#did we buy them less than 4 months before our wedding? Yes

[odetolovers]

just bought wedding invitations. this fucks severely

[troubatrain]

adore you - m. tkachuk

a/n: when i asked for fics to bring back i had a few people ask me for this one - i have the biggest soft spot for this fic because it was the first one that ever got a decent amount of notes on my old blog so I hope you guys love it a second time :)

Matthew Tkachuk was the bane of your existence. He was egotistical, a little dumb and flat out annoying. But, no matter what you did you could never get rid of him. You were forced to spend time with him because your best friend, Hannah, was dating his teammate, Noah. You actually liked Noah, he was kind and extremely good to Hannah. You couldn’t understand how he put up with Matthew and you honestly had a second thought about your friendship when he explained to you that they’d played together on US teams when they were younger too. 

Matthew had been a nightmare since the first night you met, when Hannah went on and on about how she thinks you guys should meet because you’d be perfect together. As usual, you told her you weren’t looking for anything right now, because you were just too busy for it. But, you went along anyway and Hannah introduced the two of you. You’d never met a more annoying human being in your life, who was so sure you were going to sleep with him that night that you ended up chewing him out in the middle of the bar. When you’d finally finished ranting, he just went on about how cute you looked when you were mad at him and you felt your blood boil. That was two months ago, and in those two months he’d spent every waking moment of his day trying to bother you about something.

Which would explain why, as you were home catching up on some work, there was a knock on the door of your apartment and you already knew who it was. You’d opened the door and like you’d received once a week for almost a month, there was someone delivering a bouquet of flowers for Mrs. Tkachuk. You’d signed for them, not bothering to explain to yet another random delivery man that you were not in fact married and tossed them immediately in your garbage. Snapping a picture and sending it to Matthew like you’d done every other time.

Glad you signed that contract, because you’re going to go broke sending me flowers.

You’re worth every penny wifey ;)

You rolled your eyes at the nickname, annoyed with how often this went on. You called Hannah who’d been the cause of all of this in the first place, and waited for her to pick up the phone.

“Hey Y/N what’s up?” Hannah asks.

“If Matthew sends me another bouquet of flowers you can tell Noah he’s going to have one less teammate,” You practically growl into the phone, hearing Noah’s laugh in the background.

“Give Chucky a chance Y/N, the kid wants to marry you,” Noah says, taking the phone from his girlfriend’s hand.

“He’s a nightmare Noah,” You say, sighing into the phone.

“He ADORES you,” Noah explains, “He literally never stops asking about you, speaking of, are you coming to Sean’s party with us tonight?”

“Will you keep Matthew away from me?” You ask, deciding that’s the only way you’d want to even go.

“Yes, I will try and keep Chucky away from you,” Noah promises and you reluctantly agree to go to the party, earning a cheer from Hannah through the phone.

--

When you get to the party, it’s in full swing. The room is filled with people you knew and didn’t and you were honestly shocked Sean knew this many people. You were thankful though, because you knew it would be extremely easy for you to avoid Matthew all night. 

You were doing great with your initial plan of avoiding Matthew. You were having a good time, dancing and drinking with your friends. You definitely were drunk but so was everyone else at the party. You’d escaped to go to the bathroom, walking down the hallway to one of the bathrooms in Sean’s large home. You stopped in front of his wedding photos, looking at the pictures from his nuptials that happened the summer before. 

“When we get married it’ll be even better than Sean’s,” You hear behind you and instantly knew was standing behind you, “Think about it you can plan one of those pinterest weddings, we’ll get hitched, I’ll take us on a sick honeymoon and we can hang our wedding photos in some big old house together.”

“You’re insufferable,” You say, turning around to face the pest behind you, but when you turned your heel caught the edge of the rug you were standing under and you stumbled, falling directly into Matthew in front of you.

“And you’re drunk,” Matthew says, holding you up so you don’t hit the floor.

“I’m fine,” You say, your words slurring together more than you’d intended, you push yourself away from Matthew to stand up yourself.

“No you’re not, I saw you, you had like 4 shots with Hannah,” Matthew says, knowing just how much you’d had to drink.

“How do you even know that, stalker,” You say back, crossing your arms across your chest.

“I was keeping an eye on you, there’s a lot of people here, and you’re absolutely oblivious,” Matthew says and just as he was saying something genuinely kind, he had to ruin it.

You shook your head at his comment, “You’re honestly the worst.”

“I know, can I get you home now?” Matthew says, holding up his keys.

“I can get home myself,” You say, stumbling over your own feet when you try and move down the hallway.

“Y/N please let me just get you home safe, no funny business I swear,” Matthew promises, wrapping his arm around your waist to keep you still.

You push his arm off of you, “You’ve never done anything funny in your life, and fine.”

Matthew smiles at the insult, “Thank you, c’mon wifey we gotta get you home.”

He grabs your hand and laces his fingers with yours, pulling you out of the house and down the street to where his car was parked. He opens the door of the black Audi, letting you slide in. Hopping into the driver’s seat, he starts the car to head to your apartment.

“You drive a less douchier car than I thought,” You say, taking in the views of Calgary as you drove through the city.

“I think that was almost a compliment,” Matthew says, laughing.

“Your taste in music is terrible though,” You say, pointing to the top 40 story that was playing on the radio.

“There it is,” Matthew says, pulling in front of your building, turning his car off.

“I can get up to my place myself,” You say, opening the door to get out of the car.

Matthew sighs, “Please Y/N.”

“Whatever,” You mutter, not in the mood for an argument. You both ride up the elevator to your floor in silence, walking down the hallway to your apartment.

“Thank you by the way,” You say, opening the door to your apartment.

“Anytime,” Matthew says, heading back down the hallway, “By the way, I meant it, I’m marrying you one day.”

You shake your head and shut the door, heading to get ready for bed.

--

The next week Matthew and yourself had gone back to your normal bickering. You didn’t think much into the weird conversation you’d had in Sean’s house, unsure of why Matthew was so concerned with getting you home safe. It bothers you for a small amount of time, until you heard him compliment your ass from across Noah’s kitchen and you knew things had gone back to normal. With the All Star break over and Matthew flying back to Calgary you knew your small vacation from his pestering would be over.

But, you were packing to head to Edmonton with Hannah to go see your parents. The two of you were both from Edmonton, moving to Calgary to go to college together. While Hannah's hockey loyalty switched over to the Flames the day Noah asked her to be his girlfriend, you were still a big Oilers fan, only cheering for the Flames because of your friends with Noah and his teammates. But, after the game right before the break, in which Matthew couldn’t stop being a rat and running his mouth in the media, you were almost excited to go to the game. Looking forward to watching him get roughed around a little bit. You pack the Kassian jersey you’d bought recently, knowing you’d be going to the game with Hannah and looking forward to pissing Matthew off beyond belief. 

--

You’d spent the first couple of days in Edmonton, catching up with your family and friends that lived there. You were excited to have had the couple of days home, spending time with your parents and reaping the benefits of having your mom take care of you for a few days. 

You were standing in your childhood bedroom, packing up some stuff to bring back with you on your drive back to Calgary the next morning. You finished packing and slipped on your outfit for the game, putting on the Kassian jersey you’d packed. You hear Hannah beep her horn outside of your parents house, and you head out the door to see her.

“You didn’t actually buy that,” Hannah shakes her head in disbelief, thinking you were kidding when you’d told her about the jersey a couple of weeks prior.

“If Matthew gets to spend every waking moment of his life irritating me, I’m going to do the same back,” You shrug, “Plus we’re in Edmonton, it’s fine.”

Hannah sighs, “I wish I understood you guys.”

The rest of the car ride is spent catching up on how you’d both spent the last few days. Arriving at the arena, you both head in, sitting at the seats Noah had gotten for the both of you. You were right against the ice, on the Flames side of course, watching them skate for pregame warm ups. You see Noah spot you, shaking his head at your choice in jersey. You see him skate over to Matthew and point in your direction, the curly haired menace turning his attention over to you. His nostrils flare out, and he skates directly into the boards in front you, knocking your beer on the ledge to the ground.

“I cannot stand you,” You say, annoyed you’d have to go get another drink.

“Look at what you’re fucking wearing,” You hear him say before skating away, spending the rest of warm ups away from you.

“He’s mad Y/N,” You hear Hannah say, pointing to Matthew across the ice.

“Good,” You say, sipping on the beer you had to go get after Matthew knocked the first one over.

The game was off to a hot start, and hits were flying in true Battle of Alberta fashion. The entire crowd was waiting to see if Matthew would finally drop his gloves with Kassian after the media circus that ensued after their last meeting. When he finally does, you feel Hannah grab your arm, taking your attention away from your phone and you look up watching Matthew square up against Kassian. You watch him throw punch after punch, finally knocking him to the ground, Matthew looking over at you as he skates over to the box.

The rest of the game was intense, ending in a 3-4 shootout win for the Flames. You head to the locker rooms, waiting outside for Noah. The team starts to roll out one by one, looking exhausted from the hit heavy game they just played.

“You’re not actually wearing that right now,” You hear Johnny say, laughing as he comes up to you, “You must have put Chucky’s mind in a blender.”

“I’m sure he’ll recover,” You say, spotting Matthew leaving the locker room, making a beeline over to you.

“Sorry I had to give your boy a beating tonight,” He says, still a little mad at you.

“Yeah I just love him, the whole team actually,” You say, trying to rile him up.

He glares at you, before leaning down and whispering in your ear, “Nineteen’s a better number for you don’t you think?”

You ignore the chill that climbs up your spine when he places his hand on the small of your back, “Over my dead body.”

Matthew shakes his head and walks down the hallway to head back to the team’s hotel, not letting you know that seeing you in that Oilers jersey made his skin crawl.

--

When you arrive back in Calgary, you’d gotten four texts from Matthew, asking you if you’ve gotten back to your apartment yet. When you finally do, there’s a box at the door, a large red bow on top. Your gut says it’s from Matthew, and your suspicions were confirmed when you opened the box and revealed a Flames jersey, the number nineteen glaring at you. You pick up the card and nearly gag at the writing

Looks better than orange and blue babe - Matty

You think about tossing the jersey in the trash like you’d done with every bouquet of flowers he sent you, but you something wouldn’t let you. You leave the box on the island in your kitchen, deciding you’ll do something about it later. You set down the box and look at your phone, checking your texts to see Hannah had texted you to see if you were going to meet her out after Noah’s game tonight. You debate it internally for a moment, but decide to go out.

--

Later that night, you arrive at the bar and instantly spot the large group of hockey players standing in the corner. You walk over and immediately hear the sound of Matthew’s laugh, giggling at some stupid joke he probably told. You catch up with everyone and head over to the bar to grab a drink. While you’re waiting to get the bartender’s attention, you feel a hand on the small of your back and turn around to see Matthew standing behind you.

“You look incredible tonight,” Matthew whispers in your ear, flagging down the bartender with ease.

“I can’t believe you followed me over here,” You say, turning your back to him.

“I can’t believe you don’t want to be with me,” Matthew says, “We’d make such cute babies.”

Matthew drones on about how if you guys had kids, they’d probably have his hair but he wants them to have your smile. It would be cute if you didn’t know he was doing it to get under your skin. Your eyes scan the bar, seeing a group of girls pointing to Matthew and whispering, probably about the Flames resident pest being out at the bar. 

“Don’t you have a fan club to entertain,” You say, nodding your head towards the girls.

“I could talk to you all night and I’d still take one of those girls home,” Matthew smirks back at you and while you’d usually feel your blood boil at the comment, you felt something different. A pang of jealousy washes over you at the thought of Matthew giving his attention to someone who wasn’t you. You’d had it for so long, and something in your gut said you didn’t want anyone else to have his attention the way you did. You look at him for a moment, taking his blue eyes and crooked smile, and relishing in the way his hand on your back feels.

You sigh, “You could just take me home.”

You see Matthew choke on his beer, “I can - I - what?”

You giggle at his reaction, his usually cocky demeanor diminishing as you finally decide he can have what he wants, “You can take me home,” you repeat again, running your fingertips along his arm.

“You’re fucking with me,” Matthew says in disbelief.

“I’m not, but you have to promise me something,” You say and he nods, prompting you to finish your statement, “I can still plan the wedding.”

Matthew laughs at the reminder of what he told you at Sean’s party, “You can have whatever you want babe.”

You grab his hand and lace his fingers with yours, leading him out of the bar and into his car. Matthew knew that once he finally got you, he wasn’t going to let you go.

[rhysismydaddy]

Unholy Matrimony Pt. 1 (Nessian)

Nesta’s part of the Damnation Series.

OOF this took so long sorry. I rewrote it, changed it, then deleted it entirely about 9 times. I literally started writing the version before you, from scratch, on Sunday. All parts are linked below, so I’m only tagging people on this version! To go to the next chapter, there is also a link at the bottom <3

ALSO, an important caviat: Nesta is an only child in this one! I originally wrote it for her to be adopted and not know it, but it wasn’t really relevant to the story, so... idk. Just ignore that plot hole I guess.

Parts 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 -- pls like each part I’m insecure

______________________________________________

~Cassian~

“You’re getting married.”

The glass of bourbon halfway to my mouth pauses, because despite being known for being rash and unpredictable, even I’m surprised by the sudden change in conversation.

My eyebrows raise as I look over at Rhysand, my best friend and Capo, trying to figure out if this bastard is serious. His tone says he is, but that doesn’t make sense, because before a few seconds ago, the word “marriage” was in neither of our vocabularies.

He’s been single for as long as I have, although I’m starting to suspect he’s got a bird in the city. He’s too damn happy these days, and the other day I saw him laugh at something on his phone.

Which is weird, because we both know long-term commitments don’t really do well with our lifestyle.

We were raised to not give a shit about anything except the job. We kill without remorse, live in the shadows, and whatever other shitty euphemism you want to use. Settling down in some suburban, picket-fence prison has absolutely no appeal to Made Men.

Don’t get me wrong, most of us get married at some point. But never for love.

Some men choose a bride that’s pretty and sweet. Someone who will donate to charity and help clean up their image. Governors’ daughters, women from old-money families, and social princesses make up this category.

Some men marry to advance their station in the Family. Second sons who will never inherit the business marry daughters of Underbosses to get a nice boost to their status.

And then there’s the ones who are forced to marry by their capo--ie. me-- so they choose whatever attractive woman that’s in the Family and available. Those are always the happiest.

But regardless of the reasoning, marriage in the mafia is heartless, political, and for me, unnecessary.

I know I’ll have to pick someone eventually, but there aren’t a whole lot of desirable options at the moment. Not many of the other Underbosses have daughters that are over the age of fifteen right now, and I have no interest in doing the child-bride thing.

Plus, there’s no way I’d marry someone outside of the family. At my rank, it isn’t an option.

That leaves... a widow?

The only one I know is Ianthe, and considering I highly suspect she killed her last husband and the fact that she’s crazy, there’s no way in hell I’d legally bind myself to her for life.

So he must be joking.

I take a pull from my cigar and look over at Rhys with narrowed eyes. “Uh huh. Sure. To who, exactly?”

“Volchonok.”

The Wolf Cub.

The cigar snaps in my fingers.

“You’re fucking kidding,” I say, honestly hoping that’s the case. He’s either that or insane, and I’d hate to lock someone who’s like a brother to me in a padded room.

Rhysand’s unflinching gaze doesn’t change, but his tone morphs from that of my friend to my boss. “You will marry her, Cassian.”

“She’s a fucking Russian,” I spit, not understanding. That should be reason enough for him to be joking.

In our world, being Russian is a crime similar to stabbing the Pope.

We’ve been at war over New York with them ever since they decided to try and get a stronghold on the east coast, and I’ve killed more of them than I can fucking count. Now I’m marrying one?

“Yes, she is, and so is her father, Alexei Olov.” Aka the Bratva Boss responsible for blowing up half of St. Petersburg last year when the local police refused to buy his weapons. “You will marry her, move to New York full time, and run the city with her by your side.”

“Why? Two or three more years, and we’ll have the city anyway.” Every day the Russians get weaker, and I’ve been responsible for pushing them out of my city block by block.

So there has to be a reason we’re suddenly okay with the enemy.

Rhysand sighs. “It was his idea, not mine. Orlov has agreed to sell our coke in Moscow and Seattle instead of his usual dealer and will supply us all the weapons we need for five years. There will also be no more midnight raids, bullshit arrests on bullshit charges, or missing shipments. He’s offering you a dowry, too.”

I don’t need his money, but the old fashioned term makes me laugh.

“Yeah? And how much does he think his wolf cub is worth?”

His lips twitch. “Ten million.”

“She must be a real pain in the ass, then, if he’s going to pay me that much to take her,” I chuckle.

Not that ten million dollars is anything but pocket change for the man. Orlov may be losing the fight in New York, but the bastard is richer than sin. 

Selling arms to half of the entire world will do that to a person.

“I hear she’s beautiful,” he says, trying to tempt me to not fight him.

“Then you marry her,” I shoot back, not ready to give up the argument.

“I don’t feel like it.” Fucking typical. Rhysand sighs. “You and I both know we can work this deal to our advantage, so what will make you say yes?”

He could order to me to say yes and I’d have to, but he hates enforcing that kind of authority with me.

So I think it over, make a show of lighting a new cigar. “I want Sera.”

It’s a burlesque club in New York I’ve always been a little envious of, owned by Orlov and operated by his men. I’d tried to buy it a few years back but hadn’t had enough leverage on the Russian to strongarm him into selling.

Now I do.

Rhysand--the only one who knows about my failed attempt to buy the place--nods and tells me he’ll make it happen.

“When’s all this happening, anyway?”

He looks like he might laugh. “Wedding is in a month, but she’s flying in tomorrow night.”

A quick laugh forces its way out of me. Also typical of him to give me absolutely no time to change my mind.

Well, I have a month. That’s already longer than any relationship I’ve ever had. 

Sighing, I stand and shake his hand, cementing the deal before I can even lament the loss of my bachelorhood.

~Nesta~

“Chto sluchilos?”

I slide my gaze to my father, because seriously, that’s the stupidest fucking question I’ve ever heard. 

What’s wrong? What’s wrong? Everything.

“Nichego,” I lie, assuring him for what feels like the tenth time as I look out the window. The plane picks up speed and lifts off, taking me towards an uncertain future, an uncertain place.

I might have told him nothing’s wrong, but inside, I’m screaming.

Three days ago, I woke up to find a marriage contract on the pillow beside me. There was a blank space where my name had been typed and a pen waiting for me to remedy that.

I still haven’t.

I’m not signing anything until I meet this... Cassian. 

God, what an Italian name.

An image springs to mind, one of a slumped-over, hairy-chest beast with slicked back hair and a gold chain. 

I know it’s stereotypical and hopefully incorrect, but I’ve never been to Italy and Alexei strictly forbids me watching movies that portray Italians as anything except revolting. 

But looks aside, there’s one thing I don’t need to guess to know. 

My future husband will be like all the other men in my life: controlling.

Men in the world I live in take what they want, don’t ask for permission, and feel like they’re entitled to anything and everything. I’ve dealt with it my entire life, so it’s more amusing than anything at this point.

I guess I’m a bit non-traditional in that sense, considering most of the women around me have no problems taking orders from their fathers or husbands. But Alexei and I figured out pretty early in life that wasn’t going to work for me.

As he frequently likes to tell me, I started telling him to fuck off when I was five.

What did he expect? All the kids I hung out with were the opposite sex and at least five years older than me, so my vocabulary and mannerisms became pretty... colorful early on.

Regardless, I’m just not looking forward to having to deal with yet another man who thinks he can control me.

“Ty vresh',” Alexei accuses, lips twitching. You’re lying. 

“Konechno.” Of course. 

Of course I’m upset, but I understand what’s happening. I might have found out about it three days ago, but I’ve known it was coming for far longer.

As the only child of the great Alexei Orlov, Wolf of Moscow and Pakhan of the Russian Bratva, I’ve been told my entire life that I will one day be used as a pawn to gain more power.

It would--should--piss me off, but I’ve also been told I’m to one day take my father’s place and run his company.

So by gaining more power for him, I’m also doing the same for myself.

Not that I really give a shit about that kind of thing. I started officially working for Alexei years ago, and I already have enough money saved to never have to work again. 

But in the Bratva, there’s no getting out. I was put in this world by birth, and the only thing that will take me out is death. 

In case it isn’t obvious, I’m not a typical business woman. 

My father is an arms-dealer. 

A less than legal one, if you believe the heinous lies the media spreads about him.

He sells weapons to governments, private armies, and whoever the fuck else has the money to buy. 

He’s also built himself a shipping empire to haul said weapons around the globe, runs the drugs and prostitute rings in Moscow, and has enough real estate to rival most small countries.

It probably sounds like I don’t care, and that’s because I don’t. 

I like what I do in the sense that I have a mind for business. I went to business school and graduated at the top of my class, and I enjoy running the clubs and hotels I have. Trained by Alexei himself, I’m ruthless in negotiations, enough so that people started calling me the Wolf Cub by the time I was twenty. 

But despite being good at it, I’m not particularly fond of the aspect most people think of when they picture my career in the Bratva. I detest drugs, have never hired a prostitute, and don’t really enjoy selling arms to bad people. 

The alleyway meetups, the broken bones and bullet holes, and the blown up houses are all a little tiring to me.

Sure, it sounds exciting. And for a while, it was. I used to lose myself in the chaos, used to enjoy coming home with busted knuckles. But I honestly just got tired of it.

Right now, I don’t have to deal with it as much because Alexei’s still alive. But when he dies and I officially take over the family business, I’ll have to be more involved. Even if the thought makes me want to sigh.

I pull out my laptop and look over the financial report for Sera, my newest club in New York. As predicted, everything’s running smoothly. 

I turn the laptop around to show my father, grinning when he pulls out his reading glasses and leans closer. 

“Starik,” I tease. Old man. 

He flicks my forehead, then reads the report and nods. Then he turns to his phone, probably playing Angry Birds or some shit, and leaves me to work.

The plane ride goes by quickly, and by the time we’ve landed in Chicago, I’ve gotten ahead on my schedule for next week, slept, and changed into what I’ve chosen as the “meeting my future husband” dress.

It’s simple and sleek, the black material clinging to my curves without being obscene. It’s long enough to hide the holster on my thigh, not that I feel in any danger with four personal guards stationed near me at all times.

My heels click as I make my way down the plane stairs and across the tarmac to the waiting sedan, and once my luggage and belongings are unloaded, we head to the Italian Capo’s house.

We’re meeting here, finalizing the contract, and then Cassian and I are flying to New York. 

My new home.

“Try to look happy,” Alexei tells me, his heavily accented English almost ridiculous to hear. He speaks English only when he’s in the states, and considering he hasn’t come here since I graduated B school two years ago, he’s a little out of practice.

“I’m ecstatic,” I say, intentionally using a word I know he doesn’t understand.

His eyes narrow, because it isn’t the first time I’ve used this trick, but he doesn’t call me out on it. We continue to ride in ecstatic silence, eventually pulling up in front of the Capo’s... house.

It’s almost obscene to call it that, considering it’s fucking huge. Like obnoxiously huge.

I heave a sigh, step out of the car, and take in my surroundings. The neighborhood’s quiet, likely filled with friends of the Cosa Nostra too scared to make any noise. 

A butler--seriously, a butler--opens the door and welcomes us inside, and as soon as I step in, I have to repress the urge to roll my eyes.

The amount of dirty money in the air is suffocating. It drips off the vaulted ceilings, down the artwork on the walls, across the marble floors. It’s in the little details of the crystal chandeliers and the mahogany staircase. 

Ridiculous.

One look at Alexei’s disgusted face says he’s thinking the same thing.

Don’t get me wrong, we’re rich. Grossly so. Alexei could have ten houses just like this, if he wanted them.

