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emgavi · 2 years ago

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Our Story (Gavi x Reader)

Long time no see, this was two requests mixed into one, inspired by Messi and Antonella's story. I'm rusty with writing but I hope you enjoy it! <33

5,045 words

Age 9

Today your cousin, Mike, had his first playoff game in his league, it was also your first time attending one of his games. On the drive over you looked out the window seeing all the interesting buildings in the neighborhood until you saw the field nearing closer.

Getting out of the car, you walked with the rest of your family to the stands. There you saw all the players and then eventually your cousin. He waved slightly and continued getting game ready. The game soon started and you were enjoying the action, cheering when your cousin’s team scored. In the end Mike’s team won a 3-1 score.

After the handshakes from the other team, Mike came running over to your section in the stands along with another teammate next to him. Giving your favorite cousin a big hug as soon as he was close enough. “You did amazing !” you told him while doing your handshake. “gracias y/n/n”

You noticed his teammate still lingering behind Mike, you remembered he was one of the players who scored two of the goals. “Hey , you did great too, those goals were amazing” you told the boy.

The boy gave you a shy smile and a small “gracias”. Your cousin finally introduces the boy with the shy smile, “ah this chico es amazing” putting an arm around him playfully. “Gavi this is my cousin, y/n” Mike said.

“Uh-hola..i’m pablo but my friends call me Gavi” the boy, well Gavi said with a blush showing that reached all the way up to his ears.

“Hola, nice to meet you’ you responded back, giving Gavi a small smile. One that he returned more shyly again. Your cousin Mike saw this and pulled Gavi away. “We gotta get our bags but i’ll meet you guys at the front, tell tia to bring the car there” he shouted as he and Gavi walked away

You gave a thumbs up and headed to the exit. Walking down you kept thinking about the new boy, Gavi. He seemed really shy but he was cute you couldn’t deny. Sadly that probably was the last you would see the boy you thought as you made your way back to the car.

_________________

Not even two weeks later you would see Gavi again, it seemed now whenever you saw your cousin you saw Gavi along with him. He was always around, every once in a while giving you another shy smile when you looked at him

. It was always the same until the one day Gavi got the courage to spark a conversation with you. “Hola , what you got there?” you looked up to see Gavi in front of you. Lifting up the popsicle in your hand, “a blue popsicle, you want one?” you asked the young boy, silently surprised that he was actually talking to you without your cousin there.

Gavi nodded with a big smile, “si gracias, they are my favorite!” To this your eyes went wide, “There my favorite too, blue is the best one in my opinion” you said excitedly. He nodded his head as he walked with you to the cooler, “i agree”

When you handed him the blue popsicle, you both walked back to the bench you were on before, this time Gavi sat next to you, happily eating his popsicle. You both started random conversation until the topic of football came up.

“Messi is amazing, he is 100% my favorite player, '' you said while eating. Gavi looked at you surprised, “you know Messi?” He was stunned that you knew about one of his favorite players, he just assumed that you were more into other things. Nodding your head at him, you responded giggling a little, “of course I do, I love watching him and FC Barcelona”

“Wow I didn’t know you watched football too, that’s so cool, you’re definitely different from my sister” Gavi said laughing a bit at the mention of his sister, you laughed along with him. You both continued to talk about football and your favorite players.

Since that day a beautiful friendship was born between you and Gavi, even when your cousin Mike had to move away for your uncle’s job, Gavi still came over to hang out with you and slowly became your best friend.

Age 13

Quickly eating the plate in front of you was your mission. Mija calm down, the food is not going anywhere” your mom told you. Putting your fork down, successfully finishing, you picked up the plate to put in the sink. “No time, I'm meeting Gavi at the park in 10 minutes”. Your younger brother Mateo looks up from his plate and smirks at you.

“Oooooo y/n and gavi sitting in a tree k i s-” he started until you interrupted him , “shut it Mateo” you threatened. ‘We are just friends!” your Dad finally intervened putting his newspaper down, “alright Mateo stop it, y/n can be friends to whomever she wants and it shouldn’t matter if it’s a boy”.

You smirked at your brother as he scolded at the floor, “Gracias papa, bye i’ll be back by dinner!”

Running out the door, you quickly made your way over to the park where Gavi was waiting for you. Once you’ve reached the field you can see him juggling the ball with his feet all alone waiting. When he turned his head and saw you, he gave you a big smile that caused your cheeks to turn red for a moment.

“Hola! I thought you weren’t going to show for a moment there” he said while passing the ball over to you. Catching it with your foot and propping it up to the air to juggle, ‘my brother wouldn’t stop talking” you said while concentrating on the ball.

“About what?” Gavi asked, which caused you to think of what your brother said about Gavi, making the ball fall from your feet.

“Ah…it’s nothing, come on lets play” you said quickly, passing the ball to Gavi to make sure he won’t have any time to think and ask again. Gavi took the bait and the both of you started to play multiple games of 1 v 1 on the field.

He was fast but you had the skills to move around him with the ball , making him so impressed his crush on you grew even more since the day he met you. You both continued to play until it the sun started to set and the stars were more noticeable.

Placing the ball down, Gavi dramatically fell to the ground on his back. Giggling at his antics you did the same causing both of you to laugh. You both looked up at the night sky, shining dots all around.

"You are really good y/n/n, you know that?” Gavi said next to you

You turned your head towards him to see his dark brown eyes already staring at you. Quickly turning your eyes back to sky so that he wouldn’t see your blush, “thanks, but your the real superstar, I bet your going to be crushing records” you told him honestly

He smiled at you, “gracias y/n , you don’t know how much that means coming from you” Turning again to look at him you stare into his eyes as you give him a warming smile back. You noticed something flash in the sky and turned your attention to that.

“Oh look gavi! A shooting star! Make a wish!” you exclaimed pointing to the sky. The both of you squeezed your eyes shut, making your wish. Once you opened them again, you decided it was time to head back home.

As you and Gavi were walking together, he bumps your shoulder, “so what did you wish for?”

Scoffing at him,”i’m not going to tell you, that's not how it works’ He giggled at you “well i hope mines comes true”

Age 15

Pablo Gavi, what could you say? He was your best friend and possibly more? It wasn’t official but it felt like it at least to everyone except you both. He was always there for you, walking to school together, playing together when he wasn’t at practice with his local team. You couldn’t imagine not having Gavi with you every day.

That’s why right now, you don’t know how to respond as you overhear a conversation between two of Gavi’s teammates as you were at lunch.

“We aren’t going to be able to go to the playoffs now if Gavi is leaving” one of them said

“I know, but it’s so good for him just not for us”. You heard enough, leaning over to them,

“What are you talking about, Gavi isn’t moving?” you said, They both gave you puzzled faces, “he didn’t tell you?, a club over in barcelona are signing him for their jr teams, he is moving there” At that moment it felt like your whole world came down, and you were filled with anger for him not telling you but also sad that your best friend is moving away.

You just gave them a silent “no” before walking towards the door out the lunchroom to clear your head of the major news. You ended up walking to your special hiding spot, away from all the noise. It happened to be a spot looking out at the city.

You heard your phone ring for what felt like the 100th time since you left the lunchroom, turning looking down to see again the contact name

Gavi ⚽

You felt bad ignoring his calls, knowing he probably got worried when he didn’t see you in class but at this moment you didn’t care. He lied to you, he kept such a huge secret from you and acted like everything was normal. Was he ever planning on telling you? Did he even care how you’d feel?

The sun started to set and you were still sitting on the same rock as before, looking at the distance. You were thinking of moving and finally walking back home until you heard a crunch of leaves behind you. In panic you look back, only to see the certain brown haired, brown eyed boy that you called your best friend.

“I figured you’d be out here” Gavi said softly walking towards you, deciding to sit on the next rock over from you. Turning your head away from him you scoffed, “where else would I be?”

Silence then fell between you two for a while, both not knowing what to say.

“I’m sorry you had to find out from someone who wasn’t me, I never meant to hurt y/n/n, honestly, i just- didn’t know how to tell you” Gavi spoke honestly, cutting the tension with his words.

“Yeah you didn’t know how to tell me huh, your best friend for like how long Gavi? Were you ever going to tell me? Do you ever care about this friendship to not share something so life changing like that?!” your voice started to get louder the more you spoke, letting anger and frustration take over you.

“I do care about you. Of course I care, never think that I don’t because I do y/n/n. I didn’t say anything because I was still debating on if I wanted to go or not’ Gavi admitted to you.

This made you finally turn to face him, when you did you saw his eyes pleading at you to forgive him. Sighing silently, “Gavi you have to go, as much as i hate you leaving, I know deep down you want this, you could be a professional futbol player if you go”

Hearing this made Gavi’s face change, “so does that mean you forgive me?”

Nodding your head to the boy, he reached to hug you tight, which you gladly accepted, his scent filling your nose as you buried your head on his shoulder. “I'm gonna miss you so much tho pabs’ you mumbled. Pulling away from your embrace, you see gavi reach for something in his pocket.

“I’m going to miss you too y/n/n, that's why I - I kinda had this made when i found out the news i was possibly moving. It’s for you, so even when I’m miles away you can look at this as a reminder that I'm always with you, and always your best friend” he said showing you a small gold bracelet that had your initials and on the back had the words engraved “siempre contigo”

“Oh Gavi, I love it, thank you so much!’ you said pulling him into another hug after he put the bracelet on your wrist.

Gavi hugged you tighter, “I’ll forever be your best friend y/n/n, always” he whispered to you.

Age 17

You couldn’t be more proud of Gavi, he was living his dream in Barcelona and even more so that he was prompted to play with the senior team recently. Since Gavi left your hometown, you both kept in contact, making sure that you both wouldn’t lose your connection. However with the recent promotion to the senior team, it made Gavi busier than usual with more practice and recovery. You understood this but as the months went by you missed your best friend.

Especially with the time you’ve been apart it made you realize how special he was to you, maybe you loved him in a romantic way? But that’s crazy right how could i love him like that or him even ever love me that way? You thought to yourself.

Were just friends, you whispered to yourself as you sat trying to focus on the paper in front of you.

“y/n what do you think of this one?” your friend said while nudging your shoulder. The sudden action made you break out of your own trance, “uh hm?”

“Look at this! Wouldn’t this look super cute for the summer?” She showed you a picture of a dress from her magazine.

Nodding your head thoughtlessly, you agreed, “yeah… looks nice”

Your friend gave you a look, “okay, what’s going on with you? You’ve been not paying attention for the past 10 minutes.”

“ I have-” you tried to protest but your friend interrupted you. “Wait, is this about Gavi?” she said quieter. Your eyes went wide, “NO that’s crazy ” you waved your hands to show her she was wrong.

“Hm sure, it’s okay though y/n/n, i know how you feel” she said supportingly putting her hand on your shoulder. You silently nodded your head at her in response, she could tell you were still not yourself so she decided to cheer you up.

“Hey why don’t we go get some of our favorite ice cream at that place across the corner from my house, my treat” she told you, while gathering up her stuff.

Shaking your head yes, “yeah sure, that sounds great, thanks y/f/n”

You both took your things and went to her car. On the way there y/f/n tried to cheer you up a little more by putting your favorite songs to sing along too. While you two were singing, y/f/n was paying less attention to the road that she didn’t notice when a small cat came walking on the road. You however saw the poor cat and quickly told y/f/n “Y/F/N WATCH THE CAT!”

Your friend turns her head to see the cat walking like they owned the road, “OH CRAP” she said while trying to swerve around the cat, the sudden force of the wheel turning made the car start to spin. The last thing you saw on your side window was tree bark, then a loud sound came.

_______

You woke up to a beeping sound, your head was killing you and your left leg felt weird. Opening your eyes, you squinted trying to adjust to the bright lights of the room. Doing so you notice a figure next to you, still you try to adjust your eye focus to make out who was there. Then a voice came from the figure.

“Y/n?” said the voice that sounded so familiar. Your eyes finally adjusted for you to be able to see brown eyes, you knew these brown eyes very well. “Gavi?’ you said faintly

Now you finally saw the figure who turned out to be the boy you secretly loved, Gavi. “I'm here y/n/n, I was so worried,” he said. Puzzled to see him, you looked around the room to see you were at the hospital, “What happened?” you spoke groggily

He laughed a little at your question, “I could ask you the same thing, all i know is I got a call from your mom that you were in an accident, I flew over here as soon as i could” he said softly to you. You squint your eyes trying to remember, then you remembered the cat.

“We were trying to avoid hitting a cat” you mumbled. You remembered that your friend was with you, “wait, how is-” Gavi cut you off already knowing your question, ‘y/f/n?, she’s okay, only got a couple of scratches and bruises, she was here a while ago but left with your mom to go get some food for you when you woke up”

You slowly processed the info, you were relieved that she was okay, and hopefully the cat too. Looking down at your legs you noticed that your left leg was lifted from the bed, wrapped in a cast. Gavi took your silence as you were still taking everything in, to comfort you more he caressed your hand with his thumb.

Your head went down to your hand feeling his, you didn’t even notice he was holding your hand when you woke up. “How are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be in Barcelona? I thought you had important practices for the upcoming games with the senior team pabs?” you said quietly to the brown haired boy.

Giving you soft eyes Gavi responded, “you’re more important than that, I had to come over here to check on you and I’m glad I did because I missed you like crazy y/n/n”

Smiling at Gavi, “you’re too sweet, i missed you too” Gavi hummed moving his chair closer to your bed “plus someones gotta take care of you” he said jokily causing you to laugh.

Helping you leave the hospital and gather all your things, Gavi drove you to your house, he promised you that he would help for as long as he could stay, which was only 3 days but you were grateful for anything from him. Especially since your parent’s had a last minute work call, they trusted he would protect you. He made it his duty to never have you lift a finger the first days after your departure from the hospital.

While it was annoying, it was also sweet of him. He helped you walk around your house when you needed off the bed, he made you food (well tried to, eventually his mom sent in food for him to give you), and anything you needed he was right there to help.

Currently you laid on the coach, Gavi was puffing up a pillow to place under your left leg. “Gavi I think it’s okay” you said seeing him continue to beat the poor pillow. He looked at you, “it has to be comfy enough for your leg not to hurt, i won’t risk it '' Sighing, you giggled at him before finally he placed the pillow underneath your leg. “There , feels nice right?” you nodded your head in agreement.

‘Thank you Pabs” you said as he sat next to you on the couch, leaning on him as he put on your favorite show. “Honestly , you’ve been amazing these past few days, i don’t know what i would do without you.” you told the boy, a smile then grew on his face without you knowing.

“Of course y/n, I would do anything for you…….. forever best friends remember” he said. Your heart broke silently a bit at his mention of calling you only a best friend, it was stupid but deep down you knew you wanted more. Gavi could sense you stiffening in his embrace, questioning if he made a mistake once you slowly leaned off of him trying to play it off as if you were stretching then leaning on the other side of the couch.

The rest of the night you continued to distance yourself physically from Gavi on the couch, just to help you stop thinking of any potential that he felt the same. Unknowingly to you, Gavi was dying every moment you scooted further away from him, he cared for you, more than you knew, he just didn’t know how to tell you, he didn’t want to ruin your friendship.

It was eventually time for bed as it was late into the night, Gavi was contemplating if he should just tell you, he honestly didn’t want to go back to Barcelona and miss another chance at telling you how he felt. You yawned next to him, “i’m soo tired, could you help me to my bed pabs?” you asked Gavi but you noticed he was still looking at the TV screen.

Confused, you tried to get his attention again, “Gavi?” Suddenly he turned his head to face you,

“I love you” he blurted out.

Your eyes grew wide at the unexpected confession, causing his eyes to go wide realizing what he said. “I - i mean i uh i i uh..” you saw Gavi visibly struggle trying to find the right words to explain himself but you were too caught up on the fact that the boy you’ve secretly had a crush on for 8 years, your Gavi, loved you back. You leaned close to him, putting your hands to his cheeks to quiet him from his rambling, “Gavi, I love you too” you said quietly to him.

He sighed in relief once those words came out of your mouth, ‘I’ve been in love with you since I first met you” he revealed, shocking you because you never saw any signs until now. Looking down to your lips then back to your eyes, he asked, “Can I kiss you?” you nodded at him, which he took as a green light to lean closer to you before giving you a sweet kiss. Instantly, both of you felt as if fireworks were exploding around you. Pulling you in closer to him, the kiss started to turn more passionate, both of you showing your hidden love for each other.

When you both pulled away, you sat there in awe at each other, soaking in the moment. Gavi then started laughing, making you confused. “Are you laughing?” you asked giggling at the boy

“It’s just if it wasn’t for that cat, we wouldn’t be here” he said, making you start to laugh along with him.

Present Day

Putting the final touch to your appearance, you put the gold bracelet Gavi got you all those years ago. Rubbing your fingers over your initials, smiling at the memory.

“Ready?” your bff said to you before you turned around and walked out to the main room where all your bridesmaids waited.

Everyone awed and smiled.“You look so beautiful y/n” your best friend said next to you. You smiled wide, looking at yourself in the mirror. You couldn’t believe it, today was the day. “You think so?” you asked.

“ girl if he doesn’t say yes, i will” you laughed at your best friend's comment and went to hug her. Along with the rest of your bridesmaids, until sitting down on the cushioned chair, “I hope Gavi isn’t as nervous as I am right now’ you laughed slightly thinking about your husband to be.

Currently however that was exactly what Gavi was doing, freaking out. “I’m not going to trip right, oh god what if I drop the ring!” “is it hot in here or is it just me, why isn’t the air conditioner working?” Gavi said, pushing random buttons on the termatst. Pedri just looked as his best friend ,”Hermanito you will be fine, don’t freak out, just think of y/n and how beautiful she will look”

Gavi turns his head to Pedri, “she’s always beautiful” Pedri just gave him a look.

“Si si your right pedri, i just gotta keep calm for y/n” Gavi responded while nervously rubbing his tie. A knock pulled him out his thoughts and when the door opened it revealed your brother, Mateo. He came in and pulled Gavi in a hug and pedri too, “It is about time to head out there, ready?”

Gavi nodded his head but no word came out, he slowly walked out to where the aisle was, then down greeting the family he saw as he walked up to the steps. Shaking hands with the man at the altar who was marrying you too. He tried everything he could to calm himself down, standing in front waiting made it so real for him. Leaning over to Pedrii, “I got this right?”

Pedri just reassuringly smiled at the nervous boy about to get married to the love of his life, “si” while patting his back. Then Gavi suddenly heard the music start to play, now he really felt his nerves come at him. Taking deep breaths to get ready to see you for the first time in your dress as your bridesmaids walked.

–

“You look gorgeous y/n” your brother said as he gave you a tight hug, smiling “gracias matt”

Matteo leaned over to your ear, “He's a nervous wreck out there btw” you laughed a little at the mention of your future husband. Your Dad then came and gave you a hug before getting ready for your time to walk the aisle.

‘Ready?” your dad asked, linking arms with you.

Giving him a small nod and smile, “ready”

Gavi kept using a napkin to wipe his sweat the entire time he waited for you, then the music changed again, indicating that you were about to show.

Gulping as he stood watching the doors open, it felt as if it happened in slow motion until finally he saw you.

Instantly he felt tears well up in his eyes, seeing you look gorgeous in your dress, he couldn’t believe he was so lucky to be yours.

When you saw Gavi at the altar, you gave him a big wide grin, seeing him look very handsome in his tux. Seeing the tears start to fall on Gavi’s face as you walked down made you start to feel tears creep up.

When you reached your love, he came down the steps to take you from your dad, shaking his hand and giving him a hug before taking your hand and giving it a quick kiss as he lead you up.

You both grinned at each other like idiots, with tears in your eyes…well mostly gavi had tears.

Before the man marrying you two began to talk, you lifted your hand out of Gavi’s and wiped his tears from his face, eventually caressing his cheek.

Gavi gave out a teary laugh “man i said i wouldn’t cry” causing you and the rest of people in attendance to laugh as well. You knew both of your checks were going to hurt the next day from how hard you and Gavi are smiling, and it hasn’t even been the time where you say ‘i do”

The whole time during the ceremony you kept looking at Gavi, thinking back at all the times you spent with him , the special moments that lead to this moment. You both said I do with ease then finally…

“It is time for the moment you’ve been waiting for, the rings, Pablo will you please repeat after me… “ The wedding officiant told Gavi.

“I , Pablo Martin Paez Gavira, take you y/n y/m/n y/l , to be my wife, to love and to cherish forever even in sickness and health” Gavi spoke to you looking with eyes of love while taking your hand placing the beautiful gold band on your finger then giving it a kiss.

“y/n now you repeat after me..” the officiant told you now

“I , y/n y/m/n y/l, take you Pablo Martin Paez Gavira, to be my husband, to love and to cherish forever even in sickness and health” you spoke looking at Gavi’s warm chocolate eyes, slipping his wedding band on his finger.

“With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife, Pablo you may kiss your bride” Once those words left the officiant’s mouth, Gavi instantly leaned down to you, wrapping his hands on the sides of your cheeks kissing you deeply. Cheers could be heard all around you but your focus was on your now husband. As you both started to break away, for a brief moment you leaned your foreheads together smiling like idiots. You gave a quick kiss to Gavi’s nose whispering, “i love you”

Gavi gave you another quick kiss on the lips, “I love you more, mi hermosa esposa”

Later well in at your reception you and Gavi were dancing to the song A Sky Full of Stars by Coldplay. “Do you remember when we wished on a shooting star when we were kids?” he whispered in your ear over the loud music around you. Nodding your head at him, “yes, I remember i wished for my brother to stop teasing me, didn’t happen tho” you giggled.

This made Gavi laugh while swaying you both to the music, “well mi amor, don’t give up on it because mine came true” You gave him a funny look, “what was it?”

Gavi gently pushed the piece of hair that fell from your face. “You”

A large blush formed on your face hearing this news for the first time, you lifted your head up to kiss your husband sweetly, feeling the smile form on his lips. You both continued to dance to the song while Gavi sang the lyrics to you with a goofy simile.

#pablo gavi x you #pablo gavi blurb #pablo gavi imagine #pablo gavi x reader #spain football x reader #spain football

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im-just-a-br0adway-baby · 1 year ago

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Encantober 2023 Day 16: Grief

The end of January was always a hard time of the year for Julieta and Agustin. January twenty-sixth was the original due date for the child they were supposed to have when Luisa was two years old. Julieta and Agustin were so excited that they were having another child together, but their lives would come crashing down that spring. She got several tests done at the hospital and it was confirmed that she miscarried.

The months after the announcement were the most devastating months for Julieta and Agustin. They saw the door disappear slowly before getting a confirmation from the doctor, which made them anxious. That was when they went to the hospital to get the confirmation. The entire family grieved the loss of their potential new child, sibling, cousin, grandchild, and nibling, but Julieta carrying the child made her the most traumatized.

Now, every year on January twenty-sixth, the Madrigal family hosts a private memorial service to remember the life the child could have had with them. Alma would tell the story of the would-be Madrigal to Mirabel, Camilo, and Antonio and have a yearly candle ceremony by the lake. While they also celebrated the life the child could have had, Julieta and Agustin could not get themselves to even try to celebrate their child’s potential life.

When the child’s would-have-been eighteenth birthday approached, Alma decided to hold a ceremony at Casita and have Julieta make a cake for them. As much as she did not want to, she agreed anyway because they would still be an important part of the family, and it would have been her child, after all.

While she was baking the cake, Mirabel came into the kitchen to see her mother clearly upset while baking. She could not help but walk in to see her mother crying and see how she was doing.

“Hola, mami; I couldn’t help but notice you still crying while baking. Are you still upset about the miscarriage?”

“Si, Mirabel; I really hope you never have to deal with this when you get to my age. It’s one of the most devastating things any mother could go through. That’s why we always say how you were our miracle baby, because we didn’t think we would be able to have any more children after that.”

Mirabel sat at the kitchen island while Julieta continued gathering ingredients. “I hope you don’t mind, mami, but could you tell me about your pregnancy a little bit? I know it didn’t last long, but I wanted to know how it felt.”

Julieta signaled Mirabel to come near her. “I was so excited about having a third child. Your tia was visibly upset and jealous since she was trying so hard to conceive and knowing I was able to do so twice after her made her visibly upset. But she still supported me and was just as upset when I announced the miscarriage.”

Mirabel hugged her mother once she told that part of the story. She wanted to learn more about the older sibling she could have had, but she also knew there was not much information to be revealed since her pregnancy did not last very long.

“You also have no idea how excited your papi and I were when I was pregnant with you two years later. It was also why I got so emotional when you were born. It also made me worried because of the last pregnancy. So I was kind of overprotective of you when you were born. I didn’t even let your tia Pepa or tio Bruno hold you for a couple weeks because I was too scared of losing you.”

Mirabel began helping her mother with the cake by taking out some flour and sugar from the cabinet. “Do you remember how you felt after the miscarriage was announced?”

“It was the most devastating news your papa and I got. We went to the hospital that day because we saw the door fade and we needed to do some tests at the hospital to see if we didn’t miscarry. Once we did the test, they diagnosed the miscarriage and that was when we and the rest of the family got the news.”

Julieta put a bowl on the counter and Mirabel started to scoop flour into it. Julieta got the milk and the butter from the refrigerator and put it on the counter. “Do you still sometimes wonder what kind of gift they would have had if they were born?”

“We sometimes do; we wonder a lot of things about the child if we ended up having them. Like, what their interests would have been, or which one of the adults they would have been the most attached to. Bruno liked to joke about how they would have been the most attached to him just to tease me, since Isabela was the most attached to you abuela and Luisa was the most attached to your papi.”

Julieta took two cups of water and put it in the bowl of flour. Isabela and Luisa came into the kitchen to see their mother and sister working on the cake. “Hola, Mami and Mirabel, we just wanted to see how the cake was doing,” Isabela mentioned.

“The cake is getting done. I just needed to give Mami some motivation to make it,” Mirabel replied.

“What’s been going on?” Luisa asked.

“I’ve just been thinking about the child I would have had, like I always do when we have these ceremonies,” Julieta explained.

