#i could totally move back in with my mom and keep drawing forever but where she lives is so isolating
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greyslates · 1 year ago
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i love your art, your art and teeths art is such an iconic style pls dont get a job just keep drawing forever until you die 👑🪦
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i would if i could,, and i totally can im just choosing to work so i dont gotta rely so much on family to help me out, i am reopening commissions tho!
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kmze · 8 months ago
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Thoughts on 3x12-3x22 ok lots of thoughts again! I will say I’m not totally sure how I feel about this half of S3. While I was mostly entertained and I enjoyed some of the storylines it did feel like the show was going through the motions for much of this half. I think it had to do with the plans changing with Klaus and wanting to keep him alive for the spin-off. The Evil!Alaric and ring-that-makes-you-murder plot were zzzzzz and Esther was eh as well. I’m also not an “original groupie” I found most of the family annoying or boring especially at this stage so that probably didn’t help (I do like them better on the spin-off particularly Klaus and Bekah). While I don't care about the triangle back and forth the Defan scenes were mostly great and I did enjoy the focus on Stefan's addiction both with bloodlust and his personality.
3x12
Well Bill Forbes I don’t forgive you!
This show loves its deadbeat Moms, I tell ya! Also did they really make Abby abandoning Bonnie about friggin' Elena!?! This has to be the worst season for Bonnie and I put all that blame on Plec and Dries because they can't stand Bonnie getting anything!
Um Stefan is being way too dramatic about Elena kissing Damon, like come on man. Maybe if you weren't terrorizing her for the last few months she wouldn't have gravitated towards Damon. Even if you want to try and excuse it like "he was compelled to turn it off" his humanity was on for his most recent terrorist activity of threatening to drive her off a bridge! Damon deserved to be punched in the face though, no issues with that.
3x13
Elijah talking about the “exquisite beauty” of Tatia like we don’t all know exactly what she looks like she’s a friggin’ doppelgänger!
Stefan going to shake Klaus hand like “we have a deal… ON OPPOSITE DAY!” The murder boyfriends are fighting.
3x14
Everytime Klaus talks about someone betraying him I just cannot… have you met you? I do love how un-moved Caroline is by any of his romantic gestures because of that fact too.
Well Esther if Bonnie is the only reason you’re out of your coffin why TF didn’t you invite her to your ball! Forever and ever mad Bonnie didn’t get to go to the ball and wear a pretty dress.
How did Klaus draw Caroline so fast lol
3x15
I like how Elena is like “but Elijah?!” and everyone is like “anyway, let’s dagger an original!” because I agree! The hell I care about Elijah, already stabbed them in the back once.
This Alaric subplot with Meredith and the ring that turns you into a serial killer plot is very confusing and boring.
Nice to see Elena facing some consequences for bringing the Salvatores into everyone's lives and their actions always negatively affecting her friends. Caroline is such a good friend by being able to protect Bonnie there, and not make Elena feel too bad while making a great point. I mean they could have easily manipulated Elijah into backing off by playing up the "humanity and morals" bullshit he pretends to adhere by.
3x16
It’s kind of weird how the show randomly started hinting at Matlena being romantic, Matt just throwing his hat in the ring since he’s got nothing better to do.
Damon is a horrible sober sponsor.
We have reached the very strange point in my rewatch where DAMON is the least annoying member of the trio right now. He seems to be the only one who understands his brother is an addict, in all forms of life. Like he said Stefan goes from one extreme to the other, he cannot do moderation. He's either the good brother or the ripper there's no middle ground (yet). As soon as Stefan found out Elena kissed Damon he went back to the extreme "good brother persona" which, maybe if you weren't so comfortable with Damon BEING IN LOVE WITH ELENA while you were together this wouldn't have happened, Stefan. He hammed it up in 3x14 with soulful glances and manpain, that obviously worked hook line and sinker since he made it all about Elena. Then the terror at having to be the one to turn Abby to the point Damon knew he had to do it because he doesn't care (neither does Elena but that's a whole nother conversation). Then when she saw him with blood feeding on a girl he acted like everything is ruined! What I'm trying to say is Stefan is insane.
3x17
Damon and Elena arguing about who's better at teaching Stefan self-control when the answer is NEITHER LMFAO!
Elena wanting Bonnie's help to help Ric unbelievable, fix your own fucking mess for once.
I like that Caroline is using all the methods Stefan taught her when she first turned. When she told Jamie that Abby needs him and to not avoid her so she maintains her humanity with human connection. Just like how Stefan brought Caroline to the swimming hole to be with Matt and convinced Bonnie to give her a daylight ring (I miss my babies this is all I can get right now *sigh*). In general though watching Caroline's vampirism storyline has been wonderful! I have even more appreciation for it during this rewatch.
3x18
Now Elena is making Ric killing Caroline's Dad about herself and how bad she feels ugh SHUT UP. I should have kept a tally on how often this happens. I wonder if Caroline ever uses this against Ric, because I would "you didn't do the dishes like you said you would" "well you killed my Dad"
Klaus being like "you're torturing technique is subpar and your skills are lacking" to Rebekah about how she's draining Damon of vervain CTFU!
RIP Sage and Finn you were tragic but cute.
3x19
Caroline being so proud of Matt tricking Rebekah with the decade dance LMFAO I mean she is the EASIEST person to manipulate but we all gotta start somewhere!
Eh Caroline it's not just Damon who doesn't care that killing Klaus will kill Tyler, it's all of them but you.
Okay fine the Delena motel kiss was a great scene, congrats universe you win this one. They actually have been more tolerable this half of the season for me, probably won't last but I haven't wanted to roll my eyes during their scenes recently so baby steps.
3x20
Elena being like "oh you're not bias or anything" about Caroline being team Stefan instead of team Damon as if she doesn't have every right to be! The fact that Elena never acknowledges that Caroline's hatred towards Damon is a big reason that I dislike her immensely.
I'm sorry but the salt ring Esther put is ashgghdjhbdhbv did she use a dump truck!?! Crying!
The 1920s decor must be getting to Klaus’ romantic side because he tried to proposition both of his boos tonight. Trying to get Caroline to run away with him even though she can’t stand him. Then calling him and Stefan “strange bedfellows” wanting to rekindle their flame from the ‘20s even though he hates him. Oh well!
Steroline crumb!
3x21
Klaus stomping around the porch before using a soccer ball and picket fence for darts really sells it. I just love when Klaus is over-the-top in a funny non-whining way, I could do without the yelling in so many of his scenes.
Tyler saving Elena and saying "I'm not your little bitch anymore" was a great scene for him and overall he's had such a great arc the past few seasons. He's also just so devoted to Caroline and they have a great romance, and I think it's one of the reasons I can never get into the KC scenes. Because I do get the appeal and they have some good scenes (I like the chemistry in the "rescue" scene this episode) but ultimately Caroline never shows anything besides an attraction to Klaus and that's not my vibe.
I know a lot of fandom thinks Elena should have chosen herself instead of picking a Salvatore and while I do agree with that (she needed to pick lots of therapy and anti-depressants) it's kind of fundamentally not who she is. Elena loves love and being in love and because of that she's incapable of choosing to be alone.
3x22
I’m confused when Tyler swapped with Klaus, I think they answer that next season though.
Bonnie saying she's done be pushed around YES! I wish we got a real dark!Bonnie storyline though...
Forwood "I will run with you" scene *tingle* *sniff*
I don’t know if Stefan wasn't so off balance battling between extremes this season with his bloodlust and ripper/good brother personalities he would have made the same decision that he did, to save Matt over Elena. Watching it all unfold in a rewatch binge like this I noticed way more instances of that being pointed out (especially by Damon). Look I've heard all the reasons to why Stefan let Elena die, and yes he let her DIE because no one knew she had vampire blood in her system and would come back (even then he know she didn't want to be a vampire). No matter how you spin it "he didn't want her to hate him for letting Matt die" "he always respected her choice and didn't want her to have survivor's guilt" "insert any 'actually it was really selfless excuse' you've read" the fact of the matter is he looked at the love of his life drowning and saved her friend instead. That is so CRAZY!!! That his need to be the "good brother who respects Elena's choices" outweighed her life. I have even seen that he didn't save her because he feels so much regret for forcing Damon to turn and taking that decision away from him, but like when has Stefan EVER respecting Damon's decision to die? Everything he went through this season is because he wouldn't let Damon die, hell the reason he's dead now is because he wouldn't respect that decision! I think Stefan's psyche is so fascinating and how he's essentially an "addict" in so many ways. He does get better at moderation between all of his extremes (personality and bloodlust) though in later seasons, but right now he is hella hella crazy. I think this scene was pretty detrimental to Stefan in re: Elena because it meant Damon was right he's the one who was going to keep Elena alive. All I'm saying is there's a reason Paul Wesley hates this scene.
Lines that made me laugh:
Damon: Insulting a bunch of dead witches not smart I made the same mistake first time I came here (Damon was so smug someone else got to be tortured by the witches for once)
Caroline: I can hear every word you're saying about Damon and the vampire gigolo. (you know she was mad about it too)
Tyler: What's he gonna do, draw you another picture? (Trevino delivers this line with perfection LMFAO)
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sugar-petals · 3 years ago
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SuperM as Boyfriends Headcanon
↪ caro’s note. extra long version because i miss ‘em. best boys, they’re all bf material to the moon and back ♡
5k words | bullet points
○ warnings ⚠️ 18+, dom/sub play, shibari, female reader, grinding, poly mentions, threesomes, face-sitting, femdom & vanilla, smut and fluff
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⌈ ten
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— motto: they won’t underestimate me for long.
most of your social environment is gonna be confused by ten at the beginning 
and don’t really get what he’s all about
or think he’s like whatever, some random guy in a tank top
acting peculiar
finding him kind of hard to gauge
some of your family and relatives might even think he’s totally unusual and a sneaky fuckboy making you mad 
they seriously wonder what you see in him
down the line that perception has turned by 180 degrees
as it should
ten becomes more irreplaceable, relatable, beautiful, perfect and impressive the more you know him
he’s not as mysterious and impossibly badass as everyone assumes
his personality is very approachable to you 
and you find him interesting in every aspect, looks to hobbies to background to personal habits
and also opinions because ten is a guy who really thinks stuff through
so you gotta be roughly on the same wavelength 
he likes discussing controversial and complicated stuff a lot for sure
being far wiser than his age suggests 
you are the first to share those things with him until the rest of the world catches up to this gem of a person
spending so much time with you
in the most personal way he can
he takes you to see the floating markets in bangkok, you spend the summer in thailand
wakeboarding and playing badminton
his entire family knows you inside out at some point this shit is serious
it’s very important to him to go back to the roots every now and then
and that you have been around his home city as well
getting to enjoy the area and time together eating the most savory delicacies
renting a boat and paddling you around to the important spots, he can explain any question you have
this kissing is gonna be so romantic 
who needs a vacation in venice when you can go to thailand with none other than ten himself as your ferryman let that sink in
except eating durian there he is, the boyfriend who can do anything!
with seemingly no effort
ten does little kind services of love for you throughout the day
he pours you herbal tea, fixes some furniture (he’s surprisingly good at tinkering), comes home from the bakery with your favorite pastry, does the laundry with your favorite fabric softener
he also goes on a huge shopping spree with you monthly because fashion is key in this household and it’s tremendous fun
you giggle when he puts on oversized shirts deliberately to look funny
everyone in the clothing store will think oh man what an adorable pair
ten will model the living hell out of the entire stock
and buy you the cape you really really want as a birthday present
said item turns out to be your favorite couple accessory
because you can sit next to each other on a bench at the river and wear it
what’s not to love about a portable blanket
of course he will take to instagram and make it such a cool thing, photographies of you wearing really cool coats and jackets
mirror bathroom selfies together as well, with a back hug, the classic
and not just for insta
you snuggle a lot generally
ten is always available for affection
and accepts all PDA
he’s a kitty after all, he loves the warmth of your body more than you know
remember how taemin said ten’s hands are always cold, newsflash not anymore since you stuff them into the pocket of your hoodie whenever you can
and hello sir your paws will be nice and cozy on my waist
or hand in hand when you waltz through your apartment
time for dance is a must
oh my god ten is so good at all of this
although say he’s definitely faster into latin than standard genres
tango argentino, he loves flamenco as well
don’t believe me? ten is a diehard rosalía stan!
vamos
so, no-brainer, expect a lot of dancy stuff 
that escalates into wild, passionate fucking
which probably looks like an aggressive form of couple exercises
you poor sore souls
ten’s lil kitty butt is falling apart from all the “i can handle a bigger one!”-level pegging and you have aching legs all over
favorite position? full nelson
if you ask me ten’s ass is probably so carved out by the end of this you could fit lucas and kai in there from head to toe
this is not for the faint of heart
sex with this guy is extra cardio
and if you’re into that a threesome is gonna go down sooner or later
with our girl lisa
there. i said it
miss manoban in those knee-high boots, grinding her thighs between yours and you finishing off on ten’s face? the fucking hottest thing ever i need a moment wow
i don’t have to tell you how orgasmic this is gonna be
steamy sex life with ten very recommended
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⌈ kai
— motto: you’re like a precious rose. i’ll protect you forever.
to be straightforward with you
he is in so heavily in demand it’s madness
to give you an idea of the scale
mark is basically occupied by yuta until the end of time 
but kai has an entire idol fanclub on top of all erigoms
those sharp moves did not go unnoticed
he gets an inkigayo sandwich every other day
jesus christ
if rent-a-sexy-bf.com was a thing kai would be the most requested
his phone would be blowing up with contracts like
and you also have to pass kyungsoo’s vibe check
and taemin’s
the road to being kai’s gf is indeed the way of the samurai
i mean honestly: kim jongin is without a doubt the hardest member to get a date with
this has got to be the most selective man of the entire industry or something
if he likes you he REALLY likes you
and he will be the one showing initiative
because he wants to make it clear he isn’t just spending time out of politeness or something
although it’s pretty logical that if kai was unable to reject someone he would no longer be an idol but a harem husband busy every hour of the day
seoul would be able to found its own village 
kai town
where like 70% of the population is pregnant
but since kai wants to keep on dancing obviously and he wants to lend his heart to only one person 
seoul has to settle with a singular nini family house instead of a kai district
where you and the man himself are a full-fledged household basically since kai’s nieces double as actual kids
if you wanna be a young ass ‘mom but not mom with kids’ and be married to kim kai this is it
does he have a thing for milfs or something
that thought just came to my mind
anyway you’re mommy anyway wink wink
fucking til’ dawn until even his muscles hurt
going raw at the gym together
him cooking the most random food with the infamous waffle maker
cuddling with an army of teddy bears surrounding you
walking the dogs with the sexiest dancer alive 
and the sexiness is only the tip of the iceberg 
we know he’s all-round amazing
kai is the king of figuring out ways to chill out with you anywhere anytime
and yes innocent chilling
...unless you’re in the mood for something else
up to you
anyway
sweet innocent chilling for now... with the stunner... just smooching at best things aren’t going raw or anything
on the couch in the kitchen in the car when it’s parked somewhere in nature
kai takes you very seriously and is a great listener
he’s literally so respectful and open-minded i can’t
he will keep your secrets and stand up for you if it’s ever needed
yes he is extremely caring and invested
kai does not tolerate others being shady towards you
if there’s an instance where you are hurt and unable to assert yourself don’t worry. he knows how to confront others with measure but a firm determination.
kai takes a lot of that responsibility but only to the degree where you are comfortable
i think you get what i mean by that
and he is diplomatic instead of plain patronizing
you have a right to be protected. it means he not only treats you well, but also makes sure your well-being isn’t disturbed in any other way outside of the relationships
outside influences aren’t to be underestimated
and since kai is a godly man you encounter a lot of jealousy from others
a matter he will take into his hands since he knows he’s the reason
standing up for you also means saying no 
to these jealous voices so this is an important boundary he has to draw
that all kinds of hellbent people want to get into his pants and take his stage image too literally is not up to you to fix
kai is there for you to enjoy and love not to defend
that’d be exhausting and beside the point 
kai prevents stress and negativity to come to you
i hope i explained this well he doesn’t do this to be bossed up or make you weak it’s because he wants to make life easier for you
guys being protective will be chalked up as chauvinistic these days. often rightfully so 
but what i mean is that kai support you in all regards so you won’t be at a disadvantage or feel terrible about something
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⌈ taeyong
— motto: we’ll take good care. enjoy the pleasure.
he’s the type of boyfriend who will ask you about things he missed out on while he was busy
things um from the internet
while mark literally knows that one by heart already taeyong will ask you things like what the wellerman song is
and you thought it would be something nsfw
i got you fooled
did we forget that the man literally watched nct memes on youtube
taeyong is both even more 18+ than you think but also even more innocent than you think it’s complicated
this man is just hard to describe he’s so different, i mean every person is unique but he’s an original it’s the extra mile you know
anyway
sea shanties
bopping to it all day since he just heard it 
singing it while he prepares dinner based on a youtube recipe video as he often does
he’s the most adorable person ever ever ever
asking you why shanties are back in fashion 
(good question, requires a deeper sociocultural analysis i reckon)
planning to remix one for his soundcloud lmao i kid you not
maybe your favorite shanty 
featuring fast-pace rap and all
creating his own previously unknown phrases and shit like that you know him
palazzo rocco lemon detox flashbacks
he’s hilarious i swear
taeyong will produce his own shanties for you can you imagine
as he says: my happiness is your happiness
watch out he will drop a shanty music video with extra krumping moves
taeyong is a never-ending source of pure crack
prepare to laugh a lot like, a lot lot
how can a man who seemingly has such a serious outlook on life and such a bonkers kinda face be so lighthearted
it’s like he’s peter pan or something
especially since he has to manage like over 20 brats in nct his cutesy behavior towards you as his gf will stand out to you
yeah so to be clear we all know he’s the cute one in the relationship
and guess who wears the pants
that’s always you ma’am don’t deny it
or wait 
not for long actually because they come off um physically
but not metaphorically
because who doesn’t wanna sit on his face tbh
your favorite reserved spot
he loves it
taeyong has such a thing for your body it’s ridiculous
mister lee got a sexy mama
and you have such a thing for the gloriousness that is him
but neither of you will not admit it as openly as other people would think
all there is... is being flustered
baekhyun probably has to play some cupid now and then
and give you some ideas
like gifting taeyong plushies and things like that
baekhyun knows what taeyong is all about so the advice is very welcome
but most things you find out for yourself
by being a little braver with him you know
you walking around naked in the apartment or basically fresh out the shower with nothing but a towel
will shake up taeyong so immensely, he will back himself against a wall without you even pinning him there lmao!
jeez he’s so deep into kinky stuff but easily shook anyway
i quote him again: “born to be cute, i dunno!”
you can imagine the overwhelm when you rub yourself against him like it’s nobody’s business
it’s so much fun to give taeyong a regular horny meltdown not gonna lie
this man was grinding his whole body all over the superm stage and now he’s basically freezing up and drooling
how many denied and ruined orgasms he’s gonna get, so much overstimulation all the way  
you’ll lose count of it
and just how wet you’re gonna be
is a thing for the history books
taeyong isn’t such a big deal in nct for no reason god gave him every talent 
so great sex is obviously in his repertoire
i think you’re gonna break some records for most fucks per week
you know... guys like lucas taemin kai and baekhyun spend more time wooing and teasing and flirting
but taeyong gets down to business
one glance is enough
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⌈ lucas
— motto: the hottest couple around.
ah, big boy
you really got this man’s attention
doing nothing much at all really
he probably just saw you walking around talking to friends
carrying an impossibly huge veggie burger munching and enjoying yourself after going on a jog
yeah boy that’s how you catch his eye
they say love begins in the stomach and that is the true meaning
or the nose, your food smells really good, lucas is going crazy, he’s seeing stars and shit
anyway
the towering burger isn’t the only thing he wants
lucas cannot get you out of his mind no matter how much he tries to distract himself 
with more good food, movies, games
fooling around with wayv or the superm maknaes, and working out
he’s admittedly... a little himbo head over himbo heels with you the feels got to him
he’s not gonna say it’s a date he’s just gonna invite you just because
to hang out in the kitchen while taeyong cooks and baekhyun comes up with the idea to play twister
imagine lucas with his long arms and legs bending himself all over the place
fighting with kai who almost crashed his shoulders into taemin who avoided the accident quickly
making you lose a round
obviously lucas will hustle until your team wins
mostly because he’s so tall and baekhyun is so small which is a huge advantage when stacking each other over the map
let’s just face it baekhyun only suggested this game to bite everyone’s butts and to see you have skinship with lucas
which is definitely a successful plan of the leader
yukhei is in paradise 
jumping around his room like an oversized bunny after you went home
don’t lie, you fell hard for him as well he’s just such a presence
emotionally, physically
a gentle but persistent giant
he’ll do anything to make your relationship happen once he knows you’re interested
if there’s someone meant to be a boyfriend it’s gotta be him come on
he will cave in after a while and admit he can’t just forget about you 
not gonna lie
your ex is gonna be shaking in his ratty boots
his poor eyes will literally jop from their unexpecting sockets
when he sees lucas hanging out with you
with his shining blonde hair and tall stature, that perfect shapely body, with great fashion on top of that
looking like your guardian angel
man, xuxi really does
pulling you out of your slump that’s been going on for months
and bringing back smiles and a good time he knows how to do that best
and big big hugs of course
you can imagine how soothing and grounded it feels with such huge arms around you
he will make sure that feeling is always there when you need it
because you deserve that treatment
which means he will come over very very often
yeah get ready for how yukhei is a lot more driven than you think just dial and he will be there
underneath the meme surface is someone very determined who really really wants you
yukhei is chaotic good incarnate but in that area he isn’t messing around
his brain is like: “gotta be with her”
on repeat
he must call you, he literally can’t sleep without tying loose ends together as quickly as possible
no second wasted with this guy, even far down the relationship timeline
i really pity your ex 
i mean someone dating any superm member would drive their former partner completely nuts 
but lucas is a special case
he has that kind of look and aura that makes other guys dig themselves into the ground like wiggling worms or cope by fanboying over him
i don’t wanna make this sound like a competition and yet — congrats on your noodly blondie boyfriend alright
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⌈ mark
— motto: two nerds in love.
how to explain this. mark is a perfect balance of a lover, a talker, and a shy bean
with a tendency toward bean
and flicking the bean
you know
cutting right to the chase are we
mark is very invested in pleasing you as good as he can
and defeating his awkwardness
because if we know one thing it’s that he always strives to become better and better like he can’t help it
and isn’t afraid of almost biting off more than he can chew
how many subunits is he part of at this point is it gonna be nct hollywood as well god dangit
back to the point mark doesn’t treat relationships and sex as something static which is a good and rare thing
he does his best and always looks for room to improve
while being very nervous, very bilingual, it takes two languages or more to express what he thinks about you let that sink in
that’s very shaky first date sex while being extremely in love with each other
lucky you
and an afterglow where he plays the guitar for you
that’s so nice 
he can play it while laying down and shit
while singing
not rapping, actual full-fledged serenading
we’ve heard how that sounds in the relay cam
are you dating some kind of teenage heartthrob or something huh
mark will make it very clear he’ll stick around, this bad bitch is here to stay
or actually, he’s a good bitch, don’t misunderstand
mark doesn’t have a lot of edgy in him unless rap is concerned
he’s the kinda guy to get lost in IKEA with 
having a good time 
as often as his schedule permits
you really have to make use of your time together 
this man might as well the busiest idol out there
and you are no different because birds of a feather
you’re both mr. and ms. independent 
out and about very often
so meeting up becomes something special during comeback season
or wait mark always has a comeback going on
which is a double-edged sword but something you both know you signed up for 
which is why you spend a lot of time around NCT dream, 127, and SuperM 
sm’s publicity agents have to work extra hard i’m telling you
a dating rumor is the last thing both of you would need
since you befriend several members you gotta stay on the low as well
but hey the rage of jealous people of the public is nothing compared to the force of nature that is yuta nakamoto
who seriously thinks himself threatened and robbed
in case you are feeling possessive as well...
...you might have to fistfight yuta
to be able to be with mark
who is basically property of osaka at this point
yuta is a scorpio that’s just the way it is
unlike taeyong who wishes his rap buddy the best, yuta kinda wants to be mark’s wingman and see him date, live his best life
but also have mark for himself to fawn over and to adore, to be fascinated by
we get it yuta. bisexual struggles. very understandable
you have to promise in person that mark doesn’t forget about the holy gaming nights with yuta 
which is hilarious since that’s not up to you but mark’s memory
bestie, yuta uses everyone as a scapegoat don’t sweat it too much
regardless you put a weekly reminder on the fridge
so the roaring lion yuta would be pacified
he doesn’t want to lose his sweetheart can you blame him
the ultimate but also most risky solution is obviously inviting yuta for movies 
which will be appreciated but also cause a storm
mark will definitely break a sweat when you start a popcorn war or try to prove who hugs mark the best 
caught in the middle of mayhem is mark lee’s specialty what did you expect
this either ends with murder or a chaotic open relationship down the line
yuta really is attached but who wouldn’t be
it could be worse mark has double the love you know 
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⌈ baekhyun
— motto: you wanna know why i’m your candy?
baby tell me are you ridin’?
in fair verona where we lay our scene...
that baekhyun always wants to woo you — his way, which proves to be very interesting to say the least — is never hard to miss
putting in effort is mochi default mode 
no matter what stage of the relationship you’re in
he might as well regularly serenade you under your balcony in the backyard just because
probably singing ‘baby we can stay up’ and wiggling his ass in all directions because he’s a dirty boy gone wild
yeah. nowadays romeo is twerking instead of feuding with tybalt
that’s good for him and everyone involved
you in particular because you get some very racy eye candy
you know how baekhyun is
at least nobody’s around seeing him put on an 18+ show like that
your little guy is one unhinged fella
if it starts pouring he will grind up and down the next lantern and belt out ‘singing in the rain’
you bet he can do some actual pole dance
he’s strong and bendy you know
and loves to gyrate his whole bag of bones like... he wants to hit you with all the body rolls
in the rain
what a freaky man
but hey you wanna stay up for sure 
doesn’t take long until you beckon him to come upstairs
where the only way to alleviate him of his wet clothes—
oh well he has those roger rabbit vibes and you can’t be mad at it
he will play off all his hormonal antics
baekhyun is hilarious
and so perverted, he can keep up with your spicy idea of playing patty-cake don’t worry
how do i know you’re an extra nsfw kinda person?
who else would like baekhyun
he says juicy things all the time
and does juicy things
yes. finally a couple on eye level indeed. 
when baekhyun asks are you ridin’ you ask how hard 
bruh
this is gonna be fun
and remember
beside handing you sacks of money
his priority is always to make you smile
i’m kidding about the bags but
baekhyun is so rich it’ll show in your relationship, but he’s more about the interactions with you rather than the lifestyle
baekhyun didn’t hustle for a bentley he hustled to sing and get out of sm alive alright
financial stability: important
luxury: very nice to have, he can make you the presents you want to have and travel a lot together
but smiles: baekhyun priority
because he so badly wants to know you love him and adore him, he sometimes feels so insecure
of course you do
you always reassure him with your reactions
it’s very important to him don’t underestimate it
baekhyun has always been talking about his ideal type in terms of how he can cheer her up
so even the naughtiest sexy time evenings are gonna be filled with all giggles
anyway other than that your pussy will be dripping
because this guy is as horny as all other members of super m combined
and you have your ways of leaving him tongue-tied and wrists-tied
taemin’s impact
superm isn’t short of bondage supplies we all know that
so yeah. shibari baekhyun is gonna happen
since he does pilates imagine what kinda shapes you can bend this lil guy into
and take some pictures
privé is in trouble 
bondage model baekhyun is bursting onto the scene
you might even run a risque blog that features cropped pictures with him
heh — you think people will recognize him by his body?
nope
first: you only upload HD pictures that aren’t whitewashed
baekhyun is basically never photographed like that
second: who expects baekhyun to be featured on a bdsm blog with his girlfriend
and this is the guy that drives you around in his expensive car with his big black shades on 
well what can i say
nothing is the way it seems
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⌈ taemin
— motto: i’ll unfold a whole new world for you.
taemin is cocky, he’s sensual, and: a very smiley person as we know
least boring relationship ever
he will prance toward you whenever he can to involve you in cuddles
touch-starved taemin is a thing
kkoong can tell you about it, he needs kisses and embraces so often
might as well pepper him with it no problem
and put him into your oversized sweaters when he eats ice cream on the sofa, watching movies, and you brush his ever-growing hair
he’s smol he’s gonna fit into them don’t worry
and on the other hand he likes a rough and tough girl who thinks of him like a boy toy
who acts tsundere or like his bodyguard
working out almost daily to the point of sweat all over
a gal probably able to pretzel minho lucas and chanyeol into one giant bundle
taemin truly has the taste of a divo
multi-layered as always
so you couldn’t say the relationship is always the same in sentiment, the vibe of the dynamic could be different every day
we love a complex man
what would be volatile to others is actually an advantage up close
because taemin understands every difficult facet of himself and his partner 
even if those facets might be contradictory
or something that’s felt shameful about
he will accept and listen anyway
the same goes for getting what drives you
taemin is like a walking psychology velvet couch with fancy swirls as arm rests
point is he isn’t fooled by the surface of the world
he knows what has to be known
which also means your looks aren’t the part he prioritizes
and not even outward personality and habit is what he’s drawn to
it’s the mentality and values underneath
that’s true compatibility to him and he can feel it
he’s really really smart
and also finds it important that you get along with shinee and superm, that you think they’re nice to be around and vice versa
especially kai as taemin’s absolute bearly bestie. if kai thinks you’re shady and you don’t like kai either
or if you’re permanently super awkward and taemin’s moodmaking doesn’t help
we have a problem
but fair enough
kai and taemin are basically one soul at this point so if taemin likes you jongin does anyway 
bff telepathy
in fact jongin was probably the one introducing you to taemin lmao!
because he knows you go well together instinctively and he is correct
so not to worry then
and it’s good on taemin to think longterm and not see you as a person outside of social interaction y’know
cough cough he thinks about marriage, you might be ms. lee one day
here he goes again taemin is just very mature seeing you as well-rounded in every aspect of life
without letting his dick make the important decisions at the detriment of making this a relationship of two lives not just two bodies only
but obviously don’t assume taemin is no horny devil. we all know he dreams of the freakiest scenarios and fantasies in this whole group
going kinda crazy about the thought of making you cum which he always wants to try with new methods
which occupies his mind more than a big bowl of super spicy noodles which is taemin’s favorite meal so
at the same time taemin junior is definitely the same clingy attention whore as his sparkly owner
limp wrists from all the handjobs on your side
and very swollen lips from giving all that head on his side
this is gonna be interesting
he puts the 6v6 in 69
equals 69v69 am i right
but i’m serious that’s gonna be a lot of oral action
you definitely ask each other about having sex very often, daily if you have the time and find a nice spot
and how on earth do both of you keep your hands off each other sleeping in one bed
taemin is touchy as hell with no shyness, and you squish squeeze and grope this guy like the mochi he is
ah when things go both ways
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© submissive-bangtan 2017-2021. all rights reserved. do not repost or translate. all depictions fictional.
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drabbles-mc · 3 years ago
Text
As Soon As I Can
Nestor Oceteva x F!Reader
Request from @alienstardust​:  Umm All the angst in those childhood prompts. I’m a fan! Yes! <3 Maybe something with Nestor? 💫 thank you
I went with this prompt from This Post: When Person A and Person B were kids, Person A broke their arm and had to wear a cast for a while. To make them feel better, Person B decorated it by drawing a bunch of doodles and quotes all over it. When Person A finally got the cast off, they asked the doctor if they could keep it. Years later, Person A takes the cast to a tattoo artist and gets all of Person B’s doodles and quotes tattooed onto their arm so they can wear them forever.
Warnings: language, angst, hospitals
Word Count: 3.8k
A/N: I looooooved writing this. Writing has been tough for me lately but this just felt really right. This is my first fic where I’ve done a lot of time skips within the story so hopefully it flows alright. Hope you guys enjoy! xo
General Mayans Taglist: @garbinge​ @mayans-sauce​ @thesandbeneathmytoes​ @paintballkid711​ @tomhardydallasstarsgirl​ @queenbeered​ @sillygoose6969​ @sesamepancakes​ @yourwonkywriter​ @chibsytelford​ @gemini0410​ @multiyfandomgirl40​ @behindmyeyes-insidemyhead​ @plentyoffandoms​ @georgiaaintnopeach​ @twistnet​ @themoonandthewicked​ @bucky-iss-bae​ @encounterthepast​ @everyhowlmarksthedead​ @rosieposie0624​ @mylittlelonelyappreciationtoo​ @mijop​ @xladymacbethx​ @blessedboo​ @holl2712​ @lakamaa12​ @masterlistforimagines​ @kkim120​ @toni9​ @shadow-of-wonder​ @crowfootwrites​ @redpoodlern​ @punkgoddess-98​ @black-repunzel99​​ @lexondeck​​​
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You and Nestor were sitting in your back yard, sprawled out together under the one tree that managed to survive so many years in the California heat. You were laying on your back, cast-bound arm lying rigidly out to the side. You were staring up through the leaves as you listened to Nestor talk.
“At least they let you pick the color,” he was next to you, laying on his stomach as he dug through his backpack.
You laugh was heavy with sarcasm, “Yea, if I’m not gonna be able to move my arm for the next eight weeks it’s the least they could fucking do.”
“You sound bitter.”
You looked over at him, “I am bitter.”
He chuckled and shook his head, he was about to come back with a witty remark when he got distracted by finding whatever he had been looking for. He smiled as he pulled it out, “Aha!” he held up his pack of Sharpies.
“What’re those for?” you nodded towards the markers.
“For your cast.”
“You’re gonna decorate my cast?” you had to laugh.
“Yea,” he was carefully choosing a few different markers to start with, “Maybe it’ll make you feel better about totally eating it falling off your skateboard the other day.”
You laughed as you reached over and shoved him with your good arm, “Shut up—like you haven’t fallen a million times.”
“No casts for me, though,” there was a cocky smirk on his face.
“No casts for me, though,” you mocked as you tried not to laugh.
You watched him in semi-silence as he started at your wrist and slowly but surely made his way up your cast, covering it with all sorts of doodles and quotes. Sometimes you forgot how artistic he could be. You went back and forth between watching him and just resting your head back and closing your eyes. Neither of you kept track of the time as he stayed sprawled on his stomach beside you. the two of you probably would’ve stayed out until dark if your mom hadn’t stuck her head out and said that Nestor’s brother was there to pick him up and bring him home. Nestor threw all of his things back into his bag before helping you up.
Once he was gone, you took some time to actually look at the cast. You smiled at the amount of work he put into something that you were only going to have for a couple months. Your fingers traced lightly over the many marker lines that now covered your cast. Your mother looked over your shoulder at the artwork, a smile passing over her lips for a moment.