But he doesn’t. He owns property all over the world, but most of it is commercial or apartment complexes--property that makes him money, in other words. This, however, is a massive waste of capital. 

The butler leads us further through the house and into an office where four men wait. 

One is immediately identifiable as their lawyer, his over-priced cologne making me have to resist the urge to sneeze. The humongous man in the corner is hired muscle, if the boxy shape of the guns under his jacket is any indication.

The man behind the desk is obviously in charge, so I’m guessing he’s the Capo. Rhysand or Rhyland or something weird like that. He takes me in silently, bright eyes not seeming to miss any details. 

That leaves the man leaning against the desk to be Cassian Azara.

My fiancé. 

Our eyes meet, his golden gaze beautiful and wild, and I have to remember to keep my expression bored. 

Because the stereotype, the horrible image I’d conjured up in my mind, couldn’t be further from the truth.

For one, he isn’t hunched-over. He stands tall, leaning a hip against his Capo’s desk with obvious confidence. But I see more than just self-assuredness in his eyes. He seems a little too rough around the edges, wild gaze almost like he’s daring someone to swing at him. 

If the confidence didn’t already make him attractive, his looks sure as hell get the job done.

His hairs long and dark and curly, half of it pulled up in a rouge manner that clashes with the suit he’s filling. He has a few days’ stubble, too, like standing still long enough to shave just isn’t an option. 

His shoulders are impossibly wide, narrowing down to trim hips and legs long enough to make him tower over everyone in the room. 

His knuckles are tattooed and split open, and there’s a cut above his eyebrow that tells me I was correct to assume he’s a fighter by nature. 

Usually, that would be a deterrent for me, but there’s something about the way he’s dressed in a dark suit jacket and crisp white shirt while also looking so untamed that has me cocking my head to study him some more. 

He studies me, too, beautiful eyes taking in the long blonde hair and bright blue eyes offset by pale skin. He looks at the dress like he can see everything underneath, and I have the strangest urge to blush. Jesus, he’s toxic.

He’s attractive, is what I’m getting at.

Which is not what I had planned on, considering I’d been trying to think of a plan on how to not sleep with him, but suddenly that’s all my mind can focus on.

His lips twitch like he knows what I’m thinking, and I realize we’ve just been standing here staring at each other for a bit too long.

So I turn back to Alexei and shrug like I’ve seen what my future husband has to offer and aren’t impressed in the slightest. 

I toss the marriage contract on the desk, grab the Capo’s fancy little fountain pen out of his hand, and sign my name on the blank above my name. 

Cassian watches, but I ignore him entirely until the ink has dried. Then I look up at him through my lashes and wink, turn on my heel, and leave the room.

~Cassian~

I think I’m in love.

Fuck.

She hasn’t said a single goddamn word, but the way she looked at me has me feeling itchy all over, anticipation and nerves rolling through me. I feel like I feel before I fight or something exciting happens.

Like I’m primed and ready and need it to happen now. 

Nesta Orlov, my bride to be, is nothing like I expected. 

I was fully braced for some meek little woman, similar to most of my friends’ wives, to come in and smile and say hello. 

But nope. Nesta didn’t smile; she came in like she was walking onto a battlefield. 

And she didn’t smile. She looked me over, clinical blue gaze noticing too much, and left me feeling winded. God, she’s beautiful. Just looking at her made me hot.

She also didn’t say hello. 

Just signed the contract and left, like this was nothing more to her than a boring business deal. I mean, that’s what it is, but... I don’t know, I expected more of a reaction. 

I’ve heard from some Underbosses that their wives cried or raged when they were forced to sign, but shit if that were the case with Nesta. She honest to God looked like she didn’t care.

Alexei, on the other hand, does look a little pissed about the situation, but I couldn’t care less of the old man’s opinion. He’s signed the contract, so to me, he’s irrelevant. Regardless, he and Rhys proceed to iron out some of the details about the wedding and other shit I’m not paying attention to.

Then they shake hands, and the Russian warlord turns to leave. 

He reaches the door and looks over his shoulder at me, and there’s amusement in his cold gaze as he mutters, “Udachi.” Good luck. 

As soon as he’s gone, Roman and the lawyer follow, leaving me alone with Rhys. 

He slides the contract to me, and I sign my name next to hers, making this shit official. 

“This should be interesting,” he comments, vague as usual. 

I sigh, because I have a feeling interesting isn’t going to cover it. 

_____________________________________________________

NEXT CHAPTER

Tags: @elorcan-trash @januarystears @emikadreams @sjm-things @santas-dwynwen @thebitchupstairs @sayosdreams @perseusannabeth @cursebreaker29 @a-bit-of-a-cactus @elriel4life @girl-who-reads-the-books @shinya-hiiragi @aelinfeyreeleven945tbln @ireallyshouldsleeprn @highqueenofelfhame @rowaelinismyotp @nahthanks @ghostlyrose2 @lovemollywho @tillyrubes10 @claralady @tswaney17 @rowanisahunk @superspiritfestival @thegoddessofyou @awesomelena555 @booksofthemoon @greerlunna @jlinez @studyliketate @over300books @justgiu12 @masstrash @aesthetics-11 @bamchickawowow @b00kworm @sleeping-and-books @musicmaam @hizqueen4life @maybekindasortaace

[pillage-and-lute]

The Courting Ways of Wolves (Part 4)

Dumb Boys! I love them! 

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (here) Part 5 Epilogue

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

Almost a month after the silver dawn they passed through a lively little river town. It wasn’t so big a city that Geralt’s senses were completely overwhelmed, but also large enough that Jaskier had good, hearty crowds every night. The nature of river towns like this meant that boats stopped through all the time, shipping goods up and down river, so sailors stopped in taverns and moved along. Every night was a fresh crowd.

Geralt decided that they’d stay in the town for a week. Rivers meant plenty of contracts too, drowners and such. There was also a decent shopping district what with all the merchants, and he wanted to tackle Number Five from his courting list.

Give Jaskier Gifts (non dead ones).

It was going to be easy.

Thirty minutes later, it was not easy. 

“Ooh I’ll come shopping too,” Jaskier said, rummaging through his bag in their room in the inn. “I need a new notebook.”

Geralt panicked a little bit. He wanted to get Jaskier a new notebook, and he didn’t have much idea for other gifts. Then an idea struck.

“Why don’t you and I look around, then after your performance tonight you’ll have more to spend.”

“Good idea Geralt, and who knows, if it goes well maybe I could get us a room with two beds instead of one.”

Damn.

Jaskier linked his arm with Geralt’s and swanned off down the stairs, leaving Geralt to either follow or have his arm dislocated at the shoulder. 

“Pardon me,” Jaskier waved down the grumpy looking innkeeper. She walked over scowling, small toddler on her hip. 

“Perhaps later, after I’ve performed in your fine establishment,” Jaskier asked. “We might discuss changing us to a room with two beds?” 

She looked at Jaskier. She looked at Geralt, who had paid for their current room with a grunted ‘that’s fine’ when she’d said it had one bed. She looked at their linked arms.

“Too many sailors coming in off the river this time ‘o year,” she said brusquely. “We can talk but ye’d be better off counting on the one you’ve got.”

Jaskier shrugged good naturedly. “Then keep it we shall, my dear lady.” She wasn’t listening, calling out instead to a child, about eight of indeterminate gender. 

“Toos, whatever’s in your mouth had better not be for guests.” The child, laughing maniacally around a mouthful of something raced out the back door of the inn, only to be scooped up by his father, a broad, heavy man with a jolly face.

They left the family to their domesticity and ventured out into the merchant district. There was more going on than Geralt preferred, his senses blurring as he tried to be on a swivel to protect against any potential dangers. None appeared though, and he allowed his senses to narrow to the warmth of Jaskier’s arm in his. 

Jaskier pulled them over to a potter’s shop. Tiny vases and bottles adorned shelves. There were bigger pieces too, some done in gorgeous colors and outrageous designs, but the little bottles captured Jaskier’s eye.

“Look Geralt, I could keep perfumes in these.”

“You have perfume bottles.”

“Oh I know, but the colors are pretty,” Jaskier said, smiling at the potter and pulling Geralt along. 

Leather goods. Very fine work, too, Geralt thought. It was next to a paper goods and bookbinding shop, and the two had obviously done some kind of trade. On a display table between the two stalls sat leather bound books of all sizes and kinds. Jaskier poured over them, exclaiming and running feather light fingers over textured leather bindings. Jaskier sighed longingly and went into the bookbinding stall to see the less expensive journal options. 

All of Jaskier’s past journals had been a sort of card cover. They didn’t last well, although Jaskier tore through them so quickly it didn’t matter. Geralt looked at the leather books here, his eye catching on a large, sturdy one in brown leather. It looked good for the road, with a braided leather tie to keep it shut.

He glanced up, but Jaskier was still admiring the paper goods.

What had really been caught by the centerpiece book. It was a mammoth thing, thick and beautifully made in a deep, wine red leather. There were little brass clasps on the side, buffed up to look like gold. In a fairy tale, it would be the master enchanter’s spellbook. A tome. 

Jaskier deserved a tome. He’d written so many songs and poems, and he’d mentioned once or twice that he ought to write it all down in one book. This should be the book. Geralt could just picture Jaskier in the library of Kaer Morhen, with the snow coming down outside and ink on his fingertips, carefully transcribing his work.

It was like with the silver dawn, Geralt could see it so clearly, his little family would all be in the library. Ciri and Geralt and Jaskier all together again. 

Next to the big red book was a little journal, made of the same color of leather. It had a little shiny brass lock with a tiny key tied on a string. A diary fit for a princess. 

He had a plan. 

He went into the leather stall and asked about their repair prices, haggled a little, then said he’d be back with his order that evening. Jaskier walked back into the leather goods stall and smiled up at him. Parts of Geralt’s chest went all tingly and golden. 

They browsed the other stalls, spending the most time at a metalsmith’s stall. Geralt was impressed with the weapon quality. Jaskier admired the jewelry, trying on various pretty, delicate rings and holding them up in the light.

Geralt watched the way he interacted with people.

When Jaskier had first joined him, he’d thought it was all an act, that Jaskier couldn’t possibly like so many people. He did though, and they loved him for it. From the outside it was clearer to Geralt why. Jaskier was polite of course, and complimentary of the workmanship, but instead of dealing in vauge descriptions, he complimented details. He found and complimented something extraordinary about each piece, drawing conversation from the stall owner’s wife, who apparently did the jewelry part of things. He complimented the delicate artistry of a slim ring, then the clever design of a bracelet catch, asking with truly genuine curiosity about each. 

Shopkeepers love curiosity, and anyone would love to have their skill complimented so honestly. Geralt felt himself smiling as he watched. 

“Good lad you’ve got there,” the weaponsmith said. “Husband?” Geralt turned to him.

“Not yet,” he said. Then his shoulders slumped a little. “Not even officially a sweetheart yet.”

The burly smith chuckled. “I know that story, you think it was easy for me to woo that goddess there?”

Geralt looked over at the jewelry maker, still locked in conversation with Jaskier. She was middle aged, but beauty doesn’t fade with age as quickly as mortals seemed to think. She was indeed a great beauty. To judge by the way she gestured avidly while speaking, she was also a passionate and firey one too.

“I’m not much for romance,” the smith said, drawing Geralt’s attention back. “But your lad there is yours, heart and soul, you just need the proper instruments to tell him you’re his as well.”

“How did you woo your lady?” Geralt asked.

The smith chuckled again. “I was a much younger man then, but I stood about without a shirt in my smithy and busily hammered and flexed every time she came by.”

Geralt brightened, showing off his muscles was something he could do. “Did it work?”

“Not even a little. She was completely unimpressed.”

Oh. And Jaskier had seen Geralt’s muscles before too. 

“So I went to her house one evening,” the smith continued, a glimmer of memory in his eye. “I’d worked for weeks to make her something as lovely as she was. Of course, I wasn’t so good a smith then either, but I’d tired. It was a braided metal band, to push back her hair, she’s wearing it now. Worn it almost every day since, including our wedding day.”

Geralt looked over. Silver and gold did indeed push back her curly hair. With her aquiline nose she looked like a woodcut of some goddess he’d seen once.

“And then I did the hard part,” said the smith. Geralt looked to him. “I talked to her, really spoke with her and told her how I admired her, not just for her beauty. Then she invited me in out of the rain and made me tea.”

Damn. Geralt wasn’t good at talking but he really would need to, it seemed. 

“More than fourty years of marriage now,” the smith said. 

“I can’t make him something as beautiful as he is,” Geralt said. A potion just wouldn’t work. 

“I think any gift to show you care would work,” the smith said. 

Geralt looked around at the weapons on display, and the smith went back to shining some of his work. There was a dagger on display. 

Jaskier had daggers, and he worked with them well, but this one was beautiful. 

“May I?” he said, and the smith gestured obligingly. 

It was obviously a piece of combined work between the smith and his wife. It was well made and balanced, but very slim, perfect for slipping up a sleeve or into a boot. It was also a piece of artwork, both the hilt and sheath inlaid with mother of pearl and a mirror-shiny black stone, with silver threads surrounding. The pearl wound about the hilt in a pattern of perfect vines, shining in the black. The sheath was a night sky, a curving crescent moon, fantasy thin, hung in a black sky, lit all around with tiny pearl stars inlaid with painstaking care. The tip of the sheath was sliverwork with more of the pearl, more vines. 

“The blade is silver,” Geralt noted.

“Yes,” the smith clearly approved of Geralt’s eye. “Moon silver, never tarnishes, never goes dull.”

Geralt was going to buy it for Jaskier. It was a cerainty. It was probably Destiny. She may be a bitch but maybe she’d decided to help him on this one. The price was extravagant, of course, and Geralt wouldn’t haggle a penny, not for artistry such as that. Moon silver was wildly difficult to work, too. Magic like that made for difficult smithing. 

Geralt locked eyes with the smith, who’s mustache-which even Vesemir would have been jealous of-twitched in the direction of Jaskier. He and the jewelry maker were coming over.

“I’ll wrap this shall I?” asked the smith in a whisper. 

Geralt gave a hint of a nod. “I’ll be back for it later,” he said, matching the volume.

“Geralt,” Jaskier exclaimed, throwing an arm around his shoulders. “Let us trouble these good people no longer, at least until I return to clean out this fine lady’s entire stock, I can hear my audience call me.”

It was indeed almost supper time, and they bid their goodbyes to the couple. By the time they got back to the inn, the bar room on the first floor was full. The atmosphere was cheerful in the room, helped along by both the proprietors busily filling tankards of ale and bowls of hot stew. Jaskier ordered two of each for the pair of them.

Somehow he always got served first at a bar. Geralt wasn’t complaining, and the stew was hot and good, with chicken and potatoes and herbs. Geralt and Jaskier both slurped it down. Jaskier slammed his ale too, disappearing up the stairs to their room with a wink. 

Geralt knew Jaskier’s pre-performance routine well, and stayed down at their table to give him room. A teen with a face full of pimples picked up the bowls and spoons, as well as Jaskier’s tankard. He looked skittish to Geralt, so he didn’t nod for fear of scaring the lad. Thus far everyone had been fairly kind, Geralt didn’t want to ruin that. 

He sat back and sipped his ale appreciatively. Bartending was an art in itself and not a well known one. Geralt had been in too many pubs where bartenders didn’t take proper care, but this one had. He probably put cloth over the barrells over night in this damp weather. 

Jaskier clattered down the stairs, lute strung and tuned, and Geralt stood. He’d stay for at least the first few songs, but there were more patrons pouring in and he’d move from the table to a seat at the bar to leave room.

A song and a half into Jaskier’s set he realized his mistake. Jaskier could see him, and often locked eyes on him while singing to send a wink or just a friendly glance. He didn’t have a chance to slip away. Of course, he could leave anyway, but it just felt wrong to have Jaskier watch him leave.

“Now I know,” said a sharp voice from the bar, “that our barstools don’t have splinters, so what’s gotten in to you.” It was the bartender’s wife, the one who tended the rooms upstairs. She was still glowering, but without the child on her hip this time.

“I’ve got errands to run,” Geralt muttered, not fond of sharing his business. 

“Pf.” She said. “Just like a man to leave all the errands to the last minute. And you want to sneak out without him noticing for a bit.” It wasn’t a question. Geralt nodded. 

“Your lad there’s pretty good, makin’ us money, so I’ll do you a favor,” she looked at him sharply. “When I say go you go, and I’ll thank you to tell your sweetheart you care for him before he goes and tries to buy two beds next time.” She sniffed. “Save you both trouble in the long run.” 

She cleaned a spilled spot on the bar and let out a short whistle. 

Geralt felt like he’d been hit over the head with a mallet. 

In response to the whistle, the child from that morning appeared, Toos, Geralt remembered. The innkeeper gave the kid a penny, “Go ask for that song you like, then hurry back now.” Toos gave a gap toothed grin and dissappeared as quickly as they’d come. 

Geralt watched the disturbance at about knee level through the crowd as Toos fought their way through. Jaskier, basking in the applause noticed them immediately and listened carefully to the request, smiling widely at the audience and biting the proffered penny as if it were a gold coin to huge laughter.

The innkeeper snapped her fingers under Geralt’s nose and pointed to the door. He took the cue. 

The market was less bustling, but still open, and Geralt took in a breath of cool, evening air. Then he assessed his plan.

He wanted to buy Jaskier lots of gifts over the course of this year, and he surely would, but they would be small things mostly. Quills and ink and lutepicks, that sort of thing. Those could be found in smaller towns and villages, but craft work like he found here was hard to find along the Path. He could buy either the red book or the dagger right now, and with the contracts he’d do this week he’d pay for the other. He’d buy the practical, brown leather book regardless, because right now Jaskier needed a journal and not a tome. 

He decided on the dagger first. The smith had shared good advice, and, if someone were to buy the leather tome from the display, there was at least a chance Geralt could find one like it elsewhere. Where but here could he find a moonsilver dagger for Jaskier?

The smith was not surprised to see Geralt, and his wife sent him a friendly wink. Geralt bought the dagger and thanked the smith, complimenting both he and his wife on the work. Then he carried his package, wrapped in two layers, cloth and paper, out into the street.

He dropped a bit of tack off at the leather worker’s shop for repair, to pick it up in two days. Then he took the sensible brown leather journal from the display stand. 

The bookbinder and paper merchant was a bent old man, sitting on a stool at the back of the shop, chewing tobacco. There was a greasy twist of it, black as tar, in waxed paper on the counter. 

“Excuse me,” Geralt said. The shopkeeper looked up, jaw still working. “We don’t like your kind here,” he said in a voice that cracked like the paper he worked. Well. There it was, there was always someone. 

“Please,” he said. “It’s a gift for a-a friend. It’s very important.” 

The old shop keeper eyed him and the book in his hand. Then he obviously decided that making a sale was worth serving Geralt. He growled out a price, and Geralt didn’t haggle. 

Geralt stood there, the old man staring him down while counting the coins. He figured it was worth a shot. 

“Could I ask a favor?”

“No.”

“Could you keep the journal on your display table, the large red one, back for me? And the little one in the same color beside it? Only for a few more days.”

“No.”

“Please,” Geralt said, losing hope. “It’s for a good cause.”

The man spat tobacco juice into a can with disgusting accuracy. “What cause do monsters have, comin’ in here and asking favors of me?”

Geralt caught the man’s watery eyes. “Love, true love, please, keep them back just a few days?”

“Didn’t think monsters could feel,” scoffed the man, but he tilted his head. “You mean that nice young man, what came in with you earlier?”

“That’s the one, I want to give him the perfect gift.” 

The man scoffed again, but it was less cruel. “I can tell people they’re for display. You’ve got three days.”

Geralt let out a relieved breath. “Thank you,” he said. “Thank you very much.” 

“Don’t thank me,” growled the man, cutting off another piece of tobacco with a knife. “And don’t darken my door until you have the money.”

Geralt left, feeling very light. He reentered the inn to a round of applause for Jaskier, but thankfully no one looking his way. He slipped up the stairs. 

The dagger wasn’t a gift for tonight, he decided. That was a grand gift, for sometime special. He put it in his potion bag, where Jaskier was forbidden to look, for fear he’d get into something deadly. The journal was laid on the bed, just where Jaskier would see it.

Then Geralt went back downstairs to catch the last of Jaskier’s set. 

Jaskier practically danced up to Geralt afterwards. He was full of that strange energy he always had after a good performance, like bubbles in champagne. Geralt could feel the muscles around his eyes soften. 

“I liked your last song,” he said. Number Three on The List, compliment him.

“Paddy Lay Back?” Jaskier said. “You’ve heard it before.”

“Yes,” Geralt said as they went upstairs. “I like it.” 

Jaskier beamed. 

He chattered about the performance all the way into their room, and managed to pull off his boots before noticing the journal on the bed. He stopped mid sentence.

He looked at the journal, then at Geralt, mouth still half open.

Geralt remembered the smith, talking about how he’d won his wife over, but his mouth felt stuffed with wool.

“It’s for you,” he managed. “For your songs. It’ll last longer than the card bound ones.”

Jaskier picked it up, rubbing his thumb across the smooth leather, then he turned to Geralt. His eyes were shining.

With a speed that even Geralt’s mutated reflexes couldn’t manage, he was enveloped in a hug. Jaskier had his arms around his neck, the journal still in hand. 

Geralt hesitated. 

Then he wrapped his arms around Jaskier’s chest and held him.

Later that night, in the same bed as a snoring bard, he still felt the heat of that hug. Jaskier’s elbow dug into his ribs and he barely felt it, but the hug was still there. He thought of the dagger in his potions bag. 

He’d talk to Jaskier then, giving that to him. For now, he’d have time to plan what to say. Before he could try, however, sleep claimed him.

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

Gifts! Gifts for Jaskier! and a hint of things to come. I had fun with this. 

Taglist!

@llamasdumpsterfire @goblinwhoships

[jeongyunhoed]

The 100-Day Relationship

alternatively titled: 10 Months Love

Member: Seonghwa Pairing: Seonghwa/OC Group: ATEEZ

Genre: Fluff, romance, comedy, tiny bit of angst (if you squint), fake dating

Summary: When wealthy socialite Juhyun is facing pressure to bring a date to the biggest wedding of the year and the beginning of the social season among the elite, she hurriedly asks an old college schoolmate, Park Seonghwa to be her boyfriend for the entire season. The longer they put up appearances, the more they realize that they never want the arrangement to end.

Things to note: Art curator!Seonghwa, a lot of expensive-ness going on. Other idols are mentioned as well (if you’ve read my fics, you know there will be). Tag list is forever open if you want to keep tabs on this fic, hehet! 

Warnings: Some cussing, we’ll be feeling poor and broke with what’s in here.

Tag list: @closer-stars , @masterninjacow , @kunrengui

Masterlist

Chapter 2

“So who is he?” Kibum asked the next day over breakfast. 

Kim Kibum was the son of the Kims that owned a chain of hotels and condominiums. The very building Juhyun lived in was owned by his family. The youngest son, he was a dedicated bachelor while his older siblings did all the corporate work. Kibum was also Juhyun’s best friend and constant date if she needed someone for an event, but she thought it would definitely change this time. 

“Who is who?” Juhyun raised a brow. 

“The guy you were with yesterday, grocery bags and all, I told you to call me after that meeting you had but you didn’t,” Kibum grinned. “So, who was he?” 

“Park Seonghwa, he’s an old schoolmate of mine, and the guy,” Juhyun paused. “The guy I have arranged to be my boyfriend for this entire social season…?” She looked at him, a little wary about what she revealed. 

Kibum gaped at her, unable to hide the surprise as he tried to understand what she did for a few seconds. “Juhyun….really? Are you that desperate?” 

Juhyun rolled her eyes at him. “No, well, maybe, but seeing as Jihan practically humiliated me when he cheated, I’m taking any chance I get. Seonghwa knows and understands what we’re going to get ourselves into anyway.” 