“Mami, I know that this is the hardest day of the year for you and papi, and you’re not wrong for still grieving for their potential life. But you still understand why Abuela holds these ceremonies every year, right?” Isabela explained.

“Si, because the life they would have had would still be special and to teach us that even the potential life is precious.”

Julieta’s daughters hugged her excitedly once she mentioned the reason. “So you still understand the meaning of these ceremonies,” Mirabel mentioned.

“And besides, you still have three amazing daughters that fill your life with joy everyday,” said Isabela.

“And you still call Mirabel your miracle baby and express how grateful you are that she’s here, alive, and healthy,” Luisa added.

Julieta hugged her daughters back. “Do you want to help me with the cake? Mirabel offered and we would need this done in a couple hours.”

“Si, mami, we would love to,” Luisa replied.

The cool-colored sisters gathered more ingredients for the cake and helped Julieta finish making the cake. They put it in the oven after gathering the ingredients and helping Julieta mix them in the batter. After a half hour, Julieta took the cake out of the oven and Mirabel got the icing out of the refrigerator, and all three girls iced the cake. Each daughter then decided to be in charge of one decorating process for the cake and it was done within another half hour. The four women looked at the cake in awe to see how great it looked.

“I’m sure it’s going to taste as great as it looks,” Mirabel pointed out.

“And it’s all because I got my three amazing daughters to help me out,” Julieta added.

Alma came into the kitchen to see her elder daughter and her three cool-colored granddaughters finishing up with the cake.

“Is the cake almost finished? You have been in here for several hours,” Alma pointed out.

“Lo siento, mama, I was just thinking about the grief this miscarriage has given me and was telling Mirabel about my pregnancy at the time. I understand that I’ve been dreading this day every year for eighteen years, and I’m still going to in the future, but I’m starting to find some more positives on this day too,” Julieta explained.

Alma smiled and gave Julieta a hug. “I knew you would one day see the good in these ceremonies. You know that we celebrate all the Madrigals in this house, even the ones we lost and never got a chance at life.”

“I understand now, mama. And now, even Mirabel understands too.”

#encanto #disney #disney encanto #disney's encanto #encantober #encantober 2023 #day 16 #grief #julieta madrigal #mirabel madrigal #miscarriage #isabela madrigal #luisa madrigal #abuela alma madrigal #family tragedy #cw mentions of miscarriage #cw miscarriage #la familia madrigal

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gamerbearmira · 1 year ago

Note

We haven't seen any Papatonio in a long while, could we get a snippet of Mirabel's (second) gift ceremony? I'd love to see what her room is like with her gift of flight. Also, Mirabel with butterfly wings will always be one of my favorite Mira designs

Yeah, of course! I haven't been showing this au (or any of my og aus) love have I <\\\333 I really do like this au. I gotta do more art for it tbh

But for now I hope a snippet works <3

LES GET IT (づ￣ ³￣)づ

-----

Antonio was nervous. Really nervous. It was his baby's, Mirabel, birthday. Her fifth birthday to be exact. It had already been five years since she was given back to him. And of course, per the Madrigal tradition, she was given the chance at a gift. But that wasn't what worried Antonio. What worried him was how it would go. While he wasn't there the first time, he certainly remembers his own and the hushed stories of Mirabel's first one.

Antonio paced the hall. It was almost time. It wasn't even his ceremony and he was terrified. He suddenly was stopped in his tracks when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking behind him, he saw his parents.

"Antonio, you have to relax," Felíx said, holding his son still. "It's going to go fine."

"But what if it doesn't? What if something happens, what if she's disappointed again or worse-" Antonio cut off when his mama grabbed him by his cheeks.

"Antonio. I promise you, nothing bad is going to happen. Me and your papá and the rest of the family will make sure of it," Pepa said. "Ok?" Antonio reluctantly nodded.

"Y-yeah. It'll be fine...right?" Antonio asked and his parents nodded.

"Right. Now. Me and your father are gonna go, alright? Mirabel should be down any minute," Pepa said and with that, both she and Felíx were off.

Antonio watched them walk off when he heard the familiar giggling of his daughter and the pitter-patter of her feet running down the hall. As if on cue, she came around the corner, with several birds surrounding her. They dispersed once she ran into his legs, almost taking him down.

"Papá!" Mirabel exclaimed, hugging Antonio's legs.

"Hola mija," Antonio smiled, picking her up and kissing her chubby cheek, eliciting a giggle from the girl. "Are you excited?"

"Uh-huh! I'm gonna get a super cool gift, like you!" Mirabel beamed, and Antonio laughed, but deep down? He was terrified. He only wanted his daughter to be happy. He couldn't bear to see her upset or sad.

The two talked and laughed for a bit longer when they heard Abuela begin talking. Antonio guided Mirabel towards the curtain, gently adjusting her bow and straightening her dress. With one last kiss and a pinch of cheeks, he moved to the side, and the curtains opened.

He watched Mirabel and...she just stood there. Her eyes were wide, and she fiddled with her dress. She looked around, backing up a bit. Antonio pushed at her feet, but she didn't budge. She looked at her papá and Antonio's breath hitched when she held her hand out, her eyes a silent plea.

Antonio debated on going out there. This was her day but...she had done the same for him a decade before. And there was no way he would leave his daughter to be terrified and alone. Taking a deep breath, he walked out, grabbing Mirabel's hand.

"Let's go get you your gift," Antonio whispered gently and Mirabel nodded, holding her father's arm.

As they made their way to the stairs, Antonio looked around. He could see the sympathy and pride in his family's eyes. It made him glad that they weren't so jumpy around the topic anymore. He was so scared that they would've been upset or worse, but instead? They were nothing but supportive. Sure, it took them a minute to get used to (especially his tia and tio) but they quickly got used to it. And they adored Mirabel all the same.

It didn't take long for them to get to the top of the stairs. Next thing Antonio knew, Mirabel was touching the candle and her bisabuela was smiling warmly at her as she asked her that fated question.

With a small nod, Mirabel stood in front of her door. She glanced at Antonio for reassurance, and he nodded, smiling at her. Mirabel nodded back. She pushed up her round glasses and wiped her hands dry. Antonio chuckled lowly. She still had sweaty hands, even now.

Everyone in Casita seemed to hold their breath as Mirabel touched the door knob. To everyone's relief (and maybe even surprise), the door glowed brightly, and some of it even seemed to reach Mirabel.

The light died down and everyone eagerly peeked at the door, wondering what gift was given to the girl who had already been denied once. There, on the door, was Mirabel. And there were butterfly wings attached to her back. As soon as her door had come to be and everyone saw her door, they looked towards Mirabel.

And there were wings. Butterfly wings. She was looking at them, and then they were fluttering. She looked at Antonio and she moved towards her, her feet leaving the ground every so often as she got used to her new wings. She fell into Antonio's arms and beamed up at him.

"I can fly!" Mirabel said, and Antonio blinked before picking her up.

"Yee," he laughed, lifting her into the air. Her wings fluttered much more confidently now. "Yes, you can!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, congratulations all around. Alma had the biggest smile she's had in a while as she turned to the crowd. "We have a new gift!"

The other Madrigals immediately moved upstairs, hugging Mirabel and pecking her cheeks with kisses. Even her little cousins were excited, even though they weren't quite old enough to understand like the older ones.

Antonio held Mirabel as she hovered slightly above the ground, already getting used to her new gift. He kissed her forehead, giving her a warm smile. "I'm so proud of you mija."

-----

I HOPE YOU LIKES THISSSSS RAHHHH

They're so cute, I miss them <333 and did you. Catch the parallel. Cause I did (i wrote it) 🦀🦀

It was longer than I initially planned but. That's not really a bad thing <33 fun fact, I've always been a sucker for long fics. Now slow burn, but just long fics in general. I like reading them <3

OK BYEEEEE o((*^▽^*))o

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nxtsnw · 3 years ago

Note

So I saw asks are open! It was my birthday today but nobody remembered and it made me kinda sad. So can I request the tokyo revengers boys( I dont know who to pick so feel free to) like celebrating their s/o birthday or comforting them when everybody else forgets abt it? TIA

n.a.: hihii<3 i really hope I'm not late, first of all HAPPY BBDAY BBBY⁽⁽ଘ( ˊᵕˋ )ଓ⁾⁾, i really hope u like it, remember to take care <3

*sends a lot of sweets and hugs to u*

genre: comforting, fluff

TOKYO REVENGERS CHARACTERS

...CELEBRATING THEIR S/O BDAY <3

RAN HAITANI

since the morning it seems like an ordinary day, your boyfriend came to you in the morning to take you to school and as usual he went to his "work".

so you found yourself in the afternoon alone in your room, grabbed some snacks and started watching your favorite movie.

Despite the sense of sadness, you wiped your tears and ignored it, until your phone pattern lit up. It was a notification, and it was from Ran.

"Get ready and get out ". Thinking it was something serious you settled down slightly and rushed out of the house, where you found your boyfriend to wait for you.

He was wearing a black smoking, and his hair pulled back into a bun, a light thread of eyeliner and a such a reassuring expression.

"hey y/n...were you crying?" he asked.

"uhm..no...not at all. But why are you so elegant"

"oh love, it's your birthday, how could I not be? "

Your eyes lit up, and your heart started beating faster.

"c'mon let's go. I'll take you out to dinner in a special place. ” You were still freezed, he grabbed your wrist and led you to the restaurant where he had booked.

"You know, I've been organizing this for quite a while, I hope you like it." he said looking away, blushing slightly.

The place was perfect, there were few people and the soft light made the atmosphere even more romantic. You were still very excited, but there was no embarrassment, you thanked him and enjoyed the evening.

"Don't think it's over here" he told you when you two left the restaurant.

"uhm do u trust me?"

You nodded, and he tied a blindfold around your eyes. He pulled you close to him and guided you to a special place

when he took off your blindfold, the view was breathtaking

A huge expanse of stars, where it seemed almost possible to touch them. The lights of the city and the sounds of the animals made everything even more magical.

Before you could I would say anything, he silenced you with a kiss, and in the meantime he put a clip in your hair.

"I took this a while ago, it reminded me of you and I was sure it would look great on you."

And in that magical atmosphere you sat hugged to contemplate the beautiful panorama <3

"happy birthday love" were the last words you heard before falling asleep in his arms.

MITSUYA TAKASHI

So your boyfriend forgot your birthday too? The only thing he left you was the usual note that said "today will be a long day for me, see you tonight" and that message was so cold.

It was 3pm when you heard your doorbell ring. You opened it and the only thing you found was a small box outside the door. You opened it, and there was another note in it. "Smell this letter, and you will understand where to go" despite the amazement you did.

It had an intense jasmine scent, the same that you and Mitsuya smelled every time when he walked you home. So you headed down that road.

There you met Draken, who after greeting you and wishing you a birthday, gave you a small package.

You opened it and you found a drawing of a brioches and a cofee. Like what mitsuya brought you every morning. So you headed to your fav bar, where you found the owner who handed you a cupcake and told you that someone was waiting for you outside.

You went out and found Chifuyu and Takemichi waiting for you.

"I HAVE FOUND THE SOLUTION" you yelled, and just when you looked up, you found Mitsuya that was staring at you and smiling softly.

"the solution is "happy birthday my love" " you said.

"oh so you quickly found the solution" he replied before giving you a kiss on you nose.

"I'm proud of you darling, I hope you enjoyed this little game, now come with me and I'll take you to the final prize"

He took you by the hand, and led you to the roof of an abandoned building. From there you could see a beautiful sunset and there was a large tarp filled with snacks and drinks.

After you sat down, he pulled out a gift.

"here, this is for you, I did it so it won't be perfect. I really hope you like them"

They were beautiful white gloves, exactly your size.

"oh, they're so beautiful. Thank you so much Takashi" u said smiling at him.

"Everything for you" he told you before approaching you. So you stayed close to watch the beautiful sunset

CHIFUYU MATSUNO

It was such a busy day that you didn't even have a second to dedicate to yourself, even though it was your birthday.

Also, your boyfriend hadn't written or called you, maybe he just forgot about it you tought. As soon as you got home, you were very tired, but a delicious smell of pizza invaded your nostrils. You followed the perfume and in the kitchen you found Chifuyu that was cooking

He had a funny pink apron, and he was intending to get the pizza out of the oven.

"Y/N- uhm I didn't hear you" he yelled as soon as you saw. You started laughing, it was so funny seeing him with a face full of flour and ruffled hair

"It's a surprise. You g-go to rest, I'm almost done".

So you went for a quick shower and then changed. When you went out they were off, not all the lights no noise. Although you were a little scared, you headed for the room and as soon as you entered, the big light came on and a large table set up before you.

Shortly thereafter Chifuyu appeared and made his way towards you. He took you by the hand saying:

"here at your table, I hope you like it" and as a gentelman, he married the chair for you to sit on.

" It took me a while, but I'm pretty sure all your favorite foods are there," he said, stammering slightly and now his face was very red.

"It's all so good !! How long did it take you?"

"let's forget the time- the important thing is that you like it"

And you two continued to eat, it was all very good and all your favorite dishes were on that table<3

As soon as you finished, he ran to get a small box. "Well, since today is your birthday I got this for you. Close your eyes please."

You did what he said and felt warm hands moving your hair. To put you a necklace.

As soon as you opened your eyes you saw yourself in a mirror, it was such a beautiful necklace

"chifuyu, it's so pretty, thank you so much"

"Y/N, I'M SO HAPPY YOU LIKE" and he hugged you without thinking.

It seemed that all the exhaustion had been replaced by pure happiness.

" uh and it's not over yet, " he added. Soon after you were out, he let you get on his bike without telling you where you were going.

Until he stopped in front of the cinema, you entered and the hall was completely empty. It was literally just the two of you watching the movie

"Chifuyu, what are we going to see?"

"oh, you'll find out love". And your film started

It was your favorite movie, but how was it possible? It hadn't gone out to the cinema.

"WAIT Chifuyu how did you do it ?? How is it possible"

"shh, happy birthday" and saying this, he put his head on your shoulder and you watched that movie laughing and commenting happy <3

#tokyo revengers #tokyo revengers headcanons #tokyo revengers x reader #chifuyu matsuno #tokyorev #mitsuya takashi x reader #mitsuya x reader #mitsuya hcs #mitsuya takashi #chifuyu x reader #chifuyu x you #chifuyu headcanons #ran haitani #haitani ran #ran haitani x reader #ran headcanons #tokyo revengers hcs

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datleggy · 4 years ago

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Buddie prompt: aggressively pro-buddie Helena and Ramon Diaz, who are ecstatic when Eddie tells them he's dating, and then utterly befuddled when he introduces Ana. But they decide to bite their tongues about it (Buck, their future son in law, has talked to them about respecting Eddie's decisions, however dumb, after all), until Ana (unwittingly? Innocently? No matter) makes a comment about Buck, and then all bets are off.

Hope this inspires you!

Helena is so relieved that Eddie finally feels comfortable enough to come out to them, that she could cry. She feels awful that it took her so long to realize it.

It had been on Eddie’s last visit to Texas, when he and his crew had been fighting wildfires, that Ramon--her dense as can be when it comes to matters of the heart husband of all people--had noticed that their son was in love.

Helena still remembers saying goodbye to her son and his two teammates, remembers Ramon closing the door, waiting exactly all of five seconds before turning to her and saying, “I’m happy for him. He’s so stubborn, I didn’t know if he’d ever let himself get that close to someone again.”

And Helena had been confused at first, and then even chuckled when Ramon had explained calmly that clearly their son was dating his coworker Buck, until she’d stopped to really give it a moment’s thought. It had hit her all at once, how obvious those two were, and she couldn’t help but wonder how long it had been since they’d started dating and why Eddie hadn’t said anything yet.

She’s seen the photos on Instagram, Helena thinks, as their plane lands. Buck smiling next to her grandbaby after helping her son build him a skateboard he could safely ride in the park. Buck standing shoulder to shoulder with Eddie behind Tia and Christopher in that Christmas photo at the station. The selfie Eddie posted of him and Buck with the giant cast still on his leg the day of the ceremony for when he was no longer a probationary firefighter with the 118.

Really, she should’ve figured it out months ago.

When Eddie had called and told her he’d started dating again and that the next time they came to visit he’d make an introduction Helena had been thrilled!

Ramon drives them from the airport to their son’s place in their rental and Helena rambles on about how she hopes Buck isn’t too nervous to see them again, now that the cat’s out of the bag.

When they arrive Eddie greets them at the door with a big hug and ushers his parents inside and Helena is so ready to step into the living room and welcome Buck into the family with open arms, to show her son that there was nothing to be afraid of, that they love him and nothing in the world would change that--

Only to be met with....not Buck?

“Oh,” Helena stops dead in her tracks and Ramon stands beside her looking about as confused as she feels. “Hello.” she smiles politely enough.

The woman sitting next to Christopher on the couch stands up and she’s absolutely stunning, her curls bouncing on her shoulders when she stands up to exchange hello’s. “It’s so nice to meet you both. My name is Ana.”

The rest of the afternoon goes by just fine, but Eddie can tell something is amiss the entire time, though he does a good job of hiding it from Ana, who’s her usual charming self through out lunch.

She has to take a work call at some point and excuses herself to another room and that’s when Eddie turns to his parents and half-whispers. “Ok, I know those looks. What’s wrong?”

Helena shakes her head, feigning ignorance. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Eddie sighs, rolling his eyes. “Seriously, what is it? Ana is perfect. She’s incredibly smart, she’s funny, she’s got a great job, good head on her shoulders, and Christopher loves her--so again, I ask, what’s wrong?”

Ramon follows his wife’s lead. “Mijo, really, it’s nothing. She’s great. We’re happy for you. I think we’re just a little tired from the flight, that’s all.”

Eddie narrows his eyes slightly but decides there isn’t much sleuthing that can be done at the moment, so all he can do is take them at their word for now. “Fine, if you say so.”

They’re in the middle of watching Nemo when Buck's name comes up.

"When the tsunami happened Buck and I sang 'just keep swimming' like Dory." Christopher grins up at his dad and Eddie ruffles the curls on his head playfully. It helps Christopher to be able to openly talk about what he went through that day, the good and the bad.

"You never told me Buck was there that day." Ana comments off handedly.

Eddie nods, "Huh, I thought I mentioned it? Buck took him to the pier that morning."

"It was scary but Buck saved me." Christopher tells his grandma, who reaches across the couch to squeeze his arm. Helena had been horrified to hear what had happened at the time; it still gives her anxiety just thinking about it.

"That's right." She says softly.

"I thought some woman you didn't know carried him to one of the tents, and that's how you two were reunited, no?" Ana asks.

"Yeah, but before that, during the initial impact Buck was with Christopher, he managed to get him up to this firetruck in the middle of everything. It was after he dove back into the water to save someone that a second wave came and swept Christopher right off and they got separated from there." Eddie recalls solemnly.

There had been blood running down the dirty wet bandage on his arm, he'd been soaked to the bone, exhausted and barely standing upright. It wasn't until Christopher had been found that Buck had allowed himself to collapse.

"Oh..." Ana frowns.

Ramon puts a hand over his heart and sighs. "It's a miracle, really."

Ana doesn't mean to say it outloud, but the words comes tumbling out of her mouth without warning. "And you're still friends with him?"

Eddie blinks. "What?"

"I'm sorry, really, it's just--I don't understand." Ana rubs her shoulder self consciously, fully aware of the fact that everyone is looking at her. "Look, Edmundo, you nearly bit my head off when Christopher got a skinned knee under my watch but you're still best friends with the man who lost your son for God only knows how long? It doesn't make any sense to me."

Ana knows how overprotective Eddie is of his son, and in fact, that's one of the reasons she likes him so much; she admires that about him and this? It doesn't track with the man she knows.

Helena wants to open her mouth and she say something in defense of Buck--he's a good man, after all. But she knows better than to get between a couple in an argument, especially given how bias she is towards her future son in law...

Instead, she clears her throat and looks at Christopher, "Honey, how about you help me and Grandpa unpack? I bought a lot of fun things from Texas for you."

Christopher doesn't want to go. His Dad looks upset. Ana looks upset. He wants to stay and help. If Ana met Buck she would understand, Christopher's sure of it. But his grandparents are already leading him down the hall and to the guest room.

Christopher hangs out with his grandparents for a few minutes before fibbing and telling them he needs to use the bathroom. They both offer to help him but he insists that he can do it himself, promising to call out if he needs them.

He sneaks the home phone into the bathroom with him and dials a number he knows by heart at this point. He waits a couple of rings before the call connects.

"Hey, what's up?" Buck's voice comes through the other end. He sounds distracted.

"Bucky? Can you come get me?" He whispers into the phone.

He hears a small commotion and then a stifled 'ow!' and then: "Chris? Are you ok? You're home, right? What's wrong? Where's Eddie?"

"I'm home. I'm ok. But--" there's a knock on the door and it startles Christopher into accidentally hanging up the phone before he can explain the situation in it's entirety.

"It was a tsunami." Eddie sighs, "It wouldn't be fair to hold something like that over his head. And look, you weren't there. You didn't see the look on his face, you don't know how many hours he spent crying out Christopher's name at the top of his lungs, injured and looking nonstop through the rubble for him--"

"Yeah, which he wouldn't have had to do if he hadn't lost him in the first place. It sounds like he was too busy playing hero for strangers to watch your son." Ana folds her arms across her chest. "I don't want to fight. Especially not with your parents here. Honestly, I'm just confused? We don't have to talk about this right now. I can go. I just want to apologize to your parents and Christopher first, before I leave, for," she sighs, embarrassed, "well, for causing a scene. This is not the way I'd pictured meeting your parents."

"You know, if you just met Buck I really think you would--"

A cacophony of knocks at the door make the both of them jump. Ana looks at Eddie. "Were you expecting anyone else?"

"Christopher!? Christopher I'm here, open up!"

Eddie gapes. "...Buck?"

"Did you...call him over?" Ana didn't even see him reach for his phone.

"What? No, of course not." Eddie starts towards the door--the knocking has gotten so boisterous he's pretty sure Buck's about to break down his door--but Ana beats him to it.

At this point Eddie's parents and Christopher are in the hallway wondering what all that racket is.

Ana lets the door swing open, and if she's being entirely honest she's not sure what she's planning on saying to the man who's essentially at the center of her first real argument with her boyfriend, but whatever it was, it goes up in smoke when she takes in the sight of him.

Buck is taller than she'd pictured but that's not what's got her speechless.

He's standing at the doorway, chest heaving, clearly having rushed out of his house, where he was very obviously in the middle of shaving, if the shaving cream still smeared on a third of his face is any indication. He's in sweatpants and a white undershirt that's got little drops of blood on the front from where he must have cut himself while shaving. There's a bright red cut running down the underside of his chin.

"Um." Ana can't do much except stare, wide eyed.

Buck blinks at her, "Uh...Ana?" He suddenly realizes all the people in the house behind her are looking at him in a kind of stupor.

She nods slowly. "Buck?"

Buck nods sheepishly, "Uh... So, I am clearly interrupting something here."

"You came!" Christopher moves past all of the adults in the corridor and throws himself at Buck's legs.

Buck lifts the kid up easily enough, crutches and all, "Yeah, about that," he gently pinches his cheek, eliciting a giggle out of Christopher, "What was that phone call all about? You nearly gave me a heart attack, bud."

Eddie groans. "Christopher, did you call Buck to come all the way over here in the middle of the day?" He walks over and uses the cuff of his shirt sleeve to wipe away the rest of the shaving cream on the side of Buck's face. The look on his face is fond as he does so. "What did this little menace say to get you over here in such a rush?"

Christopher pouts. "I just told him to come get me. I thought if Miss Ana met my Bucky she'd know how come you're still best friends." He grips at Buck's t shirt tightly. "You can't stop being friends, Dad. I love Buck. He's my friend too."

Buck frowns. "Umm..."

Eddie gives him an apologetic look. "Sorry, it's not--it's complicated. I promise to explain everything later. Right now isn't really a great time--"

Ana interrupts hesitantly. "Actually, now is probably good. I need to get home soon, it's getting pretty late, so I should get going." She turns to Helena and Ramon. "It was very nice to meet you both." She scoohches past Buck and Christopher and practically sprints to where she parked her car, aware of the fact that Eddie is calling out her name and only half a step behind her.

It's not until they're several blocks down the street that she swivels around and he nearly topples into her in his haste. "Ana, please, I don't want you to leave like this. I really didn't call him over." He reaches into his back pocket and shows her his phone. "See?"

Ana takes the phone and presses her lips together thinly. "He called you like twenty times on his way over."

Eddie frowns. His phone must have been on silent. It's no wonder Buck rushed over like he did. "He was just worried about Christopher--"

Ana sighs resignedly. "No, I know. It's obvious, how much your best friend cares about your son. I can see why he's still in your life. And I think I can also see why that means you don't really have any room for me in it..."

Eddie shakes his head. "What? Why would you say that?"

Ana looks him in the eye, intent as can be on reading him. Eddie had smiled so warmly, creating such an unintentionally intimate moment when all he'd done was swipe at the other mans face with his sleeve...

"You don't even know, do you?"

"Know what?"

"I think this is something you and Buck need to sort out yourselves. Goodbye Edmundo."

Eddie closes the door behind him as he steps inside, a little heartbroken and a lot confused.

There's noise coming from the kitchen and so Eddie follows it to the source. Ramon is telling Buck about how to sear the perfect steak by the stove while Helena and Christopher set the table.

"Is everything alright?" Helena asks, when she notices him by the entryway.

Eddie nods, lying when he says. "Yeah, all good Mom."

She gives him a knowing look but keeps her mouth shut. "Honey, take Buck here to your room, let him borrow one of your shirts. And maybe a razor?"

Buck chuckles shyly. "It's fine, really. I should probably get going too--"

Ramon shushes him. "Nonsense. Go, go, get changed and get your butt back into this kitchen. Scoot."

Eddie takes Buck by the shoulders and drags him to his room, where he finds a worn gray Henley for him. "Here."

Buck thanks him before stripping out of his white undershirt and throwing on the clean shirt.

