#i tried to get some space so we both calm down he kept coming to me to keep pushing my buttons and i stayed calm cause I'm a professional

[xxlelaxx]

To continue the amazing trend of 2023 work was shit and I almost cried

[tartarusknight]

I want more platonic stobin and bisexualy disaster Steve and gay disaster Eddie in my life. So I wrote some :)

Steve wanted to scream as he tried the handle again. "Steve. Steve!" Robin pulled him away from the door. "They aren't opening the door, and you're just gonna break the handle. Keith already hates your guts. Don't make it worse." She pointed out, weirdly calm about all of this. "Plus, it's not like we don't share space normally." She says and sinks down to the floor, tugging him down with her.

Steve looked at the door, "Why can't they accept that we're only ever going to be platonic?" He asks and runs a ran through his hair. He was sick of this. Of the comments and the teasing. It stresses him out.

They kept pushing the two of them together, and Steve was worried that it could mess up what friendship he had with Robin. Because Steve's used to messing up and hurting someone, and he really doesn't want to hurt Robin. He has nightmares of outing her by accident and ruining her life. It terrifies him.

"Steve, come on, it's okay. It's just a stupid bathroom. We've shared a bathroom stall. This is bigger than that." She jokes, and he pulls his knees up to his chest.

"I can't do this, Rob." He admits and watches her freeze. Her walls climbed up like he said something really stupid. "I'm sorry, but I'm just-"

She cuts him off, "I get it. You don't want to deal with the backlash of being a lesbian's friend." She says, and he blinks.

"What? No! I don't want to say the wrong thing. I get bitchy when I'm annoyed and I'm easily annoyed when I'm stressed. And I'm stressed! So I don't - I can't be the one to out you. I can't mess that up for you." He says, and it's nice to finally admit his fears.

Robin blinks at him, "That's what- Steve, that's what bothers you about all this?"

Steve nods, "I mess up everything I touch. I can't do that to you, I won't do that to you. Honestly, you should probably find better friends. One who thinks with his brai-"

"Shut up." Robin snaps, and he stops speaking. Looking at her with wide eyes. "You can't talk about my best friend that way. I won't let you," She states.

"You're best friend?"

Her eyes soften, "yeah dingus. Who else would be my best friend? We're soulmates," She decides, and he's confused because she sounds like she means it. "Platonic, with a capital p, soulmates."

He swallows back a ball of emotion, "even if all the kids I babysit-"

"Mother."

"Babysit," he stresses, and she smiles. "Try to get us together at every opportunity and won't believe that we aren't in love. Or that I'm in love with you at the least. I think you're better off because you call me dingus more than my name," he mused.

Robin sighed, "I won't say that it's not annoying. But I'm used to dodging questions about boys, and this way... with you, I have someone to be myself with. That's more important to me than some stupid preteens who think locking us in a bathroom would get us together."

Steve smiles, "last time we shared a bathroom did go pretty well, honestly." She knocked her knee into his. He glanced over at the door. "Do you think they'll give up?"

Robin snorts, "Dustin's more invested in your love life than you are. I don't think he'll give up unless you're dating someone else or the truth comes out."

Steve sighed, chewing his lower lip until something clicked in his head. "What If I come out?"

Robin blinked, "you- what?"

Steve nodded, "I mean I like both but I could just say I favor guys." He shrugs, "it's not like they could disprove it since it's mostly true."

Robin stared at him, "Steve... since when did you- what? Steve oh my god," She shifted onto her knees and slammed into him. "Since fucking when! Why didn't you ever tell me!"

Steve raised an eyebrow, "what do you mean since when? I literally point out hot guys all the time! When we watched watched Rocky Horror, I said Tim Curry was sexy!"

She shook his shoulders, "you did no such thing! You ask if I also think a guy is hot and you said- oh." It clicks for her and she falls back on her ass. She covers her face, "holy shit."

Steve smirks, "holy shit."

A giggle escapes her lips, "you so have a type."

"Shut up," he groans.

But before they can really dig into it, there's a loud knock on the door. "We're gonna open the door in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!" The door swings in a Dustin's hand is over his eyes like he's gonna be scarred at the sight of them.

"We're literally just sitting on the floor Henderson. Not having freaky bathroom sex," Steve rolls his eyes and stands, Robin following suit.

Dustin looks upset like he expect his plan to work. "I don't get it." Steve ruffles his hair as he passes the kid. Robin lets out a small laugh as she stretches her limbs like she had been stuck in there for more than just 15 minutes. Steve turns, and she locks eyes with him, a silent question.

"Kid, I've said this a million times, but I'll say it one more time." He glances at the other kids that had either always been there or gotten here at some point since he'd been locked into the bathroom. "Robin and I will never date. She and I have no romantic feelings for each other. And if you pull this shit when we're at work again, I'll kill you."

"It's not like it was hard to figure out how to check someone out," Max shrugged and Steve huffed at her nonchalant grin from behind the counter.

Steve ushers the kids out from behind the counter before taking his normal spot, looking around at the empty store. Robin moves and bumps shoulders with him. "Platonic feelings only." She gestures between them.

Dustin groan, "I just don't get why!"

Steve glances at Robin, "because I'm too gay for her." He states and everyone goes quiet. "Honestly boobies are so high school." He winks at Robin who looks at him like he's bravely stupid.

"Wait but you dated Nancy?" Mike questioned arms over his chest.

Steve rolled his eyes, "so? I am more picky on who I date. Doesn't matter the gender. Robin doesn't tick my boxes."

"But she should!" Dustin complains and Robin groans.

But then Steve sees someone in the windows, heading towards the doors to Family video. "My type is more," and he just gestures just as the door dings to call their attention to the newcomer.

Eddie Munson glances at the kids and then at Steve. "Sheepies," he says. Eyebrows raised in confusion at the eyes on him. Eddie glanced at Steve, "Harrington, you break the kids?" He asks as all the kids continue to stare at him as he moves to the horror section.

Steve waves his hand, like he can brush off the confusion. "Nah, they're just shocked that I'm not completely in love with Birdie over here."

Everyone's jaw is on the floor as Steve leans his arms on the counter, not even bothering to hide the way he checks Eddie out when the man looks away. "Right," Eddie sighs and grabs a movie. "Well, not everyone's type is jocks." Eddie teases slightly, having warmed up to Steve little by little when Steve picks the kids up from Hellfire.

Steve takes the movie from Eddie, giving him his one free movie he gets for the week and hands it back to Eddie without charging him. "I'll win ya over." He winks, and Eddie's eyes go a little wide.

Eyes glanced around like he could ask if anyone else saw that. "Um, well, yeah, how-how much for the-"

"Consider it on me." Steve waved his hand and then leaned more into Eddie's space, "I haven't seen this one yet."

Eddie swallows, "You should check it out. It's, uh, pretty good."

Steve smiles, "I'm shit with horror, maybe if I had someone to hold my hand through it." He sighs overdramatically, then snaps, "Oh, I know! If you're not busy we could watch it together. I mean, it seems like a scary metalhead like yourself would be capable of holding my hand through the jump scares."

Eddie's eyes are blinking rapidly, "it's for the boys." He says, looking lost. Steve frowns, and Eddie jumps into action, "But I could-" He stops himself and groans. "I've got to- plans- fuck-" He stumbles and practically smacks into the door in his rush to leave family video.

Steve sighs and leans his head down on the counter. Robin pats his back, "I miss my whiteboard." She sighs and he looks up to glare at her.

[sweetestcaptainhughes]

First Last Christmas

Word Count - 17.3k

Summary - Jack is starting to think this isn't his best idea, and Idris is starting to maybe regret her choice. Maybe agreeing so quickly to spend the holidays with her baby daddy who she broke up with 3 months isn't the best idea.

Warnings - none. just some family drama but who doesn't have family drama during the hoildays.

Author's Note: It is finally complete. Thank you for everyone who reads this AU and has been excited for this to come out. Thank you Allie for being my beta reader for a good 75 percent of this fic even though she's on vacation. 🫶🏻🫶🏻 This is the longest fic I have ever written so be kind. Consider this my Christmas present from me to you even if it's a little past midnight. 😂

Till Forever Falls Apart Masterlist

Roughly 2 weeks before Christmas…

Idris could physically feel her hand shaking as she rode up the elevator to her old condo - now known as only Jack’s and Luke’s - and it wasn’t anxiety that also made her cheeks feel flushed, it was anger. Idris was so angry with Jack that she could feel her jaw starting to hurt from how tight she clenched her teeth. She looked down at her phone to see if he thought to answer any of her messages about Christmas only to see a text from him asking her to text him when she was leaving her place with the kids. She found herself shaking her head in disbelief as she exited the elevator making the sharp right turn to walk down the hall to knock on her - she still couldn’t bring herself to think of Jack as anything other than Jack, the word ex made her stomach turn and she couldn’t call him her fiance anymore, she could say baby daddy but that only described the relation he had to their children not the impact he had on her, her heart, her life, so he was just - Jack. 

Taking a deep breath she stood in front of apartment 725, trying to make herself calm down even just a little before she faced him, she knocked heavily on the door. Jack answered almost immediately, it’s expected he was expecting her to drop the kids off to him on his day off. But the kids are still over at her little cozy apartment spending time with their Uncle Luke and Uncle Nico, because she needed time to talk to Jack about how he’s been avoiding all of her calls and texts about Christmas. 

“Hey guy-” He didn’t finish his greeting that was meant for his children and his smile dropped as his eyebrows frowned ever so slightly when he realized the kids weren’t with her. Idris isn’t sure if it was a conscious act or not, as he slightly boxed himself into the doorway more as if to not let her into his space. Even if it was a place that she decorated herself with him years ago, before Luke even joined the NHL and lived with them, before they ever even fell into their friends with benefits situation, back when Jack was just her guy best friend who she just so happened to meet due to a one night stand. Back when he was 19 and just got his first apartment and Jill was still stocking his fridge when he was due to come back from long roadies. “Where are the kids?” he sighed as he questioned her, as if he didn't have time for whatever she was planning. ‘Too bad’ Idris thought to herself, ‘Christmas is two weeks away and we have two children who believe in Santa. Time to act like an adult.’ 

“At my place with Luke and Nico. I needed to talk to you and I didn’t want listenin’ ears.” she explained, but she didn’t miss the way that Jack crossed his arms and looked annoyed. 

“So that’s why Luke was up so early this morning. Course he just had to run off to help you.” he snapped bitterly and Idris was finding it hard not to yell at him. ‘This is about the kids. Christmas. Kids. Christmas.’ she kept repeating to herself trying to get herself not to be roped into another useless fight with the man in front of her. 

“Jack, we both know he’s not doing it for me. He’s doing it because he loves his niece and nephew.” Idris tried reasoning with him. “But that’s not why I came here. Can you let me in? I really don’t want to do this in the hall.” Jack flashed an unreadable expression on his face, something unmistakingly softer than earlier, almost looking like the old Jack for a millisecond and then it was gone as quick as it came, as he stepped aside giving Idris room to step into the apartment. 

Idris couldn’t stop herself from word vomiting as she noticed that no decorations were out for Christmas, not even the children’s stockings were hung. “Where is the tree?” she asks as she slips her scarf and gloves, gently placing them in her coat pocket as she places it on the back of the chair, her heeled booties already off by the door looking like they never left beside her children’s and Jack’s array of shoes. 

“Didn’t feel like decorating.” he mumbled as he walked past her and sat down on the coach in the living room. “What do you want, Idris?” he asks as he picks back up his controller, Idris was fully prepared to scream thinking he was going to resume his game but was surprised and maybe even a little grateful when she realized he was just turning it off. 

“Well even if you don’t you “feel like it.” Zander is old enough to notice Jack.” she tries to speak softly, so it doesn’t come off as judgmental as she wants to be. Although her words still have a sharpness to them. “We need to talk about Christmas. You haven’t answered a single of the hundreds of texts I’ve sent trying to plan with you.” Idris adds, as she is reminded of the reason she came over in the first place, ‘the kids. Christmas.’ 

