#he got my this string of printed out photos that we took together

[snake-shifter]

You know that Ada Limón poem where she’s like “i can’t help it i love the way men love”? my dad recently confessed to me that he became a shoemaker because they buried my grandma shoeless

oh…………………………………

[trenchcoatsbi]

heyooo! it's vale! i've been wanting to request this for a bit but haven't ever gotten around to it thanks to my nerves, but i'm feeling bold enough now so i'm sending it!

i was wondering if i might be able to request some art of me and my sons (tommy and wilbur)? if three characters is too much, just the two of them would be fine too obviously (/gen). prelude to this: it's gonna be a long ask because i'm gonna have to describe their appearances, and i'm so sorry about that. luckily i've already described myself in the past so i won't have to do that again haha!

my canon's tommy was an albino crow elytrian fledgeling; he had platinum blond hair with white feathers scattered throughout and small white wings— he was generally really pale, and his eyes were sort of a periwinkle color. he often wore this red poncho/shawl that came down to about his elbows and was embroidered around the hem with floral details, a white tanktop, and khaki cargo shorts. he also wore a jingle bell on a string around his wrist (the bells were a cultural thing for us). wilbur was a caramel crow elytrian; he lost his wings in death, but still had some light brown feathers scattered in his hair and small antler nubs. he had gold eyes and pale brown hair. he usually wore a mustard yellow button-down shirt under a navy blue peacoat, a pair of green-tinted sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed navy blue sunhat with a cornflower tucked into the ribbon around its brim. he also wore a jingle bell on a ribbon choker. important to note that my canon's wilbur also had a case of talipes ("clubfoot")— it was his left foot specifically, and he often used a carved wooden cane to assist him with mobility. both of them, like me, had bird legs and tails!

feel free to leave this in the inbox for as long as you need to, or just lmk if no one is up to taking it— definitely won't take offense/feel hurt, i get that it's a big ask! also sorry to like, dump a bunch of info about both of them. i miss 'em! anyways, thank you as always!! -🌾🪶

Heyy Vale. Sorry this took a hot sec but uh I had a moment trying to figure out what to draw. I eventually just started streaming me trying to figure this out to my friends and they did a lot of brainstorming with me until we landed on the boys goofing around during a family photo thing. There were more fun options but I think this one that I ended up on is nice. I like to think they got more formal nice photos earlier on in the hypothetical photo shoot and by this point were just joking around and not posing or anything anymore.

Anyway uh I like scribbling on top of printed photos so I added some lil things in the alt where I turned my usual border into a kinda frame thing? lmao idk I was just goofing around by that point. Hope you like these Vale! it was really fun trying to figure out how to draw your sons! They were also pretty fun to draw aside from me taking years to figure out colors. I really do not know what I'm doing with coloring and always just bully them into working together with overlay layers lmao -za

[egcdeath]

finders keepers

summary: did captain america just steal your cat?

pairing: steve rogers x reader

word count: 2.5k

warnings: tooth rotting fluff, strangers to lovers

author’s note: it’s been way too long since i wrote some pure, self indulgent fluff. this has been quite the refreshing experience for me but i think it’s back to our regularly scheduled program after this ;)

you can find my masterlist and taglist here

Miso had an air of arrogance that you admired. She took the world by its kitty balls, doing whatever she pleased whenever she pleased. Your cat left the apartment for sometimes days at a time, and frequently led male cats to your door. To you, your cat was more like a roommate than a pet, hogging up most of your bed, standing on the counter while you attempted to make food for yourself, and leaving most areas dirtier than she originally found it. 

Okay, maybe you were personifying your cat a little too much. But after moving out to D.C., you were unspeakably lonely. Most days, it felt like Miso was all you had, and that you were all Miso had (save for her army of cat boyfriends). 

This made things all the more concerning for you when you’d realized that you hadn’t seen your cat companion in five days. Five whole days without the comforting vibration of her purr, her ungodly hours of wakeup calls demanding to be played with, or pet. The cherry on top was that the cat food outside your door appeared to be completely untouched.

In your frenzied realization of your missing cat, your mind raced with a thousand different terrible situations your dear Miso could’ve found herself in. You frantically clicked through pictures of her on an online album and attempted to find a photo that would capture her white fur with large blobs of auburn, and her vibrant blue eyes to put on your ‘MISSING’ sign. The longer you clicked, the more that you began to worry that she had been caught and kidnapped by some terrible person with bad intentions. 

You finally threw together the poster, sending it to your phone so that you could print it off at the OfficeMax down the street. Luckily for you, you didn’t make it that far, as the moment you began to lock the closed door of your apartment, you saw the unmistakable figure of your cat. 

In the arms of your neighbor.

Now, you’d never met Steve. He was an Avenger, Captain America to be exact, and you were just… you. You’d convinced yourself that attempting to introduce yourself to him would ultimately end in failure, and an embarrassing one at that. Maybe he’d scoff and walk away, or call Tony Stark in front of you and tell him about the crazy woman he just encountered. 

But none of that mattered. Captain America was stealing your fucking cat. 

“Excuse me, sir?” You asked, stepping away from your door and approaching the Greek God of a man to the right of you. 

“Oh, hey! We must be n-“

“You have my cat,” you said bluntly.

“I’m sorry, what?” Steve seemed to do a double take

“My cat, y’know, the feline in your arms.”

“Well, maybe we just have similar looking cats. This is Arabella.”

You nearly scoffed at this, shaking your head. First, Captain America kidnapped your cat, and now he’s trying to convince you that it’s not your cat? Yeah, you’d know Miso from a mile away. And what kind of name is Arabella?

“Arabella is a great name for her,” Steve retorted, pulling the cat closer to his chest. Shit, did you say that out loud?

“Well I think it’s time for Miso to come back home,” the cat’s ears perked at this, and she glanced over at you. The sight of you made her wiggle and hop out of Steve’s tight embrace, landing on her feet and trotting over to you. The damn cat rubbed her face against your calf and purred as if she hadn’t been cheating on you for long enough to have gained a new name.

You squatted down and rubbed the back of your hand against her cheek, and shook your head at your pet, “you’re getting put on probation, young lady.” 

She didn’t seem to mind, pacing back and forth around you. You glanced up and saw Steve with a rather neutral expression on his face, as if he was masking whatever it was that he was feeling.

“I’m sorry about that, ma’am. Uh, maybe I’ll see you both around sometime,” disappointment coated his every word before he opened up his apartment door and promptly closed it behind him. 

You were surprised at how quickly he conceded, but you weren’t particularly mad about it either. You weren’t sure what you’d do if you never got your Miso back.

——

A whole day later, you’d been in your apartment typing up an email when a soft rapping at your door got your attention.

“Just a second!” you called, hopping up and hurrying to the door. When you opened it, Steve was standing in front of you, waiting with an oversized box in his hands.

“These are some of Ar- Miso?” he trailed off, waiting for you to confirm the name, and you gave him a tiny nod. “These are some of Miso’s toys. I just figured if she’s not staying at my place anymore…”

As if on cue, Miso strolled up to the door, and stretched her arms up on Steve’s leg, begging to be picked up. The man glanced at you for approval, and you gave a dismissive shrug before he set down the box, and held up the cat.

Steve frowned as he held her, and frankly, it pulled on your heart strings. You had to remind yourself that this man had been holding your cat captive for at least a week, and at most… who knows. 

She clearly had a connection with him, and that was what intrigued you most. Miso was a very picky cat, and it was only occasionally that she found someone that she genuinely liked, let alone wanted to be picked up by. If you continued to watch the display of affection in front of you, you might just cave.

“Uh, I left something in the oven for a little too long, so I should probably go get that. Thanks for stopping by.”

Steve nodded, understanding that it was time for him to exit.

——

You should’ve seen this coming the minute Miso was back in your home. You stepped out of the shower one morning to find your front door slightly ajar, and your animal nowhere to be found. 

You huffed, frustrated that just three days after you told yourself that your cat was completely indoor from that point on, she had escaped. She could literally be anywhere at this point.

In a whirlwind, you threw on a sweatshirt and pants, ready to go print out the missing posters that you had designed just a few days ago. As you slipped on sneakers, you realized something very crucial. She might just be at Steve’s place.

You groaned aloud, rubbing your temple as you thought of how difficult your cat was being. You were becoming a bit nervous to approach Steve, you hadn’t gotten off to the greatest start, and if your cat wasn’t there, things might just be awkward.

Regardless, you knew you needed to try, so you exited your own home, and knocked on the door of Steve’s.

A few moments later, he appeared with your cat in tow. 

“Hey!” he paused and trailed off, “I never got your name before.”

“That’s what you care about right now?” you glanced down at your animal. “It’s Y/N, by the way.”

“Hi, Y/N. Miso and I were just enjoying breakfast, if you’d like to join us?”

Was Steve shooting his shot? 

“I appreciate your offer, but I think I’m alright. I have to get back to work, and my cat is still in your custody,” your eyes flickered down to the animal who stood proudly by his side. 

“Maybe some other time,” he shrugged. “You work from home?”

You nodded, then squatted down to get eye level with your cat. 

“I’m jealous,” he chuckled. “Alright, I’ll stop bothering you now. Bye Miso, see you around, Y/N.”

You picked up your cat, who briefly dug her nails into the ground in resistance before submitting to her capture. As you brought her back home, you couldn’t help but wonder if you’d made the right choice.

——

Ever since you’d discovered Miso, or Arabella’s secret life, it’s like you couldn’t stop noticing her connection to Steve. 

Some days, she’d be gone until the dead of night, when she’d meow and paw at your front door until you woke up. Other times she’d be laying in bed with you, and she smelled distinctly of your neighbor. Your cat had single handedly turned a stranger into a thoroughly integrated part of your life.

It was as if Miso was now your child, and Steve your ex-husband in a Cold War style custody battle, where Miso seemed to prefer her father. It was slightly disheartening. At the very least, you knew she was in good hands. 

You held a throw pillow to your chest while you watched a rerun of a sitcom on your television, procrastinating in your work for as long as you possibly could. The sound of a knock on your door pulled you from your trance, and as you peeked through the peephole of your door, you saw a slightly distorted Steve.

Opening up the door, you gave him just the faintest hint of a smile, “what’s up, neighbor? Need me to grab you some treats for Arabella, or something?”

“Kinda the opposite,” he gestured with his head down to the cat squirming in his hands. “I’m gonna be gone on a mission for the next week or so. I just wanted to let you know that if Miso gets out, she’s not with me.” 

Steve set her down on your carpet, and she happily collapsed at your feet, “keep her safe for me, alright?” 

——

You took a deep breath as you approached his door, hoping he hadn’t left just yet. You fiddled with the sticky note containing your number, and polaroid photo of your cat in your hand, considering turning around and scrapping the idea all together. 

It was silly to think that an Avenger would ever bother reaching out to you. You were probably overstepping anyway. Steve would think you were a freak and take full custody of your beloved Miso once and for all. 

Going against your better judgment, you set down the polaroid-note combo and quickly slid it under Steve’s door. Whatever happened happened.

The next morning, you were pleased to receive a notification from an unknown number. 

Send Miso pics?

You were more than happy to oblige. 

——

Over the course of Steve’s week-long mission, you’d sent several pictures and videos of your cat doing random things. Trying to get on the table, sleeping on top of your dryer, and even playing with one of the toys Steve provided.

Surprisingly, Steve wasn’t as dry of a texter as you thought he’d be. He was eating up all of the Miso content, and would occasionally even ask for you to send more photos. 

The final night of his mission, you were surprised when you received a FaceTime request, at first writing it off as a technical error (he was from a different time period, after all), but the follow up call demonstrated his intentions.

You cautiously picked up, the knot in your stomach growing as you did so, “hello?”

“Hi!” Steve greeted optimistically, the phone just a bit too close to his face. “Any Miso sightings?”

“Yeah, she’s actually sleeping on my foot right now,” you chuckled, flipping the camera so you could show her off in your dim, lamp-lit bedroom. 

“So cute,” he hummed, “how have you been?”

“Me?” you laughed quietly, “I’m not the one on a top secret mission in god-knows-where. But I’ve been fine. How are you?”

“Honestly? I’m pretty tired. Kinda can’t wait to get home and see you and Miso,” he said in a quieter voice. 

Your brain stalled out for a second. Steve was excited to see you? You hoped that you were reading this the right way, as you were more than willing to go with whatever it was that Steve was putting down.

“We’ll be expecting an immediate visit from you, then. I’ll let Miso know that she needs to start kneading a bread loaf for you as soon as possible. Any idea of what time you’re getting into D.C.?” 

“Probably late morning, but it really depends on when Natasha gets up.”

You had a moment where you realized that you were talking to a real life superhero, and he had just referenced his friend… who was also a superhero. You paused for a second. 

“Y/N? Hey, you still here?”

“Yeah! Yeah. I just zoned out for a sec. Well, you better get here safe or else someone is going to be very annoyed with you.”

Steve laughed softly across the line, and you adjusted yourself in bed, yawning softly.

“I’m sorry, I forgot how late it is over there,” Steve apologized.

“Don’t worry, I was up anyway. One of Miso’s boyfriends is pretty upset that he can’t come in here and spend the night with her.”

“Which one?”

“I think that grey one. I don’t really know what his voice sounds like, but she’s been leading him on lately,” you responded, eliciting a laugh from both you and Steve. 

“Try to get some sleep, okay? I don’t need you snoozing while I come to visit our girl.”

“You are something else, Steve Rogers,” you said fondly, adjusting your phone one last time as you hugged a pillow. “I’ll get to sleep. See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow. Sweet dreams, Y/N.”

You hung up, and cuddled into your pillow with a sigh. Calling your dreams that night sweet was an understatement. 

——

You seemed to be Steve’s first stop after his mission, stopping at your door with his duffel bag still attached to his arm, and wearing a slightly dirty and much too small white t-shirt.

Expecting his presence, you quickly got the door and gave him a toothy grin. 

“It’s so good to see your face without a screen,” Steve commented. Internally, you swooned. 

“I could say the same for you, Steve.”

Miso had been summoned by the sound of Steve’s voice, practically sprinting to the door and meowing at him on the top of her lungs. 

“Miso really appreciates you coming here to see her first,” you added as he lifted her up and quietly cooed into her wrinkly head. “Feel free to take her for the next few days. I’m sure she’s getting tired of me.”

Steve shook his head at you, and grinned, “that’s so sweet of you,” he briefly looked down at his wristwatch, and his brows raised.

“Shit. I have to go, but I promise to see you soon. I’m glad to see that everything is well. Take care, Y/N,” Steve began making his way back to his own apartment, and you watched him with the semblance of a frown. 

You really needed to stop longing for the unobtainable. 

——

You hadn’t heard from Steve in a few days following his return, and your brief interaction with him. Part of you wondered if he was avoiding you for some  reason. 

Your phone lit up the room as it went off, and you grabbed it to look at the notification you received.

A picture of Steve grinning with Miso sitting on his chest looked back at you with a simple message connected to it.

Wanna come over? :D

[lavynrose]

Artem and his S/O confessing at the same time pt. 2

Title: Dedicated

Pairing/s: Artem Wing X Reader

Pronouns: Gender Neutral

Genre: FLUFF FLUFF FLUFF TOOTH ROTTING FLUFF

Warning/s: grammatical errors

Notes: ok so!!! thank you so much for waiting <3 one thing i'd like to say is that i recommend reading part 1 before this bc it creates a build-up for the story's conclusion. There are some parts here that needed context from part 1. Enjoy!

part 1 here

He couldn't ask for more.

The sunset spilled all around the theme park, the golden intricates of the the railings sparkled than ever before. The orange radiance of the solemn sun gives the park an even more golden glow.

Artem looked around, taking in the seemingly perfect view of what can be only described as serene. The laughter of groups of friends, families walking hand-in-hand, couples giving their significant other loving looks, people enjoying themselves left and right, the quaint smell of hotdogs and popcorn.

You spending your time with him.

The sunset made this picturesque scenery even more breathtaking, and he could come here everyday if only allowed.

Right now, right in this very moment, everything is glowing.

Especially you.

"That was really fun!" the enthusiasm in your voice never fails to make him feel the same. He loves seeing you have fun, without a care in the world. He admits, he also enjoyed getting splashed by water on the raft ride.

He unconsciously offered his arm to link with yours and when you took it as you gazed at him, he's more than satisfied.

You fit so perfectly in his arms, it feels as if you're the missing puzzle piece he never knew his being had. Even having dried after getting soaked from the raft, the warmth that your touch radiated fills his senses with comfort.

This moment of getting to spend time with the person he profoundly longed for was enough for him. Enough for now. You don't need to know his affections for now.

Does he really need to let you know?

His feelings?

It'll probably make your relationship awkward. He's not ready to risk the sweet smiles and playful looks you direct towards him just for his own selfishness.

It doesn't matter. He'll love you even if you won't, anyway.

He then stopped in his tracks, you followed suit. Not caring about the people around you. Lost in the little world the two of you shared. He looked down at your form, "Yes it was. I enjoyed it very much." because you're with me, he wanted to add but instead of saying those words, an amiable look in his cerulean eyes twinkled, and an adoring smile latched upon his features instead.

Almost as if he's telling you an unspoken confession.

His expression however, turned into mild surprise when he noticed how your gaze was filled with enchantment. With a soft glint in your lidded eyes, your brows are knitted together. You were silent.

It baffled him.

Why.

'Why are you looking at me like that?' Artem wanted to blurt out. His mouth opened to say something.

It was unclear to him as to why you looked like you were staring at his very soul.

'Why are you looking at me like,' he can't help but ask himself as he continued to scrutinize your tranced gaze, 'like you want to say the same words I desperately wanted to tell you?'

Are his feelings reciprocated?

You blinked and suddenly looked away, "Uhh, Artem, I-"

"Everyone! One more hour to go for the fireworks! Please look forward to it!" The both of you landed your eyes on the speaker, then on each other.

Artem cleared his throat, pulling the collar of his turtleneck, "You were saying?" he inquired, voice and features laced with curiosity.

You cleared your throat and pulled on your collar, mirroring him, "I..." you started as your eyes darted as if you were looking for excuses, then your orbs glinted with realization and faced Artem, "I just wanted to say that we should take pictures! This is a memorable night after all."

His eyes begin to scan the theme park and his gaze found a small photobooth just beside the merry-go-round.

"Good idea. We haven't had anything to commemorate today's fun." He brushed off your weird behavior earlier as you dragged him towards your destination.

There weren't too many people in the waiting line, there were multiple photobooths, plenty enough to not create a line of more than five costumers per booth.

As soon as it was your turn, you excitedly rummaged through the cute costumes the guests can wear in the photos.

"Look Artem," you snapped your fingers to get his attention, "This would look cute on you!" You squealed as you waved the headband with cat ears in front of his face.

This kind of trend has been circling around lately. No matter how much of a busy man Artem is, he still has seen some posts about this on the internet...

Catboy culture, wasn't it? He wondered.

"You should wear one, too." He suggested. He gingerly took the headband from you and after a few moments of hesitation, he finally gave in to the anticipation in your eyes.

Your eyes were practically sparkling taking in the sight of catboy Artem in the flesh.

"Oh my gosh." You breathed, gaping at him.

Artem blinked. "Is there something on my face?" He then turned to the mirror to check what's wrong, nothing seems to be out of the ordinary though.

"It's nothing!" You frantically waved your hand and gestured towards the camera, "Let's take a photo!" you grinned, wearing cat ears identical to Artem's.

You guys started the photoshoot with your hands making peace signs.

Ah, the classic.

The few shots after just consisted of you putting on different faces while Artem just wore different headbands each shot, with the same pose.

"You guys, please act cuter for the camera! " The photographer suddenly commented.

Isn't Y/N cute enough? Artem internally recoiled.

"Young man, put your arms around your date or something, or do a heart pose together! " Mr. Photographer added.

Artem looked back at you, his eyes meeting yours, both were wide with surprise.

He cleared his throat for what seemed like the nth time today and looked at you for approval, "Do you want to?" he asked as his hands formed half a heart.

Your cheeks lighted aflame as you raised your hand, forming half a heart to connect it with his, "I don't mind."

As your fingers touched, Artem cannot control the pink flushing his cheeks as he smiled at the camera.

The photographer continued to instruct the both of you with how you should pose. He deserves a raise for doing his job really well, Artem thinks.

After of what it seemed like endless snaps of sappy pictures, the two of you decided to print all of them.

"Now we have lots of souvenirs!" you scanned each one of the photos and Artem can't help but think how good you two look together.

He thanked the photographer for putting his all into the shoot, then you both headed for the exit.

"How was it, Artem?" You turned towards him with a profound smile.

You have lots of photos together now. He can already see himself wide awake at night, staring at your couple-like pictures.

It was more than okay.

"It was a fun experience. The cat ears aren't bad." He said as he recalled how astonished you looked when he wore the headband.

"We spent almost 20 minutes there..." You sighed as you looked at your watch.

Artem unconsciously checked his wrist watch as well, "There are 40 minutes left before the fireworks. Do you want to check out more rides before then?"

You surveyed the theme park to look for more booths, "Look at that, Artem." you pointed toward the large and loud crowd at the park's quadrangle.

"Perharps it's someone performing." Artem guessed, hearing the strums of a guitar from the speakers.

