#getting in the car after adam's late shift and just learning to spend time with each other with nothing looming over them

[veerbles]

and I see the wine and the fire in you / I see the mountains blue

[janaem]

tension

this is a mature scenario

requests are also open, go to my pinned post to learn more :)

(c/f) ;; crush’s friend

(y/f) - your friend

r/n - restaurant name

“___”- you or your crush’s name

[8:00 pm]

you looked out the open window feeling the breeze on your face. you closed your eyes and laughed at the ticklish feeling as you tilted your head back.

your friend, ___, was the one behind the wheel, chatting with your crush's friend, ___. the four of you decided to escape from reality for a while and just aimlessly drive around for a while. what a calming way to spend a summer night, you've longed to go on adventures like this. and the music in the background was absolutely perfect.

"i'm hungry." your crush said slightly slouching in his seat which was next to yours, his legs spread a bit. it was kind of awkward being in the backseat with him, considering the fact that the two of you only exchanged one short conversation.

you and your friend ___, were originally going to hang out together, but since they grew more fond of your crush's friend, they insisted on picking the two of them up.

"let's go somewhere that has a drive thru." you said closing the car window.

"oh, i was told that i can't eat food in this car." you friend replied looking around for places to eat.

"wait, why?" c/f asked, sitting up in their seat.

y/f sighed, keeping their eye out for any nearby places, "this is a new car, just got this two days ago."

c/f nodded, "so...do we just dine in?"

"or we could order pick up and eat outside the car by the lake or something." you imputed googling some restaurants near you.

"yeah, that's a good idea." ___ said turning his head to look right at you. it shouldn't be a surprise, but you felt your body slightly tense up and start to feel warm as you scrolled through the various options on your screen.

a few places caught your eye, and you started listing them.

"oooh i think that r/n is a perfect spot to get pick up!" c/f announced.

y/f nodded, "yeah, ___, what do you think?" they asked looking at the two of you in the back seat through the rearview mirror.

you absently nodded, scrolling through social media, your crush said yes.

"you two have been awfully quiet" c/f pointed out turning their body halfway to look at the two of you in the back seat.

"they're heavy on the sexual tension." y/f added making the frat boy face.

"bro..." your crush sighed in annoyance. you looked over at him, he immediately caught your gaze and you instantly looked away, pretending to scroll on your phone.

"guys, if you like each other just say that. It's so obvious." y/f suggested turning the corner, you were 2 minutes away from your destination, since it was a place pretty close by.

"we have more important things to worry about, like our orders for the food." you shot back looking up from your phone.

"and what we'll be having for dessert, isn't that right, ___?" c/f glanced at ___, them a wink.

"dude, shut up." ___ said dismissively, you felt your body become tense again. you looked over at ___, as he rested his elbow by the window, leaning his cheek into the palm of his hand. you only squeezed your legs tighter, why the fuck did they look so fine being careless? you looked at his legs, you honestly just wanted to sit on his lap and make out with him without a care in the world.

the throbbing down there suddenly caught you off guard, "can you guys stop, seriously. we don't like each other, it was just sudden that y/f decided to pick you two up. let it go." you sighed shifting uncomfortably in your seat, crossing your legs together. ___ saw this and raised their eyebrows. however, you refused to look at him again for the rest of the ride.

"shut your horny ass up, we know that's not true." c/f teased turning back around to face straight ahead. you just wanted to beat the shit out of this motherfucker with no mercy.

"we'll order inside, it's late and the line shouldn't be long at all." y/f sighed, ignoring the previous conversation that just took place.

"but, that doesn't make sense, we'll have to wait even longer for the food now." ____ imputed.

you adjusted yourself in your seat, taking a breath, "not if we call them now."

"we have one more minute until we arrive, it's pointless." y/f replied looking at the gps.

"that's plenty of time, just tell me what you guys want, and if we arrive sooner than expected, we can just park and finish our order." you said dialing in the number.

everyone else agreed, so you called r/n and told them your orders. you arrived just in time once you finished and hung up.

"see told ya." you smirked putting your phone down.

"c/f and i will go in to pick up the orders." y/f said unbuckling their seatbelt along with c/f.

"uhh...can i come?" __ asked sitting up a bit, unbuckling his seatbelt.

"no, you stay here with ___." c/f replied opening the car door and steeping, causing him to huff under his breath.

"they said it'll take 15 minutes. why can't y'all stay here until it's ready?" you argued furrowing your eyebrows.

"i don't know why you're complaining, you get some alone time with your boyfriend." y/f smiled as they exited the car, and before you could say anything else the door slammed shut.

the silence was way to loud in the backseat of the car, you held your phone firmly in your hands, fighting the urge to look at ___, who was on his phone. what were you thinking? he's not even thinking about you right now, so why bother...

you finally decided to break the silence after a while, "you know, you don't have to listen to c/f and y/f... you can just go in if you want to." you immediately regretted saying that, you hoped deep down that he wouldn't leave you.

"nah, i'm fine right here." ___ replied, scrolling through his phone mindlessly.

you nodded and went on your phone as well, texting someone to save the awkwardness.

suddenly, ___ scoots next to you, still looking down at his phone. you furrowed your eyebrows at the move. why was he doing this?

"Uhh..." you leaned towards the window, your heart started to race uncontrollably and the adrenaline in your body started to rise.

___ sighed, getting comfortable, "shut up, i got cold."

you gave him a skeptical look, "it's literally seventy nine degrees out, and you're wearing a hoodie and sweatpants."

"just shut up, okay?" ___ sighed, he was seated at least an inch away from you.

"you're so fucking weird." you muttered.

"i'll show you weird if you don't shut the fuck up and sit still."

this moment was making you heated, your face started to get hot and you ached with anticipation to either say something rude, or bold. maybe say both? you honestly didn't know what to do, and the throbbing down on your core started to intensify and it only made matters worse.

"and how the hell are you gonna do that, ___? right i though so, so move back to your fucking seat or i'll make you."

yeah, you shouldn't have said that.

"fuck." you whispered to yourself, your gaze on ___ softened due to realizing what you've just done.

"oh yeah?" ___ gave you a lazy smirk, slightly tilting his head back to show a bit of his adam's apple.

you didn't say anything after that, that was until you felt ___ knee on yours. that was when your stomach clenched.

"how are you gonna make me move acting like this, huh?" he scooted closer so that both of your shoulders were touching. you still remained silent, watching closely as ___'s hand reached down, gripped your thigh, and moved it on top of his leg. the throbbing intensified, you became even hotter than ever, and your heart raced at an astronomical pace. you don't think you were able to handle it any longer. one more move from him and you were sure to break.

he leaned over, his face inches from yours, "not so tough now, are we?"

fuck it.

you cupped ___'s face with both of your hands and collided your lips onto his. he leaned in so that he was slightly on top of you, causing you to lean back, the seatbelt restricting you to go any further. luckily, while kissing you, ___ reached back and undid the buckle with his one hand.

you were now able to lean back, your head rested on the window, allowing ___ to settle between your legs. your back arched at the feeling of his hand trailing up your thigh, his thumb brushing over your clit. his other hand, trailed up under your sweatshirt, squeezing your waist.

you both parted, ___ looked into your eyes, "is this okay?" he continued to faintly rub his thumb faintly over your sensitive area.

"yeah..." you panted ,leaning in and kissing him again. the feeling of his hands on your bare skin, and his other hand on the very spot you've always wanted him was overwhelming.

___ slid his hand into your pants, using his middle finger to slide up and down to toy with your covered area. your breathing started to get heavier as you bucked your hips to meet his finger.

"does this feel good?" ___ asked placing a kiss on your jaw.

you were melting under his touch, "yeah..." you quivered, suddenly hissing once you felt ___ add a few more fingers and rubbing circles on your clit. his other hand, which was originally on your waist, slowly snaked up to fondle your breast.

"___...oh my--" you let out a gasp feeling him go a bit faster. the wetness started to build up on your core, a shockwave of pleasure erupts within you.

you two went at it again with the kissing, ___ slipped his tongue into your mouth, resulting in the kiss to become sloppier than before. ___ also took the opportunity to pull your underwear down, proceeding the act of rubbing your core. he let out a small hum in ecstasy, feeling how warm you were.

"fuck, you drive me crazy, ___" he groaned in between kisses, "you're so wet, too"

you simply couldn't talk, the feeling in your stomach built up every few seconds. you parted from ___ to let out a whimper, biting your lip and rolling your eyes back. you arched again at the feeling of his hand toying with your breast. unfortunately, he stopped and placed his hand from your breast to your back. ___ then started to place kisses on your jaw and neck, you closed your eyes in pleasure, feeling every inch of him touching you, you didn't want him to stop no matter what.

___ stopped kissing you after a while, and took a good look at you. he couldn't take his eyes off of you beautiful expression. he didn't think he would make you feel this way, and it filled him with pride that he is. he looked from your parted lips, to your heaving chest. just looking at you drove him to the edge, he'll never know how and why you were so breathtaking, especially in this state.

your eyes opened slightly, seeing that ___ was staring at you, a series of moans and whimpers continued to come out of you.

you started to squirm, and he liked that. so he went faster, assuming that you were about to reach your high.

"you like that, huh?" he whispered against your lips as he continued to rub his fingers on your clit. the overwhelming feeling that sent shockwaves through your core began to build up more and more the harder and faster he rubbed.

"oh my god..." you sighed, rolling your eyes back in relief. your back arched feeling the sudden wave of pleasure, which was stronger than the last. it was all so unexplainable, all you knew is that you felt so good.

___ placed a slow kiss on your lips, pulling away once you let out another moan. he chuckled and went faster. and the faster he went, the more frequent your whimpers became. you never really admitted it, but you enjoyed the build up before a good orgasm. and it would seem that___ knew just how to maintain this feeling inside you. it was almost hard to believe that this was his first time touching you.

___ moved his hand from your back, to the window to support himself, leaning into you more. all you could do was pant, feeling your abdominal muscles clench, the feeling of pleasure was even greater, allowing your mouth to fall open.

___'s hand started to flex, "you gonna cum for me?" he said going faster than before, "yeah?" he gripped your waist even tighter, watching your expression intensely. ___ wanted to make sure that you felt everything.

"oh fuck, yes." you moaned, looking up at the ceiling. all you were focused on, were ___'s fingers and the intense release you were having.

"you look so hot cuming for me." ___ said, your foreheads were inches away.

you couldn't respond, the orgasm you just had had taken it's toll on you. your legs shook a bit as you rode out your last high. small sighs and pants escaped your lips, the very same lips that your crush leaned over and placed a kiss on.

you kissed back and your crush pulls your bottoms back up, the feeling of the fabric touching your sensitive area made you squirm a bit.

"i made you cum that hard?" ___ teased, giving you a smirk.

"yeah ..." you said slyly, wrapping your arms around his neck. you tangled your fingers into his hair, taking in how beautiful his eyes were. your infatuation for each other grew just then, and the two of you leaned in and kissed each other again.

suddenly, the car door opened and in entered your two chatty friends. they were so caught up in their conversation that both you and ___ took this time to immediately get situated again.___ slid all the way back to his original spot as you got out your phone and started typing and scrolling.

"damn, it's hot in here..." y/f said starting the car again and turning on the air conditioning.

"Yeah," c/f looked suspiciously at you and ___, "y'all fucked or sum?"

"i'd rather die." you said bluntly, not looking up from your phone. ___ just let out an indifferent grunt.

"well, anyways, to the lake we go! i'm starving." y/f announced reversing out of the parking lot.

[luffles424]

Moonlight

☼ Pairing: Seokjin x reader

☼ Genre: fluff, smut, post breakup au, actor!seokjin, fashion designer!reader, exes to lovers

☼ Count: 3.1K

☼ Warnings: 18+, oral (f receiving), multiple orgasms, hair pulling, teasing, unprotected sex, creampie

☼ Summary: Seokjin has been back in your life for 5 years now. It’s a different future than what you had imagined, but you wouldn’t trade it for anything. What else does the future hold for you?

☼ Drabble/epilogue to Sunrise

☼ a/n: Surprise! So many people were asking and curious about what happened and I got a little brain worm of an idea of what the future holds for the Sunrise pair! This can probably be read as a stand alone if you didn’t want to read the first part. I hope you enjoy! Let me know what you think! My ask box is always open ~ 💙💙💙💙

Excitement bubbles in your belly as you smooth the front of your dress down, hand pausing for just a moment on your belly as you give yourself one final once-over in the mirror. You’re so happy that you finally got to wear the sunset dress again. Although you have no idea what you’re wearing it for.

Seokjin has been tightlipped about his plans for you tonight. He simply told you to dress up, hinted to you to wear this specifically. He’d seen it a while ago one night when he was over, hanging in your closet. You’d told him why when he questioned why you had it hanging up, though he’d shyly told you that he had seen you wear it already. When you said you’d kept it because you wanted to wear it again, he got a gleam in his eye that you never quite understood. At least, until now with his not so subtle hints to wear it. 

You smile thinking about him. It’s been a lot of work to get to this point. But it’s been so worth it. No matter the length of time. You’ve treasured every single moment. 

You had spent about 2 years getting to know each other again. There was a thrill in learning Seokjin all over again. To discover the little things about the man he grew into. Hearing stories about the years you missed. Stories about friends you hadn’t kept in touch with but he had. You shared stories from friends you’d kept close but he had lost contact with. Every time you two were together was a fun adventure in discovery. 

And for all the new things you were learning about him. He could still make you laugh just as easy and it was so easy to still joke with him. The new and old blended to make the Seokjin before you and it was simple to start falling for him all over again.

Then, one day, Seokjin stopped by your place unannounced and asked you out. He was panting, like he’d sprinted the whole way there and his confession was rushed out in one long breath and you only caught half of it. It took everything in you not to laugh at the wild look in his eye as he rambled, but as funny as it was, it was hopelessly endearing. 

You couldn’t deny that it felt right, so you said yes. The easiest decision you had ever said yes to. Now, almost 3 years later, you’re still going strong. Far stronger than you ever were in university. You’ve both learned a lot from the past. For all that you have problems, like any human, you’ve gotten better at communicating through it. You know when you need to take a break, get some space to sit with your feelings and be able to put them into words. And it’s done wonders to make things work smoother.

You rack your brain, trying to figure out if maybe you’re missing some important date. An anniversary? No, that was less than two months ago. Seokjin took you to a private beach. Not that either of you saw much of the beach with how adamant Seokjin seemed to keep you in bed with him. 

 You shudder as another orgasm courses through your body. “Seokjin…” you whine.

You get a hum in response but his face remains firmly buried in your pussy, where he’s been for at least an hour and several orgasms at this point. You’d protested by your third one, whining for his cock. But Seokjin had simply pressed a sloppy kiss to your thigh as he took a moment to explain that tonight was all about you. 

Apparently all about you meant he was going to make you cum until you passed out. Your entire body tingled, some weird mix between being numb and feeling like every nerve was electrified. Deliriously, your fingers tighten in his hair and tug, harder than you intend if his sharp inhale against you is anything to go by. 

“Baby, please…” You give him another tug.

If you weren’t so weak, you would push him until you could climb on his dick yourself. Chuckling, Seokjin finally pulls away, face smeared with your slick and face equal parts pleased and smug. 

“Want my dick that bad?” he teases.

You glare. “I will go find the nearest sex shop and buy a dildo. At least it wouldn’t get mouthy.”

Seokjin’s grin is bright as he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand before he swoops down to pepper your face with kisses. “You like my mouth.” He presses a firm kiss to your lips, lining his hips with yours and letting his cock settle against your soaked slit. His smile softens and he presses a far gentler kiss to your lips. “I love you.”

You give his hair another tug. “I’d love you more if you put your dick in me.”

He blinks at you before erupting into squeaky laughter. “You ruined it.”

“I ruined nothing. You’re still hard as a rock.” 

To prove your point, your grind against him, making you both gasp at the pressure. Seokjin ignores the comment, choosing instead to finally give you what you’ve been wanting. He pulls his hips back ever so slightly, just enough to position himself at your entrance and then he’s pressing forward, filling you with one languid stroke. 

He keeps his pace just as slowly as he ate you out. Taking his time and ensuring you feel every inch and shift of his cock inside you. He cums what feels like an eternity later, filling you further. He keeps himself buried in you, kissing you slowly and deeply, pouring every ounce of love for you into it.

 So definitely not your anniversary. Neither of your birthday’s are near. Neither of you have had any recent accomplishments that need to be celebrated. You suppose he could just want to take you out, one of his new favorite things is taking you on dates whenever your schedules allow it. 

You’ve told him time and time again that you don’t need elaborate dates. But he seems to know how much you do enjoy being spoiled by him, even as you protest it. Though at some point he did seem to realize that you also love nights spent at home, curled up with him on the couch together. And he’s been all too happy to flex his improved cooking skills. You’ve definitely enjoyed learning that new aspect of him too. University hadn’t been conducive to cooking elaborately. Money was often tight and so what you ate often was prepared or frozen with the occasional nicer meal when finances worked in your favor.  

Tonight feels different though. There’s something about the secrecy and meticulous planning that makes this seem different than just a regular date night. You suppose you’ll just have to wait and see what he has planned for you. If Seokjin didn’t want you to know, there would be no way for you to try and figure out what the secret was.  

You check your phone, seeing that Seokjin should be here soon and so you move out to the living room to wait for him. You’re so thankful that you got to meet Seokjin again. You’re even more thankful that you had the time apart to grow on your own. While the break up was painful and rough when it happened and for a while after. You wouldn’t be the person you are now without it. It makes the relationship now that much more special. 

No matter what news or plans Seokjin has, you have your own to share to make the night happy. Your hand rests on your belly once more, a small smile on your face. 

There’s a brief knock at the door and then it’s opening, Seokjin beaming when he sees you standing in the living room. You let your hand drop from your belly.

“Wow,” he breaths, eyes slowly tracing over your frame. “You look… stunning.”

You grin, giving him a slow look up and down. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

He chuckles, finally coming closer and pressing a kiss to your lips. “I had a lot of help from this pretty amazing designer.”

You feel a pleased rush run through you and you return the kiss eagerly. It’s easy to get lost in the kiss and you almost want to tell him to just forget about whatever he has planned in favor of spending the evening in bed. But Seokjin pulls away, a slightly bewildered smile on his face when you try to follow.

“Come on. We’re gonna be late.”

“For what?”

He just raises an eyebrow at you and you huff. He honestly can’t blame you for trying to get some sort of hint or answer about his plans. Taking your hand, he presses his lips to your knuckles before entwining your fingers. He leads you out to the waiting car, helps you into the back, carefully ensuring that your dress is safely tucked inside the car before he’s moving to the other side and sliding in beside you. 

The drive is almost silent, save for the soft music filtering through the speakers. You lean your head against Seokjin’s shoulder, deciding to just enjoy being with him again. He’s been busy the last few weeks with a new film and this is the first evening he’s been free to be with you that isn’t just takeout and the couch. Or bed depending on how tired either of you are. 

Seokjin gently shakes you awake some time later and you blink blearily at him for a moment. His smile is endearingly fond as he waits for your brain to kick back on after your impromptu nap. You’ve been so tired lately. 

“Are we here?”

He laughs and brushes a kiss to your forehead. “Yes, baby, we are.”

Once he believes that you’ll stay awake, he gets out, circling around to your side and helping you out of the car. You look around with a frown, unfamiliar with where you are. You’re in front of a tall building, windows reflecting the sunset. The building is unmarked and that leaves you even more confused. 

Smiling at your confusion, he takes your hand and leads you forward into the building. The elevator ride has anticipation building in your belly. Seokjin always plans the best surprises. He’s only grown more thoughtful and kind with age. 

Finally the elevator dings open, revealing a restaurant lobby. 

Except the lobby is empty, most of the lights off. Are they closed? You turn toward Seokjin, brows furrowed in confusion. 

He grins, gesturing towards the wall behind the host stand where the restaurant name is lit up, the brightest of the lights in the room currently. Moonlight. 

“So… Me and Seokjung are opening a restaurant. Well, he’s doing all the hard work. I’m just an investor. It opens in a couple of weeks.”

You grin. You know Seokjung’s wanted to open a restaurant for the longest time. The Kim brother’s definitely shared a love of cooking and food. You can’t believe he’s hidden this from you. But knowing him, he wanted everything perfectly in place before he revealed it to you. Which seems to be tonight. “Seokjin, that’s amazing!”

He nods. “Seokjung’s ecstatic…”

Tilting your head, you inspect him slowly. “If it’s not open, then why are we here?”

Shyly, Seokjin leads you past the lobby into the dining area. It’s massive, so much bigger than you would have thought it would be, given how the building looks from the outside. The most stunning thing is the floor to ceiling windows that look out over the ocean. You didn’t know you were so close to the shore. 

Without thinking, you move to the window, looking out over the sunset. The view is just as stunning as you thought it would be.

“It took months to find the right place. Seokjung was getting so frustrated that I kept saying no to every place he suggested. But I had this vision for it. This vision. Something I could bring the love of my life to. That felt like home to us... And everyone else,” he adds belatedly.

You look at him over your shoulder. He’s such a sap. You reach a hand out and he takes it, letting you pull him beside you. You’re both silent for a long moment, looking out at the gorgeous view. 

“Seokjin, I’m-”

“We’ve been-”

You both start at the same time, laughing when you both stop. 

You gesture for him to continue. “You go first, baby. You planned all this, you’ve clearly had this for a lot longer.”

Licking his lips, he nods. He pulls you a few feet away towards a table that’s set beside the windows, candles casting twinkling light across the glassware.

“Seokjung is cooking for us tonight.” He pulls your seat out for you, circling around to sit across from you. He looks inexplicably nervous, but a streak of nerves runs through you too with the news you’re holding on to. “I wanted to do something special. I thought being the first person to try the restaurant was pretty special. And I wanted you to be the first person to eat and see this view. I wanted to be with you when you saw it.”

Reaching across the table, you take his fidgeting hand. You love this man so much. Seokjung comes out then, hands laden with plates that he sets out on the table. The spread is truly impressive. Seokjung has to make two trips to bring everything out. 

You laugh incredulously as Seokjung retreats back to the kitchen. “Are you planning to feed an army here?”

Seokjin grins sheepishly. “Seokjung was a little excited to work out the menu and have someone try everything. He’s going to ask later for feedback and you know how he is about that.”

You give a nod. You definitely do know how Seokjung can get. It’s the same way Seokjin sometimes gets when he’s trying out a new recipe. You both eat in companionable silence. There’s no need to fill the silence with a lot of chatter. It’s more than enough to just be here with him. Seokjin occasionally feeds you bites of things he thinks you’ll like and it’s thrilling to have him spoil you like this. When he sees things that you like more, he makes sure that you have most of it, not-so-subtly shifting those bites towards you.  

You try to surreptitiously ignore the full wine glass throughout the meal. Resorting to distracting Seokjin whenever his eyes begin to drift towards it with confusion. He knows it’s your favorite. It doesn’t seem like the right time to explain why you can’t drink it right now. You can tell that there’s something else Seokjin wants to say. That tonight doesn’t seem to be solely about being the first to eat at the restaurant. Seokjin wouldn’t be so nervous if it was as simple as that.  

Once the food is gone, Seokjung brings out dessert and Seokjin seems to grow even more nervous. As you reach out to take a spoon, Seokjin stops you. 

Licking his lips, he seems to be preparing himself for something. You wait, letting him get his words in order. Finally, he meets your gaze and his face is set with determination.

“We’ve been through a lot. Had our ups and downs. Hell, we were apart for over 10 years. But somehow, despite everything, despite it seeming like we’d never see each other again. We found each other. Out of all the people in the world, we found each other again. On a beach where we had so many memories. And… and we’ve worked so hard for what we have now. I’m… God, I’m so grateful to have gotten another chance with you. I never even imagined this much. I would’ve been happy just being friends. Having you in my life again… Being able to love you again. It’s a chance I never thought I could have. A chance to do things right. To treat you the way you deserve…”

You smile when he trails off, threading your fingers with him. “I’m happy I found you again too.”

That seems to give him the confidence to go on. “I’ll spend my every waking moment ensuring you know just how loved you are. If you’ll let me. If you want me too.” He slips out of his seat, dropping to his knee beside you. Your heart skips a beat as you watch him with wide eyes. “Baby, Y/n… I love you so much. If you’ll let me, I’d want nothing more than to keep loving you for the rest of our lives.”

He pulls a small box out of his pocket, nearly fumbling it with nerves, and opens it to reveal a glittering ring. Tears gather in your eyes and you stumble out of your seat to wrap your arms around him. 

“Yes, of course. God, how could I not want to marry you?”

Seokjin lets out a relieved breath, as if there was a possibility you’d say no. He’s absolutely mad if he thought you’d say no. You press a kiss to his lips, joy filling you. Seokjin kisses you for a long moment before pulling away and, with shaking fingers, pulls the ring free from the velvet to slip it onto your finger. It’s a perfect fit. 

You smile at the ring. It’s so gorgeous. For a moment, you forget entirely about your own news. But then Seokjin is pulling the wine glasses from the table, holding yours out to you. Clearly intent on celebrating your engagement. 

You stare at the glass for a long moment before slowly reaching out to take it. You chew your lip before setting the glass back on the table. Seokjin frowns in confusion, mouth opening to question your actions but you quickly shake your head.

“So… I have some news.” You fidget with your fingers and Seokjin is quick to set his own glass aside and take your hands in his, thumbs sweeping comfortingly over the skin of your palms. You take a deep breath and then bring his hands to your belly. They’re warm through the fabric of your dress. “I’m pregnant.”

Seokjin blinks at you, his face startlingly blank. Nerves creep in but after a moment of processing, Seokjin’s face is breaking out in the widest grin you’ve ever seen on him. 

“Pregnant?” You nod. “We’re going to have a baby?”

He whoops with joy, pulling you into a tight embrace with such force that you nearly fall over, babbling about everything that you’ll have to do in the coming months. 

It’s kind of funny. Back in high school and university, when you pictured your life together, it was nothing like what you have now. But somehow, despite the heartache, the distance, everything, it’s so much better than you imagined. 

It’s perfect.

[sope-and-shine]

Dom-ino’s

-> Pairing: Hoseok x Reader -> SFW // Strangers to Lovers!AU, Fake Dating!AU // fluff, crack -> Word Count: 3.8k -> Summary: “Thank you for placing your order with Dom-ino’s! We hope you enjoy your selection and we’ll see you soon!!” You had no problem spending Valentine’s Day alone with some movies and a pizza, but it wasn’t your fault that the Special for Domino’s happened to have the same name as a special for some dating service. -> Warnings: Adam Sandler movie grade humor and innuendos, mild jealousy, mild language, Hoseok is a gentleman, Domino’s

a/n: HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOBI!!!! I was going to post this on Valentine’s Day, but I wasn’t able to. So I’m posting it on Hobi’s Birthday! Enjoy~

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When your sister had called you that afternoon asking if you’d be spending your Valentine’s Day with a hot date and you’d told her yes, you were referencing the free cheese pizza you’d be purchasing from Domino’s. After a long day at work, you really weren’t interested in going anywhere special. The only thing you really wanted to do was sit around in your sweatpants and binge a show on Netflix. Something feel good or action packed: No in between. All you needed was some wine and fuzzy socks and you’d be good for the night. You never thought that you’d be walking down the sidewalk with a stranger that you apparently paid to go on a date with instead of ordering your favorite Valentine’s special.

It kinda went down like this:

You pace around your small living room with your arms crossed over your chest, periodically checking the time on your phone to keep track of how much time has passed. It’s been an hour and a half since you first ordered your pizza, and you’ve yet to hear  so much as a call to let you know they were running late. If you’d known ordering a simple cheese pizza would take so long to be delivered, you would’ve plucked up the courage to go and grab it yourself.

Your doorbell rings and the screen to show your building's front door lights up, showing a man with dark, curly hair sticking out under a black baseball cap and a bag over his shoulder. 

Your shoulders shoulders relax, “Finally!” You cross the room to the door, pressing the button to unlock the front door, and then the button to talk, “Come on up!” 

You watch him enter the building and then the screen goes black. You fix the cardigan you put on as you wait for him to make it to the door, shifting your weight between both feet. A part of you regrets sitting down to watch your show before changing out of your work pants, but it’s not like they wouldn’t have to be washed anyway.

When he knocks on the door, you open it to greet him, but you’re confused when the bag he’s carrying isn’t big enough for what you ordered - the accessory is actually just a simple laptop bag you’d seen online shopping.

“Hi. I’m sorry, I think we both made a mistake. I thought you were someone else.” You apologize, offering him a slight nod.

