#dudes we’re only a week into college and i’m so fucking overwhelmed

[renthedevil]

old valley girl tim doobles :]

[wavyhairedbabyy]

Idiots - Part 2

Karl Jacobs x gn!reader

tldr: They’ve both got a crush. Sucks, since they’re the only ones oblivious to it. (Slow Burn!)

CW: none, fluffy :))

a/n: Picnic portion was inspired by Sunflower by Rex Orange County :) Sorry it took so long! Major writers block on this but now I’m back :)))

edited yet?: yes - let me know if I missed anything!

Part 1 - Part 2

“So we agree, I’m Eve and you’re Wall-E?” y/n asked as the credits began to roll.

“I want to sit here and disagree with you just to spite you, but I can’t,” Karl responded, “I could 100% see you blasting someone for just walking funny on a bad day.”

“I’d blast you just for the hell of it,” Y/n jumped onto their feet raising their arms up in a big stretch after sitting for the movie.

“Bad choice,” Karl reached his arms to the side of their body, immediately tickling them. Y/n immediately screamed out his name, trying to move themselves out of his grasp. As soon as Karl noticed this, he grabbed their arm to pull them back on to the sofa.

“You’re... going... to... regret... this!” Y/n huffed out, thrashing against him. Karl’s giggles and their screams echoed around the house. It wasn’t until y/n mustered up all of their strength to push him of the couch for them to escape his clutches.

Y/n ran to the bathroom, quickly locking the door behind them. Karl quickly ran behind them only to have the door slammed in his face, “Aw, c’mon y/n, let me in.”

“After that stunt you pulled? In your dreams, Jacobs,” Y/n turned toward the sink, ignoring Karl’s attempts to unlock the door. The only thing on their mind was their night routine and then hitting the hay.

As y/n started the warm water, the door swung opened making them jump. At the door frame stood Karl with a quarter in his hand, “Next time you should check to see what kind of lock I have.”

“Whatever, smart ass,” y/n rolled their eyes playfully, reaching for their tooth brush. They brushed their teeth as Karl scrolled through his phone. After the flight, unpacking, and a night with Karl, y/n just wanted to head to bed. They couldn’t even imagine how Karl felt with all the Mr. Beast stuff. After rinsing their mouth they asked, “You goin’ to bed too?”

Karl shook his head, “Nah, I’m going to stream for an hour or two. Nick and Alex want to practice for this Minecraft Championship thing so I’m gonna root them all while also roasting the crap out of them.”

Y/n should’ve known, especially with the mountains of energy drinks in his fridge. The man probably never sleeps, “Well you enjoy that. I’m knocking out for the night.”

Karl nodded. “I figured. You and you grandma schedule,” he giggled, resulting in a pout from them.

“You say that as if dealing with sleep deprived me isn’t one of the worst things in the world.”

“I mean, you got me there,” he shrugged. He walked over to them, wrapping his arms around them tightly, “Goodnight. Knock on my door if you need anything at anytime, okay?”

Y/n nodded, hugging back just as tightly. They wished this could last together. His smell was comforting, reminding her of happiness and serenity. His hold made them feel safe, like nothing could hurt them as long as he was there. The feeling ended too quickly as he pulled away, giving them one last smile before heading off to his stream room.

Y/n looked at themselves in the mirror, huffing to themselves. Going from not seeing Karl for over a year to all Karl all the time felt like sensory overload. The butterflies, the emotions, their head racing with thoughts that they shouldn’t have for someone who is just their best friend - it was a lot.

This was going to be a long week.

***

Y/n woke up to the sun’s rays gleaming through the blinds. Looking at their phone, they saw that it was 9AM. Juggling between the staying in bed and getting up, y/n decided that getting up was the better option. The last thing they wanted to do was go back to bed and mess up their “grandma schedule,” as Karl would call it.

Moving out of the bed, they reached their limbs as far as they could stretch them. After picking their outfit, they journeyed to the bathroom to get their morning started. On the way over, they peeked into Karl’s room and saw him still asleep. They had no idea when he had gone to bed so they shut the door quietly, making their way to the bathroom once again.

As they were brushing their teeth, y/n realized it was the day they were going to the warehouse for a Mr. Beast video. They knew they weren’t going to be filmed, but the nerves were still there. They had met Chris, which was helpful, but not Jimmy yet. What if they messed up a shot? Or messed up any equipment? Not touching anything while they were there seemed like a fool proof idea.

Y/n finished up their morning routine as they kept thinking of ways to not fuck anything up. Making their way to the kitchen, they knew the one thing that could - somewhat - calm their nerves: coffee.

Y/n happily found a jar of instant coffee. Not the best, but it’ll do. Upon unscrewing the jar, they noticed it a plastic film seal up which confirmed that it was brand new. Did Karl get this just because he knew they were coming? They couldn’t recall him ever drinking caffeine that wasn’t from an energy drink. Y/n didn’t know, but the idea of it made their heart melt.

***

Once Karl woke up, he and y/n made a quick breakfast together made their way over to the warehouse.

“I don’t know why, but I’m really nervous. I don’t even know what I’m nervous about. I know it’s going to be fine, but.... I don’t know,” y/n expressed on the drive there. It was a brand new experience and they didn’t know what to expect. They’ve never been on a set of any kind let alone one for someone as well known as Mr. Beast.

“Hey, you’ll be okay. I know it can feel overwhelming, especially for your first time. I’ll be there if you need anything,” Karl comforted them through their nerves. He held their hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, “If you ever need a minute, don’t wait to ask. Just take it.”

Y/n smiled at him. He was always great at making sure they were comfortable wherever they went. While the nerves were still there, they felt a lot better knowing Karl was available, even among the chaos that may ensue.

***

The day at the warehouse went really well. Y/n’s nerves went away about an hour in, but that didn’t stop Karl from checking every now and then. Y/n was grateful that they respected them not wanting to be filmed, especially when they started filming a Fear Factor like video with snakes, cockroaches, and tarantulas. With all the creatures around, it didn’t take long for them to grab one of the smaller boa constrictors and start chasing Karl around with it.

“Y/N! STOP! WHAT DID I EVER DO TO YOU?” Karl screeched, running away from them.

“REMEMBER THAT TICKLE ATTACK FROM LAST NIGHT? TOLD YOU YOU WOULD REGRET IT!” Y/n yelled back. They were laughing the entire time while Karl continued his screaming. Their fun chasing Karl was cut short when snake man had to start packing away his animals.

At some point during the day, y/n had taken a step outside for a social break. Chris took this time to continue the conversation he and Karl had in the car. Walking over to his friend, he asked, “So have you told them yet?”

Karl looked around to ensure you hadn’t come back or were around before responding, “No, I’m going to wait until right before they leave. I’m scared that I’ll tell them and it’ll ruin the week.”

Chris looked at Karl, absolutely dumbfounded, “Dude, I can’t believe the two of you. And you two acted the way you did today in college too?”

“I mean, yeah. We’re best friends. What’s wrong with how we’re acting?” Karl gave him a confused look.

“Nothing but it’s so painfully obvious y’all are into each other. I didn’t pick it up yesterday, but y/n is totally into you too, man,” Chris explained, “Even Chandler was able to pick it up. He thought I was kidding when I said you two weren’t a low-key thing. Please do both of yourselves a favor and just tell them.”

This conversation ran through Karl’s head the rest of the day. Did y/n really like him back? The thought of that made his stomach do flips. He became hyper aware of all y/n’s actions and they suddenly meant more to him. When they high-fived, he felt his hand on fire when they weaved their fingers with his. He was more aware of their body on his when they hugged, butterflies flying through his stomach when they gave him a squeeze.

The drive home was spent by y/n non-stop talking about how much of a great day they had right after a heated debate on where they would be picking up dinner. They were too tired to even thinking about cheffing up a meal. What y/n didn’t know was the nerves hidden underneath Karl’s semi-cool exterior on how he planned on confessing his feelings. Luckily, “semi-cool” was his middle name.

The two had stopped at the Asian fusion place they decided to pick up food from. As they got into the car, Karl’s eyes lit up as he came up with an idea for dinner and turned to y/n.

Y/n, noticing this, furrowed their brows and said, “You either have a really good idea or a really dumb idea, and I think you’re going to tell me whether I want to hear it or not.”

“You are absolutely right!” Karl giggled, “Anyways, to keep it short and simple, picnic in the park? I have a blanket and we can pick up some ice cream or something.”

“That... actually is a great idea! I’m starting a playlist now and I’ll share it with you. How does ‘stupidly great vibes’ sound?”

“Sounds perfect.”

***

The two sat on a hill in a nearby park, digging into their dinner with the last minute playlist y/n had come up with playing in the background. The bottom of the sun was barely touching the horizon, getting ready to set and give the sky to the moon for the night.

The comfortable silence they had was one of their favorite things about their relationship. Neither of them ever felt pressure to fill the emptiness. Just being in each other’s company was entertaining and pleasing for both of them. They just watched their surroundings, while enjoying their food and each other’s presence.

After they clean up, the silence continued. They sat shoulder to shoulder, enjoying the moment they were in. They both would steal side glances at each other without the other noticing. Moving to lean their head on Karl’s shoulder, Y/n was looking at the sunset but their thoughts were swarmed with him and the last day and a half. They loved how he always made sure they were comfortable and welcomed in any setting. They loved they way his voices would crack during a fit of giggles. Just one day with him had their mind swirling in a pool of just him. His touch, his smell, his voice. They felt like they were in a trance with him.

Being with them, Karl realized how much happier he was with them there. He realized how much giddier he was waking up, how his mood had been uplifted with just their presence. He loved how headstrong they were, but never so much to the point that it hurt other people. He loved the way they could up his self esteem in the matter of a few minutes. The more and more he thought about it, the more he realized he loved them. He loved them more than just a best friend. He’s had for a handful of years. He wanted more than just the title “best friend.”

The two sat there, both individually coming to the realization that they have been falling in love with the other over the last few years. Neither caught onto each other’s hints while every outsider saw the love for one another other bloom.

Karl turned his head, spotting a small white daisy in the grass next to their blanket. He leaned over to grab it which forced y/n to lift their head from where it was, their eyes watching for what he was reach for. Plucking it from the grass, he leaned back and gave it to y/n.

“For you,” he practically whispered with the goofiest grin on his face. Y/n took the flower from his hand, returning his smile.

“Aw, thanks Karl.”

They locked eyes immediately after. Any plans Karl had in his mind on confessing to y/n immediately got thrown out the window, the hours of thinking gone to waste. In that moment, he blurted out the only words he could make sense of in that instant, “y/n... I think I’m in love with you.”

Y/n froze, trying to wrap the words he said around their head. They for sure thought they were awake but after his confession, they couldn’t be sure if they were in a dream or not. Their mind was reeling, making the task of forming a sentence that made sense a difficult one.

At the same time, Karl was giving himself a mental face palm. He wanted to confess his feelings, but not to that level. His nerves were on high alert, already assuming the worst was yet to come. He had to save the friendship at the very least.

“I-I’m sorry. It wasn’t supposed to come out like that,” he rambled, “But - uh- I’ve had a crush on you for a while now and I never wanted to ruin the friendship but if you’re uncomfortable with that, that totally makes sense-”

As he kept talking, y/n began to collect their thoughts. They thought he looked so cute when he nervously rambled but they had to cut him off eventually, knowing his anxiety levels were through the roof.

“Karl,” As soon as he heard their voice, his rambling stopped and kept all eyes on them. He looked at them waiting for a response but receiving none. Instead y/n wrapped their arms around him, enveloping him in a warm hug, “I think I’m in love with you too.”

Karl felt his heart explode. Chris was right. He hugged them back just as, if not more, tight. Any nerves he had running threw his body were replaced with pure happiness. He didn’t need to hold anything back from them anymore.

Y/n pulled away from the hug, leaning their foreheads together, “Can I kiss you?”

Karl smiled, “Honestly, it’s all I’ve want since I made that shot into your coffee.”

Y/n gave Karl a bewildered look, “What? That long?” They exclaimed

“Yeah, but we have the rest of the week to talk about it.” Karl leaned in, pressing his lips gently against theirs, wrapping his hands around them to bring them closer. The kiss was gentle and sweet, as if they would be woken up from a dream if they were anything but that.

They pulled away from kiss, but remained in each other’s arms. They stayed silent and enjoyed each other’s presence and touch, each meaning much more than they had just a few moments earlier. All that was left in the park was the semicircle of the sun on the horizon, a bag of food scraps, and two idiots, dumbfounded at the love they had for each other.

***

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[interrogatethecat]

Thursday

wc: 1k

written for day 5 of @transnaturalweek : t4t. also, because domestic aus with sweatshirt fights make me soft.

Today is Dean’s favorite day of the week: Thursday.

He gets to wear Cas’ favorite sweatshirt on Thursdays— it’s a white, baggy thing with sleeves that cover Dean’s hands. There’s a cartoon bee on the front of it with Bee Yourself written below it in calligraphy. It’s so incredibly Cas, and it’s one of Dean’s favorite things to wear.

Thursdays, he also gets to see Cas wear his favorite sweatshirt. His black hoodie completely dwarfs Cas, to the point where he looks like he’s swimming in the fabric. It doesn’t help that Cas likes to wear it with the hood up, but he’s kinda adorable when he’s sitting on the couch, knees tucked under his sweatshirt, the only part of him Dean can see being his eyes and a few strands of unruly hair peeking out from under the hood.

The one thing he has mixed feels about on Thursdays is that he never binds on Thursdays. Neither of them do.

more + tag list under the cut

Dean used to bind every day, breathing be damned. Sometimes, the discomfort at having a chest is overwhelming and he can’t breathe anyway, so it might as well be making himself more comfortable in his body. Then in college, he and his best friend had started dating, and that had been the end of that.

“You have to take care of yourself,” Cas had told him. “I know it’s not easy, but you have to try.”

It had taken some time before he conceded, but Cas offering to lend Dean his sweatshirt was the thing that tipped the scale in favor of taking a day off. It didn’t help that Dean couldn’t (and still can’t) say no to his boyfriend. Somehow, Cas giving Dean his sweatshirt had turned into Dean offering Cas his sweatshirt, and here they are half a decade later, wearing each other’s too-big clothes and snuggling on the couch. And yeah, Dean’s a little uncomfortable, but not so much so that between the hoodie and Cas that he can’t forget.

“I was thinking,” Cas starts.

“Don’t hurt yourself,” Dean teases.

Cas rolls his eyes. “Thank you for your concern. Anyway,” he stresses, “I was thinking that it would be nice to revisit the topic of pets.”

“Not again,” Dean groans. “We are not getting a guinea pig, Cas, and that’s final.”

“I know you can’t be around cats,” Cas continues, “and you’re not a fan of reptiles. You’re also terrified of being in charge of a life—“

“Hey!” Dean protests. “It’s too early for you to be psychoanalysing me!”

“—so perhaps we could start small and get a fish,” Cas finishes.

“A fish,” Dean repeats blandly.

“Yes.”

Dean fights back a sigh. Remember the part where he can’t say no to his boyfriend? Beneath his solemn air, Cas looks so hopeful, despite the fact that Dean has been shooting him down since they moved out of their college dorm. Fuck. No way Dean is going to be able to say no again.

That doesn’t mean he’s above teasing him, though.

“Only if you win,” Dean says, failing to hide a grin.

Cas’ head tilts and he squints at him. “What?”

Dean smacks his arm with the too-long sleeve of his sweatshirt.

Cas’ eyes narrow. “Dean,” he says warningly, “I do not think this is a—“ He takes another sleeve to the face.

Dean keeps grinning at him. “C’mon, Cas. What, know you’ll lose?” And then there’s a black sleeve in Dean’s face, and it’s on.

Cas is a formidable enemy. He lands blow after blow, and Dean is sure that if he had a real weapon other than his sleeves, he’d be downright terrifying. The fact of the matter is, though, the look of concentration on Cas’ face is intense enough that it’s cracking Dean up. He’s not scary, he’s just cute and ridiculous.

Dean does try to hit him back, but coordinating floppy sleeves is hard enough when you’re not dying of laughter (and maybe Dean isn’t trying as hard as he could be, because yeah, he’s gonna cave and let Cas get his boring-ass fish).

It doesn’t take much for Cas to have him pinned to the couch, straddling him so he can’t get up, no matter how much he struggles (not that Dean is struggling much).

“Do I win?” Cas asks, still solemn.

Dean rolls his eyes. “Yeah, Cas, you win.”

Cas beams, then dives in to press a chaste kiss to Dean’s lips. Before Dean can kiss him back, he’s pulling away, climbing out of Dean’s lap and moving towards their bedroom.

“I have a list of names already,” he says by way of explanation, and Dean watches him go, unable to stop the small smile that spreads across his face. What a dork. Dean loves him.

Cas comes back a few minutes later, holding a small piece of crinkled paper in one hand and a pen in the other. He sits down next to Dean, surveying the list critically.

“How do you feel about the name Westley?”

Dean stares at him. “Dude. We’re not naming your fish Westley.”

“What about Cleo?” Cas suggests.

“No,” Dean says.

“Alexander?” Cas offers.

“You suck at names,” Dean tells him.

“I picked my name and you seem to like it,” Cas says dryly. “Judging by how you say it when I use my tongue.”

Cas has a fair point there. The things he does to Dean are really fucking hot, and it’s not Dean’s fault that he enjoys them… enthusiastically. And Dean does love Cas’ name— Cas has never told him the name he was given, but Dean knows without a doubt that he likes Castiel more. It fits him.

That doesn’t change the fact that Westley, Cleo, and Alexander are some of the worst pet names Dean has ever heard.

“Let me rephrase,” he says. “You suck ass at fish names.”

Cas huffs. “Those are perfectly decent fish names,” he complains.

“Nope. What about James Pond, huh?” That gets an amused smile out of Cas. “Or Sushi?”

“Dean!” Cas hisses, slapping Dean with his sweatshirt sleeve.

Dean hits him back.

“You’re an asshole,” Cas says disapprovingly.

“I think I’m adorable,” Dean says cheekily.

Cas rolls his eyes but doesn’t argue. Instead, he leans back up against Dean. “We are not naming our fish ‘Sushi.’”

“We’ll see,” Dean says, dropping his head onto Cas’.

Wearing Cas’ too big sweatshirt curled up against him, Dean thinks he could stay like this forever.

tag list: @destiel-is-canon-i-guess @theedorksinlove @linaraiscorner @top13zepptraxx @https-castiel @fellshish @gayhuckleberryinatrenchcoat @ezikira @castielsbeeslippers @floral-cas @starrynightdeancas @ccstiel

[fromthedeskofelizabeththird]

Habanero

You're a good girl, well behaved.

Absolutely not the type to rail random guys in nightclubs.

Until you are.

Fandom: BNHA

Pairing: Aizawa x Reader, eventual polyamorous Erasermic x Reader

Rating: Explicit. Minors BE GONE

Trigger Warnings: None in this chapter.

AO3: Here | Want to support me? I have a Kofi

Chapter: 1/16 (all chapters)

“Oh my g-“ You whined, tightening your grip on the sink. “Harder, I’m gonna…”

You caught your reflection in the bathroom mirror as you came undone; took in your smudged makeup and disheveled hair.

Pleasure rippled through you and you moaned into it, pushing yourself back onto the stranger’s dick and taking as much of him in as humanly possible. You could feel every inch of him and he groaned at the feel of you tightening around him.

“Oh f-“ You murmured, holding onto the sink and grinding yourself against your lover in time to the spasms of your body.

You were so overwhelmed by the sensation that you lost all coherency, body acting of its own accord. Your lover sucked in a single breath as he continued to fuck you and you could do little else but stare at your shoes.

You were doing this.

You were doing him . In a bathroom, no less.

How on earth had you gotten yourself into this situation?

━

Whenever you looked back over the course of your life, one detail stood out far more prominently than the others.

You were a good girl.

You had never broken the law, had always adhered to the proper dress code, had never had a filling or broken a bone. You could, and very often did, define yourself by the roads you had never dreamed of taking and the decisions you had never made.

Never was it more obvious than the day you suffered your first real heartbreak. 

You had followed the rules carefully; had dressed respectably for every date; had taken care to listen to your boyfriend’s every problem. You’d learned to cook his favorite meal; had faked more orgasms than you could count to feed his ego.

You were sure you would marry that man and had mentally mapped out your next five years. You would have a simple ceremony and a child one year later, then another two years after the first. You’d named them in your imagination and frequently lapsed into daydreams about your future perfect life.

On your fifth anniversary he took you to dinner and you could barely hide your excitement. You knew he had been keeping something from you and you were so sure he was going to propose. You put on your best dress and favourite heels and spent an hour on your makeup and hair. This night was going to be perfect and your stomach fluttered as he reached for your hands across the table.

“(Name),” he said, squeezing your hands in his, “I’ve been thinking about our future.”

“Me too,” you said, squeezing back, willing yourself to hold it together. You wanted this moment to be so perfect and romantic that you would repeat it over and over to your future children and grandchildren. “I’m so happy we’re on the same page.”

“It’s been on my mind for a long time,” he said, smiling softly. “I’ve enjoyed all of our time together, but I think we need to move forwards.”

All you could think about was your future children; the length of their eyelashes and warmth of their hugs. You could almost smell the flowers in your wedding bouquet.

“I just...I think we’ve had a lot of fun together,” he said, “but I’m scared that if we stay like this we’ll fall into a rut. I don’t want to be married with a bunch of kids before I’m forty.”

And just like that, your stomach fell through the floor.

“Wait, w-what are you talking about?”

You snatched your hands from his, heart racing. Was this some sort of joke? You had shopped together for a new mattress only two days before. You glanced around the restaurant, looking for cameras or any sign that this was staged. If it was a prank, it was cruel.

“(Name), it’s not that I don’t love you, it’s just that, well… you’re like...how do I put this…”

He scratched his chin, searching for the right thing to say, even as your eyes filled with tears.

“You’re vanilla,” he said, “you’re safe, and sweet… but we’re still young and I keep thinking that I might want to try habanero or cayenne.”

“You think I’m...boring?” the words left your lips as a whisper and, while his reaction was to instantly reach out to you and apologise, the damage was already done.

“I can be habanero,” you said before you realised it. “I can be whatever you want me to be.”

“I know,” he said, “and that’s the problem.”

━

That night you stood in your shower for almost three quarters of an hour, staring into space as the water soaked you through. 

His words circled your brain like vultures. 

Vanilla. 

He thought you were vanilla. Perhaps the worst part was that you could not disagree.

It haunted your every action for the following week. All you saw when you got ready for work was your simple wardrobe and comfortable shoes. 

You were a good girl, mild mannered and meek, and everyone seemed to have noticed before you.

Shock made way for despair. Despair turned to denial and denial quickly turned to anger. You hated your ex boyfriend almost as much as you hated yourself, scouring your apartment for everything he had ever touched.

It didn’t take long for your friends to get worried about you. Normally you were all too busy to constantly check in on the group chat you shared, but since the breakup everyone had something to say.

However kind they might have been to spare your feelings, they genuinely did seem surprised that you had broken up. You had been a couple since your college graduation and one of the only constants in the past few years as everyone’s lives took different directions. 

As was to be expected, your friends had multiple different opinions on suitable coping mechanisms. Yuiko came over with food; Hana brought wine. Sayaka called you every evening to trash talk your ex.

Then there was Rei. 

Rei was the most boisterous member of your friend group, full to the brim with the kind of self confidence that was obnoxious on other people, yet suited her perfectly. Her reaction to the breakup was not to hand you tissues. She posted exactly one message to the group chat and it had haunted you ever since.

To get over one dude… you gotta get under another ;)

You had known Rei for years and never once taken her advice, but something about that statement stuck with you. You would never have come up with such an idea on your own and it left you blushing a bright scarlet. Rebound sex was not something girls like you did, which was exactly why you had to do it.

“I’ll show you vanilla,” you muttered as you put on another layer of red lipstick and pulled your dress just a little lower to tease the lace of your bra.

━

You met up with your friends at Ego , a nightclub you had heard a great deal about, though never actually gone to. You had never had any reason to; you already had a long term partner and didn’t enjoy the idea of dancing in full view of strange men. 

You wondered if you’d made a mistake even as you took a seat at one of the tables. 

“Any lookers?”

You glanced around the room, trying to make out faces in the darkness.

“I…” you said. “I…”

You swallowed hard, feeling more than a little overwhelmed.

“I’ll get the next round!”

You thought that by going to fetch another round of drinks, you would be able to catch your breath and avoid drawing copious amounts of attention to yourself. You’d never spent much time at nightclubs, though, and realised your mistake once you got within twenty feet of the bar. 

Dozens of people in various states of intoxication crowded it, packed like sardines and all trying to get the attention of the bartender. You took a deep breath and took a step into the crowd, only for someone closer to the front to move and send a wave of movement through everyone else. Someone’s shoulder caught you in the chest, leaving you even further back than you had been before. 

Normally you were too polite to even contemplate shoving your way through a crowd, but tonight you weren’t yourself. You took a deep breath and put your weight into your shoulders, pushing against the others as forcefully as you could without actually hurting anyone.

At first you seemed to be making progress, though you soon regretted your decisions. As you got within a few paces of the bar, a guy in front of you slipped, the numerous drinks in his hands heading for your face.

Before they could make contact, however, someone reached for your wrist and yanked you towards the bar,  out of the line of fire. The drinks hit other partygoers and they cried out in shock; the glasses shattered as they hit the floor. You, however, remained untouched.

“Th-thank you,” you stammered, turning to your saviour. 

He was tall and lanky, with black hair tied back from his face in a ponytail. He wore a black shirt, black pants, black shoes- a complete contrast to the Blue Hawaiian in his hand.

“Don’t mention it,” he said, looking away from you and taking an indifferent sip of his drink.

The bartender was in the middle of clearing the shattered glass from the floor and so you waited in an awkward sort of silence, finally turning back to the man who had saved you.

“You look as happy to be here as I am,” you said. He looked the type to sit in shady bars with three fingers of whisky, not dance with inebriated strangers, which Ego was better known for.

“Wasn’t my decision,” he said. “Someone’s gotta babysit.”

He pointed towards the dancefloor, where a small group of people danced along to the beat. You couldn’t make out most of their faces, except for one, and you were sure your eyes were deceiving you.

“Is that...Present Mic?”

The stranger followed your gaze, to the man with more than a passing resemblance, who was currently wiggling his hips in time to the beat.

“Him? Nah. I don’t know him.”

“But he’s waving to you,” you said, as the man who looked like Present Mic waved his arms over his head and shouted something in your general direction. You couldn’t hear him over the music and the stranger next to you pointedly turned in the opposite direction, taking a long sip of his drink.

You had been so nervous about approaching strangers. Rei had made it seem so easy- merging into a group and catching someone’s eye. You had always had a boyfriend and never possessed the easy confidence of your friends. It was strangely reassuring that speaking to this man came almost naturally.

“My name’s (Name),” you said. “Listen, you really saved me there...this dress is hand wash only.”

“Shouta,” said the stranger. “My name is Shouta.”

“C-can I get you a drink or something? I really owe you one.”

You realised after saying it that he wasn’t even halfway through the drink in his hand.

“You don’t owe me anything,” he said. “It wasn’t anything special.”

He picked the pineapple from his drink and chewed at it thoughtfully.

“Listen,” he said, “I don’t like playing games. What is it you want?”

You were tongue tied, mortified at being caught out so quickly. You fought to keep your composure.

Under ordinary circumstances, you would have stammered some sort of apology or explanation, but tonight you weren’t you and there was no point in denying that you had an ulterior motive.

“Fine,” you said, gathering your nerves. “Do you want to go somewhere more...private?”

You cringed the moment it left your lips, suddenly all too aware of how forward you were being. You couldn’t believe you’d all but thrown yourself at the first guy you saw. What was wrong with you?

He climbed down off the stool he had been sitting on, taking one final sip of his drink.

“Let’s go.”

━

And so it was that you wound up in the nightclub washroom, back against the door and Shouta’s lips on yours.

You had half-heartedly discussed with your friends what to do on the off chance you found someone. You were to post to the group chat with a photograph of you and whoever you left with. You hadn’t expected to leave with anyone, much less decided on where you would go if you did.

You would never have guessed that you would wind up in a washroom, with the door sealed shut behind you. Shouta crushed his lips against yours, one hand pressed against the door, the other on your waist.

Your heart raced, heat rushing through you and pooling in your core.

“Say,” said Shouta, lowering his hand and running a thumb over your lips, “you sure you want this? Right here, right now?”

You moved before you realised what you were doing, opening your mouth and running your tongue over his thumb, looking him dead in the eyes as you wrapped your lips around it.

He hadn’t expected it, but seemed to approve, for he smiled, pulling away and dragging you into another crushing kiss. One hand he positioned above your head; the other grabbed at your clothes, pulling down your dress to expose your bra before heading south.

He lifted your skirt, slipping his fingers into your underwear. You gasped as you felt his hand against your folds, planting your own hand against the door to brace yourself. He caught your eye, tracing a finger around your clit before slowly sinking it deep into you. You reached for his shoulders, hooking one leg around his waist and pushing your lips against his. You pulled him tighter and tighter as he pushed his finger in and out of you, dragging at his shirt and belt. 

He squeezed in a second finger and you bucked your hips into his touches.

As if in response, he pulled his fingers out of you and ran them over your clit- the warmth and wetness sending pleasurable shivers down your spine. You had never felt this way before; this man was as good as a stranger, yet you wanted him so very badly. You had never felt this kind of desire before, never known how it felt to have such a growing pressure inside of you. 

“Please,” you moaned into his mouth, not knowing exactly what you were begging him for. “Please—-"

“Come here,” Shouta growled, pulling you towards him and then across to the sink. You caught a glimpse of your reflection in the mirror, unkempt and wide eyed- a complete transformation from when you stepped out of the house.

You watched through the mirror as Shouta unfastened his belt and fly, lowering his pants low enough to give you a clear view of his hardened dick. He was far more muscular than his skinny physique let on, with a deep scar beneath his belly button. 

