#have a few more wrinkles and idiots being still madly in love after years

[ndostairlyrium]

Vacanze Romane playing in the background

Ankh: "I'm gonna get your ring back"

Cullen: "You better. That thing costed me a fortune"

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

Once Bitten, Twice Stupid prt 200

200

Standing in the childhood home of Keith, Lance felt as if he was trespassing on the site of ancient and important ruins. The shack had been made by Jeong, according to Krolia, his little anger muffin inheriting none of his dad’s skill. After 20 years of abandonment, there wasn’t a space that was coated in thick dust or cobwebs. As much as Lance wanted to explore, he felt it’d be best if he remained outside so as not breath in anything nasty, or be reduced to a coughing fit... Especially not after the extra bumpy drive in which Krolia seemed to find every single rut and dip in the dirt road.

Having the memory of the living space imbedded in his mind, made it easy to fill in spaces with his imagination. Keith and his dad would have totally eaten in front of the TV. Keith would have played with the long discarded toys still left on the floor. No one had packed the house up. It still looked ready for Keith and Jeong to walk back into their lives, if you didn’t take into account the dust. Just how it’d remained standing astonished him more than the fact they were at Keith’s childhood house. This was the place Krolia and Jeong had called home. This was where they’d been happiest. And now it was... empty and hollow. Waiting for it’s owner that’d never come home.

Hearing Keith sneezing, Lance turned to very carefully lean on the front pole that supported a slim roof over the front door. His fiancé bound to have inhaled enough dust now that his nose would itching madly. God. His fiancé... Warmth swelled in his chest as his cheeks dusted red. Yeah, it’d be a long while before he didn’t feel giddy at mentally calling Keith his fiancé. He’d waited, not sure it’d happen quite so soon, and yet, on top of having now known him for 365 days, Keith had agreed. Lance accidentally true to his sentimental heart, not realising the date until he’d seen the date on his phone earlier.

A few moments later, Keith came out covered head to toe in cobwebs and dust, nose wrinkling as he examined himself in the light of day. How lucky he was to have this idiot who resembled a cobweb brush

“This is insane. Dust should have a limit. You should be allowed a maximum quota and once you’ve reached it, it shouldn’t be allowed to settle”

Trying to pull cobweb from his hair, Keith rubbed it between the thick locks. How he’d managed to survive being an adult as long as he did, was kind of a miracle

“Come here, you. I’ll do it for you”

Obediently Keith stood still as Lance dusted him off. Both of them wanted to say something to the other, yet neither knew what to say. Lance didn’t want to push Keith into talking. Not when he had to process the fact he was once again back where everything had started for him. The home they’d had in Cuba had been brought by family, Lance hadn’t had a chance to go there with him Mami and do the whole “I remember... thing”. He wondered if Keith had remembered anything at all, yet suspected he didn’t from the look in his eyes. Guilt didn’t suit Keith. He much preferred him smiling, so he did the only thing he could think of to make Keith smile and kissed on the tip of the nose.

Rubbing where Lance had kissed, Keith’s nose twitched. A sneeze forming then getting stuck as his fiancé partially opened his mouth only for nothing to come out

“The internet says if you say “sneeze”, it should help”

With an unimpressed look, Keith’s breath caught before finally sneezing ridiculously hard. The werewolf wiping at his nose as Lance watched, kind of finding it cute. Not the sneeze but the sheer unhappiness over how the sneeze had gotten stuck then the force of it

“Better?”

“Mhmm. Don’t go inside, it’s dusty”

“Thanks for the warning, babe. I’ll keep that in mind as I watch from out here”

“That’s why you’re the smart one... we...”

Keith sneezed twice, just as hard as that first sneeze before groaning and rubbing his nose on his hand

“We should have aired the shack out”

They couldn’t go back in time and do that now, plus they’d have to remember to close the place back up. Krolia had found the spare house key, buried inside a bottle that was buried in where Lance assumed once was a small garden under the front window. Sand had swallowed it all. Then they’d found lock had seized, obviously, and needed a little “help” to open. It was sad

“It’s too late now. How do feel being back?”

“I... thought maybe I remembered like fragments, but I don’t remember much of anything. Mum does... she’s going from room to room... but I feel like a stranger”

Keith was on the edge of tears. Lance taking his face in his hands

“It’s okay not to remember everything or anything immediately. It’s okay because being here means you get to make some new memories. I know the dust is depressing, but under that, I see a home where you played on the floor. Where you and your dad eat in front of the TV. Where he tucked you into bed every night. It feels depressing and cold right now, probably completely unimaginable that you lived her, but this is another part of knowing your dad. We should take some photos. It doesn’t matter if you’re not up to looking at them now, at least you’ll have them for when you’re ready”

“I wanted everything to come back”

“I know, babe. Maybe some things will once your brain starts putting the pieces together. The important thing is not to be mad at yourself for something you have no control over”

Keith snorted, before sighing

“I don’t know what to do”

“Let the house air a bit, then take photos. Mum’s stories might be hard to hear, but they’re all part of the puzzle”

Trying his hardest to be supportive, Keith simply rolled his eyes at his words

“I think I really fucking hate puzzles”

“Nah. I bet given the chance, you’d be a total ho for puzzles”

“I’m a ho for you”

“I know. You know, it’s kind of nice out here”

There was no one around, other than the other 3. No cars. No noisy traffic. No people... it was essentially a house in the middle of small desert. Weeds seem to even give the grounds around the house a miss, and there were no trees which meant no birds or animals around. What had Joe been through that had led him to such an isolated life? Or was it because people were racist dicks that he’d chosen to carve out his own small part of the world. To think in a way Lance was kind of like him. With his house out where no one was. Living alonish... Now the house was filled with noises, he liked it much better.

“The location does have its charms”

A peaceful existence was all Lance had wanted. With Keith around, Joe’s existence would have become all more happier

“Probably not when you’re a little kid, but you would have had all Joe’s attention when he was home”

“Because there’s a great lot of other things to do”

“Babe, you’re still a handful as it is. I bet he loved every moment he spent in this home with you”

“Maybe”

“Nope. “Definitely”, is the word you’re after. I know from personal experience... well, after you stopped thinking I was trying to trick into thinking you hadn’t turned”

Keith groaned

“I’m never going to live that down”

“Nope. But hey, you’re the cutest not turned vampire around, so it worked out in the end. How’s your ego feeling?”

“I don’t know. I think it’s sad, but mum keeps talking and it doesn’t know what to do”

“If it gets too much, let me know. I can totally fake sick if you need”

Keith kissed his palm, the action soft and sweet, even with his dirty face

“You’re too good to me”

Chuckling, Lance sensed an impending loop on the horizon. Keith could say what he wanted, yet Lance knew he was the one lacking. His fiancé was so fucking strong

“We’re not going into that again. I love you, babe. You should go back in if you feel up to it”

“Will you come?”

He hadn’t wanted to intrude, or face the dust, but Keith was asking so he couldn’t say no

“Sure...”

*

Keith let himself be lost in thought on the drive back from his father’s shack. When he’d been a teen, he’d been so desperate to find his way back there. Now he’d been there, the place was... depressing. Krolia had scavenged up the few photos that mould hadn’t destroyed, as well as a few other small pieces. Shiro kept casting glances at him, and Lance had a coughing fit so hard that Keith winced for his fiancé.

He’d come to find out about his dad... He now knew things he hadn’t known before, but it’d also reinforced that his family was nothing like Lance’s. Lance would have kept up the maintenance of the shack. He would have come out every so often to wipe away the layers of dust lovingly and air the place out. Any repairs that needed doing, he would have done it all without a second thought. Heck, Lance had had his eyes on all the things wrong with the place like he was daydreaming about fixing them all... and now his fiancé was snoring softly as he leaned into Keith in the back of Shiro’s sedan. At least they had a room. Shiro, Krolia, and Curtis were all going to have to check in while covered in filth, whereas he could whisk Lance away and clean them both up.

Slowly they made their way back to town, and Lance managed to stay asleep right up to Krolia jerking the car to a stop in the hotel parking lot. Blurry sleepy eyes blinked up at him at him, Lance realising he’d fallen asleep and going to apologise. Keith kissing the words away. He didn’t need to apologise for anything. Not as far as Keith was concerned. Having Lance with him for all of this was more than enough. Undoing his belt, Shiro turned back to grin at them like he’d never seen them snuggled up before

“You guys need any help?”

“Nah, I’ve got him. You guys alright to check in?”

“We’ll work it out. Want to grab some lunch?”

Lunch would mean talking and Keith didn’t want a concerned Shiro questioning what he did and didn’t remember. He was too busy being mad at himself for not remembering

“I think I’m going to take a nap and grab something later. Today was... enough”

“As long as you’re okay”

Keith rolled his eyes

“Yes, dad. We’re fine. Come on, babe. It’s shower time”

Lance’s staggering lasted a few moments before Keith lifted him off his feet. Steps and stairs were bad enough for Lance at the best of times. Sighing at him, Lance let himself be carried, Keith happy he was being so obedient about it. Carrying Lance made him feel strong. Not that he hadn’t been able to carry him before the turn, just now he had the strength to carry him with the surety he wouldn’t be dropping him.

Balancing his fiancé on his knee, Keith fumbled the key into the lock, opening it to find Lenny had dumped box after box on their bed. His ego hated that their space had been violated, yet opted to sulk rather than be angry because it worried for their tired mate. He’d liked to do things for Lance before, now he felt a rush of pride for everything right he did... Egos’ really were pathetically fragile and in need of constant reassurance... a thought at which his ego huffed unimpressed. Maybe he should buy the damn thing a trophy and let it bask until all it’s pettiness had left his system? If only he’d be that lucky. How could his ego possibly be upset that his father had died when it had nothing to do with it?

When Lance went down for a nap, Keith was just about comfortably cuddled. He’d gotten everything they’d needed, and filled the bedside table with it, so Shiro calling his name only made him groan. Naturally Shiro wanted to talk. This was Shiro. The second he felt any kind of emotion, his brother wanted to know all about it. As harsh it sounded to him in his head, Keith wanted a break from learning about his father. He wanted a time out to process. But no. Said time out wasn’t happening, despite how tempting it was to stay cuddled up with his smoking hot fiancé who’s arse was perfectly aligned with his crotch. Cock blocked by his dumb brother, he and Lance would have their revenge later.

Tugging on a shirt, Keith dragged himself out the hotel room to find Shiro leaning against the railing. The view was of the road and the couple of cars parked across the road that belonged to holiday goers. Boring as heck

“You wanted to talk?”

Knowing he sounded a tad too blunt, Keith knew Shiro well enough to know Shiro knew it was unintentional

“Yeah, kiddo. Is now okay?”

“Sure. Lance’s sleep pattern’s all over the place. He’ll be out until he has to pee again”

“That sounds rough”

“It is... I mean for him it’s rough. Not much I can do to change things”

Joining Shiro in leaning against the balcony, this was better than having him inside with all the files on his father. Now the pair of them were stuck staring at the boring road

“Keith... You’d tell me right. You’d tell me if you weren’t okay”

And there it was. Shiro’s worry. They’d grown almost radio silent apart... There was a time Keith could barely go a few hours without talking to Shiro... Mumbling awkwardly, Keith decided the railing was much more interesting to stare at

“You’re worrying too much... I’m not a snot nosed little brat anymore”

Shiro didn’t disagree, yet he also didn’t agree or praise Keith for his emotional growth. Instead his brother slung his arm around his shoulder and gave a tight squeeze

“I miss you, kiddo. I know how you feel about losing your father. So I know that none of this is easy for you”

“I... I didn’t feel... I felt like a stranger at the shack. I mean... I learned about my dad... bits and pieces, and I think maybe I’ve got a better idea than before, but I’m tired. I can’t stop thinking about what mum went through... and I can’t stop thinking about dad burning to death. I guess I’m not okay, but Lance has been really good. He’s been really patient with me... mostly... I made him cry yesterday and he ended up yelling at me for my stupidity. All of this feels exhausting”

“Yeah? And your ego?”