“Well maybe I didn’t feel like decorating this year.” he snaps, it isn’t harsh, kind of like how he snaps at the media when they repeat a question or ask something that isn’t logical, like the time they said ‘Quinn was like a brother to Jack.’ when he is in fact Jack’s older brother. But still, even if it wasn’t harsh, a little over a year ago, he would never even think to give her attitude when she’s just trying to be a good mom to their kids. “Also I liked the message Iddy. I got the toy alright.” he huffs, and it takes everything in Idris not to scream at the man sitting in front of her, manspreading, arms crossed, as if she is wasting his time.

“That’s not the point and you know it. Cool you got a toy off the internet congrats on doing the absolute bare minimum. For god sakes you haven’t even decorated Jack! Christmas is literally 2 weeks away! What the hell! I thought we agreed that the kids' happiness came first! And that includes Christmas. Do you think I wanted to decorate by my fucking self this year! No. Do you think I want to be standing here begging for you to look at me so we can talk about where our children are spending Christmas! No. I much rather be curled in bed with Luna doing nothing but here I am. Here I am! I am trying to co-parent with you! But how can I when you don’t answer any of my texts or calls trying to talk about what we're gonna do!” Idris yells, she doesn’t feel better, she feels like shit, she always does when she’s fighting with Jack, as if he is a vacuum that sucks all the energy out of her. She’s also close to tears, but Idris has always been one of those people that cry when she’s so angry she can barely think coherently. She looks at Jack from across the room and waits, waits for him to care enough to answer her. 

“I’m off for Christmas break, I thought the answer was obvious. I’m taking ‘em home to the lakehouse.” Whether it’s because Jack is speaking softly or the drumming in Idris’ ears is too loud from the anger she feels, she looks at him with disbelief. 

“What?” she breaths out. 

“Imma take ‘em home, Idris. You had them for Thanksgiving. It’s only fair I have them for Christmas.” Jack is standing now as if he’s preparing for a fight with her, but she can’t bring herself to fight, her body is in shock. Jack might have been an asshole and maybe that’s why she left, but he was never cruel and taking her children away from her on Christmas was cruel. 

“I took them to Ann Arbour for the long weekend to spend time with my family. I drove to the lakehouse 2 ½ hours away both ways so they could see their Uncle Quinn, your brother Jack. Then not even 30 hours later, I made the drive again so they could see you and Luke on Sunday. And spend time with you on the day you were free from hockey. Then I drove home alone” her voice cracked, she wished it hadn’t but it did and a dam of tears started streaming down her face like a hurricane banging on a screen door in the summer night. Suddenly Jack’s stomach started to hurt and his socks looked much more interesting than Iddy’s face.  “I drove home alone. Crying because of you! Because your words you had with me about not being there sooner with them! About how I was trying to ruin the holidays. So no.” Idris took a deep breath using her hands to speak as she made air quotes as she spoke “ I didn’t ‘get them for thanksgiving’ I shared them with you, and your family even if you weren’t there. I tried to be fair, and mind you I did it without talking to you because you refused to just like you are now. I know that you hate me for leaving, and I can live with that. But what I can’t live with is battling against me every goddamn fucking day because you’re not adult enough to have a fucking conversation about what’s best the kids. Because you know who you’re hurting when you do that Jack?” she asks him and Jack glances up from his feet feeling like he’s being scolded by his mother, deciding that it was probably a rhetorical question. “You might think it’s me, but it’s our kids. Zander doesn't understand why his mama and daddy live apart now. Zola who adores her father and who still is her favorite person, and she might be little but she isn’t stupid, she can feel the tension when we’re in the same room. If you want to spend your Christmas break at home fine but I am not spending Christmas without my kids.” Idris’ feels a migraine starting to brew with the amount of stress she is having, as she glances at the family room clock and realizes she’s been here for 10 minutes and nothing productive has been done. She runs her hands through her hair, its shorter now since she cut it, shaking it out and pulling at it,  as if pulling on her scalp will lessen the stress.

“So you wanna stay here?” the confusion is clear in his voice, she doesn’t have to look at him to know that. 

“No.” She exhales, looking up making eye-contact with him, his blue eyes boring into hers, it doesn’t matter the history when he looks at her at that all dumbfounded and confused like only she can bring him out of it, it makes her knees go weak. “We’re always home for Christmas. It’s just harder now.” 

“Because you left.” He mumbles to himself. 

“Actually not what I was thinking, more like Zander believes in Santa and all gifts for everyone and the kids have been shipped here. And how are we gonna get all the kids gifts in 2 checked bags, plus their strollers, and diapers and everything else they need for traveling. Let alone the fact we have Apollo and Luna now, and checking them into the animal hotel was fine for Thanksgiving but the kiddos missed them and cried about it all week.” 

The more Idris talks, the more it’s obvious how much thought she has actually put into this, and Jack feels guilty for causing her so much anxiety knowing that if he just wasn’t so stubborn they could have figured this out around Thanksgiving and not waited till 2 weeks before. Plus, if Jack was being honest with himself, he would have procrastinated even longer having this conversation with Iddy if she didn’t just show up on his doorstep and force him to talk. He was still so mad at her for leaving, he knew they were in a bad place, but he didn’t know it was that bad. Idris settles on the couch opposite of Jack and puts her hands on her head, leaning forward resting her elbows on her knees and Jack flinches; she only does that when she’s starting to get a migraine which she only gets because of stress. Stress that Jack caused and that doesn’t sit right with him. 

Jack's mouth slightly twitches, his palms getting slightly sweaty as he squeezes his knees with them and fights internally with himself. If this was even 10 weeks ago, he would walk over to her and hold her and tell her everything was gonna be okay. But that was before, and even though he knew he was only lying to himself to make himself feel better, he hasn’t done that in almost a year, holding her when she got too stressed out. Most of the time he just blamed her for working too much, or putting herself in the position she was in. “Fuck it” he mumbles to himself as he gets up and goes in front of Iddy, sitting on his knees as softly calls her name grabbing her hands as they are in little balls now and he knows she’s using her nails to put pressure on them, sighing when he sees all the little bright red  half moon imprints. “Idz.” he whispers, a nickname only he uses, he hasn’t used it in months but he hopes it helps bring her out of her head and back to him.

 “Idz, I’m sorry,” he speaks softly, and he grins when she finally looks at him. “You’re right I haven’t been good at communicating when it comes to the kids and it is selfish of me. And I knew it was stressing you out and I didn’t care. I’m sorry Idz.” His hand twitched in hers, he wanted to bring her palms up to his lips and softly kiss each mark she inflicted on herself but he didn’t wanna push it. She was letting him hold her hand, after he was a dick for weeks to her, simply for choosing herself. He settled on rubbing small circles with his thumbs into her hands. “Comeon’ Idz let’s look at a calendar ya?” He asks he still won’t speak above a whisper, he doesn’t want to shout anymore, he’s tired and he wants to finish planning so he can go pick up his kids and play with them before he has to drop them back off at Iddys because he has a 6 am morning skate time tomorrow due to being a game day. 

“Why that still doesn’t answer the question of where?” She squeaks out, and his heart hurts that she doesn’t get that they can go to Michigan and be home. 

“Iddy we’ve always gone home and that doesn’t have to change okay? I’ll drive up with all the presents if I have to alright?” 

“What about Apollo and Luna, you know she doesn’t like car rides or the plane but I don’t wanna leave her.” Jack resists the urge to take his thumb and pull at her bottom lip she’s chewing on, he hates when she chews on her lip as cute as it might look, because she never stops until it chewed raw, usually bleeding. 

“We can take Luna to the vet to get medicine to help with the car ride alright? And I can take them in the car. okay?” He’s not really asking if he can take them more if she has any questions about his plan so far. 

“Okay but where in Michigan.” 

“At home Idz.” He doesn’t have to say it, she knows there are only two places he calls home in Michigan, his moms and dads house he spent a few teenage years in, and the lakehouse he owned with Quinn. They have always hosted Christmas at the lakehouse for as long as they’ve owned it. 

“That doesn’t answer where I will stay? I don’t want to be away from the kids when they wake up on Christmas Day. This is the first year Zander is starting to understand the concept of Santa, I don’t wanna miss his face when he sees all the presents under the tree and all the cookies he laid out gone.” 

Jack chuckles, not because of her reasoning but because he can see Zander screaming his head off Christmas morning. It takes everything in him not to let his pet name for her slip, his heart aches, its moments like this he wishes they were still together, but if they were together they wouldn’t be debating where to spend Christmas. “You can stay at the house, Iddy, it’s as much yours as it is mine or Quinn’s. I mean you were there when we picked it out, there when we signed for it, definitely was the one in charge of furnishing it.” 

She made a face as she asked “isn’t that weird?” 

“Who cares if it’s weird? When have we ever been normal?” he chuckles trying to break the tension that was still left in the air. 

“What most people don’t have two kids with a one night stand?” Iddy asks sarcastically and they both laugh, the mood finally lightening up for the first time since she arrived. 

So it was settled Idris would be spending Christmas week at the lakehouse, she would fly in with the kids the Friday before Christmas out of Newark airport where Jack dropped them off. She will first drive to her parents and spend the night hanging out there so they can see their grandchildren they don’t see enough of. Idris and the kiddos will spend the night at her sister's little townhouse, because she didn’t think she would want to drive the 2 ½ hours to the lakehouse that late. If she was by herself she wouldn’t care, but she really tried hard to keep the kids on their routine when they were with her and that included bathed and in bed by 7. The next day they’ll drive up to the lake house where they will spend a few days alone before Jack arrives Monday night with Apollo and Luna with him. Luke and the rest of the family already decided not to arrive until Christmas Eve, Luke even brought his plane ticket already and they will spend Christmas together. It seemed simple enough, what could go wrong? At least they had a plan now. 

After talking everything out, Idris felt much better, they even talked about the kids' gifts and who was getting what, what was Santa’s and what was from them. They both agreed the kids were too little and it was too petty to separate the gifts they gave their children ‘from daddy’ or ‘from mama.’ Everything that wasn’t Santa came from them as a unit, even if they didn’t work together all that well.

“Wait.” she gasps as Jack starts to stand, but if Idris says wait he will, even if his body is in an awkward position half standing, half bent over. Jack can’t help but think that this position probably isn’t good for his shoulder since he’s putting all his weight on it. But he didn’t care, if it earned him brownie points with Idris. She softly pulled him down to the position he was before and he was grateful he didn’t have to feel the tension in his shoulder anymore. “I don’t want to get to the house 3 days before Christmas and have to decorate yet another house for Christmas.” Usually they decorated together the weekend after Thanksgiving. If they were up there, his mom would always come and help Iddy since Jack never had much time in the mist of the season. But at least that way they never had to stress over it when they were only up there for Christmas break for a few days. 

“Why don’t I ask my mom for help?” he asks, normally he would just tell her he was going to ask his mom. But now with the separation, everything felt off on its axis like he needed permission before he offered a solution. She didn’t reject it right away so Jack took it as an invitation to keep going, “she loves decorating for Christmas Idz, I’m sure her and dad can run up and put the tree together and everything before you and the kids get there.” 

“That’s a lot to ask of them.” She’s biting her lip again and Jack bites his as a response, ‘please stop baby, you're gonna make yourself bleed.’ But it’s not his place anymore to say that even if it makes him sick watching her do it and not saying anything. 

