#i just. im genuinely tempted to sleep the rest of the day away. im so bored and understimulated that anything is better than this

[yongislong]

back scratching + dreamies.

genre: fluff AAAAGH, suggestive? i can never tell lmao nonidol!dreamies

note: no cws just tooth rotting fluff, tysm for requesting anon! i hope you enjoy this... word vomit pfft. not proofread im studying GAHH

mark... adores it when you scratch his back. never knows how to ask for it though HAHA. melts every time you do it. especially likes it when you do it to him before bed or as a way to let him know that the sun has risen. its one of the moments in your relationship that is most intimate if that makes sense? he finds comfort in sitting in silence with you after a long day, as the scratching noises break through the silence in your shared room :")

renjun... is so ticklish. honestly prefers to do it to you but he cant help but curl into your side whenever you scratch his back even if he's practically convulsing under you from how much it tickles. will flat out ask you to do it, but he always needs to be in a specific mood since it doesn't happen often! usually asks for it on days where he's been hunched over his computer for a long time and his back is in more pain than usual

jeno... human cat fr. LOVES it when you do it especially if you have longer nails. he feels recharged and it always helps him fall asleep so fast. if you wear fake nails OH MY GOSH he will never ever stop asking you to rub his back, its become a nightly routine after the first time. he will do it to you sometimes but he always falls asleep so quickly that it bothers you pft, his dead weight lands on your back when its only been 10 minutes. likes it when you scratch his abdomen too. just likes feeling your nails rake over his soft skin

haechan... makes it a game LOL. has you write words on his back and he takes his turns trying to guess the phrase you wrote or guess the letters you're tracing. gets SO excited when he guesses right and pulls you in closer. asks for it without words. will always rest his body on your lap and you know that's your cue to get to scratching. the biggest content smile is plastered on his face, even in his sleep! likes it when you scratch closer towards the small of his back since thats where most of his pain is, or so he says lol

jaemin... so so so kind my babygirl. it kinda just happens. he's resting his head on your chest and his big broad shoulders are in perfect view, its kinda hard not to scratch his back esp when he sleeps with no shirt on. so tempting. his skin is so soft and he MELTSS. also likes to play games with you, especially one night when you traced a heart on his back and his pulse SOARED. makes it a point to grab your wrist and tuck your hand under his shirt or drape it along his bare shoulders whenever he wants it from you. also falls asleep really fast. ticklish around the waist OOP

chenle... wake him up with back scratches PLEASE. i feel like he ends up facing away from you during his sleep so in the morning, raking your fingers up and down his spine softly jolts him awake and its so cute. always acts like its his first time on earth when he wakes up btw LMAO. enjoys it so much. prefers if you use your finger tips because he gets itchy whenever you use your nails HAHA. he's so domestic though. he acts like an old man who's been with you for years. grumbles about how nice your fingers feel until his rant is cut short by his snoring

jisung... god he is so. that boy is a Child. truly the most genuinely nice and pure soul. if you were to ever scratch his back, i think you would feel how he would physically sink into the mattress or couch. has never had a partner before so is pretty timid about asking for back scratches but he really really enjoys them. always insists that he return the favor though! clings to you like a koala. makes it a point to make this a ritual since he finds such fun in it. helps him calm down on nights where his anxiety or nightmares are bad. can't help but get flustered every time you dip your palm under the collar of his shirt

[koohito]

BY YOUR SIDE | KAMISATO AYATO

tags: FEM!reader, marriage trope, dad ayato, alternate universe, OC (kaizen kamisato), casual inside joke, fluff everywhere (plenty of kisses), reader and ayato can’t keep their hands to themselves (❁ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)

wc: 2K

a/n: as my first tumblr fic, i initially wanted this to be shorter (abt 600 words) but i got carried away. also, i wanted this posted on fathers day, but then again i need to make tons of revisions so im a tad late (just pretend this was posted during fathers day hehe). I HOPE U ENJOY ◕⩊◕

Ayato came to a halt, enamored by the sight of you and your two-year-old son sleeping peacefully on your shared bed. 

The rainy, lazy Saturday morning at the Kamisato estate seemed to have a cast a tranquil spell. Having finished his morning shower, Ayato donned his khaki shorts and polo shirt, ready to start the weekend task that waited him. The papers on his office table beckoned for his attention, but the gloomy weather and the empty side of the bed tempted him to abandon his tedious work.

Your son had rolled over to your side, holding onto your nightdress while resting his cheek against your chest. He must have rushed to his parents’ bedroom upon being startled awake by the loud thunder, luckily finding the doors unlocked. Unconsciously, you cradle your son’s head, gently nuzzling his temple. 

A tender smile graced Ayato’s lips as he observed this scene. Gods, seeing his two most cherished beings in such serenity made him wish to freeze time in this moment. Ayato tossed his hair towel lazily into the hamper before taking out his phone. It’s not even 8 o’clock yet. He captured two pictures of you and your son, snug and cozy, and decided to make one of them his lock screen. Just as he was about to give in to the temptation of returning to bed, a work email notification from one of his business colleagues caught his attention. His jaw clenched abruptly, and he let out a soft sigh. 

Approaching your side of the bed, he carefully pulled the comforter over you, making sure not to disturb either of you. Leaning in, Ayato pressed a gentle kiss on his son’s hand still clutching your hip. Then he placed a tender kiss on your exposed shoulder, followed by another on your temple. You stirred briefly before drifting back to sleep.

~

You knocked on Ayato’s office door, peeking inside to check if he had any scheduled calls before entering. “So, you’ve been wearing my fuzzy slippers! I was searching for them everywhere,” you exclaimed, grinning as you noticed him tapping his feet on the ground with your slippers. Approaching him, you stood behind his swivel chair, wrapping your arms around his chest from the back, your face nestled beside his. “Morning, Ayato,” you greeted, peppering the side of his face with affectionate kisses. 

“These slippers are so comfortable, I’m sorry,” he chuckled, setting aside some of the papers to cup your cheek, his eyes still fixed on his laptop screen. “And good morning to you too, my love. Did you sleep well? Is Kaizen awake?”

“Mhm,” you replied, planting a final kiss on your husband’s cheek. “It would’ve been better if you had joined us back in bed,” you remarked while smoothing his chest. “Have you had breakfast yet?”

An hour later had passed when you finally woke up. Your son was no longer nestled beside you, so you assumed he must be in his room or with his father. Swiftly changing your nightdress into something casual, you went through your morning routine. “I only had orange juice this morning and I planned to cook breakfast, but I had an early meeting,” he explained as you watched him organize his papers, neatly tucking them beside a non-fiction entrepreneur book. He swiveled his chair to face you, pulling you onto his lap. “Anything you want for breakfast? I’ll cook,” he offered, wrapping his arms around your waist. “Or, if you prefer, we can go out today since the rain has stopped.”

You genuinely wanted to spend the day out together with your two boys, to make up for the busy weekdays. However, you couldn’t help hesitate as you hadn’t prepared any itineraries for dining or strolling, and the damp weather didn’t make it easier. “I do want to go out honestly, but I’m not sure where we'll go yet. Plus, I know you’re busy with work today, and I don’t wanna trouble you,” you admitted, reaching up to tuck a strand of your husband’s hair behind his ear. A small, tight-lipped smile graced your lips as you offered your thoughts. 

Always so considerate, Ayato thought fondly. He let his gaze linger on you for what felt like a minute before leaning back into his chair, pulling you in closer to him, allowing your head to rest on his shoulder. “I’m done for the day, my love, so you don’t have to worry,” he reassured you, his thumb tracing idle shapes on your waist. “I know a place that serves breakfast, and we can take a stroll there afterward. They also have a kids’ area that our son will love. We can even stay there for lunch and dinner as well.” Ayato breathed in the scent of your shampoo, planting a quick kiss on your head. “That is, if you want to.”

“Absolutely, that sounds like a perfect plan,” you responded blissfully, the corner of your lips curling up. You shuffle slightly against his lap so you could face him fully and cupped his face in your hands. “Thank you for thinking this through and making time for us, even though I’m sure you still have unfinished business waiting on that desk,” you said, giving him a peck on the lips. “Regardless, it’s the weekend, my love. You deserve some leisure too. I’ll even treat you to a massage place if we come across one today,” you chuckled, gently stroking your thumb on his face. “I love you.”

Ayato had a teasing response in his mind, but you surprised him with a gentle kiss. The citrusy taste from the orange juice he mentioned before mingled with the kiss. He hummed, pulling you closer by the hips as the kiss deepened. He realized that he didn’t need a massage when being with you was the the way to relax. No matter how busy he is with work meetings, he made it clear that his priority was managing his time for you and Kaizen. With a smile on his lips, he caressed your neck, his thumb lightly brushing your jaw. 

Three years of marriage, and you never ceased to be deeply enamored by this man. Each day, he managed to make your heart swell with affection. “There’s a kaitenzushi place nearby,” he broke the kiss, and you opened your eyes. “I remember you saying you wanted to try their nigiri sushi before,” he recalls his memory on you watching a video about this sushi train, gushing over how badly you wanna try them and wondered how many dishes you both could finish. “How about we go there for dinner later this evening?” Ayato suggested, lightly nipping your lower lip. “Yeah?”

You nodded in response, endeared the way he remembers. “Okay,” you said, beaming, and he grinned in return. His expression softened into fond amusement as you leaned into the palm of his hand. Your mouths coming together once more, yet before he could lengthen your kiss into another extent, your son came rushing adorably into the room with a ball in his hand. 

“Mimi!” he called out in his sweet baby voice that startles you and Ayato. Quickly making space between you but still seated on your husband’s lap, you turned your attention to your son. “Mimi, I, I sit on Dada too,” he exclaimed, his cheerful features and curios eyes assessing his parents before dropping his ball and extending his arms towards you, waiting to be picked up. Kaizen giggled, and you smiled back broadly, reaching out to him tenderly. However, Ayato beat you to it as he scooped up your child in one arm, settling him on his lap.

My boys. It was amusing and heartwarming to realize that despite your son inheriting only the hue and shape of your eyes, he looked like an exact replica of his father. You smiled inwardly, silently watching both of them interact. The way your son’s face lit up with laughter in his father’s presence was a striking resemblance of the two of them together. It's truly amazing, you thought. 

You playfully poke your son’s cheeks, making him giggle with delight. “Do you want to take a shower with mommy, baby?” you asked giddily. “We’re going out today, all three of us!”

He squeals with joy and reaches out his arms towards you. “Where we going now, Mimi?” he asks as you lift him up, his arms resting on your shoulder while he stands on your thighs. “I go… go eat ice cream today!”

“Mhm,” his father agrees, patting him on the head. “You can shower with mommy first, and then we’ll get you ice cream.” Ayato clears his throat, his arms slipping around your lower back. You turn your head to look at him, unsure of what he’s about to say. “Unless… Mimi wants dada to join you guys in the shower too?”

“Oh, please,” you say, rising from his lap and swat his shoulder. Carrying Kaizen with you, you give your husband an incredulous look. He burst into laughter, and you can’t help but shake your head, trying to suppress a smile. “Dada has already showered, baby. I think what your dada needs to do is eat his breakfast.” You raise an eyebrow at Ayato. 

But your son’s innocent eyes blink at you, and in that instant, you know you’re in for some negotiations. Kaizen not only inherited Ayato’s features but also his stubbornness, or maybe he got it from you. “But, but I want Dada, Mimi! Dada shower too!” he squeals, squirming himself free from your arms. “Dada shower too, please.”

Ayato continues chuckling from behind you, standing up and taking Kaizen from your arms. He grunts playfully as he lifts the boy higher, holding him tightly. Kaizen giggle in excitement in return, swinging his arms in the air. You follow behind them as your husband start walking out of his office. “Kaizen,” he calls, and your son immediately looks at him. “Do you want dada to shower with you?”

“Oh my god, not this again,” you mutter.

“Yes! Me and, and Dada, Mimi shower too!” Kaizen responds.

“Alright, little man, we’ll do that some other time, okay? We’re going to swim in the pool, too. How’s that sound? You like swimming with Mimi in the pool, and we’ll bring your rubber duckies to play with,” Ayato says, kissing his son’s temple. “Would you like that?”

“Yes, dada. I play with duckies at the pool,” he responded, turning his head towards you. “I swim in the pool. Mimi and dada outside the pool, dada.” Kaizen giggle, his dimples popping out from his plump cheeks. “You and mimi shower only.. I play ducks at the pool!”

Just when you thought you were witnessing an adorable father-son conversation, Ayato bursts into laughter again. “You don’t want us to join you in the pool? Mimi will be sad, baby,” he says, trying to contain his laughter. 

“Um, I give Mimi duckies! Mimi will be happy, and I give you duckies too, dada!” your son says innocently, clapping his little hands before hugging Ayato’s neck and facing you. “Mimi, I give you duckies in the shower, okay?” he tells you with his big doe eyes. 

Goodness, who could say no to this little pumpkin? “Sounds good to me, baby,” you reply, ruffling his hair. 

“You sure you don’t want mimi or dada to swim you with you in the pool, Kaizen?” Ayato asks.

He shakes his head while still on Ayato’s shoulder. “Mimi and dada… and duckies in the shower!”

Ayato reaches his free hand out behind him, waiting for you to intertwine your fingers with his. He turns his head towards you, giving you a subtle wink as the corner of his mouth curls up. Your heart flutters. 

“Whatever you say, pumpkin,” your husband says, a hint of amusement in his voice as he guides you towards your shared bedroom. “Mimi and dada will stay in the shower then.”

You can only chew the inside of your cheek and give his hand a light squeeze. You son is too smart for his own good at times, but this time you just let it slide, grinning with adoration. Feeling a surge of fondness for your two boys. 

[fabulouslygaybean]

im literally so understimulated im gonna bite someone

[hansolmates]

distance learning (m)

banner done by the beautiful @eerieedits​

summary; after their first hookup, jungkook isn’t so sure whether you’re serious about being exclusive. after all, people say things during sex. jungkook takes it in his own hands to figure out where you stand, and he realizes soon enough that eavesdropping is a bad habit pairing; neighbor!jungkook x (f) reader genre/warnings; fluff, humor, crack, insecure!jk, unresolved sexual tension, stressed!mc, this is really just unnecessary drama bc drama is fun™, sexting, dom kook’s still a meanie in control, posession kink, cock slapping, a blowjob, cockwarming, unprotected, creampie, squirting, (wrap the pickle before u tickle folks) and of course the excessive use of the petname [redacted] w/c; 6.1k a/n; haaaaaa three months later im finally posting pt 2! i figured that no matter how many times i edit/reread at this point i think it’s time to finally let this beast go!!! enjoyyy click here for part 1: remote learning drabbles; 01

if you enjoy this, please considering giving our pasta couple a like n’share💚

It’s been a week since the thing.

The remote-controlled vibrator thing. 

The whole sappy-love-confesion-during-sex thing. 

Jungkook is antsy, tail tucked in, perpetually wondering whether he went too far. You seemed to like it, and Jungkook definitely loved it. It was spicy and dirty and hot, and at the same time Jungkook thought he really made progress in expressing his feelings for you. Not only that, you said you liked him back!

At least, he thought you did. 

“I really said I’d feed her lasagna and cum in the same sentence,” Jungkook bemoans into his pillow, which still lingers faintly of your Redken shampoo. “I’m disgusting. She thinks I’m disgusting.” 

People say things during sex, Jungkook knows that. In the throes of passion and pleasure, people will say anything that comes to their mind, anything that fits the mood. Of course, you’d be tied in and say you like him back. But did you like him back as a friend? As a fuckbuddy? As something more? 

“Fucking text her,” Taehyung is tired of Jungkook’s wallowing, everytime he checks in on the app developer he’s brooding in one of three places. Today’s his bedroom. Taehyung dips under the blankets, and steals Jungkook’s pillow right under his nose.

Jungkook suppresses a whimper, face melding into the blankets. Now that pillow is going to smell like Taehyung.

“Text her what,” Jungkook replies despondently. 

“I don’t know, something along the lines of ‘I wanna follow through with my proposition of feeding you my cum and lasagna—not simultaneously. Wanna go on a date this weekend?’ It’s that simple,” Taehyung gets up in Jungkook’s face, dark eyes forcing him to bore right in. “Want me to do it for you?” 

“Noo, I’m an adult I can—”

“I did it for you.” 

Jungkook nearly knocks into Taehyung’s hard head, sitting up straight when he notices his phone behind his roommate’s back. This is what he gets for sharing passwords. Thankfully, the message is cleaner than Taehyung’s words, and you’ve already replied. 

[1:23] Jungkook: would you like to go out for dinner this weekend? pasta and wine?

[1:25] You: it’s a busy week this week 🥺 raincheck? 

“Was the sex that bad?” Taehyung frowns, reading the message twice. 

“N-no,” Jungkook is sweating. He isn’t sure anymore. 

Taehyung hands Jungkook back his phone, slowly, as if you’ll reply back with a change of your mind. Jungkook is a deflated balloon on his bed, feeling like a bum in his ratty sweater and a dateless weekend. 

“It’s just that,” Taehyung puts a hand on his lip, mulling, “busy people don’t reply that fast. Like even if she wasn’t busy, there’s a fifteen-minute leeway before replying.” 

This silly rule overrides Jungkook’s mind for the rest of the week. 

The gyms have been reopened for months, and Jungkook’s trainer misses him dearly. Jungkook meets with Saeroyi in the morning, eager to get a few jabs in with some fresh equipment. He tries to move on, distract himself with a couple of pumps and a match with Saeroyi. It feels great to sweat it off, but it doesn’t help sway Jungkook’s incessant thoughts. 

The ball is in your court now, Jungkook has nothing to do but wait. Some people are just bad texters, maybe you just happened to have your phone near you when Taehyung sent the message. Maybe you just wanted to cut Jungkook off as quickly as possible so you decided to reply fast and rip the band-aid. 

No, you’re definitely not that cold-hearted. 

Re-entering his apartment complex, his eyes linger towards where your room lies on the first floor. It’s all the way at the end of the hallway, and he’s tempted to just confront you and make sure that what you and him really had is indeed, over. Conversely, you could just really be having a bad week and you genuinely do want a raincheck. 

Jungkook’s eyes trail to his form. Still in his gym clothes, and a little sweaty from the travel time. If he gets caught, he can just tell you he’s doing a cooldown by running across the hallways. Not the first time it’s happened, afterall it led him to you at one point. 

He breaks into a soft jog, making a beeline to your front door. His feet squish against your old welcome mat. You haven’t changed it since Halloween, and he smiles fondly at the black scripted “Boo Y’all” written in script next to a chibi-ghost. 

His heart beats faster as his hand lingers by the door, ready to knock. Deep breaths. Who knows, he could just be overthinking (like usual.) 

“Fuck, Hobi!” 

Jungkook freezes, his knuckles a centimeter away from your door. He backs up as if he’s been burned. His heart has fallen all the way down to his ass, and intends to stay there because now he feels like a damn fool. 

The bed is creaking relentlessly, a rhythmic pattern that has Jungkook’s face crumbling at every spring. Jungkook’s face hovers over the door, his ear brushing against the wood. 

“C’mon, bunny,” the male voice is teasing, “you know you love having me over. It would satisfy both of us if you’d just let it go.” 

Bunny. A cute pet name, for sure. The way it rolls off the stranger’s tongue is natural, as if he’s been saying it for years. But what about being his doll, is that not good enough? 

You’re huffy, taking deep breaths. He doesn’t want to hear anymore. Jungkook has put himself through enough self-wallowing for the week. What if he was just a stepping stone to meeting new people that will satisfy you better? What if you just needed one good orgasm to get your flow back, and Jungkook’s job is done? Sure, there were no strings attached when he proposed to have sex with you, but he thought… 

No more thinking. Jungkook jogs away from the door, even going so far is to jog all the way up to the penthouse. 

He hates this. 

You hate this. 

It’s been five days since Hoseok’s arrival, and you are going bonkers. Why couldn’t he get a hotel or an AirBnB? Because he’s cheap as fuck, that’s why. Your dinky cousin has been clinging to you like a lonely koala, and while you found it cute in the 5th grade, it doesn’t translate well nearly two decades later. 

Every morning is the same. You make a subpar toast and Nutella breakfast, letting Hoseok’s slices go cold as you log in for work. You’ve been clocking in earlier in the hopes to finish the majority of your tasks before Hoseok wakes up, because by then you can barely function. Once he wakes up, he’s relentless, bouncing on the bed and talking your head off while you try to concentrate on whatever your boss is telling you. Whenever he jumps too hard, your cheap mattress causes your laptop to fly, and the only thing you can do is curse him out. Sometimes he plays Disney movies and sings in tandem, choreography and all. 

You know that Hoseok is stressed and this is his outlet, and you don’t have it in you to stop his incessant habits. He’s visiting your area because of a lucrative job offer nearby and the interviews are sporadic, making Hoseok linger in your apartment for hours at a time until he’s summoned for whatever test they want to throw at him. 

Most of the interviews are in the evening, and it’s when you can clock back in and finish your leftover assignments while Hoseok is also working. By the time he returns, you’re dog tired and so is he. 

Every night, you try to move away from Hoseok’s clingy self, as he grapples onto your waist and slings a thigh over your belly. You wish it were someone else sharing the bed with you. 

If you bring Jungkook into the picture however, you’d be burnt for the week. Complete crumbs. It would be too much stimulation for you, having to balance work, Hoseok’s incessant attitude, and putting on a face for Jungkook. Your relationship with the penthouse neighbor is barely budding, hardly watered considering Hoseok’s sudden visit. You cling to the fact that in a couple days you would be giving your undivided attention to Jungkook, most of your priorities out of the way, and most importantly, you’ll have your own room back. 

Maybe you could surprise him by giving him a pasta dinner, just like he proposed. 