“Does Jinri know about this? You ought to tell the bride you’re bringing a plus one, given that she’s been bridezilla these past few weeks,” Kibum joked while taking a sip of his mimosa. 

“I didn’t need to. Jinri just assumed I’d be bringing someone, she always says it’s in case I finally move on from Jihan,” She sighed. “Well, any day now, I’d have to meet Seonghwa again to go dress shopping.” 

“Dress shopping? You mean no designer’s dressing you yet?” Kibum raised a brow. 

“No, because they’re all occupied with the other people attending this wedding and their parents,” Juhyun shook her head. “I figured I’d reuse the blue Elie Saab gown I only wore once and it was during a magazine’s anniversary party. I was only there for 20 minutes anyway.” 

Kibum sat up. “Either way, I’m looking forward to meeting Seonghwa, probably make him squirm about your relationship-” 

Juhyun slapped his arm. “You will not. Now that you know that Seonghwa and I are pretending to be dating, I won’t let him be subject to your foolishness,” She blew a raspberry at him, making him laugh out loud. 

“Alright fine. Anyway, you’re coming with me to Macau, right? I promised Elise I would be meeting her there.”

 Juhyun raised a brow at the name. “Elise? Your new pursuit?” 

“We’ve only been seeing each other for a month, Juhyun, I doubt it would last, but maybe I could still see her long enough until after the wedding.” 

“I’m still keeping my fingers crossed for the two of you, and yes I’ll be going.” 

That gave him an idea. “Ah, why don’t you bring Seonghwa along? We could have it like a double date,” He suggested. 

It was Juhyun’s turn to look surprised. “...What?” 

“Bring Seonghwa along. We’re taking my jet anyway, and it’s likely that Elise and I won’t be leaving our hotel room so I might not have time to take you around while we’re there,” Kibum winked, making her cringe. 

“I-I guess I’ll try and see if he’s free,” Juhyun shrugged. “I can’t promise you that he’ll agree to come, we haven’t even set the date for when I’ll go dress shopping yet either, much less Jinri announcing when the wedding shower is.” 

“You’ll never know if you don’t ask,” Kibum pointed out. “Tell him I asked, I really did ask you to bring him along after all.” 

They sat up when they heard the elevator doors open in the hall. “Unnie,” They heard the voice of her sister Jihyun, sounding even more chipper than the last time she came to visit. Juhyun’s sister Jihyun, was known among society circles for her fashion sense. She was also dating Moon Bin, a celebrity choreographer, the two of them having been together for 4 years, one year more than when she and Jihan dated. 

Juhyun and Kibum got up to see her. “Yeah?” She asked. 

“I was- Oh hi Kibum,” Jihyun waved at him before handing Juhyun a lavender envelope. “That’s for the upcoming epilepsy benefit. It’s next week.” 

Juhyun looked through the contents of the envelope. “Jihyun, did you know, your sister’s bringing a date,” Kibum suddenly said, making her nudge him hard. He laughed out loud, amused at her reaction. 

Jihyun’s ears perked up. “...Who is it? It’s you, isn’t it?” 

“Believe it or not, it’s not me,” Kibum thought to egg her on. “Juhyun’s got a boyfriend, the two of them have been seeing each other for a while now too.” 

“Kibum!” Juhyun nudged him hard again, and he laughed even more. 

Jihyun stared at her. “Well? Who is he? What’s his name? And more importantly, why haven’t you said anything?” 

“Park Seonghwa, an old schoolmate of mine, he owns the Mars Art Gallery,” Juhyun replied. “And I didn’t want to jinx it. Things have been going very well,” She added, Kibum trying his hardest to stifle his laughter. 

“What does he look like?” She could tell Jihyun was trying not to squeal with how unusually calm she sounded. 

Juhyun took her phone out, showing her the selca they took together, leaning away when, as she expected, Jihyun squealed. “Oh my god, unnie … He’s gorgeous! Okay now I have to meet him when you bring him to the benefit, okay?” Jihyun brought out her own phone, tapping furiously that Juhyun knew she was telling their parents. “I have to go, I just came by to give you that invitation and now I’m glad I did! See you at the benefit, unnie! Bye Kibum!” She rushed back to the hall where the elevator was. 

As soon as they heard the doors close again, Juhyun nudged Kibum again. “You really had to tell her, didn’t you?” She narrowed her eyes at him. 

Kibum laughed. “Come on, Juhyun, think of that as a trial run before the wedding. Seonghwa will be better prepared by the big day once you bring him along to Macau, and at that benefit we now have to go to.” 

“Alright, but because you’re insisting I bring him along, you are now sworn to secrecy,” Juhyun beamed. “If you tell, I’ll tell everyone you’re marrying Elise.” 

Kibum feigned surprise then nodded. “Alright, you drive a hard bargain. This whole thing is safe with me.” 

~

Hongjoong gaped at his friend. Seonghwa invited him over to eat lunch at the gallery, along with both their longtime friends who also worked for him, Kang Yeosang and Jeong Yunho, when he told all of them what was going on. Hongjoong worked as a producer for A Entertainment, but he also had a side gig as a street fashion designer, having launched capsule collections that were regular fixtures at Seoul Fashion Week. Seonghwa could argue that Hongjoong was also one of the few that actually succeeded in pursuing their major, and in Hongjoong’s case, it was music production. “...Are you joking?” Yunho managed to ask, and Seonghwa shook his head. 

“Really? Was that why she was talking to you?” Hongjoong chimed in. 

“Yes. It-It’s just for this whole social season she’s got going on and she said after all of that we won’t have to have anything to do with each other anymore,” Seonghwa explained. 

“And you’re okay with this? “ Hongjoong raised a brow, wanting to be sure. “People of her kind of crowd aren’t exactly the nicest.” 

“I know, I know, but I can hold my own, you’re making it sound as if I don’t deal with those types on an almost regular basis, rich stiffs tend to buy paintings from the gallery,” Seonghwa pointed out. “But I know Juhyun, I know she isn’t like that. She’s the opposite of a rich stiff. I mean, she’s rich, but she’s no stiff.” 

“I do know that, we all know that, we’ve all gone to school with her,” Yunho spoke. “It’s the people in her circle that we know are those rich stiffs you’re talking about.” 

“Well, I won’t say I’m not concerned, but who knows, maybe you’ll blend right in,” Yeosang commented. “Looks like the gallery’s going to get a ton of publicity once Seonghwa makes his society debut.” 

The art curator frowned as they tucked back into their food. He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and he paused eating to take it out. It was a message from Juhyun. 

Epilepsy benefit next week. My sister’s dying to meet you already. Think we can meet tomorrow?

An amused smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and it didn’t go unnoticed by his three friends. “That was her, wasn’t it?” Hongjoong eyed him. 

“As a matter of fact, it is,” Seonghwa replied coolly before typing his reply. 

Sure. We can meet at that cafe again for lunch? 

Seconds later, he saw a response. 

It’s a deal. 

“What did she say this time?” Yunho asked, wiping his mouth with a tissue. 

“We’ve got our first event to go to next week. It’s an epilepsy benefit and we’re meeting tomorrow to go over the details, I guess,” He said. “And her sister wants to meet me.” 

“Her sister? Choi Jihyun?!” Hongjoong’s eyes widened. 

“Yeah, the same Choi Jihyun who is already dating that choreographer from F Entertainment,” Seonghwa remembered, making the shorter male frown and Yeosang and Yunho snicker. “I don’t think she’s willing to leave that guy for you either.” 

Yunho and Yeosang burst into fits of laughter. 

~ 

Seonghwa arrived at the cafe the next day, quickly taking the table close to the counter so he could look at the menu while he waited. He wondered what they were planning to do today while also thinking of what his friends had said. It was Juhyun’s friends that they were wary of, and he should be wary of them too. He still wanted to make a good impression. There was the publicity his art gallery was going to have once they go public. 

“Hey.” 

He snapped out of his thoughts when he saw Juhyun, looking a little embarrassed yet for some odd reason she looked different. It was then he realized that they seemed to be wearing the same pattern on their clothes; blue polo stripes against white, her blouse with his dress shirt under his blue blazer. If anything, they looked like a couple attending a gala on a yacht. “Hi,” He got up to greet her. 

“Did you wait long? I’m sorry,” Juhyun said. “And what a coincidence too,” She gestured to their clothes, making the two of them chuckle. Seonghwa gestured for her to sit down and she sat across from him. 

“I came just a little before you did so you weren’t late at all,” He assured her. “Do you want anything to drink?” 

“Just the raspberry iced tea?” Juhyun replied. 

“Got it, I’ll be back,” He smiled, padding towards the counter. 

Juhyun watched him, thinking about what Kibum told her. One of those social events would definitely have her parents in attendance, and the fact that her sister was aware of her so-called “relationship” with Seonghwa, it wouldn’t be surprising if they and their friends already knew and were trying to find out more about him. She just hoped he was prepared for it. 

He returned a moment later, holding the tray with their drinks and set it down. “So what’s going to happen at this benefit? Other than your sister wanting to meet me?” He sounded eager. 

“Well, my sister is an understatement, pretty much everyone who knows me will want to know who you are and how we met and what family you’re from, what business you own or specialize in, all of that stuff,” Juhyun swirled her straw in her drink. 

“Oh, right, well, at least we have that covered. What time should I pick you up?” Seonghwa took a sip of his tea, looking at the invitation Juhyun slid towards him. “...Wow, this benefit seems huge,” He read the rest of the details. “It’s hard to book a function room in this hotel. Everything had to be made six months in advance,” It made him think of one high-profile exhibit he ended up hosting and the headache it caused him trying to book a venue months in advance. 

“8:30, how about that? Cocktails are at seven, but I’d rather not go in for the small talk,” Juhyun frowned at the thought. The last thing she wanted to do at an event like that was to pretend to be friendly with everyone, including Jihan. 

“It’s okay with me,” He nodded. “What time should we leave?” 

“Because I don’t plan on staying there very long, 8:45?” Juhyun asked. Seonghwa stared at her incredulously. “I know it seems like a waste of effort, but really, events like that are incredibly boring.” 

“So why do you even go in the first place?” Seonghwa was confused. He never understood why people of her stature would only afford to be at a black-tie event for a few minutes at a time. 

“They’re also expecting I shell out some money to the cause, and it’s a good cause, I just don’t like who I have to mingle with for the sake of that cause,” Juhyun looked down as she took a sip of her drink. “And, for the sake of being petty, I plan on showing up on Jihan and Eunbi, which is why I asked you to meet me, because today’s a day we have to prepare for those events.” 

“Prepare?” 

“Yeah,” Juhyun nodded. “We’re going to go shopping for your suits.” 

Seonghwa froze. “...Today?” 

“Yeah, I have to look for a dress too because I only have one dress to recycle, and Jinri is going to demand to see what I plan to wear now before she freaks out later, yeah, you’ll meet her in the events too,” Juhyun added. 

“Alright then, so where do we go first?” 

“Department store, for your suits. I know just the place, well, it’s the only acceptable place to get fitted for suits in my opinion, I’ve never seen guys walk out of that place not looking good,” Juhyun said with a knowing look. 

Seonghwa raised a brow. “...where is it?” 

Juhyun smiled. “It’s an old place, but it’s great.” 

They were standing in front of a Huntsman boutique at the topmost floor of the department store a while later. “This is what I was talking about…” Juhyun said quietly, glancing at him to see his reaction. 

“...Here?” Seonghwa couldn’t hide how surprised he was. 

“Yeah, what do you think? If you don’t want to, it’s okay, we can always go to where you usually get your suits…” Juhyun said, hoping she didn’t overstep any lines with him. 

“No, no, it’s- I just only thought this was like the Kingsman movie for some reason,” Seonghwa assured her.

“You’ll need a few more suits for every event, and this is usually my father’s go-to shop whenever he has events, and these suits are made to last too,” Juhyun recalled what her father would always tell her mother. She took his hand. “Let’s go inside, we’re catching them on a quiet day.” 

She led him inside the store, and Seonghwa looked at everything in awe. “Ah, Ms. Choi, hello,” He heard a man greet her, making him snap out of his momentary daze. 

“Hello Basil, this is my boyfriend, Seonghwa,” She introduced them, Seonghwa immediately bowing. “He needs a few suits for this season.” 

“Ah yes, busy time of year,” Basil replied, looking him up and down. “He has the built for a suit like ours, I’ll get your measurements and you could pick the fabric,” He gestured to the large rolls of fabric on the shelves behind the desk. 

“Send me the total and I’ll make some calls,” Juhyun said. “Sorry, I know, I know what you’re already thinking,” She flashed Seonghwa a sheepish grin. “I promise everything else is on you to spend on me.” 

“Now I’m getting nervous on how much I have to spend on you,” He teased. 

“I swear I’m not as fancy as I probably seem right now, I don’t even go in here a lot,” She pointed out with a chuckle. “I buy my clothes where everyone buys their clothes.” 

“I know, and I don’t doubt that at all,” Seonghwa kissed her cheek, the two of them freezing for a moment at the sudden display of affection. Juhyun felt her cheeks heat up, partly in embarrassment as it happened in front of Basil. 

She watched Seonghwa get measured, eyes traveling to the fabrics as she tried to compose herself. She was initially worried about insisting on everything so far, but she was relieved that he was okay with whatever she showed him. “All the men in my family come to this tailor for their suits. Basil worked in the actual Savile Row shop,” She eyed the tailor, who just smiled. 

Seonghwa looked impressed, lifting his arms when the tailor went to run a measuring tape along them. “Oh yes, Ms. Choi’s family have been loyal patrons at the Savile Row boutique. I remember having to measure your grandfather,” He replied. “I would personally recommend a navy blue velvet tuxedo jacket for one, bespoke of course.” 

Juhyun nodded, giving Seonghwa an assuring look as well, sensing that he was still trying to get used to getting fitted. “Sure, h-how long until it’s done?” He spoke this time. 

“For Ms. Choi’s date? Six weeks at the most, both of you won’t need to worry,” Basil assured them. 

“Oh, now I see why we had to go here early,” Seonghwa’s eyes widened. 

~ 

The two of them were walking along the dress boutiques a while later, stopping every now and then to look at the designs displayed on the mannequins. “There’s something else I have to talk to you about,” She said, as they stopped in front of a slightly more colorful dress shop. “My friend Kibum, he owns the building I live in, he’s inviting us to go with him to Macau.” 

“Macau?” Seonghwa asked curiously. 

“Macau,” Juhyun nodded. “He’s inviting you too to come with me, keep me company or something like that because he’s meeting his girlfriend there.” 

He couldn’t help but chuckle. “Really?” 

“Yeah. He also wants to meet you. He’s one of my best friends. We’re taking his jet so you don’t have to worry about tickets or anything.” 

“Alright then, I think I can leave for a week or something,” Seonghwa nodded. He hadn’t traveled in a while. Neither did Juhyun, who seemed especially surprised at his answer. The two of them figured they still had some getting to know each other to do. He noticed the green and black dress behind the mannequin. “That dress seems like it would look good on you,” He gestured to the display, making her turn around. 

“You think so?” Juhyun nodded, looking at the details. “Let’s ask inside then.” 

They quietly entered the shop, seeing all the mannequins dressed in long ball gowns and tuxedos. There were photos of celebrities on the walls having worn some of the dresses that were proudly on display, including the dress they were looking at. Juhyun rang the little bell on the desk, and her expression fell when out from the backroom was none other than Kim Eunbi herself, who looked just as disappointed to see her. 

“Oh, well, well, well, if it isn’t Choi Juhyun and,” She tilted her head. “Park Seonghwa, right? Jihan told me about your new...squeeze.” 

“Hello Eunbi,” Juhyun replied. “I was going to inquire about the dress on that display at the window-” 

“Nice, isn’t it? I was inspired by The Devil Wears Prada, Seo Yeji went head over heels for that number, but you’re no Seo Yeji,” Eunbi pointed out. 

“Of course I’m not Seo Yeji, I have a different name,” Juhyun quipped back. 

Eunbi’s expression stiffened. “Well, if you think I’m going to sell you that dress, you’re probably kidding yourself. Off you go, chop chop,” She gestured them to go away. 

“...Excuse me?” Seonghwa blurted out. He could feel his blood boil at the rudeness that was in front of him. 

Eunbi laughed a mocking laugh. “Go on, chop chop, before I close this shop out of an abundance of caution. As if I would give any of you the pleasure of wearing my creations.” 

Juhyun calmly nodded and turned on her heel. “Come, there are other places to shop,” She muttered to him, and he followed, his free hand curling into a fist as they closed the door, walking down the other direction to the other boutiques. 

“If I didn’t care enough, I would’ve lost it at the way she treated you,” Seonghwa frowned as they walked. 

“I kind of expected it anyway the moment I realized she owned that shop,” Juhyun said. 

“If she knows who you are, she should’ve honestly feared you, you might have her kicked out of this place or something,” Seonghwa said. 

“Maybe, since my family owns this department store.” 

Seonghwa gaped at her. “Then all the more you should’ve done something, have her kicked out for being rude to you, she doesn’t deserve to be here, she doesn’t deserve to run her own line at all if she’s going to be like that.” 

“I know, but it’s not worth my time, I’ve got other things to worry about, like what we’re going to do in Macau or something,” Juhyun chuckled, linking her arm with his. “Why would I waste my time trying to ruin her when I know I’m better off where I am anyway?” 

That seemed to make him feel better, but he figured he’d say something if Eunbi tried to do anything again if they were going to see each other at the events. Seonghwa placed his hand over hers. “...Since we’re going to be a couple for this social season, we’d better get comfortable like this, wouldn’t we?” 

“Yeah, for a second I was worried that this might come off too strong or something,” Juhyun chuckled, squeezing his arm, feeling the muscle tense under her fingers. 

“If we’re going to be believable, coming off too strong on each other is probably what’s needed,” Seonghwa agreed with a knowing look. “We’re going crazy like Jackson Pollock on his canvas.”

“Are you going to make art puns this whole time?” She laughed at the comparison. 

“Maybe, hey, you’re supposedly dating an art curator, and I know my art,” Seonghwa grinned. “Want to get some ice cream before we go back to shopping?” 

“Just the ice cream. I think after today, I’ll just figure out what I’ll be wearing for the next few months.”  

[plaidbooks]

A Glimpse of the Future part 4

A/N: You all have @the-baby-bookworm to thank for this--first for asking for it and second for helping me come up with panicking Sonny (when discussing part 3, she mentioned “that dick game so strong, she’d get pregnant even with birth control”). This is the finale (as far as I know, who the hell knows anymore?), so I hope you all enjoy!

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3

Tags: A lot of Catholic guilt

Words: 1324

Taglist: @the-baby-bookworm @beccabarba @thatesqcrush @itsjustmyfantasyroom @stardust-fray @permanentlydizzy @averyhotchner @mrsrafaelbarba @reading--mermaid @ben-c-group-therapy @infiniteoddball

Shit…SHIT! Sonny was going to freak out! Hell, you were freaking out! You sat in your car, still parked in the parking lot of your doctor’s office after a routine checkup. You ran your hand over your face. How were you going to tell him that you were…? No, maybe if you didn’t think the words, it wouldn’t be true. But that’s not how real life worked. You sighed, pulling your phone out of your purse, calling your fiancé, looking at the engagement ring sitting innocently on your left hand.

“Hey, Sonny, we need to talk….”

 ***************

You knew it was a shitty thing to do, to tell him you needed to talk when he got off work, but to not give him details over the phone. But you didn’t know what else to do, and you couldn’t tell him over the phone. No, this had to be face-to-face, and you couldn’t deal with this alone. Sonny promised to be home as soon as he could, even after you reassured him that you were safe, that you were okay. All that left was for you to sit and wait. You idly looked for houses again; you and Sonny had found a handful that seemed like a perfect fit, and now you were going over them again with a fine-toothed comb.

Finally, mercifully, you heard the key in the front door, Sonny rushing in, looking worried. He didn’t even bother taking his jacket off as he quickly made his way over to you.

“Babe, what’s wrong? What happened?” he asked, brow furrowed, concern lacing his voice.

“Well, you know how I had a doctor’s appointment today?” you started. He nodded, the creases on his forehead deepening. You took a deep breath before the words that would change your lives forever left your lips. “I’m pregnant.”

Sonny stood there, struck dumb, unmoving. He was a statute as he stared at you. “B-but you’re on birth control…how, what—?”

“Those pills aren’t 100%, babe, you know that. And I’m six weeks pregnant…it’s from our engagement night,” you whispered, your face warming as you remembered how Sonny had taken you that night, so that ‘everyone would know you were his’. Well, now they would.

The gears were turning in his head as he sat down on the couch. “Okay,” he muttered, nodding to himself. “Okay…pregnant…wow. You’re…we’re….”

“What are we gonna do, Dom?” you asked, trying to shake him out of whatever trance he was in. It was true that you both wanted kids, that this was a miracle. But you wanted to be married first, have a house. And God only knew how his family would react. You loved the Carisi’s, but all of them, Sonny included, were very Catholic. Having a baby out of wedlock was…less than ideal.

Sonny’s eyes snapped up to yours. “Have you told anyone else yet?”

“No, of course not.”

“Okay, that’s good. We just need to get married now, before anyone knows, before you start…showing,” he said, mind working quickly.

You huffed out a laugh. “Do you honestly think no one will notice how quickly we got married? Or the fact that we’ll have a baby less than nine months after our wedding?”

“Shit, no, you’re right,” he ran his hand through his hair, clearly panicking. “Fuck, I don’t know what to do, babe. I-I need to go to church, talk to my priest….”

He stood to leave, and you reached out, grabbing his wrist. “Wait, Sonny.” He stopped, looking back at you. “Please, just…before you leave, tell me you’re at least happy that we’re pregnant.” You didn’t know why it mattered so much, but it suddenly hit you that he hadn’t once shown any sort of excitement. Which was understandable with the information you had just dumped on him, but it still hurt.

Sonny stepped up to you, cupping your face in his hands. He leaned down, kissing you gently. “Of course, I’m happy that we’re going to have a child. I just…I’m a little confused right now, and I need some guidance, that’s all,” he murmured. You nodded, kissing his palm before he pulled away, heading out the door.

 ************************

It was almost three hours later before Sonny finally came home. This time, he shrugged out of his jacket, hanging it on the hook by the door, and toed his shoes off. It seemed like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, and he seemed content when he came and sat on the couch next to you.

“Did you find some answers?” you asked, leaning against his side, his arm draping around your shoulders. His fingers started trailing over your arm, and you shivered happily.

“I did. As much as I’d rather have our children when we’re ready, after we’re married and more settled down, I’m not upset that God has other plans. I mean, you were on birth control and still got pregnant; if this is God’s plan, then I, for one, won’t fight it,” Sonny smiled down at you, kissing your forehead. “Besides, I’m going to be a father.” His voice broke on the word ‘father’, and your heart strained.

You leaned up, kissing him softly. “Yes, you are. And you’re going to be the best father. Not to mention the sexiest father.” Sonny threw his head back and laughed. You waited for his laughter to subside before you asked, “what are we going to tell your parents?”

“The truth. If they can’t accept that, then that’s on them,” he said simply. The panic you felt must have shown on your face, because he added, “I’m sure they’ll understand. They accepted that your family wasn’t practicing Catholics. They’ll be ecstatic to be grandparents again.”

“They’ll think I’m some harlot who seduced their son,” you grimaced. God, were your hormones already making you crazy?

Sonny put his fingers under your chin, forcing you to look at him. “No, they won’t. My parents love you, babe, almost as much as I do. They’re gonna be over the moon, I promise. Just…let me break the news to them first.” He gave you his trademark goofy grin, and you couldn’t help but smile back at him.

“Thank you, Dom,” you whispered, so damn glad that he was the one you were going on this crazy ride with.

