#driving up from Tampa

[john-gosh-darnielle]

If we never make it back to California I want you to know I love you

[cosmicvaca]

As a Kakyoin fan and artist, I'm doing my part in giving him a part 4 design 🫡 (OG ask) Throwing my headcanons at you and hitting you square in the face

Ramble under the cut

Noriaki is a successful gallery artist living with his "roommate" on Florida's Gulf Coast (I think the Tampa Bay area, specifically Bradenton, FL). They have a small bungalow near the water, Perfect for them, their office/studios, Jotaro's fish tanks, and Jolyne when she comes from her mother's during the holidays or for summer break. Jotaro is definitely a boat guy they have theirs parked on the side of the house and take it for a spin over at least once a month (or once a week when Jolyne is with them over the summer)

He still does missions for the SWF with Jotaro, but his day job is his art. He works in an abstract/contemporary style and his pieces are large and textural. Jotaro doesn't really get it but still supports his partner, Jolyne loves them though.

Also, he and Jotaro have matching wedding rings: platinum bands with emerald Inserts.

[isdalinarhot]

for most mountain goats alpha couple songs when im making the sadalinar amv in my head while listening to it im mentally substituting references to modern day things with a rough roshar equivalent but see america right in my head actually is dalinar drunk on a greyhound bus in florida

[cosmic-carpals]

shoutout to yandy diaz and his pride armband! baseball is for everyone ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜⚾️

[hunterrrs]

certified child of god and mythical creature sidney crosby...

Q: Have you ever looked at someone or been with someone who has the qualities of a champion?

A: I’ve been very lucky, Andy introduced me to Sid - Sidney Crosby - at a very young age. He was my favourite player growing up, and I get to learn a lot from him, just his professionalism, his competitive drive, something I can relate to very well, just someone who gives the most to his craft every day. The number one thing you really want from someone is trying to get better every single day and never be complacent. And I think that’s definitely someone I look up to and I still do… Even today at our Cwench camp, he’s 37, he’s on the ice longer than everybody. He doesn’t have to be, he’s won everything, he’s done everything. It’s inspiration. It’s a cool thing to be around for everyone in this camp. At a young age I started skating with him, I think I was 16, he just practiced differently from everything I’ve ever seen, trained a little differently, just so much fire and compete, but also he has a great time doing it. Definitely lucky I got to experience that.

Q: There’s one little detail about you guys getting to Tampa for that Game 6 and you showed up and your room number was 87. You kind of talk about that, why 87, what that’s important.

A: We come to these Vail camps every year and Cogs and Sid are really tight. So Cogs said he’s our mythical creature, something like that. It was so funny. Anyone who knows Sid, he’s got this aura about him. He’s one of the best ever. So I think it was like 8787, was my room number. It was awesome. I showed Cogs the little envelope, I’m like, check this out.

Q: I religiously watch those training camps of you and Crosby, and you were saying if there’s one are you can get better and learn from is those corner battles with him. How have those corner battles been going over the years? Have you been making some-

A: Not much progress. He’s about this high off the ice, and his legs are this big, I’m trying to get at him. It’s tough. But it’s great. We’re pretty different players, we’re pretty different areas of needs of the ice as well, so it’s fun working with someone who’s a lot different. I get a lot of tips from him on that.

[thatlittlered]

florida!!! | aaron hotchner

warning(s): this will be a slow burn, but have faith

GIF by @katebeckets

author's note: A Hotch fic in 2024? It's more likely than you think. Part two coming tomorrow. Find me @MadeofLilies in Ao3!

-.-.-

It’s a two-hour flight from Quantico to Tampa, but the team’s already been up the day before for this case. There’s very little left in all of you to give right now so you’re mostly going through the files again or, more likely, staring blankly at the papers – sleeping with your eyes open. Rossi succumbs to the sweet call of rest first and he will most certainly be mocked for it tomorrow.

Reid is sat behind you and you can feel his frequent jolts. He’s coming in and out of sleep, always fighting it. Hotch is across from you and as always, an unwavering force. He is reading files and keeping notes without a single complaint. Not a single sign of discomfort or an urge to slow down.

You’d think he was a statue, but his humanity prevails through the peaks of facial hair just now growing in, the skin that sinks under his eyes and the softness of his breathing.

You’re no longer too aware of your surroundings, but from the corner of your eye, you see him squirm uncomfortably and glance at you before returning to his notes.

Then-

“You smell very good.”

“Oh, uh, it’s my body lotion, I think. Violet.”

He nods as if taking in the information that he can’t really use.

What exactly was the purpose of that statement? The thought of a scent emitting from the warmth of your body does something to him.

“I’m sorry, that was probably a weird thing to say.”

“Don’t worry, it wasn’t.” He nods again and silence ensues. “Maybe a little? I also feel weird complimenting people on their perfumes, it makes me feel like Buffalo Bill. It rubs the lotion on its skin.”

He laughs and his head drops downward. Full-hearted laughs from Hotch are a rare phenomenon and eliciting one is always a thrilling accomplishment.

“It’s a nice scent, let’s just leave it at that.”

“Let’s.”

-.-.-

Six hours of sleep in the hotel go by in a moment and do little to alleviate the headache that’s been building up. Tylenol it is.

Emily offers you a sympathetic smile when you meet her at the car and pats your back lovingly. You know she is just as tired.

“One of these days they’re going to stop working for me and then I’m really screwed.”

“You’re like a pretty house plant. You thrive only under very specific conditions.”

“That’s right. I only need a full eight hours of sleep, seventy-five-to-eighty-degree weather and a full stomach to not feel sick, I’m honestly very low maintenance.”

She laughs and hands you a coffee.

“I know, honey. I vow to maintain you to the best of my abilities.”

Hotch is listening from inside the car and he’s almost jealous at the comfortable banter. Chat always feels forced to him in one way or another, especially with you. It’s complicated.

You seat behind him and he looks at you through the rear mirror.

“Good morning, Hotch.”

Never boss. Never Agent. You called him Aaron once a very long time ago and he’s clung to it. He can hear it now if he tries.

He makes an effort to be warm to you and there’s a hint of a polite smile.

“Good morning.”

Emily and Spencer join you and after a quick check-in with the rest of the team in the other car, you’re ready to go.

Tampa is hot. And swampy. It was comfortable enough in the beginning when the sun was only coming out but you can’t escape its angry glare anywhere now. Your clothes are starting to cling to you and the Tylenol hasn’t worked.

Aaron notices your discomfort when you sneak away from the rest of the team and head back to the car for some shade. It’s been a long couple of hours driving around and looking at the perp’s dump sites.

“Are you okay?”

You look up and see him lean against the open car door. Brows furrowed, eyes on you. You’re always a little uncomfortable under his gaze.

“Yeah, I’m fine, I just needed a break.”

He’s not too convinced. “Is it the headache?”

“Yeah… I left my sunglasses back at the hotel and that doesn’t help much either.” You take a sip of water just in case it helps. “Who even has the energy to go around and murder people in Florida? I can barely move my arms up and down without wanting to die.”

He laughs again. You’re really getting good at this.

“That’s some fine profiling there, agent. It makes sense to assume the perp is a local.”

You squint your eyes to look at him through all the glaring sunlight and he’s smirking.

“Was that a joke from THE Agent Hotchner? Be still my beating heart.”

You smile at each other for just a second before the sun once again becomes unbearable. Your eyes close on instinct.

“Just give me a second and I’ll be back on my feet.”

“Of course, take your time.”

Next thing you know, you feel a gentle touch at the sides of your face, something being placed on the bridge of your nose. When you open your eyes again, Hotch is covered by a thin veil of black that gives you immense relief.

“Oh, Hotch, it’s not necessary.”

“It’s alright, you need them more. Keep them.”

“Thank you so much.”

He nods, now back to his regular self and walks away when he sees you’re looking better.

You follow close behind him and watch as he joins the group to comment on something Spencer said. Emily leans discreetly toward you, “Are those Hotch’s sunglasses?”

-.-.-

The air-conditioned hotel room is a lovely change of scenery by the end of it all. This time you can really take it all in, you’re not in a rush to go anywhere. A hot shower, clean linen and the scent of pine room spray in the air.

Pine might be an odd choice for a Floridian beach resort, but alright.

You’re drying your hair when someone knocks on your door, which surprises you. The usual routine for everyone in the team is a shower to wash out the filth that you witness and passing out in the queen-sized beds. You assumed they were doing the latter.

“Hi.”

Aaron Hotchner in a t-shirt is definitely something. Seeing him like this, you almost feel like you’re violating him even though he’s the one knocking on your hotel door at half past two in the morning.

“Hi, is there something wrong?”

His brows furrow. He looks anxious.

“Did I wake you up?”

“No, I just got out of the shower, was about to dry my hair and go to bed.” His gaze falls on the water stains forming on your shirt, your hair loose. It looks so soft. “Did you need something?”

“Uh, sort of. The Wi-Fi in my room isn’t working and I have to send in my report before we fly back tomorrow. I tried the reception but they can’t really do anything about it right now.”

“Oh! Of course, you can work from here if you want.”

“Are you sure it wouldn’t be a bother-”

“Hotch, get in here, of course it wouldn’t be a bother. You’re quite literally the most discreet the person in the world.”

He smiles at the praise. It’s a boyish sort of joy to know that you think so highly of him.

“Let me just grab my laptop.”

You watch as he briefly disappears in his room right across from yours and reappears with his laptop and a case file in hand. He stands awkwardly before you, waiting for you to invite him in again and you laugh at his insane need to always be so careful with his movements.

You step back and he understands, joining you inside the room.

“Give me a second to clear my things off the bed and you can get to work, okay?”

“I can just take the chair, it’s no big deal.”

“That’s actually even harder for me right now because all my clothes are on that chair. You can absolutely sit on the bed as long it’s not with outside clothes, because yuck.”

You both laugh and you think it’s because of your hyperbole but he’s laughing at the way your nose scrunches when you say it.

“I never wear my outside clothes to bed.”

“Of course you don’t.”

You make space for him in your bed that smells like laundry softener and you from the night before. It’s your body lotion. Violet.

He can’t help but think it’s a nice place to be.

“I’m just going to blow-dry my hair in the bathroom, hopefully that won’t make too much noise at this hour. Let me know if you need anything else.”

“Sure.”

You don’t think you’ve ever made this much eye contact with Hotch in a single day but tonight, he’s insistent on looking right in your eyes with every word he speaks. It’s odd, but not uncomfortable. You could certainly get used to it.

You only get a solid minute and a half of blow drying before you decide you can’t be certain that the walls prevent the sound from reaching other rooms. It’s a cruel thing to do at this hour, even though the only other person you know on this floor is your boss that’s currently sitting on your bed like a teenager doing homework.

“I’m done.”

He looks at you star-struck, something about the familiarity of this moment really getting to him. The two of you have never been like this before and he’s always felt a certain amount of regret over not being as close with you as the other members of the team have managed. That’s the curse of being a stone, he supposes. People will eventually treat you like one.

“I won’t take long; I just need to finish up the rest and send it.”

“Don’t worry, you can stay as much as you need.”

He glances at the bottle of melatonin on the nightstand.

“How come you’re not already dozing off?”

“I just wanted to relax a little before I did. Felt disgusting after today.”

He hums. Was it the heat? Was it the humidity? Was it the empty look inside the perp’s eyes when he was finally caught? Like there was no humanity there, nothing to see but cruelty. He won’t ask.

“Do you have trouble falling asleep?”

You also glance at the bottle, then at him. “Are you profiling me, Agent Hotchner?”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be inquisitive. I just thought you could fall asleep everywhere. Several long hours in the jet have proved so, at least.”

His attempt to lighten up the mood works and he’s thankful.

“I can, I just have trouble staying asleep once I do. Especially with all the changes in time zone; it really messes with me.”

He smiles at you so warmly. This is Aaron. Not Agent Hotchner, not even Hotch, just Aaron sitting on your hotel bed with his knee bumping into yours. “Like a pretty house plant.”

You smile back and try not to think too hard about the repercussions of him calling you pretty, even though he’s technically repeating another person’s words.

“Do you have trouble falling asleep?”

“I do sometimes… it can be tough.”

Aaron’s brown eyes are so soft under the dimmed lights.

“It really can be.”

The spell of eye contact breaks before it becomes too intense.

“Do you mind if I also sit here until you finish?”

His hand twitches at his side, begging to touch; to reassure you.

“Of course not. It’s your bed.”

“I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“You couldn’t.”

You watch some TV while he works away, often stealing glances at the way his hands move over the keyboard. They’re very nice to look at; all veins and rough skin. They suddenly stop and shut the laptop.

“I’m finished, so I can finally leave you to your rest. I’m really sorry for the intrusion.”

You sit up from your cozy spot, alarmed at the thought of his departure when you’re finally getting used to his presence here.

“I told you, there was no intrusion. I’m glad I was able to help.”

He smiles at you again, this time a little more reserved. It’s as if the bubble of intimacy has burst and now it’s all awkward again.

“I should leave so you can get some sleep.”

“Yeah.” You watch as he gets up and moves toward the door, “Although…”

The suggestion of something else following stops in him in his tracks.

“I don’t think I’m in the mood to sleep right now and I’d really just like some coffee.”

He moves again, turning to face you completely. Eye contact, again.

“I could actually go for some coffee. Breakfast doesn’t start being served for a few more hours though.”

You sigh, maybe it’s the sleep deprivation but it feels like neither of you wants to let go.

“Maybe we could head out? See if there’s any place open in the neighborhood?”

You watch as he glances at the door, then back at you. “Yeah. Yes, let’s do that.”

“Meet you in the hallway in five?”

“I’ll be there.”

-.-.-

The hotel is fairly close to the airport and you guess East Tampa is not the place to be for nightlife. The streets are empty save for the occasional passing car.

“Should we take the car?”

“We could do that, or…”

“Or?”

“We could explore the East Tampa wilderness by foot. I hear they recently got rid of the alligators.”

He laughs, “Will you ever tire of the Florida jokes?”

“Not ever, no.”

“Good, I like hearing them.”

East Tampa is more walkable than you expected.

“See, they even have tiny slivers of sidewalk! We might as well be in Paris.”

“Magical.” he hums, walking slightly behind you so you don’t bump into each other.

God forbid you cross that boundary while wandering around a foreign city with your coworker, alone, when it’s almost four am and you’re both wearing pajamas outside. God forbid.

You can feel him leading you through the streets despite being right behind you and neither of you really knowing where you’re heading. He guides you through his sturdy footsteps, the quiet breathing that finds and leaves your ear again with every step.

“We can try turning left here.”

You would trust him anywhere.

The moment you make the turn and make room for him beside you, a car practically zooms by. It makes you dizzy when he holds on to you immediately, pulling you toward him until you’re sure you’ve stepped all over his shoes. He looks so angry when you turn to him and for a moment, you think it might be at you.

“Going 50 in a 25? That guy’s going to get someone killed.”

