#he's so endearing ahh ❤️

[sainz100]

2024 Abu Dhabi GP 🏆❤️✨

[somedayillbepeterpan]

Ahh, Luke. Lukey. Newts.

Have some laughing Lukey pookie, everyone.

For Bonus Polinweek Day 6 | Double date + Luke appreciation Day | Bridgerton BTS videos in Shondaland youtube channel

This man. THIS MAN ❤️

For as long as Colin Bridgerton has plagued my mind (since June 13) so too has this man.

Let me start this appreciation by saying an apology for ignoring Luke Newton for a very long time. And also for doubting him before the S3 release. I have been sleeping on (and most likely blinded by Nicola) that I never noticed this beautiful, talented man who, if not for him, the Polin story wouldn't have had the magic that it profoundly has.

Along with rewatching S3, I'm also rewatching S1 and S2 to fully catch the brilliant performance that Luke has been displaying as Colin Bridgerton. Truly, S3 has made me confront my personal biases and it made me realise how I was projecting my own ideas of what a man should be like on Colin Bridgerton when he is a distinct character in his own right. A lot of what makes Colin such an interesting character for me is how subtle Luke plays him.

There are this tiny inflections in the way Colin talks that is so particularly him. Even the way Colin moves/walks and his mannerisms changes from each season. The ground work Luke put in on Season 1, where Colin is particularly charming and naive, paved the way for this realistic (at times, heart wrenching) maturing that Colin goes through after learning that Pen is LW in S3 giving the Polin love story this weight of authenticity that we have not seen on Bridgerton.

Luke made Colin, a privileged, white man, so endearing that we feel that we are robbed of what Colin's character could have been in his own season (I have a counter-argument on this topic but I'll focus on Luke Newton). He may not be as talkative as Nicola but I think one of his nerdy alter-egos is one who loves to deep dive into character work and that is why him and Nicola get along so well.

I am a forever fan and I've put him on my list of actors that I have followed since their breakout roles (like Josh Hutcherson and Tom Holland). I do hope that he gets to build a strong screen portfolio (I remember he said that he loves doing screens more compared to live performances as he loves the subtleties of the screens). But I'll manifest a Broadway musical for him just so I can hear him sing again.

To Luke Newton, thank you for giving and sacrificing yourself for the past 5 years for Bridgerton. I hope you are surrounded by good people who will equally push you and ground you.

I hope you get all the best chances the industry that you love has to offer because you deserve to continue waking up being thankful that you get to act for a living 🥰

[ticklish-n-stuff]

Domestic!Chuuya x gn!reader

Like yeah Chuuya might be a part of the mafia or whatever, but in my brain he'd make peak husband malewife material huehehe💖

What can I say? I'm a simp and lee for the ginger man ❤️

___________________________________________

Chuuya x reader (romantic)

Lee: reader

Ler: Chuuya

Warnings: Tickles! Foot tickles!

___________________________________________

You came back home after a long day at work, the only thing in mind is wanting to snuggle up with your husband with a glass of wine.

"Welcome home, honey!" he greeted you at the door, placing a gentle kiss on your cheek.

You both sat down on the couch with Chuuya sitting at one end and you lying across with your feet prepped up on his lap. He scrolled through the tv, landing on whatever trashy show you both enjoyed watching.

As you both got engrossed on the show, he softly caressed the tops of your feet absentmindedly, but once he noticed you relaxing to the touch, he decided to take it up a notch and started massaging your feet with more pressure.

"Ahh... that feels good" you said with a satisfied sigh, practically melting into the couch.

"You deserve it, you work too hard" he shot you a soft smile as he kept rubbing.

You swore you could fall asleep right there and then. You felt your eyes growing heaving until his thumb glided down the sole of your foot and you couldn't help but jump at the touch.

"Oh?~".

You knew that tone too well, you didn't even have to look up to know he was wearing that stupid, teasy grin that always managed to fluster the heck out of you "Did that... tickle a bit?~".

"Y-you already know the answer to that!" You spat out in-between stutters, but didn't bother to pull your feet away. It was clear how much joy tickling brought to you and Chuuya found that so endearing, but that didn't stop him from being a 'lil shit, it is Chuuya after all.

"Hmm, do I? I can't seem to remember. Guess I'll just have to see for myself~" he playfully dug his fingers into your arches, causing you to squeal in delight and throw your head back in laughter.

"Chuuya you ahahass!" you clutched your stomach as laughter erupted from your throat, lightly squirming from side to side, but still having fun nonetheless. Not like you'd admit it out loud...

"Insult me all you want but I won't stop~" he grinned cheekily as he tickled all the way from your heels up to your toes.

"Y-you... chibi-chan!!" you said through your giggles. You knew exactly how to provoke him, and it worked.

"Oh that does it!" suddenly he jumped on top of you, making you screech in surprise. Then, he playfully spidered his fingers up and down your sides and all around your belly.

"PFFT! AHAHAHAHAHA!" your laughter grew tenfold as your face practically turned into a tomato. All while squirming like a worm under Chuuya's grasp.

"Call me that again, I dare you" he pretended to be pissed but his goofy grin betrayed any sense of anger.

"EHEHEHE! C-CHIBI CHAN!!!" you said through hysterics, already feeling giddy of what he'd do next.

"Ohoho you asked for it~" he shot you a smug grin as he pulled your shirt up. You already knew where this was going when you saw him leaning his face towards the bare spot.

"W-wait Chuuya not thaHAHAT!!!" an ear-shattering squeal escaped your mouth as Chuuya blew the biggest raspberry he could muster right over your bellybutton.

"Yehehes that!" the ginger teased as he now blew small raspberries scattered all over your belly, making you giggle and squeak like a doofus in love.

After a while longer he eventually let up and before he knew it, you had passed out asleep on the couch. Still wearing an angelic smile on your face. Chuuya looked at you with an endearing grin and placed a gentle kiss on your forehead as he cuddled up next to you, both sleeping contently for the rest of the night.

___________________________________________

I'm gonna go die of shame now (im so lee for Chuuya help), but I hope y'all enjoy nontheless 💖

[italeean]

Ahh sweetheart, congratulations!!!✨

This event looks so fun that I can’t help but want to participate~ buuut as your friend I would like you to judge me honestly. And not just give me someone I love already (unless you think it works~) ahem!

Mochii is what I go by, sweet and simple, I like to draw, play games and I adore being outside! Love going on walks, nature and in the cities~ it’s a great way to spend time with your friends and maybe even grab a fika (swing by a cafe)✨ I tend to attract myself a lot of shy, introverted people a lot ^^

I am naturally a switch. I am the king of tickle fights as one of the oldest siblings in my family. So be aware~

Oh, Genshin, obviously ✨

I would prefer male, because they are more fun than the gals in this game, sorry ladies ;-;

This is super long.. I’m sorry, love you lots mwah!🌹

CHICHIIIIIIIIII 💜😭😭 I'M SO HAPPY YOU PARTICIPATED, CHICHIISWEETHEART!!! I won't start with how amazing you are because it would take up the whole post 😅 You're here for the event, and a match-up you shall get ❤️💜🍡 *some dango for you to munch on while simping for your match*

🔮 For this event, your match is... CYNO

🔮 Why did I choose him for you?

• SAME. SWITCH. ENERGY. Both of you can be a meanie tickle monster one second and a giggly flustered mess the instant after • He's not the most extroverted person, while you are a little ball of sunshine. He'd 10000% fall for you. Hard. • He would take you to the desert at night, when it gets colder, to make you admire the breathtaking landscape • He'd say something cheesy like "you're the most breathtaking landscape" just to make you blush and huff in embarrassment • And if you hide your face, some pokes will definitely come! It's Cyno's duty as the General Mahamatra to punish you for the crime of "hiding the most beautiful face of the world" • I'm sure he would try to take you to the desert during the day as well just to show you how different it is with sunlight, but he'd end up dumping a bucket of water on you because he'd notice that you're not the best at handling the heat • Then he'd drag you all the way to Gandharva Ville and beg Tighnari to check you up just to make sure you're actually okay • Idk why but I think Tighnari would wreck both of you because you'd be two little dummies together, but your shenanigans always amuse and endear him • Since you're both athletic people, you could go on morning runs together before Cyno has to go to work, and it would be the general's second favorite moment of the day (the first would be coming home to you after work or after a mission) • I feel like Cyno would fall victim to sweet little sneak attacks... and they always work since his torso and feet are always exposed • Let's not forget that Cyno graduated from the Akademiya, so he could ramble about random facts and explain you everything you wanna know • And obviously... you'd have lots of TCG matches since you like playing games and he likes playing this game! And there may or may not be a penalty for the loser~

🔮 Tickle scenario

Being from Khaenri'ah, you weren't exactly the biggest fan of the Archons, nor the firmest believer, but you were sure that they blessed you in the instant when you met Cyno.

He was just perfect for you... and he made you feel at home in a compliment foreign country like Sumeru. He was so goofy and affectionate, but he also had that solemn aura of authority that made you admire him even more. You two shared many hobbies, which made the two of you get even closer, although the general could be merciless while playing Genius Invokation TCG...

But he usually found a way to make you forgive him for being too aggressive while playing, like he was doing when he dragged you around the whole Avidya Forest to make you see the most beautiful landscapes (he got some pointers from Tighnari).

"So... do you forgive me for yelling while playing?" The general asked you with sad, pleading puppy eyes while you two were sitting on a huge tree branch. "Well, that yell startled me quite a lot..." You pouted. The truth is, you had already forgiven him the moment he took you to a very big and tall tree to watch the sunset, but seeing him so troubled was quite cute.

"I see..." He said in a solemn tone, trying in vain to hide his sadness and mortification, "I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable, and take all the time you need to forgive me..." That tone, that nervous fidgeting with his hands, those sad eyes... you couldn't help it, you bursted out laughing.

"Cyno... babey... I was just messing with you..." You finally confessed, watching his expression turn from guilty to confused to astonished to pouty. "Come on... don't pout! I couldn't help it, your reactions were just too cute~" You teased, but the general remained grumpy.

"Awe... won't you smile for me..? I know you want to~" You whispered the last sentence into his ear while scribbling gently up and down his back, enjoying the series of startled sounds and choked laughter that left your partner's mouth.

"See? Just give in and gimme a smile, holding it in is pointless" You teased in a very sweet tone, something you probably learned while getting wrecked by Yae during your time in Inazuma.

However, Cyno was tough and it would be a lie to say you didn't know... Archons, his head was sturdier than a plank of Adhigama Wood! You were sure that only drastic measures would've been enough with him, and being a good partner you knew exactly what you needed.

In a swift movement, you straddled him and wrapped him in a tight hug, then you started blowing a series of quick little raspberries on his collarbones. It was a little unusual to be so sensitive there, but Cyno was a very peculiar person so he didn't surprise you too much.

"HMMMM- HAHAHAHAHAHAHA OKAY OKAHAHAY IHIHI'M LAHAUGHIHIHIHING STAHAHAHAHAHAP" He finally gave up after lasting so long. "See? It wasn't so hard~" You kissed the white-haired guy on the nose, turning him into a flustered mess.

