having been chosen by the gang to be a guest streamer on today’s stream of Among Us, it’s safe to say Y/N’s super excited but also a bit nervous. The whole of her anxiety gets lifted off her when she meets someone with the exact same vibe as hers - yeah you guessed it.

Requested by @monizzle96 Hi dear! Thank you so much for your wonderful request! I’m so terribly sorry it’s taken me so long to write and post it but here it finally is! I hope you come across it and read it and if so I hope you enjoy it! Love, Vy ❤

This has to be the fiftieth time I’ve checked my setup in the past twenty four hours. But no, I’m definitely not nervous, what are you talking about. Pshhh. Nah, being nervous isn’t in my brand. Plus, what do I have to make me nervous - a group of famous streamers inviting me onto their stream to play Among Us with them because they enjoyed my own streams? Ok yeah, that’s a pretty good reason. Not gonna lie, I almost chucked my phone out of excitement when I received that DM from Toast, telling me they’d picked me to be their guest streamer for today’s date. My stomach was doing somersaults for a good forty-eight hours following that text and then the anxiety slowly started setting in fueled by the expectations they probably have of me.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not inexperienced in the streaming field, I’ve been a streamer longer than some of the members of Toast’s streamer gang actually. But I never managed to garner that big of a following which I’m honestly quite ok with. I have a modest - ok, maybe larger than modest - following consisting of incredibly loyal fans which I will never stop being grateful for. They are all so respectable of me, my privacy and my boundaries. They know the main rules: no shit-talking in the chat or in any of my comment sections, no bashing other YouTubers in my comments/chat, and most definitely not asking for a face reveal. Fun fact: I didn’t even set up that last rule, they all just collectively know not to ask for it. 

I’ve been keeping my brand pretty low-key to avoid garnering some unwanted attention - some of which I’ve already experienced on certain social media platforms following the full body pictures I posted on there - face not visible of course. I tend to also have my webcam on, facing towards my hands working away on the keyboard sometimes when I stream. I don’t know why people obsess over faceless content creators’ hands, but I appreciate the enthusiasm - it also drives me to do a manicure every now and then which ain’t so bad, self-care and all that you know.

Now, back to the subject of my ridiculous nervousness.

You see, it has layers.

I’m nervous of ‘preforming’ underwhelmingly and I’m nervous of what my own fans will think of the person I will become during this stream. They know me as a super chill and laid-back person, which I am by the way, but they might think I’m putting on a show if I exhibit any nervous gestures/vocabulary. I highly doubt they would, but the possibility is not letting my mind rest. And now that it’s about ten minutes till the stream starts, I’m getting doing my best to calm my nerves.

They are all just people. You know they are super chill too. Just be yourself, that’s why they invited you, because you are yourself on all your streams. They liked you for your personality, humor, maybe even your gaming skills. So chill the hell out and be yourself, damn it!

Easier thought than put into action that’s for sure.

I start my stream five minutes early just so I can vibe with my viewers for a little while before I have to meet the gang. My fans always have a way of injecting me with confidence, they remind me of where I was when I started and how far I’ve come. How much I achieved when I thought I’d be nothing and no one, someone the algorithm would simply overlook. But then they entered my life and I entered theirs and it all became much better than I ever thought it would get to be. I rarely tell myself ‘good job’ for the milestones I’ve reached or the hard work I’ve put into my content, but that’s probably cause I orient myself based on that quote from the movie Whiplash: ‘There are no two words in the English language more harmful than good job’ - simply put, I’m never satisfied with what I do and I always strive to do better. My fans, however, make sure I don’t go overboard with it - always serving as a reminder that I’ve done plenty for myself and others. And that’s what makes an amazing fandom, one I consider family.

Whoa, when did those five minutes fly by?!

Ah shit, here we go. Deep breaths, Y/N you got this.

“Hello!“ I say as I enter the Discord call, subconsciously biting my lower lip, grateful the camera isn’t capturing it. However, I make a mental note to keep my hands steady cause that’s the one part of me people can actually see and the last thing I want is for them to see how much my fingers are trembling.

“Oh hi, Y/N!“ Toast is the first one to greet me, “Welcome to the stream! Thank you so much for accepting our invitation.“

“Thank you for having me and inviting me, Toast. This is a huge deal for me. You guys are basically YouTube legends, this is unreal to me.“ I reply, cringing immediately afterwards because of my fangirl rambling. Great way to make first impressions, Y/N. Bravo.

To be fair, they already have an impression of you. Quit stressing.

Aright, you’ve got a point, me.

“Oh please, we owe all that to our fans. We’re really nothing special. All streamers are almost completely alike, we all owe where we are to the people who helped us make it there - our fans. We’re no legends.“ Toast says, bringing a small smile to my face as well as a light pink blush to my cheeks, “And from what I’ve seen, you yourself have quite the following. And your fans seem to adore you.“

“And I absolutely adore them.“ I chuckle, “They mean the world to me. They are the reason I’m here today.”

“Then we have to give them a special thank you, don’t you think?“ The teasing, familiar giggle, widens my smile - it’s Rae, “Nice to meet you, Y/N! I’m Rae, and, no cap, I’m quite a fan of your content. No joke, I binged your entire series of Resident Evil 7 as soon as I found your channel when Toast said he’d invite you.“

This rattles me a bit. I can hardly believe it - am I really receiving a compliment from an A-list name in the streaming world? My fans must be hella proud of me right now. A quick glance at my chat confirms that they indeed are. That in and of itself fills me with joy and newfound confidence.

“Oh Gosh, thank you so much Rae! That means the world to me. You’re all so sweet.“ I reply, lifting my ice cold hands to cool down my burning cheeks, my lips spread into a grin, my stomach filled with butterflies.

“Oh please, we have some real savages around here.“ A male voice, seemingly Charlie’s scoffs, “Don’t overlook us please.“

“Wait, we do?“ A deep voice, one I immediately know the owner of speaks up, “Who? How come I don’t know about that?“

I can’t help bust snort, “Nice to meet you, Corpse. Sarcasm central, I see.”

He laughs, “Just returning it to where it’s due. Nice to meet you too, Y/N. Sick Outlast series, by the way.“

Ok, wait, I have two A-list streamers complimenting my content. Ok, I’m bound to crack open a few beers to celebrate later cause OH MY GOD.

“Thanks! I’m a horror junkie so I’d be lying if I said I haven’t binge watched all your story-times. Personal favorites are the deep web ones, they fascinate me.“

“Oh, you’re one of my kind even more than I expected, huh?“ He replies, the tone of his voice changing, raising a bit due to what I can only describe as excitement and enthusiasm. “I’ve had people tell me it’s twisted, but I really like seeing the lengths to which the fucked up human mind can go to. Like, the shit I’ve read is insane! Some stories I didn’t narrate cause I would’ve probably had my video taken down, it was that messed up.“

My eyes widen, sharing the same excitement at the thought of digging deeper into this phenomenon, “Careful, Corpse, you’re walking a dangerous line of tempting me to deep-dive on Reddit in search of those exact stories.”

“No need.“ Corpse says, his tone now taking up a bit of a cocky note, “I still got them all saved, I can send them to you no problem.“

“Please do! I seriously gotta read them now. If I can’t sleep afterwards, I’m blaming you, Corpse. Just FYI.“ I say, giggling slightly, finding myself all but completely comfortable now. I wonder where all that anxiety went? 

“Blame fully taken. Given that I’m not much of a sleeper, I’ll keep you company whenever you think there’s a killer hiding in your closet or fear a red room pop-up will appear on your computer screen.“ He replies, chuckling.

“Um, that’s oddly specific.“ Charlie comments, “Been there yourself, buddy?”

“Perhaps.“ Corpse wheezes, getting a laugh out of me too, “I will neither confirm nor deny.“

“You know what, I’ll just private message you my number so if you see it call you at some ungodly hour, you don’t freak the fuck out. Sounds good?“ I ask, already prepping to type it out and send it to him. 

“Perfect. Wait...“ he pauses for a second, sounding puzzled for a second, “You don’t have mine.“

“Oh, do I not?“ I reply with a sinister tone - thought to answer the question, I of course don’t have his number.

“Oh, do you?“ He sasses me right back. “If so then you don’t need me to send it to you. Cool.“

Ah, shit

“Wait, no! I-I need to confirm it’s the correct one!“

Damn, never did I think I’d be complimented by some of the most important streamers on this platform, but to get a number of theirs too? That’s a whole another level that will take me time to process. But I’ll do that another time, right now, I have to kick these people’s butts in Among Us and later I have some deep web stories to read.

Turns out, all it takes to get comfortable in a new surrounding is someone of your kind. And Corpse is definitely one of my kind.

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[allthebooksandcrannies]

Life With You Makes Perfect Sense (You're My Best Friend)

TimKon Fanfic

Read on AO3 or Read my other works here

For context: this takes place during the time when Stephanie Brown was Robin after Tim's dad figured out his identity and made him retire. In the comics, Conner finds this out by coming to Gotham to look for Tim when he fails to show up at Titan's Tower and bumping into Robin Steph. Batman refuses to give Conner Tim's address but tells him that he has all the same skills Superman has to find him himself. Conner tracks down Tim's voice and confronts him in his bedroom. In the comics, he ends up leaving and doesn't appear to hear from Tim again until he comes back to the Robin role. This fic takes place as a sort of "what-if" to fill in that missing time.

I took the dialogue in italics from the first and last scenes directly from my copy of the TPB Teen Titans: Beast Boys & Girls (2005), though the body language that goes with the dialogue and everything else in the fic is mine.

Title comes from Tim McGraw's "My Best Friend"

Tim woke up clinging to the whisps of a dream that fled from the screeching of his alarm. As he blinked himself back to consciousness, he grasped vainly for the subject of the dream and was left feeling inexplicably wistful.

His fumbling fingers managed to silence the alarm, but there was still the unfortunate matter of having to heave himself out of bed, his limbs feeling heavier and more uncooperative than they had in weeks. Apparently, all the extra sleep he’d been getting since he retired still wasn’t enough to make Monday mornings suck any less.

He pushed away the traitorous voice in the back of his head that suggested that maybe his exhaustion had something to do with his conversation with Conner the other night.

Conner had shown up unannounced and asking questions Tim hadn’t expected to have to answer again. “Why didn’t you show at the tower yesterday? And what’s with this new Robin? The girl?”

“Last week…” Tim paused, trying to decide how best to make Conner understand. “My dad found my costume. He found out I was Robin, and he went a little—” Tim paused, unsure, “—overboard. I’ve been wanting to tell him for months anyway.”

Conner turned his head towards where he could hear Jack moving around, easily locking onto his vitals. “He seems totally relaxed now. His heart rate is normal and—”

Tim glanced back at Conner nervously, but still refused to look at him head on. “I quit.”

“You what?” Conner exclaimed.

“I’m not Robin anymore. I gave it up.”

“Why?” Conner couldn’t wrap his mind around what he was hearing.

Tim tried to explain, needing Conner to understand. His approval felt vital in that moment. “I never liked living two lives. I never planned on doing it for this long. And I never wanted to lie to my dad. Now I don’t have to anymore.”

Conner shook his head in denial. “Come on. You can’t do this to the Titans. That girl isn’t… She’s not Robin.”

Tim wanted to stop thinking about that night, but no matter how hard he tried he just couldn’t. The look on Conner’s face when Tim told him he wasn’t coming back to the Titans, how Conner refused to meet Tim’s eyes when he talked about how much he and the other Titans needed Tim, not just Robin. All of it. After all, what right did Conner have to come in and tell Tim how to live his life? Conner was born into this, he didn’t have a Before to compare the hero life to. He didn’t understand what it was like to be torn between two halves of himself.

At that thought, Tim paused about halfway through pulling on a shirt, and immediately felt guilty for even thinking it. Conner had just found out he was half Lex Luthor after all. He was probably the only person Tim knew who would understand exactly how Tim felt being stuck between his Dad and Bruce since the truth came out.

Tim pulled the shirt on the rest of the way with a mental sigh. He wasn’t really mad at Conner. Things had changed really quickly, and the other boy had made a lot of good points. As he ran through the rest of his morning routine, Tim’s mind continued its highlight reel.

“Let it go.”

“You’re my best friend, Tim. How can I? The Titans aren’t the Titans without Robin. They just aren’t.”

“Just because I’m not wearing a cape doesn’t mean we can’t hang.”

For the first time since Tim had explained his motivation, Conner finally met his eyes again. The resignation there made Tim’s throat tighten. “It won’t be the same. I’ve heard that from too many friends. Friends I never talk to anymore.”

And Conner wasn’t wrong. When was the last time he had talked to Cissie? Sure, he still got the occasional update on what she was up to from Cassie on Titans weekends, but that wasn’t the same. It was so easy to lose touch with people who left the hero game. Hell, he hadn’t even spoken to Dick since he quit, and they had supposedly been brothers.

Conner had every right to be worried. But what else was he supposed to do? There was nothing else he could have done to protect everyone’s identities, and it wasn’t like his Dad was about to let him go to group hangouts with a bunch of superteens.

Tim mulled it over as he mechanically choked down a bowl of cereal. His dad had been pretty adamant about the no contact thing, and Tim was trying to be the respectful son his dad deserved. But Conner wasn’t something Tim was willing to sacrifice for his new mission. Besides, what was the harm in just staying touch, it’s not like he was putting himself in danger.

Still, it was probably better safe than sorry. If he got his hands on a computer at school, it wouldn’t be hard to track down the Kents’ phone number. Then it was just a matter of waiting for Dad and Dana to be out long enough for him to have sole access to the landline.

Yeah, Tim thought as he threw his bowl and the sink and headed out to catch his bus, that would work. It would be enough. It had to. Tim just wished he didn’t feel like he was betraying his dad all over again.

-0-

If anyone could read his mind right now, they would be impressed by the amount of self-restraint Conner was exercising to control his strength as well as he was despite how frustrated he was. Unfortunately, poor Lottie the Cow could not read his mind, and, unlike Krypto, she wasn’t hiding any secret Kryptonian powers of her own.

After the third time he used just a tad too much pressure in his attempts to milk her and she shied away from him yet again, he had to concede defeat. As he swapped out with Pa (who was all too willing to pass off the stall mucking), Conner let himself feel the indignation he hadn’t been able to get out of his head since he spoke to Tim.

It just wasn’t right! Anyone with eyes could see how much Tim loved being Robin. Conner knew how much pride he took in being able to hold his own against some of the most powerful people on the planet. How Tim’s heartrate still sped up with excitement every time he swung off a building or when he flew with Conner.

His dad wanted him to be normal so bad? What was more normal than a teen managing to sneak out without their guardian knowing or taking their dad’s car out for a joyride with their friends. So what if the car was a Batmobile or if the adult he was sneaking past was a Tamaranean princess?

And the worst part was that he wasn’t even mad at Tim, not really. Sure, he had been pissed in the moment, but mostly he was just hurt. They had all finally gotten back to normal, and now Tim was leavingagain. It just wasn’t fair. Conner just wanted his best friend back, but every time they got over one hurdle another one showed up. And this was something Conner couldn’t punch.

“If you shovel any harder, you’re going to snap the end off again.”

Conner whirled around, barely managing not to break the poor tool in his surprise. Martha just raised an unimpressed eyebrow at him, a full basket of chicken eggs resting on her hip. “You want to tell me what’s eating you?”

Conner didn’t meet her eyes, just grabbed the now full bucket of manure to take it to the compost. “It’s nothing, Aunt Martha.”

Her brow wrinkled in concern, which was not what Conner had wanted at all. She took another moment, clearly choosing her words carefully. “Well… I know you don’t owe me your thoughts son, and I don’t pretend to know what it’s like to do what you and Clark do.” She started walking alongside Conner before continuing. “But I have raised one Kryptonian and I can listen with the best of them. So, if you need to get something off your chest…”

Dumping the bucket into the compost, Conner almost refused out of habit. Instead, he hesitated, casting his eyes to the side as he grasped for an answer. The sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon. “It’s kinda a long story…” the note of disappointment in his voice seemed to surprise both of them. Martha didn’t miss a step as she steered them back towards the house. She too glanced at the rising sun and then sent Conner an appraising look. “hmmm… School is important. It would be a shame if you had woken up ill this morning and couldn’t attend.”

Conner felt himself gaping like a fish as he followed her inside.

-0-

Tim was pretending not to notice Dana hovering when the doorbell rang.

And wasn’t that a fun situation. Tim wasn’t quite sure how much Dana knew. He knew his dad hadn’t told her about Robin, as per the arrangement. But he wasn’t sure what story she’d been given instead, or, more likely, if she’d just been left to draw her own conclusions.

Regardless, she clearly knew Tim had been hiding something because she had been acting strangely ever since. Making excuses to keep him in view, asking much more probing questions about his day and who he was spending it with, checking out parenting books on “troubled teens.”

She hadn’t said anything to Tim about whatever it was she thought was going on, but she had always been over-protective of Tim. Sure it could occasionally cross over into infantilizing, but, after a lifetime of people only worrying about Tim’s wellbeing when it affected them, it was kinda nice to have a parent care so openly.

Still, this was starting to get ridiculous. It wasn’t like he was running a drug empire from the kitchen table, and writing an English essay while someone keeps sneaking glances at you while cleaning the stovetop wasn’t exactly easy.

So, the doorbell was a welcome distraction.

While Dana rose to answer the door, Tim tried to focus back on his paper, as if he could make it write itself with the force of his glare. However, there was no amount of effort that would ever keep him from recognizing that voice.

He was at the door before he even realized he’d made the decision.

“—don’t know why he didn’t mention it, ma’am, we made these plans last week.”

“Well, I don’t know if I’m really comfortable with letting you boys go without clearing it with Jack fir—"

Tim peeked around Dana’s shoulder to see Conner Kent, glasses and all, staring up at his stepmom with an almost comically earnest expression. “Dana?”

She glanced back at Tim, not letting go of the half-open door. “Your friend—”

“Conner,” the boy in question supplied helpfully.

“Right,” she said with a forced smile, “Your friend, Conner, was just telling me that you two made plans to get together to study tonight? Tim, honey, you know your Dad wants you to let him know before you make plans to go out with people we don’t know.”

Tim did know. It was one of many new rules that his dad had decided to implement after he found his Robin gear. The restrictions chafed, but, as his dad pointed out, he definitely deserved the lack of trust at this point.

But when he caught the cocky “play along” grin over Dana’s shoulder, Tim stomach filled with warmth at the familiarity. He quickly schooled his expression into an appropriately sheepish smile. “Sorry Dana, I guess it just slipped my mind.”

Dana softened, her grip on the door slackening just a tad.

“If it helps, Mrs. Drake,” Conner broke in, “we can just study here.”

Tim wondered if Conner had learned the earnest and polite young man routine from watching Clark or if it was just natural talent. Either way it was enough for Dana, leading her to relax and open the door completely.

“Oh, that would be perfect! Tim, honey, why don’t you get you and your friend set up at the table? Will you be staying for dinner, Conner? We’re having Chinese tonight, and it’d be no problem to order an extra serving.”

“That would be great, Mrs. Drake!”

Dana headed back towards the kitchen, presumably looking for the takeout menus, leaving Tim and Conner in awkward silence. Tim decided to break the tension first.

“I’m sorry, Conner, I shouldn’t have snapped at you. I know you were just trying to help.”

“Wait, that’s supposed to be my line! I’m sorry, Tim. I didn’t mean to make it seem like I didn’t think you could make your own decisions.”

“So, still friends?”

“Please! You didn’t think I’d come all the way to Gotham to ditch you now, did you?”

“Why did you come? If that was it, why not just come in the window?”

Conner shifted his weight, hand tightening minutely around the strap of the backpack slung over his shoulder.

“Well, I was talking to Ma earlier, and she helped me realize that even if Robin can’t hang out with Superboy, that doesn’t mean Conner Kent can’t spend time with Tim Drake.” He looked up from his shoes, his blue eyes putting the Gotham sky to shame. “That is… if it’s okay with you?”

If you had asked Conner, Tim’s answering grin could have lit up even the darkest Gotham alley.

-0-

Fifteen minutes later found Tim and Conner side by side at the kitchen table, various homework from various subjects strewn out about. Leaning over under the guise of checking Conner’s math, Tim murmured under his breath for only Conner to hear: “So Conner Kent wears flannel now?”

Conner snorted. “I’m pretty sure it’s the only thing they sell in Smallville,” he whispered back. “Why? You a fan?”

“To be honest… I miss the leather,” he replied thoughtlessly.

“Is that so?” Tim realized what he’d said out loud a moment too late. “I guess I’ll have to keep that in mind,” he smirked.

“Oh, shut up,” Tim replied with a little shove that did absolutely nothing but prompt Conner to break out into full body laughter so loud it drew Dana in from the living room to see what was going on.

When she found a blushing Tim whispering back furiously and sending her embarrassed looks, she let out a chuckle of her own before leaving them to it. She had a good feeling about this kid.

-0

It quickly became routine for Conner to come by after school to do homework a few days a week. Tim had worried that it might have been getting Conner in trouble, but Conner had assured him that he had worked things out with ‘Ma so that he still got all his chores done in spite of the extra hours he was putting in Gotham. And as for Batman, well, if he didn’t want him coming to Gotham to see Tim, he shouldn’t have told him how to find him.

And at least he wasn’t dangling the latest Robin in mid-air anymore.

Whether by fate or weird coincidence, however, he still hadn’t managed to run into Jack Drake while he was monopolizing his son’s time yet. The first night Conner stayed for dinner had ended with them all waiting for half an hour after the food arrived before Jack remembered to call and let Dana know he would be working late. It wasn’t the last time either. And the nights he did come home for dinner were the nights where Conner had already planned to head home early to have dinner with his own family.

Not to say Conner minded. He had some thoughtsabout Jack Drake and the way he treated his son. It was probably better for everyone that Conner spent as little time with the man as possible.

But there was only so long that could last, especially since Tim was practically dying to get out of the house for more than just school or Jack’s father-son excursions.

Unfortunately, as time went on Jack had only gotten more paranoid about where Tim was going and what he was doing, not less. Lately, Tim was practically on lockdown since it was such a pain to get permission to go anywhere without his dad or Dana. The last time he had gone out to the diner with Bernard and Darla his Dad had “just happened” to stop by for a to-go coffee. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that he had been making sure Tim really was where he said he was.

His only saving grace was Dana. While she still enforced his dad’s rules (apparently not wanting to undermine his parenting), Tim had overheard her arguing on his behalf with his dad on multiple occasions, insisting that Tim was a good kid who had earned a little bit of freedom. Granted, these conversations rarely accomplished much besides getting Jack to dismiss her concerns as a lack of understanding due to not having children of her own. Still, Tim appreciated the support. Particularly since Dana had clearly decided that she liked Conner and essentially left them to their own devices while they were “studying.”

Now in addition to actually doing their homework, they were able to spend time talking about the rest of their lives, especially the normal civilian stuff they never seemed to have time for during Titans weekends. Everything from friendships, to TV shows, to their relationships with their parents was fair game. Tim had felt like he knew Conner before, but this was a whole new level. And the more he learned, the more he wanted to know.

And that’s why he had recruited Dana.

It hadn’t been hard. For once in his life, being completely honest with an authority figure about what he wanted was enough. It probably shouldn’t have felt as weird as it did.

Dana had given him a strange look when he mentioned he wanted to hang out with Conner outside of studying, but she had agreed that she didn’t see a problem with it. After all, if his father was alright with him spending time with Bernard (who Dana knew firsthand was not exactly the best of influences) then surely he would be okay with Tim spending more time with “a nice young man” like Conner. He just needed to meet him first.

It would be fine. Probably.

And that was how the two of them had ended up setting the dining table while Dana put the finishing touches on what she assured Tim was Jack’s favorite meal.

“Dude, you’ve got to take a breath,” Conner whispered as he reached around Tim. “I’ve heard your heart beat slower going up against literal mercenaries.”

Tim snorted. “I’ll take Deathstroke over this any day.”

“Hey now,” he shot back with a scandalized hand to his chest, “I’ll have you know I am delightful company!”

Tim’s futile attempts at a mock glare were interrupted when he could no longer hold back the urge to giggle at the absurdity of the situation. He could go up against the worst the world had to offer without thinking twice, but the idea of his dad and his best friend in the same room had him on the verge of a panic attack.

He shot Conner a grateful smile. “I just really need this to go well.”

Conner slung a careless arm around Tim’s shoulder but spoke with a level of seriousness he rarely let people see. “And it will, I promise. We make a good team, remember? We can handle this.”

Tim nodded and drew in some deep breaths to calm his racing pulse. Conner didn’t say anything else, just let him take the minute he needed. Just as Tim had gotten a hold of himself and was about to gently shrug off Conner’s arm, Conner pulled away of his own accord with a parting squeeze of Tim’s shoulder.

“He’s here,” he explained, gesturing to the front door with his chin as he finished off the last place setting.

Sure enough, a moment later Tim heard the telltale click of a key in a lock. There was a very slight possibility that his breathing may have quickened again just a bit if the bemused look Conner sent him was any indication.

Tim most definitely did not stick his tongue out at his friend before heading to the entryway to take his dad’s coat.

Conner and his snicker followed a beat behind Tim. When Jack’s gaze finally landed on Conner, Conner felt his spine straighten involuntarily. Jack didn’t say anything at first, and in the stretching silence Conner felt himself trying to channel every bit of the big blue boy scout he had in him.

Jack’s eyes cast over every bit of Conner’s appearance, from his glasses to his button up to his clean but scuffed sneakers. Conner was uncomfortably reminded of being a literal lab specimen under observation.

Suddenly, Jack’s expression morphed into a charming smile Conner didn’t trust for an instant. He stuck out a hand, and Conner was so caught off guard by the sudden transition that he almost forgot to shake it.

“You must be Tim’s friend. Carter, right?”

“Er—”

“It’s Conner, Dad.”

Jack waved Tim’s correction away. “Right, right, Conner then.” He started walking off to the living room, clearly expecting them to follow. “Dana tells me that you’ve been coming over to study quite a bit lately. I hope your grades have seen a better uptick than Tim’s have.”

Conner sent a questioning glance Tim’s way but didn’t get a response other than the visible tension in the other boy’s jaw.

“Not really sure what the point of a study group is if it doesn’t actually raise your grades any,” Jack continued.

Assuming that the biting comment was rhetorical and feeling supremely awkward, Conner didn’t respond right away. But as the three of them each pulled up a chair, Jack’s impatient expression clued Conner in on the fact that he was actually supposed to answer.

“Er…yes sir. I’ve been really lucky to have Tim’s help getting caught up.”

Jack was saved from responding beyond a noncommittal hmm by Dana’s arrival with the food. As she placed the casserole dish of what looked like enchiladas on the table, Dana gave them all a forced smile.

“And it’s been so nice getting to know one of Tim’s friends, Conner.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Drake.”

“So how did you and Tim start hanging out?” Jack questioned absently.