Unable to get the thought out of your head, you blindly reach for your phone on the nightstand. It’s late, very late for a workday. The blue screen burns your eyes a bit, but you're determined to at least check up on Jungkook. You can’t take too long, otherwise you won’t be able to sleep and get him out of your head. Dear, unassuming cousin Hoseok is fast asleep next to you, due to the fact it’s nearly midnight. Making sure not to disrupt him, you carefully cup your phone in your hands, putting it on the lowest light setting. 

[11:54] You: hey, hope work hasnt been as draining for u as it’s been for me  ☠️  what’s your opinion on pasta sauces, red or white? 

Jungkook is normally a fast texter, at least from your experience. It’s you that’s the sporadic texter, sometimes taking hours to reply, other times in seconds. It never really mattered until now, however. But it takes five, ten, and finally fifteen minutes before you get a response. 

[12:09] Jungkook: ??? 

You frown, wondering what you said wrong. 

[12:10] You: do you not wanna do pasta anymore? Are you craving something else now?

[12:10] Jungkook: i don’t think it’d work out 

[12:10] You: why? 

[12:11] Jungkook: im sure you know why, bunny. 

Strange. He’s never called you bunny before, and in your opinion you think he’d be the bunny in the relationship—soft and cuddly on the outside, and an absolute horn ball in bed. Is this some sort of weird power play? Is he being passive aggressive on purpose? Whatever this game is, you’re not into it. Grumbling under your breath, you snake out of bed, looking blindly for your slippers in the dark. You’ll be in and out of Jungkook’s apartment in ten minutes. 

Just as your hand brushes the doorknob, your new roommate calls for you. 

“Bunny?” Hoseok calls blearily, and you’re staring straight at his cookie-printed eye mask, “what time is it, where are you going?” 

“Um, out,” you reply shortly, “I forgot I left my laundry in the dryer.” 

“Oh, m’kay. Come back soon, y’know I can’t sleep alone.” 

It’s then you realize. Bunny. Jungkook thinks that Hoseok and you are a thing. He really needs to stop eavesdropping on you. 

You feel your pussy frown. Your cousin is such a cockblock and he doesn’t even know it. Without an answer, you slip through your door and into the first free elevator. As you zing up the floors with the magical 1234 code, you work and rework your hair in and out of its style, wondering if you’ll look more presentable with your hair messy or thrown back. 

As soon as you reach the penthouse, you burst into action. “Jungkook!” you cry, pounding the front door, “it’s a misunderstanding, open up!” 

The door immediately swings open after the first three knocks, and you punch Taehyung in the chest. 

“You look awful,” Kim Taehyung drawls. Taehyung is wearing nothing but a cranberry red silk kimono, and you have to avert your eyes and focus on his face, which is even worse because he’s looking at you like an all-knowing psychic. 

“Gee, thanks,” you try to move past him, but he’s blocking the door. 

“Jungkook’s in a meeting with some foriegn developers,” Taehyung talks with his hands, pretending like he has any idea of the nature of his roommate’s job, “when it’s this late he doesn’t leave his office until morning. Door’s locked.” 

“Well then, can you relay a message?” 

“Depends, is this message going to hurt him further?” 

Oh my goodness, when Taehyung wants to be he is such an enabler. “Tell Jungkook he’s done wallowing. Instead of jumping to conclusions, maybe he should’ve just asked me why we couldn’t go on a date this week.” 

“You could’ve also just told him you have a man on the side.” 

“Ohmygod you two are two iotas of a combined braincell!” you shove your hands in your pocket, hotly scrolling through your phone so you can shove a picture in his face. “This is Jung Hoseok, my cousin who derailed my plans this week by crashing in my too-tiny apartment and forced me to raincheck with Jungkook. He’s a blabbermouth and would tell everyone—my parents, my grandparents, my great-aunts—about Jungkook if he found out I was dating, and I’m not ready for that,” you zoom in on the picture, despite the fact that the screen is practically touching Taehyung’s nose, “and the reason Hoseok calls me bunny is not sexual—you two are fucking gross—I had front tooth problems in elementary school and I had a brace on my two big teeth, it was not pretty.” 

“Ah, bunny.” Taehyung echoes with wide eyes, looking at you as if you’re now the one with sage wisdom, “it all makes sense now.” He gulps, taking in the old photo of a mini-Hoseok and you, yourself frowning to cover your huge braces and Hoseok trying to pull your gums apart with his greasy little fingers. 

Satisfied by Taehyung’s evident squirming, you decide you’re too tired to further this interaction. “Tell the other half of your cell for me, will ya?” You’re already turning away, pressing repeatedly at the elevator button, “I would love to go on a date with him as soon as he gets his head out of his ass.” 

Jungkook is tired, but not tired enough to murder Taehyung and make it look like an accident. 

When he has late meetings, Taehyung is usually quieter around the apartment, and even gets Jungkook a hot meal once he wakes up in the afternoons. Today, Jungkook slept through and through. Normally he’d wake up midway to Taehyung’s television dramas, or the clanging of last night’s dishes but nope, not a peep. 

And today’s hot meal is takeout from Jungkook’s favorite ramen restaurant. That only means one thing—something has gone to shit and Taehyung feels guilty. 

Jungkook sips his tonkotsu impossibly slow, hearing Taehyung’s words—your words from last night—clear as day. Taehyung even describes in detail where the nickname bunny comes from, down to how miserable you looked in the photo with your monstrously metal-bent teeth. Oh, how he wishes he can swaddle you between the blankets, hold you and comfort you while you deal with your family. 

[2:45] Jungkook: doll, im so sorry

[2:45] Jungkook: please, i booked us a weekend at that new spa that just opened downtown. The tickets are flex, so if your cousin doesn’t leave by then week we can always reschedule 

[2:51] Jungkook: baby doll… 

This is far worse than believing you didn’t like him. Now Jungkook is antsy, knowing you deserve all the space in the world because of how silly he was being. You owe him nothing. If he just waited it out until you were ready, he wouldn’t be in this mess. He’s potato-esque throughout the day, thankfully Taehyung gives him space as he watches hours of mindless television. 

You don’t reply until very late into the night. 

[10:10] You: IM ALIVE--barely!! And mr. jeon, you’re not only a triple texter, but an ellipsis texter???? You’re asking for trouble

Jungkook has no shame, immediately texting you back. He can’t help it, he’s smitten. 

[10:12] Jungkook: taehyung explained everything. It’s all his fault. Don’t ask why, it’s his fault. Im so sorry. 

[10:12] You: mm, it’s okay. Just a misunderstanding. I was pretty upset last night, but i’ve been pretty tired this week so my fuse is short. 

[10:14] Jungkook: you should go to sleep now, doll. We’ll have time together after your cousin leaves

[10:14] You: just a couple more minutes. Miss u and your cute face 

[10:16] Jungkook: 

[10:16] Jungkook: will this hold u off until saturday?

Jungkook is a pile of goo. Pink, warm, happy heart-glittered goo. It takes a minute for you to reply, and for that whole minute Jungkook is kicking his legs under the sheets of his bed like an eager five-year old who just gave his crush his Valentine. Maybe it’s taking you so long to reply because you’re trying to send a selfie of your own, running off to the bathroom to take a cute selfie if your cousin is asleep in bed. 

[10:19] You: fuck, i kno that’s supposed to be a cute selfie, but i want you so bad. I want to sit on your face, let your lips glisten with my pussy as i cum all over that pretty face

[10:19] You: i wanna touch myself so badly but fuckin’ hoseok is out here snoring like he’s gon hack a lung. Panties are so wet 🥺🥺 your doll is needy for you, wanna be played with

[10:20] Jungkook: lfjsdl;fkjs;fjsoisfoisljsdfsdklfjsdklf 

He throws his phone across the bed, feeling himself twitch in his red flannel pyjama bottoms. The thought of you so hot and needy when you’re ten floors down has Jungkook absolutely livid. He doesn’t know how he’s going to talk to you, comfort you without missing you like crazy. 

Jungkook thinks back to what he has in his fridge. His contractor sent him a cheese assortment, maybe he can bring it down pretending to be a friendly neighbor. Maybe Hoseok can go to the convenience store to conveniently grab a bottle of wine. He can make both of you cum in five minutes, flat. 

Akin to a dumb, horny teenager, he sighs. He rubs his palm longingly over his member. He’s horny, but he’s also eager to see your face. Talk to you, get reacquainted with your routine and sneak his way into it. He wants to be a part of your life, and he’s hoping you will too. 

[5:02] You: Jungkook, you left me hanging last night

[5:05] Jungkook: baby doll… i wouldnt have been able to handle myself if we continued

[5:06] You: so you decided to dip :( 

[5:06] You: could u play with your doll a lil bit, kook? Hobi left for another interview

[5:08] You: PNG.0901

Jungkook was a fool to believe that you would drop him like that. No, Jungkook can see now that you two are a match made in heaven. You have a bite, never afraid to speak your mind when needed. This translates to a hunger you shamelessly share with Jungkook, both sexual and romantically intimate. He almost wishes he could’ve seen you act like a bitch to Taehyung last night, he can only imagine how sexy you looked telling him off. 

He has the technology to blow up your picture, the one that’s currently having him close his laptop and shove it to the side. He spreads his legs further across his glass desk, trying to find comfort between his tight pants as he absorbs every bit of your skin. 

It’s nothing too risque, but it’s nothing short of sensual. The room is dark, but it’s very clearly a picture of your hand between your thighs. Again, you’re between your wall and bed, squished between your office chair with your legs spread as far as they can go. Your skin is so soft looking, plush as you press two fingers between your damp panties. Adorable. 

[5:12] Jungkook: you know why i never replied last night? Because i was too busy jacking off to your dirty words doll. U really need your mouth washed

[5:12] You: wanna wash it with something else🍆

[5:12] You: please kook, i need something. Hoseok will come home soon and i might rip his head off. Help prevent a murder

Jungkook chuckles, clutching his phone closer to his body. He loves how much you’re opening up to him. Last week feels like so long ago, how you were all flushed and wide-eyed at the proposition of sex. He thinks you two can have a lot of fun getting to know each other, both emotionally and physically. 

[5:15] Jungkook: i was gonna wait until i sent this, but i think my doll needs it. Here’s what i was doing last night

[5:17] Jungkook: MP4.13

He… has a meeting in five minutes. A very important, very serious meeting. Jungkook jacked off enough last night, now it’s your turn. He hopes you like it. It’s not a very long video, barely a twenty-second clip of him fisting his cock. Taehyung was still home at the time, so he had to keep quiet. However, he couldn’t get the image of you out of his head that night, rubbing your thighs together in a cramped mattress as you try to erase the dirty thoughts of him. A murmur of your name, and the image of his precum dripping down his knuckles. You hope it’s enough. 

[5:34] You: u make everything so much easier💜✨

[5:35] You: MP4.234

Two minutes. The video you send is even shorter than his, barely fifteen seconds. You’re in a much more comfortable position, horizontal on the bed. Your shirt is ridden up to the underside of your breasts, one hand clutching your bare breast so hard he can see your cotton plush skin bulging between your fingers. The other hand has your panties shifted to the side, three fingers in your sopping cunt. 

“Mmh—fuck, f-uck Jungkook—” the words are mere breaths, puffs of air as you reach your orgasm. 

His call connects. He nearly drops his phone on the glass.  

“Jungkook!” Andreas from Germany wishes him brightly, “you look great, glowing even!” 

Jungkook blushes, and mutters something about having to go to the bathroom before they start. 

Taehyung makes himself scarce on Saturday. He packs a duffel bag for himself and takes the PlayStation, knowing it’ll be a long weekend at Jimin’s. 

Jungkook is on livewire for the morning. He even express-delivers a pasta roller to his house, and he spends all morning testing out the perfect pasta dough. His black apron is covered in flour, and he can barely comprehend the tutorial that’s teaching him on his flatscreen. 

He’s on autopilot. He hasn’t contacted you since he sent that selfie, and he doesn’t intend to. Jungkook understands why you made yourself scarce in the beginning of the week, preferring to raincheck and pin your relationship for a better time. Jungkook’s brain is overridden with you, swollen with thoughts of you. You would never be able to focus if you kept in contact like you did last night, especially if you can’t get away from Hoseok. 

Absence surely makes the heart grow fonder. 

Slapping his hands against his trousers, he surveys his handiwork. His pasta is appropriately floured and wrung, each handful of fresh dough wrapped in little nests. Off the stove is a bechamel sauce, a base ready to be cooked in whatever kind of pasta dish you want. He thinks the two of you would have fun making your own non-traditional pasta dishes. 

The soft knocks on his front door interrupts his train of thought, and he knows it’s you. 

You stand in front of the door, impossibly small in a large shirt and a plain pair of leggings. At the sight of Jungkook, a smile as warm and sweet as hot chocolate worms its way to your face, and you collapse into his arms. 

He sighs gratefully, sinking into your small body. When he pulls away, he can’t help but frown at your apparent exhaustion. You must’ve come back from something tedious, because sweat dots your brow and your eyes are still puffy and dark. Your chest arches bonelessly into his, hoping to melt in his embrace. 

“Hi,” you say.

“Hey,” he replies. 

“It’s Saturday.” 

“It is Saturday.” 

You rub your nose between the fabric of his button down, “I should’ve been more specific when I wanted to raincheck on you,” you murmur into the white cotton. 

“No, I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions,” Jungkook whispers, even though you’re the only two people on the floor, “I’ll make it better, yeah? I’m going to love you so good tonight, won’t have to lift a finger—” 

You shake your head, looking at him calmly. “Jungkook, it’s been a long week. Hobi got the job, I spent all this morning moving his two-ton speaker set into his new apartment. I don’t want anything gentle. I want you to rail me into next week,” Jungkook chokes on his saliva when you reach to cup his dick through his pants, already sporting a chub, “fuck me breathless. I want—no, I need this.”

Anything for you, but Jungkook isn’t going to let your mouth runneth over that easily. He wants that too, obviously. But again, you’ve made him wait. 

Bending slightly, Jungkook whispers darkly into your ear, “Who said you can decide the rules here, doll?”  he’s been waiting all week to slip back into this persona, one that has you shivering delightfully under his touch. A small, secret smile tucks itself under your lips as you tilt your head down, but Jungkook catches it. It shows you’ve missed it too. He lets your sneaky smile  slide for now, only because he’s missed you so much and you’ve had a long day. 

“If I wanna fuck you rough, I’ll fuck you rough. If I want to edge you until you're sobbing on the corner of the kitchen table, I’ll do it,” Jungkook spits every declaration into your skin, biting at your shoulder so hard you cry deliciously. 

He drags you over to the living room, and he could sing at how easily you follow directions. Both of you have been tied up this week, and some hard sex would definitely ease that frustration, “Knees,” Jungkook commands, and you waste no time sinking to the floor, hands atop your knees. 

You look up through your lashes, eyes big and glassy. His poor girl is tired, and he finds it all the more attractive that you’re willing to push that aside to make eachother feel good. 

“Pretty, pretty,” he chants, pulling down his pants and letting his dick spring free, “suck.” 

You waste no time, and he watches as your eyes dilate over the expanse of his cock, half-hard and ready for your mouth. Your nails dig into your knees as you start with featherlight kisses, finally turning into sloppy smacks as you lick all over his dick. 

Jungkook groans, weaving a hand into your hair to force his dick down your throat. You gag at the sudden intrusion, but it doesn’t stop you from taking it like a champ. Hard, deep thrusts that he’s sure you can feel all the way in your stomach. You gag at each thrust, but don’t let up as your hot tongue wraps him up and licks at the pre-cum. 

“Fuuuuck, doll,” he rips you away, his now hard dick springing away. He’s a little shaky on his knees, but he plants his feet down as he grips his cock, slapping the tip of it across your cheek. It smears your face, glossing your flushed cheeks in a mixture of your saliva and pre-cum. “Are you trying to make me cum first? So sweet, you don’t even care if you cum tonight, hmm? You owe me, making you believe you had another man.” 

This isn’t true, of course. The both of you know it was just miscommunication, but it doesn’t hurt to play it up for pleasure. 

“N-no Kook, I’m yours,” you grapple at his pants, pulling them down so he can get them off completely. 

“Right. You’re. Mine.” With every punctuated word is a light slap to your cheek, and you take it. His cock bounces right off of you, until you finally move your head to suckle at the engorged tip, “I’m keeping you forever, doll. Don’t you know that?” 

Throughout this whole process, you don’t move, other than the minute clawing at your knees. You’re so good to him. Jungkook pulls away and ignores the ache in his member for now, taking off your clothes for himself. It’s like unwrapping a gift, revealing every bit of skin reserved for his viewing. “So sexy,” he remarks once he’s got you bare, pulling you onto the couch. He’s still in his button down shirt, his date night shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbow. However, he lets your hands inch under the stiff fabric, feeling for his taut muscle. 

He guides your aching cunt to his cock, sinking you down. It’s a tight fit, and you both moan at the brush of contact. Despite not being prepped, you’re still slick, and it makes up for it. He doesn’t thrust up or anything, just guides his lips to yours with a threadbare brush of his finger. 

“Kook, d-do you want me to move?” you mumble against his cherry-flavored lip balm. 

“Good dolls don’t move until they’re told,” your eyes widen innocently at the statement, and you crumple against his mouth, at his next words, “cum like this.” 

“Awh shit, please no,” you tear up, burying your head between the crook of his neck, “I can’t wait.” 

“Thought you wanted me to fuck you into next week. You can’t do this one little favor for me?” he’s being so mean, and you hate him for it. Haven’t you earned it? “C’mon baby, I thought you wanted me?” 

It’s silent, save for the soft Italian restaurant music playing from whatever tutorial he’s hooked up to his television. It’s terribly cliche, like you’re in the porno version of a European romance movie. He thinks nothing of it, not when your juices are dripping on his thighs, your skin soft and pliant in his grip. Jungkook drums his fingers against your spine, seemingly uncaring that you’re stuffed deep into your womb. 

On the other hand, it’s the only thing you’re acutely aware of. His thick, warm cock is nestled between your folds, right where it should be. You clench once, twice, thankful that this isn’t some crazed wet dream. States of sleep and consciousness have blurred this week, you’re lucky that you made it all the way up to Jungkook’s apartment. 

You can’t cum like this. You need to bait him. You moan, the sound slow and rumbly against your throat as you weave your fingers through his dark tresses. Moving the strands aside to kiss his cold metal earrings you murmur, “I love this, Kookoo. I’ve wanted you all week, I was going crazy. I kept playing last week in my head over and over. I even put in my little vibrator, hoping you’d pull up the app.” 

Jungkook’s teeth clench, and his grip is borderline painful as it digs into your hips. 

“I haven’t been able to cum all week, and I want to do it all over you,” you husk, playing with the roots of his hair. 

You can feel yourself dripping, wetness lubricating you even further and probably staining his thighs and couch with your arousal. Every second that passes is killer, and the fluttering towards your pussy tighten further as Jungkook’s cock twitches in response. Your pussy continues its ministrations, butterfly-like flaps against his hot member that have you vibrating.

“Mm, oh, I’ll cum for you,” and surprisingly, you might be able to. All this dirty talking has gotten you riled up. Just a little bit more and—

Jungkook shoves you off his cock, forcing you to land on the couch. 

“No!” you cry, wiping your face. Your cheeks are ruddied, and you’re annoyed. The coolness of the autumn air has you feeling chilly, and you want to scream at Jungkook for disrupting your orgasm. You feel empty. 

You’re not annoyed for long however, as Jungkook flips you on your back and gives you what you’ve been craving. 

“You glide right in, don’t ya doll,” the friction is deliciously blazing, his hands pushing you further into the large couch as he takes you from behind. Hot, fast smacks against your ass come from the way his balls bounce back and forth as he pistons his cock in and out. “F-fuck, you’re so good to me. So good, I love having you like this. All pretty and dripping, you really know how to make a guy wait, huh?” 

“Mmph! N-no—hng, but I’m y-yours, Kook,” you garble out, and you’re practically eating the throw pillow you’re propped up on as he slams you further into the cushions, so hard you may fall off, “all yours, honey. N-no more waiting. I want you, want you so badly—ah fuck!” 

“It’s worth it, you’re worth it,” he says over and over, his thrusts becoming sporadic and losing their rhythm once he feels you clenching uncontrollably. He presses his two fingers to your sloppy bud, swirling around the juices eagerly. “C-cum, baby doll. You deserve it, yeah? Cum on this cock, let go.” 

You’re starting to see spots, black and white alike. Finally shying away from his cock you rest on your back, but Jungkook doesn’t stop his fingers from flying across your clit. One look at his face and you’re gone. Pretty brown eyes, overflowing with affection. The feeling is different, and it’s the acute pressure between your stomach and pussy that makes you notice what’s going on with your body. The pressure finally releases, your eyes fluttering shut as you rest your cheek on the cushions. You dissolve, a mess on the couch as white hot liquid ejects from your body, spraying Jungkook’s thighs and cushions. 

“Y-you just,” your lover’s mouth is parted open like a baby kitten, uncaring as to how the dark liquid stains his couch fabric. 

“Squirted?” you answer breathlessly, a melty smile on your lips, “y-yeah.” 

 It sets him off, a button left dormant until now. The thatches of hair that surround his cock are dripping with your mess, a cold reminder that he got you to this high. He doesn’t hesitate to slip his cock back into you, and you gasp at the overstimulation. You try not to focus on how your body is a bundle of lit nerves, only to help Jungkook reach his completion. 

“S-so perfect,” he warbles, pressing kisses to your jaw, chin, lips. Each thrust is deep, thick and heady with emotion. “Mm, I wanna cream this pussy sooo badly—mm, all mine, all wet and warm and so so sweet—” 

He cries out your name, biting into your shoulder as your walls fill further with his hot cream. Your thighs are shaking from sensory overload, and Jungkook has to hold you down and soothe you into a state of reality to cling on. 

Satiated, he nuzzles into your chest, feeling absolutely featherlight. 

“T-thank you,” you say gratefully, when at least three out of your five senses return to your body. Your hands dip down to clutch his cheek, pinching lightly at the warm skin.

“Don’t thank me yet,” Jungkook exhales into your breasts, “d-didn’t even feed you my cum yet.” 

