#hottttt he knew just what to do

[monicaalexandraaa]

This part was incredible !!!! I went through so many emotions and had the best time🤩🤩🩷

The Lottery IV

Read The Lottery here | ~6.2k words

From me: we're getting close to the end I think

Warnings: angsty/fluffy/pining nonsense. Slow burning love

Summary: Harry loves to help her. She loves to help him. The whole town knows he loves her. They wish he would admit it.

Just like Christmas, she was out and about in the middle of the summer solstice festival. She helped organize a wiffle ball tournament for the younger kids and convinced Harry to make hot dogs and hamburgers to hand out in the middle of the field. She was at the diner bright and early making her way behind the counter and grabbing pitchers that Harry used for water to make batches of lemonade.

Why he didn’t say no, baffled her. But to Harry it was obvious.

They were sipping lemonade on the curb outside his diner. They were watching people eat and chat. There was music and dancing. It was warm and the air smelled like barbeque and bug spray. The sun was setting, and she looked so pretty. Tanned, hair pulled back through a baseball hat, and her legs stretched into the road. Harry wasn’t going to sit outside and deal with the festival at all, but she was there, so he had little choice in the matter. But as happy as he felt (inwardly—God forbid Harry smile) he wondered why she didn’t have a happier look on her face. “What?”

She hesitated for only the briefest moment. “Do you... know anything about fireworks?” She asked.

He stared at her. He was already ahead of her and knew exactly where her questioning was going to lead next, but he was a glutton for punishment. Or just really wanted to see her smile because she was happy. “Not particularly,” he mumbled.

She pouted. Her fingers went to the little moon charm around her neck, and she rubbed her thumb over it, like a nervous habit. Or a worry stone. “I guess the person who dropped the fireworks off didn’t get the memo he was supposed to stay to help set them off.”

Maybe if she was touching anything other than the necklace that Harry got her, he would have said no. (Although probably not.) It was like it was a comfort to her and it made him a little too happy knowing she was using it as a coping motion whether she realized it or not. In fact, if it was subconscious, it made Harry like it more—even almost a little possessive in nature. With a deep sigh, Harry pushed off the curb and headed toward where he knew the fireworks were being set off. “You don’t have to help,” she called from behind him.

“Are y’gonna set them off, Peach?” He questioned; his eye roll could be heard without having her look back at him to see it. “You’ll blow y’hand off.”

She smiled sweetly to herself, smoothing her finger over the moon charm once more. “Did you see the moon today?” She asked and pointed toward the crescent that wasn’t much different than the one around her neck.

He looked at it briefly. “S’nice,” he answered sincerely as he could because he was focused on the fireworks and how he would get her away because he would lose his ever-loving mind if she got injured. People called out to her, and she waved like she was the mayor. She was one of the nicest people Harry had ever met so it wasn’t surprising that people adored her, but it was pretty crazy that she chose one of the grumpiest people to befriend. She looked fondly at the moon as they walked, nearly not paying attention to her footpath, so Harry grabbed her wrist before she tripped and fell over another curb.

“Sorry,” she shook her head and focused on their walk and glanced briefly at it once more before. Longingly, like she wouldn’t see it again.

“Do y’know what the outline around the moon is?” He asked, wondering if he could distract her so she would still be able to talk about the moon but not nearly break an ankle on the ground. “I’ve always wondered.”

She nodded. “It’s called earthshine. Basically, the light from the sun bounces off the earth and reflects on the moon that’s not illuminated by the sun.”

“Cool,” he said simply.

She smiled. “I’m a little weird about the moon, hmm?”

“Why do you think that?”

The smile on her pretty face disappeared and she shook her head. “No reason, just... I think I can be a lot sometimes.”

Harry wished they weren’t about to set off fireworks and they were in the privacy of his diner or her house or something. But really what would he have actually said if they were alone? It’s not like he would confess his feelings for her. The anger he felt toward whoever made her feel like a lot made his chest ache. The shyness on her face made him feel sick. She wasn’t a lot. Or if she was, she should have been a lot, proudly.

But they weren’t alone, and Harry wasn’t going to tell her how he felt anyway. “Well, there’s worse thing t’be a lot ‘bout than the moon,” he shrugged.

“Not the pancakes though,” she grinned sweetly, the brief look of sadness in her eyes replaced by her usual playfulness.

The smirk on his lips didn’t match the smile he felt on the inside. “I thought we were talking ‘bout y’being a lot. Not high maintenance.”

“Harry Styles!”

He shrugged, uncaring at his backhanded comment. He continued on trying not to think about how pretty she looked when she talked about things she loved. Tried not to think about the retroactive heart ache in his chest. Or maybe it was predicting the future because someone as pretty and lovely as her could only break his fragile heart.

But he also noticed that the tiniest bit of hope was blooming inside his ribcage because she was so pretty and lovely. It would be worth the heartache. Right? She would be worth it.

So, Harry kept quiet and focused on the fireworks. Hundreds of exploding colorful things and not a single one of them had anything to do with the ones that illuminated the sky a little while later.

*

Harry’s phone rang mid-evening. He was reading a book and had the football game on from the morning. It was the perfect kind of night. But of course, when he saw that Peach was calling, he didn’t have a choice. She never called. She texted and texted. Sent him pictures of the moon on her grainy camera and the cute little dogs that she saw in the city some days. Sometimes she sent him links to recipes she thought he should try for breakfast and honestly, he was a shitty friend because he typically ignored most of them. Sending only a thumbs up emoji or an okay if she asked for help.

So, Harry assumed she was dying in that moment.

“Hello?” He answered quickly fear starting in his chest before he could stop it.

“I don’t know what’s happening! My washing machine is freaking out and it’s overflowing, and I don’t know what to do!”

Harry was relieved and also halfway out the door the moment he said hello. “M’on m’way.”

There was a knock on the front door about five minutes after she called Harry. “It’s open!” She knew she was going to get a lecture about leaving it unlocked again. But Harry came right in. She was busy with every towel she owned creating a barrier around the floor of the laundry room (a small little space, hardly bigger than a closet) and kept the water from creeping into the hall.

Harry didn’t even come near her he headed straight for her basement. Within moments the water stopped dripping, and she sighed with relief. “I turned y’water off.”

“Fuck, why didn’t I think of that,” she frowned. “Sorry you came all the way over,” she pushed the towels into the closet sopping up the mess as best she could.

“D’you have a wet vac?”

“A what?”

He rolled his eyes. “I’ll be right back.”

Ten minutes later, Harry returned, knocking and walking in. “You don’t have to knock, Harry.”

“S’polite,” he muttered. “Move,” he pushed her gently out of the way, plugged in the vacuum, and sucked up the water. She rubbed her temples as he turned it off and twirled the cord back up into a neat circle.

“I can’t even wash these,” she grumbled. “Oh my God, I used every towel,” she groaned.

“I’ll take ‘em,” Harry shrugged. “Wash ‘em for you,” he offered.

“Harry, I can’t have you do my laundry.”

“S’not like m’washing your underwear, Peach. S’jus’ towels.” She tried not to think about Harry touching her underwear. But it was very difficult. Fortunately, Harry was focused on the task at hand, grabbing a trash bag to put her sopping wet towels in for transport. “Are y’doing some home improvements?” He asked looking at the few boxes of soft close drawer slides.

“I think I put too much stuff in one drawer in the kitchen. It kinda broke. So, I figured I could revamp all of them and that it would make me sift through stuff I no longer need or want. The bathroom drawer was sticking anyway, so it made sense to fix them all.”

“Do y’need help?” He asked. She bit the inside of her lip. It felt like she had been waiting to ask Harry if she could borrow his drill. But that seemed so rude to just outright ask him. He was a busy guy, and she was more than willing to do it herself, but she knew he would insist on helping.

Plus, there was the whole Ronan side of things.

“Peach?”

How long had she been silent while Harry kindly packed up her towels? Why did she feel guilty about dating someone else around him? Was Harry getting hotter by the second or was that a trick of the light?

“We’re... friends right?”

Harry blinked. “I don’t think a stranger could get me t’dress as Santa,” he rolled his eyes and stared at her. “S’matter? I can pop these in for y’in a minute,” he nodded toward the boxes again.

“Well, thank you. But I would really like to do it,” she admitted. “I don’t want to take advantage of your help, and I like to believe I’m independent.”

“Peach, y’own a whole business and house. S’not like y’jus’ wait around for me t’do stuff for you. M’still miffed y’cleaned your own gutters after I said I would do it.”

“Yeah, but it’s gross,” she reminded him. “You had your own gutters to do and everyone under the sun would ask you.”

He rolled his eyes again ignoring her rationale. “We’re friends, of course.”

Her heart skipped a beat. It almost bothered her that they were friends. Only friends. She looked at her feet. “I’m kind of seeing someone. Hasn’t been long. Only four or so dates. Only dinner and movies. But I didn’t tell you because... I don’t know. I didn’t tell anyone to be fair. Just Bailey, actually. I don’t know the protocol for dating around here because it feels like I need the whole town to approve of him like it’s my business venture all over again. And I don’t know, I know that I’m friendly and stuff and everyone likes me, but I think you’re my only real friend here and I don’t think I need anyone else’s approval except yours and I think that makes me a shitty friend.”

It was so quiet she thought that maybe Harry just left while she rambled. She knew why she needed Harry’s approval. It would mean that he didn’t like her in that way. That the way she liked him wasn’t reciprocated and it was a good thing that she was dating. Her pining would be quiet and hidden. The way it had been since she moved to town and made him make her pancakes even though he didn’t want to. Even though she was a pain in the butt and made him dress like Santa and made him set off fireworks when he didn’t really want anything to do with town events.

Finally, she peered up from her feet and looked at Harry and his confused expression. His eyebrows pinched together. His eyes searching her curiously. “Why d’you need my approval t’date someone? S’your love life,” he shrugged. “If he’s nice t’you, I won’t have a problem with him,” she wondered if he knew how much that meant to her. Apparently, she was hoping for his approval more than she truly realized. She nearly choked on the breath she was holding as she released it. “M’gonna put this in m’truck. D’you have a drill or do y’need mine?” He asked hauling the wet towels toward the front door.

“Yours,” she croaked.

*

Harry shouldn’t have been surprised that she was dating. She was so lovely. Inside and out. There was no other way to describe it. Sure, she was beautiful outwardly, but it only reflected a fraction of how stunning her personality was. Even the annoying parts. It made his chest pinch with jealousy every time he thought of the stupid (that was Harry’s code word for lucky) man that held her affection.

Fortunately for Harry, Ronan didn’t last much longer. “It just didn’t click,” she shrugged over her white chocolate chip and peach pancakes one morning when Harry asked her why she looked upset.

“M’sorry, Peach,” Harry frowned. “S’on me today,” he assured her.

“You can’t give me free food every time I have a breakup. I suspect you’ll lose money at that rate,” she said with a tone of self-deprecation that Harry couldn’t truly believe was coming from her voice. “I think I’m destined to be alone,” she sighed. He snorted before he could stop it. Reached across the counter and squeezed her forearm.

“I simply don’t believe that,” he said reassuringly. She blinked at Harry’s willingness to touch her arm unprompted and before she knew it, he was gone, back to the grill to make more food.

What she couldn’t see was the absolutely delighted smile on his lips—completely on display in private—at the thought of her breakup.

*

She dated a few guys over the years. But Harry’s confidence in her ability to find someone seemed unfounded. Each one ended in a breakup. Only one in particular made her heart ache for longer than the others. Even Harry treated her differently for that month of moping in her own way. She didn’t banter as much. It made Harry ache with want for her attitude, quips, and annoyingness.

Each time Harry comped her pancakes and reassured his friend that she was destined for love whether she believed it or not.

Small town life wasn’t for the guys she brought to the little place with so many traditions and parties. They didn’t earn the approval of everyone in town but the only approval she needed was that of her best friend.

"When’s Louis coming back?” She asked.

Harry hated when Louis came back now. He used to love seeing his friend and getting to be himself around someone that didn’t treat him differently just because he was heartbroken and damaged the way the rest of the town did.

“Never,” he rolled his eyes.

She frowned and immediately reached for the moon charm on her pretty throat. “I miss him.”

“Well, I don’t like when y’two are together. S’trouble. Y’both are mean.”

“Are you saying that because we make fun of your grumpiness together?” He glared at her over his shoulder and headed to the back to get the pitcher of coffee he made for her the day before as he always did. Despite the fact that she was a pain in the butt and made fun of him with his (supposed) best friend. “You’re different when he’s around,” she said when he returned pouring the coffee into a reusable cup because she would be on the go soon enough. Although, the way she settled in with her laptop, notebook, and everything else spread across the seat next to her and her own spot, Harry wasn’t sure when her reading hour began today. It looked like she was staying for the morning, which would have delighted him.

There was hardly any room for the breakfast he was going to bring out though—fortunately it was a muffin day so she wouldn’t need much room. Today she wore a Dr. Suess hat—like the one the Cat in the Hat wore. She had drawn whiskers on her cheeks and a cute red triangular nose too. She was so fucking cute it was unbearable for Harry sometimes (almost always).

“Different,” he repeated trying to stop the swelling of his heart as he looked at her. He smacked her hand as she reached for the cream and sugar behind the counter, loosening the swell and reminding him not to drool.

“You smile more. Same when Gemma visits. I think you are hiding some nice memories in there,” she poured cream into the liquid and tapped the side of her head with her freehand. “I’ve heard rumors since I’ve moved here that you got some bad ones too,” she shrugged casually as if those bad memories weren’t the reason he was a sour person. “I like when they’re around. I like when other people get to see the real Harry, not the one that’s been hiding behind your grumpy face.”

“How do y’know m’not the real Harry?” As far as he could tell his grumpy persona was the only one that he had left to show.

She shrugged again. “Real grumpy people don’t dress up as Santa or supply lemonade for the whole town. Nor do they do things for their annoying friend and comp her breakfast when she gets broken up with.”

She grabbed the muffin, turned and headed for the exit. “Peach? Your stuff?”

“Oh, I’ll be back. I just have reading hour,” she grinned over her shoulder, truly as chaotic as the Cat in the Hat was.

“You’re not serious,” he followed after her as she crossed the street toward her shop stopping in the middle of the road but it wasn’t like there were enough cars to worry about getting run over. “Y’can’t leave your stuff on the counter!”

“It’s only an hour, Harry. I’ll be right back!”

“M’not watching it! If it gets stolen, m’not responsible!”

“If someone in this town wants to steal my stuff, they can have it!” She shouted without turning around and entered her shop.

But she knew Harry was going to watch it anyway.

*

“Miss Peach, are you any good at trigonometry?”

She was behind the check out counter, reading from her book monitoring the study group. People were reading and a couple were stacking books in their arms. “Hmm,” she pursed her lips. “It’s been a long while since I thought about trigonometry, Lea,” she headed to the reference section to see if she could find a textbook to help them. She pulled a chair up beside the pair of girls who were working.

Harry was outside, fixing the Christmas lights to the front of her window. “Harry is in love with you,” Lea whispered.

She blushed. “He’s just my friend,” she said and flipped through the pages looking for something useful that would help them solve their problem.

“I wish I had a friend like Harry,” Maryam muttered.

She snorted and then smiled. “He’s a good one.”

“Do you like him?” Lea asked.

“Do I like one of my very best friends? Yes. Of course I do.”

“Miss Peach,” Maryam rolled her eyes.

“Harry’s so easy to read,” Lea whispered. There was a pair of boys at the other end of the big square table. They were “studying” watching highlight reels from yesterday’s game. “You’re much more difficult. Plus, you do the whole dating thing,” she explained.

“It absolutely tortures Harry,” Maryam agreed.

“Hey Peach, d’you have another string of lights?” He asked from the doorway. “This one y’gave me is half out.”

She frowned. “I’ll have to go buy another string later.”

“I’ll go,” he shrugged and headed out just as quickly.

“Smitten,” Maryam sighed.

“Completely,” Lea agreed.

“This looks like the diagram you’re working with,” she diverted back to the textbook and focused on the numbers and letters of her homework problem and not the bit of hope that filled her lungs at the thought of Harry liking her in that way. If there was a chance of having him all to herself,she never would date another man the rest of her life.

*

Harry helped stock books when a new shipment came in, which was great because he was much more focused than she was. She had to read the back cover of any new book, and it took her twice as long to unpack them all. “What do you like to read?”

He shrugged. “Bit of everything.”

“Do you have something to recommend to me?” She asked putting only one lone book on the shelf when Harry had set up at least two whole sections of shelves in that time. She stocked essentially one or two of each book that arrived at her store. It wasn’t a massive bookstore, so space was of course limited. But if someone wanted to buy it she would order more.

Harry watched her reading the back cover of the next book, her fingers around the moon charm once more sliding it gently back and forth along the chain. She looked so at home surrounded by books and so relaxed. She dropped the charm and reached for her coffee to sip it. Harry wanted to take a picture of her because this was completely her element; it needed to be preserved for all of time. “Uh...”

“It doesn’t have to be anything personal. I get wanting to hoard a book that means a lot to you. It’s kind of like asking someone to watch your baby for the first time. You don’t want anything to happen to it,” she offered. “I just thought I’d ask. I don’t really know what kind of books you like,” she smiled. “I would love to stock stuff for you.”

“Uh...” he shook his head struggling to come up with a title. He cleared his throat. “I read sort of depressing books,” he focused on stocking the next shelf.

She frowned, her fingers immediately finding the charm around her neck again. “Well, that’s okay. I prefer the term cathartic, perhaps? Books are meant to make you feel but I don’t think they’re meant to make you feel depressed,” she shrugged. “I read The Tattooist of Auschwitz and that is by far one of the saddest books I’ve ever read but it might be one of my favorites.”

She watched Harry carefully place the books on the shelves. He was taking great care not to bend any covers. He was gentle. This was important to her and ergo it seemed important to him. “I don’t think I have any titles t’share,” he shrugged.

She nodded. “That’s fine, I just wanted to ask.”

“Do y’have The Tattooist of Auschwitz?” He asked quietly. She smiled, nodded excitedly and scampered to behind the checkout counter. There was a pile of books beneath the cabinets—her own personal collection of favorites that she liked to keep there as backups if she wasn’t in the mood to dive into something new. Or if a student at the high school needed a book for a project and she happened to have it and it wasn’t going to be ordered in time.

Or if Harry needed a copy of one of her favorites.

“It’s a pretty quick read, but God does it make you feel.” He turned it over in his hands. Like he was holding her baby in his hands as she had said. This book meant something important to her and she was passing it off to him. “I hope you’ll like it, but I won’t be offended if you don’t.”

Harry couldn’t imagine a scenario in which he wouldn’t like her baby. “How much?”

“Oh, that’s my copy,” she said. “I can order you one, if you want your own. But you can have that one for now.”

He tucked it carefully beneath his jacket on the back of a nearby chair. The box of books in front of him needed organizing. They went back to their quietness of Harry stocking books, her reading the back of one for every row of books Harry completed, and her fingers danced along the chain around her neck.

*

Like everyone else, she noticed the diner had been closed for three days. It didn’t even have the opening late sign that every once in a blue moon appeared merely because he had an appointment or was sleeping late (because he deserved it! She told everyone who complained) or the delivery was coming in later than expected and it didn’t make sense to open without food or dealing with it partway through the breakfast rush.

But three days with no communication from him of any kind and no sight of him, made her a bit anxious. Harry was often in her house without warning before she arrived home—fixing something for her that she didn’t even know needed fixing. Or because she had mentioned something in passing that wasn’t working up to snuff. Any time she bought a lightbulb, it seemed Harry knew, and he was in her house testing all light switches and lamps to find the culprit.

All of that meant she felt entering his diner without asking seemed like it was only fair (and legal as far as their friendship went.) The silence in the usually bustling little place didn’t feel right though. She missed her friend (and the pancakes). But mostly arguing with her friend and the smack on the back of her hand when she reached for the cream and sugar that dare she say she missed for the last three days.

“Harry,” she sang making her way back toward the apartment behind his shop. “Honey, I’m home!” She cooed. She hadn’t been back here before but found the little hallway that led behind the back of the diner and to the door to what had to be his living space.

She knocked and opened it without waiting for a response.

One look and it hardly looked like he was home. She frowned, feeling bad that she was intruding but then she heard a cough.

“Harry?” She asked.

Slowly his tall body appeared. It was obvious he didn’t feel well. He covered his mouth with the crook of his elbow, his hair in disarray. His eyes shiny with sleep and the exertion of coughing so hard it made his eyes water. He looked exhausted.

“Oh my,” she murmured. “Are you alright?”

“How did y’get in?” It felt like knives scraping against every inch of the inside of his throat to speak. He winced as she pushed past him.

“Jesus. No talking. Come sit down,” but she was already pulling him to his couch. Like she had been here a thousand times even though it was the first time she set foot back here in all the years she had known him. She fluffed the pillows around him and tossed a blanket over him. Harry hadn’t had someone care for him while he was sick since he was young—since his mom and Gem tended to his stomach bugs and during his yearly cold and flu season. “You are so obvious and hide the key under the mat. Thought you were slick painting it black to match but I’ve seen you use it before. Everyone has been worried sick about you—me included. You could’ve let me know if you were sick; I would have been over a lot sooner,” he noticed how disappointed she sounded in him, and he felt sorry that he made her worry. But he didn’t want her help. If she were to get sick, he would feel so guilty. He didn’t want her to feel shitty like he did.

It took a lot more energy to get out of bed than he thought it would when he heard her sweet voice calling for him beyond the quiet space between sleeping and dreaming. He opened his mouth to speak but she shushed him before a syllable could leave his lips. “Uh-buh-uh. No talking. I’m serious. Text it,” she offered handing her phone to him.

