#i did dishes. i cooked. i moved a whole couch. i cleaned a bit. i've read 30% of a book. and i've got More cleaning planned to do

[piplupod]

life is actually so easily wonderful if the abusers are not around. heaven on earth. i can breathe for a few days <3 i've already gotten so much done and its only been 24 hours. i have 48 more hours of this relief to savour.

[army-of-bee-assassins]

very rambly sorta laying things out and thinking through things below the cut. about my housing situation. i sorta want advice/opinions but also do not feel obligated to read through all this word vomit

quick background: since i graduated high school almost 10 years ago, i have not lived in any one place longer than 12 months. i hate moving but i keep doing it. and i moved into this place back in august and i want to move again in january (i signed a shorter lease). trying to reason through whether this decision is justified/worth it or not.

i found my current housing at the last minute before i moved states. i was scrambling and just had to take what i could find. it's the upstairs of a lady's house. it's like 300ish sqft with a bathroom. kitchen and laundry downstairs. she has a cat, and chai does not play nice, so the door to the downstairs remains closed and chai cannot leave. it's a bit more expensive than i would've liked but it does include all utilities so really when factoring that in it's somewhat reasonable i guess.

now honestly i didn't hate the lack of space as much as i thought i would. but it is pretty cramped. i had couches that i had to get rid of (they were old and junky but i liked them). i had to bring all my plants in for the cold and now it's even more cramped. chai, in particular, seems stir crazy. she's bouncing off the walls almost every night. i've been wanting to get a second cat for a while because i think she needs a friend (with a properly-done, very slow and gradual introduction so they get along), obviously i can't get a second cat here at all. it's just so small. and i can open only three tiny windows in the whole place (there are a lot more windows that don't open - the house is 100 years old) and something always smells, whether it's chai's wet food or something weird with the plants (i think i have some kinda fungus in the soil) or even chai pissing in the plants (which she somehow managed despite my attempts to cover up the soil on the big pots that she had access to).

something i did not anticipate to be as much of an issue as it was is the kitchen. this is honestly one of my biggest sticking points. it's the landlord's kitchen. i'm paying rent, but it's her kitchen. she has a way she keeps her kitchen. and it is very much not the way i would keep my kitchen. she has the absolute tiniest fucking trashcan for the kitchen below the sink that has to be emptied like twice a week because it's so small. and even though there are two sinks, she uses one ENTIRELY as a drying rack. so there is functionally just one small sink. because she's like. obsessed with not using up any counter space (she has explained that as her reasoning for the way multiple things are arranged in this kitchen). even though there's plenty of fucking counter space!!! there's a whole fucking kitchen island too! i had soooo much less counter space in my last apt and i managed to cook meals just fine. and she doesn't even cook much. there's also dishes. so again, i live here but there's still very much the "not my kitchen" feeling of all of this so i'm always cleaning and loading dishes as soon as i'm done with them. there's a dishwasher which she uses a lot so that's easy, though she often leaves dirty dishes on the counter for half the day before loading it. when i cook, i clean up right away (and wash most things by hand). when she cooks, she often leaves the dishes for a bit and then loads as much as possible (including pots and pans) into the dishwasher. she's also always the one to start the dishwasher, because the one time i mentioned maybe starting it, she wanted to check herself that it was really full because "it's the appliance that costs [her] the most money". like yeah. it fills up so fast bc you put such large things in there that you could just wash in the sink. you're the main reason it's costing you so much money.

just in general, things about cleaning and stuff has been just. no communication whatsoever about what my responsibilities are until there's an issue. and then she will be like "btw make sure you do x". i've mentioned this before but i really feel like a set list of "this is what i do and when and this is what you do and when" would've been really really helpful. but there's been none of that.

really the landlord is a perfectly nice lady. she could have been truly ten million times worse. we do have some differing opinions and philosophies though. i don't want to call her passive aggressive, but to my autistic ass i keep thinking that's what some of the previously mentioned cleaning stuff is. like she leaves something for as long as possible hoping i will figure out what it is she wants and do it, creating lots of anxiety for me. but! there is a substantial possibility that i am fully 100% imagining this and just creating anxiety for myself. one thing that is kinda weird tho is she hates the smell of the breakfast i cook every morning and has been strange about it from the beginning. first she just told me to turn on the stove fan and close the kitchen door. then she added on opening a window in the next room. and then turning on a rotating fan in the kitchen. and she still lights incense (hate this one) and boils lemons sometimes after i finish cooking.

in general she's just kinda particular about certain things and it makes me anxious that she won't tell me until it's already become a problem.

last thing, and maybe the largest motivation for me wanting to move out: i have so much goddamn anxiety about living with other people that i am not close friends or family with. it's not for lack of trying. i have lived with roommates for the vast majority of my adult life (including a 10 month term in americorps where i lived in close quarters with 9 other young adults). the apt i had before i moved here was actually the first time i had ever lived by myself in my life (and i loved it so fucking much). i mostly have anxiety about the kitchen. my room is always the safe place i retreat to (though in my current place i can't be loud bc the door to downstairs is very thin - that's another issue). but the kitchen - i just want to be by myself but i can't be. when the landlord is home she's often moving through it to do laundry or chores or whatnot. i feel like i can't listen to music or podcasts bc she'll hear it in the next room where she's watching tv. so i sequester myself in my room until she's not home. this has always been my pattern with roommates. wait until they leave and then cook what you were wanting to cook. when making my breakfast, i want to be alone, but i can't always manage that. depends on her work schedule. the landlord works full time but will just randomly have days off or work from home. i can't predict it at all, and that drives me just absolutely batshit. it's one thing for me to know the weekend is coming and prepare myself (and i'm always dreading it anyway knowing i won't ever be home alone). but it's another when it's wednesday and i go downstairs thinking i can cook my breakfast in peace but she's actually home. and i know how ridiculous i'm being! saying i can cook "in peace" as if she's actually doing anything to disrupt me! she's not! but my brain is bad and i just can't feel relaxed! i just feel extremely on-guard and it's exhausting.

so all in all, this adds up to why - pretty much from the very get-go - i was thinking i would move this january. given the extra time, as well as the ability to visit places since i'm no longer looking in a city i don't live in, i would find myself a new place to live. by myself - despite that being the financially more expensive option. well i did a lot of research. i drove around visiting places. i found some options. there's a few that would be just slightly cheaper, or maybe around the same price when you factor in utilities. they are not terrible but not great. there was one i was really liking the look of but then they jacked the fucking price up. well there was another one that is juuust under the current price i'm paying. but ofc that doesn't include any utilities so it's probably at least $100-150 more expensive then where i'm at. but it's easily the nicest option within my budget. a nice duplex with lots of space and my own backyard. i'm leaning towards this one now that the price jacked up on the other one. bc the prices are pretty close on those two now, and if i'm gonna be paying that much i feel like i may as well pay that much for the much nicer option.