You were trembling from need, squeezing your legs together to try and fill the void his fingers had left. He smirked and walked towards you, taking hold of your hips and slowly, almost torturously slowly, pushing himself into you. 

He was bigger than you expected and you gasped at the feel of yourself stretching to accommodate him. He stopped in place, waiting for you to push back against him before pushing in further. At first his pace was slow, inching in only a little at a time, teasing an increasingly sensitive spot deep inside of you. 

“Faster,” you whined, digging your nails into your palms at the pressure inside of you. It was overwhelming your every sense, a coil winding tighter and tighter with every touch. “Please...please…”

He slapped your ass and drove in deeper.

This new pace was faster, his hips slamming into yours with such force that it sent you barreling forwards across the sink. You clung on for dear life, taking in the wet sounds as your bodies clashed; Shouta’s groans of pleasure and exertion.

“Oh my g-“ You whined, tightening your grip on the sink. “Harder, I’m gonna…”

You caught your reflection in the bathroom mirror as you came undone; took in your smudged makeup and disheveled hair.

Pleasure rippled through you and you moaned into it, pushing yourself back onto Shouta’s dick and taking as much of him in as humanly possible. You could feel every inch of him and he groaned at the feel of you tightening around him.

“Oh f-“ You murmured, holding onto the sink and grinding yourself against him in time to the spasms of your body.

You were so overwhelmed by the sensation that you lost all coherency, body acting of its own accord. He sucked in a single breath as he continued to fuck you and you could do little else but stare at your shoes.

You were doing this.

You were doing him . In a bathroom, no less.

He gathered your hair with one hand and pulled backwards, arching your back as he fucked you even harder. He was getting close and you could tell; his thrusts were getting erratic and the hand that squeezed your hip was so tight that it left bruises later.

“(Name),” he said, raspiness of his voice betraying his desperation, “where would you like me to...cum”

He groaned and you blushed a bright red.

“In...inside me,” you murmured, the depravity of it all too clear. This was a man you didn’t know; you were risking pregnancy and worse.

In that moment, though, it only added to the appeal.

Shouta pulled you even closer, slowing right down to an almost painfully slow rhythm. He held you in place as he came and gasped for air; the heat of his breath leaving goosebumps against your skin.

You could feel him twitching inside of you, his warmth dripping from you as he pulled out. 

You took a deep breath and stood up straight, Shouta letting go of you to pull up his pants. He rinsed his hands under the tap and splashed cold water on his face before grabbing a pile of paper towels.

“I’ll guard the door,” he said, motioning towards the same door he had pinned you against only a short time ago. “Knock when you’re ready.”

“Oh,” you said, watching him leave, “okay.”

For the first time all night, you were alone, the nightclub music in the background your only clue to your surroundings.

You walked towards the sink and took in your bedraggled appearance-bra on full display and cum on your thighs.

You couldn’t believe you were thinking it, but Rei was right. For the first time in weeks you weren’t thinking about the ex. For the first time in years you weren’t thinking about anything.

Habanero, you thought as you switched on the tap. 

This was how it felt to be habanero.

━

6 Months Later

You were still a good girl. 

That said, you no longer followed the safe roads. Not so long ago, you believed that your breakup was the end of everything, but it had actually been a new beginning.

Two months after the night at Ego , you cut your hair and quit your job. You had been there since graduation and your colleagues were more than a little desperate for you to stay. You had taken on the workload of about seven of eight people while earning only a pittance for a salary.

You had a new job now; something fresh and exciting and challenging to boot. It made you nervous, but that feeling only spurred you on.

You’d never been to UA before and it was much bigger in person. You could already tell you were going to get lost and found yourself grateful that the Principal had taken it upon himself to show you around.

“These are the first year homerooms,” he said, pointing out the doors on your left and right. “1-A and 1-B. I hope you pardon my presumptuousness, but I thought it might be useful to have you shadow one of our homeroom teachers for a couple of hours...get a feel for our curriculum and the kinds of students you’ll be working with.”

“That would be wonderful,” you said, eager to take notes.

“Wait here,” said Principal Nezu, “I’ll be right back.”

He knocked on one of the doors and stepped inside, presumably to fetch the teacher.

When he returned, it took everything in your power to stop your jaw from hitting the floor.

It was him, and he was just as shocked to see you.

“Professor Aizawa,” said Principal Nezu, “this is (Name), our new guidance counsellor.”

He glanced from you to Shouta, taking in your identical expressions.

“Oh… do you know one another?”

[ceealaina]

Title: Crashing Through Your Door Ship: IronHusbands Rating: Teen Major Tags: Pre-Iron Man 1, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Friends to Lovers, Mutual Pining Card Number: 5023 (Tony Stark Bingo) 3002 (IronHusbands Bingo Square: R4 - Mutual Pining (Tony Stark Bingo) B4 - Fake Dating (IronHusbands Bingo) Link: AO3 Summary: To give himself a break, Tony's been using a made-up boyfriend to get out of meetings. He gets to stay home and tinker, the board things he's settling down, it's a win-win situation. Right up until Obie decides he wants to meet this boyfriend that's taking up so much of his time. 

But what kind of best friend would Rhodey be if he didn't step up to be Tony's fake boyfriend? Tony’s nothing short of relieved and so Rhodey dresses up to be his date to the gala-of-the-week except wow, pretending they’ve secretly been in love for the past year is way easier than it should be... Word Count: 9237

Rhodey jogged down the stairs of Tony’s shiny new Malibu “beach house” (the thing was ridiculously large if you asked him, but Tony hadn’t) and let himself into the workshop. “Honey, I’m home!” he called out, blinking when he was met with a dark room. “Tones? JARVIS said you were down here.” 

There was a faint groaning noise from the far corner, and when Rhodey turned the lights on, he found Tony sitting in a chair, slumped over his desk with his face buried in his arms. 

“Oh no,” Rhodey deadpanned, picking his way through bits of machinery to kick Tony’s foot. “What did you do now?” 

“I fucked up,” Tony moaned, the words muffled by his position. He lifted his head to peer at Rhodey, looking bleary in the face of sudden brightness. “Your concern for me is overwhelming, by the way. Really feeling the love here, Rhodes.” 

Rhodey shrugged, unperturbed. “Your world is ending like every other week, and I was promised pizza and beer -- which I even brought because I’m an amazing friend -- so… If you’re gonna have a breakdown can we at least do it where there’s food?” He gave Tony a broad grin and a wink, and Tony rolled his eyes, trying to hide his own fond smile as he pushed back from the table. 

“Yeah, alright, let’s go.” 

When they were upstairs and he could get a better look at him, Rhodey had to admit that Tony was looking a little more frazzled than usual. His hair was extra fluffy, like he’d run his hands through it about fifty times, and his fingers were tapping out a constant jittery rhythm against his thigh. Rhodey waited until they were settled in front of some action movie, but when Tony wasn’t forthcoming with any information, Rhodey nudged his side. “Hey. You gonna tell me what’s bugging you?”

Tony groaned again, burying his face in his hands. “You’re gonna make fun of me,” he whined.

Rhodey smiled, even if Tony couldn’t see it. “Probably,” he agreed easily. “Tell me anyway?” 

Tony huffed and pouted and squirmed but eventually he relented, shifting to sit sideways on the couch and face Rhodes. “Okay, so.” He sighed heavily. “You know, I’m head of SI now.”

“Really?” Rhodey drawled. “I hadn’t heard.” 

Tony elbowed him hard in the side. “So there’s all this… Stuff that goes along with that. Like I wasn’t looking forward to the board meetings, but at least I expected those? But there’s all these other meetings, like fifty a day were nothing actually gets done, and there are the charity events, and the gladhanding, and the ‘come meet a friend of a friend of a friend of mine,’ and I have to be on all the time and -- Obie wanted me to learn squash, Rhodey. Squash.” 

“Aww, come on. Bet you’d be cute in those little white shorts.” 

“I hate you.” Tony told him. “Anyway, it’s a lot, and sometimes I just want to take a break and go hang out in the lab and build stuff, you know?” 

“Do I know that you’d rather be a reclusive little lab gremlin? Yeah, I’d noticed that once or twice,” Rhodey teased. 

“Whatever.” Tony squirmed again, clearly embarrassed, and Rhodey waited. “So, you know, to get out of doing stuff when I just really, really wasn’t feeling it, I, uh… I maybe told Obie that I was seeing someone?” 

Rhodey blinked at him. “Oh no.”

Tony sighed heavily. “Oh yes.” 

He sounded so forlorn that Rhodey couldn’t help but laugh at him, only laughing harder when that made Tony whine and try to smother himself with a throw pillow. “Tones, I say this because I love you, but how is someone this smart this fucking stupid?” 

“I know, okay?” Tony wailed, accidentally throwing the pillow across the room as his arms flailed in emphasis. “I don’t know, it seemed like a great plan at first. It’s not like I was hurting anyone. The board even liked the idea that I was maybe settling down a little. So they’re relaxing a little, I get a night off… Everyone’s happy.” 

“Until it blew up in your face, like your hare-brained plans always do?” Rhodey guessed. 

“I resent that,” Tony told him. “JARVIS turned out fine. Didn’t you, J?” 

“I haven’t started taking over the world yet,” JARVIS agreed. “Although I do have several contingencies in place.” 

“Everyone’s conspiring against me,” Tony sighed, head tipping backwards to pout up at the ceiling. 

Rhodey laughed, poked him in his side. “So what went wrong? Now Obie wants to meet this amazing boyfriend of yours?” 

 “Insisted on it,” Tony agreed. “Wants me to bring him to the firefighter thing next week. I’m pretty sure he’s on to me. He’s probably trying to force me to confess. Humiliate me so I learn my lesson. So obviously, I can’t give in.” 

“Perish the thought,” Rhodey told him dryly, although really, he’d seen the effects of Obie’s brand of tough love. He couldn’t exactly blame Tony for not wanting to admit the truth, especially given how harmless the whole thing really was. God forbid Tony get a break every once in awhile. 

“I just don’t know what I’m gonna do,” Tony groaned, scrubbing his hand through his hair again, leaving it standing up in all directions. “I can’t tell him. I thought about faking a breakup, but Obie’s not dumb. I break up with my long-term boyfriend days before he’s supposed to finally meet him? I might as well just tell him in that case. So my only option would be to get someone to fake it, but there’s no way that doesn’t blow up in my face. It can’t be anyone from work, and I don’t really know anyone else. I guess I could hire an escort, but how would they learn everything they’d need to know in time? You know that Obie would try and get them to slip. Plus, it’s not like I can get legal to just write up an NDA here. With my luck I’d end up blackmailed or something…” 

Tony was working himself into an epic ramble, and Rhodey nodded along before shrugging. “Or I could just do it.” 

Tony had already been off on another tangent, but as Rhodey’s voice caught up to him he stopped mid-word, staring at him. “I -- what?” he asked and Rhodey could already see his mind working overtime, trying to parse out what he was saying. 

He laughed. “Or I could just do it,” he repeated. “Come on, dude. I already know everything about you, so I’m not gonna slip. And let’s face it, if I was gonna blackmail you, I would have done it ages ago. We went to college together, I’ve got way better shit than a fake boyfriend.” He nodded as he thought through the logistics. “Yeah, this’ll totally work.”

Tony blinked at him. “Really? Really. You think so. You have met Obie, right? No way he’s buying that. He’d be all, ‘Tony m’boy. I’ve known Jim since you first brought him home for Thanksgiving. You expect me to believe he’s this secret boyfriend of yours? No reason to hide that away!’”

Rhodey snorted; Tony’s Obidiah impression was a little too spot on. “Yeah, like he wouldn’t have had a shit fit if he thought we actually were dating. All the more reason to tell him it’s me. We’ll make him squirm a little. And, I don’t know. Just tell him because it was new, and a change in our relationship, we wanted to keep it under wraps. Have some time to ourselves, get a feel for what this meant…”

Tony scratched the side of his nose. “You’re weirdly smart sometimes, you know that?” he asked, which wasn’t exactly a no. 

“The same excuse will work when we ‘break up’ later. Just tell him that now that we’re in the public eye, we’ve realized we’re better off as friends. No hard feelings, no big drama, no ‘it’s not you, it’s me,’ just… Friends.”

“I…” Tony considered this, closed his mouth, blinked, and opened it again. “But…” He closed his mouth again and then sank back into the cushions. “You really think it’ll work?” 

Rhodey laughed. “Have I ever let you down?” 

“Constantly,” Tony replied immediately, but he was grinning. “Shit. I mean… You make some good points.” He drew a deep breath, mind still running over all the outcomes, and then nodded, a smile growing over his face as he got onboard. “Yeah, okay. I think this’ll work.” 

***

One week later, Rhodey was meeting up with Tony in an all-night coffee shop a couple blocks away from the gala, like some kind of Cold War spy fantasy. Apparently Obie had been planning to hang around Tony’s place beforehand, and Tony thought things would run more smoothly if they ‘introduced’ Rhodey at the gala, where there would be lots of wealthy investors to distract him. 

There was a little bell over the door that chimed when Rhodey stepped in, and immediately he saw Tony’s head snap up from a table at the far end of the shop. “Rhodey! Hey!” he said, bouncing with nerves like this was an actual first date and not his best friend. Rhodey arched an eyebrow as he reached the table and spotted the two mugs of coffee. 

“You sure you need those?” he asked, grinning to try and set Tony at ease. “You already seem jittery enough for the two of us.” 

“One of them’s for you,” Tony grumbled. “Leave me alone, I’m kind of stressed right now.” 

“I don’t think coffee’s gonna help, man. You look like you’re gonna bounce through the roof.”

“I hate you,” Tony informed him, huffing as he folded his arms across his chest and hunched over in his chair. “You’re doing a terrible job so far, by the way. I thought the deal was you’d pretend to be besotted with me, not tell me how dumb I look.” 

“You do look dumb,” Rhodey told him. “That’s what I like about you.” Then, when that finally got a hint of a smile on Tony’s face, “You want me to do besotted? I can do besotted.” He made a show of looking Tony up and down, eyes lingering over his chest and arms and the peak of thigh that he could see slipping under the table before sliding back up to make eye contact again. He tilted his head a little, letting a slow smile spread over his face as he glanced at Tony from under his eyelashes. “You look good tonight, Tones,” he purred, letting his voice drop down to his flirting voice, low and velvety. Then he grinned wide, shifting his voice back to normal. “That besotted enough for you?:

“Uh.” Tony blinked at him and swallowed hard, before shaking his head. “Yeah. Yeah, that’s… Good. Great. Yeah.” He jumped to his feet then, not seeming to notice the untouched coffees. “We should go.” 

There was the usual flurry of paparazzi outside the event, but Rhodey had been to enough of these events that his appearance wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. He knew this was more for SI than the media (the last thing Tony would need was a bunch of reporters hounding him about his breakup later) but he figured it couldn’t hurt to start selling it on the way in. Tony jumped a little when Rhodey’s hand settled on the small of his back, even though they shared casual touches about a million times a day, but he looked over at Rhodey with a small smile as he steered him past the cameras and the questions and into the building. 

“Hey,” Rhodey leaned in close so they wouldn’t be overheard. “You really do look good tonight, man. That suit suits you.” 

Tony snorted at that, but he seemed to relax a little too. “Wow, Rhodes,” he drawled. “Such a way with words.” He laughed though, and his eyes were sparkling and pleased. Then he shoved Rhodey and Rhodey shoved him back and they made their way down the hotel hall like that, laughing as their shoulders bumped together. 

As soon as they stepped inside the ballroom though, Tony stopped. Rhodey’s hand had resettled on his back and Rhodey could feel him tense as he spotted Obie, standing across the room and chatting up a bunch of rich-looking men in expensive suits. 

“Deep breaths, Tones,” Rhodey told him, shifting his hand slightly in a barely-there rub of Tony’s back. Tony glanced at him again, but his smile was tight now, eyes pinched at the corners. 

“Come on. Let’s get this over with,” he muttered -- but he did take a deep breath. 

When they joined the group it took a minute before Obie spared them a glance (though Rhodey had no doubt that he knew they were there and was just pulling yet another Obadiah power move). When he spotted Rhodey, his expression shifted, souring slightly before settling into something almost smug. He excused himself with a jovial smile, walking in the direction of the bar without waiting to see if Rhodey and Tony were following him. Rhodey heard Tony sigh softly, and he gave his forearm a quick squeeze.

Obie came to a stop, looking back and forth between them like they were misbehaving children, and finally settled his gaze on Tony, arching an eyebrow. “What’s this? I thought you were going to bring your boyfriend, Tony. Hmm? We had an agreement.” 

Personally, Rhodey thought that an ‘agreement’ was an odd way to refer to meeting your godson’s significant other for the first time. 

Beside him, Tony shifted nervously. “I, uh… I did.” 

Obie blinked and made a show of looking around the room. “And where is he, then?”

“Um, well. I… I mean…” 

Obie cut Tony off with a heavy, exaggerated sigh. “Tony, we’ve discussed this. You’re too old to be pulling this kind of nonsense. You’ve got responsibilities, you can’t just run around doing whatever you want. If the board --,” 

“It’s Rhodey!” Tony blurted out suddenly, eyes wide. He grabbed Rhodey’s hand half a beat later, tangling their fingers together as he held Rhodey’s hand up for proof. Rhodey gave his hand a quick squeeze in return. “Surprise?” 

Obie stared back at them, actually looking taken aback for once. “You’re kidding,” he said flatly. But Rhodey could tell that Tony’s nervousness was actually working in his favour, that Obie wasn’t quite sure that it wasn’t true. 

“Nope,” Rhodey told him, meeting Obie’s gaze head on before turning back to Tony with the softest smile he could manage. It wasn’t too difficult with Tony looking as nervous as he did, and the sweet little smile that Tony gave him in return looked a lot more real than it had before. “You know how it goes,” he added. “We were just hanging out late one night, playing video games, everything normal. And I just looked at Tony and thought, ‘wow, I have to kiss that man.’ So I did and it was everything I didn’t know I’d been missing.” He rubbed his thumb over Tony’s hand, obvious enough that Obie would track the movement. “I guess it’s been simmering for awhile, you know? Just didn’t realize it until right then.” 

Apparently Rhodey had his smitten face down pat because Obie’s posture eased slightly, though he still looked somewhat suspicious. “Alright,” he said finally. “I suppose congratulations are in order.”

He didn’t sound particularly congratulatory. 

“Behave yourself, boys,” he told them before abandoning them in favour of a potential investor across the room. 

Immediately, Tony sagged against Rhodey, the air leaving his lungs in a rush. “Oh god,” he groaned, head falling against Rhodey’s shoulder. “I need like seventeen drinks. Jesus Christ.” 

Rhodey huffed out a laugh. “Come on, sugartits. I’ll buy you a drink. I know how to take care of my man.”

“It’s an open bar, asshole,” Tony protested, but he let Rhodey tug him over to the counter. “Also, I object to ‘sugartits’ being my nickname, what the fuck?” 

“Hey man, I’m just trying to sell the bit.” 

“Seriously though. Sugarass maybe, cause, I mean, look at me. But sugartits? Come on Rhodes, do better.” 

Rhodey snorted, automatically placing Tony’s drink order along with his own. “Just think of it as payback for all the dumbass nicknames you’ve given me over the years,” he offered. 

“But those come from a place of love!” Tony insisted, laughing at Rhodey’s eyeroll. 

“Sure, Tones. Whatever you say.”  He turned to pass Tony his drink and found him watching him with a look on his eyes that he couldn’t quite place. “What? Something on my face?” 

“No,” Tony told him. “I just… I like the story you made up there. About how we got together? That was… Nice.” Then he shifted, clearing his throat. “A nice touch, I mean. I think you really sold it. Anyway! I think they’re bringing out dinner soon. Should we go sit?” 

“Yeah, sure,” Rhodey said, a little nonplussed; Tony seemed even more frenetic than usual. “Let���s go.” 

**

Dinner could have gone better. Tony was jumpy and twitchy, hyper focused on his food and constantly losing track of the conversation. Rhodey knew it was nerves, but that didn’t mean much when the board members they were seated with kept giving them odd looks and Obie’s expression was growing more and more suspicious. 

They were waiting for dessert when Tony’s arm twitched and caught his (thankfully mostly empty) wine glass, sending it wobbling precariously on the tablecloth. Rhodey’s hand snapped out automatically, catching it before it could fall and ruin the tablecloth along with everyone's fancy clothes. And then, because Tony was going to blow his own cover before the dancing even started, he curled his hand over Tony’s on the table, threading their fingers together. Tony turned and blinked at him, and Rhodey gave his hand a quick squeeze but didn’t let go. He grinned at him and a beat later Tony was grinning back, tension easing out of his body. 

They’d decided beforehand that they’d keep it simple, no PDA or soppy love declarations, wanting to be believable. But Rhodey figured that it wouldn’t hurt to turn up the romance a little, so he kept hold of Tony’s hand, only letting go when dessert was served and Tony needed his hand back to eat. 

They’d both chosen different dessert options, and Tony’s French chocolate-whatever looked absolutely delicious. Rhodey eyed it, consideringly, and after a few bites of his own dessert, he leaned over and stole a not-insignificant piece of Tony’s. The absolutely scandalized look that Tony gave him had him laughing, nearly choking on his bite -- which was just as delicious as it had looked. 

“What?” he asked, giving Tony a sugar-sweet smile in return. 

“That’s my dessert!” he protested. “You’ve got your own.” He gestured wildly at Rhodey’s plate with his fork, and Rhodey just shrugged back at him. 

“Perks of dating,” he told him, leaning in close and dropping his voice. “Sugarass,” he added, getting a snicker out of Tony in response. 

“You’re an idiot,” he grumbled, and then snatched a bite of Rhodey’s dessert in return. 

“Hey,” Rhodey protested right back at him, slapping at Tony’s fork with his own. Tony huffed at him, slapped his fork in return, and a beat later they were in a mini fork battle. Out of the corner of his eye Rhodey could see Obie glaring at the two of them, looking utterly unimpressed, but it was worth it for the way Tony was laughing, finally looking at ease. Rhodey’d always thought that Tony had a great laugh, so anything he could do to make it happen was a win in his book. 

Obie lasted until the instant the music started up for the dancing and then he was gripping Tony’s arm, pulling him to his feet with just a little more force than necessary. “Tony. I have some contacts for you to meet. I told them you’d be here, and they’d be a real asset to SI, so…” He trailed off, leaving whatever his implication was supposed to be hanging, and Tony turned his head enough to give Rhodey a truly epic eye roll. 

“Alright,” he sighed, not even pretending that he wasn’t completely put out by the idea. Rhodey winked back at him, and the pinched look around Obie’s lip tightened. 

“I trust you can occupy yourself for a few minutes,” he added, giving Rhodey a pointed eyebrow raise. 

Rhodey gave Obie a bland look in return. “Yup. I’ll manage,” he drawled, barely getting the words out before Obie was dragging Tony away. Tony shot him a pained look over his shoulder and Rhodey offered a commiserating eye roll. 

These events were always truly boring when Tony wasn’t around to occupy his attention. Rhodey polished off his own dessert and then finished the last few bites of Tony’s just for good measure -- he could consider it payment in kind for the entire night. Then, when the rest of their table had cleared out, he grabbed a drink and made the rounds, chatting with the few SI employees that he knew, getting hauled into conversations with a few people that he didn’t. He’d fended off no less than three horny old ladies (they were always a sucker for the military dress uniform) when he decided it had probably been long enough that he could rescue Tony again. 

He found him sitting at an empty table, nursing a half full glass of scotch and looking absolutely drained. Rhodey sighed briefly and then moved over to join him, taking the seat beside Tony and nudging his foot against his ankle. “You alright?” 

Tony looked up quickly, giving him a smile that was just a little too bright. “Yeah, yeah, I’m good. Just… You know…” 

He didn’t have to specify what, but Rhodey nodded anyway. Then he pried the glass out of Tony’s hand, setting it on the table, and tangled their fingers instead. “Come on,” he said, standing up.

Tony resisted him a little just because, leaning back in his seat and arching an eyebrow up at Rhodey. “Where are we going?” 

Rhodey winked at him. “Come on, now. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t ask you for at least one dance, huh?” 

Tony smiled all soft and sweet, like he could hide how happy that made him. “Yeah, alright,” he agreed, slowly getting to his feet with his hand still tangled in Rhodey’s. “Let’s dance.” 

There was a brief moment of confusion when they landed on the dance floor, and Tony, who had apparently never been led before (which was something of a tragedy, if you asked Rhodey) wasn’t quite sure what to do with his hands. But Tony wasn’t the only one who could dance, thank you very much, so Rhodey got him settled and led him over the dance floor in a fast-paced waltz. Their form was terrible, Rhodey was pretty sure, but he didn’t particularly care when Tony was beaming, giggling into his shoulder when they nearly took out an older couple on their way by. 

They made it through two and a half songs before the music shifted into something slower and softer. Tony tensed for a bare second, but Rhodey didn’t let him go, just tightened his arm around Tony’s waist, and a beat later he was sinking into it, relaxing in Rhodey’s arms. 

“Thank you for this,” Tony said softly, eyes somewhere around Rhodey’s collarbone. “This is… This is nice.”

Rhodey just hummed and pulled Tony in a little closer. “Yeah,” he agreed, something warm and familiar settling in his stomach. “Yeah, it is.” 

There was another beat and then Tony shifted and leaned in, resting his cheek against Rhodey’s shoulder as the two of them swayed slowly to the beat of the music. The warm feeling in Rhodey’s stomach grew, something familiar and comfortable settling deep inside him. Tony sighed softly, breath fluttering against the base of Rhodey’s neck, and Rhodey felt his heart stop. 

Oh shit. He was in love with his best friend. 

Tony must have felt him tense slightly because he pulled back to look up at him. “This alright?” he asked quietly, and there was something in his eyes, something nervous and wanting. 

Just like that Rhodey felt his heart start up again, comfortable and easy and exactly how everything was supposed to me. “Yeah,” he said, pulling Tony in closer still until they were pressed chest to chest. “This is just fine.” 

***

The rest of the night passed in a blur of drinking and dancing and schmoozing and more drinking, and every time Rhodey looked over at Tony he could feel his smile growing wider. Now that he’d realized, it seemed so obvious; of course he was in love with Tony. He had been for years. He’d always known he’d felt different about Tony, that he was special. He just hadn’t been able to put a finger on exactly how before. And now that he had, everything felt right. 

And he was pretty sure that he wasn’t alone in his feelings. He knew what Tony looked like with a crush, the little smiles, the nervous giggles, the way he got so sweet. Rhodey had just never expected to see those signs directed at him, so he figured he could be forgiven for missing them until now. But now that he had seen it, he was going to take full advantage. 

When the night was over the two of them slipped outside, arms wrapped around each other. Rhodey hadn’t realized just how drunk he was until he hit the fresh air, stumbling a little down the steps, and he let Tony pour him into the car they were sharing home. There was no actual  reason for them to go back to the same place so Happy would drop Rhodey off at his apartment first, and he couldn’t help being a little disappointed about that. He thought about suggesting that they both go back to Tony’s place anyway, in case Obie decided to check up on them maybe, but coming up with a valid reason felt like too much effort. Instead he looked over at Tony and grinned wide. 

“What?” Tony asked, laughing a little at Rhodey’s expression. Clearly he hadn’t drunk as much as him, or at least he was handling it better if he had. 

Rhodey just shook his head. “I’m gonna date you so hard,” he declared. 

***

When Rhodey woke up the next morning, it was with a wicked hangover. But after a hot shower, greasy food, and a few hours of mindless television, he had a plan. Really, Tony had given him the perfect opening with all this fake boyfriend stuff. Rhodey just had to… Take it up a notch or two. 

So once he was feeling a little more human again, he called Tony. It took a few rings for him to pick up, and when he finally did there was loud music blaring in the background that had Rhodey smiling.  

“Hey baby,” he drawled into the receiver, grinning when that got a snort out of Tony. 

“Obie’s not tapping the phones,” he told him. “You don’t have to keep playing boyfriend when he’s not around.” 

“Well see, there’s the thing,” Rhodey told him. “I figure we can’t ‘break up’ right away, otherwise Obie’s gonna know the whole thing was a fake and then what would the point have even been, right?” 

“Okay…” 

“Okay,” Rhodey agreed. “And I should probably go to a few more events with you too. Now that he knows, he’s gonna be even more suspicious if I just keep leaving you to attend things solo, right?” 

“I guess,” Tony agreed, sounding more confused than anything.

“Exactly,” Rhodey told him. “So I was thinking, if we’re gonna pull off something a little more long term, especially now that he’ll be over the surprise of it, we should probably get together and practice.” 

“Practice,” Tony repeated, sounding even more confused. “You want to practice being my boyfriend?” 

“Well, you know…” Rhodey hedged, because yes, that was exactly what he wanted, but he didn’t want to give all his cards away here. “Figure out pet names, and who sleeps on what side of the bed. Stuff like that.” 

“Are you still drunk?” Tony’s confusion had given way to amusement. “You think Obie’s gonna ask what side of the bed we sleep on?” 

“Well, no,” Rhodey admitted. “But somebody else might, and he could overhear it. We should just be prepared, is all.” 

Tony hummed on the other end of the line. “You know, if you wanted to hang out and have me buy your pizza, you just had to say so.” 

“You’re an asshole, Tones. I’m helping you, remember.” 

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say.” There was a faint clatter from somewhere across the room, and Tony huffed out a laugh, low and warm. “I’ll be in the lab, come over whenever.” 

***

Rhodey showed up at Tony’s place a couple hours later, wielding the t-shirt that hugged his biceps just right and a bouquet of flowers. The doors opened for him automatically, but when he made his way down to the lab Tony was distracted by whatever he was working on and didn’t even hear him come in. Rhodey leaned against a table and waited, and when Tony showed no signs of even looking up, he finally cleared his throat. 

“So are we gonna hang out, or should I go away and give you and your screwdriver some alone time?” 

Tony turned then, a grin on his face, but whatever response he’d been going to give died as he took in the flowers in Rhodey’s hand. “Uhh…” He arched an eyebrow and met Rhodey’s eyes. “Did you bring me flowers?” 