You scoff, pinching his cheek again. You’re aware of his softening cock between your folds, ready to seep the efforts of today’s coupling, but your stomach says otherwise. You crane your neck to make note of the kitchen island, staring curiously at the metal pasta roller and the little nests of carby goodness that decorate the cutting board. 

“Feed me pasta first, please. You have all night to feed me dessert.” 

Jungkook giggles into your stomach, he doesn’t mind feeding you in that order. 

bonus.

“So.” 

“So?” you have cream sauce on your lips, happily slurping on an angel hair. 

“You haven’t told me you liked me back yet,” Jungkook rests his palm in the swell of his cheek, content with watching you eat from where he’s standing on the counter. He leans his upper body across the marble table, muscles rippling against his white shirt. 

“Oh, I did!” you’re affronted, swinging your legs on the high chair, “I totally did last week!” 

“Yeah, well. Can you say it while I’m not inside you?” 

“Okay,” you blink, quirking him with a simple smile, “I like you.” 

“That was anticlimactic,” Jungkook jokes at the brevity of your confession, yet his heart betrays the charm he finds in the three words. 

You scoff, jabbing your fork in the little next of springy noodles. “What do you want to hear? I’ve wanted you since I’ve moved in? I think you’re really handsome when you pace the hallway doing work on your phone? I like the way you cook?” 

“Keep going,” Jungkook sing songs, walking over to hug you from behind.

The stool swings back and forth as he rocks the two of you, softly and slowly so you don’t throw up your dinner. He noses into your neck, inhaling your scent and committing it to your memory. 

“Mm, dessert first,” you insist, twirling around the stool so you can wrap your legs around his waist. “And then I can tell you exactly how much I like you,” your fingers play with the buttons of his shirt, walking the pads of your fingers across his chest. 

Jungkook grins, hands reaching to cup your bottom and bring you to his bedroom. Of course, he’s always willing to satisfy your insatiable appetite. 

[pinkpudgypearl]

i don’t know if i should write about this in here or if i should stick to only opening up on my little notebook but oh well im fucking exhausted and i need to let off some fucking steam. today was the math final. basically what happened is, i knew how to solve everything. every fucking thing. even though it was actually way harder than the first trial. it really fucking was. but i just didnt have enough time or space on my answer sheets. i even had the answers to some questions in my drafts because i’d skipped them and then remembered how theyre solved, so i basically thought i’d write them in the end so that they’d be seen easily. so that i wouldnt fucking lose their grade. anyways, they took my paper while i was drawing the last function. but i still hadn’t revised and i still hadnt finished answering the little questions i left till the end because i wanted to keep things neat; those questions probably make up a third of my fucking grade. maybe even more. in my first math trial i finished writing everything i knew in the first half hour. i only used up about 3 sheets or so. but this time i still had so much to write but i had no time or space left. this is what i was talking about in my notebook two days ago actually. its how the only consistency i seem to bear is failure. and i talked about how tempting it was to stop trying. how it would honestly be so much less painful to not have to try and still end up fucking failing. i honestly have to wonder why i still keep thinking that maybe,, just maybe, this time will be different. that ill be good. everything i have ever done begs to pose that question. maybe im dumb to still think i can ever be a good girl. i’ll never be one. i also talked about how i shouldnt blame my existence for the way i am. that i should fault the real wrongdoer; whether it be my person, my souls corruption, my putrid form, etc. but honestly,, what else could i have done to have not ended up in this situation. i finished all the answer sheets im allowed. i was literally writing as they took the paper away from me. i didnt take breaks. i didnt just stare at nothingness. i was solely focused on every question as it came to me. i studied hard. i made sure i practiced every idea and how to use it and made sure i used it correctly. i solved exam upon exam. i solved questions i was never able to solve during the year. and i worked my fucking ass off over the past two days and got four hours of sleep in total over those 60+ hours. i avoided breaking down as hard as i could because i knew that that was something that always made my grades terrible. i tried to sin as little as fucking possible to maybe try and get spirituality to aid me with not failing too. the two days leading up to it were spent solely in my room just practicing and making sure i got a handle on everything. i studied pretty fucking hard for this test. and then comes the final day of judgement. i got about an hour of sleep, drank my fucking cup of espresso or black coffee or whatever the fuck it is as fast as i could and ran out there. i was fucking throwing up bile all the way over there and i tried my hardest to keep myself calm and relaxed. moved bit by bit, making sure i took meticulous care of each answer. and i left the ones that didnt completely work out till the end. oh well youre all caught up on what happened afterwards. is it just in the cards for me? that ill always fail? that ill never be a good girl? that ill never surprise anyone with my “abilities”? maybe the reason i cant is because i have none. maybe i was just delusional and i convinced myself that i could maybe have a chance. i guess that kind of behavior aligns with my person. mistaken, failing, delusional, you name it. this couldve been such a great opportunity. i couldve fucking aced this final. i genuinely believe i could’ve and you know that isnt easy to say because i do understand what im capable of now. i had those answers in the draft and the rest were meticulously planned in my head. i couldve gone to that fucking faculty and i wouldnt have had to pay (1/2)

[freddiesaysalright]

Tale As Old as Time - Chapter 1

Rami!Prince Adam x Reader

Summary: A prince cursed. A young woman aching for adventure. The classic tale of seeing beauty within.

Word Count: 4.3k

Tag List: @psychosupernatural​, @someone-get-a-medic​, @bensrhapsody​, @deakyclicks​, @crazylittlethingcalledobsession​,@minigranger, @crazyweirdocalledfriday​, @the-moving-finger-writes​, @assembledherethevolunteers​, @rose-writes-prose​, @queenlover05​, @26-7-49​, @drowsebaby​, @im-an-adult-ish​, @xviiarez​, @rogerina-owns-me​ If you’d like to be added, let me know!

A/N: Let’s meet our heroine! You! Not much Rami in this chapter, but he’s coming!

Warning(s): None!

Moodboard

Prologue

Chapter 1 here we go!!!

You woke to the chirping of birds outside your window. The sun was just peeking over the hillside and through your curtains. You groaned, stretching your limbs to wake yourself up. You had errands to run today, and you needed to finish early to help your father with his newest invention. You shivered slightly as you pushed your covers back. 

You changed into a plain dress for your walk to town. Then you slipped on your boots. You stopped by your father’s bedroom to peek in on him. He was snoring, his shoulders rising and falling with his breath. You smiled to yourself, grabbed a basket, and headed out.

The crisp autumn air felt refreshing against your skin. You began to hum to yourself as you walked. The sleepy little town was also waking up. You smelled the fresh bread from the baker, heard the thud of a knife hitting wood from the butcher, and saw the bright white flowers at the florist. You waved to each of them as you passed.

“Good morning, Y/N,” said the florist. 

“Good morning, Elaine,” you replied sweetly.

“How’s your father?” she asked.

“Sleeping soundly,” you replied with a smile. 

“On your way to pick up his medicine, I assume?” she guessed.

You nodded. “It’s that time. I’ll be by later to pick up some flowers for my mother’s grave. Is that alright?”

“Of course, darling,” she assured you. “I’ll start an arrangement.”

“You’re the best!”

You waved once more and started toward the apothecary. Your father had a dreadful illness which caused him to cough. At first, you wrote it off as dust from all the things he built. But then he began to cough up blood, and you insisted on taking him into town. The pharmacist gave him some herbal treatments, which was manageable, but it wasn’t a cure. You wished you could take your father to a big city to get a trained doctor to treat him, but you couldn’t afford it.

With a sigh, you entered the apothecary. The pharmacist - Lyle - beamed at you.

“Good morning, Y/N!” he greeted. “I’ve got your father’s medicine ready for you.”

He indicated the small package on the table.

“You’re always prepared, sir, I can’t thank you enough,” you replied. 

You dropped some coins on the counter and picked up the parcel, placing it carefully in your basket.

“How is old Paul, anyway?” he asked.

“He’s fine,” you answered. “I know he’s got big plans for today, though I don’t know what.”

“Tell him to be careful,” he warned. “That dust is not good for him. And we don’t want him to take a turn.”

“I’ll let him know,” you said. “Thank you again!”

You left, dreading having to tell your father once again that he needed to stop his work. His work drove him. It broke your heart that it was also killing him.

You went to the bakery and picked up some bread. Then back by the flower shop for the little bouquet for your mother’s grave. Then you headed to your favorite spot in town - the library.

You adored books. As a simple country girl with a bit of time on her hands, you found your adventure in stories. That was the one thing you had always craved - something more than caring for your father and visiting the village. To experience something you had never seen before. The closest you ever came was through a book.

“Good morning, Jean!” you called to the librarian as you came through the door.

“What’ll it be today, Y/N?” he asked kindly.

“Has anything new come in?” you wondered, scanning the front desk for a fresh title.

“Actually, yes,” Jean said, picking up the book off the top. “I think you’ll like this one. It’s about a prince under a curse, and a fight to break it.”

“Say no more,” you replied, taking it from him. “You know how I feel about magic.”

“I do,” he chuckled. “You know, you could experience some of your own if you got out of the village every once in a while.”

You sighed. “You know I can’t leave my father. Besides, I couldn’t afford a trip.”

He shook his head and tutted. “Y/N, you’re such a bright girl. You’ve got so much going for you. It’s a shame that you’re stuck here.”

“Maybe, but I love my father,” you said firmly. “He’s given me his whole life.”

“He doesn’t want you to return the favor,” Jean insisted.

“There’s still the cost,” you said. “We spend enough for Papa to go to contests. That’s all we can really do. Really, Jean, I’m happy with how things are. At least for now.”

“Because you have my books?” he teased.

You grinned. “Precisely.”

“That’s due back in a week,” he said.

“I’ll have it back before then!”

You waved and headed back onto the street. Immediately, you began poring over the book. You were so invested that you crashed into someone before you finished the first page. The collision knocked you flat on your bum.

“I’m so sorr-!” you began to say, but then you looked up and saw who it was.

Victor. You bit back a groan.

“Good morning, Y/N,” he said with a cocky grin, helping you to your feet.

“Good morning, Victor,” you replied. 

He picked up your book and handed it to you. “What are you doing with this?”

“I’m reading it,” you said. “I’m afraid I can’t stay, I’ve got a lot to do today.”

You pushed past him and kept walking. To your dismay, he followed.

“Y/N, I’ve been doing some thinking,” he began.

“Oh, how rare for you,” you said.

You didn’t mean to be snarky, but Victor was so conceited and arrogant. He was handsome and had money, but because of that, he was spoiled. For some reason, you had caught his attention. But he hardly knew you. He didn’t catch your jab.

“Don’t you think it’s time we got married?” he said. 

You scoffed. “What makes you think that?”

“Well, you’re the most beautiful woman in town, I’m the handsomest man, why shouldn’t we get married?” he said with a shrug.

“Do you really think looks are all that’s required for a successful marriage?”

“What else is there?”

You stopped walking and looked at him in disbelief. You searched his face for any hint that he was joking, but found none. He genuinely believed appearance was that vital.

“Victor, I’m flattered, but no,” you said. “I have no interest in getting married just now. Not when I have my father to care for.”

“That may be precisely the reason to get married,” he argued. “I’ve been thinking of buying the old palace, but if my dear father-in-law needed care, well - I might consider something smaller to get him what he needs.”

You froze. That offer was tempting. But Victor was just so...all brawn and no brain. How could you spend your life with him? 

“Victor, I can’t marry you,” you said simply. “I don’t love you.”

“Honestly, Y/N, whether or not you love me is of little consequence,” he said. “You’ll learn to love me. You don’t have to make a decision just yet. But do promise me you’ll think about it.”

You sighed and looked away. “Sure. I’ll think about it.”

“Wonderful!” he cried. “I’ll come by later to get your answer. Have a good day, Y/N!”

With that, he was off. You saw him join a few other men who had gathered on horseback. Victor had a fine, black horse, which he mounted gracefully. The group galloped away for their weekly hunt. You found it absurd that other people couldn’t see past Victor’s good looks. He was a shallow, empty person, with money and some charm.

You started back toward your house. Only, as you started to walk, you caught the eye of three other young women. They tended to follow Victor around and swoon over him. He ignored them completely. They were glaring fiercely at you and you heard them whispering, surely speculating how you could possibly need time to answer a man such as Victor.

Rolling your eyes, you began walking. Your house came into view through the trees and you walked up the stone steps. Your father was out of bed and already tying on his inventing apron.

“Morning, my dear,” he said cheerfully. “How was town?”

“Fine,” you replied dismissively. “I picked up a new book.”

He chuckled. “Just like your mother. Always have your nose in a book.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” you teased.

You placed the bread on the counter and began cutting it into slices for toast. 

“Have you eaten anything yet, Papa?” you wondered.

“No, but I’ve been looking forward to your blueberry preserves all morning,” he told you.

You giggled. Over the summer, you had taken to gardening after reading a book about it. You had a natural knack for it. Over the summer, your blueberries came in sweet and ripe, so you took about half of  the bush and turned them into preserves for the fall and winter. The rest, you and your father ate fresh. 

“Coming right up,” you assured him.

You toasted the bread over the fire and then retrieved your preserves from the pantry. You spread it generously over the bread, and enjoyed the breakfast treat with your father. He groaned at the taste.

“Y/N, these are just delicious!” he praised. “I hope you keep growing all our food!”

“I’ll need more practice for that, but thank you,” you returned. 

“So, did you see anyone in town today?” he asked.

“Well, I saw Lyle,” you began. “Speaking of which, your medicine is on the counter, don’t forget to take it. Then Jean at the book shop. And Elaine arranged some flowers for me to put on Mama’s grave.”

“How nice,” he said.

“I, uh…” you trailed off. You wondered if you should tell him about Victor’s offer. “I also saw Victor. He told me something interesting.”

“Oh? What’s that?” he wondered.

You quickly changed your mind. 

“He said he’s thinking of buying the old palace.”

“I wasn’t aware it was for sale,” your father said.

“With enough money, you can get anything you want apparently,” you said, half to yourself.

Your father set down his toast, mid-bite.

“Now, Y/N,” he scolded. “That sounds like bitterness.”

“I don’t mean to, Papa,” you said apologetically. “But I feel like Victor gets everything, whether he deserves it or not, simply because he has money and a way with women. It’s maddening!”

“I know, but it’s the world we live in,” he said gently, placing his hand atop yours. “All we can do is be as kind and helpful as possible.”

You smiled. “You’re right, Papa, I’m sorry.”

“Besides, he’d have to appeal to the royal family,” your father continued. “Their living relatives will have claim to the palace before Victor. Besides, the prince may still be alive.”

Your brow furrowed. “I always heard the whole family was killed that day.”

Your father shook his head. “Not true. The king and queen were found. But the prince never was. He simply vanished, it seems. I think he escaped that night and is still alive somewhere.”

“That’s awfully hopeful,” you remarked.

“I can’t help it,” he said. “That prince was a kind boy. He used to come into town and -”

Your father stopped and was hit with a coughing fit. He hacked into his napkin, his whole body racking with the force of it. You jumped up. It had never been so intense before.

“Papa!” you cried, concerned.

“I’m alright,” he wheezed, but blood dribbled out of his mouth and down his chin. “I’m alright. I just haven’t had my medicine today, that’s all.”

“Papa, this is more than before,” you said. “It can’t just be your medicine.”

“Don’t fuss, Y/N,” he returned. “Now, I’m going to take my medicine and head down to the cellar for my new invention.” He cheered up. “I can’t tell you much just yet, but we’ll see how it works!”

You opened your mouth to argue further, but he held up a hand to stop you.

“Go see your mother,” he said gently. “I’ll be just fine.”

He took his medicine down the stairs with him before you could say anymore. With a huff, you grabbed your bouquet and headed out to the cemetery. 

Your mother was buried on a grassy hill about half a mile outside the village. It was wide and spacious, and strangely the place you felt the most free. You took your book along since you sometimes read aloud to her. Other times, you leaned against her headstone and read to yourself. Today, your heart was too conflicted to read. 

The choice before you was clear: marry Victor and get your father the help he needed or refuse the proposal and let your father continue to suffer. Either way, you were trapped.

You placed the flowers before your mother’s grave.

“Oh, Mama, I don’t know what to do,” you sighed. “I can’t win in either scenario.”

You paused, hoping for some inspiration. You considered what your mother would do. She was a very giving woman, but she believed in genuine love within a family. She certainly had not married your father for money. And yet, she would have done anything to save the people she loved.

“Maybe Victor isn’t so bad,” you said, trying to convince yourself. “Maybe I haven’t given him enough of a chance. Sure, he’s vain and shallow and self-centered, but he isn’t cruel. I could certainly do worse.”

You paused and heaved a sigh. It seemed so unfair.

After about an hour, you headed back. You went right down into the cellar to help your father, who was still not telling you what this new invention was. And from the looks of it, you couldn’t even guess. All the while, he coughed. He took several breaks, becoming winded after short bursts of work. All this after having taken his medicine.

You worked well into the afternoon. Then you headed upstairs to start dinner. You were just at the door, wiping your hands on your apron, when Victor walked up. You hastily wiped some soot from your cheek.

“Y/N, hello!” he said cheerfully. Then he frowned. “My goodness, what have you been doing? You look like a field hand.”

You narrowed your eyes at him. “I’ve been helping my father. It’s not exactly neat work.”

“Don’t you have sewing or...ladies work to do?” he wondered.

You resisted the brutal urge to roll your eyes.

“Actually, Victor, all my ladies work is reserved for Tuesdays,” you said, but once again, he did not detect your sarcasm.

“Y/N, I’ve come by to see if you -”

“I know why you’re here,” you cut across him. 

“Well, have you thought about it?” he asked.

“I have,” you said, heart pounding. “After careful consideration, I have decided to change my original answer. I will marry you, Victor.”

You felt like vomiting. But you knew what you had to do. Your father needed this.

“Wonderful!” he cried, punching a fist into the air. “Shall we set a date? How about a week from today?”

“Woah, settle down,” you said. “A proper wedding takes months to plan. And I want it to be done the right way, not the quickest way.”

“Ah, of course,” he replied. “Then, shall we go and give your father the good news?”

“I’ll tell him myself,” you said. “I don’t want to overwhelm him.”

He took your hand, pressing his lips to your knuckles. You tried not to cringe.

“I’m sure he’ll be happy for you,” he said. “There’s no better match in town.”

You forced a smile. “Yes, I...well…”

“I can see you’re speechless,” he chuckled. “I’ll let you and your father have some time. I’ll come back tomorrow to pay him my respects.”

“Thank you, Victor,” you said. “This is going to change our lives.”

“It certainly will,” he agreed pompously. “Good day, Y/N...dear.”

You winced as he released your hand and returned to his horse. He mounted, blew you a kiss, and then trotted away with a wide grin on his face. You watched him disappear through the trees. Disgust crawled over your skin, and weren’t sure if it was for yourself or Victor. Now there was the issue of telling your father.

With a groan, you headed back down to the cellar. You heard a loud whistle of the machine he’d been building, which made you stop. You watched as everything began. Springs coiled and released, steam erupted from lids, wheels turned. All of it led to an axe - attached at the front - rising up, and coming down hard enough against a piece of wood to chop it cleanly in half.

Your mouth fell open.

“Papa!” you cried.

“Can you believe it, Y/N?!” he returned, jubilant. “It works!”

It made you sick to think you were going to have to ruin his good mood.

“Papa, I’ve got something to tell you,” you began.

“I tell you, Y/N, with this one, we’ll go far,” he continued, ignoring you. “This is going to be my greatest yet!”

“Papa, I -”

“Chopping wood is back breaking, people will be clamoring for this!” he went on. “We’ve got to celebrate! How about we -”

“Papa, listen!” you insisted.

He stopped short and looked at you. His brow furrowed at your watery eyes. He switched off the machine and the room went silent.

“I....I have more news,” you said quietly. Dread made your stomach turn. “Victor was just here.”

“Oh? Any updates on buying the old palace?”

You shook your head. “It wasn’t about that. He...well, you see...he…”

“Out with it, Y/N,” your father pressed. “Don’t leave me on tender hooks here.”

“He asked me to marry him,” you blurted out.

You found it difficult to meet your father’s gaze now. Shame made you fix your eyes to the floor.

“What did you tell him?” your father asked gently.

You looked up. “I said yes.”

Paul’s eyes went wide. You knew you had shocked him.

“Y/N, I...I didn’t think you wanted to get married,” he said. “Much less to Victor. From the way you spoke this morning, you seem to hardly even like him.”

“Well, it’s not always about what I want,” you said, crossing your arms over your chest stubbornly. “This is about what’s best for us.”

“Us?” he questioned. “Heavens, I’m not the one marrying him. What’s he got to do with me?”

You squeezed your eyes shut with frustration. A tear slid down your cheek.

“He can take care of you, Papa,” you said softly. “He can get you proper care. Better than Lyle.”

“Y/N, you can’t pledge your life to someone for my sake!” he cried, crossing over to put his hands on your arms. “You should marry someone for love! And no other reason!”

“And what, watch you die right in front of me?!” you shot back. “When I could have done something? Papa, you’re the only family I’ve got left!”

“I’m not a reason to waste your life!” he insisted. “You’re my child, I’m supposed to go before you do! And what happens then? You’ll marry a man you don’t love or respect to give me just a few more years?”

“I need you!” you argued, tears falling freely now. 

“You can’t sacrifice your life for me, Y/N, I won’t let you!” he shouted.

You sobbed and collapsed into his arms. He held you against him and let you cry, patting your back soothingly. Pressed to his chest, you could hear his rattling breaths. It reaffirmed your decision.

“I won’t let you die,” you whimpered.

“Y/N, there’s a contest in the city this week,” he said. “Before you go through with this, let me go and try to win some money. If I can do that, I’ll get treatment, and you won’t have to marry Victor. Okay?”

“I’ve already accepted him, Papa,” you said, sniffling.

“Engagements can be called off,” he returned. “Let’s give my inventions one last chance to save us.”

You pulled away and looked at him. “Alright, then.”

