#i just bought the first volume of that and i was on my merry way | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

babygirlgalitzine · 4 years ago

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twelve presents for the man i love (ao3)

a fic, for @theballumplace and their amazing christmas advent calendar full of wonderful pieces of work🎅🏼

one

There’s a coldness all throughout the room, though there’s a contrast as the bright morning winter sun illuminates the surroundings, all white and golden and beautiful. The beams reach the walls and eventually cascade down onto the bed, hitting Callum’s face.

Callum twitches his nose and squints his eyes, the light already irritating him out of his peaceful slumber. He’s never been one to be able to sleep with any form of light near him. He stretches out his limbs, starting with his legs, and the sheets are still annoyingly tangling around his thighs. He kicks at the sheets gently, attempting to free himself from their tight grasp. Then he moves his arms, and he instantly feels a tension relieving crack at his elbows but mostly his skin is hit with a searing and sharp coldness and he suddenly regrets moving, quickly tucking his arms back under the bed sheets. A soft moan falls from his lips as he rolls over onto his side, getting comfortable and warm once again, clinging onto the last remaining dregs of sleep, hoping and praying for a lazy and slow morning. Ben’s sleeping soundly next to him, and Callum watches as his torso rises and later falls with every breath. It’s peaceful, a calmness between them with no rush nor desire to do anything.

Callum shuffles at an agonisingly slow pace, trying to not disturb Ben with his movements. With every moment that passes, he nudges closer and closer to Ben until eventually he lets his hand - now comfortably warm once again - touch Ben’s back. He delicately traces the curve of Ben’s spine up and down with his index finger, the touch from the knuckle to the fingertip.

A grumble falls from Ben’s mouth, the sound soft and his head falls forward, pulling away from Callum, as he rests it even further into his pillow. “Mornin’.” He says and his voice is thick and deep from his sleep, yet it’s unwittingly soft. Callum can’t help but smile at it, unbelieving that he gets to witness this everyday now. Ben reaches his arm out behind him and grabs onto Callum’s hand, not caring to lock their fingers together, but tugging gently.

Callum understands what Ben wants instantly and complies, shuffling ever closer to Ben, their bodies now finally touching as Callum wraps his arms around Ben, pressing gentle kiss after gentle kiss to the nape of his neck. His hands are touching Ben’s stomach, dropping lower by the second to rest against his waistband, comforting. Their fingers are locking now, threading in the gaps between each finger, all warm and soft. Ben lets out a dry chuckle, a bright beaming smile on his face, though he tries to disguise it by letting his pillow smother his face. Callum wraps his legs around Ben’s, trapping him as a way of stopping him squirming even further into the pillow. The soles of his feet press against Ben’s shins, cold skin against warm, and it’s an all too familiar feeling.

Ben lets out a squeal, which turns into a loud giggling fit when Callum nudges his nose against Ben’s neck even more, kissing him over and over again with hot, wet lips. “Get off!” Ben argues through the giggles erupting from him, showing that there’s not an ounce of malice in his body towards his boyfriend. “You’re freezing! You always put your cold feet on me when we’re in bed together.”

“How about you warm me up then?” Callum counteracts the argument flirtatiously, towering over Ben. He’s pinning Ben down into the mattress now, feet somehow still pressing against Ben’s skin. Their faces are now just centimetres apart, the tension building between them palpable. Ben looks at Callum’s lips and then his eyes flicker up to meet Callum’s, a silent conversation happening between them within just a matter of seconds, though it feels longer. Callum leans down, the muscles in his arms visibly shaking as moves in an excruciatingly slow press up motion. With every second that passes, Callum edges closer to finally share the first proper kiss of the day.

Closer, and closer still.

He can feel Ben’s breath hitting his face - that is, until Ben cheekily manages to break free from the hold Callum has over him, and he rolls over and stretches his body half out of the bed.

Callum rolls his eyes and flops down onto his back, letting out a soft exasperated groan though he’s grateful that he can relax his muscles temporarily.

Ben pops back up, sitting back on the bed, pushing his pillow against the headboard to make himself more comfortable. He’s holding something in his hand, which Callum instantly realises. It’s a present, with shiny gold wrapping paper obscuring the view of what it actually is, but it looks soft, because Callum can see that Ben’s hand just sinks into it without even applying too much pressure.

“Merry Christmas.” Ben smiles, passing the present over to Callum.

Callum takes it, of course he does, but there’s confusion on his face and in his voice. “It’s only the first.”

“I know.” Ben says, and he settles down in the bed, putting his head on his hand, elbow digging into the mattress. “I just fancy doing things a bit differently this year. Open it then.” He nods his head in the direction of the present.

Callum rolls his eyes but smiles nonetheless. He opens up the paper, ripping it right where the tape sticks it together and instantly he recognises what it is. He lets out a laugh, peeling the present from out of the wrapping paper that encases them. “Fluffy socks.” He chuckles, shaking his head in disbelief. “You really bought me fluffy socks?”

Ben grins, looking up to Callum. “I told you, your feet are freezing!”

“Alright, I’ve got the hint now!” Callum laughs. “So, er, if I put these on now, can I have that cuddle?” He asks.

A blush forms on Ben’s cheeks and a shy smile creeps onto his lips. “I suppose so.” He concedes.

two

It’s Callum’s day off from work, and he’s finally free to rest without worrying about anything outside of the four walls that contain him. Callum’s lazing on the sofa, the television playing some morning talk show, but the volume is down low, the sound barely distinguishable. He’s not watching it anyway, with his eyes firmly on his phone in his hands. Ben sneaks his way onto the sofa too, hooking one leg around Callum’s, resting his head gently against Callum’s chest. It’s an embrace exactly like one that would usually happen between them, except Ben’s wearing his suit, but he doesn’t seem to particularly care if it crumples up. All he seems to care about is having one last cuddle with Callum before he has to leave him to go out to work in the cold.

“What are you looking at?” Ben asks, his voice soft and low, barely that of above a whisper and it’s because he’s focusing on the rhythmic thumping of Callum’s heart. It’s calming, being able to hear that - especially when Ben is the cause of the beats thumping quicker occasionally.

Callum wraps one arm around Ben’s body, cradling him into a cuddle, all warm and soft and homely. His arm half loops around Ben’s body and his fingers start to curl through his hair, brushing a few strands that have fallen down, back up. It’s instinctive. “Looking at photos.” Callum admits, pressing a kiss to the crown of Ben’s head, his hair brushing against his nose, tickling him. He slides his thumb across the screen of his phone and another photo appears. A soft chuckle falls from Callum’s lips and Ben raises an eyebrow, silently questioning Callum’s laugh, though he doesn’t turn his head so that Callum can see him. The answer becomes evident once Callum starts to speak though. “That’s my favourite photo of us.” He explains.

“I wonder why.” Ben grins, leaning up to press a kiss to Callum’s lips, craving the warm tingling sensation of their lips touching. When he falls back down into their original embrace, he looks at the photo again. It’s one taken on their first holiday together, a last minute trip to Portugal. They’re standing on a beach, both shirtless with a nice tan warming up their skin. They both have bright, beaming grins and are staring at each other with their arms curling around each other's body. Even from the photo, happiness is just so perfectly evident. “Send it to me.”

Callum cocks an eyebrow, silently questioning Ben, but it’s soon forgotten when Ben straddles Callum’s body entirely, readying himself to climb away from the embrace and off the sofa. He quickly leans down for one final kiss before he has to leave the comfort of their embrace to go to work, knowing that time is unfortunately against him on this occasion. If he could, he’d never leave Callum’s side.

It’s much later in the day when the door finally opens and Ben walks in. The cold seeps in alongside him, the frosty air from outside mixing with the warmth of the house from the heating being on and Callum making their dinner. It’s already dark outside, Callum knows that without even having to look outside. The cold swirling in is more than enough evidence for him to know there’s a lack of sunshine outside.

Ben throws his coat over the arm of the sofa, letting it drop with a soft thud. He kicks off his shoes, not really caring how haphazardly they fall and he wiggles his toes free before he pads over to Callum, who’s standing at the stove. He grins tiredly, his day of work wiping him out, especially with getting home in the dark. He wraps his arms around Callum’s body and one hand is pressing against Callum’s chest, still cold from the sharp wind beating against it outside, and the other hand is holding something. Ben stands on the tips of his toes and leans up a few inches to press a soft kiss to the back of Callum’s neck.

Callum looks down at Ben’s hands and notices silver wrapping paper but he doesn’t really think about it. He turns to face Ben, pivoting on his feet, and instinctively falls into a proper cuddle, Callum’s hold warming Ben up, their hearts beating in time with one another. When they eventually pull apart, the present is between their bodies. Ben holds it out to Callum silently, but there’s a lazy smile on his face.

“Is that for me?” Callum asks, putting his hand to it. Ben hums and nods. “You’re still doing this?”

Ben nods again. “Told you I was doing it differently this year.”

“I didn’t think you meant a present every other day though Ben!” Callum laughs.

“Just, just open it.” Ben says, and he pulls his tie down slightly, letting it lay slack against his chest.

Callum finds the corner of the wrapping paper and opens it up, unfolding it and then ripping it. He lets out a soft chuckle when he rips the majority of the paper, seeing what’s hiding underneath it. “When have you done this?” He asks, laughter bubbling out from him.

“Went shopping during my lunch break.” Ben admits, a beaming smile on his face as he looks at Callum. “You like it?”

“I love it.” Callum says, admiring the photo frame in his hands, just a plain silver one, with his favourite photo of them pride of place inside of it. “Thank you.”

Ben bites at his lip, nervous. “I thought we could put it in our home. Whenever it is we manage to buy one.”

Callum chuckles softly and leans in to press a gentle kiss to Ben’s lips, hooking his index finger under his chin, pushing his face up slightly to get a better angle. He pulls away, but only a little bit, barely millimetres separating their lips. “Is that what you’ve been thinking about?” He asks, his voice soft. “Getting a proper home with me.”

“More than anything.” Ben admits.

three

It’s a crisp winter morning. The air is clear and the windows sit with sparkles of crystals on them, blurring the obnoxiously bright sun, and leaving only the clear blue sky and the yellowness of the sun visible, rather than being able to clearly see each house and bare tree in view. The weather reflects the Christmas season perfectly, and even though there’s only been a few hours of daylight so far, everyone seems to be in good spirits and ready for their day ahead. It might also help that it’s the weekend, which means no work for the most part.

Callum’s in their bedroom, pulling the quilt taut to the edges and tucking it down, trying to tidy the place up a little bit. For some reason, he can’t fully start the day if their bed hasn’t been made. Probably because there’s nothing better than coming home and not having anything to do. Music plays over the radio, slow and relaxing, an old Christmas song from decades past playing, filling up the otherwise silent and easy morning of the house. It’s nice. They aren’t in any sort of rush to get ready and get out of the house. Ben’s still in the bathroom, taking his time with his hair. Callum’s filling his time by doing chores, but it’s still perfect. He knows they will leave the house in their own time, and just take the day as it comes. He finishes tidying the bed, and plumbs up two cushions next to their pillows, letting them sit sloppily. It takes a moment for him to realise though, that there’s an extra thing in their bedroom that wasn’t there earlier.

“Ben.” He shouts, poking his head around the doorframe so see if he’s anywhere to be seen, but he’s not. “Is this my next present?”

He looks at the box left on his bedside table, shiny wrapping paper adorned with white glittery snowflakes obscuring what’s inside. The toilet flushes, and Ben opens the bathroom door. There’s a warm smile on his face, his cheeks all rosy pink before they even go outside. “Yeah.” He nods, walking over to Callum, picking his coat up from it’s temporary place strewn across the sofa arm.

“Can I open it?” Callum asks, picking it up.

Ben smiles softly, shrugging his coat on, over his shoulders. “Course you can.” He says. “It is yours.”

Callum rolls his eyes at that, but it’s more a sign of endearment than anything else. He’s used to comments like that from Ben now. He rips open the wrapping paper, revealing the box inside. He recognises what it is instantly, sort of. “A bottle of aftershave?” He questions, cocking an eyebrow at the same time. He takes it entirely out of its cocoon of wrapping paper, letting the waste drop gently onto the neatly made bed. “That’s not my usual one.”

“I know.” Ben says, and the smile on his face doesn’t fade or falter. He holds out his hands, taking the aftershave bottle from Callum’s hold. “Here.” He says, taking the lid off. Callum moves, trying to take it from Ben’s hands, but Ben somehow skips his hands out of reach from Callum’s, and puts the aftershave underneath his nose. “Smell it.” Ben commands.

It takes Callum a second. Literally only a second. But when he finally does understand, his eyes light up brighter than anything Ben has ever seen before, happiness just so real and right before him. It’s a beautiful, perfect sight, and Ben wishes and prays that he never forgets it for as long as he lives.

“It’s you.” Callum whispers out, like he can’t really believe it and tingles form all over Ben’s body at his words. “It smells exactly like you.”

Ben grins, and the colour of his blush on his cheeks deepen, not even trying to hide it now. He doesn’t care how ridiculous or stupid he may look, because it’s only Callum who gets to see this side of him - and he trusts Callum with his heart and his life. He threads his fingers through the thin hair at the side of Callum’s head, with flicks of his hair curling slightly as it falls next to his ear. “I thought you might like it.” He admits. “I was thinking, maybe you could put it on my clothes that you seem to steal when I’m away.”

Callum smiles softly, letting his head tilt to the side as he falls into Ben’s touch. “I don’t steal your clothes.” He says, but he’s hardly firm about it, because he knows Ben’s right. Callum has been stealing his clothes a lot over the past few months.

“Oh, so I’ve started to buy a bigger size for no reason then?” Ben teases. “There I was getting all my clothes so you could wear them too.”

Callum rolls his eyes, but a smile remains on his lips nevertheless. “Well, maybe a few things. But it’s only because I miss you.”

“I’m not complaining about it babe.” Ben chuckles. “To be honest, I love seeing you wear my clothes. It makes me all warm inside.”

Callum’s smile grows more and more with Ben’s words as he speaks. It gets to the point where he can’t help himself, and he closes the albeit small gap between them, to connect their lips together. Cheesy grins overtake them, and Ben holds onto Callum’s waist, never wanting to let go of him. Callum’s much the same, falling deeper and deeper into the kiss as time goes by, completely towering his tall body over Ben’s, and judging by how Callum’s hands now cover the majority of Ben’s neck, he’s craning backwards to let the kiss go on, allowing Callum to take complete control of it.

When they finally pull apart, their lips are plump and sore and glossy. “Do you like it though?” Ben asks, nodding his head to the bottle of aftershave between them.

“I love it.” Callum admits, linking his fingers with Ben’s, letting their hands fall loosely between them. “Who knew you could be so romantic?”

Ben chuckles softly. “It can be our secret, eh? I have an image to keep.”

four

Ben shrugs on his leather jacket and pulls the hood of his jumper out from where it’s bundling under his top layer. “Do you want anything?” He asks, watching Callum as he sits on the sofa, spread out and comfortable and warm. He looks peaceful.

Callum looks up at Ben, his hair fluffy from his shower and flat across his forehead. There’s a gentle smile on his face, loose but just unrelentingly happy. “Chocolate?” He asks sweetly, pulling the blanket up around his torso even further. “Pretty please?” He flutters his eyelashes dramatically, as if Ben would ever say no to him anyway.

Picking up his credit card and phone, Ben rolls his eyes with a soft shake of his head. “Course.” He says.

There’s a pause for just a moment, when Ben is standing upright, hands shut into a fist, hiding away in the pockets of his leather jacket, and Callum can’t seem to take his eyes off of him. The air between them is warm, probably borderline stuffy, and the smell of red berries from whatever candle Callum’s started to burn overtakes them. Ben takes a step forward, and then another one, and then he releases one hand from the warmth of his pocket, letting it fall to his side for a second before he reaches Callum, allowing his index finger to gently drag some loose hairs to meet the rest, and then the remainder of his fingers thread through the hair, cupping his ear and some of his cheek. Ben’s towering over Callum, and for that reason alone it’s so unlike their usual positions they take up. There’s smiles on both of their faces, happiness so pure and easy between them. Callum cranes his neck just slightly, and if Ben didn’t desperately need to go to the shop to buy some milk for the next morning, he would absolutely be perfectly happy just staying here and never letting go of Callum.

“The shop will be shutting soon.” Callum comments as he snakes his hand up to meet Ben’s, his fingers falling into the gaps left between Ben’s. “You might want to get a move on.”

“Alright.” Ben smiles and finally, finally bridges the gap between them, letting his lips collide with Callum’s, all warm and inviting and full of want. A gentle moan tumbles out from Callum’s mouth and Ben pulls back with a smirk on his lips and a blush flaring up on his cheeks. “I’ll be five minutes.” He confirms, and before he stands up fully to leave, he can’t resist kissing Callum once more.

“Don’t forget my chocolate!” Callum half shouts out once Ben’s near the door, reaching out for the handle.

A gentle chuckle falls from Ben’s lips, smile beaming and his eyes bright. “I won’t.” He adamants. “It’s on my list.”

Outside, it’s freezing. There’s a bitterly sharp wind, like tiny pins sticking into skin with every gust of it. Twinkling lights of multi colours mix with the street lights, illuminating the pavement so Ben can see where he’s walking - even if he already knows this place like the back of his hand. Each step, he’s taken before. He’s probably stood in the same gum mark on the path multiple times. There’s a calmness to the night, even if part of him jumps each time he sees someone coming towards him, or even hears a sound. He doesn’t falter though; instead he just carries on walking, twisting his credit card round and round in circles in his pocket. If he looks closely enough, he can see his breath curling into the air, thick at first and then fading away into nothingness. It distracts him for just a moment, until he’s brought back into his own reality when he steps into the Minute Mart, the bright white light blinding him temporarily with its sharp contrast to the outside

There’s a random shopkeeper behind the tills. Ben’s definitely seen him before, but hasn’t cared enough to find out their name. He doesn’t even care now, and he picks up the nearest bottle of milk he can find. He walks to where all the sweets are, and he realises that nothing has really changed from when he was Lexi’s age. The layout has largely remained the same. He finds Callum’s favourite chocolate easily, like a reflex he has just leads him there without ever really thinking about it. He looks at the wrapper, and notices a two for one sticker, so he decides to pick an extra one up, just to keep his boyfriend happy and content. He looks around the shop, quickly trying to decide if they need anything else in the house - and then he realises.

The only reason Callum wants chocolate, is because he’s been snacking on the sweets and chocolate in the Christmas drawer.

Ben rolls his eyes, and picks up an empty basket, putting the milk and chocolate bars in there, and then bags upon bags of sweets, and maybe a few extra chocolate bars. All because Callum’s been eating part of everyone’s Christmas presents. Ben’s just grateful he brought his credit card rather than cash.

He puts the basket next to the till and asks for a bag.

The walk back is even colder, probably because one of his hands are exposed to the elements, having to carry a bag. He’s grateful when he reaches the front door, ready to experience the warmth once again, and to stay basking in it for the remainder of the night. Mainly though, he’s got excitement bubbling away inside of him at the thought of seeing Callum again. When he opens the door, he can hear the television playing, and Callum laughing to himself at something that’s just been on. He steps closer to the noise and a smile creeps onto his face when he sees Callum, wearing Ben’s own dressing gown now, letting the material of it brush against his face comfortingly.

Ben picks out one of the chocolate bars and throws it gently onto Callum’s lap. “Your present for the day.” He announces.

Callum picks it up and smiles, his eyes matching the bright grin. “You’re amazing.” He coos.

A low hum escapes Ben’s lips, which are growing into a smile at Callum’s words. “Don’t think I’ve not noticed the Christmas chocolate going missing by the way.” He says absentmindedly, slotting the milk into the fridge.

Ben looks back at Callum and almost laughs. He’s got a faux innocent smile on his face, though Ben knows him well enough to also see the guilt he’s trying to hide.

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.” Callum comments, looking everywhere but in Ben’s direction, knowing that his boyfriend can read him like a book.

“Course you don’t.” Ben nods. He holds up the shopping bag, now with just new sweets and chocolates in. “I’m hiding this lot, so don’t even bother trying to find them.”

five

There’s a lot of traits from Ben that it’s become clear Lexi has inherited. Their love for music and dancing and dressing up, just some of many. But if there’s one thing Lexi hasn’t inherited from her dad, it’s her height. She’s taller than most children her age, though it’s not really by a large margin. The thing is though, she’s still not really tall enough to reach certain things, but that won’t stop her from trying. Her stubbornness is definitely a trait her dad also holds.

It’s early in the morning, with the television playing children’s programmes. It’s something about a dance school, though neither Ben nor Callum actually know what’s going on. Lexi seems to enjoy it enough for the three of them though. Callum’s in the shower, and Ben’s in the bedroom, leaving Lexi to her own devices to watch her favourite show whilst he puts his clothes on for the day.

Snow is beginning to fall, just a light scattering of it straight after a night of downpour, meaning the snow disintegrates as quickly as it lays down on the pavement. It’s a calm morning all around. That is, until there’s a loud scraping sound and then soon after an almighty smashing sound, as though ceramic has hit the floor from a great height.

Ben quickly puts his shirt over his head, not caring to smooth it out before he leaves the bedroom and searches for the source of the noise. He notices it when he’s only two steps out of his bedroom.

Lexi’s standing in the kitchen, still wearing her pyjamas with her dressing gown warming her up. She’s not wearing any slippers though, and that’s exactly what scares Ben. Surrounding her feet are shards of ceramic, some tiny chips and some large and sharp and dangerous. She’s bright red in the face and looks as if she’s about to burst into tears at any given moment.

“Don’t move.” Ben says as he walks over to his daughter, not caring if he gets any shards stuck in his feet - he can handle it. He lifts her up swiftly, and she becomes almost baby-like again, letting her head fall into the warmth of his neck, shutting her eyes tightly. Ben turns on his feet and carries her to where he knows there’s no broken ceramic and puts her down again. “Stay over here, I’ll tidy it up.”

Lexi nods vigorously but she remains silent, rubbing at her red eyes.

The bathroom door squeaks open and Callum walks out, wearing joggers and one of his old shirts. His hair is dripping wet and falling all over his face in a mess. “What’s happened?” He asks, scanning his eyes around the room. “I heard a smash.”

That sets Lexi off then, tears bubbling from her eyes and her lip quivering like there’s no tomorrow. “I’m so sorry Cal!” She exclaims, running up to him to hug him. “You don’t hate me do you?”

“Course I don’t.” He says, using his soft voice that he reserves just for two of the most important people to him - Ben and Lexi. “It’s just a mug, I can get a new one. The most important thing is you’re safe.”

Callum picks her up and he watches as Ben brushes the broken mug into the dustbin. Lexi’s shaky breath falls against his neck but she soon calms herself down, and everything’s fine.

A few days pass, and Callum still hasn’t gone out and bought a new mug. The snow did continue though, this time actually sticking to the concrete, building thicker and thicker as time goes by. So he’s got a valid excuse as to why he hasn’t gone out to buy a new one just yet.

It’s the early morning and he’s standing in the kitchen, leaning against the cupboards. In his hands, is Ben’s mug, holding a cup of tea. Callum’s never really been a tea nor a coffee drinker, but it’s a newfound thing that he can’t get the day started unless he’s had a quick tea, rather than having a hot chocolate to start his day. It’s still dark outside, the street lights still beaming and lighting up the darkness, though it’s almost time for the sun to start creeping out.

Ben joins him, putting some bread in the toaster. He nods towards the mug in Callum’s hands, knowing that it’s his own. “Have you still not got a new one?” He enquires.

Callum shakes his head, putting the cup under the warm water tap, rinsing it out a few times before he puts it upside down on the drainer. “Not yet.” He says. “I haven’t been out anywhere have I?”

Ben lets out a soft chuckle and reaches into a cupboard, pulling out a brown box. He hands it out to Callum, who looks down at it and then back up to Ben. “Here.” Ben says, and there’s a smile in his voice, as though he’s giddily proud of himself.

The box has no wrapping paper on to hide what it could be, so Callum knows with just one look. “You didn’t.” He says, rolling his eyes but a disbelieving laugh bubbles out from his lips nonetheless.

“I’m not letting you use mine all the time.” Ben says. “I do love you, but I also love my coffees slightly more.”

“Charming.” Callum replies, but he knows Ben’s just teasing. He takes the small cardboard box from his boyfriends hand and opens it up, taking the new mug out of it. “When did you get this?”

Ben takes the cardboard box and flattens it in his hands. “Ordered it the other night. It came yesterday, I just forgot to give you it.”

Callum chuckles. “I was wondering when my next present would be.” He admits. “Thanks for this anyway, saves me a job of trying to find one somewhere.”

Callum mimics drinking from it, which allows Ben to see the base of the mug. A smile breaks out on Ben’s face, a toothy grin which confuses Callum, who raises an eyebrow. “What?” He asks.