Rhodey shrugged lazily, holding the bouquet out towards him. “I told you. Practice.” 

Tony blinked at him, a pleased little smile playing over his lips. “You’re weird,” he said, but he took the flowers and held them up to his nose, inhaling deeply even though they were just grocery store daisies and didn’t have much of a scent at all. 

Rhodey shrugged, and gave him that slow, easy grin that was his go-to pick up move (and that he’d practiced in the mirror before, not that he’d admit it). He held eye contact until Tony blinked away first, clearing his throat and squirming a little at the attention -- a definite good squirm. 

“Um, thanks,” Tony told him. “I’m gonna…” He trailed off, waggling the flowers a little, and headed for the stairs. “You thirsty? Hungry?” 

“I could eat,” Rhodey admitted. 

Tony nodded as he headed up the stairs, not waiting to see if Rhodey was following. “Wanna order in?” 

“Obviously,” Rhodey teased. “I’ve seen your kitchen. Pretty sure there’s been nothing edible in there for weeks.” 

“Wow, rude.” Tony’s protest was half-hearted and he shot a grin at Rhodey over his shoulder. “But probably not wrong. I should hire a life coach, or an assistant maybe.” 

“I thought that was JARVIS’s job.” 

“Alas,” JARVIS sighed. “I can only order the food, I have not yet developed the ability to get Sir to eat it.” 

“Okay,” Tony protested. “Now you’re both ganging up on me? So rude.”

Since he didn’t want to freak Tony out, Rhodey dialed it back down once they were in the kitchen, and Tony had tracked down a crystal pitcher that probably cost more than Rhodey’s rent to shove his grocery store flowers into. They bickered good-naturedly over the food like always, finally settling on Thai, and then Tony showed him the latest mods to his current favourite car while they waited for the food to arrive. Tony tipped the delivery guy an amount that took generous to a whole other level (something Obie constantly gave him shit for, but Rhodey happened to love about him) and then they settled in front of the enormous television to bicker some more over what movie they were going to watch. A normal, perfect evening.

He waited until they were both full and satisfied, the half full containers of leftovers littering the coffee table in front of them, and Tony was fully absorbed in the movie they’d finally settled on (Ghostbusters, again). Then, as subtly as he could manage and feeling a little like he was fourteen, Rhodey sank back into the overstuffed cushions and then stretched his arm out to hook over Tony’s shoulder. 

There was a beat, and while Tony didn’t quite tense up, he did go still. “Um.” 

When Rhodey chanced a glance over at Tony, he was looking back at him. His lips were pressed together,  but he looked amused again. 

“Whatcha doin?” 

Rhodey shrugged, and since Tony wasn’t giving any indication of being uncomfortable, he tightened his arm slightly, pulling him in against him a little. “Practice.”

 There was another beat and then Tony seemed to shrug as well, settling more comfortably against him, head pillowed against Rhodey’s shoulder as he went back to the movie. 

***

“H’lo?” 

Rhodey’s voice was slurred as he answered the phone, squinting at his alarm clock. It took a minute for his blurry eyes to reconcile the display into actual numbers: 4:38 am.

“It’s me.” 

Tony’s voice sounded off slightly, softer, and Rhodey blinked a few times, trying to force himself into wakefulness. “Tones? You okay?” 

“Yeah!” Tony answered quickly, laughing a little. “Yeah, I’m fine. Promise.” 

Rhodey looked over at the clock again, suspicious now. “You just going to bed?” 

“Maybe?” Tony laughed again, and Rhodey could hear the genuine smile in his voice. “Sorry, I should have waited to call, I know. I just… I had to ask you a favour, and it’s really late notice already so even though it’ll probably be no, I thought if I don’t ask now then it’ll really be too late. And I meant to ask you before, I just… Didn’t.” 

“Tones.” Rhodey was laughing as he interrupted, rubbing at his eyes. “What is it?” 

“I, um… There’s another event tonight. Some charity something or other that I have to go to, and Obie’s been making comments about you, I don’t know if he really totally believes me, so uh…” There was a strange note in Tony’s voice, one that Rhodey was too tired to decipher. “I don’t suppose you want to come with me?” 

Rhodey grinned up at the ceiling, letting his eyes fall shut. “Yeah,” he hummed. “Course I’ll be your date tonight.” 

***

What with their conflicting, hectic schedules, Rhodey hadn’t actually seen Tony since the day after the gala, almost two weeks ago now. It was always good to see him when they’d been apart for awhile, but this time was even better, Rhodey taking an extra minute to take in the cut of Tony’s suit, the perfect way it fit when he showed up to pick him up. 

“You look good, man,” he told him. 

Tony rolled his eyes a little at the compliment, but when they got into the car, Rhodey could see the reflection of his pleased smile in the windshield. 

The gala could have been a repeat of the one before, the same people, the same food, the same tasteful, boring decorating scheme. This time, however, Obie was near the door when they came in, excused himself with a slight frown to meet them. 

“Tony,” he said in lieu of an actual greeting, looking him over with a critical assessing eye that made Rhodey want to tell Tony again just how good he looked -- doubly so when he noted the tiny little self-conscious ankle twist that Tony let slip under his godfather’s inspection. “Jim,” he added when Tony had apparently passed muster, turning to him with an arched eyebrow. “Tony didn’t tell me you were joining him tonight.” 

“Yes I did,” Tony grumbled mutinously, making Rhodey grin. 

They made it through the obligatory Obie small talk without Rhodey punching anything, and once he’d gone off to schmooze some more rich people, Rhodey elbowed Tony in the side. “I thought you said Obie was asking questions,” he teased. “I thought that was why you wanted me to be your date tonight.” 

“Shut up,” Tony grumbled, and Rhodey thought he could see a flush trailing up the back of his neck. “Come on, I’ll buy you a drink. Since you’re so hung up on being my date.” 

“It’s an open bar,” Rhodey huffed as he followed him, not caring that it was a repeat of Tony’s joke from the last time. “The drinks are free!” 

Tony grinned at him over his shoulder. “Guess that makes you a cheap date then, huh?” 

Rhodey managed to talk Tony into three slow dances this time, holding him close because he had to sell it, obviously. The flutter of Tony’s breath on his neck sent shivers through him every time, and by the end of the third dance, Rhodey was feeling a little drunk from it. Tony seemed more comfortable this time too, laughing and smiling at Rhodey more than usual, fluttering his eyelashes and playing up the boyfriend aspect, and the weight of all his attention and affection left Rhodey reeling. 

They had both drunk enough that, when the night started to wind down, Rhodey convinced Tony not to drive home. It was hot, the two of them flushed from dancing and drinking, and they headed outside to wait for the car he’d called. The air wasn’t much cooler outside, but it was a rare, misty night, and Tony turned his face up to the rain, eyes closed and a faint smile on his face at the refreshing sensation. Rhodey watched him, and wanted so badly to kiss him that he could almost taste it. He hadn’t yet, and while he probably could have pulled it off as part of the whole fake boyfriend thing, that felt like cheating somehow. He wanted Tony to kiss him, not some fake ruse version of himself. 

“Um…” Tony had looked back over at him, and Rhodey realized he had been caught staring. “You doing okay there, honeybear?” 

“Yeah.” Rhodey grinned at him, aware that his face was doing something a little dopey but not particularly caring. “Just tired.” 

“Well let’s get you to bed then, huh?” Tony asked before giggling as the innuendo caught up to him. “I mean home. To your bed. I mean…” He cut himself with a snort. “You know what I mean.” 

“Yeah, I know what you mean.” Rhodey agreed easily. 

Tony beamed at him and then nudged his arm. “Come on,” he said, wrapping a hand around Rhodey’s wrist almost without noticing. “That’s our car.” 

Rhodey grinned at the touch, even if he couldn’t help regretting that the night was over. “Hey Tony?” he asked as the two of them slid into the backseat of the car. “Want to grab lunch tomorrow?” 

***

Tomorrow ended up being three days later, because the both of them were entirely too busy, but that was nothing new. Tony was already waiting when Rhodey got there, doodling equations on a napkin, and he grinned at the sight of him. 

“Whatcha working on?” he asked, dropping into the seat opposite him. “Saving the world?” 

“Something like that.” Tony winked at him and then nodded as a server came out from the kitchen, balancing a tray laden down with burgers and beer. “Sorry,” he said, not sounding it at all. “I was starving and didn’t want to wait for you to get here, so I ordered for you.”

“So impatient,” Rhodey teased, kicking his ankle under the table. 

“Hey! It seemed nicer than making you sit there and watch me eat.” Tony stuck his tongue out at him as their plates were unloaded, immediately digging headfirst into his fries. Rhodey snorted as he reached for his own burger, grinning when he found it onion-free with extra pickles, just the way he liked it. 

“Thanks, man.”

The food was delicious, and Rhodey hadn’t realized just how hungry he was until he was digging in. Tony had ordered a massive amount of fries for both of them, but Rhodey couldn’t resist stealing some of Tony’s anyway. Of course then Tony had to retaliate by stealing Rhodey’s entire beer (before immediately ordering him another one). 

When they’d finished the majority of their food, they settled into talking and picking at their leftover fries. Neither of them was quite ready to leave yet, pretending they were still eating so they’d have an excuse to keep talking. Tony was in the middle of describing an idea he’d had to make cell phones better, eyes all wide and bright the way they got when he was really excited about something, and Rhodey couldn’t resist reaching across the table, curling his hands over Tony’s where it was resting against the laminate. Tony stuttered a little over his explanation, coming to a stop as he looked up at Rhodey with a small smile. 

“Practice?” 

Rhodey nodded, beaming at him. “Practice,” he agreed, feeling Tony’s hand squeeze briefly against his. 

***

They kept on like this, and although Tony didn’t make any moves himself, he didn’t seem to mind Rhodey moving on him, and Rhodey was pretty sure he was making progress. He seemed to expect the hand holding now, looked forward to it, even. He didn’t question Rhodey about it anymore, would just teasingly ask, “practice?” as their fingers twined together. The last time they’d been out for dinner, Tony’s hand had settled palm up on the table without him even seeming to realize, waiting for Rhodey to take it. 

They cuddled all the time now too, and while Tony had always been touchy feely, this felt like more. As soon as they had a chance to sit down together for more than a few minutes, Rhodey would wrap an arm around Tony’s shoulder and immediately he’d settle in against him with a soft little sigh like this was exactly where he belonged. It never failed to set something pleasant thrumming through every inch of Rhodey’s body. 

And while Tony had never been shy with the pet names, Rhodey had started adding his own. Nothing over the top, just slipping a ‘baby’ or a ‘sweetheart’ into conversation here or there. The first time he’d done it, not as a joke but as easy and natural as he said Tony’s name, Tony had actually stammered over whatever he’d been saying, an adorable flush colouring his cheeks before he regained his train of thought. He’d looked so ridiculously kissable in that moment that it was all Rhodey could do to stop himself. 

Progress. 

***

Rhodey slung an arm around Tony’s waist as they headed into yet another charity event. This one was more lowkey than normal, which Rhodey definitely wasn’t complaining about. Tony looked amazing in his jeans-and-leather-jacket combo, and Rhodey had never been happier to ‘pretend’ to be dating because there was now way he was going to be able to tear his eyes off Tony’s ass. 

They made it through a round of drinks before Rhodey realized something was missing, eyes narrowing slightly as he scanned the other attendants. “Hey Tones?”

“Mmm?”

“Where’s Obie? Don’t you usually want to get that over with first thing?” 

“Oh, uh…” Tony looked away quickly, acting like he was also scanning the room, but Rhodey knew him well enough to tell when he was faking it to avoid eye contact. “He must be running late.” 

“Late,” Rhodey repeated dryly, not believing a word of it. “That’s more your scene, last I checked. In fact, I’ve never known Obidiah Stane to be more than a second late in his life. He’s a stickler for it, it’s kinda his whole deal.” 

“Oh well, you know.” Tony shrugged, still not quite meeting Rhodey’s eyes, but there was a hint of a sheepish smile curling over his lips. “Things happen, traffic in LA, freak storms… There’s a first time for everything, right?” 

Rhodey snorted. “Is he even coming?” 

“Uh, you know…” Tony scratched at the back of his neck, and now there was a definite smile on his lips. “Maybe I got this event confused with another one?” 

“I don’t believe it!” Rhodey crowed. 

“Oh my god.” 

“Oh no, don’t you ‘oh my god’ me. I specifically remember you telling me that Obie insisted that I come tonight. Obie’s not even here, Tony.” He gave him his best grin then. “You know, if you wanted a date, all you had to do was ask.” 

Tony rolled his eyes, but he was grinning a little stupidly like he couldn’t help himself. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he insisted before curling his hand around Rhodey’s forearm and tugging. “Come on, Rhodes, dance with me.”

“Ohhh,” Rhodey teased, although he was already moving toward the dance floor, his arm back around Tony’s waist. “So now you want a dance.” 

“People will talk,” Tony offered lamely, still fighting back a smile. “Wonder what kind of asshole I’m dating if he won’t even give me a dance.” 

“Oh right, of course.” Despite his teasing, Rhodey didn’t hesitate to wrap his arm around Tony, drawing him close for a dance. This time Tony didn’t even pause, drawing in just as close until they were pressed chest to chest, Tony’s breath hot on his neck. Rhodey adjusted his hold, shifting them until his lips were almost pressed against Tony’s ear. “Well,” he offered, voice pitched low and smooth. “If Obie’s not even here, you wanna slip out early? Go back to my place, maybe, watch a movie?” 

Tony shivered as Rhodey’s breath tickled his ear. “Yeah,” he agreed, sounding out of breath. “Yeah, let’s do that.” 

***

Tony was uncharacteristically quiet in the car, peering out the window and lost in thought. He didn’t seem upset though, and when Rhodey finally caught his gaze in the window reflection, he gave him a bright smile. A beat later he slid a little closer on the bench seat, even though the cab driver hadn’t even recognized Tony and certainly wouldn’t have cared if they were supposed to be dating or not. 

The stillness went away as soon as they stepped through the door of Rhodey’s apartment, his typical manic energy coming back tenfold. He threw himself down on the couch like he belonged there before immediately getting up again. He went to peruse Rhodey’s movie shelf about five different times, every time getting distracted by nothing, opening cupboards and drawers and wandering away without closing them again and while rambling on about nothing the entire time. Rhodey watched him in amusement for a few minutes before coming over as he moved to open yet another drawer, curling his hands over Tony’s and holding them still. 

“You good, man?” 

Tony went silent, staring at him for a long minute, and then nodded slowly. “Yeah,” he said before blinking and turning abruptly toward the kitchen. “I’m hungry,” he announced. “Are you hungry? I want cupcakes. Chocolate cupcakes. Do you think there’s somewhere around here that will deliver chocolate cupcakes? Who has the best chocolate cupcakes in LA?” 

Rhodey snorted and shook his head. “Pretty sure all the bakeries are closed by now, but I’ve got some Duncan Hines cake mix in my cupboard somewhere. Will that do?” 

Tony grinned at him, a little sheepish. “Yeah,” he agreed. “That sounds good.” 

The cake mix, it turned out, was easy to find, right next to the muffin tins. The electric beater his mother had gifted him, however, was a whole other story. Rhodey set Tony to work measuring out the additional ingredients while he went rooting through the cupboard under his sink, finally emerging with dust in his hair and a triumphant, ‘ah-ha!’

Tony huffed out a laugh at the sight of him, his smile fond. He’d pulled off his suit jacket, leaving it draped haphazardly over a kitchen chair, and his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. Rhodey got distracted for a moment, staring at the muscles in his forearms, and then shook himself out of it, nudging Tony away from the mixing bowl with his hip. 

“Move over, hot stuff. Time to let the master work.” 

Tony rolled his eyes. “It’s cake mix, it’s pretty hard to fuck it up. You’re not special,” he grumbled. He was grinning though and hopped up on the counter, kicking his legs against the cupboards beneath him while Rhodey mixed and then poured out the batter.

With the muffin tins safely in the oven Rhodey stepped back over, giving Tony a kick of his own before he lost his security deposit. “Knock it off,” he told him, unfastening the beaters from the mixer and extending one to Tony. “Want one?” 

“Fuck yeah!” Tony beamed, making grabby hands. “Pass it over, honeybear.” 

Rhodey did as requested, stepping closer so the batter didn’t drip on the floor, and Tony took it with a contented little noise. Rhodey laughed at him, and then almost immediately forgot about his own beater as Tony started licking at the chocolate, head tilting to get just the right angle, tongue wiggling between the metal spokes. Rhodey had not thought this through. 

He didn’t know if he’d made a noise or what, but then Tony’s eyes flicked up to meet his. He lowered the beater slowly, eyes locked with Rhodey’s. Without quite meaning to, Rhodey took a step closer, heard Tony’s soft inhale in response, his tongue running self consciously over his lower lip. There was a fleck of chocolate there, and it took everything Rhodey had not to lick it off for him. He wanted to kiss him so badly, but something inside him stopped. He needed Tony to be the one to make that final move, needed to know that they were on the same page here, that Tony wanted this too, wasn’t just playing along with the world’s worst joke. 

And for a minute he thought Tony actually might. His lips parted on a soft exhale, upper body leaning in that much closer, this look on his face, like he wanted to just as bad as Rhodey. And he may have been the dumbest genius Rhodey had ever met, but he wasn’t this dumb. He had to know what was going on, that this was real. 

But then, abruptly, he was tilting his head away, sliding off the counter to pull back entirely and head across the kitchen. 

“I, um… I should go,” he said, not quite meeting Rhodey’s eyes. “Early day tomorrow.”

Rhodey arched an eyebrow at him, felt his heart sink. “The cupcakes aren’t even done! I thought you wanted cupcakes?” 

Tony gave him a pained smile. “Maybe next time,” he said, grabbing his suit jacket. “See you later.” 

He was gone a second later and Rhodey sighed, then thumped his head against the counter for good measure. Clearly, impossibly (although nothing was impossible when it came to Tony, he should have known that by now) Tony had missed every sign that Rhodey was serious about this. Which left the one thing he should have just done in the first place. 

Using his words. 

***

Rhodey was more than familiar with Tony’s tendency to dwell, so first thing the next morning he headed over to his place. It was early enough that the sun was barely up, fog rolling over the water below the house, but he wasn’t surprised when JARVIS directed him down to the workshop. 

Tony had clearly been working all night, his jacket abandoned just inside the door, and Rhodey winced as he stopped beside it, waiting for Tony to acknowledge him. His back was to the door, but he clearly knew Rhodey was there, body tense as he hammered away at something on the work table. He’d changed into sweatpants, but was still wearing his dress shirt from the night before, untucked and sleeves rolled up with a large grease stain above his right elbow. 

When a good thirty seconds had passed and Tony still hadn’t said anything, Rhodey sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face. “Look man, I’m sorry. I thought… Well, I wasn’t thinking, obviously. But I’ll knock it off. I was never trying to make you uncomfortable, Tones, I promise.” 

Tony cursed under his breath as he missed, hammering the table instead, but then he put the hammer down, finally turning to face Rhodey. He looked absolutely destroyed, dark bags under his eyes, but he offered Rhodey a wan smile. 

“Well.” He shrugged one shoulder. “We can’t split up now. The bots have accepted you as their mother. U will be devastated.” 

He was playing it off as a joke, but Rhodey knew Tony. He could see the fear in his eyes, the worry that he might lose Rhodey completely, but even more than that, a bit of hope in his smile. Drawing in a deep breath, Rhodey crossed the room. 

“Okay, no more faking it,” he told him. “I like you, Tony. I mean, you’re my best friend in the entire world, but also, I like you.” 

Tony snorted at that, but he ducked his head and when he looked up at Rhodey again his smile was shy and pleased. “Yeah?” 

“Yeah,” Rhodey confirmed. “A lot. I kinda think about it all the time.” 

Tony was flat out beaming now. “So all the cuddling, and the hand holding, and the ‘practicing’?” 

“It was practice. It was… Practice for what I really wanted. And I probably should have said something when I first realized, but I’m saying it now. I really like you, Tony, and I want to be with you, and I don’t think I’m crazy in thinking that you might feel kind of the same--,”

Tony shook his head quickly, eyes wide. “No. No, I do.” 

Rhodey grinned. “Great. And I think we could really be something great. So, you know…” He took Tony’s hands in his, meeting his eyes so there could be no confusion. “Tony, go out with me, so we don’t have to break up.” 

Tony burst out laughing at that, bright and open and happy and Rhodey couldn’t help laughing with him. “Yeah,” he agreed after a minute, hand squeezing over Rhodey’s. “Yeah, that sounds pretty perfect.”

“Great,” Rhodey agreed. And then, because he’d been waiting for what felt like years, he used his grip on Tony’s hand to tug him in close, until they were pressed chest to chest. Tony yelped at the sudden movement, staring up at him with wide eyes, and while he was still caught off guard Rhodey leaned in, pressing their lips together. Tony made a startled noise, like somehow after all these he still hadn’t expected kissing. But it only took him a second to recover and then he was kissing Rhodey back, hands wrapping tight around Rhodey’s back as he parted his lips, tongues sliding together. 

They kissed until Rhodey thought he might actually pass out and pulled back, panting for air. Tony leaned back against the table and blinked up at him, a dazed smile on his face. “Wow,” he breathed. “That was… Wow.” He grinned wide when Rhodey just snorted at him and settled his hands on Rhodey’s hips, holding him close. “Hey, you know what I think we should do?” 

“What’s that?” 

Tony’s grin grew impossibly wider. “Practice.”

@ironhusbandsbingo @tonystarkbingo

[johnsamericano]

“Kind” l.t.y

Pairing: dom!Taeyong x sub!reader

Genre: Smut

Warnings: Explicit sex, fingering, thigh riding, teasing, dirty talking, praising, oral (male receiving), taeyong is a little possessive.

Summary: Everyone liked Taeyong because of his soft attitude. Despite being nerdy he was really popular amongst girls because of his kindness. But that was all a facade. But only you would have the honor to meet the real him.

“Dude, we’re gonna be late for class.” Your best friend and roomate Mark had the wonderful idea of ordering a coffee 5 minutes before your class started.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be quick.”

He wasn’t. Mark spent 10 minutes deciding what coffee he wanted and by the time we had his order, we were already 20 minutes late.

Mrs. Jung, our teacher, gave us a long lecture about being on time.

“We’re really sorry, it won’t happen again.” We both bowed.

“It’s okay, go take a seat.”

The classroom was almost full. Luckily, we found some seats in the third row. Mark was seating on my right, while my classmate, Lee Taeyong, was sitting on my right.

“Hey, I can lend you my notes on the things you missed.” Despite of being classmates, you never talked to each other. And still, he was offering you his notes.

“Thank you so much, you’re a life saver.” His smile was so warm. “I’ll try to copy them as fast as possible.”

With that being said, you started writing on your own notebook. Mark was peeking over your shoulder to copy what you were writing.

The class came to an end. Once again, you thanked Taeyong.

“No worries.” He patted your shoulder before leaving the classroom.

“Dude, he likes you.”

“Shut up, Mork.” He whined.

“It’s Mark, how many times do I have to repeat myself?” You laughed at him.

The next days you kept talking to Taeyong. The rumors about him were true, he was the kindest person you’ve ever met. That’s why you didn’t suspect anything when he invited you over to his house to study.

“Sorry I’m late, I got lost.” You took of your shoes and entered the apartment. “You live alone?”

“Yup, can I offer you something to drink?”

“A glass of water, please.” The place was super neat for a college student. Unlike the apartment you shared with Mark.

“Here you go.” He handed you the drink with a smile.

“Don’t you feel lonely sometimes? I literally can’t imagine living alone.”

“You live with your parents?” You both sat on the couch.

“No, my parents live in Busan.” You left your backpack on the floor. “I live with Mark.”

Taeyong frowned slightly.

“You two are a thing?”

“Hell no.” He could never be attracted to you. “We’ve been friends since kindergarten, our parents have known each other since they were in college. Plus, he’s gay.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Let’s start studying, I need to be home on time for dinner.” You started to unpack your books.

Taeyong scoffed.

“What’s wrong?” He has a slight smirk.

“Are you really that oblivious?” His hand reached out for your cheek.

“Hold up, what’s going on?” Taeyong’s smirk grew wider.

“Did you really think I invited you over to study?” You nodded. “You’re as clueless as Mark.”

Before you could say anything else, he crashed his own lips with yours. Your mind went blank. What are you supposed to do in this situations?

“Wait.” You pulled away. “We barely know each other. We started talking a week ago.”

“You barely know me. I’ve been watching you ever since the semester started.” His gaze never left your lips.

“That sounds creepy.” You whispered to yourself.

His hand started rubbing your thigh. His touch gave you goosebumps.

“Let me make you feel good tonight.” A familiar warm sensation started building in your core. “Just say yes.” Well, at least he was a gentleman.

Your mind started searching for an answer. He was terribly handsome and sweet, although you still didn’t know if he was just being nice to get into your pants.

“Okay.” Your mouth answered before your brain could process the information.

He patted his lap. “Come here.” You did as he said. “You have no idea how much I’ve jerked off with the thought of you.” His hands wandered all over your back. “Naked, moaning my name and begging for my cock.”

Your core was aching, you needed some relief.

“Eager, aren’t we?” He grabbed your hips to stop you from grinding on his crotch.

The heat between your legs was growing. “Please Taeyong, just touch me already.”

He left a peck on your lips, and started leaving a trail of kisses from your jaw to your collarbone. He easily got rid of your blouse. The kisses continued over the fabric of your bra. You were getting desperate for more, so you unclasped the bra and threw it somewhere. He just smiled and started playing with your nipples. Soft moans started to leave your mouth.

“Do you like this?” He slightly pinched your sensitive bud. Your legs trembled. It felt like you could cum right there.

His hands left your breast and started taking off your skirt. His thumb rubbed your clothed clit.

“Please, I can’t take it anymore.” No man had ever made you feel as needy as Taeyong did.

“You can’t take what? Use your words baby.” He knew exactly what you were talking about.

“I need you to fuck me, Taeyong.” You begged.

“Be patient baby. You took your sweet time to notice me, so I’ll take mine.” He said as he kept playing with your bud. “Are you a virgin?” He asked out of nowhere.

“No.” He moved his thumb faster.

“So I’m not going to be your first, that’s disappointing.” He faked a pout. “I guess I’ll have to fuck you so hard that you’ll forget every other guy you’ve slept with.”

“Taeyong.” You moaned his name as you felt your high closer.

“Not yet baby.” He removed his finger from your clit. You whined.

Taeyong ripped your panties easily.

“You’re going to buy me a new pair of panties.” He smiled softly.

“Sure thing.” His lips met yours briefly.

Taeyong placed you over his thigh with ease. The feeling of his jeans against your pussy was overwhelming. His hands grabbed your hips and started moving you back and forth. Your hands gripped his shoulders.

“Don’t you want to take your jeans off? I’ll probably leave a stain.” You asked between moans.

“You’re so cute.” He kept moving your body over his thigh. “You look so pretty while riding my thigh, imagine how pretty you’ll be with my cock filling that pussy of yours.” His words were enough to make you cum. Your whimpers made Taeyong smile. “Let’s continue in my room.” He lifted your shaking naked body and walked to the room with you in his arms.

He laid you down in his bed. He just stood there, admiring your body. His erection looked painfully hard and the stain of your cum in his jeans was quite big. He started undressing himself.

Taeyong was now completely naked. His big dick was touching his stomach.

“You like what you see princess?” He crawled up the bed and hovered over you.

A finger suddenly slipped in your entrance.

“You’re dripping wet.” He curled his digit to reach your sweet spot. “Who’s the owner of this pussy?”

The question made you embarrassed, so you didn’t answer. He added another finger and increased his pace. Your moans and the wet sounds filled the room.

“Who’s the owner of this pussy?” He asked again.

“You.” Your back arched from the pleasure.

“I want a full answer baby.” You fell your high building up again.

“You own my pussy Taeyong.” He pulled his fingers before you could reach your orgasm.

He pumped his cock a few times before slowly entering you. You were so wet that it didn’t even hurt.

“Move, please.” You gripped his biceps as you felt him thrusting into you.

His dick was hitting all the right spots.

“You take my cock so well.”

You came with a few more thrusts and he pulled out of you.

“Open your mouth.” You got on your knees.

He slipped his dick into your mouth carefully. You started moving your head and swirling your tongue over his length. Low groans left his lips as he placed a hand behind your head to guide your movements.

“You’re amazing, baby.” Taeyong started fucking your mouth roughly, causing you to gag. Saliva started to slip out from the corners of your mouth. “Such a pretty girl.” A few more seconds and you felt his cum on your throat.

The taste was bitter, but Taeyong’s smile was the sweetest you’ve ever seen. Both of you laid down on the soft bed, still panting from the recent pleasure.

“What time is it?” You asked, suddenly remembering you had to be home at 8:00 for dinner.

“9:47”

“Shit, I’m so dead.” Mark had invited one of his friends, Yuta. Your roomate liked him, but every time the Japanese boy made a move, he started panicking.

“I need someone to stop me from embarrassing myself.” Those were the words Mark used when he invited you to have dinner with them.

“Can’t you stay a little longer?” His arm wrapped around your waist to prevent you from standing up.

“I need to go, Mark is going to be mad at me.” You tried to get rid of his grip. “Taeyong!”

“I was just asking because I’m polite.” He rubbed his nose against your cheek. “You’re out of your mind if you think I’m gonna let you leave.” His mouth got closer to your ear. “There are still plenty of things I want to do tonight.”

“No, Tae. We can meet tomorrow.” He hugged your waist tighter.

“Your panties are ripped and you came here wearing a short skirt. If you go out anyone will be able to see your everything, and let me remind you that this pretty cunt...” His fingers caressed your labia. “is mine, and only mine. No one else is alowed to see it or touch it. Have I made myself clear, princess?”

You never would’ve imagine that the sweet Taeyong everyone loved was so dominant and possessive, but you couldn’t deny that you loved to see this new part of him.

“Yes, Taeyong.”

