#he drove me home and we got iced coffee

[inkskinned]

people have to make their own choices and make their own mistakes and you know that but you're on your third gin cocktail.

she's almost-angry while she talks. "he took the train with me. all the way home. it's an hour in the wrong direction." she's got a bright yellow raincoat and round glasses. she looks cute and thoughtful and like she reads books a lot. she's his type and you know that.

the bartender rolls her eyes and points to you. "he drove this one to her grandma's house. six hours both ways."

you were younger then, hadn't ever kissed a girl yet. were still saying "bicurious" because of your irish catholic family. it was so long ago skinny jeans were still socially acceptable.

and you'd met him, and he'd been perfect. his narrow face and dark hair and his wry self-deprecation. and - okay, yes, the fact he was a singer/songwriter was also hot. you liked the feeling of sundays with him, the two of you noodling through his new songs together while you slowly learned to play bass guitar. you liked writing his name on your converse. you liked his ironic "mom" tattoo and his fancy coffee obsession and his scrappy handwriting.

you didn't know, then, what kind of man he was. maybe he didn't either; he was young too. you say it into your earl-grey-gin-something. "he has... a playbook, i guess. the things he does... he does it with everyone."

she looks at you with wide, beautiful eyes. jesus christ, she's young. "we stood outside in the rain, just talking," she says. "i know that can't be fake. i have a ton of, like. examples here. he's a good guy. you should have seen him. i'm not, like, a complete idiot."

did you play defense attorney with him like this? did you bristle when others warned you about how quickly he leaves women?

you gnaw the thin black straw and stare at the other side of the building, where his band is setting up to play. you have no true rage against him, but it's not fun to watch him ruin other women. "did he get you a little stuffed animal yet?" yours had been a panda.

she stares at you and then nods, just once, stiffly.

you hold out your hand and start listing things, weighing them on your fingers. "did he tell you that he'd never seen someone like you, that you move like a dancer or something?" at her nod, you continue. "buys you ice cream and then drives up to the river to watch the stars? shows up at your place just because he missed your voice? takes you to the pet store to look at the fish?"

the bartender points at you. "don't forget he does that little dog game he does."

you close your eyes. you remember him in his stupid leather jacket, bouncing on his toes. he'd gotten the petstore clerk to allow him to handle a ferret. you had vibrated with joy, wrestling the noodle bodies from hand to hand. and then he'd said we're going to live together. we're going to get a big dog and a big lawn and -

"you get into a fake fight about what you'll name the dog," you monotone.

"chili," she says. she sets her jaw a little higher, and you catch a flash of muscle clenching. "we settled on chili. it's gonna be an irish setter."

the bartender snorts while she maneuvers deftly through making a batch of espresso martinis. "sounds about right. now i've got two rotties, but when that shit happened to me? we chose Portland. and we were gonna get a samoyed." she snorts again. "as if he could afford that grooming bill."

you had actually started that conversation in the pet store. you wanted a big, slobbery dog. a mutt, but a big mutt. something mastiff-like. something that you could walk alone at night with. your family has a tradition of "letting the dog name itself," where you'd write all the potential names on a piece of paper and then throw them. whatever the dog went to, it'd be the dog's name.

but he had said name it something girly since it's so big. he suggested Lavender or Pansy. at the time you'd thought it was funny and cut and sort of sweet. he wanted to pick up a dog from the ASPCA that weekend, he said. i'm gonna go get us Lavender. you hadn't learned yet that he would promise you a river but never even deliver a raindrop.

"it's like this every time, babe," the bartender says, not unkindly. "i'm sorry. i've seen too many like this, and you seem like a sweet kid."

the other woman bristles. "i'm not a kid. thanks for your advice. but." she stands up, slaps a ten down, stalks away.

the bartender looks at you and holds her hands up and shrugs. you shake your head and look down into the drink, stirring it idly.

"do you think he's written her the four lines yet?" the bartender asks, pushing a drink to someone.

you almost flinch, but don't. you'd been in the back shed, practicing together. he said he had a present for you - the beginnings of a new song. really just a couplet more than anything, barely more than 30 seconds. it should have made you feel glorious, feral, glowing.

but you had stood there, realizing you had books of songs about him, none of which he ever agreed to play. the song he'd written you had floated through the room and you felt strange and disconnected and insane all at once - it was such a vapid, stupid stanza he'd made. and then he said that terrible phrase - i love you babe.

and you had been suddenly both very out of your body and also very present, thinking: oh my god this guy is a buffoon and i'm wasting my time. the spiralbound notebook with pages of poems and lyrics and stories you'd written for him is now stashed in some rubbermaid. you'd wanted to burn it at first, but the effort had exhausted you.

the four lines of song are usually pretty banal - something about her eyes, something about her smile, something about how she's special. but they work. they always work, because people want to believe in the magical commodity of love - that it cannot be manufactured.

later in the night you watch that man get on stage and sing punk rock to a thinning crowd. he takes the time out of the setlist to try out a "new song" that goes out to his girl in the crowd, all of 30 seconds of music. he says he likes her eyes and her smile and she's special.

you think about stopping her physically. you think about showing her the group chat of exes in your phone. you think of how young she is - maybe 22? - and how you, at 22, would have told your current self fuck right off. you had believed it too, after all. people need to make their own choices. besides. maybe you're wrong. maybe this time it actually is that precious, starry, once-in-a-lifetime love.

you see her kiss him afterwards, her cheeks pink. it looks like a puppy being swallowed by a wolf. you have to check the floor to make sure no blood was spilled.

[bitchinbarzal]

Team Mom | C Keller

summary: you’ve become somewhat of a mom to the team.

-

Clayton isn’t an outwardly emotional guy. He keeps things pretty level, takes things as they come, and never makes too big a deal out of anything. But when he’s named the first captain in Utah’s history, he almost loses it.

Almost.

He holds it together in front of the cameras, in the locker room, even when his teammates shower him with congratulations. He keeps it together when he shakes the GM’s hand, when he hears his name in the announcement, when he pulls on the jersey with the “C” stitched on the front. But the second he gets home and sees you standing there with a cake that says Congratulations, Captain! in slightly smudged icing, he feels the emotions creep in.

“Did you bake that?” he asks, stepping closer, a small grin tugging at his lips.

You scoff “Absolutely not. You think I had time to make a cake between running errands for your team?”

He laughs, pulling you into a hug. You smell like vanilla, probably from the frosting you insisted on fixing yourself “Thank you” he mumbles into your hair.

“For the cake? It was the least I could do—”

“No” he cuts in, pulling back just enough to look at you. “For everything. For dealing with the guys. For being here”

You roll your eyes, but there’s warmth in them “I don’t deal with them. I like them”

That’s debatable.

The thing is, you’ve been around Clayton’s team long enough that you’ve become part of the fabric of it. And somehow, without realizing it, you’ve ended up being something of a—

“You know you’re like our team mom, right?” Logan says casually one night at dinner.

You nearly choke on your drink “Excuse me?”

“Oh, for sure” Dylan agrees “You’re always checking in on us, making sure we have food, giving us rides when needed—”

“I once drove you to practice because your car was in the shop.”

“Yeah, and you packed snacks,” Logan reminds you.

“I was already going to the grocery store!”

Clayton, for his part, is having way too much fun with this. He leans back in his chair, watching as his teammates list off all the things you do for them.

The way you remind them to bring extra layers when they travel somewhere cold, the way you make sure they eat something green at least once a week, the way you’ve somehow memorized their coffee orders and deliver them without asking.

“I also pack your lunches” you argue, looking pointedly at Clay “Am I your mom, too?”

He smirks “Nah, i think that makes you my wife”

Your face burns, and the guys lose it, laughing at your expression.

The nickname sticks.

You don’t particularly like it, but you don’t hate it either. At least, not enough to stop the guys from calling you “Mom” every time they need something.

It starts off small.

“Mom, can you sew this button back on?”

“Mom, can you look at this text and tell me what it means?”

“Mom, I forgot my headphones — do you have an extra pair?”

And then it escalates.

“Mom, I may or may not have spilled coffee on my white dress shirt, and I need it for a team event tonight”

“Mom, can you send me that soup recipe?”

“Mom, I think I have scurvy”

“Mom, I—”

“I am not your mother!” you remind them.

“You’re the team mom” they reply, like it’s a fact of life.

And the thing is? You kind of are.

Clayton never says it out loud, but he loves it. He loves the way you’ve made his team feel like a family, how you take care of them in ways he never even considered. It’s not just about the meals or the reminders—it’s the way you care. The way you sit through their rants about bad calls, the way you text them good luck before games, the way you make their wins feel bigger and their losses feel smaller.

He knows he’s the captain, but he also knows that this team wouldn’t feel the same without you.

And maybe, one day, he’ll put a ring on your finger to make it official.

For now, though, he’ll settle for knowing that when he puts on that jersey with the “C” on it, he’s not leading this team alone.

He’s got you.

[fab-ernathy]

Eating Like the Greek Class, Book 1

Okay, so here's my thing. I have a hard time motivating myself to do basic human things like eat food. It has to be linked to a special interest or hyperfixation OR be a set routine for me, and since I don't have a routine for dinner that's the most difficult meal of the day. And TSH is my hyperfixation at the moment so... behold: every food the Greek class eat (not including drinks or we'd be here forever).

(Under a read more because it's Long.)

Chapter 2

Page 62:

Despite the vast amount we ate that afternoon – soups, lobsters, pates, mousses, an array appalling in variety and amount [...]

Page 73:

Charles had the oven open and was poking at some lamb chops with a fork.

Page 90:

[...] to find Bunny and Charles on the front porch, eating ham sandwiches and playing cards.

Page 94:

We borrowed Henry's car, drove to Maine so he could have a club sandwich in a bar he liked there [...]

Page 103:

Francis sat curled in the window seat with a plate of little sandwiches in his lap, reading [...] Bunny lay on his stomach on the hearth rug, doing his homework; occasionally he would steal one of Francis's sandwiches or ask a pained question.

Chapter 3

Page 120:

I found an awkward note of apology in my mailbox, wrapped around a paperback copy of the poems of Rupert Brooke and a box of Junior Mints.

Page 121:

Sitting around the kitchen table we had a sad, makeshift dinner of canned mushroom soup, soda crackers, and tea without sugar or milk.

Page 126:

Then I would go make myself a can of soup and some instant coffee on the hot plate in the Social Science office [...]

Page 142:

But sometimes when I got home he would have made dinner – he wasn't a fancy cook like Francis and only made plain things, broiled chickens and baked potatoes, bachelor food [...]

Page 144:

I cut some bread and made him a cheese sandwich, as he showed no inclination of getting up and making anything himself.

Chapter 4

Page 154:

One morning after he'd had a date with Marion, he showed up at breakfast with his tray full of milk and sugar doughnuts

Page 162:

I went upstairs and got myself a cup of coffee and a couple of soft-boiled eggs, which I ate alone at a table near a window in the empty main dining room. [...] It was the big back-to-school dinner that night – roast beef, green beans almondine, cheese souffle and some elaborate lentil dish for the vegetarians.

Page 166:

He reached in and pulled out a frozen cheesecake.

Page 172:

'There was no food at Francis's house except some cans of black olives and a box of Bisquick.' 'Yes. We ate olives and Bisquick.' [...] 'There wasn't any milk, even,' said Camilla. 'We had to mix the Bisquick with water.'

Page 175:

Henry ordered an enormous dinner – pea soup, roast beef, a salad, mashed potatoes with gravy, coffee, pie – and ate it silently and with a great deal of methodical relish. I picked erratically at my omelet and had a hard time keeping my eyes off him as we ate.

Chapter 5

Page 198:

Walking home, a sandwich from the snack bar in my pocket, [...] Bunny leaning back on his elbows with his legs stretched in front of him, cracking pensively with his rear molars at a little Dum-Dum sucker.

Page 200:

'He took a quart of ice cream out of my freezer to eat while he waited he couldn't bother to get a bowl of it, you understand, he had to have the whole quart – and when he fell asleep it melted all over him and on my chair and on that nice little Oriental rug I used to have.'

Page 204:

We ate Welsh rarebits and listened to the rain beating down in gusts on the roof.

Page 234:

Dinner appeared with instantaneous magic: pork roast, biscuits, turnips and corn and butternut squash, in thick china bowls that had pictures of the presidents (up to Nixon) around their rims.

Page 237:

To the casual observer, I suppose, he seemed pretty much his jolly old self - slapping people on the back, eating Twinkies and Ho Hos in the reading room of the library and dropping crumbs all down in the bindings of his Greek books.

Page 240:

He ignored our awkward greetings and went straight to the cabinet and made himself a bowl of Sugar Frosted Flakes and sat down wordlessly at the table.

Page 252:

She was still a girl, a slight lovely girl who lay in bed and ate chocolates [...]

Page 264-5:

He reached in the pocket of his overcoat and pulled out a bundle wrapped in napkins. 'I brought you a sandwich since you weren't at lunch. [...] It was cream cheese and marmalade, I knew without looking. The twins were fanatical about them but I didn't like them much.

Page 269:

There was roasted lamb, new potatoes, peas with leeks and fennel; a rich and almost maddeningly delicious bottle of Chateau Latour. I was eating with better appetite than I had had in ages when I noticed that a fourth course had appeared, with unobtrusive magic, at my elbow: mushrooms. They were pale and slender-stemmed, of a type I had seen before, steaming in a red wine sauce that smelled of coriander and rue.

Page 279:

Henry switched off the lamp and went to the stove and began, rather mechanically, to make some bacon and eggs.

Page 283:

'Well, I don't know who did it,' the house chairperson said, 'but whoever it was, they had spaghetti for dinner.' [...] Then I put on my robe and, eating an apple I'd found in the house kitchen, walked downstairs [...] When I got to Henry's, I was glad to see that Charles and Francis were still picking at a cold chicken and some salad.

---

OK, so so far we have lots of sandwiches, European-style food, and mentions of lots of unspecified meals (that I didn't include) but some were seen as elaborate by Richard's standards. I did take note of the drinks, but they seem to be of all varieties; alcoholic drinks (which tended to be whiskey based), coffee, tea, water, and soft drinks. This is a good start, and I'll be back for Book 2 soon for more inspiration.

[ericshoney]

Mini Matt and Nick day~ Nick Sturniolo

Today, you had planned to hang out with just Nick. Luckily, you were able to drive too, so Matt left you the keys. You were chilling on the sofa, waiting for Nick to come down, when you heard him shout.

"Mini Matt!" He exclaimed from his room.

You sighed and went upstairs to see what was going on, only to see Nick with his clothes thrown everywhere and still in his pyjamas.

"What?" You asked.

"Pick me an outfit." He said, waving at his clothes.

"Why can't you?" You asked, walking over to his bed.

"I don't know what to wear. Just pick!" He whined.

You sighed again and picked out a basic outfit of some shorts and a t-shirt since it was hot out. You also picked out some shoes for him before he smiled and thank you, letting you return downstairs to the sofa.

Once Nick had finally got ready, you both headed to the car. You both got in as you began driving, already planning on heading to Dunkin Doughnuts.

"Ah it's so nice up front!" Nick squealed, happy about riding in the front.

"Maybe tell Chris to swap sometimes." You suggested, looking over at him as you reach a red light.

"Fuck no! He'll probably cry." He said with a scoff.

You laughed softly as the light turned green, but the car in front of you didn't move.

"Fucking move idiot!" You shouted.

"Kid, calm down." Nick said with a laugh.

"You fucking drive then, oh wait, you can't!" You responded, just as the car finally moved, letting you continue driving to your destination.

"Rude." He mumbled.

"You and Chris should really learn to drive." You mentioned.

"Maybe one day~" He sang.

You shook your head as you arrived at the drive-thru. Nick leaned over you carefully and ordered for both of you, making you feel better about not talking to a stranger.

"I'm paying." Nick said as you pulled up to the window.

"You don't have to." You said, but he had already pulled out his car.

