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cloveroctobers · 5 days ago

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🌱 SPENDING SPRING WITH THEM! 🌱

A/N: just something I wanted to write for fun since I’m most likely not doing individual full prompts this year for the season. Yet I still kinda am! You get what I’m talking about if you’re familiar with my other works lol!

PROMPTS ARE FROM HERE! + I’m using: ³⁾ “you never came to bed last night.” / ⁴⁾ “ibuprofen and a red bull is not breakfast.” | ⁷³⁾ “clerk said they only have one room left.” / ⁸⁸⁾ “i don’t care if it’s harmless, kill it!!” | ¹⁹⁵⁾ “i read your last article. you’re not half bad at this shit.” / ²⁶⁴⁾ “you’re so warm.” | ¹¹⁵⁾ “you have many strengths; all i’m saying is that parallel parking is not one of them.” / ²²⁷⁾ “it’s too loud in here. i’m going to start biting people.” | ²¹⁷⁾ “i can’t come out tonight, i’ve got to re-pot my roses.” / ²⁹⁹⁾ “i brought you croissants. as like, um, an olive branch.” | ²⁸⁾ “neither of us are leaving this room until you tell me how you got that shiner.” / ¹¹²⁾ “can i help with your hair?” | ¹⁶¹⁾ “you broke his fucking nose!” / ²³⁸⁾ “i’m scared of the things i feel for you.”

WARNINGS: language, most likely fluff mixed with bickering, angst and not the best strategy dealing with a breakup, haven’t seen CABNW so hopefully I’m not too far off writing Joaquin but I’ve been locked on Danny since OMB lol so don’t drag me too much if it’s not up to your standards, and I’m mostly taking a chance writing for some new characters so let me know if they should be added to the list to continue writing for from time to time? + if you read each one, which one was your favorite? 💕

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 -ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 -ˋˏ ༻❁

[ANTONIO DAWSON]

“You never came back to bed last night.” His words might have sent you shooting straight up into the air if you weren’t feeling the consequences of your actions.

You just stepped back into your shared bedroom, more so creeped—and that’s on TLC! Into the space, expecting the man to be in the shower (you underestimated what time it is) so you could easily slip back into a ball in bed.

Swallowing the liquid you previously slurped down you give a dip of your head, “Yeah, it was a late night. I might have crashed on the couch for a little while but I honestly can’t recall.”

Antonio blinks, “That’s not healthy, you know?”

“Please.” You sip at the energy drink in your hand again and fan your hand at your boyfriend who’s sitting on the bed, dressed for work, “Just a little spring cleaning never hurt nobody.”

Lies.

His dark eyes flick to your hands, watching as you quickly pop some pills from your other hand and chug the rest of your drink, “Tell that to the bruising on your body you’re probably taking those pills for.”

Frowning you reply, “…and how exactly do you know there’s bruising?”

Antonio gets to his feet with a sigh, “You got out of bed to clean and that means I can’t sleep, so I got up to finish some paperwork. Don’t think I didn’t hear that big ass bang either.”

“And you didn’t check on me to make sure I didn’t break my neck?!” You cross your arms.

Antonio rolls his eyes, knowing this was coming, “Did I say that? Course I did but when you’re embarrassed and don’t want my help you always tell me to mind my business so guess what? I did.”

Scowling you move around the room in annoyance now, plopping on the bed and wincing as you did so but not without whipping your head back to the man who grabbed his jacket from the nearby desk, dark eyes still set on you.

“You’re an asshole, you know that?”

Antonio snickers, “I’m an asshole because I did what you asked? Okay baby, you got it. Next time wear shoes when you decide to mop the floor at 1 the morning, that way you reduce the risk of busting your ass.”

You’re a huffing mess because you know he’s right and the last thing you want to do is feed your boyfriend’s ego.

It’s silent but Antonio is amused without saying anything. He walks over to you, hand going up underneath your chin but you’re dodging his touch.

“Hey don’t be like that,” he says gently getting you to finally look up at him, “All you had to do was ask me to help but instead you wanted to be sneaky.”

“Would you seriously get up to help?”

Antonio pretends to think about it, “At 1 in the morning?…Probably not, no.”

Leaving you both to share a laugh, although you would have preferred not to.

“Is it bad?” His eyes are scanning over the rest of your clothed frame before meeting your eyes again, “Because when I saw you sprawled out on the floor like a chalk outline…I’m not gonna lie, you had me a little worried, mi amor.”

“I’m not telling.” You look away, sticking your nose up in the air, making Antonio snicker, already having an idea.

He sighs but it’s loving as he gets a good look at you, thumb caressing the side of your cheek now. “Fine then, do what you’re gonna do. But please try and get some proper rest now. Then eat something.”

Lucky for you, you had the day off but if you didn’t you were sure someone would have called out for you.

“This is all the breakfast I need…” you shake the empty can, “and maybe a kiss to feel better.”

Antonio laughs as you tilt your head back and pucker your lips, “ibuprofen and a red bull is not breakfast. But a kiss I can do.”

He pecks your lips three times as a silent way of saying he loves you before going in for a fourth, letting that one linger, so much that you’re tempted to make a call yourself on his behalf until he pulls himself away.

He lets out a breath, “I’m gonna be calling and checking on you, alright? Be good, kid.” He lightly warns with a point of his finger.

Which you can’t help but to bite, making Antonio almost regret clocking into his shift as he sat down at his desk, shaking his head with a smirk while he brings his clasped fingers up to his mouth, deciding to listen in on Voight telling them all about a new case.