Let’s just say that it was a long night for the both of you, more like a long month.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

Once Bitten, Twice Stupid prt.9

Sipping his glass of wine, Lance sat at his dining table. Poor Hunk had been overwhelmed in making sure every detail of the meal was perfect for Shay. Pidge had driven Shay out to his house, she’d immediately started complaining that her security system was offline, and had left to fulfil her quest in getting it back up and running. Shay was in the living room with Hunk, Lance volunteering Hunk to give Shay the grand tour of his house. Lance was left with Shiro for company, his eyes trained on the man’s back as Shiro kept checking his chicken soup. With everyone there, it seemed pointless to go ahead and feed Keith separately. Shiro was making his brother socialise, probably to make sure he didn’t expire from being a baby. Lance had the feeling he’d missed something between Keith and Shiro, their bond deep, but Keith seemed off. Like he hadn’t expected Shiro to take mercy on his undead arse. Did it have something to do with Shiro’s nose? There was definitely a story there.

“Lance, I can feel your eyes on me”

“What happened to your face?”

Whoops. That slipped out, zero filter between his mouth and mind

“Is that something that interests you?”

“If I’m honest, I’m more curious than interested. I’m also curious as to why you’re acting the way you are”

“Patience yields focus. I learned that the hard way, and got this scar for using my heart instead of my head”

Lance sighed. Matters of the heart were always complicated

“Before you continue, I’ve got a confession. I’ve never been in love, let alone had a partner. I can’t offer any advice there, but I can listen”

Shiro glanced over his shoulder

“You’ve never...”

“Nope...”

Lance popped the “p”, Shiro was listening to him, so he may as well admit his lameness out loud

“... I never wanted to take the risk. Being what I am is a curse. I never fed from a human and I never slept with one either. I guess it’s stupid, but I always maybe hoped that one day I’d have that kind of love, but I refuse to risk ruining someone’s life like mine was. You know?”

“I do. This isn’t that kind of love. I had a friend who got himself in trouble. He met a girl and fell in love, she was a werewolf, and Matt wouldn’t leave her to her fate. He was the one who introduced me to this world. It’s funny, when I was about your age we came through Garrison. Me, Matt, and his father. Back then the mobile coverage was poor, we ended up out of contact for a week... Matt’s mother and his little sister really laid into us when we got back”

Any mother would. Who just went missing for a week, and why the heck hadn’t the father called through on a pay phone on the way? Talk about irresponsible

“Shiro, I’m sorry to say, I’m older than you. I’m not 18, and I’m not 26”

“Right. Sorry. I forget that. There’s a lot of things about you that remind me of Keith”

“You said Keith had been through something. Was it to do with your friend?”

“No... No, that one’s a little closer to home. I had a partner, and it didn’t end well”

“Oh”

Talk about being insensitive. Lance felt he should be apologising for whatever had happened to Shiro’s partner. Clearly it wasn’t something good.

“I left him for a hunt, he was killed while I was away. Keith didn’t take it well. He had a hard life, but don’t hold that against him”

“He seems a little high strung”

“You have no idea. He carries the weight of sins that weren’t his to carry”

“Them feels right there. Shiro, can I ask you something?”

“You haven’t already?”

Lance bit his lip, looking down at his hands. The question he wanted to ask seemed like too big of a favour. No. He’d ask Coran, but Coran was bound by as many rules and laws as Shiro was

“Never mind. It’s fine. Just... your friend, Matt... he was really lucky to meet you. Living on outside... it’s hard. I’m sure having a friend he could count on helped”

“I wouldn’t be so sure. She bit him, turned him, and left. The last thing I heard he was travelling to find himself and find a cure”

“And her?”

“He said she didn’t mean to turn him. She left him with her heart broken, breaking his as she went. I don’t know her well enough to pass judgement. Like a vampire’s bite turns a person, a single scratch from a werewolf can too”

Lance shook his head. A bite maybe, with saliva, a scratch not so much

“I’ve met werewolves. It’s all about the blood. Your friend would have had to ingest her blood... I think. I try to avoid werewolves. It’s not my business to say anything. Sorry, just forget that I mentioned it”

“You’re trying to understand”

“It’s been 36 years and I still don’t. We should start setting the table. The others will be back soon”

“Need help?”

Lance raised an eyebrow. Shiro seemed semi domesticated, he’d probably had a hundred fancy dinners back with the other Blades

“You know how to set a table?”

“I know how to imitate setting a table. I do get a bit confused with all the fancy knives and forks”

“That’s easy, you start from the outside in. I bet Keith’s all like “I only need one knife and one fork, let me eat like a Barbarian”

Shiro chuckled

“Pretty much. I don’t think he’d use cutlery if he could get away with it”

“Great. He’s a cave man with a mullet. Fantastic”

*

Keith was coaxed out his room by Shiro, sullenly sitting across the table from Lance on the opposing end. Shiro seated beside Pidge, with Hunk and Shay sitting on the opposite side. Dinners at his house were always loud events. Pidge had piled her plate high, armed with a just a fork like the heathen she was, she was all smiles. She’d really taken a liking to Shiro, maybe because she was talking the man’s ear off

“I never thought you’d be here again. It’s a good thing you left your camera here. Anywhere else and it probably would have grown legs and walked”

Shiro laughed as he grabbed himself a bread roll

“Hunk said the same. We’re lucky Lance is such an inviting host. Normally we’re too busy to sit down for dinner like this”

Stuffing her face with lettuce, Pidge nodded, the bond between her and Shiro already felt like two siblings reuniting.

Chewing quickly, Pidge was stabbing at her stuffed potato before she swallowed her lettuce. For someone who required oxygen, she seemed to forget that with the speed at which she ate

“Yep. Hunk’s got mad kitchen skills. Lance isn’t bad. Don’t tell my parents, but dinner here is much better than home”

“Speaking of your parents, what do they do?”

“Mum and dad are both professors in Platt. Mum insists on big family dinners, Italian background and all that. I don’t know why though, since my brother took off, it’s just the three of us at home for them”

Shiro nodded along as she spoke

“So you have a brother?”

“Yep. His names Matt. Matthew Holt if mum’s in a mood. Full names always mean trouble. He’s been backpacking through Europe. Apparently he’s too good to contact us now”

Shiro choked hard on the piece of bread he’d just popped in his mouth. Quickly washing it down with his beer, Lance observed the very obvious change in his demeanour

“Matthew Holt... hang on, are you Katie?”

It was Pidge’s turn to choke. No one but Pidge’s mother ever called her Katie

“How do you know that?”

“I know your brother. I’m Shiro. Takashi Shirogane”

Pidge’s eyes went so wide it was comical, gaping at the man sitting next to her

“You’re Shiro! Holy fucking shit! No way!”

Across the table, Hunk looked to Lance, then to Shiro, then to Pidge, then to Shiro again

“Care to share?”

“Shiro was Matt’s best friend. Do you remember that road trip I told you about? Where Matt and dad totally went missing, Shiro was there too! Holy shit, man! It’s been... what? 5 years?

For Lance the revelation made his stomach drop. Matt... Matt as in Pidge’s Matt, was a werewolf. A turned werewolf. A turned werewolf that was distancing himself from his family in the hopes of a cure...

“8, since I last saw you”

Pidge let out a whistle

“Holy shit. Does Matt know you’re here? Like, in town? Dude, they were like besties in high school. Shiro and Matt were always off chasing ghosts, they wouldn’t take me with them though”

“We never did find any proof”

Dirty rotten liar. Shiro never should have said he knew Matt. He should understand what it mean to have someone that wasn’t human in the family, someone naive enough to think there could be a possible cure out there. “Everything on the planet had been gifted by God. Everything on the planet had a cure waiting to be found. It was through God that all things were made possible”. His Mami had told him that, she didn’t have an answer as to if God still loved him. A naive child’s question. Pidge pushed her chest out, sitting a little prouder

“That’s because you didn’t have me. Seriously, have you heard from him? It’s like he’s dropped off the face of the planet. He said he was going to Rome, but that was weeks ago”

“I haven’t heard from him in a little while either. I never thought the little Katie I remember in dresses would be you”

“I never thought Matt’s best friend would be showing up with a scar across his face! Mum would flip her lid if she saw that”

“Would you believe it came from fighting a werewolf?”

Pidge laughed openly

“Only if you believe I’m a ghoul, come to feast on your flesh!”

“I’ll keep that in mind. So, now I know about Pidge, what about you, Hunk? How goes the world of a paranormal investigator?”

Hunk was too busy making “lovey“ eyes at Shay. Pidge happy to continue talking to Shiro

“Hunk’s my wingman. It’s awesome because his dad lets us use the welding gear at the garage. We don’t have the money to buy all the fancy equipment so we build what we can”

“Really? What out of?”

“Car scraps mostly...”

“You do know ghosts are repelled by iron...”

Pidge gaped at Shiro, Lance wished he’d stop feeding her curiosity in the subject

“That are? I read that was a myth”

“Yep. Iron. Have you done any road trips cryptid hunting?”

“Yep! Mothman was a must. We did that one the first year of college. Lance was the only one with his own car at the time. Took us days to get out there, then he got bogged. We did the whole Sasquatch thing too. Not to shoot it, because that’d totally be a dick move, but to take a look around. I keep trying to tell Lance he needs to open his mind and believe more. I mean, even the bible references spirits and tells us no to play with them. And God admits he’s not the only god out there... There’s so many myths and legends, they all have to come from somewhere. But there’s also soooooo much crap out there, and then there’s mistranslations, and people interpreting things their own way... I just wanna hunt ghosts”

“Oh, no. You went and set her off, Shiro”

Shay giggled, Pidge shooting her a dirty look

“You’re supposed to be on my side”

“I am. I’m just saying that there’s no way a whole other world could exist just beyond our fingertips. If there was, science would have proven it. They say all these psychic videos exist that prove people like that exist, but, like, where’s the videos? Why are they hushing it up if it’s the next stage of human evolution. I think it’s even harder these days. The lines have been blurred with cultural misappropriation, and dumb people only wanting to steal stuff because they’re greedy morons. Like, if you’re not Native American, you can’t sage a room, and you shouldn’t be making and labelling any old thing a dreamcatcher, you dig?”

Lance nodded at Shay. In an ever changing world, some things remained. Like stupid people were always going to be stupid

“It’s always the quiet types. They open their mouths and out comes something unexpected”

“I happen to like the way Shay thinks”

Hunk jumped to Shay’s defence like he thought Pidge was insulting her, not impressed and pleased with Shay’s answer

“Aw, I like the way you think too, babe”

Shay winked at Hunk, who went bright red

“T-Thanks”

“You’re welcome. Tell me more about the work you guys do. I’ve always kind of wanted to see it first hand. Do you use a ouija board?”

“Nope. Those things are dangerous we fuck. You can’t control what you reach, nor can you send them back safely. We like to go in and record. See, if a spirit reacts right away, it means they want you out of there like ASAP. Most spirits hide themselves, that’s why you don’t get good readings. I mean, like, if a stranger rocked up at your house, you’re gonna wanna hide from them, am I right?”

“I guess?”

Pidge beamed, before launching into further details about her thoughts on the paranormal world. Lance felt sick. His stomach somewhere near his toes. Shiro had burdened him with a secret he shouldn’t have known. Pidge loved Matt but Matt was no longer the man she loved. She was so eager to be part of that world, she’d let herself be bitten if she ever knew the truth. Matt was doing all he could to keep his family safe from by staying away. He knew those feelings too well, and the internal wounds of being turned felt like as fresh as they did that day. He could almost feel the fangs on his flesh, here the laughter as blood was drizzled into his mouth. Waves of pain so intense they crushed the pain of his sires beating the shit out of him for fun. He’d screamed and begged, cried for his Mami and Papi, only to be openly laughed at. His stomach heaved, vomit barely swallowed back down. Pidge’s voice seemed to echo around his aching head as if she was equiped with a microphone and a thousand speakers.

“Lance, buddy, you okay?”

Smile. He had to smile. This was Hunk and Shay’s night. They were finally going to start dating. Absolutely nothing could go wrong. He smiled at Hunk, picking his wine glass up in what he hoped was a casual move

“Sure, just a bit tired from this flu”

Lance hoped he was smiling enough. His complexion was most probably horrid. He should have slapped a layer on foundation on to give him a much healthier glow

“Are you sure? You’ve gone really white”

“Buddy, light of my life, brother from another mother, I swear you worry far too much about little old me. I’m okay. Honestly I started zoning out as Pidge got carried away with her theories again”

Beneath the table, Pidge kicked him in the ankle

“Rude, much? Shiro’s interested, aren’t you Shiro?”

Shiro scratched the back of his head

“Totally. But, you lost me when you switched to alien encounters”

Pidge wrinkled her face up in annoyance, the pout was strong as she crossed her arms

“You all suck. Except for you Shay”

Shay giggled

“I know, I’m awesomeness embodied”

“You’ve got that right”

Hunk clamped a hand over his face, blushing beet red. Shay giggled again, leaning in and kissing him on the cheek

“I can always count on you, Hunk. So, Lance, have you got any embarrassing stories about these two you can share?”

“Well, the first thing that comes to mind is when we went hunting Mothman...”

Pidge shot forward in her seat

“Don’t you dare!”

“It’s more cute than embarrassing...”

“Lance, I swear I’ll stab you in the eyeball if you keep going”

Shay threw her head back as she laughed. Lance locked eyes with Pidge

“See, Pidge was super excited. So excited that she...”

Pidge raised her knife, Lance holding his hands up in surrender

“I guess I better not finish that”

Pidge had been so excited that she’s gone running off, slipped in a puddle, fallen face first in the mud with her beloved video camera. She’d been so pumped for the trip she’d packed everything but clothes. They’d had to buy really lame gimmicky clothes from the closest service station which had swum on her small frame

“Good boy”

“Damn, Lance. She’s got you trained”

Lance nodded at Shay

“Our little gremlin here can be pretty intimidating when she wants to be”

“I’ll bet”

“You should see her when she hasn’t had her morning coffee”

“I can imagine the horror”

“I don’t think you can. It’s like Satan has risen from the depths of hell to possess her”

Shay kept laughing, Hunk was so smitten with her that Lance wanted to grab them both by the backs of their heads and make them kiss

“Oh no!”

Pidge blew a raspberry at him, not enjoying his teasing

“Merp!”

“Merp, yourself. You know you’re not the greatest person ever in the morning, but we all love you just the way you are”

“I hate you. Why do I hang out with you again?”

“Because you need someone who can drive and lug all your junk around”

Pidge sighed dramatically

“Dammit. Stupid fine print. You know, I can’t deny that”

“Yep. Guess you’re stuck with me”

“Until your uses run out”

Lance pouted, clutching at his chest

“I’m wounded. Years of devoted friendship and this is how you treat me”

“Gotta be mean and keep’em keen”

“Don’t think I won’t remember this. To very last breath I’ll remember how you wounded me”

Pidge snorted with laughter, he loved it when she finally cracked. It was worth all the teasing

“You’re suck a dork”

Lance shot her finger guns, not feeling the least bit better internally

“Takes one to know one”

[irisrecs]

buzzfeed unsolved fanfiction recommendations

This is all Ryan/Shane— so don’t like, don’t read.

PSA: I am not in any way stating that Ryan and Shane from Buzzfeed Unsolved and Watcher are together, or that I want them to be together; this is for entertainment use only. I urge you to not contact them or @ them on twitter or instagram making comments about their relationship, as they are humans just like the rest of us. Some things are none of our business!

This is a masterlist of my favourite fanfictions in this fandom! Thanks to @gigaledom for cheering me on. Never thought I was going to do more RPF, but here I am.

Under 10k

and i’m puffing my chest, getting red in the face by pissedofsandwich- 6k, Teen

Summary: "Zack's going to be there?" Shane asks, masking his... whatever it is he's feeling in his chest, with nonchalance.

Ryan blinks. "Yes?"

Well, never mind dancing with the fucking sun. He’s Icarus, wings melted and falling face-first into the asphalt.

Or: Shane is definitely not at all jealous of how close Zack and Ryan are getting during the making of Sports Conspiracies. Except that he is.

My notes: They’re both so jealous of each other and so bad at communication. Thank goodness they have their friends to help them out! Really funny and entertaining!

lay your demons at the door by abovetheruins— 7k, Teen and Up

Summary: Ryan had been so careful. For months he had learned to train his face into a semblance of normalcy every time a spirit got too close or he was overwhelmed with some indiscernible emotion on location. He had learned to channel his fear into something more manageable, something entertaining enough for the cameras but not so severe that anyone would be able to tell he wasn’t just jumping at shadows or groaning floorboards anymore.

Shane wasn’t supposed to find out. He wasn't supposed to know.

My Notes: The Seer!Ryan AU that I wasn’t expecting to like so much. A lot of pining and caring! Shane with a lovely ending!

First Impressions by luxbuhree— 9k, Mature

Summary: The chance to work with and sit next to THE Shane Madej was one of the things Ryan was looking forward to, now that he's starting his first day in BuzzFeed. But while he was expecting a charming and friendly guy, he was instead met with someone who couldn't care any less.

Will the case of why Shane hates Ryan remain unsolved?

My notes: In which Shane is really bad at feelings and Ryan has the hots for a certain person who pins him against walls. Awesome ending.

a short history of almost something by cooliohoolio— 6k, No Warnings

Summary: "I think I'll wait another year."

Shane's in love with Ryan, and will get around to telling him. One of these days.

My notes: A lovely short high school! AU with mutual pining. They’re best friends ahhh

only happy accidents by barnes— 8k, Explicit

Summary: In hindsight, Shane is too old to have thought that friends with benefits was something that the two of them would be able to pull off. He’s had friends with benefits before that worked beautifully, but they were not with people whose jobs were tied up in his own, whose friendships were as closely interwoven into Shane’s everyday life as Ryan’s is. He’d thought these were the very things that could keep it from getting weird, because they were such good buddies, Ryan would be solidly cemented as his pal that nothing could shift him.

This was a miscalculation, on Shane’s part.

My Notes: I’m not usually a fan of friends with benefits to lovers, but this had so much mutual pining and fluff that I enjoyed it so much! A must-read.

Gurl, Imma Marry You (ryan is a mess) by orphan_account— 2k, General Audiences

Summary: Ryan is perpetually doing dumb things. Starting a ghost show? Dumb. Going to demon houses? Dumb. Talking to ghosts? Dumb.

But those are all new dumb things. Ryan's known he wants to marry Shane forever. That is an incredibly old dumb thing.

My notes: Really cute and fluffy and I love it so much. It’s a kind of read-to-make-yourself-feel-better kind of fic!

Por Favor, Sweetheart by carrieonfighting— 8k, Teen and Up

Summary: Two dorks raise a baby and don't even realise they're doing it together until it's too late

Alternatively, Ryan Bergara is Trying His Best Thanks

My notes: Normally not a raising-a-child-fic person, but holy smokes this was written so well and the fluff! the domesticity i-

Pushing All Your Buttons by beethechange— 9k, Explicit

Summary: Ryan and Shane get stuck in an elevator at Buzzfeed HQ. There is tension. They relieve the tension. That’s it, that’s the fic.

My notes: I was literally able to see the tension floating off my laptop in front of my face, it was so palpable.

Under 20k

like you want to be loved by poetdameron— 16k, Teen and Up

Summary: "Settle down with me", Shane says without thinking and as Ryan looks at him with wide open eyes, all he can think of it's how many of Ryan's secrets he knows, how Ryan likes his coffee, and the fact that he has loved him since the moment Ryan first looked up at him and smiled.

My notes: The PINING and CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT and ANGST my god. Really well written and lovely happy ending.

ships that pass in the night by beethechange— 20k, Explicit

Summary: The more Ryan thinks about it, the more he thinks he just needs to return the favor, that’s all. And then it’ll be done, like it was meant to be done weeks ago, and they can both move on for real.

It’s not that he wants to. It’s that he won’t be able to stop thinking about it until he evens the score. He has to restore balance to the Force or order to the universe, or—or whatever. It’s a karma thing.

“I think you have to let me jerk you off,” Ryan tells Shane one night. They’re working late, alone in the Watcher office, one of many such late nights these days.

“Wh—here?” Shane asks. He looks around, baffled, like he’ll have been magically transported somewhere else. “Have to?” And then: “Let you?”

My notes: haha what if I dare you to jerk me off dude haha don’t be a chicken

Do you not know how love works? by leylines— 12k, No Rating

Summary: “Fuck you, man,” Ryan growled, rubbing his tailbone where he landed on when he fell down just moments ago.

“I’m pretty sure that’s what Devon already thinks we’re doing,” Shane said cheerfully, not at all sounding bothered by the thought.

“Oh shut up, dude.”

My notes: One of my favourite things in this cold, dark universe is when two characters are dating but they don’t know it but everyone else does. This is so hilarious and warms my dead heart

Full-Court Press by beethechange— 12k, Explicit

Summary: To be clear, these are not tactics Ryan would recommend. Being an athleisure-obsessed pervert, and lying, and clothes-sabotage: these are not things he’s proud of.

But they have undeniably worked.

Shane’s standing next to him in the hotel lobby while Devon checks them all out of their rooms, and he's wearing a sleeveless purple Lakers jersey and the world’s softest, clingiest sweatpants. It’s so exactly as Ryan pictured it, so precisely in line with his fantasies, that he has to pinch himself.

My notes: Really hot and funny and p i n i n g

may your days be merry and bright by bodhirookes— 19k, General Audiences

Summary: “Your turn, Ry Ry.”

Ryan looks down to find only one piece of paper remaining. “Wow, so much selection to choose from.”

“No time for your negativity, Scrooge. Your Secret Santa deserves a better attitude.”

Ryan sticks his tongue out, but takes the slip of paper. He’s loudly yelling Give me Jen, please please please give me Jen as he unfolds it, but he’s too busy begging for her to be truly prepared for what he ends up getting:

A simple but damning SHANE in Andrew’s scribbly handwriting.

Or, Ryan gets Shane for Secret Santa and has a subsequent breakdown about what to get him

Notes: This is so sweet and cute and I would die for both of them. A lovely classic christmas fic!

want you in my room by beethechange— 13k, Explicit

Summary: As they watch, Tall Guy takes his beanie off, revealing a mess of thick, shiny brown hair. He runs his hand through it to shake out the hat hair and Ryan feels like he’s stuck in an Herbal Essences commercial, except he’s the one making inappropriate lustful noises.

Ryan adjusts his snapback, determined. He is, after all, wearing his very finest basketball shorts, without even a single hole at the hem, and the knowledge puts an extra spring in his step.

“I’m gonna climb that dude like a tree,” he tells Curly.

My notes: Just really dumb, cute pining in a wonderful frat boy/nerd college AU!

Long boys

Muscles Better and Nerves More by beethechange— 26k, Explicit

Summary: “I’m serious,” Ryan says. “Don’t go fucking up my body. I want that shit back in the same condition I left it.”

“The same condition—Ryan. I’m not spending hours in a gym every day so you don’t lose muscle mass.”

“I want you to treat my body with the respect you would a national park. Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories.”

***

A certain meddling Voodoo Queen of New Orleans thinks Ryan and Shane need some new perspective on life. After an inadvisable ritual deposits Ryan in Shane’s body, and Shane in Ryan’s, the ghoulboys pursue some soul-searching and self-discovery to put things right. Sometimes in a sexy way.

My notes: This is so sexy and in character! A freaky friday kinda scenario where they only switch back when they pull their figurative heads out of their asses. So wonderful.

Dreams to be daring for by allonsy_gabriel— 24k, General Audiences

Summary: On May 11, 2018, Eleanora Rose Austin was born in Chicago, Illinois.

On May 20, 2018, Shane Alexander Madej agreed to act as the godfather to his best friend from college's daughter.

On October 26, 2018, Olivia and Michael Austin were victims of a mugging gone sideways.

On October 29, 2018, Shane Madej found himself in the possession of one real, actual, human child.

My notes: Accidental Baby Acquisition is now my favourite trope because of this fic. The fact that they’re already acting like a couple with the baby before they actually become one is sooo beautiful,,, give it a read im begging you

Fifty Shades of Gold by beethechange— 21k, Explicit

Summary: Shane tires of doing the same bits over and over. He tires of telling the same stories until they all, him and Ryan and the fans, have every beat memorized. Whenever Ryan pulls out his Ricky Goldsworth impression, ah yes, that old chestnut, Shane plays along only begrudgingly. He’s bored.

That’s his official position: he’s over Ricky Goldsworth.

Shane’s unofficial position, regrettably, is that he’d rather be under Ricky Goldsworth.

My notes: Shane’s got the hots for Ricky Goldsworth and that’s the TEA. Lots of sexual tension and cute and unsure! Ryan!

Precious metals by StrikerEureka— 73k, Mature

Summary: Ryan and Shane have been moving around something that is coming to a head between them. After a car accident, on the way to an investigation, Ryan slowly starts to become suspicious that Shane might not be what he seems. He realizes, though, that he just might not care.

Shane sits forward suddenly. “Hey, pull over up here.”

Ryan follows the instruction without questioning it, which probably says something about either his willingness to listen to Shane or his sanity. Maybe both; they go hand in hand. He puts on his blinker, even though they haven’t seen another car in a couple of minutes, and pulls off onto the shoulder.

“Are you gonna puke or something?” he asks, putting the car into park, as Shane takes off his seatbelt with one hand and tugs off his Ray Bans with the other.

“You better hope not,” he murmurs as he leans over the center console and kisses Ryan solidly on the mouth.

My notes: My favourite Demon!Shane AU ever! Really sweet and loads of tension and pining... must-read.

darling it’s a faded notion by varnes— 28k, Explicit

Summary: The sun is too bright and Ryan’s whole body is alight with something that is eating him all the way up from the inside out, but he keeps his eyes open and he makes himself look, and he tells himself that once he finds Shane, he’ll think about it. Once he finds Shane, they’ll make a plan. Once he finds Shane, and only then, he’ll let himself have the thought he’s been swallowing down like bile since he came to: that they didn’t fall.

They were pushed.

OR: Ryan and Shane get cursed by a ghost, and now they can't be not-touching. It's ... not great.

My notes: They get cursed and have to be touching all the time!! and they’re pining so hard y’all like what more could one want

Bed-warm Hands and the Ghost of Elvis by MiraclesofPaul— 21k, Teen and Up

Summary: They get used to sharing a bed while filming the show. Ryan's just trying not to let his feelings get in the way.

So Ryan tells himself he’s going to ride out whatever it is they’ve fallen into, but he’ll bow out gracefully when the time comes. He can just enjoy the now.

My notes: They share a bed!!! And their hearts!! so much lack of communication, it’s wonderful

Hope that someone will enjoy these fics that I did so very much! If you want more buzzfeed unsolved fics let me know because i’ve read sooo much fanfiction...

—Iris

[vios-rockland-corner]

Life in Rockland 1

[Author’s note:  “Life in Rockland” is a creative writing project utilizing a specific OC in place of the MC for the “Rumors of Rockland” series.  I do not own any part of the Rockland universe, only my OC.  Fair warning, creative writing is not my forte.  This is a means of practice and a fun way to enjoy the content further].

Sasha Holmes is new to Rockland and just had quite an interesting day.

 Setting: After game events

Play: Rumors of Rockland- Article 1

[Spoilers below for RoR Article 1]

Sasha’s Choices:

[“Like the guy from Resident Evil?”]

[“Ah ha, what exactly do you have to do to look like you’re from around here?”]

[“Are you serious?”]

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

“I can’t believe you’re still not unpacked yet.  Hasn’t it been almost a week since you moved?”

The voice came from Sasha’s laptop.  She was busy multi-tasking while video-chatting with her best friend Pierce.  Well she could see his face IF she turned over from rummaging through boxes and laying out things on the floor.  Some might consider this rude, but Pierce just found it a little hilarious.

“Look it’s a lot of stuff okay?  Besides, I was busy this week going back and forth with work preparations and trying to get the layout of the place,” Sasha said with a huff, looking over her shoulder at the computer.

“Sounds like too much work. You should’ve just stayed home. What’s wrong with waiting a few more years before moving out?”

“Nothing.  Nothing’s wrong with it.  I just...”

“Wanted to break your best friend’s heart?” Pierce gives a very exaggerated pout.  Sasha turns around and smiles coyly.  She crawls over to the computer and lays in front of it, resting her chin on folded arms.

“No.  Even though you kind of deserve it sometimes.”

“I COULD always go easy on you in pool you now?  I don’t mind toning it down.  You’re not gonna beat me otherwise.”

“First off, I don’t want a pity play from you.  Second, you know damn well how close I got last game.”

“Yeah, only to hit the eight-ball into the complete opposite pocket you called. Gotta say, it was almost impressive how you hilariously made a masterful bounce into the wrong fucking pocket,” he grins, holding back his laughter.

“Well I mean that counts as skill doesn’t it?”

“Yeah like scoring a basketball shot for the other team.”

“Whatever, jerk.”

“But back on topic…”

“Okay yeah, look.  I love my hometown, my parents, and even your obnoxious butt.  But I just…didn’t want to get rooted.  I didn’t want to be living with my parents the whole time.  I didn’t want to know ONLY my home.”

“You worry too much.  The rest of the world’s not going to get up and leave if you take too long to hit the road Sasha.”

“I know that, but I wanted…a challenge.”

“A challenge?  You?  I thought you liked everything neat and controlled.  You want to throw things out of wack now?”

“Nothing elaborate.  Just a life challenge.  Take care of my own expenses and start from the ground up.  Meet people on my own and establish a career.”

“I feel like you’re letting your childhood slip away here.”

“Pierce, we’re not kids.”

“YOU sure as hell aren’t.  You always took freakin part-time jobs during college, and full-time jobs in the summer. I had to DRAG you out to the pub and parties for your own sanity.”

“Well moving and covering the cost of living is EXPENSIVE, Pierce.”

“Jesus, how much did you have saved up?”

“Enough so that I could get a place living by myself,” Sasha smiled proudly.

“Not that I don’t think that’s an impressive achievement girl, but I think I would have felt a little better if you had a roommate.  You’re out there by yourself I mean.”

“Look I worked hard for this, so I want my privacy.  I also didn’t really feel comfortable with finding a roommate way out here.”

