#i thought it’d be funny if their mother just looked at her husband and went

[caseyjones2012]

im bitter about the fact that Casey Jones still hasn’t been introduced in TOTTMNT/TMNTMM so I made an AU where Oroku Saki has three children with a woman named Cassidy Jones

[look-at-the-soul]

The Photoshoot - When we were young

(Golden Globes special edition)✨

Request: by my dear @zablife as part of my Adele challenge but also + Grandma’s series ♥️

The Photoshoot 2014, 2015

Lee, when you sent in the “When we were young” song I knew right away it would be one of the most special parts of this series, I knew I wanted them to go back in time but I still wasn’t sure where/when/how to add it to the series as it could easily fit into any part. Then when things happened, I remembered I had your requests in my drafts, I knew I had to add some Grandma into the mix, as it’d give me a different approach 🥰

If you don’t read this series, don’t worry! No spoilers!! You just need to know that Yael Murphy is a photographer and Cillian just won his first Golden Globe award.

Word count: 1,175

Based on Adele’s song “When we were young”

Knocking on the door, Yael looked at her husband, a smile growing in her lips.

“Your social battery is still low huh?”

Everybody loves the things you do

From the way you talk

To the way you move

Cillian chuckled and moved on the bed to make room for her.

“How do you know?” He accepted the cup of hot chocolate she was offering him, grateful for the warmth the cup was providing.

“Well you’re hiding in your old bedroom while everyone is downstairs.” She pointed out resting her head on his shoulder.

After the Golden Globes win, they flew back to Ireland and Cillian wanted to go straight home, but one look later from his wife and they were on their way to his parents house for a little family gathering. The Murphy family wanted to celebrate the award with him, but he was worn out, and not because of the jet lag.

Everybody here is watching you

'Cause you feel like home

You're like a dream come true

“You’re adorable, I swear.” Yael teased stealing a quick peck.

Cillian chuckled in response, she knew him so well. He wanted to hide underground after being exposed to cameras, the press and all the people gathered for the awards.

“No matter what you say, wining that Golden Globe it’s huge, and I’m so fucking proud of you and all you’ve done.” Something on his lap catching her eye. “You look just like her.”

Cillian shot her a look, surprised by her words. “It’s my grandma, you think…?”

“Totally, same nose, lips, her eyes were bigger but it’s the same kind, if she didn’t have curly hair I’d thought it was you dressed as a woman.”

A content sigh escaped Cillian’s lips and his eyes went back to the photograph he had found in that old album. His grandmother was wearing a floral dress while holding his mother as they stared at the cake. He had been looking at the albums his Mum had been showing everyone earlier and he couldn’t help but let his mind wander back in time, to his childhood around his Ma.

“She was adorable.” He added with a hint of nostalgia, his mind and heart going back in time too the townhouse property, where he spent a huge part of his life. “I remember being so nervous about a stupid prom thing, so one afternoon she was knitting something and I asked her if she knew how to dance…” Yael saw the way his eyes lit by the memories, his soft voice murmuring the little treasure he just remembered, “she stopped and almost threw the needles and yarn, and went straight to the living and started playing music, she showed me where to place my hands, how to guide-you know, lead the way… she made me hear the beat, but she said you need to feel the music.” He added mimicking a femenin voice with a chuckle.

“That’s beautiful.”

But if by chance you're here alone

Can I have a moment?

Before I go?

“She somehow is responsible of who I am today, you know? Those early years while my parents were working all day…” his voice went dry, “she was with me, we went together to the grocery store, we cooked together, the park, she even took me to church.”

Yael chuckled and made a funny face at his last statement.

“That was probably the last time you showed up.” She teased.

Her heart filled with even more love as she saw how tender his expression grew by the memories.

“When I started acting, she always asked me for the script so I could rehearse with her.”

Yael nodded, thinking how much it meant to him.

“And when I did this film The wind that shakes the Barley, the post office released some commemorative stamps, she went and bought a bunch and she’d say to her friends this is my Cill, my grandson.”

You look like a movie

You sound like a song

My God this reminds me, of when we were young

Yael got lost in his velvety voice, it was so immersive, driving her into the memory lane with him.

“The movie had a huge impact in her, since her father passed away in that very same war, trying to defend Ireland, she never got to meet him.”

“I guess in a way, you portrayed that for her, and gave her a closure.”

Cillian tilted his head towards his wife. “You think so?”

“Absolutely sweetheart, books, movies and music, have a way to heal us from the pain we didn’t even know we were carrying…” She squeezed his hand.

Let me photograph you in this light

In case it is the last time

That we might be exactly like we were

Before we realized

Turning on the next page, Yael stared at an image of a woman leaned against a convertible.

“The quality of these photos it’s incredible.” She couldn’t help but admire not only the beauty of the shoot, but the angle and background.

“This must be from my grandparents honeymoon.” Cillian frowned removing the film that protected the photographs. “Yup… I recall grandma saying they didn’t have a budget to go in a trip somewhere ese, so my grandad drove all around the coast.”

“That’s lovely.” Yael murmured placing the photo closer to have a better look. “They’re together in that one.” She then pointed out.

“That’s why they wanted to go back to Kerry every summer.” Cillian sighed. “He built a small house later and I remember staying over there for the holidays every single time, they had to sell it though.”

“Remember when we went? That was a long time ago.” Yael moved her hair away. “Haven’t been there in ages.”

“Time to plan a little holiday?” Cillian gave her his signature eyebrow raised.

“Should I start packing?” She teased, knowing he was eager to disappear for a couple of days. “I’ll book us a place.”

We were scared of getting old

It made us restless

It was just like a movie

It was just like a song

Moving onto the next page, Yael found the cutest photo from all times.

“Oh man! I can’t believe this!” Cillian laughed out loud, dimples showing.

“How come I’ve never seen this one?!” Yael’s cheeks hurt from smiling so much. “You’re the cutest little boy! Look at you!”

You still look like a movie

You still sound like a song

My God, this reminds me, of when we were young

She looked at her husband and then back at the photograph.

There he was, with the biggest smiles of them all with half his body inside of a vintage mailbox.

“I love every bit of this photograph. It’s perfect.” She beamed at her husband’s portrait. Pure joy and love oozing from every fiber of him.

He looked so carefree and happy.

Let me photograph you in this light

In case it is the last time

That we might be exactly like we were

Before we realized

“Wouldn’t it be amazing to bottle up that little one?” Yael expressed, thinking of her own childhood. “I loved spending the weekends at the cottage with grandma, she played a huge part in my recovery, always looking after me so my Mum could take care of everything else.”

Scrolling through her phone, she found a photo her Mum shared over the holidays.

As a child she loved playing dress up with her cousin, Val.

When we were young

“I remember the very same day my grandma made this dress for me.” Cillian offered his hand to her, to stare at the photo. “She made it out of a nightgown she loved.”

“Is that a Polaroid?” He asked looking back at his wife.

“Yes, my grandpa carried his everywhere.”

“Isn’t it great? How a photograph can take you back in time all the way down?”

Yael smiled proudly.

“That’s the magic of photography… in just one click, you can turn something into a lifetime memory.”

***

Thank you for reading!!

I hope you liked this ✨♥️

Photo inspiration :

And yes, the part of the stamps is real, I read it somewhere and I loved the idea of his grandma buying Cillian’s stamps 💝♥️

Tag list @lyarr24 @garrison-girl-08 @lespendy @onlydeadcells @fastfan @winchestergirl22 @stevie75 @prettylittlehoneyeyesxoxo @esposadomd @strayrockette @forbidden-forest-witch @elenavampire21 @forgottenpeakywriter @heidimoreton @thenattitude @moral-terpitude @babaohhhriley @queenshelby @ange-thoughts @shelbydelrey @shaddixlife @sloanexx @cilliansangel @rangerelik @already-broken144 @alessioayla @paprikabadger @dolllol2405 @conversationpits @itsilvermorny @lafell @imichelle-l-rigby @yrli8 @cutecurly-hair @mrkdvidal1989 @cillspropertea @hyperfixationsonshuffle @sydneyyya @abbymcguire @shelundeadxxxx @elk96 @pono-pura-vida @lovemissyhoneybee @slimeantha @kmc1989

[rune-writes]

Hero

Fandom: Final Fantasy VII

Word Count: 1230

Rating: G

Pairing: Zack/Aerith

Summary: Set after losing Angeal in Modeoheim. Zack goes to Aerith's church where he crumbles under the weight of his grief.

Note: written for @zerith-week. Day 3 Prompt: Devotion / alt prompt: Hero

Read on AO3.

~*~*~*~*~

When Zack came into the church that day, Aerith thought they could spend the day outside. He’d been away for the entire week. The kids at Sector 5 said they missed “the big brother with the big sword”. Maybe Zack would indulge them in a game or two. And the sky looked clear; even with the plates, Aerith could tell when rain clouds had gathered. That particular day, the clouds that had hung ominously the entire week had frayed without even one drop of rain. A brief respite, perhaps? All the more reason to enjoy the sun as best they could. But when Zack entered the church with his face cast down and a sluggish gait to his steps, all plans for a date disappeared from Aerith’s mind.

Aerith rose half-way to her feet, his name at the tip of her tongue just waiting to be said, but before she could, Zack looked up and his face split into a smile—if one could call a stiff crook of his lips a smile. It didn’t even reach his eyes, as his smiles often did. “Aerith!” he called in a forced cheerfulness that, coupled with the way his brows drew back and his voice trembled ever so slightly, broke her heart. But Zack reached her nonetheless, feigning vigor and carefreeness, and asked her, “Were you waiting for me?”

Aerith knew grief when she saw it. She’d felt it herself before when her mother passed away; witnessed it not long after when Elmyra received word of her husband’s demise. She was no stranger to it, as was she not a stranger to how she had handled it. It had been precisely like how Zack was trying to hold up now, acting like everything was fine despite the tears she spied welling in his eyes. He blinked them away, saying dust was caught in his eye. And maybe it did. She decided to play along. Zack rewarded her with a laugh, quiet and languid, his eyes cast down once more, before he perked up—or attempted to—and crouched down by the flowerbed. 

Aerith gingerly sat across from him, carefully listening to him talk and muse about SOLDIER and Shinra and training and missions. About someone named Kunsel and Cissnei and Luxiere. How they were out of his favorite sandwich that morning in the cafeteria and he had to settle for some disgusting gray gruel. “Said it was good for stamina,” he went on. “Well, not good if it twists your stomach and locks you in a bathroom for a good hour afterwards. Kunsel said I just have a bad constitution, but I say his stomach is made of steel. Not that it’d mattered to him. He'd gotten the sandwich and not the gruel.”

Aerith figured she should laugh, but Zack’s face was oddly unanimated telling such a funny story that she felt a laugh would be out of place. It was disconcerting seeing him so listless. He’d always been full of energy, his presence like a shining beacon of light as though his soul was composed of nothing but sunlight. Aerith often stole glances at him as they worked at the flowerbed. He didn’t notice; or maybe he didn’t care. She’d offer responses, enough to make him continue talking. Because talking was good. Talking would distract him. She remembered how Elmyra would get her to talk—about flowers or food or her new home or the ribbon she wore. Got her to come to the kitchen and help with the cooking. Anything to distract her, really, because once she got quiet and the memories rushed in, she would plunge into a never ending spiral of self-loathing with only one sentence hammered into her brain: it was her fault her mother had died. 

Zack had gotten quiet. Aerith stole another look. His usually bright blue eyes were dull, like a faraway sky, locked in some distant recollection. Aerith searched for something to say. Then her eyes found the abandoned flower wagon they’d started building halfway before, and she began to ask, “Zack—”

She had barely said anything when Zack took a sudden sharp intake of breath. His eyes flew wild, gasping as though he’d just broken through water. And then he met her gaze, and Aerith saw the raw, unbridled fear, regret, and guilt swimming across those navy orbs, chipping away at the crooked cheerful mask he’d attempted to don and failed to regain. 

“I—” His voice broke. Tears welled and it seemed to take his all to keep them at bay. “I’m sorry,” he managed to say. He stood up. “I’ll make this up to you. I promise.” He backed away and probably meant to rush out, but halfway down the aisle, his legs crumbled under him. Then the sobs came, every rock of his body sent a shattering tremble to Aerith’s heart. Had it felt like this when Elmyra saw her broken self? Wanting to do something but unable to do anything. Knowing full well that whatever she said would not bring back whoever Zack had lost. Her own eyes brimmed with tears. 

Outside, the sun was still out. Aerith could imagine the sky spreading far and wide beyond the plates. Boundless. Endless. 

“Hey, Zack,” she began, fighting against the lump in her throat. “The sky is closer in the city above, right?” She rose to her feet. “Kinda scary, but the flowers might like it… maybe.”

The flowers at her feet swayed in a non-existent wind as though in confirmation, but when Aerith looked back, her attempt at distraction hadn’t ceased Zack’s sobs at all. 

Perhaps it hadn’t been distractions that Zack needed after all. He’d had plenty of it, judging from his ramble. He was seeking a quiet haven, free from prying eyes. Gods knew how many times Aerith had sought it—why she had sought the church all those years ago. And that was what it had become to Zack; what she had become to him, just like how Elmyra had coaxed her out of her little hiding spot in her room and pulled her into her arms. Aerith had never felt safer in all her life. 

Zack’s back shook. Somewhere along the way, it had shrunk, and before her was not the savvy SOLDIER who had crash-landed into her life, but a distraught seventeen-year-old boy who was trying his best to hold his ground while his world fell apart. Aerith moved and wrapped Zack inside her arms, small as they were.

“It’s not your fault, Zack,” she whispered to his ear.

Zack’s breath hitched, his body going taut. For a split second, Aerith thought she’d stepped over a line, but Zack instead grabbed her hands and cried into them. 

Later, she let him sleep on her lap. His eyes were puffy, but his breathing was even. He didn’t stir even when Aerith brushed his bangs back and patted his head. Aerith didn’t know what he had gone through, but she hoped he would tell her someday. With their fingers interlocked over his chest, rising and falling in a steady rhythm, she would like to think that he trusted her that much at least. She would be his rock and haven when all else failed him. 

With that silent vow taking root firmly in her heart, Aerith bent down and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead. Zack seemed to smile in his sleep.

~ END ~

[ecargmura]

Dog Signal Episode 14 Review - Grieving Over A Loved One

Wow, that was quite an emotional episode. I did NOT expect it to get this heavy; it came out of left field and smacked me in the face so that it’d make me cry. You know what? I did shed tears watching this episode. Despite that, it was a really good one.

Niwa and Miyu get their first male client in Mr. Kato who is worried about his son’s Golden Retriever Rocky who hasn’t moved from his deceased son Takehiro’s shrine for over a year. He’s worried about how he didn’t move and is even urinating in unwanted areas because of it. When Niwa and Miyu go check him out, it turns out that his muscles have atrophied a lot, his paws because a reddish-brown hue due to licking and his elbows have calluses from excessive laying. It’s not a good sign for the dog to be in, especially since he’s getting up to the years—the dog is 11 years old. It turns out that the problem lies in his wife, Mrs. Kato who believes Rocky is mourning Takehiro’s death and refuses to let him leave the shrine. Fortunately, the dog is able to recover quickly because he was well-trained and easy to handle.

First off, I feel so bad for the Kato family. They had a son but he died right before he went to college, meaning he was 18 when he died. He was still at the prime of his youth. I’m sure the parents are devastated that their son was taken away from them so early. Takehiro had dreams and aspirations, but misfortunate came to him. It’s so sad to see parents lose their child. I pity Mrs. Kato for not being able to mourn for her son properly. It must be really hard to lose someone you just saw yesterday and realize that they aren’t coming back anymore. Because she couldn’t mourn properly, she projected her grief onto Rocky who was just sitting next to her in order to help alleviate her emotions. Because she believed Rocky was the one who was mourning and not her, she could move on, but she wasn’t truly moving on. I know that what Mrs. Kato was doing was technically abuse, but I can’t really bring myself to hate her because she was and is in a pitiful situation. Fortunately, she still has Rocky and her husband who have moved on from his death.

I also like that this case is a bit of a parallel with Niwa’s past in a way, as Miyu noticed. Niwa lost his dad, dog and seems to be distant from his mother. In Mrs. Kato’s case, she lost her son, but she still has her dog and husband who seems to be in good terms with. Despite that, Niwa has moved on, but the pain of losing his dog is still there. His stern face is because he’s holding back his tears. That’s rather funny, but also sadly cute in a way. I love how Miyu’s trying be understanding towards the case due to Niwa’s past and he’s also learning about cases like this. There is valuable information in this episode: dogs have short and long term memory. Dogs have good memory, but Niwa actually lied to Mrs. Kato in order to give her a wakeup call. An example of good memory is Rocky looking at Mrs. Kato’s behavior and going back to his spot. I love that Miyu ponders about a dog’s memories and hopes that Singe will have him in his memories for a long time. That’s so sweet. I really love it when Miyu’s thoughts are voiced out in the end; it’s like he’s writing a diary of his experience.

I’m always amazed by the voice actor casting for the minor characters. Mr. Kato is voiced by Kentaro Ito, who is known for voicing Renji Abarai from Bleach and Chouji from Naruto. Mrs. Kato is voiced by THE Nana Mizuki. Anime fans might recognize her for numerous roles like Hinata Hyuga from Naruto and Utau Hoshino from Shugo Chara. She’s also a prolific singer. If you’re familiar with the song Discotheque, she’s the singer. It’s crazy how they got three members of the Uzumaki family in this show already; we got Minato Namikaze as Niwa’s dad, Naruto Uzumaki as Ms. Kadota from Episode 8 and now Hinata in this episode. It’d be hilarious if Kushina, Boruto, Himawari and Kawaii’s voice actors make an appearance in later episodes, but I doubt it.

I love that the lesson for this episode is to not impose your own personal feelings onto your pets because they do not comprehend them. People do have a tendency to try and humanize their pets. Niwa’s lecture really hit home. I should be a bit more careful when it comes to understanding my dogs now. I can’t wait to see what next week has in store because this anime is so comforting and beautiful with life lessons revolving around pets. If you have seen this episode, what are your thoughts?

[writtenrouge]

Helaena Targaryen ramble (maybe this could count as drabble idk though, I’m just typing out daydreams here lol)

Being betrothed to/marrying Aemond but becoming very close “friends” with Helaena.

Okay so, the latest daydream that’s been plaguing my mind:

After being picked for a rather rushed marriage purely of convenience to prince Aemond you became fast “friends” with his sister Helaena, to the vast majority of people with importance to the Targaryen family it’s either paid no mind to or thought of as great since Helaena now has someone she’s bonded with + it has you staying out of Aemonds way which leaves them unable to connect the dots and realise you’re both far more than friends. You’d be viewed as having such a kind heart for letting Helaena show you bugs, for always intently listening as she shows you how to stitch and to even go as far as letting her spend hours in your chambers to help you get your stitching just right, nobody would even notice that your embroidery hadn’t been touched at all.

The glances you’d share across the dinner table would lead to rather condescending laughs from Aegon as he’d regard the looks as those of two gal pals who just couldn’t keep control of their dire urge to gossip at bay, maybe Aemond would chime in and snicker at the comment thus making him miss the raised eyebrow and slight smirk Helaena throws your way, they really do have no idea who has the upper hand in this situation do they?

Of course Aemond and Aegon eventually pick up on the closeness but I don’t think they’d catch on to your antics, like I said before they believe you’re both just two silly girls wrapped up in nonsense, it is funny though how blatantly unaware they are. Again they joke and tease constantly, too engrossed in their own egos, they think they’re both above whatever it is that Helaena and you do in the hours yous spend alone together. “ladies stuff” yes that’s what they call it, that’s what they reply with when guards, their mother or other company ask of you both, you’re both just wasting time too caught up in “womens buisness” so whenever you’re scolded by Aemond for not being there waiting for him after he’d taken vhagar out on or ride, or whenever Helaena is berated for turning up late to whatever a drunken Aegon decided he needed her there for yous both try to speak the same tight lipped apology of “sorry dear husband I lost track of time with-” but a chuckle from Aemond would cut you off and a scoff from Aegon would halt Helaena. Aemond would throw an arm around you while shaking his head and maybe going as far as kissing the top of yours “oh sweet wife” he’d reply laughing in mock as he walked the two of you back inside, Aegon’s response would be less kinder probably uttering some telling of with an “of course” worded in their as he liked to think he knew the world before having Helaena scurrying to wherever he wanted her. Both responses vastly different but both boys still left thinking they had but two simpleminded wives, both boys still non the wiser.

If anyone did figure it out though I think it’d be Alicent however I don’t really think she’d care, I mean no bastards can come from it, it keeps yous both out of the way and Aemond and Aegon still don’t have the slightest inkling about it! Plus she said it best herself, these Targaryens do have queer customs🤭 I’m not saying she’d be encouraging of it just that if she found out she wouldn’t feel the need to put a stop to it as long as yous could keep it on the dl.

Okay now enough of them back to you and Helaena!! <33

So funnily enough it’d be after you and Aemond went from betrothed to married that yous two would become close, I’m gonna be cheesy and say she ever so heroically saved you from a spider that had gotten into your chambers🤭 it was nighttime, you were alone brushing your hair when you first spotted it, not particularly massive but still a spider so that scared you anyway. You knew you’d look a fool if you sought out your husband to get rid of it so you decided your best option was to go find a jug and then either squash it or trap it, whichever you could faster. And then that’s when you bumped into Helaena!! What she was doing out of her chambers at this time you didn’t know, maybe it was nothing or maybe the bug that ended up in your room belonged to her and she was frantically trying to find it, either way after explaining your situation to her (because she wouldn’t let you wander past her without explaining why you looked so shaken up) she offered her help! On the way back to your chambers she started to passionately ramble about the little creature in your room, this made you realise why she recoiled moments before when you told her of your trapping and or squashing plan. After Helaena had successfully scooped up the spider and let it crawl out of the window you hugged her in gratitude and Helaena couldn’t remember a time she’d ever been enveloped in such happiness. With your arms wrapped around her neck, the side of your head pressed into her chest she let her arms wrap around your waist, fastly welcoming something she didn’t know how much she needed. When you finally pulled away from her various sentences about needing to repay her came falling out of your mouth and with Helaena clinging on to the happiness you brought with all her might, all she asked from your was your company.

So the next day you made your way to Helaena’s chambers that were thankfully without the presence of Aegon, armed with a willing pair of ears ready and a hairbrush ready to braid Helaena’s hair in thanks as she told you exactly why spiders are nice beings that you shouldn’t be afraid of, of course you listened to every word and while your fear didn’t fault her you didn’t judge her love for the bugs either. I reckon in the days after this interaction the idea of planting bugs in your chambers crossed Helaena’s mind many times, I think she’d toy with the idea constantly just because she knew she’d be the one you’d seek out but ultimately she’d decide against it, too afraid of accidentally losing you if you found out about her doings and thought she was acting that way to be mean.

After awhile though the two of you became inseparable, wherever you went Helaena went and wherever she went you went! You both just liked each other’s presence. Not to go back on my word and bring up the boys again but dare I say that this would make Aemond jealous?👀 after one too many times of you and Helaena walking into a family dinner together Aemond “made the request” to you (sternly told you) that he should be the one to walk you to dinner as it was his right as your husband, you thought it was funny that this little thing annoyed him so much and Helaena definitely played up to his reaction. Reaching over and squeezing your hand as a hello as you sat down across from her at the dinner table, maybe even coming over to hug round your shoulders if she felt the need for it and she would absolutely kick at your feet under the table to get your attention.

Anyways sorry back to Helaena fr this time.

When did yous realise that there’s more to your relationship than just friends? Well I can’t give you a timeline date but yous both realising that there was more to your hugs, glances and hand holding than just friendly flattery would’ve brought it on. It was a very sweet realisation, it was the time the two of you realised that there was in fact real love and “meant to be’s” in this world and not just political marriages.

So yes you did have a kind heart and your kind heart belonged to Helaena <3

[raineydays411]

My Father's daughter pt 3

Tony Stark x daughter!reader

Summary: Back at the Tower, Y/n has a talk with Pepper.

a/n: ohhh another part finished!! some new characters will be revealed next part and i’m so great full for @social-media-imagines-by-me fir helping me create them💕💕

You were furious.

You stormed into your room and slammed the door, finding satisfaction in the loud bang it produced. You then ripped through your drawers and closet, pulling on some work out clothes and some gloves. You then marched out of the room, slamming the door again, startling Sam and Bucky who happened to be passing by.

"Geez kid, slam it a little harder I don't think it fell off the hinges yet." Sam jokes, but you were in no joking mood so you swirled around with fire in your eyes.

"You okay doll?" Bucky softly asks, pushing a frightened Sam to the side. You sigh, knowing it's not fair to take out your anger on them.

"Sorry Sam, it's just...my biological mom is here and wants me to move in with her."

"Oh..." Bucky says, not good with things like this, " Do you want me to like...kill her or..."

"NO" You laugh, " It's just I haven't seen her in nine years and she has the audacity to come up here like it's nothing?!"

Your anger returns, " She thinks that just because she pushed me out of her vagina"

The two men cringe at the words

"That she can just claim me? That's not how it works!" You shout, " And, she brought her fucking husband. The man she left us for! Who does that?!"

Bucky looks at Sam, mentally asking him what they should do. Sam just rolls his eyes and turns back to you.

"Come on kid, it looks like you wanna punch something."

and with that he lead you to the training room where Steve was training with Peter.

"Come on queens, you gotta stay on your feet" Steve k=jokes as he, again, trips Peter.

"Mr. Rogers, do you think we should take a break?" Peter pants.

You stride pass them, not bothering to say hi. They look at Sam and Bucky for an explanation and just get a shake of the head.

"Hey Y/n that's my punching" Steve started to say when he saw you throw a hard punch to the bag, "Nevermind..."

You ignore the group behind you, opting to pummel the poor punching bag in front of you.

Your mind flashes back to your mother and her words.

"A girl needs her mother"

*punch*

"Oh petal I wanted to call"

*punch* *punch*

"Come to Gotham. Meet your siblings!"

*BANG*

You look down to see the punching bag flew off the hook and is spilling sand on the floor. You were confused, as you knew you weren't strong enough to do that, not even when you were angry.

"Wow, I guess Cap didn't secure that hook again."

You jump, not expecting someone to be there, as you heard Sam, Bucky, Steve, and Peter leave. You turn to see Pepper there looking at the bag in surprise. You sigh, stepping away from the mess and taking off your gloves. You make your way to the bench and take a swig of water.

"Did you need something Pep?" You ask, avoiding eye contact.

"Well, i was just wondering if my kid was okay. But given the fact that you punched that bag like it would restore your honor.."

You knew you shouldn't have showed her Avatar.

"I'm assuming your not." She finishes.

You give her a half smile, looking down at your hands.

"Y/n" She says, " Talk to me."

You finally speak, "Why now?"

Pepper frowns, understanding that small phrase, ' I don't know."