“Yeah, I underestimated the traffic.”

“Are you okay?

“Sure, I am, it was just fast.”

“Take the sidewalk, I’ll walk on this side, alright?”

You don’t argue with him, there is no point.

“Thank you.”

At the end of the street, you can make out the joyous neon sign of a 7-Eleven.

“Ah! We’ve reached civilization!”

“Can you really call 7-Eleven that?”

“Barely.”

-.-.-

The coffee is so deliciously warm and even though the weather doesn’t call for it, it brings you comfort.

An employee is eyeing you suspiciously from the window while you seat on the pavement outside and you don’t know why. Your clothes are sleepwear, sure, but you’ve seen at least five people in the city strut around in nothing but jean shorts and flip-flops so is there really room for judgement here?

 Aaron discreetly scoots closer to you as if to be heard better but the street’s already incredibly quiet.

“This was a great idea, actually.”

You smile at him and keep sipping your coffee.

“We can go back to the hotel now if you want.”

“Are you tired?”

“No,” you see him tilt his head in doubt and you think the bags under your eyes might have reached your chin by now, “I mean, my body is, but my mind is right here with you.”

He smiles back at you in such a sweet way, it reaches his eyes.

“I don’t want to then.”

If you do, you have to go back to separate rooms and miss this opportunity for one perfect sunrise.

You move closer to him and he thinks you might tell him a secret, “Should we keep walking?”

“Walk toward where?”

Your shoulders relax.

“Do you have your map with you? We can walk until we reach the beach.”

His smile doesn’t falter a bit, “I think the nearest beach is like, an hour from here on foot.”

“That’s a lot. We can walk until we don’t feel like walking anymore then.”

“Another good idea.”

“I know you live in constant admiration of me but all this praise might just get to my head.”

He gets up first and puts out his hand for you to grab, “Oh, has it not already?”

When you take him up on his offer, his grasp is incredibly strong, yet tender. He pulls you up like it’s nothing but he’s careful not to hurt you in the process.

He doesn’t let go of your hand, drinks in the casual banter like the two of you might never speak again.

Your other hand is holding your coffee and you instinctively touch your forehead to his shoulder in protest for just a second, “I am a very down-to-earth person.”

The bare skin under his sleeve grows warm where you touched it.

“The most.”

He, still, doesn’t let go of your hand.

“How cruel of you to mock me when I’m dressed like this and haven’t slept.”

He laughs.

“I’m sure you mock me all the time with the team when I’m not listening.”

His tone hasn’t changed to indicate if he’s serious or not, but you feel very uncomfortable at the thought of him assuming that you and the squad might speak ill of him.

“I would never mock you, Hotch. I know we all poke fun at each other, but I admire you. Deeply.”

“I admire you too. Deeply.”

You walk side by side and your hand rests loosely clasped in his. He tells himself it’s to keep you safe and you let him guide you everywhere; anywhere. Nothing but trust there.

After a while, he stops and looks at you.

“I do really want to go to the beach.”

You laugh because the notion of Aaron Hotchner really wanting to do something seems so alien.

So far, you’ve assumed he’s just going along for the ride.

“I guess we could look for a cab?”

-.-.-

It’s almost dawn and there is no one here you can see. Just soft sand that will most definitely get everywhere inside your clothes and the sound of waves crashing softly when they reach the shore.

You’re looking at them, he’s looking at you.

The two of you sit closer now than ever before.

“It’s going to officially be morning soon.”

He instinctively turns to his wrist but his watch is back at the hotel discarded somewhere, so you reach for your phone and show him the time. It almost ruins the illusion of no time existing around you, but he won’t allow it. He will bend it to his will as he does with all else, just to stay here.

“We don’t have to be back until nine.”

The realization that he also doesn’t wish to leave makes you smile. That’s barely enough time to get properly dressed when you’re back at the hotel and then drive to the airport. It’s so unlike him.

‘I haven’t been at the beach in so long.”

You can picture him now, turning bright red under the sun and playing around with Jack.

“Do you not go with Jack?”

His lips pull downward and you immediately regret asking.

“We haven’t taken a vacation in so long.”

“I’m really sorry, I didn’t want to-”

“Don’t worry, you didn’t say anything wrong. We probably should take one soon.”

Your hand touches his, just a tiny bit, pinkies finding each other.

“You should take him to the beach.”

“Perhaps we’ll take you too.”

“Oh, I don’t know if my boss will allow that. I am indispensable to the team.”

“I’m sure we can work something out.”

You laugh and lie backwards when your back has finally had enough of all the crouching.

“That was actually my plan all along. I lured you here to get more vacation days.”

He watches you from above, entranced by the image of you splayed out on the sand. Your hair forms a halo around you and the sand seems golden when the first rays of sunlight finally find it. Your eyes do too, “I should have known.”

It feels awkward, sitting when you’re lying down, so he succumbs to the sand at last. You beam at him when he does, relishing in the way he’s come undone before you. You can really look at each other now, there’s no more pretending that the sea has your full attention. Shades of pink and orange in the sky, sea foam landing near your feet, but this is really all there is.

“Do you ever think of quitting the job?”

This really messes with him all of the sudden. You can see the change in the way his body tenses.

“Do you?”

“I asked first.”

He releases a deep breath and you can almost feel warm on your face, “Sometimes, but it’s the only thing I’m good at. I wouldn’t know what else to do.”

“That’s not true. You’re good at many things.”

He avoids your gaze and you know you’ve really struck a nerve here.

“Not good enough.”

“Now, that’s really not true. You’re brilliant at everything you do.”

He sits up, suddenly very aware of his vulnerability.

“Or I just give everything I have to this job and my bare minimum to everything else. Even Jack.”

“That’s not fair, Aaron. You’re a very good father to Jack and I know just how much he looks up at you. Even if it’s the bare minimum sometimes, your bare minimum is a lot more than other people can give at their best. It’s just hard to keep a balance.”

He feels your hand touch his back gently, asking for permission. The way he relaxes under your touch grants it and you move your thumb in circles as a soft caress. He turns to face you.

“Are you thinking of leaving?”

Your hand drops, shocked at the sudden change in his tone. He seems so full of emotion like this; all layers peeled away before you.

“Not decisively. They’re just thoughts,” Aaron seems unconvinced by your answer and your gaze falls downward in an attempt to escape the scrutiny, “I just don’t know if this is something I can do forever, so from time to time, I think about what else there might be out there. Maybe going private, opening up an office.”

“You want to be a therapist?”

“I am licensed.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“Maybe. It definitely seems… easier.”

He doesn’t really know what to say. He knows it would be good for you, he knows this job will eat away at you until there’s very little left there. It’s what it did to him, but the thought of it happening to you seems much more unbearable.

“The team would miss you,” is such a typically professional thing of him to say, so the rest surprises you, “I would miss you.”

“I would miss you too.”

Tenderness, again. Now that he’s started, he doesn’t think he can stop.

“This has been one of the best days I’ve had in a while. I mean, being with Jack always makes me feel much better, but this… being like this with an adult-with you, it’s really nice.”

You smile and adjust your body to be closer to him.

“Really nice.”

From the corner of your eye, you can make out a convenience store in the distance that’s just now opening up.

“Would you allow me to treat you to some ice cream before we go?”

He stands up first, offering you his hand like before.

“I think you know me well enough to know that I won’t,” he stands up first and offers you his hand like before, “I am definitely buying.”

“Worth a try.”

There is sand all over his hair and shoulders. Being this relaxed, it suits him incredibly.

“Can I?”

He leans down and toward you, surrendering to the freedom of your touch when you pat off what sand you can see on him. All these hours of crossing boundaries and you’re still not entirely sure how you’ve gotten so comfortable with him, but he melts every time you touch him, as if experiencing gentleness for the very first time.

Might as well be the first time, he figures.

“You have some too in your hair.”

You turn around and he almost envelops you, although he’s hesitant in the beginning. Both his hands entangle themselves in your hair, those lovely hands, and softly separate and pat where needed. You always knew he hid softness underneath, just didn’t know it was there for you to enjoy.

You get your ice cream, gag when you taste just how much lemon zest they have put in the vanilla and he offers to exchange with his chocolate. Says he does it with Jack all the time and you gasp at the connotation.

“It is absolutely not childish to not like citrus fruits secretly involved in every dessert.”

He hums and smiles at you, bites and licks right where your own mouth was a moment ago. It puts thoughts in both of your heads.

You walk the entire way back and your feet definitely feel it, but you’re too focused on the feeling of impending separation. You will see each other again in half an hour but it just won’t be the same.

It might never be the same.

When you’re finally ready to part from each other in the hallway, he thinks about kissing you. Thinks you would taste like chocolate and waffle on his mouth, thinks a lot about the tiny bit of violet body lotion left on your neck that he can smell from this distance.

Would it really change that much? Is that the final line to cross after tonight?

He doesn’t have any answers, so he doesn’t.

“I’ll see you in a bit.”

“See you in a bit, Aaron.”

He’s going to cling on your use of his first name for a while, although when you’re back in the jet, it’s as if nothing happened. Now clad in his usual attire, he’s regular Hotch; prim and proper, sat upright with crossed arms in his seat in the only way he knows how to rest in front of others.

Yet, you know. You see Aaron in the gentle shutting of his eyes, the tiny remnants of sand in his hair.

Something has changed.

part two

[laurfilijames]

Worst Way

Pairing: Will 'Ironhead' Miller x female reader

Words: 1.9k

Warnings: Rated E, 18+. Mention of mutual masturbation/video call sex. Unprotected intercourse. Will in that polo shirt.

Summary: Will comes home from doing a stint of talks and his only priority is getting his fill of you, your time apart making him need you in the worst way.

A/N: I've been listening to this song on repeat and needed to write about it, and the character I felt that fit it the best was our Captain Miller. We'll consider this a little early birthday treat to myself, I was going to wait until Tuesday to post it but I'm too excited! A big thank you to @spaghettificationandpretzels for making me the beautiful banners to use!

---

In the grand scheme of things, five days was a blink compared to the amount of days he’d been away from you before, but as he drew closer to being home, Will’s impatience to get there was becoming nearly unbearable.

He adjusted his grip on the steering wheel, the leather feeling cool to his palm that was hot from his eagerness and holding it in the same spot for too long now, glancing at his watch on his wrist where he calculated he had exactly two hours and fifty-three minutes left until he would pull in the driveway.

Each day had been the same; driving from base to base all along the coast from Tampa to Houston, waking up in an uncomfortable motel bed he tried hard not to think about how many other people had laid in doing god knows what, and giving his memorized speech to a different room full of candidates considering signing on to be part of the Special Forces.

It was all automatic by now, having said the same words one hundred and ninety-two times, his mind able to drift off to what you were doing as he spoke without a second thought, wondering if you were making coffee in the kitchen wearing just his hoodie and your underwear, or if you were cleaning the house, feeling jealous of your fingers grazing over every surface and all the belongings that made up your home.

He imagined your smile; greeting the cashier warmly as you placed groceries onto the belt from the cart, grinning as you said thank you to the older gentleman who held the door open for you as you left the store, and knowing he was so close to seeing it for himself again kept him hanging on to get through each long day without you.

Late night video calls and texts sent between lectures helped carry him through, feeling grateful to at least have that compared to what little communication he would have when he was deployed, a crooked grin tugging his lip up as he thought to your last video call from the night before; both of you laying naked in your separate beds, touching yourselves in ways that were instructed by the other, the sounds of your moans brought on by your own hand still repeating in Will’s mind now.

He adjusted in his seat, his right foot pressing on the accelerator with slightly more pressure, the need to get home and have you increasing to a level he couldn’t tolerate anymore than he already had.

Rain started speckling on the windshield, a few drops at first before turning into a steady fall, the streams of it on the glass reminding him of all the showers you had solo in his absence, feeling envious of the water running down your skin and every curve, imagining you slipping into your bedsheets with drops still clinging to you and marking the cotton with darker spots.

Will wondered if it was raining at home, too, if you were sitting on the porch watching it pour, always loving the sound of the rolling thunder and the tapping of each drop on the roof, or if the skies were clear as the sun started to go down, picturing the pinkish-orange light casting on your skin to make it glow in its golden hour.

With a sigh, he rubbed his hand on the back of his neck, accepting that no matter how much he continued to dream about you, it wouldn’t bring him any closer to home any faster, accepting that he had to live through each of these minutes in full until he was able to have his hands on you again.

With the sun now tucked behind the horizon and the ground saturated with water, Will slammed the door to his truck, leaving his bags in the back seat to get tomorrow, nothing more important than getting inside the house and getting his hands on you.

His boots ground against the wet pavement as he took purposeful strides to reach the front door, quickly inserting the key into the deadbolt and unlocking it, the smell of home and of you filling his nose as soon as he turned the handle and stepped inside.

Before he could close the door behind him, you walked around the corner from the hallway leading to your bedroom, your smile making his heart leap in his chest as you locked eyes with him.

You rushed into his arms, your body warm and soft, the feel of your hands carding up his back making goosebumps break out on his skin. You both peeled away from each other slightly, exchanging a look that spoke more than words could before crashing your lips together, a shared moan transferring between your mouths as the desperation you both felt finally set in.

Will kicked the door shut with his foot, making it slam so hard the walls shook, his hands tearing to get to your form that was covered by an oversized t-shirt and quickly discovering that was all you had on.

He growled against your lips, his hands squeezing your bare ass and spreading your cheeks slightly, feeling you press your hips forward into his in a silent request for more.

Your chest rubbed against his body, the tight fit of his polo allowing him to feel how hard your nipples were through both of your shirts, your arousal clearly having built up as much as his had in anticipation of his arrival.

He felt drunk with lust, his senses working primally as everything about you made him feral, your scent and touch breaking him down to be nothing more than a man who needed his woman in the most raw and cardinal way.

Will grabbed at the hem of your shirt and ripped it up and off of you, his hand gripping your jawline when he met you in another claiming kiss, hearing your breathy moan die out in his mouth.

He forced himself to stop, his chest heaving as he broke the seal of your lips, seeing yours already puffy from his beard chafing against them and wet from his kiss.

You looked heavenly standing before him; naked and stunning, equally as vulnerable as you were strong, your frame small in the shadow of his. But what made him feel powerful was the love and lust held in your eyes, your heavy gaze consenting for him to take you how he needed, knowing you craved him as much as he did you as you shifted on the spot you stood, squeezing your thighs together while arching your back so your chest stook out.

A crooked, half-smile dressed his lips as he took a step toward you again, backing you up against the wall and shoving his thigh between your legs, watching with complete satisfaction as you closed your eyes at the feel of your bare sex contacting the rough denim of his jeans.

He dipped his head and latched onto your neck, sucking and nipping at your tender skin, making you squirm against him and begin to ride his thigh, his hand slapping the painted drywall beside your head.

His fingers dug into the flesh on your hips with his other hand, clawing at you in a way he knew might leave bruises but that you also loved, aiding your movements on him as you ground back and forth.