Eventually, the sun began to set to leave the scene to the night sky, so you and your lover decided to glide down from the tree and head home together.

However, as soon as your feet touched the ground, you stumbled over something you clearly hadn't seen, and before you knew what was going on, you found yourself lying on your stomach on the soft grass with a weight on your back.

Well... that weight had a name, and that name was Cyno.

"Cyno, what the-" You started, but he quickly interrupted you, "I, the General Mahamatra, will not tolerate your crimes of mischief any further. Judgment is upon you!"

With that sentence, he started scribbling on your right thigh and squeezing on the left one, switching techniques to never let you get used to the feeling. "Nonono- HEHEHEHEHEHEHE WAHAHAIT IHIHIHIHI'M SAHAHAHARRY NOHOHOHOT THIHIHIS!!!" You begged, but your pleads fell on deaf ears and the tickle attack continued.

"WAAAAAEEEHEHEHEHEHE PLEHEAHAHAHSE NOHOHOHOHOT THIHIHIS!! ANYTHIHIHIHING BUHUHUT THIHIHIS!!!" You pleaded pointlessly. Cyno knew your limits very well, and he was aware that you still hadn't reached it.

Suddenly, an idea hit you. You managed to turn your arms back and with a bit of luck, you found Cyno's bare feet, completely vulnerable as he was sitting on top of you. It took only a quick scribble to make him jump off and finish that tickle fight.

"You're a meanie..." You panted while you recovered from that brutal thigh-tickle attack. "But you love me~" He replied with a smug knowing smile. "Indeed I do..." You grabbed his hand and finally started heading home.

"Technically I won the tickle fight~" You teased.

"Don't make me go for another round..."

[grimalkinmessor]

11 and 15 for afofa please?

💚❤️

11. How do they feel about nicknames/pet names? If they like them, what pet names do they use? If they hate them, why do they feel that way?

AHH OKAY SO—this one, this one is a little tricky! Because I hc them as half French on their mother's side (which could still be true! Technically!) and AFO learned French once he discovered this, his favorite petnames for Yoichi are French endearments! Mon trésor, mon coeur, ma vie, à moi—notably anything that stakes claim :) Yoichi likes them too, because he has a language kink the size of Jupiter. (I'm not projecting I swear I promise—)

Yoichi nicknames for AFO are more...complicated?? Like, in the Absolute Power verse Yoichi calls him Taka-nii and then eventually aniki, the latter of which is All For One's favorite even though it implies a level of distance between them. But! I have a new headcanon born of the manga canon, and it's that before they knew what names were, they just called each other by certain words that they associated with the other most strongly: Takashi's is Tsukamu (掴む) which means "hold" or "grasp", and Yoichi's is Atae (与) which means "give". They used these until AFO found out what names were and subsequently gave Yoichi his name :3 Even afterwards sometimes the old ones still slip out if they're not paying attention.

15. What songs remind you of their relationship?

You are IN FOR IT my friend because I have a playlist a fucking MILE long for them >:3

↑ Classic song for them, classic song for any yanderesque ship.

↑ Yoichi my beloved 😭 Yoichi to All For One. The WAY that Yoichi @ All For One.

↑ Both of them. Yoichi is singing it in regretful melancholy and an acknowledgement that he wants his brother to die all while still loving him, and All For One is singing it sweetly and longingly, wanting to be together forever, even in death :)

↑ Only bombarding you with two Autoheart songs this time, because these two are my favorites for them, but please know that every Autoheart song is about them. Every. Autoheart song.

↑ THIS one is actually in both my AFOFA playlist and my Ichinii playlist. If you've ever heard it you'll know why :3

↑ Me when AFO. When All For One lamenting Yoichi's absence. When All For One lamenting Yoichi's death. Me wHEN AFO SAYING THE WORLD HAS LOST ALL MEANING NOW THAT YOICHI NO LONGER EXISTS WITHIN IT—

↑ Same as above 💞

↑ Okay, this one is another classic dark ship song; at least for me. It's in most of my ship playlists ngl. It's got that toxic codependent romance/abusive relationship vibe ✨

↓ All For One and Yoichi duet in this one 🙏 It's an argument, a lament between them, and I'll let you decide which verses are Yoichi's and which are AFO's ;)

And I literally can't put anymore but!!!! I HAVE LOTS!!!!

[ashesforart]

For the Sherlock and Co. Ask Game:

🌟 ♥ 💎

Hi I'm so sorry I didn't answer this sooner, my life was on fire this week. Thank you for the prompts, these are all such good ones too!

🌟: I have got to go with Sherlock as my favorite main character. Sherlock & Co. has such an endearing adaption of Sherlock Holmes as a character-- Thomas the Tank Engine plasters? High fives? Brilliant and yet clearly human? I love him. If he has a hundred fans I am one of them. If he has one fan it is me. If he has no fans I am dead.

❤️: Hmm... this totally not a headcanon because it's essentially canon (although it has been awhile since I re-listened to the Gloria Scott episodes so correct me if I'm remembering wrong), but I am going to take this opportunity to talk about it anyways because I surprised myself! I wasn't expecting to be so fond of the idea of Sherlock & Victor as really close mates in school or roommates, etc. Now I fully recognize that this is surely left over from my time in the BBC Sherlock fandom, which often treats Victor Trevor as a traumatic relationship for Sherlock (both because of what happened to him in the show, and the copious fan content about Victor as an adult). That's neither here nor there, just a different Victor Trevor from a different Sherlock Holmes adaption. That's all to say that I just really like that S&Co. Sherlock had a healthy friendship in school such that he was worried about irreparably damaging that friendship while solving this case. It's very refreshing.

💎: Ahh I LOVE the entire episode the end of The Solitary Cyclist Part 2. Seeing Dr. Jonk Watson M.D. have his moment to shine was so exciting, and Sherlock is such a darling at the end when he congratulates Watson on his stellar work. It's absolutely precious and I totally re-listen to it when I need a pick-me-up.

[allison3k0]

December week 3 TC question challenge

How it works- When u get this in your inbox, answer the ask and forward it to 5 other TCC moots❤️❤️

3. What's your most cutest/ most favorite moment with your tc? Or something special they do only with you (if that makes sense)? (long answers only 🤭🤭)

This is a tough question to answer since I just have so many favorite moments...

I'll pick 2 to talk about-

Okay so, my first favorite moment with Mr S is when I went to see him on the first day of school, he was so happy to see me and it was so endearing 😭, and that was the same day I gave him the Star Wars Oreos, it was so adorable 😭❤️. He kept asking me questions about my summer and getting to know more, I was so happy cuz he wanted to know more 😭 and when I gave him the Oreos, he was soooooo happy and adorkably nerdy, and the way when I left he said "It was really nice seeing you again and catching up!" when he was on the stairs and I was like beside the stairs on the ground, I stg I felt like Romeo and Juliette but reversed roles lol. It was incredibly adorable and endearing, and that was the day that kickstarted my full on love for him.

My second favorite moment with him is kind of an overarching longer period of time type of thing, when I was making a floor plan for him for his class, since he had everyone choose a teacher to work with as a client, and I immediately pounced on it and chose him (cuz everyone always tries to choose him first, and a b- that I hated and was jealous of chose him the last time), and everytime I asked him for feedback he told me how great it was and how I was doing a great job 😭❤️ Like oml I love him, and then, because I did so well on the project, he gave me 100% on it 😭😭😭, he didn't give anyone else 100% and I had a similar project the year before in the lower level class but I didn't get 100% on it even though I put the same amount of thought and effort into it if not more, so I think he gave me 100% cuz I'm his favorite 😌💅

And, some things he only does with me are staying after school, having the widest ahh most genuine smile, taking a selfie with me (once), talking with other teachers in front of me, talking to me in a casual and friendly manner and not just the professional teacher way, he literally said "Not all (younger grade)s are like you" LIKE AHHHH

I love him so much 😭❤️

[giggly-squiggily]

*sonic runs in* GOTTA GO FAST- *flames face first into a wall* OW SHIT

Hiiiiii! I wanted to get here quick cause I had this cute idea from one of our talks 🥰 Chobe tickling Toma when he’s upset! I was thinking either when they’re on the island or when they’re kids, but Chobe comes up and just raspberries Toma until he’s giggling like a kid again 🥰🥰🥰

And just a reminder, there’s no rush, you’ll do great, and drink some water ❤️

JJKREKRKJEKJ *runs over with ice pack* Are you okay? Oh goodness! This prompt is absolutely adorable and I'm obsessed AHH!!! Chobe beloved!!! I've gotcha covered! :D Remember to drink water aswell!

“Brother, no.”

Oh dear- Chobe had that look again.

It was his own fault really. He hadn’t realized the older of the pair was looking when he wiped at his face, suddenly overcome with tears. Toma made an effort not to cry anymore, but some days his exhaustion won and his eyes just couldn’t be bothered to stay dry. This island was proving to be quite the challenge.

“Brother, yes.” The blonde grinned, swiping at him and missing by a hair. “Come here, Toma…”

“Brother, brother- please, the monster’s will hear us-” Toma twisted around, sprinting for the hills as Chobe chased him. It was like when they were kids all over- Toma would get upset over one thing or another and Chobe would tickle him until he was smiling and happy once more. It was admittedly kinda embarrassing how effective that method proved now all these years later.

Or incredibly endearing. Depends on which brother you ask.

“GOTCHA!” The bandit king roared playfully as his fist caught Toma’s robes, yanking him backwards and into his chest. Seconds later he was attacking, drilling his fingers through the thick fabric of the Asaemon robes as he danced his fingers along Toma’s ribs. “Come on, give me a smile!”

“Brohohoohohthehehehehhehher!” Toma squealed, arching away from the tickly touch as bubbly laughter spilled over, coloring the air around them. “Doohohoohohohn’t tihiihihckle mehehhehehehehe!”

“Hm? Whatcha say? Keep tickling you? Alright!” Chobe snickered as he carried on his antics, one arm around Toma’s waist to get his belly while the other snuck into his armpit, wiggling fingers there. “You know Toma, one of these days the monsters are gonna find out how sensitive you are. We gotta prepare you for the worst. I won’t be able to save you if they decide to tickle.” “Thahahahhahaht’s bechahaahahahuse yooohohoohu’re wahahahy more tihiihihcklish!”

“Exactly-Hey!” Chobe huffed, giving up on his belly as he wrapped both arms around him, taking a deep breath. “You damn brat- take this!”

“Bro-THEHHEHEEHEHHEHEHER!” Toma all but squealed when Chobe blew a massive raspberry against his neck, sending endless waves of ticklishness throughout his body. “GEHAHHAHAHHA PLEAHHAHAAHHAHSE!” He flailed this way and that, trying his best to double over while simultaneously scrunch up. “STAHAHAHAHAHP!”