Eddie plops himself down on his bed with a sigh. "Hey, I'm sorry about all this mess. And on your one day off, too."

Buck sits down beside him, bumping their shoulders together. "I don't really know what's going on but, are you doing ok?"

"I don't know," Eddie makes a face. "I think I got broken up with today."

Buck cringes. "Shit, I'm sorry, what happened?"

That's a good question. Eddie ponders that a moment. Ana had said it herself: she understood perfectly why Eddie didn't blame Buck for what happened during the tsunami and she had seen first hand how much Buck cares for Christopher for herself today.

So, why?

"She said that there wasn't any room for her in my life?" Eddie scratches the back of his head. "Maybe I'm just not cut out for this dating stuff anymore."

"Aw, c'mon man," Buck pats him on the back. "You fall off the bike you gotta get right back on." He turns his body all the way around so that he's facing Eddie fully. "Dude, you're a catch. You're a handsome, badass firefighter, you've got the best kid, and hey--you got me." Buck grins toothily.

Eddie rolls his eyes, though he can't help but smile. "So what I'm hearing here is that I'm stuck with you?"

"Oh yeah, for sure." Buck laughs.

Eddie leans back on his arms and looks up at his best friend, pensive. "Promise?"

Buck extends his pinky and wiggles it in front of Eddie, who smiles as he wraps his pinky around Buck's. "Promise."

#long post is long #I'm gonna fix it and put a read more when my laptop stops fucking up 😩😩😩 sorry #911 fox #buddie

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organic-guacamole · 3 years ago

Text

episode 209 spoilers below

I'm so late today but here it is

I love EJ, he's finally learning to be happy. I'm so proud.

Ms Jenn = every boomer during zoom calls, like jeez yes we can hear you stop shouting at me.

LOVE THE SUBTLE JOKE ABOUT QUARANTINE "these dark times" "you mean spring break?"

ah yes, remember when we thought covid was just gonna give us a longer spring break? good times

SEBLOS

damn the passive aggressiveness from Carlos and the absolutely over it tone from seb✋

CASWELL COUSINS!!!!! THEY'RE THE BEST!!!!

we needed more if this kind of goofiness for the first part of season 2 that only such an iconic duo can provide.

old old movies-

is it even that old, or is Nini being a gen alpha rn-

i choose to imagine EJ being scared of the movie and hiding in Ashlyn's shoulder while she keeps a straight face and then EJ pretending to be tough afterwards

aww redlyn are soulmates.... yknow, if gingers had souls

(please ignore me)

y'all saw how EJ's face *lit up* when Gina logged on? how dare you tell me he doesn't like her

ofc she's no damsel in distress, she's Gina porter, she's amazing.

so do we think she'd be the type to just glare at suspicious people? or bark at them

do they not know that Rini broke up? or is Ms Jenn just wanting Nini to suffer through her heartbreak to make her a better actress....

speaking of, why is Nini in the call? she's not in the show anymore. Unless she is, even after the rose and the song got cut, which would be so unfair to all those that auditioned properly before she even came back but whatever, she's the main character I get it 🙄

big red is a hero honestly, Nini better thank him for changing the subject like that

I can't-

i won't work you over the break-

this woman would 100% work her kids 24/7 if it was legal and idk how to feel about it.

YES GINA USE THAT CHARM

QUEEN

FRENCH QUEEN

SHE LEARNT FROM THE BEST (antoine obvi)

smh the airport lady, eavesdropping on Gina's call.

The way she was so happy to answer EJ's call, "eej"

I love them your honour.

EJ WITH PAINTED NAILS YES PLEASE

great now we need to see Gina, Ashlyn and EJ having a complete spa day and EJ getting really into it and Gina and Ashlyn take pictures of him when he's laying down in a robe with a mask and cucumbers on his eyes.

finally we get to see Gina's side of portwell

the way she considered it as flirting, this is the sign she asked for in episode 6 come onnnnn

no is Asher/jack really doing tiktok dances in an airport-

Ricky is me. I am burrito.

oh Lynne, sweetie, I'm sorry but the blonde hair is not it

is that even the same lady or-

THE BEAN

THE CHICAGO BEAN

THE BIG OLD METAL BEAN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY 😭

jetlag is my go to excuse for anything... I haven't travelled in 2 years.

"welcome to the Lynne and Mike gossip show. where we talk about our depressed son that we both neglect in certain ways! And now a word from our sponsor, Nord VPN..."

SO MANY CANDLES

WHAT DEMON IS LYNNE TRYING TO SUMMON IN HIS ROOM-

is Nina becoming social media obsessed EJ from season 1? AND SHE LIED ABOUT HAVING SONGS TOO PLEASE WHY ARW THEY RECYCLING THE SAME PLOT-

Gina smiling at the picture of her family on Instagram makes me so happy, idek why.

EJ's nails are so pretty, we needed to see it more (unless he had it on for the rest of the episode and I just.... didn't notice🧍🏽‍♀️)

oh not the tiktok kid✋

yes ma'am end this strange mans whole tiktok career

sir take a hint and leave

GINA NO DONT SAY YOUR LAST NAME HE COULD BE A HUMAN TRAFFICKER

Ricky, walking in style✨

weird kid, ok then Lynne, can't you see he's this close to the edge?

not all your fault baby Ricky, Nini sucks a bit more

RICKY YOU DIDN'T COME DOWN HARD ON THE SONG-

YOU ASKED WHAT IT WAS ABOUT AND SHE SHUT YOU DOWN-

PLEASE DO NOT BLAME YOURSELF

ok but the deleting comment thing was very bad

still don't know if I like Jack honestly

hmmm so Nini's calling herself Nini instead of Nina in her little egg seat, while trying to write a song without inspiration.... Nini, honey, Ricky was your muse, he inspired you to write all those songs, even if it wasn't good for the relationship.

that doesn't mean you gotta get back with him, or that you can't write a song that not about him butttt it'll take some time

the rainbow sticker in her box and her rainbow shirt-

anyways wbk she's not totally straight

Jack are you a criminal?

quick, Gina, check his ankle for a tracker

THE YES AND PRACTICE STRIKES AGAIN

the way Gina wasn't into it in episode 6 but she's used the technique twice now

stole her grandma's Pomeranian-

Jack where the hell did you pull that out from-

the fake crying killed me, that looks like so much fun though

anyone wanna raid a first class lounge with me?

wait so is jack not gonna go in with her?

wouldn't he go in too? help look for the credit card? SO CONFUSED

the first class lounge guy was so into the drama though, watch his face when they start arguing 😭

sorry to break this to you Kourtney, but you haven't even blocked the second act yet soooo...

take that as you will

I love how all of them are totally dissing the dance off

that's the most realistic part of this show tbh

shouldn't Nini have asked how she knew....since the start? why is the fact that her best friend has knowledge of a North high secret now dawning on her...

Howie is sweet honestly, at least he's trying to help. but I stand with Kourtney, don't take him back just because he sang an amazing song, and is giving you a heads up on what's gonna happen...

KOURTNEY IS ME TRYING TO LEAVE AN ONLINE CLASS

I hate school

ooo Nini's writing a song about bad internet connection 🤩🤩🤩

I never lie, except when I do-

son that is the creepiest thing you could say to a stranger that you've been "helping"

2 truths and a lie👀

he's an Ariana fan 100%

called it.

OLDER BROTHER-

WHAT-

free spirit? damn so brother porter was in that horse movie

so has she been kissed or not?????????

I feel like she's moved more than 15 times though so possibly

but then if she's moved so much, and before east high she never opened up to anyone, she's never been kissed then?? damn

same though Gina so let's be besties please

heartbreak president is a great song title idea, give Nini a call rn

but wait

is the no strings attached feeling thing about her telling Ricky she liked him? she thought she was moving away so she thought it'd be no strings attached???

guys I think I figured it out insert the "I've connected two dots" meme

THE DUKE SWEATSHIRT

IS THAT YOUR BOYFRIEND'S

OMG I LOVE I LOVE

NOT THAT I KNOW OF???

ma'am did you just kill me

yes you did

Lynne and Ricky have such a weird relationship

YES IT DID SUCK

TODD SUCKS

LYNNE SUCKS

yeah I get that you wanted Ricky to like Todd BUT THAT WASN'T THE TIME

right so we already know that Ricky was so desperate to keep Nini cuz he didn't want to be like his parents, and now Lynne's talking about this-

Richard needs a long hug

yes Lynne, it is your fault. thank you for finally admitting it.

YES DYE YOUR HAIR

BLOND HIGHLIGHTS RICKY WILL RISE AGAIN

"sometimes the best, last thing you can do for someone you love, is let them go."

gotta admit I teared up at that point

not me thinking big red was calling ms Jenn cupcake for a hot second-

Carlos please omg, you're at the "beach" and they're leaving for the pool?

also, why not just do the call from the hotel room please omg

"don't ask me"

"Carlos"

OMG WHAT HAPPENED

big red wants the tea

O M G

SEB IS JEALOUS

JEALOUS SEBBY IS MY FAVOURITE THING IDC

I'm surprised ms Jenn knew how to give Nini permission to screenshare tbh

So lily's been stalking the East high kids and spending time editing this video while she's supposedly in an immersion trip.... right

EJ and Ashlyn's picture is so chaotic, what even is happening there

"slacking off" bestie its spring break, obviously they're confident enough that they'll get it done in time so why not focus on your own musical.

jealous seb = sassy seb

please what if those guys Carlos is posing with are his cousins or something and that's why he's so confused about Seb

6 YEAR OLD EJ I LOVE HIM I LOVE HIM I LOVE HIM

Nini saying she's obsessed with her ex, that's not weird at all 👍

I can just tell Matt had a blast harassing Julia with those puppets.

Jack please dont be like that, "yet"

chances are you'll never see eachother again 🥰

(honestly sometimes I really miss those friends I made on trips and stuff when we'd spend the day or week together, only to never see them again....those were the good days though)

Ashlyn and Nini should write more songs..... something better than this one at least

Nini: "im good"

cue the Tia Mowry (please I can't spell) crying gif

oh I forgot Ricky was in the show for a hot second

1. where did Gina get to film this without people being around

2. did she just... randomly change her clothes???

ok but the transition between Carlos and EJ

*chefs kiss*

now everyone shut up, EJ's singing

oh i think I'm pregnant

HIS MUSCLES

YES KOURTNEY

I love how big red and Kourtney went from being "the best friends™" to the couple in season 1, to kinda close themselves and having their own plots

sebby makes me so happy

props to biggies editing skills honestly

PORTWELL BEING SIDE TO SIDE I CANT

AND SEBLOS OMG

big red lives for the drama

"wow" so true Ricky

no he is not cute, stop it

"holding" ok that's kinda cute

yeah EJ's a lucky guy😌

jokes aside, it's not that hard to exchange numbers-

keep in touch if you want

ok I really like Jack now

if he comes back in season 3, maybe have him be LGBTQ+ ?

like the only out characters they have rn are Seb and Carlos and they're like the sterotypes, yk?

I'd love to see jack kinda break the mold

Ricky's breaking my heart

that song just hurts

the only thing

now I don't hate Lynne????????

HOW DARE THEY WRITE IN A PROPER REDEMPTION ARC FOR HER

UGH IM SUPPOSED TO HATE HER FOREVER

I mean I don't live her now but she's good

but honestly

"mom can I show you something"

IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL

THE PICTURE AND EVERYTHING OMG

I'm sobbing please help

Gina saying she's just waiting for the right guy and then EJ coming to the airport to pick her up late at night without her asking, offering to bring her back in the morning so she won't have to Uber, bringing her a granola bar (WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT SHE FORGOT TO PACK) and without expecting anything in return???

ms ma'am you've got a keeper right there

her smile at the end was so heartwarming I really can't.

this episode was great.

it felt really short but I liked it, great character development for Ricky, Lynne and Gina.

Cant wait for next episode to see more of EJ being the ideal boyfriend /hj

#hsmtmts #hsmtmts s2 #hsmtmts season 2 #hsmtmts spoilers #ej caswell #ricky bowen #gina porter #seblos #nini salazar roberts #jack hsmtmts #carlos rodriguez #seb mathew smith #kourtney greene #big red #ashlyn caswell #caswell cousins #portwell will be the death of me #guac's episode text blocks :)

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pink-flame · 4 years ago

Text

Wrap me up

This fic is dedicated to @blush-and-books who wrote fanfic about my fanfic and made my life infinitely better for it. I hope you enjoy this indulgent Juke sickfic. 😊

Sorry that I keep giving you the flu, Julie. It’s in the name of the fluff which we all desperately need right now. And always. Definitely always need the fluff.

Enjoy! 💜

Julie was absolutely miserable.

She was home sick which on its own shouldn’t have been the worst thing in the world. She was never one of those kids who went for the perfect attendance award, her mom always ranting about how some parents were willing to let their precious children infect the entire school in pursuit of a useless paper certificate. There were generally a few days every school year where Julie caught some cold and got to spend the day propped up on the couch watching trashy daytime tv and chugging hot tea. Overall, even with the slight discomfort of a stuffy nose and a headache it usually evened out to be a relatively enjoyable experience.

The problem was that she didn’t have a cold. She had this new strain of flu that was going around that was twice as contagious and notably more intense than the normal one, leaving Julie feeling a lot more than slightly inconvenienced by her illness.

She was exhausted.

She was sore.

She was burning up and freezing at the same time.

She was...absolutely miserable.

She was also more or less on her own.

Her dad had of course wanted to nurse Julie as hands on as possible but Julie had insisted that he try to keep his distance. It was her abuela’s birthday that weekend and it was a big tradition that the whole family would go visit her. She was in her 90s and living in an assisted living facility. She didn’t get many visitors and she looked forward to them coming for weeks ahead of time. That family togetherness meant a lot to her especially after losing Julie’s mom.

So it was sad enough that Julie wouldn’t be able to attend but if her dad or tia caught her flu there would be no birthday visit at all. Carlos wasn’t exactly offering to come in and tend to Julie but she wouldn’t have let him even if he was. So despite her dad and her aunt protesting she had eventually convinced them to check on her from a healthy distance away and leave her meals and tea in the doorway to her room. Julie did her best to act as though she wasn’t feeling too bad when one of them popped in just to keep them feeling comfortable with the arrangement. As soon they left for the hour or so drive to her abuela’s facility, promising to call and check in frequently, Julie had sagged more fully against her pillows letting her true feelings about the situation wash over her fully for the first time.

Her head was pounding, she was shivering, her throat burned and every breath she took rattled in her chest. There was more than that though. She wasn’t with her family going to visit her abuela and she wouldn’t be...she wouldn’t be performing at the music program showcase the next night. It was meant to be her first solo performance, well at least the first officially sanctioned one, since she had lost her mom.

Yes, she had come so far and yes the boys had given her the confidence to perform in places she never would have believed six months ago. But this was different. This was supposed to be her opportunity to prove to everyone at school that she was back to her old self, that she could stand on that stage alone and rock it. This was supposed to be her opportunity to prove it to herself.

Instead here she was sick. Alone.

Miserable.

Julie suddenly felt a familiar burning sensation pricking at her eyes as tears welled up, threatening to fall. She tried to blink them back, frustration rising up at the thought that she would not only be miserably ill but also cry over it. Unfortunately, being incredibly frustrated was just as likely to make her cry as being sad was so she now had no chance of avoiding a full on emotional outburst.

She pressed the side of her face against her pillow and squeezed her eyes shut harshly, as though if she buried her head far enough into its fluffy surface she could convince herself that the tears weren’t falling, and her head wasn’t throbbing and…

“Jules?”

Julie blinked her eyes open sluggishly, waiting until her vision cleared enough to let her see who was standing over her bed. Not that she needed to see him to know that. She would recognize that voice anywhere at this point.

Luke.

He stood beside her bed staring down at her, his forehead creased with worry as he shifted from foot to foot with anxious energy.

“Julie are you ok? I had this weird tugging feeling and then I just thought I should come see how you were doing. Are you...are you crying?”

Julie fully intended to open her mouth and say yes, to say she was fine, that her eyes were just watering because her sinuses were backed up but actually she was feeling much better.

Instead when she opened her mouth all that escaped was a sob.

She raised one hand quickly to slap it over her mouth as though she could somehow take back the sound that had just escaped before Luke registered it. That was of course wishful thinking.

Luke’s expression immediately descended into panic, his hands flapping uselessly around her bundled up form as though searching for the spot he could touch to fix whatever was wrong with her.

“Hey, Julie...Julie...Jules, what’s wrong?”

His face was so worried and sweet and concerned and it only made Julie cry harder.

“Don’t cry,” He begged, before seemingly coming to a decision.

Even though he was only a step away from her bed he poofed out of existence and reappeared lying horizontally next to her, his hands instantly reaching out to stroke down the sides of her face, chasing the tears that tracked down its surface.

“Don’t cry,” He repeated, his voice softer and less alarmed as her breathing calmed under his touch. “Don’t cry, Jules.”

Her tears started to slow and finally dried up entirely as though his words had been a command and not a desperate plea. She thought for not the first time in the last few weeks how grateful she was that the boys were tangible to her now. It would probably never stop feeling like magic to her when Reggie bumped his shoulder against hers conspiratorially or Alex leaned down to rest his chin on the top of her head. But when Luke’s hand brushed against hers when he handed her his lyrics journal or he pulled her into a warm hug, just because?

That would probably never stop feeling like a miracle.

Her tears were gone but Luke’s hands were still resting gently on her cheeks, his fingers dancing softly up and down her skin soothingly, finding the perfect rhythm, just like he always did.

“Hey.”

He broke her from her thoughts with a single word before continuing quietly as though afraid to startle her back into tears.

“You ok?”

She nodded then thought better of it, exhaled a shaky breath and shook her head.

“I was supposed to perform at the showcase tomorrow and now I can’t and I feel awful but I have to be alone so I don’t get anyone sick.”

One of Luke’s hands slid down to rest on the top of her arm, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on the skin he found there as an affectionate smile tugged at his lips.

“You can’t get me sick,” He reminded her. “And you’re not alone.”

Even through her raging headache and her lingering emotions she couldn’t help but mirror his small smile with one of her own.

“Cause we’ve always got each other?”

His smile grew into a certified grin, the kind that had quickly become something she looked forward to and did her best to bring out of him as often as humanly possible, even if she didn’t want him to know that. It’s power was definitely not diminished from this close.

“Exactly,” He answered, biting his lip as he jerked his head in a quick nod.

She thought his eyes might have dropped to her lips for a moment but it was so quick she thought she also might have imagined it. Given the fact that she knew she looked like an absolute mess at the moment the odds were pretty good that she had. She definitely hadn’t intended to summon him when she was in that state but she didn’t exactly have a handle on how she was doing it in the first place so she hadn’t had much choice. She didn’t regret it though. Not during their show at the Orpheum and not even now, dripping nose and frizzy hair and all.

“Why didn’t you tell me...uh, us...you were feeling this bad?” Luke asked, his face sinking back into a frown.

It was true the boys had come to visit her as soon as she came home from school feeling feverish and had slunk directly to her room instead of heading out to the studio for band practice. They had hovered around her, expressing concern in their well meaning but chaotic way before she had assured them that it was a cold and she would be back to rehearsing in no time. They had popped in a few times since, Luke especially, to offer a distraction or company. She had always sent them away in the name of rest even though the truth was she just didn’t want them to see her like this.

With Luke’s soft gaze trained on her now though...she was having a hard time remembering why she had spent so much effort keeping him away.

She didn’t say any of that out loud, choosing to simply shrug and lift her eyes up slightly to meet his.

Luckily he seemed ready to let it go, letting her lack of answer pass as he shifted a few inches closer to her until she knew she would be able to feel his breath on her face if he had still needed to breathe at all.

“What can I do?” He asked, the hand still on her cheek rising up to trace a tingling line from her temple to her jaw.

Julie let her eyes drift shut so she could take in the sensation of his calloused fingertips dragging gently against her skin even more intensely.

“This is a good start,” She muttered, smirking a little as she heard his answering chuckle rumble out.

Unfortunately she didn’t have long to enjoy such an amazing moment as a particularly intense throb of pain exploded across her forehead and behind her eyes. She managed not to groan but her discomfort must have shown on her face because Luke withdrew both of his hands from where they touched her.

“Where does it hurt?” He asked, his tone more serious than she was used to hearing it.

Julie forced her eyes open though even the dull light of the lamp next to her bed suddenly seemed a little unbearable.

“Kind of...everywhere,” She admitted, her voice catching with a slight croak. “But mostly my head.”

“Stay here,” Luke instructed firmly as though she had any plans to be anywhere but her bed for the foreseeable future.

Before Julie could point that out though he had already poofed out of the room. When he returned a few minutes later he took the long way, the boys having not managed to master poofing any objects with them other than their instruments and their clothes. Thank God, for that second part. Although...she would be lying if she said those barely shirts Luke had a habit of wearing didn’t make her curious to see the few parts of his upper body they left to her imagination.

Julie realized too late that Luke had said something to her and quickly stammered out a response, hoping it was the right one.

“Nothing!”

He raised an eyebrow as he set a box of crackers and two tylenol down on her bedside table.

“I asked if you wanted a warm washcloth for your head,” He said, the hint of a laugh behind his words.

“Oh,” She could feel herself blushing and thanked whoever was listening that she could at least blame the flush of her cheeks on her fever. “No thank you.”

She sat up sluggishly and Luke handed her the pills and a glass of water and she took them gratefully, swallowing the pills with a little difficulty due to her swollen throat.

“You should try to eat something too,” Luke insisted, nudging the box of crackers towards her. “I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to take pain medicine on an empty stomach.”

Julie forced down a couple of crackers even though she hadn’t been hungry all day. Luke sat down on the edge of her bed.

“You’re pretty good at this,” She told Luke as she slouched down a little further, the energy required to sit up quickly draining out of her.

His eyes darted away for a moment before returning to meet hers again.

“I’m just trying stuff my mom used to do for me.”

Julie knew that just because Luke had finally gotten some closure with his parents didn’t mean that it wasn’t still hard for him to linger on his thoughts of them. Especially his mom. She also knew that if the last few months had taught her anything it was that sometimes doing the hard thing was the right thing in the long run. Thinking of people you had loved and lost was hard at first but it could become a source of happiness if you let it. She had that with the memory of her mom and she wanted the same for him, even if they were dealing with different kinds of ghosts.

Julie reached out and pulled Luke’s hand into her somewhat clammy one, giving it a gentle squeeze and pointedly ignoring the questioning look he sent her in response.

“What else did she do?” She asked.

Luke hesitated for a moment but then a soft smile appeared on his face and Julie felt a surge of warmth that cut straight through the ache in her chest.

“She would wrap me up in a blanket like a burrito,” He told her, an excited tone edging into his voice. “And let me watch all my favorite movies.”

Julie turned Luke’s hand over and traced gentle patterns across his palm with the tips of her fingers.

“That sounds really nice.”

He seemed distracted by her actions but he managed to stutter out a reply.

“Yeah...uh, yeah, it was.”

“Anything else?” She asked, her fingers not ceasing their circular route around his palm.

“Um…” Luke dragged his eyes away from what she was doing as he ducked his head bashfully. “She would tell me stories sometimes.”

Julie finally stopped her motions, folding her hand softly over his.

“That’s so cute.”

“I mean, I was a little kid,” Luke shrugged, but he didn’t seem to entirely hate her using the word cute to describe something even distantly connected to him.

Maybe it was the fever or the exhaustion or the gratitude to not be alone but Julie was having a hard time mustering up any of the awkwardness or self-doubt or nerves that would normally plague her if she was this close to Luke. She wanted to be close to him and she felt too rotten to deny herself.

An involuntary shiver ran through her and as much as she would have liked to blame it on the proximity of a certain dead guitarist, she was pretty sure this one was due to this damn flu.

“Are you cold?” Luke asked, that familiar, concerned frown settling back onto his face.

Julie nodded.

“A little.”

Luke jumped up from his spot on the edge of her bed and rushed over to the chair sitting against the wall, grabbing the fuzzy blanket she always kept folded over the back of it. He was back at her bed in an instant, pulling down her comforter and letting a rush of cool air wash over her.

Julie stared at him in confusion, another shiver travelling through her body.

“What are you doing?”

Luke stretched out his arms, her blanket extending until he was just peeking over it, only his eyes and floppy hair visible.

“Blanket burrito,” He explained excitedly. “Is that ok?”

Julie couldn’t help but smile a little at his enthusiasm and she nodded.

He was instantly leaning forward to wrap the blanket tightly around her, pulling it all the way up to her chin and tucking it under her all along the edges of her body until she felt like a toasty...well, burrito. When he was satisfied with his work, Luke pulled her comforter back up, patting it with satisfaction before sinking back onto the bed next to her.

“Better?”

Julie nodded.

“Better.”

In the end the blanket burrito wasn’t the only sick day tip they borrowed from his mother. Luke fetched her laptop and managed to follow her instructions clunkily to pull up Netflix. They watched Thirteen Going on Thirty because it’s one of her favorites, and because it’s full of 80s references which Luke gets too.

“Isn’t it a little creepy that she’s really 13?” He asked at one point.

“Only if you think about it too hard,” Julie rolled her eyes. “Besides they’re obviously soulmates. They were always meant to end up together somehow.”

“Hmmm…” Luke hummed, seeming to seriously consider her words even as a comedic scene played out on the screen. “You believe in stuff like that?”

“Soulmates?” Julie hesitated for a moment, hoping that her face wasn’t giving away just how much she had invested in this question. “Yeah, I guess I do. What about you?”

Luke’s answer didn’t come right away and when it did it was spoken in an impossibly soft voice.

“Yeah, I guess I do too.”

After that they don’t talk until the movie is finished, but he does make a point to reach out and rub comfortingly at her shoulder whenever a ragged breath or cough escapes her.

When the movie is over Julie started to lose what little energy she had, slumping further and further down involuntarily until she finds herself completely horizontal again. She fought to keep her eyes open but it was a losing battle.

“You should go to sleep,” Luke told her, affection clear in his tone. “I’ll keep you company.”