and that gets into finances. i don't have a job, because i was told that time commitment of the masters program i'm in makes holding down a job difficult, and most people end up getting graduate assistantships anyway. well i don't have a graduate assistantship yet, and the max amount i can get in fed loans covers tuition and that's it. so i've been living off of savings all semester. and i did everything i fucking could to get a GA for the spring (which cuts tuition in half), though i was told from the get-go that it's rare to get a new one in the spring. i met with the lady who awards them and explained my situation, i made straight A's (they do consider grades), and i volunteered to work in a professor's research lab. no such luck. apparently it is way more common to get your first GA in your first summer semester, so that's likely when i'll get one. so i get to go another semester with full out-of-state tuition and living off of savings. i did the math a while ago and i'm gonna run out of money, whether i move or not (only difference is how soon it happens). i'm fortunate though, my parents will lend me whatever i need to get through till the summer. i don't really want to get a job, since starting in the spring i will have even more responsibilities (working in the clinic and doing school screenings) on top of class, but i feel like i should get a job anyway. because it feels ungrateful to just ask for money from my parents without even trying to support myself. though my dad made no indication that this was a requirement. idk. i feel like a spoiled and ungrateful piece of shit about it. that i'm worried about finances and still leaning towards not getting a job because it might be hard and stressful. that i feel stressed about finances when i have no right to be because i have my parents as a safety net.

anyway. my dad has also pushed pretty heavily for me not to move at all. he's not gonna stop me though. i've emphasized to him that this is my decision and i feel firmly about it and he relented. but tonight when i talked to him more about the financial stuff (like the fact that moving means i will run out of money sooner than if i don't), he brought it up again. that i have a good spot and i shouldn't just up and move for something that i don't even know i will like. that moving is expensive and time-consuming. that i know what i have here and the next place just might be absolutely horrible. i pushed back again and explained again that i've really thought it through and want to move. and he relented again and reiterated that he and my mom will support me financially when i need it, whether i move or not. which again, i am extremely grateful for. but now the whole conversation has just got me doubting myself. i applied earlier tonight for the duplex i wanted (and filled out and paid for another application for my dad to co-sign bc ofc i can't actually successfully apply anywhere without an income). but i'm just second guessing it all. what if it's not worth it? are the issues i talked about really big enough issues to move over? what if the next place does actually suck? and the landlord here is definitely not happy to see me go. she clearly really wants that extra income. and she said it would be difficult to find someone else to move in this time of year, which is probably true. i know landlords are landlords blah blah but like she's a person i know who i don't mean any ill will towards. i do feel bad about it.

all i want is a place where i can live in peace and not worry about fucking moving again until i graduate in august 2024. should i just suck it up and keep living here? am i just wasting mine and my parent's money with all this shit?

[artdecosupernova-writing]

Fictober '21 Prompt No. 19 — "I feel strange.“

Category: Original WIP: For The Stars Rating: T Timeline: an AU in which both Warren and Thrive are human CW: Mature situations Word Count: 737 Additional Notes: this is way too short lmao

***

PART IV ➳ PART III ➳ PART II ➳ PART I

"Hoo, boy," Warren sighed, running a hand down his face. "I feel strange."

Thrive nodded from his seat at the opposite end of the couch from him. "I've noticed this happens when you've had red wine."

"You think I could be allergic? I haven't even had two glasses."

Swirling his own wine in the stemmed glass held between his long fingers, Thrive shrugged, using a remote in his other hand to flip through the streaming titles on the TV. "It's possible. I'd stop drinking that one to be safe."

Warren perched his glass on the coffee table. "Dinner was great, by the way. Thanks for cooking."

"I'm happy to do it." Thrive switched to a music app and started one of Warren's playlists, getting to his feet. "I'll do the dishes tonight since you're not feeling all that well."

"You sure? I could probably still do 'em…"

"Don't worry about it. There isn't that much to do."

"Only 'cause you clean as you cook." Warren chuckled, tapping his foot to the song. "You fuckin' nerd."

He caught a good-natured eye roll as Thrive entered the kitchen with both glasses.

The song changed and Warren shot off the couch. "Oh, here we go!"

"What's that?"

"I choreographed a whole thing for this," Warren said, already into it, moving as if it were second nature. The up-tempo dance beat kept a wide smile on his face even when Thrive paused his task to watch him with an odd look from the open kitchen. "Didn't you know I danced from middle school to college?"

"…Can't say that I did," Thrive said.

"Yeah, man," Warren cheered, letting the music overcome him. He danced around the coffee table, singing along, and he brought his hyped energy into the kitchen, where the closer he got to Thrive, the higher the corner of Thrive's mouth inched upward. "Nearly threw my hat into the erotic dancing ring to pay for school."

"Hmm." Thrive used one hand to spray the dishes in the sink with water from the detachable nozzle, not taking his eyes away from Warren. "There's an abundance of qualification, in any case."

Warren stopped and quirked an eyebrow. "Well that's an interesting development. Like what you see, Judge?" He spread his arms and swayed his hips. "This doin' it for you?"

Thrive cocked his head. "Would you want it to?"

"Considering I'm half a misfired synapse away from grinding on you, I'd say so, yeah."

"Maybe not into that, per se," Thrive said, turning his full—yet visibly reluctant—attention onto the pans he cooked with, "…but I may want to revisit the erotic dancing topic in a little bit."

"If you want a lap dance, it's fifty bucks."

Thrive laughed. "Don't ask how I know this, but that's a bit steep."

Warren paused between songs and ambled the few feet to him. He snaked a hand around the back of Thrive's neck and leaned in close to his ear. "My guy…this would be the best lap dance of your entire life."

"It would be the only lap dance of my entire life," Thrive muttered, though his voice had subtly tightened.

"And god, would I be honored to give it." Warren's fingers raked through Thrive's hair, rubbing into his scalp with gentle firmness.

Thrive forced out a breath as he attempted to focus on his chore. "Give me ten minutes."

"You have five."

"I can do three."

"Speedrun it, baby," Warren purred. He snickered, starting up a dance for the next song and moving into the hallway that contained their bedrooms.

—

Warren opened his eyes to complete silence and a pitch-dark room. The playlist had clearly run out ages ago and someone had the forethought to shut off all the lights in the apartment. He shifted and knocked his elbow into a body beside him, earning a grunt for the occasion.

"Oh, fuck, sorry…"

"What's wrong?" Thrive asked groggily into the side of his head.

"Uh…nothing. Whose…whose bed is this?"

"…I don't actually remember. After a certain point, I wasn't exactly paying attention to our surroundings." A few beats passed during which the sound of rustling filled the silence and the mattress shifted. "This is a double. We're in mine."

"That tracks," Warren yawned. "Probably still night. Brain feels like noodles. More sleep."

"No arguments here," Thrive murmured, looping his arms around Warren and lacing their fingers together before they both drifted back to sleep.

[alias-sam]

Pierced by a Golden Soul

Chapter 36. Mother Knows Best

Platonic Jojo's x Reader

Summary: Fate is a bizarre concept with countless more bizarre implications. In life sometimes such extraordinary events happen that the only reasoning left must be fate. The tragedies that constantly befall the Joestar bloodline for example may be the unluckiest series of cards drawn in human history, or perhaps the work of a greater power. There is no way to tell for sure. Had Dio Brando or Jonathan Joestar moved slightly on a divergent path the world itself would be left very different. The fate or luck of the noble Joestar bloodline has led to destruction of evil likes of the Pillar Men and DIO. This story is of a similar caliber to that of the other Joestars (as I am sure you are familiar with them). This is a story of lost souls, compassion, hope, and above all fate.

Word Count: 1,740

(Crosspost from Wattpad, full fic is already posted there.)

"Good afternoon darling!" Senora Jones' voice rang in tandem with the doorbell. You lightly hummed in greeting. Your mother stood up from cleaning out a display case to meet you. "Quite the weather we've been having."