“Hmm…okay.” Chobe let go, watching Toma tumble to the ground in a fit of residue giggles. “Heh, haven’t done that in a while. Glad to see my old methods work.”

“Eehhhehee…hehehehehehe…oohoohohho, huuhuhuuhsh.” Toma groaned out, glaring halfheartedly behind his hair. “Thahaht was unfair! You can’t just go rahahaspberrying sohohmeone’s neck!”

“Better there than your belly, right?” Chobe grinned, eyes dancing. “Since you’re so insistent…”

Toma was on his feet and running in seconds. Chobe threw his head back with a loud cackle, absolutely delighted. It was moments like this that helped him forget the world they had to navigate. They could figure out the island and all that later.

For now, they were just Chobe and Toma- two brothers without a care in the world.

Send me a headcanon and I'll write a dabble for it!

[otrtbs]

HIHI so I’ve been putting off reading Art Heist Baby for MONTHS because I got spoiled for how it ends but last night I got bored and so I picked up where I left off on ch 13 I think and HOLY SHIT—

I’ve been sucked in. It’s a vortex. I’m on ch 28 now and I only stopped to read the newest Crimson Rivers update. What did u put in this fic?? Why am I addicted?? Why is Reg such a little shit and why do I still love him??

And then as I sit here marinating in Crimson Rivers pain it hits me: oh shit i still know how this ends.

I KNOW HOW IT ENDS.

WHY AM I DOING THIS TO MYSELF. 🥲🥲🥲🥲

I’ll probably be back when I finish it lmao just wanted to tell you I’m loving your fic even though I know it’s gonna mentally destroy me❤️❤️ have a good day

hello!!

ahh im so glad you're enjoying it!!! reg is a little shit in that fic hahaha but he's a lil endearing

YOU KNOW HOW IT ENDS!! YOU KNOW!!

Definitely come back and lmk when you finish it!! ahhhh!! i hope you like it!! honestly, messages like this make my entire day :,))) thank you so much for the kind words!! <333 i hope you have a good day as well!!!

[bellaxgiornata]

Hiiii!✨✨

So I too was rereading FFTD, which I've trying for a while and I finally had time, when this line just popped up

I tell you I hear heartbeats," Matt points out, "and you think you're the weird one?

And I don't know if it's just me, but it reminded me soooo much of that scene in twilight where Edward confesses to Bella that he can read minds

I don't know why, but it just felt right to send you this at three in the morning, anyway, I really love your writing and this series has been one of my all time matt favorites, thank you for sharing it with us!!

I hope you have a great day!✨✨✨

Hi, friend!! 💕

Ahh OMG so many of y'all are rereading this series and you have no idea what that means to me!! 😭❤️ I always enjoy hearing about rereads and I appreciate how much y'all love this story and Matt and Reader in FFTD!

And let me tell you, it was not just you 🤣 I have had that line pointed out a few times as a Twilight reference and I laugh every time because it WAS NOT INTENTIONAL 😆 I read Twilight back when it first came out (which was in 2005 and I was in high school, mind you), so maybe it was somewhere in my subconscious as I wrote that? I just loved that scene where Reader finds out Matt’s big Daredevil secret and it is NOT the way it usually goes for him. And of course our dear Reader would think she was the one who was abnormal and that Matt's heightened senses weren't in that moment, but obviously Matt would think that was odd and silly and he'd point it out to her (even if he thought it was cute and endearing, too). Which was why that line is in there 😆 It feels classic early FFTD Matt and Reader relationship to me because she is so self-conscious and he is so in awe of her not reacting in predictable ways.

But ahh!! Thank you for taking the time at THREE IN THE MORNING?? to point that out! I hope you got sleep though! And thank you so so much 💕 I'm happy to hear you love my writing and that FFTD is one of your Matt favorites??? That was a wonderful thing to read when I woke up and it helped brighten my rough week, so thank you so much ❤️ I hope you have a great day as well, friend!! 🙌🏻

[allylikethecat]

i'm so late but ahhh!!! the new chapter of all the king's horses!!! the way matty's so nervous is just so endearing omg 😭 and george being confused about what he and matty are together ahh, i love your writing so much!!

Omg you are not late! I was late posting the chapter you are right on time! Poor Fictional!Matty is going through a lot of unprocessed emotions because why deal with your feelings and your trauma when you could just ignore it 😂 Fictional!George is like "are we friends? I hated you but I also really want your attention and am a little bit obsessed with you and I think I'd like to be friends but on my terms and also maybe I want to be more than friends but I'm not sure yet because I thought I hated you and also I don' t even know if you like men but do you want to hang out with me please say yes." lol

Thank you so much for your kind words about my writing!! I hope you continue to enjoy this fic (hopefully the next chapter will shape up the way i want it and also be on time lol) I hope you are having a great Monday and a wonderful rest of your week!

❤️Ally

[sainz100]

do you like Liam Lawson?

hello!!! ahh I can't say I know Liam all that well!! Admittedly, it's hard for me to get hella invested & unravel my feelings on Liam because of my sadness of Daniel not having that spot anymore 😔 I know F1 is so incredibly competitive with just those 20 spots. A ruthless game of multimillion musical chairs people fight their whole careers to achieve and keep, and Liam has probs been so super eager to get off the sidelines and get a turn I'm sure. I get it!!

but I have become so deeply and immensely endeared with Daniel 💞🍯🦡☀️ that I just wish he was allowed to stay in that spot rn...or at least have the actual proper send-off he deserves if he leaves the sport (or, in my perfect world, the dream is he'd have the RB seat!!! Ahhhhh I would love to be a fan while Max and Daniel are teammates again 🥺❤️💙 though tbh......it seems like maybe Daniel dodged a bullet in some ways? by choosing to step back from the reserve spot & ambassador role for now? I'll echo what other folks have said that he may have made the best call in the long run, given how RBR is seeming to suffer from a lot of conflict and turnover and awful leaders and internal issues atm 😯💦 [at least, it seems like it from my limited newbie fan vantage point! ☝️🙂‍↕️] ahhh so conflicting! I want Daniel to race if he wants to, but maybe it is best in time for his sake to not be in RBR rn [also especially if they won't appreciate and respect him at the team? The recent quotes from some of the top leadership at RBR have made me so proper irate (also it is v odd Liam said he knew two weeks before about the seat swap, and Daniel only found out Sunday after the GP? 😶‍🌫️ makes me question what's up there for sure) but yeah, the last few weeks have been handled so astoundingly poorly from a management and PR perspective imo 🫠 but I still have hope ✨something✨ good is on the horizon, just waiting to be revealed maybe! 🌄💕 {how deep in bracket inception can I go hehe [[woahhhh I'm using many brackets]] anyways this is getting silly}])

tl:dr idk!! I can't say I'll be keeping up super closely or posting too much Liam content here at least (and I always tag drivers!!) I wish Liam the best as I do everyone, but obvi from all my yapping I'm just more keen on Daniel and my other fave drivers hehe ❤️🙏🙂‍↕️ I try to keep my blog a pretty positive space and reserve my more negative feels for myself. I truly wish every driver a happy and safe and successful career in F1!! I'll just be yapping and gif'ing and insta diving for my beloved blorbos and dreaming of DR3's return the most hehe 💖☝️😎

[brummiereader]

@mischievouslittlecreature I love a jealous Tommy 😍!

I honestly wana bash their heads together sometimes 🤦🏼‍♀️. They're both constantly worrying almost the same exact things about the other. Whether the other will leave them, if the other deserves someone else, that they're too much of a headache for the other...arghhh 😭! Their characteristics and insecurities are so intertwined that I swear they're the same person 😂.

Ada pressed her red-painted lips together, trying–and failing–to suppress a smile. “That little crush he has on her is quite sweet.” oh Ada, don't you know your brother. This was possibly the worst thing you could have said to him 🤦🏼‍♀️. Or perhaps it was on purpose? Siblings trying to annoy one another 🤭? I was not shocked by his reaction, and the sudden spiralling he left himself quickly fall into. Like I said, he may be better at hiding it than Lucy, but this man had major fears when it comes to the mere idea of losing Lucy to someone else.

"I let him go yesterday.” ahh yes, classic Tommy 👌🏼. Instead of talking about the issue that's bothering him, get rid of It entirely instead. I think the way Lucy reacted is the first time I've ever seen her properly snap at him 🤔. He deserved it though. He completely blindsided her with this move!

“Adam doesn’t have a crush on me.” ok so, Tommy was oblivious to Adams crush and so was Lucy 🤦🏼‍♀️😂. These two really are in their own little bubble! We've already seen how they are in a room full of people. They can't keep their eyes and thoughts off each other. So actually, their mutual obliviousness doesn't surprise me!

She gaped at him. “Do I need to remind you that your wife was working as your secretary when you impregnated her?” 💅🏼, well she's not, not right, Tommy.

“Yeah, well, I’m not doing shit that’s leading him on either.” Another justified blow and reality check he needed to hear.

"And I am. I am yours.” Her lips trembled and she pressed them tightly together, tilting her head ever so slightly. “But you’re not mine.” ahhh, this was such a good line but so heartbreaking to read 😭. If Lizzie was a half decent person in this AU she would have refused this arrangement. She knows how much these two love each other, and how much heartbreak this would cause everyone involved. But alas, she's not 😤.

I gotta admit, I was a little scared when Adam suddenly appeared. I thought Tommy would come barging through at any minute 😳. But what I didn't except was how respectful and understanding he was. What a sweetheart 🥰. Of course he picked up on the loving glances Tommy gives Lucy. Everyone else may have blinkers on when it comes to their relationship, but sweet Adam clearly knows love when he sees it ❤️.

Tommy was seated on the crimson colored velvet couch. His suit jacket off and tossed haphazardly over the back of a chair, head in his hands and an over half drunk bottle of whiskey on the table in front of him. Drowning in his sorrows 🙄😂. He's like a cat that's been left out in the rain 🤭. I'm relieved he gave Adam back his job and they managed to move past Tommy's jealous little hiccup. But I feel like this little scare may have only increased his protectiveness over her 😅.

He shook his head despite blushing against her hands. “‘M big scary gangster.”-“Mm, yeah, I know.” She chuckled when he draped his arms around her lazily and snuggled into her neck. “The most fearsome of them all.”- “Damn right.” I love his drunken rambling 😂. It was such a cute and endearing way to end this angsty chapter.

Slowly making my way through all the parts I've missed, hopefully I'll be caught up with everything soon 🤞🏼! Loved seeing jealous Tommy, please bring him out to to play again sometime soon 🤭.

Part 25: My Darling One

Summary: Tommy overreacts when he learns of the crush his secretary has on his lover.

Word Count: 6,808

Warnings: Jealousy, Tommy being a bit of an asshole, sexual content, and references to polyamory.

Notes: Tommy and Lucy are in an established relationship. Tommy is married to Lizzie, but is having an affair with Lucy--though Lizzie is aware of it and has somewhat begrudgingly allowed their relationship to continue. This takes place between seasons 4 and 5.