“Did Nestor do that?”
You nodded, not taking your eyes off of your arm, “Yea.”
She nodded, “That was sweet of him.”
You scoffed trying to suppress the smile on your face, “I guess.”
The next eight weeks passed by. And, despite the fact that having your arm in a cast was incredibly inconvenient, it could have been a lot worse. Nestor walked with you to all of your classes, offering to carry your backpack despite the fact that you told him that your busted arm had nothing to do with your ability to carry a bag. Whenever the two of you were together and things were quiet, he would keep adding onto the tiny mural that was your cast. Sometimes you wondered how much more he could fit on it, but he always found a way. For as much as you wanted it off, you were going to miss the bonding time for the two of you. And you were going to miss the artwork, too.
“So,” the doctor smiled and nodded at you, “you are all good to go. We can get the cast off and you’ll be as good as new.”
“Yea?” the thought of having your arm back made you feel giddy.
“Absolutely.”
You felt like a new person once your arm was free of the confines of the cast. Letting out a sigh of relief, you rotated your wrist a few times and carefully ran your fingers over the freshly-exposed skin, glad to feel like you were back in control of your own body.
“I can get rid of this,” your doctor held up the cast he’d just finished so carefully removing, “Unless you want to keep it as a momento.”
“Um, actually,” you felt your face heating up as you avoided eye contact with your mother, “Could I keep it?”
The doctor nodded, smiling as he handed it over to you, “It’s quite the work of art at this point—I understand wanting to hold onto it.”
On the drive home, you felt your mother glancing over at you every couple of minutes, a knowing smile on her face. You tried to ignore it but eventually you broke.
“What?” you were careful of your tone.
She laughed quietly and shook her head, “Nothing. Just, I think it’s nice that you’re keeping it, that’s all.”
“Mhm,” you tried to ignore the heat rising in your cheeks again, but that only made it worse.
You never told Nestor that you kept the cast. You never really knew exactly why you didn’t tell him—the two of you told each other pretty much everything else. The two of you spent almost all of your free time together, and as soon as he found out that your cast had been removed he was dragging you right back out to do things that could potentially break your arm all over again, and you let him. He never asked about the cast, so you never brought it up. There were moments, as the two of you got a little older, where you wanted to mention it to him in passing that it was something that you kept, but the moment never seemed quite right. Each time you went to clean out your room and your closet you would come across it, and each time you were faced with the decision of whether or not you wanted to keep it, and you always did. You always told yourself that you didn’t know why, but you knew.
--
“Alright,” you were trying not to let yourself get too emotional as you sat cross-legged on his bed watching him pack “You can’t do anything stupid while I’m not around to yell at you for it, alright?”
He chuckled as he shoved another shirt into his bag, “Trust me, there will be plenty of other people around to yell at me. That’s the whole point of—”
“But they can’t do it as well as I can.”
He glanced over at you, a small smile on his face. He knew how upset you were despite the fact that you were still being supportive. Him going into the Navy was something that you hadn’t seen coming. The thought of him being gone for so long after the two of you had spent so much of your lives practically joined at the hip was a bit jarring. You knew the ache in your chest was caused by more feelings than you were ready to admit to him, or to yourself.
“It’s not like you’ll never hear from me.”
You huffed, “Snail mail is not the same as bothering you in person,” you flopped backwards on the bed, “And for the record I still think it’s bullshit that you don’t get to call me.”
He laughed as he stood up and sat on the bed, looking down at you, “Don’t be dramatic. I’ll be in basic for less time than you had that stupid cast on your arm.”
“Yea but it’s not like you’re coming right home after that.”
He nodded, his expression sobering a little as he continued to look at you, “I know.”
“You’ll come home to visit me as soon as you can?”
He chuckled, nodding, “As soon as I can.”
For a moment you thought about spilling your guts—telling him everything that you were thinking and feeling. There was something about the way that he was looking at you that made you feel like maybe he felt the same way. But the confidence that shot through you went away as quickly as it appeared, and the moment passed as he continued to pack his things.
True to his word, you got letters in the mail. You saved each one, kept them stashed away in your closet alongside the cast that was still there collecting dust even after years of being shuffled around. You sent more letters than you received, not that you really minded. You figured that he needed them more than you did.
However as the months ticked by, you waited for him to say he was coming home, but he never did. It was one thing right into the next and the more time that passed by, the more you wondered if this was how he slipped away from you, even though he swore that that wouldn’t happen. He reached out when he could, when he had the time. And you knew that he had other priorities, and realistically you did too. But there was still part of you that felt like things were changing too much.
Your heart sped up inside your chest when you got a late-night phone call from him. You scrambled to answer it, “Hello?”
“Hey,” he sounded exhausted.
“Hey,” you pulled your blanket up to your chin as you spoke to him, “H-how are you?”
“I’m alright,” he sighed, “It’s good to hear your voice.”
You smiled despite the weight settling in your chest, “It’s good to hear yours too. I miss you.”
“I miss you too.”
You didn’t want to push and pry, but you couldn’t help asking, “When are you coming home?”
There was a long pause before he spoke up again, “I, uh, I don’t really know.”
“Don’t they give you guys leave or something?”
He let out a tired chuckle, “Yea. But, um, I’m not sure if I’m going to be coming home for leave anytime soon.”
Your heart crumped inside your chest, “Why not?”
“Got some shit that I’m working on lining up here. Doesn’t hurt to stay close.”
You hated that your bottom lip was beginning to tremble, “Right.”
He knew you too well and you could hear the shift in his tone, “I’m sorry.”
“No, no,” you replied immediately, “Fuck, don’t be sorry. I’m proud of you, really. Keep…keep doing your thing.”
“Thank you for always being there. It’s been…it’s been nice knowing someone is in my corner when no one else seems to be,” there was a beat of silence, “You seen my family lately?”
You took a deep breath, “No. Why, everything alright?”
He sighed, “Wouldn’t know.”
You pressed your lips together into a tight line—things had never been simple for him when it came to family, “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’ll be home to see you as soon as I can be, alright?”
Your breath was shaky as you exhaled, “Alright,” you were about to say goodbye but your brain betrayed you, “Hey, Nestor?”
“Yea?”
“I love you,” the words fell from your lips, free of their confines after so many years of locking them away.
It might’ve been you projecting, but you could’ve sworn that he let out a sigh of relief, “I love you too.”
--
That was the last thing that you’d heard from him. He went radio silent after that. You wondered if it was just you that he was ignoring, but no one seemed to have heard anything from him—his own family included. The only things that were running through your mind were terrible. All of your calls went unanswered, all of your texts went unopened. The letters that you sent didn’t get kicked back to you but you never got responses to any of them either. He had blipped off the radar seemingly without a trace and you had no idea why. You lost a lot of sleep over it but at the same time, life didn’t stop for anyone. You had to keep moving forward while a very large part of you was stuck in the past.
You were packing up your room, getting ready to move into your own apartment. You were throwing things from your closet into random bags and boxes—organization had never been your strong suit. As you were leafing through everything, pulling things down off the top shelf of your closet, you were smacked in the face with a stack of papers. You managed to catch them before they hit the ground, tears instantly springing into your eyes when you realized what they were. Your heart sped up inside your chest as you stood on your tip-toes, reaching for the very back of the shelf. The feeling of the plaster underneath your fingers sent a shock through your body as you pulled it towards you. Looking over it, you were bombarded with an onslaught of memories.
Packing fell by the wayside as you sat on your bed, reading through the letters and looking over all the artwork that was still holding up on the cast. How you managed to keep your tears from falling, you didn’t know.
There was a light knock on your door and you looked up, trying to make yourself look much less upset than you were. The smile immediately dropped from your mother’s face when she saw what you were doing, how it was upsetting you. She leaned against the doorframe as she tried to figure out what to say to you to try and make things better.
“I’m sorry, honey,” her tone was sincere.
You shook your head as you set your cast to the side, “Don’t be. You don’t have anything to be sorry for.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
You hadn’t really spoken much to her about it all—there wasn’t a whole lot to say. You didn’t have any answers and with each day that went by it was less likely that you would ever get them. It was difficult to tell whether or not it was more reassuring for you that no one had heard from him, not just you.
“There’s nothing to talk about. He just fucking disappeared, I guess. I just need to accept it and get on with my life.”
“He was your best friend—you’re allowed to be upset about it, you know.”
Even though you knew it, it was nice to hear her say it to you. Wiping the tears from your eyes before they could stain your cheeks, you nodded, “I know.”
She lightly drummed her fingers on the door frame, “You keeping those?”
There was a long pause before you finally nodded, “I think so.”
She nodded, “I’ll go grab you another box.”
--
“This thing looks like it’s been through the wringer,” your tattoo artist chuckled as she looked over the cast you’d brought with you.
You managed a smile, “Because it has. I’ve had that thing since I was in, fucking, like eighth grade I think? Long time.”
“What made you decide to get this done now?”
You shrugged, “I don’t know. Figured it’ll be better than moving it from one closet to the next over the course of my life.”
You could tell by the look on her face, that she wanted to ask for the story behind it all. But the fact that you didn’t offer it up, made her not pry. You’d always been open so if you were keeping something to yourself, she respected that. The two of you talked about the logistics of it, and the changes you want to make to clean it up a little bit. You were excited to come back and get it done, though.
Despite the wait, your excitement and nervousness about coming back didn’t fade. You didn’t regret the decision, but it was still nerve-wracking as you got ready to sit down in the chair. She had you look over the pattern she’d drawn up, and when you gave her the okay she laid the stencil out on your arm and got to work. You watched her as she brought it all to life—it was a little cleaner and more grown-up than the original scribbles and doodles, but it felt right. Tears stung at the edges of your eyes but it wasn’t because of the physical pain of getting the tattoo.
She was wrapping it up in saranwrap as she gave you the run-down of taking care of the tattoo. You’d heard the spiel before but you still listened anyway. You had a hard time taking your eyes off of the artwork as you made your way back out to your car. Sitting down in the driver’s seat, you let out a sigh as you tried to inspect the ink as best you could through the wrap around your arm.
The next day, you were putting on a fresh wrap over your tattoo after your shower when you heard your phone buzzing in the next room. With a heavy sigh, you slapped a piece of tape onto the wrap and scrambled to get to your phone before you missed the call. Looking down at the screen, you didn’t recognize the number. But it was an off-hour for a scammer to be calling so you answered it on a whim. Worst case scenario you would just hang up.
“Hello?”
“Hi, my name is Rita and I work at Imperial Hospital. I’m looking for Ms. Y/N?”
“Um, speaking?” you had no idea where this was going.
“Good morning. Someone was admitted and you are their only emergency contact—no next of kin listed. Do you know a Mr. Nestor Oceteva?”
Your heart dropped into your stomach, “Yes,” you couldn’t get the words out fast enough, “Yes I do. Is he alright?”
“He’s going to be fine,” her tone was calm enough to give you the smallest sliver of reassurance, “But we do need you to come in and answer some questions for us. He’s been in and out of it and we need someone who can give us reliable information.”
“O-okay. Yea. Yea I’ll leave right now. It’ll be about an hour or so before I get there though. Is that alright? He’s going to be okay?”
“Yes, ma’am. He’s going to be fine. Thank you so much for your cooperation.”
You hung up the phone and started flying around your apartment to get ready. You had no idea what you were about to be walking into but at this point you didn’t care. All these years you’ve been wondering about him and he was two towns over. You were as angry as you were relieved.
The line of questions that the nurses asked you seemed endless. You knew that it was all important but there was nothing that you wanted more than to be in the room and see that it really was him, that this wasn’t just some cruel trick from the universe.
Finally, the nurse started walking you back. You only heard half of what she was saying to you about his condition as the two of you approached the room. You heard that he was stable and the rest didn’t really matter to you. your hands were trembling as she gestured to the door to his room, telling you that she would give you a few minutes to yourselves.
You slowly opened the door and a sob lodged itself in your throat as you looked at him. He was passed out, whether the sleep was genuine or from the meds you didn’t know. Truthfully, it was almost difficult to see that it was the Nestor you knew and loved—but you could still see it. Underneath the cuts and scrapes, beneath the braids and the tattoos, there was still your Nestor. The man you knew all those years ago was somewhere underneath it all.
Walking over, you collapsed in the chair next to his bed. You reached out and took his hand in your own, seeing the scars and scabs that covered his knuckles. Whatever he’d been doing all those years, it wasn’t treating him well. You let out a shaky breath as the tears started to fall. You tried to keep your emotions bottled up and quiet, but you couldn’t. There were too many there that you had been battling with and pushing down over the years.
Your crying made him stir. With a quiet groan of pain he opened his eyes and turned to look and see who was in the room with him. His entire body went stiff as his eyes flew completely open, unable to believe that you were sitting there with him.
“H-holy shit,” he coughed, trying to sit up, “Y/N?”
He was conscious and able to speak, so you punched him in the upper arm, “As soon as I can my ass, Nestor.”
He winced and smiled, and you could see all of the motions in his eyes, “I’m…I’m sorry.”
“You fucking should be.”
“I am.”
“Good.”
There were a few beats of silence and then he heard the crinkling of the wrap on your arm as you crossed them and he nodded towards it, “Fresh?”
Heat instantly flooded to your face and you fought the urge to get up and run out of the room, “Got it yesterday.”
“Can I see?”
You hated that he was talking to you like everything was normal, but you couldn’t lie and said that you didn’t miss it. Taking a deep breath, you laid your arm down on the hospital bed for him to inspect. A smile instantly took over his features when he saw what it was. He looked up at you, and when he saw the happiness and hurt both in your expression, his smile dulled a little bit.
“I’m so sorry.”
“What the fuck, Nestor?”
“I know, I know. I should’ve said something.”
“Uh…yea.”
“When they let me out of here, will you let me take you somewhere and tell you all about it?”
“I mean. I guess. But only because I’m nosey,” you managed a smile through the tears.
“I love you.”
The words made your heart skip a beat in your chest, “I love you too.”
“That’s way less clunky than a cast,” he tapped the plastic wrap.
You smiled, wiping the tears away, “Yea, I guess so.”
“I can’t believe you still have the same number after all these years.”
You paused, looking down at your hands, “I kept it in case your ass decided to smarten up and call me one of these days.”
“Hospital calling you on my behalf doesn’t count?”
You narrowed your eyes at him, “No. No it doesn’t.”
He reached over and clasped your hand in his, “I’m really glad that you’re here.”
With a deep sigh, you leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to the side of his forehead, careful to miss all the scrapes, “Me too.”
There was so much more to be said, but it could wait. You tried to soak up the feeling of his hand over yours, smiles appearing on both of your faces despite the lost time and the gravity of the situation. A lot of things had changed, but as you felt the heat from his palm and the way his thumb traced back and forth over your hand, you knew the important things were still exactly the same.
250 notes · View notes
writersrealmbts · 4 years ago
Text
A Natural: Part 7/Finale
Description: Hybrid!Taehyung x Reader: You’re a single mom, and your son is your entire world. When you take him to get his first hybrid, his choice is pretty bewildering, until you realize that he was picking out a dad.
Posted: 04/09/2021
Tags: Taehyung, Hybrid Taehyung, Human Reader
Wordcount: 3,673
A/N: Yay! Another series finished! Thanks for loving this story!
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Theo was talking animatedly with Taehyung as he was wheeled toward the house, but he got quieter as you approached the front door to unlock it, looking down at the ramp beneath the wheels of the wheelchair.
Tae pushed him through the front door, his conversation also lulling.
Theo looked around, a bit of a smile on his face. “I get to stay now, right?”
You nodded, kissing his forehead. “You get to stay now and forever. We do have to go back for checkups and therapy but you’re home and you’re safe and I’m making roast beef and mashed potatoes.”
“Yummy! Can we go play, Dad?” Theo asked, brightening instantly and sort of bouncing in his wheelchair.
“Sure!” Tae pushed the wheelchair through at a speed that made you nervous. But you knew he would never purposely endanger Theo: Theo was his pup. That was evident in all of his actions, in his conversation, and in the effort he had made to get certified so that he could be there when Theo was released.
You went into the kitchen to baste your roast and then start peeling the mashed potatoes, trying to calm your heart because your baby was finally home again. Finally, finally home again, after weeks and months of too little patience and not enough answers, and a whole sea of tears. Therapy, rehab, tests, more tests, and after all of that, you had your baby home—less mobile than before, but still your baby.
You watched Theo playing on the bed with Tae, fighting the tears and hopelessly losing because he was back where he belonged.
Peace, comfort, and everything right in the world. Nothing intruding, just your little family.
So, of course, your phone rang.
You groaned and answered it. “Yoongi? Really? We just got Theo home.”
“It happened. We’re out of a job,” Yoongi answered, sighing. “They closed the company down.”
“Ugh. You could have texted me that,” You huffed, heading back to the kitchen. The two of you had basically considered everything going on and known that the company was going to collapse. You’d almost been told as much when the two of you went in to talk to an IRS agent who wanted you to walk her through your jobs and some files and go over the discrepancies that had led to the audits.
“Yeah, well, I also had to tell you that the paperwork came in the mail today, and we close on the building next week.”
“Okay, that was worth calling me,” You said, hopping onto the counter. “What’s next on the list?”
“Fixing the building? Getting the classes organized. You finish the certification class tomorrow?”
“Yeah, it’s kind of pathetic,” You said, shrugging. “Too easy. Let’s make our classes thorough, yeah?”
“Agreed. Jin is already writing a teaching plan. He’s got it halfway done—at least, I hope that’s the halfway point. Jungkook’s been helping, which makes hyung happy. And he’s finished the dog-training next week. The teacher was really excited to hear about what we’re doing, by the way, and gave Jin a bunch of things. She asked Jin to sit in on her next couple of classes as her helper.”
“That’s really great. Jimin?”
“He’s hitting garage sales to celebrate getting the building, hoping to find some cheap stuff to get us started. How’s Theo?”
“He’s fine. He’s bright and happy and playing with Taehyung right now. He’s taking things well and I’m making his favorite, and he’s looking forward to everyone coming over tomorrow.” You checked your timer, then sighed. “We’re totally doing pizza, though. I’m already exhausted.”
“Okay. I can pick it up on my way over.”
“Thanks. I’ve got to go. Need to get the rest of dinner started.”
“Tell Theo we’re looking forward to playing games with him tomorrow.”
“You got it. Eat well.”
“You too.”
You slipped off of the counter, and started putzing around the kitchen making some side dishes to go with dinner.
Tae came out. “How long until dinner?”
“Twenty minutes?”
“Better keep it warm, he fell asleep.”
You nodded, letting him stop you and hold you still. “He okay?”
“Very okay. He’s so happy he’s home that he just sort of passed out.” He kissed your cheek, then sighed. “I’m so happy too. I finally get to see him and hold him. I just want to hold him and cry.”
“I’ve almost been in tears for the entire day,” You told him. “I figure once he’s in bed for the night, I’ll cry my little heart out.”
“Can I cry with you?”
“Of course you can. I would never ask you not to cry when you wanted to.” You turned to meet his gaze, gently touching one of his furry ears. “It’s been hard for both of us. It’s still going to be hard. I’m terrified of the next few days.”
“Me too. Even if they told us what to expect and how to care for him, there’re still a lot of mistakes we’re going to make and that scares the fur off me.”
You nodded. “I wouldn’t be able to make it through all this if I hadn’t had you, you know.”
Taehyung nodded. “I know.”
“Mommy! Look! I made it in my chair and through the house!” Theo called, managing the last push through to the kitchen and raising his arms in victory.
“My baby! Look at you!” You hurried over bending to kiss his face all over. “Excellent job!”
“It’s exhau…it’s tiring,” Theo finished, nodding firmly to cover for his lost word.
“Exhausting, fatiguing, tiresome, or draining,” You supplied, sharing a smile with him and moving around to the back of the chair, bringing him over to the table. “What do you want to drink?”
“Water. It smells really good, mommy.” Theo smiled up at you.
You dropped a couple kisses on his face before going to get him his drink.
Tae was bringing over the side dishes. “You want to stay in your wheelchair, or you want to sit on the chair?”
“Chair, it’s a little too high,” Theo said, touching the table edge, which was practically to his chin.
Tae nodded and pulled the wheelchair back. “Arms around my neck.”
Theo did as he was told and the two of them moved him to the dining chair.
“You okay, baby?” You asked, noticing the way Theo was sort of fidgeting in the chair as you brought the roast over.
Theo looked up at you. “It’s still weird.”
“Your legs?” You guessed, resting your hand on his cheek.
He nodded, leaning into your touch. “I don’t like it.”
“I know. Neither do we. But…there are some things in life that are out of our control.” You pressed a kiss to his forehead. “And we’re going to be with you every moment of the way.”
Theo nodded, sighing. “I missed you, mommy.”
“I was with you,” You teased gently, but you understood exactly what he meant. It had always been the two of you, three once Tae had joined, and while he was in the hospital everything felt wrong. You didn’t get to hold him like you wanted, and it seemed like every time you had him in your arms and both of you were comfortable a nurse would come in to do something or other.
“But we weren’t home,” He said, watching Tae put the bowl of mashed potatoes down. “I really, really missed you daddy.”
Tae came over and nuzzled Theo. “I missed you more.”
“I missed you most,” Theo responded easily.
You hummed softly. “Come on. Time to eat, boys, before it gets cold.”
Theo hummed happily as you filled his plate, immediately trying to cut his own food first before ultimately letting Tae do it. “Too tired. Too hard.”
“That’s fine, kiddo,” Tae answered easily. “We all need help sometimes. And cutting things can be hard. At least you try.”
Theo nodded. “Mommy said that as long as I try, I can make it through the world.”
“Your mom is really smart,” Tae said, smiling at you. “She’s got a good history of trying her best at everything, including taking care of you and me. You chose her well.”
Theo laughed. “I didn’t choose her!”
“What?! Of course you did!” Tae objected, grinning himself. “Every kid chooses their parents!”
Theo and Tae launched into a playful debate and storytime about how every kid chooses their parent while you ate, quietly listening and just enjoying the fact that you were home.
Theo was home.
“Uncle Hobi said that he’d help me catch up to the rest of the class over the summer. I don’t want to do school work in the summer, but I don’t want to be behind. Kevin and Jun were close to being my friends, and they sent more drawings and letters than the other kids.”
“They wanted to visit, too, but they didn’t want to tire you out,” You told him. “We told them that they could come play with you once you were home.”
He grinned. “When? Tomorrow? Tuesday?”
“I’ll talk to their moms and arrange it all, and let you know. But, let’s have a couple days just our family.”
Theo nodded, but then looked back up. “Wait, does that include my uncles?”
“Of course. We’re working on projects together so they’re over quite a bit lately. And they’re coming over tomorrow, remember?” Tae nuzzled Theo, then added more potatoes to his plate. “Eat up.”
“More food?”
Tae nodded. “You need to eat well to recover.”
“Oh. Okay.” Theo started eating the extra food on his plate.
“Only eat until you’re full, though,” You instructed.
“Yes, mommy,” Theo answered, smiling at you.
Your baby was home.
——
“Woohoo!” Theo cheered as he rolled down the ramp at a speed carefully controlled by Jungkook.
You finished edging the window and set your brush aside.
The building for the training center was almost finished, and all of the licensing and training that you all needed, and the first classes were slated to start in three days.
“Over here is our obstacle course, which we think will help those training with us, as well as those in physical therapy, learn how to maneuver around things that they’ll come across on a regular day. As you can see, our happy tester is enjoying going down the ramp after he was working on trying to get up it on his own for a while.” Jimin high-fived Theo as he led the group past. “We’re also finishing painting, so try not to touch the walls unless you like paint on you.”
The people chuckled, fascinated by Jimin’s enthusiastic tour. He was showing some hybrid-shelter owners through the facility to sell them the idea of sending hybrids there for training to increase adoption rates. He’d given multiple tours so far, because he was by-far the best at it, aside from Taehyung, but Taehyung had the disadvantage of being a hybrid.
Hoseok was trailing the group, but split off to join you. “They’re practically eating out of his hand.”
“Good. We have bills coming eventually.”
“Yeah.” He sat down next to you. “But this place is amazing. You guys are going to do really well.”
“I hope so.”
Hoseok handed you the folder. “So, I looked things over.”
“Good news, then?” You asked sarcastically.
“Not bad news. He’s learning more slowly, but he’s still learning. As he grows stronger, I think he’ll be okay. He just gets tired so easily that I think it’s causing his trouble. So, once he gets stronger and isn’t as tired, I think he’ll catch up just fine. But for now, he’s going to stay just a little behind. I’m moving up with the class as part of the new program, so I can keep following his progress and helping him.” He patted your shoulder. “I already talked to the higher-ups about it. They agreed that it was important for him to be with his friends. Especially since we’re working on catching him up. And he’s still a bright kid, that catches on quickly. Tired equals distracted, distracted equals slower learning.”
“Thanks for the crayons, teach,” You answered dryly.
He grinned at you. “Hey, there’s a reason I teach kids.”
“Because you are one?”
He laughed and the two of you watched as Jungkook helped Theo work his way up the easiest ramp so he could go down the hardest again.
“He really likes this place. After we left yesterday, it was all he could talk about,” You told him, smiling as Theo cheered on his way down the ramp again.
“His friends are coming to play here, aren’t they?”
You nodded. “They’ll be here soon. Taehyung is waiting to show them in. Their mom’s were excited to hear that this was practically a playground, rainy days are hard.”
“You could market day-passes and make that one room into a playroom for kids, that’d help bring in more income. I know several sets of parents that would bring their younger kids in, especially on rainy days. And if hybrid rights ever get reestablished, you could make it hybrid friendly which would really help.”
Yoongi paused in the doorway and looked at you.
You looked back, then at Hoseok. “So, we told you you’re a shareholder, right?”
Hoseok nodded.
Yoongi pulled out a notebook and wrote the idea down. “I’ll start pricing things and we can discuss it.”
“Theo!”
You looked over as Kevin and Jun ran over.
“Hi!” Theo greeted them enthusiastically and they started talking.
Taehyung was leading in their mothers.
“I should go talk with them,” You excused yourself and headed over.
“Y/n, it’s so good to see you. Thanks for letting the kids play here, it looks great,” Jun’s mother (Debby?) said, sounding genuinely enthusiastic.
“And safe. Kevin has a habit of hitting his head on everything so I’m glad to see everything is padded. Lumps are easy, cuts are hard,” Kevin’s mother (Jamie?) added. “Plus the rain.”
You nodded. “They’re little balls of energy, but I’m really grateful for you two bringing them. Theo was so excited to hear he would get to see them.”
“Jun’s been asking about Theo almost every week. These past months must have been so hard. I don’t think I could have handled it.”
“I have a really good support system,” You answered easily, turning with them to watch the three boys playing, Jungkook keeping an eye on them to help if Theo got stuck.
The other two boys were being really thoughtful and kind and they saw the wheelchair and Theo being stuck in it as a challenge and a game, which would definitely help. They listened when Jungkook did have to help them and they already seemed to be having fun.
“Are you sure you don’t want us to hang around and keep track of them?” Kevin’s mom asked after giving you her husband’s number as well as Kevin’s backpack.
“We’d be happy to help,” Debby added.
You shook your head. “Go home, relax. Or clean, or whatever you need to get done. I’ve got several helpers on hand if I need them, including their favorite teachers. That is, as long as you’re okay with Jin and Taehyung helping out.”
“Of course, this whole law is ridiculous. It won’t last.” Debby waved a hand as if dismissing the law.
“Can’t last, more like. My favorite babysitter is a golden retriever hybrid, she’s been living in our basement ever since this happened. She was really excited to hear about this place, though, so I told her I would bring her once it was open.”
You smiled. “She’d be very welcome, and just let me know if she wants to take any of the classes.”
They nodded and left after telling their boys to behave and listen to you and the other adults.
You went into different rooms, double-checking the painting and making sure everything looked nice and correct.
Namjoon was sorting through the area rugs, placing them in order by thickness and type. This would make it easier to not only determine what carpets might be easier for people in wheelchairs, but help them and those helping them grow accustomed to the type of challenges that different carpets could present.
Yoongi was going through and making notes of different things that still needed to be finished, or other things that came to mind, as well as double checking some of the safety parameters.
Jimin was still talking with the people he was giving the tour to.
Hoseok was sorting through the spare office supplies that all of you had managed to scrounge up (a lot of yours came from your college years, like the dozen or so sticky note pads, the handful of highlighters, a plethora of paperclips and binder clips, push pins, pencils, pens, erasers, loose-leaf lined paper, binders, folders, and index cards—so many index cards), while keeping the kids in his sight should Tae or Jungkook get distracted.
And Seokjin was setting up the kitchen, which was going to be teaching cooking classes as part of companion training, but also used to show the difficulties a person in a wheelchair would face on one side of the kitchen while the other side was made for people in wheelchairs. He really liked the kitchen, and it was his pet project
Which meant you could go and look at the room that wasn’t being used yet.
Hoseok was right, it would make a really good room for kids playing. Something that would be easy to sanitize, but still allow for the kids to play. A slide would easily fit there, some rock wall-type of holds on the wall there….
You backed out of the room and stuck a sticky-note to the door, labeling it the Jungle room.
Yoongi joined you, giving you a questioning look.
“If we’re going to make a room for all kids to play in, we should have a theme for it. Kids like themes. Jungle is a good theme.”
He nodded. “That cafe I told you about, they said if we get busy enough, they’d love to partner with us and open in the cafeteria.”
“That’d be perfect. For now we’re just going to have to offer snacks by the front desk, though.”
“Jimin is on the phone with the local paper.”
You slowly turned toward him again. “What?”
He nodded. “They called, wanting to talk to someone about this place and Jimin saw me starting to stumble so I pretended I was just an assistant and told them I was handing the phone over to one of the founding members. He’s good at the talking thing. Between him, Jimin, and Tae, we should never need to talk on the phone.”
“I’ll believe that when I see it,” You answered, hurrying to find Jimin because you wanted to know how the interview went.
“Yes, thank you so much for your inquiries. You have a nice day as well.” Jimin hung up, and grinned at you. “Well, we’re definitely getting some attention!”
“What did they ask? What did you say?”
“Well, they asked why we started this, when we were opening, what we were offering—I added on hybrid companion training for the elderly, but I didn’t think you two would mind—and I gave them the answers, I didn’t divulge first names or anything. I used strictly last names, because even that lends us more anonymity and autonomy. I told them we wanted to help our community and those who were currently suffering—I even added that our training areas worked great for kids playing when it was raining outside because they could hear the boys laughing. They asked if we had considered opening it as a playground for the kids as well when it wasn’t being used for training and I answered yes—but I also added that we’d need another permit or two that we haven’t filed for yet. We have considered that, right?”
“We have, actually, we were talking about turning one of the rooms into a kids playroom specifically. Then if we have hybrids who have kids, the kids can play while their parents are in classes,” Yoongi said, definitely adding that to his notebook, as well as the elderly thing. “This is going to be a life-long project, isn’t it?”
“If we’re lucky,” Jimin answered cheerfully.
You left Yoongi grumbling to go check on the boys, noticing that Theo wasn’t playing as much, but he was still laughing with them and apparently they were rescuing him from pirates or something.
Taehyung wrapped an arm around your waist. “You know…I’m really proud of you.”
You relaxed into his hold, resting your head on his shoulder. “I’m really happy Theo chose you as his father.”
“I’m really happy you let him,” He whispered, then tilted your chin up to gaze into your eyes for a moment.
Then he leaned in and kissed you, softly and gently, a silent promise for forever.
“I knew it!” Theo yelled happily, definitely staring at you two when you looked over. “YES!”
“Whoops,” You whispered, trying not to laugh. It seemed an age ago that you told Theo not to expect the two of you fall in love. Told him he could call Taehyung his father if he really wanted to.
An age since Taehyung first kissed you.
A lifetime since you told Theo he could adopt a hybrid.
Taehyung laughed and kissed you again. “Thank you for my family.”
“Does that mean you don’t want more pups?” You asked cheekily.
He shrugged. “I’m satisfied with whatever I get in life. If that’s more kids, then I’m not going to complain. But Theo’s enough for me.”
You kissed his cheek and rested in his arms, knowing everything in your future was going to be worth the trials. But he was a natural at helping you through it.
You couldn’t ask for anything better than this.
Previous.
Taehyung Masterpost.  Masterlist.  
Tagging:  @alex–awesome–22  @missmoxxiesworld  @bryvada @knjhe  @i-dont-even-know-fck  @forvever-ddaeng  @ncttzuuy   @briramirezalipio   @givebuckysomelove  @bunnyboyenthusiast  @rosita7703 @veryuniquenamegoeshere  @lottosehunnie   @forevermoremagcon  @kpopgirlbtssvt  @0mysticx0  @littlewolfieposts @kerikaaria @hemmofluke @beauthiefully
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buriedinbaltimore · 5 years ago
Text
Imagine the foxes playing two truths and a lie...
The upperclassmen start playing it as a drinking game one night and Neil is intrigued. Andrew is also intrigued but doesn’t show it and refuses to play.
They are all already pretty tipsy, with Kevin, Matt, Nicky, and Aaron pretty much drunk.
Allison goes first, she has an amazing poker face and calmly says all three statements with no facial twitches or vocal cues. “my first car was a Toyota Camry (truth), my prom dress cost over $10k (lie), and I once made out with Miley Cyrus (truth)”
Renee, Neil, and Aaron guess right, Matt, Dan, Kevin, and Nicky have to drink.
Then it’s Matt’s turn and he is terrible, he starts snickering before he opens his mouth. “I’ve swam with sharks (truth)” he says, but he cannot control his face and it keeps contorting as he tries to maintain a neutral expression. He takes a deep breath to try and control his giggles, “my favorite flower is sunflowers (truth)” then he can’t hold it in anymore and starts hysterically laughing and chokes out, “My favorite city in the world is Newark, NJ (lie)”
Everyone gets it right and Matt has to drink.
Dan is next, she goes for the “one of these is so out there and crazy it can’t be a lie...or is it?” method.
((It is.))
“I’ve never shot a gun (truth), as a kid my favorite food was celery with ranch dressing (truth), and when I was 18 I won the lottery but the ticket was ruined and I couldn’t claim the money (lie)”
Aaron jumps in with “Obviously you never won the lottery, how would you even know if the ticket was destroyed”
Dan has her story ready. “When I first turned 18, I played the same numbers every week. It went on for a few months when my numbers were picked, but by that point playing was more of a habit than anything else and I wasn’t too careful with my tickets. I searched for it everywhere and found that I left it in my jeans pocket when I did my laundry.”
Allison asks what the numbers were, and Dan answers with no hesitation, which makes Allison tilt her head and stare into Dan’s eyes. Dan looks back without guile, totally relaxed.
Nicky is looking at her with his eyes wide and mouth slightly open and asks how much money she would have won
When Dan answers $53 million dollars Nicky gasps and Matt groans.
Neil, Renee, and Allison get it right, but everyone else falls for it.