“Will…” you whined, his name the only word uttered between you so far, the sound of it coming off your tongue so desperately in combination with how your hands clawed at his shoulders encouraging him to kiss your neck even more and press his leg up harder against your core.

His mouth traveled upward along your throat and under your chin, pulling your earlobe with his teeth before making his way back to your lips, growling when your hands ran over his straining cock in his jeans and then tugged at his shirt to untuck it from his waist.

He lifted his arms for you to whisk it over his head, returning to your mouth instantly while your soft hands smoothed over his bare chest, his skin feeling like it was lit on fire wherever your palms had laid.

You worked next on his belt, the sound of the metal clanking undone and then his zipper sliding open almost lost in the wet smack of your lips, your fingers sliding behind his back to pull his jeans along with his boxer-briefs down over his ass. They fell at his feet and he stepped out of them as quickly as he could, holding your face in his hands to try to keep you near him, but feeling you sink away from him as you dropped to your knees.

The look in your eyes as you stared up at him made his cock throb even more, and when you took it in your hand and stroked it while bringing your lips to the tip, he knew he couldn’t go a second longer without being inside you, having you take him in your mouth not even enough to sate his need.

Will knelt in front of you, grabbing your face again as he kissed you hard, leaning his body forward to guide you back to lay you down beneath him.

Spread out beautifully for him, he covered you, his cock finding your entrance without assistance, and with the slight movement of his hips, he pushed inside your wet hole and stretched you out.

Your cry was suffocated by his tongue, your back arching off the floor as you succumbed to his size, and Will allowed no time for you to adjust, pulling out of you before slamming back in again.

His thrusts were powerful and unbroken, determined to give you everything you needed while taking from you everything he could, his pleasure controlling all of him and blinding any restraint he had left.

You met him with equal fervor, rolling your hips with his with a similar goal in mind, chasing what only he could provide you, feeling you get wetter by the second and already soaking his dick and groin.

Will held onto you tight, nearing his end, his hands grabbing at any part of you he was able to keep you as close to him as he could while he hammered into you, your cunt clenching around him in a way he knew that signalled you were about to come apart too.

Your nails scratched his back wildly, muscles tensing and straining in both of your bodies as you rode through your climaxes, Will continuing to pump in and out of you frantically as he coated your walls and filled you completely.

Feeling you contract around him again, he didn’t relent, fucking you more with all he had left as a second orgasm took hold of you, the feel of his cum leaking out of you extending your high in the most addicting way.

His panting breaths filled your mouth as your kisses began to slow, feeling you relax under him as he settled his pace until he eventually stilled in you, his hand smoothing over your forehead where he looked at you smiling sweetly at him after he’d peeled his face away from yours.

“Hey, sweetheart,” he purred, finally giving you a proper greeting.

You giggled softly, your finger tracing the crease beside his mouth. “Welcome home, Will.”

---

Taglist:

@sotwk @dailydragon08 @sunnys-day @thedreadandthefugitivemind @glassgulls

@littlenosoul @glitterypirateduck @momia2910 @maggotzombie @rmwarn90

@paintlavillered @casa-boiardi @stealfromthedevil @kmc1989 @justreblogginfics

@spaghettificationandpretzels @whatever-lmaoo @steviebbboi

[lovexjoe]

PENPALS Part 2

You and Armando talked every single day for 2 months straight until he asked you to visit. He didn’t want to make you feel rushed and always want to reassure you that he just genuinely enjoys your company. Falling for you along the way was a bonus. You were such a smart girl, graduating nursing school soon and going on to bigger and better things. He questioned sometimes if he was worthy enough for you. He also questioned if you had twisted parts to you as well cause who would really try to message a criminal like him.

You agreed to seeing him along with bringing him a special gift. He was in Central Florida aka Tampa. You headed inside the prison going through the check ins and pat downs. You didn’t have time to change your nurse scrubs so you sucked it up. The guard lets you know where he’s sitting at waiting for you. He was in a decent prison, one that actually lets you see and touch your loved ones under surveillance of course. You were nervous. You saw him from the doorway and it’s like you two were connected because he looked up from his hands to you.

“Hey handsome,” You give him your beautiful smile and he swore he could probably melt in his seat right there. He pulls you in for a hug. His arms were strong, you felt his muscles under the orange jumpsuit and it made your stomach do a flip.

“Thank you for coming mami. Tell me how was your day” he holds your hand and was completely absorbed with hearing about your life on the outside world. You were graduating soon and you’re most likely moving to Miami since most of your family is down there. He was happy for you, but sad that these visits will come to an end.

After chatting it up for an hour, it was time to say your goodbyes. You slipped him his gift and he gives you a smirk having a bit of a inkling of what it could be.

He pulls you in for another hug.

“Please take care of yourself ….” You worry about him. You noticed the busted knuckles he had probably from getting into fights.

“I’ll do my best.” You stood there looking into each others eyes and Armando couldn’t help himself any longer. He pulls you in for a kiss and you were in fact…. in love with a criminal. The guards lead you out and you couldn’t help the smile on your face. You got it bad and so did he.

The video chats didn’t do him justice he was beyond handsome….and a killer.

The visit was definitely the highlight of your day. His hands felt so good around your waist. You knew he’d enjoy those Polaroids during night hours. The feeling of his lips still linger on yours. When you got home you sent him a message that he could wake up to in the morning.

“I can’t even explain how happy I was to see you. Armando I’m falling for you”

You press send and immediately closed your laptop and placed it as far away from you as possible. You know when you send a risky text and you chuck your phone across the room? Yea try a risky email to a prisoner who won’t see it for another 10 hours.

Armando went back to his cell a happy man. He took the Polaroids out of his pocket and immediately he smiled. You truly were everything he could dream of. These pictures were simple pics of you that you took while out and then one…..one definitely caught his attention. You were in a black lingerie set, judging the way your scrubs fit you he knew you looked amazing underneath. This Polaroid confirmed it. It was hard to rub one out in prison when you’re surrounded by men, but tonight….you were the only thing on his mind. The only thing that brought him pleasure.

*2 weeks later*

Armando didn’t answer your messages at all. Every time you called to speak with him they said he wasn’t taking any calls or visits. You were worried something happened to him, but what if he simply just didn’t want to speak to you? You were already in Miami with your family, but you would make the drive just to see him again. You prayed for him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The very next day after the visit Armando was attacked in prison due to him knowing who McGrath was. He wasn’t allowed access to anything. He yearned to hear your voice. He was losing his mind. He kept your polaroids on him because he looks at them when he needs some hope. After two weeks Mike and Marcus convinced Rita to get Armando transferred to Miami and that brings them to the current time.

“Alright let’s make this quick y’all my daughter just graduated nursing school and she’s back home” Marcus said cheerfully

“You excited to see Y/N or you excited to land and get some skittles?” Mike joked

Armando stood there trying to process what the fuck he just heard.

Taglist: @yeahnohoneybye @cardi-bre91 @onlysarang @romanreignsluver1 @minwn

@armandosbabymama @dyttomori @bbyplutosblog @vergilnelosparda @believeinthefireflies95 @ebsmind @hopetookourvibe @omg-mymelaninisbeautiful @poppetbaby02 @bitchyglittersuit @marley1773

[starry-hughes]

fake holiday date (luke hughes)

day 16 of star’s ficmas

luke hughes x reader

Luke hadn’t heard from you since he left for Tampa. When he left for Tampa for the Frozen Four, he decided to break up with you. It was a hard decision but he didn’t want it hard on you. But he was coming home to Michigan for the holidays and he got a text from you.

“I need help.”

Luke Hughes was still in love with you. He immediately called upon seeing your text. “Hello?” you answered. Your stomach was a pit of nerves. Even though you texted him, you still felt sick when he called. “Are you okay?” he panicked. “I need a date.”

He should have hung up but you were scrambling words together. “Luke, wait, please hear me out. I kinda never told my family we ended things, and they are expecting you at Christmas. Please, just like two hours.”

Luke was silent. He didn’t know what to say. You were still telling your family he was still your boyfriend? “Two hours. Just two hours,” Luke mumbled.

Luke and you were a good couple. Envied by friends, called mom and dad by his roommates, always together. You loved Luke and he loved you, it was the right person at the wrong time. Luke was your first love, the first boy you brought home.

He sat outside your house, in his car, wearing a red sweater. He told his parents and brothers he was seeing his friends. He texted you a simple “here.”

You exited the house and Luke sucked in a breath. You were still beautiful. Luke walked up, a secret gift folded in his pocket. “Thank you,” you whispered and leaned up and kissed his cheek. You pulled him into the house and he was met with the familiar warmth of your house. Memories of him and you on the couch watching movies or eating dinners with your family.

“Luke!” your mother greeted, wiping her hands on her apron. “Honey it’s been so long, I’m so sad (Y/N) didn’t bring you by the whole summer, she said you were training but was always seeing you.” Luke nodded and smiled. “I’m sorry I haven’t been around, missed you guys,” Luke lied.

You had coached Luke, saying he was so busy with training and that you still saw him over the summer, saying that you even went with the boys to see the game in Detroit. “How’s the season going?” your dad questioned. Your parents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and grandparents, and you and Luke eventually sat at the table for dinner.

Luke didn’t need to do it, but he placed his hand on your thigh, the two of you were a perfect couple. Your family all bought the act. After dinner, Luke even helped clean up before you dragged him up to your bedroom.

It was the same as the last time he saw it. Even your pictures of you and him still were hanging, probably to further your lie. Your stuffed animal sat on your bed and he smiled. “Thank you for coming, I didn’t think you’d actually answer my text.”

“I wanted to get away from Jack and Quinn anyway, they were annoying me,” Luke joked. “Why didn’t you ever tell your family?” Luke asked. You sighed, sitting on the edge of your bed. “I didn’t want to tell them, they were disappointed when I changed my major. I didn’t want to tell them I lost my boyfriend too.”

He frowned. “I haven't dated anyone since you. My parents just think I was with you during the summer but I was really just driving around town or window shopping at stores,” you admitted. Luke opened his mouth to say something but shut it when his phone buzzed. He had been gone for three hours, his brothers and parents were wondering where he had gone. “I have to go,” Luke swallowed.

You walked him out, watching with a smile as he bid everyone a goodbye and walked him out to his car. “I hope your family is well and Jersey treats you well,” you whispered. “Have a good Christmas (Y/N).”

If Luke and you were still dating, he would have kissed you. You would have seen his parents for Christmas, messed with Quinn and Jack, it would have been all fine. “Bye Luke.”

You snuck past your family, wanting to go cry in your room. You missed Luke. You entered your childhood bedroom, but there was something on your bed. It was a folded piece of paper, from Luke. You slowly unfolded it. A plane ticket to New Jersey.

[fatphobiabusters]

yall are weird as hell for making weight loss seem impossible to people dying from obesity when thermodynamics says otherwise. energy cannot be created from nowhere. if you are eating less energy than your body needs to move and function, and you are still living, then your body needs to get the energy from somewhere. and guess what the whole purpose for fat is! before you promote laziness and giving up, go back to biology class bae xx

I'm about to fall asleep after a long day of driving. 6+ hours on the road with my German friend who's an international student at my university. We stopped at a fun restaurant in the middle of no where and she got to try gator tail for the first time. We felt the humid sea breeze of the ocean as we laughed and talked over our lunch.

We drove through Tampa and walked along the water at night.

I taught her about American road trip games like "I spy." She laughed until she had tears in her eyes at my pretend southern accent. We ate ice cream and saw such cute candies as we explored.

She celebrated my birthday with me and even made me a reese's peanut butter cake for my birthday! The vanilla pudding she used for the filling and icing was delicious.

Tomorrow we're going to a nice restaurant with my dad to celebrate my birthday. I'll be showing her my hometown, we'll take pictures at the beach in pretty dresses, and she's excited to visit an Italian market that has the type of bread she loves yet can't get at grocery stores here.

We talked about our childhoods and families, ate pasta for dinner at midnight because we didn't get to where we're staying until 11 PM, and we had an amazing day sharing our cultures with each other.

I happened to look on Tumblr before falling asleep after such a fun day and saw this ask. I looked at your profile too.

And all I can think as I lay here excited about the fun day I have planned tomorrow with my friend is that I hope you get a better hobby than trying to harass and oppress a marginalized group on a dying website with your sad blog you use to hurt both yourself and the people around you.

I actually have a life outside of social media, and I hope you get one too.

-Mod Worthy

[crosbyism]

sorry but the absolute wildest sidnate piece of info i got from your post is that they talked BETWEEN periods of nates cup run ?? dawg hang up the phone and be present in the room w ur teammates. insane behavior im obsessed ty for your scholarship

oh yeah. not every period but it happened apparently. nate’s said they were on the phone every day apart from that too. when the avs lost in game 5 and the avs were a little dejected after the game, nate said he was on the phone with sid, who helped him shake it off and feel better.

(sid was even seen in florida at a baseball game during the scf. that was in miami, and that was the same summer geno contractgate happened, so he was likely there giving geno a little kick in the ass to sign. i like to imagine that known lover of long drives sidney crosby drove over to tampa either before or afterwards though, to provide in-person enouragement.)

(oh yeah. speaking of. did you know that sid and nate have driven from pittsburgh to halifax together before? i think either in 2015 or 2018 was the first time they did it. Nate flew into PIT was seen at the pens practice facility getting some skates in with sid after the season ended, and they drove to halifax together from there. that’s a 20hr drive btw)

[are-we-really-doing-this]

I should’ve just gone.

ORLANDO FLORIDA?

[tkachuktkaching]

A few of the highlights

After he threw the pitch in the Marlins game in Miami which he was still recovering from a shoulder injury (right after he got traded) he went into his back yard and and practiced and threw 5 pitches to prepare but he's much healthier than two years ago.

Some talk on Jayson Tatum and how he makes 6 times as much as him and he always knew he was destined for the big time in the NBA and he was always a stud.

They always talked as kids about making the nba and nhl respectively.

The video was technology class in 7th grade before high school.

His dad wanted to go with him to the baseball pitch and his mum was out of town.

He loved hanging out with jayson and catching up for a few hours.

He talked about Sherwood in 2020 he tried a few brands, he helped with the design process and was their first hockey player since their rebrand.

He talked going to Raising Cains, he was partying and going to eleven and without sleep and he had agreed to do things prior to the final. He talked about all the opportunities to do extra signings and things.

He decided to a interview with sports net and decide to give a shout out, he loves the people in Calgary and hates the people in Edmonton and he got family in Winapeg including his Grandpa.

He was excited to play in the charity golf tournament, he loves Charles Barkely and playing with TJ Oshie and the Kelcie brothers were cool.

And how he ended up singing We Are The Champions with Charles Barkley.

He was excited to meet the different people from the different sports.

He got engaged on the Thursday before game 1 in the playoffs and flew in his parents and fiancé's parents had a big celebration then went no booze for the whole playoffs and plans to do that again.

