#hearing him laugh... man his whole drink link is so precious to me

[silverselfshippingchaos]

this whole scene is so nuts akdhajsb I love them

[starshipsofstarlord]

2k followers blurb: hi, first of all congratulations on 2k, you deserve it!!! For the blurb i would like to request some dad!Seb reacting to his son's first word being dada, or something like that, if it is not possible, then I understand 😊

thankyou sm hun, and ofc id never pass up a request for Seb. Here ya go hun, thankyou for all the support for my work xxx

Waiting

Pairing | dad!Sebastian Stan x mum!reader

Summary | based on the request

Warnings | fluff, swearing, nappy changing, brief mention of sex at the end

2K blurb masterlist

Quick link to my masterlist, if you’re interested in reading more of my crap 😬

His oceanic pools stared, his chin resting on his hand, as he seated himself on the floor, as y/s/n was on his play mat, playing with the colourful rings that were strewn across the floor.

He put one in his mouth, looking up at his father innocently, as he suddenly threw the toy in his father’s face.

But Sebastian did not yield, instead he remained on the child’s level, patiently... waiting.

“He’s not going to say anything if you’re giving him an intense gaze all day long. Y/s/n needs space and patience if you want him to say anything.” You cocked your hand upon your hip as you rushed in from the kitchen, a hand towel laid over your shoulder.

“I can’t miss it.” Seb spoke, reaching down to grasp the red ring, handing it back to his son, who fiddled with the plastic item. “I have to be alert, otherwise when I’m walking around the house, it could slip out. Both of us could miss it!”

“Then we wouldn’t even know he had his first word. So technically in our eyes and ears, it wouldn’t be.”

Crouching down beside him, you ruffled his brunette locks, pressing a kiss upon his temple, before reaching for the child that you made together, watching as he crawled towards you, soon after picking him up in your arms.

“Where are you taking my little man?” Seb pouted, lines forming upon his forehead, as he trailed after you and your precious cargo. “Gimme.” He held out his hands, watching adorably at you as he stared helpfully at you.

“Gimme?” You laughed, humoured by his child like vocabulary. Though, you gently put him in your husband’s arms, fixing him in a firm look. “Stop pressuring our son.” You pointedly ordered, your eyes crinkling at the vivid image of your two boys.

Seb rubbed his nose against y/s/n’s, cooing lightly at the wideness of the infant’s eyes. “I’m not pressuring you, am I? Mummy’s just being critical... of everything.”

“Are you wanting to end up on the couch tonight?” Sebastian gaped at you, rubbing his son’s head as he poked his tongue out of his mouth as he tried to decide on a response.

You continued on with your task concerning your hydration, grabbing a glass from one of the cupboards, and filling it half with water, bringing the edge to your lips.

“Mmh.” Your husband grunted, returning his attention back to your son, bouncing him softly in his encircling arms, as he reached out to graze his minuscule fingers against Seb’s scruff.

“That’s what I thought.” You laughed, throwing the kitchen towel down onto the side, as you pulled out a juice bottle for your little one, fixing up a simple concoction for him to drink.

Y/s/n began to squirm. Small sobs emitted from his infant mouth as Seb wrinkled his nose, patting him softly on the bum as he walked back towards his bedroom, laying him down on the changing mat.

“Daddy is just gonna put a new diaper on you, and take the dirty one off, ‘Kay?” He spoke lightly, well aware that the child most likely had difficulty understanding him, but he recognised the voice of his father.

Sebastian pulled out a clean nappy, putting it beside his son, as he unbuttoned his clothing, so that he had access to the soiled, disposable catcher of waste.

“Dadda loves you very much y/s/n. And I’m only doing this for your own health and hygiene.” He cooed, as he pulled off the diaper, as his son kicked his legs about, clearly not enjoying the situation. He never did.

As soon as he removed the nappy, and put it in a scent covering plastic bag, Seb quickly put the fresh one on, after wiping y/s/n down. When he finished, he picked his child up once more, returning to the kitchen, where you were washing some dirty dishes.

Though, whence you heard them enter the room, you removed your hands out from the soapy water, drying them, as you shook the bottle, earning y/s/n’s attention.

“Look what mummy has baby boy.” Seb spoke, watching as his son’s gaze flickered slowly between him and the bottle. “Come on, go to mumma.” He encouraged, about to pass him over to you.

But y/s/n gripped onto his shirt, and squealed a noise that was far from just random syllables strung together. “Daa-daa.” Seb froze, his azure eyes widening.

You too tensed up, your mouth dropping open, as you moved closer to the pair, peppering kisses over y/s/n’s face. He giggled, as Seb rubbed his back, joining you in on your praise of him.

“Clever boy.’ You gently spoke, your voice raising into a baby positive tone, as you allowed him to wrap his small hand around your index finger. “Is that your dada? Is it?”

“Do I actually have to sleep on the couch?” He asked, as blew a small raspberry onto y/s/n’s neck. If he wasn’t holding something so precious to you, you would’ve hit him for ruining the moment.

“No.” You sighed, grasping the juice bottle, which he now eagerly reached for. “How’d you do it? Get him to speak, was it the intense stare that i told you would give him nightmares?’

Seb lowered his head, taking the bottle from you as he popped the lid off one handedly, and held it towards his son, whom eagerly began to grab the sides and drink the contents.

“No. I was patient.” Saying so was like admitting defeat, he lowered his head, knowing without looking that there was definitely a boastful smirk aboard your face.

“What’d i tell you bubs?” You asked, stalking closer so that your mouth was beside his ear. “Maybe tonight calls for a celebration; you know, you and me, and a whole lot of sweet loving.”

“Y/n!” He lightly covered y/s/n’s ears looked at you shocked for your bluntness. “There is a child within hearing distance. You can’t say stuff like that!”

“Fine, we don’t have to celebrate.” You took the bottle from y/s/n who had finished guzzling, placing it and the leftovers on the side, as he began to tiredly snuggle his face into Seb’s chest.

“Now I didn’t say that...”

[arcadejohn127-9]

Could you do the Brothers and undatables reacting to MC being poisoned and finding out that Micheal was trying to kill them because he was jealous that MC was close with the brothers. Let me just say your work is great the way you describe the situation before going into the reactions is really interesting. Thank you so much!!!!

I already had this ask half way done but Tumblr decided to delete all my work due to buggy WiFi - I'm currently in pain 😭

I don't know much about poison so bare with me, I just looked at the basic symptoms and went "I'm smart" I've passed out after being ill or just in general quite a few times when younger so I had faith

This also has a bonus Michael part! I've decided to add his response to the boys reactions in its own format or else each one will just have a repeat of the same Michael Response

Warning: angst, implied vomitting, attempted murder, fainting, spoilers of lesson 37 and 16, gore on Michaels part, long

"from Michael...?" You questioned outloud, unsure on how to feel about the parcel you've found.

Your relationship with the angel wasn't a defined one. You didn't hate him but you didn't like him either; there was always something about his presence that made you fearful. You choked it up to be just internalised fear due to hearing the brothers experience of the celestial realm and angels.

You've never met him in person; the first conversation you had of him was when you stabbed yourself with the dagger instead of Lucifer. You saw the light and he spoke to you, surprised and shocked at the love you had for the demons. Even then you never really got to speak to him again, he was a mystery. You've sent a few letters and he's returned some and Simeon is a link between you two. But other than that? You didn't really have a relationship with him.

So why? Why would he send you a gift?

You looked inside to see a packet of apple pieces and herbs inside of a snack shaped teabag. You admired the unique shape and couldn't stop a small smile appearing. It was definitely cute! And you finally got to use the new kettle and cups barbatos got you.

You decided to text Simeon, telling him to thank Michael for your gift. He was surprised by this but agreed, happy you two were connecting.

Whilst your new tea brewed you were trying to figure out a way to repay his kindness. Sure it was simple small gift but he was reaching out - you were giddy! Hopeful this meant he was fully on board to the exchange program.

But you soon would regret drinking that tea. It was so sweet you couldn't stop drinking it; your lips only leaving the cup of a second of breath. It was addicting. The herb covered apples pieces gave it a nice slight bitterness. But it wasn't overbearing but didn't make it taste like sugar in your mouth.

As soon as the last gulp came down; something came up. You hunched over as your stomach churned, a disgusting taste forcing itself up your throat. Your vision growing blurry as you stumbled out of your seat, the light in your room feeling like knives to your eyes. You tried closing them but the effect didn't change. You were barely hunched over on your side releasing everything in your stomach. It stung your throat, your stomach feeling painfully empty.

There was this invisible feeling telling you to go to sleep. You wanted to obey but the light felt too painful. In your dazed state you shakily texted the groupchat a sloppy "help me ASAP, my room" before letting your body go limp, heaving as you just laid there, dragging a nearby jacket over your head and let your vision be consumed by the darkness.

Lucifer:

He's heart broken

How did this happen? You were fine and now you're not moving

Your breathing was faint against his neck as he held you

He saw the parcel and connected the dots, Eden's tea

It was a death sentence for any human, a treat for demons and a punishment for angels

He's started a war once, he can do it again

Whilst he knew he couldn't enter the celestial realm he demanded that Michael show himself

When his demands went unanswered, he was ready to break all rules

"He's gone too far, I don't care for his reasons! I WILL DESTORY THE CELESTIAL REALM IF I HAVE TO! HE WILL ANSWER ME!"

when you received a cure all his angers washed away with relief

Happy to have you awake again even if it was for a few moments

Mammon:

FLASHBACK ARE STRONG

All he can think about his how you looked like in the past; dying in his arms

He immediately went to blame belphie but almost tripped over the parcel

He's an idioit but he knew what this tea was

Becomes feral with rage and overly protective of your unconscious body

He's hunched over by your side at all times just growling at anyone who comes near you

He wanted to hurt Michael but he wanted to stay with you

He'd talk to you and tell you how he was going to get payback

"I should of known he'd do something-! I'll never forgive him- DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT!!! I'M DOING THIS FOR THEM!"

As soon as you get the cure he's hugging you and telling you how much he missed you

Levithan:

When he found you, his heart dropped

It only got worse when he found the parcel and realized what Michael has done

he will remind the celestial realm why he is an admiral of hell's navy

He spends time by the sea communicating with any creature he can get; telling them if things go down he'll need them to flood the gates of heaven

When he isn't planning war he's with you, playing games, trying to ignore how dead you looked

He would remind you what buttons to push when your chatacter didn't move

"YOU THINK I'LL JUST LET THIS SLIDE??!! HE'S KILLED MY BEST FRIEND!"

He broke down sobbing when you woke up after getting a cure

He was convinced you were dead but here you were, alive and awake

Satan:

He's a detective nerd so of course he scoped out the scene

When he found the parcel and Michaels name - oh boy

Never met the man and pities him for letting their first meeting be the angels demise

It wasn't long before he had to be detained

Screaming and tearing up anything he could, yelling at his brother's for falling

He blamed his brothers, he blamed Michael and he blamed himself

Hated being locked away from you, would course more of a fuss when he couldn't see you

"I WILL KILL EVERY ONE OF YOU IF YOU DON'T LET ME GET TO THAT DAMN ANGEL!! I HATE YOU!"

He's only calmed down when you are given a cure and he's told you're alive

Is finally allowed to see you and he holds you tight

Asmodeus:

When he found you he was sobbing

It only grew worse when he found out what happened

In Denial

Not of Michael, he believed that but in denial you were dead or were dying

Kept insisting you were just tired and sleeping

Destroyed an entire room when one of them insisted you weren't sleeping

He'd help you get ready and pamper you, telling you it's okay and you can thank him when you feel better

Would be seen wiping your face often in hopes it'll get rid of that death like appearance you have

"They're fine but Michael won't be, when my precious darling wakes up I'll make sure they know I'll make everything better."

When you bad your cure he started crying and laughing, telling everyone he was right

Clinged to you and let you sleep

Beezlebub:

He found the parcel almost immediately

And went into a rage - we all know how his hunger tantrums are

Would've destroyed the whole house if he wasn't restrained

Guilt

So much guilt, his shoulders are always sagging

Sits by your unconscious body so he feels like he's protecting you

Has tried kissing you awake

Hoping you'll wake up like a fairy tale Character and everything will be fine

"I'm going to kill Michael and I won't let any of you stop me....protect (Y/N) For me."

Was so happy and relieved when you got the cure, sticking to your side at all times even when you were awake

Belphegor:

He was quick to help you into bed and on your side

When he found the parcel he was ready to murder

His rage towards Michael massively outweighed his hatred for humanity - even Lucifer!

Beel couldn't keep control of him mostnofnthe time unless he got forceful, belphegor stuck in a headlock screeching bloody murder

Stress sleeping

Like many of the brothers he develops two modes: calm or PLANNING MASS MURDER

Whenever he gets overwhelmed he just forces body to shut down and sleep besides you

"Michael will face me again, I won't let him kill anyone else that I love! He got Lilith killed and he can't do the same for (Y/N)!"

As soon as the cure was found he was by your side

Letting you rest and watched over you

UNDATEABLES↓

Diavolo:

Found out through the brothers

Sees this as an act of war against the peace he's working for

He was normally sweet and forgiving but it seemed Michael wanted to rip to his last nerve

Demanded for every reliable demon to search for a cure

Even had Solomon try to make one

"Barbatos, what is the possibility of Michael coming down to the devildom or the human realm? I want 'discuss' with him what his actions have caused."

As soon he he found out you were alive and safe

He didn't stop his plans but let himself have time with you

Barbatos:

So much guilt

Like holy shit

Is just constantly questioning how he didn't prevent this

Asked permission from the lord to just change the timelines so this didn't happen but the brothers were against it

They demanded they didn't avoid this situation and let Michael face punishment

That he couldn't refuse, he was angered by the angel's actions

More than he would ever show

"humans are so fragile and their time is so limited - that's why I'm never going to let anyone cut theirs short again."

Was part of the cure search party, he led the group

Once you were cured he stayed with you

Acting as your butler and made to check each of your foods and drinks

Solomon:

It wasn't a wise decision to piss off a wizard with stupid amount of pacts

To think an angel would do such a thing

But whilst Everyone lost their temper and searched for a cure

He was wondering - why did it happen

He was ordered asked to make you a cure

He was able to do it but the real cure was also found - giving you extra cure wasn't going to harm you

But he did plan to harm Michael

"you'd think he was smarter than this, he didn't even hide he was the one who did it but all it does is make my job easier."

nursed you until you woke up

Making sure you had mini cures to completely magic it out of your system

Simeon:

When he found out he was stunned

Betrayal - that's all he felt

How could Michael do such a thing?

But he knew Michael was a cruel angel, many having to drink Eden's tea as punishment

It burned their insides and had any poor soul sobbing for mercy after a gulp

"Michael you fool, you can get away with things in your league but you've involved the three realms into this....I pray you do not make your demise harder for yourself."

Was apart of the cure search party

Soothed you when you finally woke up, telling you it'll be okay

Let you rest as much as you wanted

Luke:

They tried to hide it from him but he kept demanding to see you

He wanted to know why everyone was acting strange

When he finally found out he was broken

His mentor

His idol

His everything

The person who always went for permission and knowledge

He thought so highly of him but he's hurt you

He's done more than that! He's tried to kill you!

He's been sobbing for days and locked himself away, he couldn't bare to see you after his once visit

He believed you were dead and they were just keeping your body

"Michael....why....why would you do this.... I thought you loved your brother's....I thought you were kind..!"

When he found out there was a cure he begged to help but they wouldn't let him

He only got to see you when you woke up and he was hugging you, crying

+ bonus Character↓

Michael:

The angel knew they'd be upset

But 9 demons wanting his blood? One wizard ready to cause mayhem and even his own kind wanting his downfall?

That he didn't expect

In his blind jealousy he didn't expect they'd all care for you this much

Thinking apart of them would be relieved you weren't there

But no

"You were my brother's before you were their partner, I'm simply doing what is right! It was their time to meet him and finally stop controlling all of you! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO LOVE ME! I'M YOUR FAMILY! WHY ARE THEY MORE IMPORTANT?!"

He got his answer

His wings torn to shreds, chunks of flesh bitten off him and slashes all over his body

He was left in human world bleeding and barely recognisable

They didn't hold back

He dread to think what the rest of them would do when they find him

[a-write-for-soreeyes]

Making Bets | Seo-Joon [True Beauty] x Gender Neutral!Reader

summary: making bets with your boyfriend Seo-Joon was NEVER a good idea, but when a no kiss bet with a promise of a week of dates comes up, how could you refuse?

word count: 2280

a/n: sorry i’ve been so absent! it’s been really hard to finish writing anything i’ve started recently but i’ve got something in the works i hope you all enjoy! :D <3

———————————————-

Making bets with Han Seo-joon was never a good idea. But, when the prize was a full week where the winner gets to choose a week of dates… how could I say no.

“y/n I don’t get why you said yes to this bet, we all know you can’t even last through first period without a kiss from Seo-joon.” Soo-a said as she cuddled further into Tae-hoon’ side on the bench across the lunch table, “yah, we all know you guys are all over each other whenever possible,” Tae-hoon groaned out leaning his head on Soo-a’, “speak of the devil.” looking up from shuffling food around my tray I saw Seo-joon approaching the table trailing just behind Ju-kyung and Soo-ho’s linked arm forms looking a little more than disgruntled at the couple walking in front of him.

“Hello love birds, how nice of you to grace us with your presence on this fine monday morning.” Tae-hoon teased as the other couple sat next to me, Seo-joon taking the last spot to the right of Soo-a, across from me.

“What Seo-joon, not going to kiss your partner hello?” Soo-ho joked as he kissed Ju-Kyung’ cheek before picking food up from his plate and feeding her.

“Morning.” Seo-joon whispered, barely sparing me a glance before looking back at his tray. “Morning babe.” I whispered back.

“So y/n...I heard you and Seo-joon made a bet over the weekend. What’s up with that?” Ju-Kyung asked pushing her hair over her shoulder and turning my way, “oh,” clearing my throat, “Well, Seo-joon's friends were complaining over the weekend about how much we kiss each other in front of them, so we decided to make a bet on how long we could go without kissing each other, and whoever caves in first loses. But, the winner gets to decide a full week of dates the loser has to pay for.” I stated.

“OOO! That sounds fun! We both know you guys though, and we know you both wont last 3 days!” Soo-a joked, causing the rest of the table to laugh, “what plans do you have to win?” she continued.

“Well, I’m not sure to be honest,” I chuckled running a stressed hand through my hair, “I think I’m just going to try and focus on something else other than kissing him, even though that’s going to be hard.” I said laughing a little, sticking my tongue out at Seo-joon just to tease him.

“Well if you need any help y/n just let us know, Ju-kyung and I would be happy to help!” Soo-a said, as everyone returned to their lunches.

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“y/n it’s been 2 days and you’re already starting to annoy us with all your whining about missing your ‘sweet precious Seo-joon’” Soo-jin joked, making a silly whiny voice at the end causing the other girls around the table with us to laugh at her terrible impression of me.

“Ya Soo-ho has been telling me about how annoying Seon-joon has been about this whole bet thing and he’s just about ready to kill him.” Ju-kyung laughed.

Sighing I took a sip of my milkshake, “I know, we’re so annoying but I don’t know what to do, I really miss him, but I don’t want to have to pay for all the dates we’d be going on.”

“Well why don’t you try to seduce him?” Soo-jin started, “I mean you’re closing at your work tomorrow right? Why don’t you invite him over for a late night swim after you close? I mean your boss shouldn’t mind if you don’t tell them right?”

“That’s,,,that’s not a bad idea Soo-jin.”

“Ya! And you can ask him tomorrow at school in front of all his friends! He’d be crazy to say no in front of them! especially to a makeout session in a pool!” Ju-Kyung reasoned, Soo-a shaking her head in agreement at our master plan.

“Alright then! Tomorrow at school.” I stated, taking the last sip of my milkshake.

--------------------------------------------------

“Hey baby.” I said walking right up to Seo-joon in the hallway, effectively stopping Seo-joon and his posse in their tracks.

“Oh, uhh, hey honey, how’s it going?” Seo-joon said, startled by my sudden appearance in front of him.

“Hey y/n!” one of Seo-joons friends said cheerfully. Paying his friend no mind I started to lean in closer to Seo-joon, causing him to lean his head back to avoid mine.

“So listen, I was thinking about going swimming at my work later? My boss is letting me close alone tonight since I’ve got the late shift?” I said leaning in closer with each sentence. Looking into Seo-joon's widened eyes at my statement.