“Don’t even go there. We were about two seconds away from me ripping Lenny’s throat out. I can’t... cope with all this stuff about my dad and my ego... I honestly just... want to stop thinking about it right now...”

Kissing the top of Keith’s head, Keith mentally sighed at himself. Shiro had pulled his infamous mind trick and his mouth had moved on its own

“It was pretty confronting to see the shack. I know when I picked you up, all you wanted to do was get back there... I’m sorry it wasn’t what you were expecting”

“I don’t know what I was expecting... but... I keep hearing about dad and I don’t know if I feel any closer to him. I don’t know this place. I don’t know his friends. I don’t know why he chose here of all places. I don’t know... He feels further away than ever”

“That’s not true. He’s still here. A bit of him and a bit of Krolia made you, and I’m pretty damn grateful you’re here”

“I haven’t been much of a brother...”

“You’ve got a lot going on”

Keith shook his head. That was no excuse

“We used to be... so close. Now I can’t even stand the city. Even being here... there’s so many noises. I don’t know how Lance does it. He tells me to be patient. But I don’t want to be patient... I... said something really stupid and I really upset him. I told him maybe it’d all hurt less if I’d died”

Shiro sucked in a shaky breath

“I can see why”

“So can I... I’m just... done with feeling so... feeling that all of this is so much. I couldn’t even say... I didn’t know what to tell dad. I probably would still be standing there staring at his grave if Lance hadn’t given me some of his strength...”

“Kiddo, you’ve always been strong”

Keith gave a dry chuckle. He’d been a fucking moron, too hell bent on being angry to accept he was overthinking absolutely everything and paranoid that he’d never be seen as himself or outside of Krolia, and Shiro’s, shadows

“Right. I was a jerk to Krolia. Hated almost everyone we worked with. Stuffed up missions. Caused trouble for you and Adam...”

He hadn’t been oblivious to the fights between his brother and Adam. Now that he thought about it, they’d missed the anniversary of Adam’s death... He hadn’t... he hadn’t even been with Shiro on the day... Shit. His head had been full of Lance, not... the man who’d tried to father/brother/guide him the best he could by Shiro’s side

“We can stand here and talk about all the things you’ve done wrong, or you can accept that you were a bit of a dick and you want to make amends”

“I wanted to see mum yesterday. Her. You... I don’t know how you made it through... I’m sorry. I should have done more”

Shiro squeezed him again

“You know, it hurts and it’s hard, but in a way, we got through all of this thinking about you. I had you to help me through. Krolia had the thought of your safety and one day meeting you...”

That didn’t make it okay. Keith groaning when thought about his past “anger loaf” self

“I was such a douche canoe”

Shiro chuckled

“That’s a new one”

What was what? His brother doing him a temporary confuse

“What...? Oh... not really. Lance has all sorts of weird sayings for things...”

“He’s really rubbed off on you... Is he okay? He seems really exhausted. It’s not going to be like it was on your birthday weekend, is it? Does he need blood?”

“He’s okay. Coran said he could feed off me and it hasn’t seemed to have any negative effects... We um... he... um... kind of... yeah”

“It that your way of informing me you spent all afternoon in bed and that’s the real reason Lance is exhausted?”

No. That was him narrowly avoiding telling me his brother that Lance had sort of proposed and he’d agreed... and then they’d had amazing sex, stinking up the hotel room comfortably until his idiot family ruined it

“Yeah. You didn’t have to say it out loud. It sounds bad when you put it like that”

“You two couldn’t keep your hands off each other before, I’m hardly surprised...”

The passion was still very much there, but there was definitely less spontaneous bouts these days. Lance had shockingly low self esteem, maybe he should jump him more often? Huffing, Keith sounded more whiny than cranky with his mate

“It’s... not like that. He’s been struggling with his body changing ever since he first started showing. He’s an idiot. He seriously thought his body changing was going to ruin everything. He keeps saying that he’s fat and not sexy because he’s so heavily pregnant. Its total bullshit... Like, he’s... he’s still him. And god, Shiro... the sex is still amazing... the sounds he makes...”

His ego was getting riled up at the thought. Shiro’s scent starting to grate on his senses when his mind wanted his body in bed with his mate... Still, he couldn’t bring himself to simply push Shiro away. He was a walking bundle of contradictions and felt almost like he’d lose his mind from all the going back and forth he was stuck doing

“I’m going to stop you right there. Okay. I get it. You want to be a good boyfriend to Lance. If Coran says it’s safe for you to feed him, than it must be... but I’m still going to worry about it”

“It seems his curse kills my curse. It hasn’t negatively impacted on the twins... but he is drinking so much blood that it’s hard to not worry”

“How much is “so much”?”

Enough to be what they’d thought all vampires drank on a regular basis

“He’s gone from one bag split over three meals a day, to four or five bags a day, with fresh blood on top of it. The pregnancy has taken so much out of him. You can see he’s visibly older looking now, and he’s struggling to put on any weight he’s lost from constantly vomiting”

“That’s...”

“A lot. You know what he’s like. He doesn’t like drinking blood”

Shiro snorted, deciding now he needed to pretty much lean his whole weight against him. His brother was a dick, Keith half thinking of feigning weakness just to watch Shiro trip over his own feet, but his ego wouldn’t let him

“He’s the most “unvampire” vampire we’ve ever come across. A bit like you... you’re not a very “wolf” werewolf”

“Fuck off. Lance says I’m manly and shit”

“Sure, kiddo. A manly werewolf that sits outside his boyfriend’s window and cries his head off. Matt told me all about your first moon”

Fucking Matt. Keith couldn’t remember his first full moon... that wasn’t playing nicely

“Matt needs to be neutered. He’s a fucking menace”

Shiro clicked his finger, pushing off of Keith and turning to face him. His brother’s smile so wide it verged on creepy

“A menace that’s engaged. Or is getting engaged. He came to Platt to pick the ring up. He swore me to secrecy...”

“I can see how seriously you took that”

Arranging his expression as neutral as he could, Keith was annoyed. Couldn’t Matt have literally picked any other goddamn day of the year

“Hey, don’t look at me like that. He decided seeing you and Lance were away for your one year anniversary, it’d be a good time to step up and put a ring on it”

“Rieva would hit you if she could hear you, and what do you mean “our one year anniversary”? We didn’t get together until May”

“Ahhh, baby brother of mine, you met Lance a year ago, yesterday. You know he never forgets. Someone’s in trouble”

Keith now knew the date. Had Lance chosen yesterday for that reason? It was more likely his fiancé barely remembered the days of the week given vacation time moved differently from normal time

“Yeah. You. You’re going to be in trouble if you keep teasing me”

“Awww, little Keefy is cranky”

It took all Keith had not to pick Shiro up and throw him over the balcony railing, then kick down Krolia’s door, grab her, and toss her over to land on top of his brother. Stupid Krolia... that name was definitely going to stick then he’d have to put up with hearing it from everyone.

“Fuck you. I’m going back to Lance”

“Too cool to hang with your big brother?”

“Not when he’s all smelly. Go take a shower already, you’re getting me dirty again”

“Consider these cobwebs of love”

That didn’t even make any sense. Shiro was getting senile in his old age

“You’ve got cobwebs between your ears, old man”

“Come on, Keith. Give your big brother a hug”

Dodging Shiro, Keith put up a very half arsed attempt. Shiro wrapping his arms around his waist and hoisting him up backwards. The torture lasting a few moments before he was placed back down again. His idiot brother wiping himself against him, trying to get off one last cobweb

“There. You’re all nice and webby now”

“You suck. You suck and that was totally abusing your brotherly privileges”

“Yeah, but you love me anyway. Okay, you’re all dirty now, you can go away”

Huffing at Shiro, the werewolf didn’t know why he was smiling so happily about things when he was very clearly outwardly annoyed

“Oh, trust me. I am going. You better remember to bring me a peace offering for this”

“Nah. I told you these are cobwebs of love”

“And I told you you’re old”

Shoving him playfully, Keith lunged for the handle to his and Lance’s room, smoothly opening the door and darting inside before his brother got any other ideas. Poking his tongue out at Shiro, Shiro flipped him off. Both of them smiling at each other in a way that reaffirmed that everything was okay between them. With the chance of him saying something teasably sentimental, Keith shut the door softly in Shiro’s face, before realising his brother had sentenced him to have yet another shower for the day. His big brother really was a big bother.

[thelittleredheadedmusician]

some original nonsense

“I’m so glad I get to be here for this,” Eve practically flung herself onto the couch, bouncing slightly before settling. She’d just gotten dropped off after rehearsal and was miraculously still teeming with energy. 

Clara pursed her lips, an obvious attempt to cover up a smile. They’d spent the day helping Eli and Ann track down paperwork and somewhere between the borough hall and stopping at the deli for lunch had been seen by Oliver’s parents. Who forced him to introduce them to Clara and insisted she come for dinner. Ann managed to talk her way out of it by vague statements of “being with her family right now” that had the McNally’s cooing in understanding. Clara couldn’t manage the same without raising too many questions. At least not that quickly. 

So, she’d spent the evening at the farmhouse and then had herself talked into spending the night. The whole experience was odd, Clara settling somewhere between her true sharp self and the doe-eyed charming he’s seen her present herself as. Oliver had the sense that it was strange for her too and that Clara was navigating uncharted waters as she ate his mom’s chicken alfredo. 

But after dinner his parents retreated to the office that used to be the dining room, claiming to be going over paperwork but probably watching House Hunters or something. Leaving the living room to “the kids” which fit when Eve came barging in. 

“I was so worried you would be gone when I got home,” she told Clara, having latched on to the older girl a few days before. 

“I was somehow convinced to spend the night.” Clara narrowed her eyes, brows drawn low as she tried to puzzle out exactly how that had happened. It made her freckles scrunch up into an indistinguishable blur. 

Eve nodded sagely and began wrapping herself up in one of the afghans from over the back of the couch. “Yeah, they do that. It’s a weird quirk of being the ‘cool parents.’” Oliver knew by her tone that she was using air quotes but from the cocoon his sister had made herself it was hard to tell. 

Oliver finished tweaking the playlist he’d made, deciding to kill as many birds with one stone as possible, and pressed play. Rising from his crouch next to their entertainment center to go sit on the couch on Clara’s other side. The music began to play through the living room’s speakers and Eve giggled madly. 

Clara turned to give him the most suspicious look he’d ever seen, and that was saying a lot based on the past week’s events. “I know this song. Maybe. It sounds familiar.” 

Shaking his head, Oliver barely managed to contain his laughter. “Nope.”

The lyrics started and the look of baffled confusion that overcame Clara was the best thing he’d ever witnessed. She froze, shook her head slightly, narrowed her eyes, and then finally turned to him in betrayal. “When did this happen? I was just in Constantinople... When was I in Constantinople?” 

Eve squeaked, high and long as she inhaled. Unable to hold in her own laughter any longer. Oliver managed to remain silent though he was shaking and his stomach ached at the strain. 

“This isn’t funny,” Clara insisted. Her glare wasn’t that harsh though so Oliver didn’t relent. “Oliver!” she scolded. “It’s not funny!” 

“No, it’s hilarious,” he said between gasps of breath. “And it only gets better.” 

~

“Russia’s favorite love machine?” Clara looked like she was going to be sick. “I mean, I might have actually met Rasputin but honestly he was disgusting. And smelt terrible.” 

It was Oliver’s turn to look on in horror. “Of all the things you managed to miss, you met Rasputin?” 

“Possibly,” Clara said sheepishly. “It could’ve just been a drunk.” 

One day, Oliver would stop being shocked by things Clara said. But apparently not today. 

“Ok,” Eve interrupted, “but thoughts on the song?” 

“It’s... good?” 

The look of pure offense Eve gave her made Oliver want to whither and he was mostly immune at that point. Eve took a deep breath, seeming to recenter herself. “It’s a certified bop, Clara.” 

~

“Ok, I’m not an idiot. I know about the Battle of Waterloo. And I’ve read Les Misérables.” Clara was unimpressed by Abba. 

“You actually read Les Mis?” Eve clearly had her own priorities. 