They had prepped for this question. Conner used the opportunity to launch into an overdramatic retelling of a group project they had worked on together and how they realized that they worked well together. Like all the best lies, it included just enough details not to be suspicious while still having a kernel of truth.

His story succeeded in breaking the ice enough to get conversation started, and Conner felt himself relaxing. He had meant what he said to Tim earlier, but he didn’t exactly meet that many new civilians. But Tim had prepared him well, and this wasn’t his first undercover op. He skillfully navigated around dangerous truths and gave the performance of his life as the perfect All-American teen.

Maybe he should have felt guilty about lying to these people who had opened their home to him. Clark probably would have had something to say about it. After all, on paper Jack had every right to be upset. His son had literally been throwing himself in front of bullets for strangers for years behind his back. Not only that, but he’d been doing it alongside another adult he had trusted to have his son’s best interests at heart. Surely any good parent would have been just as upset, right?

But Conner was very aware that Jack Drake was not the parent he believed himself to be.

Good parents didn’t ship their kid off to boarding schools from the minute he was old enough to attend, and then never show up for the few weeks their kid is home.

Good parents don’t look at everything that makes you you and try to sand it away so that you’ll fit some perfect ideal they have in their head of what you should be.

Good parents don’t look at the emotional scars and bruises they’ve given to their child and tell them that its their own fault for making them do this, for not being enough or for being too much.

Jack Drake may not have laid a hand on his son, but he’d still done plenty of damage, and Conner was forced to watch Tim thank him for it.

So, no. Conner didn’t feel an ounce of guilt for lying to the man who constantly left his favorite person more confused and conflicted than any mystery Batman had ever handed to him.

Tim may not realize that he deserved better yet, but that was alright. Conner would flatter and charm and play meek and responsible without feeling a single thing if it made Tim’s life easier.

As the conversation shifted to what was new with Dana’s sister and her kids, Conner met Tim’s eyes again. Tim subtly tipped his glass approvingly toward Conner, and Conner sent back an answering wink.

Well, he corrected internally, maybe he’d feel one thing after all.

-0

Gotham wasn’t exactly known for its tourist attractions. It was kind of a risky financial decision to try to open anything that encouraged a lot of people to congregate in a city where crowds drew Rogues like killer moths to a flamethrower. And that went double for anything that could be construed as children’s entertainment.

Luckily, Gothamites were both stubborn and spiteful, so there were a few places, like the traveling carnival currently set up near the harbor, that popped up every now and then with that brilliant fuck you energy that so clearly defined the city.

After last week’s dinner got off to its admittedly awkward start, Conner had hit his stride. Seamlessly switching between the perfect “aw shucks, me?” smile when asked a question about himself and then an earnest “tell me more about…” to turn the conversation back to Jack’s interests, Conner would have earned even the Batman’s reluctant approval.

By the end of the night, Jack was riding the high of getting to speak about himself to a willing audience for so long. It was all too easy to get Jack’s permission for Tim to hang out with Conner outside the house… as long as he still made sure to call and check in on the hour, of course.

Tim hadn’t hesitated to get them tickets for the second night the carnival was in town (not wanting to tempt a Rogue’s attack on the first), and the night had finally arrived.

Now, sharing a seat on the ferris wheel with the other teen, Tim couldn’t understand why he’d been so worried. He’d always been the first to insist that there was so much more to Conner than people gave him credit for.

Tim found himself glancing at Conner out of the corner of his eye. Luckily, the other boy was too busy leaning over the railing to watch the sun set behind the city skyline.

Most people looked at Superboy and saw a brash, arrogant, and (if he was lucky) comical teenager. They dismissed him as the brawn to other Titans’ brains. They couldn’t understand how he could be so different from Superman.

Tim knew better than that. Sure, he could be all those things, but what teenager wasn’t? Especially considering all the shit the authority figures in his life had put him through. And yeah, he was funny too.

But Conner was also a damn good friend. He was loyal and brave and empathetic and fiercely protective of the people who had earned his respect. He paid attention to people, and he cared so deeply, even though he tried to cover it up with nonchalance and a confident façade. He might be bulletproof, but Tim would protect that vulnerability he saw until the day he died.

“Alright. Where’d you go?”

Pulled back into the moment rather suddenly, Tim was startled, but he didn’t have to worry about coming up with a suitably mysterious response here. “What?”

Conner snorted and raised one hand to slide his sunglasses just far enough down the bridge of his nose that he could meet Tim’s eyes.

“You’re looking at me weird. What’s up?”

As Tim tried to decide how to answer in a way that wasn’t completely cheesy, the ferris wheel paused again, this time with the two of them at the very top.

“I just—I’m just really glad you’re here. Thanks for coming to Gotham.” He didn’t just mean today either. He meant all of it. The first time he came to find out why Robin wasn’t at the tower, the time he showed up at Tim’s door even what would have chased anyone else away, and every other time they had hung out since.

He didn’t have to specify that though. The blinding smile that broke out over Conner’s face made it clear the message was received.

Conner took a moment, trying to school his expression into something a little smoother, but it was a lost cause. Eventually he just settled for clearing his throat. “You don’t have to thank me, Tim. There’s no place I’d rather be. Besides,” he continued as he casually threw an arm across the back of Tim’s seat, “everyone knows Gotham has the best sunsets.”

His heart pounding, Tim took a deep breath and let himself sink into Conner’s side. For a second, Conner stiffened and Tim worried that he’d made a horrible mistake, that he’d ruined everything.

It was only when he felt the comforting weight of Conner’s arm move from the seat to wrap around Tim’s shoulders, pulling him closer, that Tim let himself believe that this could be okay. They could have this.

The leather of Conner’s jacket was cool against the side of Tim’s face. The sky was a brilliant mess of golds and reds and purples. And Tim was with the person who made him feel safer and more himself than anyone else on the planet.

“Yeah, I suppose we do, don’t we?”

-0

That evening, Tim sat down on his bed, pulling his camera out of his bag. He was looking forward to developing them. Maybe he’d give Conner a few of the shots if they were any good.

knock knock

Tim looked up to see Dana leaning up against the doorframe she had knocked on.

“Hey, Honey. Did y’all have a good time?”

Tim couldn’t have held back the smile if he’d tried. “Oh yeah, it was awesome!”

Dana smiled back just as warmly. “Oh, I’m so glad!” Tim believed her. That was the best thing about Dana, she was one of the most genuine people he knew, and for some reason Tim couldn’t fathom, she had always seemed to care so much about Tim.

“Do you mind if I come in, sweetheart? There’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about…”

-0

“I swear to god I used to be good at keeping secrets,” Tim groaned as he allowed his head to thunk dramatically against the diner table.

Conner didn’t look up from his menu, but he did use his TTK to save their waters from tipping over. “Sure you were,” he deadpanned.

“I was literally trained in deception and resistance to interrogation by one of the best detectives in the world.”

“Yup.”

“She still doesn’t know I was Robin. Neither of them have made the very obvious connections between you and a certain Boy of Steel for some reason.

“It’s the glasses.”

“It is not the glasses.”

“It is,” he said. “Conner Kent wears glasses, and Superboy doesn’t. Therefore, obviously different people.” His forehead crinkled. “Do you think a sweet potato milkshake would be any good?”

“It wouldn’t be the weirdest thing I’ve ever eaten.” Tim squinted back up suspiciously from where he was still sprawled on the table. “Also, I feel like you are not being nearly sympathetic enough to my plight.”

Conner finally gave up the pretense of looking at the menu and dropped his chin to rest on his hands on the tabletop, so his face was only a few inches from Tim’s long-suffering expression.

Unfortunately for Tim’s dignity, Conner’s crooked grin was infectious. “How long did it take her to figure it out?”

“Ugh, she apparently she knew the minute she saw me, but at least she promised not to tell Dad.”

Conner snickered.

“Don’t laugh! She tried to give me the talk, Conner!”

That just sent Conner into full-body cackles. Tim watched him throw his head back and couldn’t help but feel proud. He did that. But he wasn’t done pouting yet either. It was the principle of the thing, after all.

“Sorry—” Conner gasped, “Sorry babe!” He leaned forward to place a kiss to Tim’s forehead, reveling in the way his boyfriend blushed so immediately. “You can hide just about anything else, sure, but you’ve got absolutely no poker face when you’re happy.”

Tim grumbled good naturedly like the absolute gremlin he was before finally deciding to sit up when a rather unimpressed waitress stopped by to take their order.

When she walked off, Conner turned back to Tim, casually taking one of Tim’s hands in his as though they weren’t both still completely in awe of this new development.

“So…” Conner started. “You were supposed to get together with your Wizards & Warlocks friends over the weekend, right? How’d that go?”

Tim’s eyes lit up as he started telling Conner about the most recent developments to their current campaign. Conner did his best to make sense of all of the characters and jargon he had no reference for, since it clearly meant a lot to Tim. Though that was made a little trickier by how much fun he was having just watching Tim.

He rarely got to see him so animated, due to the expectations constantly heaped on Robin and Tim Drake alike. When talking about something he enjoyed, however, Tim came alive. So, Conner listened, asking real questions that sparked off another tangent every time he started running out of steam.

Conner wondered if Tim’s eyes had always sparkled that much when they were hidden behind a mask. He didn’t think so, but either way he was just grateful Tim trusted him enough to let him see.

-0

“So then Ives—oh, Dana, can you pass the bread? thanks—Ives ended up rolling a Nat 20 on persuasion, which completely messed with my pla—”

“Alright, alright, I’m about tapped out on Witches & Wizards—” Jack interrupted, his hands raised in a timeout gesture.

“Jack!” Dana admonished.

“It’s actually Wizards & Warlocks, Dad.”

“Whatever it’s called! There’s only so much of this I can hear before my brain rots.”

Tim forced an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Dad.”

Jack waved away the apology with his buttered roll. “Forget about it. Hey, how’s your school’s basketball team this year? I was thinking we would go to the game this Friday, just the two of us.”

“Oh,” Tim said, “I don’t really know. Umm… what time is the game? Because I already made plans to go see a movie with Conner on Friday before he has to go away for the weekend for some family stuff.”

Jack frowned and Tim found himself straightening up involuntarily. “You’ve been spending a lot of time with that Conner kid. What’s up with that?” he asked accusatorily.

Wary of stumbling into a trap he couldn’t see, Tim tried to feign a casualness he didn’t feel. “I don’t know, I guess I just realized we have a lot in common, but I hang out with a lot of people. Why do you ask?”

This apparently wasn’t enough for Jack because he didn’t let it go, even putting his fork down so he could make sure his full attention was on Tim. “You don’t though! You almost never talk about Bernard anymore, or that Darla girl! The wizards thing was weird enough, but now if it’s not that then it’s Conner this or Conner that! If you’re not careful, you’re gonna give people the wrong idea about the two of you.”

The tightening in Tim’s throat would have been painful if it weren’t for the numbness he felt sinking into his bones.

“And now you’re suddenly too good to hang out with your dad anymore? I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but I’m concerned about the person you’re becoming lately.”

“No! No, Dad it’s not like that—”

Tim looked at a wide-eyed Dana desperately for help. Ever ready to defend Tim when he needed, Dana didn’t disappoint.

“Oh, Jack, honey,” she laughed a little too loudly, “leave the poor boy be. He’s a good kid, and it’s healthy for a teenage boy to want to spend more time with his friends! I don’t see the harm in it. Honestly, shouldn’t we be proud of him for honoring his commitments?”

Jack’s glare was as hard as steel and just as cold. “Don’t tell me what I should and shouldn’t be proud of. I think I know how to parent my son.”

Dana broke eye-contact first, and Jack seemed to be the only one immune to the rising tension. Eventually he paused his meal consideringly. “Though I suppose you do have a point, Dana. Tim and I will just have to go to the next game, hmm?”

Grateful for the out, Tim nodded quickly. “Sounds great, Dad.”

-0

Tim had been looking forward to seeing this movie since he’d seen the first preview, but he hadn’t been paying attention at all for the last ten minutes. Oh well, he could come back and watch it again later, maybe with the guys in his W&W group.

In the meantime, it was definitely worth the sacrifice. Kissing Conner in the back row of the theatre, Tim had never felt more like a normal teenager in his life. This might be just as fun as running over rooftops.

-0

Conner swung Tim’s hand back and forth between them as they walked, feeling a bit like a little kid. Most people probably would have been on edge walking through the streets of Gotham right after sunset, but most people weren’t literally bulletproof.

As it was, Conner would have been content to stay out there all night if it meant he got to keep holding Tim’s hand while he chattered about the photos he had taken on their last outing to the botanical gardens and how they had turned out. Conner had learned more about camera lenses in the last ten minutes than he had in his life, and he was loving it.

Unfortunately, the Titans would be expecting him in an hour or so, and Tim’s dad would probably take exception to his son being out all night under mysterious circumstances. So, it was with a heavy sigh that Conner finally arrived at the Drake’s brownstone.

The boys came to a stop before reaching the front steps, neither ready for the night to end. Conner leaned forward to press his forehead to rest against Tim’s.

“You know,” he whispered, “I know I said I wanted Robin to come back to the Titans —and don’t get me wrong, I would still love that— but I’m also kinda loving having you all to myself.”

Tim chuckled and when that laugh turned into a crooked grin that made Conner’s stomach flutter, he couldn’t resist kissing it back off.

WHAM

Tim and Conner jumped apart as the door to the brownstone slammed open. Jack glared down at them.

“Tim. Get in this house, right now.” When Tim hesitated to move, Jack’s tone only grew even more demanding. “I said get in this house Timothy Jackson Drake.”

The sound of his full name seemed to spark Tim back to life, as he scrambled back towards the house. Conner gently caught one of Tim’s hands just before he was out of reach, and the other boy looked at him like a started deer.

“Do you want me to…” Conner trailed off with a meaningful hand wave at the side of his head. Do you want me to listen in, he was asking.

Tim thought about it for a second before shaking his head. “But maybe don’t go far?”

Conner nodded decisively before meeting Jack’s hateful gaze defiantly for just a moment. He shoved his fists into his jacket pockets before storming off to the corner. As soon as he was out of view, however, he took advantage of Gotham’s perpetual lighting problem to fly up to the roof of the house next to Tim’s, ready to be there the minute Tim needed him.

He settled in to wait, trying to focus on anything but the shouting coming from the Drake residence.

It was probably took longer than it should have for Conner to realize he wasn’t alone, but, hey, he was distracted. Sue him.

“You can come out. I can hear your heartbeat.”

Black Bat unfurled from where she had blended perfectly into the shadows cast by the air-conditioning unit.

“What are you doing here?” Conner asked.

Cass joined him in sitting on the edge of the roof to watch the brownstone. “A while ago…there was a killer…hunting the last robin. I still check in.”

“Every night?”

“No…but most nights.”

Conner considered that for a moment. “So, I’m guessing you saw…?”

“Yes.” Conner thought he could detect a playful edge to her voice. “You are not very subtle.” Okay, no, he was definitely being teased.

trying to play along, he bumped her shoulder with his own. “Well, we can’t all be bat-level sneaky. The universe couldn’t take it. Some of us have to be showy enough to balance the rest of you out.”

Cass hummed consideringly. “That’s fine. Batman will… train it out of you.”

Conner let himself fall back dramatically in mock horror, and Cass giggled. The sound did not match the mask at all, but somehow the juxtaposition seemed fitting for a member of the bat family.

“It’s how he shows his love, promise.”

Conner smiled, the tension of the moment briefly eclipsed by the mental image of the Batman trying to mother-hen a super. Clark would never let him live it down.

Suddenly, movement drew his eye, and Conner saw Tim. Ready to hear the verdict, Conner rose to fly back down.

“Thanks,” he turned to say, only to find himself met with an empty roof.

Bats, man.

-0

Tim followed Jack into the house, his heart pounding so hard Clark could probably hear it in Metropolis. His lips and fingers felt weirdly tingly before going slightly numb. His brain was going a million miles an hour but his body just felt slightly distant.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen. This wasn’t supposed to happen at all. He wasn’t ready for this, it was supposed to be on his terms. But it was happening and it was happening now.

Jack stormed into the living room where Dana was half-risen in concern. She froze at the thunderous expression on his face as Jack being to pace the room like a caged lion. Meanwhile, Tim was a stone statue standing just in the room’s entrance. He felt a little bit like one of the artifacts his parents had brought back as souvenirs from their travels, just another relic meant to show off to friends that just ended up cluttering an empty house. And were Tim’s ears ringing?

“What the fuck did I just see, Tim?!” Jack burst out.

“Dad, I—”

“Don’t you fucking dare try to talk yourself out of this. Do you think I’m some kind of idiot?!”

“No! Of cour—”

“Jack, honey, whatever this is about, maybe we—”

Dana’s attempts to calm Jack only seemed to enrage him more, and she was cut off by the CRASH that came from Jack pitching one of her vases across the room. She froze, her eyes darting between Tim and Jack.

“Do you want to tell her what you’ve been doing behind our backs, Tim, or should I?”

“I—Conner and I--We” Tim sputtered unintelligibly, but Dana got the gist. She closed her eyes for a moment too long in sympathy, and Jack’s fury turned on her in an instant.

“You knew? You knew what was happening, and you didn’t put a stop to it?”

“Jack! There’s nothing wro…”

Her voice trailed off as Jack stalked closer and closer to her chair until he towered over her. She shrunk down. Jack leaned down over her and braced himself on the arms of the chair, effectively trapping his wife.

“Do you even care about what this could do to us?” His voice had gone low and picked up a dangerous quality that reminded Tim of the way Batman spoke to criminals he interrogated. But Tim had never been afraid of Batman.

He went on, his head tilted mockingly. “Or, are you just too stupid and selfish to realize how this reflects back on me?”

And, as he watched Dana start to shake, something in Tim snapped.

He was across the room in an instant, wrenching Jack’s arm behind his back so that he was forced to step back and turn around to keep it from breaking. The second Jack let go of Dana’s chair, Tim shoved him stumbling in the opposite direction.

“Leave her alone.”

Jack spun back around. “Did you just shove me?” he asked in pure outrage.

Tim’s chin raised defiantly. “I told you I could, didn’t I?”

At the reminder of the night Jack found out about Robin, Jack’s face twisted back into something ugly.

“So what?! I risk my life to save you from those freaks the first time, and this is the thanks I get? How the hell is anyone supposed to take me seriously when my son is—”

“I didn’t ASK you to save me, Dad!” Tim shouted. Years and years of bottling his resentment and frustration had led to an inevitable explosion, and Tim didn’t care who got burned. “I loved being Robin, I loved getting to help people, and getting to show what I can do. I worked so hard to earn Robin, and I gave it up to make you happy and I still can’t do anything right for you. I am so sick of pretending to be someone I’m not in the hopes that maybe someday it’ll finally be enough for you.”

“Tim—”

“No! It’s my turn now!” Tim’s words were acid. If he didn’t get them out now, they would burn him from the inside out. “I will never be the perfect kid you and Mom thought you deserved. I get that now. But I am enough. Bruce thinks so. Dick thinks so. And Conner thinks so too. I am more me with him than I am with anyone else. You already took Robin from me. I won’t let you take this from me too.”

Jack puffed up in rage. Seemingly having forgotten his lesson, he stormed into Tim’s space. Tim took a few steps back on instinct before he came back to himself and planted his feet, forcing Jack to stop to avoid a collision. Their faces were only a few inches apart as they glared at each other.

Tim realized he was almost as tall as his father.

Stubbornly trying to regain the control he could feel slipping through his fingers like water, Jack summoned every bit of authority he had in his body into his tone. “You aren’t seeing him again. This never happens again. Do I make myself clear?”

It was a good effort, but Tim had fought the Justice League. He regularly stared down the worst Gotham had to offer and said not here, not today. There was a lot he was willing to do to keep the peace. But Tim was fed up, and this was one thing he refusedto compromise on.

“No.”

There was nothing as immovable as a Bat who had made up their mind.

Maybe Jack finally recognized that because, for just a moment, Tim thought he saw something like sadness in his father’s eyes before they hardened like steel.

“Then get out.”

Tim blinked, his confusion enough to break through the bubble of anger that had been clouding out all else. “What?”

“I said get out of my house. And don’t come back.”

“Dad—”

“I don’t know who you are anymore. But you aren’t my son. I guess Batman ended up killing him after all.”

Tim’s eyes widened. He wasn’t sure whether it was the grief or betrayal that cut worse, but he kinda wished the numbness would come back. He drew in a deep breath, pulling what was left of his anger around him like a shield. Or maybe a cloak.

He spun around on his heel and marched back toward the front door.

The movement seemed to break the trance of confused horror that had held Dana like a vice as she watched the argument unfold like a demented tennis match.

“Tim!” she called after him. She reached out vainly as if that would be enough to close the distance that had opened up between them like a chasm. “Tim, sweetheart!”

Tim couldn’t turn around, but that didn’t make Dana’s heartbroken tone any less painful to hear.

He didn’t stop once he was out of the door until he was halfway down the street. And then, it was only because Conner landed right in front of him.

“Hey, what happened?”

Tim couldn’t answer. He couldn’t make eye contact right now either. But Conner didn’t press him.

“Okay,” he reassured, “that’s okay.” He raised one hand for Tim to take if he wanted. “Can I give you a lift then?”

Tim took the hand.

-0

Tim directed Conner to touch down at the Manor’s front door, not wanting to risk the possibility of Bruce having changed the security codes by now. Even still, he was certain they had tripped some sort of alarm when they flew over the property.

He was proven correct when Alfred pulled open the door before he’d had the chance to knock. If he noticed that Tim still hadn’t let go of Conner’s hand, the butler didn’t say anything.

“Master Timothy! What an excellent surprise!”

Despite everything, Tim found his mouth pulling into a fond smile at the old man. “Hi Alfred. Is Bruce home? I need to talk to him.”

“Right this way, sir!” Alfred said, already pulling the door open, and Conner allowed himself to be pulled along with nothing but a supportive hand squeeze.

Tim felt his heart pounding as he followed Alfred towards what he quickly realized was Bruce’s study. Suddenly unable to bear the silence anymore, Tim burst out: “Alfred, have you met Conner?”

Alfred’s face twitched into what only the bats would recognize as the butler suppressing a fond smile of his own. “I have not, sir. Though I must admit I had guessed.” Addressing Conner directly this time, Alfred continued, “My name is Alfred Pennyworth. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Kent.”

“Oh, uh…” Conner stammered before Martha Kent’s training kicked in. “It’s nice to meet you too, Mr. Pennyworth.”

Alfred hmmd approvingly but left it there. Luckily, Tim was saved from further attempts at small talk by their arrival at the study doors. Alfred bid them goodbye before slipping away with a subtlety Conner had only thought attainable by bats.

Tim drew in a deep breath before knocking hesitatingly on the ornate doors. The “come in!’ came barely a moment later, and Tim pushed them open with the resignation of a convict approaching the gallows.

On any other day, Conner would have been looking around at anything and everything in the office appreciatively. But today he couldn’t tear his eyes away from Tim who had gone ramrod straight, his own gaze locked onto the man standing up from his desk at the other end of the room.

Bruce Wayne rose from his desk, in that moment somehow managing to look twice as intimidating in a tailored suit as he ever did as Batman. His eyes roved over both boys, taking in everything from their still intertwined hands to Conner’s civilian garb to the way Tim looked like he might be on the verge of passing out. His face was inscrutable the whole time.

Eventually, Bruce’s gaze met Conner’s own defiant glare. “So…” he drawled in perfect deadpan, “are the glasses genetic, or is the entire caped community conspiring to drive me prematurely gray.”

Tim let out a sudden laugh so strangled Conner was mildly concerned he was choking. Conner could empathize.

Apparently amused by their reaction, the Batman smirked,and Conner’s soul left his body for a moment.

When it became clear that they weren’t going to say anything on their own, Bruce continued. “Well, Conner, something tells me that Tim and I need to have a conversation. Will you be joining us, or do you have somewhere to be,” he asked mildly.

Conner gave Tim a sideways glance, under no delusions about who’s comfort Bruce was really concerned with here. Tim squeezed Conner’s hand one more time before finally letting go, and Conner took that as the dismissal it was.

“Actually, sir, I think better head to San Francisco before Victor starts to wonder where I am.”

Bruce nodded turned his attention to Tim. Conner made sure to supportively squeeze Tim’s shoulder back on his way out. He tried to ignore the part of himself that made him feel like he was abandoning Tim to the lions.

-0

Once Conner had pulled the door shut behind him, Bruce let go of the bit of Batman that had made its appearance the minute the proximity alarms had let him know that someone had flown over the property boundaries.

“Tim.”

Tim still wasn’t making eye contact, his gaze getting no closer than Bruce’s mouth. Bruce resisted the instinct to drop into the Batman voice. While it would be a sure-fire way to get Tim to look at him, it also would do nothing to actually make the kid more comfortable. Tim would assume that it meant he’d done something wrong, and that would just make everything ten times worse.

Instead, Bruce fought to keep his tone as even and gentle as possible. “How about we sit down,” he asked with a gesture toward the twin armchairs by the fire.

Tim nodded stiffly but still wouldn’t speak. Bruce held in his sigh. Just as he reached his own chair, there was another knock on the door, and Alfred pushed his way in without waiting for a response.

“Forgive me for interrupting, Master Bruce, but I thought some soothing tea might be helpful.”

Bruce smiled at the older man. “Thank you, Alfred. That would be great.”

Alfred nodded and brought his tray over to the side table before pouring each of them a cup. As he turned to leave, Tim’s quiet “thanks” was almost inaudible, but Alfred caught it anyway.

“You are most welcome, young man” he replied, making sure to send Bruce a pointed don’t screw this up glance on his way out.

Bruce settled down into the chair next to Tim, their knees almost close enough to touch. Tim’s hands were wrapped so tightly around his teacup that Bruce worried he might shatter it, but he didn’t take so much as a sip.

“Tim. Can you tell me what’s going on, son?”

Tim finally looked up from his cup again, his gaze settling on Bruce’s mouth again.

“I’m not really sure where to start.”

Okay, Bruce could work with that. “Does your Dad know where you are right now?”

Tim snorted humorlessly. “I really don’t think he gives a shit where I am or what I do at this point. He—” Tim broke off to clear his throat before trying again. “He kicked me out.”

There was pure defeat in Tim’s voice, as if he’d always known it was a matter of time, but he still managed to be disappointed anyway. That more than anything filled Bruce with a level of rage rare even for him while simultaneously breaking his heart.

Not trusting himself to speak at first, Bruce instead gently pulled the poor teacup out of Tim’s grasp and took his hands in his own. Tim’s fingers were trembling.

“Because he found out about you and Conner?” he clarified softly, not wanting to risk a faulty assumption when everything was so fragile.

Tim nodded again anyway. “We fought about some other stuff too, but… yeah, it was mostly about that. He saw us together, and—”

Again, Bruce really wanted to shake Jack Drake senseless. It was bad enough he always seemed to take this wonderful kid for granted, but to see a father intentionally hurt his child over something so inconsequential? It was unforgiveable.