“Nothing.” Ben says, and he’s grateful that his toast pops up so the conversation drops into nothingness.

Ben guesses Callum will find out the bottom of the mug is emblazoned with ‘gay’ in a bold print soon enough.

six

Windows ice over, all misty and frozen. It’s the early evening, and yet with the slow day and the night creeping around quicker and quicker each day, it feels much later. Stars are out in force, lighting up the otherwise black sky alongside the moon. Snow is still on the ground, albeit all slushy and brown and with more footprints than actual crisp, white snow. Inside, Ben and Callum are lazing on the sofa, the television playing a Christmas film, making them feel warm and festive. A fluffy blanket covers them, wrapping around their legs and running out of material when it reaches their stomachs. Ben’s leaning into Callum, his back just against Callum’s chest, allowing the older man to snake his arms around Ben’s body, holding him there and warming him up. Ben’s hand is against one of Callum’s, skin touching skin, and Ben can’t tell if it’s his hand that’s cold, or Callum’s. They’re one and the same. Their fingers entwine loosely, and they don’t even question it. Right here, right now, it just seems perfect to be in this position.

On the television, the romantic leads are having their first kiss, under the mistletoe and lit up in the technicolours of Christmas lights from the tree behind them. Music surrounds them and then suddenly the credits start to roll. Ben turns his face to get closer to Callum, not looking up at him, but putting his face into Callum’s chest.

“Do you remember our first kiss?” Ben asks, his voice full of sleep and exhaustion.

Callum lets out a soft smile and threads his fingers through the hair at the back of Ben’s head, holding him close. “Course I do.” He says. “How could I forget that? I was so nervous when I saw you there.”

Ben peels away from Callum’s chest and looks up at him through fluttering eyelashes. “You asked me there!” He chuckles.

“I didn’t think you’d come though.” Callum admits, looking down at Ben. They’ve really come so far. “I’m glad you did.”

“So am I.” Ben chuckles. “Even if you did threaten to smash my head in.”

Callum rolls his eyes and opens his mouth as if to respond, but his words quickly fall silent when Ben’s lips connect with Callum as if his life depends on the touch. Ben’s pushing himself up, allowing his lip to connect with Callum’s, a clash of teeth quickly forgiven and forgotten as Ben bites down on Callum’s bottom lip, enticing his way in. Callum’s hands quickly fall to Ben’s waist, holding him in place without any real pressure, making sure that Ben can move any which way he wants to move. It’s moments later, seconds really, that Ben starts to straddle Callum, his face now higher up than Callum’s, making the older man stretch into the kiss. There’s a huffing moan from Callum, right from his throat, and it fills the entire room. Ben’s lips curl up into a grin then, and he puts his hands at either side of Callum’s face before he pulls away. His eyes open a fraction before Callum’s, and he’s so grateful for that because Callum looks so full of bliss with his lips still in a puckering position and his eyes shut, not wanting to let go of the kiss. His skin is smooth, with not a crease to be found anywhere. Ben strokes at Callum’s cheeks with the pads of his thumbs and it somehow teases Callum’s eyes open.

There’s a silence between them for a moment, Ben looking at Callum full of love and adoration and surprise; and Callum watching Ben’s eyes as they trace Callum’s face. Callum notices tears start to form in Ben’s eyes, looking all glassy and wet.

“What’s wrong?” Callum asks, circling his thumbs over Ben’s skin, right where his jumper has ridden up, exposing parts of his flesh.

Ben shakes his head softly, dismissing Callum’s questioning. His thumb brushes against Callum’s bottom lip, just ever so slightly. Callum can’t help himself, and presses a gentle kiss to the pad of Ben’s thumb. Ben grins and falls down, finally kissing Callum again. It’s a slow kiss this time, full of emotions and memories and want and need and it’s just as perfect as a kiss can be.

When Ben pulls away again, it’s because tears are starting to make their way out of his tear ducts. “Our first kiss.” Ben speaks, trying to catch his breath. He sniffs his nose before he talks again. “It means a lot to me. It’s important to me.”

Callum smiles softly, his heart warm, and his cheeks replicate that with the blossom pink blush across them. He wraps his arms around Ben’s body, hands now spreading out across his back, somehow holding Ben closer. “It means the world to me too.” Callum admits, and even though Ben knows that already, hearing it is just something else entirely. “You allowed me to be me for the first time in my life, didn’t you? It was perfect, and yet somehow every kiss after that has been even better.”

Ben rolls his eyes endearingly and lets out a soft chuckle. “Soppy.”

“You still haven’t given me today’s present.” Callum says.

Ben raises an eyebrow questioningly. “Who says you’re getting one?” He teases.

Callum reciprocates Ben’s facial expression until Ben breaks out into a laugh, climbing out of Callum’s hold to stand up, letting the blanket fall to the floor. He stretches his hands out above his head and then walks into their bedroom.

Callum watches as Ben disappears from view, only to reappear moments later, holding a large gift bag in his hands, a present with wrapping paper all around it just peeking out over the top. Ben places the gift on Callum’s lap, and then walks around so he can sit down right next to Callum.

“Open it then.” Ben smiles and nods towards the present, watching as Callum’s fingers skim over it, as though he’s waiting for a sign to start opening it.

He tears open the paper at Ben’s allowance, a large rip all down the front of the present, quickly exposing it. Callum lifts the present out of the wrapping paper and turns it around so he can see what it is. His eyes scan over it, a poster in a black wooden frame. The background is white, and in the centre of it is a black circle, with white and golden flecks patterning it, almost creating an image. Underneath the circle is a date. The sixth of June, 2019.

“Our first kiss.” Callum breathes out, running his thumb over the glass where the writing is.

Ben grins. “It’s a star chart from that night.” He explains. “I wanted to remember it forever. I remember walking home afterwards, and looking up at the sky and seeing all the stars and it was so beautiful. I just kept wondering how I managed to get so lucky.”

Callum smiles softly and falls into Ben’s side, letting Ben wrap his arm around Callum’s waist. “You’re amazing.” He says, his voice full of love and adoration. “Thank you.”

seven

Ben’s sitting on the bedroom floor with his legs spread out in front of him. He’s aching, his bones sore because of the cold, but right now he doesn’t seem to care, not one bit at all. He’s having a lazy day, so lazy that he’s not even bothering to get out of his pyjamas, and all he wants is to play some music to accompany his morning.

In their bedroom is a desk, with an old record player on top of it. They found it not long ago on the market, being sold for only twenty pounds. It was a bargain, especially given Callum’s bulging collection of records with nothing to play them on. Underneath the desk is a cardboard box, fraying at the sides and the top, with industrial tape patching it up in places it’s broken over the years. Inside the cardboard box is the collection of Callum’s records. Some are the original releases, found in charity shops over the years, or ones he’s managed to hold on to from finding them in childhood, but some are new releases, all pristine and expensive. Ben’s looking through them, trying to find the perfect album to play.

Outside, it’s cold. Car windows are frozen over and there’s invisible ice laying on the floor. Inside though, inside it’s warm and homely and there’s a faint aroma of gingerbread left over from the evening before, when Lexi was begging and pleading for them to make gingerbread houses. Callum watches him, leaning against the doorframe. He’s silent, and Ben doesn’t know he’s standing there. His arms cross in front of him, right leg crossing over his left too. He doesn’t need to speak, not yet. He’s more than content with just watching Ben flick through record after record, occasionally turning the albums over to see which songs he recognises. There’s something just so perfectly domestic about it all.

Ben hums quietly, taking his time as he looks at each individual record, smiling softly when he notices some that Callum speaks about often, tales of how each record came to be in his possession. Ben remembers it all. He remembers everything Callum tells him, even if it’s just in passing.

Callum pushes himself off the doorframe, opening up his arms. He takes two steps, before he speaks, finally breaking the comfortable silence between them with an easy smile across his lips. “What’s your favourite one?” He asks, nodding towards the records in front of Ben.

The breaking of the silence comes at a cost, and Ben’s body instinctively jumps at the shock of hearing Callum’s voice all of a sudden. He looks up, and he’s got a smile spreading across his mouth, because how could he not? He loves mornings like this, he loves being able to spend time with his boyfriend.

Callum’s feet take him right to where Ben’s sitting on the floor. He joins him there, without question, and sits down too. He stretches one arm out across the floor, fingers spreading out as he feels the soft carpet underneath his touch, his index finger rising above the carpet for just a moment to touch Ben gently. Callum smirks when he notices that Ben’s starting to fall into him, edging closer and closer. Their lips finally meet for a moment, and when they pull apart, Callum’s hand is against Ben’s cheek, allowing them to look at each other for just a while longer.

“What did you say?” Ben asks, completely forgetting Callum’s question because of the distraction his boyfriend proves to be.

Callum runs the pad of his thumb over Ben’s cheek, noticing that his stubble is thicker today, probably forgoing to trim it. He nods in the direction of the records again. “What’s your favourite one?” He repeats.

Ben smiles softly, instantly knowing the answer without even having to look through them. He finds it straight away and lifts it up, presenting it to Callum without a word. The album sleeve is a pale yellow, more an ivory shade than anything else. Rumours, by Fleetwood Mac.

Callum lets out a soft chuckle, because he just knows. He knows exactly why this is Ben’s favourite.

“You bought this because of me.” Ben beams. “It’s what was playing on our first long car journey, and then you went out and bought this album.”

Callum grins and nods his head slowly. “I found it in a shop, a week after we made it official between us.” He explains, the memory is warm and fuzzy and it makes him happy. “I thought it was fate.”

Ben slips the vinyl out of the sleeve, gripping it harshly. Callum winces slightly, and wraps his hand around Ben’s without even thinking.

“Don’t touch that part.” Callum teaches. Ben moves his fingers away from the surface of the vinyl, allowing Callum to move his hand into the correct position. “You have to hold the edges, otherwise you could ruin the sound.”

Ben smiles softly and does as Callum tells him, and tentatively puts the vinyl down on the turntable, and gently places the stylus on top of the record. A rhythmic guitar sound starts to play as Ben sits back down on the carpet, this time much closer to Callum, a deliberate move. “I, er, I actually wanted to give you your next present.” He says.

Callum turns to face Ben, and watches as Ben stretches out his body, reaching under their bed. His pyjama shirt rides up, exposing his midriff. “Is it a record?” Callum asks, even though he knows by now that Ben won’t tell him.

Sitting back upright, Ben lets out a soft chuckle. The present is directly behind Callum and he hasn’t even thought about turning around. “Close.” Ben admits, and picks the present up to hand to Callum, shiny red wrapping paper all around it.

Callum furrows his eyebrows as he looks at it, all large and square.

“Go on then.” Ben says, nodding towards it.

Callum doesn’t need to be told twice, and so he starts to rip at the wrapping paper bit by bit, exposing the present. When all the paper is on the floor, he finally realises what it is. Ben caught him looking at it, the last time they went shopping together. “You got me it?” Callum asks, looking at Ben with bright, watery eyes. It’s a record storage box, all leather and cream and perfect. It’s the perfect accompaniment to the record player of the same colour.

“Course I did.” Ben grins. “I saw how much you wanted it in the shop. And to be honest babe, it’s doing me a favour, getting rid of that manky cardboard box.”

Callum lets out a giggle - and actual giggle - because Ben’s right, this is so much better than the very old and very broken cardboard box. He opens it up, and notices that there’s slots for each individual record. “I love it.” Callum says, leaning closer to Ben and pressing a soft peck to Ben’s cheek. “Thank you.”

eight

It’s a freezing morning, the air just unrelentingly icy cold. Even with the windows shut and the heating on, Callum can still tell just how cold it actually is. It’s the perfect day to have nothing to do, and that’s exactly what his plans are. He’s wearing comfortable clothes, a pair of joggers and a hoodie to match, with his blanket slumping against the sofa, ready to wrap around him as a way of adding some more warmth to his body. The pan of milk boils steadily, the bubbles of pure white indicating that it’s ready. He lifts it up carefully, and pours the boiling milk into his powder of hot chocolate, watching as the pale brown turns to a dark sludge, until it finally looks perfect when he starts to stir his spoon around and around in circles, creating a mini tsunami in his new mug. If it was anytime but the morning, the cream and mini marshmallows in the fridge would be the perfect accompaniment, but he can’t get too hyper too early in the day, even if he does have the perfect excuse of it being Christmas.

Callum walks over to the sofa, and carefully places his hot chocolate on a coaster on the coffee table in front of him. Nothing seems amiss, apart from one little thing. There’s a box on the table too, with rainbow wrapping paper enveloping it. It’s right next to the hot chocolate, directly in front of Callum. He smiles softly, because he just knows that this is his next gift. It hadn’t been there before, so it must have been put down there when he wasn’t looking. “Ben?” He calls out, sinking into the back of the sofa, craning his head to try and look into their bedroom. “Is this my next present?”

There’s a pause for a moment, and then Ben finally arrives in the doorframe of their bedroom. He’s just hooking his shirt over his head, and Callum’s grateful for a sneak peek of Ben’s bare chest. There’s a smile on his face when Callum can finally see it, a soft blush creeping onto his cheeks. “It is.” Ben admits, and he turns his body for a moment, looking down at the floor. When he starts to walk, Callum realises he’s put his slippers on.

Ben walks over to Callum, joining him on the sofa as he sinks down next to him, picking his feet up to rest them on top of the coffee table. He picks up the remote control and places it down on his lap, before picking up their fluffy blanket and putting it around his legs. Callum watches his every move as if his life depends on it. Ben knows this, without even having to look up at his boyfriend, because he can feel Callum’s eyes on him, as though they’re burning into his body. A smirk grows across his lips, and when he eventually settles down from moving constantly, prolonging the anticipation for Callum, he looks up at his boyfriend.

Callum speaks again then, as he refrains from rolling his eyes as Ben’s childish antics. “Can I open it?” He asks, and he’s actually somewhat shy in his words.

Ben nods his head and the nerves start to kick in then, though he tries his hardest to hide how he feels. He shoves his trembling hands underneath the blanket, blaming the cold on how much they’re shaking. Absentmindedly, he bites at his bottom lip and feels the top layer of skin peeling off underneath his harsh touch, until he remembers how Callum once told Ben that he can always tell when Ben’s nervous about something, because he starts to bite his lip as a distraction tactic. Ben knows why he’s nervous - because of what this present hopefully leads to - he just never thought he would be this nervous.

There’s a tear of wrapping paper, that now familiar sound, and it interrupts Ben’s daydream, bringing him right back down to earth. The tearing continues, until finally, Callum takes the white box out of the wrapping paper, brushing the paper off of him, onto the floor for him to deal with later. It’s a white box, long in size, rather than large.

“Are you sure you haven’t given me one of Lexi’s old shoe boxes here?” Callum turns to face Ben, chuckling to himself.

Ben paints on a smile, though it’s not his usual bright one because of the anxiety coursing through him. “It probably is.” He admits. It definitely looks like it could be. “I just found it when i was trying to find an empty box I could use.”

Callum looks down at the box in his lap, and reads the words on the lid, written in black marker in Ben’s neatest handwriting. ‘Open when…’ Callum furrows his eyebrows, confusion taking over his face. He remains silent though, unquestioning. He takes the lid off, opening up the box, and inside, there’s multiple envelopes, all different colours and shades, looking like an avant garde rainbow. He places the lid of the box down next to him, and Ben picks it up without a second thought, more than likely needing to hold onto something as a distraction. Callum takes a couple of envelopes out, one by one, and looks at the front of them. Ben’s handwriting is a common theme, but now in some of Lexi’s felt tip pens, rather than the thick black marker.

Open when you’re feeling sad.

Callum looks at Ben and smiles softly. He reaches out and takes Ben’s hand in his own, squeezing it tightly. It’s scary sometimes, how much Ben knows and understands Callum.

Open when you’re mad at me.

A breathy chuckle falls from Callum’s mouth, and Ben joins in, letting his head fall onto Callum’s shoulder, resting his forehead there as he shuts his eyes for a moment as he tries to collect his thoughts. “You might need to use that a few times.” Ben teases.

Callum snakes an arm around Ben’s waist, holding his body close to him. “I could never be mad at you, not really.” He admits, letting the tips of his fingers run over Ben’s side.

Ben moves his forehead off of Callum’s shoulder, and presses a warm kiss to it instead. “I’ll remind you of that.”

Callum picks up another envelope, and reads out the front of it. “Open when it’s Christmas Day.” He says, tilting the paper to show to Ben. “Intriguing. What happens if I open it before then?”

“Then you won’t be getting your main present.” Ben confirms, and though his voice is teasing, he’s deadly serious, and Callum knows it.

Callum lets out a chuckle, and puts the box onto the coffee table, before moving back next to Ben. “Thank you though.” He says, and he rests his arms on Ben’s shoulders, hooking them around so they’re face to face. “You can be soft sometimes, can’t you?” Callum leans in for a kiss, and he’s just millimetres away when Ben recoils slightly, running his eyes over Callum’s face.

“Don’t go telling anyone though.” Ben says, and a smirk creeps onto his lips. “I’ve got an image to maintain.”

Callum rolls his eyes, but it’s long forgotten when Ben finally, finally presses his lips to Callum’s.

nine

It’s a calming evening, the bedroom warm and inviting, even though there’s a downpour of rain outside, the pitter patter of rain rhythmically beating against the window, trying to disrupt the peace and quiet.

They’re both in bed, tired eyes still trying to stay awake for as long as possible, knowing that the earlier they fall asleep, the earlier they would wake up the next day.

Ben’s on his side, holding himself up with one hand, pressing his elbow into the mattress. He’s on his phone, scrolling through social media aimlessly. There’s nothing really else to do. Nothing on the television interests him enough to require watching it there and then. He wouldn’t want to watch television anyway, because he’s more than content staying in bed with Callum by his side, and watching television would mean leaving Callum alone.

The elder man is sitting upright, and he can feel Ben’s warmth against him, their bodies dangerously close together. Callum’s reading a book. It’s a new thing for him, starting in the summer. It’s calming for him, a kind of escapism, to leave his own life and travel in a new world alongside the protagonist and all the other characters. Ben was his usual self about it at first, teasing Callum about reading a book at night, but there was no genuine malice behind it - there never has been. Secretly, Ben loves it too. He loves when Callum talks to him about all the characters and the stories, even though Ben has no idea what’s really going on. It’s just genuinely nice to see Callum excited about something. Plus, it’s been helping to inspire Lexi to read books too.

Callum’s about three-quarters of the way through the book, and Ben can tell by the way his eyes are starting to fall shut and flicker, he’s almost ready to sleep.

Ben locks his phone, and puts it down gently on the mattress, trying to not make any sudden movements so as to not disturb Callum. Instead, he just watches him. He watches as Callum holds onto the top corner of the page before he flicks it over, letting his thumb hold it down as he reads the next page. Ben notices how Callum mouths certain words, his mouth opening slightly before shutting again. He notices that the bedsheets which were once resting high up on Callum’s chest have now fallen down, exposing the bare skin of his pecs. A soft smile rises on Ben’s lips, lazy and tired but Callum is just so distracting. There’s a gentle pink blush on Callum’s cheeks, all blotchy and yet perfect. The light from the lamp to the side of him illuminates him beautifully, casting somewhat of a silhouette over the outlines of his face. Ben can’t believe his luck, that he gets to see Callum like this every night. It’s everything. Ben can’t stop looking at his skin, and how warm and inviting it looks, and he’s just about to move forward to press his lips to any part of Callum’s skin he can reach - when Callum moves abruptly.

There’s a soft scratch against the cotton bedsheets and a quiet moan from Callum’s lips when he feels a bone crack under his movement. He pats down on the quilt, clearly looking for something. He starts off closer to his body, and then in the small gap between his body and Ben’s, and then further down the bed, though he’s certain it can’t have gone that far. He lifts the quilt up next, and looks into the dark shadow that he can just about see into, and sees that nothing is there.

Ben chuckles softly, because he’s seen Callum do this so many times now that it’s well on the way to becoming a nightly ritual. Callum’s incredibly forgetful sometimes. “Have you lost your bookmark again?” Ben teases, his voice light.

Callum turns his head to face Ben, the blush on his cheeks now getting deeper and brighter as the seconds tick by. He lets out a sarcastic laugh, narrowing his eyes at Ben for a moment before his face returns back to normal, when he finally admits it. “Yeah.”

Bookmarks are the bane of Ben’s life. Callum refuses to fold the pages of his book, and looks at Ben with so much offense and disgust every time he so much as breathes to suggest it. He loses them so often, and then replaces them with another cheap one before he finds the original. He seems to misplace so many things, unless it’s expensive or has sentimental value. Then, he’s careful.

Ben chuckles and there’s a grin on his face. He leans over to his bedside chest of drawers, and picks something out. When he turns back around, Callum is watching him in confusion and anticipation. “Close your eyes.” Ben instructs.

“What?” Callum asks, a laugh bubbling out of his mouth.

“Close your eyes.” Ben repeats, and looks at Callum, waiting and waiting until he finally concedes and shuts his eyes.

Ben sits back upright, shifting ever closer to Callum, until he’s sure Callum can feel their bodies touching, he can feel Ben’s breath hitting his skin. He puts his hand in Callum’s temporarily, turning it around so his palm is facing upwards before he lets go, unlinking their fingers, losing the warmth or Callum’s hand in his own. He holds onto it for a moment though, silently indicating to Callum for him to keep his hand like that, and then Ben finally lets go. He puts the present down into Callum’s hand gently, and waits for Callum to speak.

“Can I open my eyes yet?” Callum asks, tilting his head to the side, squeezing his eyes tightly shut. It’s almost childlike, something that Lexi would do, and for that reason, it warms Ben’s heart.

“Yeah.” Ben breathes out, and he watches as Callum opens his eyes and looks down at his hand.

He’s holding a leather bookmark, with frilly parts at the top of it. It’s black and smooth, and embossed in gold at the bottom is Callum.

“I didn’t get the chance to wrap it up.” Ben admits, explaining the lack of wrapping paper covering it. “Don’t go losing that one though, it was bloody expensive!”

“I won’t.” Callum says, putting the bookmark in place in his book, letting his thumb run over the gold of it before he shuts his book and puts it on his bedside table. “I promise.”

He rolls back onto his side, facing Ben, and holds his face in his hand, stroking Ben’s facial hair softly. “Thank you.” He whispers, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Ben’s lips. “For everything.”

ten

Different aromas fill the building, coming from the pots and pans on top of the stove. Ben’s standing in front of the oven, stirring a sauce around and around in circles, watching as the bubbles rise, growing larger and larger only to subsequently pop. Music is playing from the television, red and green and a bright snowy white beaming against the wall opposite, changing and flickering as the Christmas music videos continue. It’s a nice evening, a calm one. Ben’s wearing his pyjama trousers, blue and checks all over. On his top half, is the matching shirt, a navy blue plain t shirt, the hems of the sleeves curling over his biceps. It’s been getting colder and colder as the winter progresses, especially in the evening and at night, so he’s wearing a jacket to keep him warm. But it’s not his jacket. At least, it wasn’t his jacket originally. It’s Callum’s. Grey in colour and long, sitting below Ben’s hips and the sleeves stretching out over the palms of his hands. He’s well aware it doesn’t fit him properly, not as it does Callum - but he doesn’t care. It’s become somewhat of a comfort blanket as of late, being able to wear Callum’s hoodie, the faint scent of his aftershave still very prominent, to Ben’s nose at least.

The sauce continues to bubble and boil as Ben remains stirring it, almost in a trance now. His mind is going around and around in circles, just as the sauce is in the pot. All he can think about is Christmas Day, and how hectic it’s going to be. A Mitchell Christmas usually is, but this year even more so. It feels like the family has grown beyond belief, somehow. It’s an important one too, or, he hopes it will be. He’s got a plan, a perfect plan, and if something goes wrong, it could all fall to pieces. It’s stressful, and for some unknown reason, he misses how Christmas was when he was a child, though he never really had much of one. He envies his daughter, and how her Christmas is going to be full of joy and happiness and presents and food, whilst his right now is just stress upon stress - though he’s beyond grateful to be able to make Christmas so happy for her, when it was never really a happy time for him at that age. It’s completely distracting him from reality, so much so that he doesn’t hear the door creaking open and then closing to a shut behind him.

Callum quietly toes off his shoes, putting then near - not on - the shoe rack. He slips out of his coat, and gently places it on the coat rack, covering up one of Ben’s many jackets that have started to overflow. A smile creeps onto his face when he notices what Ben’s wearing, the lamps illuminating the living room just creeping into the kitchen, lighting up Ben’s body. He moves forward, one, two, three steps and then finally talks, breaking the almost deafening silence between them. “So that’s where it’s gone.” He says, his teasing voice adding to the growing smile on his face.

