#gotta make up for day 3 on sunday

[morocosmos]

FFXIVWrite 2024 Day 4 - Reticent

Masterlist Fandom: Final Fantasy XIV Characters/Pairings: Original Character, Sanson Smyth Rating: Gen Additional Notes: -

“Private Yezih. Good, you’ve returned.”

“Captain.” The sky is beginning to darken as Yezih stands and salutes before Sanson at his desk. The day has worn on her, and she wants nothing more than to go home and kick off her boots, but she keeps her back straight and her head held upright. 

“How was she?”

“She was…silent the whole while, ser. I tried engaging her, but she was unwilling to speak even a single word.” Yezih thinks back to the unfruitful hour she’d spent in Hyrstmill, her determination and resolve gradually dwindling away in the face of the enervating force that was Deipo Mohltaka. How those pale yellow eyes had shot up to glare at her upon her arrival, unsure of whether she was friend or foe, only to return to the floor just as swiftly after once she’d registered what she was there for. She’d subsequently ignored every one of Yezih’s attempts at conversation.

“I see.” Sanson brow furrows, and he looks contemplative, his thumbs worrying over one another as he thinks. “I suspect it will be some time more before she begins to open up. In the meantime, are you certain you have no doubts about taking up this task?”

Yezih feels her heart drop by more than a few ilms. “Of cou- no, ser. I mean to see this through.” She hates the way her breath has become shallower, her words already beginning to tumble over one another. “That is, unless there is something lacking in my performance…”

“At ease, Private.” Sanson’s voice is calm, but the authority in his tone is like a pillar of stone that stops her before she can unravel further. “I meant that I wished to know if you had any reservations, now that you’ve met Deipo. You will have seen what Lieutenant Guydelot and I observed — it is a delicate task, and I have no intention of throwing you at it unprepared, for both yours and Deipo’s sakes.” Dark blue eyes hold her gaze. “Hence, the option to turn down this mission remains open to you.”

Yezih looks down, staring at the grain of Sanson’s desk. She wants to tell him that the daunting challenge of this mission is precisely why she chose to take it on; she wants to help Deipo. She knows that weary, vigilant look in the other woman’s eyes because she’s seen the exact same look in another’s, seen it for the past three moons.

“I want to be the one to reach out to her, ser.” Yezih struggles to find the right words, and her nails dig into the meat of her palms. “For…for her sake. And for Rema’s.”

[orcelito]

Oh yeah yesterday I went to my C programming professor's office hours to ask about what's being covered in class tomorrow. Since I can't go bc of my PT appointment overlapping with it & I'm apparently the kind of student that cares about attending every single class now.

While I was there, I ended up chatting with him about a few things, including my current standing in the class. He asked what I got on the midterm exam, & I answered it was an 87, and he told me I was one of the top 5 or 6 scores in the Whole Class (this being a like. Maybe 70 or so person class). Top score was a 92 or 93 (idr lol) & the class average was a 72. Apparently there were a few of us in the upper 80s/lower 90s, but most people got 70s or lower. And once he does the curve on the exam, he said I'd probably end up with a 97 or so on the exam. So yay!!!

And then he told me how he's noticed how I come to class every day and am really active with taking notes and answering questions. Bc I also sit up front all the time lmao. Hadn't even realized how much of a damned teacher's pet I've been being, but I've been Trying to be a good student this year. But he said I was the type of student that if I got an 88% or smth in the class, he'd likely bump me up to a 90% so I'd get an A lol. But he also said so long as I keep up with how I have been, I could possibly get a 100% in the class by the end (bc I've been there for all the extra credit questions in class and whatever).

And just. I went there bc I wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything important in class on Wednesday, and I ended up having my ego stroked for Real. Felt good to have my efforts be recognized.

[nomaishuttle]

i think my solution 4 the streak system issue btw is to cap it at 3 and if im able to keep it up for 4 weeks then itll go up to the easier difficulty ykwim.. so its worth less. so like if im able to meet the goal for my Single red task (which is outside time) 4 weeks in a row itd move down to a yellow task.. and the streak would reset and once i get it 2 4 again it goes to a green then to blue and etc.

[norrisainz33]

stroints || ls18

summary: you attend your first ever grand prix as lance's partner and he has a great season opening weekend!

pairing: lance stroll x nonfamous!reader

fc & warnings: none & slightly suggestive at the end. you are responsible for the content you consume!

requested: yes! thank you so much for your request xx

masterlist

ﾟ. ✿ ୨❤︎୧⠀✿ . ﾟ⠀

ynuser has posted to their story 🔒

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chloestroll: wait i love them both. i say wear the white on race day and blue on quali day

ynuser: ooooo good idea! i was considering wearing some aston merch on sunday and one of these on saturday but maybe i do what you said instead

chloestroll: oh i mean aston merch would be cute af too

ynuser: hmmmmmmm too many decisions here bc i also have this super cute jean set that maybe i’ll wear on race day instead ugh idek

lilyzneimer: either way you're going to outshine everyone you're radiant

ynuser: thank you baby girl 😭

lance_stroll: trying not to drool over how fcking gorgeous you are

ynuser: lance stopppp 😭😭

lance_stroll: it’s true!! i’ve somehow bagged the most beautiful girl in the entire world

ynuser: you’re such a sweet talker

lance_stroll: 🤷🏻‍♂️

lilymhe: the white top is to die for pls that one

ynuser: thank you for the input doll

yourbff: hear me out. white top with that gorgeous big gold necklace our favorite man got you

ynuser: no because you’re so right. that’s it! that’s the fit for quali!

flavy_barla: omg personally i'd pick the lace top

ynuser: yesss i think it 100% is the winner

f1gossip has made a post

liked by user1, user2, user3, user4, user5, user6, user7, user8, user9, user10 and 18,188 others

f1gossip: is this lance stroll’s lucky charm? meet lance’s new partner, y/n y/l/n, who is making her race day debut! the couple's romance has been the talk of the town ever since those sizzling new year's eve photos were spotted on chloe stroll’s story. will y/n be the secret weapon aston martin’s been waiting for this season? only time will tell!

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user1: oh….. she’s literally so pretty?

user2: cut the tapes! ive seen enough! shes my new favorite wag

user3: god i hope she brings lancey good luck. he needs it fr

user7: no he really does. i just want the best for him this season

user4: did y'all see the way shes wearing an L necklace

user1: stop im too fragile for this

user5: WHO is this diva

user2: if u find out lmk! i just tried to scroll her insta and its private but she seems so normal

user5: lowkey... i think she is just a normal girl... i found her linkedin and she out here having a full time job

user2: this has to be rage bait... shes living my dream

user5: no truly. im so jealous but also im rooting for her?

user6: why did i not know about her sooner?! do we think lance can fight?

user8: he can't fight us all!

user33: no one cares abt her or stroll

user1: the hate is so forced gtfo

ynuser has posted to their story 🔒

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yourbff: you gotta warn a girl before posting something as scary as that first slide (i say this with love)

ynuser: SCERAMING hes just a goofy lil guy

yourbff: if you say so girly pop

chloestroll: leo and i are curled up and ready to watch uncle lancey bring it home!

ynuser: omg even little leo is watching?! its his first race too <3

chloestroll: we gotta support our favorite uncle!!!!

astonmartinf1: send us that first pic im begging

ynuser: only if you agree to post it on every social media channel you have

astonmartinf1: he's not gonna like that... but for you.... anything xxoo

ynuser: admin you are my favorite

astonmartinf1: and you're mine but don't tell anyone i said that

lilymhe: adjusting to the paddock life?

ynuser: kind of? every time i breath a camera takes another picture of me. i'm terrified they're going to get something embarrassing

lilymhe: hahahaha i mean odds are high that they will. remember what i said and just try to ignore them and act natural. i swear the media can smell fear

ynuser: that must be why they're always around. im sure im radiating it

lilymhe: deep breaths y/n/n its ok

lance_stroll: WHY

ynuser: omg get off ur phone you have a race to score points in

ynuser: oh now you wanna leave me on read ok

flavy.barla: if you need someones hand to squeeze through the the first few laps... you know where to find me babe

ynuser: no i literally am on my way. they haven't even finished the formation lap and i'm going to throw up

lance_stroll has made a post

liked by chloestroll, estebanocon, ynuser, astonmartinf1, boss, scottyjames31, yourbff, flavy.barla and 897,443 others

lance_stroll: a fantastic start to the season! thank you to the team and everyone who worked so hard over the off season to get this car where it is. lets keep this momentum going!!

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user1: a double exclamation???? you must be over the moon my stoic king

ynuser: stroints!!!!!! this calls for a celebration

lance_stroll: yes it does ;)

estebanocon: wait count flavy and i in to this celebration??

flavy.barla: yes please!!!

ynuser: well duhhhh

user5: need photo evidence of this party so bad. f1gossip im counting on you

user2: yayyyyyy lance!!!!

chloestroll: leo and i are so proud of you

scottyjames31: thats our favorite uncle right there!

lance_stroll: love you guys 🤍

user18: y/n made the win photo dump im crying. she's def his good luck charm, i hope she comes to every race

astonmartinf1: well done lance! 💚

user22: thats our goat!! can't help but notice you're ahead of that horse team in the standings... lets keep that going boy

f1gossip has made a post

liked by user1, user2, user3, user4, user5, user6, user7, user8, user9, user10 and 22,258 others

f1gossip: because you all asked so nicely and we couldn't not deliver..... we got some intel that a certain driver, his new partner, their friends and a few other drivers are out celebrating the start of the season in melbourne this evening

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user1: AHHHHHH MAN

user5: my goat! you always pull through. idk how u got eyes everywhere

f1gossip: and thats a secret ill never tell xx

user3: WOW lance looks good af im about to start drooling..

user4: y/n one lucky girl thats for dam sure

user5: no genuinely i am so envious

user6: i just fell to my knees in a walmart parking lot

user12: lance i was unfamiliar with your game

user18: esteban and alex are there too so cuteeeeee

user22: he needed this

ynuser has posted to their story 🔒

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yourbff: girl get off that phone! I am SICKENED by the last photo

ynuser: god forbid a girl have hobbies

yourbff: you right. my bad ms pillow princess

lance_stroll: hheheeh you're so pretty

ynuser: eheheh no you

lance_stroll: i can hear you giggling from the bathroom

ynuser: you caught me

lance_stroll: get back out here

ynuser: yes sir

chloestroll: looks like you guys had a good night.. not sure i needed to see that last photo tho

ynuser: the best night!!! had to make sure to properly celebrate a great start to the season! and yeah sorry pls look scroll away and pretend you didnt see it

chloestroll: hahaaha well i hope next time scotty and i are there with you guys to celebrate together!

ynuser: ugh yes i hope so too 🤍🤍

flavy.barla: petite fille!!!! ohhh thank you for letting este and i tag along this evening i had a blast

ynuser: you are literally always allowed to tag along my love. i seriously am obsessed with you

flavy.barla: feeling is mutual. lets run away together

ynuser: done

lilymhe: petition for us to party after every race together pls you are literally the most fun

ynuser: omg stop YOU are the most fun! but yes ofc lets hang out and do everything together plssssss

ﾟ. ✿ ୨❤︎୧⠀✿ . ﾟ⠀

a/n: thank you sm for reading!! likes, reblogs, and feedback is always appreciated.

ﾟ. ✿ ୨❤︎୧⠀✿ . ﾟ⠀

disclaimer: pictures are not mine and everything i write is fiction

© norrisainz33 || please do not rewrite, translate, or copy any of my works posted here on to any other platform

[stereoqueen]

sunshine - pt3 - l.hughes

summary: a few days have passed, and luke realizes he needs to make a move. what he doesn’t know is that the move is quite literally barreling towards him.

< previous > < next >

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

“Pearl girl! Where are you baby?” Hallie asks into the empty apartment, waiting to hear Pearl answer. A small bark and tippy taps of paws answer her question as her golden cocker spaniel runs to the door. “Hi baby, you ready for some fresh air?” She asks her pup as she bends down to pick her up. “Gettin’ so big, let me get your harness on before we go!” Pearl licks Hallie’s fingers with excitement, causing her to set her down so she could pick up the yellow harness. “Wait I gotta change hon, I’m sweaty! give me five.” Pearl whines as Hallie runs into her room to get changed. She quickly through on a pair of leggings, a michigan sweatshirt and ran back into the hallway. Pearl was sat patiently by the door, waiting to go outside. “C'mon, give me two seconds then we can go!” Her owner says as her pup sassily grumbles. Hallie quickly puts on the harness and leash, grabs her wallet and headphones from her gym bag, and they are out the door.

It was a beautiful March Tuesday in Hoboken. The sun was out, the grass was green, and the park called Pearl’s name. Hallie was tired. She was exhausted from the lack of sleep the night before and was excited for the day off. Her brain couldn’t get Luke out of it since Sunday. He made her whole week; running into her at the coffee shop, paying for coffee, remembering her and her order, talking with her, and showing her around. The walk to the park was a straight shot. Hallie was playing Silver Lining by the Neighbourhood on her walk there. Humming along, she didn’t notice Pearl jerk forward, losing her grip on the leash. Pearl sprinted to the park, causing Hallie to take her afternoon walk into a run. “Pearl!” She yelled as Pearl ignored her, running into the greenery.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Luke needed time to think without his brother’s constant pestering. So, he drove to a near by park before heading home for the day. The fresh air could do him good, he thought as Quinn’s text rang in his mind from Sunday about Hallie.

The text was looming in his brain as he pushed Quinn’s contact to call him. It rang 3 times before the line picked up.

“Look who finally came to his senses! What’s up Luke”, Quinn’s voice boomed through the phone as Luke scoffed.

“Well when you put it like that maybe I don’t need your help!” He says annoyed as he walks out of his car and into the park gate.

“Oh bud, you need my help over Jack’s,” His brother’s stern voice cracking him up.

“Fine. I don’t know what to do or how to even approach her again. I haven’t seen her in 2 days and I’m going crazy,” Luke sighs as he finds a bench to sit on.

“Awe little lukey is in looooove,” The drag of the love causing Quinn to laugh at himself.

“Are you going to give me advice or do I have to annoy Mom next?” Luke’s annoyance translates well over the phone as the big brother mode switched back on, “Come off strong but not too overbearing. Let time work itself out. You two obviously have a connection and chemistry after all these years, so trust it. Next time you see her, ask her for her number. Talk to her more outside of work, hangout with her, take it at a medium pace since the season is slowly coming to an end. Just don’t fuck her after the first date for the love of — ,” Quinn’s speech gets cut off by a grossed out Luke. “QUINN!”

“What. You’re Jack’s brother too. Had to throw that in now.” The two laugh lightly, thinking on the record that Jack had.

“Okay. Think I can ask her out on a date the next time I see her, too?” He asks his brother as he looks out at the river. “Yeah, ask for her number first, then be like, can I take you out too? You guys have similar schedules, so it should be fine. If you don’t man up, though, I’ll deal with you next week and make you introduce her to me!” Luke laughs off the nerves, “Asshole. Ok. Fine. I will. Thanks, bro.”

“I love you, moose. See you soon,” Quinn tells him as they say goodbye. “Yeah, I love you too, Huggy,” Luke reciprocates as he hangs up the phone.

Thinking about his next move, he decided to take the book out from his pocket. It was some book Jack loaned him, and he took in the view of the river. It was peaceful, hearing the birds, listening to the wind, taking in the book. 15 minutes and three chapters later, he heard a big thump next to him. He looked over to his right to see that the bush was…. moving? A pop of golden fur showed up between the greenery, causing Luke to laugh. The dogs’ face was covered in leaves, tongue out, happy as can be. It jumped out of the bush and then up onto the bench next to him excitedly.

“Hi! Where did you come from huh?” He asked the dog kindly as it kept jumping up and down and all over him. When he finally got a hold on the tag, he read the name out loud. “Pearl? What a pretty name for a pretty dog.” She barked happily in response. Before he could see the owners name, an out of breath Hallie came running.

“Holy shit! P can run fast, I’m so sorry—“ She started until she recognized the man who was running through her mind mere seconds ago in front of her. Luke smiled, standing up holding Pearl. Pearl was happy as a clam, snuggling into Luke. “Think Pearl and I are friends now, hi sunshine,” He said as Hallie is stunned as she took of her headphones. Pulling out her phone, she takes a quick photo of the sight.

“She never lets anyone hold her besides me. You have a magic touch or something, Lukey.” Putting the phone down, she admires the sight.

“Maybe I’m just that trustworthy or lovable. I am known to be charming,” A crescent smile on his lips as Pearl barks.

“She agrees. Wanna take a walk with us? Or am I bothering you during your time off?” Hallie asks as Luke puts Pearl back down. The tall man puts immediately puts his book in his back pocket, following her lead as they walk. “You would never bother me, Hal, I’m serious. I enjoy the company,” He tells her as she turns pink.

“P was right, you are a charmer,” She mumbles as Pearl looks behind her to see Hallie and Luke walking close. Their hands were barely brushing each other. Luke was eager to reach out and hold it but refrained against it. His hand lightly reaches out to attempt to grab hers. Pearl shifts to her right, causing Hallie to run even closer into him as a runner passes them by. She halfway trips over her shoe as Luke caught her arm, “I got ya.”

His hold moves from her arm to her hand as the runner moves along, and she lets him hold it. They were now holding hands, sharing the leash as Pearl kept trotting in front of them. “So how’s your day off been? Practice was boring without you,” Luke told her as she shrugged, “Haven’t done much today. Went to a Pilates class, came home, and now I’m here. Not very eventful until Pearl found you." Their arms swinging slowly as they walked together in the loop. Luke and his infamous smirky smile returns when replying to her.

"Well, I hope your day is brightened by seeing me; I sure know that you brightened mine, you always do." He trails off as Hallie switches her grasp from his hand to linking arms. Luke turns pink at the slight change in holds, subtly flexing the bicep she was holding. She looks to him with a small smile. The comfortable silence while walking was enough. Hallie enjoyed his company, Pearl enjoyed the park, and Luke was happy.

Their walk led them to a pier boardwalk lined with shops and places to get lost. Luke adjusted their linked arms so his arm was around her waist as she switched hands to hold Pearl's leash. "I gotta ask something, and I don't want to weird you out," Luke said as Hallie quirked her head towards him.

"What's up, superstar?" She replies as he laughs.

"It's about Pearl. In college, I remember you talking one day with Lauren about wanting a cocker spaniel. You told her, "I want to name my puppy after something important to me." So my question is, why is Pearl's name Pearl? You don't have to tell me, but--" He was cut off by Hallie's laugh. The beautiful laugh that he had fallen for. Her eyes crinkled, causing him not to see those brown eyes he loves.

"You remember so much, Luke. I-- I named her Pearl for multiple reasons, honestly. My dad's family is from the Cape, so my childhood summers were spent at my Grandma's. We'd eat so many oysters because I wanted to collect the pearls. Oddly enough, I found Pearl in that area at a shelter over last summer -- her shelter gave her a cute little oyster-shaped toy that she grew attached to, and I knew it was her." She explained in great detail as Luke listened intently to her story.

He watched as her eyes lit up when she mentioned her grandma, as she talked with her hands to explain, and how her facial expressions made him realize the details of her. "Wow. I didn't know what to expect, but that connection is insane. You like to toy with fate, huh, Pearl?" Luke jokes as Pearl turns around at the sound of her name, causing the pair to smile.

"I'm starving. Know anywhere good around here to eat, Rusty?" Hallie asks as Luke groans at the nickname. "Not you too, sunshine!" He rebuts as she laughs, knowing that using that nickname would get him riled up. His grip on her waist tightened as he pulled her a little closer. She nudged him with her shoulder as she matched his closeness, "Well, it's no secret that you like to eat, Lu."

"You're lucky you're beautiful. I know there are multiple good spots to eat right here. I think I know the best one for both you and Pearl." The hint of snarkiness at the beginning is replaced by anxiety at the end of the sentence. He wouldn't dare to look over to see her reaction to calling her beautiful.

