#forgive my loud honking laughter

[snaileo]

i began spectating alex at the right moment to witness his insane plot armor

[frogtanii]

iwaizumi was... overwhelmed, to say the least.

the past few days had been such a whirlwind of change that hajime could barely properly process, much less appropriately react to it all, so he behaved much like a zombie, saying yes when prompted, signing papers when told, and packing up what was his entire life for the past 11 months.

wow. iwaizumi collapsed on his bed as he scanned his now barren bedroom. he’d been here for almost a year and yet, all his belongings were in boxes within a couple of days.

hajime couldn’t keep the disbelieving chuckle from escaping his chest as he leaned back on his bed, dark brown eyes trained on the ceiling.

it felt like he’d spent such a large chunk of his life trapped in this house, under the foot of the woman who he thought he’d marry but in reality, he’d been in little leagues longer than he’d been in love.

iwaizumi scoffed and rolled his eyes. yeah, “in love”. it’d been about a week since his whole life started to unravel and he had hardly seen, let alone spoken to meiko throughout that entire time.

over text, she’d sworn up and down that she loved and cared about him but as she passed by him packing his things a few days ago, she’d barely spared him a second glance.

hajime wasn’t going to lie. it hurt. he’d opened his heart up to her, something he didn’t do easily, and she’d taken his trust and used it to twist him into her weapon.

he always believed he was stronger than this — he’d never forget his mother telling him so when he was younger. he had fallen and scraped his knee yet he refused to cry to keep from upsetting his mom. iwaizumi existed to live up to what his mother thought of him but here he was, completely enveloped in meiko’s shit, doing her dirty work and following her bidding like some mutt.

god, toorū was right. he really was her bitch.

“i could hear you thinking from down the hall, iwa-chan.” speak of the devil...

oikawa stood at his doorway, leaning against the frame with a posture that seemed relaxed at first glance but if you looked a little closer, you’d notice the tenseness in his shoulders and the tightness of his smile.

hajime quickly sat up on his bed before motioning for his old friend to enter. “uh, yeah,” he began, his voice cracking a little from disuse, “i have a lot to think about.”

the light haired brunette let out an understanding hum before wandering into the room, sharp observant eyes darting to look at all the empty walls. “looks like you’re all packed.”

“pretty much,” iwaizumi nodded before the room fell into an awkward silence, the two childhood friends completely avoiding one another’s eyes.

“look, i-“

“iwa-chan, i’m-“

they both paused for a moment before bursting into laughter, the sound carrying into the hall and throughout the house.

hajime wiped a few stray tears from his eyes, shaking his head at their awkwardness. “you first, shittykawa.”

toorū gasped in halfhearted mock offense before quickly sobering up, training iwaizumi with a completely serious look. “i’m sorry and before you go on some bullshit, self sacrificing rant, you’re not the only one to blame for what happened to our friendship.”

he sighed while making his way to iwaizumi’s bed, sitting down gently beside him. “i should’ve known better, okay? i shouldn’t have let my jealousy and insecurities get in between us but i guess i got swept up in the attention, yknow? meiko is actually charming when she wants to be.”

iwaizumi nodded in agreement, knowing all too well how compelling meiko could be. the room fell into a more comfortable silence as both boys escaped into their thoughts, questions about the future of their friendship flitting throughout their minds.

“oh!” oikawa was pulled out of his own head at hajime’s exclamation, his eyes moving to observe his friend dig through his pockets to procure a thick white envelope. “here. i’d like you to give this yn.”

all toorū could do was nod, his brain short circuiting at the sight of iwaizumi’s apparent kindness to the woman he tormented for so long. “uh, what’s in it?” he ventured to ask, his soft hands toying with the sealed envelope flap.

a soft chuckle came from across the bed. “don’t be so nosy toorū, just give it to her, yeah?” oikawa rolled his eyes but obliged, the bed creaking as he stood to his feet.

“so... this is it, huh?” it was like the reality of the situation was just now sinking in — they hadn’t been close in a while but iwaizumi was still his best friend and he wasn’t quite ready to let him go.

they’d been through so much together, practically growing up together and now, they’d only see each other on holidays, if even then, and then he’d never be invited to hajime’s wedding as his best man as they’d planned and he also wouldn’t be the coolest uncle/godfather of iwa’s children and—

“fuck no,” hajime scoffed with a bright grin on his face. “thought you were gonna annoy me til the end of time shittykawa. don’t tell me you’re quitting your job now.”

the hidden meaning behind iwaizumi’s words brought tears to oikawa’s eyes and before he could stop himself, he launched his body into iwa’s arms. hajime hesitated, his hands stuttering at toorū’s sides as though he’d forgotten how to hug but the feeling passed, his arms winding around his friend’s lithe waist.

“‘m gonna miss you hajime,” oikawa’s voice came out as a broken whimper, his arms tightening around his shoulders.

iwaizumi hummed instead of responding, too afraid of his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. they stood there for a moment but the honk of the moving truck outside signaled the both of them of their limited time.

hurriedly, oikawa wiped the tears off his cheeks before waving awkwardly at iwaizumi as he left the room with a friendly, “don’t be a stranger.”

and then he was gone.

toorū finally allowed himself to collapse into sobs on his best friends empty bed, his palms pressing into his eyes as he sat there and just let himself feel.

apparently, he wasn’t crying very quietly because it took only a few moments for you to find him, your soft footsteps alerting him to your presence. oikawa scrambled to wipe away what he knew was an unattractive mixture of tears and snot as you got closer.

you were one of the last people he wanted to see him like this.

“hey,” you whispered, standing a few feet away from him. “um, i know this is probably a bad time but i just wanted to thank you for apologizing? back at the awards show?”

toorū sniffed as he looked up at you with confusion written on his face. “what? you shouldn’t thank me for apologizing. ‘s common courtesy.”

you laughed softly, nodding in agreement. “well, not always. so, thank you.” finished with your piece and not too keen on lingering where you weren’t wanted, you moved towards the door but were swiftly stopped before you got there.

“um, here. it’s from iwa-chan.” you gaped at the thick envelope oikawa was handing you before taking it and opening it, a low curse falling from your lips.

inside the package was a dense wad of cash, more money than you’d seen in months. accompanied with it was a letter, written in beautifully loopy handwriting.

you shut it quickly before oikawa could see, stuffing the envelope deep within your pocket where you could access it alone in the depths of your room.

“do you wanna come eat? last i heard, bokuto and tsumu were doing a cooking competition and i’m sure it’ll be fun to watch.” you were severely thrown off by the money and letter but you were determined to show toorū that you’d accepted his apology and were on your way to making amends.

he gave you a shy nod and trailed behind you to the kitchen, the loud sounds of fire and screaming coming from down the hall. you wanted to focus on the fun and merriment but the envelope was practically burning a hole in your pocket.

later that night, you finally got the chance to open the letter and read it, your former manager’s words bringing tears to your eyes.

dear yn,

i’m probably the last person you expected to hear from. you probably didn’t want to hear from me at all if i’m being honest and i don’t blame you. i know there is nothing i can say that could make up for what i’ve done to you but i’d like to try.

i’m sorry. those words don’t nearly express in and of themselves how truly remorseful i am but they needed to be said. there’s no excuse for how i treated you — not meiko, not my stress, absolutely nothing.

you deserved my common decency and respect and i didn’t give that to you. instead, i abused my position and made your life hell. i’ll never forgive myself for that.

uh, i bet you’re wondering what the money is? i promise i’m not trying to pay you off, it’s just all the money i’ve denied you since you moved here. i have a lot of wrongs to right and this is one of them.

sorry, i’m not very good with words but i just wanted you to know that i’m very sorry for everything that i’ve done. and i’m in no place to make demands or anything but i just wanted to ask if you’d keep an eye on oikawa for me.

he’s strong but he’s also vulnerable. he might be a pain in my ass but he’s my best friend and since i can’t keep him from drowning, i was wondering if you’d do that - not for me but for him.

anyways, this letter is shit but i suppose you get the gist. use the money for whatever you want and if you’re as unselfish as i’ve heard, you don’t owe me anything. you don’t owe me money, kindness, or forgiveness.

take care of yourself,

iwaizumi hajime

℗ poker face

so... this is it

series masterlist

(●’◡’●)ﾉ

an - soooo m back :D hopefully this is the last of my mini hiatuses!! this chapter sucked to write but i’m not mad at how it turned out?? pls let me know how i did skjdkd don’t forget to feed me <3333

taglist - if your name is in bold, i cannot tag you

@boosyboo9206 • @geektastic84 • @elianetsantana • @trashy-simp • @infinitebells • @6mattsun9 • @suhkusa • @katsulovee • @kotarosbabygirl • @fucktheworlddude • @insomniacwreck • @calumsfringe • @saltylettuce • @chai-blu • @al3x1ss • @hawksyoongi • @syndellwins • @jooleuuh • @loubells • @kissungjae • @liberhoe • @tetsurocore • @animeoverdosee • @duhsies • @saikishairclip • @afire24 • @premiyagi • @kit-kat428 • @doctorspencereid • @daphnxy • @kyomihann • @maer-333 • @sinoflust19 • @peteunderoos • @peachiikichu • @iidanotlida • @yongboxerrr • @kac-chowsballs • @tanakaslastbraincell • @memorableminds • @risjime • @starry-magicshop • @sugavwara • @smuttyanimeslut • @kiwibirbs-library • @haijkk • @airybnb • @crybabygumi • @iwaisa • @decaffinatedtealover • @notameera • @kawaii-angelanne • @rintarovibes • @urlocalsimp

the rest of the tags will be in the replies!!

[starsfic]

Niú Mówáng R. Boy and Qi Xiaotian

Summary: Writer Red's summer of peace is broken one morning when his new neighbor moves in.

AO3

-_-

A loud crash was what Red woke up to.

He sat up, rubbing his eyes, still not quite awake and very confused. Loud yelling and the beep of a moving truck was what made him wake up enough to growl and pull a pillow over his head.

The plan had been peace and quiet. His therapist had encouraged this summer of serenity to give him time off from writing and time to think over who he wanted to be without his parents’ expectations. He had thought the country would be nice and peaceful.

Except he was wrong.

Another blaring honk broke the silence and Red growled, glancing over at the clock. It was six, way too early to deal with this. He dropped the pillow and grabbed his slippers and bathrobe. He stalked to the door, throwing it open.

“-wake up the entire neighborhood! Just-just leave it by the curb!”

The sun wasn’t even up yet and all he could see was a thick blanket of fog. The streetlight managed to break it a bit. As well as the headlights of the moving truck. He slammed the door shut and stalked towards it. Whoever was making that noise was going to get an earful.

Before he could do that, something rammed into him. There was a yelp from him and whomever, as well as the sound of things falling into the gravel at his feet. “Sorry!” Red turned at the voice, clearly the person yelling.

And blinked.

The first thing he noticed about the noise complaint was the bright orange jacket that contrasted vibrantly against the fog. Then they looked up, revealing a pretty young man, a red headband pushing back dark hair. His mouth was pressed in a firm line and dark eyes were annoyed. “Sorry,” he repeated before turning back to the ground. He was holding a box that was full of books and art supplies, several books and a drawing tablet on the ground.

“I didn’t mean to bump into you,” the man explained, grabbing the books and stacking them in. “This fog is really thick and- this isn’t even my yard. Sorry about the noise!”

Red found himself kneeling, helping him stack the books in. “It’s no issue,” he said, his anger extinguished and mouth dry at the sight of the handsome man. He grabbed the tablet and the last book and stood, watching as the man stood. Something about the book caught his eye.

Stars of the West.

Hey, he had written this! It was his very first novel, a sci-fi version of the Journey to the West and the stepping stone to the literary power he had today. Nowadays, he was more known for business articles or his research into how much influence the economy had in politics. He ran his thumb over name indented into the glossy cover: Niú Mówáng R. Boy. He hadn’t been able to help it. Red Boy had been his favorite character in the Journey to the West.

He hadn’t seen it in years.

“Have you read it?” The man said, having noticed his gaze. “You can borrow if you haven’t.”

“I’ve read it.” Red said. He should’ve told him it was him that had written it. He had done it to several people before and he had always enjoyed the reactions. But he stayed his tongue. “One of his older ones, right?” Maybe he could hear an honest critique.

“Yep!” The man took the book and tablet and managed to stack them in the box. Steadying it on his knee, he managed to get a grip with both hands on the box. “Nice to meet you!” And just like that, he was walking past him and to the house next door. Red managed a wave.

So, that was his new neighbor.

He stood there in the fog and his pajamas, feeling the latter getting damp from the former. The thought rolled through and he looked around. It seemed like the driver wasn’t interested in helping, so…

He sighed and turned back to his house.

Once he was inside, he headed up to his bedroom. He got dressed, ignoring his stomach’s desire for breakfast, finding himself choosing casual but flattering clothes. He headed back out and to the moving truck, finding his neighbor was at the back, grabbing another box and nearly falling out of the truck.

“Do you need help, Noodle Boy?” The nickname came in a flash, stemming from the white shirt he wore that read Pigsy’s Noodles. He resisted the warmth that wanted to rise up when he squeaked, eyes tracing his arms.

“Uh, yeah! That would be great.” He passed him the box, turning back to the truck to grab another. “I’m MK, by the way.”

“Red.” he said simply.

The two worked together to bring in boxes. Much to his pride, Red noticed a few more of his novels, but he held off on asking. Soon enough, the last thing was the couch. Together, the two managed to heft it up and lug it to the door.

Then a problem presented itself.

The door was too small.

“Maybe if we turn it sideways…” MK eyed him, sweat making his hair stick to his face. Sweat started to form, but it was more due to the low boiling heat coursing through Red than any of the work. It was a bit before he realized the other was speaking. “- a shot.”

Then he was distracted by moving the couch.

“Turn it a little to the left- My left!”

“Yeah, that’s right!”

“No, my left!”

“That’s my right!”

After a few minutes of arguing and shoving, the couch popped through the doorway. The two managed to set it in place and Red collapsed on it, sighing with relief. He heard MK moving around, but he didn’t open his eyes, not even when the door closed and he could hear the moving truck move away.

Then something warm rested on him. He opened his eyes and bit back a yelp when he saw MK leaning against him. His new neighbor seemed to not notice, busy typing. “So, it’s a bit late for breakfast,” he said, looking up with a smile that made Red’s heart flutter. He was cute. And charming. And read his books. It was hard not to like him. “But can I treat you to brunch?”

“Absolutely.”

After that, MK hopped off the couch and set to work opening boxes. Red followed, placing things where they were supposed to go. Another novel of his caught his eye. The Blueprints of the Star Chaser was another sci-fi, this one a short story and reminding him. “So...what do you think of Niú Mówáng R. Boy?”

There was a chuckle. “I like his older stuff.”

He blinked, caught off-guard. Most people he had spoken to preferred his more current stuff. (The fact that most people were his parents was something he ignored.) “Really? Don’t you think it’s kinda… childish?”

“Yeah, they’re amateur, but that’s what I like. He clearly enjoyed what he was writing back then. Nowadays it’s either articles or political dramas. I can understand why people like his more polished stuff, but at least it didn’t read like every word was a rotten tooth being dragged out by a dentist.”

That was… graphic. But his parents had told him that he needed to get serious to be respected, and his sci-fi novels and different analyzes of the Journey to the West weren’t serious. Before he could spiral into these thoughts, MK’s voice broke his thoughts. “What about you? What do you like?”

“Qi Xiaotian.” It was immediate. The name brought up the memory of beautiful art. “His comic version of the Journey to the West , to be specific.”

“Really?”

Red shrugged, unable to resist his smile. “I love his artwork. It’s so colorful and… wow. You can really feel his passion on every page. And that doesn’t describe his blog posts and short stories! I mean, on some of his analysis I don’t agree with. But the amount of research shows.” When he looked up, MK was flushed, a pleased smile on his face. Before he could continue or ask, there was a knock on the door.

They both hopped to their feet and scrambled to their feet, eager for food. When Red opened the door the delivery boy yelped. “Ah! Mr. Niú Mówáng! Are you- I mean, I have an order for a Qi Xiaotian?”

Red froze.

“That’s me!” MK said, reaching forward with cash in his hand. “I’m paying for all of it.” Soon enough, money and canvas bag full of food had exchanged hands and he was shutting the door. Now alone, the two blinked at each other.

“So…” MK said, breaking the silence, tapping his fingers together. “Can we forget the part where I compared your writing to rotten teeth?” Red burst into laughter and he smiled, moving past Red to the kitchen. “But, seriously, I’m sorry for whining about you not writing sci-fi anymore.”

Red chuckled, leaning over to grab the set of paper plates and plastic utensils Mk had set. “Well, I’ll forgive you, Noodle Boy, if you tell me what you’re working on now if you forgive me for my dislike of your analyzes.”

“Deal.”

Yeah, this was gonna be great.

[earlysunsetsoverambrose]

Fool For You (4/4)

Lester Sinclair x f!Reader

Warning: Cursing

A/N: Final part of a request for @mynameisliterallycash!

As soon as you were out of the cabin, you started sobbing. Raw, painful cries fell from your lungs and throat, wracking your body. You felt empty and dejected; utterly pathetic, crying like a lost little kid with nowhere to run. You were too miserable to even feel the bitter cold of the rain. At least no one would be able to tell you were crying. Your sprint eventually died down into a slow walk. You were in no hurry to get anywhere. You weren’t ready to go back to Ambrose just to face more humiliation from Bo. God, you felt so stupid. You just wanted to curl up and let the rain wash you to some other place.

Just as your sobs subsided to quiet hiccups, you heard the roar of tires along the road accompanied by the honk of an all too familiar horn. You didn’t turn. You couldn’t. You were determined to keep walking. You saw Lester’s truck pull up from the corner of your eye, slowing to match your pace.

“Y/N, will ya please get in the truck?” Lester called to you from his window.

“Go away, Lester.” You said, continuing forward while your heart pounded painfully against your chest, “I just want to be alone, okay.”

“You’re gonna catch your death out there! Please just get in and talk to me!” he tried to reason. You didn’t respond this time, “Fine, then, don’t talk, just let me drive ya the rest of the way. I’ll do all the talkin’.”