"She's not my mother." You state, " She...she might have been once but now?"

Pepper nods," I love you."

You smile, the words reassuring you, " I love you too Pep."

"Come on, your messing up your manicure." She says with a smile, standing and extending a hand towards you. You feel your demnor soften and your mood lighten. Pepper always managed to make you feel better.

"Yeah okay..thanks." You say, taking her hand and letting her pull you from the bench, " Are you hungry? Cause I am>"

"Y/n we just ate!"

"Like an hour ago"

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

Days went by and you hadn't heard a peep from Christine. It was like she went off to lick her wounds and just decided not to reach out again.

Which didn't bother you one bit.

But apparently the universe wanted to fuck with you because when you came home from a day out with Peter, there was your mother, Bruce Wayne, and all six million of her fucking kids sitting on the couch.

"What the fuck?" You say causing the attention to turn to you.

"Language" Peter says, You smile softly at him before then turning to glare at Tony.

"Don't look at me, it was your moth-uh Peppers idea." Tony stumbled, looking rather uncomfortable sharing a drink with the man that his...wife? girlfriend?... whatever she was left him for.

"Pep what?" You asking, softening your glare because you'd be damned if you disrespected her.

"I just think it'd be best if we clear the air and get everything out on the table." Pepper said in that tone she uses when she's dealing with difficult people or the press. You called it her CEO tone.

"Now, go take your bags upstairs and wash up. And I'll pretend that you aren't an hour late"

"It was Peter's idea..." You mumbled and walking to the stairs that lead to the bed rooms.

"It was not!" Peter shouts following you to the rooms to help with the bags.

Christine watched as her daughter walked out of the room, playfully arguing with Peter. It was as if she were a whole different person, carefree and playful. Totally different from when she was glaring and stiff when talking to her. It broke her heart hearing Tony refer to Pepper as her Mother rather than Christine. But what did she expect?

Damian scoffed catching her attention, "Mother I do not see why you've dragged us here, that girl didn't even acknowledge us."

"Damian, enough" Bruce said, not looking away from his awkward conversation with Tony.

"Gee if only I could do that with our kids." Tony mutters into his drink.

"Does Y/n argue often?" Bruce asks trying to engage in conversation.

Tony laughs before fondly speaking, " Sort of. She isn't the type to back down when she thinks something is right. There was this one time I caught her arguing with one of my business partners about his "condescending tone and misogynistic attitude"."

""And did she apologize after?"

"Hell no. She glared at me and told me apologizing just for his ego would be demeaning her experiences as a woman. Although to be fair he was an asshole."

Bruce chuckles, " She sounds like a well rounded young woman. How old was she then?"

"Ah about 10, it was funny seeing this little girl argue in a Justin Bieber shirt argue about the patriarchy with a full grown man."

Bruce and Tony shared a laugh, picturing the scene.

"You must be very proud of her." Bruce mentions after they quieted down. Tony let a small smile escape.

" I am. She's had a rough life, and I..." Tony trails off, " She means everything to me. Without her...I don't think I'd be the same person I am today."

And with that, Tony downed his drink and stood, " Want another?"

Bruce smiled and accepted, watching Tony leave. He can tell that the man was close to his daughter. A bond that formed due to a loss, they both grew from it and grew closer. He understood, thinking about his own children.

Pepper and Christine were having a somewhat similar conversation, although it was a little more tense.

"So...Pepper-"

"Virginia." Pepper said, cutting her off.

"Excuse me?"

"My name is Virginia. Pepper is a nickname my family calls me."

"Oh. Okay, Virginia, how long have you known Y/n and Tony?"

"Oh about nine or so years. I was promoted to assistant when I saw how much of a mess Tony was." Pepper said casually.

Dick and Jason tensed, overhearing the tense conversation between the two mothers. But before Dick could interrupt Jason sat him back down.

"I wanna see what happens."

Christine continued, " And when did you become a..more permanent around the house?"

"When I saw that Y/n the one taking care of Tony." Pepper said in a serious tone, "She was the one making sure he didn't choke on his vomit and eating cereal as his flings walked out the room. Then he got kidnapped...and y/n was alone. So I made sure she’d never be alone again.”

Christine heart sank. She knew about the whole kidnapping thing. Why she didn't step in, she doesn't know. It's just another thing she regrets to this day.

Before Pepper could continue, she heard two sets of footsteps and voices

"All I'm saying is, if he looks at me funny, I'm fighting him and that's that."

"Yeah maybe not the best impression on..." Peter cuts off when they reach the living room. Eyes again on the two of you.

"Let's get this over with." You muttered, saying bye to Peter and making way over to the couch to sit next to Pepper.

"Y/n!" Christine says happily, " I'm glad you're here. We brought you something!"

She pulls out a box and she carefully hands it over to you.

You look at it suspiciously before getting a nudge from Pepper.

"Thank you." You grit out. Earning a glare from Damian and Cassandra.

You open the box to see...cupcakes.

"They're the peanut butter strawberry cupcakes you used to like. Remember? I used to bring them when I came to see you." Christine says, trying to bring up good memories.

You frown and close the box, " I'm allergic to strawberries."

Lie.

Pepper casts a glance towards you, "They look lovely, let me take them into the kitchen, I'll check on dinner."

And with that she takes the box and leaves into the kitchen. Leaving you and Tony alone.

"So...Stark" Damian started fixing his gaze on you.

"Yes, Wayne?" You said, matching his energy.

"What exactly is it you want from my mother?" He asks, earning a groan from his older brothers.

"Well, I'd appreciate it if she left me alone." You say with a straight face.

Christine frowns but before she says something Damian speaks up again.

"Tt, all this drama for the likes of you? It's honestly disappointing" He drawls, trying to get under your skin.

"Damian!" Christine scolded.

"Well, I apologize for not meeting your standards. I'd try harder if I cared what a toddler thought of me."

Jason let out a surprised chuckle while the rest of the family looked on in shock. Tony just rolled his eyes.

"I do not understand why Mother insists on rekindling her relationship with you. You obviously weren't worth the effort the first time around." He spits, causing the rest of the family to gasp.

You however, just laugh, " When you figure it out, let me know. It's probably the same reason she puts up with you."

Damian glares, about to start in again when Jason cuts him off " Shut up Demon. She got you man."

"Tt"

"I'm Jason, and anyone who can out that brat in check is good in my book." He says sending you a smirk.

You smile back, " I'm friends with Loki and Wade Wilson, I'm hardly affected by anything anymore." Your dad rolls his eyes again, he’s not exactly enthusiastic about your choice in friends.

You like this one. Probably the one you're gonna be able to stand in this family.

"Don't hog her Jason!" Dick shouts pushing him away before turning to smile at you, " Hi! I'm-"

"Dick Grayson. I know, you spilled your champagne on my dress a few years ago at a New Years gala." You say, still a little bitter about it.

"Oh. heh, right, sorry about that. Again." He says sheepishly.

You turn to Cassandra, " You're Cassandra. You and your friend cornered me in the bathroom."

Cassandra scowls and looks away.

Then you turned to Tim, " And you need to learn how to secure your fire walls better."

Tim looked at you confused, "Um excuse me?"

You smirked, " Just a suggestion. I assume you don't want people to know about your...bats in the attic?"

The whole family froze.

You knew? There was no way.

"Kid, are you hacking again?" Tony said exasperatedly, " You promised you'd stop after the last time."

"Hey it's not my fault Shuri didn't think about changing her password." You say defensively, “ and it’s not like you were complaining when you had me hack into SHEILDS databases”

“What was that!?” Pepper shouts from the kitchen.

“Heheh, nothing dear.” Tony shouts back then in a hushed voice scolds you, “ I gave you fifty bucks to keep that a secret.”

“I didn’t say what you had me retrieve.” You said smugly leaning back in your chair.

Bruce didn’t know how to feel.

On one hand, this teen that objectively hates his family, knows their biggest secret. She can singlehandedly destroy their family and expose them. And she has the means to.

But on the other, she’s a perfect fit for their family. She gets along with Jason, doesn’t let Damian get under her skin, and from the looks of it can definitely take care of herself. Only thing is, again, she hates his wife and by association, his family.

“I’m sorry, hacking? You know that’s illegal right?” Tim asks, still in shock that you got past his security systems.

You turn to him and in a bored tone replied , “Yeah? and?”

Tim stuttered for a bit before going quiet with a blush. It was adorable really.

You had to hold back a laugh, it was fun getting this stuffy family all riled up. Especially when you can see the disapproval in Christines face.

“Tony, you let our daughter participate in illegal activities??” Christine asks with a raised brow.

The table goes silent at the tone of her voice. Knowing that when she uses it someone is really in trouble.

But you roll your eyes because how are you supposed to know what that tone means?

“I let my daughter express herself in a ...healthy way. She knows her limits.” Tony replies cooly, taking a drink and looking back into the kitchen wondering where Pepper went.

”Obviously not. Tony she has no regard for the laws at all! You think i didn’t see the headlines last year?!”

Ah yes, last year you had a slight scandal where you may have punched a pap for trying to get a picture up your skirt but who wouldn’t?!

“ And you let her hang around criminals and terrorists?!”

You scoff, “ Oh please everyone in the Avengers was a criminal or terrorist at least once.”

“Not helping kid.” Tony says, “Christine, you and your family have no right to come into my home and judge my family. I’ve been civil. Hell maybe a little too much. Mainly because if I wasn’t, my wife—err Fiancée, would kill me.”

You snicker, earning a few glares.

“Look the point is, don’t tell me how to raise my daughter. Especially because I was doing it all alone.” Tony finishes with a sigh.

The table goes silent. You were getting tired of all the tense silences today.

“ Look.” You turn to Christine, “ I get that you probably feel guilty or something because you ditched me. And I appreciate that or whatever.”

You were not good at this.

“ But I don’t wanna live with you.”

Christine looks down sadly, “ Y/n I just...I just want to get to know you again. You’re my baby.”

Before you could answer you heard a crash come from the kitchen and smoke fill the rooms.

“ Pepper?!” You cough, “ Dad what’s happening?!”

“ I don’t know. Stay here” He says summoning his suit.

“FRIDAY?!” You shout, but not hearing the AI.

The Wayne’s all looked at each other in panic. They didn’t bring their suits, thinking it was just a dinner.

You turn to them and shout “ Come with me, and stay low!”

You start to lead them to the stair case, knowing that the rooms were relatively safe.

“Come on!” you yell when they don’t follow you.

Christine stands from her seat and makes to follow you before being stopped by Damian.

“Mother we cannot..”

“Damian, I’ve had about enough of you. Let’s go.” She says sternly and follows you. The rest of the family following behind as Bruce nudges Damian.

“ Come on son.”

“Father we don’t know where she’s leading us.” Damian says stubbornly.

“There’s nothing we can do right now.” he coughs.

The sounds of punching and the blasts come from the kitchen.

“Let’s go.”

They finally join the rest of the family. You have them crouched in the hallway.

“ This is James’ room. Dad had it modified just incase he was ever triggered into the Winter Solider again. No ones getting through this door when it’s locked.”

You usher them in.

“Come on Y/n” Christine says reaching a hand out to you.

You smirk, “ What? and miss all the action?”

You close the door and lock it before leaving. Laughing at their surprised faces.

The room is silent.

“ She’s awesome!” Jason says with a laugh.

[ragingbookdragon]

It's As Real As You And Me

Batsis x Kyle Rayner One-Shot

Word Count: 2.1K Warnings: Explicit Language, Angst,

Author's Note: If you cry while writing, it means you're doing it right...right? -Thorne

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

“Do we have to get out of bed today?” he groaned, silencing the alarm that had been snoozed at least three times before. “I don’t wanna get out of bed today.”

She snorted at him, rolling rather slowly to face his bedside. “I don’t think we have to.” She said. “We’re old. We can do whatever we want.”

He thought for a moment, old eyes trying to focus on the woman beside him; but without his glasses he couldn’t see a damn thing. “Breakfast at Pop’s?”

“That sounds wonderful,” she replied, rising from the bed. “I’m showering first.”

“Oh no you don’t!” he retorted, trying to hurry after her and she laughed, pushing him back onto the bed.

“Stop that, Kyle, before you pop your hip outta place again.”

“Ah, it’ll pop back in, (Y/N). Quit worrying.”

(Y/N) frowned at him, pointing, “You keep on and I’ll talk the kids into putting us into an old folks’ home so I can keep an eye on you better.”

“You wouldn’t do that,” Kyle griped. “We’d lose the only independence we’ve got, and you don’t wanna do that.”

They glared at each other for a minute before smiles split across their faces and they fell into laughter, pressing their foreheads together.

“I love you, Kyle Rayner.”

He gently raised a hand, caressing her cheek. “And I love you more, (Y/N) Rayner.” Pecking her lips three times, he pulled away and she helped him to his feet.

“C’mon. Let’s go get ready.” She said and he gasped dramatically.

“Well, Missus Rayner, you want to fool around in the shower? At our age?” he teased, and she rolled her eyes.

“God, it’s been like seven decades and you’re still the biggest skirt chasing dork ever.”

Kyle grinned at her. “I try.”

***

“Did KJ call you back like he said he was going too?”

“Mhm,” he answered, cutting into the waffles on his plate. “Spoke to him last night. Said he’d call again after he and Thomas get back from Vermont with Sophia and the other grandkids.” He looked at her, putting the fork in his mouth. “Martha Ann call you about Devin?”

(Y/N) rolled her eyes. “Yes. He’s gotten in trouble with GCPD again.” She waved it off, picking up her coffee cup. “I’ve half a mind to tell her to send our grandson to Jason and let him sort that boy out.”

Kyle snorted. “Jason would wear that kid like a slipper.”

“That’s what he needs.” She shot back. “This is the second time in a month that he’s been caught shoplifting. Mark my words, husband of mine, that boy’s a kleptomaniac and if Martha Ann doesn’t do something about it, he’s going to get worse.”

He placed a hand on hers. “You’re getting worked up again. Relax.”

“How many times have I told you not to tell me to relax?”

“I don’t know, how many times have I not listened?”

“Ass.”

“Old lady.”

“I swear I’ve never seen two elderly people more in love and so at odds with one another than I have you two.” They glanced up, seeing Stacy with the coffee pot and another plate of eggs and bacon. “Refills?”

(Y/N) smiled and held out her cup. “Thanks Stacy.”

“Of course!” she looked at her. “You two going anywhere after this?”

Kyle met (Y/N)’s gaze and offered a shrug; she nodded. “I suppose we could take a drive around the countryside. You know, like old people do on Sundays.”

Stacy laughed. “Missus Rayner, you don’t look a day over twenty-five. Now Mister Rayner, I’m afraid that white hair of yours tells me you are more than a few over twenty-five.”

He scowled at the waitress. “If there was ever a time I wish was still in my twenties, it’d be now.” He gestured to the walking cane. “Bum hip. Bum leg.”

“Bum head.” (Y/N) coughed under her breath and he glared at her.

“You think you’re funny.”

“I think I’m adorable.” She smirked, waggling her brows and Stacy merely laughed, wandering back into the kitchen. (Y/N) sighed. “It does make you think though…about the old days.”

Kyle nodded. “I wouldn’t trade our time for anything but...” he squeezed her hand. “I want to be back in that suit just for a minute.”

(Y/N) nodded. “Yeah…patrolling with dad and Dick and the others.” Her eyes started to moisten, and she inhaled sharply, dabbing at her eyes. “Sorry sweetheart.”

His smile held sympathy. “You never have to apologize, muse.” She saw his Adam’s apple bob slightly. “I miss them too.” His voice was rather hoarse, and they sat in silence the rest of the meal, remembering their dearest siblings and friends who’d passed on. Her father Bruce, and oldest brother Dick, both their wives too. And Kyle’s closest friends had all gone on too; Guy, John, and Hal had passed the month before.

The price of getting old, they guessed.

***

“I wish my hands were still able to hold pencils like I once could.”

(Y/N) rested her head on his shoulder, eyes scanning the expanse of the sunset before them. “I know what you mean.” She inhaled the scent of the freshly cut grass beside the shore. “Your painting of this would be beautiful.”

Kyle hummed. “Not as beautiful as you are.”

“I’m ninety-two and you’re telling me that even covered in wrinkles and white hair that I’m prettier than the skyline?”

He nodded. “Always have been.” He shifted until he could see her face. “Always will be, my beautiful muse.”

(Y/N) grinned like the heavens had split and leaned close, pecking his three times lips. “I love you, Kyle Rayner.”

“I love you more, (Y/N) Rayner.”

***

She turned the burner off, pouring the gravy into the boat, before setting it on the small table. “Dinner’s ready.” She called towards the living room. He’d gone into the old study when they’d gotten home and pulled out his art supplies, determined to prove he still had it.

(Y/N) frowned. “Sweetheart, dinner’s ready!” she called a little louder that time and then huffed a laugh. “Fool fell asleep.”

Wandering through the kitchen doorway into the living room, she saw him in his recliner, chin tucked into his chest, eyes closed. She sat on the side of his recliner and touched his shoulder. “Kyle, dinner’s on the table.” He didn’t open his eyes and she bent her head down to look at his face. “Kyle?”

She reached down and took one of his hands, it was cooling. “Sweetheart?” Something tightened in her throat and with her other hand, she gently pressed underneath his jaw, holding for a few seconds before she let out a pained breath. “Oh, Kyle.”

(Y/N) curled her hand tighter around his, leaning down to press her lips to his temple. She couldn’t bring herself to move as she let out a quiet sob, pressing her face into his hair. “I love you,” she whispered. “I hope you know that.” Her lips wobbled and tears cascaded down her cheeks. “I wouldn’t trade our seventy-five years for anything. We lived a beautiful life.”

She pulled away and gently took his glasses off his face, setting them onto the table. Her eyes fell to his lap where his other hand lay, a color pencil still held in it. (Y/N) felt a watery laugh bubble in her chest as she saw the last masterpiece he’d ever made.

A portrait of the sunset they'd been looking at that day. A beautiful blend of red, orange, pink, and purple cascading across the sheet like an explosion of the sky.

Her eyes fell across the words written in white along the edge,

To my beautiful muse. Always and forever.

He still had it.

And it was perfect.

***

“Julia, can you push me out onto the patio?” she asked, looking out the window. “I think I wanna sit outside for a few moments.”

The young woman, no older than twenty-two smiled brightly. “Of course, Miss Rayner!” she happily complied, pushing (Y/N)’s wheelchair out onto the cobblestone patio, sitting her next to the table. “Do you want me to bring your dinner to you?”

(Y/N) nodded. “I’d like that. Thank you.”

“Alright, I’ll be back in a few moments.”

Julia wandered off and she glanced towards the skyline. It had been about six months since she let her children talk her into getting an in-home nurse after he had passed. She had argued, but after falling twice, she knew it was time to have someone look after her. (Y/N) was adamant about not going to a senior citizens home; she wanted to stay in the home her and him had built until she went too.

Her children and grandchildren had visited her the week before, all having to return to their lives once school had started and jobs went back. She understood—(Y/N)’d once been a busy wife and mother too. But it was lonely without him, and she missed him dearly.

Her eyes found the skyline again and she sighed heavily, feeling rather tired all of the sudden. A little nap wouldn’t hurt. And she knew Julia wasn’t the best cook so it’d take a while before dinner would be ready.

Just a few minutes of sleep.

Just a few minutes.

Just a few—

***

A warm breeze blew across her skin, and she cracked her eyes open, glancing out the open window of her bedroom. It felt like a normal Saturday morning. The type of mornings where she’d wake up to Tim or Damian jumping on her bed and telling her to get down to breakfast.

She blinked a few moments, not registering a thing until someone chuckled beside her. “You’ve been sleeping pretty soundly, sweetheart.”

Looking over, her eyes widened as she saw her father before her, young and handsome like he’d once been, sitting on the side of her bed. “Dad?” she breathed, and he smiled.

“Hello (Y/N).”

She shot up in a second, wrapping her arms around his neck, his own winding around her waist. “Dad,” she cried, tears gathering in her eyes. “You’re here.”

“I think it’s you who’s here, (Y/N).”

“What?” she pulled away and looked at him; her eyes drifted to the mirror hanging beside her door and she caught sight of herself—it registered as she lifted her hands to her face, no more wrinkles, no more snow-white hair, no more aches and pains.

“Looks like I fell asleep for more than a few minutes, didn’t I, dad?” she laughed, though she felt a deep sorrow.

He smiled sadly at her. “It’s the best way to go.”

(Y/N)’s eyes filled with tears, and she gazed at him. “I’ve missed you so much, dad.”

“I’ve missed you more, sweetheart.” Bruce replied, gently thumbing her cheek. “All of you.” He smiled again. “But you’re here now…and there’s a lot of people waiting to see you.”

Standing from the bed, he held his hand out to her and she took it, letting him pull her up; he walked over to the door and opened it, pulling her along as he stepped through it.

The scenery shifted from that of her bedroom to the backyard of Wayne Manor and she looked out to a large picnic table and seated around it were all the family and friends she’d lost through the decades. Dick was waving like a maniac, Kori beside him doing the same. They both looked young too. Hal, Guy, and John were sitting on the other side, ribbing Wally, Roy, and Garth over something; they too were young.

“I don’t understand,” she whispered. “Why is everybody young again?”

Bruce hummed. “We all return to the best moments in our lives. When we were our biggest and greatest.” He glanced over her at something and smiled. “There’s someone who’s been waiting for you.”

(Y/N) looked at him with pulled brows then over in the direction he was, and she brought a hand to her mouth. She broke into a dead sprint across the backyard, leaping into his open and waiting arms. He lifted her with ease, like he used to do when he was young. Spinning them around, he buried his face in her hair as she buried hers in his shoulder as she shook with sobs.

“Sorry I wasn’t able to have dinner with you one last time, (Y/N).”

She pulled away and placed her hands on his cheek, putting their foreheads together. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there with you, Kyle.”

He shook his head, smiling at her. “You were there.” He reached up, putting a hand on her cheek. “You look as beautiful as the day I left you.”

(Y/N)’s lips wobbled, but she smiled widely. “I love you, Kyle Rayner.”

“I love you more, (Y/N) Rayner.” He pecked her lips three times. “Forever.”

[kittehkwrites]

Cranky

Summary: Erik does not understand the importance of nap-time. 

Warnings: Fluff, dad!Erik, Soft!erik

Before your son was born you thought you’d be the mother of a momma’s boy or somethin... Boy were you wrong.

From in the womb, your baby boy would only calm down at the sound of his father’s timber voice.

“Aye lil man, yo momma’s tired right now and you doin all that kickin is keeping her up.” He’d say all serious but you couldn't help but smile at how he was acting and he followed on with “i’m gonna need you to bring it down a few notches” At that, your son would kick back at his father’s hand and the look on Erik’s face was too funny.

it had your stomach shaking and the little boy inside you pushing his hands and feet inside of you so that you could both feel and see his clear displeasure at being told to relax.

“Don’t get fresh lil boy.” You had to let a little ‘oop’ out when his voice got deeper and your thighs clenched up since it’s been a while. Ain’t his fault, the doctor just said to lay off it since the last time you guys went “a bit rough” and they didn’t want to chance an early birth.

The baby relaxed the same way you did when he used his authoritative tone.

“That’s right lil man.” He said after feeling the baby calm down at his command. He was smiling at you when he caught your eyes and you smiled back when he started to caress the bump caring your “future prince” as he’d always call him, since Erik stated he was the King and you’re his Queen so ‘lil man’ is the prince.

“Erik. You better make it up to him before he takes it out on me.”

“You lucky.” He said with a look like ‘what you think this is?’ But he saw your stern face and he remembered the nights of discomfort increasing since the baby was getting closer and he didn’t like you being in pain or uncomfortable during what was supposed to be a beautiful moment so he did what he could in hopes it’d pacify the baby for the night.

“Aye baby boy”- you always thought it was cute when he said that-” you know daddy loves you, right?” He pulled back from the close proximity to your stomach, waiting for the little hand or footprint to press against his large hand.

“Right?” He would look to you and you’d rub your underbelly to get the baby to respond to his now pouting father. You're convinced your baby inherited his attitude from, which would mean he’d be bratty from time to time because they can’t handle restrictions to their freedom.

“Come on baby boy. Daddy’s out here pouting”- He shoved you a bit and you just let out a bit of a scoff before continuing- “and momma can’t sleep with y’all fighting at each other” A little more rubbing and your little boy was pushing out his foot to meet the spot in which both you and your husbands hands were sat on your underbelly.

“I love you lil man. Can’t wait to meet you when you get here.” And with that, he’d put a little kiss on your belly before coming up to you, hands still on your stomach and fingers still brushing against the stretch marks that laid on the sides of your belly, and give you a soft kiss that gave you the same sparks as the first time you both kissed.

“I love you too baby.” He said before pecking your lips “don't forget it.” He said before turning off the bedside lamp and then laying behind you before letting sleep take over the both of you.

That was approximately 8 months ago.

The baby is now 6 months and your husband was a damn hog.

“Erik! Give me my baby!”

You and your husband have been playing an impromptu game of hide-and-seek with you son, Erik initiating the game after you wanted to put the baby down for a nap before heading to your parents house for family day.

“He’s mines too” He’d call out quickly before turning back to your son in his hands, continuing to make faces at the little boy and getting squeals of joy from the little body.

“Not for long you shit!” You huffed out as you started to make your way up the stairs, following the baby laughs. You were just tired and your husband wanted to annoy you, as you were convinced no man would keep the baby up for this long and not want to pass off their child to the mother. 

“He needs to sleep or else he’ll be cranky and I already have to deal with you! I don’t need to be dealing with the both of y’all at once, plus my family members coming up to me afraid to ask you what’s wrong or tell me how to raise my baby!” You continued, finally approaching the two bodies located in your husbands office. 

He gave you a look as he saw your slightly angered and annoyed expression, but he didn’t care. 

He had has lil man and his momma could stay mad, he thought.

“Babe. It’ll be alright. He don’t give no trouble, right lil man? Tell yo momma to go lay down before she pops a vessel.” He said in that ‘baby’ voice that annoyed the crap out of you but you couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow up at the nonsense spewing from your husbands mouth.

So you nodded your head, went over to the baby and checked his diaper before kissing him on the forehead and making your way out of the room.

He don’t even know.

Just as you said, so it happened.

You guys reached your family gathering and guess what happened within the first 20 minutes of greetings from aunts, uncles, grandparents and such?

If you guessed a cranky baby, then you were very right.

“Baby?” You ignored your husband who now had his signature stoic expression placed on his face, but it slowly formed into a confused scowl at the jerky limbs and loud hollering coming from the sleepy child who, may I remind you, ‘don’t give no trouble.’, according to your big headed husband.

“Baby? Your so-”

“-oh now he's my son? i thought you had that covered? Correct me if i'm wrong but didn't you say he didn't give any trouble?” You were making sure he’d hear the judgement in your voice at his foolish comments made earlier. 