"You're telling me." You sighed, shaking off some water from your shoes. Despite your dampness, Senora Jones gave you a hug. You noticed her unusual lack of an apron, and a noticeable pep in her step.

"How did that talk with your friend go?"

"How did you know I...oh right!" For a moment you thought she was talking about your encounter with Learco. "They were too busy to talk. I just went for a walk instead." You laughed nervously. "I'll get on my shift." You sidestepped your mother and headed into the kitchen to start washing dishes, but you were met with an empty sink. "What the?"

"I decided to close early today. I barely get to take days just for myself." Senora Jones chuckled as she entered the kitchen behind you. "Business was slow anyways."

"Great. I'm glad!" You smiled having already noticed your mother's light mood. She was always busy, always working to keep up the business and taking care of you. It wasn't very often she took time for herself, even as a kid you noticed how she'd work herself to the bone. "Have anything you want to do with your newfound freedom from adulting?"

"Just one." Your mother threw you a mischievous smile.

.............

"We haven't done anything like this in a while." Senora Jones laughed watching you shuffle through VHS tapes.

"And it's an absolute shame." Eventually you picked out a movie and set it to play. "I miss doing this."

"Me too." Your mother sighed, watching you situate yourself next to her on the couch. "Which movie did you pick?"

"Which do you think?"

Just as you said that the opening screen for 'The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly' lit up the screen in front of you. Spaghetti westerns were an integral part of your childhood, no thanks to Senora Jones' Italian roots. You'd practically been raised on Clint Eastwood's movies. Even if the films were made in the sixties, you had a certain respect and love for the cinematography and musical scores. The movies were where you had learned a fair bit of the Italian language. Senora Jones owned a tape of the English and Italian versions. At this point the VHS tapes were worn down from the amount of times they had been rewound and rewatched. As the movie went on you could practically recite the whole script, cue every pistol shot, and narrate every stare down as it happened. Even so, you were at the edge of your seat until the very end.

......

"What are you feeling for dinner?" Senora Jones sighed as the final scene faded out.

"Old reliable?" You smiled.

"That's exactly what I was thinking." Your mother laughed already standing up.

"Why don't you take a load off?" You stood up quickly making your mother falter. "I've made pizza with you a million times!"

"Last time I let you cook in my kitchen unsupervised I lost a toaster oven." Senora Jones looked at you skeptically.

"That was forever ago!" You defended yourself indignantly.

"That was three months ago darling." Senora Jones corrected gently. "We'll work on it together; I know how clumsy you can be."

"I know...remember the cupcake incident?" You quirked an eyebrow. Senora Jones led you into the kitchen, already heading to get out ingredients.

"That was a Mother's Day to remember." Your mother laughed. Comfortable silence followed as the two of you prepared dinner. It was a well practiced ritual, familiar and calming. This was the most normal you had felt in awhile. For just a moment you let yourself forget about stands and strange metal shards, you let yourself solely focus on the pizza dough in your hand. It didn't take long to get the fully built pizza in the oven. Senora Jones set a timer as you wiped some stray four from your hands.

"So..." You trailed off, leaning against the kitchen counter. "How are things?"

"I already don't like where this is going. I know what you're going to ask and I don't have to answer you." Your mother sat on the counter next to you.

"You're always meddling in my social life, thought I might return the favor..." You shrugged with a mischievous smile. "All I want to know is what a kind, young, and very pretty businesswoman is still doing single."

"Don't you start this again you dork!" Senora Jones laughed.

"Anybody would be lucky to have you. I sure am." With an exaggerated sigh you looked over at your mother. "The real problem is finding someone good enough for you."

"You sound like my mother." Senora Jones rolled her eyes.

"She must have been very wise."

"She was."

......

A few hours later you found yourself cleaning the living room. Senora Jones was in her bedroom reading, so you decided to tidy up. After fixing the blankets on the couch you found yourself sorting through a small stack of papers on the coffee table. It was mostly just bills and documents related to the bakery. Just as you were about to set the papers aside a business card and brochure for some kind of medical clinic.

"What's this?" You mumbled, picking up the items. The picture of the clinic looked familiar.

"What's what?" Senora Jones poked her head into the room, a copy of 'The Sign of Four' in hand. You jumped slightly from the sudden presence. It was easy to forget that your mother had ears sharper than a bat.

"This." You said, holding up the pamphlet. Senora Jones froze, a sheepish and hesitant look crept across her face. Without so much as a word your mother set aside her book and invited you to sit with her on the couch. She took the pamphlet from you, taking a moment to look down at it. A multitude of complex feelings swam in your mother's eyes.

"Do you remember much about when you first came to live with me?" She asked, looking up at you with a soft smile.

"Not really." You admitted. It was a time in your life you'd rather forget. The memories were foggy and dark, but the feelings left behind still hurt. "I had a lot of nightmares I guess..."

"Yeah. You did." Senora Jones sighed. She had comforted you every night of your first year together. "Do you remember the therapist you used to see?" You paused, wracking your brain. It had been a long time, at this point you had almost forgotten you ever saw a therapist as a kid.

"Dr. Hill right?" You asked. The card still in your hand read Dr. Cypress Hill. "That was forever ago."

"Y/n...?" Senora Jones mumbled softly.

"Do you think I should go back?" You asked quietly.

"It's not my choice to make darling. I know you've been going through something lately." Senora Jones leaned back in her seat, opting to look up at the ceiling rather than your conflicted and grim expression. "I planned to give you the contact information for the clinic myself, I didn't think you'd come across it yourself. Even back then Dr. Hill told me that if you ever needed anything to give her a call."

"I'll give it some thought." You assured your mother before putting the card aside.

"That's all I can ask." Senora Jones smiled. Without thinking about it, you pulled your mother into a hug. She seemed surprised by the sudden act of affection at first, but quickly wrapped her arms around you.

"Thank you." You sighed, gently letting go. Before you could fully break away your mother pulled you back in, giving you one last squeeze.

"I originally came in here to tell you I'm headed to bed." Senora Jones mumbled, stretching her arms a bit.

"Goodnight."

........

The sun had set, the house was silent, and you were left alone to your thoughts. Clutched tightly between your fingers was the business card. You had a choice here. There was a right and wrong answer here. You stared down at the card and surprisingly felt like throwing it away. Did you even have the time to do this? You could probably handle your mental health on your own...right? Immediately you shook the tempting thought away. You had a bad habit of doing what you could to avoid getting help. Right here, right now, you needed help.

Granted, a therapist wouldn't exactly help solve your stand user problems, but talking to somebody would probably be good for sorting out your scattered and anxious brain. After long personal deliberation you found yourself in the living room once again. It was after office hours, but you grabbed the phone and decided to leave a message.

"Hi... I'd like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hill..."

.......................................

Blake watched as the mass of maggots at his feet tore apart yet another animal carcass. It was a sickening sight that even he couldn't find any joy in watching. Blake still didn't understand what triggered these things to attack. That's why he was here. Blake's first encounter with the creatures was almost a week ago now. They scared and fascinated him, and he reveled in the feeling.

Tonight he was going to... experiment. Blake approached the mass, all the while minding his distance. When he was close enough Blake reached into his pocket, taking out a small packet of lunchmeat. He threw a few pieces at the gathering of maggots and it landed just beside them. Blake watched, waiting for a reaction, but nothing happened. He proceeded to throw more pieces directly into the grouping, but still, the meat went largely ignored.

