#going to take myself on a picnic or as close to one as the weather allows when im thru with this quarter

[amrv-5]

Finals Season Affirmations for the quarter system experiencer. i will not give myself the mia farrow rosemarys baby haircut unless I can determine it is a genuine act of Will and Desire. Experiencing February temperatures is fine and does not bother me. I enjoy anxiety and stressful situations and putting myself in them voluntarily. Protein bar is a beloved friend and close relative of gummy vitamin

[dollzites]

⏦ﾟ♡︎ “DANCE WITH ME IN THE RAIN”

୨ৎ pairing: boyfriend!jung haein x fem reader

୨ৎ genre: fluff! the most fluffiest possible!

୨ৎ summary: your boyfriend finally had an entire week off instead of just a day or so here and there. spending the whole week with you was most important to him so he decided that a picnic would be the best way to start off the week! but.. he didn’t check the weather forecast.

୨ৎ from myeong: hi!! hello!! as you can see I’m so excited to take this request as a haein lover myself! he’s a precious soul and I hope you can enjoy this!! x

“be careful.” the sound of your boyfriends stern voice made you roll your eyes but in a loving and playful way of course. allowing half of your body to hang out of the open window his large hand gripped your thigh while the other kept tight on the steering wheel driving you both to the secret location he was excited to show you. free was the most perfect word for this moment. you’ve never felt so free and happy like this in your entire life so far. “come back in princess we’re just about there.”

opening the passenger door for you like the perfect gentleman that he was, a shocked gasp left your glossed over lips. being in the city was something you were used too and had grown tired of after so many years—seeing mountains, trees, never before seen flowers and plants was enough to make you emotional and the moment was going to be shared with your boyfriend jung haein. the most perfect man in your eyes. your arms wrapped around his body and you squeezed as tight as you could wanting him to feel the excitement running through your body. “thank you!” is all you said before reaching up on your tippy toes to place a few gentle kisses to his soft cheeks and lips. the sound of his light chuckles made your heart swell loving the sound each time you were able to hear them. you swung one of the bags that was packed and brought for this exciting adventure over your shoulder and ran towards the water, eyes widening when seeing your own reflection. “look at this!! I can see my own reflection isn’t that so cool? come here old man! hurry” you pointed like a child would and looked up at haein once he finally made it over to you. his lips curled up into a sweet smile—the smile that made you fall for him. the smile that made you feel like a teenager in love. the smile that made you want a future with him.

“let’s take a picture, hm?” you nodded your head quickly and stood close to him while he brought out his phone and zoomed in just a little to get the perfect picture of you both. strong arm wrapping around your waist keeping you close to him while he took a few photos—changing the pose each time. “look at me.” and just as you turned your head to look up at him he pressed his soft lips against your own and took the photo. you’d been with him for only two years now but it felt like an eternity. an eternity of happiness and gentle love that you had prayed for over and over again.

“look at all these snacks we have! I waited hours for this.. because a certain meanie wouldn’t let me have any on the way here or sneak a peek!” a cute but fake pout formed on your lips while you crossed your arms against your chest. haein could only laugh at how ridiculous but cute you looked and he reached over to grab ahold of your waist pulling you closer to him, sitting you on his lap while he reached for a chocolate covered strawberry. “say ahhh.” and you instantly parted your lips so he could feed you the strawberry. taking a decent bite before he pulled the rest away and popped it in his mouth. quietly chewing and looking out towards the beautiful view of the large mountains this was one of the most romantic things you’ve done with him in the two years of your relationship.

“remember when we first met at the cafè near the park in seoul and you tripped and fell right in front of me? your pretty face went right into the cupcake I was so excited to eat. that was a cheat day as well! you ruined it.” haein teased you which made you turn in his lap to playfully slap at his chest. “I apologized and offered to buy you a new one but you declined! such a loser..” a groan left your lips as your back fell against his broad chest, a deep breath leaving you while your eyes shut trying to enjoy the sound of his light breathing, the fresh crisp and clean air that made you feel so alive, and sound of the birds chirping. “this is all so perfect. thank you so much for taking me here. I.. I love you hae. I can’t wait to experience much more with you in this lifetime.” it was the first time you had said anything so affectionate to him and it felt genuine. the time was right and you had hoped he felt the same but nerves started to form in your stomach when he remained silent and as you turned to look at him—he was already looking at you with a sweet smile on his lips.

“you should already knew how much I love you, angel. it’s been that way for a while now. the moment we met i felt something so strong for you that I’ve never felt before. sure I was.. hesitant about those feelings but I’m so happy I acted on them when I did.” haein’s large hand reached up to pinch at your cheek in a playful manner before letting his thumb slide across your bottom lip pulling at it. “you’re perfect.” he whispered before kissing you. instantly kissing him back and bringing your hands up to cup his cheeks when a warm and wet drop to the top of your head startled you, pulling away from him. his eyebrows furrowed and you couldn’t help but to giggle from how cute he looked, ���umm..” is all you said before looking up seeing the dark clouds surrounding you both. “oh shit.” he cursed before hurrying to cover the snacks he packed for the picnic. a few more warm drops hit your skin before the downpour began which left the both of your screaming and running to the nearest shop that was thankfully near the river where you both were having the picnic.

“why didn’t you check the weather! our picnic..” although it was upsetting the smell of rain filled your nostrils and it was one of the best smells to ever exist. “It looks like a pop up storm. nothing too serious and it should last long.” he started but looked your way with another smile on his lips, “dance with me in the rain.”

your eyes widened as you turned to look at him. dance? in the rain?! what couples always did in movies?! no way he asked such a thing but you found yourself slowly nodding your head words unable to form at this point. his hand grabbed ahold of your own and pulled you away from the shop and into the pouring rain. it left your breathless and after a few gasps you looked up at him, “are we really doing this?!” you yelled and he nodded letting his arm wrap around your waist while the other grabbed ahold of your hand—moving his body with your own in a very arrhythmic manner. were people watching? did you both look like idiots? those questions left your mind and all you could see and think about is the man in front of you who was drenched from the rain and still looked so incredibly handsome.

haein twirled you a few times pulling you right back into his chest and pressing a few kisses to your face and lips loving the way you would giggle or try to cover your flustered face. “stop doing that, yeah? let me see how cute you are just like this..” and his forehead was placed against your own wet one. his lips finding yours in a passionate kiss which only made you feel more flustered, these types of things was only in movies!! not in real life yet here you were with him doing all the things you thought were impossible.

[yup-thats-me]

My heart goes out to all the (anime) fathers!

Men who will one day come to you while you’re chopping up some vegetables for the meal, men with the guts to stare at you straight in the eyes and say, “Y/n…let’s get a divorce. I found someone much better than you.”

He asks for a divorce. You have a knife in your hand.

Without thinking, you rush after him. “Who’s the other woman, goddamn it! I swear to god I’ll kill you then I’d kill myself!” what else was your husband expecting after you spent eight years of your life together, not to mention you even have a five-year-old daughter for heaven’s sake!

“Mama, stop!” your daughter called out, her little eyes filled with tears. “You cannot kill my husband!”

Did she say “My husband’’?

Oh so that’s what made your husband say that. Looking back at the man, you almost killed him off with that stare. He had no choice but to shrug, gesturing to your daughter.

“Baby, can I ask why Daddy is now called ‘my husband’?” The little girl stayed silent, looking at her ‘husband’ who was instantly by her side and picked her up.

“Woman, I cannot have you make my lovely bride-to-be cry!” He would say while smirking.

Sighing, you soothe your daughter. “Baby, see this ring? Daddy has one on his finger too,” The girl’s eyes almost popped out at the revelation.

“That means Mama and Daddy are married. You cannot marry Daddy, baby.”

Loud wails filled the house. It took an ice-cream and a cookie to make her stop. When she did, the terrifying news was brought up again.

“That’s why, Daddy can’t marry you.”

“…then will I get my own ring too?”

Her question made one of you giggle while it made the other’s vein pop on his forehead. “Of course! My little princess will find a lover who will get on one knee and give the ring to her.” The little girl was relieved.

“NO! I won’t let it happen!” Your husband cried, making the girl cry again. He received a smack on the head and the laundry for a week.

tr: mikey, shinichiro, baji, chifuyu, kokonoi; kny: sanemi, zenitsu, tengen; jjk: gojo, yuji, inumaki, sukuna; bsd: ranpo, dazai, nikolai; windbreaker (aged up, ofc): umemiya, kiryu, sakura + your favs!

Men who wakes you up with coffee on bed. It’s no special day today but it was decided that the family of three would go out for a picnic, and the weather could not have been any better.

Men who would not even bother to ask you to make preparation of food and other requirements for the picnic. They would get up at dawn when it is still dark outside and silently begin the preparations for the day.

They would make countless dishes, each one better than the next, and pack them up so beautifully. When done with cooking, they would pack the blankets, wine, and juice for the kid(s), and get your favorite book packed and of course, he cannot miss out on his camera! He has to take many pictures of his family on their day out.

Men who would choose a quiet flower field away from the bustling city; perfect for a quite yet enjoyable trip. They would even lay out the food and help feed them to you.

They would lay in your lap while you read your book and your son close by, doing something with flowers. Your son would run up to the two of you, a flower crown in his hand and ask for your husband to sit up.

The little boy placed the crown on his father’s head, giggling all the while. “Daddy looks so pretty!’’

“Yeah, doesn’t he?” you agree with the boy. “But what about mommy?”

“I’ll make mommy a flower bouquet! Wait your turn!” The boy ran away again, skipping in his track.

Your husband’s lips found yours; soft and sweet. “I love you,” they would say softly. “And our soon,” with a chuckle.

“And I love you two, too.”

tr: draken, mitsuya, inupi, kazutora; kny: tanjiro, rengoku, muzan; jjk: NANAMI, geto, yuta; bsd: chuuya, akutagawa, fukuzawa, poe, atsushi, sigma, fyodor, kunikida; windbreaker: hayato, togame, hiragi + your favs!

do not copy, steal, or translate my work on any other sites. all belong to yup-thats-me on tumblr

[the-travelling-witch]

We need more aether hes Just so pretty, I need more aether (respectfully)

since you asked so nicely i shall deliver (also bc i love my modern au! aether but that’s beside the point)

my modern au masterlist || genshin masterlist

The shutter of a camera drew your attention from the almond blossoms in front of you back to your boyfriend. Shielding your eyes against the spring sun, you turned to see Aether pointing the lens directly in your direction, a sheepish smile on his lips.

“What happened to wanting to take pictures of the flowers?” You asked, feeling the warmth spreading to your cheeks and acknowledging that it wasn’t from the weather. 

“I am, I am, I promise,” Aether replied, scratching the back of his neck before his golden eyes opened again to find yours. “I just couldn’t help myself when you look so much prettier.”

“What a smooth-talker,” you mused as you came to a halt in front of him, reaching out to pick a pale pink flower from his hair, which matched the blush dusting his cheeks and the freckled bridge of his nose. 

Since winter was slowly melting away, the little spots were hardly visible and you were sure you could only make them out because you knew they were there, but you looked forward to the time where his skin would be sunkissed by the beauty of summer.

Intertwining your hand with his warm one, you pulled him with you towards your chequered picnic blanket. You sat with your knees touching, your head resting on Aether’s shoulder and his leaning against the top of yours. For a few moments you rested like that, soaking up the rays of the sun and listening to the birds chirping.

Then, Aether moved to lift the strap of the camera over his head and set the device down to rummage through your basket of snacks. With his focus elsewhere, you could take your time to admire him. The light breaking through the almond trees created a spotted pattern, illuminating different colours of his dyed highlights and reflecting off his jewellery.

Almost unconsciously, your arm stretched towards the camera and you uncovered the lens. A light breeze rustled the leaves and moved the light material of his unbuttoned shirt, strands of his bright hair moving with the wind. Just as you took a picture, more almond blossoms drifted down to aid the dreamy scenery of the moment.

Like you had done earlier, Aether turned towards the sound of the shutter to see your smile half covered by the camera in your hands. The next shot memorialised the endearing surprise painted on his features; the one after that the golden glow of his eyes in the sunlight. The last two pictures captured his gorgeous smile and the way his palm covered the lens.

“Hey! Didn’t you just complain about that?” Aether laughed, helping you put the camera back into its case.

“Sorry,” you teased, letting yourself be pulled back into his chest, “I just couldn’t help myself when you’re this beautiful.”

“What am I going to do with you,” your boyfriend sighed over your shoulder, sounding not at all upset over your smartass comment.

“You could kiss me,” you half-jokingly proposed.

What you didn’t expect was Aether to tilt your head to the side as he leaned down to capture your lips with his. Though, your surprise soon morphed into content reciprocation as you closed your eyes and melted into the rhythm he set. 

All too soon you parted and you took a moment to let the sensation linger before you searched for Aether’s aureate gaze. When your eyes fluttered open, you found he was tracking the movement of his thumb tracing along the curve of your bottom lip, mesmerised in his own world.

“You know,” he hummed, seemingly more to himself, “I wouldn’t mind if you copied this as well.”

tag list: @mccnstruck @tavvattales @silentmoths @ainescribe @meimeimeirin @dustofthedailylife @nsojbbkkm @kazuuhhaaaa @inufinuf @ynverse @nico707 @boba-is-a-soup @hellithides @ryuryuryuyurboat @the-guardian-kitsune @r0ttenhearts @bananasquash @himimikyu @franaby

[kawaiipeacemusic]

 Me and Alex (pt.2)

 A/N: I don't know if you can tell, but descriptive writing is kinda my thing. Anyway, this may or may not have been suggested to me,very desperately i might add,but! This is tumblr, so it's fine.Also, yes alex, this is referencing to that one time i told you about. (really tried not to be too self indulgent,but you know) 1.3k words under the cut! Enjoy! 🙂

Wow.

We're on the roof. Why?? Not sure. It's cool though. The stars were twinkling  like tiny diamonds, and a gentle breeze was rustling through the trees. I love it. Everything feels just... right. Except for one thing.

“I’m hungry,” I declare dramatically, flopping onto my back.

She sighs exasperatedly, “And what do you want me to do about that?”

I roll over and prop myself up on my elbows, eyes twinkling with an idea. “We should have a picnic!”

She gives me a look. “Now??”