Ben visibly jumps, turning his body around to face Callum, recognising his voice instantly. His heart beats faster than before, and he’s not certain it’s entirely because of the shock, because Callum’s wearing a suit and he’s rolling the sleeves of his shirt up his forearms. Ben tries to calm himself down, and does so by raising one eyebrow questioningly. He turns back around, and puts the flame down on the stove, only a small, thin flicker of an orange flame remaining now. “Where what’s gone?” He asks.

Callum grins, and steps ever closer to Ben. He wraps his arms around Ben’s body, pressing his front to Ben’s back. His hands hold onto the material of the jacket, and tilts his head down to press a warm, inviting kiss to Ben’s shoulder, and then rests his chin there too. Callum tugs at the material, making sure Ben understands. “This.” He explains. “I was looking for it in the wardrobe the other day but I couldn’t find it anywhere.”

A soft laugh falls from Ben’s lips. He’s been hiding in his own chest of drawers instead of in their wardrobe for weeks now, just so Callum can’t attempt to try to claim it back. “It’s comfy and it smells exactly like you.” Ben explains.

“Really?” Callum asks, moving his face to press his nose against Ben’s neck. He sniffs dramatically, Ben twisting and turning under his hold to try and escape. “I reckon it smells just like you now.”

“Give over!” Ben giggles, pulling away from Callum until he loosens his hold on Ben. “You’re freezing.”

Callum chuckles throatily and soothes down the grey material of the jacket. “You suit it. Plus, I think it’s cute you want to wear my clothes.” Callum admits, a blush rising on his cheeks at his words. He’ll never get over being able to compliment Ben so openly. Ben turns to face Callum, and the older man takes his opportunity then, moving in to leave a searing yet soft kiss to Ben’s lips. “Looks like I’ll have to buy myself a new one then, if you’re claiming that one as your own.”

Ben’s eyes flicker over to the Christmas tree in the corner of the room, the colourful fairy lights illuminating the busy branches, baubles and chocolates and candy canes aplenty hanging off of them. “Actually…” He drawls out, and makes his way out of Callum’s embrace. He walks over to the tree, and quickly looks through all the presents beneath it, all with tags on to say who they’re for. He finds it easy enough, because he’s not long since put the wrapping paper around it. He picks up the present, and walks back over to his original position, handing it over to Callum. “This one.” He says.

Callum rips open the wrapping paper, exposing the present instantly. He takes it out of the paper and holds it aloft. In his hands is a new jacket, the exact same as the one on Ben’s body. Except this one is brand new and without any staining on the sleeves, or any holes from wear and tear. He puts it down and Ben finally sees the smile on his face. “Thank you.” Callum grins, pressing a gentle kiss of gratitude to Ben’s lips, before folding the jacket up.

“That one’s just for you.” Ben confirms. “I promise.”

eleven

The thing with Ben giving Callum presents pretty much every other day is, it’s a routine now. Callum knows when to expect one, so the surprise element of getting one is beginning to fade away, even with so little left to go. At least he never knows what he’s getting, so that much is still a surprise to Callum.

It’s now night, and the moon is hanging high in the sky, the bottom of the crescent only just visible in the bedroom window. Callum draws the curtains to a close, but he’s on a mission. Ben still hasn’t given him his next present, and has spent much of the day trying to convince Callum that there’s no more presents now until Christmas Day. It seems plausible, given how close it is to the day, but then Callum sees Ben’s face and he knows Ben that well now, he knows exactly when he’s lying. He always has a guilty expression on his face, as well as the inability to look Callum in the eyes. Which is exactly the sort of thing that has been happening all day.

Ben walks into the bedroom, joining Callum and lets out a loud laugh when he sees Callum looking all around the room with a pout on his lips. “Who said you’re getting a present today?” He chuckles, sitting down on his side of the bed, hooking one foot under his thigh.

Callum moves over to Ben, standing in front of him now. He runs his fingers through Ben’s hair, making Ben instinctively look up at him without even trying. It’s unbelievably cute, the way Ben is so responsive to Callum’s touch. “Come on, I know you.” Callum practically whines, moving his hand from threading through Ben’s hair, letting it now rest on his cheek, feeling the increasingly warm skin underneath his touch. “I can see in your eyes when you’re lying. I know what you’re thinking. I know you, Ben Mitchell.”

Ben grins wildly, and tilts his head to the side, watching Callum intensely. “Really?” He quizzes, cocking one of his eyebrows. “Go on then, Mystic Meg. What am I thinking about, right this second?”

Callum leans down slightly, getting closer and closer to Ben’s face. He looks directly into Ben’s eyes deeply, admiring the dark blue swirls mixing in with the light blue, with flecks of what looks like gold adding to the perfection of the colour. He keeps watching and looking and staring and it all gets too much for Ben, the intensity of Callum’s eyes on him. He looks away for just a millisecond, eyes flickering down to Callum’s lips. It’s only a millisecond, but Callum catches it. He pulls away, releasing Ben from the intense, surreal moment, and speaks. “How much you want to kiss me.”

It takes a moment for Callum’s words to make sense in Ben’s head, having them swirl around and around like he’s never even heard of them before, until finally he realises. He raises both eyebrows and smiles softly. There’s a blush on his face and he tries his hardest to dull it down, though it’s proving an impossible task. Ben being embarrassed of his blush is somewhat endearing to Callum. “Impressive.” Ben lets out, like a breath he’s been waiting to release.

“So what’s my present then?” Callum asks teasingly.

“Glad you asked actually.” Ben grins and he stands up, gaining more height on Callum, though there’s still a considerable height difference between the two of them. “Close your eyes a sec.”

Callum rolls his eyes at first, but does as Ben tells him to. There’s a gentle smile on his face, all warm and soft and Ben’s so lucky that he gets to see Callum like this.

Ben reaches until his bedside drawer and pulls out the present - a piece of mistletoe. He holds it above them. A soft chuckle falls from his lips at the ridiculousness of the situation. He’s standing on the tip of his toes, holding mistletoe directly above him and his boyfriend, standing in their bedroom as it edges closer and closer to midnight. It’s moments away from being Christmas Eve, and he’s doing this. It is well and truly ridiculous. “You can open your eyes now.”

Callum’s smile grows at Ben’s voice, and he opens his eyes, excitement evident, written all over his face. “Where is it?” He asks, not understanding what’s going on. All he can see is Ben standing on the tips of his toes, their faces close together.

There’s a pause for a moment, and Ben’s eyes flicker up to the greenery above them and then back down to Callum.

Callum’s eyes follow Ben’s and then he notices what Ben’s holding up above their heads. There’s another roll of the eyes from Callum, though the smile never once threatens to fade - instead, it only grows stronger and wider, turning into a grin. “I should’ve known.” He says, trying his best to put some faux disappointment into his voice, but he fails miserably.

“Does that mean you don’t want to accept?” Ben teases, and makes an attempt to put his arm down and put the mistletoe back.

“Don’t you dare.” Callum says, and he grabs hold of Ben’s arm, not harshly at all, but with just enough pressure to stop Ben from moving.

A low chuckle escapes Ben’s lips and his hand remains above them. Callum licks at his lips, his tongue just peeking out of his mouth, and then seconds pass, but for some weird reason it feels like it’s a lot longer - as though minutes pass, in theory. Callum leans forward, hooking an arm around Ben’s back, holding them together. Their lips finally touch whilst Callum’s hold on Ben’s arm loosens, and Ben relents, letting the mistletoe fall to the ground. A giggle and a moan later, Callum gently pushes Ben onto the mattress and straddles him. It’s an electrifying touch, just as perfect and pure as their first. When they eventually pull apart to breathe, Ben leans down and picks up the mistletoe from the floor.

“I might keep that.” He says. “Just in case I see anyone fit in the Vic tomorrow.”

Callum narrows his eyes and tries to grab at the mistletoe, but Ben pulls it away from Callum’s initial reach. Callum’s face is close to Ben’s again now, and he leans down into a soft peck of a kiss. “On second thoughts.” He starts, before he falls into the next kiss. “I don’t think we need to go to the pub tomorrow, we’ve got beer in.”

twelve

It’s officially Christmas morning, the brightness of the deep blue sky creeping in through the cracks in the curtain where they’ve sloppily been shut. It’s early, stupidly early, but Ben doesn’t mind one bit. He’s perfectly content to stay there, his eyes stinging slightly because he’s only just put his glasses on. He’s grateful to have this time to himself, to allow him to just breathe, ready for the busiest day. The time on the alarm clock reads just after half seven, and he knows by now that Lexi will be about to wake up and everyone will have to keep her away from her presents for at least another hour. He rolls over onto his side with a slow, lazy smile on his face and watches as Callum drinks in the last of his sleep. There’s a gentle pink flush of his cheeks, and his lips part slightly, a faint whistling snore falling out of his mouth. His hair falls down to his eyebrows, some strands even longer and brushing against his eyelashes. Ben runs his index finger along the bottom of Callum’s hair, brushing it backwards so Ben can see more of his face. Callum twitches slightly, moving his hand under his pillow before resting again. Ben chuckles softly, knowing that Callum needs to wake up soon. He leans forward and presses one singular searing kiss to Callum’s forehead before he pulls back to look at Callum again, watching as his eyebrows furrow in his sleep, creating wrinkles on his forehead before he relaxes again. Ben moves once more, this time leaving a kiss to Callum’s cheek time and time again. He’s got a giddy childishness about Christmas Day for the first time in years - possibly ever, really.

A grin grows on Callum’s face, wide and warm and perfect. Ben can feel it grow underneath his touch and he grins too, pulling his face away to see Callum.

Callum, on the other hand, clearly doesn’t want Ben away from his body, so he quickly wraps his arm around Ben and pulls them closer together again. Ben chuckles and links their legs together, Ben’s leg threading between Callum’s thighs. Callum’s fingers trace patterns of all kinds on Ben’s back, warming him up and leaving an unrelenting tingling sensation wherever he traces. “Merry Christmas baby.” Callum whispers, his voice warm and inviting.

A soft sigh leaves Ben’s mouth, relaxing into Callum’s hold. He rests his hand against Callum’s chest, fingers spread right over his heart, feeling each thump. It makes him smile. “Merry Christmas babe.”

There’s a pause for a moment, peacefulness just cascading over them. A nippy cold is in the air, but neither of them seem to mind at all.

“What time is everyone expecting us?” Callum asks, running his fingers through his hair.

Ben chuckles softly, right from his throat. “We’ve probably got an hour. You know what Lexi’s like, she’ll have been up before the sun this morning, demanding to open her presents.”

“An hour?” Callum repeats, cocking an eyebrow as he turns back on his side now, Ben moving instinctively alongside him. Ben nods slightly, though he’s not confident Callum really needs confirmation. “Looks like we have plenty of time for this.” He says, and confusion runs through Ben for a few short seconds before a soft kiss is presented to him, gentle and reassuring and perfect. It’s all warm and fuzzy and inviting and it blows Ben’s mind that Callum still makes him feel this way, even after all this time. He hopes it never fades away. “And this.” Callum grins, leaving a teasing nip at Ben’s bottom lip, letting his hand slip down, his fingers hooking under the elastic of Ben’s boxers.

He knows now, this is it. This is the perfect time.

Ben pulls back from the kiss, his heart shattering to pieces when he sees Callum’s little pout. “Actually, I was wondering if you wanted to open a present now?” He asks, running his thumb over Callum’s lips, trying to tease him out of the pout that sits there.

Callum furrows his eyebrows. “I thought you wanted to wait until everyone’s together to open the presents?” He asks.

It’s true. Ben said that last night, but now is the perfect time. He’s less nervous, with it just being the two of them with no interruptions possible at all. Ben nods. “I do.” He confirms. “It’s just this one present. Please?” Ben watches as Callum’s eyes trace Ben’s face, moving everywhere.

“Go on then.” Callum concedes, but smiles nonetheless, all shy and innocent. He rolls onto his back, pushing his pillows up so he can shift to sit upright.

Ben smiles and takes out an envelope he’s had in his bedside table for the last day or two, grabbing the actual present alongside it, hiding it underneath the bed sheets quickly, so Callum can’t see it. “Here.” He exhales a shaky breath and hands the envelope to Callum with equally as shaky hands.

Callum smiles when he recognises it as one of the letters from his box - the one that reads: Open when it’s Christmas morning on the envelope in Ben’s recognisable handwriting. He runs his thumb over the writing, and turns to face Ben, who’s looking increasingly nervous, with redness creeping onto his skin, from his neck to his cheeks. He opens up the envelope, the first one from his box that he’s had the pleasure of opening, and takes the letter out, putting the envelope down on his lap. He reads it all, word after written word, flowing perfectly.

Dear Callum,

Sometimes I try and put into words how much you mean to me, but it’s impossible. You mean the world to me, but also so much more. You make me so happy, every single day. Even when I don’t want to smile, you make me smile without even thinking about it.

I got so lucky when we met. I didn’t think I would ever be happy again, or in love, but you’ve allowed me to feel all of that and more. You changed me, for the better, and I never thought anyone would be able to do that.

I love you, so much, and I get to feel that love back every single day and for that I’m so grateful. It’s funny really, how I once thought I would never be able to feel love again, but now I want this for the rest of my life.

Forever yours, Ben x

Ps - look at me

Tears are already welling up in Callum’s eyes as he reads the words, slowly taking them all in one by one. He folds the paper back up and silently turns to face Ben.

Ben, who’s also got tears in his eyes.

Ben, who’s blush remains strong on his cheeks.

Ben, who’s holding a small, velvet box in his hands.

Callum looks down at it and his mouth falls open in shock, before he looks back up at him. “Ben.” He breathes out, shock in his voice. This is happening.

Ben clicks open the box and sitting inside, cushioned in a red material is a simple silver band, gleaming in the now appearing sunlight, right at Callum. “Will you marry me?”

“You’re serious ain’t you?” Callum asks, a tear falling down from his eye and streaming down his cheek, reaching his chin. Ben nods, a smile growing on his face as he holds his hand out to wipe Callum’s cheek free of the tear tracks. “Of course I will. Always.”

Ben grins and leans forward, pressing his lips to Callum’s, holding them both in time as place as they move together. When they eventually pull apart, Ben holds onto Callum’s hand, and pushes the ring onto his finger. “We’re actually getting married!” Ben says, a beaming smile on his face.

They eventually make it over to the Mitchell’s house, just over an hour later, a large sack of presents between them. Christmas music plays over a speaker, and alcohol is already flowing, even at breakfast time. There’s laughter and shouting and it all seems so familiar, just like a typical Christmas morning. The door slams shut behind them and they make their way into the living room, Ben putting the presents down on the floor with everyone else’s. Lexi runs over to them and hugs Ben first, giddy that she can now start to open up all her presents, all the one’s she’s been eyeing up since she first saw them. When she pulls away from Ben’s hug, she runs over to Callum and hugs him too, and then grabs at his hand. “You two have to sit here!” She says. “All your presents have been left here. Did you not get any at your home? I’ve been waiting all morning!” She’s a proper little chatterbox, especially on such an exciting day. And then she notices. Whilst everyone else is distracted and chatting amongst themselves, she sees it. “Callum! Are you going to be my daddy?”

Silence slowly falls over everyone as they turn to look at Ben and Callum.

“Surprise?” Ben jokes, trying to break the silence. “I asked him this morning. He said yeah. We’re getting married. Lex, you can call him whatever you want.”

There’s another silence for just a few seconds as everyone processes Ben’s words. The silence is only a few seconds long, but it's an agonising wait, even if both Ben and Callum know that everyone would accept it and be happy for them.

Then finally, there’s a cheer.

Kathy’s sitting there, bucks fizz in one hand, and her other hand over her mouth in shock, though her eyes are wide and tears are threatening to fall from them already. She hugs them both silently, bundling them into one long hug, actions speaking louder than words, but she was only silent because of the fear of bursting into tears at her youngest son growing up.

Jay walks over to them and wraps them both up into warm, welcoming embraces. “Yes bro.” He whispers into Ben’s ear, his hand falling down Ben’s back. He turns to Callum and hugs him too. Ben can just about hear Jay saying “Welcome to the family mate.” to Callum and it warms his heart. That’s what he is. Family.

Lola’s just as giddy as Lexi, giving them both a kiss on their foreheads, bright beaming smile. “Finally!” She says teasingly. “Me and Lex said it would happen this year, didn’t we?” Lexi jumps up and nods, skipping over to sit on her mum’s lap.

Last, it was Phil’s turn. He repeats Jay’s sentiment, even without hearing them. He shakes Callum’s hand and pats him on the shoulder, eventually welcoming him into the family with somewhat of a smile growing on his face.

Everyone was merry, and spent the remainder of the day opening presents and being giddy and starting the initial planning of the wedding, teasing Ben and Callum with fake speeches and ideas of wedding songs.

It’s the best Christmas Ben and Callum have ever had.

#ballumac2020 #ballum #ben x callum #ben mitchell x callum highway #ben mitchell #callum highway #myfic

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youidiotprince · 4 years ago

Text

A Very Merry Ca$hqu€€ns Christmas

“No, Nora! Stay out!” Ava yelled from floor, scrambling to shield her nearly wrapped gift from Nora’s curious gaze. Nora had announced her presence with a quiet knock as she pushed open the door, hoping to catch Ava off guard and glimpse her gift.

“Why can’t I see, hm? If the present isn’t for me. . .” Nora teased, crossing her arms over her chest, feet still planted in the open doorway.

“Because I…” Ava floundered for an explanation that wouldn’t incriminate her, but she couldn’t string together the words. “Just because! It’ll ruin it either way, so you just have to get out.”

“If you say so.” Nora turned to leave, but as she closed the door behind her, she added, “I’m taking this as confirmation that you’re my Secret Santa, though.”

“Nora,” Ava groaned, grabbing the nearest item and throwing it at the now-closed door. When it fluttered to the ground only a foot or so in front of where she sat, she realized it was the glittery green bow she still had to stick atop her present. She’d opted for a more classic look, with red and white striped wrapping paper, thick and shiny, a purchase she’d splurged on for her gifts this year because she’d always liked the crisp lines and folds the more expensive papers made when wrapping. Nora’s gift, which she’d already put under the tree earlier that day, was wrapped in snowman-covered paper, something she’d had leftover from the year before, and maybe the year before that.

Ava peeled the backing from the sticky part of the bow and placed it, perfectly centered where the lines of ribbon intersected on top of her rectangular package. She could faintly hear the tinkling bells of the festive music Nora had just started playing, and she knew that was her cue to hurry it up.

With the package cradled under her arm, she left her room and called out to Nora, “Hey girl, what do you need me to do?”

Nora rounded the corner from the kitchen and eyed Ava’s now perfectly wrapped gift. “Ooh, that looks gorgeous,” Nora said with a mischievous look. “I can’t wait to open it.”

“Yeah, you wish,” Ava taunted with a smile. She placed her gift under the tree and brushed her hands clean of it. “Have you heard from the others yet?”

“Mm, they’re both on their way, they should be here any minute.”

The girls busied themselves plating the snacks they’d prepared and the cookies they’d baked until they heard a knock at the door, the thuds sounding in time with the cheesy Christmas carol playing over the speaker.

“Merry Friendsmas!” Mailin and Fatou shouted together, smiles spread almost as wide as their arms. Mailin modeled a headband with reindeer antlers stuck on top and red makeup on the tip of her nose, and Fatou wore a red and green patterned sweater trimmed with glittery tinsel around the neck, the wrists, and the bottom hem. They both held up their presents, Fatou’s in a wintery blue and silver giftbag and Mailin’s wrapped in what looked like newspaper or scrap paper of some sort. They’d dressed on theme, matching Nora’s all red look paired with a Santa hat and Ava’s cozy plaid Christmas pajamas. After a quiet beat during which they took in all their different looks, the girls erupted in excited chatter all at once, talking over each other in order to compliment and dissect their different outfits.

“That must be so itchy,” Nora told Fatou as Fatou told Ava how much she envied her cozy attire.

“Your nose!” Ava exclaimed to Mailin as she reached out almost close enough to touch it before Mailin flinched away.

“No, don’t ruin it yet. I forgot the lipstick at home,” Mailin admitted sheepishly. “Although it looks like I could just borrow Nora’s.” Nora puckered her red lips in response. She backed out of the way so they all could come in and make themselves comfy. They left their coats and boots in the entryway.

“Mulled wine, anyone?” Nora asked from the kitchen as Mailin and Fatou added their gifts to the pile in the main room and sat on the couch next to Ava. “I’ll be having hot chocolate, so that’s an option too.”

Ava and Fatou shared a look before Fatou answered for both of them, “Two mulled wines, please.”

“Oh wait, I’ll come help,” Mailin said as she leapt up from the couch and joined Nora in the kitchen. “Also, I’ll have a hot chocolate.”

Once they brought the drinks out to the others, they all settled into their easy rhythm, talking about the little details of their lives that had happened since they’d last seen each other, recounting some of their best and worst holiday memories before they met each other. Nora opened up about the year that her mother hadn’t gotten anyone any gifts and Kiki, trying to fix everything, went out and bought Nora a box of colored pencils and a coloring book and Zoe a bracelet-making kit with the small amount of money she had. It hadn’t been much but it had meant the world to both of them. Zoe made each of the sisters a bracelet, and she wondered if Kiki or Zoe still had theirs. Fatou shared that one of the best presents she ever received was a book about marine biology with lots of pictures of marine life. She told them that her brother made fun of her endlessly about it, but he was always looking over her shoulder as she’d read through it.

When they felt like they’d run out of stories, they sang carols and karaoke in pairs until Zoe hollered from her room for them to quiet down, and while the singing might have stopped, they didn’t actually adjust their volume much. Eventually, feeling like a little kid who’d been trying their best to wait patiently for the chance to open presents but who just couldn’t hold it in any longer, Ava admitted, “Girls, I can’t take it anymore. We need to do the gift exchange already.”

“Oh, you’re right!” Mailin gasped, as if she’d completely forgotten about the main event of the evening.

Nora clapped and then wiggled her fingers together excitedly, looking slowly at each of her friends. “Who wants to go first?”

“I will,” Fatou said, straining to reach the gift she’d left with the others. She finally snagged the handle with the tip of her finger, so she pulled it over and sat back upright. “Okay, drumroll please.” The girls started pounding their fists on their legs or on the floor, whichever was closer. “This is for… Ava!” Fatou held the gift out to her with a flourish, beaming.

“Chibi,” Ava said warmly, taking the decently sized bag from Fatou’s hand. It was stuffed with white tissue paper which Ava crumpled into a ball and handed to Nora, who was collecting the trash. Beneath all of that was the edge of a sleek black frame, which Ava pulled out carefully. The frame enclosed a photo of the stars in the night sky with a date underneath: October 2, 2020. Ava brushed her fingertips over the glass, hovering just above so as not leave a smudge.

“It’s a print of the constellations on the first day we all hung out together, when we stole that money,” Fatou blurted. “I know you’ve been looking for things to decorate the place with, and that day is so important to me, to us. This seemed like a good gift because we both love the universe and space and astrology so much.”

“Fatou, this is incredible.” Ava’s voice was full of genuine awe. “Seriously, this is perfect, I love it so much. We should all have one of these, honestly.” Nora and Mailin were craning their necks to get a better look, so Ava passed the print to them. As they admired it, Ava turned to Fatou. There was no way Fatou could know just how much this meant to her. How lame and lonely and insecure she felt before as she tried to rebuild her life here without a solid friend group, how difficult it was to watch other people find these friend groups that seemed like they’d last for life while Ava had paper thin friendships that were haunted by the words of her bullies, the doubts and fears they’d implanted in her. Ava felt as though this group of girls, this group of best friends, had finally allowed her to embrace herself with the confidence she had only ever faked before. Fatou couldn’t know how much that day meant to her in particular, but still, it felt like maybe she did, at least a little bit. “Thank you, Fatou. Really.”

“You’re welcome, Ava,” she said as she rested her head on Ava’s shoulder and snuggled closer, patting Ava’s knee tenderly.

After a few moments, Ava offered, “Okay, I’ll go next, and we can just go whoever receives the gift can give the next one? If that works out.” Everybody nodded so Ava grabbed her gift and settled back down on the couch. “Okay, this lovely, award-winning wrapping is for none other than… Mailin.”

“I get the best wrapped one,” Mailin said as she excitedly took the present from Ava and shook it next to her ear. When she brought it back down in front of her, she hesitated. “I almost don’t want to open it! But alas,” she said, and with that she ripped open the paper to reveal a jewelry box with a brand label printed on it that she’d never heard of. When she lifted the lid, she saw two sets of earrings, one set of green and blue tie-dye rectangular pendants with “climate” engraved in one and “justice” engraved in the other and one set of large globe earrings.

“They’re made from completely recycled materials, and the proceeds went to a campaign for climate justice here in Germany. And they just seemed so you,” Ava explained, motioning between the new earrings and the earrings Mailin was currently wearing, which were big candy canes dangling from her ears.