He cupped your face in his hands, gently wiping your tears away with his thumbs. 

“Have some faith, my girl,” he said. “At least this one works.”

“Oh, Papa,” you laughed.

You went up and had dinner together. 

The next day, you rose early and helped your father pack up the wagon. You hitched up the horse as well. As Paul climbed into the seat, he looked at you.

“What shall I bring you if it’s good news?” he asked.

“A rose,” you replied. “The kind you always brought home for Mama.”

He smiled. “A rose it is, then.”

You stepped up on the hitch and kissed his cheek.

“Good luck, Papa,” you said. “I love you.”

“And I love you, Y/N,” he returned warmly. “I’ll see you in three days.”

“Three days,” you repeated, stepping back down.

When you were safely on the ground, he flicked the reins and he was off. You watched him go. The sun began to creep over the horizon, and with it came new hope. This invention worked, and it was incredibly useful. There was a chance.

Paul started at a brisk pace, determined to make it to the city by the afternoon. Then he’d have a whole day to sell the new invention. He was certain it would do better than the last few. It had to. His daughter’s whole future was at stake this time. 

The only trouble was, getting to the big city quickly meant going through the forest. And Paul had not made the journey in over a year. Either his memory was failing him, or the path had changed. He couldn’t be sure which. But it seemed suddenly the world had gone dark, though he knew the sun still shone above the trees somewhere. 

“Where are we?” he wondered aloud.

He brought the horse to a slow stop. Then he looked around. There were no signs to indicate which direction to go from there. Worried he was missing something due to the darkness, he reached into the wagon for a lantern. He lit it, which helped some, but still there was no indication for where he wanted to go. He dug around in his bag for his map. As he did so, a soft pattering through the leaves got his attention.

Rain came down, dampening his clothes. He blinked and looked up. Now it was clear why visibility was so bad. Clouds blocked out the sun. Dark, wicked looking clouds.

A jolt of fear ran up Paul’s spine. A storm would mean a cold, which was something his lungs couldn’t take right now. Not when he had to go and present his wood chopper. He needed to head back home and try again tomorrow.

He tugged the reins to the left to begin his journey home. A low rumble of thunder confirmed his decision. Then…

CLAP!

Thunder sounded almost right above them. Paul shivered as the rain came down harder. The horse whinnied nervously, backing up. 

“No, Phillipe, forward,” Paul urged, flicking the reins again.

BANG! FLASH!

Lightning struck the tree in front of them and it immediately burst into flame. Phillipe neighed and reared back, throwing the wagon off balance.

“Phillipe!” Paul shouted, in an attempt to calm him.

The flames warmed the air around them. Thunder boomed above. The dry, crunchy leaves on the forest floor caught the flames from the tree. Phillipe turned tail and took off into the woods, away from the fire and further away from home.

Paul gave a yelp of surprise and held onto the reins. The wagon bumped along over the roots and rocks, and he was just trying not to be thrown off as they galloped through the darkness. The rain picked up, pelting the man’s face and eyes. Paul lowered his hat to try and shield himself, but it was already soaked through.

“Phillipe!” Paul yelled through the noise. “Phillipe, stop!”

The horse did not listen. His animal instincts had completely taken over and he was focused only on escaping the fire and storm. They hurtled through the woods without any direction or destination.

When Phillipe could go no further, he slowed, panting. Paul peered out from below his hat. He hoped he could discern where he was, but the only thing in front of him was an old, wrought iron gate. It was elaborately designed, and now that the rain had eased up, Paul could see why. Behind it was a lush garden. The most prominent growth was a stunning rose bush. Thinking of his daughter, he had Phillipe halt so he could get down. He retrieved his pocket knife and reached through the gate.

To his surprise, it squeaked open. He gasped as he lost balance and stumbled through. He brought his arm back through the bars and then walked onto the little path into the garden. The roses really were some of the finest he had ever seen. The bushes were tall so it felt like walking through a maze. Unwilling to venture too far in, he stopped before the first curve.

A large rose bloomed out from the bush. The petals looked so delicate with the rain drops adorning them. He brought forth his knife once again, and he cut the stem, carefully avoiding the thorns.

He heard a low rumble nearby. Assuming it to be thunder, he started to jog back to Phillipe. Only it wasn’t thunder, he quickly realized. A great, looming shadow had appeared above him. As he took in the shape before him, he stumbled backward and let out a scream.

[seriouslyhooked]

The Same Soul 8

Available on FF Here and AO3 Here. Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7.

Our world AU where Emma and Killian knew each other as teenagers. Killian was sent to spend a summer with family in America. He met foster kid Emma while there. They fell in love but then he was forced back home and she couldn’t take the memories so she ran away, trying her best to move on from the dreams they’d always hoped for. A chance meeting brings them back together years later, and this time nothing and no one will keep them apart. Rated M.

A/N: Hey everyone! After waiting for my inspiration to strike again with this story, I have been on a relative roll and it feels so good. The cuteness continues in this chapter, and we’re hitting a major milestone too. As such, we are edging ever closer to the end of this story. Honestly, I would say there’s only two chapters left, one of which will likely be an epilogue. That being said, I hope that you guys will enjoy what I’ve done in this installment. As always, I would love to hear what you all think and I thank you so much for your continued support and kindness!

God, to think, even a month ago, that this would be my life. I’d never have believed it.

Emma smiled at the thought as she moved about Killian’s kitchen, bringing together the few needed ingredients to put together this morning’s pancake mix. She might live on her own, but Emma always took pleasure in the little things, and a home cooked meal was one of those investments that made a huge difference in her day. Making something for herself was a powerful experience, but making something to share that she knew would be appreciated was even better, and in about fifteen minutes or so, Killian would wake up, wrap her in his arms, wish her good morning and marvel at these pancakes before eating damn near every one. She chuckled at the thought, knowing that, if habit held, Killian would put away at least six of these bad boys, as well as tons of bacon and eggs, praising her and thanking her endlessly all the while.

It was surreal to comprehend all of this – her and Killian, back together again, and not just reunited, but happy and domestic. This was becoming a routine. Lazy Sunday mornings at one of their places had been going six weeks strong, and they followed Saturday day and nights spent almost exclusively together. On Sundays, Emma weirdly woke up with the sun and Killian had a tendency towards sleeping in, a total reversal of the rest of their week. Not that Emma was in a hurry to leave. She always spent a little time in bed, just enjoying the feel of Killian holding her tight, and only when nature called did Emma sneak out of his arms, throw on one of his t-shirts, and get ready for the morning.

With anyone else, establishing a routine like this, especially so early in a relationship, would be impossible for Emma. Routines involved counting on someone and trusting that they would come through. For everyone else, that trust was hard earned and seldom given, but with Killian things were different. Emma had believed in him and given him her heart so long before, and now that he was back it felt natural to hand them over without any more muss or fuss. Having overcome her worries early on, she was now committed, all in in a way one had to see to believe. It was miraculous really, and yet Emma didn’t go too deep into why or how. Overthinking was the fastest way to heartbreak, and instead she was doing everything she could to make this work and treasure every moment she and Killian had together.

With thoughts of the two of them dancing in her head, Emma kept pouring batter and flipping cakes, monitoring the other pieces of their meal, but largely focused on the pancakes that would take center stage. She made one and then another and another until the plate was piled high with golden circles of deliciousness. Then when she was nearly finished, and thinking that it might be time to wake Killian up, he came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her and breathing her in. Emma sighed happily, closing her eyes for a moment and soaking this sensation deep into her soul before twisting in his grasp and smiling at him. His hair was disheveled from sleep, his eyes still a little dazed, but he was handsome as ever. Her hand came up to cup his cheek, brushing against that extra bit of scruff that had appeared overnight and she couldn’t help kissing him. She went for something quick, but when she tried to pull back, he demanded more and she melted against him. Soon everything else was forgotten and Emma had only one thing in mind, but before they could get there, Killian ended the kiss, grinning at her as he pressed his forehead to hers.

“I’ll never grow tired of us being like this,” he murmured, his eyes flicking down to her lips, as if he was tempted to taste her all over again. Still he held back, glancing at the stovetop and shitting off the gas before her last pancake could burn. “Will you ever wake me up and let me help you with all of this?”

Emma shook her head and bit her lip to keep from grinning too widely. He had asked her every weekend to wake him up so he could help, claiming that he loved this thoughtful breakfast, but that it was too much for her to take on herself. Emma didn’t agree. She was totally willing and able to make them a meal to share like this. Besides, this wasn’t a totally selfless act. She got to enjoy the food just as much as he did, and then after, when they were finished, Killian would pull her close and drag her back to bed, determined to remind her of what kind of morning they could have when they did wake up together.

Trying to hide the flush that came to her cheeks would be useless. She was blushing and there was no remedy, especially not when Killian grumbled out a heated promise that he’d ‘satisfy her soon enough.’ Yet despite the butterflies of anticipation, she ate her pancakes and fruit with total contentment. This was easy and relaxing, peaceful in a way she could never have imagined, and somehow, through some beautiful twist of fate, it was becoming their new normal.

“So, you never did tell me if you had any plans today,” Emma hedged, when breakfast was done and they’d brought all the dishes back to the kitchen. In a lightening fast move, Killian reached for her hand and then pulled her flush against him, leading her back to the place in the world she loved most of all.

“That’s because I don’t. The only thing on my agenda is spending every moment with you that I can. Aside from that, I have no wish left to fulfill.”

Emma’s heart warmed at his words which were genuine and real. Everything he said was big and bold, but he never exaggerated. That was what made Emma feel so safe in this relationship. Killian felt so much and he candidly showed her the extent of his emotion. He loved her deeply, and even if they went years apart, she knew he had loved her since the moment they met. Her hand raised to his chest, her fingers tracing above his heart, as she relished this feeling of total and complete connection. Closing her eyes she let out a deep, contented sigh, thrilled at the idea of having another day with Killian with no cares or worries to be had.

“Actually, I stand corrected.” Emma raised a brow at his sudden change of tone. “I do have plans. Plans to keep you in bed and in my arms as long as humanly possible.”

When he swept her into his arms Emma laughed, letting slip a sound of shock that melted into pure excitement. She loved when this part of him came to the forefront, controlling and needy and demanding. He was the sweetest man she’d ever met, but he was also the sexiest, and when he flipped that switch to claiming her… God, she almost fanned herself just thinking of how it would be. In seconds she was riled up, desperate for what was coming, and then a knock sounded at the door and both of them froze.

“Are you expecting someone?” Emma whispered, as if the person on the other side of that door could somehow hear her.

“No, love. No one even knows where I live. Well, except for work and -,”

“Open up, brother! I know you’re in there!”

“Liam?” Emma and Killian both asked at the same time, and now her pulse was racing for a different reason. Oh shit – his brother was here? She’d never even met him and currently she was… Emma yelped. Jumping down from Killian’s arms and trying to get away. She was wearing nothing but his t-shirt and here was his brother come to visit! Oh God this was a nightmare.

“Emma, love, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know he was even in the states, never mind coming here.”

“I believe you,” Emma said, but she felt antsy now and desperate to get dressed and appear more presentable. She had imagined the moment she would meet Killian’s brother a thousand times, and it was safe to say none of those imaginings were anything like this.

“It’s going to be all right, Swan,” Killian said, kissing her quickly and staring into her eyes with an intensity she had to accept. “It’s sudden, but we were always headed to this. I love you for now and always. You’re a part of me, and so is Liam. It’s only right two of my favorite people should finally meet.”

Emma smiled despite her fear and nodded. “Okay. I’ll be quick.”

“Take all the time you need. You know I’d wait forever for you.” Emma stayed wrapped up in him for another moment, but then another knock sounded at the door.

“Killian! You better not be sleeping! Damn, just our luck, we surprise the lad and he’s dead to the world.”

“We?” Emma mouthed to Killian as another voice in the hallway responded.

“Give the boy a minute, Liam. He’s likely… tied up at the moment.”

“Uncle Benjen,” Killian said with a grin though his eyes still shone with confusion and Emma groaned. Tied up? Oh they totally knew she was here. God this was embarrassing!

Before she could wallow any longer though, Emma moved into the bedroom, locking the door as she heard Killian open his apartment to the family who loved him. Immediately Emma could hear the happy greetings said between them, and as she changed into clean clothes and tried to brush her hair she did her best not to panic. It was going to be okay. Kilian loved her and she loved him, and that would be enough. She could impress his family. At least she hoped she could.

Gathering her courage, Emma exited the bedroom and made her way to the living room where Killian stood with two men who looked so strikingly similar it gave Emma momentary pause. The younger of the two was Liam, and immediately Emma knew that he and Killian were brothers. They carried themselves the same way, though Liam was much taller, and when they both saw her and smiled, they mirrored each other so acutely. Then she saw Killian’s Uncle and she was shocked. He looked so young still, or maybe he was just aging very well. Either way it felt that looking at this man was getting a snapshot into what Killian may be like years from now. He obviously took care of himself, probably staying away from rum and dessert and any other vices one could have, but even in his age he looked youthful. Perhaps it was the mirthful glint in his blue eyes, that matched his nephews in every way.

“Liam, Uncle, this is Emma,” Killian said, coming over and taking her hand as he smiled at her lovingly. “Emma, this is my family.”

“It’s so nice to finally meet you,” Emma said her voice soft but steady as she relaxed in Killian’s hold. “I’ve heard a lot about you both.”

“Not nearly as much as we’ve heard about you, I’m sure,” Liam retorted with a sharp laugh. Emma reached out her hand to shake his, but he disregarded it, pulling her in for a giant bear hug that left her somewhat pressed for breath. “Now where the hell have you been all these years, lass?”

From the corner of her eye, Emma could see Killian looked stricken, but she just laughed, knowing Liam’s words were harmless. When he let her go she shook her head and shrugged, playing it cool. “Oh you know, around.”

“Well I’m glad he finally found you.”

“Me too,” Emma replied honestly before turning her attention to Benjen. Just like Liam he pulled her in for a hug, but this one was gentler and felt more like a father’s embrace than that of a rowdy older brother.

“You’ll have to forgive our informality, lass. It feels like you’ve been one of us a long time. A missing member of the family.”

“That’s very sweet of you to say,” Emma whispered, trying her best not to get choked up.

“Well don’t get used to that. We Jones men are hardly known for being sweet,” Liam said with a grunt and now Emma laughed, knowing he had to be kidding.

“Is that so?”

“You doubt me, lass?” Emma shook her head no but it was hard to keep a poker face. She found it too funny a concept.  

“Ah give her a break, boy. Can’t you see they’re in love? What is love if not a bit of sweetness?”

“Always the poet,” Killian replied to his Uncle, before pulling Emma in and kissing her temple. “Now then – just what the hell are you two doing here?”

Liam and Benjen quickly told them the whole tale, about how Liam was here on business, having given up the British navy for the chance to have his own security company. He was meeting with an international client here in the city, and on a whim had mentioned it to Benjen. Since the man was now retired, he was eager to come and see both his nephews at once, something he hadn’t been able to do in many months. And they were also both eager to see Emma, since Killian spoke of little but her and their lives back together again.

In the end, this was really the only day they’d have the chance to spend quality time together. Liam had a week filled with business, and Benjen was headed back to his estate near the coast tomorrow morning. It was just a short, spur of the moment surprise, and at first Emma wondered if she should let the three of them spend it alone, but that idea was quickly thrown out. Half the reason for their being here was to meet her, and to finally understand why Killian and her had shared a love for so long, and though Emma was a bit shy in the face of such an examination, she knew it would all work out, and that these men were all kind and good and without judgment, something she truly valued.

They spent the day moseying about the city, playing tourist in a place Emma had come to know so well. With the job that she had, so much of her time was spent looking for people and for clues, and to do that effectively she’d seen every corner of this city more than once. Along the way she found diamonds in the rough, and more than a few real gems scattered in amongst the more popular tourist dives. Her knowledge of the landscape gave her a chance to guide others in the things she loved most about this place, which she never got to do on a normal day. Feeling like an expert was a heady thing, it made this place feel more like home, and as the day went on, she watched as all of them took in the most beautiful parts of this city, many of them hidden from the guidebooks or any average tour. They filled the day with sight-seeing, new experiences, and a lot of laughter. Killian and his family never met a joke they wouldn’t tell, and Emma couldn’t remember having such a good time. It was so easy and light, and by the time the sun was setting, and the day was drawing to a close, she was sad to see it over, wishing, as so many people often did, that Sunday would last just a little bit longer.

Eventually they made it back to Killian’s apartment, where Liam insisted on cooking them all a meal truly fit for a king. He was a wonderful cook, and required very little help, but Emma did her best to chip in. Soon enough they ate, enjoying the food and the company in equal shares, and when it all was over, Emma made her way into the kitchen to prepare some dessert for all of them as a last little hurrah.

“Okay, now that she’s gone – what the hell is your problem, brother?” Liam asked and Emma stilled, hearing his words as if he spoke them right beside her thanks to the acoustics of this house.

“Liam, keep your voice down,” Killian whispered and now it was harder to hear. She knew she should stay as she was, offering them better privacy, but curiosity got the better of her, and she moved over towards the wall, giving herself more of a chance to overhear.

“She can’t hear me, and if she could why should that matter? I’m not saying anything bad about her. I’m saying you’re a fool.”

“Watch it,” Killian replied with a low warning tone.

“I will not. You’ve got a rare bird in there, Killian. A woman like that doesn’t just stumble into your life over and over again, and here you are wasting your chance.”

“I’m not wasting shit,” Killian said, and Emma agreed. After all, they saw each other ever day. What more could they really ask at this point?

“Tell him, Uncle Benjen,” Liam said with a huff, and Emma stood there transfixed and trying to anticipate what Killian’s brother was getting at.

“She’s a hell of a woman, lad,” Benjen announced, making Emma’s eyes water as he said it with such conviction. “But you know that already. It’s why she never left your heart.”

“Not for one second,” Killian agreed.

“So I believe what your brother is trying to say is, what the hell are you waiting for then? Put a ring on her finger and make her yours. You find the woman you belong to and you tie her down. Any sane man knows this.”

“I want to. More than anything, but it’s too soon -,”

“You’re not serio-,” Liam tried to get out but he was cut off.

“Liam,” Benjen said with stern warning, and Killian’s elder brother went quiet.  “Excuse my crass American turn of phrase, Killian, but bull shit. You’ve only just told me that the love you carry for her has been here for years, aye?”

“Yes.”

“And it’s clear as day she feels the same. So spare yourselves the heartache and ask her. You of everyone should know how rare these chances are. Would you ever forgive yourself if it slipped away?”

“No. But I’ll never let that happen. She’s never leaving me again. Never.”

Emma finally managed to pull herself away from where she’d been listening and she found herself filled with hope. He wanted to marry her? He truly saw forever together? What a wonderful thing to know, and how amazing it felt to realize that he felt as much as she did. Was it crazy to move so fast? Maybe. But hell if she cared. Killian’s Uncle was right. They were living through something most people never had a chance at. Finding love like this once would be a blessing, but finding it again when all hope seemed lost? Well that was just a fairytale. Except for them. For them it was real, and knowing that, Emma didn’t want to wait. She never wanted to take this for granted. Every moment mattered when so many moments had been lost. She wished she could tell him that, but it wasn’t yet the time do so.

As she brought the dessert back into the dining room, she made sure to make a lot of noise, announcing herself so they didn’t know she’d heard them. They were all very complimentary of the cake Emma had raved about, but Killian was quieter. He kept hold of her through dessert, always touching her leg or her hand, and never wandering far, but she could see that he was troubled. No doubt the conversation she’d heard part of was weighing on him, and even as his family made their goodbyes, he was still tense and strung tight.

“Emma, I can truly say it has been a pleasure,” Liam announced as they were slated to leave, wrapping her up in a big hug again.

“Same here, Liam. Hopefully you’ll be back soon?”

“You can be assured of that,” he said with a grin before going to speak to Killian. At that moment Emma felt a hand on her shoulder and she looked back to Benjen whose blue eyes had grown soft and thoughtful.

“I always prayed that somehow Killian would find you again, lass. I’m very glad that those prayers were answered.”

“Me too,” she whispered. “Sometimes I wake up, convinced this is all a dream. But it’s real.”

“Aye, as real as love can be, I suspect,” he quipped before patting her hand lightly. “See that you take care of my boy, Emma. Nothing in the world he needs more than you and your love, and I can tell, it’s the same for you.”

Emma nodded that it was before bringing him in for a hug, noticing that Killian had missed their little exchange. She was almost remorseful that he had. Surely that would have calmed him some, to know that she was in this too, but as his family left the apartment, leaving she and Killian alone, Emma could sense that he was troubled.

“Killian?” she asked, waiting for him to look at her while he hesitated for the first time in all the weeks they’d been reunited.

“I love them, truly I do, but right now… right now I’m so bloody mad at them I could scream.”

“Mad? Why would you be mad?”

“Because they came in here, took one look at you and saw exactly what I do. They saw you’re brilliant and beautiful and too damn good for me, and they…”

“They what?” Emma prodded, stepping to him and trying to console him though she felt her heart might climb out of her chest.

“They scared me, Emma. They took the goodness I was feeling, they took my peace and they shattered it.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I was never the same without you, love,” he said, and her throat tightened at this emotional mention of the past. “When you were gone, a piece of me went with you, never to return until I found you once more. I did my best to survive, but I wasn’t living, not really. Finding you again has given me everything I want. All I ever asked for was to see you again, to prove to you that I was worthy and that what we had was right.”

“You didn’t have to prove anything,” Emma assured him. “I knew you were my soul mate, Killian. I never ever doubted that.”

“I swore to whoever is up there listening that I would never ask for anything again. If I could have you, I’d be content for the rest of my days.”

“But you’re not?”

“No, I am,” he promised her, cupping her cheek and gazing at her with complete assuredness. “God, Emma, I’ve never been so happy, you know that. Being with you like we have been these past few weeks, I’ve gotten back to who I was. I feel like the whole and complete person I always thought I could be.”