Oliver might not really be into theater but Eve was and he managed to pick some things up. “Ok, hold on.” He tried to do some quick math, but just asking Clara would really be easier. “When did you just... stop following cultural events?” 

She shrugged. “I don’t know, some point after the second Great War?” 

Eve and Oliver shared a look, leaning forward so that they could do so. Eve’s expression said that either Oliver handle this or she would. And also, what the heck was he planning? 

“Ok, so World War II, not second Great War. Where did you even get that one?” he tried to be gentle. But honestly, what the heck?

Clara wrinkled her nose. “I’ve outlasted entire civilizations, Oliver,” she hissed. “Cut me some slack for forgetting some terms. English isn’t even my second or third language. And you people keep changing it.” 

Oliver lifted his hand in defense. “Ok, ok. Point taken. Still, did you not pay attention to the Broadway or West End theater scenes in the 1980s?” 

“No?” Clara turned to see if Eve might be any help. Her slightly manic look meant that probably not. 

“So, you didn’t know that Les Mis is a musical?” She gasped. 

Clara slowly shook her head. 

“Ollie!” Eve screeched, but he was already standing, going to shift through the many DVDs Eve had of various performances. 

~

“Bed,” their mom said, emerging from the office. Their dad had already headed upstairs sometime during One Day More and she was currently in her pajamas. 

Eve tilted her head up, shaking off the hand that Mom was combing through her hair. “But, it’s not over!” she whined. The drums of the finale refrain of Do You Hear the People Sing were starting up meaning that it would be over very shortly. 

“And you’ve seen it a million times and have school tomorrow. Bed,” she countered. 

“Clara’s never even seen Phantom!” Eve tried to counter, which they’d discovered when Eve began rambling about actors sometime during ABC Cafe. Oliver loved his sister, he hated that he knew the names of every song in Les Mis. 

“Clara can stay up and watch it with Oliver then. Or just visit another day,” Mom glanced to Oliver with an almost apologetic tilt to her smile. 

“I can come back,” Clara offered softly. The effect was immediate. Eve and his mom both had twin smiles of pure glee. Much like Ann a few years earlier, Oliver’s friend had been officially deemed another extension of the family. Well neither girl seemed to mind so far. 

Eve launched herself onto Clara in a hug, throwing her blankets to the floor and startling the blonde. Over Eve’s shoulder, he could see Clara’s pale eyes widen and it looked like she was trying very hard not to let her shock get the best of her. They’d managed to keep his parents in the dark about the whole “technically dead” bit but Eve passing right through Clara would kind of ruin the careful charade. 

“I’ll wait until next time for Phantom,” Oliver made it sound like a chore, but he knew Eve would be pissed not to be included. And the whole experience would be more enjoyable for Clara because the two girls had talked through the entirety of Les Mis about the characters and changes from the book. He was positive watching Phantom of the Opera would be the same. 

“You’re not a terrible human,” Eve said by way of thanks. 

Oliver shrugged and their mom rolled her eyes. She started ushering Eve towards the stairs as she said her goodnights. When it became clear that Eve was still occupied squeezing the unneeded air from Clara’s lungs, she gave up. “Don’t stay up too late you two. And Eve, your butt better be in bed by the time those credits stop.” 

Clara laughed and finally began to peel Eve’s arms off her. “You should listen to your mother,” she said kindly. 

“I’m going, I’m going.” 

“If you don’t leave now I will introduce Clara to Drunk Space Pirate without you,” Oliver threatened. 

Eve gasped and leapt to her feet. “You wouldn’t.” 

“I would.” 

The two stared each other down as Eve began backing towards the stairs, almost stumbling over the coffee table in the process. “I knew you like The Mechanisms.” 

Oliver smirked. “Space operas, Eve.” 

His sister huffed and ran upstairs. Clara started laughing softly. “What was that about?” 

“I’ll explain later. I think the novelty of being a ghost would be ruined if I became one too, which would happen if I explained without Eve.” 

“Your sister does seem capable of murder,” Clara agreed. 

“I feel like all the women in my life are?” 

“Yes.” 

Oliver started cracking up at that. Clara joined him. It felt cathartic in light of... everything. Then they remembered that the rest of the house had been going to sleep so they tried to hush each other. Only to laugh more. 

Finally, they sobered and Oliver went to go get his laptop. “Do you know literally anything about the band Nirvana?” 

Clara blinked. “Do you enjoy asking questions you know the answer to?” 

Barking a short laugh, Oliver came back over to sit next to her again. “Ok, fair. But I’m going to play an ironic critic of how people respond to the lead singer’s death for you now.” 

“Why?” Clara asked incredulously. 

“I really just want to see what someone so totally removed from the situation thinks of this song.” Oliver shrugged. 

“You are very strange.” 

“And you shouldn’t throw stones.”

[geekybisexualwriter]

Dream(James Potter x gender neutral!Reader)

Pairings: James Potter x reader, (minor)Wolfstar

Words: 1746

Y/N = your name

Y/M/N = your middle name

Y/L/N = your last name

Y/F/I = your first initial

*Note: they are 16*

“Tellmetellmetellme-” James smirks at them.

“No, James.” Y/N sighs. The truth was, they had a massive crush on him for years, and Marlene let slip that they had a crush. Not ideal.

“But come onnnn…” James smirks at them, running a hand through his hair.

Y/N glares at him, blushing lightly. “I’m going to the library,” they say, standing up. “Anyone want to come?” 

Lily nods, standing up as well. “Yeah, I have a Transfiguration paper.”

Y/N smiles and they start walking out, not aware of the disappointed frown on James’ face as he watches them walk away from him.

After a few hours filled with writing furiously and internally(and outwardly) cursing certain professors, Y/N finally leaned back in their chair, watching the snow fall outside the window, smiling softly and letting their mind wander to a certain messy haired Gryffindor. Lily looks up from her book and smirks. “You thinking about him?”

Y/N jumps and almost falls out of their chair and stares at her, blushing. “Who?”

Lily chuckles. “You know.”

“I do not.”

“James.”

Y/N blushes more, if possible. “What about him?”

“You like him.”

“Sure, as a friend.”

“And as a crush.”

Y/N sighs, too tired to fight it. “Fine. Yeah, I do. But I can’t tell him! He’d laugh and then tell me that he only sees me as a friend. Or tell me that we can’t even be friends-”

“No, he wouldn’t,” Lily says, cutting them off. “He wouldn’t do any of that.”

“Yeah, I guess you might be right, he wouldn’t laugh, he would just tell me that we will only ever be friends.” Y/N nods thoughtfully and disappointed. “I mean, he’s basically in love with you.”

Lily shakes her head, laughing. “James was never in love with me.”

“But he asks you out literally all the time.”

“‘All the time?’ When was the last time that he flirted with me?”

Y/N opens up their mouth to answer, but then realizes they don’t know. 

Lily nods. “See? And he only loved the idea of me, not me myself. But you know who he does love romantically?”

Y/N shakes their head.

“You.”

They laugh. “No way. He only loves me as a friend, like he’s done since forever.”

Lily smirks. “You’ve never really seen the way he looks at you, have you? He looks at you like you’re his entire world. Which you are.”

“He’s looked at Sirius the same way.”

Lily sighs. “There really will be no way to convince you, will there?” 

Y/N shrugs. “Nope.”

*THAT NIGHT*

“Mr. Potter, you will be paired up with… Y/L/N.” Professor McGonagall announces and then continues with the rest of the partners.

12-year-old James frowns in disappointment, he really wanted to be with Sirius or Lily or Remus. He’d even be ok with Peter. He looked over at his future partner, who was yawning slightly and looking at him, a bit intrigued.

The first thought he had when he first saw them? ‘They’re actually really cute.’ But he liked Lily. He didn’t like them. He didn’t even know them. But he still smiled and walked over. “Hi there, I’m James Fleamont Potter, the star chaser for the best team in school. And you are?”

Y/N looks up and grins at him, chuckling a little. “I’m Y/N Y/M/N Y/L/N, the star of not giving a crap about that.” They hold out their hand to shake and James takes it, laughing.

“Oh, I like you already.”

The scene of the two hands shaking swirls around, goes out of focus, and settles on the sight of leaves falling down from trees outside of Honeydukes.

Chatter and laughter float through the air. That was definitely one of his favorite sounds, but over it all, 13-year-old James loved the sound of one voice in particular, who was gushing over their new chocolate frog card.

 “I got an Agrippa card! Can you believe it, James? It’s like, the most famous and hard to get one! (Author’s note: I dunno if this is true)” Y/N grins excitedly.

He shakes himself out of his stupor and shakes his head. “Nope! Maybe it’s a fake and you’re tricking me.”

Y/N laughs. “Come on. If one of us is going to trick the other into thinking they have a rare card, it would definitely be you.”

“Or maybe you’re trying to convince that to be the case to throw me off!” James exclaims triumphantly, grinning.

Y/N rolls their eyes. “Oh Merlin. I can not believe how jealous you are.”

“I’m not jealous!”

“Uh huh.”

“I hate you.”

“Nah, you looooove me.”

James laughs and shoves them lightly, ignoring the light blush that blossomed for some reason. “As if.”

The sound of laughter fades out and the sound of a page turning fades in.

“Come on James, we gotta finish this.” 14-year-old Y/N sighs. 

“But Minnie absolutely LOVES me, I’m sure she’ll give me an extension.” James laughs.

Y/N glares at him. “Well, I gotta finish this. Quit distracting me.”

“But I’m boooored!” James sighs dramatically. 

“Go bother Sirius then.”

“He’s bothering slash flirting with Remus.”

“Ok, then go bother Peter.”

“He’s eating somewhere, and he looks slightly scary whenever he does that.”

“Then go bother Lily, ask her out, or whatever.” Y/N frowns, not wanting to ask that but also really needing to finish this deadline.

“She’s with Snivellis.” James wrinkles his nose. Partially, that was a lie, he probably definitely would have still bothered her even if Snape was around. 

Y/N sighs and looks at him. “Give me twenty minutes.”

James grins. “Yes! You’re the best, I love you!” 

Y/N blushes darkly. “Um, as a friend though right?”

James nods, blushing as much if not more than them. “Y-yeah, of course. Obviously.” He chuckles nervously.

Y/N nods as well, disappointed but determined not to show it.

The disappointed look in Y/N’s eyes disappears and an excited look replaces it.

“That’s amazing! I knew it!” 15-year-old Y/N grins at Remus and Sirius, who are holding hands and grinning as well. “Not to mention…” Y/N looks at James, a smirk on their face. 

James groans and fishes out ten galleons from his wallet. “Couldn’t you guys be oblivious cowards for another year?” He hands them to Y/N, grumbling under his breath.

Sirius chuckles. “Now it’s your turn.”

Y/N looks at him, confused. “What do you mean?”

Sirius gives her a look. “Come on. We all know.”

They shake their head. “Nope. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Sirius sighs. “The fact that you two idiots are deeply in love with each other and won’t admit it.”

James and Y/N’s eyes widen and they’re cheeks are immediately colored in a deep red. They both stutter, trying to think of a witty comeback while Remus and Sirius laugh.

“Well, that certainly shut them up.” Remus snickers.

Finally, Y/N and James regain their speaking ability.

“James is madly in love with Lily, not me.” Y/N protests

“Yeah!” James agrees, not bothering to mention his heart wasn’t really in it anymore when he asked ‘Evans’ out. 

“Uh huh.” Sirius and Remus say in unison

“I knew it,” James mutters. “I knew that when people got together, they would become telepathic. Y/N, we should get together just for the pranks.”

Y/N forces a laugh out, struggling to ignore the pain that that comment caused her. “Yeah, that’s actually not a terrible thought.”

The dream fades to black

James wakes with a start, smiling to himself, thinking of one person. The person who he cared about the most.

Y/N.

He goes through the motions of waking up(taking a shower, brushing his teeth, etc.) with a grin.

Sirius smirks. “What’s got you so happy?”

“I’m a man in love, Padfoot.”

“So you and Y/N finally confessed to each other>”

“No… not yet anyway. I’m planning on doing it later today.”

“Ah. Mind if I make a few bets? I mean, I already did, but I lost some so I’m going to make some more.”