“Yes, now! It’s the perfect picnic weather!” I say, maybe a little too enthusiastically. I know if I push just enough—

 “You know what? Ok.” she says.  “ Yay! I’ll go get the stuff!”

I literally sprint inside to grab whatever I can find. Sandwiches? Check. Chips? Check. Juice boxes, chocolate milk (because priorities), and... Oreos. Of course. Now to set up!

—-----------------------------

I rush back out to the roof, feeling all proud. Blankets laid out, snacks all lined up like a masterful picnic spread. As I sit down, I can’t help but smile at how absurd and perfect this whole thing is.

She settles beside me, crossing her legs and reaching for a juice box. “Alright, let’s see what you’ve got.”

I present the snacks with a dramatic flourish. “Behold! A feast fit for rooftop royalty.”

She snorts. “Sandwiches, chips, and Oreos? You’re really out here redefining fine dining.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, should I have made a five-course meal in the ten seconds I was inside?” I say sarcastically, nudging her shoulder.

She grins, grabbing a sandwich. “I’ll allow it.”

We eat in comfortable silence for a while, just enjoying the night air, the way everything feels peaceful and right. Until—

She grabbed my chocolate milk.

I dont think yall read that

She.touched.my.chocolate.milk.The one thing I grabbed with the utmost care and priority. How could she?

I raise an eyebrow, trying to keep my voice steady. "What are you doing?" I ask, my tone sharp but playful.

She glances at me, innocent. “I’m having some chocolate milk,” she says, unscrewing the cap like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

I sit up a little straighter, my eyes narrowing. “No, no, no. That’s my chocolate milk.” I’m practically clutching my chest as if I’m protecting some ancient treasure.

She takes a casual sip. "Well, looks like it's mine now."

I gasp dramatically. "You dare?!"

"Oh, I dare." She takes another sip, savoring it, fully aware of the escalating tension.

Oh?

Alright bet.

Without warning, I lunge for the chocolate milk, my hands aiming to reclaim what is rightfully mine. But she’s quick. She pulls it out of my reach with a sly grin, twisting her body to avoid me. The smooth carton of chocolate milk is just beyond my grasp.

“You’re going to have to try harder than that,” she teases, her voice dripping with satisfaction.

I growl in frustration, feeling my competitive spirit surge. “Oh, I will,” I mutter, now fully aware that this is a battle I can’t lose.

and confident.

Without another word, I move, springing up with determination. I dash toward her, my hands reaching for the carton, but she’s faster than I expect. She pulls it away, her body twisting just out of my grasp.

I try again, this time getting a little closer, but still, no luck. That’s when I see it. The perfect opportunity.

I lean in close, my face just inches from hers. “You wanna play, huh?” I whisper, my voice low.

Before she can respond, my hands dart toward her sides, fingers quickly finding the soft spot under her ribs. She gasps, her body jerking away in surprise, and then she bursts into laughter.(this is totally not me self indulging-)

I grin, my fingers pressing into her sides again, wiggling mercilessly against the sensitive skin. “Wait? Wait for what, exactly?” I tease, my voice dripping with mock innocence. “I warned you.”

She shrieks, trying to curl up, but I’m relentless. My fingers dance up her ribs, poking and tracing each one as if I’m testing piano keys. “Hmm,” I hum, tilting my head. “I wonder… just how bad is this spot?”

“N-NOHOHOT THEHEHERE!” she wails, her laughter turning breathless as her arms instinctively clamp down to protect herself.

“Aww, that’s cute,” I coo, easily maneuvering past her weak defenses. “You think you can stop me?”

I press my thumbs in between her ribs, vibrating them slightly, and she howls, her body jerking as she gasps for air between uncontrollable giggles.

“Stohohop! I cahahahan’t!” she cries, her legs kicking uselessly against the blanket.

I smirk. “You can’t? But you stole my chocolate milk. That’s, like, a serious offense. I can’t just let you get away with it.”

Her laughter pitches higher when I suddenly spider my fingers down her sides again, working my way toward her tummy. She knows what’s coming, and the second I so much as hover my hands over her stomach, she lets out a panicked squeak.

“Nohoho, not there—”

“Ohhh, not here?” I interrupt, grinning as I let a single finger swirl against her belly, tracing lazy circles just above her navel.

She bucks violently, her laughter turning frantic. “NOHOHOHO! PLEHEHEASE!”

I chuckle. “Oh, wow, this is bad, huh?” My fingers lightly scribble over her tummy, barely applying pressure, just enough to send her into complete hysterics. “I can feel you trying to escape, but guess what?” I let my fingertips dance toward the center of her belly.

“You. Can’t.”

I take a deep breath and blow a long, loud raspberry right on her belly button.

Alex shrieks.

Her whole body jumps as she lets out the most undignified squeal, her laughter skyrocketing into frantic, uncontrollable giggles. “NOHOHOHOHO! STOHOHOP! THAHAHAT’S SOHOHO BAHAHAHAD!”

I grin against her stomach, planting another raspberry right in the center of her belly. The vibration sends her absolutely into hysterics, her legs kicking wildly as she twists and writhes, desperate to escape( but like, is she reallyyyyy).

I smirk, my breath ghosting over her trembling stomach. “Ohhh, this is bad, huh?” I tease, fingers lightly skimming over her sides before I plant another long, obnoxiously loud raspberry right against her belly button.

Alex screams.

Her body jolts like she’s just been hit with a bolt of electricity, and she howls, her laughter turning breathless and frantic.

“NOHOHOHO! NAHAHAHAT AGAHAHAHAIN!” she shrieks, thrashing beneath me as if she has any hope of escaping. Spoiler alert: she does not.

I hum thoughtfully, like I’m actually considering mercy—but then I grin wickedly, lowering my head again.

“Oops,” I say, grinning. “My bad.”

And then—

Another raspberry, right on her belly button.

Alex squeals like a little kid, her laughter breaking into silent wheezes as her hands frantically try to shove me away. But I just laugh, shaking my head.

“Oh no no no, you started this,” I remind her, wiggling my fingers just above her waistline before blowing another raspberry.

“NOHOHO MOHOHORE! PLEHEHEHEASE!”

“More?” I tease, pretending to misunderstand. “Well, if you insist—”

“NOHOHOHO! THAHAHAT’S NOHOT WHAHAHAHAT I SAHAHAID!”

But it’s too late. I take a deep breath and absolutely annihilate her with a rapid-fire attack—

One after the other, loud, messy raspberries all over her tummy, her belly button, even her sides when she tries (and fails) to roll away.

Alex is gone.

She’s completely limp against the blanket, her arms weakly batting at me with absolutely zero strength left to fight back.

I pause, watching her with an amused smirk. “Truce?”

She nods rapidly, gasping for air. “Y-YEHEHEHEHES! TRUHUHUCE!”

I finally relent, flopping onto my back beside her as she wheezes beside me, still trying to recover.

“You’re evil,” she groans after a minute, her voice still breathless.

I sip the last of my rightfully reclaimed chocolate milk.

“And yet,” I hum smugly, “I still have my chocolate milk.”

Alex lets out a weak, defeated groan.

This definitely isn’t over.

[lex-jots]

The Florist's Almanac: Popping Sparks and Lighting Cherries (Finn/Reader)

Finn heard them set down the knife, step closer until they were at his side. When he met their gaze, their eyes were darkly, sinuously playful. He kept his expression doelike, mutely offering them a cherry. His partner was excellent at making plans.

AO3

Note: Attempt #1 at writing Finn! Inspired by the birthday stream! This was the effort of several days of frustration, talking to myself, and a concept map that looks more like a conspiracy board. I will be taking criticism regarding his characterization for this fic because God DAMN he is a DOOZY of a character to write holy hell. Enjoy!

Finn’s partner was good at making plans. Just today, they came home with an idea: a picnic on a nearby hill, where they could watch the sunset and then stargaze when night crested upon them. He loved it when they got that determined spark in their eye, he thought while he washed fresh cherries at the sink.

Sunflower was stationed behind him at a counter, slicing strawberries on a cutting board. The afternoon sun was dipping close to the treeline, though it still had a ways to go before it hit the horizon. The sun cast everything in the kitchen in a honeyed light: the cool water rushing over his hands, the candy-red fruit, and, of course, his Sunflower, when he could find opportunities to throw them glances. It made his heart swell. Between the stresses of the shop and the secret years of wondering as to whether he would even find anyone who would like him for him and the sheer shock of having landed someone so charismatic and lovely and beautiful, there was little he wouldn’t give for more afternoons like this.

“I’ve got the blanket packed already,” Sunflower said. He could hear each delicious slice of their knife. “Do you think we’ll need much else besides the fruit?”

“I could get the kettle going,” Finn suggested. “Brew some tea and take it in the thermos, in case either of us needs a drink. After the sun goes down and it starts cooling off a bit, it could be nice.” The weather was a bit warm still, but Finn liked tea in all environments, and Sunflower never complained. Still, maybe he should pack some water, just in case…

They oo’ed. “Good idea. Oh—and bug spray. Lots of bug spray.” Slice, slice.

“I think I already put it in the bag, but I can double check when I’m done, if you’d like.”

“Please do.” Slice, slice. “I’d wear deet as perfume if I could.”

Finn laughed, glancing up at the sun over the treeline. It wouldn’t be long and they’d be watching the sun set on a blanket together, waiting for the stars to come out. Finn was no astronomer, but he had a few constellations under his belt: the Big Dipper, of course, was his good old faithful; he could point out the North Star easily enough; Cygnus was a fun one, if he could see the haze of the Milky Way; Cassiopeia, Taurus, the Pleiades…

And, call him a hopeless romantic, he thought there was something sweet about the idea of huddling close, one arm wrapped around them while they took turns pointing up and inching even closer, like a poetic exercise in seeing from the other’s perspective. And being in the dark, existing for no one but each other. And—okay, keep calling him a hopeless romantic, but he enjoyed any excuse to just be close.

Speaking of which…

Finn glanced surreptitiously back at them, then back at the sun hovering over the treeline. “The sun’s starting to get low,” he said casually. “Did you know twilight lasts roughly the same amount of time it takes for human eyes to adjust to the dark?”

Sunflower hummed. “Oh, yeah?”

“Yep,” Finn said brightly. “About twenty minutes.” He plucked a cherry out of the bowl and shifted it around his mouth, sucking on it for a moment.

“Huh.”

Finn dared a glance at them again. Their expression was warm but focused, fully engrossed in the strawberries. The mood was still mild and warm. The slicing continued without stopping.

They mused, “I wonder if that’s, like, an evolutionary thing, or something.” Slice, slice.

“You’re probably right.” He bit down on the cherry, salivating at the burst of sweet. “Soo, we’ll have about twenty minutes to kill before the stars come out.” Finn waited.

Silence. He wondered if he overdid it by lingering on the so for too long, or by specifying twenty minutes. But the longer Sunflower paused, the more Finn struggled to hide the grin twisting his mouth.

“I’m sure we’ll find a way to pass the time,” they said, a hint of that sharklike deviousness was underlacing their tone. They were playing it cool, but the slicing had stopped; he could practically hear all the planning going on in that mischievous, brilliant head of theirs. It made his heart speed up. They sure would.

“You sure?” Finn asked with casual, innocent concern. “I don’t want to bore you.”

He heard them set down the knife, step closer until they were at his side. When he met their gaze, their eyes were darkly, sinuously playful.

He kept his expression doelike, mutely offering them a cherry.

A lazy smile grew on their lips, wolflike and sugar-sweet. “I’m sure I can find something to do to occupy my time.” They popped the cherry in their mouth.

The way they emphasized it, Finn knew it was now set in stone: he was that something.

“Oh. That’s good. I’m glad,” was all he could think to say, fighting a stupid smile with all his might. If they touched him on the neck, the wrist, the chest—anywhere his pulse was—it would have all been over. The jig would have been up. And how thrilling it would have been.

But they stepped away, back to work on their strawberries. Slice, slice. Finn let himself grin from ear to ear, eat another cherry, and indulge in daydreams of the twilight to come.

Yes, Sunflower was excellent at making plans, especially when their imagination was sparked. Finn loved their fuselike determination, almost as much as he loved lighting it.

[starry-nights-garden]

✧ P1Harmony Jiung x gn!reader ✧ words: ~700 ✧ genre: fluff ✧ warnings: none ✧ prompt: slow kisses

Your doorbell rings just when you finish getting ready for your date with your boyfriend Jiung, and you rush to the front door to let him in. 

“Hi, baby!” he greets you with a bright grin and he holds up a backpack. You planned to go to a nearby park and have a picnic there, so you assume that the backpack holds the food he prepared for today. You’re in charge of bringing the blanket and drinks, so after you brought your own bag and put on shoes, you’re good to go.

You arrive at the park and find a sunny spot between the people. It’s rather crowded at this time of day, but you hope that once the sun starts to set, the people around you will leave one after the other. 

“I hope you like the food I picked,” Jiung says as he takes it out of his bag, setting everything up on the blanket. “I didn’t make it myself unfortunately.” Upon closer look you recognize the label of your favourite restaurant on the paper boxes.

“No, no, don’t worry about it!” you immediately appease him. “This is perfect. But…”, you look up to the sky, where you can see clouds accumulate in all directions. “Is this gonna be fine?” Jiung too looks up, and after thinking about it for a while, he responds,

“It’ll be fine. It shouldn’t rain today according to the weather forecast, so…” You help yourself to your first bite.

“I guess… but do we trust the forecast?” you question.

“We’ll have to,” your boyfriend says with a smile, then he reaches out to gently squish your cheek. “It’ll be fine.” He too starts eating.

You’ve been looking forward to this picnic date for weeks, so you hope with all your might that the weather will last. However, as by some unlucky coincidence, it starts raining a mere ten minutes later. In a hurry you and Jiung put all your stuff into the bags you brought and then run to a nearby tree to seek shelter from the rain.

“Oh man…” you sigh as you watch the downpour getting stronger and the park is slowly becoming empty. Jiung too seems to have lost his positive outlook now, as he watches the grey sky above.