“But you want more,” Emma said, finally understanding what he was getting at. “More than just what we are right now.”

“Aye,” he said, looking almost ashamed at how much he wanted her, which made no earthly sense. “And that’s why I’m mad, Emma. I need to take this slow. I want to make sure that you feel as secure in this as I do. It doesn’t matter that I want to marry you, have kids with you, build my life with you. Until I know you’re ready, I can’t -,”

Emma realized this was the kind of moment where words would fail. She could never tell Killian how misguided his worries were, but she knew that she could show him. Pulling him down for a kiss, she poured herself into this embrace, sharing everything with him and hopefully nullifying the fear and the anger that had swept into their world once and for all. By the time they broke apart, Emma could sense his calm returning. He looked at her, with eyes that shone with heat and impatience, but still he waited for her to make the next move. As ever, he was putting her first, and now it was her turn to show him that he could do that and have everything he wanted.

“Marry me,” she said, less an ask and more a hopeful demand. “I promise you it’s what I want. The time is right, right now. I don’t want to wait. I’d marry you tomorrow if I could, but there’s that pesky thing called work we both have to get to.”

“Damn Sundays,” Killian said, but the words had no real conviction as his smile appeared and he nodded.

“Is that a yes?”

“Technically you never asked.”

“Oh, right. Killian Jones, will you -,”

“Wait!” he said, interrupting her thought as he moved to take a little black box out of his pocket. Emma’s hand came to cover her mouth as she let out a gasp. He had a ring already? But how?

“I’ve been carrying this with me since the morning after our first date, love.”

“You’re kidding,” she said. Oh my God he was serious! But that was so dangerous. There were so many places he could have lost it. Someone could have taken it. They could have…

All her thoughts flew from her mind as she felt him take her hand and watched him get down on one knee. Tears stung at her eyes, but she smiled, doing her best to memorize every bit of this, so she had this memory forever.

“I know you meant to ask me, Emma, but the thing is I’ve been dreaming of this day since I was a boy. I always pictured more than this, with flowers and romance, but sometimes when it’s right, you know. So, Emma Swan, will you make me the happiest of men? Will you be my wife?”

“Yes,” she said, watching as he slipped the gorgeous ring on her finger.

And with that, the two of them celebrated this next step in their lives, knowing beyond the shadow of a doubt that this was truly their forever, and that they never again would suffer the fate of two souls ripped apart when they truly are one.

Post-Note: So there we have it. I cannot believe this story is wrapping up, but at the same time it feels right to really close out this AU. As I said there are still two chapters left, ones I hope you will enjoy. My goal is to get them up and published in a timely manner, but realistically speaking I am in the homestretch of my final year of school, so god only knows when I’ll really get to write. I do have a bit of the next chapter crafted, and some mixtape chapters done though, so there’s more cuteness on a number of fronts still to come. I have also begun (as some of you know) to create a new AU that will likely come in late spring or early summer, but I want to make sure I see this project  through and have written it all before I allow myself to follow a new story. That being said, I truly hope you have all enjoyed and I thank you for your continued support. Hope you have a great rest of your weekend and see you next time!

[barnesandrogersfanfics]

With All Your Heart -Part 6

I had been at the Gala for an hour now and i was already bored! Steve came walking over smiling, looking handsome as always.

"Ladies, your all looking lovely"

"Thank you Steven, you dont look bad yourself" i replied looking him up and down.

"Oh we know we look great" Nat added, she was always so sure of herself. "Wheres Buck, his normally joined at your hip" Nat asked Steve and i waited to hear his reply, I hadnt seen Bucky since he left to get ready for the Gala.

"His around here somewhere..... think some girl caught his eye when we got here" Steve said as he turned to look around the room for Bucky "oh there he is!" He pointed to the back bar where Bucky was stood close to a pretty red head, his hand resting on her lower back as he laughed at something she said. What the hell was he doing??? We had only just sorted things out from this morning and now he was flirting with another woman!!

"You okay Doll?" Steve suddenly asked leaning in closer so only i could hear him. I forced a smile and nodded before ordering a large whisky.

"I hate these things is all, id much rather be curled up on the sofa watching some trashy TV"

"Yeah me too"

"These places are just full of fake people, they pretend to be your friend and act like they give a shit but then once they get they want from you they ignore you and move onto the next shiny new toy"

"Wow... okay. Someone really doesnt like this Gala!" Steve chuckled, i shrugged and downed my drink before waving down the bar tender for another, my eyes wandering over to where Bucky was still too close to that bitch!!

The dance floor was pretty packed, even more so when a slow song started.

"Would you like to dance with me?" Steve suddenly asked holding out his hand to me.

"Of course" i nodded slipping my hand into his, his free hand slipped around my waist pulling me closer. We danced for a few songs, i caught Bucky looking over with a clenched jaw but i ignored him. I was just dancing with Steve i wasn't doing anything wrong.

"Mind if i cut in Cap?" Tony suddenly appeared, Steve smiled and stepped aside letting Tony take his place.

"You look beautiful" he smiled at me.

"What do you want?" I asked raising my eyebrow in question, Tony only ever gave me compliments when he wanted something!

"Nothing! Im just telling my baby sister that she looks beautiful. Is that a crime?"

"I suppose not"

"But i do need you to go on a mission with Steve tomorrow"

"There it is"

"It'll be fine, come by the conference room at 8am and i'll go through the details with you both"

"Fine. Can i leave now, have i been here long enough yet?"

"Your not having fun?"

"No ive got a really bad headache...."

"If you really want to leave i wont stop you but id like for you to stay a bit longer"

"I'll try but if i leave you know why".

I stayed for a few more drinks and then said goodnight to everyone and made my way to the elevator. I hit the call button then heard my name being called from behind. Bucky!

"Hey, where are you going?" He asked looking genuinely concerned.

"Im going to bed" i said coldly not even looking at him.

"Well i'll come with you..." he said as the doors opened, i stepped into the elevator but held my held out to stop him.

"I just want to be alone right now, go back to the party"

"Doll is everything okay?"

"You better get back before the red head wonders where you are" i said shaking my head in disbelief as the doors shut,

I heard him call out to me just before the elevator started up to my floor. When the doors opened a very out of breath Bucky was waiting "Y/N, please talk to me"

"I have nothing to say" i shrugged walking past him towards my room.

"Why are you so mad? I was only talking to her"

"Didn't look like that Buck. When Nat asked Steve where you were you wanna know what he said? Some girl caught your eye when you walked in, then he points you out.... you looked really cozy"

"She's just a friend...."

"Guess we've got that in common then because i clearly don't mean anything else to you" 

"I dont understand why this has got you so upset....."

"You don't understand why I'm pissed off that once again after I've let you fuck me, you choose to ignore me AGAIN!! Then when i do see you your all over another woman??"

"I wasn't ignoring you, i hadn't seen you arrive yet...."

"Maybe this was a mistake with us Buck, I'm clearly not what you want"

"But you are! I swear to god!" He looked panicked suddenly and tried to take hold of my hand but i pulled away before he could.

"Doll, please believe me! Im begging you. Your the only girl i wanna be with"

"You keep saying that!" I snapped "You've got a funny way of showing me that you really want this. Look, im leaving tomorrow for a couple of days so you should think about what you really want. We can discuss what this is when i get back"

"Your leaving?? Where are you going?"

"Tony said I've got a mission with Steve, we're briefing in the morning"

"Oh....."

"I should get some sleep, busy day tomorrow" i said casually unlocking my door "you should go back to the party, your friend will be wondering where you are"

"Screw the party and i don't give a shit about her. I don't want you going to bed mad at me doll..... please? Let me come in?"

"You can come in but im not having sex with you! Im holding out on you until i believe you really want this"

"Okay thats fine, i just want to be with you".

I tried to stay mad at Bucky but i just couldn't, when i got up to head to bed i asked him if he was coming.... no funny business! We'd just be sleeping, i was gonna stick to my guns about the no sex thing even if it was torturing me too! Bucky was currently acting as big spoon, his body pressed against mine and his arm wrapped around my waist.... it made me want him even more!! But i stayed strong and finally fell asleep.

When i woke up i was still wrapped in his arms and i couldnt help but smile. He pulled me closer and buried his face in my neck where he started kissing that sweet spot behind my ear, i let out a moan and ground my ass back against his crotch making him hiss.

"Your killing me doll" he mumbled and i chuckled "its not funny!"

"Im sorry i didnt mean to! Its your own fault, you know what it does to me when you kiss me there"

"Hmmm i do" he said as i felt his hand move lower and start to slip into my shorts.

"Erm Buck what are you doing.... i thought i said no sex?"

"I know what you said, this isnt sex..... this is me making you feel good. Let me make you feel good baby.... i bet your already soaked"

His fingers were suddenly inside my panties working me open, i couldnt help the moans that left my mouth! He pressed two fingers into my throbbing hole and started pumping them in and out as he kissed my neck.... i could feel him grinding against my ass for some relief which drove me crazy!! I didnt stop him, if it was helping him get off he could carry on.

"Fuck baby your close, i can feel you squeezing the shit outta my fingers" he said before he moved his thumb to rub my clit, that extra attention was enough to send me screaming over the edge.

"Shit Bucky..... you are a god with those hands of yours!" I said trying to catch my breath "You need some help with that?" I asked looking at his raging hard boner.

"Its okay, i'll sort it out later...."

"Dont be silly.... you used your hands on me its only fair i return the favour" i smirked as i reached inside his boxer briefs and pulled out his hard cock.

He moaned as soon as my fingers made contact with him.

"Oh fuck..... god that feels fucking amazing!! Spit on it baby get it nice and wet" he said with closed eyes.

"Ive got a better idea...." i said getting up to take off my shorts and panties, his eyes went wide and he smiled.

"Don't get any ideas..... i meant it Buck no sex until i believe you mean it"

"Oh baby i believe it trust me!"

I chuckled as i straddled his thighs and lowered myself just enough to rub my slick over his cock.

"Jesus christ!" I moaned "i dont know who im punishing more with this no sex shit!"

"Definitely me! You know how fucking tempted i am to just slip inside you.... i want your pussy so bad baby"

"Fuck it!" I suddenly said lining him up with my entrance and quickly sinking down onto him. I caught him by surprise and he gripped my hips as he cried out in ecstasy.

"Doll you coulda warned me! I almost cum the second i got in you!"

"Sorry Buck, i just couldn't wait anymore" i smiled as i rode him hard and fast.

Once we were done i climbed off and walked to the bathroom to clean up, i saw the time and it was already 7:30am. I had to be in the meeting room in half an hour!

"Hey Y/N, im gonna head to my room to clean up. Tony wants me in this meeting too"

"Okay, i'll meet you down there" i called as i finished rinsing my hair.

Tagging: @siren-queen03

[sanders-sides-rebloger]

Sleepless Encounters

Summary: Failing to get a decent nights sleep isn’t really helping Thomas when he’s a senior in high school

Word Count: 1,540

Thomas laid in bed late at night wanting to go to sleep. He had school the next morning and he couldn’t find it in himself to make himself tired, he just couldn’t. It was stressing him out.

Perhaps it’d be easier if he didn’t have his phone with him and the lowest brightness possible even with it shining his entire face. It probably didn’t help with his current problem. Even so he refused to set the device down. (He honestly did try everything, though his body seemed to refused him.)

After a long while of scrolling through media, Thomas began to get a headache from the brightness. Lazily tossing the phone nearby, he turned to the side and tried to sleep. His mind was still active though and it seems like it’d take a while by just laying there.

Stupid technology.

Various scenarios popped up in the students brain, thoughts about his plans for the next day, how much free time he’d get, and what Thomas wanted to do during the weekend. Normal stuff really. However he didn’t realize after checking his phone he was wondering through his mind for twenty minutes and nothing.

Thomas groaned and turned to lie on his back, looking up at the ceiling. It’s actually the first time he’d been up this late and he knows that if he doesn’t get to sleep now he’d regret it in the morning. Sighing, he figured he could go through his phone again until he eventually burned himself out when an idea struck him.

“Sleep!” He calls out, squinting at the persona near him to view Remy better when he rises.

“What do you want now? I was kinda in the middle of something.” Remy complains, huffing out with a hand on his hip. He summons his phone as a light source and turns it on, setting it against one of Thomas’ textbooks on his dresser.

Remys stance was hunched over, his glasses askew on his head, his clothes looked more ragged, and Thomas could’ve sworn he saw a few sweat bullets run down his head. Regardless, he looked almost exhausted.

“What could you possibly be doing at almost twelve?”

“Long story. Now, did you want something or did I waste my time?”

“Someone’s grumpy today.” Thomas comments, noticing the attitude in Remys tone sounding more forceful than usual. The man in front of him only scoffs in response, looking to the side for a moment.

“I can’t sleep. You know, more so than usual.” The student continuess.

Sleeps expression immediately changes to one of a smugness when he focuses back at the fatigued man.

“Yea, I can see that girl.” He adjusts his glasses on his head.

“I’m being serious.” Thomas deadpans.

“So am I!” Remy raises his arms up dramatically.

The students eyes narrow at him before rolling his eyes and moving his back to Remy. He felt the bed dipping behind him Sleep sits at the edge.

“So, why’d you call me?”

Thomas turns around, blankets wrapped around him and gives him a questioning stare. He loosens when he sees the hint of sincerity in Remys eyes.

“Since I cant sleep later than usual, I was thinking if you had any ideas.”

“If I did I’d tell you by now.”

Aaaand it was gone as soon as it happened. Thomas rolls over on his stomach and presses his face against the soft fabric of his pillow.

“Your being insufferable.” He groans out, his voice being muffled as he spoke.

“Ok fine! Here’s one. How about not using your phone til one am.” His helpful advice didn’t work unfortunately. The student practically gave him the your-not-helping look over those growing dark bags.

It was then that Remy lowers his head and let’s out a remorseful sigh.

“Basically how this works is if you’re choosing not to physically sleep, by like staying up all night or something, then I’m just as useless here as you are. It’s your choice on whether you want to sleep or not. I’m here so I can get the gears moving, you know?”

Thomas hums and rests a finger to his chin in thought, when he turns back.

“I mean- I dunno what you want me to do about it. It’s not like I can just stay with you all night.” Remy continues.

“Why don’t you?” Thomas suggests, cutting off Remys train of thought. “Maybe if we’re closer, since you live inside my head and all, it could help.”

“What do you mean?” The persona asks, his brows furrowed and arms crossed.

“What I mean is, you can sleep next next me for tonight. It makes sense right? You’re the literal embodiment of sleep.”

“I mean- I guess but,” He looks beside Thomas and shuffles, unknowingly putting distance between himself and his host. “We’ve never really done this before.”

He nods, maintaining eye contact. “Y-yeah I know, but it’s the only thing I got so far but we could at least try?” Thomas’ face falls when he thinks about what he said sounded too forward. “Unless you don’t want to of course.” Thomas chuckles awkwardly.

The persona was tempted to back out, however it wasn’t hard to miss the look of pure honesty and timidness that shone in Thomas’ eyes and posture despite the dimly lit room.

He knew the student would be perfectly content if he said no, not wanting to cross any boundaries, but Thomas was also genuinely asking for help as he looked directly at Remy to await his answer.

“Chill, Im fine with it, Thomathy. I’m just checking to see if you are.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think your idea wasn’t worth trying.” He had no idea if what he’s saying was true or not.

Thomas’ body eased at Remys words. He forms a kind grin as he scoots over to leave some empty space for the persona.

“C’mon it’s worth a shot.” He encourages Remy with a wave of his hand towards himself. He took this as a sign of consent to come next to his host.

He bit the inside of his cheek when he turns off his phone and goes underneath the covers next to Thomas. Remy laid on his back as Thomas took to sleeping on his side facing away from the persona, leaving room between the two.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly at first. However Thomas didn’t feel as satisfied as he hoped for some unknown reason, like something was missing.

Soon his body was moving before he could think. Thomas subconsciously turns over and wraps an arm around Sleeps torso. Regret filled his mind when he quickly felt the body next to him go rigid.

Remy looks into Thomas’ mournful expression, his eyes fixated and frozen on the student with his eyes blown wide.

Thomas pulls away.

“Sorry! I didn’t mean-“

“No, no! It’s fine. Just didn’t expect it is all.” Sleep stammers sitting up, offering his arm to Thomas as a peace gesture, who nods in agreement. Remy awkwardly puts it around the students shoulders and lays him against his shoulder, shifting comfortingly back into bed. “Is this ok?” Sleep asks.

“Yeah.”

After about a minute Thomas slowly starts to relax in Remys embrace. He moves his head against Sleeps upper body, wrapping his arm around his torso once again. The student didn’t realize he’d ever do this.

Oh god, Remy can already feel his blush rising when Thomas nuzzles into his chest.

“You know this isn’t really normal, right?” The persona asks.

Thomas already knows this. What he doesn’t know is how many people in the world would cuddle up next to their personas as an attempt to ask for help. He doesn’t know the standards of how close you can be with them and what the borderline is. He doesn’t know.

What he didn’t realize sooner is the feeling of Remys arm is around him, keeping him safe and secure. There’s a beating in Sleeps chest that’s oddly soothing against his ear, and the scent of peach tea lightly radiated around him that was slowly dissipating.

Regret began to seep into the personas mind, feeling stupid for asking such a question at a time like this. Before he could say anything, Remys breath hitched oh so lightly when he could feel the students form slouch in his arms and hears him yawn. He didn’t expect this to actually work.

“Who cares?” The student lets out another harsh yawn. “I’m actually starting to feel tired now, thanks.” Thomas could already feel his eyes dropping.

Well, he didn’t expect that response.

It was was already morning in the blink of an eye. The persona didn’t expect the night the pass that quickly. The next thing he knew, he looked down to suddenly feel the warm solid weight against his side and tucked into his shoulder. The memories of the previous night returned to him.

In just a few minutes Thomas’ alarm would ring and he would groggily wake up for school and try to make it through the day without passing out. Plus seeing Thomas this content was almost pleasing, almost. Don’t get ahead of yourself.

Sleep believes he could get used to this.

[ritualmichael]

Michael Langdon x Gallant

just a lil blurb because my fellow gallangdon lovers and i need more content. no warnings, this is pretty fluffy. 

It had been a long day for Michael, finishing most of the interviews for the Sanctuary. He had a lot on his mind and just needed some rest, hoping that it would help him make up his mind. Walking into his dimly lit room, he couldn’t help but smile when he saw the familiar blonde hair peeking through the blankets of his bed, his body curled up underneath the covers. At just the sight of him, Michael’s rigid demeanor seemed to disappear, being replaced with someone much more gentle and kind.

He shrugged off his jacket, draping it over his desk chair and slipped off his shoes. Laying on the ground next to his bed was the other man’s clothing and shoes, where he seemingly dropped them before climbing in. Michael walked over to the bed, sitting down at the edge and gently pulling the blankets away from Gallant’s sleeping face. The side of his face was pressed against the pillows and Michael reached out, resting his hand on his cheek and running his thumb back and forth across his cheekbone until the other man started to stir.

“Now you’re going to bed without me?” Michael whispered playfully, watching as Gallant’s eyes fluttered open and focused on Michael before he sleepily sat up.

“Not my fault that you took forever,” Gallant replied groggily, rubbing his eyes. He wasn’t wearing anything besides his underwear and Michael couldn’t help but take in the view of the man’s soft torso.

“It’s important business,” he replied, unbuttoning his shirt. He loved his clothes and how confident he felt in them, but it always felt great to be free of them after a long day.

“And so is giving me all of your undivided attention,” Gallant replied, wrapping his arms around Michael’s neck and pulling him into himself. He pressed his lips to Michael’s for a moment, pulling away and giving him a pout.

Michael couldn’t help but chuckle, unbuttoning the last button on his shirt and pulling it off, quickly discarding it on the floor along with his pants, leaving him in just his underwear. He gently laid the man down onto his back, climbing on top of him and laying between his legs.

“You know I would if I could,” Michael said, one of his hands supporting his body weight and the other brushing through Gallant’s hair.

“You practically run this place. Get rid of that bitch Venable and we could be some fierce power couple,” Gallant inquired, a playful smile on his face. They never told anyone about their frequent nights together and no one seemed to expect a thing.

“As tempting as that sounds, I can’t do that quite yet,” Michael spoke softly as his nudged Gallant head to the side gently, ducking his face into the man’s neck and leaving soft kisses on his warm skin.

Gallant let out a dramatic huff, eyes fluttering as he felt Michael’s lips travel down his neck. He couldn’t resist himself from running his fingers through Michael’s long hair and twirling a lock of it between his fingers.

Gallant hummed when he felt Michael’s tongue against his neck, open-mouthed kisses being his favorite. It was gentle and slow, no urgency in Michael’s movements. He trailed his kisses back up the man’s neck and over his jaw, pressing two fingers into Gallant’s cheek and tilting his head back towards him, catching his lips in a kiss.

Mumbling between kisses, Michael said, “I couldn’t stop thinking about you all day.” against Gallant’s lips. Pulling away only slightly, he continued, “They were just talking and talking but all I could think about was kissing you.”

“Then never fucking stop,” Gallant breathed out, reaching up and pulling Michael back down to him, giving him a more eager kiss than before. His fingers pushed into Michael’s hair that he admired so much, kissing the man hungrily like he hadn’t seen him in years. That’s just how Gallant always was with Michael, he never stopped craving him.

When Michael ran his hand down Gallant’s side, he felt him jump beneath him, quickly pulling away from the kiss and saw Gallant’s face twisted in pain, letting out a painful “Ah.”

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean-“ Michael tried to say but Gallant quickly stopped him, pressing his finger to his lips.

“It wasn’t you,” he said through gritted teeth, scooting out from underneath Michael and they both sat up, Michael looking at him with concern and confusion. Gallant twisted his body to show his red, scraped sides and back, letting out a groan in pain. Michael couldn’t help but reach out, gently running his fingers over Gallant’s skin, making him suck in a sharp breath.

