#i hope he's sittin cozy

[britneyshakespeare]

i don’t see what the point is in remaking the room

[marvelstoriesepic]

Casual Sweetness

Pairing: Roommate!Bucky x reader

Summary: You seek out your roommate and best friend Bucky for comfort after a girls night out leaves you shaken up.

Word count: 2.3k

Warnings: slight mentions of handsy strangers at a bar (nothing graphic); so much comfort

Author’s note: I don’t know where this came from. I started writing it, then finished it and now it’s existing and I’m putting it out there.

Masterlist

Never once has a night out with your girls left you this unsatisfied. Or, shaken, really. Every pre-planned rendezvous or spontaneous meet-up at a local bar with Wanda and Nat had always been a reliable escape from the daily grind.

You three like to cozy up at home, preferably at Wanda’s, and binge-watch a worthy series. And while that held its certain appeal, every once in a while you would find yourselves dancing and drinking, surrounded by people who wouldn’t remember enough of you, if the amount of liquor drove you to making decisions that sober you wouldn’t have even thought of. It has always provided an outlet for stress and helped you recharge.

Not tonight though. The strangers in the new bar you girls tried out tonight were far too handsy, your head started pounding uncomfortably even before taking the first sip and thinking about the bartender only makes dread pooling in your gut.

You also weren’t able to distract your mind, or rather your heart.

Usually, you would think about getting an Uber to meet up with your friends but Bucky always insisted on driving you when he wasn’t busy. But really, he never seemed to be, anyway. Not when it meant you would have to leave the apartment on your own. Nothing had his priority other than chauffeuring you around. You never asked him to do that, he just had a habit of insisting and there was nothing you could do. He had told you as much.

And tonight was no exception. He had sprung up from the couch, movie already paused, and keys in hand when you had emerged from the bathroom and practically ushered you into his car to drive you to the bar you girls had agreed on meeting at.

“Just don’t like the idea of you sittin’ in the backseat of some car, looking all pretty and dressed up with some guy in the front, thinking god knows what. Not takin’ any chances, doll, let me drive you.”

You always roll your eyes and scoff at his exaggerated concern, reminding him that it was said guy’s job to drive you to your wanted destination. You usually ignore the rest of his words. A simple shirt and jeans would hardly qualify as ‘dressed up’ for you and the idea of you being ‘pretty’ was something you would usually laugh at.

But it was hard to laugh at that when it came out of Bucky’s mouth. Your roommate. Your friend. Maybe even your best friend. But that’s where it stopped because nothing more ever happened. And you doubted it would.

So you let his words slide and let them wash over you because if you would address them, you would start thinking. And think, you do not want to. Because thinking only leads to foolish hope. A hopeless belief, that perhaps Bucky feels what you feel and suppresses it the same way you are. A ridiculous belief that he has the same overwhelming feelings about a friend that goes way beyond what friends normally feel for each other.

So you never let yourself think too hard, shoving those feelings into a box at the very back of your mind and swallowing down the key with the hard liquor when you went out for some drinks. It always burns on its way down. Maybe it’s the alcohol, maybe it’s that lingering ache. It really is not clear to you, but it does offer you a sense of reprieve, if only temporarily.

With every hungover the next day, follows the inevitable onslaught of that knot inside your chest and that rusty key resurfaces, reopening the box and unleashing a fresh wave of longing.

It only worsens in the way he would take care of you.

Every glass of water, each soft touch, each softly whispered inquiry is a gentle prod to the already gaping wound that was caused by the feelings of unrequited love.

The pancakes he would bring to your bed - because you were too grumpy to leave it - never satisfies the nourishment your soul craves. The pain relievers he would put on your nightstand, already there when you’d get back, would only serve as a cruel reminder that nothing could relieve the ache inside your chest.

With every “You feelin’ better, doll?” and “There anythin’ else I can do for you, sweetheart?” the ache deepens, spreading like wildfire through your veins, reaching your bones and searing through them like branding irons with the intention to leave marks that you believe to be permanent.

The hangover eventually leaves your body, but your heart festered.

However, the ache is not always the dominant emotion in Bucky’s presence. It isn’t always the first thing you acknowledge. First and foremost, being in Bucky’s proximity elicits a profound sense of comfort and warmth.

It let the butterflies in your stomach flutter uncontrollably with every belly laugh he let out unabashedly, tipping his head back and squeezing his eyes shut, crinkles forming at their corners.

Your heart does unwanted flips at every pet name Bucky lets casually slip passed his lips, seeming so nonchalant about calling you doll and sweetheart but to you it means everything.

Every tender gesture leaves you breathless. You had been living with him for nearly a year now and you had come to acknowledge how sharing a space with him had become a delicate balancing act between euphoria and agony.

Bucky would bring you a hot water bottle at times when your cramps got too bad, or simply when you experienced menstrual discomfort, trying to soothe you with sweets he extra went out for.

He would jokingly chastise you to fold your clothes before storing them in the closet to prevent them from wrinkling and tease you when you didn’t. But it always ended with him taking matters into his own hands and carefully folding your clothes while you watched him from your bed, making fun of him when he turned red attending to your undergarments, despite trying to remain indifferent.

He would cook with and for you, make you coffee in the mornings, distract you with terrible jokes when you had a bad day, and leave you to it when all you needed was some me-time, only checking in when he needed to be sure you were okay.

His casual sweetness was a constant assault on your composure.

But right now, as you klick the door to your shared apartment shut and slip out of your shoes with a heavy sigh, it is all you can think of. His gentle touch, the sparkling blue of his eyes, the cheerfulness of his smile that makes your insides do somersaults.

It is still early. Earlier than you had ever been home after a night out and you’re sure Bucky is still awake. The lights in the living room are out which means he is in his room, perhaps engrossed in his laptop, reading a book, or idly scrolling through his phone.

Yet, you hesitate, staying rooted to the spot in the hallway. It was nothing unusual for you to knock on Bucky’s door, sometimes simply barging in if you felt particularly bold or just wanted to annoy him. But you had never sought him out before simply because you needed him. Needed his comfort, his reassuring whispers, the warmth that radiates off him and seeps into your skin.

So to buy some time, you retreat to the bathroom; emptying the contents of your bladder, splashing water on your face, and brushing your teeth.

There is only so much time you can stall, and soon enough you find yourself standing in front of Bucky’s bedroom door, clothes discarded and changed for more comfortable sleepwear. There is no noise filtering through the wall of his room but the soft glow seeping beneath the door offers a glimmer of hope.

You try to soothe the shakiness of your hands and rub them along the fabric of your shirt before lifting one hand to knock on his door. The sound is softer than intended, but Bucky’s gentle ‘come in’ was immediate.

Opening the door slowly you find him leaning against the headboard of his bed, dark sheets loosely draped around his waist. His grey shirt makes him look cozy and in his lap lay a book. One you had recommended him to read.

Your body reacts in an instant, shoulders dropping ever so slightly and a breath leaves your lips at the comfort he already provides.

“You’re back early,” he starts when you keep standing at the door unmoving, “didn’t expect you home til’ midnight at least.”

The familiar cadence of his tone provides you the sense of stability you had needed to let go of his doorknob, however, the teasing in his voice wasn’t lost on you. He seems to have expected you to tumble through the door at an ungodly hour, dropping in your bed and waking the next morning with a hangover worse than the last time.

You assume the bottle of water and the painkillers already found their place on your nightstand.

A huffed laugh leaves your lips but your expression remains unchanged as you shift awkwardly in his doorway. “Uh, yeah, we decided to leave earlier. Weren’t really feeling it, I guess.” You shrug, attempting to sound nonchalant, but Bucky’s brow begins to furrow softly and he shuts his book, placing it on his nightstand without taking his eyes off you.

“You alright, doll?” His voice was devoid of the teasing tone he had held moments before, “did something happen?” His eyes are intense, scanning your face and you break eye contact, letting your gaze wander across his room as if you see it for the first time.

You take a deep breath, hands twisting nervously and your heart picks up in pace. “I, uhm…It’s-” You stumble over your words, a shaky breath escaping your mouth instead of a coherent answer.

Out of the corner of your eye, you see Bucky shift on his bed, straightening as if preparing to come closer to you but your next words halt him in his movements.

“Can I maybe stay with you? Tonight?”

It comes out more pleading and quieter than wanted but you don’t care about that right now. Not with the way Bucky looks at you. He is halfway out of the bed already, sheets thrown back onto the mattress but he still doesn’t take his eyes off you.

“Course you can stay, doll! Of course you can.”

Bucky’s voice holds a reassuring firmness, while he still talks softly. Your teeth clamp down on your lower lip, watching him cross the room to you and placing his hands gently on your upper arms to take a better look at you. His eyes move between yours, brows deepening, concern etching itself into every line of his face.

“You wanna tell me what happened? Somebody make you uncomfortable?” There is something in his tone you can’t concentrate on, only shaking your head at his questions.

“I don’t- Can we not-” Your words were cut short by the gentle touch of Bucky’s hand on your face. His thumb begins to steadily swipe over your cheekbones so tenderly, a shiver rushes down your spine. He had never touched you like this before and you are trying your very best not to let your eyes droop and melt into him.

“We don’t have to talk about this right now, doll, I just-” So many emotions are swirling in the depth of his blues, his worry still the most outstanding. “Just wanna make sure you’re okay,” he whispers. “Is there anything you need? Anything I can do?”

His thumb doesn’t ease the motions over your skin and it is that you realize your hands stopped shaking and your heartbeat fell back in place without conscious effort. He has done so much for you already, without knowing it.

A deep, audible sigh escapes your lips and you offer him your first genuine smile of the night. “Just wanna stay here with you,” you whisper, your gaze locked onto his and if the world stopped moving for a second you would be none the wiser.

The comforting circles of his thumb paused and you feel that damned rusty key turning in the deadbolt of the lock to the box of your feelings, opening them with a screech and letting the contents spill out, open for him to see. And there comes the hope again. The belief that the depths of his eyes reflect the very same emotions you have plastered on your face.

But how can you not believe it when his expression holds something that looks to you a lot like love. A love, an affection, that, as you’ve established goes way beyond friendship.

Warm lips brush against your forehead and you let your eyes close for a second, savoring the feel of them. Gentle hands guide you towards his bed and you move like putty, allowing yourself to be enveloped in the soft sheets, full of his scent.

Bucky crawls in beside you, laying his body to face yours and you can’t help but study the way the soft glow of the moon that seeps through the curtains, reflect on the planes of his face, after he shut off the little lamp on his bedside table.

“Thank you, Bucky!” you whisper, the sound almost getting lost in the sheets, but he hears you, a soft smile forming on his lips, the moon allowing you to see it.

“Not for this, sweetheart. Never for this,” he whispers back and you let your eyes fall shut with a content sigh.

Right before sleep can claim you, you feel the comforting weight of his hand, covering your own over the sheets and silently linking with your fingers.

“I’ve found a natural drug for all of my panic, anxiety, and anger. It’s his voice. It’s him.”

- J.R. Rogue

[midnight-shadow-cafe]

First Meetings – Headcannon Edition

Pairing: Task Force 141 x Civilian!Reader

Warnings: None, just fluff! Some protective behavior, mild flirting

Author's Note: I love the idea of the 141 boys meeting a partner outside of their usual military world. I just love knowing the boys have someone to come home to but here is how they meet you. Let me know if you’d like any of these expanded!

Masterlist

MDNI18+MDNI18+MDNI18+MDNI18+MDNI18+

John "Soap" MacTavish

- You meet Soap while he’s on leave, enjoying a quiet drink in a cozy Scottish pub. It’s one of those places where the locals know each other, and you stick out like a sore thumb.

- He notices you sitting alone and, never one to leave someone out, walks right over with a cheeky grin.

- “New in town, are ya? Can’t be sittin’ all by yourself, that’s just a crime.” He slides into the seat across from you without waiting for permission, his energy contagious.

- What starts as small talk turns into a lively conversation filled with his playful teasing and exaggerated stories (you’re sure he’s embellishing, but it’s entertaining).

- By the end of the night, you’ve both laughed more than you have in weeks, and he’s already trying to get you to meet up again.

- “Tell ya what, next round’s on me—tomorrow night?” He winks, clearly hoping you’ll say yes.

---

Kyle "Gaz" Garrick

- You meet Gaz in the most embarrassing way possible—by tripping right in front of him. You weren’t paying attention, too distracted by your phone or the book in your hands, and next thing you know, you’re falling forward.

- He catches you effortlessly, his grip firm but gentle. “Easy there, love. You alright?” His voice is warm with just a hint of amusement.

- You’re flustered, mumbling something about not watching where you were going, but he just grins.

- “Happens to the best of us,” he reassures you, then playfully adds, “But I think that’s the first time someone’s literally fallen for me.”

- If you meet at a coffee shop instead, he ends up sitting near you, noticing how intently you’re reading. Eventually, curiosity gets the best of him, and he strikes up a conversation.

- “Good book? You looked like you were in another world for a second.” His easygoing nature makes it impossible not to chat with him.

---

Simon "Ghost" Riley

- Ghost isn’t the type to seek out company, but somehow, you end up sitting across from him at a quiet café.

- You didn’t realize the table was occupied when you put your drink down, and by the time you do, you’re already halfway through apologizing.

- “Didn’t see you there. I can move—”

- “It’s fine,” he interrupts, barely sparing you a glance as he stirs his tea.

- Most people would take that as a sign to leave, but something about him intrigues you. Instead, you stay, making occasional comments about the book you’re reading or the pastries they serve here.

- At first, he doesn’t respond much—just nods or hums in acknowledgment. But eventually, after a particularly amusing remark, you catch the slight twitch of his lips.

- “You talk a lot,” he finally mutters, but there’s no annoyance in his tone—just quiet amusement.

- It takes a few more chance encounters before he actually starts engaging in conversation. But once he does, you realize he’s a lot more interesting than he lets on.

---

John Price

- You meet Price when he steps in to help you out of a tough situation. Maybe some guy at a bar won’t take no for an answer, or someone is giving you a hard time at a store.

- Either way, Price intervenes with that calm, authoritative voice that leaves no room for argument.

- “That’s enough, mate. Walk away.” The guy doesn’t even hesitate before backing off.

- You’re left staring at your unexpected savior—a ruggedly handsome man with a soft smile but sharp eyes.

- “You alright, love?” His voice is gentler now, checking to make sure you’re okay.