This is the first day I’ve been able to get out of bed in three days. My voice has been gone for three days.

She read it and nodded. “Doctor?”

He shrugged. I’ve had it before. She nodded again.

“Alright. Well...soup it is,” she said standing. Harry grabbed her arm before she was out of reach. The exertion did feel like a lot.

He shook his head. You don’t have to do that. I don’t want you to get sick.

She rolled her eyes. “Well, I don’t want you to be sick. No one has made me breakfast in three days,” she reminded him. He smiled despite himself. “Do you have medicine?” She asked. He looked at her phone ready to type out that he didn’t, but he knew that it would just make her madder. She sighed, distaste evident in her soundless tone and breath. “Alright, I’m going to go get food for soup and medicine. Don’t move, yeah? Drink some water.”

If it wasn’t obvious, Harry had no choice but to obey her.

“Where’s your phone?” He couldn’t remember at all, there was a strong possibility it was dead. “I’ll call it,” she said, and she walked around his house listening for the sound of it. “A-ha!” She sounded triumphant. “You only have a peach for my contact?” She giggled. “You know the emoji is slang for a butt, right?” He rolled his eyes, but the motion hurt his head. He winced again at the pain. “Alright, I’ll lay off the annoyingness,” she smiled sadly. She reached for a charger. “I like this table,” she mumbled as there was a plug built into the top of it, so it was easy for her to plug his phone in. “I’ll be right back, but text me if you need something.”

His voice was gone. He looked exhausted from lack of sleep because he couldn’t stop coughing. She made herself at home in his place. She made him homemade soup and he realized he had never had any of her cooking beyond anything she chose to bake and share with the town.

Within an hour he was eating hot soup it felt like heaven on his throat. She sat at one end of the sofa slurping broth and scrolling through her phone and Harry couldn’t help but feel like she belonged in his personal space. It felt so right. He sets his soup aside for a moment. Feeling a little more aware and awake with food in his system.

Not to mention it was fucking delicious.

This is really good, thank you. I didn’t know you could cook...Why don’t you make your own breakfast?

“I wouldn’t get to bug you every day,” she smiled so sweetly and fluttered her lashes at him. He rolled his eyes, and it didn’t hurt this time. “Do you want me to make my own breakfast?”

He answered too quickly. No. That’s not what I mean.

“So, you would miss me?”

He sighed and even though he was sick, she could feel his exasperation as he stared at her with an irritated expression. But it’s one that she loved. She loved his grumpy face because no matter how grumpy he appeared; she could see the smile hiding in his eyes. Every single time. And she’d look into those green eyes for the rest of her life and see those hidden smiles if it meant she could be friends with Harry for forever.

No. I would miss... he paused while trying to finish the sentence before holding his phone out to her to read. annoying someone.

She smiled brightly. “Yeah? That so?”

He nodded.

“Well, you don’t annoy me. So maybe I will make my own breakfast from now on.”

He frowned. The expression on his face changed. It was a bit forlorn. His eyes don’t have the same smile as she could spot a mile away. He knew she was kidding but was he... hurt? By her teasing? He really would miss her?

He didn’t think he would have to say it, but...seeing her every day since she moved to town five years ago...and then...not seeing her? It would hurt. Don’t be like that. I’m sick.

Her laughter filled his little apartment, and he never felt so much adoration for someone. “Don’t worry. I don’t own a coffee maker—you won’t get rid of me that easily.”

Something occurred to him in that moment, and he didn’t want to ask, but he would feel bad if he didn’t. Travis... doesn’t mind you’re here?

She smiled sadly. “Travis didn’t last long. I’m all yours, Harry,” she gave his knee a squeeze and headed to the kitchen to continue being an angel or something more for him.

He smiled and rather enjoyed having someone take care of him for a change.

Or maybe it was just because it was Peach taking care of him.

*

The following morning, Harry felt a lot better. His throat still ached but it wasn’t as bad as the previous days.

Then Harry realized very quickly that there was noise coming from the diner. A lot of noise. The kind of noise that only the early morning rush could muster. And laughter.

So much laughter that Harry honest to God felt happy, nostalgic, and like laughing for the first time in a really long time. He imagined waking up and hearing the very same kind of happiness and laughter from the other room before he bolted to find his mum and the entire town existing and enjoying the morning breakfast routine.

But then he figured maybe Peach had knocked the sign off when she came in with arms full of food and medicine yesterday and people were waiting for breakfast thinking that he was up and at ‘em again. He put on clothes as quickly as he could with his head feeling like a balloon still. He hurried to see what the commotion was because it seemed weird that everyone would be in the diner when he distinctly had it closed, and he wasn’t there.

When he entered, everyone stared at him. “How are you feeling Harry?” Alice asked.

He blinked in surprise at everyone eating and chatting as if it were normal to be there without Harry. “How did—”

“Hi Harry!”

Ah.

She appeared from the kitchen carrying plates of food and settling them on the tables as she passed. She marched right up to Harry after and pressed her hand to his forehead. If he wasn’t already flushed from being ill, his cheeks would have turned red as everyone witnessed her touching him. No one ever touched Harry. No hugs, no high fives, nothing.

But of course, she was different. Perhaps everyone knew that. They kept their smiles to themselves, and she grinned. “I hope you don’t mind. I told everyone I can make bacon, eggs, home fries, and toast without setting the place on fire. But everyone was missing you and the diner.”

There wasn’t a chance in hell these nice, sweet people missed his grumpy self. They were here for her. Someone who didn’t grow up here but acted like she did. “Can I make you something? I’ll make you tea!” She decided and pulled him toward the counter seat, her counter seat. She hurried behind the counter and busied herself with a mug and hot water. “How do you feel?” She asked.

“Good,” he cleared his throat and winced at the feeling.

She pouted. “Maybe you should go back to bed.”

And miss the delightful show she was putting on? Running his diner as if she did this every day? No way. Was everyone as floored about this as he was? Probably not. They probably knew that Harry loved her in such a way that he never loved anyone else in this town.

Harry reached for the sugar and cream behind the counter, and she smacked his hand away and winked, placing the little plate in front of him. “I can make you eggs,” she offered her fingers touching the moon on her neck. “Are you okay?” She asked.

He nodded and she gave his hand a gentle squeeze before heading off toward the grill.

“Miss Peach any chance you could make those blueberry muffins of yours?”

“Oh! That’s an excellent idea, Ed! Let me get Harry some breakfast and I’ll get right on it!” She called from behind the kitchen.

Harry decided that he might love being sick.

But really, he knew it was just that he was in love.

--

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[sl33paholics]

Omg Yandere Johan x Black fem reader would be so hottttt!

My Little Mouse

Johan Liebert x black!fem reader

Warning(s): Gaslighting, isolation, psychological warfare, manipulation, etc.

Mfw I still haven't finished the 2nd Valentine's day writing piece: 😧😧😧😧😨

You heard the sound of the door knob turning.

Your heart sank. The few hours of freedom you had is now gone, going back to sulking on your mattress like a child whose favorite toy was taken away. You could only hope that the guy who entered wouldn’t mind if you hid under the blankets.

No such luck.

You can hear his steps coming closer, and in just a few seconds, you feel the covers being lifted up, exposing your head to the cold air outside your apartment. Your eyes widened, and you buried your head as deep into the pillow as possible, hoping you were just enough to prevent him from seeing your face. But it wasn’t working. Johan's eyes were already locked on yours. “Ah, there you are,” he said with a smile, and you couldn’t help but notice how charming it looked on this man, despite the fact that he was a psychopath.

“What are you doing here, little mouse?” Johan asked, leaning over the bed until you felt heat of his body radiating on your skin. He leaned down, and you could smell his cologne, which smelled like roses and vanilla, with a hint of cinnamon. His warm lips grazed your forehead before his teeth bit into your earlobe. You flinched at the contact but didn't pull away, knowing he would be more aggressive after hurting you. The pain was nothing compared to the humiliation you're feeling right now.

"...don't do that," you mumbled, wincing at the slight pressure against your flesh. "Please..." You knew that if you said anything else, he'd hurt you more.

So instead, you closed your eyes and prepared for another round of torture by Johan, when suddenly his arms were pulled around your waist, your head resting against his chest. You opened your eyes again, confused, and saw his dark gaze fixed on something behind you. Confused, you glanced behind yourself and saw that he was staring at your sketch book. Your hand unconsciously moved towards it, trying to hide it from him, but he noticed it anyway. "Are you drawing me?" He asked in an amused tone. "How cute." You could almost feel his grin when you turned your head to look at him.

You shifted yourself away from him, trying to get away from him as soon as possible, but he held you tighter. "Let go of me,” you demanded, squirming to try to break free from his grip. “Leave me alone!" Your voice broke at the last sentence, sounding so vulnerable and helpless that you wished you hadn't said anything.

That grin.

That sly grin he had on his face made you want to punch him.

Throughout your stay, you noticed that he'd never put his hands on you, ever.

No matter how much you screamed, berated him, kicked him, and did anything to Johan, he never seemed to get angry at you one bit. You found it very difficult to hate him. You hated his smugness, his cockiness, his coldness, and the way he treats you like a prisoner in this apartment. It was infuriating. "Why do you continue to fight?" Johan asked in a soft tone. "I give you everything. Shelter to stay, food to eat, a shower to clean yourself." He laughed humorlessly. "Why must you struggle so?"

"You know why," you replied harshly, glaring at him. "You don't care about me." You felt guilty saying those words, even though you did mean them. Maybe you didn't. Maybe it was true, and you deserved to feel that way.

Without warning, Johan cupped your face with such force that you felt the pain shooting through your face, his thumb pressing hard onto the side of your jaw. The sting lingered, but you didn't dare to let out a sound, afraid he'd do something to you. Johan made your head turn towards the length mirror, "Look at yourself, Y/N," he told you in a harsh whisper. "Can't you see yourself? You're beautiful." And then he kissed you. This time, it was a gentle kiss, with no tongue involved. The gentleness shocked you because you thought that he would do something more to you than simply kiss you. But he simply placed his finger underneath your chin and gently tilted your head, forcing you to look at yourself.

"I love your eyes, their color. They're the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen." Johan spoke softly, his breath hitting the corner of your lips, causing shivers to run down your spine. "Their shape makes my soul feel like it will burst. So bright and alive. Can you imagine? A beautiful soul, hidden underneath all that..." He trailed off, looking at you expectantly. "Beautiful clothes. Perfect hair. A face that could light up a room and a laugh that could fill up a room." Then, he chuckled.

"And a voice as sweet as honey."

You protested weakly, wanting to slap him. No, not a perfect soul, but not bad either. Johan continued talking, ignoring your protest. "A life filled with laughter and smiles, filled with joy. But that won't happen anymore, will it? Because someone has stolen it away from you." "Johan, please stop-" But once again, you couldn't finish the sentence. "You're mine. Nobody else can have you, understand?" Johan grabbed your shoulder, holding you still, so that you didn't escape him. "Nobody." You nodded meekly, trying your best to appear calm despite the fact that you felt like crying.

Silence filled the tension between you two, Johan stared at you for what felt like ages, before letting you go. You immediately scrambled backwards to avoid his touch, putting distance between you, going back to the corner of the bed. All you wanted was to live in peace, and now you were being forced to give that up...because of Johan Liebert?

"Now, litte mouse, we should start our day. It's been a while since I've spent time with you."

[wanderingconstellations]

FIRSTLY, HERES A GIFT FOR U

IM HERE ☝️😤

so yes!! battle lust reader! encountering our beloved scara or wandere (you choose!) during an adventure!

reader is basically famous like diluc, absolutely skilled with a spear and hand to hand combat, traversing around sumeru, inazuma, everywhere basically and during a fight against [insert whatever monster reader is up against]

scara/wanderer encounters reader who- was gashed up, injured, struggling to stand, panting heavily and absolutely horny, a secret side of reader only she knows—but ofc scara/wanderer appears

im sure you already know what battle lust means (since childe ofc 🤭)

so being affected with lust and adrenaline, making it sense somehow, reader unknowingly attacks scara/wanderer, it takes awhile to regain reader's senses but once they do, reader was already being fucked relentlessly- because scara had notice her palpating heavy breaths, sweat, flushed face, whimpering, grinning with every strike and hit scara/wanderer lands on her, all during the fight

basically, out of fighting, reader is has a good ass elegant and respected reputation as an adventurer, but scara/wanderer had just- witnessed such a contrast from the infamous adventurer, the reader... 🤭

YOU SEE WHERE IM GOING WITH THIS?1!1?2 I HOPE YOU DOOOO (im kinda hesitant to be very detailed in asks since i have no clue if you like heavy details or not 🥹) ILY I HOPE WE CAN INTERACT MOOOREEEEE!!!!

THATS SOOOOO HOTTTTT 🫣

You were famous, known for your elegant skills and traversing to nation to nation. Though, you had a certain enemy that resides in Snezhnaya, one that you loathe. You never ever want to meet him.

While fighting, you ended up losing all senses to yourself. You were gashed, injured, and panting heavily. You were in a state of battlelust and while wandering through out the trees and greenery, you came across Scaramouche, the sixth of the Fatui harbingers. He notices your state for moment before you attacked him out of no where.

Luckily for him, he was able to dodge your attack. He scoffed and threw and insult at you, apparently wondering why the hell are you attacking him out of now where.

"Tch, what the hell are you trying to do?!"

Despite his insults you attack again, a grin was on your lips. This was out of character for the oh so elegant and well respected adventurer. You continued to attack him until he finally successfully attack you, ending up with you landing on the ground and him hovering on top of you.

You gasped. A lustful look on your face, you grinned, getting up once more and kicking him off his feet. You both continued this for who knows how long. You were in a state of battlelust, and it was visible on your face.

"It's pathetic on how much of a masochist you are. What would you do if everyone knew about the so elegant and well respected adventurer who was actually a freak in sheets?"

That was what you heard when you finally came back to your senses. Damn right, before you were getting fucked, Scara noticed how you whimpered and your flushed face whenever he landed a hit on you. He was weirded out at first but it somehow amused him of how you were still smiling despite your injuries.

Currently right now, you were gasping and whimpering at the feeling of his cock penetrating you.

"Ohh wow, finally back to your senses now huh? Well too bad, I was only getting started with you."

A cocky smirk was tugging on his lips, his hands on your bare hips were starting to hurt. Your breasts were out on full display, bouncing with every thrust Scara did. Your legs were hooked over his shoulders, you were in mating press and damn right, it felt amazing.

Your battlelust was whole different person from you, and he absolutely adored that lust you had in battle, that would give him a reason why to fuck you so senselessly like this, or maybe not but he doesn't give a single fuck. Your panting and whimpering look was already enough for him to know that you were enjoying on what he was doing.

"Ahh..I knew it, you wanted me just as bad as I do don't you? Don't deny it, your body here just wants me so much that it's clenching on me so tight, it's unbelievable.."

He was right, your cunt was squeezing his cock so nicely, taking him in greedily and milking him out. His fingers pinch your nipples, making you squeal and whine. Scara would be so mean, bruising your hips, pinching your nipples until it hurts, degrading and humiliating you, but it's not like you were complaining anyway.

"Who knew that the famous adventurer was such a cock hungry slut? Clenching and squeezing onto this cock like it's their last..Ohh..I wonder what would happen if people found out, would you runaway and come back to me just to get your brains fucked out? Don't be ashamed, it's okay. I don't blame you for wanting my cock this badly, you're my cock hungry slut afterall."

Him and his arrogant personality made you want to punch him, but what can you do? After all, his cock was hitting your sweet spot so nicely that you were spasming around his cock already, cumming and coating his length in your juices. He was taunting you, teasing and humiliating you, shaming you for being such a slut for his cock.

Your eyes were glistening in tears, cheeks flushed and nails clawing at his back. Your clothes were either on the ground or teared apart. Your tits were on display for him, bouncing with every deep thrust he made.

Scara gave a zap to your clit, making you shiver in pleasure as his fingers continuing to rub your nipples and fondle with them, his other fingers down on your clit and occasionally giving zaps to your sensitive nub, making you squirt on all over his abdomen.

"So dirty, squirting all over my cock like a filthy whore."

He scoffed, continuing to pump his cock into your drenched and abused hole. You were a complete drooling and babbling mess, quivering and overstimulated by how many times you came.

It was so good, so so good, your pussy was heavenly to Scaramouche. You were so dumbed out by his cock that you lost count of how many times you even came because of his cock and ministrations. The only thing in your head was him, one that you call your enemy, Scaramouche.

[devourers-of-god]

Hi I was wondering if you could do Sal fisher who’s gf has pet rats? Like 2-3 and like one day reader and Sal for over to readers house to hang out for the visit time there and Sal sees this big ass cage and he’s like “what in here?” And readers like “oh those are my baby’s! :D” and Sal’s just shocked (bonus points if he gets to hold them 😚)

Hi !! Its been a while i am sorry! Lots happened in my personal life but I think ill be able to write sometimes anyways, of course I'll do that :3!

Type: Oneshot

Warnings: none its mostly fluff :P

One shot Sal x reader (very bad sorry)

Sal and you have been going out for a while now, 3 months to be exact even tho it already feels like its been longer than that. He's been mostly inviting you over to his apartment so Sal has never really seen how your place looked like. But one day you decided it was time to show him the real you. You had a lot of things in your room, it basically represented what you like, your personality and how messy you truly are. The reality was that you had rats, adorable clumsy rats. There's a big cage well maintained with your fluffy babies, toys and food. You were kinda shy about showing Sal because even tho you knew he liked stuff like that, you were still scared of his reaction, but what stressed you the most was that in all of your past relationships they were all disgusted and thought that you were so weird. But aside from all of your anxiety, you invited him over for the evening.

The time had come, you tidied up your room just so it doesn't look like hell. Sal arrived on time, his dad decided to lift him so he didn't have to walk. You opened the door for him, '' Hey Sal!'' you smiled wildly at your boyfriend. ''Hi y/n, happy to see you'' you could see his eyes filled with excitement as he walked in. You immediately guided him to your room, in the mean time you did a small tour of the place. Your parents were away for the evening so it was a perfect day. Arrived to your room Sal's eyes widen at the first look of your room. ''Wow this is so cool!'' he walked slowly, taking care of not destroying anything, then he walked past this gigantic cage in the corner ''oh my god what's in there!'' He was In fact very excited of finding out what's hiding. ''Oh those are my babies! my rats! here let me show you:)'' You opened the small door to allow your arm in the cage, you took one of your furry friends and handed him to your boyfriend. ''Im so happy that you have rats, they're my favourite!!'' he smiled widely while petting your rat, ''Whats his name?'' he asked, '' Marco'' you replied, with a small smile and a tinted blush on your cheeks. Sal looked at you admiring your personality and beauty. In reality, Sal admired you and he never thought a cute and gentle girl like you had so many rats.

He was very happy you invited him over, after that you two had a great time playing video games and talking for hours, obviously you guys had to have a sleepover. Sal was so interested on everything you showed him, he really realized how much he loves you and you thought he was the sweetest guy ever.

Lets just say Sal now comes over a lot.

OKKKKK EW sorry this is SO bad, I havent been writing in a hottttt minute, ermmmm I got into a car crash and shit (im ok ! just a broken bone) and I've been recovering blah blah blah, school blah blah blah and work yk how life goes. anyways, now that im not doing anything for a good 6 weeks, I thought it'll be a good time to try and start writing again. so please excuse me if the first few are bad ! You can't judge and even if you do, just write it yourself :) ANYWAYS THNAK YOU FOR YOUR ASK ILY

REQUESTS: ALWAYS OPEN

[sometimesanalice]

OH ELLE!!! OH ELLLLLLLLE!!! 💖

This was so good! I have been obsessed with this since you first teased it and finally getting to read it was just as WONDERFUL as I knew it would be!! I was fully swooooooning! I loved the then and now of it and getting to see their friendship along the way! This was so perfectly and lovingly crafted and so damn heartwarming!!

more for youuuuuuuuuu!

“If I fake a heart attack, we can get out of this meeting, right?”-- my best boy is such a divaaaaaa! and I love him even more for it! I mean it's crime they have to take an airport meeting as it is?! But all dressed?! this man was tugging at his tie, lol. so huffy! so over it! so precious!

She looks at him, half admonishment and half appreciation, always a little bit amazed when he had her back, no matter how many times he had done it.-- I love that bradley is always on her team and has her back! I'm all soft about it! that she has someone she can always count on (even if it surprises her, when it shouldn'ttttt! sherrie babe y'all are in loooveeeeeeeeee) when their industry is such a groddy boys club.

Come on, it’s a long flight; you can sleep on the plane. Just be thankful you’re not wearing an underwire bra and heels.”//“I don’t know how you do that.” He mutters, shooing her away when she tries to pick up her carry-on, throwing it over his shoulder alongside his own.-- 1) she's so fucking real for that, 2) bradley bradshaw feminist icon, and 3) BIG BEEFY MAN DOING ACTS OF SERVICE IS THE MOMENT HOTTTTT

He ushers Sherrie on first, politely nodding to the flight crew before following her down the aisle, ducking down to whisper. “I do not drool.”//“You absolutely do drool. You also snore.”-- he's such a gentlemannnnnnn oh i want oneeeeeee! But also i love them continuing this little fight like in their own little bubble. we love aa girliepop that ROASTS that man! (affectionately of course, lol)

Even if he wishes it was their apartment they were going to.-- sweetest boyyyyy 🥺

He’s watched her change over the last decade, seen her grow as a person. He’s risen through the ranks with her professionally, the two of them matching each other step for step with each promotion and raise. He’s publicly assured her that her hair still looks good as it’s deepened color with age, now less red and more auburn. He’s privately appreciated the way her body has changed, softer and curvier than when they were kids. Her wide hips are a frequent star in his daydreams.-- THE WAY I WAS SWOOOOONING OVER THIS YOU HAVE NO IDEA!!!! IT IS SO DAMN SWEET!! But also that they have all that history and he's seen it firsthand and it only makes him love her more!! Like the progression of rooting her coming into her own as a person, but then followed by the simple longing and appreciation of her body too (LIKE SO FUCKING HOT PHEEWWWWWW)

“Thank you for remembering the mustard.”//“Bradley, when have I ever forgotten the mustard? Here, take some napkins.”--POLITE SWEET BOY!! but i love the casual intimacy of this! like not only that she knows he's inevitably going to make a mess, but also that they have that history where she knows exactly what he likes but also how he is. It just makes me all warm and cozy!

