#i swear i'll write chapter 6
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thinking about wagstaff side story again.
#i swear i'll write chapter 6#i just need to Think About It#bob's burgers#wagstaff side story#tinimmy
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post may or may not be cringe, but we're rolling with it ๐ค๐ผ
I dreaded having to do this (again) all year long, but guess who's going on a semi-hiatus!!!! hint: me โ๐ป (I'll call it semi bc I'll prob be lurking around here and there still, lmao)
most of you may know, but I've been super busy with school lately given that I'm graduating this year, sooo I'm predicting it rn I won't be able to write anything for a while ๐
it's not that I don't have free time at all, it's just that everything that's been on my mind lately is shoolschoolschool, and I almost never think of anything else ๐ญ + I can't find it in myself to have the mental capacity to balance everything I have going on here and aiming to be at the podium once graduation comes around
though I will be posting chapter 6 of push & pull this week, AND maybe a teaser for score his heart?? but idk, we'll see! if I do end up posting both of those, I think that'll be it for a while
I'm so sorry to be letting anyone down, especially those who have been enjoying my ongoing series so far</3 I promise that once I make the time to write in between school and my social life outside of tumblr, I'll be back to writing/posting better than ever!!
I'll just take this opportunity to thank everyone for supporting me and my works this past summer vacation!! I truly believe I wouldn't have been able to survive the summer heat without you all ๐ค
thank you all so so much, I hope you understand!! as I mentioned, I'll still be lurking around the app and answering asks/messages if necessary!! I LOVE YOU ALL SOOO MUCH, I'LL BE BACK BETTER THAN EVER, I PROMISE!!<33
#I FEEL TERRIBLE HAVING TO DO THIS:((#this really is what I've been avoiding to do since summer came around huhu#but at the same time it just feels right#i don't want to just disappear on you guys bc idk how to balance my time#again!!!! I'll be posting push & pull chapter 6#and maybe maybe a score his heart teaser both this week#then that'll be it for I think a few weeks?#I also made this post for the sole purpose of those that has sent me asks#and if u guys haven't noticed#I've been answering asks super duper late lately huhu#just bc i really do have a lot on my plate rn I'm so sorry ๐๐๐๐#I really hope everyone understands!!#and I'LL SAY IT AGAIN!!#ILY ALL SO MUCH#I'LL BE BACK AND WRITING SOON TRUST!!#also yk like#we have a career assessment test tomorrow#and i SWEAR if i don't get civil engineering for one of my top career options#I'm gonna flip out#I've always planned to be a civil engineer PLEASE LET ME HAVE THIS#PLEASE PELAEE LELASE#oki that's all from me for now MWAH<33#๐๏ธfrans; [ yaps !! ]
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I just wanted to say that it was thanks to you that I watched Black Knight, and boy was it worth it! It's such a good drama and your fanfic is so good to read. I love how useless 5-8 is while pining meanwhile Sa Wol is working so hard. It's hilarious. 5-8 doesn't really think about much else and it's so funny.
I'm so glad to hear that! :D I agree โ Black Knight is such a good drama! It probably won't change your life, but it's a nice and solid post-apocalyptic story that knows what it wants to do and does it well. So while it didn't do anything groundbreaking, it was still very satisfying to watch. And I just love the world and all the concepts they introduce! It's so interesting!
Yeah, 5-8 truly is such a mess when he pines x'D I mean, I can understand why, though? Some of it is definitely restlessness brought on by PTSD and the fact that his life's mission is suddenly over. Like, he doesn't really know what to do now? Because, tragically, he didn't seem to have much else in his life outside of the rebellion? And so his mind latches on to Sa Wol โ in more ways than one โ and that ends up being the only thing 5-8 can think about.
Also, I can't deny that I have a fondness for the big and strong tols being so in love with their chosen smols that it makes them actively lose brain cells. And 5-8 fits so very nicely into that trope. 5-8 may not seem to have all that many weaknesses at first glance, but Sa Wol is definitely one of them at this point.
Sa Wol, by comparison, is really doing the most right now, yes. That boy knows exactly what he wants and he's going to pursue it with the stubbornness and fortitude we all know and love. Godspeed, tiny chaos goblin โ I'm sure you'll get 5-8 to admit he's in love with you sooner rather than later.
Thank you so much for sending this ask! I admit that I feel very frustrated with how long it has been since I last updated that fic :/ I know it's not my fault (because I certainly didn't ask for the whole burnout thing) but I'm just so eager to keep telling that story. There are so many scenes I look forward to writing! So I'm hoping to be able to write at least one chapter for it after I've finished editing my current project (Marvel this time, because people have been waiting literally six years for this fic). So let's keep our fingers crossed?
Anyway! Thank you so much for telling me! That fandom is so incredibly small and it brings me so much joy to hear that people are reading and enjoying my fic! Thank you ๐
#Amethystina Replies#Anonymous#I swear#Chapter 6 of A New Dawn has been at the top of my to-do list for a while now#But other things keep coming in the way#For now I've decided to just edit and post all the finished projects I have#There's only one left now!#But it's a multi-chaptered 33k fic#So it might still take some time :/#And then I'll focus solely on A New Dawn#Without distractions#And I'm also trying to hold back on all the smaller Devil Judge fics I keep wanting to write#They're popping up like daisies at this point#I really shouldn't have started writing them#Because now I don't want to stop x'D
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HOME FOR THE BITCHLESS [MASTERLIST].
SYNOPSIS. wherein your friend offers a room for you to crash in while your dorm is being renovated, but fails to mention that your new housemates donโt know how to talk to women (oh, and they also have an ongoing bet about you, too).
PAIRINGS. choi soobin, choi beomgyu, lee heeseung, park jongseong, sim jaeyun, park sunghoon x female! reader. GENRE. housemates! au, rom-com, sitcom, reverse harem time baby. GENERAL WARNINGS. too much swearing, references to/jokes about sex but i will not write smut, an awful amount of secondhand embarrassment, all of the boys are pathetic (check each chapter for specific warnings).
UPDATE SCHEDULE. there is no update schedule. i'll update whenever i want so send an ask/dm if you wanna be tagged in future chapters!
NOTE. i am very passionate about my asshole/loser idol agenda. this reads like a bad sitcom in written form so don't expect anything to make sense.
questions about the bitchless gang are very much welcome. feedback is also very much welcome and appreciated. hope you enjoy!
CHAPTER 1 โ this is too much underwear for a first meeting. CHAPTER 2 โ the inevitable disasters of living with six men. CHAPTER 3 โ it takes a lemon related accident to get a man to talk. CHAPTER 4 โ kisses? kisses. CHAPTER 5 โ staring contest of death. CHAPTER 6 โ the obligatory pool episode. CHAPTER 7 โ sexy goth jellyfish. CHAPTER 8 โ hot, drenched, and sweaty.
. . . more chapters tba!
tracking tag: #home for the bitchless
click here to check out the house layout.
HOME FOR THE BITCHLESS. ยฉ hannie-dul-set, 2023.
#lee heeseung scenarios#tomorrow x together x reader#enhypen x reader#txt x reader#enha x reader#choi soobin x reader#choi beomgyu x reader#lee heeseung x reader#park jongseong x reader#sim jaeyun x reader#park sunghoon x reader#tomorrow x together scenarios#enhypen scenarios#txt scenarios#enha scenarios#choi soobin scenarios#choi beomgyu scenarios#park jongseong scenarios#sim jaehyun scenarios#park sunghoon scenarios
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After the Storm |1|
Tara Carpenter x Spider-Women!Reader
Chapter One: Mutant Lizards & Kisses
(idk how many chapters I'll do for this series but I'm just winging it for now)
Summary: After your fight with The Lizard, you climb back with quite a few injuries. Luckily, Tara's there to tend to them
Warning(s): Swearing, Police!Sam ๐คญ, mentions of fighting & injuries
Notes: Based off of this scene in TASM (gotta be one of my favorite scenes). Wrote this while taking a break from writing chp 6 of LTLI. Motivation for this kinda just came to me and I've always wanted to do a spider!reader thing
Masterlist|Next Part
You limped, nearly collapsing on the roof as you held your side.Your trap for Dr. Connors did not work out how you planned, and your recklessness to get more photos than you needed ended you up with none.
You painfully crawled down, making your way to the fire escape outside the window you recognized. You knocked on it three times with your head, ignoring your pounding headache. You kept your head resting on the window as you heard clicking from the other side. Tara looked over to you and smiled before saying, โCome in,โ then turning back to the assignment she was working on.
You push the window up, sliding through the opening as you exhale tiredly.ย
โYou should maybe, uh, consider coming in through the main entrance,โ Tara jokes and you huff a laugh.ย
You struggle to lift yourself until finally hopping into her room
โAlso, my sister is under the impression that you require psychiatric attentionโฆ.โ Tara finally turns to you when she hears you grunt and her eyes slightly widen.
โY/N.โ She stood up from her chair and rushed over to you. Youโre now leaning against the wall, when Tara comes up to you.ย
โWhat the hell happened?โ She asked quickly.
โYou should see the other guy,โ you say in a husky voice; you can still see Tara fretting over your injuries.
She carefully walks you to her bed, gently laying you down, not wanting to cause you any further pain. You tilt your head back as you continue to speak through deep breaths, โthe other guy, in this instance being a giant mutant lizard.โ
โYouโre all bruised upโโ
โTara, Iโm fiโโ
โYouโre not fine,โ Tara interrupted in a sharp tone.
โTaraโโ
You both stopped your movement when you heard Samโs voice from the other side of the door.
โHey, Tara, I have to run to the station. Do you want me to pick up some ice cream from that place you like, on the way back?โ You and Tara shared a look before she got up and you rolled to the floor.ย
Tara opened the door just a few inches to greet her older sister. โNo, Sam. I do not want ice cream. I canโt afford any distractions right now. I have a bunch of exams to prepare for,โ Tara said, trying to fake an aggravated tone.
โOkay, I just remember somebody saying last week that her fantasy was to live in an ice cream house,โ Sam reminded Tara.ย
โWell that's impractical,โ she said, shutting the door. โAnd fattening,โ she added after opening the door, now shutting it again.
She turned around to see you peeking from behind the bed, giving her a dopey smile. โAn ice cream house?โ You questioned, still wearing the same expression.
Tara rolled her eyes, nodding, still not saying a word before turning back around to open the door once again.ย
โSorryโฆโ Tara apologized to Sam.ย
โItโs really good ice cream.โ
โItโs just I canโt, um, I'm doing this umโpaper and Iโm really focused on it. Didnโt mean to snap at you.โ
โItโs okay, I get it. How about I bring you a some for later?โย
โOkay, sounds good. Thanks Sammy,โ Tara said with a smile before shutting the door one more time.
As soon as she walked back in the room, she gave you no room to talk. Already giving you directions to follow as she got her medkit from her nightstandโs bottom drawer.ย
โRoll down your suit.โ
You sigh but comply. โIโm fine, just a little banged up. I almost got him thoughโDr. Connors. I can feel it, Tar. Iโm gonna get him next time.โ
โI swear, Y/N, if you get yourself killed I will make sure you regret it,โ the younger Carpenter threatened.
โWhy? Gonna miss me?โ You teased, looking at the other girl as her attention was on the rubbing alcohol she was preparing.ย
โIn your dreams, Y/L/N,โ Tara replied, but you saw the tiny smile she gave you before looking back at what she was doing.ย
โAhโฆโ You softly groaned, feeling the sting as the rubbing alcohol made contact with your open wound.
Tara gave you an apologetic look, โItโll be done soon.โย
โAnd when that's done?โ
โWhat do you mean?โ Tara asked with a slightly raised eyebrow.
โAfter this, how about we do something?โ
She lightly shook her head with a smile before replying. โAnd Sam comes home to an empty apartment? Yeah, no.โ
โIโll get you home in time before Sam is,โ you reassure her.ย
โYouโre forgetting Samโs a police captain,โ Taraโs body betrays her as she melts into your touch, feeling your hand gently sneak up her arm.
โUnless she can track my web-shooters, I think weโre good.โ
ย โI donโt knowโฆโ she looks down, averting her attention to one of your other cuts sheโs tending too.
You left hand lifts her head, her chin resting on your knuckles.
โCome onโฆโย
Your foreheads meet and the towel in her hand is long forgotten. You brush your thumb against her bottom lip, you both slightly lean in until your lips are only centimeters apart.ย
โEasy bug girlโฆโ You heard her whisper.
โWhatโd you just call me?โ You asked as you both lightly laugh, faces never pulling from each other.ย
โLet's get out of here,โ you said as you comedically shook your head around, causing Tara to giggle. โJust for a minute, come on.โ
Your noses rubbed together as Tara leaned into you.ย
โNo..โ
โYeah..โ
โNoo..โ
โYes.โ
โNo.โ
โYes.โ
โNooooโฆโ She hated how much she wanted to say yes to you.
โYesss,โ your smile never falters through this yes and no battle. You looked at how Tara looked away for a moment before looking back at you with a smile she was visibly fighting and in that moment you knew you won.
โ...I better be home before Sam is.โย
โ
When you land back on Taraโs fire escape, sheโs clinging onto you for dear life while her face's buried in your chest. You smile down at her as you tell her, โWeโre back by the way,โ resisting the urge to place a kiss on her head.
โYeahโyeah I knew that,โ she replied, slowly pulling away from you.
You canโt help but chuckle at her shooken state. โOh, you think this is funny? We were so high upโa drop that high is deadly, Y/N.โ
โYou think Iโd drop ya?โย
โNo, causeโ then Sam would bury you alive.โ
โSpeaking of Sam,โ youโre both fully in the room now as you look at her bedroom door and then back at Tara, โLooks like sheโs not hereโฆโ
โY/Nโฆโ
โTaraโฆโ
โI already let you swing me around while a billion feet in the air; youโre still needy for my attention?โ She teased, slightly tilting her head.
โWhat, you donโt wanna hang out with me?โ You teased back.
Youโre now directly in front of her, Taraโs legs hit the back of the bed and you can feel her breath on yours. Your hands end up on her hips and her left hand lightly cups your jaw.
In a husky voice you begin, โTara, you have no ideaโ"ย
Suddenly the front door can be heard opening, the various locks twisting and turning. You and Tara looked at each other before Tara shoved you under the bed. Footsteps came closer and closer until Sam opened the door to find her sister sitting at her desk, headphones in, and pen in hand.
Tara turned to look at the door, pulling out her headphones when she made eye contact with Sam. โOh, hey Sam. I was just finishing up this paper,โ Tara said innocently, giving the paper a single tap with her pen.
Sam slightly nodded, looking aroundโTara noticed this. โDid you need something?โ Tara asked the older Carpenter.
โUh, noโno, I just thought I heard something. Anyways,โ Sam slightly shook her head, โgot you that ice cream. Itโs in the freezer when you want it.โ
โThanks, Sam. Love you,โ Tara responded. โLove you too,โ Sam said back with a smile before leaving the room but not without taking one more scan of the room.
You waited another minute before crawling out from under her bed.ย
โThat was a close one, bug girl.โ
โIs that gonna be a permanent nickname?โ
โYou bet it is, bug girl."
You playfully rolled your eyes, a smile grazing your face when you see her dimples show. "You're lucky you're cute," you tell her.
"Oh? Would you rather me call you my savior?" Tara jokingly batted her eyelashes at you.
You bit lip in thought. "It's got a ring to it..."
"Yeah, no. 'Think I'm sticking with bug girl for now."
"Worth a shot," you shrugged before walking over to her,"Now...where were we?"
"You were leavingโ"
"Mmm, no. That' not what I recall."
Before Tara could respond, you began placing kisses that travled to her jaw then neck, making her knees grow weak as you slowly lead her to the bed until her back softly hit the mattress.
You hovered above her while she gratefully accepted your touch, holding onto your biceps while you continued to kiss her.
"Y/N, my sister's right outside. And if you've forgotten; she has a warrant out for your 'wall crawling vigilante ass'โher words, not mine," Tara said, breath hitching as you continued to kiss her neck.
You stopped mid kiss, looking around the room then slightly frowned, furrowing your eyebrows as you looked back at her. "Is she here in the room with us...? Cause I don't see her."
"Y/N..."
"Tara..."
Tara let out a light sigh, raising one of her hands to cup your jaw. "Five. Minutes." She told you, holding your jaw with a gentle yet firm grip.
"Yes ma'am."
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A/N: R because she didn't pack extra web fluid like Tara told her to:
#tara carpenter x reader#tara carpenter x you#tara carpenter x y/n#tara carpenter x female reader#tara x reader#tara carpenter x spider reader#spider reader#tara carpenter#jenna ortega x reader#jenna ortega#jenna marie ortega#scream fanfic#scream
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Blood Runs Thicker than Water Masterlist
A Joel & F!Reader Mini Series. (Platonic DBF!)
A five-part series following Joel and his best friend's daughter through the end of the world and each time they find eachother.
The Blood
Joel Miller was a good, honest man before the world fell apart. Each time he promises you that he'll come back for you - that he'll save you - he feels the good and honest man he once was, die inside him little by little. He tries to fight his way back to you but every time he finds where he left you, he's too late and you're lost in the world again.
Every time Joel finds you, he fights harder and harder to keep you with him, to keep the promise he made to your father all those years ago- to keep you safe.
He fails you time and time again, fails himself.
The Water
You were four the first time Joel told you he would come back. You were four the first time you cried as he watched him leave you behind for someone more important. Then you were eight, sixteen, twenty four and now as you hear him tell you once more at twenty six, you laugh at him. "We both know that's a lie."
With every time Joel finds you just to leave you to save someone else closer to him, a part of yourself dies as he turns his back to you.
He fails you time and time again.
Until he doesn't.
Main Current Tags
PLATONIC!RELATIONSHIP, Joel & Reader, dbf!Joel, abadonment, child!reader(ages 4,8,16,24,26), Joel is really trying his best I swear, foster father/daughter relationship, reader adores Joel, Joel calls reader she/her/little monster/baby/baby girl/his girl/Princess , Joel is a little shit, Joel canโt express his feelings, Joel is just a tired dad, Joel not having his shit together, panic, Joel is just full of anxiety, father!joel, soft!joel, outbreak day, fear, injury, violence,Grief, mentions of loss, brief suicidal thoughts (joel) - like im talking two sentences at most, depressed!joel, typical outbreak emotions and actions, Raider!Joel, OC!reader's father: Myles, happy family, descriptions of joel killing someone, implications to torture - but not written in detail, protective!Joel, clickers, hordes, killing clickers - game style (I tried at least), persuaded kill, multiple POV,
WAY more tags to come and each chapter is tagged.
Chapter List - ongoing
Current Word Count: 51.2k
Part 1: The Babysitter and the Abandonment
Chapter 1: The Little Monster // 1.6k Chapter 2: The Fairy and the King // 2.9k Chapter 3: The Failed Birthday // 2.3k Chapter 4: At the End of the World // 3.7k Chapter 5: Dead Man Walking // 1.1k
Part 2: The Raider and the Guilt (currently writing)
Chapter 6: A Fragile Existence // 3.6k Chapter 7: a Child Would have Cried // 2.6k Chapter 8: A Run of Good Luck // 5.3k Chapter 9: Just Like Old Times // 4.6k Chapter 10: What Reminds You of Them // 2.3k Chapter 11: The Resort // 3.5k Chapter 12: Forever with You // 5.3k Chapter 13: No Saints Left // 4.7k Chapter 14: Forever Without You // 0.9k Chapter 15: Bloodstained Floors // 1.7k Chapter 16: Crawl Home to Them // 4.4k Chapter 17:
Part 3: The Smuggler and the Pain
Part 4: The Cargo and the Choice
Part 5: The Apologist and the Forgiven
Mood Board
If you want to be added to the tag list, please comment on THIS post and i'll make sure to add you. If you want to be taken off the tag list, please dm me so I don't miss your request.
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Part 6: Leaps of Faith
Masterlist - Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 7
I hope that you catch me, cause I'm already falling (you put your arms around me and I'm home)
(In which a writer who can see the end approaching starts building towards that ending)
Pairing: Paige Bueckers X Azzi Fudd
Themes: Angst and Fluff
Words: 8.0K
TW: Swearing, Alludes to Sexual Content
A/N: Good evening my lovelies <3. Happy Sunday and Happy Mothers day! First of all, I wanna thank y'all for being ever so patient with me. I know I've been pretty bad about updating lately and y'all have been so sweet with your asks and I really appreciate it. This fic is very close to its end. I probably could have ended it with this chapter but there's a very specific ending I want to write so this one is more of a self-indulgent filler but I think y'all will like this one. There will be one more chapter and then an epilogue of sorts. Once again, there are most likely logistical inaccuracies. I'm not even gonna lie, the editing on this one is shoddy so there are definitely grammar errors/typos. For now, ignore them and I'll go fix them later. As always, even if we're near the end, feel free let me know what you liked, what you didn't and anything you'd like to see before we get to the end. Have a wonderful week my angels <3
April 2024ย
โItโs a little early for ice cream hon,โ Azzi jumps at the sound of her motherโs voice, startled eyes following the direction of the noise to find Katie leaning against the kitchen door, with a raised eyebrow.ย
โItโs a little early to scare the living bejesus out of me mom,โ she says with a hand to her chest.ย
If possible, Katieโs eyes roll even further at her daughterโs sarcastic tone as she makes her way over to the kitchen counter. Sheโs gotten herself a spoon and everything, ready to steal some ice cream for herself, when she notices the flavour. Next to her, Azzi stiffens.ย
โYou hate mint chocolate chip Az,โ Katie says quietly.ย
โI couldnโt find the strawberry ice cream,โ Azzi defends stubbornly, her face taking on a guarded expression.ย
Katie walks over to the freezer, opening it and pointing at the strawberry ice cream, Azziโs favourite, thatโs sitting in plain sight, โitโs right there.โ
โWell,โ Azzi splutters, โIโm trying something new,โ.ย
โYou hate trying new things.โ
โIโve grown up I guess.โ
โAzzi.โ
โMom.โ
โAzzi, why are you eating ice cream you hate at 4 in the morning?โ Katie finally asks in her best mom voice, sighing when she gets a mumbled response from her daughter, โin words Az, please.โ
โPaige likes it,โ Azzi admits slowly, and before Katie can say anything, before Azzi can dwell on what sheโs said, she launches into a rant, โgod knows why. Actually I know why because sheโs stupid and weird and likes the dumbest shit. Who the fuck likes mint? Who the fuck likes mint and chocolate together? Gross. This shit is disgusting. It tastes all wrong. Paige is just-,โ Azzi throws her hands up in the air, โshe just doesnโt understand that some things donโt belong together. They canโt. Theyโre too different and it just- thereโs a fucking balance to things you know? And she just- she doesnโt get that. Itโs just- itโs not meant to be.โ
โThat doesnโt explain why youโre eating it right now,โ Katie says carefully.ย
โBecause I miss her,โ the truth bursts out of Azzi like an erupting volcano, burning itself into every crevice of her skin, โbecause for some fucking reason I donโt hate the taste of mint chocolate chip. Because maybe they do go together and maybe Iโve been the stupid one this whole time.โ
Since sheโd stepped out of the hotel in Cleveland, all Azzi could think about was going back, saying fuck it to all the useless logic sheโd come up with and going back to the only thing in her life that had ever made sense her Paige. But as it often did in that clichรฉd battle between head and heart, her head had won out. And sheโs never questioned why her head wins so much, why sheโs always chosen to listen to the practical side of her brain, until now. Until now when the urge to turn back time, to make herself stay in that hotel room, is all thatโs consumed her for the last week.ย
โAzzi,โ Katie wraps her arms around the younger girl, โwhat happened with you and Paige?โ
Azzi hesitates for a second and then everythingโs spilling out of her lips, the good, the bad, the inbetween, all of it tumbles out like an uncontrollable waterfall. Thereโs something freeing about being able to say it all out loud, something freeing about the tears Azzi finally lets roll down her cheeks. She grips the edge of the counter to keep herself from keeling over, starting to feel herself crumble under the heaviness of all these stupid feelings.ย
โIt shouldnโt be this hard,โ Azzi whispers, โwe used to be so easy.โ
โOh Az,โ Katie rubs a thumb against her daughterโs cheek, โyou used to be kids. Youโre all grown up now. Itโs always harder when youโre older.โ
โWell, I donโt like it. I just want to be the way we were again.โ
โSo why donโt you?โ Katie asks like itโs the most simple solution in the world and Azzi shoots her mother an exasperated look.ย
โWhat do you mean? How do we even do that? We canโt be just friends again. We tried. Were you not listening at all?โ
โAzzi, sweetheart, youโve never been just friends.โ
โThatโs not true,โ itโs a futile attempt at arguing against whatโs become more of a fact than an opinion in Azziโs life. Itโs a truth sheโd let herself acknowledge once and then buried deep within her, scared that once unleashed, it would ruin everything. Except, it turns out, even without it, things had still turned to dust.ย ย
โDo you remember when you came home from Minnesota that first summer with Paige? You were either moping around or you were on call with her. There was no in between. It got better eventually, the moping stopped but the calls? I think you fell asleep on facetime with her almost every night. And you were tired every morning after, you barely had time to eat before school but every time I suggested that maybe you cut back, that was never an option,โ Katie smiles fondly, โitโs when I knew.โ
Azzi does remember, remembers talking about everything and nothing, remembers laughing and crying, remembers when Paigeโs breathing was the only lullaby that could relax her into sleeping. And she remembers battling with that voice in her head, the one convinced thereโs something more, silencing it with Iโd do this with anyone. But that wasnโt true then and itโs not true now because Paige has never been just anyone, never been just a friend. Because even if Azziโs never been brave enough to say it out loud, Paige is and has always been everything.