When its Nicky turn he forgets to say a lie.
He is sitting there trying to come up with something for what feels like forever while every goads him for taking so long.
Finally, after waiting 5 minutes, Kevin says “I’m going because Nicky obviously can’t come up with anything” and Nicky jumps across Kevins lap and goes “No no no no no, I’ve got it!”
Without moving off Kevin he says “I’m allergic to shellfish, I died my hair green once, and I’ve read all the twilight books three times“ He moves back to his spot looking pleased with himself.
Everyone starts discussing theories until Andrew says in his bored, flat voice, “Nicky, those are all true”
Nicky starts to protest, thinks for a second, then just says “Fuck!” and takes a shot.
Kevin rolls his eyes so hard that his entire head rotates then says, while slightly slurring, “Okay, my turn! I’ve played a game of pick up basketball once (lie), I know all the lyrics to We Didn’t Start the Fire (truth), and I’ve traveled to over a dozen countries (truth).”
Matt starts hysterically laughing again, “You know all the lyrics to We Didn’t Start the Fire! oh my god Kevin you are such a nerd!” everyone else starts laughing at Kevin too.
“Maybe I do, maybe it’s the lie!”
“Everyone knows you’ve never played a sport besides Exy in your life Kevin” Dan says, “Will you sing it for us? Please, please, please!”
Allison, Nicky, and Matt join Dan in asking Kevin to sing. Renee even says, “It would be lovely to hear you sing it Kevin” to which Kevin blushes a little and answers, “Maybe later” and then takes his shot.
Aaron is drunk enough at this point to spill some truths he otherwise never would, and will wish for the rest of his life that he never had.
“When I was little, I wanted to be a figure skater when I grew up.(truth)”
Everyone goes completely silent and stares at him unsure whether to laugh or not but he doesn’t realize and continues
“The first time I got high I thought the squirrels in the tree wanted to adopt me as their squirrel king (truth), and I hate Taylor Swift (lie)”
No one says anything at first, and just when Aaron starts to realize something is up, Nicky says “Nah man, you LOVE T. Swift, you can’t deny it!”
They collectively make a silent agreement to ignore this new information about Aaron until he sobers up a bit and can either defend himself, or will be more fun to tease.
In the end, everyone but Renee guesses right, but she guessed wrong on purpose because she didn’t think that Aaron should be having any more to drink.
When it’s Renee’s turn, she smiles sweetly and says, ”I can juggle up to 7 balls (truth), I have never drank diet soda (lie), and I once had a pet turtle named Vincent (truth).”
No one is confident about which is the lie and it is the longest the foxes debate after anyones turn. It doesn’t help that Renee refuses to answer questions, and whenever someone tries to ask her anything she just smiles and shrugs.
It comes out to Neil and Aaron getting it right, while everyone else has to drink.
“How the fuck has it never come up that you’re a master juggler?” Allison asks angrily
“It wouldn’t be appropriate to do it at practice, and we’re not really around balls much otherwise.”
Everyone asks for a demonstration, “I will juggle later if Kevin will sing.”
Everyone looks at Kevin who sighs but says “Okay, fine!”
They all cheer then wait eagerly for Neil to go.
Neil sits quietly for a little while, not as long as Nicky, but long enough that Aaron says, “Come on this should be easy for you! You lied to us all for a year, what’s the problem, the truth?”
Neil shoots him a dirty look but doesn’t respond for a few more seconds then says,
“My mom and I once helped deliver a baby at a truck stop in Alberta, I’ve been bitten by a camel, and I can speak 7 languages”
Everyone just stares at him.
“Two of those things are true?” Matt finally asks
“Yeah.” Neil says, shrugging. Everyone is silent again.
Nicky turns to Andrew for help, but he refuses to say anything. His eyes are bright with interest though and he looks at Neil for a long time. Internally, he thinks the one about helping birth a baby has something off about it.
After much debate, Allison, Kevin, and Matt guess the baby, Renee, Dan, and Aaron guess the camel, and Nicky says the languages, “No one can know SEVEN languages!! I won’t believe it!”
They all turn to Neil expectantly and he says, “It was the first one, we were just outside Vancouver, in British Columbia, not Alberta.”
“But you, Neil Josten, have helped deliver a baby?” Allison asks incredulously.
“Technically I wasn’t Neil Josten yet…”
Everyone groans. Everyone takes a shot.
Cut to 15 minutes later, Renee is juggling an exy ball, some apples, and Matt’s phone while Kevin sings. Nicky tries to sing along with Kevin but definitely doesn’t know the right words, Aaron is watching Renee wide eyed, Dan and Matt are playing air guitar behind Kevin, and Allison is looking for more things for Renee to juggle. Neil and Andrew sit quietly on a desk holding cigarettes, observing their idiot friends.  
Stories Behind the Truths and Lies
Allison
My first car was a Toyota Camry (truth) - Allison’s parents wanted her to learn how to drive in a safe car that wouldn’t draw a lot of attention, so they got her a Camry. She only drove it for 3 weeks before demanding an upgrade.
My prom dress cost over $10k (lie) - This was almost true. She had ordered a custom Zac Posen dress but before it was finalized she made her decision to go to PSU and play Exy, and her mother canceled the order. She ended up wearing something she found in a vintage store that she altered herself. She ended up enjoying it a lot, which led to her decision to study fashion. (In my hc she played professional Exy for 3? seasons but was injured and then started her fashion line.)
I once made out with Miley Cyrus (truth) - While out clubbing one night she met Miley through mutual friends, they were attracted to each other, they made out. Miley asked for her number but Allison wasn’t looking for anything more than a hook up.
Matt
I’ve swam with sharks (truth) - He did this with his mom on a vacation and they both loved it. They also have a tradition where they watch at least one night of shark week together, or at least call each other to talk while they are both watching.
My favorite flower is sunflowers (truth) - No story lol I just think he would like sunflowers.
My favorite city in the world is Newark, NJ (lie) - I love thinking about New Yorker Matt. Raised on the Upper East Side, dad a top plastic surgeon, mom a public figure? Child grew up surrounded by serious privilege. HC that in fifth grade he made friends with a boy who was on scholarship at his school. Let’s call him… Metin. He lived in Queens? He took the subway? Matt goes to his house one day and it is 1/8th the size of his apartment and there are 9 people living there; Metin’s parents, two grandparents, his uncle, his two sisters, and his cousin. They all speak Turkish in the house and it’s loud and crowded but so full of life and love and Matt loves it. He and Metin grew apart when Matt started using, but before that they were best friends for years and explored the city together, Matt learning about and experiencing so much culture that for the first 9 years of his life he didn’t know existed. When Nicky wanted to go to Times Square for New Years Matt knew he had to be a good host and take them but inside he was DYING. I’m getting off track. No New Yorker could ever like Newark. I’m not convinced anybody could like Newark. It is indeed, very laughable.
Dan
I’ve never shot a gun (truth) - Dan hates guns and refuses to shoot one.
As a kid my favorite food was celery with ranch dressing (truth) - Idk I just thought this was cute. And also thinking about young Dan who didn’t have a lot of access to healthy foods getting celery sticks and ranch with her free school lunch and getting SO excited. Trading her cookie to a classmate for their celery.
When I was 18 I won the lottery but the ticket was ruined and I couldn’t claim the money (lie) - I like to think this is part true. After Dan turned 18 but before she was recruited for the Foxes, she played lotto a lot, always with the same numbers that she got from a fortune cookie that said, “Failure is not defeat until you stop trying.” She stopped playing once she signed with Wymack.
Nicky (all truths)
I’m allergic to shellfish - Mostly I love that Andrew knew all these things about Nicky, especially his allergy because he’s always looking out to make sure Nicky doesn’t eat something he can’t.
I died my hair green once - At first, when he took custody of the twins and started showing up for them at school at stuff, he hated the looks he got. He was a 19 year old kid who was supposed to be their guardian? Not to mention the way people eyed his skin and hair when he said he was family. One day he decided to dye his hair blond and he asked Andrew and Aaron to help, to try to bond. Aaron wanted nothing to do with it, but surprisingly, Andrew seem enthusiastic about the idea. He bought the dye and did everything for Nicky in the kitchen. When he was finally done roughly washing the dye out of Nicky’s hair, Nicky went to the bathroom to see how he looked and saw that Andrew had died his hair green. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to laugh at the prank or cry because he foolishly thought he might be getting through to Andrew. When he went back to the kitchen, he tried to laugh it off and said maybe he should go to a salon to get the color right. Andrew told him he was stupid to try and change how he looked just because people were dumb enough to think that families needed to look alike. Besides, they weren’t a family anyway.  “Family” is a toxic excuse for things people put up with, a reason we accept the tragedies and inconveniences forced upon us. (Nora’s words) Nicky was upset, and dyed his hair back to his natural color once the roots started growing in, but he reaffirmed his commitment in that moment that he would show the twins what Erik had shown him, what a family could really be.
I’ve read all the twilight books three times - Nicky was a huge fan of twilight, even going to the midnight release party for the last book. He was disappointed in the movie adaptations but loved the casting and watched for the eye candy. He is loving the twilight renaissance especially the twilight is gay discourse.
Kevin
I’ve played a game of pick up basketball once (lie) - Kevin has never played a game of basketball, or soccer, or tennis, or baseball, or any other sport for that matter and can not understand why anyone would want to.
I know all the lyrics to We Didn’t Start the Fire (truth) - Kayleigh Day was a big music fan, she loved everything from classical to country, but one of her favorite artists was Billy Joel. After she died and Kevin moved into Evermore, he almost forgot about her music because the music at the Nest was all chosen for pragmatic reasons, like its BPM and ability to pump the players up. One day, when Kevin was around 15 years old, a rebellious Raven played his own music while training in the weight room. He and his partner were the only ones in there until Riko and Kevin showed up, and they turned it off as soon as they realized they had come in, but Kevin heard some of “Only the Good Die Young” and for the first time in a long time had a vivid memory of his mother. He asked the boys what had been playing, and Riko scoffed at the name Billy Joel. That night while Riko was sleeping, Kevin downloaded Billy Joel’s Greatest Hits and listened until he feel asleep, and he continued listening to it for weeks until he started remembering more of his mothers songs from his childhood. We Didn’t Start the Fire was one of his favorites because history.
I’ve traveled to over a dozen countries (truth) - Between travel through Europe with his mom while she spread Exy and professional appearances he made with Riko, Kevin is the most well traveled besides Neil.
Aaron
When I was little, I wanted to be a figure skater when I grew up. (truth) - When Aaron was around four or five, he watched the winter olympics on TV and fell in love with figure skating. Tilda never bothered to get him skating lessons, but one day, when Aaron was seven, there was an attempt to revive the Ice Capades. Aaron never thought he would get to go, but Tilda surprised him with tickets. It is one of the few really good memories he has of his mom.
The first time I got high I thought the squirrels in the tree wanted to adopt me as their squirrel king (truth) - I just imagine Aaron trying his mom’s drugs for the first time alone in the back yard, laying flat on his back looking up at a family of squirrels, saying, “I’m king of the squirrels!!!”
I hate Taylor Swift (lie) - Katelyn is a HUGE Taylor Swift fan. When they first started hanging out, Aaron didn’t really like her music but didn’t want to say anything. Eventually he started associating her with Katelyn though, and he loves watching Katelyn sign and dance so much that he now genuinely enjoys her music.
Renee
I can juggle up to 7 balls (truth) - Renee always had a natural juggling talent. She never really tried to learn, it was just always something she could do.
I have never drank diet soda (lie) - She does prefer non-diet soda, but she has tried diet before.
I once had a pet turtle named Vincent (truth) - Vincent was a gift from one of her mother’s boyfriends, the only one Renee ever remotely like. He was horrible to her mother, but had a soft spot for Renee and treated her kindly. They broke up after a couple of months, and he gave her Vincent as a parting gift. She had him until she got arrested, she couldn’t go back home to get him and when her mother went to prison he died.
Neil
My mom and I once helped deliver a baby at a truck stop in Alberta (lie) - This happened while Neil and his mom were on the way to Seattle. It was the middle of the night and they stopped to get gas a few hours out from Vancouver when they heard a woman screaming. There was nothing around for miles and only one other car in the lot that had been there when they pulled in. His mother immediately dropped the gas pump and Neil was already back in the car when the screaming stopped and his mother hesitated. Neil had never seen his mom hesitate with a potential threat around before, and he listened closely to try and understand why she stopped. All he heard was a woman panting harshly, but it sounded almost as though there was a rhythm to it. Mary signaled for him to get out of the car, and ordered him to grab some blankets, the first aid kit, and water bottles and follow her. They walked behind the locked public bathrooms, and found the woman squatting, with tears running down her face. Mary wasn’t very gentle or comforting, but she told the woman in a calm and confident voice that they were going to help. Neil didn’t do much, but he let the woman hold his hand and squeeze until he thought she would break it. He gave her sips of water between her contractions and did anything else his mother said. Once the baby was out, wrapped in a blanket, and in its mothers arms, Mary grabbed Neil and they left without another word to the woman. She stared after them, confused and grateful. Neil and his mother never spoke of it again.
I’ve been bitten by a camel (truth) - Neil and Mary spent a few days in Dubai to get some papers from a specialist there before traveling back to North America. The man did his business out of a racetrack where they held camel races. To get to his office, they had to travel through the back part of the track that the jockeys used to get the camels into position. Neil got too close to one of the camels and it bit his arm, luckily (or not), the jockey was in the middle of beating it and before it closed its mouth too tightly, landed a blow that caused the camel to immediately open its mouth again. Once he was freed, Neil was out of reach in a millisecond.
I can speak 7 languages (truth) - English, German, French, Russian, Hebrew, Czech, Greek. (To clarify he can speak 7 languages but he wouldn’t necessarily call himself fluent in all 7) We all know English, German, French, and Nora had a hc that Andrew and Neil learn Russian so they can talk to each other even with the cousins around which I love. Hebrew - In my hc Neil is jewish, as are Mary and Nathan. After running away, Mary didn’t know where to go once she had left her brother. She didn’t speak any other languages besides English, but she could understand Yiddish from hearing her grandparents and sometimes her parents speaking it growing up, and she could understand Polish from her time married to Nathan. She didn’t want to go to Poland in case any of Nathan’s contacts recognized her, so she decided to go to Israel. She knew there were communities there that spoke Yiddish and she was familiar if not comfortable with Hebrew from going to temple when she was younger. But most importantly she knew Nathan didn’t have any regular contacts there. While they were there, along with learning Hebrew, Mary pretended to be interested in converting to Greek Orthodox in order to get secret Greek lessons for her and Neil. After a while but sooner than she had hoped, Mary got a warning that Nathan had figured out where they were. She didn’t think it would be wise to go directly to Greece so she decided to move them to Prague next, since Czech and Polish are fairly similar and she really had no other ideas. While in Prague she continued her and Neil’s Greek lessons, and they went on to Greece eventually. Mary didn’t want them to lose any of the languages they learned, so she came up with a system that on certain days of the week they would speak to each other in certain languages. After Mary died, Neil pretty much gave up on Czech and Hebrew because he hadn’t been surrounded by them in so long and he hadn’t used either except with Mary since they moved from Prague or Israel. They had lived in Greece for longer than they had in Prague or Israel though, moving to a few different cities, so he felt stronger with Greek.
Fin. 
This is my first time writing anything fanfiction, my first time doing any creative writing at all really, and I would love any and all feedback!! Thanks for reading this long ass post, I hope it wasn’t terrible!!
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therosevest · 4 years ago
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happy hawkins holiday hiatus to @mikewheelerthepaladin !! here’s a lighthearted fic + a playlist of songs i listened to a lot while writing, i hope you enjoy 🥳
& a big thank you to @sevensided for putting this together, it’s been super fun <3
It’s the first time he’s been in over a year, really, but he’d entertained the thought of asking Will over the summer, for one last challenge before he left. It never happened, everything went by too fast; and, honestly, Mike didn’t know how to talk to him with the goddamn weight of everything - hi, we’ve barely spoken in the last year and we just almost died, again, and now you’re moving away forever - wanna hang out?
It’s the first time he’s been in over a year, really, but he’d entertained the thought of asking Will over the summer, for one last challenge before he left. It never happened, everything went by too fast; and, honestly, Mike didn’t know how to talk to him with the goddamn weight of everything - hi, we’ve barely spoken in the last year and we just almost died, again, and now you’re moving away forever - wanna hang out?
It’d never been that hard.
And it sucked. The whole thing. Now that Will is gone, it gnaws at him daily that they could have had more time together. Or a proper goodbye, at least. Instead, he spent a lot of time last summer sitting around, figuring out how to approach El and his feelings toward her, and most of all, alone.
But now the Byers are coming home for Christmas. And staying with The Wheelers, on top of it all.
So, seeking some sort of cryptic universal answer to his life problems, Mike returns to the place of a lot of younger memories, of crowding around machines with Lucas and Dustin and Will, a conglomeration of shouting and booing and cheering when one of them topped a high score, of frantically patting down their pockets for a few extra coins.
All of these wistful memories come to halt, however, when he finds a familiar redhead occupying one of their favorite games.
Max glances at him through the screen. “What do you want?”
“Uh, to play?” Honestly, he doesn’t care; he’s not sure he could focus enough to win much anyway. “Kicking your ass would be a plus.”
“Yeah, as if.” Her gaze fixes back on the colorful pixels dancing in front of her face.
Okay, well, she’s not moving anytime soon. He could probably just walk away, but a part of him wants company, even if it’s from someone hellbent on disagreeing with him.
Even when the Party hangs out now, Mike finds himself bickering with Max over what movies to see, where to eat, nearly anything, even when he doesn’t really give a shit. It’s the principle of the thing, and she gets under his skin. 
Maybe it’s a good thing.
Mike sighs, leans against one of the neighboring games, and shoves his hands in his pockets. “I don’t really know why I’m here.”
“Well, if you’re looking for me to throw pity money at you, it’s not happening.” After a beat, and losing the level, she kicks at the machine and turns to him. “Now look what you made me do. All your moping and talking - I could’ve beaten that if you would just leave me alone.”
He offers a quarter.
“Forget it.”
“I’ll buy you a pop, then.” She glares at him. “Seriously, okay, this is the first and only olive branch. Take it or leave it.”
After a moment of scowling at him, her arms folded, she slowly concedes, a smug look taking over. “Okay. I’ll take it, Wheeler.”
“So, you’re stalking me at the arcade because��� of nothing?”
Mike presses his lips into a line. “I’m not stalking you,” he says, “and it’s not - it’s not nothing. I was gonna ask Lucas or Dustin to come, but… I felt like I needed to be here alone.”
Max sips on her drink. “That didn’t work out.”
“Guess not.”
“So you did need to talk to someone.”
“Guess so.”
God, this is borderline painful. Sitting in a shoddy little booth across from Max, whom he never once intended to have a heart-to-heart with, is a new level of desperation. But here they are.
With the most grandiose sigh he’s ever heard in his life, Max straightens in her chair. “Well, I don’t love giving advice to annoying teenage boys, but I’ve been told I’m good at it. Advice, you know.”
Mike raises an eyebrow. “Was it El who said that, by chance?”
“Bite me.”
Amused, Mike smiles, and he slides the near-empty cup between his hands like a little game, something else to focus on. “Okay, fine, give me some advice.”
Max frowns at him like he’s the biggest idiot in the world. “Maybe give me a situation to work with?” She mutters something under her breath that he doesn’t bother with.
“Well, the Byers are coming home and staying with us, and I wanted to come up with something really nice to do, you know. I know that they’re really nervous because it’s… the holidays have been rough, the past few years.” He finishes his drink and stares at the lid. “They almost refused. So, I dunno, I figured I could do something to make them feel like it’s still home.”
“Oh,” Max nods, finally breaking into a slight smile, “well, cool, you could set up something really romantic for El! She’d love it.”
Right. The girlfriend. 
He had no clue where the hell they left things when the Byers moved. About a month ago, Mike called to tell her the distance was confusing and they might need to take a break. He figured she would’ve told Max because, from his understanding, they spoke on the phone on an almost daily basis.
“Sure - yeah, yeah, that’s - it’s a good idea. For sure.”
Max falls back into a confused squint. “Was there something else you had in mind?”
Mike isn’t sure how to get it out without sounding like a total airhead. So he copes with it the best way he can. “You know what, this was dumb. I’ll figure it out myself.” He grabs his jacket and stands to leave.
“No, no, Mike - I want to help.” She’s looking up at him with a genuinely nice expression, holding out a hand to stop him from fully up and leaving. “I’m really good at this stuff, just let me know what I can do. No judgment. I swear.”
“I have to get home tonight anyway,” Mike says cautiously. “Told my mom I’d help with dinner.”
“Can I come over tomorrow?”
He frowns, and something digging at his stomach makes him respond with, “Why do you care?”
Max’s jaw sets. She stands up to meet his eye level and sets a look on him. “Even if I didn’t, even if I couldn’t care less about you, Mike, I care about El. And Will. And I want to be a part of their homecoming. So maybe you could figure out a way to not be a dick about it.” She snatches her drink cup and storms off from the table, leaving Mike to scramble after her with more apologies.
He’s gotta get better at this whole ‘girls’ thing.
He catches up to her outside. “Okay, listen - come over after school tomorrow. We can meet outside by the stairs.”
She barely turns to him, says, “Fine,” and then hops on her bike and rides away.
That’s how Mike ends up with Max in his basement, slowly walking and examining his things, but not touching any of them, thankfully.
It’s going alright, thus far. A part of him feels like he should reach out to Lucas and Dustin, too, since they’re also Will’s best friends. But something about this… works. He and Max can’t seem to stay entirely civil in each other’s company, but she gets something. And she hasn’t brought up El even once since yesterday.
“So, I’m gonna come up with a really cool campaign - well, I’ve been working on it, and I can tell you about it - “ Max lifts herself on tiptoe in his peripheral vision, “ - but anyway, we can pull an all-nighter, if everyone’s up for it, and make snacks and drinks and stuff, and we can have movies on for you guys, and I thought I might even look for some costumes because I really think Will would get a kick out of it. I can put lights up, too - “
“You draw?”
Max’s back is to him, as she’s looking over his wall of posters and pinned pictures. As he steps closer, he realizes her eyes are fixed on a sketch that definitely bears some resemblance to him.
“No, Will sent me those,” he says quickly, not wanting to seem like a giant narcissist, because Will’s drawing is - how can he say it - beautiful. “He’s been using charcoal a lot recently, he told me he got some new art stuff. I think he wants to send one of all of us.”
Max turns to him, and he can’t tell if she’s tearing up for some reason, but she quickly wipes any sign of tears away. “That’s so neat,” is all she says at first. There’s a small silence between them, and she’s just looking at him, and he has no idea what the hell he should say. “He’s such a good person,” she adds quietly, “I wish I got the chance to really know him.”
Mike’s breath hitches for a few seconds. “Yeah. I mean, he mentioned hanging out with you a few times.”
A smile lifts the girl’s cheeks. “Yeah, to bitch about you, mostly.”
“Hey!” he protests, but he can’t help but smile too, this time. This might just be their most pleasant interaction to date. “He never mentioned that.”
“I don’t know how he could, all you freakin’ do is talk.”
“Whatever.” Mike messes with some Christmas crafts on the table, holding them up in his vision to see where they might fit in the basement. He clears his throat. “You know, El and I, uh - we split.”
Max nods slowly. “She said you guys don’t call much.”
“No, we didn’t. I mean, I don’t even call Will, we just write.” He leans against the table, eyes glazing over as he looks over years of memories, dorky craft nights, and shitty school projects that he or his mom made a point to keep. “It’s too hard to talk - to either of them, you know. I didn’t think I could hear their voices without…”
Max cuts him off. “I get it.” She crosses over to the table, helping him pull apart old paper snowflakes. “I’m just the opposite. I’m scared if I don’t talk to them, I’ll convince myself it was all fake. And maybe it’d be for the better, but I’m glad I knew them. Even if only for a little while.”
Mike bites down on his lips, attempting to bury all the emotion threatening to spew out of him. “Yeah.”
Max finally looks up at him, and though they seem to have shared a moment, she snaps back out of it. “All offense, Mike, these are ugly as shit. I’m helping you make new ones, okay?”
“It’s for the memory!”
“No more living in the past.” She raises her eyebrows at him, and he pinches his face in annoyance, so she says, “Okay, you can put them up, in like, little corners, but we’re making new ones. Surprise. Work with me here, Michael.”
“It’s my basement, Max.”
“Did you or did you not ask for my help?”
Mike blinks. “Not really.”
She throws a crafty paper star at him. “Shut up, you’re glad I’m here.”
He shakes his head and moves on, but though he may never admit it, a part of him really is glad.
Weeks pass in what feels like a span of days or maybe hours, with Mike and Max sorting out their surprise plans with a typical amount of bickering - but hey, they get it done. Max has lots of opinions about decorations and music that make Mike roll his eyes, but she’s got a good eye and she offers to help with baking, which is not a strong suit of his. Yes, they throw a lot of streamers at each other, and threaten to storm out every other hour, but it gets done.
And the day is finally here.
Mike pulls himself into his best festive sweater and eyes himself in the mirror. He messes with his hair, though the long, wavy curls never seem to fall exactly into place - maybe growing it out was a mistake - and tugs at the creases of his sweater, letting out a huffy breath. None of it is working with him. When he can’t stand looking at himself anymore, he dashes down to the kitchen to help his mom with desserts.
She smiles when he plops into a seat. “You okay, honey? You seem a little tense.”
Mike jolts. “Uh, yeah, just excited.”
“Good! Joyce said the kids haven’t stopped talking about the trip for weeks.”
Great. “I hope we live up to the hype.”
“Oh, Mike. You know you don’t have to try that hard.” Karen stops frosting for a moment to look at him. “Will’s your best friend. El is excited to see you,” she nudges at him, and he coughs out a nervous laugh, “and Joyce thinks you’re an angel-”
“God, mom-”
“I’m serious. Don’t worry so much.” She leans forward on her forearms. “I know you think every problem in the world is on you, but it’s not. It’s enough just to be around the people you love. If anything, you’ve gone overboard.”
Overboard. Hopefully, it’s not too much.
Finally, he caves, exhaling slowly with a simple, “Okay.” He stays beside her, tapping his fingers, and eventually ruining a gingerbread man’s face until she notices and smacks his hand away.
There’s a knock on the door, and while Mike hops to his feet, his mother calls out, “Come in!” earning a panicked look from him. She mouths, ‘Chill,’ but he still half-jogs to the door and throws it open.
Nancy calls down the stairs, “Who is it?”
It’s Max, brandishing a few small wrapped gifts.
“Hello, sunshine,” she says. After a moment, “It’s great to see you too, Michael, allow me to invite myself in.”
“It’s just Max,” Mike calls back. He steps aside, and Max brushes past him, dropping her gifts by their tree and running into the kitchen. 
“Hi, Mrs. Wheeler!”
“Hey, Max, Merry Christmas!”
Mike’s mom seemed to think Max was one of the most charming people on the planet, something they frequently disagreed on, but he can’t be mad at their pleasant chatter right now.
Especially not when the next knock comes so soon.
Probably just Lucas and Dustin, dragging their feet as usual.
Mike opens the door, prepared with a quippy remark for his friends, but his stomach drops immediately.
It’s Will. Holding a bunch of luggage.
Mike is caught up in everything about him. He’s taller. New, floppy hair, tousled and messy in the biting snowy winds. His forearms exposed as his bags push against his jacket. Will.
The boy smiles at him. “Hey.”
“Hey,” Mike manages.
Will looks past him with a tiny wave, and Mike turns to see Max beaming and waving back, and then Max slips back into the kitchen and Will returns his gaze to Mike. “Can I come in?”
“Hey, Mike!” Joyce interrupts from the car, straining to grab something in the backseat. “Merry Christmas, honey!”
“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Byers!” Mike, finally catching up his brain-to-movement reactions, moves to let Will in. “Yeah, come in. I’m gonna, uh, go help your mom.”
“Cool.”
He immediately forgets why he’s moved and attempts to step out as Will crosses the threshold, almost knocking him over, so Mike grabs his arms to stabilize with a, “Sorry - uh - whoops, haha, don’t fall,” and Will chuckles and shifts a bag to his shoulder, saying, “It’s alright,” and Mike spends his walk to the Byers’ car trying not to curse himself out.
“Oh, Mike, thank you, sweetie,” Joyce grunts, pulling a heavy tote bag from the floor of the car. “Can you carry this?” Mike nods and takes it from her easily, offering his arms out for extra luggage. Together, with Jonathan, who greets him with a, “Merry Christmas, man,” they manage to get everything inside in one trip. Mike hardly notices El rummaging through the trunk until she comes stumbling along with a basket full of gifts.
Finally, they’re all inside, and only a beat goes by before Nancy comes bounding down the stairs to greet Jonathan, and Joyce is grinning around at everybody, and then Karen rushes in from the kitchen with excited greetings.
“It is so good to see you,” Joyce says, opening her arms up to Mike for a hug. “You’ve grown so much-'' she looks at Karen and mutters, “-so much-” then looks back at Mike. “We’ve missed you all.”
“I’ve missed you guys too,” Mike says, “I’m glad you decided to come.”
“We couldn’t miss it. Figured it’s best that we’re together, you know.” Her expression falters, but she takes a breath and carries on with moving bags and ‘Merry Christmases.’
Joyce and his mom wind up chattering, and Karen takes off her apron to help transfer some luggage to the spare room. Nancy takes Jonathan’s hand and heads upstairs, grabbing one of his bags from the ground.
Will seems to have disappeared into the kitchen with Max, leaving his things behind, so it’s just Mike and El.
Mike takes in a deep breath.
It wasn’t an ugly breakup; honestly, El seemed unfazed. Their calls were little more than small talk about their days, most of the time, and even though he thought they might hold onto their past, everything they’d been through… it seemed to work best that they didn’t.
“Hey, Merry Christmas.”
El smiles easily. “Merry Christmas, Mike.” She lifts the basket slightly for acknowledgment. “Can these go by the tree?”
“Yeah, yeah, go for it.”
El nods and slips by the couch over to the tree, carefully laying out the gifts. After a few moments of Mike awkwardly leaning against the couch arm, thinking up something to say - thank god she didn’t seem too focused on him - Max walks in, her mouth stuffed with a truffle.
“El!” She darts over to the tree, and El jumps up, eyes bright, immediately throwing her arms around the girl’s shoulders. “I missed you so much.”
“I missed you too,” El giggles. “I brought you a gift.”
“You too. I can’t wait for you to see it. But first, you have to try one of these sweets Mrs. Wheeler’s making. They’re like frickin’ heaven.” She holds out the last bite of her own, and El takes it from her hand, eyes lighting up mischievously as she bites into it.
“It’s amazing.”
“I know. I think we should go sample some of the others.”
Mike calls out to their backs, “You guys better leave some for later on,” and in response, hears Max mimic him. He rolls his eyes and stands up from the couch.
And then it’s just him and Will, who’s beaming at him, seemingly amused by their banter.
Okay, Mike, now or never. “Uh, I’ll show you downstairs.”
“We’re not staying in your room?” Will asks simply, crossing over to retrieve his duffel bag.
“We totally can, I just have something I wanted to show you.”
Will nods. “Oh, okay, cool.”
Mike assists with a smaller bag and leads him to the basement door; before he runs down the stairs, he catches Max’s eye, and she gives him a thumbs up and mouths, ‘You got this.’ Deep breaths. At that moment, he’s incredibly thankful for her presence. 
He watches as Will follows him down, slower, glancing around at the familiar surroundings. His eyes catch on everything Mike and Max put together over the past few weeks, and his footsteps grow slower as he takes it all in.
Streamers of all festive colors and off-balance fairy lights hang along the corners of the basement, phrases of ‘Welcome home,’ hand-cut and pasted on the front wall; at the table, a game mat and figures sit in wait, silly hats placed in front each chair; even the TV is prepared with a Santa hat, the couch covered in blankets and pillows, a few sleeping bags folded on the floor.
“Mike,” Will says quietly, stepping in a small circle, “what is all this?”
“Your homecoming party.” Mike is all jitters; he leans against the wall and shoves his hands in his pockets to disguise any visible shakes. “You like it?”
Will finally looks straight at him, an indiscernible look painted on his face. “Yeah,” he says, nodding rapidly, “yeah, it’s great - but we, uh,” he swallows and shakes his head, “we don’t, um, have to play D&D. I mean-”
“I don’t know, Will,” he ventures to step away from the wall, taking slow steps over to the table. Will follows every move. “I mean, I was really excited to have you back, even just for a little bit. We all were.” He reaches the table and leans back on his hands. “Figured having our cleric back warranted some festivities.”
Will shakes his head, runs his hands along his face, and turns away. The bit of confidence Mike has slowly starts to trickle.
“Is it okay?”
Will shakes out of his stupor and chuckles. “It’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me. You’ve truly outdone yourself, Michael.” He lifts himself on tiptoe to look at decorations on top of Mike’s shelves. “Are these from our big craft night, like, years ago?”
The horrible crayon work makes Mike smile - they made half of the snowmen evil, citing a Great Abominable Snowman War, and gave them wicked frowns and smiles, claws on their stick hands. “Yeah.”
“I didn’t know you kept them.”
“I keep everything.” An awkward chuckle breaks from his chest. “Not everything, like, a hoarder or whatever, but - “
Will simply smiles and pushes himself forward toward the back wall, brushing past Mike, to his different pinups. He fixates on the sketch of Mike that he’d sent about a month back. “You know, you should probably take this down. I don’t think you’ll hear the end of it from Lucas and Dustin if you don’t.”
“Screw ‘em.”
“Right.” Will quirks his eyebrow and moves to sit in his designated chair, right next to where Mike is currently resting. “So, they know about D&D?”
“They know.” Mike smiles, and looks at the floor, right where their legs brush up against each other. “They seem pretty excited to have the party back together. To remind you of how badass your first one was,” he adds.
Will peers up at him for a moment before quietly saying, “I never joined another one.” Mike meets his eye for a moment, then, threatened by the silence that follows, clears his throat and distracts himself with a particularly interesting notch in the wood paneling. “Did you guys find someone else?”
“No, no,” Mike assures him. “We haven’t touched any of this stuff. It’s not the same.”
A silence settles between them, one that neither seems to know how to navigate. But Will keeps his gaze steady on Mike, trying to breach some barrier, to fall back into their usual ways.
Something is different, though; it’s not uncomfortable, it never could be, but it’s something intimidating. Will seems more comfortable, at least; he’s not shying away from anything Mike throws at him.
And he tries to break the silence first. “Y’know - “
“Will,” Mike cuts him off, and he’s not sure what he’s saying, or where he’s going with it, but he knows he’s supposed to say this. His name. “I need you to know that I missed you.”
Will blinks at him, cocks his head. “I missed you too,” he says matter-of-factly.