"Let's check it out!" Curious, you and Artem shuffled yourselves into the crowd. The faint singing voice grew more and more audible as you got closer to the center of the attraction.

You headed to the front for the best audience experience and the singer came into view, "Isn't that?" Artem's eyes were as wide as saucers when he recognized the person singing.

Funny how you weren't surprised, and he wondered why.

There at the center, sitting at a stool with a guitar in hand, singing with a gold microphone in front of him, was the new employee at the firm, William.

Artem frowned.

That's the guy. The guy who was getting too cozy with you, the guy causing the unpleasant pangs inside his chest.

The guy who was one of the reasons why he got the courage to ask you out on this date in the first place.

The feeling of delight earlier was now replaced by uneasiness.

"I didn't know he was a performer." Artem murmured, and he kept glancing at you.

When he saw that you were clapping your hands and a proud smile has decorated your lips - one that's not aimed him, a sudden bitter feeling overwhelmed his whole being.

You looked very happy, and he hung his head low.

He vividly remembered your smiling faces in the office yesterday, and how William seem to always hang around you.

Artem realized he wasn't special. The warm look that he witnessed from you earlier in the sunset, the look that made him think that you reciprocated his feelings, you probably do that to everyone.

He felt so stupid.

While everyone was watching William hit the notes and strum the strings, Artem was watching your every reactions, only for him to get hurt on the inside.

His heart hurts, the clenching feeling in his chest tightening with every cheer that you voiced.

He's glad it was you who were causing this pain, though.

The crowd boomed with claps and shouts as the last note finished the song, and Artem wasn't in the mood to join them.

6:30pm

"Aren't you going to greet him?" Artem's voice made you look up to him, his brows furrowed and he wasn't making eye contact.

You just brushed his behaviour off and said, "Nope. I wouldn't want to disturb him on this special day!" you felt giddy, knowing that you helped William to set this all up.

As soon as his first day in the office, which was around a month ago, he had overheard you and Kiki talking about the big opening of PAX's amusement park, and kept asking questions about the event. He then learned you were friends with the heir, Marius.

You've never seen a face as shocked as William's when he learned that.

He even made Kiki contact her insiders about the soon to be opened theme park.

Kiki asked why he was so curious, and he said he performs on gigs as a hobby, balancing it with his law career, and that he loves performing ever since he was a kid.

"Performing on the theme park's opening would definitely give me more opportunities!" He sounded so passionate that you can't help but support him.

He became bashful though, as he said, "Besides, I've been looking for an opportunity to surprise my girlfriend next month," you and Kiki beamed at him, "This would make her happy, as I made a new song that I specifically made as a gift for her birthday. I'll sing it on the opening if I'm allowed."

That's why ever since, you became close with William. Whenever you talk though, he almost always talk about her girlfriend.

"30 minutes remaining for the fireworks display!!!" The speakers announced.

You were excited for the fireworks, and an idea popped out of your mind.

"Artem," you called him out "Let's ride on the ferries wheel, that way we're up in the sky as the fireworks erupt," you dragged him to the ferris wheel's ticketing booth, "I heard that it takes 20-30 minutes for a capsule to be on top of the wheel, the time is perfect for us!"

"Can we be alone in the capsule?" Artem suddenly requested, his eyes filled with a look you can't fathom. He looked so vulnerable.

"Yes, that's actually normal. We can request that for the youngest senior attorney with 99% win rate!" You grinned and you expected him to send you one of his gentle smiles, but he just turned his head away, and looked at the distance.

You take a good look at him again once you got the tickets, he's still looking away, a solemn demeanor in his face.

You can't help but wonder what he's thinking. He's been acting a little weird, you thought.

Does he not want to hang out with you anymore?

"Artem, if you don't want to, you can tell me. I won't be mad." You eyed him with concern, "We can just sit on the bench or something." you suggested.

Just like that, his expression changed quickly, regret clouding his face, "Y/N," he sighed, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply that with my actions," he stared at you for a few seconds, then you noticed that light was back in his eyes, the fond smile you liksd seeing is back again, "The ferris wheel is perfect." He then grabbed yoir waist and guided you both to the capsule.

You grinned, "I requested a capsule for only the two of us!" you waved the tickets at him, he chuckled and grabbed it from you to give to the person managing the capsules.

The capsule was air-condition inside, with big windows to get a good view of the outside. You expected nothing from a device created by PAX.

Across from you, Artem sits, his mood is a little better now, but you can't help but notice the silent sadness his cerulean eyes hold still.

You don't like seeing him like this.

"Hey, Artem?" you half-whispered, not wanting to surprise him from his reverie.

His eyes met yours, "Yes?" he responded gently.

"You know you can trust me with your problems, right?" You started, you don't let his surprised expression distract you from what you want to say, "I will listen intently to your troubles, and we'll find a way to solve them together! " You declared with the brightest smile you could ever muster, "So please, share your burdens with me. I'll carry them with you." You finished with a toothy grin.

He blinked a few times before finally shaking his head with fondness, "Thank you, Y/N. I want you to know that you are special to me." His face is suddenly filled with so much endearment you quickly looked away, "Uhh, Of course!" your face flushed red and you raised your hide in an attempt to hide it.

Artem chuckled, the sound giving you a sense of comfort and security. You looked up to him again and saw his features get illuminated by the lights flickering in the theme park, his adoring eyes lingering on you.

Like yours was lingering on him.

You smiled at each other, letting the other feel that they're not alone in the battles they're facing.

What are you to each other, anyway? You pondered when you decided to avert your eyes away from him first.

As far as you can recall, friends don't do this kind of thing with each other. The staring, the blushing. Oh, especially the blushing.

You can't help but long for the possibility of having your feelings reciprocated, but oh boy were you afraid.

"Can I sit beside you?" His question brought you to your senses, and you happily obliged, "Of course! This capsule isn't shaky, we'll be okay being on the same side." You made space for him as you patted the empty space. There he sat, his scent enveloping your senses.

It was silent for the whole ride up, but you were comfortable with it. You were with the person you love, being with them is enough.

7:00pm

Your capsule was right on top when suddenly, a boom was heard and splashes of color was seen through the window.

"Artem!" you pointed at the big, colorful patch of explosion that's a little bit below the capsule you were in.

The ferries wheel was so high that you were higher than the fireworks!

The fireworks was on your side of the window, you can see the view to it's fullest glory.

"Whoa!" you exclaimed, your eyes astonished by the scene before you. Your hands flat against the window, when you suddenly felt a body pressed against your back, and a hot breath against your ear, "It's amazing" you heard Artem mutter, as his breaths fanned the hairs on your neck, before resting his chin on your shoulder.

You yelped, you forgot Artem was just beside you!

Your heart pounded against your ribcage when you realized that in order for Artem to see the fireworks, he needs to look at your side of the window.

Heck, your thighs were touching, and you can feel every ounce of heat that his muscular body radiated. He's practically caging you and this small, suffocating space of a capsule isn't helping!

Despite the unbelievable heat that your whole body is feeling right now, you badly wanted him to wrap his arms around you.

Something was pooling in your stomach, something weird. All you can think about right now is Artem kissing you against the window while you sit on his lap.

Warmth filled your already heated cheeks upon realization of what you just imagined, and you mentally slapped yourself. What were you thinking?

The smell of his vanilla cologne isn't helping!

Nobody has ever made you feel this way before. No other person has affected you like this. You think about the things that this man had done for you, he was selfless, hardworking, and most of all, kind.

Especially the smiles he had always shown you. Those smiles filled with comfort and fondness that makes you weak in the knees. Whenever you see that smile, you find yourself looking forward in seeing it again.

To you, Artem Wing was unobtainable.

Yet you wanted to make him yours.

7:01pm

"Artem!" you pointed below with an enthusiastic grin as the fireworks boomed and splashed the sky above the theme park.

His body scooted over to you without realizing, eyes widening with glee and he muttered, "It's amazing" Artem leaned towards you, placing his chin on your shoulder for him to get better view of the fireworks display below.

It's taking every ounce of his control to not face you towards him and claim your lips then and there.

What you said earlier only fueled his raging feelings for you. You were willing to carry his burdens with him? He never had someone say that to him before, and he was happy it's from you.

The evening is flawless. The two of you were alone, having you near him like this, your decleration of support earlier, and a beautiful scenery before him that he won't get to see everyday...

A perfect evening to pour his heart out to you.

He decided that if there was a best time to confess his love for you, that time would be now. He didn't care about your answer right now, he just wanted to let it all out before this passionate feelings can drive him to insanity.

These feelings were driving him crazy, he wanted to let you know how you make him happy, that he thinks about you eveey second of every day, that you ground him and his lonely heart.

He noticed you were silent and unmoving, so he decided to take the chance. He took a deep breath.

"I'm in l-" "Can I ki-"

You turned your body to face him, surprised. Your face only a few centimeters away from his. One wrong move and you'll kiss.

The both of you blinked.

"You... go first." you said, biting your lip.

He stared deep into your eyes, none of you dared to move from this intimate position, your breaths fanning each other's faces.

"Y/N, I," he rested his forehead against yours and breathed with the most vulnerable voice you've ever heard from him, "I'm in love with you..."

You gaped, but he didn't mind.

He closed his eyes for a few seconds, "It's okay if you don't feel the same. I..." he opened his eyes to give you a loving gaze "I will keep loving you anyway."

He looked so vulnerable right now, but it didn't scare him. If anything, he feels relief in finally voicing out the feelings he's hidden for so long.

"I was in a bad mood today because I think you were interested in William," you just blinked and he continued, "I mean, you always look happy when you're with him. It crushed my heart." He finished as he waited for your response.

He waited, and waited.

The silence that you were giving him didn't give him any clue to what you were thinking, it's unnerving.

After of what seemed like an eternity you finally let out, "He has a girlfriend, silly." you see Artem's eyes widened and you continued, "It's a long story, but I'm not interested in him. We're just friends."

You felt the heat creep up his face.

"So... what were you going to tell me?" He said hesitantly as he gulped, the embarrasment from earlier evident in his voice.

Your cheeks flushed pink as you darted your eyes, it was now your turn to get really embarassed, "Can I..." your face looks conflicted. That if you say whatever you wanted to say, It'd be the death of you.

You took a deep breath, Artem told you his feelings, so it's only fair you tell him yours, you told yourself and mustered the courage to look up to his ocean eyes, a vast ocean so blue, you could drown in them, "Can I kiss you, Artem?"

It took a moment before he could fully process your words. His brain short-circuit.

"What?" He blurted out as he scanned your face for any signs that maybe, you have made a mistake.

but you replied, "I want to kiss you Artem," you put your hands on his shoulder to steady yourself, "I'm in love with you too."

His body tingled with so much joy, you being in love with him was just a distant dream before.

Not willing to wait anymore, he licked his lips as he slowly dipped his head to meet your already parted mouth, welcoming him.

You may or may not have kissed the entire way down the ride.

Artem Wing is a dedicated man.

Now, he's willing to dedicate himself to you for the rest of his life.

do not repost © lavynrose 08/16/21.

[arctickat2400]

Gender Reveal <> (Soft) Bucky Barnes

“I can’t believe it! This is so exciting!” Wanda squealed. “We have to do something for them, throw them a party or something!” Wanda suggested as she and Natasha walked through the halls of Stark Tower.

“That’s actually a really good idea. I know Y/N wants to be surprised, so we could do a gender reveal party. I can get the gender from Barnes and I have the perfect way for it to be revealed.” Natasha planned.

“EEEEEEEEEE! This is going to be so fun!” Wanda squeaked. Natasha rolled her eyes with a smug smile as they left to plan the party.

Meanwhile, Y/N laid on the bed in the med bay of the tower as the doctor guided the wand around her extended belly. The screen showed Y/N’s and Bucky’s unborn child, about 4 months along. Y/N felt Bucky’s hand tighten gently around hers when her head shot to look at him, but he was too focused on his son or daughter to notice.

Bucky never thought he’d have the chance to become a father, never thought he’d have the chance to find love considering his haunting past. But now that he’s found Y/N, he knows anything could be possible. And now, the Winter Soldier who was unable to ever cry has tears building up in his eyes. He couldn’t believe the sight in front of him, just like he couldn’t believe the words Y/N had told him when she announced that she was pregnant. He couldn’t be happier, something he never thought he’d experience again.

“Would we like to know the gender?” The doctor's words knocked Bucky from his thoughts as he looked at you.

“We would actually like it to be a surprise please.” You told your doctor with a kind smile. It was Bucky’s favorite.

“Alright. I’ll go print out the ultrasound pictures for you and fix up an envelope with the gender inside for you. It’ll just take a minute, then you’re free to go.” She explained to you, smiling before walking out of the room.

Once getting cleaned up and Bucky taking the envelope, he takes your hand and leads you to the elevator, pressing the button for your floor. Just as you were about to walk down the hall to your room, Natasha runs up to your both, stopping Bucky in his tracks.

“Hey, can I talk to you?” She pointed the question to Bucky. He looked to you for assurance and you told him you’d meet him in your room when he was done.

“What’s up?” Bucky questioned when Y/N was out of earshot.

“I was hoping I could get the baby’s gender. Wanda and I want to throw Y/N a gender reveal party.” Natasha explained with an excited smile. She was getting more hyped for the party the closer it got.

Bucky chuckled lightly at the sweet thought of a surprise party for his wife and child. He began nodding his head, taking the envelope from his back pocket, telling Natasha to be careful with it and to keep it secret. He knows you would kill him if he’d given away an important secret that could get out to everyone before it even got to you.

“Thanks, Buck. She’s gonna love it, I swear.” Natasha jumped excitedly, rushing back the way she came. Bucky smiled and walked to meet up with his wife.

Two days later, and the secret of the surprise gender reveal hasn’t gotten out surprisingly with the amount of big mouths in this building. But the party was ready and on the go.

Natasha and Wanda had told Bucky to take you out to your favorite cafe for lunch while they got everyone gathered and the last details ready. It was almost time, you and Bucky making your way back up to the common room. You gladly had no idea what’s going on, somehow, despite your heightened senses since you became pregnant.

You walked hand in hand with Bucky into the common room of the tower and almost jumped out of your skin when all the Avengers and your friends shouted, “Surprise!” to you. You laughed with a bright red blush to your cheeks. You held onto Bucky’s arm and leaned against him.

You gazed around the room and saw it all set up with decorations in blue and red. Yes, everyone usually chooses pink for a girl. But you didn’t like pink all that much and you wanted to mix it up a bit. Plus, red is just a darker shade of pink, so the same difference.

Anyways, you saw a table set up with blue and red chocolate cupcakes, your favorite. A string of fairy lights hung above it with all your ultrasound photos hung up by mini clothespins. You saw blue and red balloons around the room and a large black balloon on the bar, holding the color of the gender of your baby, a target behind it. It was a small party, just as you like it. Talking with friends and the Avengers and such, eating cupcakes, and of course, finding out the gender of Baby Barnes.

“You guys,” You were just about brought to tears. Stupid hormones. You walked into the common room further, catching the faces of your two best friends, Wanda and Natasha. And, by the looks of it, you knew this was all their idea. “You are amazing! This is so sweet.” You smiled, your hand on your heart.

“Well, fortunately, you’ve made your husband of a soldier here go soft, so it wasn’t hard for him to hand over the envelope.” Natasha says smugly.

“You knew about this?” You looked up at your husband, your hand on his chest.

“Well, I was only the messenger and the one to stall my beautiful babies.” Bucky admitted, wrapping his arms around you.

“You really have gone soft, and I love you all the more for it.” You smiled as you leaned up and he leaned down, connecting your lips in a gentle kiss.

The party had started, Tony turning on some music and you went around to say hi to everyone, especially your old long time friends. You rarely see them anymore, unlike all your Avenger friends who you basically live with. You talked to everyone, catching up, answering questions about yourself, Bucky, the baby so far, and whatever else they needed to know.

Halfway through the party, and several cupcakes eaten by yourself, guilty as charged, Natasha announced it was time to find out the gender of your baby. And when you say Bucky wasn’t too happy about the way you would find out, it was a tiny bit of an understatement. Once Natasha walked up to you with your battle weapon of choice, your bow and arrow, Bucky’s protectiveness shot up tenfold.

Bucky’s always so protective of you and you loved him for it. He’s just afraid of something happening to you or the baby, the best things to ever happen to him.

“I don’t know about this, doll. I don’t want to ruin this for you, but maybe you should let me do it.” He suggested, looking at you with concern in his eyes. It was sincere and you thought maybe, just to ease his mind, you should let him do it. You understood where he was coming from. You’ve had pregnancy complications in the past. You lost a baby only a month into the pregnancy. Since then, as you got further into your present one, Bucky hasn’t wanted you to pick up anything heavy, or add any unnecessary strength or weight to your body.

“Bucky, baby, it’s fine. I know I’m not as strong as I once was. But, I’ll be okay. Just one arrow, we’ll find out what the baby is, and everything will be okay.” You told him, your hand on his chest as you spoke. You were always touching him to assure him that you were okay.

He hesitated for a few seconds, but finally agreed. “Fine. It’ll be okay.” He answered, but you knew he was more reassuring himself than you.

When it was time to find out the gender, Natasha handed you your bow and an arrow before you loaded it in. Bucky stood close behind you, nervously for your well being, but also excited to find out what his baby will be.

You pulled back, straining a bit at the extra effort it took to pull back the string. You aimed and shot the arrow as it popped the black balloon, catching a bullseye to target behind it as red exploded about the room. You screamed in excitement as you turned towards Bucky, a huge smile on his face as he picked you up carefully and spun you around. He kissed the side of your head, setting you down and you both turned towards you friends, big smiles on everyone’s faces as y’all cheered and celebrated together.

Bucky kneeled down at your waist, setting his hands on your belly, his smile never ending, and began talking to his daughter.

“Hey, baby girl. Your mom and I love you so much. This is your daddy, by the way.” You carded your fingers through Bucky’s hair as he spoke, smiling down at him. “You’re gonna be so spoiled by all your aunt’s and uncles. Uncle Tony will buy you so many things, and Auntie Nat will be your best friend, well besides me.” Everyone watched and listened as they found this sight adorable. “But don’t listen to anything your Uncle Sam has to say. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

Everyone let out strong laughs at the accusation as you placed your hand on top of Bucky’s on your belly. He glanced up at you with the most adoring glimmer in his eyes. He placed a kiss to your belly before standing up, placing his hands on either of your cheeks before placing a passionate kiss to your lips.

[marshmallowprotection]

[Previous Post]

By his calculation, it was no real surprise that she couldn't remember anything that she'd said to him. 

She had been floating on the edge of elixir and the aftershocks it left in her system, most of what left her lips was nonsensical, at worst. She had far more clarity with her ability to speak but she had been easily distracted and confused if he let her talk without some kind of motivation. 

Ray hadn't even had to pry. It was as if she were a Goddess who truly knew everything. She knew things that Ray had to double check for their authenticity but found she was right every step of the way there. There were things that he would have otherwise had no way to know, but she was right enough for him to put every word to thought. 

She had firm thoughts and opinions, and it was precious to see her get upset over nothing. She would get so inflamed over this or that, but she spoke of the stories of himself and those around him like it was her livelihood. As if the world around them was her everything. 

However, some of her tone needed to be corrected. She spoke highly of much of the RFA, even if she was able to easily proclaim what she saw as a perceived fear or hesitance. He didn't care if she pitied the most of them… he just didn't want her to feel anything for the liar and the traitor. It's why he didn't ask about them. 

But, the rest of the members? 

He had enough information to draw out anything he wanted from them. She even had her own suggestions for what could work on them. He noted it in her phone, where she had been trying to figure out what may bring the RFA to Mint Eye. It was amusing to think she had considered it before meeting him. It was just another reminder that she was meant to be a saint to Mint Eye. 

Setting aside his feelings in knowing that her information had been given to her because of a game, he knew it didn’t matter how she got it. She wielded it with grace and luxury in her hands. She built upon the backs of what she had been handed and made it stronger... she found holes in stories and mended them by her hands. 

"Princess, relax for me," he was as gentle as he could be but she simply hadn't had the time to learn how to sit still. She was coming more and more out of her gaze so she was having such a hard time with her tremors. "I know it's hard. But I need you to look your best today." 

Either way, Ray had what he needed and plans could begin. But, right now, he had something even more important to think of. His Savior wanted to meet the person who would save Paradise with ease, his precious one. He tutted when he felt her squirm underneath his hand, smoothing out the brush against her messy curls as he did. 

Kaitlyn blinked a few times and then looked at the reflection in the mirror. She would see Ray fretting over little things as he did but she hadn’t quite realized how much work he was doing. He had taken great care to make her look exactly as radiant as she was. If they didn't see it before, they would see it in front of the Savior.

He caught her hand before it could touch her hand, and he lowered it back down onto her lap with a tight smile. He spent an awfully long time making her messy curls tighter and consistent. He didn’t want her to mess any of it up because she wasn’t in the state of mind to look at herself just yet. 

She was easily placated, though.

All it’d taken to make her listen to him in the first place was to wrap his coat around her shoulders. She stopped shivering and shaking when he did. It was almost adorable. Compared to the acidic mint and undertones of alcohol within the potion, he imagined the floral scent calmed her down. Aromatherapy was a good idea! If he could’ve taken her back to the garden... 