"Lead the way, Mr. Big Leagues." Her voice smooth as Luke lead them to his favorite restaurant on the boardwalk.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Lunch was good. Too good. The food was delicious, Hallie let him order for the two of them, and even got Pearl a snack (as his favorite place is also pet friendly, how sweet).

Their waitress was a woman in her forties, who mistaken them as a couple, but neither of them corrected her. It was nice. It felt meant to be. There was no talk of hockey or work; just bonding over things like the pga tour, food, and debating over what’s the best star wars movie. He talked of his lakehouse summers and Hallie related it to her summers on the Cape. She explained how history is her favorite subject and Luke joked about how Secretariat was his favorite movie.

The chemistry was undeniable. Luke was in awe with how similar they were. Yet, something’s they differed on. Ice cream flavors, football teams, rom coms. He absorbed everything that she told him, and she reciprocated it.

Two hours and two desserts shared later, Luke offered to drive her and Pearl home.

“I parked my car near the park, you want a lift?” He asked as she shook her head no. Sad, he nodded. She saw that his spirit was down. “You can walk me home though? I live about two blocks from the park.” His smile came back and their interlinked hands as they walked to the park from the boardwalk.

The sun started to go down as they walked. She shared an AirPod with him, listening to some cheesy country song. Arms swinging back and forth as Pearl led the way. By the time they made it to her apartment building, her outside light was on. She unlocked the door, letting Pearl inside. Hesitant, Pearl turns behind her and rubs up against Luke’s legs. “Bye Pearl girl, see you soon, ya?” He says softly to her as she takes his pets. She chirps, turning around and leading herself inside.

“I still can not believe how fast she warmed up to you. I—I’ve never had anyone meet her besides my friends back home; she barely tolerates anyone,” She says stunned as Luke leans against her door frame.

“You know, animals can sense if a relationship is good or not for their owner. Maybe it’s a sign,” He replies as Hallie turns a shade of pink. “I think it is…..” She responds, him moving closer to her.

“Look I don’t mean to sound forward but…. can I take you out to dinner sometime?” Luke asks as Hallie’s smile grows.

She pretends to put her hand underneath her chin, thinking, “Hmmmmmmm” It didn’t last long as Luke’s smile was contagious, causing her to break character.

“Yes, I’d like that Lu,” She says as he laughed.

“Can I finally have your number then? After all of these years?” He jokes as she passed her phone over. It vibrated a message as Luke picked it up. Since it was unlocked, he could see who messaged her. He lightly laughed to himself as he saw it. Oh trevor, if only you knew.

Trevor: It’s been like 3 days dude TALK TO HIM!

Trevor: If you mess this up I’m coming up there!

Trevor: Don’t make me pull out the big guns 💪🙈

Trevor: I WILL butt in if need be brooksy!

“Uh, I put my number in, but Trevor has texted you a few times—“ He started to say as Hallie snatched back the phone. “Sorry, he’s a pain in my ass,” She reads a few of them and looks back up at him.

“You didn’t read it, did you?” She took the silence and guilty smirk on his face as an answer. “Oops. Welp. You’ll meet him soon!” He scratches the nape of his neck as she looks at him.

"Is Trevor anyone I should worry about?" His voice was barely above a whisper. She took a step closer, putting her hands around his neck, causing him to instantly relax at her touch. He followed suit, his hands on her mid-back as she slightly swayed. The apartment light highlighted his side profile perfectly as she sighed. "Would I be this close to you if he were a threat?" Her volume matched his as he shook his head slowly.

"He's a friend from home, like an older brother. I--I'll explain another time, yeah?" His nerves were gone when she said the word brother. "Ok. I understand. See you tomorrow?" A smile on his lips as he traces circles on her back. She perks up at the feeling, tiptoeing to kiss him on his cheek. "You bet, superstar," her touch still lingering on his body as she walked back inside.

Once the door was shut, Luke leaned against it, slowly moving down as he sighed. "I'm in deep shit if I mess this up," He whispered to himself as the smell of her perfume was still in the air as he walked away from the door.

On the other side of the door, Hallie was giddy. She tried to avoid jumping up and down as she texted Trevor back. She quickly uploaded the picture of Pearl and Luke earlier into Luke's contact. After ensuring it was saved, she laid on her couch to text Trevor.

Hallie: Attachment 1 Image He held Pearl, and she didn’t bite. Technically, it was our second date, but he officially asked me out on a real one and got Pearl's approval...... this. is. crazy.

Trevor: OH MY GOD. She won't even let your DAD hold her?!

Hallie: I need to call you later after dinner. I am too flustered right now to call🫠

Trevor: I owe Mason $50 damn it!!! Yes, call me soon.

She sat on the couch, reflecting on her great day, when she heard her phone buzz repeatedly. Groaning, she moved from her comfy spot to grab the phone again. "Fucking Zegras," She muttered, then laughed loudly as she saw the contact name Luke had picked out for himself.

Handsomest Hughes: Really great to see you again today. Hope Pearl gets her well-earned beauty rest. See you tomorrow :)

Handsomest Hughes: Don't bother stopping for coffee either, pretty girl. I'll come prepared ☀️☕️

Luke sighs on the other end of the phone, feeling dumb about texting her right after leaving. Walking home, he thought on how he doesn't want to sound clingy, but he also wants to show her that he truly cares.

Sunshine: I need to go to the park more often, if that means seeing you more. Pearl misses you already.

Sunshine: Can't wait ;)

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

taglist: @dancerbailey3 @hwalllllllelujah @chiblackhawks @cosmichughes @skepvids @raweceekk @hufflepanda221b

[idrawweirdstuffnominors]

Hello! I saw your girl dads Bill & Josh posts and I’m wondering if you can do one for Girl dad Jerry & Pete if you please 👉🏾👈🏾

(Absolutely!! I'm sticking true to pete

Pete and Jerry girl dad headcannons !

Pete DiNunzio girl dad headcannons-

1. Old-School Protective to the Point of Madness

Pete doesn’t believe in letting his daughter walk home alone. Ever. She’s 17? Doesn’t matter. “You think some creep’s gonna stop and ask your birth certificate before being a freak? I’ll pick you up.”

2. Calls Her Nicknames Like ‘Principessa,’ ‘Bambina,’ or ‘Dollface’

And says them with real warmth. It’s half mafia-movie, half genuine affection. But if anyone else calls her that? Suddenly Pete’s shouting and cracking his knuckles.

3. Slightly Sexist But Not Malicious

He’ll say things like “This is guy stuff” when working on the car—but if she shows interest? He’ll grumble, sigh, and then teach her everything while pretending it was his idea.

4. Thinks Every Boy is Garbage

“Boys are wolves, sweetheart. They’ll act sweet, then next thing you know they’re borrowing your Switch and ghosting you with some girl named Kaylie.” He gets offended when she says she likes someone. “Him?! He’s got a dumb haircut!”

5. Surprisingly Sentimental About ‘Tradition’

He wants her to know the family recipes, how to make a proper sauce, and the importance of sitting at the table. “Sunday dinner’s not a suggestion—it’s a rule, capisce?”

6. Yells A Lot, But It’s Never Serious

He raises his voice over everything. Lost the remote? Shouts. Someone looked at her funny? Shouts. She’s having a rough day? Shouts at whoever caused it—but never at her in anger. If he does, he apologizes through actions, like her favorite ice cream or fixing something she didn’t even ask about.

7. Obsessed with Making Her ‘Tough Enough’

He teaches her to throw a punch “just in case” and insists she keeps pepper spray in her bag. “I’m not raising some pushover. You hit first, talk later—unless it’s a teacher. Then call me and I’ll hit them.”

8. Doesn’t Know How to Express Emotion—So He Cooks

If she’s upset, he won’t say much. But the kitchen will be full of garlic knots and pasta within 30 minutes. “I’m not good at the feelings crap, alright? Just eat.”

9. Thinks the School System is a Scam

He’s supportive, but suspicious. “SATs? Total scam. Just make sure you’re smart enough not to get screwed by a car lease or some finance guy named Todd.”

10. Would Drop Everything For Her, No Matter What

He acts all gruff, but if she calls and says, “Dad, can you come get me?”—he’s already halfway out the door, jacket half-on, yelling into his phone: “Who do I gotta yell at?!”

“The Incident”

It happened at CVS.

Pete had taken his daughter out to grab chips and Saw II—totally normal dad-daughter outing—when she froze in the aisle with a weird look on her face. Then she muttered something like, “We need to go home,” and walked off holding her hoodie around her waist like she’d been shot.

Pete followed, confused and already bracing to fight whoever made her upset.

Pete:

“What happened? You get sick? Someone give you a dirty look? You need me to yell at a manager?”

She kept walking. Face red.

Daughter:

“I need… stuff.”

Pete:

“…Stuff?”

Daughter: (mumbling fast)

“Girl stuff.”

Pete blinked. His brain short-circuited. Then—

Pete:

“Oh. OH. Jesus, Mary, and all the saints.”

He whipped around like someone had pointed a gun at him, nearly knocking over a display of Tic Tacs. A nearby grandma raised an eyebrow. Pete glared at her like she was to blame.

---

Back at home, Pete paced the kitchen like a soldier trying to defuse a bomb.

He'd dropped a Walgreens bag on the table—filled with the wrong kind of pads, some Midol he wasn’t sure was right, and, for some reason, a mini stuffed bear holding a heart that said "Feel Better."

She sat at the table, mildly horrified.

Pete:

“Look, I’m not good at this. When I was your age, my ma just yelled at me to do the laundry and left a whole bunch of stuff in the bathroom like it was some sacred rite.”

Daughter: (snorting)

“Dad, you didn’t get a period.”

Pete:

“Not the point! The point is, this is... nature. Biology. A monthly hit job from your uterus. And I wanna be clear, I ain’t squeamish, okay? I saw your cousin Dominic break his pinky playing stickball and I fixed it with a spoon and duct tape. But blood? That just shows up?! Randomly?! And it’s fine??”

Daughter:

“Yes. It’s fine.”

Pete: (waving his hands like a madman)

“I mean Jesus Christ, you’re just walking around with this time bomb in your body like it’s no big deal?! You’re twelve!”

Daughter:

“I’m thirteen.”

Pete:

“Oh that makes it better!”

He paused, breathing heavy. Then glanced at her. She was fighting a smile.

He ran a hand down his face, sighed, and finally sat across from her.

Pete (quieter):

“…I just wanna help. I don’t know how, but if you need anything—anything at all—I’m here. You wanna cry and throw something? I’ll buy you a pillow to scream into. You want ice cream? I’ll buy you the good kind, not that no-name crap.”

She nodded.

Daughter:

“Maybe just… the right kind of pads next time?”

Pete:

“You got it, Principessa. I’ll go in there like it’s a freakin’ mission from God. I’ll get wings, no wings, maxi, ultra, whatever the hell—I’m learning the code.”

He stood up, grabbed his keys, and headed for the door again.

Pete:

“And if your stomach hurts, you get the heating pad with the duck on it. That thing’s magic. Don’t ask me why.”

Daughter: (grinning now)

“Thanks, Dad.”

Pete: (gruff)

“Yeah yeah. Don’t get sentimental on me. I’m already losing hair.”

JERRY STOKES AS A GIRL DAD – HEADCANONS

The Sensible One:

Jerry reads all the parenting books. He doesn’t just wing it—he checks forums, medical sites, and probably even signs up for the baby tracker app. He may not talk about his feelings, but he shows love through quiet preparation.

Subtle Encouragement:

He’s not loud with praise, but when his daughter tries something new—drawing, coding, learning guitar—he gives the soft “That’s actually really good,” and keeps her art on the fridge for way too long. Her old crayon Pikachu is laminated.

The Period Talk? Done Over Text.

He panics too much to do it in person. She gets a calm, slightly clinical message that says:

> "Hey. You might need some products in the bathroom. Everything's labeled. You can always text me if you need more. Also I got chocolate."

And then he disappears from the house for 45 minutes to let her breathe.

Board Game Nights are Sacred.

No phones, no excuses. Jerry insists on family game night—sometimes D&D-style campaigns with just the two of them, where he lets her be chaotic and overpowered. He plays the dungeon master like a pro, even if she steamrolls his traps.

Teaches Her How to Build a PC.

Not because she asked, but because he wants her to know. “One day, your laptop’s gonna die mid-exam. This will save you.”

Protective But Non-Threatening.

If she dates someone, Jerry doesn’t threaten them with a shovel like Pete might. He just asks weirdly specific, nerdy questions until the kid gets nervous and leaves. “What’s your opinion on 'The Thing' vs. 'The Fly' remakes?”

If they answer wrong: "Huh. Interesting." (Meaning: "You're done.")

Worried Sick but Pretends He’s Not.

When she’s sick, he hovers silently, leaving water and soup at the door. If she says “I’m fine,” he nods—but 30 minutes later, she gets a thermometer, lozenges, and Vicks on her nightstand.

Matching Fandom Shirts.

He never forces his interests, but if she likes something he does (like Doctor Who or Star Trek), he gets so excited—buys them matching shirts or mugs. Pretends it’s no big deal, but his smile gives him away.

Teaches Her to Stand Up for Herself.

He might be soft-spoken, but he doesn’t want her walked all over. He teaches her to calmly, effectively shut people down. “You don’t need to yell. Just be smarter than them. Trust me, it ruins their day.”

Loves Her Fiercely, Quietly.

He may not be the most expressive, but his love is steady. Her favorite snack is always stocked. Her weird niche interests are researched. He’s the dad who stays up fixing her cosplay, or making sure the Wi-Fi is perfect for her big presentation.

Ten Going on Trouble

Jerry’s Saturday plan had been simple: coffee, fix the loose shelf, and maybe rewatch The Wrath of Khan for the fiftieth time.

Then his daughter came stomping down the stairs with all the rage and devastation only a ten-year-old girl could contain.

Daughter:

“I hate Mia. I hate everything. And my bangs look stupid.”

She collapsed dramatically on the couch, face buried in her pillow. Jerry blinked from behind his mug.

Jerry:

“…Okay. That’s… a lot. Do you want a snack, or—”

Daughter:

“NO.”

Pause.

Jerry:

“…Okay.”

He set his mug down. Sat on the edge of the couch like it might collapse under the weight of his discomfort.

He’d fought trolls in MMORPGs. He’d debated Star Trek continuity on Usenet forums.

But this?

This was terrifying.

Jerry:

“Alright. What happened?”

She sniffled, pulling her face out just enough to breathe.

Daughter:

“Mia said I was bossy. And that I always act like I know everything. And then I tripped in front of everyone during gym. And my hair is dumb. And I just wanna go live in the woods and be a cryptid.”

Jerry blinked.

Jerry:

“…You know, being a cryptid doesn’t come with indoor plumbing.”

Daughter: (snorting despite herself)

“Maybe I deserve to stink.”

Jerry:

“No one deserves to stink. That’s a universal truth.”

He got up and came back with a granola bar.

She didn’t say thank you, but she opened it and took a bite.

Jerry:

“You’re not bossy. You’re assertive. Confident. Big difference.”

Daughter:

“Mia said I talk too much.”

Jerry:

“Well, if that’s true, it’s genetic. Sorry. You come from a long line of over-explainers.”

She gave him a look.

Jerry:

“I once gave a girl a twenty-minute lecture on the plot holes in Phantom Menace. She still kissed me after, though.”

Daughter:

“Ew.”

Jerry:

“Exactly. But the point is—you’re allowed to be smart. You’re allowed to have opinions. Don’t shrink yourself because some kid can’t handle it.”

There was a pause. She fiddled with the wrapper.

Daughter:

“…You think my bangs look okay?”

Jerry looked at her. Truly looked.

They were uneven. She’d clearly taken scissors to them herself. One side was higher than the other and flared out like a confused anime character.

Jerry:

“They’re… avant-garde.”

Daughter: (groaning)

“So they’re bad.”

Jerry: (gently)

“They’re bold. But we can fix them. If you want.”

Daughter:

“…Yeah. Okay.”

She slid off the couch and held out her hand. Jerry took it like it was the most serious mission in the world.

Jerry:

“To the bathroom, Commander.”

Daughter:

“I should’ve just gone full cryptid.”

Jerry:

“Maybe next time. You’re still young.”

[qwimblenorrisstan]

Lazy Sunday | Cassian x Reader

Summary: Lazy mornings with Cassian don’t always go as planned. Today is one of those days.

Word Count: 571

Warnings: smut, oral, pulling a muscle, giggly sex lol

Minors, do not interact!

A/N: ty to anon who requested this, sorry it’s just a little baby drabble, but it’s like midnight and I can’t sleep, so hope you enjoy<3

Requests are open!

It was a lazy Sunday afternoon, Cassian had skipped training that day, claiming that if he didn’t give his body a day of rest, then his muscles wouldn’t be able to heal and he wouldn’t actually grow any stronger. Supposedly.

You’d both munched down on some waffles the House had provided for breakfast and still hadn’t gotten dressed because when you’d tried to change into a different pair of pants, the bastard had pounced.

And now you were sat on the edge of the bed, hand lazily fisted in his hair as he lapped at your cunt with the laziest strokes you’d ever felt.

Your nails scratched against his scalp and he made a little hum of pleasure.

“You gotta get a haircut, Cass.”

You teased, only slightly breathless, a sleepy smile on your face. He pulled away only a moment to run a hand through his luscious locks, raising a brow.

“Nope.”

He said, making the p in the ‘nope’ pop dramatically, making you giggle quietly in response. Cassian had always taken his hair seriously, nearly crying when you’d shaved his beard off one day. Your hand in his hair tugged him back between your legs, and he rolled his eyes playfully at you, before beginning to suck your clit between his swollen lips.

You hummed in pleasure, hips rocking slowly, even as Cassian brought you to a gentle climax, not too intense or demanding. Just right for a morning like this.

“Feels good..”

You mumbled and could see him smirking, eyes still half-lidded from sleep. He tried to dive back in, only to be pulled away.

“Come lay down, it’s still early.”

You said, trying to pull him into the bed, but he gave you the most pathetic puppy eyes and pout you’d ever seen in your life, and it was your turn to roll your eyes playfully.

“Just a taste, please?”

He asked, and you shrugged. He immediately sprung back into action, moving to push your thigh up further, higher, but stopping when he heard you yelp.

A sudden little sharp pain in your leg, and—yup—you’d pulled a muscle, definitely.

“Quit, Cass, pulled a muscle.”

You muttered out, rubbing your eyes, watching as he got up from his knees and began pressing little kisses against your thigh, moving up to give you a soft peck on the lips as one of his large hands moved to hold the thigh that was hurting, gently rubbing and massaging into it as you hummed contentedly once again.

“Sorry, darlin’..”

He murmured in regards to your leg, and you could feel the regret through the bond before he tried to flood it with warm, fuzzy feelings to make you forget the pain while he half-heartedly pulled your pants and panties back up. He wiped his face off with his forearm, before grabbing the blanket from the floor to the side of the bed where it had been discarded and pulling it back over the both of you.

The both of you lay there for a few hours, you eventually drifting off to sleep with Cassian’s warm body on yours, his large palm massaging your thigh while sunlight spilled through the little openings in the curtains.

Cassian was soon to follow, eyes slowly becoming heavier as he watched you fall asleep, his breathing falling into a deep rhythm as he unconsciously nestled his head onto your shoulder, near the nook of your neck.

[friendlyneighborhoodslut]

The Roommate Agreement | 3-The Agreement.

Pairing(s)/Tropes—Eventual Steve Harrington X Reader, slow burn.

Summary—Three boys and one girl under one roof proves to be more difficult than they thought. To restore peace in the land, an agreement is made.

Warnings/Extras—strong language, drinking and smoking, bugs, sexual tension, MDNI-18+! Let me know if I missed anything!