“I’m so sorry, Tim. I know how much you wanted this to work out.”

Tim’s eyes filled with tears, and Bruce was pulling him against his chest even before he consciously recognized what he was seeing. As his son fell apart in his arms, Bruce found tears coming to his own eyes as well.

It had always been obvious how desperate Tim was for his father’s affection and approval after being starved for it for so many years. This was the final deathblow to the hope that one day it would be enough.

So, Bruce held his son, running his fingers through his hair. Eventually, Tim had cried himself out and pulled away, his embarrassment clear on his face. Bruce pulled a clean handkerchief (courtesy of Alfred, of course) from his pocket and handed it to a grateful Tim. Once he had pulled himself together, Tim looked back at Bruce, finally meeting his eyes.

“Does this…Does this mean I can come back to the Manor?”

“Oh, chum…” Bruce reached out to cradle one side of Tim’s face in his hand, his thumb reaching out to brush away another rogue tear. “I promise, you will always have a place in my home. Got it?”

“But what about Stephanie? You already have a Robin…”

Bruce raised an eyebrow. “Well, first of all, your place in this family is not contingent on whether you’re wearing a mask or not. And I’m so sorry if I’ve made you think otherwise. You are just as welcome here if you never put a mask on again as you would be if you went out tomorrow.

And secondly,” here he grimaced, “I may or may not have fired her for putting herself in danger after I told her to stay put. So… Robin’s yours if you still want it.”

“And you’re really okay with me dating a guy?”

Bruce chuckled. “Tim, I’ve taken in three boys by now. You think I never considered the possibility that at least one of you might bring home a boy someday? Granted, I would have put money on Dick being the first, but the point still stands. It makes absolutely no difference to me if you’re gay, buddy.”

“Umm… I think I’m bi actually.”

“Alright then, but my point still stands. I trust your judgment, and I don’t care who you date, as long as they make you happy.”

Tim gave a watery smile. “Thanks, Bruce.”

“Anytime, kiddo.” Then fully out of emotion points, Bruce cleared his suddenly tight throat. “Now, mind coming with me to the cave?”

Confused, Tim cocked his head, but rose accommodatingly. “Sure, what do you need?”

Bruce shook his head as he spun the clock hands and opened the secret passage. “It’s not what I need, but what you need.” He beckoned Tim to follow him down the steps, which he did obligingly. “I need to grab some more Kryptonite.”

“Bruce!” Tim squawked in shock and indignation. His brain immediately went into panic mode, thinking about all the ways Bruce trying to shovel-talk Conner might go horribly wrong, or at least be horribly embarrassing.

Bruce turned back, completely baffled by how adamant and unexpected the refusal was. “Tim,” he started. And oh no, that was his I don’t know why you’re arguing with this perfectly reasonable request voice that always managed to piss Dick off.

“If the two of you are going to be spending time together in Gotham as civilians, you need to be prepared in case the two of you get caught up in one a Rogue attack.” He turned back around and continued on over to the vault where he kept the Kryptonite. “Oh, and don’t let me forget to give him one of these new rebreathers I’ve been working on next time he comes over. The last thing Gotham needs is a Kryptonian getting dosed with Fear Toxin or Joker Gas.”

Kryptonite in hand, Bruce spun and nearly walked into a frozen Tim who was looking at him with a dumbfounded expression. “What?” he asked, the smallest bit of defensiveness bleeding into his voice.

Tim’s voice turned slightly skeptical. “And that’s the only thing you want the Kryptonite for?”

Now it was Bruce’s turn to be confused. “Yes???” he asked, mind whirling to figure out what he was missing.

Tim realized he had definitely misread where this was going and felt torn between laughing at Bruce’s complete confusion and the urge to hug him.

He decided to go with the second one, and if Bruce still had no idea what was going on when he hugged Tim back, well, that just made it better.

-0

Conner was happy enough to take the call that saved him from having to help seed the backfield. He was twice as happy to hear it was from Tim, who he hadn’t heard from since Conner left him at Wayne Manor three days ago.

“Tim?”

“Conner…”

“Tim, is that…you?”

“It’s me.”

“What’s up? What’s going on? I hear gunshots.”

“Tell the Titans not to give up my room. Tell them I’m back.”

Conner grinned. “I knew it.”

[luci-in-trenchcoats]

Strangers (Part 6)

Summary: Six months later, Dean and the reader have recently moved in together and have a memorable morning together...

Masterlist

Pairing: Doctor!Dean x patient!reader

Word Count: 1,300ish

Warnings: language, mention of surgery/injury

A/N: I hope you enjoy the final part!

____

Six Months Later

“God you’re so hot,” murmured Dean as you padded into the kitchen in your bra and underwear. You shook your hips and heard him laugh as you poured yourself a cup of coffee and took your immunosuppressant. “We probably ought to get up at some point. I think we are supposed to be at some kind of brunch in the next four minutes.”

“Yeah but you got a cute butt. Benny and Donna will understand,” you said, nodding towards his phone as it went off. Dean swiped it off the counter and put it on speaker. “Good morning Benny boy!”

“Y/N,” he laughed. “Sorry guys but Don and I are gonna have to reschedule.”

“Oh no,” you said.

“What a shame,” said Dean, smiling over at you.

“You guys are totally still naked in bed too huh,” said Benny.

“We aren’t that uncivilized,” said Dean. “We’re in our undies having coffee.”

“I see. Great minds think alike,” he said.

“You guys want to grab dinner later instead? Eight?” you asked. 

“That sounds very good to us,” chuckled Benny. “Later guys.”

“Bye,” said Dean, smirking as he hung up. “I guess we weren’t the only guilty party this morning.”

“The only guilty thing I’ve done was let you put on clothing,” you said. Dean stood up and walked in front of you, walking the two of you back until you were leaning against the counter.

“So fucking hot,” he said, tracing his finger down your scar. “You should be fucking illegal how hot you are.”

“Speak for yourself,” you said, reaching your hands behind him and resting them on his ass. 

“Ew, ew, guys,” said Sam, slapping his hand over his eyes. “Someone else lives here ya know.”

“Sex is very healthy. I am a doctor,” said Dean. 

“Y/N’s been here two weeks and you two have been like rabbits ever since,” said Sam, brushing into the kitchen to get coffee of his own.

“We gotta find Sammy a girl,” said Dean.

“We could try the ICU?” you teased.

“You never know, Sam,” laughed Dean.

“As a matter of fact, I have found a girl,” said Sam. You and Dean both smiled and Sam rolled his eyes. “This is why I didn’t say anything.”

“What’s her name? How’d you meet her?” you asked, stepping out from behind Dean.

“Eileen. She’s a professor in the sign language program at school. She’s cool,” said Sam. You grinned and saw one on Dean’s face as well, Sam groaning loudly. “Guys.”

“Invite her over sometime,” said Dean.

“If you two ever put on clothes, maybe I would,” he said. “I gotta run.”

“Going on a little brunch date with Eileen?” teased Dean.

“Yes...shut up. I’ll be back later,” he said.

“Have fun, Sammy,” you said.

“Make smart choices,” said Dean, Sam flipping you off with a smile as he walked out the front door. “Our boy’s growing up so fast.”

“He’s happy. I like happy Winchester boys,” you said, kissing Dean’s nose.

“I like happy Winchester girls,” he said. You cocked your head and he shut his eyes. “Sorry. Meant...you know what I meant.”

“Hm, I’d be interested to hear what your thoughts were though,” you said, wrapping your arms around his waist. He swallowed and you smiled at him, Dean looking down. 

“I like you. I love you. I could see this being a long term thing,” he said.

“How long term?” you asked.

“Eternity?”

“Well...that’s a pretty interesting thought,” you said. “One that I really like.”

“Really?” he asked and you nodded. “I feel a but coming on.”

“Dean you know that the bleach eroded through part of my intestines. It damaged…” you said. “I don’t know your thoughts on kids but it’s gonna be really hard for me to do it myself and if that’s important to you, I understand. I completely understand.”

“I am interested in them. Are you?”

“I was. I don’t know anymore. I don’t know if I can put my body through it,” you said.

“Well, I kinda decided I want you forever awhile ago so the kids thing, we can adopt, we can try a surrogate, we can try ourselves. If you want to. But I don’t need kids to have a happy life with you,” he said. “Just to be clear, I am not proposing right now. I’m not doing that in my underwear in our kitchen with dishes in the sink.”

“You’d do just about anything for me, wouldn’t you.”

“You’d do the same for me,” he said.

“Touche,” you said, smiling to yourself. “When we get there, we can figure out what we want to try. I’m pretty happy with just you though. Also, you don’t got to go overboard on me, Dean. The rest of forever with you sounds pretty damn good all on it’s own.”

“I know. I am a catch,” he said. You rolled your eyes and he kissed your cheek. “You know what would go great with this coffee?”

“Swiss rolls?” you asked.

“That’s my girl,” he said. You released him and hummed as you hopped over to the pantry and opened the door. You found the box and reached inside, pulling out something very much not a cakey dessert. You swallowed and pulled out a small square box, turning back to Dean who was smiling shyly, hands clasped behind his back. “Never said I wouldn’t do it by the pantry.”

“Yeah,” you said, nodding your head.

“Yeah?” he asked.

“Yeah,” you said, Dean wrapping you up in a hug. “You knew you were going to do this all morning, didn’t you.”

“Known about two weeks now,” he smiled. “I mean, knew before that but came up with the game plan the day after you moved in cause I sure as hell didn’t want you moving back out.”

“I wasn’t moving back out, ever,” you said, Dean opening the box. “How did...you talked to my mom, didn’t you.”

“Took her with me actually. We were concerned that you might have picked up on the fact she was asking you questions about rings but she timed it whenever you were tired so it worked out.”

“They knew.”

“Yeah,” he grinned as he took it out of the box. “You like it?”

“It’s perfect. Whatever you picked, it would have been perfect,” you said as he slid it on your finger. “I love you.”

“Love you back,” he said as you hugged him. “I was giving myself away just now, with the whole Winchester girl comment, wasn’t I.”

“I was always gonna be your girl. Been her for a while,” you said. You kissed him, Dean picking you up off the ground and carrying you back into the bedroom. He lowered you down gently, crawling over top of you as you stared up. “Hi stranger.”

“Hi stranger,” he smiled. “Wanna fall in love?”

“With you? Always.”

“Good answer,” he said as he bent down and kissed you. “Love you.”

“Love you too, De. Always will.”

_____

[lunarliza]

Dirty Little Secret | Chapter 3: Bandanas

fuckbuddy!JJ x Kook!Reader

series masterlist | prev. chapter | chapter one

You and JJ are fuck buddies- strictly physical. But what happens when you find yourself falling more and more for everyone’s favorite golden boy even though all he can see you as is a spoiled rich girl?

Your eyes peeled open. You groaned at the lack of sleep as you shifted to your bedside table to check your phone. Almost immediately after your rendezvous the night before, JJ dashed out the window, leaving you to drift to sleep. 

Sometimes, you’d get this weird feeling after he would leave so quickly- like you were being used. Well, you were, but you hated feeling like it. It was like a comedown after the euphoria of sex and it didn’t always feel the best, but you dealt with it. It had be going on for almost three months; you were way too in over your head at this point. 

You sighed, staring at the wall across your bed, thinking back to the remnants of that first night. How nasty and humid the air felt as you both rejoined the party after like nothing happened: 

“You can’t tell anyone about what just happened,” JJ stated as he fixed his shorts. 

His words did pierce you slightly, but you put on a front nevertheless. “Please, I’d rather be caught dead than with you.” 

He chuckled to himself as you both trudged down the beach. “That’s not what I heard back there princess.” 

It didn’t take long for your parents to blow up your phone that night, seeing it was 3 a.m. and their daughter was nowhere to be found. You came home with the smell of alcohol emitting through your clothes.You only hoped you had wiped off enough smeared mascara on the car ride home to deter them. Your mother read you the riot act as Ted stood in the corner of the kitchen. She screamed and hollered before her palm finally came in contact with your cheek. 

The following Monday, you ditched last period and drove over to The Cut, hoping to come across JJ. Driving along a narrow street, you see the shirtless golden boy mowing the lawn in a small yard. Pulling up, you rolled the windows down while a devilish grin snaked its way to his lips once he caught sight of you.

“Couldn’t stay away from me huh?”

You glared at him. “Just shut up and get in.” 

Shutting off the lawn mower, he hopped in your car, smelling of sweat and freshly cut grass . 

“Look,” you began, fiddling with the ends of your blouse, “I’m not looking for anything serious.” 

JJ’s finger tilted your chin up to meet his eyes. It was different seeing them in broad daylight. He didn’t seem like some sleazy Pogue you met at a party. He actually reminded you of a puppy... an annoying one with anger issues. 

“I understand if-” 

“No, I get you,” he answered, biting his lower lip. “After the way we fucked that night, I’m down to... go at it again.” 

“Okay but we need rules,” you insisted to which he rolled his eyes. “What’s with chicks and rules?” 

“This island is small and talk gets around. No one can know about us.” 

“Well duh.” He gave you an annoyed look. “You may think you’re all that and a bag of chips but my friends would totally clown me if they found out I was with a Kook, much less you.” 

“Oh please! What do you even know about me?” you retorted, not having his attitude outburst. 

“Y/n, you’re like bitchiest of them all,” he replied snarkily and your eyes met the ceiling of your car. “Not even the Kooks like you.” 

“Shut up, asshole.” You tried to hide the hurt from the fact that even he knew about your reputation. “Anyways, rule number two: we have to meet on Figure Eight.” 

“Hell no, why do I have to haul my ass to you?” 

You sighed heavily, gripping the bottom of the steering wheel. “My stepdad will literally kill me if he finds me here. Look, I know all the hiding places there and I’ll even get you a keycard to get in through the gate.” 

JJ smiled to himself. “Kill you huh? And yet, here you are, coming here, practically begging for me to fuck you. What will daddy think about that?” 

You contemplated punching him in that moment. “Don’t flatter yourself. You followed me that night remember?” 

JJ shrugged, leaning back in the seat. “I thought you were a touron. It was dark- sue me. Anyways, fine! We meet at the Eight. Anything else?” 

“This goes without saying, but absolutely no feelings,” you stated sternly as JJ snorted. 

“Oh princess, you do not have to worry about that whatsoever.” 

“Fine then, it’s a deal.” 

You both shook on it. JJ held onto your hand a moment longer to tug you onto the passenger seat, colliding his lips with yours. It didn’t take you both very long to undress and climb into the back seat afterwards.

A loud knock on your bedroom door startled you. “Y/n! Breakfast in ten minutes!” 

Peeling off your duvet, you leaped out of bed and started doing some small stretches until you noticed a jumbled up grey bandana on your window seat. 

“Fucking kid,” you muttered to yourself before reaching for it and throwing it in a bin on your shelf. 

JJ was klepto alright. He also had a terrible habit of leaving shit everywhere he went. If he tried to rob a bank, he’d be caught in seconds because he’d leave some trace of him. Over the course of your agreement you unintentionally started making a collection of the things he left. What started out as a bracelet on your nightstand grew to socks, lighters, hats, sunglasses, tank tops, and the occasional perfectly rolled joint (that he’d never see again). You always meant to give back all the shit he left, but he’d always leave so hurriedly that you’d forget and the collection would just grow. 

------------------------------

“Jade!” you blurted unexpectedly as you strolled into the kitchen. “What are you doing here?” 

The small brunette sat next to your mother at the table, halfway done with her breakfast plate. She flashed you her killer sunny smile as your mom chimed in from her seat. “Jade here was in the neighborhood and wanted to take you on a boat ride this morning with the Cameron family.” 

“It’ll be fun y/n!” she insisted, kicking her tiny legs that didn’t reach the floor.

You were a little confused as to why you were invited to hang out with the Cameron kids seeing as they have always ignored you at school and every event. Jade caught on and threw you a look that said ‘just go with it’. 

“Um, yeah. I’m really excited to hang out with uh- Sierra and Ra- her brother,” you babbled, earning yourself an ‘Are you fucking kidding me’ look. You shrugged your shoulders, helping yourself to some eggs and pancakes. 

“Well sweetie, I think it’s great that you’re getting to know more people around here! Don’t forget you do need an escort for the Debutante Ball in a few weeks so maybe you can ask the Cameron boy to take you,” your mother suggested and Jade nearly spit out her fruit at the mention of it.  

You closed your eyes, sighing. “Yes, of course mother.” 

“So when were you going to tell me you’re a debutante!” Jade cackled as you both made way to the Camerons’ boat along the dock.  

“If you ever mention it again, I will personally slit your throat.” 

“You! You y/n of all people!” She had to suppress her laughter to a fit of giggles. “So wait, you’ve been going to Chapel Hill all this time to learn how to ballroom dance and do all that?” 

You rolled your eyes. “Yes! I told you my mother is actually insane. Anyways, what are we doing hanging out with the Camerons anyways? I thought you hated their sister.” 

“I do,” Jade responded as-a-matter-of-factly, “It’s the brother that’s delicious. Oh- and Sarah won’t be there and neither will their dad or any of their family really. It’s just going to be Rafe and a couple of his friends. He told me to bring some friends too so it won’t be awkward.” 

“And you chose me of all people? Jade, you have plenty of other very sociable friends you could have brought.” 

“Shut up y/n! You’re hot as shit okay! You just need to get out there more and meet people. Maybe then you won’t hate it here so much. Trust me, once you experience the OBX the right way, you’ll absolutely love it.” 

You crinkled your nose at her. “You’re just as insane as my mother.”  

“Come on! There are hot guys wanting to take us on their very nice boats. It’s free drinks and maybe some food,” she promised. 

You groaned. “Fine, but if any of them make an unsolicited move on me, I’m jumping overboard and swimming home. Also, now that I think about it, isn’t Rafe like way too old to be hanging around us?” 

Jade shrugged. “A little age never hurt nobody.” The boys whooped as Jade made her grand entrance onto their very large white boat as you trailed behind. Another thing you weren’t well versed in since moving here- boats. To you it was just big and small, windows and no windows, motor and no motor, but it was like a language here. When everyone would start rambling off about engines and fishing and whatnot you would just kindly smile and nod until they got the hint and walked away. 

“Who’s your friend McCoy?” a tall boy with slicked back hair asked Jade as he enclosed an arm around her waist. 

“Rafe, this is y/n! She moved here in October and lives on the east end of the Eight.” 

So this was the famous Rafe Cameron. You’d seen him a couple times golfing with Ted when you would hide away in the golf cart on your phone. Ted would mention a few times about how he was trouble and, telling by the way he still hung out with high schoolers at almost 20 years old, you believed it. 

You smiled uneasily and gave him a tiny wave as two other guys emerged from the front with a cooler. They both coordinated with the colorful short-shorts and printed button ups. They also wore those God-awful tinted sunglasses with the band connecting the backs. You recognized them from school- Topper and Kelce.

“Oh hey y/n,” they greeted tensely, each giving you an awkward smile and one-armed hug. You were in shock they knew your name even.

“McCoy, did you bring anyone else?” Kelce asked, totally not making it obvious of your unwanted presence. 

Not even the Kooks like you. 

You knew you’d have a hard time the moment you stepped foot onto Figure Eight. You had a very humble upbringing, which was unfathomable to the kids at school, so it was hard for you to make any real friends besides Jade. During the school year, you ate lunch by yourself and sprinted home as soon as the final bell rang. It got to a point where, when anyone would try to talk to you, you’d either roll your eyes or just simply ignore them. 

“Nope! Just me and my girl.” Jade flung an arm around your shoulder and handed you a beer. She raised her eyebrows at you to check if you were okay, and you smiled reassuringly, taking the bottle. 

“Let’s hope she knows how to hang,” Topper added as he started the engine on the boat. 

You sipped on your beer as you rode down the marsh. Kelce tried to make small talk with you as Topper drove and Jade macked on Rafe. It actually wasn’t as bad as you thought it would be, Kelce did have the occasional funny story or witty thing to say even if it was about swinging a golf club or purchasing some extravagant item no one ever needed. 

“Woah Pogue alert,” you heard Topper warn as he steered next to a smaller boat hanging on the side

You glanced over and immediately met eyes with JJ who was casually laying back with his friends- two dudes and a girl. When he wasn’t acting like a complete jerk, he actually looked down to earth and kind of innocent. Cans of cheap beer littered their deck and a cute little ‘HMS Pogue’ lettering hung from the back. 

You turned back to Kelce, thinking it was just a quick pass by until you heard something thump on the side of the boat from their side. 

“Fucking rats!” Rafe barked at the group and hurled an open can of beer over towards them. 

“That’s for the van you sons of bitches!” you heard JJ holler as Topper slowed down the boat so they were eye-to-eye. 

“Hey that’s payback! I know it was you that fucked up my bike, filthy Pogue!” Topper snarled, pointing at JJ, tumbling more shit in their direction. 

The throwing escalated into an all-out war. You screamed and joined Jade who was clearly outraged as she ducked under the cooler for cover. 

“Rafe, just fucking drop it and let’s go! You’re wasting shit at this point,” she urged also throwing Topper a stern look to get moving.  

“This isn’t over!” Rafe roared at the group as Topper sped up the engine again. 

“That’s right, just ride along you fucking Kooks! And take your hoes with you!” JJ shouted. 

You threw a glare his way at the vulgar name he called you and stuck up middle fingers his way, sailing off. 

Fucking tool. 

------------------------------

chapter four

tags: @starkeybaby​ @obxlife​ @everydayimfangirling​ @iamaunicorn4704​ @tangledinsparkles​ @poguesrforlife​​ @thx-quxxn​ @obxmxybxnk​ @rororo06​ @poguesforlife​ @ilymarkchan​

[khoicesbyk]

The Royal Romance.

Second Chance Romance.

A/N: I’ve decided to go into my own little TRR/TRH world and create an AU. This will be fun! So; Talley Ho! *in my Sherlock Holmes voice*

Rated: Explicit. | Contains sexual content and strong language. (You know? The usual from me. 😁) | Bolded and/or italicized words are conversations and thoughts of the characters. | Main Characters: Leo Rys and Hana Lee | All Characters and names: (except MC and certain original characters, created by me) are property of Pixelberry.

Current Word Count: 2,000 words. (more or less. I stop counting after editing and re-editing. 🤷🏾‍♀️)

Prompt Time! Using @wackydrabbles prompt 70: “Not everything is a joke.” It will be in bold in black.

Tag List: @lifeaskim @texaskitten30 @glaimtruelovealways @kingliam2019 @txemrn @pixie88 @choicesfannatalie @lucy-268 @bebepac @choicesficwriterscreations @wackydrabbles

I AM UNAPOLOGETICALLY NSFW! READER DISCRETION IS STRONGLY!

If you’d like to be added to my tag list. Just reblog or DM me and I will gladly add you! 😁😘

This is a fun side story that I decided to write. I hope you enjoy the pairing.

Chapter 12.) About Last Night.

Leo Rys has always done his own thing and lived life by his own rules. He enjoys the freedom to go where he wants, when he wants and for however long he wants. With him no longer Crown Prince of Cordonia, he wasn’t beholden to the responsibility, commitment and weight that the crown carries. To him, that life was more a living nightmare than a dream come true.

Having the lives of Cordonia and all her people in his hands scared him. Which is why he told his father that the crown should go to his younger brother, Marquise. Marquise would be a far better king than Leo could ever hope to be. And he was right.

No matter where his new nomadic life took him, Leo always made sure to come home from time to time. Especially when there was a ball or party being thrown. Like the party for the debut of his soon to be sister in law, Duchess Shanelle Dawkins of Volterias.

The party was great. The drinks were flowing like a river. The people were mixing and mingling. And the dancing was on point. But the best part about the night is that he was home. Even though he was no longer Crown Prince, Cordonia is still in his heart and is still home. And he is home to celebrate his brother and future sister in law.

But that night wouldn’t go the way he’d plan it to go.

After catching up with old friends, rivals and several old flames, Leo was sitting at the bar going on his third whiskey neat, when he saw Hana. She was being tortured by Ambassador Kennett and his endless yapping. Whether it was about politics or worse his penchant for golfing, fishing, hunting or his vintage 1956 Roadster, the man NEVER knows when to shut up. So he had to rescue her from him.

He Interrupted their conversation and successfully saved her from a fate worse than death. And to make sure that they weren’t followed by the ambassador, he took her out on the dance floor. It might’ve been the alcohol in his system but, he noticed how petite and pretty she was. And that she was blushing.

“Maybe she…nah I’m not her type.” He thought to himself as they danced.

After dancing to song after song, Hana’s were getting sore so he suggested that they take a break and go for a walk. When she agreed to a walk, they took a stroll to his favorite side courtyard in the whole palace. It was one designed by Marquise’s mother Eleanor. She would sneak him and Marquise out of their lessons, just to spend time with them there. So it’s always been one of his favorite places to go to.

They sat down on a bench and talked about what their lives were like growing up. What they saw themselves doing in 10-20 years. And what his favorite destinations to visit were. And for her, he was something she never expected. He’s funny. He’s got a great smile. She loved his soft baby blue eyes. And he’s quite the accomplished dancer. She had never had a crush on someone but she felt like she was developing a crush on him.

“How about another drink?” He asks her.

“Haven’t you had enough to drink Leo?” She asked with a teasing smirk.

“Nooooo! Besides I got this killer bottle of tequila that I got in Guadalajara back in my room, that I’m dying to open. Soooo…pretty please?” He asks her, while batting his eyelashes. It made her giggle when he asked.

“Okay. I’m curious about this bottle you have.” She replies.

“Sweet! Follow me m’lady.” He says as he offers her his arm. When they got to his room, Hana was impressed by the size.

“You got one of the bigger rooms in the palace!” She says to him.

“Perks of being part of The Royal Family. I still get to be spoiled even though I abdicated the throne. Dad made sure that I got my favorite bedroom.”

“I’m glad that you and him are close.”

He sat down on the bench at the end of his bed before he spoke.

“Ohhh yeah. He was more disappointed than angry about me abdicating. He was hoping that me becoming king would mellow me out. But if anything it made me hate the throne even more. Which is why I don’t envy my younger brother. He bears the weight of an entire nation. Their expectations, their fears, their anger, their frustration and especially their judgement. I didn’t want that life for myself. I saw what it did to my dad. How it changed him. Made his paranoia even worse than it was before mom’s death.”

“So that’s why you left?” She asks as she sits next to him.

“Yes. Because, I was never meant to be a king. It wasn’t in my heart nor was it something that I wanted to do. I have a temper. Marquise has temperament. He always wanted the throne but, because of hierarchy and the rules behind it, the throne went to me. And believe me Hana, it wasn’t an easy nor overnight decision for me to come to. I knew I’d be disappointing my dad and leaving Marquise to bear the unbearable burden of the crown, but I just knew I’d never be the king that Cordonia desperately needed.” He replied.