“This is too bad,” he mumbles. You can hear the water drops raining down onto the leaves above, when the downpour becomes so bad that even the tree won’t keep you dry anymore. From the top of your head and your shoulders down to the rest of your body, you feel yourself getting drenched while the frown on your face grows bigger. You’re about to complain, when Jiung calls out to you and you turn your head, only to find his lips on yours a moment later. He shoots you a smile as you part, before he cups your face with his hand and connects your lips again. He kisses you slowly, in a rhythm that’s easy to follow and that frees your mind from all anger and disappointment. The rain suddenly isn’t so cold anymore, and instead you focus only on the warmth that his touches cause to spread in your chest. You lift your arms to put them around his shoulders and to pull him in closer as you deepen the kiss. You can feel your boyfriend smile into the kiss when you run your fingers through the short hair at the back of his head, before you eventually separate.

“I love you.” The words escape you without thinking too much about it, and they’re merely a whisper, but Jiung hears you. He traps you in a tight hug and you can feel his breath on your skin as he mumbles close to your ear,

“Me too.” He directs another glance at the sky up above, then says, “I think we should look for a better place to escape the rain though. Before we catch a cold.” You agree with a nod, and hand in hand you take off running. You dash across the park, and somehow, despite the bad weather you both can’t stop yourselves from grinning all the way through. Maybe this date wasn’t a complete failure after all, simply because every day spent with Jiung is a day spent happily. 

[chouxsardine]

Love is a four-legged word--Sam Kiszka x reader

Summary: Love comes in all forms, it is, afterall, a four-legged word--Sam and y/n met at a park while walking their dogs. The furry friends are their best wingman.

Pairing: Sam Kiszka x f!reader

Word Count: 7418

Warnings: dogs, description of crying, allusion to death of pet, death of animals, mention of the name of alcohol (but no alcohol involved) (please let me know if I missed any!)

Genre: fluff, angst, hurt/comfort

Author's note: This is my longest piece so far and my first Sam piece (yipee!! exciting!) This was a Christmas gift to I want to @dannythedog thank her for hosting the gvf secret santa. But as late as it was… I hope it can still count as a New Year's gift? This took so long to write and I myself went through a pretty emotional journey while writing this. I have more to say, but I will save for the end if you care to read it. Enjoy for now.

“Come on, Rosie bug, it’s time for your walk.” Sam stood up from the sofa, raising his arm for a stretch.

Being the good girl that she is, Rosie was already waiting patiently at the door, sitting still while Sam put the harness and leash on her.

It was a sunny afternoon, warm and cloudless after consecutive days of rain. Taking advantage of the delightful weather, Sam decided to extend their daily walk and take Rose to the park. He has always loved this park. There’s just something so intimate about this public space that always draws him towards it. It is situated a few blocks away from downtown, a beautiful getaway from the hurly burly of the city. It has a large lawn area that turns into the most pleasant shade of green in April, around his birthday. The colour so lovely that it gives him the urge to touch the grass, hug a tree, and nuzzle his face into nature. It is also the best place to people-watch—college lovebirds, laughing toddlers, family picnics—it is like being in one of Georges Seurat’s paintings.

It seems that many people think the same way as Sam. The park was busier than usual. The duo took their familiar route, following the gravel path to the fountain where the running tracks start. They would take a break on the bench where Rose can enjoy some treats.

Sam has done a good job socializing Rose due to the need for frequently traveling on the road. Rose is a curious girl and is open to making new friends, but she always listens to Sam. When other dogs pass by either barking over-excitedly or stopping to exchange friendly sniffs, Rose generally remains unfazed. She knows that remaining her composure and staying close to Sam is going to warrant some loving pets and yummy treats. Therefore, when a black and white Pit Bull trotted up to Rose, Sam didn’t pay too much attention. The dogs are all on leashes in this area. If any of them stop for a little longer, Sam will usually exchange a friendly smile with the owner, then each side will go about their own business. However, Rose seemed to be especially interested in this new friend. She stood up and started wagging her tail softly, gently bumping nose with her newfound friend, learning their smell and demeanour. That’s when Sam noticed that this dog looked a little special. Instead of the common collar, it was wearing a blue bandana with the word “adopt” printed on the corner. Sam followed the leash and looked all the way up. He saw a pretty girl looking down at the two dogs interacting with a mesmerizing smile.

Sensing his gaze, the girl quickly looked up.

“Oh hi, so sorry about this. Klaus is a shelter dog; he doesn’t get to interact with other dogs a lot, so he got a bit excited.” She said apologetically.

Ah, so that explains the bandana.

Now it seemed that Klaus took an interest in Sam as well. Considering his lack of socialization, Sam thinks Klaus is doing exceptionally well. He was sniffing Sam’s jeans, nudging his ankles with his nose.

“No, no, don’t worry. I don’t mind.” Sam bent down and extended the back of his hand to Klaus. After receiving a lick and some kisses as signs of approval, he started scratching Klaus behind the ears. “I’m Sam, and this is Rose.”

“Nice to meet you, Sam. I’m y/n,” y/n said before crouching down. Rose immediately moved towards her and started pawing her hand.

One thing Sam loves the most about Rose is that she has good taste in people. Come on, this girl chose Sam to be her handler. (Sam has always believed that it is Rose who came to him, not the other way around.) And based on Rose’s reaction now, Sam would like to boldly assume that y/n is a decent person as well.

“Come on, Klaus, let’s go.” y/n gently tugged the leash, but she was completely ignored. The two dogs were already playing together, bowing and bouncing just like puppies.

“They can play for a bit,” Sam said. He loves seeing Rose Bud making friends. “If you are not in a rush, that is.”

“No, I’m not. Thank you so much,” y/n relented.

“So, Klaus is a shelter dog, you said?” Sam asked as he scooted over and let out more space on the bench for y/n to sit next to him.

“Yes, today is his Doggy Day Out,” y/n kindly explained. “People can sign up to take a shelter dog out for a ‘field trip’ for a day. It helps them manage kennel stress and increases their chances of getting adopted.”

The thoughtfulness of the idea makes Sam smile. He has heard about similar programs before, but this was his first time encountering an example in real life. “So you chose Klaus?”

“Yeah, Klaus is one of the longest residents at the shelter.” y/n cupped the dog’s adorable face in her hands and cooed. “I mean, look at his face, how could I say no? Besides, people often have a misunderstanding about Pit Bulls, you know, about them being aggressive and all; so it’s harder for them to get adopted.”

As absurd as it sounds, that is sadly the truth. Sam remembers seeing more than once those distasteful comments under Rose’s account.

“Indeed. Sometimes we truly don’t deserve dogs.” He said.

A comfortable silence draped over them, except it was quite loud in y/n’s mind and chest right now. Y/n had been stealing glances at the man next to her in between conversations the whole time and she hoped she wasn’t being too obvious. There was no denial that Sam is outright gorgeous. He was wearing a navy blue t-shirt underneath an unbuttoned black plaid shirt, black pants, and a pair of Nike blazers. But what attracted her the most was his hair, the hair that suddenly made her self-conscious about her own (which really needed to get washed today). Sam has dark brown hair the length to his shoulder. The loose curls look lush and smooth, shining under the sunlight, which makes it a lighter flax colour. The strands that frizzes away are delicate and golden, swaying along with his breathing. Y/n bet they are silky and soft to the touch too. Plus, he has really pretty hands, with the pink leash wrapped around his palm contrasting against his olive skin. Slim, bony fingers, with nails that are clean, round and well-trimmed. Those are hands well-kept.

Maybe there is a grain of truth to what people say about first impression after all, Sam thought. A girl with Rose’s approval, a nice smile, and a sensible and tasteful take on Pit Bulls (She also looks cute). Sam thinks he quite liked her.

“So, what are your plans for the day? I mean, for Klaus?” Sam quickly corrected himself to sound less snoopy.

“We haven’t left the shelter for long. I was planning on getting him a pup cup first.”

“Pup cup! What a coincidence, that’s exactly what Rose bug and I have in mind,” (Liar. He didn’t). Sam put on his best smile. “Mind if we join you?”

Their conversation carried on smoothly as they made their way to the nearby bakery. Sam found out that y/n volunteers at the local shelter and works as a freelance photographer and a part-time dog walker. Y/n learned that Sam is a bassist and keyboard player who is in a band with his brothers (“That explains the pretty fingers,” Y/n thought to herself).

The bakery is a hidden gem in the neighbourhood, with a walk-up window inlaid into the white brick wall. A blackboard with cursive chalk writing was propped up beside it, displaying the menu. A separate hand-drawn poster on the wall sayid “puppuccino available for furry friends” in brush lettering.

“Do you want anything? My treat,” Sam asked as they approached the queue. “Please say yes so I have an excuse to ask for your number just in case you want to return the favour sometime.”

A bold move? Yes. But he felt like taking chances today.

Y/n raised her eyebrows in slight surprise. Sam held her gaze, silently restating his point.

“Fine, if you insist.”

“I do insist.” Sam stepped aside as it was their turn to order and let y/n go first. “After you.”

That’s smooth. Real Smooth. Y/n thought. Almost as smooth as his hair.

For the next few weeks, Sam and y/n has been talking on and off through text messages. Their chat history was mainly composed of Sam sending goofy dog videos and y/n replying with cute pictures she took of dogs at the shelter. Sometimes Sam spotted y/n holding multiple leashes, walking dogs on the sidewalk, and sometimes he went to the shelter under the excuse of dropping off donations just to see her. Occasionally, they would fix a date to meet at the park for a “puppy play date” when y/n took another dog on their Doggy Day Out. While the dogs rolled together or chased each other within their sight, they would sit on the bench with coffee cups in their hands and a box of cookies between them to share. Y/n found Sam to be a charming guy. She loves his brutal honesty and his humour with a witty tongue. He loves to hold her gaze while talking to her. At first, she hated it—the unrelenting stare from those captivating brown eyes makes her want to squirm in her seat—and Sam was never the first to break eye contact. But over time she had learnt to stare back nonchalantly, usually with a single raise of her eyebrow.

There was no lack of vocal banters as well, which usually embarks after one of them blurts out some controversial opinion. With some people, a debate over things like if pineapple belongs on pizza or should you pour milk before cereal can quickly lead to annoyances, but it’s different with Sam. Sam brings out the competitiveness in y/n just like she was back in her high school debate club. Backchat with Sam is fun; he makes one willing to takes all the steps—from gathering evidence to forming thesis statement—just to be rebutted by a single line of his ingenious comment; and y/n is not even mad about it. The cherry on top is that Sam always likes to push one step further by adding the flirtatious “What now, little mama, cat caught your tongue?”. She feels offended in the best possible way.

On the other hand, as composed as he seems to y/n, Sam feels that things always came out of his mouth without filters when he is with y/n. For example, he will never let go of that one time they argued about the right way to hang up toilet paper.

“It’s obviously under! Have you ever had times when you hang it over and it unrolls itself and you get this massive pile of toilet paper on the floor?”

“No, Sam, I have not. I’m pretty sure that’s because you got a bad roll or some mean spirit in your bathroom pulled it.”

“It’s a perfect roll, just out of the package!”

“Then it’s definitely some mean spirit. Burning some sage should fix it. Obviously, the correct way is over so that it doesn’t rub against the wall.”

“Bold of you to assume I have dirty walls!”

“How do I know? You probably do!”

“I will not stand any defamation to my name and my wall. You can only form such an opinion after you have checked it out!”

Y/n gave him an interesting look. Just before she could say something, Rose rushed back to their side, and for once, Sam was relieved that the debate withered away because as soon as those words left his mouth, he wanted to slap himself.

Why would you say that, you freaking idiot? What kind of activities should you be engaging in that will lead to a situation involving you showing her the cleanness of your bathroom wall, which unfortunately is, in fact, kind of gross and stained with flashed pee?

But fate is a fickle little thing. Little does Sam know, it was not long before they did end up in that situation, just not in the way as he has expected.

Earlier that day, Sam has sent y/n a message asking if she wants to meet at the park the next day and received a brief message that reads, “Sorry, got caught up at the shelter”.

That is usually a bad sign because it means that there’s either a large intake or some kind of emergency. Y/n also ran a volunteer social media account, posting adorable pictures and short videos that she took of the dogs when she takes them out for a walk for temperament tests, adding visibility to help they find a loving home. Sam vaguely remembered y/n mentioning that they took in a puppy that was hit by a car. He secretly hoped it wasn’t any bad news. Sam debated between sending her a goofy dog meme with the caption “Take care” to lighten up the mood or asking further. He waited, but the three dots on the other side of the chat box never came up.

It was around nine in the evening when Sam received another text from y/n.

Y/n: Are you busy right now?

Sam: No, just chilling. What’s up?

Y/n: My car broke down.

The three dots are still blinking when Sam’s finger flew through the screen.

Sam: location?

Sam: I’ll be there.

Rose looked up confused from her spot on the couch, when Sam rushed to the foyer, one arm already in his jacket and stuffing his feet into shoes.

“Hold the fort, Rose bud!” He yelled before locking the door behind him.

Y/n’s car broke down not too far away from the shelter. Sam saw the tow truck and the roadside assistance as he drove near. Y/n was talking to the truck driver. From the distance, she looked so forlorn and lost under the jarring redness of warning lights. The size different between her and the heavyset man towering over her makes her looked like a puppy soaked in rain. Sam had never felt such a strong sense of protectiveness towards anyone. He wanted nothing more than to rush to her side and engulf her in a hug, if she would let him.

He almost drifted as he swerved his car into an empty parking space by the side of the road. He ran to y/n’s side.

“Okay, Miss. The insurance company will contact you for further details,” the roadside assistance worker nodded to y/n. “The truck will tow your car to the garage. Do you have a ride home?”

“Yes,” said Sam before y/n could answer.

The man gave him a knowing look before he said, “Good. Make sure you take all your valuable belongings in the car with you.”

Sam helped y/n put her stuff in the backseat of his car before opening the passenger side’s door for her. Sam had noticed that y/n’s body was stiff and tense the whole time when she was standing outside, and it remained so as she plopped down onto the seat.

“Are you okay? Did you get hurt?” Sam turned to her eagerly once he had situated himself.

As soon as the words left his lips, the dam broke loose. Y/n’s shoulder visibly relaxed as loud sobs ripped through her body. She tried to purse her lips and contain herself but tragically failed. For a minute, she couldn’t make a single syllable other than frantically shaking her head and shoving her hands to her mouth, trying to muffle her crying. Y/n’s whimper filled the car, mixed with the loud beeping alert and yelling outside as the truck towed y/n’s car away.