“Yeah, sure- wait what?”

Y/N was sitting in McGonagall’s class, taking notes every so often when they feel a pair of eyes watching them. They turn around to see a smirking James Potter, looking at them with an intensity that made them blush fiercely. They frown and take out a small piece of parchment.

J,

Why are you staring at me? Are you planning something?

-Y/F/I

They throw the letter at James who catches it and opens it up with a grin. He immediately starts writing back.

Y/F/I,

Yeah, I’m planning something. You caught me. 

Love, J

Y/N blushes slightly at the use of ‘love’ right before he signed his name, but shakes it off. ‘Just a friend…’ They remind themselves.

J,

Well? What are you planning? Also, you still haven’t answered my first question.

-Y/F/I

Y/F/I,

Meet me after the rest of the classes today. I promise I’ll explain everything.

Love, J

P.S. You look nice today.

‘Ok, now he’s being an asshole. Making me all flustered just so he can make fun of me later…’ Y/N sighs and picks up her quill.

J,

Fine. Tree by the Black Lake?

-Y/F/I

Y/F/I,

Can’t wait.

Love, J.

Hours later, after begrudgingly making a mental note to complete a History of Magic essay, Y/N makes their way to the Black Lake, to the tree where James is resting against, smiling softly.

“James?” 

“Y/N,” he looks up and his eyes brighten. “Hey. I missed you.”

“We just saw each other like a few hours ago.”  They chuckle.

“I know, but still,” James says, completely serious for once in his life.

Y/N blushes and sits down. “So. Care to explain why you were making me flustered? Was it just another one of your pranks so that you could make fun of me?” Y/N looks at him, eyes with a hint of anger and hurt.

James’ eyes widen. “No! Of course not! I’d never do that to you.”

“Then why were you?!” 

“Because I’m definitely in love with you!” 

Y/N was about to have a comeback but then hears it. “R-really?”

“Yeah. I think I have for a while, but I only just now realizes it this morning.” He confesses. “But you probably don’t like me back, I can go-” He moves to stand up

“No, wait! I-I’m definitely in love with you too.” Y/N gives him a smile.

James sits back down and kisses them. “I’m so happy.”

“Me too.”

[sgrayonderii]

faster than starlight

Growing old together was a luxury. Sasusaku AU. 

It makes absolutely no sense that the child in front of him is his daughter, yet as soon as she utters a heartbroken “Papa,” Sasuke knows it to be true.

But he doesn’t have time to concern himself with mismatched memories and unfounded theories. The facts are these: someone has threatened his child and his wife has been kidnapped.

In the aftermath, he is so relieved that he writes off his hazy memories of a child barely reaching his knees as a manifestation of his desperation.

---

During  his regular check ins, Naruto grumbles that he needs to stay in contact more often. The Hokage waves his arms around in a way that is supposed to be threatening and berates him on proper reconnaissance protocol. “And Sakura-chan is lonely with you gone so long!” he adds in at the end of his tirade.

Sasuke scoffs because that idiot is the last person to be talking to him about protocol with his noodle stained shirt and toppling mountains of paperwork. And he can't help but feel a bit insulted by the implication that his self imposed gag order included Sakura.

She is his wife. His beloved partner and his most trusted confidante. Even if it was technically not related to his mission, he keeps contact with her regularly without fail. Sasuke has never been as good as expressing himself as well as he should, but he knows that Sakura in her endless patience found a way to understand him.

---

Sometimes, Kakashi invites him to lunch.

It is always slightly awkward and spent more often than not in silence. Or in uncomfortable one-sided conversation about erotica.

But at the end of every meal, Kakashi claps him on the shoulder, telling him to not be a stranger with a chuckle. But the laugh never quite reaches his eyes.

“Remember you always have a home here.” Kakashi tells him. 

---

At times, Sarada is overjoyed when he comes back. She attaches herself to his side and chatters about nonsensical things that reminds Sasuke of his wife.

But sometimes, Sarada is cold.

She is stand-offish and acts as if he committed another unforgivable sin. She makes snide comments about leaving mama by herself and scathing comments about forgetting his daughter’s face.  

Perhaps this is a rebellious phase? Children grow up fast Sakura tells him.  And who is he to question her?

---

It is subtle, almost unnoticeable. But there are times at home when things are slightly off.

The apartment always seems to be in need of some repair. Every time he seems to even blink, a new piece of technology seems too occupy their living room mantle. And there are no calendars in the house.

In hindsight, he is sure that Sakura is the first to notice. But Sasuke is a boiling frog and he doesn’t realize until it’s too late.

He should have figured from the relief in her eyes whenever he returns home. Or on the quiet nights when she holds his hand so tight as if he will disappear. He should have noticed from the desperation in her kisses. He should have seen it in the falter of her smile.

And then Sakura starts hiding her appearance.

At first, Sakura brushes it off as a bad haircut she is too embarrassed to show others. Then it’s a particularly bad sunburn. After that an allergic reaction to a lotion from Ino gifted her.

He tries to not let it bother him. But with every progressive visit home, the stronger the illusions Sakura wraps herself in. 

He feels like he has not seen his wife in ages.

Until, one day on an unexpected stop home, he catches an unfamiliar middle aged woman in his home. This woman attempts to cast her genjutsu as soon as she notices him but his eyes are quicker. Sasuke dispels the illusion, striding forward until they are face to face.

He reaches out to her but she flinches back. The woman immediately starts apologizing, but Sasuke in between the roaring in his ears and the constricting of his throat, cannot make sense of her ramblings. However in the midst of her panic and his confusion, he does recognize the seal on Sakura’s forehead.

And for him, the pieces finally start falling into place.

So Sasuke asks the question that he has been dreading but never acknowledging, “How long have I been gone?”

---

The further he travels, the more time passes. It is simple physics. It is the law of the universe.

The remnants of Kaguya are far in between and past distant suns. His Rinnegan, his wife theorizes, is like a blackhole connecting two points, compressing space and time in a way that cuts across the cosmos.

Sasuke is a shooting star in the grand scheme of things, where great distances are crossed in a blink of his eye while all he cares about on earth is spinning madly on without him.

He watches as Sakura carefully aligns the hundreds of letters and messages and gifts he sent in the order she receives them.

Sasuke picks up the last correspondence, two weeks ago for him but half a year for Sakura. After a long time when he can finally keep his voice from trembling, he asks “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I just didn’t know how to tell you.” Sasuke has never seen Sakura look so ashamed. She covers her face to hide from him but her tears still fall silently. “It would have just caused you more pain.”

“And keeping this from me wouldn’t?!” He is shaking and his Sharingan bleeding. He feels the familiar sting of betrayal. Because of all people, his wife is the person he trusts the most.

But Sakura, despite her tears, speaks calmly. Determined. Resigned. She still does not look at him and he cannot see anything else but her. “If you had known...” she is shaking too now. “If you had known dear, that this would happen every time you go.... Would you still leave?”

And both husband and wife know his answer.

---

A presence like Kaguya’s cannot be tolerated. Even if he cannot watch Sarada grow up. Even if cannot be by Sakura’s side. As long as they are safe in a corner of the universe, Sasuke is willing to sacrifice anything.

It is a habit now to check the date when he returns.

Sometimes only a few weeks have passed. Other times, months have elapsed. But regardless, Sasuke tries to return as much as possible if only for his own sanity. 

Those visits home reinforce what he is fighting for. He wants to protect the place his brother died for. He wants to help Naruto who saved him. He wants a world where Sakura can smile and where Sarada no longer has to fight.  

But most of all, in the darkest most fragile part of his heart, he knows that in reality he just can not bear losing anyone else.  

And eventually, the Seventh Hokage informs him that the last visages of Kaguya are discovered in the depths of a lost faraway planet. The final nail in her coffin.

It breaks his heart to tell his family.

There is no telling when he will return, if he returns at all. And judging by the distance, Sasuke isn’t even sure anyone will be left to return to.

It is a selfish thing for him to ask of her. He should be wishing for her happiness; he should be freeing her from being chained to him. But he asks anyways, because even if it is a lie, Sasuke needs a reason to endure.  A quiet request. A promise.

“Will you wait for me?”

Sasuke desperately wants a home to return to and to him, Sakura has always encompassed that feeling.

---

The next time he returns, his mission is complete and it has been a decade since Sarada’s face has been carved onto the mountain.

Sakura’s hair is gray now and her vision is blurry. She has wrinkles under her eyes and her once strong hands are withered.

They are separated by a lifetime now.

I’m home.

“Sakura, I’m sorry for everything.”

But she still smiles for him like she always does. Like she did when they were young and so hopeful for the future. “Welcome home Sasuke-kun.”

---

Nowadays, Sasuke Uchiha is nothing but ghost story. More legend than man and more cautionary tale than hero.

And nowadays, man slightly younger than the Hokage accompanies Sakura Uchiha.

No one knows where he comes from, just that he appears one day and immediately worms himself into the heart of the Uchiha matriarch.

On the good days, the villagers watch the young man walk side by side with the aging woman. Sakura Uchiha speaks more animatedly than she has in years and the young man smiles tenderly at her as if she is the only person in the world.

Some villagers click their tongues in disapproval. They raise issue with the Hokage about how this swindler is taking advantage of the affections of poor old woman. The old woman’s years of loneliness has made her susceptible to his gold digger’s charms.

Others pity Sakura Uchiha. She is a woman from such a humble background who rose the ranks and accomplished  so much only to be abandoned by the man she loved. Even if it was unorthodox, they wanted the old woman to have a bit of happiness.

But Sarada Uchiha dismisses these rumors and speculations with a sad smile, merely telling her bothersome citizens to leave the couple alone and let them live in peace.

And this man, who comes out of nowhere like a lone meteor, stays by Sakura Uchiha’s side until the end of her days.

A/N: Another sad one, but time dilation has always been one of my favorite physics/sci-fi concepts. Thank you for reading and Happy Holidays!

[penzyroamin]

your wish is my command!!!!

some warnings for this one-- it is heavy shit. there is some mention of potential physical abuse from a parent to a child, so if that’s an issue for you, you’ll probably be okay if you skip the second paragraph and the area between “The night was still too hot and humid, but Davey could hardly bring himself to care as they breathed together.” and “Why? We’re happy.” there’s also some homophobia mentioned throughout, so.

this is.. gosh, the time period is kinda ambiguous, but it felt sorta 90′s to me? and it’s set in the deep south, also kinda ambiguously-- if u want my two cents, i wrote it based off of this teeeeeny tiny town some of my family lives in in north fl.

anyways. this is about loving recklessly and desperately and with much difficulty. please enjoy!!!

no rules in breakable heaven -- read on ao3

In the grand scheme of poor ideas Davey had had over the course of his twenty years of life, kissing Jack had been a bad one. Kissing him again had been a worse one, and continuing to do so, kissing him over and over until they had the closest thing they could to a real relationship, was likely one of his worst.

They had accepted early on that they couldn’t have much in public, not when Davey’s father would try to beat the shit out of both of them if he heard a word of it. Jack lamented it occasionally-- that they lived in the modern world, the present goddamn day, and yet ideals liked freezing in their idiotic, humid little town.

So yes, they accepted that they couldn’t be anything but best friends in public, but that didn’t prevent them from playing with fate.

Davey was in the middle of a shift in his family’s antique story, growing bored quickly of his daily pattern of waiting for someone, anyone, to come in so he could convince them into paying his family’s rent.

But it was miserably hot outside, and no one was out, so there were only empty streets.

And, of course, Jack sitting on the counter, trying to tempt Davey into making horrible decisions. He nudged Davey’s hip with his foot, his old Chuck Taylors ripped up and covered in paint, and when Davey looked over, Jack raised his eyebrows, grinning devilishly and groaning when Davey looked away.

“C’mon, baby, ain’t no one here to see.”

“There could be,” Davey said, opening up the cash register like there’d be something new there. Jack whined pathetically, laying down on the counter and wrinkling his nose.

“Nobody’s out there, and ‘sides, you got the bell to tell ya if anyone comes in.”

Davey busied himself with nonsense. “Don’t got a clue what you’re implying, Kelly.”