[DANTE TORRES]

Torres meets you back outside in the misty foggy morning. The passenger side window is cracked down enough to hear and see him as he announces, “clerk said they only have one room left.”

It wasn’t that big of a deal but there was something in Dante’s green eyes when he said it. Like he was trying to read your reaction but you didn’t give him one. This case was a lengthy one that required a lot of driving outside of the city and you both got the clear to rest up for a few hours before continuing on.

Despite you thinking it wasn’t a big deal, your heart rate might have spiked spotting the singular bed in the decent but stuffy smelling motel room. You paused briefly in the door way before you realized Dante was behind you.

His tone often gentle, makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up while he declares, “I’ll take the couch.”

It’s so small, small enough to fit a toddler and looked itchy and you were sure he would have to ball up like a cat loaf to get all his limbs in there.

Your throat felt dry but you just give a dip of your head although he’s already moving into the room before you. There were light taps of spring rain that hit the windows but that was not enough to erase the sudden tension.

“You can have the bathroom first, if you want?” Dante brings his attention away from the files he spread out on a near by desk.

You clear your throat, “Cool. I’ll be back to check for bed bugs.”

“After you check the bathroom for cameras.” Dante added, but there’s a small smile playing on his lips.

You wink at him for knowing you so well before you take time to yourself in the bathroom. When you arrive back with a can of spray, you find the covers tossed back.

“I already got started,” Dante informs now sitting on a desk chair, “Of course you can quadruple check me before you get to spraying. I’ll be in the bathroom.”

It’s your turn to give him a tired smile as you whisper to him on his way by, “Thanks, Torres.”

“No problem.”

Once deemed safe, you find yourself being antsy pacing the room and even glancing at the files yourself until you feel your eyelids get heavier. The shower just turned off and you make your way to the window, ready to fully close the dusty curtains until you see a critter just chilling on the window.

It’s small, round, and spotted like a cow.

Regardless…it was enough to make you let out a scream and immediately jump away from the window with your knees high up in the air.

“You okay?” Dante says from around the corner, toweling his buzzed hair.

You suck air between your teeth as you shook out your hands, “No, I’m not okay! There’s something in here with us.”

Dante is on alert now, peeking around the area wondering how someone could have gotten into the room. “Where?”

“The window!” You point as he slowly enters the room dressed in a white tank and if you didn’t have fear in your heart, you might fold at the sight of his arms in full.

Dante cautiously makes his way to the window, peeking behind the curtains and then even out the window before he finds the insect crawling up the cool glass. His wide eyes slowly turn back to you, “…Are you serious? That’s a carpet beetle.”

“Its a need to go beetle.” You correct with sass and there’s a bubble of laughter in Dante’s throat.

He’s grinning, “I thought someone was on the outside looking in on you but it’s a bug. A harmless bug.”

You scowl as you start scratching at your arm, “i don’t care if it’s harmless, kill it!!”

Dante frowns, “…What if it has a family?”

“What if it lays eggs on our brains while we’re sleeping?” You exasperate before reminding, “After all you’re the one that’s staying closest to the window.”

“So…you want me to shoot it?” Dante rubs onto the back of his neck while teasing and you want to crawl away.

Iritation takes over, “I don’t care what you do, get rid of it Torres or I’m sleeping in the car.”

“It’s cold out there,” Dante shakes his head with a sigh, “You are aware you’re a cop right? A cop that’s afraid of bugs.”

“And you’re gonna be afraid of me if you don’t handle it.”

Dante laughs raising his hands in the air, “Whoa, okay! I see how it is. Let me just find some paper or something.”

You move to stand on top of the bed, arms folded as Dante moves around the room, stopping to look up at you, shaking his head before using an outdated pamphlet to guide the bug onto. He slowly turns towards you, stepping forward with the pamphlet and making you yelp as he playfully tries to set it onto the bed but moves it immediately after.

“I think I’m gonna ask for another partner if you don’t start respecting me!” You yell at his back as he shortly left the room.

He knocks on the door for you to let him back in but you take your time getting to it and peeking to make sure he’s empty handed.

“You’re cute you know that?” He says to you on his way by, making your heart thud against your chest.

However, externally you scoff as Dante attempts to get comfortable on the couch.

“Shut up, Dante.” You throw yourself into the covers, with your back to him.

Dante comments after some comfortable silence, “Don’t worry…your secret is safe with me, officer.”

Which felt equivalent to him saying you would always be safe with him too.

And you believe it.

[JOAQUIN TORRES]

Being up on the roof of your apartment building at night became a regular routine, with or without Joaquin. It initially started out as his idea in the first place, that one always had the brightest spontaneous (stupid) ideas, whereas you weren’t the biggest fan of heights and sure you could blame it on a frequent case of vertigo but it’s never been your thing.

You remember getting in trouble back in elementary, throwing your sneaker at the gym teacher because he tried to get you to engage with the rest of the kids that were up on the cargo net. You even had a ex who was into extreme sports and heavily into climbing and hiking. You’ve seen that movie, “fall,” and was NOT here for any of it, your family often wondered how that relationship even went on for that long when you two were complete opposites.

Now here you were, seated a good distance from the edge of the building, wrapped up in a blanket peering up at the night stars. There’s a creaking from behind you, the door opening and a smile appears on your face before he even speaks.

“i read your last article. you’re not half bad at this shit.” He greets you with his kindle tucked underneath his arm as he gets down to sit right beside you.