“Oh, y/n,” Sam felt like someone had stamped on his heart. “Can I give you a h—”

Without a word, y/n almost knocked herself into his arms. It was only when he was holding her that he realized how badly she was trembling. This is their first proper hug, far from how Sam has imagined it. He wrapped his arms around y/n’s frame, one hand hugging her shoulders to him and the other rubbing her hand in wide, gentle stripes, tucking her head under his chin. Y/n’s hand held onto Sam’s arm, fingers digging into his biceps like a drowning person holding onto a piece of driftwood. Sam was firstly relived that y/n was not physically hurt; and then there were the emotions, which they could deal with. Whatever made her this devastated, he was determined to turn it around and make it better.

They stayed like that for a while, bodies squishing together uncomfortably over the middle console, until Y/n finally started to calm down.

She pulled away from Sam’s hug. Sam immediately reached to the backseat for the tissue box, from which y/n took a handful of tissues and turned her head to the side to wipe her face.

“It…it was Huxley,” she was fighting to speak without breaking down again. “He’s g—gone.”

Upon hearing the name, Sam’s heart dropped to the bottom of his stomach. His former wish had fallen through after all. Huxley was the puppy that came to the shelter from a car accident. He was sent in by a Good Samaritan on Monday. From the photo y/n posted, Sam knew that he was a young Australian cattle dog. Sam thought he was out of danger as y/n updated the post on Tuesday, saying that there was a rescue willing to pull him.

Sam didn’t press on with further questions. He sat patiently, handing y/n more tissues as she needed and waited to piece together the story from snatches of her speech.

“They did an x-ray and found he has a fractured pelvis. A rescue tagged him…and he was supposed to l-leave the shelter today.”

“We thought he was f-fine until…until he suddenly deteriorated this a-afternoon. There was, um, internal bleeding and… the vet said, the in-injury was too serious to recover and, and s-suggested…”

It was taking all her strength for y/n to squeeze out the last few words: “…it…it was the kindest to..put him d-down.”

Y/n buried her face into her hands as she resorted to another burst of weeping. Her shoulders shuddered with every muffled sob. “He reminded me of Wendy…I couldn’t save n-neither of them!”

This was the first time Sam has heard about Wendy from y/n. He guessed that Windy used to belong to y/n. He had once saw a photo of y/n and a white puppy tucked in her wallet when she was paying for coffee. Y/n never talked about it and Sam never asked. He decided he was still going to be silent about it today. He wouldn’t want to force her to narrate whatever tragic event that had happened in the past again, knowing that she probably had already done it to herself over and over again in her brain upon seeing the loss of Huxley.

Sam mulled over his words. Platitudes like “you have already done your best” sounded superfluous. Y/n, and he believes that everyone at the shelter, did everything they could; but that doesn’t fix things, does it?

“Was he loved when he was gone?” Sam gently took y/n’s hand in his.

“I was too coward to stay until the last moment,” y/n looked at Sam through teary eyes, “and he couldn’t really stomach any food by then. But yes, we made sure he was surrounded by treats and toys.”

“Then that’s what matters,” Sam managed a smile and said softly. “Dogs are very grateful creatures, you know that. Now that Huxley has crossed the rainbow bridge, he must be thanking you for loving him to the end, to provide him with a warm bed so he didn’t have to go alone and scared on the side of some highway.”

Y/n’s was still hiding her face in her palms, with her elbows resting on her knees, but Sam recognized a trembling nod from her. Now he felt tears stinging in his own eyes. He rubbed the area between y/n’s shoulder blades and carefully opened his mouth: “Look, y/n. I don’t want to sound like I’m taking advantage of the situation. But I am really worried about leaving you alone for the night like this. Would you like to perhaps crash at my place for the night? Rosie can keep you company.”

“Let me take care of you.” Sam closed his eyes for a second before he added, “As a friend?”

To his relief, y/n nodded again before turning her head slightly to face him, revealing half of her face, all wrinkled with red marks and tear stains, her eyes bloodshot and glassy.

“Sorry for being a bother.” She whispered through quivering lips.

“Never. Never a bother, mama,” Sam’s heart clenched again, hard. He reached out and gently squeezed the back of y/n’s neck before starting the car. “I got you.”

Y/n could hear Rosie’s claws clacking on the wooden floor before Sam turned the key in the lock. As he opened the door, they are welcomed by an excited Rosie, just as expected. Sam had taught Rosie well not to bolt towards guests or jump on them, so she was expressing her joy through a wagging tail that put her whole body into motion and repeated bowing; her pink tongue sticking out of the side of her mouth. The goofy gestures raised a chuckle out of y/n. The first smile that he had seen on her face all night.

Sam’s apartment is cozy and vibrant. It has rustic brick walls and exposed beams. A red oriental rug lies in the middle of the room in front of a light camel-coloured sofa. There are touches here and there where Sam lets his intrusive thoughts win—so a piece of decor that does not match the general style appears but ends up working nonetheless, such as the banana leaf wall paper that only covers one side of the wall. A long-neck floor lamp throws warm glow over half of the living room.

“Go sit, y/n. Make yourself at home. You want some tea?” Sam laid out a pair of slippers for her as he asked.

Y/n had half a heart to reject out of politeness but realized she was too tired to put on any facade, and it is unnecessary after all considering she had just bawled her eyes out before Sam. Her eyes were stinging from crying and her face must have looked like a mess now.

“Thank you. Can I borrow the bathroom, please?”

“Of course! It’s right there.” Sam pointed her the right door.

Closing the door behind her, y/n felt like her legs were about to gave out. She sat down on the closed toilet lid and closed her eyes, thoughts swarming in her mind. Now that the initial throbbing pain in her chest has subsided, she began interrogating herself. What was it that made her agree to stay here overnight? “Worry about leaving you alone”….You are used to being alone—heck, you have been for years. All the past experiences and rational judgements were reprimanding her in a motherly tone with a scowl, but her body was faithful to the ghostly touches and phantom breaths that he had left on her skin during their hug. She forgot when was the last time that she had received a hug that conveyed such empathy without blind assumption. She forgot when was the last time that she felt valid for her feeling sad and mourning. She forgot when was the last time that she was not forced to explain. Yet Sam came and reset the record for her.

Three gentle knocks on the door interrupted her thoughts.

“Yes?”

“I grabbed you a clean towel. I’m putting it on the handle, so just watch it when you open the door.” Sam’s voice came from the other side of the door.

Oh Sammy, Y/n thought to herself with a wry smile. The nickname naturally slips into her mind. This is not helping.

What it is about this man that makes you trust him enough to break down in front of him and then agree to stay at his place overnight? Was it because he was nice to dogs? Green flag. Nice hair and clean nails, perfect side profiled, chiseled like an Apollo statue? Green flag. Top tier banter and flirting? Beige flag (but has potential).

Her brain started hurting again. Her heart said fuck it, go wipe your face, drink tea, and pray that he’s not a patient serial killer three months in disguise who likes to collect dog memes. Y/n opened her eyes and the first thing she saw brought an untimely giggle out of her.

Toilet paper hanging from under? Red flag.

When y/n opened the bathroom door again, Sam was feeding Rose her dinner.

“There you are! Thought you fell in.” Sam looked up at her with a toothy grin.“Sorry,” he apologized for his joke before y/n even said anything. “I made you tea, I guess you haven’t eat yet? I can order takeout or whip something up real quick.”

“That’s very nice of you, Sam. But I really don’t think I can handle a meal right now. Tea will be just fine for me. Thank you.”

Y/n must have washed her face in the washroom. Now her face looked fresh, setting off her reddish nose which she rubbed a little too harshly. The bags under her swollen eyes made her looks droopy, much different from the energetic y/n under the sun in the park. She looked very….huggable.

Y/n took a sip from the mug Sam handed her. It’s lavender tea. She felt her nerves slowly stretched as the warm liquid slid into her stomach. Having finished her dinner, Rose wasted no time joining them on the sofa. She found the perfect spot between Sam and y/n, laying her head on her folded paws.

“Do you want to watch a movie or something?”

“Um-hmm,” y/n absent-mindedly hummed. “You take the pick.”

Absolutely nothing furry, nothing barking, nothing wagging its tail. Sam scrolled through the catalogue.

Y/n raised her eyebrows when she saw Sam finally settling on Vanderpump Rules.

“Surprised?”

“Surprised, amused, guilty as charged.” Y/n admitted.

“No way! Which season are you on?”

“Seven? I can’t remember much though.”

Sam couldn’t deny it, there’s just something about watching and becoming invested in other people’s cheating drama that gets you to forget about your own problems real fast, at least temporarily. When one of the girls made an especially spiteful comment and Sam got no reaction from y/n, he turned and saw her dozing off, her chin rested on her clavicle, one hand still resting on Rose’s back.

She’s bound to get a stiff neck sleeping that way. Sam gently pulled her shoulder to the side, resting her head on a cushion, and pulled the blanket over her. Other than making a few indistinguishable murmur, she didn’t stir; or if she did, she chose to relent to Sam’s touch. Now that her eyes were closed, she looked peaceful under the orange light of the lamp, one almost couldn’t tell she was crying so hard a few hours ago. Sam debated if he should carry her to the bedroom or at least wake her up, but in the end, he did neither. Instead, he sat down on the carpet, his side pressed against the sofa, putting his head on his elbow.

Whatever this is, it fels tranquil and nice. She is close and far, her silence remote and candid, still as a star*. It feels like love. He feels his heart heavy with love. She doesn’t know. Maybe she will, eventually. But not now. Now he just wants to have this moment, in case it is all he will ever have.

Y/n is woken up by the wetness of her face. “Rose, stop!” She managed to open her eyes under Rose’s kiss attack. She propped herself up on her elbow and saw Sam sitting on the floor next to her, still asleep. But that changed quickly as he became Rose’s next target. Did he just sleep all night like this? The light seeping through the curtains formed bright patters on the floor. Gosh, she must be really tired to sleep so soundly on the sofa.

“Morning.” Y/n pursed her lips, containing a chuckle as she met gaze with a hair-disheveled Sam, who was holding the side of his neck, grimacing.

Sam felt every single bone in his body crackling as he stood up. Actions have consequences.

The drive back to Y/n’s house was quiet. Y/n thanked him for letting her stay overnight, which he insisted that was no big deal. Then he cranked up the radio and let Stephen Stills take over.

“Thank—-”

“I swear, if you thank me again—-”

They almost said together as the car pulled up to a halt in front of y/n’s apartment.

Y/n smiled apologetically nonetheless.

“Hey, like I said, it’s really no big deal. It wasn’t so courteous of me not to offer you dinner and let you sleep on the couch anyway,” Sam said. “I am very sorry about what has happened. I hope you are feeling better now.”

Y/n chewed on her bottom lip and nodded. It was after several heartbeats that she said, “You know, your bathroom walls are dirty, Kiszka.”

Sam blinked and then barked out a laugh, throwing his hands in surrender. “Guilty as charged.”

“Call me if you need anything, yeah?” Sam watched as y/n unbuckled the seatbelt. He could tell that for a second, y/n was going to thank him again.

“I’m not guilt tripping you into this, but…the offer to co-dog walk always stands.”

“Sure. I’ll let you know.”

“Oh, and one more thing,” Y/n paused as she shut the door.

“Hug Rosie extra tight for me.” With that, she turned on her heels and walked away.

It was three days later that they met again at the park. The weather was starting to get cold. Sam would always choose the vivifying spring days over fall, but he also appreciates some delicious crunching of the leaves as one walks.

“I can really tell the season is changing when the benches feel a bit cold under the tush.” Sam commented as he sat down next to y/n.

“Oh, do we have to get you padded pants then?”

“Seriously, do they make those?” Sam gasped in feigned surprise. “Anyways, how’s your car?”

“I got a call yesterday, it should be ready to pick up by Thursday,” Y/n said. She was chewing on the edge of her coffee cup. “I feel so stupid losing it like that the other day.”

“But you don’t have to, though. There’s nothing wrong about feeling things, and emotions don’t lie.”

“Yeah, I guess. But in the end it’s not about me, it’s about them. There’s always more dogs that need help and always more to do.”

“I know you said not to, but I really need to,” y/n said as she turned to Sam and threw her arms around him, catching him in surprise. “Thank you, Sammy.”

Sam couldn’t help but notice how nice it felt to have her nose buried in his shoulder. Talking about emotions don’t lie.

His hair smells nice too. And it is indeed so, so soft. Green flag.

Somehow, they fell back into the old rhythm after that. Sam guessed that when people say woman in a dream, they must be referring to their phantasmagoric nature. With each day passing, he became more and more inclined to believe that what he thought he had was nothing more than wishful thinking and self-deception.

Christmas was approaching. Their brother’s lack of contribution to the holiday preparation did not go unnoticed by the twins. Jake was first to approach Sam, saving Josh as the last resort. Although Jake doubted if they would really need him.

“Sammy boy, what are you sulking about?” Jake sat down next to Sam, who was lying facedown on the carpet.

“M’not sulking,” Sam mumbled. “You just interrupted my perfect nap.”

“No shit, wonder if you can even breathe lying like that.” Jake nudged him in the ribs, earning himself a smack on the arm.

“Have you asked her out yet?”

“Who?”

“Quit playing with me, brother. You’ve been spending enough time at the shelter and the park that we thought Rosie was going to the big sis this time.”

Sam flipped over with a groan, his hand laying across his forehead. “No. I think she probably doesn’t feel that way, honestly.”

“Okay,” Jake rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “But how do you feel? Really smitten?”

“I don’t know,” Sam sighed. “You know the trend that goes, ‘one minute you are asking for her number, the next minute you are getting screamed at by her cat’? When I asked for her number, I was hoping so bad that we will be making advent calendar for our dogs every year.”

“Damn.” For a moment, Jake was struck by the weight of that statement; its authenticity and spontaneity echoed in the air.

“You really got some of Josh’s romantic shit, huh?”

“Don’t act like you haven’,.” Sam rolled his eyes. Jake couldn’t argue with that.

“Look, I knew you will tell her eventually. Come on, don’t give me that look. We both know that you will. But this is not like some assignment where you can just keep putting off until all the points have been abducted.”

“You have my permission to take the day off. But you better be making it up to me once you’ve got her. Do you have any idea how painful it is to untangle four strands of those lights? My fingers deserve better than that.”