Julie nodded and he stretched out behind her as she rolled onto her side, the blanket burrito hindering her for a moment before she managed to wriggle free. She hesitated for a few seconds then reached back and pulled one of his arms forward to drape over her waist. She knew she was really pushing the limits now of their friendship, of the tightrope they had been walking ever since “interesting little relationship” and “no regrets” and the heady realization that they could touch each other. She just couldn’t quite bring herself to care about the implications in the moment.

Luke’s hand flexed awkwardly on her side before he seemed to reach a similar conclusion, sliding it around to settle against her stomach, tugging her more firmly against him. She could feel his head nudging at her hair and was filled with a sudden rush of concern.

“My hair’s in your face.”

“It’s fine,” He mumbled, his voice closer to her ear than she was prepared for.

“No really, you’re going to smother yourself,” Julie insisted. “We don’t have to cuddle. You don’t have to stay at all if you don’t want to. You’ve already…”

“Jules,” He cut off her nervous rambling, using his arm to guide her gently onto her other side until she was facing him.

He hadn’t moved back at all and their faces were now so close that their noses were almost brushing. Her first thought was that it was a good thing that she couldn’t get him sick because this position would definitely have done it. Her second thought was that she was this close to Luke and how delightfully overwhelming that experience was.

“Better?” He breathed through a chuckle.

Julie managed a nod.

“Better.”

Luke’s arm remained firmly wrapped around her waist, his fingers starting to trace random shapes along her back.

“Go to sleep, Julie,” He instructed, and once again her body seemed to take his words as an order.

An order she didn’t have the strength to disobey, not that she was trying very hard.

Her eyes slid closed.

This moment was so close to perfect (as perfect as anything could be when she felt this sick) it felt selfish to push her luck for more. But Julie wasn’t the type to settle and Luke wasn’t the type to deny her what she asked (anything, Julie, you know that). So she spoke up, eyes still firmly shut.

“Tell me a story.”

There was a pause before his answer came, his voice embarrassed but something else lingering in his tone that she was too afraid to call love and too smart to call anything else.

“I don’t remember any,” He admitted.

“Make one up,” She suggested, one of her hands finding its way to his arm, running her nails gently from his elbow to his wrist and back again.

This time it was his turn to shiver and if she felt a rush of satisfaction at that she did her best to keep the evidence of it off of her face. She was pretty sure he knew anyway.

“Once upon a time,” He started finally, his voice soft and amused. “There was a princess with a gift for music. She was a wicked beauty but she was lonely. She lived in a tower without anyone to sing with. Then one day the princess found this cd and three princes who also happened to be ghosts showed up…”

Julie let his voice lull her into a sleep more restful than any she had experienced in the past week. She kept up her motions tracing gently along his arm until finally as she drifted off her hand sagged down to wrap around his hip. The last thing she was aware of before losing consciousness completely was his warm fingers stroking her spine, the music in his fingers present even when his guitar was out of reach.

She was exhausted.

She was sore.

She was burning up and freezing at the same time.

But she wasn’t alone.

And she was definitely, definitely not miserable.

#juke #jatp #my fics #fluff #all the fluff #sickfic #Julie molina #Luke patterson #Julie and the phantoms #SOULMATES

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anjuschiffer · 4 years ago

Text

Magical Date

I wasn’t going to write anything for Daminette December, and yet! Here I am! While thinking of a concept for Day 5, I then remembered that there were people who wanted a follow up for Spellbound, so I combined the two!

Enjoy!

For @daminette-december2019-2020‘s Day 5: Sweater

Tag: @theatreandcomicfreak @damianette-is-life @toodaloo-kangaroo @elijahcrevan @vixen-uchiha @nathleigh

AO3 | Wattpad

Marinette stood by the Leyline Terminal, muttering to herself as she did a mental checklist.

ID? Check.

Purse? Check.

Phone? Check.

Sketchbook and pencils? Check.

Wand? Check.

Extra batteries? Check.

Hat?....

“How did I forget my hat?” Marinette whined, scanning her room for it but knew there was no use in looking for it when she couldn’t find it.

It was almost time to meet with Damian, so if she wanted to meet him in time, she’d just have to go without it.

Grabbing her purse, Marinette took off.

She yelled and apologized to friends she almost bumped into, ignoring their questions of ‘where are you heading?’ She slowed down and speed walked when she saw teachers and the headmistress, flashing an awkward smile as she waved at her.

Running past the campus’ quad, Marinette managed to get to the Leyline Terminal on time, wanting to collapse to the floor as soon as she got there.

“Worried you were going to be late for our date?” Damian teased.

“Well, I wouldn’t- Damian!” Marinette squeaked, feeling the tips of her ears glow with heat. “Ha-how long have you been-”

“Not long.” Damian replied, standing in front of her. “Are you ready to head out?” Grinning, Marinette nodded.

“Yup!”

She followed Damian, confused when he suddenly stopped. “What’s wrong?” She asked, peering over his shoulder, wondering why he was hesitant to walk into the empty-

Empty?

“The car that dropped me off...is gone.” Damian huffed, not believing that Dick actually meant what he said earlier. He really did mean it when he said that Damian should use his own efforts to make their outing a success.

“Gone? So, they-”

“Left? Yes.” Damian sighed, taking out his phone to text his father only for Marinette to place her hand over his. He looked up. “What’s wrong?”

“We can still get to the other side without your car.”

“How?” Damian asked, wondering how exactly did she think they would get to the other side of the magical barrier without-

He watched as she whipped out her wand, a broad smile across her face. “Right. Magic.”

“Make sure to not move around too much. We might fall and get lost in the Leyline if you do.” Marinette warned, looking at her wand and then at him. “Would you like to try casting the spell?”

Damian looked at the wand she was offering him and received it. “How does the spell go?”

Smiling, Marinette placed her hands over his, adjusting his posture before letting go.

“First, you have to close your eyes.” He did. “Now, repeat after me. Tia Freye!”

“Tia Freye!” Damian recited, opening his eyes when he felt himself being lifted off the floor, watching as a magic circle lifted them to the ceiling above them, watching as it bursted open, green speckles of stardust falling past them.

Awestruck, Damian watched as they made their way into the Leyline, not being able to take his eyes off the minty scenery around them.

“Do you have a place of mind? Or would you like to go to the default station in England?”

Damian looked at Marinette, her hair- were in a pair of twin braids...it suited her just like her pigtails.

“The Leyline can take us anywhere?” Damian asked. She nodded. “Anywhere? Even if I haven’t been there in a while?” Marinette nodded again.

“You just have to concentrate on the place in mind while we exit the Leyline. With the place in mind, the Leyline will lead you to the closest terminal in that country.”

“I see.” Damian said, concentrating on the place he had in mind. “Hope you don’t mind some cave exploring.”

They ended up in New Zealand, Marinette taken back by the time difference. It was already late at night, but that didn’t deter Damian from taking her out as he had promised her.

After a few minutes, Damian had managed to buy some food and a blanket before guiding Marinette to their next destination...which happened to be at the other side of a dark forest.

“Trust me,” was all Damian said once they stepped foot, Marinette following him,

Marinette could feel herself shiver as the two wandered through the dark greenery, Marinette having to double check each step she took, envying Damian.

Aside from having a cozy sweater to keep him warm, he walked through the forest with such confidence, he didn’t have to look where to step. He just walked.

“Damian, where exactly are we?”

“If I tell you know, it will ruin the surprise.” He blatantly said. “Be careful around here. There are some rather steep-“

Just as he said that, he jinxed her.

Marinette let out a yelp as she was about to fall to the lower level of the hill when Damian grabbed her just in time.

“Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.” He lifted her up, glad to see no visible injuries. “Are you alright?”

“If anything, just shocked.”

“I should’ve been guiding you more properly than just telling you to follow me.” Damian offered his hand, Marinette taking it. “If only we had more-“

“Light!” Marinette exclaimed, causing Damian to jump a bit. “We can use my wand to-“

“I thought using magic outside of Luna Nova was against the rules.” Damian watched as Marinette nervously laughed, putting back her wand into her purse.

“Well, using our wands outside of campus is against the rules. They never said anything about communicating with the sprites already there.”

Damian watched Marinette grin as she crouched to the ground.

“What are you-“

Marinette held a finger to her lips before she began to sing.

As she continued to sing, Damian became mesmerized by the glowing bud that sprouted out from the ground, opening up to show a tiny forest sprite that hummed in sync with Marinette’s lovely singing.

When the sprite stopped humming, so did Marinette.

“Hello. My name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I was wondering if you would be so generous as to help light up the forest a bit while we get to our destination. Of course, I would reward you with these.”

Damian watched as the tiny forest sprite eagerly twirled around when Marinette showed it some crystal daisies in her hands.

The sprite eagerly accepted the gift, giving Marinette a smile before disappearing and reappearing with more of its kind. “Thank you very much!” Marinette dropped some more crystal flowers for the sprites before getting up and joining Damian’s side.

“How-“

“I learned how to speak and invoke sprites when I was three. My grandmother taught me during her summer stays. It’s the only form of magic that came naturally to me.”

Damian hummed. “So, shall we continue our exploration?”

At those words, Damian nodded, once more offering his hand to her, which she accepted.

With the help of the forest sprites, Damian was finally able to reach the cave entrance he had been wanting to show Marinette.

“Marinette, do they only like those crystal flowers you gave them?” Damian asked as he turned to see the second to last sprite disappear.

“Hmmm. They like the crystal daisies because it’s actually crystallized mana that they can consume. Once consumed, the mana allows them to produce more of their magic. However, they do like gemstones as well. It’s like some type of currency within the sprite world.”

Marinette watched Damian hum, retrieving something in his pocket and crouched to the last forest spirit’s level.

She watched with wide eyes as he handed a ruby to the spirit, who also gasped at the gift.

“Thank you for your help. We really appreciate it.”

Damian watched as the spirit hugged his hand before disappearing, a smile on their face as it snuggled closely to the newly acquired gem.

“That was kind of you.” Marinette said with a smile, giving Damian’s hand a squeeze.

“It was the correct thing to do.” Damian said, gesturing to Marinette to follow him.

The two kept walking into the dark cave when Marinette began to see tiny glowing blue lights start to appear more and more above them.

Soon, they found themselves surrounded by these sparkling blue stars, Marinette taken away by the scenery. It was like looking at a clear starry night.

As they kept going further into the cave, Marinette didn’t realize Damian had casted another “tia freye” causing the two to drift through the rest of the cave.

Marinette stretches out her hand to try and reach for them, but she was pleased to know she couldn’t.

“It’s beautiful.” She found herself softly whispering.

“And so are you.” Damian replies, Marinette thanking the tiny stars that their light was dim enough to hide her blush.

But even though her blush was hidden, she knew her feelings were still there for him to see.

“To think something this beautiful is being hidden from the world.”

“My mother brought me here once. When I was very young.” Damian told her. “Waitomo Caves. Home to the bioluminescent creature, Arachnocampa Luminosa.”

“Bioluminescent glow worms.” Marinette said back, watching as they were nearing the end of the cave.

“But that’s not why I brought you here.” Damian confessed, Marinette wondering what exactly could best the fantasy world they were just in. “Close your eyes.”

She did.

She felt as the two were now on dry land, or rather, grass.

She felt as a nice breeze blew across her face, her body trembling. She guessed Damian must have seen it as she felt him drape something over her, his scent on the sweater causing her to blush.

“Are we almost there?”

“Almost.” Damian told her, Marinette continuing to follow him.

She felt as he let go of her hand and walked around her, Marinette hearing what seemed to be rocks moving and a curse here and there, causing her to giggle.

When he slipped his hand back into hers, Marinette followed his lead. “Open your eyes.”

Marinette felt out of breath when she opened them, wishing to forever remain in that ethereal moment. For time to stop so that she could take in the beauty that was in front of her.

“Mon Dieu. It’s gorgeous.” Marinette, taking slow steps as she kept adoring the night sky above them. “I never thought I would ever be able to see the Milky Way in anything other than a textbook, tapestries or the holographic form we use in astronomy class.

They look so- oh! Damian! Look over there! That’s Crux!” Marinette squealed, taking out her phone and taking a picture of it. She then took out her sketchbook and quickly began to draw it, a few notes being taken at the side.

“Crux?” Damian asked, taking a seat on the makeshift picnic area he made for the two of them. He watched as Marinette kept staring at the stars above them, the Milky Way perfectly reflected against her bluebell eyes.

“Crux, often called the Southern Cross. Because Crux hasn’t been able to go over the horizon since 400 BC, northern countries like England, aren’t able to see it anymore.” Marinette pulled Damian’s sweater closer to her body. “To think I’m seeing it for the first time like this…” She turned to Damian, a shooting star passing behind her. “Thank you.

Thank you for bringing me here.”

“Seems like we’re here.” Marinette said, Damian picking up on the tint of sadness underlaid in her words.

By the time Damian and Marinette got back to Luna Nova, it had become evening, 17:00 to be exact.

During their flight back, Damian watched as Marinette longed to remain under those stars, staring at the sky above them the entire trip, as if hoping it would’ve followed her back.

Waitomo Caves and the scenery of the Milky Way on that mountain could never be replicated here at Luna Nova. Even if it was recently rejuvenated with the plethora of magic, no magic could do nature’s lovely masterpieces’ true justice.

“You seem...down.” Damian obviously pointed out, not expecting Marinette to laugh at his observation.

“I guess...I kinda wished we could’ve stayed there for a bit longer.” Marinette confessed, playing with the ends of her braids, only then realizing she still had on his sweater.

She completely forgot she had it on thanks to how soft it was despite being a bit big and long it was on her. “Oh! Here! Thank you for lend-”

“Keep it.” Damian said, stopping her from taking it off, gently holding her wrist in his hand.

“But-”

“Keep it.”

“Damian, it’s y-”

“I could simply buy another one just like it.” Damian fought back, watching Marinette pout, causing him to chuckle. “Keep it. I don’t mind you being its new owner.”

He watched as Marinette huffed in defeat, pulling the sweater closer to her small frame.

Would she look just as good in anything that was his?

“I know I said this before, but thank you,” Marinette said, placing her hand on his shoulder, using it to lift herself off the ground to place a chaste kiss on his cheek. “For everything.”

Damian remained still as he watched her wave goodbye, walking into the dorm that was her home at Luna Nova.

Covering the smile that arose to his face, Damian could feel the glee swelling inside him as he made his way back home.

Marinette couldn’t believe it. She actually kissed him! Sure, it was on the check, but it was still something.

Not being able to contain it any longer, she let out a squeal, now dancing towards her room.

With a hum, Marinette opened up her room and slipped inside, letting out a giggle as she pulled Damian’s sweater close to her face.

“Seems like someone’s date was a success.” A voice spoke, causing Marinette to yelp, feeling her entire face burn in embarrassment.

Turning to her left, oh how she wanted to transform into a mouse to escape the hunter in front of her. Sadly, she used up all her extra batteries on the date.

“A-Alya. Shouldn’t you be-”

“-in detention? Well, let’s just say the added detention is going to be sooo worth it. So come on! Tell me! How’d your date go? And don’t tell me it wasn’t one when he clearly gave you that bracelet on your wrist. We’ve been living together for quite a while -even go shopping with you- and I’ve never seen that bracelet until now.”

Marinette snapped her attention to the newly acquired bracelet, a double black leather bracelet with a single ladybug at its center.

When did he slip it onto her? “So? Spill!”

“Well,” Marinette started. “It was magical!”

#maribat #daminette #Daminette December 2020 #anju writes

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underoosweb · 4 years ago

Text

5 More Minutes Ch.1

No warnings: Bold italics are thoughts/ Italics are dreams

BuckyxOC!

8.5k words

Serenity laughed, watching her cousin deny she was drunk and now she is currently dancing, singing Lick it in front of her whole family. She looked around watching everyone laugh, it was their uncle’s birthday, everyone had been drinking.

“Come on Tia! Sing it!” Her cousin yelled into the microphone

“MY NECK MY BACK LICK MY!” Everyone's attention turned to their aunt, she turned bright red, covering her face from embarrassment, their uncle staring at his wife laughing.

“Come on Tia! Sing it to him!” her cousin yelled, everyone stared as their aunt recovered from embarrassment, facing her husband and wiggling her finger for him to come over and everyone laughed. Everyone filmed the whole interaction and then she changed the song.

“THIS SONG GOES OUT TO MY TIO!” the familiar melody filled Serenity’s ears.

“ONE TIME FOR THE BIRTHDAY BITCH, TWO TIMES..” Everyone laughed again, her uncle shook his head and laughed. Her cousin sang her heart out

“And she said she wasn’t drunk.” Serenity turned to her other cousin

“Well 5 jello shots and 5 tequila shots will do that.” she laughed and her cousin nodded

“How many have you had?”

Serenity looked at her cup

“Your sister gave me a cup of vodka and fruit punch about an hour ago and I’m only about a quarter in, pretty sure she’s going to be yelling at me for not drinking it faster.”

“Probably. Is it not good?”

“It’s alright, just don’t want to wake up hungover.”

“True.” Serenity took another sip of her drink, she watched as all her family members laughed, drank, and told stories about their younger days. She and only 2 of her cousins were around the same age and everyone else was either older or younger than them. She mostly grew up on her own, played on her own, she didn’t become close to her cousins till she turned 21. The sun continued to roll down and she was only halfway done with her drink

“Do you want another one?”

“I still have half.”

“Damn, so slow. Drink up, girl.” Her cousin laughed, teasing her, Serenity smiled small

“I’m not much of a drinker…” she muttered to herself after her cousin turned her attention to someone else. She sighed and continued her conversation with her younger cousin. It was late and they still hadn’t cut the cake. Serenity looked around

“I’m going to the restroom.” Her cousin nodded, she walked through the house and into the restroom, staring into the mirror, fixing her makeup, and walking into her cousin’s room. She grabbed her bag and walked back into the backyard just in time for them to sing happy birthday to her uncle

“I’m gonna leave after this.” She whispered to her cousin

“Already?”

“Yeah, I have an early day tomorrow.”

“Alright.” She hugged everyone and bid them goodbye. Blasting her music in the 20-minute car ride home, she sang her lungs out. Completely exhausted, putting on a marvel movie for background noise, her eyes fluttering shut and falling into a deep slumber.

“Sometimes I think you like getting hit.” Bucky smiled at his friend helping him off the ground

“I had it covered.”

“Sure,”

“You got your orders?”

“ The one-o-seventh. Sergeant James Barnes. Shipping out for England first thing tomorrow.”

“I should get going.”

“Come on, it’s my last night here. We gotta celebrate.”

Steve was having a long day, he wanted nothing more than just going home, but Bucky decided to drag him to the Stark Expo.

“There are 3 and half-million women here.”

“Yeah, I’d settle for one.” Bucky smiled

“Well, it’s a good thing I took care of that for you.” He nodded towards the girls standing in front of the statue

“Hey Bucky!” the brunette waved, Steve looked at Bucky slightly annoyed for not giving him a fair warning

“What’d you tell her about me?’ He ran his fingers through his hair

“All the good stuff.” Bucky smiled

Steve quietly walked behind the group, eating his popcorn. He looked around

“It’s starting!” Bucky’s brunette friend said in excitement, dragging Bucky to the front of the crowd while Steve followed behind. Applause rang through the expo

“Ladies and Gentlemen Mr. Howard Stark.”

Steve offered popcorn to the blonde girl he was supposed to be on the date with, she stared at him and scoffed, turning her attention forward. Serenity furrowed her brows, why was everything so loud?

“Ladies and gentlemen, what if I told you in just a short few years Your automobile won't even have to touch the ground at all?”

Gasps could be heard throughout the crowd, Serenity covered her ears, it’s too loud.

“With Stark reversion technology you'll be able to do just that” Everyone stared in awe when the car started to lift off the ground, then came a loud bang. Serenity jumped awake, still drowsy, looking around, this wasn’t her living room. Lifting herself slightly off the ground, a car with no wheels sat in front of her.

“Well, I did say a few years.” Everyone in the crowd laughed and applauded

“What the fu…” She whispered to herself, one of the showgirls who was standing on the side of the stage stared at her, she felt someone’s eyes on her, she turned to meet crystal clear blue eyes

“Where? Who? What the fuck is happening?” The girl’s eyes flickered back to Howard, he met her eyes and he moved his head to see Serenity in the shortest short’s and an off-the-shoulder top. Her eyes widened in shock,

“No fucking way,”

“Who are you?” Howard asked, the showgirl ran up to her and stood her up, she looked around the crowd

“What in the world are you wearing? You’re showing too much.” Serenity narrowed her eyes

“I’m showing too much?”

“I’m wearing a stage outfit.” Serenity continued to scan the crowd when she heard a familiar melody play over the speakers

“That’s… that’s not possible.”

“You need to follow me.” Serenity turned and grabbed onto the showgirl's wrist.

“Let me go.”

“I can’t”

“I said, let.me.go.now!” she twisted the girl’s wrist, she screamed in pain

“Security!” She turned her head towards Howard

“No!” She ran towards the front of the stage, looking around for an opening to run. She met another pair of crystal blue eyes. Steve looked at the girl, she looked terrified and confused, she was staring at Bucky, another girl?

“Someone, you know?”

Bucky shook his head “No.”

“Bucky?” She said with a shaky breath, then her eyes met Steve’s

“Steve?” Bucky turned to Steve

“Someone, you know?”

“No.”

Serenity turned back around, Stark was standing there a device in his hand. She checked her back pockets. Her phone.

“Shit.” Serenity took a step towards Stark, he held the phone back

“Give it back.” out of the corner of her eyes she noticed men in black making their way towards her.

“Fuck.”

Everyone stared at the stage confused

“What in the world is she wearing?”

“She’s dressed like a floozy.” She turned back

“I think she heard.”

“Out of all the things I have to do, it's to run and I hate running.” Serenity jumped off the stage, trying to catch herself, she tripped over her feet

“Damn it,” She stood in front of Bucky and froze, wow the movies didn’t do him justice, then her eyes flickered to Steve, she smiled and winked at him. She watched as his face turned red.

“HEY, SOLDIER! GRAB HER!” That was her cue to go. She did hate running and with Stark’s security and maybe even Bucky running after her, she could care less. Her legs burned, ached, her chest heaving. It wasn’t going to be hard to spot her, a girl with her legs out, shoulders out. She looked back, sighing in relief and she hid in an alley. She had no idea how she managed to outrun them but she did. She checked her pockets in a panic.

“Money… money...Ah! Yes!” Poking her head out of the alley, scanning her surroundings. Taking a deep breath, taking one step before someone covered her mouth and pulled her back into the alley, her scream muffled, eyes widened in panic.

“Be quiet!” The voice... Her brows furrowed, she slowly calmed herself. His hand slowly fell from her mouth and she jumped from him, ready to hit him.

“Woah there, doll,”

“Don’t call me that.”

“What? Doll?”

“I’m not your doll.” Bucky chuckled

“Well, we can change that.” Serenity scoffed

“Well, aren’t you confident? What do you want?”

“I’m just wondering why Stark is so interested in you and where you came from since you weren’t there when the car lifted and then all of a sudden you appeared.”

“Maybe I’m a magician.” Bucky laughed

“I doubt Stark would be this interested in a magician.” Serenity lifted a brow and shrugged

“Maybe I’m that good.” Her eyes flickered behind him, checking to see if anyone else came with him.

“I’m by myself.”

“How? I thought I outran you.”

“You did. I was walking back to my apartment and saw you.” She bit her lip out of frustration

Well better him than Steve She thought to herself

“Also how did you know my name and Steve’s?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,”

Bucky cocked his head “Really now?”

“Yup.” Bucky took a step closer towards her, she took a step back

“Because I could have sworn..” She felt her back hit the wall, his hands on either side of her head.

“I heard you say my name and his, and trust me doll I would remember a dame like you.”

“You mean to tell me you remember every girl you’ve ever met?”

“Yeah.”

“I doubt that,” Bucky smiled, her breath hitched

“Well, look at that... I believe you're blushing, doll.” Crossing her arms

“I am not, now move.” Shoving him aside, Bucky caught her wrist

“Where are you planning on going?”

“That is none of your business.”

“Alright, I should just take you to Stark.” Her head snapped towards him, she could feel his breath on her lips, he was closer than she thought

“You would turn me in, sergeant?” Bucky noticed her eyes scan his body up and down as she said those words, she smiled at him and his heart skipped a beat.

“Now look who's blushing.” Bucky felt a chill run down his spine as she whispered in his ear

“How about this, tell me your name and I might not give you up to Stark.”

“What a true gentleman.” Bucky chuckled

“It’s Serenity.”

“Serenity?” she nodded

“Nice to meet you, I would introduce myself but it seems you already know who I am.”

“Can you let go now?” Her eyes motioned to her wrist, Bucky dropped his hand and cleared his throat, taking off his uniform jacket and handing it to her. She eyed it.

“What?”

“There are men who-” Bucky stopped as she took the jacket from his hands

“Right, well thanks, but don’t you need this?” She asked, placing her arms through the sleeves.

“I leave tomorrow, I can get it from you then.”

“Who says I’m going to be around tomorrow?” Bucky rose an eyebrow

“Planning on skipping town, doll?”

“Again none of your business but even if I was, how exactly would I be seeing you tomorrow?”

“Because you are coming back to my place.”

“Excuse me?”

“You are coming back with me.”

“No, I’m not. Do you know what year this is?”

“It’s 1943.”

“Exactly, women, especially unmarried women normally don’t go to houses of men they just met without them getting outcast from society.”

Wait. Why was she worried about this? No one here knows her, nor does she exist in this universe. How does she get back? How did she even get here?

“Trust me, it’ll be fine.”

She did need a place to stay.

“I’ll just say you’re one of Rebecca’s friends.”

Rebecca?

“Come on now, it’s getting late. I don’t live too far.” Bucky motioned for her to follow him.

“Where’s your friend?”

“You know his name is Steve.”

“I was talking about your brunette friend from the expo.”

“God damn it.” Bucky groaned in frustration

“I knew I was forgetting something, Connie is going to kill me.”

“You could go back, you know.”