He’s been gone for weeks now, fulfilling his duties as the falcon and making you miss him all while trying not to stress out over his well-being. It’s strange how someone can go from being a complete stranger to possibly one of the most important things in your world.

You take your time meeting his eyes and every time you’re face to face again, it’s like the both of you are tracing each others features to make sure not much has changed. “Gee thanks, I appreciate the feedback: falcon_fan5202.”

Joaquin beams at you, “Damn and here I thought I was being discreet with my screen name.”

“You? Discreet?” You dip your head staring at him underneath your lashes before you both share a laugh.

He shuffles closer to you, shoulders brushing as he looks away for a moment to stare at the same sky. He’s of course happy to be back to see his family but most importantly to see you.

Joaquin couldn’t get to the apartment fast enough, ready to tell you the bits and pieces of his new world but you always figured out the in between since you were a writer so you had to know it all from his mouth. This was the first time you were requested to write on the falcon and you were patient getting Joaquin’s input on it before you did so.

He wanted to be surprised once the article released but knew he was in your good graces for the most part, so he didn’t feel like he had much to worry about compared to other cruel writers.

You bump his shoulder, getting his attention, “All is well?”

He grins, “Sure is! Never better.”

“Alright then, drink up.” You nod your head to the to-go cup that holds a decorative sleeve to protect his hands from the heat.

Reaching forward he grabs it, “I hope this is secretly liquor.”

“Oh please, as if you weren’t celebrating every other night you had a win wherever you were. That right there my friend is that good ol’ herbal tea.”

Joaquin scrunched up his nose playfully, “Oh boo abuela, boo.”

Which makes you shove his shoulder while he laughs, nonetheless he sips at it, sucking in some air after he gets it down his system.

“I’m glad that wasn’t that crappy Earl grey tea.”

You snort, “You don’t know quality.”

“Sure but that definitely wasn’t it,” he disagrees, “The whole grey aspect is very fitting. Felt like drinking liquified cement and it’s definitely top three of the worst things I’ve had to drink.”

There’s a smile on your face as you’re rolling your eyes but you can’t help but to rest your head upon his shoulder, closing your eyes as you listen to him go on a tangent about some specific health tasks he had to engage in when it came to training.

It was good to have him back.

Joaquin realizes that you’ve gone quiet, which isn’t anything foreign as you often were a good listener. However he can’t help but to rest his head right on top of yours, thrilled to have you just as close again.

“You’re so warm,” he murmurs with a smile before taking another sip of tea.

You hum, “All credit goes to the hooded Sherpa poncho you brought back from one your many adventures and this blanket. I’d share but…I don’t wanna.”

Joaquin laughs as he peers down to see that you were in fact wearing the poncho and that brings even a bigger smile to his face, “How kind of you.”

“Hey, I’ve already saved you some tea on this moody spring night.” You lift your head to pull the hood right over your head as the wind picks up.

“And I appreciate that, honey.”

There’s goes that look, as if you were the stars in the sky that were with him when he needed you the most during those missions.

You reply, “You better.”

He presses a kiss to your brow while you tuck yourself back into his side.

“Welcome back,” you breathe.

Joaquin looks out into the city lights, “It’s good to be back.”

‘With you.’ He thinks and your inner thoughts are just the same.

[KELVIN HARRISON JR.]

Kelvin is staring over at you adoringly.

He even lets out a chuckle seeing the pink of your tongue peeking out from the corner of your mouth while you put the last finishing touches on your painting.

He’s dressed in neutrals and you’re as colorful as a field of tulips. The air was fresh, high sixties but felt even warmer underneath the sun. It really was the perfect spring day as you sat across from each other painting portraits of one another.

“Stalker,” you playfully cough into your fist after putting your paintbrush to the side.

Kelvin gives you a blank look, “Wasn’t the task to admire each other and replicate it on this exact canvas in front of us? I was down to paint the park but nooo you wanted to make this difficult.”

“Who said that? Art is all about expression isn’t it? And there’s nothing difficult about this face, love. Please act like you know.” You place your hands on your hips, posing while Kelvin smiles at you.

He also admired your confidence.

“You’re not wrong…but you might feel a little different once you see my outcome.” He admits, muttering that last part as he jokingly puts his head down and scratches at the back of his neck.

You laugh as you reach for the bottle of sparkling lemonade and take a sip, ignoring Kelvin’s waiting hand for it next, since he was the main one who said he shouldn’t be drinking this considering he thought he had acid reflux. “It can’t be that bad.”

“Subjective, maybe?” He rewords, “Kinda like how I think chowchow’s look like cracked out Tasmanian devils but they’re like your top three favorite dogs.”

Frowning you squint up at the sun, “Actually I want a Affenpinscher.”

“A what now?” Kelvin crains his neck out, “I don’t know if I want to know what that even looks like but I’m pretty sure you said different this morning when we were getting ready to come out here.”

You tap your chin and shake your head, “No I don’t think so.”

Kelvin blinks, “You said their blue tongues make them even cuter.”

“Hearsay.” You flick your hair over your shoulder, while Kelvin caresses his facial hair trying to keep his breathing in check.

The man shakes his head at you, “No…you say! Are you trying to gaslight me right now? I know a chowchow beats afrobuttsniffer or whatever the hell you just said.”

You can’t help but to throw your head back in laughter, knowing just how to annoy your man. Reaching out for his hand, he smacks yours out of the way making you gasp.

“What? I didn’t know if you were trying to get me like those aunties in church who like to pinch you when they catch you not listening to the lord’s word.” He holds his hands out innocently.