Sam shot his elder brother a plaintive look. Jake raised his eyebrows provocatively, but the genuine encouragement still shone through.

“Just get your ass up already, kid.”

Sam was going to see y/n that day anyway. The shelter was doing Christmas dinner for the animals and y/n had texted him earlier asking if he wanted to come help. The shelter around Christmas looked like a kindergarten. Garlands and ribbons hung from the ceiling. Cheerful Christmas carols played through the announcement speakers. Even the bulletin board were updated with the animals’ intake pictures with their new Christmas photoshoots.

“Y/n is at the big dog kennel in the back.”

The round-faced woman at the front desk warmly greeted Sam as she recognized him. He had been a regular; the staff had naturally associated him with y/n and had been secretly calling him the sexy Tarzan*. (Y/n burst out laughing when she first heard that nickname; she couldn’t deny the resemblance is uncanny.)

Sam wasn’t sure how he was going to do this. Yes, he was going to wing it but it’s not like he could just blurt it out. The place started to smell like food as Sam passed the reception area. He found y/n and her colleagues standing in the meet-and-greet area around a table full of buckets and a crock pot with the largest turkey he had ever seen. Y/n waved him in as she saw him.

“Thanks for coming! We’re about to start.” Y/n handed him an apron.

“There are separate bucket for veggies, meat, and broth. You just grab some from each into the bowl and pass it down, Sally and Theo will squeeze in the yogurt and puree, add the dry treats…and a bowl is done!” Y/n walked him around the table as they went through each step.

“This feels like I’m at a poke station.” Sam chuckled.

“It is, special Christmas edition.”

Suddenly, Sam felt more at ease. He was grateful that y/n volunteers at the shelter. It’s at least comforting to think that he would have nearly a hundred flurry friends as his wingman.

They walked down the corridor, stopping at each kennel, opening the door and sliding in the bowl. Some dogs were more timid and nervous, huddling in the corner and coming up to the food when they were left alone. Y/n made sure to skip those ones a few more beef jerky. But most of them were already wagging their tails like windshield wipers in heavy rain, waiting impatiently at the front of their kennel.

It took them nearly an hour going through the whole the dog area before the empty cart was wheeled back to the preparation room.

“They have special food for the smaller animals like the rabbits as well. But, by far, our job here is completed. Well done, soldier!” Y/n untied her apron and threw in onto the table.

“Are you doing anything after?” Y/n asked.

“No, not really. Why?” Upon hearing that question, hope and anxiety bubbled together in Sam’s stomach.

“I could treat you to a coffee for helping out today, or perhaps hot chocolate?”

“Hot chocolate sounds great.”

“Awesome, you’re in for a treat. I know a place that makes bomb hot cocoa.”

It was snowing heavily when they stepped out. The ground is already covered in a thin white layer. The snow was coming down thick and fast, Sam could hear it falling onto the crisp fabric of his jacket. They walked along the side road. The sky was already dark, making the snowflakes dancing under the streetlights all the more obvious. The cars passing by, their tires rolling over the splashing snow, made sounds like someone stirring the repeatedly pushing the buttons of a a fountain drink machine. As nice as it was, Sam soon realized his mistake of forgetting to wear gloves when he headed out. It was strange how he seldom felt cold amid the big snowfalls, it’s always the coldest the day before. It was always the build up.

“So….do you have any plans for Christmas?”

“Oh, yeah I do. I am going to this awesome party. I'm going to dance, have fun, raid the charcuterie board, get shit-face drunk, and then crawl back home. Giving the weather we are having now, I’m probably going to slip and fall, break my face on the sidewalk, and lay there unconsciously until some hobo finds me and steals my purse, but all he is going to find are handfuls of puke that I threw up earlier,” y/n finished with a mischievous smile. “How does that sound?”

Sam was speechless for a few seconds. “I’m only with you on the ‘raiding the charcuterie board’ part.” He finally said.

“Always appreciate a good humour, Kiszka.”Y/n threw back her head and laughed. “I’m messing with you. Quite the opposite, I’m doing nothing. Probably still going to drink, but definitely no party.” She made a stank face.

Y/n has mentioned that she had just moved here not long ago. Sam never heard her mentioning much about her family, and he did not want to blindly assume.

“Do you want to come to mine for Christmas?”

“Crashing your family gathering as a stranger? That doesn’t sound like a very courteous thing to do.” Y/n replied.

Sam tried to focus his sight on the tip of his shoes. Just say it already. He was suddenly afraid to look to y/n. It feels better just to hear the rejection, not to face it head on, right? And could they still have hot chocolate after this? He could really use one now.

“Well, wouldn’t be weird if you were going as my girlfriend,” he finally said.

It was taking everything in Sam to hold his gaze on y/n. He saw her head shot right up. Beneath the initial shock, Sam couldn’t quite figure out the emotion hiding in her eyes. It’s always the build up. Always the build up. But now that the cat is out of the bag, he might as well just spill it out.

“I think I really like you, y/n.”

A smile crept up onto the corner of y/n’s mouth, and Sam saw it grew to a grin.

“Are you cold?” she asked.

“Hum?” That was not what he was expecting. But he appreciated a question, any question, to redirect the attention from the….previous embarrassment.

“Did you forget your gloves?” It was only then that Sam realized that he has subconsciously managed to snake his hands into the opposite sleeves of his jacket and fold his arms in front of his chest in order to warm up his hands.

“Yes, and my fingers are freezing off,” he said through gritted teeth. “And I am dying of suspense and embarrassment.”

Unexpectedly, y/n sighed and took off one of her own gloves. “There’s no need to feel embarrassed,” she said as she pried Sam’s right hand out of his sleeve and delicately stuck his stiff fingers into the glove, as if caring for newborn ducklings.

“It feels kind of good to see even Mr. ‘beat-me-in-every-banter’ at a loss for witty comments when it comes to feelings. Just proves we’re all human, doesn’t it?” She then took Sam’s other hand into her own and placed them into the pocket of her coat.

“There. See how much better it is if we simply express ourselves?”

Sam could feel y/n’s thumb brushing his numb muscles. “I may not be the best person to lecture you on this because, well, I myself have done a pretty lousy job at it too. But, I can try to improve, as your girlfriend.”

“Can you give me the chance to try?”

Oh god, now she’s asking me.

“My honour, y/n,” Sam felt like he could breathe again. And his quick wit returned. “One thing is not true though.”

“What?” Y/n asked as they continued to walk.

“I didn’t beat you to every banter. I lost in the toilet paper one.”

Y/n raised her eyebrows in amusement.

“I guess you were right. I called a truce with my bathroom ghost the other day.”

A man who is not afraid to confess his feelings and admit when he is wrong? Green flag.

Easter Egg

Y/n did end up attending the Kiszka’s Christmas gathering as Sam’s girlfriend. Jake was smug about it the whole time (“Told you we don’t need Josh”.) He determined that Sam owed him big time and demanded that he repays him by taking down the Christmas tree and and moving it up to the attic after the holidays are over.

Of all, Rose was more than thrilled to have her over because y/n came bearing special gift for her.

“I brought dog beer.” Y/n said proudly.

“You brought what?”

“Dog beer!” y/n laughed, showing the package of four cans. “It’s just unsalted bone broth with oat and barley.”

“Shame on you for leading Rose bug down this dangerous path!” Sam pretended to be annoyed but was already reaching for Rose’s water bowl.

“Come on, Rose’s a good girl, she can handle it. Plus, she is under parental supervision.” y/n said as she popped open a can.

“Oh, is that what we are now, ‘mummy’? Dog parents?” Sam looked smug.

As Rose happily lapped up her new beverage, y/n affectionately patted her on the neck: “And you always remember, Rosie girl, beers over boys. Well, I guess your daddy can make an exception but… ‘a healthy amount of beer over any contact with boys*’”.

*1: adapted from I Like For You To Be Still by Pablo Neruda

*2: it is from here (once you see it, you can't unsee it lol

*3: a quote from one of my favourite Youtuber: Christines Snaps

Hey, you've made it!! thank you so much for reading!

here's something more I want to say.

Firstly, the two dogs mentioned are real dogs; sadly they have both crossed the rainbow bridge now. You can read more about them here: Klaus and Huxley. I changed Klaus' story here because I'd like to imagine that having pup cups, going on walks, and having fun with other dogs is the life that he should have been having before his life was unfairly taken away. And I want to honour Huxley. The inspiration for this piece came to me because I relay information for shelter dogs that are listed to be euthanized in high kill shelters. It is absolutely heartbreaking to see how many healthy dogs lose their life at no fault of their own. I have always believed in the power of writing; I myself have been healed by the writings of others in this community many times, and I would like to do something with my writing too. I hope to raise awareness through this piece: There are just too many homeless pups. Please spay and neuter- their lives depend on it; and if you ever want a pet, please always go to the local shelter and check out their euth-list. Saving one dog is not going to change the world, but for that dog, the world is changed forever.

Secondly, about the writing; this is my first time writing Sam and my longest piece. As many of you surely must have noticed there are some loose ends, I apologize. I was emotional while writing this and I dragged it out. Plus, I made the mistake of reading one of the most amazing fanfics ever while writing this. I became self-conscious and kind of defeated---emotions get in the way, so I think this is leaning more towards a cathartic experience. For those that have experienced the pet loss, I am sorry and I feel for you. Please know that they can always feel your love and you will meet one day at the rainbow bridge. I intend to dig into this piece further in the future: perhaps make some more changes and edits, perhaps writing some blurbs between this y/n and Sam. If you would like that, please let me know.

Lastly, sincerely thank you to @dannythedog for the gvf secret santa event. It may sound stupid but that event carried me through my finals and several mental breakdowns. It has not only helped me to connect with so many wonderful people in this fandom, but it has also encouraged me to write. I never would have thought picking up writing again would give me so much closure and comfort. Plus, she did an awesome pairing; I got one of my favourite writers here as my secret santa!! and I got to know Nina.

This is so much longer than I intended. If you have made it here, wow, I am giving you a big big hug. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read my writings. I hope that there are many more to come.

More of my writings: Mariner's Complex || Permission to Fall || Ticked (all my boxes) || The Lucky Ones

(do we want a masterlist or a taglist? let me know :))

[marblemoonstones]

🩵 catharsis ~ chapter one

main masterlist

series masterlist

pairing: bts ot7 x reader

genre: collegestudentreader!au

warnings: angst, verbal abuse (shouting/yelling), slight gaslighting??, slight physical abuse (reader gets slapped, doesn’t go into details), f reader, reader has glasses

summary: after a chance encounter with a handsome stranger, you find yourself living with him and his six boyfriends. all of whom are the most kindhearted men you’ve ever met. who will fall first? you or them?

word count: ~1.7k

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The weather is perfect; rain. But not the beautiful, slight drizzle with a calming atmosphere. 

No, it’s a torrid rainfall. The skies are dark, winds blustery, and there is a harsh downpour. 

The weather matches the tension in the air as I storm out of my ex boyfriend’s apartment complex, a suitcase in one hand and my phone in the other. 

The problems started about two months ago. I had been dating my now ex for only two months after meeting him on a blind date set up by a friend. After the date went well, me and him exchanged numbers. This led to us talking and then setting up another date. After seeing him for a month, I officially became his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day. 

Then from February to June it was perfect. He would take me on romantic dates; restaurant dinners, sunset watching on the beach, a picnic, etc. This was the time I felt truly happy, enjoying every moment together. 

It was in mid-May that I moved in with him into his apartment. Now, we could be even closer together and make even more memories. Slow dancing in the kitchen, cooking together, and binge-watching tv dates. 

July fifth was the start of the trouble. We were cooking dinner together when I accidentally dropped a plate. It was really no big deal, as we had so many other plates, but he started shouting at me, calling me clumsy and stupid. Afterwords he apologized, and I forgave him. 

Then a week later I forgot that we had a date together. I had been with my friends for the afternoon, hanging out and catching up. When I finally decided to look at your phone, I saw that I had thirty-four new messages from my boyfriend and then remembered I had a dinner date. A hasty goodbye to my friends and a quick drive over and I found my angry boyfriend. I was an hour late. The drive home was silent and once we got inside the yelling start again. He called me forgetful and stupid, saying he took time out of his day to see me, but apparently I couldn’t do the same for him. This time hurt more than the last, as I rarely got to see these friends.

There were countless other incidents where he got mad for no reason and yelled at me. Whether calling me lazy or messy, he always used the word stupid. 

Who knew a simple word could impact and affect my life so much? 

The violence was always verbal, but there were a couple times he slapped me. The sting made my eyes water, and I soon became paranoid; afraid that if I made him angry he would physically hurt me. As much as I tried to control it, he still noticed and was annoyed with me.

The last straw was when he accused me of cheating on him. I had been hanging out with my friend Minyoo, who was a close high school friend of mine. I hadn’t seen him in forever, and we talked and caught up all afternoon. After a warm hug goodbye, we exchanged numbers and promised to keep in touch, 

But when I got home, there was my boyfriend, with another unhappy look on his face. I sighed, knowing I did something wrong again.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, already internally bracing myself for the yelling.

“You know what’s wrong! Cheating on me with your so-called ‘friend’?! How could you?! I have been loyal to you, and this is how you repay me?!” 

“You know that I would never, ever cheat on you,” I start, but stop when he slams his fists on the coffee table. I don’t continue as I grow fearful of his anger. 

“Never cheat? Hah! You’re such a good liar y/n. Always dishonest with me! And you wonder why I get mad! It’s because of you! You make me mad! Why are you so stupid?!” 

At that word, I snap, going into the bedroom.

“Hey! Where are you going? I’m not done speaking yet!” I hear him shout from the living room. 

After looking in the closet, I find my suitcase and start packing the essentials. By now, he had found me and found out what I was doing.

“Y/n, what are you doing?! Are you seriously thinking about leaving?”

I don’t respond, focusing on stuffing everything I can into my suitcase. After zipping it closed, I grab my phone and roll the suitcase into the living room. 

“Y/n!” He grabs my wrist, “ Don’t be so stupid as to leave me! You will regret it!” 

I try to rip my wrist from his grasp, and finally succeed.

“Stop it!” I hiss, “Let me go or I will yell for the neighbors.”

The threat seemed to work, my now ex-boyfriend letting me leave the apartment. 