His special memories of the playoffs were the off ice stuff playing poker the comradeship with the guys.

He's sad the teammates that left but excited they got the offersheet and got paid and set for life and is excited to see them for dinner when they see them.

He was pissed after game 5 because he didn't want to go to Edmonton but he was so confident ahead of game 7 he wanted to do it for his family that got him there, he talked how his dad and Brady walked him to his car and wanted to do it especially for them.

He drives to the arena on his own he goes early getting there 4 hours early. Sam Bennet got a mention for liking to sleep and goes much later.

How incredible the emotions of his family and being the first tkachuk to win the cup,

Bringing his dad into the lockeroom was what it meant to him and his whole family.

Singing Brady praises for being so supportive and believes Brady will win it, he's too good not to, he's built for the play offs, and wants to be there when he does.

Literally everybody from Calgary reached out to him after the cup win even Darrell (Sutter).

Praising his old youth team London Knights and what they did for him and other players.

He heard from players he heard from or know and Robbie Thomas and people that won before Vllady got a special mentions he was a great veteran presence and okie too.

He talked the Paternark fight, and how it happened and Monty's involvement. He says there's no rules just beat the shit out of each other.

He'll never forget this year for the rest of his life.

He confirmed Brady did not touch the cup though there were a few close calls due to being drunk.

He says he's so much better health than this time last year, he's excited about this year.

He his fiancee and Brady are going to visit Taryn this Friday he says she won't listen to his interview so it won't ruin the surprise and talks how good she is a field hockey. Her preseason has started.

He loves to watch Barky in practice and is learning to do things and a special mention of Kucherov of Tampa one of his favorite players.

He wants to improve scoring from further out like Brady.

He's getting more recognised now but it's good and he's enjoying it.

He's being working on jumps, working on his skating, sprints and being strong weights but jumps.

He got in trouble for putting the cup in the ocean but the cup caretakers only told him afterwards but they understood but he got great memories.

The whole family sacrifices so much for hockey players and the Tkachuk name is on the cup forever it's forever.

[somuchforstardust]

SO MUCH FOR (TOUR) DUST LINK MASTERLIST 

hi everyone due to my problems and issues i have a limited ability to care about what’s going on during this tour as it’s happening unfortunately this does not stop me from being crazy insane. so below is my link hoarding. everything besides the surprise songs is mostly whatever i personally wanted to be able to access again but since i’m sharing this with the public, if there’s anything you would like added i’ll add it if you send me the link. fall out boy forever ❤️

MAGIC 8 BALL SURPRISE SONG

6/21/23 - GINASFS (x) (x) (x) (x) (x)

7/2/23 - First of two 8 Ball songs on LA Night 1 (x) (x) (x)

7/30/23 - Second of two 8 Ball songs in Toronto (x) (x)

8/2/23 - Second of two 8 Ball songs in Boston (x) (x) (x)

8/6/23 - Third of three 8 Ball songs in Camden (x)

6/23/23 - Gin Joints (x) (x) (joe requesting it ❤️)

6/24/23 - Sophomore Slump (x) (joe looking confused ❤️)

7/3/23 - Performed with William Beckett on LA Night 2 in the place of "Takeover" (x) (x) (x)

6/28/23 - (After) life of the Party (clip) (clip)

7/3/23 - First of two 8 ball songs on LA Night 2 (x) (x)

6/30/23 - Homesick at Space Camp (x) (x)

7/3/23 - Played in the place of “Chicago Is So” at LA Night 2 (couldn't find a link 😞)

7/16/23 - Played in the place of “Chicago Is So” in IN

7/1/23 - (Coffee's for Closers) (x) (x) (clip) (clip)

7/2/23 - America's Suitehearts (x) (x)

7/3/23 - Bang the Doldrums (x) (x) (x) (x) (clip)

7/9/23 - Played in the place of "Takeover" in Denver (x)

7/16/23 - Played in the place of "Takeover" in Noblesville (x)

7/19/23 - Played in the place of "Takeover" in Bristow (clip) (pete bridge)

7/24/23 -  Played in the place of "Takeover" in West Palm Beach (x)

7/26/23 - Played in the place of "Takeover" in Atlanta (x)

8/2/23 - Played in the place of "Takeover" with “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” intro in Boston (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x)

8/5/23 - Played in the place of "Takeover" in Holmdel (x) (x)

7/5/23 - Patron Saint (x) (x) (x, pete talks to a member of the crowd) (clip)

7/7/23 - The Kids Aren't Alright (clip) (clip) (clip)

7/9/23 - Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner (x) (x)



7/11/23 - Slept With Someone (clip) (clip) (pete scream ❤️)

7/13/23 - Fame Infamy (x) (x) (clip)

7/15/23 - Favorite Record (x) (x)

7/16/23 - Where Did the Party Go (x) (x) (x)

7/18/23 - 27 (x) (x) (x) (clip) (clip) (clip) (clip)

7/19/23 - Played in the place of “Headfirst Slide” in Bristow (clip) (joelo)

8/1/23 - Second of two 8 Ball songs at Forest Hills (x) (x) (x)

8/4/23 - Second of two 8 Ball songs in Darien Lake (x) (x) (x)

8/6/23 - Second of three 8 Ball songs in Camden (x)

7/19/23 - She's My Winona (x) (clip) (clip) (clip)

7/21/23 - Dead On Arrival (x) (x) (x)

7/25/23 - Played in the place of “Chicago Is So” in Tampa (x) (x) (x)

8/2/23 - Played in the place of “Chicago Is So” in Boston (x) (x) (x)

8/5/23 - Played in the place of “Chicago Is So” in Holmdel (x) (x)

8/6/23 - Played in the place of “Chicago Is So” in Camden (with Royal & the Serpent!) (x)

7/22/23 - 7 Minutes (x) (x) (x) (x) (clip) (Patrick on drums!)

8/1/23 - Played in the place of “Takeover” in Forrest Hills (x)

7/24/23 - Tell That Mick (x) (patrick forgets the words)

7/25/23 - Miss Missing You (x) (x) (x) (x)

7/26/23 - From Now On We Are Enemies (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x)

7/29/23 - Don’t You Know Who I Think I Am? (x)

7/30/23 - West Coast Smoker (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x)

8/1/23 - I Am My Own Muse (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x)

8/5/23 - Second of two 8 Ball songs in Holmdel (x) (x) (x)

8/2/23 - XO (x) (x) (x) (x) 

8/4/23 - You’re Crashing (x) (x) (x) (x)

8/5/23 - Bob Dylan (x) (x)

8/6/23 - Pavlove (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x)

PATRICK PIANO MEDLEY

6/21/23 - Lake Shore Drive (x) (x) (x)

6/23/23 - What A Time To Be Alive (x)

6/24/23 - Like A Lawyer (x)

6/27/23 - Somebody to Love/ Take On Me

6/28/23 - What a Catch (x)

6/30/23 - Spotlight (x) (x)

7/1/23 - Nothing Compares 2 U (x, mentions pete requested it :) )

7/2/23 - Mr. Blue Sky/ Golden (x) (x) 

7/3/23 - Every Breath You Take/ All This Ringing (x)

7/5/23 - Alison/ What a Catch (x) (x)

7/7/23 - What A Time To Be Alive / Hold the Line 

7/9/23 - Goin’ North / Golden 

7/11/23 - Peace, Love, and Understanding/ What a Catch

7/15/23 - What a Catch/ Golden (x)

7/16/23 - What A Time To Be Alive / Golden (bug)

7/18/23 - Hallelujah/ Like a Lawyer

7/19/23 - Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner (acoustic guitar) (x, + intro)

7/21/23 - Lean On Me/ What a Catch (x) (clip)

7/22/23 - What A Time To Be Alive/ Golden (x)

7/24/23 - Dancing Queen/ Golden (x) (patrick doesn’t know the words)

7/25/23 - What a Catch/ Golden (no link 😞)

7/26/23 - Nothing Compares 2 U/ All This Ringing (x) (x) (x)

7/29/23 - What A Time To Be Alive/ Golden (no link 😞)

7/30/23 - What a Time to Be Alive/ Golden (x)

8/1/23 - What a Catch/ Just One Yesterday/ Stereo Hearts/ Cupid’s Chokehold  (with Travie McCoy!) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x)

8/2/23 - w.a.m.s./ Sweet Caroline (x) (x) (x) (x)

8/4/23 - Get Busy/ Golden (x) (x)

8/5/23 -  I’ve Got A Dark Alley/ What A Catch (x) (x) (x) (x)

8/6/23 - Jet Pack Blues/ I’ve Got A Dark Alley/ Golden (x) (x) (x) (x)

FULL SET

6/21/23 - Chicago @ Wrigley Field

6/27/23 - The Woodlands @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

6/28/23 - Dallas @ Dos Equis Pavillion (x)

7/1/23 - Chula Vista @ North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre

7/2/23 - Los Angeles @ BMO Stadium Night 1

7/3/23 - Los Angeles @ BMO Stadium Night 2 (x)

7/13/23 - Somerset @ Somerset Amphitheater

7/21/23 - Charlotte @ PNC Music Pavilion

7/30/23 - Toronto @ Budweiser Stage (x)

8/2/23 - Boston @ Fenway Park (x) (x)

8/6/23 - Camden @ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion

RIFF WITH PATRICK

obviously very incomplete i gave up whatever

6/27/23 - 20% Gatorade 

6/28/23 - “you weren’t in my ears, i don’t know what you just said”

7/2/23 - “the stadium has a bit of a new car smell”

7/5/23 - “we met a bunch of flight attendants today”

7/7/23 - “riff with patrick”

7/11/23 - “i’m gonna go play super mario brothers”

7/15/23? - “collect my bracelet please” 

7/16/23 - “everyone on the lawn is a cardboard cutout” (x)

7/19/23 - “let’s have a chat”

7/22/23 - “thought we’d have a conversation” also pete says the word headcanon

7/25/23 - “what do your clothes look like when they’re dry?”

7/26/23 - Patrick wants Pete to set him up for his wet clothes joke

8/1/23 - “not just another song”

8/4/23 - Patrick looks like a teddy bear and gets the job done

MISC PETE 💞

6/21/23 - “this is my favorite band”

6/21/23 - lava boots speech

6/21/23 - a little dance during Saturday

6/23/23 - i am just the planets spinning around you

6/28/23 - no comment 💖

7/2/23 - this video emma took <3

7/3/23 - this story about smoking weed and going to horror nights

7/3/23 - “i don’t lie under a blanket and think about dying anymore”

7/9/23 - breaking up a fight 

7/13/23 - Crazy Train from the tree

7/19/23 - Something about kissing?

7/26/23 - Headfirst Slide

7/29/23 - Pete in the box

8/1/23 - Pete spots Rob Hitt from Midtown in the crowd

MISC PETERICK 💖

6/28/23 - assorted momence

7/2/23 - watching New Found Glory together

7/5/23 - Pete starts talking about Succession and Patrick distracts him (just the “lost in the sauce” bit)

7/19/23 - elbow on shoulder shimmy :)

7/19/23 - patrick complains about complaining about the billy joel cover 

7/7/23, 7/19/23, 8/2/23 Baby Annihilation magic trick 

7/21/23? - “more than an hour” mishap (x)

EXTRA STUFF

6/21/23 - Patrick hugs Joe on his tippy toes ❤️ (closer pics)

7/1/23 - Saturday with Mikey Way (x) (x) (x)

7/3/23 - Stopped the show to help a fan and discuss how to restart

7/22/23 - Joe dancey during gta

7/24/23 - Last of the Real Ones shoulder squeeze (gif)

7/29/23 - Coffee Mug cover

8/1/23 - Tiktok from Travie (featuring feet off the ground Pete hug ❤️)

8/1/23 - Feet off the ground Travtrick hug ❤️ (x)

8/6/23 - Joe chant

INTERVIEWS

Pete & Patrick Zane Lowe Interview

Tim's Listening Party (track by track smfs commentary)

this random interview where pete has space buns

3/17/23 - Pryzm in Kingston Q&A

3/23/23 - SiriusXM Interview

7/3/23 - KROQ Q&A + Performance (bunny puppet interview)

[lorbanery]

I just need to talk about Dick Grayson and Jon Kent's relationship for a minute

Just 'cause I keep seeing people file it under the typical Super-Bats dichotomy (Bruce and Clark, Tim and Kon, Jason and Bizarro, Damian and Jon)

BUT

Have you considered: Dick is the Superman to Jon's Robin?

Just

Just listen

There's the obvious justification that's just "Dick is much older than Jon", sure. But there's more nuance here.

Dick is different people to different generations of heroes.

To his own generation he's the responsible best friend everyone knows they can rely on, but also know better than to think of him as superhuman because they've all seen him at his worst (and by worst I don't just mean "most depressed" I mean most "shouting at his four year old niece" bitchy asshole).

I'm skipping Jason because he doesn't have his own generation he just kind of awkwardly pilfers people from Dick's and Tim's until they'd willingly shank Batman for him.

To Tim's generation he's a legend who they quickly realized is actually almost as out-of-touch as the first gen heroes. They're like a big queer friend group and he's the one kid's kind of square straight older brother. He's cool, he's supportive, he's always willing to drive them places, covers for them when they ditch class or are out past curfew, and he WILL throw down with anyone's homophobic parents; but he always has a lecture ready about underage drinking and while he laughs along with their "I'm too gay for this" jokes, you can tell he doesn't really get them. At least he's always excited for Pride. He buys himself a new "ally" shirt every year.

(Disclaimer: Previous paragraph was meant merely as a demonstrative metaphor and not to express any definitive opinion on Dick Grayson's sexuality. @ DC Comics let that boy be bi)

But to Damian's generation? Dick Grayson is a parental figure. When Damian and Jon were first starting out their superhero careers, Dick was not only acting as Batman, but as Damian's guardian, two roles most people, in-universe, expected him to be in permanently. And for Jon Dick wasn't just his friend's dad; when Clark had to leave Earth, forcing Jon to step into the role of Superman, and Jon expressed concern over being up to the job, Clark specifically told Jon to seek out Dick.

Because Jon, of course, was a teenager facing down not only the responsibility of being a superhero, but of bearing the weight of being a famous figure of hope. Something Dick had already done as the first Robin, and had helped at least a little two other teenagers navigate.

Now, I'm going to take a little tangent here to explain why Dick is the Clark in this situation.

When we talk about Dick's tragic backstory, a lot of little details change from retelling to retelling; but the one thing that stays consistent is the fact that Bruce took him in because Dick reminded him of himself. They both watched their parents get murdered at a young age (sometimes the exact same age, depending on the retelling); neither of them had any immediate family to take them in; both of them were only children who suddenly found themselves with the burden of being the sole carrier of their family's significant legacy. But that's pretty much where the similarities end.