Hearing his friends muffled laughing from behind him, he cleared his throat composing himself, “thanks for the offer baby but uh- i'm busy tonight.” he said hurriedly, before pushing past me and making his way into the classroom behind us, sitting at his desk hiding his flushed face and trying to ignore his friends teasing.

Looking over to Soo-a and Ju-Kyung I shook my head. Soo-a's expression turned to one of disappointment and Ju-Kyung letting out a hufft that our plan hadn’t worked.

--------------------------------------------------

“Soo-aaaaaa, our plan didn’t wooorrrrkk.” I whined, placing my head on my hand and leaning against the lunch table, “I don’t know what I'm supposed to do anymore, it’s been 6 days and I miss him.”

“y/n dude we know you miss him but you gotta stop talking about how much you miss him, it’s all you’ve been talking about since this whole bet started.” Tae-hoon complained.

“Listen, it’s not my fault that he’s so perfect and that every time I see him I just wanna kiss his perfect lips.” I whined my head slipping down my arm as I stared at Seo-joon from across the lunch room.

“Well if I were you and I wanted to avoid kissing my boyfriend I would just ignore him until he gives in.” Ju-kyung said between mouthfuls of rice and meat off of her lunch tray, “thanks babe.” Soo-ho said sarcastically as he looked at Ju-kyung blank faced, “no problem honey, only telling you the truth.” She joked before giving him a quick kiss on the lips, which he gladly accepted.

“I hate you guys and your cute-and-able-to-kiss-each-other, relationships.” I sighed, “well I guess ignoring him until he gives in isn’t such a bad idea.”

-------------------------------------------------

“Hey baby.” Seo-joon whispered as he placed his arm above me on the wall leaning in. “h-hey Seo-joon, how-how’s your day been?” I stuttered out trying to look him in the eyes, “My day’s better now that I've seen you.” He stated, gently lifting my face to properly look him in the eyes. “Listen honey, I have to get going to class but how about after school I take you to that book store you’ve been begging me to take you to”,

“Y-yeah, that would be nice thanks.”

“Good.” He leaned in to kiss me, feeling his warm breath fan across my face, causing me to flush. Closing my eyes I waited for the final push of his lips against mine, but instead felt the cold take the place of his warm breath as he suddenly pulled away his light laughter mixing with the small snickers of his friends watching the interaction, “see ya later baby.” he stated walking off down the hallway, his friends chasing after him, congratulation him on the little stunt he pulled on me. Seeing Ju-kyung, Soo-a and Soo-jin shaking their heads out of the corner of my eye, Soo-jin tutted “using your own tactic against you, that’s evil. but, man, you’ve got it bad for that boy. Good luck paying for all those dates.”

“I’m gonna have to try a lot harder to ignore him if he’s going to keep pulling stunts like that.” I sighed.

------------------------------------------------

It’s been 8 days since the bet had started, and it hadn’t gotten any easier to not kiss him. We’ve been effectively avoiding each other, this afternoon at school being the first time we’ve spoken since last thursday.

“Thanks for paying my bus fee. You didn’t have to do that” I thanked Seo-joon awkwardly as we took a seat at the very back of the bus.

“Of course, you’re my partner, you think I'd make you pay your own bus fee?” he laughed lightly, reaching out for my hand. Quickly yanking my hand away from his grasp I cleared my throat fixing my uniform shirt, looking away before I could get drawn back in by him.

“How was your day? You know besides great because now you’re seeing me.” he joked trying to drag my gaze away from the window to my left, “it was fine thanks, boring but you know how it is, stressed for the test on friday though.” I tried to joke, switching my gaze from the window to my fingers, playing with the hem of my dressshirt.

Sitting in awkward silence for the rest of the bus ride, we finally arrived at the small corner bookstore Ju-kyung recommended I check out.

“You know I could have just driven us here on my motorcycle right?”

“Well yeah but you know how I feel about your motorcycle, you’re gonna get killed on that think Seo-joon.” I joked, knocking his shoulder lightly, trying to lighten the mood from the tense bus right here. “Here let me get that for you.” Seo-joon said softly as he grabbed the door handle pulling it open for me to enter the warmth of the small store.

“Ah welcome!” the man at the front desk said as he pulled his headphones up from his neck to cover his ears, “FEEL FREE TO LOOK AROUND.” he yelled over the blasting rock music coming from his headphones.

Seo-joon and I quickly thanked him before walking further into the winding stacks of manga, making sure to be well out of earshot before bursting into fits of giggles over the yelling of the man at the front desk, calming down slightly before hearing him knock over a drink and letting out a few loud curses, throwing us back into our fits of giggles, leaning in Seo-joon's warmth trying to calm down.

Pulling away from him I cleared my throat before making my way further into the store fixing my uniform sweater to try and calm my warming face. Hearing Seo-joon clear his own throat before following a few steps behind me.

Running my fingers softly over the spines of manga looking for a title that grabbed me, I scanned the bookshelf spotting a title I recognized. “Seo-joon look!” I spoke excitedly pointing to the book I recognized on the top shelf, “My sister and I used to read them when we were younger, we would fight over our single copy for hours trying to read it before the other was able to.” I laughed lightly at the memory, not noticing Seo-joon's soft gaze watching me ramble about my childhood. Reaching up to try and grab the book I switched to standing on my tiptoes stretching my arm up as far as possible mumbling to myself, cursing my parents for making me so short. Just as I felt my finger tips brush the cracked spine of the manga a large hand came out of my right field vision grabbing the book off the shelf for me. “Ah thank you baby.” I thanked Seo-joon turning to him, reaching out for the book he still held in his much larger hands, however being slightly startled at how close he was actually standing to me.

Standing still for a few moments just looking at each other I broke the silence, “thanks for grabbing that for me. Could I please have the book now?” my voice coming out in barely a whisper. Not getting any sort of response from Seo-joon I asked him, “Seo-joon? What’s wrong ba-” not being able to get through the full sentence before feeling the breath knocked out of me as Seo-joon pressed his lips against mine, effectively ending the bet in one, beautiful, breathtaking, sweet kiss.

Pulling back after a few moments to catch out breath I looked up at him, eyes slightly closed still relishing in the feeling of the kiss we shared, a soft warm light coming from the shop's eclectic lighting fixtures, haloing him making him look more ethereal than I have ever seen him. “Sorry I didn’t ask you if I could kiss you, but I just saw you rambling about the book you were passionate about, and you look so cute with your hair falling in front of your face like it is,” he whispered lovingly pushing a strand of hair out of my sight, “and I just realized. I love you.” he stated, taking a deep breath in waiting for my reaction to his first confession.

Looking at me worriedly waiting for my reaction. “I love you too Seo-joon” I whispered, standing on my tiptoes, burying my face in his neck embarrassed at the first proper confession of our love for each other. Feeling Seo-joon smile into my neck he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me closer into his warm body, standing back, flat on my feet he buried me further into his chest, the both of us relishing in the warmth the others love provided.

“You know, I think our first date this week should be the movies tomorrow.” I started to laugh, feeling his chest rumble beneath my head he sighed lightly,

“You’re going to drain my bank account dry this week with these dates aren’t you?”

“Hahaha! Maybe I am. It’s only because I love you though.”

“I love you too”

[partywithgyu]

TXT REACTION.

S/O seeing a future with them.

Choi Yeonjun. 

 The wedding was a disaster. It wasn't your wedding, luckily. You and Yeonjun were two of the many guests taking shelter in a surfboard store. It was the only store open on this day. The owner was a saving grace, some would say. A beach wedding was ruined by unexpected rain. The heavy rain left you soaking wet. 

Yeonjun wrapped his hand around you as you stood there, in an overcrowded room. "Are you cold? Should we head home?," he whispered in your ear. You looked at him and shrugged. You wanted to go home but it would be rude. You turned your head to see the bridesmaids stressing over the happenings. You sighed. "Don't worry. I am fine, love. Let's stay." 

Then, your attention was caught by one of the bridesmaids screaming about how none of the guests were helping her. The crowd started chattering, trying to look for solutions. The whole situation was frustrating to witness. "What should we do?," asked Yeonjun softly. "I don't know. All I know is that we will definitely not have an outdoor wedding." 

 Your eyes wandered around the room as you tried to make sense of what was going on in the room and then they landed on Yeonjun. He was smiling. The apple of his cheeks, tinted pink, as his eyes looked at you with sparkles in them. Just seeing his face like that made you smile. "What?" "You want us to get married?," he asked you. You did. You always imagined yourself married to him in the future. "Yes. I actually see a future with you." 

Your words made his heart melt. He had been dreaming of a future with you too. He was just too scared to confess it. He was afraid that you didn't do the same. But now he knew. He felt joy. He linked his fingers with yours, raising your palm to place a kiss on them. He could feel tears brim his eyes. Somehow, all the chaos had tuned out. "Let's get married someday, love. In an indoor venue of course." 

Choi Soobin. 

Soobin is a kind hearted man. He always believed in supporting good causes. He'd shop for products from charities that would help stray cats, he would support local animal shelters and do his fair share of good deeds. 

This time during the holiday you two found yourselves heading to an orphanage with your friends. From wholesale stores, you all had bought a lot of snacks and drinks for the kids. Even cartons of fruits, you had bought. All of it only made the kids happy. The both of you felt nice on seeing the kids' reactions. When he returned back to the room, after having a small conversation with the incharge, he watched you interact with the kids. They surrounded you to know more about you. They wanted to make friends with the kind person who got them presents. 

He felt glad that he had found someone so caring. You felt connected to the kids after a while of playing silly games with them. Then it was time to leave. He could tell you felt a little emotional. So, as you two walked out of the building, he held your hand. "Let's get them more goodies soon," he said to you. You smiled at him. "Yeah. Also, spend time with them. I've always wondered what life must be like for them. They deserve love," you went on. "Can our first child be adopted?" 

"You want to raise a kid with me?," he asked you softly. His lips curved into a smile. "I hope you don't feel uncomfortable but I see a future with you," you confessed. The two of you stood before the car. He took your other hand in his. You could see his dimples as he smiled. He was so happy you wanted to have a future with him. He adored everything about you. He loved you so much that he found himself dreaming of you two getting married and growing old together quite often. "I want to spend my life with you," he said to you before placing a kiss on your cheek. On the cheeks just in case any of those kids were watching from the window. 

Choi Beomgyu. 

You had been in pain all day. It was that time of month and the cramps were not kind at all. Kind was your boyfriend Beomgyu who ordered you your favorite meal without you even having to ask. He had been very caring. When the meal was done, you plopped on the couch, next to him. "I feel exhausted," you said as you rested your head on his shoulder. "You look tired," he said. "What's that supposed to mean?" "No. No. You look beautiful but tired." You just smirked at his explanation for your playful scolding. Scrolling through the channel you two came across Friends. Beomgyu had been into the show recently. So, he kept it on. 

Watching Rachel give birth, only made you gulp. It was just a show, you knew. It was the thought of how painful birthing a child would be. You had heard a lot about it, of course. "Wow. Giving birth is so painful. How am I going to deal with that? Sweetie, you better be prepared to take good care of me." Beomgyu smiled at the thought of you being pregnant with his child. He felt happiness rush through his veins at the thought of that. "I will take good care of you, I promise." 

  Hearing his sincere promise made you feel warm. You could see the excitement in his eyes as he started gushing. "I will be the best husband. I will take very good care of you all the time. I will love you so much. We will go on so many vacations. We should go to all the Disneyland in the world. Maybe, after we have a baby. The baby will be mad that parents went to Disneyland without the baby." 

You chuckled. "I look forward to spending the future with you," you confessed. Wrapping his arm around you, he leaned closer to you. His eyes observed your lovely face. It was the face of comfort, love to him. You were his love. "I love you so much." 

Kang Taehyun. 

You were drunk. Taehyun found your drunk self rather amusing. He loved watching you act so innocently silly. He would often ask you if you want to have a home karaoke party with him. The two of you would sing his songs. He enjoyed watching you be so emotional as you sang wrong, often funny, lyrics. 

On this day, you did the same. You decided to sing his songs as he cheered for you from the bed. He found it hilarious when you messed up the lyrics, forgot most of it even and resorted to sing the word 'meow' over and over. You climbed over the bed, crawling to him. You grinned as you sat next to the laughing man. "Did I make you laugh?" 

"Yes baby. You were so off beat." He loved watching you take pride in the fact that you were the reason behind the laugh. "I love watching you smile," you informed him, looking up at his face with sparkling eyes. "Why?" "Because I love you." Your arms wrapped around his abdomen as your cheeks pressed against his chest. "You do?," he asked as if you two didn't tell each other that often. He just loved watching you get all defensive about it. 

A small yawn escaped your mouth. You shut your eyes, ready to fall asleep. " Stop. You know it. I want to spend my life with you." Warmth collected on his cheeks. Wrapping his arms around your sleepy self, he felt truly lucky to have found your love. "Darling," he called softly, moving the hair covering your face. "Hm?" Your eyes were shut but you were listening. "I want to spend my life with you too. I love you a lot." He watched the ends of your lips curve into a smile as you buried your face in his chest. 

Huening Kai. 

On this day, Kai had accompanied you to your nail salon. He wanted to treat you. Also, he was a little curious about how the fancy nail art was done. The salon lady, who you were familiar with by now was happy to finally get to meet your boyfriend you'd mention often. Everytime you did, there would be softness in your tone and a smile on your face. 

"You know," she said, stealing both your attention from the decorated nails in the machine. "the two of you make a lovely couple," she added. Kai and you shared a glance before smiling at each other then the lady. "Thank you." "I mean it. She always smiles when she talks about you. Now I know why. You two have good chemistry. It's precious." 

The kind comments only left you two blushing even after you left the salon. "We have good chemistry," said Kai softly as the two of you sat in the car. "I mean you did pick my favorite shade," you said as you showed him your nails. He smiled to himself, his cheeks turning pink. 

"Why are you blushing so much?," you pointed out in a surprised tone. "What? No. You're the one blushing," he retorted. "No. Aww! Kai is feeling shy." He couldn't exactly deny the fact so he struggled to come up with anything. You laughed at the way his eyes wandered around in panic. "You're acting like we haven't been dating for a long time now." 

  "Not my fault. I really love you a lot." His smiling face turned to you. "I know you do. But do you know that I actually see myself spending my life with you?" The confession caught him off guard as his mouth opened a little, in surprise. "You do?" 

  You felt nervous and began wondering if you had just ruined the relationship. Perhaps, it was too early to tell him that. Worse, he didn't really want that. Anxious thoughts rushed through your head. They were all pushed aside as a big grin appeared on his face. "Glad to know I am not the only one. I've never told you this. I really hope we get married someday." 

He made a bold confession. He felt relieved to know that the relationship was just as serious as he thought it to be. Knowing that both of you wanted the same thing was comforting for him. After all, you both loved each other. "So glad I can dream of a future with you." 

To head to my masterlist click here.

[jinkicake]

You Call Him Daddy?!

Their daddy kink gets exposed in front of the team.

Iwaizumi Hajime x Reader

Kuroo Tetsurou x Reader

This is much like my other ‘daddy prompt’ for Asahi and Bokuto. Anon who requested these mfs, I love you. I live for Iwaizumi Hajime.