“It’s too late now, I’ll give her a call when we get back.”

“Someone is going to get an earful.”

“earful?”

“Ah, get chewed out?”

“You have no idea.” Bucky sighed

“I mean I would hate for my date to go off chasing some other girl, then start to flirt with, ''said girl and then invite her over to my house.” Serenity gasped sarcastically

“How dare he.” Bucky laughed

“Very funny.” Serenity shrugged

“Come on now, it won’t be so bad.” Bucky sighed again

“Don’t jinx me now, doll.”

“And you are still calling me, doll? I’m pretty sure Connie is not going to be happy hearing you call another girl that, Sergeant.” Bucky chuckled and shook his head, quirking his brow, raising his hand towards a set of stairs.

“Doll.”

“Truly a gentleman.” She started climbing the stairs, Bucky telling her to keep going.

“Stop.” Serenity stopped dead in her tracks

“We’re here.”

“I’m so glad, I’m wearing sneakers,” she murmured to herself

“You climb these every day? No wonder you’re fit.”

“Doll,” Bucky smirked leaning against the wall

“Do you have the hots for me?” Serenity’s eyes widened and blushed

“I-I” Bucky laughed

“You are adorable when you get flustered.”

“Adorable?” She pouted as Bucky unlocked his apartment door.

“Ladies first.” Serenity walked into the apartment expecting to be bombarded by Rebecca but no one came.

“Where’s Rebecca?”

“Boarding school.”

“Boarding school?”

“Yes.”

“No back story?”

“No.”

“Alrighty then.” Bucky walked past her into the bedroom, she heard him rummaging through his drawers. Serenity looked around, the whole apartment was completely clean, it was simple, open, the living room only had a golden brown love-seat, television, and a little side table. She walked into the kitchen, opening the refrigerator. He had nothing, hearing a cough she jumped.

“Here you go,” Bucky handed her a pair of his Pajamas

“Ummm,”

“What?”

“Can I use your shower? Or is that empty too?”

“Yes, you can. Let me show you how to work it and no it’s not empty.”

“Alright, here you go. Let me bring you a towel.”

“Here you go,” Serenity took the towel from his hands

“Thank you,” She smiled, Bucky continued to stand in the doorway

“Umm, Sergeant?”

“Bucky.”

“Bucky, you can leave now.”

“Right, right. Sorry.”

“Go call Connie.” Serenity smiled as Bucky’s eyes widened in panic. He ran towards the front of the apartment, Serenity rolled her eyes and closed the door, stripping off her clothes, she stepped into the shower. The hot water ran over her tense muscles.

“I hope this is all a dream.” She sighed and just let the water run.

Bucky winced when Connie sighed. It wasn’t as if they were together, they had gone out on their first date that night sort of a little fling before he got shipped off. Bucky heard the water from the shower turn off.

“I am sorry Connie, I’ll make it up to you.”

“You better, good night Bucky.”

“Good night.” Bucky turned once he heard the door open. Serenity walked out in his clothes, now Bucky had seen countless women walk out in his clothes before but none of them looked like her, she looked breathtaking, her hair had curled from being wet, big doe eyes staring back at him. She smiled and Bucky swore he lost his breath.

“You alright?” Bucky wasn’t paying attention

“Bucky?”

“Bucky!?” Bucky shook his head and came out of his trance.

“Yeah, sorry what?”

“You alright? Connie didn’t chew you out too bad now, did she?” Bucky sighed, shaking his head he played with his fingers

“Ooo, that bad?”

“Well, how would you feel?”

“Honestly there would be no second date, but considering that you are probably one of the more good-looking men out there for her there will be a second even if it means waiting till you get back from war.”

“Come on now doll, no second date?”

“Not if you forgot about me.” Serenity smiled again

“Do you have a comb or an extra one? Also a toothbrush?”

“I do.”

“Huh, a lot of girls sleepover?” Bucky ignored her question and handed her the brushes.

“Thanks.”

“Your hair?”

“What about it?”

“Is it naturally curly?”

“Yeah, I straightened it. I don’t really like curls, it's too hard to manage.”

“You look pretty.” Serenity froze

“I know.” Bucky smiled

“Do you have any extra pillows and blankets for me?”

“You can have the bed.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course, what kind of gentleman would I be if I let you sleep on the floor or sofa?” She laughed

“Right.” Bucky leads her to the bedroom

“Ma’am.”

“Please never say that again.”

“That bad, huh?” Serenity chuckled

“I would rather be called a doll than ma’am.”

“I thought you weren’t my doll.”

“I’m not, just saying I prefer it over ma’am.”

“Alright then, doll.” Serenity rolled her eyes, trying to hide a smile.

“It’s getting late, soldier, don’t you have an early day tomorrow?” Bucky’s face fell slightly, his lips fell into a tight line

“Yeah, we should go to sleep. Good night.” Bucky took a pillow and blanket from the edge of the bed, walking out of the room

“Good-” Stopping mid-sentence as Bucky closed the door behind him.

“Night... Okay then.” Climbing into the bed, her eyes fluttering

“Maybe when I wake up, I’ll be back home and this was all one big dream.” Sighing, she welcomed the darkness. Bucky on the other hand could not welcome darkness. He tossed and turned on the little love-seat. It wasn’t the best place to sleep, he couldn’t get the fact that he was being shipped off tomorrow. He didn’t want to go to war, hell he didn’t even volunteer but they still drafted him. He was scared. Scared of coming back and not being himself, a completely different person, or worse not coming back at all. Bucky sighed, staring at the ceiling. He checked his watch at 12:45 and he had to be up in a few hours and head out. Bucky sat up, turned on the TV, and tried to see if it would help him sleep, he desperately didn’t want the sun to rise.

She knew how this was going to end, staring at the date November 15th, 1945. Looking around the train, she knew. She could have stopped this, why didn’t she tell them? In the back of her mind, she knew his fate was set. She ran back towards the middle of the train, why was she even here? How did she manage to escape, she knew he would come for her, even if she didn’t belong in this universe, his fate would still be the same. Him falling off this train. Him being toured. Brainwashed. She couldn’t let that happen to him. She could hear her heartbeat pounding in her eardrums, she felt it in the back of her head. She heard the explosion. NO! She ran faster. No, please! She felt the tears sting her eyes. She saw him fly out of the cart. NO! Please! Grab Him! Help him! Don’t let him fall! She grabbed the sidebar…...and reached out for him. Please. She felt the tears run down her cheeks. He was speaking, yelling at her. She ignored him and continued reaching, please just grab onto her. She felt his fingers brush against hers, then she saw the bar start to break. GRAB HER! She felt someone grab her waist. She screamed as the bar completely broke. She felt her body move forward, then they pulled. She screamed his name, kicked and punched at nothing.

Serenity jolted awake, screaming Bucky’s name. She had tears running down her cheeks.

Bucky jolted awake when he heard a scream come from the bedroom.

“Shit!” Bucky scrambled, running to the bedroom, quickly opening the door he saw Serenity sitting there, tears stained her cheeks. Bucky rushed to her side, hands cupping her face as he sat on the bed.

“What happened? Are you alright?” Serenity blinked slowly

“What?” She replied slowly

“Where?” It took her a while to take in her surroundings and recognize Bucky. Fuck.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m alright.” She placed her hands onto his, giving him a reassuring smile.

“You sure? You screamed my name.”

“Yeah, I just had a bad dream is all.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really.” Bucked nodded and whipped her tears away. She sniffled

“What time is it?” Serenity looked around for a clock

“Ah,” Bucky looked to his right

“4:50” Serenity sighed and nodded

“We should get back to sleep.”

“I’ll just stay up. I have to be up in 30 minutes anyway.”

“Bucky?”

“Yeah?”

“Where do I go after you leave?”

“What do you mean?”

“After you leave, I can’t stay here.”

“Yeah, you can.”

“The apartment is getting paid for and since I won’t be here, you can stay.”

“I don’t think your landlord would be too happy.”

“She wouldn’t mind.”

“Don’t tell me…, you worked your charm on her.” Bucked smiled

“She has tried to take me out……, I’m sure her husband wouldn't mind.” Serenity laughed

“Scandalous.”

“Very.” She didn’t even notice his hands still placed on her cheeks, dropping her head slightly, his fingers ending up in her curls. She froze and pulled away from him. Bucky bit his lip, dropping his hands onto his lap.

“I should get back to the couch.” Bucky felt something tugging on his shirt, her fingers grabbed the end of his shirt. She didn’t want him to leave, she was scared of what was going to happen, scared of why she was still there.

“Stay. Please? We can have one normal conversation before you ship off.” Bucky nodded, sitting back on the bed.

“Since I don’t know much about you, besides your name and that Stark wants you, want to tell me about yourself.”

Serenity thought for a moment, it was 1943 right now her grandparents in middle school/ high school. Her aunts, uncles, parents wouldn’t be born for the next 20 years and her 33 years after that. How is she to explain she hasn’t even been born yet.

Well he doesn’t have to know all the details

“What exactly do you want to know?”

“About you, your family.”

“I’m the youngest out of 3, I have an older brother and sister. My sister is married, I have 3 nephews. My brother is well... He’s just there. I have way too many aunts, uncles, and cousins and I prefer to be alone most of the time. You?”

“Lost both of my parents, I’m the eldest of 4, grew up as kind of an army brat. Met Steve and have been helping him out since we were about 6 years old.”

“Helping him out?”

“Steve tends to get in a lot of fights,” Serenity scoffed

“Yeah, we know.”

“What?”

“Hmm?” Bucky eyed her

“So, I’m kind of a bodyguard, don’t get me wrong he can hold up on his own but still you would think he would ease up on getting beat.”

“I don’t think that will ever happen.” Serenity smiled and Bucky nodded, letting out a chuckle

“Yeah, I think you’re right.” Bucky glanced at the clock

“I should get ready.”

“Okay.” She said softly, Bucky stood, walking back into the living room, grabbing his uniform he headed to the bathroom. Serenity heard the water turn on, reaching over to the other side of the bed. She grabbed onto the pajama bottoms and put them back on. She hated sleeping with pants on. Turning on the side table lamp, she looked around the room. Simple again, a nightstand, closet, and bed. The apartment didn’t feel like a home, there were a few photos surprisingly but it was just of Bucky and Steve. Serenity smiled, Steve was small. Serenity looked up when she heard heavy footsteps echo down the hall and into the room. She wasn’t one for military men, she had been warned about military men multiple times by her friends, but her heart couldn’t help but skip a beat and her breath hitched. Bucky smirked at her, crossing his arms over his chest.

“You alright there, doll?” Shit. His accent came out.

“Y-yeah.” Bucky’s eyes flicked down to the photo in her hands

“How long ago was this?” She asked handing him the photo

“Years ago, it was on Steve’s birthday. His mom had baked him a cake and I decided it would be funny to shove his face in the cake and his mom took this photo, his face was completely covered and it was nice to see them laugh.” Bucky chuckled at the memory, Serenity smiled. Bucky looked up at her, smiling as he handed her back the photo. She placed it back on the nightstand next to the clock.

“Your jacket?”

“It’s in the living room.” Serenity nodded

“I’m going to use the restroom and be right out.” Bucky nodded, she walked past him and into the restroom. She stared at herself in the mirror, brushing her teeth. Eyes red from crying, bags appearing under them, hair all over the place. She quickly ran her fingers through her hair, flinching every time they got stuck.

“Shit, I don’t have any clothes.” Opening the door

“Hey, Bucky?”

“Yes?”

“I just realized I don’t have any clothes..”

“I have some. Hang on.”

“Alright, are they over-sized?”

“I have no idea.” He said handing her the clothes. Her lips fell in a tight line.

“What size?”

“Depends on the shirt, medium or large.” Serenity nodded looking at the tags, large she let out a little sigh. Closing the door behind her, taking off Bucky’s pajamas, and placing his white button-up, it fit. Her main worry was the pants, it wasn’t like she could wear the shirt as a dress it came down to the top of her thighs. Bucky was lean but she had hips and thighs, his pajama pants fit her snug, she put her legs into the khaki-colored pants. The pants hugged her hips and thighs, luckily it wasn’t suffocating, her shoes were not going to match but something is something. Slipping into a pair of clean socks and her sneakers, she grabbed her hair, ran water through it, brushed lightly, and hopped for the best. Walking out, she saw Bucky leaning against the arm of the love-seat, jacket now on his body. Bucky looked up from his watch, scanned her, and went back to his watch. Serenity saw him shake his head slightly and his head shot up.

“You might get whiplash if you keep snapping your head like that, sergeant.”

Bucky couldn’t speak, he hadn’t seen many women in trousers, they prefer to dress feminine. She left him speechless, his shirt slightly fitting her loose, his trousers hugged her curves perfectly, her thighs and hips on display. Jesus.

“Are you ready to go, sergeant?” She waved a hand in front of his face. Bucky blinked

“What? Yeah. Yeah, I’m ready.” Bucky handed her a coat, she wrapped herself. He extended her arm towards her, she hooked her arm through his and smiled.

“Nervous?’’

“Wouldn’t you be?”

“I’m always nervous.”

Bucky and Serenity walked through the Brooklyn streets, they weren’t as busy as she thought they were going to be. New York was known for being the city that never sleeps, even early in the morning, but with a war going on it makes sense that the streets wouldn’t be busy this early. Serenity couldn’t help but take in her surroundings, her eyes constantly darting back and forth, looking back, looking down at her shoes. She knew Stark was still looking for her and if she ran into Steve, she knew he would take her in, and at this part of the story or movie she should say, he meets Peggy. She was shocked that Steve didn’t run after her as Bucky did, but he did have a lot of health issues and to him enlisting was probably more important to him than anything. He would have already met the doctor and he would have recruited him for the experimentation. Bucky could tell what was going through her mind as he scanned her face.

“Don’t worry, doll.” She looked up at him

“No one’s gonna take you to Stark.”

I’m hoping to be gone by then.

She nodded. He gave her a reassuring smile. She knew someone would find her, she stands out, a woman in men’s clothing, shoes from a whole different era, taller than the average woman, tattoos behind her ears, tattoos on her arms, side luckily those were all covered. Serenity looked ahead to see a line of soldiers waiting to pile into the transport vehicles. Everyone dressed in different uniforms. A man ran towards the two.

“Sergeant Barnes.”

“Yes.”

“This way.” Serenity dropped her arm

“See you soon,” She smiled

“See you soon, doll.” She placed a kiss on his cheek

“For good luck?”

“Yes.” Bucky walked with the man and waved. Serenity stood there watching as mothers, sisters, girlfriends, wives cried as their loved ones went off to war, she knew their fears. The sun rose high by the time all the soldiers drove off, Bucky’s truck was the last to go. She smiled and waved, Bucky watched her from the rear-view mirror, he dropped his head and smiled. Serenity turned on her heel and walked with the other family members, then she stood still.

Shit. How do I get back?

She was too into her head earlier to pay attention to the route, groaning in frustration, it’s not like she could ask someone, she didn’t know the address.

“Fuck.” She looked around, everything looked the same to her. The city was beginning to wake up, people opening up their stores, walking up and down the streets. She felt someone bump into her.

“Move out of the way if you’re just going to stand there.”

“Oh, fuc-” She stopped herself, moving against the wall. She stared at all the people coming in and out of apartments, kids running to catch their buses, everyone walked fast. She could hear people chatting, laughing, yelling, horns honking. She rolled her eyes, covering her ears. She hates loud noises, how everyone was so lively early in the morning? She had to get back to Bucky’s or off the street before she got caught. Lifting herself off the wall, she walked back towards where they came.

Did we make a right or left? It doesn’t help that she can’t tell her left from her right.

“Fuck.me.” Then she heard him

“Hey! Wait! Stop the car!” Serenity was getting ready to run

“I wouldn’t if I were you.” Peggy’s accent entered her ears, she slowly looked back towards her. Steve stood to her side and Peggy had her gun pulled out. She scoffed

“Really? A gun? Do I look like a threat to you?”

“You’re the girl Stark wants.” Serenity turned to face Steve

“I’m flattered that you remember me.”

“It’s hard to forget someone who caused a scene.”

“Ouch,” Serenity pouted, crossing her hand over her heart.

“Well, I am known for the dramatics.” She rolled her eyes

“Where’d you get the clothes?”

“None of your business.”

“Did you steal them?”

“No.” Serenity glared, Peggy walked towards her

“Hands.” Serenity held out her hands and Peggy cuffed her

“Handcuffs?” She rose a brow and smirked

“It’s been a while.”

“You’ve been arrested before?” Steve asked and she laughed

“No.” Peggy stared at her in shock, Steve on the other hand didn’t understand. Ah, the innocence. Peggy hoped in the car first, then Serenity and then Steve. Serenity just kept her eyes forward, she leaned over and whispered into Steve’s ear.

“Sorry for interrupting you guys,”

“What?”

“You and her over here, it’s obvious you like her.”

“No, I don’t”

“Yeah, okay.” Serenity rolled her eyes

“Come back to me when you are ready to admit your feelings.” She knew the exact moment Steve would come to her. She sat back into the seat and closed her eyes.

Hers

“We’re here.” I felt someone shake me awake, rubbing my eyes, I noticed I was resting my head on Steve’s shoulder

“Sorry,” I said sitting up

“It’s alright.” I could feel Peggy’s eyes drilling a hole on the back of my head, she reached out and grabbed my arm, tugging. I scooted over

“Alright, alright. I’m coming.” Stepping out of the car, an Antique store. Steve followed behind me.

“What are we doing here?” he asked

“Follow me,” Peggy said, still hanging onto my arm

“I’m not going to run, you know. I’ve done enough running for the year already.” Peggy looked at me, eyeing me, then she dropped my arm.

“For the year?” I heard Steve ask

“Yes, the year. I hate running and I would very much like to avoid it every chance I get. Not only that she has the keys to the cuffs and I highly doubt someone will help me get out of them unless I run into a mobster. Ooo What a fun story that would be.”

I walked in behind Peggy when she opened the door, the bell jingled. Steve and I both looked around the store. It was dim with furniture everywhere, nothing looked antique. An older-looking lady walked towards the group.

“Wonderful weather this morning isn't it?” She asked

“Yes, but I always carry an umbrella,” Peggy said, while I murmured The same thing under my breath. No one seems to notice, the old lady slightly nodded and headed over towards her desk, reaching under it. I heard a faint buzz echo and Peggy led us through the curtain to a cluttered bookshelf.

“The fact that people believe this is a real bookshelf blows my mind.”

“What do you mean?” Steve asked

“Whoever the artist is, is doing a great job though.” The bookshelf opened hidden doors. Steve looked around in awe. I on the other hand was trying not to have a panic attack, one thing people always told her never to trust military men, and here I was about to be surrounded by them. Peggy grabbed onto your arm again.

“Is she allowed here?”

“Stark wants her.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Peggy led them through the cold, dull hallway and then the doors opened, we walked through the doors. Peggy leads us into the hidden lab to Dr. Erskine and his team in a big circular room filled with machinery and a pod in the middle. Peggy still hung onto my arm as we walked down the stairs.

“Good morning.” Dr. Erskine says to the group

He shakes Steve’s hand and somebody takes a photograph.

“Please, not now.” The doctor waves him off

The photographer walks away, Steve looks at the pod

“Are you ready?” Steve nods.

“Good. Take off your shirt, your tie, and your hat.” The doctor turned his attention back to us

“And may I ask who you might be?”

“They said Howard was looking for her?”

“I’m looking for who?” I looked over as Stark Howard, scanned my face, and his eyes widened, he rushed towards me, tripping over his own feet. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“You found her?”

“Rogers did.” Howard looked over at Steve.

“You know this is a weird way of asking me out on a date. I mean you even had them handcuff me. Usually I don’t let dates handcuff me until at least the 3rd date.” I extended my wrist towards him. Howard blushed slightly, he was a playboy. I didn’t think my comment would cause him to blush.

“I thought you would be used to hearing these kinds of things Mr.Stark, I guess your reputation is wrong. Can you uncuff me now?” I looked over at Peggy

“I’m not going to run and it’s not like I can cause any damage with a room full of military personnel.” Peggy just stared

“You can uncuff her.” She reached for the key and unlocked the cuffs. I automatically rubbed my wrists and looked over at Howard

“Why exactly do you want me?”

“Who are you?”

“You already asked me that.”

“And you never answered.”

“I don’t see the need to.” Howard grabbed my wrist, taking me to a corner of the room.

“Where are you from?”

“Like my family or me?”

“You.”

“California.”

“Where did you come from?”

“Umm... California.”

“No, one second there was no one behind my invention, then a crash and suddenly you appeared behind it and this,” Stark pulled out your phone and it lit up.

Huh, it’s not dead, that’s a shocker

“What is this?”

“It’s mine and you need to give it back.” I reached for the phone, Howard pulled back.

“No.”

“Didn’t anybody ever teach you that stealing is bad? My mom would have dragged me back by the ear, made me apologize, and probably would’ve…” I trailed off and shook my head

“Anyway, give it back. Please,”

“Tell me,”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I did, besides you have more important matters to attend to Mr.Stark.”

“Tell me first and then I’ll get back to it,” I sighed

“I’ll tell you three things. One, my name. Serenity. Two, my birth year. 1996 and three,” I grabbed my phone out of Stark’s hand

“It’s a phone.” He stood there confused

“Stark!” He looked over at one of the scientists who motioned for him to head over

“We’ll continue this later,” I rolled my eyes and walked back over towards Steve.

“Comfortable?” The Dr. asked Steve

“It’s a little big. Can you save me any of that schnapps?”

“Not as much as I should have. Sorry. Next time. Mr. Stark, how are your levels?”

“Levels at 100%.”

“Good.”

“We may dim half the lights in Brooklyn, but we are ready as we’ll ever be.”

“Agent Carter? Don’t you think you would be more comfortable in the booth?”

“Oh, yes. Of course. Sorry.”

“You as well, Miss?”

“Oh, my name is Serenity, Doctor.”

“Serenity, please.” The doctor motioned to the booth, I nodded and turned to walk to the booth

“Serenity?” I turned back, looking at Steve

“Yeah?”

“It’s a pretty name.” I smiled

“Thanks, good luck.”

“Thank you.”

“Good.” The doctor says once more. He takes a microphone and taps it.

“Do you hear me? Is this on?” He asks the small group gathered to watch Steve being prepared to become a super-soldier.

“Ladies and gentlemen, today we take not another step towards annihilation, but the first step on the path to peace. We begin with a series of micro-injections into the subjects’ major muscle groups. The serum infusion will cause immediate cellular change. And then to stimulate growth, the subject will be saturated with Vita-Rays.”

“That wasn’t so bad.” Everyone heard Steve over the microphone after he took a shot.

“That was penicillin. Serum infusion beginning in five, four, three, two, one.” The serum is injected into Steve

“Now, Mr. Stark.”

Stark lowers a leaver, the pod moves upright, and encloses Steve inside. The doctor knocks on the capsule that they’ve locked Steven in for the procedure to change him.

“Steven, can you hear me?”

“It’s probably too late to go to the bathroom, right?”

“We will proceed.” The doctor says to Stark

“That’s ten percent. Twenty percent. Thirty. That’s 40 %.”

“Vital signs are normal.”

“That’s 50 %. Sixty. Seventy.” Stark states, I covered my ears as Steve’s screams echoed through the lab.

“Steven!” The doctor yelled

“Shut it down,” Peggy said

“Steven!” The doctor yells as he knocks on the pod.

“Shut it down!” Peggy yells worried

“He’s fine,” I said, everyone, turned back and looked at me

“Trust me.”

“Kill the reactor, Mr. Stark! Turn it off! Kill it! Kill the reactor!” The doctor yells and everyone turns their attention back to Steve

“No! Don’t! I can do this!” Steve yells

“If something happens to him,” Peggy turned back and looked at me.

“He’s fine, trust me I know he is.”

“Eighty. Ninety. That’s 100 %.” Everything overloads until the reactor closes itself down.

“Mr. Stark?” Stark opens the pod. Everyone could see smoke coming out of the pod and then Steve appeared, sweaty, a foot taller, about 100 pounds heavier of pure muscle and chest heaving. Everyone was excited, Peggy looked at me again and I shrugged.

“Steven. Steven.” The doctor says concerned

As he stumbles out of the pod supported by Stark and the doctor “I did it.” Steve managed to wheeze out.

“Yeah, yeah. I think we did it.” The doctor said, patting Steve’s chest

“We did it.” Stark said in disbelief. Everyone except me and another man stood in the observation booth. I looked over at him, I knew I couldn’t change anything, if I did who knows what it would do to the timeline. I smiled

“You don’t want to head down with everyone?”

“Later.” I nodded and walked past him

“Death,” I whispered under my breath. I could feel his gaze burning a hole into the back of my head

“How do you feel?” Peggy asked

“Taller.” I held back a laugh as Peggy lightly touched his chest, she was completely flustered. I walked up next to her

“You look taller.”

“Look? He grew a whole foot and gained 100 pounds or more of muscle, but I mean if no one will say it, I will. You look amazing. Total beefcake.” I said lifting my hand up and down. Peggy glared slightly at me, I leaned over and whispered

“Jealousy isn’t pretty.”

“How do you like Brooklyn now, Senator?” I overheard someone ask

“I can think of some folks in Berlin who are about to get very nervous. Congratulations, Doctor.”

“Thank you, sir.”

I felt someone grab onto my arm. Stark. My eyes widened when Kruger pulled out his lighter.

“Duck.”

“What?”

“Duck!”

Then he detonates the bomb in the observation room, everyone ducked, glass scatters over everyone, women screaming and he uses the confusion to steal the last vial of the serum. The doctor is the first to stand.

“Stop him!” The doctor yells and Kruger shoots him twice, he runs up the stairs and shoots an officer, and flees with Peggy chasing after him. Steve kneels beside Erskine who points at Steve’s chest and dies. I pushed Stark away from me and ran up to Steve,

“Go.” He turned and looked at me

“GO!” He nodded, running after Peggy and Kruger. I looked down at the doctor, tears welled in my eyes, I felt someone place their hands onto my arms, Stark stared at me, and the doctor who was lying on the floor in disbelief.