Jack sighs, he knows they wouldn’t mind, they would be happy to help. But he also knows the way Iddy grew up wasn’t the way he did, and every favor even if it was a family member came at a price to her. Jack, no matter how hard he tried over the years could never get that out of her head. “You know they would do anything for you.” He says as he looks into her eyes, grateful she’s finally making eye-contact with him. He could have said ‘for the kids’ or ‘for me’ but he knew it held more weight if he said the truth. Decorating was going to ease Iddys to-do list, not his and the kids honestly probably wouldn’t care they are still so little. But it matters to Idris for some reason to make this Christmas perfect, so he was gonna try his damn hardest to help her. She nods a ‘okay’ and Jack smiles, probably for the first time in days except after he scored a goal last night and had a celly on the ice.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday December 20,2024

It should be easy enough, flying with the kids by herself. Idris didn’t think it would be difficult, it’s not the first time either of them have been on a plane. She has flown with both of them with Jack plenty of times, even all the way to Vancouver once to visit Quinn. She even flew without him with the kids over Thanksgiving and that is the busiest time of year to travel. Thankfully, she didn’t have to lug too much around just enough stuff for them for night and a few winter items for the kids that she knew weren't in the lakehouse due to their fast growing bodies. It was fine in the beginning, Zander was in that phase where he loved being a helper, but it made a turn for the worse quickly. Jack had decided that he didn’t want to just drop them at the door, but help her check in, even though she had carried even more by herself less than a month ago. But she didn’t want to bicker when he was trying to be nice. Zander wanted to help so Jack let him ‘push’ one of the suitcases, really Jack was pushing it with his foot, sometimes grabbing it to steer. Zander didn’t seem to notice, focused on the task at hand, pushing the suitcase across the parking garage floor. It was cute how happy her son was at his father’s compliments. “Good job Z. Keep going buddy.” Idris was busy wearing the diaper backpack bag, holding Zola, and the carrier in her other hand that she decided she didn’t need to wear yet. She was pushing her carry-on suitcase with her hand following behind Jack who had both car seats (because all though it isn’t a rule, Idris will be damned if her kids aren’t secure 35,000 feet in the air.) 

At one point Zander got distracted by the sound of a car coming down the ramp, it was a loud high pitch sound, he never did like loud sounds, he jumped he would have hit his hand on the handle of the suitcase if Jack’s hand wasn’t there. “I scared.” Zander mumbled, as he looked up at his dad and decided to hang on to his leg. Idris could tell that he was pulling at Jack, trying to get him to open his legs more so Zander could attempt to hide himself in them. The car skeeted past them and it took everything in Jack not to yell at them for being an asshole and scaring his kid. “Daddy?” Zander whined, and it hurt him. He hated seeing his kids upset even if it was something as simple as getting spooked by a loud sound. He could hear Idris behind him, trying to calm a fussy Zola who also didn’t appreciate the unexpected noise. 

Jack squatted to the ground to be eye-level with his son, gently putting each car seat down, using his knee to keep the giant suitcase from rolling away. Zander didn’t wait to be comforted, he jumped into his arms and Jack embraced him cooing in his ear that it was alright. Idris was suddenly grateful that Jack insisted on dropping them off three hours ahead of time instead of the normal two, because they haven’t even made it out of the parking garage and they’ve been here almost 20 minutes. Zander wanted his mom to carry him once he was calm and as much as she wanted to explain she couldn’t, she didn’t. Instead she handed Zola to Jack and stripped herself of the backpack and her winter coat momentarily to put to strap her carrier on. Then she put back on her winter coat, grabbed Zola and set her inside. Then gently, bending down she put the backpack on and picked Zander up and balanced him on her hip. Jack stared at her, as if this was the hottest thing she had ever done in front of him. He knew no one else probably found it attractive, but watching Idris be a mom always made the pit of his stomach warm, at least he wasn’t sporting a semi in public due to his baby-mama he wasn’t even with he thought to himself. 

“Ready?” she breathes out. Jack knows it’s directed at her, but his throat feels dry with where his mind was going as he was watching her, so he just nods. Picking up both bulky car seats, he tries to push the carry-on suitcase with his leg which he is successful. But he can’t really steer as well as he thought he could. ‘Maybe it was good Zander was helping him’ he thought to himself. “J I got it.” grabbing the suitcase and rolling it on her side, Jack wasn’t sure how she was able to push both suitcases, and hold both kids. 

Somehow it was smooth sailing from there, Jack stayed until Idris was done checking in, bags checked. The bag she was originally going to use as a carry-on she decided to check because she didn’t want to lug another thing around if she didn’t have to. Zander decided he could stand now and wanted to be a helper so Idris let him hold her phone. He was honestly too little to carry a car-seat or wear the diaper bag, and although he has carried Zola before it wasn’t for long distances, they are practically the same size after all. 

Saying goodbye to Jack was weird, not for the kids, they were fine. But this was the first time they have really said a goodbye before one of them takes off in an airplane while they aren’t together. Both of them don’t seem to know what to do with that piece of information, Jack switching the weight back and forth between his feet to help ease his nerves. Iddy with her bottom lip between her teeth, it was finally Zander who broke the awkwardness with his question from below them. “Daddy, why not come?” he asks, he doesn’t seem upset more than anything curious. Jack bends down and explains he has a few more games, and then he promises he will come and he’s even gonna bring Apollo and Luna with him. Zander gasps at the news, a look of excitement in his eyes at the fact the family dog and cat were gonna be there for Christmas. “When?” he asks. 

“4 sleeps buddy.” As he pulls his son in for another hug, kissing the top of his head. Idris stomach twist, in a good way, she knew Jack was always good with kids. But seeing Jack being good with their kids, made something stir in her she hasn’t felt in a while. She takes a deep breath, pushing down whatever feelings were trying to crawl their way up. Jack puts his forehead against Zanders, like he always does before they are going to be separated. “Make sure you listen to Mama okay?”

“Okie daddy.” he stretches and moves away, his attention span has never been long even compared to other two-year olds. Zander holds onto Idris' hand as Jack stands and puts his hand on Zola’s head, leans down and gives her another kiss. 

“Bye-bye Zozo.” he coos. He smiles when she babbles back at him mixed in with “da-da” Finally he steps back and looks at Idris, he wants to step into her space, to hug her, kiss her goodbye even if it’s just on the cheek. But he doesn’t want to make her uncomfortable, so he stands back grasping the back of his neck, he can feel the slight sweat on his skin. “Uhh Iddy. Call me when you land okay." She steps forward and hugs him unprompted and he suddenly doesn’t have any breath in his lungs. He just closes his eyes and wraps an arm around her, the other reaching down to pet Zanders head. Jack could stand there all day despite having a game tonight, hell he could stand there forever if she’d let him. He breathed in finally, enjoying the scent of her shampoo, the smell of baby powder from Zola, he was holding his whole family for the first time in months and he will be damned if he ends it first. 

Jack isn’t sure how long they stood there, time always escapes him when Iddy is in his arms. Finally she looks at him “you’ll be doin’ your pre-game napping when we land.” It takes Jack a second for his brain to catch up, of course leave it to Iddy to go right back to conversation like that wasn’t the first time he had her in his arms in months. 

“Doesn’t matter.” he doesn’t leave room for debate, but he knows she will have something to say so he adds, “you and our kids are about to be on a plane without me, I will be lucky if I can even get my heart to stop pounding so fast, so I could sleep before I know you’re safe Idz.” He doesn’t look away, and neither does she, both trying to read what the other person is thinking. Neither of them giving the other even a slight clue, ‘when did I stop being able to read her every thought’ he thought to himself. 

“Okay.” she nodded at him, putting the car seats on the shitty airport trolly an airline employee offered. Idris was busy,  making sure Zander was holding onto the side of the cart and then she turned and left. Jack stood there to see if she would turn around and wave before she got onto the escalator she didn’t. But at least Jack could be happy that his son did, waving bye to his dad as he yelled something Jack couldn’t hear but knew it was some sort of goodbye. 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday December 22nd: 

Jack had practice this morning but he didn’t care, just went through the motions. He missed his kids, he missed Iddy, but missing them isn’t new, being away from them due to his hockey schedule isn’t new. He missed most of Zander's firsts - from being a newborn baby to about 8 months old -  due to hockey. Jack knew the all too familiar feeling of missing his family, having fomo was his villain origin story at this point. The only thing that was new was the fact that he was home and they weren’t. It always fucked with him the most the nights where they were with Idris and not him. But at least for the most part they tried to switch off every other night. Jack knows that when he wakes up he’ll see his kids that morning or that afternoon picking them up from daycare. But this, them being home and him being in Jersey, it was torture, it felt like something was nawwing at his skin from the inside, and no matter what he did he couldn’t get the restless feeling out of his head or off his skin. 

The only good news he had was that tomorrow night right after the game he was gone. Jack would leave directly from the rock to the lakehouse if he could tomorrow. But he has to pick up Apollo and Luna from his place first. The little fact that he will be with his kids and Idris under the same roof after tomorrow night is the only thing keeping him from not screaming from the endless restlessness he was feeling. 

“You seem tense.” Nico observes and normally Jack would appreciate his captain and one of his best friends on the team checking on him. But right now he didn’t want to talk, he wanted to skip his shower and get dressed as quick as possible and go home. Jack wanted to pack the car so it was ready for tomorrow, he wanted to get gas so he didn’t have to stop tomorrow night, he wanted to FaceTime Idris and talk to her and his kids. Even though he knew she wasn’t going to talk to him, she would always answer though so he could talk to Zander and Zola. 

“I’m fine.” He mumbles, Jack didn’t even try to hide the little bit of annoyance in his voice. 

“Dude you don’t seem fine. Is everything okay at home?” Nico whispers the last part, he knows Jack doesn’t want people knowing about his life. Even though every single person on the team, coaches, medical staff and hell even the social media team knows Idris and him are living apart. But that doesn’t mean they know all the inner personal details of the day-to-day baby-mama drama. Even Nico doesn’t want their shit aired out for the gossip groups of the Rock. 

“Not in the mood to talk.” Jack mumbles as he throws a pair of sweats on. Jack knows he’s going to regret not showering as soon as he’s home, but at least if he’s home he can take a real shower, maybe if he stands under the hot water long enough - the water hot enough to feel like it’s slightly burning - he’ll be able to think about anything else besides Idris hugging him in the airport and how good it felt to have her in his arms again every time he closes his eyes. 

“Come on man. Keeping that shit in isn’t gonna help you.” Nico is poking, he wants Jack to talk, but Jack doesn’t wanna talk to him. 

He’s still pissed at Nico for babysitting his kids with his brother so Idris could come yell at him about Christmas. Nico also last week took his kids out for hot chocolate when Idris couldn’t pick them up on time from daycare on time due to a meeting running late. Jack can’t be pissed at Idris for not calling him, not trusting him enough to help her out when he was perfectly available. Not when he couldn’t stop thinking about the butterflies she gave him in his stomach when he wrapped her arms around him. Or the fact that he has been a dick to her since they separated, he made Luke their mediator in everything revolving around Idris for the first two weeks, including pick-up and drop-offs. But he can be pissed at Nico and he will be. Even if Jack knows Nico would never make a move on Idris, he knows they are like siblings, he also knows Idris would never go after one of his teammates even if they are separated. But the idea of Idris choosing another man over him, Jack’s always been the jealous type, ‘territorial like a pitbull’ is what his high school girlfriend called it. 

“I know you miss ‘em Jack, it’s normal you know. I miss my fam-” 

Jack cuts him off, he turns his head to Nico’s cubby and in a second he’s in his face screaming at him. “You don’t know shit Nico. This isn’t me missing my mommy or sister. I miss my kids who are 1000 miles away from me right now! You can’t even keep a girl long enough to have a kid. So you latch onto mine? How could you possibly know what I’m feelin’!” he yells. Luke and Jesper are pulling him away from Nico, Jack doesn’t know what happened, one second he was fine the next he was attacking. Jack really doesn’t know what happened, sure he might have been mad at Nico, but to try to attack him? He has always had a slight anger problem but usually it was just when shit didn’t go his way on the ice. The last couple weeks though he’s been snapping at everyone. 