You snort, reaching back out this time to actually whack his thigh since he smacked your hand first. He allows it with a laugh of his own before you lean back, stretching your arms above your head until he’s reaching around towards you, quickly making you hold your fist up, while rolling your right one to defend yourself.

“No way you’re thinking about beating me up when I’m just trying to eat some fruit,” he gives you a side eye as he plucks the container of raspberries from your side.

You lift your shoulders letting your fist rest, “Can’t catch me Slippin’ either.”

Kelvin rolls his hooded eyes, then he pops a few pieces of the red berries into his mouth before placing it to the side of him, talking with his mouth full, “Let’s do the big reveal on 3, not 2.”

“Okay.” You nod, picking up your mini canvas from its easel.

The both of you meet each other’s eyes, amusement clear in your faces as you count together before spinning your artwork to the other’s.

“You have many strengths; all i’m saying is that parallel parking is not one of them.” Is the first thing Kelvin comments, making you frown.

Tilting your head to the side after glancing at your work you reply, “That sounds like you’ve been waiting to get that off your chest because what does that have to do with my painting?”

“Painting is one of your many strengths, driving is not.” Kelvin informs, holding your stare, and peering at you underneath his hooded eyes.

You scowl, “Now that’s a backhanded compliment.”

“What? I was just thinking about the ride back and praying that we don’t hit anymore curbs…yet you made me look good, like 90s Denzel good.”

Leaning your elbow on top of the canvas resting on the blanket you say, “Well you are 90s fine so it’s not like it was hard.”

“But parallel parking is,” he’s snickering and you’re strongly considering pinching the shit out of him now, “Thank you, baby.”

“No, keep your thank you’s,” you hiss, “You made me look like Mrs. Potato head.”

“You can be my Mrs. Potato head.”

“You suck!” You yell ready to toss a wet paintbrush right at his handsome face.

“Yet you love me.”

“Ehhh…debatable.” You give shaky hands making Kelvin gasp but there’s a dimpled grin threatening to slip onto his face.

He’s got that devilish look in his face as he tosses his canvas to the side, crawling over to you on his knees and then he pounces on you, knocking you over onto the blanket.

“Why was that necessary?” You peek up at Kelvin who’s lounging above you, just smirking.

“Cause I like getting on your nerves as much as you like being on mine.”

“it’s too loud in here,” you flick one of his necklaces making him give you a confused look, “i’m going to start biting people.”

Which sounded like an excuse to get violent to Kelvin.

Kelvin laughs, “Hol’ up now friend till the end, we’re at a pretty tranquil park and don’t need you locked up because I don’t know if you’re gonna make bail.”

“Well…that Mufasa money might say different.”

Kelvin rolls his eyes, “I don’t know if you know this but…I played scar.”

“And what does that mean?” You tighten your stare, silently daring him to say something you wouldn’t like. You were his biggest hype person and it never went unnoticed.

He exhales, not wanting to take it there, “That I also got that dog in me like Andre from Victorious once said.”

“Leon doesn’t like being referred to only that role.”

“Damn you know him?” Kelvin raises a brow, making you slide a hand up the side of his neck, smirking to yourself, “…But I get it.”

You nod pulling him down so you’re chest to chest glancing at his plump lips, “Yeah and I prefer this brotha right here.”

It’s Kelvin’s turn to smirk after licking his lips, “Say less.”

[CHAD MEEKS-MARTIN]

“i can’t come out tonight, i’ve got to re-pot my roses.” You say into FaceTime, patting the back of your hand against your forehead after re-entering your home.

Chad was always the one to bring you out of your shell and of course the bars were coming more alive now that spring’s breezy weather, part sun, and low percentage of rain for the night decided to stick around.

“Oh shit, I’m sorry I thought I accidentally called my grandmother Delia instead of you.” Chad is as sarcastic as ever, earning a swift middle finger from you.

He laughs while you disappear from screen to retrieve your notepad and bouncing pen. Chad is quiet for a moment, eyeing the beauty of you as you’re scribbling onto the pad, appearing to be busy.

“Can’t you like, do that another day? I mean we’ve been in this new town for months and we should get to enjoy it instead of constantly working ya know?” Chad attempts to persuade you as you scoff out a laugh.

It wasn’t work to you, simply a hobby.

You peek back at the screen, “I get wanting to have freedom, since we all definitely deserve it but I promised Mindy and I’s neighbor that I’d make the front of the home look nice.”

Chad gives you a look, “You mean the redhead neighbor that she’s screwing? Something tells me she doesn’t give a shit about flowers.”

You and Mindy were sharing a two bedroom townhouse in this coastal town, which was something all of you were not used to! Whereas Chad had his own space about fifteen minutes uptown, which still wasn’t far enough for Mindy but that was yet to be determined.

“…Are you avoiding me because I let Tara crash here when she came into town?” Chad suddenly blurts out, making you scrunch up your nose.

Your nose twitched and you scratched at it, “Why would I be avoiding you over our friend?”

“I don’t know…” Chad starts, “Do you think something happened? I know she sent you a story of us when we went out to your DM’s and you gave a thumbs up emoji…which isn’t really your thing.”

Your reassurance was not strong, “Chad babe, it’s not that deep, honestly.”

“Yet I feel like it is,” Chad asserts, “When’s the last time we even hung out for awhile—gone on dates—

“I don’t know you tell me.” You snap and Chad widens his eyes.

He’s figures you out.