Talking to her made him face some of the demons he’d been running from.

“Thank you for sharing that with me, Leo.”

“Nah. It’s the alcohol. My dad calls it my truth serum. Speaking of which! We got a bottle to open!”

He got up and walked to his suitcase and pulled out a bottle of golden tequila.

“May I introduce to you the finest tequila in all the lands? This is Dioses del sol y de la tierra. It is the best tequila I have ever had!” He said as he introduced her to the bottle.

She just shook her head and giggled.

“Let the shots begin m’lady!”

They drank, danced and laughed together. Hana wasn’t like Madeleine. She was a nightmarish robot who was after the crown. She was pure, wholesome, beautiful and sweet. And an absolute joy to be around. Especially when she was drunk.

“I have never had this much fun ever!” She drunkenly squealed.

“I sure have! I have it all the time!” He said to her.

“Of course you have! You’re freeeeee!”

“You gotta try it sweetheart! Freedom is the best medicine for the soooouuuul!”

Hana took a swig from the bottle then spun around but lost her footing and would’ve fallen if Leo hadn’t caught her.

“Whoa! Noble lady overboard!” He said as he caught her.

“Wheeeeeeeeee!” Hana said with a giggle.

With the bottle finally gone, the pair were sitting on his bed giggling at each other.

“Oh my God! Leo! This was soooooo much fun!”

“Yeah I know. We gotta do it again the next time I come home!”

They started laughing at each other again.

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re very very handsome?” She asked him.

“Not really. The ladies usually go for my brother.” He replies.

“Well I think you’re really handsome.”

“That’s the tequila talking. But it’s a good joke.”

“Not everything is a joke, Leo.”

“You’re serious?” He asks her. She nodded her head yes.

“Ohhh…so if I kissed you, you wouldn’t be mad?” He asked. She shook her head no.

“Ohhh well in that case…” he trailed off before kissing her. The kiss was sloppy at first but got hot and heavy fast. When the kiss came to an end, they were breathless.

“Woooooow!” He said to her.

“Was it bad?” She asked.

“Hell no! As a matter of fact, I’d like to do it again.”

“Fine by me.”

He pulled her into his lap as he kissed her again. Her skin was smooth. Her lips are soft and supple. She tasted like tequila. Not that he was complaining about it. There was something about Hana that he couldn’t get enough of. With his arms around her petite frame he deepened their kiss. One thing is for sure, Leo is no slouch when it comes to kissing. He broke their kiss to look in her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Hana. I shouldn’t have done that.” He said to her.

“No you shouldn’t have. But I’m glad you did.” She replies. Every ounce of shyness Hana had was replaced with lust thanks to all the drinking they were doing.

“Is this about to go where I think it is?” He asks her.

“I wouldn’t mind.” She replied.

With that he kissed her again, harder and deeper than before. They were blissfully drunk and horny for one another. He trailed kisses from her jaw to her neck. Eliciting a sound that was a mix of soft moan and a gasp. They made quick work of getting each other out of their clothes. She was beautiful to him and he was hot to her.

He resumed kissing her neck with his hands all over her. When his hands reached her nipples, he ran his thumbs over them making them harden under his touch. She couldn’t help but moan when he touched her. He kept rubbing her nipples and sucking on her neck He let one hand travel lower between her legs. When he reached her center, she was warm. But he was about to make her hot.

He began using his fingers to circle her clit and play with her entrance. The sensation was causing her to grind against his fingers. He wanted her soaking wet for him. Thankfully it didn’t take long for that to happen. When she wanted more, she groaned impatiently.

“I guess that means you want more.” He whispered in her ear.

“Yes! Yes!” She moaned.

He took that as a cue then grabbed a condom out of his wallet and put it on. When he turned back to look at Hana, he was in awe. She really was beautiful naked. She bit her bottom lip as she looked at him. With a crook of her finger she beckoned him to her. With a sly grin he went to her. He climbed on top of her with lust in his eyes and a question on his lips.

“Are you ready?” He asks.

“Hell yeah!” She replied.

She didn’t know what to expect when it came to sex with Leo. But if anything she wasn’t expecting him to be big. But when he entered her, she found out that she was wrong. He was well endowed. He went slow to allow her muscles to get used to him being inside her. She moaned impatiently because she wanted him to fuck her.

Taking that as another cue from her, Leo found his groove and began to really fuck her. Every thrust from him was fast and hard. He was going deep inside then coming almost all the way out, just to slam back into her. Her moans, groans, cries of pleasure, shrieks and whimpers were fuel to him so he would keep going.

He had one hand on the headboard behind her to steady himself and the other rubbing her clit. He wants her to explode with him. The stimulation from him sent her over the edge and crashing into her orgasm. Feeling her muscles squeeze his length sent him to the moon. He emptied himself into the condom then passed out with her.

When Leo woke up later, he was hungover and pretty sure he’d just had in a weird dream that involved him and sex with Hana. The dream became reality, when he saw the empty tequila bottle and the used condom. That’s when he looked over and saw Hana passed out next to him.

“Oh shit! This is VERY bad!” He muttered, before grabbing his phone and texting the person he knew to text: His brother Marquise.

[monaownsmyass]

And They Were Roommates

Requested fic by anon (if you have any fic ideas or requests you'd like me to write, you can leave me an ask!)

Book: Queen B, (after) Chapter 13

Pairing: Zoey Wade x MC (Bea Hughes)

Genre: Fluff

Rating: G, none

Word count: 3,140

A/N: Zoey and MC have a impromptu sleepover after making up from their fight a few weeks ago. Took shorter than expected cuz I wanted to get it done today so here it is! I think this might be my fav fic of mine so far :)

Tag list: @ineedskyecrandall @kamilahsayeet2063 @avalawrencefl @lovekamilahsayeed @thequeenkamilahsayeed @heygmicheelle (lmk if anyone would like to be included or removed in my next fics.)

"Have you gotten the chips yet?"

"Yeah, do you have the chocolate?"

"First thing I grabbed!"

Zoey wrapped her arms around my waist from the back and rested her chin on my shoulder. Together we peered into our shopping cart, almost overflowing with snacks. Underneath was our weekly grocery but it was entirely hidden.

"Babe, this is a ridiculous amount junk food," Zoey laughs.

"I mean, it's not like we're gonna finish it in one night. We could always keep it for some other time or even throw a party or something," I protested with a smile.

"This is basically an invitation for diabetes and an aneurysm."

"I don't see you making any effort to put some back though," I challenged.

She just laughs and lets go of me as we continued making our way down the aisle.

It was past sundown and we came to the grocery store with the only intention of stocking up our fridge with groceries. However, on the way, Zoey suggested we have a 'sleepover night' since we made up even though we live together and it's been weeks since the fallout. I'm not complaining though, I thought it'd be really fun especially if it means spending more time her.

And of course I suggested on getting some snacks 'cuz what's a sleepover without 'em? But we may have went a little overboard.

We headed towards the checkout and unloaded all the items onto the conveyor belt. My phone kept going off so I pulled it out to check it. Poppy was spamming my notifications again. The bitch just won’t leave me alone.

I scrolled through the 52 messages and rolled my eyes. I turned my phone on silent then looked back to Zoey who was already paying. I helped her place all the foodstuff back into the cart. Before leaving, I caught Zoey place the tips of her outstretched fingers to her chin and then bring it forward in the direction of the cashier. The cashier returned the gesture.

Wait, did Zoey know sign language?

As we made our way out of the grocery store, I turned to Zoey. "Were you communicating in sign language to the cashier?"

"Yeah, they had hearing impairment. You know ASL too?"

I shook my head. "I mean, I only know the basics like 'yes' and 'no'. I didn't know you knew sign language."

I loved finding out new things about her. It was a pleasant surprise every time.

Zoey let out a small chuckle. "You still have lots to learn about me, babe." She gave me a mischievous look. "Which is exactly why this sleepover is vital!"

I laughed at her as we reached our car and transferred the grocery bags once again. We drove back to campus, blasting music and jamming out to it on the way. I looked over to see her singing her heart out and making exaggerated facial features while bouncing up and down. Moments like these with Zoey made me so glad I was dating my best friend. I smiled at her and joined in.

When we arrived, Zoey and I piled the groceries onto our arms, refusing to make a second trip to the car and back.

We almost made it to our dorm room when Zoey stopped dead in her tracks. I bumped into her, causing me to almost loose my balance and drop everything I was carrying. Fortunately, I managed to prevent myself from falling.

"What the hell, Zo?"

"It's here!"

"What's here?"

She was looking down so I tried to peak over her shoulder to see what she was staring at. Being taller than me, it was no use.

Finally, she stepped aside to unlock the door and I saw what she was talking about. It was a package right at our doorstep.

"What's that?"

"You'll see." She entered and placed all the food on the kitchen counter before going out to retrieve the box.

I put the bags I were carrying beside hers and followed her to the dining table where she took a knife to cut open the tape sealing the box.

"Voilà!" she exclaimed and flip the lids open in a flourish.

The object inside was still wrapped up in plastic but I could make out some fabric through the clear wrapping.

"Here, this is for you! Catch!" She tossed me a plastic bag with the fabric in it and took one for herself.

I held it up and finally figured out what it was.

"Zoey Wade, you did not!"

"But yes! I did!"

I ripped open the plastic the same time she did and we unfolded the material to show it off to the other.

"You got us matching onesies?!"

She nodded enthusiastically with the biggest, cutest grin ever.

"I got us penguins 'cuz I remember you saying you like them. Also, they're so cute! Just like us!" she said with a laugh.

I didn't even bother with a reply, I was too excited. I pulled her by the face into a kiss. Her soft lips met mine, kissing me back. It was brief but if I wasn't already giddy with excitement, I definitely was now. "Thank you, Zo!"

We quickly changed into our respective onesies and modelled for the other.

"Aww, you're the cutest penguin ever," Zoey spoke in a soft and gentle voice that made me blush.

"No, you are!" I rushed to her to embrace her in a hug. "You're so soft," I giggled into her shoulder.

"Now we know our cuddle game is gonna be strong later," she laughed along with me. "Come, we have to set up the pillow fort."

I nodded but refused to let go off her. Human Zoey was a fantastic hugger but Penguin Zoey only made it better.

"Maybe I should've gotten you a monkey onesie instead," she teased and turned her head to kiss my temple. Then, she gently pried me away. "I promise we'll continue this later."

I finally let go and we got to work, building our pillow fort in the middle of the living room. It took us longer than we'd like to admit to set up the blanket as the tent. Whenever we'd secure one side, the other would come undone. It only made us crack up harder the more often it happened.

"Okay, okay, I got this side, you go grab the other!"

I rushed to the other side and made sure it would stay in place. We cautiously let go of the blanket and backed away. To our surprise, it didn't fall.

"Yes!"

We tossed a bunch of pillows into the blanket fort and hung fairy lights all over, including inside. We switched off the main lights a took a step back to admire our handiwork. We snaked an arm around each other to side hug.

"Good job, babe," Zoey smiled, squeezing me into her.

"You too, beautiful." I gave her a peck on the cheek in reply.

"Alright, time to call for pizza now!"

"Can you do it on your phone? Poppy has been blowing up mine so I'm avoiding it at all cost."

Her eyes widen. "Still? It's been so long!"

"I know," I sighed. "I'll probably block her tomorrow or something. Tonight, it's all about you and me."

"You got that right," Zoey murmured and gave me a small kiss on the lips.

She grabs her phone and dials up the pizza place. Once she was done, she went into her room and came out holding a folded picnic blanket.

"C'mon," she said and stretched out her other hand for me to hold.

I accepted her warm hand in mine instinctively, loving the way it fits perfectly. "Where are we going? What's up with the mat?"

"The delivery guy said he couldn't come up to the dorm to deliver it. The best he can do is meet us at the courtyard. So I thought we could maybe stargaze while we wait."

My heart skipped and my breath hitched. Stargazing with Zoey? How could I say no? Who in their right mind would say no?

“In our onesies?”

“Only if you want to.”

"Of course I want to!" I blurted and immediately dragged her out the door with her chuckling at me.

At the courtyard, Zoey spread open the picnic blanket and laid it on the ground. She sat on it and reached up to grab my hand, pulling me down to sit beside her. We laid down on our backs and looked up at the sky. It was clear and the stars seemed to twinkle extra bright tonight.

Zoey's hand moved around in search of mine and interlaced our fingers together when she found it. I gave it a squeeze and smiled into the night, never felt so contented before. Just two people in penguin onesies under the night sky, holding hands.

"Do you recognise any constellations?" I asked her.

"I can't say I do, are you some kind of astronomy expert that I didn't know?"

I laughed. "No, but my dad used to point some out to me when I was a kid. He'd take me outside and we'd just sit and watch the stars."

I glanced at her and saw a small smile play on her lips. That in turn made me smile. I was sharing a meaningful, nostalgic moment with her and that sent a thrill through me. I couldn't express how grateful I was that I could share this with her.

"Tell me about them." She looked at me and then back at the starry sky.

"That one is the Ursa Major, or the Great Bear," I said softly, just loud enough for her to hear. I pointed to the sky and traced the stars with my finger. She moved in closer to me to see where I traced.

"And that’s the Big Dipper. It consists of the seven brightest stars of the Ursa Major." I continued to move my finger in the air.

It was really cute that her eyebrows furrowed in concentration as she was listening but the she squinted. "That doesn't look like a bear."

I laughed again and said, "Almost every constellation doesn't look like their names, darling. You should see Corvus."

"That's a little weird."

"Why don't you go ahead and name one then," I insisted.

"Okay," she replied and pointed to the brightest star in the sky I could see. "I'm calling that Bea Hughes."

I started giggling and I could feel the butterflies in my stomach flutter furiously.

"Then that one should be called Zoey Wade." I indicated to the star that was directly beside the one she chose.

She grinned at me and I squeezed her hand once more. "Perfect."

She rolled into her side and I followed suit. Facing each other, we stared at the other for a while with our hands still interlocked. I brought my other hand up to brush the stray strands that fell in her face. I rested my hand against her cheek and gently stroked her smooth skin. She closed her eyes.

I looked at her in unabashed adoration. It wasn't the first time I was blown away by her and I was certain it wouldn't be the last time. My eyes trailed over the features of her face. She was perfection.

She opened her eyes and I gasped as a wave of emotion flooded me. My heart was beating a million miles an hour as realisation dawn on me when I gazed into her brilliant eyes.

I loved Zoey Wade.

I loved the way she tossed her head back when she laughed. I loved how her eyes lit up when she was talking about something she was passionate about. I loved the way she looked at me. I loved that she remembers the smallest things about me even when I don't recall mentioning it to her myself. I loved getting to know new things about her. I loved the way she brightens my day just by seeing her

I was in love with her.

I reacted the only way I knew how to; I pulled her into me to hug her and immediately buried my face in her neck.

"I adore you, Zo." I kissed the skin where her neck and shoulder meets.

"I adore you too."

We stayed like that in comfortable silence until we heard someone shout 'oh my god!' and footsteps coming closer.

I felt her turn her head to the source and sigh. Me with my face still in her neck whispered, "Is that the demon I hear?"

"Unfortunately."

Poppy stopped right over us and crossed her arms. I looked straight up at her and Zoey shifted to look at her too.

"This is why you've been ignoring me?!" she practically screeched. "You've been ignoring me to lie around in the middle of the lawn in stupid animal suits? With her?"

"Why? Jealous?"

She scoffed. "As if, Farmsville!"

"Shoo shoo, we're in the middle of something," Zoey said unamused while waving her hand at Poppy.

Poppy started shouting at us but we weren't paying attention any longer.

"Ughh! Fine! You will regret this!" she huffed and finally stomped away.

"Oh, just in time," I said as I saw the pizza delivery person.

We paid for our pizza and headed back up to our dorm.

Once we stepped passed the door, I heard Zoey's phone buzz and then laugh.

"What's up?"

"Check your phone."

Still on silent, I whipped out my phone and saw the notifications. My eyes widen when I saw both Zoey and I's ranking on The T increase. I scrolled through the feed and saw a picture of us from just now at the courtyard, cuddling.

"Poppy thought she could submit this and ruin us!" Zoey said between giggles. "Obviously it backfired 'cuz now everyone at Belvoire thinks we're the cutest couple on campus."

I went through the comments.

'Omg, they're so cute!' 'I didn't know they were together but they look good.' 'They're perfect for each other!' 'And they were roommates...'

I snorted and glanced over at Zoey who looked beyond ecstatic. "Suck it, Poppy!"

I laughed at her and wrapped my arms around her waist.

"Y'know, we do make a pretty cute couple."

"Only 'pretty cute'?" Zoey teased and returned my hug. "We're fricken' adorable!"

I brought her in for a kiss and she grabbed onto me a little tighter. One hand was on the back of my neck and the other went around my waist, gripping it. The way she kissed me was electric. Surges of energy ran through my veins, making me come alive. The passion and yearning poured into the kiss made me breathless. Being in love with her only amplified the feeling.

Zoey broke the kiss, panting but mostly laughing.

"Sorry, babe," she said, trying to catch her breath. "I just remembered we're both in penguin onesies."

I broke into a fit of giggles. God, I loved this girl.

"Damn right we are," I confirmed, beaming. "Must look pretty ridiculous but it's sure as hell comfy."

Zoey grinned back at me and grabbed my hand to lead me into the pillow fort. We took the pizza with us along with a bottle of wine.

"Cheers!" We clinked glasses and took a swig after she poured some out.

Even though we had a TV in the living room, Zoey brought out her laptop 'cuz our pillow fort was blocking it. She set it up and started playing 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'.

I turned to Zoey. "How did you know this was my favourite classic?"

"Who doesn't love a good Hepburn movie once in a while?"

We dug into the pizza while enjoying our wine. After we were done, we got into a comfortable position. She laid back, propping her head up using the pillows as I laid my head on her chest, arms wrapped around each other as well as our legs. Some of the snacks we got earlier surrounded us for easy access. She was right, cuddling with the onesies was on a whole other level.

"Can we just stay like this, forever?"

"I'd love to but I think we have other obligations," she joked.

"Can we at least do this every weekend then? Penguin onesies, pillow forts and all?"

"Sounds good to me."

The movie continued and eventually, Holly Golightly started singing 'Moon River'. I heard Zoey singing along softly.

'Moon river, wider than a mile, I'm crossing you in style someday.'

I gazed up at her and she looked back at me, still singing.

'Oh dream maker, you heartbreaker, Wherever you're going, I'm going your way.'

Mesmerised by the beautiful sound of her voice, I just stared at her in wonderment while she sang the rest of the song.

"You're unreal," I spoke in amazement when she was done.

She giggled and kissed my forehead. "That's you, darling."

I laid her head back onto her chest and listened to the gentle thump in her chest as the movie carried on. A while later, I looked up to peer at Zoey only to find her eyes closed.

She must have fallen asleep. Thinking back to my recent revelation when we were stargazing, I started speaking quietly, just above a whisper. I couldn't hold it in.

"You probably can't hear me, but I have to get something off of my chest," I said. "Kinda funny that were in penguin onesies. 'Cuz penguins mate for life. Not that I'm saying we'll be together for the rest of our lives even though I really hope we do."

I exhaled slowly and continued, "What I mean is that, after the whole situation at the Zeta's, I thought I lost you for good. I can't tell you how lucky I am that you're giving me a second chance. We're in this together and I mean it. I'll always be by your side no matter what."

I closed me eyes. She may not hear this part in person but I hope she hears it in her dreams. "What I'm trying to say... what I'm saying is that, I love you, Zo."

Instantly, I could hear her heart begin to pound rapidly. My eyes shot open as butterflies invaded my stomach. Did she hear me?

I felt her hand that was resting my my thigh twitch. I look down to see the barest movement of her fingers. Her ring and middle finger down while the rest were stretched out.

My own heart started racing in recognition. One of the only signs I knew.

I love you.

I squeezed her, hugging her tighter to let her know I saw it. I felt her tighten her hold on me in response.

We drifted off to sleep in each other's embrace with me being lulled by her heartbeat, knowing that my love loved me back.

(More fics!)

[beykhabarr]

Drarry Muggle AU (Part 2)

Read Part one here

Read Part 3 Here

Ok Im sorry this is just getting really really long, and im still not dont yet! I just want them to have the perfect first date :((((, (I suck at writing conversations please forgive me)

“I know, I am sorry, I know I went overboard but I want you to know that you can be so much happier, that life has so much to offer you”

“Oh, you really should not have done this, if you weren’t my best friend I would have killed you by now, where the hell was Blaise and why didn’t he stop you from overstepping your boundaries,”

“As if he could stop me” Pansy scoffed and Draco scowled at her “I mean, Potter literally walked to your house, what bigger sign do you need?”

“I am not ready!” Draco whined

“You won’t ever be ready, love, it’s been years!”

“You really think he will like me?”

“I think he already does”

“Don’t lie to me, I can take the truth”

“Okay, the moment I asked him he agreed to come, despite knowing that he will be third-wheeling with me and Hermione who, in fact, couldn’t keep our hands to ourselves, you really think he would agree to come along if he wasn’t the least bit interested in you? How stupid do you have to be?”

“Ugh, okay, what if he doesn’t like me after I go out with him like he just doesn’t find me interesting?”

“You think way too much! You are funny, handsome and interesting, and you won’t know what he thinks unless you give it a shot!”

Draco remained silent, biting his lip, he had no idea what to do.

“Now don’t be a child and come, let’s go, it will be the best night ever”

“Easy for you to say” but he still followed her out of his rooms.

His parents must have both gone to sleep because the house was silent but the mess that covered each and every piece of the hardwood floor spoke volumes, as he walked down the stairs, he tried his best not to look at a certain portrait of him and his father lying on the floor, shards of glass glimmering in the little light of the hall, he tried his best not to think about what he felt towards his father now, only a feeble tug of longing where there should have been so much more, a void that should have made him feel loved and cared for, instead he felt like a liability. He tried his best not to think about it, but the harder he tried the more vehemently the thoughts clogged his mind. If it were not for the gentle tug on his sleeve, and Pansy’s sweet voice filling his ears, he would have stayed there drowning in the mist not knowing a way out. Where there was hurt and disappointment a moment ago, he let his mind rush with a sudden adoration and gratitude for Pansy taking over.

They both walked outside, into the cold December night, it was way past midnight and the moon shone brightly atop their heads, and the only thing that stopped his from staring at the mood was Harry Potter standing by Pansy’s red convertible, the moonlight reflecting gently in his glasses, and a tiny cardboard box in his hands. The camera did not do justice to his attire, a suit that was so green it was almost black, and how it brought out the colour of his eyes.

“Draco, love, you’re staring” Pansy elbowed him “Don't embarrass me in front of Hermione,”

“Err, don’t you use that tone with me, I am still very mad at you”

They walked over to the car then, Hermione was sitting in the car, scrolling on her phone, her hair styled like a crown, she seemed tired.

“I am sorry we kept you both waiting for so long,” Pansy said “Draco here was having a tantrum”

“I was no—”

“Hey, Harry why don’t you let Draco taste some of that cake,” Pansy said, he refused to look at her but could hear the smirk in her voice.

“Uh-yeah, here,” Potter said and extended the box he had been holding.

“Thanks for coming,” Draco said, taking it from him, he could feel the blood rushing to his cheeks.

“Uh, it’s not a problem, who am I to turn down the invitation for a late-night drive?”

“A late-night what now?” 

“Oh come’ on Draco just get in the car!”

“I call shotgun!” Hermione said already in place

And Pansy smiled and her eyes full of adoration, it was rare to see her so vulnerable when they were with other people, she rarely ever smiled, he had learned to hide her feelings away from a very young age.

Draco got in the passenger seat, and Harry slid in next to him.

Draco had no idea how to talk to him, he was not even sure why Harry had agreed to meet up with him in the first place, they had not exactly been on good terms up until last year. 

They had gone to the same school for all their life, but Draco had had a mean streak growing up, and Potter with his righteous smirk would always come forward to defend anyone who Draco was up against, they didn’t talk to each other much for more than seven years, until the Prom last year when Harry’s date had stood him up, and he had joined Draco on the bleachers. It was the day Draco realized that he had the biggest crush on Harry, but was too scared to pursue it.

“Okay, no eating in the car, and don’t ask me where I am taking you because it is a surprise and you cannot tell anyone about it, because it is my secret spot” Pansy broke the silence of the car, and the engine rushed to life, the roof slid open and they were once again exposed to the chill of the night.

“Um, so did you have fun at the party?” Draco asked, only loud enough for Potter to hear.

“Yeah, it was great, I can’t believe we don’t hang out with you guys more, everyone had so much fun, especially with that glitter canon thing,”

“That was my idea!” Draco chimed it, “I knew people would love it,”

“I figured!” Harry said

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“I mean, you are so artsy, I figured it would be your idea,” Harry said “I was hoping you’d be there”

“Uh, you were?”

“Yeah, I mean...it would have been nice,”

Draco nodded, unsure of what to say.

“But, I am glad we got to hang out tonight, thanks to Pansy” Harry said louder this time, but Pansy was way too engrossed in something Hermione was saying, both their voices hushed.

“I haven’t seen her this happy in a long time” Draco said.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, she’s been through a lot growing up, I can’t even imagine, she has become so guarded and she barely opens up to people, but tonight, she seems different, almost childlike” Draco laughed to himself.

“You both seem close” 

Draco nodded, and looked at Harry in the eyes, as the moonlight glimmered in his soft greed emerald eyes. “Yeah, I have known her all my life and there isn't a day when I am not grateful to have her,”

Harry smiled, genuinely the smile touched his eyes, and if it was possible his face lit up even more. “She was the first person I came out to”

“Yeah?”

Draco nodded. “I just am glad she’s my friend, I don’t know what I’d do without her”

“I know what you mean, my friends mean a lot to me too, Hermione and Ron, they have been with me through thick and thin, and things didn’t get any easier, but they made everything bearable, I am extremely grateful for them too”

“I know right? Sometime friends can be so much more to you than a family member”

Harry nodded and his gaze dropped to Draco’s hand. “Hey, what’s that?” He asked, taking Draco’s hand in his, shooting electricity up through his entire arm. It took Draco a second to realize what harry was talking about, he was talking about a gash that ran across his right palm, he remembered he had gotten it a week ago when trying to clean up pieces of glass after his parent’s row.

“It’s nothing just a stupid wound”

“If you don’t mind me asking, how’d you get it?

“Uh, I don’t really remember, maybe a scalpel or something at school,”

“Did you medicate it?”

“I,uh-” Draco was spared the embarrassment of answering when the car was brought to a screeching halt”

“We’re here!” Pansy yelled, and got out of the car.

“Where exactly?” Draco said to no one in particular.

Hermione chuckled “Oh shut up, look at how excited she is, I am sure she has something planned”

“I can’t believe she brought us into the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night” Draco said looking out the window, onto the deserted road.