“Bro chill.” he hears Luke in his ear, he tries to shove him off but Luke doesn’t let him, using his long arms to his advantage wrapping Jack in them as he pulls them to the other side of the locker room towards Luke’s bench. “You can be angry but you can’t take that shit out on anyone but yourself.” Luke mumbles softly, Jack knows if they were home he’d be louder, but Luke represents him too much as his older brother to air out his business out in the locker room. Or maybe it was Idris or the kids that made Luke stay quiet, whatever it was Jack was thanking the heavens as he felt himself calm down. Most of the people in the locker room had left to shower, or at least pretended to not listen and watch Jack’s breakdown in front of them.

Luke was holding him in his arms not letting him move until he forced his body to calm down. It must have taken longer than Jack thought to calm down because next time Jack looked up he noticed all the guys were gone, it was just Luke and himself in the room. He’s not sure where 10 men that are over 6 '0 ft tall and over 200 lbs went in 30 seconds but he’s grateful to be alone with his brother because he’s about to cry and at least Luke won’t think of him as pathetic as he felt for it. Luke lets go of his brother and Jack takes a step forward and then turns around so he’s facing Luke. Jack doesn’t wanna look up and see whatever emotion Luke is displaying on his face; disappointment, anger, sympathy. Although Jack doubts Luke feels any sympathy for Jack, he’s seen most of the shit go down between Idris and himself. Jack wouldn’t feel sympathy if he was in Luke’s shoes. Jack stares at his shoes, his dirty white sneakers he keeps here to wear before games. He must have slipped on the wrong pair of shoes when he was too in his head earlier. “It’s just eh” he tries to start, he clears his throat before he tries again. “This is the longest I’ve ever been away from my kids unless I was on a roadie.” 

“I know.” he says, Luke’s tone is neutral, but his voice sounds annoyed. Jack knows his brother isn’t annoyed, he really has no emotion behind his words, and that’s how Jack knows he’s getting fed up with his shit. 

“And Apollo all he does is cry at the door waiting for them to come home, and Luna won’t even glance my way like I’ve personally wounded her by taking her back to our place for a few days. It’s one thing to miss them, it’s another thing to have to watch how even our pets miss them.” Jack sniffles, he didn’t want to cry in front of Luke. He’s done a lot of that lately but he can’t help it, he misses them so much his chest physically hurts. 

“You are going to see them tomorrow night Jacky.” Luke tried to reason as he took a step towards his brother. 

“Yeah but by the time I get there, the kids will be asleep and probably Idris too. Plus I’ll have to crawl into a cold bed since Iddy’s stayin’ in the guest room.” he complains.

“Not to sound like a dick but who’s fault is it that you're even separated in the first place? And don’t say Iddy cause she’s the one who had the balls to leave cause maybe you don’t remember but I do live with you Jack. I know you're my big brother and I will always root for you, I will always look up to you in some way. But you can't seriously be mad at anyone else for where you’re standing.” 

Jack didn’t have a response for his little brother, but he’s never felt like a shitter older brother. Big brothers were supposed to set examples, be a role model, they were supposed to give the “get your shit together” talk to their little brothers, not the other way around. Jack is tired of Luke calling him out lately, but he doesn’t say it, he just sighs and glances up finally. Jack thinks he might be even more tired of seeing that expression on Luke’s face. The one where he’s disappointed but also looks like someone who has no shock in their body, like it was expected for Jack to yell and try to fight Nico, as if it was expected for Luke to have pull him off, or even expected for Jack to try to reason his actions with shitty excuses he knew held no weight. 

Jack just wants it to be tomorrow night so at least he can block everything out and just drive, drive until he finally feels at ease for the first time in days because he will be with his family, his kids, his Idz. 

—---------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday, December 23 ~ 2 days till Christmas: 

Idris was tired, she loved her kids, but not talking to another adult since Saturday morning when she left her sister’s was starting to weigh on her. Of course, she’s messaged Jack here and there when he’s asked for updates, texted her sister off and on. But an actual conversation, not since Saturday and she was starting to go a little stir crazy because of it. 

“MAMA.” Zander screamed from the family room, thankfully because of the open floorplan she didn’t have to move from the stove to answer his calls. 

“Yeah Z baby” she calls. “I’m in the kitchen bubs.” she calls out to him. Immediately she hears the pitter patter of his feet hitting the floor as he runs to her. 

“When's daddy comin’?” he asks as he slams his entire body weight into her legs, immediately trying to climb up her legs while he waits for an answer.. Thankfully she is normal for him constantly running into her and climbing her or Jack, it’s like his body constantly has to be in movement. Ellen swears that Jack was the same way, - and although she always wished to have a ‘mini - Jack’ when she was pregnant with Zander, she wishes she was more specific with the universe, she meant looks and not his restless energy and sass - Idris hopes that he starts to calm as he gets older and not more energetic because she doesn't know how she will survive the ‘horrible threes’ if he is even more of a ball of energy. 

“Honey I’m cooking lunch, do you want up?” she asks her son, glancing away from the grilled cheese she’s making for Zander and Zola to share. Zander continues to pull on the side of her hoodie, the bottoms of his feet pushing her calves trying to continue to climb her. 

“Yeah.” he finally huffs, Iddy barely bends down as she scoops her son up and sits him on the counter next to the stove so he can watch as she cooks. 

“It’s hot, Zander. No touching anything or you’ll have to get down." She gently reminds her son, but she’s not sure if he even knows that she is talking to him. Immediately jumping back into why he came to find his mom anyway. 

“When's daddy comin?” Frowning his eyebrows as he has to repeat his question from earlier. 

“Soon baby. Tomorrow. Daddy has one more game he has to play sweetheart.” Iddy says gently, not sure how he will respond, as she removes the pan from the hot burner and turns the stovetop off. 

“I wanna watch,” he says, although ‘watch’ comes out more as ‘wash.’ Iddy can’t help but smile at how he pronounces some words, still learning how to perfect some of his sounds. 

“Okay. It starts in about an hour I think. First lunch, then we can watch Daddy.” Idris starts to silently pray to the powers above that no one slams into Jack today, like they did the last time Idris let Zander watch one of his dads games a few weeks ago. She really doesn’t want Zander to get scared again like last time, he was so scared until he saw Jack and with him driving here tonight, she couldn’t imagine having an anxious Zander until the middle of the night. 

“FaceTime Daddy and ukle ‘uky.” he asks, Idris grins Zander also hasn’t perfected his ‘L’ sound yet. Idris turns to the 2 kid plates behind her that have some fruit on them and cuts the grilled cheese into 4 pieces and gives Zander 2 pieces and Zola’s plate one to start. 

“I’ll have to see if he’s available honey”, as she microwaves the leftover broccoli in the microwave from the night before she planned to add it to the kids lunch to make it a little more balanced. 

Pulling out her phone, as she walks back over to Zander texting Jack to ask if he has time before the game for a FaceTime. Glancing at the clock she knows the players are probably getting dressed for warm-ups right now or even on the ice for warmups already. Iddy helps her son get down from the counter and helps him settle into a chair at the kitchen table with his food. She sits Zola’s plate in front of her, as she drags Zola and her high-chair closer to the table. 

“Daddy first.” Zander demands, and Idris sighs as she is about to tell her son Jack hasn’t answered her yet but she’s saved by her phone ringing. 

Idris answers the phone, setting it up so it’s promoted in front of Zander. The first thing Jack hears as it finally connects is “Zander you still have to eat while talking to daddy.” Jack grins as he sees his son on the screen, head turned slightly no doubt pouting at Iddy. 

“I don’t wan’ broccoli.” he fusses. 

“Zander.” Jack calls his attention, it’s the first time Zander or Idris address that he’s on the phone. Idris is suddenly glad she’s off camera because she’s pretty sure her breath catches at the sight of Jack. He is sitting in his cubby, the phone titled so all you can see is the collar of his jersey and head, his hair damp and messy probably from him running his hands through it too much, his jawline perfectly on display. “Are you listening to Mama?” he asks. 

Zander looks like a deer caught in headlights, pouting slightly at the fact his dad is calling him out on his behavior. “Bb-but mama’s broccoli isn’t as good as yours.” he mumbles, arms crossed, looking down at his lap as he tells his dad why in his 2-year-old logic he is right. Iddy can’t help but roll her eyes because what her son really means is that she doesn’t smother it in butter and cheese. 

“I’m sure Mama made you more than broccoli Z.” he reasons. But Zander doesn’t respond verbally, just shoves a piece of grilled cheese in his mouth. 

“Daddy you comin’ soon?” he asks mouth full and all, shifting in his chair, suddenly on his knees so he can bend closer to the screen. 

“Yeah I’ll be there tomorrow when you wake up.” Jack answers. 

“Daddy?”

“Yeah.”

“You get a goal fa me.” Zander asks, Jack can hear Iddy chuckle close by in the background even if he can’t see her, and it makes his chest warm. 

“I’ll try bubs.” he promises. Jack looks off the camera and bites his lip, probably contemplating how to say bye to his son so quick. “I gotta go Z.” he softly says. 

“You always have to go.” Zander whines and his pout deepens. 

Jack doesn’t know what to say, he’s glad Idris is close by and can take over. “Z, he can’t score you a goal if he doesn’t go warm-up. Coach will be mad, Daddy might get in trouble and not be able to play.” Idris tries explaining, and although it’s a little dramatic Jack wouldn’t probably get benched if he skipped warm-ups he would definitely get chewed out by more than one person. 

“And how is he gonna score you a goal from the bench baby?” she asks their son. 

After another minute or so, Zander says “okie. Bye daddy. Good ‘uck.” he smiles at his dad. ‘Gosh toddlers and their big emotions,’ Jack thought to himself, as he told Zander bye and that he loves him and how he will see him soon. 

Iddy was able to finish feeding both kids and settle into the coach just in time to turn on the game. Zander is two so his attention span isn’t long enough to pay attention to a whole game. But when Jack gets the first goal 5 minutes into the game, Zander can’t help but scream jumping up and down, “Daddy scored! Daddy scored.” Idris shyly pulls out her phone to take a video of her son’s little celly in the family room, and sends it to Jack to see after the game.

It’s even more of a reaction when Jack gets a second goal, with an assist by Luke. Idris was never into hockey before she met Jack, but now her favorite part about watching hockey is watching her son react to it. They watched Jack get ‘star of the game’ and his interview after in the locker room. The one thing that stuck out to Idris about the interview was when he was asked about his celly. The reporter said he looked like he was trying to sign a ‘z’ in the air after both goals and wanted to know if he knew ASL. 

Jack has the biggest smile on his face, as he lightly chuckles, “no, not well. My kid Zander probably knows more than me.” Everyone laughs at that. “His name starts with a ‘z’ and before the game he asked if i could score him a goal so uh… I guess it was my way of saying hi.” Jack is slightly blushing now, he doesn’t talk about his kids often, he doesn’t post them, but everytime he does mention them he has nothing but adoration in his eyes. 

The reporter follows up with, “After the second you signed ‘z’ twice, why the difference, was it on purpose?” 

“Wow you were really watching me eh?” he jokes. “Do I need to file a report for a stalker?.” After a pause he laughs and goes “ I’m messing with you.Yeah it was on purpose, my second born is named Zola, and we call her Zozo a lot. So I guess it was my way of saying hi to her. Although she is under 2, she probably didn’t make the connection, despite also knowing more ASL than I do.” Everyone laughs after that, and Iddy loses focus as she is consumed in her thoughts about what Jack just revealed, 

Zander ends up FaceTiming with Jack one more time as Jack is sitting in the car in his apartment’s garage about to leave. Idris thinks it’s kind of cute watching how Zander can barely hold her phone as he marches around the house updating him on his thoughts of the Rangers game today. 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bedtime was surprisingly easy at first, until Zander said he was scared to sleep in his big kid bed by himself. In a way, it can be understandable since they made the switch to a floor bed for him, she can’t remember if he ever actually has slept in it yet. Plus the one at both Jack’s and her place are the exact same, even the same frame, since originally one of them was brought for the lake house. But when they split they ended up using the frame for Idris’ apartment. Then, when she finally remembered they didn’t have one for the house in Michigan and she tried to go back and buy the same frame for a third time - because Zander has a very hard time with transition and change, she knew it was best if everything was the same - they were sold out. 