“Who the fuck did this to you?” Michael asked, his brows furrowed with the anger that was starting to swell in him. He watched as Gallant gently laid back against the pillows, flinching a little at the contact. All Michael wanted to do right now was hurt whoever hurt Gallant and to instantly take all of his pain away but he couldn’t.

Michael hadn’t told Gallant about his powers or who his father was and he didn’t plan to. He wanted a real connection with someone for the first time in his adult life that wasn’t based on him being the Antichrist. Everything felt more genuine with Gallant, even if they hadn’t known each other long. He treated Michael like any other man and he appreciated it.

“Venable had her little puppets on me with those stupid radiation detectors. They said I had to be cleaned,” Gallant replied, throwing up air quotes and rolling his eyes. Michael could feel the rage bubbling up inside of him at Gallant’s words, wanting to go seek Venable and make her feel every second of pain that she made Gallant feel. Or worse. But he couldn’t, he had to hold it together for the man sitting in front of him.

Running his hands over his face in frustration, Michael let out a sigh as he looked at Gallant. He could see the red scrapes wrapping around his sides and the look of pain when he shifted against the pillows.

“I’m so sorry, I should’ve stopped her,” Michael said, moving closer to the blonde and running his hands up and down his exposed thighs. He didn’t want to hurt him so he made sure to touch where he knew that it would cause no pain.

“Not your fault,” Gallant said softly with a shrug. Michael still couldn’t help but feel guilty, knowing he had the power to stop her. He moved to lay down next to the blonde, his hand reaching out and dragging his fingertips up and down the inside of Gallant’s arm.

Michael never realized how much he felt the need to touch another human being until he grew closer to Gallant. Just simply having his hands on him made Michael feel calmer and relaxed. Gallant noticed and he loved it, always leaning in to Michael’s touches or lacing his fingers with his.

Gallant climbed on top of Michael, his legs straddling his hips and he leaned his hands against Michael’s bare chest.

“Stop moping, I’m fine,” Gallant urged, looking down at Michael’s sad but frustrated face. He gently touched Michael’s forehead where his eyebrows were furrowed, smoothing out the lines and making him relax his face. “Frowning causes wrinkles,” he said simply.

Michael gently grabbed one of Gallant’s hands, bringing it to his own cheek and resting his hand over Gallant’s. The blonde gently rubbed his thumb back and forth against Michael’s smooth skin.

“I just feel like I should be protecting you. What if she-“ Michael stopped himself before he could say anything else that would upset him, shaking his head.

“I’m right here in one piece,” Gallant said, “That crazy bitch didn’t get me this time.” He smiled down at Michael and brushed the man’s long hair out of his face.

Michael couldn’t help but smile back at him, his smile being something Michael had found irresistible. He turned his head, pressing kisses to Gallant’s palm that was resting on his cheek. He could cover the blonde in kisses for hours and never get tired of it.

“I would’ve never guessed you were a softie when you walked in here the first day,” Gallant said, watching Michael lace his fingers with his. Michael huffed, looking up at the man on his lap.

“Yeah, well I never thought I’d be fucking the annoying, blonde guy,” Michael quickly retorted, pushing Gallant’s shoulder playful. He leaned down, his lips brushing against Michael’s as he grinned.

“Feisty...” Gallant mumbled, pressed his lips to Michael’s and he instantly kissed him back, Michael’s free hand slipping to the back of Gallant’s head as he moved his lips against the other man’s. Kissing Gallant was always so effortless, like their mouths were made for each other’s.

Their kisses felt like they dragged on for hours until they became slow and gentle, their lips lingering against each others as they both let out soft hums in satisfaction. Michael felt as if he could lay there all night with Gallant’s fingers threaded through his hair and the taste of his mouth on his tongue. He was completely enraptured by the man.

Michael tried to pull Gallant back down once he finally pulled away, letting out a huff when he resisted him. Gallant shook his head, smiling tiredly down at Michael and he couldn’t help but admire the blonde’s red, plump lips from their kisses.

“As much as I love kissing you, I’m exhausted,” Gallant confessed, scooting down between Michael’s legs and laying his body on top of his. He rested his head on Michael’s bare chest, getting comfortable. “Getting violently scrubbed down takes a lot out of you,” he joked but Michael frowned to himself at the man’s words.

“Im still so sorry,” Michael said quietly, his fingers going to Gallant’s head and gently scratching his scalp.

“Don’t be,” Gallant whispered, his cheek against Michael’s chest and his arms holding himself impossibly close.

Michael didn’t say anything else, trying to block out all of his violent thoughts when it came to Venable. The man starting to doze off on his chest was one of the only sources of comfort at the outpost and she was carelessly hurting him.

Letting out a long sigh and closing his eyes, Michael managed to focus his attention away from his anger to Gallant. He noticed his breathing evening out and becoming slower, meaning he was quickly falling asleep.

“Goodnight,” Michael said softly, making Gallant pull himself closer at his words. Michael didn’t fall asleep until he knew that Gallant had, his fingers still scratching the blonde’s head until he dozed off, sleeping better than he had in a while.

[bastardnev]

That Guy Next Door -- Ch. 14

MORNIN LADS we’ve only got a few more chapters left to go and im getting Emo

tagging: @tylerblacks @joonhobi @rivela @aliciasfox @sailor-slam-dunk @kidvoodoo @smolsammichu @simulated-heat @douglas-leon-michael @1dluver13xx -- and, just for this chapter since it’s got Her Boy in it, im gonna tag @cruisingforcruiserweights :3c (lemme know if you wanna be added to my tag list!!)

Prev.: Ch. 1 ♡ Ch. 2 ♡ Ch. 3 ♡ Ch. 4 ♡ Ch. 5 ♡ Ch. 6 ♡ Ch. 7 ♡ Ch. 8 ♡ Ch. 9 ♡ Ch. 10 ♡ Ch. 11 ♡ Ch. 12 ♡ Ch. 13 ♡

As Neville had learned over the years, the annual family vacation was always a chore, mainly because no one could ever agree on where they wanted to go. Jen wanted to go to Paris (“You got money to buy plane tickets?”), Daisy wanted a road trip across the country (“Only if you promise not to ask ‘Are we there yet?’ every ten seconds.”), and Wade mostly just wanted to stay home and sleep (“And you get annoyed when I call you Wade ‘Lazyass’ Barrett.”)

This year, however, Wade was singing a very different tune with regards to how he planned on spending the summer.

“So you’re telling me that Austin has this cabin?” Neville asked one night as the two of them relaxed in Wade’s basement apartment, taking a slow sip of his drink. “Somewhere in the mountains?”

“That’s what he told me. Apparently it used to be his grandparents’ or something.” Wade was switching from channel to channel, eventually settling on some random paranormal show. Neville tried not to look too interested (it was a guilty pleasure interest of his, though he didn’t want Wade to know that). “It’s got quite a bit of room in it. He says he wants to take me there sometime.”

“Hmm.” Neville started to think (all while ‘coincidentally’ staring at the television screen). He didn’t want to invite himself to someone else’s property, but there was a part of him that was tempted to ask if they could have their vacation there. If it had a good amount of room and could house the whole group (including Mustafa, assuming he was able to come), then it might not be a bad idea.

“What’re you thinkin’ about?”

“Well…” Neville pursed his lips. “Y’know what, forget it. I don’t wanna intrude on you guys’ private time.”

“What, you and Moose wanna come? That’s fine! Leave the girls with a sitter or someone, the four of us could spend some quality time together, y’knowwhatI’msayin’?” At that, Wade nudged him with his elbow, and Neville gave him a shove.

“I’m not travelling up to the mountains to have a foursome, Wade.”

“What-- So then why even bother going?!”

Neville couldn’t believe how incredulous he sounded. “Most people don’t go on mountain trips with the intent to fuck all their friends.” He rolled his eyes, ignoring Wade’s “Because most people are cowards…” that followed his response. “I was hoping, if Moose and I are even invited, I could bring the kids too. Make that our yearly vacation.”

“I can’t see why he’d mind. He’s been dying to meet you. I’m sure he’d like to meet your children, too.” He leaned in closer, smirking. “And the man you looooove…”

Neville’s face went red, and he looked back to the television, taking a big gulp of his drink. “U-Uh…”

“What? You okay?”

“I’m fine, I just didn’t expect you to say that, that’s all… You caught me off guard.”

“I’m not being all that serious. Don’t couples casually say that they love each other all the time? It’s no big deal.”

“Um… Yeah, let’s go with that!” Neville forced a smile, staring down into his cup.

Wade took notice of his odd behavior, and he cocked his head to the side. “Okay, tell me what’s going on,” he said with a sigh.

“What? There’s nothing going on.”

“You’re acting like that again,” Wade pointed out. “I can tell when you’re worrying about something, especially when it’s Mustafa related. Go on, tell me what’s bugging you.”

Neville blinked at him, but he resigned quickly, desperate to get what he was thinking about off of his chest. “Well… I’ll be totally honest, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about if what I feel for Mustafa is actually love.”

“Does it feel like it could be love?”

“I… think it does?” He scratched the back of his head. “We… had this conversation about a month or so ago about whether or not he sees himself as being Jen and Daze’s father, and he said that he did. And, well… he might have made a brief reference to marrying me that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about since.”

“For real?” Wade’s tone was softer now, and it sounded like he was genuinely happy to hear Neville say that. “God, you’re so head-over-heels for him, it’s unreal. How can you still be doubting if you love him if this is how you’re getting after the mere mention of marrying each other?”

“I’m so unsure because we still haven’t actually said ‘I love you’ yet. Not even after such a serious conversation…” Neville figured that, since a conversation like that involved their long-term future together, and since it had gone so well, at least one of them would have been able to work up the nerve and finally say those three words.

And yet, it hadn’t happened.

Something about that bothered Neville far more than it probably should have.

“That doesn’t mean he doesn’t actually feel that way. One of you just has to say it.”

“It’s not that easy! I gotta do it at the right time, I gotta practice what I’m gonna say beforehand because you and I both know that I’m gonna stutter if I don’t, I gotta do it when I’m least likely to be interrupted--”

“Hey, how about this,” Wade interrupted, putting an arm around Neville’s shoulders. “I’ll talk to Austin about all of us going to his cabin over the summer. You bring Moose along with us, and you can tell him while we’re there. Nothing says ‘romance’ like professing your love in the middle of the woods miles away from civilization.”

“You have a very interesting definition of romance, you know that?”

“Damn right.”

“And this isn’t gonna end up like the time you wanted me to kiss him, is it?” Neville was wary. “I remember you making those weird faces at me during dinner.”

“Nev, let’s be real -- if Austin is near me, I will not be paying attention to what you two get up to. All I can do is hope that you’ll do what you’re supposed to be doing. That, of course, being that you’ll tell Moose you love him.”

Neville knew that Wade’s schemes were more trouble than they were worth, but this one wasn’t the worst he’d heard. He envisioned him and Mustafa awake one night, perhaps sitting by a fire pit, enjoying the night air. Such a romantic moment would surely be the perfect time to finally tell Mustafa about how deep his feelings for him were.

“Alright, Wade, you’ve got me,” Neville replied. “I’m in.”

“That’s what I like to hear.” Wade reached for his phone. “I’ll text Austin and ask him what he thinks. I get the feeling that this is going to be a very interesting vacation.”

“I don’t doubt that at all…”

The few hours that it took to drive up to where the cabin was would have been a lot more bearable had Daisy not been asking “Are we there yet?” every few minutes (though Neville had fully expected this, so he couldn’t act like he was surprised), but in the end they still made it. It was bigger than Neville thought it would be, with two floors, and even a back deck. I can see why Austin would want to bring Wade up here. Neville mused to himself when he realized that there was also a hot tub. I’m sure they’d be spending lots of time in there if it were only the two of them. (He tried to ignore the look Wade gave him when Mustafa said something about wanting to go in it one night.)

Neville was admittedly a little off-put by the sheer amount of woods surrounding the cabin, but this was yet another thing that he expected, so he had no right to complain. Still, though, he and the rest of his family were farther away from civilization than he would like them to be.

Austin had warned him against worrying, however, saying that there was “nothing to be afraid of, kid.”

“Is there anything even in those woods? Chipmunks? Bunnies? Sasquatch?” Neville responded, not taking his eyes off of the trees.

“Yes, yes, and maybe. And, well, bears.” At this, Neville’s eyes widened, and Austin gave him a pat on the shoulder, shooting him a big grin. “But hey, they’re just like big raccoons. They won’t bug you if you don’t bug them.”

“But what if one of us runs into one? What do we do then?”

“Mind your own business, that’s what.” And with one last wink from Austin, their conversation ended, and Neville had made a mental note to have a talk with the girls about not wandering into the dense brush without adult supervision (though he wasn’t entirely sure if any of the adults on this vacation were adequately prepared to deal with wild bears, least of all the pipsqueak that owned the property).

There were three bedrooms in the cabin, each with only one bed in it -- which was a problem to no one except for Jen, who was complaining about having to share a bed with her sister (“She snores, daddy!” She had said, a statement Neville admittedly doubted). After being informed that her only other option was the couch, her tune changed, and she was suddenly on board with sharing. Let’s hope Daze doesn’t actually snore. For her sake.

“So, what’s on the agenda for the next couple of days?” Mustafa asked Neville that evening following dinner once the two of them had returned to their bedroom, plopping down on the bed. “Other than avoiding bears, of course,” he added with a playful grin.

“Hey, don’t act like I was wrong in bringing that up,” Neville responded, sitting at the edge of the bed. “Last thing I need is for someone to go wandering off. Six people came to this cabin, and six people are gonna leave this cabin at the end of the week. No less. Or more, for that matter.”

“Damn, there go my plans of sneaking a bear into the trunk. Now I gotta think of a new birthday gift idea for you.”

“Very funny.”

“Look, I get why you’re worried, but I really think you can trust what Austin says about bears not being a real threat. We just can’t go out after dark.”

“You say this now, but I know you’ll get scared if you come across one.”

“That depends, am I alone?”

“That’s up to you.”

“Well, if I’m alone, the I’d definitely be freaked out. But if you’re with me…” Mustafa’s hand snaked over to Neville’s, and he smirked and added, “Well, I’ll just push you towards the bear and make a run for it.”

Before Neville could say anything more, he heard the sound of Daisy squealing, as well as some giggling coming from the room next door. “Oh, God, are they jumping on the bed?” The next sound they both heard was that of a thump -- which meant that one of them had probably fallen off the bed -- followed by even more laughter. “Oh yeah, they definitely are.”

“You can’t let them have any fun, can you?” Mustafa chuckled as Neville knocked on the wall, hoping that his message came across clearly through that.

“How fun can it really be if they’re crashing to the floor? Nothing against Austin, but I don’t think Mr. Mountain Man is adequately prepared to deal with either one of those kids when they’re injured.” Neville barely was, and he was their own father.

“About what you said before, though,” Neville continued, “I think Austin mentioned something about heading into a nearby town tomorrow and getting some supplies that we’ll need for the next few days. We can look around and see what other stuff is in the area.” Knowing his daughters, they were going to want to check out every local attraction and gift shop. And he also knew that his wallet would be begging for mercy by the end of the trip.

“I was doing some research the other night, and I saw that there’s this zoo not too far away. Maybe one day we can go there?”

“That’s a possibility.”

“Oh, and I was also thinking…”

While Neville wanted to pay attention to the other suggestions Mustafa had for activities, he was primarily thinking about one of his main goals for that week -- to find a moment to finally tell Mustafa that he loved him. That played a big part in why he even agreed to go to this cabin in the first place. He needed to pick an appropriate time -- not tonight, but maybe tomorrow? Maybe if they found themselves alone in that hot tub, like Mustafa had suggested earlier…

“Nev?”

“Hmm?” All thoughts of a wet Mustafa were (unfortunately) driven from Neville’s mind when he spoke.

“Are you listening to me?”

“Of course I am!” He scoffed. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

Mustafa didn’t seem convinced by this. “What did I just say?”

Neville pursed his lips. “‘Are you listening to me?’”

This prompted Mustafa to give him a light smack on the arm, and he rolled his eyes. “Smartass.”

“Only for you.”

Neville had told himself to expect the unexpected when it came to this trip. As such, he wasn’t surprised by Daisy’s whining during the ride to the mountains, nor was he too surprised by how deep in the woods the cabin was.

And yet, somehow he was surprised by how difficult it was to find a moment alone with Mustafa.

As planned, on their first day they went into the local town and browsed the stores. Neville knew that he wasn’t going to get a chance to tell Mustafa anything important during this trip, especially since Mustafa was far too preoccupied with finding little knick knacks that had the name ‘Adrian’ on it to pay attention. (“Moose, what am I going to do with a light-up keychain?” “It has your name on it! The possibilities are endless!”)

The following day saw them going to the zoo that Mustafa mentioned. All in all it was a lovely day, and after finding themselves sitting on a bench for a few moments while the others were petting the rabbits, Neville thought he had a chance. Then a nosy peacock had showed up behind him, and Neville was too on edge from the way it was staring it him to work up the nerve to say ‘I love you’. I can’t escape my feud with fucking birds even when I’m on vacation.

Then they had gone on a nature walk through a park not too far from the cabin -- one that was still surrounded by a forest, but was supposedly bear free. If it were only the two of them on this vacation, then the little bridge that hung over the creek would have been the perfect spot. With the water gently flowing below and the sounds of nature surrounding them, Neville couldn’t think of a better moment.

It wasn’t just the two of them, however, which meant that this was another excursion where Neville wasn’t able to do what he wanted to do (especially not while Daisy was chasing Jen around with the various bugs she was finding in the mud).

He couldn’t even blame Wade’s meddling for his lack of alone time opportunities -- he had stuck to his word and left Neville to his own devices, instead preoccupying himself with whatever it was that Austin was doing. Though it pained him to admit it, Neville regretted letting him do this. If anything, having Wade around would be helpful -- he knew that he’d be easily able to clear out a room and give Neville and Mustafa some time to themselves. Why is it that no matter what I try to do with this man, somehow it ends up biting me in the ass in the end?

Neville toyed with the idea of asking him for some help, but he knew that would be difficult. He couldn’t even find a few minutes alone with his own boyfriend (other than the time they spent in their bedroom, which was not the place he planned on telling him something so important -- especially not with the strict ‘no sexual intercourse’ rule that Austin insisted on enforcing), let alone Wade.

Regardless of Neville’s plans, the fact was that at that moment Wade wasn’t helping him, and now there he was, resting on the living room couch with Mustafa, Wade, and Austin on their final evening at the cabin. It was getting late, both Jen and Daisy having ‘gone off to bed’ (Neville was fully convinced that they were planning on staying up for the rest of the night), and it looked like the four of them would be doing the same soon.

“What time is it?” Neville asked, looking through the nearby glass doors that led to the outside deck. He could barely see a thing in the darkness.

Mustafa lazily lifted his head off his shoulder, checking the time on his phone. “Almost midnight. Way too late to be up, since we’ve got a long drive home tomorrow,” he replied.

“Ugh, I almost forgot about that…” Wade complained.

“Nothing’s stopping you from staying here for a few more days, y’know…” Austin muttered. “I wouldn’t mind having you.”

“A fantastic idea!” Neville grinned, clapping his hands together. “Go on, Wade, stay here for another day. Or twenty.”

“Nice try. You’re not getting away from me that easily.”

“Damn.”

Austin sat up, stretching. “We should be getting to bed soon, though. Last thing we all need is someone falling asleep behind the wheel.” He stood up, looking to Wade. “You coming?”

“Shouldn’t we wait until the fire burns out completely?” Wade gestured to the fireplace in the corner of the room. The fire wasn’t out completely, though it looked like it wouldn’t be lit for much longer. “Don’t get me wrong, I love you all, but I don’t wanna die in a blazing inferno with you. I’d rather my final moments be something a little cooler.”

Neville snorted. “Like what, dare I ask?”

“I dunno… Shot to death via laser beam?”

As Neville raised an eyebrow at this response, Austin asked, “So the three of you’ll stay up ‘till the fire goes out, then?”

“I guess so.”

Right as Wade said that, Neville realized something, and he snapped to attention. Austin was going to bed, and Wade was debating going with him. He and Mustafa would be left alone.

This was his chance.

“Moose and I can stay up,” he quickly said. “You guys can go to bed now. We don’t mind -- right, Moose?”

Mustafa shrugged. “I don’t see why not.”

“See? Don’t worry about it. Go to bed.” He shot Wade a look, silently praying that he understood what he was trying to say with that glare. Wade frowned, but he didn’t ask anymore questions -- and why would he want to, seeing as Neville and Mustafa staying awake meant that he could finally go and rest?

“Whatever you say.” Wade got up, putting an arm around Austin. “Night, lads.”

Once everyone had said their good nights, Austin and Wade left the room, Neville waiting until their footsteps had faded away completely before pulling Mustafa closer to him. “Thank God, they’re finally gone…”

Mustafa rested his head back down on Neville’s shoulder, grinning. “They’re probably about to go break some rules, if you catch my drift.”

“‘No fucking unless I’m the one doing the fucking’ was more or less what I got out of Austin’s little ‘adults only’ rules presentation from the other night.”

“Mm, I wish we didn’t have to leave tomorrow…” Mustafa whined. “I love it up here. I don’t wanna leave.”

“I’m glad you’re having fun.” Neville kissed the top of his head. “All I want is to see you happy.”

“Did you have fun, too?”

“Of course. Mostly because I had you with me, though.”

“Good thing I have summers off, huh?”

Only a few embers remained in the fireplace, and the room was growing dark, only a faint glow illuminating the two of them. The scene was romantic -- just romantic enough for Neville to finally say what was on his mind.

Just as he was about to, however, Mustafa interrupted him. “Wanna turn a light on or something? I can barely see.”

“You afraid of the dark, Moose? Aww… Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.” He wrapped both arms around Mustafa, holding him tightly.

“I don’t need protection.” Mustafa wriggled his way out of Neville’s grasp. “I just don’t wanna hurt my eyes. Otherwise I’ll need glasses like your dorky ass.”