Previous Part • Series • Next Part

“I met your secretary while I was waiting,” Ada told Tommy as they sat at his desk in his office in the House of Commons. “He seems nice.”

“Yeah, he’s a good kid.” It had taken ages for them to find someone that fit all their requirements in a secretary. Adam was smart and competent, but also understood the importance of discretion. He was more than willing to look the other way when it came to some of their more shadowy dealings. “He’s settling in well.”

“Lucy’s training him?”

“Of course. Who else?”

Ada pressed her red-painted lips together, trying–and failing–to suppress a smile. “That little crush he has on her is quite sweet.”

Tommy went stock still, pen freezing where it was poised over a paper. “His what?”

Ada looked up at him sharply, the change in his tone triggering her smile to fall. “You don’t know? He’s so obvious about it.”

“He’s not…” but his mind was working back, reexamining. Remembering the way that Adam sometimes looked at Lucy, the puppy-like way he followed her around during his first week. How sometimes Tommy would come out of his office into the space where Lucy and Adam’s desks were located to find them giggling together over something. 

“Look, I’m sure it’s not a big deal,” Ada had returned her attention to the papers in her lap. “Just a puppy love kind of thing. And it isn’t like she’s interested, so…” she shrugged, looking up at him with a playful glint in her eye, “put the razors away, alright Tom?”

“Hmph,” he grunted, even as he leaned back slightly in his chair, knuckles raising to rest against his lips, eyes glued to the double doors that led out into Lucy and Adam’s office. 

The idea of Adam sitting right out there, flirting and laughing with Lucy, made his blood boil. 

Jealousy was not something he often had to deal with in regards to Lucy. Nearly everyone in Small Heath knew she was off limits and kept their eyes to themselves; lest they risk losing them. Not to mention that Lucy never showed any interest in any men outside of him. 

His lips pursed against his knuckles, jaw clenching as he remembered how Lucy had smiled at Adam that morning when he came in. 

That’s just Lucy. She’s warm and friendly towards everyone.

But the doubt had taken root in his head and was already starting to grow. 

Dropping his hand, he sighed, trying to force himself to focus on what he and Ada were supposed to be working on, but finding it increasingly difficult to pull his mind away from turning over each and every encounter he’d witnessed between Lucy and Adam. 

Yes; Ada was right. The kid definitely had a crush on her. But how did Lucy feel about him?

Why don’t you just ask her, you fucking dolt?

But he was suddenly frozen with fear at what her answer might be. 

He was aware of how hard he was to be with. It wouldn’t surprise him if she got tired of his constant moodiness and brooding. He wasn’t exactly a fun person to be around. Lucy could do a thousand times better. It continued to amaze him that she hadn’t up and left him already for someone who actually deserved her. 

And for someone who isn’t married to someone else, he thought miserably, thumb running across the surface of the gold wedding band on his left hand. A shackle that kept him tied to another woman who wasn’t the love of his life. 

Things with Lizzie had been touch and go. She knew about them, and while she allowed them to continue their relationship so long as they were subtle and kept things behind closed doors, she had made her discontentment about it known on several occasions. 

Her mood swings were getting almost as bad as his own. Poor Lucy, having to put up with both of them and their bullshit all the bloody time.

Though he had never taken out his anger or frustrations on Lucy. The same couldn’t be said for Lizzie. Often, it was Lucy who wound up being used as the punching bag for her ire. On a few occasions he’d had to step in to try to shield his lover from his wife’s jealous ragings.

It wasn’t all bad, of course. Sometimes Lizzie was warm and friendly. But her feelings and behaviors towards Lucy swung back and forth like a pendulum, and often they found themselves walking on eggshells around her for fear that saying or doing the wrong thing might set her off. 

With an arrangement like that, it would be no wonder if Lucy started looking for someone else who could offer her a full life. Not one relegated to moments of affection displayed only in shadowy corners or dark rooms. One where she could be loved openly.

The right thing to do would be to let her go. Let her be happy. He loved her so much; that was all he really wanted for her. But the idea of losing Lucy to someone else made him feel sick. Some other man touching her, kissing her, making love to her…

His heart twisted painfully in his chest. 

You fucking hypocrite. Sitting there agonizing over the simple thought of her doing all those things that you do with your wife. How do you think she feels when she has to see you with Lizzie?

He swallowed miserably, fumbling in the case on his desk for a cigarette. But the smoke that he inhaled did nothing to drown out the misery swirling inside him.

∗ ∗ ∗                                          

“Do you know where Adam is? He’s over an hour late,” Lucy asked when she came in to drop off some mail on Tommy’s desk, glancing around as if the secretary would materialize somewhere in the room. When she looked back at Tommy where he was seated in his big chair, he was shifting uncomfortably, not entirely meeting her gaze. 

“I let him go yesterday.”

“You what?” She whirled to stare at him, taken aback. “Why?”

He shrugged, fiddling with his silver cigarette case, popping it open and plucking one out, swiping it across his lips. “It just wasn’t a right fit.” 

“What does that mean?” Her hands landed on her lips, looking at him in confusion. She thought he’d liked Adam. 

“It means that you’re going to need to find me a new secretary.”

Lucy’s eyes widened at the curt tone. He almost never got snappish with her, and the near accusatory glance he shot her only left her even more confused and annoyed. 

“You do realize how long it took me to find someone who fit all of our requirements, right?”

“Better get started on collecting applications then, shouldn’t you?”

“What the fuck is your problem?” Her arms crossed over her chest, annoyance sharpening. “You really aren’t going to even tell me what he did that was so wrong you just had to fire him without even talking to me about it?”

“Wasn’t aware that I needed your permission.”

“Of course you don’t! But it would be common courtesy considering I’m the one who will have to pick up all the additional work without him here.”

“I’ll help you with it.”

She snorted. “Yeah, because you’ve got so much free time these days.”

“What–”

Turning on her heel, she stomped towards the double doors. “You’re having lunch with one of the MPs from Southampton. I’m going to go have tea with Ada.” 

“I need you to take notes–”

“Take your own bloody notes!” 

His jaw dropped open at her barking back at him, and she saw his temper flare briefly behind his eyes. 

“What? You going to fire me now too?” she challenged. He had enough self awareness to look at least a little sheepish at that. 

“Luce–”

“I don’t wanna hear it right now,” she wrenched the door open and let it bang closed behind her with perhaps a little more force than necessary.  

∗ ∗ ∗  

“--Can you believe that!?” She stopped aggressively stirring sugar into her tea, tapping the little silver spoon twice against the rim of the teacup before setting it aside and bringing the cup to her lips, blowing on it once before taking a sip. Her eyes finally raised to Ada’s, where she had been sitting very quietly while Lucy raved to her about how thick headed her brother could be. “Ada?”

Her throat worked, fingers adjusting their hold on the teacup she was holding in them. “I think I know why he fired Adam.”

Lucy set down her teacup in its saucer on the table, leaning forward. “Really? Why?”

Ada’s gaze darted up to hers awkwardly. “I may have mentioned something to him about Adam having a little crush on you. I just thought it was sweet. But he may have taken it the wrong way…”

“Adam doesn’t have a crush on me.”

Ada shot her a look. “You really didn’t notice? He was trailing after you like a puppy for a while, there.”

Lucy frowned. “I’m at least ten years older than him.”

Ada shrugged with a sly grin. “Some men are into that sort of thing, I hear.”

Lucy made a face. “I’m not interested in Adam, Ada.”

She rolled her eyes. “Obviously.” 

“So why would Tommy…?”

“Because he’s a man and they get all territorial and ridiculous sometimes.” She picked a stray bit of lint off of her skirt. “And you know how Tommy can be.”

Annoyance prickled under Lucy’s skin. What gave him the right to stomp around and put a poor kid out of work just because of a stupid crush of which nothing would ever come out of anyway? Did he really have so little faith in her loyalty to him?

Besides, he was married. To someone who was very much not her. Did he really think he had a leg to stand on when it came to being pissed off at the idea of her with someone else?

Not that she would ever actually want to be with someone else, of course. But still. It was the principle of the thing. 

“You have got to be kidding me.” She shook her head back and forth, slowly seething through her teeth. “God, he can be so fucking stupid.”

Ada patted her on the arm. “I know.”

By the time she left the tea room, she had been quietly stewing over Tommy’s reasoning for firing Adam for nearly an hour, her anger marinating. When she got back to the office, it was to find Tommy already there, apparently done with his lunch meeting and seated behind his desk, hard at work.

“Are you fucking serious?” She asked, after closing the door and making sure there was no one else around to overhear them, crossing her arms over her chest. Tommy raised his eyes to her, brows lifted behind the rims of his glasses. 

“What did I do now?”

“You fired him because he liked me!?” 

His jaw ticked, setting stubbornly. “He was being unprofessional–”

“Oh, do not even…how!? How was he being unprofessional, Tommy? I didn’t even know he liked me until Ada told me.” 

“This type of thing happening in the office can cause problems.”

She gaped at him. “Do I need to remind you that your wife was working as your secretary when you impregnated her?”

He flinched, gaze darting down to his hands where they were clasped in front of him on the desk. “Exactly. I had to learn my lesson the hard way about keeping someone around despite them being infatuated with one of us. I’m not dealing with that kind of shit again.”

“He’s not infatuated, Tommy! It’s just a stupid crush. It’ll probably go away in a month or two once he hits it off with one of the other secretaries. There’s plenty to choose from around here.”

“We thought the same thing about Lizzie, and now look where we are.”       

“Yeah, well, I’m not doing shit that’s leading him on either.” A low blow, maybe, but she was upset. And the swipe very much applied to both of them, not just him. She had plenty of chances to put a stop to things with Lizzie, and she hadn’t. Tommy shot her a wounded look, and she immediately felt bad. “If we’re talking about firing people over unprofessional, infatuated behavior, I’m the one who should be getting the boot, not him. You know, because you’re fucking me.”

“That’s…that’s different–”

“Why? Because you’re the boss so you can fuck whoever you want but no one else can?” 

“Because we’re in love, and have been together for years! He can’t just come swooping in here and take you! Because you’re mine!”

Her eyes widened, and she flinched away from him. “I’m not some thing that you own.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

She stared at him, shaking her head back and forth slightly, suddenly massively disappointed in him. She kept her jealousy on a tight leash, despite having to watch Lizzie and a whole other slew of women constantly fall over their feet for him. She didn’t throw temper tantrums and demand he never see them again–especially when they were involved in their work–simply because they couldn’t stop drooling over him. 

But one man, just one in she didn’t even know how many years, showed innocent interest in her, and he threw a fucking hissy fit. 

There wasn’t even any chance of something happening between her and Adam. The boy was still practically a kid, and while sweet, very much not her type. 

Did Tommy really not trust her at all? Did he really think she was about to drop everything, abandon the life they’d built together, and run off with the first man to make googly eyes at her?