“I don’t want to hear it right now!” You said, desperate to get away and escape the consequence of your confession, “I know we have to talk eventually, but I’m just not ready right now, okay! So, leave me be, please, Lester! Just go!”

“Ya know there ain’t no way in Hell I’m gonna just leave ya.” Lester said, offended at even the suggestion of abandoning you.

After a few more feet of following next to you, Lester pulled over and got out of the truck. You hear his footsteps quickly approach behind you. He caught up to you, taking a step in front of you and blocking your path, holding up his hands defensively.

“Please, Y/N, just hear me out. I wanna explain some things, if you’ll let me. I know ya don’t want nothin’ to do with me right now, and I got no right askin’, but I got a lot I gotta say, and I’d really like for ya to hear it. After that, ya can do whatever ya want. I promise I won’t stop ya.”

The frantic, pleading look in those eyes you loved so much drew you to comply. You glanced back at the truck and then at Lester. With a heavy sigh, you turned started toward the truck. Lester opened the door for you and helped you up before sliding in next to you.

He took the jacket he had on the seat beside him and wrapped it around you. He rubbed up and down your arms, doing his best to dry you off and warm you up to ease your shaking. You were now very aware of how cold you were. He looked you over, making sure you weren’t hurt any worse than he could see.

“Ya okay?” Lester asked carefully, brushing away the hair that stuck to your face; relieved you didn’t pull away this time.

“I’m tired, Lester.” You answered honestly, “I’m so tired of these feelings. I’d been waiting and hoping to tell you all about this someday, but now that I have, I just feel like an idiot. I think I’ve made enough of a fool of myself today, so whatever you’ve got to say, please just say it.”

“I’m sorry, Y/N.” Lester said looking at you, hoping you’d return his gaze, “I must be the dumbest guy alive to not get what ya was tryin’ to tell me.”

“You don’t have to be sorry. It’s not your fault if you don’t like me.” You told him, throwing him a half-hearted smile, as bitter as it felt.

“Now, hold on a minute,” Lester said in an even voice, “I never said that.”

Your eyes widened at his words, dangerous hope started bubbling in your heart again. You turned to face him completely, hanging on everything he was about to tell you.

“All the nice things ya been doin’ for me: the huggin’, the treats, all the extra time ya spent with me, were cause ya love me?” Lester asked, looking to you to reaffirm his understanding. You nod. “I’m still tryin’ to get it through my head is all.”

“I know I dropped a lot on you. I’m sorry about that.” You said, finding more patience at the sincerity in Lester’s realization unfolding before you.  

“No, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for ever makin’ ya any less than happy. I didn’t mean to make ya feel like ya didn’t matter to me. Cause that just ain’t true! Far from it. And I never ever wanted to make ya cry. Don’t think I’ll ever quite forgive myself for that since you’re the last person I wanna hurt.” Lester told you, shaking his head at his previous ignorance. He looked back up, straight into your soul, “Y/N, I love ya too. Much more than a friend. And I know now I shoulda told ya a long time ago, but ya mean more to me than anythin’ in the whole world.”

“What?” you asked, practically short circuiting. Your mind went blank and your heart stopped in place, stalling your breath in your lungs. That’s all you ever wanted. Tears of joy pooled in your eyes as a hopeful smile took over your features, “You love me?”

“Are ya kiddin’? The sun rises and falls with ya, far as I’m concerned.” Lester told you as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. He beamed at you, with his famous toothy grin lighting up his face at your reaction. He hesitantly reached out to cup your cheek in his hand, taking your melting into his touch as permission to keep it there and stroke your soft skin, “I’ve loved ya since day one, and I’m gonna keep lovin’ ya til the day they dress me for my coffin.”

“Were you ever going to tell me?” you asked

“Hell no. I thought I was the last man you’d ever love, and I wasn’t lookin’ to get my heart broke.” Lester said with a remorseful chuckle, “Never thought you’d see anythin’ in me worth carin’ ‘bout. Course ya see the beauty in everyone, so shouldn’t’ve ever doubted ya.”

“You’re right. You should never doubt me,” you teased, “But I understand. It’s not like I was very forthright or mature about any of this, either.”

“I won’t make that mistake again, believe me. I just thought all those things ya been doin’ for me was cause you’re naturally so sweet anyway.” He explained.

“Guess we should have had a little more faith each other.” You said, somehow able to laugh at the situation, burying your face in Lester’s shoulder, clinging to his arm once more, “We’ve been wasting all this time wallowing in self-defeat before we ever even tried.”

“Ya know, the funny thing is that I’ve loved bein’ your friend so much that even if that was all God or whoever granted me, I’d die a happy man.” Lester admitted, “Ya just seemed so out of my reach, that when Bo told me ya had a crush on me, I figured he was just havin’ a go at me so I’d embarrass myself in front of you.”

“Bo told you I like you?” you asked, a little pissed that he had been meddling in your romantic affairs. But you should’ve guessed, knowing Bo.

“Well, yeah, but he also convinced me that girls lay eggs right ‘fore they start bleedin’ every month, when I was a little kid. So, he don’t always tell me the truth.” Lester recounted, rubbing at his neck, embarrassed that he ever bought such a bogus story, “Got caught checkin’ the toilets at school for eggs once. I really got an earful from the principal for that. Confused the hell outta the folks when they heard.”

“You what?” you responded, unable to contain your laughter. You both burst into a seemingly endless fit of laughter. All the pain and sadness from just moments ago had dissipated, and you were left with faces that hurt from smiling too much and cramps from laughing too hard.

When you were finally able to collect yourselves, you and Lester simply looked at one another, dreamy smiles taking over both of you. He had your hand in his once again, playing with your fingers as he spoke,

“I should tell ya, I nearly choked on my guts when we met. I saw ya and that smile of yours stopped me in my tracks. And, lord, your laugh could bring a man to his knees. Felt like I got the wind knocked outta me the first time I heard it.” Lester told you, reliving the very moment in his memory as he said it out loud. “S’pose that’s why I always try so hard to keep ya laughin’.”

“Well there’s no one I’d rather laugh til I cry with.” You said, bringing your other hand to encompass his, “Besides, you’re the best at making me laugh, doesn’t seem like you have to try at all.”  

“Good, I’ve got ya fooled, then.”

“Oh, I’m definitely a fool, alright.” You told him, affection and fondness at the forefront of your every thought. Lester felt giddy at your words, turning the lightest shade of pink as he rubbed his neck again. Emotion shone through his captivating earthy eyes, finally showing you all that he never allowed himself to feel before. Longing grew across his stare, echoing the same look running wild in yours.

“Uh, ya know, earlier, when ya kissed me back there? I know it don’t seem like it, but that kiss damn near set me on fire.” Lester confessed, his voice in a hushed voice “And I know I’d give anythin’ for a little more.”

“Les–”

“I know I ain’t anythin’ to write home ‘bout. I ain’t smart and handsome like Bo, or artsy like Vincent, and I certainly don’t got much money. I can’t give you nothin’ ‘cept me and this rickety heart ya got beatin’ a mile a minute. But I’m ‘fraid it’s the best I can do.” He told you, with a guilty smile, trying his best to fight through the feelings of inadequacy that had run rampant in his system for so many years.

“Listen to me, Lester,” you started as you took his face in your hands, so you knew he would hear you, “You don’t have to be anything other than who you are, because that’s who I fell in love with. You are everything I ever dreamed about or wanted out of love. I love you as you are.”

Lester felt tears welling in his eyes this time. That’s all he’d ever wanted to hear all his life, and it meant everything coming from you.

“I think I’m the real fool between the two of us,” Lester said, “But if you’ll still have me, I’d like to make up for everythin’ I missed; and take all the time I got left in the world and give it to ya.”

“I’ll have you as long as you’ll do the same for me.” You answered with a tearful smile, absolute joy taking full control now. You leaned your forehead against Lester’s, caressing his cheeks, “I don’t want to waste another day without you.”

“Well, I ain’t goin’ nowhere.” Lester promised. His beautiful brown eyes almost glimmered to emphasize the heartfelt nature of his oath. He stared at you for just a moment, wanting to memorize every single part of this moment between you. He could think of only one more thing to ask of you, “Would it be alright if I kissed ya?”

“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.” you told him, nuzzling your nose against his with a smile that sent his heart skipping all the way to Mississippi.

He took you into his arms, drawing you closer to him with your hands still cradling his face. He caught your lips in a firm kiss, steady and careful, yet still brimming with passion and all the affection he had to offer. Your two hearts were beating in time with one another, falling into a familiar rhythm known only to you and Lester.

When you both pulled back, you were out of breath in the best way. This was so much better than anything out of your dreams.

 “I love ya, Y/N.” Lester told you once more. You would never grow tired of hearing him say that.

“I love you too, Lester.” You responded, tenderly. Lester leaned in again, kissing your cheek before sitting back up in the driver’s seat. With one hand on the wheel, he kept his other arm wrapped around you, drawing you to his side like he’d been doing it all his life. He kissed you once more on top of the head, right after he started the engine.

“Let’s go home.” Lester said, never more satisfied.  

The rumble of the road beneath the tires was now a comfort to you, as it brought with it the unique familiarity and intimacy that came with knowing Lester. You rested you head against his shoulder, cherishing every bit of what you used to miss.

As you started your journey back home, you couldn’t help but notice the storm clouds had finally given way to the brilliant shades of the sunset; painting your world in a thousand hues of pink and orange. You glanced up at Lester once again, both of you glowing with the light of a brand new love of your own. Good thing you got out of bed. If you hadn’t, you might never have lived to see a view as perfect as the one from where you were seated.

You closed your eyes, smiling as you pictured the road ahead. Good or bad – it didn’t matter to you either way. Life had never seemed more beautiful. You could hardly wait.

[starlightsearches]

Sunshine pt. 2

It’s finally here! I got a ton of love for my CEO! Hux oneshot Sunshine, and I’ve been thinking about doing a part 2 ever since. Let me know what you guys think!

Requests are closed  ✨

CEO! Hux x Barista! Reader Modern AU

Warnings: I genuinely don’t know. Probably nothing?

Hux hasn’t been able to get a good look at you—not since he saw you waiting for him outside the restaurant he had chosen—and the sight of you looking so lovely in the fading evening light had made him stop in the middle of the road, frozen where he stood until the chorus of honking cars had motivated him through the rest of the crosswalk. It’s still burned in his mind, printed on the backs of his eyelids: the way your hair brushed against your cheek in the soft breeze, the graceful movement of your arms as you gave him a little wave, your sunshine smile.

Now that you’re together, waiting in the lobby of the restaurant for your table, he can only take you in glimpses, and each one fills him with more pleasure than before. He can tell that you put in a little extra effort for tonight—extra effort for him, and it’s making him jittery, nervous, like he’s had too much caffeine.

You seem fidgety too, as he sneaks another glance, brushing your fingers over your skirt, smoothing the fabric beneath your palms again and again like it might change into something else with just a touch. It’s a very pretty garment, a red sundress that hugs your curves tightly and flows gently over your hips—a detail he noticed from the beginning—but he can tell that you feel self-conscious as you stare at the glittering socialites that litter the restaurant in their matte black dresses and red-bottom shoes. You’re out of your element, here, and although you probably can’t tell, Hux is too.

“You look beautiful,” he still can’t look at you straight on, but he manages to whisper the words in your direction as he takes one of your hands in his, a bold move that he should have done long ago. It’s hard for him to remember that you agreed to be here with him—that you gave him your number without him asking, that you must return at least some of his feelings. This thought is confirmed when you look him in the eye, gifting him with a grateful smile that makes his heart race.

“Thank you,” you say, looking down again, breaking eye contact and giving him a chance to recover, “have you been here before?”

“No, actually, but I hear the food is excellent,” he replies, and you nod, examining the space. He had panicked almost immediately after making the call the night before, his hands shaking as he dialed the number you had given him, his mind providing him with plenty of outlandish scenarios to keep him occupied while the dial tone sounded off in his ear. What if you had given him a fake number? What if he had typed it incorrectly? . . . What if you had changed your mind? That panic hadn’t ended with your agreement to meet him for dinner—now he had to plan the perfect evening.

Phasma had been the one to suggest this place when she found him spiraling in his office with about a million different restaurant reviews open on his computer. It’s beautiful, decorated with crisp white furnishings and sparkling chrome lights. The outer wall is made entirely of large panels of glass, reflecting the bustling city outside in shiny streaks of color.

“Are those . . . paparazzi?” you ask skeptically, looking through the windows; the foyer is filled with excited whispers as the other guests notice the minor commotion outside, and Hux’s eyes snap to the street.  He can see them, maybe three or four of the vultures, the flashes on their cameras creating tiny pinpricks of light as they snap their pictures. “I wonder who they’re here for,” you say, looking around the lobby again before peering into the dining area of the restaurant, searching for any familiar, famous face.

“Oh god,” Hux shudders involuntarily, grabbing you by the shoulders and pulling you away from the windows, shielding you from the view of the street with his own body. Of course they would find him again, tonight of all nights. Months of relative freedom, of anonymity, and it's tonight that they suddenly reappear, ready to torment him.

He's still holding onto you, holding you so close that he can smell your shampoo, feel the heat of your body permeate the space between you, but he’s too preoccupied to enjoy it, trying instead to catch the attention of anyone who could fix this. All it takes is a sharp glance at the host, and suddenly he’s on the move, whispering to one of the staff and they push through the crowd and out the doors to take care of the problem.

“I sincerely apologize, sir,” a man in an expensive suit approaches soon after, the restaurant manager maybe, wringing his hands and looking repentant, “I can show you to your table right away.” He sets off through the waiting crowd, a few of its members turning to look at Hux with incisive eyes, whispering to their companions in hushed tones, trying to figure out who he is and why those people were trying to snap a photo. Hux ignores them, turning his attention back to you, offering his arm. You take it, after some hesitation, and there’s a slight scowl on your face as you try to understand what’s just happened, even though you don’t have all the pieces.

You’re led to a table towards the back of the restaurant—a relatively private space away from any windows or other guests, and Hux thanks the man with a nod and the discreet passage of crisp bill into the his waiting hand. Your face is still stormy as you take your seat, and Hux is nervous again for all the wrong reasons.

“You told me you work for the First Order,” you say as soon as he joins you at the table, trying to appear nonchalant—but he can read the worry in your face, hear the tremble in your voice as you speak the next words, “what exactly do you do?”

Hux winces, avoiding your gaze. He needs to learn how to talk to you, and fast. He hadn’t lied to you, not intentionally, but he hadn’t forced the conversation either. For most people, work was only one facet of their lives, but for Hux, it was everything. He had made the First Order, shaped it through great personal sacrifice; for him, work had always come first. He had never believed that anything could come into his life that would matter more. Until he met you.

He meets your gaze across the table, taking you in; even when you’re serious you make him feel gentle, make his blood thrum through his veins and his mouth go dry. No more secrets. He’ll tell you everything.

“I’m the CEO,” he says it with more confidence than he feels, trying to force the casual tone typical for first dates, but it still comes out weighted.

“Oh my god,” you suck in a breath, turning away from him and gripping the edge of the table, holding yourself steady.

“Are you upset?” He can't be sure just by the way you look, but you won't meet his eyes, and there’s no trace of a smile on your face now.

“I’m . . . surprised,” you finally speak after a pregnant pause, “when were you going to mention that?”

“It’s not something that comes up in casual conversation,” it’s a poor excuse, but it’s the only one he has; he doesn’t have the words to explain how much he wanted you to like him, how willing he was to tailor himself into something you would love for as long as he could manage.

“I mean, I'd like to know what I’m getting into, especially if things like that-" you nod your head towards the lobby, "-are going to happen." Your voice is a little breathless, a slight laugh punctuating your words. He watches as you let go of the edge of the table, sliding your hand across the pristine white tablecloth, reaching for him.

He's on fire—glowing even, maybe—watching you, in real time, choose to be with him. That's never happened before, with anyone.

“I’m sorry,” he says, meeting you halfway, placing his hand over yours and enjoying the warmth, “I should have told you. Can you forgive me?”

“Yes, but no more secrets,” you state firmly, with a mock frown that doesn't touch the mischief in your eyes, “I like you, Armitage, but you can’t keep things from me.”

“Of course, it won’t happen again,” he responds, his mind is elsewhere, though, as he plays those words on repeat, committing the sound to memory. You like him. You like him.

“So there’s nothing else you want to tell me?” you ask, the question sprinkled with humor and you widen your eyes with mock astonishment, “Oh god, you’re not married or anything, right?”

“Would that be a deal breaker?” he asks, and your mock surprise turns real before you catch on. You’re only able to hold back your laughter for a moment before it bursts out of you—loud and bright and confident—and the sound of it fills the room with light.

The sun is setting over Central Park, the last rays reaching through the thready wisps of clouds that paint the sky, coating them in a golden glow. It's a cool evening in the fading light of New York City, a cool night made warmer by the feeling of your hand in his, the sparks that travel to his heart every time he feels your arm brush against him as you walk among the trees with the slow, comfortable pace of people who have nowhere they'd rather be.

"What are you thinking about?" Your voice is a whisper in the growing darkness, the streetlights along the path flickering on, casting glowing pools along the ground.

"Nothing," Hux responds, surprised to find that it's true. He's not thinking about work, not thinking about Ren or Snoke, or any of the million tasks he'll need to complete tomorrow. He's at peace, being here with you. Your presence has put a pause on everything in his life that he has yet to figure out. "What about you?"

"I'm thinking," you say, pulling him gently to a stop, "that I'd like it if you kissed me, Armitage."

Hux is sure that he's going to combust. He finds himself searching the area around you, looking for prying eyes. There's no one; it's just the two of you in your own private orbit. Still, he can’t help but feel tense; he’s not used to showing affection at all, let alone in public. 

 You move in closer, brushing the tips of your fingers over up his arm, watching as they climb higher and higher until he can feel the soft press of your skin against his cheek.

"Please?" you ask him again, and who is he to deny you? He cups your face with his hands, thumbs resting on the edges of your smile before he presses a gentle kiss against your lips.