Then if she takes into account how this weekend went, Friday night they co-slept at her sisters, Saturday was a bad sleep for both Zander and Zola so they spent the whole night with Iddy in bed. Finally last night, Iddy was too tired from the night before. She didn’t care where they slept as long as they slept so she could sleep. 

She bends down so she’s on his level when she speaks to him. “Okay, I understand sleeping in a new place by yourself. It can be scary huh?” phrasing her statement as a question on purpose. Zander mumbles something as a sort of agreement, nodding his head as well. “Okay, well why don’t we lay down together for a little while?” she asks, with the plan of getting up and going to her own bed for the night once he’s asleep. 

As soon, Zola realized her mama was staying in the room and giving snuggles to her brother, she demanded attention. Standing up in her crib, babbling away, Iddy knows it doesn’t mean anything but also knows if she had the words she would be cursing Iddy out. This leads to all three of them cuddling in Zander’s bed. 

Jack arrived around 2 am, and he’s never been more grateful to be at his destination. Even with the medicine they got from the vet, Luna cried almost the entire twelve-hour car ride. Plus, anytime Apollo saw anything remotely interesting he barked, Jack didn’t know a dog could find so many interesting things. The worst part was that Jack couldn’t even drown them out with music, he tried but it only made them louder, around the eighth hour he gave up entirely. 

Jack didn’t want to park in the garage since he knew the sound would probably wake the kids up, which would wake up Idris. The last thing he wanted was a pissed off Idris because he was being “lazy about walking a couple more steps.” Jack shakes off the memory of her saying that last year to him, and steps out of the car stretching after so many hours. 

After letting Apollo use the bathroom, he grabs the cat carrier and the three of them start to make it inside. Jack kind of expected them to run off when they got inside, which they did. The part that kind of took him off guard after using the bathroom, and slowly making his way up the stairs to the kids room to check on them was to find Apollo and Luna already half sleep on the bed with all three of them; Zander, Zola, and Idris. Slowly he made his way out and stopped in the closet bedroom beside his own which happened to be Luke’s and grabbed the comforter. Quietly he made his way inside and laid the blanket on top of them, he was just about to leave when he heard his son, “daddy?” he calls out, and Jack silently curses that he woke up his kid. 

Turning around and getting on his knees again he whispers, “yeah buddy?” 

“Daddy home!” he says in his normal voice, which Jack hushes over. 

“Gotta be quiet Z. Mama and sissy are sleeping.” he whispers. “Plus Apollo and Luna.” glancing down at the end of the bed where Apollo is curled up, Luna not far from him. 

His son gasps in surprise, “ah, it’s like a sleepover.” Zander says, ‘sleepover’ it’s the word they use when they are trying to explain to their barely 2-year-old how cool it is to have a sleepover with ‘just mama’ or ‘just daddy.’ It definitely wasn’t the best explanation, and although Idris and Jack realize that in hindsight there isn’t much anyone can do. 

“Yeah, a big sleepover.” Jack whispers, a slight sad grin on his face as he pets his son���s hair, dipping down to forehead to give him a kiss. “Goodnight. Love you.” Jack goes to get up, but Zander grabs his arm and stops him. 

“Want daddy cuddles,” he whispers. 

“Z, you have mama cuddles right now we can cuddle tomorrow.” he promises. As much as he would love to go to sleep with his family, he doesn’t want Iddy to wake up uncomfortable. A part of him knows that’s pushing the limit too far, too fast, and he doesn’t want her pulling away even more than she already has. Hell, they didn’t even sleep in the same bed the last six months they were together, Jack definitely knows it’s some kind of crossed boundary if he crawls into bed. 

“Daddy. Sleepover too” Zander is doing that thing, what twitter calls “famous Hughes pout” Jack thinks. Jack really meant no, but he also knows if he says no again, Zander will probably stop whispering which will definitely wake Iddy and Zola up then Idris will definitely be mad at him. 

“Okay.” he says, pulling the comforter up and laying next to his son, thankfully they got a full size bed but as Jack lays down he’s thinking they should have gotten a queen. 

“One big sleepover.” Zander mumbles into his neck, content to be between both of his parents. Jack rationalizes his decision by telling himself that it’s the lesser of two evils. If he said ‘no’ Zander was going to wake up the entire house and Iddy would be pissed. But if he crawls into bed, Iddy might be upset that he crossed a boundary even if he was pressured into crossing it. Jack tells himself that either way Iddy will be upset, but dealing with an angry ‘got 8 hours of sleep Iddy is a lot easier to stomach, plus he gets to cuddle with his son, so basically it’s a no brainer to Jack. 

“Yeah bud, one big sleepover.” he mumbles as he drifts off to sleep. 

Tuesday December 24, 2024

Idris is the first one to wake up, she feels that Zola has moved she’s no longer laying down tucked into her side and immediately she’s up ‘mama bear’ fully activated. Thankfully she’s just at the end of the bed playing with Luna, and even if she wasn’t in the bed, the bed is on the ground so she wouldn’t get hurt if she climbed off of it. Realizing her daughter is safe, she takes a deep breath, her heart rate slowly coming back to a normal pace, until she turns her head and sees Jack and Zander curled up together. 

Idris truly doesn’t know what she feels except anger at the fact that Jack just decided to crawl into bed with them last night. But, she also reminds herself that it’s Christmas and she doesn’t want to fight with him and ruin Christmas for her kids. Gently she removes the comforter that Jack must have brought in for them and climbs to the end of the bed where Zo is. “Good morning princess.” she coos, “why don’t we let the boys sleep and go make some breakfast? Are you hungry Zozo?” 

All Zola does in response is giggle and clap her hands. Iddy decides that’s good enough and scoops her up as she stands, both Apollo and Luna following them out hoping to get an early breakfast. Idris goes downstairs, lets Apollo out, and makes a morning milk for Zola. Idris goes ahead and puts Zola in the playpen in the family room while she moves around the kitchen feeding both animals, and making her morning cup of coffee. She’s happy she’s at the lakehouse and can indulge on Quinn’s fancy espresso machine. 

As she opens the fridge she hears baby feet stomping down the stairs and hears Zander walk slowly into the kitchen. He has his baby blanket in one hand, his hair an absolute mess as he nudges in Iddy’s leg who is still in front of the open fridge looking for what to make for breakfast. 

Iddy’s hand goes to the mess of curls on top of his head. “Morning Z.” She greets him still not looking at him yet. Zander makes some kind of groaning sound as an answer, never been a morning person just like Jack he needs to ease into his day. 

“I was gonna make breakfast, do you wanna stay in here or go lay down on the coach and watch cartoons with sissy?” she asks him softly, finally looking down at him. 

Zander seems to really think about the offer before he says “cartoons. but first morn’ kisses .” The sleep is still evident in his voice. She scoops him up and carries him to the family room, turning on the TV and putting some random cartoon on. Gently she goes to put Zander down the coach, kissing his cheeks super fast to give him his “morning kisses.”

By the time she goes to the kitchen to make breakfast and feeds both kiddos Zander has decided he’s wide awake and ready to go wake up Jack. Glancing at the clock and seeing it’s barely quarter after 7. “Z, you can’t go wake up Daddy, he came in late last night, he needs to sleep.” 

Before Zander can respond they hear rustling from upstairs, and Zander runs to the bottom of the stairs and even opens the baby gate before Idris can catch him. Thankfully he still likes to crawl up the stairs and he didn’t have to crawl far since Jack met him halfway. 

Jack picks him up and lightly tosses him in the air, Zander squeals in happiness as Jack walks them into the kitchen. 

“I didn’t make you breakfast, I didn’t think you would be awake yet.” Idris says standing at the kitchen island not even looking up from her phone. Idris knew she was being petty but she also couldn’t bring herself to care. Jack last night did what he always does ‘whatever he wants’ with no regard to how other people would feel about his actions. 

He sets Zander down, who immediately runs off to the family room to play with Zola. Jack walks around the counter to meet Idris, facing her he says quietly. “It’s okay. I’m sorry about last night.” Jack gently raises his hand from resting on the counter, as if he’s debating if he wants to reach out and touch Idris' arm. 

“We can talk about it later.” 

Jack started to explain himself anyway “It was Zander he-“ 

Idris snaps quietly at him, “That’s real rich Jack, always blaming someone else, even your 2-year-old son. And I said we can talk about it later when the kids aren’t 20 feet away.” 

No one else is set to arrive until around 5 tonight even Jack’s parents, as much as they love their son and adore their grandchildren and Idris. They all decided - more like Luke warned them about how bad it’s been with the bitterness and overall pettiness - it would be best if they came later because they know they are less likely to fight if they don’t have anyone to distract the kids, well they hoped. 

Thankfully both of the kiddos were pretty much on the same nap schedule so they both went down around 10 am. Jack gulped his body suddenly tense as he exited the kids room with Idris. He really wished it was one of those days where he joined the kiddos for naptime just so he didn’t have to go downstairs and fight with Idris. 

Idris grabbed the baby monitor on her way out of the room, slowly making her way down the hall and down the stairs. Jack followed behind like a child who knew he was about to get scolded or a dog with his tail between his legs looking down, nervous about what’s about to come next. He followed her all the way to the kitchen before she turned around and gave him a look as if to say ‘what the fuck Jack?’ 

“Idz, let me explain.” He speaks gently, raising his hands up as if he’s already surrounded by raising the white flag. Jack thinks if he goes on using her nickname, it will soften her, possibly maybe a little. 

It does not go the way Jack was hoping for, “Don’t Hughes.” she grits out of her teeth. ‘Fuck she’s more pissed than I thought’ Jack thinks to himself. “Don’t call me that when I’m pissed at you, it isn’t going to help you.”

“I’m sorry I am. But Zander woke up when I came to check with the kids, and he asked for snuggles. I told him that you were already cuddling with him. But he was insistent, okay? And I hadn’t seen them in a few days plus I knew if I said no he would probably throw a tantrum and he would wake you and Zo up. Okay. So I decided it was the best option. I know you probably think I crossed some kind of line with where we are at. But I’m not sorry for giving into Zander, even if it made you pissed at me.” Jack explains as he watches her expression soften which Jack is grateful for. 

“You did cross a boundary. I only accidentally fell asleep in Zanders bed with them. I was trying to get him to not co-sleep for the first time in days and I ended up falling asleep with them.” Iddy turns her head slightly, and stares off a little looking deep in thought. Jack really wants to step into her space, he wants to gently grab her chin and force her to look at him, he wants to force her to tell him what she’s thinking.Even though he knows it’s technically not his place anymore, he still wants to.  But he doesn't, he just chews the inside of his mouth giving his mind something else to concentrate on. After a minute or so, she turns to him, “let’s unpack the car while the kids are asleep.” 

They work in silence bringing everything in and hiding them in the basement closet they know the kids will never open. They even build the mini stick goal in complete silence, it would impress others watching two people work in that degree of harmony without speaking. Although, Jack thought to himself about how it was only like this because of everything that’s happened. For better or worse, they learned how to work in silence long before Idris left and it wasn’t because they were so comfortable with each other. It was because Jack was so angry that anytime he spoke to Idris they yelled, and Idris stopped trying to beg Jack to try, so they learned how to work together, raise two kids without even speaking for almost 10 months. 

—---------------------------------------------------------

Once the kids wake up from their naps the pair seems to be able to find their voices again as if nothing happened during the kids naps. They spend the rest of the day playing with the kids, letting Zander run the show in how they spent the day. From playing mini sticks, to playing outside on the playset or jumping on the ground level trampoline. 

Around 3 though Idris reminded Zander that they still needed to bake cookies to leave out for Santa tonight. Zander loves baking with his mom, so he was content with not playing outside anymore and instead drinking hot chocolate and baking cookies with his mom. Zola is a little young at 19 months to care about baking, so Jack and her play in the family room. 