“You fucking hypocrite,” she spat out. “You want me to be just yours.” Her eyes dropped to focus on the golden band on his left ring finger. To her horror, through her anger, she felt tears building behind her eyes, a lump lodging in her throat. “And I am. I am yours.” Her lips trembled and she pressed them tightly together, tilting her head ever so slightly. “But you’re not mine.”

His brows drew in, frown pinching across his face. Hurt and panic flashed within his big blue eyes. “Lucy…” he rose from his chair, hand reaching out to her, but she took a step back. 

“I don’t want to see you right now.”

“Love, please, I’m sorry…”

“Don’t. Just don’t, Tommy.” Wrapping her arms around herself, she turned and hurried out of the office, snagging her coat from the hook by the door as she did, barely getting out of there in time before she started to quietly cry. 

∗ ∗ ∗

She went for a walk around the city to clear her head, coat pulled in tight around her, head dipped low with her cap pulled over her hair, the shadow of the brim hiding the dried tear tracks running down her cheeks. 

The weather matched her mood, gray clouds gathering over the city, a few droplets of rain already starting to drip from them. Based on the way that the clouds seemed to roil and double overhead, it wouldn’t be long before they would unleash a full downpour on all of them. 

She wasn’t too far from her and Tommy’s London apartment. But she wasn’t ready to face him just yet. Though most of her anger and annoyance towards him had dried up while she stomped throughout the streets and away from Parliament. 

Overprotective fool, she thought grumpily, shaking her head. But now that she’d cooled off and could examine the situation more objectively, she was pretty sure that she understood what had happened. 

He’d panicked when he found out about Adam’s crush on her. He thought that he was going to take her away. How he thought Adam was going to accomplish that, she had no idea. She supposed that it likely didn’t matter. He probably didn’t even know himself. 

More rain drops fell from the sky, in great succession. Glancing up, she pulled her coat in tighter around her, and with quick steps hurried over to a pub on the corner of the street, ducking inside to wait out the worst of the storm. 

The pub was warm and crowded inside, but she managed to find a barstool close to the back to slide into, away from the bustle of bodies crowding around the bar. A barmaid came over and poured her the whiskey that she ordered, then must have seen it in her face that she wanted to be left alone and let her be with just her drink and her thoughts. 

Her eyes trailed lazily across the lines of shelves holding all assortments of bottles filled with liquor, to the phone tucked behind the bar. 

She could call Tommy and let him know where she was. So he wouldn’t worry. It was already starting to get dark out, and by the time it finished raining, it would most likely be night. 

No; she decided after a moment’s consideration. She would let him sweat a little more. 

“Miss. Winters?” 

She started, eyes widening at the realization that the boy who had been the cause of all this madness had shuffled up right beside her, peering at her curiously. 

OhmyGodhe’sstalkingme was the very first thought that occurred to her. “Adam. What are you doing here?”

“I, erm, I usually come here after work with my friends.” She followed where he pointed with her eyes, to a group of young men and women about Adam’s age sitting in a booth together. A few of them were watching them with intrigue, hastily averting their gazes when they saw her looking at them. 

“Oh.” She immediately felt a little bad for her initial assumption that he was following her. 

“Is Mr. Shelby with you?”

She smiled at him kindly. “No, it’s just me tonight.” She took a considerable swig of her whiskey. “Look, Adam, I’m sorry about Mr. Shelby–”

“Oh! No, no, it’s all alright.”

She frowned. “It is?”

He nodded. “He called me, oh, about an hour ago. Explained that it was all some big misunderstanding and that I can come into work tomorrow, if I want.”

Huh. Apparently her yelling and petulantly stomping her feet at him made an even bigger impression than she’d thought. “Oh. Okay. Good. Are you? Coming back in, I mean.”

Adam nodded. “I am.”

“Good.” She flashed him a deprecating smile. “I was dreading having to deal with finding someone else.”

Adam looked bashfully down at his shoes. His ears were turning a little red. “Do you know…what exactly was it…I mean, if I did something wrong, I’d like to know.”

“No, no it was nothing you did.” Other than cause your boss to freak out and think you were going to try to steal his girlfriend. “It’s like he said, it was just a miscommunication.”

“Oh. Alright then.” 

It was then that the barmaid came over with a tray of drinks for Adam. He took it from her, balancing the tray carefully in his hands. 

“You know, you would be welcome to join us, if you wanted…” he offered. A blush was still flaring at his cheeks, eyes wide while they stared at her. Lucy gave him a kind look. 

“Actually, I’d rather just drink alone right now.”

He shrugged. “Alright.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Sure thing.”

She watched him weave through the other patrons back to his friends, before returning her attention to her own drink. 

Oh, Tommy, she shook her head to herself at her lover’s complete overreaction. Though the thought was filled with traces of affection. At least he’d made efforts to fix his mistake.  

She finished off her whiskey, then ordered another. Hopefully the rain would die down by the time she was done, and she could head home without worry of getting drenched. 

By the time that the rain actually stopped, it was dark outside, and a good many of the patrons at the pub had already left, leaving it quiet and empty save for a few occupied tables and booths. Setting some coins down on the bar to pay for her drinks, Lucy hopped off of the barstool, brushing imaginary lint from her coat and pulling her cap from her pocket. As she did, Adam came up to the bar to settle his tab with the barmaid. He gave her a shy smile. 

“Did your friends all leave?” she asked, looking over his shoulder to see that the booth they’d been occupying was empty.

“Just now, yeah.” He forked out some notes from his pocket to hand over to the barmaid, eyes darting anxiously from Lucy to the windows. “I, erm, I could walk you home, if you’d like? Since it’s dark out.”

“Oh, that’s okay, my place is only a few blocks away.”

“It’s no trouble.” 

She inclined her head, smiling a little at the boy’s sweetness, shrugging. “Alright.” 

Leading the way out of the pub and into the crisp evening air, she fell into step beside Adam as they started the walk back to the apartment that she shared with Tommy. Her fingers fumbled at her rings as she wondered whether he would be there waiting for her, or if he would still be at the office. She didn’t think he’d go all the way back to Arrow House without her. Even at his angriest with her, Tommy would never outright abandon her like that. Certainly not in London of all places. 

“I’m sorry about today. Mr. Shelby’s…he can be a little temperamental sometimes, I suppose, but he doesn’t normally do things like that.” They passed under a flickering street lamp. “He’s had a hard year,” she wasn’t sure what else she could offer up in explanation without having to go into far more detail than she was comfortable sharing with Adam.

“It’s alright. My last boss would throw things at us. Sent one of his other secretaries to the hospital when he hit him in the head with a paperweight.”

“Jesus.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I can at least promise you that Tommy will never do anything like that.” She colored a little at realizing too late that she’d slipped and used his first name. Quickly looking back out at the dark street ahead of them, she hoped that Adam wouldn’t notice. The cobblestones gleamed with lingering moisture from the rain. Neither of them said anything for another block, rounding the corner for her apartment building to come into view at the very end of the street. 

“He’s in love with you, isn’t he?” 

She nearly tripped over her feet and face planted right there on the sidewalk. “What–”

Adam gave her a sad smile, hands tucked into the pockets of his coat. “It’s the way he looks at you,” he said in explanation, like it was obvious. Lucy felt a speckle of horror open up inside of her. They had tried so hard this time around to be subtle…

“Adam,” she wheezed, minorly panicked. “It’s not…I don’t know what you’re talking about. He’s married–” 

Adam shot her a sympathetic, somewhat amused look. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to say anything. I’ve worked with politicians for a few years now. I know how these things work.”

“It’s not…it’s not like that.” For some reason, the idea that he might think that what she had with Tommy was nothing but a dirty affair, akin to what so many of the other politicians did when screwing around behind their wives’ backs, made her feel…cheap. Dirty.

Isn’t that all you really are, though? Just his dirty little secret that he keeps on the side. Even if his wife does know about it and tolerate it. If only just.

She shivered, looking away again. She knew what others probably thought of her. She was sure many looked at her and only saw yet another rich, powerful man’s airheaded mistress. Letting herself be led along, feeding off the empty promises he made that someday, eventually, he would leave his wife for her and they would have a real, happy life together.    

Poor, stupid girl, they whispered behind her back. Doesn’t she know how this always goes? The man never leaves. He never leaves his family for her, and once the wife has had enough and decreed that the affair must end, he’ll throw her out like he has all the others. Maybe get a new model in a few months, and forget all about her. 

That’s how it always goes.

She shook the thoughts away, arms going around her middle. No; that wasn’t them. That wasn’t her and Tommy.        

“I know.” Adam said. At the inquiring look she gave him, he shrugged. “I’ve seen my share of men chasing skirt just for the sport of it. This isn’t that.” 

Lucy swallowed hard. She wondered if he knew how badly she actually had needed to hear that.

“I mean it,” Adam continued. “I won’t say a word to anyone. And not just ‘cos I value my eyes and my tongue.” At her frown, he smiled good naturedly. “You think I didn’t do research into who I was working for?”   

Lucy cast him an impressed look. They’d picked Adam for a reason, after all, but it was only then that it fully dawned on her that he was aware of far more than either she or Tommy had perhaps given him credit for. 

It shouldn’t have been surprising, no one survived long in the political arena–even secretaries–without having a good head on their shoulders. 

“Look, I don’t want any trouble. I just want to do my job and go home at the end of the day, that’s all. Anything you and Mr. Shelby do in your private time isn’t any of my business, as far as I’m concerned.”

Lucy nodded slowly, tongue darting out to wet her lips. “Thank you. We appreciate that.” They had come to the entrance to her apartment building. “This is me,” she said, digging around in her pocket to pull out her keys to the front gate. “Thank you for walking me.”

“It’s no problem.” He glanced over at her apartment building, head tilting back to stare at the windows above, several illuminated by the lights still on inside. “Tell him that I said that it’s alright. And that he doesn’t need to worry. I understand.”

“I will.”

“Have a good night, then, Miss. Winters. I’ll see you tomorrow at work.”

“Right.”

He started to walk away, back the way they’d come. Her grip on her keys tightened, the little jagged grooves digging into her palm. “Adam?”

He turned to look back at her, brow raised curiously.

“I’m sorry,” was all she could think to say. She hated to think that he may be hurt by her relationship with Tommy, and yet she was also relieved that he seemed to fully understand and accept that nothing would ever happen between them.

Adam shrugged. “Don’t be.” 

She nodded, thumbing out the correct key dangling on the ring she was clutching, sliding it into the lock on the gate and pushing it open. When she turned to close it behind her with a soft clang, Adam was already halfway down the road. 

She climbed the stairs slowly, pulling her cap off and tucking it away into her pocket, brushing a few loose red curls out of her eyes.

She opened the door to find the apartment dimly lit, the ornately shaded lamps by the couch in the middle of the sitting room turned on but the curtains drawn. 

Tommy was seated on the crimson colored velvet couch. His suit jacket off and tossed haphazardly over the back of a chair, head in his hands and an over half drunk bottle of whiskey on the table in front of him. His head lifted to stare at her with wide eyes at the sound of the door opening. He watched silently as she moved about, stripping off her coat and hanging it on the hook beside his next to the door. Wriggling out of her suit jacket, she deposited it over the back of one of the armchairs. With a sigh, she went to sit beside him on the couch. Never once did his gaze waver from her.