"Don't fight me, sweetheart." He said, waving a finger in your face.

You giggled as he paid, thanking the worker as you pulled off getting your food and drinks.

"Let's go to Target." Nick suggested.

"Okay." You agreed, sipping your ice coffee.

You then drove to Target. Before heading in, you and Nick both ate what you ordered and watched people drive around the car park. When you finished, you were about to get out the car, but Nick stopped you.

"Selfie!" He exclaimed.

You laughed but took a few photos with him before getting out of the car. Nick posted them on his Instagram, as you started to look around.

"Ohh what about this!" Nick cheered, showing you a large canvas photo of some bears.

"Where would we put it?" You asked.

"Honestly, no idea, but it's cool." He answered.

You shook your head once again, walking away from the male, heading to look for some sweets.

After twenty minutes of browsing and picking a few things you both wanted, you and Nick went to pay, the lady at the checkout noticing you both instantly.

"Woah your Nick Sturniolo and Mini Matt." She said with a beaming smile.

"That's us, would you like a photo?" Nick offered, making the lady nod quickly. You both smiled as she took a few photos with you both before letting you pay.

When you got back to the car, Nick smiled at you, noticing the small smile still on your face.

"You happy, kid?" He asked.

"Yeah. She was nice." You answered, as you started the car.

"What about her calling you Mini Matt?" He questioned.

"It's fine, I mean it's a more personal nickname but I wasn't going to upset her there." You replied honestly.

"So your happy with us calling you it but not the public?" He asked.

"Yeah." You said with a nod.

Nick nodded as you began driving home. He liked having time with you alone, knowing you'd tell him more stuff or how you felt honestly with less people around, same went with Chris and Matt. The three often catch up when you aren't around to see if you told them anything different, just to make sure you were okay, knowing you weren't always a big talking when it was a bigger group.

"If you want, I can make a post on TikTok or Instagram saying for fans not to call you Mini Matt." Nick offered.

"Can you?" You asked quietly.

"Of course sweetheart, anything for you." He replied, rubbing your shoulder.

You smiled and relaxed, knowing Nick, along with Chris and Matt, had your back.

[jjscrybaby]

teenage fantasy masterlist

CHAPTER THREE - the forbidden zone

warnings: language, throwing up, drinking, mentions of guns, cocaine, dealing, talk of sex.

———

One thing you didn’t miss about Sarah Cameron was how early she woke up in the mornings. You enjoyed a lie in, especially during the summer, but every day without fail she’d be waking you up from your slumber; in her defence, it was about eleven am but still.

“This is sweet and all but do I really have to come?” You complained, sipping your iced coffee as you walked down the docks.

“Uh, yes. You’re the one that always goes on about doing more for your community,” Sarah argued.

“Yeah, my community. This has nothing to do with me,” you shrugged.

She was dragging you along with her friends to a beach clean up, volunteering to make the island a better place after Hurricane Agatha. It was sweet, really it was, but the last thing you wanted to do at eleven am was go and clean trash off the sand.

“Don’t say that,” Sarah pouted, shoving at your arm gently. “You’re moving here as soon as we finish college. That was the deal.”

Ever since you were kids you’d had your lives together planned out. College together, roommates of course, you’d marry best friends or you’d marry her brother, you’d move to the Outerbanks and the two of you would share a house on the beach front and everything would be perfect. Nowadays, you weren’t even sure if you’d be able to afford college; not with how your father’s job was going and the money that was slowly making its way out of your college fund.

“Yeah, I am,” you replied, giving her a reassuring smile. You didn’t want to dampen the mood by telling her about what was going on back home, this summer was meant to be a distraction.

Topper was waiting for the two of you at the end of the dock, sunglasses on his face and the worst coloured shorts you’d ever seen. “Hello, ladies!”

“What is he wearing?” You hissed at Sarah, she rolled her eyes at you but you didn’t miss the small amused smirk she tried to hide.

“Hi, babe,” Sarah greeted, accepting his hand to help her step onto the boat. “Where’s Kelce?”

“He’s meeting us there,” Topper replied. He ignored your existence as you got yourself onto the boat; clearly still a little bitter over you exposing him the day prior.

You stayed sat at the back of the boat, smoking a cigarette — ignoring the disgusted looks Topper threw your way — whilst the two of them stood up at the front. His arm wrapped around her waist as he drove the three of you to the beach. You were probably halfway there when another boat came into view; you were the first to take notice of who was on it.

JJ met your eye first, his mouth moving as he spoke to his friends. You saw the recognition in his eyes and he grinned, sending a wink in your direction as you scoffed and flipped him off. He laughed, shaking his head in amusement. Kiara stared at all of you in utter disgust, you just took a drag of your cigarette and turned away from them.

“You don’t have to act like you don’t see us, bitch,” you heard Kiara speak as your boats crossed paths.

“What was that?” You yelled back. She wasn’t talking to you, but you knew there wasn’t much of a chance Sarah would speak up for herself.

“Shut up!” Sarah hissed, turning to look at you. You shrugged.

“She’s a bitch.”

The three of you arrived on the beach and were given trash bags and litter-pickers; the sun glared down on you as Sarah began to tell Topper what had gone on with her and John B.

“You should’ve heard how John B talked to me. That kid’s got a mouth on him!” Sarah exclaimed.

“Well, he showed his true colours, Sarah,” Topper replied, making you roll your eyes from behind the pair of them.

From the little time you’d spent with John B yesterday, you didn’t think he seemed so bad — you had a feeling Sarah didn’t either.

“He was so rude!”

“I know! It’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. I mean, he’s lucky your dad didn’t press chargers,” Topper exclaimed.

“Over scuba gear that he returned?” You snorted, earning dirty looks from the both of them. You held your hands up in surrender.

“It’s just… kind of ridiculous to me. After everything my dad has done for him. Just so generous. You’d think that he’d be more grateful. And then he yells at me like it’s my fault!” Sarah rambled.

In reality, Sarah was upset that the boy she had a crush on was annoyed with her. You could read her like a book, and that was exactly what was going on. She didn’t care he’d stolen from them, she didn’t care if it was disrespectful towards her father, she cared that she was stuck with Topper when there were men like John B out there.

“He’s a Pogue, at the end of the day. I mean, you can say we’re all just people, or— or whatever, but it’s a totally different mindset on the Cut,” Top responded.

“Bullshit,” you muttered under your breath.

“Huh?” Topper asked, looking back at you.

“Look, it’s Kelce,” you said, changing the subject as you pointed to him.

“Yo. You look thirsty!” He grinned, passing over a water bottle to you.

“What have we got here?” You smirked. Maybe this beach clean up wouldn’t be so bad after all.

“Have some of that, baby,” Kelce said. You took a sip and gagged, face scrunching up in disgust as your throat burned from the taste. “Yeah, that’s how we do it, baby.”

“Jesus,” you cringed, passing the bottle over to Sarah. “Have some of that.”

She took a sip and laughed, shaking her head. “What did you do to this?” Wheezie grabbed it from her hand, starting to chug it before Sarah grabbed it from her hold. “Since when did you start drinking?”

“Since today,” the younger girl shrugged.

“Going down a dangerous path there, Wheez,” you teased, she stuck her tongue out at you.

The prayer circle you all stood in had you and Sarah in a fit of giggles, soon being joined by Topper. It seemed the more you drank the more you didn’t hate his company, choosing to hang out with the couple for the rest of the cleanup.

“Uh oh,” you murmured with a snort as Wheezie came stumbling towards you, face pale. “You okay, babe?”

“I need to go home,” she groaned, gagging slightly after her sentence.

“Oh, shit. Okay, okay,” you laughed. “Sare! We have a code red. Your sisters about to vom all over the newly cleaned beach.”

Sarah cursed, groaning as she came over. “Seriously?”

“Don’t act like you weren’t the same at her age,” you bickered. “C’mon, let’s get her home.”

Thankfully, Wheezie managed to hold in her puke until the three of you were back home and in the bathroom. She threw up into the toilet, making you cringe as Sarah held her hair back.

“So, what we have learnt?” Sarah asked, sitting down on the edge of the bath tub beside you.

“Never mix vodka with Crystal Light,” Wheezie groaned.

“Very good,” Sarah nodded, as Wheezie threw up yet again.

“Jesus,” you muttered.

“Please don’t tell dad,” Wheezie begged, looking between the both of you.

“I won’t. On one condition,” Sarah replied, making you look over at her in surprise.

Wheezie sighed, looking at her sister in irritation. “What’s that?”

“You cover for us sneaking out with Topper tonight… please,” Sarah said, giving her a hopeful look.

Wheezie hesitated, but after a moment of contemplation she nodded. “Fine.”

“Do you promise?” Sarah asked.

“I promise.” Wheezie held her pinky up, the two of them interlocking their fingers. You smiled softly, having a sister would be so much better than a brother.

Once she’d thrown up a few more times, the two of you got the youngest Cameron into bed and sat with her until she’d passed out. You laughed at the memories of Sarah being the same after her first drink as the both of you wandered down the stairs, you froze as you heard Ward’s annoyed voice.

“I don’t feel like you care,” he stated. Sarah held a finger to her lips as you both crept down the stairs.

“I said I do!” Rafe argued.

“Yeah, you said.”

“What do you want me to say?” You and Sarah snuck beside the door, standing with your backs to the wall.

“I don’t want you to say anything! Take care of business. Where are the backup generators?” You cringed at Ward’s words. Of course Rafe had spunked the money that was meant for the generators. “I gave you money for the backup generators. You said you would take care of it. Did you take care of it? Where are they?”

“They’re on back order,” Rafe mumbled

“Yeah, of course they are.”

“There was a hurricane.”

“I tell you what. You know that Pogue I just fired? Way more reliable than you,” Ward stated.

Telling Rafe that anyone is better than him will send him into a meltdown, but a Pogue? That’s like you’re wishing death upon everyone in a nearby radius.

“Really?” Rafe replied sarcastically.

“Yeah, really. You need to get it together, Rafe, or you can go live on the Cut,” Ward threatened. Rafe laughed. “That funny to you?”

“Wow.”

“You can go live on the damn cut, Rafe. As far as I’m concerned. Now get up and get out of here. I’m sick of lookin’ at you,” Ward ordered. Rafe stood up and began to storm away, but not before Ward could get in the last word. “Make yourself useful somewhere, somehow.”

“Sarah’s not working,” Rafe murmured. You turned to your best friend and nearly laughed at the look of annoyance on her face.

“This isn’t about Sarah, Rafe. You’re almost 20. You don’t just get to sit back and have everything handed to you,” Ward argued.

“Yes, Sir,” Rafe grumbled, an edge to his tone.

“It does not seem like you understand me,” Ward said, voice stating to raise yet again.

“I’ll take care of those generators, okay?”

“I’ll believe that when I see it.”

Rafe walked inside, not giving you and Sarah enough time to even try and pretend that you weren’t listening. At least you had the decency to look apologetic. “Told you. Shouldn’t have bought that motorcycle with the generator money,” Sarah taunted.

“Hm,” he muttered, turning away and continuing to leave.

“Dude,” you sighed, shaking your head at her as you started to follow him out. “Where are you going?”

“To make some money,” he muttered, putting on his helmet; at least he wasn’t a complete idiot.

“By doing what? Prostitution?” You asked. His hard exterior broke and a slight smile made it’s way onto his face.

“The ladies wish,” he smirked.

You shook your head in amusement. “So, I see you and your dad aren’t getting along any better since the last time I saw you?”

Four months ago, Rafe had driven to Charleston on a whim. Him and Ward had had some sort of spat and he needed to get away. He wouldn’t tell you what happened, no matter how hard you pried, he left only two days later and you didn’t hear a word from him for another month.

“He’s just stressed,” Rafe shrugged, sitting down on his bike. “No big deal. I’ll get the money.”

“Yeah? How?” You asked, tilting your head at him.

He shook his head, starting up the engine. “That’s non of your concern. I’ll see you later, okay?”

Before you could even reply he was riding off, leaving you with more questions than you started with.

———

Sarah was napping, Ward, Rose and Wheezie went to the club for lunch and Rafe was still out when there was a knock on the front door. You sighed, getting up from where you laid reading a book to open it. Your eyes widened as you made eye contact with the person in front of you; JJ Maybank.

He grinned, although there was confusion all over his face. “Juliet? What’re you doin’ here?”

“I, uh, I’m staying here. What’re you doing here?” You echoed.

JJ held out the grocery bags, wiggling his eyebrows. “The Cameron’s don’t like to go shopping, it seems.”

“Ah, I see,” you murmured, reaching out to take the bags from his hold.

“I got it.” He walked straight past you and into the house, whistling as he took in the interior. “It’s a nice place. Why’re you staying here?”

“Do you have zero manners?” You asked, following after him as he managed to find the kitchen.

He shrugged, smirking at you as he placed the bags on the counter and turned around to lean against it. “You answer mine and I’ll answer yours.”

“I told you already, I come here every summer,” you replied.

“You failed to mention the fact that you stay with the most powerful family on the island,” he laughed. “And no, I don’t have manners.”

“Clearly. People that do don’t tend to hold guns to other peoples heads.” His smile fell at your comment, replaced with a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance.

“He was tryin’ to drown John B,” JJ retaliated.

You nodded your head, hands on your hips. “I didn’t say he didn’t deserve to be a little scared, the gun was just a step too far. Why do you even have that?”

“That’s a long ass story,” he murmured, looking down at his feet. He looked back up a moment later, the confidence back in his eyes. “I mean, I had fun before that. Been havin’ some vivid dreams about that night.”

“You’re disgusting,” you cringed, face scrunching up.

“You’re the one that kissed me,” he smirked. “I didn’t hear you complainin’ then.”

“Whatever. You should go, Rafe will probably be back soon and he’d lose his mind if a Pogue was stood in his kitchen,” you sighed.

JJ smiled, nodding as he stepped forward. “You care about me.”

“I don’t even know you.”

“Sure you don’t, Y/N. Sure you don’t,” he nodded, walking past you. “See you around, Juliet!” He beamed, winking at you before walking out the room and back through the house.

It took you five minutes to realise he’d used your real name.

———

You’d thought the most intense party you’d ever been at was Rafe’s birthday party two years ago, his 18th had been huge thanks to Ward; but the problem was that Ward had planned it. There was booze, yes, but not enough for everyone to get absolutely smashed. As you and Sarah walked into the apparent party of the summer you realised you didn’t know a thing.

There were teens everywhere, some making out, some smoking cigarettes indoors, some throwing up on the carpet that costed more than your car. It was insane, and it was only half nine. Kelce was the first to spot the two of you, rushing over with a strained smile on his face.

“Where’s your brother?” He asked, looking right into Sarah’s eyes.

“How should I know?” Sarah snorted. She spotted her boyfriend in the crowd and made her way over to him, abandoning you with Kelce.

“Everything okay?” You questioned, tilting your head at him.

“Rafe’s the only guy that comes to these things with yayo,” Kelce huffed. Your eyes widened; it seemed you were correct about Rafe’s drug habits. The brown haired boy noticed the look of surprise on your face, and he instantly freaked. “Don’t tell Rafe I told you, please. He’ll kill me.”

“Why would he kill you?” You asked, smoothing out your little black dress that Sarah had picked out from her closet.

Kelce shrugged, running a hand over his cheek. “I dunno, he’s got a thing about you knowin’ shit. He gave me and Topper a warning before you arrived to not talk about certain things.”

“Like what?” Your face scrunched up. Did Rafe really care about your opinion on him that much?

“Oh no, I ain’t getting myself in more trouble—” Kelce cut himself off as an arm wrapped around your waist.

“Why would you be in trouble?” Rafe had a thing about showing up at the worst time possible.

“Nah, nothin’. Where you been?” Kelce asked.

“I, uh, c’mere.” He dragged Kelce away from you, whispering in his ear. Kelce nodded before he wandered off, Rafe made his way back over to you. “I didn’t think you’d be here.”