As the clarity was slowly returning, she seemed like in a daze and more of a frenzy. Her eyes darted all over the place as she strained to figure out where she was and why she was there. He knew that feeling, it happened often as he came out of the buzz that elixir warranted to those that survived the first trial. 

"Why…?" 

"You're meeting with my Savior, remember?" 

He frowned. What did she have to be afraid of? Did she misunderstand how lucky she was? Or, was the elixir still making her fearful to be alone with other people except for him? She would cry out with names that he couldn’t recall or know, after all. She might’ve been scared to make a fool of herself in front of his Savior. 

Something akin to fear flashed in her eyes, “I thought... I thought you said she was okay with us being together, Ray.” 

“Of course! My Savior promised that we’ll be together, but she wants to meet you so our mission can begin. After all, she wants to formally greet you as a true member of paradise! You took the elixir so well, too. It’s amazing. So, she wants you to see our paradise now that you’re able to function properly.” 

She’d seen worse. 

—

“I’m...” 

“A member of paradise,” Rika spoke with resolution. Her emerald eyes flickered over the newcomer, as if sizing her up and trying to figure out the best way to be able to pick her mind apart. “It’s a pleasure to welcome you to Magenta, for the first time, officially. While you must be surprised to be here with you, I must thank you for offering your wisdom and insight to ensure our success.” 

To put it plainly, Rika was searching for something in between the lines. Ray had said over and over that her information knew no bounds but there were parts of it that he couldn’t gain access to quite yet. She knew everything about them and yet, she was devoted to the cause. She had no doubt in her mind after what he’d shown her on that phone. 

She always imagined that she would have to tether Ray with a string to keep him to obey but now she had two tools to use at her disposal. She not only had Ray who worked himself like a dog for the smallest grain of affection, and now, this girl who would do anything for Ray and the paradise that he wanted to hold so badly. 

Photos that couldn’t exist in this world as they existed in quality unlike their own. Information about everything and everyone that nobody was ever meant to get into their hands. Reports and essays that could rival anyone in their terms of control and clarity. Her devotion to Ray was something else, and it could readily be used and manipulated. 

An idealistic young woman who believed in empathy and shining love. She was a realist but her romantic heart could sway her to be bent easily. It reminded her much of herself before she realized her true potential. A shining light was easy to capture as long as you had the right tools. 

Then, she would finally feel the light of salvation. 

This could be a useful love. 

Love built upon obsession that came from sincere bonds. Unlike the way that her former flame had done. His love had burned and devoured every part of her heart and now... she could take back her precious family from his clutches and wave this love in his face. She could use it, she could use them, and she was going to do so.

Though, Ray seemed to have dosed her with more than she expected. Her eyes still looked glossy even though she had enough clarity to realize the situation at hand. Her hand nervously fiddled with the fabric of the borrowed coat she wore, as her eyes darted left to right, not wanting to meet Rika’s gaze. 

No matter, it was a delight either way to see things working. 

Though this girl was taller than she was, she paid no mind, resting her hand against her shoulder to catch her attention. “You don’t need to worry about a thing. You’ve proven your capability already with your charming perspective, I must say, you’re a delightful read when you tear people down. You’ve seen the things I’ve always overlooked.” 

“Ah, I...” Kaitlyn murmured. It was a small nod to indicate that she’d heard what Rika said. “I... I like to study people, it’s a hobby... I’m not that great for what it's worth.” 

Oh. 

An insecurity. 

“Ray has shown me otherwise. Your words will be the very thing that save my precious mistreated family. I’m interested to hear more about what you think we should do. After all, someone as devoted as you can only know talent. Trust me, I know skill when I see it. I welcome it to our paradise because we need people like you.”

“...Thank you, Savior,” the words seemed foreign against her lips but she had managed to catch herself in time. She seemed to be good in print but in need with her actual words. “I... I’m thankful you see it that way. I’m...  I’m happy you have welcomed me.”

Rika’s attention shifted back to Ray. He seemed to be eyeing his plaything with a serious fever in his eyes. It could’ve been a problem, but... as long as she knew that this infatuation was going to secure paradise, she would allow it. It wasn’t as if they would be able to turn away from their promised future. It was a given, and Ray would never let go of it, now. 

She smiled. 

What a frightened little rabbit. 

“Ray, be a dear and see to it that she’s comfortable. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us if we want to achieve our goals within the next few months... aren’t you pleased it won’t take years to succeed now? All you’ve ever wanted, you’ve got it in your grasps. Don’t lose sight of that,” her voice was clear. “To get what you want, you must never look away from what’s ahead. No matter how ugly it seems. After all, I have a strong feeling that our dear Kaitlyn will have them on their knees soon enough.” 

His expression changed with that. His lips curled upward and he nodded, his way of saying he understood. The bloodlust in his eyes... now, that was what she wanted to hold onto. As long as he behaved, as long as he kept his dream ahead, paradise would thrive, and she would have what she wanted. Jihyun on his hands and knees, begging for mercy. 

And she’d snap him like a twig for thinking she’d given him a chance after what he did. 

Rika stepped back and Ray stepped forward. He took her by the hand and let her gaze into his eyes, that cloudy look leaving him as he played the role that he wanted. Pity, he wanted to be a prince when he was better suited for something else. Well, in due time, she thought. 

“I’ll begin preparations, my Savior. For eternal paradise.” 

“For eternal paradise, my children.”

[kaimelia]

prompt- scouts first christmas. amelia link and scout decorating the christmas tree and then they end up eating donuts together

a/n: hi! thank you for the prompt and I hope you enjoy it!

——————————————————

"You're not being much help here," Amelia muttered, sticking an ornament on the tree. "Put him down."

"He wants to help!" Link exclaimed while attempting to unravel the string of lights Scout had tangled around his father's face and neck as the boy rested on his hip. "He's just not the most coordinated helper."

"It looks like he's trying to strangle you. If he tugs on that light string, there goes your airway. And if you fall, you'll take Scout down with you, and I'm not about to spend Christmas with both of you injured." Link pouted and pulled the lights off of his head, grabbing an ornament and hanging it up.

"This tree is boring. All the ornaments are the same color."

"It looks pretty," Amelia sighed, grabbing another red ornament.

"It looks like a store display; it needs some pizazz!" He held Scout out to her. "Hold him. I'll be back."

"Where-where are you going?" She watched as he dashed down the hallway, leaving Scout to grab onto the collar of her sweater.

"Mama," Scout whispered, looking at his mother. She smiled at the sight of his wide blue eyes and kissed his forehead. She began to sway back and forth to the tune of the Christmas music playing from Link's phone.

"You're having a dance party without me?" He returned with a box in his arms, setting it down on the couch and pulling the flaps open. "My mom dropped this off a while ago. It's all the ornaments from when I was a kid," he murmured, digging through bubble wrap and pieces of styrofoam.

"Look at you!" Amelia smiled at a picture of Link from his fifth Christmas, holding a tiny guitar on his lap with a Santa hat on his head, which was almost covering his eyes. "This is adorable."

"We've got baby photos, we've got hand turkeys, we've got my beautiful childhood artwork. Take your pick." She laughed as she showed him another photo.

"Adorable." Amelia walked back over to the tree, taking the ornament with his baby photo and hanging it up. "We'll have to make some of these for Scout.". She turned around to see him sitting on the couch, his phone in hand. "So, it wasn't holding a baby that made you not help; it was just you." He glanced up and raised his eyebrows.

"My parents want to come up on Christmas day."

"We're going to Mer's in the morning, but if they wanna come over for dinner? Or, we could even see if they wanna come to Mer's. I'm sure the kids would love them there."

"Yeah, so they can absolutely spoil the kids."

"All kids should be spoiled by their grandparents. And your parents are the best ones any of them have, so they're more than welcome," she held out her hand, which Link took as he stood up. "But if you really don't want them there, you can say that we'll be at Mer's all day, and the house is full." He shrugged.

"We'll have them for dinner. It'll be my good son deed of the year." He ran his hand through his hair and grabbed an ornament from the box. "Wow. Handprint from my first Christmas." Amelia grinned and took it, holding the ornament up and placing it against Scout's hand.

"Look at that. Same size and everything." She hung it up. "Your parents were really into the corny memories, huh?"

"My mom was. I can't remember a single vacation with her where I wasn't forced in front of every sign before she took a hundred photos." He hung up a candy cane made of pipe cleaners, watching as Scout tried to reach for it, his tiny face falling as it was placed out of his reach. "Hey, you want it?" He took Scout back and helped him to grab the candy cane. "We'll have to get you a real one sometime."

They kept hanging mementos and various tokens of Link's childhood until the box between them was empty, and the tree was crowded with colorful ornaments.

"Alright. Last part of the tree," Amelia smiled, pulling the star out of the box behind her. "You wanna put it up?"

"No, let's have him put the star up!" Link handed it to Scout, who immediately tried to stick it in his mouth.

"There's going to be baby slobber on our star," Amelia shook her head while grinning, watching as Link tried to pry the star away from their son. "Just hold onto it with him, help him put it up there."

"Are you gonna help?"

"No, we need pictures of this! It's his first Christmas." She pulled her phone out and smiled widely. "Okay, go ahead. I'm ready." Link glanced at Scout, making sure they were both holding onto the star, and reached up, guiding Scout's hand as he dropped the star onto the tree.

"Perfect!" Link grinned, kissing Scout's head.

"Oh-" Amelia muttered, setting her phone down and reaching out as the star fell from the top, catching it before it fell to the ground. "Well, it was a cute moment; we can send those photos to your parents and get them printed for the wall. And for an ornament!"

"You put it back up. Sorry, Scout, you've been kicked off the tree-decorating committee," Link muttered, widening his eyes at the baby. "Watch Mama put the star up, alright?" He chuckled as she stood up on her tiptoes to reach the top, barely able to place the star but standing back and beaming proudly after she did.

"Now, it's perfect." Link held up his finger.

"Wait, I've got something else." He shoved Scout into her arms and left into the kitchen, returning with a pink box she recognized immediately.

"When did you have time to get donuts?"

"On my way home from work. And, I got this," he muttered, pulling a donut-shaped ornament out from his pocket and hanging it on the tree. "Now, that's perfect." Amelia laughed and shook her head, picking her phone up.

"Corny selfie time," she muttered, outstretching her arm and opening the camera. "Say donuts!"

[itsjustmyfantasyroom]

Like Old Times

Due to technical difficulties (me-iam technical difficulties) it was deleted so here we go again 🤭

@detective-giggles and I came up with this after we seen the photos for the new episode.

Warnings: Smut

WC: 1748

Enjoy x

Rafael’s eyes scanned around the table from Sonny, to Kat, to Fin, to Amanda and then to you. It was just like old times, out for a drink with the squad after court and his heart stung at how much he had missed interacting with you all, but mostly you. Sonny had said something funny and his eyes roamed your laughing face, the way your eyes lit up while you laughed and that smile that he missed walking into his office. He missed the way your lips felt, the way your bare skin felt under his and he missed the way your face looked when you were sleeping soundly in his bed.

Rafael was disappointed when you left with Amanda after she made the point that she needed to get home to the girls and you left with her offering to share a cab. He could still feel your lips on his cheek and your words in his ear before you left,

“Don’t be a stranger”

His tummy done flips when his phone chimed with a message- a message from you. You hadn’t been gone 10 minutes,

Y/N 8.30 pm: I know you remember my address.

He took in a deep breath and drunk down his drink saying goodnight to everyone that was left and rushing out of the bar to get a cab to the apartment block he knew like the back of his hand. Rafael rocked back and forth on his heels, the 6 floor ride up longer than he remembered.

The doors opened and he made his way down the hall way, smiling to himself when he seen your indoor plants still sitting next to the door. He bent down picking up the smaller pot of the two, surprised that the flowers were still alive with your track record, lifting it up to see the key still stuck to the bottom by tape. He pulled the key off, unlocked the door holding it open with his foot, sticking the key back on the bottom and putting the pot back down in its place. A routine he had down pat from doing it so many times in the past.

“Rafael?” You rounded the corner into the hall and saw him taking off his scarf, jacket, vest and tie, toeing off his shoes, Rafael looked you up and down in your fluffy purple dressing gown “It’s like you never left”

“Just like old times Hermosa” Rafael growled walking towards you rolling up his sleeves, his smirk wolfish “You kept my key under there?” Rafael was toe to toe with you now his head titled looking at your lips, licking his.

“I always knew you would come back to me” you purred.

Rafael chuckled and scoffed, walking you back into the wall you were standing in front of his body pressed on yours,

“Think you’re the reason I’ am back mi Amor?” Rafael’s voice was low and husky, his eyes stormy and dark.

“One of the main reason’s yes” you raised an eye brow.

Rafael grabbed your hands wrapping his long fingers around them pinning them above your head. Moving them both between one of his large ones. With his now free hand Rafael reached down and tugged on the waist strap of your dressing gown letting it fall open and he groaned loud when he saw you in your purple satin black lace chemise with high thigh split that he had brought you not long before he left,

“You kept it?” Rafael stepped back running his hands over the middle to your hips.

“Of course I kept it, it’s been in the box in my wardrobe” You hooked your pointer finger in his belt loop “Why would I get rid it of it when I knew you would be back Papi” you purred running your other pointer finger along his bottom lip.

“Worn it with anyone else?” Rafael narrowed his eyes at you.

“Only Carisi” you kept a straight face. You weren’t really sure when you saw the look on Rafael’s face if he was going to laugh or if he wasn’t impressed with you, you giggled and pecked his lips “Relax Rafi I’ am joking. No one has ever been as special as you”

Rafael grabbed your dressing gown pulling you off the wall to him, his lips colliding with yours, his tongue darting into your mouth swallowing your moans as he rolled his hips into you, his long hard length poking into your thigh.

“No one has ever been as special as you” Rafael purred.

Rafael let his hands glide up over your silk covered body, the way you squirmed against him making him harder than he already was, leaning forward to kiss you deeply again. He let his hands slid under your dressing gown shoulders pushing it off, it landing on the floor behind you. Rafael let one hand glide down to sit on the top of your thigh, his other threading into your hair. Rafael pulled away from the kiss nipping on your bottom lip smirking at you as he lent back, tugging on your hair pulling your head to the side, his lips sucking, nipping and biting at your neck,

“I’ve imagined this for so long- what it would be like if you came back- being with you again” You moaned and Rafael smiled into your neck kissing the spot he was just sucking on, his forehead landing on yours, both his hands moving to your hips.

“Snice I have been gone- do you think of me when you touch yourself?”

You blushed and bit your bottom lip clearing your throat,

“Ye-yes”

In a quick movement Rafael picked you up bridal style your arms wrapping around his neck squeezing tight as he carried you into the bed room dropping you on the bed and stepping back taking off his clothes you following his lead, pulling off the chemise, then laying down on your back, the top of your head on the edge of the bed, lifting your hips up to push your g string off throwing it on the floor.

Rafael walked to the bed, his body perfect and solid just how you remembered, his long cock standing proud glistening with pre-cum. Rafael got on the bed on his knees crawling towards you, grabbing your knees pushing them wide apart and he groaned when he seen your wet seeping out of your folds,

“I’ve thought about you. I couldn’t wait to be able to do this again mi Amor”

Rafael leant down licking a strip up your core, your hands grabbing onto the bed sheets in your fists moaning loud your eyes slamming shut as Rafael licked up your folds flicking your harden bundle sucking it between his lips. He sunk in two fingers, your pearl resting between his lips while he ate you out like it was his last meal. His long fingers reaching a spot only he could and you started to grind down on his face one of your hands letting go of the bed sheets going to the back of his head pushing his face into you,

“Rafael-I” you chocked “I’am going-Oh Rafael” Your back lifted off your bed your eyes slamming shut seeing stars your whole body filled with nothing but intense pleasure racing through you.

Rafael could see your chest heaving trying to catch your breath but he had to have you now, there would be plenty of time to make love to you later. He wiped his face with the back of his hand crawling his way up slightly, grabbing your thighs throwing them over his shoulder, his hands going to either side of you on the bed. He lent down kissing you deeply for a moment and then lining himself up to you,

“I’ am clean and still have my IUD”

“I’ am clean” Rafael’s hot tip slid into you, his jaw going slack as your warm core enveloped around him, Rafael pushing your knees up near your ears “I’ll make love to you next time. But now mi Amor I just need to fuck you”

“Give it to me Papi” your hands grabbed onto his shoulders.

Rafael thrusted into you so hard that he pushed your head off the edge of the bed, your head bent over the edge, you tits bouncing while Rafael slammed into you,

“I’ve missed you Y/N” Rafael grunted feeling your walls flutter tight around him.

He hissed when he felt your nails slightly digging into his shoulders, only encouraging him more to fasten his pace. Rafael pushed one leg off his shoulders leaning forward kissing your neck, his hot breath covering your skin. Rafael pulled out and pushed your other leg off him getting up on his knees pulling you towards him, your head now back on the bed and he slid into you again, your hips lifted off the bed, your legs moving to wrap around middle.

Rafael had a firm hold of one thigh and using his pointer finger and thumb from his other to roll your harden, swollen bundle of nerves. Your hands went to his arms squeezing them so tight he thought he might have fingers prints tomorrow.

“Come for Papi” Rafael grunted.

Your eyes slammed shut and your mouth opened wide chanting Rafael’s name, your core gripping him so tight as you came, that he bucked forward one last time and he froze as he came deep inside you, your name leaving his lips, his usually perfectly gelled hair wet with sweat. Rafael felt your legs drop from around him and he pulled out of you falling next to you, your legs tangled together,

“Just like old times” You mumbled out turning to look at him with a smile.

His lips on yours, his hand on your cheek kissing you deep and rough, pulling back kissing your nose and then peppering your face with open mouth kisses making you giggle.

“I really did miss you- you believe that Si?” you nodded running your hand over his chest “and your right, you are one of the main reasons I’ am back”

“I knew it” you smiled wide. Rafael chuckled wrapping you in his arms.

“It won’t be like old times though” Rafael lifted your face up by your chin with his pointer finger your eyes meeting his “It’s going to be new times, we are going to do things different this time.”

Tags: @beccabarba @thatesqcrush @the-baby-bookworm @dianilaws @scarletsoldierrr @lv7867 @permanentlydizzy @infiniteoddball @averyhotchner @fandom-princess-forevermore​

[koreaweeb]

Red Strings - Fifty-Fifth String

@underc0vercryptid-reads @laraplisetski @omegahighendpro @thooo0t @t3sselated @youngestdelacour @sadeyesgf

A/N: I am alive...

TW: SWEARING, VIOLENCE, ABUSE, MENTION OF SUICIDE, MENTION OF SELF-HARM, SEXUAL CONTENT

-

-

“A what?”

“A photoshoot!”

This was new territory for both Chishiya and Kurenai, but they were both experiencing it a little differently. 

Growing up, Kurenai was no stranger to a photoshoot.

Every so often, her father would drag the entire family to have their photo taken so they could put it out for the public to see what a happy family they were. Any and every photo out there of their family at a park, having a picnic, or at a theme park, they were all scripted. That one picture of her smiling on the Merry-Go-Round? The ride never moved, and she was simply placed on a horse and told to smile. 

To her, having her photo taken was agony. Which was why she never did after she grew up. She did not have a single photo around her house because she did not need any to remind her just how fake her family was. 

That was until Chishiya gifted her four framed photos for Valentine’s Day. From there, four became eight, eight became sixteen, and before they knew it, she had photos hanging on almost every wall at home.

For Chishiya, the concept of taking a photo with his family was unfamiliar. 

As far as he could remember, they probably took one photo together and that was it. He did not think there were any photo albums documenting his childhood lying around either (which Kurenai was not happy about, because she wanted to see a baby Chishiya). 

While Kurenai’s father was obsessed with the idea of a perfect family, Chishiya did not think that his father would care at all. If he were to ask his father for a photo, he would not even get an answer because his father would not have the time to even answer a simple question. 

He was still rather unsure about a photoshoot, even after seeing how excited Kurenai was for it. He had no problems with just taking photos on their phones and having those printed instead. To be in a professional studio, standing in front of a professional camera and photographer, however, was an entirely different story. 

“Holy…”

Chishiya looked up when he heard Aoi’s comment. Kurenai came out from the dressing room, having changed into a red wedding dress. With her long black hair done up, and her signature red lips, she looked like a princess in those fairytale books. Even Chishiya was a little taken aback by how beautiful she looked. How in the hell did he get her to fall in love with him?

“How do I look?” Kurenai asked.

“You look perfect, Miss Kurenai. Absolutely beautiful,” Ayako answered, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her face. 

“I don’t think she was asking you, Ayako-san…” Aoi whispered.

“Beautiful, as always,” Chishiya smiled, taking her hand and squeezed gently. “Everyone looks like a peasant next to you.”

That earned a giggle from Kurenai, though Aoi was not quite happy.

“Excuse you, we share the same DNA,” he stated. “You’re the peasant here.”

“No, my Shuntarou is royalty too,” Kurenai said, fixing the bowtie for him. “He’s my King, after all.”

After a round of compliments for each other, the shoot was finally beginning. 