SMUT 0.o </3

WC- 1,660

~~~

Iwaizumi Hajime

Iwaizumi… he is so difficult, my precious little hedgehog

It would be his best friends to expose him….

He’d be so embarrassed like his face would get all red and his mouth would go dry

This would make it even funnier for members like Makki

It’s a random afternoon you’re eating lunch with your boyfriend, Oikawa, Makki and, Mattsun

You and Oikawa are talking about the homework you have to finish and the project you two are working on

You’re leaning on Iwaizumi’s shoulder, curled up into his side

Makki and Mattsun are talking about some porn video from the night before

“and then she called him daddy, like what the fuck” Mattsun rolls his eyes as he continues to shovel rice into his face

You subtly stiffen against Iwaizumi

“shut the fuck up that’s hot, you know that's hot” Makki narrows his eyes and pulls his phone out “you didn’t send me the link shithead? Seriously?”

“no, it was bad anyways”

“damn” Makki’s face falls

You have to stifle your laughter at the hurt written on Makki’s face, the stench of dejection radiating off of him

“You know who’d have a daddy kink? Kyoutani” Makki comments and you nearly spit out the drink in your mouth

“You agree (Y/N)?” The dumbass turns to you and Oikawa agree for you

“Literally.” The captain nods his head as he occupies himself with the bento in front of him before choosing his next words not so subtly “I bet Iwa-chan does too, look at him, he’s such a brute”

“Good luck (Y/N)” Makki puts his hand on your shoulder sympathetically and Oikawa sends you a sad smile

“How are you just gonna out him like that dude?” Mattsun flicks the setter’s head and Oikawa lets out a dramatic cry, you continue to carefully watch the scene in front of you

“Oh come on like (Y/N) didn’t know already, you saw her neck that one time!” Oikawa defends himself while Makki nods his head in agreement

“That’s true, but doesn’t that mean (Y/N) would have a daddy kink too?”

Slowly, three heads turn towards you and you flinch under their stares

“I-I don’t have a daddy kink” You stutter and feel your cheeks heat up under their stares, Oikawa simply looks at Makki who nods back at him before he turns to Iwaizumi

“Iwa-chan does (Y/N) call you daddy?” Oikawa’s brown eyes narrow intimidatingly and Iwaizumi stares back at him, silent except for one dead giveaway that only Oikawa knows “OHMYGO-“

Then all chaos breaks out on the roof, the three boys rolling on the floor

There are literal tears welling up in Makki’s eyes and Mattsun simply shakes his head disapprovingly while trying to hide his laughter

“Honestly Iwa-chan, I know when you’re lying and you know it too so I don’t know why you insist on doing it” Oikawa comments while clutching his sides, the public humiliation making his insides weak

You can only watch, heart beating in your ears as you turn to look at your boyfriend

Iwaizumi is quiet, red in the face, and utterly embarrassed but the shyness that overtook him is so endearing

You can only squeeze his hand in support and patiently wait for Makki to stop laughing

Even a week later, he is still laughing

“You like when daddy is touching you?” Iwaizumi slowly drags his large palm up your thigh, opening your legs to run his fingers through your folds. You can only bite your lip as you try to hold in any noises and Iwaizumi gently slaps your clit when he notices. “Don’t hold back for daddy, you know better.” He warns before bringing his attention back to your clit, his fingers draw soothing circles against the little nub and your legs twitch when he just out his tongue to wet his bottom lip. “Keep still baby,” You let out a whine in protest. “I know you can.”

Iwaizumi is so soft, he makes sure each of his movements wrecks the pleasure out of you. He brings up his other hand to pull your folds apart before leaning his head down and catching all the essence that spilled out of you onto his tongue. Iwaizumi lets out a loud moan when his tongue caresses your sweet walls and he makes it a show to loudly slurp it all up. He knows damn well what the lewd noises do to you. Your chest is falling and rising so quickly as you watch him and your back arches when he looks up at you, showing you how he swallows it all. Your eyes close shut for a quick moment before he sends another sharp slap to your clit.

“Always watch me, pretty baby.” Iwaizumi stares up at you hard and you nod your head, the whimpers spewing from your lips as he continues to deliver harsh little smacks. “I know you love it, fuck, I’ll just have to reward my good little girl.”

Kuroo Testurou

Kuroo would be so smug about it, even though deep down he is such a big dork, he’d live for it

He would not care that he just revealed one of his biggest kinks to the entire team

I feel like he would like it, all their eyes staring at him with disgust

He’d look so proud and walk around like the hot shit he is

It was at the tournament to decide who goes to nationals

You were walking around the hallways trying to find where the team was, judging by the text from Kenma they were in some random corner

It felt like you were walking around in circles until you bumped into a young girl

“Oh, I’m so sorry are you okay?” You bent down a little bit so you could speak closely with her

She looked terrified, with her hair pulled out of her face in little pigtails

“I’m lost” She whimpered and you reached your hand out to her “I was just with my daddy a second ago”

“I’m sure we can find who you came here with.” You told her when she gently placed her small hand in her own, at the same time failing to notice the lingering figure behind you “Where’s daddy?”

You try to ask her, jog her memory for anything

Kuroo’s grin widens as he wraps his arms around your waist, bending over you to burry his face into your neck

“Daddy’s here” He kissed your neck and you let out a loud screech before slapping the side of his head

“Kuroo what the-“ You nearly curse but look down at the little girl beside you “What are you doing here?”

“You were looking for me weren’t you?” His eyes shine playfully and you have to refrain from tugging his hair out

You glare at him because you can’t deny it, you were looking for him even before the ‘where’s daddy incident’

The little girl lets go of your hand and blink owlishly up at Kuroo, her face petrified

“I-I’ll just go to the help center” She stammered before turning and running away, nearly tripping on her own two feet

“No, wait!” You tried to call and go after her but she dashed from your sight “Kuroo, what the fuck”

“Don’t you mean daddy?” Yaku asked before gagging as he walked past the two of you and you closed your eyes to not make eye contact with the blonde as he walked past

“(Y/N) you’re pregnant? Congrats!” Lev slaps Kuroo on the back and you open your eyes to watch Kenma drag the first year away by the collar of his jersey

“Wow, we’re going to be godparents!” Inuoka exclaims while running to tell Shibayama

“You’re not in the least bit embarrassed that you exposed us you gross troll-“ You insult as you pinch your boyfriend's bicep

“You weren’t calling me that the other night?” Kuroo teases as he leans his face close to yours, laughing when he notices your eyes following his lips “Don’t be shy baby, daddy will take good care of you tonight”

His voice was so low, so quiet, but in the distance you know you could hear Kenma scream

“Yo, I heard you’re pregnant! Congrats man!” Bokuto calls out loudly as he turns the corner, a wide smile on his face as he sets up a high five for Kuroo

“Bokuto, Kuroo would not be able to get pregnant, (Y/N) would be pregnant.” Akaashi reminds him, trailing behind the captain with the same look of disgust that was on Kenma’s face

If only the ground could swallow you whole

Your head falls back against Kuroo’s shoulder as he thrusts roughly up into you. One of his hands is wrapped around your throat while the other is between your legs, toying with your clit. Each of his movements causes your walls to clench around him, pulsate as if you’ll never recover.

“Daddy loves his little cum slut, yes he does.” Kuroo coos into your ear, nipping at your ear lobe before sucking it into his mouth harshly. “Ah you’re so fucked out, you can’t even say anything. Earlier you had so much to say.” He continues to taunt, purposely thrusting harshly into your core as your head goes light at the pressure on your neck. “Everyone knows now, don’t they? They know who your daddy is.”

Kuroo simply laughs against your ear, the low sound rumbling from his chest and you reach up to grab a fistful of his hair. The hand around your throat grabs your wrist quickly before bringing it back down to your side. His hand then trails up your side and roughly grabs at one of your breasts, tweaking your nipple as you cry out loudly.

“Fuck, daddy please, I’m sorry.” You whimper pathetically and Kuroo tilts his head at this, amusement written all over his features.

“No need to be sorry baby, daddy will make sure to take good care of you.”

[subterfugespecialist]

I Will Break What Has Broken You

Janus is the heir of a millionaire CEO. He could have anything, anybody he wanted. And he picked Remus. Remus couldn't be happier with what they have. But when they're out one night and Remus runs into his ex, all the unpleasant memories start flooding back.

Written for Day 4 of @dukeceitweek : Free day

AO3 link

Pairing: Dukeceit

Warnings: Past verbal/emotional abuse, deadnaming - though the deadname is not actually typed out, unwanted advances

Word count: 2861

People were usually surprised to hear that Janus was dating Remus.

Janus - the son of old money, an heir to a multi-million dollar business - could have anything and anyone he wanted. All sorts of people threw themselves at his feet, desperate for both his sharp looks and good fortunes.

But Janus didn't want anybody. He wanted Remus. And that sure made Remus feel special.

Janus had been wary about dating. So many people had been after his family's money, after all. But then he met Remus, who didn't care that Janus could afford to buy the movie theater and still insisted their first date be sneaking into as many movies as possible because it was "more fun that way." He didn't care what kind of car Janus drove as long as Remus could drag Janus into the backseat. Who didn't care how many houses Janus owned, as long as they were together. Remus, who looked past his money and liked Janus for his catty, smart personality.

And Janus was utterly taken.

But sure, Janus having money certainly had its perks. Janus would indulge on any random impulse Remus had. Wanted to drop everything and go on a trip without anyone? Janus would treat him to a private jet (Remus was pretty sure they were the top members of the mile-high club at that point). Had the urge to rent a room in the fanciest hotel in Paris just to smoke weed? Sure. Paying for Remus' top surgery? Remus didn't even have to ask for that one. Janus making his birthday present to Roman paying off his entire student loans for his musical theatre degree? Remus was just smitten.

But one of the best parts was getting to be Janus' plus one at parties, where he'd wear his torn up pants with a hole showing his entire thigh and a neon green mesh shirt under his leather jacket. Security guards would try to escort him out before Janus would take him by the hand and kiss his forehead. He would introduce guests to Remus as his boyfriend and they would always do a double-take. Because that must be some sort of joke, right? Janus dating this man? But Janus would take Remus firmly by the waist and glare at them, daring them to actually say anything. And they would put on their pained smiles and complete their pleasantries before rushing off.

They couldn't be happier.

Tonight they were in a sort of underground club in New York. The music was so loud you could hardly hear yourself speak, and most people there this late in the night were too intoxicated to be coherent.

It was one of Remus' favorite places.

Remus was dancing with Janus, which mostly meant Remus dancing as Janus held onto him, occasionally spinning him around or pulling him close. But Remus didn't mind. How could he when Janus would watch him with such eyes, that made Remus feel so wanted?

Janus pulled his phone out of his pocket and scowled at the glowing screen as he pulled Remus close to him.

"I'm afraid I have to take this, darling," he said right against Remus' ear. "I'll have to step outside for a moment."

"That's fine," Remus yelled back. "I'll meet you at the bar, babes."

Janus pulled Remus into a searing kiss that would usually be considered too heat to be appropriate for public spaces, but with all the couples dirty dancing against each other around them it hardly mattered.

"I'll be back soon" Janus promised before slipping away into the crowd. Remus stood, smiling like a fool for a moment before heading towards the bar. The music was slightly quieter here, and Remus could actually hear himself think.

He hopped onto a barstool, spinning once before glancing at the drinks menu. Then someone sat beside him.

"I'm really not surprised to see you here."

Remus froze as his blood turned to ice. He had to force himself to look to see that, yes, it was him sitting on the barstool.

"I would have thought Janus would be with you," Remus' ex said as he sipped his drink. "I'm surprised he trusted his little plaything to go out on his own."

"How the fuck do you know about me and Janus?" Remus asked, hands gripping the edge of his barstool and making his knuckles go white. "Have you been stalking me like a creep? Just couldn't let me go, Aiden?"

"Baby, the whole business world has been talking about it," Aiden said with a smirk, unaware, or perfectly aware, of how the old nickname made bile rise in Remus throat, "It's some of the best gossip right now. Though I personally thought Janus was above spending his time on such things."

"It's so funny that you think you know Janus," Remus said with a grin that was far too wide. "You don't know shit about him."

"I've worked with him before, babe," Aiden said. "He is much too dedicated to his work to bother with someone like you."

Remus' blood was boiling, and he couldn't figure out why. He never cared before what people thought of him. He usually liked surprising people with Janus. So why did it hurt when Aiden said it?

Was it because they used to be together? Was it because Remus used to try so desperately to get the approval of his partner, but never seemed to obtain it? And it seems like he still hadn't.

"That's a nice skirt you're wearing," Aiden said, breaking Remus from his thoughts and making him realize he hadn't said anything for a good minute, "I thought you'd avoid those, given your... situation."

Remus had finally reached a point where he felt comfortable in a skirt, even after all the things Aiden said to him. But now he just felt exposed. It felt so good, when Janus rested a hand on his knee when they sat or gripped the back of his bare thigh as they pulled each other close. But now, all he wanted was to close his legs and pull the edge of his skirt over his knees.

"I like wearing skirts," Remus defended, though he didn't know how effective he was with the tremor in his voice.

How could Aiden keep making him feel worse? Digging deep into old wounds, breaking newly healed scars. Remus took a deep breath. He wasn't going to let Aiden ruin all of his progress after they had been apart for nearly two years.

"Well then," Aiden said in a voice that instantly made Remus worried. He then placed his hand on Remus' knee and he was very much not Janus and Remus suddenly felt like he was going to throw up. "Since Janus isn't here, how about we relive some old times, huh ******?"

Hearing his dead name immediately made Remus feel like the floor was taken from under him. He stood without another word and forced his way through the dense crowd on the dance floor. The bright lights and loud music were suddenly too much and Remus couldn't breath his chest wouldn't move he was suffocating-

He finally reached the emergency fire exit, which he knew the alarm didn't work because he had seen couples use it to sneak out for quickies. Once outside he immediately fell to his knees, hands resting on the asphalt, struggling to breath as the door shut behind him. He managed to crawl over to sit against the wall through short gasps of hair. Remus held his head in his hands and gripped his hair tight. Memories were flooding back - none of them pleasant.

His chest was too heavy. He couldn't get his lungs to work right he couldn't get air he was going to pass out right here in the alleyway-

"Remus!"

Janus.

"Oh, darling, it's okay," Janus said, panicked as he sat across from his boyfriend. He opened his arms and Remus immediately flung himself against him, gripping tightly to the back of Janus' jacket like a life line.

"Follow my breathing, love," Janus said softly into Remus' ear, chest pressed against the other making it easier for Remus to follow.

Remus focused on the feeling of Janus against him, around him. Janus' chest moving against his own, his voice and breath against his ear. Janus, Janus, Janus-

"There you go," Janus said softly as he pulled back just enough to look at Remus' face. Remus closed his eyes, focusing on Janus' hands resting on his cheeks, thumbs moving in soothing motions. "You did wonderfully."

"How'd you find me so fast?" Remus asked, "Knew I'd be out with trash, where I belong?" he forced out a laugh though tears fell down his face.

"Remus," Janus scolded.

"Sorry, sorry. No self deprecating, I know."

Though it had been a tough habit for Remus to break.

"You aren't trash," Janus muttered as he pushed Remus' hair out of his face. "You know I only indulge myself in the nicest things."

"How can you say that?" Remus muttered, glancing down to avoid Janus' gaze. "I'm far from nice."

"You are by far the most valuable, precious thing in my life," Janus said firmly as his hand moved to Remus' chin to force him to look in his eyes. "And I won't stand for you saying such things about yourself."

"You could have anything," Remus said, mouth quivering as tears fell freely down his face. "And yet you waste your time on me?"

"My time is never wasted with you. I'd give away all my fortune and luxuries that come with it if it meant spending just one more day with you."

"Why?"

"Because I love you, and all your craziness and curiosities. You are the most incredible person I've ever met and you only ever make me happier than I've ever been."

Janus wiped the tears off Remus' face, and no more followed.

"I love you so much," he whispered. "And you are deserving of everything good thing in this world"

"You sap," Remus said as he lightly punched Janus' arm, tears threatening to spill again - but not from sadness, "I love you, too."

"Are you feeling okay, my love?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I am. Sorry about that freakout."

"You don't have to apologize," Janus said as he ran his hand back over Remus cheek and pressed their foreheads together, "But who did that to you? push such unfounded doubts in your head? Because I do have to find them now, and ruin their life."

Remus groaned and leaned back, hitting the brick wall behind him. "Do you remember, a couple months after we started dating, I had that freakout and thought we needed to break up?"

"Yes," Janus said, a touch of bitterness in his voice. "You had the insane idea that you weren't good enough, and I made sure you knew that was not true. You're not feeling like that again, are you?"

"No. Well, I was, but- Okay so remember how I admitted that was because of my ex? Well, he's here. He talked to me."

Janus' expression quickly turned into one of fury, eyes turning dark as his mouth set into a scowl.

"He called me your plaything. Said he worked with you and that he knew you were too good for me. Then he touched me and said my dead name and came onto me and that made me feel so gross because he wasn't you and all these shitty feelings came back and just. Yeah. It was fucked up."

"Give me his name," Janus nearly growled. "I'll make sure he regrets every decision he ever made."

"Aiden Scott."

"Scott, Scott..." Janus muttered to himself, pondering for a moment before his eyes widened.

"Aiden Scott? He said- Working? With me? oh dear," Janus laughed as he stood, hand outstretched for Remus to take. "Come on, my darling," Janus said with a large smirk. "We have some things we need to straighten out."

Remus let Janus pull him up, but the thought of going to see Aiden again was making him feel sick. His nerves were dampened, however, by the strong grip Janus had around his waist as Remus led him over to the bar.

"Aiden Scott," Janus announced. When Aiden looked over his face paled as he glanced between them, "What a chance, seeing you here."

"Hello, Janus, sir," Aiden managed to say as he stood, outstretching a hand for Janus to shake. Janus glanced at it before looking back up and pulling Remus closer to his side.

"I heard what you said to Remus," Janus said, leaning against the bar and examining his manicure. "And I can't tolerate such things, Aiden."

"Oh, that?" Aiden let out a forced laugh to accompany the anxious smile on his face, "I was just messing with him. Like we used to, right?" Aiden cast Remus a desperate look, and Remus couldn't believe the absolute gall of this douchebag.

"Cut the bullshit," Janus snapped, saving Remus from having to say something, "You knew you shouldn't and yet you still had the nerve to speak to him that way, and you had the audacity to claim you knew me. Please. You had the privilege of standing in the same room as me. I would say you're nothing but an over-glorified secretary, but I actually like my secretary. It would be an insult to her hard work."

"Sir, I'm sorry. I just-"

"I don't care about your apology. Do you accept his apology, darling?" Janus asked, casting Remus a soft look.

"Nah."

Janus' soft look fell as he turned his attention back to Aiden, and Remus probably found the immediate shift in tone hotter than he should've - but he really didn't care.

"I could easily have you fired. I could make sure you never find another job with any of our companies ever again."

"No, sir, please, I-"

"But I don't think I will," Janus said, surprising both Remus and Aiden. "I want to keep my eye on you. I want to make sure you don't take a single step out of line again. You can keep your lowly job in the office, right where I can keep careful watch.

"I don't want you here at this club again. I don't want you anywhere in the near vicinity of Remus. If you know what's good for you, you'll stay the hell away."

"Yes, sir. Of course. Thank-"

"Get out."

"You won't regret not firing me, sir. I'll-"

"Get out."

Remus let out a loud cackle at the way Aiden turned and ran towards the front door, stumbling over his feet through the crowd. Remus was flooded with relief from the promise that that asshole would never bother him again.

He looked over to Janus, who was still wearing that stone-angry look on his face as he straightened his hat, gaze following Aiden to make sure he actually left. Janus then turned to look at Remus, and his face changed back into one of reverence and comfort. Remus was filled with such overwhelming emotions he had no control over his body as he grabbed Janus' hands and pulled him towards the back.

Janus let Remus pull in into the single stall bathroom. Remus slammed the door behind them before pulling Janus to him, burying his head into the crook of Janus' neck and holding him tight. Maybe if he squeezed Janus hard enough, he could show him just how much Janus meant to him.

"Hey now, love, it's alright," Janus said, voice much clearer now that the loud music was dulled behind the door.

"No, I'm fine," Remus laughed into his neck, "Fuck, babe, you were incredible."

"Anything for you, my darling," Janus said as he pressed a kiss to the top of Remus' head.

"But why didn't you fire him?" Remus asked as he pulled away to look at Janus' face.

"I figured letting him go would be too easy - over too quickly. Now he gets to deal with me hovering over his shoulder for as long as he can handle it.

"Which won't be long. I'll make him regret everything he ever did to you."

Remus was so overwhelmed with love for the man in front of him - a man who actually loved him for who he was - that he couldn't stop himself from throwing his arms around Janus' neck and dragging him down into a kiss.

"I'm glad you're feeling better," Janus leaned away with a light chuckle, but Remus immediately reconnected their mouths.

Janus placed one hand securely on the back of Remus' neck, the other cupping his cheek. Remus leaned back into the hand, tilting his head up and letting Janus deepen the kiss. He let himself go pliant under Janus' lips, Janus' grasp. He was completely content to give all his trust to this man. After all Janus had done for him, hasn't he deserved it?

Janus pulled away again, and this time Remus let him go.

"Should we go back to the dance floor? You looked so happy there. If you're feeling okay enough, that is."