“Yea bu-”

“-but nothin. Handle it before he ‘pops a vessel’” You said before seeing one of your favourite cousins and going to them, leaving your husband in a state of confusion while your son just wanted to sleep.

This went on for another 15 mins before your cousin and a couple other relatives came over and asked what erik did to the baby.

You simple said “He wouldn’t let me put the baby down for a nap.” which resulted in a few head shakes and inhales from the surrounding bodies, knowing that a nap could be the best thing for the baby and the parent.

“Girl go help that man. He probably over there trying to give the baby commands like some drill sergeant.”

“Don’t do my man like that” You couldn’t help but laugh at the way they all saw erik as this military man but to you he would always be your big softie, especially after the birth of your son. He just showed his love differently than others and you didn’t fault him for it. 

You waited another two minutes before gulping down the rest of the juice in your cup before heading to your husband and distressed baby.

“Alright papa. Momma’s hear. I know, i know. Daddy doesn’t have the magic touch huh? Maybe he’ll listen to me won't he? wont he? That’s right. Come on papa, nap time.” You said, taking him out the grasp of your husband after washing your hands in the kitchen sink and drying them off once you reached to the two inside. 

You checked his diaper and it was dry, probably changed before you got here since your husband probably thought he had a soiled diaper. You also saw the half empty bottle of milk in the baby bag near where you were seated on the couch and chalked it up to your husband attempting to silence the cries of the infant.

You had placed him on your legs once you got comfortable on the couch. Fingers running over his eyebrows, his cheeks, his nose and back up to his forehead and ears in the soothing motion. Within 5 minutes he was sleeping and your husband couldn’t be happier. 

“Baby”

“Yes mr know-it-all” You responded smartly, not taking your eyes off the small body in your lap.

“Don’t get smart now.” You had to refrain from clenching your thighs together and looked at your husband with challenging eyes.

You saw him deflate slightly once he remembered he was in the wrong. 

“I’ll listen next time.” You let out a little hum and turned back to your son in your lap. 

You just sat in awe at the life you created with the man next to you. You were so lost in thought that you didn’t realise your husband had grabbed your chin softly before turning your face to his, placing the sweetest, most gentle kiss on your lips that left you weak once he pulled back.

“I love you” He said. That glint in his deep eyes made you swoon like it had when you first met him at the black owned coffee shop near the outreach centre.

“I love you too” You said softly before smiling at the grin that broke out on his face after knowing you weren’t so mad with him. 

Hey y’all!

Hope your week started off alright and that you’ve enjoyed your weekend😊

This is the main account that i’ll be posting on in regards to my written work because i couldn’t interact as i wanted to on my side-blog.

But I won’t be deleting anything on that blog, im just moving over to this one.

Let me know what you thought of this soft imagine and who you’d like me to write for or just ask me anything😁

Remember to like, share and/or comment and be safe!

Love y’all and thanks for the support.

-K💜

[sup-hoes-its-me]

Hi hun! Hope you’re doing well! Could a request a Shikamaru fic! I was thinking maybe it’s obvious to everyone that Shikamaru and Reader like each-other (except themselves of course). But a mission where they have to pretend to be a couple and they finally confess.

😘

Pretenders (Shikamaru x Reader)

A/N: another request. Im not super proud of this one, i really got stuck halfway through and i think that shows here. Thanks for requesting though, and hopefully you still enjoy. Trigger Warning for sexual assault.

word count: 6500

“So, you two set out on a mission tonight right?” Ino asked, leaning her cheek in her hand, nodding toward her two friends across the booth.

“Yep. Supposedly 3 weeks,” Y/N told her. “I won’t get to see you guys for so long.” The girl took a quick sip of her lemonade and sighed. It was a substantial amount of time. It’d been a while since she’d gone somewhere so intensive.

Shikamaru and Y/N had only a couple more hours before they were to be briefed on the details of otheir next mission and whisked away to a far away land for yet another tedious job. Y/N was perfectly fine with the premise of going on a 3 week mission, she’d been home too long and longed for some kind of adventure. She still wasn’t sure the caliber of the mission, nor did she even know where or what they were doing, but she was excited nonetheless.

Shikamaru, of course, wasn’t too fond of the entire idea. Yes, he was more than happy to find out his mission partner was Y/N L/N. Out of all the people he could have been paired with, she was most definitely the least annoying. He really felt like Kakashi had his back lately with missions, giving him ones that were semi decent, and sending him out with his friends. He was certainly grateful for the Hokage’s assignments.

Choji added from his spot near the wall, taking a second away from munching on his lunch. “It won’t be so bad. You guys have each other, after all. How could things get boring when you have your little girlfriend with you, Shikamaru, am I right?”

“Choji…” Shikamaru groaned, pressing his fingers to either side of his temples. These sorts of things borhered the hell out of him. The constant teasing from everyone, not just his teammates, but literally teachers, other squads, his mother, her grandmother. They weren’t dating. They never were dating.

Yet every person in this damned town was under the assumption there was something going on between them. Really, he was just trying to live his life.

Did he want to date her? Yes, a million times over, yes. She was literally perfect, he couldn’t imagine himself with anyone else. But was Y/N at all interested? Definitely not. She was more oblivious than Naruto was with Hinata, and that’s saying a lot. She seemed to ignore everyone when they made jokes, she thought all his measly attempts at flirting were just normal conversation even when he treated Ino completely differently. She wasn’t a dumb girl either. She was smart in her own right.

That’s why he’d begun to think she was maybe avoiding his advances on purpose. That she didn’t like him and she was trying to let him down easy. It was stupid really, and he wished she would just come out with it already, tell him to his face that she just wanted to be friends. It was frustrating, to say the least, but he kept trying.

He could safely say he hadn’t felt this way for another girl in his entire life, and he wouldn’t give up that easily. He really just wanted other people to mind their business. That’s the reason he shot down all the jokes and comments from his friends. They didn’t need to know about his lovelife, that was personal.

Ino smirked, tossing her ponytail over her shoulder and letting a laugh leave her lips. “Come on, Choji. You know how Shika feels about you teasing him.”

“Fine. But you gotta admit it’s funny.”

They continued on with their conversation, Shikamaru groaning at their jokes and the other two laughing the entire time. That was how it usually went. Y/N just listened quietly, sipping away at her lemonade. Those two, his teammates, they always made jokes, it was normal. She was constantly labeled Shikamaru’s girlfriend, and each time he denied it. Over and over again. He didn’t let a single instance slide by.

That’s how she knew to avoid the subject. To keep her feelings to herself. There was no point in confessing to him when he was already so adamant at keeping their relationship out of other people’s mouths. She was a troublesome girl, anyone who thought he saw her as anything different was delusional.

So she kept quiet, just listening.

Each time someone joked, her stomach would turn and she would wait for him to say something, for him to admit they were right, for him to get flushed in the cheeks, for him to reach out and hold her hand and confess his feelings, and each time she was let down brutally. After enough times getting her heart broken, it was only inevitable she give up this false hope. There was no digging her way into his cold heart. He was so closed off, to get inside...it seemed like an impossible feat.

She wasn’t willing to fight for him anymore. It was tiring, and they never got anywhere.

After enough time, she stopped crying herself to sleep. She stopped talking about her crush with Hinata and Ino when the boys weren’t around. She still looked at him with all the love she had to give. He was the best man she knew, how could she not. She just stopped wishing for something that wasn’t going to happen. She stopped investing so much of her time and energy into a useless, pointless dream.

She was tired of running endlessly in circles, over and over again. All because of his dumbass.

Maybe with time, she could try and get over him. With time she could learn to like him the same way as all their other friends. It was always just the little things that would pull her back in every time. It was the walks home at night when she was tired, or she had too many drinks and he’d wrap his arm around her waist and hold her so tight to his side she could feel his heart beating. It was the times he’d lay beside her in the grass and run his fingers through her hair splayed out over the ground. It was the times he would hold her silently as she cried for her mother and father who’d died, and he would rub her back until she could breathe again.

Every single fucking time she got close, the moments she felt she might not be desperately in love with him anymore, he came right in and stole her heart again. It wasn’t his fault, he was just being a good friend, but God, did it hurt sometimes.

And it wasn’t Ino and Choji’s fault for talking about it. It was so fucking obvious she liked him. Y/N followed Shikamaru around like a lost puppy half the time, what else were they supposed to think? They were just wrong in their assumptions that she was anything more to Shikamaru himself. That the boy thought of her as anything more than a troublesome friend who was always needing help with something or another.

She drank the last bit of her drink and set down the glass. “We better be heading to the Hokage tower soon. It’s almost time, and he still has to debrief us and all, “ she told the boy at her right.

“Yeah. I’ll go get my bag from home first and we’ll meet up there?”

“Got it,” Y/N slid out of the booth and waved to her friends. “See you when we get back.”

“Bye, Y/N!” Ino called as the girl left the restaurant with her book bag over her shoulder. She sighed, sinking down into her seat and glaring over at the pineapple head across from them. “You gotta make your move on this mission, Shika. Stop being such a scaredy cat.”

“Listen, you guys don’t know anything about anything, okay? She doesn’t like me that way. She never has.”

“I never thought I’d have to say this, but you’re dumb, man,” Choji laughed. “She obviously likes you.”

“Yeah, yeah. All of you seem to think that but you don’t see how she is with me. We are purely friends. That’s it.”

“Whatever, man,” he waved off the boy’s stern reply and added, “ Have fun on your trip with Y/N. Hope you get lucky.” Those words caused Shikamaru to heat up from his neck to the tips of his ears and he promptly slid out from his seat, straightening his vest as he did so to try and calm himself. That was unnecessary of his friend to say, for sure.

He turned to them once more and nodded his head. “See you around.”

“See you!”

Now all he needed to do was get his things together and meet up with the girl of his dreams for their weeks long mission. Fun times. Especially now that his friends made him annoyed and frustrated with the entire situation again. He’d have to calm down before seeing her soon.

_______

“We’re doing what?” Y/N asked, staring down at their Hokage in disbelief. He’d been detailing their mission and everything seemed normal so far, infiltrating and learning information about a budding coup in a far away nation just on the edge of the Land of Earth and The Land of Wind. It seemed easy enough at first, but then he kept going.

Kakashi sighed. “I said, you two are to be disguised as a princess and her consort from the Land of Sunflowers. The leaders of this land are expecting these royal visitors and you will be taking their place.”

“So, like, he’s gonna be my husband?” she asked for clarification again. It wasn’t that she didn’t understand his words, it was that she didn’t want to believe them. This was her worst nightmare. They would have to pretend to be in a relationship? Shikamaru was going to hate this more than anything and it would be uncomfortable the entire time.

Why did Kakashi have to pick them two, of all his shinobi? Why?

“Yes. That won’t be a problem for two close friends such as yourselves. After all, that’s why I picked you. You have some kind of dynamic going I feel your targets will find believable.” Shikamaru cursed the heavens. Even the fucking Hokage thought they were involved. This was ridiculous. Now this long ass mission he was already dreading was made ten times worse with this awkward situation. “We’re not gonna have a problem, are we?”

It would be okay though. He just had to take a few deep breaths. That’s all.

“No, sir, of course not. I’m ready for anything you throw at me,” she declared, straightening her back and letting the heat fade from her cheeks. She was embarrassed, obviously, but she couldn’t let the Hokage know. It was easier talking to Kakashi though, much easier than Tsunade. Kakashi watched them grow up, he knew them personally from helping them train. That didn’t mean she couldn’t be flustered.

“You’ll take those bags with you. They have some more suitable clothing for royalty. Put them on when you get close to the village. Throw out any indicators you’re from the Leaf as well.”

“Okay.”

“You’re dismissed. Leave as soon as possible,” the gray haired shinobi told them. She nodded and threw the bag over her shoulder, tossing the other one over to Shikmaru who caught it and slung it onto his back. He definitely wasn’t happy about any of this, but maybe it was a sign.

Ino and Choji told him to confess his feelings to her on this mission. Kakashi just told them they would be pretending to be a married couple. As he watched her walking in front of him down the Tower stairs, her head just barely dipped as she absorbed all the information running through her mind, he wondered if maybe this was his opportunity. A make or break type scenario. He had three weeks to figure out how to tell her how he felt in a more direct way than he’d tried before.

He worked out all the scenarios and their outcomes in his head millions of times and every time they ended in disaster. For someone so great at strategy, he sure did struggle with this one.

“So, I guess we’re married now. Should we start kissing or something?” she asked awkwardly as they reached the bottom of the stairs, shifting back and forth from her toes to her heels. He stopped, more like froze, in his path and stared at her.

“Now you're just making it weird,” he replied. “We aren’t even there yet.”

“I know, I was kidding. Trying to lighten the mood, you know,” she grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. Of course he would reply like that. He didn’t like her at all, he couldn’t even take a fucking joke. Had to get all upset over it like a baby, all because he was so set on never dating her ever, never even entertaining the thought. She rolled her eyes, “You don’t have to be so rude about it, geez.”

She kept walking before he could reply. He had a feeling this trip was going to be a lot worse than anyone had anticipated. He was nervous, grumpy, and preparing for the worst. In fact, what he really wanted was a nice long nap.

_________

The dresses that Kakashi packed for her were...extravagant to say the least. They flowed all the way down to her ankles, thick heavy hoop skirts embroidered from head to toe with symbols of the land of sunflowers. She felt strange with her shoulders exposed and her body on display in these outfits which were so unlike the pants and t-shirts she wore when she was back at home or on a normal mission. She wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and sighed, feeling at least a little covered.

Shikamaru had nice clothes, but they were nothing in comparison to her wild dresses and all the bright colors of the fabric. He looked semi-normal. She was jealous, admittedly, that he still got to wear pants and shirts. He said she looked good in the dress, he actually told her about a dozen times, reassuring over and over again that she looked fine, but she didn’t believe him. She wasn’t dainty, how could she look beautiful when she clearly didn't belong in something so delicate?

Still, when they walked up to the gates of the Land of Shadows, they were greeted like the royalty they pretended to be. They were swept away to the main castle to meet with the King and his wife. It was nearly dinner time, and they were to eat with them as a greeting. It made sense, but Y/N felt herself growing more nervous with the second. She didn’t know the first thing about being a princess, or acting like a monarch. All she knew was fighting and joking with her friends.

Not only that, but how could she convince them that she and Shikamaru were in a relationship? Y/N wasn’t sure they possessed the right dynamic and even if they tried, it would be obvious they were uncomfortable with each other. It was all making her heart race, and she had to take a few deep breaths as they entered the dining room.

But her companion...he knew what he was doing. He was going to put on quite the show, take advantage of the situation. If this week and a half was his only chance to hold Y/N in his heart, than he wouldn't let any opportunities slip by.

Without warning, she found that Shikamaru had reached over and wrapped her hand up in his bigger one, clutching at her shaking fingers. He was so steady, she found herself sinking into his touch. It was comforting, more so than she thought it could be, given the circumstances. His skin was just so warm and soft against hers, it was only natural she felt safer.

“Ah, Princess Ayaka, Duke Hisashi. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” a man called from his place at the table. His wife was sitting beside him, her soft smile only reaching her lips not nearing her eyes. Y/N caught that immediately. Her distance. Silently, she took note of that as the King approached them, extending his arms for an embrace.

“It’s an honor to meet you, your highness,” Shikamaru replied with a smile, an obvious fake one, but damn was he good. She watched as he hugged the man so earnestly, as if he’d sunken right into the role of consort without an issue. She’d have to ask him tonight how he was so good at acting.

“And your beautiful wife,” he extended his hand to the girl and she raised it hesitantly, receiving a soft kiss to the back of her palm. “Come take a seat. Dinner will be served soon.”

The pair took their seats beside each other on the opposite side of the table, Y/N directly across from the Queen, who looked up at her for merely a moment only to sigh and go back to fiddling with the curve of her wine glass. "Your highness," Y/N hummed to the woman who nodded.

"Oh what a dream, to be young and in love," she said. "I remember the days."

"Please dear! To me, you will always be my beautiful young wife! We share a love to last a lifetime," the king cheered, placing his hand over that of his wife's as he took his seat at the table. "I apologize for her gloom. She's been going through a rough patch. We are more than overjoyed to have you here."

"It's fine. We all have our bad days," the girl replied softly.

After a few minutes of small talk, just dipping their feet into the conversation, a couple servants brought out plates of food and wine bottles full of vintage drink truly meant for the highest of royalty. Compared to the plain sake she had drank at home, this was liquid gold dripping down her throat. Shikamaru sent her a warning look. Y/N was known to be quite the lightweight, and even a couple glasses of wine could send her into a tipsy stupor. He really knew her too well, so hyperaware of the things she did.

"So, how did you two meet?" their host asked, taking a moment away from the chicken in front of him. "It's said that you married for love, not arrangement. That's true?"

Y/N and Shikamaru hadn't been versed very well on the details, just on the basics. Her heart beat increased, stress building up. Her lies would have to be good.

"Yes. You've heard right. He was my friend before anything else. We met as children." That much she knew for sure after reading the mission summary.

"Oh wow. Childhood lovers. Very sweet," the queen sighed, resting her cheek in her palm.

Y/N would be lying if she didn't feel a bit of similarities between her own story and that of the real princess she was pretending to be. Shikamaru and Y/N grew up together, for as long as she could remember. She started to love him before she even really knew what love was. It only made sense she pretended to be a princess in the same situation.

And when he held her hand again, this time under the table, his thumb brushing over her knuckles so softly she thought she might melt. Her cheeks began to heat up under his touch and she smiled. It was so nice holding his hand, pretending to care about each other this way. Not that she needed to pretend.

Dinner droned on, and she continued to hold his hand the entire time, besides when they were spooning at their food. For once on a mission, it felt like they were completely at peace. Of course, they were both supposed to be analyzing the movements of everyone around them to make sure no one was planning a coup like Kakashi told them. But she couldn’t held but cherish the moments of calmness and warmth between everyone.

The King and his wife were genuinely some of the kindest people she’d ever met, whether they were just acting that way or not. It was a pleasure to have dinner with them, talking and laughing like an uncle would with his nieces and nephews. It had that same energy, talking to him.

“Hisashi, you wouldn’t mind accompanying me to my library? I have some books I think you might enjoy,” the man said, standing from the table. The rest of them slid out of their chairs after him, and she had to brush down her skirts to make sure everything was in line. It was tedious, wearing these outfits without any prior warning. She felt like a clown. The Queen was so effortless in her movements, how could she not feel stupid standing beside someone so regal?

“That sounds great, your majesty-”

“Not necessary. Call me Shoto, that’s my name after all, and you are an honored guest,” he laughed. He reached over and gave his wife a gentle kiss on the cheek before turning on his heel and heading toward the door. She really expected Shikamaru to just leave with just a simple goodbye, or a “I’ll see you tonight” kind of thing.

Definitely not this.

He was gonna go all out this time around.

“I’m going to kiss you now,” he whispered, just loud enough for only her to hear, over her shoulder into her ear. When his warm breath hit her skin, shivers ran up and down her spine. Her eyes widened and she turned to stare up at him, cursing herself when she felt heat rise up in her cheeks and burn the tips of her ears. Was he serious, or just teasing her? He always liked to crack jokes like that.

But when she felt his rough hand pressed to her cheek, lifting her face ever so carefully to meet his, she knew he wasn’t messing around. His eyes met hers for a split second, and she could have sworn he winked down at her before pressing his lips to hers.

Honestly, she thought she might have a heart attack right there in the dining room. Shikamaru was kissing her. It felt even better than she dreamed it would. Chapped lips running against hers, heat pooling in her stomach, heart pounding in her chest.

As soon as it started, though, the kiss was over, and he took a step back. "See you tonight, Princess."

She was keen on catching the smirk on his lips, and the way he laughed to himself as he walked out of the room with the King before him.

Y/N stood there silently, her fingers pressed to her lips, breath caught in her throat. The boy she’d wanted for so long just kissed her like it was nothing, and she was left all alone to deal with this predicament, all the feelings that came rushing in after. All she knew for sure, whether he was serious or not, was that she really, seriously liked him. She liked him a lot more than she thought.

And now they had a whole week and a half of fake kisses and hand holding to endure. Jeez.

__________

“You know, you’re nothing like the other princesses I’ve met,” the guard said to her as she waited for Shikamaru to show up. He was still out with the King practicing archery. Apparently that was a hobby a lot of these rich country men had. So far, she wasn’t suspecting a thing out of the King or any of his closest acquaintances. They were nice as could be and seemed sincere in their intentions toward the village alliances. She had no reason to suspect them, and was beginning to think a coup was just as Kakashi thought, a mere rumor.

That made things a lot easier.

She sighed, tapping her fingers on her wrist. She wasn’t a fan of having a guard watching her every second of the day, especially not the talkative ones. This one was strange. He gave off this energy she couldn’t describe as anything other than creepy.

“Yeah? That’s nice,” she muttered.

“It’s just, usually princesses are pompous, full of themselves, spoiled women. You aren’t the same,” he continued, even if it was obvious she wanted him to shut up and go about his business while she did hers. She felt uncomfortable being alone in this land, without any of her weapons or the ability to fight back if someone was acting sketchy. She was forced to sit by like some little, ditsy princess just watching and observing.

Honestly, though, Shikamaru was probably having a great time. All he had to do was eat with the royalty, play board games, shoot some arrows, and then go to sleep. There was no extensive fighting or thinking going on, just sitting around observing and waiting for something suspicious to happen.

The queen would normally hang out with the female guests but thanks to her bouts of depression she stayed in her room, leaving Y/N completely at the mercy of time. So much time passed, and she was bored of it.

“I’m honestly just another princess. You’d be surprised though. Many princesses are just as modest as I am, it’s not all that uncommon,” she commented, taking a peek over at the man, only to quickly look away. He had quite the hungry look on his face, and if her eyes hadn’t deceived her, his own were trained right on her breasts. Damn these dresses.

Y/N wrapped her arms across her chest and slumped down, trying to hide herself from this weird man watching over her. Only, it seemed impossible. He was so much taller, could just look over her shoulder. She couldn’t run away and raise suspicion. She had to sit here and wait for someone else to break the tension.

She was scared.

“I meant that as a compliment. You say thank you when someone compliments you, yeah?” he mumbled, a firm hand reaching out to snatch her wrist. It hurt, his grip on her arm, and she winced at the feeling. “Say thank you.”

She bit her lip and refused to meet his eyes, instead focusing on his hands. If she needed to, she would defend herself but only to a small extent. She couldn’t blow her cover just because some guard was manhandling her. Take a deep breath, Y/N. It’s gonna be okay. Just calm down.

“T-Thank you,” she gulped, hoping he would drop her wrist. But he didn’t. He only held on tighter.

He smiled, yellow teeth showing through his thin lips. “See, you are a good girl, aren’t you?” he questioned, and she felt his other hand run up her waist. All she could do was whimper, shivers running up her spine and any skin this man laid his hands on. The only hope she had was that another guard come walking around and see them.

It was unlikely, but she prayed for a savior to make their appearance.

His hand worked its way down to her ass, and she felt him squeeze. Vomit rose up in her throat and she squirmed away, pressing herself against the wall as tight as she could so his hands had nowhere to go. Instead, he took to fondling her breasts in his hands. She could only bite her lips and feel the tears bubble up in her eyes as he pushed down the fabric of her top and pressed his filthy palms against her skin.

“What the fuck?” a voice cursed from behind them. The guard was torn off of her form and she brought up her hands to cover herself, tears still dripping thickly from her eyes as she cried, little breathy sobs leaving her lips. Shikamaru stood there, hands shaking at his sides as he glared over at the guard. “What’s going on here?” he demanded. Y/N watched as her friend turned red in the face, burning up with an anger she rarely saw from him, if ever.

“You tell me, your highness. Your wife seduced me!” the guard cried, clearly lying to cover himself and his sins.

The eyes of all three men, the guard, Shikamaru, and the King standing near the footwell of the stairs, turned to her. She just cried harder, shaking like a leaf in front of everyone. “He grabbed me and started to touch me, and-and I couldn’t do anything,” Y/N told them all through her pained cries.

The King marched up the steps and grabbed his guard by the arm, yanking him toward the doorway to enter the castle. He appeared worn from his workout, tired and sweaty, but he was awake enough to realize the severity of the situation. He bowed low to Y/N and her companion.

His apology ran thick from his mustached lips, “This is unacceptable. Honored guests, I apologize for everything that’s happened. I will take care of this, I assure you. Please, don’t hesitate to ask for anything you need tonight.” Shikamaru nodded, and they watched as the pair of men walked into the castle, no doubt to find another guard to incarcerate the guard in question.

Shikamaru turned to her and winced, seeing her dress pushed down below her breasts and the tremors running through her hands desperate to cover them. He watched as hot, heavy tears ran thick down her cheeks and her lips quivered and shook with fear and trauma. Gently, he moved her hands to the side and brought her dress back up to cover her chest. He worked carefully, making sure not to startle her or make things worse.

The woman sunk into his touch, leaning her head against his shoulder and sobbing. “It’s gonna be okay, Y/N. You’re safe now.” He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and tugged her close to his chest, pressing a soft, gentle hand to the back of her head to stroke her hair. “I’m so sorry. I won’t leave you alone again, okay?”

“Shika, “ she whimpered, “I’ve never felt so helpless in my entire life. I couldn’t do anything to defend myself and there was no one else around to help me. I-I didn’t know what to do.”

“I know. You must have been so scared,” he whispered. She just nodded against his shoulder, crying deeper into his chest. He hugged her tighter and swore to himself, even if he couldn't make it happen, that he would protect her. This kind of thing would never happen to her again if he had any say at all. “I promise this won’t happen again.”

"I've just never been in that position before. I always have the upper hand. It was awful. I was so scared and I wanted to cry for you to come help me but I didn't know where you were."

"God, I'm sorry," he mumbled, hugging her tighter in a desperate attempt to calm her shaking. He just wanted for her to be better, even if he knew that wasn't an option right now.

He felt so hopeless, knowing the only thing he could do was promise, to say things without any actual basis behind them. He was just whispering words to the wind hoping they would stick and he was right. He cursed himself for not being there in the first place to protect her, to make sure something like this never happened in the first place. He really was useless when she needed him the most.

He wouldn’t even argue if she said she wanted to go home, if she never wanted to see him again. He let her down. For the first time ever, he let her down in the most terrible, awful way he could think of. And now she was crying and he didn’t know how to make it better. He was really trash.

For now, all he could do though was hug her and promise her the world, all these things that might make her feel safe and comfortable, make her feel less alone and scared. It was the least he could do.

________

Finally, after a long evening of socializing and another huge dinner literally fit for a king, Y/N found herself stripping off her gowns and heavy undergarments, switching into something much lighter and comfortable for the night.

She was tired from the day. From being left alone for the good part of the morning just sitting in the sun waiting around. She was tired from the assault on her body by the guard whom was supposedly in jail right now for his actions. She was tired from all the crying and the shaking. She was just tired.