The words are eating at him, right there on the edge of his mind, and Will looks almost concerned and now Mike just wants to drop it because that’s not what he wanted. But he can’t, not now. “I missed you the most.” It sounds so juvenile. “More than everyone else. I missed you before you even left. I just didn’t know how to say it.” He breathes in and out, focusing on Will’s cheeks, the tip of his nose, anything but his eyes. When Will doesn’t say anything, the rest just spills. “I missed you when our first first day of school apart came and passed, and I didn’t even call. I missed you at homecoming. And,” he licks his lips, not really sure where his speech is heading, “I know you had to go, it’s fine. We’ll figure it out. But I feel like we haven’t been on the same page in a long time. So, I missed you, and I love you, and that’s that.”
Will looks at him funny, and then his face softens into something like laughter, and Mike is genuinely about to run and throw up somewhere, but then the boy closes his eyes and says, “I love you too.”
Mike blanches. “I don’t think I said that.”
“Oh, you definitely did.”
“Oh,” he nods, mind spinning, “well, you know…”
Will stands to be at Mike’s level, leans forward on his knees. Mike stops breathing. “I do,” he says, “but tell me again.”
Mike swallows down a breath of courage and suggests, “I think I might like you.” His eyes flit to Will’s lips, then back to his eyes. “Is that okay?”
“Yeah, I’ll allow it,” Will says, a bright smile causing lines near his eyes. Mike smacks at his arm, nervous laughter coming out with a quiet, ‘Shut up.’ Will moves so he’s resting his fingertips on the table. Inches away.
“Same page, then?” Mike asks.
“Same page, yeah, for sure.”
Mike nods absently, distracting himself with the strings on Will’s sweatshirt. “So I don’t sound crazy?”
Will laughs. “I dunno. I always counted on us going crazy together. Figured we might have a few extra years, but hey, I’m all in.”
And then Mike is flashed back to a night on his couch just over a year ago. Knees knocking together, shared smiles. A promise.
So much has changed.
He wants to know what Will meant. A future of being in each other’s lives, maybe, getting old and senile and batshit crazy. Always being there.
He never dared to think about it before.
“So what now?”
Will shrugs. He dips his head to meet Mike’s eyes with his own. “What do you want, Mike?”
And finally, he thinks he might know.
Or maybe he’s always known.
He scoots forward, takes Will’s face in his hands, and kisses him. It’s just a quick press of their lips, but in that moment, he knows a few things for sure. His heartbeat is going a mile a minute, and Will must be able to feel it; it’s absolutely exhilarating, surreal, insane that he’s kissing his best friend; and, he is definitely in like, or maybe love, with Will Byers.
He’ll probably love him forever.
When Mike pulls back and his eyes flutter open to see Will, flushed, blinking back at him, slightly dazed, he doesn’t want to pull away at all. He did that. Mike’s hand remains on his jaw, lax, and he runs his thumb along Will’s bottom lip, curious to see his reaction, curious about a lot, now.
Will lets out a breathy chuckle. “Wow,” he mumbles, “that’s new.”
“Yeah.” Mike exhales shakily, takes one of Will’s hands, and says, “Merry Christmas, Will.”
“Yeah, Merry Christmas.”
The world doesn’t seem to fall apart like Mike thought it might if he ever got to this point, so, that’s nice.
“So…” Mike begins carefully, “you’re gonna have to be slow with me here. This is sort of a lot for me.”
“Me too,” Will replies simply. He squeezes Mike’s hand. “But we’ll figure it out.”
“Totally.”
Will takes his cheeks in his hands and smiles into a very gentle kiss, his fingers curling into the hair at the nape of Mike’s neck. It’s soft and sweet and lingering - but not for too long, as moments later the door upstairs busts open and shouts of, “BYERS!” from their dear friends sound through the air, and Mike and Will jump apart, equally startled and laughing.
“Down here!” Will calls out. He looks at Mike, smiles, offers, “To be continued?” and as he walks past, he leans in, just to leave a quick peck on Mike’s cheek.
And all Mike can do is laugh and shake his head and run after him to meet their friends; Lucas and Dustin are horribly late to the surprise, but they collide into Will the second they see him, shouting over each other, ‘What’s going on, dude?’ ‘Merry Christmas!’ ‘You’ve missed so much,’ and everyone is grinning and chattering, and it’s awesome.
Max approaches him, watching all of the madness, smacks a hand to his shoulder, and says, “You did good, Wheeler.”
“Yeah, I did.” She punches his arm lightly, laughing, so he adds, “thank you for everything. Seriously.”
“I think we should work together more often.”
Mike scoffs into a laugh, and says, “Yeah, guess so.”
Max rolls her eyes, but at least now they’re actually laughing in each other's company. It’s great progress from just a few weeks ago.
After a minute of watching the boy’s shenanigans, Max smiles. “Well, Merry Christmas, anyway.”
“Merry Christmas,” he responds, and he watches as she jumps up onto a kitchen stool, chatting and giggling with El.
With everyone back together again, finally, Mike feels really alive; so, he jumps in with all the excited shouting and group hugs and bickering, and celebrates the merriest Christmas he can remember in a long time.
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cellard0ors · 3 years ago
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Fic: Movement (3/?)
For @peachworthy (The tale continues!) Part 1 here, Part 2 here
Link’s doing his best to tip toe in. It was a long night at the café he’s currently working at and he doesn’t want to wake Rhett. True, his roommate’s hours are strange (to say the least) but it’s always been ingrained in Link to be as respectful as possible.
Mrs. Neal raised her boy to be polite and one of the heights of good manners is not charging into the house you share with someone else in the middle of the night, raising a ruckus.
But as Link edges towards his room, he notices a glow coming from the living room and finds himself unable to not take a peek. Maybe Rhett left the television on?
Yet when he gets closer he sees that while yes, the television is on, it’s not because Rhett forgot about it. Rhett is actually in front of it, but not watching it. Instead his eyes are downcast and…wet.
A light sniffle comes from him and he runs the back of his right hand beneath his nose as if to wipe at it. Link can just barely make out a paper in his left hand when Rhett senses him.
Rhett turns and blinks, folding the paper up and clearing his throat, doing his best to sound amiable even despite the clear note of tears in his voice, “Oh! Hey, man! Didn’t know you were home.”
“Yeah,” Link says softly, “Had to stay late. Boss wanted to do a deep clean on the place after we closed,” he then adds cautiously, “You okay?”
Rhett looks back to his letter than to Link again as if internally debating something. Finally he comes back with, “Yeah. Kinda.”
He holds the letter up, “Got a message from my Momma.”
Link can only offer a sound of acknowledgement, not certain where to go from here. Rhett shifts about on the couch and Link takes it as a signal for him to come over, so he does, sitting across from his friend.
Rhett lowers the letter, but plays around with it, turning the carefully folded rectangle of paper over and over in his hands, “First time I’ve heard from her in a long time.”
“Good?” Link feels stupid and kind of helpless, but he’s trying and this is the only thing he can think to offer. Rhett sniffs again, but his lips twitch as if to smile, as if he recognizes that Link is doing his best, “I suppose. Looks like my brother got married awhile ago. Dad’s alright, stuff like that.”
“I see.”
“They’re still living in the same place. Mom changed jobs, but she likes the new one more. They adopted a dog and-and…” he sighs and just tosses the letter on the nearby coffee table, linking his fingers together to tuck his hands behind his head.
He lets out shaky breath, eyes directing upwards towards the ceiling as if to stave off more potential tears, “They’re fine…”
Link licks his lips, feels awkward and awful, and can only manage to say Rhett’s name before Rhett’s hands lower and he curls in on himself – his tall lanky form growing small as he whispers to the floor, “…totally fine…without me.”
That alone breaks Link. Without a second thought he moves over, draws Rhett close and hugs him tight. The bigger man lets himself be held, lets Link gather him up like a small child and rock him as he silently weeps.
Link murmurs nonsense into his hair for a while, little things like ‘it’s alright’ and ‘it’ll be okay’ and he doesn’t know if he’s doing more harm than good until he feels Rhett’s tense body begin to uncoil, begins to hear his breathing smoothing out.
Once he feels like Rhett’s doing better, he releases him – gets up and finds some tissues, a wet warm washcloth and a glass of water. He offers it all silently to Rhett, who takes it – using the washcloth to wipe his face clean, the tissues to finish up the job. He finishes more than half the glasses of water before he mumbles, “Sorry about that.”
“You ain’t got nothing to be sorry for, bo.” Link doesn’t know where the endearment comes from. He hasn’t used it in ages and just as he’s about to explain it, Rhett lets out a broken bubble of laughter, “‘Bo’? Oh, man…haven’t heard that in an age.”
Link offers an apology but Rhett waves it off, “Nah, Link. I…I like it. I’ll be your ‘bo’.”
And then he turns vulnerable green eyes on him as he asks quietly, “Mean…if you’ll be mine.”
This is, of course, when Link knows his crush is over. It’s over because he’s now completely and totally in love with Rhett and he swallows thickly, even as he nods, “Yeah. Of course.”
“Good.” Rhett nods to himself as if they’ve just made a blood pact or something and he looks at the television which is just showing some random commercials. He gestures to it, “How’s about we watch something, huh? Get our minds on something else.”
By ‘our’ Link recognizes he probably means himself in particular, because Rhett can’t possibly know about the revelation Link’s just had, yet he feels a little too…seen. He bites his bottom lip hard and – even though he knows he shouldn’t – finds himself playing the part of devil’s advocate, “We can – or you can tell me if you plan on writing back.”
Rhett sits up straight, eyes wide, and Link wouldn’t be surprised if the man snaps at him. Link feels like a total jerk – just because he’s realized he’s in love with Rhett doesn’t mean he should hurt him this way, and, he knows that’s the real reason he said what he did. A sort of, ‘please-push-me-away’ move.
But he did anyway and now he braces for an argument, an insult – something. But then, much to his surprise, Rhett says hollowly, “I don’t know.”
Link presses his luck, “Mean, if she wrote you…think it means she misses you…”
Rhett snorts, “Doubt it. Probably just felt a bout of guilt. Thought she should reach out to her black sheep son.”
“Or maybe she wants to hear from you,” Link offers, “Know you’re alright.”
“Yeah and what am I supposed to write?” Rhett grumbles, “‘Hey Ma, I’m doing good. I filmed a three way yesterday – how ‘bout you?’”
“…a three way?” Link repeats, but Rhett continues on as if he didn’t hear him, “It’s not like I can tell her or-or any of them what I’ve been up to. I don’t think many parents like to brag about their kid’s accomplishments when that accomplishment is DPing a woman while making out with a guy at the same time.”
Link wants to ask what ‘DPing’ is, but he thinks he has an idea and it’s probably best not to get too in depth (pun not intended) on that, as he instead takes a different route, “It’s not like you have to tell her about your job. You can just say you’re in LA, you’re healthy, you got a fantastically handsome roommate named Link…”
That makes Rhett laugh, but in a good way, some of his ire easing, “‘Fantastically handsome’, huh?”
Link spreads his hands out, “What can I say? I’m truthful.”
Rhett chuckles some more and shakes his head, “Nah, I mean – sure, I can tell her all that, but if we…if we do reconnect, I’m just-? I’m afraid it’s going to come up.”
“Thought you said you aren’t ashamed of what you do.”
“I’m not,” Rhett affirms, “But she’s my mom. They’re my family. You know that and I know you get why it’s not something I want them to know about…”
“Well, I mean, I could tell you to get another job, but if this is what you like doing-!”
Rhett gets up from the couch and starts pacing, “It’s not that I like doing it. It’s that I’m good at it. And, like I’ve told you – good money, good co-workers,” he sighs and his pacing picks up pace, “I mean, granted, I’m getting on in years and I can’t do this forever and I always did plan on getting out when I, y’know, found someone.”
Someone not you, a thought hisses in Link’s ear and he almost physically swats out at it as Rhett continues, “‘Cause it’s not like I’d want to be in a relationship and do…what I do. It’d feel sorta unfaithful to me, albeit I know some people in the biz who are married and their partners are fine with it, but for me…”
Rhett stops pacing and flops down on the couch, groaning, “…and it’s not even like I can show off. I can’t show someone one of my films with pride and be like ‘look what I did’! Not my folks, not my theoretical other half, not-!”
“Me,” the word leaves Link’s mouth and he’s sort of shocked it left him. Rhett is shocked too, head whipping in his direction at the declaration and Link’s mouth just keeps working on its own, disconnected from his brain, “You…you can show me. If…if you want.”
The last comes out almost silent.
And Rhett just…keeps looking at him.
Link can hear everything. His breath. Rhett’s breath. The ticking of a clock some place. The television show whispering some medical mumbo jumbo. The air conditioning. His heart beat. All of it. He hears it all and then he hears a tentative, “Yeah?”
And Link just nods.
*I swear the next part will have some kind of sex. I know it’s weird that I’ve had 3 parts of a fic now about pornstar!Rhett and no porn but it’s coming. I just…got lost in feels here.
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when-they-write-stuff · 4 years ago
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Stiles thought the best way to end things was to never let them start in the first place. 
That’s what his case seemed to be anyway.
See, if something started, it had to end. Stiles had learned that the hard way over and over again during his life. His mom’s sickness came and didn’t go away until it had stripped her from him in every way possible. Then he’d been thrust into the chaotic world of werewolves, banshees, and hunters, and he was pretty sure it was all going to end with his inevitable doom.
Things always came to an end one way or another. So eventually, Stiles had decided it was easier to just never let them start.
That began with the case of Lydia Martin.
Stiles’s mom used to tell him that if he put his mind to something, there was nothing that could stand in his way. Of course, that hadn’t worked when she’d gotten sick and he’d decided there was no way she could ever die. Fate couldn’t be that cruel. Stiles had told himself one day that parents couldn’t die and fully believed afterward, that if he set his mind to that fact, she’d live forever.
That changed the day of the funeral. Not before, not even when he’d been alone in the hospital and the heart monitor had gone flat. No, it’d taken him a lot longer than that to realize she was gone and… and parents could die.
People could in general.
The next thing he set his mind to was Lydia Martin. There was something about sharp green eyes and the way she looked when solving a problem that made him think maybe, maybe, this was what his mom had meant. That some things were just meant to be.
Stiles was ten when he set his mind to Lydia Martin. 
He was sixteen when she set her own to Jackson Whittemore.
Or maybe, he thought, it was less of her mind and more of her heart. And that’s what really mattered, wasn’t it?
Seventeen-year-old Stiles ended up being determined. Not in any way particular anymore, no. He was determined in general; determined to survive, determined to get through the rest of his teenage years without becoming werewolf chow or prey to whatever else Beacon Hills brought. 
It all started with the case of Lydia Martin. It ended that way too. 
And honestly, Stiles didn’t think it was all bad, necessarily. He was the sidekick, the token human. He had this baseball bat, a can of wolfsbane pepper spray, and his trusty jeep. Stiles Stilinski was the kid in the red hoodie, where it was darker in certain spots from bloodstains that never fully washed away. Things didn’t need to start with him, because they had already begun with the people who actually mattered.
But then there was the matter of Derek Hale.
The first time Stiles had run into the werewolf in the middle of the woods, his brain had gone nope, scary, bad. There was something about Derek that Stiles couldn’t put his finger on. The man scared him half to death for the entirety of his freshman year and then one day, Stiles realized he wasn’t afraid of him anymore.
Derek Hale was difficult to figure out. When Stiles was faced with a problem, he liked to take his time. Figure it out. 
With his mom, it had been something involving hope. See, Stiles had known she was sick. He wasn’t young enough to think that couldn’t happen. But he didn’t quite put it all together until after weeks of watching the nurses move in and out of his mom’s hospital room, with their notepads and checklists that he could never make out the words of.
One of the nurses gave him his own pad and red-inked pen one day. She told him to draw whatever he wanted, as if sitting in the same chair for hours on end wasn’t healthy. Looking back now, Stiles supposed maybe it wasn’t.
That was probably the first time he’d tried to solve a puzzle like the adults did. He’d always sucked at drawing anyway.
Red was unsolved. 
Stiles still owned that red pen.
For Lydia Martin, Stiles tried to step up his game. He made this ten-year plan that was destined to go right. The more details, the better, he thought. Except maybe ten years wasn’t enough, or maybe he’d skipped over some important step, because it never ended up happening. 
Stiles bought the whiteboard when werewolves became a thing. A whiteboard with red string, yellow string, and green. Then at some point, there was blue too. Stiles couldn’t really remember when that happened.
It kind of snuck up on him. Like the matter of Derek Hale.
Oh— fucking Derek Hale.
Things started to end when fucking Derek Hale kissed him.
-
Stiles couldn’t exactly remember what had put Derek in a bad mood, but the man had been stomping around for weeks with an expression that constantly promised murder. Stiles supposed if he was smart, he would have stuck with the rest of the pack and avoided the man like the plague, but Stiles never claimed to be smart.
Clever, sometimes. But not smart. Not often, at least.
Erica thought his bad mood was caused by the last threat they faced; a rather bloodthirsty hunter who had shot Derek in the chest. It’d taken the man three days to fully heal, so Stiles thought that was possible.
But he could never get a good read on the werewolf, okay? Red was unsolvable. Derek was unsolvable. The man was like a riddle Stiles hadn’t been able to solve and no matter what angle he looked at the werewolf from, he hadn’t been able to figure Derek Hale out.
Not yet, at least.
And then there was the argument.
To be fair, Stiles didn’t argue with Derek as often as he did someone like Jackson. Sure, he often drove Derek to flash red eyes or occasionally threaten to rip his head off, but that was just their relationship. Stiles drove him crazy and when Lydia gave him that knowing look, he pretended the man didn’t exist until their next ‘I’ll rip your throat out’ type of conversation.
But this time was different. This time, Stiles had almost— only almost though— gotten himself ripped apart by a rogue omega. And then Derek was red-eyed right from the beginning.
And Stiles sometimes had a tendency to push.
“I’m just saying,” he said, crossing his arms to Derek’s rather murderous expression. “If I were any one of the other pack members, you would have clapped me on the back for taking the omega out.”
“You nearly got yourself killed, Stiles,” Derek growled. “You were stupid and reckless, and you put yourself and the pack in danger!”
“I have a baseball bat for a reason, asshole! I can take care of myself!”
The man looked livid, the red in his eyes not even close to the minor turn-on that Stiles sometimes found it to be. But it wasn’t like any of this was his fault, really. Sure, he’d gotten a little scratched up, but it wasn’t like the rest of the pack had gotten off scott-free. Stiles had seen his chance and he’d taken it, knocking the omega right out with his recently upgraded steel baseball bat.
If anything Derek should be thanking him, not flipping out.
“It’s just because I’m human,” Stiles said hotly. Derek growled again.
“It’s not just that.”
“Then what else is it, Derek? All my limbs are still intact and there’s still life in this token human’s lungs, so I think that counts as a win! The omega was about to rip Isaac’s throat out anyway, so I did a good thing!”
“You did a stupid thing.”
Stiles drew back, seething. It wasn’t like this was the first time Derek had chewed him out for doing something ‘irresponsible’ or ‘stupid’ but usually Scott was around to keep one of them from committing murder. The loft was empty this time, though, the rest of the pack having gone out to celebrate while Derek had all but forced Stiles back to the loft to take a look at his injures.
Which were scratches. Stiles got worse at lacrosse practice.
“Whatever,” he said, turning away. “I’m going to meet up with the rest of the pack. Scott said he’d buy me fries for being a badass. Which I was, asshole.”
“Dammit, Stiles!”
Stiles clenched his jaw and spun back around. The red had faded a little from Derek’s eyes, but he still looked murderous. And wouldn’t that be unfortunate it Stiles had survived being torn to shreds only to have his throat ripped out by Derek Hale?
“I just—” The man took a step forward and then grimaced, folding his arms over his chest again. “I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“But just me.”
“The others can heal.”
“Allison can’t.”
Derek’s eyes flashed. “Allison is a hunter. She’s had training.”
“I have a baseball bat!”
“That is not—” Derek glared. “That’s not good enough. You’re insufferable.”
“And you’re a giant ass!”
Derek growled again, uncrossing his arms. And if Stiles was being honest, he wasn’t sure how one thing turned to another. But one moment, he was pretty sure he could punch the man out, stepping forward and lifting his chin, and then Derek was yanking him even closer, kissing him hard before Stiles could even react.
Derek was kissing him. Derek Hale was kissing him.
Stiles was pretty sure his brain short-circuited for a second, but he probably wouldn’t have pulled away even if it hadn’t. And he’d totally blame that for the moment it took him to respond, because Stiles had been so sure one of them was going to murder the other. Not… this.
Though, he would happily let this be how he died.
Yeah, this could be how he died.
Derek’s nipped sharply at his lower lip and Stiles groaned, his brain coming back online slowly. If he would have known this would happen when they really argued, he would have started picking fights with the werewolf a lot sooner. Though, maybe it was all built up over time. The man kissed him like they were still arguing, the one way Stiles couldn’t mouth off to win the fight.
He could be okay with that, though.
Stiles was still dazed with Derek eventually pulled back a few inches, the man’s breaths warm against his skin. He wasn’t the only one panting, Stiles realized, his own heart thudding like a drum against his chest.
For a moment, they both just stood there. And for the first time that night, Stiles’s mind was completely empty. And it was nice, in a strange way. Like he’d been drugged.
Then Stiles blinked a few times and stared. Except Derek wasn’t even looking back at him.
The man avoided his gaze like Stiles wasn’t there, posture rigid with his arms folded over his chest again. Like that was the only defense he had against Stiles and the few inches between them. Stiles’s brain didn’t even have a chance to catch up before Derek’s voice broke the silence— low and shaky.
“You should go.”
And just like that, the haze was gone. Stiles stiffened, staring incredulously at the man, but Derek definitely wasn't meeting his gaze. “I should… what?”
“You should go, Stiles.”
Stiles stared. Slowly, a lump formed in his throat.
Because this was what happened, right? Something started, something ended. Stiles stood rooted to the spot for another long moment, feeling like he’d just taken a blow, until Derek fixed him with one of those red-eyed looks. And Stiles didn’t even know how to categorize it. The man’s face was carefully blank. He didn’t look mad, repulsed, or even regretful. He just looked—
Stiles blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. Nodding silently, he turned away, starting toward the loft door. And despite it all, some part of him thought Derek might call his name before he reached it. Or at least say something. Anything.
But the man didn’t. And Stiles didn’t glance back.
Going after the omega earlier hadn’t been the stupid move, he realized. No, it hadn’t even been close.
But this?
This was the dumbest thing he’d ever done.
-
Fuck Derek Hale.
That’s what Stiles would like to say. Fuck Derek Hale and the radio silence that stretched on for two months after that one night. 
Stiles used to secretly look forward to the few nights a week when his window would be shoved up and Derek would pull himself through, always with some excuse about the monster of the week or research. But the only time Stiles had seen the man since had been during pack meetings and he could’ve sworn that Derek was keeping as much distance between them as possible, never saying a direct word to Stiles unless he had to.
It made him feel… dirty, almost. Wrong. If he could go back and keep that night from happening, Stiles would, because that’s where it all went wrong. That’s where it all went wrong, right? It’s not like it had been a long time coming or anything.
He hadn’t— Stiles didn’t— dammit.
Fuck Derek Hale.
The way Stiles saw it, if Derek was going to go around pretending he didn’t exist, then he was going to do the exact same. That started with completely ignoring the werewolf at each pack meeting and then Stiles started skipping them in general, getting the information through Scott. The boy seemed beyond confused but Stiles refused to give his reasoning for pretending Derek didn’t exist.
The Alpha was an asshole, was all he’d say. And then Lydia would give him one of those knowing looks.
Stiles really hated the pack sometimes.
He did his best not to think about it had felt when Derek had kissed him, or the way the man had tugged at his hair, bit down on his bottom lip, and how that feeling was literally imprinted into his brain. He didn’t look at his window and wonder what the hell was so wrong with kissing him— what was so wrong with wanting him?
So Stiles stopped going to pack meetings. And when the betas started following him around school asking questions, he pretended he had no idea what they were talking about.
One month passed without Stiles seeing Derek. And he was fine.
Then the next monster of the week came to town and there was a knock at his window. 
When Stiles glanced up from his laptop to see Derek crouching on the roof, he stared for a long moment before completely ignoring the man. It wasn’t like Derek to knock; he used to just let himself in, sometimes already waiting in Stiles’s room when he came back from lacrosse practice. And yeah, Stiles had always complained. It was creepy after all. 
But it was also Derek.
A few seconds passed before his window was pushed up and Derek pulled himself into the bedroom. Stiles kept his gaze firmly on his computer screen.
Derek had to be insane if he thought he was getting any research help.
“Stiles—”
“No.”
Derek went silent for a moment. On Stiles’s computer, his movie continued to play, and he continued to be watching it. 
Then, “Stiles, the pack needs your help.”
“The pack?”
One more moment of silence, followed by; “I need your help.”
Stiles finally hit pause, glancing up at the Alpha coldly. He did his best to ignore the way his heart twisted at the sight of Derek, because Stiles didn’t care. He could’ve gone another long month— he could have gone two. And why the hell was Derek here, anyway? Stiles wasn’t the only one who knew how to use a computer. “Go ask Lydia.”
Derek’s expression did something strange. “Lydia?”
“She’s a genius, you know.”
“I don’t— the pack doesn’t—” Derek blinked, then clenched his jaw. For a moment, the man actually looked frustrated. “I need your help, Stiles, not hers.”
“Sorry,” Stiles said, gesturing to his computer. “I’m busy.”
He told himself he didn’t take a little bit of pleasure in the way that Derek’s face tightened. But the man was definitely looking frustrated now and honestly? he shouldn’t have expected this visit to go any differently.
“There’s something ripping apart animals in the preserve,” Derek said through gritted teeth. Stiles shrugged.
“A mountain lion?”
“Stiles.”
“Or maybe it’s a bear.”
“Stiles.”
“What, Derek?” Stiles said, shutting his computer harder than he meant to. But the man’s tone was nothing but angry now and he was looking at Stiles like this was his fault. Like it hadn’t been three months of absolutely no contact and Derek hadn’t kissed him before literally throwing him out of the loft like week-old trash.
It made Stiles feel dirty. Yeah, that’s what it was.
And he couldn’t figure out why.
“I don’t want you here,” Stiles said, dropping his gaze. He hated himself a bit for how small his voice sounded. “I don’t want you here, Derek.”
The silence continued to reign. And when Stiles glanced back up, Derek was just looking at him. Silently, blankly. Just like that one night, Stiles couldn’t read his expression.
He swallowed hard at the memory. “I’m done, Derek. This— all of it— we’re done.”
There was a flicker of red in the man’s eyes. And Stiles had thought that telling him off, sending him away, would be a victorious moment. He’d felt so crappy after being the one kicked out first, that he thought it’d make him feel better to be the one sending Derek away this time.
But it really didn't.
“Do the research yourself,” Stiles said, opening his laptop back up and clicking the play button of his movie. “Or ask someone else to do it.”
He didn’t get an answer. But Stiles just locked his gaze on his computer screen and waited a few long minutes before he dared to glance back up again.
And when he did, Derek was gone and his window was still open.
-
Stiles was mad. 
He was mad, he was hurt, and he was so freaking confused, it was starting to affect his sleep. His day-to-day life. Scott kept him updated on the comings and goings of the pack and Stiles got even madder, even though he couldn’t explain it.
Then at some point, after he’d stopped keeping track of how long it had been since that night, he decided he was done. Done being so pissed at fucking Derek Hale.
He showed up to the next pack meeting and Derek looked so surprised, Stiles couldn’t help but feel a little bit smug. He was thrumming out of his skin a little bit, but tried to act like it was the complete opposite, letting the betas practically bowl him over as fingers traced along the back of his neck and Derek continued to stare.
The man only broke his gaze when Lydia snapped fingers in front of his face. And he gave her a red-eyed look at that.
Stiles stuck next to Scott’s side and kept his gaze anywhere but Derek.
He thought everything could have gone worse.
By the time the pizza was gone, the betas were still moaning about how hungry they were, only to get a twenty from Derek and a growled ‘get out’, Stiles felt a little less nervous. Scott had one arm slung over Allison’s shoulder with plans to hang out after, even as he asked Stiles sheepishly if he wanted to tag along.
Stiles had been the third wheel for long enough to know he really didn’t want to be around when they decided to hang out this late on a weekend.
“Come with us, Batman,” Erica said, latching onto his arm. Stiles snorted.
“And wind up paying for dessert when you three eat through twenty dollars of pizza in five minutes? No thank you.”
The girl pouted, giving him a batted-eyes look, but Stiles shrugged her off.
“Nope, I’ve got homework,” he said. “And my own fridge at home where werewolves with infinite appetites won’t eat all my food.”
“You can’t do homework on a Friday,” Isaac said. “That’s so lame.”
“You’re so lame.”
“Great response, Stilinski,” Jackson said, sneering. Stiles just smirked back.
“Whatever, lizard boy.”
Lydia gave him a sharp look, grabbing Jackon’s arm and pulling him toward the door before the beta could say anything back. Stiles rolled his eyes, letting Erica grab his arm again as she started to drag him after them, but then someone cleared their throat behind him.
Erica let go in a second. Stiles froze, slowly turning around to see Derek standing near the table with his hands stuffed into the pockets of his leather jacket.
“I need Stiles to stay.”
Stiles’s heart skipped a beat and he cursed silently. “Actually, I’ve really got to—”
“It’s fine,” Boyd said, cutting him off. Stiles shot the beta a venomous look, but Boyd pointedly avoided Stiles’s glare. “Stiles can catch up.”
“Or, I could just—”
“Stiles,” Derek said. Stiles looked back at him reluctantly, but the man’s expression really wasn't as threatening as he’d expected. If anything, he looked a little pleading.
Words stuck in Stiles’s throat, so he just nodded, dropping his gaze again. And Erica traced fingers over the back of his neck one more time before the betas followed Jackson and Lydia out the loft door.
Silence fell over the room. Stiles swallowed hard and slowly raised his eyes. “What?”
“I was surprised to see you here tonight.”
“I’m still a part of the pack,” Stiles said. Derek looked surprised.
“Of course.”
“So you shouldn’t be surprised.”
“I just thought that after last time—”
“Oh hell, no,” Stiles said, stalking forward. All the anger he’d felt before came rising back up at Derek’s words and he jabbed a finger into the man’s chest, making Derek stiffen even more. “You don’t get to pull that card. It’s all so shitty, Derek, you know that? These past few months have been so shitty.”
Derek just looked down at Stiles’s finger, as if he was surprised at something. At the reaction, at Stiles’s anger, whatever. 
Stiles was still pissed.
“I know you don’t like to talk,” Stiles said. “I know you’re the big bad Alpha werewolf who doesn’t need anyone but himself and especially doesn’t need the token human. But you kissed me, asshole. You kissed me and kicked me out, and do you even know how fucked up that is?”
Derek’s gaze finally traveled back up to Stiles’s face. His hands were still stuffed into his pockets and Stiles didn’t know if that was better or worse than when the man would keep his arms barricaded over his chest.
“If it was a mistake, fine,” Stiles said. “But you should have told me.”
“Stiles, it wasn’t… I don’t…”
The man sucked at talking. Stiles could accept that. But as Derek trailed off, he thought he might go crazy if he had to leave the loft again without any answers.
Derek was still saying half sentences. Biting back a curse, Stiles surged forward.
The first time Derek had kissed him, Stiles .exe had completely stopped working. He didn’t quite get that reaction with Derek this time, but the man definitely froze for a moment. And Stiles figured this could go two ways. Derek could kick him out of the loft with reason this time, or the absolute whirlwind that Stiles had been going through these past few months would finally stop.
He kissed Derek hard and hungry, and it was so much different than last time.
Then the man was kissing him too. The hands that had been stuck in his pockets moved down Stiles’s sides, down his thighs, and then Derek was picking him up, turning away from the loft door and heading toward the couch.
So it’s option two, Stiles thought hazily. 
Thank fucking god.
Derek lowered him onto the cushions and drew back a few inches, green eyes searching Stiles’s face. And for some reason, Stiles was terrified again for a moment. Because things always started and things always stopped but god, he didn’t want this to stop.
“It wasn’t a mistake,” Derek said softly. “You’re not a mistake.”
Stiles held his gaze, almost waiting for the ‘but’. Except it never came, Derek hesitated for another moment, some unreadable expression flickering across his face.
“Is this okay?”
Was this okay? 
Stiles could have laughed for a moment. Some sharp, shocked laugh. Because fuck, if this wasn’t more than okay. Everything leading up to it sucked, yeah, and some part of Stiles wanted to chew Derek out. But another wanted to make sure that the constipated idiot knew that he was okay, this was okay, it was okay.
“Dammit, Sourwolf,” Stiles breathed out. “It’s okay.”
Derek’s eyes flickered red. And Stiles nearly choked on his own breath as the smallest hint of a smile tugged at the Alpha’s lips. One he’d never seen before— soft, almost a little nervous.
Yeah, this was more than okay.
Because red was unsolvable, right? And Stiles was pretty sure he was still figuring Derek Hale out. But this didn’t seem like it would end anytime soon.
And the first time in a long time, Stiles set his mind to something new.
Or, maybe his heart.
-
Tagging @roricomplex​ for the amazing prompt, I hope it turned out okay! I had a ton of fun with this one, thanks for sending a number <3
(if you enjoy my writing, consider sending a coffee? You can also request a prompt if you’d like!). https://ko-fi.com/rh27writer
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whumpmatsus · 3 years ago
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Do they have to be whump related? Also Ichimatsu getting a shot pls
wasn't sure if you wanted a draw or a fic, so I did both!
and yeah, any draw or fic requests you send here should probably be whump-related since this is a whump-focused blog
though if you wanna send any draw or fic/scenario/reaction/etc. requests that AREN'T whump, you can send them to my general Osomatsu-san blog at @kisskissmatsu!
enjoooooy <3
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Usually Ichimatsu is the sextuplet who’s fine being left all by himself.
Being in the hospital without his family, though, is a much different story.
It started innocently enough ― with a persistent cough that was almost certainly the herald of a cold or sore throat on the horizon. As much as he hates being sick, he sort of resigned himself to it. He’s the one among his brothers who’s forever catching what happens to be going around, despite the fact that he doesn’t spend a lot of time around other people. That’s why he started wearing a face mask when he does leave the house.
It was about a week or so of sneezing, coughing, and sniffling his way through various attempts to rest. His throat felt worse than it usually did with a cold, and even more alarming was that his chest felt like it was on fire, especially when he started coughing. Even though he started having trouble breathing, he thought maybe this was just something that would linger for a bit, something that needed more sleep to recover from.
When things didn’t taper off after that, since a week was typically all it took for him to start feeling better, the others started commenting on it.
When Ichimatsu started to spend more time in the bathroom with a sink full of hot water in the hopes that the steam would help him breathe easier, and it didn’t seem to be having any effect, they all got worried.