- If you meet somewhere more casual, like a bookstore, it’s because he helps you grab something from a high shelf. “Didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but that’s a fine choice of tea,” he comments when he notices what you’re holding.

- He’s not pushy, but there’s an easy confidence about him that makes you feel safe.

- “Can I buy you a drink? As long as no one else needs rescuing tonight,” he jokes lightly.

Hope you enjoyed! Please consider liking and reposting! -Midnight💜

[ksukiii]

drummer bakugou x fem reader | basically ur jirous sister and you catch his eye. not proofread. btw this is really long

bakugou concluded his weekly band rehearsal. like always, it was held in jirous garage. he looked around “where the hell did i put them?” the drummer grumbled, sitting down in his chair as he rustled in his pocket, looking for his keys. he ran a hand through his spiky hair, averting his gaze to the sound of jirous voice. “practice went well yeah?” she said, gazing at the drum stick he was toying with between his fingers. bakugou grunted “yeah it did. we’re closer to perfecting our set.”jirou chuckled lightly, her eyes flickering to the drumstick once more. In a playful gesture, she attempted to grab it, but he quickly snatched it away before she could "You should let me play with that sometime," she teased, a mischievous smile on her lips bakugou huffed, raising an eyebrow at her attempted grab. “like i’d let you break my precious drumsticks, earphones.” he retorted, waving the stick in her face. jirou feigned a pout, her hands on her hips. "hey, I'm careful with my guitar, aren't i? i wouldn't break your drumsticks," she protested, a hint of hurt in her voice. but she knew it was all in good fun. he hears the door open a girl with the same colored hair as jirou entering. “hey mom says-“ bakugous head shot up at the sound of a voice. his eyes landed on the newcomer, taking in the similar hair color and the slight resemblance you had to jirou. he raised an eyebrow. “hey who are you?”

waiting for your response, he took in your appearance. you looked relatively the same age as jirou, maybe a year or two younger or older. he noticed the headphones in your ears. his gaze lingered on your headphones for a half a second longer before speaking up once more. “who the hell are you to jirou?” you furrowed your brows slightly. “uh her sister? and who are you?” bakugous eyes widened slightly. i mixture of surprise and confusion on his crossing his face. he hadn’t known jirou had a sister, but then again she only talked about music. he took a moment to repsond before speaking up. “katsuki bakugou.” a hint of pride in his voice. “oh. i know you.” you say bluntly. bakugous eyes shot up in surprise, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. “you know me? how?” he asked, his tone gruff but a hint of intrigue. “she talks about you a lot.” you say. now his curiosity had fully piqued. this was new information. jirou has been talking about him? “she talks about me a lot huh?” he repeated your words, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. he ran a hand through his hair, a bit flattered. “what’s she say about me?” he asks curiously. “that your loud.” he rolled his eyes at that. he was well aware of that trait. he crossed his arms. “tch. that’s all he says?” he says, a tiny bit of him hoping there was more. “basically.” you turn to your sister. “mom says your friends can stay for dinner.” he raised his eyebrows. “your mom says we can stay for dinner?” he repeated, a little taken back. “mhm. dinner will be ready in like 10.” you say to them both, walking back into the house, closing the garage door. he returned his gaze back to jirou. “you’re sister is something else,” he commented. referring to your straightforwardness. jirou chuckled lightly at his observation. “yeah she has a way with her words.” she replied. “cmon. let’s head inside.” bakugou nodded and began approaching the door. as they approached the house, jirou broke the silence. “try not to be too loud. my family isn’t used to your…enthusiasm. you know.” bakugou feigned a look of offense. “please earphones. i can be quiet when i need to be.” he protested.

as they stepped inside, bakugous gaze flicked around at the inside of the house. he had never been inside jirous home before, and he was surprised by the coziness of it. he followed jirou into the kitchen where the aroma of dinner filled the air, making his stomach grumble softly in anticipation. his eyes paused on you. sitting at a barstool, headphones still in your ears as you mindlessly tapped on your phone. he noticed how the warm lighting made your features pop, enhancing them. he leaned against the counter, crossing his arms as he studied you, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. jirou noticed the way bakugou was looking at you. she could practically hear the gears turning in his head as he observed you. a smirk tugged at her lips as she nudged him playfully with her elbow. “you’re staring,” she teased in a whisper, trying to catch his attention. bakugou tore his gaze away from you, shooting jirou a sideways glare. "shut up," he grumbled, though there was no real bite to his words. he shifted his weight, leaning back against the counter once more, stealing another quick glance at you. jirous mom entered the kitchen and shot them both a smile. “dinners ready!” he saw the chair you were pulling out, nonchalantly pulling out the one next you you and sitting down. he leaned back, crossing his cane over his chest and extended his leg under the table, his thigh lightly brushing against yours. he pretended to be focused on filling his plate with food, but his mind was elsewhere. his leg remained lightly touching yours under the table, almost as if seeking contact. he took a bite of the food, letting out a satisfied hum. "this is good," he commented, his tone neutral, eyes shifting back to you for a moment. you had an airpod in. every once in awhile subtly skipping the songs under the table. bakugou couldn’t help but notice the subtle movements you made under the table, catching glimpses of you changing the songs on your airpods every now and then. He knew you probably didn’t want him to pry, but his curiosity was piqued. he wanted to know what kind of music you listened to, if you listened to any of his band’s songs. as he ate, he subtly tried to catch a glimpse of your airpods, trying to figure out the names of the songs you were switching between. bakugou noticed the shift in conversation, but he couldn’t shake off the curiosity that had taken hold of him. he tried to focus on jirous questions about the band, answering them with his usual attitude, but his mind kept going back to the songs that you were playing. as the dinner began to wind down, he leaned back in his chair, his leg still resting against yours under the table. he stole another glance at you, his expression a mix of fascination and frustration. you noticed his gazes at you airpods and phone. you sighed, pulled out your airpod case and extended the one your weren’t using under the table. he gave you look, before reluctantly taking it and placing it in his ear. after a few minutes, he could sorta see what you were into, he was surprised. he guessed that it would be boring, but the various changes in genres provided a nice contrast. as the dinner came to an end, he helped clear the table, airpod still in his left ear, his mind only thinking about the music playing into his head. on occasion he softly hummed, or bobbed his head to the song.

abruptly, you stood up from the couch and announced you were going for a walk. he follwoed your parents gaze, watching them give you a nod. they didn’t seem too concerned, probably assuming you needed some fresh air. bakugou grumbled lightly, knowing he would have to wait until he knew more about you, he sorta hated how intrigued he was with jirous random sister he met today. jirou, enjoying the scence and how restless he was, couldn’t help but find it slightly amusing. he watched your backside as you left, noticing how before you opened the door, you turned and met your eyes with his. you have him a light smile and nodded your head over the the door. bakugou followed your subtle nod to the door, knowing full well you were silently inviting him to accompany you on your walk. he tried to keep a neutral expression on his face, but he couldn’t help the flicker of excitement in his eyes. he quickly made a shitty excuse to jirous parents, something about needing some air too. he shout jirou a quick glare, knowing damn well she knew his intentions. jirou fought back a chuckle as he watched him eagerly walk to the door behind you. he then thought about the many things that could happen. for some reason, he needed to know more about you. he was practically buzzing as he made his way to the door, opening it, seeing you standing at then end of the steps on your phone. you gave him a light smile. “hey.”

a/n: i doubt people will actually read all of this but i’ll make a part two anyway. also first time actually writing somethin, hope it isn’t terrible. hope u enjoyed this lol

pt.2: i’m rereading this i’m so sorry why can’t i spell i’ve counted 6 errors in one paragraph what the heck

[daydreamsandafternoonteafics]

Rome-Antics

banner by Jodi

"Rooomee!!"

The familiar Irish accent carried up the stairs causing hot tea from the mug curled between her knuckles to spill down the front of Romee's new creme colored jumper.

"Blimey!" she huffed feverishly whipping the hot liquid from her clothes as her housemate came barreling into her room.

"What the hell, Niall? Look what you did to my new jumper!!"

"I'll dry clean it if you want," he rolls his blue eyes as he plops down on his housemate's bed "this is important,"

Niall urgently shoves his mobile in Romee's face already prepared for her reaction. As she anchors her eyes on the screen Romee can feel the air being sucked from her lungs and her heart crumbling like an aged piece of stone.

"2/28- Save the date- David and Cecelia."

Romee reads the words over and over again. Drinking in the image of them cozied for the camera and the large stone propped on her finger makes her want to smash the phone with the nearest hammer but she quickly remembers it belongs to Niall.

"Well," she sighs flopping against the pile of pillows propped on her headboard. "I- fuck,"

Niall runs a hand through his brunette locks the are long over their bright blonde dye job, Romee being currently too distressed to notice.

"Trifflin' of them, yeah?" It's been six months-"

"It's only been five," Romee corrects with a deep sigh.

For many five months was a long time. Long enough to rid your system of an unproductive relationship with liar and a cheat. And it was long enough but seeing the news bring Romee right back to the same place she was five months ago, from the moment she'd first caught them together to the countless nights she'd spent in tears wondering what she'd done wrong with only the comfort of Niall and heaping bowls of rice pudding.

"How d'ya feel, " Niall questions.

"M happy for them," she replies, chewing at her bottom lip.

She figures that if she tries to be the better person it will be easier to get over.

"That's a lie. You're pissed,"

"Alright," Romee sighs, not surprised that her best friend can see straight through her. "I feel like I did back then. I'm fucking angry,"

Niall flashes a sympathetic smile placing his hand on top of hers.

"They're both fuckin' horrid. They deserve each other. You deserve much better, Rome,"

Romee scoffs at his words clutching a throw pillow to her chest.

"That's what the best friend always says. I don't wish it was me I just wish I could get my final peace, ya know? Get the last laugh,"

Niall suddenly gets a bright idea.

"Why don't you? You've got a good two weeks. Go out, buy a killer dress, show up to the function and cause a riot. I can be your hot date," he declares clearly proud of his idea.

Romee gives her brown eyes a hard roll.

"That's proper lame, Niall. It's like asking to get an L tattooed on my forehead,"

He frowns, visibly gutted that she doesn't like his idea.

"Or you could move on with your life, y'know, like normal people. Not that you're still hung up on him or not normal,"

An awkward silence falls between the friends before Niall stands to his feet.

"Listen," he sighs, gently rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm goin' out. Care to join me?"

"Nah, " Romee replies whilst running a hand through her dark hair. "I don't wanna be a third wheel,"

Niall shrugs.

"Suit yer' self but I don't want you sittin' in here having a pity party,"

She lets out a long sigh, giving the pillow a hard squeeze.

"But I love throwing parties when your not home," Romee quips, hoping to disguise the feeling of dread with a bit of humor.

"You've never been funny," Niall retorts bending down to press a chaste kiss to her fore head. "but it's one of the things I love about cha. Don't miss me too much while I'm gone, yeah?"

"Yeah,"

When Niall is finally gone the flat seems much too big and much too quiet and Romee is left alone with her jumbled thoughts, the feeling of helplessness settling in her chest like a cold, heavy rock. The feeling isn't by any means foreign but somehow it feels far too fresh and new and the only way she's knows how to get rid of it all is to pull the duvet far over her head, close her eyes tight and hope that sleep would find her and take those feelings with it.

When the feelings wouldn't disappear Romee climbed out of bed, tugged on her boots and wiggled into her coat, desperate to escape the flat. She knew it was potentially dangerous to be out at this hour but she had a rape whistle and pepper spray in her purse and she did care who dared cross her path.

The early February air danced about her as she trudged down the icy sidewalks, causing her to pull her coat tighter around her body. She was looking for a place of warm solace, any place that could soothe her frantic feelings. While Romee wasn't one to numb her emotions with hard liquor and strange men but she could certainly eat her way out of her feelings and the nearest diner was less than a block away.

Activity had died down on the streets with the exception of a few passing cabs and pub and club goers passing on the pavement and rushing to get out of the cold. Condensation dripped down the glass door of the diner, the fluorescent open sign buzzing above her head. The smell and warmth of fresh brewed coffee greeted her as she pulled open the heavy door and already she felt a bit better. With the exception of a muffled jukebox playing an old Wham! hit and the clattering of dishes in the kitchen, things were pretty silent in the diner. On a chilly Thursday night like this, a couple of uni students grabbing a late night bite or a couple on a date would be common to find but tonight there was only one lone man sat in a booth.

Romee decided to take a table by a window, hoping to keep a respectable distance. As a waitress came over to take her order she stole a glance at the stranger in the booth. A cup of coffee sat in front of him as he stared intently into a paperback book. Almost immediately Romme noticed his striking profile: full pink lips, a straight nose and one of the sharpest and most perfectly carved jawline she'd ever seen. Besides his striking looks there was something about him that peeked Romee's curiosity.

It had been forever since Romee had chatted anyone up and she'd always been particularly shy about making the first move but tonight she wasn't feeling too much like herself. She was feeling a bit daring and spontaneous. After downing her Full English Breakfast she finally mustered up the courage to stride over to his booth. He had yet to look up from his book when she cleared her throat.

"Hi," she smiled shyly griping the ceramic mug in her hands.

The man finally looked up from his book, moving the fallen piece of hair from his eyes as he flashed Romee a small grin that was embellished with two large dimples.

"Hi,"

His voice was deep, but slow and smooth like buttered toast on a Sunday morning. Romee stared into his dazzling, grass , green eyes trying to form a proper sentence.

"I don't want to be a bother or seem like a creeper or anything," she started slowly. "but we're both sitting by ourselves and I was hoping for some type of company and I thought maybe you could use some too. I understand if you don't wanna be bothered or anything but-"

The stranger grinned.

"I don't mind meeting new people. Have a seat,"

Romee fought hard to hide the blush creeping along her cheeks as she slid into the opposite side of the booth. She stared into her coffee cup as the man closed the paperback book, sitting it next to the salt and pepper shakers.

"What are you reading," she suddenly ask.

The man runs a large hand through his full head of brunette locks.

"Love Is A Dog From Hell. Bukowski."

Romee chuckles at the irony of it all.

"Where's the lie in that, yeah? Love's a bitch. I'll have to read that one day,"

He smirks, revealing his dimples once more and Romee can't help but notice how adorably lopsided his grin is.

"Harry, " he suddenly drawls.

Romee quirks a brow, failing to catch on.

"I'm sorry?"

"Harry," he repeats again. " 'M Harry,"

She grins.