“No, these are awesome, I’ve been trying to develop my collection of fun earrings. These are fun and make a statement. Thank you. Okay, my turn.” Mailin jumped up to grab her newspaper package. “Special eco-friendly wrapping,” she boasted. “Hope you enjoy.” With that, she handed the gift off to Nora without much ceremony, which added its own bit of surprise.

“For me? Ah, okay, I’m excited,” Nora said as she tore into the newspaper. Underneath it all was a thick stack of shipping labels, some used and some unused. The used ones were obviously an attempt at recycling, which Nora appreciated. The sticker at the top of the stack already had a note on it, which must have been written by Mailin, as it said, “Coupon for free shipping label retrieval and delivery for a year. Ask and you will receive.”

“Those are what you used to do your drawings on when you left them around the city, right? I know you’ve probably worn yourself out with all the drawings you’ve done for our shirts, but as a token of appreciation for all of that, I will provide you with shipping label sticker things whenever you need them.” Mailin finished her explanation with a proud smile.

“This is really thoughtful, Mailin. I’ll definitely take you up on this coupon offer,” Nora said with a wink. She then turned to Fatou. “So it’s just you and me,” Nora joked, handing her gift off to Fatou.

“This box is light, I wonder what it could be,” Fatou said as she ripped off the paper. She was only teasing Nora about the weight of the box, but when she opened it all the way and looked inside, it really was empty. Just completely empty. Fatou looked up, confused, and made eye contact with Ava. Ava’s stomach lurched. It couldn’t be. Had Nora forgotten a gift? She wouldn’t do that to Fatou, would she? And if she had forgotten, why would she just wrap an empty box? She hated herself for thinking it, but after everything she’d been through, she couldn’t keep the thought away that maybe this was a prank, that maybe Nora’s friendship with all of them was some kind of prank. It was just a nagging thought in the back of her mind, it couldn’t possibly be true, but she still couldn’t ignore it, not completely.

At the same time, Fatou and Ava turned to look at Nora, trying to work out what exactly was going on, but she was engrossed in something on her phone, her lips turning up into a smile. How could she be so callous?

“Nora,” Fatou started, voice quiet and hesitant. Before she could say more, three phones buzzed with a new message, and Nora looked up, smile growing. Fatou had planned to ignore the text, but now she was suspicious. She grabbed her phone from her pocket and opened the message, her phone redirecting her to WhatsApp. There, in the ca$hqu€€ns groupchat, was a collection of stickers, some actual photos and some drawings, of axolotls. The drawings had the axolotls pulling funny facial expressions, emoting in different ways. A smile here, a frown there, a wink and a stuck-out tongue. Fatou felt Ava exhale beside her.

“I’m sorry for the empty box, I wanted to give you something to unwrap even though the gift was virtual, but my timing ended up being kind of off with that one,” Nora said, sheepish. “And they’re not exactly emojis, but they’re close, right?”

“My axolotl emoji,” Fatou said almost dreamily.

“Nora, these are awesome,” Mailin chimed in from beside her.

“Thanks. If you want any other facial expressions, just let me know.”

A content silence stretched between the girls, everyone feeling comfortable and warm, processing the gifts they’d just given and received.

“Guys, this was so great, I… you don’t understand how happy I am right now. You guys are the best.” Ava’s heart swelled with something that felt like pride, maybe, that these were the people she chose, that these were the people who chose her. Of course Nora wouldn’t let any of them down like that, not on purpose. None of them would. They all loved and respected each other too much. “The ca$hqu€€ns were written in the stars, you guys. We were fated.”

At Ava’s moment of vulnerability, all of the girls rushed to wrap her in the tightest group hug, falling all over each other and ending up in a messy pile of cuddles. Limbs tangled and faces smushed, and when they finally started to pull away a bit, Mailin took one look at Ava’s cheek and sighed.

“Oh no, I smeared my nose on your cheek.”

#alteradventcalendar #druck #druck fic #cashqueens #ava pereira #fatou jallow #nora machwitz #mailin richter

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127-mile · 4 years ago

Text

Love for Christmas.

Pairing: Lee Taeyong x gender neutral reader.

Genre: Christmas, established relationship / angst if you squint, fluff.

Warnings: Do we count a kiss under the mistletoe as a warning?

Word count: +1.9k.

Plot: Christmas is not your favorite time of the year, but it is Taeyongs’. Your boyfriend is like a kid during the holiday, and well, maybe you can let yourself go for once.

A/N: Requested by @peachjaem00, hope you’ll like it baby.

Request: Grinch Reader! X Taeyong loving christmas and he does something super cute that makes reader not hate christmas that much

"What are you doing?"

Taeyong turns his back to the fireplace, and he smiles brightly. But despite his smile, you can see that he is hiding something, so you narrow your eyes. "What are you doing?" you ask again, and the man shrugs his shoulders. "Nothing, why?" You love Taeyong, more than anything in the world, you know you will spend the rest of your life with him, for you, he is perfect, except on one point. He does not know how to lie.

"Did you finish working?" Taeyong asks, tilting his head, and you nod, your brow still furrowed. "Yes, why?" he jumps in place, and you bite the inside of your cheek so as not to smile. He behaves like a child, and you understand, Christmas is Taeyong's favorite time. Which is not your case. Not anymore. Before meeting the boy, you spent Christmas locked up at home, eating popcorns and watching horror films, enough to make you forget this supposedly happy period.

Your parents used to have big parties during the holiday, that's maybe why the mere sight of a Christmas tree or Christmas cookies makes you nauseous. Too much reds, greens, sugar, just too much of everything merry. Since being with Taeyong, you try to make an effort, but he can't ask too much of you, he knows that. He likes to call you the Grinch when you refuse to even touch a Christmas wreath, but it's okay.

"Great! We are going to go buy some decorations for the tree!" you sigh as you approach Taeyong, but he doesn't move from the fireplace, and every time you try to take a look, he moves so that you can't. It's annoying, but the way he looks at you with his big doe eyes keeps you from getting angry. "Why? You already bought decorations last year." you comment, and he looks at your as if you had just insulted him and his ancestors. "So what? We have to change, bring something new to the house!"

"Buy a new blanket for the couch, or frames for the photos I've been asking you to hang up for months, no need to fill the attic with more stupid decorations." you mumble, and this time, Taeyong pouts. Oh no, you think as you watch him lower his head to the floor. You hurt him, you can feel it without him opening his mouth to tell you, and you hate it. You hate hurting Taeyong, or getting mad at him for something as small as decorations, so you sigh. "Alright, I'll get ready."

When you go out of the living room, you can hear Taeyong giggling softly. Little shit, he did it on purpose. He knows how weak you are for him, and he plays with your heartstrings. Once in the bedroom, you dress warmly, and when you come down the stairs, you find Taeyong near the front door, bundled up in a long coat and thick scarf. He is so excited, that for a brief second, you feel excited too. "Come on!"

"Yes, yes, let's go." he leaves the house, and you close the door behind him. He found the right trick, because now you can't go and and see what he was doing at the fireplace earlier. But you very forget this very small incident when you get in the car, because you are too busy trying not to hear the Christmas music playing on the radio. "Do we really have to listen to it?" you ask, and Taeyong nods vigorously.

"Y/n, hear me out. Christmas is in a few days. We are going to buy some decorations. It's snowing outside. Of course we have to listen to Christmas music, otherwise what even is the point of leaving the house?" you really wonder. You rub yur hands, impatiently waiting for the heat to warm you. "Do you have any idea what colors you want to do?" you ask after a few minutes of silence, and even though Taeyong knows you do not really care, he smiles. "White. We haven't done a white decoration yet." you believe him on that.

"Have you bought me my present yet?" Taeyong asks without taking his eyes off the road, and you smile thinly. Taeyong is a cleaver weasel, and you are also surprised not to have found him rummaging in the guest room or in the various cupboards to find his gifts as he so used to do on his birthday and around Christmas time. "Of course! I bought it several months ago." Taeyong's interest is strong, but he refrains from saying anything, and you giggle. "You can look for it when I'm at work tomorrow, of course, but it's not at home, so don't bother. I know you too well."

You lean in, and place a kiss on Taeyong's warm cheek and he whines. "I'm not a child anymore! Why would I try to find it?" he says in a whisper that is practically covered by the music, and you shrug. "Because you always do it, you are impatient. Just for that, you shouldn't even have any presents. Naughty list." he shakes his head as he pulls into the mall parking lot, where you'll have to spend the next few hours elbowing people to get to your boyfriend.

"It is not true." Taeyong says, and you roll your eyes as you get out of the car. There are a lot of people in the parking lot, and you know it will be even worse in the stores, but luckily, Taeyong takes your hand in his as you walk toward the main entrance of the mall. "Tell me when you have enough and want to go home." he whispers close to your ear to try and cover the noise of people and music around you.

"Can we go home now?" you ask, turning to him, and he laughs softly. Despite everything, you follow him to various stores to buy the decorations he finds beautiful enough to be on their tree. Out of the corner of your eyes, Taeyong watches you as you look at the decorations, your head tilted slightly. Some are pretty and don't scream Christmas, and you appreciate that. So you allow yourself to put a few in the basket that Taeyong holds with a firm grip.

"Can we take this one?" you ask shyly, pointing to a star, a white star with glitter to put on top of the tree, and Taeyong nods. His cheeks and jaw are starting to hurt from smiling so much, and even you, you can't help but smile seeing him so happy in an environment like this. "Of course, angel!"

When Taeyong finally thinks you have enough decoration, he give you a little push to get your attention. "Do you want to go drink hot chocolate?" he asks, and you nod. It is not cold in the mall, but you think it is a good way to end your shopping spree. Very quickly, you find yourself in a small café, there are not many people, and the atmosphere is pleasant. It's quiet, and the place smells of coffee, and a hint of what you think is cinnamon.

"Thanks for coming with me." Taeyong says, his hands wrapper around his cup of hot cocoa, and you smile gently. "Of course Taeyong." you do not really like the fact that he thanks you for coming, maybe because you spend so much time complaining during the holiday. He shouldn't have to. You put your hand on his and he intertwines your fingers. "I love you, you know." you say, and Taeyong's cheeks take on a soft pinkish hue. "I love you even more."

You spend the next hour chatting, enjoying the silence of the café, and when you are finally redy to go, Taeyong is the first to get up. He offers you his hand, which you take, the other hand occupied with a bag full of decorations. And when you walk through the door, waking to the owners, Taeyong suddenly stops, and you frown. "Is something wrong?" you ask, thinking he forgot to buy something, and Taeyong bite his lower lip as he looks up. "Look."

You look up, and you should have known better, you think, when your gaze lands on a branch of mistletoe hanging above the door. Taeyong shrugs. "I have to kiss you, it's tradition." he explains, and you drop your shoulders. "A tradition, are you sure of that?" you ask, and he nods with vigor. You roll your eyes, and you take a step toward him to rest your lips against his for a soft kiss. It is not very long, and rather chaste, but it's enough to make your heart beat a little faster. His too. Taeyong cups your face with his warm hands, and he pecks your lips a couple more times, smiling.

"Come on, let's go home!" he says, and you follow him out of the mall and into the parking lot. You put the bags in the trunk, and you do not waste a moment to sit on the passenger side. This time around, you do not turn down the volume on the radio, and you even hum alng to the Christmas songs that seem to play on repeat, much to Taeyong's delight who giggles every now and then. You ignore him, but you love to hear him laugh.

"Come home, and get warm, I'll take care of the bags." Taeyong says when he parks the car in the driveway, and you do not need him to tell you twice. You get out of the car, and you unlock the door to the house, being careful not to slip on the ground which has become quite slippery from the snow. Once inside, you sigh, you don't miss the hubbub of the mall in the slightest. You take off your coat and scarf which you hand on the coat rack, and you return to the living room, leaving the door open for Taeyong.

Once in the living room, you check that Taeyong is not there to approach the fireplace. It's not hard to see what he was trying to hide earlier. Two large red socks hangs from the fireplace. The first has Taeyong's name embroidered on it, and the second has your own. You can't help but smile fondly. It is the first time he's done this, and you don't know why, but this little gesture makes you melt a little.

You can't explain how you are feeling, but you really do feel like you are at home. Your name next to Taeyong's, it proves that you are here, that you are with him, that this is were you belong. You don't hear the sound of footsteps approaching you, but you do feel when Taeyong's arms wrap around your waist, and his chin rests on your shoulder. "Merry Christmas my love." he whispers, nuzzling his face in your neck. "Merry Christmas Taeyong."

Yes, you do not like Christmas, but maybe, spending Christmas with Taeyong is not so bad after all. Maybe you can enjoy it like you used to when you were a child, now that you found yourself a home in Taeyong.

#cznnet #kdiner #nct #nct imagines #nct scenarios #taeyong imagines #taeyong scenarios

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camillemontespan · 4 years ago

Text

wine & fire [12 days of fictmas]

Here is my submission for 12 Days of Fictmas! This isn’t the most typical festive fic..

I was inspired by the film Two Night Stand :)

Warnings: NSFW.

Starts like a romcom. Turns into NSFW.

12 Days of Fictmas Tag list

Writers : @texaskitten30 @leelee10898 @emichelle @zaffrenotes @alj4890 @burnsoslow @kat-tia801 @darley1101 @msjr0119 @annekebbphotography @god-save-the-keen @plumeriavibes @ofpixelsandscribbles @camillemontespan @ao719 @cocomaxley @cordoniansgonewild @twinkleallnight @the-soot-sprite @cordoniantrash @axwalker @innerpostmentality @lucy-268 @janezillow @katedrakeohd

Readers : @mom2000aggie @sfb123 @bbrandy2002�� @debramcg1106 @desireepow-1986 @speedyoperarascalparty @hopefulmoonobject

My tag list: @ibldw-main @moonlightgem7 @marshmallowsandfire @marshmallowsaremyfavorite @jovialyouthmusic @sirbeepsalot @saivilo @rainbowsinthestorm @pug-bitch @gardeningourmet @sirbeepsalot

*******************************

‘Merry Christmas, Cordonia! Best to stay inside and open presents while curled up by the fire as today’s weather forecast has calculated a snowstorm - yes, you heard that right- a SNOWSTORM with gales and hail! This is not exactly the perfect White Christmas we were hoping for! Please stay safe and stay indoors-’

Still half asleep, Olivia slammed the OFF button on her radio and snuggled deeper into her blankets. She stretched out her legs, enjoying the warmth of her bed and the space she had all to herself.

Until her foot hit something hard, prompting someone to shout out loud.

‘OW!’

Olivia bolted up, simultaneously grabbing the dagger that she kept under her pillow, before turning to find the source of the noise.

There was a man in her bed.

And not just any man.

Leo.

Fucking Leo.

*************

The memory of last night came flooding back. Olivia remembered there had been red wine. A lot of red wine. Drake and Camille had thrown a Christmas Eve supper at Valtoria Manor for their friends - Maxwell, Hana, Liam, Aurelia, Leo and herself. Once dinner had been eaten, priorities turned to drinking, dancing and playing board games. Olivia’s priority remained on the bottles of red wine she had brought and slowly, hazily, she had become more social and had found herself in the kitchen drinking wine with Leo.

They had gone back to Olivia’s together.

Olivia did NOT remember their time in bed - thank God- and she casually thought that Leo must be shit in the bedroom if she couldn’t remember bumping uglies. But she knew they had because here he was, in her bed, and she was naked.

‘Leo, get the fuck out of my bed,’ she greeted him sharply. ‘Now.’

Leo scowled at her as he rubbed his leg that had now developed a pink bruise from Olivia’s foot. Shame. She had hoped he would have been more injured. She must try harder next time.

‘Merry Christmas to you too, Liv,’ he muttered, clambering out of her bed. Olivia averted her eyes but she still caught a glimpse of his toned ass. What a lovely image for her poor retinas.

Quickly, Leo got dressed, throwing on a forest green knit sweater and dark blue jeans. The green of his sweater only emphasised his golden skin and the green of his eyes. Olivia bit the inside of her cheek.

‘So, how are you spending today?’ Leo asked, rubbing his hands through his blonde hair. ‘Torturing a prisoner? Throwing knives at your servants? Thinking about our liaison last night? I know what I’ll be doing and FYI, it’s not the first two options.’

Without warning, Olivia threw her dagger at Leo, who ducked down just in time to see the weapon hit the wall behind him.

‘LIV!’ he shouted, his voice breaking slightly due to his shock. ‘What the hell?!’

To say that Leo and Olivia weren’t friends was an understatement.

The issue was that Leo, for the most part, did try to get along with her. Hell, he even flirted with her a little bit. Leo got along with everyone and always wanted to be well liked - years of being in the public eye had influenced the way he viewed his identity. So when Olivia made it clear that she didn’t like him, Leo tried to win her over, again and again. But they weren’t friends. They were acquaintances through Leo’s brother, Liam, and Olivia wished that her drunken self hadn’t hopped into bed with him.

She didn’t like Leo because of two things. One: he treated women like they were objects. Two: he had abandoned his country and his brother when he suddenly announced his abdication from the Cordonian throne. Liam had been a deer caught in the head lights when Leo had suddenly blurted out at breakfast that he wasn’t going to be King anymore. And so, he ran away with his tail between his legs, like a coward, leaving Liam to pick up the pieces. Olivia would never forgive him for that.

So how had she ended up in his bed?

Olivia swore to herself that she would stop drinking wine. She didn’t want to give up drinking wine but it was a sacrifice she was willing to make. For the greater good.

‘Do you have coffee in this fortress of solitude?’ Leo asked once he had recovered from his near death experience.

Olivia scowled at him. ‘No way,’ she said. ‘You are not having coffee here. You are leaving.’

‘But it’s Christmas!’ Leo tried to persuade her. ‘A time of goodwill and peace to all men!’

Olivia wrapped the duvet around her as she clambered out of bed to pull on her dressing gown. She could feel Leo’s eyes on her as she tried her best not to show him more of her body. Finally decent, Olivia opened the bedroom door and grabbed Leo by the collar.

Leo chuckled. ‘Ready for round two?’ he teased.

‘Go home, Leo!’ she cried, pulling him out of the room. With sheer strength, Olivia pulled him downstairs to the front door and threw the door open.

She couldn’t see the courtyard or the vast mountains of Lythikos. She couldn’t see anything except white.

*******************

Leo cleared his throat. ‘Am I fuck going out in that,’ he simply stated.

Olivia’s jaw clenched as she surveyed the situation. The ground was covered in three foot snow. The wind was howling and snow was still falling from the sky. Olivia knew that she would be able to navigate the harsh terrain; she was from Lythikos after all. But Leo? Not so much. He would probably set one foot on the ground and scream that he was going to die from frostbite.

Olivia checked the weather report on her phone. All guidance said to stay safe and stay home; all of Cordonia was hit by this snowstorm.

‘Fucking hell..’ Olivia muttered.

She felt Leo sidle closer to her and her body stiffened.

‘So… coffee?’ he asked, his voice lilting in her ear, teasing and mocking her.

*******************

Leo curled himself up in the corner of Olivia’s red sofa with his feet tucked under himself. He held a mug of steaming coffee in his hand and he looked very pleased with himself.

Olivia wrinkled her nose at him. ‘Why do you look so smug?’ she asked him. ‘I thought that after a one night stand you would escape at your earliest convenience.’

Leo pretended to be offended. ‘What on earth made you think that?’ he asked, widening his eyes.

‘Kiara told me,’ Olivia said dryly.

Leo chuckled. ‘Ah, Kiki..’ he murmured. ‘Good times.’

Olivia shuddered. Edging further away from Leo as she could, she turned on the TV so they could watch for updates on the weather. The sooner the snowstorm cleared, she thought, the sooner this walking human STI would leave her home.

But the updates weren’t hopeful.

‘Looks like I’m here all day!’ Leo crowed. ‘Shall we exchange presents?’

Olivia sighed. ‘Seriously, why are you so happy?’

Leo gave her a lazy smile that made the corners of his eyes crinkle. ‘I quite like watching you all riled up,’ he told her. ‘It’s fun pissing you off.’

‘You fucker-’

‘God, you really do rise to the bait, don’t you!’ Leo laughed, shaking his head. ‘Jesus, Liv, you gotta learn to loosen up. Relax. Release the tension from your shoulders, inhale, exhale, breathe…’

Olivia stared at him coldly. ‘Didn’t know I was dealing with Gandhi,’ she said.

Leo shrugged. ‘I’m just a chill person,’ he told her. ‘You could learn a lot from me.’

Olivia turned the volume of the TV up higher to drown out Leo’s voice.

***********************

‘Okay, let’s call a truce,’ Leo said after he finished his coffee. ‘I promise to stop being an asshole if you promise not to kill me with a dagger. The way I see it, as we’re stuck together for the foreseeable future until this storm clears, we may as well try and get along. It’s Christmas. Let’s do Christmassy shit. What do you do for Christmas?’

Olivia sighed. ‘I’m not telling you.’

‘Are you like the Grinch?’ Leo asked. ‘Or Scrooge?’ He raised his head up to the ceiling and adopted a dramatic tone as he quoted A Christmas Carol. ‘If he's like to die, he better do it and decrease the surplus population!’

Olivia threw a velvet cushion at him. ‘Shut up, I love Christmas!’ she cried.

Leo blinked. ‘You do?’

Olivia nodded furiously. ‘Yes. I adore Christmas,’ she said. ‘I know it’s not expected of me but this is the time of year where I can just embrace the cheesiness, the schmaltz and the festivities. Lythikos always throws a festival and it’s been the highlight of my year ever since I was a kid.’

A slow smile creeped up on Leo’s face. Olivia turned away, refusing to look at him. But Leo couldn’t stop looking at her. She had surprised him. Leo liked that.

**********************

Olivia made the decision to go about her day as if Leo wasn’t there, Leo-ing it up. She loved Christmas. She wanted to have a festive day and damn it, she was going to do it. Without a word, she left the living room to go to her dressing room where she rifled through her wardrobe for her Christmas outfit.

She had bought the red silk dress specially. The neckline was low, accentuating her cleavage which she emphasised with a long emerald pendant that settled comfortably between her breasts. Gently sliding the dress over her head, she felt the cool silk cover her ivory skin. Carefully, she slipped on a pair of black stilettos and made her way to her dressing table to fix her hair and makeup. Giving herself the once over, she smiled. The dress was perfect.

Next, she went downstairs to the kitchen where she poured herself a glass of champagne - because you always had to drink champagne at Christmas- and strutted back through to the living room where her unwelcome guest was sitting watching the weather report on TV.

He looked up when he heard her stilettos against the floor. His eyes widened as he took her in.

‘Woah..’ he breathed. ‘You look..’

Olivia tossed her champagne down her throat. ‘I know,’ she said, her voice cool. ‘I look awesome.’

Leo swallowed. ‘I was gonna say beautiful.’

Olivia blinked in surprise. She felt a blush creep up on her cheeks; quickly, she finished her champagne to distract herself.

************************************

Leo eyed Olivia’s second glass of champagne. He didn’t want to be an annoying guest but he was feeling rather thirsty..

Olivia sighed, aware of Leo’s gaze that was fixed on her glass. ‘God, fine. Do you want a glass of champagne?’

Leo grinned wolfishly. ‘Yes please.’

Olivia dragged herself up from the sofa and traipsed to the kitchen with Leo following her.

‘You’re like a puppy,’ Olivia said. ‘Following me around like this.’

‘You’re getting me alcohol,’ Leo replied dryly. ‘Excuse me for being excited.’

Olivia rolled her eyes but Leo caught the glimpse of a smile on her lips as she opened the fridge to retrieve the bottle. He leaned against the counter and watched as Olivia poured him a glass and passed him it.

‘There,’ she said. ‘Don’t say I never give you anything.’

Leo chuckled and raised his glass in a toast. ‘Merry Christmas, Liv,’ he said.

Olivia clinked her glass against his. Their eyes met; forest green looking into ice blue. Desperate to cut the tension, Olivia sipped her drink, tearing her eyes away from his.

Leo reached out. Startled, Olivia grabbed him by the wrist. ‘What the fuck are you doing?’

He smiled softly. ‘You have a drop of champagne on your lips,’ he told her. ‘I was gonna wipe it away for you.’

Olivia watched him in mute shock as he continued to reach out. His fingertip touched her bottom lip, wiping away the champagne. With a twinkle in his eye, Leo placed his fingertip in his mouth and licked, not once taking his eyes off Olivia.

She could feel the heat in the pit of her stomach that was slowly engulfing her core. Memories of the night before were now flooding her mind; she was remembering. Leo’s hot kisses against her skin. His hands clasping hers above her head, holding her down as he ravaged her. He had been an animal and Olivia had liked it.

‘You’re unbelievable,’ she croaked, breaking the silence.