“I’m implying that you got a whole bunch of shit in those back rooms that looks real comfy.” Davey’s face screwed up, and Jack cackled. “I love when you get prudish.”

“Who the fuck says prudish anymore?”

“Me, when you’s being prudish. Come on, Dave. You ain’t possibly sold that old armchair yet, it looks fancy.”

“I am not going to make out with you in my parents’ business,” Davey insisted, and he pursed his lips to avoid smiling when Jack took his hand and kissed his knuckles.

“When does your shift end?” Jack asked, and Davey checked the old clock next to the register.

“Four hours.”

Jack rolled his eyes and swung his legs over the counter, tugging Davey a little closer. “You sure know how to torture a guy.”

“It’s a gift,” Davey said quietly, grinning at Jack. “You gonna do anything about it?”

That got him a glare. “Evidently not.”

Davey looked past Jack’s head, at the empty street and the heat hanging in the air. He looked back at Jack, and finally relented. “Ten minutes.”

In seconds, Jack seized Davey's hand and dragged him to the back of the store. They passed through perilously stacked furniture and decorations and knick-knacks that his family had acquired over the years and still had little success in selling.

Davey was shaken out of that thought when Jack fell into one of the nearby armchairs, tugging Davey's hand again.

Despite the relatively poor circumstances in which the Jacobs family lived, the antique shop was an expansive place, plenty of hidden corners, and Davey was all the more lucky for it.

Some amount of time after they ran off-- seven minutes, maybe?-- the bell attached to their door rang, and Davey swore against Jack's throat.

He scrambled backwards, desperately tugging down his shirt from where Jack had rucked it up. He frantically surveyed Jack to see how presentable he was.

In short, Jack looked wrecked. And gorgeous, and definitely not presentable. Anybody who saw him would immediately know.

Davey started to look desperately for a mirror, praying he didn't look similar, and Jack seemed to understand his thoughts. He jumped up and held Davey still, tugging a few of his curls back into place.

"You look fine," he said quietly. "Say you were carrying something, it'll explain…" He pinched Davey's cheek. "Y'know, the roses."

A women's voice called from the front of the store, and Jack tugged him in for a quick, hard kiss. "Go sell something, I'll hide in the back."

Davey grinned at him madly, terrified adrenaline pumping through his veins. "Love you," he said, rushing to the front of the store before he could consider his words for even a moment.

It was only when he was halfway through talking up a table that he remembered the implications of what he'd said.

When the woman finally left, Jack had already escaped through the back.

Davey raked his fingers through his own hair. "Shit," he said, with no one to hear him but the odd cat-shaped clock.

After four more hours of work, and then a truly awful evening of financial planning and "family dinner", Davey had pretty much accepted that his day was over and he wasn't doing much other than paperwork and going to bed.

Their office was the only extra room in the house that they rented, in the back with a window that overlooked their tiny yard. Davey didn’t quite like the look of the yard at night, though, so he had the blinds down while he worked on inventory and returns and other things he cared about only by necessity. 

And then he heard a few swift little taps, and he rolled up the blinds to see none other than Jack beaming at him. He beckoned with one finger, and Davey only considered things for a moment before he turned his lamp off and headed for the door.

He slipped his shoes on as he left as quietly as he could, looking around in the darkness and nearly gagging at the thick nighttime humidity. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and had to muffle his own shriek when he turned around and saw the faint outline of Jack beaming.

“Bastard!” Davey whispered through the darkness, and Jack laughed, his hands finding Davey’s face and pulling him into a kiss.

For a few minutes, Davey was content to stand like that with him, gripping Jack’s hips and pulling him closer and closer, shielded from his family’s view and the streetlights by overgrown bushes and trees on either side of them.

Jack finally pulled away, breathing quickly. “C’mon, I wanna take you somewhere.”

“Lead the way, baby.”

They ran into the street together, where Jack’s old pickup truck was waiting for them, and Davey giggled when Jack skidded over to hold the passenger’s door open for him. Jack’s truck was an absolute rustbucket of a disaster, but it was kind that night, staying mostly quiet as they raced far away from Davey’s world.

Davey didn’t give much thought to where they were going until Jack came to a stop in the middle of a field, a mostly barren one primarily occupied by weeds and tall grass.

He peered out of the window. “Where are we?”

Jack shrugged. “Beats me. Told me I’d take ya somewhere, right?”

“So there ain’t any purpose to this?”

“‘Course there is. I wanna see you.” Jack reached over and squeezed Davey’s hand, then jerked his head back towards the bed of the truck. “C’mon, I got an air mattress back there, we can get comfy.”

Jack jumped out of the truck, heading to the back, and Davey shook his head as he exited a bit more gingerly. “You really planned this, huh?”

“Duh. How’s a man supposed to woo his lover?”

Davey clambered into the bed of the truck, taking in Jack and the flashlights he had set up to give them a little visibility and the air mattress that Jack was lounged out on. He wasn’t sure quite what to say to any of it, but he managed, “So I’m ya lover now?”

“Obviously,” Jack declared with a smile, tugging Davey forward to lay down with him. He pressed a few soft kisses to Davey’s collarbone.

That reminded Davey of what he’d said, and he pursed his lips a little as Jack continued his ministrations. “When I, uh… what I said…” He trailed off, sighing when Jack bit down. “If you don’t wanna… mention it…”

Jack pulled away, his brow furrowed. “Why wouldn’t I?” Davey gaped, scrambling for words, and Jack took his hand, kissed each of his knuckles. “I love you, too. Best thing I ever heard you say.”

That was… puzzling. It must have shown on Davey’s face, because Jack tilted his head. “You did… mean it, didn’t ya?”

“Yes!” Davey rushed to exclaim, clinging to Jack’s hand. “Yeah, of course, it just… complicates things, don’t it?”

Jack blinked, looking down at their hands and then sighing. “I mean… yeah. Yeah, but… God, Dave, I love you. I’m so in love with you, I feel antsy every second I ain’t with you. I just wanna be with you, that’s all. That’s it.”

Maybe it was the way he said it, so earnest and kind. Maybe it was the way his eyes were even darker at night, or the way their dim, artificial light cast odd shadows across his skin, or the way that his hair stuck to his forehead in the humidity. Maybe it was just that Davey loved him, and he had for longer than either of them knew, and he wanted, he had always wanted, only for Jack to love him, too.

Whatever the reason, he lunged forward and kissed him, as good as he knew how to. He clung to Jack, one hand in his hair and the other on his hip, pulling him closer and closer until there wasn’t any space left for them to breathe in.

Jack groaned, wrapping his arms around Davey’s waist and rolling onto his back so Davey was laying on top of him, letting everything fade to a dull roar around them. Cicadas and waving grass and crickets quieted and finally went silent in Davey’s ears as he dipped his head to kiss along Jack’s jaw and then down his neck.

There they were, in the bed of Jack’s rustbucket pickup truck, and their world was finally quiet.

When they were finished, Jack tucked his head into the crook of Davey’s neck, and Davey ran his fingers through Jack’s hair. The night was still too hot and humid, but Davey could hardly bring himself to care as they breathed together.

“Davey?” Jack asked eventually, and Davey nodded a little in response. He felt Jack’s breaths get softer against his shoulder, and then: “What happens? If folks find out? If your dad…”

Davey exhaled softly, brushing the tips of his fingers over Jack’s back. “I dunno. He… It’s… I got no clue what he’s gonna do. And that scares me.”

“If he…” Jack trailed off, and Davey sighed.

“If he tries to beat the shit out of me, I might… I might take it. He’s my dad. I can’t fight him back.”

“Yes, you can. You can, Davey, you should. He’s an awful bastard.”

“Jack.” Davey tipped up Jack’s chin so he could look him in the eyes. “I know he’s wrong. And I wish I could. But if it comes to it…”

Jack exhaled slowly, his shoulders slacking. “He’s your dad. I know.”

They returned to holding each other like they had before, and Jack pressed a few comforting kisses to Davey’s bare shoulder. “If he comes for me…”

“Fight back,” Davey said firmly. “But don’t… please don’t go too far.”

“I won’t,” Jack murmured. Davey felt Jack’s lips pursed, and he waited for the exception. “I… I dunno what I’m gonna do if I see you hurt ‘cause of him.” Hot tears fell against Davey’s skin, and he gasped, holding Jack tighter. “Y’already are, but… bruises, cuts, I’d…” Davey’s own eyes burned as Jack choked out small breaths. “I hate him, Davey, I hate him for makin’ us think about all this.”

“I know. I know, doll, I know. It’s just… We can’t escape.”

Jack stilled, and after a moment, he said, “Why not?”

“What are you… What?”

Jack pulled back, taking Davey’s face in his hands, his eyes dangerously aglow. “Why can’t we escape? Why can’t we just run?”

“My-- Jack, my family--”

“Your parents ain’t given you nothing but hell.”

“My siblings, they’ll--”

“You can send them money, Davey, talk to them before. You can keep them afloat from far away.”

“This is crazy. This is insane. You’re crazy.”

“Why? We’re happy. We can keep being happy, far away from your folks. Happiness without all the dark shit they bring. We can live together, get real jobs, kiss whenever we want!”

Jack’s enthusiasm, like always, was infectious, and Davey felt himself falling. “Where’d we go?” he asked, his voice soft like when he prayed.

“Anywhere. New York, Santa Fe, San Diego, Chicago, some tiny suburb somewhere. I don’t care where we call home, you’re home.”

That slipped right through Davey’s ribcage and found his heart, piercing and tugging with the deep, necessary love he had for Jack. “I don’t have my stuff.”

“Then we leave tomorrow. Pack up what you need, sneak it with you when you go to work tomorrow. I’ll pick you up there, and we just…” Jack snapped his fingers. “Vanish. Become town legends.”

Davey hated that he had to choose-- be loved by your family, be loved by your lover. But then again, Jack was the only person who had ever loved him bravely, loved him when it was difficult, loved him unconditionally. No matter how many times he had to sneak out Davey’s window at night, no matter how many times he couldn’t hold Davey’s hand, no matter how many nights and days were interrupted. He just loved Davey, and Davey loved him back.

“Okay,” he said, the word leaving his throat like it had been waiting there forever. “Okay. Yeah, let’s go.”

“Really?”

“Yes,” Davey said again, a beam spreading across his face. “Yes, let’s go. Tomorrow at ten in the morning. Let’s just go.”

Jack crashed forward and kissed him firmly, and as Davey pulled him closer, he felt Jack melt into his arms.

Davey turned over the bracelet in his hands. He’d only had a few minutes with Les and Sarah while he was driving them to school, but they’d all cried in that time, and when he let them out, they ran around the side to hug him tightly. Les had demanded that Davey get back in touch once everyone was out of Esther and Mayer’s home, and Sarah had given him the bracelet, saying that purple looked better on him.

There was a rumbling outside as Jack’s truck pulled to a stop, and Davey looked around the store one more time, shouldering the backpack that he had fit his life in. For good measure, he snatched a little pocketwatch from their jewelry display before flipping the sign to “CLOSED” and locking the front door one last time.

Jack grinned when Davey got in the truck. “Where to?”

Davey took Jack’s free hand and stared at the empty road. “Just drive, baby.”

“As you wish.”

They jolted forward, and Jack cranked the air conditioning up so high that Davey’s curls blew back with the force of it.

A weight slowly lifted off his heart as they merged onto the highway, and it felt a little like finally loving freely.

[authoressskr]

Last Christmas (Part Two)

Pairings: Gabriel x Reader (Past), Gadreel x Reader (Current) AU  ++  Warnings: Angst, Language  ++ Based on the song “Last Christmas” by Wham! Song Lyrics in Italics  ++  Word Count: 2312

Note: Do NOT repost, copy and paste, post or share my works on any other platform without my EXPRESS PERMISSION. -+- REBLOGGING is fine! -+-

When Gabriel entered the mansion, decorated in deep purples and silvers this year, he felt a fresh, deep wave of guilt wash over him.

Last Christmas had been so immeasurably different. It set an ache in his chest, praying that he could explain everything to her - get her to understand why he’d panicked and ran - not that it could ever excuse what he’d done.