It's like holding a star, kissing you—Hux can hardly process the feeling, but he doesn't need to understand it to relish the way your body presses against his, or the strength of your arms wrapping tightly around his neck as you pull him closer, deepening the kiss and slipping your tongue against his own.

Out of all the stars in the night sky, the sun and the moon and the distant planets, in the farthest reaches in the galaxy, Hux is sure that there is no light in the known universe that shines as brightly as you.

[smrwine]

Louis walked down Main Street in a bit of a haste.

Sunny Santa Monica was bustling fluidly with tourists, visitors, and locals alike. The long weekend drew people towards the boardwalk and shoreline, and into the shops and restaurants that were not too far off from them. But unlike the others, Louis was drawn in by a dinner date with a man six years his senior. Harry was his name. A 31 year-old entrepreneur with green eyes, broad shoulders, and an alluringly deep accent that reminded Louis of home.

Despite only having a few conversations through nights out with mates, Harry was kind enough to invite Louis to join him for early dinner at one of his restaurants, followed by a walk near the beach at sunset. Just the two of them. It was an incredibly romantic proposition, with a sprinkle of Harry’s boasting, but with Louis’ bad luck with American men, he was not going to pass up the glorious opportunity.

Harry generously offered to pick him up, but Louis declined at the last second. He was only 24 in Los Angeles, the second largest city in America, and letting an older man have his West Hollywood address struck him as not cautious. It turned out to be the wrong call, however, judging by how poorly he timed his bus-to-train route and how late he was running. His hair was windswept from the ocean breeze, and the tail end of his blouse was wrinkled from squirming around in the bus seat. He had very little time to fix himself up before entering the doors of Harry’s place, on the main street of Santa Monica, and Louis felt every bit of pressure to make a nice first impression.

In a split second, he pivoted toward a parked black car that he caught his reflection in. The paint job was equally as sleek as the blacked out windows, and the car was clearly from another era. More than likely the 1970s. It was admirably Los Angeles-esque but also served as a decent mirror for Louis’ vanity.

He flicked his soft fringe out of his eyes and placed certain strands in more desirable areas. It was an exceptionally delicate process he took his time with to make sure every lock was in its right place. Louis combed his fingers through until he looked presentable for the public.

Slowly, he turned and looked over his shoulder to smooth out the wrinkles near his bum. He pressed his hands from the middle of his blouse and over his arse in an attempt to iron everything out. Unfortunately, the material sprung back toward him and left him with no other option but to tuck it in.

With swift hands, Louis tucked the tail end into his trousers and continued tuck around the front. The white lace of his underwear slipped out for a brief second but was quickly concealed as he caught it in the reflection of the car. His knickers were for Harry’s eyes only, should he get so lucky.

Once Louis deemed his outfit presentable, he pulled his tinted strawberry lip balm from his pocket and swiped it across his lips. The mirror-like coating on the windows worked perfectly in his pinch and assisted him effortlessly. As his lips turned a desirable shade of pink, he capped his lip balm tightly and stored it back into the safety of his pocket. He moved closer to the window to fix his hair one last time, just to be sure he looked pretty enough for Harry, and nearly jumped out of his skin when the horn honked blaringly in his ear.

Louis squealed in a tone only dogs and small children could hear and sprung back nearly three meters from the car. His poor, little heart was fluttering from the sudden piercing sound and tripled in rhythm as the car window rolled down before him.

“Well, look who decided to show up,” a voice from inside the vehicle called. “I thought surely you had stood me up this time.”

Louis took a deep breath and approached the classic car again.

“Harry?”

The older man was dressed sharply in pleated trousers and a tight fitting shirt. His hair was pushed back off his forehead, and his beard was trimmed just enough to show he made an effort. He had subtle crows feet by his eyes and his calloused hands tightly gripped the steering wheel. He made the car look tiny with how cramped his body was in there. Louis nearly moaned at the sight of him and the bulge of his tattooed biceps.

“It’s truly a pleasure to see you, Louis.”

“You scared me,” Louis exhaled and braced himself against the door. “I was just about to head in, I’m really sorry.”

“No, no, don’t apologize, love. I was quite enjoying the free little show you put on for me. You look incredible in white.”

Louis could not help the flush of his sun-kissed skin and the embers of fire that whirled like a storm inside of his belly. He was wearing a soft crimson top, which definitely meant Harry saw things he was not meant to see yet.

Harry gave him an obvious once over and bit his lip as if he were hungry.

“Thank you,” Louis trembled. “What are you doing out here then? Were you about to leave?”

“About to, yeah, but I’m definitely not going anywhere else now that you’re here.”

Louis giggled at how thick Harry was laying it on. He was a gentleman and sweet, but despite how polite he was being, Louis was sure Harry had to be a bit peeved at how long Louis kept him waiting.

“So, you’re willing to forgive my tardiness? You like what you see that much?”

“I like everything I see, and saw, enough to forgive just about anything right now,” Harry said with a smirk. “And I’d still love to get more acquainted with you, if you’re up for it? Dinner is still on me and my staff, or we can go elsewhere. Whatever you’d like, sweetheart.”

“Well, I’d like it if you got out and properly greeted me first of all,” Louis said. “And then I’ll decide what we’ll do after you apologize to me for honking.”

Harry laughed out loud and unbuckled himself from his seat. He pushed the door open and stood to his full height as he closed it forcefully behind him. He was gorgeously tall as he walked over and was easily a head over Louis as he stood in his presence.

Louis’ heart thud against his chest again, and his knees went severely weak as he caught a stiff whiff of Harry’s expensive cologne on his clothes.

With strong arms, Harry pulled Louis in for a proper cuddle, and squeezed him tightly as if he would slip away. His chest was warm, solid, and everything Louis wanted to encompass himself in all evening long. His hands were big as they splayed across Louis’ back and slid down to gather at the curvy dips of his hips.

“Hello, Louis,” he whispered roughly and deep, sending a shiver down his spine. “I apologize for spooking you with my horn. I just couldn’t help myself, the opportunity was there.”

Harry belly laughed once more, and Louis bit down on his own.

“You should have seen your face,” Harry went on. “It was priceless, baby. Absolutely priceless.”

“You’re unbearable,” Louis said. “I’m beginning to think it should be me who’s on my way out of here.”

“No! Sorry, sorry,” Harry swallowed down his contagious laughter. “I just didn’t expect to be able to make you scream before even saying hello.”

Louis simpered, sinfully.

“You’d be lucky to make me scream again,” he said. “You’ll have to buy me dinner first at least.”

Part 1/?

Patreon saw it first

[themattgirl]

Hi Jasmine💖 I really like your writing you're amazing 💖💖 Sooo can you write sth where Y/N has asthma and she had an attack infront of Harry for the first time and he comforts her and does some cute shit coz I have asthma and I always fantasize about this

Thank you so much, I’m glad you like it. I love you🥺�� Sorry for this late reply, my cousin came over unexpectedly and is now sleeping next to me while I’m trying to write this for you in the best way possible. Let me know if you like it and feel free to send more requests.🦋

Breathless

“Why did you do it even though I told you not to? Why can’t you just listen to me, huh?” Y/N asks Harry angrily.

They are in the middle of their fifth fight of the week, and it’s only Wednesday. They’ve both been very caught up into work and haven’t spent much time with each other lately. The lack of communication caused a lot of drama in this house the past few days. Y/N and Harry used to talk about anything and everything, but since Y/N is in the middle of the exam season of her last semester in college and Harry is currently struggling with finishing up his album, it’s hard to find the time. It might be necessary to say how much of a perfectionist he is. Plus, it’s the first album since the band went on hiatus and he really wants this to work.

“I just thought you’d like to be her friend again. I thought you’d listen to what she has to say.” Harry tries to explain why he invited Y/N’s ex-best-friend - or the traitor - to her birthday party even though she made clear that she doesn’t want to see her ever again.

“Listen to what she has to say? Are you kidding? She’s already said enough, don’t you think?” Y/N’s voice becomes louder by every second in which Harry doesn’t get what he did wrong.

Y/N has been ignoring her old best friend for weeks now and she’s not planning on stopping it. She is way too disappointed. Who wouldn’t be if their so-called best friend spreads rumours around the whole campus about them giving free blowjobs even though they have a boyfriend? And that only because said boyfriend is Harry Styles and the traitor has been crushing on him ever since she’s heard about him. But hasn’t everyone? Everybody loves Harry and Y/N happens to be lucky enough to be the one he loves back. A real best friend would be happy for you, right?

“Baby, I’m sure she did it out of anger. She loves you and wants to be your friend again. Give her a chance.” Harry’s voice is still very calm which is only adding to Y/N’s fury because it means he’s convinced that he’s right and he’s not seeing his mistake.

“Stop fucking defending that bitch! I don’t care if she did it because she was angry or jealous or whatever. I’m not giving her a fucking chance or any shit. She can go to hell and if you think what she did is forgivable then you might as well stuff her mouth with your dick and join her.”

This is it. Harry realises how angry Y/N really is. She never swears. He has never heard a curse word leaving her mouth, nor anything like ‘dick’ - not even while they have sex. Only now he notices that her eyes are filled with hurt, her face turned red, her nostrils are flaring, fists clenched while she’s glaring at him. Her breathing is heavy.

“Okay, but is it really that bad? I mean, the unknown calls have stopped, right? And you’ll be out of college very soon, anyway. It’s not that big of a deal. And most importantly, we both know that the only person you’re giving head is me.”

He certainly will not have that privilege anymore after what he just said.

“I’m already on the edge, Harry. Don’t make me lose my shit completely. Why do you even care so much about it? Isn’t it my choice who I want to be friends with?”

“It is, but you don’t have any other friends.” He speaks the truth, “I just don’t want you to be all alone when I’m not around.”

Before Y/N can respond her phone starts ringing. She pulls it out of her back pocket and checks who itis. Unknown. Those calls haven’t actually stopped, Y/N just stopped telling Harry about them. She has to pick up, though. For some strange reason, her father always calls with a hidden ID. So she slides her finger from the left to the right on the display and holds her phone to her ear. Not greeting the person on the other side of the line she waits for someone to speak.

“Hey, uhm... I was told you give head for free. Is-“ Y/N cuts him off immediately with a simple “no” and takes a deep breath to collect herself even though breathing gets harder and harder.

“Oh, is this not Y/N?” The man asks confused.

“It is, but I don’t do that. Whoever told you that was lying. I have a boyfriend who I really love and would never cheat on. Tell everyone, thank you, bye!” Y/N clarifies and ends the phone call.

She doesn’t even have time to put it back in her pocket when it starts ringing again. Unknown, again.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she whispers to herself before picking up.

“I’m picking you up in half an hour, ‘key?” The voice on the other end asks.

Y/N hangs up on him without saying anything. It’s so overwhelming, all of this. To get it all in her head she explains the whole situation out loud, hoping it’ll make her know what to do about it.

“So, my best friend told everyone I give BJs for free because she’s jealous and now my phone won’t stop ringing. I’m the whore of the campus, no, I’m not even a whore, apparently I don’t do it for money. That’s my reputation now. And as if this isn’t enough, my boyfriend - the one that I’m accused of cheating on - decided to be on her side and against me. So basically, I’m fucked.” Y/N is looking down at her feet, she is quiet but loud enough for Harry to hear her. With every word her breathing becomes heavier.

What might be important to mention is that Y/N has asthma. Well, she had. It stopped being so bad a while ago and she could live her life without an attack for more than a year. What she didn’t tell Harry is that she started to be out of breath very quickly in the past two weeks. She tried to ignore it but taking deep breaths doesn’t seem to work this time. Her airways become too narrow for her to breathe properly. She starts coughing and wheezing. Since there is nothing beside her that she can sit down on she is forced to let herself down on the floor. Harry reacts immediately by crouching down in front of his girlfriend and straightening her back.

“Baby, look at me,” Harry places a finger under her chin to make her look up at him, “It’s gonna be okay, just breathe with me, yeah?”

He inhales deeply twice, waiting for her to follow his example but when she doesn’t he gets up, tells Y/N to wait and that he’ll be right back and runs into the bedroom to get her inhaler that he knows is always in the drawer next to the bed. He grabs it and rushes back. What he doesn’t know, though, is that this one is not full anymore. He has to find that out when he holds it on her mouth and presses the button on the top of it so she can breathe in what comes out. Only this time, nothing comes out. She’s been waking up at night, troubling with her breathing almost every night lately. Harry can’t help but freak out a little, but for the sake of Y/N he has to keep it together.

“Do you have another one?” he has to ask her twice because she doesn’t respond the first time but nods the second.

“Where?” he wants to know and receives a gesticulation as an answer. At first he doesn’t know what she means but when she repeats it he understands what she’s trying to say. He goes back to the bedroom and empties her bag on the bed until a blue little tool falls out. He tries to be as fast as he possibly can.

When he’s with her again he repeats his action from the first time, this time it works. Luckily, Harry knows exactly what to do. He had asthma as a kid himself.

He lets Y/N take a puff of the inhaler every thirty seconds, whispering little encouragements like “you’re doing good, baby, keep going” every now and again. By the 13th time she is back to breathing on her own.

“Are you all right, sweetheart?” he asks her and hesitates to put the inhaler down already. But Y/N nods and pulls him in for a hug.

“You did great, baby girl, I’m proud of you. You’re a strong woman, you know that? My strong woman,” he tells her while stroking her back and hair.

“I’m sorry,” Y/N apologises quietly and pulls away.

“What’re you apologising for? Don’t be silly, love. I’m sorry for stressing you out to the point where you couldn’t breathe anymore. I’m so stupid. Who the hell does that? I’m a shitty boyfriend, I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re not. You just saved my life!”

Not wanting to argue with her right now he says “Okay” and pulls her into his arms again.

“You were right. You shouldn’t be her friend, she doesn’t deserve you. We’re gonna get you a new number and we’ll find a way to get those stupid rumours out of the world, I promise. Just don’t leave me, please!” Harry begs her to not make his worst fear reality.

“I’m not leaving you, what’re you talking about? I know you’re stupid sometimes but that’s not enough to make me even think of it. You’re stuck with me, whether you like it or not.” Y/N assures him.

“I most certainly do like it,” he smiles, “I really love you, Y/N!”

Before she can say it back the sound of a car honking interrupts her. Oh no, she thinks.

“Who’s that?” Harry asks when he notices the look on her face.

“A client,” she jokes and they both break into laughter.

“C’mon, let’s beat him up together, yeah?” Harry can’t help it but laugh when he sees how her face lights up at those words and she nods happily.

“Oh God, how I love you!” he gushes before he locks his lips with hers, feeling the butterflies in his stomach go crazy when she smiles into the kiss.

[itstittycitybaby]

May Death do Us Part (Benrey/Gordon Freeman)

A/N: ahaha im a bit nervous to post this one ngl but fuck it might as well give it a shot. if you haven’t seen hlvrai please do it’s so good and so fucking funny. Thank you @kryogie for helping me with this fic! I really appreciate it bro.

Warnings:angst,suicidal thoughts,suicide attempt,hurt/comfort,dissociation.

Benrey couldn’t die. Anyone else would be ecstatic to know that they could out run the hounds of death. Gordon’s apartment was dark that night. He’d mention earlier that morning picking up another shift, so he’d be home later. The silence was deafening as Benrey stared at the bright T.V. screen. His thoughts felt like he was dragging through quick sand and his brain lagged. “not pog. cringeworthy moments right here,” Benrey murmured to himself as a CPU beat his ass on Smash. Sonic, the one Benrey mains, looked glum as he clapped for Bowser. It was suffocating; the silence and the distant but also bright colours of the T.V. The switch hummed faintly but Benrey had trouble focusing on it. 

He hated the quiet. Whenever it was quiet the guilt came rushing back. The memories of Black Mesa were fuzzy but Benrey couldn’t forget what he had done. His hand laid there on the cold cement ground as Gordon cried out in pain in the dark. His form being dragged by three soldiers as they left him to die. Benrey could faintly see the blood as Tommy started to cry.

“N-no! What are they d-doing to Mr. Freeman?”

Benrey choked on his breath; his chest felt tight and his throat contracted harshly. The whispers of the dark swirled around him and laid on his trembling form thickly. The T.V. that sat on its stand became blurry and Benrey felt as if he were sinking.

He couldn’t move. The soldiers around them paid him no mind. They laughed and carried on like nothing had happened. After all, Benrey’s job was done righ? This is what he had wanted?

“calm down,” Benrey told himself. “this..this is baby behaviour...we’re supposed to be..epic gamer....” Gordon had moved on from Black Mesa. Or so he told himself anyway. His arm was back, something Tommy’s dad had fixed. Even with his hand being back, Benrey could see the underlying anxiety Gordon had. He could see it in the way Gordon fidgeted and jumped at every loud noise. He couldn’t blame him at all. This was all his fault. He had always enjoyed making Gordon irritated. It was funny and entertaining but he had taken it too far.

Benrey knew he didn’t deserve Gordon’s kindness. He didn’t have to let Benrey in his apartment as the rain poured that night. Gordon was anxious and still held some malice towards him, but Benrey could see his big brown eyes soften with concern as he saw the blood seeping through his security shirt. Gordon was insistent on tending his wounds even though he knew Benrey couldn’t die. Something Benrey still couldn’t wrap his head around to this day.

How long had it been? Hours? Minutes? Benrey couldn’t tell but the thoughts were getting louder and louder as he sat there on the couch. He had to do something. His limbs didn’t feel like moving but he wiggled them as a test. They felt sluggish and heavy but Benrey eventually got a leg off the couch. He deserved this didn’t he? He deserved the pain and despair of the aftermath. It’s what he caused after all. So why was it so hard to move on?

“wasn’t suppos’ to be..like this,” Benrey mumbled one night as the both of them sat in front of the T.V. Some stupid rom com played. Pretty and Pink, was it? Gordon didn’t say anything but his brows furrowed. “What?” Benrey huffed. “can’t hear me feetman?..gordon freeman??more like.. gordon deafman haha...can’t even hear his bro talking to him..” Gordon rolled his eyes and sighed. “Can you ever talk seriously?” “yea...I tried but deafman couldn’t hear me....” Gordon just snorted, picking up the bowl of popcorn from the coffee table. “Whatever man just watch the movie.” Benrey could see a small smile on Gordon’s plush lips. It made his heart flutter.