“Come on Malfoy, have some patience and a knack for adventure if I must add” Harry said, nudging him in the shoulder. They both slid out of the car, but Harry didn’t let go of Draco’s hand, his incredibly cold hand fit comfortably in Harry’s warm ones.

"Okay, I know what you are thinking" Pansy said clapping her hands together in front of her in anticipation "but trust me it gets better, just follow me"

 Hermione got out of her car, her hair now hanging loose around her shoulders, Pansy looked at her and blushed. "Okay you both follow you come here" she said as she put her arm around Hermione.

 They walked to the side of the road into the bushes, Draco was growing anxious by the minute, but he was willing to wait and see how the evening would unfold, besides he was holding hands with Harry, so there was little he had to complain about.

 They used their phone's  flashlight and walked for what seemed like an hour but were only around ten minutes until they finally arrived at Pansy’s spot.

  And Draco's mouth hung open in surprise, in front of them stood an enormous lake and they were surrounded by Thousands of fireflies as they watched the moon reflect in the somber and glistening lake in the starry 

  "So what do you think?" Pansy asked

"Holy shit this is beautiful," Harry said and Draco laughed at his unguarded exclamation.

"Harry, language please" Hermione said from Pansy’s side.

Harry scoffed at her, and Draco could not think about anything apart from the fact that he looked utterly beautiful against the starry night sky, his hair ruffled by the wind.

[something-tofightfor]

On Tap

Pairing: Logan Delos x Reader

Word Count: 9342

Rating: M (language, talk of drug use, multiple partners, Logan being Logan)

Author’s Note: This is the result of a request from @malionnes​ ... started writing and I just couldn’t stop. 

Summary: Delos is hosting a charity bartending event - and Logan’s behind the bar making drinks and being charming along with some of his friends. 

As always, feel free to ask to be added or removed to this tag list. No hard feelings.

General:

@the-blind-assassin-12 @its-my-little-dumpster-fire @obscurilicious @sweetybuzz25 @suchatinyinfinity @lexxierave @gollyderek @poindexted @ificouldhelpyouforget @elanor-of-imladris @thesandbeneathmytoes @luminex3 @geeksareunique @weallhaveadestiny @mfackenthal @thesumofmychoices @yannii04 @beautiful-thinking @drinix @agentlingerie  @blah-blah-fuckit-shit  @dreams-with-thoughts  @wangmangagavroche @traeumerinwitzhelden @jigsawlover10 @malionnes​

Logan Delos:

@nananananananananananabatman @damalseer @chibiyanai @life-is-a-melody @songtoyou​

Uncategorized: 

@banditthewriter @padfootagain @madamrogers @ethereal-heavcns @editboutique @marauderskeeper @ilkaeliseb @delicatelilyflower @king4thesirens @ymariejp @mr-robot-x @rageshots @introvertedlibrary @writing-for-a-chance @yesixoxo @ilikebeachessushiandsmallanimals @likeorions @swiftyhowlz @dylanobrusso @malik-payne @lynne1993 @ladyblablabla @dreamwritesimagines​ @audreychaz​ @tc-elliot @kind-wolf​ @honeyydippaa​ @binbonsadoration​ @fireeyes-on-teller-dixon-grimes @ms-delos​ @jeanettexkillian​ @avengerswhore @elioelioeli0​ @projectcampbell​ @giggleberts​

He was looking at you, watching out of the corner of his eye even as he poured a drink. You watched him, halfway listening to the woman next to you - a coworker named Marlie - as she talked about making her way outside to catch the comedy set that started a little after 9. If you want. You raised your drink to your lips, taking a long swallow and finally looking away, just as he tilted his head to the side, handing the drink over the bar to the waiting patron. “Are you even listening to me, or are you just going to stare at Logan all night?” You looked down, setting your glass on top of the square napkin before turning your head to meet her eyes. “I know you’re new to LA, but you should know that he -”

 “He’s hot.” You shrugged. “What can I say?” She laughed and shook her head. “Besides, he hasn’t even been down to this end of the bar in yet, so it’s not like…”

 “He’ll be over here. They’re rotating.” She used the hand that held her drink to gesture. “Aubrey’s been down at this end, and Charlie and Olivia are outside for now, but they’ll all switch.” She took a sip of her drink, licking her lips as she set it back down. “That’s how it is every year, and every year, Logan works his magic on someone and ends up taking them home.” You fought back a wince at that, trying to keep your expression even. “A couple years ago, he’d take home more than one person, but he’s…” You tuned her out again as you turned your attention back to Logan - watching as the muscles in his back flexed beneath the shirt he wore while he leaned over to take a picture with someone. That’s your MO, Logan? That what Marlie’s hoping is going to happen tonight? 

 “Can I get you another drink?” Your attention was pulled by the petite brunette in front of you, her eyes bright. “What were you drinking?” You looked down at your glass, thinking, and then decided to order another one. They’re free, what the hell. 

 “Yeah, can I get one of the watermelon ones?” You pointed at the menu featuring the special event cocktails. “It sounds -”

 “Oh, come on.” You heard his voice from your right, eyes leaving the woman’s face and finding his, a smirk on his lips. “We just use the nozzle for that one, let her make you a drink.” He raised an eyebrow, and in the low light, you saw his eyes darken slightly. “Better yet…” He paused, thinking. “Why don’t I make you a drink?” He glanced away from you and at the woman behind the bar with him, throwing an arm around her shoulders. “We should switch sides, Aubrey.” He looked back up at you, the smirk returning. “Haven’t spent much time over here yet.” You shook your head at him but it was impossible to hide your smile.  

 “Whatever you say, Delos.” Aubrey stepped away from him, grinning. “This is your show.” Under other circumstances, you would have watched as she made her way to the opposite end of the bar, but your attention went back to Logan, who was drumming his fingertips on the bartop, the tanned skin of his arms standing out against the white marble surface. 

 “So.” Logan leaned in, his smile growing wider. “What can I get you?” He narrowed one eye at you, looking you up and down. “Rum runner? Yellow bird? Sex on the beach?” Your eyes widened, but you played it off, and you didn’t think that Marlie caught the fact that you sucked in your breath before you answered. You wanna play that game, Logan?

 “What about a hurricane, Logan?” You raised an eyebrow back at him, lifting your first drink to your lips and finishing it, sliding the empty glass back across the bar at him. “Can you make me one of those?” Logan threw his head back and laughed, reaching up with one hand to run his fingers through his hair, pushing it back and away from his face. 

 “Yeah.” He licked his lips, eyes locking on yours again. “I’ll check and see if there’s any Bahamian rum back here.”  His eyes slid to Marlie. “You need another one too?” She gave him her order and Logan nodded before stepping away, stepping over to one of the actual Everson Royce bartenders, speaking to her and pointing at the liquor shelves. 

 “You got your wish.” Marlie said your name, and you looked away from Logan, trying not to grin. Did I? What’s that mean for you? “Maybe I won’t go out to see Charlie’s set now.” You watched as she eyed Logan, tongue involuntarily coming out to wet her lips. “Maybe when Logan goes outside I’ll follow him and see if…” You sighed, feeling yourself stiffen slightly. You were just talking about how… “Oh, look, he’s coming back.” She straightened up as Logan stepped back in front of you, a bottle of liquor in his hands. 

 “It’s not Bahamian, but it’s close.” He winked at you, setting the bottle down and scooping ice into a shaker. “I’ve never done this before,” he continued, beginning to add ingredients in with the ice - a generous pour of the rum, lime and orange juices, simple syrup, passion fruit puree and a splash of grenadine. “So forgive me if it’s strong.” He capped the shaker and picked it up in one hand, his long fingers closing around it as he began to shake the drink, eyes moving back and forth between you and Marlie. “But that’s the point, right?” Satisfied with the combination of the ingredients, Logan popped the cap off and poured it between two ice-filled hurricane glasses the actual bartender had put in front of him before reaching into the plastic container for orange slices as garnish and finishing by inserting straws. “Ladies.” He slid the drinks to you, ducking his head. “Be honest, how are -”

 “Where’s my cherry, Logan?” Eyeing the drink, you questioned him, leaning forward on your stool. “This is supposed to -” Marlie gasped at your words but Logan only laughed again, using two fingers to pluck a tiny, plastic sword from the container in front of him and skewering three cherries on it before he reached out, handing it to you. “Thank you.” You felt his fingers brush yours as you took the cherries from him, but without lingering, Logan stepped back, clearing the bar and waiting. You dropped the fruit into your drink before taking a long sip, Logan watching expectantly. “It’s good.” He looked relieved, but you reached into your purse, pulling out a $10 and slipping it into the tip jar. “Really good.” He grinned, and you could tell that he wanted to say something else but refrained - somehow.

 Logan looked away from you and Marlie after that, talking to the other bar patrons and for a few minutes you just watched as he served them, taking orders and filling them with ease, laughing and joking as he worked. He’s happy. This is good for him. 

 The event was a fundraiser for two of the charities that Delos supported, held at a bar on the south end of Downtown Los Angeles’ arts district called Everson Royce - and it was a lot more fun than you’d thought it would be. Not only was Logan acting as a guest ‘celebrity’ bartender, there were three others there, too, picked as a way to ensure that the event sold out - and that people would get the chance to interact with well-known names while they drank for a good cause. Though you’d been to other events like it in the past in your hometown, the atmosphere was much different that night, the people around you enjoying themselves without going overboard on cheap liquor and beer. You’d arrived with Marlie at 7, taking seats at the end of the bar closest to the doors that led to the back patio, and by 8:30, you’d had two drinks - plus Logan’s third, and a bunch of appetizers. Everything was included with the cost of the ticket, and while you hadn’t had to pay for yours, you still wanted to take advantage of what was offered, because even though no one else knew it, you were actually Logan’s guest.

--- 

 “You should come to the bar event.” The two of you were in Logan’s living room, curled together on his couch as the TV played on low volume in the background. “I know you came to the Christmas party with me, but…” He leaned over, taking your earlobe between his teeth. “Come out with me again.” 

 “Mmm, Logan, I won’t be with you, though.” You turned your body toward his, feeling as his hands moved up your sides. “You’ll be behind the bar and…” You sighed as he kissed your cheek, moving closer to your mouth with every second that passed. “And I’ll be…” His lips met yours and silenced you, Logan pulling you onto his lap without pause and without pulling away from you. “Lo-gan.” You pushed him away with both hands, groaning. “You can’t just kiss me and -”

 “I’ll give you an extra ticket, bring someone from work.” He kissed you again, leaning forward and extending his neck to reach you. “You can watch me make drinks and flirt with everyone for donations all night knowin’ you’ll be the one going home with me.” I… that’s… “Come on, it’s for a good cause.” You laughed at that, relaxing back into his arms. “I’m serious, though, you should be there, it’ll be different than the Christmas party, this is so much more fun.” He paused. “Charlie Day will be there.” You sat straight up, mouth dropping open and your eyes going wide. 

 “Well why didn’t you tell me that before, Logan?” You kept a straight face for approximately three seconds and then burst out laughing, Logan pushing you off of his lap and rolling his eyes. “There are gonna be actual celebrities at this event?” He grumbled, muttering under his breath about you being a typical woman, but instead of letting him pout about it, you reached over, turning his face toward yours. “Lo, I’d go with you even if Charlie wasn’t going to be there.” He smiled at you, wrapping an arm back around you and pulling you close to him again. Once you were both settled, you bit your lip, deciding to have a little more fun at his expense. “So… who else is going to be -” He sighed, raising one of his hands and covering your mouth with it, cutting off your words. 

 “Stop talking, or you’re not invited anymore.” 

--- 

 So you’d taken the tickets and asked Marlie to go with you, figuring that you and the woman would have a good time together. And you had - for the first hour and a half, you’d enjoyed yourselves a lot. People watching had been fun - plenty of familiar faces were scattered amongst the ‘regular’ people, and at $250 a ticket, you weren’t shocked. Marlie had been to the event before - paying her way in, but she’d practically jumped at the chance to go with you for free. She hadn’t questioned you when you told her that you’d been given the tickets from a client; it was common for you and your coworkers to get perks like that, even with as new as you were to the company. It was barely the middle of January, you’d been in Los Angeles for just under two months, and you were starting to settle. 

 You were happy with your job, happy with your new home, happy with the friends you were starting to make - and happy with Logan, even though you were still little more than friends. No, that’s not true. You spent the night at each other’s places, and even though you still had yet to sleep with him again, despite the two of you sleeping in the same bed often, you had nothing to complain about. He’d introduced you to people at the Delos Christmas party, which had been held the weekend after New Year’s, you’d met Juliet and Emily - which had shocked you, and you’d even met a few of his actual friends … but he’d never introduced you as anything more than a friend and “the woman I spent the hurricane with”. At that, you’d gotten a knowing smile from Juliet, whose eyes had flicked between you and her brother quickly, but she hadn’t said anything. We’ll see what happens. 

 You sipped Logan’s drink, talking with Marlie and the people around you and listened as the women - and men - that were ordering drinks flirted with Logan, the man not missing a beat as he responded back in the same way. He’s good. You smiled as you eyed him, watching the way he moved as he quickly filled orders - pulling down on the beer taps and tilting the glasses just the right way, lifting bottles of liquor to pour shots and mixed drinks before handing them over the bar, his wide smile never disappearing for too long. He glanced at you every so often, trying to keep it from being obvious, but you could feel his eyes on you, sense that he wanted to speak to you again. Give him a reason to. “Hey, Logan.” You waited until he was filling beer glasses to your left, taking a pause as he looked down and watched the liquid rise. “Call Aubrey down here, let’s do a shot.” 

 “A shot?” He replied to you without looking up, but you saw him smirking. “I donno, it’s not responsible for a bartender to drink back here.” He finally looked up, meeting your eyes briefly. “Do I feel like bein’ responsible tonight?” 

 “No, that’s no fun.” Marlie spoke up from next to you, and you glanced over, lips pressed together. Maybe bringing her was the wrong choice. “Since when is Logan Delos responsible?” You saw him flinch - but knew that she hadn’t, and swore under your breath. “Come on, do a shot with us, Logan.” He laughed it off, pushing the taps back upright, and then handed the beers over the bar, smiling at the people he gave them to before looking back at the two of you. 

 “Since a couple years ago.” You widened your eyes at the words, but she didn’t catch the meaning behind them. “But.” He held up a finger. “A single shot isn’t going to hurt anything.” He looked down, where Aubrey was busy talking with the people at the other end of the bar, hands moving rapidly as she told a story. “Aubrey!” He got her attention, beckoning her over, and the dark haired woman finished her story and walked back down toward you, cheeks flushed. “They want us to do shots.” 

 “Shots? What is this, spring break?” You laughed, but could tell she was teasing. “Alright, Delos. Make it a good one.” She slapped his arm gently before reaching beneath the bar for shot glasses to line them up on the counter. “How many?” She did a quick head count - offering them to the people seated and standing around you, and turned back to Logan. “Ten. Make ten of something simple, and -”

 “Lemon drops.” You leaned in. “It’s easy and you can make a lot of ‘em at once, Lo.” You used his nickname without thinking, but no one aside from him seemed to catch it, and he nodded, scooping ice into two separate shakers with a smile on his face. 

 “Sounds good. Aub, why don’t you get the lemons ready and -” She was already moving, swiftly dipping the slices of fruit into sugar and attaching them to the rims of the shot glasses as Logan reached for a bottle of vodka. By the time both shakers were ready to go, Marlie had her phone out, recording video of the process, and as Logan and Aubrey turned to each other grinning and moving their arms to mix the liquor with lemon juice and the simple syrup, you were laughing too. This is fun. They poured the drinks, emptying the shakers entirely, and then started to pass them out, Logan handing you the second to last shot glass, fingertips meeting yours again. “To all of you.” He raised his glass, looking out over the crowd, nodding. “For making this event possible year after year.” 

 He was met with applause and a few cheers, but Logan met your eyes again as he clinked the edge of his shot glass against yours - and a few others - before lifting the glass to his lips, the lemon slice held in his opposite hand. To you, Logan. You closed your eyes and swallowed the shot before sucking on the sugared lemon slice, the tang of the chilled fruit jice delicious as it slid down your throat. Setting the glass down, you turned to Marlie, who was laughing hard with the man and woman next to her, one hand pushing her empty glass toward Logan’s side of the bar. “I’m gonna go to the bathroom, alright?” She nodded, glancing at you. “Save my seat.” You pulled your half finished drink to the edge of the bar and she moved her jacket to the empty space with yours as you stood, eyes scanning the back hallway for the restrooms. 

 Pushing your way through a few people, you made your way into the small room. After using the toilet, you stood in front of the mirror, fixing your hair and reapplying your lipstick in the low light. There were women around you taking selfies in the mirror, arms draped around each other as they laughed, and you smiled too as you left the room, turning back toward the main area of the bar. Before you could take more than a few steps, you felt a hand close around your elbow, pulling you backward. “C’mere.” 

 Logan pulled you into the office across from the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind you. “Logan, what are you -” But he cut you off quickly, lips moving against yours. 

 “Shut up and let me kiss you.” You nodded, hands going into his hair as he pressed you backwards and against the wall. He hadn’t been this close since Nassau, the way he’d pressed you against the glass door in the dark hotel room filling your mind. I can’t be this close to him without…You groaned, pulling on his hair and not caring that you were likely going to mess it up, his hands at your waist and pushing the shirt you wore up to expose the skin of your stomach. You tasted the shot he’d just taken as his tongue entered your mouth, meeting yours as you kissed him without restraint for the first time in weeks. Logan had been good with keeping things from getting too intense, keeping your bodies mostly separated when you kissed in order to reduce the temptation, but you could feel in his grip that he was unable to keep doing so. Good. “We don’t have long, I’ve gotta go outside and take Charlie’s place while he performs, but I couldn’t…”

 He sighed out your name as his lips moved down your throat, your hands falling to his shoulders. “Logan, don’t start something…Oh!” You gasped as he bit down on your collarbone, teeth latching on. “Logan, stop.” He lifted his head immediately, mouth open slightly as his breath came out hard. “Hey, come on.” You touched the side of his face, leaning in to press your lips to his. “As much as I’d like to let you continue this, I don’t think we should get caught in the office of a bar at a charity event before…”

 “Before what?” He wasn’t mad - you could see it on his face and hear it in his voice, but he was curious. “Hmm?” 

 “Before… we figure out what this is and where it’s going, Lo.” You used both hands to fix his hair, combing the strands back into place. “I don’t want people to think of me as just another…” He nodded, eyes going wide. 

 “I’m sorry, I didn’t even consider…” He stepped away from you and you immediately missed the closeness, your hands dropping to your sides. “I’ve never had to…” You nodded, catching your breath. He’s never worried before. “I’m glad you came.” Logan stepped closer to you again, reaching up to rub a thumb gently over your lips. “Been watchin’ you.” 

 “I know.” You puckered your lips, kissing his thumb. “I’ve been watching you watch me.” He grinned at that. “I’ve also been listening to Marlie talk about how much she -” 

 “The only one I’m leavin’ this place with tonight is you.” He leaned in again, lips hovering over your ear. “She’s got no chance. Never did. I’ve seen her before, and…” Logan groaned, his hands roaming over your back, the heat from them noticeable even though the material of your shirt. “Don’t want her.” You turned your head toward his, feeling the rasp of his beard over your cheek and then you were kissing Logan again, mouths open as he pushed you back against the door, the weight of his body solid against yours. “Want you.” You moaned his name out and into his mouth, hands at his hips, and knew that unless you pushed him away again, you’d be knocking the items off of the manager’s desk and Logan would be having his way with you. No. Not like this. 

 With great difficulty, you separated from Logan, again using your hands to fix his hair. “Lo, you gotta stop.” You took a deep breath, closing your eyes. “Not here, not like this, Logan.” He took a half step back, his eyes flashing. “We’ve waited weeks, we can wait a few more hours.” You touched his cheek, nodding. “You already know how I feel. I’m not turning you away, I’m just telling you to wait.” Heart pounding, you watched as he thought about what you’d said. He’s different now, he’s not going to take this as… 

 “I know.” He closed his eyes and wrinkled his nose, pulling his hands away from your frame and dropping them to his sides, fingers flexing. “I don’t want this for you either, but I’m tired of waitin’, tired of remembering what it felt like to have you... “ He met your eyes, and you could see that he’d calmed down, if only slightly. “Soon as I get you into bed again? I’m never gonna let you leave.” You shivered at his words but nodded, stepping away from the door to allow Logan to pass, but he paused with one hand on the knob. “Wait a minute after I leave an’ then come out to the back patio. That’s where I’ll be for the rest of the night, I gotta… Charlie starts in less than fifteen, so…” He shrugged, looking over his shoulder at you. “Plus, the crowd outside is usually younger, more fun.” What does that mean? “Hey.” He spoke again, voice serious. “Eat somethin’ else. Don’t get drunk.” 

 “I will, Logan.” You swallowed and he exited the room, door shutting behind him. Oh, holy fuck. You’d been overwhelmed by Logan since you’d met him in the airport, but at that moment, you were entirely unsure of what your next move would be. At least I know he still wants me. The thought steadied you, and you took a deep breath, pulling the door open. Back to the bar. 

 --- 

 Someone had taken your seat at the bar, but Marlie’d saved your drink, and so the two of you made your way out to the back patio, working your way through the crowd and toward the far end of the space. There was a microphone set up on the astroturf, and you figured that it was where Charlie would be performing, as it was the only area where people weren’t gathered. He was right, everyone is younger out here. Your eyes scanned the crowd, which was much thicker surrounding the outdoor bar. Damn, she’s gorgeous. You found Logan, laughing behind the bar with the second woman, this one blonde, and tried not to focus on the way she was working with him, the smaller size of the bar leading to them being in much closer proximity. She’s engaged, and she’s happy, it’s fine. “He’s starting, look!” Marlie tugged on your arm, pointing toward the grassy area, where Charlie had walked out, one hand grasping the microphone. 

 For the next twenty minutes, you watched the man and didn’t stop laughing. By the time his set ended, you were wiping tears away, glad you’d chosen waterproof mascara, but you were ready for another drink. “I’ll go get us drinks, Marlie, there’s still a ton of people at the bar, and it’ll be easier if one of us goes - why don’t you get a table and see if -”

 “Tacos?” You nodded, and the other woman laughed, holding her hand out for your jacket. “On it. I don’t care what you get me to drink, just no gin.” I can handle that. You turned away from her and walked to the bar, setting your empty glass down on one of the carts that was waiting against the wall. Push through. There were more women outside, and you watched as they leaned over the bar, calling out Logan’s name and asking him for drinks, phones in hand. Though it was the middle of January and there was a definite chill in the air, you noticed that a lot of them were still dressed like it was summer - thin shirts that showed a lot of skin, short, tight dresses, tall heels that left their long legs on display as they waited. Guess I didn’t get the memo. While you’d dressed up for the event in a new pair of dark jeans, ankle boots and a comfortable, fitted top, you knew - even only seeing them briefly - that you didn’t compare to them when it came to your style, nor did you compare to them when it came to showing off your body. That’s what used to get his attention, it’s what… You frowned as you realized that of the 300 people at the event, chances were that at least a few of them had caught Logan’s eye at one point or another, but quickly chased the thought away. He said I’m going home with him. The last two months haven’t been for nothing. 

 “And what can I get you?” His voice reached your ears as Logan leaned over the bar toward you, ignoring the others around you - and a few camera flashes - as he rested his elbows atop it. “Thirsty?” Oh, Logan. You have no idea.

 “I am.” You paused. “Just give me two of the lemonade things and a water, please.” one corner of his mouth lifted briefly, but he nodded, standing up straight and reaching beneath the bar, filling up a plastic cup with ice and then using the nozzle to fill it with water. “Thank you.” You took it from him, bringing the straw to your lips and taking a long drink, eyes closing. Needed that. By the time he’d finished pouring the lemonades for you, you were done with your water, reaching both hands out to pick them up, but before you could turn away to find Marlie’s table, Olivia’s voice - loud and commanding - stopped you. 

 “You know what we need?” She paused, stepping next to Logan and reaching up to put a hand on his shoulder. “A way to make some more money for these charities.” The crowd cheered, and you raised an eyebrow as you watched, Logan’s expression growing confused. “Who wants a picture with Logan?” There was a loud cheer, but Logan shook his head, opening his mouth to speak. “Five bucks, you can take one over the bar… ten and he’ll come out over there.” She glanced up at him, grinning. “You know they’ll pay, Delos, and if you start wandering the crowd, I’ll be able to handle the bar by myself.” He considered it and then raised a hand to his face, scrubbing over his beard. “C’mon, Logan, think of this as…”

 “Who’s gonna take the money?” He turned to face Olivia, crossing his arms. “Can’t just have people shovin’ money down my shirt, that’s not... “ The woman laughed out loud, her head tossed back and then she straightened up, glancing around. You watched, both drinks still in hand as she pulled one of the beer buckets from beneath the bar, holding it up. “Olivia, what -” 

 “Logan needs someone to keep track of all the money he’s about to make.” Olivia held the metal bucket above her head, turning to face the crowd in front of the bar, eyes moving over everyone gathered. “Any volunteers?” She raised an eyebrow, even as you felt people around you push, trying to make their way closer as they nominated themselves. Jesus. 

 “Her.” Logan pointed, one long finger aimed at you. “Go give that drink to your friend and then come back here. You’ve got a very important job.” Opening your mouth to turn him down, you stopped yourself. Why? Why would I? You nodded at him, fighting back a smile, and pushed away through the crowd, hearing Olivia ask who the first person would be to get a picture. Making your apologies to Marlie, you told her what had happened, and though she looked disappointed, you saw that she’d taken a seat at a table next to another large group, two of the chairs at that table already turned toward her and a tray of tacos being shared. 

 “Looks like he’s made his choice for the night.” She sounded slightly bitter, but you only rolled your eyes, drinking half of your drink in one swallow. “Lucky bitch.” 

 “I’ll probably only… it won’t be long, people already paid a shit ton to come in here, why would they pay more to -” 

 “Because it’s Logan Delos.” She gestured toward the bar. “And he -” She shook her head. “God, what are you still doing over here with me?” Marlie waved her hand. “Go.” She raised an eyebrow. “Make sure you get a good picture out of it… call it your fee.” You finished the drink, leaving the empty on the table, and headed back to the bar, carrying your coat. Instead of trying to push through the crowd, you went to the open end of the bar, stepping back and catching Olivia’s attention. 

 “My friend’s here, but I don’t know how long it…” You held your coat up. “Can I keep…” She took it from your hands, laying it on a shelf behind her. 

 “Delos!” She called out, and you watched as Logan smiled into a camera, hands flat against the bar as he leaned over it. “Your help’s back.” Logan turned from the front of the bar and toward you, walking the few feet until he reached where you stood, bucket held in one hand. You saw that there were already a bunch of bills in it, and when Logan handed it to you, you took it wordlessly. “I expect you to make a ton of money, Delos.” Olivia leaned in. “Don’t make me call Jason back here to help me show you up.” Logan laughed but nodded, and then stepped next to you, putting a hand on your lower back as you moved out into the crowd. 