When Karamatsu blurted out, “I secretly took Ichimatsu’s temperature with a forehead thermometer while he was sleeping and it read 39.4!”, Mom and Dad immediately carted their fourth son off to the hospital.
It figures Shittymatsu would get him into this mess, but Ichimatsu supposes that the sneaky gesture was only out of care, otherwise Karamatsu wouldn’t have spoken up about a number that concerned him.
That doesn’t mean he has to like it. After a distressing, panic-inducing few hours of waiting and a date with the X-ray machine, the doctor diagnosed him with bacterial pneumonia. That particular diagnosis ensured that he had to be admitted into the hospital under quarantine, because as the doctor explained, bacterial pneumonia is extremely contagious and potentially life-threatening, particularly to someone with a fragile immune system like Ichimatsu. They can’t send him home to infect his brothers or the rest of the community, and even though he isn’t technically immuno-compromised, his tendency to get sick easily means that it’s better for him to be here in the hospital in case things suddenly take a bad turn.
Being in here is like he’s trapped in hell and can’t get out. Because he’s in quarantine, he never sees anybody. Which would be fine normally. Feeling so poorly is a significant reason for wanting his family nearby, though… and he can’t have them.
The most they can do is visit outside his room and talk to him through the speaker system. That’s even worse, seeing them all and not being able to have any real contact with him. Right now more than anything, what he wants is a hug from his mom. God, he wants a hug from his brothers.
It’s hard to even get any rest like he’s supposed to be doing. Most of his time is spent sitting up, trying to get a sufficient breath in while he listens to various TV channels. The idol news reminds him of Choromatsu, sports statistics remind him of Jyushimatsu, game shows remind him of Osomatsu, American dramas remind him of Karamatsu, and fashion shows remind him of Totty.
Those are just distractions, because it’s still hard to breathe. He’s struggling for most of his breaths, but too deep a breath will trigger a coughing fit. Which, in turn, makes it more difficult to breathe.
It’s barely been a day since he was admitted and already he wants out of here.
His brothers visit sometime after lunch, and they spend a few hours. Eventually the nurse gently chases them out, telling them that Ichimatsu needs to try to get some rest. Shortly after that she comes into the room, rolling her little cart with the tray on it.
“How do you feel today, Ichimatsu?” she hums, pulling on a pair of gloves. “Any better than when we admitted you?”
He shakes his head and tries to answer when another series of coughs interrupts him. Although it’s hard to cover his mouth when his whole body is aching, he does his best. After all, he doesn’t want to get anyone else sick. He’s already in quarantine, so all the doctors and nurses are taking their own precautions; still, he shouldn’t just give up and spread his germs carelessly. “N-not really.”
She nods and picks up a wrapped packet from the tray. “Well, to be honest, that’s understandable. It hasn’t been very long.” The packet is ripped open, and the distinct smell of alcohol fills the air as she carefully pushes his sleeve up. “The lack of improvement does concern us, though. So I just have to give you an injection of some medicine, okay?”
Shit. He thought that might be what was going on here. He knows he’s too exhausted to fight it, and yet, his brain evidently isn’t too exhausted to not be fucking anxious about it. “I… I have to get a shot?”
The cold wipe is rubbed against the top part of his arm. “Yeahhh… I’m sorry. This is penicillin, and it’s one of our standard treatments for pneumonia. The doctor thinks you’ll have better luck sitting still for one shot than for a whole pill-and-water deal, since you’re coughing a lot. I kind of have to agree, since you might accidentally inhale some water if you cough while trying to take the pills.”
Immediately he starts to panic. Most of the time the idea of a shot doesn’t bother him more than it might the average person ― he gets the yearly flu vaccine without any problems. Right now, however… the idea of a shot while he’s already feeling so terrible, the initial pinch and the ache that might happen afterwards and being alone, it just feels scary.
The nurse must hear the way his breathing starts to quicken, or maybe the way his hands start shaking. She gives his shoulder a little pat. “Ah, I know on your chart it says you suffer from some anxiety. Are you a bit anxious right now?”
“Y… yeah…”
“Okay. That’s totally fine, you know? Different people get anxious about different things. Would it help if I distracted you, or if I gave you a countdown so you know when it’s coming? Sometimes that helps so it’s not a surprise… or, sometimes people prefer it to be a surprise. Which one do you think would be best for you?”
… Oh. He wasn’t expecting something like that. It almost feels like he has a little control over this, despite the fact that he has to get the injection either way. “C… can you… count down?”
“Sure, of course. No problem.” Then she reaches over with one hand, grabbing the syringe with the other. “Would you like to hold my hand?”
That’s kind of… babyish, isn’t it? “I-I’m not a kid… I don’t wanna…”
She chuckles. “Well, you know, earlier today I held the hand of an elderly lady who was getting a shot. It’s not just a kid thing. But if you don’t want to, that’s fine too.”
He takes a moment to consider that, then silently slips his hand into hers.
“Alright, just squeeze if you feel like you need to. I’m all set, are you?”
“I… I think so…”
“Okay, I’m gonna give you the countdown then. Here we go. Three ― two ― one.”
As soon as she says the last number, he feels the needle pierce his skin. It’s uncomfortable, a sharp kind of pinprick pain. There’s a slight feeling of tightness and soreness as the medicine is emptied into his muscle, and a brief jolt when the nurse pulls the needle out.
All in all, even though it isn’t a pleasant experience, it’s not as bad as it could have been. It’s certainly better than choking on a pill and a glass of water if he had to try to swallow the medication.
And, at least, it’s over now.
“There. You did great, Ichimatsu. Probably my best patient of the day!” With that, she sets the syringe back down on the tray and gingerly smooths a bandage with a cotton ball over the injection site. “That should keep you clean just in case any blood trickles out from the shot, and someone will come take it off later if the adhesive starts to make your skin itch.”
He nods and coughs into his arm again, giving a soft groan. He’s just so tired, from the fever, from the coughing, from not being home. “Is it gonna m… khh… make me tired?”
“Haha, it shouldn’t, no. You might feel a little nauseous, or you might have to go to the bathroom more, or you might get a small itchy rash… just press the call button if any of that happens or if you feel strange otherwise, okay?” Her cart is all packed up already, and she’s heading out of the room. “If you get tired, it’s probably because you’re sick and need rest. So, try to sleep as much as you can.”
“’Kay.” He just feels like this illness has drained everything out of him, and there’s a little throbbing where he got the injection. But, the more he sleeps, hopefully the sooner he can recover and go home.
On her way out, the nurse dims the lights. Practically as soon as she does, Ichimatsu’s eyes start to drift closed. God, he’s so tired.
He lies down, though the bed is still a little elevated since sleeping flat will just make him cough more. Sleep tugs at him, and he has to move a little bit so he’s not putting any pressure on the area where he got the shot.
Soon. Soon he can go home.
Just as soon as he gets better.
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rwby-diaries · 4 years ago
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Happy birthday Blake!
The bestest kitty is up next! Blake was born on November 8th (Total Lunar Eclipse date)! This cute cat has had a lot of hardships in her life, but if there is one thing that’s absolutely certain, it’s that RWY love her to bits and always will!
Art piece sketch, background, and colouring editing by: @yang-diary
Line Art by: @thetopazvulpix
Coloured by: @catsofhorror
Shading by: @narwhalish 
Fic by: @lameclub
Edited by: @thetopazvulpix @yang-diary @jackedupjack
Fic under the cut!
"Why can't you just admit we took a wrong turn?!" Weiss' shrill voice echoes across the vast corn field. Ruby scoffs loudly as she turns back on her heels to face Weiss - hands on her hips with a slight pout.
"Because we didn't!"
Weiss scoffs in response causing the bickering back and forth to grow more heated. The two stragglers behind them giggle amongst themselves. Blake and Yang, not wanting to be dragged into the argument, walk beside each other at a steady pace at the back of the group. Both would occasionally glance towards the other with shy smiles before their gaze falls back to the ground shortly after.
Yang snorts as Weiss lets out a rather indignant shriek when Ruby blows a raspberry at her, "At least these two make for good entertainment."
Blake nods with a fond little hum as they continue to walk down the winding paths of the maze - nothing familiar seemingly jumping out to her.
As they pass by a separate path, in the near blind-spot of her vision - a low pulsating glow catches Blake’s attention. She pauses for a moment and looks towards it with a curious stare, but it wasn't long until its warm glow disappears behind the wall.
Almost on instinct, Blake feels her body move on it's own accord, her heart racing and her pupils widening suddenly. Blake could hear the bickering of Ruby and Weiss becoming more distant - but she wasn't thinking about that right now. Turning on her heel, Blake follows in the direction of where she saw the light go - leaving a confused Yang staring after her.
"Blake, where on Remnant are you going?"  She calls out only for Blake's head to turn back slightly.
"Something went down this way - let's go check it out!"
Yang pauses for a moment as her eyes shift in the direction of where the other two went - seemingly pondering on what to do. Blake could feel her ear twitch in the direction of where the light had scampered off to and shrugs.
"I can meet you guys at the exit," she tells Yang before she turns back around and darts in the other direction  - barely giving Yang the time to react. The other watches for a moment before curiosity gets the better of her and Yang smirks, chasing after Blake with a gleam in her eye.
As the two jog down the path, Blake does her best to focus on the small glow, as it would keep vanishing just out of her reach - much to her annoyance. For a few moments, the two remain silent and focused on the task at hand, but it isn't long until Yang couldn't keep quiet any longer.
"Do you even know what we're chasing?" That question has Blake's left ear twitch under her bow and she glances behind her.
"Not a clue," she answers plainly as she suddenly picks up the pace. Yang quickly follows suit as they sharply turn at another corner and the world falls silent once again.
As Blake moves through the night with ease due to her excellent night vision - she doesn't realise how little she is interacting with her partner. She was so focused on her goal she didn't hear Yang's numerous attempts to grab her attention. It isn't until the third 'ahem' does Blake jolt at Yang's voice - it sounds so loud in her head.
"I-I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me," Blake says, awkwardly laughing and scratching the back of her neck. Yang smiles at her warmly and waves her off.
"Don't sweat it - I know how focused you get." Yang says with an eyebrow raise. Blake giggles to herself as she covers her flushed face and finally looks around  - realization setting in.
“I...I have no idea where we are," she says quietly as she steps forward on her tip-toes and strains her neck in an attempt to see over the corn stalks. The maze around them seems to go on forever with the horizon stretching out of their view.
Yang hums to herself as she wanders around the small area, inspecting the different paths that lead in a variety of directions.
Yang shrugs, "Yep we're lost." Blake groans to herself while burying her face in her hands.
"Darn it, if only I hadn’t gotten distracted. I’m sorry Yang," she mutters, shaking her head and looking up at the paths again.
"Might as well keep going - we're bound to hear the other two eventually," she says quietly as she takes Yang's arm gently and the pair begin down a path of Blake's choosing. Little pumpkins dotted the sides of the trail - some painted and carved - likely by the local kids from around the area.
"I used to love pumpkin carving," Blake says, more to herself rather than to Yang beside her. The other tilts her head in Blake's direction, signaling her to continue. "It was a yearly tradition with my parents, during simpler times at least. I was eleven the last time I carved a pumpkin."
"Watch out!"
The pumpkin begins to roll off the table - causing Blake to shriek in horror as it falls. Before hitting the ground however, a hand catches it at just the last minute. A big burly laugh is heard as the pumpkin was placed back on the table.
"Be careful, my lil' puma," her dad says with a fond chuckle as he holds the pumpkin in place. "We don't have many of these lying around." He ruffles Blake's hair, who just giggles in response.
"Daaaad! You know I'm not a puma, I'm a Bombay and mama is a bur… a bur…" Blake starts but finds herself stammering mid-sentence as she stares down at the table, thinking intensely.
Ghira laughs as he pats her back "A Burmese, kitten," he explains and that causes Blake to jump up in excitement - nodding frantically. Ghira chuckles and kneels down beside Blake, as the two nuzzle each other's foreheads affectionately.
A small laugh sounds from behind them, "Looks like someone's excited for pumpkin carving." Kali smiles while taking the spot beside Ghira and crossing her arms. Blake nods enthusiastically as she slaps the pumpkin - it sounds like a drum.
"What do you want to carve into it, baby?" Kali asks, which has Blake pausing for a moment as she ponders the question. Pursing her lips, Blake reaches over and takes the marker carefully and sits back on her seat - humming to herself while inspecting it.
Both Ghira and Kali exchange soft looks between them before they sit down at the table and smile at their child whose eyes light up as an idea pops into her mind.
"I think I know!" she cries out as she sets herself upright and pulls the pumpkin closer in front of her. Picking up the pen marker on the table beside her in exchange for the larger one, she bites off the cap off it with fierce determination; but the moment the tip of the marker is pressed against the orange skin, Blake stops in her tracks.
"I don't know how to draw it," she says with a small pout. As her ears go down, Kali looks at Ghira with a small smile before she sits down beside her daughter.
"You don't need to be a master artist, my love," she explains while running her hands through Blake's frizzy hair. "You just need to try your best." Those words seem to do their job in bringing up Blake's spirits once more as her entire face lights up.
"What are you doing for your pumpkin, mama?" Kali giggles as she kisses the top of her daughter's head.
“As if I couldn't get any more stereotypical - I'm doing a tuna fish!" She answers her with a smile on her face.
Ghira let out a rumbling laugh beside her, "That's terrifyingly perfect for Halloween, ain't it my dear?" His teasing tone cases Kali to playfully jab him in the ribs. Blake could feel her stomach rumble at their antics as she hums to herself.
"Oooh tuna, my favourite!" Blake hums happily. Ghira nods in agreement.
"It's my favourite too, maybe we can catch some for next week! For an after-birthday celebration dinner!" He suggests with a smirk on his face and Blake claps her hands together in excitement.
"Sounds amazing, dad!"
Kali laughs warmly, "Going back on topic, what are you carving, dear?" She places her hands on Blake's shoulders, as the girl is practically thrumming with energy, and her eyes focus on her husband. Ghira stops for a moment as he thinks to himself and a serious look washes over his face.
"What do you think, Blakey, what should I carve?" He asks while turning towards his daughter who looks at him with big doe like eyes. Blake then proceeds to place a finger on her chin as she gives a thoughtful hum - her mind wild at work.
"You should make something super scary papa!" A devious look creeps onto Ghira's face as he leans on his elbow with smirk.
"Oh? But we already have you!" He says in a joking tone and Blake sticks her tongue grumpily but with no malice behind her actions. Ghira leans back with a hearty chuckle.
"I think my pumpkin will be a surprise!" Despite not fully being satisfied by that answer, Blake nods in agreement as she once again turns to her pumpkin, a focused look in her eyes.
"Then mine will be a surprise too!" She shouts out loud with a determined nod. Ghira and Kali both laugh to themselves as they accept her decision, and stand up.
"We'll give you space then, my love," Kali says as she pulls Blake in for one final hug but proceeds to blow raspberries into her neck. Blake snorts loudly as she pushes her mom off but can't contain the laughter that is rising up her body and escaping past her mouth.
As she is left to her own devices, several different ideas begin to bounce around inside of Blake's head - her tail wagging behind her. Thought after thought would rattle around but nothing seemed to stick or jump at her - much to her frustration. Groaning as she face plants the table before her and her attention falls elsewhere.
Spotting the slew of halloween decorations that littered around her house and several others, Blake sits up suddenly as she notices a particular one. A miniature, howling Beowolf animatronic with large fangs and smoky fur sits in the hallway. A grin creeps up her face as the pen marker is soon sketching the design on the pumpkin.
"Mama, papa! I'm finished!" Blake shouts excitedly as she runs over, tugging on her father's sleeve and trying to lead him in the direction of her pumpkin. Her dad laughs as he places his hand on his head and smiles.
"We're just finished ourselves, we're coming!" He says while tucking his own pumpkin under his arm. Blake jumps up and down before rushing off in the other direction, frantically urging her family to hurry up before sprinting ahead once more. Ghira and Kali smile to one another before following their daughter at a steady pace.
As they arrive back at the table, Blake's pumpkin is turned in a way that hides her carving. Blake plops herself back on the chair and pats the table while beaming brightly. Her parents arrive not long after and place their own pumpkins down in front of them.
"Do you want to go first, sweetheart?" Kali asks with the crinkle of a smile in her eyes. Blake nods as she eagerly taps her pumpkin, a big toothy grin present on her face. Kali giggles "Go ahead, dear, we're watching," she says with a look of encouragement.
With a small amount of effort, Blake turns the pumpkin around, revealing a rather choppy carving with random jagged points and no clear outline. Both of her parents glance at each other for a moment before they let out gasps of bewilderment.
"Wow darling! It's so unique!" Kali compliments warmly.
Ghira nods "I agree, honey - this is a true masterpiece!" He says as he takes in every aspect of her handiwork. Blake becomes quite bashful as her ears go down and she gives an awkward giggle.
"Beowolves are hard to carve, I was scared you wouldn't get it," she says, smiling. Kali shakes her head while walking over, ruffled Blake's hair before inspecting the pumpkin. Placing a finger to her chin, Kali hums in approval as she turns back towards Blake.
"A boo-wolf more like, very spooky!" She responds by playfully growling and hugging her daughter from behind and Blake lets out screams of laughter as she tries to wriggle out of her mother's grasp.
"Mama! That tickles!"
Kali eventually let's go of Blake and smiles down at her, her amber eyes swirling with warmth and love. "I don't think my pumpkin could ever compare," she says while turning around the orange vegetable, the careful carvings and details on the tuna fish has Blake lost for words as she stares.
"Mama, that's so cool!" Blake exclaims as she stares at it with her mouth agape. Ghira beside her whistles in admiration as he crosses his arms and nods - agreeing with Blake's statement. Kali softly blushes and leans up to kiss her husband's cheek, requiring her tip-toes just to reach him. Ghira's face mimics her blush, eliciting a giggle from her lips at the sight.
Blake looks up at her parents happily as they show affection to one another - it always made her happy.
It wasn't long, however, until Blake's attention was diverted somewhere else. "Come on, papa, you're next!" Blake calls out, gesturing to the pumpkin  that was still somewhat hidden away - causing the man to become rather embarrassed all of a sudden.
Kali's features soften as she places a tender hand on his arm, "Like I said to Blake, darling - you don't need to be a master artist--"
"--You just need to try your best!" Blake finishes with a smile.
Ghira finally brings his gaze back up to his family and a small fond smile makes its way back onto his face. "It might not be as much of a masterpiece as yours or Blake's, but..." he quietly says as he spins the pumpkin around with great ease.
Kali puts her hands up to her mouth with tears in her eyes while Blake gasps loudly.
Despite being crudely carved, the clear outlines of three people could be seen: two small stick figures with cat ears and a tail stand next to a tall, more squared figure.
Blake jumps from her seat "It's us!" She says loudly, running over to her dad who easily picks her up and hoists her onto his shoulder, keeping one arm over her legs for stability. Kali giggles as she nuzzles into Ghira's other arm.
"I love our family," Kali muses with purr.
Blake nods "Me too!" She says proudly, her tail wagging happily behind her. For the next few seconds, the trio embrace each other in total silence -  just enjoying each other's presence.  
Blake wipes her face and looks towards the sky, noting how much darker it's become. "Time flies when you're reminiscing," she muses. She holds her hand toward the sky and a soft glow lands on her finger. She brings it closer to inspect it, realization dawning on her.
“Wait, was I chasing a firefly before?” Blake asks, gaze shooting up from the tiny glowing insect in her hand. Yang chuckles, scratching the back of her head awkwardly.
“Yeah, I was pretty sure that’s what it was, but I didn’t wanna embarrass you,” she says, still grinning. Blake huffs to herself, watching the tiny bug as it takes flight with a passing breeze, a silence falling between the two.
As they both watch the small bug flitter off into the newfound darkness, Yang tilts her head in the other’s direction, “You’re pretty close with your parents, huh?’’ Yang mentions with a smile, but it didn’t garner the reaction she was hoping for - as tension falls on Blake’s shoulders.
“I-I’m sorry you don’t have to answer--’’
Blake shakes her head frantically as she crosses her arms, holding them over her chest with a sigh “N-No I want to… It’s just a little hard for me,’’ she explains while staring on ahead - her body feeling heavy at the thought. Yang’s features soften as she places a reassuring hand on her shoulder and immediately Blake eases from the touch.
Blake inhales deeply before speaking “I-I left home when I was very young - on my birthday in fact,’’ the more Blake speaks, the more shame starts pooling into her chest.  All Blake was waiting for was for Yang to lash out or feed into her guilt - but to her surprise it never comes.
In fact, the hand on her shoulder squeezes it in reassurance and a look of understanding washed over Yang’s face, “That explains why you were so hesitant to let us know it was your birthday, huh?’’ She suggests.
Blake nervously gulps and nods “I-I… I just didn’t want to be reminded of it,’’ she mumbles under her breath as her hands fall to the side of her body limply “It wasn’t just me leaving that bothers me the most - it was the reason behind it.’’ Blake’s voice is shaky as she explains further, her mind becoming rather hostile towards her own self.
“The reason behind it?’’
Blake opens her mouth to finish her sentence, but finds her eyes wandering towards the stalks of corn once more - only to notice a figure standing not that far in.
A man in the corn?
A man with horns...
Adam?
Blake stumbles back, eyes going wide with shock. Yang reaches out and catches her, steadying the other as Blake’s eyes readjust to the gloom. A scarecrow. It was a scarecrow, not Adam. Blake sighed in relief, only then realizing that Yang is helping hold her upright.
"You okay, B?" Yang worriedly asks, watching as Blake's frantic breathing finally returns to its normal pace. It takes a few seconds before Blake could compose herself and she sighs.
"I-I… I thought I saw someone-- something." Blake quickly corrects herself, all while staring down the scarecrow not far ahead of her - an uneasy feeling nestled within her chest. Following her line of sight, Yang takes a quick glance at the figure and then back to Blake.
"I wouldn't blame you for being scared of this thing," Yang starts as she walks over, inspecting the scarecrow carefully and shrugging, "This fella is very poorly made - we have more goofy looking ones back at home!" She explains while flicking the scarecrow's head and it barely budged.
"I don't even think they're meant to be scary - this poor one just got the short end of the stick… literally!’’ Yang says as she gently kicks the stick holding it up with her boot before walking back over to Blake, a big grin on her face. "You have nothing to be afraid of, especially when we're together!" She says with full confidence in her voice.
Blake blushes, "It's hard to argue with logic like that," she mumbles while playing with her thumbs, smiling down at the ground. Suddenly, Blake finds herself overtaken by a new and funny feeling  - it flutters in her stomach and makes her nervous.
What was this feeling?
All Blake knows is one thing - she wants to be close to Yang. Without warning, Blake wraps her arms around Yang and buries her face into her chest, much to the surprise of her partner. After the initial shock wears off, Yang pulls Blake in and hugs her even tighter.
"Thank you, Yang."
Blake's heart is beating like crazy, finding comfort  in how warm Yang's body is - a welcome change from the nippy autumn air. The two don't move a muscle nor do they speak a word - Blake enjoying the peace she has been withheld from for the longest time.
Everything was perfect… until-
"Take that, maze!" Screams a  voice, knocking the two out of their daze and drawing both of their attention. The blade of crescent rose slices through the corn, revealing Ruby and Weiss - the latter of whom was standing there and shaking her head.
"I will slay the hay!" Ruby screams.
Weiss raises an eyebrow "It's corn, you dolt."
Ruby blinks a few times before triumphantly holding crescent rose up high once more "I will slorn the… corn?" When Ruby loses momentum halfway through the sentence, Weiss groans.
"You're honestly going to get us kicked out.''
Yang laughs, "I think she has the right idea!" She calls out with a smirk, as she wanders over towards the other two. Blake watches as the excessive chatter starts up once again but she can't stop herself from giving a wistful sigh.
"You need to stop encouraging this behaviour, Yang!" Weiss says while sticking her nose up and huffing.
Yang rolls her eyes and yanks Weiss in with the crook of her elbow, "Lighten up, Weiss!"  She teases much to the annoyance of the trapped individual.
Blake snickers, "I like Ruby's plan," she says and Weiss gasps while pushing Yang away and staring at Blake in mock betrayal. Ruby fist pumps the air with a quick 'woo!' with a grin painted across her face.
"Birthday girl's wishes are to be followed-"
Ruby stops herself and covers her mouth, shooting an apologetic look in Blake's direction. The other blinks for a brief second before she manages a short laugh - confusing the others around her.
"It's okay Ruby - my birthday wish is to slice our way through this maze," Blake says while placing a hand on her hip and nodding. Ruby sticks her tongue out at Weiss who just responds with an irritated huff.
"Feisty! I like it," Yang says with a wink while she readies her gauntlet, "I'd love to see that side of you more." She comments, causing Blake's cheeks to burn brightly and she was thankful that her friends couldn't see in the dark like she could.
"Onwards, Team RWBY!"
On their way out, Blake makes sure to slice up one particular scarecrow, leaving its head all alone on the dusty ground.
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oopsiedoopsie23 · 5 years ago
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Not another rich girl | Ander Muñoz x reader
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A/N: I’m actually motivated to write 2 imagines back to back? Who the fuck am I? Anyways, I know that this request included smut but I tried and it was just super cringe to me so I had to scratch that, but I hope that this imagine is still good! Oh and this is a long one bitches, so happy reading!
Request: hi! i love your writing! could u possibly write something smut with ander (being straight) ? like he goes out one night just to find a girl to have sex with, and the meets the reader and have sex with her and on the next day he finds out she’s the new girl frim his school. and the like fall in love and something like that
Warnings: mentions of sex, alcohol, swearing
Clutching both you and your friend’s drinks in both hands while also trying to keep your favourite clutch from falling onto the floor was not as easy as you thought it would be, not to mention with the crowds of people around you dancing and sucking each other’s faces off.
You gasp when someone bumps into you causing you to stumble, but before you could face plant in the middle of the dance floor, you feel a pair of hands catch you.
“Holy fuck!”
You hear a low voice chuckle, “I just saved your life.”
“Yeah thanks, I think my friend would have killed me if I showed up without their drink.”
You hear him chuckle once again and it literally sounds like music to your ears.
The two of you stand there for a moment in the middle of the dance floor, looking at one another before he awkwardly sticks his hand out for you to shake, 
“Ander.”
you smile, before awkwardly motioning to the drinks still in your hands, “I would shake your hand but mine seem to be a bit full.”
You giggle as his cheeks redden at the realization.
“Here,” you take one of the drinks in your hands and place it in his outstretched one, “now, I can shake your hand.”
He smirks and shakes his head, almost in disbelief, but still shakes your hand,
“Beautiful and smart, I like that.”
“Hot and cocky, not sure if I like that.” you smirk, 
“Would it change if I help you carry these drinks so your friend won’t kill you?”
You pretend to seriously think about the option even though you both knew that there was no way you would turn down his offer, “I’d reconsider it.”
Ander sarcastically rolls his eyes and lets you lead him through the crowded dance floor to a small table in the corner of the room where another girl impatiently sits, with her phone in her hands.
“Y/N c’mon that took you li-” You roll your eyes knowing what’s about to happen, 
“Oh sorry, I didn’t realize that Y/N would bring something else back besides our drinks.”
You scoff and give Ander an apologetic look, “Y/F/N, chillax, he saved me from falling on my ass and helped me bring the drinks back.”
You practically forced the drink into their hands to stop them from saying anything else before turning to Ander once again, “Sorry, they’re a little drunk.”
He gives a sheepish smile, “Nah, don’t worry about it, I’m sure my friends wouldn’t have been much better if I showed up with you carrying our drinks to our table, too.”
Your eyes widened at the revelation, “Holy shit you’re here with people? Sorry, they must be worried about where you are!”
Ander gives another chuckle that makes your heart flutter, “Nah don’t worry about it, we come here often enough for me to know that they’re probably sucking each other’s faces off by now.”
Your face scrunches up into a face of pure disgust making Ander chuckle once again, “Only single one in the group?”
“Is that your way of asking me if I’m single?”
“Don’t flatter yourself pretty boy.”
“So you think I’m pretty?”
“I think you’re a boy.”
“Can you two find a bathroom to hook up in, already? The sexual tension between you two is killing me.”
The two of you turn to look at your friend, now with an empty glass in their hand, cheeks tinted red, drunkenly laughing at your facial expressions,
You’re about to give them another rhetorical response when they abruptly stand and walk past you, muttering about getting another drink. 
“Well...they’re...”
“A bitch when drunk? Yes, yes they are.”
The two of you sit down at the now empty table, and the both of you fall into a comfortable silence as you look around the club, watching various drunk teens stumble around.
You’re entertained watching a group of teens around your age on the balcony, drunkenly laughing and grinding on one another when Ander drags you out of your thoughts, 
“And that, is why I’m here with you.”
“What?”
“Those drunken bastards back there,” Ander points back to the group of friends that you were watching, “Are my friends.”
You burst out laughing much to Ander’s amusement,
“Sorry, it’s just that...they seem to be on a whole other level of drunk compared to everyone else in here.” You lift your arm, motioning to the others in the club to prove your point, 
“No, I get it, like, don’t get me wrong, I’m down for getting drunk, but...”
“You don’t want to be grinding and making out with all of them.”
“That, and I’m the only single one in the group.”
“Ha! I knew it!”
“Yeah, yeah, doesn’t really help that they’re all dating each other too.”
Your faces scrunches up again, making Ander burst out laughing, 
“C’mon then pretty boy, let’s go take shots to take your mind off of your horny friends.” You stand up and take his hand, dragging him out of his seat, 
“You must really like my looks, don’t you?”
“Because of that, you’re paying.”
--------------------------------------
After an hour of shots and bottles of champagne (you didn’t bother questioning Ander’s strange mix of alcohol), you and Ander were left laughing and stumbling through the streets after sending your friend home in a taxi. 
Ander led you through streets and alleyways until the two of you were standing at a lookout point, at the edge of town,
The two of you stand there for a moment in silence, hand in hand, looking at the view, until you break the silence, 
“If we spent this whole night flirting just for you to kill me, I’ll be super pissed.”
Ander chuckles for what feels like the hundredth time that night, making the butterflies in your stomach flutter, 
“How would you even be pissed at me if you’re dead?”
“I have my ways.”
Another comfortable silence engulfed the two of you before you broke it once again, 
“I wish this moment lasted forever.”
“Well it would if you could keep quiet for more than 30 seconds.”
You pout causing a wide smile to spread on Ander’s face while he pinches your cheeks. 
“Anyways, tell me why you want this moment to last forever.”
You sigh, turning away from the boy to face the beautiful view, 
“My dad just got a huge promotion and apparently I’m not good enough for a regular public school now, so he’s sending me to some fancy, rich kid school.”
Ander smiled, wrapping his arm around you, 
“C’mon it probably won’t be that bad.”
“There’ll probably be a lot of people acting like your friends, there.”
“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
“You tell me.”
“Touché.”
Maybe it’s the alcohol still coursing throughout both of your veins, or the butterflies still fluttering in your stomach but the next thing you know, Ander’s lips are on yours, your hands are on his face, tracing his jawline and his hands are drawing circles on your hips. 
The two of you move in sync, hands travelling down the others’ body, trying to get as much as you could of the other before either of you could change your minds. 
Ander slowly pulls back, letting you both catch your breath before silently leading you down a set of stairs to an abandoned couch.
“This totally isn’t sketchy at all.”
Ander turns to you, eyes sparkling, “Do you trust me?”
You smile and close the gap between the two of you once again, letting your lips connect, “Of course I do.”
“Good.”
-------------------------
You wake up to the sound of birds chirping and a bright light shining on your face, at first you just groaned and rolled over but when you bumped into a hard chest, your eyes widened in realization and you had to cover your mouth quickly to stop yourself from screaming. 
You sit up and quickly scramble for your phone, sighing in relief when you find it on the ground with your abandoned clutch and heels. Turning it on, you gasp when you see the time, 5:00 am. 
You had exactly 3 hours to find a cab, explain to your parents why you were still in your dress from the night before, sit through their boring lecture about being responsible, change into your new uniform, and run out the door. 
You sigh and pick up your shoes, making sure you had all of your things before a new realization dawned on you...Ander.
Sweet, charming, Ander, who was still sleeping peacefully on the couch, oblivious to your leaving. 
You walk over to him, running a hand through your hair before giving him a gentle kiss on his forehead. 
May we meet again, sweet Ander.
Giving the sleeping boy one last look, you turn around, and walk away. 
-----------------------------
Ander grumbled as he walked into the full classroom. 
“Did someone not get enough sleep last night?” 
Ander shot a smiling Guzmán a glare before sitting down at his usual table.
“I saw you with that hot girl last night.” Guzmán sang once again, wiggling his eyebrows.
Ander let out a groan, trying to ignore Guzmán’s childish gaze.
“I mean, where did you even go? Your mom called and I had to tell her that you were sleeping at my house.”
“Drop it Guzmán.” 
Guzmán‘s smile dropped as he scooted closer towards his best friend, a concerned look adorning his face upon noticing the anger and sadness laced in Ander’s voice,
“Ander, I know you’re not okay, what the fuck happened?” 
“She fucking left me, okay? She left this morning without a word.”
“Ander...”
“I’m fine Guzmán, seriously it happens, I just- I thought that she was different.”
Before the boy could respond, the two hear the voice of Ander’s mom interrupt their conversation,
“Attention all of you, we have a new student today and I hope that you all give her a warm welcome.”
Ander groans, “Jesus Christ, not another rich girl.”
But his heart stops when a familiar pair of eyes are looking back at him, from the front of the room. 
“Now everyone, this is Y/N L/N, would you please have a seat next to Ander, over there?”
He watches in shock as you give a slight nod and smile to his mother and slowly make your way towards him.
“Hi...” you awkwardly mutter as you sit down in the empty chair beside him.
His jaw clenches but he doesn’t say a word, instead trying to ignore your pleading look and Guzmán’s confused one. 
But after about 15 minutes of silence, he couldn’t take it anymore, 
“Why did you leave without saying goodbye?” he whispers, so only you could hear,
Out of the corner of his eye, he sees you gulp and hesitantly turn towards him, 
“I didn’t know what to say...hey I got to go home and get ready for my first day at the best school in the fucking country that apparently you go to, too?”
Ander couldn’t hold back the chuckle that escaped him and gently nudged your shoulder with his, 
“Hey, now you can go to the club with the horny bastards and I.”
He laughed as you made the scrunched up face of disgust that made his heart beat ten times faster.
“Jesus Christ, do I have to?”
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jungkookiebus · 5 years ago
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Life Eternal | jjk
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Genre: fantasy!au, angst, smut Pairing: Fae!Jeongguk x human!reader Word Count: 8.9k Warnings: the angst is minimal (years of pining and some heartbreak. okay maybe minimal for us, but not for them lol), near death of a major character, fingering, vaginal sex (that vanilla stuff, but it’s cute you just gotta get there). Summary: In the village there were always whispers of Fae and at home, isolated in the mountains, your mother wove you stories of the tricks they pulled. When young, you met, by fate, a Fae that skewed all your previous notions. A boy saves your life and sets you on your way. Years later, he’s there again, saving you and sealing it with a kiss. Legend says that if a Fae claims you as his own you’re his forever. Could you, a human, really live with forever? 