The balcony felt cold underneath Benrey’s feet. Gordon’s apartment was high enough that he’d smack on the concrete and die from the impact. Sure, he’d resurrect again, but it helped with the pain. All the emotions swirled around him and bit at his gut. It was an endless torture of not being able to be at peace. People saw the ability of never being able to die a blessing. Hell, they would kill for it. Benrey saw it as a curse. It was perfect for him and the thought made him laugh hollowly. It was raining again and the air nipped at his toes and fingers. The wind made his skin numb from the cold. He laughed at the clicheness of it all. Like some damn cheesy RPG game where the main character hit his low. The sky wept with Benrey’s misery.

Benrey’s fists clenched tightly on the balcony. The metal railing was cold to the touch and the water made it a bit slippery. The laughter wheezed out of his chest. Was he crying? His tears felt hot;His arms felt slackish and unbearably slow.”c-could end everything r-right now....little feetman wouldn’t have to...p-put up with me anymore...i’ll just respawn like a gamer and...keep d-doing it....” Maybe one day he’d disappear. Maybe he’d actually stay dead. Benrey cackled at the thought. It was wishful thinking, he knew it. Yet, he couldn’t help but think of the science team. What if he actually stayed dead? Tommy would cry and wail like a good friend. He cared about Benrey even after all the shit he put them through. Dr. Coomer might be a little sad but would be back in no time. Bubby..well Bubby was and always will be a wild card. Benrey’s heart lurched when he thought about Gordon. The science team never worried too much when Benrey died but this was different entirely. Benrey wanted to die. Would they even care? Gray orbs left his mouth as he remincised over what he had done. He had fucked up and couldn’t forgive himself. How could he when he had hurt the man he liked. 

Gripping the railing for support, Benrey balanced himself onto it. Carefully, he stood up on it. His stomach lurched with anxiety as he looked down. Cars honked and people walked among the sidewalks blissfully unaware. Benrey couldn’t help but think about if his head smacked onto the pavement. How traumatized innocent bystanders would be and if they would tried to help. Was it wrong that he couldn’t find himself to care?

“Benrey!” He jumped in surprise, causing him to teeter on the railing. His arms waved and so did his fingers for balance. A hand grabbed him by the back of his shirt and yanked him onto the balcony floor. Benrey let out a hiss as his back made contact with its cement floor. He cursed once he realized who prevented him from jumping off the balcony and ending his misery for a short awhile. “W-what the fuck man?!” Gordon Freeman hovered over Benrey. His glasses were speckled from the rain and his hair that was pulled up was starting to get damp. His brown eyes were wide and..was he crying? The waves of guilt that were already washing Benrey away were now crashing to the surface. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

He looked so afraid and hurt. Benrey averted his gaze. “L-let’s get you inside,” Gordon said, mostly to himself. He was trying to reassure himself, Benrey noticed, as he helped him up. Gordon’s hand wrapped tightly around his as he lead him back into his apartment. God, Benrey felt so damn guilty. He just wanted to die for a bit and be nothing. It only lasted for a couple hours before he came back but the seemingly never ending darkness called to him. It called for him to come home. Benrey could barely register a fluffly towel being wrapped around his quivering frame. His clothing clung to his skin in a gross way and he felt cold and warm at the same time. There were groceries and a pack of Moutain Dew on the kitchen isalnd. Benrey’s favorite.

Gordon ran a hand through his hair. A nervous tick he had which didn’t help Benrey’s guilt at all. “’m...s-sorry,” Benrey choked out. “weren’t suppose...to see that.” Gordon’s head shot up. His brown eyes wavered as he looked into Benrey’s seemingly cold black ones. “No man don’t a-apologize. I-If I had known...” Gordon trailed off. Benrey shook his head. “n-not just for that feetman...for everything..” His lip quivered and he dropped Gordon’s gaze. Finally, he had said what he’d been keeping in for so long. “Is that why you tried t-to..do that?” Gordon gestured to the balcony. Benrey nodded. Gordon let out a shaky sigh. “L-look man.. I’ve already forgiven you. I care about you and...I worry about you Benrey..I l-lo-” Benrey’s eyes widened. Gordon’s cheeks heated up and he swallowed thickly. “..wha?..” “U-um,” Gordon stuttered, eyes averting anything close to Benrey. “U-uh..fuck it man! I like you alright? I-I.. love you after all these months! I was gonna tell you but... I-I didn’t think you’d feel the same.. Now of all times isn’t g-good to tell you either.” Benrey stood there stunned. 

Gordon swallowed nervously as he waited silently. Benrey’s silence and his stare didn’t help Gordon in the slightest. “L-look man if you don’t feel that way it’s fine. I’m more concerned about you though...I-I have a friend who’s a therapist! S-she’s great and she-” Gordon got caught off by soft lips against his own. His eyes widened but when Benrey clutched tightly into his shirt, he kissed back. 

Gordon cracked a smile once they pulled away. “I-I don’t wanna pressure you into anything while in this state...so I-I understand if you don’t wanna g-get into anything-”  Benrey cut Gordon off with another kiss. They were a bit cold and damp from standing in the rain. “y-you’re my gamer boyfriend now feetman..” Gordon barked a laugh as he pulled away. “I still want you to get help though okay? I want to help you through this.” Benrey nodded, “i-i’ll try bro....i’ll try.” Satisfied, Gordon beckoned to the couch. “Wanna play some video games or something?” Benrey nodded, already shuffling to the couch. 

After Gordon put the groceries away and grabbed Benrey a can of Moutain Dew and his so called “gamer snacks”, he joined him on the couch. “Can I,” Gordon asked, hovering his arm over Benrey’s shoulders. He nodded and as soon as Gordon wrapped his arm around him, Benrey nestled into his side. They both smiled as they basked in each other’s presence and played Heavenly Sword. Tomorrow will be a better day.

[borathae]

Omg just thought of a request! New Year’s Eve related!! How about y/n is on tour with the boys as like a singer or 8th member and her and one of the boys (vocal line? Heh) have been flirting and kissing NON STOP all tour and y/n gives up on him because she saw him talking to other girls and thinks she can’t compare and that he’s just conveniently using her for affection because she’s there. She runs away and the boys try to find her and The boy finally confessed to them at midnight 🥰

Pairing: Jimin x f.Reader

Genre: Angst, Fluff, Idol!AU

Wordcount: 1.4k

a/n: Why did that make me lowkey sad? lmaooa my single ass can’t relate sad 🤧 anyways this is going to be my last story of 2019. Happy New Years everyone, I love you and see you next year (höhöhöhö) 😂💜

Only a few more seconds and the champagne glass would probably shatter in your hands. You are clasping it, basically choking it to death in your hands all whilst imagining it was the girl’s throat Jimin is currently talking to. Well, basically eye fucking her if you were being honest. He is leaned against the wall with one of his arms, a teasing smirk is on his lips as he lets his eyes travel over the girl’s body. She is telling him something, probably a story of her boring childhood. He laughs, throwing his head back. Or not so boring in Jimins eyes.

“Why do you look as miserable as sin?” Seokjin asks, having walked up to you just seconds ago.

“It’s nothing”, you grumble, staring down Jimin and the now giggling girl. What was she laughing about? Oh, your blood is boiling at this point.

“So it’s not Jimin currently hitting up that girl over there?”

You finally look away from Jimin to send Seokjin an annoyed stare instead.

“Why would that bother me?”

“Because you guys are basically dating at this point, duh?” Seokjin raises one of his eyebrows, signaling you if it wasn’t obvious enough.

You scoff, feeling annoyed.

“Not according to Jimin we aren’t”, you mumble and down the rest of the sparkling alcohol in one go. You grimace at the taste.

“Need another glass?”  Jungkook suddenly asks with two filled-to-the-brim glasses of champagne.

You take the bigger one and gulp it down in one go. You point at the other glass. Jungkook looks at you, almost offended, moving it closer to his chest protectively.

“Give me that damn glass I need it more than you”, you growl.

“Why? I want to get wasted too. I waited ten minutes at the bar to get that”, he whines still not giving up the glass despite your hands pulling at it with all of your might.

“She and Jimin have some weird couple fight tonight, just hand her the champagne Jungkook. I will get you another one”, Seokjin explains, earning the most venomous look ever from you.

“We aren’t a couple for christ’s sake, stop calling us like that if we aren’t!” you have your voice raised.

The glass of champagne is already forgotten.

Seokjin and Jungkook exchange a quick look, both of them clearly taken aback by your sudden angry outburst.

“No need to snap at me like that”, Seokjin mumbles with furrowed brows.

“If you stop calling us a couple and giving me some sense of false hope I will.”

“Sense of false hope?” Jungkook asks.

“You wouldn’t understand”, you murmur almost too quiet to be understood in the loud music.

You try to escape from them, turning your back to them to disappear into the crowd of people, but they don’t let you, catching up with you when you are mere feet away from Jimin and the girl.

“Don’t run away from us ___. You need to tell us what is going one between you and Jimin!” Seokjin yells over the loud music.

You cringe, directly making eye contact with Jimin when Seokjin says the last part. Jimin had heard you, now staring at you and the others with big eyes. He looks baffled.

“No I don’t. There is nothing to talk about anyways”, you say loudly to make sure Jimin is able to hear ever single word of what you were saying.

He swallows, his jaw clenches in anger. For a moment the two of you are staring each other down, too angry at the other to make a move.

“Oh, awkwaaaard”, Seokjin whispers into Jungkook’s ear. The latter agrees with a nod of his head and gulps down his champagne in two goes.

“I’m going, this party is stupid”, you tell them and then you are gone from their side, walking to the exit without once breaking eye contact with Jimin.

He doesn’t even have a reason to stare so angrily at you, you aren’t the one basically hitting up everything that moves. No you were waiting for him the whole night, drinking just enough alcohol to keep your mind clean for anything Jimin wants to do to you but still enough to be giddy. And what did he do? Getting wasted in the first hour of that stupid new year’s party and then talking with every goddamn girl in the room. Every girl but you. And there you were actually thinking that your countless make-out sessions and late night cuddle dates during tour meant something.

The streets are busy with drunk people celebrating the end of the decade. The whole city is happy, colourful, filled with life and laughter. How else shall people start the “Roaring 20s 2.0” other than celebrating it until the sun greets a new day? Normally you would be one of them, greeting the new decade with open arms, but not anymore. You are miserable, wandering through a foreign city far from home, shivering from the cold and bleeding internally from having your heart broken.

“Just five more minutes until the new decade starts!” a man somewhere on the other side of the street screams. A roar of applause and cheer follows.

The air is vibrating around from the excitement of the other people. People are making-out already, pressing their bodies together and hugging each other close. You gag. Disgusting.

You just want to be at home, bundled up in three thick blankets and crying your sorrows away. Why do you have to develop feelings for Jimin? “Friends-with-benefits and nothing more”, that’s what he told you when the two of you started making-out a year ago. But of course your stupid heart has to fall for his lovable ass.

Someone grasps your wrists rather roughly all of a sudden, making you stumble backwards. Great and now some crazy fan has found you and is going to force themselves on you, you think as you get turned around on your heels. However there is no salivating, crazy stalker waiting for you, but rather your band mates looking at you with worry in their eyes.

Jimin’s eyes are filled with regret, his lips are pouting, his grip around your wrist loosens.

“Why did you run away like that? We need to start the new decade together”, he asks, cupping your cheek like he always does when he is worried for you.

“Oh, so now I’m good enough for you? When you have flirted yourself through every girl in that club, you come crawling back to me?”

The others take a step back, wanting to give the two of you your privacy.

“What? No it’s not like that”, Jimin defends himself.

“Really? What else is it then? Did none of the girls want to fuck you?”

“No princess, of course not.”

The nickname makes your skin crawl and your stomach sick. You wiggle out of his touch, slapping his hands away from your face.

“Don’t call me princess. It gives me some sort of false hope that there could be more between us then just sex when there is none.”

“Princess, baby, please listen to me”, Jimin begs, taking your hands into his once more. He is so soft and gentle with you right now, it nearly makes you want to forgive him already. You shouldn’t be so weak for a man, what happened to that strong confident woman you were?

“No I don’t want to anymore. I don’t want to start the new decade by hoping for some happy ending with you. Just go back to your girls and leave me alone”, you spit.

You free yourself of his grasp, turning your back to him and walk away. He doesn’t need to see you start crying over him like a little girl.

“But I don’t want to start the new decade with some random girl, I want to start it with you, the woman I’m madly in love with”, he yells.

You stop abruptly. This can’t be happening.

“I love you ___. I love you so goddamn much that I thought making you jealous by talking to other girls tonight would make you realise you love me just as much!”

His hands touch your shoulders, eliciting goosebumps where he touches you. You twist around.

“I wasn’t even able to imagine that maybe you were already feeling the same thing anyways.  I’m so sorry”, his voice is laced with regret. His eyes glisten from tears, his lips tremble.

“Please let me start this new decade as your boyfriend”, he begs.

People around you cheer, cars honk and loud music rings through the street.

“Five! Four! Three!”

Two more seconds left in this decade. The people around you are screaming in excitement.

But you only have eyes for Jimin, feeling like time has stopped right this moment. Nothing was important anymore, nothing except the man in front of you.

“Two!”

Everyone is holding their breath.

“One! Happy New Year!”

You kiss him just as the clock hits midnight and the fireworks go off on the clear sky above your heads.

[icyhotexplosionwritings]

Okay, so I actual don’t write angst scenarios (bc I’m a baby and I am way to emotional invested in my own writing orz) and THAT is why this could have been WAY angstier than it is right now and I know out there are literal ANGST MASTERS who probably would have done way better with this request than me, b-but… Even though it is not THAT angsty(some of you guys are probably like, pf, angst? Have you seen angst before, Celine? This is puppies and rainbows compared to some real angst; and I know... I am just rly bad with angst so it is rather... a little drama and then happy end? XD); Though, I was super happy I could write for my owl son Bokuto; I am just bad at refusing a request and I actually quite liked the idea, actually; ugh I hate letting you guys down, sorry anon, but I hope you can still enjoy it a little ;A;

----

No. No please. This couldn’t be happening right now. Looking at the pregnancy test between your fingers you started shaking, trying hard to not start crying. How could this have happened, you were always using a condom, since most of the birth control pills you took affected you negatively.

Reality hit you, it probably broke a few weeks ago, that was the only logical explanation, but this… this was not the right timing. You were only 20 and your boyfriend had a very promising volleyball career he had been working on ever since you knew him.

Right now, you were glad that Bokuto was at a meeting with his team, because you couldn’t help but cry, however you also made a decision, a decision that would be hard, but would save his career, because you didn’t want to be the one ending everything for him.

You knew Bokuto, he would take responsibility, he would be there for you and that is exactly why you wouldn’t tell him, because you wanted him to chase after his dream and not be worried about you and your child.

....

“You’re acting weird, F/N…”, Bokuto’s curious golden eyes were examining you. You jumped a little. “What? No, Kou, you are only imagining things, I guess I am just tired.” You tried your hardest to distract him with something else, talking about how his training was going. It had been two weeks since you found out you were pregnant and slowly you knew it was showing that somebody was growing inside you. You couldn’t run away any longer, today it had to be done. Just hearing how excited your boyfriend was, hooting like a little kid who got a candy he was talking about how he felt spiking the ball, having a professional team behind his back. You only laughed, you liked hearing him this excited and it made everything a little bit easier.

At night, when Koutarou was sleeping soundly beside you, you gave him one last kiss, his cute little snort making your eyes all watery. “I love you, Kou, so much, please forgive me for being selfish.”, whispering you combed through his freshly washed hair, before you carefully removed his arms around you, not waking him up.

You kissed the envelope one last time, a tear dripping down on the paper, before putting it down on the kitchen table so your boyfriend, no, ex-boyfriend, could see it when he would wake up in the morning- thank god not even an apocalypse could wake this man. Wiping away your tears, you took your car keys, since you had packed your suitcase yesterday, knowing that today would be the day, and you hid it inside your trunk, only taking the things that were most precious to you and you needed for a new start.

Looking back one last time you rested your hand on your growing belly, softly stroking it, whispering, “I’m sorry you won’t meet your Daddy, but I’ll make sure to tell you about him, I promise little one.” Turning away, you started your car, leaving your current life behind.

…

The next morning, Bokuto was waking up, but you were not in his arms, which was a very rare occasion. No, rather, your bedside was cold as if you hadn’t even been sleeping here tonight and soon, the worry hit him. You had been acting weird the last couple of days, he could see and feel it, so this worried him. Quickly jumping out of bed he rushed through your apartment, opening every door, calling out your name with his typical boisterous voice. “Where are you, F/N?!”, he bit his bottom lip when he entered the kitchen, searching for you, but you were nowhere to be found.

When he saw the envelope he could feel his stomach turning. This was not true, right? This was just a letter, you were probably just shopping, right? He didn’t have to worry, right? He was this close to falling into one of his depressive states, before even reading the letter, so he tried his best to get it together, as he reached for the envelope, opening it and reading what you had left him.

Dear Koutarou!

I know, when you read this you probably know what is going on but are in denial.

I am sorry, I never thought I would one day have to write a letter like this to you. Kou… I am gone. Please don’t look after me, you won’t find me.

It’s childish, right? I couldn’t even be adult enough to talk about it face to face with you, because I knew you would have tried to stop me and me being weak when it comes to you, I probably would have given it. But Koutarou, I had to make this decision.

I know you probably overthink everything, now. If you did anything wrong, but let me tell you – no. You did nothing wrong, you were always there for me, I had so much fun being with you and I felt loved and I loved you too, Kou, there is no one on this planet I love more than you, please don’t think this was easy for me, but some decisions in life hurt us deeply, this is one of them.

Kou, please don’t think about me too much, concentrate on your career, I want to see you on TV, so don’t ever give up. Be happy again, find someone who can make you truly happy.