“You didn’t pick your roommate in college either though.”

“Yeah, but that was our local college Pierce.  I had friends and family right nearby, so if things got weird I had help.  I’m a few hours away from all that now.”

“A ‘few hours’ you say.  It’s like, you’ve gone too short a distance to even warrant a move, and yet just far enough to making it a hassle with visits.”

“I disagree.  I think it’s the perfect distance.  I wanted to be able to visit home, but I didn’t want the temptation to go running home every chance I could get.  Not impossible to go home though.  The point here Pierce is for me to be ‘independent,’” she huffed.

“Whatever.” Pierce rolled his eyes.

“Say what you will, the deed is done.”

“So uh…Rockland.  Why?”

Sasha shrugged.  “No particular reason.  Just seemed like the best choice.  I looked at job advertisements for surrounding areas by distance, looked at their reviews and job pay and what kind of areas they were located at.  The job in Rockland was just better pay from my current job, and the place is small but still attracts tourists.  Means I don’t have to worry about being overwhelmed, but at the same time it SHOULD have just enough amenities and attractions to keep me entertained.”

“Oh?  Entertain yourself huh?  Last I checked that was my job.  Isn’t your idea of fun sitting at a café and going through files?” He smirked.

“Very funny.  Did you forget all the movies we’d watch together too?  I don’t need a buddy for that, and I’ll find other hobbies here. Maybe I’ll start running again.”

“Well good.  Not like you’re gonna get any excitement from your current job.  I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to push yourself to do something a little more interesting.”

“Thaaat’s what the hobbies are for Pierce.  The job is just for stability.”

“Could have added a little more drama to your life if you’d just decided to follow your namesake.”

“Pierce, literally no one in my family has ever been a detective.  DESPITE our last name.  It’s just a random name picked by a random author for a character that became randomly popular.  It is not a go ahead to pursue a career in criminal justice.”

“Seriously, why has NO ONE in your family ever tried to be a detective?”

“Because it requires you to see a lot of messed up shit?  I think I’ll pass.  I mean…if it makes you feel better, I had a great uncle who was a PI.”

“Really?? What was that like!?” Pierce looked a little excited.

“Honestly?  From the stories I heard, he just got a lot of crazies paying him.  People paranoid about being stalked or just using him as a way to harass others.  Wasn’t exactly fun work.”

“Bummer,” he said in a dejected tone.  “Well, I guess if you’re in a place like Rockland, probably wouldn’t get much action anyway.”

“What makes you say that?  Haven’t you been here before?”

“Just SOUNDS plain to me.  LITERALLY makes me think of rocks.  Yeah I’ve been there.  But that was like, when I was a kid?  Just visiting.  Was never for long.  Uncle was there.”

“Right.  Younger you was probably also too busy running around and sticking his hands in the dirt to actually pay attention to what was around you.”

“Yeeeeep that sounds like me,” he smirked.

“Well, I don’t know if the place has changed since you were little or you literally just have zero awareness of what’s around you, but I wouldn’t EXACTLY call this place boring.  Not after today.”

“Oh?” Pierce leaned in, curious.  “I’m so sorry, what WAS your day like dear Sasha?”

“Well, I was…looking for a place for a regular hangout.  I found this one bar in the Town Central.  At least it felt a lot more welcoming than some of the clubs around here.  Most of the people in general seem friendly here…but they can tell I’m new.  Like…ALL of them can tell.  It’s a little nerve-racking.”

“Look if you didn’t want to want to stick out like a sore thumb, you should have moved to a city.  I told you that.  Much easier to blend in there.”

Sasha shook her head.  “No, I didn’t want to get overwhelmed like that.  The best city choices were too big.  Then I’d really feel lonely.  It’s not bad here, I just…have to be sure I make a good first impression is all.  I don’t…think they hate new people?”

“You JUST said they were friendly, didn’t you?”

“Yeah but…see the bartender…” Sasha shook her head again, “No, no you know what?  I think I was just getting jittery since it’s a new place.  Forget it.”

Pierce tilts his head. “What about the bartender?”

“He…OH!  His name,” she quickly recovered and laughed.  “His name is Whesker!”

“Like Resident Evil Whesker?” Pierce chuckled.

“EXACTLY LIKE RESIDENT EVIL WHESKER!  Dude even knew what that was!”

“SHIT FOR REAL?!  That’s actually pretty sick.  Points for the bartender.  What’d you order from him?”

“Nothing, actually.  Him and the other bartender had to do something out back.  Didn’t actually get to drink anything the whole time I was there.”

“Boo.  Points deducted.”

Sasha chuckled, “Well I mean they were busy.  I wasn’t really mad.  Kind of got distracted with this one guy having…a mental breakdown?”

“Woah.  Like, what do you mean?”

“I mean he was…really off kilter.  Not gonna lie, dude was kind of terrifying.  He kept cussing up a storm and saying he was gonna slit someone’s throat. He did SOMETHING awful.  Could not figure out for the life me what EXACTLY he did. He had a friend with him and I was certain this dude was going to punch him in the face or toss him across the room. He didn’t though.  He just…kinda…slumped down into a weeping mess. It was weird.  He said something about drinking.  I think the dude was an alcoholic.  It was kind of scary to watch.  At first I was kind of quivering from the raw temper he had.  Then…I felt a little empty.”  Sasha went a little quiet.

“Hey, it’s okay,” Pierce said in a reassuring tone.  “Dude was probably just drunk.  Lots of people probably get a little emotional when they’re drunk.  Met a ton of guys who say a lot of shit they don’t really mean when they’re wasted.  Did he go near you?”  Pierce looked a little concerned.

“Oh no, no I didn’t get caught up in any of that.  His friend I guess took him to some place to cool off.  The alcoholic kept saying something about disappointing someone for…whatever he did.”

“That’s good.  If you were to guess what he did though, what would you say?”

Sasha shrugged.  “Maybe he got in a fight?  Broke someone’s nose?  Or maybe he’s got a gambling problem?”

“Yeah.  Could be those.  He could also literally have just spent all his paycheck on booze, and now he’s gotta figure out what to do for rent.  I’ve seen that a few times.  Whatever the case, just…keep your distance Sasha.  Dude was probably just being overly emotional, but I suggest you stay away from wildcards like that you know?”

“Oh yeah don’t worry.  I don’t do so great anyway with very…loud people.”

Pierce laughed. “Yeah I know.  Just saying that if it’s a small place, you MIGHT spot him again.”

“I’ll be careful.  Should be easy to tell if he’s been drinking again anyway.”

“Sounds like his friend can keep him under control.  Don’t worry, I’m sure the next person you come across won’t be as scary Sasha.”

“Well…by all accounts…I suppose you’re not wrong, even though I feel like you should be,” Sasha laughed nervously.

Pierce cocked an eyebrow.  “The heck is that supposed to mean?”

“I..ummm…I never thought I would say this in my entire life…”

“And that would be?”

“….I met a drug dealer.”

Pierce blinked. “YOU.  Met a DRUG DEALER?  You are shitting me right now.”

“No, no this is a thing that happened.  Right after the alcoholic left.”

“What, you parked close to the back alley and he came out to hassle you?”

“No this was in the bar.”

“Oh, oh so you’re telling me that a drug dealer just walked right the fuck up to you and said ‘Hey wanna buy some drugs?’” Pierce was grinning and trying to hold back his laughter.

“…Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“YES!  I’m not joking! This happened!  And the dude collects snow globes and friendship bracelets too!” Sasha blurted out, exasperated.

Pierce burst out laughing, “NO FUCKING WAY!  No, I’m not believing that shit for a second.  Sasha you must have misinterpreted something there or this dude was just fucking with you.”

“THERE’S NO WAY TO MISINTERPRET THE LINE WORD-FOR-WORD, ‘You want to buy drugs, kid?’”

“Sasha no drug dealer is going to deal that stuff in public.  Cops eat at those places too.”

“Yeah, about that…apparently the cops here are either inept or can be ‘persuaded.’  I don’t know. Tyler’s plan was apparently to give them a blow if he got caught.”

“Okay one, who’s Tyler?  And two, which blow you talking about?”

“Tyler is the drug dealer and…both?”

Pierce stares for a full 10 seconds, stunned.  He then burst out laughing again, falling over on his side this time.

“OH MY GOD!  OH MY FUCKING GOD! Sweet innocent Sasha left home for no less than a week and you’re already hooked up with the world’s nicest drug dealer.  Oh man.  Sasha I take back what I said about Rockland.  Sounds like a riot.”  He had a large Cheshire grin on his face, but was holding his sides from laughing so hard.

Sasha rolled her eyes and said in a deadpan tone, “Well I’m glad through this long conversation, the thing that finally seems to get you to approve of my move is my association with a drug dealer.  Of all things.  Your reaction also makes me understand Dylan’s pain even more now.”

Pierce sighed, “Oh man, that just, that just made my day.  Thank you….wait who the hell is Dylan?”

“You’re welcome, and Dylan is Tyler’s friend.  He was mostly horrified about how open Tyler was.  Probably one of the more sane people in the bar that night. He dragged Tyler away at the end.”

“Aww, so you didn’t get any drugs?”

“No?  No number, no drugs.”

“Why would you NOT get drugs?!”

“What th-YOU KNOW ME!  That’s not me.  Plus my parents would have a heart attack if I tried anything.”

“But Sasha!  It’s not enough to just not buy a product from a vendor whose actions you don’t approve of.  You gotta purchase from their competition whose conduct you prefer!”

“…Okay I get what you’re saying.  Like if I want to support humanely raised animals, buy the food in the store that’s only from farms with humane raising tactics.  But, Pierce…you’re talking about DRUG DEALERS here. That’s ALL illegal.”

“Same difference.  I’d rather pay the friendly snow globe collecting drug dealer in the bar than the creepy freak in the dark alley.  It’s how you make the world a better place Sasha!  Illegal or not, not like they’re going away.”

“You are…just…I think I understand Dylan’s feelings even more now.”

“Let me come visit sometime.  You can take me to see Tyler.”

“Oh hell no!  If I have any say in this, I’m gonna try my hardest that you two never meet.  I will NEVER hear the end of it otherwise.”

“Boo.  Fine, be that way.  …Hey can I tell your parents about Tyler?”

“NO.  You’ll make THEM start to question my choice in coming here.”

“Okay okay.” Pierce settled down.  “So in summary, you walked into a bar where the bartenders dipped out, an alcoholic was in hysterics and the drug dealer was trying to get you in his books….Eh, you know when I say it out loud it doesn’t sound like the craziest bar ever. May even be pretty normal compared to some standards,” he grinned.

Sasha chuckled, “Yeah, I think I’ll pay the place another visit sometime. It was…interesting.”

“You could use a little spice in your mundane life girl.  Sounds like this place could be a gem.  Let me know who else pops up there next time, kay?” he winked.

“I will.  Have a good night Pierce.”

“Say hi to Tyler for me!”

“GOOD NIGHT Pierce.”

Sasha clicked “End Call.”

Sasha sighed.  She felt emotionally exhausted.

Her eyebrows furrowed.  “Did I forget something?  I think that was all the news.  There was something though…” Sasha thought to herself.  Something was nagging at her.

“The…bartender?  What am I…oh no I mentioned his name!  Pretty sure that was it,” she chuckled.

Sasha looked at the boxes and just shook her head.  She’ll finish it later.  Right now, bed sounded like the best idea after all that excitement.

[carmenlire]

Haha Just Kidding. . . Unless?

read on ao3

Alec almost spits out his coffee as he hears Magnus’s confident answer.

“Kill Jace, Marry Simon, Fuck Alec.”

His best friend says it without blinking or taking a breath and the lunch table falls silent for a minute as everyone processes what Magnus has just said. Alec feels like he’s having a coronary and he hates himself, just a little-- okay a lot-- for the sheer yearning that response creates.

Jace immediately hops on the defensive. “Hey, why would you kill me? Et tu, Brute?” He tips his protein shake in Magnus’s direction. “I’ll have you know that I’m a hot piece of ass and ladies are lining up to get a shot at me.”

Rolling his eyes, Magnus replies, “You wear way too much product in your hair. Just the thought of running my hands through that greasy mess makes me ill. Plus, I don’t think we’ve ever had a civil conversation-- our marriage would be doomed from the start.”

Jace looks like he wants to protest but he just grumbles something nobody understands and chugs his shake. Instead, it’s Simon who straightens, looking intrigued and delighted.

“You’d marry me? Awe, I didn’t know you cared so much.”

Magnus’s reply is absent as his eyes are locked on his phone, fingers flying over the keyboard. “Alexander’s my first choice but since we’re roommates, it’s like we’re already married. You’re a lovely person, Sherman, and at least we have the same taste in music. Coming home to you every night ranks solidly in the middle of how I’d want to spend my time-- not great but better than hell.”

Simon snorts. “You charmer you.”

“Those are bold words, Bane,” Izzy interjects on the other side of the table and Alec didn’t even know she was paying attention. She has a biology test tonight and she’s been furiously reviewing her notes since she plopped down in the seat next to him. “Aren’t you afraid that sleeping with my brother would ruin your friendship?”

Magnus looks discomfited for a moment. It’s striking but Alec can’t read the look in his eyes as he looks uncharacteristically maudlin for a bare moment before he brightens again. Alec could almost believe he’d imagined the look of sour dejection.

“It’s just a game, Isabelle. Alec’s an attractive man and I, more than anybody else, should know how irresistible he is. We’ve been friends since middle school. If I was going to fuck anyone, shouldn’t it be someone I love and trust?”

Alec looks up and his gaze find its unerring way to Magnus’s. He feels a flush crawl up his neck as he meets the challenge in his best friend’s stare. Even though it was a silly game, as Alec looks at Magnus he can’t help but wish it was real instead of his best friend being his usually teasing and outrageous self.

Still. It’s Magnus and there’s really only response Alec can give him. “I love and trust you too, Magnus.”

He hears most of the table groan though Magnus himself doesn’t say anything. No, if Alec didn’t know better, he’d say his friend was struck speechless, though Alec detects the softening of his expression, his eyes growing wide before whatever emotion had flared bright in them is banked.

The moment suspends in time but before either one of them can say anything, Jace is cursing and breaking the moment. “Shit, we’ve got class in ten minutes, Alec.”

Alec groans but heaves himself up-- their class was on the other side of campus from the student center and they’d have to leave now and power walk to get there before Professor Herondale started lecturing. She takes Children’s Psych way too seriously and Alec really doesn’t want his participation grade docked for the day.

Shoving their things into their book bags, Alec and Jace leave with a round of goodbyes. As he passes Magnus, he feels his roommate sweep a hand over his back as he murmurs, “Bye, darling, see you later.”

It’s not until they’re halfway through class and ostensibly working on a group assignment that Jace punches him in the shoulder with a look like Alec’s supposed to know why the hell he just bruised him.

“What the fuck?”

Jace rolls his eyes. “Don’t give me that shit. Did you hear what I heard at lunch? Magnus totally wants in your pants, dude.”

Wincing, Alec’s struck with a pang of resignation for his brother’s delicacy. “You know he didn’t mean it like that.”

“He said, and I quote, ‘fuck Alec.’ In what world does that not mean what it means?”

“Since we’re best friends and he was answering an asinine question,” Alec hisses back, glaring at Jace. “He probably just didn’t want to leave me out.”

Jace just levels him with a look. “You’re dumb as shit, you know that right?”

“Fuck off, Jace,” Alec snaps and Jace’s eyebrows shoot up at the vehemence in his tone.

“Woah, bro. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad. I thought it was good news! You know Magnus wouldn’t joke about boning his best friend just to do it. You mean too much to him and we all know how gone you’ve been over Magnus since, like, eighth grade.”

Alec sighs and it feels like the weight of the world is on his shoulders. “I can’t get my hopes up, Jace. I’ve been in love with him for years but he doesn’t feel the same way.”

Groaning like they’ve gone around the block about this a thousand times-- because they have-- Jace facepalms. “How many times do I have to tell you-- Magnus feels what you feel but you’re both too stupid to get past your own hang-ups to talk about it.”

Alec doesn’t deign to answer and then Herondale is calling for the class’s attention at the front of the room. Both Jace and Alec slink down in their seats, desperately hoping they don’t get called on since they didn’t even make it through the front of the worksheet, let alone the back.

It’s dusk by the time Alec’s pushing his key in the lock of the apartment he shares with Magnus. Running a hand through his damp hair-- Rugby practice had ran over and his hair’s still wet from the shower he'd taken afterwards-- Alec pushes open their front door as he readjusts the bag on his shoulder.

He’s just set to call out a greeting to Magnus-- he’d texted his roommate when he’d gotten out of the shower to let him know when he’d be home-- and he smells pizza from where it must be waiting in the kitchen.

The words die on his lips, however, as he hears what sounds like Magnus arguing with someone.

“No, Cat, I’m a dumbass,” Magnus groans. “I can’t believe I just said it like that but it-- it just came out and I sure as hell wasn’t going to take the words back.”

Alec frowns, confused, though his lips twitch at Magnus’s propensity for being dramatic. Setting his bag down in the little hallway next to the door, he steps out of his Nike sandals and pads to the living room. Magnus is pacing in front of the tv but he comes to a stop with his back to him as he listens to Catarina on the other end.

He watches his friend’s shoulders slump and the urge to go over to Magnus and engulf him in one of his patented bear hugs is almost overwhelming. Hearing Magnus’s next words, though, Alec freezes, hardly daring to breathe.

“Of course I meant them,” Magnus sighs and he lifts a hand to rake it through already disheveled hair. “Alec could have me any way he wanted. The problem is that he doesn’t want. He just doesn’t see me like that, Cat.”

The words set off a chain reaction in Alec and he half thinks that he’s in the middle of an out of body experience. It seems too good to be true but when Magnus starts speaking again just a few seconds later, Alec allows the endless hope that he's been pushing down for years to spring to life.

“He’s my best friend and I’d rather have that than make a move and not even have him in my life anymore. I don’t think I could live without him at this point-- hell we’ve been roommates all four years of college and before that we had sleepovers at each other’s houses at least three times a week. No,” Magnus says resolutely. “This afternoon was just a game and it doesn’t matter if I’m in love Alec and want him to dick me down into next week I--”

At that moment, Magnus turns around whatever he was about to say dies on his lips as he sees Alec standing there in the doorway.

Neither one says anything for a long moment.

Alec hears Cat grow progressively louder through the phone, her tinny voice growing more insistent as Magnus doesn’t say anything.

Finally, Magnus mumbles, “Bye, Cat,” and hangs up. Dropping his arm, Magnus looks up at Alec with fear in his eyes. His devastation is fairly palpable in their tiny living room.

While Alec still feels like he walked on set of a tv show he’s never seen before, it’s the most natural thing in the world to move until he’s standing right in front of his roommate, his best friend.

Swallowing hard, with Magnus’s words ringing in his ears, Alec scrapes enough courage together to say, “You love me?”

And it should be a ridiculous question-- because duh. They’ve been friends for almost ten years-- over half their lives. Magnus was the first person Alec came out to and he was the first and only person Magnus called their freshman year when his at home perm went horribly wrong and they fit together like they’re made for each other.

Alec’s often thought that if he couldn’t have it all then it was enough to be Magnus’s platonic soulmate, his very best friend.

Now, though, he’s struck by the most fervent longing and he can hardly believe his eyes but he thinks he sees it reflected in Magnus’s gaze.

He watches as Magnus takes a deep breath before leaning imperceptibly closer. His voice is scarcely a breath when he corrects, “You must have heard wrong, Alexander. I said that I’m in love with you.”

The words pierce the spell that seems to have fallen over them and without thinking, Alec’s lunging forward, cupping Magnus’s cheeks and hauling him close for a kiss that feels like coming home.

By the time they pull apart, they’re both breathing hard. Alec doesn’t open his eyes immediately, instead content to nose along Magnus’s jaw. He relishes the closeness, the feel of Magnus sweeping absent hands over his back.

Without thinking, he says, “Oh, thank God.”

He’s gratified to hear Magnus snort before he’s pulling back and looking at Alec with the world’s fondness in his eyes. “I think that’s my line.”

And Alec doesn’t know what it is-- the relief and happiness on Magnus’s face, the way he’s stroking a thumb over Alec’s shoulder in a move that doesn’t even seem conscious, or the simple fact that he’s so happy that it feels like he’s exploding-- but everything melts away except making sure Magnus understands his feelings.

“What,” he says softly, hint of a grin curling over his mouth. “Did you really think I wouldn’t be madly in love with you, too?”

He watches the words land on his best friend-- the way Magnus’s eyes widen and flare bright with delight, the shudder that wracks him as he pulls Alec closer.

It’s Magnus who closes that distance a second time and the kiss is far gentler but contains so much more depth that Alec feels like he’s drowning.

They collapse on the couch just a few feet away and spend the rest of the night kissing and laughing and getting caught up on their shows. By the time they remember, their pizza is cold but neither one minds as they bring the box straight to the where they’re sitting in the living room.

When it’s late and they’re both full and exhausted, Alec stands and lets the blanket that had been wrapped around them fall to the floor. Keeping Magnus’s hand in his, he takes a single step back towards his bedroom. “Ready?”

It’s an innocuous enough question. It’s a statement of fact that they spend more time sleeping together than they do apart-- a hold over from all of those sleepovers growing up-- but the single word is loaded with meaning tonight. In the dim light of their apartment, Alce watches a dozen emotions flit over a face he knows as well as his own, though damned if he can read them.

But Magnus doesn’t hesitate as he squeezes his hand and climbs gracefully to his feet. “Lead the way, darling.”

The two fall asleep wrapped around each other in Alec’s shitty twin bed. Alec had thought he’d be too wired to fall asleep after the day he’d had but with Magnus so close and his heart at ease for the first time in ages, he drifts off almost immediately.

The next morning, the two of them wake up and when their gazes crash together-- both of them eager to prove that the night before wasn’t just a dream-- they each breath a sigh of relief. They have a long, incredibly overdue conversation while they make breakfast and by the time they’re sitting down to eat their infamous french toast, they’re on the same page.

A few days later, when they join their friends at lunch, Magnus and Alec keeping holding hands even as the group’s eyes zero in on them.

It’s silent for a beat before Isabelle starts crowing, startling everyone. “Holy shit,” she exclaims and while her smile lights up her face as she shoots a happy look at Alec, it quickly turns mercenary as she turns it to Jace. “You owe me fifty bucks-- I told you that giving Magnus a FMK scenario would settle things.”

When Jace stares at Isabelle before going to Magnus and Alec’s hands, before going back to Izzy, Alec figures no one’s surprised when he jumps out of his seat. Pointing at Alec, he says in a serious tone, “I’m happy for you, bro-- it’s about time,” before pivoting to point at Isabelle and saying just as seriously, “You’ll have to kill me for it,” and running out of the student hub like his ass is on fire.

Everyone waits to see how Izzy will react but she just shrugs carelessly and takes a bite out of her candy bar. “I know where he sleeps and where he keeps his protein powder.”

Everyone laughs and Magnus and Alec share an exasperated, if fond, look as they take their seats.

They don’t let go of each other’s hands the whole meal, which makes eating lunch a little difficult, but neither one minds at all.

[in-your-language]

If I Can’t Have You

Hello! So I ended up deciding to post this (thanks to anyone that commented on my last post!), I hope it’s okay <3

Summary:

"The number of times he had slipped into a daydream where he finally gathered the confidence to ask Sam out was ridiculous in its own right, but really, how could it be his fault when Sam was constantly walking around looking like that."

A.k.a Grizz is very much into Greek tragedies and Sam Eliot.

[AO3 link in the reblog]

~

Grizz had somewhat of a committed relationship with Greek tragedies, and Wikipedia pages about Greek tragedies, and books about Greek tragedies. He also had somewhat a committed relationship with Sam Eliot’s Instagram profile, given how much he brought it up on his phone, but that was a matter for another time.

 “The Trojan Women,” he announced louder than intended as he set the play down in front of Gordie. 

 The boy smiled, watching with curious eyes as Grizz took the seat opposite him. “I’m starting to think you have a thing for tragedies, Grizz. Sure you’re okay?” 

 “They have the best lines,” he explained, smiling back at Gordie as he began flicking through. “If it's not a tragedy then the characters don’t have any time to get all deep and philosophical.” 

 “But of course. Grizz the random reciter of meaningful play lines.”

 “I take my job very seriously,” Grizz nodded, smile widening when Gordie began to laugh.

 It was a miserable Thursday afternoon, with rain splattering against the windows and pattering against the roof. The large yellow lamps hanging above their head provided the library with warmth, particularly in comparison to the dull atmosphere outside. 

 “So what have you found out about it?” asked Gordie, leaning forward in his seat. 

 “Well - it was written during the Peloponnesian War,” he responded, eyes flicking over some of his annotations. “The Athenians were getting ready to dispatch a massive expeditionary force to attack Sicily. Very nice of them.” 

 Gordie moved around the table then, settling down in the seat beside Grizz, and their discussion about the historical context alone ended up lasting about 40 minutes. Wars were complicated in Grizz’ defence.

 It was when the bell chimed, alerting them to other students, that Grizz allowed his eyes to wander. It was Sam who walked in, alongside his friend Becca. She was signing animatedly to him, whilst he looked over with a smile.

 Grizz didn’t lose his composure often, but seeing Sam that day, hair disarrayed from the beanie he was wearing, smile bright enough to light up a whole damn room, suddenly it felt like the world was collapsing around him.

 Sam’s eyes found his across the room as they always did, and he offered Grizz a playful smile before returning his attention to Becca again. Grizz let out a scarily lovesick-sounding sigh.

 Gordie chose that moment to clear his throat, eyebrows shooting up knowingly as he looked over at Grizz. He hesitated for a moment, clearly trying to be careful with his words.

 “You know...I’m not sure if you’ve seen, but there’s this movie called Love, Simon that seems pretty cool. It’s not a Greek tragedy but we could still watch it sometime if you wanted.”

 Grizz snorted. The subtlety was astounding.

 “Um,” he paused, trying to bite back a smile. Gordie was only trying to be supportive, after all. “Yeah, sure. That’d be nice. Saturday at my place?” 

 “Sounds like a plan! I’ll bring the popcorn.” 

 Grizz glanced back at Sam again, before sighing again and standing up from his chair. “I should probably get back to the team now, I’m sorry. Another session next Monday at lunch?” he asked, carefully closing the books that were scattered across the table and placing them in his bag. 

 “Sure,” said Gordie, following suit. He looked over at Sam too this time, smiling wide. “He’s cute,” he added, before turning around and heading towards the exit. 

 Grizz was left standing there for a moment, completely dumbfounded. He heard a giggle in the corner of the room, and he looked over to find Becca covering her mouth with her hand, Sam laughingly shushing her. He tried to ignore the pang of hurt in his chest as he slung his bag over his shoulder and made his way over to the exit. 

 Who was he kidding, he thought miserably as he walked, splashing through grey puddles. She was beautiful - everything Sam could’ve ever wanted. 

 ~

 “Now - what are we gonna do, guys?” Clark asked fiercely, fist raised in the air. 

 Grizz rolled his eyes and disappeared as subtly as he could into the background, preferring not to get involved with all the shouting. 

 “We’re gonna smash it!” came the responding chorus from the football team, Luke’s and Jason’s voices somewhere within the mix. 

 He looked out at the grandstands, shaded against the beaming sunlight that had broken up their week of rain. He was looking for someone in particular - he always was - but that didn’t mean he was going to admit it to himself. Butterflies flooded his stomach when a pair of blue eyes met his own, and suddenly he felt about twelve years old all over again. 

 Sam offered him another wave (they seemed to be getting more frequent and the idea of that terrified Grizz as much as it excited him), taking his hat off his head and holding it out in front of him. Grizz squinted for a moment as he read it, then a wide smile appeared on his face.

 It had ‘Go sports!!’ printed on it, and Grizz suddenly felt so much fondness for this boy that it was slightly overwhelming. 

 Despite never having exchanged anything beyond ‘hi,’ he had somehow managed to develop a full-blown, all-consuming crush on Sam Eliot and honestly, it was kind of ruining his life. Once, he was so caught up in Sam smiling at him that he walked into a pole for starters. The number of times he slipped into a daydream where he finally gathered the confidence to ask Sam out was ridiculous in its own right, but really, how could it be his fault when Sam was constantly walking around looking like that.

 Suddenly there was clicking in front of his face, and he tuned back into the real world to find Clark hovering in front of him. “Dude, the game’s starting! How the fuck are you day-dreaming now?” 

 Grizz immediately sprung to his feet with a hurried “sorry”, shaking his limbs out as he followed Clark onto the field. 

 The sound of a loud, shrieking whistle soon filled the air and all the boys around him were off. Grizz couldn’t help but sneak glances over at Sam, and when he wasn’t doing that the boy somehow managed to stay on his mind regardless. His movements all felt contrived, and his limbs weren’t cooperating, and yeah okay - who the fuck gave Sam the right? 

 There was insistent sunlight beaming down on him, and constant shouts ringing out in the air, and all Grizz could think about is what it would be like to feel Sam’s lips pressed against his. 

 He hated his brain sometimes. 

 It wasn’t a spectacular fail in the end - they won - but it was uncomfortably close for the team’s liking, and the general consensus was that Grizz had messed up big time. 

 “Dude, where the fuck was your mind that whole game?!” Clark exclaimed, waving a hand in front of his face. 

 “Fuck off, Clark. I was just having a bad day,”  Grizz muttered as he shimmied into a pair of jeans.

 “I’ve never seen you that off your game though,” Luke chimed in, walking over to the boy and placing a firm hand on his shoulder. “Sure you’re okay, bud?” 

 Grizz hesitated for a moment, gaze wondering past Luke’s shoulder, before letting out a resigned sigh. “There’s just this person I like that I haven’t really been able to get out of my head.”

 Jason, who had been changing off to the side, froze almost instantly at the words. Clark had a huge grin painted across his face, while Luke seemed shocked more than anything. 

 Grizz didn’t blame them. He was rarely one to talk about romantic feelings no matter how much the boys prodded him, always shutting down any mention of the topic. But now that Sam had come into the picture and Grizz was reconsidering his whole stance on not coming out until College... 