And with Janus' arm wrapped snugly around him, Remus found that yeah, he was.

.

.

If you are 18+ and have your age/age indicator in your bio, you can message me for the NSFS sequel that takes place directly after

Thanks for reading! Requests are open in my inbox. Hope you enjoyed <3

[ourloveisforthelovely]

On the Mend. Part 4

Harry Potter AU 

Link to Part 3

Pairings: Regulus Black x Reader 

Rating: T

_________

“Mum, I’m sure that you remember Y/n Potter. She is the woman that I am in love with and this is our daughter, Renee.”

Both Walburga and Ambrosia’s mouth fell open. Ambrosia looked at her ex-husband’s face before falling down to the baby in his arms. This was most definitely his child. Whatever hope she had of salvaging their marriage just burned into a million little pieces as Regulus pulled you closer to him. The expression on Regulus’ face when he looked at you clearly said true love. He never looked at Ambrosia like this and it infuriated her even more. She had to press her lips together and look down before she burst into tears.

Later Ambrosia knew that she would be angry. She would be livid. In her mind, she was already preparing for the jokes that she would make about Regulus and yourself.

“Oh look, it's just another teenage couple with a baby. How typical.”

Ambrosia didn’t want to think about how her life was going to be “affected” by Regulus’ decisions. She didn’t want to think about how other members of the “sacred 28” would whisper about her.

“That girl, that one right there...Ambrosia...that’s the girl that was abandoned by Regulus Black for Y/n Potter. Did you hear what a catastrophe that was? Apparently, Black had an affair with the Potter girl that resulted in a baby. Regulus left Ambrosia for Y/n and the child. It must be dreadful for Ambrosia”

Ambrosia had to shut those thoughts from her head. She had always been bitter toward Regulus’ attachment toward you now it was becoming a rage. Rage over the fact that the man she married had no feelings toward her. Ambrosia couldn’t help feeling stupid. She had gone into the marriage with an open mind and heart. She had given Regulus everything. Now her repayment for her good deeds was less than to be desired. Instead of getting a husband that would love and pamper her, she now had an ex-husband who knocked up his teenage girlfriend.

I should have seen this coming.

Ambrosia thought bitterly. Regulus never wanted her (and she knew it). At the wedding, he would barely look at her. Regulus looked anywhere but at her. Sex that night wasn’t even anything special. Regulus got what he wanted then left Ambrosia alone in the bedroom to drink himself to sleep. Anytime that Regulus would touch her, he either had to be drunk or would get drunk immediately after. He would then spend the rest of the night muttering your name in his sleep.

“What have you done, Regulus?”

Walburga asked, interrupting Ambrosia’s own brooding. Regulus didn’t deviate his attention from his mother. The last thing that he wanted to look at was Ambrosia and her tear-filled eyes. He didn’t feel sorry for her and nothing that she said would change it. So what if Ambrosia didn’t ask for what was happening to her now? That wasn’t Regulus’ problem. Ambrosia knew what she was getting into when she said “I do.” Regulus’ rage toward Ambrosia stimulated by the woman saying that you were plain that not worthy of Regulus’ affection. “Why do you love her so much? Y/n Potter is a plain girl. Why am I not good enough for you? I am twice as pretty as she is. She doesn’t deserve a moment of your time. You should love me, your wife. Not some girl that you had a hormonal teenage affair with.” After those words left her mouth, Regulus had no use for her. She was just some girl that he was forced to take care of.

Walburga hadn’t been able to move from her chair as she kept her cold gaze locked on her “favorite” son and the baby that was clearly his. Typically meeting one's grandchild should be a joyous moment. Walburga should be thrilled that her son produced an heir. She should be elated and excited but she wasn’t.

“You had a baby with Y/n Potter…”

Regulus nodded.

“Yes, mother….for the third time. If you would open your eyes and look at the child in my arms you would see that. This is my daughter and the woman that I am in love with...get the picture? I’m standing up to you like I should have done a long time ago. I was in a relationship with Y/n, to begin with. I didn’t want to marry Ambrosia and you forced me into it. I figured my being drunk the whole time would have clued you in on that but it appears obviousness is lost upon you. Y/n was pregnant and I didn’t know about it. My head is in the ballgame and I won’t give her up.”

Walburga was seething. Regulus never talked to her like this. Where his sudden surge of “big dick” energy was coming from was baffling. Regulus was the one that would stand beside her and agree to whatever his mother wanted.

Today, she didn’t know the young man in front of her. Judging by the surprised expression on your face, you too weren't expecting this kind of language to come out of Regulus. For some reason, Walburga felt comforted by that. Why? She didn’t know.

The part of her brain (or heart), that she didn’t let out much, was beginning Walburga to calm down and listen.

"Just give him a moment...a chance...this is our grandchild. Look at her precious little face. She’s a beauty. If you don’t calm yourself, you will never know her.”

The stubborn side of Walburga, that always won, however, had other things to say…

“What has this bitch done to my darling son? She has to have him under a love spell. That is the only thing that would explain this behavior. This is not my Regulus.”

“You are throwing away a wonderful marriage to a pureblood darling for Potter trash!”

Walburga finally said with a cold distant glare. Regulus, meanwhile, gently nudged you behind him and placed Renee in your arms. The little girl started whimpering and reached for her father again. Regulus turned and nuzzled his face against hers.

You, meanwhile, watched Walburga’s furious expression with a look of pride on your face. Regulus was, for once, standing up for you and your child. Walburga should be thrilled that her son would want to support his own child. Maybe there was some kind of gas leak in Grimmauld Place that was ruining her common sense? That was the best that you could come up with at the moment.

Regulus stood up straight again before giving you a small smile before turning back to his mother. The pleased smile had evaporated from his face.

“I suggest you watch how you speak to her. Y/n in a pureblood whether you want to admit it or not.”

Walburga jumped up from her seat.

“I want you to remarry the woman that we set you up with.”

Regulus laughed, making Walburga step back. She had forgotten that her youngest son could smile. She hadn’t seen him smile or heard his laugh in years. Had the situation been different, Walburga may have welcomed it. Now, however, she wanted nothing more than to slap Regulus as hard as possible.

“I am not marrying or being with Ambrosia.”

Walburga stomped her foot. She would sit and throw a tantrum until Regulus saw her way. Walburga knew that her son was scared enough of her that if she yelled loud enough she would get what she wanted.

“You are not marrying that girl! I forbid it!”

Regulus’ cold smile deepened. He would have not been surprised if Walburga laid down in the middle of the sidewalk and threw a fit like a spoiled child.

“Forbid all you want. I will marry Y/n. You can banish me from the family. Burn my name off of the tapestry if you have to...I am not changing my mind. I love Y/n and our daughter. You don’t have to be part of Renee’s life. We could really care less. I know that it doesn’t matter to you but how do you think that Y/n felt being pregnant and watching me marry that disaster? Like it or not, she isn’t going without or doing anything alone. If you cared about your granddaughter at all then you wouldn’t want her mother suffering as a single mother. It isn’t Sirius or Remus’ job to care for her. It's mine. You’re showing me exactly what kind of person you are and I don’t like what I see.”

“I will burn you off of the tapestry.”

Walburga almost yelled. Regulus shrugged before turning to you.

“Time to go, love.”

Regulus moved to apparate the three of you from the street. You put a hand on his chest before giving him a small nod. He took Renee from you as you turned to Walburga.

“You would really throw your son away like rubbish because he is no longer feeding into your insane ideology. It's your loss. You’ve already lost one son, go ahead and throw away the other. When you die alone and bitter, it will be your own fault.”

Regulus gave you all of two seconds before he pulled you in his arms and rushed back home.

You still felt a little dizzy when the concrete beneath your feet turned into the hardwood. Ever since you had become pregnant with Renee, apparating made you ill. As you tried to get your grasp back on the stagnant world, Sirius came in with a smile.

His smile fell when he sat the expressions on your faces.

“Guess the meeting with mummy didn’t go so well?”

Regulus didn’t say anything as he put Renee down on a soft blanket. He stepped toward the window and looked out at the street below. Sirius met your gaze. You gave him a curt nod.

Sirius turned his attention back to his younger brother. Regulus didn’t have to say anything for Sirius to know that the younger brother was upset. He could deny it all that he wanted but Sirius knew that Regulus loved their mother...even with all of the hell that she had put him through. Washing his hands of the whole family and walking away had to be more traumatic than Regulus seemed to be letting on.

“Are you out of the family too?”

Regulus turned.

“Yeah, look at that. We are more alike than we thought.”

Sirius normally would have made a witty joke but he could tell by the expression on your faces that jokes wouldn’t be appropriately timed. Instead, he turned his attention to Renee who was happily untying Regulus’ dress shoes.

“I’m going to take the baby upstairs and get her down for a nap.”

Sirius picked up Renee and disappeared from the room leaving Regulus and yourself alone.

Once Sirius was out of the room, Regulus knelt down to tie his shoes again before meeting your gaze. You were looking at him with big doe eyes that was making the man in him go crazy.

“I told you that I would do it.”

Regulus commented before joining you at the window. He placed his hand over yours hoping the physical contact would lure you to him. Sure enough, it did. You stepped closer to him.

“I was surprised.”

You commented, turning to face Regulus. His grey eyes were locked on your face. To say that you were surprised was putting things lightly. It was a miracle that you weren’t standing beside Regulus with your mouth open the whole time. Watching Regulus put Walburga and Ambrosia in their places made the attraction that you felt for him soar.

“I meant what I said. I want you. My family doesn’t matter now.”

The two of you stood in silence for a few moments. You had been internally fighting with yourself on whether or not you were ready to move forward with a relationship. After debating a few moments, your heart spoke before your head did. You had your arms around Regulus’ shoulders and was kissing him as if the world was about to end.

Regulus had been caught totally off guard by your out of character action. He had expected that he would still have to find some way to win you over (and he was fine with it). If it took him wooing you nonstop for the rest of however long...Regulus would do it.

Now here he stood, like a stunned idiot, with you kissing him. It reminded Regulus of the first kiss the two of you had shared. Neither of you liked each other very much (or so both of you thought). After being stuck together for a project, Regulus realized that he liked your company more than anyone else’s. The first kiss was a day in the forbidden forest. Regulus had caught you after almost tripping over a tree. The next thing he knew, he was kissing you. Where his sudden surge of bravery came from, he had no idea. This kiss felt like that kiss and it made that “butterfly” feeling in his stomach go crazy.

Regulus recovered quickly enough to wrap his arms around your waist. His left hand had gone up to cradle your head. The last thing Regulus wanted was for you to change your mind and try to get away from him.

“Did you mean what you said?”

You asked, voice quivering. As much as you hated sounding like you were afraid, you were. What if Regulus decided to change his mind about everything? What if he decided later on that he didn’t want a wife and child to care for? Would you be able to go on? Part of you said “hell yes.” You had done it once before with the help of your friends. The other part said, no. Now that Regulus knew about Renee and most of what you had gone through; continuing without him would be hard. It wouldn’t be fair to you or your child.

Regulus pressed his forehead against yours.

“About?”

“Renee and I...what if you change your mind...I…”

Regulus placed two fingers on your lips to gently shush you.

“I am not going anywhere nor am I going to change my mind. I promise. Now, may I kiss you again?”

You nodded, quickly pulling Regulus back to you by the lapels of his jacket.

“Upstairs?”

You questioned. Regulus wrapped his hand around yours without even answering and tugging you up the stairs behind him.

Meanwhile,

Remus, who neither of you had seen in the opposite doorway, stood shaking his head.

“Here we go.”

_______

@amelie-black

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[mymelodyheart]

All I Want For Christmas Is You Chapter 5 ~Rollover Rollo~

 Previously in Revelations and Snogs

"You want to see me again?" she teased, smiling.

"I dinnae even want to leave ye tonight."

She dropped her head down to hide the heat creeping up her face. "I'll see what's Annalise is up to and we'll take it from there. I'll either call you or send a message."

He placed a finger under her chin and tipped her face up. "Ye're not mad I kissed ye? I havenae forgotten yer rules about first dates."

Claire picked up the gift bags, stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. And then she smiled. "I'm starting to believe the rules don't apply to you. Good night, Jamie." And with that, she turned around and walked towards the cottage without looking back, knowing full well Jamie was still stood there waiting for her until she'd safely made it to the house.

Once inside, she allowed herself to slide down to the floor and relived the memory of their first kiss. And she sat there for a very long time.

If you wish to read this on AO3, here is the link.

If you wish to read this from the beginning:

AO3 link

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    Yawning, he stretched himself until his joints popped. When he glanced at his bedside clock, he realised it was only seven a.m. As per usual, Jamie hardly slept a wink, but this time around, he didn't feel depleted nor on edge. If anything, he felt refreshed and energised. There was nowhere to rush to as his and his brother's business was closed for the holidays; nevertheless, he decided to get up and feed his dog, Rollo and get a few moments alone before the day started. 

Most nights, he'd wake up to his own cries, his body drenched in perspiration and he'd find himself on the floor on his knees, breathing heavily as the feeling of panic took over. Raw terror and uncontrollable fear would course through his body, blurring his surroundings and any coherent thoughts. His only primary focus would be to fight for air, attempting to slow his breathing as his heart furiously pounded out of rhythm, making it seem like it was about to explode in his chest. He didn't have any idea how long the attacks took, only that it happened most nights and in loud, overly-crowded places. 

Last night had been different though. Instead of visions of horrors that plagued his dreams, he'd tossed and turned in his bed thinking of Claire. Images of her and their night together preoccupied his mind causing all sorts of emotions to poke his heart. Unknowingly, she'd gently nudged his past out of him which was a rare occurrence, as he seldom talked about it to anyone other than his older brother. It had been so easy to confide, and it came as natural as breathing. In such a short time, she'd kindled something inside him he hadn't known breathed, and made him feel alive again. When she'd heard his story, there were none of the affected looks of horror or sympathy he'd expected, nor did she give him any special treatment. She'd shared her thoughts with a silent understanding and compassion and moved on as if she knew they were treading over a delicate subject. 

Shoving his duvet aside, Jamie padded to the bathroom and stepped into the shower, relishing the warm stinging spray on his skin. Minutes later, after towelling off, he put on a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and a hoodie. He hummed under his breath as he walked into the kitchen, knowing there was a lot to look forward to. Mainly spending time with Claire again. Feeling optimistic, he was grateful for the blessed respite from his night time terrors and counted himself lucky.

After all, he was the lucky one, wasn't he?

He was alive, and he'd dodged the bullets.

Simon MacKimmie hadn't. 

And he'd broken his promise.

He went over the scenario again, wondering if he'd just been a little quicker, shaving a few precious minutes, would Simon still be alive today?

As for his friend's wife, had he given up too soon on Laoghaire? He hadn't stayed around to find out and hear the rest of the story after the lass admitted to cheating. Maybe he should have talked to her and listened to her side of the account, instead of speculating why she did what she did. If he'd done that, would it have absolved him of his guilt?

He knew it was futile to keep rehashing the past events in his head. He'd already decided the best way forward was to embrace the natural process of grief and guilt even though his therapist wanted him to use every textbook solution that was out there and take the prescribed pills to dull the pain. He wasn't a fan of medication that you popped into the mouth and believed in a more organic healing approach which was why he came home to stay, surrounded by familiar faces in an environment he loved. Even if he would recover, he knew he couldn't go back to his old life as a part of him had died with Simon.

The sound of scrambling paws on the wooden floor brought him out of his reflections. His furry housemate and companion, Rollo, appeared around the corner and headed straight for him.

"Hiya mate, sae sorry was late last night." He patted the husky's head to smooth the white-grey fur, and in return, he got a gentle lick and prod with a wet snout to his hand. "I met a lass down at the pub and hardly noticed the time. Her name is Claire. I think ye'll like her."

Rollo's grey eyes flashed with understanding. "We'll go for a run later as soon as I know what she's up to. But first, coffee for me while ye go and do yer business."

Rollo cocked his head and nodded.

He opened the backdoor kitchen to let the dog out as a blast of chilly wind caused him to shiver, but Rollo only twitched his nose, barked twice, and ran off.

He laughed out loud at Rollo's outright joy of freedom, racing over to the grass to a favourite tree, and doing laps around the gnarled trunk and then disappearing behind the shed. A deep sense of peace settled over him as he closed the door behind him and turned on his coffee machine. His cottage might be small, and his yard less than half an acre, but he'd managed to create a home on his own terms.

Rollo had been Willie's idea after he was diagnosed with PTSD. His brother believed, human and animal bonding could help alleviate the aftermath of his trauma and aide with his healing. Willie was right. When Rollo had walked out of the rescue centre and into his arms, it had been love at first sight, and they'd been constant companions ever since. Rollo would soothe him when he had one of his episodes, the low whimper and touch of fur and wetness pressed against the side of his head calming him down in the dead of night. Laoghaire hadn't like the idea of the dog near her, but keeping Rollo was something he remained adamant about.

Jamie headed towards the pantry, grabbed a sack of dog food and filled the doggy bowl with biscuits, ready for when Rollo returned from his morning business. As he brought his coffee over to the table, he checked his phone. There were a few messages from his shinty teammates asking about Claire, probably prodded by their wives or girlfriends, eager to hear some juicy news to gossip about. 

He remembered catching some side-eyed looks as he and Claire had browsed through the stalls at the Christmas market last night and it was only a matter of time before everyone knew and started asking questions. When the phone rang, he quickly grabbed it. It was his brother-in-law, Ian.  Ah, fuck!  It meant Jenny must have heard.

Knowing there was no avoiding it, Jamie answered his phone. "Hey, aren't ye up way too early on holiday? How's the weather in the south of France?" 

Ian chuckled. "Never mind that. I'm calling to give ye a heads up."

"On what?" he asked casually, pretending not to know what Ian was on about as he sipped his coffee.

"Mary called Jenny last night, and they were on speaker, so heard the whole thing. Mary gave Jenny a rundown about the lassie ye were out with yesterday."

He ran a hand down his face. "Nosey git! Why does everyone have to know about my business or take an interest?"

"Aye, I said so too myself. Anyway, thought I'd let ye know. I told Jenny already no' to interfere with yer affairs, but ye ken what yer sister is like. She's worried about ye ..." Ian paused before letting out a sigh. "So go easy on her if she asks too many questions."

Jamie pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'll be gentle, but I'm still telling her how it is. I'm a thirty-year-old man for God's sake, and I dinnae need her telling me how to run my life."

"Aye, I know. So, what's up with the lass?"

Jamie groaned. "Nought! I just met her last night. Went out for a few drinks and then I dropped her at Mrs Fitz's."

"Good. Like what ye said, it's naebody's business."

"Aye, remind yer wife that, please."

Ian laughed. "Telling her that would be like talking to a brick wall. Okay, got to go. I think Jenny just woke up. Talk soon ..."

The call ended.

Jamie let out a long breath. Jenny's friend must have mentioned about Claire being from London. His sister remembered only too well what had happened to him last time he was in a city. 

He'd been in Glasgow to visit a mate and was nearly in an accident after he had one of his episodes while crossing a junction. He'd fallen on to his knees, putting traffic into a standstill, while passersby thought he was just another city junkie, going off his nuts. He'd hoped his fits were behind him, but it seemed they lurked in the background like the monsters under the bed that had kept him up at night waiting for the right time to pounce. If it hadn't been for the kind middle-aged English man, called Harry, stopping to his aid, he wondered what would have happened. Harry had taken him to the hospital, called his family, took his number and then disappeared. 

Once in a while, he would get a call from Harry to check up on his well-being, but every time they talked, Jamie forgot to ask for the man's number, as it didn't show on his phone. It would have been good to know where the Englishman lived so he could send a Christmas card or a souvenir from Scotland. His parents had insisted on inviting Harry to Lallybroch, and every time he relayed the message, the man politely refused.

Jamie let out a resigned breath through his nose and refilled his cup with coffee. Jenny was right about one thing she'd kept on about to him. He wouldn't be able to survive in the city for more than a few hours. But where did that leave his chances of forging a relationship with Claire, the only woman to ever affect him the way she did? He was unsuitable for the outside world, and everyone in Broch Mordha knew it. 

He knew Claire was aware of their attraction by the way she often blushed at his teasing and subtly responded to his kiss last night but would that be enough to convince her to stay? Could she envision herself staying for an unforeseeable future to find out what it was between them? What would that mean for her career? Her dreams? It was early days yet, and they'd only just met. She was here until the Three Kings, and that's if she managed to persuade Annalise to stay and anything could happen between now and then.