“You came back,” he said in a quiet voice. Lucy raised an eyebrow. It was obvious that he was drunk, both in the slight glassiness in his eyes, and in the barely noticeable slur to his words. 

“You really thought that I wouldn’t?”

He shrugged miserably, looking down at the table in front of them. “I wouldn’t blame you.”

Frowning, she scooted a little closer to him, reaching out to lay a hand on his shoulder blade. “Tommy…”

“I called Adam and gave him his job back,” he still wouldn’t entirely look at her.

“I know.”

His head raised, brow furrowed. “You do?”

She nodded. “I ducked into a pub to wait out the rain. He was there with a bunch of friends. We chatted a little, and he said that you called him.” She hesitated, not sure how he would take the next bit, but not wanting to keep anything from him. “He walked me home.”

Tommy looked back down. “Oh.”

“Tommy, nothing is ever, ever going to happen between me and him. I don’t even feel that way about him at all, alright? You don’t need to worry.”

“I know.”

“Then why…?”

“Because…because there are dozens of people out there who would actually deserve you.” He didn’t meet her gaze, thumbs playing with each other while he spoke. “And I’m so scared that someday, someone is going to come and take you away from me.” 

Her heart broke a little, both at his words and the sorrowful tone with which he said them. “Oh, love,” she rested a hand on the back of his head. “Look at me,” with gentle pressure from her palm, she encouraged his head to turn until she was met with miserable blue eyes. So full of self hatred that she wanted to squeeze him in her arms and never let him go. “You’ll never lose me.” His lips trembled, eyes widening with unshed tears. Lucy let her forehead lean into his. “Not ever.”

He smelled of whiskey and smoke and melancholy, lashes lowering and head leaning into hers. The rest of his body shifted somewhat so he was more properly facing her, a hand landing on her hip.

“I love you. And I know that you don’t think that you deserve me, but you do. You love me more than anyone else ever has.” She continued, smiling a little when he tried to nuzzle his face more firmly against hers. A teasing gleam entered her eyes. “Besides, you really think that a scrawny little secretary that’s a good ten years younger than me is gonna manage to sweep me off my feet?”

Tommy huffed. “I know. I’m sorry. I overreacted.”

“Mhm.”

Insecurity entered his eyes again. “He wants you, though.”

“Doesn’t mean that he gets me. Besides, he knows about us.”

Tommy stiffened. “How…?”

“Apparently we’re still not as inconspicuous as we’d like to think. Or maybe Adam is just more observant than we gave him credit for. Either way, he knows. He’s not going to say anything. But I do think he is a little scared of you. So, I doubt he’s about to try anything, either. You don’t need to worry about him.” She stroked his cheek. “And like I said earlier, it’s just a stupid crush. It’ll probably pass after a month or two once he finds someone else to capture his interest. He’s not like Lizzie. He knows that there’s nothing that could ever come of this.”

Tommy swallowed hard and nodded slowly, hand lifting to cover hers where it still rested against his cheek, thumb stroking over her knuckles.  

“I’m sorry too.” She leaned back a little so he could see the full genuinity in her face. “I shouldn’t have gotten so angry about it. And I shouldn’t have called you a hypocrite over it either.”

Tommy shook his head, gaze dropping again to fix on the velvet couch cushions under them. They were soft and plush. The couch, despite still being new, was already well broken into by late nights spent cuddling, working, and fucking on it. 

“You were right. I was being a hypocrite. On multiple points.”

“I don’t think that’s entirely fair…”

“Isn’t it? What’s not fair is any of this for you. It’d serve me right if you went and fucked someone else.”

She was momentarily caught off guard and how truly miserable he sounded. So much so that it alarmed her a little. She knew that he felt massively guilty for the nights that he spent with Lizzie and not her. Even if they were few and far between. And even though she’d given him her blessing to do so. He always looked at her like a frightened puppy the morning after, as if expecting her to kick or scream at him and shove him away. But it worried her to think that he was self flagellating himself over it.

“I don’t want to fuck someone else.” She was still open to threesomes, of course–so long as he was with her–but that was different. “I knew there would be some sacrifices I’d have to make when you married Lizzie. It’s okay. I don’t care so long as we still get to be together.”  

Tommy cast her another sad look. “It would be okay if you did.”

“What? Fucked someone else or cared that there are things that I’ve had to give up?”

“Both. Either.” 

Her brows raised. “You’d still love me if I went off and fucked another man?” Considering the temper tantrum he’d just thrown, she didn’t think it was a wholly unreasonable question. 

“Of course I’d still love you. I’d love you no matter what you do.”

She felt herself melt a little. “Even if I blew up the world?”

His lips quirked upwards for the slightest of moments. “Even then.”

She kissed his nose. “You don’t ever have to worry about that, for the record.”

“Which one?”

“Fucking another man. I make no promises about not blowing up the world.”

He snorted, touching her face gently. “You were wrong, you know? I am yours. This,” he touched the ring on his finger, “doesn’t change any of that.”

“Doesn’t it?” 

“Not to me. It’s just a piece of metal. It doesn’t mean anything.” He leaned back a little, hand trailing lazily along her shoulder. “You’re the one I love.”

“You’re drunk.”

“Yeah,” he agreed, glassy eyes confirming her statement. “But what’s that thing that they say? Drunken words are sober thoughts.”   

He leaned forward to try to capture her lips with his. Lucy laughed softly, his movements a little uncoordinated, mouth tasting strongly of whiskey when it pressed to hers. She let him kiss her for a moment before pulling back, smiling at the way that he tried to chase her. Those wide eyes the color of a warm ocean blinked up at her hopefully, his thumb tracing circles into her hip.

“We’re alright?”

“Yes, we’re alright, you overprotective idiot.” Her tone was steeped in enough fondness for him to know that she meant it only affectionately. He poked her in the side, brow raising. 

“See? Proof that I love you. If anyone else gave me that sorta cheek I’d have their eyes.” 

She pressed her smiling lips together, as if her big softy of a lover didn’t often let people get away with far more than he probably should. “Of course, sweetheart.”

He let out a rumbling purr at the nickname, leaning into her. All that whiskey he’d been drowning himself in before she showed up seemed to be catching up to him, leaving him all sleepy and cuddly. 

She secretly loved it when he got like this. It was so bloody adorable to see some of the gruff exterior slip away, not even trying to hide the big teddy bear that he secretly was underneath. 

Smiling to herself, Lucy took his face in her hands, angling it up to look at her.

“What?” He asked, catching sight of the adoring look she was giving him. 

“You’re cute.”

He shook his head despite blushing against her hands. “‘M big scary gangster.”

“Mm, yeah, I know.” She chuckled when he draped his arms around her lazily and snuggled into her neck. “The most fearsome of them all.”

“Damn right.”

She laughed, looping her arms around his back to hold him closer to her. She could feel him growing heavier against her, nuzzling a little more into her neck. She stroked the back of his head, where the shaved parts of his hair prickled her skin before giving way to softer, longer strands. “Is the big, fearsome, very drunk gangster sleepy?”

“…Yes.”

“Let’s get you to bed, then.” When he made no move to get up, despite his mumble of agreement, she had to bite back a laugh. “Tommy?”

“Comfortable here.”

“Right, but if we fall asleep on this couch, you’ll get a crick in your neck and my shoulders will be killing me come morning. Bed.”

He whined and pouted a little, but let her navigate him away from where he’d settled against her throat. Standing and pulling him by his hand to his feet, she wrapped her arm around his waist. He wasn’t as unsteady on his feet as she’d feared, arm looping around her shoulders more for closeness than out of actually needing stability. The bedroom was just down a very short hallway that veered off from the sitting room. The canopy bed that greeted them looked particularly comfortable, golden light from the lamps bouncing off the wardrobes pushed up against the walls and the little vanity where she did her hair and makeup in the mornings.

All Tommy did to get ready for bed was strip out of everything save for his underwear, then promptly decide that rather than just wait for her in the bed like a normal person, he wanted to drape himself around her instead. Which made it rather difficult for her to remove her makeup and get out of her own clothes with a tall–well, tall in comparison to her, anyway–and stockily muscled man hanging off of her like a koala. 

“Alright, you loon, you’ve gotta let me go for a second.” She said, giving him a peck to the forehead to dissuade him from pouting too much when she extracted herself from his grasp so she could change. He still sulked at the momentary lapse of physical contact, but seemed pleased when she opted to wear one of his shirts to bed rather than a nightgown, humming happily when she let him nestle back up against her. 

She maneuvered them both into the bed, smiling when he immediately snuggled up to her, his arms around her waist, head on her chest, and body half on top of hers. He almost never allowed his full weight to rest on top of her like that, too afraid of accidentally crushing her. Though honestly, if she had to pick a way to go, being smothered under him didn’t seem half bad. 

“Feeling better?” she asked, stroking gently through his soft dark hair. Tommy nodded, eyes already dropping closed. 

“‘M sorry for being an asshole.”

“It’s okay. Just talk to me next time before you start going around firing people, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m sorry too,” she kissed the top of his head, a smile playing on the edges of her lips when she tipped her head back to rest against the pillows. “You wanna hear something kinda terrible?”

“Hm?”

“I kinda liked it. Not the part where you took things out on a poor boy who hadn’t actually done anything wrong,” she amended quickly. “But it’s just…nice to know that you’d be willing to fight for me.”

He turned his head to kiss her shoulder. “Always. No one touches my girl.” 

She smiled, knowing that the possessiveness in his voice was meant as protective and loving rather than controlling or dehumanizing. 

Tommy tightened his arms around her. “I love you.” 

She traced her fingers along the expanse of his bare, strong back, feeling the smooth skin and the periodic bumps of a scar or beauty mark. “I love you too.” 

He peppered a few kisses along her collarbone before settling again, and it wasn’t long before he was snoring softly against her, the deep rumbles from his chest helping to lull her, until she too fell fast asleep in the comfort of his arms. 

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Thank you for reading! Please consider leaving a comment, reblog, or like. I always appreciate feedback and love getting the opportunity to interact with you and hear your thoughts!

[foli-vora]

No way I’m so hyped for you to start writing one step at a time again ahh I loved that. He reminded me of those guys from the night at the museum the little soldier guys his naivety is so damn cute and endearing. Like taking in a stray puppy but I think you could expand and make him so interesting I would love to see their relationship grow. So excited!!

omg yess! he has so much to learn, and when i tell you i am PUMPED for the sex ed part of this story 😂 i’m very invested in those two, and the story they have! i’m so glad to hear you love it! ❤️

[stardancerluv]

Blossoming of a Shy Violet

Part Twenty - Four

Summary: Things need to be done.

Notes/Warning: Angst, worry…allusions sexier moments….Eddie and Steve bickering Dustin reining them in.