Although the original intent was for this to be a wedding shoot, Kurenai changed her mind almost last minute. She wanted photos with Chishiya, but she also wanted photos with her family. Not the fake one that Atsushi crafted, but the family who stuck by her, and was truly supportive and loving like a real family.

And so, the shoot started with some individual shots of Kurenai, Aoi, and even Ayako. 

Then, they moved on to the sibling photos. Despite seemingly not getting along with each other, when they stood in front of the camera, the Chuya siblings looked like professional models. The photos came out looking chic, and looking so good that they could possibly be used as a promotional poster for a movie about two siblings who were partners in crime. 

“I know they hate their father, but you have to admit that this family has some good looking genes,” Ayako smiled, looking at Chishiya. “When you have children with Miss Kurenai, they will be the most gorgeous babies.”

“They may not, after mixing with my peasant genes,” Chishiya joked. 

While he was joking about it, Chishiya was feeling quite the opposite on the inside.

Children?

It was a subject he never thought about, simply because he never thought he would get this far in a relationship. Hell, he never even thought he would ever get into a relationship to begin with. Kurenai never mentioned anything about children either, nor did she ever talk about how she felt about them in general. 

Could two people as broken as they were have children?

Once the siblings had a couple of photos with Ayako, it was finally the headliner’s turn. 

“Could you turn this way? Other way.”

“Smile more.”

“Be more sincere with your smile.”

“Hold her by the waist.”

“Pull her closer.”

“Look her in the eyes.”

It felt unnatural to be standing there and prompted to do this and that by someone else. Chishiya felt like a marionette, moving only when someone would move him. And his awkwardness and uncomfortableness was showing through the photos. Even the photographer was getting a little frustrated by the fact that he did not get a single good photo in the last twenty minutes.

While they took a small break so the photographer could figure out how to solve this problem, Kurenai undid Chishiya’s bowtie and did it up for him again. It was a small moment, but it was an intimate one. The way she was smiling so gently, and the way Chishiya was looking down at her with so much love in his eyes. 

This was the raw emotion the photographer had been looking for.

And he grabbed his camera before he missed it, taking several pictures without the couple knowing. 

“Ayako-san was telling me just now about how good looking you and Aoi are.”

“She’s not wrong,” Kurenai grinned.

“And I was thinking how lucky I am to be the person you said yes to.”

Every so often, Chishiya would slip into affectionate mode, and he would say things that were moving or sweet. Or both. And even to this day, Kurenai could never get used to it. Every time he would say things like that, it melted her heart and it would bring tears to her eyes.

“Well, don’t cry,” he laughed, wiping the one rogue tear for her. “I love you.”

“I love you too. But I think I love you a little less if I have to stand here for another thirty minutes in these heels.”

“I thought you lived in heels?”

“Actually, we’re done,” the photographer said. “I’ve got quite a few good pictures.”

They gathered around the computer and the photographer was scrolling through the photos. Neither of them was aware that they were secretly being photographed, but that was the main reason why the photos came out so good. They were natural. 

“I’m tempted to use your photos as advertisement for my business,” the photographer laughed. “It’s been a while since I took pictures of such genuine emotions from both parties. You guys must really love each other.”

“Eh, only sometimes,” Kurenai commented. 

“Yeah, I don’t particularly love her when she’s with the cat.”

“Well, the cat doesn’t love you either.”

[for-fucks-sake-h]

As You Held Onto Me - One

*a/n: Hello and welcome to the first chapter of this little universe! I hope you enjoy it. Huge thank you to my babes @sleepyeyedficsnrecs​ @biteharrysthigh​ @bbletsdoitallovragain​ @imethiminthemorning​ for proofing and supporting me and being genuinely beautiful people. Happy reading! x 

CATCH UP ON PREVIOUS PARTS HERE    

Rated: M, mature // Word Count: 8.6k 

Sometimes, love can feel like it’s everything. And sometimes, we hope it can be.

***

- Monday, January 5, 2013 -    

The walk from your car to the back door of the old brick building felt exceedingly long for only being a few minutes. Probably due to the biting cold wind that whipped across your face and threatened to rip your scarf right off your neck.    

It also may have felt like a 5k marathon due to it being your first day at your new job. It wasn’t much, just a few nights a week, but you couldn’t shake the nerves settling in your belly as you clicked your key fob to hear your car lock for the second time.  You were excited for the change, and the new experience. And you thought it would be good for you to hopefully make some new friends while you did your online courses.  

The wind whistled obnoxiously as you pulled the heavy metal door open to stumble into the building, exhaling deeply as your cheeks immediately began to warm at the stark change of temperature.  

You started down a narrow hallway toward the office you knew was situated at the end as you unwrapped your scarf, desperately trying to steady your breathing. A quick glance past a tall cart full of pastry desserts showed a busy kitchen with servers dressed just like you in black dress pants, white button down shirts and bowties. 

A familiar voice spoke your name from behind you. Shannon, your middle aged manager, stood in the doorway of the office with a warm smile when you turned to greet her.  You were quick to walk towards her, extending your hand the way you were taught, gripping hers firmly as you smiled.  

“Perfect timing.”  

“Hi, Shannon. How are you?”  

“Great! Come on in here so we can get you set up,” she spoke with a hand extended towards her office as she welcomed you into the small, plainly decorated space. “Nervous?” She spoke once the door was closed behind you.  

“A little,” you smiled shyly.  

“Well, don’t be. Everyone’s nice. They’ll show you the way, help when you need it. Team effort and all that.”  She waved her hands nonchalantly as she turned her back to you, making her way over to her desk.  “I just have a couple things for you to sign, direct deposit slip and such. Then we’ll set up your clock and ID and go get your badge done with HR.”  

She waved you over to her side, lifting a pen in your direction with one hand as she pointed to the lined paper, indicating where you should sign each document.  You watched her quietly as she stapled the papers together before tucking them away in what you assumed to be your file.  

“You can put your jacket and things over there,” she nodded toward an open coat closet. 

You did as you were told, gingerly wrapping your scarf around the neck of a hanger before adding your coat. Your heart rate seemed to be easing a bit as you got accustomed to the new environment. When you turned back toward Shannon she was typing away on her computer, leaving you to silently wait for your next instruction.  

“Okay, I just let Cindy know we’d be up in a minute. Let’s set this thing up real quick.” She walked towards the door of the office again where a small machine was mounted on the wall. “So this is the clock in machine. You’ll just place your hand on it with the sensors between your fingers. You can clock in seven minutes before your shift. Try not to forget to do it,” she spoke as she pressed a few buttons on the machine. “It’s not a huge deal if you do forget once in a while, just try not to make a habit out of it. Messes with HR,” she giggled. “Here you go, just put your hand in and it’ll prompt you to lift it three times.”  

You did as you were told, watching the screen as it read your palm every time you placed your hand onto the sensor.  

“Don’t forget the sanitizer,” she spoke again once the machine beeped in completion.  “Here’s your apron and bowtie.  We have some extras if you’re in a pinch or forget it one day. Just be sure to put them back if you do borrow one.” She extended the neatly folded apron and bowtie towards you. “Chuck them on and we’ll go see Cindy for your badge and then I’ll introduce you to your trainer.”  

She headed towards the door as she spoke, leaving you to follow meekly as you tucked the apron under your arm to swiftly put your bow tie on. You followed her through the kitchen, taking in the quick atmosphere of the staff as they prepped for dinner. Pots banged as the cooks finished prepping the serving line. You noticed a girl changing inserts of what looked to be a juice machine. Someone else carried a large pot of soup to an opening in the counter that was the perfect width.  

She opened a side door for you once you crossed the busy room, noticing a dish washing station towards the back of the kitchen before going into a narrow stairwell. You threw the necktie of your apron over your head once you were in the elevator, tying the strings behind your back as the door dinged and began to open.  

Cindy was nice enough, seemingly ready to leave for the night and get done with your name badge as quickly as possible. She took a quick photo of your face in front of a blue backdrop and was quiet as she plugged the camera into her computer to print your badge.  

“Thank you,” you spoke as she handed you the laminated plastic once it was attached to a small silver butterfly clip.  

“Thanks Cind, have a good night,” Shannon spoke as she nodded for you to head out of the room first. You heard a mumbled reply of you too come from the office as Shannon followed you out.    

“Don’t mind her,” she spoke quietly with a small chuckle as she pushed the elevator button once more, “she’s like that with everyone. Just clip that badge to the top of your apron.”  

You followed Shannon into the elevator, smoothing down the front of your apron as you took the trip back down a few floors in silence. This time the front doors of the elevator opened, the dining room straight ahead and a lounge/waiting area towards your left.  

You followed Shannon the few steps towards a small oak desk and podium where a boy, maybe a few years older than you, stood smiling and greeting residents as they passed with their walkers and motorized scooters. 

“This is Joe, he’s the host and in charge tonight,” she introduced.  

“Hey,” he greeted you with a smile which you returned softly.  

“Joe!” A small woman with a walker stood behind the podium. “Are you going to make me wait forty-five minutes tonight?” She asked exasperated.   

“Hi Mrs. Kavinsky,” he spoke loud and clear towards the woman. “I already checked you and Mr. Kavinsky in to make up for last night,” he smiled forcefully as the woman shook her head with a roll of her eyes.  

“You’re really getting bad representation tonight,” Shannon laughed as Mrs. Kavinsky walked away. “I promise it’s not always like this. She just met Cindy,” she spoke to Joe, a knowing nod and smile coming from him in acknowledgement. “Who do you have training her tonight?”  

“Harry’s here.” 

“Awesome, call him out.”  

Joe grabbed the phone beside his podium and with a push of a button was talking to someone, telling whoever was on the other line to send your trainer out to the front.  

You stood with your fingers clasped together in front of you, taking in the expanse of the dining room.  For such a deceivingly plain office and kitchen, the dining room was elegantly decorated.  Vaulted ceilings, beautiful art hanging on the walls, expensive tables and chairs with polished table settings.  There was a large chandelier in the center of the room and a fire place situated on the far right wall. To say the least, it was a stark difference from the plain white walls in Shannon’s office.  

“Ah there he is!” Shannon spoke excitedly.  

You turned toward the direction of the kitchen to see a tall boy walking towards you. It was like your brain took in a different aspect of him every second. Dark, chestnut hair curled around his ears. Broad shoulders. Radiant skin despite the freezing temperatures. His apron tied around his narrow waist. 

He gave a small wave as he neared, light green eyes coming into focus as they washed over your features. Your cheeks burned immediately. He was beyond handsome as a sweet, dimpled smile spread across his face.    

“Hey, ya alright?” He spoke in general, but his eyes flicked back to you a few times. His voice was surprisingly deep, making the nerves in your belly erupt all over again.  

Shannon spoke up, introducing you both. You exchanged shy smiles with Harry as he tucked his hands into his pockets, seemingly nervous. “Harry’s our best trainer. He’ll take care of you,” Shannon praised. “I’ll leave you to it.” 

He smiled down to the floor as Shannon passed with a pat on his shoulder. You noticed the top of his ear that peeked through his hair was bright pink when he turned towards the oak desk, grabbing a clipboard and bringing it towards you. 

“So this is the section chart,” he got right to it, showing you the layout of the dining room and which section would be yours for the evening. His cologne lingered once he was close enough, hints of sweet melon and warm vanilla floating off his skin. A small cross tattoo caught your eye as he pointed to your section. Your eyebrow twitched minutely with intrigue.  

“Come on,” he spoke, pulling your attention back to his face, “I’ll show you around.”  

He led you into the kitchen, showing you a bulletin board where various announcements hung from tiny tacks. “Side work is here,” he pointed with the cross tattooed hand. “You do this before dinner and this one after,” referring to the two columned sheets of paper hanging on the bottom left corner of the board. You nodded, quickly following as he started walking again. 

He was thorough as he walked you around the kitchen, showing you where various things could be found and explaining how the service would operate.  

“Always greet the table with bread, it’ll make your life easier,” he explained, his words slow as they rolled off his tongue. After, you’d take drinks and then soup and salad. He showed you how you would call out your meals as you made your way down the serving line. “Always be polite, always check on your tables between courses, always have extra straws in your apron pocket.” He piled the information on in such a short period of time that you couldn’t help feeling a bit overwhelmed.  

“Hey,” he acknowledged the look on your face. “It sounds like a lot but I promise you’ll pick it up quick. Just a matter of doing it.” He was comforting; warm and sweet in the way he attempted to ease your mind.  “Tonight you’ll just kinda watch me, help with things. Tomorrow you can do more on your own. We’ll take it a day at a time. Promise by the end of the week you’ll be an expert.” 

“Thanks,” you smiled, silently admiring the way a tiny double chin formed as he looked down to the floor with a small grin.  

“Come on, Joe’s gonna go over the menu in a minute.” 

You followed him over to the corner of the kitchen where the rest of the staff stood waiting. He leaned his hip against the metal counter, crossing his arms casually. In the limited time you’d spent with Harry, he came across easily cool with minimum effort.  He was nice in a way that seemed natural and not just put on. And there was definitely no way to deny how attractive he was.  

“Alright guys,” Joe clapped as he came into the kitchen.  “First off, let’s welcome our newest server,” he stretched a hand out in your direction, all eyes on you as he introduced you. Your cheeks warmed but smiled as you greeted the group of seven servers you’d be working with alongside Harry. 

He went through the menu quickly, everyone jotting down the soup options and specials for the evening.  “I got it,” Harry leaned in and whispered when you started to pull your pad and pen from your apron. He smiled when you met his gaze before he looked back towards his own pad as he jotted the options down. 

You couldn’t pull your eyes from him for a moment, letting yourself take in the ridiculously straight line of his nose and sharp cut of his jaw.  His skin was smooth, clean shaven without a mark on it aside from a small mole just off the corner of his mouth. His lips seemed to get even more pink as he bit them repeatedly and his eyes flicked up to Joe and then to you. 

You flinched and looked away quickly, warmth spreading across your face at being caught.  

“That’s it! Have a good night guys.” Joe clapped again as everyone headed out into the dining room.  

“So I’ll introduce you to the tables and you can kinda just go through the motions with me,” Harry spoke over his shoulder as he led you towards the back station where drinks and bread were kept.  You watched as he bent over to pull a bread basket from the warmer and grabbed a pair of tongs from the counter. “Think you can handle giving them bread to start?”  

You took the bread basket with a roll of your eyes and a laugh. His smirk was lethal. Dimples etched into his cheeks with a slight smugness that was just shy of being annoying.  Truth was, it wasn’t annoying at all. If you were being really honest with yourself, you wouldn’t have minded seeing the smirk again. And you definitely wouldn’t have minded being the cause of it.  

The night went pretty smoothly. You didn’t drop any glasses and didn’t spill anything on anyone as you helped Harry serve your section. Your conversation was easy but limited as you worked. You did learn that he moved from the UK when he was seventeen when his dad got a promotion. He lived in the next town over and was only a year older than you with his nineteenth birthday in a few weeks. He went to school and worked at the retirement home as often as he could without interfering with school. 

You also learned that he was charming and funny, especially when talking to the residents.  They all seemed to love him; happy, excited banter when they realized he’d be their server. He was kind, checking on them often and making sure they had everything they needed.  

As the night slowed down, Harry showed you how to do your section’s sideworks and how to set the tables for the next day’s breakfast shift.  You were in the kitchen as he demonstrated the intricate way you needed to fold your assigned portion of 50 silverware sets into a neat napkin ring when another server came up to you.  

“Hey, how’d you like your first shift?” She smiled at you as she nudged Harry with her shoulder.  

You remembered her name was Emma, but you still glanced at her name tag to make sure. “It was good! Yeah, I liked it.”  

“Harry’s a great teacher,” she laughed with a wiggle of her eyebrows.  

“Oi get out of here,” he shook his head as he smiled, pushing Emma away from you. 

She barked a loud laugh as she slapped his forearms playfully. “Did you tell her about Three Monkey’s?” She directed her question to you.  

You watched the exchange between them, noticing the way Harry’s eyes fell to the ground as he spoke. “No, no. I - I didn’t have a chance to mention it yet,” he stumbled through his words for the first time since meeting him, the slightest flush rising on his cheeks.  

“We’re going to grab something to eat there once we’re done,” Emma turned back to you, “wanna come?”  

“Oh, um, yeah sure,” you smiled graciously. “Thanks.” 

“Course. You can ride over with me and Heather if you want? The parking is shit there,” she giggled.  

“That’d be great, thanks.”  

“Yeah, don’t mention it! We’ll exchange numbers before we leave.” 

“Em!” Joe called from across the kitchen, “is your side work done?!”  “Oh bite me, Joe!”  

You laughed with them as she stalked towards him and threw a rag in his face on her way.  Harry was quiet and already looking at you when you glanced at him, a small smile playing on his lips. You could feel his eyes still on you as you folded the rest of your silverware. It took everything in you not to look at him again and you hoped the flush you felt on your cheeks wasn’t too obvious.  You followed everyone out once you’d all clocked out, agreeing on meeting at the restaurant in an hour. Emma introduced you to Heather as you exchanged numbers and texted her your address.  

Once you were home, you gave your parents the quickest overview of your first night before going to quickly freshen up. You changed out of your uniform and into some jeans and a cozy sweater. You also let your hair down, brushed your teeth and sprayed a little perfume. Just as you swiped some mascara on, a text from Emma came that they were out front.  

Luckily, the drive was short and the girls were super sweet. Your conversation was steady as you all complained about your college courses.  Heather was taking online classes as well, so it was nice to bond with her over that. It was nice to be making some new friends in general.    

Emma was lucky enough to find a spot near the restaurant, but you still did a huddled power walk to the building to get out of the harsh cold as quickly as possible. They must have been there a lot because the host greeted Emma by name, telling her it’d only be a few minutes for them to get a table together.   The rest of the group joined in the small waiting area of the restaurant moments later, bringing the cold with them as they piled in. You tucked your chin down into your scarf as the cold air brushed your skin once more, looking up to see Harry as the culprit for letting the icy wind burn your face.  

“Fucking freezing,” he mumbled as he pulled the door closed. He brought himself right next to you, the sleeve of his jacket brushing yours as you looked up at him from where you were tucking the entire lower half of your face into the thick material of your scarf. He smiled down at you, small wisps of hair poking out of his red beanie and curling at his temples. When he noticed the way you curled into yourself as you waited for warmth to consume you, he leaned in barely enough to notice. But you noticed.   

“You okay?” 

“Fucking freezing,” you repeated back to him, the fabric muffling your voice.  He must have heard you clear enough because he smiled widely down to you, flicking his eyes in the direction of the back of the restaurant as he spoke. “They usually put us in the back by the fireplace. Follow my lead. I’ll make sure we’re closest to it.”  

You were happy that your scarf concealed the endeared smile that was pulled from your lips at his words. He was so serious, but had a playful glint in his eye that you couldn’t help but admire. His nose was wind burnt and his cheeks were flushed, and his eyes sparkled under the dim overhead lighting.  

Just then the host called Emma’s name, indicating that your table was ready. Harry pushed past you quickly, grabbing your wrist at the last second to pull you with him as he led you down the opposite aisle of tables lined up in the restaurant, effectively cutting off your group and getting the seats directly in front of the fireplace.   

“I’m impressed,” you chuckled as you shrugged your coat and scarf off, handing them to Harry when he opened his palm.  

He mocked offense with a drop of his jaw as he hung your jackets on the nearby rack. “You doubted me?” 

You giggled as you situated yourself in your seat. He was sitting next to you a second later, his cologne invading your senses all over again. It was like the heat of the fire intensified. That or you just recognized it more as it washed over you like it had when you first encountered him.    

He pulled the sleeves of his sweater down over his hands. “Have you been here?” He asked softly.  

“No,” you shook your head with a smile. “Looks good though.”  

You scanned over the menu. It was a step up from a typical bar/restaurant, with every burger concoction you could think of and a very enticing “try our crack fries!” in bold letters across the top of the page.  

“The Mighty Joe Young is the best. If you like pork roll.”    

“Brits eat pork roll?” You teased.  

He laughed with a nod of his head. “They do when they live here.” 

“Alright, I’ll try it.” You closed your menu before adding a cryptic, “hope I’m not disappointed.” 

“Have I steered you wrong yet?”  

You looked over at him, and even though there was a playful smile on his face, his eyes held yours in a way that made you hesitate. The fire cast shadows across the lines of his face, accentuating the deep cut of his cheekbone and jaw. And even though the place was dimly lit, the fire somehow made his eyes bright as he stared back at you.       

You were interrupted as the waitress came to take your orders, tucking some hair behind your ear as you turned away from him. The group quieted down enough for everyone to place their orders. You and Harry ordered identical Mighty Joe Young burgers and crack fries, and he wore the same smirk on his beautiful face as he had at work.  

You got to know your coworkers, engaging in conversation about school and what shows you all were into. It was nice to be included so easily and not feel like an outsider in a group of people who already knew each other so well. You were joking with Heather, who was quick enough to sit on the other side of you to absorb the warmth of the fire, just as your food arrived.  

It was like no one had seen food before, the table going relatively quiet as everyone dug into their first few bites. 

You glanced over to Harry as you took your first bite, finding his eyes already on you, watching you expectantly. You chewed slowly, keeping a straight face. You leaned back in your chair as you finished the bite, his eyes following you the entire time, waiting for your reaction. 