He browsed the internet in his laptop, scanning through headline news and answering a few emails. After a while, he wondered where his dog was. Normally, he would be scratching at the door by now, wanting his breakfast. Maybe he got distracted by a critter and went off running across the field. He thought he'd give his dog a few more minutes and then he would go out and look. He had another cup of coffee and answered a few text messages all the while checking the time. He was just tying his running shoes when his phone chirped. He glanced at the screen and smiled.

Claire:  Good morning! If I woke you up, I'm terribly sorry. But I did say I would send you a message. So here I am texting you.

He quickly toed off his shoes, grabbed his coffee and went to the living room. Cup in his hand, he settled himself down on the sofa with a grin.

Jamie:  I'm up. May I call you? 

Claire:  Of course. 

He placed his coffee on the table, hit the phone icon and pressed the phone to his ear. "G'morning Sassenach. Did ye sleep well?" he asked when Claire picked up.

She groaned. "Not really. I might have over-indulged with the alcohol last night. I slept fitfully."

"Were ye thinking about the kiss?" He leaned back on the sofa, put his arm behind his head and smiled.

She didn't respond, but he heard something rustling. There must have been an eye-roll in the ensuing pause.

"Was it that bad, huh?"

"No! I ...was ... I'm sorry, I was trying to unwrap something. Anyway, Annalise hasn't shown up yet."

He knew she was trying to avoid the question and decided not to push. "Oh! Have ye tried calling her?"

"She called already, and she told me she's fine. She stayed in Lallybroch with Willie. She said no taxis were running late at night, and they hadn't noticed the time and your brother couldn't drive because he's had a bit to drink. From what I gathered, Lallybroch is your family home, right?"

That canny bastard!  Willie knew taxis didn't come to Lallybroch after ten p.m. and with his parents staying for the night at his aunt Jocasta's house and his sister and brother-in-law away on holiday in the south of France, Willie and Annalise had the manor house to themselves. "Aye, it is our family home," he finally answered. "It's where I grew up. Was Annalise annoyed?"

"Annoyed?" She sounded surprised. "Why should she be annoyed?"

"Weel, she was stuck in the middle of nowhere with my brother, and they've just met. I figured the situation might have unnerved her. "

"No, she wasn't annoyed. If anything, she sounded chipper and was quite chatty. She's normally a morning grump." And then she laughed. "I think having your driving licences sent to Geillis put her mind at ease and felt safe enough to go with your brother. As I did with you too." She said the last sentence almost shyly and quietly.

"I'm glad." Jamie let out a sigh of relief but not before he moved the phone away. He knew he would have been at a disadvantage if Annalise had been miffed about being stranded in Lallybroch. Not that his family's home was far, but it was slightly isolated from the village, and it was two and a half miles away. Without proper street lighting between Lallybroch and Broch Mordha and the temperatures freezing, it would have been an uncomfortable walk back. Fingers-crossed, he hoped Willie and Annalise were getting along fine because it would mean Claire's friend would agree to stay here for their holidays. "So what are yer plans today?"

"Hmmm ...let me see ..."

Her tone was playful, and he could envision a pretty blush creeping from her neck and fanning out to her face. "I hope I'm included in those plans."

"Don't fret. You are." He heard a smile in her voice. "I'm just waiting for Annalise to finally show her face, so I have a clear idea of how the day is supposed to pan out."

He grinned. "Good. Did Annalise tell you what they've been up to?"

"Oh, yes." Jamie heard shuffling in the background again and wondered if she was still in bed and what she was wearing. "She told me they had a quiet evening playing a board game and drinking red wine. Sounds like we had a more exciting evening."

"A board game?"

"Yes. It's funny, really when I think about it. Annalise is more likely to hang out in a crowded place until late. I can't believe she missed the karaoke that was posted in the pub. She loves to sing, and she really has a good voice and ..."

Grabbing his cup, he took a sip of coffee and cleared his throat. "What kind of board game?"

"Umm ...let me think. Annalise said it belongs to your sister and her husband and it sounded something like Monopoly. She said they played for hours."

He almost choked on his coffee.  Ah, fuck ...Willie!  

"You alright?"

"A-aye." He was glad Claire couldn't see the heat spreading across his face. "C-coffee went in the wrong passage," he managed to say.

She let out an adorable giggle, and he heard more shuffling and rustling sound on her end. "Anyway, she kind of explained it roughly and said it has cards and dice. So that's probably why I thought of Monopoly. Hey, maybe we could play it with them. What do you think?"

Ah, bloody hell!  "It's Monogamy ..." he wheezed, putting his cup down on the table and thumping his chest.

Ah, Jesus Christ!  Monogamy board game was a two-player game played by couples with raunchy questions and challenges. He'd found it one night in the hallway cupboard when his family had friends over and was looking for Trivial Pursuit for a night of indoor entertainment. It was hidden behind the stack of other games covered in cloth and labelled  "Jenny's and Ian's - Do Not Touch."  He hadn't realised Willie knew about it. The thought of him and Claire playing it made him hot. He wondered what Claire would think if she knew what it really was.

"Hang on a minute!" He took a few breaths and gulped down the rest of his drink. When he was sure his voice sounded normal again, he grabbed his phone and spoke. "Have ye had breakfast?" he asked, not bothering to answer Claire's question. "I can make us something in a jiffy. I haven't had anything to eat yet."

"Oh, thanks, but I'm having one right now with this handsome chap ..."

He jolted forward and straightened up. "I beg yer pardon?"  Is she teasing me, or is she having breakfast with another bloke while talking to me?

"Oh, um, I'm with a company, actually and I'm waiting for Mrs Fitz to see what we could do about this situation. You see, I got up early, and I read in one of Mrs Fitz's pamphlet, Baker's Dozen was open at seven. So I went for a walk and bought some croissants. On the way back, I met this gorgeous looking fella with the most beautiful grey eyes, and he looked hungry and was following me, so I invited him to have breakfast ..."

"Sassenach!"

"Wot?"

Are ye bloody kidding me?  "Ye cannae just invite someone ye dinnae ken to breakfast just because he looked hungry ..."

"Don't be daft ...he's a charming, cuddly, adorable looking boy."

"Sassenach ..." His voice sounded whiny to his ears.  Ah, fuck!  He wondered who she was having breakfast with, and his mind was already racing, trying to think who could possibly have followed Claire. When he couldn't think of anyone, he shot to his feet and started to shove them back into his running shoes. "I'm coming over right now."

"No, you're not."

"Why not?"

"I'm in my bathrobe."

His heart started to beat faster.  Is this woman who I happen to really like deliriously mad?  "Wh-what? Ye went to the baker's in yer bathrobe?"

"No, silly! It's too cold to be wandering about in a bathrobe. When I got back, I made myself comfortable and dressed down. I have a bath running and will take one soon. But meanwhile, I'm having a bit of breakfast. The water pressure here is not too great, and it's taking ages for the tub to fill up. Don't worry, my guest is very well behaved."

"Behaved?"

"Yeah, he occasionally likes to lick my hand but other than that, he's actually quite mild-mannered."

"Who's with ye, Sassenach?" he asked in a low voice, as he got up from the sofa and made his way to the kitchen. He looked out the window, and when he couldn't see Rollo, he began to grow suspicious.

"Hang on a minute, there's a tag attached to his collar. Umm ...let's see, what do we have here? His name is Rollo."

"That's my dog!"

She let out a throaty laugh. "Oh, that's fine then! I'll keep him with me until I'm done with my bath. And then I'll bring him over to you."

"Why didn't ye tell me it's a dog ye're with?"

"Did I not? I'm sorry I was distracted feeding him croissant with butter. I hope that's alright with you."

"I thought you were having breakfast with another man in yer bathrobe!" His voice held a slightly accusatory tone.

"Well, you thought wrong. So, you're alright with Rollo having croissant with butter? He seems to love it."

He counted backwards, starting from ten, and when he was done, he almost laughed out loud. Knowing Claire didn't mind having his dog around her, made him like her even more. "Aye, that's alright, Sassenach. A wee treat once in a while, never did him harm. Speaking of treats, I could use one too actually."

"What did you have in mind?"

"I'm coming over to tell ye." And then he hung up before she could respond and made a dash out of the door.

      Dear Readers,

I hope you've enjoyed this chapter as much as I did writing it. I made a massive effort to finish it tonight as I really want certain parts of the story to coincide with Christmas. It was a huge challenge, but I got there in the end. The rest of this story is is outlined and ready to be written, and I'm quite excited about it. All I need is to make it come alive in my storytelling. I'm so chuffed about some certain elements (sorry not going to divulge) that I have come up with, I had a proper good girly squeal earlier. Now that I have said it, I hope I haven't set the expectation too high. Just needed to overshare my excitement. haha!

Anyway, thanks muchly for your feedback, kudos and love for the previous chapter. Sending you back best wishes and hope you're all well and healthy. Take care for now. x

[omgrachwrites]

Tell a Tale of You and Me - Chapter Eight

Pairing: Sirius Black x Reader

Summary: You knew that making a bet with Sirius Black was like making a deal with the devil but you just couldn’t help yourself. You had never been a heavenly woman.

Warnings: fluff, underage drinking, pining, teeny bit of angst

Words: 2280

Disclaimer: This gif doesn’t belong to me!

A/N: Things are heating up in this part, also I think this is gonna be quite a long fic so I hope that’s okay! Finally got to add my plot twist into this one, you’ll find out what it is in the next couple of chapters! I hope you enjoy this part and please let me know what you think and let me know if you would like to be tagged! I love you all very much! xxx

Chapter Eight

There was an excited murmur of conversation between the 6th and 7th year Slytherins, and Gryffindors, the Ravenclaws and the Hufflepuffs had already been in this situation but they had been sworn to secrecy. The atmosphere in the Entrance Hall was tense as the students waited to hear the news that McGonagall and Slughorn were going to give them. Sirius thought that it couldn’t be any good news.

Sighing, he slouched effortlessly against the cold stone wall, his hands deep in his pockets, only looking up when he heard an impatient sigh. James scowled as he pushed his glasses up his nose.

“I wonder what Minnie and old Sluggy have to say, whatever it is, it had better be good. I can smell Snivelly’s greasy hair from here, it pongs,” he complained as he held his nose. Sirius smirked over at Snape, James’ rival while Remus rolled his eyes and shook his head.

Sirius felt soft fingers in his hair – it felt really nice – and he whipped around to see who dared to touch his precious hair. A grin spread across his face when he saw that it was Y/N, she looked perky as usual, though Sirius didn’t know why she was so happy so early on a Saturday morning when they ought to have still been in bed.

“Hey you,” he hugged her, flushing as she gave him a warm kiss on his cheek.

“Hi,” she giggled brightly and looked over his shoulder to where the two oaken doors were, “good morning Reg.”

Regulus started at her warm greeting and sent her a little nervous wave back. Sirius tensed as he scowled at Y/N when she caught Sirius’ eye again she gave him an innocent look, “what?” when Sirius quirked an eyebrow – he really thought that he didn’t have to say anything – she giggled and ruffled his hair as she did so, “Regulus is really nice and he’s a complete cutie too!” she exclaimed, turning back to talk to Lily.

Y/N thinking that his younger brother was a ‘complete cutie’ affected him more than he wanted it to. More than he’d ever admit. Finally, the students were ushered into the Great Hall and everyone gasped while Sirius looked around the Hall with mild interest, Y/N’s words still ringing clear in his head. The stone benches from the four long house tables were in the middle of the room and the house tables had been pushed up against the walls.

Sirius exchanged glances with Remus and the others before sitting down on one of the benches, his friends following suit, they sat opposite the Slytherins. Nobody said anything – not even Sirius – until Minnie and Slughorn stood in the middle of the room.

“You have all seen on your supply list that you are going to be required to buy dress robes this year, I presume?” McGonagall began, when everyone had murmured in agreement, she continued, “instead of merely having a Christmas feast this year, we have decided that we are going to be throwing a Yule Ball.”

There was a sudden outburst of excited talking, mostly from the girls, Lily and Y/N started making plans at once for where they were going to buy their dress robes from. Sirius, and by the looks of it, the rest of the boys didn’t feel too enthusiastic, it was the first time in their Hogwarts careers that a ball had been thrown.

“Silence everyone!” Slughorn boomed, loud enough to make the walls and floors tremble.

“Now, because this is the first Hogwarts ball in a very long time, representatives from the Ministry of Magic will be attending, including the Minister! I want you all to be on your best behaviour or such an opportunity will not be extended again,” McGonagall said sternly, her gaze lingering on James and Sirius who looked at each other and smirked.

“I need a volunteer,” McGonagall started and looked around, mostly everyone sunk back into their seats, a couple of people scratched the back of their necks nervously, “Miss Y/L/N, how about you?” McGonagall gave the pretty girl a wan smile, Y/N smiled at her and went to stand in the middle of the room, “now, we need a partner for Miss Y/L/N,” McGonagall said to herself.

Almost instantly, Sirius who had been previously slouching in his chair now sat up straight, his eyes fixed on good ol’ Minnie, he didn’t notice Y/N looking at him curiously. The young man felt very hopeful though he didn’t want to admit why to himself.

“How about you Sirius?” Slughorn said happily, Sirius grinned at him, feeling very grateful while Regulus glared at his Head of House as Sirius went to stand opposite Y/N. She beamed at him before averting her eyes shyly, “I believe you two are excellent dancers, if you would kindly show everyone how it’s done?” Slughorn asked as his eyes twinkled knowingly.

Sirius took Y/N’s hand, his rough hand creating friction with her soft one, his other hand went to her waist as hers went to his firm shoulders and they began to dance the length of the Hall. McGonagall conjured up an orchestra of instruments that started to play classical music.

Sirius noticed that Y/N was looking around at their fellow students nervously as they danced. He chuckled as their friends all gave them thumbs up from where they were sitting; Sirius tightened the hand on Y/N’s waist ever so slightly, making her look up at him, her beautiful eyes boring into his, soft and warm.

“Keep your eyes on me, don’t worry about anyone else,” he whispered wanting to make her feel more at ease, and he smiled, a genuine smile not knowing that it made him look even more handsome. Y/N nodded as her eyes scanned his eyes, her fingers coming up from his shoulder to play with the ends of his hair.

The pair of them hadn’t realised that the music had stopped playing until someone cleared their throat. The spell that had captivated them shattered as they moved away from each other with blushing cheeks and they quickly went back to their seats, though they shot each other a shy smile. Y/N had been a beautiful dancer.

A couple of days after the whole dancing thing – it still made Sirius blush whenever he thought about it – Sirius sauntered into the common room and looked at Lily who was perched on James’ knee, “Lils, is Y/N still out?” he asked in surprise, she had been called into Dumbledore’s office a few hours ago.

Lily looked at him as she bit her lip with a worried expression, “yeah, and we saw Dumbledore in the Great Hall before so she obviously isn’t in his office now. I’m worried about her and I don’t want her to miss the party tonight.”

Sirius was worried about her too, “I’ll go and look for her,” he assured Lily.

She smirked a him, her green eyes narrowing, “uh-huh,” Sirius scowled at her as he clambered out of the portrait hole.

He looked for his friend in all of the places that he could think of but she was nowhere to be seen. The house elves in the kitchens and Nearly-Headless Nick had no clue where she was. Finally, he decided to check in their secret spot at the boathouse and that was where he found her. She was in tears; Sirius had never seen her so upset before.

“Oh, darling, what’s the matter?” he asked as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, his other hand wiping away her tears.

She caught his hand and linked her fingers through his, “I don’t want to talk about,” she sniffled and Sirius nodded understandingly.

He rubbed her back as they sat in silence with her head on his shoulder, watching the ripples on the lake and listening to the chirping of the birds, “so hey, Lily is throwing a party tonight, it’ll be good for you to,” he trailed off as he chewed his lip, wondering whether he would sound insensitive.

“To drown my sorrows,” she finished for him and let out a watery giggle, “I think that you’re right Sirius.”

---------------------------------

You smiled as you linked your arm through Sirius’, you were starting to feel much better about your predicament, though there was nothing you could do to change it, and you just had to accept it. Sirius had been so sweet with you today; it was so nice to see this side of him. He helped you up through the portrait hole and although you knew that Lily was throwing a party, the scene that was unfolding still caught you off guard.

“Y/N! Sirius, finally you’re both here!” Lily shouted with glee when you and Sirius entered the common room. She was very giggly and her green eyes were slightly glazed over.

There were other Gryffindors including James, Remus, Peter, Marlene and Dorcas who were all sitting in a circle with a glass bottle in the middle of it. You noticed that there were more girls than boys among the students.

“What’s going on?” you laughed as Sirius sent you a charming wink, his eyes darkened slightly, making him look even more gorgeous.

“We were bored so we’re playing a Muggle game called spin the bottle,” Lily replied, pulling both you and Sirius over to the circle.

“Okay! How do you play?” you asked excitedly as you sat down.

“It’s really easy! Just spin the bottle and whoever it lands on, you have to kiss them!” she giggled, her laugh high pitched and musical.

“Sounds like fun,” you smirked.

Sirius chuckled as he raised an eyebrow, “this doesn’t count as me losing the bet does it Y/N?”

“It doesn’t,” you agreed, it was just a silly game that horny teenagers played, it didn’t mean anything. You smiled as Lily handed you a large glass bottle of amber liquid that was labelled as Jack Daniel’s whiskey. Most of it was gone which you supposed explained Lily’s giggly mood.

You took a sip of it, it was kind of horrible but it slid down your throat smoothly and warmed your insides. Under the influence of Mr Jack Daniels’ you thought that the game was quite fun, so far you had kissed James, Peter and a couple of people that you didn’t know. Sirius had also kissed quite a lot of people, it created a jealous pang in your chest so you drank more in hope that the feeling would go away. It didn’t.

It was Lily’s turn again so she spun the bottle and it landed on you, it was safe to say that the boys loved the result due to their wolf whistling. God, you hated boys.

“This is the best night of my life,” James commented, swigging the whiskey from the bottle. His comment made Lily roll her eyes and she slapped her boyfriend’s arm playfully.

“Pucker up beautiful,” Lily said and pressed her lips against yours, when you cupped a cheek and kissed her back, the boys went wild. You laughed and pulled away with a smirk on your face, Sirius’ grey eyes were wide blown as he looked at you. James was a lucky man, Lily was a good kisser.

“My turn!” you excitedly grabbed the bottle and spun it, it stopped on Remus who gave you an adorable lopsided grin as he gave you a quick but sweet kiss, earning ‘aww’s’ from the surrounding people and you could have sworn that you heard Sirius grumble.

Laughing, Remus spun the bottle and it landed on Sirius who smirked, “c’mon Moony,” he puckered his lips playfully.

Remus sighed and groaned, “Merlin,” he muttered and kissed Sirius so quickly that you hardly saw it before he pulled away with a pained expression, wiping his mouth quickly. You giggled drunkenly as you shot Remus a sympathetic look.

Sirius chuckled, shaking his head as he spun the bottle vigorously, it took a while for the bottle to stop and when it did, it landed on you. You had butterflies in the pit of your stomach and your mouth went dry. You glanced up at Sirius who was smirking though there were patches of pink high upon his cheeks. He leaned in close enough that you could count the freckles on his nose and he had some blue in his eyes, his breath smelled like whiskey.

His lips were incredibly soft – you had expected them to be a little chapped – and the feeling of butterflies in your stomach increased as he moved his lips against yours. You ran your fingers through his raven locks before you tangled your fingers in his hair. He groaned against your lips as you tugged his hair and he bit your bottom lip gently before his tongue swirled over yours.

Someone clearing their throat made you both jump apart, you were slightly dazed and your lips felt swollen. Sirius shot you a sheepish smile while your friends smirked. You were breathless after such a passionate kiss and your lips were still tingling. He hadn’t shared such a passionate kiss with anyone else during the game.

Later on that night, when you and Lily were both in bed she whispered over to you, “when you kissed Sirius, what was it like? It looked pretty passionate from where we were sitting, you know that wasn’t a required rule of the game,” you could hear the smirk in her voice.

“It was just a kiss,” you chewed your lip as you squeezed your eyes shut as you decided to come clean to your best friend, “but it was the best kiss that I’ve ever had,” you sighed wistfully, smiling to yourself.

--------------------------------- 

@approved-by-dentists​ @thefuturelawyer​ @a-miserable-hufflepunk​ @firelordmillie​ @seriouslysiriuss​ @sleep-i-ness​ @play-morezeppelin​ @pregnant-piggy​ @sleepingalaska​ @smiithys​ @blisfvll​ @rexorangecouny​

[kuronanox]

Jazz lies - Shinji Hirako

It would be wrong to say that (Your Name) was having fun at this jazz bar that a few coworkers wanted to check out, but it definitely wasn't a place she would call fun.

Out of courtesy of some of the artists at the bar they decided to stay for about an hour and half listening to the music.

"Excuse me miss the lovely gentlemen over there bought you a nice drink." One of the bartenders told (Your Name) setting the nicely made drink in front of her.

She looked at the man who bought her the drink, he had weird teeth and a grin on his face. His hair was a bit long and girly for her taste.

By the time the performance was over (Your Name) and her coworkers got up to exit the bar. She didn't touch the drink once. The whole time it sat in front of her as the man with the weird smile stared at her most of the night.

"Awe yer really left a man hanging!" Shinji jokes as he leans against the door watching her exit.

"Sorry I don't take drinks from strangers." She responds blandly not looking at him in the eye.

Shinji just chuckles and walks out after her side by side, as a few of her coworkers were a bit ahead of them.

"Can't a man try?"

"I've seen better." (Your Name) awkwardly says looking him up and down and then straight ahead to avoid eye contact.

"Damn girls these days sure are harsh." He says with hands in his pockets. "Yer new to town?" He proceeds.

"No, just checking the place out."

"Ahh! So you will come around more often?" Shinji pipes up excited to see her more since jazz bar tended to be on the older side of age.

"Nah, Jazz isn't my vibe."

"Ouch, I thought you were cute too."

"I'm sorry but who are you?" (Your Name) stops walking and looks at Shinji with slight irritation. "Isn't it weird to talk to a man I don't even know the name of?"