-Please note & remember…this is parallel to the season. It is also my version of how things play out at Skull Rock, at Max’s trailer and what leads up to Lover’s Lake. Some dialogue is directly taken or influenced by it. Flashback in italics.

Thank you so much for reading! Feedback, ❤️s and re-blogs are always welcome!

Eddie easily climbed up and sat in the middle of his trusty picnic table, he he patted the space closest to him. “Come here, sweetheart.”

With a sigh, you finally stopped pacing and did as he suggested. As wrapped his arms around you, he saw you close your eyes as you nestled in. Knowing, roughly where Dustin and the others were coming from you and him, had some time before the two of you would have to head to the parking lot to meet up with them.

There was so much he wanted to say, but right now, he knew that sometimes silence was needed. So with arms crossed in front of you, he let you play with the rings on his fingers.

He pressed a kiss to your shoulder. You made a soft sound, he gave you a gentle squeeze.

You glanced at him over your shoulder. “I wish we could go back to when you were climbing into my window.”

He chuckled. “Me too, sweetheart me too.”

The sounds of rustling leaves drew closer, a few twigs snapped like a whip reaching them. You flinched looking up at him.

Both of you scrambled. “What are we going to do?”

“They are too close.” He braced himself. “Get behind me.”

“Ok.”

You did as he said, reaching back he wrapped an arm the best he could around you.

His heart began to pick up speed. He found himself taking a stance despite it feeling like his legs were to turning to jelly.

“Bada bing bada boom, I knew they’d be here.”

Steve was clad in a bright yellow sweater, as he came out from behind the trees. “In your face, Dustin. In your stupid cocky little face.” He glanced behind him. Before flashing the two of you a bright smile. “I told him, you’d probably meet here and then go over to the parking lot.”

Eddie shrugged. He wondered how Steve knew about his place. “Good thinking, Harrington.”

He nodded. Just the sounds of Dustin’s sometimes squeaky voice came through the branches. “Can’t admit you’re wrong, you butthead.”

Eddie smiled as he watched the ever cautious Dustin, watching his steps as he stepped out of the thick growth of the forest. He was like only a pace, maybe two short of being on Steve’s heels.

Eddie, strode easily over. Once, Dustin cleared the undergrowth, he smiled. “I concur you Dustin Henderson are totally a butthead.” Eddie said with a smile ignoring his crack lip.

He could see the relief washing over his friend’s face, “We were so worried that Jason and his friends were going to find you.” Dustin squeaked out before he tightly hugged him.

“I was worried about that too.” Eddie admitted.

You came over to where Eddie was. Dustin smiled, that shiny smile. “I’m glad you are ok too.” He hugged you too.

Eddie was happy to watch the small moment.

“That Jason and his goons are scary, they almost had me.”

He nodded. “Bunch of bullies.”

The girls came out of the words shortly after.

Robin squinted at him, when she grew close. “Hey are you ok?” She pointed at him.

He nodded. “Yeah, that’s when Jason managed to land one.

“Ahh, you will have to clean it up.”

“I will when I get the chance.” Her awkward caring was kind endearing, he mused.

“Not sure we should stay here. But not sure where we should go.” Steve, remarked making a face as he came over and put a hand on his hip.

“My mom is at work.” Max mentioned quietly.

*******

Eddie’s fingers drummed nervously on your hip as you sat on his lap in the backseat. So you didn’t bounce around completely, you wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

“Harrington, thank you again for allowing us the use of your family’s place.”

You caught Steve’s eyes in the rearview. “Yes, Steve thank you.” You smiled.

“Looked like you two didn’t destroy it, so yeah no worries.”

“Steve!” Dustin snapped.

“Alright, alright I’m sorry. Didn’t really think you two would.” He sighed.

“No harm. I understand.” Eddie made a face but then a smirk curled the good side of his mouth. “Just one question.”

Steve tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, while waiting for the light to change. “Shoot, what?”

“Is that really the bedding you and your family buy?”

“I guess?” He shrugged. “I never really thought about it. Mom picks it out why?”

Eddie shrugged. “Just a little scratchy.”

You flushed, meeting his eyes. His smirk turned into that devil may care smile that always causes your heart to flutter. Right now, a little more then usual since you remembered why Eddie was saying that.

******

Eddie’s fingertips gently ran up and down your arm, while remained cuddle up to his chest. “I am surprised I didn’t chaff myself.”

You made a face as you glanced up at him. “What do you mean?”

“When I was enjoying you little minx, I couldn’t resist rubbing up against that comforter. That fabric is rough.

A pang of concern went through you. You lifted the blanket and looked down at him. Then looked back at him. “Yup. You’re ok.”

He chuckled. “Not completely little minx.”

“Oh! Do you want a kiss?”

“It could help.”

But you look…oh…oh Eddie!” You squealed and pushed at him. He only chuckled harder and pulled you close.

You smacked his chest. He feigned innocence, as he squeezed your hip.

******

“Eddie!” Dustin snapped.

His squeaky voice brought you back to the car from last night.

“Just a comment. No reflection on Steve.” Eddie replied.

*******

Everyone’s nervous tension was getting the better of them, they were all talking at once. Talking over each other, honestly lot of nothing was being tossed back and forth. It made you desperately want to crawl into a hole.

Nervously, you glanced down at your hands, they were still filthy. Slid off the armrest beside Eddie and knelt beside Max. She soon showed you, where you could wash them.

You could still feel the slimy things hands brushed up against while hiding in the bushes. It made your stomach churn.

“Are you ok sweetheart?” You flinched, and then sighed.

“I’m sorry.” You whispered, laying your forehead against him, pausing in washing your hands.

Eddie’s fingers running through your hair. pulled a sigh from you. You gave him a weak smile as he rubbed your back. “Nothing to be sorry about.” He whispered.

Going back into the now cramped living room, Eddie plopped onto the only easy chair. Signs of age, were very apparent but its armrest that you decided to perch on, was actually quite comfortable.

Sitting there, trying not get too annoyed from everyone talking over each other and not really accomplishing anything, you couldn’t help but notice that Max’s trailer pretty much had the same layout as Eddie’s. It actually looked a touch smaller but you couldn't be sure.

“Hey guys, everybody shut up.” Eddie’s exasperated voice filled the room. Silence fell over everyone, as they turned to look at him.

“Everything was fine last night.” He sighed and looking at you before the others. “We have no idea how they found us.”

“I don’t know man.” Steve shook his head, he looked that the two of you. “I’m just glad you two got away from Jason.”

“Narrowly.” You chimed in, noticing that Eddie was chewing on his lip.

“Eddie, have you noticed anything we should know?” Nancy asked.

He shrugged. “It’s probably nothing but,” Slipping his arm from being around, he quickly unfastened his watch and tossed it to Nancy. “To be honest, it wasn’t till later today did I even realize, it had stopped working. It randomly stopped working.”

Nancy, you watched as concern cast a shadow over her face. “Nine, twenty-seven.”

“Same time our flashlights went kablooey.” Robin added, you glanced her way.

“Which means what, exactly?” Steve asked, he looked more confused then anything as he leaned against one of the walls in the small room.

“That…” She tossed back Eddie’s watch back to him.

Nancy pressed her lips together her brow furrowed. For some reason, seeing her worried, made your own worry sliver into the pit of your stomach.

Once his watch was back on his wrist, you relaxed a little once his arm was once again wrapped around you.

“That surge of energy was Vecna attacking Patrick.”

“So that brings us one step closer.” Robin chimes in smiling.

******

Eddie, glanced at Harrington and the girls. “Give me moment, ok?” He rose his eyebrows.

“Of course.” The girls nodded

With a hand stuffed in his pocket, he walked back to Harrington’s BMW. You were sitting in the back seat, the door creaked as he opened it. You were tapping your foot with your arms crossed in front of you. Worse of all, it didn’t escape him that you had not glanced his way.

“Sweetheart…” He kicked at dirt.

Even in the darkness, he could see the fierceness that filled your eyes. “Don’t you sweetheart me right now.” You looked away.

Sighing, he climbed into the back seat and shifted close to you, placing an arm behind you.

“Y/N, now you listen to me.”

You looked at him then, your eyes were huge. He instantly regretted how harsh his voice was. Now he was the one who looked into the inky darkness of Harrington’s car.

“Shit, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to sound that harsh.” Moving his arm, he wrapped it around your shoulders. With desperation clawing at him, he needed to feel you close. He rested his forehead on your shoulder.

A few beats, a few breathes passed between the two of you “I’m as scared as you are.” He finally spoke and pulling back he glanced your way and saw you nodding. “I don’t know,” He pressed his lips together. “But if I can somehow can help, I have to try.”

He saw tears fill your eyes. “But what about me?” You were against him then and wrapped his arms around you.

“I am doing this for all of us.” Moving just so, he tilted your chin up to meet your eyes. “Nothing will stop me from coming back to you.”

@eddieswifu @twentysomethingwereyote @gabriella-gvf @apocalypticwafflekitten @blackberries45 @buckymydarlingangel @readers-posts @grunge-grrrl @ofherscarlettwitchways @making-the-most-0f-it @chaos-incorp @dandycandy75 @poltergeistsblog @alyssinwunderland-blog-blog @helpimspiraling @thegirlwhohides @sebastianstvn @notbeforelong

[canariie]

Ahh Rays this was so wonderful! I really love your breathing new life into the character of Momo before she became the Momo we know in the pages of the manga we know :)

I can totally imagine her, the artistic person she is, desperately trying to put marks down on a paper and carve out those memories before they fade away! I think that's something we all can relate to of trying to recollect dreams or even artists trying to project what's in their mind!

I especially loved Toushiro in this! There was something so endearing of how he stayed and positioned himself near her, tho she raised her voice at him, to even that moment of him bumping her ankle!

Toushiro questioning his actions was quite spot on, from him self reflecting if he is normally too pessimistic to holding back words that could hurt her. To even wracking his brain on what he should do! I especially loved how he was quite at a loss of how to comfort, despite that strong desire to, and he turned her words towards her, since that was such a comfort to him. ;')

I also love love loved the added depth to Momo wanting to grow stronger and older so she could visit her family in the real world. I think it made it more endearing of her as a soul who has forgotten love and family, to which toushiro inevitably then becomes her family and love 🥰🥰

And jurinran!granny! I love how she comforts and tells Momo the ways of the dead but Toushior hunting for a peach for Momo! You had my heart ❤️ and Momo calming down not only with Granny's words but also Toushiro's? All so so precious! I truly loved this one, I think this is also one of my favs of yours 🥰

Slowly Fading

Prompt: different

Rating: K/General

Setting: 60+ years before the main story

Synopsis: Momo has been acting strange lately. When she comes over to visit, Toshiro finally confronts her about it.

AN: another month, another prompt for the OTP challenge by @yearoftheotpevent! I was very tempted to write something for the Valentine’s Day prompt, but this idea just wouldn’t leave my mind. This one is a melancholic story, not necessarily angsty but a bit of a downer. It came to me while i was thinking about what happens when a soul starts to forget their life in the World of the Living. How do they cope? Do they even realise it's happening? Do they even remember being human once all their memories are gone?