Leo smiled his lazy smile. ‘You enjoy me.’

‘No I don’t.’

Leo’s eyes bore into hers. It was as if he had taken up the entire room. All Olivia was aware of was him, how close he was to her, how green his eyes were, how gold his skin was, how expensive he smelled.

‘You sure about that, trouble?’ he asked.

Olivia slammed her glass down onto the kitchen counter. Before Leo could react, Olivia threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she pulled him down so their lips crashed together.

She could blame this on the champagne. But Olivia wasn’t a lightweight and she knew that this was something more than alcohol that was making her do this. Fire burst through her veins like adrenaline as she pulled Leo close, admitting through her actions that the attraction for him was there.

Because Olivia had been the one to initiate things last night. She had kissed him first. She was the one who invited him home for a nightcap. It had always been Olivia.

Why?

Maybe because Leo was the only man who made her feel like he really saw her. While most men were terrified of Olivia, Leo was not. He saw through her harsh exterior, as harsh as the snow and ice of Lythikos, and he saw the girl behind the wall.

He knew how deeply his brother had hurt her. He knew how hard Olivia tried to push her feelings down as a result. Even though Leo liked to press her buttons, he knew which ones to avoid. For some reason, he understood Olivia more than anyone else.

Olivia could let her guard down and Leo wouldn’t recoil. Because he knew he wasn’t perfect either. But everyone expected Olivia to be this perfect block of ice carved into human form and Leo knew that that wasn’t Olivia. She may bear the Nevrakis name but she was so much more than her ancestor’s legacy. She was human.

She felt his hands rake through her red hair and the involuntary butterflies that were flying in her stomach.

No. She couldn’t act like this with Leo of all people. She made that mistake last night and she wasn’t prepared to do it again. Quickly, she wrenched away from him.

Leo was blinking at her, his lips swollen from kissing.

‘..Liv?’

Olivia closed her eyes and gently pushed Leo away.

‘The servants need to continue preparing dinner,’ she croaked.

She spun on her heel and stormed out of the kitchen, cursing herself for being stupid. She really ought to check for weather updates.

Leo watched her go, his eyes wide as he tried to process what had just happened. Without a word, he reached out for the bottle of champagne, his hands shaking, and he took a deep gulp, not even bothering to pour himself a glass.

Olivia did things to him. She made him.. Different. Sure, he was still a flirt but he found that he craved her attention. He wanted to make her smile. He wanted to feel like the only one who could elicit that rare reaction from her. But why?

As the champagne bubbles exploded in his mouth, Leo knew why. Because Olivia was different from all of the others. She was on another level. She made Leo’s heart beat a little faster. She made him nervous. And Leo liked it.

**********************

With the snow storm still blowing outside, Olivia resigned herself to spending Christmas with Leo.

Olivia let him eat as much turkey as he wanted to stop him from teasing her about their kissing in the kitchen. As long as Leo ate, the more silent and preoccupied he was. Handling him was like handling a toddler sometimes.

Leo was just surprised that Olivia let him eat.

After dinner, they retired to the drawing room.

Olivia’s favourite place in her home was the drawing room. It was a room off the foyer where a grand marble fireplace stood pride of place against the back wall. A red velvet chaise lounge stood in front of the fireplace where velvet cushions and blankets were scattered across it. Candles were always lit in the drawing room, casting the walls in a golden glow.

Leo sat down on one side of the chaise lounge and watched Olivia as she made her way across the room to an oak cupboard. She opened the doors to unveil a vast collection of red wine.

‘What shall we drink?’ Olivia mused. ‘I think the Chateau Latour..’

Leo shrugged. ‘It’s alcohol, I genuinely don’t mind.’

Olivia rolled her eyes and selected a bottle. Taking two wine glasses out of another cupboard, she poured the wine and handed Leo a glass.

Leo grinned and was ready to toss the drink down his throat. Her eyes widening in alarm, Olivia reached out to grab his wrist before he could do so.

‘No!’ she shouted.

Leo blinked. ‘You offered me a drink, I’m going to drink-’

‘You need to appreciate it!’ Olivia scolded. ‘It’s fine wine!’

Leo sighed. ‘Liv, don’t be so fucking pretentious.’

‘I’m not,’ she said. ‘But you’re in Lythikos and we love our wine. Please respect our traditions and appreciate the wine we offer you.’

Leo rolled his eyes but he waited for Olivia to calm down. Once she was calmer, he waited for her instruction.

‘First, you look at the wine,’ Olivia said in a silky smooth voice. ‘Note the deep burgundy colour of the wine.’

Leo studied the wine. Almost like she was confessing a secret, Olivia spoke in low tones. ‘Now, you smell the wine. Do you smell the blackberry notes? And the sweet vanilla that offsets the harshness?’

Leo could smell the blackberry and the vanilla. His senses were heightened. He could smell the fruit of the wine and he could smell the musk of Olivia’s perfume as she sat closer to him to speak. Her knee touched his.

‘Now, we taste,’ Olivia whispered. ‘Focus on the texture. Our tongues will sense the texture of the wine.’

Leo felt his throat tighten. Now he was just thinking about Olivia’s tongue. As if she could read his thoughts, Olivia’s eyes looked into his above the rim of her wine glass. Together, they sipped their wine, not once tearing their eyes away from each other.

‘This is good wine,’ Leo croaked.

Olivia leaned forward to place her wine glass on the side table. ‘That’s because I have good taste,’ she told him.

Leo smirked. ‘You do, don’t you?’

Olivia stood up and wandered towards the fireplace, reaching out to adjust the clock on the mantle. The fire lit up her body, the flames illuminating the silk of her dress. Leo swallowed and set his glass down, standing to join Olivia at the fireplace.

They both looked down into the fire, the flames mirrored in their eyes. They were standing so close to each other; achingly close. Tentatively, Leo reached out to graze Olivia’s pinkie with his own. He heard her let out a breath.

‘Leo..’ she murmured, keeping her eyes on the fire.

Without a word, Leo wrapped his hand around her wrist and gently pulled her towards him. Her blue eyes met his. Her porcelain skin was turning golden from the fire and her red hair was glowing. She looked beautiful. She always looked beautiful.

Leo leaned down and cupped her face in his hands. Olivia leaned up voluntarily and their lips brushed.

He could feel the softness of her skin under his palms. As the kiss deepened, Leo’s hands wandered down her back, gripping hold of the silk of her dress. He could taste wine on Olivia’s tongue.

‘Jesus Christ..’ he groaned against her mouth. He felt a smile curl around Olivia’s lips. Encouraged, Leo kissed her deeper.

Things changed when Olivia’s teeth tugged on his lower lip.

Leo loved biting.

The pace quickened. Hands travelled over skin and under clothes; Olivia’s hands rested under his shirt, placed on his broad chest, feeling his warm skin. Leo pulled his shirt over his head, exposing his torso. Olivia’s lips kissed his collarbone, her hands fluttering across his chest and hard stomach. Leo let out another groan and pulled at the zip on the back of her dress.

The dress pooled down to the floor around Olivia’s feet.

Leo stepped back to study Olivia for a long, heated moment. She stood clad in red lace lingerie. She looked like a phoenix rising from the embers. She looked like fire itself.

‘Fucking hell, you’re beautiful,’ he whispered.

Olivia raised her chin defiantly, straightening her posture so she looked more powerful than usual.

‘Take off your pants,’ she ordered.

Leo didn’t need to be told twice. Quickly, he unbuckled his belt and pulled off his jeans along with his boxers. He was now completely naked in front of her.

Olivia raised an eyebrow. Leo watched her as she unclipped her bra, not once taking her eyes off him. Her fingers hooked through the delicate string of her lace thong and her eyes remained fixed on his as she pulled the thong down to the floor.

She stepped towards him.

Leo grabbed her, not caring that his fingers dug into her arms that would probably leave bruises. He had a feeling that Olivia liked to be left branded.

‘Fuck me,’ she whispered in his ear.

Leo pulled her down to the floor.

*********************************

Teeth grazed warm skin. Hands clasped together. Legs intertwined. Hard kisses left lips swollen. Fingernails cut scratches into skin. Perfume and cologne mixed together. Porcelain pressed against gold.

Olivia and Leo had become fire.

*********************************

‘What’s your favourite Christmas movie?’ Leo asked afterwards, twirling a coil of Olivia’s hair around his finger. They were lying on the floor with Olivia curled into Leo, her breath warm against his neck.

Olivia considered the question. ‘Well…’

Leo grinned. ‘Is it Die Hard? Oh my god, please say it is. It would make so much sense with your violent tendencies.’

Olivia laughed harshly. ‘Oh Leo, you have no idea,’ she said. ‘Die Hard is not the most violent Christmas film. But you are right that my favourite Christmas film is partly due to my violent tendencies.’

Leo’s eyebrows furrowed as he tried to think of the film she meant. Olivia watched him, a smug smile on her face.

Leo’s eyes lit up with his realisation. ‘Oh my god..’ he said. ‘No way! No fucking way! Home Alone is your favourite Christmas film?!’

Olivia rolled her eyes. ‘Merry Christmas ya filthy animal,’ she said, making Leo cackle with joy.

‘What’s your favourite Christmas movie?’ Olivia asked. ‘Are you gonna be the typical male cliche and say it’s Die Hard?’

Leo chuckled warmly. ‘Nah,’ he said. ‘I won’t be a cliche. It’s a great movie, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not even in my Top 3.’

Olivia frowned. ‘So what’s your favourite?’

Leo eyed her. ‘You’ll judge me.’

‘I judge you anyway.’

Leo rolled his eyes. ‘Gah, fine,’ he said. ‘Don’t tell anyone, okay?’

‘Leo..’

He adjusted his body so he was facing her and extended his pinkie. ‘Pinkie promise me,’ he whispered.

Olivia curled her lip in disgust. ‘Leo, I’m not four.’

‘Liv, do you want to know or not?’

Olivia groaned. ‘Fine.’

They pinkie swore. Satisfied, Leo sat back and studied her for a long moment before speaking.

‘I fucking love The Holiday.’

*******************

After Leo’s revelation that his favourite Christmas film was The Holiday, Olivia had screamed with laughter.

‘There’s nothing wrong with a guy liking The Holiday!’ Leo protested.

‘Oh, I know,’ Olivia said. ‘But it’s comical that it happens to be your favourite Christmas film. It’s so… romantic. And nauseating. And sugary.’

Leo sighed. ‘Precisely,’ he said. His body stiffened.

Olivia blinked. Sensing she had hit a nerve, she eyed Leo.

‘Alright, what’s wrong?’ she asked. ‘Don’t give me bullshit.’

Leo turned to look at her.

‘Why is Home Alone your favourite Christmas film?’

Olivia bit her fingernail, a habit she had when she was nervous. But this was Leo, she shouldn’t be nervous. As she thought about her feelings, she realised it was the question that made her nervous.

‘It’s about a kid who protects his home with all the weapons at his disposal,’ she said, her voice cool, as she examined her bitten fingernail. ‘He’s a badass who shows those burglars who’s boss and he protects himself. He was brave.’

Leo studied her for a long time in silence. Olivia could feel her cheeks begin to burn.

‘You’re Kevin McAllister,’ Leo said softly.

Olivia’s eyes widened. ‘Fuck, no!’ she replied. ‘You’re reading too much into this-’

‘You didn’t have your parents,’ Leo said. ‘You lived alone with servants. You had to learn how to fight and defend your home without protection of adults. Christmas is your favourite time of year but with no family there to celebrate, you turned to this film because you see yourself in Kevin.’

Olivia looked up at the ceiling, refusing to look at him. ‘Leo, stop it.’

‘I’m right though,’ he said, his voice low.

Olivia let out a frustrated sigh and sat up, gathering a blanket around her body. ‘Fine, let’s put you under the microscope,’ she said. ‘You like The Holiday because it shows you the kind of Christmas you could have if you let yourself fall in love. You could have that cosy cottage with a woman who looks like Cameron fucking Diaz. You could stop being an asshole to women and let down your fucking walls so that someone can see the real you.’

Leo laughed without humour. ‘And who is the real me?’

Olivia raised her chin. You are a man who is known to be such a manwhore but you actually have romantic feelings. You act like an unfeeling robot most of the time but really, you are sensitive and perceptive. If given the chance, you will worship the woman you are with because it’s the one time you can let his guard down. You can blame it on alcohol or the heat of the moment, but really, Leo, you like to be yourself in the dark. You enjoy being with someone because at least it means that for one night you’re not alone. You take all the passion within you and you let it all out. That is why you have such a long and successful track record with women, why you are popular with them. You make them feel things. You worship them.’

‘Are you saying I worshipped you?’ Leo asked cooly.

Olivia smirked. ‘Are you saying you didn’t?’

Leo looked down. Olivia raised an eyebrow at him, waiting for him to respond. Leo rolled his eyes and leaned back on his arms, stretching out his body.

‘Fine, you got me,’ he murmured, giving her a small smile. ‘I worshipped you.’

The flames from the fire reflected in Olivia’s eyes as she studied him. Gently, she let the blanket she was holding around her naked body fall to the floor so she was exposed to Leo again.

‘Worship me again,’ she said, her voice thick.

Leo reached out to cup her chin in his hand. His lips brushed hers delicately, making her skin bloom with goosebumps.

‘With pleasure,’ he murmured, gently tugging on her lower lip with his teeth.

Olivia pulled him down onto her so his body was suspended over hers. The flames of the fire cast her in its glow, lighting up her porcelain skin, lighting up Leo’s gold.

The weather continued to turn Cordonia into a world of ice and snow. But Olivia and Leo were unaffected. The fire burned all night as Leo worshipped Olivia again and again.

#12 days of fictmas #choices 12 days of fictmas

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alrighttevans · 4 years ago

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invisible strings

chapter 1: well i wonder

Ao3 link

chapter 2: well i wonder

Marinette wished she knew who the apparently cheerful boy behind that black mask and cat-like green eyes was, as she doodled a butterfly on the margins of her notebook, in French class.

Despite being so adamant in keeping their identities as a secret, she’d be lying if she claimed she never wondered who he was, especially now. Before last night, she had never worried about Chat Noir’s civilian life. Why would she? He was always so merry and well disposed that it was contagious — it was hard to picture her partner as the same boy she had met last night, she mused, as she sketched the pink long dress she was currently working on —, but the boy she saw last night wasn’t cheerful. He was so determined in shrugging her concern away with some of his light comments, however his body language couldn’t lie to her with the same determination. Chat was her best friend. Marinette couldn’t let him hurt, all alone. But what could she do? He wouldn’t talk to her. He was shutting Ladybug out. She didn’t know how to look for him as Marinette. Something was wrong with her kitty, and that made her question her entire relationship with Chat. What other problems was he burying under his merry personality and dealing with all alone? Was he hurting all that time and she had never known? She wished she knew who he was so she could try and help him and hold him and tell him it’s gonna be okay.

However, until the day the reveal of their secret identities arrived, she had to trust Chat Noir to talk to her, in case things got too bad on his side.

The problem was she didn’t think he would.

What were her options, then? Perhaps, she could—

“Marinette!” She jumped on her seat, whilst her head snapped at the sound of her name, only to find no one other than Adrien Agreste, with his soft golden hair, bathed by the sun that shone through the window just so it could flatter even more his looks, and deep, welcoming green eyes, in which she would gladly drown, waving his hand on her face. Marinette felt her cheeks burn — a very common sensation for when she was around that boy. For how long had he been calling her, as she ignored him? That was so embarrassing. She was so caught up on her thoughts that she didn’t realise Adrien, of all people, wanted to talk to her!

“Y-yes?”

“S-sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you.” He quickly apologized, scratching the back of his neck, as a light blush creeped into his features.

“It’s okay! You have to apologize! I m-mean you don’t have to apologize!”

Perfect as always, he decided to ignore her bad manners and the stuttering mess she still became sometimes, when he caught her off her guard, and chose to both nod and give her his most brilliant smile, that melted her whole heart, that easily. “Class is over. It has been for a few minutes, but you didn’t seem to notice.”

“Oh”, Marinette spared a glance on her surroundings, watching a deserted classroom, other than for her and Adrien, a clean blackboard and empty seats before her, “Thank you, Adrien.” She added, as her eyes came back to find his, once again, but his gaze was too busy to meet hers.

Following the trail left behind his stare, she found that what had caught up his attention was her notebook, full of the doodles she did while she didn’t mind any attention to the teacher. There was the butterfly, her long dress, a few hairstyles she wanted to try, and— “Is that Chat Noir?” He questioned her, as he, all of the sudden, decided it was a good idea to look in her eyes as intensely as he did to the notebook, with some kind of fondness and bewilderment, which felt like Adrien could see her beyond her skin.

“Yes...?” was her response, which sounded more like a question, as she glanced back to the notebook, unsure if she could sustain Adrien’s stare for much longer, where yesterday’s Chat Noir lied, looking back at her with that mournful expression that was so out of character for him. A Chat Noir she didn’t know she had drawn. A Chat Noir that made her heart break at the sight of his melancholy.

A Chat Noir only Ladybug had ever seen.

A Chat Noir Marinette shouldn’t have known, her eyes widened at the realisation, as she quickly closed the notebook with a loud noise, and shoved it, along with her other materials, inside her bag.

“Oh, look at the time! I should probably go.” Marinette announced, while she stood up and dashed to the door, feeling panic run through her veins. What was she thinking, doodling this in class? “My parents must be waiting for me! Bye, Adrien!”

“Marinette?”

She bit back all the curses that rose through her throat, for she couldn’t resist the way her name poured like honey from his mouth — that boy made her weak —, but, instead, she walked away from the close escape she had managed to reach, to look at the soft frown on his gorgeous face. “Yes?” She asked, trying to sound as nonchalantly as she could, at the same time he held a quizzical look on his face.

“We’re having lunch at Nino’s today. Have you forgotten?”

Oh.

Right.

Nino had invited her, Alya and Adrien over.

Marinette repressed the overwhelming need she felt to slap herself and forced an artificial smile into her lips. “Of course I didn’t!” She began, searching for the first excuse that would pop into her mind. “I… I was just checking if you remembered! You did! Ha-ha!”

“Shall we, then?” Being the gentleman that he was, Adrien didn’t comment on her behaviour, but grinned at her, while he ruffled his hair, before pointing at the exit, in a request for her to take the lead, which she promptly took, after a fair amount of nodding from her part.

This is a disaster her heart knew, when she walked all the way from their classroom to the front of the school with Adrien — thankfully, brilliant as he was, he filled the silence left by Marinette’s absence in their conversation while excitingly talking about this new game he had bought, and she could get away from it by excessively nodding.

This is a complete disaster her eyes screamed as she met Alya and Nino at the end of the stairs and she basically grabbed her best friend’s arm before she could choose to walk with her boyfriend, so Marinette would have at least a little bit of time to recover herself from her embarrassment.

This is totally, utterly disastrous, she was sure as Adrien, whom, for some ungodly unknown reason, had decided to sit right in front of her during their meal, kept staring her, every, now and again with that same gaze that did things to her back at school — things she wasn’t used to him making her feel!, which spoke volumes since she had been infatuated with him for a long time, now.

It would be an euphemism to say that Marinette was freaking out.

What if Adrien thought she was a Chat Noir fangirl? She would never hear the end of it, if Chat himself happened to hear about it. It would be so embarrassing, especially considering she was Ladybug! Or worse! What if he thought she had a crush on Chat? Then he would never know she actually fancied him! How were they going to buy a house together and adopt a dog, a cat and a hamster if he didn't know? Oh my God, what about the kids?! And why the hell was he still looking at her like that, but now almost holding back a grin? Adrien didn’t grin like that to her! Oh my God, what if he thought she was Ladybug? Of course, only Ladybug would know something so personal about Chat Noir to put it on paper like she had; only Ladybug would have looked at her kitty close enough to capture the extent of his sorrow; only Ladybug could have drawn that! She was doomed, completely and utterly doomed.

He knew. She had ruined it all and given herself out. He was only waiting for the perfect time to confront her on it.

And he would think Ladybug fancied Chat Noir, above all!

This was a disaster!

“What?” Alya’s voice interrupted her track of thought, as she turned right to see her friend staring back at her, with a frown.

“What?!” With a confused expression of her own, Marinette stared back, waiting for someone to explain to her what was going on.

“What’s a disaster?”

Oh, no, did she say that out loud? How fucking much had she said? She could feel her face reach an yet unknown shade of red as she realised all three of her friends were gazing at her, expectantly.

“Oh, n-nothing! Don't mind me”, she tried to dismiss their questions and worried complexions with a wave of her hand, “I was just thinking out loud, that’s all!”

“Is everything alright, Marinette?” Adrien bloody Agreste just had to look at her with his bewitching emerald eyes, while all his concern for her sanity cascaded through his voice — how ironic was it that he was the one driving her mad?

“Sure isn’t! I mean, sure is!”

She wanted to die.

Maybe she could make a go for the window and off herself before anyone could stop her, she guessed. She was quite fast.

“Okay…” Alya, being the darling that she was, took the attention away from Marinette as she changed subjects, after giving her a pointed look that demanded an explanation later. She breathed in relief — when had she stopped breathing? “Have you guys heard? Ladybug and Chat Noir were spotted together before dawn.”

Oh, she started breathing too soon, she realized, as Alya showed them the pictures of the duo, which were sent to her on the Ladyblog.

Marinette loved being Ladybug, loved the people of her city — that seemed to love her just as much —, but sometimes it was too fucking much. They weren’t fighting an akuma at that night, they weren’t giving an interview, nor were asked to take a picture. She and Chat Noir weren’t playing superheroes, they were just two people (who were public figures that happened to have superpowers) having a very personal moment, a moment that felt stolen, as she watched her friend’s finger touch the screen to reveal even more photos. It was theirs, and nobody had the right to take it from them and share it to the world. She felt irritated and sad for Chat, for it was his moment of vulnerability, and having it exposed for all of Paris to see and speculate was just cruel.

“Chat Noir looks sad, doesn’t he? I wonder what happened.” Alya pondered, sliding through the screen.

“Poor dude. I hope he’s alright”

“Alya, you should take the photos down.” Marinette chastised, throwing a pointed look at her friend, who held an expression that was a mixture of both confusion and discontent.

“What? Why?”

“How do you think Chat Noir will feel when he sees those?” She stressed; her hands gesticulating throughout her sentence, before she folded her arms on her chest, whilst arching her eyebrows, scoldingly. “It’s not right. I’m sure he doesn’t want all Paris prying into his problems.”

“But... I should inform people on our heroes.” The redheaded insisted, even though she didn’t sound as convicted on her argument as she usually was. “Maybe we can help him, somehow.”

“If you want to help him, delete the photos and then make a post saying you're doing it in respect for him — as everybody should.”

Alya sighed guilty and gazed back at her mobile, “You’re right. I’ll do it.” She promised, as she started tapping on the screen.

If Chat Noir wouldn’t allow Ladybug to help him, then Marinette would. She would do anything for her kitty, and if acting backstage was, for now, all she could work with, she’d do as such.

She turned back on her seat, reaching for her orange juice glass that laid on the table, only to accidentally meet Adrien’s piercing gaze. Something shone on his eyes, in a strangely familiar way. It was… wonder.

chapter 3: dancing with our hands tied

#so chapter 2 is out #invisible strings #mari writes miraculous #mari writes something #miraculous ladybug #ml fanfic #adrienette #adrinette #adrien agreste #marinette dupain cheng #ladybug #chat noir #ladynoir #ml #mlb #love square #ml love square

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pinkhairedlily · 3 years ago

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i'll be with you (but it'll be a different kind)

pairing: yoonkook/yoonjin | rating: G | ao3 read here

a short study on moving on

Yoongi broke the vinyl like he would a plate, a quaint awareness of a disaster but the quick denial of letting it fall – on the floor, in pieces. He swept each shard, vacuumed, and threw them in the bin. He crushed his music sheets and notes, thought better of it, and lit them with a scented candle.

Well, for fuck’s sake, the candle was his gift too.

So Yoongi walked to the collection area at three thirty in the morning, against the gusts of cold November wind, carrying all the evidence of the killer and the remains of its victim. He stood in front of the stack with an impulse to do something. Say a prayer? Curse them? Curse himself and bring them back to his apartment?

Ah, he wasn’t that stupid.

He truly wasn’t.

His stupidity was drained when he decided to fall in love with his roommate and friend that couldn’t be his in this lifetime.

So he came back to his home rid of everything Kim Seokjin owned and touched. Yes, even the bedsheets he washed yesterday.

“The couch it is.” He plopped down to its uncomfortable mattress and was immediately lulled not by the comfort of sleep but by the escape it offered.

He lost track of time in the next days… or probably weeks because the next time he went out for a walk to the mart, he was greeted by imposing Christmas decorations and too tall synthetic trees that wouldn’t look good in apartments that only housed one.