“Ugh, it’s good,” you whined.    

He smiled in victory, looking pleased and smug as he turned back towards his plate to take his own bite. His jaw ticked with every chew. You shouldn’t have found it as attractive as you did. His eyelashes were long, curled and extended away from his eyes as he blinked; like a delicate frame around a vast landscape painting. 

You blinked away before anyone became suspicious of your staring, especially Harry. 

You enjoyed the rest of your dinner, talking between bites and laughing at jokes as you tried to cover your burger filled mouth. 

Once your plates were cleared, you felt Harry turn towards you, casually placing his elbow on the back of your chair. You tilted your face in his direction as he spoke. 

Your lips kinked up in a smile, “I really did like it.” 

“Did ya?” His voice went up an octave. “You’re kinda hard to read. Mysterious and all that,” he joked softly. 

“I’m really not though,” you laughed. 

He leaned in a half an inch closer with a simply murmured, “I beg to differ.” 

You weren’t sure if it was his close proximity or the tone of his voice but he made your skin erupt in goosebumps and your heart unironically skip a beat. He smiled as he leaned away, that ever present twinkle in his eyes shining back at you. 

You were brought back by Joe calling both your names from the other end of the long table. 

“You guys wanna see a movie?”  

Harry answered immediately, “I’m alright man. Gonna head home, gotta be up early.”  

You turned towards Heather and Emma with a nod of your head. “What are you guys doing?” 

“Yeah I could go for a movie,” Emma agreed first, Heather following right behind. 

You hesitated for a moment as you nodded in acknowledgement, debating your options. “Um —” 

“I could drop you off if you don’t wanna go,” Harry interrupted. 

“You sure?” 

“Yeah no problem at all,” he sang happily, leaning his elbows on the table with a smile.   

“Yeah, okay. I’ll pass tonight guys,” you turned back to Joe and the girls, “thanks though.” 

“Next time,” Emma pointed her finger sternly at you. 

“Definitely,” you chuckled. 

Everyone got their things together once the bill was settled, bundling up for the inevitable icy temperature. You hugged Emma and Heather at the door, thanking them for bringing you and telling them to enjoy the movie.   

You started to follow everyone out of the restaurant but were caught by your elbow by Harry’s firm hand. 

“I’m this way,” he nodded in the opposite direction.  

You walked quickly, holding your jacket and scarf as close to you as possible as you followed Harry to his 1999 Mustang.   

“Fuck, I won’t ever get used to that.” He shuddered once you were inside, the heat blaring from his dash. 

“Isn’t it cold in England?” You giggled. 

“I don’t remember it being this bloody cold.”  

“Bloody cold,” you repeated in a faux English accent. 

He shook his head as he laughed, “Wow you’re so posh.”  

“Am I?” 

He turned the gear to pull out of his spot before chuckling with a pained wince, “Oh yeah.” He was quiet for a beat before softly adding, “It’s cute though.”  

And the butterflies ensued.    

“Thanks,” you blushed as you watched the street lights dance across his hood.  You both were quiet for the majority of the ride, stealing glances when you thought the other wasn’t paying attention. You didn’t know that neither of you were never not paying attention to the other.  

“This is a cool car,” you spoke up after a while.  

“Thanks,” he smiled. “I got it a couple months ago. Finally saved up enough.”   “That’s amazing, congrats.”  

He smiled at you before bringing his eyes back to the road. “So, what made you wanna get the job?”  

You thought about it for a moment, contemplating all the reasons you had and deciding what you wanted to share. “I thought it would be good to get my foot out there a bit. I’ve only babysat before.”  

“No I mean, what made you choose the retirement home specifically? Could have gone to McDonalds... think they pay more,” he chuckled.  

“Oh,” you laughed nervously. “Um, I don’t know.” You paused before deciding to continue. “I like the thought of helping people. Maybe being the reason someone might smile. I thought there would be some people there that… maybe didn’t have families nearby and I could be someone they looked forward to seeing.”  

You surprised yourself with how honest your answer was, blushing immediately. 

“I think that’s really cool,” he spoke earnestly. “Are you going to school for something like that? Helping people, I mean.”  

“Oh I don’t know. I don’t really know what I wanna do yet.”  You shook your head as you spoke, not having a clue what you really wanted to do career-wise.  

“Sounds like helping people might be something you should consider. If you feel strongly about it.”  His voice was soft and encouraging.  You could feel his eyes flicking over to you and you were thankful for the darkness that provided a shield to your blushing cheeks.  

“Maybe,” you hummed. “What about you?”  

“I’m going for photography.  Hope I can like, own my own company some day.” 

“That’s really cool,” you nodded. “Do you have a favorite kind or anything?”  

“People for sure, especially people in love.” He spoke surely as he eased the car to stop at a red light before looking over at you. “Like, I’d love to do engagement shoots or just, anything with couples. I like showing people in love through my lense.”  

You smiled at his answer and how open he was. “Sounds like something you’re good at.”  

“Yeah?” 

“Yeah, just, judging by how you speak of it. When people are passionate about something, it shows.” 

He nodded at your words as he held your eyes.  He didn’t add anything or deny what you were saying. He simply looked at you, with that twinkle in his eye and the smallest tug of a smile on his lips. You couldn’t look away from him, his eyes pulling you in and holding you there. You liked to think it was against your will but in reality, you would have sat there in his car and looked at him for as long as he would have let you.  

The car behind you on the other hand, not so much. Judging by their obnoxious horn at least.  

You both startled, pulled from the moment as you noticed the green light. You looked back over to Harry to catch him looking in his rearview mirror with a crease to his brow before he pulled into the intersection to turn down your street.  

It was achingly quiet as he paused at the three stop signs before pulling in front of your house.  

You unclicked your seatbelt as you spoke. “Well, thanks for the ride.” 

“Yeah, yeah, of course.” He paused, seemingly considering what he wanted to say. “It was… nice... talking to you.” His voice lowered minutely in what you could only assume was shyness.  

You smiled as your heart fluttered in your chest. “It was nice talking to you too. I’ll see you tomorrow, right?”  

He nodded.  “Yup, you’ve got me for the week.”  

“Great. Thanks again.” 

“Anytime,” he smiled.  

You returned the smile before climbing out of his car. You quickly walked to your front door, noticing that he didn’t pull away from your house as you fished out your key from your bag and unlocked your door.  

When you looked back, you could see the street lamp shining into his windshield, giving you just enough light to see him looking back at you.  

You gave him a small wave before closing your door, leaning your back against it as your heart banged in your chest.    

*** 

- Sunday, February 24, 2018 -   

You dropped your duffle bag dramatically as soon as you entered the suite.  Twelve hours of traveling sounded just as awful as it felt.  

Articles of clothing fell from you as you made your way further into the room. Cardigan, sneakers, leggings -- all stripped off and thrown haphazardly. It was warm, a stark change from the still freezing temps back home in New York. Your oversized t-shirt hung down to your thighs, opting for comfort over anything else for your day of traveling.  

It was late; the only light being a tall standing lamp tucked away in the corner of the room. It was so quiet you could hear the ocean. A slow, calming peace fell over you as your eyes adjusted to the dim lighting. 

The sliding glass door at the back of the suite was open, a slight breeze coming through the sheer white curtains that hung from the ceiling. A king sized bed was off to the right, tall posts with more sheer drapes hanging from the corners. The pillows looked gigantic and the deep navy duvet looked soft and smooth, even from where you were standing.  

You peeked into the ensuite, a bathroom unnecessarily large with a jetted soaker tub and rainfall shower stall, double sinks and two oversized mirrors.  There was a stash of candles organized on the counter with stemmed roses delicately placed on either end, a box of matches sitting on one of the candle’s lids.  

You stretched your arms up over your head as you heard a click of the key card lock opening, the heavy door of your room swinging open.  

Turning in the bathroom doorway, you saw your suitcase roll in first with a frowning Harry close behind. “That should not have been that difficult,” he spoke as he entered the room, letting the door fall closed behind him. “How did they only have you on the reservation? We have the same name for fuck’s sake.”   

You smiled as you leaned against the door frame, taking in his frustrated state.  

“Yeah we do.” Your tone was suggestive; an attempt to bring him back to the moment, to the real reason why you were even there to begin with.  

It caught his attention, his head snapping in your direction as his eyes took you in. You’d never tire of that. The way he looked at you, like he was trying to peer into your soul and see all the ways he was etched into it. Sometimes, you felt like he could see right through you. Like you were a wide open plain for him to settle his home on and live happily ever after.  

He didn’t move at first, standing perfectly still next to your too heavy, over packed suitcase as his eyes raked over your t-shirt clad body. The left side of his mouth lifted the tiniest bit for the smirk to start to form before he moved toward you. He reached for you once he was close enough, arms slithering around your waist to pull you in. His hands rested perfectly in the curve of your back, his front flush to yours as he looked down at you.  

“We do, Mrs. Styles.”  

His voice was lower both in volume and tone. The words rolled off his tongue as if he had been saying them for decades when in reality it had only been 22 hours.  

He pulled you with him as he took a step back, effectively moving you out of the doorway in favor of walking you back into the wall beside it. He completely invaded your senses. Warm breath cascading across your lips, cologne that had no business even still being on his skin infiltrating your head. 

You smiled slightly just before he pressed his mouth to yours. His lips were soft, yet still tugged your own into his waiting mouth. His tongue teased along your bottom lip in the smoothest way, warmth spreading to the pit of your stomach instantly. His warm tongue eased into your mouth, tasting you slowly before sucking your top lip.  

He pinned your foreheads together, his breath mingling with yours. “Are you tired?”  

You shook your head against his in response as your fingers dug into the pudge of his hips.     

“Good.” He barely got the word out before his mouth was back on yours; heavy and hot.    

One of his hands gripped the side of your neck as he pressed himself even closer to you, pinning you to the wall harshly. His hips pushed into yours, his cock already fattening up in his pants. You whimpered against his insistent mouth, his fingers threading into your hair as his other hand gripped your hip tighter.

“I want you so bad,” he moaned before kissing you again. 

His eager mouth traveled down your jaw and neck, sponging wet kisses to your tingling skin.  You reached up to thread your fingers through his hair, clasping tightly at the roots to elicit a small moan from the back of his throat.  His hips pressed into yours with such a minute roll that you nearly missed it. One of your hands traveled down the crease in the center of his back, the heat of him burning through his thin t-shirt. You squeezed one of his cheeks in the same moment that he bit into the skin of your collar bone, heat spreading throughout your body faster than ever, making your head cloudy and your eyelids heavy.  

“Please, H.” Your whine was breathy and exhaled up to the ceiling as he traveled back up to your mouth.  

He hovered his lips over yours for a moment, catching his breath as he pushed his hard length against you more. There was no denying just how hard he was. The way he begged for you, every move he made making it known.  

“You still want to?” His words were low and spoken directly into your mouth. 

Your eyes fluttered open to meet his, noses brushing softly before he pulled back half an inch. “Yeah,” you breathed. “Do you?”  

“So bad,” he whispered before kissing you again, his mouth slow and full. “Wanna give you a baby.”  

You moaned at his words as your hips involuntarily tipped towards his more.     He shifted his weight towards your side, his front still pressed as closely to you as he could get, his cock brushing against your hip. His hand released the grip it had on the back of your hair to journey down your neck, the center of your chest and across your hip before settling on the lowest part of your tummy.  

“I want your belly,” he spoke into the skin of your jaw as his hand splayed across the expanse of your stomach.  

You knew exactly what he meant; always wanting to be as deep inside you as possible. But he also wanted your belly in the way he never had before. With half of him forming with half of you to produce something so beautiful it would make you ache if you thought about it too much.  

But when you let yourself think about it -- really imagine it -- you knew. You wanted it with him, more than anything.  

His hand moved down and into your underwear, his palm cupping your heat as he kissed your shoulder.  You turned your face towards his in search of any piece of skin to get your lips on, settling on pressing a soft kiss to his temple. He lifted his head with an inhale, pressing his lips to yours once more. He kissed you slowly, savoring your mouth and the taste of your tongue.  His fingers teased between your folds so softly it almost tickled. Your core ached and spasmed every time he got closer to where you needed him. Until he finally gave up the teasing and circled his middle finger over your clit.  

You moaned at the contact, breaking your kiss as he sucked your bottom lip.  “Gonna make you come so hard,” he murmured as he added his first finger with his middle to glide over your swollen sex.  “Heard it helps,” he murmured with a small smile.  

“Oh yeah?” You cut yourself off with a moan as he eased his two middle fingers into you. You laughed softly as your head tilted back against the wall with a thud. “Where’d you hear that?” 

“I have sources,” he spoke lowly into hinge of your jaw before closing a sucking kiss to the spot below it. 

Under any other circumstances, you would have encouraged him to share the so-called sources he had, but your mind was fuzzy and his fingers pumped into you at the slowest, most enticing way that you couldn’t ask if you tried.   

He pumped his fingers at an even pace before introducing his thumb to the top of your clit. You reached up to wrap your arms around his shoulders, one hand pushing up into the back of his hair as the other gripped the shoulder of his t-shirt. He kissed you as he fucked you with his fingers, sucking your lips even when you were too overwhelmed to kiss him back. His teeth were sharp when they tugged, pulling kiss after kiss from your swollen mouth. 

His arms slithered around your waist suddenly, tugging you closer into him before he started walking. He kissed you as you walked blindly towards the bed, his arms tightly holding you to him. His palms spread across the expanse of your back as he guided you with his mouth on yours. You both laughed into the kiss when he stepped on one of your feet, making you stumble off balance and grip each other tighter. 

He cupped your face gently when the duvet brushed the sides of your legs, slipping his tongue over yours briefly. 

“Feel a little overdressed,” he murmured against your mouth, a smile tugging up the corners of his mouth. 

He barked a hard laugh up to the ceiling when you yanked his sweatpants down dramatically.  You pressed a soft kiss to his upturned chin as you pushed his t-shirt up his sides, your fingers dancing along his skin until he lifted his arms so you could pull it over his head.  

He was smiling when he tilted his head back down to look at you. His hair was sticking up messily and the skin around his eyes was indented beautifully. He licked his lips, his expression changing from silly to serious. He pulsed his fingers on the back of your neck as his eyes flicked over your face.  

“I love you so much,” he whispered.  

You smiled softly, “I love you too, baby.” 

“I want this so badly,” he pulled you in to close the small gap between you.

“I know. Me too,” you stroked the backs of your fingers across his soft cheek, smoothing your hand over the hair around his ear. You leaned closer, brushing your lips over his so lightly it tickled. “Give me a baby.” 

He moved quickly, turning to lay you out on the bed. He hovered over you as his restless mouth pressed desperate kisses to your lips. His moan was low as he let his weight encase you, his hips rolling over yours. His hands traveled down your sides, gripping to your hips momentarily before pushing back up the length of your body. His fingers caught the bottom of your shirt on their way, pushing the material up your skin as his mouth moved down your neck. Your moan was breathy when he took your pebbled nipple into his mouth, sucking fervently as his hand squeezed your other breast. 

You gripped your t-shirt from where it was bunched beneath your chin to pull it off, extending your arms above your head to grip to the duvet once you threw the shirt to the floor. Harry’s hands were commanding as they pushed your breasts together, his mouth moving from one to the other. He sucked small marks into your skin that made your hips tilt up to his more and more each time. 

He met every soft roll of your hips with his own, the lace between your thighs doing nothing to conceal how wet you were.  

“You smell good,” he hummed into your ribs, placing sucking kissed to your skin as he traveled down your body. 

“Don’t know how,” you twitched when he bit your hip. “Especially after that last plane ride.”   

He looked up at you with a deep crease between his brows, making you chuckle and push one of your hands through his hair. “Said we’d never speak of that again,” he dramatically reminded you of the conversation you had once you got off the “plane ride from hell” as he liked to call it.  

“Right, sorry,” you laughed before egging him on. “Continue.”

He bit into the top of your thigh in retaliation before kissing over the spot. “As I was saying...” he placed another kiss to the bottom of your belly, right above your mound, “It’s what you always smell like. Sweet... and warm,” he murmured the last part into your mound, making you moan softly.  

He tucked his fingers into the sides of your underwear and pulled them down your thighs, his fingernails gliding down your skin the entire way. Heat licked up your spine when his hot breath met your core, tingling over your clit teasingly.  

“Harry, please…” 

“Just one taste, love.” You could feel his words just as much as you heard them. His nose brushed over your mound as he placed a soft kiss to your lips. “One taste and then I’ll fuck you, okay?”  

He didn’t wait for a response, and you knew it wouldn’t just be a taste.  

His tongue licked over your clit so softly it had your eyes rolling closed and your hips flexing off the bed. His arms slid under your thighs as he rested on his stomach, his hands gripping tightly to your hips to hold you in place. When he licked you fully and his warm tongue glided from your entrance up to your clit, you couldn’t control your hips from bucking into his mouth. One of his hands splayed out over your tummy, pinning you in place as his tongue flicked over you. 

Your hands found their way into his hair, gripping harshly as you moaned for him. You knew his fingertips were leaving indents in your skin; that’s how tight he was holding you. When his tongue dipped inside you, his thick moan vibrated against your sensitive core, making your head snap back as you choked on your own moan.  

He knew exactly what to do to get you there, but every time you were close, he switched tactics. He brought you to the edge without letting you fall so many times that you were on the verge of tears. He’d get you right there, and then pull away to press burning hot kisses to your inner thigh, or crease of your thigh, or hip, or mound. It was torture.  

“Harry,” you moaned pathetically.  

“Can’t yet, love.” He pressed another kiss into your plush inner thigh. “Said I wanna make you come hard, so gotta wait a little longer.”   

You whined at his words, your stomach tingling as he kissed his way back up your body. He brushed your hair back once his face was hovering over yours before cupping your jaw. He kissed you slow, pressing his body down into yours as you tasted yourself on his tongue.  

“Pull me out,” he murmured softly.  

You pushed his boxers down as far as you could and immediately took his length in your hand. You watched his face contort in pleasure as his breath caught in his throat when you pumped him, his resolve crumbing quickly.   

He swallowed thickly.  “Feel how hard you make me?” 

You glided your thumb over his tip, his mouth falling open instantly. “Fuck me.” 

You sucked his plush bottom lip. “Fill me, Harry.”  

“Oh my god,” he moaned as he kicked his boxers off his legs.  

He took hold of himself to brush his tip over your clit repeatedly. Your core spasmed in anticipation. And when he finally eased into you, it was so slow that every inch of his length consumed you.  

He was still once he bottomed out, and your mouth hung open in a silent moan. No matter how many times you’d been with him over the years, his size still somehow surprised you. 

His lips were soft on yours, sucking lightly until you kissed him back. 

“This what you wanted?” He flexed his hips forward, effectively giving you that last half an inch that almost made it too much. “This full enough for you?” 

“Yes,” you moaned as you tried to keep your eyelids from fluttering closed.  

He withdrew slowly and eased back in with a little more power. He found his rhythm quickly, rolling his hips into yours as he attempted to kiss you. His moans were deep, escaping his lips against his will as he fucked into you. His hands were everywhere, traveling over your body and gripping to every plush piece of flesh he could find.  

Your nails dug into the skin of his shoulders, scraping down his back as you pulsed around him. His pelvis teased your clit, grazing the very tip every so often to spread the heat in the pit of your stomach throughout your limbs. Your fingers tingled with it, your core begging him to stay every time he pulled out.   He kissed you fully, his tongue tracing yours as his pace picked up.  “Fuck. It’s so good. You feel… so good.”

“Don’t stop,” you moaned.  

His hand pushed into the back of your hair; fingers tangling harshly as he tugged on your roots to snap your head back. His mouth was hot on your neck, his hips lethal as they sent blow after blow into yours.  

You trailed your hands up his clammy back, gripping his thick hair between your fingers. He moaned roughly when you squeezed your fingers, fisting his hair tightly. He pulled your face to his, meeting your mouth immediately as his strokes became sloppy.  

“You’re gonna make me come,” you murmured into his waiting mouth. Heat licked up your spine as your orgasm bubbled in the pit of your stomach.   He pinned his forehead to yours heavily. “Come on, come on.”  

The hand that wasn’t gripping your hair found its way between you so his fingers could stroke over your clit. His hips kept pace as he flicked his first two fingers until you were moaning roughly with every pump.  

“Fuck, oh my god.”  

“Yes, yes, yes.” His quiet chants accentuated every thrust until you were spasming around him and cursing through your orgasm. Your head rolled back further into the duvet as he fucked you through it, his own moans increasing at the feel.  

You were still on your high when you lifted your head to kiss him. He pushed into you so roughly that it made you pull back to watch his face. He kept his eyes on yours until the last second.  Until his mouth fell open and he stilled deep inside you. 

You watched him blink quickly before letting go. You could feel his cock spasm as rope after rope of cum filled you, and his face dropped to your neck with a moan. He collapsed onto you immediately, breathing harshly into your skin as he twitched in the aftermath.  

You stroked your nails along his back as you sunk further into the bed with him. Your eyelids heavy as sleep threatened to take you.

“Think that was it?” He mumbled into your neck after a while. 