“How did you know?” He whispered

“I…”

“What you said earlier… it’s true?” I hesitantly nodded my head, he let out a slight chuckle of disbelief.

“You knew this would happen, why didn’t you-”

“This isn’t the time nor the place.” I glared at him.

“We can talk about this later.” I stood from my spot, turning to face Stark.

“Where do you want me?”

“Follow me.” I sighed, following behind Stark.

“You know, I’m not going to run away. You can stop looking back. I’ll hold your hand if you want or put a leash on me if you’re that worried.” I could hear him smirking

“A leash?” He turned, eyebrow raised and of course a smirk on his face, I rolled my eyes

“Don’t be a pervert.” He laughed and faked a gasp

“You’re the one being the pervert, I wasn’t thinking about anything sexual.”

“Yeah, right.” I scoffed, he extended his hand

“I sadly do not have a leash on me, so your hand will have to do.” I stared at his hand, he lifted it slightly as if saying grab onto it

“Fine.” I grabbed his hand and he smiled.

“Where exactly are we going?”

“That my dear,” He turned and smiled

“Is a secret.”

“We’re going to the SSR compound?” His head turned fast

“Any faster and you could get whiplash.”

“How?”

“I’m pretty sure you, Peggy, and the colonel are going to interrogate me unless you want to keep this a secret, plus Steve should be in there right now getting his blood drawn.” Stark didn’t respond, he opened the doors, the nurse was pulling the needle out of Steve’s arm. 12 test tubes with Steve’s blood were picked up by the nurse, Steve folded his uniform sleeve down. His blue eyes scanned me up and down, his eyes flickered to Stark and froze on our clasped hands. I quickly pulled my hand away from him, Stark rose a brow but looked straight at Steve.

“Think you got enough?”

“Any hope of reproducing a program is locked in your genetic code. But without Dr. Erskine, it could take years.” Peggy stated

“He deserved more than this.”

“If it could only work once, he’d be proud it was you.”

Stark looked out and down the meds window

“Stay here.” He told me, I rolled my eyes

“Yes, sir.”

“You and Stark?” Steve asked

“God, no. He just wanted to make sure I didn’t run away again. I offered my hand or a leash but since neither of us have a leash. Hand, it was.” I said, lifting my hand and wiggling my fingers. I could see Steve’s face turn red and Peggy raised her brow and smirked slightly.

“What? Was the leash too much for you, Rogers?” Before he could respond, we heard the colonel’s voice echo through the compound.

“Great. Why don’t we start with how a German spy got a ride to my secret installation in your car? What have we got here?”

“Speaking modestly, I’m the best mechanical engineer in this country. But I don’t know what’s inside this thing or how it works. We’re not even close to this technology.” Stark responded

“Then who is?” The senator asked

“HYDRA. I’m sure you’ve been reading our briefings.” Colonel responded, Peggy motioned for Steve to follow her

“What about her?” Peggy bit the inside of her cheek and nodded her head

“I’ll be as quiet as a mouse.” We walked down the stairs into the main room, I saw Stark working on the submarine

“I’m on a number of committees, Colonel.” Senator responded

“HYDRA is the Nazi deep science division. It’s led by Johann Schmidt. But he has much bigger ambitions.” Peggy chimed in

“HYDRA’s practically a cult. They worship Schmidt, they think he’s invincible.”

“So what are you gonna do about it?” The senator asked the colonel

“Spoke to the president this morning. As of today the SSR is being re-tasked.” He responds

“Colonel?” Peggy asked

“We are taking the fight to HYDRA. Pack your bags Agent Carter. You too, Stark. You’re flying to London tonight.”

“Sir, if you’re going after Schmidt, I want in.” Steve chimed in. I continued to listen to the back and forth, I felt Stark’s eyes burning into the side of my face

“You’re an experiment. You’re going to Alamogordo.” I accidentally let out a laugh. Everyone looked over at me

“Sorry.”

“Who are you?” The colonel asked

“Oh, I’m with Stark.” I pointed at him

“The serum worked.” Steve interrupted

“I asked for an army and all I got was you. You are not enough.” The colonel stepped closer to Steve

“You’d be surprised.” I murmured under my breath

“With all due respect to the Colonel, I think we may be missing the point. I’ve seen you in action, Steve. More importantly, the country’s seen it.” The senator said while looking at Steve, snapping his fingers toward his aide.

“Paper.” He said, I slowly made my way towards Stark

“Nazis in New York - mystery man saves child” I whispered

The aide shows them the newspaper and Peggy reads it out-loud

“The New York Examiner’ Vol. XCVII No. 33.634, Wednesday, June 23, 1943), headlines: "Nazis in New York - mystery man saves child"

Stark’s eyes widened

“The enlistment lines have been around the block since your picture hit the newsstands. You don’t take a soldier, a symbol like that, and hide him in a lab. Son, do you want to serve your country on the most important battlefield of the war?” The senator asks Steve

“Sir, that’s all I want.”

“Then, congratulations. You just got promoted.” Steve shakes the senators hand

“Too bad all he does is go around in a costume and fake being a hero.” I said to myself, Stark didn’t say anything

“You.” The colonel pointed at me

“I have a name, but yes?” The colonel ignored my comment

“You will be traveling around with Rogers.”

“Wait, Why?”

“If you can handle being Stark’s assistant, you can handle being Rogers.”

“Colonel, I actually need to” Stark was cut off

“She’s going.”

“I guess.” I murmured and looked at Steve

“May I speak to my assistant before she leaves?”

“You got 5 minutes.” Stark nodded and dragged me off

“No need to pull, I’ll follow you.” Stark opened a door and pulled me inside, we were chest to chest

“Are you insane? Out of all the secure places in this compound, you choose a tiny ass closet.”

“It would be the only place that doesn’t have cameras and audio surveillance.”

“The bathrooms?”

“Right..”

“Aren’t you supposed to be a genius?”

“Now isn’t the time, we only have 5 minutes.”

“Pretty sure it’s less now.”

“Where are you from?”

“California.”

“How old are you?”

“22.”

“Lies”

“Why would I be lying?”

“You look like you’re in high school.”

“Well thank you for the compliment, it’s not like you can look me up I don’t exist.”

“Birthday.”

“Question or statement.” Stark glared

“July 31st, 1996”

“Time travel exists in the future?”

“Well..not exactly.”

“What do you mean?”

“You kind of.. Don’t ex-” The door opened wide, my eyes met Steve’s

Great... Who knows what he’s thinking about me now.

Everyone was just standing there, staring at us. I slipped past Stark and walked towards the group.

“5 minutes are up.” The colonel cleared his throat

“Talk, huh?” Steve said his voice slightly filled with venom

“Seriously? It’s none of your business.”

“It is after I saw you wearing Bucky’s clothes.” I froze

“How do you know they’re his? There’s millions of men on this earth who might have the exact same clothing.” Steve reached to the back of Bucky’s shirt and pulled the tag.

“His initials are on the tag.” I grabbed the tag and tugged it forward there in black ink was J.B.B

“Fuck.” I cursed under my breath

“My mom used to write our initials on our clothes so we wouldn’t get any mixed up when he would spend the night.”

“It’s still none of your business.”

“Follow me.” I walked away from him and followed the senator’s aide

Tags:

@ginger-swag-rapunzel

#Bucky Barnes #bucky barnes imagine #bucky fanfic #bucky barnesxreader #bucky barnes x reader #marvel #Steve Rogers

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angelofarts · 3 years ago

Note

ANGIE CONGRATS! Could I request Juke + "Go back to sleep, (term of endearment)." please!!!!!

Thank you for this Kit! This totally ran away from me so you get a 4 + 1 – 4 times Luke and Julie told each other to go to sleep, and one time someone said it to both of them. Thanks to @angela-feelstoomuch for the use of Julie and Luke’s daughter’s name. @jatpfs just in case anyone wants to see

#1 - writing partners

“Jules.”

“Not now,” she said, squinting at the paper. “I’ve almost got this.”

“Jules,” Luke said more insistently. “It’s past dinner.”

Julie waved a dismissive hand at him as she pushed her glasses up. “I already ate.”

“Not today,” Luke said, his hand darting out to snatch her journal from under her nose. She let out a yelp of surprise and indignation, trying to grab it from her writing partner. He held it over his head, and she crossed her arms and glared at him.

“Give me back my journal,” she said distinctly. Luke raised an eyebrow at her.

“Julie, when’s the last time you slept?”

Julie bit her lip, trying to think back. “Yesterday?”

“The day before yesterday,” he corrected. “It’s past midnight. You need to eat something and sleep, preferably in that order. You can have your journal back when you’ve had more than eight hours of sleep.”

Julie let out a grumble before turning and marching to the kitchen with a great amount of dignity.

She definitely did not smile when she heard him laugh at her pajama shorts decorated with tiny cartoon guitars.

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

#2 - dating

“Luke?”

Julie entered the music studio, seeking her erstwhile writing partner and boyfriend. Luke was propped against the wall, scribbling furiously at a notepad before balling up a sheet of paper and throwing it towards the bin in the corner.

“Luke?” she repeated, coming to a halt in front of him. He peered up at her, his scowl smoothing out when they locked eyes.

“Hey,” he murmured, setting his notepad to the side and pulling her into his lap. Luke buried his face in her hair, making her giggle when his breath tickled the hairs on the back of her neck. His fingers threaded over her abdomen as he let out a deep breath.

“When’s the last time you slept?” she asked softly tracing the vein in one of his arms gently.

Luke’s groan vibrated through Julie’s torso as his forehead came to rest on the top of her spine. “I can’t remember. This song won’t leave me alone, but it isn’t coming out right either.”

“Can I help you with it?” she asked, reaching for the pad and pen.

Between the two of them, the song was finished in twenty minutes. Julie seemed to have the pieces Luke had been missing.

Luke was asleep three minutes after it was finished.

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

#3 - engaged

Julie tossed over for the fifth time. Between the movement of the bus and Reggie’s snores, she hadn’t slept a wink. There were nights when this happened, nights when dreams were too elusive to catch.

But Julie was used to having those nights on her own. She wasn’t used to hearing Luke grumble under his breath every few moments from the bunk above Alex.

She carefully slipped from her bed, landing on the floor of the bus with a dancer’s grace. A few steps to the other side of the bus and she was hoisting herself into her fiancé's bunk. Luke looked at her with wide eyes, clearly confused.

“Jules?”

She smiled. “Budge up. I need some space here.”

Luke did as she asked, allowing Julie to pull him in so that he was lying on her chest, his ear pressed to hear her heartbeat. She gently started to card her fingers through his hair.

“Go to sleep, Luke,” she said softly.

Between the gentle movement of her fingers and the sound of her heartbeat, he was asleep in moments.

She was following soon after.

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

#4 - parents

“Jules?”

Julie looked up from the small bundle of blankets, the most precious thing in her world, She’d thought when she married Luke that she would never love anything more than she loved him, but little Rose had changed all of that in an instant.

But the green eyes peering at her were still full of so much love that it ached. She smiled at her husband.

“Yeah?”

Luke squeezed her hand. “You did good.”

“We did good.”

He smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of Rose’s head. She wrinkled her tiny nose before letting out a small huff, her dreams uninterrupted.

“Go to sleep, Jules,” Luke whispered. “I’m here. I’ve got you both.”

She did, trusting that he was there.

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

+1 - Sick

“Mija?”

Julie looked up from Rose with bleary eyes. Luke turned from where he was checking the formula temperature on his wrist.

Ray and Victoria were at the door. Julie wondered why she hadn’t heard them entering – her Tia had not once entered their apartment quietly. Then Julie realised that Reggie had come over what felt like years ago, but according to the clock on the wall was a mere twenty minutes previously. He’d taken one look at Julie and Luke, both close to tears over their daughter, and declared that band practice was cancelled and he would let everyone know. He must have called reinforcements.

Julie had the vague thought at the back of her mind that if she wasn’t so sleep deprived, she would feel slightly insulted at the fact that Reggie thought they couldn’t handle their daughter.

“Papi,” she said with a trembling smile. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

“Reggie called us,” Victoria said softly. “How is she?”

“Still running a fever,” Luke said as he handed Julie the bottle. “She won’t keep the medicine down either.”

As though on cue, Rose let out a small, high pitched cry. Julie felt like crying along with her.

“Oh, sobrina,” Victoria said lovingly. “Julie, may I take her?”

Julie handed her daughter over, watching as Victoria gently patted her tiny back. Rose’s cries settled somewhat, but she still looked distinctly unhappy.

“Go sleep, Mija,” Ray said, pulling his daughter into a hug. “Everything always looks better after some rest.”

Julie turned to Luke, who looked as though he was on the verge of falling over. He smiled and nodded at her. After a few brief instructions about medicine, they stumbled to their bedroom together, falling asleep almost as soon as their heads touched their pillows.

In the morning, things really did look better. Rose accepted her medicine, Ray made pancakes, and Julie sat at the table with a smile, looking at her small family.

“Amazing what some rest will do, isn’t it?” Luke asked, putting down a plate of bacon and pressing a kiss to her head.

Julie smiled. “Amazing indeed.”

#angel's follower celebration #jatp #julie and the phantoms #thank you for this kit!#I loved writing it #I hope you enjoy it

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hopelikethemoon · 4 years ago

Text

First Words (Javier x Readr) {MTMF}

Tile: First Words Rating: PG Length: 2100 Warnings: Fluff Notes: You can find everything about Maybe Today, Maybe Forever here. Set in 1993 after A Dance Owed. Summary: Reader and Javier spend their last day in Laredo and it’s one of firsts.

@grapemama @seawhisperer @huliabitch @beccaplaying @thewallpapergoesorido @twomoonstwosuns @gooddaykate @livasaurasrex @ham4arrow @plexflexico @readsalot73 @hdlynn @lokiaddicted @randomness501 @fioccodineveautunnale @roxypeanut @snivellusim @lukesrighthand @historynerd04 @mrsparknuts @awesomefandomsunited @behindmyeyes-insidemyhead @exrebelshocktrooper @synystersilenceinblacknwhite @ah-callie @swhiskeys @exrebelshocktrooper @u-wakatoshii @space-floozy @cable-kenobi @cool-ultra-nerd @himbopoes @findhimfives @pedrosdoll @frietiemeloen @arrowswithwifi @cinewhore @random066 @uncomicalhumour @heather-lynn @domino-oh-damn @cyarikaaa @ahopelessromanticwritersworld @im-still-a-pieceofgarbage @ksgeekgirl @yabby-girl @xqueenofthecraziesx @punkass-potato @coredrive @pascalesque @theduchessofkirkcaldy @queenquazar @sabinemorans @buckstaposition @holkaskrosnou @yespolkadotkitty@seeking-a-great–perhaps @kochamcie @jaime1110 @katlikeme

“She’s gonna say abuelo before she gets either of our names right.” Javier said lightly as he walked in from the back patio, sliding the screen door shut behind him. “Wrapped around his finger.”

“Josie’s fond of her Peña men.” You retorted, glancing up at him for a second before turning your attention back to the tomatillos you had boiling on the stove. “I can’t say I blame her, however—“

Javier arched a brow at you as he walked further into the kitchen, “However?”

“I can’t help but feel like I’m being a little set up here.” You told him, reaching for the spoon and giving the pot a stir.

“I told you I’d help.” He ran his tongue over the front of his teeth as he gave you a look. “But I know you know how to make it.”

“I do know how to make verde. It’s simple.” You retorted, setting the spoon back onto the stone holder on the counter. “But I’ve made this for the two of us, not your extended family.”

You knew Chucho and Javier were just trying to make you feel like part of the family — because you were, but at the same time they’d inadvertently set you up for failure.

“Hey,” Javier said lowly, hooking his finger into the belt loop of your jeans as he drew you away from the boiling pot. “They’ll love it.” He assured you, smoothing his hand down your hip. “You made a good impression at the wedding.”

“I figured the only impression I made was — that poor girl Javier accidentally got knocked up.” You taunted, cocking your head to the side as you looked up at him. “I’ve never had to do the extended family thing.”

“Me neither.” Javier clicked his tongue against his teeth.

You gave him a skeptical look, “You almost married a woman, Javier. You never met Lorraine’s grandparents? Her aunt? A weird uncle?”

He scratched at the back of his neck and glanced downwards, “Touché.”

“That’s what I figured.” You grabbed the dish towel off the counter and swatted him in the thigh with it. “If you’re going to stay in here, get the blender out.”

You’d had a handful of serious relationships in your life, and every time they got remotely close to really serious you’d quickly found a reason to skirt out of it unscathed.

Maybe you didn’t want to admit it aloud, but that was exactly what had happened with Lance too. Except it was paired with the sobering realization that you wanted Javier — who had seemed unattainable.

Who never once gave you the impression that underneath his bachelor veneer, that he could be something like a family man. When you first met him you never would’ve imagined yourself standing in Texas in his father’s kitchen, making salsa verde because his tia was coming over to visit before you went home to Miami.

“Baby, did you remember cilantro?” Javier questioned as he hauled out the blender and plugged it in on the counter by the microwave.

“There are so many knives in this kitchen.” You shot him a look over your shoulder. “And don’t the neighbors have pigs?”

“Ouch.” He feigned injuring, clutching at his chest. “I might have to take my offer to take ownership of the verde off the table.”

“Ha. Ha.” You laughed humorlessly, shutting off the stovetop.

Javier leaned against the counter opposite of you, arms folded across his chest as he watched you work. You could feel his eyes on you as you blended down the sauce in small increments, before pouring them into a bowl to cool.

“You know, they all adored you.” He told you, once you shut off the blender. “Pretty sure they couldn’t figure out what you were doing with me, but that didn’t change that they adored you.”

You smiled at him as you cleaned up the mess you had made, tucking the dirty dishes into the sink, “They’ve all made me feel so welcome. Doesn’t mean I’m not nervous.”

You recognized that some of the kindness was probably pity. You weren’t stupid — you were fully aware of the optics of the situation.

Javier had a history of burnt bridges; a history that his entire family and the whole goddamn town knew about. You and Josie probably looked pretty flammable to them. If only they knew you’d been made flame resistant from all the bridges you’d set alight while standing on them.

They hadn’t seen him in Colombia after Josie was born. They hadn’t been there through the years that mattered.

Chucho was probably the only one who actually believed that you’d still be around next Christmas.

“Just one more night, baby.” Javier reminded you as he crowded in close to you at the sink. “Then we’ll be in Miami.”

You sank back against him and sighed heavily, “I’m looking forward to it being just the three of us again.” You curled your fingers around his arm as he curled them around your waist. “I haven’t spoken to my own brother in years. You can imagine how navigating your extended family feels.”

“You do it so well,” He pressed a kiss to the crook of your neck. “Couldn’t even tell you were nervous.”

You elbowed him in the gut, making him swear as you twisted around in his hold. “Fuck off.” You taunted, leaning up to press a kiss to his lips before slipping away from him. “I’m gonna go see what Josie and Chucho are up to.” You gestured to the cooling dish. “Finish our verde.”

Javier clicked his tongue against his teeth and nodded, “I’ll be out there in a bit.” He told you as you slid the back door open and stepped outside onto the patio.

Laredo was a nice change of pace from Colombia. Wide open spaces and a little peace and quiet. You almost regretted that the three of you would be moving back into an apartment in a few days.

You tried to picture what a younger Javier looked like working on the ranch alongside his father. You’d seen the pictures in frames on the walls, the old high school graduation picture stuck on the side of the fridge alongside the pictures of his cousins and their kids.

It was hard to picture him without the mustache, the worry lines, and the weight of life on his shoulders.

You shielded your eyes from the sun, looking across the yard towards one of the horse paddocks where Chucho had Josie.

You couldn’t picture Javier as a younger man, but you could picture Josie growing up here. Christmases, birthdays, family reunions. Snapshots of life that you couldn’t relate to.

All you wanted was for Josie to have a normal childhood. A happy childhood. Two parents who loved each other, a stable home life, extended family members who cared. You wanted her to have everything you didn’t have growing up.

You never wanted her to worry.

“How are you doing, chica?” Chucho called out as he started back across the yard towards the patio. “You get that verde finished?”

“Javier’s finishing it up.” You answered, hugging your sweater around your middle as you moved to sit down in one of the chairs around the stone fire pit. “How’s Miss Josie?”

“Having the time of her little life.” Chucho bounced her in his arms and she giggled and squealed. “Give it two years and I’ll have her out there on one of my best mares.”

You laughed, holding your arms out to take her as she tried to squirm out of Chucho’s hold to get to you. You could tell she was tired — but she was trying to soldier through it.

“She’ll never want to leave then!” You kissed the top of her head as she flopped against your chest. “You’re going to need a nap before dinner.” You brushed your fingers through her curly hair as she sighed dramatically.

“Javier was a natural in the saddle,” Chucho recalled as he sank down into a chair across from you. He gestured out towards pasture. “Not even two and I had him in the saddle with me, going out to check on the fence line after a storm.”

“You could probably convince me to let her ride when she’s three.” You offered with a short laugh, rocking her in your arms.

“Deal.” He chuckled, adjusting his hat on his head as he sank back in the chair. “You looking forward to the big move?”

You shrugged, “I’m looking forward to being settled. It’ll be good to see our friends again. To get back into a rhythm.”

“Never thought I’d see Javier settled.” Chucho told you, shaking his head slowly. “But it’s a good look on him.”

“He’s a really good father.” You smiled warmly, looking towards the back door, you could just barely see Javier through the glass as he moved across the kitchen. “I know the situation isn’t ideal—“

“No.” Chucho cut you off. “Things happen for a reason. They always do. There’s no such thing as ideal or not. The two of you are good together.”

“Yeah, we are.” You agreed, kissing the top of Josie’s head again. “It’s all just very new for me.” You admitted. “The wedding was a lot.”

“Would’ve gone better if Javier had given his old man a head’s up.”

You felt your cheeks warm, “I know.”

“Everyone was real impressed with you.” Chucho told you, “Javier was worried.”

You frowned, “He was worried?”

“That they wouldn’t welcome you with open arms.”

“Oh.” You had assumed he meant that Javier has been worried that you wouldn’t fit in. But he’d been worried for you. “I really appreciated being included. I mean, I did show up unannounced.”

He waved a hand, “You know what you need?”

“A stiff drink?” You laughed.

“A joint.”

“Excuse me?”

Chucho gave you a look, “You didn’t strike me as a tight ass like Javier.”

“I’m not.” Your brows furrowed together. “Just so we’re clear — you mean a joint joint, right?”

“Is there any other kind?” He questioned as he stood up slowly. “Old age takes its toll on you and I’ve found a bit of marijuana helps take the edge off.”

“I would agree but,” You gestured to Josie. “I’m still breastfeeding her. As tempting as the offer is.” You glanced back towards the house, “Does Javi know?”

Chucho shook his head, “Let’s keep this between the two of us.”

You grinned, “Now I really do feel like part of the family.”

The back door slid open and Javier stepped out onto the patio. “The verde is finished and the blender’s washed and put back up.”

“Look at that,” Chucho clicked his tongue against his teeth. “He cleans too.”

“Funny, pops.” Javier retorted as he strolled over to where you were sitting. “Real funny.”

Josie perked up the second she heard Javier’s voice, scrambling to get out of your arms. “Da-da!”

Javier stopped dead in his tracks, looking between you and Josie. “Did she just—?”

“Can you say it again?” You questioned, smoothing out her curls as you turned her in your arms so that she was reclining back against your chest and facing Javier. “Can you say daddy?”

Javier knelt down in front of you, grinning from ear-to-ear at Josie. “Come on, princesa. You know you want to say it.”

She clapped her hands together, rocking back against your chest. “D-d-d!”

“Say daddy.” You kissed the top of her head.

“Are you going to say daddy, JoJo?” Javier questioned, tapping his finger against her nose as he leaned in to kiss her cheeks. “Say daddy.”

Josie let out a shrill squeal, “Dada!”

You grinned down at him, “Javi!”

“Ha ha ha!” Josie cooed, tilting her head back against your chest to look up at you. “Da da da!”

Javier gave your knee a squeeze as he met your eyes, “Baby, you’re gonna have to pinch me.” He glanced back at his father then, “You hear that pops?”

“I sure did.” Chucho smiled at both of you. “You know, I think I’m gonna take the truck out and check on some work I sent the boys to sort out this week. I’ll be back before they show up.”

“You need any help?”

Chucho shook his head, “You stay right here, Javier.” He gave you a knowing look, before heading back in the house.

“Are we sure she said daddy?” Javier questioned as he scooped her up, cradling her against his chest as she babbled nonsensically.

“I am certain.” You assured him, your heart aching from just how happy you felt. The joy on Javier’s face made everything worth it. The nerves, the worry, the anxiety, the uncertainty. Those two people made it all worth it.

This was the Javier that no one else saw. The Javier that was madly in love with the tiny baby girl that the two of you had brought into the world. The Javier that was looking forward to being a stay-at-home dad.

“Now we’ve got to get you saying mommy.” Javier murmured to Josie as he bounced her in his arms.

#javier pena #javier pena x reader #pedro pascal x reader

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unlikelyempathpruneauthor · 4 years ago

Text

Back Home-JATP

Reggie x reader

Summary: Julies older sister who died same year as the boys, and even dated reggie, came to Julie sooner because she played her sisters favorite record.

a/n: I made this after watching the show, so here's this hopefully its not too confusing to follow if so let me know! feedback is always appreciated! love you all!

You had died from an unexpected car wreck, you were about 17, same age Julie is by now. You remember that day clearly, you were just on your way home from practice, and suddenly you were crushed by another car. Police say it was a drunk diver who had ended your life.

You knew your family would be hurting even more you just wanted to be there for each of them, mama, papa, Carlos, and Julie and as much as this sounds weird even your tia.

She doesn't know much of you since you died in 1995, but she wished she got to meet you. there were many videos your dad showed Julie when you would preform. You and ray were very close, you were his first daughter, he wished he was able to feel your presence.