“Gee, thanks.” Neville nodded towards the glass sliding door. “Turn on the light for the deck, that should be bright enough.”

Mustafa stood up from the couch, walking over to the light switch on the wall. “Which one was it again?”

“Uh…” Neville vaguely remembered Austin mentioning which one it was, but he’d be damned if he could recall what he said. “Try the one on the far left.”

Mustafa did as he was told, and he turned it on, instead switching on the overhead living room light. It surprised Neville, who covered his eyes, which were hurting from the sudden brightness. “Turn that off!” He hissed, trying to keep his voice down so as to not wake the others with their stupidity.

“Sorry, sorry!” Mustafa replied, hurriedly shutting the light off and trying the next switch. “Ah.” Neville still had his eyes covered, but he assumed from this comment that Mustafa had finally found the right light.

“It’s about time.” Neville was giving his eyes one last rub when he heard Mustafa say something under his breath.

“B… Bear?”

“Hmm?” Was that supposed to be a new pet name for Neville or something? “What is it?”

“Bear.”

“What?”

“Bear!!” Before Neville could properly register what was going on, Mustafa was off and running, and he dived on top of him, nearly crushing Neville in the process.

“What do you mean?” Neville managed to shove him off, but Mustafa still held his arm tightly.

“Bear…” He once again said, pointing towards the glass door. Neville followed his gaze, and his jaw dropped when he saw what he was talking about.

There was a large black bear staring at them.

Well, fuck.

“Jesus!!” Neville gasped, and Mustafa held him even tighter. The bear seemed just as surprised as they were, and without hesitation it turned around and ran towards the treeline, footsteps booming on the wood of the deck, disappearing almost as quickly as it appeared. Neville quickly got off of the couch, running towards the door.

“What are you doing?!” Mustafa’s eyes were as wide as saucers.

“Checking to make sure the door is locked, obviously!” He replied.

“What, do you think it’s gonna try opening it?! Like a bear’s gonna see the door is locked and think ‘Well, shit, not gonna get in there any time soon!’?!”

“Shush!”

The latch on the door was secure, and after taking a quick look at the front door in the other room Neville was able to determine that they were in the clear. No bears would be breaking in that night (hopefully).

He returned back to the living room, finding a very visibly shaken Mustafa curled up on the couch. “Moose?” Neville asked, concerned, sitting next to him. Mustafa latched on to him almost immediately. “He’s gone, don’t worry about it.”

“I-I wasn’t expecting that…” Mustafa breathed out, swallowing. “He scared the shit out of me.”

“I can tell.” Neville started to stroke his hair, gently. “It’s alright, though. We scared him off. He’s not gonna come back.”

“Did you hear those footsteps? That was a really big bear. Imagine the damage he can do with those paws?” Slowly, a smirk had begun to work its way across Mustafa’s face. “I can’t bear the thought.”

Neville blinked at him, and he let out a deep sigh through his nose, shaking his head. “You really just said that, didn’t you?”

“Oh, I did. Hey, if my puns are so unbearable, then you shouldn’t have invited me on this vacation.”

“Stop that!”

“I’m being bear-y annoying, aren’t I?”

“Weren’t you afraid only a few seconds ago? Can we go back to that time? So that I don’t have to listen to your silly jokes anymore?”

“Bear with me for a little bit, Nev, and let me have some fun!”

“Only I would fall in love with a man obsessed with puns.”

Mustafa’s giggles came to a stop, and he looked at him, Neville’s stomach clenching once he realized that he finally told Mustafa that he loved him. It came out so easily, so naturally, that he hadn’t even noticed at first.

Something else that came about very naturally was the fear that Neville suddenly felt.

“You love me?” Mustafa asked, sounding oddly unsure.

“I-- Well… Yes, I do. I love you.” It sounded even more genuine now that he’d said it a second time. “Why are you so shocked?”

“It’s just…” He clicked his tongue. “No guy’s ever told me that and meant it before. I’ve never been in a serious relationship like this. Wasn’t sure I’d ever be in one.”

“Oh…” Neville thought back to when Mustafa had first told him about the last boyfriend he’d had -- the one who cheated on him. He had mentioned something about their relationship being serious, and Neville had assumed there was talk of loving each other. Knowing how it all ended, Neville knew that clearly this ex didn’t mean a damn word he said, and he’d broken Mustafa’s heart.

And suddenly, Neville was overwhelmed with the urge to punch something.

“I truly do mean it when I say that I love you, Mustafa,” Neville said, intertwining their fingers. “You mean so much to me, and to the kids, and I… don’t know what I’d do without you. You’ve made my life so much better.”

“Nev…” Mustafa looked lost for words. “You mean a lot to me, too. I can’t even begin to imagine not being with you. And both the kids and Wade have been so welcoming of me, I really feel like I’m apart of your little family.”

“Because you are, Moose.”

“I…” He seemed stuck again, but the words that he did manage to say were the ones that Neville had been waiting so long to hear.

“I love you, too.”

[jae-bummer]

More Than Friends

Request: Im tempted to ask for a Kihyun one AGAIN, but can I request a Yoongi fic with prompt number 3 & 6? Thank you lovee <3

3) “You should learn to lie better.”

6) “I never realized how much of a coward you are.”

Member: BTS Suga x Y/N

Type: Angst

The argument started out as simply as most did with Yoongi. He had awoken from what seemed like a day’s worth of sleep and you had mentioned grabbing a bite to eat. You understood his crazy schedules and advocated for him to get as much rest as possible, so you had offered to pick food up. You were his best friend and therefore wanted the best for him. That was until he found his feelings and quickly jumped within them. 

“Do you think I’m not capable of getting my own food?” he grumbled moodily from the depths of his blankets. 

You readjusted your stance against the door frame and rolled your eyes. “If it’s an argument you’re looking for...”

“Not looking for an argument,” he muttered. “I’m looking for a burrito. Possibly a lamb skewer.”

“There’s a place around the corner,” you nodded. “I can-”

“Why do you insist on treating me like a child?” Yoongi groaned, sliding his feet from his bed and rubbing a tired hand through his hair. “You aren’t my mother.”

“I wasn’t aware that the only person who genuinely cared about your well being was your mother,” you mumbled. “Not the worst comparison.”

“No, you nag,” he sighed, looking up at you. “It’s not like we’re dating or something. Why do you care so much?”

You closed your eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. You tried to give your friend the benefit of the doubt, assuming he knew when to stop himself.

“I’m just trying -” you began again, looking over to him, but were instantly cut off. 

“You let people walk over you and then offer to do more for them,” Yoongi clucked, standing and shuffling to his dresser. “Even after they break your heart.”

Your breath caught as the words came from Yoongi’s mouth. You both didn’t have the best track records with each other, but in general knew of the lines that you couldn’t cross. You were aware of each other’s boundaries and knew when enough was enough. Yoongi had just chosen to break down the barrier you had both painstakingly built with one short sentence. 

You and Yoongi had never begun as friends. You had started out as acquaintances as you were close with members of his group, but quickly fell for his cold ways. He had a strange tactic for flirting that captured your interests immediately. You fell hard and fast, confessing only a month after meeting. He had turned you down, settling for being your friend rather than anything more. 

And you both quietly agreed to never speak of it again. For your dignity’s sake.

Until now. 

Yoongi turned around, narrowing his eyes as you attempted to regain your composure. “I...”

“I think you’ve said enough,” you said quietly, biting your lip. You closed your eyes in an attempt to trap the tears from falling onto your cheeks. “Thanks, I get it.”

“Y/N...” he whispered, turning to face you and lean against the dresser. He moved as if it physically pained him to look at you, and you made note of it.

You backed up slowly and gripped the door handle as you exited the room, pulling it as quickly as you could manage. You flinched as the door to the bedroom slammed, a perturbed Yoongi on the opposite side. You hung your head, quietly whispering to yourself a confirmation that things would be alright, even if they seemed like they would never be again. 

Yoongi should have known better, but so should you. Maybe he had a point. Maybe after your initial rejection, you should’ve let go instead of insisting of holding on. 

You shook your head, shuffling down the hallway and out of the door, thankful that none of the other members were around to witness your hurt feelings. Almost as soon as you had the front door of the dorm closed, it was yanked open from your palm by a gasping Yoongi. 

“Do you love me?” his voice rasped, barely higher than a breath. You blinked slowly, trying to fathom how he could have the audacity to ask such a question.

“No,” you said, your voice cracking with only one syllable. The words stung as they left your lips, a fallacy you had fooled yourself with for years. 

“You should learn to lie better,” he hissed, stepping outside into the hallway as well. He let out a deep breath and leaned against the door. 

“You should learn to respect unspoken promises,” you muttered, glaring at him. 

“What do you mean?” he asked, tilting his head. 

“You know exactly what I mean Yoongi,” you groaned. “I confessed to you years ago and when you said no, it was you who wanted to continue our friendship. When you saw I legitimately cared, you had no problem throwing it back in my face. Why? Why are you still friends with me?”

Yoongi cleared his throat and looked away. “Because I love you.”

You furrowed your brows, your jaw springing ajar. “Like...as a friend though?”

“Like...more than a friend,” he groaned, looking anywhere but directly at you. 

“How could you...what do you even?” you stuttered, looking around wildly. A moment ago Yoongi was busy resurrecting the heart he had already broken to break it again, and now he was trying to show he had really cared all along? 

“When you first confessed...our careers were only beginning,” he sighed, running a hand through his bangs. “I’m fundamentally selfish, I’ll admit...so I didn’t want to lose you completely. I was hoping somehow I could keep you here and wait for-”

Your smack was swift and hard against Yoongi’s cheek. You hardly recognized your own hand as you pulled it away. 

“Alright,” he nodded. “I deserved that.”

Yoongi looked toward you, his eyes meeting yours for the first time since the entire argument had begun. “I was afraid to lose you...so I thought...maybe if we became friends.”

You shook your head, biting back the years worth of dejection. “I never realized how much of a coward you are.”

“Y/N,” Yoongi said with a wince. He pushed himself off of the door slowly and crossed the small space separating you both. You continued to shake your head, distancing yourself from him until your back hit the opposite wall. “Please.”

“No,” you choked. “I’m not doing this to myself Yoongi. You said it, I let people walk all over me and then offer to do more for them. You’ve lied to me...for years...just so you would keep me around for when you were ready. Maybe I’m not ready anymore?”

You let a sob rip through your chest. The constant contact with Yoongi had kept the wound fresh all of this time. What you had attempted to cover up with bandaids really needed stitches. You realized you would have never been able to move on while he was still such a permanent fixture in your life. 

“Y/N,” he repeated. His hands hovered in midair, frozen with indecision. He finally swallowed an audible gulp and grabbed your arms, attempting to pull you into his chest. 

“No,” you groaned, smacking him with closed fists. What first began as an attack to push him away slowly cascaded into a futile attempt of weak punches and crying. 

“Shhh,” he cooed, pulling your face toward his sweater. You hiccuped as your ear pressed against him, his heartbeat sounding so foreign. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” 

“Yeah,” you whimpered, your emotions numb. “Me too.” 

[kuriquinn]

Prompt/Request: Sasuke’s おめでとう

Anonymous said:

im so excited that you're taking requests because I love everything that you write!!!😇 could you maybe write the recent ss moment with the hawk and what sasuke was thinking

Blanket Disclaimer

Summary: Somehow, it’s right that she be the one to convey his congratulations to Naruto. She is the warmest, most genuine person he knows, and if anyone can best convey his feelings about Naruto’s nuptials to the loudmouth, it’s the woman who probably knows him the best in the world.

Rating: K

Warning: Spoilers for pretty much everything up to Chapter 699.

Canon-Compliance: As close to canon as fanfiction can possibly be. With a few personal additions :P Takes place during the Blank Period.

AN: Originally, this was just meant to be a quick drabble in response to a prompt and meant to honour of the last episode of Naruto Shippuden. But then my brain decided to put some more details in, and we got this little one-shot. Enjoy.

Not attending Naruto’s wedding is one of the hardest decisions Sasuke has had to make since the end of the War.

It’s a mark of how much he has changed in his years of wandering that he not only recognises this fact, but also continues to feel conflicted about it long after he’s made the choice. In the past, he made decisions and simply moved on—what has been done cannot be changed, after all—but for once, his personal feelings have a place in his rationalizations.

That’s also new.

Sasuke has never wanted material or arbitrary things. His desires have always been firmly rooted in goals: aiming to surpass his brother and to be acknowledged by his father, to avenge and restore his clan, to destroy the village that destroyed his family…

Not until he left his home the second time with a barely deserved pardon did he have a chance to experience the world outside of his own ambitions.

He learned to appreciate a warm bed and sleeping long past sun up. The satisfaction of playing with a stray cat or eating food for pleasure instead of only sustenance (he apparently has a weakness for bitter, dark chocolate that he never even realised).

And for the first time since he can remember he wants things.

He wants to read a book for leisure, and not because it might hold some long lost clan secret or technique. He wants to travel to as many places as he can and see if the sunset looks different in Iwa than it does in Konoha. He wants to climb a mountain just to breathe the crisp air, instead of seeing it as a stepping stone to some broader goal.

He wants to go to his friend’s wedding.

Naruto is in many ways his brother, through time and through shared experience, and the only close friend he will ever have.  (He doesn’t see Kakashi as this; to him, the older man will always be the mentor, the surrogate parent where he had none. And Sakura…she’s something else entirely, in a category he is only just starting to understand). He owes it to the blond idiot to be there, especially after everything that has happened between them.

And yet…

He knows he can’t.

The thing about redemption is that there’s no concrete way of determining when it has been earned. And shrugging off his cares to celebrate Naruto’s good fortune feels too much like a reward. Whatever else he remains ignorant of, Sasuke knows that he is not yet worthy of that.

It doesn’t help that Kakashi has not been subtle in his suggestions that he return for the event. He’s all-but formally requested it in letters and coded messages, alluding to how much his presence would mean to the groom and the bride. Hell, the fool actually created an official mission for all Konoha shinobi to find wedding gifts, which Sasuke patently ignored.

The greatest gift Sasuke can give to Naruto and Hinata is his absence.

He knows if he were to show up, unexpected or not, the occasion would immediately be overshadowed by his return. Whispers, distrustful stares and awkward conversation; his teammates creating a protective wall around him to counter the village’s collective wariness—

Sasuke cares too much about Naruto, and has enough respect for Hinata, to do something so disrespectful.

Decision or not, however, it is no coincidence that as the cherry blossoms begin to bloom, Sasuke finds himself travelling in the environs of Konoha. Or that on the actual day, he remembers that there is a cliff overlooking the valley which offers the perfect vantage point of the entire village.

It’s the closest he has come to setting foot in Konoha since that business with the moon.

That’s not to say he hasn’t been tempted before; no one will ever know how often or how close he has come since leaving. Perhaps Naruto suspects, if only because he can’t help but sense Sasuke’s chakra wherever he is. And maybe Sakura, too, because she’s always had oddly accurate intuition about his presence, going back to their genin days.

He only ever contacts anyone inside as a last resort. Usually it’s requests for intel from Kakashi, sometimes a note for Naruto about information he has learned about Kaguya or questions to Sakura about poison remedies. If required, he will send messages via Sai’s ink scrolls, or summon one of Garuda’s underlings to do so.

Or to deliver small packages, such as a certain nondescript white box meant to be tucked into the branches of a tiny tomato tree in the ruined Uchiha district.

But Sasuke has always kept himself from walking through those giant doors.

He does the same today, albeit with some difficulty.

It’s no trouble to find the tree-ringed grove where the reception is to take place, and with eyes like his, he can make out the tiniest detail with ease.

Naruto and his bride-to-be have not arrived yet—Sasuke doesn’t know if they intend to marry before or after the reception—but from the steady thrum of Naruto and Kurama’s chakra in the vicinity of the Hyūga compound, he knows it doesn’t matter. All is well, Naruto is happy and safe, and that’s really all Sasuke needed to make sure of while he was here.

It doesn’t stop him from searching out the rest of his comrades.

Sai, who even though they did not start out on the same team has earned Sasuke’s respect in the past two years as his most direct liaison to the village, holds hands with Ino Yamanaka. Despite their cold first meeting, Sasuke has become grateful for the former Root operative for being there to protect his teammates when he wasn’t. Given what he knows about the other man’s history, he’s glad that he, too, was offered his own chance at redemption. And Ino is a good, strong woman, despite the irritating tendencies Sasuke remembers about her. He hopes they’ll be happy.

(And that’s another new thing. Caring about other people’s happiness.)

Across the reception area, Kakashi is scrambling out of his official white robes, trying to straighten his suit while handing them off to a harried looking Shizune. Then he makes a sudden beeline for the table with the wedding cake, just in time to snatch two identical white-haired toddlers away from it. Behind him, Manako Inuzuka appears, heavily pregnant and laughing unapologetically at the Hokage’s aggrieved expression.

Sasuke’s eyes widen in amazement.

As genin, Sakura once confided a vague suspicion about their sensei and the village’s demolitionist, but he never paid much attention to it. Even if he had, this outcome would still be surprising to him.

Kakashi deserves happiness as much as Naruto and Sai.

Speaking of Sakura…

There’s no point to searching her out, because she might as well be a beacon in his peripheral vision. The embodiment of spring in a dress that matches her hair, she hurries around the cherry-blossom lined grove, directing people to the gift table and helping Tenten wrangle Gai and Lee into their seats with only minimal damage to human or furniture. He watches her lecture them—that’s what she has to be doing, judging by the finger-wagging and penitent expressions of the two taijutsu masters—and Sasuke can’t help smirking.

She was always bossy.

He imagines that she has made it her personal mission to ensure today goes off without a hitch, and woe betide anyone who tries to challenge her. There are no safer hands to leave that task in, he knows.

Watching all of this, the people precious to him and the village he came from, he feels a distant, long-forgotten tug in his heart. For the first time in his travels, he wants nothing more than to return to his home and his people.

But he can’t.

He hasn’t yet earned the right to be here, and there are still those individuals roaming the world that want to get to him. Enemies who might seek him out here, and if they realised his presence, might go after the people he wants to protect.

(It doesn’t matter that all of those people are formidable warriors, he knows better than to tempt fate.)

Sasuke’s brother fought and died to protect this village, the peace and happiness of all the inhabitants; Sasuke must now do the same.

And so he doesn’t stay.

Instead, he digs out a crumpled piece of paper and jots down a quick congratulatory note—because he did come all this way, he might as well mark the occasion somehow—and summons a hawk to deliver it.

As he is tying the paper to the bird’s leg, he opens his mouth to direct it to Naruto.

Then he pauses.

His eyes are drawn back to Sakura.

She is no longer a whirling dynamo of energy, but a portrait of utter serenity lingering on the sidelines. As she watches the other guests enjoying themselves, the light spring breeze teases at her hair, and she stares off into the distance at something he can’t see. There is a wistful curve to her mouth, the barest traces of pink across her cheekbones.

Sasuke is struck, for the first time, with the realisation that Sakura Haruno is beautiful.

He’s not quite sure what to do with that epiphany.                                                                       

He has always had a vague consciousness of her being pretty, but that was ancillary to her personality. Childhood memories remind him of a clingy, too-loud, too-emotional girl who seemed to have made it her mission to drive him insane. Years later, those features gave way to determination and sadness, and through it all she was so annoying.

Looking at her now, he sees her without context, without him nearby to affect her demeanour, and with no dark purpose hanging over their heads.

She is still sad, and he doesn’t have to be a genius to know what (or who) she’s thinking of, but there’s a calmness to her. Among a sea of families and couples, she is alone and yet all he can see is a stalwart strength. It’s a state that he is infinitely curious about and jealous of.

Another reawakened sensation. He hasn’t felt envious of Sakura since she learned to walk up trees before he did.

A small sting of pain flares through him, and Sasuke jumps as the hawk snaps at his fingers. It shoots him an impatient glare to remind him of the task he has become distracted from.

“Take this to Sakura,” he finds himself saying and releases it into the air.

Somehow, it’s right that she be the one to convey his congratulations to Naruto. She is the warmest, most genuine person he knows, and if anyone can best convey his feelings about Naruto’s nuptials to the loudmouth, it’s the woman who probably knows him the best in the world.

There are other reasons, of course, but none he is quite ready to examine just yet.

He sticks around long enough to watch the hawk find its way to her. She is still standing alone, still peaceful but any trace of a smile has disappeared, and she holds herself almost protectively, with her elbows drawn inward. The posture is too reminiscent of the uncertain girl he left on a cold bench so long ago, and so when Sakura’s attention is drawn by the hawk’s cry, Sasuke is relieved.

He watches as she automatically reaches out for the hawk and takes the message, carefully unwrapping it with an expression of curiosity and studying the single character there.

As her cheeks darken and her smile returns, Sasuke turns to leave.

He’s not ready yet.

But one day, he will be.

W終わり

Comments and constructive criticism are always welcome, but if you feel like keeping me caffeinated out of the goodness of your heart, it certainly would be appreciated! I’m also starting to post original works to my patreon.

I’m only able to keep writing as I do thanks to the support of readers like you, so every bit helps!

栗

[cyjprojectarchive]

happy birthday, king jackson | jackson

group: GOT7 pairing: jackson wang, you genre: fluff words: 2826 note:  just in time until his birthday ends. this wasn’t the expected route of the short imagine but hey, i think it turned out pretty sweet. it’s my very first got7 imagine, pls be gentle ;~; & thank you for reading. we don’t deserve our wang puppy at all. ugh. i love him.