“Of course…now, first things’ first! We should come up with a list of names, both boy and girl, just in case, then a list of things we need to buy—”

“Sonny, baby, first we need to decide if we want to buy the house first, or have the wedding. I know you and your family want the full Catholic shindig, at that one church they all got married at—”

“St. Christopher’s.”

“—and that’s going to be a lot of money. We need to decide which is more important; the wedding or a house,” you finished.

Sonny glanced around your apartment; it was modest, not too small. A living room, a full kitchen—a must for Sonny—a guest bathroom, a spare room which was turned into an office of sorts, the master bedroom, and a master bathroom. When Bella dropped off Sonny’s niece, you mainly kept her in the living room, which was kid-proofed. And on the off chance a friend crashed for the night, they normally slept on the couch.

“Wedding first; let’s appease the family. The baby will be sleeping in our room at first, anyways. Then, we can turn the spare into a nursery,” Sonny said.

You nodded. Tears formed, but you quickly blinked them away as you thought about Sonny building a nursery, painting the walls…being a father. Something told you that you were going to be an emotional wreck this whole pregnancy. And, looking sideways at your fiancé, who was already talking about how he’d clean out the spare room, you felt incredibly lucky that he was the one you were spending the rest of your life with.

[oneofyatosfollowers]

Yatori Week 2021- Day 4

@yatoriweek2021

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/32090953/chapters/79500055

Fanfiction: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13905660/1/Yatori-Week-2021

Yukine was in the living room studying for midterms when his dad busted the door down and flounced into the room.

This was a common occurrence, as this man was not his biological dad, but rather a once concerned neighbor that adopted him and was therefore hardly a decade older than the teen. There could be many reasons why his dad, a man named Yato, was excited:

He saw something to do with Capybaras

He got an extra sketchy side job for pocket change

The weather was nice

He bought junk with said pocket change

Anything to do with his beloved girlfriend, Hiyori

Based on the way the young man skipped into the living room, high on cloud nine, Yukine could only assume it was the last option. With sigh, Yukine closed his textbook and readied himself to lose the rest of his study time. Yato tended to talk about his girlfriend for hours on end, like he’s never seen nor heard of them before her, and Yukine would not be able to focus. Now, Yukine liked his dad’s girlfriend. Loved her in fact. His dad was her art tutor- and class nude model- in college since she struggled with the subject as a medical major. Eventually she had become Yukine’s tutor in everything else except math, which was reserved for his dad. It was unclear if Yato hired her, or she did it out of the kindness of her heart, or the two just wanted to see more of each other, but Hiyori wormed her way into both their hearts.

“Yukine!”

“What?” Yukine drawled. His dad was a whirlwind of smiles and flailing arms as he tumbled towards Yukine. Used to this too, the blonde simply waited for Yato to sit directly in front of him without knocking him over. Yukine blinked as his dad struggled to find the words to communicate in a language they both understood. It tended to take some time, as falling in love with Hiyori Iki was a grand affair that wrestled your heart and tied your tongue. She tended to have that effect on people, as most kind-angels did. However, when all he did was wheeze and let out a strange coo mixed with a whine, Yukine couldn’t help but scoff and roll his eyes.

“I did it!” Yato beamed.

“Did what?”

“I finished that old lady’s kitchen and finally got enough money!” He burst. In a fit of laughter that strangers might have thought was madness, the young man rolled onto his back and kicked his feet. It took a moment for Yukine to realize his theory was somehow wrong before he crawled over top of his dad.

“What-ugh,” Yukine slapped away the hands that covered the man’s face, “what are you saving for? You never save money. I’m surprised we haven’t missed any bills yet.” Hands away his face, his dad’s bright blue eyes stared into Yukine’s hazel, full of unbridled joy . That was hardly a good sign; Yato was known for extravagant plans that he got far too excited over. Especially when they failed more often than not. Honestly, Hiyori was a saint for staying with such a spaz.

“That’s the thing!” The man gasped. He didn’t wait for his son’s answer, leaping to his feet to dash into the kitchen. Meanwhile, Yukine was rolling his eyes, of course it was about her. Yato ran back to his spot on the floor next to his son.

“Our two year anniversary is coming up in a few weeks and you know it’s around that time! The age, the lifestyle, the current situation,” he swooned, “her parents and Kofuku and Daikoku!”

“What. Are you talking about?” Yukine groaned as he kneaded his forehead. Just because his dad was capable of speech, didn’t mean he used it properly.

“I want to propose,” he said, “I want to propose to Hiyori.” The three magazines that he clenched in his hands were squeezed so tightly they crinkled. This time it was big blue eyes that watched Yukine struggle to find words. Yukine sucked in air, swallowed, stared, opened his mouth with nothing to come out, blinked a few times, then swallowed again. The logical part of this brain just shrugged, this was the obvious next step. They loved each other, were old enough, and that was usually the point of dating, what it led to. It wouldn’t change their day to day. The emotional side was shocked, blindsided, and completely convinced this would change everything.

Just the word ‘proposal’ was heavy in Yukine’s mind because ‘proposal’ led to ‘wedding’ which means ‘marriage’ which equals ‘family.’ Not that they weren’t already a family, they moved in to Hiyori’s place a little less than a year ago but that was a financial decision if anything. The more childish part of Yukine, the one that had originally protested the relationship and acted out during the first month of their dating, feared that this would take away even more of Yato’s attention. Because the fact was that marriage led to more children. But Yukine knew better than that by now. On the other hand, families, something Yukine had once before Yato, left a sour taste in his mouth. What’s more, this would without a doubt make Hiyori his ‘mother’ and this would mean Yukine wouldn’t just have a ‘parent’ but ‘parents,’ functioning ones that both loved him.

That last thought resonated in Yukine’s chest. Yato and Hiyori loved him very much, unconditionally, and he loved them. They were already a family and Yukine- Yukine wouldn’t mind calling Hiyori ‘mom’ if she ever wanted to adopt him. But most importantly, Yukine finally let his eyes drop from Yato’s and fall to the magazines. They were all for different jewelry stores, the outlines of their pages lined with little color tabs. Yukine could imagine they were covered in little notes and doodles from long before this moment. Most importantly, Yato deserved this. He was a single, smart, and kind young man that worked his way from the very bottom. Even Yukine was old enough to understand that for someone in that position- an impoverished college student- that Yato had taken on a lot, adopting him. It couldn’t have been easy to find someone. Someone as genuine as Hiyori who loved him just as much. Yato deserved this and he deserved to have Yukine support him. Which Yukine found that he truly, truly did.

“That’s great,” Yukine finally said. His voice cracked from the emotion and worry flashed across Yato’s face. But with one sniff and a genuine smile, Yukine showed that he was happy for them. The two dissolved into excited giggles and laughter, eyes blurry with emotion.

“I want you to help me pick it out. I want you with me when I buy it and help me plan the whole thing! I want you to be there with me, I need my kiddo for support,” Yato confessed. Blinking away the moist sheen, Yukine nodded once with a wobbly smile. His dad laughed with every ounce of giddiness and happiness that Yukine felt.

“Originally I was going to make one-”

“No,” Yukine said offhandedly as he wiped his eyes. Yato waved his hands and put down the magazines.

“I know! I know. This is super important and Hiyori deserves the actual ring. The best of the best! I can’t keep getting away with handmade gifts,” Yato said as he opened to a tab in each of the magazines. Yukine eyed the objects he circled and crossed out, writing everywhere.

“You make great hand-made gifts,” Yukine muttered as he fiddled with the cuff of his hand-made christmas sweater. His dad looked up to him, down at his hands, then back up with a smile.

“Well, I was thinking of making her golden knucklebusters, with diamonds of course, as an early wedding present.” Yato huffed.

“She’d like that a lot,” Yukine laughed, “just don’t let her parents see.”

“Oh god no! They already hardly like me.”

“They like you.”

“Yeah, cause I fix their house for free. Redo their kitchen,” Yato mumbled, “I hope they approve of this. I already asked them but the dad seemed more on board with it than her mom.”

“Hey,” Yukine nudged his dad, “that’s a good sign. At least you asked first.”

“Yeah. Yeah, you’re right! This is good! She just needs to say yes.”

“She’ll say yes,” Yukine huffed with another roll of his eyes. Despite himself, even Yukine felt the small spark of fear at the possibility of Hiyori saying otherwise. They flipped through the magazines for a couple minutes longer, Yukine balking at the prices and mental math of costs per month.

“Ah!” Yato suddenly shot up and grabbed both of Yukine’s hands, knocking the book out of his hands.

“H-hey!” Yukine sputtered, wincing at his dad’s sweaty hands.

“But you can’t tell anyone!” Yato insisted, “this is a surprise. It has to stay a secret. Okay? Don’t tell anyone. Okay?”

“Okay!” Yukine finally yanked his hands away.

“You promise?” Yato urged, leaning even closer. His son shoved his face away and picked up his magazine.

“Yes! Yes! I promise I won’t tell anyone.”

They really were made for each other, Yukine thought a couple days later, like soulmates. Once again he was at home, heading to his room after Yato dropped him off. They had a family dinner later and Yukine wanted to chill at home with Hiyori while Yato went to prepare for the proposal. The house was quiet when he walked in so Yukine slipped the quarts of ice cream in the freezer and made his way to his room. Hiyori must be in bed. She hadn’t been feeling well recently, getting nauseous everyday for the past week. All those thoughts went out the window when, on the way to his room, the bathroom door cracked open and Hiyori’s head popped out.

“Yukine!” She hissed, “Yukine!” If it weren’t for her eyes being so wide and pleading, Yukine might have felt a bit more embarrassed by the sight. He stopped short in the hall.

“What’s wrong?” He said immediately. First she looked nervously off to the side, then to him, then up, then behind her, then back at him, letting out a whine disguised as a hum.

“What?” Yukine asked, a bit more nervously now. Still finding it difficult to answer, Hiyori’s arm slipped out and waved him over. Fearing she might have a broken bone, Yukine took one look at the house phone then walked over to the bathroom door, heart in his throat.

“Are you ok-ay!” Yukine squawked as the front of his shirt was grabbed and he was yanked into the bathroom, the door slamming behind him. He quickly glanced behind him, at the barrier, then back at his friend. She looked nervous, which made Yukine nervous. He would even say she looked anxious, scared, but the air buzzed with an excited tension. In front of her, Hiyori played with her fingers as she struggled to meet his gaze.

“Hiyori, are you okay?” Yukine finally got out. She looked okay, well not ‘okay’ okay but physically safe. The sweat that beaded her brow and the way her knees almost knocked together said otherwise.

“Um,” Hiyori looked up then down, “yeah, yeah, I’m okay. I- I think so?” Terrified at the thought of anything bad happening, Yukine quickly approached her with his hands up.

“What happened? What’s wrong? Do you need me to call Yato? We should call-”

“No!” Hiyori blurted out, causing Yukine to flinch. At this point he was almost shaking, Hiyori was rarely against calling Yato, especially during emergencies. More than just being the man of the house, Yato knew everything! He was calm and cool under pressure and could take on any problem without delay, dropping everything to help. Yukine certainly didn’t want to deal with whatever this was without at least telling his dad. Seeing the panic bubble, Hiyori reached forward and gently held Yukine’s hands like she often did during these times.

“No, no, no, it’s okay! It’s nothing bad! Nothing’s wrong!” Hiyori comforted, “I just got worrie- excited! I’m nervous about something and I wanted to tell you in private. It’s okay, nobody’s in danger,” her words quickly calmed Yukine back down.

“O-oh, okay,” Yukine nodded, “so, so what’s up?” He stuck his hands in his pocket to hide their shaking while Hiyori went back to fiddling with her fingers.

“I have a, uh, surprise! For Yato. And I, uh, wanted to hear your thoughts first.” She stammered out. This was rather confusing, but Yukine was relieved to hear that was all it was. Maybe she had a big anniversary present planned that she wanted his opinion with.

“Oh okay, what is it?”

“Well it’s not an ‘it’ exactly. It’s more of a, uh, uh, thing? Not a thing! It’s not a thing! I’m a thing? I’m something? I-I-I have something to give to Yato. And you? The family. My family too, you know, once I tell them. I’m just not exactly sure,” Hiyori babbled just like her not-yet-fiance, looking all around. Yukine resisted the urge to roll his eyes- he stopped doing that to her ages ago- and he refused to rush her.

“It’s okay,” Yukine offered a smile, “I’m sure whatever the thing is, Yato will love it. You know how sappy he is, he’ll love it cause it comes from you and you mean it.”

“Haha, yeah,” she didn’t sound too convinced and Yukine worried about why.

“I mean it, he will.” Yukine tried again. This time, Hiyori seemed to get rather bleary eyed and she hugged herself.

“Maybe not this time, Yukine, I’m just not sure. I mean we talked about it but it’s too soon and- who knows- maybe he won’t?” She continued looking around the room, biting her lip. Yukine was still an awkward sort of a teen and not very good with crying young women so all he could think to do was squeeze her hands.

“Don’t say that, Hiyori, there’s nothing on this earth that he-”

“I’m pregnant.” Her confession rang throughout the empty bathroom, echoing against the tiles and Yukine’s ribs. The boy’s mouth clicked shut as all those images he’d imagined, with Yato fawning over another child that was actually his, flooded in. When Hiyori sniffed again, the pictures shattered, leaving a frightened young woman holding her stomach.

“Yukine, I’m pregnant,” she repeated. Swallowing Yukine let his hands lightly rub her arms up and down.

“That’s,” he breathed, “amazing.” The honest wonderment he felt bleed through his voice and Hiyori looked up at him, eyes shining with pure hope.

“Really?”

“Yes,” Yukine promised. They deserved to be happy and experience having a baby and raising them with all the love and care they gave Yukine. After all, they already saved his life. What more can he ask of them? Once again he found himself blinking away the moisture in his eyes, Hiyori trying to do the same.

“But, what about Yato? Do you think he’ll,” Hiyori bit her lip and Yukine struggled to find the words and push away any jealousy he felt. Of course he wanted to be Yato’s one and only, for the man to never have kids of his own cause he had Yukine. But that was as selfish as it was stupid. Yato had a lot of love and Yukine knew he was no different than a son to him. Yato would never abandon him for something he deemed better and Yukine would be there to support him. Both of them.

“He will absolutely love them,” Yukine assured her, letting out a dry sob, “he’ll make the best dad.”

“Well, hehe, I think he already does?” Hiyori wiped under her eyes and Yukine found himself laughing.

“That’s right!” Yukine said, joyfully, “he’s the best.”

“Yeah, he is. The best I could ask for,” she murmured happily. The room was considerably warmer, lighter as Hiyori set her palms gently over her abdomen with a soft smile.

“Now I just have to tell him,” Hiyori said, “and my parents.”

“I’m sure they’ll be happy too,” Yukine sighed as he leaned against the door, “you haven’t told them yet?”

“No, they’re old fashioned and I would rather tell Yato first. So you can’t tell anyone!” Hiyori suddenly stepped forward with pleading eyes.

“Huh?”

“It’s a surprise! I want to tell him on our anniversary but I really need you to be there as support, so you can’t say anything, okay?  Promise me you’ll keep it a secret!” She begged. Yukine gave his answer before he could think, not realizing until later what it would entail.

“I-I will! I’ll be there! And I promise I won’t say anything!”

The anniversary dinner reservation was booked at the restaurant Yato took Hiyori to on their very first date. It stood on the corner of an annual festival that followed the date and where Yato often took them every year since. In the car ride, various levels of anxious excitement is so palpable one of them could cut it with a knife. The excitement mostly came from the two adults in the front seat. Yukine, who sat behind Hiyori, was the majority of the anxiousness. Both hands were stuffed firmly in his jacket, balled up in his right hand was a little box protecting a diamond ring, his left was gently pinching the image of an ultrasound. He kept trying to rip his hands out of his pockets, worried about the cold sweat ruining such valuable commodities.

“So Yukine, are you excited about the festival?” Yato peaked at him through the rear-view mirror, smiling gleefully. It was unclear if his dad noticed Yukine’s flinch, but he quickly shoved his hands tight in his pockets and tried a smile.

“Y-yeah!” His voice cracked and Yato let out an awkward laugh. In the passenger seat, Hiyori turned around to look at him with an equally wobbly smile and a nod.

“We’re glad you can come with us to dinner this time,” she said, “right Yato?”

“Sure are! Soon you’ll be too old for us to force you to come on our dates!” Yato laughed. Even with the implication, the air in the car was considerably lighter. Yukine found himself laughing too, secretly knowing that there would never come a day he would need to be forced. While anniversary dinners were different, dinners with your parents hopefully lasted forever.

“Yato!” Hiyori chided through her giggles, giving him a good whack on the arm. The family continued to snicker as Yato pulled into a parking spot. He ran around the car to open the door for his beloved, taking her hand and helping her out. Yukine’s amusement sank like a rock when both the adults gave him a pointed look and a nod, he was reminded of what was to come. Giving his name, Yato could barely contain his excitement as the waitress brought them to a raised booth in the back.

“Yato,” Hiyori said with a light gasp. It was unclear if she noticed that this booth was the only one with fake roses strung up along the back but Hiyori wore a look of awe as she sat down on the other side of the candle.

“Two years,” he sang in reply.

“Yukine, you can take off your coat,” Hiyori suggested.

“N-nah that’s okay!” Yukine said. Both of them must have understood the implication because neither of them pressed it. They took a glance at the menu and eventually, the waiter came to take their orders, offering the most expensive bottle of champagne that Yato had already paid for.

“Oh, uh, no thank you, I’ll just have water, please,” Hiyori asked as she shut the menu and handed it to him. Yukine watched the waiter flash Yato a lost look who just nodded as he handed his own menu.

“I’ll have a colosi,” Yato said. The meal picked up quickly after that, the three of them ordering good dishes. Shortly after they started to dig in, the violinist Yato had called from college- a man with glasses named Kazuma- came over and began to play.

“Mmm!” Hiyori slurped down her pasta, “this is our song!”

“Hmm?” Yato cocked his head.

“Our song! You know, the one they played at the after party for the art exhibit? Our first dance,” Hiyori said. She ducked her head, looking suitably embarrassed until Yato hummed.

“I remember! Of course I do,” Yato smiled, “best night of my life.” Love in the air, they finished their meal, sharing a dessert Yato treated Yukine too. Once the dinner was complete, Yato distracted Hiyori long enough for Yukine to run and give Kazuma a tip and the next phase. Then Yukine jogged after them, the three of them walking out into the festival. Hiyori, rather obviously, tugged Yato off to the right. The woman on track to being a doctor was clever enough to know her romantic boyfriend would be taking them to the spot of their first kiss. Of course he did that every year, but Hiyori hoped being in such a nostalgic place would help the news to be received more positively.

Still, the two of them put a lot of effort into making sure Yukine felt included. Part of him thought this was just done out of gratitude for his help, but they’ve taken him here more than enough times for Yukine to understand they just wanted him to have fun too. Of course, this was still part of Yato’s extremely detailed plan. A handful of the game stands held certain prizes that Yato planted for the proposal. So far, Yato carried a hand-made scarf that mimicked something Hiyori used to wear while they were dating, a small wooden house that was used in sketch class, a box of sparklers, and binoculars. Currently, Hiyori was selecting another prize Yato and Yukine won for her by playing darts. Based on Yato’s instructions, the man offered Hiyori the prize box of fake jewelry, one of which was real and hand made. Knowing her, she would notice the pink-flowered charm and select it.

“I’ll have to go back for that bottle,” Yato sighed as he watched his love look over the options.

“I can go back and put it in the car,” offered Yukine.

“No, no, no, I need you here with me,” his dad looked at him, “I can’t do this without you.” He sounded confident but his eyes were so scared that Yukine couldn’t help but nod. Yukine had made a promise to himself some time ago that he would protect this eccentric, kind-hearted man that saved his life, from others who would try to take advantage of him or go out of their way to hurt him. Just like Yukine once did.

“I have tissues in case she says no and I put the ice cream in the freezer for you.”

“Haha! That’s my boy,” Yato let his fingers noogie Yukine’s hair and they laughed. The moment of truth was upon them. As Hiyori came back to them, showing off her new bracelet with the claim that it was something Yato would make for her. They walked to the edge of the street, the overview circling out over the park with a fence and benches. Yato handed the house and sparklers to Yukine, wrapping the light scarf around Hiyori’s neck. The fireworks would start in exactly seven minutes and Yukine still had both objects in his pockets.

“Yato,” Hiyori suddenly said, “I need to talk to you.” She looked at Yukine who stared back at her with wide eyes.

“What is it? We can talk here, you know,” Yato tried to get Hiyori to come towards the railing, but she remained firmly where she was.

“I just decided that I want,” she looked around, “some cotton candy!” Hiyori frantically pointed towards one of the mini carts.

“Wha-? Right now?” Yato’s shock and fear cracked his voice but he quickly tried to cover it with a laugh.

“How about after the fireworks? They’re going to start soon and you know how much I like-”

“Please Yato?” Hiyori put her hands together and cocked her head. From the middle of them, Yukine sucked air through his teeth and looked at Yato. Those were the big guns, Yato rarely said no to begging.

“Uh, um, okay, Hiyori. One-one sec!” Yato started towards the treats, “come on, Yukine!”

“No, no! That’s okay! Yukine can stay with me!” Hiyori insisted. She smiled when Yato just sputtered then ran off to retrieve the sweets.

“Okay, give it to me,” she frantically hushed.

“You’re going to do it now?” Yukine gave a quieted exclamation.

“I have to! I can’t let this continue without him knowing!” Hands shaking, Yukine handed the ultrasound to Hiyori who stuffed it under the top layer of her shirt against her spine. Once glance at the clock told Yukine there was four minutes until the fireworks would light up the sky and Kazuma would light the sparklers next to the matching mini wooden house just below them.

“Okay! Okay, here!” Yato ran back to them, “here you go, Hiyori!” He handed her a pink mass of sugar, shoving it in her face.

“Wha-! Yato!” Hiyori sputtered. As she struggled to get the sugary treat out of her face, Yato dove his hand in Yukine’s pocket and plucked out the ring.

“Heheh, sorry,” Yato said as he stuffed it into his pocket, “I tripped?” he offered as she moved the candy out of her face. As Yato smiled awkwardly at Hiyori’s narrowed eyes, the first firework of the night boomed in the sky. Slack-Jawed, the three of them looked up at the sky, then back at each other.

“Ah! It started!” Yukine gasped.

“Let’s go get a closer look Hiyori-”

“Yato, I have something for you!”

“I have something for you too, but, uh, it’s over here. So let’s go over here!” Yato was quicker, and louder, than Hiyori and managed to grab her wrist and pull her towards the railing. Deciding that his job was done- and that he didn’t want to really get caught in whatever was about to happen- Yukine chose to stay a couple feet back.

“Yato, I- '' Hiyori's words were caught with a gasp as she looked over the railing. On the stone patio that surrounded the park were a bunch of pigeons eating the seeds Yato had Kazuma put down just as they left the restaurant. Feeding pigeons was something Yato did a lot in college and one of the places Hiyori would find him sketching before they started dating.

“Look at them all!” She gasped at the massive heart made purely out of hungry pigeons. In the center of the feathered shape was a small note, leaning on the matching mini home, with fancy calligraphy made clear by the sparklers that were stuck on either side.

“Is that a note?” Hiyori squinted, “I wonder what it says.” She looked at Yato when he cleared his throat.

“Why don’t you use your binoculars?” He offered them. Hiyori didn’t seem to think much of it, taking them and leaning over the railing.

“It says ‘Will You Marry Me?’ Aw I wonder who that’s- for?” Hiyori’s sentence fell off her lips, drifting through the wind as she lowered the binoculars and turned her head. Yukine watched her eyes drop to Yato on his knee, who was gently holding up the box and the ring. When she gasped, eyes growing wide, he nudged the box up higher and cocked his head with a forced smile.