MASTERLIST | | PREVIOUS PART | | NEXT PART

⊱ ────── {⋆❉⋆} ────── ⊰

Jesse was a very messy individual when he lived in 406D. The baseboards are caked with dust, the windows have a strange film on them and the carpet is littered with mysterious stains. I spend several days deploying an arsenal of chemicals to tackle the mess, windows open and chill August air drafting through the room. After a particularly grueling day on my hands and knees scrubbing at the spots on the floor to very little prevail, I decide that a quick spray of disinfectant before covering it with a rug is my best bet. I dig through the closet in the hallway for a broom to dust the cobwebs in the corners, coming up empty-handed.

“Boys,” I breathe, entering the living room. The three of them sit in the living room, smooshed onto the couch and flipping through TV channels. They perk up to look at me. “Where’s the broom?”

“In the trash, along with the mop after Eddie and Jesse used them to joust,” Steve says casually, clicking buttons on the remote.

“I won, by the way,” Eddie grins, pointing at himself.

Steve looks to him, bewildered. “You did not.”

“Right. I’ve gotta go check on the storage unit anyways so, I’m going to run to the store and pick up some furniture and supplies that are for cleaning only,” I give Eddie a pointed look and he rolls his eyes. “Anyone care to lend a hand?”

“We’ll take my car,” Ben stands, brushing some crumbs off his shirt from the chips he was munching on.

“Your little Mazda’s not gonna fit everything…” I trail off, raising my brow at Eddie.

He scoffs. “Oh, okay. So we all hate Gloria until she’s useful,”

“You named the van? You weirdo.” Steve says, eyes never leaving the TV.

The van—Gloria—really is a disgrace to motor vehicles everywhere. It’s a death box on wheels. I’m pretty sure the engine is powered by dust and spite, and it’s got this rattle when left idling for too long. I’m not sure how a mechanic lets his own car get so out of shape—But Gloria’s got space, and we’re gonna need it.

“Alright, fine. But no one drives my babygirl but me, so… I’m coming with you,” Eddie stretches out of his seat.

Steve stands too, running his hands through his hair. I swallow hard and try not to stare at them.

“Our first adventure as a family, how exciting!” Eddie exasperates dramatically, arms outstretched at his sides.

“Shut up, man.” Steve snickers, grabbing Eddie’s keys out of a glass bowl by the front door and tossing them at him. Eddie catches the keys, blowing a kiss to Steve afterwards, earning him a cacophony of groans and eye rolls.

⊱ ────── {⋆❉⋆} ────── ⊰

The car wobbles side to side, tossing me around in my seat. Eddie swerves all over the road like a maniac, dodging pot holes and probably a few stray animals. Ben sits in the front seat, yelling at him. Steve and I occupy the back seat on opposite sides. My whole body burns and tingles, my palms sweat as I chew on my nails and stare out the window. I swear can feel his eyes on me but I’m too terrified to look, as I might just combust on sight if I’m right.

It’s been a century since I’ve had a crush on someone. I’ve forgotten how miserable it is: constantly checking that my hair looks okay, hoping my makeup hasn’t smudged, scared to even breathe wrong.

This sucks ass.

A massive cement building comes into view and we pull into the parking lot. The department store is surprisingly empty on this Sunday afternoon, and Ben tells me it’s because most people in Chicago are already out drinking this time of day.

Steve pipes in with his agreement and I make the mistake of stealing a look at him. I just can’t help myself, but I immediately regret it. He’s already looking at me, hair tussled to one side and mustard sweater bunched up at his midsection as he leans against the backrest, lips parted slightly and staring at me with those big brown eyes.

I’m doomed.

The vacant isles of the store are illuminated by an uncomfortable white light that occasionally flickers. I feel like we’re in a low-budget horror movie, an unsettling and eerie feeling sitting thick over the air. Feeling suffocated, I pick up my pace towards the Home and Kitchen section.

“Look at this fuckin’ thing,” Eddie says like a child discovering something for the first time, slapping a giant fuzzy rug hung on a rack. It wiggles under his pressure and he’s transfixed, disregarding our existence.

I shake my head. “Never shopped for rugs before. Where do I even begin?”

Ben gives me a breathy laugh, squeezing my shoulder. “I'll look for one and make him haul it to the car. Any color preferences?”

I shrug. “Cheapest one. And uh, don’t let him pick something stupid,” I find amusement in Eddie’s antics, and he clearly does as well.

“Harrington, you're on furniture duty,” Ben puts on his best serious face, pointing at his best friend like a drill sergeant. He jogs backward, disappearing into the rug aisle. "Don't screw it up!" echos through the halls, dampened by the walls of carpet, lampshades and throw pillows.

I giggle, wrapping my arms around myself anxiously and swaying in place.

He gleams down at me, arms open at his sides. "What's first?"

I rub my eyes, needing to do something with my hands despite it smudging what little makeup I had the energy to put on today. "Pray to any God willing to listen that this doesn't permanently annihilate my bank account." Joking usually helps me feel better about situations like this, but this time it's just straight-up depressing.

But Steve, ever a ray of sunshine, breaks through my gloom with his light. "It's not all that bad. Let's see... what do we need?" He spins around, taking it all in. "Bed, nightstand, dresser, all that stuff right? You'll need a bed tonight, that's non-negotiable--but I've got a friend who owns a thrift shop on The Loop with her girlfriend. They're always getting furniture in there. Bet they'd let us snag some stuff at a good price," he's rambling now, talking with his hands as we stroll the rows of overpriced furniture.

I just listen to him talk, the sound of his voice entrancing.

God, I've got to get away from this man.

"Thank you, Steve. I really appreciate it," I smile meekly, reaching to mess with my hair but stopping myself right before.

"Anytime, Sunny." he responds quietly, and butterflies assault my stomach.

I want to ask him about the nickname, but I don’t want to spoil the moment. Honestly, I don't have the emotional capacity to handle the--probably dull--answer either. I like to think it means something, but the likely case is that it's a placeholder; An easy gateway to forgetting me when my residence in Apartment 406D comes to an end. It's not like I'll be spending the rest of my life with these guys. My brother, sure, not that I've had much of a choice. I'm stuck with that jerk until I die.

Steve and I pick out the cheapest--yet somehow still outrageously priced--bed and mattress the store offers. Steve rolls them out on a bright yellow cart provided by the cashier. The others have obviously been waiting for a while, as Eddie smokes a cigarette under a streetlamp a few feet away while Ben leans against the outside of the passenger door skimming through a packet of papers.

I squint against the encroaching darkness, making out the big University Housing Office title through the transparent page.

If your stomach can physically drop into your ass, mine definitely just did.

"Oh, shit," I use my last bit of breath to whisper to Steve.

He pauses to observe my brother's scowl. "He looks pissed."

For the second time in a week, I accept my death.

Ben hears us approach and looks up at me through his eyebrows. There he goes, looking like our dad again. I tremble.

I'm fucked.

He waves the packet in the air. "What's this?"

Steve leaves the cart next to the van and retreats to Eddie, leaving my brother and I to talk.

Traitor, don't leave me here!

"I was gonna tell you," I lie.

He glowers. "No, you weren't."

"Yeah, you're right, I weren't," I blurt out in distress. "Fuck, wasn't. No, I wasn't gonna tell you,"

"You realize I'm a lawyer, right? I can help you contest this," he offers.

"You're a baby lawyer and you've done enough for me by letting me live in your house," I counter.

His features soften and then, to my complete shock, he laughs. I'm apprehensive, waiting for him to pull out his typical disapproving glare and snide remarks that remind me I’ll never be as smart, cunning, or on top of things as he is.

"Trust me, Bug. You moving in does me a more of a favor than it does you," he tugs on my shoulder, gently directing me to look at Eddie and Steve. He points at them as we watch them visibly argue about something, only catching the tail end of their dispute.

"Goddammit Harrington! Do it or I'm gonna kiss you myself!" Eddie threatens, tensing in a wide stance. I furrow my brows and wonder what on earth they must be discussing.

Steve puts his hands out in front of him, bracing himself. "God, you're so weird! Why would you say that?!"

Eddie lurches forward and Steve takes off down the parking lot. They chase each other around light posts and parked cars.

"...is this a frequent occurrence?" I ask Ben quietly. I swear anytime I see those two in the same room they're bullying each other or…flirting? Challenging each other? I don’t even know.

He nods. "Oh yeah. They've been friends since high school. More siblings than friends, if I'm bein' honest. Guess they uh, both lost a lot of people back home. Came to Chicago together for a fresh start,"

We're both quiet for a long minute, listening to their voices echo through the desolate parking lot.

"Yeah, you're saving me from living alone with those two. We needed another adult in the house," Ben cackles, swinging the van door open. He wiggles the papers between us. "We're gonna fix this, okay?"

I purse my lips and nod, blinking rapidly to avoid spilling any tears. He frowns and pulls me into him, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. The tenseness in his body loosens a bit but not enough to break down the walls he's built, but I'll take the progress, as he creeps a little closer to feeling like the big brother I remember.

"C'mon. Let's go home." ⊱ ────── {⋆❉⋆} ────── ⊰

Ben did an excellent job picking out a mock vintage rug with an array of colors that perfectly covered all of the mystery spots on the floor. I laid it out and put books from Steve’s room at all four corners to flatten it.

After dropping Steve and me off at home, Ben and Eddie went to the storage unit to collect my things. They've been gone for hours, a suspiciously long time for the project at hand, leaving Steve and I to get three beers deep and attempt to assemble my bedframe.

"Jesus, what're these in a different language?" he murmurs, polishing off his fourth beer and lifting the instructions in the air.

"It's upside down, Steven," I can hardly contain my laughter as I say it, giggles slipping through the fingers I cover my mouth with.

"Oh, shit. Yeah, they are," he admits, turning it in his hands. "Ah! There it is,"

"That big brain got you into UChicago?" I flirt on the defensive so I can pass it off as just being mean if I need to.

He smiles, lopsided. "Can you believe it?" he jokes.

"Let me guess. History major," I declare, scooting closer to look at the directions with him.

Though he's not looking at the pages anymore. He's staring a hole into the side of my head.

"Masters," he adds. "How'd you know?"

I shrug, leaving it ambiguous. I don't tell him I'd nosily asked Eddie when no one else was around, or that I'd spent hours on the University of Chicago's website looking at their History Department. Steve is highly distinguished by the History Department as one of their top students with several awards and accredits, but telling him I know that makes me sound like a stalker, so I keep it to myself.

"Y'know, my parents wanted me to go into Business," he slurs his words a bit. I try not to smile at him in a way that seems pitiful. "Didn't wanna end up like my hard-ass old man. It's all about money with him. Not even sure he's got a soul," he reaches behind me, inadvertently wrapping his arm around me to snatch another beer from the pack we left on the floor. Despite the several layers of fabric between us, his touch lights my skin on fire.

I swallow as he cracks open another beer. "I think you've had enough of these," I half-joke, taking it from him setting it on the opposite side of my body. He leans into me in a retrevial attempt but I move away from him. He puts all his weight on my shoulder, knocking me over. I snatch the beer and hold it over my head, barely out of his reach, but he continues his pursuit.

Maybe it’s the fact he’s so pretty, or maybe it’s the alcohol, but I allow his body to envelop mine. He encompasses me, body pressed on top of mine as we wrestle over a singular beer bottle. It’s stupid; he could just grab another one, but he doesn’t. His large hand wraps around mine, tugging the bottle closer to us. I move to use my other hand to free myself from him but he snatches it, pinning it down above my hand.

I giggle uncontrollably, both because I’m drunk and incredibly nervous.

It’s as if the sound awakens Steve from his trance, because he stills against me. Chests flush and noses a mere inch apart, his breath fans my face. He looks, dare I say, scared. That makes two of us.

He swallows, Adam’s apple bobbing, before recovering with a grin. “Always knew we’d end up in this position,” his voice is husky and he smells like a dangerous concoction of beer and cologne. He moves his other hand to my jaw, beverage long forgotten. He softly brushes some hair from my face with a finger, eyeing me intently.

“You’re such a weirdo,” I wiggle underneath him and he tenses, a labored breath escaping his throat. I open my mouth to tell him to get off of me, but the words die on my tongue as I feel something—someone—hard pressed against my thigh. I flush, coughing to have an excuse to turn my face away from him. Suddenly, it’s impossible to breathe. “Uh, Steve, you—“

I hear the front door open.

“We’re home!” Ben’s voice echos down the hall.

Steve and I can’t scramble off each other fast enough, a mess of limbs and strings of curses. He crawls away from me like I’m on fire. Flustered, I fix my hair and readjust my sweater. Steve busies himself with the instruction manual.

Suddenly sober, I watch as Ben enters the room, a ziplock bag in hand. I thank God for the distraction from Steve and lean heavily into it.

“I got it!” He cheers, wiggling the bag in his hand.

I furrow my brows. “You got…what?” I squint to get a closer look at the object in the clear bag.

“The key to solving your Dorm problem,” he moves it closer, and that’s when I see it. The tiny dead bodies of about five cockroaches. “I pulled their dead bodies out of your stuff,”

“That’s disgusting,” I gag, scurrying away from him.

“These little guys are coming with me to Campus Housing. We’re going to get you out of that lease.” He waives the bag of bugs around, and I damn near hurl as I remember the way they felt crawling on my skin. He’s so distracted by his victory, that it takes him a while to catch on to the heaviness in the room. “Hey, you two okay?”

“Yes!” I say a little too loud and fast.

Ben cocks his brow. “Steve, are you drunk?”

“What? No…” Steve squeaks.

“Uh huh…” my brother retorts, eyeing him suspiciously. As he turns to leave, he says “The manual’s upside down.”

“Oh goddammit, again?!” Steve complains drunkenly.

Eddie brushes past Ben in the doorway, leaning against its white frame on his forearm. “Oh, dude!” Eddie whines. “You guys drank all the beer!”

⊱ ────── {⋆❉⋆} ────── ⊰

Im convinced that sharing a bathroom with two men is a type of punishment in Hell. Toilet seats left up, beard trimmings in the sink, and toothpaste on the counters are just enough of an inconvenience to annoy me. I spent my first couple days cleaning when I’m not in class, seen as I’m the only unemployed one in the house. It’s a bitterly unrewarding task, though, as when the boys come home it’s like a hurricane wrecks the house. Eddie’s the biggest culprit, his motor-oil stained hands infecting everything he touches.

Everyday, I shower after the gym and before my 11AM class. Having memorized the boys’ schedules, I know they should all be at work by now. Singing my best rendition of Taylor Swift’s greatest hits, I step into the shower. I let the water cascade over my shoulders, trying to ground myself in reality. I try not to think about all the anxieties that loom over me.

Campus Housing. The start of college. My brother’s hot best friend that I now live with.

Steve’s either a forgetful idiot or he’s embarrassed about the other night, because he’s yet to mention it since it happened. I know we were drunk but— enough to completely forget? I could never. Mostly because I think I liked it.

The bathroom door creaks open, eerie and slow. I freeze in place, so scared that I wanna turn inside out.

No one’s supposed to be in the house.

I suddenly remember the movie Psycho that Daizy and I swiped from the video store and watched in secret when we were 16. Am I going to die here, naked and wet in the shower like Janet Leigh did, zero dignity to my name.

Heavy footsteps approach the shower. Boots, they’re wearing boots.

Through the sheer shower curtain, I make out the shape of the person. A man, based on their build. Skinny but broad shoulders and arms. He’ll easily be able to overpower me.

I try not to panic, scanning the shower for anything to defend myself. There’s a variety of bottles, a bar of soap and a singular razor that hangs from the mirror nailed to the wall. I snatch it, ripping the head apart to get the blade out of it. I grip the tiny razor blade in my hand, my only source of self-defense.

The man leans over the vanity, turning the sink on and washing his hands. I silently pick up each bottle until I find the heaviest three, setting them at my feet. I brace for a fight, opening the curtain just enough to toss the largest, heaviest bottle at the intruder. I hear the impact from beyond the shower curtain, a groan of pain leaving him. I quickly throw the next one and then the one after that in rapid succession.

“GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!” I scream, hopefully loud enough for a neighbor to hear and call the cops.

“What the fuck, Y/N?!” Eddie protests. “Can’t a man wash his hands without being abused by shower products?”

I peek my head out of the shower, wrapping the curtain around myself with one hand and holding the razor blade out with the other. Eddie looms over me, hands dripping with a mix of dirt, water, and oil.

“Goddammit, Eddie! I thought you were a predator!” I complain, the tension leaving my shoulders.

“And you were gonna… kill me with a blade from my razor?” He teases, pointing at the minuscule weapon I’d foraged.

I groan. “What’re you doing here anyways? Don’t you have a job or something?”

“Well, I live here. But if you must know, the shop’s closed due to a small fire,” he explains, drying his hands.

“Everything okay?” I gasp, wracking my brain through the possibilities. An engine fire, an oil fire, maybe?

“Yeah, I’m good,” he’s staring at me, eyes growing wider by the second. I—for the life of me—can’t figure out what he’s looking at, until he grins, “mind if I join you?”

“Ugh, gross,” I roll my eyes, closing the shower curtain aggressively. “Get out of here.”

“Breakin’ my heart, Sweetheart!” He sing-songs, pretending like he’s going to pull the curtain back by pinching it ever-so-slightly between two fingers.

“GET OUT, ED!” I screech.

His laughter gets further away until I can barely hear it through the thin walls of this ancient building. I huff, rinsing the soap out of my hair. Once the adrenaline has worn off and my body quits trembling, I laugh despite myself. Eddie’s blatant and unrelenting flirting is flattering, amusing, and terrifying all at once. I convince myself he’s just messing with me, because the alternative freaks me out too bad to even entertain it.

⊱ ────── {⋆❉⋆} ────── ⊰

While sipping his coffee, never looking up from his coursework, Steve asked me if I’d like to visit his friend Robin’s thrift shop. The Loop’s occupied by buildings so tall they touch the moon; coffee shops, stores, restaurants… anything you can think of, it’s there. I’d never heard of it until Steve mentioned it. The Loop.

“Sounds made up,” I said over my breakfast.

“Everything’s made up.” Ben reminded me of the technicality, typing furiously at his computer.

When I agreed to go with Steve, his eyes lit up like someone had set a fire behind them. I was largely unmoved by it—I forced myself to be—but Ben shifted uncomfortably, staring at his best friend with an icy glare. They’d talked about something in private while Steve was getting ready in his room, right before we left. I ignored them as I found myself mulling over what to wear. Stupid, for such a basic activity. You’d think I was going on a date with how much I cared.

We stop by a coffee shop right next to the thrift store. There’s a Help Wanted sign taped to the door, and as I order my drink I muster up the bravery to inquire about it. A heavy set woman with a golden name tag labeled TRACY with the title ‘Manager’ scribed at the bottom tells me to come by next week with my resume for an interview.

I’m so giddy about the opportunity that I almost forget to listen to Steve’s order, but I do and commit it to memory.

16 ounce hot Americano with cream and one sugar packet. Somehow, it suits him so well.

I laugh.

“What’re you laughing at?” Steve asks, opening the door for me.

I shake my head and step outside just in time to see a pair of Mallard ducks cross the path, webbed feet flapping against the pavement.

“Holy shit, ducks!” I squeak, enthusiasm comparable to a kid in a candy store.

Steve laughs, a hearty sound that makes my heart flutter. “Yeah, they’re all over ‘round here. They come from the river,"

I kneel down, careful not to let my skirt fly up in the breeze. The ducks--a male and a female--quack, ruffling their feathers as they step a little quicker.

"Aw. They're on a date," I joke, standing up. Our shoulders bump into each other ever-so-slightly.

"Should I go buy a croissant to feed them?" Steve asks, smiling big.

I shake my head. "Bread's bad for them. Corn or oats are better,"

"Putting that biology major to good use," he jokes. His arm stretches outward like he's going to drape it over my shoulders, but flinches last minute and pretends to scratch his head instead.