“Well, I am,” you shrugged.

“You look nice,” he complimented, scratching the back of his neck. “Uh, listen, I’m gonna be downstairs and I’d rather you didn’t come down there.”

“Yeah? Why’s that?” You tilted your head to the side, playing naive.

“That’s where the dodgey people hang out, y’know? I’m just keepin’ an eye, makin’ sure everything’s cool. I think you should just stay with my sister, wherever she is,” Rafe explained, or lied.

She’d disappeared somewhere with Topper, you weren’t going to intervene. “I’m not an idiot, Rafe.”

“I know—”

“Your way of paying for the generators is selling coke? Are you serious?” You hissed at him. His face fell, eyes widening and jaw twitching.

“Who told you that? Was it Kelce? That kid’s been tryin’ to get in your pants all week, I swear he’d say anythin’—” Rafe rambled. Now that you really looked at him, you noticed the way his nose twitched, the size of his pupils.

“You’re on it right now,” you sighed. “If your dad knew about this—”

“As if he’d give a shit. All he’d care about is that non of his clients find out,” Rafe scoffed. “Look, just mind your business, a’ight? Stay up here.”

He began to walk away and you scoffed, glaring after him. “Sue me for giving a shit about you!”

Sarah didn’t show up again. You’d seen her jump off the roof with Topper at one point, but after that you’d lost track. You had a few drinks, at least this party had a variety instead of just beer. You were sat with some girls, vaguely aware of the conversation they were in when Kelce came up beside you.

“Rafe’s pretty pissed at me.” He looked the same as Rafe had, twitchy face and big eyes, you just nodded. “Hey, listen, y’know the other day? Sarah told us about your mom, I’m really sorry ‘bout that. Topper feels bad about what he said.”

“What?” You turned to look at him, eyes widening.

“Yeah… I mean, shit, drownin’ is one thing but suicide? And you had to find her? That’s a lot to deal with,” Kelce rambled on.

You were in utter shock. The way he was speaking to you, it was like he wasn’t describing the most traumatic thing to ever happen to you. Like he wasn’t talking about the day your life ended and the world crumbled around you. He was still speaking, but you couldn’t hear a thing as your eyes stung with tears and you fought yourself from slapping him silly.

“Yeah, thanks,” you interrupted him sharply. “If you see Sarah can you let her know I left. I’m not feeling well.”

“Want me to come with?” He offered. As if.

“Nope.” You turned around and walked away, grabbing an opened bottle of vodka from the shelf as you went.

The drink burnt your throat as you stumbled down the road, tears in your eyes and nausea creeping its way in. Food, you needed food. The first place you saw that still had the lights on was a restaurant you seemed to recognise but couldn’t remember why, The Wreck. You made your way in, almost tumbling over a table leg.

“Twice in one day? Lucky me.” You flinched as JJ’s voice came from beside you. “Technically three times, if you count us seeing each other this morning— are you good?”

You hadn’t even realised you were looking at him, eyes dull and face flushed with the vodka. “I’m hungry.”

“You’re hungry?” He smirked. “Just hungry? Not a little drunk?”

“Maybe a little.” You held your fingers together, a small gap in between.

“Come on, drunkie. We have food.” You didn’t know who he meant by we, but you were quick to find out as his hand found the small of your back and he lead you to a table. “Got company.”

“Hey, Y/N,” John B greeted with a smile.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Kiara muttered under her breath.

“She’s hungry,” JJ shrugged, ushering you to sit down next to John B before he slid into the booth beside you.

He pushed the fries towards you and you started to scoff them down, humming in delight. “I’m Pope.” The boy from the beach introduced.

“Hi,” you greeted, giving him a warm smile.

“She doesn’t look like the devil,” Pope joked to Kiara, who elbowed him harshly.

“How’ve you been, Kie?” You were so gone that you honestly forgot you were supposed to hate her. Sarah wasn’t here, and you’re sure she wouldn’t mind you having one conversation.

Kiara blinked in surprise. “Uh, good. Thanks… I heard about your mom.”

You cringed, but the look on your face seemed to tell her to shut her mouth. JJ’s arm rested around your shoulders. “So, where’ve you been tonight?”

“Party. Got bored,” you shrugged.

“You shouldn’t walk around drunk by yourself,” Pope lectured, sounding like an old dad.

You snorted, covering your mouth as if it would block the sound. “Sorry. You’re weird. Not in a bad way, you’re nice.”

“He gets that a lot,” JJ smirked from beside you.

“What’re you guys doing?” You asked.

“Treasure hunt,” JJ replied.

“JJ!” Kiara snapped. He laughed, but not as hard as you.

“A treasure hunt? Are you children?” You teased.

“You’ll be wishin’ you didn’t make fun when we’re rich and famous,” John B shrugged. “You need a ride home?”

“Clearly,” Pope responded.

You were going to agree, but as you opened your mouth the door swung open. Rafe met your eyes and he stormed over, shaking his head as he muttered to himself. “Been lookin’ everywhere for you. Kelce said you went home.”

“Made a pit-stop, what’s it matter to you?” You shrugged, shoving a fry in your mouth.

“I know you’re pissed with me, doesn’t give you an excuse to run off. C’mon, why are you sittin’ with these lot?” Rafe huffed, waiting for you to get out of the booth.

“God. I’m eating,” you argued.

“Maybank, outta the way,” Rafe ordered.

“Doesn’t sound like she wants to go with you, man,” JJ shrugged. His arm was still around your shoulders, and Rafe seemed to take note.

“You’re seriously gonna take advantage of a drunk girl? I didn’t even think you’d stoop that low,” Rafe commented.

JJ shot up, fists balled up. “The fuck did you just say to me?”

“Alright, alright,” you yelled, getting up from your seat. “He was giving me food, chill out. Let’s go. Always ruining my damn fun.”

Rafe shot JJ a look as he grabbed your hand, you quickly pulled it away. JJ looked between the two of you, an expression you couldn’t read as you waved to the others.

“See y’all around,” you muttered, already on your way out of the restaurant.

“Wait up!” Rafe exclaimed.

“Piss off!”

You started to walk down the road when Rafe caught up with you, walking in tow. “My bikes here. Just get on.”

“You’re coked up,” you muttered.

“I haven’t done a line in hours, I swear. I wouldn’t put your life in danger,” he promised. “Why were you sittin’ with the Pogues? They’re the ones you should be scared of. Maybank had a gun to Top’s head a few days ago.”

“All they were doing was sharing some fries with me,” you huffed, stopping to look at him. “You aren’t my dad, Rafe. Even he doesn’t get to choose who I talk to.”

“I’m trying to protect you,” Rafe retaliated.

“I take care of myself ten months out of the year. I can do it the extra two,” you responded. “They’re nice people. Who cares if they don’t have as much money as you do?”

“Fine, okay, fine. Let’s drop that. Can we just go home?” He pleaded.

“Fine, whatever.”

You didn’t speak for the ride back, and you ignored him once you got inside. You were planning on just going to sleep, the alcohol was starting to make you tired, but your plans were changed once you stepped into your room and found Sarah laying on your bed.

“Sare?” You questioned, noticing the quiver to her lip.

“Topper wanted to have sex. I couldn’t do it,” she said, a sad smile on her face.

You kicked your shoes off and crawled into bed, arms wrapping around her frame as a sob left her mouth. “Okay. It’s okay.”

Sleep could wait, Sarah couldn’t.

[binniesbooks]

• DOES YOUR BODY MATTER TO MY EYES?

BG 001.F24 2025

wc 1.1k

pairings bff!gyu x plump!reader

warnings tw!mentions of plump! reader, dni if sensitive, other than that, nothing else

faye's note hi? Hehe. It's been a while, how are you guys?

"I have no problem! I could fit it with this body of mine."

You sighed, glancing at your body before looking at the other girls looking at the tight fitting dresses.

"Princess, something wrong?" Your best friend asked. You were carefully putting back the cute little dress on the shelf.

"No... I just... I don't think this would suit me." His eyes darted to the dress and back at you. Beomgyu sighed before getting the dress from the shelf again.

"Miss, we're getting this too," he said, before adding it to the items the two of you already chose. The cashier nodded and placed it inside the bag.

Beomgyu intertwined his finger with yours as you two walked outside the building, the bag of clothes on his other hand.

Arriving at the parking lot, you were still gloomy, and Beomgyu noticed everything. From how unresponsive you were, and your usual antics about buying your favorite food together has gone silent. Even your little "thank you, Gyu" whenever he opens the door of your seat wasn't heard by him.

He watched you fiddle at the hem of your skirt, seatbelt still unattached. So he unbuckled his seatbelt and reached over you, buckling your seatbelt and tucking your hair behind your ear.

"Should we go home?" He asked, as he revved up the engine.

He heaves a sigh and smiled a little when he saw you nod meekly. Beomgyu tried to be as joyful and loud as he could during the drive way back home --- from banging his head to the music blasting from the radio to telling nonsense stories and mocking his brother, Soobin.

However, it didn't change the fact that you still feel insecure and disappointed.

"Can I drop by your place?" Beomgyu turns his head towards you.

"My apartment was a little messy when I left earlier... But sure, I guess?" You answered, meekly.

"Let's go grab some food first though. Wanna watch a movie," he sings.

He drove to a drive-thru and ordered a lot of your comfort food. Chicken, ice cream, fries, drinks, burgers, name it, he got them all.

"Are you feeding the whole town, Gyu?" You chuckled.

"Well, I just want to buy your comfort foods." He said, scratching his head before driving back home.

As he parks in front of your place, he turns off the car and quickly unbuckled his seatbelt to remove yours. Even almost tripped while running to your side to open the car door for you. He's just so gentlemen towards you that sometimes, you question yourself, what are you to him, but you always shake that thought and remind yourself you were just his precious best friend.

Beomgyu opened the door-- typical type of friend, he knows your door passcode. His hands were full of bags of food and the clothes you two bought. He placed them carefully on your coffee table and plopped down your couch.

You sat down beside him and grabbed a throw pillow to cover your lap.

"Gyu.." you whispered, fiddling on the throw pillow

"Hm?" He quickly responded, turning his head towards you and sitting properly.

"I hate my body. I fucking hate my body." You quietly sobbed, as tears started to fall from your eyes.

"Hey, hey, hey, don't cry." He pulled you closer and hugged you tight.

"I hate looking at my body, I don't feel good. I don;t like this." You sobbed on his neck.

Beomgyu gently strokes your hair. "You're beautiful, y/n," he said as he pulled away, smiling, eyes searching your soul. Your teary eyes averted his gaze causing him to rub his thumb on your cheeks.

"I said you are beautiful, princess," he muttered, tucking your straying hair behind your ear.

"But I'm not sexy like those-"

"Does it matter to me? Hm? Do I make fun of you and your body?"

"No..." you managed to squeak out with your voice cracking.

"The pretty dresses don't suit me like--"

"Does it matter to me?" Beomgyu repeats, tilting his head to the side.

You gently shake your head, biting your lip as you try to hold back the tears that were about to fall out from your eyes again.

"Sexy is not a body shape, it's the vibe and energy. It's the way you carry yourself, your confidence." He said, wiping away the tears that escaped your eyes.

"It's not and will never be about your body shape and size." He added.

"Gyu," you choked out.

"Look at me," he firmly said, cupping your face.

"You are beautiful to me. So beautiful that sometimes I just wanna press my lips on yours. That sometimes, I think about dating you. That sometimes, I can't sleep at night imagining a life with you."

You were too stunned to speak, but you noticed how the tip of his ears turns bright red, kudos to his long hair that made you barely miss seeing his ears.

"You're sexy in my very own eyes. The way you dress, the way you never put heavy makeup on, and the way you keep your hair tidy." Beomgyu moves a bit closer to you as he places his hand on the space beside you, leaning closer to your shoulder.

"Hush now, you're too beautiful to cry." His long and calloused fingers due to him playing guitar brushed against the smooth skin of your shoulder as he slipped off the cardigan you were wearing.

His hand creeps toward your waist as he pulls you closer, fully facing you. Beomgyu stared and admired you for a while before he gently pressed his lips on your shoulder. "You're beautiful, princess. Please let me show you and make you feel how beautiful you are," he whispered, before slipping you out of your cardigan. Leaving you on your flower dress hugging your curves.

Beomgyu pulled away, biting his lips, as he looked at you straight in the eye. "This might be the most wrong moment to say this but..." He purposely cut his words off as he bites his lips once again making you tilt your head with a confused lips.

"Sometimes... Sometimes the reason I can't sleep at night is because I can't stop thinking about you.... And the things I wanna do with you." His answer made you smile thinking it was cute. But the next words he spoke made you blush and throw yourself towards him to hide on his neck.

"Particularly in bed." His words repeatedly rang on your ear as his soft chuckle resonates around the four corners of your living room. His arms snakes around your waist hugging you tight.

"You're so beautiful..." He whispered, as he slowly runs his fingers down your spine.

"I'm gonna bite you," you mumbled, gently pressing a soft kiss on his neck. Beomgyu chuckles heartily as he kissed your temple.

@binniesbooks 2025

[pbazzi535]

Interlinked Chapter 2

Paige is now back home, she has a beautiful house about 15 minutes from the Dallas Wings arena and practice facilities. She takes a shower and gets changed into a pair of grey sweatpants and a black sports bra. Paige flops onto her bed with a sigh, her knees are aching and she is exhausted. She takes out her phone and opens up the contact for Elizabeth. 

Hey its Paige  Was wondering if you wanted to grab that coffee tomorrow? 

Hey Paige, I would love to. Does 9:00 work for you? I usually drop Kinzley off at daycare around 8:30. 

Yes that works great for me, I’ll send you the address of the coffee shop! Did Kinzley have a good nap?

Perfect! Yes she did, she was asleep by the time we made it to the car, and stayed asleep for 2 hours! 

They continued to text for a couple hours back and forth until Paige said goodnight.

The next day:

Paige got to the coffee shop and saw Elizabeth getting out of her car. Paige hurried ahead so she could open the door for Elizabeth. “After you” Paige said. “Thank you” Elizabeth smiled and walked inside. Elizabeth looked at the menu for a couple minutes before they got to the counter to order. Paige ordered first, “I’ll have an iced latte with an extra shot of espresso please, and she will get..” as she turned to Elizabeth, “I’ll get an iced white mocha please”. Paige paid for the drinks. Elizabeth gently touched Paige’s bicep, “thank you, you didn’t have to” she said with a smile. Paige nodded and gave her a smile back, “I wanted to.” They grabbed their drinks and made their way to a table near the back corner of the coffee shop. 

Paige talked first, told Elizabeth about what its like playing for the Wings, how she has become close with some of the girls on the team but her old teammates from UCONN still visit lots. Elizabeth listened intently, offering some nods and asking a few questions. “how old is Kinzley?” Paige asked after a while. “She just turned 2,” Elizabeth smiled and talked about how Kinzley is the light of her life and how special she is. Paige hesitated then asked, “you mentioned that you owned a private practice with your ex, was he Kinzley’s dad?”. 

“yes, he is, she won’t be seeing him anymore unfortunately.” Elizabeth responded, with a slight break in her voice. “I’m sorry we don’t have to talk about that” Paige quickly said. “no no its okay, he just became abusive after Kinzley was born, never to her but to me, and one night not long ago when he came home drunk and it was really bad, I knew I had to leave. So I packed up mine and Kinzley’s stuff that night and left, I signed over my rights to the business to him and haven’t looked back.”

“Oh my gosh I am so sorry” Paige looked at Elizabeth and reached across the tablet to gently touch her hand. “Don’t apologize for someone else’s actions” Elizabeth said, wiping a tear away from her cheek. “I’m not apologizing for his actions, I am just sorry that you had to go through that, you didn’t deserve that.” Paige wiped another tear away from Elizabeth’s cheek, then quickly put her hand down on her lap, “sorry”. Elizabeth smiled, “don’t be”. 