Shikamaru was out, finishing up drinks with the King and some of his subordinates for the time being, so she sunk down into the mattress near the far wall, curling up under the down covers and pulling a book from the table beside her. Anything to ease her mind for a while. She felt safe being alone in the confides of the bedroom, knowing that her friend was right down the hall if she needed him.

She scanned the pages of the novel quietly, humming each time she turned a page, leaning on her elbow so the pages would be illuminated in the candlelight.

After about an hour, the door slid open and her companion entered, shutting the door silently behind him. "You aren't asleep? I expected you to be after such a long day."

"I'm tired, but I'm not in the mood for sleep yet," she shrugged, still skimming through the pages of her novel. "Did you have fun?"

"Nah. It's such a drag having to hang out with that old man. He's nice but he never stops talking." He took off his coats and tossed them onto a chair, kicking off his heavy boots and thick socks. "Annoying, having to wear all this fancy shit too."

"Trust me, I know." She shifted over in the bed so he had more space to lay himself down, kicking out his legs and crossing his ankles. "Do you know what's on the agenda for tomorrow?"

He nodded, tilting his head ever so slightly to the side to peek at her face. His eyes slid down to the novel turned over in her hands and smirked, "Yeah. You've got book club. Have fun with that." She tossed her book back on the table beside her and instead curled further into the blankets.

His eyes caught hers and he smiled, one of those undeniably handsome intoxicating smiles she loved so deeply. "You know, you look kinda cute like that."

"Huh?"

He shrugged, "All curled up under the blankets like a little baby. It's cute. I'm just calling it how I see it."

If she wasn't flustered before, she definitely was now. He was undeniably making her feel some sort of way, and she was loving the attention. He was being so bold, so unlike him. She questioned what had compelled him to act like this, to say such things. They weren't in character anymore, it wasn't like he had to say these things.

"Thanks, Shika." She felt dumb but what was she supposed to say? She was overwhelmed. "But we're alone now. You don't have to act all lovey-dovey."

He crossed his arms beneath his head and sighed, eyes gazing up at the canopy. He mumbled, just loud enough to reach her ears, “When this is all over, I’m gonna miss you being my princess.” She peered over at him in the candlelit room, making out his faint silhouette in the darkness. Her heart fluttered in her chest at his sweet words. She never imagined in a million years Shikamaru would say these things to her, and now that it was happening she didn’t know how to react.

She dreamed of this moment for a while now. The thoughts of Shikamaru confessing his feelings and then her falling into his arms dramatically. It was a fantasy of hers, a guilty pleasure. Far too dramatic to ever be a reality.

That's why she was too shocked to meet his eyes. His princess. Those words made her woozy.

"What are you talking about?"

"You're not stupid. You know what I'm talking about," he said calmly.

"You don't want things to go back to normal?" Y/N asked, hesitant. She felt nervous, diving into these waters. Each words felt like it held so much weight. It was a puzzle, just finding the right thing to say, how to reply to his statement. "Just friends, like before?"

"Is that what you want?"

And when she really thought about it, he was right. She didn't want to go back to normal. She wanted to continue holding his hand, kissing his cheek and his lips, loving each other with their words and their gazes and all the little touches. She wanted all of this to last and as the mission came to a close, she found herself worrying for the future empty of all those things.

She shook her head, just barely able to bring her eyes up to meet his. He looked bored, but she knew he cared. He cared a lot, actually. "I-I think I'd like if we could stay like this."

"Falling in love with you, Y/N, was one of the easiest things I've ever done. Finding the right time to tell you, that's been troublesome," he confessed, blowing a stray piece of hair from his eyes. "You never seemed emotionally available, really."

"I always was. I was always waiting for you, Shikamaru. Ever since we were just teenagers, I've been waiting for you," she told him, letting her heart finally come out with her words. "I just thought you wanted to be friends. Before this mission, I had completely given up on being with you, but then everything seemed to fall into place on this trip."

"When Kakashi told us we would be married for this mission, I have to admit, I got excited." He rolled onto his side to face her. She was still curled up in her blanket, and he felt like he was melting. The most beautiful woman in the entire world right in front of him, his heart playing right into her hands. He was okay with that. He was okay with this girl having his entire soul if that meant he would see that smile and those eyes peering up at him.

He wasn't a romantic man. Far from it. But she brought out a side of him he'd only heard about from love struck novelists, such kinds Kakashi sensei would read.

"I just knew I'd have to shoot my shot with you," he finished, sending a wink her way. She truly was swoon, like putty in his hands. Her words came faster than she could think to stop them.

"Shikamaru, I think I love you. When you kissed me for the first time, I knew it was true. All these feelings for the past few years weren’t in vain. I love you."

"The feeling is mutual."

The girl crawled out from under the blankets and over to him on the other side of the mattress. Her arms wound around his neck and as best she could, she curled into his chest. Her ear pressed to his heart, beating loud and constant in her mind. He was more than happy to let her cuddle up to him, in fact, he relished in the feeling.

This is what he'd been missing out on all this time. The hugs. The cuddles. The looks in the dark full of love and longing. It was nice, to lay there with someone he knew for sure, without any doubt, loved him to the moon and back. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her tighter to his tired form, letting her sink further into his touch.

Kakashi knew what he was doing sending them. Two lovers with a mask over their emotions, straight into a game full of dancing around their feelings and pretending to be something they always wanted to be. Everything played out perfectly, a happy ending for a couple of worthy shinobi.

He was happy. That's all he could ask for.

[reidgraygubler]

multiply (kyle orfman/reader)

Title: multiply Request: no Couple: Kyle Orfman/Fem!reader Category: angst/smut w/ a taste of fluff Content Warning: SEXUAL CONTENT (penetrive sex, unsafe sex, mild hatefuck, grinding/groping, heavy petting, light breathplay (hand over mouth and nose) breeding/impregnation kink, fingering), zombies and zombies eating humans, death, descriptions of death, death of a grandparent (grandmother), mentions of guns and gun violence (but none actually happening), petnames (kitten/officer) Word Count: 5,943 Summary: After narrowly escaping her grandmother eating her, Reader is on her own to find other civilization. She meets the Orfman family and they take her in for safety. Reader and Kyle share a special bond. A/N: I am in love with this piece, so I hope you guys love it as much as I do. thank you to @reidetic for beta/editing this for me! this was also written for @imagining-in-the-margins "there was only one bed" trope challenge for june! thank you all so much for the support! i really do appreciate it. check out my masterlist!

{***}{***}{***}

My grandmother was alive… And then she was dead… And now she’s alive again. Which is very confusing because I watched her die. Like I can’t be the only person experiencing this, right? It’s not some weird fever dream either, I don’t think. This has to be a town wide phenomenon.

My grandmother was acting totally normal too. As if she didn’t die. She was living life day to day, making cookies, knitting, and sipping her tea, just like she did before she died. It was like life went back to normal. And then… She tried to eat me. That’s definitely not normal. Is it?

Who eats another person!? Zombies! That’s who! And how do you kill a zombie? I don’t really like that answer. Because I love my grandmother. She’d do nothing to hurt me, except eat me, I guess.

I gotta get out of this house. It’s not safe to stay in the house with her anymore, and it hasn’t been for a long time. So instead of killing her, like any other sane person would do, I just left. I packed my backpack with a few clothes, snacks and water, and I left.

Turns out it was a lot more than a town wide phenomenon. It was country wide. Everyone was experiencing their dead loved ones returning from the dead. Just showing up, like how my grandmother just showed up. It caused something of an uprise, too, considering people don’t just come back to life after being dead, and they’re eating other humans. It wasn’t an uprise. It was terror, pure terror of the people who didn’t die and come back to life.

I hadn’t left my house in a while, at least since my grandmother came back. So I didn’t realize just how dire the situation was. Piles of burnt stuff were all over the place. Cars with shattered windshields were crashed into trees or homes. And the number of bodies just on the street was… incredibly disturbing.

I needed to find any sign of civilization, and quickly. There was no telling just how long I’d make it alone. I probably only had enough water for the next day or two. And the only zombie movies I’ve seen were Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland, and that wasn’t very helpful… Well maybe Zombieland was helpful.

A long branch with a sharp and pointy end was sitting in the middle of the road. I grabbed it, hoping it’d be enough of a weapon to protect me from the disaster around me. I silently hoped, and prayed to whatever God was up there, that I’d find safety before nightfall.

I was beginning to lose hope as the sun started setting; the sky lighting up with the fires around the town. Several people wearing orange jumpsuits came running around the corner, each carrying various weapons in their hands and over their backs. I nearly fell to the ground because of how startled I was. I tried to pay attention to the crowd around me, but the pavement chewed up the palms of my hands.

A guy with a crew cut hairstyle seemingly looked in charge. Weird to have a gangly and scrawny man be in charge of a zombie take out group. He had this weird stature that he held, like he was trying to be intimidating but not everyone took him seriously.

The guy looked right at me and pointed a gun at my head. I slowly lifted my hands and stared at him.

“D-Don’t shoot! I’m human!” I shouted as I stared at him. He stared back, stepping closer to me. He dropped his gun away from me, but still kept his guard up.

“Human my ass!” The guy with the crewcut shouted. I looked at my hands, watching as blood began seeping from my palms. I quickly looked back at him, hoping he’d look at the human blood.

"Thoughts on smooth jazz?!" he asked in a loud tone. I stared up at him, feeling the terror bubble up my throat.

"I-I… Not my first choice in music?" I furrowed my eyebrows, as I wondered what this had to do with anything.

"Thoughts on dirt?!"

"Ew? Good for gardening? I don’t know!” I shouted back before I stumbled to my feet. The guy with the crew cut cautiously stepped closer to me as he examined my face and body. I’d assume it was because he was looking for any impurities I could possibly have. “I almost had to kill my grandmother. But… But I had to leave. I couldn’t do it. So I left. I left because she lunged at me… from across the table,” I mumbled as he stepped back. “I just need somewhere.. To lie low for the time being. I promise I’m safe.” I whispered as I looked at him. The guy looked back at the rest of his team, gauging their thoughts and concerns about letting me go with them.

“You can come with us. But the second you turn your back on us, or turn into them, don't be shocked when I’m the one to put a bullet into your head,” his voice got scary low as he stepped right up to me. I swallowed roughly and nodded.

“Understood,” I whispered as I looked up at him.

I was shoved into the middle of the crowd of orange jumpsuits. The guy with the crewcut took the lead and brought us to a house that was guarded by tall cement and steel fencing. The people who were currently occupying this home knew how to keep themselves safe.

We entered the fenced in yard of the house, the leader making sure everyone got in safely, and no undead beings followed us. Then we entered the house. I was half expecting it to be stripped down, or decayed. But when we got in… It looked like a normal home, just no power, and the windows boarded up.

“Oh! A new person!” A woman exclaimed once I stood in the area that was once a living room. She came right up to my side, looking at me with a bright smile. She was very happy that I was here. “Don’t worry! You’re safe now!” she cooed as she threw her arms around me. I froze, my body refusing to move as she embraced me.

“I-I…” I swallowed roughly as she pulled away from me. I barely had time to say anything else as she pulled us to sit on the couch.

“I’m Judy Orfman. Kyle is my son.” She smiled as she gestured towards the crew cut guy wearing the orange jumpsuit.

“Mom,” Kyle muttered as he pinched the bridge of his nose. I snickered as I looked back at Judy. I smiled softly as I gave her my name. It was weird how homey this place felt, albeit our situation in the world. Part of me wondered if Judy had any part in that.

“My husband, Noah, is out right now. And my other son, Zach, is with one of the women. She also had to kill her grandmother,” Judy whispered that last part. I looked at her with wide eyes, feeling a certain nervousness settle in the pit of my stomach. I could tell she meant well, and I shouldn’t be scared around anyone here. Everything that’s happened is just unsettling. When I woke up this morning I wasn’t expecting to have to escape zombies.

“Is it okay i-if I lie down? I’m just very tired after everything that’s happened.” I I looked between Judy and Kyle.

“Oh! Kyle, honey, you should let her sleep in your room. She obviously needs it,” Judy spoke to her son as she carefully smoothed out my hair. I looked at her with a small smile. I loved how motherly she was. It was definitely something I needed in a time like this.

“I’m not going to do that, Mom.”

“We don’t have any more bed space. You’re the only person with a bed big enough to hold two people. We aren’t going to force her to sleep on the floor or on the couch.”

“I-I don’t have an issue with the flo-”

“Non-sense! Kyle has plenty of space!” Judy clapped her hands together as she glared at Kyle. Kyle looked back at her with wide eyes before dropping his head and mumbling something. Even though Kyle was in charge of the orange jumpsuits, Judy was the head of household. Anyone could argue with her, but she would end up getting her way no matter what. Kyle probably knew better than to fight his mother.

“So it’s agreed then! You guys will share the room!” Judy smiled brightly. “Just no funny business.” She then glared between me and Kyle. I looked at her with wide eyes before shaking my head.

“Ugh! Ew! With him!”

“Her?! Are you serious?”

Even though I basically said what he said, I was still hurt by his utter disgust behind his words. I tried not letting it bother me as I grabbed my backpack and stood up.

“Why don’t you show her around? The bathroom, kitchen, bedroom.” Judy stood up beside me as she looked at her son. Kyle begrudgingly moved towards the opening of the living room, leading off to a new area.

“C’mon,” he grumbled as he looked over at me. I looked at Judy before looking back at Kyle. I dropped my head before dashing up beside him.

Every room he showed, I was met with a new person distraught by the events of the day. Kyle just showed me the room. I didn’t really know what I was expecting when he showed me around the house.

“Finally, this is where I sleep,” Kyle muttered as he gestured towards the closed off bedroom. A small smile grew on my lips as I entered the room, heading right towards the bed. Kyle, however, stopped me by grabbing my backpack and pulling me back to the door. “And just what do you think you’re doing?”

“Judy said I could sleep in here, too. So I figured I should take my side of the bed.” I looked up at him, folding my arms over my chest. A smirk grew across Kyle’s lips before he nodded. At this point we were standing toe-to-toe, and our chests were practically pressed together.

“You’re adorable,” he muttered before pulling my backpack off my back and tossing it to the left side of the bed. “If I find out you’re cuddling with me, you’re outta here. And if I see you going through my shit… You’re dead.”

“Sir, yes, sir.” I whispered before looking away from him. I walked away from him and towards the bed. Even though I wasn’t facing him, I could feel Kyle’s eyes on me as I went through my bag. “Are you just going to stand there and watch me? Or are you going to let me sleep peacefully?” I asked as I dropped my shoulders and the things I was holding.

“Until I know you won’t fuck around with stuff you’re not supposed to…” He spoke out loud. I rolled my eyes before turning to face him.

“Do you want me to just mess with your stuff while you’re here?” I asked as I walked back around to his side of the bed. Kyle’s eyes widened and his jaw steeled as I went to his night stand. “Or will you leave me alone so I can get some rest?”

“I’ll leave you alone the second you back away from that nightstand.” His words were quick and sharp as he spoke. A small smirk grew across my lips as I looked back at him. I stepped away from the night stand and stood in the middle of the room. “I’ll come back in an hour,” he muttered before leaving the room.

With a deep sigh, I returned to my side of the room, finally getting ready to lie down for the first time in what feels like days.

{***}{***}{***}

I don’t think time exists anymore. Ever since the world went to shit, it feels like days felt longer than 24 hours. So it was hard to say how long I’d been in this safe house. I wished time was still relevant...

I try not to let things bother me. But I feel like it’s especially hard in this house with all of these people I hardly know. It was even harder because I was still sharing a room with Kyle. And he is probably the worst person I’ve ever met. He talks in his sleep. But he wouldn’t own up to that. Noooo, he’s too good for that.

The first night I realized he was talking in his sleep wasn’t too bad, mostly because it was him talking about stuff that happened before before a stupid zombie apocolyspe. But now it’s just annoying shit. I never get a moment alone anymore.

For a moment of privacy, I sat in the closet. It was just for a moment before the doors swung open and a woman my age sat down beside me.

“Zach wants to go to a stupid graveyard today,” Erica muttered as she sat down. I looked over at her with a raised eyebrow. “He wants to visit Beth’s stupid grave.”

“Beth’s his ex-girlfriend, right?” I asked, still unsure of who people were here. She nodded as she began picking at the loose threads on her pants. “You shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, Erica.”

“Okay, but when the dead start trying to kill me, then I’m going to talk ill of the dead.”

“That’s fair, I suppose,” I muttered as I looked at the floor in front of us. “It’s still not really safe to do that… Little weird.” I glanced back at Erica with a raised brow. She looked back at me and grimaced. I had nothing else to say, granted conversations between us didn’t last too long. We had nothing in common other than our grandmothers tried eating us, therefore we had to kill them. So what was the use of us talking? I knew a friendship would never grow between us.

With a resigned sigh, I stood up, leaving Erica in the closet alone. I ignored her bothersome questions as I walked away from her. I didn’t want to be around her, or really anyone. So I went to the safest place I could think of, hoping no one else would be there, my shared bedroom with Kyle.

Of course, it’d just be my luck that Kyle would also be there. He was sitting at his desk, wearing nothing by his boxers while he cleaned his gun. I just didn’t realize that till I had fully entered the room.

“What the fuck!? What are you doing?! Don’t you knock!?” he shouted as I entered the room more. I turned and looked at him, my eyes wide as I stared at him. “S-Stop staring! Are you crazy!?”

“Me crazy!? You’re the one cleaning your gun half naked!” I shouted as I gestured at his attire. I quickly threw a hand over my eyes as I blindly searched for the bed.

“It's how I relax!” He shouted back. Once my body finally touched the bed, I laid back, quickly throwing a pillow over my face. “Can you leave?”

“How come you get to relax but I don’t? Roommates remember?” I sat up and glared at him. He glared back at me, keeping his hands on his gun.

“It’s so funny to me that you were going to be a police officer?” I scoffed as I laid back. That seemed to strike a chord in him, causing him to stand and look at him.

“What? I didn’t tell-”

“You talk in your sleep,

“No I don’t, Kitten,” Kyle retorted. I stared at him for a moment, trying to comprehend what he just called me. Kitten? Really? Seriously? “If anyone talks in their sleep, it’s you.” He pointed at me. I smirked and shrugged.

“If you say so… Officer.” I grinned before reaching up to shut the lamp off. Kyle stayed sitting in the darkness. I could only imagine his face was beet red, and his knuckles were white as a ghost as he held his gun.

“What exactly do you think you’re doing?” Kyle’s voice came through the mild darkness. I shrugged, even though he couldn’t see me.

“Taking a nap, Officer, because it’s how I relax.”

{***}{***}{***}

It had to have been the middle of the night. I couldn’t be too sure. I just knew it was late at night, and Kyle’s whole entire body was clinging to mine as he talked.

“Someone’s gotta repopulate the world… Why… Why don’t you do it with me?” Kyle mumbled into my chest. I stiffened as his hands drifted all over my body. “You’re like the only feasible person to do it with.”

“Okay, first off, rude,” I muttered as I shoved his body off mine. It was impossible to keep him off me though, because the moment his body was away from mine, he knew, and instantly wrapped his arms back around me ten times harder than before. “Secondly, haven’t you heard of personal space,” I groaned as I laid perfectly still on my back. I finally just gave in and let him keep his arms around me. No use in fighting that.

“C’mon, Kitten,” he mused as he nuzzled his head into my chest more. I widened my eyes and looked down at him. “We’d make some pretty cute kids.”

I hate this so fucking much. And there was no way I was getting out of this. I just wish this was when I knew the weird sex dreams started...

{***}{***}{***}

I laid perfectly still on the bed. The lights were off, and Kyle was perfectly asleep. I was envious of his sleep. The last time I had a peaceful night of rest was ages ago. The nightmares I had were awful, keeping me awake till dawn. But also, Kyle also talked in his sleep and always clung to me like his life depended on it.

I’d be lying if I said Kyle and I hadn’t gotten close. Even though part of me still hated him, the other part of me knew that he was probably the last person I had to be friends with, other than his mother and Erica.

With a deep groan, I shoved Kyle awake, nearly pushing him to the floor.

“What the hell was that for!?” he shouted from his spot on the ground beside the bed.

“You know when you talk in your sleep…” I spoke aloud. I kept my eyes on him as he glared at me.

“No I don’t,”

“You sure about that, Officer. How else would I know you wanted to be a cop?” I scoffed as I stood up off the bed. Kyle watched as I walked around the bed and stood at the foot of it.

“You… You read through my personal belongings.” He shot back as he stood to his feet.

“Y-You have a diary,” I stifled my laughter as I looked at him. Kyle glared at me again. “No, I only know that because you talk in your sleep. And at first it didn’t bother me too much because it was cute shit like being a police officer, or having a family and kids, and cute shit… But now… For the last week, Kyle, you have been having sex dreams. And I wake up to you clinging to me…” I lifted an accusing finger as I spoke. Kyle looked at me, waiting for me to continue my rant. Which was rather surprising because he hardly lets people finish their thoughts or rants before he interprets them. “Do you know how weird that is?! Having sex dreams about someone who’s just sleeping next to you?” I stared at him for a moment, trying to understand if he was going to say anything. “Whatever, I’m going to help Judy.” I scoffed before turning to leave the room.

“With what? It’s midnight!” He gestured to the dark window. Yeah, that was true. Judy was probably asleep. I just needed to get out of the room and let my frustrations be out instead of held in.

“With something!” I shouted at him.

“Kitten, wait,” Kyle started before grabbing my wrist and pulling me to face him. I spun around on my toes and looked right at him. I couldn’t help but feel annoyance grow on my face as I stared.

“Why do you call me that!?” I shouted at him. Kyle stayed silent as he stared up at me. I could see a certain confusion grow on his face as he tried to connect the dots to my question. “Kitten! Why do you call me that?! You’ve called me that since I got here.”

“Well… I…” Kyle paused for a moment. I watched as his mouth opened and closed a few times, and his jaw clenching momentarily. I stared at him, as he sat in thought for a very long time.

“Whatever,” I scoffed as I turned to leave again.

“Because you’re attractive…” He finally spoke after an eternity of silence. He looked up at me with a stilled face. “Because I’d fuck you,” he stated truthfully. I blinked, taking a step back before I stared at him.

“That’s a bit of a raunchy way to say you want to sleep with me.” I folded my arms over my chest. Kyle smirked before shrugging. “I’ve been sleeping with you for the last month.”

“You-You know what I meant,” he muttered as he approached me again. I stopped right in front of me, our toes just barely touching. “Well, do you?”

“Do I what?”

“Want to have sex with me?”

“You… You want to have sex… During the end of the world. Bit cliche don’t you think?” I was still taken aback that he just asked that. I’m still stuck in the argument we had less than 10 minutes ago. And now he wants to have sex with me?

“Well I wouldn’t say that it’s the end of the world. But that’s essentially what I’m saying… Yeah, I wanna have sex with you, during the end of the world.” Kyle shrugged as he looked at me.

“If you say so… Officer,” I whispered with a shrug. Kyle looked at me, his jaw stealing at my words. “Someone’s gotta repopulate the world.” I smirked at him. I could tell my words did something to him. It was obvious that he did indeed want someone to repopulate with. And I was the winner of that contest. Not that I’m complaining.

“Don’t… Don’t call me that,” he warned as he cornered me between his body and the bed. I took a deep breath as I looked at him, feeling my heart rate pick up in my chest. He still made it possible for me to escape if I wanted to. But, at this point, who says I wanted to escape?

“Why? D-Does it do something to you, Officer?” I whispered as I lifted my hands to his shirt. A small smirk grew across his lips as I smoothed out the wrinkleiness of the fabric against his torso. I could feel the semi toneness of his chest through the light fabric.

“You tell me yourself, Kitten,” he muttered before pressing his hips into mine. My breath was instantly knocked from my lungs as his bulge pressed into my legs. “Tell me now… If you want to stop…” he half growled into my mouth. I quickly shook my head as he pressed his groin into me more.

“P-Please,” I whispered before I pulled my lips between my teeth.

“Please what, Kitten?”

“Don’t stop,” I whimpered into his mouth. He looked down at me, a pleased smirk growing on his lips before he quickly pressed his mouth along my face and then down my jaw. It was impossible to stay down on earth the moment he began leaving little bites across my neck. A soft whimper fell from my lips as he pushed me back down on the bed.

“We gotta be quiet… My parents are in the next room over. Don’t want them hearing us,” he whispered into my ear as he quickly threw a hand over my mouth. I took a deep breath before he pressed his thumb over my nose. “You think you can do that for me, Kitten?” He kept his voice low, almost a growl as he spoke. With his other hand, he carefully pushed past my pajamas and cupped my pussy.

I wanted to nod, but I knew the nod would mean nothing the second I whimpered again. Kyle smirked as he slowly moved his fingers over my clothed sex. I don’t think I’d be able to be quiet...

It just got harder to stay quiet the second he started stroking my clit over my panties. He knew exactly what he was doing. Driving me nuts, that’s what. He could’ve gone slower, and I would’ve hated him for it… Or loved him. At this point they were both interchangeable.

I bit down so hard on my lips I was sure they’d bleed as he moved my underwear to the side. My lungs slowly grew a blaze, feeling a certain tightness in my chest as he slowly moved a finger between my folds, slowly pressing it into my entrance. A dark smirk grew across his lips as he withdrew his hand.

“I didn’t know a kitten could get so wet,” Kyle mused as looked at his glistening fingers. He quickly glanced at me, his smirk growing daker by the second. Then he carefully stuck his fingers between his lips, sucking on them for a brief moment. A soft whimper came from me, causing him to laugh. “She tastes good, too,” he hummed.

Kyle carefully dragged his hand down my side, tracing over my waist and hips, before diving back into my pants and underwear. He knew exactly what he was doing, on purposely making me make noises. Because the second he started stroking over my clit, I couldn’t stop any sound that came from my mouth, even with his hand over it.

“This is already better than any dream I had, Kitten,” he murmured in my ear. I swallowed roughly and nodded. He smirked as he gently pushed a finger into me, quickly followed by a second. “If you’re quiet I’ll move my hand.”

I hummed as I closed my eyes, my head lolling to the side. Kyle dragged his hand from my mouth, sliding it down to my chest. My lips stayed between my teeth, forcing myself to be quiet as he started massaging my breasts.

“D-Don’t stop, whatever you do… Please k-keep going,” I struggled to say as his movements hastened. His thumb carefully brushed against my clit, causing me to push my head back into the bed beneath me.

“You like this, don’t you?” Kyle laughed lightly. I could feel my chest lifting away from the bed the heavier my breath grew. “How long has it been since you’ve been touched like this? Since you’ve been used?”

“Kyle, Kyle, please,” I bit down on my lower lip. I brought one of my hands to rest over my mouth, while the other held his arm.

“I’d call you a desperate, but I’m the one having sex dreams of you.”