"Actually," I fumble, hiding my blush with my hands. "I learned that on the internet."

There's that damned laugh again. It's addicting, a rush of dopamine tickling my brain every time I hear it.

I'm suspended in a trance-like state as I follow him to the thrift shop. Hawkins Place Thrift, the degenerated letters on the front of the building read. Baby blue paint peels off the brick and vintage clothes sit on mannequins in the shop windows.

When we enter, a bell above the door chimes. Steve holds the door open for me, and I step inside, the faint smell of cinnamon and apple drifting through the air. The shop is lit by a series of old lamps and candles that cast a warm glow throughout.

"Is that Steve Harrington I see?" a woman's voice calls over the jazz music playing from a record player. I spot her from a mile away, mom jeans and a denim jacket with a puffy polka dot blouse. She's got mousey brown hair that barely brushes her shoulders and a general loving disposition about her, especially as she bolts across the room to embrace Steve in a hug.

He hugs her back and they spin once around. "Jeez, Rob. You act like I died and came back to life or something," Steve chortles.

She lets go of him, a look of annoyance on her features. "You practically did! We haven't seen you in, like, a month! Where have you--"

She looks at me, her jaw hitting the floor. "Holy shit, this is where you've been. You got a girlfriend?!"

My heart plummets into my stomach. It’s not that I mind being called his girlfriend. I do however, mind the look on his face.

"Actually, she--" Steve's cut off by her rambling.

"You're so pretty, oh my God. I'm Robin. I'm Steve's friend, but you knew that," she gushes, ignoring Steve to shake my hand. "Did you guys meet at that rich kid school? What's it called?"

"The University of Chicago, and it's not a rich kid school. Rob listen for a second--" he corrects, hands on his hips and obviously stressed out.

"What do you major in? Sorry, I'm asking so many questions. Steve hasn’t had a girlfriend since--"

"Robin!" the raise of his voice gets her attention. She releases my hands and turns to look at him. He's got a guilty look on his face. "This is Y/N. Ben's little sister," he gestures to me awkwardly. He turns away, but I swear I catch a hint of red flushing his cheeks as he rubs the nape of his neck.

Robin's expression falters but she swiftly recovers. "Ben-Benji! Right! We love Benji, right Steve?"

"Yeah, yeah sure..." Steve's mortified. I can't even begin to react, cemented in place and dealing with my own sick form of embarrassment. I think I’m going to throw up.

"You’re scarin’ the poor girl, Love,” a petite girl in a baby blue dress with short red hair appears from behind a bookshelf, seemingly out of thin air. She swoops in as my glorious savior to diffuse the situation.

Wrapping a soft hand around my upper arm, she tugs me ever so slightly towards her, and I allow it. She could try to kill me in the back alley and I’d let her just to get out of here. Behind us, I hear Robin and Steve arguing in angry whispers.

“I’m Vickie. You must be Y/N. Ben’s told me so much about you,” she gleams.

Seems like I’m a hot topic of conversation to literally everybody.

“It’s just because he loves you,” Vickie says sweetly, pulling me to a reading nook by a big window.

“Shit, did I say that aloud?” I blurt, immediately cringing after the words leave my mouth.

All she does is laugh, gesturing for me to sit in a floral-patterned wingback chair. I gladly take it, sighing as I lean back.

“Sorry about Robin. She can be a bit…eccentric,”

I snort. “Please, that’s nothing. Have you met Eddie? He’s like, the King of Drama,”

Vickie giggles. “Don’t I know it.”

Comfortable silence falls over us as we watch people stroll past the window. As my embarrassment settles, I can’t help but laugh at how ridiculous my life’s become. It’s strange, how this is the least uniform my world has ever been, yet I’m the happier than ever. I used to loathe change; I needed a routine and an answer to everything. No unknowns, zero variables—but now that my life is nothing but variables and questions, I actually don’t mind it. It’s exciting in a way.

“What’s funny?” Vickie asks, her voice smooth.

I shake my head. “How much can change in two weeks,” I respond, before adding, “How much I can change in two weeks,”

“Strange how it all works out, huh?”

I peel my eyes from the window to look at her. “So… what’s Hawkins?”

Her eyes thin. “Hm?”

“The name of the shop. Where’s it from?” I clarify, pointing at the ceiling and imagining the sign hanging above it.

“Ah, that’s right,” she recalls. “It’s, well… it’s home. Or it was, for all of us. Besides you and Ben of course. Where’d you guys grow up, anyways?”

“Houston,” I answer.

“You’re a long way from home,” she teases.

I nod, playing with my fingers in my lap. I could get further, I want to say. I want to get as far away from home as possible. Maybe someday I really will get far. I hear Canada’s nice. “Where’s Hawkins?” I deflect the topic away from myself.

“Indiana,” she swallows, lips forming a tight line. Her expression hollows for a moment, but she quickly brings herself back to earth and recovers with her signature smile. “Not so far from home.” She says it like it's a regret.

My lips form an ‘o’ as I nod, following her gaze out the window. Across the street, a little boy drops his ice cream, and he cries.

What a silly thing to cry about, I think to myself, but then I remember that crying about anything is silly when you really think about it.

⊱ ────── {⋆❉⋆} ────── ⊰

I sit cross-legged on my bed, the evening-setting sun peeking through the curtains and casting a golden glow on the walls. I go over my chemistry notes a million times, but it still doesn’t make sense to me. Every other class was a piece of cake, save for anatomy, which I have yet to tackle.

Daizy sits at the foot of my bed, feet propped up on the wall as she doom-scrolls on her phone. She’s been staying in my room with me for the past week as she delays going back home to Houston, her bank account no longer allowing hotel stays. I don’t ask her when she’s leaving because honestly, I don’t want her to. I will admit though, that the apartment is feeling a little crowded with the five of us.

The faint sounds of pans clanking and muffled voices echo down the hall and underneath my bedroom door. Steve and Ben discuss something I can’t make out, stopping suddenly when the front door opens and shuts. Eddie’s voice joins them in conversation.

Looking down at my studies, I groan. Fuck all of this.

“I’m gonna drop out,” I threaten.

Daizy eyes me from the side, setting her phone on her chest. “Give it a rest, would you?” She twists and sits on her feet, leaning forward to grab my hands. We sit there, faces inches apart, as she grins and evil grin. “Let’s talk about the elephant in the room,”

“There is no elephant in this room,” I retort sarcastically.

She rolls her eyes. “The metaphorical elephant!”

“That’s a big word for you, Dais,” I pester with a nickname I know she hates.

“You live with three men. Three hot men, might I add,” she leaps off the bed.

“Ugh, gross. One of them’s my brother,” I remind her.

She nods, spinning in place like a ballerina. “You’re the luckiest girl in the world, y’know that?” She gushes. “I mean, I’d give anything to get to look at them all day like you—“

“Do you have any idea what it’s like to live with three men?” I deadpan. “It’s anything but a joy,”

I slide off my bed and go to my dresser, pulling out some pajamas to change into. Daizy rants about boys—my boys, specifically, the ones only a few feet away in the kitchen—while I peel my sweater off.

Just as I’ve found myself in only my bra and underwear, my bedroom door flies open. I scream and attempt to cover myself as Eddie stands in the doorway.

“You went on a date with Steve?!” he accuses, expression a mixture of excitement and confusion.

“Oh my God, Eddie! Have you ever heard of knocking?” Daizy screeches, shoving him out of the room. “She’s literally naked, you perv!”

Down the hallway, I hear my brother shout ‘WHAT?’ At an unreasonable volume.

Eddie’s face goes pale and he freezes like a deer in headlights.

“Get out!” I yell.

He shakes out of his trance. “Oh, shit. Sorry!” The door slams closed behind him. I get dressed at an inhuman speed, a flustered mess of limbs and hair in my eyes.

I turn to Daizy and she’s staring at me expectantly, eyebrows perched. “You went on a date with Steve?”

Anger boils in my stomach. “It wasn’t a date,” I grumble, storming out of the bedroom and down the hallway. I stop in the kitchen, brushing past Steve to grab the towel hanging from the oven door. “Munson!” I call.

Eddie and Ben are arguing in the living room. I rapidly approach, tunnel vision on Eddie and I smack him with the towel. He barely flinches as he laughs breathlessly.

“Calm down now, Sweetheart, I’ve seen you naked before,” he coos.

My blood runs cold and my jaw hangs slack. I hit him again.

“I’m sorry you what now?” Steve joins, rounding the kitchen counter.

“It was an accident!” Eddie holds his hands up in surrender. “I walked in on her showering, she tried to murder me with shampoo bottles—“

I roll my eyes to mask my embarrassment. “You didn’t even see anything, I was covered by shower curtain,”

“Hate to break it to you Sweetheart, but—that curtain’s see through,”

I press my hands to the side of my head and squeeze. If I’m lucky, I’ll pop my brain out and I’ll never have to think about this ever again. "Oh. My. God."

Ben’s face is red with fury. “Alright, that’s it! Everyone shut up! Emergency roommate meeting is happening. Right. Now. Sit down, all of you,” he demands with conviction, slamming his hand on the couch. I silently sit on the sofa and Eddie sits on the opposite side. Daizy meekly attempts to escape, slowly stepping backward towards my bedroom. “You too!" Ben adds, pointing to her.

Her shoulders fall and she groans, walking to me. She sits on the floor in front of me, leaning her back against my legs. Steve sits between Eddie and me, his body heat radiating off of him. Daizy glances at him, mischief glimmering in her peripherals. I poke her ribs to make her stop, and she relents, if just barely.

The atmosphere suddenly turns serious and heavy. Ben paces back and forth, hands clasped together in contemplation. He presses his fingertips to his lips, thinking. Just as I believe I’m getting close to reading his thoughts, he starts, “Do you remember when I very directly told you two that there was a line, and not to cross it?” He speaks quietly, staring at the boys.

The pair nod. Steve looks down at his feet, and Eddie looks anywhere but Ben's face.

“Not only have you crossed the line, but it’s so far behind you that you can’t even see it. Shit—you might as well have pissed on it!”

Eddie can’t hold it in any longer, and he laughs, just for a second. If looks could kill, he’d be dead where he sits. Ben glares daggers at him. “I know you’re not laughing, you sexual deviant. You can continue to flirt with everyone you see— but people in this house are off limits, especially her!”

I’ll admit to jumping a bit when my brother points a finger at me, like lightning will shoot out of it and electrocute me. Like Thor.

I laugh at my own thought and immediately I realize what I’ve done. Oh fuck.

“You’re not innocent, either,” he rambles. “Jesus, you live with three guys. Lock the goddamn door!”

My bedroom door doesn’t have a lock on it, I want to remind him, but I fear he’ll ring my neck if I do.

“The bathroom lock’s broken and her bedroom doesn’t even have one,” Steve defends me. I dare a peek at him and he’s looking at me. I smile and mouth thank you to him.

“And how would you know her bedroom doesn’t have a lock?” Ben accuses.

Steve rolls his eyes. “Because I’ve lived here for two years, Benjamin.”

“Fine,” Ben resolves, looking at me. “She’ll take my room. Private bathroom and a lock on the door,”

He says it like it’s some sort of punishment, so I have to pretend to be upset. The boys nod along, agreeing that this is the best middle ground.

“I don’t know what’s going on with you two,” Ben wiggles his finger between Steve and me. “But quit it. If I find out you went on a date again I’m gonna wring your tentacles out like a rag,” he tells Steve, who winces at the thought and runs his hand through his fluffy hair.

Daizy giggles quietly. I kick her to try to shut her up, but it’s too late as he sets his sights on her.

“And you,” Ben calls on her. “Quit encouraging bad behavior. Do you think I couldn’t hear your little conversation earlier? These walls are paper thin,”

I bury my face in my hands. Daizy is gobsmacked and—for the first time ever—stunned to silence.

“This house clearly needs a set of clearly outlined rules,” he announces, pacing into the kitchen and snatching a notebook and pen off the counter. He scribbles furiously for an extremely long minute while the rest of us hold our breaths. Steve leans into me, nudging me with his shoulder. A warm, fuzzy feeling surrounds me as I scan his pouting face. 'I’m sorry,' he whispers, barely audible.

I shake my head. He has nothing to apologize for. It wasn’t a date—Eddie’s a drama queen and my brother’s an over-reactor.

“I behold to you,” Ben breathes, ripping the page out of the notebook and displaying it like a child with an art project. “The Roommate Agreement.”

The hand writing is doctorate at best, kindergarten-esque at worst. “Please read this agreement and sign it. Failure to do so will result in banishment; sleeping on the fire escape.” Ben points out the sliding glass window above the communal desk in the far corner of the living room, the only entry point to the fire escape.

It starts with Eddie. He reads it quietly before handing it to Steve, who makes a face and then hands it to me. The chicken scratch handwriting reads as follows:

The Roommate Agreement, Apartment 406D.

1. No pets, lest we suffer the wrath of Larry the Evil Landlord.

2. No roommate-on-roommate romance, punishable by: beating, public humiliation, or exile from the apartment.

3. Any and all decisions that directly affect all parties must be taken to a vote before finalized.

“Public humiliation or beating, really?” I snipe.

“Why are you so concerned? Plan on breaking the rules?” Ben teases.

I roll my eyes.

“Hey, can we add ‘pizza on Friday nights’ to the list of rules?” Eddie wonders aloud, ignorant to the tension in the room.

Ben sighs tiredly. “Yeah, sure, Ed. We can add pizza on Fridays,” he resolves.

“If we’re adding rules, we should add ‘knock before entering’ to the list. Since some people didn’t learn that in grade school,” I glare at Eddie.

He shrugs. “I’ve already seen you naked twice. Does it really matter anymore?”

I feel like I’m going to vomit from the thought of my naked body being burned into Eddie’s subconscious forever. Ben scowls and Steve elbows him.

“Do you ever think before you speak?” Daizy complains.

“Huh. Not really, no,” Eddie admits.

“I can tell.” she says.

“Alright, alright. Amendment to the Agreement: Pizza on Fridays, always knock before entering, and never speak about my sister naked ever again,” Ben says, looking pale.

Steve nods, suddenly feeling brave. “We should be allowed to make changes,”

“Once a year?” Daizy suggests, handing the paper back to Ben after she’s read it. "If you change it too often, it's not really an agreement, is it?"

“You don’t even live here,” Ben simmers, snatching the page.

“You’re the one who got me involved!” Daizy contests.

They lock eyes, an unhealthy mix of angst and electricity ricocheting off each other.

“Good fuck. Just make out already,” for once I'm thankful for Eddie's big mouth, as he says what we're all thinking. Daizy reaches for one of the throw pillows discarded on the floor and heaves it with all of her might. The plush hits his chest and he winces just to appease her, snickering.

Ben leans on the coffee table, stained with rings from beer cans and coffee mugs, furiously writing on the page. We pass it around the room again, reading the Amendment and signing our names at the bottom.

The Roommate Agreement, Apartment 406D.

1. No pets, lest we suffer the wrath of Larry the Evil Landlord.

2. No roommate-on-roommate romance, punishable by: beating, public humiliation, or exile from the apartment.

3. Any and all decisions that directly affect all parties must be taken to a vote before finalized.

4. We will have pizza on Friday night, every week, until the end of time.

5. The Agreement may receive 1 (one) Amendment within a calendar year.

6. We are to never speak of The Incidents again. Signing this agreement is a promise to take The Incidents to the grave."

'The Incidents' is an odd way to word 'Eddie's the only one that's seen my naked', but I suppose it's easier to digest this way.

I titter at the way it’s written, all professional and lawyer-like. That’s my brother, for you—he’s always been so serious. Steve hands me the pen and I grab it. He purposely holds onto it tight so I struggle to take it from him. I shake my head at him and he chuckles, relenting his grip to release the pen with a pop.

In wiggly cursive, just under Steve Harrington’s name, I squiggle my name and draw a little heart next to it, cementing my place in Apartment 406D and my commitment to the Roommate Agreement.

⊱ ────── {⋆❉⋆} ────── ⊰

**Holy crap, this took way too long to write, sorry! I gave up editing and half-assed it tbh so lmk if I missed something!**

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[buckysgrace]

Can I get a sleepy Sunday morning in bed with Gator fic? Can be fluff, smut, both idc 💕

Missing him so it's gonna be fluffy n sweet hehehe <3

The sunlight crept through the room when you returned, teeth fresh and minty as you crawled back into the bed. The air was still chill despite the seasons changing, making you worry about the flowers that had just bloomed. Oh, well. Nothing you could do about it now.

Gator was sprawled out the same way you had left him, blankets tucked up to his chest as he tugged his pillow close to his head. His hair was messy, but not in a bad way. It fell against his forehead, his features relaxed for once in a way that made him appear younger. Less stressed.

You were careful as you crawled back into the bed, scooting on the side that he was sprawled out on. You were instantly greeted with his warmth, his body as good as any heater as you wrapped your arms around your torso and tucked yourself up against him.

Your cheek fell against the side of his shoulder for a minute as you listened to the way he breathed deeply, your eyes tracing down the constellations of moles that decorated his back. He was slightly paler from the winter months, but you could still make out some faded tan lines along his arms from where he was in the sun all summer long.

"Morning," you greeted softly as you stroked his chest hair softly, earning a little grunt from him, "hey, sleepy head. We're going to be late." You reminded him, thinking of how he had been persistent that you get him up at eight. No earlier, no later.

He had worked a lot the previous week, but he was insistent that he didn't want to spend his one day off being lazy. Though you weren't sure why. You liked spending mornings in bed with him.

"Hmm." He hummed in response, shifting his body so that he was rested closer to you. He would deny that he had been lying in such a position when he woke up, so you savored it to yourself. You grinned as you listened to the way his breathing remained deep and slow, still half asleep.

"You gotta move." You told him softly, playing with the hair that was beginning to grow against the nape of his neck. He always thought that meant it was getting too long, but you disagreed.

"Don't wanna." He grumbled as he shifted, this time turning onto his stomach so he could bury his face into the pillows. You gently traced your nails along his back, watching the way goosebumps formed underneath your touch.

"You're going to be late." You reminded him gently, secretly hoping that he would change his mind. You didn't want to go to church either. You liked staying in and being lazy with him.

"Don't care." He grumbled, still keeping his face hidden away from you. You chewed on your bottom lip, waiting a moment before trying again.

"Mhm," you grinned as you brushed your fingers across his soft sides, resting your chin against his shoulder, "you were all worried about being late last night." You reminded him, making him sigh dramatically.

"Hm, that was before you put me to work last night." He teased as he turned towards you this time, his hazel eyes much greener in the morning light. The side of his face he'd been lying on was still red as he curved his lips into an amused grin. You scoffed.

"You're a dork." You told him as you gave him a little shove, admiring his raspy tone as he grunted again. He stretched out a bit, crinkling his nose as he did so.

"We could stay here," he hummed as he rolled over, sighing deeply as he did so, "I don't think God will mind if we miss one service." He added as he linked his fingers together over his stomach, closing his eyes as he thought about it.

"That sleepy?" You teased as you snuggled your way back up towards him, mindlessly dragging your fingers through his chest hair once again. He shifted his arm over your shoulders to pull you close, lazily stroking his thumb across your back as he continued to lay there.

You savored the feeling of his gentle movements, figuring that he was slowly falling back asleep as he still hadn't responded. You shifted your head a bit to listen to the sound of his heart underneath his flesh, listening to your favorite beat.

"Mhm, I'll bring the parts over later." He sighed deeply as he spoke, making you crinkle your eyebrows together as you sat up to look at him. His expression had relaxed once again, his eyes shut sleepily as a little snore left his lips.

"What?" You asked in amusement, biting back your laughter as he rapidly blinked his eyes a second later. He looked at you confused, shaking his head as he sat up this time.

"I said I'm not tired." He grunted as he spoke, rubbing the back of his neck as the sheets fell around his waist. You tugged on them playfully, curious as to what could help him wake up.