"Romee. Nice to meet you Harry,"

"So Romee," Harry starts, swiping his tongue against his bottom lip "what's got you having a Full English and sittin' with a stranger on a Thursday night,"

She sighs staring back down at her cup of coffee. She's not quite sure if she wants to tell Harry all the details of her pathetic love life.

"I shouldn't bother you with it all, really,"

"Nonsense," he drawls. "you said you could use some company so here I am. Feel free to talk my head off,"

Romee lets out another deep sigh deciding she might as well let it out. Harry was a stranger that she'd probably never see again and after seeing his book she was sure he would most likely be able to relate to her woes.

"I'm probably overreacting it's just, my ex boyfriend is getting married,"

Harry taps a finger against his chin.

"Bummer, still got feelings?" he questions.

Romee scoffs.

"No, he's a total scrub. He cheated on me and he's getting married to the girl he cheated on me with,"

"Ouch," he mumbles. "I know how that feels. Had a serious girlfriend a while back and I caught her with another man. I was crushed. You've got every right to be pissed,"

There's a lull of silence between them as the waitress strolls over to the booth, replenishing their coffee mugs.

"You too, huh?" she chuckled, " Never would've guessed. I guess it's a small world after all,"

" 'M pretty much over it now. A wee bit bitter but what's done is done yeah?" Harry shrugs,. "Heard they're still together and thinkin' about getting married,"

Romme takes a sip of coffee, intrigued and some what a bit disturbed by how similar their stories are.

"You don't think that," she runs a hand through her hair nervously, a strange suspicion washing over her. "you don't think maybe- no I'm being daft,"

The look on Harry's face suddenly grows serious as he begins to pick up on Romee's hunch.

"You think that maybe our exes are with each other?"

She chews at her bottom lip.

"If you don't mind me asking, what's your ex's name?"

"Cecilia," Harry replies slowly. The word slips off his tongue in a dull and lifeless way.

Romee's eyes grow wide and she nearly spits out her coffee. She can't decide whether life is just down right cruel or has a horrid sense of humor.

"Shit," she breathes. It's the only word she can think of and the only word that can come out of her mouth. "shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit,"

She stares at Harry, a blank expression settling on his handsome face.

"No fucking way," he practically gasp.

A dry laugh escapes Romee's lips.

"Your girlfriend stole my boyfriend,"

"And your boyfriend stole my girlfriend,"

The world was too small.

An awkward beat of silence passed between them and Romee isn't sure if she should just leave.

"She left you for David, and they're getting married,"

Romee finds herself vexed that Cecilia would pick David over Harry. She'd only just met him but he seemed much friendlier and more interesting than David had ever been.

"Well, this is the plot twist of the fucking century," Harry drawls, running a hand through his hair once more. "I feel like I'm in a rom com. This stuff only happens in the movies,"

She drums her fingernails against the table top, a nervous habit.

"If somebody had told me I'd be meetin' the girl who got dumped by the guy who stole my girl, I would have thought they were crazy," he continues.

"Me too," she agrees.

Both of them, unsure of what to say stare into their cups of coffee in silence. Romee's mind drifts off to her brief conversation with Niall and she suddenly gets an idea.

"Are you going to the wedding?" she suddenly asks.

Harry's eye brows furrow deeply in confusion.

"What?"

The wedding. It's in two weeks. Are you going?"

He huffs.

"No, why would I do that?"

Romee grins widely.

"I'm going," she speaks, firmly and clearly, the feeling of confidence brewing in her chest as she becomes more sure of words. "you should go too,"

The coffee in her mug nearly spills out as she gestulates with excitement, the idea sounding better and better. Romee can't decide if she's hyped from too much caffeine or just down right mad.

"We should go together ,"

The words leave her mouth as Harry stares at her blankly. He finds himself a bit confused but also a bit intrigued.

"Why would I do that? 'M not happy for them,"

"Exactly," Romee quips. "don't you wanna get back at them? Give them one last and final 'fuck you' before you're out of their lives forever? Us showing up together would be mad clever. They'd never live the embarrassment down,"

Harry hums, running his hands through his hair in deep thought.

"So I think I get it. We show up at the wedding together, showing them what they missed out on and how happy we are without them,"

"It'll be like our own little club. The Scorned Exes Coalition,"

A crooked, dimpled grin spreads across his face.

"Let's do it,"

***

Romee found herself in new spirits after meeting Harry.

While she was still slightly weirded out by the coincidence, it felt nice to have met someone who'd walked the same mile. To have some company in her misery. Only being around Harry felt anything but miserable.

Romee stared at her reflection a final time, wrapping the wool scarf around her neck to keep the cold out. She hummed quietly to herself as she searched for her keys, not wanting to be locked out of the flat unless she got back late. After the first meeting she was meeting up with Harry again for drinks to discuss their plans for crashing David and Cecelia's wedding. She'd gotten off work late and was running behind, silently hoping that Harry would still be waiting for her by the time she'd arrived.

"Hokey match is on t'night and I'm orderin' pizza. Care to cuddle up with me?"

The familiar Irish voice startles Romee causing her to jump. She was thankful she didn't have any liquids in her hand that could potentially ruin the jumper she was wearing.

"Goddamn it, Niall. Don't you ever knock or do you just teleport places?"

She spins around to face her cheeky friend clothed in only a pair of shorts and thick shocks, a grin stretching across his lips.

"Sure I do. I'm livin' in the future. Everyone else is behind." he quips. "so, wanna take me up on that offer or what?"

Romee sighs, running a hand through her hair.

"Sorry Nialler, I'm going out tonight. You'll just have to do without me,"

"You, goin' out?" he gasp, blue eyes widening. "you met someone!"

Romee feels a blush creeping across her cheeks and she suddenly regrets telling Niall about her plans.

"Can't I just go out by myself for once?" she questions hoping to derail his train of thought.

"C'mon, Ro. You're a homebody. Everyone knows you don't leave the house unless you've got a reason to. You've met someone and I want to know who the lucky lad is,"

She sighs, exasperatedly, not having the energy to keep lying to Niall.

"Alright so I met someone, but not exactly how you'd think,"

"What other way is there to think of? You met a guy, you fancy him and you're trying to get to know him better. Y'know this is a good thing fer you. It's been forever since you've gone on a date and probably even longer since you've been laid. You-"

"Ugh, Niall, stop." Romee groans, ending Niall's rant. "he's Cecelia's ex boyfriend. You know, the one she left for David,"

Niall's eyes were likely to pop out of his head in disbelief.

"Whoa, you're really goin' for the jugular, yeah? I always knew you had some bite in ya! What'd you do to find 'I'm? Facebook stalk her and hunt down their old pictures?" he asks cheerfully.

"It was a chance meeting. We're going to go to the wedding together and surprise them. Other than that there's not much there. We've only met once,"

Romee couldn't deny that she had a bit of a crush on Harry but she wasn't really interested in letting any sexual or romantic attractions distract away from getting the revenge they both deserved. Besides it was likely that they may never see each other again and she wasn't one for one night stands or casual hookups. She craved the consistency and security of relationships over cheap thrills.

"That's fuckin' crazy," Niall exclaimed. " How hard are you going? Taylor Swift break -up diss track or Beyonc "Lemonade"? Have you fucked him yet? Oh boy wouldn't that add a new layer of drama,"

Romee could't help but chuckle at Niall's ramblings.

" I've got to get going. We're grabbing drinks and I don't wanna make him wait too long. I promise I'll let you in on the details,"

****

Harry was still waiting for Romee at the bar with a tray of shots when she finally arrived at the pub. Business was unusually slow for a Thursday night so Romme didn't have any trouble spotting him amongst the crowd.

"Tardy for the party, I see," he drawls as she approaches the bar.

Romee can't help the grin the spreads across her face.

"Got off work late and couldn't find my keys," she sighs, eyeing his elegant peacoat as she makes herself comfortable on the barstool. "you know, the usual things,"

Harry responds with a dimpled grin and Romee notices the tray of shots.

"You're not going to drink all that, yeah?" she questions.

"Nah, 'm not a binger. I figured we'd play a little drinking game while we plan to crash this wedding,"

"I like games. I'm a bit competitive I'd say," Romee grins, rubbing her palms together in anticipation "So how's this game go?"

He swipes his tongue against his bottom lip before explaining.

"I ask you a question and for each reply you take a shot, simple, yeah?"

"Very. Can I go first?"

"Already asked the first one," he replies with a smirk, shrugging out of his coat. "jus' kidding, go ahead,"

Romee clears her throat with a grin, propping a hand under her chin.

"What's your last name?"

Harry bites the corner of his lip as he reaches for one of the shot glasses.

"Styles," he answers slowly before downing the drink.

"Cool," she replies watching as he wipes his lips with the back of his hand. "you're next,"

He narrows his eyes as if he's searching for the question somewhere in the bar.

"What do you do?" he finally drawls.

"I'm a hairdresser. I could totally give you a new look. What do think about blonde? I did a great dye job on my flatmate," Romee picks up the shot throwing her head back as the downs the alcohol.

"Blonde?" Harry smirks. " Don't think it'd be that good of a look on me and since you asked another question I think I'll take another shot,"

Romee can't help but watch as Harry drinks the strong alcohol. There's a strange elegance in the way his lips curve around the glass, something so attractive about such a simple task.

" Biggest fear?" Harry questions breaking her from her short day dream as he drums his finger tips against the bar top.

"Being stuck in a place with no way out. God, it gives me goosebumps just thinking about it," With a grimace she takes the shot, hoping it will wash away the uneasy feeling.

"Scary indeed," he hums in agreement.

"My turn," Rome, taps her chin in thought. "guilty pleasure song?"

A wide, dimpled grin spread across Harry's handsome face.

"Sexyback, Justin Timberlake,"

Romee giggles.

"Somebody's gotta bring sexy back,"

"I'm sittin' right here, it never left,"

Romee enjoys their witty banter and finds herself eager to know more about him but as Harry sips the bourbon in his glass, a more serious topic lingers in his thoughts.

"Okay, next question," he rasps, "while you're still sober. What was your relationship like with David?"

Romee feels her stomach twist into knots and it's not from the shots she'd downed on an empty stomach. She hadn't really talked to anyone about things with David except for Niall and since they lived under the same roof he already knew most of the details. She takes a deep sigh, already reaching for a shot glass.

"At first, things were great.Thing got serious pretty quickly and I just knew for sure I had a golden boy. He was smart and sweet and thought the world of me, so I thought. I just knew he was the one. But after awhile he just grew distant and neglectful. Suddenly he started pointing out my every flaw. I couldn't do anything right and I actually thought it was my fault. But I soon realized his behavior had only changed cause he'd found someone else to shag. Someone better than me,"

The worlds roll over her tongue with a bitter taste. She can feel the anger brewing in her lungs and the tears stinging the corner of her eyes but she wouldn't dare let them fall. She'd finished crying her last tears over him. With her eyes fixed on the dart board behind the bar she slowly knocks back the shot. Harry stays silent, watching with a familiar sadness.

" You don't mind if I take another shot, do you? That question deserves a double," she speaks, hoping to break the awkward silence.

Harry grins sympathetically, a hint of dimples showing in his cheeks as he slowly reaches over and places his large hand on top of hers. An unfamiliar jolt surges through her body at his touch.

"I know it's been said before but he didn't deserve you," his green eyes stare deep into Romee's brown and she can't decide if she's too tipsy or they've been that mesmerizing all along. "honestly. You're- you're beautiful and m' more than certain you can find a bloke who'll cherish you. If that's what you're looking for,"

Harry finds himself in a small state of panic, stammering over his words. Romee was very obviously pretty but that wasn't what made him nervous around her. He'd only met her once before but he found she had a lovely and magnetic energy about her that was unlike the other women he'd chatted up before. Whenever they talked he felt like he could talk to her forever.

"Nah," Romee laughs, nervously running a hand through her hair as she reached for another shot. " I know prince charming doesn't exist anymore. I'm not opposed to some male companionship, though. I haven't seen anyone since David and sometimes I'd like to be around someone other than Niall," she speaks shyly.

His eyebrows furrow.

"Who's Niall?"

"My flatmate and my best friend," she smiles. " he's a character. You know how it gets when you co-exist with someone, yeah?"

A since of relief washes over Harry and he nods.

"Yeah,"

"So," Romee speaks after taking another shot, her speech sounds a bit slurred and Harry can tell the alcohol is beginning to do it's job. "since we're talking exes, tell me a bit about you and Cecilia,"

Harry sighs, running a hand through his short curls. He'd let his feelings about the break-up subside into a dull aching pain,like when you break your arm and the bone heals but you still feel the pain of the fracture from time to time. He'd spent months pushing his feelings aside and now it was time to face them.

"What can I say?" he shrugs. "I fell hard, like I do sometimes. I thought she was the one, ya know? But in retrospect everything was so one sided. I was willing to move mountains for her but she'd likely leave me stranded in the desert if she had the choice. She had me fooled the whole time, thinkin' she was some angel. My identity was practically tied to that relationship so I was pretty fucked up when it ended. Thought I could fix things with a couple of hook ups and drowning myself in alcohol but now I realize how stupid I was and that I'm better off on me own,"

The corner of Romee's lips turn up into a small grin.

"What a bitch," she slurs. "I still don't know why she'd ever pick David over you. On a scale of one to ten you're an eleven and he's like a five. Never knew what I found so attractive about him anyway, he had the smallest dick of all my boyfriends and finished way too early,"

Romee reaches for another glass, having lost count of her alcohol intake.

Harry nearly chokes on his drink and he has to sit his shot glass down as he erupts into laughter, the corner of his eyes crinkling in delight.

" 'M sorry," he smirks. "I know I shouldn't laugh but s' too funny,"

Romee finds herself in a fit of laughter too.

"Why not? Go ahead and laugh. Do I look like a I give a shit?"

Giggles escape her throat that only make Harry grin.

"In retrospect it all seems silly, really. I mean, to think that I was so hung up on him and the most excitement we had in our relationship was going to Ikea on Saturdays to look at furniture we'd never buy for a flat we'd never have together while we stuffed ourselves with Swedish meatballs," she shrugs, swiveling on her barstool. "I mean, I could do that with Niall. I could do that with you! What are you doin this Saturday?"

He chuckles.

"Those meatballs are worth the trip though. And actually 'm free this Saturday,"

There's a cheerful silence between the two of them, Romee taking the opportunity to have another drink, when suddenly he remembers something.