The house is filled with giggles from both kids, Christmas music playing lightly in the background, the Christmas lights glowing from the tree and the smell of sugar cookies baking in the oven. While the cookies were baking they decided to throw a Christmas movie on and of course because Zander is Jack’s son he picked ‘Home Alone’ to watch. Jack reminds himself to enjoy this, enjoy that they are snuggled all together on the couch watching his favorite Christmas movie with no tension. While Idris is hoping that the lightness in the air can stay until after tomorrow night but she has a feeling in the back of her mind that it probably won’t. 

—--------------------------------------------------------

“Mama look.” Zander demands, as he displays one of his finished sugar cookie decorated with so many globs of icing and sprinkles, she already knows she’s going to make Jack eat that one tonight. 

“Wow baby. It’s beautiful.” she smiles wide at him.

She sees in the corner of her eye chuckling as Zola sits well more stands in his lap. Zola didn’t seem to understand the concept of decorating the cookie, as she had icing all of her hands and face giggling, she was signing for ‘more.’ 

“No.” Idris says, signing ‘no’ as well, to which Zola starts aggressively signing ‘more.’ Jack can’t help but laugh as Idris signs inresponse ‘no. all done. All done.” Idris doesn’t even speak because she knows she doesn’t have to for Zola to understand what she’s saying. Zola tries to reach for the plate to grab another cookie but Zander beats her. 

“Mama said all done Zola. These are for Santa” in the most serious voice a 2-year-old can have. Jack just laughs at the fact that not only did Zander also cut off his little sister, but how he did it,  even as Zola turns to him, grabbing onto him fussing thinking he will give into her. 

“Not this time Zozo. I know cookies taste good though.” she whispers as he rubs her back, and comforts her, even if he’s still laughing with Idris about Zander cutting her off. 

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------

As everyone arrives the house becomes a loud, energetic place. Zander convinced both his uncles and Grandpa to play mini sticks with him, which Idris didn’t even realize they had that many mini sticks at the lakehouse. Of course, none of them are the mini sticks Zander asked Santa for Christmas. Ever since he learned that his dad was getting a custom mini stick from Bauer Hockey, he asked Santa for his own which would have been easy for Jack to ask for. But no, Zander didn’t like that it said J.Hughes on it, since his nickname wasn’t ‘J’ it was ‘Z.’ So he wanted it to say Z.Hughes. Thankfully, Jack was able to convince them to make two custom mini sticks, and even put them in the black mystery paper for him, if he put it on his instagram story Christmas Day. 

While the boys were all busy playing mini sticks with the kids, Ellen and Idris were in the kitchen. As Idris pours both Ellen and herself a glass of wine, she hears Ellen ask her if she’s okay.

“What?” she asks in a daze, maybe she didn’t hear Ellen right. 

“Are you okay honey? I know I’m Jack’s mom but, you can still talk to me you know. Although, I was never a single mom per say, Jim was gone so much when the boys were little sometimes it felt like I was. I know you have your mom who was a single mom you can go to for advice but I just wanted-.” 

“Ellen.” Iddy cuts her off, gently setting both wine glasses down. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m fine really.” Ellen gives Idris a look as if she knows that Idris is full of it, but doesn’t push, just nods her head. Before either of them can speak they hear a high pitched cry and Apollo barking loudly from the family room and both of them take off. 

Idris runs into the family room to see Zander holding his arm, fully crying in Jack’s arms. As soon as he sees Idris, he no longer wants Jack, only his mom, a true mama's boy. As Idris kneels down to her son, he slams into her body. “Shh. it’s alright. What happened, love?” she asks her son as he forces himself as close as humanly possible to her his high pitch screaming not lessening. 

“What happened?” Ellen asks the men in the room in that voice you never want to hear from your mother no matter how old you are. 

“He got hit with a puck.” Luke mumbles as he picks up Zola so she doesn’t get too close to the young parents while they try to calm down their son. 

“A foam one right?” Ellen asks. 

“No.” Jim answers. 

“What?” Idris asks the adults around her, refusing to look at Jack. 

“We couldn’t find any foam ones, so we thought we would use an outside hockey puck. I told them to be careful but Zander is so jumpy, I guess when Quinn shot the puck, he moved at the last minute and it hit him.” Jim explains. 

“It was an accident.” Jack mumbles as Zander is finally just sniffling. “Hi lil’ man.” he whispers to his son, who has barely left the comfort of his mothers arms, ever so slightly tilting his head to see his dad. 

“The good news is that it can’t be broken, Quinn didn’t shot it that hard.” Luke comments, and then immediately shut up when he was met with glares from everyone else in the room. 

Quinn bends down to Zander, “hey buddy I’m so sorry.” Jack can tell that Quinn feels like shit for it, but he doesn’t care he hurt his son all he wants to do is punch Quinn in the face a couple times. 

“Iz otay.” Zander whispers and Quinn sadly smiles back at his nephew. After Idris and Jack both looked over Zander’s arm without his long sleeve shirt on in the bathroom, they knew he was just gonna have a nasty bruise but that was about it. 

The Hughes family has this tradition that Idris has just decided to roll with when it comes to Christmas Eve dinner. Idris grew up in a family where they had to dress up and all the aunties, uncles, and grandparents came over. The expectation for you to be on your best behavior in your best Sunday clothes which were also usually the mist itchy clothes. The Hughes were the complete opposite, every year they ordered pizza in and just bumped out on the coaches watching movies. 

So that’s what they did, Zander didn’t leave Idris’ arms and neither did Zola. Both of the babies are perfectly content in their moms arms and no one else's. It was kind of a pain for Idris to help both of the kiddos eat when they were so physically attached to her. But anytime Jack tried to help by peeling one of them off, they whined and batted his hand away. Everyone could tell it hurt Jack’s feelings, his dad slapping his shoulder almost trying to comfort him. 

Sometime during the movie, Zola fell asleep. It was somewhere in the middle of ‘The Elf’ where Buddy is decorating the apartment and eating maple syrup pasta for breakfast that Idris’ phone buzzes. Gently she grabs it out of her pocket and sees that it’s her boss calling her, immediately she gently removes the limbs of her Zander off of her getting up and handing a sleeping Zola to Ellen on her way out the family room. 

“Hello.” she answers the phone, standing in the hallway that leads to the stairs going upstairs. 

“Hey glad I caught you. Remember that client Samson that wanted that painting for his wife for Christmas?” he asks sounding rushed. 

“You mean for her birthday?” Idris asks kindly trying not to come out and tell her boss he’s wrong. 

“Yeah yeah same thing anyway, the artist finally agreed to the price today at 500k.” 

“Wow, that's great, I know Samson will be happy.” 

“Well that’s the problem,” after a pause her boss continues “that’s kind of why I’m calling.” 

“What?” she doesn’t try to hide her anxiety.

“Well Samson has apparently decided that it’s not worth 500k and the artist barely agreed to that price so I need you to convince Samson it’s worth it.” he explains as if it’s just a regular Tuesday morning in the office. 

“On Christmas Eve?” she asks. 

“Yeah. It’s one phone call " Iddy come on.” sounding like it’s not a big deal at all. 

“Okay.” 

“Perfect. But he can’t do it tonight, it’s going to be the day after tomorrow around 2 pm. I’ll tell Sarah, my new secretary, to email them to you.” 

Idris can’t help but joke, “what happened to Kennedy?” she chuckles, knowing it’s an on-going joke that the only woman who can stand working for him is her because he doesn’t hit on her. 

“Didn’t work out. Anyway Merry Christmas. Send the kiddos my love. Jack too.” 

“Haha, very funny William.” sounding as sarcastic as possible as she hangs up the phone. 

Before she can even put her phone back in her hoodie’s pocket, she jumps up at the sound of Jack behind her. “Seriously Idris. You have got to be fucking kidding me.”

“Jesus Jack you scared me. What are you even talking about?” Idris doesn’t bother hiding the tiredness in her voice, it’s been a long day and it will be an even longer.

 “You left watching a movie with your family on Christmas Eve to gossip with William.” his arms are crossed in that way where it’s not because he’s annoyed, his jaw slightly clenched. 

“Zola is asleep. Zander was half asleep when I left. So yes I stepped out to take a phone call when it’s a movie I have seen no less than a 100 times.” Idris was matching Jack’s annoyed expression not in the mood for whatever she knows he’s about to imply. 

“That’s not the point.” slightly raising his voice, it doesn’t go unnoticed to Idris that someone in the family room turns up the volume of the movie. 

“Then what is Jack?” she asks.

“The fucking point is that it’s always him. It’s like he has this power over you even if your kids aren’t above it!” He’s now screaming and any chance Idris had of not also raising her voice is over. 

“That’s not even close to the truth and you fucking know it! I’m not sure what the fuck you’re trying to imply Jack but it’s wrong!” 

“So you don’t care more about your career than you do us!” he yells at her. 

“No! I don’t. But the same argument could be made for you, Mr.hotshot hockey player!”

“You don’t seem to mind about my hockey player money.” he retorts back, he has that smirk on his face like when someone knows an insult they just spit out sticks. 

“Oh my god! Were not even together and were having the same fucking fight! It’s insane!” she yells storming out of the hall to climb the stairs two at a time, but Jack is apparently not done. 

“So that’s it?” he yells at her as they climb the stairs. 

“Yeah that’s fucking it Jack! You know I’m done, you know I love my job just like you do. You know I love being a mom. But you also know I was hesitant to come here, but I love being a mom so bad I decided to spend my first Christmas single in years with my ex-boyfriend and his family so my kids can have both their parents for Christmas. So don’t tell me I put anything above those babies again asshole.” Idris turns to walk down the hall to the guest room she’s been staying in. 

“Ex-fiance. Not boyfriend.” he can’t help but point out, it’s like a sickness, the way even when she hasn’t been his for almost 3 full months he still needs to stake his claim to her. 

“God of course that’s what you got out of that.” she mumbles as she slams the door behind her. 

Jack makes his way back downstairs, kind of surprised that Zola stayed asleep during that, she’s still snuggled up on his moms chest. Zander has since climbed into Quinn’s lap for cuddles, it doesn’t really surprise anyone he is becoming the favorite uncle whenever he’s around. “Don’t” he mumbles as he falls into the coach where Idris was sitting, Luke next to him. 

“Oh bro. I wasn’t planning on it. That’s what mom and dad are for.” he whispers as a response. 

“Daddy?” Zander asks from Quinn’s lap. 

“Yeah Z.” he asks, trying to hide how angry he is from his son. 

“Where's mama?” 

“She has a headache bubs, so she went to bed early.” 

“Oh” is all he responds with leaning back into his uncles chest. 

“You always have been a shit liar.” Luke mumbles which earns a slap in the back of his head from Jack. 

After a couple minutes, Jack can see that Zander and Quinn are whispering amongst themselves not really watching the ending of the movie. If Jack took an honest survey of the room no one was really watching the movie, as if everyone was on edge waiting for the next shoe to drop. 

Zander slowly shimmies his way off of his uncle's lap and goes to make his exit. “Where are ya headed Z?” Jack asks. 

“To give mama snuggles. Like she does to me when I feel sick.” he tells his dad before he’s off dragging the same baby blanket he left on the coach this morning back upstairs with him. 

“Well I think we're headed to bed as well.” Jim announces. 

“I can put Zola to bed Ma, hand her over” Jack offers but is waved off as she stands and they leave the room. 

After a couple minutes of the brothers sitting in silence Quinn’s the one to break it. “I know you guys are separated, but it must be a new low for your son to comfort Idris when you're the one who made her upset.” 

“Will you shut-up you hurt my kid tonight I outta kill you.” Jack grinds between his teeth.

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

Idris hears a knock on her door and decides to ignore it knowing it’s probably Ellen or one of Jack’s brothers coming to check on her. “I’m fine” she groans back, turning away from the door. She can hear it click open and says “Luke I’m really not in the mood.” 

“Mama” she hears Zander say and suddenly she’s sitting fully up starring at her son at the side of the bed. 