"I don't think that's what you said at all." You laughed this time, unable to help yourself as he shook his head. He looked towards you amused again, sleepiness still lingering in his features.

"Shut up," he chuckled as he rubbed at his eyes, "alright, I'm up. I'm up. Give me like five minutes." He promised as he held his hands up before he began to untangle himself from the blankets, scooting towards the edge of the bed.

"We could stay in bed," you offered, stretching across the bed until you were able to link your fingers with his, "and just snuggle for a little bit." You told him, wagging your eyebrows as he laughed.

"I'll fall back asleep." He responded, voice still raspy as he looked at you entertained. You pouted your lips together.

"Is that a bad thing?" You asked as you crawled towards him, sitting up on your knees and facing in his direction. Your brought your hands up against his face, gently pushing his hair off of his forehead.

"Suns out," he mumbled, still smiling as you brushed your fingers across his skin, "which means we need to get busy." He added as he tapped his hands against your thighs, pushing himself onto his feet a second later. You grimaced.

"What if we get busy and then we lay back down?" You asked him, watching the way he unlocked his phone, just to power it down completely.

"Hm," he pretended to think about it for a moment as he scratched at his upper chest, near his shoulder, "maybe after we eat." He replied a second later, always food motivated in some sort of way. You laughed, deciding that you could work with that. It had been a while since you'd made breakfast for bed.

"What do you want for breakfast?" You asked as you stood up, slipping your feet into a pair of warm slippers. You began to fuss with the sheets on the bed as he stood, raising his hands high above his head.

He thought about it as he held you make the bed, his movements a little slower than yours. You felt a little bad about getting him up so early, but figured it was better to listen to him than purposely let him sleep when he didn't want to.

"French toast sounds good," he hummed as he squeezed at your ass, "be down in a minute." He smiled as he bent down, briefly pressing a peck against your lips. You thought about it, knowing you wouldn't mind the sticky sheets.

[whimsical-roasting]

Jamie Tartt and the Five Love Language

THERES SO MUCH I COULD SAYYY and special thanks to @caapsiizzereads for helping me brainstorm some of these!! ugh just wanna love on the babyboy so much yknow??

TELL ME IF THERE'S MORE YOU CAN THINK OFFFFF

Words of Affirmations:

HE HAS A PRAISE KINK. ITS LITERALLYYYYYYY CANNON 

Babyboy is so precious…… he knows how it feels not to get kind words, and so he just can’t help but give them out to you

“Woah, babe…your mind..” in a stunned manner when you go off about something you’re passionate about

“You’re everything to me,” he whispers at night as you fall asleep

Has a shared spotify playlist that you both can collab on, and it’s just songs (lyrics) that remind you of each other!! Jamie plays it when he’s heading to away games in the coach, and it makes him feel a bit calmer 

Giving you ALL the praise and dirty talk during sexy time “you’re so fucking beautiful”, “you make me feel so so good” “holy fuck angel” 

Sometimes just stares at you randomly with a goofy look and you’re like ??? what ??? what is it ?? did he realise i’m ugly or my nose is weird or wHAT !!!???!! and he’s just like, “you look like sunshine”, all smitten and shit

Kisses each feature on your body and says “my favourite” to every. single. one.

“I believe in ya!”

Desperately wants to make sure you guys have a couple’s song - something meaningful that describes how he feels about you that he can play for you both… like Sweet Nothings by Taylor Swift/Hearts Don’t Break Around You by Ed Sheeran/Simple Things by Miguel 

Plays that song after fights when the silences are still tender; when you’re drunk and slow dancing in the kitchen at 3am; when you’re getting dressed for a gala, and he’s fixing his hair, and you’re putting on your earrings

“I adore you, sweetheart”, “you look like a pretty flower”, “me heart fuckin sings seeing ya”

Physical Touch:

Absent-mindedly plays with your hair

Nuzzles face into your neck and then peppers kisses on your shoulder

Massages/scratches your scalp cause he knows how good it feels when you do it for him

Traces patterns on your knee and thighs if you sit next to him

Gotta be holding hands at all times

Pinky promises are sacred… probs locks pinkies and then kisses his thumb to “stamp it” 

Slapping his ass as he walks past you, and so he’s always covering his butt, complaining “babeeee you can’t do thattttt”, but then he’ll be all pouty if one day you don’t slap his ass when he walks past… ��do you not love me anymore?”

He will randomly come up to you, wrap your arms around you, getting as close as possible and tuck his face between your shoulder and neck, saying that he’s recharging

Always gotta be touching some part of you.. it’s the only way to live tbh

Gift Giving:

Remember when Jamie was like, “can’t I just buy them all PS5s as a sorry??” “what better thing to spend money on than love?“ LMFAOOOO babyboy :”) he means well

The amount of effort he put into Roy’s gift for Uncle’s Day <3 

Jamie would fucking love getting you fancy, expensive gifts around big occasions (birthdays, holidays etc.) 

BUT I think he’d also love getting you smaller gifts like… Sunday morning flowers, or stocking up on different kinds of herbal tea in his kitchen cause he knows sometimes you’re in the mood for a random cuppa on quiet evenings

Personally, someone like me loves cute tea cups/mugs, so I think buying two mugs to keep in his house cause “they’re so cute, and I wanted them for us” would make him so happy!! He doesn’t even use them all that much, but just seeing them in the cupboard makes him smiley

The kind to want matching outfits or colour-coordinated outfits - most def would buy you both matching sneakers (so would Isaac/most of the team with his S/O)

Gets you a ‘J’ gold chain and wears a gold one with your initial 

If he sees some targeted ad on your insta or something for what you’ve searched up he’s like hmmm,,,,,,i might just,,,*add to cart*

Quality Time:

Wants to spend all his time with you!! Ofc he does!!! 

Is happy to just sit in silence, stroking your calves he watches tiktok with your legs on his lap!! Esp if you’re like reading/doing work on your laptop

He just wants to be there yknow? And he tries not to be annoying but the little puppy can’t help but wanna talk and touch and, ultimately, annoy you

Tries to invite you to all his events? “Can me girlfriend come?” 

Even the ones that aren’t for guests, “babeeee, what do ya mean you won’t come to Colin’s guys' night? I swear they’ll be fine with it…probably!!” “can I come to girl’s night with ya? I’ll let you paint me nails…come on.. Pleaseeee?”

Texts you periodically during the night regardless ahahaha

I like the idea of, “hey I gotta drive somewhere, and it’s gonna take me 30 minutes..can you talk?” whilst one of you is in the car and the other’s at home or, I dunno, has some time during their day 

Date nightssssss every two weeks… OR if the season gets busy and he’s also exhausted from Roy’s trainings then SPECIFIC carved out time to be affectionate and date-y

“I’m so sorry, love, I know we had that reservation tonight, but I came home knackered and just crashed…” “Jaim, it’s okay-” “No, no, it’s not! I’m so fucking dead from training I don’t even get to take ya out anymore! What if- what if you wanted a picnic, huh!” “Baby, it’s okay, really.. How about we set up a picnic on the living room floor and order takeout? Something that Roy’ll let you eat, yea?” “I’m so fucking grateful for ya, angel, I swear” 

He always wants you to watch him score a goal on FIFA cause he’s a child ahahaha… probably teaches you how to play and then pouts when you score as Obisanya 

Wants to try out random hobbies with you - sip and paint cause “I’ll have an excuse to draw outta the lines”; knitting cause “Bumbercatch said it’s soothin, babe”; quick dry clay but he makes a big circular lump at first and grins at you “look babe!! I made a football!” 

Acts of Service:

HIM TEACHING ROY HOW TO RIDE A BIKE 

Makes you coffee once he’s back from his 4am training 

Always offers you his jacket/coat

“I know this was stressing ya, babe, so I took care of it”

“Don’t worry, love, I’ve been practising this dish just for you.. I won’t burn it this time, promise”

Late night cravings???? McDonald’s fries and an Oreo Mcflurry?? He’s already slipping on his jacket and finding his keys (imagine how attentive he’d be with your weird ass pregnancy cravings omg)

ALWAYS opens doors for you... Probably yells “WAIT” when in the car with you just so he can jog out and open your door with a grin 

Always down to carry your purse, puts it on his shoulder like it’s HIS despite having his lil bum bag across his chest

Nightime or morning routine, he probs has to get ready before you so he lays out your skincare for you. Probs adds toothpaste on your brush if he hears you getting ready to enter the bathroom

Probably the main one driving everywhere, but if you drive and need to fill up your tank, he’ll be the one to get out and fill it then pay,,, he’s almost offended that you say you’re capable of doing so yourself, “babe, what am I here for?!”

Tries to eat in accordance with your dietary requirements (e.g. I’m vegetarian) if you guys have date night - or he’ll always have like mouthwash and gum so he can kiss ya later without making you feel uncomfortable!!

“Ooh babe, they have the ravioli ya like and the vodka gnocchi!! Okay, you order the ravioli, and I’ll get the gnocchi and we’ll split, yea?” “Hey Jaim, can we order fries too?” “Fuck yea!”

[riofann]

8. tempestuous

Tempestuous: characterized by strong and turbulent or conflicting emotion.

Previous Chapter

Thursday February 4, 2021

You walk into the bar, it was empty but he was there sitting facing the bartender. 

When he sees you he has a slight smile on his face and pulls the bar stool closer to him (A/N: We all know this infamous scene). 

“You rang?” He smiles but doesn’t say anything “What do you want?” 

He turns to face the bartender before facing you and smiling “Get her a tequila sunrise”  expecting you to object

You turn to face the bartender “a water please” 

The bartender nods and scurries away sensing the tension

“Why don’t you take a seat?” he pulls out the barstool so you could slide in Unphased by his gesture you say “No, let's just get this over with Rio. What do you want?” 

He takes in a deep breath and faces the bar, he hoped that with time you would have calmed down, he did, he had moved past it. 

“I need double the amount” he speaks before taking a sip of his drink 

“For how long?” 

He shrugs “I don’t know yet, I’ll let you know” 

“When do you need this to start?”

“Now” he turns to face you expecting a protest 

“Okay is that it? 

“Yea” he responds with his stoic expression 

With that you spin around and walk away

By the time you make it out the door the bartender had both drinks in hand “Oh uhhhh” 

“It’s alright, comp it” 

“Yes sir” 

Sunday February 14, 2021

“Where’s Rio?” you ask holding onto the bag, he had told you he was going to manage the pick up today 

Your phone vibrates right on cue like he is listening 

The man in front of you scoffs as if it is the most ridiculous question “He got a date today lady, it is valentines duh!” 

“Right” you say looking down at your phone and reading the text 

Rio: Got tied up 

“And I gotta go slap some cheeks so let's get this out the way” he says reaching for the bag 

“Right! Right!” you say handing him the money 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ later that day ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“And then he took me to this like pop up thing very romantic” Alicia babbles on the phone recounting her date with her boyfriend as you were all on 3 way between yourself,  Gia, and Alicia

“That's good!” Gia comments

“I’m sorry I’ve only talked about me. How was yours? Working?” she asks noticing you hadn’t added much to the conversation 

“Yeaaaa” 

She sighs “Sissy we really would like you to have someone up there” she comments

You sigh back “Sometimes things aren't in the books for all of us Ally” 

“That's not true! What about that guy? What's his name? Christian? No! Christopher! What about Christopher?”

You remain silent 

“Sissy?” 

“Yes”

“Christopher?” Gia asks

You blow out air “Well you know...”  

“Are you two back together?” 

“Ugh” you express in disgust  “no, we just aren’t a good fit for each other” 

“Why would you say that?” Alicia asked 

“It's a hunch but tell me what happened after the pop up”  you ask wanting her to get distracted again and it worked.

After you get off the phone with her not too long after there’s a knock at your front door. You look through your camera to see Rio standing on the opposite side. It was almost midnight. 

“Yes?” you say as you open the door 

He walks past you. “Hey mama” he greets you. You lock the door and follow suit to your usual meeting point in your home. The kitchen. 

“You asked about me” he comments 

You look at him confused, “I asked where you were because you said you would pick up today and I was told you had a date. I gave Antoine the money”

He nods taking a seat by the bar 

“What do you want?” still confused by why he even stopped by 

He dips his head down and laughs to himself 

“Still mad huh?” 

“Nope” emphasis on the p

He looks at you and squints biting back a smile but you could see the dimples 

“How’d your date go?” you ask with your back to him, you feel the urge to just slap him at any moment so you need to distract yourself  He chuckles, “Worried about my love life now?” He asks watching you walk past him to the living room to pause the movie, then back and stand across from him 

“Noooo” You shrug “Just curious” 

He hums “hmm” a pause “How was your date?” 

You scoff “You know damn well I was at the bar making many women happy for their mans last minute date” 

He laughs “Valentine with no date” 

“Yea, well welcome to my life, at least one of us had a good date” you beam at him “got that after glow and all” 

He frowns “What you talking about?” 

You reach and turn his head gently by the jaw “Your date made sure to leave a parting gift” You say as you point out the subtle imprinted pink lips on his neck

He goes to your bathroom to check and you hear the water running which makes you laugh “Aww don’t remove it, it was her gift to you” 

After he is done he leaves without say anything else to you. 

Tuesday March 16, 2021

“I was summoned” you comment as you slide into the bar

“Hello Y/N!”  Nick greets joyfully

“Nick” you greet

“Brother sin...” 

Rio interrupts “Cousin”

Nick playfully rolls his eyes “This guy with semantics”

You take a deep breath. There's silence at the table as you wait for them to tell you the reason for their visit.

“How was valentines last month?” Nick asks

You shrug “I worked, dropped the money, worked again, then I went home” 

He frowns “How sad no date”

“No but I'm sure you were aware of that, so what’s up? Why do we need to talk?” 

Nick holds a sly smirk on his face “a beautiful woman like yourself”

“Nick!”  Rio scolds

“What do you want?” you ask irritated 

Nick turns to face Rio “Well brother“ Rio sighs and looks away. Nick turns to face you “He's being shy”

“Nick” Rio warns

“What brother?” 

“Stop!” he orders 

Nick throws up his hands in surrender “Fine! Fine!” he turns to face you and looks at you for a brief moment before saying  “We want you to proceed with the second location” 

You shake your head “I can't. I can’t do that it's too soon” 

“Well seeing that all of this is your fault”

“Excuse me!?” “Nick!” both you and Rio say in unison 

He smiles “Yea you see, had you not betrayed my family we wouldn't be here in fact the second location would be open right now if it wasn't for you” 

“I was put in a tough position”  you argue 

He tilts his head from side to side “Yeaaaa buuuut” he looks at Rio “brother here told me he gave you an option out of this and you still chose wrong seems to me you are indeed responsible for everything cariño” he speaks adding salt into the wound 

“Nick stop” he shoots daggers with his eyes at him 

You put your hand up to stop Rio “No it's okay I accept” you swallow a lump growing in your throat, you feel your hands shaking in your lap.  You clear your throat before speaking. “It was my fault” you speak confidently “and I paid the ultimate price that I accept. But opening up the second  location right now will not be in the best interest for anyone. The community will not agree to this and feel like I used this as an opportunity and no one will think Cure is the best bar in town an....”

Nick cuts you off “Well that's your problem isn't it?” 

“It's not even a year since she...” 

“We know” he smiles  

You shake your head in disbelief “I won't do it, kill me but I’m not doing it!” you declare

He looks at Rio “you did tell me..” 

“I told you” he says cutting him off visibly irritated with Nick 

Nick turns to face you again “We have to wash more money” He looks between both of you “so one of you needs to come up with a solution for washing double the amount of money!” 

“Get someone else to do it, a different bar a different shop” you offer

He shakes his head “Uh Uh that won’t do cariño, everybody is sloppy you’re not” 

“I can’t wash double if there are no customers” 

He smiles at you “Again that’s a personal problem, it’s what comes with running a business Y/N” 

“No! That’s my final answer!” 

He turns to face Rio “Brother” “Nick” he calls his name jaws taught. You look between them was Nick who he answered to? 

“Yes brother you know she’s the only one” 

“Y/N” Rio calls your name

You gauff “I’m not doing it!  Fuck it I don't care” you pull out your phone “let me just tell my family I love them” 

Rio puts his hand on top of yours to stop you before he turns to look at Nick “We need to find someone else” 

He smiles at Rio “No I want her” 

“It's not gonna work cousin” 

Nick stands up “Brother. Then I suggest you two come up with a solution because whether you like it or not she will be running that second location” 

You watch him leave before you turn to face Rio, he doesn’t say anything, just hangs his head low before getting up to leave too. 

Wednesday April 21, 2021

You knock on the door and wait for him to open. You wave to greet him as he stands in the entry way

He smiles “Hey mama” stepping aside to let you in 

You step into his office at the warehouse “I got called to the office again. What did I do now? I have been giving Alejandro the money no questions asked” 

He chuckles. Spring was around the corner but not quite so you paired your wrap dress that had a slit in it with thigh high heel boots. 

“Got your money” you say placing it on the desk 

He snickers “Didn’t call you here for that” 

You sigh “Well I brought it anyway incase I was in trouble” you take a seat on the couch as he leans against his desk

You both say nothing as he stares at you taking in your outfit. It does make you blush a little. Maybe the slit was too high and you adjust slightly so that the extra fabric covers your exposed thigh. 

“So what's up?” the memories of what happened last time you visited him were rushing back and you wanted to be out of there as soon as possible 

He clears his throat “I wanted to talk to you”

“About?”

He takes in a deep breath “The second location” You roll your eyes “This again”

“I need your help darling, got people I answer to, and I need double the amount you giving me now”

You nod looking down at your nails “Odd how I’m always the one you run to for help. Don’t you have other people in this freaking “empire” of yours” 

“I do” he responds smiling “but you’re my girl”

You groan “I can’t open up the second location you know how people will react” 

“You don’t have to it will be under an LLC”

“LLC that people can find”

“No an LLC owned by another business, owned by another business and so forth”

“Great” you sigh “Black rock style” 

He smiles “You get it”

“But they’ll see me there”

He shrugs “You can be behind scenes all we need you to do is manage the money”

“Why can’t you find someone else?”

He smiles at you “I just told you, you’re my girl”

“I’ll have to be at there to do all that”

He shrugs “We’ll figure out a schedule, make up an excuse, say you’re just consulting. Helping them get on their feet”

You shake your head still not liking the idea itself.

He pauses before speaking knowing what the reaction would be “It's already been decided” You scoff “Figured from the last meeting. Your boss did sa....” 

“Y/N” he warns

“Why am I here? You could have texted this shit”

“Needed your buy in” he argues 

“Doesn’t matter if you get it or not does it? Since the decision was already made”

“Come on ma’ don’t be like that” You roll your eyes standing up “Need your expertise in design” 

“Where is it gonna be?” 

“Different location on the north side of town” 

“The rich area? You think they want a bar?”

He shrugs “they want something, that's why I need you”

You nod “Okay get a planner and designer then” 

“Nah can’t have too many people involved.” He pauses “you’re good at it ”

“You’re gonna pay me!” you demand 

He puts his right hand on his heart and smiles “Scouts honor” glad you didn’t put up much of a fight. 

You stand there for a second looking at him realizing that once again you went against your own better judgment. You agreed to do something for Rio. You were supposed to be firm and not budge! But somehow some way he forced your hand and you always conceded. It made you hate yourself. 

“You good?” he asks walking closer to you bringing you back to the present 

“I’m fine” you say before walking out of the office not waiting for him to respond. The disgust you felt for yourself was boiling over and you were not going to let him see you cry. 

Monday May 10, 2021

“What are you doing here? I’ve been doing as you requested your highness” 

He chuckles sitting next to you, it had been a while since you last saw each other. Probably for the best. You had been unpleasant to be around. You were short, sarcastic, and uncooperative to say the least. 

It was a slow night, tonight  and you could find a seat at the bar so you moved all your work to a corner by the bar instead of being cooped up in the office 

“Hey Mike” you call to your bartender 

“Yea boss?” “Get him a GodFather (scotch whisky and amaretto)”  you turn to face him “it’s his favorite drink” Just something you picked up on over the years. 