"It's Shinji and this man is trying to make a friendly conversation with a cute girl."

A feeling of guilt build in her because he was rather nice the whole time, but it was always good to be defensive just in case he was a real weirdo.

"(Your Name)." She says and continues "sorry I'm just being cautious, there are a lot of sick people out there."

Shinji sighs and rolls his eyes. "It's okay baby doll I've seen sick people in my life time and I ain't one of em."

(Your Name) just smiles, she was still being careful though because he was still a stranger, but it was good to converse with someone new once in a while.

"So I'll let you go now only if I get yer number!" He grins noticing the hesitation in her eyes. "Don't worry, if you don't wanna talk to me anymore after this just don't respond to me." He assured the girl as she willingly gave her digits.

"I'll see you around." (Your Name) says bidding a farewell catching up with her coworkers.

(Your Name) couldn't help but be a bit interesting in this Shinji man because he was a sweet heart. Shinji was being a hopeless romance, but she couldn't tell if he was being over dramatic or if he was foreal.

He told her she was his 'first love' but she knew he was probably joking.

Although they didn't meet a second time they spend a few weeks sending text messages to each other. (Your Name) thought he was going to be pushy and ask her out again, but to her surprise he didn't.

Shinji genuinely was interested in her.

"Why the hell you keep smiling at your phone like a idiot baldy?" Hiyori says peaking over him curious who Shinji had been texting the last few weeks. "AHH!" She screams and snatched the phone reading a loud.

Shinji - "Good morning baby doll, how was yer day?"

"HIYORI STOP OR ILL-!" Shinji screams chasing the smaller girl as the other visords attention grew to them.

(Your Name) - "Good morning! It's been nice! I've just been cleaning my place. What about you Shinji?"

Shinji - "I'm glad you had a good day <3 I went to the store to get the newest record."

"Like I said Hiyori it's no one!" He continues as she kicks him in the face and continues to read out loud.

Shinji - "Shopping alone ain't fun, when yer going to join? I'll pay for dinner!"

(Your Name) - "is this a lame way of asking me out to eat lmao?"

Shinji snatches the phone back with red tints on his cheeks as Hiyori laughs on the floor. "Shut up will ya!"

"Oi Shinji, my books will come in handy if she decides to go out with you." Lisa seriously says flipping her book the couch.

"Hate to admit it but she's right." Kensei butts in getting ready for dinner.

"Oh shut up." Shinji says embarrassed as he walks into his room and slams the door.

To Shinji luck (Your Name) agreed to go eat with him for dinner a week after he asked her. Although it was their second time meeting the atmosphere was smooth and easy.

"Yeah! I graduated college a year ago and I work at the hospital in town!" She tells Shinji passionate about saving life's everyday. "What about you Shinji?"

Shinji was sweating because he didn't actually work. So he tightly gripped his knife and put the steak in his mouth as he smoothly played it off. "I work at a company, top secret for the government only." He winked.

"Kami I'm safe, being dead actually is inconvenient."

(Your Name) face lit up as she took a bite of her wagyu. "Nice! Never thought I'd meet someone so high in status."

"Yer not missing much baby doll, I live ina abandon warehouse actually."

Shinji grins as they take a toast together and enjoyed the view of Tokyo below them.

"So what are your future plans?" She then asks Shinji as he tilts his head.

"Oooh we already wanna start thinking about the future together?" He jokes as she laughs and playfully roll her eyes. Which for (Your Name) was good because it lighten the mood.

After dinner was finished and Shinji paid they walk down the busy streets of Tokyo admiring the views. "Isn't it pretty?" (Your Name) asked Shinji as they walked side by side with linked arms. "What? My face? Oh I know!"

"No dummy the lights of Tokyo!" She lightly flicked his forehead as he shuts his eyes tight.

"Yeah, one day I'll show you the view of Tokyo at a better place, maybe." He tells her as she happily nods her head eagerly.

The night was getting late as she grew tired but the city was still awake. "I'll see you off then? Please get home safe baby doll."

"I will! Maybe we can go out again later!"

"Of course I'll really like that." Shinji grins as she walks down her path towards home. Watching from afar Shinji shunpo to see if she got back in the house safely and after he left.

"Spill the beans how could anyone possibly like you baldy?" Hiyori asked one night as they all sat around.

"Oh shut up! I'm pretty handsome!"

"More like a hand full." Kensei added.

"That's Mashiro who is." Shinji bites back as Kensei could only agree to that statement.

"Young love, can't wait to see what the future holds for you." Rose says.

Shinji just left to his room after that, they were giving him a headache. He laid onto his bed and closed his eyes. (Your Name) was pretty, kind and mature. She had a future ahead of her, but Shinji was living in a dump with lots of roommates and plus he was basically a soul.

Shinji was surprise she stuck around as long as she did. They had went on many dates after that and he successfully earned a kiss on the 5th date.

The only problem for Shinji was the fact that he basically lied about his whole life to her, he wasn't sure if it was right to tell her the truth or wait it out.

It wasn't until 6 months into their relationship that the problem he feared worse appeared.

They had left the bar shortly after midnight, Shinji was walking her back safely to the train station, and then he would secretly watch her go home to make sure she was safe, but a drunken man had appeared from a ally way.

The drunken man was causing a problem for (Your Name) as he said some rather vulgar remarks. Shinji was a laid back man as he told the drunken man to beat it and go cat call someone else.

"Yer really pushin my buttons." Shinji tells the drunken man giving him a glare and lightly grabbing (Your Name) to safety behind him.

The drunken man crossed the line when he tried to grabbed (Your Name) shoulder as Shinji puts his foot onto his chest not allowing him to come any closer.

Before they could walk away the sound of a gun click appeared as Shinji pushed (Your Name) out of the way.

"I don't hurt humans but it seems like you want to harm someone precious to me. I don't mind being naughty just for this special occasion." Shinji grins calm and composed as he stopped the bullets from flying between his fingers.

(Your Name) was in panic mood at first because they were at gun point and then second Shinji was using some unknown godly powers to her.

"Don't worry baby doll, yer safe with me." Shinji says disappearing from her sight as he grabbed the gun from the man and broke it in pieces with his bare hands. "Don't play with toys sir, I've seen scarier!"

Of course the man got terrified and ran away scared for his life. "See ya!" Shinji calls out.

(Your Name) watched from her spot unsure what to be afraid of.

The man who was about to possibly rape her or Shinji who was lying about his identity the whole time. The tears grew in her face because of how frighten she was.

"What's wrong bab-"

"Stop, don't get any closer." She tells him as Shinji sees the water in her eyes. She looked terrified and hurt. "I can explain to you about all this."

"Explain what? That you've been lying about yourself the whole time? What are you? Some kind of god?"

Shinji knits his brows and grabs her hand lightly but she pulled away. "No. I'm going home alone tonight. I'll talk to you when I'm ready."

"I'm not letting ya walk home this late alone." He tells her as she protested but by a flash of a step they were back at her place as he set her down lightly.

"Talk to me when you are ready, I'll be waiting." Shinji says as she looks away from him obviously surprised on how they got home so fast.

"Whatever, thanks for tonight." She slightly says in a forgiving tone as she walked into her place.

He didn't hear from her in weeks, it was only 6 months together and during that period of time he felt happy and light. He didn't think about Aizen or any ill thoughts when he was with her.

Shinji knew it wasn't going to work out, they were so different and so far from each other's world yet he wanted so bad to make it work.

"Is this the common word to say that I got ghosted?" He sulks in the corner as his phone rings to see a message from (Your Name).

(Your Name) - "Meet me at the bar we first met."

Shinji walks in and spots her sitting alone but beautifully shining. She notices him and gives a small smile.

"Alright get it to it, if you wanna call me a freak I understand." He says.

"No one is calling you a freak, I just want an explanation. I had time to think and I'm sorry for the way I acted. I was scared and confused."

He takes her hands and grins. "Of course baby."

The music started to play as the bartender served them a couple of drinks.

"Just please let me finish before you ask any question. Basically you are dating a dead man, I'm from the world where souls live and we have powers that protect and balance the living and dead. Remember when we were talking about how sick people can be? Well there was a guy that got me and few of my comrades exile from the Soul Society and that is how I ended up here."

(Your Name) had to process everything, it was so unreal. At the same time she was curious and slightly interested about another world out there. Of course she wanted to be angry at him for lying about his identity, but she understood from his perspective.

"Well that was a lot to take in, you must be serious about me if you told me all this."

"100% percent, I ain't leaving soon." He sips his wine now.

(Your Name) smiles and then looks down.

"Just don't lie to me anymore. Keep everything real."

"I won't. At the mean time, I'm glad we had this talk so now I can finally use my godly powers as you say." He grabs her hands as they run out the bar.

Stumbling a bit she grips his hand tightly and follows. "Where are we going?!"

"You will see!" He shouts as Shinji hoisted her and lifts them up to the sky.

The view from Tokyo was below them and this time she could see everything.

"How?! This is so beautiful!"

Shinji was happy, although they haven't talked serious yet, he was willing to give it time and effort.

"Remember I told you I would show you a better view. Well here it is!"

(Your Name) was overwhelmed with happiness as she clung onto him. It was weird for her because they were basically standing in midair.

"We won't fall right?"

"Nah just relax I got you."

The night came to an end in a positive way as both parties understood each other and why things were the way they were. Shinji had a sense of relief because he didn't have to hide anymore.

They laid in bed at her place, god forbid he brought her back to his.

The night was cold but the room was warm, they laid peacefully and in each other arms.

(Your Name) would make sure in the future to talk about their relationship because it was a complicated subject. A human and soul together as a couple.

Everyone always says it doesn't hurt to try something new so that's what she was taking this as but genuinely she wanted to brag about how strong and cool her boyfriend was but that was for another time.

For now they both just want to cherish the easy and smooth moments together before anything complicated comes up.

"So our next challenge is to meet my peeps." He tells her as she groans.

"Are they weird like you?"

"Oh baby doll, we are a mix of hip and style."

(Author notes: Heya! I'm taking request at the moment! I'll be on vacation so I might have some time to write a few pieces! The rules are telling me a character and a general plot on what you want the story to be! Also none of my one shots have been edited.)

[blazogirlsoneshots]

The Man Across the Way (Edmund Pevensie x Reader)

Everything in Edmund’s apartment was orderly and calm. Dishes were never left in the sink and all blankets were folded while not in use. Bookshelves were in alphabetical order with bookmarks tucked in each one. Every Saturday, Edmund would put on a classical playlist and attack almost no existence mess as if he were a soldier again. One could argue that the strict cleaning regime made the already empty apartment even more desolate, but Edmund would hastily deny it. No matter how lonely he truly felt Edmund would keep it to himself. He didn’t want his siblings to worry.

Edmund would start each morning with a cup of tea, a podcast, and laugh from observing the chaos from the apartment across from his. While Edmund’s home was orderly and something of a constant in the havoc around him, his neighbor’s home was the polar opposite. 

Their living room resembled a jungle with the number of plants strewn all over the place. Post-it notes covered the walls as a backdrop to the castle made out of coffee mugs. Every other day a newly formed blanket fort would go up and come down. Edmund was pretty sure that there was a cat somewhere in that mess, but never fully saw it. They would play their music a little too loud and have their TV on at some ungodly hour, but Edmund didn’t mind. The person across from him made his apartment feel less like some pod from some freaky sci-fi movie and more like something slightly connected to the rest of the world.

Y/N thought the man across from them was a little strange. He didn’t really seem to have any hobbies, just work. Honestly, he could be a robot and Y/N wouldn’t know the difference. Not to say that he wasn’t nice. They had interacted a couple of times at the convenience store across the street and he had nothing but pleasant. All little formal for a quick chat with someone purchasing far too many containers of ice cream while wearing pajama pants, but who was Y/N to judge. Y/N had even run into his siblings when he had first moved in. They were a nice bunch, if not a little loud and almost overprotective of their brother. 

Yes, Mr. Robot-Man-Across-The-Alley was a weird fellow, but that only intrigued Y/N even more. His siblings were full of life, so why was this one so different? He was the kind of person you wished would write a memoir because you just knew it would be a page turner. That wasn’t creepy, right? It was just Y/N’s version of people watching with a subconscious recognition that the man across the way was just as lonely as Y/N.

There is a reason we like zoos so much. We like that we can observe potential dangerous creatures without any fear of being hurt. It’s a quick no strings attached situation that most people can get behind with little to no thought. That’s why both Y/N and Edmund had been hurtling into a downward mental spiral as they examined the item sitting on their tables. 

It had started as a normal day. Edmund, going through the motions for the thousandth time while Y/N was ecstatic with the fact that they had managed to get out of bed before noon. They had departed their respective apartments around the same time with similar intentions. Edmund had run out of tea and had decided to treat himself at the corner coffee shop. Y/N had a meeting with an old friend that they were most definitely running late for. 

It had been an accident. Y/N didn’t mean to bump into Edmund and had most definitely never intended for his precious drink to go flying. There had been hurried apologies and the stuffing of cash into the other’s hand as they had hurried to get back to their day. It wasn’t until a very disgruntled Edmund had hurried away did Y/N notice the journal that had fallen on the ground. 

“Hey, Mr. What’s Your Face! You left your journal,” Y/N trailed off as Edmund ran off. He clearly wasn’t listening and now Y/N was left late for their meeting with a leather-bound journal that they now had the burden of returning. 

Edmund should’ve known better than to try something new. It was just one of those things that had a habit of backfiring on him. As he went to pull his keys out of his pocket, his fingers wrapped around something else instead. Bemused, he pulled out a golden bracelet that had been melded into a vine pattern. He felt slight stirring in his chest as he recalled seeing the dwarves creating other items similar in nature. He could almost hear the clinking of the harmers and the shouts of the workers. The feel of their soft wrist as Edmund wrapped the band around their wrist as his lips were met with a soft kiss. 

Edmund quickly snapped himself out his waltz down memory lane as the most important fact about this bracelet hit him, this was not his in any way shape or form and was most likely the person who had spilled his tea all over him. Yay.

Y/N didn’t think there was any way they could make their apartment any more a mess than it already was, but you know sometimes the universe likes to test you. After a rather hasty meeting with Jill, Y/N had noticed the lack of weight on their wrist and then proceeded to lose their shit. That bracelet was the last connection they had to a life that they never tried to remember anymore and Y/N wasn’t about to let that slip away too. Returning the journal had become the last thing on Y/N’s mind as they descended like a hurricane onto the poor, unsuspecting apartment. 

It wasn't until there was a soft knock on the door did Y/N stop their reign of terror. Y/N threw the door open to find Mr. Robot-Man-Across-The-Alley standing with a look of pure panic across his face.

“Um, hi. I live in the building next to you and-”

“Yeah, you’re the robot man. Can I help you?” Y/N interrupted with little to no thought about the annoyance flooding their voice. 

“So, I think I may have acquired something of yours. We bumped into each other earlier today. You spilled tea all over me.”

“Oh, shit. Sorry about that. Do you want some more money or something?”

“No, can I come in?” Y/N nodded and Edmund entered this enclosure of the subject he had been causally observing for a few months. 

His internal panic was cut off as Y/N let out a grown and smacked their forehead. “Aslan’s mane, I am so forgetful.”

“What?” Y/N made no acknowledgment of Edmund as he felt every system in his body shut down.

“Here, this is yours.” Y/N dug out his journal from under a pile of hand-drawn maps. “You dropped it when and I was meaning to give it back, but I may have gotten slightly distracted.” Y/N chuckled as they looked around the disaster zone.

“Funny you should mention it because I think I have something as yours as well.” Edmund slipped the bracelet out of his pocket and handed it to Y/N. He should’ve covered his ears. Pure joy flooded Y/N’s face as tears began to pour down their face. 

“Thank you so much. You literally have no idea how much this means to me. I was going to tear apart my whole apartment just to find this thing,” They squealed. “You are my hero now or something. In fact…” Y/N hurried into their living room and floated through the many plants. They then ran back to Edmund with a tiny succulent cradled in their palm. 

“Here,” They said breathlessly, “I want you to have this.”

“No. I couldn’t.”

“I insist. Besides you need something to liven up that barren wasteland you call an apartment.” Edmund blushed and smiled down at the small plant.

“Thank you,” he whispered. 

“No problem, I’m Y/N by the way.”

“I need to leave.” 

Y/N walking away as Edmund didn't do anything. 

Y/N crying as Edmund marries someone else. 

Y/N closing the door as Edmund tried to apologize.

Y/N’s tombstone causes all of the life to leave Edmund as he stares in horror.

“I’m Edmund.”

 A/N: I have been working on this for three weeks and I am so proud of it! It’s kind of a sequel to Not My Proudest Moment, but it can be read as a stand alone. I plan to part two to hopeful be up by next week. Thank you for reading and here is link for some petitions for you to sign.

previous/next

masterlist  

[carewyncromwell]

*wiggles in delight* Okay, okay, you know it’s the POTC AU again. X3

Last part is here -- whole tag is here -- Lavender’s Blue is a folk song that dates back to the 17th century, but I used a more modern version in the link because it’s honestly the prettiest one I could find -- Leave Her Johnny is a traditional sea shanty, pinpointing it as being from the 18th/19th century, even though I haven’t been able to find a concrete date of when the original version was actually written anywhere, but whatever, who cares -- the myth of Orion and Artemis has several variations, but I just used one of the most popular ones because it fits the narrative -- I love my dear @cursebreakerfarrier and her girl Jules’s relationship with my precious boi Bill so much --

And that’s it! Let’s get right to it!! Eeeee~!!! *goes off and fangirls some more*

x~x~x~x

When it comes to dividing loot, one of the central tenants of the Pirate Code set down by the pirates Morgan and Bartholomew -- as well as every other specialized code set by individual pirate captains -- was the idea of everyone getting their fair share of whatever treasure they managed to plunder, with the Captain being awarded ownership of any ships. Thus everyone in the Tower Raven’s fleet as well as the Artemis’s crew was entitled to an equal share of the treasure the Revenge’s crew had stored away on Isle de Muerta the last fifteen years. It took a while to divvy up everyone’s shares, but even with how many people there were, everyone ended up with a respectable share, all the same. Both Jacob and Orion also quickly abdicated their possible claims to the Revenge to Carewyn -- a rather generous offer to some minds, considering it was the fastest galleon on the seven seas, but Carewyn could thoroughly understood why Jacob would want no part of it. If nothing else, he already had a rather impressive fleet, and the Revenge had the same bad memories for her as it did him.

It wasn’t long after the treasure was parsed into equal shares and the Tower Raven’s fleet departed that Bill pulled Jules aside.

“It looks like our little adventure is over,” he said with a faintly wry smile.

“...So it is,” said Jules.

She wasn’t smiling. She tried, but she just couldn’t shake the feeling that Bill was worried about something. Her wary expression made Bill turn a bit more serious too.

“You know Charlie and I won’t be able to return to Port Royal,” he said softly. “Your father could likely pull some strings to keep you from being punished, especially if you claimed we forced you, but...”

“I would never claim that and you know it,” Jules cut him off, her tone very reproachful.

Bill’s brown eyes crinkled up with fondness.

“...I know. That’s why I feel a little better telling you this.”

Taking her hand, he then slowly lowered himself onto one knee. Somewhere behind him, Bill could hear a quickly suppressed gasp of delight from Carewyn, and it made him grin around his scarlet cheeks up at Jules, whose face was also alight with surprise and a darkening flush.

“Juliette Farrier -- you are, without question, the most amazing and wonderful woman I have ever met in my life. You’re braver than a lioness and you never let anything stand in your way, no matter what the squalls. In the words of Psalm 143:8, ‘show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life’ -- ”

His entire face was a brilliant ruby red by this point. He bit his lip briefly, only for his mouth to spread into an even broader smile as he tried to hold in a laugh.

“ -- so...if you could accept a pirate as your husband, over a merchant or even a man of the Church...I swear to stand by your side and love you all my days.”

Jules was visibly overwhelmed. Her face flushed and her eyes flooding with tears, she found herself starting to laugh. Then she flung herself down onto Bill, grabbing hold of him around the neck and cradling his head and shoulders.

“Yes -- yes, of course I will!”

The wedding between Juliette Farrier and William Weasley was a very informal, rushed sort of affair. Since there was no church that would’ve married them and Bill couldn’t do it himself, they held it aboard the Artemis with Orion -- being Captain -- officiating the ceremony. Charlie and Carewyn scrounged through the loot remaining in the cave at Isle de Muerta to find a handsome coat made out of brown leather, a navy blue tricorn hat, a well-shined pair of boots, a rather pretty-looking off-white dress, a gold tiara, and a translucent muslin apron. Carewyn was able to cut the apron into a make-shift veil that she then helped Jules secure in her hair with the tiara.

Orion’s version of a wedding ceremony was distinctly not traditional. Rather than quoting scripture, he made a rather bizarre analogy to beavers. To his credit, it did eventually come around to the idea that they mate for life and they build their own home out of nothing together out of whatever’s available to them, which Carewyn thought was actually rather sweet.