“okay, you guys ready to be on standby?” “yes, ma'am!” you laugh at bambam’s enthusiastic reply. he was squished in the center between his ultimate best friend, yugyeom, and hyung, mark, on the long couch of their dorm back in south korea. the other 6 members of got7 graciously agreed to the surprise mini birthday celebration you had planned out for your boyfriend, jackson, the 7th member of the group. “again, thank you so much for doing this! it’ll make jackson so happy as he misses you guys a lot,” you comment, sitting at the edge of the hotel bed and looking straight at your laptop screen, skype on full desktop mode. “no worries. and hey, we miss jackson too. we’re glad he’s fully recovered to have celebrated his birthday there in hong kong,” jinyoung joins in the conversation, trying to fit himself in the view of the webcam as he was on the very end of the couch from the left. “so you two are flying back here tomorrow evening, i suppose?” jaebum asks,eyes squinting at the screen as if to discern your background. “you in a hotel room? are you sure you want us to watch?” he added, a sly smirk starting to play on his lips. mark immediately punches the leader’s arm and the latter only snickered. youngjae and yugyeom looks offended at his hyung’s insinuation of the situation. “i thought we were greeting jackson hyung a happy birthday,” the maknae trails off to himself. bambam laughs at his friend’s innocence and jinyoung only sighed, shaking his head. you blush a crimson red- you were totally getting im jaebum for that once you and jackson come back. after the short shenanigans, you hear a familiar ringtone emanating from your phone on the kitchen counter. it was your boyfriend’s assigned ringtone for when he calls you. he was probably done celebrating with his family and was on his way to your hotel. “is that… our confession song?” bambam exclaims, excitement and mockery evident in his voice. you are tempted to end the call right there and then as you had a feeling all six of them were going to start teasing you, but your composure remained intact. standing up, you shush the boys and tell them to keep quiet as you turn the laptop facing the wall. they all nod, some reluctantly as their giggles fail to be kept hidden in their lips. you literally just got back from the bakeshop to get jackson a cake roll and you weren’t able to chill it in the fridge because you went to call the guys on skype first, making sure they remembered your request. it hasn’t been that long as you’ve already briefed them yesterday about this surprise greeting they’ll give jackson over skype, so the cake isn’t that melted yet. grabbing your phone on one hand and the cake box on the other, you accept the call as you walk to the fridge. “jagi, were you in the bathroom? took you a while to answer.” as usual, jackson’s playfulness shows through his voice and his corny jokes. you smile to yourself and roll your eyes, sliding the box ever so slightly onto one of the racks and closing the door gently. “ha-ha, don’t you insult my bowel movements, wang.” “insult? i was complimenting you for it!” he defends, chuckling through his words. “how’s my girl? i miss you already.” you can’t help but widen your smile a little bit more- okay, let’s admit it, a whole lot more. his words never fail to warm your heart and every other parts of your body- even if it was his special day today, he made you feel so special every day. “i’m great, jacks. i miss you too, but you were out with your family and aren’t you on your way here right now? just be patient for a bit more,” you encouraged him. you hear him whine on the phone, just like a tiny pupper asking for his person to give him love and cuddles. “i knoooow that but can’t a man miss his girlfriend when she’s not around? oh, and i’m not on my way, babe.” “oh,” you blurt out, surprised. “then where are -” “i’m right here!” jackson’s voice booms through. your eyes widen and your palms start to sweat in just a millisecond; you aren’t done preparing the room at all! you still have some strings and balloons to decorate the place up!

“j- jackson! what are you doing here?” you ask, overwhelmed by his presence.

walking closer to you, it was almost reflex that you two share a quick peck on the lips once you see each other, but jackson had other things in mind this time.

you notice him gingerly place a paper bag on top of where the cake box was placed and quickly rest both his hand on your waist, gripping you slightly tighter as your chest collides with his with a soft thump. your heart falls limp at his intimate touches as your arms respond by wrapping them securely around his neck.

your lips perfectly connect with his. softly you express your genuine love and so did he. your moan quietly escapes in the heat of it all and that just made jackson even more excited to hold you as he soon grabs your thighs and carries you over to let you sit on the counter, your legs automatically clinging to his torso.

you no longer have any other thoughts in your mind except this- this loving and intimate moment you have with the love of your life.

and it seemed as if he was content with it as well.

tongue pulsing through your mouth, you open them nervously but jackson reassured you by caressing the side of your cheek. you share a minute of tongues dancing together in ultimate passion and your hands messily messing his already disheveled black hair.

his hands find their way to the waistband of your jeans, and before you give him access, your eyes shot open from the blissful experience you’re having, and your lips breaking the lock it has been in with jackson.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” you shout at his face directly.

he blinks. twice. face flush with the intimacy you shared and now with confusion as to why you decided to end it so abruptly.

your words trigger the awaiting group still on skype as you finally hear a chorus of “happy birthdays” blasting through the speakers of your laptop. jackson jumps at the sound, moving his head in all directions to locate the source.

“c'mon, show us the birthday boy!” mark’s cheerful voice calls out from the screen. you hop off the counter, your legs still jelly from the previous endeavor you shared with jackson but you tried your best to grab your still confused boyfriend to sit at the edge of the bed. you finally turn the laptop to face him and his expression changes to that of utter glee. “h-hey guys! what’s going on?” “it’s your birthday! and we’re greeting you happy birthday!” youngjae replies with a grin and a thumbs up. “all the way from our dorm! we miss you hyung~!” bambam adds, pouting his lips for emphasis. jackson scoffs at this and you realize his hands sneaking up to rest on your waist as you sit next to him. your cheeks are still warm and your chest numb. did they hear? are they playing dumb that they didn’t hear you basically having a heated make out session with jackson? “did you set them up to do this?” jackson turns to you and immediately all the anxiety bubbling up in your system is replaced with warm fuzzy feelings again. his eyes are glinting with pride for his thoughtful girlfriend and you reciprocated by nodding your head and kissing his cheek. “they wanted to be a part of your birthday even if you’re all far away from each other right now.” “aww, you guys really love me so much, don’t you?” “don’t push it, jackson,” jaebum warns him. they all laugh and soon you left the boys to chat to themselves. you took out the cake that has only stayed in the fridge for a few minutes and also the box inside the bag jackson brought back. it was leftovers from the dinner he had with his family a while ago. you smile to yourself as you prepare a set of two plates and utensils. resting your head on the palm of your hand, you watch jackson mindlessly catch his friends up with the recent happenings in his life which were hospital admissions, check ups, sleep and a whole lot of soup for recovery. he asks the boys how the comeback has been and you can witness pure happiness exuding off of him. his presence is truly missed during the group’s recent performances, but you’re glad that he’s fully healed and ready to be reunited with six of his closest friends- and with his fans, of course. “babe, was there supposed to be decorations up tonight?” your thoughts dismantle as jackson’s question brings you back to the situation at hand. bringing your palm to the back of your head instead, you nod shyly. “you got here too early for me to put them up. i only have cake to celebrate with you,” you admit. jackson brings the laptop to the kitchen counter where your little late night dinner set up was placed. the boys on the screen look at you curiously.

“this is more than enough, jagiya. i can’t thank you enough for doing all of this for me,” jackson tells you, his smile reaching his eyes. “oh jackson, you deserve so much more.” you hug him tight, squeezing yourself into him as if eliminating any kind of space between you. “okay, if you guys are going to start getting all mushy, we’re ending the call now,” jinyoung disrupts the moment with his annoyed voice and the boys back him up by shouting “boo’s” or “ew’s” or “get a room.” on one hand, you shake your hand at their comments but on the other, you silently thank the gods out there because it seemed as if they weren’t witnesses to your private intimacies some moments ago.

“no but seriously though, you guys should enjoy jackson hyung’s last hours of his birthday! we’ve done our part, and we’ll be seeing you tomorrow anyway,” bambam suggests.

“yeah, let’s give them their privacy for now,” youngjae nods in agreement.

“they’ll need their privacy, all right,” a certain leader mumbles with a hint of teasing. mark, once again, almost seemed to contemplate punishing him, but eventually decided. to just roll his eyes. “jb hyung, stop it!” yugyeom protests, frowning at their leader’s intense teasing. he only snickers. “fine, fine. i’ll stop the teasing. for now. so better come back in tip top shape, wang.”

“aye, captain,” jackson assures all of them, putting his hand against his forehead for exaggeration. they all wave goodbye and you thank them one last time before the call ended.

“you think they heard us?” you ask quietly once the laptop has been settled to the side and jackson sits in front of you. he shakes his head, “i don’t think so. we were pretty quiet, surprisingly.”

“i got carried away!” you huff, crossing your arms in the process. jackson laughs and takes your hand encouragingly, kissing your knuckles one by one with such grace and softness. your heart begins to race yet again.

“seriously, jagiya, thank you. so much. even if your decorations weren’t put up, i appreciate the thought of all of this. for me,” he confesses, finishing with one last lingering kiss on the back of your hand. you let your fingers brush his hair, his face, and his neck. feeling him, and knowing he’s all better and fully rested right in front of you, there’s nothing more you want in this moment than to just stare at such masterpiece.

“careful, baby or you might drool all over the cake you bought me!” jackson mocks your trance and so your gentle caress turns into a playful slap against his cheek. he feigns pain and groans loudly. “agh! my face! my beautiful, adonis face!” “shut up wang, or you won’t have even a single piece of this cake,” you challenge him, the grin on your face threatening to show.

he clutches his heart in a dramatic way, facial features matching the phony agony he was presenting to you. “but you bought that for me! jackson wang, your boyfriend!” “i don’t recall my boyfriend being too full of himself.” he shrieks in offense yet again. “i yearn to see the day that vanity is seen as something positive in our world! were recognizing features of yourself you think are worth announcing to is a sign of extreme self-confidence!” he pounds his chest proudly, eyebrows scrunch together with much focus. you aren’t able to hold in your façade as you burst into laughter, absolute admiration in every breath of air you exert out of you. jackson sees your carefree form and joins in. after much exhaustion, the both of you relax into each other’s gazes. “happy birthday, jackson. i’m glad you’re happy,” you tell him. “thank you. for everything. i’m happy you’re happy,” he responds, taking your hand once again. this time, he guides it on his own to rest against his warm cheek. “i love you.”

you feel him smile into your hand and you nod your head solemnly. “i love you.”

[jess-oh]

Reflection

I am currently sitting in the restroom and I’m hoping no one else needs to use it bc im going to be in here for a while. before i start, i keep getting diarrhea whenever i eat oily or unhealthy foods and it makes me really sad bc it’s limiting a lot of what I can eat or grab. It’s probably just a sign that I need to start meal prepping better but it still makes me pretty upsetti, mom’s spaghetti. :( I keep having to suffer for eating this gr9 food! Anyway,

I am for sure going to tell Eunice on Saturday for dinner. And I really hope she comes through bc it’s definitely something that I need to address. And if she doesn’t come then...I’ll try to tell her in person on Sunday but I know that that is going to be so much harder to do but I hope that I can find it within myself to just do it. And if she doesn’t come then either, then I don’t think I should wait. I think I should just fb message her and tell her that I know and my standpoint and how much I care for her. I really do.

Whenever I see a notification on Facebook, I hope that it’s Andrew. I’m sure that he has no idea how I’ve been wrestling with my thoughts about him and it’s definitely still a process. I for sure want to get to a place where I care so much for him, Sofia, and David that I don’t care if it costs our friendship. I just want them to be saved by Christ so that they will know His love and make it to Heaven. I just need to figure out how to best communicate that to them. And I’m sure it’s by just really loving upon them and leading a life that’s more Christlike and encouraging them to question my fierce loyalty and face in the Lord. Actually, while typing this, he did message our group chat with Sofia and I was really glad. He mentioned the Olympics and we got to talking. And I know it’s only been a day so I shouldn’t be freaking out that we aren’t talking daily but... idk. After the discussion on Saturday, my thoughts are all jumbled up but I’m working on organizing them. I do genuinely want the best for them. 

My day today... I had trouble sleeping last night and it didn’t help that I was up late talking to my sister on the phone for like three hours. And I had spent the majority of my day filing my taxes. I know it’s not a ton of money but I’m planning on using that to open up a savings account and/or a credit card so that I can start building my credit! Of course, filing my taxes will also be way harder from now on too :( I chose to sleep for about an hour and a half to two hours and I regretted it bc I was late to work again and I’m starting to care less but I also do feel bad. But I swear, I never hear my alarms go off! I’m usually so good at waking up to them but now....I just sleep through them! I think I need to change my alarm tones of the time or something so that I can actually get up out of bed when they go off. I’ve definitely been a lot more prone to procrastinating lately and I don’t want to do that. It’s so much better when I just get my work done ASAP and don’t have to worry about it later. Especially since I’m starting to beef up my extracurriculars—what with VBS, joining MAST, and trying to come out to more ASO meetings. I have a lot of ahead of me and if something goes wrong in my life again, I can’t afford to be behind in my work. Which is why I should prep now, get feedback, and do better on my projects. I do feel like I’m struggling right now and I never take the time to read the feedback and learn from it, although I should. I was actually really upset with Jilly today during graphic design bc she kept going back on her word and I’m pretty sure the rest of the room could tell how upset we were after. We did our best to contain it but that stand off tone was definitely there. I was ready to fight her and I kept thinking in my mind that I’m supposed to love and not hate but man, I was so tempted to just sock her in the face. How are we supposed to know what to do if she keeps going back on her word? That’s so unfair for her to grade us so harshly when she’s given us unclear instructions to begin with! It’s maddening! I got home, dropped off some rice at Mulan’s, and headed to the dry cleaners on Wabash. It did look like there were some cheaper stores a bit farther away but I already wanted to check this one out so I went anyway and if it was way too pricey, I would just learn to not go there in the future. But it was actually great! The owner was an older Asian man, I think Korean and I felt a lot better about it. He mentioned the inner seams being torn but either he gave me a discount or just didn’t include it since it said “3 items. 1 seams $0.00″ Whatever the reason, I was nervous it would be upwards $50 - 130 and I was really nervous bc I didn’t want to spent that much money. But it was actually only $20 and I felt so much better. I’ll definitely be returning there soon!

Also, I texted Eliza and it looks like she’s okay with going forward with Cottage Grove. Since her parents would need to pay for both Emily and Eliza, I am a little bit worried but we are getting very close to securing the apartment and I’m pretty excited. I just hope we’re the only applicants so we get it by default, haha. Please let us get this apartment, God! And actually, Loren told me this amazing story about something that happened to my mom. Our mortgage was 5k this month and bc my dad doesn’t have a job yet and we had to pay 2k for Robbin’s funeral, my mom was worried that we wouldn’t be able to make it. When suddenly, she receives a letter in the mail about a lawsuit against Costco from a couple years ago and she received $7k!!! The exact number we needed! God is so good and gracious! Thank you so much, Lord!

And I finally got to talk with Dana today and we didn’t get to go super deep since we were short on time but it was still nice to talk and hear about how she perceived everything and I did try to encourage her to learn to trust the people in Movement bc I think they are a really good community and we are getting better at going deeper and becoming more understanding which I am excited about. But we aren’t there yet. I shared a few stories that I’ve learned about the people in the ministry and I hope it was encouraging to her. I also shared about my own experiences and honestly, halfway through the story, I would forget the point or why I started talking and felt bad that I was making the situation about me instead of how I can best help Dana. I think the best thing I can do is to just pray for her and really be there for her as a sister in Christ.

[aibrechts]

(1 of a lot probably) aaAAAAAND I'm back! This time only at 2am tho haha, and as for why, you see, I met this wonderful, talented young man a few weeks ago and I wouldn't miss talking to him for the world. In any case, on the confidentiality thing, please don't worry meu amigo bonito. I trust your judgement, and either way, I /am/ still masked behind anon y'know hahaha. It's all good

I KNOW ITS BEEN LIKE A DAY AND IM SO SORRY everything is happening all at once All The Time sighs honestly i wish i could just lay back and bask in ur sunny conversation, even if just for one day;;;

that’s true, that’s true, i think i have an idea of who you are (or rather, which blog you run) but it almost seems a shame to figure out... that being said, if you are who i think you are then your writing is absolutely breathtaking, and as golden as your heart

(onto #2!) Chester seems plenty lovable btw haha. And I gotta agree that it'd be nigh impossible to find a better home for him. What he has with you? That's the genuine article, and you take /extremely/ good care of him and the others to boot. I'm sure even a famous boy like him gets awestruck sometimes by how lucky and loved he is. Poor Wisdom though! Like /damn/ hahaha. Tough break, kiddo. Tough break hahaha. That's what he gets for trashing the joint tho. {~J}

chester is the perfect man, it’s true, and wisdom is an absolute brat but he has his moments lol. he’s growing on me, similar to that fungal infection thats growing all over his poor handsome face :( i gave him a special bath for it yesterday, and he LOVED it, he loves being pampered. fifteen minutes of me scrubbing at all his itchy spots and spraying water in his mouth to keep him happy when i have to hose his face, and he looks so lovely clean now!!!!!

i know, i know, its sounds gross lol but it’s really not so bad. we caught it very early and he gets those baths twice a week, so it’s cleared up really well!!! 

it’s simply the time of year, i think. hot and humid, ponies sweating under their rugs, too many of them with stupid injuries - fudge had surgery on two of his legs a few months ago, and he’s about to start rehab; lulu got a.... skin cancer??? cut out of her stomach, and that’s been delightfully gross to maintain; rudi’s vice is flies - he’s very sensitive on his legs, and kicks so hard that he cuts his own ankles, poor boy; nikki went lame somehow and no one knows how or why but she seems fine now???????; and we were SO WORRIED that chester had an abscess in his hoof bc a big chunk went missing out of it, but the farrier came for him today and everything was fine, the hole trimmed out clean and simple. 

BIG SIGH THEY’RE....... SO DIFFICULT. so much to maintain, and rumple is as sick as ever but he’s old so that hardly counts. the only ones who are really maintaining themselves are wyn and louie, and i honestly don’t know how louie does it with how he runs around like a maniac all day. BUT ANYWAY!!!!

3 never did end up coming through lol so i’ll move right on

(and then there were 4) What can I say? Your silvered light dazzles even the sun, and inspires the moon and stars with its iridescent brilliance. It'd be a crime to put someone so amazing on hold hahaha.

i dont know much lol but i know im a saggittarius. i seem to be surrounded by scorpios at this point in my life, and i can hardly find a thing to complain about. you’re all absolutely wonderful, and i always seem to be quite taken with your crew’s company ahahaha. 

rather, im surrounded by water signs in general LOL. my siblings are each pisces, cancer and scorpio, i met a bartender last night who was a scorpio, and kimmy is one too lmao yall are everywhere and im Loving it

(#5 comin in hOt) You were also right on the water-affinity thing though haha. I actually knew how to swim before I knew how to walk, believe it or not. Anyway, that picture is absolute /gold/. It really is. And the prophesy was fulfilled so completely that even Voldysmoldy was blown away. You look dashing, by the way! 120/10 best wrapping paper boob stuffer. On the subject of talking though, /holy hell/ don't tempt me I would /gladly/ talk with you all day without hesitation hahaha

LAUGHS thank you i certainly try my best. my brother’s a good sport, and i somehow feel like a strong mix between him and the sister im now living with (the cancer, if you’re curious ahaha). every day we’ll find ourselves saying the same thing at the same time, and every now and then she’ll give me a strange look and say i sound just like leo, or even that i look like him for a moment ahahaha. 

it’s interesting, it’s strange. i’ve always looked up to them so much (being the youngest and all), so it feels oddly like a compliment, whenever these things happen. 

(#6)(just think, two more of those and you get one of me hahaha). Onto the sleeve tho! The circle maze sounds /fantastic/, and I bet it looks really cool right now, though I'm sure the finished product will be absolutely astronomical. The design you have in mind sounds /epic/! (for real though tatts are so expensive I feel your pain there hahaha)(may the Force be with you I believe in you)(you got this)(you SO got this)(you're gonna kick this resolution's ass). {~J}

lmaoo thank you thank you, i intend to bust so much money on it this year. i still have my lower forearm to design, but i’ve thoroughly plotted out the rest of my arm; the maze is given to inception, the next installment will be vaguely reminiscent of kingdom hearts, and pokemon will take up the space from halfway up my forearm before turning into cc beyond my elbow. so it’s just that part on the back of my forearm that is a bit of a blank canvas rn ahahaha

(holy hell I might need more than 7) I regretfully inform you though that I can't and I shan't cease to flatter you, because you deserve to know the truth of how talented and wonderful you are. And I definitely agree on the balance thing. The devil is in the details and complexity is key, so all the more reason to be proud of how amazing your works are! And /20k/? /Damn/ that's impressive! (and even tho I prefer halloween, I for one will gladly plunge back into the tinsel for you hahaha) {~J}

it’s officially 22k but i haven’t had time to work on it the past couple of dayssssss BUT I FIGURED OUT THE LAST SCENE so it’s only a matter of spare time lololol

(#8 because what's second christmas without snowmen? lol) I'm glad to hear you've got a pretty solid sleep schedule by the way! (and it definitely /was/ worth the discomfort)(still slept like a rock the followin night tho hahaha). I'm really happy that Alma appears to be defying the odds by the way! True to their namesake, and all thanks to their wonderful father. Sheesh. I knew you were dynamically skilled, but this just proves you're magical haha. In your care? I know they'll flourish. {~J}

LOL i am LOVING these message starters btw. yesss tho my family has always been keen on growing things lol. mum had a magnificent herb garden, and i’ve never seen oregano as big as what’s growing in my garden rn. we just planted dahlias where the sunflowers used to be and i wasn’t sure they’d be alright, but they really seem to be flourishing!! im so glad!!!!

(9/9 for the new record hahaha) I'm so proud of both you and them! Not to be punny, but I'm a sap anyway when it comes to plants. or, well, all of nature really haha, and Alma looks really great from the pic I saw! Anyway, speaking of hocus-pocusing, I hope today has been absolutely magical for you, as you deserve no less than the wondrous and the fantastic. Talk to you soon, meu amigo bonito! {~J}

lmfaooo i love that. and yes, their leaves are so cute!!!! so small!!!!! thank u so much tho, the past couple of days have been pretty great. I’m wondering if i can worm a morning off out of my sister, considering she’ll have a day off on sunday and i’ll be working at the cafe from 7 lol;;;; i desperately want to finish starboy, but time really is my enemy right now ahahahaa

thank you so much for all this, i adore you and i hope you managed to get to bed at a reasonable time tonight!!!! sleep well, i’ll see you soon