Despite knowing the answer and maybe dreading it just a little bit, Azzi asks it to her mom anyway, โwhat did you know?โ
โThat she was your person. You were too young, I couldnโt call it love just yet but I knew Paige was different then, she was yours in a way none of your other friends were. You were different around her,โ Katie nudges her daughter, โAzzi youโve always been just a little bit in love with her and sheโs always been just a little bit in love with you too. The two of you have just been a matter of time.โ
Azzi closes her eyes, and unlike other people, she doesnโt see darkness or little spots of light, she just sees Paige. Her motherโs words wash over her, like acid in her self-inflicted fight the feelings wounds and yet, the idea of sheโs loved me too feels like a band-aid being delicately placed on the scars of her heart.ย
โAnd place,โ she whispers, eyes still closed, โwe never seem to get time and place right.โ
โWhy do you need to?โ
Another exasperated look is sent Katieโs way at that question, โwe live on different sides of the country mom, what do you mean why do we need to?โ
โI mean the two of you have barely ever been in the same place. But you made it work, when you had even less, when you felt even less. But youโre adults now. You have other resources now. And I know timing is difficult but- itโs you and Paige. What are you so scared of Azzi?โ
Azzi sucks in a deep breath, โwhat if Paige runs away again?โ
โWhat if you run away again?โ
โExcuse me?โย
โWho was the last person to walk away, Azzi?,โ Katie sighs when Azzi is adamantly silent, โI know she hurt you by leaving. I know she hurt you by pushing you away. But you did the same thing. You chose UCLA,โ Katie holds up a hand when a frustrated Azzi tries to interrupt, โand it was the right decision for you Azzi and she should have supported it. But that doesnโt meant you didnโt hurt her and then you chose Zoe-โ
โI didnโt choose Zoe-โ
โYes you did Azzi. Sweetheart youโre my daughter and I will always tell you the complete truth even if itโs not what you wanna hear. And the truth Azzi is that Paige might have hurt you in 101 different ways but that doesnโt mean you didnโt hurt her back in 99 different ways too.โ
โYou think I donโt know that?โ Azzi whispers, โthatโs the problem mom. It hurts when she hurts me but it hurts even more when I hurt her. I donโt want that for us but I just- I just donโt know how to stop it without stopping us.โ
โYou havenโt even tried, baby. Paige held out a hand and you ran away.โ
โShe left first. How am I supposed to trust that she wonโt just do that again," all thatโs missing from Azziโs stubborn whine is a foot stomp.
โBecause she came back. It took her a little bit, I know, but she came back and sheโs ready to fight, the question is, are you?โ
โWhy are you defending her?โ Azzi splutters, โwhoโs side are you even on?โ
โThere are no sides to this sweetheart. The two of you are on the same side. So maybe instead of fighting against her, take that hand, fight with her.โ
***
The WNBA draft is a momentous occasion this year. With a hyped draft class like no other, and the promise of even greater ones in the future, thereโs a sense of celebratory hope dangling in the air. When the invite had first come in, Azzi had known the same one would be sent to a certain blonde in Connecticut as well. And a part of her had wanted to hide herself away from that possible collision, but every other part of her wanted nothing more than to get just a glimpse of the blonde.
One moment Azzi is surrounded by flashing cameras and the echo of her name on everyoneโs lips, the next everything around her is fading away her eyes meet Paigeโs on the other end of the WNBA draft orange carpet. Itโs nothing new really. Since sheโs met her, the blonde has commandeered all of Azziโs attention whenever sheโs nearby. Sometimes it feels like all of her other five senses fade away to give birth to a secret sixth one, one thatโs solely dedicated to Paige, one thatโs terrifyingly all-consuming. And yet, despite the heaviness of weโve said too many goodbyes, for the first time in what feels like eternity, Azzi feels like she can finally breathe.ย
And then Paige looks away.ย
And Azziโs back to struggling for air.ย
Itโs selfish of her, she knows, to expect something, not when sheโd been the one to leave them stranded on different islands. But Azzi doesnโt seem to think logically when it comes to Paige and even as she tries to turn her focus back to posing for the camera, every inch of her body is dangerously aware of the blondeโs every move, just a mere few feet away from her. Her conversation with her mother is echoing in her head, giving rise to dangerous desires of what if i grabbed your hand and we ran away together.ย
Paige is a natural on the orange carpet, all dazzling smiles and twinkling eyes. She glides through it, inching closer and closer to Azzi, but never giving away any sense of discomfort. And if it was anybody else, maybe theyโd never catch onto the nerves hidden beneath Paigeโs facade of calm, cool and collected. But once upon a time Paige used to be Azziโs favourite puzzle and she has every part of the blonde committed to memory. Itโs in the way Paigeโs teeth gnaw at her lips for the briefest of seconds, in the way her right index finger is begging to tap a beat against where her hands rests on hips, in the way sheโs blinking just one too many times.ย
And then with one more heavy footed step from Paige, the distance between them is barely a couple inches and they let out identical breaths of air, both of them keeping their focus on the cameras in front of them. Itโs loud, too loud, and still all Azzi can focus on is the sound of Paige breathing. The air around them is thick with tension. It feels a bit like theyโre silhouetted against a sky made of words theyโve left unsaid and clouds of all the bitter mistakes theyโve made are hanging over their heads. And when their pinkies brush together, and a jolt of electricity sends shivers of I miss you more every day again her skin, Azzi questions if sheโs ever made the right decision when it comes to Paige.ย
โWait wait wait,โ Ari cuts in, as she squeezes herself in between the two of them, โI wanna get in between the two of you.โ
A harsh cry of no sits heavily on the top of Azziโs tongue as the older woman forces a break in whatever little bit of contact sheโd had with Paige. She feels a little pathetic, the way every little inch of her skin is craving for that touch back. It had been nothing, a barely there moment and still Azzi thinks, when she goes to bed tonight, if that was all sheโd get of Paige, then itโll be the only thing thatโll feature in her dreams.ย
โAlright one with just Paige and Azzi,โ Ari directs the media, stepping out of the way and pushing the two younger girls together. And itโs laughable that a little brush of their pinkies had Azzi feeling any type of way because when theyโre suddenly pressed together, every inch of Paigeโs side fitting into Azziโs like it belongs, the way the world suddenly bursts with light and colours makes Azzi wonder if every moment without Paige has simply been monochrome.ย
It comes to them naturally how to pose together, arms winding around each otherโs waist, heads involuntarily leaning against the otherโs. And the smiles might be for the cameras but Azzi knows hers is the most real itโs been all night. It might be temporary, she might lose Paige in the chaos, but for now Paige is here and Azzi has learned how to be content with whatever little she can get.ย
As the media moves to capture other people, the logical thing to do would be to separate, to let go of each other. But instead they stand there, still completely wrapped around each other, heart rates in sync as they breathe in each otherโs presence. And then Paigeโs hand falls from the small of Azziโs back to tangle their fingers together and they let out identical sighs of relief, something so cathartic in the purposefulness of that touch. Everyone is too busy to notice that the two of them have fallen into a whole other world, one where thereโs only two of them and every emotion that theyโve only reserved for the other. Thereโs no words exchanged as Paige guides the two of them out of the spotlight, somehow keeping their hands clasped together in secret, despite the ever growing crowd. And Azzi doesnโt know this building at all, doesnโt have the faintest clue where sheโs being led to, but as long as itโs Paige pulling her along, she doesnโt care where, she thinks sheโd go anywhere.ย
Paige stops abruptly in a secluded corridor, turning to fully face Azzi. And the sincerity in the blondeโs crystalline blue eyes, as they roam every inch of Azziโs body before coming to fixate on her face, steals the air away from Azziโs lungs. Paige has gotten better over the years at building walls, but with every new lock she places on her emotions, thereโs a key to open them that seems to always find its way to Azzi. In the delicate golden hue, Paige shines brighter than any star ever could and in the dim light Azzi can make out every bit of hurt and love and please can we just have this moment that Paige canโt put into words.ย
โHi,โ Azzi whispers softly, hands itching to reach out and caress Paigeโs skin.ย
โHi,โ Paige says back, even quieter. She stares at Azzi as if sheโs memorising every little detail and then her face crumbles. Azzi feels her heart drop at the single tear that trickles down Paigeโs cheek as she lets out a broken whimper. And this, this unspoken power they seem to have over each other, the uncanny ability to just hurt each other without any bit of effort, is what scares Azzi the most. Itโs too much. They shouldnโt be able to do this.ย
โPaige,โ Azziโs fingers twitch but she hesitates, not knowing if itโs the right thing, โfuck- P whatโs wrong?โ
Paige doesnโt reply, eyes wandering down to where Azziโs trying to keep her hands still against her sides and when she looks back up, her eyes are bloodshot, โwhatโs wrong? Whatโs not wrong Azzi? You wonโt even fucking touch me.โ
โI didnโt-โ Azzi struggles to speak, โI didnโt think youโd want me to.โ
โCan you just- fuck- can you just stop overthinking things for once in your life. Of course I want you to touch- you know what nevermind. This was a bad idea. You made yourself clear and Iโm just- fuck- I should- I should just go.โ
She sounds adamant enough but all it takes, when Paige moves to leave, is the strangled cry that leaves Azziโs lips. The sound is enough to pull Paige right back in. She takes one look at the tears brimming in Azziโs eyes. And then sheโs pushing Azzi against a wall, hands on either side caging the younger girl between her body and the hard surface behind. She presses their foreheads together and Azzi feels like every part of her might just be a part of Paige too.ย
โI miss you. I miss you so fucking much. Itโs barely been two weeks and I- fuck- Azzi- Iโve missed you every single second and now youโre here and I still miss you. And it really fucking hurts.โ
โIโm sorry,โ Azzi whispers, finally letting her hands cup Paigeโs cheeks, and itโs worth it for the way Paige seems to completely melt into her touch, โIโm sorry I keep hurting you. I keep thinking Iโm doing the right thing but- I donโt know- I feel like Iโm always doing the wrong thing when it comes to you. I donโt- I donโt know what to do.โ
โJust let me be with you,โ Paigeโs voice is wrecked with desperation as she presses herself as close to Azzi as possible, โIโll be your whatever- whatever you give me- whatever you want- I just- I just want you Az- whatever little bit youโre willing to give me- Iโll take it- and if you want me to wait- fuck Azzi- Iโd wait forever- you know that right? However long it takes, baby. Just want you- just want us.โ
Leaps of faith are scary. Azziโs never been great at taking them, too cautious, too much of a worrier. Sheโs more of a step back from the cliff kind of person. If she doesnโt jump, she canโt fall. But hereโs the thing, when she was fourteen, Azzi jumped off of her first hypothetical cliff. It had been on a plane, when after avoiding one too many deep questions, Azzi had admitted to a girl she barely knew,that maybe she could like girls. It was the first time sheโd ever let herself acknowledge that truth about herself and the girl next to her was a stranger but there was something about her, something that screamed iโll hold your hand and if you jump itโll never be alone. And ever since then, that girl, Paige, has always been there. Hands outstretched, ready to jump off any ledge. Because if thereโs hard ground underneath, then theyโll learn how to fly together and if thereโs water, theyโll figure out how to swim. With Paige there has always been the promise that, whatever it is, theyโll figure it out together. And itโs with that promise in mind, that Azzi takes the leap of faith.ย
โMe too,โ Azzi whispers, heart beating erratically.ย
โWhat?โ Paige searches Azziโs face, as if waiting for her to take it back.ย
โUs. You. You and me. I want that too,โ a ghost of a smile begins to creep onto Azziโs face, and for the first time in god knows how long, she feels feather light, a little bit like sheโs floating on a rainbow.ย
โYou mean it?โ Paige asks earnestly, hands moving from the wall to clutch at Azziโs waist, โdonโt play-Azzi- okay- you mean it for real?โ
โI do. I want this- I want this so much and Iโm still- Iโm still really scared and maybe itโll be a disaster but I- I want to try. With you.โ
Azzi used to think she knew all of Paigeโs smiles. Her small, not quite fake, but only for cameras and people she didnโt quite know, smiles. Her just for my friends smile that was filled with mirth and childlike joy. Her basketball smile that transformed into a smirk when she got too cocky. Her only for Drew smile, soft and filled with so much adoration and pride. Her Azzi smile, the one only the brown-skinned girl gets to experience, a smile that made Azziโs her heart swell with love. But the smile that stretches across Paigeโs face now, is one Azziโs never seen before. This one throws Azziโs entire world of balance, so bright, so big, so full of emotions. If she could, sheโd tattoo that smile onto her skin forever.ย
โWeโre really doing this?โ Paige asks, still a little stunned. It wasnโt what Azzi had planned for tonight. She hadnโt really had any plans for what would really happen. But then Paige had walked in and all Azzi could see was forever she was tired of fighting against.ย
โWe should take it slow okay-โ Azzi wraps her arms around the older girlโs neck, keeping their foreheads still against each otherโs, โI donโt- I donโt wanna rush into things and fuck it up. I canโt- fuck- I canโt lose y-โ
โYou wonโt,โ Paige swears, squeezing at Azziโs wait, โI wonโt let you. We can take it slow. We can take it however you want- I just- weโre doing this?โ
โYeah,โ Azzi canโt help the grin that fills up her entire face, โyeah weโre doing this.โ
And as they surge forward to claim each otherโs lips, and as they meld every inch of themselves into each other, and as they smile and cry into the kiss simultaneously, and as they etch promises into each other skin, and as they let themselves finally fall into each other, for each other, it feels a lot like coming home.ย
***
July 2024ย
The early morning sunlight casts a dark shadow across Paigeโs face, causing the still asleep blonde to scrunch up her face in irritation. Azzi, whoโs been awake for nearly half an hour now, canโt help the fond smile that creeps onto her own lips. She shifts herself to block the sun and Paige lets out a content sigh, burrowing herself further into her pillows. And the thing is every moment with Paige is special but thereโs something about waking up to her in the morning. Azziโs always awake first and it gives her ample time to just admire the girl in her arms, blond hair tousled all over her pillow, lips parted slightly open, and one arm always, always, splayed across Azziโs torso, holding her close. Over the course of time, Azziโs found out that the second she moves, Paige seems to feel her leave, waking up instantly.ย
There had been an adjustment period if Azzi's honest. It had taken her a while to shake that fear of Paige not being there in the morning. The first morning, sheโd been scared to open her eyes, even if she could feel Paigeโs presence right next to her. That had been one of the few mornings that Paige was fully awake first, hovering above Azzi to wake her up. And when she finally did get the courage to open her eyes, the first thing Azzi had seen was Paige, blue eyes sparkling with unfiltered adoration, a smile filled with promises of every morning just like this. And that had been enough.ย
Azzi reaches out to brush a hand through Paigeโs soft blond hair, mesmerised by how pretty Paige looks in the morning glow. A lot of Paige belongs to the world now and Azziโs not opposed to sharing really, because someone so fucking perfect, deserves to be celebrated like that. But there are some parts of Paige that belong to Azzi and Azzi only, some parts Azzi cherishes as being only hers. This is one of them and Azzi takes a snapshot of it, knowing sheโll need it to function in a few months, when she wonโt get the real thing.ย
โAre you watching Paige sleep?โ Azzi almost jumps at the sound of Drewโs voice at the doorway, having been too immersed in Paige to have even heard the door open, โthatโs kinda creepy Azzi.โ
โJesus Drew, whatever happened to knocking?โ
โI forgot?โ Drew grins, before he plops on the bed, the force of it making the whole frame shake a little bit.ย
โDrew!โ Azzi chides, โyouโre gonna wake her up.โ
Drew cocks his eyebrows, sparing his sister, who seems unphased by the sudden little bit of chaos around her, still fast asleep, an unimpressive look, โplease she can sleep through anything. Besides, itโs already 9. I thought we were gonna do things. I been up for aaaages.โ
โSheโll be awake soon,โ Azzi smiles, ruffling the younger boy's hair. Drew rolls his eyes and itโs remarkable how much he resembles Paige, not just by face, but the mannerisms too.ย
He huffs for a second before his eyes sparkle with an idea, โwhat if we pour water on her!โ
โDrew!โ Azzi chastises again, trying not to giggle.ย
โBoo,โ Drew crosses his arms across his chest, โyou used to be so cool Azzi.โ
Azzi laughs as sheโs reminded of a younger version of herself, scheming with Drew on how to wake Paige up. And itโs not that sheโs beyond that really, tucking the water idea for a rainy day, but Paige looks too peaceful this morning and she wants to preserve that look of serenity on the older girlโs face for just a little bit longer.ย
โHey Azzi,โ Drew says after a while and Azzi hums in response, โwhen you and Paige get married, I can still be a groomsman right? Even if thereโs no grooms?โ
โWha- where did that come from?โ the brunetteโs eyes widened at the question, sitting up a little straighter.ย
Drew peers up at her with all the innocence of a pre-teen, โyou are gonna get married right?โ
โI donโt-โ
โItโs too early for your yapping Drew,โ Azziโs saved from answering by Paigeโs tired voice entering the conversation. She looks over to find Paigeโs eyes already on her, a soft smile playing on her lips as she looks up at Azzi. If Drew wasnโt sitting right there, Azzi would lean over and kiss her and let Paige deepen it until they were both satisfied.ย
โOh thank god,โ Drew cheers dramatically, โI thought you were gonna sleep forever.โ
Paige scoffs, the arm thatโs still wrapped around Azziโs torso tightening its hold, โI wish.โ
โWell youโre awake now so get up,โ Drew whines, moving from his spot on the end of the bed, to flop on top of Paigeโs body instead, โget up, get up, GET UP.โ
โGet off,โ Paige groans but thereโs no real force behind it. Azzi watches with a fond smile, as Paige flips Drew over so that she can tickle him, eliciting rounds of laughter from the younger boy. Something in her heart flutters, her mind going back to Drewโs question. Sheโs never really been one to think too hard about marriage and children and that domestic suburban life, leaving it up to fate, but now- well, maybe.ย
โOkay aight aight enough. Go get ready for breakfast and weโll be down in a second,โ Paige says, ushering Drew off of the bed.ย
โYou can just tell me you want me to leave so you can kiss Azzi you know?โ Drew scrunches up his nose, โyou two are gross.โ
Paige sends him a stern look and gets a dramatic eye roll in return but as he always does, Drew does as heโs told, mock saluting the two of them and skipping out of the room.ย
โHeโs right by the way,โ Paige says softly, turning back to where Azziโs leaning against the backboard, โI do want to kiss you.โ
Azzi smirks lopsidedly, โwhatโs stopping you?โ
She squeals in surprise when Paige pulls her, the force of it causing both of them to tumble onto the front-end of the bed. Azzi ends up on top of Paige, hands resting around her neck, the blondeโs hands holding her waist in place.ย
โGood morning,โ Paige grins, clearly proud of herself as she chases Azziโs lips to pull her into a searing kiss.