“Will you?” he asked. It took a moment but Hiyori finally moved, closing her mouth and blinking rapidly.

“Yes,” she breathed.

“Really?” Yato sprang up with a gigawatt smile, Hiyori laughing at him.

“Yes! Yes!” She professed, bouncing up and down with Yato. Quickly putting the binoculars around her neck, Hiyori quickly grabbed Yato’s face and they joined in a passionate kiss. From his spot, Yukine found himself bouncing on the balls of his feet and clapping with the few people surrounding them. Through their love-sick laughter, and Hiyori’s many kisses, Yato took her hand and raised her to the ring. Before the rock could slip onto her finger, Hiyori jolted, finger freezing.

“What is it?” Questioned Yato, terrified at the way she took her hand back.

“Before you give me the ring, I want to give you my thing,” Hiyori said. Her weak words were slightly drowned out by the fireworks display and chatter of the audience but Yato just nodded with tight lips. Eyes downcast, Hiyori’s fingers slipped under her shirt. Then, she handed the ultrasound to Yato who blinked at once before he gently took it. Yukine watched him stare at it, almost incomprehensibly, for a little longer than necessary. Yato blinked again, turned it around and blinked once more. Adam’s apple bobbing, Yukine watched Yato’s lips say something that was too quiet to hear. Hiyori nodded, a jolting movement, trying to force a smile around her wet eyes. This was it, Yukine thought, they were a little family; a mother and her future husband. Yato was a husband, a father, a man of the house. Yukine’s clapping hands stopped and gripped his shorts.

Yato suddenly got his breath of life back, his head jolted up and he looked to Hiyori with an open jaw. He couldn’t force it close until he tackled her into a hug, holding her head and waist so close, like she was the only thing keeping him standing. Whatever Yato said convinced Hiyori it was time to slip the engagement ring on her finger as they squeezed each other tight. Their laughter sounded again, overshadowed by the fireworks and sounding considerably more breathless than before. Lit up by the dancing colors, Yukine watched them alternate between laughing, talking, kissing, and pointing at the objects in their hands. Just as Yukine’s happiness was starting to be completely overshadowed with loneliness and isolation, he watched both of them point at their gifts then turn and face the blonde.

“Yukine!” They cheerfully called his name, arms open to welcome him into their hug. Heart leaping for joy into his throat, Yukine ran forward without a thought. By the time their arms wrapped around him, holding him tightly against their bodies, Yukine’s wet laughter was bubbling out of his chest.

“Yukine! You double player you!” Yato exulted.

“You did such a good job!” Hiyori complimented with tears, “thank you so much!” The family gave another tight hug before pulling away.

“We really couldn’t have done it without you,” Yato sighed. He kept his arms around their shoulders, holding the ultrasound up against the sky, the three watched the final colors of the fireworks illuminate the tiny bundle of life that would be greeting them soon. As the final boom pounded against their beating hearts, Yato finally gave it back to his fiance.

“I’m glad it all worked out,” Yukine said, mostly to himself.

“Are you sure?” Yato asked him.

“Huh?”

“We just want to make sure that you’re okay with all this,” Hiyori started, “we know this is a lot and we just want to hear your thoughts about all this.” She gestured to everything but when Yukine gave them a blank look, Yato put his hands on Yukine’s head.

“Our family is getting a little bigger, are you happy?” He asked softly. Warmth spread throughout Yukine, building in his heart and fanning the heat behind his eyes.

“Yeah,” Yukine breathed, “I’m happy.” He blinked and let out a hum of a laugh as Yato and Hiyori smiled at each other.

“That’s great because we have something for you too,” Yato grinned.

“For me?” Yukine blinked. What could it be? What more could they possibly give him?

“Yes, a surprise for you too! Mostly from me to you,” Hiyori offered. When she looked at Yato, smile matching his, the three separated and Yato lifted his top shirt to reveal a folded packet. He handed it to Hiyori who handed it to Yukine with a shy smile.

“If you want,” she tacked on. Yukine kept his eyes on her as he unfolded the paperwork, already knowing what it was before he looked it at. It was so familiar, nearly identical to the one Yato gave him so long ago, the one that now sat in a protective folder in Yukine’s bedroom.

“You want to? Adopt me?” Yukine asked. He squeezed the papers tightly against his chest. Unable to say anything more, Hiyori pressed her trembling lips together and gave a short nod, a couple tears falling from her eyes. He was back in her arms just as she opened them, sniffing against her collar bone.

“Is that okay? Will you have me, Yukine?” She tearfully asked as she brushed his bangs out of his eyes.

“Yes,” Yukine cried, “I’d love that. So much.” He had a mom now. Not that woman that gave birth to him, a real mother figure that loved and cared for him and his dad properly. He had parents.

“See?” Yato sniffed, “I told you he would gladly welcome you into the family!” He tried wiping the tears from his cheeks but it hardly made a difference.

“The family?” Yukine repeated, feeling the word on his tongue.

“Of course! Can’t be a family without you, kiddo!” Yato insisted. He pulled them back into a hug, each of the gifts to each other- sealing their love and connection- squishing under the force of their laughter. They came together in a rather unconventional way, and they were nothing Yukine imagined for himself, yet they were everything he could ask for.

His parents.

His family.

[chayacat]

Devil’s Sweet Star (39)

Fandom: Dead by Daylight

Ghostface x Female Reader  

Rated M for Violence, Language and Smut  

***

Here we are. This is the big day. A day that no one will forget and cannot forget. Today is the day of the Roseville Festival. Exactly 32 years ago, this small town was still just a gathering of houses where each one helped the other. Then little by little it developed and it became the small town that everyone knows today. And Mayor Tallis leads it with trust and respect. And you are there, among all these people, while you have only been living there for a short time, who almost considered you as a member of this great family. Just thinking about it, you have a tear in your eye.

The stands were all in place. It was sunny but a little cool which was a good thing for your cake which unfortunately, compared to the little ones who were in refrigerated windows, was going to be exposed to the open air. Speaking of the cake, it was out of sight in a fridge big enough to keep it cool while the mayor made his speech. As soon as it is finished, you can take it out, show it to the whole city and cut it to distribute it to those who want it. As the mayor you said, there were a total of 8 stands, yours included, 4 on each side of the desk where the mayor will make his annual speech. Yours being, as expected also, to the right of the desk.

“I can't believe that other journalists will attend this and taste your pastry! you imagine the ad you will have if they ever love it?? You will be known throughout the region!” said Corey enthusiastic.

“Throughout the region... it's scary anyway... can you imagine people from all over the region coming to Roseville just to eat a cake or drink a coffee? We're going to be overloaded.... and it may even be necessary to refuse customers...” said Amy worried.

“Don't get too excited too fast both... It's just a small local festival. There's very, very little chance I'll become a famous one just with that. It's going to take a long, LONG time for that day to arrive. If it happens one day.” you respond a little embarrassed.  

“Hey! Don't say that! You’re the best in the town and one day you’ll be the best in all Ohio! stop underestimating yourself! There are people who deserve less popularity than you and yet they are successful!” replied Corey.  

“He’s right! You're the best coffee shop and the best boss we’ve ever met and have!” said Amy.

You smile at Corey and Amy. They are really adorable. They went for a tour of the different stands that are still in preparation, just like yours. You never imagined being there today, at least not in such a short time in Roseville. You said that in 2 or 3 years this would be the case, but not in a few months. Lindsey installed her most beautiful floral composition on her stand, smiling and greeting you. Poor of her, these last days weren’t easy for her because of the attack on her shop, but thanks to the kindness of the inhabitants, she was able to quickly start again on a good basis. You install the last signs with the products and prices indicated on each of them. Plus, a special sign for the festival cake with a reasonable price compared to the quality, when two hands that you know only too well, because of their sweetness, hid your eyes. And the voice that followed, even in a crowd of 10000 people, you would be able to hear it.

“So? Ready to expose your creation to the whole city? Everyone in town is waiting to see that.” asks Jed with his angelic smile.  

“Yes... I'm ready. And no matter what happens, the key thing is that you're there. Do you have a lot to do?” you said, smiling at him.  

“Take pictures.... write stuff... the normal job of a journalist in fact. But don't worry, I plan to go see you... and taste your delicious cakes.”

“Leave it for everyone big foodie... Don't worry, I would put some aside for you. And for the others.”

“I take everyone's share. They find that I have to eat a little and get a little fat...”

“But of course... you will have your shares and not one more, little thief. I did just enough to feed the whole city. The other journalists are there?” you replied, looking in all directions.  

“Yes, they're out there... they are preparing for Mayor Tallis' speech. You can imagine... Roseville has been around for 32 years, and he has been running it for 20 years. It's amazing to have so much motivation, courage and willpower to start from a few houses to a small peaceful town... well, almost.” respond Jed with smile.  

“Any news about Ghostface? As you took quite a while with Hoggins...”

“Murders, still murders and more murders. But I must admit that Hoggins takes so much time from me... That Ghostface is in the background right now. Which in itself benefits him. He takes advantage of the situation to quietly kill poor victims without defences... I can't tell you how many poor citizens of this city he killed while we focus on Hoggins.

And you don't even dare to imagine it. How many throats does he have to cut while everyone is looking at Hoggins? Even to you he didn't tell you anything. Yet, and involuntarily, you are his partner! But he is far from crazy, he is not going to tell you everything in exchange for your silence and cooperation. At least not now.

You dread that day. And yet you know you'll have to deal with it. All your actions will be decisive and, while you were focusing on the festival, you have passed multiple scenarios in your head. Only one misstep and you are dead. that's a certainty. But you can't accept all this without trying anything... or maybe... From the beginning he could have killed you. And he never did. He fell in love with you. And you fell in love with Jed. Funny love triangle. But not so bad in the end.

Live a double life... is that really a good idea? Sooner or later, one will eventually discover the other. In itself they already know each other, Ghostface leaves Jed alive so that he writes his articles and builds a reputation for him. And it’s thanks to Ghostface that Jed is an emeritus and excellent journalist. You wonder inwardly if they have already seen each other in real life... face to face. We will have to ask our dear murderer... Even if between us... we know who our nocturnal murderer is. Mayor Tallis settled at his desk, tested the microphone and signalled everyone to approach. You, Corey and Amy go at your stand, both ears attentive to the mayor's speech.

“My dear fellow citizens, today is a special day, a day that I hope will remain etched in your hearts and memories for years to come. Today, Roseville was born 32 years ago. At first, it was just a pile of houses where people helped each other. Then other people came and little by little a village was built. And today a city. And it is with pride that I lead it and that I will continue to lead it until my time has come.” he starts cheerfully.  

People applauded, while journalists took notes and photos. Among them you could see Jed taking a few pictures before looking at you, his angel smile on his lips.

“I wanted to thank you all for contributing to the evolution of the city into a prosperous and beautiful city. I would also like to thank the police forces who, at the risk of their lives and knowing perfectly well the risks of their jobs, dedicate their hearts and souls to the protection of this city. Especially inspector Wilhelm who takes his work very much to heart. He is a faithful friend in whom I place all my trust.”

The inhabitants turned to Inspector Wilhelm, who smiled, visibly embarrassed to be in the centre of attention. Poor of him, it mustn’t be easy for him.

“I also wanted to thank Miss (y/n) who warmly agreed to make the cake of the city that I will unveil to you in a moment. She has only been there for a very short time but... for me she is part of our big family. May this day bring you joy and good mood, and may it remain in your hearts and minds forever. Let the festivities begin!”

Members of the town hall brought your cake, hidden under a veil, and when the mayor removed the veil, everyone was amazed. It was as big as a wedding cake, decorated with trees, cars and some shops of the city and at the very top of the cake, the town hall with Mayor Tallis in front. All in sugar dough. It would almost hurt to cut it out and eat it but it is the first and only function of a cake, to be eaten.

The festivities began and it could be said that people were enthusiastic. Children ran everywhere to the great displeasure of their parents who had trouble containing them, it was very funny to see. Older people walked through the different stands, always starting with Lyndsey's buying flowers or plants before heading to the other stands.

Journalists from other cities came to congratulate you on cake and asked you some questions about you and your family. You explain that it comes from your grandmother, a great chef who passed on her love of cooking to your father and then to you. That you do not plan to change until your retirement... that kind of thing. Your gaze occasionally derived on Jed chatting quietly with Melina and Mattew, while occasionally taking pictures of the festival. The day took place in joy and good mood. People laughed, talked, children played together, ran everywhere, escaping the supervision of their parents. But their freedoms were short-lived when the police brought them back to their parents.

While serving customers, you suddenly see Hoggins at the opposite of you, arms crossed, sitting against a lamppost, watching you. He made you smile to freeze your blood, but you give it back to him, showing that he doesn’t scare you and that he will never scare you. You can't wait for Ghostface to kill him... Oh, yes. But that doesn't mean you want to attend. Knowing him, you trust him enough to offer him a slow, painful and unbearable death. And after... you will be free. You will be able to resume your life quietly. At least that's what you think. If you knew what you got yourself into...

“Hey (Y/N)!” said suddenly a man voice.

You turn your head to see Mattew coming towards you happily followed by Melina and Jed. You knew why... what a little glutton. You chat for a little while serving customers with Amy and Corey. Towards the beginning of the evening, you warn them that they can enjoy the festival before everything stops, to which they answered thank you and asked you if you will manage on your own.

“Yes, go for it! there are not many people anymore so enjoy a little! You too have the right to have fun!” you said with smile.  

The two looked at each other before smiling and hugging you, which made you laugh. They took off their aprons before leaving the stand and visiting the other stands that were scattered all over the central square of the city. You watch them leave, with a smile on their faces, they're really adorable these two. The rest of the evening went quietly, you serve the last customers before closing your stand. You set aside some cake for yourself and Jed and give more to Melina and Mattew, as well as Amy and Corey. Everyone left little by little, and in the meantime the mayor came to congratulate you on your cake and your success. The journalists who had come to cover the event, had talked about you to the mayor, full of praise.

You feel proud, and reassured. You breathe a sigh of relief when you hear all this. Jed was waiting for you against his van. When he saw you arrive, he took you in his arms, kissing you, get you into the vehicle to get back to the apartment. Once inside, you collapse on the couch, completely exhausted by this day.

“Poor of you... you are completely exhausted.” said Jed, holding you a cup of coffee.

“Thanks Honey. You can tell... I didn't think it would be as exhausting. And yet I have a coffee and I do the same thing every day...” you respond, sipping a little. “Did you manage to take pictures?

“Oh yes, don't worry about it... and there are plenty of them that I'm going to keep to myself... you are so beautiful when you are focused on your work...”

“What a charmer you are...”

“That’s why you love me right?”

You laugh before drinking the rest of your coffee and yawning. Jed smiled before gently taking you in his arms to carry you to your room. He put you on the bed, informing you that he was coming back right away, going to put the pictures he had taken in his computer. You take the opportunity to change and lie on the bed. Jed arrived a few minutes later, changed quickly, and joined you in bed, gently taking you in his arms.

“He was there you know... Hoggins. He looked at me as if he was going to kill me.” you said worried.

“Don't worry my love. Soon he will no longer be able to harm anyone. I promise you.” responds Jed.  

Oh, yes... he won't be able to hurt anyone soon... But it is not in prison that he will end up. But in a grave.  

And you can't wait to hear it from your... “partner.”

***

(I am EXHAUSTED. This little weekend will do me a lot of good! I think we're getting closer little by little to the end of DSS, count around.... 21 chapters. After, it may take less or it may take more... it will depend on the progress and the state of my brain XD After I think I would take a small break of 2 or 3 weeks before starting RE8! but don't worry! I will take the opportunity to develop everything! and find a title. XD, I hope you’ll like this chapter like the others ones! Well, it's time for my brain to rest! Have a great weekend to you all!  See ya!)

[nighting-gale17]

I was wondering if you'd be interested in a prompt I've been thinking about. (So buck isn't a firefighter never was, but eddie is and he gets excepted to 118 at the same time he does in the show. And over little conversions the firefam has with eddie they release that he is married to a guy named buck and has a disabled kid). Bonus points for British buck because I live like two blocks away from were oliver stark grow up, my older sister went to school with him

Thanks for this prompt! It was really cute and tbh I had a lot of fun writing it! So basically, in this fic buck never joined the 118 and tommy is still on the team. Hope you enjoy it!

Feel free to send me more prompts you guys :) I love writing these

5 times eddie mentioned buck and 1 time the team met him in person

[1]

The first time Eddie mentioned his husband was when he first met the team and Chimney caught a glimpse of the black band with a red line on his left hand. 

“Hey, man, you married?” Chimney had asked, a curious look on his face.

Hen watched as a lovestruck smile spread across Eddie’s face and he nodded, voice proud as he responded, “Yeah. Going on seven years, now.” 

“Wow. Pretty impressive.” Tommy let out a low whistle. “You’ll have to bring her around some time, man.”

“Uh, him. Actually.” Eddie corrected, a nervous yet defensive tone to his voice.

Hen felt a grin spread over her face as she clapped him on the shoulder. “Even better, then. My wife would love to meet the two of you.”

At that, Eddie’s entire stance visibly relaxed and his smile turned genuine. “He’d probably like that.” He perked up even more when Tommy asked if he had any pictures and wasted no time in whipping out his phone and fondly showing off a few pictures of their happy little family.

[2]

The second time Eddie mentioned his husband was when the earthquake hit. Hen had already gotten ahold of her wife and been reassured both her and Denny were safe in the house, just a little shaken up. Eddie had been staring at his phone while they sat in the ladder truck, eyebrows furrowed together in worry.

“Everything okay?” Hen asked, shouting to be heard above the roar of the engine and the sirens blaring through the air.

“Yeah.” Eddie glanced up briefly before staring back down at his phone. “Just trying to get through to my husband.”

“I’m sure he’s fine.” Hen reassured him. “The phone lines are probably just too busy for anyone to get through them.”

He gave her a small smile but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“Where’s he supposed to be?” she asked, because some buildings in LA are more earthquake-resistant than others.

“At school with our son,” he said after a minute, his smile softening a little. “He’s a special education elementary school teacher.”

“The school buildings here in LA are the safest place your family could be,” Hen promised as the ladder truck came to an abrupt stop outside of a high-rise. “They remodeled all of them a couple years back. They’re practically indestructible.”

“Thanks, Hen.” Eddie gave her a small smile, looking a little less tense than he had moments before.

“Anytime, Eddie. You’re part of the team, now.” she gave him a cheeky grin before she hopped out of the truck to survey the damage done by the earthquake.

[3]

“Hey, Bobby, can I talk to you for a second?”

Bobby glanced up to see Eddie standing on the other side of the counter, looking a little nervous. “Sure kid,” he put the bowl of meat he had been working on for dinner to the side and wiped his hands off in the sink. “What do you need?”

“I know I’ve only been working here for a few months,” Eddie began, rubbing the back of his neck. “But I was wondering if I could take a few days off in a couple weeks.”

“Is everything okay?” Bobby asked with a small frown. It was a little unusual for Eddie to make this request—he hadn’t taken a single sick day since he started, much less ask for a day off.

“Yeah, no, everything’s great.” He smiled a little sheepishly. “It’s my husband and mine’s wedding anniversary coming up and I wanted to take him someplace special for the weekend. If you can’t give me the time off, I understand,” Eddie rushed to continue, that nervous look reappearing in his eyes. “I know I haven’t exactly been here long enough to—”

Bobby raised his hand, cutting Eddie off in the middle of his ramble. “Take the time off, Eddie,” he replied with a fond smile. His heart ached for a minute when he thought about his own wedding anniversary—how excited he always was to spend the day with his wife every year.

Eddie breathed a sigh of relief and gave Bobby a bright grin. “Thanks, Bobby. I really appreciate it.”

“No problem.” Bobby’s smile turned mischievous. “You can thank me by helping me get the rest of dinner ready for the crew.”

“Yes, sir.” Eddie laughed, rolling up the sleeves of his uniform and joining Bobby behind the kitchen counter.

[4]

“So, Hen, you and Karen are going to be— what?” Tommy asked one day, tossing a bite of popcorn into his mouth and grinning proudly when he caught it.

“We’re going to be Sally and Jack Skellington.” Hen informed them, a small smile on her face. “Denny is going to be the skelly-dog, Zero.”

“Chim and I are going baseball players.” 

Chimney felt his cheeks flush hotly at the thought of the costumes Tommy had shown him the other day. He was never going to hear the end of it after the part, but, fuck, he had to admit they both looked hot in them.

“What about you, Eddie?” Tommy asked, craning his neck back to peer at Eddie sitting in the reading chair to his left. “What are you and your boo dressing up as?”

“Well, Christopher has been on a Pirates of the Caribbean kick recently,” Eddie admitted, a small smile on his face. “So we’re going as pirates. Buck is, as usual, going all out with this. He started seeing the costumes almost two months ago.”

“He’s sewing them?” Chimney asked curiously, a little impressed.

“Yeah.” Eddie’s gaze softened as he spoke. “He volunteers on the weekend at the children’s hospital to dress up as superheroes to cheer them up. He makes all his own costumes because he insists it’s cheaper for him to make them himself then buy it on the internet.”

Chimney let out a low whistle. “Damn, Eddie. Did you marry a Disney prince or something?”

Eddie let out a groan at that, a smile pulling at his lips. “Don’t say that around him—he’ll start getting ideas.”

[5]

Tommy loves Thanksgiving.

He loved other holidays as well (Christmas held a particularly special place in his heart) but at Thanksgiving, there was so much food. 

“I’m telling you, man, stuffing is one of the best dishes.” Tommy insisted, twisting and turning to look at Chimney for back up.

“It’s good.” His boyfriend acknowledged though it lacked enthusiasm. “My favorite is the turkey, though.” he shot Tommy an apologetic look.

“That reminds me,” Bobby cut in before Tommy could reply. “You’re all invited to our home for Thanksgiving this year. Athena insisted and it would be nice to be with everyone outside of work.”

“Yes!” Tommy replied immediately. “We’ll be there. Athena makes the best stuffing…” he sighed, his mouth-watering slightly just at the thought of the sergeant’s cooking.

“You can count us in too, Cap.” Hen answered with a small smile.

“What about you, Eddie?” Bobby asked, wiping his hands on a kitchen towel as he finished washing up the dishes.

“I would love to, Bobby, but Buck and I are hosting my family for Thanksgiving,” he said apologetically. “Buck tends to go a little overboard on holidays. He didn’t have the best childhood growing up so holidays are always a little extravagant at our house.”

“How extravagant?” Chimney asked curiously, his curiosity only growing when Eddie’s smile turned sheepish and he ducked his head.

“Well, I have a lot of family, so we usually have to end up cooking at least two turkeys, not to mention the side dishes. My abuela usually comes over to help but Buck refuses to let me into the kitchen.” he rolled his eyes fondly. “He practically takes over our kitchen for the entire day.”

“Remind me to send you my mashed potatoes recipe,” Bobby told Eddie, a small smile on his face. “I guarantee it’ll make his life a lot easier if he follows that.”

“Thanks, Cap!” Eddie shared his smile. “Mashed potatoes are his favorite so I think he’ll enjoy it.”

“Okay, but, onto the more important question.” Tommy broke in, face serious. “Does he make stuffing?”

[+1]

The first time Hen actually got to meet Eddie’s husband, Evan, or Buck, as they’ve been told he prefers to be called, it was at the annual Christmas party in the station. She’d been chatting with Karen about what color to paint the nursery when she spotted Eddie walking up the stairs with an, admittedly gorgeous, man at his side with an eye-catching birthmark on his left eye and a young boy on his shoulders.

“Eddie!” Hen greeted, smiling as he walked towards them in the kitchen and placed a casserole dish on the counter.

“Hey Hen, Karen.” He smiled, leaning forward and hugging Hen’s wife and placing a friendly kiss on her cheek. “You look radiant.”