And he knew that.

Just past the foyer, stood his father and two older brothers with bright, easy smiles that slid off their faces when they saw him. Michael gave him a disapproving glance before disappearing further inside.

“Gabriel,” Lucifer calls softly, gesturing him closer. “Long time, no see little brother.”

“Gabriel.” His father’s voice is tight, blue eyes just as piercing as when he was little and done something he knew was wrong. “How’s Kali?” Gabriel’s smiling facade faltered for a second.

“I wouldn’t know. I dropped in to see her, but a friend clued me in that she was angrily planning her wedding. So, I turned tail and came back about a month later.”

“Didn’t stay,” Michael said solemnly, returning to join his brother and their father.

“Uh, no. She wasn’t here, and I needed to apologize, so I checked in with Benny and Samadriel about the shop and decided I’d come back in about a month.” Gabriel swallowed, his honey eyes distance. “And that changed into another month. Then three. Then four.”

“It’s been a year, Gabriel. Things have changed.” Chuck warned before moving into the large hallway where the majority of the party took place.

“Things never change here.” Gabriel scoffed, rolling his eyes at Lucifer with a big grin.

“Shut up.” Michael hissed before following their father, Lucifer putting his hand on his chest with mock tears in his eyes.

“He said shut up to me,” his voice higher before fanning himself as Gabriel rolled his eyes and headed inside.

He was making his way closer to the bar, ready for a bit of liquid courage when he thought he spotted her, making him do nearly a triple take to confirm the fact.

The year had been kind to her.

Her hair was longer, skin aglow as she was handed two flutes of champagne before tossing her head back to laugh at something the bartender had said as “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” last bars rang through the room and a familiar tune started.

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart

But the very next day you gave it away

This year, to save me from tears

I'll give it to someone special

The black peplum dress fit her to a tee, nearly making him groan aloud with those icy blue heels.

But it was his blood that ran cold when he saw who she stopped in front of -- his younger brother, Gadreel -- who was smiling like an idiot while he bounced a baby in his arms to the Christmas tune. Gad took the champagne flute from your hand before bowing down to kiss her as a crushing sensation squeezed his heart and simultaneously knocked the air from his lungs. Gadreel set the flute on the table just behind him, wrapping his now free hand around her waist, before you two begin swaying to the music.

Balthazar then appeared, setting his half-filled whiskey tumbler on the table just behind Gad before plucking the baby from his arms and taking her tiny hand around his forefinger and bouncing gently as Gadreel swept her into his arms, the both of you now dancing properly to the song. Gabriel’s throat tightened as he watched your fingers link through Gad’s, how you two were lost in your own world.

Like the two of you had last Christmas.

But that wasn’t right either…

Once bitten and twice shy

I keep my distance

But you still catch my eye

He’d felt possessive last Christmas, eager to have all her love and attention. But Gadreel didn’t look that way. The look in his eyes when he stared at you was identical to the softness she’d bestowed on him last year.

Gabriel loved you.

But it looked like he wasn’t the only one.

He wished he’d come back sooner now. Maybe then you would still love him.

Well, it's been a year

It doesn't surprise me

Gabriel changes direction, hiding behind a small throng of party-goers as Castiel approaches Balthazar, who is seated a few tables away from where he began, cooing at the baby in his hands who gives a high-pitched, sad little cry. The cry is another pain in Gabriel’s heart, coming to a stop a bit behind his brother.

“Our little princess sounds hungry.” Cas’s deep voice sounds serious, matching the little wrinkles in his forehead.

“Best be heading to see mommy,” There is a fondness in Balthazar’s voice Gabriel hasn’t heard in awhile. Cas takes hold of the baby, cradling the little girl in the tiny crimson dress to his chest and sets off towards Y/N, Balthazar walking in step with him as the two men sing-song “The Itsy Bitsy Spider”, with Gabriel trailing behind him now like a shadow, trying to get a glimpse of the baby’s face.

Now, I know what a fool I've been

So lost in the own whirling of his mind, he doesn’t notice that his brothers had stopped and runs mostly into Cas, drawing all attention of the little group to himself.

My god, I thought you were someone to rely on

“Gabriel?” Your voice is a whisper in the busy room, but it rings loudly in Gabriel’s ears.

“Is that my baby?” He blurts out as Gadreel’s jaw tightens in tandem with the arm around your waist.

A man under cover but you tore me apart

“Yes.” Gabriel sucks in a breath, the truth he’d immediately suspected suddenly standing right in front of him, demanding acknowledgment.

Now, I've found a real love you'll never fool me again

“We - we should talk.” Gabriel manages to stutter out.

“You can come to your dad’s house tomorrow for Christmas breakfast to talk.” Her voice left no room for argument, gathering your - his - daughter in her arms before she takes a few steps towards the grand carpeted staircase.

“What’s her name?” Y/N pauses to look behind her, taking a deep breath as tears well up in her eyes.

“Wren Gabriella Shurley.”

---

“You should follow after her.” Gadreel’s face is a hard mask as he looks down at Gabriel. Gabriel nods, willing his body forward only to be grabbed firmly by Balthazar.

“This doesn’t excuse you from the ass-kicking we’re all going to dole out,” Gabriel smirks at his little brother.

“I expected nothing less, big boy.”

---

Y/N raised an eyebrow at Gabriel’s presence but said nothing, tending to the baby at her breast.

The click of the door behind him, shutting the noise and music out, reminds Gabriel that last year, they’d have been doing the polar opposite of now - Gabriel standing awkwardly by the door.

“Shhh. It’s okay. It’s okay.” She comforts the squirming baby, gently patting her butt as Gabriel looks around the room, suddenly even more at a loss. He moves closer, taking the chair opposite the little loveseat you were perched on, his nerves suddenly swallowing him whole.

“Y/N -” He started, but as soon as you lifted your gaze to meet his, he wants to bolt. It was like being sucked into an abyss of clashing emotion, each trying to clamor it’s way to the forefront - all of it swirling in your beautiful eyes.

“You left me.” You say it so simply and devoid of most emotion, but he sees how hard you swallow and he knows you’re trying not let all the emotions get the better of you.

“I did,” Gabriel answers, ashamedly, ducking his head a bit. “But, it’s...I know this is cliche, but it wasn’t anything to do with you. I realized I was in love with you. Completely. Madly. Consumingly. But, Y/N, I laid there and just kept thinking about how fucked up I am. How you deserve better than me. And how much I was already gonna hurt you when I ran.” His eyes search yours for a sign, for anything. “But I couldn’t fucking stop myself.”

“I didn’t want anyone else, Gabriel.” You admit, a few tears spilling from your eyes before you look away.

“I stared at the odometer, watching each mile pass by...knowing I could turn around and go back and you’d forgive me and-and love me.”

“I called.” She whispers, nearly choking on the words. “I texted. I wrote. I emailed. I-I did everything I could think of, Gabriel. Chuck told me - you know, he told me it wasn’t my fault, that this was your issue - but that you loved me, and you’d be back sooner rather than later.” The baby wriggles once more in her grasp and she breaks eye contact to adjust her. “But you didn’t,” Y/N sniffles a little. “Not even when I called about Wren.”

“I’m so fucking sorry. I am. And I know, I know, that I can’t undo what I’ve done to you...but I won’t run again. I want you to know that. I-I won’t.” She doesn’t seem too moved by his declaration, moving the light purple blanket she’d been holding loosely around Wren to her shoulder before repeating the motion with the baby, softly patting her back.

“I found out February 4th, you know. I called and called and called.” Her chest stutters a little as she takes a deeper breath. “Texted too. She was due the 10th of September.” She smiles fondly at the memory before smoothly tugging the zipper back up on the side of her dress. “She decided to wait three more days. Keep me in suspense, I guess.” Tucking the blanket back into the bag before setting her on your knee with a strained grin. “I’d given up trying to communicate, but when we arrived at the hospital, I tried to call one last time. Your daughter will be here soon. Y/N.” A tight smile is what is offered to Gabriel, one he grabs onto for dear life. “Chuck, Cas, and Gadreel all voted for one last attempt at contact. Michael, Lucifer, Balthazar and Samadriel all voted no.”

“Why’d you do it then?”

“I voted yes too. And since I was still very round with child, I was technically worth two votes.” A few more errant tears slip down her cheeks. “If you would have come back anytime before April, I would have fallen right back into your arms, Gabriel.” A shaky smile is exchanged between the two of them. “I would’ve fallen right back into your arms, Gabe.” She shifts Wren so she’s facing Gabriel, the baby’s eyes this lighter color Gabriel can’t quite nail down, a small line of drool running from her tiny mouth around her fist as he stares at her in wonder. “You know that song that was playing outside? Last Christmas, I gave you my heart. But the very next day you gave it away. This year, to save me from tears. I'll give it to someone special. Well, Gabe, I have.” The heartbroken edge of her voice makes his gaze shift from Wren to Y/N.

“Now I know what a fool I’ve been… Y/N - I can’t change what I’ve done, but I still love you and I want to be here for you two.”

“You can be here for Wren.” She stands, tears falling onto the expensive carpeting. “I can’t love you anymore, Gabriel. It really fucked me up and - and I can’t take that kind of pain or betrayal again. I’m just not strong enough. Your family took me in. They loved me and cared for me when you wouldn’t.”

“Gadreel especially.” Gabriel’s normally unfazed voice has a tinge of bitterness and dismissiveness to it.

“Yes, Gabriel. Gad went with me to every appointment. He held me when I cried myself to sleep in the early months. He took care of, not only your business but also his fucking own job. Gadreel was here - waiting for me to get to a place to trust him.” Gabriel watches all the emotions roll through your eyes again before, the calm before the storm, it suddenly stops. And revealed in those depths was the same look you’d had after you said you loved him, knowing he loved you. But it wasn’t for him this time.

It would never be for him again.

“And just -- one day, it was love. I honestly didn’t think I was gonna be able to love anyone for a long while after you left me alone in your apartment, but I was lying in bed, nearly full term and huge, staring at this beautiful man who was slumped over sleeping in a chair when it suddenly hit me. I’m in love with Gadreel. Part - part of me felt so terrible. I love this man and I’m carrying his wayward brother’s child and I’m a terrible person for taking all his love and care and not reciprocating it enough.” Y/N’s eyes hardened, swallowing hard as she shifted Wren from her left to her right arm. “He deserves to be loved. And so do I, Gabriel.” She slips the baby bag onto her left shoulder before flashing him another tight smile. “If you want to be the man I know you can be for her, come tomorrow for Christmas. And don’t run out on her.”

“I can do that,” Gabriel affirms, watching her and their child disappear behind the heavy mahogany door. He can hear the crinkle of paper in his pocket as he stands, fishing out the note he’d written her before he’d left last Christmas.

Y/N,

    When I said, ‘I love you’, I meant it. Every damn letter.

                                                                         Forgive me,

                                                                             Gabriel

Tagging: @nobodys-baby-now @unleashthemidnight @thewhiterabbit42 @sumara62 @ourloveisforthelovely  @lucis-unicorn @chelsea072498 @clockworkmorningglory @sakurablossom4

[justanoutlawfic]

“I’m dying.” For Snowing (because I am an idiot asking you for angst plus I'm in the mood to read something like this)

Okay, so here I am, sobbing after writing this. I call this…Snowing meets The Notebook. Warning: Major character death.

Also on AO3/FF

“What’s28 years when you have eternal love?”

That was something Snow always kept in the back of hermind. For her and David, those 28 years seemed to go by in a blink of an eye.The world moved around them, their baby girl grew without them being able towatch, as did their grandson (though Snow got to see him).

When the curse broke, they made the most of every day.They had their fights here and there, but overall, they stayed madly in lovewith one another and nothing could change that. They watched as their family wentonto their own happy endings, some starting families of their own.

Being empty nesters was an interesting experience,something they joked might not happen with all the curses, yet it happened.Neal grew up, left home and while he visited, things were definitely different.They traveled, they took a note from Rumple and Belle’s book, visiting therealms that they never got to and seeing old friends.