Bruce was raised in a wealthy family, in a mansion in a major metropolitan city where his family had deep roots all the way back to its founding. Dick was raised by a very much working class family that lived out of a trailer/wagon/train most of, if not the entire year, traveling all across the country and/or globe. If they had a permanent residence anywhere, it was probably one of the suburbs around Tampa that were historically the off-season homes for circus performers (at least that's where I would put it).

Bruce was able to stay in his childhood home with a guardian who'd known him his whole life, who knew his family history and legacy. He was able to step into his family's legacy when he grew up and even expand it well beyond what his parents did.

Dick had to leave not only the circus he grew up in, he had to leave behind the entire community and culture and ended up being raised in a world that was completely different from it. Raised by a man who certainly respected his family and their history, but didn't know much about it or what their hopes and expectations had been for Dick.

While the path that eventually led him to becoming Batman began, for Bruce, that night when his parents were murdered, he didn't actually start seriously working towards and mentally taking on that responsibility until he was much older. In some cases he was in high school, in some not until after he graduated. But he taught himself and learned how to be a hero as an adult. He was in his twenties when he was taking the responsibility of other people's lives onto his own shoulders; when he was learning how to be most effective; when he was learning in real time the consequences of doing something wrong.

Dick started training and/or working as Robin the moment he became a permanent member of the Wayne household. He was anywhere between roughly 8 and 16, depending on the retelling, but in every version he was very a child or teenager taking on that responsibility of other people's lives, learning in real time the consequences of doing something wrong. He was trying to navigate school and a social life while feeling that responsibility for other people's safety and having this huge secret he couldn't talk about. He was given these special skills from his birth family's legacy that his adoptive parent warned him to hide from people lest they guess his secret. He had this overdeveloped strength and fighting skills that meant he had to consciously hold back when he fought bullies in school.

But while that doesn't describe Bruce, it does describe someone else in Dick's life: Clark. He lost his parents at a very young age leading him to be raised in a completely different culture and world by his adoptive parents. They respected his birth family and their culture, but knew nothing about them. They were a working class family, who lived in a small town. He developed his powers when he was just a kid. They were a part of his family legacy that his adoptive parents encouraged him to hide to keep his secret. They created a sense of responsibility in him at a young age to use them to help and protect people. They made it so that he had to hold back when he fought bullies in school. He had to learn how to navigate school and a social life while feeling that responsibility, while having this huge secret, and learning the consequences of doing something wrong when he was trying to protect people.

Clark related to Dick as a kid/teenager in ways that Bruce never really could. Clark understood a lot of the struggles Dick was facing, the weight on his shoulders. That's one of the many reasons he was, typically, very friendly and supportive of Dick; why he treated him as a respected colleague ; why he was always happy to spend time with and chat with Dick, even when Bruce wasn't around. He became a second trusted mentor to Dick, someone who understood what it was like to dedicate your entire life to protecting people; to spending your entire life as someone potentially dangerous to normal people; to being removed from your family legacy and their culture and taking up that of your adoptive family instead.

That's why, when Dick finds himself in situations where his life is drastically changing, one of his first stops is always Metropolis. That's why, when his life drastically changes and he doesn't come to Metropolis, Clark comes to check in on him. And Clark doesn't always have good advice to share to help Dick find his way. But he has enough similar life experience that it makes him pretty much the only mentor figure in Dick's life that Dick can really talk to who best understands him and his unique struggles.

Back to Jon.

When Jon was forced to become Superman, he was worried about how to be Superman. How to take on that kind of responsibility when he was so young. Clark sent him to Dick not just because he had a unique perspective on what Superman needs to be as someone who's been a fan, a colleague, and a friend; not just because he could teach Jon how to fight and protect himself and others even without his powers; not just because he's an excellent teacher. But because no other non-super has as much experience navigating the complex life of being a high profile kid superhero.

And Dick taught him. He trained him, and he told him about his father and his legacy, about who Superman was to the people who cared about him and worked with him.

And well after Dick's gone back to being Nightwing, even when he's not a constant fixture in Damian's life anymore, even when he's off in Bludhaven, when Jon finds himself struggling to navigate a new situation as a superhero, one of the first things he does is seek out Dick. Dick doesn't always have good advice to give him, but he does have similar experiences that help him understand Jon and his unique struggles.

[scmg11]

HAILEE STEINFELD x READER - BODYGUARD (PART2)

PART 1

-

"You sure?" Hailee asked undure, wringing her hands as she switched her eyes from Y/N’s bandages to her eyes.

"I’m sure Hailee. You don’t need to keep feeling bad. I would have felt 10 times worse if this happened to you. So I’m glad it happened to me." Y/N admitted with honesty, trying with all her best to not think about what happened to her happening to Hailee.

"I know, but I still feel bad."

"Think about it this way, you patched me up. We’re even now."

"Okay, yeah, fine." Hailee smiled as she finally gave up in arguing with Y/N, but her smile dropped immediately when the bus swerved a bit and caused Hailee to loose her balance and crash into Y/N’s body, instinctively moving her hands to her front to stop her crash, only for them to come in contact with Y/N’s contracted abdomen, while Y/N’s right arm instinctively circled her waist to prevent her to fall.

"You okay?" Y/N asked in worry, only then noticing their faces got incredibly close.

"Y-yeah." Hailee cleared her throat when she felt her voice a little bit strained and hoarse, "thank you for saving me. Again."

"You’re welcome." Hailee had an hard time in trying to find the willpower to pull away from Y/N but she finally did when she realized her staring into Y/N’s eyes while her hand laid softly on her abdomen wasn’t exactly friendly nor professional.

"Did I hurt you?" Y/N smiled gently at Hailee’s thoughtfulness and shook her head softly, easing Hailee’s worries.

"No, don’t worry. Are you okay though?"

"Yeah, luckily you were with me." Hailee joked to try to calm her heartbeat down, fearing Y/N would hear it from her position and mustered a teasing smirk to tease Y/N too.

"Oh yeah, I’m becoming your hero!" Y/N cracked a joke too and made Hailee laugh heartily at her words, her chuckles warming Y/N’s heart and making her stomach do somersaults at that heavenly sound.

"Yeah! I will have to keep you, so you can stick around and save me whenever I need to be saved!" Hailee kept joking as she grinned mischievously at Y/N, watching her rolling her eyes good-naturedly.

"Oh yeah! That sounds amazing! Oh wait- that’s my job actually!" Y/N kept joking, liking this new dynamic between them.

"Okay, yeah, whatever." Hailee rolled her eyes teasingly before smiling at her widely and winking at her back when Y/N winked at her continuing their friendly banter.

"Y’know what-." Y/N went to counter Hailee back but a voice over them echoed around the tour bus’ living room.

"Excuse me, miss Y/L/N. We are 12 miles away from the concert venue. We still need to tidy up all the stuff from the concert in the other bus, we left in a hurry. We need to stop."

"Do not move. We will continue this conversation." Y/N warned Hailee jokingly with her index finger pointed at her when they both lowered their heads after lifting them up to the bus’ roof at the voice speaking through the speakers and locked their gazes.

"Yeah, it’s not that hard since we are in a bus." Hailee joked back as she watched Y/N walk past her and make her way towards the driver, swallowing loudly when her eyes casted down on Y/N’s ass, more visible now that the shirt wasn’t covering it almost entirely. Jeez, get a grip on yourself Hailee.

-

"Okay, that was the last one. We can set off again." Stephen, one of the sound technicians, announced after setting everything in place in the second tour bus.

"We have just 2 hours of driving before arriving to the designated hotel in Tampa."

"Okay great! I’m exhausted." Y/N announced with a small yawn, trying to stretch her arms above her head slowly and softly to prevent the cut to open more and risking it to bleed again.

"How do you feel?" Hailee asked with worry in her brown irises, eyeing Y/N’s now covered lower stomach before meeting Y/N’s eyes with her eyebrows furrowed.

"Much better." Y/N smiled gently down at Hailee and caressed her bandaged and covered by her t-shirt cut softly and slowly. "Still hurts and stings but luckily a lot better since you helped me in patching me up."

"That’s good!" Hailee admitted gently, before starting to fidget on her spot while playing with the rings on her fingers. "Do- do you wanna stay in my tour bus tonight? Y-your bandages need to be replaced and I-I can help you."

Y/N smiled softly at the singer shyly explaining her reason for her to want her to stay with her, but it made her stomach flip excitedly nonetheless. "Are you offering to help me again?" Y/N asked with a small teasing lilt in her tone, watching delighted as a small blush appeared on Hailee’s cheeks and smiled warmly down at her at her sweet and cute reaction.

"Y-yeah. It’s the least I can do. And I-I mean, I promised to start over, so we can get to know each other more."

"I would like that." Y/N answered earnestly, deciding to have some mercy on the singer now resembling a tomato as her blush intensified while talking and watched amused as the blush intensified some more somehow as Hailee nodded in understanding.

"G-great!"

"Hey, Y/N! You coming?!" Y/N smiled politely at the driver as he made his way into the bus before turning towards the source of the voice calling her.

"Sorry guys, but I’m staying with Hailee tonight." Y/N announced apologetically, smiling sheepishly at her new friends and hoping they will not tease her about her statement.

"Oh yeah?" Jasmine asked innocently, but the smile she sent Y/N was far from being innocent and held a dangerous and teasing kind of mischief Y/N was afraid to witness but luckily Mick stopped her before she could keep talking.

"How are you Hailee? It must have been intense."

"A bit yeah. But thankfully Y/N was there." Y/N met Hailee’s gaze and smiled softly at her, mirroring the singer’s own grin after she finished talking before meeting Jasmine’s eyes and warned her to not talk.

"Yeah, that’s right. And you will have her with you tonight. You will be super safe." Y/N wanted to strangle her friend right then and there at the exaggerated tone she used to say ‘super safe’ but talked herself out of it when she darted her eyes towards Hailee and noticed the girl looked unfazed by Jasmine’s words, not really sure if Hailee caught on Jasmine’s innuendo or she let it slide. Y/N was grateful nonetheless.

"Sorry to interrupt Miss Steinfeld but we need to move or we will be late for our moving schedule."

"Yeah yeah. Goodnight guys!" Hailee nodded before waving at Jasmine and Mick with a big smile.

"Goodnight Hailee! Goodnight Y/N!" Mick was the first to bid them a goodnight then Jasmine butted in.

"Night Y/N! Night Hailee! Sweet dreams to you both!"

Y/N sent a withering glare at Jasmine before putting a polite smile on and waved at her friends, "goodnight guys!"

-

"Ugh, you don’t even know how good it is when I finally take my makeup off!" Hailee admitted after settling unceremoniously on the couch Y/N was sat in and groaned in fatigue.

"Yeah, I bet. I wear light makeup everyday and I get so happy when I take it off. I can’t even start to imagine you with all your stage makeup. It feels awful."

"It’s not that bad wearing it during the show, but after finishing the show I just want to take my makeup off, wear a pair of sweats and a hoodie and just lay down on the couch." Hailee admitted as she readjusted her body so she could look into Y/N’s eyes properly.

"It seems like my favorite kind of day." Y/N admitted with a warm smile, "no makeup, comfort food and comfy clothes."

"Ugh! We are definitely doing this one of these nights!" Hailee announced as she closed her eyes just a moment to let the fatigue of the night leave her body as she relaxed on the couch.

"It would be great. I’ll be there."

"You kinda have to." Hailee trailed off and snorted when Y/N looked at her confused, "y’know, for your job."

"Oh! Yeah, I have to stay with you because of my job, but I like spending time with you." Y/N felt the need to clarify after noticing the little sad smile Hailee was wearing and felt ten times lighter when she watched that sad smile morph into a big, genuine, brighter-than-the-sun smile.

"I like spending time with you too." Y/N felt her stomach flip at Hailee’s admission and smiled gently down at her, holding her breath when she watched the singer lean down on the couch and lay her feet clad in a pair of soft, grey socks on her lap comfortably.

"Comfy?" Y/N asked sarcastically with a wide grin and watched as Hailee adjusted her upper body to be as comfortable as possible before nodding at Y/N with a satisfied grin.

"Yeah, I’m really comfy after a long concert night, while becoming a nurse to patch your ass up in the meantime."

"Yeah that’s true. But you wouldn’t have become a nurse to patch my ass up if your stupid ass listened to my instructions."

"I just wanted to say hi to my fans!" Y/N smiled softly as she shook her head at Hailee’s reasoning before nodding gently at her as she couldn’t counter back her statement.

"Alright, but next time, behind me, please. I got scared that bottle could’ve hit you." Y/N admitted in a strained voice, pushing away the images of the moment she saw the broken bottle move fast towards Hailee and tried to suppress the feeling of dread when she thought she couldn’t have made that far to protect Hailee. Luckily she did save her.

"Noted boss."

"Don’t call me that." Y/N countered back with a snort, making Hailee chuckle alongside her after a beat of silence, "it makes me sound old and boring."

"Well, you kinda are." Hailee teased as she bit on her bottom lip to prevent her smile to crack her serious façade, but the incredulous face Y/N regarded her with was making it a really difficult task to complete for Hailee.

"What?! We’re the same age Hailee!"

"I know, I was talking about the boring part." Hailee let her wide smile free and it rolled on her beautiful features like the sun peeking out of the clouds in a cloudy day. It was a mesmerizing sight. Y/N almost got struck by the beauty and the radiance of it, so much so she almost forgot to pretend to be mad at Hailee for teasing her about her being boring.

"Unbelievable."

"It is what it is." Y/N shook her head in disbelief at Hailee’s smirk and pushed her gently on the shoulder when she heard her chuckle under her breath.

"Y’know what? I think I’m gonna go in my bus. I’m not welcomed here since I’m being mocked right now." Y/N countered back as she made the move to sit up just to tease Hailee back, a small smile almost twitching her lips up softly, but she didn’t relent.

"No! No, c’mon!" Hailee grabbed Y/N’s forearm and tugged her down gently, but when she didn’t budge one bit and continued to sit up from the couch, she yanked on Y/N’s forearm hard and pushed her back down on the couch, this time making her sit a bit closer to her from the harshness of her yanking on Y/N’s arm.

"Take that back."

"What?"

"You know what." Y/N lifted her left eyebrow in challenge when Hailee kept staring at her with clearly fake innocence, the small twitching of her lips giving her away immediately.

"I seriously don’t know what you’re talking about."

"I know for sure you do know. C’mon, I’m not boring!"

"Hm, we don’t know each other that much and we hardly hang out, so I am just relying on the small informations I gathered until now."

"Okay then, let’s get to know each other and you will see who’s the boring one."

-

"Please!"

"No."

"But- why not?" Y/N didn’t break her staring contest with Hailee, who pouted at Y/N as her eyes gleamed under her hotel bedroom’s lights.

"Because you can’t. I have clear instructions. No visiting fans detour during the event."

"But we’re friends! Friends help each other! You can bend some rules for me!"

"Hailee, those rules exist just for you and because of you!" Y/N countered back with incredulous wide eyes and an amused smile as she gazed at Hailee in entertainment, who pouted cutely at her.