I admit, I have no idea what art supplies the Soul Society has, but for the sake of this fic I guess I assume they have pencils and sketchbooks? They usually have Edo period items in the Rukongai, but considering there's also a goggles and sunglasses shop there, I imagine they'd have a few 'modern' things too?

Anyhow, I hope you all enjoy it!

__________________________________

Toshiro hesitates at the doorway, watching Momo focus on her drawing. He can’t pinpoint the exact moment she started acting different, but in hindsight, it hadn’t happened suddenly.

It had been a slow thing at first, starting with her gaze softening at certain things – a type of tree in the forest, a stall in the Junrinan that sold hair combs, a mother and her child happily going about their day, a young girl rushing through a crowd back to sibling during a festival – but now it had progressed to strained smiles and a sudden focus on drawing and painting.

Just as with other times, she draws in haste, her hand almost a blur as she switches one colour pencil for another. Her back is arched over her sketchbook, and her head is so close to the page the tip of her nose is only a few inches from the paper. From his short distance, he thinks it looks like a landscape, but not of the forest before them nor of a part of the Soul Society he’s ever seen.

His frown deepens. Something about her drawing somewhere he doesn’t know makes him finally walk out on to the veranda. “Where’s that?”

She didn’t hear, or at least acts like she hadn’t. With a few strokes, she creates another tree amongst the many others that surround a lake. On its shore in the far distance are two indistinguishable figures, seemingly waving at the viewer.

“Oi,” he says, but still he doesn’t get her attention. He folds his arms. “You’re going wear yourself out, bed-wetter.”

She goes rigid at that. “Not now, Shiro-chan! I must concentrate.”

He barely manages to not flinch back; he’s never heard her so tense. In the rare moments where she said something out of annoyance or anger, she's always quick to apologise.

When the latter doesn’t happen, he thinks to go back inside and just wait for her to finish her drawing. Maybe then whatever maddening spell had captivated her would break and she’d remember what she’d shouted at him.

But he doesn’t go back inside. He lowers himself next her, as if sitting next to a dangerous animal that could snap at him any moment. He’s never felt this way around her before, as though she were another Junrinan resident he had to sneak around or to be cautious of. He always thought she could stand to be a bit tougher, but he didn’t like seeing her like this. He’ll take her crybaby moments over whatever this is.

His irritation gradually cools as he watches her draw, not really knowing why he’s here with her. Maybe it’s because whenever he’s angry or upset, she comes to his side. She’ll say some words, perhaps even hug him despite his half-hearted protests, but regardless she always comes to his side. He’s only ever had to comfort Granny in rare moments, he didn’t know how to do the same for others.

She stops drawing several minutes later, and whatever trance it holds over her breaks. She blinks down at her creation as her brows draw upward. It’s as though she isn’t entirely sure she was the one who created the drawing.

It’s not until he shifts his leg, his toe tapping her ankle, that she looks to him. “Shiro-chan…”

“Don’t call me that.” It’s the first time the phrase has been uttered without anger or annoyance. He folds his arms. “You finally done with that?”

Instead of answering his question, she grimaces. “I said something bad before, didn’t I?”

He only shrugs.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to shout at you.”

“It’s nothing,” he says. “I’ve heard worse.”

She doesn’t voice it, but he can sense that she wanted to say something to the effect of, ‘Even so, it wasn’t nice.’ Instead, she puts her sketchbook aside and turns her gaze to her lap.

Well, it was no use trying to brush this off and move on with their day as if nothing happen. “What’s gotten into you?" he asks. "You’ve been acting different for a while now.”

He can’t tell if she hangs her head in guilt or in contemplation. He kicks his legs idly to release some nervous tension building up within him.

Perhaps realizing he isn’t going to leave her alone, she shallows thickly, and her eyes mist with unshed tears. Her quiet admission almost goes unheard over the call of a nearby bird. “I’m starting to forget things.”

Toshiro quirks up a brow. “Huh?”

“From the World of the Living, I mean,” she clarifies. At his confusion, she sighs. “My friends told me that a Soul gradually forgets their time in the World of the Living. At some point, they don’t even remember being a human. They know they were born in the World of the Living, but they can't remember a single thing about their time there.” One tear falls and lands in between her hands, which are tightly clutching her yukata at the knees. “I don’t want to forget anything. I want to remember mother, father, and my sister forever. I’ve already forgotten how they sound, and now I can’t remember father’s face.”

With a trembling hand, she brings back her sketchbook and tilts it enough for him to see. “This is somewhere I know. I think I knew where it was a few days ago, but today…I don’t remember why we’d come here.” She taps a finger over the figures in the distance. “That’s my family. I have this memory, I think, of them on the other side of this lake. I don’t remember what I was doing…maybe searching for flowers? I don’t know why though, I…” She hiccups and drops her sketchbook into her lap. “I can’t remember anymore.”

What’s the use of remembering things and people you can’t go back to? He almost says it aloud, even has his lips parted to utter it, but her wide-eyed, glassy gaze tightens his throat. He knows he can be brutally honest with his words at best – and callous at worst – and it was often from a place of caring when it came to her, but he can’t bring himself to risk saddening her further.

What was he to do? If only Granny were here, she’d know. If he waits until she returns home, she can handle things. For some reason, that doesn’t make him feel any better. Did he not want to burden Granny with this? Did he doubt she could help Momo?

No, he realizes when his friend lifts her head to him, struggling not to cry. It’s because he is useless to help her. Why did he had to rely on Granny? Why can’t he do anything?

He’s never felt this way before, has only ever been concerned with getting by and ignoring the residents of the Junrinan. He never really felt this way towards Jidanbo, his only other friend; but the giant always seemed to have very few problems. And up until recently, Momo had been the same.

“I wish I were older,” she half sobs. “If I were, I could become a Shinigami and go see them in the World of the Living.” She sniffs and rubs her eyes, releasing two more tears. “It’s stupid to feel this way, isn’t it?”

“No.”

He hadn’t meant to answer so quickly. He can’t tell if she’s surprised by how quickly he answered or what he’d said. Maybe she expected him to say ‘yes,’ and the implication stings. Was he truly that much a pessimist to her?

She wipes away a tear. “But I’m going to forget everything anyway, so I should just…”

“You’ve told me before that it’s not stupid to feel about things that don’t matter to others, that if they matter to you then that's okay. If it’s true for everyone else, then…it’s true for you too.” He cringes at the flush warming his face. What person throws back the same comforting words they once gave to another? Had he no words of his own?

However, Momo looks as if she’s never heard her own advice before. She considers it, gaze falling to the floorboards and shoulder relaxing. Again he waits, but his heart thrums with anxiety. Had he made things worse? He really should have waited for Granny.

As if on cue, the front door slides open and the old woman's voice comes through to the back. She gives a cheerful recounting of how she got certain items and missed others, at first too busy putting food away to notice the awkwardness between he and Momo.

When she finally looks at them and takes in Momo’s teary eyes, she’s quick to put aside the rest of her shopping and sit with the girl. Toshiro excuses himself, saying he’d go get the peaches Granny was unable to buy. The old woman frowns, but gives him a slow nod.

No matter how far Toshiro walks, the heaviness in his chest doesn’t lighten. Not even when he passes the various locations they’d discovered together – the watermelon patch in a clearing, the bushes of hasukappu, or the lone peach tree near a stream. At said tree, he picks off a several fruits and stuffs them into his sleeves. They're not as good as the ones sold in the Rukongai, but if nothing else, Granny, can still make sweets from them.

He returns slower than he left, coming back just as the sun was starting to set. He expects the veranda to be empty, but Momo is still there, drawing. Trepidation makes him slow to approach, but she lifts her head when his shadow falls over her feet.

She’s not surprised like he expected. The underside of her eyes is still red from crying, but her gaze is neutral. “Why did you run off?”

She doesn’t even say his name, and something about that strikes him. He’s so used to hearing that dumb nickname.

Snapping out of his daze, he pulls a peach out from his sleeve. “To get these.” He hands the fruit to her. “They’re in season.”

It almost feels like a peace offering, to say he’s sorry for not helping her and for running off suddenly. His frown deepens at the twitch in one corner of her lip, and even more so at the breathy, failed attempted at a snort.

“What?” he asks.

That seems to make the floodgates open, and she chuckles with a wide grin. “You’re giving me a peach?”

He rolls his eyes at the implication. “Not my fault you were named after a fruit, bed-wetter.”

That turns her smile into a pout. “Shiro-chan!”

“You gonna take it or not?” he grouses, thrusting the fruit into her face. “It’s the best one of the lot.”

He didn’t know that for a fact, but it looks like one of the least blemished one of the fruits. She struggles to look petulant as she puts her pencil back in the box with the others and takes the peach. “Thank you. I’ll eat it later, it’s too close to dinner time.”

“Suit yourself.”

She puts it away in a cloth bag along with her pencils and sketchbook. “Speaking of dinner, I should probably head back.”

He hums in agreement, but neither of them moves.

The awkwardness returns, making him unsure if he should walk her to the front of his house or go inside to put the peaches away. He takes slow, shiftless steps up on to the veranda, but comes to a stand still when Momo is in his peripheral. She’s completely still while staring at the side of his face; he’s certain it’s in concern.

Did she still feel bad for shouting at him earlier? Or was his inner turmoil that obvious? Why did she have to be so concerned with him?

He’s not going to move until he says something, he realises. He shifts his head just enough to see her. “What did Baa-chan say?”

She finally blinks, as if he had broken a spell that froze time. She is slow to answer. “She told me she forgets things too. She can’t remember most of her earlier life in the Soul Society now, and she only has glimpses of memories from her life in the World of the Living.  It’s, um…It’s just part of being a soul. It can’t be stopped, it’ll happen no matter what. The best I can do is draw what I remember while I can still remember it, and write on the back what it’s about.”

A grim acceptance. He should be satisfied with this outcome, but he finds himself getting a little heavier. What had he expected Granny to tell her? The old woman is almost comforting, but she also didn’t sugar-coat things. Had he wanted her to do that for Momo?

The barest smile tilts the corners of her lips. “But my family is still alive, a-and they won’t forget me.  It’s also okay to feel sad about losing my memories, and it’s okay for me to be here and be happy too.”

Toshiro isn’t completely convinced that she feels better, but he can see the exhaustion is starting to hit her, and he finds himself tired as well. “Good, then.”

“She didn’t tell me that last part.” At his confused frown, her smile widens a fraction more, but it’s sombre. “I thought about what you said. I-I don't when I'll completely forget everything, or when I'll stop drawing my memories, but I know it's okay to feel this way about everything. I might be different for a while, but one day, when I've forgotten everything, I hope I can look at these drawings and remember something, even if it's only for a second."

He doesn’t want to tell her that drawings can fade too, or that she may lose her sketchbook one day. "I get it."

He leads her back to the front of the house and pretends he doesn't see the slight falter in her smile. For her sake, he wants to hope too.