“Hi honey. Is your arm feeling better?” she asks. 

“Yeah. Daddy said you your head hurts.” he mumbles softly as if not to speak too loud to hurt your imaginary headache anymore than it already would be and Idris heart melts at the gesture. 

“Yeah, just a little. I’ll be okay.” reaching out to gently push the baby curls out of his eyes, suddenly thinking about the fact he needs a haircut. 

“Want snuggles? Like when I’m hurt you give snuggles” he asks shyly looking up at his mom. 

“Always from you baby. Come ‘ere” As she picks him up and climbs under the covers with him enjoying her son cuddling with her. 

Jack went to check on the kids around 1 am when Idris and he agreed to meet downstairs to play Santa. When he peaked in he only saw Zola in her crib. ‘Z must still be with Idris.’ he thinks to himself. Idris doesn’t come down to help but who can blame her, he was kind of dick to her. So Jack carries up all the gifts by himself and puts them under the tree including the new goal and Zolas new walker toy. He eats all the cookies, even Zanders very very sugary ones and the carrots too, only leaving the stumps. 

Finally as he lays down he hears Zola crying. Sometimes she still needs a diaper changed in the middle of the night. Slowly he gets up and walks across the hall to the nursery to see Zola standing in her crib crying. “Hey Zozo.” he greets her as he flicks the light on and walks across the room. 

Zola did need a diaper changed, but once she did that she was still crying Jack wasn’t sure what was wrong and then signed for ‘mother.’ Idris was coming into the nursery anyway after hearing Zola not calming down. “Mama” she stretches, physically trying to get out of Jack’s arms and into hers. 

It hurt Jack more than he cared to admit, Zola was always a ‘daddy’s girl’ literally from the moment she came out of Idris. There were so many times when she was young that only he could calm her down, she really only ever wanted Idris if she was hungry as a newborn. 

“Hi honey.” she coos and immediately she stops crying. Idris walks over to her crib and grabs a pacifier. Zola glady takes it and leans her head on Idris’ shoulder. Jack stands off to the side feeling like chopped liver. As Idris tries to put her back in her crib she gets fussy again. 

“Okay okay. I get it. It must be scary sleeping alone. I don’t think you’ve ever done that before huh? Zander is already in my bed, wanna sleep with mama and brother tonight?” she asks in a soft voice that one would only use for a baby or small animal. 

Jack feels like shit still standing in the middle of the room, as Idris walks out the room carrying a very content Zola. All he can think about is how that’s the third time today his kids have picked Idris over him, and the second time tonight Zola specifically has. Jack never thought he would be jealous because his kids are giving more attention to Idris but he is, and that’s all he can think about as he attempts to fall asleep. 

—---------------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday December 25, 2024 - Christmas Day

Idris woke up to Zander shaking her awake, Idris has never seen him so excited in the morning, she grabs her phone and looks at the time 5:45 AM. 

“Santa came! COME ON MA.” He screams physically trying to pull her up. A very big contrast to how be is every other day of the year, but Iddy finds it cute. 

“Zander. Shhh. People are sleeping.” As she helps Zola out of bed, and lets her walk just holding her hand. Idris thinks it’s kind of amazing how kids wobble and then all of a sudden one day they can walk and talk like it’s nothing. 

“Santa came Zo! Come on, move faster.” Zander starts pleading with his little sister to move faster. 

Iddy can see how flustered Zander is becoming at how ‘slow’ Zola is walking down the hall,scared he might try to drag her down the stairs himself soon.  So she suggests “Z honey why don’t you go wake up Daddy and we’ll meet you downstairs.” 

He doesn’t need to be told twice, sprinting down the hall screaming for Jack to wake up. Idris can hear a yelp from Jack from the stairs and can only imagine where Zander jumped him awake. 

Idris makes it down the family room, at the exact moment she hears Zander running down the stairs. His yelling must have woken everyone up, because behind Jack are both his brothers and his parents and Apollo bringing up the rear. 

Everyone lets the kids open their gifts all at once from Santa, it’s kind of heartwarming seeing how happy they both are. Apollo has decided to bring the wrapping paper to Jim who’s holding the trash bag. 

“Apollo. Are the kids too messy for you?” Iddy jokes and all he does is use his nose to nudge her leg as he passes her with another ball of wrapping paper in his mouth. 

Quinn laughing asks “did you guys teach him to do that?” 

“No” Jack breathes out in between his own laughing fit. 

Once the kids were done everyone opened their gifts from everyone all at once. Except for the gifts that Zander and Zola (Zander to be honest) picked out for everyone. Zander loved passing out his gifts - some might have been homemade - but Jack’s and Iddy’s were not. He stood in front of his dad practically blocking the view as he opened his gift. Now when Idris took Zander out shopping for his dad, she did not stir him in any sort of direction; she truly gave him free range to pick whatever ‘he’ wanted his dad to have. This is how Jack ended up opening a bag of pretzels and a pink beanie. In his defense, pretzels are Jack’s favorite snack (might also be his, so there might be a conflict of interest but Iddy didn’t say anything). The bright pink beanie was because “daddy only wears boring colors and pink is a fun color.” The beanie also has a tacky flamingo stitched on the front but Jack loves it anyway and puts it on right away. 

Now when Jack took Zander out he did not go with the ‘free range method.’ Now Jack did let Zander  wrap it,  Idris is pretty sure he used at least 2 rolls of tape alone because she had to use scissors to cut out the box. When she opened the box she found a new pair of knee high leather boots to replace her old pair. Nothing was wrong with her old pair but when she had Zola her feet grew in size and never went back down. She loved her knee high boots and was really sad she had to donate them. Even over a year later she hadn’t really found the time to replace that exact pair of other boots she could wear instead. But to see the exact pair, down to the brand and even the little pattern stitched in the heel made her gasp. 

“Do you like them mommy?” Zander asked unsure since she hadn’t spoken immediately. 

“I love them, baby. Thank you.” she whispers and as she hugs Zander she makes eye-contact with Jack who's across the room sitting in a chair with that dumb pink beanie on. She mouths ‘thank you’ to him and he blushes, quickly looking away. 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surprisingly to everyone, the day was turning out to be pretty good. After presents, Idris, Quinn and Ellen made a huge breakfast for everyone. Everybody sat around the dining room table (the kitchen table not comfortable to fit everyone plus the kiddos) and ate. The meal was great, it was like the tension from last night was gone. After breakfast everyone sort of migrated to the family room, lounging around doing nothing, some Christmas movie on in the background no one was really watching. Quinn even made a comment to Luke about how he’s gonna win the fight since it was already 4 pm without Jack and Idris getting into a fight. All Luke said was “I don’t know about that big brother.” as he walked away stealing the last cinnamon roll on Quinn’s plate he had just warmed up as a snack, going to chase after Zander with his new nerf gun.

Idris was in the kitchen, finishing cleaning the dishes she was feeling too lazy to clean right after breakfast. Idris was enjoying the quiet around the loudness that was the Hughes family Christmas. As she was washing the last pan that had the cinnamon rolls in them she heard someone come behind her but didn’t think anything of it until she heard Jack’s voice. 

“Hey” he softly says. 

“Hey yourself.” she answers awkwardly, not really sure what Jack was looking for, maybe he wanted to hear thank you the present Idris thought to herself. Putting the pan in the drying rack and wiping her hands with a dish towel she turns“Thank you by the way for the boots.” 

Jack babbles out a quiet “yeah no problem.” his cheeks were just slightly more pink than they were when he came in. “Uh, can we talk?” he asks, scratching the back of his neck a nervous tic he’s never been able to grow out of. 

“About?” she asks confused about what Jack could possibly be thinking about. 

Somehow her answer must of satisfied Jack because he walks more into the kitchen standing directly in front of Idris leaning against the island, while she’s still in front of the sink. “Look about last night.” 

“What is there to talk about?” Idris doesn’t mean to sound as defensive as she does. But how many times can you have the same fight with someone before there is nothing left to add to the conversation. 

“Uh like about how you disappeared in the middle of the movie to talk to a precious boss who constantly calls you when he knows you are home spending time with the kids.” he might not have meant to scold her but that’s what it sounded like. 

“Oh my god Jack. I can’t believe you are coming in here and instead of apologizing you are just bringing up again how mad that I took one phone call about work. You act as if someone from the devils called you, you wouldn’t have taken it.”

“I wouldn’t.” 

Idris is nothing less than baffled at how Jack is acting right now. “That’s such bullshit and you know it.” Idris starts to walk around the kitchen as if she needed to give herself as much physical space from Jack as possible. 

“It’s not.” he defends himself before he adds, “Did you answer just because it was him?” The way he says ‘him’ Idris immediately knows what’s really bothering him, it’s not that she got up during the movie or even that she took a work call. No, Jack was mad because he was jealous. 

“Oh my god!” she sighs. “I can’t believe this. You’re mad at me because you're jealous.” she accuses Jack, but it comes out more as a statement - as if it was already confirmed as a fact - rather than an assumption. 

“I am not.” he snaps at her, his voice starting to get ever so slightly higher, as he walks around the island to be on the same side as her again. 

“You fucking are Jack! God I can’t believe this! We are literally again having the same fight and we are not even together anymore!” feeling so frustrated that she is starting to yell, running her hands through her hair as if it will ease some of the anger she is feeling inside. 

“God I am not. I’m mad that you prioritize work over our family!” 

“Bullshit. Fucking bullshit and you fucking know it!” she yells, not thinking about who else is in the house, or the fact that Zander and Zola are in the next room. “God that is so rich coming from you! How much of Zander's first 9 months of life did you miss? How much of me being pregant with Zola were you just.. gone Jack? Playing hockey?” 

“I was providing for this family!” he yells, his blue eyes as dark as the deep sea filled with his anger.

“I never said that you weren’t! What I am saying is that you can’t say that you also don’t work a lot of hours and are away a lot from the kids! You can’t sit there and point a finger at me when three are p[ointing back Jack! I’m done having this conversation with you. Whether you're jealous. Not jealous. I don’t care we’re broken up so there is no reason for you to feel some type of way. Or for you to come in here and yell at me.” Idris turns to walk away and leave the kitchen but stops at Jack's words. 

“Are you fucking him?” he asks. Idris is frozen and she is astonished at his accuration of her character.

“What?” she asks as she turns around, truly believing she heard him wrong because her Jack would never ask her such a thing or think that somehow she could be sleeping with her boss. 

“You heard me.” he snapped, stepping closer to her. “Are you dropping your panties anywhere you can for him like you use to for me?” his words spitting venom. 

“Fuck you.” Idris says she walks away just trying to get upstairs as far away from Jack as she possibly can because her watery eyes become full blown tears. 

Jack follows her, apparently not done with fighting with her. Dispute the fact that it feels like his words somehow felt worse than a bullet to the chest. “What no answer Iddy?” he asks. 

Idris was going to ignore him until she heard her son. “STOP.” he yells at Jack jumping in front of him kicking and punching him as hard as he could. “ALL YOU DO IS HURT MAMA. I HATE YOU.”

Idris can’t walk away from her son even if a tiny part of her loves him for it. She comes up behind him, picking him up from under his armpits and carrying him away somewhere. “Zander no. We do not hit people and we do not tell them you hate them.” Idris starts to talk carrying him up the stairs, still an angry ball of limbs yelling. 

“I DO HATE HIM. I DO” 

“We don’t use that word in this house.” they can hear Idris says before they hear a door shut upstairs.

Jack doesn’t move, he doesn’t say anything he’s frozen in place. Jack doesn’t even know where Zander learned that word, and it breaks his heart. His own kid, the one thing he loves the most in this world hates him? Jack knew that he preferred Idris over him, which was fine. But to hate him, to want him to leave. Jack was gonna be sick, he felt this deep need to throw up. 

“I-I I need some air.” he chokes out to his family standing around the hall and family room. Jack runs out of room to the back deck, he doesn’t stop moving until he’s leaning over the railing emptying his stomach of everything he ate in the last 12 hours. 