Oh no, Hen thought to herself, watching as Karen blinked back tears and hugged Eddie tightly before she let him go. She was extremely emotional from the pregnancy and any time someone complimented her while she was pregnant she just about started bawling. It was as endearing as it was embarrassing.

“This is my husband, Evan, and our son, Christopher.” Eddie introduced them, a proud look in his eyes and a fond smile on his face.

“Hello. It’s lovely to finally meet you both.” Buck said, a friendly smile on his face.

Oh. OH.

If Hen wasn’t so gay she might’ve swooned.

“You’re British?” Karen asked, a note of surprise in her voice.

Buck’s smile turned shy. “I grew up in London—that’s where I met Eddie, when he was overseas during his first deployment.” he turned and looked at Eddie with a lovesick expression on his face. “We kept in touch and started dating when he was on his second deployment. Then I moved here to LA with him.”

“That’s so romantic.” Karen sniffled, leaning her head against Hen’s shoulder.

“Papa, cookies!” Christopher tapped on the side of Buck’s face, pointing to the decorated sugar cookies laying out on the table.

“Yeah, I see them, buddy.” Buck laughed, reaching up to grab Christopher and set him on the ground. “But you can’t have any cookies until after dinner, remember?” he crouched down and stage whispered into his ear, glancing up at Eddie. “But you and I can split one when your dad isn’t looking.”

Christopher nodded, giggling into his hand before Buck led them away, exaggeratedly checking to see if Eddie was looking before nabbing a cookie off the counter and scurrying away towards the couches where the rest of the team was gathered.

“He’s cute,” Hen told Eddie. “Like a puppy.”

Eddie’s reply was lovesick. “Yeah, he is, isn’t he?”

[purplesurveys]

1115

survey by vintagekid

Name:  Robyn.

Happy with it? I am now, but I certainly wasn’t as a kid. Other kids were cruel and would tease me solely for my name, which made it hard for me to socialize. I got the same bad Batman jokes too many times and I also got called a boy. These seem petty now, but as a kindergartener adjusting to life in school, it had been traumatizing and made me wonder if my classmates were going to remain the way they were for the long run which no 4-year-old should be mulling about, really.

Do you wear stilettos? When I get the chance, which isn’t very often at all. But I do love stilettos.

How important are looks to you? I find this question very vague, but generally looks matter to me to a certain extent, like how I’d want to look nice and proper for a job interview or for formal occasions such as weddings. Relationship-wise, I also think I have to feel a level of physical attraction towards someone for me to consider seeing them.

How often do you download music? I don’t anymore. I stream all my music.

Can you name a philosopher? Socrates.

What would you do if two unicorns tried to whisk you off to candy mountain? I just looked this up and this is apparently in reference to an ancient viral video, like it was around before viral videos were even a universally-acknowledged concept. That said, I don’t have a clue how to respond to this lmao.

You became the deciding vote in an election, which party would you go for? I don’t base my voting decisions on parties because the party system in my country is a tragically broken shitstorm in which every single party rallies the same values and principles, just executed in their own – and usually poor and unsustainable – ways. I do my research on each candidate, see how they answer in debates, look at laws they’ve authored, see which marginalized groups they proactively support (if they do), and decide from there.

Do you have a bzoink account? I don’t but I’ve been a semi-regular visitor since like 2009.

How many phone calls do you typically make in a day? Zero. People usually call me.

What song are you listening to? Tell Me It’s Okay by, surprise surprise, Paramore.

Do you understand things others your age do not? I don’t know. Maybe. Everyone’s bound to understand some things better than others.

Do you hate people that label themselves? Why would I hate that? And why would their chosen label be my business?

How many windows do you have open? None. There’s plenty of mosquitoes at night, so even though the cold evening air would been pleasant to have we have to keep the windows closed by nighttime.

How superstitious are you? Not at all.

If you were in Harry Potter, which house would you be in? I’ve been told either Gryffindor or Ravenclaw.

Which comedian can always crack you up? It’s not a habit of mine to watch comedians.

Are you nagged about being on the computer too much? Not since I was a teenager. Since college I’ve been doing most of my work, if not all of it, through my laptop, and I think my parents understand that I have to use it all the time.

Do you feel bad about anything you've done lately? Nothing comes to mind, no.

What's your texting bill typically like? My SIM is prepaid, so it works the other way around. I put load credits in it only if I know I’ll have to call/text/surf regularly.

What song did you/do you want played at your wedding? Turning Page by Sleeping At Last.

Do you have a lot or hardly any lines on your palms? Idk, a decent amount I guess? I don’t think it hits either extreme.

What's your favourite word? Poignant.

Are you allowed to swear in front of your parents? Yeah. They’ll shoot me a glare sometimes, but I’m in my 20s and...they know they can’t really do anything about it anymore lol.

Do you eat apples? No.

What are your addictions? Coffee, I suppose.

What are some words you use in daily life? I use intensifiers often, like very, really, super, absolutely, etc. I’m also big on expressions hahaha like oh my god, seriously, for real, and ugh.

Do you look things up on Google constantly? Yes.

Where do you get your music from? Spotify. Sometimes YouTube if I wanna look for a leak.

What do you think of people with afros? That they are people with afros...? I don’t really know what you’re looking for me to say, lmfao.

--

survey by charey-chas

Do you like getting your picture taken? Not for the most part. My body instantly gets all frozen and awkward when a camera’s placed in front of me, which I hate because I do wish I could have more photos of myself around. Is your phone anywhere near you? It is not, actually. It feels great and I really should start making it a habit to keep it away from me entirely on weekends. Do you ever enjoy going to school? In my first school, I enjoyed going mainly (and probably only) for my friends; but Catholic school was predominantly a torturous experience. The rigidity isn’t something I look back fondly on, and it felt like being kept on a tight leash for 14 years. College was a lot more enjoyable in every way possible. I liked going to (most of) my classes and learning as much as I loved the vibrant org culture and the general freedom that comes with university life. Have you ever gone on a road trip? Lots. The Philippines is a relatively small country and unless you want to jump to a different island altogether, there are many provinces you can readily travel to by car.  Who do you get along with best in your family?  Nina, my sister. Then my dad. I clash a lot with my mom and I don’t talk to my brother. Based on your personality, what animal do you think you'd be? Cats and I don’t get along very well hahaha but I think I’m similar to them. Would you ever buy anything from an infomercial? Maybe once, just to be able to say that I have. Have you ever made a snow angel? No, because I’ve never seen snow before. Have you stayed in a hotel in the last month? No. We had a brief getaway in Tagaytay but we switched things up and went to rent a condo, instead of book a hotel room, for a weekend. What's your most comfortable outfit? If I want to go for comfortable, I usually go for my rompers or jumpsuits. Do you text or IM more? IM these days. Would you rather listen to music or play it? Listen. I have no music-playing skills whatsoever. Have you ever been in a hot tub? Sure. Do you like pizza? LOVE IT Are you sleeping in your own bed tonight? Yes. If not here, the couch. But most likely it will my bed tonight. Are any of your friends having a sleepover right now? I doubt it. Angela and Hans had an overnight stay in Batangas a few days ago for their Valentine’s shenanigans though, which I guess kinda counts as a sleepover. Have you ever been to a house party? I don’t think so. That’s something I missed out on in my college days, but I don’t mind. Do you listen to your iPod or the radio when you're in the car? I think I keep a good balance. If my phone’s battery is not very high I’ll rely on the radio; and sometimes I’ll sync my phone’s Spotify to the car as well.

--

survey by charey-chas

What song is stuck in your head at the moment? RAVI’s BUM. What's your fathers' middle name? He doesn’t have a second name, but I’m not sharing his legal middle name on here either. How many hours a day do you spend on the computer? On work days, I’d say 8-10 hours. On weekends, maybe a little slightly less than that since I do like getting off the laptop sometimes to rest my eyes. Could you live without the internet? People from the past managed to live without it, so I know I can. It would just be extremely inconvenient; and having been dependent on it for such a long time now, I would likely be clueless on how to navigate most activities. What's something you're really into? Learning about cultural differences!! That’s why reading survey answers has always been fascinating to me. I would love a website that dives into the various everyday behavior people observe in other countries, but the ones that do exist use like 20- or 30-year-old sources, so they aren’t even relevant at all anymore. What's the last movie you saw in theaters? Knives Out. Have you ever seen a movie in 3D or in an IMAX theater? Just once. It was Denise and Leigh’s 18th birthday treat and they brought us to watch Doctor Strange in 3D. Do you prefer skirts, shorts, or skorts? Shorts. Have you ever vandalized? Just a few school chairs in grade school, but otherwise I’m too paranoid for vandalism lol. What's the longest you've stayed up? Maybe a little longer than 24 hours. Who'd you have a sleepover with last? Gabie. When's the last time you baked something? Nearly a decade ago. Our oven was new at the time and I wanted to try baking cookies. Do you like to dance? When I’m alone. Do you scratch mosquito bites, even though you're not supposed to? Yup. Are you afaid of spiders or do you like them? I mean I’m not fond of them, but I also don’t scream and run away when I see them. I just don’t care for them for the most part. What's a pet you've always wanted? I’ve only ever wanted dogs, and now I’ve got two of them. Do you like mice? Not really. Would you ever get a tattoo? Sure. I’ve been considering it for a while now; it’s just a matter of being able to save up for one. Do you prefer to walk in the street or on the sidewalk? Street, if it’s bare and safe enough. Otherwise if I’m in a busy city with regulations and all I’d obviously rather be on the sidewalk. What's your favorite t-shirt? My CM Punk Best in the World merch. Who did you last think about? I remembered Deina when I was thinking about the tattoo question. She got a pawprint tattoo on her wrist shortly before her senior dog passed away and ever since learning about it I’ve also been thinking about getting the same tattoo. Do you like giving hugs? I love giving hugs and it’s an automatic response for me whenever I see someone I love, which is why Covid is such a torture for me. Do you prefer hardwood flooring or carpeting? Hardwood. Did you/will you get a car for your 16th birthday? No. I got a car when I was 17, around six months before I started college. Have you ever eaten a worm? No but I’d be willing to try.

[chxoticmuses]

ULTIMATE SHIP MEME

Status: ACCEPTING!!!

@themercifulmother said: botthhh of our ships

General:

Rate the Ship -   Awful | Ew | No pics pls | I’m not comfortable | Alright | I like it! | Got Pics? | Let’s do it! | Why is this not getting more attention?! | The OTP to rule all other OTPs

How long will they last? - This is tricky because technically they didn’t at first but then they did? I feel like the feelings were still there even after they broke up, so I’d say forever

How quickly did/will they fall in love? - At least a month or two. Travis always found her attractive, but it wasn’t until they became friends and started talking more frequently that he fell for her hard and fast.

How was their first kiss? - It was awkward but cute at the same time. Awkward because the two of them didn’t know how to react, but cute because it revealed that the two of them definitely had feelings for each other. 10/10. Travis would definitely want to relive the moment.

Wedding:

Who proposed? - Travis. It was more like a suggestion than a proposal but it counts!

Who is the best man/men? - Someone that Travis worked with.

Who is the braid’s maid(s)? - Whoever Delores managed to meet when they relocated

Who did the most planning? - The wedding wasn’t too extravagant, so not much planning went into it but they each did their parts! It’s not like Travis wasn’t involved at all, he just let Delores have creative control over everything

How fancy was the ceremony? - Back of a pickup truck | 2 | 3 | 4 | Normal Church Wedding | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Kate and William wish they were this big.

Who was specifically not invited to the wedding? - Anyone who could’ve possibly spilled their location to the people looking for them in New York

Sex:

Who is on top? - Travis likes to be on top. It gives him a sense of dominance but every now and then he lets her get on top because he likes the view.

Who is the one to instigate things? - You would think it’s Travis, but it’s actually Delores. She thinks she’s slick, but Travis be picking up on her.

How healthy is their sex life? - Barely touch themselves let alone each other | 2 | 3 | 4 | Once a couple weeks, nothing overboard | 6 | 7 | 8 (It’s pretty healthy. It’s not a 24/7 thing but they’re able to talk about and implement new things in the bedroom without it being awkward)| 9 | They are humping each other on the couch right now

How kinky are they? - Straight missionary with the lights off | 2 | 3 | 4 | Might try some butt stuff and toys | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Don’t go into the sex dungeon without a horse’s head

How long do they normally last? - A normal session for them is about 30-45 minutes

Do they make sure each person gets an equal amount of orgasms? - Travis tries his best to make sure Delores gets off even when he doesn’t

How rough are they in bed? - Softer than a butterfly on the back of a bunny | 2 | 3 | 4 | The bed’s shaking and squeaking every time | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Their dirty talk is so vulgar it’d make Dwayne Johnson blush. Also, the wall’s so weak it could collapse the next time they do it.

How much cuddling/snuggling do they do? - No touching after sex | 2 | 3 | 4 | A little spooning at night, or on the couch, but not in public | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | They snuggle and kiss more often than a teen couple on their fifth date to a pillow factory.

Children:

How many children will they have naturally? - Two!

How many children will they adopt? - I don’t think they would adopt. I can see Cecilia bringing around one of her troubled friends and then kinda acting as parental like figures.

Who gets stuck with the most diapers? - Delores. Only because Travis is at work most of the time.

Who is the stricter parent? - Delores. Travis is a “Ask your mother” and “I don’t care as long as your mom says yes” type dad

Who stops the kid(s) from doing dangerous stunts after school? - Travis will yell out a loud “Hey!” Just to spook them and stop them from whatever they were thinking about doing. That counts, right?

Who remembers to pack the lunch(es)? - Surprisingly, it’s Travis! Because his job requires him to be up late at night he always packs the lunches for the next morning. Just to take one less thing off Delores’s list.

Who is the more loved parent? - This question is trifling in its entirety but we both know it’s Delores.

Who is more likely to attend the PTA meetings? - I can see Delores getting involved with the girls’s school during their elementary and middle school years to help out with things like dances, fundraisers, etc.

Who cried the most at graduation? - Neither of them cry. They were very proud though!

Who is more likely to bail the child(ren) out of trouble with the law? - Travis is the more laidback parent. He doesn’t give much of a reaction when his kids tell him things, so they often call for him in situations like that.

Cooking:

Who does the most cooking? - It depends. Some nights the family prefers Delores’s gourmet home cooking and other nights they prefer Travis’s grilling. They rotate around a lot.

Who is the most picky in their food choice? - Delores. Travis will literally eat, or at least try, anything that someone puts in front of him.

Who does the grocery shopping? - If he has time, Travis will be nice and go do it while he’s out driving around. She makes the list and he gets everything for her.

How often do they bake desserts? - Travis loves sweets! He has a huge sweet tooth and he enjoys the process that comes with baking. He’s no professional, but he’s experimented around enough to know what he’s doing. He tries to bake at least three times a week.

Who is more likely to surprise the other(s) with an anniversary dinner? - Travis. He likes going all out for special events such as their anniversary.

Who is more likely to suggest going out? - When neither of them have the energy or feel that’s it’s too late to cook than Travis usually suggests to just go out or buy fast food.

Who is more likely to burn the house down accidently while cooking? - Travis. And yes, it has happened before. He was trying to make burgers indoors one day, but he didn’t know how to use a stove like that.

Chores:

Who cleans the room? - They make the girls do it 😈

Who is really against chores? - Neither of them are against them. If the house is dirty then they’re going to say something and make an attempt to clean it up, but Travis does fall on the lazier side.

Who cleans up after the pets? - Travis!

Who is more likely to sweep everything under the rug? - Travis when he knows Delores isn’t looking or he’s too lazy to pick it up in that moment.

Who stresses the most when guests are coming over? - Delores! Travis doesn’t really care like that. He doesn’t mind presenting the house as it is, but he’ll help make it look tidy if Delores asks.

Who found a dollar between the couch cushions while cleaning? - I’m going to pull a wildcard and say the girls. They’re always leaving things all over the house and that happens to include the spare change that their parents give them.

Misc:

Who takes the longer showers/baths? - Travis. He’s the type to just stand there in the shower for a long time thinking.

Who takes the dog out for a walk? - Travis does it for a peace of mind, but he doesn’t mind Delores joining him since he knows that she adores dogs.

How often do they decorate the room/house for the holidays? - Every time a major holiday rolls around their house is decorated!

What are their goals for the relationship? - I’m going to answer this with older Delores and Travis in mind; right now their main goal is to build a safe and loving (but mostly safe) household for their children.

Who is most likely to sleep till noon? - Travis. He’s a night owl; does everything at night and sleeps through the entire morning. Might be a little productive in the evening.

Who plays the most pranks? - Travis is a big joker which shocks a lot of people who get to know him. He plays little pranks on Delores all the time, but they’re harmless and nothing too serious. The type of pranks that get you mad in the moment, but later you can laugh about them.

[peaches-of-1]

Peachtober | Day 12: Striking Midnight

Cinder to Ember

Cinderella!Hoshi x Prince/ FTM!Reader

Warnings: Abusive language, abusive parent, abusive siblings (the stuff that were in the orignal film y’know)

When the kingdom was blessed with a princess almost 30 years go, the peasants and royals rejoiced! Celebrations were held for a month! Years passed, and many servants found the young child enjoyed both dolls and sword fighting and felt just as comfortable in dresses and in chainmail. Even more years passed and the adolescent royal knew they weren’t completely female as his servants believed. He preferred cute things and cute dresses, but did his best to become a good swordsman and wear pants even if he did chafe quite a bit.

The royal seamstresses caught on and began to alter the pants to fit him properly. They also fixed jackets and shirts to account for the amount of breast not repressed by their prince’s binding. Many of the knights bound their chests to help with posture, but this was different. The head knight Mingyu knew this. So he made a unique training regimine to give his prince time to unbind lest the prolonged wear were to hurt him in some way.

Year after year, the training paid off. Prince Y/N had become the most feared and respected swordsman in the 5 kingdoms. He made friends with the other princes and princesses and the subjects adored their transgender prince. So much so that they wanted to marry him. IT became more obvious by the day as more and more proposals came through the mail. Piles of flowers sent from suitors were turned into compost.

“Dearest son,” Said the King. “Whatever must I do to get you to marry a wife?”

“Or a husband.” The Queen added.

“Right. Right. Whatever your preference is. We want you happy more than anything, my child, but...it doesn’t look good for roses to rot so frequently.”

His wife added, “And frankly, it’s pissing off the neighboring kingdoms. Just choose someone and fall for them later.”

You rolled your eyes, “I cannot wed someone I have no interest in. They are my friends or people wanting to marry a prince. What about love, Father? Mother, what is I wanted to marry someone who loved me for me?”

The Queen spoke, “Then you must do it quickly. Your father and I have decided to throw a ball for you to find your spouse.”

“But, how--?” You began to sputter.

Your King, your father said, “We have invited all of the kingdoms as well as the whole of our own to make sure you have tons of options.”

You huffed and went to your room. You had to take your binder off, but also, you couldn’t stand to be around your parents right now.

On the other side of the kingdom, a musical young man by the name of Hoshi was washing the floor in too small brown overalls that had been ripped and repaired so many times. Sometimes they were caught on a stray nail, other times his step siblings would ruin them on purpose. However, it wasn’t like he could speak about it to anyone.

“HOSHI!!!” A regal voice called out to him. “Get your ass down here right now!”

“The young man hurried down the steps after making sure the area was marked as wet, telling the mice to stay out of sight.”

“Yes, sir?” Hoshi bowed to the blonde man who was his father in law.

Draped in a dark red suit, he twirled his hair and glanced at his poor excuse for kin, “You didn’t brush Lucky’s fur, did you?”

“I-I tried to, but they kept running away. I--”

“Excuses, excuses! Did you lure them out like you were taught? Stupi boy!”

“I’m sorry, Mingi!” He flinched. “I...I mean Ren. I’m sorry, Ren!”

The blonde rolled his eyes, “Geez! Why are you so useless?!?”

Soon enough, there was a clatter in the hallway followed by a shriek Hoshi and Ren raced out of the room and towards the source of the sound. Woozi was rubbing his hip in pain as Jun laughed at the top of the stairs.

“What is the meaning of this?” Their father asked.

“The top was wet and I slipped in the puddle.” Woozi whined.

All eyes set on Hoshi who responded, “I set up my drying rags on the border to make sure they didn’t fall. I did exactly--”

“Then why did you still hurt my darling? If he’s hurt, you will be taking care of him, intensively. Now do your work correctly, you insignificant piece of--”

Ding dong.

A rough his, and Ren left to answer the door. Jun and Woozi went to get bathed while the young man finished cleaning the area before drying it and then getting all the elements of breakfast together. He’d have to clean their rooms and set up their clothing for the day.

“My lovely boys, we have some good news! We have all been invited to the Prince’s ball! There is no doubt he’ll be looking for a spouse!” He said, holding them affectionately with their mouths full of break and cream as they were eating breakfast.

Then Ren continued, “The lady gave us 4 invitations, but we only need 3.”

“What about me?” Hoshi said shyly.

“...oh, right.” Jun said. “I’m sure Father didn’t miscount. Someone like you would bring us to shame!”

Woozi agreed, “you wouldn’t want to bring shame to the family of your poor deceased parents, would you? Reputation is important, you know.”

Someone with your stench and matted hair? We’d never be able to live that down!”

The three circled like sharks around fresh and bloody meat. They laughed and the two sons went to go change clothes since they were done eating and had new outfits to buy.

“Well, if you--” The step-child turned maid began.

“If I WHAT?” Ren stared him down. When there was no response, he simply huffed and straightened his cravat. “That’s what I thought.”

As the ball was so soon, Hoshi’s step-father and step-siblings were more irritable than usual. They had to have perfect hair and perfect lips, trying new skin creams and contacts as well. Woozi wanted to be blonde to meet the prince and hopefully become his husband.

“Blond hair will certainly help Prince Y/N to notice you,” Jun said. “He might mistake you for a baby chick because you’re so small, though. Won’t be able to keep his hand off of you.”

He laughed at his own joke, even though Woozi looked like he was going to rip his eyes out.

“Ow!” He then called out and kicked his leg. “Watch where you’re hemming!”

“Sorry!” Filthy black hair bounced to reveal a defensive smile.

Woozi’s cheeks got red with anger, so he shoved him back, “Don’t smile like that. It’s annoying.”

Later that night…

Finally, Hoshi had a moment to himself.  A cute little mousy, S. Coups and friends had a cup of tea and nightgown waiting for their friend. Joshua sat on Hoshi’s shoulder as he had just been freed from a trap by an exhausted tired helper.

“Ah, thank you S. Coups, Jeonghwa, Dino. You’re the most helpful mice a boy could ask for.” He said, setting Joshua among them.

After changing into the stained nightgown, he sighed and was glad the house was mostly quiet.

“What’s the sigh about? Dino asked.

“Why the long face?” Inquired S. Coups.

Another sigh, “Step-father told me there was a ball being held by the prince. I want to go, but I know he won’t let me. He even hid the invitations in his study, probably to hide them until the big day, and...to see the prince just once up close. One night of fun and to see his handsome face. I’d be ever so grateful.”

Joshua giggled, “How do you know the prince is handsome?”

“Well, all princes are handsome to someone, and I just know he’ll be handsome to me.” Hoshi replied with his head in his hands, looking at the flickering candlelight.

“What if you and the prince got to dance together?” Jeonghwa tossed the idea in the air.

The black haired man caught it instantly and ran with it, “Oh, I’d be the luckiest boy in the kingdom!”

The poor young man got up on two feet and began to dance around the room, night birds singing from the windowsill. A few grabbed a clean coat from the closet and helped along with the late night daydream. Joyous orchestral music played in his head as his partner asked him to dance. The two circling around the room as smiles were shared among all the creatures in Hoshi’s bedroom.