After you died you stayed in a pitch black room for about some time. It felt like an hour, but you were suddenly brought back to your house. You saw Julie was playing your favorite record, by beatoven, classic music was your secret pleasure, of course modern music was your favorite too, but classical had something to it.

“Gosh i miss hearing beatoven.” you said as you saw Julie turned around quickly and screamed right after.

“Wait you can see me?” you asked as she came closer to you. “Yeah i can hear you too. Why, what oh my gosh, flynn’s right, i need to stop pulling all nighters.” she said as you laughed “Jules, i don think all nighters are the excuse here, because we are in live time right now.” you said as she calmed down.

You two talked got to know one another more. this was a dream for Julie to finally meet you. its like you two were already best friends, it felt good to know your sister. you were aware of this because your mom was pregnant when you died.

she had told you your mom died and how she stopped playing music. she told you music was everything to her, but she just couldn't play the piano without crying. you knew you would stop playing if you were still alive, but if it was a way to keep her memory alive you would continue to play, but you weren't there, so you couldn't really say much.

you two spent time together in the loft and just talked about memories about your mother, you thought it would be nice to tell her about your mom during the 90′s. god you loved your mothers 90′s hair and outfits.

today you were in the studio as usual as Julie was in the loft looking around. she came down and took it out.

“Oooh what cd is that.” you asked as she showed you reggies band mix. You just froze as if you saw a ghost. “Whats wrong?” she asked. “Uh this is my boyfriends band mix.” you said as your eyes became glassy. You didn't think you would hear his voice again and seeing this just made you remember about your memories.

“You had a boyfriend! Did papa know?” she smirked. “Of course he didn't, i kept it on the low.” you said as she giggled. “Do you wanna listen?” she asked as you nodded. She played it and you herd reggie’s bass, you remember the times he would play it when he learned a new rhythm.

“Wow these guys are good, what did your boyfriend play?” jules asked. “He plays, or well played the bass.” you said with a smile.

Just then out of nowhere those three boys had popped out of nowhere, kinda like a teleportation type of thing. You and julie just stood there seeing those boys fall on the ground. Your eyes landed on reggie. You didn't know he died too. Julie then screamed out of nowhere which caused the boys to yell too.

“Wait, y/n?” reggie said as you smiled, you didn't think you would see him again.

“Reggie.” you said as you two embraced one another in a hug. You had missed his hugs more than anything. “Uh hello! There are still two other boys in moms studio.” julie said as you laughed. “Right sorry, well you know reggie, i told you about him just like a minute ago.” you said as she nodded.

“yeah papa, would not like him, the leather jacket just screams bad boy.” she said as you giggled. “okay who are these other cute faces.” you said as Luke smirked.

“huh she thinks we're cute.” he said as Alex patted his back.

“These are his friend Jules.” you said as Luke tried shaking her hand.

“Hi im luke were from sunset curve, tell your friends.” he said as julie shook his hand.

“This is Alex, and well you weirdly know reggie, also reggie who is she?” Luke said as alex hit his shoulder. “Im sorry he’s really not um how do you say it, smart.” he said as you laughed.

“No worries i kinda got that.” Julie said. “Hey im not dumb, I just, he never told us about her.” Luke said.

Gosh they were all still the same, you didn't think you would see them. Reggie told you about them but you didn't think you would meet them like this, you know dead.

“Hi, im alex, you must be the girl who kept this dude or is keeping the dude very emotional. “ alex said as you laughed. “Yes i am, he says he isnt emotional but you guys should now that he literally cried when we watched-” you said reggie coughed. “Not here y/n” he said as you giggled. “Well that’s a story for later Alex.” you said as you giggled.

You guys caught up with one another and got to no more about the band. You noticed immediately that luke was head over heals for julie. The time the boys were here, julie started playing and singing. You were so happy reggie and his band got her to sing. You didn't think you would hear her amazing voice or hear reggie play again with his band.

You would sing too with her, but you couldn't with an audience. You knew if videos of you were out into the internet, your dad would probably flip out, or cry. Thankfully the one at the school, where you were trying to get Julie back into the program, no one had their phones out.

Today though Julie wanted you to sing so bad with her at the garage party where everyone was gonna be there, even your dad carlos and tia. You knew it was a bad idea, your family would get suspicious.

“Come on please sing with me, we have great harmony. Plus I can just tell dad it's a computer generated, he knows the guys are holograms from Sweden, wouldn't be bad to add you in.” she said as you smiled.

“Okay fine,” you said as she squealed and hugged you.

it was pretty nerve wracking that you were gonna preform in front of your family with your sister and well your boyfriend your father had no idea of. made you feel a little bad for not telling him. you were currently just sitting in your room thinking how this was all gonna go. reggie had poofed in seeing how nervous you were.

“You alright?” reggie asked as you smiled.

“Yeah i am, just nervous is all, i don't know how they're gonna react when they see me with Julie.” you said as he held your hand. “It wouldn't be bad for them to see you with julie. Plus i haven't herd you sing and i herd you sing beautifully.” he said as you giggled.

“Right i forgot you will be hearing me too. Makes me even more nervous.” you said as he placed his arms over you to cuddle you so you get those nervous thought out of your head. you did this when he was nervous, you didn't think he would remember.

You had no idea what you guys were, but you knew the love for one another wasnt gone. I mean it's not like you broke up, so technically you are still dating for 25 years.

“You’ll be great, after years of not seeing you, i've missed you and us.” he said as you smiled.

“Me too reggie.” you said as you gave him a peck on the cheek.

“Wait really? So are we still together?” he said as you rolled your eyes.

“Reggie we didn't break up, we died.” you said as he was still confused.

“Yes reggie were dating still. Technically for 25 years.” you said as his eyes widen.

“So youre telling me i've missed 25 aneverseries?” he said as you giggled. You sure loved him, this was one of the reason you did. You knew now he would have no idea what new slang is or even sarcasm. “Reggie, you really are something special, one of the many reasons i love you.” you said as you two kissed. You were in sync with one another as if you were never separated. It felt almost normal.

“Ugh i though i would never see my sister kiss a boy, i thought that part was over.” julie said as you both looked up. “You and me both sister.” alex said as you all giggled. “Well face suckers were going on in a little.” julie said as you all got ready.

You were so nervous, but you did miss preforming again, even though the past performances were your stuffed animals and you parents and fetus Julie. Once Julie started singing, right on cue we all appeared. You were standing next to Julie and you saw your whole families reaction. they were shocked, but they seemed very happy seeing you.

“I believe,I believe that we're just one dream, Away from who we're meant to be. That we're standing on the edge of. Something big, something crazy. Our best days are yet unknown. That this moment is ours to own.” you and Julie both sang with the chemistry making the crowd love the sisterly love.

You were next to reggie while julie was on top of the piano. Yours and reggies chemistry made everyone go crazy, you saw your dad in the corner who was tearing up a little while tia patted his back.

Julie sat down in the bench, and you started singing the last part of the song. You and reggie had moved up making the audience go even more crazy with how much chemistry the band had.

“Running from the past. Tripping on the now. What is lost can be found, it's obvious.” you sang as you all bowed and disappeared in an instant and everyone went wild.

Your father had quickly went over to Jules and you knew what he was gonna ask. you stood next to him as Julie looked at you and your dad.

“Julie, why was y/n up there?” he said choking up because he hadnt seen his daughter in years.

“Uh dad i miss her and i thought you could see her preform again i know you miss her.” she said as he was sobbing.

“Yeah i do. Gosh it felt good seeing you two sing together I would always imagine that in my head, thank you Julie,” he said as he hugged her. God how you wished you could just tell him, but you knew it was for the best not to.

You sat in your room and just wanted to sleep in your room like old times. Reggie poofed in and you looked up seeing he was there and laying back down.

“You okay?” he asked. “Yeah i am, it just felt good performing just this once again, felt nice preforming with you.” you said. “Yeah i liked it a lot, wish we did it when we were alive.” he said as you playfully scoffed and punched his shoulder.

“God you sure now how to make me feel better.” you said as you hugged and stayed with one another.

“maybe you should join the band, wouldn't be so bad to have another lead female singer, plus our chemistry makes those people go crazy.” he said as you laughed.

“I don't know reggie, its the phantom and Julie, as much as I liked it, I don't know. you guys are all perfect together.” you said as he put your hair behind your ear.

“im sure the dudes and Julie will love you in the band, come on please?” he said as you smiled at his way of persuading you.

“okay fine, but we have to talk to them first okay?” you said as he nodded and you two just laid in one another presence.

Reggie had broke the silence, “you know this room brings back memories.” he said.

“oh reg, this room makes you think of many things we did.” you said as you laughed and kissed him and spent the night with one another in each others arms like old times. You knew this time you weren’t worried your dad walked in on you with him, but you sure miss the the adrenaline and the caution.

#julie and the phantoms #jatp netflix #jatp #reggie jatp #jatp fanfic #jatp reggie #julie molina #netflix julie and the phantoms #reggie x reader

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artificialqueens · 4 years ago

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Me and You Together, 3/10 (Taywhora) - Ortega

fic summary: The cardinal rule of having flatmates is that you Do Not Catch Feelings For Your Flatmates, because everything inevitably goes to shit and gets made horrifically awkward. A’whora and Tayce both know this, but being in first year of uni and making good decisions have never really gone hand in hand.

a/n: again, fucking bowled over by the love and support this has had so far. i cannot thank any of u enough, ur all absolute wee diamonds in the sky. hope u enjoy this one- we’re in January for this one, where the girls have to deal with the consequences of December…and Tayce is tasked with keeping a secret for Lawrence.

last chapter: September- On a damp, bright Saturday in September, six flatmates move into their student flat and meet for the first time.

this chapter: January- Tayce and A’whora still have unfinished business from a night out and a hungover morning in December. But it’s only awkward if they make it awkward…right?

***

Tayce is pretty sure she’s going to combust if something doesn’t happen soon.

It’s been a month and a week since A’whora kissed her, and twenty-four hours shorter than that since Tayce kissed her in return. Or thereabouts, it’s not like she’s counting. It’s not like it’s been consuming her every thought every waking moment of the day or anything.

In all fairness, Tayce seems like it’s an achievement to think about a kiss for that length of time. Especially through her first semester essay deadlines, Ellie’s raucous eighteenth, her first Christmas back home, her first New Year seeing all her old school friends after uni and updating Cheryl and Cara on everything. She’d drunkenly come out to Cheryl too after being gently encouraged and supported by Cara, and they’d both cried as Cheryl held her and confessed that since uni had started she’d also begun seeing a girl she really liked too.

It’s funny how at uni everybody seems so much more free. Away from a stifling hometown, Tayce and her friends can properly spread their wings and be who they’ve always been but have either not realised it or been afraid to show it. Tayce is the happiest she’s ever been when she’s at the flat with the others in her little bubble of a home away from home, with Bimini’s intelligent insights and Tia’s funny quips, Lawrence’s chaos and Ellie’s kindness and A’whora being…well, her best friend.

Except she’s not really sure that best friends kiss each other like that.

But maybe they do, because since they’ve all come back from home after Christmas A’whora hasn’t mentioned the kisses, as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened between them. Hasn’t even joked about it with her or in front of the others (which is fair enough, as if Lawrence knew she’d probably tease them about it until they graduated). Tayce is pretty sure that none of the others even know, or at least if they do they’ve not spoken about it.

And the worst part is that A’whora has been absolutely…normal. Fine.

See, Tayce could’ve dealt with any awkwardness- she’d be upfront, bluntly ask A’whora if she wants to forget about it or what she wants the plan for them to be. Even better would’ve been if A’whora had rugby-tackled her the moment she’d got back from Wales and smothered her with kisses, told her how much she’d been thinking about her while they’d both been away. Tayce supposes it’s kind of her fault they never properly talked about it since she’d practically bolted out of A’whora’s room when she’d kissed her that morning, but she’d been nervous in case she’d made everything too weird. A’whora hadn’t seemed to be complaining at the time, though.

In fact that night, A’whora had been up for plenty more than just a drunk kiss. If Tayce thinks about everything she’d said when they were walking home her face still gets hot and she has to squeeze her thighs together. She’s definitely glad they never crossed any of those particular lines when they’d both been drinking, but sometimes when she’s lying in bed at night Tayce lets her hands drift between her legs as she thinks about A’whora telling her how much and for how long she’d wanted her.

Best friends definitely don’t do that.

So Tayce feels guilty spending time with just A’whora these days, the fact that things haven’t been awkward between them somehow being worse than if they were. She’s not been avoiding her per sé, she’s just been finding ways to make sure it’s very rarely the two of them alone together: hanging out in the kitchen with everyone instead of in her room, going to bed when the others do instead of staying up with A’whora, inviting the others to anything A’whora suggests the two of them do together. It’s silly, and Tayce does miss spending time alone with her, but A’whora acting like nothing’s happened while conversely Tayce wants everything to happen hurts her embarrassingly more than she’d care to admit.

Such a time is a lazy Sunday afternoon halfway through the shittiest month of the year, when the weather outside is full of misty rain that’s a recipe for frizzy hair, puddles, and misery. Just to add to the rubbish day Tayce is holed up in her room, watching the grey clouds drift and overlap over each other to create a paint colour chart in the sky as she begins an essay that’s due in a mere five days. It’s been hard to focus on anything when her head is full of her best friend and imaginary scenarios but the prospect of an all-nighter isn’t one that’s particularly desirable either, so she and the ninety-five words she’s written so far are engaged in a stand-off as Tayce waits for the essay to write itself and the word document waits for her brain cells to conjure up any more opinions on “Is art a conveyor of emotion?” (4000 words).

And then there’s a knock on the door that doesn’t wait for permission to enter and A’whora bounces in. She’s in a pair of grey joggers and a baggy navy pyjama top that she’s tucked in at the waist and rolled up the sleeves of, and her hair is up in a bun that’s had approximately 5% effort put into it apart from the little diamante hair clasp she’s slid through it at the top.

In spite of herself, Tayce can’t help but snort when she sees her. “Only you could make your shitty potato loungewear fashion.”

“Shut up! This is haute couture. This is actually my final project for the semester,” A’whora jokes in return, moves to sit at the foot of her bed and pout at her. “Tayyyce. I’m boreddd.”

Tayce raises an eyebrow at A’whora’s whining from over her laptop screen. “And I’m doing this essay. Find someone else to bug.”

“Don’t be such a hound,” A’whora frowns, falling sideways and landing onto the bed so she’s hugging Tayce’s legs through the duvet, her head resting on her shins. “I’d annoy Ellie but she’s in town with one of her friends from home. C’mon, let’s do a movie day. We’ve not had one in ages. I feel like we’ve barely had any time together since you got back.”

“Just been trying to catch up on all my coursework. It’s not personal,” she lies, her heart sinking only the tiniest bit at the realisation that her attempts at staying out of A’whora’s way have obviously been louder than they’ve been subtle.

“Please?” A’whora bats her lashes, and if it was impossible to say no to her before it’s surely illegal to do so now.

Tayce sighs and closes her laptop, eliciting a smile from the other girl. “Fine. Fine! But you better ask the others, I don’t want them feeling left out.”

It’s a good spur-of-the-moment excuse to make sure Tayce doesn’t have to spend two hours cuddled up next to A’whora while her heart hurts, but she’s confused by the way a small look of something passes over A’whora’s expression. She can’t put her finger on what it is, but A’whora’s agreeing and bounding down to the living room before Tayce can figure it out.

Tayce throws on her dressing gown over her clothes before leaving her room to join her, the blue fluffy one with the narwhal hood that’s complete with a horn on the top. She doesn’t own many embarrassing items of clothing, but this is definitely one of them. It doesn’t matter too much, though. A’whora’s seen her in it before, when she’s been hungover or sad or hangry and on her period.

It’s so funny how she can only have known her five months and still feel closer to her than half of the friends she spent six years with at high school.

In the kitchen, A’whora’s already cheerfully getting organised as Bimini and Lawrence lounge on the sofa lazily. Tia’s not in either- it emerges she’s gone round to Veronica’s, which nobody’s surprised about.

“Main question is, what’re we watching?” Bimini asks. “It’s a lazy Sunday so it can’t be anything that’s too good. I want something I can rip the piss out of while I watch it, y’know?”

There’s some squabbling about film choices as A’whora makes popcorn in the microwave, burns it, then subsequently has to make another packet. It’s eventually decided that they’re going to watch Love Actually despite the fact it’s January, because they all either hate it or like it because of how bad it is and the film will simply be a vehicle for them to yell jokes over.

“Have we got anything to drink? We could make this into like…a day drinking situation,” Lawrence suggests casually.

“You’re not helping the stereotype that all Scottish people are alcoholics at all,” A’whora quips, causing Tayce to let out a too-loud laugh.

“Listen, if you’ve not figured out that I’m a walking talking stereotype by now, A’whora, are we even friends?” Lawrence shoots back, and A’whora shrugs in an unspoken fair enough.

Tayce tilts her head then remembers something. “I actually still have loads of canned cocktails in my suitcase that my Mum got me for Christmas. Haven’t unpacked them yet. Think there’s about…twelve?”

“Ooh, three each? That’s alright!” Bimini smiles, clearly buoyed by the prospect of being slightly tipsy in the middle of the afternoon.

“Right, that’s settled then. I’ll go get them,” Tayce decides. A’whora’s crossing the kitchen before she knows it.

“I’ll help you with them.”

Before Tayce can speak, Bimini gives a snort. “ ‘Ow much do you think canned cocktails weigh, exactly?”

As Lawrence bursts into peals of laughter, Tayce watches as A’whora rolls her eyes at them, then turns on her heel to follow her to her room. Tayce can’t help but be a little wary, though. It does kind of seem like A’whora’s trying to get her on her own, which Tayce wouldn’t mind if she knew where she was coming from. But she doesn’t.

Tayce kneels down onto the floor as she rolls her suitcase out from under the bed, chatting mindlessly as she does so because if she’s talking it means A’whora doesn’t have a chance to bring up whatever she clearly wants to bring up. “I think there’s actually eleven here, you know. Because, uh…I think I drank one of them while I was at home, so we’re gonna need to fight over who gets one less. I don’t fancy my chances in a fight against Lawrence, she’d probably give me…what’s that expression? A Glasgow kiss? She’d give me one of those. Although Bimini, what do you think they’d be like in a fight? You know I think they’ve secretly got a set of knuckledusters, they seem the type. Although when I think about it-”

“Tayce,” A’whora cuts in, forcing her to snap her head up. Her expression is troubled, and a little frown dips on her forehead as she looks at her. “What’s wrong? Why are you being so…I don’t know, weird? Like you want to get rid of me?”

Tayce feels ashamed for being called out on her behaviour, and she can feel her stomach drop as she looks back at the cans in her otherwise empty suitcase. She wants to tell her there’s a reason for the way she’s been acting but A’whora beats her to the punch, murmuring with her head down and not meeting Tayce’s eyes.

“Is this because we kissed?”

“A’whora…” Tayce immediately groans in exasperation, the heat rushing to her cheeks as if she’s been slapped. She’s embarrassed, because she knows she’s got the capacity to talk about this like a grown-up but there’s a part of her that’s cringing, because if A’whora’s about to tell her she regrets it then she’s not sure she’ll ever live it down.

There’s a small silence where neither of them seem to move, let alone speak. A’whora is yet again the one to break it. “I just feel like you hate me all of a sudden.”

Fuck. If there was one thing Tayce had wanted to avoid, it’s this. Even though she herself is hurting she can’t bear the thought of having hurt A’whora’s feelings too, so she frowns, reaches up and squeezes A’whora’s hand which prompts her to look at Tayce. “I don’t hate you, Rory, of course I don’t hate you. I just…”

Tayce looks up to the ceiling as she searches for the right words, even though she’s not really sure what they are. She wants to tell A’whora she’s yearning for something to happen again between them and that even the fact she’s holding her hand is setting her pulse off all too quickly, but now’s not the right time. Besides, she doesn’t even know if A’whora feels the same way. Either way, Tayce can hear A’whora holding her breath, can feel the way her body’s tense beside her, so Tayce finally formulates something that doesn’t sound too hot or too cold.

“…I just don’t know where we go from here, that’s all.”

A’whora visibly relaxes, then shrugs. Her voice is quiet as she speaks. “Well, it’s only awkward if we make it awkward. And I feel like I’ve been okay at not making it awkward?”

Tayce narrows her eyes at her, laughs. “So what you’re saying is it’s all my fault.”

“Yes.”

The pair of the giggle softly and things already seem to have shifted back into comfortable territory. The green of a spring bulb popping up through the snow.

Tayce swallows her not-inconsiderable pride and smiles up at A’whora. She supposes going back to being friends and not ever talking about the fact that they kissed again is better than existing in a tense purgatory for the rest of their time in the flat together, even if it does make her feel a little sinking feeling of disappointment and a sense of mourning what could’ve been. “I’m sorry for being such a…mingebag.”

A’whora cracks up, repeats “mingebag!” incredulously, before her laughter dies down and she gives Tayce’s hand a squeeze in return. “That’s okay. Just good to know you still like me.”

They share a soft smile before piling the cocktails high in their arms, cradling them as if they’re babies as they rush back through to the living room where Bimini and Lawrence are hanging up a huge white sheet on the wall opposite the sofa for the projector. The projector had been Tia’s addition to the flat, an AliExpress purchase that had turned out to not be broken, or unusable, or made for a doll’s house.

“Tia won’t mind us borrowing that, will she?” A’whora asks with concern. Lawrence scoffs, bats a hand in her direction dismissively.

“She’ll be too mouth-deep in Veronica to care when she realises we’ve used it, let’s not lie!”

There’s a cry of disgust at Lawrence’s turn of phrase from the others, and as Tayce sets up the cocktails on the little coffee table A’whora brings the bowl of popcorn through.

“It’s fun to be able to make jokes about Tia and her girl, in’t it?” Bimini chuckles good-naturedly. “Always feel like we can’t properly tease her when Ellie’s there ‘cause she always looks like she’s about to jump out the window any time we mention Veronica’s name.”

The revelation that Ellie has feelings for Tia had come via a drunken, tearful confession to the others the night of her eighteenth birthday, when Tia had left the party with Veronica instead of staying overnight at the flat. Poor Ellie had been so devastatingly upset that the others had seemed to forge an unspoken agreement that the situation wasn’t going to be fodder for flat jokes. Instead they make sure to ask Tia how her budding relationship is going when Ellie isn’t around.

As she and A’whora laugh in agreement at Bimini’s joke, Tayce doesn’t miss the way Lawrence grows uncharacteristically quiet.

“When d’you think Ellie will get over Tia? I mean it’s a shame she doesn’t like her back, but she’ll ‘ave to at some point.”

“She won’t. She’ll just pine after her every day until we graduate,” Lawrence says. It’s meant to be a joke but her delivery is somewhat flat, and Tayce wonders if she’s the only one that picks up on it. From the way A’whora and Bimini are laughing, it appears she has been.

Bimini and Lawrence step back from the sheet, satisfied with the job they’ve done. A’whora’s busy plugging in the fairy lights Ellie strung up where the wall meets the ceiling a few months ago, and Tayce can’t help but think to herself that sacking off her essay was a good idea as she glances at their setup. Never let it be said that their flat does things by halves.

“Oh! We should bring duvets through. And blankets,” A’whora suggests, and Tayce’s heart is both warmed and hurt by how adorably enthusiastic she is about the whole endeavour. She wishes she could shake the lingering feeling of disappointment she’s got in her gut at the knowledge that they’ll probably never talk about their kiss again; they’ve moved on from it, it was a one-time thing, and it’s only awkward if they make it awkward so Tayce bringing it up would be awkward, right?

So she settles on the sofa with Lawrence while Bimini helps A’whora gather up all their pillows, cushions, blankets and duvets from their respective rooms. Tayce is about to become lost in her own head when Lawrence turns to her with a look in her eyes that Tayce has never seen before. It’s almost conspiratorial and definitely suspicious, and for one horrific moment Tayce is convinced that Lawrence knows everything that happened in December.

“What is it?” Tayce asks her, before her flatmate can even open her mouth. Lawrence sighs, tips her head back to the head of the sofa and squeezes her eyes shut.

“I need to tell you a secret.”

Tayce’s heart drops as if she’s on a rollercoaster. Her mind immediately jumps to A’whora. What’s she told her? What does Lawrence know? It would make sense to wait until A’whora was out of the room before telling her anything. Tayce tries to keep her face impassive as she turns to Lawrence, nods quietly. “Okay, spill.”

“You can’t tell anyone, Tayce,” Lawrence insists, looking at her pleadingly. Tayce promises she won’t, although in retrospect she probably should’ve asked what it was first. The way Lawrence is acting is intriguing, though. It makes Tayce think it’s something about herself if it’s something she doesn’t want the others to know so badly.

“Christ, this is so cringe,” Lawrence groans, dropping her head forward and resting it in her hands. Tayce can still see the pink flush that’s started to dust her face, and by now she’s convinced that this has nothing to do with A’whora and everything to do with Lawrence herself.

Lawrence mutters out something incoherent into her hands. Tayce frowns, humoured. “What?”

A huge huff comes from the girl on the sofa beside her, and as she removes her hands from the front of her face she sticks them to the side of it like blinkers on a horse. It’s the quietest Tayce has ever heard Lawrence speak as she says the secret again. “I’ve got a crush on Ellie.”

Tayce’s face lights up at her friend’s confession. “Do you actually?”

“Christ, don’t make me say it twice. I’ll get struck down.”

Tayce leans into Lawrence, uses both her hands to lightly poke her in the arm. “Look at you! Being cute and having feelings!”

“It’s not, though! It’s not cute at all! It’s just sad!” Lawrence rolls her eyes, shaking her head at the same time. “Because she doesn’t…she’ll never see me like that, and she’s too busy making cow-eyes at Tia all the time anyway, so. It’s pointless, I don’t even know why I’m even hoping for something to happen.”

“Hey, listen! How long do you think Ellie’s gonna be able to keep moaning about Tia when she’s still seeing Veronica? I mean there’s only one way that relationship is going, the only ‘end’ there is in ‘girlfriend’. So Ellie’s gonna have to get over it eventually!” Tayce says supportively, shaking Lawrence’s arm to gee her up. Lawrence bats her away, though, giving another sigh.