They continued to talk for about an hour before Paige looked at the time. “I should get going, I have to meet up with Arike for a lift.” “yeah me too actually, I’m heading to the gym to get my office set up and meet some of the team” Elizabeth stood up and they began walking to their cars. 

Paige stood by Elizabeth’s car, “I’ll see you later then, this was nice.” Elizabeth leaned in for a hug, wrapping her armed around Paige’s waist, “thank you for the coffee, I would love to do this again.” Paige hugged her back and as they pulled away she tucked a stand of Elizabeth’s hair behind her ear, “yeah me too, I would like to take you on a real date if you would allow me.” 

Elizabeth smiled and said “I would love that, see you later Paige.” Paige opened Elizabeth’s door for her, and she got in. “see you later.” Paige closed Elizabeth’s car door and watched as she drove away before she got into her own car and drove to the gym to meet Arike. 

Time skip: a couple weeks later, Paige and Elizabeth have been on 3 dates, a dinner date, another coffee date, and a dinner and a show last night. 

Arike and Paige are in the gym, working out together. 

“You don’t get it bro like she’s just great. I get butterflies every time I’m around her. Like this isn’t just another girl I want to hook up with, I really like her, like its crazy bro.” Paige talks to Arike as she’s squatting. 

“You are down bad for her aren’t you. I can see the way you look at her every time she is in the same room as you, and I think you almost had a stroke the other day when she was working on your knee and giving you different exercises to do to help it.” Arike teases. 

Paige laughs, “yeah well you have to admit she is gorgeous”.

Arike nods in agreement. 

Elizabeth walks in, “hey guys how’s it going?” 

“Hey Elizabeth, good, just getting our lift in” Arike says and glances at Paige. 

“How’s your shoulder Arike, you are taking it easy right?” Elizabeth lifts her eyebrow and questions. 

“Yes ma’am, we are just doing legs today, following doctors orders and giving my shoulder a break.” 

“Good”, Elizabeth says as she walks up to Paige who is putting some dumbbells away. “and you, how are you?” she says snaking her arms around Paige’s waist from behind and resting her cheek on her shoulder blade. Paige blushes and tilts her head back to look at Elizabeth, “I’m fine, probably a little sweaty though.” Elizabeth pulls away and laughs, “I was thinking, my family is coming over tomorrow, we are having a little party for Kinzley since her birthday was a month ago but we never got the chance to celebrate with us moving… would you want to come? No pressure I just..” Paige interrupts her before she can continue rambling, “of course I will be there, we have team practice in the morning but I will come over after that beautiful.” Elizabeth smiles, “thank you, I think Kinzley will be excited to see you.” Arike coughs, Paige looks at her and laughs, “I guess we should finish our lift, but I will text you later okay?” Elizabeth nods “I look forward to it, don’t work too hard you two,” she says and she walks away. 

“So when are you going to ask her to be your girlfriend?” Arike asks Paige. “Soon, I just have to figure out how I will do it.” “You guys are cute, and she definitely likes you just as much as you like her, she’s got heart eyes for you anytime she sees you, it’s so obvious.” Paige laughs, “thanks Rike, now lets finish this lift so I can go home, I am exhausted.” 

A/N - so what we thinking about it so far? Maybe one more chapter tonight!

[tinytennisskirt]

A Chaotic Reunion: Part Two

Part 2 Summary: A continuation (find the first part here). ChildhoodBest friend!Art visits the reader's gallery before it opens and asks reader on a date only to have it ruined by Patrick, who is going through something. Things are unconventional, but Art still ends up in the reader's bed by the end...

Warnings: Patrick being suggestive, drunk Patrick, (touching, kissing with Art)

You woke up earlier than usual, nerves, somehow waking you before the alarm. But you used your time wisely. You showered with the good soaps and sprayed your perfume fresh out of the steam. You got ready, fixing your hair up and doing your makeup. You got dressed in your regular business casual work clothes, style, but comfort first.

Julie was up and chatting like she didn't get home and crash on her carpet before you and your other roommate saw and pulled her into her bed. She had a miraculous luck that never let her be hungover the next day, you joked that she was the drinking messiah.

“You’re heading in early?” She asked, passing you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with cucumbers on the side for breakfast. Not the usual, but it was fun enough.

“Yes, I have a friend coming to see the art and I thought he would like it better if it was just us. Without me having to tend to the potential buyers who you know can be a pain in the ass." You told her. Your other room main Shailene hummed.

“That guy from last night?” She grinned.

“There was a guy?”

You chuckled, “Yes. An old friend though, genuinely. From childhood. His name is Art, he’s a… tennis player in town for a tournament, I think."

“Art Donaldson,” Julie said. It didn’t sound like a question.

“Yeah?” you said, surprised. “How did you know that?”

She looked disbelieving, “The only Art in tennis I know is Art Donaldson, no way that’s your childhood friend- he’s hot, Y/N. He’s mega-hot, no way.” Shailene laughed from the kitchen as you ate your food.

“He is mega-hot, Y/N,” she chimed in. “He was totally eyeing you down too, I saw from when I was approaching that man was down bad.”

“He was not,” you laughed. He might have been. Your boobs comment from the night before rang out in your brain and so did how he reacted. Hmm… maybe he was, but not majorly. You weren't ugly, you couldn't rule it out entirely. “But I’m showing him the gallery is all.”

“Mhm,” Shailene hummed again.

“Okay, shhhh,” you said, setting dishes aside and going to the bathroom to brush your teeth. You heard the girls out in the living room whispering about looking up his tennis highlights. You shook your head- you’d gone to sleep last night watching those. “See you later!” You called to them as you spun out the door. Best to avoid more interrogation and just let the morning unfold.

You drove over and opened as usual, keeping the sign on the door saying closed. You ensured everything was tidy and clean and just as beautiful and colourful as the days before. You went through a few gallery emails, replying and sending. And on time, there was a knock at the door. You fixed the sleeves on the black long-sleeve shirt and adjusted the square neckline dip as you walked over to unlock the door.

“Hey,” he said. He had two coffees in hand, iced coffee. “Good morning.”

“Good morning,” you answered with a smile. He smiled right back and extended you an iced coffee. You were glad it was iced, hot coffee on a warm morning would just feel too corporate. And gross. “Thank you! You didn’t have to.”

“I’m not bringing nothing for the woman giving me a private tour of her gallery. Plus, I need it after last night," he said. You moved out of the way so he could come in. His eyes widened as he met the colourful surroundings of the gallery. “Wow- this is amazing.”

“My team and I hand-pick everything,” he spun and looked at you. You put a hand to your forehead, “I’m in work mode. My friends, my roommates and I we pick the art. We went with a theme of colour because we thought it is one of the most universal things about art is that there is colour. Sometimes shade, but when you think art, you think colour.” You gestured to everything. “An ode to that.”

He listened to you intently and walked with you as you showed him the gallery, piece by piece explaining things. He would joke, you’d joke back, and the banter was sweet and easy. You caught up on life, more. Talked parents and school and local town things. You sat on a bench overlooking one of your biggest pieces. “It’s nice to speak to someone not so involved in tennis.” He said, looking over at you.

“I was thinking I didn’t bring it up enough,” you replied, eating the ice out of your finished coffee. “Really?”

“Yes, really,” he nodded. He turned more your way so that your knees touched. “Everyone in my life talks about tennis more than their own children, family, accomplishments. Even I talk about it too much. You and the art here- it’s been good to hear about something like this.”

“I’m glad the gallery could be your escape,” you said. “And I’m happy you like it and I will GLADLY speak about anything other than tennis because I know nothing other than hitting a ball back and forth.”

He laughed, “Perfect. That’s all you need to know.”

“Oh phew,” you sighed. It was nearing opening, you heard your roommates come in downstairs. His head turned. “I’m glad you came to see it though. Escape or no escape.”

“Me too. It’s really impressive what you have here for yourself. And it’s been great seeing you, everything you’re doing is amazing and beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Your eyes met his, blue with bits of brown, those long eyelashes. “I wasn’t even sure what I was doing was worthwhile.”

“Probably more than,” he replied. “This gallery is amazing and you're doing it with your friends? Most people can't say they love what they do let alone that they do it with people they like and actually know. I'm jealous, honestly. But I know you open soon, so I should probably be on my way... Do you get off at nine?

“Most days,” you replied. “I can leave a bit earlier today since I started and did the opening process an hour before we opened. And thank you. I needed to hear something like that."

“Always." He said, standing. You stood with him, taking a second to toss your empty cup into the nearby bin. "-And perfect- I was wondering if you wanted to get dinner? Late… dinner. With me.” He asked, hands shoving themselves into his pockets. Your eyes widened a bit. Was he asking you out? “Is there a local place maybe? I’d love to be shown around a bit more if you have the time.”

“Of course- I-“ you fought a wide grin. “I’d love that. There’s a little Italian place just a few doors down from here or there’s an Indian place two blocks from here… or the sushi place a bit closer to my apartment. They’re all open late.”

“Sushi sounds good,” he said, standing up. “So do I call the number on the business card when I pick you up here at 8:10?” He flipped the card between his fingers.

You chuckled. He would pick you up? From work? That was his plan… “Oh, here- you grabbed the card from him, took the pen from your belt loop, and scribbled your number out for him. He grinned his crooked grin and your heart fluttered just a bit. “I’ll see you, then.”

“Sounds perfect,” he said. You both headed down the stairs of the gallery, past your friends who were doing a bit of near-afternoon filing. “I’ll call. Thank you for this, I think I needed it and I will for sure be back.”

“Sounds perfect,” you echoed. “See you later.”

He kissed you on the cheek before saying goodbye and exiting out the front. You turned around and the second he was no longer able to hear, both Julie and Shailene squealed. “The cheek kiss? So cute!” Shailene said, raising her hands above her head. “He so wants you, I honestly wouldn’t have minded if you two went at it against the Rosenthal in the corner.”

“That’s enough,” you smiled.

“Is it?” Julie asked. “Not so much as a kiss?”

“It’s 11am!” You said. “Who kisses someone at 11am? Besides it’s a bit different, we have so much history. Childhood together versus now, I think I’m having trouble not seeing the little blonde boy who would burp for a laugh." That wasn’t true, that image faded last night as you dreamt about him. There was no more little boy in Art.

“Okay, but what was that ‘see you later’ business?” Shailene asked.

“He asked me to dinner,” you started. Both girls opened their mouths to speak. “It’s probably friendly! I have no idea what his intentions are. He said he’d pick me up at 8:10, if I can get off early tonight- is that okay with you guys?”

“More than,” Julie squealed. “I’ll stay at my boyfriend’s tonight, Shai, you can come with me if you want? I have clothes you can wear there.”

“Hold on-“

“He’d be fine with that?” She asked Julie. Julie nodded excitedly.

“Perfect,” Julie said.

“I’m not bringing him back to the apartment!” You said. These girls were too forward sometimes. “We're just catching up."

“That’s what the early opening was for? That’s what dinner is for?” Julie stated, as if it was common sense. “Shai and I are more than happy to get out for a night. You deserve some good sex.”

“How would you even know if he’s-“

“He’s a tennis player! There’s gotta be some force there.” She continued. “You can run home on lunch break and get one of my dresses if you like. Or anything. Just don’t wear work clothes, you won’t be able to let loose that way.”

You nodded. Shailene grinned. “Maybe wear that midi-dress with the slit up the thigh. Ooh, with the red mary-janes!”

“Ooh,” you smiled. “Okay, okay. I’ll go on lunch.”

“I’m so excited for you!” Julie clapped. It was a matter of getting through the day. All day, you three talked about him and your childhood, what drove you two apart, etcetera. At lunch you went home and grabbed the clothes and some of your makeup to touch up on. You worked the rest of the day with a few buyers coming in. It neared 8 and the girls were still just as excited.

Your phone rang. “Is that him?” You asked? You were in the bathroom in a spare moment just getting changed and touching up.

“It’s him!” Shailene ran your phone to you. You smiled and picked up.

“Hey,” you said.

“Uh- hey-“ he sounded preoccupied, you could hear he was in the car. “So I really was looking forward to dinner with you, but my best friend is going through something right now and he is inconsolable in the manly way, which if you know what that’s like, he might be a bit out of control.”

He was cancelling? You shut the door to the bathroom. “That’s okay, I understand. Are you cancelling?”

“I don’t really want to, so if you’re fine to meet a friend, I would love to see you still. I just can’t leave him alone, you know?” He said. “I am so sorry, Y/N. This is the opposite of what I wanted for tonight and I completely understand if you would rather it be just us. We can reschedule."

You shook your head as if he could see, “No, that’s so admirable that you’re keeping him close. Don’t be sorry whatsoever, I promise it’s okay. And if you don’t want to cancel, I’m still free.”

“You promise it’s okay?” He asked. “I am so so sorry I would usually never do this, I promise I will make it up to you.”

You laughed, “It’s endearing! I don’t mind. He’s okay though?”

“He’s okay but on a level where I’m not sure what he’d do if I wasn’t around,” he replied. “I’m picking him up right now, I’ll be there in ten if you still want me?” Of course, you did. It was unconventional, but it was okay.

“Sounds good,” you replied. “I’ll see you soon. Don’t worry too much, okay?”

He chuckled, “I’ll try. See you soon.”

You said goodbyes and hung up. You I immediately updated your girls on the situation and they were disappointed but were sure it would still be good. And soon enough, Art’s car pulled up outside and thank god, his friend wasn’t in the front seat. You waved goodbye to your friends, grabbed your purse, and left, getting into the car. It was nice, clean.

“Hey, you look-“ he started, “Wow.”

“I didn’t want to wear work clothes out or I’d feel like I was still at work,” you told him. You turned in your seat to face another man. He seemed tall, with dark curls, and a bit of facial hair. You recognized him as Art’s tennis partner.

“Patrick,” he said, giving you his hand to shake. You shook it, he smiled.

“Oh, I know,” you grinned. “I’m Y/N- wow, two tennis stars in one car.”

“Okay, as if.” Art said, putting the car in drive again. “No tennis talk, for both mine and Patrick’s sake.”

“Done,” you said. “I don’t have enough tennis content in my head to remark on anything anyways. So the sushi place is just by my apartment, if you take a right up here, then pass two streets and a left, then you’re there.”

“Perfect,” Art said. “How was work?”

“Not too busy today, we had one of our regular buyers in today and sold two pieces to him, but the rest was marketing, emails, and planning for a gallery event.”

“What kind of event?” Patrick asked from the backseat. You half-expected him to stay quiet from the greeting that was just his name.

“Oh, it’s a bit of a sale where the proceeds go to a local children’s hospital for funding,” you told him. “Every year me and my coworkers put it on and it’s usually pretty successful.”

“That’s impressive,” Art said.

“And considerate,” Patrick added. “You’re big on charity?”

“When I can be,” you replied, and you turned back to Art. “The event is in a few weeks, lots of shrimp, so if you want to come just let me know.” Art looked over at you with a soft smile.

“I’d like that,” he replied, seemingly happy that you’d invited him. You smiled back. “You’ll have to send the details.”

“I will for sure,” you told him. You got to the place in no time and Art parked the car. “This is it. It’s a cute place, open late, I can’t tell you how many times me and my roommate have had a random craving at 1am and came down for sushi. That’s my building right over there.” You pointed across the street.

Art looked over, getting out of the car, then back to you, eyes lingering on your dress. “They’re open that late?”

“Yeah,” you laughed. “And the sushi is amazing.”

Patrick got out of the car and rose to be about as tall as you imagined. He was a bigger guy than you had observed from the dark of the back of the car. More muscle mass to his body, visible in his t-shirt and cargo shorts. “I’m starved.” Is all he said. You looked at Art and he mouthed another ‘I’m sorry’ and you laughed quietly, hitting him gently in the arm.

You all headed in, got a table, and started ordering immediately. Patrick wondered what the Japanese alcohol was like and ordered some for the table. You didn’t feel much like drinking, but it was headed to the table anyway. You and Art filled Patrick in on all the details of the games you played as kids and he took pleasure in teasing Art about playing the ‘girly’ games.