Curious, and perhaps a bit annoyed at this point, Blake summoned his stand and made a copy of himself. The copy walked right up to the creatures without any kind of response. Blake made his copy bend down, pick up a single maggot, and bring it back to him. He gingerly pinched the grub between his pointer finger and thumb. It made an attempt at burrowing into the boy's hand, but Blake simply applied more pressure on the creature to keep it still. Once again, Blake summoned his stand, and commanded it to make a copy of the maggot. Nothing happened. Irritated, he made several more attempts at copying the maggot to no avail. Blake glared down at the little monster before a smile broke on his face.

"Interesting..." Blake trailed off before mindlessly squishing the maggot between his fingers.

[komotionlessqueenmm]

One man's trash, is another man's treasure.

(3-4)

Short story # 6

2,216 - Words

Fandom - House of Wax (2005)

Pairing - Bo Sinclair X Reader

Summary - The reader finds herself & her 4 month old son stranded in Ambrose. While Bo finds himself enamored with the woman, wanting nothing more than to protect and provide for the two of them.

Warnings - Some dark topics, talk of abusive relationships, eventual blood & death, eventual smut. (I'm not sure what else tbh)

Notes - At this point both Bo and (Y/n) are really feeling that connection between them.

Pt. 1 ~ Pt. 2 ~ Pt. 3 ~ Pt. 4

----

By the end of the day (Y/n)'s jeep was all fixed up, but with as late in the evening as it was she decided to stay another night, with some encouragement from Bo of course. While (Y/n) and Von slept soundly in the guest bedroom, Bo met his brothers down at the garage, discussing what they should do, and if they should do anything in the first place. "I don't know Bo, her ex tried killing her because she was pregnant... She'll be running her whole life from a man like that." Lester sighed, not wanting anything to happen to (Y/n). "So we let her stay here, we can protect her from him easily." Bo shrugged. "What about when she realizes what happened to the people here? Or she finds out about Vincent's projects." Lester argued. "We'll explain it, make her understand." Bo countered. "How?" Lester asked feeling a little concerned. "I don't know yet." Bo admitted with a sigh. "I think we should start by introducing her to Vincent." He continued his thought, glancing to his twin, who made an almost concerned groan. "If she can accept him, I'm sure she'll accept the rest." Bo lit a new cigarette after finishing his statement. "And if she doesn't?" Lester asked. "That's not an option." Bo's smirk made worry spark in Lester's heart. Despite this however he chose to keep his mouth shut, and allowed his older brother to do whatever he had in mind.

When morning came, (Y/n) woke up early and cooked breakfast. "Morning." Bo murmured with a sleepy smile on his face, having been woken from the smell of bacon. "Morning Bo, I hope you don't mind." (Y/n) smiled sheepishly as she looked to what all she had cooked. "Not at all." Bo shook his head, happily accepting the cup of coffee she handed him. "Great." (Y/n) smiled brightly, the pair of them taking a seat beside eachother, eating their breakfast in a comfortable silence. Excluding the occasional hum of approval Bo gave when he bit into something new. And by the time they finished Von began crying from upstairs, cueing (Y/n) to fetch him to begin his morning routine.

"Hey I was going to do those." (Y/n) pouted playfully when she entered the kitchen, finding Bo working on the dishes. "Eh don't worry about it, you cooked I'll clean up." Bo winked making (Y/n) blush as she sat at the counter, adjusting herself to feed a fussy Von. "My brother wants to meet you before you leave." Bo stated casually. "Really?" (Y/n) smiled softly. "Mhm." Bo nodded his head with a hum. "I'd love to meet him." (Y/n)'s grin widened a little, feeling honored that he'd want to meet her. "We'll meet him up at the house of wax in an hour." Bo confirmed as he finished up the last dish. "Sounds fun, I've never been to a house of wax before." She hummed as she propped Von onto her shoulder, burping him. "I'm gonna go take a quick shower, let me know when you're ready." Bo insisted casually as he moved to wipe the spit up off of Von's chin. "Okay will do." (Y/n) smiled with appreciation, hopping up from her seat to get herself and Von dressed.

Once inside of the wax Museum (Y/n)'s attention was drawn to just about everything within sight, making Bo chuckle as he watched her ogle everything. "I take it you like it?" Bo mused with a grin. "I'm a little obsessed, is everything in here really made of wax?" She asked turning to look Bo in the eye. "Just about everything, most of its wax, but some of it isn't." Bo shrugged a little. "The vase?" (Y/n) asked as she pointed to the large decorative vase. "Wax." Bo nodded. "The couch?" She pointed to the couch two wax figures sat upon. "Wax." He chuckled. "How about the...." (Y/n) looked around before realization struck her. "The building?" She turned her attention to Bo, her eyes widening when he nodded his head yes. "Wow that's insane." (Y/n) chuckled with astonishment. "But you like it yeah?" Bo asked. "I love it! I can't imagine how long this must have taken to craft all of this, but it's very impressive." (Y/n) beamed making Bo chuckle softly. "Vincent will be happy to hear that you like his work." Bo mused. "Wait he did all of this?" (Y/n)'s eyes widened. "Not all of it, but a lot of it." Bo explained. "Wow I wish I had that kinda talent." (Y/n) chucked softly, jumping when a statue in the back moved. "Alright no need to scare her." Bo chuckled with a shake of his head, the once statue approaching the pair. "I was not expecting you to move, I really thought you were a statue." (Y/n) chuckled nervously.

"(Y/n) this is my brother Vincent." Bo introduced the two, the masked brother timidity offering (Y/n) his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you." (Y/n) smiled looking at his mask with curiosity. "Is your prosthetic made of wax?" She asked without thought, but he only tilted his head to the side. "Your mask." She clarified, smiling when he nodded his head yes. "That's very cool, did you make it yourself?" (Y/n) asked chuckling when he nodded his head again. "You don't talk much huh?" She tilted her own head a little. "He can't." Bo clarified unknowingly making (Y/n) suddenly feel guilty. "Oh I didn't know, I'm sorry." (Y/n) ducked her head down, feeling stupid for opening her mouth. "Vincent do you wanna show her?" Bo asked his brother, who hesitated for a moment before nodding his head in agreement. (Y/n) picked her head up, watching in amazement as Vincent removed his mask. "Wow." She muttered under her breath, taking in the sight of his face, frowning a little when he looked away from her. "What happened?" (Y/n) turned to Bo. "We were born as Siamese twins, and our daddy was an unorthodoxed doctor. He was able to separate us as infants." Bo explained suddenly feeling subconscious himself. "Wow... That's incredible." (Y/n) murmured softly. "You're both incredible." She chuckled softly looking back to Vincent, who smiled back at her before putting his mask back on.