He smiles at you happily accepting the attitude from you 

You don’t say anything but return to the laptop you were ordering supply for the next month 

“I’m tired,” he declares while taking a sip of his drink. He didn’t want to continue being at odds with you let alone fighting with you. 

“Welcome to the club” you state, not looking up from the laptop you were in the zone and didn’t want to be distracted or the system would time out and you would find yourself restarting. He doesn’t say anything but sits there next to you waiting for you to finish. When you’re done you close your laptop and leave him. 

You return after 20 minutes with food in hand

“Oh I’m not” he goes to stop you 

“Please this is practically your second dinner and you don’t gain any weight you can eat, plus I need unbiased opinion on this” 

He bites back a chuckle and picks up the fork. You both sit in silence and eat your meals after you’re both done you ask 

“What do you think? Spiced Lamb Burger with Fennel Cucumber & Celery Slaw, for next month” You ask when he is finished eating

He nods “it's good, a little spicy” 

“You don’t like spice?” “Nah I don’t mind it, it was good” 

You nod your head “good” and take the plates from him. He doesn’t say anything to you and you both sit in silence drinking and looking straight ahead at the TV. 

You turn to face him and blurt out “What's on your mind?” you finally break the silence you hated when he lingered, it normally followed with him telling you bad news or asking for yet another favor 

He chuckles and turns to face you  “What makes you think I have something on my mind”

You shrug “Well you don’t linger unless you have something to say” 

He smiles and nods “think you know me now?”

You smirk “You have to know your enemies”

He laughs, throwing his head back “Now I'm your enemy?” 

“Mhm! Or how else would you describe this?” you gesture between both of you pointing back and forth 

He picks up his glass to toast “A partnership” 

You roll your eyes and turn to face the TV “Not this again,” Suspecting him to ask you for a favor  “somehow I’m the one that keeps getting fucked over, interesting partnership we got here” 

He sighs “cuz you don’t listen to me” 

You hum “mmm...... not true but whatever. Agree to disagree” 

He doesn’t say anything for a minute “maybe I just like being around you” 

You scrunch your face and turn to face him “Horse shit!” He smiles at you “I’m serious”

“You’re lying! You want something so out with it your highness!” 

His jaw flexes looks you in the eye “I’m telling you the truth Y/N”  

You roll your eyes “Flattery isn’t your thing, your highness” you go back to your phone to distract from whatever it was you were feeling

“You don’t believe me?” 

You shake your head “I have a better chance  believing in flying pigs.”

He chuckles “Why tho’?” You look at him and smile, in a sarcastic tone you say “For the same reasons you didn’t believe me when I told you I didn’t steal your money!” His smile drops immediately, he turns to face the bar taking in a deep breath “I guess that's just the reality of our partnership” you finish. This was the unpleasantness he was trying to figure out. It didn’t take this long for you two to be back to some kind of norm. But this time was different. He doesn’t say anything and like before you break the silence. “You’re back to lingering, great” you mumble 

He turns to face you “What did I do? I know you’re mad at me just tell me what I did” you were holding onto a grudge he couldn’t resolve.

“Look in the mirror” you say refusing to face him 

“I’m trying here Y/N” he argues 

You turn to face him “By fucking me over? Making me do the work of multiple people while you and your boss, your brother, your cousin, whatever the fuck he is to you can maximize profit.” You pause “You can get literally anyone else to do this shit for you”

He sighs “Doesn’t have to be this way” he counters “Well I’m not the limiting factor here, every chance you get you’ll throw your weight and guns into the mix” 

“It’s needed” he counters  

You beam and respond satirically  “You see it's not me! Good first step! Honesty is the best policy!”

“It is you sometimes tho’” You smile at him keeping the same tone “Well my apologies your highness” He sighs rolling his eyes “Stop calling me that, rather you call me a asshole” You laugh “I thought you wanted things to be better? It's a fitting name. It’s something you said, ‘to be the king you gotta kill the king?’ Did I get it right? Medieval yadda yadda yadda blah blah blah.” you pause to see his reaction, it got under his skin exactly what you were looking for “I don’t know maybe someone else said it” “Y/N” “Yes! Mr. Christopher Serraño! What can I do for you?” He looks at you with a blank face all though you could see the rage boiling from the glare his eyes were giving you “Too far?” He doesn’t say anything “Forgive me then I won’t say a thing, women are best seen and not heard right?” “Y/N” he warns 

You motion with your fingers zipping your mouth and turn to get back on the laptop. A few minutes later he gets up and walks out of the bar. 

(A/N: What yall think Y/N should have extended an olive branch or not? What would you do if this was you?) 

Authors Note: Please leave your feedback, again please don't steal. Only repost, like, or give credit.

XOXO Rose

Taglist:

@katymae12344, @yinmaggiorebass , @flirtyjen, @wnbweasley, @meadows5, @ffenthusiastt, @rio-reid-whoreee, @belezaya, @meera10, @aunicornmademedoit, @stilestotherescue, @thatoneasiagurl

[slaymitchabernathy]

Cotton Tails & Bunny Trails

| @evilmenarehot , this one’s for you!!! happy easter, y’all <3

Coriolanus Snow is rudely woken up from his slumber when he feels two tiny bodies land on top of his large one. He groans, no one ever talks about this part of being a parent, the unwanted wake-up calls.

"Daddy! Daddy, wake up! It's Easter!"

Coriolanus groans again, it's also Sunday, which means sleeping in. He rolls over to his side, wrapping his arms around his wife's waist, pressing his nose against the soft skin of her back. "Darling, your children have come to bother us."

The girls giggle, continuing to jump on the bed and on him. "Before sunrise, they're your children," Soarynn mumbles back.

"We belong to both of you, Mommy! C'mon, we've gotta go find the Easter Bunny eggs!"

Sometimes, Coriolanus wishes Soarynn weren't such a wonderful mother who loves to celebrate every single holiday with the children. Between Santa, the Leprechaun, and the Easter Bunny, he can't keep track!

Soarynn sighs, it's pointless to fight against the girls and their wishes. Once they're up, they're up. Coriolanus cracks one eye open and spots his youngest daughter, Celeste, poking Soarynn's cheek. "Mommy," she whispers, "Mommy, did you die?"

Soarynn laughs, sitting up despite Coriolanus and his whine from the loss of contact. "No, my sweet girl," Soarynn says, kissing Celeste's forehead, "I did not die." Coriolanus rolls onto his back again, hoping to get a few more minutes of sleep. "Why are you always sleeping, Daddy?"

His eyes shoot open at his eldest daughter's accusatory question. Ceraphina has always humbled him. Sure enough, she's looking down at him with her hands on her hips. Her wild waves have come loose from the braid Soarynn put them in last night, giving her a nasty case of bedhead.

"I am not always sleeping," he defends himself, feeling as though he's being attacked. "I'm a working man, I deserve to rest. It's also Sunday, which means sleeping in and having a nice breakfast." If it weren't for this blasted holiday, Coriolanus would still be sound asleep with Soarynn in his arms. Maybe he'd wake her up with a nice back rub that would lead to other things being rubbed.

"Today is Easter," Ceraphina tells him matter-of-factly. "We need to go find the eggs! Let's go!"

Soarynn slips out of bed with the girls, all three of them padding into the bathroom so Soarynn can put on a robe and brush her hair before their egg hunt begins. That's why he's so tired in the first place, the fucking eggs.

Two days ago, Soarynn boiled some eggs and had the girls dye them with her. Caspian, their youngest, was not too impressed with the colorful dyes, but the girls loved it. Last night, Soarynn had him hide the dyed eggs, along with plastic ones filled with candies and treats. It was more difficult than he anticipated, with Petunia trying to bite his hand every five seconds.

Having children is exhausting.

"Coriolanus, darling," Soarynn calls from the bathroom over little giggles from the girls, "could you please go wake up Caspian? I know he's still asleep." Coriolanus grumbles, still groggy from being woken up so suddenly. "Yes, darling," he sighs, resigning himself to another busy day. At least Caspian has the decency to stay in bed until someone comes to get him.

He swings his feet over the bed, barely dodging the white paw that swipes out from under the bed, determined to slice through his heel.

Coriolanus stands up and stretches, he always moves around in his sleep, and Soarynn does too, which often leads to them waking up in very odd positions. Petunia crawls out from under the bed like the psychopath she is and hisses at him. It's not even eight in the morning yet.

"Don't test me," he says to the cat, ignoring the extra hiss she throws his way.

Coriolanus makes his way out of the bedroom and down the hall to the children's rooms. Celeste and Ceraphina have their own rooms, which are connected by a door on the inside, but they always insist on sleeping together. Caspian, however, doesn't like to share with anyone, so he sleeps by himself in his own bedroom.

Coriolanus quietly opens the doors to his son's bedroom, peeking into the dark room. Traces of sunlight can be seen from behind the blue curtains that hang in front of the windows. A streak of light illuminates Caspian's pale face, with his blonde hair. He approaches the small toddler's bed, bigger than he needs, but Soarynn insisted that he'd grow into it.

She had been so emotional when they got rid of his crib. She had mentioned keeping it "just in case another one comes along," but Coriolanus quickly put an end to that. Soarynn already got her birth control implant put back in, and it's for the better. They have three perfect children; no need to ruin their luck with a fourth.

"Caspian," he whispers, kneeling down to gently rub the small boy's back. Caspian's dark red pajamas are hanging on for dear life. His shirt has ridden up his back, and his pants, well, his pants are on the other end of the bed. "Come on, Cas, we have to get up," he says, pulling back the covers.

Caspian whines, rolling over to the other side, "No."

That might be his favorite word.

Coriolanus chuckles, glad to see that he's not the only one who was so opposed to the early morning. "It's Easter," he reminds his son, "the Easter Bunny came and left you some eggs to find."

"I want Momma."

Everyone wants Soarynn.

"She's already awake, so are your sisters. Now come along, it's time to join the rest of the world. Let's get your pajamas back on."

Coriolanus stands back up and goes to open the curtains, letting the natural light shine into the room. Caspian pulls the covers over his head, "No!"

Coriolanus always thought girls would be difficult, but Caspian proves him wrong every day. "Yes," he tells his son, "we need to face the day. Now come out from under the covers so we can get dressed, please."

"Momma!"

Coriolanus rolls his eyes, that boy is a momma's boy through and through, and it's gonna bite them in the ass one of these days. He doesn't even want to witness Caspian being dropped off at school for the first time.

"Fine," he mumbles, too tired to deal with attitudes this early, "I'll go get your mother."

Coriolanus finds that the girls have already begun their egg hunt, armed with pink baskets. Celeste runs past him, plastic eggs bouncing in the basket. "Excuse me, Daddy!" She's rounding the corner before he can say anything. At least she used her manners. Soarynn comes into view, dressed more appropriately with her robe, slippers, and a cup of tea.

"Where's Caspain?" She asks, noticing his empty arms. He shakes his head, "He wants you. Not me."

"Mommy! Ceraphina is taking all the eggs!"

Soarynn sips her tea, she handles the chaos of their children surprisingly well for someone so senstitve. "I'll get Caspian, you handle the girls."

"Deal," he quickly agrees. They go their separate ways, and sure enough, the girls are fighting over a yellow egg in the living room. It was delicately nestled in the bouquet of roses that sat on the coffee table in the middle of the room. A fine-looking centerpiece.

Now, it's in Ceraphina's hands while she holds it above her head, keeping it out of her little sister's reach. "Stop! Stop it, Ceraphina!" Celeste cries, jumping up and down with all her might.

Coriolanus quickly solves the problem by snatching the egg from Ceraphina's hand. Her reaction is immediate and loud as she stomps her foot. "Daddy!"

"Ceraphina," he mocks in the same tone, "stop stealing from your sister. There's plenty of eggs to go around."

Celeste clings to his leg, giving her sister a look. "Mhm. Stop stealing from me like Daddy said."

Ceraphina gives both her father and sister a glare but reluctantly goes to the kitchen. "Thank you, Daddy," Celeste says sweetly, batting her eyelashes. Celeste is his little angel, always running to him for defense. "Of course, sweetheart. You've already found so many eggs, look at you!" He drops the stolen egg into her basket, filled with pinks, blues, and greens.

He caught a glimpse of Ceraphina's basket, and she wasn't doing too shabby either. The girls keep collecting eggs while Coriolanus trails behind them in case they start fighting again. "Look, Caspian," Soarynn's voice fills the room, "the Easter Bunny came last night!"

Caspian clings to her hip while holding his prized possession, his stuffed lion named Lenny. Soarynn managed to get Caspian dressed, and his hair has been brushed. "Mommy! Mommy, look at all of my eggs!" Ceraphina runs up to her mother, proudly showing off her bounty.

Soarynn gasps, crouching down so Caspian can see better. "Oh my goodness! Look at all those eggs! Do you want to look for eggs too, Caspian?" Caspian peers into his big sister's basket and shakes his head. "No."

Ceraphina shrugs, used to his indifference. "More for me!"

Coriolanus goes over to his wife, trusting the girls to behave themselves now that Soarynn is here. "I see you managed to wrangle this wild child," he muses, resting a hand on her hip. Soarynn chuckles when Caspian scrunches his nose, "Oh, he's not so wild. Are you, sweet boy? He's just not a morning person."

"Is anyone a morning person?" Coriolanus wonders out loud.

The girls continue to fill their baskets, and Coriolanus is sure that they'll be finding eggs six months from now filled with stale candy. "Are you excited for the party this afternoon?"

The Heavensbees are throwing a huge tea party at their mansion to celebrate Easter, and all the most important Capitol families have been invited, including the Snows. Soarynn is good friends with Livia Heavensbee, formerly Livia Cardew, before she married Hilarius and came into unthinkable wealth.

"I am," Soarynn says, "we'll need to leave by noon at the latest if we don't want to miss the egg hunt." Of course, there will be more than one egg hunt today. Heaven help the children who will be going up against Ceraphina, who's known for her competitiveness.

Soarynn says she got that specific trait from him.

He does not see any similarities.

"Alright. I'll tackle breakfast and Caspian if you handle the girl's hair."

Coriolanus has learned many things since becoming a father, and one of those things is to not mess with little girls and their hair. Soarynn can handle that front. "Sounds like a plan. Now, why don't we go see what the Easter Bunny left for you?" Soarynn asks Caspian, who is already falling back asleep.

Along with the eggs, Soarynn also put together Easter Baskets for the children filled with more candy, some stuffed animals, and even a bunny ear headband.

Coriolanus goes into the kitchen, where the only eggs he will be using are the real ones. He decides to make pancakes today, something simple. The girls run in and out, opening drawers and cabinets to see if there are any more eggs hidden in here. He assures them that there are not, but that doesn't stop them from looking.

Petunia strolls in eventually, sitting on the windowsill that overlooks the Corso, watching him and the people below them. "Breakfast is ready," he calls once the pancakes are done. He also made bacon, sausage, and fresh orange juice. They have a cook six days a week, but Soarynn says that Sundays are for family.

The girls come running in wearing their bunny ears from the baskets they got. "Daddy, we got bunny ears!" Coriolanus chuckles at the sweet sight, they really are adorable. "My little cotton tails, hmm? Does this mean you'll start eating your carrots now?"

They both look at each other and frown. "Um...I don't think that's gonna happen, Daddy."

"Oh, but you will eat your vegetables today at the Heavensbee's party," Soarynn says as she walks in, Caspian running right behind her. The girls slouch, they've never really liked vegetables. They love their fruits, but who doesn't?

"Do we have to?" Ceraphina whines, throwing her head back for dramatic effect. "They make their vegetables so yucky, Mommy," Celeste complains, which gets her sharp looks from both her parents. The Snows pride themselves on raising polite, well-mannered children who do not insult other people's cooking.

"You will eat your vegetables, and you will not repeat that, young lady," Coriolanus tells her sternly, "the Heavensbees are so graciously hosting us in their home, and we will be grateful."

"Grateful," Caspian repeats, pulling himself onto a chair. "Yes, I expect the best behavior from your girls, or we will be going home early," Soarynn adds.

Her threat is not lost on the girls who silently slide into their seats at the table, looking glum now that they have to eat their vegetables later on. Coriolanus serves everyone at the table, making sure Caspian gets whipped cream and that Ceraphian gets syrup on only half of her pancake.

"Can Petunia come?"

Coriolanus looks over his shoulder at Petunia, who's still watching them from the windowsill, her tail flipping back and forth. "I don't think so, sweetheart."

"Will Diamond be there?"

Diamond Vickers is the daughter of Lysistrata and Clemensia Vickers, and she's also Ceraphina's best friend. "Yes, the Vickers confirmed that they'd be attending," Soarynn answers while cutting up Caspian's pancakes.

"Why does Diamond have two mommies, but we only have one?" Celeste asks, causing Soarynn and Coriolanus to pause. Coriolanus clears his throat. Conversations like this are important yet, uncomfortable.

"Sometimes people will have two mommies or two daddies," he gently explains, "it doesn't make them any different than you and your siblings."

Soarynn hums in agreement. "Exactly, sometimes mommies marry other mommies, and daddies marry other daddies. What matters is that their children are loved and well taken care of. Just like you three."

Coriolanus perks up at the mention of parents. "My parents will also be in attendance. Do not convince your grandmother to buy you anything today." Coriolanus loves his mother dearly, but his girls have got her wrapped around their little fingers. If they want a horse, she'll buy them a horse.

Ceraphina smiles, too sweet to be true. "We will be on our best behavior, Daddy," she promises, a mischievous glint in her stormy blue eyes. Coriolanus raises an eyebrow, not entirely trusting his oldest child, who's been known to get into trouble.

"After this, we need to start getting dressed, girls," Soarynn reminds them, "and don't think that just because it's Easter that you don't have to clean your rooms."

The girls groan, but it's pointless. Every Sunday, Soarynn has them clean their rooms, which is really just putting toys away. It's a good habit for them to develop. So they obviously hate it.

A smile grows across his lips, as tiring as it can be to manage three children, he wouldn't trade this for the world.

꧁ ꧂

"Persephone is furious with me because I got her pregnant again," Festus whispers to Coriolanus while they chase their toddlers around the Heavensbee's backyard. The easter egg hunt has begun, and Livia had the bright idea to divide the hunt by age groups. This way, the toddlers won't get trampled by the five-year-olds.

Coriolanus nearly trips after hearing those words. Persephone is arguably Soarynn's bestest friend; the two of them have been inseparable since their Academy days. But unlike Soarynn, Persephone has been very insistent on only having one child.

Cecil Creed is a spitting image of his father, the same way Caspian is. The two of them get along just fine, and Coriolanus was convinced that he would forever be an only child. Apparently not.

"How did that even happen?" Coriolanus asks, looking across the yard where the ladies are talking. Soarynn stands with her back to him, hands clasped behind her back, while Persephone talks with a lot of hand gestures. "She never got the implant put back in," Festus groans, tugging at his curls, "I'm doomed. I have a pregnant wife who's mad at me. What could be worse?"

Coriolanus chuckles at his friend's disposition. It's funny how Soarynn would love to have another child, whereas Persephone despises the idea. Opposites really do attract. They're both wonderful mothers, but Soarynn enjoyed being pregnant whereas Persephone tolerated it.

"You could have twins," he throws out. Festus scoops Cecil away from a rose bush covered in thorns. The last thing he needs is a crying child. "We already have a perfectly good son," Festus grits out, "we have our heir? What more could we need?"

Coriolanus looks over at his girls, who are collecting eggs with their friends, crouched down by the swing set Hilarius had built for his two children about a year ago. "Nothing, I suppose," he murmurs, remembering how worried he had been when they found out Celeste would be a girl.

He loves his girls dearly, but having about boy means securing the future, the legacy. Thankfully, Caspian came along and all was well.