“Hey, I looked good in the princess shoes,” he said as Patrick reached over and ruffled his blonde hair.

“It’s true. And there was no way I’d let him pretend to be a prince because that meant we would have to kiss, because you know that’s what princesses and princes do,” you said. Patrick chuckled. "- And he rocked the crown and dress as well.”

“A crown and a dress? You were her bitch at age nine?” He laughed at Art, who pretended to hide his face. “I’m impressed, but I’m not surprised. I mean look at her now. Big-time gallerist who runs charity events.”

You pretended that didn’t land as if it was flattery, blinking it off. Art raised his head. You ate another California roll.

“Yeah,” Art said. “It’s not like she didn’t play guns with me.”

“If you ended up a princess and she ended up with a toy gun, that’s a bit telling.” Patrick added. He poured himself a bit of the drink he’d ordered for the table. It was more than a cup.

“He was a bit under my thumb… I was a bossy child,” you joked. Art nodded and smiled. Patrick downed his drink. “I’m not so bossy now.”

“Oh, that’s too bad,” Patrick grinned a wide grin and part of it was suggestive.

“Is it?” You questioned.

“I’d say so. I think Art would agree. Nothing is wrong with a bossy woman as long as it stays-“

“Okay…” Art said, almost dismissive.

“Hm,” you hummed. You tried the drink, but it was bitter, not for you. Patrick picked up that you hated it from the look of disgust and poured your share into his cup. “I’m collaborative, I think. You’d have to ask my friends because now I’m rethinking.”

“Collaborative is okay too, I don’t complain,” Patrick said, drinking more. He had a slight smirk on his face. Art shook his head and looked at you, your mouth stayed a little open from the words you'd just heard. “You know Art told me he ran into you but he didn’t say anything about how gorgeous you are.”

You felt a bit cornered, your cheeks feeling a faint bit of pink just from the situation. Art rubbed his eyes and rested his chin on his fist, pouring himself a little bit of the alcohol and drinking it. “Thank you,” you replied. “I wish I could reply with anything of the sort but I wasn’t expecting anyone else with us tonight.” You tried to laugh it off.

“Okay, Patrick,” Art came in, dismissive again. “Come on.”

“What?” He said, hands up in questioning. “You said dinner with a friend- I didn’t picture someone like her. You can’t tell me she’s not gorgeous.” The bottle was somehow more than half-gone. You weren’t sure what to say.

“She is- but Patrick, please.” He urged him quietly and you pretended not to hear. Patrick was for sure tipsy and was for sure flirting. All you focused on was the ‘she is’.

“Me? Come on? You’re all stiff, Buddy.” Patrick downed another cup you hadn’t even seen him pour. You understood what Art meant by going through it- something was up with him for sure. “Look at her, look-“

“Thank you,” you said again. Art looked at you apologetically. You took back the bottle of alcohol and drank right from it, just a swig. Disgusting but you probably needed it. “And thanks for coming, honestly. It’s been good meeting you.”

“You’re scaring her away, Artie,” Patrick said, ruffling Art’s hair again. Art looked embarrassed, to say the least. The Japanese alcohol was surprisingly strong. You guessed that was why it was so bitter. Patrick must have been well on his way to full drunk if a swig brought a fuzz to your vision for a moment. It passed.

“I think we should get out of here,” you said. Art nodded immediately. He got up faster than you could and went to the counter to pay. You couldn't even object. Your eyes followed him, tracing your eyes over the long-sleeve dark green shirt he was wearing with pants that looked really nice on him. You wondered if that was what he wore to games- it was nice- but looked comfortable. You wished he wasn’t paying.

You looked back at Patrick, who had just finished off the bottle when you weren’t looking. You were in trouble now. “You really are gorgeous. Are you single?”

“Uh- I am, but-“

“I’d love to take you out,” he said. “I’ll ask Art to send me your number.”

“Maybe…”

“Are we done flirting with Y/N?” Art said, coming back with a huff, sliding a card back into his wallet.

“Hardly,” Patrick grinned. You couldn’t help but smile at that response, it was funny. Art helped Patrick up, letting him lean on him. Art’s eyes practically projected an essay of apology. You were watching the alcohol sink in slowly to Patrick, he was getting worse, it seemed. And when you got into the car, Art put the key in the ignition and the car did not roar to life. It sputtered.

“Fuck!” Art exclaimed. “I knew I should have taken her in earlier. I’m sorry, the car has been on its last legs for a month or two now and I was going to get it fixed, but I put it off-“

“It’s okay,” you told him, hand on his upper arm. “Does it need a jump?”

“I’m not even sure if that would save it,” he laughed, almost, but it sounded fake. Patrick’s laugh from the back seat was very real. “Fuck, I’m sorry guys. I’ll call a cab.”

“Do you want to come back to mine?” You asked. “Just across the street, you can crash there if you’d like. My roommates are out tonight.” Might as well make use of the empty apartment.

“Really? I don’t want to impose,” Art said. He looked you dead in the eyes, looking for something genuine in you, almost disbelieving you'd be so kind to take in his fucked up friend.

“I wouldn’t offer if it wasn’t what I wanted. It’s probably best we get him somewhere secure fast- he’s had a lot.”

With a nod, you and Art got out of the car and started pulling a drunken Patrick out and over to the apartment. You and Art tried your best to ignore every pass he was making at you, calling you pretty, saying your nicely the colour of the dress went with your skin, talking about the slit of the dress. And you dealt with it all the way up the elevator and as you unlocked the door.

Patrick stumbled in and Art guided him to the couch. “Colourful,” Patrick said, “But bright.”

You dimmed the lights with the dimmer and shut the door behind you. “We keep some art here. Stuff we’ve bought, thrifted, found."

Art took a second to look around. “It’s nice. Really nice,” he said. Patrick sat up on the couch and looked around for a remote. You tossed it to him. “Which room is yours?”

You pointed to the one at the end, “Second biggest room. We drew straws.” You told him. Patrick looked like he had no idea how a remote worked. He put it down and got up, staggered and swaying. You looked at Art and Art looked at Patrick.

“Can I talk to you?” He asked you, dismissing Patrick. You nodded and pulled him to the kitchen just a bit more away from the drunk stranger in your living room. The second you were alone, he put his hands to his head. “I am so sorry about this. It’s one thing to bring your friend out when you ask a girl to dinner, but another to have him off his ass and go back to her apartment because your car decides to kill itself.”

“Art-“

“I know- because you’re kind and you’re sweet and perfect- that you don’t mind, but that doesn’t mean I don’t. You have no idea how sorry I am for all of this, but I promise you I’ll make it up to you.” He said, eyes on yours, his hands on your upper arms the same way they were when you bumped into him. Gentle, soft. “Thank you for this though, I really appreciate you giving us somewhere to go and I swear it won’t happen again.”

“I do promise it’s okay,” you reassured him, fighting the urge to laugh. He was sweet, worried, but sweet. “Thank you for apologizing though it’s not needed. Shows your character.” He smiled a little, but his eyes widened. You felt a hand on your waist, less gentle, less asked for. Not the hand you wanted there...

“Patrick-“

You turned, stepping away from his grasp. You didn’t know what to do or say. “You smell amazing,” he said, slight slur to his words. “Do guys ever tell you that?”

“Not often,” you replied. “What’s up?”

“Can’t get the TV to work,” he replied. “But if you have any idea of what we can do instead, I’m all ears.” He was so drunk. Japanese alcohol was a quick fix, apparently.

You slipped past and back into the living room, followed by the men. You could hear Art whispering to Patrick behind you as you grabbed the remote and turned the TV on.

ART DONALDSON US OPEN HIGHLIGHTS

In bright white splayed across the top of the screen started playing. You covered your mouth and closed it as fast as you could. You forgot your roommates were watching that this morning- your heart skipped a beat from humiliation.

Fuck. You put on the first thing you saw, some cop comedy movie. You turned it down enough for it to be background noise and Patrick crashed on the couch again. And he was silent.

Art walked over to you, “US OPEN highlights is crazy,” he said quietly, leaning on his arm against the wall you had your back to. “I have better games than that.”

“Mmm, so you saw,” you replied, voice hushed. You felt your cheeks flush just slightly. “My roommates were watching it once they found out you were coming to the gallery early.”

“So they know all about me then. They’re fans,” he said, fake-boasting. You smiled and shook your head. "Sometimes I hate tennis. I can never be mysterious and unknown."

“They think you’re hot mysterious or not. They’re a fan of anyone who is hot. You should have seen how my roommate Shai got about the hot mailman from downstairs- she practically made a fanpage. I swear we had a shrine for him somewhere.” You told him.

“And I don't get a shrine yet,” he laughed. You two kept quiet, leaning against the wall behind the couch. Patrick stayed quiet.

“Tennis player is somewhere high on Shailene’s list, I’m sure I could set you up,” you shrugged.

“What, that’s crazy. You don’t think I’m hot?” He teased. “Is it the crooked smile? I’ve been told it’s crooked.”

“Nobody hates the crooked smile, I promise.” You told him. And that exact crooked smile crept up his face. You smiled back. “I think it’s quite nice.” You added.

“Oh just nice, hm. That’s like me saying you look good.”

“Do I not?” You prodded. “And I said ‘quite’ nice.”

“No, no, you look quite good,” he replied. You smiled and hit him in the arm playfully. “I hate saying it because I know Patrick beat me to it, drunk and all, but you do look gorgeous. And I’m sorry it wasn’t just us tonight.”

“I know you’re sorry, but it’s not the end of the world. You are allowed to stop being sorry, I swear it’s okay,” you replied. Patrick coughed loudly. “Here, come in-“ you stepped into your room and turned on the lowlight lamp in the corner, casting dull orangey light around your room. You sat on your knees on your bed and he sat with you. “My room.”

He shut the door and looked around. And he was gorgeous, observing the things in your room. How he looked under the golden lamp light, over his features, over his curls. You were alone. He looked at you, “Your room is so comfortable.” He said. "I'm too used to empty hotels with fluorescents."

"Yuck, I couldn't live if the only lights I had were white, they need to be warm or I feel like I'm at the doctor."

"Oh, it's the worst. Especially trying to wind down at night, even the lamps buzz with the same feeling as the dentist." He said. "You have so many books and... so many pillows." He chuckled, referencing the pillows on your bed, on your desk chair, in the corner of your room. He sat on the bed next to you, close to you, still observing. You watched his jaw as he looked up at the ceiling to your stain glass light fixture and the art on your walls. It was silent with the low rumbles of the voices on the tv just outside your room.

It hit you harder, in the silence of the room with the closed door, that there was nobody else here with you. No Patrick in the room. Nothing between you two. You felt a bit like you’d just put down a baby to sleep, finally.

“Is it also hitting for you that we are alone for the first time? I feel like we just put Patrick down.” Art turned to look at you, shifting his body a bit on the bed.

Your eyes widened, “I was thinking the same thing! Like he’s a child we sent to bed finally.” You laughed.

He laughed. “Exactly!” He had a nice laugh. You leaned forward into each other as you laughed and his hand rested itself on your knee. Your forehead touched his shoulder just barely.

And surprisingly the laughing lasted a lot longer than you imagined. Every time either one of you tried to catch your breath you’d just start laughing again and it was contagious and all-consuming.

But it ended the second he kissed you.

His hands slipped over your jaw and around your ears and he pulled your face to kiss, lips meeting perfectly in the centre. It was sudden but it was natural and it was easy and you kissed him back immediately, slow, compared to the pace of the day. His hand slowly slid from your jaw, down your neck, to the back of it. Your hand slid down his chest and around his back.

He didn’t stop, he didn’t pull away. He just got up on his knees, kiss unbreaking, just as strong, and leaned you back so your head hit your pillows gently. He situated himself above you, kissing you and kissing you right. The way he kissed was better than anything you’d ever had, it was gentle but still strong and wanting as his hands traveled down your waist and yours migrated to around his neck. The giggling had ended for sure as he kissed the side of your mouth, then your cheek, your jaw, over your ear, your neck. Your hand slid up into the back of his hair, finding a grip on the curls.

Your legs wrapped around him, your leg slipping through the slit in the dress, pressing against him. His hand slid down your thigh and over your near-bare hip. his grip on it perfect. If you could have pulled him closer you would have, but in this circumstance it would mean something you weren't quite ready for tonight.

He kissed your neck and collarbone softly, nose grazing your skin as he went along, soft lips pressing to each point until they met yours again. Hungrier, faster, he gripped your hip harder, but enough. His hand slipped further up your dress through the window of the slit, hand on your waist now, your underwear the only thing under it, but ignored by him. He was touchy but in the right way, hand on waist, hip.

You sighed heavily as he kissed over to your ear again, lower lobe, just behind your ear, moving your hair out of the way. It sent goosebumps trailing over your skin.

But you couldn’t help but giggle, the laughter from earlier catching up. He stopped and he moved back over you, face to face. You kept giggling and kissed him once more, a small peck. He grinned. “What’s so funny?”

You laughed again, just a giggle. He kissed you again and you both rolled over in the bed toward the wall and you nearly hit your head but it just made things funnier. He laughed too, placing a hand behind your head to keep it from hitting the wall again. You sat over him, hair falling in both yours and his face. “What’s so funny?” He asked again, but he was laughing now too. And you kissed him again. Just as strong, just as passionately, quieting things again.

Patrick stayed quiet for the rest of the night, presumably passed out on the couch. You and Art spent the rest of the night laying together and talking more, the way you would have if your date earlier had gone well. Talking, kissing freely, a lot of laughter but enough shushing as to not wake Patrick or anything.

"You do smell really good," Art said, brushing your hair behind your ear.

"The communal date-night bodywash bottle," You told him. He found that really funny. "And vanilla perfume."

You kept laughing, talking, connecting. It was easy, like you'd never parted ways. But eventually, he fell asleep. You followed soon after and fell asleep with him, your head on his chest. And it was a rocky, but good night in the end. A good place to resume not only friendship but maybe something else. You’d have to wait and see.

- tts masterlist

[angesaurus]

I do feel a little like ✨trash✨today. Yesterday was a very long day. We literally had to be at the soccer field @ 7:50am for photos. It was hell getting out of the house on time because Dan, who reassured me that “he got it” did indeed not have it, and therefore it was chaos and then Cecilia had her actual game (they won!) and then we had to stay for Gavin’s team photos (I sat in my chair and read on my kindle) and then we ran to Wawa for a quick snack/lunch and then drove 25 minutes away to Gavin’s game (he also won!) and it was VERY hot and the sun was pounding down and it just wore me out a little. And of course my parents came (which is nice that they drove extra for an away game!) and of course they came to my (incredibly messy) house after and we went to linner (late lunch early dinner) and THEN I had a ticket (thanks, coworker!!!!! Saved me $10) to the half price pre sale at the huge consignment sale I go to for the kids clothes so we went to THAT and didn’t get home until like 8 and we just were all so tired and then I ate ice cream which wrecked my stomach and I woke up with one of those scratchy throats that you know is from stale air and the weather being weird and from being burnt out. But then I drank some hot coffee and felt better but I still have 8000 things to do today to get ready for the week. And Dan is coaching all morning and Gavin has parkour tonight. I cleaned the bathroom real quick and need to do tons of laundry and clean most of the rest of the house because I have zero time during the week 🤗 we also have no groceries (Dan is our grocery buyer so he handles that) and I just feel like I very much do not have anything together right now. 5 days of work and only 2 days off is so so hard.

[unremarkablehouse]

"If I were that Stoned..." Ch 2

Mature | pre-IWTB | MSR | WC 2,764 | AO3

Summary: Set before the IWTB, Mulder and Scully have settled into their own domestic routine in their Unremarkable House. Deciding it’s time to spice things up, Mulder takes it upon himself to discover exactly what would happen ‘if they were that high.’ Smut ensues.