โGood morning,โ Azzi whispers back, thumb caressing Paigeโs left cheek.ย ย
โJust so you know,โ Paige pulls away, a determined glint in her eyes, โweโre so getting married one day.โ
***
October 2024
Azziโs mood has been rancid for the last couple of weeks. Itโs terrible she knows; it makes her irritating to play with and a nightmare to live with. But even if this had been expected, that she would be on one end of the country and her heart would be on the other side, it doesnโt stop her from constantly being in a state of missing Paige. And itโs different from before, now that thereโs a certain surety of of course iโll see you soon but soon never really feels soon enough.ย
โAzzi can you please get the door,โ Kiki calls from her room when the doorbell rings.ย
โIโm busy,โ Azzi grunts back, snuggling further into her pillow with a book she isnโt actually reading, โyou go get it.โ
โAzzi please, Iโm literally in the middle of getting dressed,โ Kiki yells exasperatedly.ย
If it wasnโt for the fact that sheโs pretty sure her teammates are about this close to plotting her murder, and deservedly so, Azzi would sink back onto her bed and let the incessant doorbell noise continue. But she does love her teammates, thinks Kiki probably deserves to change in peace, and it forces her out of bed, grumbling away about annoying visitors. Until she actually gets a look at the visitor. Paige stands on the doorstep, confident as ever, a bouquet of roses and peonies and lilies in her hand.ย
โYouโre here,โ Azzi breathes out, staring in awe.ย
โAnd thank fucking god she is,โ Kiki quips from behind her, โmaybe we can finally get our old happy Azzi back and not this bitch.โ
Paige laughs, โwatch how you talk about my girl Rice.โ
โYouโre here. Youโre really here,โ Azzi whispers again.ย
โI heard you missed me baby,โ Paige says, her cocky smirk betrayed by the softness in her voice. And then Azzi is flying into her arms, throwing Paige off balance.ย
โSo fucking much,โ Azzi admits into Paigeโs neck, eliciting a giggle from the blonde, โKikiโs right. I have been a bitch.โ
โJust a little bit,โ Kiki calls out again but thereโs a new fondness in her voice. Itโs funny how her team, even the haters, have slowly become Paige fans. Theyโd been hesitant at first, just like the UConn girls, but now well, it seems the basketball worldโs Montagues and Capulets have learned to accept their star playersโ relationship.ย
โMissed you too Az,โ Paigeโs tone is vulnerable as they break away, โalright, go get changed, I wanna take you somewhere.โ
โOrโฆ,โ Azzi presses her lips to Paigeโs neck, leaving a trail of open-mouthed kisses, โwe could stay here and do something else.โ
Paige shivers under her touch, stepping away to keep some semblance of control โn-no I have plans,โ but she canโt help but kiss Azziโs pout away, โitโll be worth it, I promise. Besides,โ she bites at Azziโs ear, โthereโs always later.โ
***
โYour big plans are to bring me to the supermarket,โ Azzi cocks an eyebrow as they walk down one of the many aisles, โyou turned down sex for this? Should I be offended?โ
Paige doesnโt say anything, concentratedly looking at signs, trying to figure out a specific section, before an aha! moment dances over her face, and she pulls Azzi with her, the younger girl going willingly, despite the eye roll. She stops triumphantly in front of the sushi section and Azzi looks at her quizzically.ย
โIโm getting you supermarket sushi,โ Paige says pointedly, โand then you can get me mac and cheese.โ
And if you brought me sushi Iโd have brought you your favourite mac and cheese. Oh. The realisation of what Paige is doing trickles around Azzi a little bit like rain after a long summer drought. She thinks back to the bouquet, everything suddenly making sense.
โYouโre such a dork Paige Bueckers,โ Azzi says softly, tapping the older girlโs nose.ย
โYour dork,โ Paige grins cheesily, โnow hurry up and pick one. I donโt wanna miss the sunset.โ
***
Once she catches on it, it doesnโt surprise Azzi to find that Paige has everything planned out perfectly, down to the exact spot in the park- the one by Paigeโs recovery airBnB, the one theyโd taken countless walks in trying to repair their friendship- where the two of them can be away from everybody else, in their own little bubble. And she has a picnic blanket, thatโs a little small but they donโt really want space from each other anyways. They lean against a tree, food set up in front of them, Paigeโs laptop, carefully piled on top of a couple of books to be the perfect height, set a little bit further away.ย
โSo what NBA game are we watching?โ Azzi asks with a smile and Paige groans, โwhat? Was that not part of the plan?โ
โDude come on. Itโs the beginning of October. Please tell me you know the NBA season isnโt happening yet,โ Paige rubs her temple, only a little endeared by the comment, โare you sure youโre a basketball player?โย
โThere are games in October. I swear Iโve seen them before,โ Azzi says sceptically.ย
โYeah at the very end of the month, not right now.โ
โWell then close enough,โ Azzi says indignantly, โI donโt need to know the exact day.โ
โWhatever you say baby,โ Paige acquiesces with a smirk and it earns her an elbow to the stomach, โwhat the fuck? That shitโs domestic violence you know?โ
โBig words Bueckers, didnโt think you knew them,โ Azzi teases, placing a kiss against Paigeโs offended expression, before settling herself against the blondeโs side, sighing contentedly when she gets a kiss on her temple in return. Theyโre clichรฉ enough to put on Love and Basketball, but Azzi doesnโt really end up watching much at all. In between slow kisses, she almost falls asleep a couple of times, the comfort of Paigeโs arms like a blanket wrapping her in the warmth of this is my fairytale.ย
โTHE POLAROID,โ Paigeโs shout breaks Azzi out of her haze as she feels her body being shaken off, the blonde rummaging through her bag for the camera, โwe have to take the polaroid. My wall needs it.โ
โOh yeah a tiny polaroid picture of us inbetween all your Lebron posters, a perfect fit,โ Azzi drawls only to be met with a scathing look from Paige.ย
โItโs for important things and Lebron is the most important of them all,โ Paige explains with complete seriousness, as she finally finds the polaroid camera and shimmies back to Azzi with it in hand.ย
The sunset is beautiful. Pink, purple, orange and blue, all blending together to create the perfect picture. But Azzi thinks itโs not nearly as beautiful as the girl in front of her, not nearly as beautiful as the date Paige had planned, not nearly as beautiful as the future she can so clearly see now. Her mind drifts back to the night of the phone call, and she can almost hear Paigeโs sobs again, can still hear her own voice breaking. Back then, they had seemed impossible, a butterfly like dream that danced out of their grasp.ย
โHey,โ Paige captures her chin with two fingers, โwhereโd you go?โ
Azzi shakes her head, โnowhere. Iโm right here. With you. Where I should be.โ
โSappy goof,โ Paige snorts but she kisses Azzi like sheโll take those words and hide them in the labyrinth of her mind, protect them there forever.ย
Taking the picture is a task, both of them bickering about angles and lights. Itโs unnecessary arguing, in true Paige and Azzi fashion really but thereโs something so mundanely domestic about it that Azzi finds herself wanting to memorise this moment too. They finally get the frame just right, somewhere in between what they both wanted. Azzi smiles at the camera, her Paige smile, as the blonde in question presses her lips against her cheeks.ย
Click.ย
And Azzi hopes, that however many years later, when they have a home of their own, amidst all the photos that theyโll take over the next years, this one will be hung somewhere on their wall, a testament to finally realising every dream theyโd dared to dream together.ย
***
December 2024ย
There are pebbles being thrown at her window and Azzi has to stop herself from laughing when she peers down to see Paige, freezing cold in the Virginia December air, staring up at her with a goofy smile. She shakes her head when her phone rings, knowing itโs Paige and answers it with her own foolish grin.ย
โWhat exactly are you doing?โ Azzi asks, โcome back to bed.โ
โYou said I was unromantic. Iโm trying to be romantic,โ Paigeโs teeth chatter in the cold, as she balances her phone in one hand, still throwing rocks with the other.ย
โI didnโt say that and throwing rocks at my window is supposed to be romantic? Youโre going to wake the whole house up.โ
โThatโs what they do in all the good rom coms. And you said and I quote โweโre kind of boringโ. You might be boring Azzi Fudd but I most definitely am not.โ
It had been a throwaway comment Azzi had made at dinner with some friends from high school. One of her friends had been going on and on about some adventurous trip that she and her boyfriend were going on, and then asked Paige and Azzi if they had any of that planned. To which Azzi had replied that they were a little too busy, considering they were college basketball players still in season, and besides they were โkind of boringโ people. She hadnโt meant it in any type of way. Personally, Azzi likes boring. Paige however, seemed to have taken the comment to heart and Azzi had woken up at 2 a.m. to an empty bed and the sound of something being thrown at her window.ย
โOkay Iโm sorry. Iโm sorry. You're really interesting baby and the most romantic person in the world. Now will you please come back to bed,โ Azzi concedes, already missing the feeling of being cuddled up in her blankets with Paigeโs body heat keeping her nice and toasty.ย
โNo,โ Paige says indignantly, โcome down here.โ
โPaige, it's freezing. Itโs gonna start snowing any minute.โ
โExactly. Thatโs exciting.โ
โSleep is exciting,โ Azzi whines, but sheโs already padding around her room looking for a warm sweater, grumbling under her breath about the warm California sun sheโs missing. She tiptoes down the staircase, wincing at the one step that creaks just a little too much, before pushing herself out the door. And itโs freezing cold, thereโs sleep in her eyes, but itโs all worth it Azzi thinks, itโll always be worth it, just to experience Paigeโs smile.ย
โKnew youโd come,โ Paige grins cockily, mittened hands pulling Azzi into her.
โYeah yeah. What are we even doing?โ
โAzzi Fudd,โ Paige bellows dramatically, โmay I have this dance.โ
Azzi stares at Paigeโs outstretched hand wondering if this is some sort of cry for help, but one look at Paigeโs face tells her that the girl in front of her is being absolutely serious.ย
โThis is your idea of exciting? Dancing in the street while itโs freezing with no music?โ Azzi raises an eyebrow, but she takes Paigeโs hand.ย
โItโs spontaneous,โ Paige says the last word with a flourish, as she spins Azzi, โwhy not dance in the street when itโs freezing with no music?โ
And well, thatโs a fair point. If anyone were to look out their window that night, theyโd probably think the two girls were somewhat crazy. Laughing and giggling and tripping over each other as Paige hums a melody and Azzi occasionally joins in. Itโs ridiculous and corny and clichรฉ and perfect. And then the first little bit of snow falls, white drops circling around the two dancing girls, snowflakes catching on their eyelashes. The dim glow of the streetlight is enough to catch identical smiles on the two girlโs faces as they revel in each other.ย
โYou know some people say if you make a wish during the first snowfall, itโll come true,โ Paige whispers, still waltzing the two of them around, cheek pressed to Azziโs, โyou wanna try?โ
And the thing is Azzi doesnโt really believe in all of that, in magic but something about Paige, something about this moment feels magical. It makes a believer out of Azzi.ย
โYeah,โ Azzi smiles, โletโs make a wish.โ
They stand still, holding hands, eyes closed, both a little breathless, as they make their wishes. And when they open them, if it feels a little bit like maybe their wishes have already been granted, well theyโll share it in a secret smile but never out loud. After all, wishes donโt come true if you speak of them.ย
***
April 2025
7 seconds to go in the National Championship and Azziโs UCLA Bruins are down by two points. Itโs her last chance, having already declared for the 2025 WNBA draft, to win a national championship, to bring home their first basketball national championship since the 1978 team that had won the AIAW championship, to win their first NCAA championship ever. It had taken some sheer luck to get to this point if Azziโs honest. As a two-seed in the Spokane region, theyโd benefitted from their one-seed having been eliminated early and then getting to face a Cinderella six-seed in the final four. On the other side of the bracket, UConn, the favourites coming for a repeat, had been stunned by another team, the team that UCLA was now facing. That had caused a bit of a second-hand sting and Azziโs not really trying to take revenge for Paige, but it'd be a lie to say the get back at them for me babe from earlier this morning isnโt ringing in her head.ย
The play is simple, set screens for Azzi, get her open, get her the ball. A two would get them to a tie and three would win it outright. Either will do. Itโs a little too reminiscent of last year when Azzi had failed at tying the final 4 game and she can still feel that loss on the tips of her fingers. They break out from their last timeout, breathlessly running to their spots on the floor. The whistle blows, Kiki inbounds the ball and everything is a blur. All Azzi knows is the shot clock is winding down. She runs off of what feels like a million screens. And then sheโs open on the wing, for a millisecond. A perfect pass from Kiki makes sure the ball lands straight in Azziโs hand. And she doesnโt think, doesnโt breathe, doesnโt even notice the defender put up a hand, she shoots the ball. Thereโs two people on the court that know for sure that ball is going in the minute it leaves Azziโs fingers, the shooter herself and her biggest fan in the stands, whoโs been just a little bit in love with that shooting stroke, since before anything else had even begun.ย
With a delicate swish, the ball falls through the net, the buzzer sounds around the arena, the crowd explodes in blue and gold, as the UCLA Bruins win the 2025 national championship.ย
Everything stills in Azziโs brain for a second, her thoughts taking a second to catch up to reality. Sheโs never really been one to emotion on the court, keeping herself steely guarded through most games, even at the very end. But now, triumph and pride and just utter happiness at finally achieving one of her biggest dreams, comes roaring to the surface, manifesting itself throughout her entire body, as she lets out a scream of joy. Her teammates engulf her and she gets lost in a sea of hugs and tears and bright, decadent smiles.ย
As thing start to calm down, thereโs really only one thing on Azziโs mind and Paigeโs words echo in her ears, because if Iโm gonna end up fucking crying, then I want it to be on your shoulder. And if Iโm gonna end up celebrating, I want it to be in your arms. And Azzi thinks maybe Paige had discovered one of the biggest truths of their life with that, the truth that at the end of day, in any moment, big or small, happy or sad, the one person Azzi wants next to her, is her Paige. Itโs been that way since she was fourteen, and too young to really understand the meaning of wanting someone forever, and she thinks if she has her way, itโll be like that for the rest of her life, the rest of their life.ย
Paige is beaming in the crowd, standing next to Jon and Josรฉ, a #35 jersey proudly adorning her torso. She waves when she catches Azziโs eyes, always her biggest cheerleader. And Azzi throws caution to the wind, fuck it, not caring that thereโs still a large crowd or that cameras are likely to follow her every move. She pushes her way into the stands, stopping right in front of the blonde.ย
โOn a scale of one to ten, how bad would kissing you right now be?โ Azzi asks, still a little breathless.ย
A myriad of emotions flicker through Paigeโs face before settling on a mischievous smirk, โprobably pretty bad but you should do it anyways.โ
Azzi grins before merging their lips together and everything else fades to the background, until sheโs consumed by nothing but Paige. They break apart far quicker than either of them would like and Azzi expects to feel just a little bit of fear at what she๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝs just done, likely given the media a spectacle they could run a million and one stories about but instead, with her forehead still pressed against Paigeโs, she feels nothing but calm.ย
โIโm so in love with you,โ Azzi whispers and Paigeโs eyes widen. Theyโve known it for a while now but itโs the first time either of them have said it.ย
โSay it again,โ Paige demands.ย
โIโm so in love with you,โ Azzi says again, grinning so hard, she thinks it might become her permanent expression, โlike really fucking in love with you.โ
โIโm so in love with you,โ Paige whispers, pulling Azzi into a bone-crushing hug.ย
And this might not be the moment where everything finally comes together. Thereโs still so much life left to live, so much that they still need to work through, so much theyโve yet to deal with. But for now, Azzi has a national championship and she has the love of her life, the rest will work itself out, or so she hopes.
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Words Unspoken (1)
Pairing: Lee Know x Reader
Warning: A little angst, some hurt, more in other chapters
Summary: You and Lee Know used to be best friends, but after an issue, you weren't. 6 years later, he's back in your life and you hate it.
Word Count: 2.7k
A/N: big thank you to @pali-writes-atiny-bit for all your help with this one!!
Everything Taglist: @wife2straykidss @piscesrising01 @baby-stay92 @kisses-too-the-moon
@dwaekkiiracha @silly250 @rylea08 @imperfectlyperfectprincess1
@satosugu4l @gabriellamarie @tsunderelino @iovecb97
@1810cl @lordmaahes-nsc @sailorkoss @minh0scat @pixie0627
@50-husbands @jinnies-muse @yaorzu-blog @anskiiz @joyofbebbanburg
@number1jeonginstan @skzooluvr @jisunglyricist @ambersnowxxx
@ayyonoona @31maze13 @stay-tiny-things @thegingerthatwaited @hoesheez
โAbso-fucking-lutely not.โ You deadpan, your eyes twitch, as you glare at your editor. She sighs as she adjusts her stance, poking her hip out a little, crossing her arms.ย
โAre you really going to argue with me over what you're assigned too?โ She asks. โYou write about celebrities, he's a celebrity. What's the issue?โย
โYes, I do write about celebrities, but this particular one I will not write about. I just can't. I guarantee he will even talk to me. He hates me!โ You explain. She looks at you with that unimpressed look.ย โAnd I'm also just not a fan of his music.โ You yell, throwing your hands up in the air. You can't even find the right words to express to her how much you didn't want to see him and have to write this article. Although you shouldn't be panicking, he would never talk to you. Hell, it had been 6 years since you'd last seen or talked to him.
โWell, I'm sorry Y/N but you not being a fan isn't a good enough reason for you to not do this interview. He's the hottest artist right now and I want that exclusive.โ She says, glancing at her watch. โYou better hurry. You've only got an hour to make it to the Cafe.โ She grins, walking back into her office, sliding the door closed.ย
You fake cry and whimper as you throw your head back, stomping your foot like a child. God dammit.ย
โY/N.. this might be a good thing. You can maybe clear the air?โ Han asks, popping his head out from behind his cubicle.ย
โThere's nothing to clear, Han. He did what he did and I did what I did and that's that.โ You sigh, gathering your belongings.ย
โYN. It's been 6 years. Don't you think it's time?โ He asks.ย
โDo you still talk to him?โ You ask.ย
Hanโs eyes darted around the room, avoiding your question.ย
You roll your eyes. The betrayal you felt. โOuch.โ You whimper, placing your hand over your heart. โThat stings, Jisung. I thought I got custody of you in the end.โ You say, walking to the front door. you can hear him behind you scrambling to stand up.ย
โJisung!?โ He yells. โYou only call me Jisung when you're mad at me! Are you? Are you mad at me? Y/N!โ He yells even louder as you walk out the door.ย
45 minutes later you're sitting at a table, your legs crossed, your foot shaking as you wait for Lee Know. Your fingers tap the cup of coffee that you hadnโt even taken a sip of.ย
โOh fuck no.โ You hear. You look up and see a very unimpressed Lee Know.ย
โI feel the same.โ You say, crinkling your nose and rolling your eyes at him. โBelieve me, I tried to get out of this.โย
โClearly you didn't try hard enough. You know what? I'll make this easier on both of us, I'm not doing this interview unless it's with someone else.โ He deadpans.ย
โI'll call my editor.โย
You pull out your phone dialing her number before putting the phone on speaker, placing it on the table in front of you.ย
โI swear to god Y/N..if this is you complaining about him..โ she starts.ย
โMrs. Shin, you're on speaker phone and he can hear you.โ You start. She stops talking. โHe's refusing to do the interview with me.โย
โI don't believe that. You're wonderful and a great journalist. Stop making things up.โ She scoffs.ย
โShe's not making it up. I will not do it with her. You have to send someone else.โ He interrupts.ย
โWhat the hell have you done to each other to hate each other so much?โ she sighs.ย
Your mind travels back to the past. 10th grade and you had gotten your first boyfriend. Park Chanyeol. He was everything you had ever dreamed of in a man. Tall, handsome, funny, sweet, not to mention he was one of the most popular guys in your school, and he had asked you out.ย
Even though you were fairly popular, a lot of people knew you but you didn't feel like it. You felt like a fraud even when you were being your authentic self. It was almost as if your life was a movie and you were playing the role of someone else. You shook all that off once you got with Chanyeol. He seemed to bring out the best in you and all your friends were so happy for you.ย
Until they weren't and he started bringing out the worst in you.ย
โOkay, Y/N. Itโs time for the truth, honestly. What the fuck is going on with you?โ Chan asks. You sit on the couch in the basement of his parents house, surrounded by your closest friends.ย
โWhat are you talking about?โ You ask, trying to force yourself to laugh. You hoped it sounded real but you knew it didn't.ย
โYou look terrified all the time, the circles under your eyes are awful, You're jumping at every turn.โ Seungmin sighs.ย
โNot to mention you look like you're about to burst into tears constantly.โ Jisung pouts.ย
You knew they cared about you and you knew that you should tell them. But you didn't know if you could. Things with Chanyeol were good, when they were good. But as of late, things had mostly been bad. It seemed like you couldn't do anything right for him and he'd stand there and scream at you for hours, telling you how shitty of a person you were, how ugly you were and how much of a slut you were apparently. And the saddest part of it was his parents would see you on your knees, crying and pleading for him to stop and they would walk away and pretend not to see anything. If you walked around with bruises on your arms around them, they ignored it. They enabled him because they were scared of him. You knew that now but not back then. Back then you thought that it was love and you thought that you deserved it. So you put up with it, everyday, only trying to be better for Chanyeol. You just wanted his approval and love. Sometimes he would give it to you, and he would be the boy you fell in love with but once he got into one of his moods, or accused you of something that was the end of it. He was back to ignoring you, belittling you, doing everything he wasn't supposed to do.ย
Until one day it stopped.ย
Chanyeol wouldn't look at you, he wouldn't talk to you. He stopped returning your phone calls, he stopped replying to your texts. It was like he ghosted you but you still saw him at school. He acted like your relationship Never even happened, like you were nothing to him. So you made a plan to confront him. You watched him walk into the bathroom and you followed him. There was nothing he could do now. He couldn't run away from you.ย
โWhy are you ignoring me?โ You ask, arms crossed. Chanyeol jumps, turning around to face you.ย
โWhat the fuck are you doing in here?โ He snaps.ย
โWhat did I do now? Why aren't you talking to me?โ You ask.ย
โBecause I'm done with you. It's over. Leave me the fuck alone.โ He says.ย
You didn't like that answer. And you could tell that he didn't care. โI don't want it to be over.โ You whisper. โI love you.โย
โI don't give a fuck what you want. Fuck off.โ He snaps, moving past you and out of the bathroom. Leaving you trembling, trying desperately not to cry.ย
Why weren't you good enough for him?