The funny thing is… I was desperate. Even though he was the one having the sex dreams, I was the one having the thoughts when I was awake. And a lot of the thoughts were hoping this would happen. Guess we’re bothing having dreams coming true.

It was only a matter of moments before I was finishing over his hand. My eyes stayed closed as I tried catching up with time. And in the few moments I had, Kyle had climbed off the bed and quickly undressed, leaving me still in my pajamas. I didn’t feel rushed, but I hated that I was still wearing clothes.

Once I had my moment of recollection, I sat up, peeling my shirt off and kicking my pants to the floor. I was too busy undressing to even notice that Kyle was staring at me, watching my quickness and excitement. But when I finally did sit back and look at him, he was watching me with a smirk on his lips.

I tried not to let my eyes linger on his body for too long. When I noticed his hard length, I couldn’t help but stare. Then he laughed, forcing me to look up at his face and swallow roughly.

“No, please, keep staring,” he muttered with a smirk. I slowly blinked before shaking my head, silently lifting my hand to him. I could feel my sudden neediness radiating off my body, surely Kyle could sense it from where he was standing.

When he didn’t move, I slowly moved my legs apart, making it so there was space for him to kneel comfortably. He smirked again before crawling onto the bed, coming right up to my face.

“Tell me, Kitten, how badly do you want this,” he whispered against my lips. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before nodding. “Use your words. I trust you know how. You were pretty vocal a few moments ago.”

“I don’t think you understand, Officer, how bad I need you,” I murmured as I looked up at him. The corner of his lips twitched at the nickname I had so lovingly given him. “Only you can help me.”

“Damn right I am,” he muttered before roughly pressing his lips to mine. I threw my arms around his neck as he moved so his length was pressing against me. My breathing stuttered slightly before I began gasping for air as he very slowly entered me.

Once he was fully sheathed in me, Kyle knelt straight up. I stared at him, watching as he hooked his arms under my knees. With that, he managed to press deeper into me, inciting a moan from me.

“More,” I tried to whisper as I looked up at him. His eyes locked with mine for a moment before rolling his hips into mine. He fell into a steady rhythm, hitting the right spots at just the right times.

Any conversation between us ceased to exist, leaving us with struggling moans and gasps for breath. My hands ran over my body, trying to relieve myself of something.

Kyle dropped one of my legs, bringing his hand to between my legs. My head fell back before rolling to rest against my shoulder, feeling the eventual relief in my abdomen.

“You feel so good, Kitten,” Kyle mumbled before dropping my other leg and coming back down to my face. I huffed out a breath of air before lifting a hand to his head. “Better than anything I could ever imagine,” he added before pressing his lips to mine. I hummed, pushing my fingers through his hair.

“I’m gon-gonna cum,” I whined before biting my teeth into his shoulder. Kyle ran his hands up my back before pulling me close.

“Yeah?” he groaned into my ear. I nodded as my breathing grew ragged. “Me too,” he added as his movements grew faulty. He pressed his forehead to mine, his heavy breath fanning across my skin. My eyes stayed glued to his.

“Do it, please do it,” I whimpered. Kyle’s eyes grew darker the moment the heaviness of my words hit him. I don’t think I was supposed to notice his brief pause, but I did. “I’m serious.”

“You know what-”

“God, Kyle, I know. I know what it’ll mean,” I cut him off, lifting my back up into his body. He looked at me for a brief moment before capturing my lips in a gentle kiss. I threw my arms around his neck, holding him close to me.

“If that’s what you want,” he moaned, his movements turning sloppy. I knew I wasn’t about to last long. “Someone’s gotta have my kid.”

“Let it be me then,” I cried out. My legs wrapped around his waist, keeping him in place. “Please.” My whole body tensed around his as my head fell back as I tried to keep quiet. Kyle looked down at me before putting his hand over my mouth. Then a warmth- that I didn’t realize that I missed- grew in my stomach.

Kyle fell, laying against my body. With that, we fell into silence. The only sound was our heavy breathing and the sounds of crickets outside. The silence was nice though.

“My mother better not find out about this,” Kyle said after an eternity. I laughed and shook my head.

“Then you better hope I don’t end up pregnant, because she’ll find out eventually,” I sighed deeply as I brought my hands to hold the back of his head. His body stiffened before he lifted his head to look down at me.

“I’ll tell her in the morning.”

“Well you don’t have to do that,” I laughed. He stared at me for a moment. “You tell her she’ll probably break us apart. And, well, like I said earlier… Someone’s gotta repopulate the world.”

“No, yeah, you’re right. She’d probably kill me if she found out we’re having sex,” he stated before trying to move away from me. “Actually I think she’d kill me then pray I come back to life for that kid.”

“I’m not living through someone trying to eat me twice.”

“I can change that,” he teased with a smile. I stared at him once I realized what he meant.

“Tomorrow night please. I’m so tired.”

“If you say so,” Kyle laughed before slipping out of the bed.

Some months after the apocalypse ended

“You look mighty dashing in that uniform, Officer.” I looked at Kyle as I smoothed out the few wrinkles in his shirt. I tried my hardest to hold the young boy in my arms the moment he became fussy.

“Don’t start that now. I can’t be late,” Kyle warned as he looked back at me. I smiled and shrugged.

I looked up at Kyle with a soft smile on my lips. Although our son was young, he tried to blindly reach out for his father, but failed as he was just out of the child’s reach. “Be safe out there,” I whispered before pressing my lips to his.

“Of course I will.”

“Good, because your little man will be pissed if he finds out you’re not coming home.” I smiled before kissing him again. “But I think I’ll be even more pissed than your kid.”

“Please. I’ll come home in one piece, with no bites.”

“You better, Officer.” I smirked again.

“Well since you asked so nicely,” Kyle scoffed before rolling his eyes. I smiled and nodded.

“Good luck out there. Judy’s making dinner so be home in a timely manner.”

“Okay, for real, I gotta go. See you later, Little Man.” Kyle smiled as he rubbed the top of his son’s head. I smiled before puckering my lips. “And I’ll be home before you know it.” He quickly pecked my lips. “Love you.”

“Yeah, yeah, love you too. See ya later.” I swung our son over to my other hip, resting him gently on my hip. I turned around and slowly walked back up to our home.

“It’s not too soon for another one, is it?!” He shouted from the end of the driveway. I turned and looked at him as I made it to the front door.

“If anything, we can practice!”

if you want to be a part of a taglist (lmk if ur 18+ for smut) or have any comments about this one-shot, let me know here

taglist: @thebluetint @muffin-cup @itsmyblogandillreblogifiwantto @spencersmagic  @spenciegoob @flipperpenguins @broken-stardust​ 

[waitimcomingtoo]

My Girl - Oh Baby

Pairing: Tom Holland x Reader

Synopsis: everyone things Paddys crush on you is adorable. Everyone except Tom.

Check out the full series:

My Girl

My Girl - Something Blue

Regular Masterlist

A/N: another story where I mention chickens. Also, where are my gleeks 

“I still can’t believe you bought chickens.” You laughed at a photo of Tom and his chickens before shutting your phone off and setting it on your nightstand. You rolled over in bed to face Tom as he let out a sigh.

“I had to!” He protested. “They’re not that bad. Our family of two has become a family of 5 now.”

You watched him carefully, pulling your bottom lip between your teeth before you asked the question that had been weighing on you.

“What about expanding our family even more?” You asked him, impatiently waiting for his reaction.

“Honestly, Angel, I love you but I can’t handle anymore chickens.” Tom looked at you apologetically and you laughed.

“No, I didn’t mean more chickens.” You shook your head and he raised an eyebrow.

“Another dog?” He questioned. You took this as an opportunity to take his hand and squeeze it.

“A baby.” You said softly. Toms eyes lit up at a happy smile appeared on his face.

“What?” He leaned in closer to you to make sure he was hearing you correctly.

“I want to have a baby, Tom.” You repeated. “I want to start our family.”

“You want to have a baby? A human baby?” His smile got impossibly wider.

“Preferably.” You chuckled.

“Really? Like really, really?” He sat up and squeezed your hands, looking at you with all the hope in the world

“Really, really.” You cupped his face and beamed at him. “So what do you say?“

“I say let’s make a baby.” Tom said triumphantly before pulling you into a kiss.

~

“We have an announcement.” Tom said excitedly as he stood before his family. It reminded him of the time he’d announced your engagement, or even the time he first told his brothers that he was dating you. He snuck a glance at you, admitting how far you’d come together. From his childhood crush to his wife, and soon the mother of his child.

“Divorce.” Paddy jumped up, ruining Tom’s daydream. “We all saw it coming.”

“What? No.” Tom quickly shut him down.

“Why are you smiling?” Harry questioned his younger brother.

“Lots of marriages end in divorce.” Paddy shrugged. “It’s okay, Y/n. It’ll be okay.”

You looked at Tom in amusement who had his hands firmly on his hips.

“What about me?” He snapped at Paddy. “And why am I bothered that you wouldn’t comfort me in my hypothetical divorce?”

“You have an announcement?” Nikki tried to bring the conversation back.

“Yes. We do.” Tom pointed at him mom before taking your hand in his. “Y/n and I are trying for a baby.”

“Ahhh!” Nikki screamed and got off the couch, running to hug you. Dom went to Tom and patted him on the back proudly.

“This is great news, Tom. I’m so happy to hear it.” Dom congratulated his son.

“Congrats, man.” Harry enveloped Tom in a bear hug.

“I’m the one you should be congratulating. I’m gonna be an uncle!” Sam joined in on the hug.

“But I’ll be the superior uncle.” Harry popped his head up from the hug to glare at Sam.

“There’s no one superior to Uncle Sam. Ask America.” Sam scoffed.

“We’re English.” Tom deadpanned.

“And? They beat us in all those wars. Maybe they’re onto something.” Sam retorted.

“I can be the fun uncle, you’ll be cool uncle, and Paddy will be the uncle that’s been staring off into space ever since Tom and Y/n announced they were trying for a baby.” Hardy joked as they turned their attention to Paddy. He wasn’t wrong. Ever since Tom made the announcement, Paddy had been staring off in a blank daze.

“Paddy? You all right?” Tom asked wearily.

“Do I seem all right?” He said without releasing his gaze.

“You seem possessed.” Harry remarked.

“You guys can’t have a baby!” Paddy sputtered, snapping his attention to you and Tom.

“Here we go.” Tom sighed, knowing the gripe was ahead.

“You’re so young and Tom is so immature and Y/n already works so hard while Tom plays dress up and…” Paddy stopped and took a deep breath, his eyes landing on the look on your face. You had been smiling before he spoke, and now you weren’t. He recalled the conversation he’d had with you at the wedding, how happy you were when he finally accepted your relationship with Tom. He sighed and gave a gentle smile. “And I’m really happy for you guys.”

“You are?” Your eyes lit up. Paddy gave you a gentle smile and a nod.

“Yeah. Toms taken care of me all my life. It’s time he takes care of someone else.” He decided. You broke into a huge smile and ran to hug him.

“Thanks, Paddy.” You said as you wrapped your arms around him. “I’m glad that you feel that way.”

He hugged you back, pleased with himself for making you happy. Maybe he didn’t support your relationship, but he was never gonna stop trying to make you happy.

Later that night, you and Tom sat in bed, brainstorming ideas for the baby’s name.

“If it’s a boy, how about Neil Patrick Holland?” You suggested as you flipped through a baby book.

“Dare I say I’ve never heard a worse idea.” Tom chuckled as he looked up from his own parenting book.

“Really? I think it’d be funny.” You shrugged as you turned your attention back to the book.

“It won’t be funny when our child resents us for giving him that name.” Tom pointed out and you chuckled.

“Fine. How about Hamlet?” You suggested and Tom gave you a tight lipped smile.

“Why don’t you let me think of the names, yeah?” He said as politely as he could.

“Well what were you thinking?” You challenged him.

“Well, for a girl, I was thinking Beth.” He said timidly, nervous of your reaction. A small smile lit up your features, all the way to your eyes. You shut your book and looked at Tom fondly.

“Beth? Like our wedding song?” You asked. He nodded shyly.

“Exactly.” He said. “Or maybe Charlie for a boy?”

“Like your grandpa.” You recognized the name.

“Yeah, if you don’t mind.” He wanted time make sure you were okay with it too.

“I don’t mind at all.” You reached over and laced his hand in yours. “I love those names.”

“And I love you.” Tom leaned in to kiss you. You went back to reading your books, still holding hands. After a beat of silence, Tom reached the bottom of his page.

“Baby?” Tom spoke gently.

“Yeah?” You replied, still reading.

“How do we turn the pages?” Tom asked.

~

“Is it time?” Tom nervously cracked his knuckles after waiting the longest five minutes of his life. You nodded curtly and picked the pregnancy test up from the counter, not looking at it yet.

“Yeah. Come here.” You waved him over and he came quickly. He held your hand and kissed the back of it as you uncovered the results.

“Negative.” You read with a shaky voice. You threw the test down and covered your face with your hands, not wanting Tom to see you getting emotional. “That’s our fourth negative.”

“Hey, it’s okay.” Tom tried to pull you into a hug but you pulled away.

“No it’s not!” You threw them stick down, making Tom jump. “I don’t understand. What’s wrong with me?”

You sat down on the toilet and cried hot tears of frustration into your hands. Tom knelt down beside you and put a gentle hand on your back.

“Theres nothing wrong with you, angel. This isn’t your fault.” He said softly, rubbing slow circles on your back. You looked up at him through your tear filled eyelashes.

“I can’t do the one thing humans were put on this earth to do.” You said through gritted teeth. He gave you a comforting smile and wiped your tears with his thumbs.

“Hey, women are not baby making machines, okay?” He chuckled softly. “We’ve only tried a few times. It doesn’t happen for every body on the first try. We’ll try again tonight, okay love?”

“What if it never happens for us?” You whispered in fear. Tom took your hands in his and kissed them.

“There are other ways to have a baby.” He insisted. “We can adopt or try some fertility treatments.”

“I should be able to do this. Most women can.” You berated yourself.

“But not all women. We can and we will try again. This is gonna happen for us.” Tom took your chin between his thumb and forefinger and made you look at him. “I’m not leaving until you smile.”

You rolled your eyes but he stayed persistent.

“I’m serious. I’ll sit on this bathroom floor all night.” He said, making you crack a smile.

“That’s better. Now come on.” He held your hand and helped you off the toilet. “This baby won’t make itself.”

~

A month later, you were having dinner at the Holland’s. Tom organized it to cheer you up, being it was two months since you started trying for a baby, and still no luck. You excused yourself during dinner, feeling a little nauseous all the sudden. When you didn’t come back for a while, Tom began to worry.

“I’m gonna go check on her.” Tom said, beginning to get out of his seat. Paddy held up a hand and got out of his.

“You’re still eating. I’ll go check.” He said, always wanting to come to your aid. He went to the master bedroom and knocked on the bathroom door.

“Y/n? You all right?” He asked.

“I’m fine. I’m just feeling a little hot.” You called. Paddy was about to speak when he heard your phone ringing from the bed.

“Paddy, could you get that for me please?” You called from the bathroom.

“Sure.” He picked up your phone and held it to his ear. “Hello?”

“Mrs. Holland! Congratulations! You’re pregnant!” A cheery female voice sounded from the other side of the phone. Paddy’s hand clenched around the phone as his body froze in shock.

“WHAT?” He shrieked at a pitch that made Tessa start barking from the other room.

“Is this a child?” The lady on the phone asked.

“Y/n is pregnant? With a baby? A human baby?” He sputtered. He had overheard Tom telling Sam that he was having trouble having a baby and thought it was off the table.

“So this is definitely a child.” The woman said definitively.

“Uh, no.” Paddy cleared his throat and deepened his voice. “This is her husband.”

“No, it’s really not.” The woman sighed. “Could you tell Y/n to call her OBGYN please?”

“Her what?” Paddy didn’t recognize the word.

“Her gynecologist.” The woman tried a different approach.

“That’s even worse.” Paddy said honestly.

“Her gyno. Can you remember that?” The woman said tiredly.

“Yes. I think so.” Paddy nodded, repeated the word to himself to solidify it in his mind.

“Okay, thank you. Tell her to call her gyno immediately.” The woman asked as you came out of the bathroom. Paddy hung up the phone and dropped it on the bed, staring at you blankly as you approached him.

“Thanks, Paddy.” You picked up your phone and put it in your back pocket. “Who was it?”

“You’re pregnant?!” Paddy asked in disbelief, wondering why you never told the family.

“What? No.” You laughed him off and shook your head.

“If you’re not pregnant then why did your gyro just tell me you are?” Paddy asked and you tilted your head.

“My what?” You questioned.

“Your gyro.” He said simply and you stared at him blankly. “The gyrocologist!”

“My gynecologist?” You realized as your face paled.

“Yes! That.” Paddy snapped his fingers and you covered your hand with your mouth. He looked at you quizzically, thinking you already knew about the pregnancy.

“My gynecologist said I was pregnant?” You whispered as a tear slid down your cheek.

“Yes, she just told me.” Paddy said and came to an unfortunate realization. “Oh, you didn’t know, did you?”

“No.” You shook your head and placed a hand on your tummy.

“I ruined the surprise, didn’t I?” Paddy grimaced.

“It’s okay.” You gave him a gentle smile. “Can you go get Tom?”

“Yeah. Right. Tom.” Paddy dashed out of the room and returned shortly with Tom behind him. He quickly left the room to give you privacy.

“What is it, baby?” Tom asked as he entered the room, immediately going to you. “Why are you crying?”

You took his hands and placed them over your tummy. He looked at you curiously before it clicked.

“I just got a call from the gynecologist.” You told him and his eyes lit up.

“And?” He asked hopefully.

“We’re gonna have a baby.” You nodded and he broke into a huge smile.

“What?” He asked as tears filled his eyes.

“We’re gonna have a baby. A human baby.” You cried and he looked at your tummy in disbelief.

Tom, too overcome with emotion to say anything, pulled you into his arms and cried into your hair.

“Thank you so much.” He whispered into ear.

“I really didn’t think it was gonna happen.” You wiped a tear and hugged him tighter.

Paddy, who could hear the conversation from the hallway, smiled to himself. Your happiness gave him happiness, and he was determined to make this baby’s life perfect.

And that began with the pregnancy.

Paddy somewhat returned to his old ways around you. If you needed something, he was the one to get it. Tom didn’t mind the behavior this time around. Preparing for a baby was a lot of work, and an extra set of hands didn’t hurt. Besides, Tom was the one attending the breathing classes, shopping for baby clothes, and making a registry with you. If Paddy wanted to take care of the little things, he could.

And he did.

Paddy always made sure you had enough pillows…

“Baby support.” As he would call it.

…enough snacks…

“Pickles? You need pickles? I read in 13 different parenthood that pregnant women crave pickles. I also didn’t know what kinda of chocolate you wanted so I got it all.” Paddy said as he gentle placed a variety of chocolate bars on your six month pregnant tummy.

“Wow, thanks Pads.” You laughed as you opened a bar.

“Anything for you.” He smiled before his eyes landed on Sam. “Samuel, is that hot sauce?”

“It’s for my burrito.” Sam said awkwardly, mid bite of his burrito.

“Hot sauce is not safe for pregnant women to ingest. Is your burrito more important than my future niece or nephew?” Paddy demanded.

“No?” Sam asked in confusion.

“Take it outside.” Paddy barked.

…and enough attention.

“I read that babies can sense when the mother is lonely. Actually, I saw it in Birdbox. I brought your favorite movie and some pickles. I thought we could watch it together.” Paddy said as he presented you with your favorite film.

“Aw, that sounds great Pads.” Tom said as he entered the room, taking a seat next to his pregnant wife. Paddy, who hadn’t originally planned on including Tom, faked a smile.

“The more then merrier, is what I always say.” Paddy said through his teeth.

“When have you ever said-“ Tom began to question.

“Always.” Paddy snapped and popped the movie in the DVD player.

In nine short months, the day had finally arrived. The Holland family, as well as your family, patiently waited in the waiting room as you went into labor. Paddy, who had passed out when he heard the news of your water breaking, was now sitting glumly in a wiat room chair.

“Mate, come on. Y/n is gonna give birth any minute. Mum and dad are already in there.” Harry urged Paddy to get out of the waiting room chair.

“I’m not going in there.” Paddy grumbled.

“Are you crying?” Sam realized when he saw his brothers cheeks glistening.

“No.” Paddy sniffled as he wiped his cheek.

“Yes you are. Why?” Harry said as he took a seat.

“Because I’ve spent my entire life loving a girl who is about to have a baby with my brother.” Paddy protested, making Sam and Harry exchange a look.

“I thought you were over this.” Sam sighed.

“I thought so too!” Paddy snapped. “But Tom and I fighting over her has always been a staple of our family and now he has his own family. He’s not gonna come around anymore.” His voice got quieter and Harry and Sam understood what this was about. They knelt down on either side of of his chair and looked at him.

“Of course he’ll still come around.” Harry promised.

“Why would he? Why would he need his baby brother when he has a baby of his own?” Paddy said sadly. “He’s gonna start a new family with his new baby and he won’t need us.”

“He’s always gonna need us, Pads. I honestly don’t think he knows what detergent is.” Hardy cracked a smile and Paddy halted at him.

“This isn’t a joke, Harry.” He said bitterly.

“I know it’s not. But this baby isn’t replacing our family. It’s expanding it.” Harry reasoned. “We’re all gonna have to come together to make sure this baby is the happiest baby in the U.K. That’s gonna make our family closer than ever.”

“And you’re always gonna be our baby brother. But now you have a new title.” Sam added.

“What?” Paddy asked curiously.

“Baby uncle.” Sam said, making a face when he heard how dumb it sounded.

“Bunkle, if you will.” Harry nodded.

“I absolutely will not!” Paddy snapped.

“Then just uncle will do. And being an uncle comes with a lot of responsibility. It’s our job to corrupt that baby and make Tom look like a total nerd.” Sam jeered.

“He might have that part covered.” Hardy reminded them.

“What if I’m a bad uncle?” Paddy feared.

“None of us have done this before. We’re all gonna be figuring it out together. And if you mess up, just blame one of us.” Sam told him.

“Yeah. Just blame Sam.” Harry added and Sam gave him a look.

“No matter what, we have each other to fall back on. This baby is a great thing, Paddy. Just wait and see.” Sam smiled at his younger brother. Paddy nodded, finally smiling back. A nurse in pink scrubs coming into the waiting room caught their attention.

“Paddy Holland?” The nurse asked.

“Yes?” Paddy stood up from his chair.

“Y/n would like to see you.” The nurse smiled kindly.

“Coming.” Paddy told her before turning back to his brothers. “What’s that about?”

“Maybe she finally realized she wants to be with you over Tom.” Harry shrugged.

“Shut up. Really? No she didn’t. Do you think though? She wouldn’t. Right?” Paddy went through a range of emotions and his brothers laughed.

“Just go.” Sam pushed him forward. Paddy nodded and followed the nurse down the hall. She opened the door to a room and let Paddy go inside.

Once inside the room, Paddy saw you laying in bed with Tom right beside you. Something inside him told him to be quiet, so he stood patiently at the door without saying a word. The opening of the door alerted you to his presence and you waved him over.

“Hey, Paddy.” You said softly as Paddy approached your bed. “There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

As Paddy knelt beside the bed, you moved your arms to reveal a sleeping baby wrapped in a pink blanket.

“We wanted you to be the first to meet her.” Tom smiled proudly at his brother. Paddy stared at the baby in childlike wonder and you bounced her gently.

“Paddy, this is Beth Patrica Holland.” You told him.

“Patricia?” Paddy looked you at you expectingly.

“Yeah. After my favorite brother.” Tom smiled at his brother, then held a finger to his lips, signaling him not to tell Sam or Harry.

“She’s beautiful.” Paddy breathed as he saw mini versions of your features in the newborns face. “She looks just like you.”

“You think so? I think she looks more like Tom.” You laughed softly as you nuzzled your nose to Beth’s head.

“No, no.” Paddy shook his head. “Like I said, she’s beautiful.”

Before Tom could respond, Beth coughed and her eyelids fluttered open. Paddy stared into her eyes, seemingly void of color but a mixture of every color all at once. He smiled at Beth, and smiled back.

“She smiled at me!” He tried to keep his voice down, but the excitement got to him.

“That means she just used her diaper. Tommy, could you?” You held the baby up and Tom happily took her in his arms.

“Of course. Come here, Princess.” He cooed to his daughter as he walked to the changing table. Paddy finally took a good look at you. You were sweaty and makeup free, forehead still glistening. Your hair was pushed back and your cheeks had a dewy pinkness to them that Paddy had never seen before.

“You look beautiful too.” He said sincerely and you chuckled.

“I look like a just pushed a human out of me.” You shook your head.

“Exactly.” He said. “That’s a beautiful thing to do.”

You looked at him fondly and gave him a soft smile.

“You know, it was my idea to make her middle name Patricia.” You told him.

“Really?” He asked.

“Yeah. I had to name her after my boy.” You cupped his face and he beamed at you. Maybe he didn’t end up with you like he wanted, but he was still your boy. You had just confirmed it.

“I’m gonna take care of her.” Paddy looked over at Beth with determination. “I promise.”

“I know you will.” You said and pulled him into a hug.

Over at the changing table, Tom sang quietly to Beth as he changed her diaper.

“Just a few more hours and I’ll be right home to you. I think I hear them calling. Oh Beth, what can I do? Beth, what can I do?” He sang and she squeezed his finger, making him well up with tears. He picked her up and held her against his chest, letting her warm up after being on the cold table. He continued singing softly in her ear as stroked her tuft of hair.

“Hurry up, Tom.” Paddy called quietly from the bed, dying to see Beth again. “I want to see my girl.”

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[villainsandvictimsalliance]

I love the Shimura kids 😭

I go back and forth on Nao sometimes, trying to figure her out (was she the enabler to Kotaro's narcissist? Was she just naive and gaslit? Was she just as scared of him as her kids were?) But overall I feel sorry for her. She might not have protected her kids when they needed her to, but she still didn't deserve what happened to her.

Kotaro did though. No sympathy for Kotaro. He goes in the Shame Box with Chisaki, Endeavor, and AFO

I agree with you, anon. No sympathy for Kotaro on this house. He projected his traumas on his children and you can clearly see the difference between Nao and him if you read the panels where Tenko quirk activates.

Nao runs towards his son, not matter what. She's seeing how her son is destroying everything as she walks. Hana runs away, his grandparents paralyze, Kotaro tries to kill him. But Nao? She knows she's gonna die, but she's too busy trying to reach his son because he's suffering and he needs her.

That arc show us Nao as a woman who loved her family very much. We see her worrying about Tenko, hugging him. We also see her hugging Hana while they both cry and scream for Kotaro to stop, to don't hit Tenko. Later, we see her talking to Kotaro making him realize that he can't keep doing that just because his mother abandoned him, that was not the house he promised her, and finally, the way she stood with her parents on the door to the yard and ran to Tenko.