“Tayce, it’s not exactly like she’s gonnae suddenly realise that I’ve been here all along! Like some fuckin’ chick flick. I’ve fancied her for years,” Lawrence explains. The information knocks Tayce for six, but when she thinks about it it makes sense- the way Lawrence gently bullies her so much, the way she gravitates towards her all the time, the way she gets quiet if Ellie starts moping about Tia. Tayce had never thought about it in that light before.

Lawrence hugs her knees to her chest as she continues. “Realised I liked her the last time we were at the caravan. And obviously we were at opposite sides of the country but like…I’d still meet up with her in Summer, get the train to Dundee and have sleepovers and all that shite. And when she came into the kitchen on that first day I was so happy she was gonnae be living with us, and I am still happy, because obviously she’s my friend? But like…it’s just shite to know that she’ll never like me back.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Ellie’s type is obviously tall, dark and skinny. Which…” Lawrence gestures at herself with a deprecative laugh. “…how can I be any of that?”

“Right, for a start! Stop thinking about what you’re not and start thinking about what you are,” Tayce says firmly, gripping her hand tightly.

Lawrence rolls her eyes and fixes her with a pointed stare. “Oh, like what? I’m beautiful on the inside! I know I’m the fat funny friend, Tayce, you can spare me the bullshit.”

“Well…you’re fat, and so fucking what of it? Doesn’t mean you aren’t drop-dead-fuckin’ gorgeous. Being fat and being beautiful aren’t mutually exclusive.”

“Very easy for you to say, sat there wearing size eights. Tell that to literally any piece of media we consume. Or any of my brain cells. Even if there are only about ten of them,” Lawrence sighs, then pauses. “I do like the way I look, and I don’t want to change anything about myself. It’s just…several things make that very hard almost all of the time, and it’s tiring to feel like you’re constantly fighting a losing battle. And it’s not like I’m pinning all my self-worth on a girl liking me back, but just…it would be nice to be the one that someone has a crush on for a change, if that makes sense?”

Before Tayce can say anything to affirm how Lawrence is feeling, a movement from down the hall makes her flinch and point at Tayce accusingly. “Not a fucking word, right? Least of all to A’whora, if she knows then I might as well just tell Ellie myself and like fuck is that happening.”

Tayce nods rapidly in a promise as A’whora and Bimini emerge from the hall comedically draped in materials, like a child’s attempt at a dress made out of knitting and featherdown quilts. They all set about arranging everything to make their setup as comfy as possible, and as the film gets loaded up they get comfortable in their respective positions. Lawrence is at one end of the sofa, with Tayce in the middle and A’whora at her side, while Bimini sits on the floor with their back to the sofa because they’re quite happy sitting there with enough cushions and pillows. The big lights are turned off, the film begins, and the room is filled with the soft glow of the fairy lights and the hazy light from the movie and all Tayce can think about is A’whora, warm and soft and squashed up beside her sharing the blanket.

Tayce feels silly for being so disappointed. This was what she’d wanted- they’d talked about it. They’d addressed the fact that the kiss had happened, and now they were just…moving forward. Not making things awkward. Because obviously to A’whora, the fact it’s happened has made things awkward.

And that shouldn’t hurt Tayce as much as it does.

It’s hard to dwell on things for long, though, when she has block four flat ten’s very own Ant and Dec in her living room. Lawrence and Bimini keep her and A’whora giggling pretty much from the film’s first scene, and they all fall about screech-laughing when Bimini forces them to pause it on a shot of Liam Neeson’s hall in which there’s a horrific blob of a child’s painting on the wall that looks so cursed they just had to point it out.

It’s probably because Lawrence and Bimini are distracting her that Tayce doesn’t initially notice A’whora leaning into her at first until she’s pressed up against Tayce’s side. This isn’t anything out of the ordinary. They’ve always sat close before, but this time things feel different. This time it feels as if there’s little sparks of electricity between them, metaphorical manifestations of the anticipation Tayce feels of something she’s yearning to happen.

So when A’whora bumps her knuckles against Tayce’s, brings her hand over hers and laces their fingers together, Tayce feels as if she’s suddenly evolved into some ridiculous cartoon character; she can practically feel her eyes bulge out of their sockets in shock and she has to stop her jaw from dropping onto the floor. If her heart could comedically fly out of its chest it would. Tayce keeps her gaze steady and focused on the film, blocking out her peripheral vision and not even turning to see if A’whora’s looking at her too. Because if she is it would make everything ten times worse (better?) than it currently is, and Tayce’s head is already in a spin. They’ve held hands before. It’s not like this is different.

But it is. Before they hadn’t kissed. Before A’whora hadn’t told Tayce she wanted to sleep with her. Before all of Tayce’s feelings for her friend were cooped up into neat little boxes in her mind that were so full they were close to bursting, but now they have and now it’s After and so holding A’whora’s hand has gone from usual to extraordinary, routine to electric.

Tayce hopes A’whora can’t feel the way her pulse is racing because that’ll definitely let her know something is up.

She’s suddenly startled out of her overthinking by a tut of disapproval from Lawrence. “How many fuckin’ couples are in this film and there’s not one single lesbian?”

“Lesbians didn’t exist in 2003, remember?” Bimini deadpans, causing A’whora to giggle.

“Yeah, lesbians were invented in 2013 when Orange is the New Black aired.”

“Nah! When did Sugar Rush come out? Mind that programme on Channel 4? I remember watching that through a crack in the living room door when my parents thought I’d gone to bed,” Lawrence recounds excitedly, her enthusiasm at remembering her lesbian awakening making Tayce laugh and relate at the same time.

“For me it was Sophie and Sian. Remember on Coronation Street? They were my first lesbians.”

“At least you all got representation at some stage. If I wanted to see another pan I’d have to watch fuckin’…Kitchen Nightmares,” Bimini rolls their eyes, their joke making the girls howl with laughter and let out cries of consolation.

And then A’whora squeezes Tayce’s hand under the blanket.

Tayce thinks only for a second before squeezing it back, and subsequently doesn’t think before turning and looking at her friend beside her. A’whora shoots her a little smile that if Tayce didn’t know better she’d say was innocent, but the twinkle in her eye and the way she shuffles herself to lean closer against her and tuck her other hand into the crook of Tayce’s elbow makes her heart give a judder like she’s been crashed into from behind.

She supposes it’s only awkward if she makes things awkward, just like A’whora said. So when Tayce gently strokes A’whora’s hand with her thumb, it’s only to illustrate to A’whora that things aren’t weird between them. It’s not to see how the other girl is going to react to that at all. It’s not because being affectionate with A’whora just feels correct and perfect, the easiest thing in the world.

Tayce is holding her breath waiting for A’whora to do something else. Something to raise her hopes, something to show her that maybe she does want something to happen between them again. She wants the film to go on forever and give them infinite time in this no-man’s-land of comfortable tension, because when it ends she knows A’whora will probably just get up from under the blanket and slip away as if everything is back to normal.

When A’whora lets go of her hand, Tayce feels her hopes drop into the pit of her stomach, a rollercoaster coming to a dead stop. The ride is over.

But a second later she wraps her arm around Tayce’s waist, squeezes her close in a hug, and the ride begins all over again. Tayce’s heart rate spikes as she shifts a little, getting comfortable before bringing her arm around A’whora’s middle too and holding her right back.

It’s then that Lawrence’s voice makes Tayce snap her head away from the film, her glazed-over eyes having to focus on her friend who’s regarding her with a raised eyebrow. “Fuck’s going on under that blanket? You two fingering each other?”

Bimini snaps their head up and yells as Tayce tries to conceal the wave of panic that hits her, rolls her eyes and shakes her head and tells Lawrence that she needs to get her mind out the gutter. She’s sure that being called out will make A’whora flinch away, a woodland animal startled by a twig breaking, but she just giggles and buries her face into Tayce’s side all bashful.

God, Tayce wants to kiss her so much.

The film reaches the scene where Emma Thompson cries in her bedroom to Joni Mitchell, and the sniffing from the floor indicates she’s not the only one.

“Bimini! You said you hated this film!” Tayce laughs, nudging her friend with her foot.

“Yeah, but anyone who doesn’t cry at this scene is a hard-hearted bastard,” they reply, voice thick with emotion.

“Aww, BonBon. It’s okay, I’ve got a little tear as well,” A’whora murmurs from Tayce’s side. She huffs a sigh. “I can’t even believe anyone would fall for that pencil-skirt-wearing cow. I mean, she fucking manspreads and that’s supposed to be some sort of sexy come-on?”

“Aw, and like you could do any better?! We’ve all seen you trying to flirt, it’s embarrassing!” Lawrence cries in outrage.

Tayce is reminded of nights out earlier in the year when A’whora would talk to girls at bars and Tayce would always feel this inexplicable burn in her chest in response. She remembers the unfounded relief when A’whora would come back home to the flat with the rest of them, one-night-stand missions failed, and the churn in her stomach the times when she’d leave with a girl she didn’t know and sneak back into the flat at nine in the morning, ready to tell the others about her exploits from the night before which Tayce never wanted to hear.

She’s really fancied A’whora for a long time, now she thinks about it.

“I could so do better!” A’whora complains, and Tayce isn’t looking at her but she just knows she’s pouting.

Lawrence chuckles, tilting her head in amusement. “Go on then! What would your plan of action be, Miss fuckin’ Womaniser?”

There’s a pause before A’whora says, “Well I’d probably wait until we were both drunk on a night out, do tequila shots with them, drape myself over them, kiss them, then get them to take me back home.”

Tayce thinks she deserves an Oscar for the way she refuses to outwardly react to the way A’whora has essentially just described their kiss from that night out. Inside, however, it’s a different story. She’s not sure it’s possible for her heart to go any faster, and every cell of her body seems to buzz. She can barely hear Lawrence and Bimini laughing in response to A’whora’s comment for the way her blood’s roaring in her ears. Once the others stop paying attention and go back to watching the film, it’s only then that Tayce turns her head, raises one unimpressed eyebrow at A’whora who’s looking up at her with a scheming smirk on her face and a glint in her eye.

And right as she’s looking at her, A’whora closes her eyes and plants a kiss against Tayce’s arm then goes back to watching the movie as if nothing ever happened.

It’s at that point that Tayce feels her mouth dry up, feels something coil tight inside her and a throb between her legs. Something is going to happen the moment the pair of them are alone, she can feel it. There’s no way it can’t. In stark contrast to earlier, Tayce now wills the film to end sooner rather than later.

And it does. Finally. The credits roll, the Beach Boys are playing, and Lawrence slaps her thighs. “Well, that was a heap of shite!”

“I’ve still not forgiven Alan Rickman. God love the dead old bastard,” Bimini shrugs, heaves themself up off the floor and slides their phone out of their back pocket, scrolling busily. “Oh, Ellie’s asking if we wanna come join her an’ Anne for drinks. Apparently they’re in some boujie cocktail bar in town spending all their student loan and need responsible adults to stop them.”

“Why the hell are they asking us then?” Tayce quips, the giggle it elicits from A’whora sending a shockwave down her spine.

“I’m down to go meet them both. I’m already tipsy, might as well go the whole hog and get rat-arsed,” Lawrence says decisively, leaping up from the sofa and fixing Tayce and A’whora with an inquisitive glance. “You two coming?”

Tayce lets go of A’whora’s waist and stretches to make a point. “Nah, babe, I can’t. Got this essay due on Wednesday I’ve not started.”

Bimini snorts. “Yeah, I forgot. You’re dead on it and organised, in’t ya?”

Tayce pulls a face at them while Lawrence asks A’whora.

“Mmph. Think I need a nap before I even think about drinking any more, hun.”

Lawrence eyes them both suspiciously and appears to be about to say something else before Bimini tugs on her arm and distracts her. “C’mon then, let’s leave these two to be boring. Have fun, losers!”

Goodbyes are exchanged between them and Lawrence and Bimini finally leave, the fire door to the kitchen swinging shut and leaving the warm glow of the fairy lights, the blanket, the sofa, and A’whora gazing at her with that shit-eating smirk on her face again.

So Tayce wastes no time in bringing a hand up to her jaw, leaning down and kissing her, and judging by the way that A’whora melts into her and lets out a little happy sigh of satisfaction she’s been waiting for it just as much as Tayce has. They fall together like it’s easy, as if both of the times they’ve done this before have been all the practise they need. A’whora brings her hand to rest against Tayce’s cheek as if she’s trying to somehow pull her closer than she already is, and her neediness makes Tayce giggle against her lips. In turn it sets A’whora off, and when she pulls away their faces are still close and there’s little smiles on each of them.

“What’s so funny, you little bitch?” A’whora smirks, her barbed words cushioned by the way she’s wriggling onto Tayce’s lap and bringing her arms up to circle around her neck just like she did the first time in the club.

“Just you’re kind of giving me mixed signals here, baby. Saying you don’t want things to be awkward and then moving to me the entire film,” Tayce mutters, keeping a playful smile on her face despite the fact her words hold entirely too much truth.

It clearly takes the wind out of A’whora’s sails because she casts her gaze down, pauses before speaking and looking at Tayce from under her lashes. “I didn’t mean that, I just meant…I want us to be able to do stuff and not have it be awkward afterwards.”

Oh.

This is a game changer. So A’whora doesn’t regret anything. She doesn’t want them to go back to the way things were- well no, she does, just with an extra little bit of something more added in. She wants the friendship they have but she also clearly wants Tayce like she wants her back, and the realisation makes Tayce squeeze her thighs together, anticipation now so high she feels scared for her blood pressure.

Tayce tries not to let her realisation show on her face. Instead she looks at A’whora with interest, raises an eyebrow at her in amusement. “What’s ‘stuff’, then?”

“Well, just like…if we’re both horny and in the same flat then it saves us having to swipe Tinder for hours on end only to find a girl with a boyfriend who’s looking to ‘experiment’ and never found another girl’s clit in her life, doesn’t it?” A’whora shrugs blithely despite the blush that’s hit her cheeks, her turn of phrase making Tayce bite back a smile. “Whereas I’ve been told I’m quite good at that.”

The twinkle is back in A’whora’s eye again and the combination of that, her smirk and her words make Tayce’s stomach do a somersault. She can’t let it show, though, can’t let A’whora see her crack so she blinks to maintain her composure, tilts her head with mock-curiosity. “Have you now.”

“Yeah. Could show you if you wanted,” A’whora grins brazenly back at her, shifting a little in Tayce’s lap and sending her into orbit. “Plus I can’t remember if I put on matching underwear this morning, so…you should come help me check.”

Tayce breaks the stalemate to throw her head back in a laugh. “Jesus Christ, Lawrence was right. You actually can’t flirt to save yourself.”

She watches A’whora’s face drop into a pout and instantly feels as if she’s kicked a puppy, so Tayce brings one of her hands up to rest on top of her thigh and gives it a squeeze. “Says a lot for how fit you are that it’s still working though, doesn’t it?”

The pout cracks into a scheming smile, and Tayce matches it before A’whora leans in and kisses it off her face. It’s more heated this time, that little undercurrent of intensity as Tayce runs her tongue over A’whora’s and hears her whimper against her lips. As A’whora pushes her fingers into Tayce’s hair Tayce lets her hands drift around to the small of her back, and the way A’whora keeps shifting needily in her lap only makes Tayce want her more, which she didn’t think was even possible.

“We’ve got a free flat, you know,” A’whora mutters in between little kisses, her voice low as she whispers against her lips.

“Probably a good thing. You couldn’t be quiet if your life depended on it,” Tayce teases, running her fingers over the waistband of A’whora’s sweatpants in an attempt to try and convey how much she needs her.

“Oh, you have no idea, babe,” A’whora smirks before pulling away, ripping her top out from where it’s tucked into her waistband and tugging it off, barely even giving Tayce a chance to react. She’s left in a little black bralet with Playboy logos along a white band at the hem, and Tayce feels her mouth go dry.

She’s really, really hoping A’whora put on matching underwear this morning.

But she’s still taken aback because after all- they’re in the middle of their living room, and any of the others could walk in at any given moment- so she can’t help the way her mouth drops open and the way she lets out a little shocked giggle. “A’whora!”

“What?!” A’whora smiles smugly back at her, clearly glad she’s got the reaction she wanted.

“We’re not shagging on this couch, are you insane?! It’s rotten! Kim Woodburn would have a fit if she saw it!”

“Oh, so we are going to shag?” A’whora regards her with one cocked eyebrow, and Tayce can’t help but mirror it. There’s a pause before she gives a small huff of mock-resignation, sealing their fate.

“God. We’re really doing the whole friends with benefits cliché, then?”

A’whora smirks affectionately at her. “Only awkward if we make it awkward.”

She holds out her pinkie between them and Tayce takes it with a resigned laugh, the childish nature of their promise contrasting deeply with the whole situation.

“C’mon then, bestie, lead the way.”

And as A’whora scrambles excitedly off her lap and Tayce takes the opportunity to smack her ass playfully, she feels her heart soar and her head grow light at the thought of being able to do everything she’s been thinking about doing for over a month with one of her best friends in the world.

She wonders why everyone seems to say that a friends with benefits situation isn’t a good idea. This is already the best decision she’s made in years.

#rpdr fanfiction #rpdr uk #ortega #me and you together #taywhora #uk2 #lesbian au #british au #college au #freshers au #roommate au #tayce #a'whora #friends with benefits to lovers #lawrence chaney #ellie diamond #bimini bon boulash #tia kofi

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softboywriting · 5 years ago

Text

Haven Port | Chapter Five| Shawn Mendes

Summary: Shawn and his pack have moved to your tiny town of Haven Port. You’ve never met werewolves other than your dad before and you’re infinitely curious. You may be only half werewolf but you and Shawn have a connection that will send you on a wild romantic journey in this small town you call home. [hybrid reader] [werewolf shawn]

Word Count: 2k

|Masterlist In Bio|

Things with Shawn and the pack have been going great over the past two weeks. Ava and Jo invited you over for a girls night that included placing bets on who dies first in horror movies and enough popcorn to make you see yellow. You and Shawn went out together for dinner at a place by the docks that has the best seafood in town. You spent the night at Shawn's place a few times, becoming very attached to his bed, and Lindsay and Ryan have quite literally disappeared.

You haven't asked why, or when they did. You know it's because they didn't like you, and you know it's because Shawn told them off. No one seems to miss them, and if they do they don't say anything. It's a little awkward, knowing you're the reason they left, but it's like Shawn said. If they can't get along with the pack then they can leave, and he would expect it of any one else.

"Shawn! Shawn!"

You sit up right, woken out of a dream about running with the pack. You rub your eyes and look around the dark bedroom. It can't be morning yet, the sky is still dark through the open curtains.

"Shawn? Hey." You shake his shoulder and he rolls over.

"Mmm? What?"

"I heard someone yelling your name. It sounds like a guy but...I'm not sure...maybe it was just my dream."

Shawn sits up and grabs his phone. "It's four in the morning. Are you sure?"

"Yes it sounded real. It woke me up. I don't think it was-"

The voice comes again, it's definitely a male and it sounds like it's coming from the front door. "Shawn!" Followed by loud knocking.

Shawn pushes back the blankets and goes to the bedroom door. "That's not just some random person." He pulls open the bedroom door and there is no one there. You get up and follow after him as he jogs down the stairs to the front door.

"Who is it?" You ask, looking around for the source of the voice.

"Peter." Shawn opens the door and sure enough there are two people on the front porch. "What're you doing here?"

The man you assume is Peter because he is the spitting image of Shawn save for longer hair and he's got a bit less bulk and height, steps forward and wraps his arms around Shawn. "Thank Gods you're here."

"Of course," Shawn says softly, embracing his brother just as tight a hand in his hair. "What happened?"

"Hunters." Peter says and the two exchange a look. "It's just me and Tia now."

You look past the guys to a shorter girl standing behind Peter on the steps. She's beautiful with her jaw length red hair and round cheeks.

Shawn steps back and takes your hand, leading you forward. "This is my mate," he introduces you and Peter smiles. "Is Tia your..."

Peter looks back and gestures Tia to come forward. "No, she and I found each other a few months ago. We're not sure why but we know there is something connecting us."

"There is a bond." Tia says. "But not mates. Something in me says not to leave Peter, not until I've found the reason for this bond."

"Come in," Shawn holds the door open. "We'll get everyone up."

____________________

The moment Jo walks into the living room and sees Peter you can see her begin to tremble. She balls her fists in her night shirt and stares. Peter has his back to her, talking to Tia and Ava. You get up and go over to where she is frozen in place at the entryway to the living room.

"Jo, are you alright?"

She nods.

"Do you need to talk to Peter?"

Another nod.

"Peter," you say loud enough to get his attention from across the room.

Peter turns around and the moment he sees Jo he grins slowly. "Joanne," he breathes as if it's the only word he knows. He crosses the room in a few quick strides and pulls the girl beside you into a crushing hug.

"Peter, did you know?" Jo cries, hands gripping his back desperately.

"Not until we parted ways." Peter lifts her up and buries his face in her hair. "I should have found you sooner, I should have went back."

Shawn takes your hand and pulls you aside. "I didn't know Peter and Jo were mates."

"She did." You run your hand up Shawn's back. "Once she realized it wasn't you that she was meant for, she suspected it was Peter."

"That makes sense. She has been so down since she joined the pack, but she never wanted to talk. I worried about her."

"No need to worry now." You lean your head on Shawn's shoulder. "She just missed her mate was all."

Shawn chuckles and puts his hand in your hair. "Come on, let's get seated, Peter has some information for us."

______________________

Shawn takes you home later in the morning. No one went back to bed after Peter broke the news about hunters. To you it's a new concept, people who want werewolves dead. They're literally hunters, humans who don't think werewolves should exist and they murder them in cold blood for doing nothing but living their lives. The thought makes your stomach hurt. At least Shawn and the pack could hide their true nature, they could pass as humans. You have ears...very visible ears. You're a target.

You get ready for work, and Shawn leaves for work himself. You grab a headwrap from the box in your bathroom cupboard. It has been years since you wore one, and as you hold the soft jersey material in your hands you feel a deep sadness. Hiding from people is the worst, it's why you don't travel, it's why you stay in Haven Port. Your ears draw too much attention from people who don't know you. The headwraps you have are from when you were in high school, when you would hide yourself to spare your sanity every day. It hurts, remembering your past and having to relive it now.

With your hair and ears tied up in the soft material, you head out to the shop. You've decided to bring Parker with today, knowing he misses you. So off you go down the street with Parker in his pet-o-porter and some ribbon you ordered under your arm.

The shop is quiet, not busy at all. You're not surprised. It's a Monday and most of the big ships don't start coming into port until Wednesday. That is when you get the big orders for coffee and tea. You don't mind, you've got online orders to focus on for now.

Just after noon you walk over and join Parker on the window seat that overlooks the hill down to the docks. He's asleep, passed out in the warm sunlight. Maybe you could go see what Shawn is up to down at the repair shop, or maybe you should just close up and head home. You know what you can do. You'll make some tea blends to take to the pack, gifts to ease the tension.

Just as you finish packing up the last bit of tea the door chimes. You look over and greet the person, leaning over the counter to see who it is. Sure enough it's Tia.

"Hey!" Tia says, waving as she approaches the counter. "I didn't know this was your place!"

"Oh, yeah. It's my shop, did you want something to go?"

"Just plain black coffee and a pack of sweetener." Tia plays with your decorative spoons in the cup on the counter. "How did you and Shawn meet?"

"Here." You pour her a cup of coffee and put a lid on it. "He walked in one day and it was like magic."

"So you knew right away?"

"Not right away, but I was definitely attracted to him. He was unlike anyone else." You slide her the cup and punch her total into the register. "Two dollars."

Tia hands you two ones. "I didn't mean to be nosy."

"No, I don't mind. Shawn and I are still very new, I'm getting used to the idea of being a mate and being around wolves in general. Everything is new."

"Oh! Wow, you handled the hunter news well then." She sips her coffee. "Are you scared?"

"Terrified. But you and Peter said you aren't sure if the hunters have followed him. I'm nervous though, having ears like mine make me a target." You fix your headband and make sure you're all tucked away. "Until we know for sure, I'll keep my ears hidden."

"Good idea."

"Yeah, so hopefully nothing comes of these hunters. It's a small town anyway, who would come all the way here to find werewolves?"

Tia nods and smiles softly. "That was Peter's thought process too. I hope you're right."

"Me too."

_____________________

"Come here," Shawn says softly from across the living room. You turn from where you're folding laundry and raise your eyebrows. "Yes, you," he chuckles and motions for you to come to him.

You drop your laundry and walk over. He pulls you down onto his lap and you position yourself so you're straddling his thighs. "Yeah?"

Shawn runs his hands up your legs and settles them on your waist. "I just want to talk."

"This is very intimate talking."

"I like being close." He smiles and brings one hand up to your head. He pulls your wrap off and your ears spring up, a bit achy from being pressed down all day. "There we go, there's my mate."

"I know you don't like it." You reach up and massage your left ear a bit. "But I have to."

Shawn bats your hand away and takes over the rubbing. "That's what I wanted to talk about."

"The hunters?"

"Yes. I want you to know I'm going to keep you safe in the event anything happens."

"I didn't doubt you wouldn't."

"Good, I just needed you to hear it from me."

You nod. "I actually wanted to talk to you too. I know things are tense right now but there is a huge party going on in a few days at the town hall. It's the town founding festival. I always go and I thought maybe this year you and the pack could come."

Shawn smiles big and cups your face. "I'd love to bring the wolves."

"Really?!"

"Yes. The pack could use some fun and since we're going to be here a while, it's best we try to be part of the community."

You wrap your arms around him and hug his head to your chest. "I can't wait."

_____________________

Please send feedback in asks, replies or reblogs. Let me know if you’d like to read more of this story. Thank you so much -A

*****Note: none of my works should be posted anywhere outside of my linked accounts. I do not give permission to repost with or without credit to my accounts. Please notify me of any reposted fics.*****

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