Once the vows were read and the bride and groom shared their first kiss as husband and wife, the crew threw a makeshift wedding party on board the Artemis, with Carewyn singing a song for Bill and Jules’s first dance.

“Lavender's blue, dilly, dilly, lavender's green When I am king, dilly, dilly, you shall be queen: Who told you so, dilly, dilly, who told you so? 'Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly, that told me so.”

Once the dance was over, Carewyn couldn’t stop herself from throwing her arms around both of them, hugging them both with all of her strength. Soon Charlie had thrown himself into the huddle too, and the four were all clinging to each other, crying and smiling all the while.

“Jules,” Carewyn said seriously, “I want you, Bill, and Charlie to take the Revenge.”

The three all looked taken aback.

“What?” said Charlie.

“It’s the fastest galleon in the entire ocean, and easily the most feared pirate ship as well,” she explained, her eyes trailing from Charlie to Bill to Jules. “It may need some fixing -- I daresay it’d be a good idea to actually patch up those leaks with more than just magic, and I figure you’ll want to christen it with a new name...but...”

Her blue eyes drifted down to Jules’s shoulder.

“...If you must be considered criminals, with no chance of reprieve...then I don’t want the Navy to ever, ever catch you. I want you on a vessel so strong and so fast...that I can never catch up to you again.”

Bill, Charlie and Jules all stared at Carewyn, their eyes filling up with emotion seeing how strong of a face Carewyn was trying to put on, despite the pain she no doubt felt. Then Jules secured her arm more tightly around Carewyn’s shoulders, resting her forehead beside her friend’s affectionately.

“And if you must stay behind...then I want you to know that we’ll always...always come for you, Carey.”

Charlie nodded, resting his own head on Carewyn’s shoulder as he squeezed her shoulder. “Always.”

Bill’s eyes were streaming with tears. He seemed too overcome by his emotions to speak, so instead he brought up a hand and smoothed some hair out of his best friend’s face, placing a soft kiss to the crown of her head. Carewyn trailed a hand through his hair to comfort him.

“Look...after Percy for us?” Bill murmured in her ear, his voice choked with tears.

Carewyn blinked back her tears as best she could. “Of course.”

Not long later, Captain Jules Weasley boarded the newly christened Revolution with her First Mate and husband Bill and her Quartermaster and brother-in-law Charlie, and the three set off for Tortuga. Orion and the crew of the Artemis had arranged to meet them there and help them with ship repairs, since it would likely only take a scooner like the Artemis an extra day to reach Tortuga after dropping Carewyn off on an island frequented by rum runners, rescued, and returned to the Navy.

The next few days aboard the Artemis was rather more relaxed than on the voyage to Isle de Muerta. Everyone was in pretty good spirits thanks to the significant pay-out, so the nights were spent on deck drinking lots of rum and singing old pirate favorites like Spanish Ladies and Yo Ho A Pirate’s Life for Me. (That last one Carewyn was even able to coax Orion onto his feet and dance with her for, and the rather drunk crew was absolutely beside themselves with laughter, seeing the broad smile and dark flush on their tipsy captain’s face.)

On the last night of their voyage, however, as the sun went down, Orion did not join the festivities. The crew wasn’t too perturbed by it, as he apparently often stayed off to the side rather than get as active as he had that previous night. Despite this, though, McNully still lifted himself up into the rigging and paid Orion a visit at the helm while the rest of the crew drank and sang down below.

“Penny for your thoughts, Orion?” he asked amusedly.

Orion glanced up at McNully serenely. “Oh, merely...meditating on what would’ve happened, had the Scorpion not appeared.”

“The Scorpion?” repeated McNully, as he cocked an eyebrow.

Orion nodded up at the sky, to a certain cluster of stars.

“The Scorpion -- Scorpio. I wonder what would have happened if Apollo had not sent him to sting the heel of the hunter Orion -- what might have been his fate, then.”

McNully glanced from the constellation to down at Orion, frowning slightly.

“Well...he would’ve kept hunting with Artemis, I suppose,” he said slowly, “like he did before.”

“Yes...but would he have been able to do that ad infinitum? Would they have been able to hunt together, side by side, for the rest of Orion’s life, until he’d lived to a ripe old age? Or, like it’s said happened to the goddess Calypso...would it be too difficult for a goddess and a mere man to walk the same path for more than a short while...when the paths set before them are destined to diverge?”

Orion’s voice was very detached, but McNully knew him well enough that he could hear the quiet intensity in his voice. This thought exercise of his had been more than simple meditation, this McNully was sure of.

The First Mate considered Orion for a moment, contemplating his answer.

“...Well...I suppose that’s something Artemis and Orion would’ve probably had to plot out themselves, if it’d come to that. Reckon those sorts of things are always a 50-50 thing, no matter who the players are.”

Orion glanced at McNully out the side of his eye. “‘Those sorts of things?’”

“Yeah -- heart-related things. In the story you’re talking about, Orion was the only man Artemis ever loved, right?”

Orion’s dark eyes flickered down to the crew below. “...Aye.”

“Well, love kind of involves communication, so I’ve heard,” said McNully amusedly, “and while I’m no expert in love, I do pride myself on my communication skills. And from where I stand, I’d say that it’s up to those people to decide whether what they’ve got is more important than what ‘path’ they’re meant for or not. And unless there’s action on one or both people’s parts, there’s a 99.5% chance that both them and everyone around them will be left wondering forever what could’ve been.”

Orion didn’t answer. McNully followed his gaze down to the newly redressed Commodore Carewyn on the deck, who was leading the rest of the crew in a sea shanty.

“Oh, the wind was foul and the sea ran high... Leave her, Johnny, leave her! She shipped it green and none went by, And it's time for us to leave her.

Leave her, Johnny, leave her! Oh, leave her, Johnny, leave her! For the voyage is long and the winds don't blow, And it's time for us to leave her.”

Orion’s eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly, darkening with an emotion that McNully couldn’t place -- then, rather swiftly, he turned and headed for the stairs that led down to the main deck.

“I’ll take the first watch in the crow’s nest, McNully,” he said levelly. “Please see that the crew finishes up soon, so that we can start our nightly rounds.”

“...Aye, aye, Captain.”

The crew didn’t pay mind to the Captain walking past them on his way to the crow’s nest, but Carewyn couldn’t help but notice that he avoided any of their eyes.

Not long after, the crew all started getting ready to go to sleep down below in their makeshift cots and hammocks. Carewyn, however, was too disconcerted by Orion’s behavior and couldn’t help but approach McNully. When she did, he merely shrugged and told her not to worry -- Orion liked to go up to the crow’s nest alone to meditate, and it didn’t always mean he was in a bad mood. All the same, Carewyn decided to stay on deck and take the watch with Orion.

McNully considered her for a moment, before he finally added an aside to her.

“While he’s meditating, there’s only about a 45% chance he’ll talk to you. But...keep in mind that there’s only about a 25% chance that he’d talk to me. ...I reckon those are odds worth chancing.”

And so Carewyn made her way up into the crow’s nest. She found Orion there, resting his arms on the railing of the crow’s nest with his eyes closed and head bowed.

She settled herself next to him, resting her arms on the railing beside his. At first she was reluctant to speak, considering how clearly focused he was despite his eyes being closed. Then, at last, the Commodore finally brushed her newly retied ponytail over her shoulder and settled on asking him.

“...Would you prefer me to not say anything, while we watch together?”

Orion was quiet for a moment. Then, without opening his eyes, he murmured, “...You could sing something.”

Carewyn smiled slightly. “All right. Any requests?”

“‘A Maid in Bedlam.’”

It hadn’t taken him long to come up with it. Carewyn’s smile spread a bit, before she looked out at the sea and sang it for him. 

“Just as she sat there weeping, her love, he came on land. Then, hearing she was in Bedlam, he ran straight out of hand -- He flew into her snow-white arms, and thus replied he: ‘I love my love because I know my love loves me.’

She said, ‘My love, don't frighten me, are you my love or no?’ ‘Oh yes, my dearest Nancy, I am your love, also. I have returned to make amends for all your injury... I love my love because I know my love loves me.’

So now these two are married, and happy may they be, Like turtle doves together, in love and unity.

All pretty maids, with patience wait, that have got loves at sea -- I love my love because I know...my love...loves...me."

A ghost of a smile had settled into the corners of Orion’s lips as he listened. When Carewyn finally finished, he opened his eyes and looked out at the horizon.

“Did you sing that song, while you were on the Revenge?” he murmured.

Carewyn looked at him in surprise.

“...How did you know?”

“A mermaid was singing the song around our ship one night while we were bound for Isle de Muerta. She said she’d learned the song from a maid locked in the brig of a pirate ship.”

Carewyn’s eyes softened in understanding. She looked back out at the sea too, her expression becoming a little more serious.

“...While I was on the Revenge,” she said softly, “I...well, I wasn’t myself, at points. I was scared, and angry...and that night...”

Her eyes darkened.

“...That night...was the worst of all of them. I don’t even know how I fell asleep. But I did, and...sure enough...there you were.”

Orion looked up, startled. Carewyn’s lips were spread in something of a bittersweet smile even though her gaze was still on the sea.

“I said you appeared in my dreams at random, but I don’t think that’s wholly true,” she admitted. “You wouldn’t appear whenever I felt cheerful or excited. Instead you always seemed to appear...whenever I was drowning. Whenever I was in a dark place...hopeless and useless. Whenever I most felt...like I deserved to be alone.”

It was strange saying any of this aloud. It made Carewyn feel oddly fragile and vulnerable. With a swallow, she put on the bravest smile she could as she forced herself to meet Orion’s eyes.

“...I guess...whenever I end up in that place...remembering when I was able to help you...it helps, somehow. It...orients me, like a compass. It helps me remember how much better I feel about myself, knowing that I can take care of others.”

Orion stared at Carewyn, his mouth slightly open as his eyes searched her expression. They rippled with an intense emotion, but Carewyn couldn’t quite place it -- was it empathy? Pain? Longing? Relief?

His kohl-lined eyes drifted down to his belt. Then, carefully, he detached his little black-lidded compass from his belt and held it up in both hands so she could see it.

“Would you like to hear the tale of how I first acquired this compass?” he asked.

Carewyn looked down at it curiously and nodded.

“It was a gift,” said Orion. “A gift from a king, who was captured by an enemy kingdom and then sold into slavery. He ended up on a ship owned by the East India Trading Company, bound for the Caribbean...a ship I’d joined as a cabin boy. I was fourteen, going under the name ‘Smith,’ as it was the only name I’d been given at the time, besides ‘boy.’

“Not long after the ship set sail, I overheard the king planning a slave revolt against the sailors on board -- and I had to make a choice. 1, I could report what I heard to the captain...or 2, I could say nothing. Instead I picked a third option -- I helped him. I left his manacles a little too loose that night and told him where he could safely maroon the sailors who didn’t want to stay. So when the revolt happened...the king dropped off the entire crew except me. I agreed to stay long enough to help him sail home, since he and his people didn’t have any experience sailing a British ship. The king named me his First Mate and asked me to call him by his given name...Amari.”

Carewyn's eyes widened in amazement. Orion smiled gently at the look on her face and nodded, before his expression grew much more serious again.

“It wasn’t long after, however, that Cutler Beckett -- the man who owned the slave ship -- sent pirate hunters out to retrieve his ‘stolen cargo.’ On our way back to the Ivory Coast, we were locked in a sea battle, and Amari was mortally injured. As he lay on the deck, he made me promise to take his family home...and once I did...he gave me his compass. I used it to safely sail us away from the pirate hunters and drop the crew off close to home, before I took the next ship out of Africa, which plopped me down in the Caribbean.

“When I landed in Port Royal, however, news had already reached the Navy positioned there of my ‘theft of Company property.’ I was immediately locked in irons, branded, and set to be hanged the following morning. I barely remember now how I managed to shake off the soldiers escorting me to the jail, but sure enough, I did...”

Orion’s dark eyes softened slightly -- he reached out to take both of Carewyn’s hand and place the compass gently in her hands, his own hands cupping around hers so that she’d hold it.

“...And, as fate would have it...ran straight into you.”

Carewyn’s wide blue eyes ran over his face in disbelief.

She’d heard so many bizarre tales of the infamous Orion Amari and his exploits, but she couldn’t for the life of her remember having heard anything about how he became a pirate in the first place. And to hear now that it was all because he’d helped a ship full of slaves return home...to keep a promise he’d made to someone he’d clearly respected...

She’d known Orion was a good man -- but she realized that before that moment, she’d had no concept just how good.

Her eyes softened upon the compass in their joined hands.

“...It’s no wonder you’ve kept it even after it broke, then,” she said gently. “It’s truly very special.”

Orion’s dark eyes rippled over her face. “Aye...but it’s never been broken, however much it hasn’t worked for me, recently.”

Carewyn blinked in confusion.

“My compass does not point North -- nor has it ever done so,” he explained. “Instead...it points to whatever you want most in this world. If you wished to find treasure, it would point you to it. If you wished to escape, it would point you to safety. If you wished to sail homeward ...it would point the way.”

Carewyn glanced down at the compass and then back up at Orion’s face, feeling a bit skeptical despite herself. The pirate captain’s mouth spread in an amused smile.

“You don’t believe me?” he asked.

“I didn’t say that,” said Carewyn primly. “It’s just...hard to believe...”

She once again looked down at the compass and then back up at him.

“...Is that really true?”

Orion’s eyes twinkled. “Every word.”

Carewyn considered him for a moment carefully, her eyes scanning his face as she thought this over.

“...So I suppose the reason it’s not working for you...is you don’t know what you want?”

Orion’s face grew a lot more solemn.

“On the contrary,” he said softly. “It’s more...that my heart is so focused on one thing...it’s made it so the compass, in my hands, will point nowhere else. Ever since you escaped the Artemis...it’s been locked in place.”

His hands adjusted on top of hers holding his compass, his thumbs resting on the sides of her wrists.

Carewyn’s gaze fell down to their joined hands -- then, her eyes slowly widening, she looked back up at Orion.

“...When you came to Port Royal...”

Orion inclined his head. “The compass was pointing me there.”

“And...Isle de Muerta...”

“I only found because the compass was pointing me there, too.”

Orion’s voice was still as level as ever, but he suddenly looked quite a bit paler. Something in the back of his calm, serene eyes seemed oddly tentative -- insecure.

Carewyn stared at him, hardly daring to believe it. If she was understanding Orion correctly, then...the thing his compass had been pointing toward...

...was her.

Her heart had swelled to a seemingly impossibly large size in her chest, almost painfully so. It made Carewyn unsure of what even to say or do -- she couldn’t contain her emotions, and was forced to cover her face in both hands, cutting herself off as she struggled to regain her composure.

At long last, she took a breath.

“‘She said...‘my love, don’t frighten me...are you...my love, or no?’”

Orion straightened up visibly as she slid her hands from her face, beaming up at him with perhaps the most emotional, most beautiful smile he’d ever seen on her face.

“‘...Oh yes, my dear Orion...I am your love, also.’”

[fieryanmitsu]

If Only | A3! (one-sided Itaru/Izumi, Sakyo/Izumi)

This story plot suddenly just cannonballed into my head while I was listening to Shintarou Asanuma’s cover of “So Close” from Disney’s Enchanted. For those of you who don’t know, he is Itaru’s Japanese voice actor! I really do love AsaShin’s singing voice, and he seriously just knocks it out of the ballpark with this song. I’m just heartbroken forever now, and the lyrics made me cry, so here I am with an angsty story that no one asked for, hahaha!

Because of the way I envisioned this story, it felt most right if I wrote it in present tense. However, this style of writing is definitely something out of my comfort zone and I can’t remember the last time I tried writing in the present tense. So, I’ll apologize in advance if I make your eyes bleed with my terrible grammar and any unintentional switching to the past tense (especially since I don’t write with a beta)!!

IF ONLY

CHARACTERS: Itaru Chigasaki, Izumi Tachibana, Sakyo Furuichi

PAIRINGS: unrequited Itaru/Izumi, Sakyo/Izumi

My fanfic masterpost: Here

AO3: Link in my Blog Menu

Itaru finds himself in an unfamiliar situation: on the sidelines of a blaring dance floor. He has attended many weddings in his lifetime – he was at that age, after all, as his parents often remind him – but, he can count on one hand how many wedding after-parties he has bothered to join. Actually, he didn’t even need one whole hand. One experience was enough for him to have his fill of plastering on a fake face and dealing with obnoxious drunk people – especially drunk women trying to get into his bed. Not to mention, he would lose out on his precious free time.

However, there was no way he could get out of this particular after-party. After all, it is the Mankai Company-exclusive after-party for Izumi and Sakyo’s wedding. Or was it the after-after-party? Did the impromptu karaoke session thrown together by Banri and Tenma count as an after-party? Regardless, much to Itaru’s misery, skipping out on the current celebrations is not an option – according to Tsuzuru, anyway.

Nibbling half-heartedly on one of the finger sandwiches that Omi had prepared, Itaru lounges casually at one of the cocktail tables. A beautiful bouquet of flowers sits upon the pristine tablecloth – lovingly hand made by Tsumugi, of course – but his eyes spare them no glance. Instead, his gaze is glued on Izumi’s slender figure as she sways her hips on the dance floor, surrounded by a gaggle of the younger Mankai Company members. They cheer her on as she clutches the skirt of her floor-length white dress, whirling around with abandon. Her smile flashes brighter than the tacky disco ball suspended from the ceiling, and Itaru is unable to look away.

Suddenly, the dance music fades out and the mood in the ballroom completely changes as the DJ – Sakoda, because his services are free – starts playing a mellower tune.

Picking up his glass, Itaru throws back the rest of his drink, feeling the alcohol burn a hot trail down his throat. There was no way he was going to get through this evening sober. He clunks down the empty glass and vaguely registers Sakoda loudly announcing that it was about time that the boss gets his butt on the dance floor already.

The young salaryman absentmindedly shoves another sandwich into his mouth as he watches Sakyo being pulled from his seat at a nearby table and shoved into the centre of the rented hall by Taichi and Misumi. The bespectacled man stumbles as he nearly trips on one of the table legs, and Izumi catches him in her arms as the two young men laugh rather than help.

After Sakyo regains his footing, the newlywed couple wrap their arms around each other to the cheers of the audience and they begin swaying to the tune of a slow, romantic song. The usual hard expression on Sakyo’s face softens as he looks down lovingly at his bride, and the smile that Izumi returns is blinding.

Itaru tears his eyes away. He doesn’t know why he still feels bothered. Did he not literally witness those lovey-dovey faces all day as they had been exchanging vows, giving their speeches at the reception, and cutting the wedding cake? Maybe the alcohol was exacerbating it, but the remaining sandwich in his mouth suddenly tastes like sand and he feels sick to his stomach. He wants to run away, wants to get away from the awful feelings wrapping their fingers around his chest and squeezing his heart painfully.

But, as usual, he doesn’t do anything. Just like the countless other instances in the past years. How many times had the voice in his head shut him down when he wanted to reach out to her, only to freeze and pull away?

‘Why bother – you’re not good enough, anyway,’ the voice lamented.

‘You’re just useless gamer trash – you’ll never be able to give her what she deserves,’ the voice sneered.

‘Why compete with him – he’s better than you in every way,’ the voice demanded.

He has long lost count.

Itaru is drawn out of his thoughts by loud whooping and wolf whistles. Turning his head to the source of the attention, he sees Azuma confidently step onto the dance floor while flicking his ponytail over his shoulder. Moments later, the long-haired man gracefully steals Izumi away from her groom with a wink. Even though the lighting in the room is dim, Itaru can just make out Sakyo rolling his eyes as he steps aside, but not without a good-natured smirk on his lips.

Izumi giggles with delight as Azuma leads her across the dance floor. Before long, the professional cuddler’s actions start a chain reaction. Kazunari swoops in shortly after with a cheeky grin to enjoy his turn with Izumi before he twirls her away to – a very drunk, Itaru notes – Tasuku. The director is nearly crushed by his burly body when he fails to keep his feet under him, but Citron rescues her and begins spinning her around the dance floor. Izumi’s laughter rings in Itaru’s ears as she continues to waltz through a succession of more Mankai Company men.

And, then, suddenly, Izumi is standing in front of him, and her hand is on his wrist.

“Dance with me, Itaru,” she requests – no, commands – and tugs lightly on his arm with a big, innocent smile and flushed cheeks.

In any other situation, his rejection would be instantaneous. He doesn’t dance – can’t dance. Izumi knows this, too, considering the countless number of times he has trampled on her toes during practices.He knows he should turn her down, because nothing good can come of this.

Maybe, he could use Masumi as an excuse – the young man was slumped over on one of the tables, dead to the world. He could say that he was taking Masumi home to rest (and mope) in his bed instead. But, something about Izumi always makes his brain short-circuit and he can’t bring himself to say ‘no’.

Still in a daze, he lets her pull him onto the dance floor. It’s not until he feels one of her hands settle on his shoulder and her other hand clasp around his own, that it really hits him.

An intense surge of emotions wrenches through his gut and he wants to throw up. His mind is a tornado of competing, conflicting thoughts, threatening to rip him apart from the inside. He feels a telltale prickling behind his eyes and he bites down so hard on the inside of his cheek that he can taste blood.

Hide it, he screams at himself. SMILE, damn it.

So, he does. Except, it’s not the smile he means to give – the princely, aloof smile that deflects everything. Instead, he gives Izumi a smile he has hidden for years. The one that he only permits himself to give her in his dreams.

Itaru wants to kick himself – wants to stab his own traitorous heart – because, in his moment of weakness, he is succumbing to the escapist habit he has depended on since childhood. However, this time, instead of imagining himself as Lancelot, as he often did in his youth, he imagines that he is… hers. Imagines that this is their dance. Imagines that he is the one that said ‘I do’ at the altar. Imagines that he can make this beautiful woman, in her pure white dress, happy – for it was this woman that gave him a place to belong and he can’t imagine being anywhere else but by her side.