"It’s not fair!" Y/N found extremely endearing Hailee stomping her right foot on the ground as she crossed her arms under her chest and deepened her pout at Y/N, but she didn’t mention it. "Why can’t I go to them to just say hi?"

"Because you are presenting a category. Around the end of the show. So you need to stay there until you need to go up the stage." Y/N explained patiently before lifting a curious eyebrow and directing it at Hailee, "I thought you were the star and I was the bodyguard. You should know these things. Not the way around."

"I know! But they had been waiting for so long. Just a couple of pictures. Please!" Y/N had to literally fight against herself from squishing Hailee’s cheeks when she batted her eyelashes at her with puppy dog eyes and the cutest pout she had ever seen to try to make her cave in her request, but she had to be strong.

"I’m sorry Hailee. No bending rules."

"Pretty please! You will be with me the whole time! You can even glue yourself on my back. Just please. I tweeted I would say hi to them!" Hailee quickly grabbed her phone and showed her previous tweet to Y/N, the tweet now having thousand and thousands of likes and retweets, not to mention the comments section full of fans freaking out over Hailee’s tweet.

Y/N sighed out loud and watched as a big smile overtook Hailee’s features as she realized she caved in her request. "Fine. But only for 5 minutes!"

Hailee squealed loudly before launching herself into Y/N’s arms and hugged her tightly, making Y/N’s stomach flip over itself at the sweet gesture as she reciprocated the hug just as enthusiastically, Hailee’s joy being contagious. "Deal!"

-

"Hailee! No! Hailee! Come here!" Y/N tried desperately to whisper yell at Hailee when she couldn’t grab her arm after the stretched her own arm over to stop her when she noticed the singer started to walk away from their designated spot in line to the Vanity Fair Oscar Afterparty.

"Relax. I’m gonna just take a walk around while you wait in line." Hailee announced as she turned around to inform Y/N still waiting in line, watching her with a mix of panic and anger, but she just smiled sweetly at her and winked playfully.

"Are you out of your mind?! Come here!"

"I will be back in a minute, relax."

"No! Hailee!" Y/N whisper-yelled again before sighing out loud dejectedly when Hailee turned around and walked away.

"Y/N! What are you doing here?!" Y/N turned around at the familiar voice and smiled widely in excitement when she got met with a pair of just as much excited brown eyes.

"Z! What a surprise!" The two girls exchanged a big hug before the brown haired girl excused herself to the other people in line and waited in line with Y/N.

"It’s a surprise finding you here. I thought us celebs were too much of a pain in the ass to work with." Y/N rolled her eyes good-naturedly at the words and pushed Zendaya gently on her left shoulder playfully.

"I didn’t say a pain in the ass."

"Oh no you did. I remember it vividly."

"Okay then, when did I say it?" Y/N countered back with a challenging but amused eyebrow arched up and smirked at her friend mischievously.

"MTV Awards. Two years ago. You said it when we were in line to get into the venue. I was right behind you and you commented ‘celebs are a fucking pain in the ass’-." Zendaya made quotation marks before continuing, "before adding I wasn’t in the list of those, and I quote, ‘annoying assholes’ and-."

"OKAY! I remember it. Thank you." Y/N stopped Zendaya after she made quotation marks two times in a row to tease Y/N some more and laughed heartily as she leaned over her friend for some stability before smirking knowingly at her as she calmed down from her chuckles.

"What made you change your mind?"

As if on cue, Hailee appeared out of nowhere and stopped right beside Zendaya, "oh my God Z!"

"Haiz! Hi!" Y/N watched silently as the two girls hugged tightly with big smiles that enlightened the whole room.

"What are you doing still here? I thought you were already inside!" Hailee asked after she pulled away from the hug, settling beside Y/N and right in front of Zendaya.

"Unfortunately not. I got here just around 5 minutes ago." Zendaya answered with a dramatic sigh before looking at Hailee curiously, "what about you?"

"Oh we got here around 20 minutes ago." Hailee answered with a soft and gentle voice, sweeping her eyes around the room for a few moments before settling her brown irises back on Zendaya.

"Oh, who did you come with?"

"Me actually." Y/N butted in with a wide smile, puffing her chest proudly jokingly before relaxing her pose.

"Oh so she’s the pain in the ass you have to watch over, uh?" Y/N widened her eyes and dropped her smile at Zendaya’s question and chanced a look at Hailee to gauge her reaction, finding her with her mouth wide open and annoyance clear on her face, probably at the fact that Zendaya pointed her thumb at Hailee and smirked knowingly at Y/N.

"Excuse me?!"

"No! Not like that Hailee!" Y/N was quick to clarify before sending Zendaya a withering glare.

"No?" Hailee asked indignantly, her nostrils flared and her eyes filled with rage at the words directed at her.

"No! It was a joke when I was body guarding another celeb that wasn’t listening to me at all. I said celebs are a pain in the ass to work with and Zendaya heard it. I never said it about you."

"Well when you said ‘celebs’, you meant it about me too y’know."

"Well I never met you. You are not like those celebs that act like you are their personal servant." Y/N tried to argue to make Hailee believe she wasn’t talking about her back then, but Hailee kept her annoyed frown on.

"You are just trying to save your ass now."

"No, I’m not. I swe-."

"Next please!"

"Haiz, let me-." Y/N tried to talk again but Hailee lifted her hand up with a stoic face on.

"Save it." With just these hard, quick words, Hailee dropped her hand and walked towards the entrance, not even glancing at Zendaya to say ‘goodbye’ to her.

"I’m so sorry Y/N! I meant it as a joke!" Zendaya grimaced in apology at Y/N, who just sighed out loud as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Don’t worry. Perhaps you could’ve shut the fuck up." Y/N spoke up with a little bit of an angry, strained voice and run away from Zendaya to follow Hailee into the venue, smiling at the guards controlling everyone before letting everyone in, thanking them when they told her she was ‘good to go’ and looked around the venue in search of Hailee, sweeping her eyes over the sea of people talking animatedly with each other over the soft but nonetheless loud music blasting out from the speakers above her head, locating the brunette not too far away from her, just a few feet ahead walking towards the bathroom. "Haiz!"

Y/N ran after Hailee when she didn’t turn around when she called her name, cursing under her breath at the singer hearing her perfectly but she was too much pissed off with her bodyguard and with Zendaya’s words echoing around her mind to care about turning around when Y/N called her name. "Hailee! Hey!" Hailee turned her head towards the source of the familiar voice and waved at the blonde and at the brunette smiling affectionately at them, mirroring their grin with a loving one of her own.

"Hey Tay! Hey Sel! I’m gonna go to the bathroom real quick and I’ll join you guys!"

"Okay! We will be here!" Selena replied and nodded at her before refocusing her attention on whatever their conversation’s subject was about.

"Hailee! Please!" Y/N called once again as she tried to catch up with Hailee, who started speed-walking towards the bathroom as soon as she heard Y/N’s feet echo approaching her. "Hailee! C’mon!"

"Save it Y/N." Hailee turned around to face Y/N, who joined her in the bathroom a moment after she entered.

"Hailee please. Let me explain!"

"There is nothing to explain. You were pretty clear."

"Haiz. Please." Y/N tried again with a pleading tone, stopping right in front of the door to prevent Hailee to leave the bathroom and their needed conversation. "Let me explain. It’s not how it sounded like."

"I think it was. I am a pain in your ass. You can leave for all I care."

"Okay. If you want me to do that, I will. I can’t force you to have me here. But first, let me explain. But you have to listen. If you will still want me to leave, I will. But please, listen to me first."

"Okay, fine." Hailee sighed out loud, relenting to Y/N’s pleas, not really resisting her cute pout even if she was mad at her.

"Okay, great. First thing first, I’ve never thought you were a pain in the ass. Not even when you acted like a bitch the first few weeks." Y/N started but Hailee was quick to interrupt.

"What?" Hailee interrupted with a loud screech as she looked at Y/N stunned, not believing she really said those words. "I was not being a bitch." Hailee scoffed and crossed her arms indignantly and leveled Y/N with a challenging look.

"You kinda were Haiz. You never looked me in the eyes the first week. And for about the first 3 weeks you almost never talked to me, only if it was strictly necessary. Oh and you never listened to me. You always ran away from me purposefully, while I was just doing my job to protect you."

"Okay, I may admit I was mad at you for being my bodyguard, but I changed!"

"And I’m so glad you did, but only me getting hurt made you change. I wonder if that never happened if you were still being a bitch to me right now." Y/N wondered with a small smile and watched as a shy one appeared on Hailee’s features too, breaking up her deep, annoyed frown.

"I wouldn’t. We were already becoming friends." Hailee reassured Y/N with a soft smile, the Y/H/C girl doing the same. A few beats passed before Hailee spoke up again, "why did Zendaya say those words?" Hailee asked in an insecure voice, making Y/N’s heart swell into her chest as an urge to hug her became almost unbearable, but she stayed put. She needed to explain everything to Hailee.

"Because she witnessed what happened 2 years ago when I was body guarding a client during the MTV Awards. He just ran away from the line we were in to walk around the venue-." Hailee visibly swallowed at the similarities to the story Y/N was retelling to what she did not even half an hour ago, but stayed in silence and listened to Y/N carefully. "He was nowhere to be seen but then I heard a security guard communicating through the radio that he got caught fingering a fan in a ‘semi-deserted’ hallway of the venue. Needless to say I got fired that night and it almost costed me my great reputation as a bodyguard if it wasn’t for my best friend that owes the body guarding agency and for the clients I body guarded previously that defended me against that asshole. I owe them a lot."

"What?!" Hailee asked incredulously as her eyes widened comically, "are you fucking serious?"

"Yeah."

"Oh Y/N, I’m so sorry!" Y/N shook her head at Hailee’s apology and caressed her right shoulder with her left hand.

"You don’t need to apologize. It’s fine."

"But it’s not Y/N! He was a total asshole."

"And he got away with that. Do you want to know why I almost lost my job?" Hailee nodded gently at Y/N’s frustrated and angry tone, deciding on not interrupting her with a verbal answer and letting her continue almost right away, "he said to every interviewer that I was the one suggesting him on fingering that girl. He would’ve been kicked out of the event, so he lied about what he truly wanted to do. I was lucky enough every other celeb I body guarded stoop up for me when security wanted to kick me out. They kicked him out instead."

"Oh wait! I remember reading about something like that. I couldn’t attend that MTV Award because I was away shooting a movie."

"So yeah, that’s why I said that. Because I was pissed at him when he walked away, still not knowing what he would’ve done."

"Now I got it. I’m so sorry for overreacting." Y/N shook her head at Hailee’s apology and walked a bit closer to her.

"You don’t need to apologize Hailee. You had every right to be upset about how Zendaya put those words. You didn’t know the meaning behind it."

"Yeah. Z made it sound like you said that about me." Hailee joked before a small frown settled onto her features as insecurity flitted into her brown irises, "you didn’t, right?" Hailee asked in a small, shy tone and immediately skidded her eyes from Y/N’s intense stare to her hands, wringing them nervously while her heart beat loudly into her ears in anticipation.

"Of course not!" Y/N was quick to answer, maybe too quick, but she couldn’t help it. She felt the urge to let Hailee know she wasn’t a pain in the ass. Quite the contrary in fact. "Haiz you are one of the best celebrity I had work for."

"But I treated you like shit the first month or so."

"You had your reasons and I understood that. I’m not mad."

"No one should be excused for that shitty behavior Y/N/N." Y/N shook her head and went to take Hailee’s hand but changed her mind at the last second and placed her hand on her left bicep instead, not noticing the goosebumps she elicited from their skin-to-skin contact.

"You had your reasons Haiz. You are excused." Y/N repeated more firmly this time, using a tone that told Hailee there was no more room for arguing. "I never thought you were being a brat purposefully. You thought you didn’t need a bodyguard and acted like the independent woman that you are."

"Stop, you’re making me sound like I did nothing wrong."

"You didn’t?"

"Yeah, I did. I treated you like shit and you didn’t deserve it." Hailee replied with resolution, holding her head high with a fierce glint burning behind her brown eyes.

"Stop, okay? It’s in the past now." Y/N squeezed Hailee’s bicep gently and smiled softly at her with a small nod. "We are on the same page now."

"Yeah."

"You are still not listening to me when I tell you ‘to not move’ but overall we’re good now."

"I wanted to look around for my fans!"

"You could’ve waited with me in line and then, after getting our passes, we could’ve gone in search of your fans together!" Y/N explained with a fake exasperated voice that made Hailee laugh.

"Good point. Next time I will listen to you!"

-

"And here we are with the beautiful Hailee Steinfeld. How are you darling?"

"I’m good. How about you Paul?"

"Oh I’m doing great now that I have you with me!" The interviewer answered with a mischievous smile before winking at Hailee, then at the camera before chuckling under his breath.

"Oh Paul, you’re too nice!"

"So, tell me about your tour!"

"It’s going great! I am so so thankful for going around the States to perform to the best audience any singer could ask for, my fans." Y/N watched from afar as Hailee’s eyes shined with passion and affection as she talked about her fans and smiled softly, almost imperceptibly, at the singer’s endearing bond she had with her fans.

"Oh I bet. I would be excited too to see you on stage. I heard that there are a lot of interesting choreographies during the show." There it is. That annoying, disgusting smirk that made Y/N wanting nothing more than going there and punching that douchebag in the face. He was clearly flirting with Hailee. To Y/N’s mind it was still difficult to understand how a man being around 50 years or older could try to hit on a 26 years old girl. It was disgusting.

"Yeah. Michelle was a great addiction to my tour this year! She came up with all the choreographies. She is amazing!"

Y/N didn’t know if Hailee didn’t catch up with the flirting yet or if she was plainly avoiding it and talking about something else. Anyway, it was something that made Y/N proud of Hailee’s laid back composure. "Yeah yeah, are you excited for tonight?"

-

"He was such a pig. I swear if it wasn’t for Florence passing by and coming to hug me to say hi, he would’ve put his hands on my ass. I was ready to break them off his arms." Hailee commented with Y/N what happened a few hours prior as they were making their way outside towards their tour busses around 3 a.m., both tired from the busy night.

"I noticed. He tried to flirt with you during all your interview with him." Y/N made a disgusted face and reveled in the cute laugh leaving Hailee’s mouth.

"I ask myself why people like him still works."

"Because their bosses are just like them." Y/N pointed out with an annoyed face on and Hailee could only nod in agreement.

"Ugh, it makes me so mad!" Y/N watched as Hailee’s face furrowed in anger as she looked towards the direction of the approaching tour bus. "I don’t want to think about all those girls they 100% harassed. They surely groped them or something like that."

"I don’t want to think about it neither." Y/N shivered alongside Hailee as they approached her tour bus.

"Don’t worry about your every night check and inspection of the tour bus. It’s already late and we have to wake up early tomorrow. You had a pretty tiring night already."