“You know it’s not like that with me and Tara, hasn’t been or really been in a long time. You’re mine and no one else is and I want you to know that, okay?” He guarantees, always being the one to wear his heart on his sleeve.

You sigh, “That’s great Chad. I’m gonna go.”

“No…not when this doesn’t feel right.”

“We’re fine!”

Chad urges while he wants to hold your stare from behind the screen, “Do you mean it?”

“…”

“Yeah no, that’s not good enough for me, baby cakes.”

That cringe pet name doesn’t even get a reaction out of you and that’s how Chad knows it’s bad. It’s not like he didn’t ask you if it was okay for Tara to stay with him. Sure you and Mindy had a sofa bed that she could have used yet she chose Chad’s one bedroom that he wanted you to move into with him. Although you said it was fine it still felt odd since the two once had a thing and you were always in the background.

You took the leap of faith and made yourself heard once Chad was officially back on the market and actually taking time out for himself. Which you didn’t want to disrupt but you got tired of constantly bottling up how you felt. It sorta just happened after you admitted your feelings but it wasn’t some fairytale.

Not in this story of your lives.

He didn’t immediately share his feelings since he was in shock that you would actually go for a guy like him.

Which also made you want to horse kick him for even thinking that.

You took things as slow as possible and that works for the both of you, although time was always limited.

“The roses are calling, gotta go love you bye!” You rush out, hanging up the call, leaving Chad to let out a long groan at his apartment.

At least you said you loved him still?

Yet that didn’t make the athlete feel any better.

You’re unsure how long you’ve been in the front yard, the sound of birds chirping happily gradually began to fade as the sound of waves hitting the rocks in the far distance began to pick up took over, while you consistently switched over the vibrant flowers into brand new pots that you dragged Mindy and her…friend Van to get last weekend. It was team work dragging bags of soil into the cart but you three made it work all on your own. Chad even set the picture Mindy sent his way of you kissing your bicep and stepping on the bag of soil as his screensaver.

The guy was ridiculously in love with you but here you were feeling a way about Tara. A girl that you did consider a friend but felt a way about her being here on her own last weekend.

Sharing an apartment on her own with your boyfriend!

Mindy told you that Tara was actually dating and exploring around herself in a city named Tarnșoara, which so happened to be outside of the country that she lived in with Sam, and that you had nothing to really worry about but your mind can definitely pay tricks on you.

Normally you’re not rough handed when dealing with your garden but the thoughts took over and made it appear as if it you were taking it out on the flowers.

“And you tell me I’m heavy handed.”

It’s not the voice that haunts you but you still find yourself pointing the trowel up on alert.

“Hey! It’s just me, your dream guy and boyfriend! And I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t add any more wounds to this glorious body.”

Exhaling you drop the gardening tool, “Chad! What’re you doing here?”

“Well it’s been awhile and you weren’t answering my texts.” He’s sheepishly standing above you, clearly holding something behind his back.

You’re frowning, patting the pockets of your apron for your phone as you ask, “What time is it?”

You see it’s dinner time and the last time you talked to anybody it was after 3PM.

Check ins are crucial in this friend group.

“Wow…time really got the best of me.”

Chad laughs a little, eyeing the work you’ve done, “I can see that…can I help with that last pot?”

“Um…yeah, as soon as you show me what’s behind your back.” You get to your feet.

The twenty-something year old tilts his head to the side, peeking at you from one eye, “Don’t you trust me, babe?”

You feel your head nodding before your thoughts can even give you the wrong idea.

Chad pulls out the item he’s holding behind his back, revealing it to you, “I brought you croissants. as like, um, an olive branch.”

A crooked smile appears on your face as you hold your hand out for the box of pastries, “Are they gluten free?”

He rubs at his neck, “Um…not sure. Don’t tell me you suddenly have an allergy to gluten? I can always return them and get you something else. Like a branch in some olive oil maybe?”

How creative!

You snort, “No, no. I’m just fucking with you, this is great really, thank you.”

It was one of your favorites and this means he was thinking of you so of course you were grateful.

The little things do matter.

Chad lets out a whistle, “Nearly gave me another heart attack, girl!”

“Another?” You question.

“Uh yeah…after I sat on the situation I can see how I was wrong and maybe even disrespectful to you and I’m sorry about that.” Chad looks you in the face to show you how genuine he is and deeply inhales, “The last thing I would ever want to do is ruin what we have over not understanding each other’s boundaries.”

Your heart swells, “No it’s not only on you. I needed to communicate better and I didn’t even know I felt icky about it until after I said it was okay. It’s not really your fault, you were just being a friend. A good one.”

“Aw, you think so?” He sways from one foot to the other, “How am I on a scale of 1 to 100 when it comes to being a boyfriend though?”

You bring your eyes together, “You really want me to rate you, right when we’re trying to make up?”

“Well…I brought you your fav carbs, against my coach’s judgement.”

Of course he contacted his new coach about this!

“I’m sure you’ll work it off in the morning after we indulge in these.”

He pops up at the mention of, “We.”

“Oh…you’re inviting me into your home? I don’t know if your husband would like that?”

You laugh resting the box on a side table that’s sitting on the porch for now. When you turn around, Chad’s already doing the honors of moving the roses to the last open spot.

Leaning against the railing you say, “No husband yet, I’m still pretty young.”

“Noted,” Chad dusts off his hands and smiles over at you, “Can I stay for dinner?”

You stare at him for a moment and roll your gloved hand out, “Come on in.”