And, in that moment, Itaru is the happiest he has ever been and he wishes he could keep holding her hand forever. Maybe, this moment could have been real–

If only he didn’t always just decide to give up, then maybe he could have said ‘I’m serious’ instead of ‘I’m just joking.’

If only he was brave enough, then maybe he could have returned her embrace, instead of wrenching himself away.

If only he could hate himself less, then maybe he could have told her: ‘Choose me.’

If only this dream would never end.

If only–

But, he hears the melody beginning to slow down…

Not yet.

… and the last notes of the song fade away.

Please.

Then, their feet come to a halt, and Itaru wakes up.

“Thanks, Itaru! You’ve made me so happy!” she exclaims with a smile that burns its image into his eyes.

And, despite the irrational part of his mind screaming at him to keep hold of her hand, he just gives her a smile – a real one, because he loves her – and gently plants a kiss to the back of her hand before he lets her go.

It took me a long time and many late nights of fiddling around before I was satisfied with this, so hopefully my words got through and you were all able to the fruits of my labour!

I would also highly recommend you all to take a listen to AsaShin’s cover of “So Close” if you can (it’s from the Disney Koe no Ouji-sama Voice Stars Dream Selection II album). There is also the original Japanese version on YouTube with subtitles last I checked as well. Ultimately, this story was a culmination of my feelings and thoughts as I listened to that song.

Anyway, thank you again for reading and feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts or any constructive criticism!! If you enjoyed, please reblog~

-Anmitsu

[the-darklings]

—𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝒖𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒉;

pairing: quentin beck x reader

word count: 2.8k+

summary: “He could spin you a thousand dreams, a thousand realities, but it would still end the same. With him.”

notes: Strap in lads, we’re going on a ride. Beware spoilers for far from home. Enjoy!

‘unravelling’ miniseries: | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | . . | 06 |

gif credit (x)

“Should I be concerned?”

“No, sir.”

“Good,” Fury intoned flatly, his visible eye scrutinizing you carefully, shrewdly, “Cause the last thing I need right now is to be worrying whether you’ve been compromised. Have you?”

Your gaze focused on a spot just above his head, and you kept your expression empty of any emotion when you answered. “No, sir.”

Fury peered at you for another long minute before his expression lightened somewhat. “Beck is a good man,” Fury said slowly, watching you just as closely, “The type of good we could really use more of around here. I respect that you may have formed some sort of...connection. But right now, I need you both focused on handling this threat. Think you can do that for me?”

Your clasped hands tightened into fists behind your back, the warmth of Quentin’s ring warming the skin of your palm. “Yes, sir.” 

. . .

“Whatever happens, I’m glad we met.”

What was he doing? Oh, god no. 

The ring in your hand felt like it was scorching through your skin and you held it so tightly, you had no doubt it was going to leave an imprint.

The Fire Elemental roared its fury, and from where you stood next to Hill and Fury, you could just make out Quentin’s head turning in your direction for a moment. He must have said something that was lost to the roar of the monster because the next moment familiar green glow started surrounding him. His body convulsed, and you just made out Peter’s terrified shout before Quentin drove straight for the Elemental. 

You didn’t realize you were running till the blinding green light took your sight, causing you to stumble against the debris. You knees creaked as you braced against a fallen chunk of a fallen building, scratching your palm on the coarse stone. Spots danced in your vision and you shook your head a few times, trying to locate Quentin or Peter in the leftover chaos. 

The Elemental was gone. 

Not even a trace of it remained—only the mayhem the fight with it had left behind. It was while taking in the damage that you spotted Peter—now clad in all black—rushing towards a lifeless figure on the ground. 

Your stomach sank at the sight, and you dashed forward too, your fingers still impossibly rigid around the band of metal in your palm. 

“Beck?” 

Peter’s voice was small and thin in a way that told you he was barely holding himself together. It was clear that this struck too close to the memory of having to kneel in front of Tony as he faded away. 

You rushed to them, falling hard on your knees next to the motionless Quentin. His face was covered in dust and dirt, small beads of sweat still clinging to his brow as he lay unmoving on his back. 

“Quentin?” you whispered thickly, hovering your hand over his burning cheek. “Quentin, can you hear us?”

Your fingers started to tremble the longer he remained unresponsive, and you heard Peter’s breathing pick up in panic. 

“Quentin?” you repeated with more force, your fingers coming to rest against his cheek. 

A raspy groan filled the still evening air, and his head turned slightly to nuzzle into your hand, his eyes fluttering open weakly. 

“(Name)? Am—am I dead?”

A gust of relieved breath escaped you and you laughed weakly, shaking your head, “No you’re not. Quentin, you did it. You destroyed it.”

His expression softened with wonderment and he exhaled softly, eyes shutting briefly, “You’re safe then.”

“Oh, thank god,” Peter exhaled shakily and you chuckled, nodding your head at him in reassurance. 

At least for tonight, you had avoided more casualties. 

You looked back at Quentin only to find him already gazing at you, his eyes half-lidded. It was hard to find appropriate words to say to him after what just happened, and especially after the bombshell he dropped on you before the battle. 

Married.

Some version of you had loved this man. And you could see why. 

Swallowing thickly, you pulled back your hand from the warmth of his cheek, already missing the scratch of his heavy stubble against your skin. 

His expression fell slightly when you drew back but he schooled his features within seconds, grasping firmly onto the hand Peter eagerly offered to him. 

“You okay, Peter?” you questioned as you navigated Quentin’s weakened body into a sitting position. “No injuries?”

“Yeah—no, I’m totally okay,” Peter quipped back right away, still sounding a bit frazzled. It was hard to keep your composure under these circumstances, so it was understandable. “Just peachy.”

When Hill and Fury found you moments later, you weren’t surprised to hear about Fury’s offer to Quentin. He would fit in, and Fury was right, this world needed someone like him. 

Someone who would be willing to sacrifice themselves to save the world. Someone who would not only be a good leader but also respected and liked. The team needed that—now more than ever, and Quentin could be that missing link. 

You fidgeted with the ring in your hand, stiffly standing to the side when Fury turned his attention to Peter. 

“The choice is yours.”

Your bones almost groaned from how hard you were clenching your jaw. It was only respect and sheer force of will that stopped you from opening your mouth and snapping at Fury that what he was doing was not only unfair but also cruel. 

Fury had always been a ruthless man—he lived a world where he had to be one, but he was always fair too. That’s why you worked by his side for all these years. Not because he went around putting psychological pressure on grieving teenagers.  

“C’mon, I’m treating you both to drinks,” Quentin spoke up and you blinked yourself out of your stupor, your fidgeting fingers stilling for a moment. 

“I can’t,” you said softly, ignoring the way Quentin’s eyes drilled into you at your reply. “You two should go ahead though.”

“What, why?” Peter spoke up, turning his doe eyes your way, “It—it might be fun. Just like the old days,” he added, a touch softer and your heart twisted. 

The old days.

Yeah. You still remembered those. How Peter used to come to Stark Industries under the guise of his “internship” which always ended up being either training or you two crashing Tony’s private lab. 

Peter hung onto every word—and actually understood most of the theory—behind whatever Tony was rattling on about on the day. 

Tony acted like having you two crash his space was the worst thing in the world—often reminding Peter to stop drooling all over his workbenches—but you knew he secretly enjoyed having attentive guests who at least got the gist of what he was talking about. 

The memories of those visits—the pizza and the laughter and the science you rarely understood—were precious to you. You couldn’t even begin to imagine how much they meant to Peter now, having lost Tony the way he did. 

“After heroes do battle, us mortals have to do the cleanup, kiddo,” you told him with a wry half-grin. “And in case you haven’t noticed, the square is literally on fire.”

It was Quentin’s voice that cut through the night next. “Peter, can you give us a minute?”

The boy glanced slowly from you to Quentin before bobbing his head repeatedly, “Uh, yeah. I’ll just be—I’ll just wait...over there somewhere.”

The stretch of silence that fell around you wasn’t uncomfortable but it wasn’t tranquil either. Tension laid thick over you both, and you absentmindedly rubbed the smooth edge of his ring. 

“If you’re angry at me—”

You laughed; an exhausted, almost disbelieving sound, “For what? Being willing to die for a world that’s not even yours? For being brave? For saving everyone here?”

“For scaring you.”

His words were soft, kind, and you felt your lips tremble before you pursed them firmly. He outstretched his hand towards you, and your eyes fluttered shut when you felt his hotter fingers on your face.

“It’s fine, you don’t owe me anything, Quentin,” you told him frankly, turning your face away and letting his hand drop. “Take care of him for me, will you? I think he admires you a lot and he could use someone like you in his life,” you requested with a nod in the general direction Peter had wandered off to.   

You couldn’t quite pinpoint the expression on Quentin’s face as he peered at you, but you did know that it was making you feel exceedingly flustered the longer he did. The burning intensity that had warmed his eyes was impossible to ignore or escape.

“And what about you?” he asked, his words so soft it felt more like a silky caress against your senses. “Could you make space for me in your life too?”

Shaking your head with a light laugh, you peered at him with narrowed eyes, “That’s dangerous talk Mr Beck,” you pointed out idly, but you still reached out and brushed a spot of dirt just above his brow. “But I think I might be a little fascinated with you as well. Just a bit though. Can’t have that head too big for the fishbowl just yet.”

Yeah, you liked his laugh a little too much. 

. . .

After Quentin and Peter left, the cleanup work began in earnest. 

It was a slow slog because the authorities were asking one redundant question after another but thankfully Hill usually dealt with the authorities, leaving you with the management of the actual cleanup. Fury was simply overseeing the process as a whole and was already busy making plans for the trip to Berlin. 

It was fine. 

The mission was over. 

After tonight, you could finally go home. 

Home. You weren’t sure it could even be considered as such anymore.

After losing your dad, Tony and even Nat, nothing felt real anymore. In your line of work, you didn’t have a home of four walls and a wooden door. Instead, you had a band of unlikely people banding together to achieve something greater. For you, a family had been disgruntled arguments about breakfast every day with people made of flesh and blood. 

Family had been the Avengers. 

But then came Ultron, and Siberia, and finally Thanos. 

And now with three graves and memories that you tried your best to bottle down, nothing had felt safe, familiar, since. 

Except…

Your fingers slid into your jean pocket, brushing against the ring that sat safely tucked away and you smiled faintly. 

Ironically enough, you knew what all three of them would say to you in regards to Quentin. 

“There you are.”

Your gun was out of the hostler faster than the figure in front of you could react. Quentin’s face slackened with shock, hands flying up, familiar green vapour curling around his fingers. 

“Woah, just me.”

The breath inside your lungs rushed out all at once and you suppressed a groan. “Not...the best idea to sneak up someone like that. Can your mist even stop a bullet?” 

His lips parted but he hesitated in answering, making you drop your arm in disbelief, and slip your gun back into its hostler. 

His hands lowered as well, the green disappearing from around his fingers and you eyed each other silently for a prolonged moment. 

“Were you waiting for me?” you wondered jokingly, your eyebrows arching upwards when you realized he was standing right outside your room. 

Quentin didn’t seem to share your humour, however. His expression was drawn, lips tight and shoulders tense. 

“Fury told me. About you flying back to the US in the morning.”

“Oh.”

Quentin took two controlled steps towards you, and it was hard to determine if he was more angry or annoyed. His expression kept dancing between minute twitches that indicated from one to another. 

“Why—”

“Because we won,” you cut in before he could get more upset. “Because we won, Quentin. You avenged your world—had almost died doing it too. You were going for celebratory drinks with a kid who needed it just as much as you did. Because we won and Fury as good as offered you a position with the Avengers. And I...I wanted to just enjoy it and not think about it.” 

“Don’t go.”

It sounded like a plea with sharp edges of steel wrapped around the syllables, almost making them sound like an order.

Quentin took a step, and then another, till there was barely any distance left between you at all. “I know I have no right to ask you this. I know. I don’t ever want to pressure you into anything, but come with me. Come to Berlin. I need you by my side.”

“Quent,” you soothed and noticed how his gaze heated at the nickname. “It will be a few weeks—maybe months—at most. When Fury makes it official you can stay at the new Compound with others and maybe then...then we can get to know each other properly, without all this madness.”

Quentin cupped your face, the warmth of his hands sinking into you and momentarily hitching your breath. 

He gazed at you with a tilt of his head and an odd little smile on his face. 

And then he kissed you. 

It started out soft; a gentle, silky brush of his mouth against yours. It was the type of kiss every girl and boy hoped to receive from their crush—the type of kiss that made butterflies explode in your stomach and your toes curl.

Then Quentin’s head tilted and he became a black hole. 

A devouring, dangerous thing whose gravitational pull was proving to be impossible to escape. 

The switch was so sudden you could only gasp against the intensity of his lips, tongue and teeth, exploring and marking every inch of your mouth. His mouth was hot, his teeth eager to nibble and claim, causing you to muffle a groan of pleasure every few seconds.

The only offset to the hardness of his kiss was the delicate way his thumbs traced over your cheeks and jawline. The softest, most delicate touches that made heat bubble in the pit of your stomach. 

You hadn’t even realized you hit the corridor wall till the new level of support registered. There was hardly time to force air into your lungs before your fingers reached for him, tangling eagerly in his hair. 

Tugging on the rich strands, only seemed to urge him further, a subdued groan vibrating through his chest with every jerk. It was like he wanted—but couldn’t—hold himself back. And that was just fine by you. 

Pressing even closer, you sank your nails into the back of his neck, a near desperate moan slipping from your mouth when he grunted in appreciation again, hips pressing into yours. Harder.

When he finally pulled back for air, it was like seeing Quentin for the first time.

A wild, hungry thing stared back at you. His perfectly neat hair was in disarray and his pupils were so dark it was hard to tell his eyes were blue at all.   

His stubble scraped intently against your cheek when he trailed his lips up your jaw, his words like molten honey against the shell of your ear when he whispered, “Stay with me.”

You may have been a moth, but he wasn’t just a flame. 

No, he was a star going into a supernova, and you no longer minded the idea of burning and unravelling in his arms.

. . .

Quentin was going to buy Peter Parker a fruit basket. 

The biggest, most colourful one he could find. 

The kid had truly gone above and beyond the call of duty and played his part to perfection. 

EDITH was his now. 

Finally, after all these years, the key to everything was under his control and he could already see his victory in sight.

The battle was won, Fury had welcomed him with open arms and…

There was you. 

You, you, you.

Peter had done everything Quentin had wanted him to do. So easy.

It should have been easy with you after this too. He had practically been on cloud nine after his toast speech, venturing back to the base to find you. There has been a grin on his face and a pep in his step before Fury had to go ahead and ruin it. 

You were leaving. Going back to the Avengers HQ back in the US because the threat was officially terminated and you were no longer needed. 

As if he could have that. As if the thought alone didn’t make him bristle with anger. Fury had picked up on his immediate irritation but did Quentin care? Not really. After London, it won’t matter anyway. 

But with you, it wasn’t so simple. He wanted you to be there when he became an Avenger. He wanted you to want to be with him. He wanted to tell you the truth and convince you that he had to do this. 

He could make you believe whatever he wanted. But—

He could spin you a thousand dreams, a thousand realities, but it would still end the same. With him. 

But—

He wanted, he wanted—

Fuck.

. . .

an: uh-oh, doc. seems like the bastard man is catching the disease called “human emotions”. on a serious note, thank you so much for the love. you guys amaze me every day. strap yourselves in, we only have 2 more parts to go. 

tagging: @val-kay-rie @t-swizzle-owns-me @sorryyoureoutofmyleague@songofcosplay @rooftopexy @leilei-draws @go-commander-kim @kusooi @bishop-bxrnes @donkeyshrong @antisocialshipper @whistlingwillows @dumbshittydoodles @fvckjamesbarnes @kittyv @qhbr2013 @cccecilia77 @bunnie-kookie @sataninhighheelz @fandoms-pizza-wifi-ym13 @tired-night-owl @crimson-knuckles @bees-are-more-important (thank you, everyone! hope you liked it!)

[teddybear-yn]

[halloweenie]

nct. na jaemin

they don’t need to worry, because i know i’d do everything to make you the happiest person alive

“Hi, is this Jaemin?” You lay on the sofa, cackling loudly, as your coworker both fumbles with your phone and tries to get your 19th drink of the night out of your hands.

“Yes, it is. Can I ask who are you and why you have Y/N’s phone?” Your coworker sighs as he sees you give up trying to take your original drink in his hand and proceed walking towards the kitchen to grab a new one.

“Yeah, Y/N told us not to call anyone else but a Jaemin when it’s time to go home. You were the only one close enough to that name in her contacts.” He looks back at the number he called,

jae baby 💖💕💗

Hopefully, he guessed right.

The same time you start squealing in delight from acquiring a new drink, your coworker hears a heavy sigh and a chuckle at the other end of the line. “Yeah, okay, you’re her coworker, right? And you guys had a Halloween party?” Your coworker confirms, earning another sigh from Jaemin.

“She hammered or smashed?” He takes a look at you sitting on the kitchen counter, playing patty cake very aggressively with another drunk friend. “Both.” He replies.

“Goddamn it, she hates when I pull her out too early though...” Your coworker hears Jaemin whisper at the other end.

“Look, earlier, the cops came and she insisted she’ll open the door for them. She kept calling the officer Steve even when it wasn’t his name, kept insisting she saw him at this golf course all the way in Busan the other day, tells him she’s not drunk, then throws up in the potted plant next to him.” Silence ensues.

“I think you should come pick her up, she threw up next to the dumpster again while trying to fit her whole arm in a flipper. She doesn’t want an uber and keeps calling for you, so I’ll just send you the address, okay?” With that he ends the call, sends the address, and Jaemin immediately replied with a text saying ‘be there in 10’.

“Hi, is there a drunk girl named Y/N somewhere?” Jaemin shows up 7 minutes later in a pair of sweats, a black shirt, and a black snapback carrying nothing but a large gray jacket and his car keys.

Instead of being pointed to his girlfriend though, Jaemin is swarmed by a group of large men, all greeting him with firm handshakes and friendly but scary smiles.

“So you’re the boyfriend, huh?” One guy with a bloody clown costumes asks. The other guys stare, waiting for his answer, one with a somewhat threatening hold on Jaemin’s shoulder as well.

“Uhh, yeah, Y/N’s talked about me?” Jaemin cautiously asks. And for some reason, the guys all laugh like what he said was the most hilarious thing ever, while slapping Jaemin’s back too, by the way.

“Oh boy, she doesn’t talk about you at all.” Oh, that wasn’t the answer Jaemin expected. Then, suddenly, a guy dressed as Mermaid Man grabs Jaemin’s shoulder again.

“She slipped once then we asked her every single thing we could ask.” The guy dressed as Barnacle Boy nods along. “So, listen Jaemin, Y/N’s heard this a million times from us, but you haven’t.”

Somehow, the tension grows thick in a split second and all Jaemin could do was gulp. Mermaid Man’s grip on his shoulder feels heavier. “If you ever break her heart and we so much as see one tear slip because of you, we will do something about it.”

Jaemin expected this after you told him you worked with a bunch of men that treated you like a little sister. Except nobody warned him that it would cause this much of a chill down his spine. “You wouldn’t wanna know what’d we’d do, pretty boy.”

It was frightening how quick that mood changed once you came in the room, your female coworkers trying to make sure you weren’t gonna throw up again.

“Jae Jae!!!” Relief washes over Jaemin as he hears your bubbly voice. “Oh, you met the guys?” A little bit too enthusiastically you try to put your arms on the guys’ shoulders, failing cause of their height, but bubbly nonetheless.

“Oh, you’re the boyfriend.” Your female coworkers ask shyly. Somehow that question has traumatized Jaemin, he could do nothing but nod to reply.

“Is it time to go home?!” With a clap of hands, you instantly let go of your drink (your coworker catching it) and link arms with your boyfriend.

“Yeah, babe. Time to go home.” Giving it a thought, you try to pout at Jaemin. “I still wanna stay though.” Jaemin smoothes your hair and puts the jacket over your slightly revealing Buttercup costume.

“I think you’ve had enough, don’t you?” And with those simple words you instantly smile and nod. “Yeah, you’re right!” It amazes your coworkers, honestly.

“Just a second ago she was throwing a fit on wanting to stay some more.” One of your male coworkers mumble, earning a slap from your female coworker. “That’s the boyfriend’s power, of course.”

“Baby, I can’t walk.” You tug on Jaemin’s sleeve as you guys were walking out the door, your coworkers watching intently.

“Mk, get on.” And you squeal as your boyfriend gets down on one knee, waiting for you to hop on his back. “How adorable.” Your female coworker gushes.

A few minutes after, with you on Jaemin’s back, finally out of your coworkers’ sight. You hear your boyfriend breathe a sigh of relief, his steps seeming lighter. “What’s wrong?” You slur, feeling the drowsiness start to kick in.

“Your coworkers are really nice, aren’t they?” He doesn’t get a reply back. And as he looks over his shoulder, he finds out that his assumption was right, you were knocked out. Even so, he continues to talk to himself as he walks to the car around the corner.

“They really scared me, you know? How they were so overprotective of you.” He then unlocks the car and places you in the passenger seat, making sure you were comfortable in it.

But just before walks towards the driver side, he admires your sleeping face and brushes the hair out of your face.

Placing a kiss on your cheek, he smiles, finally he felt completely at ease again. “I guess they can’t help it, babe, you’re too precious to not be overprotective.”