"So," he smirks. "you think I'm a ten?"

Harry's finally brought attention to the elephant in the room and while Romee would normally feel embarrassed, she likes the attention.

"I think I said you were an eleven,"

"Eleven," his eyebrows rose in a teasing manner. "I'd say the same about you,"

Romee feels a blush creeping on her cheeks but the spirits in her glass makes her feel anything but bashful.

"I'm not sure Cecilia knows what she missed out on," she drawled.

Harry reaches for another shot, his jade eyes never once leaving hers.

"Neither does David. Idiots deserve each other, I reckon,"

Romme slowly leans forward sealing the gap between them that seemed much too large. Neither Romee nor Harry had broken their gaze, the attraction between them so purely magnetic neither one could resist.

"Then let's be idiots,"

The words had barely escaped her before her mouth was pressed against his, the taste of bourbon lingering on his lips. The first kiss was gentle and slow and Romee couldn't tell if Harry wanted it or not. But when his fingers reached for her hair and his teeth sunk into her bottom lip she knew the feeling was reciprocated.

"I- that feels nice," Harry drawls against her lips.

Her nose brushes against his and her arms find themselves around his neck as she hums in agreement.

"I've kinda been wanting to do that since we first met," she admits. "I think we've wasted a lot of time,"

It's Harry's turn to make a move and he doesn't hesitate to capture her lips once more, neither of them caring about the tipsy and curious onlookers. The snogging continues for sometime until Romee grows restless of their confined environment.

"Your place or mine?" The words roll off her tongue with a breathless bravado that only alcohol can bring.

He pushes a fallen strand of hair from her face, biting the corner of his swollen lip.

"Your flatmate gonna be home?"

A lazy grin spreads across her lips.

"You're supposed to say your place, Harry,"

Harry leans over once more, gently pecking her mouth.

"My place it is then,"

And with that they escaped into the night, a tangled mess of limbs and mouths. To the perfect stranger they looked like a wasted couple who couldn't keep their hands to themselves but really they were just two lonely souls who'd finally seemed to find something good in their heartbreak.

****

When Romee woke the next morning, finding herself in his arms and in his bed, she felt a deep feeling of self loathing settling in.

It wasn't a part of the plan.

Their union was supposed to be about power, about taking back the joy that'd been stolen from them both. But instead she'd fallen victim to a moment of weakness and suddenly this felt more about loneliness and vulnerablitiy and trying to fill the shoes of people that neither one of them wanted to be like.

She didn't know what to say or how to feel so she scurried off to her flat before he could wake and make her breakfast and discuss their new found closeness and kiss her goodbye before he caught the tube to work. Days had passed since their drunken tryst without any contact between them and on the night of David and Cecilia's wedding Romee found herself staring at the black dress in her closet with a knot of apprehension sitting in her belly.

"Why aren't you gettin' ready?"

Romee remained unbothered by Niall's rude entrance, a heavy sigh escaping her.

"I don't think I'm going anymore,"

"Why?"

She stares down at her manicured nails, avoiding her best friend's concerned glance.

"I just don't think it's a good idea anymore, as all. Just seems suddenly immature, so childish. I mean I'm practically thirty,"

Niall gives his blue eyes a roll.

"If you get anymore transparent, you could be made outta glass. That's not what this is about, is it?"

Romee groans in defeat, forced to reveal herself to the all knowing Niall.

"Alright, fine. Maybe things went a little too far with Harry,"

"Maybe." Niall scoffs. "ya must think' 'm stupid. I know ya didn't come home that night,"

"I'm just so embarrassed. I was tipsy and initiated everything. It all happened so fast. It wasn't supposed to happen,"

She thinks to all the conscious flirting she'd done and how she'd been the first to make a move and she can't help but acknowledge that maybe a part of her did want it to happen. Not that it had anything to do with wanting the satisfaction of bedding Cecelia's ex. She wasn't that spiteful. She'd had her own selfish reasons, reasons that seemed so out of character.

Niall, strolls over to where Romee's sat on her bed, plopping down beside her still figure.

"So, you two were two horny adults who needed to get each other off. What's so bad about that? Was he bad in bed? Did you scream David's name or somethin'?"

Romee scoffs, running a hand through her tresses.

"Ugh, God no. But that's just the thing," she sighs, "I don't want him to think this has anything to do with David and especially not Cecelia. I don't want him to think that I was trying to throw some type of pity party for us both. Like I was trying to make some Lonely Hearts Club porno or something,"

Niall snorts in laughter as he watches his friend ramble and Romee sighs in frustration.

"You realize ya make zero sense right now,"

She chews at her bottom lip.

"That night at the pub he told me that his whole identity was wrapped in his relationship with Cecelia. I don't want him to think that that's all I think of him as, Cecelia's ex and just some boy who's had his heart broken by the same people who broke mine,"

And Romee had her own reservations. She didn't want Harry to think she was some lonely, pathetic girl who's pants he could get into with the right amount of bourbon.

"Well, do ya like 'im?

Romee thinks of his beautiful jade eyes and his dimpled, lopsided grin and his warm personality.

"He's charming and sweet and attractive but I - yes," she admits

"C'mon Romee, yer a smart girl." Niall grins. "Communication! "

He plucks the black dress out of her closet and thrust it into her arms.

" After five months of moanin' about David and you've finally found someone you like? Don't be daft, Ro. Go to that wedding and tell 'im how you feel,"

A genuine grin spreads across her face for the first time in days.

"What would I do without you, Nialler?"

****

Harry had been waiting for Romee outside the venue with great uncertainty. He hadn't seen or heard from her since that night and he wasn't sure if she'd even show up.

He wasn't even sure if he'd ever seen her again.

He knew he should have called when he discovered she was gone the next morning but he never worked up the nerve. Maybe that had been the way she'd wanted it. Maybe she was just looking to blow off some steam, to prove she was officially over her ex and he was the only available person. Maybe she wasn't meant to be more than a fleeting part of his life.

Harry keeps his eyes fixed on the cabs and stopping outside the hotel. He'd likely ruined his hair by running his hands through it so much and the tie he was wearing was very constricting around his neck. The nuptials were set to start in barely ten minuets and he was strongly considering going home. He didn't see the point in going if he'd have to go alone.

"Waiting for someone?" A familiar voice pops up, reaching his thoughts.

Romee steps out of the cab as gracefully as possible, smiling at Harry who stands on the curb, dressed smartly and despite his frazzled disposition looked quite handsome. He returns the smile with a dimpled grin of his own.

"I didn't think you'd come," his words come out in a rushed, icy puff.

She runs her hands against her dress nervously.

"And miss out on this once in a life time opportunity? C'mon. It's freezing out here and we'll miss the bride's entrance if we stay out here any longer,"

With that she grabs hold of his hand, hoping to avoid the conversation she knows is burning at the tip of their tongues for just a little bit longer.

By the time Romee and Harry arrived the bridal march had already begun. The room was filled with a handful of people, some of which they both identified as mutual friends of their respective exes. They'd managed to grab a couple of seats in the back of the crowd, the perfect place to get the perfect view of the bride as she made her entrance.

Cecelia strolls down the aisle with a wide, bleached smile,clutching the bouquet of honeysuckles to her chest. Her make up is carefully and beautifully done enchanting her features perfectly and she looks nearly angelic in the long, pale pink gown, only Harry and Romee know she's anything but an angel.

"She looks lovely," Harry whispers, leaning over so only she can hear.

Romee feels a knot of insecurity building in her stomach. She'd never envied Cecelia but she'd always felt a bit of intimidation. She was very obviously beautiful and Romee could easily see why Harry had gone for her in the first place and as painful as it was, why David would dump her for her. Sometimes, she wished Cecelia wasn't so gorgeous.

They watch silently as David and Cecilia exchange vows and rings at the alter, both Harry and Romee watching with bored eyes. Once they've kissed and been pronounced husband and wife, Romee lets out a sigh of relief. The remaining guest follow the bride and groom to the reception hall and Romee and Harry stay right in their seats, needing a moment to catch their breath. There's something so strange and surreal about being there, both of them watching the people they once thought they'd spend their lives with walk down the aisle together.

"Well," Harry sighs, standing to his feet. "the most boring part of that is over. Whada you say we grab some cake and throw some shapes before we give our wishes to the bride and groom?"

A small grin settles on her lips as she takes Harry hand once more. The party is in full swing, David and Cecilia already on the dance floor and guest already diving into the hors d'oeurves.

"D'you want some champagne? Maybe somethin' to eat?"

Her stomach flutters with butterflies at the feeling of his hand on the small of her back and she only nods silently. As she waits for Harry, Romee makes herself comfortable at a table, taking a moment to contemplate their future. He'd been the perfect gentleman all night and didn't seem to be cross about her leaving. It was almost as if nothing had ever happened and Romee couldn't decide if she should be relieved or worried.

"I don't know what all you like, so I got a little bit of everything,"

"Thanks," she smiles graciously upon his return.

Harry takes a seat across from her with a plate of his own picking up a cucumber sandwich but not being particularly interested.

"I don't know if I told you, but you look really lovely tonight," he drawls breaking the silence between them.

Romee sighs.

"Harry, I think we've got to talk, yeah?"

His jade eyes meet hers and the words get caught in her throat.

"You left so soon,"

"I know," she replies, fiddling with her fork "and I'm embarrassed and sorry. I just,panicked,"

Another sigh escapes her.

" I don't just hook up with anybody. Not that you're just anybody.It's just- I didn't want you to think I was having pity on you because you got dumped or I was just using you. And I don't want you to think I'm just, easy or that any of this was just about getting in your pants. I'm not like that and I don't think you're like that even though I hardly know anything about you. At least, I hope not because- oh, you do understand, don't you?"

The words don't come out the way she wants them to and she silently curses herself.

His large hand finds it's way on top of her free one.

"Of course I understand. Completely,"

Her eyes fall to the site of their touching hands and a sigh of relief escapes her.

"Romee? Is that you?"

The familiar deep voice causes her to tear her gaze away from Harry. A small smirk adorns her lips as she comes face to face with Mr. & Mrs. Infidelity. The look of shock on David's face is enough to make the both of them die with laughter and Cecelia nervously clings to hims arm, staring at them with a subtle disbelief.

"David!" Romee grins. "Long time, no see yeah? And don't you look sharp? Last time I saw you you were wearing that rag, what's her name again?"

A scowl settles on Cecelia's face.

"Nice to see you again, Cecelia," Harry speaks politely.

She only rolls her eyes in response.

"What are you doing here?" David asks, incredulously.

Romee tosses her long hair over her shoulder.

"Harry and I thought we'd stop by and give our best wishes to the bride and groom,"

Cecelia scoffs.

"You two came here t-together?"

It's Harry's turn to speak.

"Why yes, we did," he grins, grabbing hold of Romee's manicured hand. "and we wanted to thank you all. If you hadn't dumped us, we never would've met each other and realized how great we are and how undeserving you two are,"

Romee grins.

"Isn't it amazing? Everyone gets their just desserts in the end. One man's trash can be another man's treasure," she glances over at Cecelia. "and sometimes, trash is just.. trash,"

Harry flashes his dimpled grin, admiring Romee's quick wit.

"Well," Romee reaches for her champagne glass and Harry follows suit. "here's to the bride and groom. I wish you every happiness and real orgasms,"

"Cheers," he drawls.

With that they clink their glasses together, the feeling of accomplishment swelling in their chest. The first sip of champagne taste just like victory.

When David and Cecelia have stomped off to their other guest, Romee let's out a full bellied laugh, the kind that makes her head roll back and the corner of her eyes crinkle in bliss. It's the first time she's really, truly laughed in months and Harry can't think of a moment she's looked more beautiful.

"I feel like a queen. A full blooded royalty!" she grins.

"You should," Harry smiles. "you were fucking brilliant,"

Romee picks at the pasta on her plate before standing to her feet.

" You know what this moment needs? A victory dance! How about throwing those shapes?"

Before she can pull him on the dance floor, she runs over to the dj's booth. She excitedly returns when the first few cords of a very familiar song fills the room.

"Let's dance,"

At first, I was afraid, I was petrified

Kept thinking, I could never live without you by my side

But then I spent so many nights thinking, how you did me wrong

And I grew strong and I learned how to get along

Harry grins as she dramatically belts out the lyrics, twirling around him. Both of them try and fail to keep time with the fast paced disco song but they're having far too good of a time and feeling much to on top of the world to really care about how they looked. The upbeat song soon fades into a slow one and both Harry and Romee are relieved to have a moment to catch their breath. As a few couples make their way to the dancefloor ,Harry arms make their way around her waist and Romee presses her head to his strong chest. As their bodies sway, the music and the people seem to disappear and Romee realizes she just can't let something like this go.

"Did you mean what you said?" she whispers, tearing herself away from his chest so that she can get a better look at him.

Harry is so comfortable and lost in the moment that he almost doesn't hear her.

"What I said? About what?"

"About how you were glad we were dumped. Because then you'd never have met me,"

Harry grins down at her.

"Of course I meant that. Meeting you's the most exciting thing that's happened to me in awhile, "

She bites the corner of her lip, grinning slowly.

"I'm glad I met you, too. I fancy you a lot,"

"I fancy you, too. A lot,"

Besides finally getting the greatest revenge on David and Cecelia, this is by far the best thing to happen to her tonight.

"I was hoping, maybe we could have a do over. Take things nice and steady, yeah?" Harry drawls.

Romee grins.

"I'd like that. I'd like that a lot,"

He flashes that dimpled grin, causing the butterflies to swarm once more.

" 'M gonna take you out on a proper date. The first real one you'll have in a while. No pubs and no Ikea trips, jus' you and me. I've only got one reservation,"

Romee bites the corner of her lip.

"And what's that?"

"Promise me we won't spend the night talkin' about our exes, yeah?"

She laughs.

"I promise. We're so over them,"

As they resume swaying to the music Romee can't help but think of how funny life can be and that having a broken heart is never the end of the world.

[nancypullen]

Friday Night

It was a beautiful day today. I think we topped out around 76 degrees and there was just enough of a breeze to help the windchimes play a slow, soft song. Skies were blue, clouds were puffy, and bees were bouncing around on the salvia. It was a perfect day for some porch sittin', so that's exactly what I did. After finishing a few chores indoors, and pulling a few weeds outdoors, I settled into my spot with a cold drink and a book.