~ 

As I wander the rainy streets, I let my brain catch up with my actions. 

Did I really just break up with my boyfriend?

Will he come after me?

Is it truly my fault?

The last question lingers in my mind. 

As I approach a bus stop, I sit down underneath the covered area. Now soaked to the bone, I wonder what my next step should be. 

I can’t call my family, as they’re living in the U. S. My friends don’t have any place for me to stay, and I know I don’t have enough money in my suitcase for a hotel room. 

I truly have no option left. 

The tears come again, and I sit alone on that bench until I hear a voice.

“Excuse me miss, are you alright?”

I look up through my tear-stained glasses to make out a slightly blurred face. A really handsome slightly blurred face.

“Oh,” sniffle, “I’ll be fine in a bit thank you,” sniffle, “Just a mental breakdown you know?” I say, trying to assure the handsome stranger. But it doesn’t seem to work. 

“Really? Excuse me if I’m over stepping, but it seems like more than a ‘mental breakdown’ to me,” handsome man says, “You have a suitcase with you. Do you need a place to stay?” 

I’m not sure what to say. I need a place desperately, but I don’t trust this man for obvious reasons. First, I literally don’t know anything about him, second, he could be a creep or a serial killer, and third, I literally don’t know anything about him! 

Handsome man sees my hesitation and says, “I know, I’m a random stranger. But let me introduce myself. My name is Kim Seokjin, I’m twenty-six years old, and I’m an actor. I live with my six boyfriends, but we have an extra guest room you could stay in. I promise we’re not weird or creepy! But you might be weirded out by my perfect face!” He then winks at me and I laugh through my tears.

“Well, now that you know more about me, will you accept the offer? My boyfriend Yoongi is coming to pick me up, so if you want to you can come today. This rain is no joke!” He says, eagerly waiting my answer.

I quickly consider my choices. Seokjin said that he lives with six other boyfriends, which is a decent amount of people. But he has a guest room. But he could be lying and be creepy. But his eyes are so genuinely excited, so maybe he’s just kind. And I’m out of other options, and there is still about a month until I go back to college and can live in a dorm. 

I surprise myself by saying “Yes, I’ll come live with you Seokjin. I’m sorry I’m such a mess, otherwise I wouldn’t accept this offer. But I promise it will only be for a month! I go back to college in a month and then I can live in a dorm so I won’t bother you and your boyfriends and-“

“Calm down. My boyfriends are very nice and don’t care how long you stay! If you could tell me your name though, that would be much appreciated,” Seokjin says with yet another wink.

I blush, I didn’t tell him my name yet!

“Oh, uh, right, my name’s y/n,” I mumble. 

“Oh, y/n! Very lovely, just like yourself,” Seokjin says, smiling at me.

I blush even more, but then a car pulls up.

“Ah! This is Yoongi’s car,” Seokjin says, pulling me and my suitcase up to the passenger side of the car, the now light drizzles of rain falling onto our heads.

The window rolls down, and there is yet another handsome man. Of course someone as handsome as Seokjin would have an equally attractive boyfriend.

“Ah, Yoongi! This here is y/n, and she needs a place to stay because…” Seokjin pauses, looking at me, and I realize I never told him the reason why.

“Oh! Um, well, I just broke up with my boyfriend and we were living in his apartment, so…” I trail off, now embarrassed. 

‘Yoongi’ just raises his eyebrows and tells Seokjin, “Of course she can come stay with us, but have you told the others yet?” 

Seokjin is now the one looking embarrassed. 

“I was going to just-“

“Bring her home and not tell the others? You know we have to discuss important things with everyone before making a decision,” Yoongi interrupts, annoyance flashing in his eyes. 

Great, now I’m just a problem yet again. 

“It’s no big deal, I can just find a hotel or somewhere else to stay,” I start, but get interrupted by Yoongi.

“No, it’s ok. I know Jin-hyung wouldn’t just invite anyone over. I guess it’ll be a surprise to everyone at home,” Yoongi says pointedly at Seokjin. 

“Yah! I couldn’t just let her be! She was crying and I knew you guys would be kind enough to let her stay with us!” Jin protests, making Yoongi roll his eyes.

“Whatever Jin-hyung. Just put y/n’s suitcase in the trunk and get in. Y/n, I promise it’s no big deal. We all know the feeling of needing a place to stay, trust me.” Yoongi then gestures for me to get in the backseat. 

I open the door and climb in as Seokjin puts my suitcase in the back. After he climbs in the passenger seat, we’re off to their house.

What did I just do? 

a/n: kind of a short prologue but i had to have some backstory! hope you enjoyed reading :)

[gingerjunhan]

love me not - lee jooyeon

☆彡 I case you missed it, requests box are now open! If you would like to make a request, use my ask box. To see my guidelines, click here!

synopsis: you go on a picnic date with your boyfriend

word count: 536 | pronouns used: none | genre: fluff, established relationship | cws: mentions of eating, let me know if I missed any

You had finally convinced Jooyeon to go on one of those cute picnic dates with you, and everything was going exactly how you imagined.

The weather was perfect; sunny with a slight breeze. The flowers and trees in the park you were sitting in seemed to be in full bloom, and the food was delicious. After the mess you and Jooyeon had made in your kitchen this morning while preparing your basket of goodies, you were a little concerned about how the food would taste.

“It’s because I made it with love,” Jooyeon told you with a proud smile. “That’s why it turned out so good.”

Jooyeon was now off roaming the park somewhere, and you were enjoying yourself as you laid on your picnic blanket and soaked in the sun. Your moment of peace, however, was interrupted when your boyfriend came running back towards you.

“Y/N! Y/N! I have something for you!” Jooyeon sat down on the edge of the picnic blanket with one of his hands behind his back. “Close your eyes!”

You rolled your eyes and laughed lightly at him, immediately giving into his antics and closing your eyes.

“Okay… open!”

When you opened your eyes, Jooyeon was presenting a small bouquet of all of the different flowers that could be seen in the park. You smiled brightly at him.

“Jooyeon! They’re so pretty!”

“I picked them myself!” He sounded like a kid, the way he bragged about how he hand picked each of the flowers for you. It was hard to deny the blush that the gesture left on your cheeks.

“Thank you, honey. I love them.” You pulled Jooyeon in and gave him a kiss on the cheek, causing him to blush now as well.

You looked over your bouquet, admiring each individual flower that he has picked. One of which was a small blue flower, which you pulled out from the bunch, setting the rest of the flowers aside on the blanket. Jooyeon watched as you analyzed the flower before taking one of its small petals between your fingers and pulling it out.

“He loves me,” you dropped the petal into the grass just off the edge of your blanket. You plucked out another, “He loves me not.”

Jooyeon watched your face as you made your way around the flower, as if the outcome of your entire relationship relied on nothing but these little blue petals.

“He loves me. He loves me not. He loves me. He loves me not.”

Jooyeon felt like he was holding his breath as each petal that fell to the grass. Three more.

“He loves me.”

Two.

“He loves me not.”

One.

You smiled up at Jooyeon as you pulled the last petal out of the now bare center of the flower. “He loves me.”

A smile took over your boyfriend’s face as he looked from what was left of the flower to you. He then cupped a hand over your cheek, leaning in until his lips met yours.

“Thank goodness it didn’t end on a love me not,” Jooyeon stated once you both had pulled away.

You tilted your head at him, “Why’s that?”

“I really wanted an excuse to kiss you.”

[the-trinket-witch]

Let's go fly a kite during the:

It’s August! So that means school’s about to begin again in Night Raven College. But August seems to be a month of birthdays, between Ortho, Riddle, as well as one Albert Eastwind. But there’s word of an event off-campus many are going to before classes come back in session.

Altus is an island city just off the coast of the Shaftlands, but is considered a territory of the Queendom of Roses. Its location and geography make it a breezy place, perfect for steampunk-esque airships and the like. In fact the whole city seems rather Steampunkish. It’s one weekend in the middle of August, that’s almost like clockwork with how predictable the wind blows. Such a westwardly breeze is the perfect weather for Altus’s ‘Airborne Afternoon’. The weekend is quite the jolly holiday, celebrating the city’s pivotal contributions to all things that take flight. Kites soar in craftsmanship showcases and heated dogfights. Tricked out airships, balloons and other vehicles dot the upper atmosphere like daylight stars.

Albert has talked it up the whole year, and had somehow convinced Azul, Jade and Floyd to come along. Jade had been curious about Albert’s hometown and what the hiking was going to be like; apparently the tallest hill on the isle was the epicenter of the festivities. Azul claims that winning even just one competition might get his name in some of the locals’ mouths, maybe drum up a bit of prospective business down the line. Floyd…Floyd heard about some Kite fighting and wanted to smear the competition.

Locals as well have a more eccentric ‘competition’. Every year, a member of the community gets voted as someone who ‘Just Needs a Good Laugh’. Usually, it’s the crotchetiest of the crowd, the biggest Grump in town. With a measured tether tied to their waist, they down a potion of levitation. The catch: the potion only works when the person laughs. The competition is basically a ‘Speed Comedy’ act. The tether the ‘judge’ wears is the quantifying measurement for how good the acts are; the routine that brings the judge to the heights of laughter wins.

Anyone is welcome to join in! Maybe bring a friend or partner? What does your kite look like? Will it take to the skies for combat? Want to check out all the tricked out flying machines? Have a hilarious sketch routine or joke you want to try out? Rather not compete? There’s plenty of hillside to have a viewing picnic or peruse the stalls lining up the hill.

This is going to be NOT an AU thing, but a regular ‘canon’ event, but the town has steampunk flavoring so ppl can dress up if they want.

(RULES FOR ASKS)

-Can not be on anon, sorry.

-Use #TwstAirborneAfternoonEvent if you wanna make something on your own

-One (1) OC per ask, with at most a plus-one. Let me know what your character plans to do in Altus! Are they putting on something sort of steampunk to blend in or just something casual? Are they bringing a kite? Lemme see!

-Please link a reference to your OC so I can write and/or doodle something accurately!

-I’ll either be writing a drabble of varying length for each ask, OR making a doodle of the scenario (at my personal discretion)

-This event runs from Tue, Aug 1st to Fri. Aug 18. Submissions sent after the 18th will regrettably not be considered.

-If you wanna write or draw something yourself-Tag me if ya can! I wanna see and show other folks too!

Albert SSR Voicelines:

Summon: No need for anything fancy, just some paper and string.

Groovy: If you'd like, I can take you flying sometime.

Set home: Give me a moment, please, to ‘reel’ myself in.

Home Idle 1: I don’t normally dress up this much, but it’s a special occasion

2: Altus has this event each year. The competitions can get pretty heated sometimes!

3: My cousin claims he could win the Joke Contest, if he could only get through his routine without being close to tears laughing, himself.

Home login: Today’s a rather nice day to go kite flying.

Tap 1: Was there anywhere you wanted to go? A stall or sight?

2: It’s nice to be back home, it’s been so long I may have to dust a bit~

3: The kite dogfights can get quite heated, sometimes you have to wonder which end of the string to watch more.

4: Theres free admission in the city museum; it's inside that decommissioned dirigible, the N.A.S Admiral. We call it 'Old Admiral Boom'

5: Afterwards, do you want to grab any of the meat pies Altus is famous for?

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.38 Yuppies

Dad had only just celebrated his elder birthday, and was still relatively young and virile, but I remained cautiously aware of his situation changing daily. He complained about his back more and ran less. But even if his age weren't a factor, his interest in athletic pursuits was not nearly as high as mine. Still, I didn't want him to miss an opportunity and asked if he felt like jogging around the Aboretum in Gilbert Gardens. Inviting him on my excursions was weird sometimes because I didn't want to make him feel obligated, and this adventure would be a long one. I probably should have worded the question better, though, because he gave me the deepest of side eye.

"Let me get dressed," he said.

That was the exact situation he didn't want back when we were talking about me living with him. He didn't want a babysitter, and I didn't want to be one. But sometimes I felt like I had to. Hopefully, as we both got used to this transition he was going through, I could find balance.

The weather was gorgeous. It was warm, partly cloudy, and the perfect day for a run in a serene location. I had seen bits of the trail here and there and was curious about how long was the whole thing. Between not knowing and being conscious of Dad, I paced myself and made sure we took breaks. Those made perfect opportunities for us to stretch and stay hydrated.

At the end of the trail, we sat at one of the many picnic tables in the area across the street from the rec center. Dad asked if I had talked to Sophia yet, and I told him I had hung out with her yesterday.

"Oh! So that's where you were all day. Good for you. So, how do you feel?"

I felt a lot of things, heh. At some point, I'd need to talk to him about that bit of fear that wouldn't go away, but I didn't feel like it was the time or place for a deep, personal conversation.

"I can't wait to see her again."

He smiled.

"I'm happy for you."

Our neighbor Eleanor, Chi Chi's mother-in-law, spotted us and came over to say hello.

"I see you boys have discovered the best spot in San Sequoia. How are you enjoying the city so far?"

"It's great," Dad said.

"I grew up here, you know. My family had a tiny little place out in Hopewell Hills back when it was just called 'the hills.'"

She talked about how her family had helped to revitalize the area and rebrand it as a nice little suburban area to raise a family. Over time, however, the yuppies who moved to the neighborhood were better off financially, which subsequently changed the vibe and reputation, undoing everything her family had worked so hard to create.

"Do you have other children?" she asked.

"A daughter. She's living in Mt. Komorebi for now."

"Oh! A little adventurer, huh? I love taking care of children. My favorite age is when we can play together, ha ha!"

They spoke about parent stuff for a little while, and I just sat there and observed. She was a little strange to me, but as they spoke, the more I approved of this little friendship brewing. Dad never had many friends, and he definitely closed himself off after the divorce. Hopefully, living in this friendly town would change that.

[meowwrites]

Fruit Bowls.

inspired by me making fruit bowls for me and my sister and then making very poor quesadillas. and crying. because both came out poorly.

—————————

Neoma is coming over at 12:00. Get ready.

That’s the first reminder that fills my vision when I pick up my phone.

Summer had just started. June 11th. The first day I had gotten to sleep in for what felt like years.

The sun shone brightly through my curtains, the sky was bright and blue, the birds chirped through my window; it was entirely peaceful, and worth celebrating because it had been nothing but rain in the last month of May.