“Really?” The brunette looks deflated. He pulls out his phone to check the screen, “I have a delivery for (Y/n) (L/n). Is this not the right apartment?” 

You shake your head as he looks at you in confusion, “I didn’t order whatever you’re bringing.”

“You didn’t order from Dom-ino’s?” He asks, pulling his bag to his front to show you the logo.

Your eyes narrow in confusion, “I did.”

“Then I have your delivery!” He assures you, his heart-shaped smile replacing his downcast expression.

You scoff, “Did you stuff my pizza in your laptop bag?” 

“Pizza?” He repeats. He’s confused for a moment and then you see a flash of realization hits him, “Oh! Oh…” His bright smile dims to one of uncertainty and hesitation. The brunette chuckles, “I think there’s been a misunderstanding.”

“What do you mean?” You ask.

“You ordered from Dom-ino’s.” He says.

You nod, “Yes, I know.”

“...with a hyphen in the middle.” He continues.

Your eyebrows furrow, “Why would Domino’s have a hyphen in the middle?”

“Could I come in and explain?” He gestures to the inside of your apartment.

You shift uncomfortably and bring your door closer to your body, “I’d prefer it if you didn’t.”

“Okay.” He opens his phone again and pulls up a screen, turning his phone so that you can see what’s on it, “This is what your confirmation looked like, right?”

You lean in to look at his screen, looking at a blank confirmation page almost identical to yours. Where it says “Dom-ino’s” is where you notice the hyphen you’d missed the first time, “Yeah. I didn’t even see the hyphen.”

“Yeah, so, this is the Dom-ino’s you ordered from.” He explains, pulling his phone back to him, “We’re a “dating service” if you will.” From the nature of his business as well as the keyword in the beginning, you can only assume that his service is not entirely dating related. But more importantly, it’s not pizza related either.

You sigh, “So, I’m not getting my food is what you’re saying?”

“Not necessarily~”

That’s how you find yourself where you are now, walking down the street still dressed in your work clothes next to the young entrepreneur wearing jeans and a nice shirt. When you agreed to let him make up for the mistake by buying you the pizza you had wanted - and refunding your accidental purchase - he’d stopped by his car on your way out to toss his jacket and his laptop in the backseat. 

“So-” You start, kicking rocks with your feet as you walk next to the man on your left, “A play on words, huh?”

He shrugs, “I thought it was clever at the time.”

“And you didn’t think to check if the pizza place with the slightly different name had a special with the exact same name as one of your specials?” You ask, teasing the business man more than reprimanding him.

He laughs, “In my defense, I didn’t think anyone would be stupid-” You glare at him and he clears his throat, “-I mean, challenged enough to mix the two up.”

You shake your head, “How have you not been sued yet?”

He stops outside of a brightly lit restaurant and turns to you, “I will have you know that our lawyer is very skilled.”

“Before or after their “Prosecution” is done?” You challenge, a teasing grin gracing your cheeks.

Hoseok - as you learned is his name - shakes his head and leads you towards the restaurant next to you, “Actually, it’s called the “Cross-Examination Special” but I have a feeling you’re not actually interested.” He grabs the door and gestures for you to go first, “After you~”

“No offense, but I’m really not.” You enter the building and take a look around the fairly busy restaurant. You wait for him to join you at your side, “Where do you want to sit?”

He looks around before he stops at a table off to your left, “Let’s sit by the windows.”

The both of you sit down and get settled, a waitress coming by not too long after, “Hi, welcome in! Happy Valentine’s Day! Can I get the two of you something to drink?” 

She wears a uniform like everyone else, and her hair is pulled back into a low ponytail. She’s very beautiful with the light makeup she wears, almost like an angel. Her attention is mainly focused on Hoseok - you can’t really blame her - but she spares a glance your way.

You give a warm smile, “Water please.”

“Sprite. Thank you.” Hoseok shoots her his own smile and you notice the blush that dusts her cheeks as he does so. You don’t let the simple action hurt you though, especially since you have no reason for it to do so.

You open your menu to take a look inside as Hoseok does the same, only the brunette seems to be lazily skimming over his options, “Do you come here a lot?” You ask. 

Hoseok chuckles, knowing he’s been caught, “More than I should admit.” He lays his menu flat on the table and looks at you, “Have you been here before?”

You shake your head, “Not at all. I’ve passed by a few times, but I’ve never stopped in.”

“Well, they have this amazing poke pizza if you want to try that! They have a few different types.” His enthusiasm assures you that he’s had his fair share, and if given the option he would eat it for the rest of his life.

You stifle a laugh, “So you brought me to get sushi?”

“In pizza form.” He adds, a smug grin on his lips.

You shake your head and turn back to your menu, “If I weren’t so hungry, I think this date would be over.” 

“You say that now, but let’s try getting some food in you before we make any rash decisions.” 

“Here you go!” Your waitress comes back with your drinks and places them on the table in front of you, lingering closer to Hoseok, “Have you decided what you’d like to eat?”

You notice how she stands closer to your ‘date���, almost as if she’s trying to look at the menu for him. Hoseok only smiles in return, “Yeah, can we get one order of chips and I’d like a salmon and avocado poke pizza.” She writes his order down but she doesn’t turn to you. Instead she keeps her focus on him, “So, how long have you two been together?”

“This is our first date, actually!” He explains. He shoots you a teasing grin, “Hopefully not the last~”

“Oh, I see.” You wait for her attention, but it’s obvious she’s too distracted.

You clear your throat to get her attention and fake a smile, “I’ll have the same thing, but no chips, please.” 

“Of course!” Her tone is polite, not demeaning at all, but the way she eyes your date as she leaves anyway has you growing irritated. A hand places itself on top of yours, pulling you out of your thoughts. 

“Tell me a bit about yourself.” Hoseok says, smiling at you.

“Me? Why not you?” You ask, choosing to let his hand stay on yours.

He shrugs and reaches for his drink with a free hand, “Usually on my dates I try to learn more about my clients since I’m trying to impress them.”

“Well, I’m not a regular date, so why don’t we start with you?” You suggest. He looks surprised, but he agrees. You continue, “Where did you go to school?”

“Gwangju.” 

“Really? What are you doing up here?” You ask.

His hands squeezes yours as the other plays with the straw in his drink, “I was hoping to become an idol, but I got an injury before debut.”

“I’m sorry.” You can tell the topic is a sensitive one as his shoulders hunch forward, so you attempt to lighten the mood, “But you were going to debut, right? You must be pretty talented if you got that far.”

You notice the blush rise to his cheeks as he brings his drink to his mouth, “I wouldn’t say that.”

“So, what? They were pushing you through based on your hair?” You ask. He chokes on his drink with a laugh and you can’t help but laugh yourself. You wait for him to calm down before you continue, “Were you a vocalist?”

He shakes his head, “Rapper.” 

“-Here are your chips!”

The both of you jump a little when she sets your basket of chips down, neither of you noticing her until then. 

“Thank you.” Hoseok nods at her and turns back to you, not acknowledging the waitress as she sticks around, “I was going to be a vocalist, but they thought I’d fit better as a rapper. I really wanted to be a dancer though.”

“You definitely have a lot of charisma.” You try not to eye the waitress when she globally walks away, but she just doesn’t sit right with you. It makes you remember what your least favorite part of dating is.

“You think so?” Hoseok asks.

“I do!” You assure him. You decide not to dwell on the actions of one person whether intentional or not and focus on the reason you’re even here in the first place, “Why didn’t you start a dance company instead?”

“I-” His hesitance comes back, “My injury didn’t allow it.”

Your lips pull into a thin line, “I’m sorry.”

Hoseok senses the regret in your tone and is quick to reassure you, “It’s okay! I actually really like my business as it is now, though I may have to consider a new name.”

You smile, “Oh yeah, I think a name change is mandatory at this point.”

Your waitress comes back with your food - still shamelessly eyeing your date - and you both dig into your meals. Hoseok makes sure to tease you as you go, giving light remarks about you having sushi pizza instead of the real pizza you had wanted so bad. You continue quizzing and asking him about himself, and you share about yourself in return. He’s a very easy person to talk to, which is probably why his business is still up and running - especially if all of his coworkers are as confident and as outgoing as him.

When you’re done eating you excuse yourself to go to the bathroom, taking that time to reflect on your night. You never wanted to go out with random strangers, you didn’t even want sushi, yet here you are having a great time with someone you would never pursue yourself. You’re so far out of your comfort zone that you’re actually back in! If you told your sister about anything from today, she’d be on the next train to talk your ear off for the next month.

On your way back to your table you stop. Your waitress is leaning on your table next to Hoseok with a flirtatious grin and if Hoseok is as polite and as charming as you think he is, then he’s smiling back at her. You don’t want to - more like you know you shouldn’t - but you stand back to listen to what she’s saying.

“All I’m saying is if this doesn’t work out then I’d like to give you my number just in case!” She says as if there’s nothing wrong with her actions. She looks around the restaurant, but she misses you waiting by the tall booth, “Your date isn’t even around, so she doesn’t have to know.”

You’re not too surprised by her actions, but you are surprised by the audacity she has to ask him while you’re still on a date. If she didn’t know you were on a date then you wouldn’t be as upset, but to get confirmation that the guy you’re interested in is on a date and you still pursue him while he’s on said date? Some people truly amaze you.

You tilt your head back and wait for Hoseok to accept her offer so you can get back to your table to collect your jacket and go home, but you don’t expect for him to turn her down.

“As much as I appreciate your offer, I think this is highly inappropriate behavior.” He says, catching you off guard. You peek around the corner to see your waitress is in the same state of shock as you are as Hoseok continues to smile through his harsh words, “You’re supposed to be working and doing your job, not flirting with your customers. Especially customers that are obviously here with someone else.” 

“I didn’t mean anything, I mean-“ she tries to defend herself, but Hoseok cuts her off by putting his card in front of her face.

“I’d like you to please take my card so I can pay for my Valentine’s Day meal and get back to my Valentine’s Day plans with my date. And the only piece of paper I’ll be taking from you will be my receipt.” His smile is genuine, but you can feel the annoyance and anger that radiates on the inside from your spot 3 tables away.

“Right. Sorry.” She takes his card, gives a small bow, and walks away. She rounds the corner and bumps into you. When she realizes who she bumped into, she mumbles another apology and walks around you.

You barely pay her any mind though, all you can think about is Hoseok’s kind words. He could’ve promoted his business, he could’ve taken her number just for himself, but he chose to stay faithful on a date that’s only to make up for your own mistake.

If he doesn't stop being perfect then you’d leave a complaint about him on Yelp:

“This employee is way too professional and perfect. Too realistic. He has me catching feels and we’re not about that!”

You return to your table and sit across from him as he plays a game on his phone, seemingly unfazed by the confrontation he had. When he notices you, he puts his phone down and gives you his undivided attention, “I already gave the waitress my card, I hope that’s okay.”

He doesn’t mention anything about the interaction he’d had moments before, and you don’t bother bringing it up. Instead you offer him a playful glare, “You know I could have paid for it.”

“What kind of perfect and charming date would I be if I made you pay for your own meal?~” He asks, a teasing lilt to his voice.

“A regular one.” You say.

“Well, at Dom-ino’s we don’t offer regular experiences.” He defends, “I also like to show off when I’m on a date. I need some way to hook them.”

You think back on your date up to now and offer him a warm smile, “I think you’re charming enough to keep a date on your own.”

He grins, “You mean that?”

You know he’s teasing you, but you don’t mind all that much anymore, “Yeah.”

Your waitress comes back with the receipt and places it on the table, only this time she avoids eye contact with the both of you at all costs, “Enjoy the rest of your night.”

“We will.” Hoseok assures her. You can hear the slight edge to his voice, it’s so subtle that you almost wouldn’t have noticed it if you weren’t paying attention to it.

She leaves you for another table, and you both grab your things to leave. Hoseok goes first and you follow him out, passing him as he holds the door for you like he had on the way in. It’s when you get onto the sidewalk and you turn to face him that you realize you aren’t ready for the date to end yet.

 “Alright!” Hoseok brings his hands together - making a clapping noise, “Well, now that you’ve been fed, I do believe it’s only right of me to walk you home.”

Your eyes widen, “No!”

“No?” He ‘s taken aback, thrown for a loop. He’d parked his car in front of your house, so he’d have to walk that way anyway. He looks around nervously before he shrugs, “I can walk a few feet behind you?”

You shake your head, “Not “no” as in “we’re done here,” I mean “no” as in “why end the night here?”’

“Oh~?” That seems to make his mood do a 180. He sticks his hands in his pockets, “What would you like to do then?”

“There’s an indoor glow in the dark mini golf place down the street.” You shrug, not meeting his eyes, “I don’t know if you’ve been there before, but it's a big course. It goes through the whole building.”

When you build up the courage to meet his eye, he’s already looking at you. But his shit-eating grin is now a genuine smile, “I’d love that.”

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You beat Hoseok on the miniature golf course both times around under the claims that he let you win the first time and you are much more knowledgeable about the course than him. As much as you wanted to argue with him about his golf skills, having the mental image of him trying to fish his ball out of the mini-pond through the little plastic fence surrounding it was a pretty good win in your book. Plus he bought you ice cream on your way back to your house.

Now, you’re making your way up to the front door of your building with Hoseok right next to you. You come to a stop at the door and he turns to you, “Did you have more fun than you thought you would?”

You nod, a sheepish smile gracing your features, “Actually, yes. I did. Thank you for convincing me to go out tonight.”

“Beautiful ladies should always be treated to a good time.” He flirts. His grin falls into a soft smile and he shrugs, “Maybe next year you can invite me again.”

You shrug back, “Maybe.”

“Right. Well...I should get going then.” He says. He offers you one last smile before he turns on his heel to walk away. 

He really is such a nice guy. He defends you, he’s sweet, and he’s cute? And you’re just letting him walk away. If your sister were watching you right now, she’d slam your head into the pavement for being so stupid. She’d yell at you to take a chance.

Hell, you would yell at you to take a chance!

“Aren’t you going to give me the full experience?” You call out before he reaches the sidewalk. He turns to you with a confused expression and you can feel the small bubble of confidence you’d built slipping away. You look down at your feet and shift your weight back and forth, “Most dates end with a goodnight kiss.”

You can’t see him, but you know that stupid, confident grin is on his face, “I thought you weren’t into this whole thing?”

“I thought you were genuine no matter what?” You huff, looking back up at him. If you were confident before, you’re nothing but unsure now. The only way you know how to play this off is to just pass it off like it’s nothing, so you shrug, “You can think of it as a tip.”

He hesitates for a minute, and you think he’s thinking of a way to reject you. You don’t expect him to break into a small jog to get back to you - jumping your steps instead of walking them like a normal person. He stops himself right in front of you and you feel your stomach twist into knots. 

He grabs under your chin, moves to lean in, and you close your eyes. You expect him to kiss you, but you don’t anticipate the kiss to be on your cheek. You almost feel devastated, but the promise he whispers on your cheek has the excitement rushing back, “I’ll give you a proper kiss on our second date.”

When you feel him pull away, you open your eyes to see his beautiful, genuine smile, and you can’t stop yourself from smiling back, “I look forward to it.”

[jamespotterthefirst]

Hi, Bree! ❤️ First of all, let me say that your lovely Newlywed questions really made my day!! So, I really wanted to ask several questions to our badass power couple, Ethan & Lilac, too! Of course, you’ll need to answer as them. Cheers, love!

For Both:

1. What is your spouse’s silliest fear?

2. Who is the better driver?

3. Which one of you brought up the subject of marriage first?

4. What is your spouse’s biggest pet peeve?

5. If your spouse wins a lottery, how would they spend it?

For Lilac:

1. When did you know that Ethan was ‘the one’?

2. If your house was on fire, what’s the one thing Ethan would immediately grab before leaving?

3. Name 3 of Ethan’s favourite vacation destination.

4. What is Ethan love language? Is it different than yours?

5. Who would win in a dance battle between the two of you?

For Ethan:

1. If Lilac found $10,000 dollars lying on the ground, what would she do?

2. What’s Lilac bra size?

3. What was the first meal Lilac cooked for you?

4. Name the best gift Lilac ever gave you.

5. You wake up one day and realise that you and Lilac are the only people left in this world. What’s the first thing you and Lilac would say or comment?

Mia! Thank you so much for these questions! I’m so sorry I’m so late with the replies! 

For Both:

1. What is your spouse’s silliest fear?

Lilac: My husband is somewhat afraid of spiders. He won’t freak out like I do, but he’ll definitely stiffen up when he sees one. The only reason he deals with them so that I don’t have to. 

Ethan: I don't particularly feel like "burning the whole house down and starting fresh somewhere else" per your last suggestion. Lilac is scared of that demonic doll that murders people. What's it called?

Lilac: Chucky. You just explained why I'm terrified of him.

Ethan: He's fictional. And even if he wasn’t, he’s a doll. You can throw it in the trash and problem solved.

Lilac: He comes back! That’s literally what happened in the movie. He clung to the bottom of their car as they drove back from trying to get rid of him. 

2. Who is the better driver?

Lilac: Ethan. Definitely. Last time he let me drive, we were in Little Italy and I took every one-way street imaginable... going the wrong way.

Ethan: Every time. 

Lilac: He hasn’t asked me to drive us since. 

3. Which one of you brought up the subject of marriage first?

Lilac: Technically, I did when I set up your Pictagram account during my second year. 

Ethan: Yes. You weren’t subtle.

Lilac: Neither were you. You couldn’t stop looking at me the whole time after we talked about it.

Ethan: Yes, well, that happens when you have feelings for someone.

Lilac: So you were in love with me then? Are you finally going to admit that?

Ethan: It’s been years and we’re married. I think it’s safe to admit I had been in love with you for a long time by the time we had that conversation.

4. What is your spouse’s biggest pet peeve?

Lilac: Ethan hates willful ignorance. He has no patience for people who “purposely have their heads up their own asses when the scientific evidence is presented to them in clear terms.”

Ethan: You can say anti-vaxxers. Lilac despises anyone who tries to mansplain her. 

5. If your spouse wins a lottery, how would they spend it?

Ethan: Clothes. Makeup. Shoes. Fragrances. Candles. Books. Those fuzzy socks she loves so much.

Lilac: Lingerie.

Ethan: *Ethan nods once, trying to seem unaffected but he gives her a heated, meaningful look*

Lilac: Ethan would invest the money.

Ethan: Which, in the long run, results in more clothes, makeup, shoes, etc. for you.

Lilac: And more lingerie. 

Ethan: *clears his throat and shifts in his seat* 

For Lilac:

1. When did you know that Ethan was ‘the one’?

Lilac: I knew the night I almost died. He spent the night with me in that room and all I remember thinking is how badly I wanted to live so that I could fall asleep with him like that every night. When the pain would get especially bad, I found solace in thinking that at least he’d be the last person I’d see if I died. 

2. If your house was on fire, what’s the one thing Ethan would immediately grab before leaving?

Lilac: I would hope Jenner. 

Ethan: You wouldn’t hope I’d rescue you? My wife?

Lilac: I’d be able to get out myself and if I can’t, then that’s on me. 

3. Name 3 of Ethan’s favourite vacation destination.

Lilac: My husband has his favorite destinations categorized. Those are: beaches, cities, and ecological/archeological/historical (his favorite). So here are a few of his favorites: Navagio Beach in Greece, Bergen in Norway, Volubilis in Morocco, Petra, Chichén Itzá, Pompeii, Machu Picchu, and many others. I could sit here all day and talk about my nerd husband for hours. 

4. What is Ethan love language? Is it different than yours?

Ethan: I have absolutely no idea what love languages are and at this point, I refuse to learn.

Lilac: I got this babe. Ethan’s love language is quality time.  Ethan appreciates spending meaningful moments with me. He is fond of eye contact, lingering touches, and just spending time in each other’s company. My love language, on the other hand, is words of affirmation. I love using and hearing terms of endearment in Spanish and English. I adore hearing and saying “I love you” frequently, even if the words are demonstrated in actions every day. I’m also very fond of electronic communication such as texting.  

Ethan: Sounds spot on. 

5. Who would win in a dance battle between the two of you?

Lilac: Me. No doubt about it. He does well with ballroom dancing, but anything outside of that and he’s hopeless. I’m definitely the better dancer out of the two.

Ethan: I don’t mind one bit.

Lilac: That’s right. He prefers watching me dance. 

For Ethan:

1. If Lilac found $10,000 dollars lying on the ground, what would she do?

Ethan: She would be adamant about finding out who it belongs to. She’d look for any identifying markers and hope to track the person down. If I know my wife, I know for a fact she would never just pocket the money. 

2. What’s Lilac bra size?

Ethan: I have no idea.

Lilac: *Laughs* That’s true. He always asks me for it when he’s about to buy me something special. Even though he could probably use his hands as a reliable measure.

Ethan: Doing to the mannequins what I do to you will be frowned upon in a public store. 

3. What was the first meal Lilac cooked for you?

Ethan: She made me Enchiladas Suizas. They turned out fairly good, given her track record with cooking. Later, I found out it was because she had her mother on the phone the whole time while she was making them. 

4. Name the best gift Lilac ever gave you.

Ethan: It was...

Lilac: *grins* Valentine's Day?

Ethan: Valentine's Day.

Lilac: He has too much propriety to say it out loud but he loved it. And it changed his mind about the holiday.

Ethan: It did.

5. You wake up one day and realise that you and Lilac are the only people left in this world. What’s the first thing you and Lilac would say or comment?

Ethan: She'd make a comment about how my fantasy of making people leave me alone finally came true. She'd have a point. Lilac is the only person I tolerate well enough to have next to me for the rest of my life.

Lilac: Aww. That's high praise coming from him.

Thank you so much Mia! These were so fun!

[hannigramficrecs]

AU

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I Am Not A Morning Person opened at 4:30 AM. Usually. Their menu was obscene and ever changing, and they offered shots of tequila in their coffee to anyone with an ID. Hannibal fell in love with their grouchy baker anyway.

Fruitful by Everett_Harte [words: 11,629]

An AU where they both meet several years before the show, start dating, and get married. And bang, a lot.

Teen Hannibal Ficlets by emungere [words: 10,927]

AU where Hannibal never meets Lady Murasaki and is somehow found by Will Graham and Will raises him instead. As Hannibal gets older he becomes obsessed with Will and so Teen Hannibal tries to seduce Guardian Will who is just like oh god someone save me.

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Hannibal needs a new tailor. He finds Will Graham.

Taste by emungere [words: 4,575]

Hannibal is a tailor (and may or may not also be a serial killer) and Will comes to him for a new suit.

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There's a stranger in Hannibal Lecter's house, peering out the window through the scope of an L115A3 bolt-action rifle.

Black Rock Mountain by bokunojinsei [words: 23,964]

Will is a hitchhiker with questionable hobbies. Hannibal is a man who has questionable motives. When Hannibal drives by Will who just so happens to need a ride, things quickly take a turn from the questionable to the downright depraved.

Lazy Coffee by lonelywalker [words: 1,104]

The baristas of Baltimore are dropping like flies. Why? Because they just can't get Dr. Lecter's coffee order right, and he's very particular. One day, an awkward young man with "Will" on his nametag changes Hannibal's life.

Page Six by ThisBeautifulDrowning [words: 66,839]

Crime reporter Will Graham's column on page six of the Baltimore Sun garners him the attention of many: fans, hobby detectives, the FBI...and others. Hannibal cut off a piece of meat with surgical precision. “I find your company rather engaging.” “Maybe I don't find you all that engaging.” Silence. Hannibal grinned. “I see that it will take more than one dinner to earn your forgiveness. Challenge accepted.”

How To Save A Life (The Cannibal-Friendly Handbook) by Kittendiamore [words: 3,463]

There’s a man looking up at Will, who has clearly been distracted from - Oh. Throwing limbs into the river. Human limbs. Lovely, he thinks sarcastically. Then he thinks it again because it actually is kind of lovely. The man looks confident. At ease with what he is. He’s kinda hot, too. Or: Will tries to jump off a bridge but ends up offering himself up to a cannibalistic serial killer...as you do.

Never Conquered, Rarely Came by thisisthefamilybusiness [words: 3,242]

Will is in an abusive relationship but can't see a way out - he's tried to leave before, but his partner is in law enforcement and always manages to track him down while pretending to be the understanding, forgiving, loving type. One day, Will stumbles across an ad in the Classifieds of the cleverly worded cannibal-seeking-fresh-meat-but-veiled-as-private-cooking-classes type, and decides to answer. Hannibal is pleased when his ad bears fruit, then surprised when his intended dinner apparently knows exactly what he's in for

Triage by ErisPhoenix [words: 5,469]

Cop Will and ER doctor Hannibal

The Ripper and the Black Dog by HigherMagic [words: 16,249]

A 'Mr & Mrs Smith' Hannigram story.

Money Where Your Mouth Is by OneWhoSitsWithTurtles [words: 3,792]

Will Graham is a dancer in a strip club trying to earn enough money to pay rent when he catches the attention of Hannibal Lecter, a man and a predator willing to pay any price for what he wants.

Late Shift by Sugarmouse [words: 4,307] 

Hannibal is nearing the end of his shift in the ER when one of the students makes a mistake with the dog bite victim in room four.

Our Stars are the Same by beforethedawn, ConstructFairytales, Destinyawakened [words: 42,578] 

Someone's moved into the old creepy, supposedly haunted, mansion down the way from Will Graham and his family. Will never expects to befriend the new family's son.

Moorings Built on Sand by beforethedawn, ConstructFairytales, Destinyawakened [words: 100,289] 

Will and his dad are moved to Germany for the foreseeable future and Will is surprised when he befriends a boy a few years older than him who seems to be mute.

Fix All My Broken Things by xstarxchaserx [words: 16,177]

When Will is introduced to Dr. Hannibal Lecter, the psychiatrist is only supposed to be a client for him, just a couple of small repair jobs and nothing more. Will isn't prepared to fall headfirst into feelings, operas, and murder, but there's something lurking behind Hannibal's cool facade. When Will discovers it, his entire life will change.

The New Boy by TigerPrawn [words: 11,904] 

(Hannigram + Spacedogs High School AU) Nigel recently moved to a new school after being kicked out of the last five he'd attended. He just wants to keep his head down and get through senior year so his parents will let him work in their profitable family business. When he's asked to play guide to another new student - strange little Adam Raki - he thinks he might have found help in passing his classes. If he can keep his mind on his studies around his new friend...

I'll Will My Wild Eyes Bright by HigherMagic [words: 24,398] ]

"You would do well to remember that people like you are best seen and not heard," Mason says sharply. "Our new friend is far less forgiving than I am, if the rumors are even half true." Will nods, and resists the urge to pet over his face and wipe Mason's scent away. "I want you to kill him, Will. Whatever it takes. Will you do it?" "Of course, Your Majesty," Will replies, nodding. "I am your humble servant."

Ero̱totropía by drinkbloodlikewine, whiskeyandspite [words: 49,243] 

Will is 16 when he finds himself given to an older man to be mentored and apprenticed in the art of war and horsemanship. It is traditional, and all would be well, had Will not run his mouth to this particular general in the public baths not several hours earlier...

The Aesthetics of Pleasure by exarite [words: 2,056]

Hannibal Lecter did not watch porn. If he did, though, it would certainly explain why the man waiting in line with him looked incredibly familiar.

Out of Order by HigherMagic [words: 7,346]

Hannibal's car breaks down on a long road in the middle of West Virginia. In his quest to seek help, he ends up at an abandoned gas station, with a little house and a large barn. Living there is a man, Will Graham, who offers to take a look at his car and drive him to the next town so he has a place to stay. Hannibal cannot resist digging into Will's mind and personal life during the drive, learning that Will teaches remotely for the FBI, and in particular, lectures on the Chesapeake Ripper.

The One That Got Away by whatacunningboy [words: 4,694] 

Hannibal Lecter had this macabre air to his name. Everyone knew who he was and in what he specialized in—assassination was his trade and no one questioned it. He could make anyone disappear with a simple trick or two. He never missed a target, he was quiet, and swift. Yet, he missed the biggest target of all.

Ethics & Aesthetics by fragile-teacup [words: 106,330]

Pride and Prejudice omegaverse AU

Inconvenient by fragile-teacup [words: 69,621] 

England, April 1815. Hannibal Lecter, the third Earl of Raven, gets more than he bargained for when accepting a bet from a desperate man leads to him being saddled with the man's dilapidated estate - and son. Will Graham is eighteen, hot-headed, and unnervingly intriguing. As for Will, the idea of having to spend time with the person whom he holds responsible for his father's untimely death is anathema. And yet, when circumstances leave him with no other choice, he is forced to adapt. It does not help matters that Hannibal Lecter is most annoyingly attractive...