 “Least we get to spend some time together.” Before you could answer, a few women walked up to Logan, phones and money at the ready Alright, Logan, let’s do this. 

--- 

 Forty five minutes later, you and Logan were back outside on the patio, and you’d made two separate trips to replace your buckets. It wasn’t that they were completely full, but you hadn’t wanted to walk around with so much money hanging from your fingers in a large crowd. He’d taken more pictures than you could count, men and women more than happy to donate to the charities if it meant they got to snap a photo with him, most of them throwing larger bills than the ones Olivia had suggested into your bucket. This is insane. The crowd inside had thinned, but it was still busy, and Logan had even taken a few pictures with Charlie and Aburey, laughing as he did so. 

 It wasn’t all pictures; Logan stopped to talk to people every now and then, greeting them by name, shaking their hands and introducing you to them too, again calling you his friend, hand resting on your back as a show of support. It felt good, even if you two didn’t have privacy, to be next to him again in public, to feel the occasional, casual brush of his fingers against your arm, hear him laughing next to your ear. “How much do you think I made?” Logan had paused next to the bar again, reaching over for a large cup of water, handing you one too. “Couple hundred maybe?” 

 “More, Lo.” You looked down into the bucket you carried, mentally counting what was in it. “Over five, probably… maybe… maybe more?” He took the container from your fingers and handed it to the bartender that was still with Olivia, his eyes on the woman as she moved to dump it in with the rest. “You gonna get back behind there? There’s still time, you -”

 “Nah. She’s got it covered.” Logan gestured to Olivia, who was serving drinks quickly. “And they’re fine inside, Charlie and Aubrey will keep those people happy.” He looked down, checking his watch. “And there’s only about a half hour left til the event’s over, so…” He shrugged. “I’m done for the night.” He pressed his lips together. “You gonna leave with your friend?” Frowning, you turned to look at the table where Marlie had been sitting, finding that she was no longer there. Where’d you go? Eyes scanning the crowd, you pulled your phone out to call her, but saw a message on the screen. Left with some friends, hope you’re having a good night.

 “She’s…” You typed a response back, telling her to be careful before sliding the device back into your pocket. “She found someone she knew, left to go to a different bar.” She must be really mad at me, she didn’t even try to get a picture with Logan. 

 “Huh.” Logan leaned in, his voice quiet. “Guess you’re stuck with me for the rest of the night then.” Before you could react, he’d kissed your cheek and straightened back up, eyes warm under the strings of lights that hung above you. “On second thought, maybe I will go back behind the bar… make you a real drink.” 

 --- 

He’d done just that, beckoning you to an empty barstool while he looked over the alcohol selection. He got sidetracked twice - other people asking him for drinks, and because technically the event still wasn’t over, Logan poured them, the same brilliant smile on his face that had been there before still present. “Where’d you learn to bartend, Lo?” You watched as he poured your drinks from the shaker and into rocks glasses, garnishing both of them with orange slices and dropping a cherry into the one right in front of him, a smirk on his lips. “I’d think you would always be in places where people would be more than happy to -”

 “Had to learn to be sure I was gettin’ what I wanted.” Logan met your eyes for a second, and you watched as they caught the lights, making them look warmer than usual and showing off the deep brown of his irises. “You’d be surprised at how different a drink tastes dependin’ on who makes it.” Logan wet his lips, pushing one of the glasses toward you, his other hand hovering over the bar. “Open your mouth.” Shocked, you parted your lips without thinking, and before you could react otherwise, he’d plucked a single cherry from the dish, lifting it to your mouth and pushing it gently in. “I didn’t forget.” He winked at you, pulling his hand away and using the other one to raise his own drink. 

 You sucked the cherry all the way into your mouth and reached for your glass, the people around you forgotten. Lifting it, you inhaled the scent of the drink before you took a sip, the cold liquid washing over your tongue and mingling with the cherry juice. He’s right. “It’s good, Logan.” After you swallowed, you cleared your throat and stared at him, smiling. Whatever this is between us, I’m lucky. “Never would have tho -”

 “Hey, Delos.” You swung your head to look at the other end of the bar, seeing that Aubrey and Charlie had joined Olivia, the three of them standing in the open area. “We’ve gotta get a couple of pictures with the Everson staff and the…” She gestured to herself. “Talent.” You snorted but Logan only laughed, glancing back at you. 

 “Don’t go anywhere, please. I’ll be right back.” He reached out, one finger glancing over the back of the hand you were holding your drink with. Once you’d nodded, he took a breath, leaning back and finishing his drink in one long swallow, the ice clinking against his teeth before he set the glass down again in front of you. You watched him out of the corner of your eye as he joined his co-hosts, the flashbulb going off over and over at the end of the bar. Sipping your drink, you heard as they moved throughout the open space, taking more pictures, Logan’s laugh reaching your ears - but you didn’t turn around, didn’t want to appear like you were monitoring him, and it was only when it got quiet that you turned your head, watching as they walked back inside. Probably need pictures of the inside bar, too. “He made those charities a lot of money tonight.” The woman in front of you brought your attention back, and you tilted your head to the side, staring at her. “Crowd’s gone, and I just finished counting.” She picked up a money pouch, showing you. “Almost a grand, in tips from taking pictures in under an hour.” You widened your eyes, mouth dropping open. “I’ve been here for this event the last couple of years, and this is the first…” She shook her head. “The first time he’s looked happy the whole time.” 

 “Why are you telling me this?” You leaned in, taking a drink. “I’m just -”

 “It’s pretty clear that you’re here with him, or that…” She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know, he’s… he’s paying attention to you, and it’s not just…” She waved her hand in the air, licking her lips. “It’s not superficial, like…” She jutted her chin out, gesturing to a group of people that were waiting by the back door of the bar. “Like he’d give to any of them.”  It was women that you’d noticed earlier - tight, low cut shirts, minidresses, heavy makeup. Logan’s type. You frowned, the thought crossing your mind before you could stop it. “I gotta watch people, right? That’s my job. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like watching Logan just a little more than…” She laughed and you did, too, turning back to face her. “You’re lucky, you know that, right?” Lucky? “He’s giving you the attention they can only dream about, picked you to hang out with him while he took pictures instead of anyone else.” The bartender shook her head. “He made it known that you -” She cut herself off as you felt a pair of arms wind around you from behind, a chin settling on your shoulder. 

 “I’m back.” You closed your eyes at the sound of his voice, feeling the warmth of his breath as it hit your skin. “What’d I miss?” 

 “Nothing much, Logan.” Heart pounding, you turned to look at him as he slid onto the empty seat next to you, the bartender stepping away. “She was just telling me that she finished counting -”

 “You made almost $1000, Mr. Delos.” The woman grinned at him, seriousness of your conversation evaporating. “Have you thought about a career as a -”

 “No shit, really?” His tone surprised, Logan leaned in, too, resting his elbows on the bartop. “That much? I didn’t realize -”

 “Lots of people wanted to take pictures with you, I’m not surprised.” She busied herself, filling beer glasses and shaking her head back and forth. “But.” She stopped working after she handed off the tray of drinks to one of the servers, fixing both you and Logan with a long stare. “I didn’t see the two of you get a picture together.” She nodded at the pouch. “Made her carry your money around, and didn’t even offer her -” Logan laughed again, and you turned your head toward him, watching. 

 “No, you’re right, I didn’t.” He licked his lips. “It’s funny, we don’t have…” He looked at you, eyes moving over your face. “How have we not?” He’s right, we never... You hadn’t taken any pictures with Logan in the Bahamas, even though you’d taken them of each other, sitting in the ballroom with the other people, walking around on the hotel’s grounds after the storm had stopped. There’d been a picture taken of you by the Delos photographer at the Christmas party, as well as a few pictures of you captured throughout the night, but there weren’t casual pictures of the two of you, even though you’d spent a lot of time together in the weeks since you’d moved to LA. “We should change that.” 

 He was pulling his phone out of his pocket before you spoke, opening up the photo app. You thought he was going to hand the device over to the woman, who was still watching the two of you, but instead he flipped the camera around to face you, lifting his arm to put it around your shoulders and pull you toward him. “Logan, this is -” He snapped a picture as you were speaking, and after seeing it, you whined out loud. “Stop, I wasn’t re-” He took another one, the grin on his face perfect, as usual, and finally, you turned away from the camera, looking over at him. “Logan, come on, give me a second to -” He turned his head toward yours, and in the brief seconds between your eyes meeting and your lips following suit, you saw resolve in his gaze. Logan what are you doing? He kissed you, and before you closed your eyes, you watched as his phone lowered, falling to rest on the bartop. He brought his hand up to the side of your face as he deepened the kiss, fingers spreading out and disappearing into your hair. Stop, we’re in public, we…

 But you didn’t pull away, you couldn’t, and even though you hated public displays of affection, it felt good, knowing that anyone that looked could see that it was you he’d chosen, that he wanted to be with. To them, I’m no better than… It was enough to freeze you in place, and as Logan pulled away, you watched as he frowned for a moment, thumb sweeping over your temple. “You OK?” You managed to nod, but your heart was pounding in your chest for more reasons than Logan’s kiss, and you winced as recognition filled his eyes, the happiness in them dimming slightly. “Stop.” He whispered the word, leaning back in. “Don’t overthink this.” 

 “Lo,how can I n-” You cut yourself off, sitting straight up and shaking your head while gesturing to the people that were still out on the patio, the crowd of women having dispersed from the door to find seats at the bar or surrounding tables. “Come on, be honest with me. There are people here that you’ve -”

 “There are.” He was staring at you, turned in his seat to face you, one elbow on the bar and the other arm stretched out, between you. He was holding your hand; you hadn’t even realized that he’d taken it, his fingers linked with those on your left hand. “You know … you know what I was like. You have since the beginning.” He took a deep breath, wrinkling his nose. “But I’m here now, with you.” Logan closed his eyes. “I’m not proud of what I used to do, but it was my life. It’s how I coped, and it’s how… how I got through every day.” 

 “Logan, we’re in public, you don’t -”

 “Apparently I do.” Logan leaned back in, still holding your hand. “Couplea years ago, I wouldn’t have been here, out in public like this with someone holding their hand.” You glanced down and so did Logan. “I wouldn’t have spent hours workin’ on you, just to take you home for a night. It wouldn’t have been worth it.” He laughed, sitting  up and reached over, gesturing for the bartender, and asking for a vodka soda. “You want another one?” Glancing down, you saw that your drink was gone. 

 “Yeah, and  a water, please.” You swallowed and there was a long pause before you finally looked back at Logan, only to find that he was watching you intently as the bartender set the drinks down in front of you before she moved away.

 “It wouldn’t have been worth it, because even though I like the idea of knowing someone a little bit before I take ‘em to bed, I don’t need to. Never did.” He shook his head, the fingers of the hand on the bar tapping against the surface as you took a long drink from the water cup. “Fuck, I could walk up to just about anyone out here right now and ask them to come home with me, and because I am who I am…” He laughed, raising his new drink to his lips. “They’d do it.” They would. They…Your eyes left Logan, moving around the bar and landing on a blonde woman in a tight gray dress, her attention focused on you and Logan.

 “They would.” He sipped his drink, waiting for you to continue. “So I guess… what I’m wondering is what’s the end game here? What - no, why draw this out with me? We were together in the Bahamas, but that was only one night, and now that I’m out here, it’s like you’ll do everything you can to -” 

 “We should leave.” He interrupted you, pulling his hand from yours. “I don’t want to have this conversation with you here. It’s not right.” I agree with that. “Do you want me to call you a car, or do you want to come home with me?” The question - coming from Logan’s lips - should have shocked you, but it didn’t. The understanding at the beginning of the night had been that you’d go home with Logan, spending the night at his place like you had plenty of times before, but he was giving you the chance to back out, to make other plans based on the way that the night had turned. It turned because of me, because I can’t… 

 “I want to be with… to go back to your place, Logan, I thought that’s what -” 

 “It is.” He picked his phone up from the bar, tapping a few times on the screen. “Car will be here in a few, let me pay, and we can go.” Wordlessly, you finished your drink, sucking one of the ice cubes into your mouth. “Wait.” He put a hand on your leg, thumb pressing down. “You good?” Confused, you stared at him. “Sober, I mean, I don’t want to -”

 “No, I’m good, Lo.” You smiled at him, swallowing the last of the ice. “Someone told me to drink some water, and I haven’t had that much, so…” You shrugged. “I know what I’m saying, and I know where I want to be.” He turned away from you and flagged the bartender down, asking how much he owed for the drinks, but when she waved him off, he rolled his eyes. 

 “Alright, let’s go.” He pulled his wallet out as he stood, fingers closing around a bill before he tucked it on the opposite side of the bar, away from the rest of the crowd. That definitely covers it. “What?” He grinned at you, tentatively putting an arm around your shoulders and pulling you next to him. “It’s just money.” Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to say that? 

 By the time you got back to Logan’s place, it was after midnight. After the crowd at the bar, the quiet of his darkened home was a nice change of pace - and one that you welcomed. Shit, I don’t have clothes here. As the door closed behind you and you walked through his living room and toward the back of the house, you realized that though you’d spent the night there before, it had never been on accident. That meant that you’d always had something comfortable to change into, or had arrived wearing something you could sleep in. “Logan, I don’t have anything to sleep in.” You turned toward him, surprised to find that he was only a few steps away from you, hands in his pockets. 

 “I know.” His voice was quiet, but it was different than it had been at the bar. “I thought about that on the way back here, and…” He stepped closer to you, the low light from the kitchen illuminating half of his features. “I’ve got a shirt you can wear, maybe some…” He pulled a hand out of his pocket and slid his fingers up your arm, stopping near your elbow. “I didn’t want you to feel like this.” 

 “What?” You stared up at him, waiting. “Feel like…”

 “Like I was stringing you along.” He moved even closer, and you took a step back, though you weren’t trying to get away from him. “Because I’m not.” I… “That night, in Nassau? Everything happened fast. And I spent that whole next few days thinkin’ about how I told you that I was trying to be different, and yet I… I let myself get caught up, and I treated you like…” He shook his head, hair falling over one eye. “I’m glad it happened, but I’m also glad that we had those days after because…” 

 “Because what, Lo?” Your hand moved to his hip fingers sliding into one of his belt loops. “I’m glad too, but…”

 “Because I got to know you, outside of…” He stopped speaking and your mind wandered back to the hotel room - sitting on the chair and talking to him as your hair dripped down your back, sitting cross-legged on the bed and asking him questions, the way he’d stepped behind you in front of the sliding door without pause, how turning and kissing him had been so easy, making you forget about the memories of the resort that you’d thought you’d never let go of. I knew what he was like and I didn’t care… so why do I care now? Why is it such … You frowned, Logan’s eyes still on you. “These last few months have been… hard, to tell you the truth. I just wanted to… fuck, all I’ve wanted to do was be with you again, but I needed you to know, needed you to understand that it wasn’t just about the sex with you, it wasn’t just that I wanted to get you in bed again.” He took a breath. “Do you know how hard it is for me to sleep next to you and not touch you? To kiss you and then pull away before you can feel how…” He swore, shaking his head. “The Bahamas was one thing. That feels like it was supposed to happen, but it also felt too close to what I’d gotten used to for me to be completely fine with it.” 

 “I get that, Logan. But I knew what I was -” 

 “It doesn’t matter. You spent hours tellin’ me about your past and opening up to me, and then we slept together and couldn’t do anything about it for the next few days, and then we just go? Not see each other for weeks? I wasn’t going to do the same thing twice.” He leaned down, putting his other arm around you, palm flat against your back. “Wasn’t just gonna walk into your place that first night and drag you back into bed even though that’s all I wanted to do.” That’s all I wanted, too. “I wanted to show you that it was about more than that with you, that I wanted to know you before…” He sounded unsure, but continued speaking, words coming out faster and faster. “It’s easy to get caught up in someone because of sex, and believe me, I know that too well, but that’s not real, there has to be somethin’ else, or that’s all it’s ever gonna be.” You tilted your face up, feeling Logan’s lips moving against yours. “I don’t want it to be ‘just’ anything with you.” 

 He fell silent after that, and the two of you stood in front of Logan’s patio door, arms around each other. It was a lot to consider - but you didn’t want to lie to yourself. He’d addressed many of the fears you’d been afraid to talk about with him, hitting on the points that you’d gone over in your head. “Logan, we’re adults.” You took a deep breath, knowing that his silence was his way of giving you a chance to speak. “We both know what we want, we both… understand that it feels like…” What exactly does it feel like? “I feel like you pushed me away, Logan, once I got here. Yeah, we’re friends, but it feels like you’ve been trying to… I don’t know, keep me from getting closer than that.” 

 “What did I tell you in that office?” He pressed his lips to yours gently, head shaking back and forth. “I want you, but I know that once I have you again, it’s not gonna be enough.” He stepped forward, this time pushing you backwards, your feet moving with his without pause. You’d been closer to the closed patio door than you realized, and too soon, you felt it against your back, Logan’s body pressed against your front, but not to trap you. You brought a hand up, fingers unconsciously moving back to his hair and that spot behind his ear that you’d found without even trying in the hotel. He groaned and turned his head away from you, dropping it forward and kissing your neck, breathing your name out as his lips moved over your skin. “I want you to be sure.” He lifted his lips away from your neck, pausing for a moment before he kissed you quickly, chest pressed against yours, the hand that had been on your back moving to rest against the glass next to you. “It’s up to you now, what happ-”

 “You call that a kiss, Delos?” You leaned forward, lips landing on his, teeth closing around his lower lip before you pulled away. “You can do better.” He laughed quietly, but then kissed you again, fingers returning to your hips on both sides, your arms going around his neck. He was pressed against you; the entire length of his torso a welcome weight after weeks without it, and when, after a few seconds, you parted your lips against his, Logan didn’t waste time, using the opening to his advantage and kissing you deeply - nothing held back. It was different than it had been in the office; you didn’t sense urgency in his kiss, it didn’t feel like he was letting himself act on instinct. He meant it. He pulled back first, taking a second to compose himself, and you untangled your fingers from his hair, deciding in an instant what you wanted. “Bed, Lo. Now.” 

 ---

[orange-waterfalls]

It's Not A Joke

Captain Magnum x gender neutral!reader

@sierracolorstheworldofwords ty for the request!

A/N: The ending was a bit rushed because I wanted to get it done before I went to sleep and it is almost midnight,,, so,,, uh Rated T for swearing. Magnum being an oblivious FUCK and reader getting tired of his bullshit. Fluff. Slight angst at some points. This one's a bit short, sorry. Enjoy!

Word Count: 1.9k

--

You stare at Captain Magnum and sigh. He was so wonderful… he was fun, handsome, not to mention tall…

It's really no surprise you have a crush on him.

Every single person on the crew knows of your little crush, and you know that they know. It was obvious! You'd always stutter around him, you blushed whenever he complimented you, and you did everything he asked of you immediately and without question. Everyone knows.

Except, of course, the captain himself.

Everyone was surprised he didn't know, including you. You thought you were being pretty open about it. Granted, you hadn't actually told him yet, but he probably should've figured it out by now. For a pirate captain, he was pretty dumb.

"Really? Again?" Magnum's previous first mate asks. You'd started talking to him after you were made first mate, and you two got along. You both could complain about the captain to each other. You also learned his name was First Mate John. Well… just John now. You'd have to help him come up with a pirate name soon. You were a pretty shy person, but you were less so around John. You felt like you could be comfortable around him.

"Yes, again. What else am I supposed to do?" You scoff.

"I dunno... tell 'im?"

"If he hasn't figured it out by now, I'm not sure I want to," you both laugh.

"Fair enough," he smirks, 'but are ye at least gonna drop some hints or somethin'?" You slowly turn your head towards him.

"What do you think I've been doing the last 3 months?" You joke. He snorts and pats your shoulder.

"Best o' luck t' ye, kid," he chuckles. You give him a small wave goodbye and go back to looking at Magnum. He stands up from his spot on the stair leading to the wheel and starts walking over to you. You go into a mini panic as your heart speeds up and you go back to mopping the floor.

"First Mate Y/N!" He booms. You flinch at the volume.

"H-Hi captain," you stutter, avoiding his gaze, "W-What can I do for you?" He sets a strong hand on your shoulder and you buckle under the strength, your face heating up.

"I was wonderin' if ye would like t' be in charge o' th' next lootin'," he explains, "Ye've been here a while 'n I reckon ye could do it." Your eyes widen and you look up at him. That was apparently a bad idea because you were unable to form actual words after that.

"We, uh… I do.. I mean I'd… um…" you sputter out. He looks at you worriedly.

"Ye alright? Ye look unwell…" he reaches out and feels your forehead. You almost instantly pull away from him. He frowns.

"Ye're burnin' up, mate! Are ye sick?" He gently sets a hand on your head. You duck away, dropping your mop.

"I'm fine!" Your voice cracks, "I'm perfectly okay I just uh… I need to rest a bit is all! Yeah…" you speedwalk to the cabin you share with John and shut the door.

Magnum stands in the middle of the deck, feeling very confused.

"That was strange," he said to himself, "I wonder wha' th' problem be…"

--

About half an hour passed and you were sitting in your bed, your face in your hands. You went over the interaction several times in your head, feeling the same amount of embarrassment and shame each and every time. John walks into your shared room, looking smug.

"I reckon that went well, don't ye?" He teases.

"Shut up…" you groan.

"If he didn' know ye liked 'im afore, he oughta know now."

"And if he doesn't, I'm throwing myself overboard." John laughs and sits on your bed. You peek at him through your fingers.

"Kid, I mean no offense towards th' cap'n, but he's a moron. At least when it comes t' feelin's," you snort in agreement. "Ye needs t' tell 'im directly if ye wants 'im t' know." You remove your hands from your face and sigh.

"Ok… I'll tell him…" you pause. "Later…" John smiles at you.

"There we go," he consoles. He thinks for a moment, wondering what could take your mind off things, before speaking again. "So, the other day, what were you saying about a heist?"

--

That night, you walk out of your cabin, your knees shaking. John had given you another pep talk, along with a couple other crewmates. You felt a little better, but it didn't really help with your anxiety. Your heart is beating so fast you were afraid it would stop. Your palms are oh so very sweaty, and your legs have gone numb at this point. You barely feel them carrying you over to the captain, who was at the wheel. You stand next to him for five minutes, waiting for him to notice you're there. Eventually, he does.

"Ah! First Mate!" He bellowd. You flinch. "Wha' can I do fer ye?" You take a deep breath in.

"I have something to tell you, captain," you say shakily. Neither of you say anything for a while, and you wonder if he heard you.

"Well? Go on then!" He instructs.

"R-Right… ok… um…" you stammer. You keep playing with a button on your shirt, trying to think of what to say. You can feel his eyes on you and it made you even more nervous. Why did you let them talk you into this? You weren't ready! You couldn't do this. You… you…

You look to the side and see John watching you from behind the mast. He gives you a thumbs up. You respond with a smile and he leaves, decided to let you do this on your own. You take a deep breath and…

"I like you, captain," you blurt out. Magnum doesn't respond and you get scared.

"Be that all?" He laughed, "well, I like ye too!" You blink and look up at him. His face didn't seem to change very much. You're about to smile, but pause.

"Captain… I don't think you understand me…"

"O' course I do! I be yer cap'n, ye're part o' me crew, o' course we like each other!" You stare at him.

"That's not what I meant,"

"Oh? 'n wha' did ye mean?"

"I meant…" you pause, wondering if you should just give up. No. You made it this far. Finish it. you command yourself.

"I meant I love you." You say. He looks at you, eyebrows furrowed. "Like… I'm in love with you." You continue, hoping he gets it. He's quiet for a moment before laughing.

"That's real funny, Y/N!" He chortles. You stare at him before letting out a laugh.

"Yeah. Ok. Sure. Yeah, of course. That's fine. I don't even care! That's fucking fantastic!" You grumble. He stops laughing and looks at you.

"That's some language… are ye ok?" He asks. You start walking back to your cabin.

"Yeah, I'm ok! Of course I'm ok! Why wouldn't I be ok?!" You yell and slam your door. Magnum stands there, wondering what just happened.

John opens the door a couple minutes later and walks in.

"Ahoy bud… Ye alright?" He asks gently.

"I don't want to talk about it," you growl.

"Aw, bud…"

"It's not even the fact that he doesn't like me! It's the fact that he laughed! Why would he do that?" You lamented. John set a hand on your shoulder. He's about to say something to try and make you feel better, but he stops.

"Wait… he laughed?" John asks.

"Yeah… why?"

"Would you mind telling him again tomorrow?"

"What? Why the hell would I do that?"

"I want to test something. Please?" He begs. You look at him and sigh.

"Fine… this better be good…"

--

You and the rest of the crew sit and tell stories. Most of the stories are coming from Magnum, but you're not really listening. He notices this and tries to tell more interesting stories, or stories that he thinks you'll find interesting. You still refuse to even look at him, so he lets other people talk.

"Tell him. Right now," John whispers. You sigh and turn to look at Magnum. He leans forward a bit, wanting to hear what you have to say.

"I love you, captain," you say confidently. The whole crew looks at you, and then at Magnum.

"You made that joke last night, Y/N," he laughs.

"It wasn't a joke," you say. His smile falls. The crew decides that it would be a good time to leave, and that's exactly what they do.

"Wha'?"

"It wasn't a joke."

"Wha' do ye mean?"

"I mean I do love you, captain. I'm in love with you. I would like to be in a relationship with you…" your face heats up and you start sweating. God, why were you saying this? Maybe this was the only way he'd understand…

You look up at him and see a confused look on his face. Oh, fuck it… you think.

"I want a relationship with you. I want to hug you and kiss you and hold you close. I want to make you smile and I want to be your shoulder to cry on if you need me to. I want to whisper sweet nothings to you as we fall asleep. I want you to let me love you." You explain, heart racing. Both of you are silent for a minute. You squeeze your eyes shut, waiting for rejection.

"Oh…" he says, uncharacteristically soft. "I… love ye too…" you look at him. He's looking at you, a slight blush on his face.

"You… you do?" He nods a bit. "Then why in the name of Davy Jones did you think it was a joke?!" You shout.

"I didn' know ye'd like me back! I thought ye liked John!"

"What do you mean you thought I liked John?"

"I mean I thought ye liked John!"

"WHY WOULD YOU THINK I LIKED JOHN?!"

"I DUNNO, YE SEEM COMFORTABLE AROUND 'IM, I THOUGHT THAT MEANT YE LIKED 'IM!"

"Oh my God…" you rub the bridge of your nose. "Why did you think I'm always so nervous around you?"

"I thought... y'know... ye found me intimidatin'..."

"Of course I find you intimidating that doesn't mean I don't like you."