You laughed softly, arching your back as you wrapped your arms around his neck. “Probably not, baby. May take a few times.”  

You smiled when he moaned and pressed a kiss to your jaw. “That’s alright. Got lots of time,” he spoke into your skin.  

He curled up behind you like he always did, pulling you closer with his arm wrapped around your waist and his face tucked into the back of your neck. You hummed contently, ready to start this journey with the love of your life. 

Blissfully unaware that time, would not be your ally. 

***

Thank you so much for reading! If you liked it, please reblog it :)  And I would LOVE to hear your thoughts! 

- PART TWO - 

[chibi-tofu]

Hearts In Boxes

A Very Hannibal Christmas AU

(Domestic Hannigram. Stealing each others clothes. Awful Christmas Puns. Doggos. Hannibal being a shit. Will being a flirt. An apology. SO MANY BOXES. Mainly fluff and a bit of smut.)

Hannibal stretches out Will's shirt and has to apologize. V cute.

Crop Top Hannibal.

(Sorry for any grammar or spelling mistakes, kinda new to writing.)

-----

December.

Hannibal started noticing his winter wardrobe getting smaller bit by bit. Starting in mid October up until the 15th of December, The day he caught Will red handed! Will was making coffee and preparing the dogs’ food and seemed to be wearing a lavender button up. While it seemed slightly big on him, he looked stunning. The fact that he was wearing a silver chain and that the button up was only buttoned halfway distracted Hannibal from registering it was his shirt. The next day Will was wearing a dark navy sweater that he knew would get noticed. As it was the one Hannibal would store in his car for if it got below 45 degrees outside or if he got blood on his current outfit. He was wearing it paired with some ridiculous boxers with dog paw prints on the back while reading by the kitchen counter. Hannibal was amused and decided to play along as he stood in front of Will and put his hands on the counter on either side of him. “Darling, Is that my sweater? It looks rather familiar.” Will smiled and gestured to his torso “This? Is it? I had no idea.” then ran a hand up the side of his lover “Would you like it back? Now? I do have a busy day. Might have to pencil you in.”

Hannibal loved this game. Really, any game where he could make Will laugh. 

So began the Wardrobe Week War.

Hannibal stealing Will’s beanies, Will stealing Hannibal’s ties. Both stealing and hiding each others shoes, then keys, and even any pair of fuzzy socks. Most nights would end with kisses, a few with “Will, This shirt cost more than your entire wardrobe, I’m not going to rip it off you.” 

Hannibal decided to be a shit on the 21st and wear a shirt that was gifted to Will last Christmas. An ugly Christmas sweater shirt that read “Bah Hum-Pug” with pugs running across the bottom of the shirt. It just barely fit his boyfriend, rising up to show a bit of his stomach when he lifted his arms. So when the blonde stretched this shirt onto his torso he expected Will to laugh and retaliate. Will cocked his head and gave a tame half smile then sighed “You’re a dork. What are we making for dinner?” Not much of a reaction, this was strange but he decided not to bombard him with questions. “I was thinking prosciutto roses on watermelon since the two bottles of Batard-Montrachet were delivered yesterday.” Will pouted a bit “Not the most festive, is it?” Hannibal made a slight twirl with his hand as he boasted “I promise you it will taste incredibly festive, he was dressed as Santa after all.” Will shook his head, kissed Hannibal’s cheek, then stood up “Change and meet me in the kitchen, or you’ll have to fight me for the oven.”  

December 23rd.   

Hannibal was busy trying to find a whisk so he could finish the sugar cookie dough as Will sat at the bar and mixed icing colors. Hannibal asked him if he had seen the whisk twice but his beloved seemed to be stuck in an introspective state. He softly rubbed Wills back as he asked “Feeling okay? There’s something lonesome about you, pet.” Will looked tired, bags under his eyes and his hair slightly mussed. He made a small hum in response and continued mixing the food coloring into the icing. Hannibal dipped his finger into one of the small icing bowls and swiped the tip of Will's nose. Will gasped and did the same with a smirk. Hannibal could still feel how shutdown his lover was and decided he’d talk to him before bed. 

Hannibal leaned against the bathroom door frame and looked at will in the mirror “So...Is the silent treatment your solution, Will?” He questioned while undoing his tie. Will was silent for a few beats before replying. “No, stealing all of your damn ties and hiding them around the house is my solution. I just happen to be brushing my teeth and deep in thought about how to kick your ass.” Will smirked and resumed brushing his teeth as his lover continued undressing. “You know, it was only one shirt. I’m sure you’ll steal one of mine as a replacement.” Hannibal walked up behind him and slowly wrapped his arms around his partners frame. “Hannibal. Dear. Darling. You stretched my shirt into a crop top. It’s rude. If I recall you have a saying about those who are rude.” He smirked and squeezed Will ever so slightly in his arms then lowering his voice stated “Are you planning to eat me, Will?” “Not with utensils.” Will teased. He spit then swished with mouthwash before turning around in Hannibal’s arms. “I’m alright, just tired...and you ruined one of my favorite shirts.” he teased “I just need to sleep it off.” he pulled Hannibal into a hug and felt his boyfriend kiss his neck. A muffled “Come to bed my sweet.” was the last full sentence uttered before they shuffled off to their bed.  

December 24th.

As Hannibal closed the oven after checking on his sugar cookies he heard a sigh. He could barely hide his smile for how his partner in crime was pouting around the apartment. The brunette was stringing the Christmas lights around the tree and huffing every few minutes. He watched as Will disappeared behind the tree and decided to give him some Christmas spirit. He quietly padded to their room while six wagging tails followed him, nearly blowing his cover. After a few minutes of putting together his surprise he collected two items from the bedroom closet then slid into the kitchen. Grabbing two sugar cookies from his first batch, the ones with snowmen on them, he led his troop of fuzzy step children into the family room.

As Will was hanging Hannibal’s ties around the tree he paused when presented with six fuzzy children wearing velvet red collars with little silver bells attached to them. “It seems you have resting Grinch face Will.” The shorter man grimaced and chuckled “Where did you even hear that?” Seeing that his plan is starting to work the blonde stepped a bit closer with his hands behind his back. “The younger detectives use slang around crime scenes. Possibly inappropriate but incredibly entertaining. I’ve also heard the term Velvet Daddy.” Will laughed out of surprise “Please NEVER say that again. Is this you apologizing?” Hannibal sheepishly took another step forward and softly put antlers attached to a headband onto Will’s head. “This is only the first part, the next piece of my apology comes tomorrow. But I thought you might indulge me and our children?” He pulled out his phone  “Take a Christmas card worthy photo with us?” He pulled Will in close and softly kissed his cheeks. “I could put a splatter of blood on our sweaters just for fun.” Will whispered just inches from the blondes lips. “A beautiful idea darling, but where would we get the blood?” Words could no longer be heard over their heartbeats becoming collectively louder. They kissed softly, Hannibal’s face held in Will's hands, while his hands were around the shorter mans back grabbing his shirt with a bit of urgency. 

A few jingles and an adorably loud whiny yawn made them laugh into the kiss. They let go of each other and got ready for the pictures, Hannibal put on a matching set of antlers, and Will got the picture timer set up then grabbed a few dog treats. They ended up laying on their stomachs on the floor with the dogs, the phone took three quick photos. In the first one they were all smiling at the camera while the two men held hands and the second was the same but now the men were looking at each other preparing for chaos. Right before the third was taken Will smiled, counted to three, and said “Go!”. They giggled when they saw the last photo, The children were looking up and even some mid jump as they scrambled to catch the treats the men threw into the air. 

“One more, just you and me?” Will rolled his eyes but held the camera up and was about to snap the picture when his lover shoved a sugar cookie into his mouth. His look of surprise deemed adorable next to Hannibal’s look of pure love and joy in a smile as he held one with a bite already taken out of it up next to him.  

December 25th.

Hannibal was the first to stir as Will unconsciously squeezed his hand. He stared at his person for a bit, just admiring how sweet and relaxed he looked as he slept. He rolled onto his stomach and partly onto Will. He started kissing up Will's side and then his chest, he paused briefly as a hand gently ran through his hair. “Good Morning. Did you sleep well?” Will raised an eyebrow as he remembered just how well the apology wound up going last night “Good Morning, Velvet Daddy.”  he giggled and pulled Hannibal up to kiss him “Yes I slept well, did you?” Hannibal whispered “I slept well, but call me Daddy again and I’ll make sure this night is sleepless.” Will bit Hannibal’s lip “Is that a threat or a promise?” Hannibal got inches from Will’s lips then put his hand around his throat. “Oh darling, It’s the most fun when it’s both.”

About an hour and a half later the two appeared downstairs to make breakfast. Will made coffee as Hannibal grabbed a Labrador sized present “I want you to open this one before we cook.” Will rolled his eyes lovingly “Before food, Hm? Must be good.” He shook it lightly then tore through the shinny red wrapping and opened the box to revel...another box wrapped in the same red wrapping paper. Will tilted his head at his lover but Hannibal just sipped his coffee with a big grin. He picked up the next box and tore the paper again to revel...yet another box. He could since where this was going but repeated the steps again to revel...another. fucking. box. This continued for about fifteen more boxes and will had now been doing this for ten minutes. The boxes were now medium small and he could hold them in both hands. He suspected there were about seven boxes left. He was off by two. 

It had now been fifteen minutes. By this point Will had chugged a cup and a half of coffee, was now sitting on the couch next to Hannibal, and the dogs had begun playing in the mountain of wrapping paper. He had finally reached the last box, wrapped in black matte paper with a metallic silver tag. Will beamed as he read the tag “Beloved.” and the noticed a small black heart at the end that was slightly smudged. He carefully unwrapped and opened the box. Sitting in a deep red velvet pocket was a beautiful pocket knife, the handle made of bone. Engraved on one side of the blade was Will and other side Hannibal . Will teared up a bit and chuckled as he quipped “If you eat me on Christmas, Who will tell the dogs you miss them when you’re at work?” Hannibal put the knife back in the box on the table then took Wills face in his hands “I’m not going to eat you Will, Well not with utensils anyway.” Will snorted as Hannibal smirked. “Our names are on both sides to symbolize we are two sides of the same coin, or knife in this case. We are the same. You are my Beloved.” 

Will kissed him hard and pulled him close. His nails dug into Hannibal’s sides claiming him as hard as the kiss. “Beloved, Huh? “ Hannibal nodded “Is it as good as Velvet Daddy?” Will laughed hard “PLEASE stop saying that.” “Maybe after Christmas?” Will blew out a puff of air “Finnee. Who gave you the box full of boxes idea?” Hannibal shook his head and scoffed “You’d kill them and me.” Will picked up the pocket knife and put the tip gently against Hannibal’s chest. “Would you like to go first?” Hannibal kissed him deeply and grabbed the knife

 “Where would the fun be in that?”

Happy Holidays Fanibals.               

[ella-se-vuelve-loca]

Chapter 23

I’m so sorry for missing last week! I forgot - honest mistake! You guys have been wanting to know what’s been inside (Y/N)’s package for so long, so I won’t keep you waiting any longer! I hope you enjoy chapter 23!

Grand Masterlist

Series Masterlist

Previous Chapter

~~

(Y/N)’s P.O.V.

Out with the old and in with the new.

I think it’s time to redecorate my room and throw some things away. I haven’t really taken down any photos of me and Joel since the whole breakup but it’s been a long time coming.

I feel like I could hear his name now and no longer feel the need to cry. Yes, it still hurts, but it’s gotten easier for the simple fact that I haven’t seen him in months.

I know he’s sorry for what he did, but it still doesn’t change what happened. We’ve got our own lives to live and he’s obviously way too busy to be with someone. Besides, Johann has been a good friend to me in helping me get over him. It’s better this way… right?

Mi abuela once told me that if I can’t get someone out of my head, then maybe it’s because they’re supposed to be there. My heart still reaches out for him, but my head tells me to just let it go already.

Why must I be stuck in this dilemma?

I went straight to my closet and looked through clothes and shoes I didn’t want anymore. I need a wardrobe change anyways, so I’ll just buy something new next time I go out shopping. I folded them up and put them inside a box I had on top of my bed.

Victoria has been really hesitant to talk to me about Chris since he’s friends with Joel, but I keep telling her not to worry about me and that she can tell me anything and everything about the two of them.

Little by little, she’ll open up and tell me all about their late night talks and the things he has planned for them when he comes back home from tour.

It makes my heart smile at the thought of one of my best friends finding love in an unexpected place. It makes me wish that Joel and I were still together and on good terms, but I know that can’t happen.

I’m happy she found someone and I just hope that he’ll love her right.

I walked over to my little vanity and grabbed a spray bottle, watering the flowers Johann had brought to my house recently. Ever since my birthday, he’s been coming by with all sorts of gifts and new flowers every few weeks.

It’s sweet of him to do that and bring more pop of color into my home, but I don’t need flowers to know that he cares. I leaned down and took a whiff of the beautiful scent, bringing a small smile onto my face as I pulled away. They’re gorgeous.

I sighed and grabbed some old trinkets of mine and tossed them into the box. When I’m done clearing out the things I don’t want, I’ll just send these off to Goodwill. Someone out there will have a better use for it then I will.

I grabbed picture frames and laid them on the bed, getting ready to replace them with new and updated photos of me and my friends but I stopped once I saw a photo of me and Joel when we were at the carnival together.

I frowned and traced his face with my fingertip as I thought back to all of the good times we’ve had together.

None of it was fake for me. Nothing was just for pretend or some sort of game. It was real. My feelings for him were real. I shook my head and took out the photo.

The quicker I get rid of this, the quicker it will be to get over him.

I got down on my knees and reached under my bed for a box I keep all my photos in, but was surprised when I took out something I haven’t seen in a few months. “Oh.. hello there..” I mumbled to myself. “I completely forgot about you..”

It was the random package I got for my birthday earlier this year, still unopened. I looked around my room, debating if I should open it now and see what lies inside this mystery box.

I mean… it couldn’t hurt to peek, right? It was sent to me afterall. I looked down at the package in front of me and slid my hand across the top, collecting itty bitty dust bunnies. It’s been a few months.. I think it’s about time I see what’s inside. The weird message still lay on top.

‘Only meant for your eyes’?

What kind of surprises lie for me in there?

I stood up and went to grab a pair of scissors and sat back down on my floor, bringing the package on top of my thighs and slowly tearing open the tape on top.

What’s so special about this gift anyway?

“C’mon (Y/N), it can’t be that  bad…” I lifted up the lid of the box and found smaller boxes inside. “Hmm… it doesn’t look dangerous, so that’s a plus.” I placed the package down next to me and reached inside, lifted one of the boxes up to my chest and opened it.  

I softly gasped as I looked at the small photos of me and Joel that were hung up on a string, displayed so simple and perfectly.

It showed pictures of when we were making silly faces at his camera when we were under the willow tree. When we went bowling together and I completely destroyed his ass and won… one where we went mini golfing and we were in his element… our carnival date… and random ones he took of me when I wasn’t even looking at him.

I was reminded why I fell in love with him just looking back at these memories he had printed for me. It’s sweet, but he really shouldn’t have done this. It’s like he’s roping me back in. I glanced down and lifted up some of the little notes that were written for me and read them out loud.

“I love your smile. It’s the brightest and cutest thing on this earth. Please don’t stop smiling because of my mistakes…”

“Memory: When we went bowling and you “cheated” so you could win was when I knew I started to fall in love with you. I met someone who was as competitive as me. I met my match… ”

“Memory: When we kissed for the first time, I swear to you, it felt like time had stopped. It was just us two and nothing else mattered in that moment but you… ”

“I love how you’re a little old school. Drive - In movie theatres, bowling, mini golfing.. you made love easy. Next thing I knew, I was head over heels about you. I was a fool to let that go… ”

I could feel my face getting warmer as tears started to well up in my eyes. No, it’s not fair. He can’t do that to me once I’m starting to get over him. I read through a few more until I reached something small and hard on the very bottom. “What’s this?” I mumbled to myself.

I lifted it up and was confused when I found a USB Flash Drive in my hands. I sniffled and looked around my room for my laptop and turned it on once I found it.

“C’mon, the one time I need you to hurry the fuck up, you’re taking forver..” I mumbled at my laptop as I grabbed the USB and plugged it in on the side, waiting a couple more seconds before a document popped up on my screen.

“Dear (Y/N)” is what he named it. I stopped for a moment and sighed, clicking on the document as a video of Joel’s face popped up on my screen. I took a deep breath in and closed my eyes for a second.

If I watch this, then this might change everything. I don’t know if I want to see or hear what he has to say. I’m trying to get over you, Joel and I was doing perfectly fine without you in the picture.

Do I really wanna watch this video just so he could try to change my mind?

I sighed and thought for a few more moments. Yes… the answer is yes. I moved my mouse up to press play and waited for him to come onto the screen. Maybe this is a bad idea…

“Oh God.. I hope this is working..” he mumbled and fixed up his curly locks. “Um… hi. It’s me, Joel. Listen, before you go off and turn this off or throw this package away, please just hear me out. I’m just asking for a couple minutes of your time..”

I covered my mouth with my hand and felt tears welling up in my eyes once again as he continued.

“I know you probably still don’t want anything to do with me anymore and want me to leave you alone, but I can’t for the love of everything holy get you out of my head. I never knew that I could ever feel like this for anyone.”

He sighed and leaned down a bit, covering his face and sniffled. He cleared his throat and looked back up at the camera.

“I fucked up. I lost one of the best things to ever happen to me and I have no one else to blame but myself. It was the stupidest thing I ever did… I wanted to come clean after I realized that what we have.. what we had was something more. It was starting to feel like those cliché romance movies. It was becoming real.”

He smiled for a moment before he frowned again. I felt tears slowly sliding down my cheeks as I hastily wiped them away. Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I’m crying. Why do I have to be emotional? Why do I still feel something for him?

“You deserve better… but.. I would like to be that person for you, if you’ll have me. (Y/N), you are not a second choice and I’m so sorry that I made you feel like that. You know.. I actually can’t bring myself to delete the photos of you I have in my phone. I guess there’s a part of me that still wants to believe that I can somehow fix this.”

He looked down at his hands and I noticed that he was holding a small heart shaped box and I wondered what could be inside.

“I waited as long as I could at the airport for you..”

Wait… what did he say? I leaned in close to my laptop screen as he continued talking.

“I waited and it almost ended up with me missing our flight. I couldn’t wait any longer because I was actually physically dragged away and onto the plane. I prayed that you would be there before I left so I could at least see your face.. but, you didn’t show and I got your message right then and there that it was over..”

“No, Joel! You’re wrong! I was there! I got there and Johann told me that you didn’t bother to wait. That you just left without saying goodbye and hopped on without - … ”

Wait a second… no, that can’t be true. Johann wouldn’t.. lie to me, right? He knows how I feel about Joel and how I was willing to just.. omg...

“Despite everything, I want to give us another chance. I want us to start over and fall in love again. I uh..” He cleared his throat and held up the heart shaped box in his hands. “I got you something. Well, a few things. You can pause the video to open them up if you haven’t already..”

I pressed pause and reached into the package, taking out another small box and placing it down on my lap. I feel all discombobulated now. There’s so many mixed emotions going through my mind.

I slowly opened up the box and felt my chest tighten slightly.

I bit my lip and slipped both accessories onto my body, playing with the butterfly dangling from my wrist. I reached for the last box, noticing it was the same small heart shaped one Joel was holding in the video.

“It’s beautiful…” I mumbled to myself as I slipped it onto my finger, admiring the way how it looked on me. It’s a perfect fit. I looked at the pieces of jewelry he gave me and realized that they all match. They’re all butterflies. “Oh Joel… ” I frowned, reaching down to press play.

“Butterflies are known to be a sign of good luck and hope, but for me… well, you know that saying of getting butterflies in your stomach when you’re around someone you love? It’s the same feeling I get whenever I’m around you. It’s another cliché thing, I know but I don’t care. It’s how I feel.” He smiled while looking down at the ring in his hands.

“I love it, Joel. I really do.” I spoke to my laptop screen, as if he could hear me.

“I figured I should get you a set and have them all matching. I know it’s not much, but I saw them and thought of you. (Y/N), over the next few months, I’m gonna be sending you flowers, letters, and treats that I think you’ll like from the places I’ve been to. I’m doing this kind of.. anonymously, almost.” He shook his head and bit his lip.

I looked up at the flowers that were on top of my vanity and my mouth agape. These couldn’t possibly be from Joel, can they?

“Look, I know I don’t deserve a second chance, but a guy can still hope, right? But, if this all turns out to be a flop and that I’ve been wasting time and money for someone who doesn’t want me anymore… I’ll stop.”

I felt my breath hitch in the back of my throat. Stop…?

“I’ll stop sending you ‘I’m sorry’ gifts and leave you alone for good. I won’t bother you anymore and you can be free of me. I wouldn’t be surprised after what I did. This is my last shot. After this… I don’t know. I guess I’ll just have to find a way to get you out of my mind and let you go.”

I shook my head and softly cried. “No, Joel.. no please don’t.. I want you. I want you back..”

“I know this is kind of a long shot, but I want you to come and visit me sometime during the tour. I’ll be sending you flowers randomly over the next few months. I’ll be leaving small messages inside with the time and place we can meet up in each state I’m going to. I have a busy schedule, but I’m making time just for you. If I don’t see you or hear from you within the few months, I completely understand.. ”

“Joel! C’mon, we gotta go!”