4 (25/25)

[tardis-stowaway]

Ten years after the Not-pocalypse, Adam Young, age 21 and recently graduated from university:

-Works in a crappy retail job and lives in a tiny, crappy flat in London

-The crappy flat has no sound insulation, so he’s always hearing the absurd amount of movement from the people in the flat above and the really loud but not quite intelligible conversations from the people in the flat next door. It’s a long way to the nearest public park, and he misses the green of home.

-Is not all that good at his customer service job, with the exception that if a customer is irrationally angry about something, he says he wants to make sure he understands the problem and repeats their complaint back to them with this look in his eyes, and they universally back down and often apologize. His coworkers love him for it. Everything else is just drudgery.

-Single, despite his best efforts. Okay, maybe not his best efforts, but some efforts.

-Knows that his childhood was uncommonly idyllic at least partly due to his powers. He’s not entirely sure how his life went quite so off the rails lately.

-Maybe his powers have faded gradually since he rejected his destiny, or maybe it’s just that on some level he absorbed the expectation that being in one’s early 20’s means being broke and a little lost, and the expectation made it happen whether he wanted it or not.

-Or maybe he just should’ve chosen a more employable course of study at uni instead of comparative religion. In his defense, it seemed relevant to his life.

-Spends much of his free time on climate crisis activism. He’ll be damned (ha) if he stood against the forces of Heaven and Hell, the Four Horsepeople of the Apocalypse, and his own birthright to preserve the continuing existence of humanity on the Earth only for humans to blunder into destroying themselves unintentionally through greed and shortsighted decisions.

-He’s been doing this since he was twelve, when Brian sent the Them’s group text an article about the group Extinction Rebellion with the caption “named for us?? :)” Adam had laughed, then actually read the article. Within a week he’d convinced the Them and a dozen of their classmates to show up at the next town council meeting with a list of sustainability demands.

-No matter how many civil disobedience events he takes part in, he never seems to get arrested. Adam suspects it’s his supernatural entity privilege. Pepper says it’s probably mostly that he’s white and great at charming his way out of trouble.

-He’s still friends with all of the Them, but they don’t live especially close together. He does have a flatmate, an American who Adam met at uni.

-At this point you, a genre-savvy reader of much Good Omens fic and meta, are probably seeing the word “American” and thinking that Adam is flatmates with Warlock Dowling. For once, you are wrong. 

-Adam’s flatmate is Jesus.

-Not Jesus Christ, but a young man named Jesus Dominguez, pronounced the Spanish way (like hay-soos).

-Jesus is from Southern California, and he talks more than a little bit like a surfer stereotype. He’s got warm brown skin, shoulder-length dark hair in perpetually-mussed waves, and a little beard. He’s kinda leaning into the look  to mess with people, but it’s also the same style found on at least a third of the other male-presenting hipsters in London.

-When he learned that he was going to share a flat with someone named Jesus, Adam called Crowley and Aziraphale. He’s never been gladder that he stayed in touch with them, because he NEEDED someone who understood how the Antichrist and Jesus sharing a flat sounded like the setup for a joke or a sitcom. Crowley did indeed laugh out loud, then told Adam that as a fellow lapsed member of the forces of Hell, he could personally recommend sharing quarters with a heavenly adversary. Aziraphale just muttered “oh, stop” at Crowley.

-Adam moved to London because it was easier to get to the important protests there, and because he was curious. He spent the first six months desperately homesick for Tadfield. The city was so crowded but somehow he still felt so alone, other than Jesus.

-Then a midnight fire-alarm in their building sent him and Jesus into the streets along with dozens of their neighbors. Adam finally met the people in the flat above theirs who made all that moving around noise. They were an older couple who took ballroom dancing lessons at the senior center and liked to practice at home. Mrs. Kapoor tried to teach Adam how to foxtrot right there on the pavement in the middle of the night. He stepped on her feet, but since he was in bare feet and she’d actually taken the time to find shoes it wasn’t a big deal.

-Meanwhile Jesus was finally talking to the loud young men from next door. By the time Adam wandered over, Jesus had learned their names (Leon, Seamus, and Nazim) and secured an invitation for the two of them to come over to watch Saturday’s football match, and to join their next D&D campaign (“just no more  paladins,” said Nazim). Adam looked forward to finding out whether it was the D&D or the football that was the cause of more yelling.

-As the evacuation stretched on with no hint of either actual fire or clearance to go back inside, the building’s children began to get fussy. Adam found a coin on the ground (successfully picking it up, because Crowley didn’t make it to this neighborhood very often) and proceeded to distract them with stage magic.

-He initially learned stage magic from Aziraphale, but he’s better at it than the angel ever was. He hardly cheats physical reality at all. The kids love it.

-When the fire department finally gives them the clearance to go back inside, Adam’s stomach rumbles. “Is anyone else hungry?,” he asks, to a chorus of agreement. It’s too late for any nearby takeout, but Jesus chats with their neighbors about options.

-Jesus enlists Adam’s help in going from flat to flat gathering ingredients from everyone, and before long they’re serving fish tacos and grilled cheese sandwiches to a small crowd of pajama-clad people. It’s 2 am, but everyone is smiling, or at least has contentment at the edge of their yawns.

-The next day, Mrs. Kapoor brings Adam and Jesus a spider plant cutting, because she thought their flat looked too bare. Adam texts a picture of it to Crowley and receives back lengthy instructions on watering, pot size, soil, and the most effective threats for the species.

-Five months later, the local planning council has an intense debate about why crime rates in one neighborhood have dropped by 75% since their last meeting. They each try to claim credit for their pet civic projects. Actually, it’s because Adam Young has started to love London, or at least his nook of it.

-Buskers soon realize that certain tube stops are generating far more tips than they ever have before, with no obvious demographic shift accounting for the change. The common ground is that these are the stops on Adam’s commutes to work and his activist meetings. He can only occasionally spare a tip himself, but his enjoyment of the music is contagious.

-Even after the breakthrough, not every day is good. On a late summer day that just happens to be the anniversary of the day the world didn’t end, Adam comes home from a protest fuming.

-“Dude, you okay?” asks Jesus, looking up from his guitar. (Jesus sometimes goes to protests with Adam, but not usually the ones where they’re planning on breaking laws. “I’m a brown-skinned foreigner, man. Do you think I’ll get away with what you get away with? I’m not ready for that yet,” he says, and Adam can’t argue.)

-“The media barely showed up at our event, probably because it was about a million degrees and even though that’s exactly what we’re protesting, nobody wants to be out in it. Six of our people passed out from the heat and three got arrested. They still didn’t arrest me, but I got pushed over and cracked my phone screen. On my way home, some drunk on the tube vomited on my shoes. Our green jobs bill still doesn’t have the votes in Parliament, and have you seen the latest news on the Antarctic ice sheets?” Adam kicks off his shoes, then collapses dramatically onto the futon and groans.

-“Sounds rough,” says Jesus.

-“I should’ve just ended the damn world when I was eleven and I had the chance. Would’ve been quicker,” Adam mutters.

-Jesus gets up and goes to the kitchen. He brings Adam a beer. “You don’t mean that, bro,” he says.

-Adam sighs, accepting the beer. “I suppose not.”

-He drinks his beer. Dog, now grey-muzzled and slow, shuffles over to curl up at his feet. Adam pulls out his phone, which is cracked but still seems functional. He’s got a text from Aziraphale.

-“Dear Adam,” the text begins, because Aziraphale might have finally deigned to learn to text but he steadfastly refused to adopt its stylistic conventions, “I hope that you have returned safely from today’s protest. I’m very proud of your continuing efforts, and though he won’t admit it I know that Crowley feels the same. Please write back at your earliest convenience. Fondly, Aziraphale”

-Adam texts back to reassure the angel, who will doubtless pass it on to Crowley, then he texts similar reassurances to his parents and to Mrs. Kapoor upstairs. He’s still figuring out this adulthood thing, but he’s got a lot of parental figures looking out for him. His Infernal Bio-Dad isn’t one of them, and that’s the way Adam likes it.

-Through the open window comes the sound of music blasting from a car stuck in traffic below. Freddie Mercury and David Bowie are singing:

And love dares you to care for the people on the edge of the night, And love dares you to change our way of caring about ourselves.

-He turned down the chance to rule the world, and he’d make the same choice again, but he still feels a certain proprietary responsibility towards the planet and its inhabitants. His father—his real, earthly father—didn’t raise him to shirk responsibility, and he’s not one to cave under pressure.

-Life is hard, people are mostly idiots, and the world is coming apart at the seams, but it’s his messed up life and his idiotic people and his beautiful, half-broken world.

[loudsuitlover]

Doctor Harry XXV. Pierdo verticalidad

BLUE’S POV

Ollie: So you mean you still haven’t told him?

The Golden Girls’ group chat goes crazy as I keep ignoring them. Harry’s thankfully not paying attention for he’s been too focused reading some research he’s found interesting. We’ve been in silence for hours now. I started studying from the notes he gave me for my exams on February and I gotta say they’re amazing. It’s clear he wrote them too because they’re so explanatory and full of tricks to remember stuff. All the conversation we’ve had is me asking him some doubts or him just randomly getting up and kissing me.

But no, I till haven’t told him about Marie’s beach house weekend getaway. He hasn’t asked either but I’m sure he knows something because both Adam and Mario are going and I’m sure they’ve talked about it. I don’t know what’s holding me back.

I want him to come along and I know it’d be good for him too because he’s been drowning himself in work like crazy lately and I think he needs to stop. When we’re not together, he’s working, and sometimes even when we are together, like right now, he’s working too. Yet I guess I’m still afraid of his rejection.

Marie: If you don’t tell him, I will.

Jason: He’s going to say yes!!!

Ollie: You guys are dating for crying out loud. When are you going to believe he actually likes you?

And then here it is. That’s the problem. Dylan never went to Marie’s beach house because it was The Golden Girls exclusively and now that it’s the first time that we are bringing companions… I always thought it would be him… But…

“H”

“Yes?”

“Mmm… Do you have plans for the weekend?”

His green eyes shift from his laptop screen to my face and I notice the change on his breathing. He licks his lips and shakes his head.

“Would you… Maybe like to go to Marie’s beach house for the weekend? With me? Adam and Mario are coming too.”

He just stares at me in silence for the longest seconds. Oh God, he’s going to say no.

“You don’t have to if you don’t want.”

Still nothing.

“Look, just forget I asked.” I fake chuckle.

Lord, I knew it.

“Do you want me to go?”

“I just invited you.” I frown. “Why would I if I didn’t-”

“Why didn’t you invite me sooner?” He licks his lips. “You’ve had plenty of chances and you never said anything so I thought you just didn’t want me there.”

I search for the annoyance on his eyes but I don’t find it. Wouldn’t that matter to him? I frown and look down at his notes.

“Baby, it’s okay.” He chuckles. “The fact that we’re together now doesn’t mean I have to be included on every single plan of yours. You can still make plans with your friends and not me, that’s fine.”

“Yes, but this time all my friends are bringing their partners and they happen to be your friends too so it would be so rude of me not to invite you.”

He smirks. Oh, no, now he’s going to think I just invited him because it would have been rude of me not to. That was his point all along and why did I say it like that?

“That’s not what I wanted to say.” I pout. “It came out wrong. I didn’t tell you anything sooner because I didn’t want you to reject me. You’re very busy and I just didn’t want you to feel forced to tag along to a plan that might not be your cup of tea.”

“Why would it not be my cup of tea?” He narrows his eyes.

“I don’t know.” I shrug.

“A weekend away at the beach with my girlfriend and friends… I’m trying to look for the part that you think might not be my cup of tea.”

When I look at him, he’s frowning, pretending to be deep in thought and I end up chuckling. He smirks at me again.

“Like I said, it’s okay if you want to be on your own.”

“I would love for you to be there.”

He holds my gaze and I know he’s now weighting the truth in my words so I just hold his and let him examine me. I pout and give him puppy eyes and his stern expression then breaks when he grins. His eyes drift to his laptop once before he looks back at me.

“Fine.” He smiles.

“Cool.”

He chuckles through his smile and gets back to his document but I point a finger at him.

“There will be no laptop though.”

“What?”

“You can’t bring your laptop.”

“What do you mean I can bring my laptop? I have everything on this computer, what if I get a call and they need my report on something?”

“They can do it themselves.” I shake my head. “It’s your weekend, H, you need to disconnect.”

“I’m not going to get on my laptop and work deliberately, Blue. I’m talking about an emergency.”

“Well, they can solve an emergency without you, Harry. They need to learn to respect your time for yourself.”

“You need to learn to respect my job’s my job.”

My lips set on a thin line as I challenge him. He can’t keep doing this to himself. He behaves like he’s 50 years old and has a family to look after and a job at some office where he could get fired any minute and that’s just not his scenario.

“I’m not going to fight you on this, Blue. I’ll bring whatever the hell I want to bring and that includes my laptop.”

“Fine, then I’m disinviting you.”

His jaw clenches. He’s getting mad and it’s been a while since I don’t piss him off but I’m doing this for him. He confessed to me it didn’t make him happy to work so much so I’m going to remind him. I’m not saying I want him to get wasted and do silly things, I just want him to be able to go out for the weekend to just be Harry and completely forget about the hospital and everything else.

“Are you seriously prohibiting me from working?”

“Don’t make it out as something it’s not. I’m not prohibiting anything, I’m just saying if you’re coming with me to spend a weekend away, you’re coming with me to spend a weekend away and that means no work. I wouldn’t meddle in your work if I didn’t know how you feel about it but I know you’re not proud of the way you handle it so this is not me prohibiting, this is me caring.”

He looks ahead, away from me, and stays silent for God knows how long. This is ridiculous, I need to get back to studying.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m counting to ten.”

“Are you really that mad?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m going to say yes.”

“To what?”

“Not to bring my laptop, are you happy now?” He gets defensive and I don’t like it. “Do you feel a little more superior now with your rules? Are you happy that you score another point?”

“You’re a jerk.”

And my voice croaks. I know he’s referring to the no weed policy and it hurts me that he would use that against me. I don’t know how hard it’s being for him not to smoke weed because I don’t really know how often he used to smoke or whether he has some sort of addiction. He told me he didn’t but no one ever says they do. I get back to his notes before he can say anything else.

“I hate it when you insult me.” He says calmly.

“And I hate that you think I’m trying to control you just because I try not to have you doing self-destructive things.” I confess. “My rules” I throw all the disgust and hurt his words gave me with that “like you call them it’s just another way of caring about you. I don’t want you bringing your laptop to Marie’s house for the same reason I don’t want you smoking weed and even though you think that’s some personal shit of mine, it’s because you don’t do it in a healthy way and I don’t like it when you don’t treat yourself right.”  

With that I just get back to studying and ignore his attentive stare as I draw a diagram on my notebook but I can hear him breathing until he stands up and walks towards me placing a hand on my shoulder.

“I’m sorry, baby. You’re right, I’m a jerk.” I look up at him because I secretly love that he knows how to apologize. “And I’m very lucky to have you.”

“It’s okay.”

He leans in and presses his lips against mine.

“Are you almost done?” He asks on the crook of my neck before he presses a kiss there too.

“Not really.” But I tangle my fingers on his hair.

“Come on, I want to cuddle after your demonstration of affection.”

I chuckle at how silly he can be.

“I suppose I can study snuggled on the couch too.”

“Uh, uh.” His hands grab my arms and take them away from the table before he holds my torso and lifts me up from my chair. “No more studying today, baby. You need a little mental break if you don’t want to have a mental breakdown.”

I chuckle against his lips and he grins because he knows he won. I kiss him back already standing up and his hands just move from my torso to my ass.

“Let me take your mind off and get you off.”

I laugh but of course I let him.

And two days later we’re in his car and I’m giving him directions to Marie’s house.

“You sound like you know how to drive.”

He glances at me as if he had said that testing the waters and I swallow and choose to ignore him.

“Is it because of Dylan’s accident?”

My shoulders tense up.

“Yes.”

He quickly glances back at me and I know he’s surprised I answered. I guess he thought he was going to have to insist a little more for me to tell him. He glances at me again.

“Keep your eyes on the road.”

“Sorry.” He clears his throat. “I just… Have you not driven since then?”

“No.”

His eyes drift to me again and I point to the road. I decide on talking on my own accord so that he doesn’t get us both killed.

“I don’t know why but… Ever since the accident I just… I got behind the wheel and just froze. It was like my feet didn’t work and I couldn’t step on the pedals.”

“But… You were not in the car, were you?”

“No.” I swallow. “But I heard it.”

I take a deep breath. It takes me by surprise that I can talk about this. And inside a car to make things more incredible but I actually think I want to tell him.

“We were on the phone.” I whisper. “When he crashed, he was talking to me on the hands-free, obviously so I heard it.”

“Fuck, Blue.” He clicks his tongue. “I didn’t know that, baby. That must have been terrible.”

Okay, now I’m crying. But that took long. I sob and wipe my tears trying to get it together but Harry just rests his hand on my knee and doesn’t say anything. He lets me cry and I am so grateful for that.

“It was.” I sob. “I can’t… He was listening to this song by Sebastian Ingrosso when it happened and I just… I can’t listen to the song without hearing the crash on my mind.”

“Fuck, baby.”

He turns the radio off and I cry for a while embraced by his silence. I never imagined the most comforting thing to cry to was having his hand on my knee and his silent presence. I’m lucky he asked that right after he got on the highway so that I don’t have to give him any more direction for 34 kilometres.

When I manage to find my regular pattern of breathing, he gives me a side glance and a smile and I feel it like an arrow pinning on my heart.

“Thank you.”

He smiles.

“No problem, love. You can talk to me whenever you want” he squeezes my knee “about anything.”

I hold his hand and bring it to my lips and he glances at me with a stern but pleased expression. I let go of his hand and smile.

“You really suck at keeping your eyes on the road.”

He chuckles.

“You’re very distracting.”

“Sorry.”

“No problem, there are barely any cars and this road looks like an Scalextric.”

“Did it take you very long to drive?” I ask him. “After the accident, I mean.”

“Hell yeah.” He nods. “Like a year, I’d say.”

“And how did you do it?”

“Well, obviously with therapy and help… Mostly from Adam. It amazes me, still to this day, how he managed to be by my side and help me get out of that dark place I was when he had been on the accident too and I mean I… He… You know what happened to him and he still was never mad at me or anything.”

“It was an accident, babe.” I whisper. “He wasn’t mad at you because he had no reason to be.”

He swallows. I know that’s hard for him to believe but it’s the truth.

“It also amazes me that you’re here.” He whispers. “All things considered. So thank you.”

I hold his hand that’s resting on his thigh this time and kiss it again and he smiles. I place it on my thigh afterwards and he only takes it back to change the gears or place it on the wheel.

“Adam is one of the kindest guys I know.”

He says that so out of the blue it has me questioning why he brought it up and when I don’t comment anything on his random thought, he quickly glances at me and answers my silent question.

“He asked me whether you liked him.”

“And what did you tell him?”

“Told him I didn’t know.”

“Why? When you could have just told him sure, she does?”

“Because would that be true?” He shrugs. “I don’t want to put words on your mouth and I genuinely don’t know whether you like him or not.”  

“It bothered me that he told you I was at my dad’s and that he used Marie to get that.”

“He didn’t use Marie. He likes Marie. A lot.”

And you? Do you like me?

“Well next time tell him it’s not me who has to like him but Marie and so long as he doesn’t hurt her, there’s no problem for me.”

“So you don’t like him.” He smirks.

“That’s not what I said.” I frown.

“You didn’t say you liked him either.” He laughed.

“I don’t- I don’t really know him.”

Harry nods.

“Would that be a problem for you?”

“What?”

“If I didn’t like him.”

He sighs.

“Well, the only reason you wouldn’t like him is because you don’t know him so no, it’s not something that worries me.”

“How are you so sure of that?”

“I’m telling you” he grins, amused with this “he is one of the kindest guys I know. I mean if you had gotten to properly know him around the first time you met him, you might have fallen for him.” He raises his eyebrows in his signature this-is-my-point face. “That’s how great he is.”

I smirk.

“And why would I not fall for him if I get to know him now?”

He glances at me with a teasing smirk.

“Blue! Your best friend is dating the guy! Keep it in your pants, lady!”

I laugh and shake my head.

“Take this turn to the left and then on the stop sign turn to the right and that’s it.”

“Alright.”

“What about you? Do you like my friends?”

He shrugs.

“I don’t really know them but they’ve always been nice to me and they put up with you so they deserve some credit.” He jokes.

I swat his arm and he pretends it hurts while I laugh.

“I like Marie the most even though I know she doesn’t always like me.”

I smirk.

“She didn’t use to like you, that’s true. But you guys are like friends now.”

“Why do you say it as if it was a bad thing?” He chuckles.

“Because you guys are more alike than you think.”

“No, I know we’re alike. That’s why I like her.”

I chuckle at his fake narcissistic comment and he chuckles along.

“Well, then it’s her who doesn’t see it.”

“I mean it’s definitely there. We both like you, Adam likes us both. I think that says something.”

“I like you both.” I add.

He glances at me as he stops on the stop sign right before Marie’s road.

“What? It takes you as a surprise that I like you?”

“To be quite honest, yeah.” He chuckles.

“What? Why?”

He shrugs.

“It’s right here. This is Ollie’s car. Park here but do elaborate while you’re at it.”

He chuckles and starts pulling over so he doesn’t look into my eyes while he speaks but instead in every mirror and through the windows.

“Sometimes I wonder, you know, if we hadn’t fucked that night we went out for dinner or if my looks weren’t irresistible for you” he jokes “would we be friends? And I think on my part of course but… I think…”

The honk of a car interrupts him and when we both look at the source of the distraction, we see Olivia smiling like the Cheshire cat on her car honking and her headlights pointing at Marie and Jason who are dancing with cocktails on their hands right in front of it. They both grin at us and motion with their hands for us to join them.

“Are they already drunk?” Harry chuckles.

“Probably yes.” I explain. “I didn’t warn you but this weekend is madness. This is the Golden Girls full on so don’t be afraid if-”

But I can’t finish my warning because Olivia opens my door and gets me out of the car pulling from my armpits with her tiny hands. Harry just laughs and like that Ollie and I join Jason and Marie on their weird dancing.

Marie and Jason scream like teenage girls as if we hadn’t seen each other in years and Olivia and I laugh. I see Harry carrying my bag on his shoulder and talking to Mario who’s taking Ollie’s stuff out of her car and a smile makes its way on my face.

“We need to make a few more mojitos so we can have a proper baptism toast.” Jason says “but this weekend is promising.”

Marie gets teary eyes and the three of us laugh.

“No, guys, I’m serious. I’m so happy you think that and I’m very glad you all are here.”

“Of course, Marie Anne.”

“Okay, now let’s get inside because I’m freezing and those two are carrying your things.” She giggles.

I watch Harry greeting my friends and for some reason enjoy very much the way JJ gives him a bro-hug and can’t fight my shit eating smirk as we follow Marie towards our room.

Harry and I are getting the last room on the first floor and next to ours there’s one just for Jason. On the second floor, there’s Marie and Adam on Marie’s parents’ room and Olivia and Mario on the other one.

I turn to investigate Harry the moment I close the door and my friends move to the second floor to check Olivia’s and Mario’s room. Jason follows them.

“This house is ridiculously huge.” He says.

I smile with lips closed. He should see my Dad’s house at Capitol if he thinks this is ridiculous. He has a look around the room but I watch him. I don’t know when I became this insecure about my friends and my lifestyle but I guess I just want him to feel comfortable around us.

The room has sea views and a floor full of fake fur carpets and the bed is made with a thick duvet and a very soft blanket on top that look like a lion’s mane. If I look too long at the bed I might lie down and don’t come out of the room again.

“This place is really nice.” Harry smiles. “Do you always stay in this room?”

“No, I usually stay upstairs with Marie because it’s warmer there and you know how sensitive to the cold I am.”

“Yes.” He smiles. “Well, we’ll have to cuddle.” He shrugs. “Are you okay? You’re weird.”

“I’m fine.”

I tilt my neck when I hear the knock on our door and Harry raises his eyebrows.

I call in whoever is outside and it’s Adam who opens the door. Only then I realize he’s the only one we haven’t yet seen. Harry grins widely at the sight of his friend and gives him a hug.

“Hello, Indie.” He smiles at me.

I remember my conversation with Harry on the car and find Adam’s behaviour endearing so I give him a warm smile.

“Hi, Adam. It’s nice to see you.”

“It’s nice to see you too.” He grins. “I just came to say hi really, I was getting the fire started when you guys arrived.”

“Nice.” Harry says.

“Anyway, I’m gonna go control the amount of alcohol Marie is pouring on those mojitos.”

Harry laughs.

“Yes, you should.”

Adam closes the door when I put my bag on the bed and open it to get my toilet bag out.

“Such a nice, kind guy Adam is.” Harry says and I chuckle.

I’ll admit I’m a little worried about the last bit of our conversation on the car when he intended that he didn’t think we would be friends if we didn’t fuck. That hurts me and the fact that it surprises him that I liked him?

And the fact that I am a sharing a room with him instead of with Dylan.

That too.

Before we can start a conversation, there’s another knock on our door and Harry just chuckles. This time it’s him who opens the door and Ollie gives him her best behaviour eyes.

“Nice sweater, Harry.” She smiles.

She’s too much. Harry frowns and gives me a confused look but I just brush my friend’s behaviour off and he chuckles.

“Thank you, Olivia.”

“You can call me Ollie, you know.”

“Noted, Ollie.”

My friend walks past him and paces around the room for less than a minute before she lies on the bed and rolls over herself like a little girl on a pile of autumn leaves. She mindlessly tell us about the new bathroom on the second floor but I know she just doesn’t know how to tell us what she came here to say. I almost laugh when I see the way Harry’s looking at her as if she was insane. She kind of is.

“What do you want, Ollie?”

Harry’s green eyes shift to my figure and I can hear his silence reproof on my bluntness but I know my friend. She sighs and lies on her side, resting her head on her closed fist and sinking her elbow on the bed.

“Guess who got an internship in Paris.” She smiles.

“In Paris?” My eyes opened wide.

“Yes! Isn’t it great? The city of light, the city of love!”

No, it’s not. It’s horrible. Paris is very far away and with how busy our schedules are with the hospital practices I’ll see her what? Twice a year?

But I can’t tell her that. She’s grinning like a kid on Christmas and her body is radiating so much energy I feel guilty for thinking like that. I’m just going to miss her a lot.

“Yes!” I lie smiling. “It’s great.”

“It’s on the maternity unit too! We had an interview on Skype and my tutor is so cool, she’s this French blond badass with French bangs and a lot of determination and I searched her on Google and she’s so smart too, she’s got lots of articles on Science and Nature. I can’t wait to work with her!”

She looks like a teenage girl who has just been given her first kiss, she’s all giggles and euphoric excitement. I’m happy for her, of course I am… I just feel like crying if I think about next year without her.

“I’m so happy for you. You deserve this, Ollie.”

“Thank you.” She smiles.

“What did Mario say?”

She smiles timidly but her eyes look sad suddenly and she plays with straps of my bag on the bed.

“He was very happy for me. Actually he offered to go with me to my first official interview. He’s so sweet…”

“A weekend in Paris with Mario?” I smile.

She giggles and I feel Harry walking closer to me.

“I know.” She bites her lip before she gets up from the bed. “What do you think, Harry?”

“I think it’s a great opportunity and I think you’ll do good.” He smiles at her.

“Thanks.” She melts with his smile and I roll my eyes. “Now, you two get to the living room. There will be time for shagging afterwards.”

“Olivia, get out of here.”

She finds her way out laughing and Harry chuckles with eyes closed at her cheekiness. When we hear the door, I catch the way he’s trying to hide his smirk.

“What?”

“You’re a terrible liar.” He chuckles. “You do not want her to go to Paris.”

I sigh and take a seat on the bed next to my opened bag.

“Of course I don’t want her to go to Paris! She was the first person I met at Uni and we’ve done this together and… I always thought our first year of residence would be together too.” I shrug. “I guess I’m just not ready for things to change and I don’t want to have her that far away.”

“Yeah, I understand.” He smiles.

“Also, poor Mario! It’s been so hard for him to get her and now that he finally has her, she’s slipping through his fingers.”

“Yeah, he’s definitely not as happy as she think he is.”

I tilt my neck to look at him and he shrugs.

“Guys talk too, you know.”

“What has he told you?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?”

He smiles and when I’m about to complain he leans down and presses his lips against mine. His fingers intertwine with mine in the middle of the kiss and he makes me stand from the bed.