“You didn’t come.”//“First man to ever care about that.” She mutters, snorting at her joke.-- PLLLLSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

“But you’re glad I’m here, right?”-- YOU PUT THOSE BIG COW EYES AWAY RIGHT NOW BRADSHAW! (but also that little hint of insecurity had me like 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

“I love Mav; he’s my dad in all the ways it matters. It just sucks that my actual dad won’t be here for graduation. Like, I know he’s missed so much of my life already, but something about him missing college graduation is worse than everything else. It’s just so unfair; I barely remember him, but I just- I just miss him so much, Sherrie.”-- oof ok this hit too real for me. (I hated graduation in HS and college because everyone got to send out their fun announcements to their families and have parties, and I came from a single parent household with no siblings and no extended family, so like I was always reminded what I didn't have during those times when normally I couldn't care less, but it was always a bit of a gut punch during those big event moments) I wanted to hug this sweet bean! that missing of what you don't have and have never known, but still longing for it, those hurts that just always stay with you!

“We were supposed to be halfway home by now, and I’m so uncomfortable. I’m sorry, Bradley, I’m just so tired.” She whimpers, hiding against his bicep.-- poor sweet girlllllll! oh i feel for her!! travel is already so rough when you only want to go home and then every delay makes it that much harder! And then you can't help but think about how you could be somewhere else! AN AIRPORT HOSTAGE. But also her hiding against his bicep because he's her safe place had me meltinggggggggggg

Bradley peers up from his knees, where he had started digging in his bag. “I’m grabbing one of my shirts for you. Would you prefer a t-shirt or a sweatshirt? Actually, you’re definitely gonna get cold, sweatshirt for you.”- precious sweet boy is all action! he's like my girl is uncomfy? NOT ON MY WATCH! And also again all the little ways they know each other! That he gives her choices, but ultimately KNOWS and just makes the choice for her because he knows her so well! I just love this kind of stuff so much! THEY PAY ATTENTION TO ALL THE LITTLE THINGS BECAUSE THEY CAREEEEEEEEE

This is the moment it starts, she thinks, her heart pounding in her throat as she robotically nods. It’s never the men that get these warnings. It’s always the women. Always us. Always me.-- MY HEAARTTTTTT I AM TOO TENDERRRRR!! I WANT TO HUG HER. It's too real and I hate ittttt.

“Because we’re friends?” Brown eyes look into hers, equally confused.//“We’re friends?”//“I hope so; otherwise, this is gonna get awkward when you hug me in a minute.”-- god this exchange was so fucking funny to me. Like her surprise and then his? but also he is just so cheeky that it had me gigglinggggg!

Sherrie rolls her eyes as he unlocks the door. “Bradley, breathe. You’re being very dramatic right now.”— my favvvvv 😂🥰🤭 Bradley ‘Mariah Carey’ Bradshaw

“Sher?” It takes a second, but she quietly hums in response. “We have to talk about it again.”//“No, Bradley. We talked about this two weeks ago. Nothing has changed since then.”-- THE PLOT TWIST OF IT AND THE LONGINGGGGG OF IT SENT ME THROUGH THE ROOF.

He slips out of his bed and into hers, wrapping the woman he loves in his arms. He lets her cry, knowing she’s frustrated and exhausted, only speaking up again when she’s calmed down. “I’m sorry, honey.”//“No, I’m sorry, Bradley. It’s not fair that we’ve been dancing around this for so many years, and I keep saying no. You deserve someone who isn’t afraid to be with you. Not a coward like me.”-- SCREAMING BECAUSE THEY'RE VICTIMS OF CIRCUMSTANCE AND SHITTY HR POLICIES LET MY BABIES BE HAPPY DAMMIT!! His "honey" RUINED MEEEEEE! They want to be with each other so muchhhhhh! Oh the yearning and the pining and the longingggggg!!! the acknowledging that they've been dancing around it! That she has had to say 'no' when all she wants is HIM! YOU RIPPED MY HEART OUT WITH THIS HOW DARE YOUUUUUUUUUU. HE IS WAITING FOR HER AND WILL CONTINUE TO WAIT BECAUSE SHE IS WORTH IT FOR HIM I CANNNNNNOOOOTTTTTT

“And I love you, so I don’t mind waiting until we’re in a position that you’re confident won’t jeopardize your career. So, we’ll wait to hear about the job, and once you hear that you’ve gotten it, I’m treating you to the nicest dinner in Boston.”-- a casual marriage proposal wouldn't be to much for a first date would it?? i am too delicate

“Of course! Need me to do anything else?”//Sherrie hums, staring at the ceiling as she thinks. “One more kiss?”-- IT IS SO SWEET AND THEY ARE SO SMITTENNNNNNNNN

“Okay, now you have to go. I have to finish prepping for this meeting where I get to yell at Sean.”//“That’s my girl. I’ll pick you up later. I love you.”-- FUCK SEAN EVISCERATE HIM SHERRIE MY BABE! And i love that he's rooting her on! I can just imagine his little smirk of pride! They're so cute.

Would it be cheesy to quietly propose in the airport that was a catalyst in their relationship? Maybe, but he knew Sherrie would love it. He’s just hoping the TSA didn’t call out the ring that would be hiding in his carry-on.-- NO IT'S PERFECTTTTT AND I AM ALL KINDS OF TENDER OVER ITTTTT!! I will personally sue TSA if they ruin this for my best boy who wants to put a ring on his best girl! that proposal won't be thwarted, not on my watch!!

#deltasupremacy-- correct, facts on facts!

your honor, i loved it! a round of applause to you for this!

change your ticket home

a top gun maverick AU

pairing: Bradley Bradshaw x Sherrie McHone (fem!OC)

summary: After a successful business trip on the West Coast, two Wells Corporation engineers have problems getting back home. Thank god for Bradley Bradshaw, a man who is determined to make their hours waiting in the terminal as enjoyable as possible. And if he and his pretty travel companion (and colleague) get closer along the way? Well that’s just a bonus.

warnings: difficulties of being a woman in a male-dominated field, minor misogyny from coworkers, yearning, pining, Bradley being an absolute sweetheart, it's vaguely alluded to but Sherrie is named after the Steve Perry song, American Airlines bashing bc this fic is based on a real and horrible experience I had a few years ago. and yes, the title is from the one direction song.

word count: 9.8k | masterlist

note: happy saturday! this has been in the works for almost a year and I'm so thrilled to finally be sharing it! this is dedicated to @gretagerwigsmuse, who gave so many wonderful ideas and has continually been a cheerleader for this fic. happy birthday!

Friday, July 15, 2016 | 06:36 AM PST | San Diego, CA

“If I fake a heart attack, we can get out of this meeting, right?”

She looks over at Bradley sprawled in the uncomfortable café chair in his navy suit, his arm slung over the back of her chair. He’s down to just his crisp, white button-up, jacket, and tie abandoned within the first ten minutes of the call.

“Suck it up, we’re almost done.” She rolls her eyes. “And Martin knows you’re a supremely healthy thirty-two-year-old, so no, I don’t think that will work.”

“Sherrie…” His whine is cut off by her hand covering his mouth as she unmutes her microphone and mentally praises his decision to sit so close to her. Not having to pull out both laptops was just an additional perk on top of her ability to silence him.

“That’s correct, Sean. We got them to agree to a small batch trail run for the connectors. We’ll be working together on running them through environmental testing before committing to a full contract.”

“And why are they agreeing to that? Because frankly, it makes no sense to me why they would want to do that.”

Bradley straightens up, his eyes narrowing at the Teams box showing the older man’s initials. “Well, Sean, as Sherrie explained before. Harris hasn’t produced connectors like this before, and they’re interested in the test results, specifically the shock data. So they agreed to take on half the burden so they can use the information for their own use. If this works how we think it will, this will be a huge boost for their business, even if the patent is shared.”

She looks at him, half admonishment and half appreciation, always a little bit amazed when he had her back, no matter how many times he had done it. “The contracts team is drawing up the final agreements and negotiating with their team next week, so best case scenario is we have reports with usable data by the end of the summer. Worst case, it’ll drift into the middle of Q1.”

“That’s great work you guys did out there, thank you. Alright, I think that covers everything we had to talk about today. McHone, Bradshaw - have a safe flight back, and everyone have a good weekend!” Martin ends the call before anyone can add anything.

Bradley laughs. “God, he’s just as sick of Sean as I am. I can’t wait until he retires.”

“He’s not that bad; you’re just grumpy because you had to dress up for the staff meeting, and then Martin said cameras off today.”

“I am upset about that! I will be logging yet another suggestion that we should have casual Fridays and casual travel policy. But I’m more upset because he talks down to you all the time! Like you haven’t been carrying this department on your back since we started ten years ago!”

“Carrying is an exaggeration, Bradley.” She looks up from where she’s putting her laptop away. “I think you have time to change into something comfy before we board.”

“American Airlines Flight 2307 from San Diego to Charlotte, Boarding Group A can now board.”

“Or not.” She giggles as he groans, reaching over to pull her other air pod out of his ear. “Come on, it’s a long flight; you can sleep on the plane. Just be thankful you’re not wearing an underwire bra and heels.”

“I don’t know how you do that.” He mutters, shooing her away when she tries to pick up her carry-on, throwing it over his shoulder alongside his own.

“I don’t either. I’m going to get a massage when we get back to Boston.”

“Ohhh, a massage sounds nice.” He subtly sticks his elbow out for her grab, which she gratefully does, letting his tall frame guide her to their gate. “You know you didn’t have to wear heels, right?”

“You should shut up while I’m still thankful you yelled at Sean for me.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Sherrie leans her head on his arm as they wait in the priority boarding line, one of the perks of traveling on the company’s dime. Normally, she would worry about being more professional while carrying her work bag that had the Wells Corporation logo embroidered on it, but she can’t bring herself to care. Yesterday’s meetings ran late, and the following client dinner had kept them out until almost midnight. After packing, going to bed late, and having to get up at 3:30AM to get to the airport, she was exhausted.

She takes her bag before they scan their tickets, not fighting when he grabs it again on their walk down the jet bridge.

“Where are you sitting again?”

“I’m in 16C.” She snorts at Bradley’s pout. “What? You knew we weren’t going to be sitting together.”

“But I’m going to be bored all the way back in 21D by myself.”

“Bud, you’re going to fall asleep in the first 30 minutes like you always do, and then I would be stuck for the next four hours with you leaning and drooling on me.”

Bradley whips his head around, “That is a baseless accusation. I do not drool!”

“You 100% definitely do drool, I’ve seen it.” Her smirk widens when his attempt to fight back is cut off by the flight attendants greeting them.

He ushers Sherrie on first, politely nodding to the flight crew before following her down the aisle, ducking down to whisper. “I do not drool.”

“You absolutely do drool. You also snore.”

She can feel eyes on them as they shuffle down the aisle, making eye contact with an older woman who raises her eyebrows in appreciation at the hunk of a man behind her.

This happens everywhere they go.

Bradley is such a gentleman, always opening doors and carrying her bags, that people never believe the two are just friends and coworkers. She’s had complete strangers fight with her when she says there’s nothing between them. Unable to accept that it’s just platonic.

As much as she wishes it could be more.

After years of learning all the little details of each other, she knows they would be good together. Their decade-long friendship allowing her to thoroughly analyze how well their personalities would mesh. They share the same beliefs and have the same interests; they even have overlapping friend groups. They’re made for each other.

On paper.

In reality, it will never happen.

She won’t let it.

“Is this good here?” Bradley’s question interrupts her weekly internal spiral; his big brown eyes blink at her over his shoulder as he puts her bag into the overhead compartment.

“That’s fine. Can you grab my water bottle out of the side pocket?

“Here ya go, ma’am. I’ll meet you by the water foundation when we land, okay?”

She nods, smiling as he hustles back to his seat to avoid a family almost flattening him in their haste to get to their assigned seats.

Her seat neighbors haven’t arrived yet, so Sherrie sits down without bothering to buckle, tucking her work bag under the row in front of her after pulling out her plane kit. Her pencil case from college that she’s repurposed to hold her headphones, phone charger, gum, hand sanitizer, and a few other small necessities.

Her phone buzzes as she’s storing her water bottle and the little bag away in the pocket of the seat in front of her.

Bradley is woken up by his seat neighbor hitting his arm as he reaches to grab a drink, nodding at the guy’s apologetic face before trying to get comfortable again. Alan talked way too much at dinner last night, and it was a struggle to stay awake during the project manager’s third round of gushing over how brilliant and profitable Sherrie’s proposal would be for both companies.

“Sir? This is for you, do you want it?” The muffled question is accompanied by someone shaking his shoulder. He peels open his eyes to see the flight attendant holding out two packets of Biscoff cookies.

His face must be confused enough for the short woman to take pity on him. “Your friend up there said these are your favorite and asked me to give hers to you.”

His heart warms up, taking the treats and saying thank you. He enjoys the cookies, washing them down with the ginger ale he also got, thinking about how well Sherrie knows him. He forces himself to wait for them to finish snack service before he gets up to use the restroom.

“Thank you.” Bradley revels in the way Sherrie jumps when he pops her headphone out, purposefully brushing his lips against her ear. “Hmmm, you were right, your seatmate is cute.”

She glares up at him, a smile threatening to break through. “Isn’t he? He fell asleep five minutes after take off, just like you.”

“Yet, another baseless accusation!”

“I heard you snoring.”

“You shouldn’t lie in front of small children.”

“His mom said he’s seven months old; I don’t think we have to be concerned about teaching him to lie while he’s still in a car seat.”

“Probably shouldn’t chance it, though. Say I don’t snore.”

“You just said I shouldn’t lie. Should probably go to the bathroom before you start holding up traffic.” She puts her headphone back in, wiggling her fingers at him before going back to reading on her phone.

It gives him the strangest sense of déjà vu.

Tuesday, March 25, 2005 | 10:43 AM EST | Charlottesville, VA

“…and he said you had already-” Bradley cuts himself off, realizing she can’t hear him. He chuckles; he should have known better than to just walk up and start talking.

He doesn’t know Sherrie McHone very well. They had taken all the freshman intro to engineering requirements together, and this year their classes had split into their chosen disciplines. His mechanical, hers electrical. But he knows her well enough to know that she can pretty much only be found without her headphones during class.

He remembers the first time they spoke last semester after he accidentally walked right into her. He had told Danny it’s because she’s so much shorter than him, but it’s really because he wasn't paying attention.

Sherrie had only taken one earpiece out to make sure he was okay before continuing onto her class, seamlessly weaving between upperclassmen as she shoved her headphone back in.

“Sherrie?” No response.

He lets out a tiny huff and checks his watch. Normally, he wouldn’t care that she’s clueless to his existence even as he’s right beside her, but he’s got a class soon, and he’s still two buildings away. So he does the only thing he can.

He pops her headphones out and steps back for fear of getting smacked.

Her head whips up, narrowing in on him freakishly fast. “What the fuck, Bradshaw?”

He’s surprised to learn that she knows his name.

“Sorry, Sherrie! I’ve been trying to talk to you for like five minutes, and you somehow haven’t noticed, but I’ve got class in 15 minutes, so I needed to get your attention.”

“Oh…” Her green eyes widen in surprise, the apples of her cheeks turning a light pink. “Sorry about that. What did you need? Wait. How did you find me?”

A fair question.

“Khondker told me where you sit.” He partially fibs.

All semester he had been watching her disappear after EE221, the one class they shared. It had taken him a while, but he was pretty sure he had found her secret study nook in the electrical engineering wing of the building. Their TA had only confirmed Bradley’s theory of where he could find his fellow sophomore.

“I don’t understand this last section we’ve been learning, and Khondker said you had already finished the homework and could help me. So could you?”

“He didn’t help you?” Sherrie raises an eyebrow in disbelief.

“He tried.” Bradley scratches the back of his head, remembering how frustrated the patient man had been after his third attempt at explaining. “I just really don’t understand circuit loops. And he thought having a classmate explain it to me would make it stick. That or he was just so sick of me, he’s pawning me off.”

He watches her think, her pencil rapidly tapping against her notebook, making him nervous.

“I don’t want to be rude, but if you don’t understand current loops, I’m not sure how much help I can be. I understand the material, but I’m not a miracle worker.”

Her bluntness makes him smile. “I’m not expecting miracles, just help with the homework. If you have time.”

“Okay, just as long as you don’t get your hopes up too much.” She grabs a bright pink notebook and opens it up. “So, I’m usually free-”

“I don't want to interrupt, but I do have to get to class, so could we figure out a time later today?”

“Sure, I’ll be here until my class at four. Feel free to sit down if I’m not here; it just means I’m grabbing food.” He nods, backing away. “Wait! Bradley! Go down this hall and out the side door. You’ll be like halfway there already.”

“Awesome, thanks!” He starts to jog down the hallway, looking back to see her putting her headphones back in. Waving back when she smiles and wiggles her fingers at him before going back to her homework.

Friday, July 15, 2016 | 3:16 PM EST | Charlotte, NC

“Our flight got delayed, and I’m hungry.”

Sherrie jumps, not expecting Bradley to get that close to her face three seconds after she exited the bathroom.

“Okay, I could eat. Where do you wan-”

“Auntie Anne’s.”

He’s walking away before she can even process what he said. She allows herself one second to appreciate the way he looks, walking through the concourse - navy slacks fitting his legs perfectly and all their bags thrown over his broad shoulders - before she’s clicking along after him.

“Bradshaw!” He freezes and turns, almost taking a lanky teenager out with her backpack. “Oh my god, Bradley! Be careful! You almost took that kid’s head off.”

His smile is sheepish as she shuffles them over to the wall. “I did not do that on purpose.”

She giggles and takes her backpack from his shoulder. “Yeah, I kinda figured. But you should have seen his face. His life flashed before his eyes. All sixteen years.”

“I can carry that Sherrie.”

“That’s okay, I got it. No! Bradley!”

He ignores her, smiling at her frustrated little stomp when he hands over her tan, cross-body purse out of her work bag. “You just carry that and make sure I don’t take out any toddlers or old ladies.”

“How am I supposed to do that if I’m ahead of you?” She snarks as he steers them toward the food stands.

“You’re smart; I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” Bradley laughs when she mocks him under her breath. “I can hear you, smartass.”

“You were meant to, Bradley.”

His heart flutters at the teasing wink she sends over her shoulder. It’s been twelve years since they became friends, and he still feels like that 20-year-old kid who was nervous to talk to the pretty red-headed girl he had a crush on.

He can feel eyes on them as her heels catch people’s attention, and he finds himself glaring at men who are shamelessly staring. Her shoes aren’t loud as they click along on the tile floor, but it’s hard to ignore the beautiful woman striding along in business casual.

It happens everywhere they go.

Sherrie has always been beautiful and painfully unaware of her effect on men. It never matters where they are - at work, the rare baseball game he forces her to attend, happy hour with their friends from school - she always catches attention. It doesn’t bother him because she never reciprocates, and he’s always the one to give her a ride back to her apartment.

Even if he wishes it was their apartment they were going to.

He’s watched her change over the last decade, seen her grow as a person. He’s risen through the ranks with her professionally, the two of them matching each other step for step with each promotion and raise. He’s publicly assured her that her hair still looks good as it’s deepened color with age, now less red and more auburn. He’s privately appreciated the way her body has changed, softer and curvier than when they were kids. Her wide hips are a frequent star in his daydreams.

It's the only place where they’ll ever be in a relationship.

He knows they’d be perfect together. Old friends who know each other so well they don’t even have to talk to communicate sometimes. Whose attitudes fit together like puzzle pieces, perfectly in sync with each other. He knows it won’t happen. Can’t happen.

“Grab us a table, and I’ll get the food.”

“Okay.” He doesn’t fight her about paying, knowing this will be covered under their per diem. “Don’t forget my-”

“You’re frozen lemonade, I know!”

Bradley rolls his eyes at the hand that waves over her shoulder, settling their bags at a table and keeping an eye on Sherrie while sending an update to Mav.

His thumbs hover over the keyboard. He wants to tell his uncle the whole situation - that he’s not afraid to flirt with Sherrie.

“Everything okay?”

Bradley looks up to find her eyebrows furrowed as she sets a tray down.

“All good. Just sending my family an update that we’re delayed.”

She nods, sitting in the chair across from him. “Here’s your mini pretzel dogs, with mustard and a frozen lemonade. This is my pretzel nuggets, cheese sauce, and Diet Coke. Oh! And I got us these cinnamon sugar pretzels to share!”

“Thank you for remembering the mustard.”

“Bradley, when have I ever forgotten the mustard? Here, take some napkins.”

He shoves an entire mini pretzel dog in his mouth in lieu of answering her question, which they both know the answer to. Never. She has never forgotten his love for pretzels with mustard.