In love, F/N

His knees were weak, his legs shaking, gripping the letter tightly some tears made their way down his cheek. “But, F/N… no one can make me happier than you…” and that’s when he broke down on the kitchen floor – sobbing.

Of course Koutarou tried calling you, but you had changed your number and even though you said not to search for you, he tried, he tried to find you, but you were gone, like you said.

….

Months went by and one hot summer afternoon a scream echoed through the hospital room. You had a lovely little baby girl, naming her Natsuki and she had the same sparkling gold eyes as her father, well… to be honest, the only thing she had from you was her cute little nose and the shape of her eyes, everything else was Bokuto – and it hurt. But it also made you happy.

Years went by and you tried dating, but no one ever made you as happy as him, so after four dating fails, you decided to stay single for a while, dedicating all your love to your little Natsuki and whenever her Dad would be seen on TV you made sure to tell her; you wanted her to know and whenever she would ask why Bokuto was not with you two, you just told her, “I’ll tell you when you are older, Natsu, I promise.”

Bokuto himself also tried to go on with his life. Even though it was hard, he knew there was nothing he could have done to prevent this, you made your decision to leave him and he had to accept it. At the beginning he felt a lot of hate towards himself and it affected his performance, however he made sure to not let this chance of being on the national team slip, so he got himself together again, thinking “Watch me, F/N!”

…..

It was pure coincidence. His team came back from China and they all finally deserved a holiday after fighting with everything they had, getting them the silver medal. He was alone when he traveled all the way south to Okinawa-Islands. He needed to just do nothing for once, so this was perfect, however he didn’t think this would happen.

It was the third day after his arrival, he was just walking alongside the road, the beautiful ocean sparkling in the background, when he heard something. It was a laughter he hadn’t heard in over 7 years. Wait, this couldn’t be it, right? Ah, but there it was again and this time, there was also your voice, “Natsu! Don’t run, you’ll trip!”

On the other side of the road, there you were, a grocery bag in your hand, the other covering your mouth a little. “F/N.”, it was not really loud, but it was enough for you to halt for a second and look to the other side and there he was. “Kou…”, the bag of groceries fell out of your hand, your eyes wide, he still looked like before, only a little bit more mature. “Mommy, what is it?”, Natsu grabbed your hand, concern in her golden eyes, before she also looked across the road, curious as to what you were looking at, or better who you were looking at…

Natsuki had seen her father multiple times on TV, giving interviews and playing on the court, so when she saw him, it was crystal clear to her, that this right here, this was her father. Her face lit up and even though she was a very well behaved and raised child, right now she just sprinted full force over the road, without thinking or looking. “DADDY!!!”, screaming, she didn’t see or hear the car coming down the road.

Bokuto couldn’t believe it, there was a little girl by your side calling you mother and she looked… so much like him. So, you were pregnant? You had raised a child all on your own these past 7 years. Why? Why didn’t you say anything, he would have taken responsibility. Shocked, he couldn’t move at all when the little girl screamed, her arms wide open, running towards him, when he suddenly heard a car and as he slowly turned his head, it started honking and a terrible squeaking sound was heard from the friction of the stopping wheels on the road, your scream in the distance, “NATSU?!?!”

Thankfully his legs were reacting way faster than his brain was, because if he would have waited any second longer… He started dashing too, grabbing the little girl under her arms and only centimeters away from hitting the side mirror of the car, he wrapped his arms around her, stumbling to the other side of the road, before completely falling down on his knees, kneeling in front of you know.

You were shocked, your knees were weak and you thought your heart was about to stop beating. Tears were trickling down your cheek, you thought that was it. When the car came to a halt, the driver screamed through the open window, before driving off again, but you couldn’t care any less, right here, right now, your daughter was save and the one who saved her was no other than her father himself.

Bokuto was the first to react, he rose from his position, now standing in front of you, Natsuki clawing at him like her life depended on it, she was clearly shocked too and before anyone could have said something Bokuto was raising his arm and only a second later he also pressed you against his chest. “Kou…” You didn’t want to, but you couldn’t hold back and started sobbing, clawing at his shirt, the other hand holding onto your daughter’s hand, gripping it tightly.

Natsuki looked up, tears streaming down her face, before she reached out to touch Koutarou’s cheek, making him jump a little before turning his head to look at her and even though she was crying, she had the most radiant smile on her lips that he had ever seen. “You are finally here, Daddy…”, before breaking down completely, crying and sobbing, she buried her head into his chest.

Bokuto was almost crying himself, all those years, he never knew about his little family, but now that he held you both in his arms, he knew one thing for sure, “Yeah… and I’m never leaving again, little owl!”, because he would never, ever let you go, not after finally having you in his arms again.

[dongsooks]

Best Friends to Lovers - Chen

A/N: Hi @noona-clock T! I couldn’t decide whether or not to do bullet points or a scenario so I’m gonna throw in some blurbs in between the bullets. It’s messy as hell and turned out to be a high school!au, which I’m sorry about, but I hope you like it regardless!

(written by admin Fay)

he’s loud

and annoying

basically just obnoxious

that’s a no-brainer

but he made up for it being the sweetest human being on earth

so kind to everyone, especially those who are more shy

you went to the same school, but didn’t really know each other right away

neither of you were necessarily the ‘popular’ kids

you just had a different group of friends

but at some point they slowly started molding together

and you started talking to him more

and realized how freaking cute he is

“Oh hey (Y/N), we’re going to get pizza after school. You wanna come with us?” Your friend smiled at you, with a hopeful look. You were unsure, you had an essay half way ready and you really wanted to finish it in time.

“Uh, I don’t know...” You explained the situation. Your friend shrugged, it wasn’t unusual for you to be busy and they weren’t going to pressure you. Except that someone else was.

“Oh come on!” A boy, called Jongdae, whined. He sounded funny, and it made you smile. “So what about some stupid essay? It’s not like you can’t finish it later today. Besides, I can promise you this pizza is worth it!”

so obviously you gave in

a cute guy and pizza, is there a better combo?

you two became quite close soon

(apparently Jongdae seals friendships with pizza dates)

and he was just so easy to be around

soon you found yourself spending most of your time with him

you two would be hanging out even if others from your group of friends couldn’t make it, you could always trust each other to be around

he often liked to tease you

about anything he could

you figured he just liked making people flustered

or if he was bored

he’d do pretty much anything to annoy you

to the point where you just had to give him attention

but you had your ways to get back at him

in fact, you were one of the very few people who could make him plead for forgiveness and mercy

on emergency occations, when he needed you to do something but he didn’t have the time to start bickeringand begging

he’d gather the best aegyo he could pull together

and throw it at you

it usually got him whatever he wanted

not only was this guy the most fun person you’ve ever met

he was also hella caring

“Yo it’s Jongdae, we had the spanish vocab test tomorrow right? Which chapter was it from again?”

he texts because he knows you may not remember so he tries to remind you without letting you know he noticed your forgetfulness

if you’ve posted something on your social media on a night out;

“Isn’t it your bedtime soon? Get out of the club granny!”

he was just joking though, and he’d always send something right after to let you know that, like;

“No but seriously, do you need a ride home?”

Your class was about to start, the teacher was going to be there any minute now, and Jongdae was missing. Your eyes switched from your wrist watch to the door and back. The teacher was just about to step into the classroom, but before she could make it all the way through the door a boy pushed his way past her and ran to the back to sit on his seat next to you. The teacher shook her head, but let it slide this time. Even though Jongdae was a handful, he was still hardworking.

“Ah, really Jongdae...” you whined, but still accepted the two cranola bars he had dug out of his pocket and was holding out to you. It wasn’t the first time he had gone to the corner store on his way to school to grab something for you. “Come on, I saw your instagram story,” he muttered, still a little out of breath. “I’ll stop feeding you when you learn to make time for eating breakfast!” Oh yeah, you had in fact posted a quick picture of the pretty sunrise, with a text saying how you’d probably enjoy the morning more if it weren’t for your empty stomach.

you were quite surprised he didn’t date anyone

in your opinion, he was as near to perfect as it can get

but you just figured he wanted to focus on his studies

and somehow you felt a little glad you could get him all to yourself and didn’t have to share him with some stupid girlfriend, who probably wouldn’t even appreciate him enough

when it was time for prom!!!

it was obvious to everyone that you two would go together

and you did

although you told Jongdae if some other girl asked him, he could go with them if he wanted to

“So, you know, if someone else asks you, feel free to say yes. You don’t absolutely have to go with me.” You finished with a shrug, and looked at Jongdae. He rubbed his chin, pretending to think. “Hmm, I would, but then you wouldn’t have anyone else to go with,” he said with a look that was almost pitiful, but you could still see a sparkle in his eyes. Your eyes widened, and you yelled at him, “Yah! I’m perfectly capable of finding another guy to go with! You’re not the only male friend I have!” This just made Jongdae burst into laughter. After he calmed down, he ruffled your hair, and smiled. “Don’t worry silly, I wouldn’t wanna go with anyone else but you!”

He most likely didn’t expect it, but you had heard girls talking about asking him to prom. One day, you were walking down the hallway as you noticed Jongdae was talking with someone. You hid behind a corner, not that you were stalking them, you were just curious and didn’t want to interrupt. You heard the girl laugh at one of Jongdae’s jokes, and then clear her thoat. “So listen, Jongdae, I was actually wondering if you’d wanna go to prom with me?” You felt your heart beat a bit faster as you waited for him to answer. Part of you was somehow ready to be disappointed after hearing him agree to going with her. However; “Ah, sorry, I’m already going with (Y/N). Thanks for asking though, I bet I could set you up with a friend of mine if you want?” You exhaled deeply. Why did you even doubt him? And, now that you thought about it, why were you this relieved Jongdae chose you over someone else? Not that this was a competition, but...

you had fun all thoughout the prom night

you danced with pretty much all your friends

and learned that Jongdae was... a horrible dancer

you had briefly practiced the basic waltz, just to make sure he knew the steps, and he did pretty well

but freestyle dancing however...

luckily as it was Jongdae, he didn’t mind one bit

he knew how to laugh at himself too and made it fun

the night was over too soon

and now it was time the last slow dance

you glanced at Jongdae, unsure

but he held out his hand for you, with a smile on his face

and you took his hand and let him guide you to the dancefloor

you put your hands on his shoulders and he let his rest at your waist

swaying you two from side to side

he stared humming the song

and you found yourself relaxing

even though your bodies weren’t really leaning against each other

it was actually kind of fun

until the couples around you started sucking on each others mouths

You made a disgusted face at Jongdae. “Wanna get out of here?” he suggested, and when you nodded he took your hand once again and lead you away from the crowd, down the hallway and outside into the school yard. You stood there for a while, looking at the sky and making sure both of you had had fun so far. What you hadn’t realized, was that it was quite late, which meant it was getting a bit chilly out side. A gust of wind made goosebumps appear on your skin, and you tried to warm yourself up by wrapping your arms around yourself, cursing for not bringing a jacket. Like that had been his codeword, Jongdae took off his blazer and threw it around your shoulders. Then, he turned you around and pulled you against his chest, wrapping his arms around you. Being this close to him, you couldn’t help but look into his eyes. Unusual to Jongdae, he wasn’t grinning widely. Instead, his eyes were soft and his smile was gentle and his lips were attractive and quite close to you and had they always looked so kissable? Before you even had time to answer to any of those questions you felt Jongdae lean in closer to you and now his lips were on yours, cautious but warm and still. After a few seconds the reality hit you and you pulled away. Your head was so full of questions, but you couldn’t possibly deal with all of them now, so all you could say was; “We should go back inside, they’re probably wondering where we disappeared off to.” Jongdae nodded as you gave him his blazer back.

not gonna lie, you felt a bit weird about it afterwards

and so did Jongdae

it was a bit awkward for a week after that

you didn’t talk as much

if you did it was sort of small talk

after a whole week of that, on Friday you stopped him after school to talk

you explained how you didn’t like how you went from best friends to these awkward acquaintances

he agreed, but seemed a little weird

“Is there something you want to tell me?” you asked him with raised eyebrows. He chuckled, lowering his head. “Isn’t it already pretty obvious, kitten?” You blinked, taken aback my the nickname. But you were too confused by the turn of this situation, and didn’t say anything, so Jongdae sighed. “I guess I’m gonna have to say it since you can’t read signals... I really like you, (Y/N). And, I don’t know, I hoped you’d like me too.” You stared at him, mouth ajar. Your thoughts were dashing left and right, and you couldn’t do anything but stare at Jongdae, who was now starting to uncomfortably change his weight from one foot to another. You were just about to say something, but just then a car honked and Jongdae turned around to look. “Welp, my ride’s here. See you later, yeah?” He walked to the car and opened the door, but before he jumped in, he turned to yell; “You have my number, so think about it and let me know!”

over the weekend you got flashbacks of moments, moments when Jongdae had discreetly but clearly hinted at how he felt about you

on Sunday you realized you couldn’t go back to school with the uncomfortable athmosphere, so you texted him, saying of course you liked him back and that you couldn’t wait to see him again on Monday

the next Monday, you were walking to school

you had a spanish class first

Jongdae was most likely late again

but this time you had made sure you had time to eat breakfast

so he couldn’t have been late because of you, right?

you just about placed your hand on the door handle, when you felt someone grab you by your other hand

you turned around, and it was Jongdae

holding a huge bar of chocolate

out of breath as per usual

you waited for him to calm down, and when he did-

“Will you be my girlfriend?”

he said it so bluntly

and you certainly had not expected it

so you were pretty much speechless

but he waited patiently

(still lowkey panting)

and when you had gathered your thoughts

you realized there was nothing to even think about

so you just wrapped your arms around his neck

and kissed him

safe to say the whole school, if not had they been waiting for it, weren’t surprised when you walked through the hallways to class hand in hand

and Jongdae was proud to show you off

proud to let everyone know you were now only his

[serenefreakgeekao3]

Happy Halloween!

[Care For Me compliant! Happy Halloween to all of you! I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get this out today but here it is! The drabble none of you asked for but you’re all getting!] Check this out on Ao3!

Draco stands under the dim light of a flickering streetlamp, pulling his body-length coat tighter across himself. The windy chill blows past, as if immune to his attempts at staving off the cold, and continues down the deserted road to push a few pieces of litter across the concrete. Carved pumpkins sit atop steps that lead to apartments or stores, all glowing faintly with candles on the inside. Halloween decorations were strung up here or there, fake spider webs hanging above a doorway or a skull that lit up in the eyes sitting inside a nearby window. It was eerie, standing here on this popular street while no car drove by, or no pedestrian walked by and bumped his arm mumbling a soft ‘excuse me.’ He shivered, not just from the cold but from the odd feeling he felt while being surrounded by this creepy exterior.

“Boo!” A loud sound erupted from behind him and Draco jumped, spinning and stumbling back a little as his gaze falls on a white face, black slits where the eyes are. He stumbles and begins to fall once he hits the edge of the sidewalk, the step down onto the street, and he throws his hands out to find purchase on something to stop him from landing flat on his butt. At the same time that his hand lands on the metal pole of the streetlamp, the other comes across a large arm, grabbing a hold to steady himself as another arm, one that isn’t his, wraps around his waist and pulls him forward to steady himself. “Careful, I don’t mean to kill you.”

It took a moment of his beating heart and erratic breathing to take in what had just happened. The man in front of him wasn’t just a monster with a white face, but a man wearing a ski mask laughing softly underneath. He took this in, glancing down to the arm wrapped around his waist, and noticed the grip and the familiar sounding voice he knows all too well. “Damn it, Harry, you scared me half to death.”

“I noticed,” Harry replied, using his free hand to remove his mask and laughed once again, a bright smile plastered across his face. “I hadn’t meant to knock you over with my shout, like that one video game- what was it, Skyrim? Am I a Dragonborn now?” He chuckled again as Draco scoffed, rolling his eyes.

“I’ll ask Blaise, he’s the gamer, not me,” Draco responded, righting his footing and taking a step away from Harry’s grasp. Harry frowned when he dropped his arm as if he didn’t want to let go.

“Well, your roommate certainly loves to go on and on about it all.” He mumbles, taking the step Draco took away, toward him to close the distance once again, reaching down to take Draco’s hand. Draco just scoffs in return, narrowing a glare at him, though not withdrawing his hand.

“You scared me. I’m not forgiving you.” Draco mumbled, leaning forward slowly as if he couldn’t resist a magnetic pull toward him, breathing in a clove spiciness of his cologne.

“You admit to being scared? I’ll never forget this moment.” Harry mumbled, then laughed when Draco playfully pushed his shoulder.

“You’re a right arse.”

“You both are, now, are we ready?” The female's voice behind him had him sigh and lean forward, placing a peck of a kiss on Harry’s cheek before turning around and leveling a glare in Pansy’s direction.

“Where exactly are we heading to again?” He asked, squeezing Harry’s hand slightly before letting go to pull his coat tighter against himself. He took in her costume, a rather revealing outfit that was probably sold in an ‘adults’ store. She had half a button-up shirt, exposing her stomach and back, with a tie hanging all the way down to touch an even shorter skirt. Thankfully she had leggings that stretched all the way from under the skirt into her knee-high black boots otherwise she might have died from hypothermia.

“A party in the woods,” She mumbled, rolling her eyes, though smiling once Luna laced their fingers together. He took in Luna’s costume this time, it’s multitude of colours almost blinding him. Beads and ribbons hung from her hair, her clothes were loose and flowing, the fabric looks like a million different squares stitched together to form a dress with a belt around her waist to hold it together.

“It’s going to be fun. We’re going to drink and practice witchcraft. Today is the most filled with magic, they say.” Luna speaks almost dreamily, smiling up toward Pansy before raking her gaze across the two boys. When Harry speaks, he turns and takes in his boyfriend’s simple costume, a long black coat with a white ski mask.

“Okay wait,” He mumbles, holding up his hands and motioning to each person as he speaks, “A lawyer, a gypsy, and a doctor?” Draco pulls his white coat closer against his body. “Are we supposed to dress up as our wanted professions? Because if I got that memo I definitely wouldn’t have dressed up as a serial killer.” This caused a round of laughter before it tapered off, Draco leaning into his boyfriend and sighing as he took in the sight of his friends.