“Alright! I’m coming!” He looked up at the person calling his name and then back to the camera. “I gotta go, duty calls.” He gave me one last small smile and sniffled.

“One last thing…” He leaned in and spoke. “Please don’t tell anyone but your friends. Let’s just keep this a secret between us, yeah? I’ll explain more if I see you..”

Why keep this a secret? Does he not want anyone to know about me? If it goes wrong, nobody knows about it but us, is that right? Is that why?

“Joel!”

“Ya me voy!” He sighed and shook his head. “I really gotta go…” He got up and held up the camera to his face. “Happy birthday, (Y/N)... I hope you had a good one.. bye..”

And with that, the video ended and I was left sitting on my bed with a tear stained face. I honestly don’t know what to say..

I bet I look like a fucking mess right now.

I got up and wiped my tears away, going straight for the flowers on top of my vanity and looked for any sort of message or note inside the bouquet.

Nothing.

There’s nothing there.

“Of course..” I mumbled to myself and moved a strand of hair away from my face. Joel has been sending me flowers and this whole time I thought it was Johann. Well, to be fair, he has been coming by with them in his hands. Told me they were “just because” flowers.

Does he know something about this though? Could he have taken out the messages inside and claimed them as his own? Well whatever the reason, I know one thing for certain.

The next time I get flowers from “Johann”, I need to find and read that message. I am not going to miss my flight this time around.

I’m coming, Joel. Just wait a little longer…

Next Chapter

~~

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[jemej3m]

For the mobster/cop au more interactions between Neil and the rest of the foxes. It could be when they already know he's Andrews husband or when they haven't found out yet Btw, your fics are amazing, thank you!!

okay here’s a real short one but i loved this so here u go:

(tw: descriptions of murdered prostitutes)

*

Dan slowly put her head in her hands, staring at the three photographs in front of her. This had been tormenting her for days already - it was beyond ridiculous at this point. Matt insisted that someone else should take the case, but Dan just couldn’t let that happen. 

Before she’d gone to college, and then the police academy, Dan had worked at a club on the edge of the city. The nightclub was probably one of the seediest Dan had ever investigated (she’d pulled it to shreds when she finally became a detective, mostly out of spite) and sometimes she laid awake at night, wondering how on earth she made it out alive. She’d grabbed a fake ID in high school to work there, having felt like she was out of other options. 

This case hit a little too close to home. 

She was black, her hair matted and bloodied. Her face had become so bloated with death and violence that she was hardly recognisable, but what was even more horrid was the state in which she was found. It was in the middle of a parking lot - she’d been moved there postmortem - splayed on her front with her legs spread, her dress in tatters. Across her lower back were three X’s, two healed, one fresh. She’d been strangled to death. 

There were no prints. No weapon. No fluids. No cameras, no witnesses, even the person who’d called 911 had ducked and run. Dan hated it when bodies were found outside of the scene of death: it made the case that much harder, and removed them from their context. She owed it to this poor girl, who was still wearing one of her clear dancing heels, to find out who had done this to her. 

With another aggravated sigh, she leant back in her chair and pressed the heels of her hands into her eye-sockets. She needed a coffee. She needed to go home and pick Hannah up from school to make sure she was safe and watch Bridget Jones’ Baby together with Chinese takeout and have Matt braid her hair whilst Hannah painted her nails. 

A small scuffle to her left was enough to drag her attention away from the abysmally small file. Across the room, Andrew was leaning back in his chair, a new figure leaning against his desk. Dan watched as Neil handed Andrew a brown paper bag - his lunch - and smile at whatever remark Andrew made. 

“How the hell did he get in here?” Dan inquired, exhausted. Matt looked up from his desk and grinned: he’d come to rather enjoy Neil’s company, in spite of the fact that Neil was definitely a seasoned murderer and letting him go was against everything they’d ever learned about corruption and loyalty. 

Though, Dan thought, watching Matt clap Neil on the back. Their height differences were rather amusing. 

“No personal crap in the bullpen, Andrew,” Kevin groused, glaring at Neil. He still wasn’t over it. He probably would never be over it. 

“Did you just call me personal crap?” Neil echoed. At Kevin’s narrowed eyes, he held up his hands in surrender. “I was just heading out anyway. Just dropping off lunch.”  He shook Matt’s hand goodbye, saluted Wymack good day and chanced a kiss to the crown of Andrew’s head, very narrowly avoiding his husband’s swatting. He shoved his pockets and walked animatedly down the desk aisle. 

His gaze drifted over to Dan’s desk, and his eyebrows furrowed. “Not again.” 

Dan’s instinctive reaction was to cover up the photos. Instead, she swivelled her chair to face him, eyebrow arched. 

Neil came closer, leaning against the desk to look at the photos. He made a scathing noise and shook his head. “I don’t understand why Striker thinks that’ll work.”

“Who?” Dan demanded. 

Neil gave her an odd look. “Striker? I mean, I’m not sure of his real name, but he earned the nickname with the ‘three strikes and you’re out’ policy for his girls. Runs the Catamounts Club.”

“So this has happened before,” Dan managed, fingertips brushing over the photo. 

Neil shrugged. “Usually the bodies are shown off to the girls to scare them, and then obliterated from existence. It’s not like prostitutes are ever put down as missing persons, so he’s never been caught.” Neil leaned over the desk to look at the photographs. “Seems like someone finally wants to do something about it.”

“Catamounts Club,” Dan repeated. “Striker. Repeat offender. You think he’d keep trophies? Some way to track the number of girls he’s murdered?”

“She’s only got one shoe,” Neil affirmed. “He keeps the other hanging up on a string of lights above the booze shelves behind the bar. Though with a body found, he would have taken them down. He won’t throw them out, though. They’re reminders for the girls to behave.”

For a moment, Dan just stared. It took a little while for her to process all Neil was saying - which was a lot. It was a lot. Abruptly, she stood up, snatching the photographs and holding them to her chest. 

“You know,” she said, keeping her voice low. “Letting you walk goes against our oaths as a police force. I should lock you up in max security and never let you see the light of day again.” Her breath shuddered. “But - if you can give us information like that - whenever we ask - I’ll be willing to put it aside.”

Neil gave her a quizzical look. “I’ve been informing your cases for years. How else would I have convinced Andrew to marry me?”

Dan had to grin at her colleague. “How did you manage to wrestle him into a ring?”

Neil snorted. “I said that I could be his CI forever. He wasn’t amused. Anyway - yes, Wilds, I will help you out, to keep my ass out of jail. If that’s what it takes.” He gave her a little wave, leaning off her desk and walking towards the exit. 

Dan glanced to Andrew, who was still glaring at the elevator, long after his husband had left. She shook her head and sat down, switching on her computer monitor. 

She had the Catamounts to bust. 

*

hey psst neil’s a hopeless romantic pass it on

[meow-bebe]

stellatus

Pairing: Lee Felix x artist!reader

Genre: fluffffff

Warnings: literally nothing. this is so sweet asghk we’re channeling the cute here. like honestly not even my usual cussing

Word count: 3614 (!!!)

A/n: remember that idea I posted a while ago? well heres the fic! Im suuuper proud of this one because its the longest thing ive written for this blog (3k! more than 3k! that makes me so happy ahhhh!) and also I just really love it! usually I don't particularly like my own writing but this one I feel like is my best work. also about half way through writing this I found this amazing drawing by @panini-byanyothername​ which gave me the encouragement to finish this and also deserves all of the love because its an amazing piece of art! it was drawn based on another fanfic but its super pretty and is very close to what my story is about so I thought it would be appropriate to include a link

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stēllātus; first/second-declension adjective starry, stellate, starred

“I have an idea,” you announced, bouncing with excitement as you ran into the room where Felix was currently sat at your desk on his computer. Latching your arms around Felix’s neck from behind, you rested your chin gently on his shoulder. 

“And what would that be?”he asked, spinning the office chair he sat in and successfully rotating within your arms. 

“I want to paint on you!” you said brightly as Felix’s hands came to rest on your waist as you snuggled closer, plopping down into his lap. 

“What?” Felix asked, slightly startled by your bold proposition. 

“I want to paint on you,” you repeated, “like, kind of use you as a human canvas?” It came out more as a question than a statement, and you grinned awkwardly, the incredulous tone of his voice making you shy. 

“I’m not opposed,” Felix mused, and you immediately brightened back up again. “Why though?”

“Well,” you said, fingers playing with the strings of his hoodie, “first of all you’re the only person I have on hand at the moment.” You giggled, and Felix raised a hand to his chest in mock offense. “But I’ve always loved painting on skin. There’s some strange appeal that comes with turning another human being into art. Unfortunately, I’ve only ever done it on myself before, but I had this really amazing idea a while ago and have held onto it forever and you are absolutely perfect for it.” You finished by pressing a sweet kiss to his nose. “So?” you asked eagerly, “what do you say? Let me paint on you?”

Felix chuckled lightly, and you could feel the deep vibrations where your hands were set on his chest. “Aren’t you going to tell me what your amazing idea is?” 

“Nope!” you said cheerfully, popping the ‘p’ as you smiled happily, “You’ll just have to say yes and see what I do. It will be beautiful, I promise.” 

Felix playfully narrowed his eyes at you. “You won’t do something stupid or make me look weird?”

“I would never,” you said, sticking out your littlest finger, “pinky swear. And anyway, nothing could ever make you look weird, pretty boy.” Felix’s eyes widened at your compliment, a light shade of red creeping across his cheeks as he wrapped his pinky around yours. No matter how often you complimented him he always had the sweetest flustered reactions. 

“What are we waiting for then?” you practically vaulted out of his lap, tangling your fingers together and tugging on his hand to try and get him to follow you. 

“What, now?” he asked, a bewildered look on his face.

“Yes, now,” you said, pulling on his hand again, “I can’t wait any longer, I’m dying to finally do this.”

“Alright,” Felix said, laughing as he stood up from the desk, whatever he was working on earlier abandoned as you enthusiastically pulled him along to the spare bedroom turned art studio. 

“Here,” you said, tossing one of the already paint-stained cushions you often put to use out of the closet, “sit down while I find what I need.” 

Felix grabbed the cushion and set it on the large, clear plastic mat you always kept set out over the hardwood floors. There were several places you had set up for painting, laying on the floor and the easel by the window being two of your favorites, and you rotated between them depending on how you were feeling that day. It seemed like today was a sprawled across the floor day, although that made sense, Felix reasoned, if you were going to be painting on him. He sat down and watched as you zipped back and forth across the room, picking through your jars of brushes and bins of paints to find the supplies you would be using. 

Thrusting one of the mason jar mugs you used to wash out your brushes at Felix, you asked, “Could you go fill this up with water for me?” He nodded compliantly, pulling himself up off the floor and traipsing across the hall to the bathroom to fill the glass mug with water. When he came back into the room, you had set up a jar of brushes to pick through, tossed a few tubes of paint to the floor next to the two cushions, and were currently spread across a decent portion of the floor with one of the large folders you had labeled as “inspiration and references.” These were collections of anything you could possibly want to give you ideas or utilize in your art, ranging from newspaper clippings, old photographs, passages from books and poems scrawled on torn notebook paper (or on the more rare occasion, printed out), and absolutely filled to the brim with doodles and practice drawings. You were a firm believer in the idea that anything could be reused or help inspire you in the future, which ultimately lead to your large collection. Usually you tried to date the bits of paper you tucked away, but it didn’t help with your chronic lack of organization. 

“What are you searching for?” Felix questioned, assuming that you wouldn’t answer but asking anyway. 

“Can’t tell,” you said, eyes twinkling with a spark of mischief, “it’s supposed to be a surprise, remember?” 

“Okay, okay, I’ll stop asking. What do you want me to do then?” he asked, looking around the room and wondering what you had planned for him. 

“Just sit, I’ll find it in a moment.” Felix settled himself back down on the floor as you continued to rifle through the folder barely containing the papers inside it. He watched as you carefully separated a few glossy photos that had stuck together and shuffled through a stack of what appeared to be old school work. “Aha!” you shouted victoriously, startling Felix and holding a few taped together pieces of paper in the air. 

“What’s that?” he asked, his curiosity over both the project itself and the haphazardly folded but carefully assembled papers in your grasp too much to handle. 

To his surprise, you gave in this time. “Star chart!” you chirped, obviously too pleased with yourself to continue hiding your intentions. “I’ve always loved space, specifically stars, and I took an astronomy class in high school but never got rid of the papers that weren’t just worksheets. I always hoped that someday I would be able to use them for painting. And here we are!” Felix smiled at the happy grin lighting up your whole face, your excitement too endearing to not acknowledge. 

“Cute.” Felix grinned happily as you shuffled over to where you had set up all of your supplies. All of a sudden his smile turned bashful, stammering slightly as he asked, “Should I like, take my shirt off or something then?” 

You giggled, setting down the star chart and plucking a thin marker from amongst the plethora of materials. “Not this time. I want to do your face!” 

“What?” Felix gasped, eyes widened in surprise. 

“I want to paint on your face!” you repeated, excitement fading as you rolled the marker between your hands, suddenly nervous. “Your freckles, specifically. Only if you’ll let me though.” You fidgeted slightly, focused on the marker before looking up at Felix who still wore a slightly startled expression. 

“My - my freckles?” he asked, and you nodded. 

“Yeah. Finding patterns that match my constellations-” you patted the papers sitting beside you - “and then turning your face into a little galaxy.” 

“Y/n,” he said softly, and you braced yourself to be turned down, “I think that’s the most amazing thing you’ve ever come up with. Why would I ever say no?” 

Your eyes shot up to find Felix’s, and you could see all of the adoration that he held for you in their depths. “Really?” you asked, pulling yourself into his lap and tucking your arms around his waist.

“Really,” he confirmed, sealing a gentle kiss against your mouth. “Now, how do you want to go about this?” 

You clamored off of Felix, grabbing the marker from where you had dropped it at his side and snatching the star chart into your hands before thrusting it at Felix. “Pick a few that you like, and I’ll see if what I can do to weave them out of your freckles,” you said, placing the folded chart into his hands and backing off to begin rifling through the paint tubes you had chosen. “Try not to do anything too difficult, I think the simpler ones would look better for this.” 

Leaving him to pour over the constellations, you realized that you had overlooked finding a palette earlier in your scramble to find paints, so you pulled yourself up off the floor to move to the closet once again. Shoving a few bins of paints and stacks of assorted canvases to the side, you finally found the collection of palettes stored near the back of the shelf. Just barely managing to get your finger under the one on the bottom (the shelf was slightly too high, not enough to really bother you, but it could be a minor inconvenience sometimes), you dragged the precariously balanced stack towards yourself. 

“What about Lyra?” Felix called from behind you. 

“That would work,” you mused, shuffling through the pile in search of one not too caked in dried paint. 

“Or Aquila?”

“Also fine,” you responded, selecting a mostly clean palette. “I really want to try Draco, so we’ll do that one first and then fit the others on after that. Sound good?” 

"Anything you want to do is good with me," he replied, and you turned to see the pretty blush staining his cheeks.

"But you're the one making this project come to life," you said, crossing the room in a few steps and settling down in front of him. "You should have some input."

"I'm merely the final product in this situation. You, y/n, are the one bringing it to life." Now it was your turn to grow flustered by his compliments. 

"Oh hush," you said, searching on the floor for the marker you had set down.

Finding your marker, you uncapped it and scooted closer to Felix. "Ready?" you asked.

He looked at the marker warily. "I thought you were painting."

"I am painting, but I have to sketch it out first," you laughed. "I always do."

"Oh," he said, looking down shyly. He always loved to watch you paint, however paying attention to the process was something else entirely. "Well go on then."

Studying his face carefully, you placed a small dot on top of a freckle close to the top of his cheek. Glancing back at the star chart, you drew another right under it, and awkwardly angled your pen to try and reach better. Pulling the papers mapping out your reference closer, you shuffled to the side and drew another dot.

"This isn't working very well," you said, taking Felix's chin in your hand and tilting his head to the side to try and reach better. "I might move you again, so try not to move and tell me if it's too uncomfortable."

Felix nodded in response just as you set the tip of the marker against his cheek, leaving a small inky streak down his face. You sighed. "Next time just say you heard me. I'm going to get the rubbing alcohol.” You stood up and headed to the bathroom, opening the cabinet and rummaging around to find the necessary bottle. Finding what you needed, you stood up and crossed the hallway once again to rejoin Felix.

"Here." Felix held out a cotton ball that he had no doubt found in the depths of one of your many bins of random art supplies.

"Thanks," you said quietly, already flipping the top of the rubbing alcohol open and soaking the cotton in liquid before scrubbing it gently across Felix's cheek. He held still for the moment, letting you remove the ink from his face and watching your movements carefully.

"Done?" he asked as you tossed the now somewhat grey cotton ball to the floor.

"Yep." you picked up your marker again. "Good to go?" He nodded again, this time making sure that the marker was nowhere near his skin.

You set back to work, switching between analyzing the star chart and making small dots where you could connect the freckles strewn across Felix's face to resemble the constellation you had picked.

After readjusting Felix's face for the nth time, you sighed. “This isn’t working,” you complained, capping your marker and letting your hand fall into your lap. 

“I can tell,” Felix mused. “Any ideas?”

You tilted your head, scanning over his face, and Felix could see the imaginary lightbulb pop up above your head as a grin spread across your face. “Maybe,” you said cheekily, crawling into his lap and once again uncapping your marker. Placing the non inky end into your mouth, you cupped your hands around Felix’s cheeks, gently moving his head around until you think you’ve found the perfect angle. “Don’t move.” 

Finding that your new vantage point gave you perfect access to the soft skin of your boyfriend’s cheeks, you steadily set back to work, sketching light lines between the makeshift “stars” that quickly began to fill the freckles dotted across Felix’s face. 

“Alright! I’m all done.” You leaned back a bit to admire your work, already extremely happy with the way that everything was turning out. “And now -” you clambered off Felix’s lap to let him stretch while you gathered the scattered supplies necessary for the next step of your project - “we paint!” 

Felix giggled at the enthusiasm spreading a happy brightness across your face, bringing you closer for a chaste kiss as soon as you had settled yourself back across him. Clasping the brush you had picked up between your teeth as you seemed prone to do, you grabbed two of the few tubes of paint selected from a small box of metallics Felix wasn’t aware you had and unscrewed the one containing silver paint. Squeezing a small amount onto the palette in your other hand, you replaced the cap and set it to the side. 

You pulled the paintbrush from your mouth, and said, “This is it. No going back after I start painting,” you warned, absolutely failing to hide the playful tone in your voice. 

“I have sharpie all over my face,” Felix laughed, “I’m pretty sure we reached that point a while ago.” 

“Right,” you said, ducking your face a little, trying to hide your embarrassed expression. “Well then, let the painting begin!” Placing a sweet kiss to the tip of Felix’s nose, you swirled your brush through the silver paint and hesitantly hovered over the inked lines connecting his freckles. 

“You’re not going to mess this up,” Felix reassured, almost as if he could immediately pick up on your thoughts, “anything you paint is always beautiful and I have complete confidence in you.” 

The compliments flustered you even more, and muttering a soft, “Oh, be quiet,” you set your brush down, dragging the bristles across the lines you had laid down earlier. 

Felix shuddered under the cool touch of paint stroked across his face, and you backed off for a moment, letting him adjust to the foreign feeling. “Try not to move,” you said, setting down your palette and cupping his jaw sweetly. 

You painted thin, careful lines over all of the drawn out constellations, painstakingly smoothing the edges and adding a second layer to those where the black ink was still visible. While you kept all of your focus on the paintbrush in your hand, Felix lost himself in the way that you concentrated on the task you had set yourself to. He loved to watch you paint, and the experience was ten times better when you were right up close. Felix watched your expressions as you immersed yourself in your work, noticing every little forehead scrunch, loving the cute way that you would chew on your lip or poke your tongue out when you got to a particularly tricky spot. There wasn’t enough focus left to be self conscious when you truly absorbed yourself in your art, and it was times like these that Felix thought you were most true to yourself, which lead to it also being when he found you most beautiful. Not that you weren’t other times, certainly, but there was something enchanting about your little expressions and the way your hair would stick up from running your fingers through it. You would always have paint all over your hands, no matter how careful you had been, and when it was still wet the pigment often transferred to your face or hair. Of course you never noticed, and so Felix would let you know you should probably look in a mirror, but only after silently appreciating the way that the smudged paint on your forehead somehow only enhanced the glow of beauty that truly being in your element brought out.

“There we go!” you suddenly exclaimed, startling Felix out of his reverie. “I’m finished with the lines,” you told him, dropping your paintbrush into the cup of water and swishing it around a little. “Now I just have to do the stars.”

You leaned to the side and reached around Felix to grab the other tube of paint you had taken out and added some of the gold to the palette before screwing the cap back on and tossing it next to you. Balancing the palette on your knee, you grabbed the cup containing your brush and dragged it toward you. Quickly and thoroughly rinsing the paint from the bristles, you wiped off the excess water and took Felix’s face into your hand once again, gently maneuvering him back into a position where you could easily paint. 