As Scully made her way down their dirt driveway the afternoon sun lit a golden path across the dry grass illuminating a relaxed Mulder, leaning by the metal gate. Dressed in his old jeans and a grubby T-shirt, the dirt on his face and clothes informed her he had been working outside today. Still, it was unusual for him to be waiting by the gate for her to get home. They had established a pretty consistent routine, Mulder would get up with her in the mornings, make breakfast and coffee, warm up/de-ice her car on cold days and open the gate as she left for work so she didn’t risk getting her clothes dirty. This worked nicely because Mulder would then take off on his morning run, leaving him with the day to putter around outside or research things to his heart’s content until she got home. Mulder waiting by the gate for her to get home like a dog pining for his owner had her radar going, something was definitely up.

“What’s up Doc?” Mulder asked as she pulled to a stop and rolled down the window.

“Are you getting in Mulder?”

Mulder swung open the passenger door and jumped up on the runner, bracing himself by holding the roof and the SUV door. Tapping on the roof Mulder yelled “let’s go Baby!”

“Mulder, no. Get in the car!”

“I stink Scully, trust me you don’t want me messing up your car. This is fine, just drive slowly and try to avoid any potholes.”

Begrudgingly, Scully drove her car slowly towards their house with Mulder hanging off the side of the SUV like some deranged pirate.

Before she could pull to a complete stop Mulder jumped off and slammed the door.

“Mulder you’re crazy.”

“It’s not like I jumped onto a train or a cable car, I’ve mellowed in my old age!” Scully rolled her eyes and made her way to the front door, intercepting Mulder for a kiss.

“Woah, Mulder you do stink! Did you get sprayed by a skunk again?”

“No, I was helping Andrews with some of his posts and went through a hemp field.”

Mulder started stripping off all his clothes as they walked inside, unconcerned by his nudity, and Scully couldn’t help but admire his toned physique. Mulder was definitely aging well, his body had filled out and became more muscular than when they first met. Scully’s appreciative leer was not missed by Mulder who gave her a smug grin.

“I’m going to take a shower, wanna join me?”

“Mulder the type of shower you need right now requires total focus to get rid of that unholy funk.”

“Suit yourself!”

With the leftovers reheated and put on plates Scully let herself enjoy the feeling of domestication and stability. Mulder appeared just in time to eat, hair still wet from the shower, shirtless and sporting a pair of sweatpants. His mood was suspiciously jovial and Scully was still waiting to find out what he was up to.

“Okay, spill it Mulder.”

Her decree caught Mulder off guard and his face looked like a kid who’d been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Attempting to feign innocence Mulder’s ‘what’, was met with an arched eyebrow and an unrelenting Scully stare.

Mulder sheepishly pulled out a ziplock bag with two rolled joints in it and handed it to Scully.

“Mulder is that pot?” Scully’s amusement put Mulder at ease as he explained himself.

“For a minute there I felt like I was in an afterschool special. It was a gift from Andrews for helping with the fence. I thought after dinner we could smoke on the front porch and you could show me how stoned sex is supposed to work.”

“I can’t believe you remembered! That was years ago Mulder, I haven’t gotten high in decades.”

“Of course I remembered, it was the first time we slept in the same bed.”

“Mulder, I’m game to try it but I may have oversold high sex a little bit. I was coming onto you- but you didn’t make a move.”

“WHAT! I was such a dumbass. Here I am so fond of the fact that we held hands and slept together that night, and you’re telling me we could have had crazy monkey sex!”

“I don’t know about crazy monkey sex, but yeah. I thought I was going to get fired so I figured, why not.”

“Man, I have no game. Thank god you jumped me or I’d still be pining for you.”

“Thank god,” Scully said, and pulled Mulder down for a kiss.

Nuzzling her neck affectionately Mulder whispered in her ear, “for the record, holding hands and sleeping with you was still pretty great.”

“I think so-”

Standing back and giving Scully an appreciative once over, Mulder declared, “but sex with you is incredible, so the dumbass verdict remains.”

After finishing the dishes, Mulder sauntered onto their front porch to find Scully sitting cross legged on her chair, her glass of ice water resting on the little table in between their chairs. Bewitched, Mulder watched her take a slow sip and capture an ice cube, rolling it around in her mouth until she decided to crunch it. Scully knew it was one of her habits that drove him crazy, their silent game of seduction was on. Handing her the bag of joints and a lighter, Mulder reached up and stretched his back in a way that was mostly performative for Scully. Still shirtless, his muscles rippled as he flexed, giving out a groan of relief and pretending to be oblivious to the effect he was having on her.

Long before they became lovers they would each delight in teasing one another. Touches that lasted a little too long, close whispers, a tongue slowly gliding over a lip, clothing revealing slithers of flesh normally concealed to the outside world. Years later, in their rustic house, these covert seductive behaviors were hardly necessary. But it was if the excitement of these elicit displays had morphed into their own private love language. Perhaps it was their way of ensuring their keen focus on one another, noticing gestures others would overlook, enjoying the game of never needing to acknowledge them aloud.

Scully captured his gaze as it was her turn to dance, she moistened her lips before taking the joint in her mouth and lighting it. The low grown Mulder emitted as he relaxed further into his chair was all the encouragement Scully needed to continue her show. Leaning her head back and closing her eyes, Scully exhaled her first hit of the joint, moving her mouth to form perfect smoke rings. Scully passed the joint over to Mulder, his eyes already dark with desire and an amused grin.

“Such a bad girl Scully; I love it.”

Knowing she’d won this round, Scully affectionately watched Mulder inspect the joint before taking a deep inhale. His face went red as he coughed and choked the smoke out, with tears in his eyes he looked up to Scully with his sheepish smile as she encouraged him to take a sip of her water. Taking the joint off Mulder, Scully repositioned herself on his lap and took another hit. Once she was sure his airways had calmed down she instructed him to hold still as she exhaled the smoke into his mouth, shot-gunning the joint.

Mulder’s face lit up with approval, taking in the pot much easier than the first time. Kissing her cheek Mulder said “that is way better than smoking a joint.”

“I thought you might like it,” Scully replied before she exhaled more smoke directly into his mouth.

They had managed to smoke the entire joint in that fashion, getting lost in their own world until Scully stubbed out the butt and gave a big yawn.

“How are you feeling Honey?” Mulder asked, examining her closely.

“I’m just very relaxed Mulder. How are you doing?” Scully asked, punctuating her question with a peck on his lips.

“I feel really floaty, Scully. Like if you got off my lap, I might be so light that I’d float away.”

The absurdity of Mulder’s serious statement made Scully giggle, and her giggling got Mulder giggling until they were both laughing for no reason.

“Mulder, I think it’s safe to say we’re stoned.”

“Empirical evidence would have to agree with you.”

“Wait, so you just need to get stoned to care about evidence?!”

“You live you learn-“ Mulder said as his focus shifted to kissing Scully’s neck while his hands made their way under her shirt.

His dramatic mood change immediately affected Scully, who leant back into his chest, encouraging him to continue his exploration of her body. As Mulder kissed and caressed her, Scully gave herself over to heightened sensations and let them feed her arousal. When she couldn’t take it anymore she turned around on Mulder’s lap, capturing his lips in a passionate kiss while her hands roamed down the plains of his chest finding his hard cock. Her touch set Mulder’s skin on fire as he lifted his pelvis, grinding his erection into her hand. They broke from their deep kisses and panted, time had contracted and somehow their foreplay had concluded, both of them more than ready for the main event. Mulder reached to unzip Scully’s pants, only to have his hands meet air as she pulled away from him and stood up from his lap.

“No Mulder, we can’t have sex on the porch again. Last time we did I had a sore neck for a week.”

“Right, and I got a splinter in my butt!”

They both laughed at the memory, while Scully pulled Mulder up from his chair, guiding him through the house and into their bedroom.

Without ceremony they both removed their clothes and took their habitual positions on their bed. Before Scully could kiss him again, Mulder held her back and stopped her, making a show at inspecting her body as if he had never seen her naked before. After a few too many minutes of Mulder’s appreciative stare, Scully grabbed his head in her hands and kissed him.

“Are you going to stare at me Mulder or are we going to have sex.”

“Sorry, I just got carried away looking at you. You’re so beautiful Scully, I adore every single inch of you.”

“You’re not too bad yourself,” Scully said and resumed their kiss.

Their love making continued in a familiar sequence of touches and caresses, halting progress as Mulder reached Scully’s chest. It was normal for Mulder to adorn attention on Scully’s breasts, his admiration of them was well known, but his current display seemed to be hyperfixed on them. Scully pulled Mulder’s head away from her chest and laughed at his forlorn expression.

“Mulder, I think you’re forgetting something.”

“Sorry Honey, but you have amazing boobs. I just want to touch and play with them all day.” Mulder reached his hand out to Scully’s breast so he could resume fondling her, only to be gently slapped away.

“Ohmygod Mulder, you can’t be trusted with my breasts anymore.”

Moving away from him, Scully squeezed out a small amount of lube from the nightstand and glided it across Mulder’s cock, rubbing the excess off on Mulder’s belly with a laugh. Scully got on all fours and turned around to Mulder, instructing him to get into position. Mulder draped his entire body over Scully as he entered her from behind and nuzzled her neck. One of Mulder’s hands glided up her torso and made their way to her breasts.

“Okay, they’re still there,” Mulder mumbled in her ear as he glided himself inside her. Wrapped in his embrace, Scully giggled at the thought of her wearing a Mulder coat, loving the way his body heat permeated her being and the feel of his cock buried deep inside her. It wasn’t long until she felt her orgasm rise as Mulder rhythmically circled her clit and maintained strong consistent strokes. The intense thrum in her body was all too much for her, as her orgasm engulfed her Scully felt her arms collapse and her upper body came to rest on the bed. Mulder continued to piston into her, never stopping his sturdy rhythm, his hand gently guiding her back into a comfortable position.

Scully was lost in a haze, the post orgasm endorphins combined with her high had overwhelmed her body. No longer capable of conscious thought she moaned in pleasure as her body continued to be stimulated by Mulder’s powerful thrusts.

Mulder’s thoughts were equally blank as he focused on the sensations, the contractions of Scully’s pussy guiding his pace and letting him know she was close again. Moving both his hands to her hips, Mulder gripped Scully tightly and pounded as hard as he could trying to push her over the edge again. Without her face or body near him Mulder’s rhythmic thrusting started to feel robotic to him, as if he was no longer in control, unable to stop himself and overwhelmed by the feeling. Scully’s orgasmic scream seemed to bring his vigorous pace to a slow halt, his body softly pulsed, bringing her down gently. Pulling out from Scully, Mulder sat himself up against the headboard and found himself once again overwhelmed and now inundated with fear.

Unsure how long her body had been incapacitated post orgasm, Scully’s hand reached out around her looking for Mulder. His absence sobered her up, and she instantly realized something was wrong.

Looking around the bed, Scully found Mulder sitting up by the headboard with a terrified look on his face. It was clear he’d been battling with a panic attack, too overwrought to speak. Rushing to him, Scully ran her hands through Mulder’s hair in an effort to calm him down. Relief suddenly flashed through his eyes as Mulder recognized her, and his breathing started to return to normal.

“Mulder, are you ok? What happened?”

“I don’t know Scully. We were having sex and suddenly I felt lost, like you weren’t there. The next thing I knew I was alone and I couldn’t find you, I was so afraid.”

Straddling Mulder’s lap Scully rested her forehead against his and took deep calming breaths. Without a word Mulder followed her lead until their breathing was synchronized. Staring into her eyes Mulder felt a deep wave of calm wash over him and enter into every fiber of his being.

“No more pot for you Mulder, okay?”

“Okay Doc.”

As Scully moved to lift herself off Mulder, she felt his arms tighten around her, pulling her closer. His mouth sought hers out and his kiss felt like he was pulling her into him.

“I don’t feel lost when I can see you,” Mulder said against her lips. Scully grabbed on to Mulder’s hand, feeling the full power of their connection, their bodies coming together once more. Without any conscious action Mulder was once again inside her, the rocking of their bodies in perfect unison, an expression of deep unabiding love. The crest of their orgasms occurred in perfect synchronicity, their gaze locked into each other’s eyes as they began to unravel. A reverent silence filled the air as they both came down from their transcendental experience.

Finally breaking the silence Mulder looked over at a bedraggled Scully with a sense of pride. “So, was stoned sex as good as you remembered it Scully?”

“It was different. But sex with you is always on another level, our connection makes it phenomenal.”

Mulder mouthed the word phenomenal, letting his ego enjoy the feedback.

“I guess we’ve never really needed anything to make sex more amazing between us. But I’m glad I got to try high sex with you,” Mulder said as he moved them into a spooning position.

Scully’s eyes had started to close when Mulder whispered into her ear, “Scully, I’m going to get up for a while. Don’t be alarmed if I come back smelling of Doritos.”

Before he could get out of bed Scully grabbed onto his hand.

“You better bring the packet with you if you expect to be let back in bed.”

“We can eat in bed?!”

“One time exception, Mulder.”

Mulder looked down at her tiny hand in his and felt his heart constrict the same way as it had the first time she held his hand in bed all those years ago. With a quick kiss Mulder made his way down to the kitchen to get their snacks and thanked his lucky stars for his badass Partner.

tagging: @

[deathofpeaceofmiiind]

illicit affairs | twenty one

*Ellie’s POV* two months later The last two months have been an absolute whirlwind, it was hard to believe it was already August. Noah moved in with me but he’s only been here half the time since he’s been back and forth from LA for work and doing a few festival shows. When he was here though we spent most of the time exploring around Vancouver and getting Noah familiar with what the city had to offer. It still didn’t feel real that was he was permanently here, I kept waiting for him to go home to LA .

One of the best things about Noah being here was him spending time with Liam and developing a bond with him. Liam loved having Noah around which was such a relief because I was worried he wouldn’t like sharing our space. Noah spent a lot of undivided time with him and his calm, patient, kind nature helped him gained Liams trust pretty quickly. He even introduced Liam to Naruto and now it was their favourite pastimes. I also tried to not get offended when Liam started wanting Noah to read him a bedtime story and tuck him in, but their bond was so special I let it go. “Ow.” I turned around and saw Noah holding his shoulder, making me sigh. As much as I loved that Noah brought some of his music equipment with him, our living room was getting a little crowded. We had my desk, some guitars and Liams toy shelf in here, along with a sectional the size of Texas. I turned my attention back to my computer so I could wrap up some emails for work. Seconds later Noah came over and gently rubbed my shoulders, making me lose my train of thought. “I’m almost done.” I breathed as he brought his lips to the back of my neck. “Okay, I want to talk to you about something important when you’re done.” I raised my eyebrow at him, “I can type and listen.” “No you finish, I’ll make us some coffee first.” He whispered before kissing the top of my head. My head tingled from the contact as he walked towards the kitchen. Noah’s love language has been making me coffee when he’s here, which I’d never complain about because he always made it perfectly. He set up a full coffee bar when he moved in, making me anything from matcha’s, flat whites to iced oat milk lattes. When Liam was having a sleepless night he would even steam milk and honey for him to sleep, which worked like an absolute charm. “So what did you want to talk about?” I asked as I sat down on the couch. Noah came around the corner, a hot coffee in hand for me. I smiled as he passed it to me, feeling the warmth against my hands.

“While I appreciate all of us cramming into this condo together, we need more space. Jolly and I have been toying with the idea of a deluxe album so I’ll need a recording studio sooner than later.” He fiddled with the strings on his hoodie, looking nervous as all hell as he looked at me. “I had some places lined up to look at this afternoon if you’re interested.” “Seriously?” “Yes Ellie.” He smirked, “you can’t tell me it doesn’t feel crowded. I know Liam is only here half the time, but it would be nice to give him more space to play too. Not that I don’t trust him, but some of these guitars are really expensive so I need them somewhere safe.” “No I get it, and it would be nice to actually have an office.” My tone changed, getting excited about the idea, “so when do we go?” Noah just smiled at me before finished up our coffees. He had picked six houses that were in this area to look at because he liked it here, and I did too. After quickly getting dressed we got into the car and drove about 10 minutes away from the condo to a small bungalow that was almost identical to his home in LA. My stomach dropped a little, I didn’t want to be reminded of what happened there. Our realtor showed us around but I could tell even Noah didn’t like it, he took one loop around the kitchen and said we weren’t interested. 