“Don’t go too far,” your mom said from the edge of the garden. The cottage door was open behind her, the smell of bread wafting into the forest. You had asked her if it would be okay to pick berries to which she obliged but came running out before you could get too far.
“I won’t, mama.” The basket she had given you was hung over your arm. If you brought back enough, then she might make that pie you liked so much. It was your birthday after all.
You wouldn’t have to travel far into the trees, but it would be out of sight of home. Growing up in these woods, you knew all the twists, turns, and strange trees but even Mother Nature liked to change every once in a while, and keep things hidden and out of sight. That was when you fell straight through the earth. Or at least that’s what it felt like. You landed with a thud, flat on your back. Bits of dirt and a few leaves landed on your face. Sitting up and wiping away the forest floor debris you looked at your surroundings. You were in an underground cavern with what looked like tunnels. Might have been an old underground river. Either way, there was no way you were getting out going up. The hole in which you fell was about twenty feet above you.
“Hello! Mom!” you yelled. Your voice bounced off the walls in the tunnels, disappearing into an unknown darkness. Birds chirped overhead and you suddenly wished you could sprout wings and fly out of here.
“Hello!” you called again.
You sat down hard, tears starting to prick at your eye corners. Dread filled your body as you thought about being stuck down here, never found, and starve to death. This was not at all how you imagined dying. Standing up, you walked to one of the tunnels, turning your head to see if you could hear any wind or distant noises. No sound came out of the void in front of you and it was so unsettling that you moved on to the next one about ten feet away. A whisper of a breeze came from within, promising a way out, but there was still one more to check. You had to walk across the cavern to get to this one. It looked a bit smaller than the other two, giving you pause. Maybe the tunnel got smaller as you traveled? You shivered thinking about getting stuck in there. One summer, you had fallen into a large hay bin in the barn, trapping yourself amongst the densely bunched straw and panicked. Reliving something like that in the dark made your heart hurt in your chest. You were about to give up on that tunnel entirely when you heard a small sound. It was very faint at first; just a clack against the rock. Could be anything. Then you heard it again. This time, two clacks against the rocks and a softer thud. You held your breath as you listened. The combination of sounds seemed to be coming towards you until they were getting too close for comfort. Scrambling backwards to get towards the light, your heel caught the stone and it sent you tumbling backwards. You sat up quickly and watched as a small, yellow ball came rolling out of the tunnel, bumping along crags and stones, and stopped at your feet. Your chest heaved as panic set in. Something or someone was in here with you. The clacks were footsteps, boots maybe, and they were drawing closer by each passing second. Closing your eyes, you accepted your fate with whatever was going to emerge out of that tunnel.
What you weren’t expecting was the total shock of the other person.
“Oh!” you heard exclaimed in front of you. From the sounds of it, it was a young boy, probably around your age. But now that you thought of it, there weren’t homes close to yours for miles and the village was even further.
You opened one eye slowly and then the other. In front of you stood a tall boy with shaggy hair. He was hidden in the shadows just enough that you couldn’t see much else about him. He wore baggy pants, a loose fitted long sleeved shirt, and upon looking down, boots.
“I see you found my ball,” he smiled nervously. He backed into the shadows a little more as if he didn’t want you to see him.
“Uh…” You looked down at your feet. Grabbing the ball, you tried to look confident as you rose to your feet. “Do you know a way out of here?”
“Oh, I…how did you get in?”
You looked up through the beam of sunlight and pointed.
He huffed in surprise as if he had just found out it was there even though it was painfully obvious.
“Do you know a way?”
“Yes.”
“Can you show me?”
“No. Uh, I mean, yes! I mean…I’m not supposed to take you.”
“What do you mean?” you asked, stepping closer in his direction. He scuffled backwards to keep his distance. You stopped walking and stared into the darkness.
You heard his shallow breathing, watching you from the shadows as you stood, ball in hand and waiting for an answer.
“I’m not supposed to take you there.”
“Where is there? I just need to get out of here.”
“Look, I’m going to come closer to you because I don’t like this whole hiding in the shadows thing, but you have to promise me something.”
“Okay?” You fidgeted nervously.
“That you won’t be afraid.”
You sucked in your breath and held it there. This was making you very, very afraid.
“Okay,” you croaked.
He moved forward slowly; approaching the dim circle of light that you stood in. His shoes clicked ever so lightly on the stone. He was looking straight at you when he came into the light. His hair was jet black and it framed his face perfectly. It was messy and fell over his eyes…his eyes. You were suddenly entranced with his eyes. They were a color you had never seen on another person. They were as green as emeralds and shown brightly in the light. His skin shown as if the moon illuminated from the inside out. His features were sharp but at the same time round, boyish. Softly pointed ears stuck out from the curls. He was young still, maybe a few summers away from becoming a man. When all he was met with was mild curiosity, he stepped closer.
“I don’t scare you?”
“You look like any other boy.”
He laughed and you saw his eyes shine. “No, I don’t.”
“Well, you act like one.”
He laughed again. Distracted by your movements, he looked at you palming the ball in your hands. A deep gash lay across your left hand.
“You’re hurt,” he said pointing to your hand.
You gasped, dropping the ball. You were so scared you hadn’t even noticed that you hurt yourself. The boy stooped low and scooped up the ball before fixing his gaze on your hand once more. He watched you panic for a couple of seconds before stepping forward tentatively.
“May I?” he asked reaching out.
You sniffled. You were confused. What could he possibly do for you? It didn’t look as if he carried anything with him. Was he trying to find a way to grab you? Drag you back into the cave and more than likely eat you? You stepped back noticeably, and the boy gave pause. Putting his hands up in a defensive gesture he looked at you squarely.
“I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Your hand shook as you held it out. He walked towards you again, slowly. When he saw that you weren’t going to bolt, he gently placed his hand beneath yours, to cup it softly. His skin was cool and soothing against yours. He placed his other hand over yours and you looked up at him through your tears. He smiled a little, his effort at comfort, as his grip tightened on you.
“You should be good as new.” He pulled away hesitantly. Looking down, the gash was gone. You turned your hand this way and that.
Looking at him with astonishment you said, “How did you do that? Are you a witch?”
“Don’t compare me to those creatures,” he mock sneered. He averted his eyes to the floor.
“So? What are you?” You leaned to the side a little hoping to catch a glance at his expression.
He scrunched his nose before smiling wide, turning to look at you, and you saw a glint of mischief in his eyes. You knew what he was going to say before the words ever left his mouth. Dread filled you to the brim and you felt the blood drain from your face. You thought his kind was only a legend; stories passed down to scare you into staying close to home. Mischievous creatures that lived in the forest, preying on humans, taking them as their own.
“I’m Fae of course.”
You should have known, and you could kick yourself for trusting him. He probably wasn’t even a young boy. He was more than likely an old Fae disguised to lure you into a false sense of security.
“Stay away from me!” you shouted. Bending down you grabbed a stone large enough to maim if need be.
“Hey!” He held his arms out in front of him as you slowly circled one another. “Put that down!”
“Oh, so you can kidnap me and take me back to wherever it is you live? You’ll…you’ll probably feed me to your children!” You jabbed the rock in his direction as he took a step towards you.
Hands still raised he said, “Put the rock down, please.”
“I’m not putting this down.”
“Can you at least stop swinging it at me? And children? Ew, no. I’m too young for kids. I’m a kid.”
“Says the old man disguised as a kid!” You swung a little wider hoping to keep him away from you.
“I’m not an old man!”
“Prove it!”
“Look at me!” he shouted emphatically, gesturing towards himself as if it were painfully obvious and you were just stupid.
“All you Fae are tricksters.”
He flung his arms to his sides, eyes rolling towards the ceiling as he sighed. He rubbed his hand over his face. “That is true…however!” he held his hands up again, “we are also honest folk. I can get you out of here, but you have to trust me, and you have to be quiet.”
You stared at him as you pondered his offered. He didn’t look away from you as your brain rattled through all the possibilities. He could be telling you the truth; he can get you out of here and on your way back home. Or, he could be lying to you and leading you to your death. If you turned him down, he would just leave you here and you’d starve anyway. Maybe he’d give you a quick death if he really did mean to kill you.
“Fine,” you said finally. “But I’m keeping the rock.”
“Fair. Just don’t swing it at me.”
“What’s your name?” you asked, lowering your hand.
“Jeongguk.”
“Strange.”
“Oh yea? What’s yours?”
“______.”
“Strange.”
You narrowed your eyes at him as he smirked.
“Now, let’s get you out of here before your parents think you’re actually dead.”
He held out his hand to you, but you didn’t take it.
“You let me hold it before,” he pointed out.
Exhaling loudly, you stepped forward and placed your hand in his. He was like touching a smooth stone from the creek bed next to your house. His fingers intertwined with yours and he grinned calmly.
“It’s going to be dark, but you have to trust me.”
“I trust you.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
He tugged at you gently and you numbly followed behind him, afraid to leave the light behind, but that too would disappear as the day went on. The tunnel floor was unnaturally smooth so there was no tripping as he led you further into the depths of the cavern. Cool air blew against your face and it helped to calm your nerves as they pricked your skin and caused it to flush. It was quiet save for his soft foot falls and your erratic breathing.
“Don’t be so nervous,” he whispered. “I’ll protect you.”
“From what?”
“You tell me. Sounds like you might be creating something in your head.”
He was right. Your mind raced, thinking up the most horrible creatures imaginable. Wolf men hid in the shadows, watching you walk by. The drip you heard occasionally was not water, but drool. You shook your head to clear the thoughts but couldn’t seem to let it go.
Sometimes, he would turn to look at you and you would see his eyes glint even though there was no light source in the tunnel. The walls were still very close. The echo of your footsteps came back rather quickly as you traveled. After about ten minutes of walking, the floor started to slope upwards ever so slightly, and the breeze became stronger.
Jeongguk stopped after a moment and turned to face you. His face was close to yours as he spoke, and you caught his scent as he leaned closer. Fresh rain and pine needles, you thought.
“We’re going to travel the outer limits and you’ll have to be extremely quiet, okay? If I take you along the edge there shouldn’t be very many people. Plus, we’ll be high up and most people don’t go up there anyway.”
You were confused but you didn’t want to ask. From where you fell was maybe only twenty feet and you were gradually going up, so what was he talking about? He took your silence as confirmation and led you onwards once more.
“We’re almost there,” he whispered.
The breeze grew stronger. Smells started to assault you senses and it bewildered you because they were all so…familiar. Strong smells of cooked meat, wood burning in a stove, and fresh earth were among the ones you noticed. The first sounds besides the two of you started to reach your ears. A town. Voices, bustling carts, people walking on cobblestones, and small children laughing. Jeongguk held your hand harder as a light came into view ahead, around a corner. The light, sound, and smells grew stronger as you rounded the corner. Ahead you saw a cavernous expanse open up before you and as you exited the tunnel you were astonished at what you saw. Inlaid inside an enormous, ancient underground dried up lake sat a small city. A waterfall rushed down on the opposite end, straight into a river that cut through the city and into the mountain. Houses were cramped on top of one another, bakeries, butchers, people talking amongst each other in the streets, and children played along the stalagmites. The city glowed. Some form of plant life that grew on the ceiling and many of the columns of stone illuminated the city.
“This way,” he whispered, pulling you from your reverie. “We need to get you out of here before anyone notices you.”
The two of you stood on a ledge that was only about three feet across, just as smooth as the tunnel, and wound upwards and around to another opening. You both moved with haste and you tried to take in and remember as much of the city as possible. Strange creatures you had never seen before moved along the streets and alleyways of the busy city. People like Jeongguk made up most of the population, but you also saw all manner of wild, magical animals among them. Strange birds with white eyes sat perched on rooftops, observing you as you passed without making a sound. Lithe creatures with fur as shiny as silk and deep red slinked in and out of the passing people. You were soon approaching the next tunnel when you forcibly stopped, causing Jeongguk to turn and look at you.
“What are you doing?” Fear crept into his voice as he watched you, exposed, staring out over the city.
“Is this where you live?”
“Yes, now we need to go,” he said pulling on you again.
“Just give me a second.” You slipped your hand from his and walked to the ledge.
“Be careful!” he whispered loudly. The drop was long and would surely kill you if you were to fall over the edge. You’d be met below with stone rooftops and strange creatures no doubt. Much better than starving. You looked out over the city and then back at him.
“I thought Fae lived in the forest.”
“They-we do. Just not all of us live on top. You humans don’t even know a fraction about us.”
You looked back at him. His eyes glowed even brighter under the luminescent plant life. He seemed to be pleading with you to step away. Sighing, you reached for his hand. He looked relieved as he grasped you firmly and pulled you into the tunnel. The city disappeared behind you until it was a faint glow in the distance. Neither of you spoke as you walked. The sound of rushing water filled your ears and you knew you were close. The same water source that fed the waterfall had to come from somewhere and you soon saw it as you approached, it came up on your right as Jeongguk led you to the left. An opening led directly out into the forest where you saw the trees swaying peacefully in the wind. The two of you stepped into the sunlight and both squinted as you adjusted to the bright afternoon sun. When you could finally fully open your eyes, you turned and looked at the boy a little more fully. Woven in his hair were jewels that shone so clearly that you were sure they were nothing man had ever made. His skin was alabaster but shone so prettily in the light that you were suddenly envious. The green of his eyes was even more unsettling as the sun washed across his face.
“I’ll get you back to the path and then you can find your way home.”
“Why are you being nice to me?”
“Not all Fae are bad, _____. You’re right to have reservations about us, though. Fae are not a wholly peaceful race.”
“W-what does your race do?”
He looked at you squarely and you could tell he was debating on telling you.
“We…do take humans.” He cringed a little as you stepped back in fear. “Only the really bad people. The ones that like to keep humans as pets or kill them. The legends are true, but it’s not true for all of us. Though, if a Fae does take you, you’re theirs forever; doomed to live an eternal life until you are released.”
“Like immortality?”
“Something like that.”
You both moved forward into the forest and soon you were back on the path leading you home. You hadn’t realized he had stopped some time behind you until you only heard your footsteps crack amongst foliage. You turned and saw him standing in the path holding the basket you had brought, filled to the brim with berries. You stood in shock as he walked forward and handed it to you. You hesitated before reaching out and holding the basket in your arms.
“So you don’t have to tell your mom what happened,” he smiled.
This was his way of saying goodbye to you after he had set you on your path.
“Will I see you again?”
“It’s not safe for my kind to mingle with yours.”
“Why not?”
“Elder Fae do not take kindly to humans,” he said sadly, “unless they’re the ones taking them.”
He seemed to be different from the others he described. He looked ashamed as he said the words.
“Well, thank you for helping me and…thank you for…,” your voice trailed off as you didn’t know what to say. All you knew is that you wanted to see him again and that seemed impossible.
“Goodbye, ____.” He grinned one last time. A strong breeze grew overhead, causing the leaves to rustle loudly, momentarily distracting you as you looked up. When you looked back at where the boy stood, he was gone. The only proof you had that he existed was the basket of berries you held in your arms.
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Five years later
“______, where are you going? I’m making your favorite dinner for your birthday. 18 is a big deal.”
You grabbed the basket from the small table by the door. “Berries, mom. I was hoping you’d make me a pie.”
Every year, for your birthday, you had gathered berries for a pie. Five years ago, is when you met him and you had hoped every year since that you would happen upon him again. The hole you had fallen into was gone the next day when you went searching for it. It seemed to have been sealed up, almost by magic. A few times you thought you might dare go into the tunnel the river flowed into, disappearing under the earth, knowing it led to the glowing city. But you always got frightened in the end and never went. This year would probably be no different. After you had gathered the appropriate amount of berries you headed in the direction of the rushing water. The snow had begun to melt farther up the mountains, so the water was higher and faster than usual as you approached. The mist sprayed higher than ever as the water hit in the stone walls of the tunnel. Today would definitely be a day you would not be entering the tunnel. But fate had a funny way of changing your plans. What had normally been a safe rock for you to stand on was now slick with water and a thin layer of gooey slime. You had no time to process what was happening as your footing was lost and you plunged headlong into the icy depths of the river. The cold cut through you like a knife, seizing your breath in your lungs, and caused your muscles to tense. No matter how painful it was, you fought. You grabbed for anything you could until you plunged into darkness, swept away with the current and underground where you were surely going to meet your fate. These woods had tried to kill you five years earlier and here it was trying again. You had resigned yourself to your death as the world faded around you, darkness creeping into your mind as the coldness began to ebb away. The last thing you remembered as a sharp jerk to the right before you succumbed to the empty blackness that was death itself.
You stood, alone, in an empty white space. Wherever you were, it was bright, but there were no defining features. It was just…white.
“Hello?” your voice only echoed a little, but with no curves or corners to the place, you could not determine how large it was.
“_____.” You heard your name even though it sounded like a low whisper.
“Hi! Yes! Where am I?”
Your name sounded again, but a little more frantic this time.
“I’m right here, can you see me?!” you shouted at the top of your lungs.
“________!”
Your eyes flew open to darkness as you coughed. Water came sputtering out of your mouth as your lungs filled with precious air.
“Oh, thank the gods,” you heard above you.
You laid flat on stone, that much you could tell, and it was smooth. You ran your fingers along the glassy surface and memories of the tunnel came racing back. A scratchy coat was thrown across you and you pushed it away as you sat up.
“You might want to stay down,” a deep voice said beside you.
“Who are you?” The river was close, but it wasn’t so loud that you couldn’t hear him. The fresh breeze chilled the water soaked into your hair and clothes and you shivered.
“Wait until your eyes adjust.”
You tried to focus and soon you were able to make out shapes in the darkness. A little way down the tunnel you recognized the soft glow of the city you had convinced yourself you dreamed of. Turning, you looked at the man beside you and recognized him instantly. He had changed so much, but you could recognize those eyes anywhere. Jeongguk sat beside you, not a boy anymore, but a young man. His arms that were once willowy were now thick with muscle. His jaw had become defined, but his face still held a softness to it. The same curly hair laid against his contrasting white skin. In that moment, you had sworn you had never seen anyone or anything more beautiful than him.
“…Jeongguk?”
His smile was wide and glittering as you said his name.
“You remember me.”
“I thought I made you up.”
His laugh was low and rumbling, like rocks tumbling in the forest.
“I’m real.”
“You’ve changed.”
“So have you,” he said looking you over. Your skirts were heavy with the weight of the water and you involuntarily shivered. “And you’re freezing.” He lifted you easily in his arms and held you to his chest. Your breath caught in your throat at the closeness. Memories of him flooded back. He still smelled the same, like fresh rain and pine needles. He carried you into a small alcove of stone that was protected from the breeze and before your eyes a fire seemed to sprout and come to life from within the stone. No wood sat beneath it as it burned warmly in front of you. Jeongguk came into view in a flash of orange as he sat beside you. The icy jewels still hung from his hair like raindrops and you longed to reach out and touch them. His nose still sloped delicately, but time had favored him into sharp features as well. You sat appreciating him when he looked at you, green eyes glinting from the glow of the fire.
“I see that you still like to almost kill yourself. That hasn’t changed,” he laughed.
You huffed as you turned your palms towards the fire. “I was looking for you if you must know.”
“For me?” He pointed to himself in astonishment as he looked at you.
“I told you I thought I made you up. The hole was gone the next day, so I thought I dreamed it. If I hadn’t had the berries that day, I would have convinced myself that you weren’t real.”
He looked worried as he peered into the flames again.
“It’s not safe for you to come poking around here.”
“This is my first incident in five years.”
“That’s not what I mean. There’s other Fae…bad Fae, _____, I told you this and you’re still going to tempt fate?” He was looking at you again and his eyes flashed in anger? Or was that fear?
“No one has come after me.”
“That you know of. Not all Fae can be seen.”
You swallowed nervously. You hadn’t thought about how mischievous the Fae were ever since you met him, the seemingly only kind one there was. You both sat in silence, you more so in embarrassment at having been saved twice by the same boy and for being so foolish and heedless in his warnings.
“But are you okay?” he asked after a long moment.
“Yes.”
He seemed nervous as he spoke. “How have you been?”
“Lonely. Wished for a mysterious boy to keep me company again,” you smiled, attempting to lighten the mood.
You saw the whisper of a smirk grace his lips as he continued to stare into the fire.
“I’ve been busy,” he replied.
“Do you…work?” A little more hesitantly, “Married? Have kids?”
His eyes were wide as he looked at you, questions swirling in his mind. “No, I’m not married. Just busy.”
“Oh,” you said looking down. The mood was ruined.
“You?” He sounded shy as he talked.
“Oh, no. Still helping mama and papa with things around the house and farm…nothing special.”
The silence was strong and deafening between the two of you and you felt that if you didn’t say anything now, then you’d probably spend the next five years trying to find another hole to fall into.
“I’ve thought about you every day for the past five years.” You weren’t looking at him as you said it; you were speaking more to the darkness beyond the fire than you were to him. His back straightened a little and he shifted slightly in your direction as he listened. “Every year on my birthday I’d go to that same spot to pick berries. I know where the hole was because I distinctly remember a sycamore tree next to it and beyond that, a rock shaped perfectly like a loaf of round bread.” You sighed dreamily as you recalled each year. Jeongguk watched your expression change in profile. He liked the way you looked when the downturned corners of your mouth slowly rose upwards at the memory. Your skin was golden from years in the sun, but here in the darkness, it glowed with fire and life and he was drawn to you more than ever. “I thought maybe my birthday was special and you were a gift that few are given.” He held his breath as you spoke about him like he was a treasure you held close for all these years. “But you never came.”
The corners of your mouth turned down again and he was desperate to see your smile.
“I…I, too, thought about you…” His voice shook as he spoke.
“Really?”
“More than I’d like to admit.”
You laughed when he wasn’t intending to be funny, but he would do it a million times over in order to hear your laugh again. He smiled, looking at you, and watched as the light from the flames danced across your face. Your long hair was starting to dry and turn golden in the light. Before his brain could catch up and tell him no, his hand was on your cheek, turning your head towards him as he leaned in, lips connecting with yours. Butterflies bloomed in your stomach and your mind raced with memories, as tranquility flowed through you, knowing that the boy in the mountain was real. He deepened the kiss as he held your neck firmly. The taste on his tongue was sweet, sweeter than the berries you picked every year. The fire flickered higher as Jeongguk kissed you as if his pleasure heightened the flames. All too soon, coldness washed across your wet lips as he pulled away. He breathed heavily as he stared at you, searching your face. He looked confused, afraid, and all at once relieved.
“I’m sorry,” he muttered.
“Don’t be,” you said reaching out and grasping his arm. “I…I wanted that.”
“But I’m a Fae.”
“And?”
“You’re supposed to be afraid of me.”
“You haven’t given me a reason yet. You’ve had years to kill me.”
“You don’t know what I’m capable of.”
“It can’t be that bad-“
“Stop!” he interjected. “This was a mistake. This is wrong and you shouldn’t be here.” He started to stand as you reached for him.
“Jeongguk, wait! I don’t understand. What did I do?”
“Nothing now let’s go,” he said angrily. The fire was already starting to die out.
You stood on shaky legs and he reached out to keep you aloft, but only touched as lightly as possible. Your heart clenched in your chest at the sudden rejection and you could do nothing else but follow him out.
Once again, his footsteps faded behind yours and once again he stood in the path with a basket of berries. You looked down and noticed you were completely dry and not a thread out of place. Tears swam in your eyes as he looked at you impassively, basket in hand, and waiting for you to take it.
“Jeongguk, please talk to me.”
“You need to go and I’m going to need to you to quit looking for me.”
Your tears fell freely now as you refused to take the basket, knowing it was the only thing keeping him in front of you now.
“Just tell me what I did.”
“I told you that you didn’t do anything now take the basket and go home, ______.”
He thrust the basket into your chest and you instinctively grabbed it. His jaw clenched as he looked you over and you looked up to make eye contact with him. All you could see was sadness, but the hard lines of his face told you he was angry.
“Don’t come back, _____.”
And he was gone. In the blink of an eye it was as if he wasn’t even there. Dropping to your knees you cried in the path as the leaves floated by on the wind. The sun was warm on your skin as you sobbed, reminding you that you were real, that he was real, and that heartache was going to be your constant companion.
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7 years later
“Are you ready?” your mom asked from the doorway.
You sighed as you looked at yourself in the mirror. She had sewn your wedding dress to the best of her abilities, and it was in all words beautiful; something you’d love to get married in…but to someone else. Of course, your soon to be husband was kind and gentle, but you weren’t in love with him. You had always loved someone else and that someone else had wanted nothing to do with you. Many nights you dreamed of that kiss. That kiss from the boy with diamonds in his hair, the cool as stone skin, and eyes so green that even nature had trouble competing. But you had to move on and that meant marrying, leaving your parents, and not being a burden on them. Moving on meant starting a family and forgetting all about Jeongguk, but you didn’t want to forget. The memory of him was your most precious and your deepest secret.
“I think I want to go on a walk before we go into town.”
“Are you okay?” your mother’s features were laced with concern.
“Just nervous,” you smiled.
“I was much like you before I married your father. It’ll be terrifying, but you’re strong. You’ll make a wonderful wife and mother.”
You smiled sadly at her, knowing the truth was there, but this wasn’t what you wanted, and you had to pretend it was.
“I’ll be back soon,” you said kissing her cheek and leaving the house.
Drawing up your skirts, you wandered down the path and into the forest. The day was perfect. The temperature was mild, the breeze was lazy and cool, and the birds were singing in the boughs. You were sad knowing that you’d be moving away from this place with little to no chance of seeing him again. You walked close to the river but didn’t dare go near the edge in fear of falling in again. Chances of being saved twice were slim. Instead, you found a warm rock in the sun on which to sit and think. The snap of a branch sounded behind you and you turned around to look but no one was there. Scrutinizing the trees in the distance you saw no one or nothing. Turning back around you had decided it was probably just a branch falling from a tree…until you heard it again. You stood from the rock and walked around, gazing into the distance and trying to see around trees.
There was a punch to your chest followed by a searing heat of pain. A straight, wooden arrow was stuck firmly in your chest, right above your heart. Your vision blurred as you sunk to your knees. A man came crashing out of the trees and started to panic.
“It’s a woman!” he cried.
Another man’s voice approached. Hunters more likely; having mistaken you for some animal.
“Is she dead?”
“No, but she’s close.”
“We need to leave.”
“We can’t just leave her here!”
“It’s too late, let’s go!” One set of feet disappeared with a crash of leaves and sticks.
You opened your eyes to see the first panic stricken man looking at you with pain and fear.
“I’m so sorry,” he said before turning on his heel and running after his friend.
“Please,” you whispered, reaching out. Your strength was draining fast, leaking out of you with every drop of blood. You sat back on your feet and gazed up at the sun. At least the day was beautiful and at least you wouldn’t have to marry someone you didn’t like. You giggled tiredly, losing all sense as you sat dying in the middle of the forest. At least you had that. The ground was soft beneath you so when you laid on your side you felt a little better. Soon, you would die here, and wild animals would find you and then nature would claim what was left. The only regret would be not seeing your mother or father…or him, just one last time.
“Stupid girl,” you heard somewhere close by. You were fading fast so maybe it was your mind playing tricks on you in your last moments.
“Stupid, stupid girl.” The person sounded panicked, on the verge of losing control as you were pushed to your back. “How many times do I have to tell you to stay away?”
The ground disappeared beneath you as you were lifted. You cried out as you were shifted, the arrow digging into you further.
“Stay with me,” you heard. “Don’t give up. Stay awake.”
Your head dangled and your arms went limp, sliding off your stomach and stretched out to your side.
“______! Stay with me!”
You slipped into the darkness much quicker this time. There was no white. There was no you standing in time looking for help. You were simply…gone.
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When you awoke, you were groggy, still very much under the cloud of darkness with a dull pain in your chest. You moaned and stretched your fingers. Every muscle in your body felt as if it hadn’t moved in days. You weren’t even sure you could move. A cool hand was on your forehead, steadying you.
“Keep still. I’m going to get you some water.”
Moments later, a glass was at your lips and you drank appreciatively as a steady hand on the back of your head kept it up. When you were done, they steadily laid your head back against the pillow. Swallowing a couple more times, you dared open your eyes. Blinking a few times, you saw that you were in a cozy room with stone walls, a roaring fire, and furs lining the floor. Jeongguk was sitting beside you on the bed and you should have been surprised but you weren’t. Saving you seemed to be the detriment you never meant to put on his life. At least this time you weren’t actively looking for him.
“How do you feel?”
“Sore. Like I haven’t moved.”
“You’ve been out for over a week. You’re completely healed, but I’m sure there’s still some pain there. I’ve been trying to keep it under control.”
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?” He looked tired. He wasn’t much different from when you last saw him. He had filled out with more muscle, but he still had the same boyish quality to his face.
“You keep having to save me.”
“Well, somebody has to. You keep getting yourself into trouble.” The bags under his eyes were prominent and the tension he held in his shoulders relaxed a little. “I thought…you had died for a second. I was holding you in my arms trying to get you back here and you just…” His voice caught in his throat and he cleared it immediately, hoping you wouldn’t notice. “You just went limp in my arms.”
Guilt hung heavy in your heart as you realized the pain you had caused him.
“I didn’t mean to make you worry.”
“I know you weren’t looking for me.” He seemed sad as he said the words.
“How did you know?”
“I could always feel you when you were looking for me. Remember when I said not all Fae can be seen?”
He had been watching you. All these years he had been watching you.
“But this time it was just a coincidence…or something like that. Something felt off. Wrong. I had this urge telling me to just go up and look and there you were, on your knees with that arrow in your chest and you just slumped to the side. I panicked.” You held your hand out and grasped his in yours.
“The woods aren’t safe.” He couldn’t look at you as you held his hand, but he wasn’t moving either. Tears swam in his eyes and he blinked fast to quell them.
“Thank you,” you said lifting his hand and kissing his palm. “Thank you for saving me.”
His eyes met yours as his heated stare was turned on you. He let out a shaky laugh as his eyes shimmered. When he shook his head, the gems twinkled in the light and caused small flashes to shine off the wall.
“You’re going to kill me one day,” he said.
“Well, you won’t have to worry about it if I make it back home.”
“Why?”
“I was supposed to be getting married…”
Realization dawned across his face. “The white dress.”
Of course, he removed it, he had to when he was getting the arrow out and cleaning the wound, but he was so scared of you dying that he hadn’t paid attention.
“If he’ll still have me after being gone for so long.”
Sadness crept into your heart again thinking about the loveless life ahead of you. Jeongguk’s expression fell as he held your hand. He was losing you. Permanently. But your paths were never meant to cross. It was never meant to be this way and that’s why he tried to break your heart when he last saw you. If you truly thought he didn’t want you, you wouldn’t come back. And you hadn’t; not for many years. The pain he felt was immense, but he kept himself busy, watched over you the best he could, and tried to forget all about the kiss. But the kiss plagued him. It woke him from sleep and interrupted his daily thoughts. Thoughts of your smile in the firelight kept him up at night and your laugh echoed in his deepest buried memories. The moment he had held your hand in the cave, he had fallen in love. Such a creature so clumsy and yet so elegant had never crossed his path again.
He was here, so close, looking just as pained as you felt.
“But I love you, Jeongguk.”
His eyes betrayed every emotion and his face wasn’t much help either. His eyebrows shot up as his eyes widened.
“You what?”
“I love you,” you said a little louder. “I’ve loved you for over a decade and I’m going to love you for as long as this life will give me.”
He kissed you much like he had beside the fire; with surprise and passion. His lips found yours and the tension of years washed away under his touch. He had thought about you all this time and he had loved you in his own way. His hands cupped your face as he kissed you, tongue dancing over yours and you sighed as the sweet taste you so missed played across your taste buds. He shifted until he was hovering over you, layers of blankets between the both of you, but the weight of him brought you comfort. Jeongguk had nestled home in your heart and never left. You moaned as he pressed against you and he shot back with surprise.
“Am I hurting you?” Worry painted his features.
“No, keep kissing me,” you said while drawing him back in.
Jeongguk started to peel back layers of blankets in a desperate attempt to be closer. You didn’t know what to expect when he pulled back the last one but looked down to see he had dressed you in one of his shirts. You blushed knowing he had seen you bare, but it was in a moment of panic and probably meant nothing. He had to break the kiss to get to you, but as soon as he had all the blankets kicked to the side, he delicately held himself above you as he kissed you again. All the years of waiting was poured into that kiss and the dam had been broken. He wasn’t going to hold back now, not ever again. His hand was on your hip and pushed up under your shirt. The contrast of cold on warm had gooseflesh washing over you and you pushed yourself upwards into his touch. Ever so slowly, he slid his hand up the side of your waist, fingers ghosting the side of your breast, the underside, and then around your nipple until it pebbled under his touch. You sighed as he tweaked it between his fingers, reveling in the small sounds you were giving him.
“I’ve waited so long for this,” he whispered against your lips.
“So have I,” you murmured desperately.
His hand was firm on your skin as he moved down your stomach. You realized you had on no undergarments as you spread your legs. If there was one thing you knew, it was that you wanted this, and you would open yourself to him fully. He ran his fingers over your slit as if he were worshiping you, feeling every bit of you, collecting what he could, and keeping it for himself. You gripped his shoulders tightly as he slowly pumped one finger inside of you. His lips were on your jawline, neck, and collarbone as he slowly worked you open. You had never been with a man before, but you knew now that there would be no one after him.
“Will you give yourself to me?” His lips were against your cheek, eyes closed, as he felt you around his finger so soft and warm.
“Yes, you can have all of me.” Your chest arched upwards into him as he slipped another finger inside of you.
“You could stay with me forever.”
His fingers brushed over a spot deep inside of you that had you clenching around him as you moaned. His teeth grazed the skin of your shoulder and he placed searing kisses to the space above your breast.
“All you have to do is let me take you. Let me claim you.”
“We…do take humans.” He cringed a little as you stepped back in fear. “Only the really bad people. The ones that like to keep humans as pets or kill them. The legends are true, but it’s not true for all of us. Though, if a Fae does take you, you’re theirs forever; doomed to live an eternal life until you are released.”
A distant memory of a young Jeongguk came to the forefront of your mind.
“Will you protect me?” the words slipped through your lips like water and flowed over Jeongguk. He felt as if his entire life was meant to protect you.
“Yes.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
You pulled his face towards yours as you kissed him. This time it was slow, passionate, and held answers that he was looking for.
“I want you to take me.”
“You’ll have to stay forever.”