"Egg," Caspian says, holding up a shiny blue egg. Coriolanus places his hands on his hips, "What a find. You should go show your mother." Caspian perks up when Soarynn is mentioned and runs over to her, tugging on her dress.

Soarynn Snow is a woman who values fashion, and holidays are no exception. She dressed the girls in matching Easter dresses, purple with flowers on the bottom of the skirts. Caspian was dressed in a dark blue suit and brown leather shoes. Soarynn dressed herself in a beautiful yellow dress with embroidered detailing on the front.

She looks down, smiling when she sees Caspian holding out an egg. She picks him up, which leads to all the women fawning over him like they always do. "Quite the ladies man," Festus jokes, "he's got Soarynn in the palm of his hand." Coriolanus can't even deny that.

The moment Caspian was born, Soarynn was enamored by him. The boy is spoiled beyond reason, and Coriolannus can't even get mad, not when he spoils the girls just as equally.

"I am the only man in her life," Coriolanus reminds him, watching Caspian kiss Soarynn's cheek. He's started doing that recently, and Soarynn loves it. Sure enough, all the women gasp adoringly at the little gesture.

"Doesn't look like it from here," Festus cheekily replies. Cecil toddles over with his own egg, looking unsure on how to proceed. "Looks like you found yourself an egg there, Cecil," Coriolanus says to the boy. Cecil looks up at him, then back down at his egg. "He doesn't really get the point of this holiday," Festus admits, "Persephone just likes to use it as an excuse to get together."

Coriolanus doesn't really know the point of Easter either if he's being completely honest. He knows that before the fires and floods, it was somewhat of a religious celebration. Now, it's just an excuse for the elite to flaunt their wealth. Candies for the children, dresses for the women, and drinks for the men.

Sounds like a good time to him.

Coriolanus spots his parents coming through the back doors, dressed in their Sunday best. "There are my parents. I ought to go say hello."

Coriolanus goes over to greet his mother and father, who are both fanning themselves. "You'd think they'd hold the festivities indoors," mother says, kissing him on the cheek, "I expect that Soarynn's birthday will be inside this year, right darling?"

Soarynn's birthday is the next big celebration on their calendar, and last year she threw a party outside. This did not blow over well with mother, who despises sweat, bugs, and humidity. All three were present that day.

"Yes, mother," Coriolanus assures her, "we can't risk you melting again." Mother swats at his arm, and he grins. She has a tendency to be a little overdramatic sometimes. Coriolanus greets his father with a firm handshake because men do not hug. "I'm sure Soarynn will plan something tasteful," father concludes.

Mother adores Soarynn, whereas father remains neutral in his feelings towards his daughter-in-law. Coriolanus knows that the man cares for Soarynn and the grandchildren she's given him. But it's simply the way he is.

Coriolanus won't kill himself trying to change his father.

"Grandmother! Grandmother, come look at our eggs!" The girls run up to their grandparents and almost run into Coriolanus. "No running girls," he corrects them. Celeste pouts, her curls fall into her face, which makes it hard to remain so stern. "But we're outside, Daddy, we're allowed to run outside." She has a point. "Not when other adults are around," he explains, "it's bad manners."

Ceraphina doesn't see the point in arguing, she just grabs mother's hand and pulls her along, "C'mon, we found rainbow eggs!"

Coriolanus watches mother follow the girls over to one of the tables set up under a tent. The Heavensbees tented a majority of their backyard for today. Some tents have tables for eating, while others have refreshments and food. There are a few tents with activities for the children, such as coloring and face painting. Coriolanus already shut down the face painting.

"I see Caspian hasn't left Soarynn's side," father comments, his cold gaze on Soarynn. Coriolanus does his best to remain calm. He can't let his father get to him, not on Easter, at least. "He was looking for eggs with me a few minutes ago," he tells his father, "he's only three."

Father scoffs, and it triggers something inside Coriolanus. "When you were his age-"

"When I was his age, you weren't around," Coriolanus cuts him off, leaving no room for his son's behavior to be criticized. "You were always working and wanted nothing to do with me until I turned thirteen, so don't act like you were the parent of the year."

Father says nothing as Soarynn approaches them, oblivious to the brewing argument between the father and son.

"Crassus," Soarynn cuts through the tension like a knife, "how wonderful to see you again." Father tears his gaze away from Coriolanus long enough to press a kiss to Soarynn's cheek and give Caspian a pat on the head. "Yes, my dear, so wonderful to see you so soon. How are you and the children?"

"Oh, we're just fine. Coriolanus sees to that," she says brightly, resting a hand on her husband's shoulder. Coriolanus nods, glad to have some backup even though she missed their entire argument.

"Duck," Caspian points to the animals swimming in the small pond that the Heavensbees have. Sure enough, there are a few ducks swimming in the water. "Aren't you so clever?" Soarynn coos, "You know, Crassus, I think Caspian is going to take after you where personality is concerned."

Coriolanus covers up his laugh with a cough. Soarynn doesn't realize how backhanded her comment was, and father's eye twitches. "Is he now?" Soarynn hums, completely oblivious to the growing tension that's started up again. "Yes, he'll be the strong and silent type. Just like his father."

Coriolanus smiles, she has such a way with words. "Well, it's easy to see where I get it from," he jokes. Father doesn't smile, but he never smiles. "The girls want to go pet the animals, and I promised you'd come with us, Coryo."

It's the perfect escape.

"Fatherly duties," Coriolanus says to his father, "you know how that goes."

"Enjoy the animals," father replies coldly.

Soarynn lets Coriolanus lead them away from his frigid father, looking over her shoulder just once at the older man. "He seemed a bit upset, didn't he? Did your parents get into an argument before they arrived?" Coriolanus kisses her temple, she's too sweet for this world.

"No, darling. That's just who he is, you said it yourself, strong and silent."

"Still," she mumbles, "he doesn't look too pleased with us. Did the girls say something?"

Coriolanus shakes his head, the girls might give him attitude, but they'd never try anything with their grandfather. "He's just mad that he didn't get a visit from the Easter Bunny," he replies, tickling her side to make her laugh. Soarynn giggles, leaning into his touch. "I just don't ever want to have a strained relationship with him."

Too late, Coriolanus thinks bitterly to himself.

The girls are already standing by the small pen with what he presumes to be animals inside it. Livia and Hilarius truly spared no expense for the festivities today. Their eyes grow bigger when they see that their parents have arrived. "Mommy, there's a bunny rabbit inside," Ceraphina whispers excitedly.

"But we can’t go in without adults,” Celeste adds. Ah, well that explains why the girls are so happy to see them. Looks like mother has run off to the beverage tent, he’s never known her to be without a glass of wine.

“Do you want to see the rabbits, Cas?” Soarynn asks their son who actually perks up at her question. He had to leave his beloved stuffed lion at home and he was not happy about it.

Soarynn is far more gracious with Lenny than Coriolanus is. He knows that when he’s at work, she’ll often let Lenny tag along with her and Caspian when running errands. Coriolanus tries to be firm with his decision to keep all stuffed animals at home, but even he cracks every once in a while.

“Yes,” Caspian says with confidence. Coriolanus gives Soarynn a grin, “Can’t argue with that.”

Coriolanus steps over the short fence that’s been set up to keep the animals contained, making sure he doesn’t squish a rabbit. There are rabbits and baby chicks inside of the pen, most of them chew on the grass. He helps the girls by picking them up and swinging them over the fence.

“Wheee!” Celeste says, kicking her feet before he gently sets her down. “Daddy, can we go flying someday?” Coriolanus has never flown a day in his life but a new type of air travel is in the works. Hovercrafts will soon be the fastest way to travel in Panem.

“I’ll work on that, sweetheart,” he promises her.

He offers Soarynn a hand as she carefully swings one leg over the fence, which is a bit more difficult while wearing a dress and carrying a toddler.

“Down, Momma.”

“Alright, darling,” Soarynn says, bending down so Caspian can go explore. A few chicks waddle over to him and Caspian smiles, looking up at his parents, “Bird!”

“That’s not a bird! That’s a baby chicken,” Ceraphina says to him, hands on her hips. Caspian doesn’t pay her any mind, “Baby birds!”

He’s close enough.

There’s a lone attendant working in the animal pen who explains that the girls will have to sit down if they want to hold the bunnies. Thankfully, a chair has been provided because Coriolanus knows how much Soarynn despises the girls getting their dresses dirty. And these are brand new.

Celeste gets to go first which is a treat since she’s used to being second next to her big sister.

“Now, gently place a hand on his back,” the attendant guides her through it as he places a brown bunny onto Celeste’s lap. She gasps softly, placing a hand on its soft fur.

“It’s so soft, Mommy.”

Soarynn smiles, smoothing down a few stray curls that have come loose from the headband she put in Celeste’s hair this morning. “Look at his little nose twitching.”

Even Coriolanus has to admit that these bunnies are quite cute. Much cuter than Petunia. Ceraphina tried to put her bunny ear headband on Petunia’s head after breakfast which nearly led to a cat fight.

“Be gentle, Celeste,” Coriolanus reminds her when she goes to touch the bunnies ears.

None of these rabbits seem to be energetic, in fact, he sees one sleeping by a bowl of water.

“Do lots of people own rabbits as pets?” Soarynn asks the attendant, causing Coriolanus to internally wince. The last thing they need is a rabbit in their apartment. Soarynn loves animals, she always wants to help them, to feed them, and save them.

Perhaps this whole animal experience is a scheme to trick unsuspecting parents into buying their children rabbits.

“Many do, but rabbits are a lot of work,” the attendant explains, “they can be very emotional animals.”

“We already have an emotional animal at home,” Coriolanus reminds her. Soarynn scoffs, shaking her head. “Petunia isn’t emotional. She’s a little lady.”

“That cat is no lady,” he mumbles, loud enough so only she can hear. The girls eventually switch places and Ceraphina gets to hold the bunny. “Look how big his ears are, Daddy!”

“Those are the biggest ears I’ve ever seen, darling.”

“You two are welcome to hold one as well. The children just need to be assisted,” the attendant says to them. Coriolanus politely declines, he doesn’t do rabbits. But Soarynn jumps at the opportunity and carefully picks up a little white one with a pink nose.

“White as snow,” she says to Coriolanus, swaying back and forth with the bunny in her arms. Coriolanus gingerly reaches out to pet the bunny who’s already fallen asleep in Soarynn’s arms.

He remembers how quickly Ceraphina would fall asleep in her arms when she was baby. Soarynn would sing lullabies about gumdrops and meadows, nearly lulling him to sleep as well.

Coriolanus looks over at Caspian who made himself at home with the chicks. He’ll run from one side of the pen to the other and all the chicks will follow after him, chirping as they try to keep up.

“Bird! Bird!”

“Can I pet your bunny, Mommy?”

Soarynn bends down so that Celeste can see the small rabbit in her arms. “You certainly may. Thank you for asking so politely, darling.”

One thing Coriolanus prides himself in is how well-behaved all their children are. Soarynn grew up a good Capitol girl who always knew her manners and he expects his girls to grow up the same way. Since Soarynn spends a majority of the day with the children, she’s been tasked with making sure they grow to be polite Capitol citizens.

Rarely do they ever act out in public. They use their best manners, talk respectfully to adults, and never whine. This doesn’t mean they act the same way at home, of course, but he’s more than pleased with his children’s behavior.

Especially compared to some of their other friend’s children.

Cecil Creed is a cute child but Persephone spoils him to death and Festus doesn’t have a backbone when it comes to raising his son.

“My, my, my, it looks like you all have found the Easter Bunny.” Mother’s voice comes from the other side of the pen and she is, of course, holding a glass of wine.

“It’s not the Easter Bunny, Grandmother! He already came to our house!” Celeste tells her, running over to the short fence. Mother chuckles, resting a gloved hand on Celeste’s cheek. “Aren’t you clever darling? And look at those curls! You know, your father had curls just like yours when he was little. Did I ever show you the pictures?”

“Yes,” they all answer. Who could forget mother cracking out the photo albums every time a new Snow baby was born?

“Oh. Well, I guess we’ll have to wait and see what Caspian ends up having. Curls or waves.”

Ceraphina inherited Soarynn’s wavy hair, causing her to look like her mother’s twin. Celeste got his curls and his bright blue eyes. Caspian can really go either way.

“Look at me, Grandmother! I’m holding a bunny rabbit!”

Mother fawns over Ceraphina and her rabbit while Soarynn puts hers down to go check on Caspian who’s resorted to walking now that running is too tiring.

Coriolanus looks across the yard and finds his father watching him and his family. He may not be as successful as his father when it comes to money, but he’s richer than he’ll ever be when it comes to love.

Coriolanus breaks the eye contact he held with his father, deciding to look at the one person who single-handedly gave him this life. And there she is, holding Caspian in her arms once again, smiling as she spins them around.

Coriolanus doesn’t know who he’d be without Soarynn, without her patience and kindness. She’s taught him to enjoy the little things in life, the eggs, the giggles, the drawings. She gave him three beautiful children without him even having to ask.

What could be better than that?

Soarynn catches him staring and blushes, she’s always been the shy one in their relationship. Caspian wiggles out of her arms, catching his second wind from the looks of it.

Coriolanus holds his hand out to her and Soarynn walks back over to him without saying a word. They’ve gotten to the point where words aren’t needed in their relationship anymore.

One look into her stormy gray eyes and he knows exactly what she’s thinking and feeling.

Her hand slips into his, “Is everything alright, Coryo?”

Coriolanus leans down, gently pecking her lips. He’s not one for excessive affection in public, but he’ll steal a kiss every now and then. Soarynn eagerly responds to the kiss, deepening it for a moment before pulling away.

“More than perfect,” he breathes, wrapping his arm around her. “Today has been perfect.”

Soarynn sighs contentedly, he knows how deeply she longed for a life like this. The sudden death of her father came right before Ceraphina was born, devastating Soarynn, and leaving her as the sole living member of the Nightingales.

Starting a family with Coriolanus was so important to her. This is the life she’s wanted since she was a little girl. He’s glad he could give it to her.

“It really had been perfect,” she agrees, resting her head on his shoulder, “although I do think a pet rabbit would make our family complete.”

Coriolanus chuckles, she’s persistent, he’ll give her that.

“Not a chance, darling.”

Soarynn looks up at him and grins. “It was worth a try.”

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[octuscle]

Reorganization of a law student

I am a university student here in Cambridge. My class teacher urged me to study law. He said I had what it takes. I'm the first person in my family to ever graduate from school. No relative has ever even thought about going to university. And if I hadn't gotten the scholarship, I wouldn't have done it either. The stupid thing is that, as an obvious member of the working class, I never fitted in at university. And the scholarship isn't enough to live on either. I thought about taking a job at McDonald's. That's where I meet the people I understand. Even if they think I'm the snob from university now. It's still better than being the working-class proletarian for my fellow students.

Day 1: Monday

What a day it has been. I commenced my new employment at McDonald's. I felt somewhat out of place in my suit, amidst the others in their uniforms. Nevertheless, they appeared to be amicable. However, I found it difficult to comprehend much of their conversation.

The boss incessantly spoke about burgers and fries. I couldn't help but think, "My dear sir, I am well versed in arguing a case; I hardly require a lecture on flipping a burger."

Day 3: Wednesday

I'm gettin' the hang of it, I guess. It's just about flippin' burgers and slingin' fries, ain't it? Not that complicated, eh? So, I meet this dude named Dave, been workin' here forever. He's like a big deal around here, ya know? But man, he talks funny, all Cockney and stuff.

Anyway, Dave's big into bodybuilding and stuff. He's like, "Bro, you gotta hit the gym with me." I might give it a shot, ya know? Need to lose some of this uni weight, man.

Day 5: Friday

So, turns out Dave ain't just into bodybuildin'. Bloke's obsessed with it. He's always talkin' about his protein shakes and them supplements. Keeps tryin' to get me to take some, reckon it'll make me "ripped".

Said yes to goin' to the pub with him tonight. He reckons he knows some places where we can watch the rugby. Never really been into rugby, but why not, eh?

Day 7: Sunday

Last night was mad. Went to the pub with Dave, ended up watchin' rugby and havin' a few pints. Then some bloke started mouthing off, next thing I know, there's a full-on brawl.

Dave was right in the middle of it, throwin' punches like there's no tomorrow. Got a few bruises meself, but it was proper adrenaline rush, I tell ya.

Day 10: Wednesday

Me life's taken a turn, ain't it? Can't believe how much I've changed in just a week. Started takin' them supplements Dave gave me. Dunno what's in 'em, but I feel like I could take on the world.

Been skippin' lectures to hang out with Dave. He's teachin' me all sorts of things about bodybuildin' and rugby. Who knew I'd find it all so interestin'?

Day 14: Sunday

Two weeks in, and I'm a changed man. Used to be all about them fancy words and legal cases. Now, I'm more interested in bench pressin' and pint down the pub.

Me mates from uni are proper shocked when they see me now. But sod 'em, I'm lovin' life. Dave's me new mentor, and I couldn't be happier. Who needs law when you've got burgers, rugby, and a good old pub brawl?

Inspiration by @mchav1020

[magicalmutants]

II.

Warnings: none specifically, other than angst and some swearing. general warnings in the series masterlist!

A/N: last of the exposition chapters! Happy Sunday, my loves <3

prev.

The summer heat isn’t as suffocating and clinging anymore. If you open your window at night, you can feel the cool late September breeze that teases the imminent arrival of autumn.

Your mom doesn’t ask about Suguru like she did for the first few weeks after he had gone, and you don’t bring him up either. It’s easier this way.

You fill your days with routine: school, homework, part-time shifts at the little convenience store nearby. You pretend you’re too busy to think about the part of you that seems to be missing. About him.

But then sometimes, you’re just doing homework and playing an album that reminds you a little too much of him and your phone rings, as if he can sense it.

Incoming call: Snake Boy 🐍

“You’re late,” you say, skipping the hello.

Suguru chuckles, “for what?”

“You said you’d call this weekend,” you smile at the sound of his laugh, “it’s Tuesday.”

“Oh. Right,” a pause, “my bad.”

You wait for him to say more. He doesn’t.

“So?” You prompt, “how’s uni?”

“Oh, you know,” you can hear the smile in his voice, “classes, questionable decisions, the usual. Satoru’s a handful, but I think you’d really like him. Tokyo’s sick. You should come visit.”

You press the phone tighter to your ear. You’ve really missed his voice,“Yeah?”

“He wants me to rush this frat with him— Satoru, I mean,” Suguru continues. “They throw these crazy parties — and I mean like, completely insane.”

You laugh, it doesn’t feel forced, “you are so not a frat guy.”

He laughs too, “that’s what I said.”

There’s something about the way he says it that makes the bitterness that lingers in your chest fester a little bit. There’s no real conviction. Like maybe he’s not so sure anymore.

You frown, “I can’t really picture you shotgunning beers and wearing khakis.”

“Maybe I’ll surprise you,” he jokes.

You’re not sure why it matters to you so much, but you want to believe he’s kidding.

He calls again a week later, voice buzzing with excitement about some house party he and Satoru are going to, and it’s the first time you feel like you’re listening to a stranger.

“Sounds like you’re forgetting about me,” you joke, trying to keep the insecurity out of your voice.

“I could never do that,” his voice softens. “You miss me?”

“Maybe.”

“Ouch.”

“I’m only kidding. Mostly.”

He doesn’t ask about home anymore. You’re not really sure if you want him to.

“Hey, Suguru?”

“Yeah?”

Ask him if he’s coming home for Christmas. Tell him he can stay with you. Your parents would say yes. Tell him you miss him. Ask him. Ask him. Ask him.

“Nothing, I gotta go. Have fun at the party.”

₊˚⊹ ࿔

October comes and goes, the air has more of a bite to it now and you keep the window to your bedroom firmly shut during the night. You’re staring at the pictures on his Instagram again, at the photos he posted two weeks ago. He’s wearing some dumb Halloween costume and posing with a guy he’s tagged as Satoru Gojo, as well as a bunch of other people whose names and faces you don’t recognize.