That is until a faithful creak on the stairs warned the guests of the imaginary ball to an uninvited party crasher. Quicker than lightning, the coat was stashed under the bed and the candle was blown out by Joshua. Hoshi jumped into bed, facing the wall and pretended to be asleep. He hid the candle blower to his chest to keep him from getting hurt.

A knock, “Ashton?” it was one of his step-brothers using the less than affectionate pet name, but the pounding in his ears made it hard to distinguish with certainty who it was.

A moment later, the door squeaked open and Hoshi shut his eyes tightly. Something rolled up was place on top of the pillow...footsteps...door closed shut...a creaky stair but now in reverse.

The young man let out a breath, letting go of Joshua who scurred over his savior to see what the gift was. Everyone was curious and started to murmer until Hoshi hushed them, using moonlight to make out the words. Then he gasped.

“It’s the invitation!” Quickly, he covered his mouth, hiding the scroll in his trunk at the foot of his bed.

Everyone was ready for the ball and even Hoshi raced down the stairs with invite in hand. He wore his birth father’s coat which he had kept and altered for such an occasion. Then Ren glared at him in the mirror’s reflection.

“And just where do you think you’re going?” He asked.

“T-To the ball with you.”

“Without an invitation? The blonde devil gave a cocky smirk.

Hoshi held up the scroll, “It was placed on my pillow, so I thought--”

“As if Father would let you come with us, Ashton.” Jun said. “And in those rags?”

“You look like utter garbage.” Woozi added.

Then a devious grin crossed the former’s face, “Why don’t we try our hand at some last minute alterations?”

Then the two began to claw and rip and tear the suit of the father Hoshi never knew. AT some point, even the invitation was taken from his hands. Red streaks and marks trailed down the suffering young man’s arms and legs. Ribbons. His clothing had been turned to ribbons of fabric all around him as he cowered on the floor.

The devilish trio weren’t done with their assault just yet as step-father Ren tore up the invite piece by piece in front of his very eyes.

“I don’t know how you thought you were going to get away with stealing from me and invading my private study, but let this be a lesson to you, Ashton. Don’t ever cross me again.” and the paper was thrown over black hair as if it were confetti.

The men left laughing, and Hoshi was left on the floor sobbing and found himself running to his mother’s grave.

Is tears watered the long dead flowers and helped to awaken his mother’s spirit.

“Dear, don’t you cry. Mother will wipe up the wettest eyes. Dearest, don’t you you weep, look into your heart and reveal the goodness you should keep. What does it want~?”

“I want to go to the ball.” He sobbed. “One night where *sniff* I’m not...I’m not forced to clean shoes or mend suits! One night of happiness.”

Wind twirled and picked up his form.

“Then my dearest, I will make your wish come true with a Bippity Boppity Boo. however, come back before midnight because that is when my magic will be through. I do believe what would be best is a bit of gold and blue.”

A crisp power blue suit fell onto Hoshi’s frame, golden Oxfords on his feet, and he looked up just in time to see his mice be turned into horses and a lucky pumpkin turn into the most ornate four wheeled carriage he had ever seen! The young man gasped as Minghao the owl gained human form to become his footman. The torn pieces of the invitation floated out of the home and became whole again.

“Oh, thank you, Mother! Thank you!”

“It’s the least I could do for leaving you with them.” She said, kissing his forehead.

And so off to the ball the crew went.

Bright lights. Loud laughter. Simple chatter. Prince Y/N was having none of it. Of course he was nice and polite and showed off his good upbringing to all that approached. He needed to excuse himself, requiring a moment to breathe as he took off his binder for a few minutes. The appointment would happen before the wedding, but he wasn’t sure if he wanted to get rid of these fatter lumps on his chest.

Mingyu asked from the doorway, “Are you ready to return to the party, my prince? There are several suitors waiting to meet you. If you need more time, please let me know. They will wait for you, my prince.”

“No, no. I’m coming. Just give me a few minutes.”

Then his outfit was done up once more. Just in time, it seemed, as the horns announced another guest arrival. No name since they were rather late, but still. His very wide eyed arrival was nothing compared to his dapper suit the color of the sky. Very fashion forward, nothing you as the prince had thought of wearing. Minimalistic and sleek. Golden shoes on his feet.

You weren’t the only one who noticed as all eyes were on the young man who lit up the room. He did not approach anyone himself, but the Queen asked to dance with the young beauty. You knew she was probably asking about status and other unimportant things. Then again, she was very good at partnering with Father to help rule the kingdom.

You would trust Mother to find a great potential husband for her own son. Just as you turned around, an older man and two young men approached you and bowed deeply.

“Your highness, I am Choi Ren from the Pledis sector. These are my sons Woozi and Jun. Both are very eager to meet you.” He basically pushed his offspring towards the royal.

Each grabbed one of his arms and began to bicker over who he should spend time with first.

“Darlings, behave yourselves~” Ren said with a saccharine tone. “I’ll leave you be.”

The prince turned on his charm, “Well, gentlemen, it seems that I’ll have my arms filled with your handsomeness for the foreseeable future.”

“You talk so pretty.” Woozi swooned.

“Your face is so pretty too.” Jun said. “Like a girl--”

The brother wacked his back as the prince made a face, “Don’t say that!”

“What I get the same thing too, especially when I used to have long hair.”

The prince chuckled tensely, “I get that a lot.”

After the dance with the Queen and a few other kind fold who actual wanted to hold Hoshi in their arms for a few turns in the ballroom, the overwhelmed young man went out onto the expansive balcony for a breather. Sitting on a long bench and looking up at the stars.

“Oh, this is so much fun!” he said out loud to himself and casually walking to the bannister. “I do wish it would never end! I still haven’t met the prince, though. I would be an honor to dance with such a man.”

A high alto voice spoke behind him, “Excuse me…”

Hoshi turned around to see a soft and handsome face staring back at him. Who was this man?

“I’ve been wanting to dance with you all night,” the man said. “May I?” and held out his palm.

The lucky young man smiled and gave his hand, “You very much may.” simply wanting to dance with another kind stranger.

This mysteriously good looking man smiled and the two began to twirl to the distant orchestra which played a smooth and melodic waltz. The men gazed into each others’ eyes as if they held the universe, no their own universe in each orb. Not one moment did they look away.

“How are you enjoying the ball?” They asked in sync and laughed.

“You first,” the soft faced one said.

Hoshi replied, “It is the most magical night of my life! I’ve danced with so many people! My feet should be tired, but I am too happy to feel anything but joy.”

“I haven’t seen you around before.” He said sweetly.

“Well, I’m not really allowed to be seen much.” Hoshi bit his lip, “BUt let’s not talk of that for now.”

The kind dance partner nodded, “I do hope I get to see you more often after tonight. It’s been a tiring night for me as well. Some people have decided to call me Miss--”

“Even though you’re very clearly dressed like a Mister?”

“Yes!” He exclaimed.

Hoshi pouted, “Well, I believe the way one puts themself out there is the way they should be perceived. Sometimes perception is wrong, but there’s not much else you can do except talk to the person.”

“Then again, you can’t talk to every person in the world, also some may not want to be talked to anyways.”

“True.” The enchanted boy said. “But I get to talk to you. That’s all that matters to me right now.”

The first strike of midnight tolled, making Hoshi’s eyes go wide.

“I must go. I’m so very sorry. Oh, but I haven’t even seen the prince yet…” Hoshi said as he turned to go.

“The prince?” Y/N himself said to the young beauty clan in a blue suit.

The beauty that was running away at the moment. He at least tried to follow after him asking for a nam, a house, something so he could find his heart again. There was no doubt that Prince Y/N, that you had fallin in love during your time together.

Black hair bounced as the young man ran away, his shoelace getting caught on a broken part of the stairs, causing a golden Oxford to come flying off. Still, the man in blue ran, barely glancing back at his lost shoe.

You picked it up, however. Took it to your nearest guard Mingyu who was always nearby his trusted prince.

“Get Mother and Father. Tell them I have found the one I shall marry. We just...I just have to find him again.”

Back home just in time, Hoshi’s carriage returned back into a pumpkin. The horses back into mice. Footman Minghao reinstated to owl form. Rich looking suit of powder blue back into dust covered rags. The only thing left was a golden Oxford that the young man kept safe as a memento of the night.

And so the next day began with a bit more sunlight in his heart. He sang a bit louder while making breakfast and was in the back garden hanging up clothing to dry when Ren suddenly grabbed his arm.

“The prince is searching the entire kingdom to find someone he danced with last night at the ball and left a show, so I need you to stay out of sight. Wouldn't want you to bring shame upon us.”

So Hoshi was thrown into his bedroom with the door locked behind him

“Wait! Wait! It was me! Let me out!” He yelled and randing already raw fists against the door. “Please, let me out!”

But no reply other than a vicious scream to tell him to be quiet.

Prince Y/N arrived in much splendor. All eyes were on him as he approached the biggest house in the Pledis sector.

“Is everyone present among possible suitors?” Mingyu asked.

“Yes.” Ren said, shooting a warning glance to his children that didn’t go undetected. “Everyone.”

The one known as Jun was the first to try on the show, trying to stuff his foot inside, but it would not go in. his foot was way too big to properly fill it.

“My feet are swollen from dancing last night.” He tried to explain.

You shook your head, “I doubt a foot would swell so much in such a short period of time.”

As Woozi took his turn in the chair to try on the gold show, it was quite clear his foot was too small to wear the  shoe as intended.

“My--my feet were swollen last night from dancing. I assure you that I am the gentleman you are looking for, your highness.”

You looked down at the young sir, quite concerned, “If your feet swole so much, I suggest seeing a physician. Besides, the man I dance with last night didn’t complain about his feet.”

Again, the shoe was taken off and the man discarded. Prince Y/N sighed and said that the person he hat waltzed with must be at the next house. His knight Mingyu said there were no more houses.

The crash of a vase from upstairs. All heads turned to the source of the sound. Ren cursed the boy he had been forced to care for since his wife and Hoshi’s mother died. Why didn’t he stay quiet?

“Everyone?” You asked in your most princely tone.

“It was a mouse--” Ren began.

“Our maid--” Jun said.

“Our brother--” Woozi started.

Glares towards the shortest felt like daggers.

“He was ill last night and didn’t even attend the ball. You shouldn’t go up there. He might still be sick.” Ren put on his doting father facade.

You crossed your arms and smoothed the skirt you were wearing since wearing pants all night had made your legs start to chafe.

“I have the best doctors in the country. Let me see him, your brother maid.”

Begrudgingly, Ren went upstairs with the prince’s knight behind him, shoe in hand. The door opened and Hoshi was picking up the pieces of the broken case with his hands.

Was it really the prince himself I had danced with last night? Hoshi asked himself as he was brought downstairs to stare at the man.

“Sit.” Ren said, struggling to hold back his usual venom in front of company.

He did and the golden Oxford slid perfectly onto his foot with not too much extra space nor half of the foot hanging out. Not only that, but the mice S. Coups, Jeonghwa, Joshua, and Dino worked together to bring the other shoe downstairs as well.

“The other shoe as well!” Prince Y/N gasped. “You are him!”

“Could you not recognize my face?” Hoshi laughed, tying up his shoes.

The prince blushed, “Do forgive me, my love. It was dark and I needed a couple of drinks to get through the night.”

Hoshi smiled, “I forgive you.”

Prince Y/N then got down on one knee, “Will you also marry me?”

“Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!”

The prince and Hoshi shared a loving embrace and a beautiful kiss. Less than a week later, the wedding was held.

As for the step-father and step-siblings, they were thrown in jail for abuse towards the princess. All’s well that ends well.

[kurtty-drabbles]

Swan AU(Excalibur)

N/A: So, I was thinking about this part for while and all I can say is 1) Kitty may side with Kurt but she´s not a heartless monster 2) I think I´m building a Yana VS Kurt fight here. Also, Excalibur may not know this...but they threw a plan Kurt was crafting and the man is not happy about it.

@djinmer4 @dannybagpipesarecalling @discordsworld

Logan is a trustworthy informer that Brain often prefers to work. Ever since their last mission on Cadeluria, where an evil wizard was causing chaos, Logan starts to give pieces of advice about safety. For an unknown reason, Logan is hitting that maybe killing that wizard was not a wise idea. Brian can concede it was not an ideal solution, however, as Meggan and Rachel point outs, that man was ready to kill them and the small village in the name of Der Meister.

Recently, their main city is being attacked by a curse, one that not even his sister Betsy, one of powerful curse-breaker ever, couldn´t lift from the city. Not even Susan Storm, another curse-breaker, had any success. Logan wasn´t very comfortable when he did mention one last source.

“Don´t anger him. I think he´s still...upset” Logan offers as this is the final instruction. Captain Britain could sense Logan is hiding something, yet, the situation is more urgent.

“I don´t like this” Rachel voice what every other member of the team is feeling. Dough, the youngest member of the group is using his ability to navigate the team, no one here speaks German. They stop as they finally spot the right house.

Speaking German did help, while, the eerier silence of the neighbourhood and the “servants” who are doing the housekeeping job(such as gardening) are quite. No eye contact, only doing the chore robotically.

“Ah, Sie Kommen alle in einem Stück an, so eine Schande” the deep voice cuts the silence, while the servants still repeat their task. Doug´s eyes widen at his words along with his looks, remembering Logan´s word about the necromancer´s look, the youngest member of the team looks away.

“He´s not happy to see us” Doug explained and feel something is odd going on. Brian and Rachel can see how the situation is strange. As for Meggan, Gloriana morphs into a big muscled dwarf (Logan also tell her how he likes pretty woman and can be quite annoying. Meggan can take the hint and does not wish to be hit on by a creepy necromancer)

“I can´t just let you be here...my servants feel disturbed by your presence here” Kurt stated as now the servant look at Excalibur with a demented smile on his face. Causing others to fear for their safety.

Except, inside his house is not helping either. Kurt, sitting on his chair, resemble more a king ready to execute someone than anything else.

“Necromancer” Captain Brain tried but his words didn´t break the sensation Kurt is sending. “We came here seeking your help, the city of Davos is with a serious curse”

Rachel could try to add something, the woman is way tougher than Brain. What was Rachel´s speech will have to be delayed as a new person enters the room. Gloriana watches the strangers enter and has to admit she seems far too tranquil(and free) to be living here.

Brian noticed the blue dress, a few weeks ago, before the incident with the curse, Betsy and Meggan are talking about dresses for the wedding. A blue dress, perfect for their wedding, Betsy even joke she would prefer in the colour purple(“it´s my colour”) bottom line, is a very expensive dress.

Rachel and Gloriana watch as the woman´s face almost glow in joy as she recognizes who they are.

“Oh my God, you are Excalibur” the woman moves gracefully to them to talk, while they had an emergency, they admit is much better to speak with this woman than...face the gaze of the necromancer. “I´m a fan” she speaks excitedly.

Kurt´s gaze didn´t improve with the arrival of this woman, instead, it gets worse. Looking at Excalibur as they are fresh meat. Not a good signal.

“You´re Captain Britain” the woman points at Brian “you´ re Gloriana, my family speaks so fondly of you! you´re the real heroine and my youngest cousin admires you deeply” Meggan can´t help to feel flattered even if the situation is a bit stranger “You are the new Pheonix, saved many people last month with your quick thinking” Rachel is flatter as well but still keeps her eyes on Kurt. “And you´re Doug, the newest member of Excalibur, decipher several languages in the span of 5 minutes. Oh, my name is Kitty, nice to meet you all”

“Katzchen!” Kurt calls her and the woman turns to him, no fear in her eyes, just a childish curiosity and mischief as the woman goes to where he´s sitting.

“Don´t be cranky me and the bamfs finish your project, silly, and your bad mood can be heard from here” her smile vanish as she whispers to him. Doug can translate any language, but, he needs to hear first.

“They killed my student, Tadashi, and I need him for my plan...they delay it and it was a very inconvenient thing for me” Kurt stated.  

“Yes, but they are heroes. That´s what they do. And is not like Tadashi is dead still. Plus, you can get your revenge by helping them”

“How so?”

“The payment, they have 4 on his group, take one of them to work on your circus and offers the help” Kurt smiles at that, a much cleaner version of what he was planning “ James is getting old, a young boy like him” she look at Doug for a moment “ will help in his last job and while you won´t hurt the boy, no, I won´t let you, the others will be terrified and you´ll get your revenge”

Silence regains the room. Excalibur breaks it by making a passionate speech. Kurt stops the speech and now has the word.

“So, Excalibur I´m willing to hear you now”

“A fatal curse has spread on our city” Rachel show the images of the symbol of the curse “ can you lift the curse?”

“Yes” the reply was followed with a false sense of relief “ as for my payment, I want one of you to work on my circus for a month” this was followed by angry protest and Kurt smiles watching them argue with Kurt and with themselves.

Kitty is paying attention to the confusion.

“I´d it” Doug replied with confidence, once making a blood contract with Kurt saying the necromancer can´t hurt or much less Kill Doug and once the month is over he´s free to go. There are some loopholes can explore. Kitty look at him seriously, ok,  fewer loopholes he can explore.

_____________________________

Back home, Brian mentioned something to Meggan, in private.

“Did you noticed the dress that Kitty lady was wearing?”

“Oh,” she teased “ you like a petite woman?”

“No, is not like that, that dress is the same from that magazine you and Betsy were talking about” Brian explained and Meggan now nods, yes, it was the same dress “do you know what this means?”

“That you really like to talk fashion with your sister?” Meggan jokingly asked then got serious “or that woman is richer enough to buy the dress or the necromancer buy for her”

“Which makes me think, how can we be sure she´s not under his control?” Brian inquiry frowning 

“Once, Betsy told me, the best type of mind controller is the one where you don´t notice” Meggan answers.

“And, what do you think?”

“...He´s the evilest creature in the world, I think he could and is doing something like that, but, what we can do?”

A new voice joins the conversation.

“Illyana Rasputin” Doug replied hopefully “ is a sorceress that has the ability to defeat Kurt”

The name Illyana Rasputin has now another meaning. Hope.

[sapphicscholar]

November 2024

“And CNN can now project that former Governor Catherine Grant will become the President Elect of the United States. By our estimates, she now has more than enough votes to become the 47th president, the country’s second female president, and the first out LGBTQ president. Folks, this is a historic moment.”

The rest of the commentator’s words were drowned out in a roar of cheering as Cat strode out on stage in front of a room packed full of her supporters. Miniature American flags waved in outstretched hands. Red, white, and blue balloons bobbed through the air above them and fell, scattering across the stage. And rainbow confetti—the one “fun” choice Cat had allowed Kara—floated down from the ceiling. Cat kept one hand on Carter’s arm, her other hand clutched in Kara’s, her fingers trembling slightly, still not quite sure whether she could believe the results. After all, it had only been four years ago when she had walked out on stage to give a rather different speech after a long night of contested results and too-close-to-call-it-yet moments that finally ended after 4 in the morning with a slightly uncertain calling of the election for General Lane.

“It’s real,” Kara murmured, and Cat squeezed her hand just a little harder at the reminder that Kara had always been the one to know exactly what she needed to hear. With a quick peck for Kara and a tight hug for Carter, Cat strode forward to the podium, waving at the crowds and calling out her thanks until the tumultuous applause finally died down. She smiled as it quieted, adjusting the microphone and glancing down at the speech she had prepared, hoping but not quite believing she would have reason for it this time.

“Thank you!” Cat shook her head the slightest amount, still wondering if perhaps it was all some dream she would wake up from, finding the election night still to come. “Thank you all for your support and your donations and your hours and hours of tireless campaigning. And now—now we’re here.”

Kara threw an arm around Carter’s shoulders as they watched and listened from the wings, cheering and laughing and clapping at the lines they had listened to Cat practice the night before. “She’s pretty great, huh?” Kara whispered, earning a low chuckle from Carter.

“Think I can get off work tomorrow since my mom’s president and all?”

Kara shrugged her shoulders. “I’m calling off work tomorrow with a case of First-Lady-itis.”

With a snort, Carter shook his head. “You’re the boss. Of course you can call out.”

Not that Kara took off many days. Or any days, really. After the last campaign ended, she had turned down several offers to return to the Senate as a chief of staff or to manage another campaign. The work with Cat had been enjoyable and meaningful, but after watching and living through the dirty smear campaigns and invasive personal attacks, Kara decided she needed to step back and return to the kind of work that had inspired her to turn to politics in the first place. After a year as a senior researcher at one of DC’s progressive think tanks, Kara had applied for grants and gotten seed money from L-Corp’s philanthropic arm to found an NGO dedicated to advancing alien rights and promoting interspecies dialogue—something she saw an increasingly urgent need for in the face of the Lane administration’s attempts to roll back protective measures like the Alien Amnesty Act. But now the country seemed ready to arc back toward justice, and Kara knew, no matter how late they were out that night, she would head into the office for at least an hour or two the next day to be sure they had put out a statement about Cat’s victory.

By the time Cat finished with the speech and started working her way through seemingly countless interviews with the press, most people finally headed home, leaving the large venue quiet after a night of nervous chatter and raucous applause. At a certain point, Carter snuck in for a hug and yet another congratulations while Cat was between interviews, excusing himself to get a nap in before he had to fly back to the West coast.

James likewise caught an early flight back to California after Cat sent him off with a teasing admonishment to “keep my legacy alive, Jimmy.” Even with assurances that he had CatCo’s best reporters on it and had vetted the proofs of the front page himself, James still ended up heading back out, sighing about how the work of a CEO was never done.

Around the time the sun was beginning to rise, bathing the city in a soft pink light, Kara found a very drunk Alex and an only marginally more sober Maggie making out behind the bar and celebrating the return of a liberal to the White House. After taking a few photos for posterity’s sake, Kara shuffled them outside and instructed two of the hired security guards to take them back to their house, leaving them both with stern reminders to drink plenty of water.

“Can you take us to Shake Shack?” Alex slurred as she flopped into the back seat behind Maggie. “They got great fries. Maggie likes fries. Didja know that? Veg’tarians can have fries at burger places.”

“We’ll get you fries at some point today,” Kara promised as she shut the door behind Alex, rolling her eyes as Maggie dropped her head into Alex’s lap, already half asleep.

While Kara waited for Cat to finish her final interviews, she scrolled through her texts and emails, smiling at all the happy messages waiting for her from Eliza, who promised that she had been watching live from the Grant campaign headquarters in California, and Winn, who included several photos of Americans following the coverage in Germany with the caption: “SO PROUD OF YOU!! Time to go: they’re buying shots. Gonna be so hungover for day 3 of the conference…”

Kara’s phone rang with a call from Lucy and Vasquez as Cat sat down with the last of the interviews that Jasmine had arranged. With a little wave to Cat, Kara gestured at her phone and the back corner of the room before wandering away from the cameras to take it. As she slid her finger across the screen, she couldn’t help the excited squeal. “Good news?”

“Double good news!” Vasquez cheered. “Don’t think we didn’t watch the coverage just because we couldn’t be there in person.”

“Little asshole had to choose the most inconvenient time to arrive,” Lucy grumbled in the background, earning a loud bark of laughter from Vasquez.

“Don’t mind her. She’s still a little grumpy from the 18 hours of labor.”

“‘A little grumpy?’” Kara had to hold the phone away from her face as Lucy yelled. “You try shoving a 7-pound lump out of your—”

“Congratulations!” Kara cut in.

“Thank you!” they both called back, and Kara had to chuckle at the dramatic shift in tone.

“Got a name?”

“Nope.”

“He’s baby X for now.”

“And he’s really fucking cute.”

“Okay, well, he’s kinda weird-looking, but they promise that he’ll be looking a little less alien in a couple of days. No offense, Kara.”

“None taken. I guess.”

“He’s so little. Did you know how little they are?”

“But he’s got, like, these itty-bitty fingernails and everything. Like…he’s a full human, only miniature.”

“But with big blue eyes. I don’t think they’ll stay blue, but they’re beautiful for now.”