Chad nearly runs over to you, lifting you from the steps with one arm. He sets you back on the porch so that you’re face to face and you hold onto his chest.

“I love you so much.” He tells you.

You nuzzle your nose against his, “I know. The feelings mutual, peanut.”

He whoops, throwing a fist in the air as he lifts you by the waist to kiss your lips. “Hear that everybody! My baby loves me again!”

“Chad,” you giggle as he sets you back on your feet, “Let’s get inside, the temperature is dropping and I can use a shower and food.”

His brows are wiggling as you turn from him to head to the front door, “Am I also included in this shower of yours?”

“Depends what you do with those croissants.” You smirk over your shoulder.

Chad grins as he charges after you, “I make a mean breakfast roll on a croissant that even the French would be jealous! So yeah, it’s safe to say I’ll be taking that shower with you.”

He closes the door behind you before he quickly opens it back, snatching the flaky box of pastries off the table and locking the door before chasing you up the stairs.

[JEY USO]

Weddings in spring could be interesting…not something you necessarily would have picked for your own but the things you do for your cousin/bestie! You were fighting to stay awake, seated on the toilet in your robe rubbing in the whipped butter into your skin while trying not to fall over.

You’re a giggling mess and unsure what time it was but a time was definitely had at your cousin and Sikoa’s wedding.

“WHERE DEM FANS AT?! WHERE DEM FANS AT?!” You can hear Jey screaming from your attached bedroom, it was clear he didn’t care what time it was either.

Laughing some more, you screw the top back onto your moisturizer and stumble getting to your feet but catch yourself. So you may have had one too many as well but at least you weren’t having your own concert, risking the police to come knocking at your door.

Gasping to yourself after closing the drawer to one of the bathroom cabinets, you spot Jey dancing in the doorway, performing the line dance, disappearing and coming back again with a half eaten burger in his hand.

“Hey, you better not have touched my food.”

Jey scrunches up his face, head thrown back into view, “Uh…what’s gon’ happen if I stole a couple of fries? That’s right, nuthin!”

Sucking your teeth, you turn hoping the room wasn’t spinning and couldn’t wait for the meds to kick in as you charged out of the bathroom after turning the lights off.

You’re tempted to jump right on his back but Jey turns around, waving the burger towards you and stepping as he sung, “Oh whoa oh whoaaaaa!”

There’s a crooked smile on your face as you shake your head. Jey loved this song so much at the reception, he had the DJ play it at least four times until he got dragged away from the dance floor by Jimmy and Jacob.

He was boisterous and so proud to witness his baby brother become a husband. If he had it his way, he would have been the DJ the entire night since the DJ did fumble all entrances into the hall.

“Yeah, remind me to not hire this fool for my wedding.” Jey said loud enough in the lobby as he stood with the rest of the groomsmen and Solo, earning snickers from most, while you tried to keep your heart steady as he sent a wink and grin in your direction.

You’re too busy day dreaming to realize Jey all up in your face.

Your head goes back, “Damn, can I help you, Joshua?”

His face is serious as it’s locked on your eyes while he slowly chews, “How’d you get that?”

“What?” You deadpan as you’ve heard this before, “This ass? I’ve told you before Bobby Valentino—

Jey shakes his head waving his hand along too, “Nah nah. We’ll get to that later…I’m talking about your eye.”

“What’s wrong with my eye?” You frown slightly turning in the direction of the full length mirror tucked in the corner in the oversized master bedroom, “Don’t tell me it’s finally swollen from all that awful pollen?”

Jey watched as you moved from him in your robe, before quickly following after you to stand behind you in the mirror. He crossed his arms while you leaned forward to see a black ring underneath your right eye.

“I didn’t even notice it after spending all that time making sure the makeup was off,” you shrug, lifting a finger to poke at it to see if it hurt but it didn’t.

Not to say it wouldn’t in the morning!

Jey scowls, “Neither of us are leaving this room until you tell me how you got that shiner.”

You chuckle, “Well yeah because we’re having a midnight dinner in bed.”

Just as you mention the food you stopped at the drive-thru to get on the way home, your stomach rumbled like thunder. Jey doesn’t even bother to make a joke since there’s evident anger in his frame now.

“Jey, it’s fine.” You reassured, lightly squeezing his bare arms before you try to go around him but he blocks your movements, making you raise a brow, “I know you’re not about to play with me when it comes to my food, Joshua.”

He barks back, “Seems like you’re playin’ with me since you won’t tell me what happened.”

“I don’t even know if I remember what happened!”

“Try!”

Tilting your head to the side at his tone you attempt to reason with the glossy eyed man, “You really think if something went down with me when you went off to change that you wouldn’t be the first to know about it? As big as y’all family is along with my dad’s side of the family? Come on now! So let me eat my damn tenders in peace.”

Jey pinches at his bottom lip, thinking it over in his drunken haze. You’re seated on the bed, peeling open the box with force now, feeling yourself getting hot although you just showered. Jey was usually the dancer and wants to fight when under the influence, whereas you tended to laugh at almost everything and wanted to hug on everybody.

Right now?

You didn’t want to hug this man since he messed with your time to eat.

“So…you remember something since you said it went down while I went to change.” Jey started as he plopped on the bed, almost knocking over your sauce before leaning on his elbow.

Guess he wasn’t that drunk!

Holding onto one end of the chicken tender you tap it right against Jey’s nose, making him swat at you with a frown. “That chicken ain’t that good to slap somebody. And I’m not just anybody.”