The weather was reflective of my emotions. Even if the suns heat made me sweat and the light made it difficult to see, it was better than the forlorn days and nights of raining and flooding, having to run around in the rain to make it home because I kept forgetting my umbrella.

With the bright weather, there was happiness. There was confidence. And with that confidence, I invited Neoma to my house.

Neoma is a good friend of mine. One of my best friends, even. That’s a little embarrassing to say and maybe a bit of an overstatement, since we only met in the second semester.

We met when I tripped and fell down the stairs on my way down the staircase. She helped me to the nurse in a rolling chair. She’s really kind.

She’s pretty and has nice hair and she’s really cool and… I insisted she come over to my house today and we could go have a picnic at a park near my house.

I also insisted I prepare all the food and drinks. Which I planned to do when I woke up at 9:00.

And now it’s 11:00. And I have nothing prepared.

Nothing. Zero.

I must be the worst host in human history.

I chuck my phone off to the side, it falling off the edge of my bed, and quickly swing my legs up and hoist myself out of bed, my legs hitting the ground and standing up as fast as possible, which I had to sit back down because my vision when black.

“Oh no… no, no, no…” I groan. I don’t know how I’m going to get this all done in an hour.

No way I can cancel. That would be rude. And asking her to come later would be improper, she’s already making the attempt to come from her home on a Saturday. I can’t mess this up.

I also really, really want her to come over.

With a sigh, I get up a lot slower and make my way to my bathroom to go shower and clean my face.

Wash my face, put on sunscreen, wet my hair, painstakingly comb it through, and go back to my room to make my bed and change.

I’m trying to look my best. I have to look my best. She needs to see my best. She deserves my best.

I smack my cheeks, throwing opening my closet to pull out various shirts and dresses and skirts to try on.

A white crop top with a pretty short blue skirt? No, definitely not, it’s too short.

A black shirt with grey sweatpants? No, it’s too hot for that, and I’d look underdressed.

A white sundress? It’s… not half bad. It’s pretty. I wonder if Neoma will think it looks nice?

…

It doesn’t take me more than a minute to put it on.

Okay, next order of business. I have time, it’s only… 11:30.

Why is there never enough time in the day?

Right, business. I need to… I need to get the fruit! I wanted to make fruit bowls and bring chocolate and honey to eat them with. Neoma says she loves eating strawberries with chocolate, so I should buy those.

Alright, so hand-made fruit bowls. I can do that—

I don’t have fruit.

Why don’t I have fruit? Because grocery shopping is only for people who have grocery lists—as in my parents went on vacation and I had to shop and ended up buying everything wrong due to the lack of a grocery list.

So now I have to buy fruit.

And my driving skills are subpar at best.

And the grocery store is five minutes away if I run.

…

I run out of my room, almost tripping and falling flat on my face by the time I make it to the my front door because of my socks. I put on my sneakers, and run out the door.

It’s really more like speed walking, because I keep tripping over my own feet and it’s close to scraping my knees open.

I really wish my mother had taught me better motor skills. Because by the time I’m through the front door of my local Publix, I’m on my knees (because I tripped on the bottom of the door, panting and sweating.

Why does it have to be like a million degrees outside? And people are staring. At me. On the floor. Understandably so.

I quickly get to my feet and continue my quest into the store.

I have a bit of a mental list of what I need as I make it through the produce isle with a shopping cart; pineapples, kiwis, strawberries, honeydew, mangoes… etc. etc.

Neoma may or may not be allergic to one of these. I knows Neoma told me, but I’m now really struggling to remember; my brain is all fuzzy from running. I’m isn’t sure how I managed to fumble this bad and it’s only morning.

Speaking of which, it’s 11:40 now.

Life is cruel to girls like me.

I shovel in a bunch of more fruit in my shopping bag (while taking too much time with trying to figure which end of the plastic bags to open) and make my way to the checkout. As in, the self-checkout. The last time I had a cashier I ended up having to use cash because all my five credit cards rejected.

Even if it’s more time consuming that every time I put in the monumentos amounts of fruits I have on the scale, a person has to come and scan their id for me. I manage to stutter out a thank you every time, at the very least.

I can never go to a regular cashier. They are going to throw rocks at me.

By the time I finish and manage to check my phone and it’s 11:45 and there is no way I am going to make it back in time to do everything.

How I managed to mess up so badly even though I had everything planned to the wire, is well beyond me.

I take a deep breath and quickly begin making my way back home, trying to match the same pace I was at originally, just with less tripping and more actual running.

It’s a little difficult when you’re carrying a pound or so of just about every single fruit a person can imagine, but I just have to make do.

Staying positive is one of the thing I unfortunately need to have going for me. Maybe I can make it on time. Maybe I can prepare everything I need too in the span of however much time I have left by the time i get home. Maybe I won’t fumble every single attempt I have ever made towards Neoma.

Neoma…

She makes my head spin. And not just because when I met her I had hit my head on the pavement.

I really want to impress her this time around. Make her think that I’m not ditzy and clumsy and anxious, because I’m not—well, I’m not that much. I think. Maybe. Probably?

Regardless, I really want her to think I’m cool. Maybe if I show her a good time, maybe she’ll want to come over more. And maybe if she wants to come over more she would want to be friends, and maybe if she wants to be friends we could be—

I accidentally ram my head into the door to my house thinking about Neoma.

“Ow, ow—“ I rub my forehead, stepping back and opening the door, running back inside.

It’s currently 11:50. I can make it. I have to make it.

I begin running into my kitchen, setting all the bags on the counter, which some of the contents spill out and I manage to pick up before they rolled off to the side.

Grab a bowl, grab a cutting board, and grab a knife. Finely cut the fruit into small pieces—

“Ah, ow, ow.” I drop the knife on the cutting board.

Maybe cutting fruit is hard than I thought. My index finger is bleeding.

I put it in my mouth and sigh. This is a lot more difficult than I anticipated. Is this karma for trying to impress a pretty girl I like?

I begin the arduous task of walking to my bathroom and bandaging my finger, and then going back to my kitchen to continue cutting fruit.

This leads to the repetitive task of cutting fruit, accidentally cutting my fingers because I don’t know how to cut fruit, go to my bathroom to get bandages, and continue cutting the fruit. This happens to all ten of my fingers.

Mangoes, oranges, blueberries, raspberries, anything and everything I can to make it look appetizing and delicious. I even put honey and cinnamon on it.

I do manage to finish, without getting blood on the fruit, somehow. It… doesn’t look great. It’s not nearly as appetizing as I anticipated.

All this effort. All this work. And it doesn’t even look good. And my fingers are all bandages and a faded red color.

The door rings.

Did i mess up?

I walk to the door.

Did I lose my chance of having the best possible day with one of the most amazing girls I know?

I slowly open the door.

There’s no way she’ll like me now. I’m sweaty, I’m bleeding, and I don’t even look nice. I wouldn’t like me either. I don’t even think I do to begin with anyway, but this is just infinitely worse—

“Good evening, Tameline.”

This sucks.

“It’s, nice to see you, Neoma! Th-Thanks for coming.”

She’s dressed so nicely. She has a really large black jacket and low-waisted black pants. She looks so good, she even halfway put her hair up. She’s so gorgeous. And I look like a wreck. It’s taking a lot out of me not to cry.

“Come in! I, uh, cleaned the place, so it’s not a total wreck, haha. Uhm, I woke up kind of late and I ended up not getting everything ready, but I promise I can get it done if I—“

“Are you going to cry?”

“…Huh?”

I stop talking when she interrupts me. She’s looking at me weird. Her eyebrows are furrowed, and her head is tilted to the side. She looks… worried.

Is she worried about, me?

“N-No,” My voice cracks. “It’s, it’s fine. I’m fine. Really I’m—“ This isn’t good. No, no, no. Not now. My eyes swell up with tears. My vision gets blurry. It feels hard to breathe. “I’m f-fine. Just fine.”

She just keeps looking at me. She’s looking at me, and I’m crying. This is embarrassing. She’s just watching me cry.

This was the worst mistake of my life.

Neoma, without warning, takes my hands into hers, and just holds my hands. It makes me stumble backwards from the shock.

She doesn’t say anything, she just… holds my hands. My bandages hands from cutting fruit and accidentally cutting myself.

Her hands are soft. They’re really soft. And she’s so pretty up close.

“I-I’m sorry—“ I hiccup. The tears slip down my face, I feel humiliated. “I’m really sorry.”

And there I am, crying. Crying at my front door with one of the prettiest girls I know that’s holding my hands.

“Don’t apologize.” Neoma’s tone of voice is soft, gentle. She’s so kind.

“I-I totally messed up.” I sniffle, and it’s hard to speak, it feels like my throats going dry. “I woke up late, I-I had to run to the store to buy everything so now I’m all sweaty— then I suck at cutting fruits, a-and I wanted to make you fruit bowls, but I know you’re allergic to one of them but I can’t remember which— a-and everything looks horrible and it all sucks and I just wanted t-to show you a good time and sh-show that I’m not such a loser—“ I ramble the entire time as my crying only gets louder, and Neoma only listens to me patiently. “A-And now I’ve messed everything up—“

Neoma looks at me a little longer, and then she… laughs? It’s more like a quiet chuckle. Is she laughing at me? Or is she…? Honestly I’m not even sure. Crying impairs my train of thought. “That’s… nice of you. I can help you out, we can still have a good time.”

“We… we can?” She took that… surprisingly well. It’s giving me whiplash. I wipe my nose with my arm and sigh shakily. She sounds hopeful. “I-I thought you’d never want to talk to me after this.”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Neoma tilts her head, still holding my hands in her own as she stands at my doorway, looking at me with an expression I can discern. “You talk a lot about how you never wake up early. I figured it might happen. I’m not upset.”

It almost feels backhanded, but I get the point. She’s really accommodating for me. “I uh.. haha,” She’s not upset. She doesn’t look the slightest bit mad at me. I let my hands free of hers and wipe my tears. “I’m sorry. That’s… that’s really nice of you. You should— you should come in. I would really like it if you helped me.” I step to the side to let her in.

“Thank you.” Neoma goes inside and I close the door behind her. “It’s fine. Really. Please, don’t stress yourself out.”

I sniffle and take her to my kitchen, letting her follow behind me and not responding besides a faint ‘mhm’. I need to wash my face. And these clothes. And maybe myself. This is embarrassing, Neoma doesn’t even seem to mind. She must really be cringing on the inside.

My kitchen is a bit of a mess. There’s the paper towels with dried blood and fruit juice, one and a half bowls of fruit finished, fruit set out, groceries bags on the floor and some falling out onto the floor.

My face feels red. “Sorry, uh, it’s messy.” I want to push Neoma out of my kitchen—out of my house—right about now.

“I can clean.” Neoma offers, going to my side, only taking a quick glance around before back to me. “You should go wash your face. Your eyes will get all puffy.”

“Oh—, right.” I probably look like a mess. It would be nice to change. “I-I’ll be right back! I promise I’ll come back to help.” I nod quickly, making my way back to my own bathroom while Neoma goes to my kitchen.

I lock the door and slump onto the floor.

I feel bad still. Neoma offered to clean, it looks like a mess in my kitchen, and it’s all my fault. At least… she’s not too mad. I think she would’ve left otherwise.

She was so kind the entire time, it makes my head feel fuzzy.

And she’s probably waiting for me, so I should make this quick… after I spend a minute on the floor.

So I spend the next minute staring up at the ceiling from the floor. Staring up my flickering light that has a lot of dead bugs in it.

I should learn how to clean it.

After mentally counting more or less of a minute, I stand up, feeling a little woozy from standing up so fast before turning on my sink. I splash the cold water on my face, once, twice… a couple times until my hair ends up getting a little wet too.

I look at myself in my mirror. I don’t look as bad as I thought I would. It (me in the mirror) almost looks manageable. I can make it look better.

Quietly I turn off the lights and open the door, slipping into my room.

It takes me not too long to freshen up. Put on deodorant, brush (more like tug) through my hair, change into a different dress, and apply some perfume.

I look to my mirror leaning against my wall. I…don’t look half bad. I even say I look presentable. I do a little twirl and strike a couple of poses just to make sure it looks nice from every angle.

Then I realize it’s definitely been more than a minute.

Neoma has probably been waiting.

I quickly run out of my room and into my kitchen. “Ah, I’m so sorry! I lost track of time again, I wanted to change and—oh wow—“

“It’s fine. I just did some cleaning, I hope it’s okay.”

The counters aren’t covered in shaven off fruit. The plates and cups in the left side of my sink are now clean and in the right side. Some of the clean dishes have been put away.

And Neoma was grabbing various knives and utensils and I’m assuming they’re to finish with the fruit.

…She did all of this?

“Uh. Mhm. Yeah.” I don’t know what to say. I haven’t cleaned since my parents left. And she cleaned the moment she got here. “Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. I’m not really sure what you wanted to make other than fruit bowls, so I’ll listen to whatever you ask me to do.”

Neoma almost seems eager to help me, she had everything set out and ready to go. I didn’t realize she felt so strongly about helping me. It’s odd, but it makes me happy.

“Alright! So, I wanted to start off with the fruits, obviously…”

We spent an hour or so preparing everything for the picnic, from the fruit bowls to a cake I wanted to make but I didn’t know how to. Neoma, just as she said, helped me with just about everything. She taught me how to cut the fruits without cutting myself, how to properly whisk the ingredients, and sometimes she did it all herself when I got tired.

I could never be a housewife at this rate. But, at the very least, I had a fun time in the kitchen with Neoma, and maybe it wouldn’t go so bad from here on out—

And then that’s when it started raining.

I was washing the plates and Neoma was putting everything in the respective containers and plates, when there were small bouts of pattering from my ceiling. And then I looked out the window. And it was pouring. The clouds were black overhead and entirely forlorn—there was no way they could go outside and have a picnic. I could even smell the petrichor from inside my house.

Did I forget to check the forget the weather when I set the date for this technically date not date?

…

Why am I the stupidest girl on this earth?

“Oh dear.” Neoma follows in suit when she noticed the rain beating down into the ground. “Ah, that sucks. I hope it stops. I walked here.”

And then, it didn’t stop. We waited, and waited, and waited. I even pulled out a deck of cards my father played with his colleagues when things got awkward in waiting rooms. We played cards together. War, blackjack, go fish. We even tried playing uno with them.