You walk out of the bathroom, seeing Minho talking to Chanyeol at the lockers. You had come out only to hear the last of Minho's sentence.ย
โShe's pathetic, right?โ Minho asks.ย
You stare at him. โWhat?โ You ask.ย
Minho turns to look at you. โThat's notโฆโ he pauses.ย
โThat's what you think of me?โ You ask, sniffling. โNice.โ You murmur, turning to walk away. He doesn't try to stop you. He doesn't care. He thinks you're pathetic? Then fuck him. But you couldn't let him get away with it. Not now. You turned back around, storming up to him.ย
โYou think I'm pathetic? I've done nothing but support you and your dreams! I can't believe you think so lowly of me after everything I've done for you. You're a real piece of shit, and an even worse friend. At this rate you're no better than Chanyeol. Don't ever talk to me again!โ You scream, tears streaming down your face. Your heart was shattered. Chanyeol, yeah that hurt but Minho? Who was supposed to be one of your closest friends? That fucking shattered you. And from that day, you and Minho did not talk. You wanted nothing to do with him and you had nothing to do with him and assumed he wanted the same. You avoided him at all costs, and eventually lost touch with a few of the other guys. The one two you remained close with was Jisung, who you worked with and Felix, who lived with you and Jisung. The rest of them, youย had no idea what their lives had turned out like. And that made you sad.ย
**ย
โIt doesn't matter, it was years ago. He doesn't want to do the interview with me. So can you send someone else?โ You ask.ย
โCan he stick around for an hour to wait for someone?โ Mrs. Shin asks.ย
โI'm a busy man. No I can't.โ Minho answers.ย
โY/N, we need this interview.โ Mrs. Shin tries to whisper. But Minho hears and rolls his eyes.ย
โI'll come to your office tomorrow. But I want a different journalist.โ Minho says.ย
โYes, Okay you got it. Thank you, Minho.โ She says, way happier than when she talks to you.ย
โYeah.โ He grumbles, turning around to walk away.ย
You scoff. โStill an asshole, I see.โ You say to yourself as you pack up your belongings. You grumble to yourself as you walk towards the train station, to make the 45 minute journey back to your office.ย
When you do return, Han stands there with a coffee in his hand and a smile on his face. โFor you, my most favorite Y/N in the world.โ He smiles, handing the coffee to you.ย
โI'm the only Y/N you know.โ You say, giving him the side eye.ย
โHow was it with Minho?โ Han asks.ย
โHow do you think it went?โ You ask. โHe refused to do the interview with me.โ You say.ย
โSeriously?โ Han says. โWhat even happened between the two of you?โ He asks. โNeither of you will say much about it.โย
โAnd I still wonโt. Sorry, Han. It's in the past and I'm not trying to relive it.โ You say.ย โHe's coming to the office tomorrow to do the interview with someone. Whoever that is, I have no idea but good luck to them.โ You say, taking a sip of your coffee before sitting back at your desk, trying to focus on your work. But unfortunately you could only think about the past. Sometimes you miss him. You missed his friendship, his hugs, his warmth, but you were still hurt by what he said and the way he didn't give a fuck about it. You tried to not either but that was easier said than done.ย
โYou okay?โ Han asks, bringing you out of your thoughts.ย
โHuh? Oh, yeah I'm good.โ You say, picking up your phone, reading a text. โFelix wants to meet for drinks.โ You say, looking up at Han.ย
โI could drink.โ He says, walking back to his desk. You send a quick message to Felix letting him know you guys would meet him there before you began packing up your things. This was just what you needed to forget this shitty day.ย
A few minutes later, you and Han are walking out of the office, heading towards the train to head over to the bar.ย
โHow was your day?โ Felix asks, taking a sip of his beer.ย
โYou'll never guess who I was face to face with today.โ You say, sipping your cocktail.ย
โMr. Lee Minho.โ Felix smiles.ย
โHow'd you know?โ You ask, a little shocked.ย
โHe texted me.โ Felix says, shrugging his shoulders.ย
โWhat? What did he say?โ You ask.ย
โHe just said that you were the one who was supposed to interview him.โ Felix says.ย
โWhat else?โย
โThat he refused to do it with you.โย
โYes he did. I didn't even want to do it in the first place but I was forced to.โ You groan, dropping your head into your hands. โWhy did it have to be him?โย
โDo you know how many people are trying to get literally anything from him? You guys are lucky he's even coming down to your office to do it. He turned every other company down.โ Felix explains.ย
โThen why this company? Why would he choose the one Han and I work at?โ You ask.ย
โHan. You wanna take this one?โ Felix asks, looking over at the quiet man.ย
โI umโฆ might have asked himโฆas a favor.โ Han smiles.ย
โJisung.โ You murmur.ย
โNot the Jisung again! I was just trying to help! This interview could really boost our credibility!โ He says. โWe needed something big.โ He says.ย
โI mean I can't blame you for that. It just sucks. But now no more talking about him. Felix, how was your day?โ You ask, trying to change the subject, and thankfully it worked. But only for a little bit, as you continued to drink, your inhibitions were lowered, leaving you feeling slightly vulnerable. What sober you didn't want to talk about, drunk you was ready to spill some of the tea.ย
โYou think I'm pathetic?โ You scoff. โYou're fucking pathetic.โ You sigh loudly. โDoes he still think that?โย
โWhat are you talking about, Y/N?โ Felix asks, looking at you with a raised eyebrow.ย
โWhat does it matter?โ You slur. โIt's been 6 yearsโฆ who cares anymore. Not me!โ You mumble.ย
โY/N, are you talking about Minho?โ Han asks, glancing over at Felix who was wondering the same thing.ย
โWho wants to talk about Minho?โ You ask. โNot me.โ You pout. โI justโฆ I just wanna know why.โ You whimper. โDid he always think that? Why was our friendship so fucking easy to give up on?โ You sniffle. You can feel the tears welling up in your eyes and you didn't want to cry.ย
โI've been fine for 6 goddamn years. I'm not going to start this now. Let's drink!โ You yell.ย
โMaybe we should call it a night?โ Han asks.ย
โI think that's a good idea.โ Felix laughs, placing some cash on the table.ย
โYou're a good idea.โ You murmur as Han helps you up, wrapping his arm around you to help you walk. โI'm sleepy.โ You yawn, making Han and Felix laugh.ย
You slept well that night, and remembered nothing in the morning time.ย
**ย
โY/N, good morning.โ Mrs. Shin smiles at you. You hold your head, sunglasses covering your bloodshot eyes. You felt like a bag of shit and you just wanted to go home and go back to bed but you unfortunately were an adult who needed to do adult things.ย
โMorning.โ You croak. She looks at you concerned but you just wave her off. You're not in the mood to talk about it right now. You sit down at your desk, putting your head down on the desk, groaning, loudly.ย
โY/Nโฆ I need you to sit in on an interview today.โ Mrs. Shin says, leaning against your desk.ย
โBut why?โ You groan.ย
โIt's one of the newbies. That's the only person I had available for this interview.โ She says.ย
โI could have done it.โ You say, pinching the bridge of your nose.ย
โNo you couldn't have.โ She says. โIt's Lee Minho. And he's going to be here in 10 minutes.โ She says.ย
โWhat makes you think he's gonna say shit when I'm in the room?โ You ask.ย
โTechnically you're not doing the interview.โ She smiles. โSo it shouldn't be a problem for you to just supervise, right?โย
โOh my god.โ You groan. This was it. This was your fucking nightmare and you had absolutely no way out of it.
#stray kids#skz#Lee know#Lee minho#minho#stray kids minho#skz minho#skz lee know#minho x reader#lee know x reader#stray kids imagines#skz imagines#stray kids writing#skz writing#skz fanfic#stray kids fanfic#kpop writing#kpop fanfic#kpop scenarios#kpop imagines
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last forever [7/13]
Summary: Zoro only offered to marry you to keep you out of an arranged marriage with a man much older than you. You agreed with the caveat of ending it via annulment once you received word from your parents regarding the original engagement, despite your growing feelings for your close friend.
Pairing: Zoro x Fem!reader, mentioned Sanami later (like epilogue later so chill)
Warnings: Marriage of Convenience, Fake Marriage, referenced sex (waaaaaay later on), mutual pining, Zoro is bad at feelings but what's new there, eventual romance I promise, mention of past attempted assault (I'll warn in that chapter), creepy older dude later on
Note: I apologize for glossing over and skipping fights and so much of this arc. Writing violence is not my forte, and I'd rather focus on the main relationship. We all know how One Piece goes anyway. I had to go back and refresh myself on some of the details, it's been a while since I read/watched Water Seven and Enies Lobby.
But also, I was SO NERVOUS writing a certain part of this, its NOT my usual style omg. But I needed to write what I did when it popped into my head. Just wait until a bit later, though omg. This stays SFW, I swear.
Taglist:
@misfits1a
[Ch. 1] โ [Ch. 2] โ [Ch. 3] โ [Ch. 4] โ [Ch. 5] โ [Ch. 6]
When you finally make it to Water Seven, after your run in with the Foxy Pirates and Admiral Aokiji, itโs nice to be somewhere you recognize. Having only been here a few times when your dad had business and he chose to bring you and Elias, it was always your favorite trip to take when your mother would let you tag along.
The only person who knows this at first, apart from Zoro, is Sanji, when you choose to go into the city with him as Zoro watches the ship; Luffy, Nami, and Usopp go to exchange the gold for actually money, and Chopper goes with Robin to find a bookstore. Sanji laughs a bit when you tell him youโve been here a few times, give or take.
โYou may have been a bit sheltered, but you were well traveled!โ
Laughing in return, you tighten your arms around Sanji, laying your head on his back as your Yagara ride continues down the water street, watching all the people. Itโs been so long, you forgot how lively this city was.
โMom would always try to make me stay home with her, but Iโd cry and throw a tantrum until she let me go, normally because my brother asked for me to. I was a little spoiled back then by Elias.โ
โNothing wrong with that,โ Sanji looks over his shoulder to give you a smile, โYou were the baby, thatโs expected.โ
โTch, yeah,โ scoffing, you donโt look up at him, โThe baby no one but my brother really wanted.โ
He doesnโt say anything, instead just patting one of your hands, which makes you fist his shirt in your grip for a moment before relaxing again. Sanji knows more about your life growing up than most of your crew, only Zoro really having the nearly full story. Even then, youโve kept somethings to yourself, not because they were painful memories, but because they were some of the few good times you remember, they were more precious to you than any other memories.
The two of you quickly find the shopping district and purchase copious amount of local foods, Sanji reeling off different ideas for dishes as he catches sight of Robin, grabbing your hand to drag you along and around a corner he swears to you he saw her go down, but sheโs nowhere to be seen and neither is Chopper.
Your doctor does find you both a few moments later, apologizing on your way back to Merry for losing Robin, but you tell him not to worry, she can take care of herself, sheโll come back later.
When you get back to Merry, the update Zoro gives you feels like a knife in all your hearts.ย
โWhat do you mean Merry is unfixable?!โ
โJust what I said,โ Zoro doesnโt fully look at Sanji, instead making sure youโre all right with the news, though the frown and starting of tears tell him you arenโt, โA shipwright came to check and said so.โ
You hate the idea of having to give up Merry, whether thatโs what Luffyโs decided yet or not, you arenโt sure, even as Nami returns and the situation gets worse with Usopp having been beaten by the Franky family and the two hundred million beri being stolen from him. The money didnโt matter, what mattered was Usopp, the rest of your crew going to find him and Luffy but Nami clinging onto you to stay with her, which you do to keep your friend safe.
The rest of the day is a blur, after Usopp is brought back, his fight with Luffy over Merry, and how quickly the rest of you leave to a hotel in the city. Some would probably think itโs strange that youโre holding so tightly to Zoro the whole time, rarely letting go of his arm, but you feel like you need some stability with how things have changed so much in just a day. You all still donโt know where Robinโs gone, you plan to go with Sanji and Chopper later the next day to try and find her.
For now, Zoro doesnโt mind you holding onto and staying by him. He tries to understand, itโs likely youโre thinking back to your parents, having told him of how theyโd argue regarding you mostly, Elias being your safe haven who would remove you from the situation for safety.
Part of you doesnโt want to sleep that night, but Zoro makes you, forcing you to lay down. Really youโre worried youโre going to wake up and everythingโs been a dream, none of your friends will be there, but Zoro, who you fully are coming to believe can read your mind, pokes you in the forehead before sitting by your bed with his back to you.
โJust sleep. Iโll be here in the morning.โ
Every part of you believes him, youโve got nothing but trust in Zoro.
+!+
With everything thatโs happened involving Robin, your crew, Galley-La, and the Franky family, youโre surprised youโre even still on your feet as you follow everyone into Enies Lobby. Youโd barely slept the night before and have been awake since early the previous morning, ending up following Sanji to the sea train that was taking Robin from you all. You fight alongside him, Franky, and Usopp, er, Sniper King, to try and reach Robin, only to lose her again in exchange for your own lives.
After the Rocketman train catches up to you and the four of you board it, Nami throws a towel over you since youโre sopping wet from the rain, and you start to draw yourself back from everyone for a few moments. You just need a bit to catch your breath, to keep yourself from crying due to how tired and upset you are. Itโs going to be another sleepless night as you listen to everyone try and plan how youโre all going to attack the government island, you want to rescue Robin as soon as possible, even for the selfish reason of being able to sleep properly. Zoro tries to keep you out of the plan discussion, making you sit down and rest as much as you can, giving you water and sending you the slightest of glares if you try to get up too soon.
โStay there, wife,โ heโs quiet while he tells you to stay where you are, trying to keep his slip up of calling you his wife from those who donโt and shouldnโt know, โRest until we get there. Weโll get Robin back.โ
A slight smirk hits your face as you look up at him. โTrust her now?โ
Zoro shrugs a bit, leaning on the wall beside you. โI guess. I trust you and Luffy more. But if you donโt rest, it doesnโt matter who I trust.โ
Ah, that makes sense, why heโs trying so hard to make you take a break, other than youโre being up for so long now.
Youโll be useless in the fighting if you arenโt as prepared as you can be, if you havenโt had any kind of rest and keep worrying over Robin and everyone else. Even when you get there, convince Robin to let you all rescue her, most of your body wants to give up and stop, but you keep going, keep running to save her with everyone else.
You donโt really mean to get separated from everyone when you go to find the CP9 members who have keys that could open Robinโs sea prism stone cuffs, but it happens and youโre left defending yourself.
A few Marines get a little too close for comfort, but you cut them down fairly quickly, before going the other way from where you came and laughing to yourself at the same time.
Iโm starting to take after my husband after all.
+!+
Youโve all returned to Water Seven after rescuing Robin from the government, youโve maybe given her numerous hugs since even though its only been a couple of hours, and your unfortunate burial of Merry thatโd left most of you in tears but all of you heartbroken. So much had happened that you had to step away from everyone for a bit, while there were discussions of what to do next although Luffy had once again fallen asleep from overuse of his powers.
Truthfully you wish you could go to sleep, youโve been awake for well over twenty-four hours at this point, it would be nice to curl up in a bed and sleep the next several days. Its times like this that make you really wonder if youโre meant to be a pirate, maybe you should just go home and do what your parents want.
โHey, you okay?โ
Then Zoro finds you like always, quietly speaking to keep the others from eavesdropping, though Nami tries, a hand on your shoulder, this time he seems to grip a little tighter than before. You know him well enough at this point, thereโs just the slightest hint of worry on his face as he looks at you, brows furrowed just a bit. Zoro knows you just as well, you step away like this when things start to get to be too much, you just need a few moments to clear your head and breathe, and since youโve had that, you give him a real smile.
โIโm okay.โ
โAre you really?โ
You nod, Zoro doing the same in return as he knows to believe you, before surprising you by gently taking you face in his hands, as if heโs making absolutely sure that youโre telling the truth.
Having lost track of you while heโd gone on to fight the CP9 members to get Robinโs key, his mind kept wandering to where youโd gotten off to, if you were safe, if you were fighting someone or multiple marines, he really hoped you werenโt against a CP9 member. You had to stay safe, no matter what, you and Robin were his biggest concerns at the time. When you randomly ran into him, Sanji, and Usopp, he was surprised by the relief he felt to see you were a little banged up but otherwise perfectly fine. Heโd made you let him carry you on his back the rest of the way, until you got to the ship and were able to safely be on the ground again. Heโd barely let you out of his sight since then.
Zoro doesnโt make whatever worry he had about you obvious, only looking like heโs fighting to find something to say while he holds your face and you continue to smile, tilting your head.
โZoro?โ
โGlad youโre okay.โ
Giggling a bit, you nod before wrapping your arms around him in a tight hug, your exhaustion and the fears and worries youโve had the last few hours finally coming to surface while you hug Zoro, making him do the same lightly, to keep you from embarrassing yourself in front of the others while you cry quietly, though you know they wouldnโt care or judge you.
Youโre glad Robin is back, everyone is safe and alive, you all may have lost Merry but youโre coming to terms with it.
But most importantly to you, Zoro is safe, and to him, youโre safety is just as important, even if he barely voices it. The last thing he wants is for you to be harmed, in anyway by anyone.
He'll be especially damned if itโs by his hand so he comforts you the best he can, until youโre calmed down enough to rejoin your crew, staying beside him.
He doesnโt make you release his hand as you grip onto it, instead squeezing it back whenever you do so. When you lean into his arm later on, he lays his head against your own, telling you to go ahead and sleep, heโll get you to a bed. You make him promise to stay with you that night, and he does once everyone goes to turn in, not leaving your side for even a second.
Heโll make sure you stay safe.
+!+
Zoro isn't sure how you two ended up away from the rest of the party. Too much alcohol, yes, but his tolerance is higher than a normal person's. He knows better than to wander off like this, but you took him by the wrist and walked away with a new bottle of sake in your hand, convincing him that it would be good to get away from the noise and everyone else.
You don't normally drink as much as he's seen you do today, he wonders if it's the alcohol that's causing you to giggle incessantly and steal glances at him every bit. Not like you had to steal glances, if you two had been talking you'd be looking at him.
But you'd barely said a word apart from when he asked why you were dragging him away from everyone else.
โJust want some quiet time, husband.โ
Zoro never stops you from calling him husband, he's not sure why. Your marriage wasn't real, he should stop you from calling him that.
He should, but he never does.
He doesn't now, even as you lean against him and say โmy husbandโ over and over again. It's only the moment you crawl yourself into his lap that he feels the need to stop you, despite knowing you're drunk or at the very least tipsy enough to not know what you're doing.
โGet off.โ
He still doesn't push you off, he's not that heartless.
โNoooooโฆโ You whine and start to nuzzle your face in his neck, sighing happily after a moment. โMy husband~โ
โAin't actually your husband, you know that.โ
โBut you're my husband still.โ
โStop it before someone sees.โ
You pout, but lift your head up to look at him. Zoro can tell more so now that you're definitely drunk, you're more emotional than he thought you'd be. He always expected you to be a giggly or chatty drunk, not emotional to the point you're pouting but also looking like you might cry.
โYou should...kiss me.โ
โWhat.โ
You nod, leaning closer and touching your nose to Zoro's, making him glance away from you just the slightest bit from the proximity despite the bit of pink across his cheeks that you can see. This is the closest you've let yourself get to him ever, even the nights you sneak into his bed from nightmares, you've never placed your face so close to his.
โYou didn't kiss meโฆwhen we got married.โ
โWe're not actuโโ
โI'll kiss you then.โ
You close the gap for the quickest of seconds, kissing Zoro so fast it's like it didn't happen. Despite your drunk state your face burns with a blush and you apologize, you're not sure why you did that. Must've been the alcohol controlling you or something, that's your excuse. You're both quiet but neither of you moves for a moment, before you decide to get up only to have Zoro hold you in place by your shoulders. His brows are furrowed and you're not sure what's going on in his mind, before he pulls you back into a proper kiss, none of this tiny peck of the lips thing you'd just done. He kisses you fully and for more than a brief second, it's several seconds before he pulls away, leaving you both breathless and you personally shocked.
Shocked for just a moment before you take his face in your hands and kiss Zoro a third time, which he returns, surprising you when he wraps his arms around your waist and brings you closer to him (how you could even get closer when youโre already on his lap, you donโt know). You refuse to let him be the one to end this. You don't want this to end, it needs to continue, even if just for you. Even if all it does is make your feelings for him stronger, even if Zoro later tells you it was a mistake and he still held no romantic feelings for you, despite that fact he's so willingly returning such affection.
Even though, a moment later, Zoro pushes you away gently by your shoulders, neither of you able to breathe properly for a moment, catching your breath as your slowly sobering mind tries to play catch up with what the hell just happened.
You kissed Zoro, and he actually kissed you back. He didn't shove you off or yell at you or anything like that. He accepted it and reciprocated without a single word. You figured he would fight you about this, that he wouldn't accept it so easily.
Is this the progress you've been hoping for?
Once you've both caught your breath, Zoro doesn't even look at you, instead moves just enough that you get the hint and get off his lap finally. It's a few minutes of complete silence between the two of you, that has you confused. You thought things were changing, that you two were getting closer than you had been even before Luffy brought you along.
The fact he'd just kissed you back for several minutes it felt like, you thought maybe Zoro was going to confess to you, but when he still doesn't look at you, you attempt to bring him back by taking his hand, which he lets you for a moment before gently pulling his arm back to himself.
โZoroโฆIโฆI'm sorโโ
โI thinkโฆyou should go to bed, [Y/N].โ
โDo you,โ you gulp a bit, looking away before you finish, โdo you want to come with me?โ
โNo. That's not a good idea.๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ
You know this, who knows what trouble you'd bring to yourselves or the crew if you two went to your room together? Whose heart would be broken the next morning if you took things too far when you weren't fully sober? You didn't know, the thought of either of you being hurt made your heart ache and you couldn't bear the thought.
So, instead of trying to convince him things would be fine, you really just wanted to sleep with him next to you, you nod, standing up and dusting yourself off, grabbing the bottle you'd brought with you and looking at Zoro again.
โAre youโโ
โGonna stay here for a bit.โ
It's all you can do to nod again, apologizing for pushing things too far before you turn and leave, doing your absolute best to keep your tears to yourself as you return to the party, giving Nami a small smile when she asks where you've been, promising her you'd just gone off to spend some time alone.
She doesn't believe you and intends to get all the information she can later, but she does give you a hug that nearly pushes you over, and says she'll beat up whoever made you sad, especially if it's Zoro, earning her a laugh before you return to your room at the hotel.
I wish he had come with meโฆ
Truthfully you don't regret kissing Zoro, not even a bit. Despite his rejection of your feelings, the fact he so willingly kissed you back made you believe that maybe things were changing in your favor.
Perhaps it was because he was drunk, or maybe he was sober enough that he knew exactly what he was doing, especially when he denied returning to your room with you.
Either way, even with your heart aching from another rejection, it feels like you're making progress with Zoro and your relationship with him, little by little.
For his part of it all, Zoro stays in the same place you'd left him for nearly an hour, trying to calm his own racing heart after that exchange with you.
How he never thought of kissing you before, but now he didn't want to do anything but kiss you (it's the alcohol talking, he swears it is). You tasted like the sake you'd shared and whatever sweet wine Nami had convinced you to take several drinks of. A combination he never expected to be so nice, something he didn't think he'd want to taste again. The moment he thinks about it again his heart skips a beat, and Zoro puts head in his hands in an attempt to stop such feelings.
No, no, shit I gotta stop this.
He sighs and runs his hands through his hair, pulling it slightly to get those thoughts out of his head. Any focus on romance, on you he wanted out of his head. There's been too much of it lately, the want to stay close to you, to pull you away from everyone else, to give in and indulge himself in you alone. He'd told you nothing was going to happen and he had meant it.
But then you had to go and kiss him. The most innocent of kisses, a quick peck on the lips but he'd gone and pulled you back for more almost instantly. Then you made it worse by returning it again and holding his face this time, he didn't know why he enjoyed that so much. This whole thing was ridiculous, there's no reason for these feelings!
The only thing he could do to get some time to think was to push you away, refuse to join you when you went to bed. Who knows what would've happened if he had gone with you? Of course, he knew your thoughts were innocent, you'd shared a bed multiple times when you turned to him after nightmares, it was highly unlikely you were expecting anything more than to just go to sleep and wake up with a hangover, Zoro by your side in case of alcohol induced nightmares.
And he had made you go to bed alone.