Things slowed down when they reached their 70s. It startedout small, the little things. Snow would forget where she put her keys or thatshe had put something in the oven, nothing to abnormal.

Then one day when Emma stopped by…she couldn’t rememberher name.

It wasn’t a curse that had done it, at least not one broughton by magic. It was something any normal person could go through, somethingthat probably wouldn’t have been noticed in their original realm.

David found the best specialist and they did what theycould to prevent it from getting worse. Snow took medication, she saw doctors,the whole thing. As things declined, Emma, Neal, Regina, their whole family offeredto step up and help, but David refused. She was his wife, he could care forher.

The morning she woke up and didn’t recognize him wasthe hardest of his life.

So, he did his best to keep her calm, he told hertheir story. The one of the princess turned bandit, who stole a ring from theshepherd turned prince. Slowly, she would remember and things would be good again,for a few days.

There were mornings when she thought they wereroommates and he’d tell her the story once again.

“I’ve heard this before,” she’d whisper when she reached the part of the princekissing the princess awake.

David would smile and stroke her wrinkled knuckles. “You’vedone more than heard it, you’ve lived it.”

One evening after telling their story once again, theycuddled up together in bed. Snow was smiling up at him, though there was somethingdifferent about it.

“I’m dying,” she said, softly.

David shook his head. “Don’t say that.”

“You don’t have to protect me anymore, Charming,” shestroked his chin, it still had that faint scar from all those years ago. “Iknow what’s going on, I know my body.”

Tears gathered in his eyes. “No, this isn’t happening.Not yet, I’m not going to lose you, not again.”

“You’re going to be fine, you’re strong.” She gave hima small kiss. “Just hold me, one last time.”

David didn’t know what else to say, but he had neverbeen one to deny his wife anything. Wrapping his arms around her, he held hertighter than before. His chin laid upon her silver hair. He willed himself tostay awake for as long as he could, not wanting to miss a moment of their last nighttogether.

Sure enough, when Snow White fell asleep that night,she would never wake again.

However, the same would be said for her princecharming. For they shared a heart, their lives were linked to one another.

They went as they did most things, together and inlove.

An ending fit for the most beautiful love story of alltime.

[iamsonyeondone]

we’re a two-player game // jeon jungkook part 2

pairing: jeon jungkook x reader

word count: 1.8k

genre: anGST but dont worry it ends with fluff

part 1 here

You knocked the door a few times before turning the knob and peeking into the room. Jungkook was on his computer, face expressionless. You knew he wasn’t concentrating because he kept getting shot by all of his opponents - they probably thought that he was an easy shot from the way he played. And they were absolutely right.  

Your heart began to pound and it had been a while since Jungkook seemed so distracted. The last time this happened was when a girl had rejected him during his freshman year.

“Hey, Kookie? Aren’t you hungry?” You asked softly, not wanting to interrupt his match even if you desperately wanted his attention on you. Jungkook simply shook his head, his eyes never leaving the screen. Something was definitely not right.

“You know you can tell me anything if it’s bothering you. I’m always here if you need a listening ear,” you raised your voice a little louder, ensuring that he could hear every word you said. But all he did was murmur.

“I’m fine. I’ll be done once this annoying scum is dead.” That was all Jungkook could reply with, not even a glance towards your direction to acknowledge your presence. He seemed more mad then upset as you had predicted. But why was he acting that way? Were there not enough meat in the rice? The last time you checked, Jungkook took charge of the portions and you simply made do with his preferences. So that was definitely not the answer. You tried to rack further into your brain to find the answer, but to no avail.

“It would be nice if you actually looked at me while I’m talking, y'know,” Your temper began to heat from all the frustration that was fueling it. You wanted him to be straightforward with you but seeing as he had already started a passive aggressive war, you knew he was never going back until everything was settled, or when he explodes.

Jungkook looked straight into your eyes, the twinkle in them were now gone and his eyes were dull, only the reflection of the screen were seen in them. You were terrified at how you couldn’t identify his emotions - when he crinkled his nose in disgust or when his eyebrows rose in confusion. In this case, there were no hints as to what Jungkook was feeling. And you were more petrified at the fact that you wouldn’t be able to know how to make him feel better, to see the toothy grin that you already miss so much.

“Kookie…I-”

“If there’s nothing else you need to say, then I’m resuming my game. You’re distracting me from getting this guys ass kicked and it’s getting annoying,” He mumbled, already fumbling with his headset. You were stunned, frozen to the ground. Your best friend was now cold and distant, as if the years of friendship meant nothing. It brought a pang of pain straight through your chest, burning you from the inside and out. The pain you felt was now a leaky faucet, your tears running down your flushed cheeks as you snuffled instinctively. Before you knew it, the leaky faucet was turned into a full outbreak of tears and you weren’t the only one who was shocked at the sight of your break down.

“Yah, Jungkook. If you didn’t have any nice words to say, keep your damn mouth shut,” Taehyung was at the door, his eyebrows were furrowed and the smile that was plastered on his face just a minute ago was now replaced with a frown. He looked towards you, his eyes filled with sympathy at the sight of you. He grabbed your wrist firmly, leading you out of the room as fast as possible. Even with all the denying and ‘I’m fine’s that you could muster or even attempt to speak with the sniffling, it did not reach Tae’s ears. Even if it did, it would have easily slipped out from the other.

——————

The both of you were now at their balcony, the wind of fresh air washing over you with serenity. Your sniffles died down as you wiped your cheeks clean off of the tears that drenched them.

“(Y/N)… What happened back there? Sorry for intruding but I was about to call both of you down because neither of you touched the food. It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me about it. Only do it when you’re ready, okay?”  Taehyung held your hands gently, leading you to the chairs. You thanked him timidly, taking a seat in one of them while Taehyung took the other. And once you took a glance into Tae’s worried eyes once more, the cat was out of the bag in a flash.

“That boy is so oblivious sometimes, it gets on my nerves,” He groaned, ruffling his hair in frustration once you ended the story with a sigh. 

“Oblivious to what?” You questioned. You knew Jungkook could be pretty dumb at making decisions - as reflected on his sleeping schedules - but what could he be oblivious to that related to the mess that happened just a few minutes ago?

“Well, looks like we don’t have only one oblivious idiot either,” Taehyung sighed, getting up from his seat as he slipped out from the sliding doors as you followed him out of curiosity.

“Tae! Tell me!” You whined, clinging onto his sleeve. But before you could investigate any further, Jungkook left his room, the slouching and wrinkles his forehead were evident. You were relieved that you could finally find out what he was feeling in that moment. He was stressed, probably due to the fact that you had an unexpected meltdown right in front of him. And now that you remembered the embarrassing scene, you hid behind Taehyung, squeezing yourself to fit Taehyung’s silhouette.

The two boys glanced at one another. Jungkook remained silent while Taehyung scoffed, approaching Jungkook in a split second and slapped the back of his head.

“How could you be so stupid to make her cry? Of all people, her!” Tae was close to screaming his lungs out. He stepped aside to reveal your frightened state, trembling and fidgeting with the hem of your shirt. You looked up to see Jungkook’s eyes on you, a more identifiable look in them than the black vortex that it was before. 

“I’m not resolving the problem you just caused, I’m heading downstairs to feed my anger because you two- never mind,” He huffed, flailing his arms in the air before trudging down the stairs. And once the silence welcomed you with open arms, you realized that Taehyung was no more there to hide you behind him anymore.

—————

Jungkook stood at his door frame, glancing towards you every now and then. As you did the same. You were planning on what to say to him, to explain to him and put him in your shoes - the unbearable pain in your chest and that seeing him in an unidentifiable state frightened you. After the thorough planning, you spoke. Just when he did to.

“(Y/N) I’m sorry,”

“I’m sorry, Jungkook,”

You stared into each other’s eyes, the words disappearing into the ether, along with the tension. In an instant, a smile tugged at his lips as you giggled at the coincidental moment. He walked towards you with a new-found confidence but the timidness still lingered. Grabbing a hold of your wrist, he pulled you towards him gently, embracing you tightly.

“Seeing you cry like that… Is ugly,”

“Kookie, that’s not how you comfort a girl,”

“Well, aren’t you impatient? You didn’t even let me finish. For the fact that I made you cry that hard, is an unforgivable mistake. It’s ok if you won’t forgive me, because I won’t either. Thinking about it pains my heart so much and I shouldn’t have let my anger take over me….I was just so frustrated for some reason… When you seemed so happy with Jimin-hyung, with the brightest smile on your face, I was… Jealous,”

At this moment, you shot your head up, facing him with the most confused and surprised expression. He was jealous? About Jimin? He was an idiot to believe that you seemed happier with him when most of your cherished memories had Jungkook in it. But did he mean that he wanted to be more than friends?

“What do you mean?”

“You know damn well what I mean, (Y/N),” He chuckled, wiping the stray hairs away from your face so that he could have a better look at you.

His heart skipped a beat at the mere sight of you. Even if you wore the most comfiest clothing in the world, it would bring butterflies in his stomach and turn his hands clammy. He had fallen so madly in love you.

“I like you, (Y/N). Not only for your company, your best hugs, or your amazing cooking,” He chuckled sheepishly. The boy was dying under the pressure of awaiting your answer, the tirade of questions filling his mind. 

“I-I like you too, more than friends. Definitely more than best friends,” You breathed, your fingers holding tight onto his sweater like you were about to fall at any moment. It was no surprise, because the way Jungkook looked into your eyes with the brightest twinkle in them and with the widest smile, it made your knees weak.

“I guess I finally found my Tracer to my Widowmaker.” He chuckled, leaning his forehead onto yours, your lips now inches apart. The tiny distance tempted you as you pulled him by the collar, your lips colliding, melting into the kiss. It was warm and calming, the past disastrous events being forgotten in a split second and for once, the world seemed perfect. Once the both of you broke away, with a tiny gasp for air, a shy smile adorned your face as you nuzzled into his chest. 

“Never knew the day would come when you would be this fatally cute. And that I’m your victim of it, not anyone else,” He chuckled, tightening his grasp around you as if you would leave him once more.

“And I never knew that you suck at pick up lines. 'Tracer to your Widowmaker’? C'mon Kookie, where’s the guy who’s infamous for being a heartbreaker?” You slowly looked up towards him, this new stage of your relationship didn’t seem so overwhelming.

Sure, there were more skinship between you two but other than that, the aspects from your friendship remained the same. Others would say that your relationship wouldn’t last, that the spark between you two were dwindling. But they don’t realize that a 'spark’ wasn’t needed for you to feel loved and neither did Jungkook. You both were content with binging video games and movies, and the crave for a heart-racing moment just didn’t seem that necessary. 

[sharonisantisocialimagines]

I Am Human - Part VII

Pairing: Jared x reader Summary: He’s one of the two main actors. He’s 28, sexy, charming and funny. She’s the new girl on set. The new assistent from a foreign country. And she is only 20 years old. She is also the one who stole his heart in milliseconds, just by being herself.  Jared Padalecki and (Y/N) (Y/L/N) are what you like to call starcrossed lovers, two fitting pieces of a puzzle. But we all know love is not easy. So what happens if their age difference becomes a problem? Can (Y/N) keep working for Jared when feelings get involved? And what secret is she hiding from him? Warning: None

I Am Human Masterlist

Sorry for the long break, I have an exam in two weeks and currently I’m spending all my free time studying for that, so yeah… This is kind of a personal chapter… there is much of myself in (Y/N) in this chapter and I really hope I could portray my thoughts here… :) 

“I’m confused. I’ve been watching you and Jared eye fuck each other for weeks now and when he finally makes a move you shy back?”

(Y/N) closed her eyes in frustration. Jensen would probably laugh at her if she tried to explain her worries; her fear. 

“I didn’t ‘shy back’! I’m being realistic here. Even if he was serious as he kissed me, he’ll change his mind the moment he gets to know more of me. It’s always like this, Jensen. It won’t be any different with Jared.”

How could she not see how madly in love this moose was with her? He would go to the end of the world for her – Jensen couldn’t imagine how hurt he must’ve been at what she had said to him.