“Now let’s go get you a mojito.”

When we make our way outside, the scene takes me by surprise because we’ve never really have these many guys around. They’re all a little older than us too and it kind of feels like were turning older ourselves. Ollie is leaving us to go to Paris and I wonder if everyone else knows and I was the last to hear about this or whether she came tell me in my room because the rest don’t know it yet. I wonder how they’d take it, what they’d say; but I know they will be supportive despite their real feelings.

After dinner, we all sat down on the couches near the fireplace and have a game at Party and Co; boys against Jason’s angels. He said there was no need in adding in changing the name of what was clearly aimed to be  the girls team to Jason’s angels, specially because according to him there was zero units of angels among us three; but I guess it was just Ollie’s way of making him feel special.

We’re halfway in the game and winning because the boys suck when I stand up to get myself another drink. I pour some Sprite for Harry too even though he didn’t ask and I hear Jason and Mario discussing the last point the boys lost in mimics. I chuckle at the way Mario seems so invested defending why they deserve the point when they didn’t get it right when I feel someone standing behind me. Adam smiles at me.

“I’m so glad you finally decided to invite him.”

Tilting my neck, I follow the trace of his gaze until my eyes land on Harry who is sitting down next to Mario and smiling at his interaction with Jason.

“You could have too, you know.”

“Oh, he would have never come had it been me inviting him.”

“Why not”

He gives me a knowingly look but smiles.

“He would have said he didn’t want to bother you.”

“As if he could.” I smile.

He just shrugs and pours some rum on a glass, I take it for Marie, and opens a bottle of whisky, I guess for himself.

“Well, I’m very glad you did.” He continues. “This is what he needs, really, to hang out with friends and just disconnect from work and… I’m happy he’s got you.”

He’s starting to make me nervous. I can feel the heat on my cheeks and my neck. I give him a side glance but he just chuckles.

“I haven’t seen him like this in forever.” He nods his head. “He’s happy.” He shrugs. “And it’s because of you.”

“He’s helped me more than I’ve helped him.”

“Maybe.” He shrugs. “But still, look at him.”

I tilt my neck so I can see him. He’s smiling, now talking to Jason about Lord knows what, but he seems a lot more calmed than usual. I like seeing him with my friends. It’s an endearing image.

“I am not like… Mad at you or anything.” I announce. “Just so you know.”

He frowns as he gives me a confused look.

“I didn’t like that you used Marie to get information for Harry but-”

“What?” He frowns, horrified. “No, no, no, I did not use Marie for that or for anything. I would never do that. I like Marie. A lot.”

His eyes set on my friend who looks gorgeous as she scolds Olivia with her eyes wide opened and her lips set on a thin line and I sigh.

“Well, I just wanted you to know that I… I don’t mind you.”

He smiles.

“I think that means you like me.”

I frown as I grab both my glass and Harry’s and he grabs his.

“Marie told me you’re much like a cat. Maybe little hugs or kisses but if you need a friend, you call Indie. She’ll be there for you.”

“That’s right.” I smile. “I do not like to have my personal space invaded.”

“Unless you’re Harry…” He adds.

“Unless you’re Harry.” I laugh with him.

I take a seat next to Harry and offer him his glass of Sprite and his eyebrows raise as his eyes widen in surprise. He wasn’t expecting it but he smiles gratefully and takes it. I give him a little smile but quickly look away so that my brain doesn’t melt with his dimples.

As we keep on playing, his hand finds my knee or the low of my back and he draws meaningless patterns against my jeans or my sweater or just rests his hand against my body. I am grateful for his warm and his closeness but I don’t reciprocate because I’m drunk and because it’s embarrassing for me to display my affection for him in front of my friends.

After we win the game, Jason plays some music and approaches us swaying his hips like Shakira and like that Olivia’s up too. Harry leans his back on the cushions on the couch and gets comfortable and before I lie on him and embarrass myself on his embrace, I stand up and dance towards my friends, who are happily cheering at me.

I don’t know how long we danced for but at some point Olivia refills my drink and I drink that one too. I start to feel dizzy and my friends start to look prettier. I giggle when I realize Jason’s staring at me.

“Harry’s fun.” He all but yells.

I tilt my neck to see him and check whether he heard that but he’s laughing hard at something Mario said and my eyes wrinkle as I grin at him. He looks so good when he’s happy.

“He really is.” Olivia adds.

“You have to stop giving him the eyes.” I raise my eyebrows at her and she grins.

“What”

“You know what I mean” I get closer to her face so I can lower down my voice “you flirt.”

“I’m seeing someone.” She grins.

“You’re not denying it.” I close my eyes.

Olivia just laughs. We’re both joking though, I know she would never ever do anything that could hurt me but I’ve still noticed how she looks at him.

“He’s a fucking God and a girl’s got eyes.” She admits. “But… To begin with, he is crazy about you; he couldn’t care less about any eyes being given to him and…” She grins “I really like Mario, there I said it.” She giggles.

Jason’s jaw falls opened and his eyes open wide. I grin at my friend.

“I love him for you!” Jason hugs her. “And have you seen the way he looks at you Well done, girl. And you, Indigo Blue, you haven’t said it but I’m guessing now that you guys are officially a thing, you’ve come to terms with the fact that you actually like Harry…” He tries.

“No shit, Sherlock!”

The two of them laugh and my eyes drift back to him. I more than like him. I look up to him.

Marie and Adam join the party on the improvised dance floor and I still watch Harry laughing with Mario. I want to hear whatever it is he’s saying. I wonder whether they’re talking about past experiences and I find myself walking towards them like a moth flies to the light. I haven’t told him, but I love hearing about his life, his past and all the reasons that made him the person he is today. I don’t really like the dark bits but because I hate that he’s suffered so much but I gotta say, even though at the beginning out of all the emotions I thought I could feel admiration was never one I considered, I am amazed by his strength.

When I get to them, Mario’s still talking but Harry’s eyes are on me and he’s giving me a wide grin. I’m going to take a seat on the couch but his hand holds the back of my thighs preventing me from doing so. Instead, he guides me to sit on his lap and after doing that, we are both facing Mario who grins at us.

“You know what’s the best part of dating Olivia?” Mario asks us and we both shake our heads. “Look at her, she’s so into dancing that she doesn’t notice I’m not there.”

I throw my head back and laugh because he’s right. I’m sure she would go crazy if Mario was to appear on her back and dance with her but if he doesn’t, she’ll happily dance nonetheless. She doesn’t really need him to have fun and the fact that he likes that instead of feeling intimidated or left behind by that is the reason I like him so much.

“I’m so happy she found her way back to you.” I smile at him. “You’re awesome.”

“Thank you.” He laughs it off but he’s blushing.

“After what happened with Jack, I was afraid that she was going to get even worse with the whole not having feelings for the male population shit but here you guys are.” I shrug.

Mario grins.

“She’s never said she’s got feelings for me but I’ll take it.” With that he stands up from his spot of the floor. “And now if you excuse me, I’m gonna go try to participate on her dancing party.”

Him leaving leaves me alone with Harry and when I tilt my neck to look at him, he’s smiling at me. I smile back.

“You’re very smiley” I push his hair back from his forehead “and very handsome.”

He chuckles and his hands move up from my hips to my waist where he gently pinches me.

“You look hot.”

I sloppily grin at him and he laughs.

“And drunk.” He adds.

“I am a little drunk.” I confirm. “But are you having fun”

He nods and my eyes drop to his pink lips. He licks them so I know he knows and I smile. His phone rings and both our eyes set on the screen. Hampstead. I look back at him and his jaw is clenched. He gently holds me up I take it so he can answer the phone but I still confront him.

“Are you kidding me? It’s 11:30 pm on a Friday.”

“Exactly, that’s how important it might be.”

“I’m so tired of this.” I shake my head.

“I’m tired of this too.”

With that he picks up the phone and walks away excusing himself from the noise. I sigh and look away until my eyes find the balcony. I need some air.

I discreetly make my way outside so that my friends don’t notice and follow me and I walk the short distance from the door to the balcony and the rail and rest the top of my thighs against it as I hug myself trying to warm up from the cold around me. I should have taken my coat.

I watch the sea, seemingly angry in the winter cold, as it roars and threatens to get closer to the cabin only to step backwards as if someone was holding it back. I wonder if that’s how Harry feels with me, I wonder if I’m being too much, too annoying or if I’ve ended up being as controlling as Javier.

I get mad at myself. I’m drunk, but I can still clear my thoughts. I don’t know who I’m even doing this for. The door cracks open only to be shut after somebody’s feet and I don’t turn around until Mario rests the low of his back against the rail. He’s lighting up a cigarette. I didn’t know he, likewise Ollie, smoked.

“I don’t know what I’m gonna do when she leaves for Paris.” He confesses.

I give him a side look and take a deep breath.

“Me neither.” I whisper.

He sighs and shuts his eyes before he turns his body around so he can rest his elbows on the rail.

“I won’t tell her that, obviously, but I don’t think I can even tell her how I really feel about her without her freaking out and like probably ghosting on me again.”

“I wish I could tell you what I think she’ll do but honestly Ollie’s pretty unpredictable. She likes you though. I can tell you that.”

“I know.” He smiles. “I mean she hasn’t told me but she doesn’t have to. I can tell.”

He gives his cigarette a puff and we both stay silent for a few minutes. I can’t really tell him that I think Olivia is just running away from him because she’s scared, can I? I guess I can’t even tell Olivia that.

“Mario”

He looks at me.

“If someone called you from the hospital right now, would you answer?”

“Sure.” He frowns.

“Do they usually do that?”

“What?”

“Call you when you’re not even working at ungodly hours?”

“What? No!” He frowns. “Oh, you’re talking about Harry…”

I look ahead and sigh.

“He puts too much pressure on himself…” He offers “But I guess he’s not as good as he is for nothing… Is that why you looked sad?”

“I’m not sad… I’m just… Worried that I’m being too annoying… I just want him to disconnect, you know, to be able to be with me or with his friends without worrying about the hospital; but I’m afraid that’s just who he is, you know, that he is Doctor Harry 24/7…”

Mario smiles.

“I think he needs that. You know, before he met you, he was… He’s always been kind and nice but he’ll go home straight from the hospital and then straight back to work in the morning.”

“But he used to date Camille, didn’t he?”

“Did he tell you that?” He frowns but his tone just sounds shock.

“No” I shake my head “I just heard Camille and Dulce talked once and I mean we’ve mentioned it a couple times but he’s never given it much importance.”

“Well, yeah, I don’t think it was very important…”

I nod. Is that how he feels about me too? Would he not talk about me either if we broke up?

The next person to join the outside low mood party is Jason but he’s a lot nosier than Mario has been, probably because he’s a lot drunker too. Mario and I chuckle as he clumsily approaches us.

“Holy shit, it’s freezing in here.”

“Well, go back inside!” I laugh.

“No way. I want to talk about Olivia too. Why does she have to leave?”

Mario smiles.

“Don’t we all wonder?”

“I think you should ask her to stay.”

“What are you talking about, Jason? No! We have to support her. That’s what friends do.”

“Friends also stop their friends when they’re running away from something good.”

I roll my eyes. Oh, Lord, he’s going to mess up. Mario gives me a confused look, Jason hiccups, I want to kill him. The door cracks opened again and Olivia and Harry walk outside.

“Here she is!” She tells him. “I told you.”

Harry walks towards me but this time he doesn’t grant me any smiles. I look away from him but feel him standing behind me.

“Aren’t you freezing?”

He doesn’t give me time to answer or even to turn around before I feel his warm arms wrapping around me and pulling me against his chest and covered with his thick warm coat. Without even processing what’s going on, I welcome his embrace and wrap my arms around his waist. One of his arms rests on my shoulders and pull me to him and the other rubs against my back to warm me up.

“Olivia, love, why don’t we go inside?” Mario guides her inside.

“Yeah, I want to cuddle.” She pouts.

He chuckles and carries her inside so Harry, Jason and I are left alone.

“Blue, about what I said earlier” he starts.

“It’s okay.”

He takes it I don’t want to talk about it and lets it be and my eyes meet Jason’s.

“You guys…” Jason sighs. “I know it’s terrible but I miss David…”

Harry stays quiet. I don’t know whether he remembers his name or whether he just knows he helps more now by just listening. I do the same.

“I know he was terrible and a jackass but I loved him” He shrugs. “And know I’m all alone and you guys are all in love and it’s just me all alone here.”

“You will never be alone until the day that I die.”

Jason smiles drunkenly before he starts telling Harry about David and I just stand there and let them talk. I like feeling Harry’s arms around me and I like the way he listens to Jason and acknowledges his feelings and validates them.

It’s soothing to me too because even though he’s not talking to me, seeing his reaction to his kind of anticipates how he would react if I ever told him about Javier and that comforts me in a way I can’t explain.

“Anyway, I’m gonna go inside.” Jason smiles.

We watch Jason leaves in silence. Strong arms are still pulling me close to him and keeping me warm when he speaks.

“That David was a dick.”

I laugh. I don’t think I ever told him the girls and I used to call him David Dick but I might as well have. I look up at him and nod instead.

“So tiring with the “you’re mine, you’re mine”, sounds like one of the seagulls from Nemo to me.”

I throw my head back and laugh again but he’s just grinning down at me. It fascinates me how his sense of humour is so strange, he doesn’t even recognize when he’s being actually funny. I shake my head.

“I’m sorry” He says. “I’m not tired.”

I sigh and move my hands from his waist to his chest.

“I’m sorry too. I just want you to relax but sometimes I forget I don’t have a say.”

“You do have a say.” He corrects me. “But I already didn’t bring my laptop, this was just a phone call…”

“I know.”

He nods slowly and his eyes drop to my lips. I tilt my neck back so my mouth is closer to his and he leans in until the space between us disappears. His lips open and close against mine, encouraging me to do the same, and his tongue, wet and warm, slips through my parted lips and make me suck on my own breath. Pecking his lips a few times, I gently push his chest away and escape his embrace.

“You’re leaving?”

“Yeah, I’m going back inside.”

I try to walk away from him, but his arm has snaked in front of my body and is now trapping me between his body and the rail as his hands rest on it. I am caught on his trap when I look up into his green eyes. He smiles devilishly at me, much like a child who’s done something wrong, and I feel all my senses melting under his spell. The way his face moves with every expression is mesmerising and the fact that this man decided to be in a relationship with me makes me feel like a perfect woman.

“What are you doing?” I whisper. “Don’t be silly, let me go.”

Harry shakes his head but his eyes never leave mine. I can see how much he wants me on his eyes, the way he looks at me, the intensity he’s holding. I know I have got his undivided attention and I also know for now he couldn’t care less about anything else in the world. He’s here, he’s now and there’s nothing else in his mind.

“What’s so funny?” He smiles.

I haven’t realized I was laughing until he said that. I don’t know what’s funny. I might jut be nervous or excited or happy.

“Nothing.” I blush.

“You don’t know what I’m doing?”

I frown amused and tilt my neck to the side like a confused puppy.

“I’m fucking you with my eyes.” He whispers.

I roll my eyes pretending his words didn’t make my walls clench.

“Cause I want to fuck you” he grinds his hips against mine and pushes me against the rail and I can feel he’s getting there “for real.”

That’s it, he won, I’m all gone for. I kiss him. My hands tangle on his hair and one of his arms squash my waist against his body while his other hand rests on my thigh. I moan against his mouth but his tongue claims dominance and I let him. He slows down the kiss and my breathing calms down and his hands set on the lower part of my back and we just kiss, slowly and meaningfully, and I feel my heart beating in a frenzy.

He’s grinning at me after he pulls back but he’s silent and I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what I could say that could possibly make it better so I just stare at him and I study his face and everything I love about him. I love his mouth and his eyes and his smile and his scent.

“Blue…” He smiles.

His lips part but before he can say anything else Marie’s opening the door and sticking her head outside.

“Guys, beerpong tournament. I signed you up and your rivals are already waiting at the table.”

I raise my eyebrows once and pat Harry’s chest as he sighs heavily.

“Looks like you’re gonna have to wait.”

He leans in and slips his tongue inside my mouth again.

“Just wait until I get you alone.”

[virryth]

Doctor!AU Junhui

happy carat day~ the world’s sweetest, brightest, funniest boy, hope people see the other sides of him that i do ;-;

tw// mentions of mild domestic problems

Read Doctor!AU Jihoon | More Junhui au | More SVT au

2.3k | Fluff | Bullet | Not proofread

Mascot of the pediatric ward

Loves loves loves kids

The kids love him too, Dr. Wen is literally doctor of the year if you ask any of these kids

He’s not the only doctor in the whole ward, but he’s the most loved by everyone--the kids, the parents, nurses, techs, scribes, anyone and everyone who’s ever worked with him

And he’s loved for many reasons, Junhui has a way of getting kids to tell him many things

Treating children is a gift, they can’t always say what bothers them nor answer any medical questions. Their attention span is virtually nonexistent and they’re impatient, so what Junhui is able to do is truly a talent

Pediatric doctors must know how to create a non-threatening environment (even with sharp tools laying around) and ease their patients into a relaxed and cooperative state in order to treat them

Dr. Wen excels at his job

Speaks to the kids in this calm, innocent voice that ease their minds, all the kids not only listen to but also follow his words

Ever since Junhui was transferred to the pediatric ward, the amount of complaints from patients, parents, even nurses and doctors dropped exponentially 

Bitter medicine? Dr. Wen has a way to get the kids to drink up

Homesick? He’s here to keep them company if he’s free

Everyone knows his skill is a talent, but he doesn’t think so. He’s just here because he likes children and hates seeing them in pain

The less patient there are in the ward, the happier he is, children shouldn’t be frequenting hospitals when they can spend their free time outside in the playground

Some kids get so attached to Junhui they wouldn’t go to bed if he didn’t personally come and say goodnight

One of the residents, Zhennan, brings his baby brother to work sometimes because he didn't have a babysitter, and little Haohao is so fond of Junhui he keeps leaving the playroom to ask for piggy-back rides and airplane rides from the doctor (here!)

Zhennan, sulking but trying his best to be nonchalant: he loves you more... that’s fine;; i guess

Junhui, holding Haohao on his shoulders: noooo please take him back i have to work :((

Goes to work in scrubs like all the attending doctors but,,, he looks Extra Good™ 

Obviously because of his blessed good looks, but also he just has this natural air of royalty 

wears the white coat because the kids like to dig up candies in his front pockets (he always keeps them stocked)

Hair gelled back, forehead for days, bright eyes and a beautiful heart-shaped smile that lit up the entire ward

Honestly looks so expensive some days like he’s just in scrubs but the way he carries himself speaks a whole other story

People assume he probably drives an expensive sports car and owns a million dollar mansion but then they see him crouching down on the floor ruffling a kid’s hair and pinching his cheeks and they’re like… he’s just made of good old father material

Lowkey has a fanclub in the hospital

He kept to himself and doesn’t wander to the other wards often, except to visit Jihoon from ER or Wonwoo from Psych on consultation calls, but generally he’s in the pediatric ward or walking around doing his rounds on patients

Like most hospitals, people come to the nursery all the time to see babies and ease their stress

Let’s just say that recently more people have come for purposes besides looking at babies

Dr. Wen is so careful and gentle with his hands and words that the nurses ask him to administer shots to the crybabies when they’ve run out of options, and even though it’s not really his job, he likes to help out any way he can

Smiles a lot when he’s with the kids, a whole six feet something crawling on the ground, if he must, to communicate with them 

There’s a no running policy in the hospital but the kids are an exception and so is Dr. Wen

He’s a cHILD

Will play tag with them if they asked because he wants them to spend their time like how they would in a playground with their peers

Has fallen multiple times catching kids or just plainly tripping over himself to prevent them from falling

Actually acts like a child sometimes that doctors and nurses take care of him with parental eyes

Nurse Seungkwan is always like, “doctor please don’t drop the child.”

Dr. Wen holding a kid from up top like, “don’t worry, he likes airplanes :D”

But Seungkwan knows how much Junhui treasures each and every patient, so he lets it slide...for now

It’s still a handful dealing with Junhui though poor Seungkwan someone get him a drink

You only know him from the rumors, something about a very handsome doctor from pediatric that loves playing with children, your colleagues visit that section of the hospital sometimes just to catch a glimpse of him

It’s really not your business, you were never gonna see him anyway since you work legals for the hospital, handling lawsuits and medical jurisdiction and whatnot

Until a case comes up that pertains to one of the outpatients the ER admitted

Apparently, after receiving emergency care, the patient snuck to the pediatric ward to see her son who was hospitalized at the time, but she didn’t have any visitation rights from the child’s father and thus the father sued the hospital for letting this happen

It’s a simple case and can easily be settled, but the child’s father was adamant about meeting the mother with the presence of the hospital’s legal team as well s an attending doctor, so here you both are

You thought words didn’t do Dr. Wen justice, you didn't think any doctor could look this handsome 

Isn’t there another job title for someone born with those looks? Like actor, or model?

Junhui doesn’t look thrilled to be here and he’s a little jumpy, and at first you chalked it up to him feeling nervous, but then you noticed him glancing and smiling reassuringly at the little girl beside him... he was just worried for the child’s mental state

The meeting wasn’t pretty, at one point her parents were so heated in their argument that the child visibly recoiled, Junhui had to stop the parents and asked to be excused with the child

The meeting ended in a settlement, and you thought it could have been handled better without aggravating the little girl, but it wasn’t your place to speak so you held your tongue

It wasn’t Junhui’s place either, but he got angry regardless because his first priority is his patient’s wellbeing 

You have to admit, it was a pleasant surprise compared to some of the doctors you’ve worked with who cared more about not getting sued 

You thought he was a pretty great guy

Such a pity that this would probably be the last time you see him, right?

it’s not

Out of all the people to get snowed in with on a particularly late shift, it’s Dr. Wen from pediatrics

Just your luck that none of your friends were working a shift--Mingyu from dermatology dipped at noon when he heard about the snow storm, and Vernon from ortho was chilling at home on his off day

Just your luck that you decided to go sit outside the infant wards to wait it out, running straight into Dr. Wen who just got off work

And it’s not that you’re... awkward around Junhui, there just isn’t much to talk about between you two

You’ve met up a few times for lunch since you had mutual friends and had casually moved on to a first-name base, but you never really spent time alone with him 

So you were somewhat surprised when he offered to wait with you instead of his other friends who were also snowed in

“It doesn’t look like it’ll stop soon, we might have to wait it out till morning.”

“Oh, well, at least I have company,” you smiled.

It was strange, you really don’t feel awkward with him as you usually would around others

Maybe it’s because he deals with kids, he seems so carefree and welcoming that the silence between you two is just comfortable 

or maybe his pretty smile just puts you at ease

And it’s because of this easy space that you got to know him a lot more that day

You found out he became a doctor because of his little brother 

He likes to cook sometimes, though he’s limited to basic midnight-snacks type of meals

He plays piano, and he’s admittedly more shy than he looks

He also has a really easy way to get you to open up

and his laughter is so warm

Junhui learns a lot about you, too, and the more you talk, the more you regret not having this conversation with him sooner

When you met up for lunch the next week, scribe Chan and nurse Seungkwan could visibly feel something was going on

Chan, when Jun was out of earshot: is it just me or is something different between you two? 

Seungkwan: be quiet and eat your food before Jun-hyung gets mad at you

Chan: eyyy i’ve never seen Jun-hyung get mad mad

Seungkwan: hmm you know what, I’ve worked with him for years but I haven’t seen it either

Chan: right? I mess up on my charts sometimes and would have gotten strikes if it was with another doctor, but Junnie-hyung never got mad at me

Seungkwan: I wonder how scary he is when he’s mad,,, but can such a carefree guy be upset over anything?

You: what do you mean? of course he can

Chan: 

Seungkwan:

Chan:

Seungkwan: wait--

Chan: you’ve seen it?!

Junhui, coming back to the table confused as to why Chan and Seungkwan are looking at him with their eyes wide opened: what? why are you so quiet? what did i do? D:

To think Junhui has never gotten angry at anything until his patient was put in harm’s way,,, you’re grateful to be able to see how much he cared for others. You thought he was truly kind.

Slowly, lunches turn into dinners, and your friends faded away in the background

Since your work schedule aligned on most days, you would get off work at the same time as Junhui, and it became almost routine that you go out for dinner together out of conveniency 

Then conveniences turn into plans, and soon, you were spending almost all of your free time with Junhui

You like how he sees the world through these rose-colored frames, his view so optimistic and childlike

But you also see the hardworking side of Junhui, the lack of sleep and stress he faced pulling double shifts and on-calls to make sure the kids always have someone in case of an emergency

Of course he has worries no matter how carefree he may seem, everyone does, and you’re thankful he’s learned not to shoulder every difficult thing alone, because now he shares them with you

On such days, you always bring breakfast and spend your early morning with him so he can have a little break

He gets a little defensive when you ruffle his hair, “I’m not a kid you know? I have a pretty cool image to uphold around this part of the hospital.” 

but he welcomes the comfort and warmth you bring 

he doesn’t have a cool image everyone knows he’s a kid

Junhui appreciates your every moments with him, and didn’t realized he had grown to see you as someone special until his little brother asked him one night if he has a favorite person at the hospital

the first person he thought of was you, except.. you weren’t like Wonwoo or Seungkwan or Chan or Jihoon

You’re a friend... but you’re also not

To him, you were more than that, and he felt silly it took him this long to realize

He didn’t call it a date the next time you hung out, but he held your hand for the first time (and giggled to himself afterward, thinking you didn’t see, but you did)

Then Junhui picks you up to and from work whenever he can, holding your hands in the car, holding your hands on dates, holding your hands when he introduced you to his little brother

Your lunches together was almost like a parade as everyone now knows that you’re dating Dr. Wen Junhui from pediatrics

Nothing has really changed, except Mingyu was sulky when Seungkwan and Chan proudly said they witnessed this budding relationship, and the infamously intense Dr. Lee Jihoon from ER gave you a thumbs up when you worked with him on a case

Junhui speaks highly of you to anyone he meets, and though the attention makes you a little embarrassed, you love that side of him that isn’t afraid to speak his mind

There’s a deep maturity to him that isn’t often seen until he’s ready to show it, and you’re glad to be able to see this side of him

There’s the other side of him too, the one that sneaks up on you for a warm hug, squeezes your hand in between passing, and kisses you behind closed doors

Occasionally he’d just sit with you when you come to visit, taking the time he spends with you as a break from his hectic schedule

He would lean on your shoulder for comfort and play with your hands as you tell him about your days, chatting about the future and losing count of how many cats you’ve named together

When you saw him nodding off to the soft vibration of your voice, you felt a surging sense of comfort, of familiarity that only exists in your small bubble of happiness 

Junhui feels like home, and you never want to be anywhere else

-V

Read Doctor!AU Jihoon | More Junhui au | More SVT au 

[crantzypants]

Yes this is more Good Omens ideas. Come on up, take a seat! Extra thoughts in tags.

Now I’m not sure if the “take a DNA test and find out your family history/where your family came from” is big in the UK as it is in the states, but please think about Warlock and Adam taking them because OH BOY.

Adam, of course, takes it for fun because “What on earth are these scientists going to find?” and he, as well as the Them, just HAVE to know. Is it just going to come back with a letter saying it didn’t work? Will the Government come after them, and they can have a fun adventure out of it?

Of course it comes back, and not much to Adam’s shock, it comes back with the Young’s line. He had decided that his adopted parents were still his parents, that it didn’t matter because they have always been there for him and loved him, so of course it would come back matching. That’s what he believed it would really show, anyways.

But then you have Warlock, who probably had to do it for class, and his parents brushed it off. He just waits around, wondering why this craze interested people so much. All it did was confirm, in stone, who you are descended from. 

And then it comes back.

The test shows that he is from a “Young” family, not the Dowling line. His mother and father, of course, took a test themselves, and nothing about his results match. Warlock comes to his own conclusion that they must have adopted him, and did not realize that they should have told him. 

Mr. and Mrs. Dowling are terrified, because Mrs. Dowling REMEMBERS giving birth, which means there had to have been an accident in the hospital. Babies are swapped without realization every now and then, and this had to be the case here. While Mr. and Mrs. Dowling try to figure out what happened, Warlock finds the hospital he was born at and goes off on his own. Maybe he can find files or documents about his real birth parents, they could have been people that wanted to spend time with their child rather than pushing that duty off onto a Nanny, or the Gardner who had gone out of his way to spend time with the child.

Maybe they would have loved him more, and that feeling aches deeply in his chest.