That realization, for some reason, causes his heart to ache and Zoro has to finally admit what he's been trying not to, over the last several months, even with the more domestic thoughts he's allowed himself to entertain at times. Something he was hoping would fade away, would disappear over time like it always did for others, the feelings he's finally realized were going to be more long term than he expected.
Damn it allโฆI'm falling for my wife.
+!+
Contrary to what many may think, Sanji doesnโt particularly like being privy to romance gossip, not the kind involving his crewmates especially. He thinks that such things should be kept between a couple, so when he accidentally hears you telling Nami and Robin how you and Zoro finally kissed the other night, heโs less than pleased to hear it ended with your swordsman pushing you back, not taking you back to your room, or even staying with you for the night.
How unbelievably rude of him! To steal your first kiss, and not even walk you back to your room!
Thatโs what Sanji wouldโve done. If any woman kissed him, heโd walk her back to her room or home, at the very least, to ensure she was safe and nothing happened. Zoro not doing that, when you were inebriated, when you couldโve been hurt or worse, it angers Sanji more than anything Zoro has or hasnโt done thus far. He views you as his best friend, he hates the way you and Zoro seem to get closer to a real relationship, only for something to happen or someone to intervene and ruin your progress. Heโs been cheering for you from the start, ever since you confirmed your feelings for the swordsman, only to now wonder if itโs worth it for you.
If Zoro really is what you want and makes you happy, why does it seem like all you do lately is suffer?
Sanji doesnโt fully mean to give Zoro the cold shoulder this time, or even the suspicious looks he throws at him, but Zoro noticed quickly, before anyone else, and confronts him.
โWhat the hell is your problem, cook?โ
โNothing.โ
โBullshit, youโve been giving me worse looks than normal.โ
Sanji bites down on his cigarette, finally dropping the knife heโd been holding to face Zoro with a scowl.
โI heard you and [Y/N] kissed the other nightโโ
โDamn it.โ
โโand you didnโt bother to take her back to her room?โ
โWhat, is that my job now?โ
โAs her husband it should be!โ
โIโm not really her husband! Damn it, this is stupid.โ
Zoro goes to leave, but Sanji stops him by grabbing his sleeve, holding on and telling him to stop.
โLook, asshole. I could care less that you two are married, real or not, or that you kissed her,โ Sanji grits his teeth, finally letting go of Zoroโs sleeve, โBut if you break her heart, Iโll never forgive you, mosshead.โ
While Sanji turns back to continue prepping for dinner, Zoro stops for just a moment. The two have had fights before, thatโs obvious to anyone with a brain, but theyโve yet to fight about you. And he wonders why it's only now, after you kissed him, that Sanji seems so hell bent on protecting you, or maybe he's always been like this, it's just more on display as you and Zoro start to get closer.
โWhatโs your deal with her?โ
โSheโs my best friend, mosshead. I just want her safe and happy, even if itโs with you.โ
He doesnโt say anything in response, leaving the kitchen to find you lounging with Nami and Robin, the three of you in some conversation when you look up and see him, giving a slight smile that Zoro returns with a nod, before heading off to the crowโs nest. What Sanji last said is stuck in his head, partially wondering if you told your cook what happened that night in Water Seven or if he was good at guessing, but thatโs not the biggest thing he wonders about.
Would you really be happy with me, of all people, [Y/N]?
+!+
โAll right, wait, so, you honestly kissed him?โ
โNami don't make me repeat myself.โ
Nami laughs while Robin smiles, both amazed you got up the courage to kiss Zoro of all people. Yeah, you were tipsy at the time, even though Zoro still believes you were fully intoxicated, but you couldn't help feeling bad about it afterwards, just for a bit.
โI didn't fully think it through. I justโฆI don't know, I wanted to kiss him so I did.โ
โI don't think he's too upset about it then,โ Robin nods a bit, taking a sip of her wine, โYou said he kissed you back, if he didn't push you away right off the bat, it sounds like he was positively receptive to it.โ
โYeah,โ Nami quickly agrees, giving you a grin, โSounds like you're getting yourself a boyfriend.โ
โI don't think he wants that.โ
โWell, what do you want? Maybe you guys could talk it through.โ
What did you want? You thought you knew, to be a world renowned swordswoman, to help Luffy become King of the Pirates.
But what did you want from Zoro? Just to be with him, to stay married to him? Do you want to maybe have a family of your own with him one day? You'd had those thoughts when your feelings first started surfacing, after your impromptu wedding at that backwater courthouse. You'd stopped entertainingย thoughts for quite a while, but now, they're coming back more often.
More importantly, does Zoro want any of that with you?
โIโฆthinkโฆ I want to be with him foreverโฆโ
Hearing Nami choke on her own drink, you give her a concerned look before she looks at you with wide eyes.
โYou sound like you're in love with Zoro!โ
You don't say anything for a bit, even with Nami and Robin looking at you like they're expecting you to deny such a thing. There was no way you were in love with Zoro, not at all. You two hadn't dated, your marriage was only temporary, it was meant to end as soon as you had something from your parents. You two weren't going to last forever, you weren't going to have kids together, live out your lives as a married couple. It wasn't happening.
No matter how much you may want it to. That's what Nami and Robin have come to think over time, from the things you've said to them.
โI am, Nami.โ
Despite Nami's new outburst and saying she knew it with Robin laughing, you don't feel any kind of worry or fear about admitting your real feelings for Zoro. Neither of them would tell, your secret was safe as could be.
But for you, all you do is smile to yourself.
You love Zoro, more than anything. You've thought so for a while now, but finally voicing it aloud gives you a sense of peace and happiness. Whether Zoro ever returns your feelings or not, whether you two come to act as a married couple or not, you're more than happy to even stay by his side as his crewmate and friend. Even if you have to love him silently, you'd do so.
You'll hope he comes to love you back one day, but you won't force anything on him.
โI'm in love with Zoro.โ
~~
Note 2: Me writing this: now KISS.
After writing: omg they kissed
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Wing Man Part 8
Fic Summary: Steve 'the Hair' Harrington is your best friend, and is constantly striking out. Sick of this, you two make a deal; you'll wing man for each other. Hooking Steve up with dates is easy, but he finds himself struggling to find you a date. At least, until Dustin starts talking about his new cool friend Eddie.
(1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9)
Chapter Summary: Eddie explains himself, and you two make plans to hang out on purpose.
5.7k Words
a/n: Sorry I haven't been updating! I swear, I'm almost always thinking about this fic but I've been trying to figure out where to go with it. I'm started to see how I want to shape the story (over 40k words in, go figure). Thank you all so much for your patience!
Also, I've had a lot of people ask me about Paige and have shown interest in what happened between her and Eddie. She is actually from Eddie's prequel novel, Flight of Icarus! I'll still explain bits and pieces during the story, but I highly recommend reading the novel for the full context. I am trying to write this in a way you don't need to read FoI, but it does give extra context to the story.
Anyway, we continue.
Aside from the mixtape playing in the van, it was surprisingly quiet between you and Eddie. Despite his eagerness to show up and take you out, now that you were sitting in his passenger side seat again, he had no idea what to do next. The sound of Iron Maiden was rumbling through the van, crackling through the old speakers.ย
It wasnโt often that Eddie was at a loss for words or couldnโt come up with something to say. After embracing his role in the Hawkins High ecosystem as the resident loudmouth freak he could always come up with something to say to break the ice or cause a ruckus.ย
But, being loud wasnโt exactly a substitution for actual charisma. He could hold the attention of his Hellfire Club during the game, and keep them safe enough from most bullies even. But intimidation was different than... whatever the hell he was supposed to be doing here. Flirting? That seemed right. He knew he should be trying to flatter you or compliment you or do something to show that he had an interest in you.ย
โSo,โ you were the one to break the silence between the two of you. โWhat have you been up to for the past two weeks?โ
Eddie know what you actually meant was โWhat the fuck, man?โ which was a really fair question.ย
โI should have called you sooner.โ It was best to go ahead and rip the bandaid off now and get this conversation out of the way. โIโm sorry, I wanted to but I couldnโt.โ
โWhy not?โ you asked, leaning against the passenger side door as you looked at him. Despite your eagerness to get out of Family Video with him, he could see that you werenโt going to just let him not explain why he hadnโt talked to you. Not that he was going to leave you hanging like that anyway.ย
โMy phone blew up.โ Eddie said bluntly.ย
โYour phone blew up? Like... actually exploded?โ you asked, trying to see if he was fucking with you.ย
โRemember that huge storm a few weeks ago? Turns out that old trailers donโt exactly have the best wiring sometimes so when lightning strikes it knocks out power for a few days and fries some important wires.โ he explained. โSo... yeah, we just got a new phone today and when I tried to call...โ
โSo, I didnโt answer my phone so you decided to track me down?โ There was amusement in your voice which he took as a good sign. โSeems like you could have done that part earlier. Iโm not hard to find.โย
โIโm not exactly interested in stalking.โ Eddie snorted. โIโm already on enough people's shitlist in town.โ
โOh, youโre no fun.โ you laughed. โYou know where I live, you could have shown up at my doorstep in the rain or used random phones around town to leave weird messages about how you canโt stop thinking about me or sent me letters with cryptic meanings.โ
โWhere do you come up with these things?โ Eddie laughed, feeling the tension between the two of you start to dissipate.ย
โI read a lot of bodice-ripper books.โ you shrugged. โTrashy romance novels are a guilty pleasure sometimes.โย
โHas anyone ever told you that youโre a weirdo?โย
โSteve did about an hour ago when I suggested that Bozo the clown could be the shit out of Pennywise from It.โย
Eddie wasnโt sure what he expected you to say, but it wasnโt that. Every time you had shown up in his life, you had completely thrown him off. He was starting to suspect that no amount of โMunson Magicโ was going to work on you. Not that he wanted to work his dadโs charm on you to begin with.ย
What he really wanted to do at that moment was ask you about your little bet with Steve. No, wait, not a bet. A deal? Maybe he should have asked Dustin more questions, or at least waited until after Hellfire to talk to the kid-ย
โSo whatโs the plan?โ You broke through his thoughts once again. โYou show up out of nowhere and have me get into your unmarked van to take me to a second location... is there a second location in mind?โ
There wasnโt, Eddie really hadnโt thought that far ahead.Heโd panicked after his talk with Wayne and had shown up to Family Video on the chance that youโd been there. Heโd run straight out the door with every intention of finding you and let you know that he was stupid for not trying harder to call you before.ย
โI figured we could just... drive.โ He wished he could ignore the sudden parallel between you and Paige. He wished that he could just forget about what happened in โ84. Fuck, him and Paige never even had an official date, only hooking up in his van for a few weeks before everything blew up.ย
Wait, was this a date? Crap, that had been the plan right? Show up, ask you on a date and then... then heโd be on a date. What the FUCK was he actually doing? He was acting so fucking awkward now- everything had been easier before. Why did Dustin have to open his big mouth about this?
โJust driving sounds great.โ you said, and Eddie once again tried to relax. Every girl he had been with had wanted something from him. Nicole Summers and Cass Finnigan just wanted bragging rights that they got with the freak, and Paige had wanted him to be a rock hero. What did you want from him?
โHave you eaten?โ It wasnโt exactly late, but it wasnโt really early in the evening either. His uncle always asked him that whenever one of them got home, and it had taken Eddie an embarrassingly long time to realize that it was Wayneโs way of showing that he cared.ย
โI could eat.โ you replied, which at least gave this... whatever this was, some structure for the night. Eddie didnโt have a lot of cash on him, but he could probably scrape together enough to get you each a burger or something.ย
When the Iron Maiden tape clicked off and spat itself out, you took it upon yourself to pull it out and look it over. โGot any other tapes in here? I need to judge your music taste.โย
That made Eddie laugh โYou and every other person in this town. I have a few more tapes in here.โ He tapped on the center console which you eagerly dug into, flipping through the different cassettes with eagerness.ย
โMetal. Metal. Metal. Metal.โ You said, going through each cassette one by one. โIโm starting to see a pattern here, Eddie.โย
โWhat gave it away?โ He said deadpan. โWas it that I play guitar or the fact that weโve only bonded over music so far?โ
โAnd Chris Morrison.โ
โAnd Chris Morrison.โ
โIt was your hair, actually. You look so much like Eddie Van Halen itโs actually uncanny.โ You looked up from the tapes and he could feel your eyes studying his face. He was glad that it was dark out now, as he could feel warmth rising in his cheeks at the comparison. Was that a compliment? Were you into him looking like Van Halen?ย
โVan Halen?โ Eddie asked. โI figured I was more of a Kirk Hammett type.โ
โThe hair yes,โ you agreed, still staring at his face as he continued to drive. โBut your smile is definitely more Van Halen.โ
When was the last time someone had ever looked at him with that much consideration before? Something in Eddieโs gut twisted as he glanced over at you for a split second to meet your eyes. Huh, that was weird. Had anyone made him nervous like this before? Yeah heโd been attracted to Paige but this was starting to feel different.ย
He really needed a cigarette right about now.ย
โI hope thatโs a compliment.โ Eddie managed to say as he fumbled for the packet of Camels in the cupholder by him.ย
โOh, it is. I promise.โ you replied, digging out a lighter and helping him light the smoke in his mouth. The world's tiniest supernova...
Eddie hated that the closest thing he had to compare notes on when it came to a healthy romance was two months with Paige and a handful of movies that he barely watched.ย
You went back to his tapes, and seemed to pick one out. You removed the tape that had been spat out, put it back in the appropriate case (which Eddie found himself appreciating), and he was surprised to hear the old riffs of Muddy Waters playing.ย
โA palate cleanser.โ you said, leaning back into the passenger side seat.ย
Eddie felt his mind reeling from your choice of music. Muddy Waters had been how his mom introduced him to rock at a young age. The two of you sat in silence for a few minutes, listening to the well loved tape as he pulled into the drive in of the next fast food joint heโd seen.ย
When he pulled up to the window to pay, a fresh ten was shoved in his face before he could even reach for his own wallet. It took a moment for him to realize that you were wanting to pay.ย
โYou got me out of work early, itโs the least I can do.โ you said, not giving him the option to say no as cash was exchanged for a bag of questionable but cheap food. You held the bag in your lap as Eddie started making his way out of town.ย
โSo is this an โeating vanโ or a โnon-eating vanโ?โ you asked, messing with the top of the bag.ย
โI think Iโd starve if I didnโt eat in here.โ Eddie snorted. โKnock yourself out.โ
You wasted no time digging into the fries and taking a few for yourself as Eddie went to the only place that he could afford to take you right now that might be date worthy.ย
Luckily, Loverโs Lake was quiet and private on weeknights. If Eddie had taken two minutes to plan this better, he would have thought to maybe clear out the back of his van and set out a blanket and have a picnic. When it came to music and D&D he was great at planning out details, with dates? Not so much.ย
This isnโt a date. He reminded himself for the hundredth time tonight. Sheโs just a girl that you ran over to spend time with the second it occurred to you that she might have an interest in you and she really willingly hopped in your van and your friends actually like her-
Shit. This had to be a date right? Neither of you had said the word but thatโs what it was... right?ย
Eddie was snapped out of his thoughts with the sweet smell of hot potatoes and grease was wafting under his nose. You had shoved a few fries in front of his face and Eddie wasted no time in taking them. You continued to absently feed him fries as he found a spot to park.
The two of you divided up the food on his dashboard, and Eddie rolled down the windows to let the cool autumn air in.ย
โSo... what are you gonna be for Halloween?โ Eddie asked, wincing internally. When was the last time anyone he knew had dressed up for Hallowen? Okay, so Hellfire Club did tend to dress up on Halloween for a special one shot but that was different- no one came to school in costumes anymore.
โIt depends on my plans.โ you answered. โHalloween is on a Thursday so Iโm usually working. If I have a morning shift Iโll probably do zombie makeup for work, if Steve and Robin are working with me that day I think weโre gonna attempt to be Luke, Leia, and Hans.โย
โAnd are you gonna be Leia?โ Eddie asked.ย
โIdeally, I wanted to be Chewie but I donโt have the time for that.โ you laughed. โRobin and I voted on Steve to Be Leia. Robin will be Luke, and Iโll be Hans Solo with a teddy bear.โ
โPlease tell me that Harrington isnโt going to be in the bikini.โ Eddie laughed.ย
โKeith said costumes had to be work appropriate so, sadly, Steve will not be gracing the store with his sweater-vest chest hair under a bra.โ You sighed dramatically. โItโs like he hates the idea of us having fun!โย
โWhat if you have to close?โ Eddie prompted, adjusting in his seat to lean against the door to face you as best he could. Next time he was absolutely clearing out the back to give you both more room.ย
โOh, I am not closing.โ you said firmly. โAnd if Keith thinks he can schedule me that day he can suck it because I have plans.โย
You already have Halloween plans. Of course you would. Itโs not like you had to worry about school on a weekday like he did. Eddie tried not to deflate in front of you and remained calm.ย
โAnd what plans would that be?โ he asked.ย
โHave you ever seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show?โ you asked, a smile tugging at your lips.ย
He had, once, with Reefer Rick a few months ago when picking up his usual supply. A quick pick up had turned into a game of pool, which had turned into the two of them high on Rickโs couch watching an old VHS tape while Rick laughed his ass off and yelled at the tv before passing out in the middle of Tim Curry seducing Brad and Janet.ย
โOnce.โ Eddie said, not giving the exact details of circumstance. โWith a friend, I didnโt really get it.โย
โDid you see it in theaters or did you just watch it at home?โ you asked, finishing off your food.ย
โFriendโs house.โย
โOh, no wonder you didnโt get it. Rocky Horror is an experience, you canโt just pop the tape in and watch it. You have to come see it in a theater.โ As you spoke you were absently folding a napkin in your lap turning it into what looked like a heart. When you were done with that one, you started with another shape with a different napkin.ย
โIs that an invitation?โ Eddie asked, tearing his eyes away from the way your fingers moved for now. He found his heart pounding in his chest, unsure if you were actually wanting him to come to this, and from the knot forming in his stomach as the shapes you were folding reminded him of the times he met you before.ย
โIt is.โ you confirmed, the ninja star you had shaped with the napkin was placed on the center console as you grabbed another napkin. โ...It could also be a date.โย
Despite the period at the end of the sentence, Eddie heard the slight waiver in your voice on the word date. It was that same nervous stammer that had been in Paigeโs voice when she offered to let him move in with her in California, it was the same hesitant inflection that one of his Hellfire players used when they werenโt sure if Eddie would approve of what crazy plan they had for their character.ย
Aside from that first awkward meeting at the Palace Arcade, you had been pretty confident and upfront with him. Now here you are, laying out your intentions and seeing what he would do.ย
What would he do? Eddie had shown up at Family Video with no real plan. He only knew he wanted to see you again, and he knew that Dustin and Steve were trying to set you two up. And itโs not like Eddie was completely against the idea of going on a date with you. You were sharp, and you kept him on his toes, and when you smiled at him it felt like his brain might short out.ย
But he had also panicked when he had thought that you were going to kiss him before. After Eddieโs disastrous break up with Paige two years ago, itโs not like heโd been completely against any physical relationships. There had been a grand total of two other hook ups that heโd sabotaged. People werenโt interested in getting to know the freak, they just wanted to say that they had been with him. So both times, Eddie had made sure that heโd been a lousy date and a decent enough lay before deciding that heโd rather had a date with his right hand and a Heavy Metal magazine.
Eddie would rather the rumor mill call him a boring date rather than set a standard that heโd go out with anyone who asked. He wondered if he had, would Steve have put his name on the town marquis for the world to see? Would Eddie โthe Slutโ Munson be treated any differently than Eddie โthe Freakโ?