“You’re not realistic. You’re stubborn… Look, I don’t want to fight you, but I’ve known Jared for a few years now, and I’ve never seen him so serious with a girl. You are not being a ‘realist’ or whatever you want to call it, you’re being safe. And that’s okay, but maybe, maybe you should try and open up every now and then. I get it that you were hurt, trust me I understand you better than you may think, but with no risk comes no success.”

She knew Jensen was right. She knew he was, but it was so easy for him to say this. He wasn’t dropped after getting a love confession for some ex-girlfriend. He wasn’t dropped for a so called ‘friend’, and neither was he ignored after successful dates. He was Jensen Ackles, and just like Jared, he would never understand what went through her head.

“You don’t get it.”

She was ready to walk away, to call in sick or something so she could go home. She couldn’t do this. She wasn’t good in talking about her feelings, especially to the best friend of the guy she may have fallen in love with.

“Then explain it. Make me understand, cause I can’t see you struggling with this any longer!”

“Jensen.”

Before (Y/N) could react to the desperate voice of her friend, Jared’s voice appeared and they both jumped at the sound. How long had he been standing there? 

“Can you give us a minute?”

Jensen nodded his head, watching the both of them with weary eyes. (Y/N) had won a special place in his heart, and Jared was like a brother to him – he couldn’t see them hurting any more.

“I’m sorry for him.”

Were the first words Jared spoke to her. He smiled sheepishly and sat on the floor, encouraging her to take a seat next to him.

“I was lost and confused but… I had no right to tell him about what happened. I’m sorry.”

(Y/N) just shook her head. Jared was the last person who had to be sorry about something.

“He’s right, I mean… I am playing safe. But I just forgot how to trust someone, I guess.”

Jared inspected her sad face. She looked many years older like this, and he realised he may have only seen a little part of her past as he found her in front of her apartment. Maybe there was more, maybe she was treated the wrong way just too many times to give in so easily.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

She shook her head.

“Maybe…maybe you can tell me what you’re scared off. I don’t want to scare you; I want you to be comfortable. And you can’t tell me you didn’t like me kissing you two days ago. We wouldn’t be here if this was it.”

She couldn’t help but smile a little. No, they really wouldn’t be here if this was the case. She was just too scared to even admit to herself how much she had liked this kiss.

“I…” she sighed. “Every time I decided to give someone a chance and open up my heart, I ended up being the idiot. It was all good and nice until it got serious and they got to know the real me. That’s when they decided I wasn’t worth their time.”

“It sounds like you’ve walked into a bunch of dicks in your life.”

She let out a dry laugh and leaned her head back on the wall. Her hair fell away from her face and Jared could see some tiny freckles on her face – she hid them well underneath her make up, but they were still there and visible.

“Well, I can assure you that won’t happen again.”

(Y/N) rolled her eyes. What else should he say? Everyone would say this, but in the end they’d run off scared because she wasn’t as easy and ‘normal’. She always told herself nobody was really ‘normal’, but it appeared as if she was the only one that wasn’t.

“Yeah, sure.”

“(Y/N), can’t you see it?”

She wrinkled her forehead. See what?

“I’m head over heels for you. You could tell me to jump out that window and I’d do it for you! I feel like I’ve never felt before!”

This whole discussion was ridiculous. No matter what Jared thought he saw in her, she knew he was wrong. And Jared realized there was nothing he could do to change her mind.

“Jared, I’m damaged. I’m not like a car you can fix up. I’m never gonna run right.”

“Did you seriously just use a Twilight quote to describe yourself?”

Even (Y/N) laughed at this. How she remembered this quote just now, she had no idea. This whole thing wasn’t funny, but on the other hand, it was. Famous TV Actor Jared Padalecki was fighting for her love - it may not be funny, but certainly comical.

“I’ll prove you you’re worth it. Maybe you won’t believe in yourself, but I do. And I’ll show you how much you mean to me.”

His large hand reached over and grabbed hers, intertwining their fingers and giving it a comforting squeeze. He would go slow. He would give her all the time she needed, give her space and prove her he was serious. (Y/N) didn’t have to say it out loud for Jared to know she was inexperienced. 

Even this situation alone seemed to scare her away, so what would happen if she would give him a chance? Had she been in a relationship before? Or would this be a new experience for her? How far could he go without pressuring her into anything? After all, Jared was still eight years older and had more experience in pretty much everything. 

He couldn’t just assume they would share a bed or take a shower together. If he understood correctly, (Y/N) had never had someone she trusted enough to do these things with.

Tagging: @i-wish-i-could-be-peter-pan @iamnotsaneatall @chelseypaigeake @padackles2010 @impalaimagining @itsilvermorny @haseaufdrogen

[spirit-assassins-blog1]

tarine.

You wrinkle your nose at the scent of the awful Tarine tea you hold in each of your hands, and you know he can sense your disgust, both because you know him better than you know yourself, and because you can see the way the corners of his mouth have turned up into the shadow of a smile.

You hand him a cup of the stuff before you sit down beside him on the floor, and you wait for him to take a sip from his cup before beginning on your own. That he eats and drinks regularly is more important to you than doing the same yourself, and you often worry that if you weren't around that he wouldn't.

Since the Empire took Jedha, things have been that way. He was always far too charitable, far too good, far to kind for his own good. He's always put everyone else before himself, and if you didn't put him first, nobody would. Killi Gimm might, perhaps, and Kaya, but even that was a maybe - they still have almost a dozen children in their care, who take up most, if not all, of their time.

That was why, even after you lost your faith, even after you gave up your role as a Guardian, you could never abandon Jedha. Yes, it is still your home, and that is reason enough to stay for some, but many others have abandoned the moon despite that, and you would happily have been among them if not for the blind idiot you got yourself attached to. He needs you, and he can't abandon his place on Jedha, can't leave the Temple of the Kyber behind him. You remain only for him.

And while he rarely acknowledges that, you know he knows. While he rarely gives you anything but trouble, you know he knows. While he rarely does anything that doesn't annoy you every which way - oftentimes deliberately - you know he knows. He knows that he's everything keeping you on Jedha, and he does appreciate, he's just terrible at showing it.

You wouldn't have it any other way, really. You can't imagine a world where he's anything other than overly annoying, playing up his blindness as if he can't see better than you can in spite of it. It doesn't make you angry, like you know it should, but instead, it only serves to endear him to you further.

As if he can hear your thoughts - which he might actually be able to do, you really aren't clear on how he just seems to know things about everyone he meets, and he does always seem to know exactly what you're thinking - he lifts his head, pale, unseeing eyes meeting your own. He's smiling again, but it's a different smile, he's no longer smiling at your hatred of Tarine tea, he's just smiling. You like seeing that. It seems like less and less frequently the Guardian is presented with a good reason to smile lately - since the Empire took the moon they called their home - and you only ever realise how much that saddens you when he does smile. You've missed seeing his smile, the way you swear his eyes light up despite the white milkiness of them, and the way he seems to lose several years when his face lights up. He doesn't smile like that anymore, but even a small smile like the one you're presented with now is good enough.

"What are you smiling at?" you ask him, despite knowing the answer already. Whenever you think about him he seems to take it as a compliment, even if you're thinking the most horrible things imaginable - which you usually aren't - and as a result you've found yourself thinking of him more and more.

"You," he replies simply, the same answer he always gives in response to the same question you always ask. You two really have fallen into a loop. Neither of you really mind.

"Me?" you prompt, looking for elaboration that you know he'll give you.

"You," he reiterates, with a nod this time as the last of that Tarine tea is drained from his cup, and the empty cup set on the floor. "You're thinking."

"I am. I do that sometimes."

"I've noticed."

"You know what I'm thinking about?"

"I always do."

"Will you share?

"Do I need to?"

"Humour me?"

He sighs and gives in, as he always does, still smiling, "You're thinking about me, again," he tells you, "about us. I can feel it."

"Correct."

"We both knew I would be correct before I spoke, Baze Malbus."

You smile at the way your name sounds on his lips, shrugging, "Perhaps."

"Have I ever been wrong before?"

"Well..." you tease, before exhaling in amusement through your nose, and shaking your head. While he can't see it, you know he'll feel it, "No, you haven't."

He settles for looking pleased with himself in response, hands clasped in his lap, small, smug smile on his lips. This usually ends up happening, and you always seem to fix the situation the same way - well, you call it "fixing", because it gets rid of that smug little smile - you bet he knows what's coming, in fact he probably wants you to react as you plan to.

He never does make the first move, he simply provokes it from you, it's how things have always been between you two, for years. In fact, ever since you met him, he's always seemed to know all your buttons, and just how to push them. It's infuriating, but simultaneously the most incredible thing you've ever known. Now that you think of it, that's a pretty good way of describing the man himself.

But your thoughts are abandoned when you begin to lean in towards him, setting your cup down on the floor. He doesn't move much, so you have to close the distance almost entirely on your own, placing one hand on the floor to keep yourself steady. You feel a small jolt from him when your lips meet his, and you can't help laughing softly through your nose. After a moment, you can feel his eyes closing - reflexively, you assume, since it doesn't really make any difference to him - and his hand comes up to rest on your shoulder. You rest the hand that isn't steadying you on his cheek, cupping his face gently and brushing your thumb along his cheekbone.

After a few moments, he pulls back, resting his forehead against yours and smiling. You let your hand fall to his shoulder, opening your eyes to look at him. Up close like this you can see every detail, every pore, the smaller lines on his face, from the stress of living under the Empire. It's always when you're closest to him that you can best appreciate how beautiful he really is. Maybe you're biased, you've been madly in love with him for years after all, but you don't think there's ever been a sentient who was more beautiful in all the galaxy.

"You still think like a newlywed," he muses, his voice soft, snapping you out of your daze, "as if the novelty of a new relationship never wore off for you."

"Was it supposed to?" 

"Perhaps not."

You remain silent for a moment, thinking on what he said. You do tend to think of him the way you would imagine a newlywed thinking of their spouse, you realise now, and that kind of surprises you, despite the fact that he just told you so himself. You never really acknowledged that, you just let yourself think of him the way you did automatically.

You can tell by his smile that he knows you've realised he's right, "Don't misunderstand," he tells you after a second, "I don't think there's anything wrong with the way you think. In fact, I find it rather endearing. It's just uncommon for someone to still consider their partner like that after so many years."

"I can't imagine seeing you any other way."

"After this long, I don't believe you ever will."

"How do you see me?"

"I don't."

You sigh, wondering how you managed not to see that coming. You can't help laughing, though, and that just makes it all the more infuriating.

"You think you're hilarious, don't you?"

"So do you."

"Shut up."

"Make me."

Well, you never were one to refuse him what he wants. You don't move as slowly as you did last time, so he seems even more surprised when he feels your lips against his, and even emits some noise akin to a yelp when you hoist him up into your lap. You hear a cup fall over, and assume it's his. It's empty, so you aren't bothered too much.

You kiss him deeper this time, now that he's closer and you don't have to lean on your hand to keep yourself upright. You can feel his arms draped over your shoulders, and rest your hands at either side of his waist, holding him steady.

He's the first to pull away again - he isn't quite as good at breathing and kissing simultaneously as you are - and he grins up at you breathlessly. That grin makes your heart skip a beat, it's so close to being as enthusiastic as some of the smiles you would see from him before Jedha fell.

He pauses for a moment, his attention seemingly directed at the floor behind him - although you can't be certain seeing as he can't exactly look there - and laughs softly through his nose. You raise an eyebrow, wondering what might be amusing him, but as soon as you glance over his shoulder you know. It wasn't his cup that fell. It was yours, which was still more than half full. You sigh, burying your face in the crook of his neck.

"Not cleaning it up," you mumble.

"You knocked it over."

"With you."

He shakes his head, rubbing your back as though you were upset rather than just irritated, "I'll clean it up for you, then."

"No, no," you huff, standing up and setting him on his feet, "you can go to sleep now. I'll clean it up."

He rolls unseeing eyes, although you can tell he was expecting this. He stands up on his toes - and you have to lean down anyway - to kiss your cheek, before simply leaving you to it, he knows you'll join him soon enough.

Once the floor doesn't smell like Tarine tea.