 “Who’s the girl that’s finally managed to melt your heart of ice then, man?” Clark asked him, looking overly pleased by the confession. 

 “I’m not telling you guys,” Grizz said simply, shrugging as he pulled a shirt over his head.

 Luke’s mouth fell open. “What?! Why?” 

 “You won’t know her,” he insisted, pushing past Clark to grab his gym bag. 

 “At least a description?” Jason begged, hands clasped together in front of him.

 Grizz looked over at the trio, gaze hard, before rolling his eyes and slinging his bag over his shoulder. “Ginger hair. Blue eyes. Wears a lot of sweaters. Into books. That’s all you’re getting,” he told them, before leaving the change rooms. 

 Jason looked after him, shaking his head. “So he’s into a nerd then?”

 “Don’t knock nerds,” said Luke with a shrug as he pulled on his own shirt. 

 “Is there even a ginger girl in our year?” Clark asked. 

 Grizz just shook his head as he walked away, trying hard to bite back a smile. 

 ~

 Grizz had never been the scandalous kind, but looking across the room at Sam he came to the conclusion he’d happily sneak around with that boy forever if it meant being with him. That is, if that’s what Sam wanted of course, which he didn’t. The rumours around Sam being gay were just that. Rumours. And Grizz couldn’t bring himself to believe that Sam didn’t like Becca with the way he looked at her.

 That’s why it was a little startling for Grizz to be pulled into a random janitor’s closet by Sam of all people. Given the context, it hadn’t been totally weird. A practise intruder alarm had sounded across the school while Grizz was out collecting something from his locker. Perfect timing, if you ask him. Before he knew it, the classroom doors were being locked and the blinds were being drawn, leaving him standing there like an idiot until Sam pulled him aside.

 The good news was that he wasn’t going to be told off by a teacher for being out and about. The bad news was that he was currently stood in the world’s smallest janitor’s closet, so close to Sam that he could barely breathe.

 Grizz blindly reached for the light switch, and after a few failed attempts the lamp hanging above their heads flickered on. 

 He swallowed thickly. “Hey.” 

 Sam smiled apologetically. “Hey. Sorry for being so sudden,” he responded, signing along.

 “It’s okay,” he smiled back, nervously tucking a strand of hair behind his ear.

 Grizz wracked his brain for any ASL he knew, but frustratingly enough he came up blank. Well - except for...

 Bullshit, he signed, which had Sam bringing a hand up to his mouth to stifle his laughter.

 “It’s the only sign I know,” he explained, feeling a blush rising on his cheeks as he spoke. 

 Sam nodded, smile fond as he leaned back against the wall. Grizz cleared his throat, hands nervously clasped together in front of him. 

 “I um...I liked your hat! From the game.” 

 “Oh, thank you. I worked very hard on it,” said Sam with a nod, voice playful.

 Grizz actually fucking giggled at that, and for a second he was convinced that he had actually somehow managed to become twelve again. 

 The alarm was still blaring around them, and for a few moments, Grizz had almost forgotten about it. He bit his lip as he returned his gaze to Sam, obnoxious little butterflies filling his stomach. 

 Sam smiled faintly. “I see you looking at me a lot,” he spoke, hands signing along. 

 Grizz, without seeming dramatic, wanted the ground to swallow him up whole so he’d never have to deal with this conversation. This conversation with a cute boy who had definitely noticed all of his creepy staring.

 “Sorry,” he managed, blushing like an idiot all over again. “It's uh...something I do a lot. Zone out.” 

 Sam raised an amused eyebrow. “So it’s just zoning out?” 

 Grizz bit his lip and nodded, heart racing now.

 “That’s a shame. I thought maybe you liked me.” 

 And suddenly Grizz was considering the idea of this being a dream because what the actual fuck did Sam just say? His heart couldn’t take this. 

 “I - wait - um, do you...do you like me?” he spluttered out, embarrassed beyond belief. 

 Sam just smiled teasingly and shrugged, seeming about ten times more confident than Grizz felt.

 “I don’t know. Do you like me?” 

 Grizz hesitated for a moment, looking anywhere but Sam as he contemplated on how the hell he should respond. 

 “...Yeah,” he managed, voice higher than he would’ve liked, but then he remembered that he was an idiot and the boy couldn’t hear him anyway.

 Sam gave him a beaming smile.

 I...like...you...too, he signed, movements slow. Grizz got the message, and he honestly had to refrain from pinching himself.

 There they were - standing under a dangling yellow light amongst cleaning supplies in a closet that was criminally small, looking at one another as though waiting for something more. Waiting for one of them to break. 

 Sam swallowed, hints of nervousness shining through as he took a step forward, and that was enough for him to be right in Grizz’ space. Grizz let out a shaky exhale, bringing his hands up to rest on the boy’s waist. He had no idea whatsoever what he was doing, but he at least wanted to look as though he did.

 Sam took this a cue, smiling slightly as he shuffled forward, allowing Grizz’s arms to wrap fully around his waist, before looping his arms loosely around Grizz’s neck.

 Grizz was vaguely aware in the back of his mind that the alarm had stopped by now, but that seemed so distant he ended up ignoring it.

 Sam inched closer, on his tippy toes now, and Grizz’ heart was officially soaring. He closed the final gap between them both, brushing his lips against Sam experimentally before drawing back again. Sam chased him, pulling him in and firmly connecting their lips. 

 Yeah. Okay. Grizz could definitely confirm the real thing was far better than imagining it, because holy shit.Sam’s lips were soft and slightly chapped against his own, and his hands were feather-light against his skin, brushing up his arms now (when had they left his neck?) Why he had wasted so much time pining when kissing felt this good was absolutely beyond him.

 From that point on he relied almost entirely on instinct, which must’ve explained why he was suddenly lifting Sam up and setting him down on the wooden crate behind them, never disconnecting their lips. Sam pulled away for a moment, eyes alight with mischief as he gave Grizz a playful smile, before pulling the boy back in, hands travelling up to his hair now and tugging ever so slightly. The action pulled a small (embarrassing) gasp from Grizz, and he felt Sam’s smile widen.

 It was when they heard shouting outside that they jumped apart, Sam hopping down from the wooden crate and Grizz frantically attempting to straighten his shirt. The door to the closet was thrown open and Luke was stood there, Clark and Jason right behind him. 

 Grizz swallowed, running a hand through his hair. “Uh. Hey guys.” 

 “We’ve been looking all over for you dude!” exclaimed Clark. “What are you doing in here?” 

 “The classrooms were locked,” explained Grizz as he stepped out into the corridor, Sam following close behind. “It seemed like the next best place.” 

 Luke was still looking between him and Sam, eyes narrowed sceptically. Grizz saw his eyes travel from Sam’s hair, to his face, to his sweater to - oh fuck he’s worked it out. 

 It didn’t take a genius, Grizz supposed. He and Sam were still panting a bit, shirts and hair in disarray, glances at one another awkward. That, on top of his blatant description of Sam, really wasn’t helping him in the slightest.

 “Let's go, guys,” Luke said suddenly. 

 Clark and Jason gave him incredulous looks. “Why?” 

 “Let’s just fucking go, okay? Teacher’s probably waiting for us anyway,” he repeated, dragging them both with him down the corridor. He glanced over his shoulder when he reached the corner, giving Grizz a wink. Grizz smiled gratefully and gave him a wave in return. 

 “That was fun,” said Sam, smiling over at the boy. 

 Grizz bit back a smile of his own and nodded, giddiness setting in over what had happened. 

“We should uh...do it again sometime? Maybe not at school, though...unless you want to.” 

 Sam’s smile took a mischievous edge. He leaned over to press a quick kiss to Grizz’s cheek. “I don’t mind school, but maybe we could see each other over the weekend? My parents aren’t home on Sunday.”

 Grizz smiled. “It’s a date.”

[suicidalcatz]

DOG DAYS ARE OVER : CHAP 10

Pairing : Jake Kiszka x reader

Genre : College AU

Previous parts : Prologue ; Chap 1 ; Chap 2 ; Chap 3 ; Chap 4 ; Chap 5 ; Chap 6 ; Chap 7 ; Chap 8 ; Chap 9

Masterlist : Here

AN : Oh my God I made it this far. So, I’m writing part 13 atm, it does seem extra long but the beginning of this chap is only the 26th page of my doc. It’s always a very stressful experience for me to share my fics, I think I’m really scared to disappoint you. I hope you won’t/don’t hate y/n and that she’s relatable for you, she has a lil temper. Last angst chapter before fluff, fluff and more fluff. Again, please feel free to let me know what you think of it, I love chatting with you and it can help me improve my writing ! Thanks for the love and support, and for embarking into this journey with me.

Chapter 10 : Why didn't you tell me ?

Staying wrapped in a blanket in the comfort of my bed sounded like the best week-end plan. I didn't want to do anything else, anyway. Crying was the first thing I did when coming home last night, and it lasted a good portion of the night. Mandy had follow me soon after I hurried out of the room, concern all over her features. At some point I cried myself to sleep in her arms while she silently stroke my back. It sounded overly dramatic and made me feel pathetic in addition to everything else, but I had got my hopes up so much that the fall hit hard. Terribly so. Understanding that I needed some alone time (as much as our shared room allowed it), Mandy let me be, keeping herself busy with work, some Netflix, or going out from times to times. I heard her put on her shoes and coming next to me, probably waiting by the door before leaving. I couldn't see her, however, because my body was facing the wall, keeping my eyes fixated on the old yellowed paint.

- Dude, you can't stay in bed all day long listening to Fleetwood Mac.

- Oh yeah ?, I croaked. Watch me.

Stubbornly keeping my back to her, I slightly moved the blankets to cover my head. I felt hollow, at best. I wanted to cry, but there was no tears left. My eyes felt dry, probably red and puffy, and my chest wouldn't stop aching like someone had just stabbed my heart. It felt awful. I felt miserable.

Mandy quietly stayed a while longer behind me, before she spoke softly.

- I know it hurts sweetie.

This simple, compassionate sentence had my eyes instantly watering, and before I realized it, a sob found its way at the back of my throat, making me shake under the covers.

- It hurts so much, so fucking much.

My sobs became more erratic, to the point that I don't even know if she could hear me correctly, but in an instant she was by my side, taking me into her arms, shushing me gently, putting me to sleep.

My nights were sleepless, my naps were restless, my dreams were all filled with nightmares. I couldn't help seeing Jake's face over and over in it. Sometimes people would make fun of me for believing he could've wanted me. Other times, my mind would just show me his face, or replay unwanted memories. Some part of me knew it wasn't the end of the world and there was no reason for me to get this worked up over a heartbreak because it could've been way worse. He could've intentionally led me on. He could've cheated on me. He could've taken advantage of me for sex. What happened was nothing in comparision, it was just a disastrous twist of fate. Plain bad luck. But somehow the fact that no one was to blame in this situation felt even more cruel. Like some invisible force had decided to not let me be happy. And listening to Fleetwood Mac wouldn't help improve my mood, but at the moment I didn't wanted to feel better. There was something strangely comforting in feeling miserable. I wanted to let it all go, all the tears, all the pain, no matter how long it would take.

When I heard the door open again, I hadn't moved an inch from when Mandy had previously left. Even with my earphones on, I could hear some murmurs in the kitchen. She knocked on the doorframe to notify her presence before speaking up.

- Sweetie, someone's here to see you.

There was an uncomfortable edge to her voice that actually made me curious, before some more footsteps approached my way, keeping a safe distance. They were being too fucking cautious not to offend me or whatever, like I was some damn porcelain doll, and while it annoyed me, it really made me realize how alarming the state I was in must've look from an outside point of view.

- Hey, I think I owe you some explanation.

I recognized this raspy and low voice, very slightly different from Jake's. It made my heart skip a beat because of how much they sounded alike, and I turned to face him just to be sure. Josh looked as apologetic as ever, and I knew why. I didn't feel bad for him at all. Thank God he had remorse.

- I have nothing to say to you.

- I knew you had a crush on him, said Josh anyway. It was obvious... the painting, the time you spent together, even the way your face lit up just seeing him. I tried to prevent this ending, I swear, and I'm so, so sorry-

- I know what you did.

Sitting up, scrubbing the dried tears out of my reddened cheeks and nose with the back of my hand, I gave him a cold stare. In the corner of my eye I could see a tense Mandy not knowing what to do with herself, and if she was questionning ; yes, it was a terrible idea bringing Josh here.

It all came to me just before I fled from the party, but I got too engrossed in my heartbreak to really think it through. But now, with his guilty looking face just few meters away from me, it all clicked into place. His odd behaviour whenever Jake and I spent time together, his seemingly jealous fits, the way he interrupted us whenever we were getting closer. It wasn't jealousy at all. It wasn't him being left out, or whatever bullshit he had told me.

- You knew all along, I said as tears blurred my sight, you knew he had a girlfriend. You didn't tell me. This could've been avoided if you had told me.

My throat had never felt this constricted. Now, adding to the weight of sadness, humiliation, emptiness, and wretch, was betrayal. Which made my shame sentiment grow bigger and my anger begin to rise. Slowly, Josh nodded his head. Of course he knew, it was his twin.

-I didn't know, I, I wanted to protect you-

- I need you out. I don't want to see you.

- Doll let me-

- Get out.

I didn't have the energy to shout at him, and his fucked up logic. Duality splitted my mind in two, tiredness of this whole situation and anger. The latter won over, making me throw whatever came to  my hand when Josh closed the door behind him. He knew all along and he didn't tell me anything. He knew I had fallen for his brother, he saw it, and he didn't tell me. I couldn't believe it, that hit me hard, and made almost as much damage as Jake being in a relationship. They both broke my heart that day.

The night finally came after what felt like the longest day ever. I didn't move. I didn't shower. I didn't eat. One thing I wanted to do was going back home, to my parents' place and listen to their stories, letting them forcefeed me, or put a blanket on me as I would fall asleep on the couch during movie night. However, I didn't have money to afford buying a train ticket, and it was too far away for them to come pick me up. They were getting old, I couldn't bother them if it wasn't an emergency. So I lied awake in my bed for another night, and I'll do the same the next day.

I was doing a good job of lying half dead in bed all Sunday before Mandy interrupted my mourning with her sudden life goal of making me snap out of it. It started with her pulling out the covers, and confiscating my phone.

- No more depressing music for you, I've had it. We get it, you're sad. We all have been there, you included. Guess what ? Staying in bed all day won't make you feel better, so you're gonna move it and take a nice and long shower because we're going out.

Seeing her this determined, fists on her hips, actually surprised me.

- I'm not, I muttered into the pillow.

- Oh yeah we are. There are plenty of boys in the world, you're stronger than that. So you better get your pretty ass in the shower before I kick the hell out of it.

To be honest, she had a fair point, and I obliged reluctantly, finding myself getting dressed up faster than I expected. By foot, we were a good hour away from the downtown, and with that infernal weather there was no way we were gonna walk, so she ordered a Uber for us and pushed my sorry self inside. The center of the city was crossed by the river, where the best bars were, and about half of our school's students hung out in this area, so it was always crowded, even in December. Teenagers and young adults were drinking cheap beer, smoking weed and/or selling drugs. It was the perfect place to meet new people. We could already see people chatting noisily by the docks, some dudes peeing on the river, others playing the djembe or singing together in circles, passing the joint. The street was usually so crowded that when a police car went by to see if everything was in order, it rolled with difficulty, honking everybody standing in the middle of the road. Mandy's strategy was simple : getting my mind off of Jake. She wouldn't even say his name, and had me take a shot every time I did (which I didn't anyway). Despite all her efforts, I couldn't say I was into it. The night went by with me staying in the back as she befriended everyone, fake-smiling now and then when they tried to chat with me. Focusing on what they said has proved nearly impossible, so I excused myself, pretexting I had to go to the bathroom. I needed some alone time. I didn't even feel like drinking anything, even a soda. It was too crowded, too noisy, smelled like booze and beer too much, it was... everything was overwhelming for someone who had just lied motionless in silence for two whole days.

The bartenders didn't say a word about me coming into their bar in the sole purpose of using their toilets. I don't even think they saw me at all with all the yelling people lined up against the counter to get their drinks. The crowd was compact, and my frame nearly got smashed between strangers' bodies when I tried to come through it, tripping over when I got out of this sea of limbs, and finally bumping heads with some drunk dude.

- Sorry, we said in unison, lifting a hand to our head.

The sound of my name made me gaze up, reporting my attention on something else than the floor. Josh. Of course. Could my luck be any worse ? At this point I must say that I wasn't even surprised. He looked far too drunk, and smelled a disgusting mix of whisky and beer. Trying to wave him off before passing him didn't succeed, because he grabbed my wrist, saying we should talk, pulling me outside on the busy street where I just came from.

- Josh I don't want to hear-

As a response, his index finger pressed sloppily against my lips, shushing me, making me frown.

- I didn't get to say everything I needed, did I ?

At this point I wasn't even annoyed, just tired and sorry for the both of us. He looked almost as miserable as me, and was he alone ? My eyes shot glances from side to side, waiting for his friends to pick him up, or worse, his brothers. But nobody seemed to care about us, let alone witness us.

- Whatever, let's talk.

Sending a to text Mandy beforehand in case she thought I was once again locked in the bathroom, I let Josh walk me to the bridge at the end of the street, far from the crowd. The wind kept brushing our faces at full speed, making my ears ache and my fingers sting. It was so cold outside I couldn't understand why everybody kept coming at the docks, this was the worst place ever in Winter. Josh sat on a step leading to the top of the bridge, only wearing a light suede jacket, not bothered in the slightest by this awful weather. The boy kept looking at his feet, his mouth a pout, his gaze unfocused, looking deep in thought.

- Josh if you're not going to say anyth-

- I didn't know what to do about it, he interrupted like he didn't hear me at all. I panicked ? You have to believe me, doll, I'm so sorry about it. What should have I done ? You're my friend and he's my brother, what a shitty situation. It wasn't my place to tell you, it was his. He should've known, it was so fucking obvious to everyone except him, what an idiot...

Josh began rambling, shaking his head in disbelief. I felt my cheeks color at the new knowledge that everybody knew about my crush on Jake except himself. My shame level was about to burst, it was so embarrassing.

- He doesn't know ?

Needing to confirm this, I barely whispered but the boy heard me, staring intently into my eyes before shaking his head no, and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

- He's an idiot, commented Josh. Can't even see his relationship has been going to the dogs since months now. And I'm deeply sorry his incompetent ass put you in this situation. Now I obviously can't beat him up for you but I do can steal his socks to piss him off.

What ? Josh kept rambling on and slurring, to the point I didn't know if he was talking to me or to himself. So Jake's relationship wasn't all great... It happened to everybody, I guess. It didn't rejoice me in any way, however. If anything, I felt empathy for him. Maybe it's not that he was oblivious, but that he wanted for this to work so much he willingly chose to ignore that his relationship was falling apart. According to Josh's mumbling, their love was dying. Knowing Jake better now I could picture him genuinely trying his best to make things work, even though there wasn't anything he could do about it, and it made me sad. Because who knew this feeling of helplessness better than me ? It made me see things from a new perspective. Why was I even fighting with Josh ? Again ? It was futile and childish. I felt betrayed out of anger and sadness. It didn't mean he handled the situation perfectly, oh no. But staying mad at him wouldn't change anything. Jake wasn't going to quit his girlfriend anytime soon and I didn't wish him that. I couldn't live a lie either. Now at least I knew he was in a relationship, and I could finally move on. And while doing it, I could help a friend.

- It's alright Josh, I interrupted his monologue. Come here, let's go.

Josh took the hand offered to him and with some difficulty, I helped him up, letting him wrap himself around me, hugging me tightly, making me giggle.

- Where are we going ?, he whined in my shoulder while I called a cab.

- Home.

[primedirection]

Homecoming

In which things don't go as planned

Warnings: A lil angst & a lil fluff mentions of panic attack

AN: Kinda did this one for me idk.. Hope you like it anyway!

(Uce- Samoan for brother. Sounds like oose)

Harry wasn't coming home.

He'd been away for three months this time and it seemed to be the hardest. Promises of coming home were thrown around left and right so much it lost it's merit. It was supposed to be his last week two weeks ago and yet he was still needed all over the place for reasons she lost track of. Hosting for James Corden, Album teaser promos, Gucci photo shoots, music video location scouting, auditions and so on and so forth. So busy that at best she was lucky she got a text of recognition or a FaceTime session every other week.

Honestly she tried not to fault him for it, not to hold it against him. She understood more than anyone what his career meant to him and how hard he worked to achieve his goals and dreams. Truly a blessing and a curse all at once. But once the disappointment hit it, it hit and took it's tole.

For right now she was done dealing with it.

She'd been so fed up of being alone and having no one to talk to in person that she requested the week off from work and sent for tor nephews to come visit. The same week of vacation time she'd been planning to use to visit Harry on the road. But decided that she'd only be a distraction to him during the short moments she did get to see him. The boys were out for the summer anyway and thanks to the overwhelming Facebook post of their mother, she knew they all could use a break.

From the moment that they stepped inside the departure terminal she realized that she had made the right decision. Bombarded with affection from all directions the second they were close enough. The relief practically consuming her. It was all quite surreal since she practically helped raise them. Like just yesterday she was changing their diapers for extra cash on the weekends so that their parents date nights could ensue. Now here they are teenage heartbreakers bragging about their own personal lives.

As the week went by things only got better. For once the massive house was filled with endless laughter and the type of love that came without judgment and ridicule. Unconditional love. That alone created a joy so pure that the evilest intentions couldn't spoil it. Something she honestly hasn't felt in a while. The atmosphere was almost magical whenever either of their families visited and this time was no different.

This was exactly what the doctor ordered and a complete win-win situation. Because while she gave them something to somewhat brag about to all their friends back home (via pictures with their beloved uncle's Mustang) they gave her enough peace of mind to stop checking her phone every 30 seconds, nonetheless throughout the entire day. To the point she felt comfortable enough to turn it off. Thanks to the hyperactive bunch most nights sleep found her first since the boys turned out to be a handful in the best way.

Or so she thought.

When it was their final day she decided to go all out. An early trip to The Grove to spoil them rotten, as any elected favorite auntie would. Then retired back home to fire up the grill for dinner while the two full-blown teenagers made their last rounds of projecting themselves like missiles inside the pool.

"Heyyy, unless y'all want to find out how edible chlorine is y'all better chill out!" She shouted playfully over her shoulder when a particular splash reached far enough to soak her from the waist down. ”Now out of the water so we can eat!" She retreated back inside the house followed by a chorus of disappointed 'AWWWWWs'.

"Good to see you're 'avin fun," Harry's sudden appearance in the kitchen nearly made her scream. So divulged in burger making she never noticed him. Short hair a mess from his incessant hand's tousling, everything about him was hard and only amplified by the bags resting under his eyes.

Though by the look on his face and his tone she wasn't sure how to feel. The impulsive urge to rush over and enrapt him in over due love was killed when she felt the energy around him. Clearly he was upset. So she gently tested the waters, "When did you get back?"

"You'd know if you read at least one of my fuckin' messages," Harry was pissed and right now her oblivion to it only made it worse as he silently noted that she didn't rush to greet him as he had expected.

They were both stubborn to a fault sometimes, this one being one of them. And while he had his passive aggressive moments she had her combative confronting moments to match them. Thus why disagreements often turned into war zones.

In her eyes he had absolutely no right to be this angry, "You mean the one you send every other week? Sorry, didn't know I was supposed to wait every got damn second by the phone for a chance you might get the urge to call me!"

"S'not like you couldn't call me. Guess I'm not much of priority to you when I'm across the world am I? Much less having a panic attack," That's not at all what he wanted to say. He honestly didn't even mean it. But sometimes, very rarely, he spoke without thinking. Though every single one of those times his words were purposely reckless, usually with the intent of pushing buttons. Which in this case happened to be several of hers.

There was so many things wrong with his rebuttal that it frazzled her, "Panic attack?!"

"Yeah. Tha' thing where you can't breathe and it really feels like you're dying," his attitude was in full force as he elaborated.

Her eyes narrowed in a glare, "How was I supposed to know that would happen when I finally try and distract myself?"

"There's a difference between distracting yourself and flat out ignoring me,"

"So now it's my fault that you don't know when to fucking quit? One more week.. one more week.. Jeff says this Jeff says that blah blah blah!" She mocks his voice angrily. "Do you ever even think of how hard it is for me when you're gone? You've got hundreds of people constantly around you and I'm just here alone in this big ass house-"

"Fuck this!" He groans utterly aggravated, pivoting on his heels to storm out. The past three days had felt like the worst of his life and she was totally none the wiser. Even now as he struggled to keep afloat, to keep his head above water she only seemed interested in knocking him down.

"Fuck what? Fuck me? Is that what you're saying?" She demanded hurt, meanwhile in his mind he knew she was seeing nothing but red.

At that response he knew this was going nowhere fast, definitely nowhere good anyway. He couldn't talk to her when she was like this, angry beyond reason where even the most innocent things rub her the wrong way.

"Uce?!" As soon as he was noticed they both knew the argument was temporarily over. Long ago she had indulged Harry of their dysfunctional childhood due to the immaturity of their parents, and sworn to always provide safe spaces for them. So for everyone's sake she quickly left the room, using her soiled clothes as an excuse.

Harry may not have been in any mood to host but managed to allow his anger to dissipate when he was pulled into welcoming hugs. He loved her family, especially her nephews. The respect and regard they had for her was daunting and unparalleled. Upon first meeting them, at thirteen and fourteen years old they laid into him better than any father ever could or ever had. Especially since hers passed away when she was young. So profoundly protective there was no surprise on his end when they shared their plan of walking her down the aisle to give her away someday. Though now they were in every way his family without marriage. "We thought you were taking over the world again Uce, what happened?"

Uce, a nickname that was lovingly given to him by the entirety of her family because of his thick accent whenever he said the word 'us'. Endearing enough to immediately strip him of any and all ill feelings. "Not happy to see me?" He teased knowing full well just how much they adored him in return. Proven when they both erupted in offense bright eyed and bushy tailed.

"Uhhh... she's cool, or whatever but even when we're having fun she's still intense," the younger of the brothers informed pointing in the direction she disappeared in.

"And she doesn't have the keys, Uce! She doesn't have the keys!" The elder of the two wailed in true melodramatic fashion.

"Keys?" Harry queries with a frown and yet amused, leaning against the counter and folding his arms over his chest patiently waiting to be clued in on their slang. "Keys to wha'?"

"You know, the Audi.. The girls... How do we get into one of those wild model parties where they do org-"

"Boy the next word out of your mouth better be organization! And you need to be talking about the keys to passing your college entry exams!" She yells on her way upstairs. She'd be so happy when the girl craze phase was over for them, and it couldn't come soon enough.

"See what I mean?" The younger of the two mutters through a mouth full of food shaking his head and Harry started to laugh. He'd never be able to convey how much he missed them when they weren't around. Just them being there almost made him forget he was angry to begin with. Almost. "Anyway you never answered my question?"

Harry sighs heavily suddenly exhausted, "Didn't feel well,"

Sparking even more questions from the two young boys, "Don't you have doctors that travel with you for that?" Snowballing to a squabble even, "Is it contagious?" "Dude!" "I'm just saying, I have football practice when we get back I can't afford to be sick,"

Chuckling despite himself Harry shook his head, "No mate, was a panic attack. Jus' need some rest, been going non stop,"

Both their faces dropped with worry, "Whoa. You okay Uce? I mean is it cool we're here?"

Harry nodded reassuringly, "M' getting there," honestly adding, "Thanks to you lot. Actually wish I'd been here the whole time, s' been awhile since I've seen you last,"

The eldest made a nonchalant noise, "We'll be visiting again soon don't worry. Especially when you start touring for real, the ladies need me,"

"Mate, have you ever heard of quality over quantity? That is the biggest key,"

"Yeah just now, and look who you're with. The biggest control freak of them all,"

Although Harry wasn't totally thrilled with her he had to admit, "It's actually quite sexy when she's not being a pain in the arse,"

"Bruh, I'm eating!" The younger brother snarled and Harry laughed at that. God, he loved them. Practically the little brothers he's always wanted. That feeling in particular struck remembrance inside him, remembrance of what brought on the panic attack in the first place.

He wasn't happy. Sure his professional life was thriving since business was booming, but his relationship suffered the most because of it. These days he was hardly ever home, barely even had the time to make phone calls and the realization scared him. Not once did she complain but he wasn't blind to the fact she was slowly but surely slipping from his grasp. Whether or not her cold shoulder had been intentional over the past week it shook him down to the core. So many of his previous relationships ended like that, with them losing the will to fight for him. Not that he was putting in the same effort back then and he had the worst habit of blaming them for it anyway. Hince the incident a little while ago. But that was the absolute last thing he wanted for them. It just wasn't worth it.

Harry wanted romantic vacations, joint family holidays, anniversary parties, babies! Lots and lots of babies...

A distinct warning pang in his chest made him realize he had to take advantage of the boy's presence while he could. Glancing over his shoulder, he listened hard to make sure the shower was running, "Since we're on the topic I need to talk you lads about something,"

"If it's about your sex life please don't,"

"Relax if I wanted to torture you I'd left you with her. I'm talking about tour. I've been thinking and after this week I'm not sure I want to do it. Like anymore.. Or well at least for right now anyway,"

"Please don't do this to me, I'll finally be old enough to get in the club by the end of this year!" The elder boy whined and the younger smacked the side of his head annoyed.

"Dude shut up he's serious! Anyway... Why not?"

Harry was filled with nerves deciding to break it down nice and easy, "Remember what you told me when we first met?"

"Yeah, 'why are your jeans so tight'? To be honest I'm still wondering...that can't be good for you." The eldest teased.

"Not tha'," Harry chuckled rolling his eyes.

A lightbulb seemed to go off in the mind of the youngest, "Oh, that we're a packaged deal and anything you want with her has to be run through us first,"

Harry took a deep breath nodding in confirmation, "Well, man to man...to man. I think you've had long enough to feel me out. Have I earned your blessings to become your official uncle?"