"You sure? I should do a quick check." Y/N replied insecurely as she scratched the back of her head and looked pensively at the tour bus’ door.

"I’m sure. Go to sleep, Y/N/N."

"Okay, fine. You won." Y/N relented and tried to ignore the strange tingle she felt in her stomach at the million dollar smile Hailee sent her.

"Goodnight Y/N/N."

"Goodnight Haiz."

Y/N waited for Hailee until she entered the tour bus and closed its door before walking towards her own bus and entering it. "Hello Miss Steinfeld."

"Oh shit! What the- what the fuck are you doing here?!"

"Oh nothing, I just wanted to continue where we were unfortunately suddenly interrupted." Hailee swallowed imperceptibly and cursed herself for not letting Y/N in and check the tour bus. She didn’t know how Paul got into the bus, but she was going to kick him out quickly. Fortunately they didn’t start moving yet. "Don’t even trying to run away Miss Steinfeld. C’mon, now sit."

"Let me just go take off these heels. I’ll be right back." Hailee had to walk past him to go to her bedroom, but she made sure to walk by him as far as she could to prevent him to touch her unexpectedly and as soon as she was out of his sight, she grabbed her phone she was thankfully hiding in her dress and sent a quick text to Y/N, not really testing her chances by calling her. He could hear her voice and she doesn’t want to know what he would do if he ever heard her calling for help. She shivered in dread as she hit send, before getting rid of her heels, placing her phone back securely in her dress and walking back in the living room area. As she approached the interviewer she prayed for Y/N to have her phone in her hands and to come to her rescue soon.

"What the- fuck I need to go!" Y/N interrupted their conversation with the driver of Hailee’s bus and run towards Hailee’s bus quickly.

From Haiz 💕❤️: Paul is here. Help me. Use the back door. It’s open.

"So, Miss Steinfeld, I noticed you being all over me tonight. You had no right to look at me that way in public. It made me so hard." Y/N as quietly as she could opened the back door and walked furtively into the bus, walking on her tiptoes to not make a sound. She made a gagging face at the disgusting phrase she heard and as quietly as she could sneaked her head over the door that led into the living room area. She let out a sigh of relief when she noticed that pig had his back towards her, but her blood boiled over when she watched his hand traveling dangerously fast up Hailee’s exposed leg, "and this amazing dress! Do you want to see what seeing you in this dress makes me feel like?"

Y/N met Hailee’s worried and terrified eyes for just a second before nodding and tiptoeing towards that asshole and right before he could slip his hands between Hailee’s frozen legs, Y/N circled her arm around Paul’s neck, gripping tightly and pulling him up and off the chair, effectively pulling him away from Hailee, who breathed out in relief and moved as far away from him on the couch. "I don’t think so asshole."

"You- bitch!" Hailee breathed in and out deeply a few times before finally finding enough force to stand up, her legs still wobbly from the fear that pumped hard in her veins, and took her phone to call the police.

"Ah-ha. I would shut the fuck up if I were you. The more you talk, the more I will tighten my grip. And trust me, you don’t want to test me."

"Okay, police should be here in a minute." Hailee approached Y/N and immediately placed her hand on Y/N contracted back for some comfort, her body shaking a bit from everything that she went through the past 10 minutes. "They were at the awards."

"Are you okay?"

Hailee shook her head at Y/N to silently tell her ‘not now’ and Y/N nodded gently at her with a wistful smile. They heard a knock on the tour bus’ door right about a minute later. "They’re here."

"C’mon piece of trash, they came to pick you up." Y/N pulled Paul back with her tight grip once more before grabbing his left wrist and twisting his arm behind his back, eliciting a painful yelp from the blond man, then pushing his arm more behind his back and reveling in his sounds of pain as she pushed him towards the door Hailee just opened.

"He is right there. My bodyguard blocked him."

"Thank you Miss. We’ll take him from here. I just need to take both of your statements and we will go."

Everything went by with a blur for Hailee as they spoke to the police officers before they put Paul in their car and drove away. "Are you okay, Haiz?"

"I-I-." Hailee stammered her words before her eyes welled up with unshed tears and threw herself in Y/N’s arms, hugging her tightly. "Oh Y/N/N."

"Shh, Haiz. It’s okay. I’m here. You are okay. I’m here with you."

"I-I- t-thank you Y/N/N."

"You don’t need to thank me Haiz. I would’ve come to your rescue regardless of me being your bodyguard or not. I am your friend. I care about you."

"I-I don’t-." Y/N shook her head and shushed Hailee gently as she caressed her back tenderly.

"You don’t need to talk now Haiz." Y/N hugged Hailee closer as she nuzzled her face in her neck.

"Thank you." Y/N felt her stomach clench and her heart break when she heard Hailee’s strained voice as she whispered her broken words.

"You need to stop Haiz. Stop thanking me. Stop talking. Just- let me hold you and make you feel better."

"You are a-amazing." Hailee laid a small peck on Y/N’s left collarbone that got exposed from the collar of her shirt and Y/N had to restrain the goosebumps that were ready to form.

"I try." Y/N tried to joke to lift up Hailee’s spirits just a bit and got rewarded with a small giggle that warmed Y/N’s heart. "You’re laughing. It’s a good sign."

"You make me laugh. You make me smile." Hailee admitted earnestly a few beats later as she stared into Y/N’s eyes intensely.

"So I’m like a clown to you?" Y/N joked again, pulling another adorable giggle from Hailee’s throat, a big smile stretched over her beautiful lips.

"Aren’t we all in life?" Hailee countered back with a witty, funny remark and both girls bursted out in a loud laugh.

"Well your fans for sure. I see a lot of tweets about them calling themselves clowns."

"Ha-ha. Very funny bringing this up Y/N/N." Y/N snickered at Hailee’s fake annoyance and watched as she rolled her eyes at her reaction.

"Oh c’mon. They are cute when they do that. You tend to be a clown yourself." Y/N joked some more and Hailee gasped in indignation at Y/N’s statement.

"Okay, y’know what? You suck!"

"Oh no, I take that back. Come here!" Hailee squealed when, after freeing herself from Y/N’s grasp, Y/N circled her waist with her arms, hugged her tightly and pulled her back into her body.

"Y/N/N!" Hailee giggled at Y/N’s goofiness and both felt their stomaches flip over themselves at their banter.

"Here. Better. Much, much better."

"Thank you." Y/N looked at Hailee confused as she furrowed her brows when the girl spoke up after a few seconds of silence, pulling away from the hug but still standing close to Y/N for comfort.

"For what?"

"For making me laugh. I needed it."

"You don’t need to thank me." Y/N spoke up right after, smiling softly at Hailee. "It’s my pleasure, truly."

"Do I make you laugh just as much too?" Hailee asked insecurely as she played with a thumbnail standing up on her thumb, avoiding Y/N’s intense gaze as she tried to lock her Y/E/C irises with Hailee’s brown eyes.

"Of course. You are so funny Haiz!"

"You’re not just saying that because I’m literally your boss, right?"

"Of course! I am payed to say you are funny!" Y/N joked and made Hailee roll her eyes in fake annoyance.

"Ha ha ha. Very funny."

"I know, right?" Y/N pushed her Y/H/C hair over her left shoulder in fake superiority before smiling widely at Hailee, who was looking at her unimpressed.

"Unbelievable."

"Jokes aside, you are funny Haiz. You also have a witty sense of humor, which is rare nowadays." Hailee smiled widely at Y/N and without even thinking leaned over to hug her.

"Thank you Y/N/N." Hailee felt her stomach flip enthusiastically when Y/N reciprocated the hug with just as much eagerness before pulling away to not prolong the hug over what is considered friendly. "What?" Hailee asked curiously when she looked at Y/N and found her smiling widely.

"You called me by my nickname. It’s strange, cute." Y/N stated with a dopey smile and a dreamy tone on and Hailee smiled shyly at her.

"Yeah, I like it. Don’t you like me calling you with your nickname?"

"Of course! I love it!"

"You call me Haiz most of the time by now. I feel like calling you with your full name is too formal. I consider you a friend now more than a bodyguard. Especially after what you did for me tonight. I will never forget it and I will be forever grateful for it. I will forever be in debt with you."

"Oh please. You don’t owe me nothing back. I did it because I care for you and I wanted that asshole far, far away from you."

"He luckily got arrested."

"Yeah. But I would’ve wanted to send him in with a black eye." Y/N admitted through gritted teeth and fists clenched, staring behind Hailee’s left shoulder in space as anger boiled over.

"I would’ve paid to see that, but I am afraid you would’ve been arrested too. And I want you here with me, not in prison."

"But I would look hot in a prison suit." Hailee took a moment to let the image of Y/N wearing a dark blue prison suit unfold in her mind. Dark combat boots, only the bottom half of the suit on as she tied the arms of the top half around her waist, and a white, extremely tight top on that displayed deliciously her perfect arms with her well-defined biceps and triceps and a slight patch of her amazing, contracted abs showing just slightly from where her top rode up a little bit.

"Yeah." Hailee widened her eyes when she noticed she inadvertently answered out loud and hoped for the floor to swallow her whole as Y/N stared at her with a mischievous smile on her distracting lips.

"Oh really?"

"I-I mean-."

"Don’t worry. If it makes you feel any better, you would look hot too in a prison suit. Super hot."

"Really?" Hailee asked shyly and her blush exploded on her cheeks when Y/N nodded with a suggestive wiggling of her eyebrows and a lewd look in her Y/E/C eyes.

"Oh yeah."

-

After that banter, the charged air surrounding them kept charging day after day, making both of them question everything. "No Haiz. End of discussion."

"But- no one is gonna notice I left. I promise."

"No. Your manager texted me to ask me to make you go to the event and stay there through all of it."

"Ugh, that’s not fair." Hailee sighed as she typed away on her phone, hearing then Y/N do the same as she approached her in the middle of her tour bus living room.

"What are you doing?"

"Teaming up with someone to escape that boring event." Hailee replied absentmindedly as she typed away fast, making Y/N sigh out loud again.

"Haiz no. Give me the phone."

"No."

"Haiz, I’m serious."

"Nope."

"Okay. Desperate times call for desperate measures." Y/N then, without properly thinking about her actions, grabbed Hailee’s phone quickly and tried to shield it out of Hailee’s grasp, who obviously tried to take it back.

"Y/N!" Just when Hailee almost grabbed her phone from Y/N’s hands, Y/N did something that she only thought properly after she had done it. She slipped her phone in her pants, placing it right in front of her clothed crotch. "Y/N. You. Didn’t."

"Oh I did. Now you have my attention."

"You could’ve just asked for it, you know?"

"Where would the fun be then?" Y/N asked mischievously as she wiggled her eyebrows evilly.

"Ugh."

"Now, you have my attention." Y/N stated smugly as she eyed Hailee moving her eyes from her phone in Y/N’s pants to her face.

"All of this just because I was using my phone while you were talking to me?"

"No because you weren’t listening to me. You don’t want to go to the event. I was told you need to. But-." Y/N trailed off to lift a hand up to stop Hailee from arguing and silently ask her to let her speak first, "we could reach an agreement."

"What type of agreement?"

"You need to go to this event. But we can leave around 10 minutes in the event. How does that sound?"

"Y/N/N I didn’t peg you as a rule breaker!" Hailee smiled widely as her eyes glinted with happiness, looking at Y/N gratefully.

"Well sometimes I need to do what you ask so you can think you are in charge here." Y/N teased Hailee with a mischievous smirk on her lips and reveled in the singer opening her mouth in an ‘O’ shape as she gawked at her in disbelief.

"Ah! Take that back! I’m always in charge here. I’m your boss!"

"Yeah, I don’t think so."

"I am!" Hailee stressed her words out as her eyes widened comically at Y/N, who looked at her unimpressed. "I am!"

Y/N smirked at the whining tone Hailee used to repeat her words before shaking her head to keep teasing her for just a little bit more, "nope, I think you are not."

"Y/N/N!" Hailee whined again as she pushed on Y/N’s shoulder, making her stumble a bit as she chuckled amusedly.

"Okay fine, you are my boss. But only half of the time. Most of the time you do what I ask, which you do not and it’s stressful."

"Because I want to have fun!"

"I know but there are some rules you need to follow, especially when you have a bodyguard." Y/N countered back with the same amount of entertainment in her voice as Hailee as they had their usual banter. "Like listen to your bodyguard once in a while."

"I listen to you all the time!"

"3 minutes ago I had to take your phone from you because you weren’t listening to me!"

"I was texting my friend!"

"I was talking to you about a serious topic!" Y/N countered back in fake exasperation, moving her hands around frantically to add a more dramatic effect to Hailee’s and hers banter.

"I was texting my friend about a serious thing too!"

"Yeah, okay." Y/N rolled her eyes with a fond smile and Hailee did the same.

"It’s true! I was just texting her about our plans tonight." Hailee declared with an insecure voice as she looked down at her fingers as she picked at a thumbnail to avoid Y/N’s curious gaze.

"Haiz, you have the event tonight."

"I know! But you said I can’t go, right?!"

"No wait, I said you need to go. 10 minutes and we can go then." Y/N explained again as she shook her head softly at Hailee’s attempts to not go to the event she needed to go to at all.

"Ugh, okay fine! You won."

"Do not try to confuse me, because it won’t work." Y/N smirked triumphantly as she nodded down at Hailee, who sighed defeated.

"Ugh, I know!"

"C’mon. Only 10 minutes. You need to resist only 10 minutes."

Hailee bit on her bottom lip as she thought over her chances, "5 minutes?"

"No. 10 minutes." Y/N crossed her arms and stared at Hailee hard, "take it or leave it."

"Hm." Y/N watched as a pensive frown flitted over Hailee’s features as she hummed in thought, before a smirk full of mischief erupted on her plump, pink lips, "there is no space for negotiations, am I right?"

"Yeah, you’re right. I am already doing you a favor with not letting you stay throughout the whole event. So 10 minutes it is."

"There is no way I am not convincing you with letting me stay only 5 minutes, right?" Hailee tried again and Y/N didn’t know what to think. The brown haired girl was definitely up to something but Y/N didn’t know up to what.

"Haiz, I don’t know what game you’re trying to play, but these were your manager’s instructions and I’m not letting her down."

"No, no, you’re right. It’s just-. There is this party I want to go. It’s my friend’s birthday party and I want to go there. It’s right on the other side of the city, completely opposite from the event venue. Staying only 5 minutes instead of 10 minutes will make us spare 5 minutes to get across town to get to the party."

"Oh wow, you thought everything over."

"Yeah."

"I’m sorry but no."

"If I find a way to convince you, are you going to let me stay 5 minutes?" Y/N furrowed her eyebrows at Hailee’s confidence, but shook her anyway, even if she wanted to see where Hailee would’ve took her, making the singer sigh out dejectedly.

"Okay, then. Give me my phone back and I will stay for 5 minutes at the event."