“You look utterly ridiculous Pansy.” Not having anything else to say, Draco settled on that to end the silence. She just shrugged and grinned, glancing down at Luna and placing a kiss on her head.

“Let’s get going then!” Luna said cheerfully, pulling Pansy with her as she began walking down the sidewalk ahead, Draco taking Harry’s hand as they fell into step behind the ladies.

The walk was silent for the most part, with a passing car honk or yelling in the distance, the occasional scream that Draco hoped was because of some Halloween prank and not a murder until Harry began whispering next to him. “I can’t believe it’s almost been a year since we got together.”

Draco rolled his eyes at the sappy tone Harry had, though tightened his hand on Harry’s. “Yeah, I’m surprised I haven’t broken it off with you either, considering how annoying you are,” Draco mumbled back in a teasing tone, a huff of a laugh escaping from Harry.

“You know what I mean,” He mumbled in return, pressing closer against Draco as they walked, “It hasn’t felt like a lot of time has gone by, is all.” Draco didn’t bother to answer, only walking in silence and listening to mumbled whispers from their friends ahead of them. He was glad that they were still together actually, that they had lasted this long. He fell quickly for the boy, though steadily after the first month of it. He honestly couldn’t picture his life without Harry in it now, and that was equally pleasing and scary.

“Do you really want to join the police force after graduation?” Draco mumbled, quieter than before and hoped afterward that Harry hadn’t heard it. Though, he knew he did when he felt a stiff posture beside him and a ragged sigh.

“We’ve talked about this already, Draco.” Fought about it before, was more like it, Draco thought to himself as he sagged slightly. He could easily picture Harry jumping into the fray of some criminal ring, shooting the bad guys and saving innocents. He could easily picture it, but he could just as easily picture Harry getting shot and ending up in the hospital, or worse. He didn’t want to lose Harry, there was too much risk in this. But after the countless arguments and the recent one ending in Draco crying against Harry’s chest he couldn’t muster up the energy for this, especially not on a holiday.

“Right then, sorry,” Draco mumbled, shrugging as they walked. Suddenly, Harry stopped and turned Draco toward him, leaning to press a quick but meaningful kiss against Draco’s lips. After a moment they were back to walking after their friends and Draco huffed, his cheeks flushed after the kiss even if it was normal or commonplace to do so now. He could never get used to Harry.

Soon after they turned down an alleyway, and Draco lifted his eyebrows as he noticed a treeline ahead of them. He had never noticed this before, and it was strange considering they were in the middle of the city. Was this some kind of park? They stepped out of the alley through the other side and into the trees and a weird feeling passed over him as if he was stepping through some kind of portal into nature itself. He glanced at Harry and wiggled slightly to show his discomfort and the face Harry pulled showed that he felt the same way. They glanced back to Pansy and Luna, who both seemed to be perfectly fine.

“Is this some kind of park?” Draco mumbled loudly toward them, glancing up toward the trees that now surrounded them, the canopy not revealing any sign of the sky. Luna just laughed gracefully in response, though the question fell unanswered. They continued walking and Draco pushed himself lightly against Harry, squeezing his hand and using his other to place on Harry’s elbow. Harry squeezed back, squaring up slightly as if it was his natural instinct to protect Draco from unknown dangers.

The air was quiet, filled with hoots from unseen owls or the chirping of crickets underfoot or nearby, and the chill Draco was accustomed to seemed to grow colder still as the night pressed on. Soon, they came to a small flicker light in the distance, and as they breached the tree line into a circular clearing they noticed candles placed at odd intervals around to light up the grassy expanse, showing around eight others already in the clearing. A table was set up nearby with many glass bottles of alcohol and a large bowl in the middle with plastic cups surrounding it, a red punch sitting inside that Draco considered was probably alcohol as well. Halloween decorations hung here or there, a fake ghost blowing in the breeze as it hung from a tree limb, a skeleton body lying across the grass toward the middle of the field. Light music was playing through a speaker next to the drinks table, a spooky music with no vocals that drifted through the conversations surrounding them. A few people perked up as they spied Luna, all coming over to hug her and welcome her and her friends to the party.

Costumed ranged from scary green-faced witch to Frankenstein’s monster, with a man dressed as a skeleton lying down next to the decoration and posing for a photo taken by a Harley Quinn copy. Draco pulled on Harry’s hand, nodding his head toward the drink table and grinning, Harry nodding along as well. They headed toward the table, checking out the drinks and discussing them as the witch mentioned before approaches smiling broadly toward them.

“Welcome! I hope you find the assortment to your liking. The party is only just getting started, more guests are to arrive soon, then we’ll begin the festivities.” She said, and as Harry thanked her for the drinks Draco laughed, shaking his head and plucking a red wine cooler from the selection.

“Aren’t you supposed to be the big bad witch? You seem a bit too nice for the job.” Draco mentioned, glancing toward her and smirking and earning an elbow to the rib from Harry. He protested weakly, offering his bottle to Harry to open. The witch laughs in response, nodding and sticking her hand out.

“The name’s Millicent. You’re the folks who came with Luna and Pansy, yeah?” Draco nodded, shaking her head and she just smirked in response. “I assume you’re Draco then.”

“Oh? They told you about me? How insufferable I can be, how rude I seem at first?” Draco suggested, taking the new open bottle and chugging a few drinks of it. The witch just laughs and rolls her eyes toward him.

“Something like that. And you must be Harry,” She grins, sticking her hand out toward him which he immediately shakes. “Pleasure to meet you.”

“The pleasure’s all mine.” He replies gracefully, smirking toward her before popping open his own bottle and sliding an arm around Draco’s waist. Draco grinned at this obvious show of possessiveness and snuggled against Harry side as he took another few sip from his own bottle. As his boyfriend and the girl exchanged pleasantries, they quickly ended as she went to go greet other guests arriving. Draco finished his bottle, reaching for Harry’s and taking a drink to get a taste of it before placing it back in Harry’s hands.

“Planning to get drunk tonight, babe?” Harry asked, raising his eyebrows as Draco nodded, narrowing his eyes and running his hand over the bottles near him before picking one up at random.

“Why not, when everything is free?” He pressed the bottle against Harry’s chest, grinning at his boyfriend’s surprised laughter.

“You have plenty of money, you can buy any drink you want whenever you want to.” Was Harry’s response as he popped open Draco’s new drink, handing it off to him.

“Yes, yes, but these are free.” He reiterated, grinning and taking a drink of some sparkling orange drink.

The rest of the night progressed fairly evenly with drinks, some dancing here or there, and mingling with people Draco didn’t know but who were equally, if not more, drunk so it turned out to be fun. At one point Draco had wandered back to the drink table, watching Pansy shout out in joy while waving her tie around in the air to some dance playing, laughing and grabbing a drink as he noticed Luna smiling happily as she watched her girlfriend as well. The music had been turned up at one point, now playing slightly haunting but more like dance music now. He leaned over, yelling over the noise. “Having fun?”

“Yeah,” She yelled, bringing her hand up to her mouth and giggling. “You smell distinctly of alcohol.” She noticed in the same loud voice and Draco shrugged.

“Just enjoying the amenities,” Draco grinned, pulling her into a sloppy hug and backing up, “You smell distinctly of not-alcohol?” He phrased it more as a question than her inquiry.

“One of us has to be the sober friend.” She replied, laying her head on his arm. “It’s fun for me, watching you guys have fun.”

“Sure,” He drawled out, rolling his eyes but grinning anyway. Suddenly the witch wandered over, the only one seemingly not drunk, and paused the music causing a few disappointed groans.

“Now, now! Don’t worry! We’re about to do something fun!” She called out, and Luna squealed as if she knew what was about to happen.

“Oh, witchcraft!” Pansy called from the crowd, and Draco rolled his eyes, hugging Luna before backing up and looking for his boyfriend through the crowd.

“Slightly. Alright everyone, form a circle, it’s time to summon a ghost!” There were giggles and groans throughout the crowd, though everyone eventually stumbled into a circle, Draco finally catching Harry and lacing his hand through his boyfriend’s as Pansy and Luna came to stand on Draco’s other side. Everyone began sitting and Draco sighed at the slightly damp grassy floor, but Harry tugged him down anyway.

“Alright everyone, join hands!” Millicent said, grinning and taking the hands of the two beside her, Draco winking at Harry since their hands were already joined and lifting his left hand to join with Pansy’s right. Draco finally noticed that someone had put a crystal ball, a rather large one actually that Draco figured was just plastic, in the middle of the circle. “Okay, now, let’s all close our eyes and clear our thoughts.”

Draco closed his eyes, feeling the pressure in his right hand of Harry’s hand that he’s come to know so well, and the light grip as he held a drunk Pansy on his other side. He tried to clear his head, though his own intoxication seemed to have a mind of its own as random different scenarios flew through his head.

“If there are any spirits that would like to communicate with us, give us a sign.” Draco opened his eyes to Millicent’s words, glancing around the ground as everyone else opened their eyes slowly, most glassy from intoxication as he was. The crystal in the middle flared to life a bright blue colour before fading back to nothing. A few giggles were heard throughout the group, though Millicent just smiled. Draco rolled his eyes, obviously, the thing was battery powered.

“Can you show yourself, spirit?” Millicent asked as the noise died down, and Draco watched the crystal flare to life again, a bright red colour this time. Again Draco shook his head, shooting an amused glance toward Harry which his boyfriend returned. They kept sitting there though, hands clasped.

“I should’ve brought the Ouija board, then we could’ve asked better questions,” Millicent mumbled to some girl on her right, the girl giggling in response. “I give you permission to take over my body during this seance to speak to the party present.”

“Millicent, no,” Luna yelled out, horrified, and a few members chuckle or giggle in response. Draco shifts uneasily, glancing up toward Harry.

“What’s the worse that can happen?” Millicent replies, winking toward Luna before wiggling in her seat and staring at the crystal ball. Everything is silent for a moment before the crystal ball flares a bright blue, brighter than before until it falls unused and Millicent makes a choking sound. Everyone glances over, watching her eyes look up as she makes another sound, shaking slightly before throwing herself around as if she was in a seizure. Some girl to Draco’s right let out a loud shriek, and Draco tightened his grip on Harry’s hand.

“Ah, this feels nice,” Millicent said in a rough, low voice that sounded too scratchy for Draco’s taste.

“Who are you?” Luna asked quickly, almost angrily. Draco felt bad when he glanced away thinking this was fake. It was all just some performance to scare the people present, Draco told himself even as he tightened his grip on Harry’s hand once again.

“My name is Gerard Thompson,” The ‘not’-Millicent said, her head rolling around on her shoulders, her mouth transforming into an evil looking grin. Draco leaned over, feigning nonchalance as he lay against his boyfriend while watching this play out.

“How did you die?” Asked the girl who shrieked to Draco’s right, and Draco huffed, turning his head to breath in Harry’s sent to calm him down. His drunk mind spun in his head, and he wondered briefly if the whole plan was to get everyone drunk so they believed this nonsense. Though the thought quickly washed over as he heard not-Millicent speak again.

“I was murdered. Stabbed thirty-two times and left to bleed in this very forest.” He glanced around and saw a few shudders throughout the crowd, a few faces that either looked nauseous from the thought or possible from the alcohol. It could go either way.

“What do you want from us?” The girl sitting next to Millicent asked, seemingly completely invested in this. Millicent cocks her head to the side in an unnatural way, grinning toward her victim.

“I want revenge on the teenager that left me bleeding here. I want to cause suffering to all young adults wearing costumes this Halloween, mocking me with your liveliness and jovialness.” Millicent screeched out, turning her head and grinning in an evil fashion as she takes in every member of the group. Draco tensed as her gaze fell upon him, though it continued and Draco turned his head again into Harry’s arm. “I want to make you all pay. I want you to suffer. I want to stab you and leave you all bleeding here, with your bodies decaying as nobody finds your bodies for weeks, months even!” She begins cackling, louder and louder under a loud sound of thunder cracked and the crystal ball lit up a bright red, flashing for one moment before it died down, the silence surrounding the circle.

Draco expected laughter or incessant remarks of ‘got you!’ or ‘can’t believe you fell for that!’ But it didn’t appear. He heard Luna sigh to his left and Draco turned his head, burying it obviously now into Harry’s arm. A sigh was heard and there were a few murmurs he couldn’t quite piece together.

“This is a joke, right? Some kind of joke?” He heard a man ask to his right, and Millicent chuckled, her voice still low.

“The best kind of joke. The one where nobody wins.” It was quiet again, and eventually, Draco lifted his head to glance at Millicent, his head swaying on his neck from his still intoxication that hasn’t left him. “Now…”

There was a rustle of trees in the wind and everyone shifted nervously, glancing at each other before looking back to Millicent’s weird grin. The crystal ball was slowly lighting up in front of him, at first he couldn’t tell the colour but as it got brighter, it became obvious it was a dark red colour. It kept growing and growing until the crowd was bathed in the red light, casting an eerie shadow behind them and making Millicent’s green creepy face turn sinister.

“Now,” She repeated in the scratchy voice, “Everyone Must Die!” The thunder sound cracked again and the crystal ball turned off quickly, bathing everyone in a sudden darkness, a few girls and one man screaming as Draco yanked his hand from Pansy, pushing himself into Harry’s chest. It was silent for a moment as everyone blinked to try and adjust their eyes again, and finally, Draco heard the thing that made the most sense since this whole thing started.

Millicent started laughing, loudly, clutching at her stomach and attempting to breathing through his giggling fits. A few others were giggling, obviously knowing of the prank, and others started joining in laughing as they found it funny over time. A few plastic cups were thrown at her and she batted them away pathetically, laughing out a predictable, “You guys’ should’ve seen your faces!”

Draco grumbled angrily, burying his face into Harry’s chest and resigning himself to never leave. “I live here now,” He mumbled drunkenly, breathing in Harry’s spicy scent and a slight tang of strawberry alcohol.

“That’s fine by me,” Harry mumbled in response, leaning down and placing a kiss on top of Draco’s head. Harry’s arms wrapped around Draco securely and Draco smiled, scooting closer to cuddle with his boyfriend.

“Oh, get a room!” Pansy sneered toward them, though Draco replied with a quickly yelled, “No!” and wrapped his arms around Harry’s neck, picking himself up slightly to bury his head into Harry’s neck now, kissing the soft skin.

“That was so fun to do!” He heard Millicent say to someone off to the side and rolled his eyes.

“How’d you do the crystal ball thing?” A man asked, the one dressed as the skeleton.

“Pre-programmed the lights and sounds, and used a remote to click into the next one.” She added between fits of giggles, and Draco just tuned them out. He knew it was battery powered anyway.

“I wasn’t scared,” Draco mumbled into Harry’s neck, kissing the skin again.

“Of course you weren’t,” Harry agreed, nodding as his hand slowly slid upward, taking Draco’s chin and turning Draco to face him. Leaning in slowly they kissed under the half moon, surrounded by laughter and music starting back up. They kissed during Halloween, around friends they never thought they’d make, a happy family that loved each other even if they hardly knew each other yet. And they knew that another happy year was in store for them.

“Happy Halloween, Draco.”

“Happy Halloween, Harry.”

Tag List: @xx-thedarklord-xx @rmh8402 @drarryismymuse @dewitty1 @ramenbahman

[lovely-angst]

Okay, you want angst, I'll give you angst, for both your happiness and mine! ;) How about a scenario where the boys are not paying attention and don't see a car coming when they cross the road and their s/o pushes them out of the way, only to get hit instead and a sad ending where the s/o gives up her life for her love? You wanted angst and I delivered! ;) For Noya, Lev, Oikawa, and Bokuto, please? 😈 Thanks! ❥

This is super long because I love angst scenarios like these ;u;

I tried my best to not make it too repetative, but they kinda are.

Nishinoya

“Haha, wait for me Noya!” You laughed as you ran after him who was laughing along with you. “Maybe if you can catch me!” He exclaimed as he continued to run around town with you. 

You loved this, running around town fooling and joking around with Nishinoya. You loved the rush that went through your body as you ran with no care in the world like you were flying away leaving all your problems behind.

The breeze felt nice in your hair as you watched Nishinoya’s back, trying to catch up to him. He’s always had so much energy and you loved that about him. 

There was a stop light ahead and Nishinoya waited briefly until it had turned green again and signaled for pedestrians to cross, you still trying to catch up to him.

Your breathing was heavy as each foot landed on the sidewalk, one after the other. Nishinoya was still far ahead of you and he ran so carefree and happy, you wanted to catch up.

But something was off.

All you could hear was your breathing as you watched the truck speed down the road, not stopping for the red light it had. Any minute it would head straight for Nishinoya and there would be nothing you could do about it.

“Noya! Stop running!” You screamed as you forced your body to run passed its limits. Nishinoya didn’t understand though, he continued to run forward, “What are you saying?” 

Your heart stopped beating and your breath was caught in your throat as you ran your fastest and finally caught up, throwing your arms in front of you to push the male out of the way,

“Yuu! Look out!”

It seemed as if time had stood still as he felt his body hit the ground. All he could hear was ringing around him and everything looked blurry as he sat up and looked around for you, “(Name)?” 

“Sir are you okay?!” People came running by to the scene to help, some running over towards Nishinoya to help him onto his feet. “I’m fine, just a little scratched.” 

He looked around for you, but couldn’t seem to find you. What had just happened?

Something seemed to have sparked in his mind as his eyes widened in shock. He remembered you pushing him out of the way before the truck slammed into you, throwing you a few feet before you continued to tumble and roll onto the street.

Gasping, he ran over towards the truck and found you surrounded by multiple people trying to keep you alive. Blood pooled around you and the street as you tried your best to stay awake.

“She’s my girlfriend!” Nishinoya cried as he pushed his ay through the crowd reaching over to hold you, “(Name)! (Name)!” He cried as you slowly opened up your eyes to look at him.

“You’re okay.” You say happily as you brought your hand up to caress his cheek, “I’m so..glad..you’re okay.” It took you multiple breaths to be able to spill your words out to him. 

You retracted your arm back as you closed your eyes to take in another breath, but it was extremely difficult to do so. Nishinoya grabbed your hand in his and squeezed it.