Now used to the feeling, Felix didn’t startle when you began painting again, the cool touch of the paint to his cheek calming. You worked steadily, crossing tiny strokes to form the stars connecting the constellations created by his freckles. Every now and then you would shift in his lap, or make sure that the angle his head was at wasn’t making his neck ache, but for the most part you worked silent and still. 

You smoothed tiny lines into shapes, keeping them tidy and occasionally layering more paint on where it had smudged or the first coat had been too thin. After finishing one of the stars higher on his cheek, you leaned back to admire your work. 

“I think I’m done,” you said softly, wiping a bit of golden paint off Felix’s forehead. 

“Can I see?” he asked, plucking the paint brush out of your fingers and placing it in the paint water. 

You nodded, climbing out of his lap and gesturing towards the messy desk in the corner of the room. “There should be a mirror up there. I’m going to go get my Polaroid camera.” You loved that camera, it had been a gift from a friend years ago, and you only pulled it out for special occasions. Felix knew how much it meant to you, and the fact that you wanted to capture this moment with it warmed his heart. 

When you returned to the room, Felix was sitting back on the cushions you had pulled out, the small hand mirror next to him on the floor. “It’s beautiful, y/n,” he said, and you smiled at the compliment, whispering a quiet “Thanks.” 

“Where do you want me?” Felix asked, nodding towards the camera in your hands. 

“By the window, probably,” you said, “I think backlighting would look good for this.” It was reaching late afternoon now, and the sun was beginning to sink to the horizon quickly. The golden light would shine through his hair beautifully, and Felix always glowed in the sunlight. 

The two of you moved to the other side of the room, and Felix quickly set himself up in front of the window. 

“Should I pose or something?” Felix asked, and you shook your head in response. 

“Just do what feels natural,” you said, squinting at him through the viewfinder on your Polaroid before lowering it to watch him adjust for the photo. He seemed to relax under your gaze, and turned his head to the side so he was looking straight into the lens as the light washed over the paint trailed across his face, illuminating the shine of the metallics you used. He stilled after a moment, and after you were sure he wasn’t going to move, you pressed the shutter. The camera began printing your photo, and after a moment you plucked it from the slot, pressing it between your lips and bringing the camera back up to your eye. 

“I want to take one more,” you mumbled around the developing photo in your mouth, “close your eyes for me?” Felix complied, letting his lashes flutter against the top of his cheeks as a small smile settled across his face. You snapped your second photo, bringing the camera down and tucking the earlier in between your fingers as you waited for the second to print. Felix came to stand next to you, taking the second photo and looking over your shoulder to see how the first one turned out. 

As you watched the color seep onto the glossy paper you knew that the stars across his cheeks, no matter how pretty they were, could never compare to the stars that shone in his eyes. He was truly beautiful, and standing there with your camera in hand, his hair brushing against your cheek, you were never more aware.

[xxrainstormxx]

Save it Lover Boy. Spencer Reid x Reader (Save it for the Doctor Part 2)

(A/N: In this story it’s been a few months. I’m not great at focusing on the Romance part but there is a little more than there was last time. I really hope you guys enjoy!) Word count: 2,405 Part 1 (edit: my pleas for requests for stories are not reaching people so I will beg here. If you want a oneshot I’ll write it. Prompt or no prompt.)

After the incident with my sister, my life was flipped around for the better. I began to date Spencer, the team being unaware. I finished college and thanks to a few strings JJ and Aaron had pulled I was now the BAU's personal assistant. Granted, it was a unpaid internship so it was not very glamorous but it got me the experience I need, especially if I want to be apart of this specific team. I was the one who got coffee, filled out unrelated paper work, helped JJ set up stations and boards. I still hadn't quite gotten used to that sinking feeling when the phone rings. Or when JJ approaches your desk, or the photos. You never get used to not sleeping in your own bed, the hotels, no moments of privacy, the monsters, families loosing each other. Or the pictures, it's disgusting. I especially never got used to how numb all my friends were numb to it all at the end of the day. Especially Spence, he'd been through utter hell and yet he was still sweet and managed to smile. It worried me sometimes, how relaxed they could be at the end of the day. 

So, JJ and I were setting up everything on the board. I frowned at the woman on the board. Only one, we caught it just in time for it to become a murder. It made me sick to think there was a possibility we could save the 25 year old, but instead we were called in after it became a bigger problem which made me feel sick. How easily someone gets away with something until they commit the actual murder. This woman was a very lively person. She clearly didn't deserve what she had gotten. "Samantha Burkly" JJ said softly "Poor woman." She said and left to talk to the others leaving me sitting in the conference room just tapping away at the laptop provided. I was also little Miss Penelope Garcia's assistant so I was stuck digitizing files she didn't want to, and it fucking sucked dirty dick. Yeah, let that sink in. Anyway I felt a few pairs of eyes on me only to look up and see the team staring at me through the cursed window of the room. "What?" I rose a brow causing a few to look away Spencer's eyes lingering, he was waiting for something. I don't think either of us knew what so I blew him a kiss and a subtle wink making him look away turning pink. That same shade of pink when he found me innocent and began what I would come to know as a very normal rant. His epiphanies, or what I called "braingasms" (which he absolutely despised), would strike a chord 99% of the time, and the other 1% could be brushed off as "Reid being Reid" which kinda upset me. He was a damn genius and yet no one seemed to want to listen. Sure I hadn't been around as long a the others but I would sit and listen to Spence talk for hours when on dates, I would nod, as questions and get very thoughtful and honest answers. Sure they weren't always what someone would want to hear, but did anyone ever tell you it would be good news. Reid and I could also have a very thoughtful debate. Now was that normal for couples, no, probably not. But at least he had facts to back up his opinion, making it a real debate and not just some senseless argument that fell into pointless attacks on the other person leading to a fight and rough makeup sex. Which I wouldn't mind but it'd only been a few months, and didn't wanna make an uncomfortable situation we could easily talk through anyway. What was I doing? Right, paperwork. 

As I ended my very long side rant and staring into space while also staring directly at Spencer's ass, I turned to my computer. "You shouldn't stare at people baby cakes." I heard causing me to jump out of my damn seat. "I was staring into space. Jesus Derek you scared the shit out of me!" I cursed glancing to the man with his nose in a file I was digitizing, "Sorry hun. But we need a fresh pair of eyes" he said gesturing to a new less dusty file on the table in front of my computer. I recognized the face on the front as the same woman on the board. Her name written on the front clear as day. I knew what was inside and I was proud to have not seen it but now it disturbed me that my eyes were being referred to as "Fresh" in that way. It made me feel dirty and violated in a whole new way. "Why? You guys know this case inside and out. I'm just the intern." I said and snatched the older file out of his hand. I knew this poor case inside and out by now. Decapitation and sexual assault of the esophagus. Real nasty shit ya know? The woman was 22 and then a man was found two weeks later with the same thing. But the case went cold 7 years ago. It was sad. The woman's mother had killed herself and the man's father disowned his son assuming he was gay because a man did that to the literally gaping hole in his neck. It was one of the bigger case files full of dead ends. I had become intimately aware of all the details of the case, even the signature, something overlooked by the police because they thought decapitation and violation of the hole in the neck was it, and while rare that wasn't the case. It was a soft lipstick mark left on the victims hands next to the stamp of the club they went too. It was pink so very easily missed. "Because baby, you're gonna need to get used to this if you ever wanna be promoted. You can't react like you did back in January and vomit on the floor." Derek chided me softly "Fine, But you have to stop calling me baby, we aren't together. Also stop touching the files they're in alphabetical order and you're fuckin it up" I hissed smacking his hand away from another file at the bottom of the stack. "pissin me off Agent Moron" I wailed as he laughed at the new insult. I could literally feel Spencer's jelousy from the next room. It was honestly kind of cute but I could not be thinking of my boy's sweet face at the moment, I was about to see what really happened to poor Samantha Burkly. I took the new file off the table and opened it to the pictures and I was hit with a familiarity. "Derek this isn't funny. I was just looking at this file" I declared nonchalantly as I lobbed it back onto the table going back to the laptop "What the hell are you talking about?" He asked "that's a brand new file" He said "A red headed woman decapitated with semen in her esophagus and a pink lipstick mark on her hand next to it? That Hellen Barsly not the Burkly girl" I stated "You leave out Jason Green to make it more realistic?" I muttered never once looking up "Pin lipstick mark?" he questioned grabbing the file "I'll be damned there it is. You barely looked at it. That woman is Samatha Burkly" he blinked "Har har Derek" I hissed snatching the file and opened the file as Spencer walked in to listen. I barely acknowledged him because I was pissed at this point.

"I know the Banshee Hunter of West Point case better than my own fucking computer history" I said and held it up to the picture before being shocked as I saw that the decapitated woman was in fact Samantha. Right next to her living photo. "The what?" Reid asked, clearly never having heard of it. "Oh my god. OH MY GOD" I yelled and ran back to my seat pulling out all the files related to The BHWP case, I knew full well that this case was bigger than it seems. "Penelope has me on digital file duty and these cases caught my attention for some reason. The case went cold 7 years ago." I mumbled pulling up all the files that were back at the office in my desk as I'd finished them. I had a whole folder for all the connected cases, even ones where the M.O and victimolgy had changed. "The first murder dated back to 1970. A woman by the name of Jenny Boil had disappeared, she was 24 years old. Found decapitated in the middle of the highway her esophagus had been sexually assaulted. She had red hair with a soft pink kiss mark on her hand and her mouth had been stretched open like a banshee. And because her hair was red along with numerous victims leading up to the sudden coldness of the case. There are cases where the victimology changed completely or the M.O so the police never connected them or assumed they were copy cats" I rambled as I quickly set up a time line that ended with Samantha "and now hes back with the latest victim" I hit enter and the time line stretched across the screen victims all over the screen. "the pink lip stick marks. Originally they were thought to be remorse but I think this guy has some kind of fucked up chivalrous attempt" I squawked and pushed my chair to the whiteboard standing on it feeling eyes on me. I didn't know or care how many. I heard frantic flipping and click me. "This guy has over 100 known victims only 12 of them not red heads. Only 11% of his victims don't fit the victims and only 3 don't fit the M.O of the others making that 2%!" I yelled as if I was Spencer. I could feel my face turning red with adrenaline. "Now all of these cases 100 percent all have a kiss mark on the hand, same brand and color of lipstick, A frosted pink lipstick, 67 Peach Pink from the brand Nestacia" I wrote that down "And all these cases I noted have three different overlapping suspects" I said pushing Spencer out of the way of my computer and printed up their pictured and grabbed them hanging them up "Now!" I continued slapping the board "This man right here is no Biological male! His name is Tyler Grant a 59 Year old trans man! He couldn't have done it but that doesn't mean he couldn't have helped" I said noticing the whole team in the room. No one tried to interrupt because I assumed I looked batshit insane. 

I was right cause I caught my refection and my hair was everywhere now, I was sweating, and my pupils were shaking. I didn't care I was on a roll. "There is no plausible way the semen belongs to him!" I said "These also can't be a copy cat killer-" I began before being unceremoniously interrupted again "But how do you-" he began before i loudly shushed Spencer. "Save it lover boy! I'm getting to that! Lemme talk your turn in over" I said making him smile just a little "As i was saying, it can't be a copy cat killer because there was also another unnoticed factor! The strange shape of the lips! No one draws on their lips this way but the pallet is larger on one side than the other. The killer has a cleft pallet, which cannot be a coincidence!" I said "and as you can see! This man right here! Leston Nikolia has a cleft pallet. But because they never had proof he'd done it due to the overlooked lipstick marks he walked free!" I yelled circling him "And we don't talk about Henry for the simple fact that he is Impotent and was in jail during the last 7 murders before Samantha and he's dead now!" I finished and took a large inhale and sat down "the lip stick is enough reasonable suspicion to bring him in for questioning. He's a coward. He cannot face people head on and most likely has high anxiety and is easily paranoid it wouldn't be hard to get a correct confession." I panted "Reid! Is this what it feels like when you solve a fucking problem? I feel like my brain just had 7 orgasms" I wished sitting back "It was always circumstantial but now that there a new victim sitting in front of me I'm sure it was him" I wished taking more deep breaths "I'm going to call Garcia and see if I can get a fact check on everything." Aaron began making my heart sink, please please don't discredit everything I just gave you. "JJ can you get us a location? Reid get started on a warrant the minute JJ gets it, Derek get a game plan together, Prentiss and I will do more investing on this Nikolia guy, and (Y/N)." he finished turning to me. "Keep going over every file you have and see if you can connect anymore of these murders. Good work" He said and the team began to work. "Holy shit" I gasped and Spencer smiled at me "You might have just solved this case." He said kissing my forehead "and I'm so damn proud" he whispered. I was still riding my knowledge high, the adrenaline still pumping so not caring that we were at work, I kissed Spencer straight on the lips. He froze because we were still in a work setting but slowly kissed back. His lips were soft, we hadn't had a proper first kiss, just forehead kisses, cheek pecks, and occasional pecks on the lips if Spencer was feeling sausey. I just giggled pulling back "That was... so much at once. How does your brain do that all the time?" I asked "Mine's been doing it a lot longer. See you after work okay?" he whispered and went to do his job "Right. Work" I whispered and sighed turning to my laptop cracking my knuckles doing real work for the first time in my internship. Who knows, maybe me and Penelope could do this kind of thing together!

[sahbibabe]

A Mission For One

A Mission For One

Soulmate AU

Sephiroth/Fem! Reader

You are given the details of your mission. It wasn't your intention to be crippling the last of the previous AVALANCHE's funding, nor was it to face the risk of seeing Hojo ever again.

RENO, JUST LIKE RUFUS had said, showed up the very next day, just shy of seven in the morning. He didn't have Rude with him, which was unusual, and instead had a lowly grunt with him. He had a briefcase in one hand and his weapon in the other, shooting you a grin when you opened the door.

     "Ready to get started?" He asked, pushing past you to set up on one of the tables. He opened the briefcase with a flourish. "Might wanna sit down because I have a lot of stuff to tell you and not a whole lot of time."

       You locked the shop door and sat down across from him, eyeing the grunt who positioned his back to it with a rifle in hand. "Was it necessary to bring the gun inside?"

      "Him? Nah." Reno pulled out a file as thick as your fingers put together and set it aside. "Right, first thing I have to tell you is to hold out your arm."

        You did so obediently. "What for?"

      "This." Reno gave you no warning other than a smirk, and plunged what looked like a five gauge needle into your wrist. He injected a clear substance into you and, before you had time to jerk away, was done. "There. Your Shinra access chip. After the fiasco with keycards and AVALANCHE last year, we decided on these bad boys to secure the system. As long as you're alive, calm, and healthy, you can get anywhere you want to. I think the boss gave you B-Level clearance until you pass your physicals, then will up it to A-Level after that."

       You felt dread settle in the pit of your gut. You had never owned anything as much as D-Level access in your entire life, and that was just to attend a small court session to set up your tea shop and legally sell tea from Shinra suppliers. B-Level was a high jump, and giving you A-Level access after? Those were the same permissions that only Rufus's seconds in command got, only less to Rufus himself.

      "Reno," you asked slowly,"what the hell am I going to be doing that requires A-Level access?"

      "A lot of things," he whistled, thumbing through a plastic card case and pulling out an ID card with your face plastered on it. "Assassination, murder, espionage, sabotage, take your pick. The things we Turks can't do and get away with easily."

       The bad feeling in your stomach told you it was a bit more than that. You let it slide when he handed you the ID, noting the fluorescent finish on it and the expensive plastic it was made of, as well as the giant Shinra logo printed beside your head with a script reading 'VIP: DO NOT ENGAGE' along with your VIP permissions underneath, which extended to free hotel stays, you noticed.

       "What's this?" You asked, watching it shine in the light. "I already have an ID."

      "Yeah, but not one that's special like that." Reno then pulled out a manilla file almost as thick as the one he had brought out before, except this one had giant red confidential stamps all over it and was sealed with Rufus's personal seal. "It can get you anywhere and everywhere, just like the Turks, and more. Flash that thing and anyone will think twice about stopping you. Murder is easy with a card like that."

      "I'd imagine," you said, a little choked. You had, quite literally, just gotten federal permission to commit murder. Freely. In an effort to distract yourself from the fact that you'd just been given a 'free for all' card, you tapped the first file he'd pulled out. "And these?"

      "Paperwork for the doctor who does the exam." Reno shrugged when you gawked at the sheer size of it. "I know. It's a lot. But it only takes an hour. Drug tests and blood tests and all that. Even STD tests."

      You placed it aside in favor of the packet he now held. "I'm guessing those are my mission details?"

      "More like your trial targets," Reno supplied vaguely. "You won't officially start them until next week. You'll have a month to finish all of them. You can read up on them and memorize them until then."

      In Reno's hands laid the lives of the people you were about to take forever. Permanently. And it wasn't even what you were being recruited for; they were tests. That was it.

      He handed it to you and you broke the seal, pulling out one of the targets. A photo had been blown up to visible proportions, blurry and grainy, but you could make out the face well enough, recognized it even: one of AVALANCHE's older benefactors, a man by the name of Michael Dallien.

       He had donated a total of three million gil to the cause shortly after the mako reactor went down, you read, and had been funneling smaller sums to them ever since under the guise of fundraisers. At the bottom, stamped in blue, was the price of his bounty: four million gil, plus a bonus for delivering visceral proof.

       Which meant Rufus wanted his head. Literally.

       "As you can see, you'll get paid more than the three million gil for whoever you kill," Reno explained, pointing to a section near the bottom. "There will be others competing with you, though, but they aren't doing it with the accesses that you have. They work for other corporations wanting to overthrow Shinra. If you get to them first, the other corporations won't be able to nab their resources and bam, you get paid and you move on to the next one."

       The more people you found in the packet, the higher the bounties became, until you came upon a bounty on Rufus Shinra himself, priced right around one million gil.

      "What the hell?" You breathed, showing Reno the picture. "What does this mean?"

      "That leads me to your official assignment." The redhead plucked the paper from your hands and pointed to the list of mercs slated for the job; you weren't on it. "Our little Public Relations guy, Heidegger, put this up a few weeks ago. I doubt he knew we bugged his personal computer, but he's enlisted several attempts on the boss's life in the next couple of months. Now, the Turks aren't invincible, some are bound to slip through the cracks. That's where you will come in."

       "You want me to protect Rufus Shinra," you deadpanned,"because the Turks can't."

       "Hey, it isn't for lack of trying. He has so many enemies it's hard to keep track of. We keep eyes on the outside, you keep eyes on the internals. Simple."

      "You mean people like Heidegger and Scarlet," you supplied, realization dawning on you. "It's not because you can't, it's because you can't do it without everyone knowing who did it."

      Reno winked and pointed a finger at you. "Bingo. I knew you'd put it together. Rude owes me fifty gil."

      "That explains the ID," you sighed, waving the card around flimsily. You tucked everything into a neat pile in front of you. "Anything else?"

      "Yep. I took the liberty of pulling some strings and getting you a female doctor to perform your physical." Reno leaned back and crossed his arms, the grunt shifting nervously behind you. "Figured you wouldn't want Hojo snooping around in your insides again."

       The sudden horror you felt had you speechless. Hojo was supposed to do your physical? Hojo had none of the specifications for that, last you had heard, and that was when he was injecting your eyeballs with some dark fluid. To have him examining you from head to toe, even for the gynecology exam because it had to be on there too, made you want to throw up at the idea.

      "Other than that, though, all you have to do is get your Shinra tech fitted and your uniform. It's all unbranded so no one will be able to trace us if you get caught, and made with synthetic material that also can't be traced. You'll have to check with the boss about your weapons. Can't go to Scarlet." Reno seemed to be checking off some list and nodded to himself. "That's it, I think. Rude will drop by later and give you your rental keys."

      You were still caught up on Hojo doing your physical exam, even after Reno dismissed himself and headed out of the shop. It disgusted you on so many levels that as soon as you tucked your files away into your floorboards and put your ID in your wallet, you went to the bathroom to hurl up your breakfast.

      None of what Hojo did to you was memorable after the initial injection, but you recalled him speaking of something like,"Let Her see through your eyes," but it was muffled behind the wall of pain you felt. You remembered the pinch of an IV, trying to open your eyes and only feeling your eyelids as swollen as golf balls, and feeling nurses walk in and out to switch your dressing gown.

      Hojo would check, occasionally, prying your swollen lids apart and testing the tears and occasional pus that would stream out, ignoring your crying and screaming indignantly. He pressed the swelling, irritated them, scraped samples from your waterline, and then fed tubes into them to drain the pus out. It never ended well, because it would soon grow clogged with that black material he had put in, like a coagulated gummy pile of rot. You never bled, but the sheer amount of tears you produced left you dehydrated and desperate for water.

      You were one hundred percent certain he had also done something to your reproductive system, because after that, your cycles just became nightmares, even more so towards you leaving after he deemed you a failure. You never checked, though, too scared and poor to afford an exam, even when you now had the money and means to do so.

     But now you had to because of the stupid physical exam. Hojo had ruined you in more ways than you could say, and it was no wonder you lied to everyone in your life. You were petrified of trust because you, once upon a time, had trusted him to help you. That had been a mistake.

       Never again.