"I’m not sure you know how to negotiate Haiz." Y/N laughed amusedly at Hailee’s attempt of confusing her to let win, but she didn’t relent.

"Oh I know perfectly how to negotiate." Y/N furrowed eyebrows, confused at Hailee’s statement.

"You should’ve said 10 minutes to induce me to say 5 minutes." Y/N explained as if Hailee needed some kind of explanation and smiled softly at her, knowing exactly she already won this argument and they will stay less than a minute at the event tonight. She is a gooner for Hailee and she would pretty much do anything she asked.

"Why waste time with one more step?" And with that Hailee slipped her hand into Y/N’s pants without warning and grabbed her phone, purposefully stopping her hand there as she reveled in Y/N’s hard intake of air as she gasped in shock at the bold gesture, "I already know you will say yes to anything I ask right about now to let me remove my hand. But I need my phone back. So I’m killing two birds with a stone. 5 minutes it is?"

"H-Haiz." Y/N stumbled out in a strained voice as she pleaded her throat to now let the moan she wanted to emit, roll out of it, so she gulped hard and gasped for air, miserably fumbling over her senses completely gone for Hailee. "2 minutes it is." Y/N let out the first coherent thing her brain was capable to form beside a lot of lewd words she wanted to moan out, not really realizing what she really said.

"Hm, I was only aiming for 5 minutes but this is so much better. Thank you Y/N/N." With her hand still in Y/N’s pants, Hailee leaned over and kissed Y/N’s cheek before pulling her hand out alongside her phone. "I need to get ready. It won’t take long. Stay here and choose a movie so we can chill until the event tonight."

As Hailee sauntered back into her en-suite, Y/N, still frozen in the middle of the bedroom, was sure of 3 things. One: Hailee swayed her ass way too much as she walked into the en-suite. Two: she kissed her cheek way too close to the left angle of her lips. And three, the most important one: Hailee purposefully angled her phone so that it would’ve teased her pulsating core over her already slightly wet underwear as she retrieved her iPhone from her pants. "Fuck."

-

"Ugh thank God we are out of there. You will see how much fun we’re gonna have at the party."

"Hm-hm." Y/N hummed out absentmindedly, her mind still in a haze after what happened a few hours prior in Hailee’s bedroom.

"Oh don’t worry about Theresa. She will understand, you’ll see!" Hailee waved Y/N off, not noticing the Y/H/C girl’s strange behavior, as both settled in the back of the car.

"Hm-yeah."

"Great! Let me text Vic we’re on our way."

"Hm-hm." Y/N couldn’t hear herself to let any more sound other than just a feeble ‘hm’, she was sure if she tried to form any other word her mind and body would explode.

"Ah we’re gonna have so much fun!" Y/N moved her eyes from staring away out of the window to Hailee jumping up and down in her seat as she smiled widely at her. "You can drink right? I know you are officially working right now, but I want to offer you a drink to say the umpteenth ‘thank you’ for what you did for me."

Y/N, after forcing her brain to work, thought about her options for a few seconds as she stared blankly at Hailee, not really wanting to drink since she was a professional and didn’t drink while working but a flashback from earlier flooded her mind and Hailee with her hand in her pants appeared. After forcing the thought out of her brain, she let out firmly, "you know what? A drink won’t hurt."

"YES!"

-

"What do you want Y/N/N?"

The club was packed and Hailee had to move closer to Y/N to scream into her left ear her question, causing her lips to brush Y/N’s ear shell and making a shiver run down Y/N’s spine, "a shot of vodka."

"Oh we are already going for the good stuff, uh?"

"Hm." Y/N nodded with a hum before knocking the shot as soon as the bartender left it in front of her and before he could walk away to serve another customer, Y/N asked for another one without asking Hailee if she wanted another one too, even if she didn’t even have time to drink the first one yet.

"Y/N/N, are you okay?"

"Peachy!" Y/N assured Hailee with a small sarcastic tilt in her tone, the alcohol giving a pleasurable sting to her throat.

"O-kay." Hailee smiled unsure at Y/N before downing her shot too, grimacing a bit at the strong taste and noticing how Y/N’s face was completely blank as she took her shots and she was unexpectedly but pleasantly surprised about the aspect of Y/N taking a shot of vodka without making a face.

"Do you want another one?"

"I think we should slow down for a bit, uh? We have all night for drinks."

"Alright." Y/N nodded again as she stared ahead of her, desperately trying to avoid Hailee’s gaze.

"Y/N/N, are you sure you are okay?"

"I’m fine Haiz."

"Okay." Y/N didn’t catch Hailee’s skeptic face as she downed another shot she asked to the bartender but when she went to lift her hand up to call him back for a proper drink this time, Hailee took her hand and placed it back on the counter, making Y/N shiver hard at the touch. "You should seriously slow down."

"I’m fine. I can handle a lot of alcohol Haiz."

"I don’t doubt that and I certainly don’t want to test it. But we just came here. We have all night to get wasted." Hailee reasoned and smiled softly at Y/N when she met her gaze for the first time that night, trying to convey through her eyes her worries about Y/N’s strange demeanor, but not speaking them out loud.

"Okay." Y/N sighed as she pushed the empty shot glass away and mirrored Hailee smile, although a bit uncertain, and watched delighted as Hailee’s grin broadened instantly.

"Great. Now let’s go dance!"

"What?!" Y/N didn’t have time to protest, or at least comprehend what was happening before Hailee grabbed her left hand again and pulled her off the stool she was sat on.

"C’mon!"

"No Haiz, I don’t dance."

"Oh don’t be an ass, dance with me. Please." And just like every other time Hailee asks something to Y/N, she pouted and batted her eyes at Y/N, making saying ‘no’ to her a lot difficult, almost impossible.

"I’m not being an ass, I’m just saying I don’t dance. Besides I am working."

"Not tonight. Tonight is your night off."

"I don’t get nights off with this job, Haiz."

"You do. I just decided so. And since I’m your boss, you will take the night off. End of discussion." Hailee nodded resolutely and crossed her arms as she looked at Y/N sternly, making the girl smile amusedly and affectionately at her.

"You do know how to be persuasive and convincing."

"I try to be." Hailee shrugged with a mischievous smile on and stretched her hand over as a silent offer and smiled widely when Y/N took her hand a second later with a fond roll of her eyes and a small grin stretched over her lips, sighing gently through her nose. "Are you gonna tell me what is wrong?"

"Nothing’s wrong."

"Yeah right." Y/N smiled sheepishly at Hailee’s words and scratched the back of her head as Hailee stared her down with sincere worry in her eyes.

"Are you sure you are okay? You seem worried about something."

"I swear I’m okay. You don’t need to worry about me, okay?"

"Okay, you just seemed a bit troubled about something and I wanted to help." Y/N felt her stomach flip over itself at Hailee’s clear worry about her and walked over to her, grabbed her biceps, initiating a contact since that evening, and caressed Hailee’s soft skin gently, swallowing down the wail ready to come out of her when she realized she was touching Hailee.

"You are amazing Haiz. But I’m fine. I was just thinking about a few things, but I’m not anymore. We are here to have fun!"

"That’s what I wanted to hear!"

"Yeah!" Y/N lifted her own hand up to mirror Hailee to high-five her and giggled cutely at the brown haired girl’s goofiness.

"You are a dork."

"Shut up!" Hailee giggled as she pushed on Y/N’s shoulders before hugging her out of nowhere. "I know you like it!"

Y/N fought over the butterflies flying like crazy around her stomach as she reciprocated the gesture with just as much affection and enthusiasm, if not more compared to Hailee, "can’t say I don’t!" Y/N admitted before smiling down at Hailee after they pulled away from the hug.

"That’s good!"

"Thank you." Y/N admitted out loud after staying in silence and staring intently into Hailee’s brown eyes, full of passion, of wit but also full of affection for Y/N.

"For what?"

"You know what. For everything."

"Oh you don’t need to thank me!"

"I know, but I feel the need to do it."

"Well in this case then I need to thank you too like a thousands times and more!"

-

"Oh I love this song, please Y/N/N come dance with me!" Y/N smiled softly at Hailee as she had been trying to make her dance with her all night long, but after what happened in Hailee’s hotel room a few hours prior she couldn’t. She didn’t know how much and how long she will resist without doing something she will definitely not regret but that will fuck everything up with Hailee with her job and with their friendship. She will not do that, especially not when she was more than a little tipsy. She wasn’t drunk, but she wasn’t sober either, so she won’t risk anything and she will stay put in the corner of the VIP dancing area watching Hailee dance care-freely with her friends.

"Thank you for the offer again Haiz, but I can’t. I’m good here watching over you. Don’t worry about me."

"Please! Then we can leave, I don’t care. But, please, please dance with me!"

"I don’t know…" Y/N murmured loud enough for Hailee to hear, feeling already relenting with Hailee’s puppy dog eyes pleading her.

"Please!" Y/N looked a bit unsure for a few seconds before looking into Hailee’s pleading brown eyes again and with a soft sigh nodded gently, feeling her heart swell and her stomach flip at the small squeal of happiness Hailee emitted when she realized Y/N caved in.

"Okay, I will!"

"Yay! We are gonna be the best on the dance floor!"

"I wouldn’t be so sure, I do not dance that good!"

"Well, I will be the judge of that." Y/N smiled at Hailee’s stubbornness and gave in to her wishes, letting her lead her towards the dance floor and felt her grin broaden when Hailee squealed happily after stopping in front of her.

"I wouldn’t be so happy, especially when they will kick us out for dancing so badly."

"You’re just belittling yourself. I bet you are good." Hailee insisted and started swaying gently to the music blasting loudly above them from the club’s speakers. Hailee felt herself stop for a moment as she took in Y/N surrounded by the neon lights around them, feeling her breath catch in her throat at the Y/H/C girl’s ethereal beauty.

"What are you looking at Steinfeld?" Y/N asked with a smug face, covering up her nerves as her stomach flipped over itself at the singer’s gaze, full of something Y/N can’t exactly pinpoint.

Feeling bold after the alcohol she consumed, Hailee decided to be sincere and answered quickly, "you."

"Me?"

"Yeah. You are beautiful. I was admiring your beauty and under these lights it’s like it’s highlighted." Y/N blushed hard at Hailee’s compliment, feeling her checks burn wildly as she tried to maintain her composure and not squeal like the dumbass that she is.

"Haiz, stop you’re making me blush. And you’re the one to talk. You are perfect. Your beauty is so- so breathtaking. And trust me I’ve met a lot of people in my life, but none of them were as beautiful inside and out like you are."

It was Hailee’s time to blush after she registered Y/N’s words, a warm, fuzzy feeling spreading all over her chest as she stared lovingly at the Y/E/C girl. She didn’t know when she started crushing on Y/N, but it wasn’t that important now, was it? The important thing was that she needed to act on her feelings soon, right after making sure Y/N felt the same. "Now I’m the one who’s blushing. Hard."

"Well, that’s wonderful. You look even more beautiful, not to mention cute."

"Y/N/N!" Hailee whined under her breath and leaned over her body to slot her face in Y/N’s neck and hide her face in the crook of her neck, taking advantage of their position to deeply breath Y/N’s perfume in.

"What? I’m being honest."

"I know, but stop it." Y/N smiled softly at the singer before moving on instinct and laying a soft kiss on Hailee’s head, making both of them froze at her gentle gesture.

"We were about to dance if I remember correctly."

"But I’m so comfy right now." Y/N was glad that Hailee decided not to mention her gesture, but couldn’t help but blush at the girl’s words. They were playing a dangerous game as they were letting their feelings for the other take over their actions, not really knowing if that way will lead them to kiss. They both hoped it would happen with all their hearts, but they weren’t sure.

"But now I want to dance."

"Okay, fine." Y/N chuckled under her breath when Hailee huffed out loud and made an effort to move from her comfy position cuddling Y/N, before taking her hand and walking the few steps back to not have too many people squishing them, stopping right in the middle of the dance floor after wading through the sea of people dancing care-freely.

"Hm, I like the fact that we are the only ones dancing here tonight. So cozy and not sweaty at all." Y/N cracked a joke and smiled warmly down at Hailee when the singer laughed heartily with her head leaned back.

"Just forget about them. Focus on me."

"Okay." Y/N took a deep breath as her stomach filled with butterflies at the request and at the intimacy it implied, knowing it won’t be a difficult request to fulfill.

"Okay." Hailee repeated Y/N’s words and grinned widely, her smile widening when she wrapped her arms around Y/N’s neck and leaned closer, Y/N shivering visibly at her gesture.

"Okay-hm." Y/N tried to make conversation to try to dampen the electrified air between them, but to no avail when she tried to swallow the lump that formed in her throat at her Y/E/C eyes meeting Hailee’s brown, magnetic ones.

"You are really good Y/N/N." Y/N tried to not show her blushing face to Hailee as she brain decided to interpret Hailee’s words with a double meaning, but if Hailee noticed it she didn’t show it, thankfully for Y/N. After that the Y/E/C girl decided to try to look like a functioning human being, even if it was proved to be a really difficult task with Hailee being so perfectly beautiful in front of her, and tried to not let her nerves show to her.

"Thank you. Although I’m not that convinced I’m good at dancing."

"Are you kidding me? You are doing great!"

"You think so?" Y/N asked a bit insecurely, still having doubts about her non-existent dancing skills.

"I know so! You are great babe, just let go. If you feel that insecure about your dancing skills, just follow my lead." At that Hailee boldly placed her right hand behind Y/N’s back and pushed her front to her own, flushing their bodies together, and didn’t miss Y/N visibly swallowing at the singer’s gesture, making the brown haired girl proud for letting herself go tonight and make a move on Y/N.

"O-Okay-hm."

"Feel the rhythm. Let our bodies melt together to it." Hailee whispered sultrily in Y/N’s ear, smirking mischievously when she watched goosebumps appear on the side of her neck and had to restrain herself from kissing under Y/N’s earlobe. She needed one more confirmation before doing what she had been craving for weeks now. "There, like that."

"Haiz-I-." Y/N stopped herself to swallow a whimper when Hailee leaned her face impossibly closer to hers, so close that their breaths mingled together and their noses brushed together gently, trying to find a resolution in her to resist Hailee and not kiss her right then and there, a resolution she might have lost that evening in Hailee’s hotel bedroom when she slipped her hand into her pants to retrieve her phone. Despite it being her most desired thing to do, it would be wrong and incredibly unprofessional, not to mention it would scare Hailee away, because she would never in a million years feel the same way about her, right? She was just her bodyguard.

"Y/N." Hailee moved just a little bit more closer, a hair width separating their lips now, but stopped before she could finally close the final gap to let Y/N stop her, "tell me to stop and I will." Y/N didn’t say a word for about 5 seconds. Only when her eyes strayed down to follow Hailee’s tongue slipping out to lick her own lips that Hailee had the confirmation she needed and with her heart beating loudly in her chest and ears, completely blurring the world around them, she leaned over and kissed her.