"Let me get this straight, you want to skip a worldwide tour and a chance to make millions more to get married? Weddings aren't all that much fun,"

"To get married, to go on a honeymoon, and to start making your baby cousins," Harry clarified.

"I'm more so concerned at you not knowing you already had it. We wouldn't have let her move in if we didn't,"

"Yeah Uce, we've all been wondering what the hell is taking so long. Especially grandma, she's been super suspicious of your Aquarius nature," the older boy teased and both boys laughed apparently there was an inside joke he wasn't aware of.

"To be fair I was waiting for your aunt to say something. Guess she's not much of a control freak like we thought huh?" Harry muttered stealing fries from both their plates.

"Yeah right, do you have a ring?" The younger asked as he shielded his plate from Harry's invasion.

"Still having it made," he confessed a little embarrassed.

"Well don't pop it out without us!"

Harry snorted, "Mate, I'd never dream of it," and from the bottom of his heart he meant it.

After everyone showered, the final movie night had progressed rather smoothly. Horror was the only genre the boys would focus on, though it probably had something to do with all the topless scenes in them. Nevertheless she picked this one; 'Wrong Turn' easily one of her favorites.

To her surprise before it started Harry came in the room, dressed in a loose gray T-shirt and navy basketball shorts. Earning a round of cheers from his ever adoring audience. He sat in the row of plush recliners directly behind the boys and it kind of hurt her feelings since she was in the one in front of them. "S' your last night here where else would I be?"

For a long beat of a moment they both exchanged wary glances before drifting back to the screen in front of them. Though in reality she was hardly paying attention. Her curiosity peaked through the roof at just what it took to get him to join. Mostly because, she knew better than anyone when Harry was in a bad mood he isolated himself. But just now he didn't seem to be the slightest bit hostile. Then again she shouldn't be too surpised given he was just another giant kid to them.

Against her better judgment she spared another look just to find him already staring at her. A dimple sinking in one cheek as the corner of his lips tug in a reluctant smile. In turn making her belly swell with butterflies of relief. She also became painfully aware of the distance between them and hated it.

Before she even had time to process the idea of swallowing her pride, she was up out of her seat with her blanket wrapped around her. She could've easily sat in either of the seats beside him but that still wasn't close enough. "Truce?" She whispered pouting guiltily, waving the tag of her soft throw blanket like a flag.

But apparently she wasn't as quiet as she thought, "Wait, you guys are fighting?" Both boys were turned around in their seats, eyes ping ponging back and forth between them worried. Ultimately falling on her, "What did you do?"

"If you don't mind your own business I swear to God you're going to the airport tonight!" She warned icily and that quickly got them to turn back around.

At first Harry doesn't say anything, he simply reclines his seat further back and readjusts his legs to make room for her. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief. Springing into action, she climbed in next to him sitting with her legs draped over his lap tenting them both in warmth. From there they practically melted into one another her chest to his front, stealing kisses and touches they'd been deprived of. Silent apologies in a way, but just in case she said it aloud, "I'm sorry H," tucking her face into the crook of his neck. The closer she was the better she felt. "Should've been there for you."

"S' okay love me too, I should've been here," he sighed holding on tighter.

"Well we're all here now so can we watch the movie please?" The eldest brother chimed.

She started to swat him in the head from behind until Harry caught her wrist and laughed, "Sorry lads won't happen again," figuring there was a better way to make it up to her quietly. Confusion was blatantly on her face up until Harry stealthily slipped his hand under her shirt, sliding upwards tortuously slow. To stifle her impatience she kissed him deep then. But before she could receive the pleasure of the taste of his lips properly Harry stiffened, and not in the place she wanted him to.

Eyes peeling back open Harry's smirk was sheepish and directed to the front. Met with a grimace, "Ugh puhleeease don't be that couple!" And a glare, "Yeah, I really don't want to be in the room when my baby cousin is conceived,"

She rolled her eyes, "Tuh, it's only fair. I was right next door when both of you were." Kissing him again and causing an over the top show of dry heaving and gagging.

"Uce, c'mon man make it stop!"

Harry merely smiled finally feeling like all was right in the world again. "Gotta keep it fresh lads, it's key."

[bubblieywubbliey]

Evan x Fem!Reader (SMUT) - Practice

The reader is Evan’s best friend and grew up with Zoe and Connor as she lives next door to him. Evan is crushing hard on Zoe and you’re struggling with your crush liking the girl you dated (You used to date Zoe and Evan doesn't know, you guys are still friends). The reader isn’t a virgin (You dated Connor as well as Zoe, both of whom you'd had sex with during the course of the relationship.) so she offers to teach him how to kiss and things… escalate. You are also still insecure about your body and have self-harm scars on your thighs. There is a lot of fluff/story setup at the beginning, so I’ll mark where that stops and smut begins! 

I wrote this for me personally originally so it’s very specific to me... Feel free to make requests for anything you’d like! I’m really into DEH at the moment so any ship you like, I’m down to write! I’ll write LGBT fics, any smut with kinks, whatever you fancy! There will be a sequel continuing this!

Warning: References to Self Harm, Smut, Swearing

You turn to look at your best friend Evan Hansen. He was rambling to you, Jared and Connor while you ate lunch, about what his therapist told him about managing his anxiety.

“And she said d-don’t worry about your hands getting sweaty, or they’ll be sweaty and even when you try to dry them it will get worse and the way to d-distract yourself is to imagine everyone naked, but then I get really u-uncomfortable because I think everyone’s naked and then I tried it when I was talking to Zoe and I got a b-b-bon- you know a-”

“Evan!” You interrupt him as he starts to spiral out of control. He inhaled and turned to face you.

“Y-yeah?” He flashed a nervous smile at you and you reached out to touch the top of his hand, he jumped but let it stay there. You looked him in the eyes and smiled softly.

“Calm down, okay? I’m sure she didn’t notice, you left straight away right?” You patted his arm before letting go and retracting it, still smiling.

“Y-yes! I, um well I actually r-ran away.” He corrected you, blushing. “She’s just so… so…” You flinched internally as he was lost for words to describe her, how perfect she was. It hurt, you knew it shouldn’t but it did. “I know she says we’re friends but I don’t really know how to talk to her without you guys there and she’s so beautiful…”

“Dude, that’s my sister you’re talking about getting a boner for!” Connor seemed to register what was being discussed and thumped the table. “Seriously dude just ask her out already so I can stop wanting to punch you!” Conner huffed and sunk down in his chair a little more and sulked.

“S-sorry!” Evan stuttered and blushed even more than before. You punched Connor in the arm.

“Listen, Evan, if you really want to ask Zoe out I could come over tonight and give you some pointers?’ You still cringed at the idea of Evan - YOUR Evan asking your other best friend AND ex-girlfriend out. “I could tell you the kind of stuff she likes?”

“R-Really? That would be great Y/N!” the bell rang, Evan grinned and jumped up from his seat, kissing you hurriedly on the cheek and running away excitedly. You froze in your seat as his lips touched your cheek and felt a stirring in the depths of your stomach. At this moment you were truly grateful you weren’t a guy or there may have been some issues downstairs.

“Y/N? Are you okay?” Jared poked you gently in the shoulder to check. “The bell went, we need to go..” you jumped at the contact.

“Yeah.” You sighed and got up and the three of you started walking to your next class.

“You struggling with Evan liking Zoe?” Connor asked, seemingly gentle and understanding for an unprecedented moment.

“W-what? No! I-I could care less about who Evan likes! I don’t care at all, not a bit!” You stuttered and tripped through the sentence, startled by Connor’s perceptive question.

“ I think the lady doth protest too much!” Jared quipped as you threw a nasty glare in his direction as he began to laugh. “Wow, Evan huh? Didn’t see that coming! He’s such a dork, the guy can’t even string a proper sentence together!”

“Jared! Leave me alone! This is bullying!” You shoved him gently and he pushed you back.

“I’m just sayin’ you’re hot! You could have picked pretty much any guy in the school! But you picked the socially awkward guy who has an unachievable crush on his best friend’s ex-girlfriend?”

“Sshh! He’s doesn’t know we dated! And I-I didn’t choose it! I haven’t! I don’t like Evan that way! I’m not even hot, I don’t know what you mean by that.” You struggled to lie to Jared since you knew him so well.

“Sure, Y/N. Sure. That’s why you and Connor used to fuck every night.” Jared chuckled while Connor sniggered behind the pair of you.

“Shut up! I do not have a crush on Evan Hansen!” You yelled, getting strange looks from passers-by. “Dumbasses.”

You arrived at Evan’s house, nervous about what you had planned to say to Evan. You knocked on the door gingerly and watched as Evan’s face appeared behind the now open door.

“Hey! T-thanks for this again. You r-really didn’t have to.” Evan smiled and opened the door, hugging you lightly before allowing you into the house.

“No problem! Anything for you, Evan.” You smiled, sitting down on the couch. “So, how can I help? I could tell you about the kind of romantic moves have worked on her in the past? She dated Aaron Jones last year and he only ever wanted to make out and fuck so she broke up with him so I would do something sensitive that doesn’t have any expectations tied to it?”

“M-make out? I’ve, um I-I-” He stuttered again, you could see him starting to panic.

“Whoa, okay don’t worry about that yet! I was thinking of something slightly subtle. Maybe a double date in the park, there’s less pressure for it to be a date-date?” You suggested gently as Evan began to calm down.

“Y-yeah. That could work, I’ll ask her tomorrow. Could you come? As my double date, uh bring whoever you like? B-but not Aaron James!” His eyes widened at the idea.

“I, um I don’t think that’s a good idea Ev, ask Jared or Connor? I have a lot of work to get done over the next couple of weeks..” You excused yourself and Evan’s face fell.

“I understand, o-of course I’ll ask Jared.”

”Y/N! I did it! I asked Zoe out! She said yes! I’m going with Jared and his mystery boyfriend? Do you know who it is?” You looked up at Evan and smiled.

“Great Evan! I’m so glad you were able to do that... Not sure who his boyfriend is!” You shrugged and Evan smiled back before looking anxious again, you touched his arm and you knew he was still worrying about Aaron James and his adventurous tongue. “Hey, don’t spiral again…”

“I-I haven’t kissed a-anyone b-before! What if I’m b-bad at it? This is a bad idea maybe I should just leave Zoe she’s probably happy being just friends and I’m gonna ruin it and I don't know how kissing works and what if I bite her and then she hates me forever? What then? I just really wish someone could just t-teach me how! How do people know? Oh, w-wait I wasn’t asking YOU to teach me, that would be weird, right? That would be weird, right?” Evan’s breathing continued to get heavier and heavier. You knew he was very much asking now.

“Ev, I’d be happy to teach you, if you really want me to… Then you’d know what to do after the date. She usually kisses after the first date so you’ll be prepared?”

“O-oh I mean t-“ He stuttered in surprise.

“It’s fine! You don’t have to!” You backtracked.

“N-n-no! I would, I’d appreciate that. That would be really helpful. Really, um, really great..” He trailed off, you looked away and so did he.

“Okay then… Is your house okay?”

“Y-Yeah, my mom’s at college tonight.”

“Cool..”

“Cool…” You looked awkwardly at each other.

“It won’t even be like your first kiss because it’s not with someone you’re attracted to! So it’s just practice for the real one.”

“Y-Yeah! Not to say that you a-aren’t attractive you are! And funny and kind! I don’t want you to think that I think you’re ugly or something because… I definitely… D-don’t think that.” He finished awkwardly and you laughed softly and picked up your tray.

“I’ll be over at about 6.” Was your parting message before dropping your tray off and heading to jazz band.

When you arrived at jazz band you spoke sat next to Zoe as she practised on her guitar.

“Hey, Zo! I, I heard you and Evan are going on a date tomorrow..?” Zoe paused and looked up at you.

“Yeah! He finally asked me out, in all honesty, I don’t really think of him that was but he’s my friend and I want to give him a chance, you know? Maybe I can least give him his first kiss! There’s no other girl in the school who he’ll ever build up the courage to kiss, he’ll be waiting until college otherwise!” She smiled at you and your heart ached for Evan. Maybe it was weird, giving him pointers on a girl who was very clearly not interested in him, but you wanted to be closer to him, to be supportive of him. He was sweet and kind and handsome, the likelihood was high that Zoe would grow to care about him in a romantic way. Smiling at Zoe you nodded, wishing her luck on the date.

You brushed your teeth as soon as you got home from band practice after school. Eating a mint and picking out your nicest bra (who knows how far the kissing would go? Maybe you could teach him some other things too…) you put on a skirt with a skirt tucked in, before changing your mind and putting on jeans and a t-shirt, then finally picking a skirt with fishnet tights underneath along with a shirt and jumper. Sighing at the exhausting decision-making process, you headed to Evan’s house.

You arrived at 6 pm on the dot and knocked. He opened the door and hugged you in his awkward way and let you in. You sat down on the sofa in his living room and patted the spot next to you. The smell of aftershave was a little overwhelming and you chuckled to yourself as you noticed an empty packet of mints on the coffee table.

“Come on, I won’t bite.” You beckoned him to sit again and he shuffled over to you, fiddling with the hem of his shirt. He sat gingerly on the edge of the seat and looked at you.

“Okay, this is going to be fine okay? If you want we can watch TV for a bit so you can get comfortable again?”

“T-That would be great!” Evan’s shoulders dropped a little as he realised he wouldn’t have to kiss you just yet. You weren’t sure if it was disappointment or relief.

“Feel like watching Heathers? I found a bootleg online! I know how you feel about those but we did pay to go and watch it twice…”

“U-Um sure,” Evan replied smiling. You switched the TV to show YouTube and entered brought up the video.

30 minutes into the show you decided the anticipation had gone on for far too long and he seemed relaxed enough. “Evan I’m going to kiss you now.” You warned him and his eyes went completely wide. You leaned across and put your hand on the side of his face and pressed your lips to his. He was completely still during the kiss and placed an apprehensive hand on your waist before pulling away.

“Wow… Um, t-thanks! I didn’t know kissing was that… that nice. I, um I-I, wow.” He blinked heavily and turned back to the musical and you sighed before replying and placing your feet on his lap to continue watching.

“Yeah… Just, try to be a little more comfortable? Don’t just accept the kiss, be involved in it! Why don’t we take a little break, huh?” You finished your sentence as he began to stress out again.

“O-Okay.” He mumbled.

About ten minutes later Evan began to look uncomfortable. You realised why pretty quickly, it was the scene in the movie where Veronica sang Dead Girl Walking. The actors were grinding and kissing stage and Veronica was wearing a skirt and a bra while JD was shirtless. You had to admit you were getting a little hot under the collar watching them. Evan gingerly removed your feet from his lap and asked you quietly, eyes flashing from you to the TV in front of him. “C-could we try that again?”

“Of course, if you’re sure?” You asked and he nodded.

You pulled yourself onto his lap and he jumped a little, sitting up a little straighter and you smiled before leaning in and connected your lips to his once again. You took a moment to appreciate the softness of his lips, the warmth coming from them. His hands wave around a little as he tried to figure out what to do with them during the significantly more passionate kiss. You gripped his shirt at the shoulders and pressed yourself closer to him while you made out for a few minutes. He finally places one hand on your waist and another behind your neck, you rubbed your tongue across his bottom lip and he gasped, you took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, both of you breathing more and more heavily as you slid your hands up and down his chest. “Evan..” you moaned out and began to kiss his neck softly.

“Y/N..” He gasped, rubbing your back gently. “Y-Y/N! S-Stop!” He pushed you off him shakily. He crossed his legs. “T-Thanks. That was… helpful.. wow. U-Um I need to go to the toilet.” Evan got up quickly with his back to you and ran towards the staircase.

*smut starts here*

“Evan!” You called out and he turned his head to you. “Come here..” you sighed sympathetically. He kept his back towards you as he moved in your direction, trying his best to hide what was clearly a boner. “It’s okay, you know? It’s natural. You’ve never experienced that kind of intimacy before!”

“I-I didn’t mean to! I just couldn’t control it because the kissing was getting so intense and you’re so pretty plus I don’t really, um, touch… y-you know… that very often so when I got excited h-he got excited too I’m really sorry!” He rambled before trailing off. An idea struck you and you stood up and made him turn towards you. His boner was very evident and you sniggered slightly to yourself.

“It’s okay…” You laughed, blushing at his compliment and kissed him again. He jumped back a little as your thigh brushed against his crotch.

“Y-Y/N..” You reached down between the two of you and began to unbutton his pants. “What are you…” He breathed as you began to palm him. He took a half step backwards but moved no further, allowing your hand to remain in its current location.

“It’s all part of the lesson Ev, only if you’re okay with it though. We can stick to kissing if you’d like, that’s completely okay.” You looked him in the eyes, pausing your ministrations.

“C-Can you teach me, um, how to- you know, do… that stuff? I want to be good for Zoe, i-if we go that far. I’m s-scared I won’t… well last. Connor always talks about it like it’s so easy! And I k-know you have experience in that… area.”

“Of course Ev, if you really want that. We’ll stick to the basics okay? If you wanna know a secret, Connor was terrible at sex, to begin with! He learnt over time and so will you… If you want that. We can stop whenever you want, we’ll go slowly?” He nodded nervously and fiddled with the hem of his shirt. “If you ever want to stop, let me know okay? Just shout…” You looked over at the baseball glove on the mantle, “Shout ‘glove’ okay?” He nodded at you as you kissed him again, still palming him against the outside of his khakis.

“Y/N... Oh my... If you’re not careful I won’t learn... anything today..” He mumbled into the kiss.

“What did you say?” You chuckled, he seemed to be relaxing a little.

“U-um, nothing! W-What did you say because I didn’t say anything at all I think that was yo- oh god! God!” He cried out as you slipped your hands inside his khakis and pulled his dick out. It was… unexpectedly large. You crouched down and licked gently up the side and his legs wobbled, he reached out a hand to grab the arm of the sofa. “H-Holy s-shit…” His eyes closed as you began to blow his 7-inch dick. “Y-Y/N, stop, stop I can’t hold it, glove!” He cried out and you pulled off him with a pop and looked up smiling.

“You okay?” Evan looked away momentarily, all his nerves overcoming him once again. You stood up and hugged him, pulling back you smiled. “Do you want to stop?” He smiled and shook his head.

“N-No I’m enjoying it, I just felt really nervous because I‘ve never h-had you know a b-blowjob and so I feel really awkward, I-I don’t know what to do, like where do I put my hands? Do I m-move or let you do all the work because that seems mean and I d-don’t want you to think I’m using you because you’re my best friend Y/N and I want you to feel valued. M-Maybe we should just stop, I feel like I-I’m taking advantage of you!” He began to spiral again and you stood up to face him.

“We can stop if you want to, but if we do this- well if I teach you how to do this, it’s not using me, not if I enjoy it too okay? It’s okay for you to enjoy it, casual sex is very normal okay?”

“C-casual s... I, um okay, I’m sorry I’m just panicking a little.”

“We can take a break whenever you need okay? We don’t even have to go all the way, alright?” He pulled his boxers back up the little way you had pushed them down and buttoned his trousers.

“A-Alright…” He replied, breathing heavily and you pulled him into a hug. He hugged you back, gripping your shirt tightly. After a few minutes of the hug, his breathing calmed and he let go. “Okay..”

“So, I’m just gonna kiss you now, since you seem completely comfortable with that. Remember to be natural, and it’s fine to enjoy it!” He nodded and placed his hands gingerly on your waist, fiddling with the hem of your shirt now. His eyes flashed from your eyes to your breasts, before looking away guiltily.

You chuckled again and pulled him into a kiss, ever so often straying to his jawline and neck until he became accustomed to that, you sucked roughly on his neck and he moaned out, not able to hold it in. “S-Sorry, I’ll be… shit… Be quieter…” he apologised, and you looked up at him, a little shocked.

“E-Evan… I like it. Really, be as vocal as you like.” You smile at him and he let out a breath.

“Okay, um, okay, we can, um, wecankeepgoingifyoulike.” The words tumbled out of his mouth and you chuckled slightly.

“Pardon?”

“I-I said we could c-continue if you becauseIwasreallyenjoyingthat.”

“Hmm. Okay.” You placed his hands on your waist and kissed him again softly. “You’re so.. god...” You muttered into his neck before hesitating and pulling away, he laughed a little, nose crinkling that way it always did when he found something amusing. You blushed and he smiled at you, thumbs starting to rub your waist.

“So, so what now?”

“Depends, do you feel ready to go any further? We can stop here if you want.” You reminded him.

“No!” He blurted out before one hand flew from your waist to his mouth, eyes wide. He removed his hand and spoke again. “S-Sorry. Do you want to stop? I don’t want to take, y’know advantage or anything.” He gestured towards  

“No. Ev, it’s fine, you aren’t taking advantage of me, you’re allowed to enjoy it.” You reassured him, placing his hands back onto your waist and connecting your lips to his again. He whimpered softly when you slid a hand under his shirt to rub his chest. You deepened the kiss, slipping your tongue into his mouth, easily dominating the kiss, he gingerly slid a hand up and down your waist and you began to unbutton your shirt.

“Um, o-okay, wowwe’rereallydoingthiswowokay,” he mumbled to himself and you took one of his hands off your waist and gently held it. You kissed down his neck, the hand that wasn’t holding his was rubbing collarbone under his polo shirt. His other hand is now on your shoulder.

“Hey, you can touch me you know, here.” You let go of him and pulled your arms out of the sleeves and threw your shirt to the ground. He gasped at the sight of you covered breasts.

"Wow." He breathed out, you pulled his hands up to touch them and he groaned a little. "U-um is this good?" He asked quietly, rubbing his thumbs over your clothed nipples.

"Mmh..." You muttered out, he stared at you, your eyes were closed as you enjoyed the sensation. You reached back to undo the bra and he stopped you.

"I-Is it okay if you um, if you leave it on for now? I don't... I don't think I could actually handle that." He glanced away from you, embarrassed.

"No problem Ev, in all honesty, Zoe isn't the biggest fan of that kind of stimulation anyway so there isn't much point learning about that."

"Huh? Did she tell you that?"

You blushed, not wanting to share your past relationship with Zoe with him just yet, fearing some kind of disgust or negative reaction. "Y-Yeah, I guess we share that kind of stuff with each other..." You cringed internally at the mediocre excuse but he seemed to accept it readily.

"O-Okay. So, should I take my shirt off?" He asked, you nodded, his expression became slightly anxious again and so you pulled the shirt over his head, giving him a small smile to reassure him.  You kissed him again, running your hands over his chest before pushing him down onto the sofa and straddling his thighs. You glanced over him, slightly lost for words at his beauty. His chest was surprisingly covered with hairs and freckles dusted his shoulders. Stretch marks littered his hips and he noticed you looking at them and he closed his eyes, not wanting to see your reaction.

"Ev, you're so perfect." You leaned forward and mumbled into his ear before kissing his neck softly. He turned slightly red and stuttered out a reply.

"I-I'm really not..." You pulled back, giving him a stern glare. Leaning forward you kissed up and down his jaw to punctuate your next sentence

"You are. Evan Hansen. You are beautiful. You know that right? I mean you're so handsome and sweet, and the kindest person I know. Remember that. Okay?" You both blushed at your outburst and he nodded subtly. You nodded back and kissed his neck slowly, leaving a couple of hickeys while he gasped out, eyes wide at the sensation. His hands ran up and down your back as he moaned out your name.

"Y/N... God that feels so good." You smiled into his neck, realising he was becoming more comfortable around you. He pulled your face back up gently to kiss him again and he then began to kiss down your neck, your head lolled back in pleasure as he slid his hands just under the hem of your skirt, rubbing your thighs through the holes in your fishnets.

"E-Evan!" You gasped out as he found your sweet spot, sucking it gently, you ground down onto his hips and he gasped into your neck, his forehead pressed against your chin as he groaned softly. “Jesus… I thought you’d never done this before?” You asked in disbelief as he slid a hand up to the hemline of your tights, even closer to where you needed him almost desperately.

“Is this okay?” He whispered into your neck as he hooked his fingers into the waistband. You exhaled a soft reply.

“Oh my god, yes.” He pulled your tights down at the top, you could feel his hands shaking while he did it, he continued to kiss your neck as he pulled your tights further down. “Evan…” you gasped out again and your breathing intensified. “Holy shit you haven’t even touched me yet.” You mumbled to yourself.

“Huh?” he paused, not hearing your comment.

“N-Nothing… Can we hurry up a little?” Evan nodded at you, eyes wide with excitement.

“Please, I’m um, I’m feeling much more, more comfortable. You, youmakemefeelreallysafe.”

“I’m glad you feel comfortable with me Ev, I feel safe with you too.” You replied, letting him take off your tights, following them with your skirt. Now just in your shirt, you kissed his neck again and unbuttoned his jeans. He inhaled suddenly as your hand brushed against his bulge. You stood up, now clad in only your bra and panties. He stood up too and kicked his khakis off his feet before you pulled him back into an embrace, kissing his neck again and running your hands up and down his arms and back before reaching down to hold his butt. He gulped as you reached into the waistband of his boxers, pulling them down over his ass. The rush of cold air took him by surprise and grabbed your hands, stopping you.

“Are you okay Evan?” He shrugged and replied to you.

“I’m worried… That I won’t be good enough for you, that you won’t enjoy it, or that I’ll… C-cum too early, I don’t exactly have any practice with, holding out- for very long. Is there a… a way to get you closer first? I… I want you t-to get something out of this too.” Your best friend looked away nervously, one of his common ticks that shone through when he began to let his anxiety take control.

“Of course, I mean I know it’s what Zoe tends to enjoy more than penetration- so, so she’s told me. That's the kind of stuff us girls talk about... Yep...” you trailed off once again. Evan nodded, blushing a little before apprehensively kissing you again. This time it was softly, pulling away he grinned at you, his nose crinkling up again. He kissed you again, slowly pressing soft kisses to your lips and around your jaw.

“Is, is this okay?" He muttered as he reached around to unclip your bra. His fingers ghosting over the strap, waiting for a reply.

"Y-yes fuck, just do it. I don't wanna keep waiting." Your whole body was tingling with excitement as he attempted to unclip your bra, he managed the task with little to no trouble and you took your arms out of the straps, looking up at him and smiling. You felt relief rush over you at having the layer removed, before a sense of nervousness spread through your chest, your heart beating faster as Evan glanced towards your chest and back to your face, attempting to gauge his reaction. Even though you were experienced, you were still insecure.

"Is it okay? I know they're not that big and Zoe's are nicer but-"

"N-No!" Evan interrupted you, eyes wide. "Um, they're- you. You're beautiful. But specifically... they... are beautiful. Really." He fumbled awkwardly with your fingers and tried to be reassuring. You weren't sure if you believed him but you nodded anyway. His fingers, which were previously resting on your hips, had travelled up to rest on the sides of your ribcage, where he apprehensively looked at your breasts. You pushed him down onto the bed and straddled him once again, feeling his hardness pressing against the inside of your thigh. Your mind raced as you ground down on him gently. He looked down at your waist briefly and you pulled his gaze back to you, directing him away from your scars. You kissed him, being slightly rougher as you grew impatient, wanting to just fuck him already. He closed his eyes, whimpering at the friction you provided.

"S-Shit..." he mumbled and you held back a chuckle, not wanting to make him uncomfortable. You took his hands from your waist, sitting up straight so they were opposite him and placed them onto your breasts and his eyes flew open. "Jesus!" He gasped out, attempting to move his hands away but you held them there.

"Ev, you don't have to just stare, you can touch. If you want to, no one’s forcing you.” You explained to you and he gently squeezed them and your eyes half-closed and he rubbed his fingers over the buds of them and stared at them in awe. Suddenly he leaned forward and took one nipple into his open mouth, rolling his tongue across the tip. You moaned out softly and he looked up at you, seemingly nervous about your response to his actions.

“Is that, um, good?” He asked, releasing you.

“God Evan don’t stop...” You panted out, head lolling back. He placed his mouth back on your chest and rubbed the other side gently, he anxiously wiggles his tongue against your flesh, watching you as you moaned out softly. He let go suddenly and you looked down at him.

“Okay, you’re a natural! That was, that was... really good Ev.” You were breathing heavily and he scoffed lightly, holding back a smile. “Can we… head up to your room? It’s a little weird doing it down here with all the pictures of your mum…”

“Y-Yeah, of course, I get that, totally, definitely we can go upstairs. To the room… That I sleep in, to my bedroom.” Evan rambled once again and blushed gently. You took him by the hand and led him.

You stood up and grabbed your clothes, then the pair of you walked into his bedroom hand in hand, you climbed under the covers and he copied you. Kissing you again, he rubbed tiny circles on the small of your back. You reached underneath the covers and attempted to remove his boxers and he pushed them away.

“Um, How do I say this? I want to, um, you know we talked about teaching me to um- you know what it’s fine whatever you want to do is completely fine with me!”

“Evan, it’s about you learning, so yes it’s about mutual pleasure but there’s no point to this if you don’t tell me what you want too, okay?” He nodded silently and you gave him a stern look.

“Um, I mean, can you teach me how to… howtofingeryou?”

“Oh, sure…” A million thoughts raced through your head on how to hide these scars from him. Evan pulled the duvet back and got distracted once again by your breasts. You smiled at his vague innocence and chuckled slightly. Evan inhaled deeply and looked back up at you. He kissed you again, before migrating down to your breasts, licking and sucking gently while you gasped out, he couldn’t help but continue, almost addicted to the sound of your whimpers and moans. “Jesus Evan, that feels so-uh! So fucking good…”

Before you knew it Evan had, with a burst of confidence brought on by your praise, pulled your panties off and kissed you, this time it was more passionate, he stopped observing your body with awe. Before you knew it Evan was kissing your stomach on his way to your thighs.

“Wait, Evan-” You tried to stop him, but it was too late, his head was between your thighs and he was frozen on the spot.

“Y/N…” He gasped out, you could hear the pity in his voice and you hated it.