"Oh…" He rubs the back of his neck in embarrassment. "Uh... Sorry I was so ignorant t' yer... Affection…" you chuckle at the apology.

"Sorry I didn't tell you sooner," you both sat there, just looking at each other.

"So uh… should we… should we kiss?" He asks nervously.

"Only if you want to. We don't ha-" you're cut off by his lips settling onto yours. You put your hands on his shoulders to keep you upright. He puts his hands on your neck, tilting your head to where he's comfortable.

"Awww!" Multiple voices say from behind you.

"Get a room!" John calls out. You pull away and bury your head in Magnum's shoulder, your face burning.

"Oi! If ye all aren't swabbin' th' deck in th' next five seconds, ye're walkin' th' plank!" He commands. The crew all scramble to get to work. You sigh and pull back to look at him.

"I'm… gonna go help them…" you murmur with a blush. He sighs.

"Ah, okay... We'll... Continue later," he states. You smile and walk away, grabbing your mop. As you mop, you glance at Magnum, seeing him watch you with a lovesick grin on his face. John, also holding a mop, slides up next to you.

"So, when's th' weddin'?"

"Shut up, you fuck!"

the ending is so obviously rushed I'm sorry lol

[glassesaremyonlyweakness]

Literally about all of my Music Meister headcanons

This is really fucking long I wrote this over the course of a few days for another thing that will probably take a few more days and I went overboard If you decide to read this; bear with me (Also send me questions about him I’ll add the answer to my next entry in this big ass clusterfuck)

- The Music Meister’s real name is Dennis Neville Prowell, but he changed it to Alastor Prowell because people made fun of him as a child for being named Dennis Neville. Plus, he always says it's so uncool for a slick guy like him’.

- He kept his last name cause Prowell is his mother’s name and the guy’s a mama’s boy, he’s soft, give him a break.

- The Meister is actually Welsh on his mother’s side. He’d learn how to speak the language, but the guy knows how to play *every* instrument. They say the brain can never be full but it sure as hell can be cramped.

- Alastor has a little sister, she’s a little baby, well not really, but she’s like nine. Her name is Jacqueline, and her big brother calls her Jackie.

- Jackie was born thanks to a sperm donor, since the father is no longer in the picture. Jokes on him, Ms. Prowell is the one with the fortune now.

- Alastor isn’t the best with kids (they’re annoying and he’s impatient), but Jacquline is his little princess. His mother has to stop him from spoiling her rotten all day with dresses and jewelry and sweets.

- High-key, he really wants to get her a pair of musical note glasses like his.

- (I might make Jacquelin her own headcanon page tbh)

- Of course, the family doesn’t know that their beloved son/brother is the corrupt conductor himself, y’know until he gets arrested.

- Strangely enough, no one of the Meister’s direct family are affected by his singing voice. By direct family, I mean his father, his mother, and Jackie. Aunts and cousins are affected, definitely, Alastor proved such on one of their many family trips back home when he was thirteen and edgy.

- He believes it has something to do with his dad, maybe, but he can’t be too sure. If only he knew the guy more than he does right now…

- Anyway.

- If musicals was a religion, Alastor would be the cool local pastor who preaches on Sundays and actually *bakes* brownies for the fundraiser instead of buying them from the store, *Linda.*

- He loves almost all of them (almost), but will not divulge which one’s he dislikes. He’s gotta stay on brand.

- The man will go fucking off though if you let him, whether or not he’s talking about one he likes or dislikes. He has a lot to say.

- Some of his all time favorites that were on Broadway are Phantom of the Opera (it’s a classic) and Wicked. If were were going to categorize it by how good the songs are, he likes the songs from the Waitress, and Something Rotten, and the recent Beetlejuice musical.

- I think it’s safe to say that he sings those songs all the time no matter where he is or what he’s doing, even the collar that Arkham Asylum gives him that makes is so he can’t sing can’t stop him from humming them at the very least.

- When he gets upset he talks a bit faster and then the gap in his teeth gives him a front lisp.

- Whenever he starts lisping, everyone will know, cause once he realizes what he’s doing he’ll cover his mouth and look super embarrassed. (Spoiler alert: he doesn’t really like his angy lisp.)

- This is getting too long isn’t it

- What else is there I know there’s more…

- Real time, I’m fucking blanking right now

- Oh yeah I wanted to talk about kid Meister too

- Alastor, from birth to eleven, was practically an angel. He always listened to his mother, he did his homework, he ate his vegetables, and he even got that bowl haircut that his mother insisted on him having for a few years because it made him ‘Look like a little gentleman’.

- Yeah his mom was really good at embarrassing him in public.

- Speaking of his mom again, she was the one to give Alastor his first singing lesson.

- He had a heavenly set of pipes and she made sure that he knew so every day.

- His father was less than eager to do so.

- In fact, he wasn’t really involved in Alastor’s life other than having a hand in conceiving him. He always had ‘better things to do’, which always struck up arguments whenever he mentioned it to his wife.

- Alastor has never explicitly *heard* his parents argue, but he would always be able to tell when they did because his mom would send him outside to play for an hour or two. By the time he’d be back, both of his parents would be avoiding each other for the rest of the day.

- Legally, his father lost full time custody of Alastor when he was around twelve.

 - It went from Mom on Sun-Wed and Dad on Thur-Sat, to Mom on Sun-Thur and Dad on Fri-Sat, until eventually, Mom obtained full custody by word of the court. Alastor doesn’t recall hearing from him ever since then.

- When it came to the bullies, Alastor was picked on for pretty much everything about his person. I mentioned his name earlier, but there was how he dressed in a sweater vest everywhere and always had a little green bowtie, his bowl cut, the gap in his teeth, his lisp (which was much more prominent until he lost his baby teeth), even his tube socks aren’t safe from them, just cause they’re a bit frilled at the tops. As explained in his very first villain song though, the main reason he got picked on was because he was a boy who sang in choir.

- At first it was rather simple bullying, verbal stuff about how much of a nerd he was, how stupid he looked, calling him a momma’s boy (as if that was a bad thing). But it quickly escalated to threats and physical violence.

- The worst was *about* to come when they were going to ruin a choir show during his solo, until the strangest thing happened.

- The bullies decided that they would let him sing a bit before enacting their plan, but as soon as Alastor saw them, he got stressed very quickly, and wished that they would just leave him alone. And to his surprise, they did. They just stood there at the last row of chairs and didn’t do anything. They didn’t even like…..emote..or move like,,, at all? Alastor really thought he’d see the guys get impatient and start fidgeting and moving around until someone gave some sort of signal and let everything go to hell, but nope. They stood there patiently during the whole solo.

- They started avoiding him after that incident, strangely. Like when you’re walking on the sidewalk, and you see someone really creepy person walking towards you on that same sidewalk, so you take the time to move to the other sidewalk? That, except Alastor was the alleged creepy person and the bullies were the person who took the time to exchange sidewalks.

- The only other time he caught them again was around half a month later? That was after class outside the school when he was waiting for his mom to pick him up from choir class. The bullies really couldn’t help themselves but make fun of his choir robes on their way out, but he was a bit more prepared for this encounter than they had anticipated.

- He started singing again, belting simple commands and making them pick things up and walk around and

- Listen.

- The power could not have gone to his head any faster.

- He made them dance intricate ballets and sing along to some of his chords, all until his mother finally drove up.

- He released the bullies, and went on with his day, solidifying his brand new status as someone to be feared.

- During his teenage years he fully embraced this status.

- Boy became a 100% certified hunk

- I mean punk

- But actually though I didn’t mean to type hunk

- All of his clothes were either ripped or leather and he grew out his hair, and he kept his sick musical note glasses from when he was young (he just got a bigger pair is what I mean, his head still grew).

- Really, he was the kid that no one would want to mess with, as well as the one your parents warned you about when you were six.

- He was a bean pole until puberty literally turned him into a box man.

- Literally though.

- His shoulders got broad, his muscles got big, and his assssests became uh, more ideal for a villain? Yes let’s go with that.

- What I’m saying is, bean became box and also he’s a part time criminal.

- He kind of just stole little things, like a pack of gum that wouldn’t be missed from those racks of stuff near the cash register at a Stop and Shop or something.

- And then he robbed a bank over the intercom, that was pretty impressive.

- Am I uh

- Am I done?

- Honestly I’m sure I’ll come up with more things eventually.

[justwhymsical]

Cursed (USUK)

Mermaids for Mermay!! Arthur is an angler fish mer who has been cursed to live in a lake when he came across a cursed piece of coral. Alfred found him and keeps him company while trying to figure out a way to break the curse. There’s some language in there so be warned.

Based on some lovely art by my good friend @triruntu! She originally came up with the AU years ago but I modified it slightly for my little story.