He came back, still alone, but at least joined now with ingredients for proper homemade food. He won’t be lonely on Christmas, not with two bottles of wine, a variety of seafood (which Namjoon hated the most, and Yoongi would order in the largest serving just to spite him), and his good old comfy socks.

He switched on the television to watch Melancholia, a fitting holiday movie in his honest opinion, and turned it up to the highest volume to tune out the looping Christmas carols outside his window and across the hallway where other occupants have rooms over to tide away the lonesome.

It was two thirty and two disaster films later that he heard the ghost of his broken heart.

It was one of the songs he wrote for Jin, the notes not at all the same, but the melody line was correctly embodied. He started up from his drunken stupor on the floor and trudged towards his kitchen sink where he dabbled his face in water.

It wasn’t the alcohol. So it certainly must be the crazy in him… well, until he realized the notes were coming from next door. The walls were thin anyway.

He nonchalantly knocked on the door of his neighbor, not caring at all if it was the devil’s hour, not when the tenant itself did not care about public disturbance.

It opened a crack wide enough for Yoongi to sweep the whole place up in seconds. Tidy floor, unmade bed, three monitors on a desk, neon lights, a christmas tree unabashedly decorated with the most frivolous pieces beside the dining table, and a guitar on top of it.

“Did I wake you?” He was taller than Yoongi, buffer, and very decorated like his Christmas tree. Daith, lobe, and eyebrow piercings, sleeve tattoos on his right arm, and shoulder-length electric blue hair tied in half-ponytail. But what caught his attention the most was the doe eyes that seemed too innocent, but Yoongi was familiar with the pretension that hovered on the surface. This boy knew pain enough to effectively cover it.

“That was my song,” Yoongi said in his usual deadpan delivery. He couldn’t get any cheerier than this.

John Doe perked up (if it could be any more possible). “Ah so you’re the one!” Then his expression immediately shifted to wariness. “Oh wait, you might be offended. I should apologize – “

“Some notes were mismatched, yes. Couldn’t be helped when you learned it by ear.” Yoongi looked at him for confirmation, and John Doe nodded enthusiastically. “But it’s all right. You played the piece so beautifully for someone who did not know it was a love letter.”

The way John Doe changed his smile to a thin line Yoongi knew at once that this was a person who simultaneously wore their heart on a sleeve but chained it before it could truly fall.

“Is it safe to assume the letter’s non-reciprocation when you haven’t played those songs for a month?”

“What else could there be?”

The neighbor bit the inside of his cheeks before answering, “Maybe you just didn’t need love letters anymore?”

Yoongi sighed. “Just keep it down. It’s three in the morning.”

“But it’s Christmas?” John Doe’s eyes suddenly widened. “Oh my manners! Merry Christmas Sir!”

“I don’t believe in Santa Claus. Or Jesus. Or capitalist splurges.” Yoongi shoved his hands into his sweatpants. “I have marinara surplus. Do you want a plate?”

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

When New Year rolled again, Yoongi knocked on his neighbor’s door. He slept with headphones in full volume, god be damned his hearing, on newly bought bedsheets that did not smell of Jin and pillows that did not have a strand of his hair. He really couldn’t turn down John Doe’s question of whether he could still play the cursed song or maybe he was two-bottles-of-wine-disoriented enough to put up a rather good argument why he shouldn’t.

“So will you cover your ears when you go to sleep?” John Doe asked after his second slurping of seafood marinara.

“Why should I?” Meanwhile, Yoongi surfed Netflix for his disaster anxiety fix.

“Try Seeking a Friend for the End of the World.” John Doe finished his plate clean. He let out a burp with an apologetic smile to his temporary Christmas host. “Well, I was wondering if I could still play the song. It’s yours anyway so you have all the rights.”

Yoongi’s eyes glazed over the first few seconds of the film, slightly amused at the insurance agent selling an apocalyptic package. “When music is released to the public, it never becomes the composer’s alone. It is also owned by the listener…and whatever they deem the music to be.”

“I’m Jeon Jungkook.”

“I just let you eat my food.”

“I’ll be your friend for the end of the world.”

A beat. “Fine. Min Yoongi.”

But it was a week of listening to ragged notes and misplaced sharps, and his (still) perfectionist ass wanted to right it.

“It’s open,” Jungkook yelled from what Yoongi presumed was his computer chair.

He sauntered inside with measured caution and watched his neighbor tick away in codes on three different screens. Yoongi silently slid the music sheets on a small free space on Jungkook’s desk.

“Software developer?”

“Not really. I’m a solutions specialist, the yes-boy,” Jungkook replied with a smug grin. He hit enter and the lines start to jumble together as he swiveled to face Yoongi. “You re-wrote your notes. You must be a producer or something.”

Yoongi clucks. “Close. A film composer.”

“Do you go to Hollywood?”

“I’m not made for performative limelight. The shadows are bright enough.”

“Cool. I want to make a film someday.”

“You have a day job.”

“Can’t a man have two dreams?”

“Touche. One can never have too many.”

“What’s yours then, Yoongi?”

“Just one but it won’t be mine.”

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

March. Spring coming alive, and for the first time in months, Yoongi genuinely thought he was getting better and over him. Jeon Doe (maybe he’ll always call him this) was a light companion – not imposing, a bit fluttery, but steady in his essence. Perhaps it was the continuous wonder that ebb in his eyes or the utterly soft disregard of pain for something nonchalant.

On the eve of March 1st, he stroked again the keys of his piano, and Jungkook came into his unit and accompanied him with a guitar. It was an improvisation of chaotic notes in Yoongi’s head and by magic, Jungkook floated with that tornado. The contrast and the blend gave way to an unlikely partnership of melody and rhythm.

And on March 1st, Yoongi felt butterflies again when Jungkook joined him on the bench and giddily watched his fingers dance on white and black.

But on the second day of the month, the butterflies were replaced with quicksand.

Kim Seokjin called and wanted to meet. It was funny how in a moment of hesitancy, it was his heart who doubled and his feet that led. Their favorite bar, whiskey on the rocks for Jin, dry scotch for him, and an expanse of silence of between them.

“He’s too busy with production at the moment.” Jin downed his drink in one gulp. Yoongi didn’t even need to ask.

And I’m the only one who’s available. “At the moment is how many months?”

“For three months now.”

“You should break up.” An unsolicited advice Yoongi gave more than twice with not much success.

“If I was a music company, maybe he would do me,” Jin jested, holding the empty glass in his hand. “Should I buy one?”

“Buy his affections as well and monopolize them.” It was a banter Jin was used too and maybe by now, he should have known that Yoongi hid half-truths in them.

“They’re too intense for me alone. He’s always destined for the world.”

What could Yoongi do but surrender at the unspoken request of comfort. “There’s someone who treats you like you’re his whole world.”

“I wish I did too.”

Yoongi never had a sip of his scotch, but Jin’s languid kiss was enough to get drunk on. He lost the flutter and the lightness, and dove headfirst in heavy, steely waters. Yoongi missed the suffocating pressure and the sensation of bursting at the seams. If his heart would burst at this moment, it would shatter a hundred times more for the many touches and whispers to follow. He would gladly die in this misshapen illusion.

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

“Your door was always locked,” Jungkook greeted a month after, carrying a big tub of fermented kimchi. “My dad dropped by to give me spares.”

Two weeks before this, Jin left in a hurry to go to the airport, saying Namjoon had been in an accident, and two weeks after, Yoongi never heard back from him.

He accepted the side dish from his neighbor, but nothing went past Jungkook. Realization was plain in his face, but he chose not to comment on it.

“Yoongi.”

“Hmm.” It was danger meeting Jungkook’s eyes so Yoongi kept his downcast.

“I told you before.”

“What?”

“That I’ll be your friend for the end of the world.”

Yoongi didn’t respond, and Jungkook took the cue to leave.

He repeated that same line later that night when he heard Yoongi trash his place, his bare arm catching the brunt of a baseball bat just before it landed on the piano keys.

“Why would you go so far?” Yoongi sneered, anger seeping through his controlled demeanor.

“Why would you go so far?” Jungkook cradled his arm like he cradled his pain. Like it was nothing. “It’s the end of the world.”

“I need a friend.”

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

It was easier being with Jungkook – lighter, happier, with no care in the world. He was also honest in a straightforward, unassuming, and endearing way especially when those doe eyes of his were used to an advantage.

When he told Yoongi in the middle of Battle Royale, out of the blue, with no precedence whatsoever that “I don’t want to be just your friend”, it knocked the air out of the latter. And when Jungkook followed it with “You can use me, however you want”, Yoongi knew he had to get things sorted.

Lest he wants Jungkook trapped inside the vortex of unresolved feelings.

So Yoongi didn’t give him a tangible response. He just skidded closer to him on the couch and Jeon Doe took the cue to lay his head on the crook of his neck as another student was slashed to their death on the screen.

When credits rolled in, Yoongi dipped his head and found Jungkook already waiting with bated breath.

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

“Ah, you found me.”

Jin was back in his penthouse in Seoul, alone with no Namjoon in tow.

“Am I a week early?” Yoongi asked.

“I just got in today.” True enough, unopened suitcases littered his living room. Too many suitcases for a vacation. “I’m relocating back. Is there such a thing?”

Yoongi went to one luggage and punched in the password Jin used when Namjoon and him got together, it did not open, so he tried another combination. Ah, only his birthdate. Yoongi packed the first of his clothes to cabinets he was all too familiar with. He went on with this rudimentary task with Jin at the kitchen, cooking up something for the two of them.

In a parallel universe, Yoongi would have been happily contented with this.

Tidied up, folded, and free, the two went through a simple steak and pasta dinner.

“We broke up.” He twirled his fork endlessly. “It hit me when I saw him go to an award show. I could never keep up with him, Yoongi, not when I’m taking a backseat while his dreams sit in the front.”

“Don’t be silly.”

Jin stared at him like he was betrayed.

“Don’t be silly,” Yoongi repeated, drawling each word. “Namjoon and his goals sit in another sports car while you drive a rundown secondhand.”

That made Jin laugh. “You’re merciless.” And then he grimaced. “I never felt this neglected. It was never this way when I was with you.”

“We’ve never had anything, Jin. You didn’t let me have anything,” Yoongi finished clean his pasta. He folded his napkin like a good guest and waited for Jin’s retort.

But he just sighed, defeated. “I destroyed what good we had. I’m afraid I also lost the friendship.”

“You know I can’t go back again to you.” Yoongi didn’t know if he threw a question or a statement.

“I saw it the instant you came through that door.” Jin put down his fork and trained his eyes on his best friend. “Happiness looks good on you.”

“You would have known already if you had just looked at me.”

Jin gave him a sad smile. “And it would have been the best sight had I tried harder.” He picked up again his fork, his lips pursed, his eyes brimming with tears. It was a foreign scene, Jin coming undone in front of him, not because of Namjoon, because of him. “So who is this guy?”

“I call him Jeon Doe.”

Jin kept brushing the side of his eyes while he twirled strands of noodles in his fork. When he opened his mouth to eat, tears brushed down his cheeks, breaking in rivulets as he chewed. “That’s a stupid name.”

Yoongi noticed the upwelling – the comeuppance of what was lost trying to mask itself as the crescent emotions. He knew it when Jungkook kissed him back that night, that he could never go back to this uncertainty. “And stupidly in love with me too.”

Jin continued to chew with salty tears. “I’m sorry, Yoongi.”

His hands clenched at the name that left his lips. “I got tired of being your placeholder. You couldn’t just leave and expect me to stay in one place. I also crack every time you touch me, and I shatter every time you go. I broke, Jin. I got torn apart, and I wasn’t sure whether I could still handle your overspilling love for someone else when I couldn’t even hold any for me.” Yoongi’s fingers stretched to touch the dam that escaped his friend’s eyes. “You must understand.”

“I’m sorry, Yoongi,” Jin repeated. “And I understand it. I get it now. I see it. It’s just overwhelming – this mountain of regrets and what-ifs and utter disregard I made for my own happiness.”

“I got in the crossfire.”

“A victim willing.”

“But not anymore.”

Jin shook his head. “No, not anymore.” He intertwined his fingers with Yoongi. “I hope it works out for you and Jeon Doe.”

Not a minute longer, Yoongi pulled away from Jin’s touch. “I hope you heal.”

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

Jin saw them on the same piano bench, playing a duet in the middle of a wedding reception, hands flying about, touches fleeting but enthralling, releasing captivating, fluttery sounds – almost akin to freedom.

He was seeing now in full high-definition panorama the gravity of his consequences. He let go of his two great loves, one he loved with no fail, the other he took to fail.

And so he welcomed the splendor of pain. He had two great loves, and regardless of how they ended, they deserved a thorough journey of grief. He could only hope that at the end of it was what he saw in Yoongi.

Freedom.

#yoonkook #yoonjin #bts fanfic #bts fic #min yoongi #jeon jungkook #kim seokjin #mention of namjin #fic!pseudolily #fic!pinkhairedlily

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shy-violet-soul · 5 years ago

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The Itty-Bitty Babysitting Brigade

Title: The Itty-Bitty Babysitting Brigade Characters: Alpha! Bucky Barnes x Omega!F-Reader, Assorted Avengers Summary: A team of experts are ready to help Bucky with the twins. Warnings: fluffity fluffy fluff. A bad language word. Word count: approx. 2,400 A/N: This merry little band wouldn’t let me rest until I snuck a peak at how they do with the new pups! You don’t have to read part 1 & part 2, but you should.

A/N 2: a very big fluffy thank you to my 2 beta’s, @thesassywallflower and @pinknerdpanda. You ladies are super-fab - bless you for putting up with my text onslaughts!

This is a work of fiction based upon characters owned by the MCU. My work is not to be published elsewhere without my written permission.

Bucky Barnes was a reasonable man. Before you and the twins darkened the apartment doorway on your first day home as a family, he’d created pup care schedules, matrices, and plans that would put Nick Fury to shame. The failure of the infants to follow said schedules, matrices, and plans gave him chest pains.

“Bucky, my love, it’s okay. They were all warm and cozy where it was dark and quieter. Here, it’s noisy and cold and bright. I’m sure they’re a little scared because everything’s so different. Crying is the only way they have to talk to us.” Then, you did it again - hand over his heart, blinking your tired but happy eyes up at him. “They’re so lucky to have a strong, brave daddy to help them feel safe.”

Bucky Barnes was a reasonable man. After eight days of carefully crafted pup care plans being shot straight to hell, the soldier went back to his roots - guerilla warfare. Having spent decades perfecting the art of surveillance, he quickly learned the twins’ little tells that gave away possible maneuvers. Ruth Natalia, for instance, went back to sleep if she just rubbed her eyes with her fist. Rubbing her face into the blanket - imminent nap ceasefire. If Joseph Steven had the hiccups for longer than 3 minutes 18 seconds - prompt conflict escalation. Ever the tactician, Bucky quickly adopted the jarhead motto of ‘improvise, adapt, and overcome’ that allowed him to anticipate and quickly intervene. A swift pacifier tucked into Ruth’s mouth bought him an average 6 minutes extra peace time. Swaying Joey side to side tucked in his arm like a football was always a successful diversion. It’s when they joined forces in joint engagement that left him with palpitations and shortness of breath.

Watching you made it easier. Motherhood looked damn good on you. Even if you were covered in spit up and the clothes from two days ago. You showed him the best swaddle techniques, encouraged him to be unafraid while burping them (“they won’t break, Bucky”), and filled his phone with photos of him and the pups.

Even though Bucky grumbled that it had only been a few weeks, your willing daycare back-up Wanda had to get back to missions. The night before you were supposed to resume daycare duties, the babies engaged in full scale attrition warfare, including deployment of the famous Pincer movement.

Simply put, they ganged up on their mama and daddy.

Bucky’s heart broke when you sagged to the floor between their bouncy seats where they both shrieked like they were being tortured, and cried right along with them. You had nursed, and rocked, and walked, and bounced, and bathed, and sung, and nursed and swaddled and unwrapped and walked and vacuumed and nursed and nothing. Was. WORKING.

“I don’t - I don’t k-know what to d-do!” you sobbed as you held pacifiers to their mouths. Your red-rimmed eyes shone garishly, skin pinched and pale from pure exhaustion. Your nursing top hung raggedly off one shoulder, and your loose pants were stained from dinner two nights before. Both his omega and his pups were in need before him, an expert warrior and master assassin. He felt like he was gonna throw up.

Bucky Barnes was a reasonable man. And an Avenger, dammit! His alpha snarled and snapped with anxiety - protect! Soothe! Fix! Kneeling down behind you, he wrapped you up in his arms, being careful to avoid your painful breasts, and purred into your neck. You and both babies paused in the moment; you quaked like a leaf against him as the pups snuffled, his calming scent of rosemary and sandalwood pacifying them for a moment. He didn’t know what the hell to do, so he did what any rational person would do. He lied.

“I know what to do. You’re going to go take a shower, and lie down and sleep. The babies and I are going downstairs to be with the daycare pups.”

Your lack of protest said more than any words as you wiped your nose on your sleeve. “C-can I just lie down here?” you croaked out pitifully. Bucky wavered for an instant before putting just enough alpha in his voice to get you moving.

“No, doll, you’ll wake up all sore. Go shower, go sleep.”

Bucky Barnes was a reasonable man. The fact that he took enough equipment downstairs to satisfy a doomsday prepper wasn’t noteworthy in the slightest. The pups’ reactions, however, was. Parents were abandoned without a backward glance as they ran pell mell towards the occupied bouncy seat/swing contraptions.

“WAIT!” Heidi/Dimples the omega bellowed, freezing Chad/Lightning Bolt and Jeremy/Steve in their tracks. “Sanitize! Who knows what germs you’ve picked up out there!” she ordered, swiping the pump bottle and doling out globs while Bucky hurriedly took care of sign in. Bucky would later chuckle with you at the militant little omega refusing access to the babies until every pup had been liberally sanitized. The ooo’s and aaa’s, soft touches, and light distracted the babies as Bucky scrambled to get morning snack lined up. Then…

“Look at that! Baby Joey has the hiccups!” giggled Micah/Iron Hulk.

Shit.

“Mr. Barnes, sir? Ruthie keeps rubbing her face in her blankie,” Heidi advised.

Dammit.

Servings of apple juice globbed into sippy cups with no attention to equal servings as Bucky’s heart rate rose along with the volume of the twins’ fussing. When Ruth gave one piercing cry, Bucky ripped open two packs of graham crackers and dropped them on the table, ignoring the crumbling result as he sprinted back to the babies. Elaine/Warrior Princess had already figured out the Stark tech on the swings, but the smooth movements weren’t doing anything to mollify them. Joey joined in his sister’s cries, both little faces screwing up as they hollered. Seven pairs of pup eyes turned to look at Bucky expectantly.

Bucky Barnes was a reasonable man. The fact that he felt like vomiting was irrelevant.

“Hungry. Maybe they’re hungry,” he said more to himself as he stumbled to plug in the bottle warmer.

“Mmmm, I dunno. They don’t sound hungry,” Chad pondered, hands on his hips.

“How do you know? They’re still fresh out of the wrapper, they don’t know how to cry different.”

Chad scoffed at Elaine. “Because my mama is a baby-makin’ machine, that’s why! She says so all the time, and my dad’s sleeping on the couch till he gets some kinda appointment made. I got two little brothers and one little sister at home.”

Sera studied Ruthi seriously, bobbing along with the baby as she scrutinized. “He’s right, they’re not hungry. See? She’s just lonely.”

Bucky tried not to hyperventilate as he fished out two bottles of breast milk, bobbling one until he slammed it into the warmer. Distantly he saw the pups gather in closer to the babies, heard the murmur of certainty in the ‘ooooh, I see!’ that chattered through the room. While mashing buttons, he chanced a look over his shoulder when Micah declared,

“I know what to do!” But a mechanical beep of annoyance from the warmer took his attention and sent his pulse hammering in rhythm with the babies’ cries. Failure loomed over him like a towering tidal wave, his throat sticky with stress and hyperventilation. As his vision started to turn white at the edges, Bucky didn’t notice the activity behind him: Micah explaining the plan, Elaine leading Jeremy and Sera to move the big blue chair, Natalie running to the art supplies, and Chad and Heidi leaning over the babies.

Little hands grabbing at his arms knocked Bucky off his pins, the second bottle clattering from his hand. He almost took the blue chair down with him when Elaine and Jeremy tugged him into it, wooden feet groaning an inch or two across the floor in protest. Sera tossed the blankets previously covering the twins across his legs. Natalie appeared at his right, wobbling on a step stool and brandishing a pair of rounded safety scissors while Chad and Heidi clutched the screaming babies against their bodies.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Barnes! This won’t hurt a bit!”

Bucky Barnes was a reasonable man. The fact that there are now ten holes ripped into the arms of the big blue chair is immaterial.

Before Bucky could even free up a brain cell to respond, Micah grabbed the left side of his tshirt and pulled it taut, and Natalie sliced a cut from nipple to nipple like she ninja’d her way through toddler tap dance class. Micah then yanked the gap wide, and Chad and Heidi plunked the babies against his bare chest.

“There!” Micah and Chad chimed out victoriously. Bucky didn’t know what ‘there’ was. Or where. He was thoroughly occupied with maneuvering the two squalling, still very tiny babies against him.

“Son of a bitch!” he ground out.

“MIS-ter Barnes! You can’t use bad language words!” Heidi clapped her hands over the closest baby’s ears, glaring ferociously at him. Deaf to her scolding, Bucky yelped when Ruth’s face slid into his armpit and Joey slipped head-first towards the side. Sighing with exasperation, Chad climbed up to the left arm and clapped his hands on Bucky’s face.

“Listen. Calm down. You’re giving off all your bad alpha smells and freakin’ ‘em out!”

“Deep breaths, Mr. Barnes!” The little pups started coaching the Avenger, breathing in and out exaggeratedly until he followed their lead. Gradually, he noticed the scent of gunsmoke choking the air, causing more than one wrinkled pup nose. He forced himself to relax, his left arm chinking slightly as the plates shifted.

“I don’t know what to do,” he whispered to himself. Elaine’s head bonked him on the chin as she tugged Joey back into place, the baby flopping like a bobblehead before she climbed down to sit on the floor.

“Nobody knows what to do with kids, Mr. Barnes.”

Finally manuevering Ruth into place, Bucky tried to pay attention. “Oh, yeah?”

“Yup. My mama tells us all the time. ‘What the hell am I gonna do with you?’” Elaine quoted solemnly.

Jeremy nodded in agreement. “My daddy says parenthood is the toughest hood he’s ever been in. But I don’t know about that ‘cuz I never see him wear a hood, he only wears a ball cap.”

Both babies now lay cautiously secured in his hold. Bucky couldn’t take his eyes off them as they still fussed and grizzled unhappily.

“Now what?”

Chad joined the little band crisscrossed-applesauced in front of Bucky. “The two p’s.” The little guy nodded as if to tell him to get busy. Like he wasn’t speaking in a foreign language at all.

“Which two p’s?”

Rolling his eyes and sharing a chagrined look with Elaine, Chad answered, “purr and pat. Bust out that legit purr and pat ‘em on their little hineys.”

Bucky swallowed hard around the still-pounding pulse in his throat and tried to purr; the sound started croakily at best. But as his alpha settled into the calming action, Bucky felt his muscles relax a hair. His eyes closed as he let himself just be in the moment - the tip-tup dance of their heartbeats against his thrumming warm beneath them, the gentle herby lavender and spiced vanilla of their scents gradually lifting to thread with his rosemary and sandalwood. And gradually realized he nor the babies seemed about to immediately explode.

When he opened his eyes, he blinked at the bright grins waiting for him.

“Good job, Mr. Barnes!” Heidi crowed, clapping happily. Micah offered him a double thumbs up to go with Sera’s chef’s kiss, while the others offered him proud, smiling nods.

“Just need to figure out the pat, and you got this!” Chad encouraged. “They just needed that skin to skin time.”

Jeremy was nodding vehemently. “I helped my mom with that when she was conzausted.”

“What’s conzausted?” Natalie wanted to know.

“It’s when my mom gets really tired.”

“Oh. My dad must get conzausted, too. He says having all us kids is like having a blender with no lid.”

Sera perked up, eyes wide with an epiphany. “That must be why my mom cleans all the time!”

Bucky felt one of his calf muscles cramp up, and tried to relax a little more. Ruth and Joey dozed, happily nuzzling round cheeks and tiny noses into his warmth. Their sleepy little sounds tugged a half-smile onto his face. When Bucky stole his gaze to the daycare pups, Chad gave him a pleased head bob. Unbelievably relieved pride sent more calm into his belly, and Bucky let himself relax even more as the children’s candy-coated happy scents filled him. They whispered and murmured in hushed tones, eager to help with their newest friends and their Sergeant Alpha.