The mister was off in Chestertown photographing a wedding, so I ate lunch solo and had a bowl of watermelon with a little feta cheese. Delish! The birds provided music and my afternoon was just about perfect. What is it about porches that makes them so cozy? I don't get the same vibe on a patio or a deck. Know what else I love? The slap of a screen door on a summer day. Remember that sound? We don't see many screen doors anymore and I hate that. I suppose what I'm feeling is just nostalgia, longing for simpler days. For a few hours I reclaimed it. Lovely! The sun has now set on this last day of May, and I can see June from here. Tomorrow my June baby will be 36 years old. Good grief, how did that happen? Here's a snap of his very first day. Matt was checking out his new brother's tiny toes.

Chubby cheeks, dark hair, and little legs bicycling - he was born ready to run and he hasn't stopped since. My sweet Tyler Tunes (nickname because he insisted on listening to Raffi daily) is thirty-six.

Oh, my heart aches when I see their precious little faces. Those little boys were my whole world. That never really changes. Gosh, what's up with me tonight? Reminiscing and feeling so wistful...do I still have some hormones left in the cobwebby recesses of my body? Nah.

I'm going to take the exit ramp off Memory Lane and get on with my evening. It's Friday night and that means Dateline, so I'm swapping cozy porches and sweet babies for mystery and murder. Gotta' satisfy all of my personalities, right? I hope that wherever you are tonight, you have a stash of comforting memories as well as plenty of little joys in your life right now. Seek out tidbits of happiness, even if it's just an afternoon on the porch with a book. It all adds up to a beautiful life. Sending out loads of love. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[furys-mercy]

5. Describe their cozy night in.

Because Mercer has three relationships, all of which are OTP in my mind, I have decided to roll a d3 for each of these questions. Assigning the ships to the following numbers:

1. Khala/Merc 2. Tai/Merc 3. Stari/Merc

I rolled a 3 on this ask. Stari/Merc.

"Oh well tha' ain't really tha' hard ta come up with. Had a couple'a those. An' I hope ta have many more in tha future." A dopey little grin plays across his face as he kicks his feet up onto the desk, one sounding decidedly heavier than the other. "Tha last one was us sittin' 'round sharin' stories an' jus'... I dunno, bein' there. I certainly ain't complainin'. Not really. Though... do wish I could hold 'im. Tha'd... tha'd be even better. But, jus' havin' him 'round... I wouldn't trade tha' fer anythin' in tha world. Not even a cuddle."

[s-toryteller]

Joy Family, part 14

She left the house thinking it would make her feel better, but it did not. She exhaled a puff of smoke from the narguille, trying to lose herself in the moment. The soft glow of the lanterns around the bar cast a warm light, but it did little to lift the heaviness she felt inside.

As she took another drag, the dizziness she had been trying to escape earlier started to creep back. She put down the hose and rested her head in her hands, feeling the world tilt around her.

"I gotta get out of here..." she thought, but whe was really too dizzy to stand up.

A guy noticed her distress "Hey, are you okay?" He quickly stood up and walked over to her.

Her vision was slightly blurred "I... I don't feel so good."

Thomas: concerned, gently placing a hand on her shoulder "Let's get you some fresh air. Come on.“

She took a few steps and leaned on a wall. "I'm sorry... Did I hit you?"

“Not really, and no worries,” he replied with a kind smile. “I'm Thomas, by the way.”

“Lilly,” she said, managing a weak smile. “Thanks for helping me, Thomas. I need to go back home, but my head hurts so freaking much!"

“Rough night?” he asked, leaning beside her.

“You could say that. Everything's just been a mess lately,” she sighed.

"Do you need a place to lay down? My mom's house is just here..."

Lilly barely registered Thomas's words before everything went black.

When she awoke, she found herself lying on a bed, still fully dressed. The room was unfamiliar but cozy, with soft morning light streaming through the curtains. The smell of coffee wafted through the air, comforting and inviting. She sat up slowly, her head still spinning slightly from the previous night's events.

A soft knock on the door drew her attention. Thomas peeked in, a warm smile on his face. "Hey, you're awake. How are you feeling?"

She could hear voices outside.

"Where am I?" she asked, feeling so weird.

My mom's house," Thomas explained, stepping into the room. "You passed out last night, and I didn't think it was safe to leave you alone. She made up the guest room for you."

Lilly looked around the room, taking in the homey decor. "Thank you, Thomas. And please thank your mom for me, too. I didn't mean to cause any trouble."

"No trouble at all," Thomas assured her sittin next to the bed "Are you sure you're ok?"

"Yes, I... I just cried too much... Had a bad break up. And... I'm so embarassed... I should have never come here... I mean I don't know you people... No offense."

"It's ok, I get it" he replied. "I'm sorry for your break up."

"Thanks"

"I told my mom you're my friend from college... So..."

"Oh, ok... I'll play along."

"She's making breakfast downstairs. Coffee's ready if you want some." he said.

Lilly managed a small smile. "That sounds wonderful."

"Good morning, dear. I'm Nancy. I hope you slept well."

"I did, thank you so much," Lilly replied, touched by the woman's kindness.

"Come, sit down," Nancy said, motioning to a chair. "Breakfast will be ready in a minute."

As Lilly sat down, Thomas poured her a cup of coffee and handed it to her. "Here you go. Hopefully, this will help wake you up."

"Thanks," she said, taking a grateful sip. The warmth of the coffee and the comforting atmosphere began to soothe her frayed nerves.

Nancy joined them at the table, setting down a plate of pancakes. "So, Lilly, Thomas told me you had a rough night. I hope you're feeling better this morning."

The whole family sat on the table, Lilly felt the love they had for each other... She never had a family like that, and she never ate lunch together with her mom, she felt a knot on her stomach.

"I am fine now... You have such a beautiful house, Thanks to you both," Lilly said sincerely. "I don't know what I would have done without Thomas's help."

Nancy smiled. "He's a good boy. Always helping those in need."

Thomas blushed slightly, shrugging off the compliment. "Just doing what anyone would do."

Lilly looked at Thomas, feeling a wave of gratitude. "Thank you, Thomas. For everything."

"Anytime, Lilly," he replied with a genuine smile. "You're not alone. Remember that."

As they enjoyed breakfast together, Lilly told them a little about herself, how she had lost her mom, how she got sick, and she told them about living alone and skipping school.

Nancy was so kind to her, she invited Lilly to come visit her as many times as she wanted, and Lilly felt a sense of warmth and hope. For the first time in a while, she believed things might just get better.

[ddixons-angel]

Marshmallows & Fluff

Fanfic Advent Calendar 2022 Day 17 - Daryl Dixon

Hi guys! So it’s my turn for the 2022 Advent Calendar and I present this super short piece, I have to admit, it was hard to get back into writing and since I took a (unintentional) break over the year, this is probably lacking but I hope you still enjoy it! Please let me know your thoughts, love you all for continuing to support my writing! 

Prompt - “You don’t like marshmallows in your hot chocolate? Why do you hate love?”

Reader shares her hot chocolate with Daryl as they reminisce about the old world during the holidays.

Hilltop - Season 9

(I know the gif is not at all the right era but it’s the perfect expression for this, I swear!)

Winter has always been your favorite time of year. You loved how the snowflakes danced in the wind, covering the ground in a mystic sheet of white. How the festive lights of red and green reflected off the ground, spreading the joy of the holidays to anyone who laid their eyes on them. Even though the modern world had ended and no one put up any festive decor, it didn’t take away your absolutely favorite thing about this season: being able to cuddle with your favorite person by the fire. 

Your body shivered slightly as you were hit by the icy breeze once you stepped outside the Barrington House, it didn’t matter that you had a cozy blanket wrapped around you or a cup of hot chocolate in your hands. Regardless of the cold, a warm smile spreads on your lips as you look towards the stables, the faint glow of light from the second story draws you to it like a moth to a flame. 

“Can’t believe you’re able to sleep out here, it’s so cold,” you say as you reach the top of the stairs of the second story of the stable. 

Daryl turns to look at you at the sound of your voice and a side smile pulls at his lips, “Dog likes it up here.”

You chuckle at his words as you walk towards him and Dog and sit beside Daryl, “you’re gonna get yourself sick if you stay out here for too long.”

“Nah, I’ll be fine, got my poncho ‘n’ Dog,” he says then after a purposeful pause, “an’ you.”

“You also have hot chocolate,” you say, trying to not give him the satisfaction of making you blush, you give him the cup of hot chocolate to which he takes with a chuckle, “sorry there’s not marshmallows though.”

“Don’t be,” he shrugs, “never liked ‘em anyway.”

You gawk at him in disbelief at his words, speechless. Daryl catches your look just before taking a sip and he blinks in confusion at your expression.

“Wha’?” 

“You don’t like marshmallows in your hot chocolate? Why do you hate love?” you ask, there was a hint of genuine concern in your voice.

“I don’ hate love I jus’ never really had ‘em, ain’t no big deal,” he says, shrugging again.

You pout at him, “you never had marshmallows?” 

“Had em’ once when I was a kid, came home one day ‘n’ there was a bag of ‘em sittin’ on the table, I don’ even know where they came from bu’ I took it an’ ate ‘em,” Daryl tells you.

“You ate a full bag of marshmallows?” you ask, amused by his childhood story, you continue when he nods, “and you somehow still don’t like them?”

“I got sick after eatin’ ‘em,” he defends.

“Of course you did! You ate a full bag of marshmallows all in one go!” you say, your tone was one of amusement rather than scolding, then you look at him seriously, “I have to ask, were they the little ones or the big, fluffy ones?”

“The big ones,” he replies, then eyes you playfully when you start giggling, “ya laughin’ at me?”

You try to contain your giggles as you speak, “I’m sorry, but the image of you as a kid stuffing your face with huge fluffy marshmallows is too cute.”

Daryl scoffs and rolls his eyes then finally takes a sip of hot chocolate, he looks down at the cup in his hand, pondering something. You study the thoughtful look on his face then scoot closer to him, wrapping the blanket around his shoulders as you snuggle close to him.

“Next time we’re out on a run, I’m gonna be on the lookout for marshmallows so you know the joy of having them in your hot chocolate,” you tell him.

Daryl chuckles and wraps his arm around you under the blanket, pulling you closer. It was his way of telling you that you appreciated the gesture. It seemed as though Dog felt that he was left out of the cuddlefest since he got up from his spot and wedged himself in between the two of you, making you and Daryl laugh. 

“A’right, we’ll get ya some too,” Daryl says as gives him a few pats on the head. 

---

Like I said, super short but still fluffy! Please let me know what you all thought!

Taglist | Click here to be added/removed

@soraitmnt​ | @lilythemadqueen​ | @jodiereedus22​ | @molethemollie​ | @m-7770 | @kissofvenom922​

[leiawritesstories]

okay leia i just thought of this so feel free to reject this prompt if it’s shit. i’m going to say “cowboy” and “love interest” because you have two cowboy aus going on lol

cowboy is teaching love interest about lassos but it’s going completely downhill, so they kind of lashes out on love interest. an argument begins and love interest says something like “i just want to tie this lasso around your neck and lalala” or “i’m going to catch you with this lasso and throw you at lalala”. cowboy can say “i dare you to try” or maybe just end up caught by surprise but the thing is the love interest ends up lassoing the cowboy! they finally made it yay but omg the cowboy is now tied down…

it’s just a loose idea but i hope you like it!!

I HAVE NEITHER REGRETS NOR APOLOGIES ABOUT THIS

word count: 2,176

warnings: horny horny Rowaelin, ropes, NSFW

Enjoy, y'all! 

Riding Together

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aelin shoved away the image of Rowan wearing her hat and all the things that seeing him like that did to her self-control and focused on the day, focused on leading the tour group of guests around her ranch. 

Gods. So last night hadn’t been a dream. 

But she could not allow herself to think of that. Guests, Galathynius. Focus. On. The Guests. 

All the guests, not just the one she wanted to focus on. 

“And here is where all of our horses live,” Aelin announced, pulling open the barn door.

The tour group she was leading oohed and aahed at the horses, strolling down the line of stalls to admire each one. Darrow gave a brief introduction to horseback riding before inviting anyone interested to have the chance to ride, and a very nice line formed up, the guests eagerly waiting their turns. Aelin and Darrow saddled up the usual batch of horses for the guests, leading them one by one to a horse and helping them mount.

This group had so many interested guests, though, that she was forced to lead Elentiya, her mare, out of her stall for herself. “C'mon, my girl, let’s show these city slickers how we gallop, yeah?” Elentiya whickered as if in agreement.

And then a throat cleared. “Ma'am?”

“Hmm?” She turned, forcing a blush not to rise as she met the bright pine eyes of Rowan Whitethorn, the Seattle businessman.

“I don’t think I’ve been helped,” he said, apologetic. “Could you guide me?”

Aelin flicked her glance quickly around the barn. Few horses remained, all of them wilder and less ready for untried guests to ride them.

And Elentiya.

Hell.

“Well, Mr. Whitethorn, do you mind riding double?”

“What?” His brows furrowed.

She chuckled. “We’re fresh out of single horses, save for the ones not yet tamed, so unless you’re willin’ to wait for the group to return, seems like you’ll have to ride double with me.” She winked. “But don’t worry, city boy, I won’t make any moves.”

He swallowed hard. “I’ll trust you, Miss Galathynius.” It was his turn to wink. “Nothing more pleasant than riding with an experienced rider, as I see it.” The innuendo in his voice not going unnoticed.

That man and his words. 

Stop fucking thinking about last night, Galathynius! 

“Right,” she said, leading him to Elentiya. “Since you’re the inexperienced one--” he let out a deep, soft chuckle at that--“I’ll help you get into the saddle, but I’ll be sittin’ in front of you.” 

“My favorite,” Rowan whispered into her ear, low enough that only she could make out his words. 

“Be professional,” she hissed, covertly pinching the crease of his elbow. “Now, step up on this stump here,” she instructed him, guiding him onto the step and helping him swing one leg across Elentiya, the mare standing quietly in place and waiting for Aelin. “Excellent. Now scoot back a li’l, city boy.” Rowan did, and she swung atop Elentiya in one fluid motion, settling herself so her back was flush with Rowan’s warm, solid chest. 

“Isn’t this cozy?” he hummed, wrapping his arms around her waist. 