Shit, you were still waiting for a response.ย
โA date.โ Eddie finally managed to echo your last words back at you. The napkin you had been messing with in your hands was now taking the shape of a ninja star.ย
โI mean, if youโre interested.โ you said quickly. โIt could just be a friend thing. Or you probably already have plans for Halloween-โ
โI donโt.โ Eddie interjected. โIt could be a date.โ
He watched your shoulders relax and you smiled up at him. โItโs a date then.โ You grabbed a napkin and your green marker out of your bag and scribbled something down, handing it over to him.ย
โIn case your phone blows up again, here is the date and time and location for the Halloween showing of the movie.โ your eyes narrowed slightly at him. โAnd my work schedule has been hectic but I consistently work on Sundayโs and clock out at four.โ
Eddie got the message loud and clear, he would know where to find you now. There wouldnโt be any excuses for not reaching out, but two could play at this game. He took the marker from your hand and grabbed his own napkin, scribbling his own phone number down and handing it over to you.ย
โIโm at school all week, but I still play at the Hideout on Tuesdays.โ He answered back. โFriday is Hellfire.โ
With that, the playing field felt a little more level. Both of you now had the power to track the other one down or call when needed.ย ย ย
โSo what are you going to be for Halloween?โ you asked, tucking the napkin with his number into your bog.ย
โOh, havenโt you heard? When youโre the town freak every day is Halloween.โ Eddie chuckled.ย
โSo what, youโre gonna put on a polo and khakis instead?โ He liked the way you scrunch your nose when you laughed. โDitch the jewelry and cover your tattoos?โย
โThat would probably scare some of the teachers at school.โ Eddie had considered doing exactly that, but he really didnโt think heโd want that kind of attention. โNo one dresses up at school anymore.โ
โBoring.โ You sighed. โI tried dressing up for Halloween my senior year but when I got to school my friends convinced me to change clothes.โ
Eddie raised an eyebrow. โYou donโt seem like the type to let other people tell you what to do.โย
โNow Iโm not.โ you shrugged. โIโm not in high school anymore, and all those people that I saw everyday? Turns out I was only friends with them because I saw them every day. Once you get away from that forced routine you realize that itโs all bullshit.โ
Eddie could relate, probably better than anyone else. He was so sick of the day to day hierarchy of highschool that heโd scream it from on top of a table. Literally.ย
โWhat were you trying to be before your friends killed your fun?โ Eddie asked.ย
โA pirate. It was last minute but I had a bandana, an eyepatch, a sock puppet with feathers glued to it for my parrot, and a wire hanger I was carrying around as a hook.โ you laughed at the memory. โI ended up dropping the eyepatch before my friends made me change because I kept running into people. My wire hanger was confiscated, some asshat stole my parrot, and one of my friends gave me a sweater to change into. I didnโt even make it to first period in that outfit.โ
Eddie had made it a point to not pay attention to anyone outside of his small group at school, only ever keeping an eye out for lost sheep that didnโt have anywhere else to go. He wondered, if he had seen you that morning in the brief window before you were pushed back into conformity would he have noticed you? Talked to you? You had already been nice to him before.ย
โWait,โ Eddie over at you, taking in the picture you had painted for him. โYou made a sock puppet parrot?โ
โI needed a parrot, or else no one would get it!โ you explained. โBut then when I took it off and left it to go use the bathroom it was gone. I finally found the thief in fourth period because they kept playing with it and squawking my own parrot at me. But by that point I had just cut my losses and had given up on Halloween.โ
โAre you usually this crafty?โ Eddie asked, once again looking at the final napkin you were folding into what looked like an old cootie catcher.ย
โI get bored easily.โ you said. โIf I donโt have something to do with my hands I canโt focus.โ
โHowโd you start with the whole-โ Eddie grabbed one of his slightly used napkins and gave it a wave. โFolding thing?โ
โFourth grade show and tell.โ you said. โI did not prepare anything and so I spent a full ten minutes in the school library to find something to show. I found a book on origami, found the easiest thing to make and realized that I actually enjoyed it.โ
If that was a mystery, it sure did get solved right there. Eddie wanted to ask about Steve and Dustin. He wanted to ask you why him? He could keep his mouth shut, let this whole thing play out and see what happened. Eddie could sit here, and enjoy the fact that a girl was giving him the time of day and leave everything up in the air just like he had with Paige.ย
โSo I heard you and Steve had a deal going on.โ Eddie said. โSomething about getting dates?โ
You froze for a second, the completed cootie catcher in your hands. Things were dead silent for a grand total of ten seconds. Ten agonizingly long seconds. Even the cassette player had clicked off and was now whirring as it rewind the Iron Maiden tape.ย
Then you started laughing. A lot.ย
โJesus, Eddie!โ you said, wiping your eyes with the ninja star as a tear threatened to spill down your cheek. โI tell you I have origami as a hobby, and you follow up with โSo I heard you and Steve are trying to get dates.โ Seriously?โ
Eddie remained silent at your reaction, trying to process your laughter. You didnโt seem scared or nervous that he had called you out, and he had to admit that he hadnโt completely thought through the consequences of asking you that question.ย
โWho blabbed?โ You asked, after your laughter had calmed down.ย
โHenderson.โ Eddie admitted and, in an attempt to ease any lingering tension he leaned forward to rest his elbow on the center console and held his chin in his hand as he looked at you. โThat shrimp informed me that you found me so irresistible that you begged Steve to set you up with me.โ
โIs that right?โ You asked, raising an eyebrow.ย
โOh yeah,โ Eddie agreed. โTold me all about how ever since Chris Morrison shot you down, youโve been desperate to get my attention to get back at him.โ
โSo which is it, am I attracted to you or am I using you to get back at a guy I talked to once in high school years ago?โ you asked. Eddie saw a glint in your eyes, the same one heโd seen that first night at the arcade when at the air hockey table.ย
โBoth are true.โ Eddie continued to explain, a shit eating grin on his face. โYou see, you were originally going to use me to get back at Chris, but then you saw me play guitar and instantly fell in love.โ
โDamn, this sounds like the plot of a terrible movie.โ you laughed. โSo is this the part where I tell you that โIt started out like that, but I swear itโs not like that anymore!โ? Do I beg on my knees that my feelings for you are genuine, even though weโve hung out a grand total of two-and-a-half times?โ
Five times, but whoโs counting?ย
โWhatโs the half-time?โ Eddie asked.ย
โYou ditched me at the arcade after I said Iโd be right back.โ you stated matter-of-factly. โIโm hoping itโs not a pattern where you start dropping off the face of the earth just when things start getting good.โ
โBetween you and me,โ Eddie leaned in closer. โI thought Dustin was trying to set me up with Steve. Not you.โย
Cue more laughter from you as you threw your head back. โAre you kidding me?! Dustin makes me and Steve show up to an arcade and tries to force a meeting with you- and you thought you were supposed to be dating Steve?!โย
โNot dating!โ Eddie clarified quickly. โYou see, Steve and I only have one thing in common and thatโs Dustin Henderson. Kid practically worships Steve. I thought he was trying to get us to be friends or something.โ
โOh my god, you thought Dustin was trying to hook his two dads up!โ Your cootie catcher was now crumpled up in your hands, stained with tears from your laughing. โIโm a homewrecker!โย
Yeah, this really wasnโt going the way Eddie had expected it.ย
โShit, Eddie, Iโm sorry.โ you said, your laughter calming down into giggles instead. โHave I been reading this whole thing wrong? I mean, if you have more of an interest in Steve I could probably set that up. Heโs only ever shown interest in girls but you have long hair and are pretty enough-โ
โNo.โ Eddie said. โI donโt have an interest in Steve- you think Iโm pretty?โ How were you able to throw him off so easily? He could tell that if you had been able to join Hellfire you would have been a menace at his table.
โExtremely.โ you said, your voice more sincere now.ย
The two of you just stared at each other for a while and Eddie felt that same twisty feeling in his gut again. You thought he was pretty. That was good, right? Did you like pretty boys? You were pretty- he liked that a lot.ย
โI...โ Eddie started and then dug deep inside himself to find the words he wanted to use. โPrettier than Steve?โ Those were not the words he wanted to say, but he said them anyway.ย
โSteve is conventionally attractive but, as I said before, not my type.โ you said. โI like guys with long hair anyway.โ
Eddie really couldnโt tell if he was nailing this or blowing it. โSo, what is your type?โย
โIโll tell you mind if you tell me yours.โ you countered.ย
Had Eddie ever really thought about what his type was? Yeah, heโd had ill-advised crushes and had been attracted to various women in comics and tv but did he have a type? He tried to connect all the girls in his mind that heโd been with, trying to find a pattern.ย
Someone who actually pays attention to me. Thatโs pretty sad, Eddie. He came to the conclusion. Yeah, aside from his disastrous kiss with Ronnie five years ago, every girl heโd been with had been the one to show interest first, and you were no exception. But had he actually had feelings for the others? Not really. Attraction? Yeah. Feelings? Well, with Paige he had been far too busy dealing with Corroded Coffin, his dad, and school to really decide what he felt for Paige. Any other small flings had been dead on arrival.
So why did he keep wanting to spend time with you?
โDonโt go spreading this around,โ Eddie started. โBut if I had to pick a type, itโd be She-Hulk.โย
โShe-Hulk?โ you mulled that over in your mind. โSo tall, green, and angry?โย
โStrong-willed, and funny as shit.โ Eddie corrected.ย
โAnd green.โ
โAnd green.โย
โIf I had known that earlier I would have picked Kermit the Frog as my Halloween costume this year.โ you teased. โI donโt have a character off the top of my head, but I like people who feel.. Real.โ
Real. The word that Paige and him had used over and over in those two months.ย
โWhatโs real to you?โย
โNot high school.โ you said. โSomeone whoโs not afraid to exist and be themselves. Iโm most attracted to anyone who can let go of their desperate ego and just have fun. High school was boring because everyone was so wrapped up in their own bs of looking cool that they didnโt do anything that they actually wanted to do. Shit, even I fell into that.โ
Eddie didnโt want to ask if he was real to you. He wasnโt sure if he was ready for an answer. There were lots of times he wished that he wasnโt still in school, but this time really hit harder. He was starting to really like you, and yeah part of him was terrified of that.ย
The two of you finished off the last of your food and Eddie shoved all the leftover trash into the brown bag and tossed it in the back so you wouldnโt be stepping on it.ย
โI donโt know much about real anymore, but I think youโre pretty badass.โ Eddie finally said. โI mean, you brought a wire hanger and a fake parrot to school for a costume. Thatโs pretty brave, even if your friends did talk you out of it.โ
โIโm more mad that the parrot was stolen and used to annoy me than the lack of costume.โ you said with a small laugh. โThey werenโt even funny. They just kept repeating what I said. It was easier to just shut up at that point.โย
โDidnโt think to make them say anything embarrassing?โย
โOh, I tried. But, jocks donโt know the art of a good โDuck Season, Rabbit Seasonโ gag. Anything embarrassing I said theyโd just turn it around. Iโd say โI pissed myself in gym.โ theyโd reply with โyou pissed yourself in gymโ. No love for comedy.โ You took a deep breath and let out a long sigh. โIf youโre going to be a bully, at least give me a good story to tell later, you know?โ
โI once got slammed against a locker by a jock who called me โa myriad freak.โ Eddie said. โTo this day, I still donโt know what he was trying to mean by that.โ
โSee? At least thatโs funny.โ you said, and then. โHoly shit, weโve gotten off topic.โย
โThere was a topic?โ Eddie leaned back on the seat again.ย
โYes, an important one that I was very interested in before we started talking about bullies and high school and She-Hulk.โ you nodded.ย
Talking to you was so easy that he hadnโt realized how many topics the two of you had blown through in a short amount of time. He looked at his watch real quick and realized it was creeping towards 11 pm now. Had the two of you really been talking that long?
โWhat topic was it?โย
โYou flirting with me.โ you said, your lips pulling back in a cheshire grin. โIโm pretty sure you were at least, before I became a homewrecker between you and Steve. Normally Iโd hate to break up a happy family, but I might have to make an exception this one time.โ
โWas I flirting?โ Eddie tilted his head with his own grin. โIโm pretty sure I was just telling you that I thought Dustin was trying to make me be friends with Steve. If I had known that the shrimp was trying to introduce me to a cute girl-โ He would have shot it down and canceled Side Quest Day- โI wouldnโt have left the way I did.โ
โYou think Iโm cute?โย
โExtremely.โย
You nodded. โAlright, then itโs a good thing that weโre going on a date. Iโm glad to know that Iโm not coming between you and Steve.โ
It was just past midnight when Eddie dropped you off at your apartment that night. This time when you leaned over the center console towards him, he didnโt freeze up or panic. Eddie let you hug him and he hugged you back, his cheeks growing hot momentarily when he felt your lips press against his cheek and he was able to breathe in your scent.ย
โSee you later, Eddie. Oh, and for the movie- I highly recommend dressing up.โ you looked him up and down. โActually, just wear what youโd normally wear. I think youโll fit right in.โย
Eddie made a mental note to ask Rick later on what he was supposed to wear for this.ย
โIโll call you.โ he said. โI promise. I mean it this time.โ
โNot if I call you first, I have your number now. And worst case scenario, I know where you play.โ you responded. โSee you Tuesday, Eddie.โย
And with that you were gone again, leaving Eddie alone in the van feeling much better than the last time he had given you a ride. There were still questions he had. He still wanted to know why exactly everyone was wanting the two of them to meet again, and why you always so readily agreed to meet up with him. But those were questions for another day.ย
โYou had a missed call.โ Wayne said as Eddie made his way into the trailer. โDidnโt leave a name or number. Said sheโd call you back.โย ย
Eddie laughed and shook his head, guess you meant it when you said youโd call first.ย
โDonโt stay up too late watching tv.โ Eddie said before heading towards his bedroom. He once again found himself falling asleep with his copy of The Hobbit, the origami flower tucked safely in the back.ย
Next Chapter
Ending note: This fic takes place during October 1985. Stephen Kingโs It did not come out until September 1986. I would like to ask you all politely to suspend your disbelief for the historical inaccuracy of a piece of dialogue that probably didnโt add much to the plot. If this horrible inaccuracy bothers you, please repeat to yourself โitโs just a fic, I should really just relaxโ which is what most of us should be doing anyway.
Dividers by: @strangergraphics
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Chapter 4 & 5 is finally out!
The wait is finally over. Grab your plot armor, Chapter 4 and 5 of Dear Diary, We Created a Plot Hole! is finally here!
๐ Play it here! ๐
To celebrate the release, a +50% โจEXP Bonus Event will be running for the next couple of weeks!
The full change log is over 500 lines long, so here's an overview of all the new stuff:
๐ UPDATE HIGHLIGHTS
~ 509,000 total wordcount (including code) ~ 278,000 additional words (including code) ~ New average playthrough of 115,000 words!
New Stuff to Discover!
52 New Secrets to discover, 8 New Trinkets to collect, 12 New Achievements
30 New Character Traits, 15 New Heritage Passives, 3 New Phobias, 16 New Status Effects
3 New Main Quests, 12 New Sidequests
and 1 New Song to sing along to!
New Scenes!
Introductions to Wayne, Lily, and JM's parents!
New exclusive bestfriend scenes!
Get a sneak peek into the story worlds you'll visit in future, in the Story Exchange!
Revamped crush confession scene with your twin!
Steal a kiss on the cheek from your crush!
Catch a preview of Chapter 6!
New Choices and Customization!
Choose the name of MC's dad!
Choose a second bestfriend, other than your twin (and give them a custom nickname)!
You can now choose to have two different pronoun sets!
Choose a mild swear word for your MC
Added B as a crush option
Tons of Diary and Stat Improvements!
New, updated, and expanded character diary entries!
New unlockable codex entries!
Write custom post-scripts in your diary!
Added new toggle settings for simple/detailed view of traits/passives, and background transitions
New trait option that reduces the frequency and gives additional context to Filipino expressions
Improved diary and stat notification layout
So Much More!
Added lots of new character art!
Added gameplay tips!
Lots of references toย In Auctorem Credimus!
Roselyna is now approximately 20% more huggable!
---
I've also updated the Trinkets & Secrets Guide, as well as the Twin Character Templates!
If you encounter any errors, or have any questions or feedback, feel free to send me an ask! I'll go through my ask backlog after I have recovered from the update.
I hope it was worth the wait! ๐
#dear diary we created a plot hole#ddwcaph#ddwcaph updates#amare#amare game#amare dev#if#if wip#if game#interactive fiction#interactive novel#interactive story#choicescript#dashingdon#chapter 4#chapter 5
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Letโs be one anotherโs present tense
Buggy โrescuesโ you from an abusive situation, and after a less than stellar introduction, he has you audition for his crew to keep you safe. You want safety, security, and joining a circus seems like the best idea.
Rating: This chapter is NC-17. They finally do it.
Warning:ย Swearing, sex, Cupcake is chatty and prolly a little bratty. Buggy is a worried boyfriend. Lots of talking during sex but its their first time together and I had a feeling it would happen tbh. Communication is key.
A/N:ย It starts. I aint a pro at writing porn.
Title comes from โCrater Lakeโ by Lady Lamb
Chapter 1ย +ย Chapter 2ย +ย Chapter 3ย +ย Chapter 4ย +ย Chapter 5ย +ย Chapter 6ย +ย Chapter 7ย +ย Chapter 8 + Chapter 9 (NC-17) + Chapter 10 + Chapter 11 + Chapter 12 + Chapter 13 + Chapter 14 + Chapter 15 (NC-17) + Chapter 16 (NC-17) + Chapter 17 TAGLIST:ย @lostfireflyย @neuvilleteismybbyย @fluffybunnyuย @sinning-23ย @the-angriest-angelย @ane5eย @fanshavegottensotoxicย @honey-deerling
Chapter 9
Morning came with Buggy practically on top of you as he slept, arms wrapped around you with your legs tangled together. You were waking up, trying to stretch your muscles, but it was difficult with your current position. Your head felt a little tender but the bandage managed to stay on. Sighing, you tried to wriggle away from him but he just tightened his hold on you.ย
โBuggy, babe, I gotta pee.โ You told him as you tried to shake him awake. โLemme go.โ
โFew more minutes.โ He mumbled against your neck where he was currently nestled against. You rolled your eyes and managed to reach his ass, giving him a pinch which seemed to shock him awake. You took the chance to get out of bed to get to the toilet to have a few minutes of privacy. After washing your hands, you sighed when you saw the water splashed onto your shirt. You didnโt want to go back to bed with that on so you stripped the shirt off.
Once you were done, you checked the bandage before going back to the bedroom and crawling back into bed, snuggling up against him as he continued dozing. His arms went back around you and he pulled you against him, never bothering to open his eyes.
โHow's your head?โ He asked as he tucked his face back against your neck as your fingers slid up and down his bare arm slowly. โDo you feel okay today?โ
โMm, I feel fine. It's a little tender but I'm okay.โ You told him as you closed your eyes. โI just wanna sleep for the rest of the day.โ
โDon't see why not.โ Buggy sighed as he tilted his head enough to start peppering kisses along your neck. โI'll keep you company. Call it a day off for both of us.โ He opened one eye and looked you over. โWhereโs your shirt?โ
โYea, but thereโs um, I got things to do.โ You murmured as his hand moved between your legs. โLikeโฆ things. Laundry. My shirt got wet in the bathroom, so I should get out of bed and start working on laundry.โ
โThe captain orders you to stay in bed.โ Was his response as his fingers slid over the crotch of your underwear, teasing you and causing you to gasp. โThis okay?โ
You could only nod, a moan escaping you as he pushed your panties aside, dipping into your folds as he sucked a spot on your neck. You spread your legs for him, eyes closed as he touched you. He mumbled something against your skin before ripping your underwear off, tossing them aside before shifting positions and settling himself between your legs. He moved your legs over his shoulders, resting them there as he dragged his tongue over your slit, looking up at you.ย
It took you a moment to register what was happening. One moment he was kissing your neck and now he was down between your legs, smirking up at you as he held your legs apart, tongue swirling around your clit before dragging over your entrance. It was almost too much for a moment, the sensation, and you had only ever had one partner before this and that was years ago, one time with the neighborโs son when you both were 19, and it was dumb and uncomfortable and you didnโt think youโd want to try it again unless it was the right partner.ย
And currently your partner was using his Devil Fruit powers on you.
While he stayed between your legs, arms holding your legs apart for him, his hands were on your breasts, kneading them, pinching and rolling your nipples between his thumbs and pointer fingers. You were gripping the bed sheets in your hands, moaning and whimpering for him as he sucked on your clit.ย
And Buggy wanted this to be perfect for you, your first time with him. He held off for months, wanting you to feel safe and comfortable with him, only ever kissing you and holding you. Last night would have been it had the two of you not been interrupted, so this morning seemed like the best time. No one would dare wake the captain up unless it was serious.
One of his hands left your breast, moving down between your legs as Buggy pulled back for a moment. You lifted your head to look at him, confusion on your face, and before you could ask what was wrong, he pressed a finger into you as he watched you for a reaction, making sure you were okay. Your head fell back against the pillows as you sighed loudly.ย
โFuck, Buggy, donโt stop like that.โ You managed to say as you reached down, placing your hand on his head and pushing down gently. โPlease donโt stop.โ
โMm, donโt tell the captain what to do.โ He retorted, finger pumping into you slowly. โDโyou want me to actually fuck you, Cupcake?โ
โYes, asshole, obviously!โ You whined. โI wanted you to fuck me last night!โ
โI wasnโt going to do it when I was upset!โ Buggy told you as he pushed in a second finger. โI want this to be romantic andโฆ and great for you, okay? I donโt want to hurt you!โ
You threaded your fingers through his hair, tugging on his hair gently as his fingers curled, brushing over your g-spot. While you appreciated him being thoughtful, you wanted him to fuck you into the mattress. You werenโt as fragile as he seemed to think you were. You were about to tell him, let him know you wanted him to actually fold you in half and get with it already, when his mouth was back on your clit as he fingered you. You were moaning for him, pushing on the back of his head as he kept his attention on your clit.ย
He wanted to ask if you were okay but you were pushing down on his head, not wanting him to stop just yet, and he decided to add a third finger. Your juices were coating his fingers, he could feel you clench, your breathing hitched and he gave your clit a final suck which had you cumming, gripping his hair and pulling his hair as you cried out for him.ย
โYa still want me to fuck you?โ He asked, smirking up at you from between your legs, the makeup on his face more smudged than before and his chin and lips coated in your juices. You nodded, pulling on his hair again, but he managed to get you to let go, grabbing both of your wrists and pinning them above your head as he sat up and stripped off his pants. He spat into his hand, giving himself a few strokes before pressing the tip against you and pushing his hips forward.ย
He released your wrists and you reached for him, pulling him down on top of you as you kissed him. He put one hand on your hip while the other rested on the bed as he pressed in all the way, bottoming out before giving you a moment to adjust. He could feel you tense up, the hitch in your breathing at the sudden fullness. He stilled, rubbing your hip slowly as he kissed you, waiting for you to give him the go ahead.ย
โYou good, Cupcake?โ He asked, breaking the kiss as he studied your face. You nodded after a moment, rocking your hips against his. โUse your words.โ
โโm fine, Buggy.โ You mumbled, nails digging into his back. โPlease fuck me now.โ
โYou'll tell me if it's too much, right?โย
You nodded first but when he didn't move you sighed. โY-Yea, I'll tell you.โ
โGood.โ He murmured as he began to move his hips slowly, wanting to make sure you were okay at first. You knew he was afraid of hurting you, and you appreciated he was taking it slow, but you had little patience. He hesitated for just a moment before he started to pick up the pace, moaning when your muscles clenched around him as your nails scratched along his back. He grabbed your hands, once more pinning them above your head.
You gasped when he did that, feeling his hand tighten around your wrists as he angled his hips. Moaning, crying, whimpering, those were the sounds that escaped you as he started fucking you harder. He kept his eyes on your face, looking for any signs of discomfort, but you had shut your eyes, mouth open as you panted softly. When his cock hit that sweet spot, your eyes shot open and you cried out for him.
โAh, fuck, Buggy! More!โย
He just nodded, feeling his heart skip a beat when you cried his name like that. His lips crashed against yours as his hips slammed into his at an almost bruising pace. He wasn't going to last long, hearing the sounds you were making or how you felt around him. It wasn't until he let go of your wrists, his hand moving between your bodies to touch your clit that you came undone after just a few touches of his fingers. He followed after, swearing and moaning your name as he came, sinking into you as he dropped on top of you.
You grunted at the weight of his body on top of yours. โUm, you okay?โ
He just nodded as he pulled out of you. โUh, yea, fine. Just fine.โ
โYou sure?โ You pulled him back down beside you, kissing him on the forehead as his arms went around you. He just nodded. โOkay, now can I really have the day off if I spend it in bed with you?โ
โOf course.โ He mumbled as he pressed his lips to your neck and throat. โCaptain's orders.โ
~
The only time the two of you left the bedroom was to get breakfast and lunch, other than that Buggy kept you naked in bed with him while he explored your body. When he needed time to recharge in between sessions, he would be using his hands and mouth to have you screaming his name for him.ย
It went on for a while until you were finally tapping out, literally tapping him on the shoulders with both hands as he had you cumming on his tongue for what you were certain was the millionth time since lunch.