“That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
He was desperate. Desperate to get what he always wanted. He had held back all these years and you were finally saying the words he never thought he would hear. He pulled his fingers from you and pushed his pants off. He yanked the shirt you had on upwards, working it over your head and onto the floor. Grabbing his cock, he rubbed it along your slit, gathering the sticky wetness amongst the pre cum. Your moans were like a drug to him, a toxin that ran through his veins that had him feeling as if his body were not his own. He slowed his actions, savoring the taste of your skin as his tongue flicked across you. He pushed the head in slightly, allowing you to feel the sting and adjust. He kept you distracted as he rotated his tongue around your nipple and pushed a little further. You pushed your head back into the pillows as your body arched forward, begging to be absorbed by his. A little further and his arm was around your back, pulling you closer, and biting the skin beneath your breast. Lightning seemed to shoot through you as he slid in all the way. Pleasure followed the discomfort as soon as he filled you up. You felt as if you were floating, held in his arms, as your body connected with his.
“_____,” he sighed as he took his time. He didn’t move while he kissed the valley of your breasts, slowly back up your neck and to your lips once more. He moved experimentally, not wanting to hurt you. The first thrust shot heat through your body, the second cooled it on contact, the third had flames licking all the way down to your toes, and the rest became a blur as your body took in all the sensations. You had never known anything could ever feel this good. He leaned back, wanting to see you. He was on his knees as he gripped your waist, pulling you onto him as he thrust into you with more force. He watched the way your breasts bounced with each push of his hips and he was even more fascinated with the way your cunt seemed to be made for him, pulling him back in each time. He fell to his left hand over you, wrapped his right arm around your waist and pulled you upwards. You supported yourself on your feet as he held your back aloft, changing the angle in which he thrust into you, and hit directly where he wanted to be. You cried out and clung to the sheets around you as he ground his cock into you, hips stimulating against your clit. Each rocking motion of his cock inside of you had your world tilting upside down until you could neither distinguish up nor down. Hot, molten pleasure shot out to your limbs and hardened as you came. Your fingers cramped as they bit into the sheets, toes curling in on themselves, and you were left gasping for air. Jeongguk’s grip on your back relaxed and soon you were melting among sheets and blankets as if they were going to absorb you whole. He laid down beside you slowly and pulled you to his chest. The steady rhythm of his heart grounded you and soon yours was matching its beat. His arms were firm around you with the silent promise of never letting you go.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” he whispered. You heard the uncertainty in his voice.
You turned in his arms to look at him. You were met with those same green eyes you had dreamed of since you were 13. This time, you weren’t letting this go, no matter what you lost from your previous life.
“I’ve wanted you since I met you. I’m not turning away for a fourth time, no matter how hard you try to break my heart.”
“You have to say the words, in order for me to…to keep you.”
You had heard legend that there was a simple aphorism in which the Fae could claim a human. You swallowed thickly and nodded, full of excitement and fear; fear of the unknown and what was to come.
“Take me away at evening’s soft light,” he said softly.
“Take me away at evening’s soft light.” Your voice was low, but confident.
“When the world grows quiet and the owl takes flight.”
Visions of your parents swam through your mind as you said the words. You loved them dearly and they you, but now was the time for you to move on.
“Take me now, to the world of the Fae.”
The air around you changed and shifted, charged with electricity as if there were about to be a storm.
“You’ll keep me now, forever I’ll stay.”
As stay came whispering from your lips a dim light glowed under his skin over his heart. It traveled, like a little ball of light, from him to you, settling in the exact same spot, filling you with warmth before fading away. You were his and his alone, destined to live an immortal life by his side.
Legends passed down through time. Your disappearance was discussed, and the story retold until outlandish ones were made that spread throughout the mountain country; told in homes by fireside, before children went to sleep at night, and grandparents claiming to have been there when it happened. In some, a wicked, evil Fae had kidnapped a girl and kept her as a slave to cook, clean, and provide for him as he saw fit, never letting her rest. In others, she was seized because the Fae was so taken by her beauty that he couldn’t possibly let anyone else have her. And then, there were those who had whispers of truth weaved among its words. She went willingly, out of love, giving up her mortal life to live life eternal.
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drunk-onsunlight · 4 years ago
Text
The Jones family
Rating: General Audiences Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Category: F/M Fandom: Spider-Man (Tom Holland Movies) Relationship: Michelle Jones/Peter Parker
Summary:
HAPPY @mjweek EVERYONE!!! Meet the Jones family and MJ's backstory. See you tomorrow :D
Read on Ao3
MJ arrived home on a rush. She ran to her bedroom and hid her bag under her desk, then moved to organize the books she had all over the bedroom to a pile on the corner of the room. While stacking the books she noticed they could fall down if she placed more books on the same pile. How she managed to have so many books scattered around the floor?
Three piles of books later she moved to her desk where a bunch of sketches where, next to her notes from school and even more notes for the decathlon team. Her white dressing table could wait to be cleaned up.
She opened the white door that lead to her dressing room and a bathroom to collect the t-shirts that were on the floor. She kicked some converse to the cabinet at the bottom of her closet. She opened the doors where all her dresses were and tried to pick one.
“Shelly, are you cleaning your room?” MJ’s older sister was standing on the dressing room door watching MJ.
“Becca can you help me pick a dress? I’m not sure about the yellow one or the blue one.” MJ took the dresses out of the hanger and showed them to her sister.
“Ew. None of those! The yellow one has an awful neckline and the blue one has awful patterns. Let me see that closet.”
“Ouch. I like those dresses, Becca.” MJ’s sister crossed the dressing room and looked to all the dresses MJ had.
“Where is the black and red dress I gave you, M? You wore it, like, once at Christmas and then totally forgot about it.” MJ remembered that dress. It was totally beautiful, at first she thought it was not her style but once she tried on she loved it. But she didn’t know where it was.
“It has to be there. What are you wearing tonight, by the way?” Becca just shrugged and kept looking around MJ’s closet. Contrary to what people think, MJ loved wearing dresses, but they weren’t as comfortable as you would like to certain activities. Like going for a swing with your superhero boyfriend.
“Found it!” Becca shouted bringing MJ back from her internal ramble. MJ’s sister took the dress from the hanger and took it in her arms like it was a treasure. MJ followed her sister to the foot of her bed and watched while Becca placed the black and red dress above the bedspread.
“Thanks Becca! I really like that dress” Becca gave her a side hug and left telling her to check on the dinner before they set the table. After Becca left, MJ kept looking at her dress. How could she forget about it? It was truly beautiful. It wasn’t too long, it touched her knees. The dress was black with little red dots and a few red flowers. It has a cute V-neck and it was sleeveless. Nothing too crazy for her. And she couldn’t help thinking that the colors where very appropriate for the occasion.
MJ went down the stairs to the first floor and crossed the small dining room that lead to the kitchen. Her house wasn’t big per se. But she lived in the suburbs and that gave her the possibility to have a bigger house than most people. Her dad worked hard to buy that house and Becca and she tried to keep everything under control, like paying bills or buying food.
She missed her dad. Being the CEO of a company was amazing, it paid the house, Becca’s college and MJ’s school but the prize was high. He wasn’t home most of the time, but he tried to be there for them on important days, like today.
Francis was on the kitchen when MJ entered the room. She had worked for them since forever. She was like a mom to MJ and Becca.
“Hey Fran! What are you cooking today?” MJ’s family wasn’t a very intimate family. They all loved each other but they didn’t hug or kiss, goodbye or hello, often.
“Hey Shelly. Your favorite, Mac and Cheese with smashed potatoes and some veggies. How was school?”
“Sounds good! Remember to put an extra plate today Fran and school was normal. Nothing extraordinary” MJ grabbed an apple from the kitchen island and gave it a bite.
“I remember your dad is gonna be here tonight, don’t worry! What about decathlon? All good?”
“Yeap, but some else is coming too. All good with decathlon, preparing for nationals.” Let’s say she told everyone she wanted to introduce someone, she just left out a little detail. She was introducing her boyfriend, her superhero boyfriend.
“No details like always.” Francis knew when not to push MJ and she deeply appreciated that.
“You know me. Fran I’m going to get ready. Dad is going to be here soon and I need to take a shower.”
“Okay Shelly, see you later.” MJ walked out of the kitchen to her bedroom. After a short shower she applied her usual product for her hair and let it dry on her own. She wasn’t trying to impress Peter, he already knew her.
“Shelly! Becca! I’m home!” MJ heard her dad calling them from the first floor and she went down stair to say hi.
“Hey dad! How are you?” MJ greeted his dad with a peck on his cheek. The tall man played with MJ’s hair and looked at her dress.
“You haven’t used that dress in a long time! You look beautiful, Shelly. I’m perfect now that I’m with my girls. Where is Becca?”
“Here! Hey, dad!” Becca came down the stairs using a pink and white summer dress and heels. A white cotton fabric molded her figure and embroidered tulle with pink flowers.
“Becca, isn’t that like a little too much?” MJ told Peter is was quite formal but not like etiquette formal kind of dinner.
“Oh Shelly! But you were cleaning your room! This is huge dad, you should have seen her. She even organized her books.” Becca said while kissing her dad’s cheek.
“You organized your books? This is huge, then.” MJ’s dad looked at her with amusement in his eyes. MJ recognized she uses to have more books in her room than the bookshelves on the office but she liked to have them close to her, just in case. The bell rang and MJ felt her heart skip a beat.
“I’ll get it!” MJ walked to the door and cleaned her hands on her dress before opening the door “Hey Parker.”
“Hey, MJ. You look beautiful, I like your converse” Peter was wearing a black suit without a tie. The look made her remember of that night in Prague when he invited her for a walk. He looked good.
“Thanks. Come in” MJ moved aside to let Peter walk into the house. When she turned around her sister and dad were looking at her like she had grown a third head while opening the door.
“Amm. Peter this is my dad, Nick and my sister Rebeca.”
“Nice to meet you, Sir. I’m Peter Parker.” Peter and MJ’s dad shake hands while MJ tried not to show how nervous she actually was.
“Nice to meet you Peter.” MJ’s dad greeted Peter formally and then Peter moved to shake Becca’s hand.
“Nice to meet you Rebecca.” MJ was mostly afraid of this particular interaction. Her sister knew a lot of things about how MJ felt about Peter
“I’m finally meeting you in person! Shelly, your sketches don’t make this guy justice. Now I totally get it, girl.” MJ took a deep breath and ignored the comment. Becca started asking about Peter when MJ started to draw him. A few sketches scattered around her bedroom floor and Becca was visiting, she found them and started asking a million questions about him.
“Shelly?” Peter turned to look at her with a teasing face. MJ was praying he didn’t notice the old nickname her family used for her but of course it was a fail.
“Don’t mention it. Ever.” Peter was going to say something more when Francis came out of the kitchen and called their attention.
“Hey Nick! Welcome back! And who is this guy, Shelly? Your special guest?” Francis moved closer to the group to greet MJ’s dad and then shook Peter’s hand.
“Peter, this is Francis. She works for us. Francis, this is Peter, from high school and the decathlon team.”
“Oh! The decathlon team! You were with Shelly for nationals in Washington? Congratulations for winning.”
“Well…” Peter started but MJ knew how bad at lying he was.
“He got sick but he was with us at the hotel, yeah.” It wasn’t a lie, well, kind of. It was what he told everyone.
“Yeah… my tummy.” After a few awkward seconds Francis announced that dinner was ready. They all moved to the dining room and the plates were already waiting for them.
“Francis, why don’t you sit with us before going to your home?” MJ’s dad offered and Fran accepted by placing a new plate next to Becca. They all started eating in silence but MJ knew better. It wouldn’t last long.
“How was your trip dad?” Becca broke the silence and MJ thanked her with her eyes.
“Pretty good, but Atlanta is too hot this time of the year.”
“Where are you going next?” MJ and Becca had stopped asking if he was staying for more than a few days. The answer was always the same and they all knew that, he couldn’t stay.
“Paris. We need to close some business there. Oh Shelly, it’s a shame you didn’t get to Paris on your trip, but London was quite nice too, right?” all the heads turned to MJ and she shrugged. She wasn’t going to tell everyone she was hiding from killer drones so she couldn’t enjoy London that much.
“As talkative as always. What do you think of London, Peter?” Becca asked him and MJ turned to see what he had to say.
“Cold. A little windy too but the Tower Bridge was the best part of the trip.” Peter looked at her with a goofy smile and MJ couldn’t help but smile with him. He was right, the Tower Bridge was the best part of London.
“Aww, Shelly! I haven’t notice that necklace! I love it, but wait… is it broken?” MJ haven’t noticed when her hand went to the black dahlia.
“Yeah. Peter gave it to me in the Tower Bridge but before it got to me it went on a full ride on its own. I love it just the way it is.” MJ deep down knew she would never hear the end of this from her sister, but she didn’t care either.
“What a lovely present, Peter. Where did you get it? I haven’t seen something like that here in the States.” MJ’s dad asked and Peter and MJ answered him at the same time.
“Venice.” everyone on the table laughed when they answered so in sync.
“Looks expensive too.” it was the first time Francis interacted while they were eating.
“Maybe some of my Star Wars figurines did a noble sacrifice.” Peter answered shyly.
“You what?” MJ didn’t know how Peter got the necklace but his beloved Star Wars figurines? Wow. Peter didn’t look at her but she could see his blushing cheeks “I can’t believe you did that. Please don’t tell me you also sold that Lego Death Star because Ned will hate me his whole life.”
“No! That’s Ned’s. I sold my things but I would never sell his things. And he would never hate you.”
“Ned is another friend, Shelly?” MJ’s dad was looking at them with curious eyes.
“He is Peter’s best friend. We have a few classes together and he’s on the decathlon team too.” MJ would like to say “yes, he is my friend” but she didn’t feel they were too close. Were they actually friends? Maybe not yet, but soon.
“He is you friend too, Em. Just like Betty, Cindy and even Flash.” Maybe Peter was right. They were her friends, even Flash. After the Europe trip she even understood Flash more. MJ smiled softly at Peter and they kept eating peacefully.
“Francis did MJ’s favorite meal today, Peter. She loves Mac and Cheese since she was little. She used to say she wanted a pool full of Mac and Cheese to swim in it.” MJ could hear Peter’s giggle and she was going to kill her sister.
“Don’t.” MJ threated Peter and he tried to hide his giggle while eating more veggies.
“I wasn’t going to.” MJ and Peter shared a side look and giggled a little before they kept eating.
“So… Michelle, Peter.” oh oh, MJ’s dad called her by her full name when she was in trouble or they needed to talk about serious business “how long have you been dating?” Peter got stuck with a bite of his food and he looked at MJ with worried eyes.
“London.” they answered at the same time and looked at MJ’s dad.
“Shelly! Why I didn’t know that! It’s been like six months since that trip! I’m offended now.” Becca called MJ’s attention and she could see that she was annoyed with her. They shared everything…. Well, Becca shared everything.
“You were gone those six months Becca. It’s not like you are here all the time to have a girl’s night and speak about boys or whatever.” MJ was trying to not spill truths like that but she couldn’t right now.
“Shelly has a point, Becca. We are never here and look, she told us to be here to introduce her boyfriend properly to everyone. Well done Shelly.” MJ’s dad hated leaving her alone all the time and she actually loved how he tried to be on her shoes before judging her.
“Thanks dad. Sorry Becca.” Peter was a little taken back for the exchange but didn’t say anything else.
“Don’t worry. All good, baby. It’s good to see you so sappy.” they all shared a laugh and Peter took her hand under the table.
After they finished dinner, MJ’s dad, Becca, Fran, Peter and MJ moved to the couch on the living room to chat more about how Peter and MJ meet, the details of their trip in Europe and some random things about MJ’s family and then Becca started to tell all sort of stories about their childhood. After a while MJ decided to take Peter on a small tour on the house and they left the room walking next to each other.
“The house is not as big as you probably think. Its three bedrooms, four bathrooms, an office, the living room and the kitchen. The main room it’s mine because I spend the most time here, dad and Becca have the other two rooms and Francis comes to help one day per week or special occasions.” She told Peter while walking up the stairs and then through the hall.
“Wow. You already know my apartment, two bedrooms, one bath, the living room and the kitchen May loves to burn. Seriously Em, this house is amazing.” MJ giggled a little while opening the first door that had the office.
“Yeah, but you have May and Ned around all the time. I’m alone here most of the time.” In the six months they have been dating, she learned to be more open with Peter. She could trust him, he wasn’t like most guys that just wanted a good time with her on her huge house.
“You are welcome any time you want. For homework, movies, dinner, just to chill. You don’t have to be alone in this house if you don’t want to MJ. May, Ned and I are your family now too.” They entered the room and she turned the light to show Peter some books.
“Thanks Pete. Well, this is the office. Most of my books are here, along with Becca’s and my dad’s books.” Peter scanned the bookshelves and after a while MJ could feel he wanted to ask something “What is it, Peter?”
“I noticed a few photos on the living room of you, you dad, Becca and… you don’t have to tell me anything, I don’t want to intrude.” MJ knew what he was talking about. The family photo on the living with her mom in it.
“Ammm. It’s fine. She was my mom, Claire. She passed away a few years ago, cancer. When she was here Becca was still in high school, my dad was traveling but tried to be here more often. After she died Becca had to go to college, my dad kept traveling and well, here I am.” MJ walked out of the room with Peter and she showed him Becca’s room while speaking to Peter.
“Again, you have me, Ned and May! Even Happy, he was quite impressed after London.” MJ remembered Happy, he was a nice guy.
“Thanks. This is Becca’s room. She comes here every once in a while. When college allows her. The next room is my dad’s.” They crossed the hall and MJ opened the next door “Here it is. He just arrived so his bag it’s there probably to unpack some stuff and then pack some more for his next trip.”
“That’s why I never saw anyone come get you after Washington and London. They were travelling.” It wasn’t a question, he was right. They checked on her but couldn’t be there. She was very grateful they checked on her at least, Flash was another story and she couldn’t imagine how he must feel.
“Yeah. They check on me when they can or I just send them a few texts to let them know I’m alive and good. For important things they do video calls or come over.” They closed the door and MJ lead Peter to the next room, her room.
“This is my room.” MJ opened the door and exhale a breath she didn’t know she was holding.
“This is huge!” Peter entered the room and immediately walked to her desk. Thank all the gods she saved the sketches that were there.
“Yeah. I love it. I have my bed, the desk, my books, a cool dressing room and my own bathroom.” she opened the door that lead to the dressing room and she could see Peter’s eyes shine like she had just shown him the door to Narnia.
“I always thought this was for movies. How many pairs of converse do you have by the way?”
“Lots of them. I don’t like wearing heels so for me converse and boots” Peter took his time checking her closet, it was quite an intimate moment and they weren’t even close to each other.
“Is this my sweater?” Peter took a sweater MJ had taken after a movie night at Peter’s from one of the drawers of her closet.
“Maybe. But I’m not giving it back, I sleep in that one.”
“You can be really sappy some times and let me tell you something, I love it.” Peter made MJ laugh and he crossed the room faster than a normal person would to kiss her on the lips. “You can keep it, by the way. It probably looks better on you than me.”
“Right. Whatever you say Spider-Man.” MJ remembered the first time she actually saw Peter. Not the boy with flannels and sweaters, the superhero underneath all that. There was no way in this planet a normal skinny kid would have those abs and those biceps and there was no way in the universe she actually looked better than him on that sweater.
“I really like your family MJ. They love you a lot. I always worried about your relationship with your family. You were so closed about them I was really worried but now I know how much they love you. Thanks for sharing this with me.” MJ gave Peter a soft kiss before speaking.
“I’m a box full of secrets, Parker.”
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headheartbellarke · 4 years ago
Text
Speak Now | WILLEX
dear @calamitykaty​ - happy valentine’s day! i’m your secret valentine, and i hope you have a brilliant, lovely day!! i just wanted to say that i absolutely adore your fics hehe :3 this one is for you, i hope u like it, you wonderful human!!
& a million thanks & kudos to @screwunsaidemily​​ / @jatpsecretvalentine​ for organizing this!! happy valentine’s day, raegan! and i hope today is as amazing as you are!!
✿◕ ‿ ◕✿
PAIRING(s): Alex Mercer x Willie, Flynn x Carrie Wilson, Julie Molina x Luke Patterson, past!Alex Mercer x Luke Patterson
WARNING(s): nothing haha just some fluff and we stan bobby in this house.. oh and some language
WORDS: 3.85k
SUMMARY: With his boyfriend marrying Carrie Wilson (well, in his defence, that’s his grandmother’s ‘dying wish’), Willie fancies himself to be the main character of a Shakespearean tragedy. Based on Speak Now by Taylor Swift.
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     Willie exhales, watching his breath crystallize into tiny ice particles. He extends a hand to catch them, but that action causes the little cloud to dissipate.
  He rolls his eyes. Who has their wedding in Canada, in winter? Plus, not just on any day, but on Valentine’s Day.
  He fancies that he might as well be the main character of a Shakespearean tragedy. Watching your boyfriend get married is painful enough, but to a girl? That shit makes you feel as if your heart has a screw lodged in it. He feels as if he has the weight of the world on his shoulders.
  Willie likes to say that he hates Alex (i.e., the said boyfriend, the love, the light, the star of his life) – but that sentence leaves behind a bitter taste in his mouth, like he’s just had that weird cough syrup that his mother buys.
  Alex’s friends can definitely see through his act, like, right now.
  “Willie, relax! Everything’s gonna be alright!” Julie Molina, Alex’s bandmate, ‘unbiological sister’, and ‘best gossip partner’ exclaims. She is crouching beside him.
  “Julie, I’m not the type of guy to crash a wedding and sabotage it, especially one hosted by those…” His hand moves in circular motions, pointing to the direction of the church, where Alex’s parents are probably seated. 
  Luke Patterson, Julie’s boyfriend and Alex’s ex-boyfriend, and current best friend and bandmate pipes in. “Homophobic, racist mingers?”
  Willie grins. “Don’t know what that means but sounds accurate!”
  “You know, we are saving Alex’s life, right? Literally?” Bobby Wilson chimes in, Alex’s other best friend from his position behind them. They are currently hiding behind a table laden with sweets of all kinds, and it makes Reggie, the last of Alex’s best friend-cum-bandmates’ mouth water. 
  “I still can’t believe that his parents are forcing him to marry a girl!” Julie exclaims, ponytail bobbing as she speaks. Luke adds, “Not just any girl, but Carrie fucking Wilson.” 
  “My fucking cousin!” Bobby says, looking behind to check if anyone’s there. There is, but they’re all either part of the caterer’s group, or the waiters – they are currently outside a church, where the reception will be held, post wedding. The attendees, the families, everyone – are inside the church, for the wedding.
  “Hey, is Grandma Ruth really that sick?” Reggie finally asks, his eyes diverting from the sweets. Luke smiles sweetly at him. “I’m glad you finally decided to join us, Reginald.” 
  Reggie fails to catch the sarcasm in his tone, and he smiles brightly. Luke rolls his eyes, but a faint smile teases the corners of his lips. “Yeah, she really has stage four cancer.” 
  Julie says, “Poor Ruth.” 
  Luke huffs, “I don’t care that she’s dying – she shouldn’t fucking blackmail her grandson like that! Alex, honey, I’m dying. My dying wish, you ask? Marry someone. No, not your boyfriend of four years! Marry a girl, dummy. Homosexuality is a sin!” 
  Bobby adds, “Not just any girl, but your best friend’s cousin! Whose probably into Flynn, but, yeah, whatever.” 
  Julie smiles brightly at the mention of her best friend. “Oh, she definitely is.” 
  Reggie’s brows quirk. “I thought she was still into Nick.” 
  Bobby shakes his head. “They broke up last summer.” 
  Willie clears his throat, finally gaining some confidence. “He shouldn’t be marrying the wrong girl.” He exhales, and adds, as an afterthought, “Or any girl.” 
  “You two should be walking down the aisle, Willie.” Julie says, resting a hand on his shoulder. He nods, grateful for her support. 
  He remembers this morning, when he was at the grocery store, buying as many buckets of chocolate ice cream as he could fit in his arms. Suddenly, he had felt a warm hand wrap around the back of his throat, and he let out a yelp, dropping all the buckets. 
  He remembers thinking that the universe was against him. First, it’s the day of his boyfriend’s wedding, and along with that, someone’s here to kill him. Well, he thought, it’s better to die than – 
  “Willie!” A familiar voice exclaimed, and of course, it’s Julie – he realized that the hand that he thought was here to murder him, belonged to her. She was dressed in a long, pink, A-Line dress, that complimented her skin tone perfectly and – suddenly, Willie understood that it was a bridesmaid’s dress. Yep, she’s Carrie’s bridesmaid, along with Flynn. 
  Willie wondered if she was here to rub salt on his wound. 
  “What do you want?” He had mumbled, averting his gaze from her dress. Sure, it’s a pretty dress, but it reminds him of Alex, because he has a hoodie that he adores in the same colour. (It’s in Willie’s closet now, and he makes a mental note to burn it.) 
  “We have a plan.” She said, conspiratorially. 
  Willie sighed, leaning down to pick up the fallen containers of ice cream. “I’m not in the mood, Jules.” 
  She grinned, evilly. Or as evilly as you could while having an angelic face. 
  Sure, it took her a while to convince him to crash his boyfriend’s wedding, but on the way here, he felt as if it was worth it. Julie helped sneak him in, since he doesn’t have an invite – and he found the rest of Alex’s friends – Luke, Reggie, and Bobby waiting for him. 
  Now, as Carrie’s family emerges from the church doors, he doesn’t feel that way anymore. 
  “God, I think I’m gonna throw up just by looking at them.” Luke murmurs, while Julie slaps his shoulder. “Don’t say that, they look very… colourful.” 
  Bobby snorts. 
  Carrie’s family includes her parents, two of her cousin sisters and an aunt – and they are all dressed in pastel yellow. To be really honest, that colour looks like vomit. They stand in a circle in front of the church doors, and Willie notices her aunt rolling her eyes at the waiters. He sighs. This is the same aunt who told Carrie that ‘oh, honey, it’s just a phase’, when she came out as bisexual. 
  “Guys, guys, guys!” 
  Willie sees his cousin, Flynn, running in their direction, and stopping at their table. She huffs, catching her breath and he notices that she’s wearing the same dress that Julie is. 
  “Carrie is losing her shit, dude.” She says, once she’s breathing normally again. “Why?” Julie asks, concerned. 
  “Probably because she doesn’t wanna marry Alex? I don’t know, but she yelled at me for eating!” She exclaims, an annoyed expression taking over her face. 
  Willie and Bobby exchange a look – they all know that Carrie can get a little intense sometimes – she doesn’t mean harm, but on a day like this, you can’t really hold it against her. 
  “Where is she?” Julie asks, alarmed. 
  “She’s in the back. Her mom misplaced her veil, and its total chaos out there. Also, her gown looks like a fucking pastry.” 
  Everyone’s eyes widen, and Flynn sighs, looking away. “I hate everything.” 
  Willie knows that she’s feeling just the way he is. 
  Julie stands up. “Come on, let’s help her. And boys?” She points a finger in their direction. “Stick to the fucking plan.” 
  Everyone nods rapidly, and Reggie whispers, “Yes, mam.” 
  She kisses Luke, whispering something in his ear, and squeezes Willie’s shoulder, giving him a sympathetic look, before running off in the opposite direction with Flynn. 
  Watching Julie and Luke, Willie is suddenly overpowered by a memory, a memory that was gathering dust in his brain. He remembers a cold, dark winter morning in their – his and Alex’s – apartment. It was last year, and their first morning in that apartment, in their home. They were nineteen and couldn’t get enough of each other – even after three years of being together. Somehow, somewhere they felt as if an invisible string was pulling them closer and closer, until they merged into one. 
  He remembers Alex combing his fingers through Willie’s hair, and whispering, “Is it crazy if I say that this is everything that I’ve ever wanted in life?” 
  He had smiled, eyes filled to the brim with euphoria. “No, then that would mean that I’m crazy.” 
  “We’re both crazy.” 
  “Maybe.” He had pulled him closer, loving the way Alex buried his face in the crook of his neck. 
  “Willie?” Alex softly asked, drawing patterns on his bare skin. 
  “Hmm?” 
  “I want to wake up next to you every single day. Like, I don’t ever wanna be without you,” 
  “Me, too.” He had said, then adding, “I don’t see myself marrying if not you.” 
  He could feel his boyfriend’s grin. “Not gonna lie, I’ve thought about it. A little.” 
  “A little?” 
  “Okay, I’ve planned it all out.” They both laughed, and Willie felt as if he was flying. 
  Alex continued, “I imagine us getting married on a beautiful summer day – on the beach. Where we met all those years ago. Remember?” 
  Willie smiled. “How could I forget? I will love Flynn forever for bringing me to Julie’s sweet sixteen – I never thought that I’d meet my soulmate that day.” 
  “Yeah. I imagine Luke to be my best man, and Flynn to be yours. Julie and Carrie would be our groomsmaids, yep, I invented that – and Reggie and Bobby could be the other best men. It’s a little messy, because I love them all so much and I can’t choose – but yeah.” 
  “Funny that your ex-boyfriend will be your best man at our wedding.” 
  “Shut up, Willie.” 
  “Carlos could be the ring bearer.” 
  “I think he’s a little too old for that.” 
  “Well, you have a point. But he’s gonna be pissed if he doesn’t get a title like his sister does.” 
  “All right, he’ll be the ring bearer.” 
  “We could have a skateboard shaped cake.” 
  “We will… think about it.” 
  “And we won’t need a band!” 
  “I’m not playing at my own wedding!” 
  “Well, Bobby could take your place. I’m sure he won’t mind taking a day off his solo touring.” 
  “Yeah, that sounds nice.” 
  As they went over every possibility, every dream, the world melted away and all Willie could see were the oceans in Alex’s eyes. 
  Luke’s voice dissipates the haze of nostalgia around Willie’s brain. “Yep, Carrie’s family went inside.” 
  Bobby nods. “Okay, Willie, you stay with Reggie and Luke – I’ll go inside first and distract everyone, and y’all will come at my signal.” With that, he runs towards the church. 
  “Uh… what is his signal…” Willie trails off. Luke and Reggie exchange a panicked look, as Reggie says, “I’m sure we’ll figure it out! Besides – oh my god, are those flamingos?” 
  Willie and Luke’s eyes dart to the church door, where a bunch of flamingos – Carrie’s favorite bird, apparently – are on the loose and the waiters and the staff are running around trying to catch them. 
  “Boys, I think that’s our signal.” Luke says, grabbing their hands and dragging them towards the back of the church, where the girls had previously disappeared into. 
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  Luke sneezes, and Willie absentmindedly whispers a ‘bless you.’ He shifts, saying, “There’s so much dirt here! It’s like nobody cares about my allergies!” 
  “I’m sure nobody in Canada will ever care about your allergies, Patterson.” Flynn hisses.
  The trio are currently hiding behind a curtain, the lilac shades sickening them. “Well, you wouldn’t be in this position if Alex’s lovely bride-to-be didn’t uninvite me!” Willie exclaims, looking around to make sure nobody is nearby. 
  “I’m sure she has a very good reason!” Flynn says, and Luke rolls his eyes, saying, “You’re saying that as if you don’t know Carrie. She’s hyper fixating on this wedding to distract herself from the fact that her parents will never accept her for who she is, from her fear about the fact that she’ll never get someone who sees and loves her for who she is and right now, she believes that this wedding would gain her parents’ favour, that somehow they’d be okay with her being bisexual if she’s married a man, a gay man at that, too – and now she’s doing everything in her power to make sure nothing gets fucked up.” 
  Willie and Flynn sharply look at Luke. 
  “Dude, that was deep.” He whispers. Flynn dabs the corner of her right eye. “You should be a therapist, bro.” 
  “I know, bro.” He grins. 
  Willie can’t stop a smile from breaking out on his face. He turns back to the scene in front of him, and his heart seizes because there’s Alex, dressed in a perfect tuxedo, with his hair perfectly done, with a perfect smile on his face, and Willie realizes that that is not the man he loves. 
  The man standing in front of him looks too pristine, too immaculate. It’s almost as if he is being strung up by invisible puppet strings, but his face doesn’t give away any of that – it’s absolutely blank, and Willie would have thought that the man in the front is not real if he hadn’t seen his eyes. His eyes, which houses cyclones, cyclones being fed by the apprehension, the fear, the anger, the sadness that he must be feeling inside. His eyes, that Willie loves to see first thing in the morning, showing off the parts of his soul that he is desperately trying to shield. 
  Willie wonders if he’ll see him standing behind the curtains. He probably won’t. Willie’s at the back of the room, and he’s at the front, waiting, waiting, waiting. For a moment, Willie wonders if Carrie is going to show up at all – because the wedding was supposed to start half an hour ago, and it doesn’t make sense why a person who has never been late in her entire life, would be late on her wedding day. 
  He doesn’t have to wonder long, though. The organ starts to play ‘Here Comes the Bride’, and honestly it sounds more like a death march. Willie is reminded, yet again, of another reason why this is not what Alex wants – he wants to play ‘Lover’ by Taylor Swift at his wedding. 
  Willie takes in a sharp breath when Carrie enters. She looks like a pageant queen – wearing a beautiful, white, classic dress. In one hand, she holds her dad’s arm, and in the other, there is a bouquet of daisies. 
  Flynn whispers. “I have to go. Boys, do not mess this up. Or I swear I’ll kill you.” 
  As the duo watch her run to the front of the room, Willie whispers, “Does she know about Carrie’s big, fat crush?” 
  Luke snorts. “You think so? Come on, let’s sit. They won’t be able to see us here.” 
  As they crouch down and make their way to the benches, Willie casts one last look at Alex, and he knows, he knows that Alex wishes it was Willie walking down the aisle instead.
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     “Speak now, or forever hold your peace.” The preacher says, and Willie’s heart erupts into a frenzy. As the room goes completely silent, Luke whispers, “That’s your cue, Willie.” 
  Ignoring his anxiety, he stands up with his hands shaking, and his brain telling him to just fucking run out the doors. 
  Alex’s eyes widen, relief flooding his features, and for a moment, he looks like the real Alex again. Willie catches Julie and Flynn’s eyes, who are standing beside Carrie, and they nod at him, enthusiastically. But the bride, Carrie – she looks absolutely horrified. And so does all the other people in this room, including Alex’s parents, his grandma Ruth, and Carrie’s parents, too. 
  From Alex’s right side, Reggie and Bobby give him encouraging looks, and finally, he averts his eyes back to the man he loves. 
  But he can’t say anything. He feels as if he’s frozen in time, and his mind completely blanks out. For a moment he wonders if this is his rock bottom. 
  But Luke comes to the rescue, thrusting a guitar in his hands, and breaking him out of his trance. “I remember you told me that you can always sing, even if the world was ending. So, I brought this along, as backup.” 
  It’s true. Music is a part of his soul, much like it is Alex’s. Music is what connected them in the first place, and music is what still keeps them connected now. 