--Later that day--

Having decided on stay one more day (Y/n) sat with Bo in his living room talking about this and that, and joking about nearly everything. "(Y/N)!" A voice yelled from outside, cutting off (Y/n)'s laughter, a look of terror filling her eyes in an instant. "(Y/N)!" The man yelled from outside for a second time. "It's him... It's Trent, he's come for me!" (Y/n) panicked, explaining to Bo why she suddenly got so fearful. "(Y/N) I KNOW YOU'RE HERE!" Trent yelled, sounding a bit closer to Bo's house now. "I'll keep you safe." Bo promised before he rose to his feet, grabbing the shotgun he kept near the front door. "Wait he's dangerous." (Y/n) rushed to follow Bo outside, leaving Von in his crib asleep. "COME OUT COME OUT COME OUT!" Trent taunted from the center of town, his attention turning to a pissed off Bo Sinclair. "Found yourself a gullible local huh?" Trent sneered at (Y/n) who ignored her fear and continued following Bo. "I suggest you get outta here and forget about (Y/n)." Bo warned, resting his shotgun on his shoulder, standing about eight feet from Trent, who only scoffed at his threat. "How about you go fuck your sister, and leave me to my business." Trent hissed, his words only fueling the hatred Bo felt for this man. "Your business best consist of you getting outta my town." Bo glared Trent down, who only chuckled. "Sure I'll get outta your town, once I have her." Trent pointed to (Y/n), but Bo only pushed (Y/n) to stand back a little.

"That ain't gonna happen." Bo shook his head with a mocking grin on his face. "How did you even find me!?" (Y/n) asked the question that had been plaguing her mind. "Remember my buddy Stan? I had him bug your car with a GPS tracker." Trent mocked as he flashed them the receiver of the tracker. "Now get over here." He growled as he pulled a pistol from the back of his belt. As Trent trained the pistol, Bo stepped in front of (Y/n) training his shotgun on Trent. "I'll only warn you one more time." Bo hissed, resisting the urge to just blow the motherfucker away. "Fuck you, you fucking redneck." Trent taunted before he pulled the trigger, but his gun jammed and Bo smirked. "Nah fuck you." Bo retorted before pulling the trigger, blowing open Trent's chest. (Y/n) screamed at the sound, her heart racing in her chest. Almost like everything was moving in slow motion, (Y/n) watched Trent's body hit the ground with a thud, dead as dead gets. Bo was quick to spin on his heel, gently setting the gun on the ground he scooped (Y/n)'s shaking form into his arms. "Sh darling it's alright, I've got you. You're safe now darling, I've got you." He murmured against the crown of her head, carrying her back into his house. "It's okay (Y/n), rest now. I'll take care of everything, I'll take care of you." Bo promised as he laid her down on the couch, lovingly stroking her hair, before he kissed her temple. The events suddenly flipping a highly protective and tender switch within Bo, not that (Y/n) was complaining in the slightest, taking great comfort in his words and actions.

A few hours passed and in that time, (Y/n) had calmed down, and thought about a lot of things. Bo had dealt with the body and come back to (Y/n)'s side within the first hour, allowing her to cuddle into his side and think. "Bo what is this place?" (Y/n) asked with worry laced in her voice. "What?" Bo frowned his brows, a confused smile on his face. "Please don't lie to me anymore, please tell me what this place is. This town its just not right, in all the time I've been here I've only seen you Lester and Vincent." (Y/n) explained, suddenly feeling concerned for her baby's well being. "I want to tell you, I've wanted to tell you for a while now... But I don't want to scare you away." Bo hung his head. "Not telling me is scaring me, Bo please tell me." She insisted. "You know I would never hurt you or Von right?" Bo asked, his eyes the tiniest bit glossy. "Of course I know that." (Y/n) licked her lips, ignoring the worry bubbling at the back of her mind. "The town been abandoned for a decade, me and my brothers took it over a few years ago." Bo began. "Brothers?" (Y/n) asked having caught the plural. "Lester is mine and Vincent's younger brother." Bo explained frowning a little when (Y/n)'s eyes filled with worry.

"Lester convinces people to come to Ambrose, and me and Vincent kill them." Bo revealed, his confession making (Y/n)'s breath hitch in her throat. "Lester called me after he dropped you off at the gas station, and he told me to help you out, he insisted that we spared you." Bo licked his lips nervously. "I wasn't going to listen to him, but when you didn't snoop around town like everyone else, I was curious about you... Then I seen you, and your baby, and any dark thought I had washed away in an instant. The more we talked, the more I was intrigued with you... The more I wanted to protect you, especially when you told me about your ex." Bo admitted, his words surprisingly soothing (Y/n). "I'm sorry..." Bo muttered under his breath. "I forgive you." (Y/n) smiled softly, sitting up she adjusted herself to straddle Bo's lap. "I forgive you." She repeated herself as she took his face between her hands. "You've been better to me than most people in my life, and while the knowledge of what you and Vincent do... Is almost heartbreaking... I forgive you. I know you won't harm me or Von, to proved yourself to me today when you saved me from Trent." (Y/n) leaned in and gently kissed Bo's lips, pulling away all to soon. "I don't want to leave, I want to stay here with you... To love you despite the things you do, to love you despite the monster you can be... I want you for who you are, darkness and all." (Y/n) confessed, making Bo's mind go hazy with adoration. "Please stay." He muttered subconsciously. "I am." (Y/n) rest her forehead against his, smiling when he wrapped his arms around her waist.

----

Part three is complete!!!!

Part four will hopefully be posted tomorrow evening.

（＾_＾）

[tinisprout]

No Doubt in Us

Chapter Seven - They'll Be Fine *written chapter below*

Fiance!Haknyeon x Fem!reader

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Synopsis: Life is great, you have your dream job, you finally got your first big break, and you are now engaged to the love of your life. Happier than you’ve ever been, you live life one day at a time. Then one day a terrible accident happens leaving you in a coma. Where you finally awake, everything is not as you remember. Amnesia takes away 3 years of your memory, forgetting your beloved Fiance. Faced with a reality that seems unreal, as your mind is stuck in a past with uncomfortable memories, your future with him is uncertain.

Send me an ask if you want to be put on the taglist for this series

Taglist:@my-summer-night @deputyjuyeon @juhaktheoneforme @sunqnew

Sorry for the late chapter I've been very busy

Word count: 3.6K

Neither of you knew who fell asleep first, let alone at what time you fell asleep. What you did know is that it wasn't enough sleep. Both of your eyes were red and heavy after waking up by your alarm. Maybe setting it to 9:30 was a mistake. You look at Haknyeon who was sitting up trying to keep his eyes open.

"You know I love you, but I blame you for this." He uses his hands to refer to both of you.

"Excuse me, if I remember correctly we both were tweeting, Diamonds aren't forever lyrics." Bickering like this with him seemed to be so far away before yesterday, but after talking with him last night you felt a lot closer, he felt like a friend.

"Ugh fine, equal blame." He smirked, enjoying this little banter. You get up from the floor hitting your face to wake you up a bit more.

"Better." You reach your hand out to him, and he takes it pulling himself up. "Alright, clean up time." You swipe your phone off the ground checking to see if there was anything new. Just in time, your phone buzzed a new message from your mom.

Mom: Hey Honey, I know we said we'd come over noonish, but your father got very excited to make something for you guys. He already bought everything, so forewarning. We'll be there in an hour give or take. See you soon.

You turn to Haknyeon showing him the message. When he looked back up at you, you asked, "Since when did my dad cook?"

"Hmm, maybe a year now?" He says almost unsure of it himself. "But that's a story for later, your dad will love to tell you. We have about an hour to get this place in order before they come." You text her an, “ok”, back.

"Okay, let's get some speed cleaning done." You both work together to fold the big comforter. "I'll bring everything back upstairs." Haknyeon nods at you.