She was sure not a perfect woman. She had her part of blame, as everyone in that house, on what happened to Tenko. They failed to protect him.

And yet, Horikoshi showed us that at least that day, she stood up for Tenko, even if he didn't know it. She faced her husband and told him to stop it, to never hit his son again. Her words implied that she was not willing to live in an abuse house, maybe because hitting Tenko was already beyond her limits. Yes, she should had stopped before, but why that night?

That's the tragedy. His mother defended him, but Tenko didn't know. His quirk activated while he was holding Mon-chan, the only being on that house that was always on his side. When his sister went to apologize...

That's another thing. Hana showed us too that she had her own way of dealing with his father's abuse. She ignored him, knowing he was not right, and did things on her own, hiding. Tenko was too little, too naive. He tried running away from home, but it only made it worst. He couldn't hide what he was, a good kid who wanted to be a hero.

And don't get me wrong, Kotaro was probably gaslighting Nao, making her think he had a good reason or whatever. Actually she tries to defend him, telling Tenko that Kotaro is doing what he's doing because he knows how hard is to be a hero.

( Funny note: Imagine your family tells you constantly about how heroes are not what you think and your dad tells you heroes suck while you try to defend them. Except that, once some tragedy happens to you, no hero goes to your rescue and you fall to the arms of the greatest abuser and demon lord on Earth.)

Nao was also a victim. Yes, she was part of the problem, but I really don't think she deserved to die like she did. She deserved to be able to heal and take her kids away from that abusive man. She deserved to have a second chance, just like Rei Todoroki has it.

In Tomura's memories, he looks and acts like a kid when he sees his sister and his mother. Hana apologies and tells him she's gonna be always by his side. Nao asks him if he stills want to be a hero. Both times, Tomura tells them they don't have to worry. The smile he gives them, it's the smile of someone who knows he's been loved, who knows they worry about him. Tomura turns back to Tenko when his mother talks to him, but it's Kotaro calling out his name what makes him go insane, what wakes his rage and makes him go to AFO.

And it'd always break me.

How brave is Tomura and how he got used to hiding his suffering, tolerating it in silence. He protects his friends, he tells his mother to don't worry about him, he forgives his sister for lying and getting him in trouble... He goes to Deku for advice, because he doesn't have other friends. He tries to kidnapped Bakugo because yes, it is a symbol, but he also thought Bakugo was like them, a rejected hero. (Interesting how he looked in Deku and Bakugo comfort, uh?)

He is his mother kid. He's more Nana Shimura and Nao Shimura than AFO and Kotaro.

Kotaro has rigid factions, he's always dark and lamenting. And even when Nana and Nao look sad and nostalgic, they were always smiling. Just like their little boy.

Now excuse me, I need to go and cry again for the Shimuras, my favorite family from mha / bnha.

[personasintro]

My Tiny Secret | 19; The Resemblance

𝑴𝒚 𝑻𝒊𝒏𝒚 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒃𝒍𝒆 | 19; The Resemblance 

⏤𝒔𝒚𝒏𝒐𝒑𝒔𝒊𝒔; Pretty face doesn’t make it up for an ugly personality. And Kim Seokjin is the perfect proof of that.

⏤𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈: seokjin x reader

⏤𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: angst, smut, mistress au, unexpected pregnancy au

⏤𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔: strong language

⏤> 𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒙

It's almost comical how everything has changed ever since you've met Seokjin. You're still trying to understand if it's for the better or the complete opposite. Sometimes you wonder how would your life look like, if you just ignored him and never agreed to that dinner.

That night changed everything for you. You always bring yourself back to that time, ever since you've started seeing him again. Maybe it's the reason why you desperately wanted him to change, or imagined things being different between you two. Thinking about it, you don't think you've ever heard him saying something caring or nice, but his actions often made you very confused. Like the time when he transferred fourteen million won to your bank account.

You were speechless, so shocked that it took you a solid day before you called him, yelling at him. It made you feel like a slut, considering you slept with him and then he magically thought of sending you money. He listened to you yelling into the phone, voice shaky before he heard your sniffles. He didn't tell you want you wanted to hear, but he did tell you to keep that money.

'You got this wrong, just keep the damn money' he told you, before he ended that call.

It should've been another red light for you, telling you to forget about him and never speak to him again. But a few days passed and you met again. This time he wasn't like a stranger, but a man you were sexually craving for.

And look at how things have changed. You gave birth to his son and he's been in your life almost every day ever since. Things go slowly better, you see a new side of him every minute he looks at Yoojin. He's the only person who cracks his cold persona, bringing some kind of warmth to his heart.

As much as your relationship was strictly sexual, you still wanted to know some things about him. You wanted to get to know him. Not just from your observation and his actions, but trying to talk to him. But he wouldn't let that happen, he'd push you away as soon as he could sense your curiosity and sudden interest in him.

He knows so much about you – about your father, mother and even your family that barely shows any support of you having a kid. They don't care about you or your baby, simply judging you by the fact that you got pregnant by someone who you're not even in a relationship with.

Gosh, how you hated him when he got what he wanted, pumped you full of him cum and left without any word. But could you hate him? He always reminded you that it's strictly physical, and you agreed to that. But he went such a length, sending you money every month and as many times as you yelled at him in frustration, he stood by and waited until you're done. You felt used, as if he's paying you for your body. But he never explained it properly, the real meaning behind him sending you his money.

'I'm not paying you for a sex' he simply said one night, while putting on his black slacks.

It gave you a thought that he might care about you, but then he'd be so rude and hurt you with his honesty making you think the opposite. In a way, it's your own fault for being so naive, even though you knew who he is and what he wants from you. It wasn't only him who wanted to have sex, you craved for him as much as he did for you, maybe even more.

You're tangled in this huge mess, that you'll never get out of. You'll have to learn to accept him for who he is, since he's your son's father.

Never in a million years you thought, you'd get the chance to get emotionally closer to him. But now his father sits in your living room, with Yoojin in his arms while Seokjin watches him very carefully, almost as if he's waiting for him to do something unexpected.

“He looks like you when you were little, Jin.” His father says, breaking the awkward silence between the two of you as he stares at Yoojin's sleepy face.

“Funny, since you were barely there for me as a father.” Seokjin shoots straight away, your breath hitching in your throat at his sudden outburst.

You've felt the tension the second his father stepped into your home, but you'd have never thought Seokjin would burst in front of you. He doesn't show an ounce of respect to his father, something that irks you because one thing you don't like – is disrespect.

It's pretty clear their relationship isn't good, and his father doesn't seem to be phased by Seokjin's words even though they sounded hurtful to your ears.

“I still made sure you're privileged.” His father shoots back, your eyes widening before you look at Seokjin.

He glares at his father, a look you've never seen on his face before. Sure, you've seen him being angry and you're aware of what those dark eyes of his are capable of, but this is different. If his father weren't holding your son, you're sure Seokjin would probably jump at him from the way his hands twitch in his lap. And just when you think he's not going to react, he opens his mouth and is already straightening himself, you're quick to hold his hands to keep him in place.

“Would anyone like some tea?” you ask politely, your voice awfully sweet. It's oblivious it's just your weak attempt to change the topic and the tension in the room, both of them know that but luckily, none of them call you out for it.

Glancing at Seokjin, you find his jaw securely locked as he looks like he's just seconds from bursting out. You squeeze his hands in comfort, hoping he's going to calm down before he can cause a scene. There is an obvious tension between them, not a typical relationship between father and son.

“No, thank you,” Mr. Kim says, glancing at Seokjin before he looks back at you. “I must say, you've surprised me, Miss Y/L/N.”

“Y/N,” you blurt out, “Just call me Y/N.” you tell him, hating how formal this seems.

Yes, you see this man for the first time, but he's your son's grandfather. There's no need to be so formal when he's your son's family.

From the corner of your eyes, you see Seokjin's head snap to yours before he gives you a look of confusion and you can already make his thoughts just from his single expression. What the fuck are you doing?

Shrugging in response, you sheepishly smile at him before you let go of his hands just to place your own into your lap, fumbling with them. Now you know where Seokjin gets his intimidation and confidence. They both have an aura of dominance in their mannerism.

“I've to admit, I kind of expected to hold my grandchild in my arms one day. Even though lately, it seemed almost impossible considering Seokjin's and his wife's situation,” he says, your whole body freezing at the mention of her, someone was supposed to be in your place right now. “Oh, there's no need to be ashamed, Y/N.”

You look at the man with widened eyes, hands still fumbling but there's no one to give you comfort. But Mr. Kim's words do absolutely nothing but damage to your soul at the reminder of what you've done. You're surprised he's even speaking to you, he should be angry but he just seems tactical instead. So naturally, you feel ashamed by being reminded for sleeping with married man.

“I know my son can be quite persistent when he wants,” he chuckles, a glint of amusement in his dark eyes as he doesn't even spare a glance his son's way. “How are you going to deal with this, Seokjin?”

Although, you're relieved Mr. Kim's attention is brought elsewhere, you can't get rid off your nervousness and anxiety that's creeping in with each minute.

“What do you mean?” Seokjin speaks up, frowning at his father in what looks like confusion, but it's more like warning.

He knows his father and his ways, there's not even an ounce of innocence in his raspy voice. He's not asking just from a mere curiosity.

“Well, you've a son with a woman you're not married with and your wife is at home, waiting for her husband.”

Your breath hitches in your throat for Seokjin, hands ticking to reach for your son and hold him instead, but you stay seated next to Seokjin's tensed body as irritation and anger radiates from him.

“I don't see how's that any of your business.” he snaps.

“It's not, but I think you should get a divorce.”

The whole room goes silent, your heart skipping a few beats from the shock, as Seokjin seems to be taken back by his father's words. But it lasts for a couple of seconds before his features are neutral. Has he ever thought about getting a divorce?

You know their marriage is not an act of love.

“Weren't you the one who insisted on me marrying her? You were the one who pushed me into it, you knew I don't love her.” he sounds accusative, his tone sharp and protective.

In a way, he's protecting himself right now. It makes you wonder if Seokjin is damaged like every other person and he just hides it that well. It makes you want to know what's going on inside of his head and you mentally gasp at that. You care and you're worried about him, more than you've ever were.

“Oh, come on. It was an idea you've decided to agree on, I never pushed you into anything. If you didn't know, it's impossible to tell you what to do. It was conventional and beneficial for your business.”

He talks about business, reasoning his own idea that he brought to Seokjin, like feelings and love aren't important. It's not their priority and not everyone's dream is to fall in love, get married and have kids. It wasn't Seokjin's plan to conceive a child, not with you at least. But he stood up to it better than you'd have ever imagined.

He purses his lips in response, and you know his father is telling the truth – even Seokjin himself knows that.

“Now that you've a kid, I think it'd be wise to divorce her. What's the point to be married with her, when your days are spent in here instead of your own home?”

Just like that, Mr. Kim just hit the nail on the head.

You've no say in this, this is none of your business and when Yoojin starts to wake up and squirm in his spot, you know it's your cue to feed your son. Mr. Kim doesn't protest, giving you your son right away as he recognizes the wails of hunger. When you're finally in the comfort of your bedroom, you ignore your racing heart and look at Yoojin, who happily latches onto your nipple and stares at you with those identical eyes to his father's.

The closed door to your bedroom makes a perfect barrier for you not to hear them, when the two men are left alone in your living room.

“How would you know about that?” Seokjin asks, his voice low as he glares at his father once again. He doesn't give him a response, slowly lifting the corner of his mouth in a small smile. “She told you, didn't she? Does she know you want me to divorce her?”

Surely, she wouldn't be happy to know the topic of this conversation. Their marriage is beneficial only to her, as long as she gets to leave in their luxury house with money on her bank account, she's not going to let go of Seokjin so easily. He doesn't see the point in his own marriage. What the fuck is he supposed to do? He can't deal with her knowing what kind of reaction she'd have if he just mentioned 'divorce' word to her. What if she comes back here and starts to threaten you?

Some part of him thinks she won't be capable of doing that, but does he even know her that well? She surprised him by coming here the first time and it was enough to make his blood boil. Somehow, you get caught up in the middle of this. Both of you aren't innocent in this, he cheated with you and you ended up pregnant with his child, carried him for nine months. Yet, you're the least person that should be involved in this – it's weird he feels that way.

“No,” he answers, cutting off Seokjin's wild thoughts. “She's angry at you. She's angry at her.” he says, pointing towards the closer bedroom door that makes him follow his father's hand.

Something weird stirs at that inside of him, and he doesn't like it.

“She's hurt,” Seokjin murmurs, your voice echoing in his mind, remembering your exact words you've told him that time. “She wanted to carry my child.”

“Yeah, for money,” His father speaks up, rolling his eyes. “Listen, I know I wasn't the father you deserved. I should've focused more on you and your feelings, and I'm not here to tell you what to do. You're a very wise man, Seokjin. And I'm sure you weren't prepared for this, to become father under such circumstances but focus on that little guy there. Think about what's best for him but think about what you want as well. I know you can be a better father than I ever was.”

He never took his father's words to his heart before. He knew his father is smart and knows his way around business, it felt like he's more of his business partner rather than his father. But somehow, those words he just said got stuck in his head and made much more impact than he was ever prepared for.

When his father leaves, making sure he bids he goodbye to you, it's just the two of you alone, with Yoojin sleeping in his crib. Closing the door with a soft thud, you make your way to the living room where Seokjin still sits on the couch. However this time, his elbows are leaned against his knees with hands covering his face as he lets out a silenced sigh.

You stop in your tracks, eyeing him in his current state. He seems to be vulnerable, sad even. Is it something his father said? Are thoughts clouding his mind?

Walking up to him, you sit next to him and hesitantly put your hand on his back. “Are you okay?”

Your voice is gentle and careful not to make it seem like you're being nosy, because it's not that. Behind those gentleness and carefulness, there is a worry rooted. Surprisingly, Seokjin doesn't push you away nor flinches away from your touch. He slowly looks up, hands dropping down from his face as he stares at the floor with puzzled look.

“You don't have to do anything you don't want to.” you speak up, your voice still gentle and relaxed as your hands slowly slides off his back.

“I know.” he sighs, turning his head your direction but he doesn't stare at you. He stares at your hands playing with the hem of your blouse.

You even dressed up for his father, wanting to look nice when he sees you. It's not like you wanted to impress him, but you still didn't want him to see you in sweatpants and loose shirt. It feels nice to be dressed up nicely, you almost forgot how that feels like.

Seokjin forgot how beautiful you look for a moment. Sure, maternity suits you in different way but he couldn't help the occasional glances your way.

The night settles on the sky, darkening the view from windows of Seokjin's office. The dim lightening makes him sleepy and he's glad his meeting is about to end, his eyes almost dropping from the lack of sleep from last night. He wished he could sleep without care, like he used to for so many years. But a lot has changed since then. Not even him sleeping in the guest bedroom, away from his wife, didn't help.

Huh, how desperate he thought that's the reason of his sleepless nights.

The phone that flashes with a notification on the desk catches his attention, although it's phone of his business partner. He watches him glancing at the screen, a soft smile spreading on his lips as Seokjin catches the sight of his wallpaper. It's a kid. He's smiling widely into the camera, showing off his gummy smile with a piece sign – and it makes him think.

“Can I ask you something?” Seokjin speaks up, glancing at the man in designer black suit who's packing his stuff. He doesn't want to hold him up more than it's necessary, it's clear he has a family – someone to come home to.

“Sure,” he answers, tired eyes glancing up at him.

“How is it having a kid?” he asks, gulping when he hears his own words but doesn't budge.

Mr. Min's brows shoots up, hiding beneath the dark hair as he thinks about the question. Well, he surely wasn't expecting someone like Seokjin ask such a question. Both men are very professional, they've never spoke about anything but business.

“It changed my whole life.” he answers simply, not really sure what to say.

“Isn't it scary?” Seokjin presses, not wanting to let go off this topic which he seems to be rather interested in.

“So much,” Mr. Min says, chuckling as if he remembered something particular. “Me and my wife weren't planning on having a kid, but it happened. And now that our son is here, I don't think my life would be the same. I worry about him every day, but that's when you know what being a father feels like. It's scary as fuck, but it's the most beautiful feeling besides sharing it with someone you love.”

He's not phased by the man's language, finding it accurate.

And Mr. Min's words replay in his mind even when the man leaves and goes home to his family. And he keeps hearing them for the rest of the sleepless night.

[palettepainter]

Powerloader - Family reunion

Higari and Ecto go down to visit Higari’s family in the country, things don’t go according to plan