  He positions the guitar, and notices that it’s Luke’s acoustic guitar. He strums it, and finally, his mind comes back to himself. He keeps his eyes trained on that of Alex, and he watches the storm of emotions in his irises. 
  “I am not the kind of guy, who should be rudely barging in on a white veiled occasion…” He sings, loving how Taylor Swift has written a song for every occasion.
  “But you are not the kind of boy, who should be marrying the wrong girl!” He sings and hears loud gasps around the room – he knows that people expected him to be in love with Carrie or something. 
  “Or any girl!” Reggie adds, and Alex grins, and that gives him the motivation to continue. 
  “So, don't say yes, run away now. I'll meet you when you're out of the church at the back door… Don't wait or say a single vow – You need to hear me out, and they said speak now!” 
  He drags the ‘now’ for as long as he can, because he knows that the silence that will follow will be excruciating. And it is. Alex just stares at him, an unreadable expression on his face. 
  Willie finally looks at Carrie, and when their eyes meet, she gives him an odd look. He half expected her to kill him, but the way she looks at him, it’s almost as if she’s relieved. 
  Alex clears his throat, the sound piercing through the silence of the room. Whispers arise, and Willie exchanges a look with Luke, who asks him, “You want me to dig you a hole to die?” 
  Before he can nod, Alex says, “Uh…” He fiddles with his hands, before finally saying, “Fuck it”, and untying his tie. His mother gasps, and his father stands up, but he raises a hand. 
  He locks eyes with Willie, and his world spins on its axis. 
  “You are not the kind of guy to be rudely barging in on a white veiled occasion…But I am not the kind of boy… who should be marrying the wrong girl… or any girl!” Alex sings in that raspy voice of his, and Willie feels his heart soar. He can’t help the grin from escaping on his face, and he knows that his eyes are what Julie calls, ‘heart eyes.’ Luke grabs the guitar from Willie’s hand and starts playing along. 
  “And you'll say let's run away now, and I'll meet you when I'm out of my tux at the back door,” 
  Alex walks down the aisle, but suddenly remembers something, or rather, someone. He turns around, locking eyes with Carrie, and Willie can’t see what he’s saying, but Carrie smiles a big, soft one – one probably no one has ever seen on her face, and he sees her mouth ‘go.’ 
  “Baby, I didn't say my vows, so glad you were around; when they said speak now!” 
  He finishes, and stands in front of Willie, and Willie knows that the both of them can feel the air electrifying between them.   
  He turns, facing his grandmother. “Grandma, I’m sorry, but you’re 93, and I’m 20. I’m not going to give up my life for you to live. I love you, though. Mom, Dad, I’m truly sad that I’m not what you wanted. But I’m not gonna apologize for being myself, nor am I gonna apologize for loving who I want to. This is my life, and maybe it’s time that I start acting like it. I can’t keep wasting my life to please you. You – you should love me for who I am, that’s what good parents do.” Alex’s voice cracks, and Willie intertwines their fingers. Alex squeezes his hand. 
  Carrie’s mom stands up, shaking her head. “No, no, no… you do not get to ruin my daughter’s wedding –” 
  Alex’s father stands beside her, his face matching the shade of Carrie’s red lipstick. “I will not accept this –” 
  “Will?” Alex whispers, his eyes trained on his father. 
  “Yeah?” 
  “Run.” 
  With that, Alex tightens his hold on Willie’s hand, and the both of them run down the aisle, and outside. Willie can hear an uproar behind him, but it fades to background noise behind the thump of his heart. 
  “That was so fucking romantic!” Alex exclaims, as they come to a stop before Willie’s car. 
  “I just…” 
  “Wait – I’m sorry, Willie. I shouldn’t have put you through that. I should’ve fought more; I should’ve run away or something. That was not okay. I’m a twenty-year-old adult, and I should – I should – learn to be it, and not hurt any – anyone –” 
  “Hey, hey, hey…” Willie says, stepping closer to Alex. “It’s alright. They’re your parents. It’s not your fault that you want their approval. But I just want you to know that I love you, all of you, for who you are. And all of us do – Luke, Julie, Bobby, Reggie, Flynn, and even Carrie. We all love you, for who you are, and we’re always gonna be by your side.” 
  He smiles, cupping Willie’s face. “Thank you. Thank you so much. I – I love you so fucking much.” He kisses Willie, and the latter feels like he is floating amongst the stars. 
  “That – everything inside – from this tux to the decorations was horrible. I’m really glad that you… you know, stopped it.” Alex says, rubbing his thumb around Willie’s cheek. 
  He shrugs. “Well, it was your friends’ idea.” 
  “Of course it was.” 
  “Guys! Guys, guys, guys!” 
  Willie and Alex break out of their embrace at Carrie’s voice, who is currently running towards them, her dress bunched in her hands. Flynn is following her, holding her veil in her arms. Julie, Luke, Bobby, and Reggie are behind them, and they all have a look of panic plastered on their faces. 
  Flynn yells. “Carrie might’ve told your and her parents to fuck off, and your grandma to just die already, and so there’s a fair chance that we’re all gonna get killed, now that everyone knows that we’re all behind this.” 
  “Also, I threw red wine at our aunt’s dress, Carrie!” Bobby yells. 
  “I might have told your parents that they’re failures, and Julie and I are your real parents, Alex!” Luke yells. 
  “Also, Flynn and I are getting married!” Carrie yells. 
  Alex’s eyes widen, and he looks at Willie. “I think we all need to run.” 
  Willie nods, and he looks around. Maybe they will get killed (probably not), and maybe everything is a little crazy right now – but what he knows is that all of them are a family, and that he’d do anything for them. He also knows that Alex is worth everything, and that someday, they will get married, just the way they want, with the people that love them just the way they are. 
  Plus, is it weird to say that he kind of feels like Taylor Swift right now?
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seriouslyhooked · 4 years ago
Text
Feels Like This (Part 10)
Emma Swan is a once lost girl who is now making good. She has made a way in the world for her and her young son, Henry, and after years of hard work, Emma is in her last stretch of schooling for the career she’s always wanted. Unexpectedly, she finds herself in a tiny nation no one’s ever heard of for her last year of study. She knows nothing about the place except that it’s beautiful, has a world-renowned child life program, and is filled with possibility. Meanwhile, Prince Killian is hardly happy with the title he received at birth. As the second in line for the crown, Killian has long tried shaking his royal duties. He built a career in the royal navy, and has stayed out of the limelight, but his ship has been called to port indefinitely at the request of his brother, the King. Fate (in her many forms) brings Emma and Killian together and the resulting fic is a cute, fluffy, trope filled romp featuring heart felt moments, a healthy dose of insta-love and an assured happily ever after. Story rated M and will have 12 parts. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9. Available on FF Here and AO3 Here.
A/N: Hi everybody! I am so excited to FINALLY be back with a new chapter of a fic that so many of you have fallen in love with. This response has been truly unprecedented in my writing experience. I have had lots of fics that many of you rooted for and supported me in, and I am always so grateful for that, but having a hiatus from writing this story showed me just how invested so many of you are. This is a great feeling as a writer, and that excitement you all have is the only reason I have been able to write more of this fic. My ability to write at my usual pace has been tested this fall, and there’s been some ups and downs in my attempts to reengage, but I love this story and I am so excited to share the rest of it with you all. I hope you will all like this new installment, I thank you again for continuing this with me, and I cannot wait to hear what you think!
“Mmmm, this smells delicious,” Henry said, hovering over the skillet not for the first time this evening, and breathing in the pasta sauce Killian had been working on the past half hour. To the boy’s credit, it did smell absolutely wonderful, a comforting classic anyone would love, and which the three of them had earned, after a day of unexpected meetings and introductions. This pasta was a traditional Montennaran recipe, not far off from a classic Sicilian pomodoro, but with the benefit of a few of this country’s specialties. It was a favorite of his personally, and one of the few meals he’d learned to cook well during his time in the service.
“Seriously. Who knew you could cook like this?” Emma said, still stunned at the display before them. She must have assumed from pizza night and the slow cooking speed of their first date  that he was fully a novice, and he was in many ways. But he did have a few small tricks up his sleeves, and one was this sauce, which was easy to make as long as he had the right ingredients. It was quick, but precise, and it gave off the perception that he had mastered something difficult, even though that wasn’t true.
“This dish is a special one for me and for my unit. This is the spread each of us waited for during deployments. You crave so many things when you’re without them for so long, but this meal symbolized something else. The moment we’d touch down on Montennaran soil, this is the first thing we would eat. It represents safety just as much as it does a good meal.”
“You always had this?” Henry asked, his brow furrowed in confusion. “No matter what time?”
“Breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This was it,” Killian said, smiling at the memory of early morning pasta meals that he’d enjoyed more than most other moments in his time at sea. Those were the times when they all felt at peace again, and where they allowed themselves to breathe and heal no matter what dark moments had been withstood. “We took turns preparing it, tired as we’d all be from the tour and the travel, but the pressure was on. The last thing you want to do is disappoint newly anchored sailors. It’s a mistake that may just be your last.”
“No kidding,” Henry said, surprised but taking the words at face value. “It sounds so cool though. Being in the Navy, I mean. You meet all those people, people who are your family too even if you’re not related.”
“Aye, lad, they are my family. Always will be.”
“I can’t wait to meet them someday,” Henry said eagerly. Killian noticed Emma tense a bit but she didn’t need to worry. It was always his intention to introduce them all, because it was his plan to keep Emma and Henry with him forever. “Will it be like today do you think?”
“That depends on how you think today went.”
Killian’s quip earned a laugh from Henry and a soft smile from Emma. He was teasing as if the afternoon had been anything but excellent, when of course that was not the case. Despite the unexpected nature of it all, his family had been on their best behavior and they’d all immediately loved Emma and her boy. He knew in his heart they would, but it took a lot of pressure off and hopefully would help ease some of Emma’s worries about where this was going and if his family would approve.
“Today was totally awesome!” Henry said. “Everyone was so nice and cool. But Gran was definitely my favorite.”
“For now maybe,” Killian said, knowing full well what the draw of his Gran was and how her energy and feistiness made her infinitely lovable. “But give it time. My Mum and Liam both have a few more tricks up their sleeves.”
“What did you think of today, Mom?” Henry asked, and Killian was intrigued to know her thoughts. He doubted that Emma would go very deep with her assessment, but she was always honest with her son, of that Killian was totally assured.
“It was… easy,” Emma confessed, smiling at the memories of the day. “I never expected to feel so welcomed right away, but everyone was so normal, it was nice.”
“Normal is pushing it a bit, love. My grandmother’s revelations alone somewhat undermine my family’s classification as something so benign.”
“Maybe,” Emma said with a shrug. “But the families I’ve seen all have some kind of well-meaning meddling, don’t they? Hers just has a bit more royal flare.”
“Oh, Gran’s got flare all right. No doubt about that,” Henry said cheekily as he took the dishes and silverware from Emma and headed to the dining room to set the table.
It wasn’t a statement the boy had meant to be impactful, but it hit Killian right in the heart. That was another special moment from today. There was no formality with his family and Henry and Emma, and he had witnessed the moment his grandmother insisted that Henry call her Gran as well. To have Henry accept that so quickly was a blessing, and another bright spot in what had been a beautiful day.
“And what about you?” Emma asked him when they were alone. “How did you think today went?”
Instinctively Killian turned off the burner, knowing the food was ready to serve but not wanting it to be ruined. He wiped his hands clean of any rogue tomato and then he pulled Emma straight into his arms in one fluid motion. Without pause, he pressed a kiss to her lips that was meant to be soft and nonintrusive in case Henry returned, but quickly morphed to something heated when Emma clutched at his shirt and arched in closer. By the time they pulled apart, he almost forgot the question, but Emma’s curious green eyes prompted him to reassure her of the truth.
“Today was one of the best days I’ve ever known, love. The most important people in my world came together, and if my instincts are correct, it’s gone just about as perfectly as it could. I couldn’t ask for anything more than that…”
“Sounds like there’s a ‘but’ hanging in that statement,” she said, running her fingers across his cheek as she looked at him, searching for answers. “Talk to me.”
“It’s just that I -,”
“Okay, table’s set!” Henry said, barreling back into the kitchen and prompting Killian to step back from Emma but to keep his hand in hers.
Emma and Killian exchanged a look that silently said they would pick up this conversation again later, but Killian squeezed her hand in what he hoped was a calming and comforting gesture. The hanging words he’d yet to say were hardly bad ones, he just had to admit that as beautiful as today was he wanted so much more. He’d never have enough days like this one for his liking. He would always want more, no matter what came, and that was what he’d have to ask her for if not today then someday very soon.
Dinner proceeded without a hitch, and not only was his cooking a success, but the meal was fun and lively. Henry made for so much conversation, and his thoughts on the day were long and varied. He was so full of excitement and energy that it was contagious, and Killian learned more from both the boy and his mother about what they’d taken from meeting his family. They all talked about the center too, about Marco and Marie and Cecelia, and then at length about Anna and especially Elsa.
“Do you think anything will come from it?” Emma asked Killian at one point, after they’d already dissected how undeniable the moment was between Emma’s friend and Killian’s brother.
“Oh for sure,” Henry said before Killian could respond. Both Emma and Killian laughed at his confidence.
“You seem rather certain, lad.”
“Well it’s pretty obvious. I mean he looks at Elsa the way you look at Mom. They’re totally gonna get together. It was love at first sight. Just like with you two.”
“Henry,” Emma said, chastising him somewhat but in a measured way.
“What?”
“Well not for nothing, but you didn’t even see Killian and I meet how could you know it was…”
“Love at first sight?” Killian offered, grinning at her, knowing in his heart that was exactly what they’d felt the moment they laid eyes on each other.
“Exactly.”
“Oh, come on, Mom,” Henry said, rolling his eyes in a move Killian rarely ever saw, but which looked exactly like his mother when she was exasperated. He nearly choked on his water, but he powered through, biting back a laugh at Emma’s shocked face. “It was totally love. You came home extra happy and you had a dreamy look on your face all the time when Killian started volunteering. And since then you’ve been kinda… what does Mrs. H call it again? Oh right, scatterbrained. Love can do that, you know. I asked Gran about it today and she said it’s a telltale sign.”
“You asked her that?” Emma asked, shocked and maybe just a little bit mortified as Henry nodded like it was no big deal.
“Yup. She knows everything. She said that’s what happens when you’re old, and since Mrs. H says that too I think it’s probably true. Come to think of it, they’d be great friends don’t you think?”
“Mrs. H and Queen Eleanor?” Emma asked, as if the thought of their neighbor and Killian’s grandmother being ‘friends’ was too much to handle. “Well I mean, now that you mention it, there are a few similarities there.”
“Totally. And if Mrs. H was here she’d agree with me about Liam and Elsa. It’s totally love, and that’s awesome. Queen Elsa. It has a nice ring to it. Like she was meant to be a royal.”
Killian didn’t think Elsa was the only one with a name suited for royalty. In his estimation Princess Emma and even Prince Henry were rather fitting as well, but he bit that statement back, not wanting to overwhelm Emma or bring something up in front of Henry that she wasn’t ready for. Instead he steered the conversation in other directions, enjoying himself thoroughly as they all enjoyed dessert together that Emma had put together before watching a movie the three of them. It was a totally natural thing, and at more than one point Killian thought that they really looked like a family. It filled his heart with hope, and he wished one day he could officially claim both of them as his. But tonight, he’d just enjoy how good it felt to be with two such special people who seemed to see something in him too.
“Okay, kid, it’s about that time. It’s late already, so PJs and then you can read two chapters and then that’s all she wrote. You got me?”
“Sure, Mom. But can I read to Killian tonight? I’m at a great part in the story. The pirates are about to board the ship.”
“Um, I’m not – I mean, if you want?” Emma asked deferring to him though she was obviously flustered.
“Sounds good to me,” Killian said prompting relief in Emma and a sound of excitement from Henry.
Henry hurried to get himself ready for bed, and just as he’d promised, he proceeded to read Killian two chapters of his current book. The title was one Killian recognized from his youth, but he was impressed that a ten year old had such command of the story. Henry was a good reader but also theatrical, keeping Killian’s attention all the while. Only when he closed the book did Killian leave the swashbuckling alternative universe the story took place in.
“Quite the tale there, lad. You’ll have to keep me apprised of what happens next.”
“No need, I’ll save it until you come back again,” Henry said easily, gesturing to his bookcase which was full of books in so many shades and shapes. “I’ve got tons of them to read.”
“I’d appreciate that,” Killian said truthfully standing back up and heading towards the door. “Well thanks again for the story, Henry. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Killian,” Henry said, letting out a yawn and settling into bed. “Love you.”
The words placed a direct hit on Killian’s heart, and he was unsure if Henry had meant to say it or if sleep was getting the better of him, but Killian could only go on instinct. He answered honestly, telling the boy he loved him too and seeing him smile and settle to sleep before slipping into the hall and walking right into Emma who had tears in her eyes.
“Emma?” he asked, mindful to keep his voice more a whisper than something that could wake up Henry. “Is everything all right?”
“He said he loves you,” Emma whispered, and Killian nodded, brushing her tears away as he held her close.
“He did, love, and it made me feel ten feet tall.”
“Because you love him too,” she whispered, awed at that as if were some kind of stunning revelation and not a given fact of life.
“Of course I do. He’s an amazing boy, and his mother… well she’s the beating of my heart. How could I do anything but love him when he’s a piece of you, Emma?”
“What were you going to say earlier?” Emma asked, abruptly pulling them back to that moment in the kitchen. He debated holding back, but he decided ultimately it was better to put all of his cards on the table. Transparency was key if they had any shot of making this work.
“I was going to say that you, Emma Swan, are the reason. You’re my reason for everything, this impossible gift I never saw coming, and I’m lost in you. I see this perfect moment and forever when I look in your eyes, I see a life I’m desperate to pursue and real hope for the future. I still can’t believe that you’ve chosen me and that I’m standing here with you at all, and a day as good as this one only reminds me that I’ll always have this want - this need - for you. I love you, Emma, irrefutably, incandescently. In a forever and so much longer kind of way.”
“I love you too. Just as much,” Emma said, her voice stronger this time though her tears still came. They appeared to be the product of joy instead of sadness, but they still clutched at his chest like a vice. The only antidote was pulling Emma somewhere private, in this case her bedroom, and confirming he was right.
Once the door was closed behind them, locking them into a sound tight suite on the other end of Emma’s temporary home, their actions blended together. He didn’t lead the way, but moved with Emma, a dance that felt so much more practiced than it was. Emma pulled him for steamy kisses, and he savored her taste on his tongue as he held her close and moved her back towards the bed in her room. The lights were dimmed, but washed the room in a warmth he felt upon his skin. He was burning up from the closeness and the promise of what was to come, but the only thing he could think was that he needed more.
In the back of his mind, Killian also realized that this moment needed quiet. With Henry in the house, they didn’t have the freedom he might yearn for, but no matter. He had the love of the most incredible woman and she’d accepted his love in return. That needed celebration and merited some long-desired reveling. He wanted to show her how he felt, and though he’d finally said the words and attempted to make her understand, the feelings he had went so much deeper. Looking in her eyes right now, he could tell she felt just as much, but the time for waiting and wondering was over. They had put the truth between them and now it was time to truly immerse themselves in it.
Instinct and hunger soon took over for Killian, melding with the love he felt and the softer feelings in his heart in a wickedly wonderful way. He wanted Emma bared to him as soon as could be, spread out on the sheets of this bed and ready for his taking. They’d been flirting with the pleasures they could have for a while now, and they’d been intimate before, but this was different. This was a first in many ways, and Killian was intent on having this moment be one they wouldn’t rush, and that they’d remember for the rest of their lives.
A primal voice in his brain urged him to take her fast and hard, to make a claim they’d both feel branded by, but Killian anchored himself to an idea of something slower and more sensual. He knew taking his time would prove so much more gratifying, and he wanted to make this as good for his Swan as it could possibly be. He helped Emma out of clothes, noticing the tremble of her hands as he did. She was buzzing with excitement and electricity, but she matched his pace, understanding that if they drove each other crazy for just a little longer it would be sublime.
He was entranced by her entirely, and as her clothes from the day fell away, revealing two extremely unexpected scraps of red lace underneath, he couldn’t help but groan. No woman had a right to be so lovely, to claw at him so surely, and to set him alight in this way, but God did he love it. Emma was impossible, but somehow she was real. He felt her responsiveness to him and tracked the way that she noticed how his appreciative gaze moved up her body. A flush spread across her creamy skin, but she stood there, proud and sure as her hands moved across his body, removing his clothes as he’d done hers.
“I didn’t know that I could want this much,” she whispered, the honey-laced tone of her voice a sweet melody to his ears. “I need you, Killian. I love you.”
“Fuck me,” he grumbled, surprising her by taking her in his arms and lowering her to the bed. She let out a gasp before giving into laughter, her eyes bright and sparkling in the lamp light.
“Believe me, I’m trying,” she quipped, but her feistiness faded somewhat as he shed the rest of his clothes. Now her attention had switched, she was watching him steadily, and unconsciously licked her lips. That was it. His patience broke and he was on her, hands roaming, mouth teasing, and hellbent on more.
“Much as I might love that idea, Swan, tonight isn’t about fucking. Tonight I make love to the woman of my dreams. Tonight I show you my heart in full. It’s so much more than sex.”
“I know,” Emma whispered, running her hands along his cheek. “So show me.”
Bound by her request, Killian set out to do just that. It began with roaming hands and removing the last two scraps of red that shielded her from him. Once she was bare, he let himself explore and learn every spot and lick and nip that made her breathless. He traced the sensitive places on her body that made her hum in pleasure, and cherished each freckle on her skin that had come from the summer sun. He riled her up with his hands and his mouth until she was pleading for release, and then he gave it to her, touching her tender flesh and prompting a thready moan from her lips.
“Killian.” Emma’s croon was ragged and gorgeous, making him harder than he ever thought possible.  The sound of her desire reached within his soul and engulfed him completely. Unable to resist, he felt himself growing addicted, unsure if he could ever stop. He needed her sighs like he needed to breath, and he purposefully pulled as many sounds of pleasure from her as he could.
There was nothing like Emma lost in lust. She’d never been more beautiful and he didn’t know how that was possible. As his thumb swirled against her clit and his fingers filled her, she gave more away, revealing herself and her needs in ways that made him dizzy. Every response set Killian aflame, and every breathy sigh and plea for more was a sign he intended to follow until he’d led her right over the edge and she shattered beneath him.
“You destroy me, love,” he found himself saying as he looked down at her and brushed some strands of her curled blonde hair out of her eyes. “Destroy me and make me into so much more. I’m in awe of you.”
In the face of her release, and the sincere words that he meant completely, Emma blushed again but smiled. Her expression was one he’d only ever seen her share with him, and it made him feel indestructible. He’d never met a person with more impact on his soul, and he’d never met a woman who so effortlessly created hope and good in his heart. Emma Swan was everything a man could ever want made real, and Killian still couldn’t comprehend how he was lucky enough to be here.
“I can’t imagine this is real,” Emma said, her words still dazed, but happy and content. “But I know it is. I know you are. I’m in this, Killian. I’ve never been more in.”
“Thank God for that, love,” Killian said with a grin and one more kiss before he trailed lower.
With careful attentions designed for maximum pleasure, Killian hit each peak point on her body, bestowing licks and nips that made her jump and mewl. By the time he’d reached her inner thighs, she was breathing heavy, anticipation clear as day. Killian looked up to her now emerald colored eyes as his hands held her steady, needing to know that this was what she wanted and what he saw was irrefutable. Emma was just as desirous for this as he was, and Killian was never so glad for anything in his life.
When his tongue met her sex, he tasted her need for him. Her body writhed beneath him, but he held her still, knowing she needed this from him now. She was wound up tight, the desire twisting around inside her and making her try to break away, but he built it up wanting to give her something she’d never get enough of. With slow, languid licks, he built the moment for him and her. The higher she climbed, the more crazed he himself became, but he waited until she shattered again to take his own pleasure. Once she had, though, all bets were off.
Their coming together was sensational serenity, walking the line between hard and gentle, tender and heated. Further and further they moved towards bliss, but time was off its normal tracks and their minds were filled with only this glorious moment. Soon enough, and yet not soon enough at all, they met that magic, crashing into climax. Minutes later they remained, both spent and breathing heavy, glowing from the aftermath and intertwined together, two bodies hell bent on never being parted. Killian found himself speechless in the aftermath, though his hands drew unknown figures on her skin. He had to touch her, had to hold her, even though he had just felt heaven itself. Truth be told, Killian was totally complete, and more invigorated than ever. Life had never felt more perfect and nothing had ever made more sense.
These revelations were all thanks to Emma. She was the one who made him believe love could be honest and true. She showed him depths he’d never dreamed of, and right now, as the swift and gentle tug of sleep came beckoning, she was a vision. Smiling at him, holding him close and whispering a promise he almost couldn’t bear.
“Forever, Killian,” she breathed, cuddling towards his chest after pressing one last kiss upon his skin. “That’s how long I know I’ll love you.”
“Forever, Emma,” he replied, though he knew even now she may already have succumbed to slumber. “Forever and whatever exists beyond.”
……………
Sneaking back into the castle now was a stark contrast to the many mornings he’d snuck out for a bit of space. Killian couldn’t resist smiling at how much things had changed since that time, and on those days when he walked out in the hills to watch the sunrise. However, unlike those other mornings, Killian knew the moment he walked through the great oak doors that he was not the only one up at this God forsaken hour. Call it instinct or intuition, but Killian could sense uneasiness in the palace, and as he moved up the corridor and saw light emanating from one of Liam’s studies, his hunch was proven right.  
With measured steps he approached the open door. It remained ajar, a beacon to anyone who may pass by that his brother was here but still approachable. What Killian saw when he walked to the doorway, however, was the undeniable truth that Liam was not well, and that he likely had no idea the door was open. He’d been up all night, burning the midnight oil, and studying files and photos strewn about his desk.
“For your information, you’re about…” Killian’s words trailed off as he checked the clock on the mantel to clarify the time, “twenty-two and a half minutes from being discovered by Francine or Claudette. Give or take or minute or so.”
The mention of two of the maids on the morning shift in the palace seemed to ground Liam into the reality of this moment and the predawn light outside. He looked up at Killian and then out the antique windows which offered a familiar view of the palace grounds, now bathed in the early morning sunshine. Liam let out a sigh, running a hand through his dark hair that had already been mussed with some frequency. There was no way his brother had slept this evening. He was wild and unkempt, and so far from his state of normal it was fascinating to see.
“Any other day and I’d be focused on your early morning return,” Liam mused, offering something like a smile. It surprised Killian, given how infrequent smiles had become for his brother, but before he could mention it, Liam looked back to the papers and the books strewn about the mahogany desk. Killian wasn’t sure what he expected, but these archives of the family’s public events was not it. His curiosity grew, and he urged his brother to explain himself.
“But it’s not so ordinary, is it?”
“No, she isn’t,” Liam whispered, slipping up and referring to the woman who had turned his head completely, instead of the morning itself. “I didn’t plan for this.”
“No one ever does,” Killian quipped. “Gran will be the first to tell you that to love is to surrender. Planning has no place in affairs of the heart.”
“That old bird is too crafty,” Liam said shaking his head as Killian’s brow furrowed in confusion. “All these years of talk, throwing opinions here there and everywhere. She never met a moment where words failed her and she never lets a day slip past where she doesn’t share her every whim. But I’ve always written it off as her opinion or some grandiose turn of phrase that sounds ripped from a book of clichés rather than something rooted in truth.”
“The worst are the riddles. The woman loves a riddle,” Killian added and Liam groaned, a sound of actual pain that Killian felt, despite its humor.
“I hate the bloody things. The flowery words, the abstract philosophies. It’s all just meaningless. Or so I thought. A whole life spent listening to this woman, and I never took much of it seriously. To be sure there were some times when she offered sage counsel, but I found it unlikely that she was actually providing me with answers to anything really sentimental. Half the time she’s as vague as can be. I wrote off nearly all her musings for the better part of my life.”
“Yet here we are,” Killian said evenly and Liam nodded.
“Aye, here we are.”
Liam stood from his chair and walked towards the windows. Killian watched as his brother’s arms crossed over his chest, his gaze turned out to the world, looking but not really seeing. He was lost in his own thoughts, struggling to give voice to them, and so Killian was patient. There was no use dragging Liam to conversation. His brother was guarded and grappling for control. Only when he was ready, would the truth come out. A few minutes later, after a prolonged bit of silence, they finally did.  
“I’ve long put off the inevitable, brother. Royal expectation demands that I choose a bride, but for years I’ve hesitated, unwilling to commit to any kind of match. The press has questioned my delay for ages, but that talk is mostly harmless. Still, I have always known that would change. A day would come when talk became more, and I needed to settle, to choose duty over heart.”
“You’ve said as much before, brother, but nothing in the law says that you have to forsake your heart for the sake of the country. A love match is allowed. You know this.”
“Aye, I do, but I never entertained the premise, not really. After our parents’ fiasco of a marriage, I ruled it out entirely. My best hope was for what had existed before, something arranged where, if I was lucky, love may bloom. Look at Gran and Grandad. It was love, absolutely, but it was also a merger. There was very little choice involved at all, just logic and good reasoning. At least in those situations you know what you’re getting into. There’s a safety in settling for that which is known. But fuck if I want that anymore. Truth be told the thought makes me sick, and I barely spoke to her.”
“To Elsa, you mean?” Killian prodded and Liam’s eyes brightened as he nodded.
“How can she move me like this already? One day in her presence and I hardly know myself. One day and I know that everything I thought would happen will never come to pass. I’ll never be the man that settles, not when I know she’s out there. I can’t describe it except to say that I have to know her, have to pursue this, have to hope she’ll give me a chance. I’ve never felt this out of my depths. I saw her and the rest of the world just ceased to matter. I wasn’t the King, or a ruler, or a politician. I had no duty and no course. I was just a man, and she was the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, plain and simple. I know it’s mad, but damn if it’s not true.”
“If it’s mad, you’re in good company. That’s exactly how I felt the first time I saw Emma.”
“That’s reassuring, and yet… it’s the strangest thing, I swear I looked at Elsa and I was halfway in a memory. I was a boy again, but the details were hazy. It just felt familiar, like we’ve met before. My heart had skipped that particular beat. My gut had felt that strongly. Now though I’m lost. I’ve been trying to figure out if it’s more than what it is. Maybe I missed something, but how could anyone ever miss her?”
“Ah that explains these books,” Killian said gesturing to everything here. “But let me guess, no sign of her in these.”
“None. But the feeling still lingers. It’s like I dreamed her up. The recognition is strong, but just barely out of grasp. God, listen to me. I’ve become an absolute melt.”
Killian couldn’t help but laugh at the slang of their youth. Their boarding schools had been filled with Brits and other Europeans, and to be a melt was to be a sop, a sap, someone who had given in to their most romantic feelings.
“Maybe, but if that’s true, God knows I’m happy for it.”
“You are?”
“Of course I am. I’ve always wanted more for you, Liam. You shouldn’t aim for mere contentment, or to just be comforted by honor and duty. The goal is to be genuinely, honestly happy, and this morning, despite the anxiety of newness, I see the start of something in you. Something good.”
“I fear I’ve been too hard on you, Killian,” Liam said, his voice softer and his tone sincere. “Not lately I mean, and hopefully you’ve noticed the shift over the past few weeks, but in the beginning, I didn’t see how you could feel so much. I asked a lot of you, with the parade and royal obligations, and I didn’t realize what the risk was. Slowly I’ve grown to understand that the changes in you I have seen can only be attributed to love. You are happy and it is clear for the world to see. I’ve respected that, but now to know it’s more than hypothetical, I just think it bears repeating. To lose this feeling…” Liam brushed his hand against his heart absentmindedly, as if his chest ached from some physical pain. “Anyway, I hate that I forced that choice upon you. I’m sorry.”
“It’s forgiven, brother. Well, it will be, if you grant me one wish.”
“Anything.”
“I’d like your blessing, and not a royal one, not a King’s well wishes. Just you, as my brother, backing me when I ask Emma to be my wife.”
The look of surprise on Liam’s face quickly morphed into a grin. There was his brother of old, the one who had existed before royal training. He was truly happy and a bit mischievous as well. The two of them had long been told they shared that smile, but coming from Liam, it felt like a most precious gift.
“You plan to ask her already?”
“Already?” Killian laughed. “It feels like I’ve been waiting forever. But I suppose you’re right. It is fast.”
“Fast seems to run in this family,” Liam said thoughtfully. “I wouldn’t have said that before yesterday, but as it stands, I understand. You have my backing, Killian. Emma is right for you, and if she’ll have you, we’d be lucky to have her.”
Liam came around the table, hugging Killian and showing him the depth of his joy. It was genuine, this support from his brother, and it made a world of difference. No matter what, Killian would ask Emma to be his wife, but knowing that his family felt as good about this as he did settled something in him. Now all he had to do was find the perfect moment. It was hard to be patient, especially when they’d admitted how they felt, and when he knew his feelings for Emma would only ever grow, but he’d find away. More than anything he wanted Emma to have a perfect moment, one they could build their future on forever more.
“And what of you and Elsa? Where do you go from here?”
“The only way I can go,” Liam said, resuming his assured control even though he was at the precipice of something totally foreign to him. “Towards her.”
“Good man. Trust in that feeling. It’s yet to steer me wrong.”
The two of them would have no doubt shared more, but at that moment, the voices of the morning staff could be heard down the hall. Their privacy had expired, the day had dawned, and reality beckoned, yet Killian knew even without proof, that things would work out. For now, there was a tremendous amount of hope for both him and Liam, hope that had been missing for many many years. Things may still be a bit uncertain, hearts needed to be won and vows needed to be made, but in his soul, Killian knew it would all work out. For Gran was usually right in the end, and he and Liam would both certainly surrender to love. Killian, for his part, already had, and honestly, it was the best damn thing he’d ever done. Soon, though, he would need to do more, to take the steps he so badly wanted with Emma, and to build a life with her and Henry worthy of them both. It was a mission he felt down to his bones, and one he simply would not fail. He’d find a way to their happily ever after, whatever it may look like, and the excitement of that would keep him going as long as it took.
Post-Note: So there we have it – a new chapter of this story, and the setup for the next chapter which will have more of the Elsa/Anna backstory for you all. From there we get to move towards my typical happily ever after recipe, a proposal, a wedding, and the joyful thereafter.  I think there’s going to be about 4 more installments left total (though one of those will be an epilogue and it may be quite a while before I am ready to publish that). But I promise to do my best to update more frequently than I have been. I have had so many of you sending love and wishes for faster updates, and those requests have not fallen on deaf ears. In fact, every comment and message makes writing that much easier, and I am so grateful for the overwhelming support. I promise I am doing my best to get you all this story, and just hope it’ll live up to everyone’s excited expectations. Either way, I thank you all so much for reading, and I wish you all well and healthy in this time. Sending you all the best!
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