They eat in comfortable silence, the way only two friends can, occasionally dunking into each other's sauces as they scroll through their phones.

“Hey, how is your da- oh Bradley! You got mustard on your shirt!” His head snaps down to his shirt, groaning when he sees the yellow blob on his white button-up.

“Fuck! This is new, too!”

Sherrie dives into her bag, muttering about a stain stick, a triumphant noise escaping when she comes up successful. Scooting closer to him, she’s hit with a wave of nostalgia as she helps him clean his shirt.

Friday, April 6, 2007 | 10:12 PM EST | Charlottesville, VA

“You should’ve been gone, knowing how I made you feel!”

Sherrie’s head pops up from the lab reports she’s grading.

“And I should've been gone, after all your words of steel!”

She knows that voice.

“Oh, I must've been a dreamer! And I must've been someone else!”

She knows that voice very well.

“And we should've been over!”

She rushes for the front door, hoping and praying that the idiot she’s become close friends with this year isn’t actually outside her townhouse.

“Oh! Sherrie, our love holds on! Holds on!”

She whips the door open and, sure enough, drunkenly singing to her neighbor's house is Bradley Bradshaw.

“Bradley!” She hisses at him, ignoring the flutters in her stomach when he points his big, goofy grin towards her and not the tulips the soccer girls next door planted in front of their bay window. “What are you doing? It’s 10 PM!”

“You didn’t come.”

“First man to ever care about that.” She mutters, snorting at her joke.

“What’s funny?”

“Nothing. What are you doing here?”

His puppy dog eyes are vicious, and she has the urge to slap her hand over her eyes so she doesn’t succumb to their power. “You didn’t come to the party!”

Sherrie sighs, she thought he might be disappointed she didn’t come to the annual Sigma Chi Easter Bash, but she never thought he would actually notice her absence. Or that it would result in a drunken serenade.

“Bradley, I told you I had a lot of grading and might not make it tonight.” She gently reminds him, stifling a laugh when he trips over his own feet while standing still. “You okay?”

“I have to pee. Can I come in?”

She’s pretty sure he’s just making excuses but lets him in any way; she doesn’t need to deal with him getting a public indecency charge on top of everything else. “Shoes off, Bradshaw. Bathroom is right here; I’ll be in the dining room.”

“Yes, ma’am!” He sloppily salutes her, losing his balance and thunking against the wall, one shoe still on.

Sherrie just blinks at him before returning to her spot at the dining room table, holding in the laugh threatening to escape. She settles in her chair, focusing on the mediocre reports her students had turned in.

“I washed my hands!” Bradley’s abrupt entrance startles her. “Can we have a snack? I’m hungry?

She watches in amusement as he shuffles to her fridge, riffling through the shelves before opening the freezer and gasping.

“I love pretzels. Can we make these? Please?”

The box of pretzels belongs to her roommate, but she’s not strong enough to deny Bradley’s big brown eyes two times in a row so she makes a mental note to buy Amna a new box the next time she goes to the store. “Yeah, we can. But no touching the oven when you’re drunk. Go sit down.”

“I’m not drunk!” He argues even as he follows her directions, plopping himself at the table and nosily leafing through her done pile. “Wow, lots of red here.”

“Bradley! Don’t look at those!”

“Why not?”

“Would you want some random student looking through your homework?”

His rebuttal gets cut off by the oven beeping, announcing it’s up to temp. After she pops the tray in the oven, she turns and catches him appreciating the pj shorts riding up her shapely legs.

“What?” Her head cocks in confusion.

“Nothin'… cute shorts.”

“Thank you.” He watches in fascination as she snips at him even while her cheeks turn pink. “It’s almost like I was dressed for comfort and not planning on being interrupted.”

“But you’re glad I’m here, right?”

“I’ve had worse company on a Friday night.” She nudges him out of her chair. “While those are baking, go find something to watch, and I’m going to finish grading this report.”

“Such a responsible TA.”

Pride fills his chest as Sherrie snorts at his joke and goes back to work. They’ve officially been friends since last year, but he still tries his hardest to make her laugh. She's always so busy and stressed, and she does the cutest little snort-laugh when he catches her off guard.

He puts on a random movie, just grabbing a VHS case with the Disney logo on the side, before plopping on the couch. “Is there a reason you have so many kids movies?”

“Those are Jayla’s, she collects them.” Sherrie answers, never looking up from the table. “What did you choose?”

“It’s a surprise!”

“You don’t remember, huh?”

“Nope! I’ll be quiet now.”

She hums a thank you in his direction, and Bradley keeps his promise, watching her work and staying quiet until the timer goes off. His chin hooked on the back of the couch; he follows her movement through the kitchen as she pulls the pretzels out and transfers them to a plate.

“Can I have mustard, please?”

“Sure can.” Sherrie smiles at his dopey smile as she makes her way to the couch. “Here, take these, then we can eat.”

He gulps down the painkillers she drops in his hand, chugging the rest of the apple juice after they’re gone, smiling when she absentmindedly praises him for listening. He shoves a bite of pretzel in his mouth and mashes the play button, and is pleasantly surprised to find A Bug’s Life was the mystery choice.

“I love this movie,” he garbles through a pretzel. “I love how Flick wins over the princess just by getting a chance to show off his true self.”

“That was shockingly wise for the drunk man sprawled on my couch.”

Bradley thanks her, already a bit more sober but not enough to pick up on her teasing. “So, why didn’t you come? Grading really couldn’t wait?”

“It probably could have, but I’m not a partier, Bradley. You know that.” She dips a piece of pretzel in the mustard. “Besides, I really didn’t think you would notice I wasn’t there, Mr. Popular.”

“You’re the only person I invited; of course, I noticed when you didn’t show up.”

“Really? No one else? Why?”

“I know it’s almost finals, but I wanted to hang out without any books in front of us; that’s all we do lately. Study. Plus, you’ve been extra stressed about something that you don’t want to talk about, and I just wanted you to relax since you won’t talk to me about whatever is bothering you.”

“That’s sweet of you, Bradley. It’s not that I don’t want to tell you; it’s just that my family has been…” She waves a hand through the air, a deep sigh escaping. “It’s complicated. I’m trying not to think about it too much.”

“Well, I’m here if you do want to talk.”

“Thanks bud. How about you? How’re your parents?” She takes one last chunk before nudging the plate in his direction and settling back into the corner.

“Mom is good; she’s close to being considered cancer-free. I think we’re gonna throw a party when she gets there.”

“That’s awesome, Bradley! I’m glad she’s doing so well. How’s your dad?”

“Mav isn’t my dad.”

A record scratch plays in Sherrie’s head as she freezes. She knows she’s heard Bradley talk about his dad, and she’d seen photos of his parents the one time she had visited his frat house last year. He had specifically pointed the photo out, telling her it was his parents. She had even been next to him when he was on the phone when he said “dad” to the person on the other end.

“My dad died when I was three. Mav is- was his best friend. I call him dad sometimes because he’s the closest thing I’ve got.”

Sherrie feels her heart break as Bradley sniffles and sadly shoves a mustard-covered pretzel in his mouth, unshed tears clumping his eyelashes. She’s never seen her friend like this before; she’s experienced many other emotions - frustration, joy, confusion - but the pain creasing his brow is new.

Comforting crying people has never been her forte, but instinctively - almost like they moved without her permission - Sherrie’s fingers run over his hair. Gently stroking the sun-streaked waves as a few tears escape down his cheeks and she scoots closer, letting her body press into his side and hoping the proximity helps.

“I’m sorry for crying on you.” He quietly apologizes after a few minutes of tears.

“S’okay. Family can be hard sometimes.”

“Complicated.”

“That too.” She hums, not moving as he swipes at his eyes and leans against her more, his head resting on her shoulder in a slouched position that can’t be comfortable.

“I love Mav; he’s my dad in all the ways it matters. It just sucks that my actual dad won’t be here for graduation. Like, I know he’s missed so much of my life already, but something about him missing college graduation is worse than everything else. It’s just so unfair; I barely remember him, but I just- I just miss him so much, Sherrie.”

Her heart cracks in half at the whispered confession. She can’t even imagine the pain of losing a parent at such a young age. The inability to remember one of the people responsible for giving you life, all memories fuzzy and most built from second-hand recollections of those who can remember. So she says the one thing she would want to hear.

“Tell me about him.”

Sherrie knows she said the right thing when his red-rimmed eyes brighten, and he immediately launches into a beloved story detailing his father’s love of pranks. She listens dutifully — laughing at the right moments and asking questions when Bradley gets carried away, forgetting that she doesn’t know all the people in his story — and feels her heart warm more and more. She’s always liked Bradley, probably more than she should, but it’s hard not to like him. He’s considerate, smart, and funny, not to mention handsome.

Thankfully, before she gets lost in thoughts of broad shoulders and strong jawlines, a big glob of mustard drops on Bradley’s t-shirt, abruptly cutting him off. The two stare in silence at the yellow condiment sitting on the black cotton shirt, somehow surprised at its appearance, before breaking down into giggles.

“C’mon Bradshaw,” Sherrie grabs his hand, pulling him off the couch. “I have a Tide pen we can use on that mess.”

Bradley follows her up the stairs and into the bathroom, teasing Sherrie about the way her tongue pokes out when she focuses. She takes the gentle taunts, grateful he’s focusing on that and not on her pink cheeks or the way her eyes keep darting to his toned stomach. She’s not sure it was completely necessary for him to strip his shirt off, but she won’t be complaining.

“Well,” A few minutes later, she interrupts his rambling story about a slip and slide. Or she thinks that’s what it’s about; she missed the first part. “I think this is as good as I can get it.”

“That’s okay; it’s not like it’s new or anything. Thanks, Sherrie.”

She steadfastly ignores the pounding heart in her chest as miles of golden skin gets covered back up, trying to not feel too disappointed by its disappearance.

Friday, July 15, 2016 | 3:56 PM EST | Charlotte, NC

“Oh, this is ridiculous!” Bradley complains a bit too loudly, ears going hot when several pairs of eyes curiously dart toward him, but his focus doesn’t stay on that for very long when he catches the face Sherrie makes. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing!”

He squints suspiciously as she avoids eye contact. He usually takes her at her word and doesn’t push, but the frown pulling down the corners of her pink lips sets off bells in his head. “Sherrie, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, Bradley. I’m fine.”

He grumbles at her lack of response but settles again in the spot they had claimed after finishing their snack. The gate was still packed, but they had found a prime location with outlets; the only downside was having to sit on the floor, something that is getting harder the older they get.

Bradley scans the area, trying to scout out some open chairs for them to grab, while Sherrie goes back to the movie they’ve been watching on his phone. His eyes drop away from the chairs in surprise when she scoots closer and leans on his shoulder. It’s not uncommon for them to sit close like this at home in Boston, sides pressed together, but she makes a point to be professional when they’re on travel.

“Hey,” he gently nudges her side, concern rising when she doesn’t lift her head, choosing to tilt her neck back, looking up at him with tired eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Panic grips his chest when tears start forming, clouding her green eyes. “Sherrie?! What’s wrong?”

“We were supposed to be halfway home by now, and I’m so uncomfortable. I’m sorry, Bradley, I’m just so tired.” She whimpers, hiding against his bicep.

It hits him like a glass of cold water. Of course, she’s uncomfortable. She’s been walking around in heels and her pantsuit since 4AM California time after getting maybe three hours of sleep. His suit and shoes are comfortable and easily wearable for twelve-plus hours, not to mention the jacket and tie that were ditched sometime after the mustard incident.

“Oh, Sherrie, it’s okay. Let’s go change, yeah? Then we’ll find a quieter place so you can close your eyes and maybe get some sleep.”

“But the policy…”

Bradley resists the urge to roll his eyes at her insistence on rule-following. “In the nicest way possible, Sher, fuck the policy. You’re uncomfortable, and I care about that way more than I could ever care about a stupid, archaic policy.”

He stands, unplugging their phones and gathering their bags on his shoulder before turning to his best friend, who is still on the floor. “C’mon, we’re putting comfy clothes on.”

“But Bradley-”

“No arguing.” He interrupts, helping her off the ground and directing them back towards the restrooms. “We’re not going to sit in our suits for god knows how much longer.”

“But Bradley, I don’t have anything to change into. We had such a packed schedule I didn’t bother to bring normal clothes.” He ignores the thumping of his heart when her hand grabs his forearm, warm fingers slipping under the edge of the rolled-up sleeve as she tugs to slow his pace. At that information, he slides them out of the flow of traffic and over to the wall, Bradley pressing her against one of the columns lining the concourse atrium.

“You don’t have any regular clothes? What about your pajamas?”

“I have a pair of leggings because I was going to do a training run in the gym last night, but that’s it. I can’t wear my pjs because… well, they’re not appropriate for public.”

“Your leggings are clean, though, right?” He asks, ignoring the thoughts of what non-public appropriate pajamas might look like.

“Well, yeah, dinner went so late I barely had time to sleep before we had to be up. I guess I could buy a shirt at one of the SmartShop- what are you doing?”

Bradley peers up from his knees, where he had started digging in his bag. “I’m grabbing one of my shirts for you. Would you prefer a t-shirt or a sweatshirt? Actually, you’re definitely gonna get cold, sweatshirt for you.”

He pulls the worn, gray crew neck out, shaking it out before handing it over.

“You still have this?” The disbelief in her voice makes him laugh.

“Of course, I still have that! Relay was always my favorite event of the year. And that year was my favorite one.”

As the philanthropy chair of Sigma Chi, part of his job was to sign the brothers up for volunteer events and fundraisers. With his mom’s diagnosis, he ensured their schedule included the campus’ annual Relay for Life event, pouring as many resources as he could into the fundraiser that directly helped advance cancer research.

“Wait, but why was junior year your favorite?” She asks, brushing her fingers over the cracked, screen-printed logo.

“Because that’s the reason we became friends, Sher.”

Surprised green eyes meet sincere brown eyes, a thousand words said in the silence of their stares, both remembering the lead-up to that day in April so many years ago.

Bradley’s eyes widen in panic as everyone at the gate starts moving as a herd. They had finally found seats to relax in after changing, the group of passengers waiting with them shrinking as time went on. And now, with only ten minutes until boarding, their gate has changed again.

“Sherrie, wake up!” He feels bad shaking the snoozing woman off, but they have to move with the group to make it to the new part of Terminal A in time for their flight. “C’mon, honey, they changed the gate again — we gotta go!”

“What are you- again?! Shit!” She wipes the bleariness from her eyes, slinging her bags over her shoulder and grabbing the hand he holds out.

The two coworkers, along with fifty of their fellow passengers who have stuck this out, speed walk down the first branch of the terminal. The entire group picking up the pace when turning the corner towards the second branch where the new gate lives. By the time they hit the second branch, everyone is practically running — time ticking down to boarding — no one wanting to miss this flight.

As if the blob of Flight 1121 passengers racing toward the end of the terminal didn’t garner attention from other gates, the entire terminal is staring by the time they reach gate A28, and several people start yelling in frustration.

“This is unbelievable!” An older gentleman’s unhappiness is interrupted by three simultaneous updates pinging everyone’s phones.

Bradley’s head drops back in disbelief, wrapping his arm around Sherrie when her head thunks against his chest. He doesn’t even get a chance to comfort her before the gate agents are making announcements about getting people on other flights, providing hotel rooms, and the vouchers that will be shared.

“Again, we apologize, but if you have flexible travel plans, we ask that you please go to the end of the line so those with time constraints can be taken care of first. Thank you for your cooperation, folks!”

“Well, that’s us, huh?”

“Yeah, I guess.” Sherrie blows air out of her lips, a mischievous smile taking over her face. “Hey, at least this means extra per diem money.”

Bradley laughs as they move to the back of the squiggly line that’s forming, letting her take the bags so he can step away to call to update their supervisor and then his pet sitter. It only takes a few rings for his boss to pick up. “Bradshaw! What’s up? You okay?”

“Hey Martin, all good. Just wanted to let you know that our flight has gotten supremely delayed. We won’t be home until tomorrow morning sometime.”

“Jesus, do you guys need anything?”

“Nah, we’re good. The airline is putting us up in a hotel for the night and giving vouchers for a bunch of stuff. Just called to let you know and for a heads up on the expense report.”

“Well, that is the most important part!” Martin’s honking laugh makes Bradley chuckle as he glances to check on Sherrie’s progress in line. “How’s Sherrie? She good?”

“Yeah, she’s good. She’s holding our spot in line for getting new tickets and stuff.” And it looks like she’s made friends already, he silently adds, smiling at her interacting with the elderly couple in front of her.

“Good. Alright then, I’ll see you on Monday, but let me know if you guys need anything. And hey! If you two end up in the same hotel room — remember what I said on your first day!”

The line goes dead, and so does Bradley’s smile, his stomach churning like it does every time he remembers his first day at the Wells Corporation.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007 | 11:15 AM EST | Boston, MA

“Will you calm down?”

“I can’t, Bradley. What if no one likes me? What if I fuck up?!” She hisses, working to appear calm as they wait for their supervisor to show up, but failing.

“First of all, we’re starting together, so you have at least one person that likes you. And you’re great, everyone will like you. Second, there will be mistakes, but we just graduated — they’re not going to let us do anything alone because we don’t know anything yet.”

Sherrie nods, tucking her hands under her legs and trying to breathe. Bradley’s words are encouraging, but he doesn’t know how difficult her internship was last summer. The older engineers she shadowed treated her like a glorified coffee girl and secretary. Even when she had pointed out a mistake they all had missed, there was no change — just the addition of making her type their reports to see if she could catch something the non-engineer tech writers would miss.

This is a brand new company, but misogyny wasn’t unique to Waite Green Construction. Every woman has to work twice as hard to prove her worth and intellect, no matter her age or experience. She’s just hoping her onboarding mentor will be the only other woman in the department; it would be the perfect way to gain a professional mentor once she’s out of the probation period.

“Good morning, kids! How was orientation?” Mr. Teresi walks into the conference room.

Bradley shakes his hand first, “It was good, sir. Nice to see you again.”

“Good to hear! Learn lots of new things.”

“Yes, I think we can be considered experts on trade secrets now.” Sherrie jokes, focusing on making sure her handshake is firm but not too firm.

“Wonderful. So, I’m guessing you two have been introduced, but just in case you haven’t. Bradley, this is Sherrie McHone; she’s an electrical engineer. And Sherrie, this is Bradley Bradshaw, a mechanical engineer.”

“We actually went to school together, sir.”

“We’re friends,” Bradley adds, the two of them exchanging small smiles.

“Oh, great! Well, that makes things easier getting started. Now let’s go over my plan for the two of you, and then we’ll get lunch, my treat for your first day.”

Their supervisor talks for half an hour, going over things they’ll need to be trained in and their first assignments. By the time he’s done, several notebook pages have been filled and highlighted with things that need to be looked up.

“Alright!” The older engineer claps, rubbing his hands together. “I’m sure your brains are overloaded with information, so go drop your things at your desks, and we’ll head to lunch.”

The recent graduates gather their notes and head for the door, quietly talking about a training they’ll be attending next week when he stops them. “One more thing, guys. They never mention it during R&D orientation, but I feel it’s necessary to mention it to new people. Here at Wells, there isn’t a fraternization policy among non-management coworkers or between any employees in different divisions. But we are a fairly small department, so keep in mind who you interact with and what impacts that may have at work.”

Sherrie feels the blood drain from her already pale face as her brand new supervisor stares at her the entire time he speaks, ignoring Bradley completely. She’s going to be sick. Less than four hours into the first professional role of her career, and it’s already happening.

This is the moment it starts, she thinks, her heart pounding in her throat as she robotically nods. It’s never the men that get these warnings. It’s always the women. Always us. Always me.

“I don’t care about that. But there are some people who will, even though they shouldn’t. And I want you guys to have the best experience here you possibly can. You’re both extremely bright, and I’m excited about your futures. I don’t want you to get bogged down by the opinions of others. Understand?”

“Yes, sir.” They answer in unison before filing out of the conference room.

“Sherrie, don’t worry about that. He’s just-”

“Trust me, Bradley. I know exactly what he was saying. I’m going to use the restroom, and then I’ll meet you guys at the elevator.”

“Sherrie…”

But she ignores her friend, shrugging her purse over her shoulder and keeping her face neutral as she heads for the single-stall ladies’ room. Fighting to hold the tears back until she’s inside for fear of being perceived as emotional. A quality no woman can afford to have in a professional setting.

Friday, July 15, 2016 | 8:05 PM EST | Charlotte, NC

“Hey, everything? Martin says hi.”

“We’re good! This is Mr. and Mrs. Ludden; they’re going to visit their newest granddaughter. How’re Sophie and Louis?” Bradley smiles at the excited way she introduces them, putting a steadying hand on her back when she bounces up on her toes.

“Oh, congrats! They’re good; Marie can watch’em one more day, problem.”

“Good, we’ll have to get her a thank you present for the short notice.”

“You didn’t tell us you guys had kids!”

Bradley and Sherrie freeze in place, eyes widening in surprise at the older woman’s words.

“Oh- uh- we-” Sherrie giggles awkwardly. “Sophie and Louis are our cats; we don’t have kids.”

“I’m so sorry!” Mrs. Ludden gasps, hand covering her mouth in shock while her husband groans her name.

“Louise, how many times do we have to do this before you stop making assumptions?”

“It’s okay, innocent mistake,” Bradley assures them.

“Well, they’re such a cute couple. I just thought they would have adorable children, too!”

“Actually… we’re not…”

“Oh, lord. Let me guess. You’re not dating. You’re just friends.”