The next few houses didn't impress us and neither of us could see ourselves building a future in them. I started to wonder if we needed to hire a new realtor because he wasn’t getting it. Noah wore his defeat on his face and I tried to remain positive for him but it was hard. I grabbed his hand and gave him a reassuring squeeze as we pulled up to the next house, which was also the last one. “Holy shit.” My jaw dropped as we pulled into the driveway. It was a two story modern home but with much darker aesthetics. Once we got out of the car I noticed and it had the cutest front porch, and it was on a quiet cul-de-sac. I was already picturing Liam riding a bike around here in the summer. Noah’s eyes glowed as he looked over at me, this could be it. Noah and I were walking around the house in complete awe, every room was leaving us speechless. We found out it was just built this year, so no one had lived in it yet. The interior matched with the exteriors aesthetics with the doors, window frames, all the cabinets and lights being black with gold fixtures. The floors were a lighter wood finish and the walls were a soft white and the house had so much natural lighting. It had 5 bedrooms, which was good because Liam can have his own room and we could have guest rooms for when the guys come up. There was also a small office off of the living room that would be perfect for me, or for Noah to turn into a recording studio. This house was meant for us.

“I saved this for last, because I think you’ll love the backyard the most.” We both gasped as we headed outside, my hand squeezed Noah's harder as I looked around. There was a large patio with a fire pit, again, perfect for us when the guys come up and a decent sized yard with a small in ground pool. My eyes wondered over to a detached garage that had a bonus room above it. Noah’s eyes lit up and I could instantly tell he wanted to make it his recording studio. Seeing him like this made my heart melt. Unfortunately our excitement wore off when we saw the price, it was a bit out of Noah’s price range. Unfortunately Vancouver real estate was, if not worse than LA’s was. Our realtor assured us he could get the asking price down since it had been on the market for a while and would get back to us with a better number by tomorrow. We felt our dream home slipping out of our hands and it was crushing me to see Noah so distraught over it. We thanked the realtor and drove home in complete silence.

“What if I sold my condo?” “Are you sure?” Noah sighed, not taking his eyes off the road.

"This house was made for us babe. My condo has doubled since I bought it and I paid it off, so it would help us with a downpayment. We can make this happen."

Noah put the car in the park as we pulled up the condo, sighing heavily. My eyes pleaded for him to give in for once and let me help, considering this was something for us. He brought his hand up to my face and held my cheek in his palm. I studied the freckles on his sun kissed face as he tried to find his words. “That house really was made for us, wasn’t it?” I just nodded on account I was melting into his hand. A small smirk appeared on his face before he gently kissed me, leaving me wanting more. The pad of his thumb gently rubbed my bottom lip as a million thoughts raced through my mind. Our eyes remained locked on each other and that gravitational pull made it impossible to look away. “Lets go get our home then.”

[hockeyboysimagines]

Harper

I met my younger self for coffee

She was 15 minutes late, and tried to cancel at the last minute, I was already waiting at the table there.

She told me got stuck in traffic after work, I know Darren thinks she’s still there.

She drove the white Jeep I miss so much, I ran here.

She asked me how I found the time to run again, I said we made the time.

She ordered an iced coffee, I ordered the same.

She’s quiet, focused on her phone, waiting for Darren to ask her when she will be home – when will dinner be ready?...When will she finish the laundry list of items he refused to do for himself?...

She looks stressed, her hair a mess and her makeup smudged from crying on the car ride over.

I ask her if she’s been sleeping well.

She forces a smile, saying she sleeps fine.

It’s a lie, I know she doesn’t.

Her phone buzzes and she tries to hide it, Darren is asking how work is.

She goes to reply, but is distracted, relieved, when she sees the ring on my finger.

She asked me if she’ll finally get married

I tell her she will

She asks if we married Darren

I tell her to follow her heart and it will guide her to where she is meant to be

Darren’s calling now, and she’s making an excuse to leave

I want to stop her, but I force a smile and tell her I understand

I hug her before she leaves

She cried as I held her, telling me that she misses her mother, her sister, her father and who she used to be

I hugged her tight, just like mother used to, and said nothing else before watching her leave with the reassuring thought that she would be okay because one day she would be me.

-All credit for moodboard, writing and character creation goes to @cellythefloshie. Please read cool for the summer and I’ve loved you three summers for more Maddie and Harper!-

[tailsbeth-writes]

hey taylor happy friday

so prompt this week - let's go with

✨ Make You Mine - for either southern philanthropy or firstprince if u'd rather 💚💚

I had so much fun with my Vamp!Henry AU that I decided to make this a part 2, this time we get Alex's POV. Read on Ao3 here 🧛🏼‍♂️

Alex knew he should have walked away from Henry. On that first night. On their first date. The first time Henry showed him what he really was. But he’d already jumped off that cliff, there was no going back now. ‘Is this crazy? I mean it almost feels a little pathetic considering he’s y’know…’ ‘A blood sucking vampire?’ Nora replied nonchalantly. Alex looked around the coffee shop, thankfully it was too busy for anyone to have heard. ‘Keep your voice down. But yes.’ Nora shrugged and made an obnoxiously loud noise sucking up her iced latte. ‘You’re being super helpful today.’ Nora rolled her eyes and sat back in her seat. ‘This is how you show you’re in it forever, it’s the human way. And I think he’ll appreciate that. The man is such a romantic, it kind of makes me sick.’ Alex couldn’t help but smile.

‘Alex, are you ho-’ Alex sat at a table covered in candles, wearing the chiffon burgundy shirt that drove Henry mad. There was a bouquet of wildflowers, tied together with the handkerchief Henry gave Alex after they’d been together six months. It had been his father’s. ‘What did I do to deserve all this, love?’ Alex got up, strode to Henry and pulled him in for a deep and heady kiss. His mouth ravaged Henry’s, his hands spread over his back and slid to his ass. Henry moaned as Alex’s tongue caught his fangs. Alex backed off, Henry stared at his lips for a moment before finally coming back to Earth. ‘You’ve given me happiness and purpose and a home.’ Alex placed his hand on Henry’s chest, they both knew there was no working heart there but the sentiment was there. Henry put his hand on top with a shy smile. ‘I know the time I’ve been alive is tiny in the grand scheme of yours but I also know you’re my forever. You’re my always. Will you marry me Henry?’ Henry blinked a couple of times, a few red tears escaping. His mouth opened as if to speak but before anything came out, he nodded. Alex grinned and lunged in for another kiss, taking Henry’s head with his hands. They held each other tight as Henry finally got his words out. ‘Yes, a thousand times, yes.’

[linaselandbasil]

HAHA, nerds! (Working title)

CHAPTER 2

(Bloodweave University au)

AO3 link, link to chapter 1

...

"Ugh, my nail broke! How does that even happen!" Astarion complained to Shadowheart literally immediately as she got into his car.

"I have no clue. I have never seen you work. Ever." She threw her backpack on the backseat and buckled up. "So, your place?"

"Yeah." He pulled out of the parking lot of the comic parlor and drove towards the nearest Wc Deepalds. "What do we order?"

"Fries, bunches. And a milkshake. And ice cream."

"We have ice cream at home."

"It's not the same, I assure you!" Shart said, crossing her arms. "Whatever, It's not like papa Caz is letting you eat any of it."

"Yeah, it's for guests, and you are a guest, so eat the fucking ice cream at home!" Astarion drove a little faster, unintentionally of course, he's a lawyer by trade, he's not a fan of being sued. Not a good look.

"You're unbearable!"

"So are you. But we're friends, so I'll forgive you." Astarion said with no hint of theatrics in his voice. A rare occurrence.

"Likewise."

After a bit of silence they arrived at the drive through and Astarion rolled his window down.

"Welcome to Wc Deepalds, what can I get you?"

"Can I get a ummmmmmm iced coffee and two large fries, annddddd ummmm... Shart what do you want?"

"Ice cream with caramel sauce, an oreo shake and garlic sauce... For the fries." She, of course, crawled into Astarions lap to lean out the window, even though she really didn't need to.

"Alright, is that all?"

"Yes, thank you." The pale elf said, shoving his worstie back into the passanger seat and driving to the next window where they spent a few minutes waiting. "Of course a little goblin like you would know the menu of this... mistakenly popular establishment. I congratulate you on your VIP ticket to heart failure."

"Thank you, I appreciate it." The window opened and Astarion was handed a warm, delicious smelling paper bag of fatty liver disease. He paid with his papa Cazador money and drove away.

Shadowheart said "Gimme that." And took the bag of fast food. She dug right into her ice cream.

"Bon appetit, my friend."

"Thanks."

"Youre very welcome." He took a sip of his coffee.

"Hey what's up with that bearded guy you asked out? D'he text you yet?"

"Yes. About 30 minutes after I left the store. Eager." Astarions apartment is not far from them by now, they can see it in the distance. A sad beige building with several floors full of annoying neighbors.

"You like them when they're enthusiastic, don't you."

"I do, and what about it? I prefer to know that my partners enjoy themselves!"

Shart sighed. "Such a politically correct gentleman you are."

He nearly choked on his coffee trying to speak his next words. "I AM! And beautiful! Not enough people mention that." He parked his car, got out and began marching to the enterance without waiting for his esteemed guest.

She managed, carrying her gym bag and the Wc Deepalds goodies in her hands of holding. Astarion climbed the stairs with her following not far behind, he took out his keychain, which had about a dozen charms and was attached to one of those things that let you put it around your neck.

"Make yourself at home, darling."

"I will." She took her shoes off at the entrance before the pale elf put her head on a stick for it. "So, I was thinking dark makeu-"

"SAVE. IT. FOR. THE. CAMERA." He put his coffee down on the counter.

"Sheesh, okay." She plopped down on the couch. "Ugh, I don't know how long I can take working at that place."

"What was it this time."

"Just the usual neckbeard business. If we banned the customers that 'flirted' with me we'd be going out of business unfortunately. Can I have a drink?"

"But of course, dear." He opened the fridge and poured her a tall glass of delicious orange juice. Yummy.

"I was thinking of a more age restricted substance."

"We can drink after filming."

"Good... You know what, I'm taking a nap, you go ahead and do the camera things."

"Yeah, good idea. Sweet dreams!" She curled up on the couch and began lightly snoring in about 6 minutes. Astarion could never, he has horrible things to remember and he only finds a gap in his schedule for them right before bedtime.

He quietly went to his bedroom to get started setting everything up.

...

"Do you think this one's better?" Asked Gale, showing a picture on his phone to Wyll. "Or this one." He swiped left.

"I'm not sure, they're both very elegant. Is there a specific dress code? Like, a color scheme?" Wyll was not the best person to ask about this sort of thing, but he is the only person Gale was willing to talk to about it.

"I'm not sure, I can ask him tho."

"Do that, but don't tell him about what your outfit will be, trust me he'll love a surprise!" He tried to reassure the wizard with a smile but it went unnoticed, since the man in question was ferociously typing a message to his future husband and possibly father to their children.

The cafeteria was not busy, people are cooped up in their dorms studying and eating takeout. A shame, honestly, they're serving pizza today.

"Oh my weave he texted back!"

"What did he say?"

"Dark colors, preferably, but I won't get kicked out unless I look underdressed."

"Good thing you have no shortage of wizardly robes."

"True that.... I think I'll wear the purple one."

"Robe of summer? Good choice." He said, glass of water in hand. "I'm almost jealous, I do miss balls, but I don't miss the kids of people who attend them."

"Right, I forgot you were once a well coiffed little noblemanlet! You blend right in with the rest of us common folk!" He put his phone in his pocket but right as he was about to forget about it, he received another message. "It's him...."

"What is it about?" Gale read it, and turned a little red.

'It matters to me very little what wrappings are on a gift, all I care about is what's underneath.'

"Well, it could be interpreted in two different ways, I'm not sure what he really meant.." Gale showed his friend the text.

"I think... If you were to take offense to his boldness, he'd say he didn't mean it like that to not make you uncomfortable, but he definitely meant it like that!" He took a bite of his pizza, it's growing cold.

"That's smart." Gale took a deep breath and started typing. He then changed his mind and deleted all the letters, he could do better. He then literally typed out the exact same sentence.

'Well, it's quite impolite to give a gift without wrapping isn't it? Unwrapping is part of the fun!'

"Wyll my heart is pounding, I don't know how people do this whole dating thing casually..."

"I believe in you, you will persevere!"

"I hope you're correct." He got another notification.

"ITS A P-" He realized he was yelling and stopped, he calmly began anew. "He sent me a picture..."

"Open it." Wyll was very invested in this love story that he was merely an observer of. Gale opened the message, it was a picture of a camera setup.

"I was worried it would be a more anatomical image." Said Wyll.

"I doubt he'd do that. He seems more refined." Gale remembered he had pizza so he took a big bite as he thought of something to write. Another message came in the meantime.

'I neglected to mention but I do have an adorable side hustle of doing makeup on youtube~'

'No need, I recognized you.'

'That's cute. But I am going to be quite busy for the next few hours, you go ahead and enjoy your night darling'

'I will, thank you!'

Gale put his phone down. "Dear gods..." He breathed deep. "Wyll I think he put a spell on me!"

"I thought an evocation major would have noticed by now." Wylls pizza was long devoured, so he took to eating the suspiciously healthy looking salad they gave him.

"Or maybe I- He's just- hmmgh..." He bit into his slice of pizza once again. "I don't know, but he did something to me for certain!"

"You know, I think maybe you should worry less about it. He asked you out so he's clearly interested!"

"Stellar advice... I'm going back to dorm. Bye!" He took his tray to the tray receptacle (whatever it may be I hadn't been in a school cafeteria in a while) and dramatically went back to his building.

...

"Shart..." Poke. "Shaaart." Poke. Poke. "Jenevelle Hallowleaf, you wake up immediately or face my fury!"

"It's been at most 3 minutes, stop it!" He kept poking her. "Cease!" She sat up and grabbed Astarion.

"AGH! UNHAND ME YOU BASTARD!" She gave him the full sibling experience and slapped him with his own hand. "Stop hitting me!"

"Stop hitting yourself!" She chuckled and let go of him. He immediately stood up and smoothed his clothes out. "You changed?"

"Surely you didn't think I'd be recording the video in pajamas."

"You're right, going to the street in them was nowhere near as embarrassing." She said, stretching. "Let's get this done, I want to drink already."

"Yes, let's."

...

Gale tried on every fancy wizardly robe he has, the blue one, the yellow one, the other blue one, the purple one, he can't decide. He never even wears these, he's been living in sweats ever since he moved out of his mom's magic tower!

"I think you look quite dashing in this one Mr. Dekarios!"

"I don't feel very dashing." He admitted, looking at himself in the mirror he hexed to float.

"Maybe shaving would help."

"I'm certain it wouldn't. Maybe I ought to brush my hair." He held his hand out and a comb flew to him. He ran it through his glorious mane.

"Wash it." Tara jumped on the desk to see better. "You live like you're invisible, I'm surprised that this Asterion noticed you!"

"Ah-STAR-ion."

"Yes him, he has an eye for fixer uppers." She laid down on his laptop, sprawling out like it was the nicest pillow she ever touched. "Put your earring on too. And cologne!"

"Great idea... When Mystra-"

"I don't want to hear her name from your mouth." She headbutted him. "When is he picking you up?"

"Tomorrow at 8 i think, ill have to check."

"Then you have time until tomorrow to get yourself into shape, you will be fine. OH, why don't you put your hat on?"