“It’s good to me, now be quiet.” You sass.

Jey’s still ready to debate, “You think I’m not gonna find out?”

You sigh as you take your time chewing, hoping he goes to sleep but you forgot who you were dealing with as he pokes you.

It’s your turn to swat him from poking you in your boob again, “You’re acting as if someone did it on purpose…”

“I dunno, did they?” Jey rolls his head to the side now as he presses you.

You shake your head, letting some more slip out, “It was an accident to that exact song you’re obsessed with. Cousin Lasa didn’t mean it, you know the boy is lanky.”

Realization passes over his face, Jey rubs at his jaw, “Cousin lasa huh? I’ve been meaning to drop him on his head since he was born.”

You smack his shoulder, making sure it hurt, “Don’t do him like that, he’s just a kid.”

“A kid that looks twenty-five.”

“Isn’t he like fifteen?”

“I know there’s a five in there somewhere…that’s good enough to get a beat down in my eyes.” Jey decides.

“Okay, now you’re doing too much.” You shake your head, “Go back to singing.”

Jey says, “I’m just standing ten toes down for my woman, what’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing until you’re talking about terrorizing a whole child.”

“He’s six foot one! That ain’t no child.” Jey maintains as he stares at you from underneath his eyelashes.

“Leave him alone!”

Jey groans, “This how you gonna be when you bless me some boys of our own? S.O.F.T.?”

You hum, “I don’t know, ask me when you end up with girls. You’ll be just like Ro.”

Jey laughs, “Yeah, whatever. Man gets to decide anyway.”

“So now you’re an endocrinologist?”

“…yeah, yeah I’ll sign the documents as soon as we leave the venue.”

There’s a frown on your face now as Jey lets out an obnoxious yawn, briefly closing his eyes. You shake your head at the man, laughing to yourself some more as you shove more fries into your mouth.

It’s giving chipmunk as Jey peeks at you through one eye but he obviously finds you still to be the cutest thing, “can i help with your hair?”

At the mention of the classic pin up curl bun, you suddenly feel all the Bobby pins shoved into your hair. “As long as you don’t rip the pins out like last time?”

“I wont, you know I gotchu girl.”

“Do you?” You ask with humor in your tone, “I couldn’t tell after the threats you were making towards a entire teenager and a family member at that!”

Jey scoffs looking for his phone but you grab his neck, catching his attention as you squeeze, making him peer up at you then down at your lips. “I Always got you, don’t you ever doubt that and remind me to set a reminder to give Lasa a call in the morning.”

“No,” you whisper before placing your lips right on his.

And let’s just say…Jey wasn’t fighting you on this one.

[ZILLA FATU]

“You don’t need that hoe.”

You would have missed his voice if Bhad Bhabie’s diss track from your AirPods didn’t just fade out. It was ironic really that the song just ended and this man was lingering to the right of you while you ran your errands.

You’re holding onto a pastel Christmas tree, that was actually kinda ugly but you had to get your home ready for Spring and Easter and a few more decorative pieces wouldn’t hurt. Honestly you didn’t get it either, not every holiday needed a tree but overconsumption knew how to target you.

Stretching a smile onto your lips, you hold Zilla’s dark stare while you place the tree right into your cart. Who the fuck was he to tell you what you didn’t need?

“Oh it’s like that?” He rests his hands on the cart, briefly breaking eye contact to peer into your cart, which was filled with a couple of things he was also sure you didn’t need but it was clear you were going for bright and bold.

Pausing the shuffled music with a sigh, you take your time answering him since you had a feeling you weren’t about to leave this store without him harassing you. “Hell yeah it is. What do you want, Isayah? I got places to be.”

He doesn’t hesitate, looking over at you from underneath his lashes, “What do I want? You. I thought that shit was obvious?”

Resting your arms against the handle of the cart you breathe out a laugh, “Cheating on someone you claim to love while they’re up in the hospital is a funny way of showing it.”

The both of you broken up at least a month ago and Zilla hardly faltered reaching out to you. It was to the point you were ready to file your own restraining order against him. It was too much, him constantly showing up, calling with you not picking up the phone, showing up to your job that you threatened you would let the dogs out of the cage to bite him right in the ass if he didn’t get away from you, sending flowers, and even paying for any of your routine appointments beforehand.

He was feeling the guilt as he should.

While you were in a minor car accident, he was out in the club you told him to stay out of and the night that you didn’t go out with him, it all went to shit.

“I know ma, I know.” Zilla hung his head low, “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I fucked up. None of it meant anything, it was stupid type shii. It’s my fault and I’m always gon’ be sorry about it.”

You’ve heard the excuses plenty of times before. He even tried to hide it until the proof got sent right to your phone and it wasn’t somebody random, it was someone who was a friend of your best friend’s. You always said you didn’t trust her since she was known for sleeping with people’s men, you often joked that your best friend was lucky she was a lesbian or else she would have to be careful but look what happened!

This was all a mess that you didn’t want to be part of but Zilla put you in this situation. For as long as you’ve know him, since you were kids and he got locked up for constantly doing stupid shit, you still held him down even if it was only as a friend then.

Look where that got you.

“I don’t really care for your apologies,” you shrug your shoulders, “I just want you to leave me alone like you did in that hospital.”

Zilla tightens his hold on the end of the cart, “I eventually showed up.”

“And showed your whole ass. You broke his fucking nose! He had to see a plastic surgeon because of you, when he actually walked away from the crash just fine until you pulled that shit.”