“Coworkers too, but we were friends first.” Sherrie suppresses a laugh when the older gentleman rubs a hand over his eyes in exasperation.

“Don’t even start, Clayton!”

“I wasn’t going to, dear.”

Bradley can’t help the laugh that escapes at the comfortable ribbing they give each other; it reminds him of his friendship with Sherrie. The easy way they tease, never going too far.

“Would you two like to join us after we get rebooked?” Bradley asks. “We’re going to use our food vouchers tonight to grab dinner before we head to whatever hotel they put us up in.”

The four adults move through the line, chatting about small things and comparing pictures of grandkids and cats. It’s a nice way to spend the time, especially when they get to share judging looks when a woman throws a tantrum and yells at the gate agent. But soon enough, they’re walking back to the main concourse and deciding what food to get.

“No, stop. You just sit here with the bags, and I’ll grab the food.” Bradley gently pushes Sherrie back into her chair, rolling his eyes as he talks over her protests. “I know. You want mac and cheese, Diet Coke, and whatever pulled pork flavor looks best.”

“He’s sweet,” Louise says, watching the two men make their way over to the BBQ place.

“He’s annoying.” Which makes her companion laugh. “Yes, he’s very sweet. I’m lucky to be such good friends with him.”

“Can I ask why the two of you aren’t together? He even knows what food to bring you.”

“It’s just never been like that between us. We’ve always just been friends. And he’s annoyingly smart, so he always remembers what I order.” Sherrie half smiles, pushing down the pain in her chest at the harmless curiosity, watching Bradley laugh at something Clayton says as she remembers the first time he remembered one of her favorites.

Saturday, March 4, 2006 | 1:34 PM EST | Charlottesville, VA

“Thanks for meeting me on a Saturday, Bradshaw. It’s just such a busy semester.”

“No problem. You know you can call me Bradley, right?”

“Oh, sorry. Do you not like being called Bradshaw?” Sherrie blinks when a bottle of Diet Coke and a small bag of Skittles is set on the table in front of her. “What’s this?”

“Your favorite snack.”

“Right… but why?”

“Because you have that about 50% of the time when we meet up to work on this project. Now, I finished transcribing the interview with Commander Buck last night. Did you want to- Sherrie?”

She shifts her focus from the food to the boy across from her in the study nook they’ve claimed as theirs for the semester. “Why do you remember my favorite snack?”

“Because we’re friends?” Brown eyes look into hers, equally confused.

“We’re friends?”

“I hope so; otherwise, this is gonna get awkward when you hug me in a minute.”

“Why am I going to hug you?!”

Bradley laughs at her flabbergasted expression, but it doesn’t hurt her feelings like it does when other people laugh at her. Something about the tone of the laugh makes it feel like he’s laughing at her, but rather with her, and she just doesn’t know the joke yet.

“Because as team captain, I am happy to announce to the Relay Chair that Sigma Chi has officially raised $5,000 thanks to your idea.”

“Bradley, that’s incredible!” She doesn’t feel silly when she bounces around the table to hug his neck, rocking them back and forth in excitement.

“Well, if you think that’s good - let me show you what we’re anticipating to raise this month…”

Friday, July 15, 2016 | 10:12 PM EST | Charlotte, NC

“I just don’t understand how we’re having such bad luck!”

Sherrie rolls her eyes as he unlocks the door. “Bradley, breathe. You’re being very dramatic right now.”

“How is “we’re out of rooms” a legitimate reason for the hotel to give? Not that I mind sharing with you, but like how is that possible? The airline specifically works with them to book rooms for things like this! And the airline! That gate agent who wanted to book us to fly into Hartford and then drive the rest of the way to Boston! That's insane!”

“I don’t know, the Bradley flying into Bradley joke was pretty funny.” She mutters, clicking the lights on as she checks the cleanliness of the room.

“It wasn’t.” Bradley pouts, flopping onto the bed closest to the door. “Do you want to shower first?”

“No, go ahead, but I’m going to wash my face first so I can do a face mask. I’m so dry from the airport air.” He listens to the sounds of water running and the quiet humming as she carefully applies the drenched sheet to her skin. “All yours!”

“Thanks, Sher. I won’t be long.”

He showers quickly but takes extra time cleaning his teeth, his mouth feeling gross after the long travel day. When he comes out, he’s surprised at how cozy the room feels. With only one lamp on, the air conditioning set low to keep the fan running, and an old movie on the TV, it almost feels like they could be at home in his living room. They silently move around each other, Sherrie heading to the bathroom with a pile of things while Bradley organizes his things for the morning, wanting to get as much rest as possible before their early alarm.

He scrolls through emails and texts while he waits for her to shower, turning the television off since he knows there’s a small chance of either of them making it five minutes after they kill the lights. He's updating Mav on tomorrow’s travel plans when Sherrie comes out of the bathroom, her hair wrapped in a towel. Bradley sees her packing things out of the corner of his eye, not fully paying attention until he plugs his phone in.

“That’s what you wear to bed?”

“Bradley!” He laughs at how she jumps, her hands coming down to cover her shorts.

“What? They’re cute! Very pink.”

Her face goes as pink as the pajama set she’s wearing. “Stop making fun of me!”

“I’m not! You know, I love strawberries.” He can’t help the way his eyes roam up and down her body, admiring from the spaghetti straps on her smooth shoulders to the scalloped edge of her shorts. “I see why you didn’t want to change into those at the airport.”

“Oh my god…” She huffs, climbing into her own queen bed and stuffing herself under the sheets. “You set an alarm, right?”

“Yes, ma’am. Want me to turn the light off?”

“Please. God, this day cannot be over soon enough.”

He chuckles and turns the lamp off, listening to her shuffle around in the sheets as she gets comfortable. It’s quiet for a few minutes, and he can hear her breathing leveling out, but he can’t keep quiet; the conversation at the airport running through his mind.

“Sher?” It takes a second, but she quietly hums in response. “We have to talk about it again.”

“No, we don’t.”

“Sherrie-”

“No, Bradley. We talked about this two weeks ago. Nothing has changed since then.”

“Yes, things have changed since then. You interviewed for that principal engineer position. Which if you get-”

“I’m not going to get it. They’re going to pick Trevor.”

“They’re going to pick you. You’re the best person for the job!”

“That’s not how it works, and you know it.”

He’s silent, the crushing weight on his chest feeling heavier when he hears her sniffle.

“Oh, Sherrie…” He slips out of his bed and into hers, wrapping the woman he loves in his arms. He lets her cry, knowing she’s frustrated and exhausted, only speaking up again when she’s calmed down. “I’m sorry, honey.”

“No, I’m sorry, Bradley. It’s not fair that we’ve been dancing around this for so many years, and I keep saying no. You deserve someone who isn’t afraid to be with you. Not a coward like me.”

“You’re not a coward; you’re one of the bravest people I know, Sherrie Anne McHone. I know how critical people are of women, in this field especially. And I love you, so I don’t mind waiting until we’re in a position that you’re confident won’t jeopardize your career. So, we’ll wait to hear about the job, and once you hear that you’ve gotten it, I’m treating you to the nicest dinner in Boston.”

“Bradley, we don’t know-”

“I know we don’t know. But think about how it would be if it does. Wouldn’t that be amazing?”

“But what about-”

“Doesn’t matter, honey.”

“You don’t even know what I was gonna say.” Sherrie mumbles, cuddling further into his side, making it clear that he wasn’t allowed to leave.

“I know, but it doesn’t matter, whatever it is — we’ll figure it out.”

Saturday, July 16, 2016 | 10:32 AM EST | Somewhere over Virginia

“She’ll take a ginger ale; thank you so much.” Bradley balances his apple juice, the two packets of Biscoff cookies, and the bubbling soda he got for Sherrie. The smiling flight attendant moves past their row as he turns to his row companion.

They’re finally on their way home after waking up to more delay announcements. The additional time meant there was time to get coffee and some fruit from the hotel before their taxi back to the airport arrived, and the Luddens had even stopped to chat for a second at the gate, excited that they had gotten bumped up to first class since the flight was nearly empty.

All things considered, it had been a good morning even though Sherrie was insisting on working during the flight. Bradley is sure it’s an attempt to ignore their talk from last night, not wanting to dwell on the emotional moment when things are still so up in the air.

He looks over at the woman he’s known since he was eighteen, overwhelmed for a moment by how little things have changed since the first time he ever noticed her. Bradley fondly watches as she furiously types, hunched over her laptop with headphones, playing what he knows is eighties hair bands.

Her nose wrinkles in frustration, and suddenly it’s 2003 again, and he’s trying to get the attention of the red-haired girl whose table has the only empty chair left, something he desperately needs since this book can’t leave the library. He’s unable to get her attention and resorts to knocking on the table, heart skipping a beat when the prettiest green eyes he’s ever seen blink up at him. Bradley gestures at the empty chair, silently asking if he can sit, and is grateful when she nods because her smile is making his knees wobble. For the next hour, he tries to take notes for his paper, but he keeps getting distracted by the beautiful girl across from him. Bradley isn’t sure if he’s upset or happy when she packs up her stuff and leaves, giving him a little wave when she notices him watching her.

That had been thirteen years ago, and her intense focus still distracts him, but he’s not afraid to interrupt her this time. Fingers rub her arm that is covered in his sweatshirt again, but this time, he knows it smells like her shampoo instead of his cologne. Her smile still sends his heart skipping when she looks up at him, her pretty eyes widening in joy when she catches sight of the red snack packaging and the plastic cup holding her second favorite soda.

“Thank you!” She whispers, leaning across the empty middle seat in their row to kiss his cheek. “Oh, and we should go out to lunch when we get back! I want to try that new noodle place that opened in Southie.”

He just smiles when she immediately gets back to work; cheek puffed out from the cookie she stuffed in her mouth.

Maybe she’s not avoiding their talk from last night.

Thursday, August 11, 2017 | 2:15 PM EST | Boston, MA

“You got a minute?” Bradley knocks on the edge of her cubicle. It may be a different floor of their building, but all of the office space is the same dated stuff from decades ago.

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“First of all…” He ducks down and presses a swift kiss to her plush mouth, still trying to make up for all those years he couldn’t. “And don’t say anything because I already checked before I did because I wanted to kiss my girl.”

He chuckles at the pink spots that shine on her cheeks. It’s been a year since Sherrie snagged the promotion, and they officially became an item, but she still turns a little red whenever he says something sweet.

“Second, you are all packed, right?”

“Yes, why?”

“I was gonna swing by the apartment and get our bags so we can head straight to the airport after work.”

“You took the afternoon off? Why?”

Bradley was expecting this question and smoothly fibs. “I worked the hours out with Martin for this week so I could run a few last-minute errands. Do you want me to grab snacks?”

“Okay, Mr. Secrets. When you’re at home, could you water the ivy? I forgot this morning, and I don’t want it to die while we’re gone.”

“Of course! Need me to do anything else?”

Sherrie hums, staring at the ceiling as she thinks. “One more kiss?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Bradley happily complies with her request.

“Okay, now you have to go. I have to finish prepping for this meeting where I get to yell at Sean.”

“That’s my girl. I’ll pick you up later. I love you.”

“I love you, too. Have fun with your mysterious errands.” Sherrie teases, and Bradley smirks back, knowing how much she would be freaking out if he knew what he would be doing while she professionally reamed out their least favorite colleague.

“Thanks, honey. Text me if you think of something.” Sherrie waves over her shoulder, already zoned back into her work.

Bradley doesn’t dare look at his buzzing phone until he’s safely on the elevator, pleased to see confirmation texts from their hotel and the airline. Would it be cheesy to quietly propose in the airport that was a catalyst in their relationship? Maybe, but he knew Sherrie would love it. He’s just hoping the TSA didn’t call out the ring that would be hiding in his carry-on.

#deltasupremacy I also want to give a special thanks to @sometimesanalice, who gave so much encouragement through the texts despite having no idea what I was writing - you're the best! tagged some friends and most those who interacted with the original announcement post for this fic all those months ago!

tagging: @gretagerwigsmuse @sometimesanalice @laracrofted @theharddeck @hangmanbrainrot @hangmanssunnies @thesewordsareallihavetogive @princessphilly @katieshook02 @atarmychick007 @kmc1989 @a-court-of-roscoe-and-baby @misfitpeach @luckyladycreator2 @scarlettwidow19 @mini-bee-bee @midnightstarqueen @shamelessghostwagonwobbler

divider credit

[mccoys-killer-queen]

Seeing Kix in concert (PART ONE)

At my normal venue (this was rescheduled from August bc their drummer had covid at the last second) and I was arranged to photograph the event for my portfolio

I had to wait for a table at the venue restaurant so I figured hey I might as well put my chair up bc I BROUGHT A CHAIR THIS TIME so I claimed my spot and doodled a lil before going up for lunch

two other people were in the VIP line at the time so they were watching my seat

everyone in the bar was watching the Phillies game and for once in their lives they were winning so everyone kept randomly shouting in unison and scaring the shit out of me every time without fail

when I came back down to the line after lunch, Cherry was there again with her bf who she doesn't like

she elaborated once he was gone somewhere that she "needs a rockstar" and that the night before at the Skid Row concert someone asked if she was married and she said "no I'm single" with her bf next to her so EEEEEEEETHEYFINNABREAKUP

Cherry also iNSISTED I join them in the VIP line (because she's allowed to bring in guests) so I could come in early

the same box office bitch who let me in 10 minutes early for LA Guns bc of my photo pass told me that the pass doesn't let you get in early so what the fuck were you doing then?

the female gen x-ers with their beer in line calling me special bc of my pass

immediately after I got scanned by security one of these ladies says to the guard "did you see her? she's special :)" in all seriousness

my spot was essentially front and center and the exact same spot i was in exactly a week ago

they were selling patches at the merch stand I got one I'm so happy :DD

so when the show got postponed in August was already AT the venue that afternoon bc it was THAT last minute so I went upstairs and sulked at the bar essentially and my same bartender was downstairs and he remembered me sroginstogintrshrth

it just so happens that the only other photographer in the crowd was standing right next to me LMAOOO

turns out she also follows my insta page???? I was like H O W and she def made me feel like a fraud bc I know nothing about cameras I just wing everything I do and ppl like it i guess

the venue manager calling himself the opening act bc there was no opening act

bro. bro. when Steve McFuckingMcWhiteman came out I knew it was over for me. this mf comes out in a bright red sequin jacket and a bright red waistcoat and a bright red button-up and- and,,, I was like "uh oh" bc I was nOT EXPECTING HIM TO BE SO SHINY

a fellow photographer friend warned me months ago about Steve moving too much and being hard to capture and o h. m y g o d. she was,,, far too right about that.

Steve dances like Luke Spiller yet hE'S 66????????????

Steve is also so SMALL??? LIKE HE'S A VERY SMOL SKINNY PETITE MAN I FEEL LIKE IF I BLEW ON HIM HE'D BLOW AWAY ALSO HE'S GOT THEE TINIEST, CUTEST LITTLE BUTT????? HOLY SHIT I NEVER GOT TIRED OF HIM SHAKING IT OR GYRATING

this whole post is gonna be me ranting about Steve I'm not sorry I've got a thing for old dorky long blonde haired frontmen and I've got it bad

His pants had a zipper that went all the way down his crotch and up his ass

every 3.2 seconds he'd be winking or wiggling his eyebrows at the crowd and I could not take ittttterwftgrlnbt

during No Ring Around Rosie- "she'll shake her hips and make a blind man blush" *shakes hips real fast* me: 8#| **OH NO HE'S HOTTTTT**

I was right in front of Mark and so was the photographer next to me and I felt like we were both pointing guns at him like 8D "remember us?"

after the opening songs Steve said how he had to fix his belt

Steve: 🎶"Stevie's pants are falling down, falling down, falling down- and now I need to buy a new belt"🎶

THEY WERE PROBABLY FALLING DOWN BC HE'S SO FUCKING S M A L L I WANNA PUT HIM IN MY PURSE AND TAKE HIM HOME WITH ME WINERIOEGNOENGW

he then proceeded to go "I need to fix my pants" and fucking smirked and unzipped his crotch and tried to put the microphone in there I hate him so much

"if I zipped any further you'd just see my buttcrack- which isn't a lot it's about this big" *holds fingers maybe 5 inches apart*

Steve telling the crowd how they had to "reschedule the date because I had the shits." *proceeds to make D I R E C T eye contact with me while standing right in front of me*

in school they don't teach you How To Properly React When The Cute Singer Of The Famous Band You're Seeing Makes Direct Eye Contact With You In The Crowd And Tells You He Had The Shits so I just kinda mouthed "oh no" at him

"That doesn't mix well with rock and roll bc when you're jumping around it just-"

at the end of the show he said "hopefully I don't have the shits next time"

In the parking lot after the show Steve said "I was just kidding about the shits, you know" (yes, I knew that, but way to take the heat for Jimmy, Steve)

Steve was picking on so many people in the crowd I was in tears from laughing so hard

he was picking on the grouchy old lady front and center on her phone and was like "pUt yOUr DaMN pHOne AwAy- pEOpLe ON thEiR GOddAMn phOnes"

he was also picking on people who were wearing band shirts that weren't of Kix- "Guns N Roses, fuck em' they're not here, Tesla, fuck em' they're not here, KISS, fuck em' they're not here-"

he kept trying to get the boyfriend of the girl next to me to smile and again I was fucking crying

there was a guy in another band shirt who he referred to as "the guy in the Dingbat shirt" and this guy was basically a legend during the show

Steve reaching out to someone in the crowd who was reaching out to him saying "what do you want- to shake my hand or touch my balls- if you can't do both you don't get either"

someone in the back of the crowd going "WHERE'S RONNIE" and Steve going- *drinks water* *swallows water* "SHUT UP <3"

ALL THINGS ASIDE THEY SOUNDED SOOOOOOO GOOD like especially Cold Shower bc hrhrggrrgrhhhhhhhh low register at the end

(at the end of every song) Steve: tHANK YOU crowd, in unison: YOU'RE WELCOME

Steve coming out in the Girl Money glasses:

Steve and Mark trying to do the whistling at the end of Girl Money and giving up

Steve making the sections of the crowd compete by singing The Itch

Steve's dumb little shuffling of his feet taking him across the stage

he introduced Wheels in Motion by saying it's off the Rock Your Face Off album and when I went WOOO he was standing right in front of me and pointed at me and said "you like that?" and I went YEAH????

I did blow him a kiss at one point and he mouthed something at me but I couldn't tell what it was ughhhhh it was probably thank you or IDK UGHHHHHHHHH

as the show went on another layer would come off of him and HE CAME OUT FOR COLD BLOOD WITH ONLY THE BUTTON UP LEFT ON AND HE HAD IT UNBUTTONED AND PARTY NIPPLE WAS O U T I WAS SCREAMING

Steve making the guys and the girls do harmonies in Cold Blood

"okay now just all the good lookin girls"

"OKAY NOW ALL THE GUYS WITH BIG DICKS-"

"okay now all the guys with the really SMALL DICKS- *they sing* there's always someone, thank you"

before closing with Blow My Fuse, Steve made the announcement that "we don't do encores,,, we think it's stupid to pretend we're walking offstage stand over there with those two guys (tech guys) - who don't really like very much- for a few seconds, and then come back out and play another song- so after this one- that's IT, we're done"

I got in the photo of the band again wheheheheheheh

I got to fist bump Brian and Steve uwu

I got one of the setlists

[coveredinsweetpea]

I can imagine SP teaching his gal how to fight and he finds it very hottttt and takes her right there!! or her helping him ease his muscles with a massage which goes dirtyyyyyyyyyy

SMUT ahead!

-

Ok, but imagine he's teaching you a lot of things, like when to hit, how to defend yourself and block, what legs to lean on, breathing exercises, and basically everything he learned the hard way. It's the middle of the night, and it's just you and Sweet Pea in the gym, you're a mess, panting as you struggle to go through the last set of exercises.

"Imagine it's Mr. Honey" Sweet Pea laughed, pointing to the boxing sack.

"Oh, god" you chuckled, wiping some sweat off your brow as you prepared to practice your kicks again. 

The muscles of your legs and lower back were burning as he counted, "Nine, ten, eleven, that's right, keep going, fifteen, sixteen..."

Just when you were about to give up and say there is no way you can do 50, Sweet Pea grabbed your leg, trapping your calf between his arm and rib cage.

"Know why I managed to do that?" he taunted, slapping the outer side of your thigh.

"Because I was moving too slow?" you whined, struggling to maintain your balance.

"That's right, baby girl"

With a feather light motion, he pulled on your leg, making you stumble forward and crash against his chest. "I feel like all my muscles turned into jelly" you chuckled, barely managing to regain your balance.

"I know" he sighed, kissing your forehead, "Just 20 more, and then we'll go to the actual fighting stuff"

"What?!" you exclaimed, eyes going wide, "Actual fighting- the fuck have I been doing until now?"

"Practicing, baby doll" Sweet Pea laughed, roughly slapping your ass as he moved out of the way and commanded you to finish your set.

With difficulty, you did. And now you were struggling to catch your breath, as Sweet Pea took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. 

"We're putting everything together, ok?" he nodded, "Let's see how you do"

"You can't seriously expect me to hit you, right?"

"Yeah, I am" he chuckled, "I wanna see how you do with a moving target. See how you react when the other person will try to block your hits"

"Are you serious?" 

"Yes, love" he rolled his eyes, moving closer to you and tangling his fingers into your hair to tilt your head back and press his lips to yours. "Give it everything you got, ok?"

"It's gonna hurt, what the hell. No!" you exclaimed, trying to push him back.