Warnings: Swearing, verbal arguing, lil sad angst at the end

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Aren’t you going to knock?” Higari stiffened, Ectoplasm’s voice pulling him back to reality, turquoise eyes blinking under his mat of ginger hair. His knuckles faltered over the door “...You know-“ Higari’s hand went to his pocket and he shrugged “We could always just go out ‘n’ bout town” he suggested, rocking on his heels slightly. Above him, Ectoplasm rose a brow “I know a good bar that my brother told me he worked at for a few years. Does good beer, and there’s a nice old fashion juxebox there too” he looked off to the side, kicking at a pebble on the porch “Think you’d like it..” Ectoplasm hummed “..Nervous?” He asked, tilting his head downward in an attempt to make eye-contact. “No.” Powerloader answered, perhaps sounding a bit too sure “...Not exactly” He said looking sheepish Powerloader sighed, pulling a hand back through his curtain of orange hair, eyes peering up to the house doorway with a crease in his brows “You sounded happy this morning when we where walking to the train station” Ectoplasm watched as Powerloader turned, pacing in a circle, taking leisurely steps, grunting back in reply “What changed your mind?” “This..this ain’t exactly the best a homes Ecto” Powerloader said, observing the large front yard and dirt drive through that surrounded the front of the house. “My family aren’t the same as your parents ya know” he could remember how kind and welcoming Ectoplasm’s folks had been after he got over his initial fear, he could name at least one person who wouldn’t be as welcoming.. “If that’s the case, why did you offer to bring me along?” Ectoplasm asked, head titled “I mean- yeah! I want you to meet them but..” Higari chewed his gum, hands on his hips before he sighed “I just dunno if everyone will be as nice as your parents where” Ectoplasm let that information sink in, with the narrow of his eyes Higari could tell he was thinking something over. When Ectoplasm was finished, he turned back to Higari “Are you worried they may not approve of our relationship?” Higari tensed “...It..crossed my mind” he admitted, sounding ashamed “And if that scenario becomes reality, would you break up with me?” “NO!” Higari whirled round so quickly that his entire fringe swooped off his face before falling back down again “N-NO! God no! Of course not!” “And you know I wouldn’t leave you” Ectoplasm replied, still calm “..So if worst comes to worst, we’ll still be together, no matter what - right?” He smiled, holding out his hand and tilting his head back towards the door. Higari looked between Ectoplasm’s face, the doorway, and then his hand. He let out a sigh “Okay..” he nodded “Alright..Let’s go, I guess” Ectoplasm gave him another smile, as Higari finally knocked on the door. No answer “...Huh” he knocked again, this time a bit louder “Odd, usually Taiho is home at this hour” Higari let go of Ectoplasm’s hand in favour of stepping onto the front lawn to try and peer up into the windows on the first floor “Maybe they’ve gone out?” Ectoplasm suggested, walking up to Higari who hummed “..Nah” he said with a shake of his head “Even if Taiho ain’t around, Chikara or Suru are usually here tinkerin’ around in-“ A giant explosion from the side of the house made both jump, going into high alert on instinct from years of work in the hero field. Black smoke as dark as ink pooled out into a giant cloud from round the back of the house, followed by yelling “...the garage!” Higari said before he took of running, Ectoplasm following swiftly behind as Higari led him round the back of the home and into what looked like another smaller dirt yard. There was a big garage, where the smoke was spilling out from, and odd piles of junk, scrap metal or engine parts littered here or there, as well as a small open shack with a work bench covered in other piles of metal sitting inside. “God fucking dammit!” A red head came rushing out from the smoke, a second figure with a head of ginger hair similar to Higari’s following close behind. “Shit!” The red head turned back to the garage doors and groaned, head flopping back with her hands on her hips “Uuuu...Welp” they shrugged “Could be worse..least there was no fire this time” “I take it engineering is a common hobby?” Ectoplasm whispered to Higari. “Welcome to the family” He replied, now a bit more at ease at seeing no one hurt after such a big explosion. “This the welcomin’ party I get?” Higari joked, making his way over while Ectoplasm stood back. At the sound of his voice the redhead threw her head over her shoulder, seeming to do a double take, before she grinned ear to ear “Higari?!” She yelled “No way!” Before Higari had time to say anything more the red head had moved the distance between them to eagerly embrace him in a hug “You asshole” she punched his shoulder, though years of work and digging through rubble hardly left it sour “Come and visit more often ya dick!” “Ha, nice to see you two Chikara” Higari stepped back to take a good look at her “...You cut your hair” he said, noticing how her hair was now much shorter, and two how she had it pinned up with a bandana. “Hm, you changed a lot” “Wish I could say the same for you shorty~” It was like a glass breaking noise went off in Higari’s head, as his brows narrowed, and he turned away “I take it back, you haven’t changed at all” Ectoplasm was guilty of letting a few eensie snickers out, which where apparently enough for Higari to look up and gesture him over “I actually have somebody for you to meet” the women who’s name was apparently Chikara hummed just as he came up to Higari’s side “Ectoplasm, this snotface is my sister, Chikara” Chikara rolled her eyes “The other one is Suru” Ectoplasm glanced over Chikara’s shoulder where the orange haired girl was busy trying to disburse the smoke by waving a towel, she offered a small wave, before turning back to work. “Chi, this is Ecto” Chikara’s eyes widened and she looked down to Higari, and then directly at him “Heh, the Ectoplasm? In the flesh~” She chuckled, dropping her hip with her hands in her pockets “Never thought I’d see the day, my rugged dirt rollin’ big brother would bring back a pretty boy like you” “My pretty boy” Higari corrected with a clear of his throat, making Ectoplasm blush a faint pink. “I ain’t trying to steal your boyfriend” Chikara confirmed with a sarcastic surrender motion, though the teasing grin on her face made Higari put an arm around his hips, for extra measure. Ectoplasm rolled his eyes and then offered a hand to shake “Hello, it’s nice to finally meet you!” He gave her hand a friendly shake, still smiling despite Higari’s hand still on his hip “Thank you for letting me come down to visit, I’ve been looking forward to the trip for a while” “Hm, polite and cute?” Chikara hummed, hand on her chin “You’re a real ideal husband package huh?~” before Chikara or Ectoplasm could say anymore Higari swatted his hand at her “Watch it” he warned, only half threatening as Chikara cackled, taking three steps back “Aight aight, I’ll stop!” She said, hands returning to her pockets “Jokes aside, pleasure to finally meet the ‘Ecto’ Higari keeps mentioning in his letters” “He spoke of me?” Ectoplasm asked Chikara made a ‘Pft’ noise “Only in every letter he sends” she said, glancing down to her older brother, hoping maybe a little too much that it’d draw a funny reaction from him. However Higari simply shrugged “I see no problem, you’re just jealous you don’t have a boyfriend yet” “You wound me~”  Chikara mocked, pressing a hand to her heart “Hm, yeah..so anyway, where the others at? Ma, Taiho, Hono?” “Ma ‘n’ Taiho are on a shopping run, Hono’s at work, prolly won’t be back till later on.” Chikara rubbed her neck, looking off at nothing while Higari had this blank look on his face that Ectoplasm couldn’t explain “..Lemme guess, he ran off to get an early work shift to avoid seein’ me?” Ectoplasm blinked, and then looked up to Chikara who appeared fidgety “Uh-“ Higari sighed, shaking his head and waving his hand “Nevermind..so when are Ma and Taiho gettin’ back?” “Anytime now I reckon, car engines busted” she jabbed a thumb over to the garage where most of the smoke had now cleared “Suru ‘n’ I’ve been tinkerin’ at it all day, stubborn thing just don’t wanna work. Ma took an early start to the shop out in town with the car engine out of action and Taiho went along to help with the bags” Higari hummed, missing how Ectoplasm was now looking at him “Ah, that would explain the smoke I guess” From there things went smoothly, it had been maybe around thirty minutes before Higari’s mother and one of his younger brothers came home, but in that time he, Higari and his two sisters had spent most of the time chatting about this or that. While Ectoplasm created three clones to help, Higari was currently inspecting the tuff of hair that his baby brother was growing from his chin “When the fuck did you get a beard?” Taiho, who Ectoplasm had learnt just from a small conversation seemed like a friendly guy, chuckled “Well I am an adult” “Keep growin’ that thing out and soon you it’ll be growing flowers” Taiho dramatically batted his hair with the back of his hand “Jealous?~” he asked Higari mocked laughing “Har Har, yeah yeah I get it, you and Chikara both got the glossy hair from dad” “You also got his memory I’d say” Higari turned to his mother, who had handed of the last of the shopping to a clone before turning back to Higari. Even if she was only taller by a few feet Higari still felt himself panic a little when she walked over with her famous resting scowl face “An’ just when where you gonna make some time to come see your family Hm? You sure ain’t been down a lot to visit from that big old shiny city” “Ah- Ma I said I was sorry!” Higari said while waving his hands, which made his mother give an unimpressed hum “What bout your letters?” She asked, Higari not sure if she was squinting or glaring “Ah-Well-“ he stumbled over his words, and Taiho was quick to show he wasn’t going to help him, the traitor. “Ya know, workin’ at a big school and doing hero stuff got me busy! I can’t help it if something pops up at work” His mother hummed again, as if silently judging him based on his answer, before her expression turned soft, and she ruffled up his already messy hair “..Thought I told you to start combing this” Higari chuckled, gently brushing her hand away “Uhm, you have no idea how hard it is to make space for things like brushing my hair!” He said in a joking manner, making his mother raise an amused brow before chuckling. “An’ who’s this tall fella you brought along with you?” She asked, leaning to one side to peer at Ectoplasm with a studying look, all humour gone as suspicion took its place. Ectoplasm felt a brief moment of panic before Higari stepped in to explain “Ma, this is Ectoplasm, my boyfriend” His mother gave him a sideways glance, hummed, and then looked back to Ectoplasm. She narrowed her eyes more, and Ectoplasm felt oddly small under her stare. Humming again she walked closer, circled him once, and then gave him a quick look up and down. Ectoplasm, feeling as though he should say something cleared his throat “Uhm, hello there Mrs Maijima, it’s nice to finally meet Higari’s family” once again he held out a hand, to which Higari’s mother blinked at, and rose a brow “..Uh- I hope you don’t mind me coming to visit, Higari wanted to introduce me to you, and I can’t lie I was excited at the idea of meeting you. He always has such interesting childhood stories to tell!” His mother hummed again, slowly...before a smug smile came to her lips and she slowly turned to Higari, brow cocked “...And how long where you planning to keep this nice young man away from visitin’ us?”  Ectoplasm felt a chill of relief cool his body, shoulders that had been tense finally dropping as he let out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding in. “Nice to meet you too, Higari sure does talk plenty of you in the letters he manages to send. Said your some big hero back there in your city” Ectoplasm nodded “Though I also work as a maths teacher at UA high school.” Higari’s mother hummed again “Hm, maybe you could teach my son a thing or two” she joked, prompting an embarrassed groan from Higari. “I’m not that bad Ma!” “Oh hush!” His mother turned to him, brow cocked “You takin’ some advice from your boyfriend here might help ya out in the long run - might even help tame that wild mess of hair you got” she fondly roughly his hair playfully, and she let out a chuckle the likes of which only Higari could do to a T Higari swatted her hand away, and then grumbled something under his breath, arms crossed “I’ll be seein’ you all inside shortly” Higari nodded, the god damn snickering from Taiho and Chikara wasn’t making things any easier for him. Ectoplasm waited until Chikara and Taiho walked off towards the house before turning to Higari “Personally, I like your hair” he said “Gives you character~” Ectoplasm didn’t miss the shy smile Higari gave before he scurried after him to the house “So, hows life up in the concrete jungle?” Chikara asked, taking another bite out of a chicken leg while Higari re-entered the room with a can of beer “Usual, loud ‘n busy” he answered, cracking open his can and lazily chugging three gulps. “It can be pretty stressful working at such an elite school” Ectoplasm added “I’ll say!” Higari replied, leaning back up in his chair “You remember the student Hatsume I told you guys about in a letter once? I swear that kids trying to meet some kinda property damage quota!” Taiho and Chikara snickered, obviously not taking him seriously “Oh you think I’m joking, don’t you?” “Well..you could be kinda dramatic” “Could?” Taiho said while looking to Chikara, smirking that stupid amused smile of his. Higari’s reply was to kick him under the table, resulting in Taiho jumping, and him smirking in victory with a ‘heh’ - “Alright alright” Mrs Maijima ended the fight before it could start “Save it for later you two, we got a guest” she gestured towards Ectoplasm “Mind your manners” “It’s alright” Ectoplasm tried to reassure “I understand they’re joking” Mrs Maijima smiled tiredly “You really are a sweetheart.” Ectoplasm felt his smile widen at the compliment, especially one coming from Higari’s mother “Yeah” Chikara agreed, nodding “...Why can’t you be more like him Higari?” She smirked, shooting Higari a quick smug look to which Higari met with a playful glare “Shove off” The group had been so caught up in their own conversations that no one had heard the door open or close from down the hall. It wasn’t until Suru turned to offer a ‘Welcome back’ to the new guest did Higari peer up- “Hey ma” Hono said, lugging off his jacket and hanging it on the coat rack by the kitchen “You’re later then usual Hono” his mother asked “..Aint any reason in particular?” Hono stood up, and turned to the table - Higari and him made eye contact. Hono scowled, and then looked away “Nah, just took a longer shift this week” he replied nonchalantly, trudging into the kitchen towards the fridge. The table had fallen oddly quite, everyone passing nervous worried looks, while Higari seemed frozen in his chair. Ectoplasm glanced to the newcomer, and then looked to Higari, as if asking for an explanation- “Ahem.” Taiho cleared his throat, and then leaned back on his chair “Uh-Higari came down to visit!” He called into the kitchen “Isnt that nice?” He asked The atmosphere was tense, Ectoplasm could sense it, yet for some reason he he felt like he should be quite.. From the kitchen there was a hum “Hm, yeah, nice he’s makin’ time for us” Hono returned to the kitchen, and Taiho let out a quite breath- “Nice to know he cares after leavin’ us to pick up the pieces for the last twenty years” he took a long, unhurried slurp of his beer, and then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand “Real considerate of you Higari” Higari sighed “Nice to see you too Hono..” Everyone at the table glanced off in different directions, expressions all the same “Hono.” Mrs Maijima’s voice was stern, eyes narrowed as she pointed to him “We talked ‘bout this”. Hono, unnerved at his mothers warning, rolled his eyes, before taking up the empty seat next to her - coincidentally enough, the chair opposite Ectoplasm. Ectoplasm did his best to try and relax, but the air around the dinner was now more tense then before, and even he was struggling to pretend it wasn’t, and he wasn’t even half sure of what was going on. “Who’s the guest?” Hono asked, pointing his fork towards him, making Ectoplasm lean back in his chair. Hono eyed him up suspiciously, a crease in his brows. Ectoplasm felt oddly small under his gaze, the rest of Higari’s siblings watching carefully. Ectoplasm put down his cutlery and offered a hand “I’m Ectoplasm, I believe your name is Hono?” his attempt to break the silence was met with Hono eyeing his hand, and then narrowing his eyes. “And they’re also the love of my life” Higari scowled cruelly, a look that even to Ectoplasm was a rare sight. With a smile that looked just a bit too forced Higari leaned one hand over, and pointed the end of Hono’s fork away “And while he’s here, you’re going to treat him with nothin’ but respect. Got it?” “....Oh” Hono looked to have realized something, before he turned his look towards Ecto. “So you’re the Ecto guy he kept mentioning in his letters huh?” He asked, his eyes lingering on Ectoplasm longer for what felt appropriate. Ectoplasm opened his mouth to speak, but almost ended up snapping it shut when Hono unexpectedly stabbed his fork into a piece of chicken on the serving plate, and then bit into it, eyes still locked onto him. Ectoplasm, not wanting to be rude despite being under his studying glare, nodded “Yes, though Ecto is just a nickname” Hono hummed “..Hero right?” “And teacher. I teach at UA along with Higari” Hono hummed again “UA Huh..” he pondered aloud “..Thought it was just a buncha fat cats and snobs up there, what’s some dumb snaggle-tooth doin’ in a place like that huh?” Mrs Maijima shot Hono a vicious look, slamming her fork to the table, and Ectoplasm blinked, more caught off guard then offended. Higari however twitched “Yer opinion on the matter is irrelevant. So why don’t you do us all a favour, and keep that trap shut?” “Tch. Or what?” Hono challenged, turning his attention to Higari who growled “You ain’t been home in years, you expect us to welcome you back in with some...” Hono regraded Ectoplasm with a look one might give garbage, Ectoplasm felt his brow crease “...Toothpick lookin’ city slicker hanging off your arm” he jabbed a thumb lazily to Ectoplasm, who blinked again, looking between Hono and then Higari - the air was quickly turning from heated to dangerous as Higari slammed his hands on the table and growled louder. “You had better be real careful about what you say next Hono” “Uh, guys, maybe we should just-“ Taiho tried to interject “Oh go lock lips with a rattle snack for all I care! You may have a say in that high ‘n fancy school but you’re at the bottom of the higharchy here! That goes double for your main squeeze” “Hono shut up-“ Chikara said through her teeth, attempting to shove Higari back into his chair. “Oh yeah cuz you’re the one runnin’ this house aren’t you Hono? I didn’t see you here making dinner for everyone, longer shift is what you said right?” Higari boredly picked up his can “That what you call sulking off now?” Hono bristled, Higari seeming to hit a sensitive spot as Hono’s hands slammed down on the table “Like YOU would fuckin’ know!” Hono suddenly stood up from his chair, his taller form making him tower over Higari, who was not shaken at his display of dominance. “Hono stop it!” Suru whispered sharply, glancing between her brothers- “Oh enlighten me little bro, what makes you so grown up huh? I bet picking fights with guests makes you feel like a real adult huh?” “Yeah, cuz you’re just a saint aren’t cha? Runnin’ off with yer tail tucked between your legs and hitched it off to the city” Ectoplasm narrowed his eyes, looking rapidly between the two in the face of imminent disaster “Bet your boyfriend here makes a real good placement for a kitchen wife huh?” Ectoplasm gapped, blinking more rapidly. “Dude!” Taiho stood up and attempted to push Hono back into his chair. “You leave him with messes to clean?? Let him pick up the pieces while you go flaunterin’ off with your do-hickeys and jim-jams in your cozy little workshop?” Higari seemed to stiffen, capped finger nails gripping his can a bit too tight, leaving behind light dents in the metal. Hono caught on, saw the change in his older brothers body language - he exploited it “Or is that just a special thing you leave for your family huh?” Hono leaned closer, mocking him. Higari’s eyes bore into him, other hand clenching into a fist - but he’d sworn off ever getting physically violent in the house. Higari tried hard not to loose his nerve, but his mind was already flooding back to his time at UA, flooding back too easily. The memories where as clear as day, and he hated it. A country boy like him suddenly up in the big city, surrounded by kids in what might as well have been a maze for him - a shy vulnerable little Higari drew unwanted attention, mean attention. A weird kid like him, all the mean kids seemed to love him. Really loved pushing him around in the hallway between classes, that always seemed to be their favorites. ..Yes, Ectoplasm had always been the one to help pick up his messes. Help pick him up when he was feeling down, help patch him up when he couldn’t even control his own student in the lab, help get his homework done because he forgot, help do his tie up because his fat fingers made it impossible. Yeah, Ectoplasm was always the one helping him out... Ectoplasm’s hand gripped Higari’s shoulder, comforting. Higari blinked, his touch grounding him back to the dinner table, bringing his mind out from the past. “Higari has always been considerate of my needs a-“ “I’m sorry mister hero-“ Hono fixed Extoplasm with a harsh look, and leaned in close to glower at him “I don’t think our family matters concern you” At seeing the shift of Hono’s anger now being focused onto a new target Taiho once again stood up and tried to force Hono back “Thats enough! Just sit do-“ “Bet pa’s just applaudin’ his lil’ Higari in his grave for how much he’s done for this family” Here did Taiho, Chikara and Suru all gasp, their mothers eyes widening as Higari was practically shaking, as if restraining himself “You watch your fucking mouth-“ “BOYS!” Everybody froze, all eyes snapping to Mrs Maijima. At the sight of the women’s chilling glare, all the Maijima children straightened up. Even Ectoplasm felt obliged to follow suit despite her anger not being directed at him “What in gods name on this earth is the matter with you two?!” She yelled, her voice like thunder “I don’t mind if you boys gotta settle things out your one way, but for Christ sake- pull yourselves together when we have a guest!” She threw a hand to gesture to Ectoplasm, who Hono scowled to again “But Ma-“ “ENOUGH Hono.” She bellowed “Can you two really not get along for one lousy dinner?” She glared hard at the two of them, both had their heads hung, scowling off at nothing. Hono snorted, shoved his chair back, and marched off to the backdoor, slamming it shut on his way out as Mrs Maijima pinched the bridge of her nose with a sigh. Ectoplasm looked around, feeling awkward “..I’m very sorry if I w-“ Mrs Maijima raised a slow hand and shook her head “Stop. You ain’t gotta apologise for nothin’” despite that she didn’t lift her head or open her eyes. “..Should I, Uh, go and talk with him?” Suru suggested, breaking the silence as she looked to the backdoor “No, leave him..” Mrs Maijima pulled her head back with another sigh, looking deflated “Might as well be trying to have a conversation with a rock when he’s like this..” she muttered to herself, a hand rubbing her eye “..Me ‘n Chi will clean the table” Taiho said, already standing to stack the plates. “..I need a moment” Higari said suddenly, pushing his chair out and making a beeline to the back door also, closing the door with a softer bang then Hono. Ectoplasm stood from his chair and went to follow “Don’t” Mrs Maijima said lightly, peering over to Ectoplasm who stopped to look back at her “..I know it might be confusing, but it’s best if we leave those two alone..” she sank back into her chair, the twins exchanged concerned glances “For now..” “...Why don’t you go upstairs and have an early night?” Taiho suggested, handing the plates over to Suru who hurried them off to the kitchen “We can clean things up for ya” their mother only nodded, her authoritative presence entirely gone as she slowly dragged herself towards the stairway. Ectoplasm looked back over to the back door, looking torn between darting after Higari or staying like she had asked. In the end he stayed, though he wasn’t happy with the choice, he only did it in favour of respect for Higari’s mother - besides, he could agree if he went now it might do more harm then good. Higari despite being so small had a very fierce temper. After all had been put away in the kitchen and the table cleaned - and after many apologies from the rest of Higari’s siblings - Higari still hadn’t come back inside, it was getting slightly dark, Ectoplasm couldn’t help but worry. After asking for directions he walked to the back of the kitchen to a doorway, opened it, and walked out into the garage on the other side. Walking down the metal stairway he walked round one side of the parked car, and opened the passenger door “Room for a passenger?” He tried to joke, an attempt at lighting the mood. Higari didn’t move his head from his resting arms above the car wheel, and didn’t object when Ectoplasm clambered in anyway. “...Did the others tell you I was here?” He asked quietly. “No” Ectoplasm replied, making himself comfy “I figured it out. You always did your deepest thinking in the design studio - a garage seemed like the next best option.” Higari hummed into his sleeve, but still didn’t look up “..Do you want to talk about it?” “No.” Higari replied clearly, brows creasing a little, his mention of earlier obviously not pleasing him. Ectoplasm peered down at his feet and rubbed at his neck “If you’d prefer it if I le-“ “No” Higari reached his hand out, grabbed Ectoplasm’s, and then brought the hand to his face, leaning his cheek it in while his thumb gently brushed across the back of his hand. Ectoplasm was frozen for a moment, before he shuffled round as best he could in the passengers seat to Higari “I’m..Ecto I-..I-I’m so sorry, I didn’t think-“ “You’ve got nothing to be sorry for” Ectoplasm was quick to say, knowing how Higari had a bad habit of getting upset with himself when things went wrong. “You didn’t do anything wrong” “But I DID!” Higari said, his eyes having a shine to them “I-.Ecto this was supposed to be a nice dinner for you and-and I made you sit through all that fighting! Maybe if I hadn’t been so thick headed it wouldn’t have even escalated the way it did” Ectoplasm frowned, studying him “I don’t blame you for arguing back, anyone would in your shoes..and I appreciate you trying to defend me” Higari didn’t look convinced, and with a sigh sunk down into his chair, hands pulling down his face before he leaned his head into them. Ectoplasm reached out a tentative hand and rested it on Higari’s back. “Is there anything I can do to help?” He asked, trying to pry Higari to peer out from his hands. Higari slowly lowered his hands, and then rubbed at his face with a grumble “...I think..it’s best we just head home” “Now?” Ectoplasm blinked “But..we planned to stay for a few hours after dinner” “I don’t think that’d be the best..” Higari said quietly, a silent prayer that Ectoplasm would understand his reasons. A long silence fell over the two, before Ectoplasm gave his shoulder a squeeze “If that’s what you want to do” he said with a gentle tone. Higari smiled over to him, reaching up to hold his hand before the two got out of the car and ventured back into the home. “You’re leaving already?” Taiho said with a blink, half way pulling a carton of milk from the fridge “Yeah Taiho..” Higari replied, not seeming able to make eye contact as he scuffed at the ground “Me ‘n Ecto are gonna head out, catch a taxi to the train station” the twins peered to each other awkwardly, not sure how to respond “Oh..Uh” Chikara got down from the kitchen stool “You want me to see you to town?” She asked “Nah, don’t worry. We’ll be fine, tell Ma I’ll be sure to write more when I get back home alright?” Higari had already turned on his feet and began walking to the door, the twins responding with the own forms of agreement to his request “See ya round Ectoplasm” Taiho said, a sad quality to his smile “Safe travels” Chikara added. Ectoplasm nodded, picking up his coat from the hanger “Despite what occurred, it was nice to meet you two” Taiho tried to smile “Yeah, you too..” he said, shaking the milk to Ecto. As Ectoplasm did the first few buttons on his coat Chikara spoke up before he could leave “Keep..” she hesitated, looking away and tapping her knuckle on the countertop “...Keep an eye on Higari for us. You take care of him” “...I will” Ectoplasm said with a nod, both twins smiling back gratefully Joining Higari out in the hallway he stopped in the doorway just as Hono came walking up into the house. He and Higari held eye contact, the air still. Higari licked his lips “Uh..” he sighed “Hono-“ With a grunt the taller brother shoved past him, rudely knocking Higari with his leg as he shoved past him to the stairs “Hono wait!” Suru followed after him, sparing Higari a very quick apologetic look before hurrying up the stairs. Higari was painfully quite for the whole trip back to UA. By the time they’d gotten back it was late, and cold, the two not hanging around as they marched on till they reached Heights Alliance. The other teachers where fairly surprised to see them back earlier then they had said, but Higari paid their greetings no mind. Even when they where in the privacy of their shared apartment Higari was still quite, kicking off his boots and tossing off his coat before he crawled his way into bed “...I’m going to make myself a hot drink” Ectoplasm called, awaiting a reply “...........Mhm....” “...Do you want anything?” When no reply came, Ectoplasm dismissed his evening drink and walked into the bedroom. Higari was curled up in his normal clothes on his side of the bed, half lidded eyes glossy and staring off into nothing. The mattress dipped behind him as Ectoplasm sat down “Higari, please talk to me..” he gently placed his hand on his shoulder Higari curled up before relaxing, though he still didn’t turn to him “..If you’re worried tonight has changed my view on you it hasn’t” he confirmed first up, nothing would ever change the way he looked at Higari. They’d been together way back since the early days in his hero career, it’d take a lot more then a family dinner catastrophe to change that. Higari turned his head slightly, but then let it fall back in its place. “Higari, I don’t like it when you’re quite” Ectoplasm’s voice lowered, obvious sadness seeping into his tone, it made Higari sink down more into the bed “.....Please?...” “....Ecto?” Higari spoke calmly, eyes still staring off at the wall “If it’s okay with you, I think I..would like to, uh, c-cry for a bit..” his tone wavered, body trembling as tears had began leaking down his cheeks “I feel like I messed things up and..a-and..” his voice trailed off into a whimper, one hand reached up to wipe at his nose “Oh Higari..” Ectoplasm laid down next to him and rolled him towards him, enveloping Higari in his arms as he sobbed into his shoulder

[dirt-cup-draco]

Edmund x Reader- Homecoming

Can I please request an edmund x reader when his wife’s waiting for him to come home from battle with their little daughter? Thanks!

Dearest,

I will be returning within the week, but the day is uncertain. It all depends on weather and the multitude of Peter’s whining. In the peaceful years he grew too used to regular bathing it seemed and he gets grumpy if he can’t drink a glass of wine and take a hot bath. 

You laughed at your husband’s letter, your heart jumping about in your chest pleasantly. It was his letters that helped the time pass by quickly. He had been absent for three months and to know you only had to wait a few more days had you full of energy. So much so that the hours seemed to go doubly slow. You had never known longer days.

“Read more! Does he say hello to me?” Your daughter, Anastasia, encouraged as she sat tucked against your side, eyes gleaming just like Edmund’s. Besides the shade of her hair and the slope of her nose, she was Edmund’s copy. His greatest joy. Holding the letter out in front of you once more, you skimmed over the page. There were some things that your six year old didn’t need to know in all of her boundless curiosity. You made a mental note to reread the letter alone and see what he was expressing without words, you were certain the unavoidable casualties of battle would be weighing on him heavily. 

I miss you more than words can express my queen, my love, my wife. I keep the pendant that was gifted to me for Christmas close to my heart and I look at it every day to bring me luck and soothe my aching bones. I wasn’t as young as I used to be and sleeping on the ground in those blasted tents have ruined my knees. 

“Get to the part where he talks about me!” Anastasia demanded and you couldn’t hold back your laughter at her eagerness. 

“Patience my dear,” You reminded, planting a kiss on the top of her head as she started to squirm, craning her neck to try and pick out the words that she had been learning. You were reminded for the millionth time that she was growing quickly. How you wished Edmund had been hope these past few months to see her excel in her studies.

Hmm... I think that is all that has to be said for today. I don’t think I’m forgetting anything. 

“Me, father, you’ve forgotten me!” Anastasia pouted, pouncing up and down in her seat on your bed, worried that Edmund was going to end his letter without addressing her. 

“Of course he hasn’t Ana, he’s only being an old fool,” You knew better and got her settled back down. 

Oh! That is right. Hello darling Ana, have you been good to your mother? I could never forget you sweetheart, I’m only being an old fool. Your mom thinks I’m funny. Aunt Suzy, Lucy and Uncle Petey say hello. 

You saw the hesitation marks in his writing when addressing his siblings. Anastasia had thought Peter too silly and Susan too stuffy. It seemed she had no qualms with Lucy but you were sure she just couldn’t find a way to shorten it. She’d even called her own father Eddie once. Oh, how he’d scowled. The memory warmed your cheeks with fondness. 

I miss you terribly and I can’t wait to see you this coming week. I’ve got you a gift for your birthday but I think it’d be better to keep it as a surprise. I hope you haven’t gotten any taller, otherwise you’ll pass up your mother and I in no time. I shall see you soon my princess, don’t get into too much trouble while I’m gone. You know I hate to miss out.

Love you both and see you soon.

Anastasia took the letter into her hands, peering at the bottom of the paper like more writing might appear. Content that you hadn’t missed any message written for her she set it back in your hands and you folded it up neatly, placing it into the box where you kept all of Edmund’s letters from the time you two had starting courting to long after your marriage. 

Your fingers skimmed the tops of the yellowing pages and envelopes, some torn at the corner and some, like the one you’d just received, still in good condition. You had reread nearly everything in here four times over, some more and some less, but you had grown sentimental in your time apart from Edmund and every day had you missing him more. 

“Mother I’m hungry,” Your daughter chimed up, hovering at the doorway to your bedroom. 

With a shake of your head and a smile you took her hand in yours, leading her to the kitchens as dinner approached. You hoped you wouldnt have to eat too many more meals without Edmund by your side.

--

“Mommy! Up! Up!” Sang Anastasia as she leapt about on your bed, nightgown getting caught underneath her feet as she collapsed somewhere near your head. 

“Ana, darling girl, what time is it?” You groaned into your pillow, sunlight streaming in through your windows as you shut your eyes tight against the sudden sensations of being awake. You had been dreaming pleasantly of being held by your husband, your six year old still blissfully asleep. 

“Morning time!” She grinned a toothy grin, eyes squeezed tight as she tried to smile her brightest. “The trumpets are playing outside of town! Someone rang the bell!” 

You shot upright, a shot of adrenaline coursing in you to wake you up fully. Grabbing the girl’s shoulders you looked into her large eyes. “Are you certain?” 

“Yes, yes, yes!” She giggled, bouncing back up to her feet when you let go, jumping from your bed as you stared after her, the little girl leaving the room without so much as a look back.

“Be careful!” You scolded gently as you tossed your sheets to the side, rushing to your closet to throw on the nearest thing. You wanted to spend time and look nice for your husband but Ana was already on the run and if you wanted to catch her in time you would have to speed up your morning routine as you had been doing.  A simple blue dress sufficed, you remember Edmund liking it, and you tied your hair back. Pinching your cheeks and splashing your face with some water from the basin, you were ready-ish. It would have to do. 

“Ana!” You raced from your room, finding her tugging on one of the maid’s skirts with a bright gleam on her face. 

“Is it true madam, the kings and queens are nearly to the castle?” The maid asked and you couldn’t help the smile that graced your face and hurt your cheeks. 

“Yes Lilian, my daughter won’t let anyone hear the end of it it seems. Thank you for catching her,” 

“She caught me, madam,” Lilian laughed and you scooped Anastasia up, settling her on your hip with a grunt. You wouldn’t be able to do this by the time her next birthday came. 

“Its time to get you washed up,” 

Ignoring her whinings you brushed her hair back for her, leaving it down because she got horrible headaches when you put it up in anything other than a low ponytail. You let her pick her favorite dress and a butterfly necklace that Susan had made for her a few years prior. 

The playing of the trumpets grew closer, the kingdom celebrating the return of their beloved royals and family. You hadn’t realized that the troops had also been in tow as you looked out the window to see the crowds slowly growing smaller as the soldiers went home. Soon it would just be Edmund and his siblings and a handful of men on horseback, coming to the castle they called home. 

Anastasia hopped in her shoes and her hair had already grown knotted in the back but she looked delightful. “Should we go and meet him?” You suggested and she nodded, her grip on your hand growing as she dragged you along with her. As demanding as the man you’d married and just as adorable. 

The cobblestone beneath you echoed your every step and made you conscious of just how near you were to Edmund. You could practically feel the horses trotting, the vibrations traveling. Your ears perked up as you picked out the sounds of voices just a bit further and as you and Ana took two more paces, you could see your husband and in laws sitting proudly on their horses despite the exhaustion that hung from them. 

“Daddy!” Ana cheered, but stayed with her hand in yours. You had warned her to not run at the horses in case she spooked them. Edmund’s head snapped up from the daydream he had put himself in at the sound of his child’s voice and a smile that took away your breath appeared on his lips. 

He hopped off of Phillip and started at a sprint for the two of you. You released Anastasia’s hand and she held her arms before you, Edmund scooping her up with ease as she wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed by the looks of his eyes widening every so slightly. His large hand skated up and down her back and tears stayed trapped glazing over his eyes. 

Ten more paces and your husband was standing before you with rosy cheeks and misty eyes, Ana hanging from his neck with her legs wrapped around his waist. 

“Hello my love,” He spoke and the butterflies in your stomach erupted, fluttering about and making your knees weak. Edmund slowly set Anastasia down even as she protested. Instead, she clung to his leg while he opened his arms to embrace you. 

“Never leave again,” You demanded, choked up as you refused to let the tears fall. 

“Oh surely our little princess hasn’t caused that much trouble,” He teased fondly and you pinched his butt in retaliation. 

“Hush, you know how much I’ve missed you,” You scolded gently as he pulled away to place a lingering kiss against your cheek.

“I think I can take a guess. I’ve missed my girls” He let his eyes flutter shut, your thumb passing over the wrinkles at the side of his eyes. He looked tired but he looked content. “If all has gone to plan, I won’t be having to leave again,” 

Edmund drew you back into his arms and you sighed a deep sigh of relief. Finally, he was home again and so were you. 

Tag List: @angelinathebook @thehumanistsdiary @cleopatera

[heyyyharry]

Last Chapter: For The Rest Of My Life

(from the My Girl Series: Stay Mine)

…in which they live happily ever after.

Word count: 5.9k

AU: actor!harry, older!harry, younger!y/n (4-year age gap).

Wattpad link (Thea as Y/N)

This is it, guys. This is the last chapter. Thank you for following my beloved characters on this long journey. I never would have written three books without your support! :)

Love, Allie.

P/S: The first preview of TCTM2 - The Winter and the Crown (and first chapter on Patreon) is this Friday! I’ll postpone the new series until after TCTM2 so it’ll be updated weekly instead of biweekly :)

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“And they lived happily ever after. The end.”

“No!”

Celine shot her head up. Y/N could see her friend’s shocked expression in the mirror. “Excuse you. That was a great speech!”

Y/N apologised to her makeup artist, spun her chair around and told her maid-of-honour, “I love you, babe, but your speech was an hour-long. While you were reading, Allison has managed to finish yours, Amala’s, Alice’s, and my makeup. So it needs to be shorter.”