"I'll take care of the kitchen area," he calls out to you. You felt a little bad, you left a lot of dishes there. I'll just work faster so I can do other things. The sounds of clinking dishes and shuffling feet filled the house, both doing various tasks around their home. When they were finally satisfied with their work they both went to sit down on the couch to rest.

As if cursed preventing you from resting, a knock came from the door, making you both stand up again. You check your phone, 10:53 a.m. a little over an hour from the time your mom said. You both scurry to the door. You could hear the familiar voice of your mother conversing with your father, it brought a smile to your face. It felt like it had been such a long time since you last saw them, and maybe that was the case, you weren’t sure. Still, you opened the door eagerly for them.

“Mom,” you say with a big smile on your face. You see that she is carrying bags in her arms and you take them from her, ushering her inside. “Come in.” Following behind her was your father with bags in his hands as well, “Dad.” You set the bags down and your father does the same.

Everyone except Haknyeon was crowding the entranceway. You looked at your parents, they seemed a little bit older than the image you had of them in your memories, and you felt your throat tighten. When they looked at you, they scanned you from head to toe, touching your face, lifting your arms, making sure you were really okay. Their actions make you chuckle, “I’m okay, I promise,” you say trying to reassure them. Their baby girl was really okay.

“You’re okay,” Your mother wraps you in a hug, “It’s okay, you’ll be okay, honey. I promise.” Your words being thrown back at you like that made tears prick your eyes. You brought one of your arms around your mother and your other hand reached out and tugged your father’s shirt urging him to join you two. Creating this group hug the three of you had a tearful reunion, saying I love and I miss yous to each other.

Despite how close he was to your parents he still felt like it wasn’t his place to be there in your moment, so he waited patiently by the side, smiling at the happy little family reunion. Your father pulled away looking and looked in Haknyeon’s direction while wiping away the tears forming at the corners of his eyes. “Come here, son. You’re part of this family too.” Haknyeon was shocked by your father’s words.

Regardless of how close he was to your family, this moment felt like it was too personal to be a part of, especially with how things are now, so he hesitated to come closer. You and your mother pulled away from each other and she looked to Haknyeon as well. “It’s okay, Dear. Don’t act like a stranger.” As she said that, your mother spread her arms out, welcoming him. Your parents looking at him as one of their own, Haknyeon felt overwhelmed with emotions. They looked so sincere to him and he couldn’t deny them, so he came to them as they wished.

“It must have been hard on you too.” The three embraces and Haknyeon felt a different kind of comfort compared to his friends’ comfort. This parental comforting feeling that he didn’t know he was craving. Since the whole incident, he didn’t tell his mom about a single thing, he knew she already had a lot on her plate, he didn’t want to stress her out. Tears pooled in his eyes, your parents could feel his shoulders tremble and their hearts broke.

Crying the stress away felt so much relief and gratitude for your parents. Haknyeon thanks them and everyone takes a moment to clean themselves up, wiping away the tears, this peaceful calm now over the room. You and Haknyeon both take the bags your parents brought and lead them further into the house, dropping the bags off in the kitchen. “So, Haknyeon said I should ask you guys about Dad cooking. Why is that suddenly your thing?” You ask, bringing in a topic that should be a happy conversation.

Your parents hum at the same time thinking. “It’s definitely because of Haknyeon,” your mother says while nodding her head.

“It was when we came over. You are your mother went to go get something, so you left the task of cooking to Haknyeon,” your father chimes after. You look to Haknyeon and he nods confirming your father’s answer.

“I had your dad help out a little here and there. I think he first got interested in the seasoning process.” Haknyeon smiled as he thought back on the old memory. Your father and Haknyeon recounted their first cooking experience together, many laughs filled the house. Then your mother piped up at the end of the story looking at you.

“Needless to say when we got back home, take-out needed to be ordered. Whatever scaps they salvaged was not enough to feed the four of us.”

“I was lucky your mother let me touch a stove again, let alone walk in the kitchen.” Your father passes a playful smile to your mother.

“That’s right, you’re lucky that the scraps you offered were not that bad. Now that I think about it that was Haknyeon’s doing, wasn’t it?” She teases him and your father feigns sadness.

“It hurts me that you would think that way, Dear.” This familiar banter between your parents brought a smile to your face, they were still as in love with each other as you had always seen them. Your eyes subconsciously moved to Haknyeon, a smile still holding on to your face. You didn’t expect to see Haknyeon's eyes already on you, the corner of his lips lifted, your eyes went wide. Haknyeon, as if caught doing something bad looks aways, but realizing how silly he must look, his eyes found their way back to you.

He gave you a bashful smile and you tittered at the display. The moment is broken up by your mother motions you over to her. "Well you boys can have fun cooking together again, I need to catch up with my daughter."

"Have fun, Ladies. We'll call you if we're done here before you." Your father shooed you away from the kitchen and took your spot by Haknyeon. You and your mom decided to go out to the back porch, taking a seat at the small table set up you had.

"So, honey, how have you been lately?" You sigh.

"I have been better, but I'm working on it."

"And what about you and Haknyeon?"

"It was a little difficult at first, but we decided to try and work it out. He seems really nice and he is fun to talk to, but I don't know if I can fall in love again, it's all feels so sudden.”

“That’s understandable. We love Haknyeon, but if you feel he isn’t right for you anymore, don’t be afraid to say so. We’ll be here for you no matter what.”

“I know, I think falling for someone like him would be nice, but life isn’t that easy.” Knowing how your relationship was with Haknyeon, she thought it was almost impossible that you wouldn’t come to love him again, but she kept her mouth shut. That was something you needed to figure out on your own, she didn’t want you to feel like you had to be with him, even if that’s what she hoped for.

“What about your friends how have they been fairing with this?”

“We’re good, I think. They are understanding about everything even the ones I don’t remember. They seem like good people.”

“You always had good taste in friends, if Chanhee is any indication of that.” You release a deep sigh, feeling your soul shrivel up at the thought of Chanhee. Your mother looks at you with confusion, “What happened?”

“We got into a little argument.”

“Some things just never change do they,” She chuckles. Watching the both of you grow up she witnessed some of your fights and had sometimes been the one to help you two patch things up. “You’ll be fine,” she really wasn’t worried, the two of you always found a way to make up.

“Yeah, I’ll work on it.” The conversation veers off from its current direction. The two of you talked about what you could and couldn’t remember. She told you about stories of yourself she could recall, and then some stuff about her and your father. There didn’t seem to be a big change with them and that brought comfort to you, knowing that some things were still the same as you remembered.

Meanwhile, inside the house, the two men were cooking. Your father was instructing Haknyeon on how they were going to make lunch. When the cutting proceeded, your father spoke up first.

“So, have the two of you made any decisions yet?” it was a sudden question but he could only assume he meant about the status of your relationship.

“Well it was a little complicated at first, but she said she wanted to try dating me again, so we kind of started our relationship over again.”

“You think you can make her love you again?”

“I- I’m trying to be hopeful. What she saw in me before, she can see again.”

“Personally, I don’t think you should worry that much. I’m not saying to not try and win her over, that will still take some work, but I can’t see her not falling in love with you again. Do you know how much happiness you brought her? I think you’re already set up for success, just don’t screw up.” With his last words, the knife he was using slammed into the cutting board with a loud thud, cutting through a carrot and the cut-off piece went flying.

“Please be careful,” Haknyeon says as he picks up the carrot piece and throwing it away.