"You do as I say" Sweet Pea taunted, his breath fanning over your lips, "-you know that"

"I know" you nodded and pecked his lips one more time. 

After that, he took a few steps back and raised his fists, getting into position. At the beginning, he easily blocked all your hits, everything resulting in your elbows hurting and your knuckles reddening.

"Come on, try harder," Sweet Pea encouraged, "Rotate your torso so you have more force, and watch my arms and try to see what part of my body will be harder for me to protect"

He was so patient and determined to get you to land a serious blow, that it filled you with motivation. After a few more unsuccessful blows, you stepped back and just when you saw him raise his arms to protect his chest and face; you leaned to the side and used your leg to hit his side, sending him off balance.

"Wow, that was-" Sweet Pea tried to congratulate you, but before he got the sentence out, you turned to the other side, and delivered another blow.

"Shit" he exclaimed, not managing to dodge it in time.

When he considered he read your intentions and knew where you were going to hit next, you planted your feet into the ground and sent your fist flying directly into his shoulder. He didn't see it coming and surprise was readable all over his features. After this, you barely managed to hit him one or two times more, as he decided it was time to put an end to this whole charade. 

"Ok, stop" Sweet Pea laughed, but you weren't having it.

Eventually, he forcefully grabbed your right hand, successfully twisting it behind your back and stopping you. Now, you were pressed against his chest, his hold on your wrist too tight for you to escape.

"The fuck did I tell you?" he breathed out, grabbing your chin.

"Thought you wanted me to give it my best shot" you grinned, "Am I too much for you?"

"Baby girl, don't get cocky with me"

You pouted, as if contemplating.

"I can break your arm in an instant, so don't push me"

"You're not gonna break my arm, Pea," you laughed.

"Of course I'm not," he laughed, kissing your cheekbone, "But you need to know that right now I have the upper hand"

"What does that mean?" you smirked.

"That I can do whatever I want with you"

"You can always do whatever you want with me, Pea" you smiled.

"What exactly are you trying to do? Get me to let my guard down?"

"I don't need to do that"

"Why?"

And right after he asked that, you raised your knee, hitting him between his legs, hard enough for him to let go of your arm. Instantly, you took off running, barely distancing yourself from him before he caught up to you and wrapped his arms around your middle. Despite kicking and squirming in his hold, he had no problem keeping you pinned against his chest, as he pushed you down onto the floor and lowered himself on top of you.

"Why the fuck are you such a brat?" 

"We both know that's what you first liked about me" you teased, pushing yourself up to kiss his lips.

He wasn't having it, "Back then you also knew when to stop and how to be a good girl"

"You didn't teach me well"

"Do you wanna be able to walk home?" he taunted, "Isn't it enough that I had to watch you work out for two whole hours? What more do you want from me?"

"Is watching me work out that agonizing?" you cringed.

He rolled his eyes, a sweet, devilish smirk appearing on his lips. His arms wrapped around your body and traveled down along your back to grab your ass. He pushed your body up against his, and now you felt his erection.

"My dick is hard, has been for a long fucking while, and you're not fucking done with your workout," he groaned against your lips.

"Do you really wanna keep going?" you pouted in a whiny tone, "I'm tired, Pea"

"One more round, baby girl," he affirmed, squeezing your ass tighter into his hands, "And then you'll get a big fucking reward, ok?"

"If it doesn't involve the handcuffs you stole from FP, I don't want it"

"Jesus fuck" Sweet Pea rolled his eyes, this way letting you know just how close he was to caving.

Eventually, you two pulled away. You were reluctant to go back to training, not only because your muscles were already beyond sore but also because Sweet Pea's recent outburst put you in a mood and filled your mind with specific ideas. As you practiced a few more kicks, it was impossible not to feel his stare fixed on your ass. All you wanted was to get this over with already, so you could go home. Your muscle memory kicked in as your mind started to picture the bath you’d take, and all the crazy sex you and Sweet Pea were going to have until the sun rose. 

As you let your imagination run wild, you got so disconnected from the gym and the training, that what brought you back to reality were Sweet Pea’s arms wrapping around your body from behind, and his head bowing over your shoulder, “Can’t fucking take this anymore, doll”

You couldn’t help but giggle as you turned around in his hold. Placing your palms against his cheeks, you started kissing him like your life depended on it, walking backwards to the edge of the ring. When you were about to pull away from him and lean down to get past the ropes, he stopped you.

“What are you doing?” Sweet Pea grinned.

“I- I thought..” you mumbled confused, pointing to the exit door. “I thought you wanted to-”

“I want to, baby” he whispered, kissing your lips, “But I don’t wanna wait until we get home”

“Wait, what?” you laughed, “You wanna do it here!?”

“You don’t?”

Instantly, you blushed. “I mean-”

“Is what I thought” he smiled, picking you up by the hips and slowly lying you down on the floor. 

As if Sweet Pea wasn’t enough to get all your engines running, the fact that you ended up in this position in an empty gym in the middle of the night, made your core pulse with enthusiasm.

All while kissing you, he pushed your leggings down to your knees. He wasn’t able to hide his reaction when he pushed his hand inside your underwear and already found you dripping wet. He chuckled into the kiss, before pulling away from your lips, “That’s my girl”

“To each their own” you laughed as he stood up and undid his pants.

Shaking his head in amusement, Sweet Pea leaned back down on top of you. None of you was undressed, not even your pants. They were pooled by your ankles, your shirt and underwear were still on, and all Sweet Pea did was unbutton his jeans. The eagerness of the moment was intoxicating.

The kiss was fervid and showed no signs of slowing down. You were both clinging to each other, touching everything your hands could reach. There was no warning, no second for you to prepare between the moment you felt the tip of his cock at your entrance and until he pushed himself all the way inside you.

The urgency of his action made you gasp. A low moan escaped his lips as he ducked his head into your neck, passionately kissing away as he just now allowed you to adjust to his size. It was when you pushed your hips up to meet his that he started moving, pumping in and out of you. 

You had your head thrown back, biting into your lower lip as you enjoyed the way Sweet Pea was treating you. His pace was becoming more and more aggravated by the second leaving you breathless. As he went from erotically kissing your neck to hungrily biting and sucking into your skin, it became near impossible for you to keep quiet.

And for a second you did try to not make too much noise. But then you realised you were alone in the dead of night, and since that moment, you stopped bothering to hold back.

“Fuck fuck fuck” you cried out, clinging onto his back, your nails digging into his shirt so harshly that they were sure to leave some holes in the material, “Pea, fuck”

His shaky breath was fanning against your ear, and it all helped build up the moment for you.

“I’m too fucking close, baby girl,” Sweet Pea groaned, slowing his pace, “I don’t think I can-”

“Cum, baby” you said, framing his face into your hands, “Cum inside me, Pea���

“Jesus fucking-” he called out, throwing his head back, as his thrusts became to lessen in number but increase in intensity.

The way he was pulling all the way out before slamming his cock back into your pussy, had your body rocking back and forth full inches. Every time he did so, your breath would hitch in your throat, adding more and more to your pleasure. 

His high came soon after. You saw his eyes roll back, as nothing but your name slipping from between his lips while he came. It was your favorite sight in the whole world, and in that moment you didn’t even care just how close you were to finishing too. After coming down from his high, Sweet Pea fell on his back by your side, struggling to catch his breath.

You rolled over to him and pecked his cheek.

Panting, he barely managed to get the words out as he turned to look at you, “You didn’t finish, gimme a second”

“It’s fine, babe” you smiled, and stood up and pulled up your pants, “I’m all sweaty and gross, anyway. And I’m sure-”

“Sweaty, yes” Sweet Pea grinned, pointing at you, “Gross? Never”

“Stop” you laughed slapping his hand, “But seriously don’t worry about me, I’m sure you’ll make up for it at home, right?”

“Oh, yeah!” he smiled, biting into his lower lip as he looked you up and down, “You fucking bet I will”

[handonhaven]

I loved this episode the hope and Landon scenes obviously hope being badass etc and Landon being Landon missed him alot, but I wanted to see Landon more and how is he doing and at this point I give up begging them to show or tell us how he handle the prison world and the truma cause obviously we anit gonna get it🤦 they always over looking his truma and him talking to Rick was a perfect time to bring it up.

I wanted to see more of dr.kirby cause i think I broke my back and I need assistance my baby hottttt 😂😂😭 sorry😂!! But yeah I wanted to see more (ik it's Josie therapy) but I did want to see more and she did remember him and her dated?? Like girl I didn't know you remembered him at all💆....

Landon speech at the end hurt me alot and Landon baby that anit your home cause they don't gaf about you bae💆, Don't get me wrong I miss handon alot and I can't wait for them to come back cause it's killing me 😭, but I wanted to see Landon just sorta by himself for a while yk focusing on him a little bit more and his storyline not being about hope though don't get me wrong she can still be involved, I just want to see him more. and him giving up everything just for hope again and not regretting it and him being so lost without hope my baby boy😭!!!. Maybe when he gets out he's gonna get his storyline plus with the traid thing coming for hope harder now Landon is gonna go at war lmaoo...

Landon baby we loveee you❤️!!

It was such a better episode and I loved all the Handon bits we got. But yes Hope was so good in this episode, plus her interacting with Aurora! And I love Landon so much and missed him too. 😭 Ugh ikr I really wanted to see a whole lot more of him it feels like we’re never going to. And I am forever frustrated that they won’t address what happened last season, they’re still acting as if nothing happened? Except for Landon dying, they’re not mentioning anything else and it’s bizarre. You’re right, he and Alaric could have talked about all that too and they didn’t. Like how is it they talked more about the prison world and were acknowledging that it would’ve had some effect on Landon or given him PTSD when it was Malivore in 3x13 and not actually Landon?? We saw Malivore faking it, and it was actually more realistic. Like with the scenes at the dock and the school, at least, with him being quiet and struggling to be around people and mentioning that monster at the school. So even Malivore knew Landon would be affected in those ways and struggle like that. But what about them actually showing it with the real Landon, which they still haven’t? And they showed his fighting skills too, which Malivore was surely using from Landon’s memories. So... what happened to all of that? Are they avoiding it for a reason, are they gonna do something with it later? I keep wondering if it’s gonna have something to do with limbo, they’re still avoiding finding out why Landon didn’t get a coin. It’s just so annoying how they continue to ignore something so huge.

And same! Why did we only see Landon in the therapy box for like 30 seconds? Ahaha, right? He looked so good, I needed to see more. But yeah, I guess if it’s Josie’s subconscious no wonder he was barely there. 🙄 I’m actually surprised he was there at all. Exactly, like Josie actually remembered Landon enough for him to be there and that they had dated. Amazing, so she does know that he exists, she just couldn’t care less about him like everyone else. And I thought it was interesting how she needed him, how he was the one who had access to what she needed.

Yes Landon’s speech! 😭 That scene was so sad. But ugh him saying the school was his home bugged me so much. Seriously, that is not his home and it’s sad that it’s been the only place he’s been able to consider his home when he’s been treated so terribly. And I totally agree with you, as much as I love Handon, I wanna see them focusing on Landon on his own. They really, really need to after they’ve not shown his storyline and his side of things for ages. Yeah, I don’t need his storyline to be about Hope either. For sure, it can still be connected and still part of it. But I really think they need to focus on Landon’s mental health and his growth after all he’s been through. Though I have to say I’m genuinely confused by that part of the scene about him giving up everything to get back to Hope. Like what is it he’s giving up? What would he have to give up to come back to life and be reunited with Hope, especially when that’s all he’s wanted all this time? I don’t see why he’d ever wanna choose peace over that if he can have another chance to live his life with Hope and when he’d just be alone in peace (except maybe Hope’s family being there, or Seylah, but he’d still choose to be with Hope). But anyway, I just feel so bad for him and hate that he’s even in this position where he’s trapped again and has to get back to Hope. 😭 I just wish we’d see his storyline now after waiting a whole season already, but I hope we’ll get his storyline when he gets out of limbo too and whatever happens after that. Ooh yes I can totally see both Hope and Landon fighting Triad together and hope they do! If Hope is still in danger, or if any of the squad is after her when Landon gets back, I wonder how that would go, Landon would be pissed. And I’m still waiting to see the skills he learned in the prison world, and hopefully his phoenix powers as well! Yess I love Landon so much!! 😭❤️

[readbythestarlight]

c2e122

I just saw art on the reel of Essek and I hope we see him tonight like he’s probably worried right? They message him suggesting they’re coming and then down show up for days?

Also I still want to know why he’s there like what are the odds? Did Matt put him there as an ally to help them? Is he there to cause trouble? Inquiring minds want to know and by inquiring minds I mean ME

I wish they wouldn’t share so much with him

[[MORE]]

I also wish that he wasn’t so damn CHARMING because I HATE him

"I have a tentacle god chasing me"

"No shit?"

I feel like a ship will be born from that single exchange

Anyway

Cad being like "I’m good where I am" like "rip to Lucien but I’m different"

Also Cad being like "I want to save someone" like damn

He’s so.... fucking... annoying I hate him

Like the smugness ugh I hate him

Let me stab him

Anyway so like I can’t decide if he is or isn’t listening to every single thing they say

I wish they wouldn’t send messages out though because it just tells him that they’re working against him without outside forces

I will give Lucien this tho, he’s a wonderful character. Disgusting and evil vile but it makes SENSE why people follow him. He’s charming. He’s powerful. Like the M9 know how evil he is but even then Jester still admits to liking him

Also this continuing idea of "Molly is still in there and I want to save him" is both understandable and yet frustrating and I hope that all this finally puts Molly to rest

Like, maybe in Lucien’s final moment Molly comes though, a final proper goodbye?

Idk

Oh no

Is it the book?

Caleb I know you can’t resist a book but PLEASE

What if it’s cursed what if it does something awful what if it’s how the Somnovum snares you

Nice Beau can read it

Which is also could be bad but still

This is reminding me vaguely of the Book of Mazarbul from LotR only less tragic more evil

I love/hate the way Lucien controls the situation by controlling how much knowledge he shares

Oh shit even Caleb can’t remember??

I still cannot get over how the joke of the show became the number 9 and then BAM here’s all this symbolism around the number 9 like what are the ODDS

Why are we telling him where it is??

Y’all KNOW Lucien can dispel shit

Beau why would you say that

Why are you letting him hoLD IT

Why are y’all LIKE this what are you even GOING for here with him?

"If you hold onto it you won’t get to stay in my tower tonight"

Siiiiiiigh they’re gonna get lost again

Don’t let him in the towerrrrr *whine*

"I like it when you’re condescending, it’s attractive"

Welp there goes another ship taking off

Ah, Jester and her messages xD

"Maybe no more lava" poor guy

Caleb’s like please don’t come look at my fucked up self-loathing room

Oh yeah!! Dairon!!

They also keep mentioning my hot boi and yet not seeing him and it makes me SAD I want ESSEK

Oh boy the floor

Guys it’s fine it’s just his emotional torture floor

I’m having feeling about Caleb and his childhood home now thanks Liam you’re really out here and gonna make me cry

"I’m just not allowed to forget it."

"I don’t think you ever do. I don’t think this room would change that. And not to speak to how smart you are but I don’t you’ve figured out that you’re not supposed to forget but that you’re—not doing it wrong. You’re not using it the right way."

"It feels less like a memory and more like a punishment for yourself, Caleb."

"It exists. If it exists here it exists somewhere."

"It exists somewhere anyway... it’s a beautiful place, Caleb."

Cad and Jester coming through with the gentle nudging and the comfort

"Do you still wish to go back and undo it?"

"Of course. I regret. I regret it."

"Think Lucien has a room like this?"

Well shit, Cad.

I wonder if he still has his plans to like, actually find a way to go back and change things though or if he’s just always going to wish he could

"Endless possibilities"

One floor full of past traumas and the other is the vast openness of his future and that is SO Caleb tbh.

One of those future possibilities had better be a BeauYasha date night and ANOTHER had better be a Shadowgast date night

Huh. A desire to not remember his past. Interesting...

And threatening Cad for prying, I’m gonna fight him

He’s such a controlling freak, demanding what happens at dinner, what gets served

I hate him

“Rich kids”? It’s just magic, Cree, what’s your damage

Oh no the smile xD

Beau

Now is she making vague threats? Talking about clearing out a cult like that to the face of a cult leader

No it’s not the only cult they’ve killed. They also wrecked Obann’s cult. The Angel of Irons cult.

They’re cult killers and he should be scared.

“In the key of G”

Ugh I hate hiiiiiim

I can’t wait for this fucker to DIE already ugh

Specifically following Fjord, huh?

Also if it was someone specifically scrying shouldn’t they be able to make saves against it?

So it’s not a spell to scry right?

Also Caleb just calling him out is my fave

He’s less throwing shade than Beau and less semi-subtle than Cad (both of which are also excellent)

Hot boiiiii hottttt boiiiiiiiiiii

Please I’m begging

Yes it’s true Caleb stop being cynical he LOVES y’all

Okay but yeah the city is def a danger for him

Yes please go to Essek

Travis now is not the time to tease the DM xD

In both excited and terrified

Like listen I’ve been dying for Essek to join them but I’m also scared for him too

Oh boy that’s not a good answer

Does he need ANY of you alive?

Oh Jester, giving him free reign as a kitty cat smh

Cuddle pile on the bed!

Oh NO

I knew the fucking book was gonna be BAD

fucking hell I KNEW IT

I hate it I hate it I hate it fuck fuck fuck

Why did you look, why do you ALWAYS have to look?!

Fuuuuuuck

Please don’t look again

Damn, Matt, this description is amazing though!

“That’s rare”

Beau immediately scribbling it down, smart girl

“That’s not good” no SHIT Beau

I’ve got a bad feeling

Beau had a tattoo eye on her neck

I KNEW IT

Not on her neck but on her hand

FUCK

Oh no oh god

Fuck fuck fuck

Oh goddddd

Do NOT read the book again, do NOT

And do NOT less Essek anywhere near the book either not that he’s who’s important right now but god

And she wrote down scribbles and nothing fuck

I hate this fuuuuuuck

Are they gonna be safe if they don’t read more?? Like he said you had to read more to understand more right??

He did this on purpose he knew this would happen and I want to know WHY

Fuck I’m stressed

Is it Thursday yet?!

[starkrogerrs]

you don’t have to say you love me [chapter 1]

pairing: stevetony- modern/college/fake-dating au

word count: 1.3k

warnings: fluff, profanity, angst, 20 year old being 20 year olds, cheesy cliches that make you smile

updates: fridays

summary: to stop his annoying sister from setting him up with random strangers, tony blurts out that he does have a boyfriend. only, he doesn’t. and worse, the first name that comes to his mind is steve. tall, gorgeous steve. steve, who he’s currently crushing on. will this prove to be something fruitful or is tony about to make the worst mistake ever?

a/n: thanks to @rogers-stark45 for the wonderful request that gave birth to this whole thing i swear i will finish this series if it gets 100+ notes

"This is absurd, Tony," Steve said, wringing his hands together. 

Tony sighed. He continued to pace in front of Steve, who was seated on his bed. 

"Why would you even lie about something like that?" Steve asked, looking up at him, mouth twisted in a frown. The teal flannel he had on, Tony noticed, brought out his eyes wonderfully.

That was a good question. To be fair, Tony was the last person enjoying this. He'd dug his own grave and now he had to lay in it. Or whatever the saying was.

"Because my sister wouldn't quit nagging me. I've explained this already, catch up old man,” Tony whined. 

"You could've asked her to shut up."

"Gee, why didn't I think of that?"

Steve shot him a glare. 

"You could just say you're not well and ask her not to come."

"Steve. She’s booked her tickets."

"You can say your 'boyfriend' is not well."

“For an entire month? Yeah, real smart,’ Tony said, throwing him an exasperated look.

“Okay then, tell her you broke up.”

Tony stared at him for a long moment.

"Look, I know I'm fucked but there's literally no other option."

Steve sighed, running a hand over his face. 

"But.. this is so weird!"

"I know. I know it is but I'd rather pretend to be with a close friend of mine rather than some whacko stranger who later turns out to be a serial killer."

Steve didn't reply, only gazed into the distance, thinking. 

"Never mind goody-two-shoes, I'll just ask Rhodey," Tony said after a while, bringing up his phone from his pocket. 

"No!" Steve almost yelled, causing Tony to jump. 

"What the f-"

"I mean, no, I'll do it. I don't.. want to be a bad friend," Steve said, clearing his throat. He didn't look Tony in the eye when he said this and Tony didn't quite know what to make of it. 

"Besides, I owe you one for the last time," Steve added, finally looking up at him. 

God, those eyes were beautiful. 

Tony wasn't in love with Steve or anything. It was a crush, that's all it was. A stupid teenage crush he’d developed from spending way too much time with him. Could you really blame Tony? He hung out with Steve on weekends, sometimes on college nights and in between classes. Steve had rubbed off on him and Tony just happened to find himself looking forward to spending time with him. And fantasizing about holding his hand. And sleeping with his head on his chest. And kissing him. 

So when opportunity presented itself in the form of an annoying sister, Tony thought it was a sign from heaven's above. Was it selfish? Possibly. Was he about to make an ass of himself and regret it forever? Definitely.

But no, he wasn't in love. 

"When is she coming?" Steve asked, standing up and running a hand through his hair. 

"God, I wish that were me," Tony muttered under his breath, momentarily distracted. 

"What was that?" Steve asked, quirking an eyebrow at him. 

"I said, never, if it were up to me," he answered hastily, looking away. "But I think she’s arriving on Saturday. I’ll text you."

Steve hummed, picking up his bag from the floor.