Grabbing all the money from his room, and sneaking a healthy number of pounds out of Mr. Dowling’s wallet, Warlock takes off. 

It is a bit difficult, navigating his way to the correct bus station. He was never allowed out on his own, but he knows the trains and tube stops and buses. It just means he has to pay extra attention, and all of it would be worth it if he could find out where his birth parents are. 

It’s a long trip. He is able to navigate his way to the bus that leads to Tadfield. After shifting modes of transport all night, he finally can make it to the Hospital. It’ll be an early arrival, about 10 in the morning.

But when he gets there, it turns out it isn’t a hospital anymore. The nice manager says that there was a fire a bit after he was born, and destroyed every bit of paperwork. So of course now Warlock is left alone, at 11 in the morning in some small nowhere town with no easy way to get back home, so begins to just...walk. 

It’s a nice little town, the flowers aren’t nearly as well kept as the one’s at the Dowling residence, and most of the roads aren’t even paved. He steps out of the way of a group of children on their bikes, hooting and hollering about the Witch in Jasmine Cottage and what their palms had to say about their future. 

Warlock never really believed too hard in magic or the occult, but you know what? He had gone this far, and maybe this was a sign. A next step towards understanding where he came from. Where was the harm in hoping?

So he wanders around, looking for this witch, and sitting in a fork in the road is a house with a neat, beautifully written sign saying “Jasmine Cottage.” Sitting in front is a lovely bicycle, a Bentley, and a hellish vehicle called a Robin (he never understood the fascination for a car with three wheels). Warlock takes a breath, and decides to knock on the door. 

A nice lady opens the door, wearing something clearly not of this time period. But she also did not seem very witchy.

“Oh, hello! Are you one of Adam’s friends?” Oh, she was American! Living in a small town in England. Hearing the accent was mildly comforting, a small spot of familiarity to his current life.

“Well, no, actually, I had overheard that you were a witch? And that you did palm readings and I was wondering that...was hoping that you might read mine? That maybe you could tell me where I need to go next?”  

Anathema can’t just leave this kid out on the stoop, and she can only sense that he came from a good distance away. How did this American kid end up here? Was he from the army base? Can’t be, that’s too close. She invites him in, and reassures him it’s ok, she has tea made and guests over, and a phone if he has to call his parents. 

It’s a cozy place, and there are three people already sitting in the kitchen, a younger man stammering on about car maintenance, and two older looking men, one who is casually reading and sipping his tea, and the other who is trying to give the suggestion to just get a better car, honestly, please for the safety of everyone in England.

But of course Warlock INSTANTLY recognizes the older man with the sunglasses resting on his forehead. “Nanny?” he says, out of pure shock.

And his Nanny goes from mildly slumped to sitting straight up, turning around to see the young boy. “Warlock?” He can’t not try to hide from the child he helped raise. Warlock rushes directly into his Nanny and hugs him while starting to sob, unable to breath but needing so desperately to tell Nanny what had happened, and of course Crowley can’t NOT hold him back, gently cooing at his godson to calm down and breath, rubbing a small circle into his back. Anathema and Newt have No Idea what is happening, and Aziraphale has to try to explain quietly some of the details without giving his and Crowley’s whole “Some babies got swapped and we’re also not human” thing. 

Once Crowley is able to calm Warlock down enough, Warlock says everything that happened; the DNA test, learning that the Dowling’s weren’t his real birth parents, hoping that he could find his real ones, that maybe they still wanted him or that they loved him more than his adopted parents. Crowley’s heart breaks at seeing him so distressed, and begins to understand how the swapping ended up, after 13 years now. That the Young’s son was given to the Downlings, and that the Antichrist was given to the Youngs. He would figure out where the Dowling’s birth son was one day, but that wasn’t nearly important at the moment.

Newt, not reading the room terribly well, notes that Adam’s last name is Young. Everyone else gives a small look reading “Really? Right now? We cannot get this poor boy’s hopes up.” Warlock is so close to meeting his real parents. They are right here, in town, his Nanny and Gardner and this nice witch know them.

Warlock begs to see them, and while everyone is stammering to figure out the right way to approach this, Aziraphale suggests they all go over together. Like a support group for Warlock. To make sure he is ok, no matter what happens.

So they head over and Mr. and Mrs. Young are very confused at the appearance of this young boy. And after Warlock tells the story to the Young parents, before Anathema, Newt, Crowley, or Aziraphale can say anything, start even a fabrication to explain how the tests clearly show that Adam AND Warlock are their sons, Mr. Young begins talking.

“You know, there was something odd that night, when Adam was born. I wasn’t allowed to be there for his birth, but when I went in after, there were two babies. I had asked if we actually had twins and the Nun had reacted, well, looking back I would say rather odd. You don’t think...”

And Mrs. Young was in far too much pain and far too tired and on medicine to even recall the birthing process. “I mean...it’s possible. But why would they separate them? And then swap him for the son of an American Ambassador? They were a tad weird, those nuns, always up to something a bit satanic.”

And without anyone else trying, Mr. and Mrs. Young just accept that they had really had twins, and that the hospital was run by a weird cult posing as nuns who did some WEIRD things on the day Adam and Warlock were born. 

Warlock is so happy there was an answer to where he came from. That he has a whole brother to get to know, that after not seeing his Nanny or the Gardner from the age of Ten that he is able to see them again. His adopted parents had thought that having a Nanny for too long would harm his growth somehow, that he would not be able to fend for himself, and had let her go. And wherever his Nanny went, the Gardner went as well.

Mr. and Mrs. Young agree that Warlock should stay for dinner, but that they HAVE to contact the Dowling’s. No matter what happens later, at that moment, they are still Warlock’s legal guardians, and also members of the AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. The last thing anyone needs is for the U.S. to start busting down doors looking for a child that isn’t lost.

Warlock isn’t glad about it, but understands. And he just, asks questions. He wants to know everything, and the Young’s aren’t the most exciting people ever, but it starts getting late and Adam comes home and is mildly confused at first, because there are a lot of people in the house. But he’s a smart kid, he can catch on as to what is happening, knows that this other kid in the house must be the one that he had been switched out for.

Warlock is thrilled to meet his “brother,” so curious about his world, and Adam is smart enough to play along for the moment, just until he can ask the angel and demon the nitty-gritty details.

Mrs. Dowling pulls in a few hours after dinner, worried sick about him, because he UP and VANISHED without their knowing. Mrs. Dowling talks briefly with the Youngs, because there has to be all sorts of issues that this revelation would cause. As well as the fact that the child Dowling gave birth to is just somewhere in the world, with luck.

Before Mrs. Dowling takes Warlock back to their home, Warlock makes sure to get the Young’s number, as well as Crowley’s cellphone and Aziraphale’s shop number. Warlock needs people right now, needs to know that he can call for help, or to spend a weekend or holiday somewhere if his parents continue to prioritize work over him. He knows legally, he’ll be under the care of the Dowlings until he is old enough, but until then, he can at least start building a family that loves him

[purplellamanator]

Shinran and #5?

5. "I can't feel my legs."

A/N~ Sorry about the delay! I know I didn't post any of the requests last night and I'm sorry! I just had a really bad day and didn't want that to affect my writings for you guys! I still have some more requests to do so if yours hasn’t en posted yet, I will definitely get to them!! As for this one- thanks for the ask anon! Nothing better than some good ol' ShinRan ;) Hope you enjoy! Wasn't sure if you would angst or fluff with this one, but considering last time there was an option for angst and I went with that, I'll try to make this one fluffy! the lovely prompts this is also something i can envision happening in Interview Mania 

oOo

Ran would kill him. He was sure of it.

She had told him not to go after all. And what did he do? He did it anyway.

Yep, she would kill him. If this car didn't do it first.

Looking back and trying to be defensive, how had she expected him not to go? It was her father after all that invited him. Shinichi wanted to argue she didn't understand why he had to go. This was more than just accepting a challenge from Mouri Kogoro. This was more than simply out doing her father.

This was about gaining his respect. His acceptance.

Shinichi loved Ran. He wanted to marry her eventually. How would he be able to achieve that if her dad refused to be in the same room as him?

"You need to confront him! Show that old man that you're not going anywhere!"

He hated to say it, but he kind of agreed with Kuroba. He really wasn't going anywhere. Not anytime soon and not unless he and Ran suddenly decided to call it quits.

And he had no plans on letting that ever happen.

"Idiot! Don't actually consider doing that!" Hattori actually stepped in when he heard, what he thought, was some of the most ludicrous advice ever.

Kaito gave their friend an annoyed look. "Oh yeah? Well, what the hell would you recommend he do? Be the old man's doormat?"

And that was Shinichi actually had to agree with Kaito. He was sick of being just that- something for Kogoro to walk all over. He was the boyfriend to the man's daughter. The least he could do is be somewhat cordial with him. And that would also include him not bad mouthing his parents.

"Anything this dummy tells you to do, will have that Nee-chan dumping you the moment she steps foot back in Japan," he blatantly disregarded Kaito's question while jabbing a finger in his direction as well.

Hattori had a point. Ran did defend him anytime her father's comments got out of hand. But he also knew that she highly valued that old drunk's opinion. And after a few interactions of, "Oh look. Here's mister bigshot to grace us with his presence," and, "How are the Hollywood couple?"- Shinichi knew that it had to come to an end. How many times would Ran continue to hear that and notdsomething about it? Not to her father but to him, her boyfriend. He didn't want that drunkard's mouth to brainwash her into actually listening to the things he said about him. He didn't want her opinion of him to be changed.

"The point is to get him to respect you," Hattori continued. "Not hate you."

Well, that was easier said than done. The two of them had nothing in common. There was nothing that they could agree on except that they both loved Ran very much. Other than that, they didn't want anything to do with the other. Old man Mouri had already written him off long before he and Ran ever got together.

But he could understand where Hattori was coming from. If Kuroba wanted him to argue that he wasn't going anywhere, the same thing could be said about Kogoro. That was Ran's father. He could not be replaced.

"You need to prove to that old man you deserve to be with his daughter."

That had been the end of the advice from Hattori. And for a while, Shinichi had thought it had done nothing but make him feel even more helpless. But he was desperate. In order do what he had planned and to do it on time, he had to get through to her father now. It could not wait!

So when Kogoro asked Shinichi to go out for drinks with him, he readily agreed. 

 When he told Ran what he wanted to do, she was adamant that he not do it. Her father in a bar? She was trying to get him to stop drinking- not encourage the habit.That and she likely feared that something bad would happen between the two. 

But again, Ran didn't understand. She wouldn't yet. Shinichi had to do this because there was one thing that only Kogoro could give him.

His blessing.

Inviting him to a bar probably hadn't been his brightest idea but he wanted to play up to the things that he knew Kogoro liked. The plan was to butter him up. Just to get the man to give him the okay to marry his daughter and then they could move on with their lives from a distance.

But Kogoro was a seasoned drinker. And he also wasn't as stupid as he led everybody to believe. He knew something had been up the moment that Shinichi asked to spend time with him. The distaste between the two was not one-sided after all.

But the moment Kogoro knew just exactly what Shinichi wanted, he had the man turning more serious than he had ever seen him. And a proposition was made.

They were never going to see eye to eye and they would probably never actually like the other. But Kogoro could learn to deal with him.

If Shinichi could out drink him.

Shinichi knew it was a bad idea. It sent red flags raising. But he also knew that Kogoro knew that as well. He probably knew how Ran would feel if she ever found out that her boyfriend actually encouraged his bad habit. But he also wanted to know to what extent he would go to prove that he was worthy of his daughter. To what lengths would he go for this blessing?

Shinichi called his deal.

And lost.

The bad thing was he was too drunk to even be disappointed by that fact. Kogoro wasn't sober by any means but he was also way better off than the young athlete.

Shinichi wasn't exactly sure when they called it quits. He barely had any recollection of paying the tab.

His loss to Ran's old man hadn't been the worst part of his night he would soon discover.

Being that the plan was to go out specifically to drink, he had not taken his car. Kogoro and him had met up after he took the subway. Probably noticing how intoxicated Shinichi really was, he was surprised that Ran's dad actually took the time to help him get a cab.

That had been the plan. But when he didn't bother looking both ways or to even check if he had the right away, he just began walking in the cross walk.

And promptly got hit by a car.

"Brat!" Kogoro called in a mixture of surprise and fear. He hadn't been paying attention either and simply let Shinichi walked right into a cross walk with on coming traffic.

The car hadn't been going that fast. If anything, the moment they saw someone had just walked out, they had attempted to stop- but it had been too late.

Kogoro had already ran over to him but the driver was already jumping out of their car, freaking out. It only got worse when he realized just who he ran over.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry!" He was rambling and running his words together and taking initiative, the man was pulling out his phone and calling for an ambulance. Shinichi could kind of pick up some of the things that were being said. He knew the man recognized him when he started telling the dispatcher that he had, "Run over Kudou Shinichi!".

Admittedly, he didn't even think to be concerned about the press hearing about this. He knew he would have regrets eventually when he was sober, but for now there was something else bothering him.

"I can't feel my legs," he admitted out loud to simply voice his thoughts. He was so drunk though that he could tell if that was from the drinking or the fact that he just got hit by a car. Even worse, that statement was said as if he were commenting that it was raining outside.

He really was plastered. An athlete not even caring that his legs might not work.

But Kogoro was sober enough and he immediately began to panic. "Shit! Ran's going to kill me!" He was visibly freaking out, hovering nervously all over Shinichi. It was obvious he wanted to help but didn't know how. He didn't want to jostle him when he was laying there saying he couldn't feel his legs.

That had been a long night. He had been taken to the hospital pretty quickly and surprisingly, Kogoro went with him. He only left him a few times and that was to either let the doctors check him or to, what he assumed, call Ran. The girl that was about to put him in an early grave.

He knew he was sobering up when all of the embarrassment and anxiety hit him at once. He was so dead. The doctors had already told him that he would be fine. That his legs were fine and he mainly had a welt on his head from falling on the road- that and a decent sized bruise on his thigh.

But that wasn't what he was scared of.

The paparazzi had gone wild. They were having a field day with the fact that 'Famous Athlete Kudou Shinichi Drunkenly Caused an Accident'. And to make matters worse, as if they could- Ran was flying back early. Kogoro had warned him that he called Ran and she was furious. It appeared that that was one other thing they shared. Their fear of Mouri Ran.

When she finally showed up, Shinichi felt like it was too soon, He hadn't had enough time to at least try to formulate a good cover story for why he did the complete of opposite of what she said. The only good thing he could think of was out of the question considering he still did not have Kogoro's blessing.

Ran's first reaction had of course been to burst through the door and run to her boyfriend who was still hooked to monitors in a bed. There were tears in her eyes and from the red splotches he could tell she had likely cried the whole plane ride. It made him feel even more guilty.

But once that was done and past her worry, there was anger that was as clear as day. She had started in on him first but quickly shifted her anger onto her father whom in her eyes, was just as guilty. Truthfully it had been Kogoro's idea and though Shinichi knew he had no intention of having a car almost kill him, a small part of him knew this had likely been something he wanted to use to get Ran angry with him and possibly leave him. But he could see the remorse on the old man's face as he quietly stood there as Ran tried to keep her voice down.

"Ran," he cleared his throat and at the glare she shot his way, he almost backed down. He couldn't let Kogoro take the fall for it. It had been his idea to go out in the first place no matter if it had been Kogoro's idea to get him plastered and beyond coherent.

Kogoro gave him a suspicious look. He probably assumed Shinichi was about to spring something that would make her father take all the blame. But it wasn't.

"It was my idea."

Ran hadn't gone easy on him after that either. She was furious. She had to leave work early because her boyfriend decided to get drunk in the street. It was clear that once it was obvious that he would be fine and no lasting damage had occurred, that Ran fully allowed herself to be angry. And she wouldn't talk to him for days. She had been so mad at him that she actually stayed the night at her own apartment. And he hated that. Ran and him rarely got to see each other as it was. He didn't want her spending her free days away from him. But he had no one else but himself to blame. Whether the drinking game had been Kogoro's idea or not, it had been Shinichi's to actually go to a bar in the first place. Here he was. He got drunk, hit by a car, his girlfriend was mad at him, and he still didn't have her father's blessing.

Or so he thought.

Someone had knocked on his door. He immediately dismissed it as Ran considering she had a key and would just walk in. But she was the only one he ever really visited. It was rare for his team to come to his house. But none of that could ever prepare him for who really was at his door.

It was Kogoro. And it was clear that he was not at all comfortable with being there. He wasn't making eye contact and Shinichi realized it was because for once, Ran's dad was trying to be nice to him.

"You took the whole wrap for the other night even though you could've just let Ran yell at me."

Shinichi didn't disagree. He could have and then he probably could've used that against the old man to force him to give him his blessing. That or he would risk making Ran even more upset.

But he didn't. And he explained why.

"Ran values your opinion more than you think. I didn't want her to look at you differently on the off chance that something bad really did happen to me."

That left the older man standing in silence as if he were thinking. But then he nodded his head slowly; with a different expression and look in his eyes. And when they met gazes, Shinichi understood what that look was.

It was respect.

"Do you already have a ring?"

[forasecondtherewedwon]

17 or 48, both together, or just one, or whatever you want if they haven't already been requested, NSFW I guess if you don't have any problem with it. I wanted to add, in honor of Tom wearing glasses: for some reason, any silly reason or plot device you need, that makes Peter have to wear glasses, and MJ freaks out about it finding she's especially very attracted to him wearing glasses. You're super awesome btw!!!!

Thank you so much for these requests, Anons! As 48 and 17 were requested together more than once, I have included both prompts in this fic. And it’s NSFW (if you’re a perv, I’m a perv, Anon #3). And Peter wears glasses (feel free to determine the level of silliness of my reasoning for them, Anon #1 haha). Extra thanks to you, Anon #1, for your kind words! Hope you all enjoy!

This Spa Day Provided to You by Stark IndustriesPairing: Peter Parker x Michelle Jones (Spideychelle)Rating: E/NSFWWord count: 3752

17. “I know what I want, when I want it. So get over here.”

48. “If you want to get me naked, you’ll have to convince me it’ll be worth my time.”

Peter sighed into the phone.

“When I said the decathlon team really needs to relax beforeour next competition, that was just me complaining! I wasn’t asking you tospend money on us!”

“Yes, but that’s the beauty of being Tony Stark’s favouriteintern―”

“―only intern,” Peter mumbled.

“―I solve your problems before you even realize they needsolving.”

“I did realize,”he argued, flinging himself down onto his bed.

“And you weren’t going to do anything about it besidescomplain? That’s not very ‘Earth’s Mightiest Heroes’ of you, kid.”

“I… had some thoughts,” Peter said defensively.

“Such as?”

“Puppy room?”

“Like you rent puppies to help your pals cope with pre-competitionstress, is that the definition of ‘puppy room’ we’re working from?” Mr. Starkchecked. “Meaning you have puppies brought into your school, meaning you exposethose halls of learning to the evils of… what’s it called? Pet dander! Becausethere’s always one kid, Pete, always that one kid who’s allergic to puppies andspoils things for everyone else. And then, gee, it’s not the puppy’s fault, butnow there’s sneezing and itching and throats swelling shut, an ambulance iscalled to cart poor Timmy off to the hospital, and in the meantime, the puppieshave peed and ralphed all over the floor, thereby causing more stress than whatexisted to begin with! Then, of course, you’re blamed for the whole thingbecause it was your idea, probably kicked off the team, definitely sociallyostracized, and always left wondering, ‘Was it worth it?’”

There was a long pause.

“What happens to Timmy?” Peter wondered.

“Oh, they couldn’t save him. Anyway, doesn’t a spa day soundmore peaceful than all that?”

“Only because you turned the puppy room into some kind ofhorror movie epidemic.”

“It was a rhetorical question, since the obvious answer,”Mr. Stark informed him, “is a simple ‘yes.’ By the way, why am I having to sellthis to you so hard when I’m the one who paid for it?”

“That one’s gotta be rhetorical,” Peter said, but his mentorhad already hung up.

\\

“So, there’s, like, a sauna, a pool and hot tubs, or you canget a massage, or―”

“Living in a luxurious, fluffy spa robe for a day isbasically my dream,” Ned declared, interrupting Peter.

With a glance around the room, Peter saw that most of histeammates seemed to be thinking along the same lines as Ned, expressionssmiling and full of relief. Most of them. MJ was frowning.

“Have we done research on this place?” she asked. “When wasits last health inspection? How regularly do they test the chemical compositionof the pool water? Have there been any reported cases of―”

“It’s fine,” Peter assured her. “Mr. Stark goes there allthe time. Actually, I think he might own it…”

“And there’s never been a negligent billionaire businessowner with his fingers in so many pies that he lets standards slip at one ofhis investments,” MJ replied sarcastically.

He didn’t know where to start grappling with that, but hismouth hung open, waiting for his brain to fill it with an intelligent yetsensitive response.

“Yeah, but, MJ―” Flash jumped in.

“Michelle to you,” she corrected flatly.

“―free massages!” He raised his eyebrows like she was anidiot for having any misgivings in the face of complimentary spa treatments.

MJ rolled her eyes.

“Fine, we can focus on that, in which case, I have questionsabout the staff’s training, techniques―”

“Are you serious?” Peter said, accidentally out loud. Dumbquestion; his girlfriend was always serious.

She gave him a fixed stare.

“I’d like the person who massages me to know what they’redoing. If you want to get me naked, you’ll have to convince me it’ll be worthmy time.”

He felt the heat seeping up his neck into his face.

“I don’t want… N-notme personally…”

“I’ll do some research before we go,” Betty cheerfullyvolunteered. Peter smiled gratefully at her as she turned to face MJ, uncappingher pen and holding it poised over a pad of paper. “What were your concernsagain?”

“Happy thoughts,” Ned instructed as Peter cradled hisforehead in his hand, rattled. “Fluffy, fluffy robes.”

“Yeah,” he agreed, tone striving for levity. “Robes. Right.”

What he was really thinking about was how much trouble hewas in. If MJ was this brazen in front of their friends, how was he supposed tohang out with her at the spa? Sure, they’d found enough opportunities sincethey’d started dating to make it to second base, but actually seeing her in abathing suit was a whole different thing! The robes were Ned’s idea of acalming thought, but what did people wear underneath them? Nothing! Picturinghim and MJ in matching robes was therefore not a very calming thought.

This spa day was going to kill him.

\\

“What’s next on your itinerary?” Peter asked distractedly,leaning against one of the large lockers in the men’s changing room. It wasuncanny, being in a room full of lockers without even the faintest odour offoot sweat―this spa was a distinct step up from the locker room at school.

“Couples facial with Betty,” Ned replied happily.

Peter frowned.

“That’s a thing?”

“Yes, Peter,” Ned sighed, exasperated. “Maybe you should’vespent your time doing a more thorough scan of the veritable smorgasbord oftreatments instead of concentrating on avoiding MJ.”

Peter jerked away from the locker.

“What? Avoiding her?” He shifted his feet.

Ned sighed again.

“You can’t hide in the changing room all day.”

“I haven’t been!”

“Every time I come back here to get my water or change into swimtrunks, you’re here.”

“We’re obviously very in sync,” Peter insisted. “And I wasjust leaving.”

Ned folded his arms and stared his best friend down.

“Uh huh.”

“I am! I’m going… swimming.”

“With your shoes on,” Ned checked, glancing down to Peter’ssneakers.

“I don’t want to contract a foot fungus. Better safe thansorry.”

“Can you even get a foot fungus?” Ned asked, lowering hisvoice and leaning closer for increased discretion. “Wouldn’t yoursuper-spider-ness protect you from something like that? Wouldn’t seem right ifyou could avoid supernatural attacks only to be felled by a foot fungus. Orwould it―”

“Bye, Ned,” Peter interrupted, and exited the room.

He did actually have his bathing suit on underneath therobe―Ned had been adamant about the robe-wearing―so he might as well headtowards the pool. Following the scent of chlorine, Peter turned down a quiethallway, lined with doors on both sides.

He could swim for hours if he had to. Just until―oh man, hewas totally avoiding MJ. He’d only seen her for about two seconds today afterthey’d arrived. Being gifted a spa day by Iron Man wasn’t the same as astandard field trip, so the team had had to make their own way here. (Peterwasn’t going to remind Mr. Stark that he’d blanked on providing transportationin luxury cars; Pepper would take care of that.) Too chicken to even sit nextto his girlfriend in the back seat of a car, Peter had waited until Abe offeredto pick up Flash, Cindy, and MJ before assuring a few of the others that hisaunt would be happy to give rides as well. This was pathetic.

Peter went to brush his hair back anxiously and bumped thecorner of his glasses, unused to them. Disoriented, he stopped walking tosettle them back into their proper position on his face. His arms tingled as helowered his hands and Peter became tense and alert. Quickly glancing around, henoticed that the door at the end of the hall was ajar. He flattened his back tothe wall and crept hurriedly and silently towards it.

The hairs on his arms were completely standing up once hewas right outside the door, so Peter pushed it open and darted inside, shiftingto a defensive posture and pulling the door closed behind him―one less escaperoute for whoever or whatever was in here with him. Besides the soothing soundtrackof wind chimes by the ocean.

Beyond the massage table dominating the space, a door at therear of the room opened and out stepped MJ, head down, tying a robe identicalto Peter’s. It was suddenly difficult to swallow.

She looked up and gasped, then sighed, hand to her chest.

“What the hell, Peter?”

“S-sorry,” he blurted, straightening up. “I thought… therewas something…”

Peter studied his arms, confused. He’d believed that extraSpidey sense was just, like, a space donut alert system. Now it was an MJfinder? He guessed he had been thinking about her a lot lately. Possibly, theconscious fixation plus theunconscious longing that had her appearing in his dreams most nights hadtriggered some kind of biological recalibration, thereby setting the sense toprepare for hormones instead of intergalactic battle. The potential science ofit was pretty cool and Peter tried to think about that in order to maintain hisrapidly failing composure.

MJ flipped her trapped hair out of the neck of her robe. Holyshit.

“I’m still not used to the glasses,” she said, approachinghim and sounding enviably calm. “Are you self-conscious about them? Is that whyI’ve barely seen you today?”

“No, I’m not… I’m not self-conscious,” he choked out.Clearing his throat, he continued. This was a safe topic which would aid him withnot stare at her legs below the hem of the knee-length robe. “They help my eyesrelax. Dampen stimuli. Kinda like those old black goggles I had. The ones Ishowed you―”

“―when we were in your bedroom.”

Abort. That was not a neutral memory. He revisited it―ohboy, did he revisit it―but only in private, in bed at night. Sometimes in theshower. His pulse pounded unmistakeably in his groin.

“Yeah,” Peter agreed weakly. “Then.”

“I like the glasses.”

“You do?”

MJ stopped in front of him and Peter imagined the feel ofher robe’s tie in his hand as he pulled it free of the loops. It was so easy topicture.

“Mhmm, you look… They just make you look more…”

Peter caught her eye and noticed something. She wasflustered. While MJ searched for whatever she wanted to say, she shoved her handsinto the pockets of her robe; it strained the tie, slackening the fold offabric across her body to expose a larger V of her neck and chest. Petergestured awkwardly at the bared skin, then reached out, intending to fix it forher. (The swelling in his swim trunks pleaded for him to yank the materialapart.) Her hand collided with his as she went to do the same thing.

“…sexy,” MJ concluded.

Peter’s fingers slid across her skin until his palm was flaton her chest, then he brought his other hand to the back of her neck and kissedher. They held each other with shaky hands, nervous and giddy. Everything withher was still brand new. Internally, Peter felt like he was inside one of thosepaint can agitators at the hardware store―the kind that he’d seen when May hadpicked a new colour for the kitchen and dragged him along to pack-mule the cansto and from the car―but his lips were becoming more certain against MJ’s. Andhis dick was really committing to this erection, thickening with every passingsecond.

Peter was getting lost, unable to tell how theirclosed-mouth kiss had opened up to allow their tongues to meet and tangle. MJmoaned softly and he wrapped both arms around her with urgency. He wondered ifhis glasses were fogging up, like the windows in steamy movie scenes; he didn’topen his eyes to check.

Touching his face in a way that felt more profoundlyintimate than what seemed possible for the length of their relationship so far,she pressed her body closer. Oh god. Snatching a shallow breath between kisses,Peter let his hand tumble from her neck, sweeping unevenly across the plushstretch of her robe and resting on the small of her back. He didn’t push her―wouldn’t push her―just braced herlightly as his hips rolled forward. MJ gasped, tenderly tracing his earlobewith a fingertip.