Zilla immediately sucked his teeth knowing it was only a matter of time before you brought that man up. Of course he jumped to conclusions hearing that you had some dude (a co-worker who was actually happily married) in the passenger side of your car and the fact that he stayed around for you and got smart with Zilla? Yeah Zilla swung and he knew he shouldn’t have but what’s done is done.

“What am I supposed to think when some dude that’s hanging around you that I don’t even really know puffs his chest out to me, mayne? He tried to keep me from seeing you, disrespected me and I’m just supposed to take that? Nah.” Zilla argued, his brows furrowing.

Deeply inhaling you respond, “He was doing us both a favor. You were fucked up and didn’t have a clear mind. The last person you needed to worry about is me not being loyal. I would never do you dirty how you did me. That’s not my character but you couldn’t give me that same grace. You’re lucky your ass isn’t locked up since I talked your team into splitting the cost of what his insurance wouldn’t pay. And talked him out of pressing charges.”

Zilla didn’t know that part, just the fact that it was handled and no one showed up with cuffs to bring his ass back to jail.

“You did that for me?”

“I didn’t do it for you,” you snap, “He’s my friend and a good guy. He didn’t deserve your bullshit so I figured it out.”

Despite you saying this both you and Zilla knew it wasn’t only for some guy you worked with and considered a work friend. If you didn’t care about Zilla you wouldn’t have been around this long. If you didn’t love him or even yourself enough, you would have stayed in this unhealthy pattern.

“Regardless of what your mouth says…thanks for being bout it.”

You roll your eyes, looking away to the shelves again but there was nothing else to really browse. Zilla takes his time looking at you and although it was clear you now wanted to be anywhere else but here, you were still the baddest thing he’s ever had.

“Let me take you to lunch, I know that ass is hungry by now since you’ve probably been at this since eight this mornin’.” Zilla tries to persuade you while you stare at him as if he’s transformed into an alien.

Scoffing you say, “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“You’re out and about walking around with a boot on your foot, I think you can roll with me.” Zilla nods his head towards the exit.

Shaking your head you’re firm, “No.”

“Whatchu mean no?”

“I don’t know how else you want me to say it.” You answer, “You think going to lunch to see how I’ve been when you know exactly how, is going to fix things? You got things you need to figure out without me so do it. When I said I was done I meant it. So if you’ll step to the side—

Of course he doesn’t move, even when you’re ready to ram him with cart. His dark stare is fixated on you, a look that could make anyone shrivel up in fear and listen to him.

You didn’t scare easily.

“You maybe done but I’m not.” Zilla tells you, “i’m scared of the things i feel for you.”

That makes you frown.

“Yeah, yup. I’ll admit it.” Zilla explains, “Not once did I ever enter that club with intentions to hurt you as bad as I did. I know what we have is good and something I’ve been holding onto. I’m a fuck up, it’s what I do but you know better than anyone that I’ve been trying to get right and I was doing aight until that night. I ain’t never loved nobody as hard as I love you. I made a poor choice, I came to my senses as soon as I woke up. You’re my whole heartbeat and when I realized what I did…it felt like it just fell out of my chest.”

“…you tried to hide it. But I knew something was up and it wasn’t just because you were lit and chose violence.”

Zilla nods, “I was hurting too and took it out on Lil Fizz’s twin.”

That actually makes you laugh and you want to push it back down where it came from.

“You need more space…I can try my best to give you that but it’s far from easy because you know I need a heart to keep going.” He informs and runs a hand down his face trying to hide his vulnerability, “As corny as it sounds it’s anything less but true. I miss you. I want you. I need you.”

Sure anyone could fold if you look at the history between you two. You were two years older than him, always looking out for his best interest, even when he had his moments of not wanting to hear you out, but there was a time where there were talks of having a future together and even had a scare which would take things to new heights. This shit wasn’t just for fun, the both of you were locked in.

Yet he picked the lock.

“I hear you, I do but I’ve got to get going.”

Zilla’s shoulders almost deflate, “Aight busy woman, I guess I’ll let you go. Take care of that foot and yourself.”

He wanted nothing more than to throw you over his shoulder and go home together. However today wouldn’t be that day.

After that interaction you have no interest of looking around the store or even buying what you had in your cart. So being one of those people you unfortunately ditch it in one of the aisles and hobble out of the store.

“I’ll be seeing you in two weeks!” Zilla calls out to you.

You pause seeing him posted up against the store building.

Quickly your brain tries to remember what’s happening in two weeks and realize it’s usually a spring break trip that happens around this time. Sikoa sent you the details back in January and he was the designated host, it was basically a birthday trip although his damn born day is in March, his girl morphed it into a part two celebration since she was a April baby herself.

“You’re going on Sikoa and Nai’s birthday trip?” Your head is tilted to the side as you stand on the sidewalk, “We must be in eternal hell.”

Zilla laughs, “Guess we got our redemption arc and all that. There’s still room for more though.”

His hint throwing was not subtle at all.

Scoffing you fold your arms, “…Sounds like a set up to me.”

“I mean…I could have just shown up to the airport on your ass but I heard you already put down your portion, so there ain’t no backing out now. You’re gonna have to see some more of this mug whether you wit it or not so…enjoy your space, ma.” He says into your face after pushing off the wall, even going as far to roughly kiss the side of your cheek on his way by.

And you glare over your shoulder, watching as he hopped in the passenger side of his ride.

Guess it was your turn to have problems with the whole bloodline.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 -ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 -ˋˏ ༻❁

FIN.