“Where are you going?” Tony asked, frowning. They’d barely spent an hour together. The moment Steve had entered, Tony had popped the question because it had been freaking him out.

“To Buck’s,” Steve answered nonchalantly, walking to the door. “See you later.”

Tony felt his heart grow heavier. 

“See you,” he muttered, more to himself as the door shut behind Steve with a soft click. Steve’s best friend was James B. Barnes a.k.a Bucky, a lanky dude who reminded him of Luke Skywalker and was every first and second year’s dream. Although Steve hung out with Tony more, Bucky had been with Steve since they were children. People had told him they were dating but every time Tony had accompanied the two, it never seemed like he was third-wheeling. Besides, if Steve was in a relationship, he’d mention it.

Right?

He texted Steve later that night, as he lay in bed, AC/DC’s “T.N.T” blasting in the background. 

She’s coming on Sunday. 28th.

He waited for two minutes, the dim glow of the screen illuminating his face in the darkness. He refreshed the chat twice but Steve didn’t seem to be online. With a pang he realised that perhaps, he was still with Bucky. He clicked his phone off.

He sat up in bed then, switching on the lampshade beside him. He switched his speaker off, and from the stack of textbooks that lay on his desk, picked a random one— "Theoretical Physics” by Leonard Lightman. Tony was studying to be a physics major and he wasn't the nerdy kind but he did adore science. He'd just read up on things and they'd make sense to him without him having to go through them twice. 

In Steve's own words, he was a fucking Genius. With a capital G. 

Just as he turned the page to String theory, his phone chimed. He leapt to it with unnecessary eagerness. He was disappointed to find that it was only his cousin, Sofia. The very Sofia who was the cause of his current predicament. 

What does your boyfriend like? I'm bringing gifts for everyone 👀

Tony groaned. Why the fuck did she have to be so extra? Sofia wasn't half as annoying as his other cousins but she could be obnoxious on occasion. 

I honestly don't know, he keyed into the textbox but then decided against it. He knew she'd pester him till she got the answer she wanted. 

He's not choosy at all but he's studying Art. 

Just as he hit send on this text, Steve's name flashed on his screen. He switched to his chat immediately, sitting up right on the bed. 

it's not like I have to meet her on Sunday right??? 

Of course not, Stevens

bucky says hi 👋

Tony smiled, laying down on the bed again. But the smile vanished as soon as he realised it was half past eleven. Wait. Why was he upset by this? They were still together— God, get a fucking life. 

Heyyy. 

you should go to bed, haven't you got like 4 tests tomorrow?? 

Tony grinned, quickly typing in a response. It wasn't a surprise that Steve remembered the littlest of things. That was Steve. When he cared for someone, he did it with all his heart.  

I do

And then, You sure you wanna do this?

Tony bit his lip as he hit send.

He had no impulse control whatsoever and the moment he'd blurted to his sister that he did have a boyfriend, he'd texted Steve. Steve, bless his soul, had come rushing to his bijou apartment and the rest was history. But that was Steve, again, selfless to a fault.

don't overthink it tony. I'd do anything for u

Tony's heart leapt a little at that and he had to breathe for a few seconds before typing in a response. 

Thank you, Rogers 

What would I ever do without you? 

Everybody knew Tony was a huge flirt but when it came to people he actually wanted to flirt with, he pulled shit like this. 

shut up and go to sleep, stark. night

Tony smiled in spite of himself, wishing him a good night as well. He clicked off his phone, sighing, only for it to ring a split second later. 

Sofia again. 

Ooooooooooh art major? 

That's hottttt

Tony's face burned as he read the text. Why? He didn't know. He wasn't actually dating Steve but the thought made him blush anyway. 

Hey, back off he's taken, he keyed in, tonguing his cheek and— What the fuck was he doing? Wasn't this situation, as a whole, morally wrong? But was it if Steve had agreed to it? He did say it was alright. 

He glanced at the time on the upper left corner of his screen. It was too late for a full blown existential crisis. He hit send on what he'd typed, trying to ignore the little flip his stomach did. 

He wasn't— couldn't be possessive of Steve; they were nothing more than close friends, even if they were going to pretend they were much more than just that. 

He shuddered suddenly realising that he might have to behave.. affectionately with Steve, to convince his sister. Oh boy. Would he have to kiss him some day? 

His phone chimed just then. 

Wooow, possessive much? Can't wait to meet him eeekk 😍

What had he gotten himself into? 

___

[please, please let me know what you think. it would mean a lot!

[normal-thoughts-official]

Alec: Magnus likes me? Haha, no way, nobody would ever want to be with me, much less Magnus Bane. He's just like this with everyone. / Magnus: Pl ease date me Alec. I'm bi and you're hottttt. / Alec: Lmao he's so cryptic.

tbh i think it's less that Alec thought he was undesirable and more that the idea that he could be with another man openly (even if it was just a desire thing at the time) was so foreign to him. like i think it's hard to think that no girls would have been into Alec (esp considering he felt the need to make up a whole ass fake gf lmao) but like he said, he always knew he couldn't have what he wanted. like in his mind this was always locked away as an impossibility, and then suddenly a man is flirting openly with him, in front of other people no less, and god he likes it, he likes it so much even if he wasn't objectively the hottest most dumbly endearing man he's ever seen, because it's that little taste of freedom and what everyone (including his siblings) always seemed to have? but at the same time it cant be real, you know, because hes already convinced himself that its not possible, and its too scary/painful to consider that it could be, because that would mean turning his back on what had been expected of him, and in his mind, he can't do that

[armeniaitn]

Entrepreneur and Activist Saro Derbedrossian at the forefront of HotNewHipHop

New Post has been published on https://armenia.in-the.news/culture/entrepreneur-and-activist-saro-derbedrossian-at-the-forefront-of-hotnewhiphop-73126-07-05-2021/

Entrepreneur and Activist Saro Derbedrossian at the forefront of HotNewHipHop

Saro Derbedrossian, who goes by the name of Saro D

BY LALAI MANJIKIAN Special to Asbarez

For more than 14 years, Saro Derbedrossian, who goes by the name of Saro D, has been diligently building one of the biggest music platforms on the internet today. This digital publication called HotNewHipHop (HNHH) has become an internationally recognized force in the hip-hop world and in the music industry at large.

Saro D was born in Beirut before the start of the Lebanese civil war and grew up against the backdrop of conflict, until he immigrated to Montreal, Canada. After completing an MBA degree in Montreal, he was eager to find opportunities to apply his entrepreneurial skills and relentless drive. With his love of the Internet and music colliding, he was able to take a simple website to new heights, as the growth of HNHH also coincided with hip-hop’s rise as the dominant music genre.

Saro D. in Artsakh

Today, HNHH is the place where millions of people around the world turn to for news, music, and trends, all linked to hip-hop culture. Currently, HNHH averages over 12 million unique visitors a month, with 80 percent of them from the United States & Canada and boasts a social media footprint of over 3.5 million followers across all channels. Though the company is based in Montreal, HNHH has an office in New York City and a creative space in Los Angeles.

Not only is Saro D a successful entrepreneur, but he also manages to stay active in the Armenian community, as a committed advocate for the Armenian Cause (Hay Tad). His Armenian background and his deep involvement in community activism, whether for genocide recognition or Artsakh, has only heightened his sensitivity vis-à-vis racism in general and the Black Lives Matter Movement.

I interviewed Saro D to learn more about how he developed and grew HNHH into the digital publication that it is today, and to find out more about his overlapping entrepreneurial and personal trajectories.

Saro is an example that Armenians are builders, whether that is building an online lifestyle publication from the ground up or (re)building a stronger Armenia.

LALAI MANJIKIAN: Can you take us back to when, and how, this start-up was born? Can you describe what your role has been in HNHH’s development over the years?

SARO DERBEDROSSIAN: It started as a personal thing. My entrepreneurial drive, the fire I had in me, pushed me to do something on my own. When I was thinking of “where” and “what” I wanted to do alone, at the time, I was fascinated by the Internet, we’re talking about 2007. The Internet was going crazy back then. It really didn’t matter what the project was, as long as I was working on a business involving the Internet. I came from a background of operations and manufacturing, which is pretty traditional. I was really looking forward to being in a very exciting venture. Once I knew that I wanted to start something on the Internet, the music aspect came later.

L.M: The start of your website happened to coincide with a time when music was transitioning from physical to digital. The way we consume music has changed drastically over the last decade, and it is precisely during these past ten years that HNHH has emerged and evolved.

S.D: Exactly! In the beginning, HNHH started by being a simple page where we curated music. It was a compilation of daily music that we, ourselves, liked. We said, you know what, instead of you going and looking everywhere for music, you can come here, where we are giving you a highly curated daily list of songs and we were rating them. So, there was an editorial element. We were saying, “this is HOTTTTT”, “this is VERY HOTTTTT” and this ranking system became an iconic thing for HNHH.

L.M: HNHH carved its place then, initially through music curation, but now it has expanded to tackle hip-hop news and other topics adjacent to the culture. How did this transition take place?

Saro D. with the rapper Lil West, one of the artists signed to his label (Nomad Music Group) and to Republic Records (part of Universal Music)

S.D: We decided that HotNewHipHop has to be a publication, as opposed to just a website, or a blog page. I don’t have any background in publication, and I don’t have editorial experience, but because I had worked in operations, I had a lot of experience in how to operate a business. I started realizing that we should have an editorial team. We should have someone writing news, someone who’s writing features. That’s when I started hiring journalists, who know exactly how things are done, people who have writing skills. We started putting these people together, who also have a lot of knowledge in hip hop, referred to as “hip hop heads.” As much as I love music, there are people who really know this stuff, they know it by date, the history, etc. So, that is how we started growing the content type. We realized, instead of focusing on the content let’s focus on the audience.

L.M: Can you address who your target audience is on HNHH?

S.M.: Our audience is made predominantly of millennials, who are 18-34 years old. The majority of people visiting the site are 21, 22, 23-year-olds. These are people who not only love to hear hip hop music, they are also active within the culture. A lot of current aspects of pop culture are influenced by hip hop. We went from being the “underdog” of music genres, to really a worldwide cultural phenomenon. We realized that we should cover other aspects of the culture, besides just the music. If you are coming to listen to the music or coming to know what are the top songs of that day, you also come to see what happened that day in the world of professional basketball, like did something funny happen yesterday during the Laker’s game?

Saro D.’s HotNewHipHop has become an influential force in hip-hop world and the music industry

L.M.: Can you give us a sense of the role HNHH plays in introducing and determining trends in hip hop culture? To some degree you are calling the shots, by telling your audience what’s hot and what’s not.

S.D.: I am not going to call it our forte, our specialty, but I guess the name of the game is creating content. Most of the news that we break is through interviews. That’s the type of news we like to break.

We also focus on finding new talent.

We focus a lot on new artists. We have a team taking care of that, we have music submission systems, and we also go and look for artists.

We try to stay true to our name. The content has to be “hot”, in the sense that, we want to serve it to our audience quickly, but it also has to be culturally relevant and important. We want to be the first ones to break the news, and then also, when something interests us, we report it. We publish anywhere between 100-125 articles, pieces of news, information a day. We have different segments on YouTube weekly. We also have a social media team who creates content specifically for our social media channels, Facebook, and Instagram. The content is not necessarily the same, they don’t intersect. Our audience on Instagram consumes news differently than our audience on the website.

L.M: HNHH has been instrumental particularly in featuring new, as well as established hip hop artists. Can you describe the role HNHH has played and continues to play in launching new artists’ careers?

Saro D. at Dadivank Monastery in Artsakh.

S.D.: I wouldn’t credit ourselves saying we launch artists’ careers. We give them the platform; it is up to them to make the most out of it.

Many artists have gone through HNHH, but one or two that became really big via our exclusive support early on, would be Tory Lanez, Canadian R&B/Hip-Hop artist. Tyga would be another one. Wiz Khalifa would be another one. We’ve launched his first mixtape. The Weeknd also is another one. We have a good relationship with The Weeknd’s management team and have premiered exclusive singles from him.

L.M: I would like to address the #BlackLivesMatter movement and how it too connects to HNHH. How has HNHH addressed anti-Black racism over the years and particularly now, with the rise of racist rhetoric and with systemic racism becoming more exposed?

S.D: It all comes from the internal culture. Every time something big happens, we have covered it. We are not a political website, true. However, anything that happens in the world that affects the culture, we definitely are there, we cover it. Personally, I am very sensitive to these issues. Sometimes, I am the one pushing, because I am an activist as a person, as an Armenian. I feel like anytime a community, a population is going through a crisis, something is activated in me and tells me that we have to do something, we have to talk about it. Obviously, I am not black, but sometimes, I really feel what they go through. For the past 14 years, I have been working day in and day out with people of all races.

L.M: HNHH has plans to open a creative space in Los Angeles, can you talk to us about this project, what the space will encompass and where this project currently stands?

S.D: The whole idea is about creating content. As a digital publication, besides text-based content, we also need to produce video content, visuals, photos and audio. Initially, we were very successful in creating a creative space in NYC. However, while we wanted to go to NYC because of its deep history with hip-hop, we realized many rappers had moved to LA. With all the talent that LA and Hollywood both have, as well as the visual creation industry that is based there, we felt like we would be in a good position to move out there. So we kept our offices in NYC, and we went out and got a space in LA as well. We signed the lease in February, and unfortunately everything was closed down in March, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a beautiful space in Burbank, it is near other visual creators, musical studios, Disney and all that. The idea is to have many small studios, each one catering to a different video series for our YouTube channel. We also plan to have a recording studio – I also own a record label called Nomad Music. We manage artists, we sign artists for record deals. So, the idea is to have our own artists go there as well, to produce, and record songs in that space.

L.M: Can you tell us a bit about your personal trajectory, both in life and in business? Have you always had entrepreneurial ambitions?

S.D: I was born in Beirut, and I grew up in Beirut. I was born just before the (Lebanese civil) war, and I came to Canada shortly after the war ended. So, I have seen it all in Lebanon. I went to Neshan Palandjian Djereman in Beirut, and I also attended university in Lebanon, Université St-Joseph, majoring in Economics. After graduating, I wanted to come to Canada, but I had a year in between, waiting for immigration acceptance. During that year, I taught Math at Djemaran. After finally arriving in Canada, I did my MBA at Concordia University and then found a job. So, the entrepreneurial thing, I don’t know exactly, is it genetic? Or is it my personality? My father was a businessman, and I always went to his office. I was inspired by my father, he was a very creative businessman, he was a “big ideas” man. “Big ideas” which we have to be able to do, make them concrete. My father inspired me to think big, to dream big. But I think my personality also plays a role. The war, and the fact that we did not have a normal childhood. We grew up around bombardments, military cannons and army bases, it was chaotic. Nonetheless, I had a great childhood, I was born into a great family, but the environment was so rough, so tough, and violent. On top of the war, there was this Armenian education, to remain Armenian, I am not going to say indoctrinated, but we were brought up being “very Armenian.” We are talking a period of time that was post-genocide, pre-Artaskh. As an Armenian, there was a struggle, as a Lebanese, there was a struggle, as a student, as a person, there was always a struggle, to try to make up for what we lost.

L.M: I think it is safe to say that you were in survival mode but wanted to go into “thrive mode.”

S.D: Exactly. So, when I came to Canada, my thinking was that, you know what, I have to prove to myself that I am able to achieve something. Basically, we went through all that, and, now, are we good for something? Can we do something?

L.M: Besides being a successful entrepreneur, you have also been a relentless advocate for the Armenian Cause (Hay Tad) for several years. Can you talk about this aspect and what the Armenian Cause means to you, particularly in light of the recent war that took place in Artsakh?

S.D: Hay Tad is on a personal level. It’s my life. Hay Tad is the most important thing we have outside of Armenia. It is advocating for Armenia in the diaspora. I feel like it’s the most important mission any Armenian should be devoted to, outside of Armenia. Besides educating our kids and keeping the culture, we need to make sure that Armenia, as a country, as a state, becomes stronger. Hay Tad is important, it means activism outside of Armenia.

As for the war, not only did we lose the war, but we are going through turmoil within the country. Armenia should have never gone to war. Armenia should have defended Artsakh, Artsakh is the cornerstone of everything we have, we lost it. I am very worried.

We went to war; the loss of life is tremendous. I don’t know how to put it. It ruins you from the inside. The aftermath is also very ugly. There is no loss without an aftermath of sorrow, of sadness, people not understanding, of political turmoil. However, I also feel that we have the strength as a nation to stand on our feet again.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Read original article here.

[spartanguard]

Hello, Kaitlyn!!! I have two questions. 1) What do you think of Regina with Facilier? I don't know. It felt haphazard, rushed and weird to me. I mean Why? When? How and why? (I want my HQ!) But Tiana and Naveen are great and cute! And 2) any tips how to survive this week and next episode?! Eeeek! Have a nice weekend! :) SN

Howdy, friend!! Hope you’re doing well!! Happy Saturday!!

1. I’m not sure how I feel about Regina x Facilier yet. On the one hand, I want to be like YASSSSS GIRL. GET IT. HES HOTTTTT. But on the other, I’m looking through two sets of shipper goggles—both Hooked Queen and Outlaw Queen—so that has me side-eyeing it. It didn’t completely shock me because I heard set spoilers about it, but I agree that it kind of came from nowhere. I’m not too worried about it, though, because I get the feeling their connection will be explained.

I loved Tiana & Naveen/Sabine & Drew, too!!! And I also love how Naveen is filling the role of both him and Lawrence from the original movie.

2. If I knew how to survive, I’d tell you!!! All I know is I’m gonna be staring at all the silver fox goodness from now until then, and I’m probably just gonna die of happiness (and probably some angst and heartbreak) when the episode airs. How else can I react to THIS:

Hope you fare better!!!

Have a beautiful day, love!!!

[tellywoodtrash]

ishqbaaz 14.09.17 lb

it’s so strange to not have anika around. like... the ghar/room/show actually seems khaali khaali. i didn’t feel like this when nakuul went on vacay. hence proved that surbhi is the actual jaan of this show. 😌😌😌

itne dino baad yeh banda kuch kaam kar raha hai, yeh rudra ka bachcha woh bhi nahi karne dega. 😒😒😒

i’m already giggling at shivaay’s face. 😂😂😂

“yeh waali problem thodi ajeeb hai.” 

bhaiyya is intrigued. 😯😯😯

“it’s about my... performance, bhaiyya.” 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA THE HIGH PITCHED “HUHHHH?!?!!?” SHIVAAY LET OUT HAHAHA 🤣🤣🤣🤣

“mujhe bhavya ko prove karna hai!!!” “kya?” “KI MAIN BACHCHA NAHI HOON! MAIN MARD HOON! PAR MUJHSE KUCH HO NAHI RAHA!!!!!!”

hahahaha shivaay’s like I LOVE YOU BABY BRO BUT I REALLY DON’T NEED TO KNOW THIS 😫😫😫😫

love that even in between the convo, shivaay did that standard hindu gesture of reverence to the dropped file, and indicated to rudra to do the same. like, it’s just an inbuilt habit for me to do that to books/paper/people if i accidentally touch them with my foot. it was suchhhhhh a hard thing to explain to white people when i was in usa. 😐😐😐

hahahahahaha poor shivaaaaay. such a jhatka he’s getting this early in the morninggggg. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

LMAO ANIKA KYA BATAYEGI... TUNE KUCH KIYA KAHAN HAI BATAANE KO. 😆😆😆

“main chahta hoon jaise anika bhaabi khush hai, waise bhavya bhi khush rahe.”

lolololololol trust me rudy, any “khushi” she’s getting isn’t from your bhaiyya here. *cough* apna haath, jagannaath. *cough* 

lmaoooo shivaay is FREAKING the fuckkkkkk outtttt 🤣🤣🤣🤣

okkkkkkk finalllllllllly. matter is clear. 