Peter tilted his head forward until his forehead and hersseemed to support each other. He listened to his thumping heart, a steady bassto balance those tinkling wind chime noises. The natural ambiance of MJ’sragged breathing was magical. But everything was moving so fast. They weren’tsupposed to get this! A parental figure should have been interrupting rightabout now, or a ringing phone. A pizza delivery guy maybe.

Uncertainly, Peter took a step back, hands still on MJ’swaist. She wrapped hers around his and he opened his eyes to see her face.

“Stark booked this whole place for us, right?”

Oh, they were talking about Mr. Stark now. Peter was thrownby his girlfriend’s lack of transition. She always did like to get to thepoint, not waste words. He jiggled the corner of his glasses.

“Yeah…?”

“All day?”

“Yeah,” Peter answered with more conviction, focusing now.

“Well, then there’s no one else coming to use this room,”she informed him. “I went through the team’s treatment schedules myself.”

Just when he’d thought he was getting the gist of thisconversation.

“You’re saying…”

“I’m saying I really like the glasses.”

Yeah, her eyes were saying a lot more than that. What wasgoing on in there was much easier for Peter to follow. Like the absoluteawareness while MJ let go of his hand to draw her wavy hair forward over oneshoulder; she knew what she was doing to him. Were spa robes any good atconcealing erections? He was curious.

To give himself a second of clear thinking (which in itselfmight be wishful thinking), Peter released her waist, arms hanging at hissides.

“Are you sure?” he checked.

She rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth had flickedup.

“I know what I want, when I want it. So get over here.”

Rather than going to her, Peter took a deep breath andbrought her to him, guiding MJ by her hips. Before he could kiss her, she put ahand to his chest.

“Just for now,” she assured him, and plucked his glassesfrom his face.

Folding the legs in carefully, MJ set them on a counter nextto an orderly line of jars. All Peter could think about was being able to kissher more roughly without worrying about his glasses getting in the way; hedecided to make a move based on the likeliness of her thinking the same thing. Hecupped her face, touching his mouth lightly to hers only momentarily, thendiving in with a firmer pressure.

There wasn’t a clear path in his mind, but he directed MJanyway, steering her by the hand on her hip while they kissed, until the solidspa table halted them. Her lips parted as though the minor impact had sent ashockwave through her body and Peter stepped right into her space, tongueteasing the inside of her lip. Incredibly (to him), his hips weren’t shyagainst hers, pressing flush, as much as the thickness of theirever-more-irritating robes would allow.

His eyelashes fluttered on her cheek as he barely opened hiseyes.

“Did they massage you?” Peter asked quietly. The room wasvery still. Seemed like the wind chimes must have run out of breeze.

MJ’s legs shifted against his, thighs parting provocatively.

“Not everywhere.”

With a groan, he squeezed her hips, not really helping asshe perched, then wiggled onto the table. MJ continued spreading her legs soPeter could come closer and his hands skipped down to her thighs, smoothing upher skin as the fabric drew apart. He almost forgot about kissing, gaze slidingdown her body, but MJ grabbed his jaw and leaned forward, initiating somethingfiery. It made his hips jerk ahead and his fingers clenched on her legs. MJ’sother hand found the tie of his robe and quickly worked past that barrier, thenthe next―which was the tie on his swim shorts. Peter inhaled a rapid doublegasp, experiencing the wonder of her hand wrapping tentatively around hiserection. More securely after his slow moan.

He broke away from the kiss, nosing languidly below her jawand down her neck as he pushed his hands to her hips. Hypothesis confirmed: peopledid not wear anything beneath those robes. Or at least MJ didn’t. Peter shapedhis hands to the front of her hips, thumbs settling into the warm crease at thetop of her thighs where the band of her underwear would’ve been. She wasstroking him now, stoking his own heat with the warmth of her palm, and he lethis thumbs descend until he could feel her pulse thumping resolutely. By then,his hands were between her legs, covering everything but the place he waslonging to touch; Peter skated one thumb towards the middle and it was slickedwith her arousal.

MJ was breathing heavily, nudging herself against his hand,so he rotated his wrist and slipped his fingers along the track of her wetness.She shuddered, rolling her fingers against his length. Peter gave her throat awet kiss. When she tilted her hips, lifting them slightly like she wassearching for something, he made sure they came back down on his fingers,easing one inside her.

“Peter,” she said,fast and sharp, and jerked her hips forward with the same desperate haste.

He released MJ’s hip with his other hand to reach into hisswim suit and tighten her grip around him, his hand over hers. Then, Petercurled the finger he had inside her, probing gently as he got his bearings.Cautiously, darting a look up at her face, he added a second finger. She made asoft, contented sound and rocked so that his fingers sunk deeper. Peter’s hipsbucked reflexively and she gave him a short pump, his hand tense on the back ofhers.

Wetting his lip with his tongue in concentration, he hookedhis fingers more insistently, tapping her taut front wall. MJ groaned, tooloose to produce an “oh.” Peter dug in, repeating the motion she’d enjoyed, andpushed his thumb against her clit. A hissing, sucked in breath from hisgirlfriend had him feeling tingly all over―seriously, his super-senses weregoing to be even more goofed up after this. Something in him had realigned,attuning him to MJ.

He worked his fingers faster, moving with her when shecouldn’t sit still. Actually, Peter started to worry that MJ was going to falloff the massage table because she kept scooting forward, so he encouraged herto lie down, gasping as her hand disengaged from his dick. Watching hisgirlfriend on her back, he forgot about missing her grasp; her neck arched whenhe rubbed her clit in a circle and every time he thrust his fingers intoher―sneaking a look to witness them emerging glossy―she thrust the opposite wayto take them, slackening the wrap of the robe until its V stretched nearly toher waist.

Peter was fantasizing about crawling on top of MJ (only fantasizing for now because theyhadn’t really talk about that yet and he certainly didn’t have a condom at theready in the fluffy depths of his spa robe’s pocket), yearning to drag hisfingers out and plunge his cock in. He was grinning, hot and hazy in his dirtydaydream, fingers wrapped around himself while he continued to, well, massageher. The word would never be the same for him.

“Mmm, god,” shesaid, legs twitching where they hung off the edge of the table.

Hearing himself faintly echoing her less distinct butequally impassioned noises, Peter was almost living her pleasure. He kneadedher clit, bent and scooped his fingers frantically within her. MJ came with anextended moan, muffled because she pressed her lips shut, and Peter swallowedthickly like he was consuming the sound.

He removed one hand from his trunks (erection still throbbing),the other from his girlfriend’s body. Panting, Peter retied the string (wipinghis fingers on his bathing suit while he was at it), then the wider band of hisrobe, not taking his eyes off her. Body limp, MJ ran a hand across her face. Hewas mesmerized just watching her breathe.

“Help me up,” she said, voice thick and altered.

She pulled the robe closed and reached out her hands forhis, which Peter eagerly provided. Their eyes met with a sly shyness once theirfaces were level. After a minute, MJ rolled her eyes and grabbed Peter’s neck, bringinghim into a kiss. She sighed against his cheek when they leaned apart.

“You wanna trade places?” she asked as she lifted her head.Her hand went to his robe’s tie, giving a gentle tug.

Peter laughed, heart beating hard.

“Yeah, I really wantto, but Ned’s going to expect to see me at the pool after his facial.”

MJ frowned and her playfully disappointed eyes made him wantto stay that much more. Glancing at her watch―the only thing she wore, besidesthe robe―she shrugged.

“I have to meet Cindy for pedicures anyway.” They exchangedwistful smiles. He couldn’t make himself turn away, let alone walk to the door.“I’m good, Peter,” MJ said. “You should sneak out of here first. Lesssuspicious that way.”

He hesitated another few seconds, then stepped back with anod.

“Ok, but I’ll see you later. Promise,” he added when sheraised doubtful eyebrows.

Peter grabbed his glasses from the counter and put them on,comfortably dampening his vision. He glanced back at MJ on his way to the door.

“Seriously, dork, get out of here,” she urged. “Thoseglasses are testing my restraint.”

Face turning pink, Peter shot her a smile and crept warilyinto the hallway. He closed the door quietly behind him, glancing back andforth as he adjusted the overlapping fabric in front of his hips.

“Hope the pool’s cold,” Peter muttered, heading there forthe second time and wondering how many laps it was going to take to put himselfback in control of his own body.

Assuming that was possible.

Well, it was another hypothesis to test.

[kaleidoscopic-writing]

Mind Over Matter

Chapter Four: I Come Alive When I Hear Your Voice

Walking out of my last exam made me feel like I was walking on air. Seriously. Every problem weighing on my shoulders was lifted. That is, every single one that didn’t have to do with seeing my parents in approximately two days. Seeing them made my chest burn with anxiety, but I was doing my best to try and avoid the topic at all costs, pushing it to the back of my head.

Seeing them made my chest burn with anxiety, but I was doing my best to try and avoid the topic at all costs, pushing it to the back of my head. With the semester over, I had just a little under a month away from uni. Time to relax and ready for myself for a whole other semester. It was weird though. I was already half way done with my first year. It seems like just yesterday I was moving in with Ali before school started. Still had many semesters to go, but it was a small feat that I was proud of.

I had been standing outside the building for a few moments just composing my happiness before I was pulled from trance.

“Eden!”

I whipped my head around to see Dominic bursting out of the door. His backpack was slipping off one shoulder, zipper unzipped, but Dominic seemed as carefree as I was. He jogged a few steps before he stood before me, a wide smile engulfing his face. 

“We did it!”

I let out a small laugh, my hands gripping the flaps of my backpack by my shoulders, shifting slightly on my feet from side to side. 

  “We did!” I responded, “Professor Williams can go suck a big one now.” 

Dominic let out a loud laugh as we started walking to the parking lot together. He was a good two or three inches taller than me, so I had to look up when he turned towards me.

“Have any plans for the holidays?” Dominic asked as we moved forward. His hands resting in the front pockets of his jeans; his posture was slightly slouched forward as he walked as I felt his attention on my face.

“Oh just boring old stuff,” I said indifferently which a shake of my head. “Going to Manchester to see my parents for the holidays. They insist we come home but then don’t make any effort while I’m there, so I end up spending the majority of my time in my room as I did when I was in sixth form.”

“I swear you leave the house for college and parents suddenly forget there was any reasons for you to leave in the first place or that you have another life out here. Now, my mum creates this perfect little bubble for me when I’m home. Don’t get me wrong, I love it. I get everything I want because they ‘miss me terribly’,” Dominic made air quotes with the last bit as he dramatically went on.

 “But, by the end I just want to get out, y’know?”

I laughed to myself as I looked to the ground. I wish I had Dominic’s home life; a perfect little bubble sounded perfect. I would give anything to have anything other than my hectic home life.

“I can’t relate to most of that,” I said as I looked up to his face. His eyes trained solely on mine. His blue eyes were beautiful. “But, I can definitely relate to that last bit.”

“Are you going to be back in town for the New Year? My friend is throwing this party, and I think it’s going to be massive.”

“Sadly not. I obligated to spend the new year with my parents.”

“Damn,” he said shaking his head. “My friend Paul told me about one night at a party during Freshers week where you gave an impromptu concert for the entire house of your dad’s music, and I was hoping I could see the encore.”

My mouth dropped, and my hand flew out, playfully slapping in the arm.

“That was obviously a night I don’t remember one bit, and I wished that no one else could either.”

I laughed as we stopped at my car.

“Well, if you happen to have a change of plans and are in the city for the New Year. Definitely let me know. I would still love to see that musical rendition.”

“Ha ha,” I said sarcastically, as I unlocked my car and opened my door before turning back to him. “I will let you know, but don’t get your hopes up.” I threw my hands up next to my head and shrugged.

“I will try not to,” he beemed.

With one last laugh and a hug, I got in my car and drove away from campus for the last time for a month and I couldn’t be more relieved. 

****************

“Ned is making all the worst possible decisions right now,” Harry concluded.

“He is too brilliant for his own good,” I concluded.

We were currently sitting on my bed watching the eighth episode of the first season of Game of Thrones. We were making some real progress now. Harry has come over about four times I think, and we knock out two or three episodes. Watching in my room was a new development, though. All the other times we have just watched downstairs in the living room. 

Harry would come over, and I would have popcorn made as we watch an episode or two of Game of Thrones. But, much to no surprise, when I went downstairs to get ready to make some food before Harry got here, Alison was watching the telly and was adamant despite my pleas that she wasn’t leaving or changing the channel from Keeping Up With the Kardashians. I, then, resorted to just having Harry and I watch in my room. He was of course fine with that, but I couldn’t help be a little squirmish though because the only other time he was in my room was when he knocked out on my couch. This time he was of course completely cognizant, and he would just be able to take in my silly old pictures or my clutter of papers on my desk.

“It’s a shame that you are going back tomorrow. Could’ve finished the season had you stayed one more day.”

I looked over at him as he watched the screen, his rolled slightly towards me. His eyes were just turned enough to see mine.

I sighed, “I know, we weren’t suppose to leave after you, but then my mum got these reservations at some new restaurant in Manchester and insisted that we just haddd to go. And, there is really no choice when it comes to our mother.”

“Mother knows best,” Harry sung in tune to the Tangled song to which I scoffed at.

“Maybe your’s does, but my mum surely doesn’t.”

“I’m just annoyed that I will have to wait almost two weeks to finish this season.” Harry paused. “I may have to just watch it without you.”

With a roll of my eyes and a slight push to his shoulder, I replied, “You would not, and if you did, this friendship would be over. I have to be there when you watch the series one finale!”

Harry let out a giggle and turned his attention back to the telly.

There was a knock at my door. I wasn’t sure if I was still dreaming or not. I was definitely still asleep but became increasing aware with each knock that someone was outside my bedroom door.

“Eden,” my sister huffed from outside the door. 

With that my eyes opened slowly, taking in my room. Light was flitting through my curtains, so I presumed it was some time early in the morning. 

It was only then that I became wide awake. Not because I realized it was morning but because I registered an heavy object splayed across my waist. There were two options that came with the arm laying across my side — either a stranger was in my bed or Harry was most definitely sleeping next to me. When I turned my head ever so slightly, I was welcomed with the sight of Harry sleeping, for the second time in the few weeks I’ve known him. He laid less than a few inches away from me, just enough to not press against me. His head laid against the pillow as his growing curly hair was just long enough to begin to fall across his forehead.

With another knock to the door, I slowly tried to slide my way out from Harry’s arm. When I was finally free, he readjusted slightly but seemed to stay asleep, just wrapping his right arm that was around me under his pillow. I tiptoed to the door as Alison knocked again. 

“What?” I said as I opened my door just enough so Ali couldn’t see in the room.

“WHAT?” Ali said dramatically. “Do you know what bloody time it is?”

I shook my head confused. My alarm clock hadn’t gone off yet, so I don’t know what Alison was in such a big fuss about.

“It’s almost ten o’clock. We are supposed to leave in fifteen minutes! Mom will lose her wits if we are late for lunch.”

My mouth dropped as I looked down at the watch on my wrist. I was shocked when she was right. I must have slept through my alarm or something. With Harry somehow sleeping in my bed last night and being late, I was so off right now. 

“Okay, okay. Um..” I said frantically. “I’ll get ready really quick, just, uh, give me a few minutes.”

With a shake of her head, Ali walked off, and I closed my door. As I turned around, I learned that I wasn’t the only one awake in the room anymore. Harry was on his side propped up on one shoulder as his other hand rubbed his eyes. It was such a strange sight to see and something I never thought I would. I stood there for a second waiting for him to open his eyes and register what was going on. His eyes blinked open as he looked around the room before settling on my frame.

“Did I..,” he trailed off confused. 

“We fell asleep watching Game of Thrones, I guess,” I said shifting from one foot to the other as I stood there.

“I am sorry, Eden.” He said sitting up. He was still fully clothed in his button up and black jeans that he was in last night. I doubt that was very comfortable to sleep in, which just goes to show how we must have both just fallen asleep last night not meaning to. “I didn’t mean to crash here.”

“It’s fine, Harry! I just have to get ready really quickly. Must have fallen asleep before I set my alarm, so Ali isn’t too happy with me.”

I finally began moving towards my dresser, haphazardly pulling out a pair of black jeans, a blouse and some underwear.

“I don’t mean to bother. I’ll be out of your way now,” he said getting out of bed. I paused on my way to the bathroom, turning towards him. “Oh no, you’re fine! I just have to change real quick! You can wait here. I can make a brew before we leave, if you want.”

He paused tying his vans, looking up at me with a wide grin, which I couldn’t help but reciprocate.

“That would be great,” he said sweetly.

With a nod and my smile turning just a little bit wider, I turned and hurried into the bathroom. I changed as quickly as I could. With a brush of my teeth and running a brush through my unruly hair, I was rushing out of the bathroom with my makeup bag in hand. When I pushed the bathroom door open, I found Harry sitting on my couch, the one he slept on that first night. At the sound of the door, he looked up at me.

“Hey let me just grab my sneakers,” I said hurriedly to grab shoes. I turned to grab my duffle bag only to find Harry stood up and throwing the bag around his shoulder.  

“Harry,” I paused. “What are you doing? You don’t have to carry that.” I took a step towards him with my hand stretched out, but Harry took a step back. A smirk displayed his head as he shook his head.

“No, Eden,” he laughed. “Please let me at least do the gentlemanly thing of carrying you bag downstairs. It is the least I could do for you because you let me crash in your bed last night.”

With a shake of my head and a rush of heat to my neck, I backed away. He wanted to carry my bag downstairs, it shouldn’t have made me feel anything. It was just a simple act that had me flustered. Harry was just so kind in the short time that I’ve known him that these simple acts just seemed to come as second nature to him, and it was something that I just found so admirable.

“Okay, then,” I said. 

I took a step towards my door as we began to make our way out, but as we left my room I turned my head back to him. His eyes were already mine as we made our way down the hall.

“You know,” I began. His eyebrows shot upward, head tilted forward. A small smile across his lip spread in anticipation. “If you do these ‘gentlemanly’ manual labor as a gesture for sleeping over, I might let you stay over more if you do some chores for me.”

He shook his head and rolled his eyes.

“No, really though,” I continued my little gimmick. “You could clean the house, and maybe, I don’t know, cook me meals.”

Suddenly, in an act of defiance, Harry dropped my bag from his shoulder to the ground. He looked at my with what I know was a facade seeing as his lips twitched with a smile trying so hard to show.

“I am not your servant, woman,” he said dramatically.

“I’m just saying the option is on the table,” I smirked turning back forward as we went down the stairs.

I could hear Ali in the kitchen, and I suddenly realized that Harry and I were walking down the stairs together, which would cause her mind to go completely wild. Shit. I had maybe a few seconds to compose myself before we would come into Ali’s view. Harry seemed nonchalant, which he had no reason otherwise to be. He seriously just fell asleep in my bed, but I instantaneously was filled with anxiety. She was going to tease me restlessly because I never even have one of my guy friends sleep over, no matter how innocent it was, let alone one of her closest friends.

When I rounded the corner she was making a brew in the kitchen, and she looked up as she her our footsteps approached. Her face showed annoyance towards me because I could have made us late but then changed to one of confusion when another body rounded the corner into the kitchen.

“Harry?” Alison scoffed as she set the brew on the counter top. She looked at the two of us for second. I stood immobile for a second, waiting for whatever inappropriate thing she was going to say. Harry was the first one to move. He took a step around me, with a simple, and cheery, ‘hello’ to Alison. She was looking at Harry now as he sat down on the high chairs across from where Alison was standing.

Alison picked up the brew again before saying, “My first reaction was to ask you when you got here, Harry, but then I realized that you are wearing the same clothes that you were wearing last night. I can only hope you aren’t shagging my sister now.” She raised an eyebrow to him.

She is such a forward bitch, and I clenched my teeth together because I know she loves the awkwardness.

Harry had just opened his mouth to speak when a very annoyed “Ali!” rung out through the silent room. But, it wasn’t Harry that said that. I realized it must have been my own voice because both heads turned towards me, both seemed to be in an happy anticipation about to what else was about to spill out of my mind.

“You know we just fell asleep watching Game of Thrones, so stop trying to take the piss,” I responded after a beat, taking a step forward and moving to sit down next to Harry.

“You act like I don’t know either of you and your ways, though,” she smirked. Alison turned her back to us as she moved to grab some mugs out. I thought about her words. Of course, she knew every single detail of my life, and yes, I normally wouldn’t have a guy sleepover. Really, that would never happen. This was just a random occurrence I guess, nothing more. No, nothing more at all. 

As for knowing Harry though, I don’t know what Ali was mentioning. If by ‘knowing his ways,’ she means Harry likes to randomly crash at some girls place, then Harry has done that twice know, but both situations where he has slept in my room have not been the ideal nights of romance. So, she is just definitely trying to push buttons because Harry and I were just friends, maybe even still acquaintances at this point in the few weeks we have known each other.

When Alison walked back over to us, she had three travel mugs in hand, which meant we were all about to part ways. Two were plain black matte Starbucks mugs Ali got a couple weeks ago, and the third was a silver mug with my monogram on the front. I got it a couple years ago and actually forgot it was back there. I assumed when she began pouring the mugs that I was going to get the one with my monogram on it, but Harry snatched it up before I could.

“Harry, you don’t have to take that one. You can have a black one,” I said reaching for the silver mug in his hand, but before I could reach it, he brought his other hand up to block mine. Confusedly, I look up from the mug to the playful look on his face.

“Please, Eden,” he scoffed. “I picked this one because I thought it has the best quality.”

My eyebrows pulled together at the ridiculousness. I can take my monogramed cup. Harry didn’t need to have to bring that home with him. It was impractical for him to carry around if he used it a few times before giving it back, which I felt like is something Harry would do.

“I regret every wish I had of you two being friends. You’re both ridiculous,” Alison snickered.

She, then, picked up her mug and slung her bag over her shoulder making her way out of the kitchen. I turned back towards Harry with a silly grin on my face. I never considered my new friendship with Harry a way to annoy Alison, and it seemed the same idea was crossing Harry’s mind as well. His dimple popped in his cheek with his smile, and it seemed so deep I just wanted to reach out in touch it. But, that would be absurd, so I threw that thought out of mind without a passing thought.

Without passing another look over her shoulder, Alison yelled on the way out, “I will be in the car, Eden, when you decide you are done trying to make us late. Good bye Harry! See you next year.”

The front door slammed and I knew Harry and I were alone again.

“Well, we should be going,” I said standing up, gripping my mug.

This time, though, I reached out and grabbed my bag before Harry’s already outstretched arm could first. Slinging the bag over my shoulder, Harry rolled his eyes with a small laugh as he too got to his feet. With both mugs in our hands, we walked to the front door in silence.

It was weird going home because this was the first time that Manchester wasn’t my home anymore. It had been my home for eighteen years, and yet, the life I have built here in London has already changed my perception of home. Living away from my parents is creating this new perspective for me, and I honestly can feel that it has been a good change. Going home now felt almost as an uncertainty. I had been away from my parents antics for months now, so to see them again in person brought much uncertainty.

I was in my own little world as we walked to the front door, but just as my hand was gripping the front door, an utterance of my name and the pulling of my other wrist had me turning away from the door. Harry was right behind me, inches maybe. My eyes rose from his chest which was my eye line up to his face, not before taking in the details of him. The tidbit of his collarbone that peeked out from behind his white t-shirt. The veins protruding on the side of his neck. The slight stubble on his chin from not shaving in a few days. The pinkness of his lips. And, lastly the vibrant green of his eyes. All things I shouldn’t be stuck on but couldn’t help myself by. I couldn’t.

We stood there for a beat, his eyes looking at me with an emotion I can’t read. Maybe he was going to miss me, and he was just going to say goodbye. That was normal enough. We weren’t going to see each other for two weeks. We had seen each other often over the past few days, so it seems weird to halt this new friendship we have going on. But, this must be normal for him — going periods of time without seeing people. Another thing that differs from us. Harry inched forward, and for a moment, I became immobilized. He wasn’t going to do anything that friends wouldn’t do. But, why would he be leaning forward like he is? He wouldn’t do what was flashing in my head as his face neared mine.

And he didn’t. Much to my relief, his head turned slightly. His lips planting a kiss on my cheek. Still, the action erupted a feeling in my chest — one that I didn’t want. And all too quickly but not soon enough, Harry pulled away, another bit of relief for me.

“Goodbye, Eden.”

His eyes watched mine, and I couldn’t help the small smile that found it’s way on to my lips.

“G’bye, Harry.”

And, with that and a smirk to grace Harry’s lips, he this time reached out, opened the door and walked out first. I followed out quietly, making my way out behind him. My eyes looking over his frame and continued to do so the entire span to my car as he walked towards him. Turning away to get in the passenger side of Ali’s car, Ali greeted me simply with a “you’re fucked,” in response to her guessed feelings of mine towards Harry. And with my scoff and rolling of my eyes, we pulled out of the driveway to begin our road trip home.

[tabbytabbytabby]

Christmas With You

Secret Santa gift for @skam-witness. Merry Christmas!! Hope you like it!  Read below or on AO3 @bisexualmctatenski

Theo is startled to find himself being woken up early on December 1st by Liam running into his room and jumping onto his bed. He groans and pulls the covers up over his face and tries to turn away from Liam.

Liam doesn’t seem the least bit phased, in fact he sounds far too happy for being up so early, “Come on Theo. Get up. We gotta go.”

“Is there an emergency?” Theo asks, not moving. If there was an emergency he doubts Liam would be so happy about it. But he can’t really see any other reason for Liam to be bothering him so early.

“No… but we still gotta go. It’s December 1st!”

“I’m glad you know what day it is. But I don’t see why that means I have to get out of bed.”

“Because it’s time to get the Christmas tree!” Liam says.

Theo peaks out at him from under the covers. Liam looks as happy as he sounds. It almost makes Theo get out of bed. Almost. But he’s tired and Liam interrupted some much needed rest so instead he covers his head back up with the blanket.

“Nope. No way,” Liam says, yanking at the covers and trying to pull them away from Theo’s face. When Theo pulls back Liam sighs, “Theo come on. We have to go get the Christmas tree.”

“I don’t see why you need me,” Theo says, “you’re more than capable of picking out a tree yourself.”

“Because my Mom wants us to. She never lets us have a real tree. It’s always been the same plastic one we’ve had since I was 8,” Liam says, “I’m not about to miss an opportunity to get a real tree just because you’re lazy and won’t drag your ass out of bed.”

“I’m not lazy,” Theo says, “It’s just fucking early.”

“That’s the whole point!”

“You’re one of those people who is weirdly obsessed with Christmas aren’t you?” Theo asks, finally removing the cover from his head so he can look at Liam.

“There’s nothing wrong with loving Christmas,” Liam says.

“Yeah but there’s loving Christmas and then there’s loving Christmas. Something tells me you're the second one.”

“It’s a great Holiday,” Liam tells him.

“Why because you get presents?”

“No,” Liam says, rolling his eyes when Theo raises an eyebrow saying he doesn’t quite believe him. “Not completely. No, it’s because of all that comes with it. The tree, the caroling, baking cookies, the sweaters, spending time with family and friends. All of it. Christmas just feels different than the rest of the year.”

“Fine,” Theo groans, “I’ll go. Just give me a few minutes to get dressed and get my head on straight.”

Liam grins, jumping up from the bed, “I’ll meet you downstairs. You have 15 minutes and then I’ll be coming back up here.”

“Fine fine. Now get out and leave me in peace to get ready.”

Theo waits until Liam is in the hall before checking his phone, groaning and falling back onto the pillows when he sees what time it is. “What the hell Liam? Why do we have to go tree shopping at 7 in the morning?”

Liam’s happy laughter reaches him from the stairs.

 Theo stares around the Christmas tree lot with wide eyes. He’s never been to one before and hadn’t been sure what to expect. The place is more massive than anything he could have imagined. He lost Liam a few minutes ago, the beta running off through the trees, excited and determined to find the perfect tree. He’s not worried, he knows Liam can’t have gone far but he still feels a little uneasy.

He closes his eyes, trying to block out the other noises and pinpoint Liam’s heartbeat. It’s not hard, he’s grown used to the sound. He finds Liam a few rows over, staring wide eyed up at one of the many trees.

“Find one?” Theo asks, stepping up next to Liam. He hasn’t looked at the tree yet, too focused on the childlike awe on Liam’s face.

Liam turns his gaze towards Theo, smile widening as he nods his head, his words coming out slightly breathless. “Yeah I think this is the one. It’s perfect. Don’t you think?”

Theo finally tears his gaze away from Liam and lets it fall on the tree. It’s tall but not so tall that it wouldn’t fit in the Geyer’s living room. All the trees in that lot have looked the same to Theo, and if Theo is honest he hardly sees a difference in this one. But Liam does so that’s enough to make it special.