“Behave,” she smirked, pressing her hips backwards just to hear him gasp sharply. “Let’s go, my girl.” She nudged Elentiya with her heel, and the horse stepped into motion. Rowan’s grip tightened around her waist, bringing a smirk to her lips. How cute, the city slicker and his nerves about riding horseback. 

“You doin’ alright?” she asked after a few minutes. 

His hold relaxed. “This is nice.” 

She chuckled wickedly. “Well, you’re takin’ to ridin’ right quick, city boy. Let’s see how you do at a canter.” 

“Wha--” His question was cut off when Aelin nudged Elentiya into a canter, his arms wrapping right back around her. 

She grinned. “Loosen up, Whitethorn!” 

It took him many minutes, but eventually, he did loosen up, his grip around her waist loosening, and grinned into the wide blue sky. “You know, this really is fun!” 

“Glad you enjoy it,” she returned, grinning broadly, loose strands of her hair fluttering in the breeze. 

~

They reached the rest of the group out in the open corral shortly later, joining up with Darrow and his presentation on lassoing. “An’ with enough practice, y’all can see how the ropers catch cattle so easily.” Darrow tossed the coil of rope to another ranch hand, who caught it easily and uncoiled part of it, tying a lasso knot with graceful ease. He then flicked his wrist, and out sailed the rope, landing neatly around the neck of the practice dummy cow to much applause. 

Rowan, now dismounted with Aelin’s assistance, leaned into her side. “Now that’s a fancy skill,” he murmured. 

“Miss G!” the roper called. “Show the city slickers yer skills, yeah?” 

She barely had time to protest before he was tossing her the lasso. “All right, all right,” she laughed, detaching herself from Rowan and striding out into the packed dirt of the corral. “Now y’all just stand back, okay?” She gave the lasso a few experimental twirls, then reached back and flicked her wrist forward and out spiraled the lasso in a string of neat coils, the loop at the end floating down around the practice dummy’s neck. 

The guests cheered. 

“Your turn!” she declared, nodding to Darrow. He passed out short lengths of rope with the loops already pre-tied, teaching everyone how to hold the rope and letting them flick it towards the practice dummy. Most of them managed a passingly good toss, a handful even getting close to the plastic cow. 

But Rowan? He was hopeless. The rope somehow tangled around his hands, he couldn’t toss the lasso more than a few feet, and he’d even managed to rope himself, looping the coil around his own leg. 

“Havin’ fun there, city slicker?” Aelin teased from her perch on the fence. 

“Shut up,” Rowan grumbled. “I can do this!” 

“Mhmm,” she crooned. “When you’re ready for help, I’m sittin’ right here.” 

“We’ll see who needs help when I lasso you, cowgirl,” he purred, challenge--and something darker--lighting his beautiful eyes.

Well, that went straight to her core. 

“Good luck,” she smirked, hopping off the fence and watching him fumble with the short length of rope. He threw it straight into the air, swearing viciously when it landed in a heap at his feet. 

“Fuck!” 

“Alright?” 

“Fine,” he grunted. He picked up the coil and shook it out, swore at it, and then flicked it into the air. 

And to everyone’s shock, it sailed out in a neat arc and looped around Aelin. 

She exclaimed in surprise as the rope tightened around her shoulders, pinning her arms by her sides. “Do I look like the plastic cow, Whitethorn?” 

“Uhh...” he mumbled, flushing crimson. 

Darrow strode over, chuckling. “Seems like someone got the idea!” he joked, swiftly untying Aelin. “Next time, aim for the plastic cow, city slicker!” 

“Noted,” Rowan mumbled. 

Aelin winked at him. “No one’s commenting on your accuracy of aim, Whitethorn.” 

His eyes flashed dark. “Aelin,” he rumbled, his voice a warning. 

She smirked and shrugged, striding back over to Elentiya. “Catch a ride with Darrow, city boy! I’ve got work to do!” 

~

Aelin lounged on the porch swing of the family house as dusk fell, sipping the iced tea in her hand and watching as the vibrant hues of sunset faded into deep blues and grays. Evening was her favorite time of day, the hours when the guests were all occupied up at the guesthouses and she could just relax on her front porch, letting all the worries of running Galathynius Ranch fade away like the sunset. 

Footsteps crunched in the gravel driveway. 

She looked sharply up to find a very familiar man striding up to her porch, his t-shirt smudged with the dust of the day and his expensive khakis crinkled. 

“Private property, Mr. Whitethorn,” she purred, not budging from her seat. 

“I’ve an invitation from the owner herself,” he returned smoothly, taking the front steps in one long stride and planting himself in front of her. “Or do you truly not recall anything from last night?” 

“However could I forget?” She winked. “Best ride of my life.” 

Rowan pounced, his muscled arms caging her in against the cushioned swing. “And how would you enjoy a second experience?” 

“Why don’t you find out?” she smirked. 

“With pleasure,” he growled, sweeping her into his arms and kissing her fiercely, all tongue and passion, and walking her backwards into her house without breaking the kiss. Aelin groaned into his mouth, taking control of the kiss as she whirled them around and pressed Rowan against the wall, her hand fisting in his shirt. He grunted in surprise. “Aelin.” 

“Ro,” she murmured, tracking a line of hot kisses down his strong throat, pushing his shirt up and off of him so she could kiss his tattoo. “So gorgeous.” 

He lunged for her, intent on pressing her back into the wall and teasing her until her legs gave way, but she dodged, scurrying up the stairs and into her room with him right on her tail. “Playing hard to get, cowgirl?” he rumbled, padding towards her, every inch of his stature screaming predator. 

“Just leading you to your favorite place,” she smirked. And dropped her oversized hoodie, revealing only bare, tanned skin. 

“Fuck,” he groaned, shoving his pants and boxers to the floor. “You’re so beautiful, Ae.” 

“I know.” She grinned. “Want to show me?” 

“Such sass,” he purred, placing his broad, hot hands around her waist. “Such fire, baby.” 

“You love it,” she shot back, trailing her own hands dangerously slowly down his chest, over the sharp cut of his hips. 

“I do,” he smirked. 

Then he tossed her onto the bed. 

“But I love making you scream even more.” 

Fuck her, this man and his dirty talk. She’d barely had the time to moan before he pulled her to the edge of the bed, dropped to his knees, and locked his gaze on hers as his tongue swept up her soaked core, licking a long, flat stripe up to her clit. “Rowan,” she moaned wantonly, knitting her fingers into his hair. “Gods, Ro!” 

Spurred on by her moans, he devoured her, licking and nipping, his tongue everywhere all at once. He slipped two fingers into her, groaning at the way she clenched reflexively around the intrusion, and focused his attention on her clit, sucking the swollen little bud into his mouth and nibbling lightly. She screamed his name and came hard, her release coating his face, and he worked her through the throes of her orgasm, his fingers moving in long, lazy strokes. “So good for me,” he purred, kissing a path back up to her lips and guiding her back against the pillows. 

Before he could kiss her, she’d flipped them over, straddling his chest, and whipped a coil of rope out from under her pillow. She smirked down at him, noting the way his chest heaved, and swiftly looped the small lasso around his wrists, yanking his hands above his head and securing them to her headboard. 

“Baby,” Rowan moaned, testing the restraint. 

“You look so good all roped up,” she smirked, raking first her gaze, then her hands, down his body. “Gonna give me a ride, city boy?” 

“Yes,” he breathed. “Yes, please.” 

Such nice manners. She winked at him and lifted her hips, then slid all the way down his cock, seating herself fully, both of them groaning at the sensation. “So full,” Aelin panted, her head tipping back in pleasure. 

“Move,” Rowan gritted out, his eyes screwed shut. 

She clicked her tongue. “Think you give the orders here, pretty boy?” He whimpered. “No, you do not.” Her fingers danced across his cheek, caressing the strong planes of his face. “But since y’look so desperate, I’ll give you a bit of a reprieve.” And she rocked her hips in a slow circle, moaning loudly, her control fast vanishing as she sped up her pace, bouncing on Rowan’s cock, chasing the pleasure he wrung form her. “You can move, Whitethorn.” He jerked his hips up into hers, frantic, curses and moans of her name spilling from his lips as he fucked her. She moaned his name as she felt herself hurtling toward orgasm, her nails scratching down his chest. 

“Aelin!” he roared as he came with a grunt, spilling himself into her. 

“Rowan!” she moaned, the feeling of him finishing inside her sending her over the edge, her orgasm rolling over her in waves. “Ohh, Rowan,” she panted, collapsing atop his chest, barely remembering to reach up and untie his hands. 

“So good, baby,” he breathed, flexing his wrists before wrapping his arms around her, his big hands stroking her back. “So good.” 

“Mmm,” she mumbled, carefully pulling herself off of him and falling into bed, letting him be the one to pick up the warm washcloth and clean them up. “Stay, Ro.” 