Incoming call: Snake Boy 🐍

You stare, unmoving.

Snake Boy 🐍: (1) missed call

Snake Boy 🐍: hey, you busy?

You begin typing by force of habit and he immediately calls back.

“Hello?”

You never call first anymore,” He sounds a little hurt.

You put the phone on speaker, placing it on your bed and begin to tug at a loose thread on the hoodie you’re wearing. His hoodie. It doesn’t smell like him anymore.

“Didn’t know I was supposed to. Is it a competition?” It’s meant to be a joke, but neither of you laugh.

A pause. Then, quieter, “are you mad at me?”

You hate how small his voice sounds when he says it. You hate that you’re doing this to him, but you don’t know how to fix it, how to stop.

“Of course not,” you say. “Just been busy. Senior year, you know?”

It’s a lie. He knows it. You know he knows it.

Liar. You’re waiting for his voice to ring out.

But he doesn’t call you on it, and for some reason, that makes your chest ache even more.

The silence stretches.

Eventually, Suguru exhales. “Okay. I just… wanted to check in.”

You swallow, looking away from the phone. “Yeah. Thanks.”

You say your goodbyes. You hang up first.

₊˚⊹ ࿔

The screen goes dark, but he’s still holding the phone to his ear.

Suguru finally pulls it away, staring at the screen for a second before letting it fall back onto his desk. He leans back in his chair, rubbing a hand over his face.

You were acting different. Again.

It was subtle—just little things. The slight delay before you answered, the fact that he’s pretty sure you ignored his first call. The way your voice felt distant, even though you were right there in his ear.

He doesn’t know what he expected. He knew things were weird. Knew you had been slipping away, one unanswered text at a time.

But this was the first time it had felt real.

₊˚⊹ ࿔

You lay on your bed, cheek pressed against your pillow, Suguru could feel you watching as he stared up at the ceiling. The low hum of music filled the room, soft and familiar, the same songs you’d been playing for years.

“You said you were taking a gap year,” you murmured, reaching out to toy with one of his soft, raven strands of hair, gently wrapping it around your finger.

He exhaled, “I know.”

“So what changed?”

He hesitated, “I just… I don’t want to wait anymore. I feel like I should take the chance, since I got in.”

“Why?” He could hear the frown in your voice.

He didn’t answer right away. Just tapped his fingers against his stomach, slow and restless.

“I want to get out of here,” his voice was quiet, but sure, “get away from my parents. Start over somewhere else, you know?”

You scooted closer to him. He knew you understood, probably more than anyone. You’d seen the way his mother’s disappointment latched onto him like a shadow, a curse. You noticed the way his father barely looked at him anymore, except to shout at him.

You rested your forehead against his shoulder, “I get it.”

“You’re not mad?” Suguru turned his head, finally looking at you.

You huffed a small laugh, and gave his hair a playful tug. “I mean, a little. But not really.”

A beat.

Then you nudged his side, “I’m proud of you, you know.”

“For ditching you?” He smirked, raising an eyebrow.

“For getting in!” You laughed before whacking his arm, “for knowing what you want.”

He let out a breath, his body relaxing just a little, “thanks.”

You sighed, pressing your face into his shirt for a second. “I’m gonna miss you, though.”

Suguru smiled, bumping his arm against yours. “You won’t even have time to.”

“Oh?”

“I’ll come back every weekend,” he said easily, “and you can come stay with me whenever you want.”

“You promise?”

Suguru made a gun with his hands and pointed it at you, “Swear on my life.” He smiled.

You rolled your eyes but smiled and returned the gesture.

The song changed. Suguru groaned. “Oh my God, this one again?”

You smacked his arm again, “shut up. It’s good.”

He laughed, and you grinned, turning the volume up.

August felt so far away.

It would be okay.

₊˚⊹ ࿔

Across the room, Satoru glances up from his textbook, “you good?”

Suguru forces a shrug, “yeah.”

Satoru eyes him, pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. “That the same girl?”

Suguru sighs, picking up his phone again, thumbing over the screen. Your contact stares back at him.

Angel.

His stomach churns.

Satoru watches him for a second longer, then turns back to his textbook. “Women, amirite?”

Suguru doesn’t answer. You’re not just some woman, but these days, the word friend feels like a lie too.

So he just sits there, phone in his hand, the call already over.

And for the first time, he wonders if you even want him to call again.

₊˚⊹ ࿔

The cold is relentless now. The streets are lined with dirty slush, the sky is dull and heavy, and the wind cuts straight through your jacket when you walk home from work. Christmas had come and gone. Then New Year’s. He didn’t come home. Does he still even consider this place home?

Everything feels slow. Unmoving.

At dinner, your parents talk about planning a trip for your spring break. Maybe visiting family, maybe a weekend somewhere warmer. You nod through the conversation, barely listening.

You don’t know why you check your phone so often. Suguru rarely texts anymore, and when he does, it’s short. Casual. The way you’d talk to someone when you had nothing real left to say.

Still, you check.

You’re lying on your bed, mindlessly scrolling through his page. He hasn’t posted since New Year’s and you’ve basically memorized the photo carousel at this point. Your fingers seem to move of their own accord as you tap through to Satoru’s profile. It’s public. You know this.

His profile picture has a little ring around it. You turn on airplane mode and click it to view the story.

It’s blurry and overexposed from the flash. It’s a shot of a group of guys, most of their faces familiar to you at this point. They’re standing on the frat house’s balcony, drinks in hand, laughing. Suguru is in the middle, hood pushed up, his head thrown back mid-laugh. The caption says “Bali for spring break? lfgggg.”

You stare at the screen, finger pressed on the photo to keep the story in place.

You shouldn’t be surprised. He had mentioned something about a trip once, weeks ago, but you hadn’t thought much of it. He never asked if you wanted to visit anymore. Never asked what you were doing.

You shouldn’t be surprised, but your chest still clenches painfully and you can almost feel the bile-like bitterness creep up your throat.

You exit the app and turn airplane mode off. Your phone buzzes.

Snake Boy 🐍: you still awake?

You plug in your phone and roll over, pulling your hood up over your head.

₊˚⊹ ࿔

“Yo, you in?”

Suguru glances up from his phone. Satoru is watching him expectantly, waiting for an answer.

“In what?”

“The trip to Bali for spring break? I’m calling to book the hotel and the jet tonight, I just gotta let my dad know numbers.”

Suguru hesitates. He wants to text you, see what your plans are, see if you want him to come home— or better— if you want to come to Tokyo. He knows he missed Christmas. He feels shit about it, but you barely answer these days. He tells himself you won’t care.

“Yeah,” he says, “I’m in.”

Satoru grins, “My man!” He claps him on the back, “that’s what I’m talking about!”

Suguru forces a smile, but when he glances at his phone again, something unsettles him.

Me: you still awake?

The message sits there, unanswered. He watches the screen, waiting for the typing bubble to appear.

It never does anymore. Even though he’s surrounded by people, laughing, planning, moving on, he’s never felt more stuck.

The sourness of your rejection makes his throat hurt. It reminds him of angry words and stinging cheeks. It makes him feel sick.

₊˚⊹ ࿔

“How do you like it?” The tattoo artist is sweet. She helps you to the mirror with the best lighting as your eyes take in the raised skin of your ribs and the little red snake that’s made a home there.

A smile tugs at your lips, “I love it,” you say. And you mean it.

“Cool, but you have to promise you won’t get a tattoo without me! You have to wait until I’m 18, too!”

“Okay, fine. The moment you’re 18, we’ll go together and get matching ones. Deal?”

“Ew no, not matching ones! But yeah, whatever. Deal! And we can’t tell each other what they are beforehand! It has to be a surprise!”

You’re not really sure why you got the snake. Maybe it was your way of telling him ‘fuck you.’ You kept your end of the bargain and you knew for a fact he definitely wouldn’t keep his. Hell, he hadn’t even talked to you since January. Being proven right gives you a twisted sense of satisfaction. You hadn’t forgotten about him. You hadn’t left him behind. See? I’m the better friend. I never forgot about you, not for a second. I said I’d never leave you and I didn’t.

You put your shirt back on and pay for the tattoo, but not before asking the artist to take a photo. You’re covering your the side of your left breast with your hand and showing off the shiny plastic over the tiny red snake. You consider sending it to him. You don’t.

₊˚⊹ ࿔

“Alright, let’s see it,” Satoru tosses his phone onto his bed when Suguru walks into their shared dorm.

He grins and gingerly lifts his shirt over his head, revealing the dragon made of black, minimalist line work that winds along his spine.

Satoru whistles, “damn, Player! Lookin seexxxyyy!” He waggles his eyebrows. “You’ve got the mysterious bad boy thing locked down!”

Suguru huffs a laugh, “that’s not why I got it.”

“Sure, man, sureeeee. About to issue a campus wide PSA to keep your girls inside today.”

Suguru rolls his eyes as he lets his shirt fall back down.

“What’s your favorite animal?”

“Guess!”

“Uhh… like a bear or something? Like Watermelon Lady?”

“Nope! A dragon!”

“Dragons aren’t real!”

“They are so! How would you know anyway? You’re just a stinky boy.”

“I’ve never seen one.”

“Well you’ve never seen a dinosaur either, but you believe in those!”

“I guess…”

Suguru smiles to himself. He wonders if you remembered the silly deal. He pulls out his phone and contemplates the video call button. He clicks voice call instead.

₊˚⊹ ࿔

The April breeze drifts in through your window and tickles your cheek as you stare at the envelope that has your name written on it in neat, black letters. You’ve been sitting at your desk and staring at it ever since your mother handed it to you when you got home from the tattoo studio.

You don’t know why you can’t bring yourself to open it. You had other offers already, schools in different parts of the country— hell, even a school abroad. This one is the better school for my degree, though. You know that’s not the real reason you can’t bring yourself to tear it open.

You didn’t expect the call, not really. You feel something when you see his name on your screen, but you can’t tell whether that’s good or bad anymore.

“Hello?”

“Happy birthday, Angel.”

Tears spring to your eyes immediately at the sound of his voice. Your nails scratch absently at your desk. You weren’t sure whether he’d remember. You immediately feel bad for thinking that. Of course he’d remember, he’d never forgotten. Not once.

Thanks,” you murmur, softly.

The conversation starts carefully, heavy with words neither of you are saying. It feels like you’re relearning the steps to an intricate dance that used to come to you like second nature. It never used to be quite this difficult to feel like he loved you.

He asks about home, you ask about school. He tells you about a trip he and Satoru are planning, and you pretend it doesn’t sting that he doesn’t ask if you want to come.

And then, somewhere in the middle of the quiet, it happens. Something shifts and the choreography is forgotten.

“I feel like I haven’t talked to you in forever,” Suguru says, trying to keep his voice light. “You’ve been totally MIA.”

Your jaw immediately clenches, “yeah? Back atcha,” it sounds sharper than you’d like.

He pauses. You hear a door open and close.

“I call,” he says finally.

“Not that much,” the words are out before you can stop them.

“Jesus,” he says your name right after and he’s never sounded quite this exasperated when he’s said it before.

a beat of silence, and when he speaks again, his voice is strained, “you ignore me.”

Your heart pounds and the room suddenly feels too hot. You scratch slightly harder at your desk, “I’ve been busy.”

Suguru lets out a humorless laugh. “Right. Busy.”

Liar.

He doesn’t say it, not anymore.

Something about his tone makes your blood simmer. You know you’re being unfair, this isn’t about him, not really. But the anger that you’ve been trying to contain for years is already pressing against your ribs, hot and hungry and desperate for somewhere to go.

“You’re the one who left,” you snap. Your cheeks flush and you immediately regret it.

(Wood splinters.)

The line goes quiet and for a second, you thinks he’s going to let it slide, like he always does when you lash out.

But then he exhales, and there’s something different in it this time—something tired.

“Are you serious?” His voice is low.

No. No I’m not, I’m sorry. I just miss you so fucking much. Everything reminds me of you and I don’t know how to make a place for myself in this town without you by my side. I don’t know what to do with myself, I feel like I’m in limbo and that you’re moving on and making a life for yourself that doesn’t have me in it. I wish you’d come home. Fuck your parents, come stay with me. They can’t have tainted everything about this place for you, right? I wish it could go back to how it was. I wish I was 15 and sitting on the roof with you. I wish I was 8 and playing in the pond. I wish I was 17 and in your bed.

You don’t answer.

He says your name, and for the first time ever you hate the way it sounds coming from his lips. “I have tried.” His voice rises slightly in frustration. In something raw. “I call. I text. I try to talk to you, and all you ever do is push me away.”

Well then try harder! You said you’d be home every weekend. You never came to check on me, not even once!

The words bunch up in your throat. “I don’t—”

“You do,” he cuts you off and there’s an edge in his voice that’s he’s never used with you. “And you know what? For someone who’s so scared of looking clingy and needy, you have a really bad habit of wanting people to beg for your attention.”

(Iron rots.)

Your nails still against the desk. You suck in a sharp breath, stunned.

Suguru lets out an exhale, and when he speaks again, his voice is quieter, but it wavers at the edges.

“I get it, okay? I know why you do it. But I never left you, not like that. You made me leave.”

Your grip tightens on the phone. You want to argue, to tell him it’s not fair.

You’re too old to be throwing tantrums, honey.

You’d spent so much time testing him, pulling away to see if he’d chase after you, tell you he loved you. At some point, you’d forgotten to keep checking if he was still behind you.

Now you weren’t sure he was.

“I don’t—” your voice catches, and you shake your head, even though he can’t see it. “I didn’t mean—”

“I know,” he says gently. And somehow, that makes it worse.

Silence stretches between you, thick and suffocating.

Say something. Say something, you idiot. Cry, for fuck’s sake. DO SOMETHING. Don’t let him hang up.

Finally, Suguru sighs, “Happy birthday,” there’s no warmth when he says your name.

You barely have time to process it before the call disconnects.

And just like that, he’s gone.

You sit there, the phone still held against your ear. You swallow. You reach for the envelope and tear it open.

Tokyo University is very pleased to accept—

A tear falls on the letter.

You stop reading.

[crimsonred-hi]

Wash Day

Pairing: Andrew Hozier-Byrne x Reader

Warnings:

Summary: Wash day is Sunday, so Andrew and his girlfriend get in the shower together (not sexually).

He’s just minding his business, siting in the living room of your home, book in hand, glasses on his face. He’s nice and comfy, content, thinking his gonna be sat there for a while,

“It’s wash day!”

There, all ruined in a 3 word sentence, his day of lounging around and reading is destroyed by his girlfriend yelling that today is the day of the week where she washes his hair… because apparently he can’t do it himself.

Begrudgingly, he puts down his book, making his way up to the big bathroom in the house. There’s his girlfriend, smiling at him, with the little (it’s not little who is he kidding) basket of hair products.

Two washes, conditioner, hair mask, a plethora of curly hair products, and other tools she’ll ’torture’ him with. That’s how this will go, that’s how it happens every week on Sunday.

Sunday is wash day, she washes his hair then her own. It’s always wash day, yet every week he forgets how bad it is, then has to do it again.

“Come on, strip.”

She says with a smile, Turing on the shower so it can warm up.

“Wow… what am I, a common whore?”

She giggles at him, before getting undressed herself so they can get in together. A few minutes later, she’s got him sat on the floor, so she can reach his head, in the large shower. First step is getting his hair wet, the shower head is pulled off the wall to make this happen. She points the warm water start at his hair, getting it wet, then for the fun of it she spritz of water into his face,

“Aye!”

“Oh, hush. You spend you mornings in the Irish Sea, a little warm water to the face isn’t gonna kill you.”

He grumbles, at her words, crossing his arms as his girlfriend gets his hair all drenched so it can be shampooed.

And thats the next thing, a shampoo bar is pulled out of the basket, it’s taken out of the case it’s kept in so it doesn’t mould. She scrubs his hair with the bar, until it starts to bubble up, the bar is discarded and she just massages his scalp and rubs the shampoo into his hair.

He leans back into her tummy, his eyes closed, a low hum of pleasure coming from deep into his chest.

“Does that feel good, Bear?”

The reply comes in a soft rumble from his chest, she giggles at his enjoyment, continuing to massage the built up dirt from his hair and scalp.

She grabs the shower head, washing the first round of shampoo out of his hair. The warm water runs over his head and face, dripping down his body, leaving a sweet soothing feeling down his body.

She moves about, putting the first shampoo bar back in the basket,

“Ooo! Do you want to try this honey scented  shampoo?”

He doesn’t care, what she uses on his hair. He’s just mindless, so deep in the soothing pleasure of her touch. He just nods in his mindless state.

She smiles, repeating the acts again. She opens the shampoo bar, except she holds it to his nose before she uses it, its smells great. She scrubs the bar into his hair, then massages it into his scalp and hair. Then washes it out.

“There we go! That’s the first thing done, and we’re only 15 minutes in.”

She says with a smile, kissing his cheek, as if praising him for just sitting still so she could wash his hair.

She moves off to the basket, putting everything back, and finally pulling conditioner out. She move to his hair, slathering the conditioner on her hands, then threading it through his hair, making sure not to get it on his roots. Finally she pulls out, washing off the conditioner on her hands,

“3 minutes wait time, just sit there and look pretty.”

He smiles at her comment, then 3 minutes later she washes the conditioner out, the a hair mask is caked on his hair. She wraps a shower cap around his head.

“Come on, hun… I’ve gotta wash my hair while that mask does its thing.”

“Yes, ma’am”

He moves to a small stone bench kept in their large shower, and he just watches as she washes her own hair.

It’s a lot quicker for her to wash her hair, because she’s been doing this since she was a kid. Washing her hair out, it’s takes all of 15 minutes for her to shampoo her hair twice and condition it. That leaves another 15 minutes for his hair mask, so she puts her own hair mask in.

“Are you done, honey?”

She hums back at him, moving back to him, standing in front of him, her hands on his cheeks, rubbing his cheekbones with her thumbs.

“Hey, do you recon we should shampoo and condition your beard?”

She jokes, the answer is yes, they could shampoo and condition his beard. But he doesn’t want to say yes, because then washing his beard will also become a regular thing.

“……no.”

“Are you lying to me?”

“No…”

“Yes, you are… we should wash your beard!”

“Please no…”

It was too late, now their sat on the shower floor, her rubbing the honey shampoo bar along his cheek. Giggling at his little pout. She rubs the shampoo into his beard, her hands moving along his cheeks, smiling at him warmly.

“Why…? You didn’t have to do this to me…”

She giggles, kissing his lips, so some of the shampoo transfers onto her cheeks as well.

“Look at that! No we’re matching!”

She says happily, we do match, both in shower caps with shampoo foam on our cheeks. She smiles at him, grabbing the shower head and washing the shampoo off his and her cheeks. Then she moves in with the conditioner to his beard, and his pout only gets bigger.

“Please tell me we’re not doing this again…”

She laughs, waiting the 3 minutes for the conditioner, then washing off.

“Look, time to wash out your hair mask!”

His sighs, when the shower cap is pulled off his head, just to get slapped in the face with his hair, making his lover laugh.

The hair mask is washed out, and she leaves him to wash his body while she finishes washing her hair and her own body.

___

She now has Andrew sat in her vanity chair, having other products scrunched into his hair. She’s stood behind him, finger coiling his hair, separating his strands of hair and coiling them so she doesn’t have to put his hair in rolls.

“Now, Andy… I’m gonna give you the choice, do you want to defuse your hair or not?”

“No, I just want to get dry and read my book… please.”

She smiles softly, kissing his cheek softly, tying his hair up in an old cotton t-shirt so it can dry naturally.

“Ya know, I should get you a bonnet.”

He sighs, not really listening anymore, he just gets into pyjamas and goes back downstairs to sit in his arm chair with the book he’s been trying to read.

And then, she joins him, making herself comfortable in his lap as he reads.