โBreak, I need a break, Buggy!โ You panted out. โToo, um, too much.โ
He pulled back, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. โYou okay? Did I hurt you?โ
โNo, fuck, just need a break.โ You told him as you stretched out on the bed. โFuck, aren't you tired? Your tongue isn't cramping?โ
He shrugged as he moved to lay down beside you, wrapping his arms around you as he pulled you against him. You sighed and leaned into him, pressing your face into his neck as you closed your eyes.ย
โI dunno if my legs work.โ You mumbled as his fingers slid down your back slowly. โI'm going to be walkinโ bow legged for a few days.โ
Buggy shrugged, resting his hand in the middle of your back. โWas it too much?โ
โNo.โ You said as you reached up to play with his hair. โYou don't have to worry, babe. I'm not going to break if you're a little too rough.โ
โI'd never be rough with you.โ He frowned. โWhy would I be?โ
โI'm not saying you would be, I'm just saying don't treat me like I'm going to break.โ You told him. โBabe, I trust you, okay?โ
โI know, but-โ
You leaned up to kiss him, cutting him off before you sat up. โI'm just saying thatโฆ for example, I liked it when you held my wrists, yโknow? And I'm glad you check in with me, but I'm not going to shatter if like, you fuck me a little too hard.โ
Buggy nodded though he had a frown on his face. The thought of causing you any amount of pain, intentional or not, didn't sit well with him. He was glad you trusted him enough to say that but he was hesitant. He didn't want to put you through anything you might regret.ย
You touched his cheek, caressing softly before you kissed him again. โI trust you, Buggy.โ
โI trust you too, Cupcake.โ He murmured as he turned his head to kiss your palm softly. โI'm not going to hurt you.โ
You sighed softly and smiled. โI know you aren't, babe.โ
#buggy the clown#buggy the clown x reader#buggy x reader#buggy x you#buggy the clown x you#opla buggy the clown#opla buggy the clown x reader#opla buggy x reader#opla buggy the clown x you#opla buggy x you#buggy the clown x oc#buggy x oc#opla buggy the clown x oc#opla buggy x oc
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I Choose Her | Chp: 6
Hermione Granger x Slytherin Fem!Reader
Summary: You are the daughter of two known death eaters from one of the oldest and richest families in the wizarding world. Are you truly prepared to give up everything you know for Hermione Granger?
Pairing: Hermione x Reader
Wordcount: 3.4k
Warnings: smut, nsfw, use of homophobic slur, angst, reader receiving, top!reader, draco malfoy sympathiser
Note: first and foremost, i'm starting a taglist for this fic so if i u wanna be added do leave a comment!
secondly, gonna just be honest with y'all and say this is probably gonna be the last happy hermione x reader chapter for awhile bc it gets dark from here on out so brace yourselves
(also sorry to play into the cliche jealousy trope but i had so much fun writing it so im not totally sorry )
anyway this is a hefty chapter i hope u enjoy!
You felt a touch on your arm, opening your eyes you expected to be met with the sight of Hermione. She had refused to leave your side the past few days you had spent in the infirmary.
To your surprise, you're met with steely blue eyes instead. Draco is sat by your bedside, uncharacteristically soft gaze plastered across his face.
Your chest constricts at the sight, this was the Draco you remember.
"Hey" The platinum haired boy whispers, a sheepish smirk forming.
"Hi." You reply, mimicking his expression.
"How are you feeling?"
"I don't feel much of anything really, with all the numbing charms Hermione's put on me." You quip.
You joke but you're eternally grateful to your girlfriend for her unconditional care for you.
You swear sometimes she is too good to be true.
Draco breaks your gaze and lets out a chuckle.
"She seems to really care about you." He says earnestly.
"I'm lucky to have her."
You watch as Draco's face contorts, an undistinguishable expression, embarrassment perhaps, or guilt.
"Maybe I've been a bit too hard on her."
Amused, you let out a sharp breath through your nose.
"A bit?"
Your bestfriend merely smiles knowingly, allowing you the satisfaction to take that jab at him.
"Listen, I'm really sorry. If it wasn't for me you wouldn't have gotten injured." Draco starts and you lift your hand up gesturing for him to stop speaking.
"Don't even start with that." You assert.
"I would give my life for you. You know this."
Draco diverts his eyes again, as if it pained him to look at you.
"I wish you wouldn't. I don't deserve that." His voice trembles, you fear that he's about to cry.
"Draco-"
He shakes his head, almost pleading for you to stop talking.
"Harry was right."
Your eyebrows furrow, taken aback at the sudden confession.
"Right about what?"
"I gave Katie that cursed necklace." Draco admits, timidly fiddling with his fingers. He is afraid of your response.
"Why on earth-"
You are interrupted by Draco pulling up his sleeve, revealing the dark mark that's been etched into his arm.
"Oh."
You take a few moments to deliberate a response. A sudden rage overcoming you. Angry at the dark lord's cowardice. Forcing an unsuspecting boy. A boy eager to prove his worth, to do his bidding. You were not shocked at Draco's reasoning, ofcourse he threatened to harm his family. You expected nothing less from Voldermort.
"You dont have to explain yourself to me. Circumstances aren't granting you much of a choice right now, Draco."
"I can't convince you of what you deserve, but the truth of it is that you are my brother. I will always have your back."
He looks at you astounded, Draco really expected you to condemn him. You felt a sudden urge to wrap him into an embrace, you would've done so if only moving wasn't difficult for you.
He lets out a relieved sigh. Eventually letting his head fall, he rests it by your arm on the bed.
You sat with him in silence for a few moments before you decided to speak again.
"Well, since we're being honest. I should let you know, I've made my choice. I'll become a death eater. I'll join you."
Sick to your stomach, saying those words felt utterly wrong. Yet for Hermione's safety, you had to play the part. Whatever it takes.
Draco lifts his head and doesn't attempt to hide his surprise, before eventually nodding in understanding.
You had little choice in the matter, same as him.
He grabs your hand, almost a silent gesture of moral support.
"What are you going to tell her?"
You shrug, defeated.
"The truth, I suppose."
You are awoken again this time by the nurse's hand hovering over your forehead.
You glance over to see the morning sun peaking in through the windows.
"Your fever has subsided. Any pain?"
You attempt to sit up and felt sore in your abdomen, but nothing you couldn't handle.
"No pain."
"Very well, do have your breakfast here first Miss Y/n and then you are free to go."
The nurse says and you allow a half smile. You were just excited to finally spend time with Hermione anywhere else but in the infirmary.
As if on cue, your girlfriend walks in greeting you with a grin.
"Ah Miss Granger, I have discharged her." The nurse says, gesturing to you.
"However, do make sure she doesn't take part in any strenuous activities for the next few days. Better to be safe." Your girlfriend nods and the nurse takes her leave.
"Hi gorgeous." You say as you watch a blush form on Hermione's face at your compliment.
Your girlfriend leans down and gives you a quick peck on the lips.
"Are you really feeling better? Or are you just saying that to get out of here quicker?" The brown haired girl remarks and you fight the urge to purse your lips, she knows you too well.
"No I really am feeling better, see?" You stand up quickly and stretched your body obnoxiously, before punching the air pretending to fight an invisible man.
Hermione laughs before grabbing your arms to still your movements.
"Okay very funny, be careful don't hurt yourself."
It was a Saturday afternoon and Hermione naturally insisted on spending her time studying. She had also made quick work of putting you on bed rest. Ignoring your efforts of convincing her that you felt fine.
You are sat on her bed mindlessly flipping through a book, incapable of focusing on the words on the page. You look up and watch for several minutes as your girlfriend sits at her desk, reading through her history of magic textbook and taking notes.
It was the weekend, Hermione never allowed herself time to relax.
You let out a loud sigh, at an attempt to get your girlfriend's attention. She continues scribbling away at her book.
That's enough, you had to take matters into your own hands.
You get up from the bed and walk towards her, Hermione too busy to notice you were now stood behind her.
Leaning down you placed a quick kiss against her shoulder. Your girlfriend hums in response but makes no effort at acknowledging you otherwise.
You take it one step further, placing another kiss on her neck. This time you hear her breathe in sharply. Your mouth lingers over her neck and you place another open mouthed kiss against it. You quickly trail your tongue up settling over her ear. Hermione releases another trembling breath.
"Y/n." She warns and you merely smirk in response.
"I'm trying to study and you need to rest."
You groan, settling your arms on either side of her chair, you quickly swivel it turning Hermione around to face you.
She lets out a gasp before you leaned down, capturing her lips with yours. You kiss her deeply, she kisses you back the same not protesting.
For a few moments you are standing there, making out with your girlfriend. You pull away and watched as Hermione's chest heaved, trying to control her breathing.
You swiftly kneeled down infront of her and moved your hand to the hem of her jeans, attempting to unbutton them before Hermione grabbed your hand, stopping you.
You glance up meeting your girlfriend's stern gaze.
"No strenuous activities, remember?" The shorter girl scolds.
A sly smirk across your face, you move your face up to kiss your girlfriend again.
"This isn't strenuous." You say in between kisses.
"It's rather relaxing." You kiss her again, before moving to place a kiss on her ear.
"For both of us I'd say" You whisper as your mouth hovered over her ear.
You watch as Hermione takes her bottom lip in between her teeth. She's trying so hard to resist you.
"No." Your girlfriend finally breathes out. She places her hands on your shoulders shoving you away.
"No sex until you feel better."
A pout forming on your face.
"I am feeling better!" You almost shout.
Hermione says nothing in response, placing a quick kiss against your lips before moving her chair, she turns to face her desk again.
You let out another groan eventually giving up, you stand and make your way back to the bed.
"Although," Hermione voices, stopping you in your tracks.
"Slughorn's having his Christmas party tonight, I didn't plan on going but since you are clearly feeling better.."ย Hermione pauses.
"Will you come with me?"
Your expectant expression turned to a dissapointed one.
"Oh"
"That really isn't the same as sex, is it?"
Hermione lets out laugh as she gets up from her chair, walking towards you she wraps both her arms around your neck.
"Not quite." "So will you accompany me please?" Your girlfriend asks you again.
"It would be my honour."
Dull was an understatement. This was the worst party you had ever been to.
To make matters worse, Mclaggen had been making eyes at your girlfriend all night.
Hermione had perfected the art of ignoring the twat, she mostly focused her attention on you and engaged in conversation with Ginny.
You walk over to the buffet table to grab another drink. You took out your wand, secretly reciting a spell to add alcohol into your glass. You quickly downed the glass of the spiked fruitpunch before taking another glassful. You moved it up to your lips but was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Get you hands off me you filthy squib!" Draco insults.
"I found this one lurking in the upstairs corridor, he claims to have been invited." Mr Filch announces and the room goes quiet.
"Okay, I was gatecrashing! Happy?" The platinum haired boy admits, annoyed. He shifts his gaze meeting yours for a moment before looking at Professor Snape, who was now stood before him.
"I'll escort him out." The professor merely states and Filch harshly lets go of Draco's arm.
You watched as they made their way out. Your eyebrows furrow in confusion. What the hell is Draco up to?
"Okay carry on! carry on!" Slughorn exclaims in between awkward laughs attempting for everyone to resume the party.
If you didn't know any better you'd make a remark to him about Draco's interruption being the only interesting part of this night.
You glance over at Ginny and noticed Hermione was no longer with her.
Scanning the room for your girlfriend you spot her in the far corner. Cormac's hand on her waist, she looks visibly uncomfortable with her hand on his chest clearly trying to push him away.
Anger overcoming you. The Gryffindor boy just couldn't take no for an answer.
You stormed towards them, before Cormac could realise you had harshly grabbed his shirt, shoving him onto the ground.
"How many times does she have to say no to you for you to get the message?" You shouted.
A shit eating grin on his face, he stands up dusting himself off.
"We were just talking" Cormac lies, you wanted to smack the smirk right off his face.
"Just stay away from her. Or I swear I will kill you." It took everything in you not to lunge at him.
You turn towards Hermione, her hand grasping your arm.
"Are you alright?" Your girlfriend quickly nods.
"Come on let's just go." She tugs your arm but you were stopped by Cormac's voice behind you.
"You know you don't scare me, dyke."
Without a moment's thought you lunged towards him, your fist making contact with his face. He's thrown backwards and he falls to the ground again.
You hear Hermione gasp before feeling her hand on your arm again she is grasping you tightly this time.
"I dare you to say it again!" Fishing your wand out of your pocket, you're now shaking with anger as you point it at him.
"Please Y/n let's go, just leave him." Hermione pleads and you comply.
"Episkey" Hermione waves her wand over your knuckles, the pain from it quickly subsiding.
You watch as Hermione walks toward her desk grabbing an empty ziplock bag. She waves her wand over it and you see ice slowly forming. She grabs it and hands it to you.
"Can't be too sure" she shrugs.
You place the ice pack on your knuckles and move backwards, resting your back against her cupboard.
Your girlfriend stares at you, unreadable expression. Your guess is she's upset with you.
"Hermione, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lost my temper like that. I just hate that he won't leave you alone-"
The shorter girl quickly silences you with a kiss. You kiss her back after the intial shock dissipates. Hermione deepens the kiss her hands against your chest, pushing you further back against the cupboard. Her tongue enters your mouth and you drop the ice pack, hand settling on her waist pulling her impossibly closer.
You move your head, ending the kiss. You watch as Hermione chases your lips but eventually opens her eyes to meet your gaze.
"Are you not upset with me?" Your voice low.
Your girlfriend smirks and shakes her head before leaning in to place a kiss on the corner of your mouth. Hermione tilts her head to now plant a kiss on your neck, you feel her nip at your skin slightly before placing a wet kiss on it making a gasp escape your lips.
The shorter girl pulls back and looks at you with a darkened gaze, she bites her lip. You feel her hands move to the hem of your pants and she starts to undo your belt.
You are paralysed for a moment, staring at her in awe. Your girlfriend was truly captivating, especially in moments like these.
Eye contact remains between the two of you as Hermione begins to pull down your pants, she gets down on her knees and your mouth falls open slightly in anticipation. Nothing has happened yet but you felt it was impossible to catch your breath.
Hermione tugs your underwear down and looks up at you expectantly as if asking for permission.
You nod, a little too enthusiastically watching as her mouth comes in contact with your center. You let out a moan, throwing your head back, days of pent up sexual frustration now being released as Hermione's mouth worked her way at you.
You pant, your girlfriend's skilled tongue moving against you making it impossible for you to think coherently.
"Fuck, baby you're so good at that."
You choke out, in between pants. This seemed to spur Hermione on as she moves her head, mouth pressing harder against your core. You can feel your climax approaching, embarrassingly fast.
Hermione moves her hand, grabbing your ass she pulls you even closer and you feel her tongue push into your entrance, this becomes your undoing.
You cum hard into her mouth, knees buckling instantaneously your girlfriend moves her hands to either side of your hips, preventing you from falling to the floor.
"Come here." You grab her arm pulling her up you kiss her hungrily, tasting yourself.
Your hand moves to unzip her dress and she lets you pull it over her head. Quickly you unclasp her bra, your hand coming in contact with her breasts you start kneading as Hermione's breathing gets louder and heavier. She grabs the back of your neck pulling your head down to her chest. You obey and take one her nipples into your mouth. You began sucking and the smaller girl lets out a desperate moan.
You lifted your head moving your mouth away, she whines at the lost of contact but you don't give her the chance to verbally protest as you quickly hoist her up, one hand under her thigh. Hermione's legs wrap around your waist reflexively as she grips the back of your neck. You move her backwards dropping her on the bed rather harshly.
You needed to have her now.
You capture her lips into a deep kiss and a moan spills out of her lips your hands finding her breasts, you knead them again.
Without warning you moved your hand to her waist, flipping her over Hermione is now on her stomach.
Your girlfriend lets out a gasp. You swiftly grabbed the hem of her panties, taking them off her. Hermione was now laying before you on her stomach completely naked.
You roughly pulled her up so she was now on her knees, her dripping core at full display.
You put two fingers into your mouth, lubricating them before moving it to your girlfriend's entrance. Hermione mewls at the feeling of your fingers against her bare pussy.
She moves her hips back at a desperate attempt to feel more of you.
"Please." Hermione chokes out.
"Hm?" You decided to tease.
"Tell me what you need baby, use your words."
"Please" She says again, her voice trembling with need.
"Y/n please. I need your fingers inside."
You push your fingers into her, met with no resistance as her core was dripping wet.
Hermione lets out a loud moan at the feeling of your fingers inside her. You slowly pulled out of her before pumping back into her until you were knuckle deep.
You kept the same momentum until you felt your girlfriend's walls tighten against your fingers, she was close.
Her moans growing more obscene, you lean forward gripping her hair, pulling her into a kiss, muting her sounds of pleasure.
You disconnected the kiss and Hermione moans loudly at the feeling of you harshly gripping her hair. You then moved your hand to clasp it over her mouth.
"Always so fucking loud." You growl into her ear as you continued to pump your fingers deeply in and out of her.
You watch as Hermione's eyes roll to the back of her head. Her walls constrict painfully against your fingers as she comes undone.
You pull your fingers out of her and Hermione falls forward. She lays limp on the bed panting heavily, trying to recover from the intense orgasm you just gave her.
You let out a chuckle.
"I'm not done with you yet."
You're laying in bed, Hermione's head against your bare chest. She has her hand in yours as she occasionally moved her fingers to fidget with your Slytherin crest ring.
Suddenly you remembered the gift you had gotten for her.
"I got you something." You say and watched as Hermione's eyebrows furrow.
You chuckle at her adorable expression before grabbing your wand.
"Accio"
A small ring sized box floats quickly out of your blazer pocket and into your hand.
You hold it up to Hermione and she sits up abruptly.
"Are you about to propose because I'm more of a grand gesture type of person." Hermione quips and you roll your eyes.
"Just open it before I change my mind."
Hermione giggles before grabbing the box, she opens it to reveal a silver coated ring, in the center was a green stone.
"Y/n, it's beautiful." Your girlfriend says as tears well up in her eyes.
You grab the ring, carefully putting it on for her. You settled on putting it on her ring finger on her right hand, the same hand you wore yours.
"Why?"
The brown haired girl's confusion was understandable. Gift giving not your usual way of showing affection.
You grab her hand, holding it up and gesturing for her to keep it there. You then moved your own hand inches away from hers. A light trailing from your ring to hers, a bond.
"Protean charm?" Hermione asks and you nod.
"As long as we wear these rings we will be connected. Even when we are apart, I've enchanted your ring so it'll let you know where I am at all times. The closer we are in proximity the brighter this trail of light will be."
A fond smile forms on Hermione's face, she pulls you into a long kiss. Eventually, disconnecting your lips she rests her forehead against yours.
"Thank you. I love it."
Your heart swells but the feeling quickly dissipates as you prepared yourself to tell her the whole truth.
You leaned back, forcing her to look at you in the eyes.
"There is another reason I got you this. A more important reason."
Hermione merely watches you, waiting for you to continue.
"I have to join the Death Eaters." You admit quicker than you intended.
You watch as Hermione flinches, sitting up. She looked almost affronted.
"What?"
#hermione x reader#hermione granger imagine#harry potter#draco malfoy#draco malfoy x reader#slytherin reader#slytherin au#slytherin#hermione granger#harry x hermione#hermione smut#hermione granger smut
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Here a slightly evil question: in an au where they get sent on the mission and Maverick gets shot down but he and Bradley haven't made up yet,
A) does Bradley still turn around to save him?
B) if Maverick doesn't survive (whether or not Bradley turned around) does Bradley go to the funeral?
C) do the rest of the Daggers go to the funeral?
Oh anon youve triggered a sleeper agent in me!!!!!
I've written a fic like this!!!!!!! Lovingly dubbed the grief fic, its literally just a character study of bradley if that exact thing happened, if mav got shot down and bradley actually followed orders and returned to the carrier instead of going back to save him. I haven't finished it cause life got in the way, but i'll get back to it soon i swear ahaha. I wrote a huge funeral chapter and everything. Even a will reading and stuff. Wrote a massive letter mav wrote in the event of his death to be paired with his will. Its insane the thought i put into this fic ahaha i really gotta get back to it
Currently 6 chapters (out of 10 planned), 31k words. Very heavy on the grief but I really tried to be as in character as I can. Brad is just angry for so much of the fic. I have another chapter and a bit ready to upload I just havent uploaded it yet, if it gets some more love it might motivate me but it was a heavy fic to write and i had to take a break. Its very heavy on the major character death so be warned. Mav is very dead and gone, doesnt come back, done-zo.
Anyways heres the link! Enjoy, if you decide to read it!
#sam answers#anonymous#anon#top gun#top gun maverick#bradley rooster bradshaw#bradley bradshaw#maverick#pete maverick mitchell#pete mitchell#top gun fic#top gun fanfiction#fanfic#fanfiction#ao3#ao3 link
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Hi! Okay so you seem like a very well-read person and Iโd love to know if you have a list of your favorite Merlin fics. I just bookmarked all the ones you recommended in relation to the 10 best episodes and now I need more! Iโm going on a training camp and would love to have something fairly long to download to my kindle so I can read on flights and when I donโt have data ๐ฅฐ
Thanks so much in advance!
(Also, I LOVE your writing, Iโm so glad to be part of this fandom with talented people like you!)
Hey! Thank you so much for your kind words! OF COURSEE I'd love to recommend you some fics! Likewiseโ the creativity of this fandom never ceases to amaze me :)
*cracks knuckles and pretends my eyes aren't lighting up rn because my time has finally come*
Long fic recs (50K-100K+)
1. to the world that never let you be by ImperialMint. Look. I'll hand out my own throat so willingly to any scar reveal fic. The trope is just so dear to my heart, and this one in particular was something else. It broadly covered every single feeling you might be looking for in a Merlin fic, and its characterization of both Arthur and Merlin was top tier. I basically sell my soul to any fic that does justice to their characterization, and this one did so much more than that.
2. What I'd Have Done by @flight-of-fantasy. I solemnly swear you will never read something like this fic. I read it in one day from how on edge I was all the time. I had to recount it to my friends in the timespan of three hours because of how much screaming and dramatic pauses there was. Simply, the brilliance of plot here is unmatched. Arthur's characterization as a strategist shook my innards, and Merlin's unapologetic nature was chef's kiss. It's so hard not to give away the plot while recommending this so just.. just read it.
3. Redemption by flakedice, Zerda. Soon, you will find a parallel post to the best 10 episodes with the worst 10, featuring first and foremost The Disir. Honest to God, I could literally go on ages ranting about how much agony this episode brought me. It was the blow that awoke my eyes to the possibility of fuck, this show isn't going to end well. I once thought about shitting on that episode like I did with 5ร13 in My heart is readily yours, but fics like these hold me back because they already gave us everything. It gave us the ending we deserved. Gold. Everything in this was gold. The world building, the character development, the fact that Arthur has been given time. Truly a fix-it that fix-ed my heart.
4. Talking about deviations from The Fucking Disir, The World I Built for You by Fulgance is a must. It was the first fic I've read from the How They Didn't Find Out (magic reveal one-shots) series, and from then on I was * s o l d *. Whichever fic you decide to read from this, I guarantee you, you will have the time of your life. Fulgance is the one author I will always recommend without a shadow of a doubt. There is not a single work of theirs that will disappoint you. They will only break you.
5. Deep In My Heart I'm Concealing by @citharaposts. True story about this fic, I squealed when I read its summary. โI'm not standing here as a king, Merlin!โ was the quickest catalyst to ever make me start a fic. I specifically wrote a spoiler-free comment for the author and left it in the first chapter so that anyone who's thinking about whether or not to go into yet another 100K fic will rest assured that it's an amazing ride. Have real fun with this one.