“Of course,” he whispered, settling in beside her. “Of course I will.” 

~~~

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[howdoyousleep3]

Daddy Steve’s biggest romantic gesture?

Oh baby, I’m ready for this now. 

To date, I think the largest romantic gesture (aside from gifting Bucky with his backpacking across Europe dream trip for Christmas one year) would be the trip that Steve surprises Bucky with randomly one winter. They’re little world travlers these two, love making memories and getting away just with one another. Switzerland, upstate New York, Canada-- we aren’t picky but somewhere with lots of snow. I always picture this when I think of this trip. Secluded, away from anyone and everyone. No cell service, no wifi. There’s a television but they barely pay attention to anything that plays in the background while they’re preoccupied. 

“Just ‘cause, sugar. Can’t treat my sweet Buck to a little somethin’ special? Huh? You’ve been so focused on school and have been workin’ your cute little behind off. I’m so goddamn proud of you. Lemme treat you.” 

Steve would surprise him a day before, would tell Bucky what kind of climate to pack for and for how long, tacking on a wink and a sly, “Not that clothes will matter...”. Bucky is happily flustered for the next 24 hours, can’t stop giggling and kissing Steve on the cheek and asking him questions to try and slyly get out of him where they’re going. 

Steve takes this whole “lemme treat you” to an entirely unseen level. Surprising Bucky with a trip of all things already sets that bar high, but all these additional cute tiny surprises just keeps elevating said bar: coffee early in the morning when they leave for the airport, First Class (”Steven!”), snuggles and grabby hands on the flight over, a fancy rental car when they land, cute little stops into local stops, Flowers, there are roses and petals scattered throughout the room. Steve kisses Bucky’s red cheeks standing there in the snowy doorway as Bucky holds back tears. 

“Come on, babylove it’s cold, step inside. No tears, no tears.” 

They don’t leave the bed the first 24 hours. They’re exhausted from the flight and the snow surrounding them but being cozy and warm on the inside of this tiny cabin has them napping on and off for hours. They shower off the staleness of their flight, Bucky practically having gone sweet since they left that morning, each additional act of love one that pushes him higher and higher into the clouds. 

Watching Steve tend to a fire in the nude, hazy sweetness of a post shower handjob, has Bucky almost teary-eyed at how lucky and loved and in love he feels. 

The best part is the hot tub on the deck. The ventures into the small neighboring towns for shopping and meals and exploring are a close second, but for some reason they’ve never been anywhere with a hot tub before. Bucky doesn’t even realize it is there until the third morning. 

“Is...is that a...?” he asks with a lazy point, standing in front of the window when Steve hands him his coffee, one cream and two sugars. A hot kiss on his neck from behind gives him his answer before the lackadaisical words, “Sure is...” do. Bucky vows to wait until the evening to suggest getting in but he lasts until maybe noon before Steve snatches him up off the ground and makes his way to the front door. 

“Tired’a you lookin’ at it like you aren’t allowed to get in it. You can do whatever you want, Buck. You just sittin’ around waitin’ for your Daddy to do it for you?” 

It’s bliss if Bucky’s ever felt it. It’s overwhelming at first, being so bone-deep hot all over while the air he breathes in is chilly and startling. Ten deep breaths has Bucky openly moaning to no one and nothing in particular. Ten more breaths and Steve pulling Bucky’s lax form across his lap sideways, cradling him to his chest and kissing his temple in rapid succession, has Bucky hurtling into another cotton candy sweet cloud. 

How can things not get steamy, pun fully intended. Bucky is pleasantly drowning in love from Steve, an incomprehensible amount of love. He’s so warm, so fucking warm all over. It’s like a blanket out in this frigid weather, wraps him up and swirls around him. And there’s always that questionable characteristic of water that makes Bucky horny, that makes him wanna feels, wanna touch, makes him feel like he’s always kinda moving and pulsing. And Steve is right here, is touching him, isn’t talking to Bucky but Bucky can hear him loud and clear. 

I love you. 

When he tilts his head up onto Steve’s shoulder he’s certain he looks some level of fucked out. There’s no doubt in Bucky’s mind. When Steve puts a few fingers under his chin and hums into his kiss, Bucky’s whine is probably unacceptably loud. Being in this hot tub feels like foreplay on its own but adding into the equation Steve’s mouth and his skill and the way he fucks Bucky’s own mouth makes Bucky feel like his soul is going to leave his body. 

“Should’a gotchu in a hot tub sooner, sugar. Look at’chu...” 

Bucky is slow to react, slow to move or respond. Daddy holds him and touches him and kisses him, unrushed and thorough. He works Bucky’s mouth over like he has ownership of it, like he has something to prove. Everything feels slick. Steve’s lips are on Bucky’s mouth, his cheeks, his neck. Daddy spends a lovely amount of time on his neck, enough time to that it has Bucky begging for more before he even realizes it. 

“Daddy...Daddy, oh please, ngh Daddy...” 

They wouldn’t fuck in the hot tub (super unrealistic lmao) but damn would they spend a stupid amount of time in that hot tub feelin’ and touchin’ and kissin’. At one point Steve would just growl, long and low, pull Bucky up and over his waist until his sweet baby could finally grind and slip his way into a hot little frenzy. So many whimpers, feels so slow but so fast, just breathing into each other’s mouths. Steve’s hands on Bucky’s waist, his ass, guiding. Bucky’s hands on Steve’s neck, his jaw, wants to keep Daddy in one place, accessible. On the lucky rolls, Bucky can feel the hard line of Steve’s cock slide between his cheeks, teasing his deprived and pouting asshole.

When Steve rumbles and stands, pulls Bucky from the water, Bucky almost feels like he had become one with the water, just one big ball of sensation. He doesn’t even last through the messy prep, both of them soaking the sheets in ovenlike water, Bucky adding his own come to the mess as he shoots off with a set of shivers and a squeal. Steve makes love to Bucky on his back, holds onto Bucky’s thigh, wraps it around his narrow waist as he drives his hips home. Steve lays into Bucky, presses him so deeply into the mattress that Bucky feels like he’s moving like water again. Steve’s hand is curled around the nape of his neck, fingers in his curling hair, mouth to mouth, eyes on eyes. It’s the best, the absolute best and when Bucky comes it’s--

“Fuck, Daddy...Steve, love you, love you, I love you...!” 

Bucky makes the offhand but direct suggestion they get a hot tub. Steve points out they won’t ever get anything done if they had one. Bucky doesn’t see the issue. 

I got super wrapped up in hot tub sexy times but I hope this suffices as a romantic gesture. All the little things that I didn’t get to make this trip one of the best they’ve shared; Bucky doesn’t recall ever having been so relaxed in his life. The dinners in town, the small hiking excursions, the time spent in front of a fire with Hot Toddy’s or hot chocolate, the never being an arms-length from the other. 

It’s everything Bucky wants and needs. Better yet, Steve is everything and more that Bucky could ever want and need in a partner. 

Bucky prints out a cute and candid selfie they took on the couch in their cabin, all snuggled up and faces glowing in the light of the fireplace. Steve’s got his nose pressed against Bucky’s temple, both with immeasurable smiles on their faces. Bucky’s giggle is obvious by the lines around his crinkled eyes. Steve frames it and puts it on his bedside table. 

I hope you’re still in the mood for this kind of shit, @stardi293! I know we talked last night but who knows now lmao. Love you! Thank you for this! 

[pettyprocrastination]

i’m latching onto this i’m,,, so, so sorry. this most definitely gotta come to a head when there’s a neighborhood block party hosted by the york fam - the kids are all playin and carol and neighbor are both buzzed as all hell, and are now squished together in a seat in the backyard, carol sittin on your lap to “save space” ,,, dave is watching from where he’s at the grill, eyes a lil bit sharp with something that you can’t identify (horny. it’s horny vibes for his wife and his neighbor) as he tries to make it thru a boring ass convo with someone as carol just talks lowly in neighbors ear about something. as it gets darker the kids head to bed and only the adults are left,, slowly dwindling until it’s just neighbor, carol, and dave,,, shall we go on?? 👀

- buff bread anon

YES YES WE SHALL GO ON EXCUSE YOU

Dont you DARE APOLOGIZE FOR THIS IM LOVING THE YORK CONTENT

The moment carol sits on your lap you freeze. Hhaving that initial panic of what do you do?? Where do you put your hands??? But she smiles and takes a swig of her beer before waving st dave, whi smiles and waves back at you.

Shes married. They're both married. Dont be a homewrecker

That mantra is playing endless in your head as carol talks lowly in your ear in a way that makes you feels things you absolutely shouldn't feel about a married woman. Shes smiley and the girls are playing with their friends while dave flips burgers and nods at something the girls soccer coach is talking to him rather excitedly about. Unbeknownst to you hes gripping spatula in his hand so hard its leaving in intend on his skin because carolina york is a goddamn tease, the way shes cozied up to you and will glance over her shoulder at her husband with that impish smile, as if taunting him to join.

You're too busy stuck in your own head of anxiety and dangerous what ifs while carol picks out a figure in the crowd with a snicker.

"God, of course she'd come." She whispers lowly in your ear. You hope she doesnt see the way it makes you shudder. She gestures to a woman who loosk likes shed be anywhere else but here.

"Shes a mom from the girls soccer team. Class A bitch too." Carol sis her beer and curls closer to you. "You better not let her get to me because so help me god I'll start swinging."

You laugh and she feels her heart skip a beat.

You had no idea what you were doing to them, did you?

"I promise you Mrs.York." you wrap your arms around her waist and marvel at how soft the skirt of her dress is. "I wont leave you in the evil clutches of soccer moms."

Her lips graze your ear when she leans in, giddy and tipsy.

"My hero."

This block party was as much of a blessing as it was a fucking curse

[avenger09]

The Dragon Prince: Fighting Game Banter

If there was one made in the style of a NeatherRealm game.

Callum: (Drawing a rune in the air) It's the fight of the century!

Ezran: (Riding on a Banther) Brother, vs Brother.  

Callum: Mage vs giant sharp-toothed Banth- Oh-this-was-a-terrible-idea.

Ezran: Callum, and Rayla, sittin' in a tree-

Callum: You've been waiting to use that, haven't you?

Ezran: K-I-S-S-I-N-G. And yes. 

Rayla: How’s our adorable little Prince? 

Ezran: Great. But I’m a king now. 

Rayla: You know I meant Zym, Ez. Good joke though. 

Soren: (Sword over his shoulder)  Rematch Time.

Rayla: (Her blades switching in and out of scythe mode) Really? You want to risk breaking your back again?

Soren: (Combat pose) Hey! That was a Dragon! Not you.

Callum: What did I do?

Rayla: You ate my last moonberry surprise...

Callum: Oh no, she's Hangry again!

Soren: Want to spar today your highness?

Ezran: I would like to, yes.

Soren: As you wish. For the record though, using a Banter is totally cheating.

Soren: Sometimes girls can be so weird.

Callum: My first girlfriend get's superpowers from the moon.

Soren: ...That's neat buddy. 

Rayla: Winner gets to plan our next date.

Callum: Neat. And the loser?

Rayla: (Chuckle) Has to tell your Aunt we're together. 

Callum: (melodramatically) Two lovers divided, forced to fight!

Rayla: (just as melodramatically) Can their love endure this tragic twist of fate?!

Callum: Only thing is for certain... Wing cuddles will ensue.

Callum: Hi there. What"s your name?

Rayla: I'm Rayla, I'm your girlfriend, and we really don't have time to play "Never Met."

Callum: ... Rayla's a pretty name.

Callum: You didn’t need me to dance with you to let me into the Silvergrove did you? 

Rayla: Hmmhmm Nope.

Callum: I’m dating an evil genius. And I’m okay with that. 

 Rayla: You think we should be called, what?

Soren: Eclipse Elves. ‘Cause that’s the only time the moon makes a shadow.

Rayla: That's... surprisingly A good point.

Ezran: What is it Aunt Amaya?

Amaya: (Gren interpreting) [Your mother would be so proud of you.]

Ezran: Thanks... I think she'd be proud of you too. 

Amaya: [What's this I hear about you jumping of a cliff?]

Callum: It was for love!

Amaya: [Good motive, still reckless.]

Soren: Sometimes for lunch, I eat nothing but butter.

Amaya: [You shouldn't do that.]

Soren: Probably. My chest hurts all the time. 

Corvus: (Spinning his sickle chain) We got off to a rocky start.

Rayla: It's okay. We all came together when it mattered. 

Corvus: Still feel like I owe you a free one.  

Amaya: [It's good to have you back.]

Corvus: Funny how we both ended up captured, General. 

Amaya: (Grinning) [Captured? I was just taking a sunny holiday.] 

Corvus: You really set an impossible goal post, your Highness. 

Callum: How?

Corvus: How can any other couple top; Confessed our love mid-flight?

Rayla: So... Got any hobbies?

Amaya: [I know your dating my nephew.]

Rayla: Wha... I don't, I wasn't. Okay, I was just building up to that. 

Rayla: Are you the reason we’re sometimes fighting copies of ourselves?  Lujanne: (Dissipating her Human form) Maybe I am, or maybe the veil of reality has been opened wide for your others selves to come through. Rayla: So it’s definitely you, then,

Soren: Waaait... Are you and Callum together?

Rayla: Uck, no Soren. (mock cheery tone) We just like to kiss, hold hands, and be around each other all the time.

Soren: Hey, some people do, do, that. I'm not judging.

Soren: This is freaky.

Soren: Are we in some kind of weird, reflection, world?

Soren: If it is, you'd think it'd be a lot shinier, other me.

Ellis: (Ava poised dramatically) Hey Banterboy.

Ezran: Hey Wolfgirl. 

Ellis: (Ava ready to lunge) Now, we fight crime.

Ellis: Yes! I knew you two would get together!

Rayla: Well we didn’t.

Ellis: Of course you two wouldn’t, dummy. 

Ellis: You can grow wings now?! Callum: Just call me, “Souring Callum.”

Ellis: Hehaha! Sorry I thought you said: “Snoring Callum.”

Viren: This is a test Claudia.

Claudia: (Eyes turning black her snake wrist chain moving) To prove what?

Viren: (Staff extending)  To prove If your strong enough to fight even your flash and blood.   

Claudia: Hey man-bun!

Corvus: I have a name.

Claudia: Well, I've forgotten it. So...  

Soren: Shouldn't have sent a Guard to do an Assassins job.

Viren: I sent you to save Katolis from a weak ruler. And to earn my pride.

Soren: I've got plenty of Pride. Big shock, none of it came from you!

Viren: Come to kill me for real, son? 

Soren: I should have left you when Mom did!

Viren: Yes. You should have. 

Viren: Impossible. How did you learn Primal Magic?

Callum: I did this thing called; Actually trying!

Viren: Dark Magic, Is not, A shortcut!

Claudia: Don't make me fight you Sorebear.

Soren: Claud's... Dad is evil.

Claudia: I can't choose again!

Callum: The way you use magic is wrong.

Viren: Oh? And how should I use it, oh wise, mongrel, Prince?  

Callum: To help people, not use them! You selfish idiot!

Callum: You say you cared about my Dad.

Viren: Like a brother.

Callum: Then why didn't you ever just consider trading back the egg?

Rayla: Shouldn’t you be a puddle right now?

Viren: Despite your best efforts I live.

Rayla: Your remind me of a bad itch that just won’t go away. 

Rayla: Do you even know my name? Or the names of those you’ve captured? 

Viren: Should I, Elf.

Rayla: You will. 

Ezran: I know about the Soulfrang, Viren.

Viren: How?

Ezran: Let's say, a little birdy told me.

Jenai: (drawing her Sunforge sword) Lux Aurea will be avenged.

Viren: I don’t even know who you are. 

Jenai: You will...

Callum: So. You and my aunt huh?

Jenai: (Genuinely confused) What about me and your aunt? 

Callum: Oh you’ll find out. 

Janai: You don't have to stand so close to me.

Amaya: (teasing) [But your so warm and cozy.]

Janai: *sigh* *You where much more intimidating before we started talking.

Soren: If it isn't the Hot Elf.

Janai: Excuse me?!

Soren: Huh? No, Wait! I meant like.. Your made of fire sometimes!

Claudia: I bet Callum hates me right now. 

Rayla: He doesn't hate you. He misses you. 

Claudia: Why? He has you now.

Claudia: (sadly) Just an 'Assassin Friend' huh?

Callum: I'm sorry. Me and Rayla... It was completely unexpected.

Claudia: ‘Unexpected’ is just another kind of expected.

Ezran: I'm not angry Claudia.

Claudia: How can you say that, after I let you down.

Ezran: Your not your father. You can still be helped. 

Soren: Your hair, what did you do?

Claudia: I made Dad better. Like for you.

Soren: Better, but he..? Claudia, no...

Amaya: (stern) [Your father is a liar, a thief, and a traitor. For your sake give him up.]

Claudia: It's not that simple!

Amaya: (sympathetic) It never is with family.

Aaravos: (After his familiar has possessed a host) I've looked forward to this meeting.

Callum: Do I know you?

Aaravos: No. But you possess something that can help me. A certain... cube.

Lujanne: They say “Time fades even Legends”

Arravos: Who does?

Lujanne: No clue? Read it in a book about vampires once, and thought you might know?

Callum: Why should I trust you?

Aaravos: I can help you achieve your full potential.

Callum: That just helps me, what about my friends? 

Aaravos: Why settle for being a mere High Mage? 

Callum: What else is there? 

Aaravos: Becoming the heir to my power. The new Archmage of Xadia.

Aaravos: We have both broken past the limits others set upon us.