"You said it would ruin my hair." He snapped his fingers and it appeared in the air above him.

"Well, I changed my mind, I think it goes very nicely with these robes!"

"Very well." The hat floated down to his head, crowning him the king of rizzards. "It does look good, thank you for the suggestion."

"Great, now that the outfit is decided on, go rest! Tomorrow is a big day."

[anxious-witch]

holiday prompt you say? well well well, totally not based on my experiences

aheeem heeem

good ol’ jance (everyone’s favorite)

one of them offering a hot beverage, the other declining the offer. first one constantly being like “are you sure? you look cold”

I know I keep combining these, but some just fit so well! And I don't want to writing anything too short or repeat myself so! I hope this is fine, since I included both

Jan was having a bad day. His insomnia kicked in last night, which meant he didn't get much sleep. With Jere being over and Bojan's apartment for the holidays, the two of them kept constantly dragging the rest of them somewhere.

Because God forbid Jere didn't get the full experience with all of them around.

So here Jan was, after barely a few hours of sleep, standing by the ice rink. Freezing.

“Janči,” Nace said gently, “are you sure you don't want something to drink? Maybe mulled wine? Or hot chocolate?”

Jan set his jaw.

“No.”

Nace pursed his lips, giving him a worried once over. Jan knew he wasn't happy about how he dressed for the weather. He wore only a leather coat and a scarf that Nace wrapped around his neck at the last moment.

He wasn't that cold though. It was just sleep deprivation.

“You look cold.”

“I'm not.”

Nace sighed.

“Janči. Com'on.”

Jan crossed his arms over his chest.

“I'm tired, not cold.”

Nace reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear. Jan felt an overwhelming fondness wash over him, despite his annoyance.

“I am just trying to help.”

Jan grabbed his wrist when he tried to pull his hand back and kissed his palm. Nace's cheeks colored slightly.

“I know. Sorry, I am just tired.”

“Coffee might help?”

Jan snorted at his weak attempt.

“No. Unless you are offering to whisk me away from these idiots,” Jan quickly glanced at the ice rink, “I think I'll pass.”

Nace chewed on his lip and glanced at the ice rink. Bojan, Jere, Kris and Jure were there, Nace and Jan didn't join them due to Nace pulling a muscle in the gym recently. Jan didn't want to leave him alone and frankly, he felt like he'd be completely uncoordinated anyway.

Nace got up from their table and Jan curiously watched him as he got to the rink and waved their friends over. He saw him talk to Kris-Bojan and Jure were currently being chased by Jere across the rink-and then quickly come back.

“What was that about?”

“We are leaving. You are clearly tired and I did pull a muscle so…how about we just drive around and look at the lights? And then go home and watch a movie or something.”

Jan smiled warmly.

“I would like that.”

So they did. Nace drove, not trusting him not to get drowsy behind the wheel with the little sleep he got, and simply drove around.

Jan felt slightly like a cat, looking at all the bright lights and Christmas decorations of the houses. Nace drove slowly, so he could steal glances as well, but also the streets seemed to be mostly empty. Like that lull of the day where everyone was just content to stay where they were.

“Maybe we should buy the rooftop Santa for next year,” Nace mused, looking at one of the houses.

Jan laughed.

“And put it where? We live in an apartment!”

Nace shrugged, a fond smile tugging at his lips.

“Maybe in a living room. Igor would love him.”

Jan rolled his eyes.

“Yeah. Would love tearing it apart.”

It was Nace who laughed this time. They continued driving and commenting on the decorations, either approving or disapproving of the choice.

After a while, they both got tired and Nace began driving them home. Jan looked at him as they passed all the colorful lights and decorations once more, suddenly struck by how lucky he was. How thankful he was for Nace.

For the fact that they got to spend the holidays together.

“Nace?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you, you know that, right?”

Nace carefully parked the car before turning to him and taking his hands in his.

“Of course I know. I love you too. Is everything okay?”

Jan nodded.

“Yeah-yeah I just. Maybe I don't say it enough. But I really do. Thank you for this. Everything, actually.”

Nace kissed him. Jan was almost started by it, not expecting it. He kissed him back, melting into the kiss. Then Nace gently pulled away.

“You don't have to thank me for that. And I know you love me, you just express it in different ways and that's okay. Although I won't complain if you say it more often, either.”

Jan snorted.

“Alright then. I love you.”

Then he kissed him again. He could say many more things. He could tell him that he loved him and he loved spending time with him every day. That he couldn't wait to spend every holiday and special occasion with him, along with all the ordinary days and love him throughout all of them.

Jan might still tell him another day. For now, he'd be content kissing him and accepting the fact that despite all of it, he likely knew all that already.

[bloodywickedlips]

Lessons and scars part 2

Hearing my alarm go off I groaned knowing I had to get up if I wanted to get to the convention on time. 30 minutes later I was showered and dressed, I grabbed my car keys and drove there, finding parking easily.

Showing my pass at the door I went in quickly and walked around, buying a few things I liked until I got to my favourite table. It wasn’t Halloween yet but this convention was held a month before and the current table I was at was a dedicated Tim Burton merch table.

I bought a few coffee cups and ended up buying a few figurines as well that I knew would go perfectly onto my shelves at home.

“Olivia?” I heard someone call my name and turning I was surprised to see Spencer walking over to me. “Hi, what are you doing here?” I questioned and tried to hide my bags behind me so that he wouldn’t see.

“oh I come every year, Halloween is one of my favourite holidays” Spencer said with ease and it made me happier than it should have to hear him say that.

“Mine too actually, I always buy the most unique things here” I rambled on and realized Spencer was looking around the table as well.

“Well I'm finished, if you want I can walk with you until you are done and then maybe we can grab a coffee?” I asked him and he looked over to me with surprise.

“I..uh sure, I mean yes. I'm also finished” he said and I found his stumbling very cute.

“Where do you want to go?” he asked me and I thought for a moment not sure.

“I know a great spot if you don’t mind the walk” Spencer offered and I smiled gratefully at him. We walked in silence, it wasn’t uncomfortable, just peaceful and nice.

Once we got to the coffee shop we grabbed a table outside and ordered our coffee.

“So any other surprises for me that I don’t know about you?” I asked Spencer as I took a sip of my ice caramel coffee.

“Well seeing as haven’t really talked outside of work, there is a lot we don’t know about each other” Spencer replied and I knew what he meant. Neither one of us really talked about our lives outside of work.

“Alright how about a question for a question?” I offered up, Spencer looked a bit hesitant but then nodded as he took a sip of his overly sweet coffee.

“Okay I’ll go first, why FBI why not become some world renowned doctor?” I asked him curiously as he was way too smart for this type of job.

“Well I am a doctor, but to answer I just always felt the need to put my brain to good use and I feel like this is a good choice.” He said and it thought it over not understanding how he could be so smart and not get bored of knowing everything.

“Why that apartment and not one with many tenants?” Spencer asked me and I was shocked at his question, it was a valid one as the one I was staying in was mine and mine alone, a bit pricey but I was fine with it.

“Well I like to have my own privacy and control who comes near me and my home, we can never be too careful” I said and he agreed with me but didn’t press further as he realised I gave a short but correct answer.

“So you and Layla huh?” I asked him and smirked as he chocked on his sip of coffee.

“What I uh- what do you mean?” he spluttered and I grinned at him.

“Back in the day that sleezy magazine was everywhere” I responded to him and watched as he looked down in embarrassment.

“It was nothing, just paparazzi doing their bad of a job” he said and I hummed as I knew there was more to the story.

“So I guess it’s my turn again, do you- uhm do you have a boyfriend or someone staying with you I mean?” Spencer asked and I looked curiously at him.

“you asking me out Reid?” I asked in return and watched as he scrambled for words. “No! I-uhm I’m just asking” he said while blushing and taking a sip of his coffee to avoid my eyes.

“No Reid I don’t have a boyfriend, they don’t usually stick around after hearing about my past or my job, so I’ve just stopped trying” I said to him and watched as he curiously looked at me. Obviously wanting to know about my past but not brave enough to ask.

I was about to ask another question when my phone rang, seeing it was Hotch I groaned and showed Spencer. “Guess we have another case” I said and grumbled about only having one day off and then having to go back into work.

We were all briefed quickly and on the jet in no time. Speculations were thrown around about the new case trying to form a profile adequately but also quickly as you were all feeling tired and worn down.

5 days later Spencer and I were on our way to go talk to a suspect but as both of you stopped by the door you noticed it was already open. Both of us pulled our guns out and searched the house. Downstairs was clean and as you both walked into the bedroom Spencer heard a car and looking outside he saw three men climb out, all having guns on them and not any type of guns but automatic rifles.

“In the closet quickly” Spencer hissed at me and I was confused until I looked out the window myself and knew we were in big trouble.

Spencer got into the closet first and then I followed, it was strange for the closet to be empty and also this small but neither one of you thought about it as Spencer let the team know where you were and that you needed back up fast.

Pulling the door closed I heard it click shut and breathed softly as the voices of the men filled the house. Looking out the small slits in the closet door to try and see when they come up just to be ready, I moved to try and get a better view.

“Can you stop moving” Spencer hissed behind me and I turned my head to frown at him. “I’m trying to see, it’s not my fault this closet is so small” I hissed back and turned again to try and get a good view.

“Stop!” Spencer whispered tensely and I shook my head not in the mood to get him started with his personal space issues and germs.

Hearing steps coming up the stairs I moved again to try and see if someone was heading into this room but they turned and headed to the other room.

“Please just stop moving” Spencer said loudly and I turned my head to him in anger. “Shhhhh” I scolded him and moved back to my original position and then I felt Spencer’s hands grip my hips tightly. “Stop moving” he growled out at me and as I tried to move I felt his hands tighten and then I realized I was flush against him and something was very hard against my ass.

I then understood why he asked me to stop moving. “Shit sorry Reid” I whispered out feeling bad for moving so much.

“Just don’t move” he said and I nodded trying to keep still but Spencer’s breath was right on my neck and it was giving me goosebumps along with his hands staying on my hips. “I can try and turn around” I said to Spencer and before he could say anything I turned to face him but this made it worse as we had to stare at each other now. “Never mind this is worse” I said and struggled but in no time turned back around.

Spencer’s hands returned to my hips but this time his fingers touched my bare skin as my shirt had slightly lifted up with the turning.

“It’s fine just don’t move anymore” Spencer whispered out and I felt myself shiver from his words right by my ear and his breath tickling the skin on my neck.

The team needed to hurry up already as this became very uncomfortable as I couldn’t stop thinking about Spencer so close to me and pressing into me. I don’t know what I was thinking but I moved back slightly and heard Spencer hiss out between his teeth.

“Fuck…” Spencer groaned out and I had never heard him curse before and I didn’t know why but it turned me on so much to hear that coming out of his mouth.

“Reid” I said out softly as I felt him pull me back more into him, he was grinding himself against me as his head fell forward onto the back of my shoulder.

“Reid, Olivia?” we heard Morgan shout out and neither one of you realized that the team had gotten there.

“In here…” I shouted out and heard Spencer groan as I reached for the cupboard door and push it open. Before I could say anything Spencer rushed past me and then Morgan without a word.

“What was that about?” Morgan asked as I looked back at the cupboard, still feeling Spencer’s hand on my hips. “Just a small closet, kinda tight squeeze” I said to Morgan and walked past him as he replied with “mhm”.

Turns out it was a gang related murder and the team had arrested the three guys seeking revenge.

The plane ride was silent as everyone was tired, so everyone completed their paper work quickly. Heading to the supply closet for new staples I opened the door as saw Spencer walking by, so I grabbed his arm and pulled him inside.

“Spencer look what happened…” “no don’t mention it, I’m sorry I understand you aren’t into me and it’s fine. It’s uh – its just been a while and I -uh” Spencer rambled on as he interrupted me and I arched my eyebrow at him.

“stop talking Spencer” I said but he kept babbling on so I step forward and gripped his face in my hands and leaned up to press my lips onto his own. It did the trick and he was quiet.

As I pulled back I stared into his beautiful eyes searching for something. “I like you Reid” I said and he swallowed hard and looked at the floor.

“Hey, if this isn’t what you want, it’s okay” I said and stepped back feeling as if that was the wrong thing to do.

“No it’s not that, I just – uh can I take you on a date?” he asked me and I smiled up at him.

“Of course you can” I said and placed a small kiss to his cheek and walked back out to my desk, grinning from ear to ear.

“What’s the smile for pretty thing?” Derek asked me and I didn’t want to tell him and I'm sure Spencer would feel the same as we were both very personal people.

“No just thinking of my bed and how good it will feel sleeping in it for the next few days” I replied and he just shook his head and walked over to garcia’s office.

We all had a few days off and Spencer and I decided to grab dinner on the third night, I dressed in a simple red ankle length dress as Spencer said it was a fancy restaurant he wanted to show me.

I arrived at the restaurant and felt nervous as I haven’t been on a date in a very long time. The last relationship I had ended very badly but, Spencer was different. He was kind and smart and funny, someone I could see myself with in the long run.

The hostest showed me to the table where Spencer was already waiting, I smiled at him as I approached and it was like on of those cheesy cartoons. Where the males jaw hits the floor by the look on Spencer’s face.

“You look beautiful” Spencer said and I smiled and thanked him as he pulled my chair out for me.

Spencer and I shared stories about our lives and he told me about when he started in the BAU and I told him about my days in the CIA where I started off.

“So you and Rossi go way back?” Spencer asked as we walked outside through the park for an evening stroll.

“Yeah he was lead detective on my parents murder when I was 14” I said and took a deep breath as I haven’t thought about them in a long while.

“Sorry I didn’t mean to intrude” Spencer said and I shook my head at him “No it’s okay, it was a long time ago” I explained and we continued to walk in silence.

“How about you, any family around here?” I asked in return and saw Spencer chew his bottom lip, anxious to reply.

“You don’t have to answer Reid it’s okay. We all have some issues we don’t want to talk about” I offered up to him and he stopped to face me and took my hand in his own.

“No it’s okay to ask. It’s just my mom, she – uh she’s in a facility…” “Reid stop…it’s okay one day you can tell me” I said to him as I could tell he was uncomfortable.

“Do you want a cup of tea? My place is right around the corner” I asked him and saw him swallow hard and pull his hand away.

“I’m sorry, I don’t usually do that on the first night” Spencer said with a blush covering his cheeks.

“You don’t drink a cup of tea after a date?” I asked confused and trying to think what he was thinking.

“Olivia I know what cup of tea at your place means” Spencer said and I bursted out laughing.

“Reid I don’t mean sex, I mean an actual cup of tea” I said to him and watched as he ducked his head in embarrassment.

“Oh sorry, not that I won’t want to, just not after the first date” Spencer rambled out in nervousness making me blush as well.

“It’s just tea Reid, I don’t do sex so early on as well” I said to him as we made our way back to my apartment.

Walking inside I switched the lights on and then switched the kettle on and pulled out two mugs while Spencer looked over my book collection.

“Are these first editions?” Spencer asked me shocked as he pulled them out and I walked over nodding. “Yes they were a gift, I'm just missing one” I said and watched in awe as he went over all the books. It was nice to see someone else appreciate books like I do.

Your place looks a lot different to what I imagined” Spencer said and I looked around, it was very bare and minimal, only the book shelve standing out.

“That’s cause all the good things are in the spare room” I said and walked down the hallway with Spencer following me. I opened the door and stepped inside where all my collectables were in glass cases and the wall filled with posters and merch.

“Wow, do not let Garcia see this” Spencer said and I laughed knowing she would geek out.

“Yeah no one really knows how much of a geek I really am, but I like it that way” I said to him as we both headed back to the kitchen to get our tea.

It went on like that for a few weeks, Spencer and I getting dinner and the having tea before he left to go to his place. Little by little my walls were going down and we both opened up about things. I learnt about his addiction and his mom being a schizophrenic and he learnt about me being guarded with people as I was in an abusive relationship before being transferred to dc.