You felt rain drops on your face before they rolled off your cheeks. Opening your eyes again, you saw Nishinoya crying over you as he held you. “I’m so sorry,” He sobbed, squeezing your hand so more, “It’s all my fault.” 

You smiled gently at him, “I just…want you safe..Don’t forget that..I love you, Yuu.” Your eyes gently closed as your head fell back into his arms, Nishinoya shook his head before leaning down to hug your body.

“I love you too.”

Lev

“Woah, it’s a little slippery here isn’t it?” Lev laughed as he held your hand tightly to stop himself from slipping and sliding away. Chuckling you squeezed his hand and nodded, “That’s winter for you.”

You hummed gently to yourself as you and Lev walked home from school together. It was always nice to have him by yourside because it got pretty lonely without him around and he was generally always warm.

“You know, the snow makes you look really pretty.” Lev compliments as he turns to look at you. Your cheeks heat up and you give him a big smile, “Thanks Lev, that’s really sweet of you.”

A couple minutes passed and you noticed the fresh snow coming down from the sky. Holding out your free hand, you let the snow fall down onto your hand before it melts away.

“Hey, it’s snowing!” Lev shouted as he let go of your hand to spin around under the fresh snow. Giggling, you walk over and spin with him under the snow; it was quiet aside from the laughter that filled the air.

Hearing car tires skid somewhere close by, you stopped your movements and looked around just to see a car slipping and sliding in the street from all of the ice coming straight for you and Lev.

Your eyes widened as you grabbed his sleeve, “Lev, hey, move out of the way.” Lev looks up and notices the car speeding his way and just as he’s about to move out of the way, he slips on some ice that was hidden under the snow.

“Ah!” Lev falls onto the ground and you try your best to help him up before the sliding car hits him. Your heart races as you hear the loud honking of the car, but it doesn’t seem like enough time.

With all of your might, you run and push slide Lev just far enough for him to move out of harms way, but Lev saw everything.

His green eyes widens as he watches your body slam onto the hood of the car before smashing into the windshield cracking it. The car slides a few feet before it gets stuck on a large patch of snow, your body sliding of the car and onto the white snow.

“Oh my gosh, (Name)!” Lev cries as he runs over towards you, occasionally slipping. He notices the whote snow around you being dyed red beneath you. Grabbing his phone, he dials the police and hold the phone close to his ear, “Hello what is your emergency?”

“My girlfriend just got hit by a sliding car! Please come quick! She’s losing blood!” The operator tries to calm Lev down but he’s shaking so much it’s hard for him to even hold the phone.

Eventually Lev’s able to give the information and he disgards his phone somewhere in the snow as he cradles your body. His eyes are watery and you blink the tears away that he drops onto your face.

“Hey, don’t be scared.” You try to calm him down because you can feel him shaking, but it doesn’t seem to help. “How can I not be? You just took the hit for me..” 

You cough some blood out and it scares Lev even more, his grip on you tight, “Th-the ambulence is coming! Just..Just hold on for a little while longer!” He cries as his tears continue to land on your face.

The ambulances quickly arive and Lev’s hand is holding yours with every movement the paramedics do, until they place you on the stretcher and load you onto the ambulance. 

“(Name)?” Lev says worridely as his hand slips away from yours. You use all your energy to raise your head and look at him with a smile, “I’ll be fine Lev..”

Slamming the doors shut infront of Lev, the drive off towards the hospital while he stands in the snow without you.

That was the last time he ever saw you.

Oikawa

Didn’t this only happen in movies? Why was it happening to him now? To his girlfriend? Why?

He couldn’t grasp reality as he grips the car with the strangers around him, trying their best to remove the car that was pinning you to the ground. “Come on!” Oikawa yells as he tries again to lift the car from you. 

He doesnt realize it but he’s crying. Crying because he’s scared of losing you. It happened in a split second. The two of you walking together and suddenly people yell and scream and Oikawa feels himself being roughly pushed before he sees the car crash into you. 

How you made the effort to take the hit instead of him, he’ll never forgive himself for not being a better partner for you. Oikawa wanted to erase the pain on your face as you felt the impact of the moving vehicle.

He should have taken the hit for you. 

“Don’t die, don’t die, don’t die.” Oikawa curses as the people around him try again to lift the car. It takes more than five tries before they flip the car, pulling you out from under the vehicle.

The ambulance rushes over and parks near by before paramedics rush out and quickly help you onto the stretchers. “I’m her boyfriend!” Oikawa yells as they pull you up onto the ambulance. 

“You’re fine, you can get on,” A paramedic says as they use their head to gesture him on. Oikawa jumps on and sits besides you, watching your unconcious figure laying on the stretcher as they try to help you.

“Please move back sir,” They say gently pushing Oikawa back as he watched in fear. You weren’t waking up and it was scaring Oikawa, “You can’t leave me yet.”

It had been almost a day since you’ve been admitted into the hospital, Oikawa never leaving your side. The heart monitor beeps steadily in your hospital room, quiet besides the soft breathing or the two in the room.

Your eyes flutter open and you look around your surroundings, adjusting to your current location. Your gaze finally focuses on Oikawa who was laying beside your legs. Smiling, you place a gentle hand in his hair. 

“Oikawa?” Hearing your soft voice call his name, he lifts his head and looks at you, bandaged everywhere with monitors hooked up to your frail body. His eyebrows furrow as he leans over and gives you a gentle hug, “I didn’t think you would ever wake up.”

“Don’t be silly. I’m awake now aren’t I?” Your hand contimues to tread through Oikawa’s hair as he lays his head on your legs, staring up at you. “Are you…Are you feeling well?”

“I’ve been better. My body still hurts.” You respond honestly; Oikawa frowns and looks at all the medical wire connected to you. “I’ll be good as new, promise!” 

Oikawa smiled at your words and he leans up to give you a kiss on the forehead. “I’ll be keeping that promise.” 

But as the days passed by, your injuries worsened and you were always in pain. Oikawa stopped by every single day, as much as he could just to see you because you always told him, “ Seeing you just makes me feel better.”

Oikawa came to the hospital one day with flowers in his hands, ready to see you and try to ease your pain,but when he walked into the room,

You were no longer there.

Bokuto

“Bokuto? Where are you?” you shouted outside as you ran from street to street, corner to corner looking for Bokuto. Your eyes were rimmed red from previously crying and your breathing was uneven as you inhaled.

Bokuto had stormed out after an argument the two of you had half an hour ago and you couldn’t take it anymore being mad at him. Grabbing your soft blanket, you ran outside as fast as you could and looked everywhere for him as you shivered in the cold night.

“Bokuto, I’m sorry! Please come back!” You tried again, but no reply was heard. Furrowing your brows, you turned around and tried to search for Bokuto in his favorite spots or your date locations. 

After running around for ten minutes, you plopped yourself down on a bench and sighed, wiping away the tears that eascaped your eyes. Wrapping your blanket around you more, you snuggled yourself into the blanket as you closed your eyes trying to rest a bit before continuing your search for Bokuto. 

A couple minutes passed and you could feel the cold breeze blowing through your blanket making you shiver as you opened your eyes in the dark night. Deciding that it was best you go home for the night, you looked around a little bit before leaving.

To your luck, you see a familiar multi-colored hair male walking in the distance; your eyes light up as you quickly get up onto your feet running after him. Your hot breath forms white clouds as you run after him, you needed to appolagize.

“Bokuto!” Hearing you shout his name and he stops in his place. He doesn’t see you or the car racing towards him. Glancing towards the side where the car was coming from, you turn back towards Bokuto. “There’s a car! Watch out!”

Bokuto finally turns around, but misses the car and all you can do is pray that you’ll reach him in time. 

His mouth opens to say something but the impact of your push knocks him down on the other side as he crashes onto the ground. Your body smashes against the winsheild and as the car comes to an abrupt stop, you fly off the car and tumble onto the street.

Even in the seconds that Bokuto holds himself there, he still vividly remembers your crying face as you push him out of the way. It haunts him. 

He runs over towards your injured body and it scares him when he doesn’t see you move. He’s scared to touch you because he doesn’t want to hurt you anymore than he already has.

“(Name), why did you- why did you do that?” Bokuto asks pained as he kneels beside you, placing your head on his legs. “Why?”

Your eyes open and you look up at him, “Because I’m sorry.” 

His eyes widen in shock as you smile weakly at him, your hand reaching up to caress his face, “I’m not going to make it.” Bokuto shakes his head before reaching over to grab your hand, “You are! Don’t say that! You’re going to make it alive and we can live happily together again!”

Frowning, your eyes droop and you stare into his golden eyes, asking for one last request, “Hey, can you kiss me one last time?” 

Bokuto’s lips quiver as he stares down at you, almost lifeless. Nodding, he leans down and places a kiss onto your lips, you pushing back gently before he leans back to look at you.

“Thanks, take care Kou.” Bokuto knows you had passed and he lets out a sob as he turns away to cry. “Come back..”

[manthakinz]

This is a birthday present for @mormikas!

🎂 HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, LILIAN! 🎂 

This is a very late birthday present for my friend, Lilian!

I haven’t really been up for writing lately, but I tried to come up with something decent that you might enjoy! I’m a bit rusty when it comes to writing for the Haikyuu!! characters since I'm not caught up with the manga or anime right now, so forgive me if they seem out of character in some instances!

Hope you enjoy! ❤️

Title: “Love My Way” Pairing: BokuKuro Words: 5,539 Summary: Koutarou and Tetsurou have been best friends since they were 10. Read as they grow older and see how things start to change between them. Read on AO3: (x)

10.

Koutarou’s hands were sweating so much that he had to wipe them off on the front of his shirt. He stuck them right back to the corner of the wall and peered around it to get a glimpse of the familiar face that he desired to see every day at school.

 He caught sight of his dark and unruly locks as the younger boy laughed with some of his friends: a shy boy with his hair covering his face that he always saw with him and two other boys that he knew were in his class.

 Holding his breath, Koutarou turned around quickly and pressed his back up against the brick as the small group of friends walked past him without even glancing in his direction. He watched them leave and relaxed when they didn’t suddenly stop and turn around and question him about why he was staring at them all.

 There was that aching feeling in his chest again as his eyes trailed after Kuroo Tetsurou, the boy that had him yearning for even a simple friendship. He wanted so badly to be bold enough to go up to him and say, “Hi! I’m Bokuto Koutarou! Let’s be pals!” It would give him some kind of edge to the situation. He was usually very loud and in people’s faces—always friendly and never caring about how others thoughts of him. But there was just something about Tetsurou that had him acting so out of character, even if no one noticed or said anything about it.

 A deep sigh escaped his lips as he bent down and picked up his back pack from the sidewalk. He turned and made his way to leave through the schoolyard. He clutched both straps to his back pack and was lost in his thoughts, not even paying much attention to his surroundings, as he trekked along the sidewalk. He didn’t even realize that he hadn’t looked both ways before crossing the street and had promptly made it to the middle of the road when he heard someone shout out to him. He then felt an arm grip his extremely hard and pull his body towards the other side of the street.

 Once he was safe on the sidewalk, he looked startled and peered over at the road where a car honked and drove right through the spot that he’d just been standing in only a few seconds ago.

 “Are…” Huff. “You…” Huff. “Okay?”

 He turned to his side and saw Tetsurou with his hands on his knees, panting extremely hard.

 Koutarou was silent for a second, letting his mind catch up to what had just happened. When it clicked into place on what had just occurred, he grabbed the sides of his hair and looked nearly ready to die. “I COULD’VE DIED!” he cried out in distress.

 Tetsurou steadied his breathing and stood up straight as he lifted his brow at him. “Maybe pay more attention next time?” he offered, though amusement etched across his face as he watched Koutarou put a hand over his chest and clench his teeth, looking like a spooked owl with the hairstyle that he donned. Tetsurou smirked at him and held his hand out to him. “Kuroo Tetsurou,” he introduced himself.

 Koutarou stared at his hand for only a second before grabbing it more quickly than Tetsurou thought that he would. He noticed the tinge of redness that spread across the other boy’s nose as he smiled back at him and shook his hand vigorously.

 “Bokuto Koutarou!” His voice was loud, something that Tetsurou wasn’t used to from any of his other friends. The sudden happiness that filled Koutarou’s body was strangely endearing to him.

 He kept his smirk in place and let his hand go.

 “Do you like volleyball?” Tetsurou was looking back at his new acquaintance with curiosity while the other boy shifted on his feet.

 “I could try to,” he answered shyly. Tetsurou wouldn’t notice how strange that was unless he knew Koutarou enough, so Koutarou forced himself not to beat himself up over acting coy in front of him.

 With that statement, Tetsurou threw his arm around Koutarou’s shoulders and began to talk to him about his greatest love affair of all time.

12.

The atmosphere had become grimmer than he’d imagined once the words had spilled from his mouth. He hadn’t given it much thought when he’d run over this conversation in his head before coming over here. In hindsight, he probably should’ve thought things through a little more, but he wasn’t the best at doing that. It was too late now though. He’d dug this hole. Now, he had to lie in it.

 The expression that his best friend was staring him down with made him feel ten times smaller than he normally would feel. He wanted to crawl into his grave and die. He couldn’t even look him in the eyes at this point.

 God, please say something… Koutarou nearly begged.

 He hated this silence that had grown between them. He knew that it’ll only been a few seconds, but it felt like he’d been staring down at the volleyball in his hands for hours on end already.

 He knew that he should have really eased more into the topic. Going over the conversation before coming over here hadn’t really helped at all. He had just blurted out what was happening without thinking.

 His style, he guessed.

 Tetsurou just blinked back at him, processing the information that had just spewed from his friend’s lips only seconds before. It was hard to take in, but he finally opened his mouth to speak, saying, “You’re… moving?”

 As if on cue, Koutarou looked back up from the white leather and met Tetsurou’s eyes.

 “Yeah…” he confirmed.

 “So…” His words had stopped at the edge of his mouth. He didn’t know what to say. He didn’t know what to worry about first. The news had hit him like a freight train. The wind had been knocked out his the second that Koutarou had said, “I’m moving next week!”

 How unfair.

 How unbelievably unfair.

 His best friend was moving away. He may never get to share his jokes with him ever again. He may never get to play volleyball with him ever again. He may never get to talk to him about anything ever again. He may never get to see his wide grin ever again. He may never get to watch that uncontrollable hair swish against the air ever again. He may never get to hear his booming voice ever again. He may never get to see him ever again.

 And that thought just about made his heart split in half.

 It was a lot to go over, and he had become silent within his own thoughts, something that wasn’t much like him, especially around Koutarou.

 Sensing that he needed to step in and say something, Koutarou reached over and touched Tetsurou’s arm, causing a set of golden eyes to peer back at him. “We’ll still see each other though!” he tried to assure him. “I won’t be that far away. I’ll join the volleyball team, and we can play against each other!” Koutarou smiled broadly back at him, adding, “And I’ll come visit as much as I can.”

 That promise seemed to ease Tetsurou’s thoughts, and he curled his lips into a smile and nodded.

 “Okay, Bo.” He stood up from the bench and gestured towards the ball. “Wanna play for a bit?”

 Koutarou returned the smile and stood up with the ball in his hands. “You know it!”

 He rushed in front of Tetsurou as his friend thought that maybe he wouldn’t be losing him after all, and he planned on making sure that he never would.

15.

Laughter filled the air as the two best friends sat inside of Tetsurou’s bedroom. The music playing from the stereo was just background noise to them as the two talked about nothing in particular. Each word that they said held no meaning, but it all seemed like this moment meant the world to them anyway.

 Everything seemed perfect, and Tetsurou attempted to steady his stifling laughter and lowered his voice to make a snickering sound from his mouth instead. He put his hand to his chest and managed to stop laughing only to smile silently back at Koutarou.

 His friend plopped onto his back and held his stomach, laughing so loudly that Tetsurou could nearly feel the vibrations of one of his favorite guilty pleasures that he’d never dare admit to loving.

 Koutarou’s laugh was compelling to him. One would think that his laugh would be loud—it was—but also obnoxious at all times. It could get that way, but even then, Tetsurou couldn’t help but admire it in secrecy. Koutarou’s laugh was hearty and loud and one of Tetsurou’s favorite things that he never talked about.

 Compared to his own, Koutarou’s was like a golden dream, whereas his was like a rusted passing thought.

 He hadn’t even realized that he was staring so long without saying anything when he noticed Koutarou gradually subdue his laughter and peer over at him.

 He sat up and pressed his palms into the ground as he lifted his brow at him.

 “What?” he asked.

 Tetsurou blinked and rubbed the back of his neck. “What?”

 “Why are you staring at me?” Koutarou bounced to his knees and placed his hands on his thighs as he looked back at him curiously. “Huh?”

 “Because your laugh is too loud, and it amazes me that it is,” he quickly snapped in a teasing manner. He brushed back his unruly hair and stood up from his spot on the floor.

 Koutarou scoffed and hopped to his feet. “I am a loud person!”

 “Pfft. I know.” Tetsurou walked over to his closet and opened it up summarily. He grabbed his volleyball and shut the door again and faced his friend. “You can be as loud as you want to if you come with me now.”

 Koutarou spotted the ball and beamed. “I’m gonna be extra loud today since you’re a jerkass for criticizing me!”

 “Jerkass?”

 “Jerk plus jackass.”

 Tetsurou rolled his eyes but smirked anyway as he raced Koutarou outside.

16.

The air was intense. Sweat clung to the insides of his nostrils. His hair seemed deflated and stuck to his forehead. He moved it away only to barely notice a few sweat droplets hit the gym floor. The buzzer sounded, and his shoulders drooped incredibly as he saw the final score.

 | 22 – 25 |

His heart and head were pounding so wildly that he hardly heard the cheers of his teammates echoing throughout the gym. He looked around and took in their damp, smiling faces, and it finally hit him that they’d won.

 As his teammates congratulated one another, he took to peering into the stands. He skimmed across all of the faces until he came across a familiar one out in the crowd. The soft grin that he gave him was enough to send Koutarou’s heart into a frenzy. He felt flustered suddenly and waved both of his arms over at Tetsurou, only gaining a simple wave back at him in return.