And the rain didn’t stop.

It took me about another ten minutes as we played war on the kitchen countertop to come up with a proper solution.

“We could have the picnic in here,” I try to mention as casually as possibly, acting as if it doesn’t sound like the stupidest idea in the world. “I could set the blankets on the floor and we could pretend. It, doesn’t look like the rain is going to stop.” I want to bite my nails. I don’t want Neoma being bored. I don’t want her to feel like she wants to leave.

“That’s… not a bad idea.” Neoma looks up at me from her small pile of cards. “It’ll just have to make do. I’ll get the food out.”

“I’ll get the blankets!” I sound a little too happy saying that, and that’s because I am. I want Neoma to have the best time possible. I’ll do anything for that.

I run to the bag I had with all my supplies for the picnic, picking it up with a huff and dragging it to the middle of my living room. I push everything away so we have more space, and set down the blankets. Neoma has to help me, because I struggle to get it right the first couple times.

Everything’s entirely set up the same way it would be if they were outside. And if there wasn’t rain. It doesn’t look half bad. Neoma sits down and I follow suit. She opens some of the containers of food first. I grab some and place them on my lap to open them too.

“Thanks for inviting me.” Neoma speaks as she grabs a sandwich and shoves it in her mouth in one go. Maybe it’s an instinctive habit, because in a split second she’s covered her mouth and looked off to the side. She looks like one of those hamsters with the chubby cheeks.

“Thank you for coming!” I grab some grapes in my hand, picking out four. “I wanted to do something special to start summer off. It’s a shame it’s been raining.”

“This is pretty nice too, though. It’s not hot in here. I probably would have been sweating.”

“Mhm, same, that’s why I put this dress on! I only have, about a couple. I’ve been meaning to get some more.”

“Dresses look cute on you. I don’t see you wearing them at school often. You should.” Her voice sounds a little muffled because of the chewing.

“Oh.” My cheeks flare up red. I’m going to wear dresses everyday for the rest of my life. “Thank you! I love wearing them, and they’re really easy for me to wear because I struggle with using buttons and zippers and stuff.”

“You don’t like wearing zippers and buttons?”

“You do? I mean, they just feel weird on my skin, it’s too much texture for my taste, I mean dresses with buttons I can take, but as long as they’re fake and I don’t actually have to button them…”

I think for that whole time I was there I ranted about several useless things that people would never care about once in their lives.

Maybe except Neoma. She listened to every word, or pretended to at least, because she stared at me so fondly it was almost strange.

She cared what I spoke about. From the anatomy of jellyfish to how I found one of my friends smoking in the student parking lot, she listened to every word.

Even when I was incoherent from my jaw hurting too much and I lied down on the blankets because of how comfortable they were. Even when I, was half-asleep.

“And then he just ran off… I don’t really know if he likes me. We’ve never really spoken before but… I want him to like me. It’d make tutoring him so much easier…” I yawn. The stress had been melting off me the last couple hours, and now I was so, so tired. But I couldn’t sleep in front of Neoma. That’d be rude.

“Mhm. I’m sure he’s just shy. You’re bubbly. That intimidates people.” I could’ve sworn I felt Neoma’s hands in my hair, but I couldn’t really tell. I just, didn’t think about it.

“Am I scary…?”

“Not really.”

“Oh… that’s, good…” I think that’s the moment I fell asleep, because when I came to up the rain had stopped, and when I shifted to my side, I saw Neoma’s face close to mine.

Asleep.

She was so close.

I could see every detail of her face.

All the containers and food were moved off to the side too. She was just lying next to me, her arm stretched out above my head from messing with my hair.

…

I gently grabbed her arm, and rested my head on it. Just staring at her, taking in every feature of her face like she was an exhibition in a grand art gallery.

And then I went back to sleep.

—————————

Word Count: 4,178

[camgarza]

location: willowing pines stables

status: closed for @jaymendoza

"Here." Cami placed a still steaming bowl of chili and a plate of jalepeno laced cornbread on the picnic table in front of him. Her grandmother fed those working on their land at least two meals a day for several decades. She'd be damned if that tradition went to waste now that Willowing Pines fell to her hands.

So, she nodded at the food in a way that brokered no arguments, then circled the table to take a seat right on top of the old, weather beaten wood.

"You think I'm crazy to think we could actually start up a sanctuary and rehab center here, Jay?" By now most of her employees knew the bank denied her the necessary loan to get the idea up off the ground. And, to most of her employees, she smiled anyway and kept up a brave face.

Why she voiced her real fears to him, now, she wasn't sure.

"I mean, I've only been at this by myself for less than two years, right?" That was rhetorical; she knew when she'd taken over at Willowing Pines down to the minute and the day. Without pause, Cami swiped one of the thick slabs of cornbread meant for Jay, inhaled half, then continued, "Wanting to go that route was probably biting off more than I could chew anyway."

[verbo-s-e]

june 27, 2023 4:32 pm

i don’t get it. 

i really don’t. 

in an effort to not run to my journal and go back to speaking to you like i’m used to, but - not in that way - i’m here. go figure. is it really any different? yes. it really is that different. i’m really great at reasoning [lying to] with myself. 

how - why - is it that even after removing you/me, i still feel so guilty, so torn up and tortured? why am i still crying myself to sleep and seeing you in my dreams where everything is normal. everything is fine. you’re just there, staring at me, smug and warm and so inviting. how easy it would be to run back into your arms. tell you, never mind, never mind, never mind! i made it all up! we can be friends! we can sew our worlds back together. but the needle is dull. i’m out of thread and this scar tissue can’t take anymore sutures. face it girl, we’ve coded on the table. there’s no saving us now.

pathetic, i scold myself. and then i’m feeling guilty again for being unkind to myself. i promised grace and gentleness. something i was always telling you, but never listening to myself. its a viscous cycle. a pattern. its our thing. and i seem to be the only one who recognizes it. which is why we’re here.

there is something fundamentally abnormal about our dynamic. this lands easily in a positive and negative way. the positive: i don’t have the time or space to go there. the negative: to start, every time i leave my house i’m instantly filled with dread and anxiety - am i going to run into you? are our cars going to pass each other by like two ships in the night? will i have to pretend to not see you? to look through you? like you did me all those times? all those years? would be the fair thing, no? or what about the grocery store? i scan the parking lot to make sure you’re not there. thankfully, your car is easily identifiable. 

i’m so scared to see you. become faced with those brown eyes questioning and analyzing my countenance for clues. i’ve never been good at poker so one look and i’m toast. burnt toast.

in the wake of my severance, memories have been flooding me - the good the bad the in between. what’s currently on rotation on the big screen in my head? 

easy.

third weekend of november, a friends birthday weekend. all close pals invited. friday night started off with a show at a warehouse. things felts so....normal. GOOD dare i say. then, like the change of the weather not some twelve hours later for birthday pals brunch, you wouldn’t even look at me. let alone speak to me. it’s like i wasn’t there. i thought it was just me that saw/felt it. but no. 

no. 

birthday brunch became a birthday picnic on the beach some many hours later and there was still so much weirdness. imagine a circle of friends gathered around a campfire, just minus the campfire and there we all are. topics of sunflowers became topics of rivers and there you went. you went there. a quick side eye glance with the birthday person that meant we both caught it. we both heard it and would file it away to be discussed later. you, directly across from me speaking a deeply personal truth of my own -- it felt like i was looking at a mirror with everything i’ve known and felt reflected back at me. 

but my brain had whiplash. and now, like then, i shake my forever changing colored head as if it’s an etch a sketch, trying to undo the intrusive thought. intrusive memory. 

i guess what i’m saying is: i don’t understand how you don’t understand. because where i’m standing - it’s been so fucking obvious. 

[darkcrowprincess]

@yonemurishiroku let me know what you think. I don't think it's very good.

(Show Percy and Luke are called Sunshine and honeybunny because to me they are babies, and Book Lukercy treats them as such)

"Luke no." Percy says, standing behind him, grabbing his wrist to stop him from moving. Luke smirks(Percy can't see it but he can tell the asshole is smirking) as if Percy isn't dead serious. "You don't know what I'm thinking about." Luke replies. "I do because I know you. And we are not kidnapping them!"

Luke doesn't turn around to look at him, he keeps staring dead head. At a dark haired scar face teen sitting at a picnic table next to a blonde haired little boy. The dark haired teen pats the little blonde boy on the shoulder. They are both laughing. Happy. Unaware of what fate has in store for them. Percy just stares at him with a hard look.

"I had nightmares, did you know that?"

Percy is confused with the sudden change in topic, gently squeezes Luke's wrist. "What?"

"After the disaster of a quest with Landon, I had nightmares. Painful nightmares courtesy of Kronos. They were so bad, I didn't want to sleep sometimes. Add that with how angry and traumatized I was. I played right into Kronos hands." Luke says all of this calmly. As if he's talking about how nice the blue clear sky weather is today. Percy feels a chill go down his spine.

"The nightmares stopped for a while though." Luke continues, then turns to look at him. There's hunger in Luke's icy blue eyes, as he looks at Percy. Mixed with fondness. It makes a rosy blush spread on his face. Percy moves his hand to hold Luke's.

Clearing his throat, he asks, "What made them stop for a while?"

" Well this sassy kid came to camp one day, well he didn't start off so sassy. Kid was really missing his mom. But after taking him under wing for a bit the sass came back real quick. He was funny and sweet too. Made me feel protective of him. I didn't even notice the nightmares where gone. Till the kid got claimed. Till I had to make him my enemy"

"Now back then, I was 19 years old when dealing with all that stuff. It sucked, but at least I wasn't a kid. Now Honey Bunny over there next to little Sunshine is 15. Imagine dealing with all I had to at 15. And the only thing that's keeping him sane is his adopted sister, and that little bit of sunshine over their. Imagine how much worse the fall out will be? Especially with little Sunshine over there looking like he's a baby."

Luke, taking his hand from mind, than turns my face to force me to look back at the kids. I'm hit fully with what Luke sees. They are so frightfully young. Younger it seems than we were. "You really want to let that happen to them? To a version of us?" Luke says, turning my face back to his. But he doesn't let go of my chin, he runs a thumb down my lips. His eyes are soft as he looks at Percy, but Luke still sees indecisiveness in his ocean eyes. Luke uses the big guns. Leans close to Percy's ear as if to kiss, and whispers like a lover. "You really want that version of you to see me kill myself for the gods?"

At that something snaps in Percy(his mind filled with Luke's suicide that he helped him with. Luke crying, in pain. Eyes flashing from gold to blue. The relief he felt when he stabbed himself in his mortal spot. Luke dying in his arms begging him to change things with the gods. Than imaging all that happening to those younger laughing other version of themselves) ocean eyes turning dark and protective. "Hell. No."

"PUT ME DOWN!"

"Calm down."

"DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN ASSHOLE! I'LL STAB YOU WITH BACKBITER"

"Well that's just rude."

"RUDE YOUR KIDNAPPING ME! US! Percy you can't believe these idiots, you have to get help! I swear I'm not working for Kronos!"

"Wow Luke, when you said you were an angry little ball of daddy issues, I didn't you were a bad liar too."

"SHUT UP I WILL KILL YOU!"

"Wow death threats, he really is another version of you Luke."

The little Sunshine was oddly quiet for a version of Percy Jackson compared to his other self. Said other self(hilariously nicked named Honey Bunny) was beating and clawing at an unphased and unhurt sarcastic Percy Jackson, who had easily thrown this version of Luke over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Honey Bunny's loud cursing echos through the forest. It's a long way back to the portal. Honey Bunny would not believe their story and Percy being Percy was too impatient to wait to convince. Little Sunshine was a little to easy to convince in contrast.

Luke looks at the little kid by his side, worried with his silence. Said little blonde boy stares at the angry teen brunette in sadness and protectiveness. Hearing their stories did a real number on these boys. Looking at him, Luke is hit by the odd quirky differences of this world. These kids looking like like if Percy and him had magically made two kids together. Honey Bunny looking like a perfect son of Poseidon but with his personality. And little Sunshine over hear. Luke swears from memories he looked exactly like that when he was little.

"You ok kid?" Luke asks.

Little Sunshine just hums, shrugging.

"Why are you trusting us so easily by the way?" Luke desperately wants to know. Finally the kid looks up at him and he sees Percy's eyes. The one thing different about this kid from him( Honey Bunny had brown eyes though. And it makes him ache because they remind him of his mothers.) Deep ocean green eyes.

"I trust Luke, he hasn't done anything to me yet. And you both want to help him." Percy says calm and matter of fact. Like the ocean calm and steady at sea.

Luke nods for him to continue. "And because your him. Another version of him. He's been so nice to me these past few days. Especially with my mom and my father. I'm willing to trust any version of him if it helps Luke avoid what you says happens to him"

Luke is hit with sudden overwhelming love and affection for both Percy Jacksons. They both care so much. He's (and the brat still cursing) are so damn lucky to have that care directed at them.

He doesn't regret his choice with kidnapping them. Fuck the gods. Let them figure out their own mess.

Luke smiles at the little Sunshine who bashfully smiles back.

"Want a bickyback ride kid, it make the walk go by faster?"

Sunshine, who's never had a good dad, or a piggyback ride in his life, full on smiles. Sunshine and rainbows and everything that makes you want to protect the person is in that smile (Luke is so glad he managed to convince Percy.)

Child laughter and happiness fills the forest, adding to the cursing and Percy Jackson's dead pan sarcasm.

I mainly ship Percico. But yes, I love Luke and Percy. Mostly because I saw the movie first. Than read the books. And just Luke and Percy as a ship is so angsty. And I love angst. And yes Luke would take one look at baby Percy from the show and want to adopt/kidnap them. They really look like Luke and Percy's kids

TV show Luke looks like a son of Poseidon!

Hypnotize you to write something in regard of this AU just please 🥺🥺🥺

This is getting so good. They really do look like a family. The implication that the older (S!Luke) takes after Percy and the younger (S!Percy. Damn we gotta come up with a better nickname or st bc this is getting confusing) takes after Luke in terms of appearance is just jadhsakjda 🥺🥺

The hilarious part would be when Luke sees Charlie, a split image of Percy, immediately adores him, until the kid opens his mouth and they start butting heads. Whereas on the other side of the room, Percy is peacefully talking with his show version all heart-felt and gentle. 🥺