HIS RELIEFFFFFFFFFFF HAHAHA

waise i feel so bad for boys if they can’t discuss such things with each other. this is why i am so overwhelmingly relieved to be a woman and have girl friends i can talk about everything from my period flow to lord knows what ever the fuck else weird shit my body is up to that day. 😗😗😕😕😕

bhaiyya is just confirming, ki... sachhhh mein “uss area” mein issues thodi hai? 😟😟😟

“tujhe koiiiiii problem nahi hai, i am so happy!!!!! TU MUJH PE GAYA HAI!” 

ew! yeh bhi koi genetic trait hai proud hone waali? lord. men. ugh. 🙄🙄🙄

eh le, bulbul is just in her standard kapde? shivaay told you to look hottttttttttt, girl! 

godddd that stupidass kurtaaaa of his. exhibition ke din toh dhang ke kapde pehenta, om!!! 😣😣😣

i haven’t seen om look this animated in foreverrrrrrrr. 😕😕😕

he looks so happy to see her! awwwwwwwww, my heart! 😍😍😍

is he holding his hand out to her? please don’t be gesturing to something behind her!!! PLEASE! MY HEART WON’T BE ABLE TO TAKE IT. 😯😯😯

ok no, it IS to her. thank god. 

is she dreaming all this? oh god is this a dream? MY HEART WON’T BE ABLE TO TAKE THAT EITHER. 😯😯😯😯😯

i can’t stop freaking out. coz i know SOMETHING has to go wrong so everyyyy damn action of his is seeming shady to me. 😖😖😖

WAIT WHAT? IS THIS A FUCKING DREAM OR NOTTTT I NEED IT TO BE CONFIRMED THIS ISN’T A DREAM COZ I HONESTLY FEEL LIKE IMMA THROW UP RIGHT NOW 😫😫😫🤢🤢🤢😥😥😥

YUP.  KNEW IT. 

ok don’t tell me bulbul is feeling insecure coz the other ladies are in western. comeeee on girl, you look good! 

ok shivaay please, just give us a get rich quick scheme, we don’t have time for a whole MBA course from you rn. 

the amount of times shivaay has had to clarify that’s he’s NOT SUGGESTING RUDRA DABBLE WITH PROSTITUTION is amazing. 😐😐😐

“create a need” - wow, spoken like a true MBA asshole. i would know. i’m one of them.

bhaiyya is still oddly fixated on rudra’s plumbing. FUCKING LET IT GO SHIVAAY. TU APNE SEX LIFE KI SOCH. APNA TOH KUCH HO NAHI RAHA EK SAAL SE, RUDY KE LIYE BADA PARESHAAN HAI... FUCKING IDIOT. 🙄🙄🙄

back to bulbul. girl hold that head up high, you’re the most beautiful human being in this room by a factor of 10. 😌😌😌

oh boy is she going to get insecure seeing om talk to the girl in the blue dress? 😬😬😬

oh ho bulbul, omki bhi toh desi chirota banke aaya hai. no need to be overly paranoid. just chill. 😶😶😶

her anxiety is ramping up MY anxiety. 

ok vrinda’s acting is hella bad and killing me. behen, lines ratta maare hai, theek hai, but aise elocution mein poem ki tarah kyun jhaad rahi ho?  

ok bulbul, he didn’t even knowww you were here. 😦😦😦

OK VRINDA YOU BITCH, DON’T YOU MAKE THAT SNOTTY FACE AT MY GIRL. 😠😠😠

oh god. what evennnnnnn is this idiot going to do? apne saare gym equipment kabaadi ko bech raha hai kya? 😐😐😐

lmaooooooo i love these two idiots. 

bhavya honestlyyyy, do you not have anything better to do in life? like... sultan’s still loose... SVETLANA’S STILL IN THE HOUSE... MATLAB, KUCH TOH KAAM KARLE, MERI BEHEN. 😗😗😗

using govt. services and resources for personal use. nice. 

wow. chubby’s a good marketer. 

OK FUCK OFF YOU FAT SHAMING ASSHOLE. 😐😐😐

ok rudra, stop being mean to chubby. he’s the only one helping you out right now. 

omfg chubby is so cute “training karna hai toh mujhe contact karna, i’m a ready punching bag” what a cupcake. 😭😭😭😭

ok om, don’t be an asshole to her. please don’t be an asshole. 😣😣😣

this is.... gauri. (............................) 

oh just a random woman named gauri standing next to you huh??? 😒😒😒😒😒😒

ok, come the fuck on, why would gauri be awkward about shaking hands? kuchhhhh bhi. awaiii making the character look like a country bumpkin when she’s not! 🙄🙄🙄

why are ppl willing to pay TWICE the price rudra is starting at for a USED punching bag? kya chutiya log hai. 😣😣😣

omg, flashback to baby rudra and shivaay. 

ok they messed up the ages of the kids tho. shivaay’s 10 - 11 years older than rudra. the shivaay should be at 20ish, given that the baby rudra looks 10ish.

aw, rudra was bullied for being chubbbbby. 🙁🙁🙁

ok very abrupt end to that scene. damnit, show me more of my boys as babies! i wanna see overly serious and business minded baby shivaay!

awwwwwwww no, why’d you selll thaaaaaaat rudraaaaaaaa?!?! 😥😥😥😥

also god bless chubby. what a good friend. i love him.  💘💘💘

did he make the 25k?????

ohhhhhhh boy, press is being intrusive assholes as usual.

OMFG WHAT NONSENSE, THE PRESS WOULD NEVER LAUGH LIKE THAT AT SOMEONE ASKING TO BE SPOKEN TO IN HINDI. LIKE WHAT THE FUCK EVEN???????? 😑😑😑😑

what stupidassssss questions. and i don’t wanna watch this scene it’s giving me tooooo much michmichiiiiii

ok i’m fwding coz i actually CANNOT handle it. i hate when they make such BS issues outta nowhere. 😫😫😫😤😤😤😤

lol rudra ke 25k aaaye nahi ke paise maangne waale bhi aa gaye. welcome to adulthood, rudy! 🤑🤑🤑🤑

ok om to the rescueeeee.

damnnnn, assertiveKara is hottttt as hell. 😍😍😍😍

from assertiveKara to just an ASS in 2 seconds flat. ugh, whyyyyy om? 😩😩😩😩😩

blah blah blah ruvya nonsense, fwding, coz i really don’t care. 

bitchy vrinda’s back. and being a bitchy again. 😤😤😤

YAAAAAAAAAS OM! TELL HER OFF! DEFEND YOUR WIFE! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

woulda been nice if you would have done it when she was still here though. sigh. 

wow, one ruvya scene that didn’t make me cringe and want to dieeeeeee.😯😯😯😯

AAAAAAAAAAND THEY RUINED IT WITH A SONG SEQUENCE. LORD WHYYYYYYYYYYYY. UGH. FWDING. 

... IS THAT BHAVYA’S ISSUE? THAT SHE’S 4 YEARS OLDER? SIS, THAT’S THE LEASTTTTTTTTTT OF THE ISSUES IN THIS RELATIONSHIP. 😕😕😕

oh gauriiiii. my babyyyyyyyy. noooooo. *hugs her super-tight* 

OH THANK GOD. SHIVAAY IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!! SHIVAAY IS HERE!!!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

shivaay and anika are the only ones from this family of circus freaks that deserve gauri’s blessed presence in their life. only they REALLLLLLY care about her. fuck all the rest of you oberois. 

if one year ago, you’d have told me that SHIVAAY SINGH OBEROI sits on the floor to talk to and comfort this random non NKK-possessing girl who managed to find herself in this house through the strangest of circumstances, i would have told you that you were out of your godforsaken mind. but *sigh* i’m so happy at all the fates that conspired to bring these two into each others’ lives. 😪😪😪😪✨✨✨✨

SHIVAAY, TALKING ABOUT HOW SOCIETY IS FUCKED UP FOR JUDGING PEOPLE ON THE LANGUAGE THEY SPEAK. I AM DESTROYEDDDD. THE GROWTH THIS MAN HAS UNDERGONEEEE. 😭😭😭😭😭😭

ok i am legit crying at him adamantly telling her that there could never be a girl more perfect for om. fuck, my hearttttttttttttt. 😭😭😭😭😭

“main sab theek kar doonga, gauri.” 

aaaaaand now i’m weeping. like loud heaving sobs. great. 😭😭😭😭😭

ok don’t show me this ruvya garbage after the perfection that was that shivRi scene. like, honestly, I DO NOT FUCKING CARE.

whut? billu’s getting champi? other people are allowed to touch his hair now???? 😐😐😐😐

billu, i hope you’re using that phone to sext. or you know... TELL HER YOU LOVE HER. YOU STUPID FUCK. 😩😩😩😩

ooooohhhh, billu’s getting inspired by dadi’s old-school romance stories. 

ok please dadi, stop singing. please. 😬😬😬

lmao shivaay’s like dadi you sing even worse than meeee. which is true. she’s that terrible. 😆😆😆😆

ugh such cute. 

lol dadi’s embarrassing billllu with her lovey doveyyy nonsense. 😅😅😅

ugh. pinkyyyyy. god knows what khichdi she’s pakoing now. 😒😒😒

wow, dadi just came down strong on pinky. ek chaanta toh already pada hai, don’t force dadi to bust out the belan. 😧😧😧😧

rudra seems to be going through jekyll and hyde kinda issues here. okaaaay??? 🤔🤔🤔🤔

what’s tejjjjjjj up to now? 

i looooooooooooove his shirts man. i love them alllll. 😊😊😊

buddhon ka romance. 😏😏😏

but wow, first time i’m seeing tej seeming contrite. please god, reform his character. i don’t like having to hate mahesh thakur, who has the most positive, puppy dog-ish face ever. 😌😌😌

dangggggggggg svetlanaaaa, why so pretty?! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

lol billu’s ~~DEMANDS~~ for the paper to write his premmmm patraaaa on. 🙄🙄🙄

LMAO DADI CAUGHT HIMMMMM. DADI LET THE POOR BOY LIIIIVE. 😆😆😆

[makknays]

i’d share my soul with you, if i had one.

genre: grim reaper! au, romance, fluff?

“Hey.” he smirked as he pulled something out of his pocket, “For fuck’s sake Namjoon, I don't wanna buy a soul from you, the point of our jobs is to save them and take them to the afterlife.”

A/N: I might have slipped between you and I a couple of times but hopefully I corrected them all, please enjoy! PS: this was low-key inspired by Goblin cuz Lee Dongwook is hottttt

I never thought this is how it would be, you know the having a job. But even immortals have to work, at least my job doesn’t suck. The whole thing where us grim reapers don’t remember our past lives is kinda bullshit, well, because we don’t have past lives, this is our life and as immortals, there’s not much we can do about it but deal with it.

“Hey, ___, new assignment. Joshua George Smith. 26.” my boss told me as he handed me a card with the details. “Another Joshua? Damn, what did they do to upset the deity?” “None of your business, just bring him back safely so he can forget his life and reincarnate.” “We got a Buddhist? Hindu?” I curiously asked my chief. “___, just get him.” “Yes, sir!” And so I set off to do my job, I did my job well. I was mischievous and often cheeky but I knew what I was doing at the end of the day, I did my job well and this is where it got me.

When I arrived at the scene, a fellow co-worker, he likes to call himself my partner, was there - Namjoon. “Hey! What are you doing here?” I shouted at him. “I’m here to take Samuel Benjamin Smith. What about you?” “His brother.” I told him as I pointed at the limp body beside Namjoon’s assignment. “Ah, you still up for buying a soul?” “Dude, no. Leave, I got a job to do.” I told him as I shook my head in disbelief. “Joshua George Smith? 26 years old? Have I got the right guy?” I asked him and he nodded his head. “Who are you? Why am I here? Is my brother okay?” “I’m afraid you were in a car accident and I’m taking you to the afterlife. Your brother is with my colleague.” The 26 year old starting to cry, tears streaming down his cheek, it was a regular sight but I nonetheless comforted him. “It’ll be okay, don’t worry. You’ll have the option to stay with him.”

I was in the tea room after my assignment and I was waiting for the clock to strike 4pm, so I could leave and have a rest at home, but there was still another 10 minutes to go. Unexpectedly, Namjoon barged into the room and sat down opposite me. “You seem to be in a rush.” I joked as he fixed his dark hair. “I was hoping you’d still be in your tea room; I was wondering if maybe you’d go on a date with me, partner?” he smirked as he slided a soul to me. “I don’t want the date nor the soul, thanks. We’re in work hours, and I’m strictly business.” “You are, I always finish 10 minutes before you; was it worth getting promoted?” he teased me as he stuck his tongue out me. “You’re a child.” “I’m actually a whole year older than you, so I’m actually 321.” “Whatever, grandpa.”

Us grim reapers roamed the streets like any other human but when our uniform was on we were invisible; today was my day off and I decided to go to a fried chicken place. “Hey! ___!” a familiar voice called. “___! Wait up! Let’s share a meal!” I turned to see the owner if the voice and was not surprised when I saw Namjoon. “Hello to you too.” I joked as I sat down at a table. “Hey.”, he smirked as he pulled something out of his pocket, “For fuck’s sake Namjoon, I don't wanna buy a soul from you, the point of our jobs is to save them and take them to the afterlife.” “But this one is one that’ll never be given that kind of treatment, he was a serial killer.” he whispered. “I don’t even know what to do with you, aren’t you a really clever reaper? Look at you, doing this and all, so extra.” I said as I shook my head. “Hey! It’s my charm, okay?” “What? Dealing souls? What a charmer you are. Anyway, I’m here to grab food and go.” “Why are you even eating? You don’t need to eat…” he muttered under his breath. “You literally just suggested we share a meal and now you question why I’m eating?” I asked as I raised one eyebrow at him.

“Yeah, because we’re partners.” “We’re not, we work alone. You always walk alone when you’re a reaper.” I told him as I turned to make your order. “No, you never walk alone.” he protested. “Didn’t you just steal that quote from that popular boy group? What are they called? You know the bulletproof ones.” I spoke as I made your payment. “Well, I like the quote, it’s nice. Us reapers have to be loved as well, you know?” he muttered as he turned to leave the building. “Fine, just this once, you can come to mine and share this meal with me. I’ll show you the quickest route.” “___, we’re reapers, we can speed or slow down as much as we want, why would you need the quickest route.” he whispered, hoping no one heard the reapers part. “Tryna blend in, dummie. Follow me.”

The next day at work I could hear the end of the Namjoon and ___ rumours, and if I had a soul, I’d want it to be saved, right now. I entered work in my usual attire and got right into it, not having time to deal with anyone who wanted to talk about the time you spent with Namjoon; you two were just hanging out anyway, what was the big deal?

“Our ___ is finally making friends.” my older brother joked as he sat at the picnic table with the rest of our cousins. “Fuck you, I’ve always had friends.” “But he’s a friend.” he said, nudging me with his elbow and winking at my cousins. “Seriously, you guys are so twisted. I know you’re reapers and all but tone yourselves down.” I laughed as my friend approached the table. “Hey partner.” he said as he beamed a smile that showed off his dimples, they were probably my favourite part of his smile, but we were platonic. God, I need to get my head out the gutter. Anyway, this caused an uproar amongst my family, leaving the cleverest reaper I know in confusion. “Why is everyone cheering?” he asked me as I stood up beside him. “Where’s your hat?” “I asked you a question first.” he pouted as he pulled out his hat from his bag. “Dude, that’s not supposed to be put in your backpack like that, but anyway, they kinda think there’s a thing going on between us.” I explained as my mind was preparing me to go back to work.

“Isn’t there?” he said, clearly joking, but my family didn’t know that, so it caused even more of a fuss. “Why do you do this?” I muttered as I sped past him and back to my tea room. “What’s up with her?” my brother muttered as Namjoon stood around before realising he should leave himself. “I’ll be leaving.” he said to my family before speeding off to find where I would be.

“Hey, I’m sorry if you’re mad, I was just having a bit of a laugh earlier.” Namjoon muttered as he appeared in my tea room at 3:55pm. “I’m not mad, just annoyed with how many reapers I had to deal with today, asking about my friend or if there’s anything going on between us or the ‘don’t steal my man’s.” I told him as I cleaned a tea cup. “People think you’re stealing me? Or at least they’re attracted to me?” he laughed as he took a seat opposite to where I was. “Yeah, a lot of them are, some male reapers asked me as well, they seemed very interested in you. More so than me.” I laughed as I sat opposite him, waiting for the clock to strike 4pm again.

“You’re not interested in me? Dude, I would like share my soul with you, you know, if I had one.” he said, in quite a shock by the implication that I wasn’t interested in him like that. “I never said I wasn’t, I just said I’m strictly business and that men are more into you than I am, but I never stated any unattraction. Also, nice confession, quite cute, very you.” “So, you do like me?” “You could say I’m attracted to you and would like to get to know you more, you know, outside of work since it’s strictly business here.”

One year later

“I told you they were friends.” my brother said at the same picnic table as the one where we were a year ago. “We’re not friends, we’re actually dating.” I corrected him. “Yeah, yeah, same thing. But are mum and dad okay with this? I mean you’re only 321.” “Only.” I replied, rolling my eyes at him, as if 321 was young or something. “I didn’t start dating until I was 325, which was last year!” he whined. “You’re just not in the game.” I told him before Namjoon appeared beside the table. “Heya everyone, whaddup honey?” he smiled as stole the seat beside me. “Nothing much, just my brother is lame, you know the usual.” “Hey, I am Kim Seokjin and if I’m lame, you’re lame!” he shouted. “This guy used to date my best friend...” Namjoon sighed as he wrapped his arm around my waist, only to have Seokjin slap it away. “No touching!”

“You know, your family is so cute. You’re brother’s a bit odd but nice, nonetheless.” Namjoon told me as I cleaned a tea cup. “Same goes to your family, they’re cute. You’re sister’s really cute, what is she? 213? Awkward years.” I told him as I sat down opposite him. “Yeah, they last 100 years. Not a fun time.” “Tell me about it.” I laughed as I checked the clock, 4 minutes left. “Hey, remember what I said here a year ago?” “That you’d share your soul with me if you had one?” I asked him curiously. “Well, here you go.” “Kim Namjoon! That is not your soul to share!”

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  Hi, guys and girls. This is Jack, 25 years old and doing my MBA in Mumbai. This site has had some really good hot stories which give us an awesome feel [actually more feel than watching :P]. So I thought why not share my experience here too. This happened last year when I and my family had decided to attend my father’s close friends daughters marriage. I did not know them so close because during my studies I had been in the hostel and was not here. Coming to the story we reached Shukla uncles house the day before the marriage. As I knew before we had to come a day before and that and that I could not meet my girlfriend for the next two days we had a session just before I came here.

On reaching Shulka uncles house we saw that the house was full of people and arrangements were going on. I also went about helping the people. Did not know how time had flown by it had become 9 pm and everyone started to settle down to sleep because the marriage was the next day. As it was very crowded everyone was sleeping on the floor. My mom and dad were given a bed as it would be difficult for them to sleep on the floor. I decided to sleep on the floor instead. While lying down I was chatting with my girlfriend. The chat then slowly turned into a sex chat and she said she wants to fuck me now. I said her to finger her pussy by closing her eyes and thinking of me. She did as told and went offline but now I was hot so decided to go to the washroom and shake it off and came back and lied down. It was completely dark and only the moonlight coming through the window was a source of light. Somehow I felt something wrong.

I had not been in the place I had been before.On turning to my left side I saw a beautiful figure lying beside me.The moonlight was shining on her body. She was wearing a saree and below her navel. Her backside was visible to me. The moonlight shone on her hips which showed sweat drops because of the humidity. This turned me on. I moved closer to her and could not resist cuddling her. I kept my hand on her hips and started feeling it. OMG so fluffy and sexy. My hand automatically grabbed her whole body and pulled her towards me. She just moaned as though something was disturbing her sleep. But now I was cuddling her. My hands started pressing on her navel. I started circling around her belly button. She starts moaning and says ” Ohh Mohannn “. I now understood who should have been beside her and who is now. I decided to take full advantage of this situation.I started massaging her belly and sweat dripped hips.

She started moaning sexily. I was afraid someone would listen, so I signalled her to keep quite. While my hands were massaging her belly I bit her neck [ guyzz pls do not only fuck your partnerss give them the pleasure of love bites also especially on the neck and the ears… they ll go crazy.. trust me]. She went crazy and along with that I slide my hand through her saree to her panties. It was wet down there. I started circling above her panties. She orgasmed then holding my hand. I understood then that she was fresh and had not been used by anyone and she was experiencing such feelings for the first time. I made her turn towards me and pulled her towards me. We could feel each othrs breath. I took my lips closer towards her lips. She just kissed on my lips. An amateur kiss I would say without opening up her lips.But then she understood it was not her guy, but she just said “you are not Mohan “. I said ” Sorry, I could not resist you”.

“Just finish off what you started because I have never felt so good before,” she said

With this, she again started to bring her lips closer to mine but I had other intentions in mind. I just love to tease women to the limit which makes them hornier. I moved away from her whenever she came forward. After some unsuccessful attempts, I came above her. I took her hands behind her head and locked them there. Now I kissed her eyes, nose and came to her lips. I took her lower lip. Sooo soft and juicy they were and then she also understood the art of kissing. We had a really long smooooooch and she wanted more. But I stopped with kissing because I had other areas to cover. I started moving down her neck and gave her small kisses and then came to her boobs. I removed the saree pallu. Now she was in her blouse. I juz opened it and removed her bra too. Her white plump boobs were in front of me. I started circling around her nipples. She could not resist this and started whispering dirty.

“You are such a fucking teaser u bitch. Drink the milk inside you bastard. You are teasing me because your dick is small and have no other ways to please me”

I must admit she too knew how to tease and that caught me. On hearing this I got wild and started sucking her boobs. One after the other sucking it wildly. She started pulling my head more towards her boobs. Then moved towards her belly and encircled with my tongue. She had a nice long stomach line mostly like these Bollywood actresses. Then I went to her feet and started sucking those too. I lifted her saree and inserted my head inside to meet her pussy.She had widened her legs to accommodate my head. All my teasing had lost control now and I was like a mad man feeling the wildness of a desi women. Did not know desi women could be sooooo hottttt. I wildly smooched her pussy lips. She thought I would start off slow but she was shocked and enjoying it. I kept smooching it.

“AAAAHHhhhhhhhhh…….. lick itttttttt…like that ….yeeeaahhhhhhhhhh……… MMMMmmmmmm yeahhhh”. She was out of control. I was scared she would not wake up the rest of the people. But still, I was onto her. I licked her pussy clean. Her juices were tasting like sweet. Her husband did not enjoy these juices I think. Because if he would have he would never leave her even for a minute. Then I came again to her lips and started smooching again. She had kept her thighs on my legs and our legs were entangled together making us closer to each other.

“I want to fuck you,” I said

“No. I have been married for only a week. My husband has the right to make me lose my virginity. I don’t know if my husband can satisfy me or not like you did but still I don’t want to get into trouble” she said

I understood her feelings and said ” No probs. I understand. At least I could teach you to kiss properly”.

The climate was turning cold and we both cuddled together. I was lying there with her warmness against my body. We slept off then

But there was still one question in my mind. Where did this Mohan go during the night leaving her sexy wife here? That question has an answer in my very next story Thank you guys and girls for reading through and hope u feel satisfied.