“And so much hair. I kinda hope it falls out…might be nice to start again without a big shaggy mop of it.”

“They said it would.”

Kara snorted at the back-and-forth, wondering how long the two of them had been awake at that point. “I think Cat’s wrapping up, so I should probably go, but congratulations again!”

“Congrats to Cat too!” Vasquez cheered.

“Yes! About damn time.”

“Hopefully we’ll make it out to see the baby in the next couple of days, if you don’t mind a big team of security stalking out the perimeter of your house.”

“Go for it. And you know, if they want to take out the trash or pick up some diapers while they’re at it, I hear we’re gonna want all the extra help we can get.”

“Well I’m sure baby X’s godmothers will be more than happy to babysit once they’ve recovered from their collective hangover from hell,” Kara snickered.

“That bad?”

“Oh, I took pictures. Don’t worry.”

Lucy let out a little hum. “Can always count on you for that.”

“I think I might save these ones for the next big birthday party, though…” Kara grinned at the thought of the sheer number of humiliating photos she had saved up for that moment. “Anyway, I’ll let you go, but have a safe trip home from the hospital and give baby X a kiss for me okay?”

“Of course!”

Once Kara hung up, she ambled back over to where Cat was gathering her things and stretching after too many hours spent standing in heels. Throwing Cat’s bag over her shoulder, Kara extended her free hand. “Can I take you home, President Grant?”

“Please.”

December 2024

“God, accounting for a security detail for the president-elect is such a pain in the ass,” Alex grumbled as she pulled out the pegs of the seating chart for what felt like the hundredth time.

Maggie laughed as she wrapped her arms around Alex’s waist and pressed a kiss to her shoulder. “Still better than accounting for the security detail of the actual president, isn’t it?”

“Oh yes, because bumping up the timeline for the wedding by four months was so much easier.”

“You’re the one who insisted on having Kara as your maid of honor, and you can’t just not invite her wife.”

“We should have gotten married before them.”

“Please, you had so much fun giving Kara shit for U-Hauling with Cat after only a year. You wouldn’t have given that up for a slightly easier go of it ourselves.”

Alex let out a long sigh. “Maybe not.” After a moment she added, “But I still think Kara should be doing some of this work.”

“Well then tell her so over dinner.”

“Oh yeah, let’s think about how that’ll go. Hey, Kara? Be a dear. In between running an organization and preparing to move into the White House and making decisions about the inauguration and the ball, could you also figure out this seating chart?”

“You forgot to add in that we could really use the extra time for ourselves since your fiancée is kind of irresistible.”

“Mm yes. That too.” Alex’s eyes fluttered shut as Maggie kissed her softly, their hands twining together.

A knock at the door interrupted them. “Coming,” Alex called out, squeezing Maggie’s hand one last time before making her way over to the front door. She swung it open to reveal Lucy and Vasquez, both of them looking a little worn for wear. Lucy had a diaper bag slung over her shoulder, and Vasquez held an infant carseat in one hand, a bottle of wine in the other.

“Hey! Come in, come in, it’s so good to see you.”

They followed Alex inside, waving at Maggie as she rounded the corner. As Vasquez set the carseat on the ground, Lucy grimaced at the sound of a little whimper.

Alex leaned forward, unbuckling the straps and lifting the baby up, settling him into the crook of her elbow as she cooed at him. “Oh, come here, little Alex. Your godmother’s got you.”

Lucy pursed her lips and glared. “It’s A.J.”

“Mm, but I believe one of those names could be shorted to Alex. And really, I’m still so flattered that you named your son after me.”

Vasquez’s lips twitched as Lucy groaned. “It was a family name.”

“Say whatever you want to, Luce, but me and little Alex are always gonna know the truth.”

Lucy raised her eyebrows at Maggie. “She’s insufferable, you know that, right?”

“Considering we’re getting married in a couple weeks, I think I know that by now.” Maggie raised herself up to her tip-toes to kiss away the crinkle in Alex’s forehead. “But I love you more than anything.”

“Yeah, yeah. You’re lucky I’m holding a baby.”

“And you’re welcome to borrow him anytime you want.”

Vasquez shook her head. “She says that now, but she’s secretly a big softie with him at home.”

Before Lucy could respond, the sound of several SUVs pulling up drew their attention outside. “Cat’s here!” Alex called out. “Maggie, can you deal with the security team?”

Eventually Cat and Kara made it inside, and after a round of passing A.J. around to everyone, Lucy got him to fall asleep in his carseat in time for dinner. When she got back, Vasquez patted the seat next to her, throwing her arm around Lucy’s shoulders and kissing her temple.  

Alex raised her glass in the air. “A toast to little Alex!”

“Also known as A.J.,” Maggie chimed in, winking at Vasquez across the table as they clinked their glasses.

“And to the soon-to-be-married couple for hosting us tonight,” Cat added, earning another round of clinking glasses.

“And, excuse me, let’s not fucking forget,” Lucy cut in, “to the next President of the United States of America.”

“Cheers!” the table chorused.

“Here’s to an overdue victory!”

“And eight long years in the White House!”

[stratus-skye07]

Sense Of Love [Epilogue] | Minho

[Masterlist] [Finale]

FIVE YEARS LATER...

Y/N

I stretch my arms over my head to loosen the tensed muscles in my back. Rubbing my eye, I smile when I see the familiar figure lying beside me. My husband, Minho is sleeping soundly, facing me. I reach out to wrap my arms around his waist. Stroking my fingertips along his bare back, I kiss up and down his jawline.

“Minho,” He moans in response as a smile creeps on his face, “it’s time to get up.” I whisper.

“Did you sleep well?” He asks in a groggy voice.

I nod, “Surprisingly, yes.”

He leans in to rub my back, “Your back’s been giving you trouble. Are you sure you should be going to work today?”

“It’s too soon to go on leave. Besides Taemin doesn’t even let me lift a finger for anything and Key gives me sass for even coming in to work.”

“It’s still early,” He says kissing my cheeks, “We have plenty of time to straighten your back out.”

“Don’t you have training to do before the fan meeting?” I ask in between his kisses.

Minho’s career has gotten more successful as the years go by. He’s lost and won his fights but it never bothered him when he lost because he know that he lost fair.

He hums, “I’ll just tell Jonghyun that you weren’t feeling well so I got delayed.”

I chuckle, “Don’t use me as an excuse. I swear you-” He cuts me off with his lips.

Minho quickly learned that the simplest way to shut me up was with a kiss which leads to other discussions like the one we’re in now. His hand starts to trail up my shirt to pull me closer against his chest. My hands go down to find the waistband of his sweatpants where I could feel his manhood arising.

Suddenly the bedroom door swings open, “Eomma! Appa!”

“Or not.” Minho adjusts himself quickly.

Our 4 year old son, Sejun, comes crawling up from the end of the bed. Minho wasn’t joking when he said he wanted to get married. We were engaged for nearly a year before we had the wedding. Shortly after, I found out that I was pregnant with Sejun.

“Appa! Are you awake?” Sejun shouts in Minho’s ear.

Minho went back to pretending that he was asleep but had a smirk on his face as Sejun started to shake him and scream out his name.

“Sejun, I’m sure appa will wake up if you give him a kiss.”

He smiles before leaning down to give Minho a kiss on the cheek. In response, Minho woke up and trapped Sejun in an embrace followed by a shower of kisses which made him laugh.

Minho was worried at first if he would make a good father but as soon as he held Sejun in his arm for the first time, that triggered his parental instinct right away. He was a natural when it came to Sejun and I knew that the moment I saw him with the kids from the school. I had no worries.

“Eomma, when am I gonna meet my little sister?” Sejun asks pressing his hands against my large stomach.

I comb his messy bed hair, “Soon. She still needs to grow a little bit more.” There was still two months left until I give birth to a girl.

Sejun pouts before hugging my stomach, “I wanna meet her now.”

Minho pats his back, “You will but in the meantime you should prepare to be a big brother.”

“I am. I’m gonna take good care of her. I’ll protect her just like how you showed me, appa.”

As soon as we found out that we were having a girl, Minho started teaching Sejun a few fighting moves.  I was against it at first but Sejun seemed to enjoy it and it was another way for them to bond.

After a long morning of getting ready, I take Sejun with me to the cafe while Minho trained. Eventually he came to cafe where are holding his fan meeting. The line stretched out of the cafe and down the sidewalk.

Once the news of our engagement came out, our whole love story was released as well. The whole story gave Minho a growing fan base.

“How are my babies doing?” Minho gives me and my bump a kiss as he arrived at the cafe with Onew following behind.

“Fine, but you better get going on the fan meet. These people have been waiting for a long time.”

He nods, “Of course, I wouldn’t want the owner to get mad at me.” Minho kisses my temple before heading towards the table that I set up for the event.

“Here, Y/N.” Onew hands me a gift bag.

“What’s this for?”

“A gift for the baby.”

Looking into the bag, there’s different clothing along with a small teddy bear with bow on its head, “That’s so sweet of you, Onew.”

He smirks, “I know it’s your second kid but I have a feeling since it’s a girl that Minho is gonna treat it a little differently this time around.”

I understood what Onew meant. Once we found out that we were having a girl, Minho was somewhat scared. I feel like for men it’s harder to deal with raising a daughter but I know that Minho will be just as great with her like he was when Sejun was born.

I finish pouring drinks out for the fans that were waiting in line. I arranged them on a tray to hand them out when a hand on my shoulder stops me.

“You’ve done enough work today, noona.” Taemin reaches for the tray to take.

“I’ve barely done any work. You wouldn’t even let me clean the tables earlier.”

“As it should be. You’re the boss and pregnant, you shouldn’t be working anyways.”

I scoff, “I still have two months until I pop this child out and I go on maternity leave in a few weeks.”

“It’s still too close to your due date. Once that baby is born I don’t wanna see you working anytime soon.”

I smile at how much of strict brother he’s been to me. He was the same way when I was pregnant with Sejun.

“You don’t have to worry about that. I’m gonna have my hands full with Sejun and this little one.” I look around to find that someone was missing, “Where’s Sejun?”

Taemin points behind me where the pastries are, “He’s with Key, learning how sway girls into buying a cake with their drinks.”

I sigh, “Pulling the classic ‘you’re as sweet as these cakes, why don’t you try one if you don’t believe me’ line.”

He nods, “Yeah, starting him young.”

“Great. Minho already does that and now Key’s putting in his knowledge.” I look over to the two. “Key, can I talk to you for a minute?”

Key comes over with Sejun at his hip, “What’s up?”

“Why are you corrupting my child?”

His eyes widen, “Who’s corrupting? I’m teaching him how to make money. You know how cute he is? He could sell all the pastries in half a day.”

Taemin shakes his head, “With that being said, I’m gonna go hand these out to the fans.”

Sejun gasp, “Can I help you, Uncle Taemin?”

He smiles, “Of course you can.”

Taemin takes Sejun and carries him with one hand while holding the tray of drink in the other. As they went down the line, Sejun would take a cup and hand it to the person as Taemin walked with him.

By closing time, the crowd had already left after getting to see and take pictures with Minho. Taemin and Key left a little while ago leaving the three of us to close up.

Minho came back with Sejun from taking out the garbage. Sejun runs over to one of the tables to play with the toys in his backpack. I’m taken by surprise when Minho pulls me into his embrace and sits me on the counter.

“Yah, Minho!” I chuckle from the sudden action.

I try to get off the counter but Minho cages me in. “Yah, Y/N.” He takes my leg to massage my calves. “It’s the end of the night which means your work is over. Let’s go home now.”

“I’m almost done I just have to-” Once again he cuts me off with a kiss. The kiss felt needy like he’s been waiting for the night to be over.

“Eomma!” Sejun comes running up towards us with his action figures. “Appa let me take out the trash by myself.”

“Really? Wow, I didn’t my little boy was so strong.” Usually when Sejun wants to do something heavy lifting, Minho usually pretends to not help which is pretty cute when you watch it happening.

He raises his arms, “I wanna be strong like appa when I grow up.”

Minho ruffles his hair, “You’re gonna be twice as strong as me because you also have eomma’s strength.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, you know before you were born, eomma saved appa’s life.”

“Minho, I don’t think you should mention that.” I give him a look to make him stop but he winks at me before continuing.

“Eomma stopped a car from hitting me.”

Sejun’s eyes widen as he looks over at me, “Whoa!”

Minho nods, “I know! You’re lucky to have such amazing parents.”

“My eomma and appa are superheroes.” He starts yawning and rubbing his eyes.

“Okay, someone’s getting sleepy. Go put your jacket on and we’ll go home.” Sejun runs over to where he left his backpack.

I slide off the counter to finish wiping down the counter when Minho wraps his arms around my waist and places his chin on my shoulder, “Stop cleaning. Key can clean when he comes in tomorrow.”

I sigh, “Fine, you win.”

After locking up the cafe, we took Sejun home. He had fallen asleep on the way so it was easier to get him to bed than most days when we have to tire him out shortly before.

Minho put Sejun to bed before coming to our bedroom. I lie in bed when he slides in beside me. He nuzzles his head up against my stomach. It became one of his rituals every night to listen and talk to the baby. He did it when I was pregnant with Sejun.

“Hello my little girl,” He whispers, “it’s appa again. You must be tired from eomma moving around so much. I’ve told her to slow down but she doesn’t listen. I hope that you’ll be less stubborn. I already know that you’re gonna look just as beautiful as her. All the boys are gonna be head over heels for you but your oppa, Sejun, won’t let any of them near you.”

“Minho, you’re being too much.”

He pulls himself closer to my face, “It’s never too early.” I chuckle from how protective his become.

“I don’t think you should mention the car incident to Sejun.”

“Why not? He should know that his eomma is as tough as they come. If he still asks about it when he gets older I’ll tell him the story.”

“I’ll think about it but for now, keep it kid friendly.”

“Babe?” I hum in response, “If you didn’t know how we were going to end up, would you do it all over again?”

I smile as I kiss him, “I’d do it a hundred times over.”

The end of the nights always seem to be the best for me. It was the time where I would think about how Minho and I got to this point. Neither of us ever thought about this kind of lifestyle for ourselves until we met. When you have plans for your future, sometimes with just one person it could all change. For us, it changed for the better. I found comfort in Minho, having his children added more to that comfort. Everyday I fall more in love with him. I know that as long as we’re together we can get past anything.

[tnystrk-exe]

Reckless and Impulsive

Tony Stark x Reader

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 End

Baby Steps

Home

Learning to Live

The rapid taps of his mother’s heels was all Tony could hear behind him. He sped up his pace, smirking when Maria’s heels did the same.

“You know I can watch over myself for a couple moments throughout the day? It’s actually a really simple skill,” Tony teased, spinning on his heel to face her.

“Tony, you set yourself on fire yesterday.”

“Details. Small details, really. Let’s just be glad I installed a fire extinguisher to my robot after the last time.”

“Exactly, Tony, the last time. I love you, so much,” Maria stroked, her son’s cheek lovingly, “Sometimes, I think you’re going to give me a heart attack with how reckless and impulsive you can be.”

“I don’t plan on doing that to you anytime soon,” he chuckled, “The plan is to make sure you get all grey and old. You’re only going to die because you’re so tired of seeing me around.”

“Never,” she sighed, smile on her lips, “I’ll distract your father today, just to make sure he doesn’t work you too hard during this vacation.”

“See? Getting tired of me already,” he pressed a kiss to the top of her head, “I’ll make myself scarce. You’ll get no trouble from me today.”

Tony turned away again and started walking in the direction with the most noise. His father wanted to show how family inclusive Stark Industries was by buying passage on a cruise for a number of his workers and their family’s and organizing a work conference. Obviously, that meant he’d be dragged along. What better way to prove you’re family oriented then by pretending to love your son?

He drove the thought from his mind and steeled his gaze. Stark men were made of iron. No reason in showing unnecessary emotion. It was one of the first things he learned as a child.

“I’m just saying, we should have had an option of whether we wanted to come or not. Howard Stark doesn’t get to chose where he wants me to be just because my mom works for him,” he looked over to get a good glimpse of the complaining girl. “It’s nice and all. Don’t get me wrong. I just wanted to get a couple of things done.”

“If it’s any help,” he said moving to sit on the empty chair beside her, “even if your mom didn’t work for him, he’d still tell you what to do. Though, that’s just my experience. I suspect me being his kid and all messes up that data in the long run. Tony.” He offered her his hand.

She shook his hand, “YN. Yeah, that probably makes your research null. If it’s any help, the rest of us being here helps prove your theory, genius boy.”

“I scared off your friends.”

“They were all introverted and we’re afraid of doing something to get their parents fired. Let’s face it, Tony Stark is the one to avoid if you got those two things checked off on your list.”

“Can’t argue with those facts. What about you?”

“I was brooding in a corner. They flocked around me. If your asking if I’m going to run away from you, I was here first genius boy.”

“Why do you keep calling me that?”

“It was the first headline I read on my own, ‘Genius Boy Tony Stark builds circuit board at the age of four.’ It’s just association.”

“You know Howard wasn’t impressed? He kept saying it could be better and improved.”

“I would have been such a disappointment in your family. I could have made you look good, Stark. Just starting to read at four versus building tech at four? The competition would have died right away.”

“Then there’s mom who has absolutely no faith in me.”

“I can feel that, you set your bed on fire once and sometimes forget to look at both sides of the street and suddenly you’re labeled reckless.”

Tony, laughed, “But have you set yourself on fire?”

“...Yes.”

He stared at you before finally losing it. “I miscalculated and hadn’t slept for like a week. Woke up to my jacket sleeve cooking. You?”

“It was this dude’s birthday and they asked me to make him the cake. So they got me all the stuff. I noticed at the end that instead of getting a five and a zero they got a bunch of those single candles. By the time it’s lit up it looks like someone started a bonfire in the house. Of course my dumbass walked in front of a fan with the damned thing. So this side of my hair has been burnt.”

“Ah,” He let his fingers slide through your hair, “It grew back nice.”

“Should hope so, mom wouldn’t let me cut it. I smelled like burned hair for a week.”

“Our parents think we’re hopeless cases.”

“They really do.”

“Let’s get married,” he joked, “show them how reckless we could really be.”

“I don’t know, Stark. I’m already committed in a long, healthy fake marriage.”

“Get a fake divorce.”

“What about my children?” You asked keeping up the charade.

“I’ll raise them like my own.”

“Oh, Tony!” You pulled him in for a hug and whispered in his ear, “Do a proposal so that it’s more believable to our parents.”

“YN...” he started as sank down to one knee, “We haven’t known each other for years, months, weeks, or even a day. It’s just so easy for me to see that you’re the one I’m meant to be with. You aren’t afraid of me for my status and you’re funny, smart, and maybe a bit of an arsonist. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?” He asked pulling off a ring he was wearing on his own hand, presenting it to you.

“Tony! Tony! Yes!”

The crowd already started going off into gossiping circles. Trying to figure out what exactly had happened.

“Come on, future Mrs. Stark. Time to find someone on this ship to marry us off.” Tony grabbed your hand and led you away from the noisy area.

“I’m sure the crew can help with that, the first mate can officiate marriages.” You took the led and took him to someone who looked like they could help.

“We need to get married,” Tony said, straight to the point, “Not for real, obviously, but we just want to prank our parents. Do you think that could happen?”

“Well, Mr. Stark, I don’t know how exactly the captain will feel about it, but we can go talk to him. I’m on board with it.” The woman led the two teenagers to where the captain could be found.

Tony took care of all the planning. He usually could get what he wanted by just being charming. Which was most of the time if the person he was trying to charm wasn’t Howard.

The whole crew seemed excited about being in on the prank. It was agreed that the whole ordeal would take place during dinner. No one would think twice about the dinner hall looking a little more lavish or people being dressed up more than usual. Anyway the parents of the reckless fiancés in question were sure to be there.

“Ready to be my wife in two hours?” He asked, tearing your attention away from the movie the two of you had been watching while you waited for dinner.

You took a moment to think, your hand played with the ring he had given you earlier. “As far as a fake husband goes you have great qualities.”

He rolled his eyes, “Money?”

You made a face at that, “If I really cared about your money, I’d be pushing to make you my real husband. Look, I like you. I want to be your friend, but if you think I’m gonna be someone that’s around just because you have money,” you shook your head, “I need you to change that mentality for me. Be careful around other people. I don’t need anything but friendship from you, genius boy.”

He nodded and turned his attention back to the tv. “There are worst people to be fake married to as far as I’m concerned I lucked out. You’re the first person who has ever said that, by the way,” the usually cocky boy mumbled so quietly you thought you had imagined it.

“Keep me around longer and I’ll tell you more nice things.”

He smiled, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

When the movie ended you both got up.

“Time to get ready.”

You nodded, “Can’t wait.”

Grabbing your clothes you went into the bathroom to prepare. Tony had made a stop to his place before the two of you had made it to your room. It was easier if he got dressed at your place, less of a chance to run into Howard and change the plans.

Stepping out of the bathroom you took a second to admire his outfit, “Aw honey, you’re matching with me already.”

“Dear, just making sure everyone knows who you belong to,” he winked, “Besides, doesn’t a wedding require some form of color coordination?”

“Maybe so, either way I don’t belong to you,” you led him out of the room by his tie, “Ready to disappoint our parents?”

“That’s an everyday occurrence.”

A crew member met with you at the entrance of the dinning hall. He told you to wait a second so that he could inform the captain of your arrival.

“Ladies and gentleman, tonight a very special request was made of the crew. Two people in love asked us to marry them this beautiful evening,” someone started playing the piano, “They requested to come in together, as they can’t bear a moment apart. I now present you with the soon go be husband and wife!” A small cheer erupted from the diners.

“That’s our cue, dear, you ready?”

“Let’s get this done, honey.”

The two of you stepped into the lavish dinning hall. Smiling as happily as could be, after all it was your wedding day. The two of you stopped in front of the first mate, holding each other’s hands, and looking as if your love couldn’t be contained. You spared a glance at the crowd searching for your mother who was stunned in her seat, Howard and Maria in very much the same position. A quick speech was said before he asked if their were any vows prepared.

“No, lets skip to the good part already. The missus and I can trade all the sweet nothings we want in a moment,” he answered coyly.

The crowed laughed as you blushed.

“Very well, do you YN LN take Anthony Edward Stark as your lawfully wedded husband until death do you part?”

“I do.”

“And do you Anthony Edward Stark take YN LN as your lawfully wedded wife until death do you part?”

“I do.”

“You may now kiss the bride.”

For some reason you hadn’t though this far. You felt Tony reach out and lean towards you, all you could do was mimic the motions before his lips fell on yours. As the two of you kissed the crowd cheered, breaking the two of you out of the kiss and waking your parents from the shock they just received.

“Tony!” Came dual yells.

“YN!” Your mother yelled at the same time.

Tony grabbed your hand, “Well, thank you all! Mrs. and Mr. Stark got some business to settle now. Glad to see everyone!” With that he ran leading you out into the halls. Both of you laughing so hard your sides hurt. “Here, we can hide out here for a second.” He pulled you into a closet.

“They’re pissed.”

“It great. I didn’t think we’d get far enough to become husband and wife.”

“I thought they would have broken it up any second.”

“The kiss was good too,” he chuckled, “Even I believed it for a moment. What are we doing for our honeymoon?”

“Let’s just look at the stars?” You asked simply, “I don’t think they’ll look for us. Especially if they thing were consummating the marriage. Let’s just look at the stars?”

“Whatever my wife wants she gets,” He stated, opening the closet.

The deck, luckily, was empty. The two of you sprawled out on the floor, watching the sky for a couple of hours. The peace was disturbed when Tony sat up and shed his suit jacket. He threw it on top of you as a make shift blanket before laying back down and making you lay your head on his chest.

“Night, dear,” he said as pressed a kiss to the top of your head.

“Night, honey.” You pressed a kiss to his chest before turning your attention back to the sky.