“That was an accident, I was distracted.” He stops trying to cut and looks a Haknyeon. “But on the off chance that things don’t turn out good and she decides that she can’t love you, through no fault of your own, then just know whoever she picks after, I won’t like them as much as you. You’re like the son I never had.” Nothing like a little dark humor to lighten the mood.

“Thank you, Sir.” Haknyeon felt sheepish at his words, even though it wasn’t the first time he’s said something like that. Light-hearted small talk continued as the two continued prepping, besides the one mistake in the beginning the cooking process goes on without a hitch. Soon enough the house filled with a tantalizing smell. When all is done, your father goes outside to call you can your mother back for food.

When you finally come back inside with your mother you are greeted with the sight of Haknyeon contentedly setting the table for everyone with care. Your eyes lingered on him, looking at the half-smile to yourself, His smile is nice. It gives him a friendly endearing look and you didn’t notice you started smiling looking at him till your mother nudged your arm, dragging you back to reality from the daze you were in, giving you a knowing smile as she looks from you to Haknyeon and back. You turn away from her not saying anything feeling flustered at the realization of what you were doing and walk ahead of her. You could hear your mother snicker, this causes Haknyeon to look up at you then your mother and his smile grow.

“What’s so funny?” You felt your face heat up, Why did he have to look now?

“It’s nothing.” You try and hide your embarrassment with a smile and Haknyeon looks at you suspiciously before letting it go and telling you both to have a seat at the dinner table. Taking up the offer you sat and soon the table was set and everyone was seated. To your delight, the food looked, smelled, and tasted good. “My compliments to the chief,” you nod at your father approving of his cooking, and glance at Haknyeon in acknowledgment of his help.

“Careful, Honey. Don’t inflate your father’s ego too much now or he’ll start to think he’s better than me.” It’s true, it wasn’t as good as your mother’s cooking, but he had potential.

“Just you wait, I will be one day.” Your father shoots a stubborn glare at your mother, causing everyone to laugh. The meal warms you up from the inside and you stuff yourself with your first meal of the day. Thinking about that you realized two things: Haknyeon also didn’t eat before this and this is the first time you’ve had a meal with him, so you glance over at him, catching him mid-bite. If your eyes could they would have gone as big as when he opened his mouth to take a bite.

Haknyeon greedily shovels the food in his mouth and when he notices you staring, he stops mid spoon, mouth still agape. You bite on your top lip to stop yourself from laughing at the silly look he had. Sure, it was shocking to see him open his mouth like he was about to unhinge his jaw, but in its own, weird way, it’s cute and charming. Haknyeon just felt like he was embarrassing himself too much today. You mouth an apology and he pouts his lips a little, your small interaction going unnoticed by your parents as they were currently in their own world.

Lunch with your parents continues with light conversation and when everyone had their fill you started to help clean up, but your mother stops you.

“Thank you, but we got it. You and Haknyeon go take a rest for a bit we’ll be done soon.”

“You sure?” Both you and Haknyeon ask.

“Yeah, go, go.” For the second time today, you are shooed away in your own house. You went going to cross swords in helping since you felt your tiredness hit you again after eating. The two of you decided to take a seat on the couch, leaning back into the cushions and leaning your heads back. You felt this amazing comfort perfect for dozing off, you wonder if Haknyeon is feeling the same.

“It’s not just me, right? I feel so warm and sleepy now.”

“Hmm?” Way ahead of you already he was starting to doze off too and you smile.

“Sleepy?”

“Yeah…” You both can’t help but let sleep take over you despite the noise coming from the kitchen. When your parents finish cleaning up they call out to the two bodies on the couch, but neither answers. So your mother goes up to both of you and holds back a gasp. She waves your father over and the sight he is greeted to is you and Haknyeon leaning on each other.

As if unconsciously drawn to each other’s warmth, your head rests on his shoulder and his head was laying on the top of yours. Both pairs of legs lean towards each other.

“I was planning to stay here a little bit longer, but I think we should leave now.” Your mother whispers to your father. He nods and they get prepared to leave. Your mother left a note on the counter and your father decided to take a picture of the two of you, making sure to send it to Haknyeon. They leave both thinking the two of you will be just fine.

***

You stirred in your sleep state bringing yourself closer to the heat you felt beside you, but the movement brought pain to your neck and shoulders waking you up. Opening your eyes you lifted your head and felt a terrible stiffness, you realize your head was laying on Hakyneon’s shoulder. Not just that, but you were also in close proximity to each other, almost like you were cuddling. You look at Haknyeon checking if he was awake but all signs led to a no, eyes closed, as his head was leaned back on the couch in an uncomfortable-looking way, his lips parted slightly, chest rising and falling rhythmically. You admittedly feel a little weird being with him like that but it wasn’t bad, besides the pain you felt currently.

You carefully get off the couch so you don’t wake him up. You grab your phone from your pocket, checking the time, 6:48 pm. Surely your parents weren’t here still. You find the note left on the kitchen counter.

I remember you said you mentioning you were tired, so we decided we should just let you two sleep. Don’t feel bad about falling asleep on us, we had a lot of fun see you guys again. Take care.

Love Mom

You go back to Haknyeon on the couch, looking at the position of his head again. Figuring it would be better to wake him up now or else he would end up having a greater pain in his neck. Drawing closer to him you get a better look at his face, his skin was flawless, it looked even better than Chanhee’s skin. You get even closer for a better look and before you realize what you’re doing your fingers slide across his face cupping his cheek, skin just as soft as it looked. You lightly shake his face calling to him, “Haknyeon... Haknyeon, wake up.”

His eyes flutter open, a dazed look on his face, like at any moment he could go back to dreamland. His eyes focused on the visage in front of him, blurry yet he could still see the ever recognizable beauty that was you. His lips moved in an arc and he brought his hand up to your face cupping your cheek in the same way you did his. That is what brought you out of your trance and you were petrified in an instant. You felt your heart shoot up in your throat when you saw the loving gaze he directed at you while rubbing your cheek with his thumb.

This killing blow in it all is when he called you, “Hey, y/n,” with a deep husky voice that you were wholly unfamiliar with. You felt your face and neck heat up, with the intimacy of the situation. Does he realize what he is doing or is he still half asleep? You shot up from the couch not sure if you wanted to know the answer, stepping away quickly, trying to distance yourself from the state of affairs. Startled Haknyeon sits up snapping out of his daze.

“I- uh, sorry.” Haknyeon looked as confused as you were shocked.

“Did I just- I thought I was…. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.” He truly thought you were just in his dream, it was such a common occurrence that he didn’t think twice.

“No, I started it. it’s my fault.” He recalled the touch of your hand, that kind of contact made it feel almost as if nothing between the both of you changed. Neither of you knew what to say at the moment, so there was a bout of silence. You opened your mouth again after thinking of something to say, asking a question straight from left field, “Can you help me? I need to apologize to Chanhee.”

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[drarrysinful]

Happy Drarry prompt! Harry and Draco are happily married to each other, no one dies. No one gets sick or injured either. Same if they have pets. No one's cheating, physically nor emotionally. It's also neither a dream nor hallucination, nor an AU they've stumbled into nor witnessing from a 3rd person perspective. I dare you to try making this angsty, as I'm pretty sure I've covered all the bases. Oh wait! They're only talking about wonderful and nice things. Now I'm sure it's impossible lol.

Happily Ever After

“We finally did it!” Harry said with a laugh as Draco struggled to open the door to their new flat. “We’re finally married!”