 He knew Tetsurou wasn’t always the one for the largest of gestures. He knew him well enough to not take it hard at all that his friend was less enthusiastic about his win than he was.

 “Bokuto! Line up!”

 Hearing his captain call to him, Koutarou waved back at Tetsurou again quickly and ran over to line up. He didn’t feel like himself as he went through the regular motions of bowing to the other team and shaking their hands afterwards. His mind was still buzzing once they’d finished and he was finally on his way to meeting Tetsurou near the exits.

 “You weren’t so bad,” Tetsurou teased as soon as Koutarou was in front of him.

 “I can’t believe we won…” He was handed a water bottle by his friend and drank from it hastily to give his body some more energy.

 Tetsurou clapped his hand onto his back and draped his arm around his shoulders smoothly. “You’re a great player, Bokuto,” he assured him. “Don’t act so surprised.” He clipped the back of his head with the palm of his hand, causing Koutarou to glare at him.

 But he softened his expression when he noticed Tetsurou’s genuine smile. No smirk. No lowered eyelids. Just that rare beautiful grin of his aimed at only him.

 Koutarou smiled back at him. “Right,” he said.

 “Let’s go get something to eat,” Tetsurou offered.

 Koutarou immediately became more lively and nodded. “Just let me tell my coach and go change,” he told him. He quickly ran to go tell his coach that he was leaving with Tetsurou—someone that his coach had become quite familiar with since he was around so much. When his coach gave him his approval, he hurried to the locker room and congratulated his teammates in there, telling them that he’d catch up with them later.

 “Going out with your boyfriend again, Bokuto?” Akinori taunted in good humor as he pulled his shirt down.

 Rolling his eyes, Koutarou started to change his clothes and made a strange noise underneath his breath. “He’s not my boyfriend, Konoha.”

 “Yet.” His friend snickered.

 Koutarou blushed harshly and grabbed his jacket from his bag and slipped in on once he’d changed out of his sweaty clothes.

 “I’m going now!” he called back to his team and hurried out of the locker room. He knew his friend was only playing around, but he’d be lying if he said that he hadn’t thought about Tetsurou in that way before. He’d daydream about what they’d do if they were boyfriends. He’d catch himself staring at him as he talked because he thought he was so attractive. He’d do anything to get Tetsurou’s attention because he liked Tetsurou looking at him, even if his friend just found him annoying in that moment. They teased each other all the time. It was fun, and he knew Tetsurou liked him because they were best friends.

 He just didn’t know if he liked him like that.

 Sighing to himself, he put on a happy visage and hurried out to meet his friend again.

 “LET’S GO GET SOME FOOD!” he yelled over to Tetsurou, running over to meet him at the door.

 “Not so loud, you noisy-ass owl.” Tetsurou nudged him and smirked when Koutarou caught up to him. Koutarou scoffed and looked ruffled at the comment.

 Even if he was frowning on the outside, he couldn’t help but feel overjoyed when Tetsurou put his arm around his shoulders and walked him out of the gymnasium.

19.

Graduation had come and gone.  The high school volleyball season had ended long ago.

 The breeze was soothing, but it didn’t help ease the feeling in the pit of Tetsurou’s gut.

 He sat on top of the park table and rested his chin against his knee. His other leg was propped on top of the bench, and his arms hugged his shin as he stared out at the scenery before him. A sense of dread had washed over him several times since he’d gotten here. He wanted to feel like his usual self, but it was difficult to do so when he wasn’t around many familiar people.

 It wasn’t like Tetsurou found it extremely hard to make friends. He could make friends easily. He was charming and athletic. He wasn’t overly cruel. He teased, but he always apologized if he went too far with it. He was polite that way. He was smart, too. He knew all of this in the most modest sense. He always found is easy to make friends. Ever since he was little, he made friends wherever he went.

 He remembered when he made the best friend that he’d ever have.

 A smile crept up onto his lips, and he sighed sadly at the fond memory.

 Koutarou had been unusually shy back then. Tetsurou had been forward as always. That first encounter between the two of them had had a significant impact on him. He met a new friend, gained a best friend, fell in love, and now, he was experiencing heartache having to be away from Koutarou.

 Growing up was hard, and he had been away from Koutarou before, but this time, it was different.

 He was too far away. He couldn’t just get to wherever Koutarou was in a matter of minutes. It would take him hours to travel to go and see him in person. Talking to him on the phone and using the computer or his phone to video chat with him and even texting him just didn’t feel enough. He still kept in contact with him, but Tetsurou felt so lonely.

 He couldn’t bring himself to make any new friends, which only made him lonelier.

 “You’re pathetic,” a voice said from behind him.

 He turned around to see the face of Morisuke.

 “Yaku,” Tetsurou greeted him mildly.

 Morisuke stepped up onto the bench and sat down beside him. He set his stuff down at his side and leaned down to take a look at Tetsurou’s face. He pursed his lips together and shook his head in disgrace.

 “You’re a mess,” he straight up told him.

 Tetsurou rolled his eyes.

 “Why don’t you just go see him?”

 “Only to come back and feel even worse? Yeah, right…”

 Morisuke rubbed his temples and sighed hotly. “You two need to talk. You should’ve done this before you both went off to different colleges… but you should still talk.”

 Tetsurou was silent as he mulled over his friend’s advice. He knew what he was getting at. He should talk to Koutarou about his feelings towards him and discuss it with him because he can’t just keep letting these feelings eat at him. He was miserable. He needed closure.

 But he was afraid. He didn’t want Koutarou to reject him. If he liked him back, they’d have to discuss what to do. But if he didn’t…

 The thought was enough to send his stomach into a fit. His insides bubbled, and he put his other leg down onto the bench below and dug his nails into the edge of the wooden table.

 Morisuke softened his eyes as he looked at him. He patted his back and rubbed it in support. “You’re worried, but you’re only going to continue feeling miserable if you don’t talk to him, you know.”

 “I know…”

 “I’ll see you when you get back.” Morisuke gave him one last pat on t he back and hopped down from the table. He picked up his stuff and smirked at Tetsurou’s blinking expression. “We both know you’re going to go see him today.”

 Tetsurou smirked back at him.

 “See you later, then, Yakkun.”

 Morisuke waved to him as he walked away.

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

Koutarou stared up at the ceiling of his room. The room was dark and cold, just the way he preferred it whenever he was thinking to himself and feeling self-pity.

 He turned over onto his side and sighed heavily.

 “Bokuto, stop breathing so loudly,” Akinori complained sleepily from his side of the room.

 “Sorry…” Koutarou whispered. He stayed as quiet as he could as his mind wandered. He picked up his cellphone and checked it for messages.

I should text Mom back, he thought to himself as he cleared her messages from his notifications. He cleared Akinori’s message and missed call because he’d already let him in without even answering either earlier. He cleared Kenma’s message as he sighed and finally tapped on Keiji’s message and read his response.

He sent him a simple response of, “I hope so Akaashi”, before placing his phone onto his nightstand and sitting on the edge of his bed. He ran his hands over his face and sighed heavily. It wasn’t like Tetsurou to just not say anything back to him all day. Sometimes, he’d even just send a simple emoji, but it was like he was ignoring him.

 He opened up his messages that he’d sent to Tetsurou throughout the day and read back over them.

With a dejected sigh, he put the phone back onto the night stand.

 Akinori groaned and sat up in his bed. His hair was unkempt, and he looked about ready to kill Koutarou with just the glare on his face. He softened his expression when he took in Koutarou’s demeanor and sighed as he reached over and turned his lamp on.

 “Do you wanna talk about something?” he offered, knowing something was bothering his usually perky and loud roommate.

 Koutarou looked over at him and sat criss-cross on his bed.

 “It’s Kuroo,” he said.

 “Of course it is.” Akinori rolled his eyes. “Are you still moping around because you can’t see him as often as you used to?”

 Koutarou slumped against the wall as he stayed sitting on his bed and nodded over at him.

 “Look,” Akinori said firmly, “I know you used to see Kuroo a lot back home, but you still talk to him just about every day. You need to suck it up.”

 Koutarou plopped down onto the messy sheets and buried his face into the bed. He turned to face Akinori from his side of the room and gave his friend a very pitiful and childlike pout. “But Konohaaaa,” he drawled out, “I really miss him!”

 Akinori hummed in annoyance but tried to sympathize with Koutarou.

 “I know that,” he replied mildly. “But you’ll see him again. It’s not the end of the world.”

 “But it is!”

 “No, it’s not.”

 “But it is, Konoha!”

 “No, it’s not, Bokuto.”

 “But—!”

 “BOKUTO, OH, MY GOD.” Akinori rubbed his temples and sighed in aggravation. He looked squarely back over at him as he was lying down on his stomach and looking over at Akinori with such a sad expression that it nearly made him feel sorry for him.

 Then, he looked at him longer and suddenly felt sorry for him.

 Damn him, Akinori cursed.

 “It may feel like the end of the world,” he started out, “but it’s not. You will see him again. I promise.”

 “You do?”

 Rolling his eyes again and nodding, Akinori said, “Promise. Now, please go to sleep!”

 Koutarou sat up again and fixed his blankets as Akinori waited for him to crawl into bed to turn his lamp off. He snuggled into his covers and closed his eyes, drifting fast off into a much-needed rest, when a knock at the door made his eyes fly back open.

 “Oh, my Gooooooooooood,” he groaned in irritation, grabbing his pillow and putting it over his head. “Bokuto, get the damn door!”

 “On it,” Koutarou said quickly as he hopped out of bed and made his way to the door. He opened it and widened his eyes when he saw his best friend looking back at him with those golden amber eyes of his that he adored so much. “Kuroo!”

 Akinori sat straight up and looked over at the door.

 “Go!” he demanded. “Go with him!”

 Koutarou looked back at his roommate in confusion but slipped his shoes on and grabbed his jacket before walking out into the hallway to talk to Tetsurou properly.

 “What’re you doing here?” he asked him. His eyes were still wide, and Tetsurou had to fight the urge to stare back at them fondly.

 “I wanted to see you.”

 So blunt. So genuine. So… confusing?

 Koutarou furrowed his brows. It wasn’t like Tetsurou to just travel all the way up here without talking to Koutarou first, and it definitely wasn’t like Tetsurou to just be so blunt about his answer. It made Koutarou nervous, but his insides were burning at the same time from being able to see Tetsurou in person after many months of not being able to see him except on a screen.

 He couldn’t help it when he put his hands on Tetsurou’s cheeks and stared at him like he couldn’t believe that he was actually here.

 “What’re you talking about?!” He watched Tetsurou smile and grab hold of his wrists when he put his palms onto his cheeks. “You just wanted to see me?”

 “Is that a crime?”

 “No! But it’s not like Kuroo Tetsurou to just come up here without telling me first.” He put his hands down and removed his wrists from Tetsurou’s grasp. “I’ve been texting you all day! I even called you! I thought something was wrong!”

 Tetsurou’s face flushed with guilt.

 “I put my phone on Do Not Disturb. I didn’t want anyone distracting me while I was traveling here.”

 “Why did you come?”

 “I already told you.”

 Koutarou blinked. He was still confused. Then again, Koutarou wasn’t always the first one to understand or get things. But he did know his best friend, and this was certainly new to him.

 “There’s more to this…” Koutarou said skeptically with an arched brow.

 Tetsurou smirked at him and nodded.

 He stared back at him. “Wait. I’m right? There’s more to this?”

 “Yes, Bo.”

 “Well, what is it?! Tell me!”

 “Let’s go outside,” Tetsurou simply said.

 Just giving him a puzzled looked, Koutarou didn’t respond and just walked past him to lead him outside. He knew a quiet place where they could talk. It was nicely lit and close by the building but also out of the way so that they wouldn’t be disturbed. Something was definitely up with Tetsurou, and Koutarou was determined to listen and figure out what exactly was going on.

 The butterflies in his stomach were dancing as they neared the place. Tetsurou was walking briskly right next to him, and their hands kept brushing up against each other delicately. Koutarou had missed being so close to him, and he wanted to badly to reach out and just hold his hand, but he forced himself not to.

 He stepped into the gazebo out in the yard of the dormitory. It was away from the parking lot and had a swing hanging from some hinges on the ceiling of it. The wind blew gently against it, making it rock back and forth in a relaxing fashion.

 Koutarou forced a wide grin and threw his hands into the air.

 “Here we are!” he announced. “This is a good place to talk.” He lowered his arms quickly and put on a drastically different face as he became rather serious. “Now, tell me what the hell is going on.”

 Tetsurou seemed surprised by his change in demeanor but quickly shook off his expression and sat down on the swing. He waited for Koutarou to join him before responding.

 “We’ve been best friends for a long time, Bo,” he began.

 Koutarou nodded.

 “And for a long time, I haven’t said anything about this, but I really think I should say something now.”

 “What is it, Kuroo?” Koutarou pursed his lips and waited anxiously. He was afraid of what was coming. Was Tetsurou going to tell him that he didn’t want to be his friend anymore? If he didn’t, then why did he tell him that he wanted to see him? Was that why? Did Koutarou actually do something wrong?

 He wasn’t used to being this nervous, so when Tetsurou noticed that he was flicking the zipper of his jacket up and down anxiously and looking at him with such round eyes, he did something without thinking and slid his hand over to Koutarou’s and squeezed it.

 Koutarou looked down at their hands and blushed madly as he trailed his head back up to peer back at Tetsurou.

 “Wha…?”

 “It’s okay,” Tetsurou whispered. He looked back at him. “Bokuto, you know I love you, right?”

 “Y-yeah…” Koutarou cleared his throat and nodded. “I mean, yeah…”

 “But do you know that I’m also in love with you?” Tetsurou asked.

 Suddenly, it was like Koutarou couldn’t hear or see. He blanked out and just sat there paralyzed. His heartbeat picked up pace, and he became hyperaware that he was holding Tetsurou’s hand. Blinking rapidly to get himself to snap out of it, he pulled his hand from Tetsurou’s and laughed nervously. It was a new thing to do. Koutarou didn’t do that. He got nervous, but he didn’t get like this.

 The look on Tetsurou’s face was something new to him, too. He looked guilty and hurt and confused all at the same time, and Koutarou put his hands up in defense.

 “No, no! Wait!” He waved his hands at him and then, put one palm onto his forehead. “Just give me a second to…” He trailed off and looked at the ground for an answer that he knew that he wouldn’t see. He didn’t know how to respond, but he needed to assure Tetsurou that everything was okay.

 But as he searched for the words, he didn’t know if things would be okay.

 He was in love with Tetsurou, too, but if he admitted that, what would happen? Would things change? They live far away from each other, and he already couldn’t stand being apart from him. Wouldn’t being in a relationship with him make it even more unbearable? Did he really want to put himself in that kind of position?

 As he turned to face Tetsurou again, he looked back at that face that he awaited to see every time he drifted into a dream—the face that he fell in love with more each and every time he saw it.

 He got lost in his eyes in that very second and saw all the times that he’d hoped that a moment like this would occur. He’d dreamed of being able to be together—dreamed of his feelings to be reciprocated and have an opportunity just like this—and suddenly, all of his concerns were pushed aside.

 It was worth it.

 “If you don’t feel the same way, I can just—”

 Koutarou grabbed Tetsurou by the face and pulled him in to give him the most fulfilling kiss that he’d ever given or received. He closed his eyes and took in this moment before releasing to say, “I’m in love with you, too.”

 There was shock written across Tetsurou’s face. His nose was red, but he didn’t seem to care that he looked ridiculous that way. Koutarou couldn’t remember ever seeing Tetsurou blush so hard before, but he found it cute and grinned back at him.

 “You came all this way just to tell me that you were in love with me?” Koutarou asked.

 Tetsurou nodded.

 “I was worried all day!”

 “Sorry.” Tetsurou smirked.

 “I hate you,” Koutarou teased. He let his smile drop before asking, “So… what now? How is this going to work?”

 “I did a lot of thinking on my way here. I have a plan…”

22.

Tetsurou’s boyfriend gave him a tender and loving kiss against his forehead before he turned around and allowed Tetsurou to wrap his arms around him from behind and pull him closer to him on the couch that sat in their new apartment. The place still smelled new, but he knew that would change in no time. He and Koutarou were good at messing things up.

 He felt content and puffed his chest out and sighed happily to himself.

 This prompted his boyfriend to look up at him from his slouching position against him.

 “I’m glad we’re done with college,” he told him. “It was hard having to meet up every weekend and doing all that we could to see each other.”

 Tetsurou ran his hand along Koutarou’s arm. “It was worth it though.”

 Koutarou grinned and slid more into his boyfriend. “Yeah…” he replied happily. “Now, it’ll be easier because”—he sat up abruptly and turned around again to tackle Tetsurou into a hug—“we have our own place now!”

 Tetsurou gave off that distinctive guffaw of his.

 He put his hands onto Koutarou’s back and puckered his lips to invite his boyfriend in. Koutarou took the hint and kissed him sweetly, holding his face in his hands.

 “Thanks,” Tetsurou said as they pulled apart.

 “For the kiss?”

 “For being my boyfriend and loving me,” he corrected.

 Koutarou softened his eyes and leaned his forehead against Tetsurou’s. “Then, thank you, too.”

 “You should be thanking me. You’re a handful,” Tetsurou teased.

 “Way to ruin the moment, Kuroo!” Koutarou got off of him and sat beside him instead, causing Tetsurou to lean over onto him and laugh loudly. Koutarou pouted but couldn’t stop himself from smiling as Tetsurou wrapped his arms around him and laughed into his shoulder. “I hate you. Akaashi’s right. You’re a pain in the ass.”

 Tetsurou’s laugh subdued slightly, and he smirked at Koutarou as he lifted his head up to say, “I love you, too, jerkass.”

 Koutarou snapped his head towards him.

 “Don’t use my own words to describe me!”

 “Fine. I love you, too, you noisy-ass owl.”

 Koutarou groaned but grinned and kissed him again. “I love you.”

 Tetsurou smirked. “I know,” he said and curled up against his boyfriend as they sat there on their very own couch in their very own apartment, content and happy that they had actually come this far together.