Celine stared at her paper as she blew out her cheeks. “But this is the complete story of how you and Harry got together.”

“Well,” Alice, who sat in the corner, finally spoke. “You might want to skip the whole love triangle drama last year.” She paused, gazing upward. “And the year before that. My God, Y/N!” Alice whipped her head to Y/N, her mouth wide open. “You got three men chasing after you in two years, became a best-selling author, and now you’re getting married after having been engaged for only a month to your super hot, super rich, super famous boyfriend! Talk about being ambitious!”

“Three months, actually,” Amala interjected. She was sitting beside Y/N, looking at her phone. “When she broke the news, Cece and I thought they were rushing the wedding because she was pregnant. As it turned out, they were just too in love to wait.”

“What the fuck? Your life is perfect!” Alice exclaimed.

Y/N shook her head. “No, it’s not. When he proposed there wasn’t even a ring!” And turned to Allison. “Can’t you believe my ex-boyfriend forgot the ring when he proposed?”

“You need to stop calling your fiancé ‘ex-boyfriend’,” Celine said.

“I don’t care. I want three hot men to fight for me,” Alice said.

“Don’t envy me. I’ve only dated three men in my life,” Y/N said then turned back to the mirror, “and today is my wedding day, so can we not make this about them?”

“Of course, baby,” Celine chuckled as she rose from her seat and came to give Y/N a kiss on top of her head. “I’ll make my speech shorter, but we'll keep the part where you read the story about Harry in front of the whole class and you and I became friends.”

“Sure.”

“And also any other part that I was in.”

“Fine.” Y/N snorted, rolling her eyes.

Celine gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze then bent over to press her cheek against Y/N’s, their eyes locked in the mirror as they shared a smile. “Now, let’s get you into that dress, baby.”

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“Rings? Where’re the rings?! WHERE–Oh, they’re on the desk.”

“Niall!” Harry and Isaac shouted at the same time.

Niall stared at them. “What?!”

Harry gave his tie a hard tug. To Isaac, he said, “I’m seriously considering making you the best man.”

“Hey, that’s not fair!” Niall objected as he shoved the ring boxes into his pocket. “You,” he jabbed at Isaac with his finger, “are my understudy today. So don’t even think about trying to sabotage me to take my place.”

“The stage’s all yours.” Isaac spread his arms. “To be honest, it’d be really weird if her ex-boyfriend was the best man at her wedding.”

Harry cast him a pointed look. “Can you not make me want to uninvite you right here right now?”

“You can’t. I would be your sister’s plus one anyway.”

“Damn it,” Harry murmured, looking back at the full-length mirror.

This was nerve-racking and kind of strange. Never had he thought one day he’d be standing in his childhood bedroom with Niall and Isaac let alone getting ready for his own wedding here. When imagining his wedding, he’d thought of something in the range of Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra’s wedding and the royal wedding for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. And yet, here he was, in his hometown with a guest list of under fifty people. And he had never been happier in his entire life.

“Can you check if the rings are in the boxes?” he told Niall and sighed in relief when Niall confirmed that the rings were safe. “Can’t be too careful. The day I proposed to her, I left the ring in my hotel room in New York. It was really embarrassing.”

“Y/N doesn’t care about this stuff,” Isaac said.

“I know,” Harry replied, feeling a grin taking over his face.

Suddenly, Niall burst out a laugh. He looked up from his phone, grinning goofily. “Harold, Alice just texted me a photo of your girl, would you want to see it? It’s really funny.”

“Is she in the wedding dress?” Harry asked.

“Yeah.”

“Then no. It’d be bad luck.” Then he cast Niall a look over his shoulder. “Yes, I’m superstitious. Judge me.”

Isaac’s brows knitted as he considered Niall with a tentative look on his face. “What’s going on between you and Alice?”

Niall’s smile suddenly vanished, and Harry realised he couldn’t recall the last time he’d seen Niall so nervous. The lad was rubbing the nape of his neck as he cleared his throat and was unable to make eye contact with either of them. “We’re not...ready to make it public yet,” he finally admitted. Harry and Isaac looked at each other, smiling with their mouths wide open. “My fans will tear her down just as they did to my other relationships. And after what happened to you and Y/N, I think we’re gonna lay low for a while.”

“I’m glad Bambi and I went through hell to set an example for you,” Harry said amusedly.

Niall’s mouth curled. “I’ll make sure to thank you in my speech.”

“Hold on!” Isaac interjected. “I thought I’d get to have a speech.”

“I’m the best man, though,” Niall retorted.

“That’s the point. You’re already the best man.”

“Niall’s right.” Harry gave Isaac an apologetic look. “But hey, you dated my wife and you’re dating my sister. Our friendship is on thin ice, so don’t jinx it.”

Isaac rolled his eyes, and a smirk peaked at the corner of his lips.

Without warning, Niall wrapped an arm around each of them and aggressively tugged them into a hug. Both Isaac and Harry scolded him for having wrinkled their best suits, yet neither tried to break out of Niall’s tight embrace.

“I’m so glad we’re back together,” Niall said. “The three of us, without all the weird tension between you two.”

Isaac opened his mouth to say something but was forestalled by Niall’s ringtone.

“I’ll be right back,” Niall said as he released them and pulled out his phone. “Yeah, that’s the firework guy.”

Harry and Isaac yelled at the same time.

“The what guy?”

“What the fuck?!”

“Niall, this is supposed to be a secret wedding,” Harry said in frustration. “I don't want the whole town to know that we're getting married in our backyard!”

“You should have said that before I called my firework guy!” To the person on the phone, Niall said, “Cancel! Cancel! No, do not light it up!” Then he dashed out of the room, almost slamming into the door.

Once his heavy footsteps had faded down the stairs, Harry and Isaac exchanged looks and broke into laughter.

“You know what?” Harry said, catching his breath and wiping a single tear from the corner of his eyes. “Just in case he gets himself blown up before the ceremony, you probably should prepare the best man speech.”

“I’m on it.” Isaac grinned, and to Harry’s surprise, he pulled Harry into a hug. Not just their usual one-arm-and-a-pat-on-the-back kind of hug. A real one, with both arms and a firm grip that said everything Harry needed to know. “I’m really happy for you and proud of you, H.”

Harry found himself beaming as he hugged his best friend in return. “And I’m really happy to have you here.”

They embraced for a second or two before Isaac broke off and straightened Harry’s jacket. “I’ll see you downstairs,” he said. “Now I have to go save Niall from getting blown up in your backyard.”

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When Y/N was little, she had wanted her mum to be the one to walk her down the aisle. Between her parents, she had always loved her mum more, simply because her mum had been there for her for most of her childhood. Y/N’s mum had been her first best friend, her advisor, the person who had known all of her secrets. But if Y/N’s mum were still alive, she would be glad to let her husband walk Y/N down the aisle.

Y/N’s dad burst into tears when he stood by the front door and watched her descend the stairs. It was the first time he’d seen her in her wedding dress. She’d had it altered so it’d look more casual than what a wedding dress should look like. The long sleeves had been removed and the skirt shortened. It was quite plain, perfect for a backyard wedding, and yet her dad was looking at her like she was the Queen of England. Perhaps in his eyes, she was. And as he wiped away his tears with the sleeve of his jacket, she felt her tears start flowing too.  

Her dad rarely cried. At least not in front of her. She remembered how much she’d loathed him for not shedding a tear at her mother’s funeral. It wasn’t until years later that she’d found out that he had cried, just not in front of everyone. He’d slept with a photo of her mum every day for many months after the accident, and cried himself to sleep every night, for the woman who had fallen out of love with him.

Y/N supposed her dad used to think tears represented vulnerability and if she’d seen him at his most vulnerable, she wouldn’t have trusted him to be her protector. He’d tried to be strong in front of her. But Dad, this is you being strong for me, she thought when she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tight. He could have left when he’d found out her mum hadn’t been faithful. He could have given up on Y/N when she’d tried to push him away. But he’d stayed. Because brave people never gave up on the ones they loved. And she believed he loved her most of all.

“I’m sorry. Don’t cry. You’ll ruin your makeup,” her dad said, holding her face. “You’ll get two black lines on your pretty face like in the movies.”

“My makeup is waterproof,” she told him, laughing and sniffling at the same time.

“Why don’t actresses in movies use that stuff?” he asked, looking genuinely confused.

“You’re such a dork.” Y/N snorted and wiped his cheeks with her thumbs.

Her dad’s forehead creased. As he took in the sight of her, his eyes lingered on her short white dress. Recognition suddenly dawned on his face. “Is this—”

“Yes. It was Mum’s,” she said, fanning out her skirt. “I made some alterations. Do you love it?”

Her dad brought a hand to his mouth and was speechless for a long moment. She wasn’t sure if he was looking for the right words to say, or he was too emotional to speak.

“You look just like her,” he whispered as he held her arms, leaned in and kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry she wasn’t here to walk you down the aisle.”

“Don’t be,” Y/N said, fixing her dad’s collar. “I’m already the happiest to have you give me away.”

“Give you away,” he echoed, and even though his expression remained unchanged, she could catch a sign of sadness and regret. Then, the corners of his mouth raised in an attempt to lift up the mood. “Are you sure you want to do this? It’s not too late to cancel the wedding.”

Eyes wide, Y/N chortled. “Dad!”

“I’m just saying.” Her dad gave a half-shrug. “I want you to know that your old man always supports your decisions, no questions asked.”

“Thank you,” she murmured and kissed him on the cheek. “But I’d still like to marry Harry.”

“Ahhh. You know you’re getting old when your child starts being kind to you.”

Y/N scrunched up her nose at the remark which stung her heart a little. Still, she decided to be light-hearted. “Funny. Harry told me it was me who was getting old when I started being kind to him and you.”

Her dad raised both eyebrows. “You know what? Forget what I said. Do not cancel the wedding. I love that kid.”

Y/N rolled her eyes and gave him a playful nudge.

Suddenly, Celine emerged from the kitchen holding a bouquet and shoved it into Y/N’s arms. “Your flowers, babe. Good luck!” It was hilarious how she looked even more nervous than Y/N was, and Celine had been a bride before.

She kissed Y/N on the cheek, patted Y/N’s dad on the shoulder and then left as fast as she’d arrived.

Y/N’s dad offered his arm to her as the corners of his eyes crinkled with joy. “Shall we?”

She nodded, chin held high, and settled her fingers into the crook of his arm.

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The last time Harry had been to a wedding in Holmes Chapel, he’d returned to London with a broken heart. It was the day he’d thought he’d lost his girl forever, that he’d been too late and missed the only chance to make it right. And now here he was, back at the same place, but this time, he was the groom and his childhood best friend was the bride.

He and Y/N had decided to get married right where the old tree used to be. The new one hadn’t grown big enough to cover them in its shade, but Harry liked the symbolism of it – there was never really an ending, just another beginning.

He stood at the end of the aisle as the guests settled down, waiting for the bride to make her big entrance. His palms were sweating so hard he could feel it soaking through his jacket which he’d been clutching the whole time. In his entire acting career, he had never felt self-conscious standing in front of a crowd, and yet, standing here in front of the people he knew and loved, he could barely move a muscle.

The music started, and Harry straightened like a soldier. He met his sister’s eyes in the front row, and she mouthed at him, ‘You look stupid.’ His mum, who was sitting beside Gemma, shot her a pointed look before mouthing at Harry, ‘You look handsome.’

He gave his family a tight smile as he laced his fingers together in front of his crotch, like a nice little boy waiting for the photographer to take the photo. He supposed he did look stupid. He felt stupid. However, the fear didn’t last for too long, because as soon as the gate to Y/N’s backyard opened and she appeared with Bradford, Harry felt as if there were fireworks exploding inside his chest. Time stopped. And the rest of the world disappeared.

She was wearing her mother’s dress. He knew that because she’d told him when he’d offered to find her a famous wedding dress designer. She must have made some alterations to it, and as excited as he’d been to see her wear it for the first time, it didn’t shock him as he’d thought it would.

When he looked at her, in that white chiffon dress with her hair in a high bun and that big smile on her face, he could see the little girl in a tutu, and he was the little boy who waited by the car with her parents after her first ballet class, because she’d insisted that he came with them to pick her up that day. Then Harry saw the little girl with daisies in her pigtails; she’d made him play house with her and they’d had a fake wedding. That little girl, now older, was a princess for a school play; she’d practised in front of him so many times that he remembered all the lines and mumbled along as he watched her from the third row with her parents. Then she was at a school dance; they hadn’t been talking but he’d watched her in silence just to make sure her date didn’t cross the line. Then there was the girl at the Oscars; messy hair, messy makeup, out of breath, still the most beautiful girl in the room. The girl in his bed, the first face he saw in the morning, no makeup on. The girl with tears running down her face as she said yes on that windy roof. The girl who was drunk in the streetlight, red-faced, smeared mascara as he told her he loved her for the first time. The girl at the entrance of his treehouse; older and taller every time she returned. The girl telling him she’d given up on him for good. The girl telling him she’d love him forever.

He loved every single one of those girls. Y/N was a million girls in one; all were his. And he loved every version of her there had ever been, and every version there would ever be.

His eyes prickled with tears as she reached for his hand, and the first thing she said to him as the music stopped was, “Are you crying?”

“No, there’s something in my eyes,” he said, smiling at her. “Are you?”

“Yes, I am.” She nodded, staring heavenward and blinking back the tears as she tried not to laugh and cry at the same time. Harry almost leaned in and kissed her right then but then he remembered he would have to wait for the priest to say, ‘You may kiss the bride’. He’d meant it when he’d said he was superstitious. He didn’t want to bring bad luck to their wedding. Niall was already an exception.

As the backyard fell to silence and the priest said something Harry did not hear, he couldn’t stop beaming down at his bride and mouthed “I love you” as if she hadn’t got tired of those words already. She mouthed them back, as if he hadn’t got tired of them. Well, at this point he didn’t think it was possible to ever get tired of hearing or saying them.

“Psst, Harry!” Niall’s voice pulled him back to reality. He blinked fast. Everyone was staring at him. “Your vows!” Niall said.

“Right, right. Just a sec.” Holding up a finger, Harry frantically searched in his jacket for the speech he’d prepared last week. His cheeks heated as he pulled out a crumpled piece of paper and flashed his teeth at Y/N, who was staring patiently at him.

He held up a fist at his mouth and cleared his throat. “Forgive me if my vows are generic and badly-written.”

Laughter crackled from the guests, and Harry decided to focus all of his attention on his Bambi. It’d feel less weird if he was saying this to her instead of trying to impress their families, although the way her father looked at him was really intimidating.

He blew out his cheeks, shook his head and began, “I...wanted...to write something cheesy...something like ‘I always knew we’d end up together’ or ‘I fell in love with you the moment I first laid eyes on you’. But that wasn’t how it happened. Because when we first met, you were only nine, and you cried a lot so I didn’t really like you.”

Someone, probably Y/N’s stepmum, awwwed out loud. Y/N tilted her head, scowling at him, and he shot her an apologetic grin before he continued.

“It wasn’t love at first sight, or second, or third. But I think that’s the best part of our relationship. There wasn’t an exact moment where we fell in love. Our love grew as we did. It was always within ourselves even though I realised it a bit late and I let you down. Despite all that we’ve been through, you’ve always been by my side, and you’re the only person who loves me unconditionally.” His eyes searched his mum and Gemma. “Alongside my mum and sister.”

The guests cracked up as Gemma, with her arms crossed, mouthed, ‘I don’t love you,’ at Harry. Ignoring her, Harry turned back to Y/N. “You make me a better person–” And wiped his eyes. “You can call me a crybaby later.”

“I will,” she said as her fingers found his.

He squeezed her hand. “I cannot promise that–that I’ll be perfect, because everyone who knows us knows that we are far from perfect. But I vow to always try to be the best version of myself and love you for as long as I live. I’ll be your best friend, always listen to you, take care of you, always make you proud, and whatever obstacles are thrown in your way, I’ll face them with you.”

This time when a sob broke from someone’s lips, it was Y/N’s old boss, Eddie.

Y/N placed a hand on her heart as her bottom lip quivered. Tears shone in her eyes but she wasn’t crying like a baby like him. She released a nervous laugh, glancing at their families and friends. “I’m embarrassed. My vows probably suck compared to yours.”

“No way,” he murmured, not sure if she heard him.

She sucked in a breath, held her smile, and began. “Harry, I’ve never told you this, but when I was nine, I told Celine that I wanted to marry you when I grew up. I asked her to keep a secret because my mum had said that if you told too many people about your dreams, they would never come true.

“At nine years old, my biggest dream, beside being a writer, was to marry the boy next door. And I can now tell everyone about that dream, because after today, we’re gonna go home together and the boy I’ve loved since I was nine years old, is gonna be my husband.” She took a step forward, pressing his hand to her heart. “I vow to be by your side through sickness and health, through your bests and your worsts. I vow to never lie to you, never give up on you. Thank you for making me a better person. I’ll love you for the rest of my life.”

“That was so much better than mine,” Harry whispered, smiling so big his cheeks began to ache.

They exchanged rings, and then Harry’s heart started thundering as the priest looked at him. “Harry, do you take Y/N–”

“I do,” he said without taking his eyes off Y/N, who was beaming like the sun. “Yes, a million times.”

“Y/N–”

“I do.”

Harry believed he’d heard the priest sigh, yet he hadn’t paid attention to know for sure. Then came the words he’d been waiting to hear. “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

His arms could not catch her fast enough since hers had wrapped around his neck as she locked her lips to his. He pulled her against him, tipped her head back and kissed her like he had the first time at that same spot. This time, in the cheering of their family and friends.

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The wedding reception was also held in Harry’s backyard. By the time Niall and Celine had finished their long speeches, everyone had been starving. After the meal and a few drinks, Harry had forgotten what Niall had said about him in that speech, still, he was grateful for Niall. He hoped the firework guy was having a good time being their uninvited wedding guest.

Their first dance was to the song Hearts Don’t Break Around Here by Ed Sheeran. Harry had picked the song and Y/N had joked about him listening to sappy music, but she’d cried when he sang the words into her ear as they danced with her cheek pressed against his chest and his chin on top of her head.

That every night I'll kiss you you'll say in my ear

Oh we're in love aren't we?

Hands in your hair, fingers and thumbs baby

Maybe it was the adrenaline, maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was her, but he was so upset when the song ended and he had to let her go so she could dance with her dad. His disappointment didn’t last for long because his mum was also a fun dance partner. After two dances, Isaac and Harry’s two cousins stole him away to do some shots. As the drink burnt his throat, he heard someone speaking into the microphone. They didn’t have a band or a stage so Harry didn’t even know they had a microphone. From the looks on Isaac’s and his cousins’ faces, he knew they had no idea what was happening, either.

“Hi guys, I’m Niall.”

“Oh my God,” said Harry’s cousin as he clasped Harry’s shoulder. “What is he doing? Is he drunk?”

“I’ll get him.”

“Stay exactly where you are, blondie!” Niall stabbed a finger at Isaac and all eyes shot at the poor lad. Isaac raised his hands and stepped back. It was then that Harry realised the firework guy wasn’t the only uninvited guest. Niall had brought his whole band. “I’m not drunk,” Niall said, nodding at his guitarist. “I have a little present for my two best friends.”

Harry caught his wife’s eyes from a distance, and she mouthed at him, ‘Do you know about this?’

‘No,’ he mouthed back.

“I wrote a song, inspired by their relationship. If you haven’t read Y/N’s book, I’m an important part of their love story.”

Isaac arched an eyebrow as he took a sip from his glass of champagne. Harry saw Y/N smiling with her mouth open, clinging onto Celine’s arm. She hated surprises so Harry was very relieved that she didn’t seem angry at Niall.

“The song is called ‘Black and White’,” Niall said as he put on his guitar. “I just thought black and white would be like the black suit and white dress and it would become a bit of a wedding song. I was getting a bit nostalgic with it and the song is basically about first love, when you're a teenager and you're like, ‘That's it, me and you are getting married.’ It's got a very happy feel to it, like a stomping driving tune. I think it might be my favourite on my next album.”

“He’s really using my wedding to promote his album,” Harry said, sounding more surprised than he actually was.

“Classic Niall,” Isaac chuckled, shaking his head.

Niall signalled for his band, and someone dimmed the lights in the yard as the song began with a guitar intro.

That first night we were standing at your door

Fumbling for your keys, then I kissed you

Ask me if I want to come inside

'Cause we didn't want to end the night

Then you took my hand, and I followed you

Isaac and Gemma were the first couple to step forward, and the others soon followed, gathering in front of the ‘stage’ and rocking to Niall’s song. Harry met his wife halfway in the crowd, and before he could say a word, she took his hand and pulled him into her.

Yeah, I see us in black and white

Crystal clear on a starlit night

In all your gorgeous colours

I promise that I'll love you for the rest of my life

See you standing in your dress

Swear in front of all our friends

There'll never be another

I promise that I'll love you for the rest of my life

“He didn’t have secret cameras installed around here, did he?” Y/N shouted over the music as Harry spun her around and drew her back in.

“Why?” he asked, laughing.

She cupped his face, bringing their foreheads together. “To film a music video. Because I would shave his head. Or Alice’s head. Which one do you think would hurt him more?”

Harry’s jaw dropped as he hugged her waist. “Just as I thought I could not love you any more.”

I want the world to witness

When we finally say I do

It's the way you love

I gotta give it back to you

I can't promise picket fences

Or sunny afternoons

But, at night when I close my eyes

I see us in black and white

Crystal clear on a starlit night...

“Are you happy?” he asked, his eyes closed.

“Yes,” she said. “Never been happier. I love you.”

“I love you, too. So, so much,” he mumbled into her hair. Suddenly, they were swaying on their own, just them two, under a starry sky.

I see us in black and white

Crystal clear on a starlit night

In all your gorgeous colours

I promise that I'll love you for the rest of my life

See you standing in your dress

Swear in front of all our friends

There'll never be another

I promise that I'll love you for the rest of my life

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(Three years later)

“Daaaaaad!”

Y/N burst into her father’s reading room and found him sitting in his swivel chair with a book in his lap. Outside, the sun was setting. Dust was drifting and dancing in the soft warm light filtering through the stained window. Bradford closed his book as he spun around and narrowed his eyes at her. “What happened?”

“I think I lost her,” she said, still out of breath.

Her dad jumped to his feet. His expression went from confused to shocked to horrified in one second. “How did you lose a child?!”

“I don’t know. I was writing and then she–Hey, Marcy!”

Y/N’s stepmother, who was standing in the doorway between the bedroom and the reading room, cast her husband a tentative look before raising an eyebrow at her stepdaughter. “What are you doing here? Harry and Minnie were looking for you.”

“Oh!” Y/N started though she’d tried her best not to look so relieved. “S-She’s with Harry?”

“Yeah. I saw them down by the lake behind the school.”

“Great. See ya!”

The door swung shut, and Marcy looked to her husband. “She lost Minnie again, didn’t she?”

“Yup,” Bradford sighed. “I’m worried.”

“Don’t be,” Marcy smiled as she rubbed his arm. “I’m sure she’ll be a great mother.”

.

.

.

Bambi dropped her bike as soon as she found Harry by the lake, tossing rocks into the water to impress the two-year-old sitting on the tire swing. He’d hung that swing for Minnie at the beginning of last summer and promised that when the tree in his backyard was big enough, he’d build a treehouse for her.

Dry leaves crunched beneath Y/N’s boots as she made her way toward them. When Harry saw her, his smile glowed as bright as the sun behind him.

“There she is,” he said and picked up Minnie. “Say hello to your irresponsible big sister.”

“Shut up,” Y/N snorted.

“Shut up!” Minnie told her, happily. Minnie was still learning to talk so she would repeat everything.

Harry, with a smug look on his face, tugged slightly at Minnie’s little pigtail. “You’re on my team, aren’t you, Min?”

“You’re setting a bad example for her,” Y/N said, smirking at the inseparable two.

“I didn’t lose her.”

“I was writing. I got distracted.”

“Excuses, excuses.” Harry clicked his tongue, shaking his head. To Minnie, he said, “Now, Minnie, would you be so kind as to tell your sister who’s my favourite girl?”

Y/N rolled her eyes, but then her half-sister surprised her by throwing her tiny arms in the air and said, “Bambi!”

Harry chuckled and kissed Minnie’s chubby cheek.

“Did you teach her that to impress me?” Y/N asked.

“Yeah.” As Harry leaned in to kiss Y/N on the mouth, Minnie covered her eyes with both hands and said, “Yuck!”

Y/N’s heart fluttered as she watched the two of them. She had waited for the special moment to break the news, but seeing her husband and Minnie together, she knew she must say it now.

“Don’t get too attached to this one,” she told him while stroking Minnie’s pink cheek. “Our baby might get jealous.”

Harry snorted. Y/N pressed her lips together.

His face dulled. “Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

Harry’s mouth opened so wide Minnie must have thought he was playing. She burst out laughing, hugging her stomach. Her bright high-pitched laughter made Y/N laugh, too. Then all three of them were just laughing together, not knowing why, and yet they couldn’t stop.

When they finally did (and were on the verge of tears), Harry rubbed a palm over his face, his forehead creased though his grin never faltered.

“Wow. I can’t believe it.” He turned to Minnie. “Min, I’m a dad now, and you’re an aunt. You’re only two years old and you’re an aunt! Such big responsibilities for both of us, don’t you think?”

Minnie didn’t understand what he was talking about, but she could see the elation on his face so she started clapping like a baby seal. Y/N snorted, shaking her head. “Now I have to share your love with another girl.”

“How do you know it’s a girl?”

“My maternal instinct said so.” She shrugged. “Or maybe I want it to be a girl so I can teach her the things my mum taught me.”

Harry broke into a smile as he brushed Y/N’s hair out of her face. “Girl or boy. You know you’ll always be my number one.”

She took his hand and kissed it. “And you are mine.”

This time, Harry had to cover Minnie’s eyes as he went in for an open-mouthed kiss. His lips were cold against hers yet her face burnt as they broke apart.

Suddenly, his phone rang.

“Oh shit.”

“Oh shit,” Minnie repeated happily.

Y/N smacked Harry on the arm and the kid once again shook with laughter. “Look what you did!”

“Sorry!” Harry pointed a finger at Minnie’s little nose and said in a baby voice, “Do not copy Harry. That’s a bad bad word.”

“Harry!” Minnie said and pressed her lips to his cheek. Y/N was so confused when Harry told her Jeff was calling then turned off his phone and shoved it back into his pocket.

“Work can wait,” he said before she could ask. “Now I belong to you and Minnie.” Then he touched Y/N’s belly. “And also little Harry or little Bambi.”

Smiling, she told him, “You’ve only known that you’re a dad for like two seconds and you’re already acting like one.”

“What can I say? I can take on any role.”

He put Minnie back on the swing and wrapped his arms around Y/N, drawing her close. She hugged his waist and buried her face into his chest, listening to the sound of his heart beating in sync with her own.

THE END.