Draco huffed, but with a bright smile on his face as he carried Harry over the threshold. “Yes, we did. And you’re immediately going on a diet, Mr. Malfoy.”

“Hey!”

“You weigh a ton! How did I get roped into being the one that carries you, you’re the quidditch player!”

“Oh excuse me, Professor Malfoy, but you insisted!”

They both glared at each other, but with none of the coldness of their youth. There was nothing but warmth and affection in their eyes.

“Oi!” Harry suddenly exclaimed as Draco made it over to the couch and unceremoniously dropped him on it.

Draco just laughed and dodged one of the cushions as Harry pelted it at him.

“Come on, Harry. Help me get dinner ready.”

Harry groaned and feigned melting off of the couch, “Nooooo, you’re such a task master in the kitchen.”

“Food should be prepared with the same care and precision as a potion.”

“Yea, and I was always pants at potions.”

“That’s cause you didn’t have me helping. Up you get.” Draco reached down and pulled Harry up to his feet

“Yes, Professor,” Harry grumbled good-naturedly, letting Draco pull him to his feet and then dutifully following him into the kitchen.

————————-

Weeks later, Harry walked into the kitchen to find Draco sitting at the table, sipping on his tea and reading the Daily Prophet. A steaming mug of coffee awaited Harry in his usual spot.

“Welcome to the land of the living,” Draco chuckled, his eyes not leaving the paper.

Harry groaned and sat down, rubbing his sleep fogged eyes and taking the first blessed sip of liquid life, “You would be tired to if you spent all of yesterday doing bludger drills with some of the best beaters in the league.”

“You may do physically taxing, but I spend my days doing mentally taxing.” Draco set his paper down and rubbed his forehead, “With all those numbskulls in my classroom, I can see why Snape was so grumpy.”

Harry glanced down at headline on the paper Draco had been reading.

EX-DEATH EATERS. WHERE ARE THEY? WHAT ARE THEY DOING?

“Of course we all know about the infamous Draco Malfoy, and how he managed to steal away the famous Harry Potter (Malfoy). How did he do it? Our reporters now look into some evidence of dark magi—“

“Why do you even read that rag?” Harry asked in disgust, “It’s utter rubbish.”

“I like to keep informed.” Draco said simply, before standing. “I’ll get breakfast ready.”

“I can do it!” Harry protested.

Draco pointed a spatula that he had just pulled out in Harry’s direction, “After you tried to burn the kitchen down last time? You are no longer allowed in my kitchen.”

Harry just laughed and went back to his coffee.

After breakfast, Draco spelled the dishes into the sink to clean themselves and stood again, “I need to go prepare more for this year’s lessons. Have a good day training.” Draco gave a smile, leaning down to give his husband a kiss before sweeping out of the room and into his study.

“You too.” Harry said, draining his coffee and then heading out for another day of dodging bludgers.

—————————

Months later, Draco came in through the floo, home from Hogwarts for the Christmas Holidays. He was immediately pounced on and showered with kisses by a laughing Harry.

“I missed you!” Harry exclaimed.

Draco gave a small smile, “Yea, me too.”

Harry tilted his head, “What’s wrong?”

“Parents.” Draco shrugged, “They can be a nightmare.”

“Well, I know what will cheer you up!” Harry exclaimed, gesturing at a half put together Christmas tree and various ornaments littering the living room.

Draco arched a brow, “You call making a disaster out of my living room something that would cheer me up?”

Harry laughed and pushed Draco toward the mess, “No! Helping me put up the Christmas tree!”

Draco just smiled, sitting on the floor and starting to sort through the piles of way-too many ornaments “There’s no way we’re getting these on the tree.”

“Watch me!”

—————————

Harry woke up the day after Christmas and glanced over at Draco, still in bed. He frowned slightly, not used to being the first one awake. Brushing it off as Draco being tired from an all Weasley Christmas Dinner, Harry got up and went into the kitchen. He made himself a cup of coffee and then made Draco’s tea as he sipped on his coffee.

He had finished his coffee before Draco emerged from their bedroom, tossing the Daily Prophet into the bin as he came in.

“Welcome to the land of the living.” Harry teased.

Draco just waved Harry off and sat down to drink his tea.

“Want to make breakfast?” Harry tried.

“You can make it.” Draco said passively into his tea.

Harry nodded and got up to make breakfast.

—————————

“Draco?” It was the summer holidays now and Harry glanced into their bedroom, holding a hot cup of tea. Draco didn’t respond, only rolled over and drew the blankets tighter over himself.

“I’ll just leave this here for you.” Harry said with a smile, leaving the tea on the bedside table, “And I’ll make you breakfast.”

Again, Draco didn’t respond.

Harry shut the door and sighed. They had spent the whole year just fine... what had happened?

Harry walked into Draco’s study, a room he rarely visited. When he walked in he found stacks of the Daily Prophet. The paper Draco had stopped reading in front of him, and that Harry had never bothered to read. Going through the papers he found a years worth of headlines claiming deceit, dark magic, and other equally dark and ridiculous ways that Draco had managed to marry him. Articles about Draco’s family and his and their involvement in the war. Harry threw the papers to the floor and looked around the room some more. In Draco’s desk Harry found hundreds of letters from parents disgusted that a former death-eater teaching their kids, many mentioning the articles from the daily prophet. He found more from scorned people who felt that he had been stolen away from the wizarding world and telling Draco how much of an awful person they thought he was.

Harry crumpled the letters in his hands.

Why hadn’t Draco told him? Every time they talked by floo-call, Draco only ever told him about the good things, the happy things. He suffered alone. Hid his pain so as not to worry Harry.

Harry went back into the bedroom and sat next to Draco on the bed, noticing that his tea hadn’t been touched.

“Draco? You remember when we first moved here? You insisted on carrying me into the flat, then complained about my weight.” Harry gave a small laugh at the memory. “Then you forced me to cook with you. You’re so much better than me in the kitchen.”

Harry glanced down at Draco, he hadn’t moved, just continued to stare at nothing.

“How about when you would tease me about waking up late, but you always had my coffee ready for me.”

Harry glanced over at Draco’s untouched tea. “Of course you’re much better at tea and coffee than I am.”

Harry sat in silence, Draco only shifting to stare absently up at the ceiling. Harry shifted to lay next to Draco, wrapping an arm around him. “And on Christmas, when you told me I couldn’t get all those ornaments on the tree? I sure showed you.” Harry forced a laugh, watching Draco’s unchanging face, “You hated it and redecorated the whole thing while lecturing me that you can’t just ‘cram a whole bunch of stuff together and call it decorating.’ That was so much fun.”

Draco just looked at him, but stayed silent, his defense mechanism, the Malfoy Mask firmly affixed upon his face.

“I need to get to work.” Harry said, fixing a smile on his face. He leaned in and gave Draco a soft kiss before exiting the room.

As he shut the door, Harry all but collapsed against it, sinking to the floor as he felt tears sliding down his cheeks. When had this happened? How had he not noticed the bits of Draco’s soul breaking apart as he sank into depression, leaving him but a shell of himself. Every time Harry had asked, Draco had brushed it off and changed the subject to a happy one, or Harry himself had tried to make Draco happy by only talking about happy things. But Draco had been suffering by himself and sinking this whole time.

How could he not have noticed?

Why was he so oblivious?

And how would he get his happily ever after back...