Suddenly, Steve came somersaulting shield first in the craft room window, glass shattering and scattering. Sam splintered open the front door to the tune of pups screaming - all nine of them as the babies were yanked from their nap. Weapons drawn, they both scrambled around the room.

“Bucky! I got your 911 text. Where’s the threat?”

Bucky’s omega is a reasonable woman. The fact that she nailed Sam with a baseball bat was blown entirely out of proportion. The other fact that she kicked Steve in the balls so hard he cried was not.

An hour later, the daycare pups were in the upstairs living quarters, happily munching on popcorn to go with an impromptu ‘Phineas and Ferb’ marathon. Nat and Clint had carted away the incapacitated Captain and Falcon while Tony’s bots worked on door and window replacement. Clint nearly required medical attention himself when he laughed so hard at the ‘conzausted’ Mrs. Barnes’ terrified omega rampage that he fell off the porch. Bucky had taken your scolding shamefacedly, although he truly had no memory of sending the text. Abject panic will do that to you.

As he cuddled the calmed and re-sleeping babies against his bare chest, his omega dozing beside him on the coach, and a pile of pups and pillows before him, Bucky knew he could do this.

He knew they could do this. Even without schedules, matrices, and schedules.

#shy vy writes #alpha!bucky #Alpha Bucky Barnes #alpha bucky x omega reader #a/b/o dynamics #marvel fanfic #the itty bitty babysitting brigade

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noonaduck · 4 years ago

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In the eye of storm pt.2

Pairing: reader x Hoseok /OT7 Genre: Superhero &super villain AU, Smut, fluff, angst. series. Warnings: angst, gore themes Words: 4055

Summary: You lived in a world where superhuman abilities were reality. Around 15% of world population went through a mutations in their mother’s womb that scientists weren’t able to explain. These people with supernatural abilities were called meta-humans. Some of meta people decided to serve the world as superheroes whose job was to keep everyone safe. Like every coin people gaining superpowers had its down side. Because there wasn’t choosing who would born with extraordinary abilities sometimes the powers ended up manifesting in wrong people. Those people used their abilities for their own gain and the counter force for the superheroes was born. A/N: At first I’m sorry for the wait. i have been lacking the motivation to write so that’s why publishing the second part took so long. I wanna give big shout out and thanks to my new beta @s0seo . I don’t know where I would be without her patience to fix my grammar mistakes and her suggestions on how the plot should proceed.

1. < 2. > 3. coming soon.

[GIF belongs to it’s rightful owner ]

9 years ago in Scarlet City

Min Yoongi was proud to call himself super. Even though he hadn’t gained his superhuman abilities through a mutation like other super humans, he didn't mind. His father was one of the leading scientists in the field of gene research following the discovery of the first superhuman. Their home was filled with articles detailing the accomplishments and crimes of these super humans. Many of them were decorated with scribbles from both yoongi as well as his father. You could say that he was obsessed in figuring out the secrets of supernatural abilities. That was the main reason that he had spent most of his time in his laboratory focusing on his work. Yoongi's mother died in a car crash when Yoongi was only two. Although Yoongi couldn’t remember much about his mother, he could vaguely recall the comforting scent of her hair and how patient and kind she was always with him unlike his father. Following his mother’s funeral Yoongi’s father buried himself even deeper into his work than he had before, and Yoongi found himself spending most of the time with his father in his cold, desolate laboratory playing with empty test tubes and befriending the lab rats his father used for his experiments. Dr. Min looked like a real life mad scientist with his too big lab coat, messy black hair, and half moon glasses that he kept pushing up his crooked nose. He didn’t ignore his child on purpose; it was just that he was always so focused on his work that he sometimes forgot that he even had a son. The lack of other kids' presence in Yoongi's early years robbed him of any potential social skills and later caused him to become an outcast. When Yoongi was old enough he was sent to one of the strictest boarding schools in the country. He was often punished harshly for insubordination and was often misunderstood, because he struggled with expressing himself in ways that didn’t make him seem rude. He spent countless hours scrubbing dishes and mopping the halls as punishment. However, kitchen duty had its own benefits, and it was through those countless hours that he learned how to make basic meals, and was able to sustain himself and his father during school holidays when he was sent back home.During his free time Yoongi often buried his head in his comic books and closely followed the news about his favorite heroes while continuously finding himself wondering if he was one of them would his father finally notice him? Yoongi had always had mixed feelings towards his father. He wanted his father to see him as someone who was worthy of his love and attention. At the same time Yoongi found himself becoming more and more frustrated with his father. The only things he seemed to care about were the super humans he was studying and the powers that they processed.

The city was covered in a heavy blanket of snow, and Yoongi tried desperately to make his way through the buzzing city. Christmas was already knocking on the door, and panicked shoppers were running around like headless chickens hunting for their last minute Christmas presents. As he got close to the large building, he felt a shoulder ram into him from the side almost causing him to drop the plastic bag which carried a christmas gift of his own.

After glancing angrily towards the stranger only to find him already walking away with his phone glued to his ear, Yoongi let out a heavy sigh and watched a cold puff of air escape from his lips. He didn’t know what had come over him when he had decided to visit his father while he was working. When Yoongi finally reached the wide glass two story building he frowned and felt snow begin to fall from the sky. It was getting dark, and the only lights in the building were coming out from the second floor where he knew his father's laboratory was located. Yoongi knocked on the front glass doors and a few seconds later a security guard appeared from his booth to unlock the door for him.

‘’Merry Christmas Yoongi.’’ The familiar old mad man greeted him while flashing a toothy grin. ‘’Merry Christmas to you too.’’ Yoongi answered back, his lips in a straight line. He had always hated the holiday season. ‘’Is your father expecting you?’’ ‘’No. I bought him food.’’ Yoongi raised his arm holding his plastic bag to show the guard. ‘’Ah that's good. I don’t believe your father’s been eating enough. He didn’t even leave for his break.’’ ‘’I see.’’ Yoongi nodded as the guard stepped to the side. ‘’Say hi for your father from me.’’ ‘’Will do.’’ Yoongi nodded as he headed towards the main hall and ascended the stairs leading to the second floor. He walked quietly through the dimly lit hallway, stopping just outside of his father’s door. He hesitantly reached for the handle and released a deep breath before raising his arm and knocking on the locked door. After a few minutes, and a bit more knocking, his father finally appeared in the doorway looking surprised to see his son standing in front of him.

‘’What are you doing here, shouldn’t you be at school?’’ Dr. Min asked, confused, his mind already returning to his current experiment. Yoongi looked at his father and took note of his disheveled state

“He looks like a mess’’, Yoongi thought to himself. The stains on his shirt, his messy hair, and the bags under his eyes spoke volumes. Not to mention one of his lenses was missing from his glasses. ‘’Christmas is in two days.’’ He responded dully. ‘’Really? I didn’t even notice. Well, come in since you’re already here.’’ Dr. Min said, stepping away and letting his son in. Yoongi wasn’t surprised at how unorganized his father's workplace was. ‘’I bought you soup.’’ Yoongi told him reaching his arm out to hand the bag to his father. ‘’I see, thank you.’’ Mr. Min said, his mind elsewhere as he put the bag down near a metal table. ‘’Follow me I want to show you something.’’ he called over his shoulder already walking away, his face, lighting up and his hand gesturing to Yoongi to follow.

Mr. Min led Yoongi towards the tables where the cages containing the test animals were held. He saw a white rabbit with red eyes and three mice sleeping in the cage next to it. ‘’Animals. Why we are looking at your test subjects?’’ Yoongi asked his father with a raised eyebrow. I might have figured out a way to extract the DNA from one species, dissect it, and place it into another species to expand their traits. ‘’Seeing only confusion on his son’s face he continued. ‘’For example those three mice are paired with the DNA of snakes. I’m waiting for results now. I hope that I’m able to implant the ability to produce venom for these small creatures’’ ‘’Don’t you think that what you are doing is unethical. We shouldn’t mess with nature?’’ Yoongi questioned. Despite all he has been through he had high morals.

‘’Don’t you see son?! If this works we can soon create real life hybrids! Human’s with reflex like a boa and sight like a hawk! With enough time we could even create super humans of our own. just think about it, no more worrying about being too slow or too weak, we could make ourselves gods" Dr. Min’s face looked almost lunatic. ‘’Do the higher ups know what you are doing?’’ ‘’They wouldn’t understand! just think of the possibilities! I’m sure you understand after all you know how much this means to me! Before Yoongi could respond, one of the mice woke up and started coughing up blood. Soon the other two started coughing up blood as well. Yoongi saw that one of them had already begun to bleed from its eyes. ‘’The mice are rejecting the combination of the dna chains!’’ dr. Min yelled and pulled at his his hair in panic. ‘’What I did wrong!’’ Yoongi took a few steps back and turned away ,barely managing to reach a bin before emptying his stomach. Dr. Min, not even noticing his son’s distress hurried to open the cage of the now dead mice.Yoongi glanced towards the rabbit whose breathing had started to hitch, and in the spur of moment pulled the cage door open and picked up the shaking animal. The next thing he knew, he was running down the hallway holding the rabbit to his chest as he faintly heard his father yelling after him.. The only thought in his mind was saving the rabbit from the same fate that the mice had experienced at his father’s hands. However, what Yoongi didn’t know was that the bunny had already received an injection of something that would change both of their lives. ~

You knock on Yoongi’s bedroom door quietly and step in. Heavy black curtains are pulled in front of the long glass windows and only light in the room is coming from the slightly ajar door of the ensuite bathroom. You walk next to Yoongi’s double bed and look at him with worry covering your face.

Yoongi is moving restlessly in his sleep and sweating heavily. ‘’Yoongi wake up.’’ You shake Yoongi’s shoulder and he wakes up with a loud gasp, his hand reaching around your neck in reflex to defend himself. ‘’Yoongi it’s me.’’ You rasp as you feel the growing pressure on your neck. Yoongi’s gaze is wild and unfocused until his eyes finally make their way to your face. ‘’Y/N! I’m so sorry.’’ Yoongi cries out letting go of your neck, and you see a mixture of shock and guilt covering his face.

‘’It’s okay. It was just a dream.’’ You tell him as you take a seat on the bed next to him and take his still raised hands into yours. ‘’I could’ve hurt you.’’ Yoongi whispers quietly with an ashamed voice. ‘’Please,I was never in real danger. If I thought I was you would be on the floor right now suffering from literal and metaphorical shock.’’ You assure him as you rub his hands gently and ask. ‘’Do you want to talk about your dream?’’ ‘’I don’t remember it anymore.’’ Yoongi says, looking into your eyes. Even though his face doesn’t expose anything, something in his voice makes you feel that he isn’t being honest, but you won’t push it. ‘’Okay then, we need you in the meeting room. Namjoon wants to go through today's plan one more time. ‘’ ‘’I will be there in a bit. Can you give me maybe like fifteen minutes to shower?’’ Yoongi asks and pulls his hands away from yours. ‘’Sure. Come downstairs whenever you’re ready.’’ You get up from Yoongi’s bed flashing him an assuring smile and exit his room closing the door quietly. Your home was a penthouse located on the top two floors of one of the highest skyscrapers in the city. On the first floor was the kitchen, living room, one smaller bathroom, and Namjoon’s bedroom which sat next to a small home library (not by coincidence). The second floor was made of a balcony that opened over the living area granting clear view to the space. On the second floor were 4 other rooms, three of them being bedrooms in use paired with an ensuite bathroom in each and the fourth unused room had been turned into a gaming room. Even villains needed to let loose sometimes. You start walking down the stairs leading to the living room when you hear a door open behind you. ‘’Y/N wait!’’ Jimin hurries after you and stops you on the halfway point of the stairs. ‘’Yes?’’ You turn to look at him over your shoulder already prepared to hear bad news. ‘’Nothing, I just wanted to go to the meeting room with you.’’ Jimin grins and you roll your eyes in response. ‘’Let’s go then.’’ You say with a little sigh and lead Jimin towards a wall where a huge painting hangs. The painting wasn’t anything extraordinary. In fact the huge size of it was the only thing worthy of any attention. The picture was a abstract mix of red, blue and yellow lines and shapes. You touch the right side of the painting gently and a small hatch slides out of the wall next to the picture and reveals a small keypad. You type in the code, and the painting swings open like a door revealing the small hallway behind it containing three doors. On the left side of the hallway is a door that leads into the room where you keep your gear, your suits, weapons and other objects used for combat. On the right side of the hall is your practice room where you have some basic gym equipment and a large area to train your skills. You walk straight past the doors on both sides of the hallway and stop in front of the final door resting at the end of the hallway which leads to your meeting room. You push the door open and are greeted by the familiar space. The walls of the room are cluttered with multiple monitors displaying data, police reports, diagrams and other classified information.. what pulls your attention though is the big round glass table placed right in the center of it.you look across the room to find the all too familiar half moon shaped work desk thankful that it's placed right across the entrance.This table has even more monitors than the wall and is the place where Yoongi spends most of his free time. The table is faced towards the door so Yoongi can see whoever enters the room. However, this time it's not Yoongi who you spot behind the table. Namjoon is standing up and leaning over the work desk rapidly typing something into the keyboard while mumbling to himself. You sit in one of the( many chairs surrounding the round table, and Jimin takes a seat right next to you. Noticing that Namjoon is still unaware of your arrival, you raise your brows at Jimin in amusement , and he puts his finger to his lips to signal you to keep quiet. A wicked grin makes its way to his face but is quickly replaced with a focused frown and furrowed eyebrows. You watch as the half empty water glass on the spot where Namjoon usually sits at the table makes its way towards Namjoon. You can hardly keep yourself from giggling when Jimin stops the glass in the air right above Namjoon and begins to tilt it forward. Just as Jimin pours the glass of water on top of Namjoon's head Yoongi arrives, causing Namjoon to look up and instead feel the liquid pour down his face. Yoongi only smirks, quietly amused from the sight and takes his seat next to Jimin. Namjoon’s shocked face is hilarious, and a burst of giggles escapes your lips followed by Jimin’s cheerful laugh. ‘’Jimin!’’ Namjoon grunts angrily and wipes his face on his hand. ‘’Are you twelve or something?’’ Instead of answering Jimin answers between his laugh. ‘’You should have seen your face. It's usually so hard to catch you off guard with your hearing and all, but this is hilarious. The mighty RM completely misses me and Y/N entering the room and finally falls victim to a prank.’’ Jimin wipes his eyes, breathing heavily.

Namjoon sighs and shakes his head in annoyance. ‘’Well, since we’re all here, let's start our meeting.’’ He continues and comes to sit on the edge of the table across from everyone. Your giggles dry, and your faces turn serious as you all straighten your posture. You knew when it was time to focus on the situation at hand, and although Jimin liked to play around; he did too. Yoongi continues sitting quietly in his seat taps the glass table with his nails causing small clicking noises to erupt through the sudden silence. Namjoon clears his throat and the meeting begins. ‘’Thanks to Yoongi we have gained information about the whereabouts of the key. An armored convoy escorted by the Big hit’s private agents will be arriving in our city on the tomorrow night. At first Yoongi and i tried figuring out how to break into the van, but then we figured out that the van is just a decoy.’’ ‘’Are you saying that we were going after a false lead again?’’ You ask frustrated and squeeze your hand into a fist already feeling your temper rising. ‘’No, but we almost did.’’ It's the first time Yoongi speaks since his arrival. ‘’The real key will be arriving to the city on the 8:15 pm train from Sunside City escorted by three agents dressed as civilians. Isn't that the same time as the decoy?’’ Namjoon points one of the bigger screens on the wall with a remote, and a picture of a train car seating system comes into view. ‘’The problem is that we don’t know what the agents look like or where they are going to sit, but luckily we know its the fifth cart from the engine.’’ Namjoon circles the picture with a laser pointer and you arch your brows deep in thought.

‘’So how are we gonna find the key? Are we just supposed to raid the whole cart?’’ Jimin asks tilting his head on the side. ‘’No, that would draw r too much attention. We have came up with a better plan. Y/N and I will board the train in our civil clothes and pretend to be young couple.’’ Namjoon says, smirking. ‘’I have few ideas in mind how to get the key without being detected but I will return to them in private with Y/N’’ ‘’Are you sure that it's safe to show our faces in front of the agents?” you ask.

You know that you are capable no matter what you do, but you’ve never committed a crime without some form of disguise. Even when you were just a teenager breaking into stores in the middle of night you used a mask that you had stolen from a Halloween store. The irony of that was it was that the mask was shaped like a bat to represent a fictional superhero. ‘’I know that you aren’t the fan of putting your face out there but it's our best option.’’ Namjoon tries to assure you. ‘’Wait, won’t the guards notice that the key is missing?’’ Jimin asks. ‘’What's the point of revealing your faces if they are going to notice anyway that the key was stolen?’’ he adds frustrated. ‘’I was getting to that, but I’m being interrupted constantly.’’ Namjoon sighs brushing his damp hair backwards. ‘’I had to pay a long penny but I got JB to forge a replica of the key for us.’’ Namjoon reaches for his pocket and pulls out a small package from his jean pocket. You had heard of JB. He was the leader of a group called GOT7. Even though none of the seven members of the group had powers, they were highly respected in the business when it came to possessing items or information you weren’t supposed to have. The group runs a blackmarket tightly connected to the spiderweb. Some people believed that their gang was the one who ran the organization on the spider web, but no one could say for sure. There was a saying that if you didn’t find what you were looking for in their hands; it probably didn’t exist. ‘’He made a copy?’’ You ask, surprised. ‘’Yes, Jackson told me once that when JB was a teen he was a forger. He was skilled with art, passports, and money. If there was something that would make money he would learn to copy.’’ Namjoon confirms. Jackson was one of the members of GOT7 as well as one of the few people Namjoon could call his friend, and in this business that was rare. ‘’So let me get this straight. We are going to sneak on to the train as civilians, somehow switch the real key with fake one, get out and pray that nothing goes wrong and leaves us exposed?’’ You repeat slowly to understand everything. ‘’That sounds wonderful, I just have one small question.’’ ‘’Which is?’’ ‘’How we are sure that the BTS won’t be disturbing our plans?’’ ‘’I’m glad that you asked.’’ Yoongi answers instead of Namjoon. ‘’Jimin and I will attack the fake convoy escorting the decoy key and cause the attention to fall on us.’’ Yoongi’s eyes flash with excitement. ‘’We are going to be a decoy?’’ Jimin smirks pleased. ‘’Indeed.they went through all the trouble just to fool us, it's only fair that we have a decoy of our we should return the favor.’’

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mrsgreenworld · 4 years ago

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Sen Çal Kapımı Episode 17 aka Expect The Unexpected

I know I have been quite slow with the reviews lately. I guess real life just got busier and messier. But my thoughts are always with the show, with our two crazy lovesick kids. I make sure to watch each new episode live, keep up with new fragmans.

I remember before episode 17 aired, after having seen the fragmans, I was ready for another filler episode. I was also a bit frustrated that instead of moving the storyline forward they decided to randomly throw in the pregnancy scare trope. However, the writers managed to surprise me with the episode that I hadn't expected much from. I also believe we might have got a bit of foreshadowing as well as an important catalyst to finally move the story forward.

But let's discuss all the good and bad in detail.

The things I loved/liked:

☑️ how balanced this episode was: the transition from the lighter and funnier first part to a more loaded second half with some longing between Edser, completely unexpected turn of events at the party and finally - that gut-wrenching final scene; everything was done at the right pace, at least it felt that way to me; they didn't drag on the pregnancy misunderstanding, it was resolved in one day which I was more than happy with (it could've lasted for days 😬);

☑️ Serkan: my baby is back where he belongs - among all the things I loved about the episode 🥰❤️

honestly, Serkan and his response to the whole situation was one of the main highlights for me - it was hilarious, it was adorable, it was sweet, it was loving;

I have already mentioned before that I absolutely love how attuned to Eda Serkan is; this episode wasn't an exception; do you remember the moment he realised something was up? it literally took a comment from Leyla to Eda about tea and our boy's eyebrows immediately furrowed in confusion and suspicion; and when he came up to Eda to tell her they would work together and asked if that was okay - of course he noticed how Eda's face changed before she left for the bathroom; and a concerned hubby that he is he asked Leyla what was wrong and then instructed her to keep tabs on Eda - swoon 🥰😍

that phone call to the family doctor and his face when he heard the doctor mention pregnancy - 🤣🤣🤣🤣

and then his comment about Ebola completely cracked me up - he's such a hypochondriac 👀😬🙈😂

his bathroom meltdown - comedy GOLD! Kerem was spectacular in that scene, his facial expressions as well as that "NE???!!!" - worthy of a standing ovation 👏👏👏 and it proves what a great actor he is in both funny comedy moments and loaded dramatic scenes; it gets me rolling on the floor when he juggles all sorts of facial expressions and I drown in my own tears when he cries;

then there were tiny adorable moments that, I think, really spoke volumes yet again what sort of person Serkan is - kind and caring, someone who loves deeply; when he told Eda not to sit down so fast, when he asked if she was hungry, tried to make her sit down, was worried that she was cold, took unhealthy snacks from her and got her fruit and nuts instead, was making sure she was comfortable, kept glancing at her stomach - all that was a sneak peek at what Serkan Bolat will be as a father; he will be such a mother hen and when Eda is actually pregnant I swear he will be the one more hormonal 🤣😂😆

I loved that he shared his suspicions with Engin;

his reaction when the misunderstanding got cleared up - I was rolling on the floor 🤣🤣

and while he was relieved it didn't look bad on him; it wasn't a type of relief when a person doesn't really want kids or doesn't want them with this particular person and thinks "oh, that was close!"; I am sure when it comes to Eda Serkan wants to make their own football team of Mini-Bolats; he wants this woman to have his children - I believe it without a shadow of doubt; however, I am also sure that, given the current situation Serkan and Eda are in, Serkan wouldn't want to tie Eda to himself like that;

the party - when he saw Eda in the dress he had bought for her 🔥🔥🔥🔥; I am sure he was useless in the conversations he was trying to make because his focus was entirely on Eda, he was following her every move with hungry eyes; damn, Sir! at least try to be a little more discreet 😏🥵

I loved how he asked Eda point blank if she had chosen the dress on purpose - he wasn't even trying to hide how affected he was;

and finally - of course there was that final scene with Serkan when he completely LOST IT; honestly, watching him break down like that - gave me chills;

we had never seen him like that; it's a well-known and established fact what kind of a person Serkan Bolat is - he's a control freak who can and is good at keeping his emotions in check, he doesn't express his feelings easily or even at all that's why he comes off as a cold and emotionless robot; so can you imagine how bad the situation has to be for him to lose it like that and not in the privacy of his home, where he's alone, but in the office, with all his employees and friends as witnesses?

the situation is really Serkan's worst nightmare due to the number of reasons:

1 - Serkan is a control freak (as I have already mentioned many times) and being in a situation where he cannot control something is hard for him psychologically;

2 - Serkan is a perfectionist and perfectionism often stems from the fear of making mistakes because a person was raised this way, wasn't allowed to make any mistakes as a child; we have even heard it from Serkan himself in one of the conversations with his father - he grew up thinking he had no right for mistakes, thinking that he must have done something wrong for his parents to just send him away;

3 - the cruel irony of this situation being so similar to what had happened to Eda's parents;

of course no one died but it could have happened; then Serkan would have turned into his father (in his own mind and eyes); it's just like Eda's parents all over again; can you imagine what kind of thoughts were going through his head? how he's cursed or something, that he really doesn't deserve Eda, that his family taints everything it touches... 😭💔

Kerem's acting in the last scene was truly one of his best and strongest Serkan moments👏👏👏👏;

☑️ Eda: one of my absolute favourite things about our girl is that she keeps her word; there are not many people who do this in life (while I myself try to keep my promises I, unfortunately, often fail);

I was so proud that, no matter what's going on between herself and Serkan, Eda didn't refuse to help Aydan and promised that they would work on her phobia together;

I also loved Eda's idea with the virtual tour around London - very creative and thoughtful way to help Aydan get out of the house without actually leaving the house because baby steps, this cannot be rushed, this type of problems don't go away at the snap of our fingers;

while I find it a bit strange that Eda volunteered to babysit a random couple's child (me and Serkan both, he also said that he doesn't understand Eda 🙈😆) it's another great manifestation to the type of a person she is - kind, loving, generous, ready to help even complete strangers; moreover, the whole situation with the baby allowed us to sneak a peek at Eda as a mother;

and speaking of that scene where Serkan said he didn't understand Eda and wanted to know why she would agree to help people she didn't know - I freaking LOVED how unapologetic she was when she said it's who she is; so he either accepts her for who she is (the way she accepted him) or he can be on his merry way; that's such a joy to watch - a woman who's not sorry for who she is, who loves and respects herself and demands the same respect in return 👏👏👏💞💞💞;

finally, there was the final scene but before that there was also a small moment after the roof had collapsed, when they were still at that house - everybody had left and Eda asked Serkan if there was something she could do, if he wanted to be left alone; she gave him what he wanted and needed in that moment;

but the next day, in the office, after having witnessed his breakdown Eda shows her unwavering belief in Serkan; I loved how she was able to put aside her hurt, maybe to an extent even her pride, and come to him; how she didn't back down and in that moment refused to leave him alone because she knew that wasn't what he needed, he needed her; and she was there, she was there when it mattered;