I don't usually write in present tense so it might flow a liiitle bit weirdly in a few places, but it was a fun experience! I hope you enjoy it! You can also find it on AO3 and dA; the links to my profiles there are under the ‘My Writing’ link at the top of my blog. ^-^

~~~

“Hello,” Arthur says, and Alfred nearly shits himself.

“Jesus, Arthur, you scared me!” It takes a minute for Alfred to right himself in the bottom of the boat, for his shin and elbow to stop stinging. When he looks over the side, he’s met with a shit-eating, sharp grin.

“I know.”

“You’re mean,” Alfred tells him, pouting. Still, he helps the merman into his boat, careful of all the fins and lures hanging off him. “Do you gotta do that every time?”

Arthur shrugs. “I find it amusing. Your face today was particularly rich.”

“Asshole.”

“Hmm.” Arthur’s hands move to the cooler, where red snapper is waiting for him today. He bites into the fish and hums with approval. “This is better than last time. How’s your research going along?”

“Not much new stuff to report. I’m telling you, us humans just don’t do curses outside of stories. The only common cure is a kiss.”

Arthur’s lip curls. A dribble of blood runs down his chin. “True love’s kiss. I am not a frog. Why the princess ever kissed it, I don’t know.” His voice drops to a mutter. “Kissing frogs, who’d ever want to kiss a stupid frog?”

Alfred just rolls his eyes. He’s not about to be drawn into that argument again. “Well, who’d want to kiss you? You’ve got sharp teeth, no sense of humour, and your hobby is giving people heart attacks.” He thinks he’d very much like to kiss Arthur.

“I only give you heart attacks,” Arthur says defensively. Done with the fish, he tosses its spine overboard.

“I feel so special.” Alfred places a hand across his heart, grinning at the merman’s unimpressed look.

“I’ll bite you next time, I swear,” Arthur threatens.

Alfred has to try very hard not to think about how that would feel. “Maybe there won’t be a next time,” he says instead. “Maybe your true love will waltz into the lake at night, get taken in by your lights, smooch you senseless, and you’ll swim off into the dawn together.”

If anything, Arthur’s face only grows more blasé. “That’s hardly possible, considering you’re the only one who knows about me.” His expression changes, grows more vulnerable. “You are, right?”

The sight of such weakness is rare when it comes to Arthur, and Alfred thinks it looks wrong on him. “I am,” he’s quick to reassure. “I did promise you, and I always keep my promises.”

He reaches for Arthur’s hand, gives it a squeeze. Feels the skin warm up. The mottled flesh never ceases to fascinate him. Arthur’s nails are dark and sharp; he could easily rip through the delicate tendons under Alfred’s skin, but he’s careful as he squeezes back. They don’t let go of each other for a while.

“Will you stay past sunset?”

“Hell yeah!” Alfred grins and traces the darker blue lines running along Arthur’s fingers. “I love seeing you glow.”

Arthur looks away. “You’re really not supposed to find it pretty. It’s how I kill.” His cheeks are pinked, so he stares hard at the mouth of the river while he speaks. Luckily, from the feel of the fingertips running across his skin, Alfred is still focused on the blue.

“You’re not gonna kill me, so it’s fine,” Alfred says. “Plus, I love blue.”

You seem to love a lot of things to do with me. Arthur bites the words back. If he allowed them to slip free, Alfred would startle and leave. He murders them instead, and pulls his arm back to his side. “I would have if we met out there.”

Alfred ignores the words. “I bought more data, so we can watch more videos if you want. The internet still has a lot more cat videos to offer.”

“I wish you’d bring yours here,” Arthur tells him, and leans against his side.

The American pulls a blanket from under his seat, trying not to gag at the smell, and dunks it into the lake. It’s soon smoothed over Arthur’s tail. “They hate water, sorry Art. You’ll see them when you get free though, I promise!”

Arthur bites back more words, strangles them near his heart. He’s accepted he’s not leaving the lake. Alfred makes it better, though. Alfred makes everything he touches better. “Show me the cuttlefish video,” he demands.

“The True Facts one?” Alfred laughs. “Sure. Pretty soon half the views on it will be from you.”

“I like it.” Arthur pokes his wrist. Hard enough to sting, but not hard enough to break the skin. Alfred scraped his knee once while trying to get out of the boat. Arthur finds it hard to control himself at the sight of his blood.

“I know, I know.” Alfred just chuckles more. He wraps his arms comfortably around Arthur’s waist, mindful of the way his dorsal fin is folded between them.

They watch video after video in the calm, the silence between them only broken when one of them laughs. Cat videos, vine compilations, even soap-making demonstrations, Alfred shows them all. Arthur watches with rapt attention. Occasionally, he’ll ask for something specific – ‘Another True Facts, please.’; ‘I want to watch the animal vines next.’; ‘Show me the lily pad pond soap!’ – but more often than not he’s simply looking at the screen with wide eyes. As the sun dips lower, so does Alfred’s head, until his chin is perched on Arthur’s shoulder and he’s laughing into the merman’s ear. The moment Arthur notices and turns to him, eyebrows rising, Alfred smiles and quickly pulls away. His chin and cheek tingle.

The sky bleeds pink and purple when Arthur swats at the phone, almost sending it into the water. “Swim with me,” he says.

In his scramble after the device, Alfred ends up with his face in Arthur’s armpit, arms tight around his friend’s waist. He’s hanging onto his phone with the tips of his fingers. “Careful with that.” It’s not the first time he’s had to say that, and it definitely won’t be the last.

He disentangles himself and stows his phone back into a Ziploc bag. Arthur’s already halfway out of the boat so he gives him a shove, sending him into the water with a splash and a yelp. Oh he’s going to pay for that, but he has no regrets. Predictably, Arthur launches out of the lake and spits water in his face as he soars over the boat, but Alfred’s laughing the whole time and even claps at the display. While Arthur vanishes for a few minutes, Alfred takes the time to strip to his underwear. The merman is waiting for him by the time he’s balancing on the side.

They dive down into the water together. It’s really less of a dive and more of a flop for Alfred, but soon they’re both underwater. Arthur’s bioluminescence is really noticeable when they’re beneath the surface of the lake. The stripes along his body as well as his frills and lures glow a brilliant blue. They contrast well with his eyes.

Arthur grabs hold of Alfred’s hand and tugs him down five feet, then ten. Deep enough that the merman can move freely. Shallow enough that Alfred can kick to the surface whenever he needs air. Alfred is a good swimmer, but even so he can only hold his breath for less than two minutes. They’ve somehow worked around this limitation.

Alfred can’t tear his gaze away from the sight before him. He thinks he would have died long ago, out in the open ocean. Arthur is mesmerising even without the bioluminescence, but with the bright blue trails in the water it’s enough to make Alfred’s mouth dry. He kicks his legs and swims toward the surface, Arthur guiding him along with lazy sweeps of his tail.

“That seemed longer than usual,” Arthur comments when they can both speak.

“Yeah. I’m getting better.” Alfred’s still wheezing a bit. He grips onto the boat for stability.

“I’ll be waiting.” Arthur gives him a sharp smile and ducks under the water.

All Alfred can think about is how fucked he is.

He peers below and can make out flashes of blue as Arthur weaves through the water. Darkness encroaches around him on all sides, and Alfred has to try very hard to not think about anything else that might be in the lake. Arthur’s assured him that he’s the top predator in this little ecosystem, but sometimes it’s hard to remember that in the dark. Alfred focuses instead on the blue, the beautiful blue. He’s sad because he’ll never act, wouldn’t do that to Arthur because what if he’s not the one? And then it will be awkward and Alfred really doesn’t want Arthur to be alone here again. When it comes down to it, Alfred F. Jones is a coward.

The blue comes closer and Arthur tugs on his ankle.

“Coming,” Alfred says, even though Arthur can’t hear, because the word stops his thoughts in their tracks.

He ducks below again, and doesn’t resist as Arthur drags him down despite the jump in his belly. The merman twists around him, brushing up against him more often than not. Alfred holds in his shivers as the delicate frills and lures tickle against his skin. He grabs Arthur’s hand in his own and lets Arthur tug him around. This is Arthur’s quiet happiness, a relaxed companionship that only Alfred can give him. His own heart aches as he thinks how small the lake is compared to the ocean. His shoulder is yanked a bit as Arthur speeds towards the surface. He breaks it alone, and this time only takes a few seconds to catch his breath before sinking again.

He’s closer to Arthur this time, his hands on those mottled, slender shoulders. Alfred doesn’t think anymore. One hand moves upwards, caresses Arthur’s neck and cheek before toying with the lure on his head. It’s a thin bulb, bright blue like all the rest, and Alfred’s eyes watch it sway with the current. He smiles a bit.

Then Arthur’s leaning in, eyes slack and hyperfocused at the same time. As if he was the one awestruck by Alfred, the measly human.

Arthur’s eyes slip shut and before Alfred can move a muscle, they’re kissing. It’s wet, of course, and Arthur’s lips are cold, but it’s not a bad kiss.

Alfred gasps into it, releasing precious air.

Green eyes open in a flash, and Arthur jerks back. His lips tremble and his face contorts into hesitance and embarrassment before he dives down deep, where Alfred can’t follow.

Alfred’s own face screws up. He peers down into the darkness for as long as he can before his lungs start burning and he kicks upwards. Arthur has gone so far down he’s not visible anymore, and Alfred sighs as he clings onto the boat. That was one question answered. Now they just needed to talk about it.

He stays there like that for ten minutes, hoping to catch glimpse of blue or feel Arthur’s hand around his ankle. It wasn’t like he’d shoved Arthur away… Any longer, and he would have been kissing back just as much. After a few more minutes, Alfred sighs again and heaves himself into the boat. His legs knock against the cooler and he curses, then freezes with an idea.

If Arthur won’t come out on his own, then Alfred will just have to lure him out.

Moving quickly but carefully so as to not destabilize the boat, Alfred reaches into the cooler and grabs a wriggling fish. He also grabs a knife, and slits the creature’s throat before tossing it overboard. The knife tip trembles as he peers into the water after the fish has sunk out of sight.

There! A flash of blue, gone as quickly as it had come.

At least Arthur’s tempted by it.

He empties out the rest of the cooler into the lake, one fish at a time. The flash of blue appears after he’s dropped each snapper, but Arthur doesn’t rise. Alfred worries his lip between his teeth after the last fish is gone. He tosses the knife aside, stilling again when he hears it clink against his glasses. Each time he’s dropped one of his possessions down, Arthur has retrieved it… He grabs the glasses without hesitation and chucks them over.

Two minutes pass. Then five. Then eight.

Alfred’s losing hope when he sees a surge of blue heading towards the surface. He smiles and leans back, preparing himself.

A hand latches onto the side of the boat, and Arthur’s head lure is barely visible as the merman reaches in to deposit the glasses on the boat seat. Alfred has a split second to act, but somehow he manages to grab onto Arthur’s wrist.

Arthur startles and shoots down, hauling Alfred along with him. Alfred yelps as his hip is slammed into the side and he barely has enough time to take a breath before he’s underwater, but he clings on. Arthur bares his teeth and continues diving, waits for Alfred to give up and let go and return to the surface. Alfred, rising to the challenge, only tightens his grip.

It’s after about a minute of this that Arthur realizes how deep they are. How far the surface is. How long Alfred can hold his breath for. His expression morphs to one of worry and he loops around so their faces are close together. Alfred’s cheeks are puffed out, occasional air bubbles escaping his lips. His eyes, screwed shut on the way down, open again and he grins when he sees that they’ve stopped moving. He reaches with his free hand to Arthur’s cheek, caresses it. Arthur feels his heart stutter and can’t help but to lean in. His tail lightly wraps around Alfred’s shin.

Then, Alfred’s face shifts. His smile falls away and his throat works desperately, uselessly. He tries to kick his legs but Arthur is heavy with muscle and he can’t hope to tug him that impossible distance.

“Arthur,” he begs, but it’s a garbled mess and his lungs burn even more as a few drops of water slip down his windpipe.

“No, no!” Arthur yells, the sound echoing in the water. He wraps his arms around Alfred’s waist and races for the surface. His chest tightens when he feels Alfred go limp in his arms, and he pumps his tail faster.

They break the surface together, shoot out of the water, and Arthur uses this to his advantage as he angles them towards the boat, with him on the bottom. The crack of his arms against the wood is worth it if Alfred survives. The human is still for a few seconds. Then, his heaving breaths shatter the air. He curls up on top of Arthur, coughing violently until the water is out of his lungs.

“A-Art?” he wheezes, his hands scrabbling for purchase. He finds Arthur’s arm and holds on tight.

“You’re here, you’re safe.” Tears are dripping down his face for the first time in many years, but Arthur doesn’t care. “You’re safe,” he repeats, and can’t say more because Alfred’s kissing him again.

This kiss is wilder, more desperate. Arthur’s breathing hitches and he’s pretty sure Alfred is sobbing, but their grip on each other is tight and sure. They pull apart once, twice for more air, but before long their lips meet again. It’s ten minutes before they take a longer break.

Alfred breathes in deep and uses the moment to stop trembling. He rests his cheek against Arthur’s chest and closes his eyes when Arthur starts carding through his damp hair. He only tightens his grip on the merman in response.

“Why did you do that?” Arthur asks quietly. A few of his frills are bent at odd angles and hurt, but he doesn’t want to move. Not yet. “Stupid human…”

“If I’d let you go, I knew I wouldn’t see you for a long while.” Alfred’s voice is still raspy, still weak. But there.

“You can’t breathe underwater,” Arthur says, quite uselessly.

“I knew you wouldn’t let me die.”

“You have far too much faith in me. I am not some pretty, dopey, red-haired Princess. I’m a predator.”

“Still cute,” is all Alfred says.

Arthur’s jaw clicks shut. He frowns. “You shouldn’t like me. I am not very likable.”

“No, you’re not.” Alfred laughs as the hand in his hair freezes. “You’re grouchy and mean and I really think my heart’s gonna give out one day because of you.” He tilts his head up and grins brilliantly at the look on Arthur’s face. “But you’re nice to me and I think you’re funny and I wanna find out everything about you.”

Arthur’s cheeks pink and he has to look away. “Because I’m an oddity.”

“Because you’re an interesting person, Art.”

“I see.” He can’t help the smile from coming to his face.

“…And I also think I have a thing for really sharp teeth.”

“Alfred!” Arthur squeaks and tries to shove him away, but his grip is too tight. “I- I’ll bite you!” He purses his lips as he realizes his mistake.

Alfred only smirks. “Oh, will you, now?”

Arthur covers his face with his hands. “Why do I like you?”

“Hmm, why do you?” Alfred peppers Arthur’s knuckles with kisses, though his face is serious again, almost hesitant.

“You never treated me any different,” Arthur murmurs, reaching a hand for Alfred’s cheek. “Even though you fainted the first time you saw me.” He pinches the skin beneath his fingers, and bites back another smile at Alfred’s chuckles. “You’re nice to me too, and you always come back.” He can listen to Alfred talk forever, can talk with him forever, though he doesn’t say that. Alfred’s ego is big enough already.

“Love you, Art…” Alfred mumbles, nosing into the hand and pressing a few more kisses to Arthur’s palm.

Arthur feels his heart stop, reboot. He coughs. “I love you too, you stupid human.”

“Stubborn fish.”

“I take it back, you’re not nice at all.”

“Wh- Hey!” Alfred laughs even more. “You’re the one who started it! But you’re my stubborn fish, that’s what’s important.”

“Oh, is it.” Arthur can’t help a few chuckles from escaping. Unable to meet Alfred’s gaze for too long, he looks out at the lake and jolts. “Alfred.”

“Hmm?”

“I… I can go home now.” Arthur feels his eyes well up again. “Alfred, I can go back to the sea, I can go home!” When he looks to Alfred again, he’s smiling more brightly than ever.

“Oh!” Alfred’s eyes widen, and his lips stretch into a matching smile. “That’s awesome!” Arthur can go back…to the open ocean. To the depths of some trench, where he’s happy and comfortable. His expression crumbles at the edges.

Arthur notices. It clicks in his mind. “You stupid, stupid human,” he coos, holding Alfred closer. “I’m not going to leave you, not after this. I meant I can leave this lake, get my most treasured possessions before coming back to you.”

Alfred shoves his face into the crook of Arthur’s neck. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Arthur suspects he’s one of the very few beings on the planet to witness Alfred’s insecurities. He treasures them, and does what he can to smooth them away. “Shall we…try it again?”

Alfred grows serious again as he clambers off of Arthur’s body. He helps the merman shuffle into a more comfortable position, and as he does so, his hand brushes against a particular torn frill. The first time he tried getting Arthur out of this lake on his boat.

“It doesn’t hurt anymore,” Arthur murmurs, placing a hand over Alfred’s.

“I know.” Alfred doesn’t think he’ll ever get the sound of Arthur’s scream out of his mind, the pure agony as his fin started to disintegrate. “I’m nervous.”

Arthur takes in a deep breath. “You love me, and I love you. The curse should be lifted.” If he ever finds the creature who hexed that stupid piece of coral, there will be hell to pay.

“Okay. I love you, Art, I really do,” Alfred says once more, just to be sure. “Tell me the moment you’re in pain, okay?”

“I will. I’m not that much of a masochist.”

Alfred covers Arthur in the damp blanket once again before picking up the oars. They’re out near the middle of the lake, so it takes them a good ten minutes of rowing before they reach the mouth of the river connecting the smaller body of water to the ocean. He slows the boat as they reach that border, and keeps his eyes on Arthur the whole time. The merman is tapping a clawed finger against the side of the boat with boredom, but there are lines of tension running through his whole body. They both stiffen as the boat transitions from lake to river, and then Alfred is throwing himself into Arthur’s arms.

“You’re free!”

Arthur laughs and pulls him close. “I’m free,” he says, then proceeds to kiss Alfred senseless.

Somehow the boat manages to keep floating in a straight line.

“It’s like twenty minutes at this pace,” Alfred says a few minutes later, when they’re simply curled together at the back of the small space. “But we don’t have to hurry, right?”

“Right,” Arthur agrees. He’s happy to snuggle into Alfred’s shoulder.

“Hey, so uhh…”

Arthur does not like that tone. “What?”

“You’re an angler fish, right? Like the fish part?”

“Yes.” Arthur squints at him. “We’ve been over this.”

Alfred licks his lips before grinning brightly. “So when we have sex, will I fuse to you, becoming just a pair of extra balls in your side?”

Arthur bites him.

[dragontearsandunicornfears]

First Date

Got inspired by @roxyspearing‘s fic Date Night which you can read HERE. This is written as a sequel so I’ve borrowed few details for continuity but I asked for permission first so don’t freak out! Make sure you go check out the original and give her some love!

If you saw the Jensen and Jared interview with Conan at Comic-Con there is a not so subtle easter egg. Italics are flashblack

Characters: Dean Winchester, Reader, Sienna(OC Character from roxyspearing’s fic), Brandon (OC Character) Sam (mentioned)

Words: 1875

Warnings: Mild Language, like a hint at implied smut. 

Not my gif. It’s what I imagine Dean’s face during his talk with the reader.

"Anything happens to my daughter, I got a .45 and a shovel, I doubt anybody would miss you."

"Dad!"

"Dean!"

You were currently standing outside of the local theater with your husband Dean, your daughter Sienna and the brave young man who had the courage to, not only ask your daughter out on her first date, but who also resisted the urge to flee when Dean murder strutted towards him when the two of you brought her to meet him.  

Sienna was now beet red and sending you pleading looks while her date wilted under Dean's gaze.  

You decided to step in, knowing that if Dean continued the poor boy would have to cancel the date in order to go home and change his shorts. You grasped Dean's bicep, squeezing slightly, causing his gaze to dart towards you. "That’s enough of that, Dean." He remained tense but, at least he stayed quiet.  

You addressed the frozen young man. "It's very nice to meet you Brandon. You'll have to excuse Mr. Winchester. He hasn't had his dinner yet."

Brandon's face was still pale as a ghost but he nodded with a tight smile. Sienna quickly took advantage of the distraction you provided and took Brandon's arm. "Alright, well we need to hurry. Movie starts in 10 and you know I hate missing the previews."  

Dean tried to speak up, but your grip on his arm tightened. You gave them both a warm smile, "Of course. Have fun you two. Just call when the movie is over and we'll come pick you up sweetheart."

"Sure thing, mom. Bye!" Sienna responded as she rushed Brandon away.  

"I don't like this. Why did I let you talk me into this?" Dean hadn't moved an inch, even as the two teens disappeared inside the theater.  

"Dean, you need to chill. It's going to be fine. Our daughter is great girl and Brandon seems like a nice boy." You looped your arm through Dean's and started pulling him back towards the Impala.  

He reluctantly followed, dragging his feet and frequently glancing back towards the theater. "He's a 15-year-old boy Y/N. There's nothing "nice" about 15-year-old boys. Trust me, I know."

You chuckled, "I know you do and while I doubt he has the confidence you did at that age, Sienna does. So, I'm sure if he tries anything she doesn’t like then he's going to know right away. And I trust her to make smart choices."

Dean grumbles as you both climb into the front seat of Baby, unable to dispute your logic. "All I'm saying is the kid better keep his hands to himself. If I even think he tried something...let's just say Crowley owes me a favor." He starts the car and pulls out.  

This time you fully break into laughter, "Dean after that whole ".45 and a shovel" moment the kid is probably too terrified to even look at Sienna." You glance over as a smug smile graces your husbands face. You roll your eyes as he maneuvers the car into traffic and heads to the dinner you frequently eat at. You had suggested that the two of you enjoy a bit of a date night while Sienna was at the movies. You hoped a greasy burger and a huge slice of pie would distract Dean enough to keep him from doing something crazy and/or stupid.  

"That’s perfectly fine with me."

"What happened to, "I'm sure I'll mellow out by the time it's actually an issue”?” You made sure to lower your voice in an exaggerated impression of Dean.  

Dean replied as he parked and the two of you climbed out of the Impala, "I know, babe. But I didn’t think it would happen this fast. I swear just yesterday I was threatening Sammy the same way."

You smiled fondly at the memory and intertwined your hand with his as you made your way inside. You knew it was difficult for Dean to see his little girl growing up. The man almost had a heart attack the first time you had all gone on a supply run and Sienna had thrown a box of tampons into the basket. So, his reaction to her asking for permission to go on her first date wasn't totally unexpected.

Sienna had been pretty quiet as the two of you took your turn preparing dinner. So, when her voice cut through the silence, you flinched at the sudden noise.

"Hey mom, can I go to the movies on Saturday?"

You only spared her a glance as you continued to chop up vegetables for the salad only Sam would really care about. "I don't see why not. What are you and Erin going to see?" You had automatically assumed she would be going with her best friend. The two of them were inseparable and Erin was the only friend who had ever been to the bunker. Of course, it took a really long time for Sienna to feel comfortable to invite her over and she couldn't tell her the whole truth but, they finally reached that stage where Erin wasn't scared off by her friend having such an unorthodox home.  

"Um...actually I'm not going with Erin." Sienna doesn't make eye contact with you when you look up from the cutting board with questioning eyes.

"Oh? Then who would you be going with?"

Sienna pauses and nibbles on her lower lip for a moment, "Just a new friend from school."

You quirk an eyebrow and wipe your hands on a towel. You fold your arms over your chest and lean against the countertop, "Well does this new friend have a name?"

Sienna finally looks up and hesitantly answers, "Brandon."

Not expecting the answer, surprise crosses your face, "Brandon? As in a boy, Brandon?"

She nods in response but remains silent.

"Well would this happen to be a date?"

"Maybe. Kinda. Yes." Sienna waits for your reaction.

You stand in consideration for a moment before a smile grows on you face, "Oh sweetheart! Your first date?"

Sienna visibly relaxes when she realizes you seem pretty open to the idea. "Come on mom, no chick flick moments."

"Oh hush. I'm a mother, I get to gush about it. Now tell me a bit about him."

While the two of you finish dinner, Sienna explains that Brandon is on the baseball team as well as the honor roll. The two were lab partners in biology and had been crushing on each other for a few months before he plucked up the courage to ask her out. He sounded like a lovely young man and you felt perfectly fine with letting her go on her date.

"Well, he sounds very nice. I don't see a problem with you going to the movies with him." You paused, "But we do need to talk to your dad about it too."

Sienna's excitement quickly dwindled. "UGH, you know he's going to freak out. Remember two weeks ago when he verbally assaulted that cute guy at the diner? He wasn't even flirting with me, he was our waiter." She groaned and slumped against the counter.  

"I know he can go overboard sometimes but your dad loves you and he just wants what's best for you. Besides, your dad and I are a team. We don’t make decisions without each other." You tried to reassure your daughter. You didn't want to ruin her first date but you knew it would take some convincing. "I promise I won't let him dismiss anything out of hand."

You waited until after dinner and dessert to bring up the topic with Dean. Of course, he didn't take it well.

"Brandon?! Who the hell is Brandon?! I don't know a Brandon!"  

You let him freak out for a bit before breaking through his rant. "Dean! Calm down. Sienna is 15, she's a young lady now and you need to start giving her a little independence. Hell, she's getting her license in like 6 months. Wouldn't you rather her feel like we trust her so she doesn't go crazy the second she has a little taste of freedom? Besides this Brandon kid sounds very nice. Plus, I've already told her we would have to take her to the theater and meet him before we left them to their date."  

Naturally, Dean tried to argue against your voice of reason but you pulled out the big guns and spent the night persuading him to give in. The next morning when you dropped Sienna off at school you let her know she could accept Brandon's offer. You could help returning her dazzling smile.  

When the two of you pulled up in front of the theater, you could see Sienna and Brandon standing together, talking. Sienna laughed at something he said and you could see the joy on her face. Joy which was quickly interrupted by a loud honk. Your head snapped toward Dean and you couldn't hold back from whacking him hard on the arm. Throwing him a reproachful look, rolled your window down and addressed the two. Sienna and Brandon had instinctively stepped back from each other.  

"Hey sweetheart, ready to go?" You tried to convey your apologies in your voice.

"Sure, mom." Sienna turned back to Brandon, "See you at school tomorrow." Smirking a bit, she leaned forward and laid a chaste kiss on his cheek.

You quickly glanced at Dean and nearly snorted in laughter at the look on his face. Turning back to find Sienna smugly walking towards the car, you spoke to Brandon, "Nice you meet you tonight Brandon."

"Y-yeah, you too Mrs. Winchester." He stuttered out before quickly walking away.  

Sienna slid into the backseat, "Hey mom, dad, have a nice dinner?"  

You turned so you could talk with her, "Yeah it was good. Just a casual night at the diner. I assume you had a nice time too?"

"Yeah the movie was great. Really funny, you guys should see it."  

Knowing you shouldn't push Dean too far, you turned back to face the front and realized he hadn’t started moving yet. "Babe, you better get moving. Don't want to block traffic too long."

You voice shocks Dean from his frozen state and he puts the car in drive. The car is silent for a moment. You glance in the rearview mirror and Sienna sends you a wink. She speaks up from the backseat as he pulls out of the parking lot and heads towards home.  

"Oh man, I forgot to give him his gum back." She pulls a piece of chewing gum from her mouth and holds in front of her.

"WHAT?!"

[reactingkpop]

Astro’s Reaction To: Them Having A Crush On Their Best Friend!

first, i love your blog so much!! second, can you do an astro reaction where they have a crush on their best friend. like her boyfriend has always been a douchebag but she have stayed by his side, even tho they told her to break up with him, and then her boyfriend cheats on her. like how would they react, would they comfort her or become angry or like confess her?? sorry my bad english ^^

Comin’ right up!! And your English is amazing~

There’s a little bit of angst in the backstory, but the reaction ends fluffy! I might’ve gone overboard with the backstory, or all of it, so I totally understand if you just skip to the reactions~

                                                     Backstory:

This was the fifth time this week. The screaming. The fighting. There was nothing you could have done, but you blamed yourself for your shitty relationship. 

No matter how much he urged you to leave him, you couldn’t. Despite clearly recognizing how toxic this relationship was, you clung onto him as if he were your world. It wasn’t until last night when you realized that your best friend was right all along... 

It was a simple phone call goodnight gone wrong. You called and called, but like usually he never picked up. Finally after the tenth try he picked up. 

“What?!” The sudden shout startled you for sure, but you kept your composure.

“I-I was just calling to say goodnight. Like we usually do, right?” Slowly, but surely, your calm facade started to crack. Was this a bad time? Is it too late to call right now?

“What the hell are you talking about. What part of ‘don’t call me’ did you fucking miss? Are you really that desperate?” He hissed out in frustration.

That was it. Your body slowly sank against the wall in defeat... 

How the hell am I supposed to respond to this. Cry? Scream at Them? All of the above sounded good at the time. 

“You know what...”

“What now?” You could almost hear the disinterest in his voice like never before.

“Go fuck yourself! I don’t even know why I wasted my time with a shithead like you. Have fun with that bitch that you’re with too.”

 It used to be an assumption, but to your painful surprise you were right.  You angrily ended the call and chucked your phone onto the couch. 

You didn’t cry just yet. It wasn’t until you received another call; This time it was your best friend. You had known each other before his debut days and cherished the great memories you two shared. You genuinely missed him so you gladly accepted his call. 

“Oh my god, you actually answered.”, his answers with a voice full of relief.

“Ha, of course I would answer! Look, I know this is really sudden, but are you guys home right now?” You tried to hide your shaky voice, but to no avail he could hear that something was wrong.

“Yeah, do you want come over?”, you could hear the hint of worry in his voice, “Is everything okay over there?”

There was a long pause...Should I tell him?

                                              ��           “ No...”

“Yeah! Sorry, today was just stressful. I’ll be over there in 10 minutes!” Before he could question you further you ended the call. 

During that entire call you fought the hot tears that were now spilling down your cheeks. A flush of nerves with a sense of shame overwhelmed you. You weren’t the type to cry in front of people. You weren’t the type to get caught up on any guy.

“So why couldn’t you let go of him?”, you could hear him say softly, “Why can’t you let go of me?”

“Because I’ve actually liked you this whole damn time...” It barely comes out as a whisper, but yes you did say that out loud. 

With a heavy sigh you pick yourself up and dry your damp cheeks. 

You quickly leave the house again and head straight to their dorm. A million thoughts pass by on the calm walk... 

Could he sense that I just had a shitty day? Oh god my eyes are all puffy from crying aren’t they? Is my hair alright?

Your nerves hummed even louder through your body as you approached the front door. You can do this (y/n)...Mama didn’t raise no bitch! With a deep sigh you rang the doorbell.

Not long after you hear the pitter-patter of feet running to the door in curiosity. The door wiggles as it’s unlocked and it reveals your half asleep best friend. 

“Hey, come on in.” He gives you a warm smile and a helping hand...

                                                    How they react:

JinJin:

He could automatically tell that you’ve been crying. He wouldn’t tell you upfront, but you best believe he would hand you your favorite ice cream flavor and stay up talking to you all night long. Once you to tell him what happened though, pissed would be an understatement. He’d want to punch your douche-bag ex in the face for doing this to you, but he’d calm himself down for you. 

He wouldn’t let go of you for the rest of the night. Granted his feelings for you may show by how much he cared for you, but the chances of him confessing depend on how good you are with picking up ques like this. 

He wouldn’t be the type to outright admit his feelings, but boy if you caught the way he looks at you. 

MJ:

He’d try to stay as his usual happy virus attitude, but you best believe he’s concerned for how you’re doing. He’d pull out blankets and would make you a cup hot cocoa or tea. Whichever works better for spilling the details... After you told him what went down he’d be livid. I feel as if he may even confess that he should’ve asked you out before that jerk did. AND BOY ONCE YOU HEARD THAT! 

“Do I screech in shock or happiness?” 

He’d be a flustered mess afterwards, but he’d admit that he liked you before that douche-bag ever even laid eyes on you. You’d honestly be freaking out on the inside, but you’d quickly accept his confession. 

A new type of relationship would form because of his tongue slip.

Eunwoo:

Would welcome you in with a warm smile and a quick hug. He’d immediately ask what happened since he could hear your voice break while on the phone. If you were comfortable enough to tell him, he’d be mad just like the rest of his members would be, but he wouldn’t show it. Instead he’d crushed that he didn’t prevent this from happening. He may even tell you the truth as to what he wanted to do two weeks before that asshat came into your life. He wanted to confess. Should he confess now? Maybe in a week when she’s all better?? But what you said next changed his mind all together. 

“I’m glad I came over. You make all of my problems vanish in time” The way your face showed genuine happiness and comfort made his heart melt a bit ngl.

 “ Y/N I think I fell in love with you...” And of course your response on the inside was “ME TOO??”, but alas your body language showed nothing but shock. 

You were quick to recover though, and you immediately accepted his confession with sheer happiness. 

Rocky:

He was already pissed after hearing you like that over the phone. Like who tf made you cry? I swear to god someone is gonna die tonight if I find out?? As soon as he invites you in he’d bear hug you, because wow he hasn’t seen you in so long but you look so distraught!! He’d also be the type to immediately ask what happened and hand you a warm drink to calm your nerves. Once you told him it was that assoholic bitch he’d probably get a lil peeved. Solely because he could’ve prevented that, but he was literally just a second too late. 

Rocky would either respond to you right then and there, or he’d comfort you to the best of ability. He’d want to tell you that he’s loved you for years now, but he’s afraid you wouldn’t return that love back. Unless you told him out right that you liked him or something along the lines of “I’m glad that I met a guy like you..”, he most likely won’t make a move. 

It’s in your hands if you confess or drop a hint reader~

Moonbin:

Would be flipping shit over how it sounded like you were crying. Like is she upset? Who made her cry! Would grab your hand and comfort you immediately. He’d take care of your crying first. He’d sit you both down onto the couch and would wrap a warm,fuzzy blanket around the both of you. After it seemed as if you calmed down, he’d ask you what exactly happened. He’d be royally pissed, but he’d keep his calm just for you! 

“God, why did I let you go out with that jerk...” 

“Binnie it’s not your fault.” 

“No, you see it is because I should’ve just told you that I like you!” 

“........I’m sorry what?!” 

He’d panic a bit that he told you, but he figured it wouldn’t hurt to tell you? He’d simply nod his head at his confession and would brace for himself for the worst. 

“I like you too, idiot.” He’d let a out a small sigh of relief and would hug you close. “Oh thank gods! I though you were going to hate me now...” 

You could never hate him though. He was your best friend after all....

Sanha:

He’d try to take your mind off of it first. Distractions would include you’re favorite movie, playing video games, or taking dumb quizzes. After a while you’d both get sleepy and he’d invite you to stay the night. You kindly take the offer and he sets out on finding a good sleeping shirt and some sweatpants. You both quickly change and brush your teeth, but before you could shut the light off he lets out a small laugh.

 “What’s so funny?” 

“Nothing, you just look really cute in my clothes. They’re so baggy on you!” 

You stick your tongue out at him in hopes to hide your blush and switch the lights off. Carefully, you make your way over to his bed and he scoots to make sure that you have room. As Sanha scours the internet for new memes and funny videos to show you, you slowly start to drift asleep and held tightly onto his arm. He’d be freaking out over the amount of contact happening, and couldn’t help but to stare at your sleeping figure. He’d calmly brush a strand of hair behind your and softly confesses. 

“I’ve totally fallen for you, but too bad my best friend is literally oblivious!” 

At this statement you quickly open your eyes and sit up. “Is that..true?” 

He’d be screaming internally the whole time. Like yes you idiot I have for a really long time, but gah! 

All he could manage was a meek response of yes. You plop your head back down onto your pillow and faced him with a large smile. “Good...I like you too.” 

Sanha would also be the type to accidentally confess ngl.

Thank you for the wonderful request friend~

I’m hella sorry that I made this so damn long, but my writer’s block cleared up and I just fucking ran with this... 

Our requests are still open! We write for Astro, Seventeen, BTS, NCT, EXO and many more groups~

- Admin Ryn

[rellanka]

Yesterday's Trash - slight GOtG: Vol 2 Spoilers

StarkQuill

The Guardians aren't the type to throw away anyone on their team.

It's not what Tony is used to.

Also on AO3

***

Tony grit his teeth as he cast another trinket aside. There wasn’t room for it, not when the small pack he was taking with him back to Earth was already full with souvenirs for the few friends he had left there. He’d picked up the souvenirs in different port towns, here seeing a necklace that he thought Pepper would like, there seeing a trinket that Rhodey would love. Then seeing things for Happy, Vision, Bruce, Stephen, the kid. Things to let them know he had thought of them while he was gone.

He wasn’t going to throw away those items just to bring something along for him. Something to remind him of the good times that he’d had with this team. (With this amazing, fun, incredible team.) The important thing was letting the people that had put up with him for years know that he cared about them.

His own happiness was secondary.

(Besides, he probably wouldn’t be alive very long to enjoy the reminders, anyway.)

He closed the pack laying open on his bed, resigned now to the fact that he wasn’t going to be able to bring anything else with him, before casting his eyes around his room for one last look. It was arranged in a neatly-cluttered type of away, various items from their trips around the galaxy placed in whatever area would fit them. Tony never could resist picking up new gadgets to poke at, and he had a secret weakness to souvenirs aimed at tourists. It didn’t help that space was so interesting, with new things to discover in even the simplest of items. Rhodey had always teased that the only reason that the world didn’t know that Tony Stark was a hoarder was because his properties were big enough to hide it. Now that Tony had a much smaller living space, Rhodey had been proven right; and it was showing. Tony had maybe (almost definitely) gone a bit overboard in purchasing things for himself and the Guardians whenever he had the units to.

Or maybe he had just gotten too comfortable with thinking that he wouldn’t have to leave.

Should’ve known that that wouldn’t have lasted long.

Should’ve known that Tony, being Tony, would eventually screw up enough that the team would realize the mistake they had made in bringing him along.

Tony was yesterday’s trash. With a few exceptions, the only reason that people didn’t tie him up and throw him away was because they still had some form of use for him. With those few exceptions, people generally acted like they didn’t want him around them otherwise.

Tony cursed and slammed a fist sideways against the wall beside his bed before bowing his head to rest against his arm. The Guardians were some of those exceptions. Yeah, they snarked, and they bickered, and they said occasionally cruel things to one another, but… Tony never had reason to truly believe that they didn’t want him around. He had actually felt accepted here. Liked here. And, like always, it was his own fuck ups that had made it end.

Fuck.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck it ALL TO FUCKING HELL!

Tony should have never punched that Sovereign higher up after the guy had managed to corner him alone in the corridor. He knew how fragile the peace between his team and the Sovereign was; Peter had made a point to warn him before the team got there how angry the Sovereign got when disrespected. How the team had just gotten said people to stop trying to kill them. Tony should never have raised his hand to a guy that was apparently even higher up then the woman they had pissed off the first time around.

He should’ve just let the guy fuck him.

Yeah, Tony had promised himself that he would never allow something like that happen to him ever again. And yeah, he knew he would feel filthy and sick and like he wanted to die afterward.

But at least he would’ve gotten to keep his team.

Keep Peter, and whatever they had been building between them for the past eight months that Tony had been with the team.

He knew he couldn’t tell the Guardians about what had happened. They were protective enough that they would have tried to kill the man then and there, still would probably try to kill the man, and that would really cause a shit storm.

Better that they not know the truth and hate him, then know and get themselves killed.

Tony took a deep breath and turned towards the entrance of his room only to freeze at seeing Peter staring back at him.

Peter was the first one to speak, eyes fixed on the pack laying on Tony’s bed, “What the hell are you doing, man?”

“Packing,” Tony smiled with forced cheer, “Figured I’d get ready so that you guys don’t have to wait for me.” He grabbed his pack from the bed and shouldered it, “I just have one request, if it’s not too much: Don’t leave me on Earth. Yeah, I’d really, really like to visit Rhodey and the other’s before the Sovereign cart me off to kill me or whatever, but I don’t want them getting hurt trying to keep me safe. Just, if you wouldn’t mind giving me an hour or so with them and acting like it’s a quick visit before dropping me off on some moon somewhere, I’d really appreciate it.”

As Tony had been speaking, Peter’s body language had closed in on itself more and more, frustration and anger growing openly, some other complex emotions hidden beneath. Tony winced as he saw it and opened his mouth again, not being above begging for the chance to see his friends on Earth one last time. He figured there might be a chance it would work, since frustration seemed to be the prevailing emotion, and not anger.

But Peter cut him off.

“Tony, what the fuck?” Peter nearly shouted as he entered the room to start pacing and gesturing agitatedly, “Drop you off on some moon? To what, face the Sovereign alone and die alone?” Peter turned to face him and searched his face for… something, before turning away to resume pacing at what he found, cursing before demanding, “Are you fucking out of your mind, man? Jesus, Tony, we’re not gonna abandon you just because you made a mistake, especially when we don’t even know why you made it. We’re your team. Even though you’ve apparently got too many fucking issues to see it, we care about you. A lot. We are not going to let you die alone; that is not even a remote possibility. We’re facing this together… or you know, running from the Sovereign until they give up together, whichever comes first.” Peter finished, flopping down on Tony’s bed with an exhausted huff.

Tony blinked, shell-shocked and silent during Peter’s speech, until, “You’re not going to ask me to leave the team?” He didn’t even recognize his own voice, it was so vulnerable and soft. More so then he’d ever allowed it to be in some time.

Peter looked up at him at that, before shaking his head and running a hand through his hair, “Man, the more I manage to figure out about your old team, the less I like it. No, I’m not going to ask you to leave the team. None of us were going to ask you to leave the team. In fact, as of now, until this Sovereign thing is taken care of you’re not allowed to leave the team. Knowing you, you’ll try to fucking martyr yourself and- Nope. Until we know you’ll be safe without us, you’re stuck with us. Deal with it.”

Deal with it?

Tony didn’t know if he knew how to deal with it.

But looking into Peter’s eyes and feeling happier than he’d ever felt on Earth, a happiness that the Guardians had inspired in him more than once…

Tony thought that he wouldn’t mind learning.

***

Of course, the rest of the team didn’t react much better to Tony trying to leave than Peter had. Gamora pinned him to the wall and threatened to kill him herself if he ever tried something like that again, which was somehow sweet and terrifying all at once. Drax said that he would merely pin down Tony’s weak self with his superior bulk until such thoughts left his head, which was also sweet but slightly weird. Rocket just snorted at him before saying, “Damn Stark, I knew that your tech was only a little better than what you’d find in the Stone Age, but I never thought that you were stupid before.” which was practically a declaration of love and devotion in Rocket speech. Groot wrapped a vine around his hand before saying, “I am Groot.” which Tony somehow knew meant that Groot wasn’t letting go until the Sovereign weren’t a threat to Tony any longer. …That was probably going to make Tony’s daily routine interesting if Groot meant it literally like Rocket’s smirk seemed to imply he did.

Kraglin, though, had had one of the most interesting reactions of all, jumping up like Tony’d threatened to skin him alive, before bursting out with, “Are you kidding?! You know how unbearable the Captain’d be if you left considering the feelings he-” He paused while looking at Peter who was off to the side and making cease and desist gestures at him frantically before finishing firmly with, “Not to mention I’m not looking to loose anymore friends anytime soon.” Mantis just looked at him like he had killed an entire litter of puppies in front of him, which left him feeling like he had done a great wrong to the universe, before giving Tony a hug that left him feeling warm and loved.

(Luckily for Tony’s cocky bad-boy image, which was already flustered and nearly torn apart by all the support from his team, Nebula was off the ship while the discovery of Tony’s plan had happened. Unluckily, she came back in time to hear Tony finally break down and tell the team what the Sovereign leader had tried to do. Watching his team react exactly like he’d imagined they would, Tony thanked whatever higher power was nearby that they weren’t anywhere near the Sovereign at the time. His team, who Tony secretly thought of as badass cinnamon rolls most of the time, could be really fucking scary when they were that pissed off. As it was, the transmission that Rocket sent the Sovereign was apparently frightening and scathing enough to shame them into calling off the attack. Which was even luckier, because Tony hadn’t known just how much longer he was going to be able to hold them back from taking the attack straight to the Sovereign’s doorstep.

(But the luckiest part of all of it is that Tony is never made to feel like yesterday’s trash again. His team, and Peter especially, makes sure of it.))

***

A/N: So. Awkward confession time. The first time I saw Guardians, I thought that Rocket said “They didn’t throw [Yondu] away.” during the funeral scene. I really connected to that line, because of personal issues. I have since seen the movie again and realized that the line was actually probably that Yondu hadn’t managed to chase them away. So this fic doesn’t match the movie quite as well as I had thought, but not changing it, because….

Well, the majority of this story was practically me working out my feelings about how the Avengers would sometimes (if not always) treat Tony like trash and how Tony deserved a team that would treat him better and not abandon him when he screwed up. So I’m going to keep it as it is and hope that someone likes it.

Also, yes, I should be working on my WIP, but I am trying to get some work on it done, guys. The problem is that I can’t get a fix on T’Challa’s voice, so I’ve kind of written myself into the corner. It’ll get updated someday, at least. I can promise that. Just not that that time will be soon.