6. It Was One Kingdom, Once by queerofthedagger. Two things, if they happen, you leave everything behind and go thank your God for blessing you with it: @queerofthedagger posting a new Merlin fic, and it being a Royal Hanahaki AU. Like so many other tropes the author has nailed, this was the best Hanahaki I've ever read (across fandoms). It's so intricate and detailed and the world building is on another level. If our world was burning and I had only one thing to save, it'll be the works of this author.
Hope I helped, and hope you have so much fun in your camp!โโ แดโ โ
[Short fic recs]
#merlin fic recs#the one thing I know how to do#this fandom is sustained by the brilliance of fic writers#we redo bbc writers' shitty work#and we ask nothing but kudos and maybe a fanart every once in a while#merlin#arthur pendragon#bbc merlin#merlin bbc#merthur#ao3#merlin x arthur#merlin fic#fic recs#king arthur#archiveofourown#bbcm#LJ recs#regulusrules answers#regulusrules recs
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silver storm
chapter II
I'm really enjoying writing this so far so i might just speed run it atp ๐ also there might be some typos, I've been righting bits and peices at like 3am but I'm trying
WARNINGS
angst, swearing, mention and uses of drugs and alcohol, mentions of mental health issues, death, smut (eventually)
JOSH POV
i wake up to the sound of my alarm blasting in my ear. i quickly shut the annoying sound off and check the time. 6:30. perfect. i get up and stretch before heading to the bathroom. unsurprisingly sam is already in there, no doubt styling his hair. and they call me a diva. i bang on the door "Cmon sam other people live here too"
Sam yells through the door "i got here first, you can't wait 10 minutes?"
"We both know your gonna spend an hour in there. Hurry your ass up."
I hear Sam yell something else but its too late for me to hear as i walk back to my room to check my phone. I smile as I see a text from y/n.
๐ฒ/๐ง โ
๐ก๐๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ซ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ข ๐๐ข๐๐ง'๐ญ ๐ญ๐๐ฑ๐ญ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐๐๐๐ค ๐ข ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐ฌ๐ฅ๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐จ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฌ ๐ข ๐ก๐ข๐ญ ๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฅ. ๐๐๐ง๐ง๐ ๐ ๐๐ญ ๐๐จ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ?
๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ก
๐๐๐ฒ ๐ง๐จ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ. ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฒ๐๐๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ. ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ซ๐ค?
๐ฒ/๐ง โ
๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐ญ :)
i smile at my phone before hearing Sam finally getting out of the bathroom. I run to it before he has a chance to change his mind and take another 40 minutes. I finish up my morning routine which consists of showering, personal hygiene things, getting dressed and grabbing all of my stuff before walking downstairs. Im just about ready to leave when I hear Sam behind me.
"Hey Josh? Can I catch a ride to school? Jake took my car to see valerie again and he's not back yet, surprise surprise.
I consider telling him no, as I'm sure he doesn't want to see y/n this early, but that thought is quickly replaced with the possibility of them getting along.
"Yeah sure Sam let's go"
Y/n would never come if she knew Sam was invited, and Sam would try to find another ride if he knew where I was going. So I decided not to tell either of them. Maybe they could put their differences aside for one morning, and maybe that could turn into a couple mornings, and before I know it I'll be an uncle. Okay maybe I'm getting ahead of myself, but it would be nice for them to be friends at least.
Sam and I get into the car and drive. I see his confusion through my peripheral vision as were not driving on the road we normally go to school on.
"Uh Josh? Where are we going?"
"Oh did I not tell you? Were getting coffee this morning... With y/n." I try to fight off the grin creeping onto my face, but just let it take over. Sam looks at me like I just shit in his Cheerios. He scoffs writhes in his seat like a toddler. Typical sammy
"Are you kidding Josh? Yeah I think you forgot to mention that. Asshole."
I chuckle "youll thank me one day"
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean"
I simply shrug my shoulders and smile. as we pull into the parking lot I see y/n through the window of the tiny shop on her phone. i smile at the sight, while I'm sure Sam had a completely opposite expression. I park and have to bribe sam with a free coffee to get him to go inside with me. We make it inside and make our way to y/n, whos jaw clenches as she sees sam dragging his feet behind me. I say a silent prayer that this won't go nuclear, But knowing them, this will be world war three.
Y/N POV
As I see Josh come around the corner, i smile widely. but as he closes the gap between us, i see the raven haired boy strolling behind him. There goes my hope for a good morning. i get up to greet Josh, pulling him in a hug, also preparing to reprimand him for bringing Satan himself.
"Hey kid" Josh says, searching my face for a reaction.
"Hey" i lean up into his ear to whisper, "why is he here?"
"He needed a ride since jake still has his car, seeing you know who"
I nod and feel my eye twitch "can he stay in the car"
Josh chuckles "itll be fine y/n, who knows, maybe you'll enjoy it"
I roll my eyes and chuckle. We sit down and a waitress comes to take our order with a smile
"good morning guys, what can I get y'all?"
Josh answers first, reading the lady's name tag, "good morning to you too, ๐๐ข๐ฃ๐ณ๐ช๐ฏ๐ข, Could I get a chai tea latte please?"
"Of course," she says smiling at him, clearly charmed by him already. Josh always had that affect on people. "And how about you guys?"
"Matcha latte" "Matcha latte, please" Sam and I say at nearly the same time. We look at each other, both of our muscles tensing, making a cloud of tension overcome the quiet little corner of the shop. we stay like this until he clears his throat, "actually just a coffee. Black" he says as he fixes his gaze onto his interlaced hands resting on the table. Sabrina nods, clearly confused. She smiles and says "yeah I'll be right back with those" Josh sends her an apologetic look which she smiles at and walks away to the counter.
Josh chooses to ignore what just happened, turning to me and starting up a conversation. Every so often I would catch myself looking at Sam from the corner of my eye, finding him in the same position as before. I think about why he decided to change his order. he was probably just being childish, not wanting to have anything in common with me. I laughed internally at it, but a part of me was slightly hurt, and I didn't understand why.
Sabrina eventually came by with our drinks, and from the corner of my eye, I swore I saw Josh pass her a napkin, but when I gave him a confused look, he only offered a shrug and a smile.
When it was time to go, we cleaned up the table the best we could and made our way to our cars.
"See you in a bit kid" Josh says as he smiles at me with a wave
"See you" you return his smile and we all drive to school.
The morning classes went pretty normally as most do, apart from the lingering thoughts of this morning swirling in your head. Why did it upset me? Sam is just an asshole, i should expect these types of things from him. Whatever.
Lunch finally rolls around as i sit at my table with my friends, well, acquaintances, making sure to keep an open seat for Josh like I promised. I finally see Josh roll in, about 10 minutes late (shocker) and he makes his way over to me. he reaches the table and smiles and sighs as he sits down.
"Who knew being an assistant could be so stressful?" He chuckles
"Well you know who our director is, shes crazy. shes going to drive you crazy too."
"Yeah.. I guess I shouldve known, Mrs. Vanderbilt is.... yeah"
"I bet you're doing great though. What are you doing for the play so far?"
"Well right now shes focused on making sure we have plans for the set, doesnt want to make the same mistake as last year"
Josh laughs as he refers to last year's play, where in the middle of the most heart wrenching scene, a wall fell down, making everyone break character and it was a mess.
I laugh and nod and I continue listening to him tall about his new duties. As he finishes up, he adds a comment that makes me jaw clench.
"So have you thought at all about your audition?"
"Not really.. Ive never really done plays before, well aside from little kid ones. But never ones like this. I don't even know what I should prepare, what I should wear.. " i feel my mind start to spiral, but Josh quickly puts a stop to it.
"Well consider yourself lucky, you have a man on the inside who knows exactly what she's looking for" Josh says as he smiles widely at me, "besides I can always bribe her too, she's weirdly obsessed with subway" Josh says with a wink.
I smile and try to listen to his advice. Maybe I really could get the lead. And maybe this would just be the beginning. The push I need to finally put myself out there. Maybe.
JOSH POV
After helping y/n with her audition, I finish up the rest of my assistant duties and head home for the day. I see jake sitting on the couch as I walk in the front door.
"Hey Jake, finally home I see"
He rolls his eyes at me and smiles "Valerie wanted to hang out longer, I couldn't say no"
I sigh and laugh "yeah I get that, but next time, get your car fixed and don't take Sam's. I had to take him to get coffee with me and y/n this morning."
"Oh man, how was that?"
"Wasnt as bad as I thought it was going to be actually. Who knows, maybe they'll finally get along soon"
"We can only hope" Jake says with a laugh. I nod and laugh as well before heading upstairs to my room
The rest of my afternoon is filled with editing some lyrics to show to the boys later. This song has been in the making for many, many years, y/n being the muse. I wrote this so when we eventually have to leave each other to go to college, or in my case travel the world, hopefully, she can always come back to it and it would remind her she's never alone, no matter how it may seem. This song also helps remind me that home is where ever the people you love are, and I hope she interperates it the same.
as I'm finishing up, I hear the front door open. 3:13.
I hear shuffling up the stairs and I open my door to investigate. I see sam basically dragging himself up the stairs. He notices my presence and looks up at me. On his face I see a purple tinted bruise protruding around his eye. He looks pissed.
"Hey what's up, you look like hell"
"Dont fucking talk to me right now."
I stop him with my arm before he has a chance to walk by me
"Hey, im here for you, you know that right? Talk to me. What's going on?"
He sighs, accepting defeat, "I got in a fight."
"Yeah I gathered that" I laugh "why? What happened?"
"Just some kid I had to put in his place"
"Okay, did they call mom"
"Yeah, she said they made an arrangement so I wouldnt get suspended or something like that. I dont know. She said she was gonna call me tonight and let me know what they thought"
"Okay, that's good. It doesn't sound like it'll be too bad" I sigh with relief and put my hand on his shoulder, "if I can help you out with it, I will okay?"
He looks at me and offers me a small smile, "Yeah, thanks josh"
"No worries, little brother" I say as I ruffle his hair. He laughs a little before pushing me away softly and going to his room and shutting the door.
I continue on with writing before I see the time and decide I should make some food.
I go down stairs and start on my signature dish, chicken alfredo. As im draining my noodles, I see my phone light up, its y/n
๐ฒ/๐ง โ
๐ก๐๐ฒ, ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฆ๐ ๐ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ซ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง?
๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ก
๐๐๐๐ก ๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ญ ๐ข๐ญ.
I exit messages and google Romeo and Juliet. I scroll for a bit before finding the perfect one. Mrs. Vanderbilt's favourite scene.
๐๐จ๐จ๐ค ๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ญ ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ง๐ ๐. ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ญ'๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ก ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐จ๐จ๐. ๐๐ซ๐ฌ. ๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ๐จ ๐
๐ฒ/๐ง โ
๐จ๐ค๐๐ฒ ๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง๐ค๐ฌ ๐ฃ๐จ๐ฌ๐ก ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฏ๐ ๐ฎ
๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ก
๐๐จ๐ฏ๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ญ๐จ๐จ ๐ค๐ข๐
I smile as I shut my phone off and finish up my dinner. I yell at everyone in the house that its ready, and my twin and sister come barreling down the stairs.
Jake is the first to say anything "hey thanks, ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฎ"
"Yeah whatever asshole, you wouldn't be eating this good if I wasn't here so shut up and grab a plate" I laugh at Jake and see Ronnie comming up to me
"Thanks J, im starving"
"Yeah of course, wheres Sam?"
"He should be comming? Im sure he heard you, how could he not, you probably scared the whole neighborhood" she says as I lightly shove her head away on my way upstairs.
I reach Sam's door and lightly knock, "hey dude I made dinner, you hungry?"
"Hey no, but could you come in here for a minute"
I walk in to see Sam sitting at his desk with his head in his hands
"Hey what's up? Are you okay?"
He sighs before looking at me "mom called."
"Yeah? What, is it bad? Theyre not sending you to boarding school are they?" I laugh, trying to cheer him up
"No, worse."
"Tell me already Sam, what?"
"Theyre making me do the fucking play."
My jaw drops as I fight a smile from creeping onto my face
"Oh. Well, i mean that's definitely not the worse thing that could happen. Why are they having you do that though? That doesn't seem like a punishment"
"Well yeah to you it wouldn't."
"That's fair. What are they having you do? Stage crew or something?"
"No. I have to be fucking Romeo. This is all your fault. She said that no other guys fit the role and they thought since im your brother I ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ด๐ต be as ๐ข๐ฎ๐ข๐ป๐ช๐ฏ๐จ as you. Do you have any idea how embarrassing this is? My friends will have a fucking field day with this."
"Sam it'll be okay, Ill help you out, im helping y/n too. Maybe you guys could work together?" I regret the words as soon as they come out of my mouth. That'll just make this worse right now. My thoughts are proven to be correct as he speaks again "just get out. I need to sleep or something"
"Okay, are you sure you dont want any good? Its alfredo."
"I said no, just get the fuck out dude okay?"
I sigh and nod as I walk out and shut the door behind me. I walk downstairs and give a look at Jake, who immediately understands to not say anything to me right now. He strikes up a conversation with Ronnie to get the attention off me as I take my plate and head up to my room. I eat and think about my interaction with Sam. This can't be that bad, hes just being dramatic. Who knows? He might end up enjoying it or getting something out of it. Same with y/n. I know they both can really benefit from this. I just have to show them.
My thoughts are interrupted by my phone lighting up, I smile as soon as I see the notification.
โ๏ธ
๐๐ข, ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฃ๐จ๐ฌ๐ก?
A WEEK LATER
AUDITION DAY
Y/N POV
Ive been dreading this all day. What if im not good enough? What if all this staying up late, memorizing a huge monologue was all for nothing? No. Josh said it would be fine. It'll all work out. I step into the auditorium, immediately searching for josh, who I see on stage giving pointers to some helpless freshman who looks absolutely petrified. That's gonna be what I look like up there. I make my way down to the seats, taking an aisle one about 5 rows away from the stage. There's a good amount of people in the room, some doing vocal warmups, some doing last minute read throughs just to make sure they have everything memorized. Every one except one person. a boy, slumped into his chair, hood up, sitting on his phone. I studied him for a minute, wondering who it was before my curiosity was satisfied. The boy sits up in his seat, looking around the room to see everyone who showed up, before his eyes stopped on me. I see Sam in an auditorium. No, that can't be right, I do a double take before realizing that it is, in fact, Sam.
He notices my double take before smugly smiling at me and returning to his phone. I roll my eyes and revert my focus back to Josh, he sees me and basically jumps off the stage and runs to me
"Hey kid, are you excited?" He says with the biggest smile
"Trying to be" I say, forcing a smile which he notices
"Hey, it'll be great. I know how much you practiced and Mrs. V would be an idiot to not cast you. Maybe don't tell her I said that.. I don't want to end up dead by tomorrow." He laughs and hugs me "I have to go but I'll see you up there! Remember, you can do anything you set your mind to" he says with a wink
I smile back and repeat his advice over and over in my head. I can do this. Josh will be here and even if I don't get cast, I can say I tried. More than I could've said 5 years ago.
As the time grows closer for my audition, I feel my hands get sweaty and my breathing increasing. Why is this so hard? It's just reciting a paragraph and moving my arms as I speak. It shouldn't be this nerve wracking. My mind continues to spin and I barely notice the presence stepping up behind me
"Y'know I can hear you breathing from across the room right?"
I turn around to see Sam, once again
"Well sorry if my breathing annoys you sam. Not my fault I need to to live."
He rolls his eyes "your just being dramatic about this. It'll be fine."
"Shut up I didn't ask you for advice. What are you even doing here"
He starts to speak before he is interrupted by my name being shouted across the room. I turn around to see Josh and Mrs V waving me over. It's time. I take a deep breath and wipe my hands on the front of my jeans before making my way onto the stage. I am immediately blinded by the big lights, making this experience feel more real and terrifying.
"Whenever youre ready y/n" Mrs V says with a smile. I look over to josh, sitting next to her, for one final boost of confidence. He smiles at me and blows me a kiss. I smile and take one more breath before starting
"God knows when we shall meet again. I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins, That almost freezes up the heat of life.... "
I go through the motions of what I imagine Juliet to look like, giving looks of desperation, throwing my hands up in defeat, stumbling to my knees. I start to get a little emotional as I finish up my last line
"Romeo! I come! This do I drink to thee"
I bow my head, signifying her death, as I wait to be excused from the stage. Instead I am met with silence. I dare to look up and see Josh, his jaw slightly dropped, and Mrs. V with tears in her eyes.
"My stars, Y/n. Who is this new person? That was absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much dear." She says, smiling wide.
I blink in disbelief. I did it. And they seemed to like it. I sigh with content and make my way to the seats. I trip over my own feet coming down the stairs and try to protect my head from the impact of the floor. But to my surprise, it never comes. Instead, I am met with the feeling of something holding me up, maybe my guardian angel, probably Josh. I open my eyes to see Sam looking down at me, his face softened. I look back at him and blush a little bit before straightening myself back up and looking to the floor before my attention is drawn back to the front row, where Mrs V and Josh are sat. I hear her say "So you've met our Romeo I see". My head whips to Sam, who has a sour expression on his face, obviously not happy about it either. I chuckle involuntarily, and it only grows as he gives me a dirty look, rolling his eyes.
"Wow... Acting? I could never imagine you doing that"
"Yeah well I couldn't imagine me doing it either, but here we are. Actually, I could never imagine you doing this either. Thought for sure you'd choke up there and go running back into the arms of your precious little Josh. Oh well, it's not too late. Maybe it'll happen on opening night" he says with a fake smile, obviously trying to upset me. I glare at him, trying to speak, but nothing is comming out. "What's wrong? Nothing to say?"
I sigh with frustration and start, "listen, asshole. Unlike you, I actually tried to get a role instead of just sitting back and it falling into my lap."
"Yeah well this wasn't my first choice, believe me."
"Oh of course. Sam Kiszka always has more important things going on. Thank you so much for gracing us with your presence. Y'know I feel bad for whoever Juliet will be, they'll have to put up with you all the time"
He glares at me before leaning towards me, making me walk back and hit my back on the ledge of the stage, "Oh yeah? Luckily for both of us, you'll never be Juliet."
That stung a little. But it's Sam, he has no idea what he's talking about
"Fuck off"
I say as I storm past him, shedding off the burden of our conversation in my trail. I decide to just head home. I'll see Josh in the morning and we can talk about everything then
Right now I need a break.
SAM POV
I don't know why I'm forced to sit in this godforsaken auditorium watching all these girls audition for a part they're most likely never going to get, except for the ๐ญ๐ถ๐ค๐ฌ๐บ girl who does. She'll get so excited over something so miniscule as a couple lines in a mediocre high school production of a Shakespeare play.
They're all so desperate.
I think back to my conversation, well, argument, with Y/n. I don't know how Josh ever got her to do this. Her audition wasn't even that good, yet Josh and Mrs V seemed to be eating it up. I mean, sure, she spoke clearly... and slowly... beautifully- I shake my head before my thoughts go too far. Its only beautiful because Shakespeare is beautiful, Not a compliment to y/n. She probably won't even get the part anyway, so this was just a waste of time for her. She's lucky not to be given a part. This is going to be torture.
Hours and hours of rehearsals, my friends inevitably calling me names in the hallway, trying to create chemistry with whoever my love interest is..
This is my own personal hell
And it could've all been so easily avoided.
That fight was ridiculous. Why did I care so much what he said? It's not like it's anything I haven't said before. My mind starts re-enacting the scene in my head,
"๐บ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฉ ๐ฅ๐ถ๐ฅ๐ฆ, ๐บ/๐ฏ'๐ด ๐ด๐ถ๐ค๐ฉ ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ข๐ต๐ต๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฆ, ๐ค๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ด๐ต๐ข๐ฏ๐ต๐ญ๐บ ๐ด๐ช๐ต๐ต๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ข๐ญ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฆ, ๐ฒ๐ถ๐ช๐ฆ๐ต, ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ด๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ข๐ด ๐ข๐ญ๐ธ๐ข๐บ๐ด ๐ต๐ถ๐ค๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ข๐ธ๐ข๐บ ๐ธ๐ช๐ต๐ฉ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐๐ฐ๐ด๐ฉ ๐ฌ๐ช๐ฅ. ๐๐ฆ๐ช๐ณ๐ฅ. ๐๐ฐ๐ฆ๐ด ๐ด๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฉ๐ข๐ท๐ฆ ๐ข๐ฏ๐บ ๐ง๐ณ๐ช๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ด ๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ข๐ฏ๐บ๐ต๐ฉ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ? ๐๐ข๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ต๐ช๐ค."
๐๐บ ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ช๐ฑ๐ด ๐ข๐ณ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ข๐ต ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ด๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐บ/๐ฏ'๐ด ๐ฏ๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ. ๐ ๐ด๐ฆ๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฌ๐ช๐ฅ ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ฐ ๐ช๐ด ๐บ๐ข๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฉ๐ช๐ด ๐ง๐ณ๐ช๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ด, ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฎ ๐ข๐ญ๐ญ ๐ข๐จ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ. ๐ ๐ง๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ญ ๐ข ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ข๐ต ๐ด๐ต๐ข๐ณ๐ต ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ณ๐ช๐ด๐ฆ ๐ช๐ฏ ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ค๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ด๐ต, ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ด ๐ค๐ญ๐ถ๐ต๐ค๐ฉ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ช๐ฏ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ง๐ช๐ด๐ต๐ด, ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ฃ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข๐ต๐ฉ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ช๐ฏ๐ค๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข๐ด๐ฆ. ๐๐ฆ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ ๐ฌ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ช๐ต, ๐'๐ฎ ๐ธ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ฐ๐ท๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฉ๐ช๐ฎ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ค๐ฉ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ฉ๐ช๐ฎ ๐ช๐ฏ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ง๐ข๐ค๐ฆ, ๐ด๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ฉ๐ช๐ฎ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐จ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฅ. ๐๐ฆ ๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ต ๐ช๐ต ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ข ๐ง๐ฆ๐ธ ๐ฎ๐ช๐ฏ๐ถ๐ต๐ฆ๐ด ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐'๐ฎ ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ญ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ข๐ธ๐ข๐บ ๐ฃ๐บ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฑ๐ณ๐ช๐ฏ๐ค๐ช๐ฑ๐ข๐ญ, ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฃ๐บ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ด๐ค๐ช๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ค๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฆ๐ข๐ค๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ.
I bring my mind back to reality and shake my head. It's all ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ fault. Why does she constantly plague me and my thoughts even though I resent her?
Still,
Why do I care about her?
Taglist! (Idk if I'm doing this right)
@fleetingjake
#greta van fleet#sam kiszka#sam kiszka smut#josh kiszka#sam kiszka fic#jake kiszka#sam kiszka fanfiction
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