Callum: That doesn't make us friends.

Aaravos: But it does make us equals.

Aaravos: I had such hopes for you.

Viren: Please, I still need your power. Anything you ask I’ll grant! Aaravos: Oh, have some dignity!

Amaya: [Stay away from my family!]

Aaravos: Afraid you’ll fail at protecting another of them, are you?

Amaya: [I’m only afraid I’ll enjoy this.]

Jenai: Any last words?

Aaravos: How’s your sister..? 

Jenai: (Heat mode) Arrrrgh!

Aaravos: You shall be quite useful. 

Rayla: Not happening. 

Aaravos: Your compliance is not required. You will lure my new disciple to me. 

Harrow: (Standing up from his throne as a set of disembodied armor) So... Tell me about this girl your seeing.

Callum: You do know she was one of the Assassins sent to kill you, right?

Harrow: Well, nobody’s perfect.

[nep-moved]

🎫 here's a gush pass ^^ feel free to gush about whichever f/o you want, however much you want, then, if you'd like, feel free to send this ask to any other selfshippers!!

THANK U i am finally usin this gjdjsk. may i talk abt the wolf bf nd how we're the ultimate enemies to lovers story?? bc imma do that along w some gushing

well. i've talked abt this before but it's been forever ghdjsk SO !! i played animal crossin on the gamecube ALL the time when i was younger.. nd i always had this habit as a kid where i'd keep restarting games?? fr no reason rly fjfjsk. so i've had lotsa ac villagers !! but one i almost always had was lobo. nd i hated him honestly GJDJSK. tiny nep thought 'why do i keep getting this guy he's so mean 2 me i hate him !!' nd i never wanted to talk 2 him bc he always yelled at me gjfjsk.

nyways eventually i stopped playin animal crossin fr a few yrs but then !! i heard sm abt a new game !! so i looked back into it nd gjdjsk it was great,, rememberin all my old villagers i considered friends, all the good memories.. but also Him tjdjsk. but i didn't feel anythin negative towards him?? i uh. actually thought he was p cute 😳👉👈 so i looked into the new game nd how the cranky villagers hav rly changed since the first ac fjdjks. they're just big softies nd i LOVED that.. the character development !!

nd when i first got the game i had a cranky villager that Wasn't him but. they say the same stuff so i just thought abt lobo instead nd i got all 💖💞💘 !! so i was all 'oh shit i rly do like him now' nd uh,, got his amiibo card 😳😳 nd the best part !! it arrived on my bday !! best present ever gjrjsk. i was so so happy 2 get him nd he was v sweet 2 me,, he acts like a grump but it's obvious he's actually a big teddy bear ;3c nd that just made me lov him more gjfjdk nd now here we are !! i even moved his house next to mine nd i giv him gifts everyday 👉👈 i hope i get his picture soon,,

NYWAYS gush hrs !! he's so pretty,, nd once again he acts like a grump but he's so sweet 2 me 🥺💘 it rly makes my heart all 💖💞💘 jfjdks.. nd he's so cute !! he lovs sittin down by the river nd readin books.. he also wears glasses just like mine when he does 💕 nd he's always checkin out the flowers which is Also adorable gjdjsk.. nd don't let him know i told u but i caught him singing bubblegum kk once 👁👁

ALSO can i talk abt his house in new horizons,, it's so cozy !! i lov bein in there sm gjdksk. i always sit on his lil couch w him while he reads 👉👈💕 nd i also perhaps think abt,, snugglin in his bed,, but u didn't hear that from me--

[the-pallid-king]

@ichxgo:

He isn’t sure how to respond to that statement. He wants to insist he doesn’t need it. And yes, he wants to fight his own battles, but he also understands not letting anyone touch someone you’ve chosen to protect. He just hopes you’ll let him do the same if it ever comes to it, so he nods instead of arguing and decides to try and remember that the next time you want to shield him. “Alright.” Though, then he smirks. “Well, I’m not killing or eating you. So I think I’m doing a pretty good job. Walls included.” There’s a snort as he considers the hypothetical situation in a slightly serious light. “Not me. I don’t think I’d be able to stay out of it.” And you’re a lot stronger now. He turns his head a little more and gives thoughtful consideration to the possibility of running his teeth down your neck. “I think it’s stopped.”

______

That ‘alright’ you give has him surprised and maybe a little suspicious. He wasn’t expecting you to agree with him, he was expecting you to get upset and say something about babysitting. It has him a little suspicious, but only enough to make him narrow his eyes slightly as he looks at you sidelong from where his chin rests on your shoulder, before he nods. He snorts though, amused, “I’m not cooked enough for you to eat.” If he’s being honest, you failed pretty hard with that wall. He’s still a little salty over it. “Eh. If the second me was anything like...me... Than we’d be too busy trying to kill each other over who you’re with for either of us to bother with you. Besides. If I hurt you, I’d kill me.” This is a strange conversation. “What? Oh.” The bleeding. Right. “I got comfortable and warm and kinda forgot there was a reason I was sittin’ like this.” Even hunched over like he is, he’s pretty cozy, between your body heat and the warmth being let off by the warm water. He sits back though, pulling his hand away.

[bellatrixobsessed1]

Of Farms Fairs And Fame (Last Part)

The fact that I had started this one so long ago, makes me all the happier to know that I actually managed to finish it after all this time lol.

It wasn’t quite dark yet, the sky hung somewhere between a soft indigo and the black of night. At the very bottom of the horizon, Azula could see the last tinges of orange and gold. Soft pops and sparkles danced in various spots in the yard.

“Hey, over here! Pass me one!” Toph shouted.

Azula watched Jet rummage through a cooler and toss Toph a bottle of orange-cream pop. For the most part she had gotten good at sensing where objects were, but this time the bottle fell to the grass and she had to stoop down and feel for it.

Across the way, TyLee was weaving flowers into the hair of Zuko and Mai. Near the treeline Katara was waving a sparkler in front of Aang and waiting for him to try to imitate her motions. A little ways away, on the hill, her father and Iroh were working to set up for the firework display.

Azula herself was seated on one of the picnic tables in her yard with a plate in hand. Three attempts in--the first two being chilly in the middle--later she finally had an edible hotdog on her plate and a boyfriend sitting next to her looking entirely pleased with himself. “Not bad fer my first time on the grill.” He commented.

“Eh, coulda been better.” Azula shrugged.

“Hey!”

Azula smiled at him and picked a slice of watermelon off of her plate.

“I werked hard on them first two.” He added in a mumble.

“Ya sure did, but they still tasted mighty awful.” Azula replied with a shrug.

“No! No! You scram! Git!” She heard her dad hollar from the hilltop. She looked over to see Tom-Tom and a pack of rouge school children rolling down the hill giggling and squealing in delight. Noticing the commotion, Mai stood to retrieve her brother. The boy took off in a wild sprint, leaving Mai groaning as she tried to catch up to that human ball of energy. He darted about, nearly slamming into Zuko and shoving between Suki and Yue. The poor girl was so startled that she dropped her bombpop onto Suki’s toes. “I knew I shoulda worn sneakers, stead’a sandals.”  The girl muttered.

“I got ‘im!” TyLee shouted, darting in Tom-Tom’s direction

Azula wasn’t one for pictures or videos but she turned her camera to follow the mini-frenzy. She was going to miss this brand of small-town chaos. At least the videos would give her something to assure her that she would never lose the feel of it.

Tossing her father’s no pigs at the table rule to the side, she lifted Spade onto the wood. She supposed that picnic tables weren’t the same as dinner tables anyhow. She wondered if she could smuggle him onto the plane.

“Hey!” Chan called from by the picket fence, waving she and Sokka over. “Com’mer fer a moment.”

Azula took Sokka’s hand and led him to where Chan was leaning, plastic cup of pepsi in hand. “Just wanted ta congratulate you fer yer record deal. Yer gonna get to go to them big parties now.” He made a grand sweeping gesture. “You’ll have to invite me ta one a them one day.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Azula replied. Of course she had his request on camera so she would be forgetting it that easily.

She stared out at the rolling open field beyond her fence. She didn’t think she had ever seen so many fireflies. The critters were everywhere floating and drifting lazily like dust motes. They blinked on and off at random intervals. It was yet another thing she was happy to have caught in her lenses.

“Gochya!” She heard TyLee declare as Tom-Tom whined in disappointment and disbelief.

“Praise the lord.” Mai grumbled. “Lil’ demon, that one.”

“Aww, he ain’t no demon.”

“Wanna sip?” Chan offered, drawing her attention back.

“Got my own, thanks.” Azula replied.

“Hey, well, we’re gonna miss you over here.” Chan gestured between he, Ruon-Jian, and the rest of his gaggle of boys. “How ‘bout a toast? Yer dorky boyfren’ can join us too.”

“Dorky!?” Sokka sputtered.

“To makin’ it big.” Chan declared.

Azula tapped her cup against his, hoping that the toast wasn’t premature. Chan gave her a wide smile and a thumbs up. With that and a wave, she set off to meet up with Zuko. It was dark enough for her father to begin setting off the fireworks. She made her way through smoke bombs and dodged stray poppers that Toph was chasing Aang with.

“Get yer teeny butt back here Twinkle Toes, you ain’t afraid of a few sparks are ya?” She teased.

“I kinda am, actually.” Aang confessed as she tossed one at his toes. “Katara, help me!”

Katara tried to stifle a laugh.

“Should we…?” Azula started.

“Nah, Kat can handle Toph. She does it all the time.”

Azula dropped herself onto the blanket Zuko had spread out for he and Mai and patted the ground next to her. “Well. Sit.”

“But ain’t that Zuko’s blanket?” Sokka asked.

Azula thought for a moment, tapping her chin as Spade made himself nice and cozy in her lap. “If he wanted it so bad, then he shouldn’t have left it open.”

TyLee flounced up next them and laid herself, belly-down, on the blanket. “Gee, it sure were nice of Zuko to set up this here blanket for us.”

“I set that up for Mai and I.” He grumbled.

“Finders keepers.” Azula retorted smugly.

“Guess I’m sittin’ in your lap.” Mai declared to her boyfriend.

Ozai waited for the last few to acquire their snacks and gather around. As soon as Iroh and Kya got the children to settle, Ozai lit the first. It sailed into the air with a sparkling gold tail, upon reaching its zenith it burst into a twinkling rain. One after the other, roman candles and bottle rockets spit fire and sparks into the sky. Azula hoped that she would shine as bright as them once she took to the stars. Stroking, Spade’s fur, Azula gazed at her semi-crowded yard. Chan still leaned upon the picket fence, this time facing skyward, occasionally cursing as a scrap of firework floated down into his drink. Tom-Tom was snuggled up in his mother’s arms as she protective shield his ears from the blasts. A few of the older children paid the fireworks little attention as they tried to catch fireflies. And Toph was still chasing Aang all around the yard. Sokka wiggled his way closer, putting his left arm around her and leaned into to press the side of his head against hers.

Colorful flashes illuminated much of the backyard and she thought of how Chan and Jet used to tell ghost stories about wild and unknown creatures dragging party-goers and campers into the forest between sparkling burts. She recalled one summer where Suki had made it her mission to dress up as such a creature and steal Ruon-Jian.

With a gentle fluttering in her belly, Azula wondered if she was going to have another moment like that or like the one she was having now. She wondered if this was going to be the last real summer barbecue she was going to have with her friends and family.

She supposed that she best cherish the moment in full and keep that camera close.

After the firework display a few neighbors began their goodbyes and their promises to come back for the next barbeque. In spurts guests would depart until their crowd dwindled down to a few stragglers and their closest friends and relatives. Soon Mai’s mother left to take Tom-Tom to bed--being it was already far past his normal bedtime--with instructions to Mai to have a safe trip home.

For herself, Azula wandered onto the dock with Spade in her arms and TyLee and Sokka beside her. As always, she dipped her feet into the water, watching fireflies flicker between stalks of catkins. The pond had a more fishy smell even without the summer sun to make the scent worse. She knew that soon Iroh and Ozai would be using it to fish before going to bigger ponds and lakes. That they would soon begin planning their annual camping trip. The same one that allowed she and Zuko to always begin their summer shenanigans--it was just one more small little thing that she would miss.

“Congrats on making it to state.” Azula smiled.

TyLee offered a soft, somewhat somber smile in return. Azula wouldn’t be the only one leaving home for a good while. “I’m gonna miss it here, ya know?”

“Absolutely.” Azula replied.  

TyLee perked back up. “Thanks!” She declared. “For the congrats. I’m really excited, after the whole broken leg thing, I didn’t think I were gonna get anywhere. But now…” she paused. “I might be a professional horse racer!”

“You earned it Ty. You been practicin’ real hard.”

“I’m really gonna miss the both’a y’all” Sokka admitted. Azula could swear she heard his voice crack. She looks to the pond and its collection of fireflies drifting lazily over the water. She caught a glimpse of a toad croaking before it leapt beneath the surface. For a while they were quiet with only said croaking and the chirps of crickets to fill that silence.

“‘Bout that, Sokka.” Azula started. “I was actually hopin’ that you’d come with me. It’d be awful hard to try ‘n sing your parts on stage.”

Sokka’s face lit up, but fell almost immediately. “I don’t think I ken afford--”

Azula hushed him. “You better not say no, father already bought yer plane ticket.”

“Yer pops is a nice man. I outta give ‘im a hug.”

Azula punched his shoulder. “Don’t you dare. He ain’t like those.”

Zuko and Mai come to join them on the dock with Katara, Toph, and Aang following close. Even Chan, Jet, and Suki tagged along. “Got somethin’ for you, Azula.” Zuko greeted.

Azula turned to see them holding up a small cupcake. “We each added something to it.” Aang remarked. “I drew the icing smiley faces.”

Zuko pulled out a pack of sparklers. “I figered we could all light ‘em up tagether, one last time ‘for life goes on.”  Azula knew at once that he wasn’t just talking about her and TyLee’s new found stardom, but about his own plans for college as well.

Azula gave a small grin. “I think we can all do that.”

They each reached into the pack and picked out a single sparkler. “Do the honors?” Sokka offered to Azula. She took the lighter and lit her sparkler and used that to light Sokka’s. Sokka turned and lit TyLee’s and TyLee’, Mai’s. And then Mai lit Zuko’s, until everyone had a sparkler burning. It was a dazzling display that reflected in the pond.

In that moment, nothing had changed at all. They were just a large circle of long time, small town friends sharing conversation and laughs as midnight transitioned into very early morning.

Just long time, small town friends, on a typical summer night.

.oOo.

“I know you got your camera, but I want you to have this too.” Iroh handed Azula the small book. He observed her as she looked it over, turning to the page with the photo of she and her companions standing at the pond with sparklers.

Between the mighty sound of plans departing, Azula offered her thank you’s. Ozai listened to his brother and daughter converse.

With nothing else to do her turned to Sokka, “you best take care’a her, boy.” He narrowed his eyes. “If you ain’t take care’a her, I will steal every last cow your family owns.”

“I’m purtty sure she ken take care’a herself.” Sokka pointed out. “But I’ll help.”

“You better, boy. You better.” Ozai folded his arms over his chest. He didn’t doubt that the boy would, he had always seemed to look out for Azula in the past, but it didn’t hurt none to give him a good ol’ fashioned mild threat.

“Hey, thanks fer the tickets, Azula’s pops. We’re gonna have a great time.” Sokka spoke in way of a goodbye.

Ozai watched him dash to catch up to Azula. He allowed Iroh and Zuko to finish their conversations with Azula before coming to her side. He was just as little for cuddles and fluffy gestures as Azula was. But he didn’t push his daughter away when she wrapped her arms around him. He curled one arm around her and pat her head twice with the other. “Don’t you get into any trouble out there, you understand me?”

“I know, father.”

“There’s gonna be boys ‘n booze, ‘n I ain’t want you mixed up in none’a that.”

“I know.” Azula repeated, already looking tired of the conversation. But he was her father and it was his right to give her a well-meaning lecture every now and again.

“I ain’t wanna have to fly all the way over to wherever you are to come help you.” He would, but, lord, he didn’t want to. “So you stick to the music and you keep yourself out’a trouble. Also don’t get too close to that Sokka boy, if you know what I mean. You don’t know what I’ll do to ‘im if...”

“Dad…” Azula grumbled, her cheeks delicately flushed.

“Just…” He trailed off. “Just make your pops proud. Make your ma proud, I know she would be.” He squeezed her shoulder.

“I will father.”

He knew that she would. Still, it was hard to let her go. And harder still to watch her wave as she ascended the stairs to the airplane.

“You raised some good kids.” Iroh took a stand next to him. “Both’a them are gonna go far.”

Ozai sure hoped so. He watched the plane shrink into a small speck in the sky. He supposed that the next time he’d be seeing his daughter, it would be on TV.

“Wha’do ya say we start packin’ fer our own trip?”

“My fishin’ pole’s already in the truck.”