☑️ Edser: these two idiots are broken up but I swear they couldn't look or act more married; that's basically what we got in this episode - a flashforward of sorts where Edser are married with a kid and expecting another one;

however, this episode also provided us with some longing and lots of UST at that party;

and again there were subtle nods to them being soulmates, which manifested itself in how attuned to each other they were (Serkan with the pregnancy, Eda at the end of the episode) and also the parallel scene at the very beginning with both of them boxing - the same choice of activity to take their minds off of each other (it was also hot as hell 🔥🔥🔥🥵);

☑️ Aydan: OMG CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?

yes, Aydan made it into this category!😱😲

but the writers had really been doing a good job with her and actually showed character growth;

at the beginning of the episode when Eda confronted Aydan about what she had overheard Aydan tried to make something up and said how it was her who had convinced Serkan that they were wrong for each other; what I really enjoyed in that moment was how uncomfortable Aydan looked while saying all those things; it was basically written on her face that what she was saying wasn't true, that wasn't how she felt, she understood that it would hurt Eda to hear that and she didn't want that; it's such a stark contrast to Aydan from episode 11; does anyone remember episode 11? well, I do, perfectly well; I was ENRAGED; Aydan back then said how Eda was not the right match for her son, she was cruel and she didn't even give a flying flip that her words were hurtful for Eda;

it was also nice to see how humbled Aydan was while receiving Eda's help;

☑️ Engin: basically the fact that he continues being the best best friend ever and his reaction to Eda's possible pregnancy - PRICELESS!🤣🤣🤣

I think Engin is the second (after Eda) and the last person who can get away with pulling Serkan Bolat by his cheeks 🙈😆😂

I also really enjoyed Engin's dig at Serkan's character and how he hoped his nephew/niece wouldn't take after Serkan 🤣🤣🤣;

The things I didn't like / was annoyed with:

❎ Efe: oh, he's one bad motherfucker!😠😡🤬😤

from pretty much openly threatening to teach Serkan a lesson to actually fucking up those blueprints and setting Serkan up - THE *UCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?

it was clear from the phone call with his secret partner that he hadn't planned for it to go like that but still his intentions had clearly been far from good and he deserves whatever is coming his way; like Serkan Bolat coming for his head and ending his career 🙄😎;

❎ Pırıl and Engin: the whole jealousy thing was so far-fetched and tiring to watch; to me Pırıl seemed a bit too territorial, it's quite obvious that Engin had only eyes for her; Engin was too oblivious and honestly I feel bad for him because the writers turn him into a bigger idiot (when it comes to women) with each new episode;

❎ Selin: the same thing over and over again, in each new episode she's unbearable; she just walks around with bitch face, complains about everything and everyone but ultimately serves zero purpose;

this character is so focused on herself that she didn't even seem bothered by her conversation with Efe where he basically threatened Serkan; there was a poor attempt with that "should I be worried?" but it was enough for Efe to just smile at her and she let it slide 🤦🤷;

in that scene at the office with Ceren and Ferit the behaviour she demonstrated was the one of a pre-schooler or maybe immature teenager but definitely not of a grown-up woman;

❎ Ceren and Ferit: while they started out really well, I enjoyed their first meeting, then it got weird and their interactions became awfully uneven; Ceren is really overdoing this hot and cold thing;

while I liked how Ceren stood up for herself after Selin's outburst, I think all of that should have been said to Selin's face, not Ferit's.

And that's pretty much it! Finally!🥳🥳🥳

P.S. Wanted to post my episode 18 review today as well, before episode 19 airs, but it's still not ready, need to cut down some stuff cause it's turning into a freaking monster 🤦😱

#sen çal kapımı #sen cal kapimi #sck #sen çal kapımı episode 17 thoughts #sck episode 17 #edser #eda ve serkan #eda x serkan #eda yıldız #eda yildiz #serkan bolat

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dammitadolfnomorecake · 4 years ago

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Once Bitten, Twice Stupid prt 150

150

Settling back into Garrison, Keith and Lance were rather rudely woken as Pidge and Hunk slid into Lance’s bed with them, the day after the they’d come home the previous afternoon. Krolia had somehow managed to give them food poisoning. Not that he knew for sure. Yet seeing she’d tampered the possibility was strong. Coran the only one game enough to finish his slice of cake.

Kicked out of the house so their friends could set up for their “Surprise Return Party”. He and Lance had nothing to do except wait until they’d gotten the call from Pidge that they were allowed to return. She didn’t need to call. The pair of them had only gone as far as the back lawn, Lance lamenting over the state of his garden and Keith annoyed his sleep had been interrupted after being sick the previous night.

Playing up the surprise theme, they both had their eyes covered, then were led into the living room. The space had been transformed. A Christmas tree up. Stockings hung. Presents piled up on the coffee table. Kosmo dressed in a reindeer outfit with Blue glaring from her cat tree, not pleased to be dressed as an elf. Okay. So maybe their friends got a pass because of the theme. Wearing a hideous green sweater, Pidge beamed as she waved her arm to gesture to where “Merry Christmas” hung over the fireplace

“Ta-dah! It’s our Christmas do over! I know! I have the most amazing ideas!”

Keith didn’t bother correcting Pidge about it being Lance’s hope to recreate Christmas

“Guys! This is...”

Lance rushed Hunk, throwing his arms around him. Hunk sweeping Lance up with a chuckle

“Merry Christmas, bud!”

“I love you! Oh my god! I can finally give you guys your Christmas presents! And I can finally give you your birthday present! Please tell me we’re celebrating your birthday!?”

Hunk laughed awkwardly as he set Lance down

“Nah, it’s...”

Lance cut Hunk off

“Don’t you dare think you’re getting out of this. I was the worst friend in human history and didn’t call for your birthday!”

“It’s wasn’t...”

Great. Lance was being hyperactive... Seeing his boyfriend hadn’t stopped cleaning until nearly 1am, Lance had too much happiness and energy...

“Nope. Okay. Keith, can you grab Mami’s bag for me? I’ll grab everyone else’s presents...”

That seemed a lot of work and everyone seemed to have forgotten to give him his coffee. Blankly staring, he hadn’t realised Matt was wearing a set of ridiculous antlers on his head, or that Curtis and Shiro were there. Baubles hanging on Curtis’s horns. Groaning, Keith bumped into Matt as he went to turn, not really sure where to go

“Pidge, did you kick Keith out without his coffee?”

Pidge cackled

“Maybe?”

Always loud, Matt started yelling

“Guys! We’ve got a Keith without coffee! I repeat; We’ve got a Keith without coffee! It’s a category three disaster in the making!”

Pidge confessing

“It’s not that we didn’t make him coffee... I forgot and drank it myself”

Well “fuck you” to Pidge. He deserved his coffee. He’d barely got his morning pee in before they were tossed out. No wonder he’d been so sleepy and useless as Lance talked

“Don’t worry, bro. I’ve got you. Double shot topped with tequila, right?”

“Fuck off and get fleas”

Matt laughed at him. Too many people were laughing. Not enough coffee to upright. Lance moved from Hunk to his side, kissing Keith on the cheek

“I’ll put the coffee maker on for you. Don’t worry about Mami’s bag, I’ll grab it. You just focus on your coffee”

Lance hadn’t eaten either, Keith trying to remind him

“Food... you?”

“Yep. Gimme a bit”

Caffeinated Keith perked up. He’d been worried about them coming home, Lance admitting he feared the house would no longer feel like his after all the time he’s spent away from it. So when Lance had gone on a cleaning frenzy, Keith hadn’t interrupted. He’d let Lance do what he needed, despite the fact his boyfriend hadn’t been happy until late in the night and Keith just wanted to go bed several hours earlier. Seeing Lance happy felt right. He knew some of it was an act. And he’d noticed the occasional jolt in Lance’s moves as if he was forcing himself to move, but there was definitely something there that told him Lance felt more at ease than he had in a long time.

Disappearing, Lance returned with his arms laden with presents. Keith immediately trying to help. Vampire or not, Lance shouldn’t be moving heavy things around. His boyfriend laughing as he tried to protest the fact. With the size of Lance’s present pile, Keith couldn’t help but be conscious of the fact his own was tiny in comparison. His nerves over gifting left his stomach rolling, with a cold sweat across his forehead. He’d tried to gift shop on his own as much as possible, but with Rome being Rome and the daily repetition of the council meeting... No. He was making excuses. He’d sucked at gift giving for the others because his head was filled with how much he missed Lance.

Setting the presents down, Keith noticed then that a whole bunch were for Shiro. 7 wrapped all the same way, seemingly from each of them

“Is that everything? Because I want to open my presents already!”

Lance shook his head at Pidge

“Not quite. You’ll have to be patient a little longer, Pidgeon”

Shiro gaped at Lance, Keith kind of feeling the same way. Their Christmas’s were never like this. Staring at their friends group. His brain supplied an unwanted thought. Pidge was a girl and Hunk was a boy. Rieva was a girl and Matt was a boy. Was this party extra important because Lance had already thought about them? That they could be hurt? Or was it just him over thinking things? Pulling the top present off the pile, Pidge threw it at Shiro

“How can that not be everything? And why is there so many presents for Shiro?!”

Lance chuckled at their impatient Gremlin. Pidge seemed mortally wounded at the stack for Shiro

“Mami bought you all presents. Just small things from Cuba. We weren’t sure when we’d be allowed back, so we hit the markets in case we could come back for Christmas. It’s not much, but she did try to think of you all”

“Do you want me to...”

Lance sighed with a roll of his eyes at Keith’s offer

“Babe, sit down already. You’re being overly attentive. I can still do things like face the stairs”

“Okay. I just thought...”

“Stop thinking and sit down. Pidge will divide the presents up. Hunk, do you need any help bringing things in from the kitchen?”

“I’ve got it! But... uh... Bud, please be careful on the stairs”

Matt nodded quickly

“Maybe Keith and Hunk have a point, dude? You don’t have a great track record with the stairs”

The look Lance gave everyone spoke volumes. The stairs were now a forbidden topic that he didn’t want to be reminded about again. He’d healed from falling down them, and they’d all be in the shit if they started fussing over him. Keith felt goosebumps erupt at the look. Swallowing hard, Keith couldn’t remember the last time he’d shut up by a single scathing look like that from his boyfriend. He couldn’t help the almost phobia he’d developed over Lance and stairs. Especially with two very special passengers on board.

With Lance upstairs, Pidge went about dividing out presents, asking as she did

“So when are we going to hear all about Rome?”

Keith shrugged. He supposed Pidge and Hunk had been super anxious in their absence, but the topic of conversation had kind of fizzled out

“When Lance hears about Rome? I don’t know. All I can tell you is that he’s safe”

Pidge huffed, pausing mid-sorting to look up at Keith

“I can see that. I mean, like, is he really safe? We were talking with Shay, and she’s worried about him too. He seems happy but I don’t know. He wasn’t that happy when he came back”

Keith was surprised when Rieva answered

“In his defence, he was exhausted. Physically and mentally. Matt getting us kicked out of Cuba wasn’t on the plans. He’d had a very long day”

Pidge sighed

“I wish we got to go with him”

Lance had been so very missed by his two best friends

“Lance would have loved to have you guys there, but he couldn’t tell anyone he was down there in case you guys were contacted or in danger”

Matt added unnecessarily

“Yeah. Listen to Keith. The first thing he did was lose his shoes, then he made Lance cry. Boyfriend of the... ow!”

Rieva elbowed her boyfriend in the ribs

“Keith was under a lot of stress too. You guys should have seen him. He barely kept his temper under check, too impatient to be back with Lance”

Shiro chuckled

“You guys should have seen him in Rome after you left. I think he must have packed and unpacked a hundred times so he’d have something to do before his flight”

“That’s true. I don’t think he slept the night before he left. I worried about letting him on a public flight with how much coffee he’d had”

Now Curtis was teasing him. Keith looked to Hunk

“Don’t worry, man. We all know how in love with Lance you are”

“The only couple more loved up than you guys are Hunk and Shay. Oh! I forgot to tell you, Shay totally knows everything!”

Pidge dropping a bombshell like that had him, Curtis, and Shiro, all shocked as they looked to Pidge

“What do you mean she knows?”

“Apparently Hunk gets blabber mouth after sex”

Hunk blushed so deep a red, Keith was surprised his head didn’t pop

“It’s... not... I didn’t... Pidge!”

Pidge laughed at Hunk, resuming present sorting

“I’m not judging, but I think you could have picked a better time to tell her vampires and werewolves were real”

“It’s not my fault! She’s... Lance wanted to tell her!”

Okay... but if Shay knew, that led to an important question

“If Shay’s in the loop now, why isn’t she here?”

“Because she’s working. I tried to get her to swap shift. Plus, he didn’t tell her Lance was up the duff with twins. Nice going with that. You and your wonder sperm”

That wasn’t entirely his fault. It was. And took full responsibility, but he still wasn’t sure how it happened. Snarking back at Pidge, he felt defensive of Lance who wasn’t there to stick up for himself

“They were a complete surprise. We’d only just gotten around having one, let alone two. There’s nothing wrong with Lance being pregnant or the twins”

Sensing a potential fight, Shiro forced a laugh

“Leave him alone. He’s super excited about the twins. And frankly, I think we’re all looking forward to meeting them. It gives us something good to focus on”

“I hope you remember that the first time you change a shitty nappy, Uncle Shiro”

Coming back into the room, Lance had much smaller gifts this time, as well as an envelope with something in it that Keith couldn’t help but cock his head at

“What’s that?”

“I don’t know. It’s to you, from Krolia. I found it in my room when I was looking for my phone. I guess it’s a present or something”

That sounded just like this mother. How hard was it to shove something into his hands awkwardly and change topic? It’d worked well for Shiro and Adam. They didn’t make him awkwardly exchange gifts

“Of course she can’t just give it to me like a normal person”

Lance smiled, he could because he faked out of the cake with nausea. Not completely fake, but the only smart move that wouldn’t make Krolia angry or suspicious

“Be nice. I’m sure she didn’t mean to give you guys food poisoning. Anyway. We got these in Cuba. When I still could go out and stuff. They’re not much, but each is heart felt. Mami loved all of you. She loved the bond between Shiro and Keith. She loved how mischievous our little Gremlin was. She whole heartedly agreed that Hunk was like sunshine whenever he’s around. She thought Matt... was a bit... weird, but in a good way. Curtis, you may as well have been my actual cousin. I think she might have even slipped up and said you were. And she found you very exotic and mysterious Rieva. She was very upset that someone would ever hurt you. Mami was a lot better at a lot of things than I am. I guess... I know this might be selfish, but these are the last presents from her. I guess it’d make me happy to know that you’re taking care of them... and... she just loved you all so much. I made on my own for so long, but... she was so grateful I had all of you in my life. She always worried what would become of me after she passed... I know she made Keith swear to be there... but... I really did miss you guys... I’m sorry my anxiety was so shit I couldn’t talk... and I was so scared you’d all never want to talk to me because I had to lie so much... I hated lying to you. I did...”

Keith was the first to move, but they all kind of moved as group. Lance forced into being hugged by the lot of them

“You are the biggest undead idiot around!”

“Oh, man! You’re my brother!”

“You’re part of my pack! We’ll never leave you alone!”

“Group hug!”

The words fell over each other. Lance’s sniffles turned to laughter. Keith not too happy that his boyfriend was being squashed, and that he was being squashed as he tried to protect Lance’s bump, but at the same time he was overwhelmingly happy that they were all together again. Mami knew someday she’d pass, and had entrusted him with being there for Lance. She’d left Lance, but no matter how far their little family split or went, they’d always have each other when they needed someone.

“Okay! Off! You’re going to crush me and the twins!”

Lance gave them a few long moments. Everyone other than Pidge and Keith let go, Pidge poking her tongue at Keith

“He’s my brother. You have to share”

“I’ve already shared enough. Now take your paws off him”

“Laaaaance, Keith is being mean”

“I’m sorry, but he does have a point. Your hugging my belly. Squeeze too hard and I might throw up”

Pidge wrinkled her nose as she let go

“Curse you vomit. Next time I shall have my hugs”

Lance smiled at her fondly

“Will you settle for me sitting between you and Keith?”

“Fine. Now hurry up. I’ve been dying waiting for this”

“Okay. Okay. Calm down. You do know this is Keith’s first Christmas with us. You’re going to have to be nice”

Lance sounded like a dad scolding this hyperactive daughter. Keith clueless to what they were on about

“He snoozes, he loses. Them’s the rules”

“Be nice!”

Opening their presents was a thing. A very different thing than living with Shiro and Adam. They did small gifts, lunch if they didn’t have to work, and movies after work which usually involved falling asleep on the sofa. That was not the case here. Seeing Pidge was so damn excitable she went first, opening all her but one of her gifts before it moved onto Hunk next, and so on around their circle of friends. Lance took his time to explain that normally on Christmas Day he’d be in Platt with Mami until the evening, then they’d do presents at his place. That didn’t explain what was coming after the present part... which he was honestly more nervous about than his own gifts, which were more or less trinkety things from Rome, apart from his gift to Lance which was an old fashioned wrist watch he’d found in an antiques store. He wasn’t sure if Lance would love it, but he seemed to as he was made to help put it on his boyfriend’s wrist almost immediately after opening. Lance’s gift to him was a vintage camera that probably cost a fair bit. His boyfriend also sourcing the film for it, which Pidge laughed over being antiquated and all that.

They all seemed on the same wavelength about keeping Miriam’s gifts until last. Shiro buried under a pile of ugly sweater that Curtis found hilarious, as he’d known about them. Down to Miriam’s presents, they all fell kind of quiet, appreciating that Mami had thought of them all. Keith couldn’t help but not want to open the lovingly wrapped gift. Hunk and Pidge had gifted him a new kitchen knife and a coffee cup. Shiro’d already given him his gift Christmas Day, a new clip on cover for his personal phone so he’d be able to wear it on his Blade suit seeing they’d both probably stick with the Blade suits despite being full time hunters for Coran.

Watching Lance, his boyfriend ran his fingers over the small gift in his hands. Eyes growing teary

“Sorry. I already know what it is... but... She was really happy picking out presents. Honestly, if I’d left her unsupervised your gifts wouldn’t have been quite PG”

“It’s okay, babe. We don’t have to open them right now if it’s too much”

“Nah. She wanted you to have them for Christmas. She’d want you to open them and to smile as you did”

“Should I go first?”

Lance nodded, wiping at his eyes

“Yeah. Sorry... God... we haven’t even gotten to Hunk’s birthday presents and I’m a mess. Mami’s birthday present to you is in there too. I rewrapped them after... so they’d stay together. That’s why your present is a little larger than the rest of ours”

There were still two other presents that hadn’t been handed out sitting on the coffee table. Pidge had left them, Keith didn’t know why. Making to sling his arm around his boyfriend, he used the reposition to see they were to both he and Lance from Miriam. Lance had mentioned she had presents for the twins. It must be those

“Come on, Keith. You said you’d go first”

Keith ignored Pidge. He only had one hand free unless he wanted to put Lance in a choke hold. Thank god he was ambidextrous. Pulling the paper away from the tape, something small dropped into his lap. Picking it up, he realised it was a red stone pendant

“She knew you loved the colour red. It was what caught her eye first at the stall. All our gifts are similar. If you tilt it you can see cat in there. It’s like micro etched in. Mine has a fish. Shiro’s I think is a tiger...”

Keith interrupted. He wasn’t really a pendant kind of person, but this was one of the most heartfelt gifts he’d been given in his life. He wanted Lance to know he appreciated it

“Do the clip for me?”

“Sure. You guys can open yours. No trades or swapsies. She picked each thinking of you”

Rieva and Matt both had wolves with mother of pearl inlay. Curtis’s was a white shiny stone that kind of looked like a pearl. Lance said it was made from a polished tooth, Keith immediately glad he hadn’t met anything in Cuba with teeth a big, and that he hadn’t said he thought it was a stone. Shiro’s stone was black, Keith thought it looked more like a Lion than a tiger, a bigger cat than his, his was cooler because it was red. Hunk’s yellow stone had a sun. Pidge’s green stone a leaf. And Lance’s blue pendant was indeed etched with a fish.

Other than the two presents on the table, Keith thought the line of gifts had come to an end. Picking up both presents, he passed one to Lance, who seemed to be attempting to go cross eyed looking down at his pendant

“Babe, these are the last two from Mami”

“Oh. What. Oh... technically there’s a gift for Allura, Coran, and Krolia... but they’re not here...”

Pidge scrambled to her feet, holding her hands out as if trying to stop them from ripping into the last two presents

“Wait! There’s another two presents from me and Hunk... well, Shiro chipped in, and Curtis helped... hold on. Do we do this now?”

Pidge looked to the group, Matt rolling his eyes at his sister. Keith was slightly jealous of how much energy Pidge had. Then again, she’d probably had a propers night sleep and more coffee than him

“Go on. I know you’ve been dying to show them all fucking week”

Keith playing along with Matt, trying to sound serious and not half an emotional wreck over all the thought behind each present

“Should we be worried?”

“Ha! Rude! Okay. We’ll do the one for Lance first, then we’ll do Keith’s because his bigger”

Matt groaned

“Why don’t you just tell them already, big mouth?”

“Shut it, you. Okay. So, like, this ones from the group. Coran totally helped out. Then it took hours to get it right... wait here”

Climbing on the sofa, rather than going around, Hunk was smacked in the head as Pidge pulled out a ridiculously large flat gift

“Pidge!”

“Sorry! It’s not like you were using your head anyway. Okay. We kind of had the idea but we changed it, and anyway...”

“Dear Sister of Mine, you are babbling. Pass it over. You didn’t even show us before you wrapped it”

“Shut up! I’m trying to do this right. Okay, so you guys are probably better standing up for this. It’s kind of big”

“It’s nearly as big as you”

Matt’s joke earned him a kick in the shin and a huff from Pidge.

Getting to their feet, neither of them knew what to expect. If it was a gift from Pidge it’d either be tech based, or some kind o explosion for leaving Garrison for as long as they had. Rieva suggesting

“Why don’t you let Keith hold it while Lance opens it?”

Pidge snapping back

“I was going to do that! Here. Don’t you dare drop it”

Passing the gift over, Keith could feel what felt like a frame through the wrapping paper. Lance on the same wavelength as him

“It’s not going to blow up, is it?”

“Rude. A lot of love went into this. And we totally ripped off Keith’s idea. Now open it already!”

Lance started with a small rip, then all but tore the paper apart. Eyes filling with tears that made Keith look down to realise what it was

“We got the footage from Coran. It took ages to clean it up and pick the right shot

“Mami’s first scan...”

Okay. So that was it was. Keith wasn’t that great at picking that up from upside down

“Yep. And then down the bottom it’s got us, because we’re the bestest friends ever. We wanted to get you something big to remember it by... it was going to be of us camping until... Mami passed. Do you like it?”

Lance nodded as he covered his face, Keith would have put the frame down but he kind of didn’t know how to, or where to put it

“I do... Guys... thanks... I...”

Lance fleeing wasn’t what he saw coming. Turning, Lance jogged from the room. Keith handing the frame to Hunk, intending to go after his boyfriend. Shiro stopping him before he could

“Why don’t you let Hunk and Pidge go talk with him? He’s missed them. We can work out how to hang the frame”

“But...”

But he was Lance’s boyfriend. Plus he kind of needed a break too. Everything was a lot and a lot at once. Matt lifted the photo frame off Hunk

“Keith, they’ve got this. He’s out the back, if you want to guys want to go. We’ve got this”

Shiro sided with Matt

“It’ll be a good chance to show Lance we can handle putting the nursery together”

Keith unconvinced that they could, yet... Pidge and Hunk had really missed Lance. He’d let them go this time, but next time he wasn’t being swayed so easily

“Go. But go easy on him. His anxiety levels have been pretty high”

Pidge rolled her eyes at him

“We’ve got this. Personally I’m more concerned with how you losers are going to hang the frame up. If you break it, I’ll castrate you all”

Shiro saluted Pidge. Keith internally groaning at his brother feeding the Gremlin’s ego

“Ma’am, yes, Ma’am!”

“That’s more like it. And don’t make a mess! Come on, Hunk, our bestie needs us”

#once bitten twice stupid #oncebittentwicestupod #ashratherose

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