So he just smiles at Liam, turning his head towards him, “Yeah it’s perfect.”

Liam is practically bouncing on his feet now as he glances around the lot, “Okay I’m going to go find someone. You stay here and watch the tree.”

“What’s it going to do? Wonder off?”

Liam narrows his eyes, his words coming out in a harsh whisper, “No but someone might try to take it, and the tree is ours.”

Theo tries to ignore the way his heart flutters at the word ours. Liam is back a few minutes later practically dragging a harried looking employee towards Theo and the tree. Theo feels kinda sorry for the girl.

“This!” Liam says, excitedly pointing at the tree. “This is the one!”

The girl sighs, running a hand down her face, “I told you I didn’t need to see it. You just had to bring me the tag…”

“I just wanted to be sure there was no confusion. This is the perfect tree.”

The girl looks from the tree over to Theo, who just smiles and shrugs as if to say ‘what can you do?’

The girl rolls her eyes before looking back to Liam, “It is perfect. Now why don’t you grab the tag so I can ring you up and your boyfriend here can watch the tree?”

Liam blushes and starts stuttering out a denial. Theo can feel his own face heating up, a warmth spreading through his chest at the word boyfriend. He knows the girl couldn’t care less about if they’re dating or not so he just puts on his most charming smile, resting a hand on Liam’s back, “That sounds great. Thank you.”

The girl nods, leading a still speechless, blushing Liam away.

Getting the tree back to the house isn’t as hard as it could be thanks to Theo’s truck, but it’s still an event just getting it to Theo’s truck. Liam is still flustered from before and any other time Theo would find it amusing but not when he’s carrying half of a massive Christmas tree. They’d declined help, Theo thinking they’d be more than capable of handling it themselves. He’s starting to regret that when Liam’s hands slip for the 5th time.

“Liam,” Theo growls, shifting his footing and trying to take more of the weight.

“Sorry!” Liam calls back, “I’m trying!”

“I know. We only have a little bit further until we’re to the truck so just hold on.”

They eventually make it back to the car and get the tree into the back. After that it’s easy going, Theo just has to drive the truck back home. He hopes Dr. Geyer is around. It’s not a long trip from the truck to the house but he’d rather not have a repeat performance of their experience carrying the tree to the truck.

Luckily Dr. Geyer is there and they make short work of getting the tree inside. Liam’s Mom is waiting in the living room with reindeer antlers on her head, what looks like tinsel around her neck, and boxes of decorations surrounding her. Theo smiles over at her, “I see you’re prepared.”

“That’s not even half of it,” Dr. Geyer whispers to Theo.

Theo chuckles, taking the string of lights that Liam hands him. Theo can’t say he doesn’t enjoy himself. Even when Liam somehow gets himself twisted in the lights and almost causes the tree to fall on Theo. It’s only Theo’s werewolf strength and Dr. Geyer stepping in to help while Jenna untangles the lights from Liam that stop the tree from falling.

After that it goes a lot smoother. They have the ornaments on the tree and then settle in to watch A Christmas Carol, one of Jenna’s favorite Christmas movies.

 Liam’s enthusiasm doesn’t waver as time goes on, if anything he gets even more excited. He wants to do as many Christmas things as possible and that means Theo gets dragged into it. From making Christmas cookies every other day to finding the tallest hill they can find and going sledding when it finally snows. Liam wants to do everything.

The second week of December Liam insists that they make gingerbread houses. Theo’s never made one but doesn’t say anything. He knows there would be no point. And surely Liam must know. How could he not? He’s already been so adamant about making this the best Christmas ever. Part of Theo wonders if all of this is for him. Liam’s little way of showing Theo a proper Christmas. But Liam never says so and Theo’s not about to bring it up. The hope and warmth still bloom in his chest at the thought of Liam doing something like this for him. So much that he doesn’t want to risk ruining it.

Theo is just happy that Liam is content with buying one of the premade boxes and doesn’t want to make his own gingerbread. Liam isn’t horrible in the kitchen but he’s not great either. Just the thought of how disastrous that could have turned out makes Theo snort.

The sound draws Liam’s attention, who turns his eyes away from where he’s decorating his house in order to look at Theo, “Something funny?”

Theo smirks, “I was just thinking about the disaster it would have been if you tried to make the gingerbread yourself.”

Liam points his tube of icing at Theo, “I’ll have you know I’m an excellent cook.”

“Liam,” Theo says, fighting back a smile, “I’ve seen you in the kitchen. You’re kind of helpless and a mess.”

“I am not!”

“You kind of are sweetie,” Jenna says, laughing and placing a kiss to the top of Liam’s head when Liam pouts. “It’s okay. We can’t all be master chefs.”

“I don’t even know where you learned to cook,” Liam says, leveling Theo with a look.

Theo shrugs, “I taught myself. Had to if I wanted to eat.”

“It just takes practice,” his Mom says before heading into the kitchen.

“Hard to practice if you won’t let me anywhere near the kitchen,” Liam mutters.

Theo reaches over, ruffling Liam’s hair and laughing when he growls and swats Theo’s hand away, “It’s okay Little Wolf. I can teach you to cook if you want.”

“Nope,” Liam says, “too late. I don’t want your help.”

“Liam…”

“No.”

“You know I was just messing with you, right?”

“Oh I know,” Liam says, squeezing his tube of icing and sending icing flying at Theo. Theo, not expecting it, doesn’t have time to move out of the way before it’s hitting him right in the face. Liam leans over, using his thumb to wipe some of the icing away before sticking his thumb in his mouth and sucking the icing off. Theo is left staring with wide eyes, mouth hanging open. Liam smirks, “And I’m just messing with you.”

Liam goes back to working on his gingerbread house without another word, looking far too pleased with himself. Theo just sits there staring, mind still processing what just happened. What the hell?

Jenna walks back into the room from the kitchen, tutting when she looks at Theo and hands him a napkin, “Theo dear, you have icing on your face.”

Theo nods, letting out a quiet thank you. He takes the napkin from her and wordlessly wipes the icing away. It’s still sticky. He’s going to have to wash his face after this. Needless to say his gingerbread house leaves a lot to be desired and Liam looks far too smug about it.

 The third week of December Liam pulls out the big guns, deciding they need to go caroling. Theo doesn’t agree. The last thing he wants to do is go door to door singing Christmas carols. But Liam looks so excited that Theo finds himself giving in a lot sooner than he would have liked. Liam, being Liam, insists that they all have to practice. He doesn’t want them showing up out of tune and embarrassing themselves.

Somehow practicing for caroling turns into Liam and his Mom dancing to Christmas music. He’s seen enough by now to know they both enjoy Christmas but this is something else.

“Are they always like this?” Theo asks, staring as Liam and his mother dance around the living room.

Dr. Geyer smiles, “They are. Liam loves Christmas. So does his mom.”

“What about you?” Theo asks, glancing over at the doctor.

“I like their enthusiasm.”

“Well they’re certainly not lacking in that.”

Dr. Geyer smiles, “No they’re certainly not.”

“David!” Jenna calls, getting the attention of her husband, “Come dance with me!”

He looks out Theo, shrugging his shoulders before walking over to join his wife. Theo watches as they twirl around the living room, laughing the whole time. Jenna looks over and sees Theo watching and waves her hand in a ‘come here’ gesture. Theo’s about to decline but then Liam beckons him over and Theo can’t quite say no.

At first it’s an upbeat dance, the four of them dancing around the living room to Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree. Theo is amused to find it’s the LeAnn Rimes version.

“Mom loves LeAnn Rimes,” Liam laughs, ducking under his parents arm and working his way back over to Theo, “she was in her fan club. I’m actually pretty sure she named me Liam because it was the closest she could get to LeAnn.”

“Oh hush you,” Jenna laughs, lightheartedly swatting at Liam’s arm.

Then the song changes, an unfamiliar slow song starting up. Theo is about to back away when he feels a hand hesitantly take his. He looks up to see Liam watching him, eyes wide and hopeful.

“The dancing isn’t over,” Liam says, stepping closer.

Theo finds himself nodding, taking a deep breath before hesitantly putting his hands on Liam’s hips as Liam hooks his arms around Theo’s neck. They start swaying to the music, both a little unsure in their movements. Liam quietly sings along to the music.

You're like an angel in the snow I knew you'd come but soon you'll go You have to leave but believe you'll be Frozen in my mind and back to life And back to life, and back to life Come winter time

Liam’s head moves to rest in the Theo’s neck, his breath ghosting across the skin there with every exhale. Theo feels his hands tremble slightly as he moves them from Liam’s hips to wrap around his back. Liam’s breath hitches for a moment but then he’s releasing it in a long exhale, moving in closer to Theo.

Theo glances over to see both the Geyer’s watching them, wide smiles on their faces. Feeling embarrassed Theo ducks his head, his cheeks heating up slightly.

“What’s wrong?” Liam asks, not bothering to lift his head.

“Nothing,” Theo says, then amends his statement when Liam pinches his shoulder, “Your parents are watching us.”

“God,” Liam whispers, “they’re shameless.”

Theo finds himself laughing, pulling Liam in tighter. He tries not to question it, not to let his mind wander to all the possibilities of what this could mean. He knows what he feels for Liam. He’s accepted it. He’s also accepted that it might be one sided. Then moments like this happen and his mind wants to start thinking of doing ridiculous things like moving his head enough to brush his lips against the exposed skin on Liam’s throat. Theo has to stop those thoughts. Stop them before he can’t fight them anymore and does something crazy like act on them.

 A while later Liam pulls out his guitar and starts playing even more Christmas music. Theo had known Liam could play but he has to admit he’s impressed by just how well. At one point Liam stops and looks at his audience, “Any requests?”

“Play that Ho Ho Hopefully song you like,” Jenna suggests, “I like that one.”

“By The Maine?” Jenna nods and Liam shrugs, “Sure.”

Jenna looks over at Theo and winks. Theo isn’t sure what to think of it until Liam starts singing and he realizes he recognizes the song. Enough to know for a fact that Liam is changing all the she’s to he’s as he’s singing, eyes not leaving Theo. Theo feels his heart speed up and just hopes it’s not noticeable to Liam. His eyes stay focused on Theo the whole time he sings, not wavering.

Ho ho hopefully this holiday will make us believe that We're exactly where we're supposed to be And we're ho ho hoping that We all come back and as a matter of fact I know I'm exactly where I need to be With you by this Christmas tree Together just you and me Together by the Christmas tree

When he finishes he puts the guitar down, still not looking away. Theo isn’t sure what to do with this. He feels exposed. He wants to run but he doesn’t. He stays, sure everything he feels is on full display but unable to stop it. He’s not sure if he wants to.

“What did you think Theo?” Jenna asks, breaking Theo out of his thoughts.

He still can’t look away, not when Liam’s gaze is so unwavering. “I like it,” Theo says, voice coming out slightly hoarse. He clears his throat, running a hand along the back of his neck as he tries to speak again, “It was nice. Your hands… you play really well.”

Liam smirks, running his fingers along the guitar, “I’ve had a lot of practice.”

He knows to anyone else it would seem like Liam is just talking about the guitar but Theo can see the glint in Liam’s eyes. Holy shit. Liam’s parents are sitting right next to him and Liam’s… god is he flirting? What is happening?

“He is very good with his hands,” Jenna says, hopefully unaware of the track Theo’s mind is taking, “always has been.”

Theo is feeling a little helpless. He’s never felt like this before and he’s not sure what to do with it. The only thing that helps Theo is that Liam doesn’t seem completely unphased. He can see Liam’s cheeks reddening slightly at his Mom’s comment.

Theo doesn’t want to be the first to break away but he’s also having trouble breathing. The weight of what all this means weighing on him. He makes some excuse, saying he needs more hot chocolate before fleeing into the kitchen. He had intended to make hot chocolate but as soon as he gets into the kitchen he heads for the counter, resting his arms on it as he tries to calm himself down.

He’s so wrapped up in his spiraling thoughts that he doesn’t notice someone else coming into the kitchen. At least not until Jenna puts her hand on his back, causing him to jump and turn around to face her. She gives him a smile that is far too understanding for his liking, “I’m not as oblivious as either of you would like to believe.”

“I don’t…” the denial is on the tip of his tongue but he can’t quite force it out. So he closes his mouth, crossing his arms across his chest. He’s not sure if it’s a defensive gesture or one of comfort.

Jenna just smiles, placing a hand on his arm, “It’s okay. Whatever you’re feeling, it’s okay Theo. I might not know everything you’ve been through but I know enough. I can tell you’re holding yourself back, whether that’s to protect yourself or him I don’t know. Probably both. But you don’t have to. A blind man could see how much you two love each other.”

Theo feels his breathing turn ragged again at the word love. Before that he hadn’t allowed himself to even think it. It’d been something abstract. Unattainable. Something he didn’t and doesn’t deserve.

Jenna must sense where his thoughts are going because she gives his arm a squeeze, obviously trying to ground him, “You’re allowed to love him, Theo. Just like you’re allowed to let yourself be loved in return. It’s okay to want those things. You deserve to be happy.”

“I don’t…”

“You do,” Jenna says, her tone of voice leaving no room for argument, “just something to think about. And you should.”

 Theo tries not to think about it but the thoughts somehow find their way in without his permission. Wondering if Jenna is right and he can be happy. That he stands a chance with Liam. On top of that there’s the simmering tension between him and Liam. It was there before, barely noticeable. But now it’s almost palpable. Neither one speak of it, but their looks linger more now. Neither one caring if the other sees.

The days pass until it’s finally December 21st, the day Liam designated for caroling. Theo, Liam, the Geyer’s, Mason, Corey, and Melissa all gather in the Geyer’s living room preparing to go out caroling. Liam had taken the whole thing very seriously and had designated everyone with specific songs, while also including group songs. Theo is feeling slightly nervous about having a solo, not used to singing all that much. But once Liam had heard Theo sing and found he could carry a tune he’d insisted.

Theo has more fun than he expected. Going into it he wasn’t sure how receptive people would be to carolers showing up on their doorstep. Sure, they have a few people shake their heads and slam the door in their faces but more often than not they get people being open to listen. Liam and Jenna’s love of Christmas must be infectious, spreading out and drawing people in.

When it’s time for Theo to sing he feels the nerves eating away at him. But then Liam is at his side, arm pressing against his as he smiles up at him, “Come on, I know you’ll do great.”

He takes a deep breath and starts singing Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas while Liam strums his guitar. Because of course Liam insisted on bringing it. It’s even better when Liam steps in and harmonizes with him. Warmth spreads through his chest when he hears how well their voices meld together.

He knows he’s supposed to be focusing on the people at the house they’ve stopped at, and he does, but his eyes still flick back to Liam of their own accord. When they finish there’s loud applause from the older couple standing in front of them.

“You two make the sweetest couple,” the woman says, patting Theo’s hand before he can make his retreat.

He’s at a loss of what to say. Everyone else has already walked down the driveway leaving Theo on his own. So he just gives her a tentative smile, “Thank you. But we’re not together.”

“The way you two look at each other you could have food me,” she says, winking at him, “I’d scoop him up if I were you.”

“Now now Alice,” the man says, “leave the poor boy alone. His friends are waiting and he needs to go.”

The man waves him off. Theo waves goodbye and starts down the drive, blushing when Alice calls after him, “What’s it you youngsters say? You should tap that!”

He seriously hopes no one else heard her. But considering he’s almost the group he doesn’t like his chances. Sure enough, there’s laughter from in front of him showing that at least a few of them heard.

“What the heck was that about?” Mason asks, looking up at the house confused.

“Nothing,” Theo mutters, “let’s go to the next house.”

He can feel Liam’s eyes on him as they walk to the next house but does his best to avoid meeting his gaze. His face still feels hot so Liam has to notice him blushing. He doesn’t say anything though. Besides Jenna’s not so quiet comment of “even the neighbors ship it,” the night passes without further incident.

 Theo can’t help but smile as he relaxes back on the couch. Liam is next to him examining the new video game he got from Mason while Mason and Corey are on the floor gathering up their presents. The rest of the pack had left almost an hour ago, heading home to spend the remaining hours of Christmas Eve with their families. The night had gone well. He can’t remember the last time he felt this happy about Christmas and he knows it’s all because of Liam.

“This has been the best Christmas in a long time,” Theo says, smiling over at Liam.

“What do you mean? You haven’t…” Liam stills, looking at Theo with wide eyes, “Oh, Oh shit. You mean you haven’t celebrated Christmas since…”

“Since I went to live with the Dread Doctors?” Theo asks, amusement clear on his face, “No. They weren’t real the Christmas type. To be honest my parents weren’t really either so… Wait. I thought you knew that?”

“No! I mean...I just…”

The two of them barely notice Mason and Corey slipping out the door, sharing knowing smiles.

Theo’s brow furrows, “Then all this Christmas stuff?”

“I just really like Christmas!”

“Oh…” Theo looks down at his hands, suddenly feeling like an idiot. He doesn’t know why he let himself hope that Liam was doing all this Christmas stuff for him. He sighs, getting ready to stand up but Liam’s hand on his arm stops him.

“I would have still done this if I knew,” Liam says, “and more. I would have done so much more to give you the perfect Christmas.”

“You’ve already done enough Liam,” Theo says, “you let me into your home and into your life. You showed me all the things you love about Christmas and made me start to love it as well. You’ve given me so much. Probably more than I deserve.”

“No,” Liam says, “you deserve all that and more.”

Theo looks at Liam for a moment before deciding to take a risk, “There is one Christmas tradition we haven’t tried yet.”

Liam’s brow burrows, “Which one?”

Theo pulls out the branch of mistletoe he saw Lydia hide beside the couch earlier, knowing this was probably here plan all along, and holds it above his head, “This one.”

It feels like an eternity as he waits for Liam’s reaction. Watching as Liam’s eyes widen as he takes in the mistletoe and then a wide grin spreads across his face, “I think that’s another tradition I can get behind.”

Theo’s eyes track Liam’s every movement, watching as he slowly leans into Theo’s space, stopping when their lips are barely an inch apart, “Yeah?”

Liam smiles, licking his lips, “Yeah.”

Theo isn’t sure who moves first but the next moment they’re kissing, Liam’s lips brushing softly against his, almost hesitant in their movement. They pull back, eyes flicking across the other’s face before they’re moving in again. This time there’s no hesitation. Theo moves a hand to Liam’s waist, pulling the beta closer until they’re falling back. Theo’s back hits the couch and Liam is quick to follow, crawling on top of him and fitting their lips together again.

“You’ve been a menace,” Theo tells him in between kisses, “teasing me the way you have.”

“I was just hoping you would cave,” Liam says, moving his mouth to Theo’s throat licking and biting his way down, “been wanting this for so long.”

“You should have ah--,” Theo gasps when Liam’s teeth brush over a particularly sensitive spot on his neck, “said something.”

“Was waiting for you to make the first move,” Liam mutters, glancing up at Theo, “I didn’t want to push you for something you weren’t ready for.”

“I’m ready now,” Theo tells him, running a hand through Liam’s hair.

Liam smiles and leans into it, moving back up until he can kiss Theo again.

“I love you,” Theo breathes out, the words slipping past his lips without his permission. He finds he doesn’t care. He loves Liam and as happy as it would make him to have Liam say the words back, he doesn’t need to hear them. Not when he has Liam like this.

Liam’s knuckles brush across Theo’s cheek, a soft private smile on his face, “I love you too. Don’t ever doubt that.”

They both jump when they hear a quiet “aww” from the hallway followed by what sounds like a smack and then quiet whispers. The two share a look before Liam sighs, putting his head on Theo’s chest, “Seriously guys?”

A moment later Jenna walks in followed by Mason, Corey, Lydia, Scott, Derek, Malia, and Stiles.

“I thought you guys left,” Theo says, frowning at the group.

“We did,” Scott says, grinning down at them, “but then we came back when Mason texted saying he was sure you two were about to get together finally.”

“And I was already on my way back home after dropping dinner off with your Dad at the hospital,” Jenna says, “I’m happy to see you’ve both came to your senses.”

“Seriously,” Stiles says, wrinkling his nose, “the tension between you two was so bad tonight even I could smell it and I’m human.”

“Are you sure you weren’t just smelling your own lust for Derek?” Liam asks, lifting his head up enough to look over at Stiles.

Stiles shrugs, “Nah that would have been more simmering considering we had sex before we came over.”

Derek sighs, running a hand down his face, “I’m sure they didn’t need to know that Stiles.”

“Liam’s the one that brought it up.”

“Only to get you off my back,” Liam says.

Stiles opens his mouth to say something but Lydia speaks before he gets a chance, “We’re just glad that you’ve figured things out.”

“Yeah man, we just want you to be happy,” Scott says, looking from Liam to Theo, “both of you.”

Theo feels his throat tightening at the same time the weight on his chest gives, figuratively at least considering Liam still hasn’t moved. He’s not sure how to respond. The pack’s easy acceptance of his relationship with Liam isn’t something he expected. He certainly hadn’t counted on them shipping it as Jenna had said.

“Thank you,” Theo says finally, the words coming out a quiet whisper.

Liam reaches over, lacing their fingers together and giving a small squeeze. That small comfort is enough.

 Theo expects to wake up warm and content in Liam’s arms on Christmas morning.  Maybe trade a few soft kisses before they head downstairs to open presents. He really should have known better. Instead he’s being woken up at an ungodly hour by Liam who practically drags Theo from his bed and downstairs to the living room. Liam leaves and then returns a moment later with 2 Christmas sweaters in hand. He starts pulling at Theo’s shirt until Theo complies and lifts his arms. Once the shirt is discarded Liam is pulling the Christmas sweater over his head.

“Why do I have to wear this?” Theo grumbles, rolling his eyes when he looks down to see a wolf with a Santa hat on.

The one Liam puts on looks almost exactly the same, except his is red where Theo’s is blue, “It’s a Christmas tradition.”

Theo sighs, looking around the room. Not even Liam’s parents are there yet. They’re that early.

“Liam are your parents even awake?” Theo asks, trying and failing to stifle a yawn.

“I think they are,” Liam says, “I thought it would take more effort to get you up though I haven’t checked.”

“You woke me first?”

“I was excited! Now that I know it’s your first Christmas in a while I wanted to do it right”

Theo sighs, falling back onto the couch and closing his eyes. Maybe he can take a nap while he waits on the Geyer’s to get downstairs…

“What? No! You can’t sleep! Theo!” Liam starts pulling on Theo’s arm trying to get him to stand up.

This time Theo doesn’t budge. He cracks an eye open to look at Liam, too tired to even smirk at Liam’s disgruntled frown.

“Oh leave him be Liam,” Jenna’s voice reaches them from the bottom of the stairs, “I’m going to put on some coffee and then we can do presents.”

“But if he sleeps…”

“I’m not going to sleep,” Theo says, using Liam’s hold on his arm to pull him down on the couch. He doesn’t think it through because Liam loses his balance and practically falls on Theo’s lap. Theo grunts at the impact, but doesn’t let go. Instead he pulls Liam closer, smoothing a hand down his back. “Relax Liam.”

He’s surprised when Liam actually listens, moving around slightly until he’s settled comfortably in Theo’s lap. Liam’s yawn against his neck let’s Theo know Liam is just as tired as he is.

“I’m not going to sleep,” Liam mumbles. He doesn’t sound very convincing at all.

Theo just smiles and settles more comfortably into the couch, only planning to rest his eyes for a few minutes. At least until Jenna and the doctor come in with their coffee. When he next opens his eyes the first thing he notices that the room is brighter than before. The next thing is the solid weight on his lap. Liam. Liam is still on him. No, Liam is sleeping on him.

How had Liam fallen asleep? It had only been a few minutes. Realistically Theo knows better. It has to have been more than a few minutes if the sun is as high in the sky as it is and Liam had the opportunity to fall asleep. Theo knows that Liam can fall asleep pretty quick but not that quick.

He hears a quiet chuckle and looks up to see Jenna sitting in the armchair across from him, “How long have we been out?”

‘A few hours,” She says, her lips twitching with amusement.

“A few hours?” Theo asks, glancing down at Liam, “why didn’t you wake us?”

“You both looked so peaceful. We didn’t want to disturb you. David went back to sleep once we realized you’d both fallen asleep.”

“But you didn’t?”

“No. I decided I might as well get some reading done,” Jenna tells him, showing him the book in her hands, “I stayed here in case you two woke up.”

“Liam isn’t going to be happy you let him sleep,” Theo tells her.

They’re not being all that quiet but Liam hasn’t even stirred except to snuggle in closer to Theo. He’s already practically glued to him so Theo isn’t sure how he can get any closer but Liam seems determined.

“I’m going to go wake David if you want to attempt to wake Liam up,” she says, putting her book down and standing up.

“You just don’t want to deal with Liam when he wakes up and realizes you let him sleep,” Theo jokes.

Jenna laughs, ruffling Theo’s hair as she goes by, “Absolutely not. He’s your boyfriend now so I’ll leave that to you.”

“Coward.”

“Good luck!”

Then she’s gone, her laughter fading as she makes her way up the stairs. Theo stares down at Liam, trying to decide the best way to go about waking him.

“Liam,” Theo says, running a hand through the beta’s hair, “Liam it’s time to get up.”

Liam groans burying his face into Liam’s neck, “No. Don’t wanna.”

Theo lets out a quiet chuckle, “Weren’t you the one all excited about Christmas a few hours ago?”

“Christmas?!” Liam shoots out of Theo’s lap so fast he almost stumbles back into the Christmas tree, “I missed Christmas? Where are my parents?”

“Upstairs,” Theo tells him, “they’ll be down in a few minutes.”

“But they were already down here.”

“And then we fell asleep so your Mom stayed down here to read while the doctor went upstairs to get a few more hours of sleep since he has to work again tonight.”

Liam pouts, “But it’s Christmas. We’re supposed to get up early and open presents.”

“It’s still barely 9 Liam,” his Mom says walking back into the room, her husband right behind her, “now stop pouting and sit down. We’ll get the gifts taken care of.”

Theo is surprised by the gifts he gets. He had expected a few, sure. He knows Jenna wasn’t going to let him go without. He basically gets a whole new wardrobe though. New shirts and jeans, even a few comfortable looking sweaters. Jenna sees Theo running his hands along one of the sweaters and smiles, “I know you still don’t have much in terms of clothes so I thought I’d go the useful route this year. I’m usually pretty good at guessing sizes but if any of it doesn’t fit or you don’t like it I still have the receipts.”

Theo looked up at her with a smile, “I love them. Thank you.”

Theo feels nervous when Dr. Geyer hauls over the present he got for Liam, sitting it down in front of the beta who is now sitting next to Theo. Liam’s brow furrows slightly as he takes in the size of the present, “What the hell, Theo?”

“You’re saying that and you haven’t even opened it yet,” Theo says, playing with the sweater that’s still in his hands.

Liam gives him one more questioning look before he starts ripping off the wrapping paper. When it’s off his jaw drops. He stares at the gift for what feels like ages without saying a word before turning his wide eyed stare to Theo, “A guitar case? Are you serious?”

Theo shrugs, trying to brush it off as nothing, “I saw you eyeing it when we went to the Thrift Store a few weeks ago. It wasn’t that expensive so I went back and got it. Melissa agreed to keep it at her house for me until it was closer to Christmas. Do you like it?”

Liam starts sputtering out a response until he gives up, shaking his head and throwing himself into Theo’s arms. Theo lets out a surprised “oomph!” as he catches Liam, the two of them falling back onto the couch. Liam kisses him, fast and messy, clearly feeling no embarrassment about his parents still being in the room.

Eventually Liam pulls back, placing one more gentle kiss on Theo’s lips. He doesn’t go far, staying with his head resting on Theo’s shoulder as Jenna hands him another gift, “This one is from Liam.”

He feels Liam tense for a moment as Theo takes the gift in his hands. The box is small and Theo really has no idea what could be in it. He’s even more confused when he unwraps it to find a simple jewelry box.

Theo smirks over at Liam, “You proposing to me Little Wolf?”

Liam’s face turns red as he gestures to the box, “Just open the box.”

Theo does as he’s instructed, brow furrowing when he pulls out a simple key, “A key?”

“Yeah,” Liam says, running his hands down his pajama pants nervously, “a key to an apartment. I thought… well this was obviously before we got together. But I thought we could move in together. I know you love my parents and so do I but we’re both about to be in college and I thought it would be nice. I kind of hoped at some point it would be as more than friends. I wasn’t expecting... “Liam takes a deep breath, “I know it’s an even bigger step now that we’re together. So if you don’t want to...”