“Evan, don’t please, I didn’t want you to see… They’re old scars, I don’t feel that way anymore, not much, never that badly.” You tried to pull your knees up to your chest, to cover your scars but Evan held your legs there, at first you flinched as he kissed each one of your scars gently, then you relaxed in his grip and he made no further comments on the subject. You couldn’t have asked for more from this boy, you really were fucked. Doing this with him was a bad idea, it meant much more to you than to him, no matter how much you lied to yourself, but fuck, if you weren’t going to do it anyway.

“Evan, that’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for me.”

“I’m your best friend, it’s my job to care about you!” He protested and looked away, struggling to take the compliment. “Okay, can you tell me what to do? I’m, I guess I’m just not really sure what to do now…”

“Well that’s why we’re here isn’t it?”

“...Si..Senorita! Um, sorry. I got nervous again.” Evan blushed and looked up at you from between your legs.

“Okay um, so, god I’ve never really explained this before, just, rub around the outside a little bit? I’m pretty… well, I’m pretty wet already, so you can probably slide one finger in straight away..?” You stuttered while you tried to explain what to do. Zoe wasn’t a virgin when you dated and Connor never asked any questions, you assumed he had learnt from porn?

“Okay…” You looked down just as Evan touched your entrance with a finger apprehensively and you whimpered under your breath, internally begging him to speed up, although he didn’t mean to he was teasing you mercilessly and you could hardly bear the tension. He rubbed his forefinger against you gently and you couldn’t help but moan out. He drew his hand away sharply and looked up at you.

“Is everything okay?”

“Jesus Evan, it’s fine, just… felt really good. Don’t stop now okay?” You told him and he nodded, returning to his ministrations. “H-Holy shit…” You muttered under your breath as he slid a finger gently inside of you.

“Is this okay?” He paused.

“God, keep going Evan.” You gasped out, clutching softly at the sheets with one hand. He pumped his middle finger in and out of you gently, easing it through every time, he treated you as though you were made of glass. This was very different from sex with Connor or Zoe, which was quick and rough and mind blowing. He was so cautious, gentle, he focused on your pleasure. Not to say you didn’t get off with Connor or Zoe respectively, you always did, but this was in a very different way. You felt extra pressure suddenly, realising that Evan had slid his forefinger in alongside the middle one, you barely held back your gasp. Having easily slid in the second, Evan entered you with a third, his ring finger. You moaned out and panted gently, feeling him stretch you slightly with his fingers.

“I-If you, oh god, okay- If you want you can- uh- you can use your mouth too, only if your com-comfortable though- Jesus, Evan!” You managed to stutter out as he thrust his fingers into you.

“Okay, I’ll try it?” Evan replied, nervous, he wasn’t sure if he would be any good at that, and you seemed to be enjoying what he was already doing and what if he didn’t like the taste? No. This was about learning, trying new things, now was no time to let his anxiety get the best of him. He leaned in and licked the tiny nub above your entrance. You cried out, your legs flailing slightly. Evan jumped in surprise. You must be sensitive there, he started treating the tiny nub like he did your breasts, giving it tiny licks and sucking on it with gusto.

He decided he liked the taste.

You reached down and tangled your fingers in his hair and he groaned out, directly onto your clit and began to thrust his fingers into you even faster, you gripping onto his hair for dear life.

“Holy, Holy shit! Okay, okay you need to st-stop…” You pushed his head away gently and Evan looked up at you, pouting subtly.

“But you didn’t finish?” He asked, confused.

“I don’t want to cum yet, then what happens to you?” You replied, breathless.

“Well, I guess, nothing? I want you to, well I want you to cum and I don’t think I’m gonna last very long, no siree.” He rambled and you pulled him up so he was half-straddling you.

“I’m nearly there, I’ll direct you okay? Do you have any condoms up here?” You asked. “I’m on the pill but you know, for safety?” Evan nodded nervously.

“Mom keeps some in the bathroom, ‘just in case I ever bring a girl over’.” He chuckled at the idea before giving you a quick kiss and getting off you to go to the bathroom. You lay there silently shocked, that kiss wasn’t just practice. That was him, kissing you, not as part of making out, just a kiss. He walked back into the room and you snapped out of your daze and leaned up on your elbows.

“Okay, do you know how to put a condom on?” Evan nodded, pinching the tip and rolling it over himself after removing his boxers. He climbed onto the bed and straddled you again. You lay in the missionary position at the end of the bed so he could reach you easily and Evan aligned his cock with your entrance.

“Are you ready?” He asked, nervous about hurting you. He had heard that sex could be painful when the guy was on the bigger side and from what he had concluded, he was.

“Mmh hmm. Just take your time okay? Don’t be afraid to cum first, you can always finish me off afterwards.” You reminded him and he nodded. You felt a large pressure at your entrance and then a stretching sensation.

“Shit, oh my god, shit, oh my GOD!” Evan cried out, he finally filled you all the way, he length was certainly impressive, a little larger than Connor’s, you’d never had anything of that size inside you so you managed to gasp out a request.

“C-Can you just wait a second?” Your question came out as more of a whimper as the burning sensation that came with the stretching began to fade as your body adjusted.

“Um, shit, okay yeah,” Evan replied, leaning over you slightly and gasping. He tried to steady his breathing a little, calming down.

“Okay, you can move, just, slowly? I know it’s hard but- it’s cliche but I’ve quite literally never had anything this big inside me…” You trailed off and Evan tried to suppress a smile at the idea of being bigger than anything you’d ever had. He ever so gently pulled back, only halfway before pushing back all the way in. You inhaled sharply, a shockwave of pleasure running through you as he hit something deep inside of you. He pulled back again, this time too far and his dick slid out of you completely.

“Shit. Sorry.” He muttered, pushing back into you, filling the emptiness that overtook you so suddenly, your back arched as his pelvic bone brushed against your clit and you moaned. He repeated the thrusting at the same angle and you gasped again. He consistently thrust in and out of you at the same angle, his eyes closed tight shut as he held on to his orgasm as long as he possibly could. You reached down and grabbed his hips, stopping him.

“Evan, the first lesson of sex, don’t stick with the same position, it can get boring... Try other angles too, you can even be a little rough with your thrusts if you like, just let loose a little, it doesn’t have to be so structured, yeah?”

“O-Okay. I can do that, let go, just let go. That’s not hard. Here we go, okay.” He mumbled to himself. He began thrusting again, his thrusts began becoming a little more erratic and you could tell he was nearing his orgasm, he was going to cum before you and he would never forgive himself. You reached down and began to rub your clit, the knot getting tighter and tighter in your stomach. Evan began thrusting harder, you gasped as he hit a new place inside of you, arching your back and moaning his name breathlessly. Suddenly he pulled out and essentially rolled you over onto your front, so he could access you from behind. He wrapped his hands around your waist and thrust again. At this point, it was less of thrusting and more of a merciless pounding as he chased both his and your orgasm.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you so much..” He panted over and over again as he neared his orgasm, shifting your position one more time back to missionary, he latched onto one of your nipples while you continued to rub your clit. Pumping in and out of you he moaned out, whimpering and making what you could only describe as a kind of desperate sobbing as he attempted to hold out for you. He began pounding you even harder, the bed shaking as he filled out, gasping, you felt even more pleasure was over you and he pulled away from your chest to look at your face as you tightened around him, your orgasm finally washing over you. His thrusts became stronger and you felt the collision of your pelvic bones, you knew that would leave a bruise.

“Y/n…”

“Ev…” you gasped out as your body spasmed around him but he continued thrusting, giving you no chance to recover and edging you towards your second orgasm.

“Y/N! Oh my god ohmygod ohmygod I can’t hold it.”

“L-let go, Evan!” You cried out, your second orgasm hitting you as he jackhammered in and out of you, gasping your name alongside a string of ‘thank you’s.

“Evan!”

“Thank you, I love you!” Evan let out the garbled sentence and you both collapsed on the bed, spent. In that moment where he pulled out of you, you registered what he’d said.

“You what?” You panted out. Turning to face him.

“I-I just meant that you’re my best friend and I, um I love you.”

“Oh okay, because I, um I love you too, you dork.” You replied. Well if this wasn’t the weirdest thing you’d ever done. You had just had sex with your best friend who you’re in love with, so that he could practice having sex for a date with your ex-girlfriend and other best friend. And then you said you loved each other. What a fucking mess.

Evan didn’t reply, he only turned took the condom off and flopped back down onto the bed to face the ceiling. Out of the corner of your eye you see him move his arm towards your hand, before stopping halfway, changing his mind. You closed the gap and interlocked your fingers with him. After a while he broke the silence.

“So who else knows?” He asked quietly. You turned your head towards him.

“Knows what?” He gestured towards your exposed scars. You sat up and pulled the duvet over the both of you, insecurities flooding you once again.

“One minute. I need to go and pee.” You didn’t answer his question and instead pulled on a t-shirt that was draped over his desk chair. You ran into the bathroom, breathing heavily, you sat on the toilet and peed before sitting down on the floor next to the sink. A few minutes later you heard a knock on the door, just as the tears began to fall.

“Y/N? Can I come in?” You heard the nervous tapping of his foot and figured he was getting really anxious about you.

“Y-Yes…” You replied quietly, . Evan opened the door, clad only in his boxers and saw you on the floor. He dropped to his knees and hugged you.

“I-I’m sorry, I should never have asked you to do this, you regret it now, god I’m really sorry, that was really selfish an-”

‘-Evan!” You interrupted him. “I don’t regret it, I could never regret it, you, I mean. The only people who know are Connor and Zoe, I was having a pretty rough time a couple of years back, me and Zoe had just broken up, Connor wasn’t talking to me so neither was Jared… It was a bad time for me.”

“Wait broken up? You Zoe dated?” Evan’s jaw dropped, everything made sense now. This was all kind of fucked up wasn’t it?

“Yeah… I guess this is me coming out. I’m bisexual… I, um I totally get it if that’s weird for you or something, I didn’t really want you to know.” You finished and looked away. He leaned across and kissed you, a million thoughts racing through his mind, what if you rejected him? What would he say to Zoe? How had he been so obsessed with her for so long with you around? What did this mean to you, if anything? You interrupt his train of thought by wrapping your hands around his neck, kissing him back softly.

“That doesn’t change a thing… I don’t know what’s happened tonight but, I like you, a lot, hell, I love you. I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have said that it’s too much pressure, you don’t have to say anything obviouslyididn’twann-”

“Oh my god Evan, stop, I love you too. I mean it. You. If you’ll have me, I’d like to be your girlfriend? Or, we don’t have to classify it yet. We can just be, together.”

“No, I- I want to be your boyfriend, I want you to be my girlfriend. If you want to be?”

“Of course I want to be! That’s what I just said to you, dummy!” You retorted, kissing him again. “I guess you won’t need to practice for Zoe anymore then?” You snigger.

“I figured I could, we could practice, for us.” He mumbled.

“I like that idea.” You smiled at him and stood up, pulling him off the ground too. You held his hand and as you were walking down the corridor you heard a shout.

“Evan? Sweetie! I’m home!”

“Shit!” Evan muttered and you both ran to the bedroom, you threw on your skirt and put your bra and shirt back on while Evan pulled his khakis and polo shirt back on. “Okay Mom! I’ll be down in a minute, I’m, um, just finishing up studying!”

“Evan! I can’t find my underwear. I think I left it downstairs!” You whisper shouted to him.

“Fuck, okay, my Mom knows you’re here tonight anyway so just go downstairs and try to look in the living room for them.”

——-//———

So please let me know if you liked this and if you want me to write more!! :)

[escapeofmagic-blog]

Marked - part 2

Title: Marked

Words: 1055

Pairing: Dean x reader

Summary: When you reach age 18 you get the same tattoo as your soul mate. Finding it is hard enough, but what if your soul mate refuses the whole concept and decides to ignore it?

Warnings: Cursing - not much but ok

A/N: I’m honestly so happy about your feedback guys! Here’s the second part, I hope you like it!

_______________________

Last part:

Before you could stop yourself a firm ‘yes’ flew out of your mouth. Dean’s smile widened and so did Sam’s eyes. You couldn’t blame him though, he wasn’t used to seeing you like that and neither were you.

“So shall we?” Dean asked, his eyes locked on you.

Once again you nodded and headed towards the door, scared yet excited to what future might bring.

The restaurant you were headed to was two blocks away, just across the road from Jessica's apartment. You hung out with her there pretty often before she met Sam, and even after they found each other, she took an hour or two every week out of her busy life to hang out with you.

She has been one of your best friends since the first day of college when neither of you could find Statistic 101. The sweetest and kindest person anyone could ever meet and a perfect fit for Sam.

“Damn Sam, I’m still mad at you that you didn’t tell me about your gorgeous roommate.” Dean grinned down at you.

Usually, there would be no way any of those words would affect you. Dean, however, had something that made your stomach do flips when you heard him talking. For someone who’s never even had a crush and faithfully waited for their soul mate that was a completely new territory.  Not sure how to behave around Dean, you made sure to stick to Sam and couldn’t wait until Jess joined you so you could hang out with here.

“C’mon Dean,” Sam groaned, rolling his eyes so far back he could probably see his brain, “You’re making her uncomfortable.”

He didn’t. Dean, despite all weird new feelings, actually made you feel way more comfortable than he should.  Not that you would ever admit any of this to the brothers.

“Sorry darlin’, didn’t mean to do this.”  Dean said, his voice now warmer.

You quickly mumbled that it’s alright and offered him a shy smile.

“Hey guys! Dean, nice to finally meet you!” Jessica squealed when you finally reached her. She pulled all three of you in a hug, before kissing Sam.

Both you and Dean awkwardly smiled at the couple that didn’t seem like they wanted to separate anytime soon.

“Gross, get a room you two!” Dean barked at the couple before turning to you, “Let’s go inside, I’m hungry and their love ain’t gonna feed me.”

He didn’t wait for your response, he just turned around and made his way to the restaurant. And like a small puppy you followed him inside, leaving a happy couple a few minutes alone.

“So what did Sammy tell you about me?”

His green eyes pierced through you as he waited for your reply, you could have sworn that he could see your bare soul.

“Not much if I’m honest, he seemed very excited though.”

Dean let out a small chuckle.

“Well, I’m just glad he’s doing okay. Sammy’s always been a smart kid and I’m just happy he’s living the best life he can.”

Pride was shining out of his eyes and for a second you found yourself scanning his exposed skin, hoping that just maybe you’d find a tree with two birds above it. Then he returned back to the Dean you met and you felt the bitter taste of disappointment overwhelming you.

“Of course I wouldn’t mind him mentioning that his roommate is a girl. I always thought he had a weird, very close relationship with some dude…”

Awkwardly you smiled at him, not knowing how to reply as blush crept up your cheeks.

“Aww don’t be shy, I’m just messing with you. Part of my charm as some might say. Friends?”

He held out his hand, waiting for your response. It’s not like you had anything to lose, you’d never get involved with someone who wasn’t your soul mate.

“Friends!” a smile spread across your face when you shook his hand.

Sam and Jessica joined you soon after that. You’d notice Dean staring at you more than a few times during dinner, but decided to brush it off. Just like you brushed off a weird feeling you had ever since meeting him and butterflies in your stomach. I mean Dean sure was a handsome man, nobody could blame you for a small crush.

“Dude you can’t embarrass me like that!” Dean laughed as Sam told the story of how Dean broke his leg for the first time.

“Aww c’mon it’s cute!” Jess laughed, wiping tears away from her cheeks.  “I never thought though Dean Sam told me about would was once a hopeless romantic!”

A few hours later and more than a few drinks too much the four of you laughed your asses off in a bar near the restaurant. It was already getting late and you probably should head to your apartment, there was an important exam waiting for you the next day. But there was too much gin and tonic and not enough of your brain involved to force you to go to sleep.

Sam and Jessica were the first ones to give up, leaving you and Dean alone in now almost empty bar.

“Guess we should head back as well.”

You weren’t really used to drinking this much, so when you tried to stand up the room spun around you and a second later you found yourself in Dean’s lap.

“Easy sweetheart, at least wait until we’re in your room.” He chuckled before picking you up.

“Fuck!” curse escaped your mouth as you sat in his lap.

“That’s what I had in mind.” he winked at you, laughing.

You were about to slap him, but his green eyes met yours and all your drunk self could think was ‘fuck it’ before you pressed your lips against his.

As usually, your alarm clock started ringing exactly at 7:00. That was the only usual thing that morning.

Dry mouth. The strongest headache you probably ever had. The room spinning even though your eyes were closed. Nothing seemed usual, especially heavy arm thrown across your waist.

‘Fuck, please no’ you thought to yourself before opening your eyes.

Then flashbacks of last night started coming back and all you wished for was that you’d just say no when Sam suggested going to the bar and went to sleep.

A few people asked me to tag them, so I guess that’s that?

Tag list:

@tftumblin @markofdean79 @tokiohearts483 @timelordy-fangirl2

[aintnouseofpretending]

Together Since...

Summary: You and Joe just graduated together from college. But Joe wishes to celebrate it with just the two of you. Basically just general fun and fluff~

Pairing: Joe Mazzello x Reader

Warning: FLUFF. College AU.

Word Count: 2770.

Inspired by and perma-tag: CONGRATULATIONS @ohmygoditsanthonyedwardstark FOR GRADUATING!! I’M SO PROUD OF YOU <4444 THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING GREAT, SO DO YOUR BEST <444

+—-—+—-—+—-—+—-—+—-—+

You almost jumped when Joe suddenly grabbed your hand and pulled you closer to him—practically hugging you and showing off your obvious relationship with him. He leaned his head in and already posing for the camera. You try your best to hold back and keep the joke later whilst also giving out your best smile to the photographer. It doesn’t take long for everyone to joins in and pose, from silly and complex stance to a literal boring statue.

“Okay! Now be as funny as possible!” Shouted the photographer that happens to be your most favourite professor.

You have promised yourself to keep the joke and your ridiculous antics for later, but mind bubbling from the overwhelming happiness suggested only one thing; to kiss Joe right there right now. Funny enough, Joe got the same idea and carry you, receiving some; “ew!” and “get a room!” comments from your friends. Neither of you cares, and you will let nothing ruin the beautiful day of your college graduation.

After receiving the last OK from your professor, all of you throws your hat in the air. Cheerful laughs soon follow, you and Joe hugged and spins, giggling whilst he showers your face with kisses. In return, being the rowdy one, you rub and scratch his head frantically, making it as messy as it can get. You almost fell down when he finally put you on the ground, but him refusing to let you go saved you.

“Almost nothing’s changed. Still dating. Graduating together. Still very fucking childish too.” Ben remarked, tipping his head at you. “I salute you, y/n, only true masters can endure this clown for so long.”

Shortly after Joe is chasing Ben, trying to drop kick the blonde, Rami and Lucy join you. They too are another couple in your friend circle that’s graduating together today, and you can’t be any happier to be friends with them still. Just like your usual hobby, the three of you starts making fun from the sideline of Joe-Ben duo dynamic that’s getting goofier the older they get. Ben purposely circling Gwilym and his girlfriend which resulted in Gwil also hunting him down. You could never be any prouder of seeing your boyfriend and the other two boys running around the field, becoming the centre of attention for being so god damn childish you can almost hear their parents start yelling at them. You even have forgotten about your earlier jokes for him.

“No, seriously. How can you handle him?” Ask Lucy, still chuckling. “It’s like having a child!”

“We’ve been together for so long, if I still can't handle the boy then I have a serious problem!” You answered whilst you wave him to come. You ready your old polaroid as fast as you can, but Joe is quicker and by the time you see him through your camera lens, he’s already posing. “Damn it, babe! Be more natural!”

“I’m not letting you take an ugly picture of me!”

Too late for permission when you have made that your goal for today. Besides, you’ve got a couple already, so it doesn’t really matter. But your mind quickly shifted as you click the capture button, only to see Lucy’s face dominating the entirety of your view. If only she’s not too busy laughing at your shocked face, perhaps you won’t get the chance to tackle her on the grass.

“Geez, you guys.” Rami shakes his head. “Those two kids? Not my friends.”

When you hold Lucy down trying to tickle her, Joe ran towards you and hide on your back. Before you could even ask what on earth he’s doing, you see Ben is stomping close to you as he tries to clean his suit underneath his graduation robe.

“Joe, you’re a fuck!”

“Honey, he’s being mean to me!” Cry Joe, hiding his face on your shoulder. “I didn’t do it on purpose! I swear!”

“Don’t think that was the truth.” Gwilym laughs whilst he looks at Ben’s pants. The dried mud Ben tries to get rid of with tissues and a piece of cloth still looks like it was glued permanently.

“I fucking rent this! Now I have to goddamn—.”

You kneeled and take a closer look at the damage. Try to pick it with your nails but you can’t even scrape the outmost layer. You stare at Joe. When he can only shrug, you sighed and stand up.

“When will you return it?”

“Tomorrow!” Ben answered, staring dagger at your boyfriend. “Anyway, I shouldn’t have started.”

“You shouldn’t, but I will transfer the cost anyway. How much was it?” You take out your phone whilst Ben whispered the numbers. It’s difficult to not shake your head at the price and damage fee, but Ben really don’t mess around when it comes to dressing himself up.

Joe pouted as he saunters next to you, putting his arm over your shoulder.

“Sorry, dude.” He finally says, eyeballing your phone’s screen and Ben’s trouser back and forth. “Just to impress Chelsea? What a good boyfriend.”

“Yeah, unlike you, letting your girlfriend paid for your damn mistake.” Ben retaliation receives your instant kick on his knee. “Jesus Christ! I'm joking! Don’t ruin this suit anymore!”

Once you’re done, Joe leaned in and whispered; “I’ll pay you back later. For now, let’s get the hell out of here.”

“So soon? Baby are you alright?” You say it like a concerned mother, checking every centimetre of his face and body. He only rubbed his stomach. “Hungry? We’re about to have lunch with the others.”

Joe give you last confirmation shrug before he grabs your hand and drags you to the car park. You can’t even say goodbye, so whilst you’re being treated like a suitcase, trying to catch up with Joe’s speed, you make sure you tell the others through group chat that you and your boyfriend are bailing early. If Joe doesn’t worry you a little right now, maybe you’ll pay more attention and make a better excuse than ‘we got something to do! See y’all soon!.’

“So... You’re gonna tell me what happened?” You break the silence after you finish eating your last slice of pizza. Joe is still chewing and staring at you, which, if you’re quite honest, a bit unnerving, despite knowing well how weird he can be sometimes.

He downed his soda and wipe his lips in a slow and elegant manner. He finally smiles when he has successfully made you chuckle. Although both his smile and your laugh doesn’t last long when you slap his hand from stealing your fries.

“Not much, hun. Just want to be with you all day.” You raised one of your eyebrows. “What? Why is it odd that I only want to be with my girl today?”

“Sorry. Cause it’s usually you that loves to hang with your friends, you know?” You pushed your plate of fries to him. “Already got a plan or we’ll just wing it?”

You gave out a ‘come on!’ and almost protests his yet another nonchalant shrug, but he points at your Polaroid camera on the table. Even though it’s almost four years ago, you quick to pick up what he meant. This is just like when you two both graduated high school. As you reach for your camera bag, pretending to be a magician, Joe laid three photos you’ve taken at the prom night.

“People got a poor taste. We should’ve been the king and queen that night.” He started. “At least we’re still going strong, what, Robert and Jessica broke up immediately a week after prom, right?”

“Popular kids. They’re both an arsehole. They tried to break us up when we first started dating.” You inspect the yellowing photo and thought you should’ve added a transparent film on them since these particular three also your most favourite. “But let’s not talk about them and instead...”

“You want me to grow my hair again?” He snickered, still snacking on your fries with no mercy. “Sure, if you want to wear that dorky glasses again every once in a while when we’re on a date.”

“Worry not, my love,” you take out your eyeglasses case. As you wear them Joe can’t stop laughing. “Hey! You wanted this, you nerd!”

“I guess we’re thinking the same thing for today.” He grasps your hand that was resting on the table. “When you’re so innocently and naively say that we’ll graduate college together too, I’m not so sure about that you know?”

“Yeah, I know. I don’t think you can catch up with me and graduating late all by yourself.” He softly pinches your hand. “Ow! Joking!”

“Hey slowpoke, finish your fries and let’s get going!”

“What fries? You just massacred ‘em!” You swing your leg to him, but he expected that and dodged it easily. “You promised you’ll pay me back, just pay for our foods and get more fries for the go!”

“Glutton!”

“Look at that, the pot calling the kettle black!”

The banter didn’t end there. On your way to the car, the two of you hasn’t stopped what started as friendly insults to full-on sharp jabs. Gwilym once overhears the two of you being that lovey-dovey, he thought you two are actually fighting and trying to be the middleman. Even Ben call you two a weirdo for having such bad habit stays. But neither you nor Joe care, the two of you feel comfortable and secure with each other, and that’s all that matters. Soon after the fake fight, you both will be like any other normal couple, giving each other hugs and kisses and praises.

“Huh, I really didn’t think you’ll take us to the beach. Totally isn’t like when we’re graduating high school.” His laugh was cut short when you tickle him on the rib. “Watch the road! Don’t want us to die this early!”

“Say the man that records vlogs whilst driving, yesterday.” He gives you silly faces which you happily return. “Hey, they still got the ice cream stand from four years ago! I wonder if they still got UniHazel flavour.”

“UniHazel? Oh, that rainbow coloured hazelnut flavour?” Joe opened the window absent-mindedly, in an instant, the nostalgic sweet-salty smell of the sea fills the car. The sound of the waves feels just like a warm blanket that envelopes the two of you on a cold night. You can already feel the rough sand on your feet or the gentle caress of the water. Joe put his hand on your thigh but still have his eyes gazed out the window, enjoying the afternoon scenery. The cloudless sky radiates the beautiful purple, orange, and blue that mixes like a watercolour painting.

“You park the car, I’ll get us some of them UniHazels.” He leans to kiss your cheek before he reaches his jacket on the back seat to get the wallet out. “Careful, honey. Meet me by the stand.”

“You too, babe.” You kissed the back of his hand only for him to give you an eye roll. “What, a woman can’t be romantic?”

“Just go!” He sticks out his tongue before closing the door. When he walked away, you can’t get your eyes away off him through the rearview mirror. Whenever he’s not around, you always feel so empty. How long has it been? After you say you find Joe cute to your friend, suddenly everyone knows about it. Some jerks tease him for it and you feel so guilty when that happens. You promised you will kick the arse of those dare to hurt him in any way, and that makes him starts liking you back. But seriously, you forgot when the two of you officially boyfriend and girlfriend, after several hangouts and dates, you only remember saying; “We look like a couple right now.” To which he replied; “Are we not already?”

You almost panic break when you hear your phone chimed, it’s Joe’s scream that you cut and isolate to use as a text notification specifically from him. He told you that the line is long, so you don’t have to hurry and plough through the crowd. You text back; “Shouldn’t worry about me. But you don’t get into a fight with kids, I know you’re impatient.” He spams you ten thumbs down emoji in respond.

Now, where were you? Oh right, that sweet, sweet, high school memories. You think when Joe says that, he’s half-joking, but you take it seriously and practically dared him to promise and mustn’t back down or he’s a loser. He retorted saying it’s a lose-lose situation then, because dating you, a loser, means he will be a loser as well. Your genuine pout causes him to said in panic and nervous laugh; “But since when are we not a loser? Right?”

You think that happens around two years before graduation, and the two of you become a kickass couple that’s still going strong even until today. So it’s six years then. You make sure to mentally note it, since it’s always been him that memorise the exact date of your anniversary, and he makes sure to throws tantrum after knowing you don’t remember, not even the month. Joe screamed again when you’re just turning off the car. “Where are you? I miss you already :(” You smiled and replied; “Okay, whose kid beats you? I’ll talk to their parents for picking a fight with my kid.” It’s another thumb down for you, but he added; “His name is Kevin, that bastard! He throws sands at me! It’s coarse and irritating my eyes so he got me on the spot!”

You don’t mind people staring at you for giggling by yourself, and you haven’t stopped texting with him until you’re near the ice cream stand. After he sees you, you purposely take out your Polaroid, and when he’s already posing, you aim the camera towards the beach.

“Arsehole!” His yell causes even more people to stare at you. “I ain’t giving you no ice cream! Nu ‘uh! Bully doesn’t get no sweets!”

“That’s a double negative. You’re going to give me it." You can tell he’s considering running away with the two ice cream on his hands, but he knows it won’t worth the risk of getting you mad if the ice cream fell on the sand. “Thank you, baby, I love you.”

“Yea, yea.” He returns your kiss as you grab his hand. “Pretty sure you say that because I got ice cream.”

“Whaaat, I am not Ben.” You say that as you start eating the ice cream. “No, no at all.”

“And I’m not jealous to damn ice cream right now—ew! Don’t kiss me! Your mouth is sticky—y/n! How dare you—! Come back here! Don’t you want me to pay you back? Why are you running huh?!”

You screamed and laugh as you quickly finish the ice cream that’ll allow you to run better. The chase didn’t last long though, because this time it’s Joe’s ice cream that makes you jealous. And whilst he’s busy making out trying to return the favour, you grab your camera and take as many pictures of him as you can. He only turned around when he notices you, so you ignored him and take pictures of the beach instead. Later he joins you by your side.

“Finished with the ice cream? You got them all over your mouth there.” You didn’t bring tissue, so you use your hands to wipe them then you wash it on the sea water. “Look at the sky, babe, it’s so pretty right?”

What originally was you trying to look as pretty as possible for his eyes to feast upon, only for you to be stunned by his as he enjoys the salty wind and vivid colour of the sky. You feel your eyes getting teary and your smile starts to hurt your cheeks, this moment is far too much. Your heart swells with love and compassion towards him. And you don’t mind if this moment can’t last, so long if you can stay with him forever. Showering him with love and kisses. To swear you’ll protect his smile at all cost. You’ll take care of him. You’ll give him everything you have got. In return for his love.

“Am I that handsome?” He jokes, but you can only nod. “You can’t imagine how beautiful you are to me too.”

“Oh, I know.” You raise your camera, “last one? Please?”

“I love you, y/n.”

“I love you too, Joe.” You smiled before you finally clicked the capture button.

Click. (End)