It’s Theo’s turn to kiss Liam, trying to silence any doubt Liam could have, “It is a big step. But I want to take it with you.”

Liam grins, leaning his forehead against Theo’s, “This is more than I ever expected.”

“I know,” Theo says, unable to keep the smile off his face. “Me too. But I’m happy we’re here.”

“Me too.”

There’s the muffled sound of someone blowing their nose, causing the pair to look over. They see Jenna being held by Dr. Geyer, wiping at her eyes. Liam’s eyes widen as he takes in the state of his mother, “Mom, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Jenna says, waving her hand in their direction, “I’m just so happy for you two.”

The three men laugh before Dr. Geyer leads his wife away, leaving Theo and Liam alone. Liam pushes Theo until he’s laying down and then curls up with his back against the couch, arm slung loosely across Theo’s stomach and his head on Theo’s chest.

“We should probably move upstairs if you want to sleep,” Theo says, carding his hand through Liam’s hair.

“Hmm but I’m comfy here,” Liam says, rubbing his cheek across the fabric of Theo’s shirt.

Theo smiles, placing a kiss to the top of Liam’s head. He knows they should move but he can’t be bothered to care right now. He has Liam in his arms, the certainty of a future with him he didn’t have before. For the first time in a long time Theo has something to be grateful for at Christmas, something to hold onto, and he’s never been happier.

[eldestlynch]

Home for the Holidays

So I’m very sorry for the delay in your gift (things have been hectic and a mess) but thank you for waiting, @nymphhadora ! This is your @pynchsecretsanta​ gift from me and I hope you like it.

I have more plans for it, so stay tuned!

-

The car ride down to Henrietta was quiet. Not uncomfortably so, a fact for which Ronan was grateful; it was the kind of silence that meant he wasn’t having to engage in a forced conversation. That’s how it always was with Adam Parrish, though; at least, that’s how it had been since a year ago when, having known Adam for all of ten minutes, Ronan had less-than-politely requested that he cut the bullshit. Adam had obliged, seeming relieved, and they had tolerated each other since then.

Tolerating each other last year had meant choosing each other for partner presentations in their entry-level courses because at least they had an established set of boundaries that they both agreed on. It had meant studying for tests together, eating lunch together, spending time together to get other people to leave them alone. Tolerating each other last year had meant picking the other as a roommate for their sophomore year, because there was a mutual expectation of civility that they had already established.

This year, tolerating each other seemed to stand in as a synonym for “lying for me to everyone I love because they think I have a boyfriend and I, in fact, do not”.

A noise like the call of a raven sounded through the car; Ronan’s phone. He glanced down at the cupholder, where it was resting; he then brought his eyes back to the road.

“Can you see who that’s from?”

The question was directed at Adam, and he shifted in his seat, sitting up straighter. He reached for the phone.

“What’s your password?”

Ronan frowned. “What?”

“Isn’t it locked?”

A full second passed before Ronan answered, feeling stupid, “You can do that?”

It made him like Adam a little more when he didn’t laugh; he just made a noise of affirmation and went to check the message.

“It’s from… the middle finger emoji?”

Ronan let out a short, harsh laugh at the sound of confusion in Adam’s voice.

“Declan,” he explained, and a short oh of realization from the passenger seat followed. “So what does it say?”

“Basically, just wh--”

“Verbatim,” Ronan interrupted, knowing that whatever came out of Adam’s mouth was likely to be a little… sugar coated.

A little lie.

Adam sighed, but he read it word for word: “‘Ronan, what the fuck. You’re already an hour late, don’t fuck this up.’ God.”

The inside of his cheek, bitten; hands, clenched on the wheel. Trying to reign it in, trying to remember what he learned about being mindful in therapy. Fuck it.

“Tell him I decided to take Christmas vacation in Leeds,” he said sarcastically. The car was moving faster, now, though he had no recollection of deciding to speed up.

“Hey, no,” Adam protested immediately. “I’m not getting into this shit, Ronan. I’ll just. Tell him we’re almost there.”

Ronan waved one hand in a fine, whatever gesture. He got it; it wasn’t Adam’s business. None of this was Adam’s business, but he had been dragged into it. Ronan had gotten a text from his dear older brother a couple of weeks ago that had started this whole event.

Declan: Are you bringing your boyfriend to the Barns for Christmas?

Ronan had had a mini-panic attack. He hadn’t known what the fuck Declan was talking about, didn’t remember telling him a lie, and was feeling knots in his stomach until he remembered his “double date” with his best friends a few days prior. Henry Cheng had accidentally implied that he, Blue, and Gansey were Ronan’s only friends, and in his haste to prove otherwise, Ronan had suggested that he was closer friends with Adam Parrish than he was. Gansey immediately invited the close friend that Ronan had never technically said existed on an outing.

It had involved asking his roommate for a favor. After a few days of dancing around the topic, Adam had confronted him, asking why are you acting so strange, Lynch? It was then, with great reluctance, that Ronan had explained that he needed Adam to go with him to see Gansey, Blue, and Henry.

“This is a really fucking weird way to ask someone to hang out,” Adam had said, and shrugged. “Sure.”

The only problem was that when they got there, Ronan and Adam discovered something. Apparently, all three of his friends had gotten the impression that they were dating, not just friends, and after a panic attack in the bathroom, Adam had agreed to act the part. This was contingent on Ronan eventually telling one small lie - that, sometime after the fact, they had broken up amicably.

Then they exited the bathroom, rejoined the group, and had a wonderful time. For Ronan, meant faking enjoyment for the better part of the evening until he realized that Adam actually was very good company, and got along with his friends. Everything would have been fine if not for the fact that everyone else thought Adam was great company, too, and Gansey had proclaimed that the five of them needed to hang out again and soon.

Ronan knew he should have just cleared it up then. He knew it was going to come back to bite him in the ass, and there it was, in the form of Declan’s inquiry. He had sent Gansey a message immediately.

Ronan: did you tell dec that i had a boyfriend

It was a few minutes before he got a response, and the anxiety was ebbing; ebbing, but being replaced by an irrational amount of anger. The longer he waited for a text back, the more it grew, filling him. He kicked his bed frame, and his phone made a noise in response.

Gansey: Yes! I thought it would be a great idea for Adam to come down with us for Christmas.

Ronan: what the fuck

Another favor asked of Adam, another promise that after it was over he would make something up about how they’d broken up (or just tell the truth, as strange as that sounded), and another reluctant-yet-sincere expression of gratitude.

The week leading up to the drive down to Virginia had consisted of Ronan giving Adam basic info about his family. It didn’t sound like much, but the most important things seemed very hard to say. He hadn’t actually said that his parents were both dead until the morning of their departure.

“That might have been important to, I don’t know, tell me?” Adam hadn’t been pleased, but Ronan shrugged.

“You know now, right? So whatever.”

“Our relationship is never going to work out if we don’t communicate. I was preparing to meet your parents,” Adam said, sarcastically. He knew, as soon as he said it, that it was a really bad joke to make, but he was mad; and, as things so often went when he was mad, he had briefly lost control of his mouth.

Ronan froze in the doorway, his hand on the knob. He slowly turned, a sick smile on his face.

“Oh, it would have been great if my parents were there to meet you,” he said harshly, and left for the car.

“Ronan, wait, I didn’t mean -- I’m sorry,” Adam called after him, and sighed. He had sat down on his bed in exasperation, checking his watch; they were going to be late.

And late they were.

Ronan pulled into the gravel driveway and turned off the car. There was an orange Camaro that looked like it shouldn’t run; Adam already knew this belonged to Gansey. There was also a silver luxury sedan that Adam assumed belonged to Declan.

Ronan sat for awhile, just looking at the house, hand tight on the steering wheel while the other rested on his thigh. Adam kept watching the clock; they had been an hour late when Declan had texted his brother, and it had taken them thirty more minutes to get there (though Adam wasn’t convinced that it wasn’t Ronan’s spite that made it take longer). Now they were waiting for no reason Adam could see, and he was about to say something when Ronan spoke.

“Recap. Go.”

“Matthew is your younger brother; he’s still in high school down here, he plays sports. Declan is your older brother, and he’s in politics and also you don’t get along because he expects more from you than you can give and he doesn’t understand your goals.”

Ronan turned to stare.

“I never said that.”

“Am I wrong?” Adam challenged, and Ronan scowled.

“Just keep going.”

“Gansey’s been your friend since you were little, if he’s being pretentious it isn’t on purpose, and he’s a history nut. Blue is his girlfriend, she’s a feminist, and her family’s psychic but she isn’t. Henry is their boyfriend, he’s obnoxious but means well, and he’s really cool but sometimes has boundary issues. Also, your whole family is super Catholic. Declan might have a girlfriend, he might not; don’t mention it either way. That about it?”

“Hm… Good enough,” Ronan said, hand on the door handle. “I guess you’re ready to have a Lynch Family Christmas (™).”

He actually said the letters ™ out loud, and Adam rolled his eyes, but he smiled as they got out of the car. He hung behind Ronan, letting him get the door. Warmth rushed out onto the porch, along with an excited “Ro!”, and Ronan was immediately enveloped in a hug. All Adam could make out of the assailant was a floof of blonde hair; Matthew, then.

“Hey, how you doing, Mattie?” Ronan said through a mouthful of hair. He pulled away, smiling for the first time all day. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas!” Matthew replied cheerfully. He glanced behind Ronan. “Is this - ?”

“This is Adam,” Ronan clarified.

“Nice to meet -- “ Adam began, but was interrupted by an unexpected hug from the youngest Lynch.

“Merry Christmas,” Matthew told him, arms around Adam’s shoulders. “Welcome to the family!”

“I-- merry Christmas, “Adam finally responded. He gave Ronan a confused look, which was met with a shrug and a small smile.

Ronan clapped Matthew on the back.

“Come on, let’s go in. If I’m any later, I think Dec’ll have a heart attack.”

They started to go in, and Adam followed in after, shutting the door behind them. As the brothers continued to go through the house, undoubtedly looking for the third Lynch, Adam took in his new surroundings. It was warm, and not just the temperature; it looked like a home, and he felt weird being there. The living room was just to the right after entering, and there sat Gansey, Blue, and Henry, playing some sort of card game on the coffee table.

“I win,” Blue proclaimed, slamming a card down onto a haphazard pile.

Now that Adam was closer, he could tell they were playing Uno. Gansey had just laid his cards down in defeat when he looked up. A wide smile began to spread across his face.

“Adam! It is so good to see you. Come sit!” He immediately scooted closer to Blue on the couch, making room for the newest arrival.

“Hey, Gansey. Guys,” he said in acknowledgement to the others. “Playing Uno?”

“Getting our asses kicked at Uno,” Henry clarified. “Blue has won the past four games.”

“I can’t help it you have the worst luck,” she laughed.

“It’s not luck if you keep using all your draw two and draw four cards on me!”

“Then it’s your fault for sitting there,” came the retort.

Adam smiled. “You guys seem like you’re having fun. Sorry we’re late.”

Gansey’s brow furrowed.

“Yes, we were worried. Was the drive down okay?”

Adam thought back to the argument that had led to the first couple of tense hours in the car, and then the inevitable clash over radio music before a final, easy two hours of travel where he and Ronan weren’t at each other’s throats.

“Yeah. It was fine, we just left later than we meant to.” He sat down on the edge of the cushion, looking at the cards scattered across the table.

He wasn’t sure what sort of Uno they had been playing; he saw a few cards that were obviously from different Uno versions, as well as cards that appeared to have come from a regular 52 card deck. He picked up the deck and started thumbing through it; there were a couple of Pokemon cards, and one Yu-Gi-Oh! card. He put the deck back, not asking for an explanation. From what he knew of them, he didn’t need one, really.

“Did Ronan come in with you?” Gansey asked idly. “I was so focused on the game that I didn’t notice.”

“I think he went to go find Declan,” Adam replied, leaning back as far as he would allow himself to as a guest. “I should probably be with him, but the idea of meeting Ronan’s older brother is scarier than I’d like to admit.”

“Declan’s really not that bad,” Blue offered, beginning to stack all the cards together. “Once you get to know him, anyway. He’s just…”

“Stressed,” Gansey said at the same time Henry said, “Stressful.”

“That,” Blue agreed. “But you shouldn’t be scared, Adam. You’re Ronan’s boyfriend, so even if he doesn’t like you, he’ll pretend to to your face.”

“That’s… comforting.”

“Is it?” Gansey frowned. “I’d much prefer having someone be straightforward with me. That’s a problem I have almost always had with Declan.”

“I think he was being sarcastic,” Henry said, and Adam nodded.

“Oh. Well, then, there you have it.” Gansey gave a sheepish smile. “You would think I would be better at reading tone, but, no. In any case; Adam, would you like to join us for another round of Uno?”

As he was formulating a response that explained why he was unable to join them - mostly because he was too afraid to ask how you played this version with all the extra cards - Adam heard his name being yelled from the other direction. Relieved to have been saved from admitting that he didn’t know everything, he stood quickly.

“Sounds like I’m wanted by the Lynches.”

Henry smiled grimly. “Good luck with Declan!” Then he started shuffling the deck.

Walking away, Adam heard Henry saying, “Okay, so right of the dealer gets seven cards… that means you get six, Gansey, and I get five.” He shook his head; maybe if he just sat down a watched them play for a little while, he could pick it up, because he was definitely curious now; he just hated asking.

He followed the sound of his name as it was called again; it sounded like Matthew, and it led Adam out of the den and past the front door. He ended up in the doorway of a wide kitchen, mainly lit by the natural light coming in from the huge window above the stove and the sink.

Matthew was sitting on the counter by the sink, trying to kick his legs back and forth without hitting the cabinets beneath him; it wasn’t really working, and he would accidentally kick the wood sporadically. A toothy grin followed, every time.

Ronan was standing next to him, arms crossed so that his hands were hidden in the crook of them. He was joking with Matthew, but Adam could see the lingering of an argument in his careful expression. Ronan and Declan had probably been having words while Adam was in the other room.

There was someone else in the room that Adam had only seen in pictures: Declan Lynch. He was just the smallest bit shorter than Ronan was, but his authoritative aura made the difference negligible. Anyone could tell who the oldest of the family was.

“Hello,” Adam said evenly.

Declan glanced up at him from his phone. He set it down and strode forward, offering his hand to Adam.

“You must be Ronan’s boyfriend; I’m Declan, his older brother.”

They shook hands; they were both firm and overly long. Adam felt like he was signing himself into some sort of lifelong contract; for all he knew, Declan thought that was what was happening.

“I’m Adam. It’s nice to finally meet you.” Adam kept his words stilted, formal; it was his go-to in all new situations. For a brief moment, he worried that Declan was going to find it weird or off-putting; the moment after that, he realized it didn’t matter. He was probably never going to see Declan again, after the holidays were over.

“Likewise.”

The phone on the counter vibrated against the surface, and Declan left Adam in the doorway. Ronan glanced at his brother before coming over to stand next to Adam.

“What were you doing?” he whispered furiously. “Declan’s been bugging me about meeting you for fucking days, Parrish.”

“Sorry,” Adam said lamely. “I was talking to Gansey.”

“Just -- okay. Okay.” Ronan sighed. “Look, just remember th--”

“Oh! You guys gotta kiss!” Matthew jumped down from the counter, drawing their gaze.

“We have to what, now?” Ronan looked like a deer in headlights.

His brother pointed to the door frame, and they followed the line of sight: mistletoe, hanging right above their heads. Adam brought his gaze back down to Ronan’s face. He saw Ronan’s jaw, tensed; face, paling; eyes, wide. He couldn’t say for sure what thoughts were going through the other’s head, but Adam knew what he was thinking.

He didn’t want to kiss Ronan, and he highly doubted Ronan wanted to be kissed. He didn’t know the family well enough to know whether or not they would make a big deal out of not kissing, whether or not they would ask questions. Adam had to act quickly, pleasing Ronan’s family while not making Ronan super uncomfortable.

He leaned in and kissed Ronan gently on the cheek. When he pulled away, he saw an entirely new expression on his roommate’s face: a weird mix of left-over fear, along with a hefty amount of surprise, and the smallest, hardest-to-see pinch of pure gratitude and relief.

Now he just had to keep it up for a week.

[shirtlesssammy]

13x04: The Big Empty

Then:

What gets burned, stays dead. NOT! TOTALLY NOT! SPOILERS: CAS IS ALIVE! CAS IS BACK!!!

Now:

Did I mention CAS IS BACK!???!

Oh wait, first the intro:

Dude in Madison, WI comes home to a not quite empty house. It seems his late, great wife is waiting in the dark for him. He’s not acting nearly as weirded out as he should.

And he gets a nice, deep gut stab for his efforts.

At the bunker, Dean is NOT journaling.

Sam comes back from a supply run, and tries to make small talk. Dean briefs his brother on the case. Sam suggests they bring Jack along, but Dean is adamant that he stay behind. Then he takes a dig at Sam’s desire to find their mom. Sam points out, “So you’re saying you want to move on….from Mom.” Angry Brother Stares. Dean just wants to work a case. Whew, there’s so much NOT BEING SAID HERE. It’s like there’s a BIG EMPTY space in their conversation.

Sam goes to check on Jack, who’s holed up in his room watching Clone Wars.

Sam asks Jack if he wants to come along and work the case with them. “No.” (I laughed at the delivery of that line SO much.) Jack throws some nice shade at his “interdimensional can-opener” status --letting Sam know that he heard the brothers’ conversation. Sam makes it clear that, yes, he wants his mom back, but Sam still cares about Jack, even if they can’t get Mary back. Sweet Nougat Jack is still out there breaking our hearts with how innocent and wonderful he is. He worries about Dean wanting to kill him, but Sam reassures him that he will not let that happen.

Madison, WI

Team Free Nougat pulls up to the victim’s -Wes Bailey- house. Dean gives the rundown. Jack questions the moral exactitude of the whole FBI schtick. The brothers give Jack some exposition on ghosts and revenants. Jack wears a cute little tan coat very reminiscent of one TOTALLY NOT DEAD angel.

The brothers interview the neighbor lady, while Jack heads into the victim’s house to discover a dried pool of blood, with an evidence tag next to it. I think he deserves an upgrade to Detective Nougat!

Sam gives Jack a lesson on the EMF reader, which does not register a ghost. So: Revenant! They all head to the graveyard that night, and Dean makes Jack do the heavy lifting (literally), and dig the grave. 

Sam accuses Dean of being just like their dad. Oof, that’s a loaded accusation. Dean lays it out clearly: He’s not going to be a mom to Jack. He’s not going to care for him like he did for Sam. Plus, the kid can dig. So, yay!

Once Jack is done digging the grave, they find a body. No revenant then. Weirdsies. They salt and burn to be on the safe side. Because, “What gets burned, stays dead.”

CAAAAAASSSSSSS!!!!!!

Rich, white lady blows a tire on HIGHWAY(We’re in Wisconsin, you heathens) route 19, and just as she’s talking to roadside assistance, her son from beyond the grave pays her a visit, and uses the very effective blood cannon on her. Bits of her all over the windshield!

Sam and Dean check out the new crime scene, but with no EMF, they’re baffled.

CAAAAAAASSSSSS!!!!

Our darling baby in a trenchcoat is wandering around a big, dark nothing, calling out to no one. Well, almost no one, something manifests itself from the nothingness.

Jack, meanwhile, continues to be the cutest devil baby/son/intern ever, I swear. Sam connects the vics to a grief counselor. Dean mocks traditional forms of grief management.

Dean: She’s one Kool-aid away from Jonestown. Me, an intellectual: Actually it was Flavor-aid. (Is that how that meme works? Gah, in any event, I’m a nerd and hate that common misnomer.)    

Dean surmises that the shrink is a medium. They need to check it out --but not as FBI agents. What’s this fractured family to do? 

Family therapy!

Jack gets the ball rolling by admitting to the therapist that he recently lost his mother. Sam steps in and admits they’re brothers (Sorry Adam!), and they need help processing their grief.

Mia, the therapist, leads them to a room, and asks them about their loss. “Well, Mom was great, now she’s dead. What’s the deal with catharsis?” Yeah, Dean decides to not keep up appearances. Mia is less than pleased, but Sam smoothes things over. Dean gets even punchier (Dean “deflection” Winchester so totally journals) (also, Sam says that Dean’s not processing his grief but Dean says he is, but Sam questions that, and Dean says that he knows that their mom is dead, but I’m thinking that Sam didn’t necessarily mean their mom, because Dean can clearly admit that their mom is dead, and yet there’s a totally BIG EMPTY space of someone that Dean can’t really admit to being dead, someone whose death he isn’t processing, I’m just saying), and admits that Sam is delusional, and thinks their mom is alive. Sam then unleashes some MUCH NEEDED anger and grief. He never had her as a mom. He’s jealous of the time Dean had with her. (I’ve seen gifsets and arguments for and against the feelings Sam is having. Why didn’t he make more of an effort to reach out to Mary? Are his feelings of abandonment justified?)

Sam leaves to drink some vegetable water and find the remnants of a shapeshifter in the bathroom. Shapeshifter! I knew it began with an ‘S’! (Tumblr, you failed me trying to find a gif of Harry Christmas saying “Samsonite!” I’m not old, you’re old.)

Dean tries to cover the awkward silence while they wait with a heavy swig of hunter’s helper. Spoiler: It’s not helping. Sam bursts in, gun drawn, announcing that Mia’s a shifter. She pleads with them --yes, she’s a shifter, but she’s never killed anyone. She’s helping people --she shifts into the person that her patients have lost (That’s just wrong, and also, I’d like to see my cat again please :’() Dean drops the hard truths that her patients are dead. Mia is shocked. She has an alibi, and she swears, she’s telling them the truth.

Back in darkness, Cas wanders through the night-black plain. He seems...perturbed. He turns to find a copy of himself coalescing into being. The copy of Cas smirks at him and introduces himself as a celestial entity who took his form because Cas would “freak out, rip out your own eyes, etcetera.” Cas asks him where they are and the entity tells him that before everything on Earth – before gods and all - there was nothing. Emptiness. That's where Cas is right now, along with every single angel and demon who's died. They're all sleeping snug in their beds for all eternity. Everyone except for Cas and this grouchy entity of the Empty.

This fun entity, so very snarky, reminds me (and several others on Tumblr apparently) of the character Q from Star Trek. Q was hugely powerful and completely a dick...rather like this entity. Thus, shall he be named...Qstiel.

Qstiel demands to know why Castiel is awake. Cas makes a wild guess that the Winchesters made a deal to save him but Qstiel swiftly corrects that assumption. Nobody has power over the Empty except for him. When Cas still fails to come up with a satisfactory explanation, Qstiel mind-whammies him, sending him to his knees.

Back at Mia's office, we learn about Buddy, suspect number one. Buddy is an ex-boyfriend of Mia's and the only other shapeshifter she ever knew (other than her mother). He's also a stone cold crazy killer who liked to completely ruin people's lives before he killed them. Mia does what she does now partially as recompense for the suffering she enabled when she was with him.

Armed with that super strong suspect, they try to figure out who Buddy is posing as in order to gain access to her client files. The suspicion falls on the assistant from earlier and Dean reluctantly agrees to take Jack along to check out the assistant. Guys… Jack knows Dean wants to kill him but he's still seeking out opportunities to spend time with Dean and he doesn't run from a job with just the two of them. Alone. While Dean is heavily armed. What a good bean.

Dean and Jack head out to the assistant's house where Dean orders Jack yet again to stay in the car. Jack wants to help, though – and he wants to help with more than just this case. He tells Dean that Sam told him about the plan to save Mary. Dean coldly replies, “You should know Sam's plans don't always work out.” (Listen. It's fine. I'm not remembering Dean's support of Sam's leadership at the end of season 12 and weeping steadily.)

Sam and Mia, meanwhile, scan security footage until they find eyeshine. It's one of her patients – the guy Jack merrily said “Hello” to when they first arrived.

Back in the Empty, Cas is still having a pretty shitty vacation from life. He pulls himself up after Qstiel ravages his mind. Qstiel ignores his pain, and goes on a mini rant about how utterly annoying it is to have somebody awake. He can't go back to sleep until Castiel does. Cas lifts his head, interested to learn that Qstiel is so perturbed by one awake angel.

Qstiel threatens to chuck Cas clear across the Empty so he can't hear Cas stomping around his bedroom. Cas calls him on his bluff and raises the stakes. If he's so annoying to Qstiel then he should just be sent back to Earth. Everybody wins.

At first Qstiel turns him down. He taunts Cas about his past failures. “I know what you hate. I know who you love. What you fear. There is nothing for you back there.” A look of despair falls upon Cas and Qstiel hammers the message home by showing him all his failures that resulted in death. Noooooooo!

Dean and Jack arrive back at Mia's house to find that Sam already left to try to find Buddy. Dean storms off grumpily, trying to call Sam. Meanwhile, Jack asks to speak with Mia. He tells her some of the truth about himself and asks her to take Kelly's form so he can have some catharsis as well. She shifts into Kelly and then, as Kelly, sits with him to have a heart to heart.

It's Kelly! And man, I miss her. She really got into my good graces in the second half of last season and that video she left for Jack is so great. Mia-as-Kelly and Jack have a talk about good, evil, and choices. He worries that he's feeling a general lack of emotion at all the mad turmoil he’s been exposed to. And. Hon. It's been like a week, right? Give it time. “It doesn't matter what you are,” she tells him. “It matters what you do. Even monsters can do good in this world.” It's SUCH a beautiful moment for Jack and Mia with so many layers of meaning between the two of them and their separate tragedies. This makes me...cry. Okay. I cried when I watched it. ARE YOU HAPPY NOW? And then I pretended that my eye itched so I could wipe it away, unseen.

Sam finally calls Dean back. Sam tells him he lost the shifter (and my suspicions are immediately raised about Sam). However, I'm surprised when the camera pans away to show two Deans in the room – one on the floor unconscious and the other smirking at his cell phone. Oh, Dean Bean. Nice job surprising me, show! High five :)

Shifter Dean breaks into the room with Mia and Jack, picks up an iron poker, and rams it into poor Jack's skull. Dean then rips his face off...

...to reveal Buddy. He smirks at poor Mia. (Me: takes a moment to ponder the caloric intake needs of shifters if they have the ability to shed so much tissue and blood so quickly.)

In the Empty, Cas gets called epithets he's heard for years – maybe centuries. Qstiel tells him to sleep and save himself but Cas lifts himself up and says, “I'm already saved.” He won't stop harassing Qstiel...ever. So he'd better let Cas go NOW or he'll be in for one miserable ride. “Release me,” Castiel growls.

Cut to Dean waking up in handcuffs. (Nice, show. Nice.) Dean tries to wake up Jack while Buddy goes crazy bananas over Mia. Once Jack is awake, Dean asks Jack to use his powers to snap the cuffs and set him free. Meanwhile, Buddy gives Mia an ultimatum. She can kill Dean and Jack or she can die. She refuses to do it and Sam's return to the house distracts Buddy from immediately killing her. Buddy trains his gun on the door, ready to shoot Sam as he enters. Dean gets knocked out again trying to warn Sam (seriously it will be good to get Cas back and start healing all those concussions again, right?). So now it's down to Jack. At the last minute he power blasts Buddy, deflects the bullet from Sam, and knocks Buddy back long enough so Sam can get in a clean shot. Buddy dies, Jack slumps, and we cut to the aftermath. Mia slowly cleans up her office. “I just wanted to help people,” she mourns.

Back at the bunker Jack's enjoying a glass of water when Dean walks into the kitchen. He grabs two beers from the fridge then saunters close to Jack. He tells Jack that he “did good today,” and actually calls him by his name. Jack smiles.

Dean brings Sam a beer and apologizes for being a dick. “Maybe you're right about the kid,” Dean admits.

And then Sam bends too. “What if you're right about mom?” he asks.

Dean slowly shakes his head at this (and I'm struck with memories of season 11 and Faith and all those times Sam believed when Dean didn’t). “I need you to keep the faith for both of us,” Dean tells him. “cause right now I don't believe in a damn thing.” Dean looks away again with his dead-eyed stare...

And the scene cuts to a sunny field. Blackberry brambles. Delicate flute music. Castiel wakes in the field, stands and finds himself whole, and looks up towards the sky and the warmth and light of the sun.

Quote!Stiel:

What do you want to do? Leave him in a ring of holy oil, some Netflix, and a frozen pizza?

I do like Ahsoka. Kinda hate Anakin.

Let's go be the good guys.

I thought lying was wrong.

What gets burned stays dead.

Shrinks. Snake oil for the mind.

“You journal?””Ever since I was a little girl”

If you can't sleep, I can't sleep. And I like sleep. I need sleep. 

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