“Here.” Quinn says to Luke, handing him a 100 dollar bill. 

“Keep it. I don’t want it.” Luke mumbles climbing up the stairs, whether to go hide his room or check on Idris and Zander no one is sure. 

“I’ll go check on him.” Quinn says it at the same time Jim says “Imma check on Jack.” But Ellen stops both of them, gently touching both of them on the shoulder. 

“No, I got it. Why don’t you guys finish the movie?” She doesn’t give them any room for debate; they settle back into the coach. 

Ellen slowly opens the sliding glass door now in her boots and winter coat, along with a blanket she must have grabbed on her way out. Jack turns around to the sound of the door, Ellen can see his red rimmed eyes from crying, his blue eyes the lightest of shades it always is when he cries. “I don’t wanna talk.” he mumbles turning back out to look at the lake, he can’t see much because it’s so dark out but he tries anyway. 

“Okay, that’s fine. I'll tell you to listen.” she says in that tone only mothers can use on their sons, as she drapes the blanket over his shoulders. “He doesn’t hate you, you know that right Jacky?” she asks gently. 

“Uff. Could have fooled me.” he mumbles. 

“Jack, he's two. He doesn’t even know how to spell his name, he doesn’t understand what he’s saying.” she tries to gently let Jack see the truth. 

“I don’t know Ma, he never wants me anymore. Even when he’s at home with me he’s asking for Idris. I knew he was a mama’s boy and I was okay with that but he hates me. All he seems to do is fight me on every little thing. Honestly I’ve been a shit father, I would probably hate me too if I was him."He still hasn’t looked at his mom, he’s just word vomiting as he leans against the railing of the deck and  stares out to the land and the lake. 

“I’m gonna tell you a secret. It’s a secret every parent figures out at some point and no one tells anyone about parenthood. A child is their meanest self with the person they love the most. He loves you Jack, adores you even. All he does is want to be like you. And you know what you are?” she asks, he turns to her giving her look. “You are the biggest mama’s boy there is. Where do you think he learned how to be one? Or the fact that he wants to play center ‘cause my daddy does.’ The boy loves you. He just is little. And yeah kids bounce back, but you have to remember that you and Iddy being apart is also a very big change for Zander. And that boy doesn't like change. Kind of like someone else I know.” She gives him a pointed look. 

“Who me?” he jokes for the first time since she got out on the deck. 

As they turn to head back inside she says “just think of it this way.. It’s like a right of passage for your kid saying they hate you. Well except usually it’s during the teenage years..” She jokes as Jack wraps his arm around her side giving her a hug. 

“Can I just say one thing?” 

“What?” Ellen asks. 

“This is definitely the worst Christmas.” Jack admits. 

“Yeah well Christmas joy is overrated. Why do you think we did more to celebrate Hanukkah while you were growing up?” Both of them laugh and head inside, Jack does feel better after he talks with his mom. Maybe it is true what they say, you are never too old for a mom talk and a hug.

[loud-sturniolos]

Party

possessive!Matt x reader

Summary:

While at a party some drunk guy doesn’t seem to get the hint that you’re taken.

Warnings:

Drinking, possessive and jealous Matt, shy/awkward reader, pet names used by stranger(Pretty girl, baby girl) and Matt (babydoll, sweetheart, princess.), suggestive, protective Nick, not proof read!!! Kinda shit!!

Reader , Matt , stranger , Nick

A/N: Writers block is KILLING me rn. 😭

The bright, flashing lights, along with music blasting, filled the club. You had just walked away from Matt, Chris and Nick to get yourself a refill of your drink.

As you stood next to the bar and waited for the bartender to return with your drink, you felt someone brush up behind you. Turning around, you saw a man you’d never seen before; he was about 5’5”, had dirty blonde hair, green eyes, pale skin, and looked tipsy. He stared down with a cocky smirk, “Hey, pretty girl, what’s your name?” His voice was slurred, very drunk. “Uh.. my name’s Y/N.” You replied awkwardly, all you wanted was your drink then to return back to your boyfriend and his brothers. “Pretty name for a pretty girl.” He teased, making you internally cringe. He reached his hand forward to try touch your arm, but you quickly stepped to the side, now slightly away from the bar. An annoyed look spread across the mans face. “Why are you stepping back?” He demanded, stepping up into your personal space. “I- I have a boyfriend.” You stuttered out shyly, “So? He doesn’t have to know, baby girl..” He said, sounding sickly sweet as he grabbed your wrist in a bruisingly tight grip so you couldn’t walk away.

The bartender walked over with your drink, he gave the man a confused look but walked away after handing you your drink. “I gotta go back to my boyfriend.” You said nervously, but the man tried to drag you closer.

You suddenly heard a familiar voice behind you, “She has a boyfriend.” Nick told the man sternly, reaching between you and the man to yank his hand off you. “I don’t see him.” The stranger replies smugly, but Nick ignores him and grabs your hand, pulling you away from the bar and towards Chris and Matt again.

As soon as you got back to the group, Matt’s hand grabbed the side of your neck and pulled you into him, free arm going around your waist, hand on your lower back. “What happened, babydoll? Who the hell was that?” He asked sternly, clearly pissed off, but not at you. “I don’t know,” you mumbled quietly, now feeling safe in the arms of your boyfriend, so you wrapped your arms around his waist and pressed your face into his chest, “He kept flirting with me, and was just being creepy.” Matt huffed in annoyance that another man tried to get with his girl. But, he stayed as calm as he can and rubbed your back gently, using his hand on the side of your neck to tilt your chin up, then leaning down and pressing a soft kiss to your lips. “Do you want to go home, sweetheart? Maybe go sit in the car for a bit?” He mumbled softly against your lips, smiling when you hummed in agreement. “Yeah.. we can go sit in the car for a bit, just us.” Matt smirked and pressed another quick kiss to your lips before pulling away and grabbing your hand, dragging you out the club and into the cool night air.

Matt dragged you over to his car, but instead of getting in the front seats he opens the back door and gets in, you follow and climb into the back with him before being dragged to straddle his lap, having to tilt your head down so you dont hit it on the roof of the car. He smirks and grabs the back of your neck, pulling you in for a deep kiss.

The messy makeout session leads to Matt trailing his hand up your inner thigh, before being interrupted by Matts phone buzzing in his pocket. He pulls away slightly and checks it, seeing a message from Nick that they’re coming out the club now to come home. Matt groans in annoyance, showing you the text which makes you also groan in annoyance.

You both climb out the back of the car and get into the front, you in the passenger seat and Matt in the drivers seat, just before Nick and Chris get into the car Matt grabs your thigh and squeezes it, leaning over to whisper in your ear, “We’ll continue where we left off when we’re back home, alright princess?” You blush slightly and nod, humming softly in agreement, then Chris and Nick open the back doors and get into the car.

[sc0tters]

Night Before Christmas | Quinn Hughes

summary: as you struggled to fall asleep on christmas eve quinn had something to help solve your problem.

kinkmas: day five (cockwarming)

warnings: sexual themes, fingering, p in v.

word count: 1.87k

authors note: I am truly in love with this one! It’s much softer than my usual smuts but as I’ve been watching love actually whilst writing it we needed a bit of a breather for all that is kinkmas!

Holiday parties with the Hughes family had quickly become one of your favourite things.

Dating Quinn for the last three years meant that you were always his plus one for this event like any other. It also meant that you were officially in the stage where his family had moved on from questioning you to teasing Quinn about how he’s kept you for so long. Christmas Eve dinner had gone down a charm as everyone enjoyed seeing the Hughes boys back together. Of course though as the entire family watched you get dragged off by Quinn’s younger cousins who wanted to show you their newest dolls that have been added to their collections. Your moved presence came with questions of when he’d be putting a ring on your finger, and when you’d be having a family.

Quinn‘s blush as the questions came made the entire family laugh as they truly believed that the eldest son of Ellen and Jim had found his person, hitting the jackpot of love. It seemed that every time you or Quinn would reach for one another someone in his family was watching. The way your hand found itself in his hair during dinner softly scratching the nape of his neck as you smiled listening to whatever he had to say.

You treated his words like honey that you just wanted to soak up as you sat there in awe. Sure the family thought Quinn was wrapped around your finger but you were just as wrapped around his. They all thought you were his sweet innocent girlfriend who could do no wrong as you would bat your eyelashes at Quinn. But if only they knew the side of you that only came out at the hands of Quinn.

As the majority of the house lay fast asleep you couldn’t help it as you stared at the alarm clock next to your side of the bed. The starlight barely shone through the curtains reminding you of how late it was and Quinn’s soft snores weren’t helping as your mind went rampant struggling to find a moment of calm. You were brought back to your childhood when you were an excited kid desperate to catch Santa in the act of delivering presents into your stocking.

A loud sigh left your lips as you rolled over facing your boyfriend “Quinn?” You frowned bringing your leg up to brush your foot along his calf in a lousy attempt to wake him up.

Yet as you were met with silence you tried once more “Quinn.” Your voice was in a sing song tone that made Quinn smile as his eyes remained shut.

You took it as defeat huffing as you rolled back over deciding to try to catch some sleep before his cousins would inevitably come and wake you both up “c’mere.” Quinn mumbled reaching out to place his hands on your sides pulling you closer to him.

It resulted in a squeal leaving your lips “thought I’d surprise you.” He smirked kissing your earlobe making you roll over back to face him.

With the extra space between you both now being nothing you could barely make out Quinn’s features “now what’s wrong?” His tone was softer as he brought his hand up to cup your cheek.

The gesture alone was enough to make you melt “I can’t sleep.” You pouted making him laugh “it’s not funny!” You complained as Quinn leaned over to peck your lips.

As your mood didn’t improve it made him sigh “okay I’m sorry.” The hockey player apologised as he propped his head up by his elbow “what’s keeping you up?” The question frustrated you as it was one of those things that if you knew you would have sorted out.

You shrugged as you mimicked the way he leaned against his hand “I don’t know.” You shrugged making him roll his eyes “so you woke me up for that?” His sarcasm was missed by you as you frowned.

It made you drop to your pillow again “I’m sorry.” You were quick to stare at the ceiling “babe seriously what’s wrong?” Quinn groaned wanting to hear what plagued your mind.

A yawn left his lips at the worst time “just go back to sleep.” You mumbled shaking your head as Quinn reached for your hand pulling you back onto your side “what’s on your mind pretty girl?” He asked letting you see how concern coated his face when his fingers traced figures on your hip.

You chewed at the inside of your cheek “I feel off.” You announced acknowledging how weird it sounded “were they too much tonight?” Quinn knew that Jack and Luke had been teasing you about how Ellen’s friends called you Quinn’s wife at the beginning of the night.

His concern made you smile “no Quinn.” You shook your head “I’ll just go to sleep.” You sighed hearing footsteps in the hallway that shared the wall with your room “feel better already with you here.” You smiled pecking his lips as you lied to him.

In truth you still felt off but you now felt guilty keeping Quinn up “just want you to hold me.” You added as you rolled over backing yourself up against his body “you sure?” Quinn kissed your cheek as his legs laced between yours when his arms wrapped around your waist.

Quinn’s body was warm under the thick blankets that were layered on top of you both “like it when you do this.” You nuzzled your head into your pillow as your eyes latched onto the red lights of the alarm clock “sweet dreams princess.” Quinn grumbled into your ear sending shivers through your body.

Even as you two went silent Quinn knew you hadn’t gone to sleep as your breathing remained stable leaving you awake “baby?” You called out feeling Quinn’s hand travel down your stomach but were ultimately met with silence as his hand went below the strings of your shorts stopping when his tips of his fingers found your clit.

A cough left your lips as you couldn’t tell what he was trying to do “you trust me?” Quinn’s voice was soft as his breath fanned against the shell of your ear “o-of c-co-course.” You stammered as his fingers settled into a more consistent rhythm against your clit in a clockwise motion.

You moved your head back against his chest as you felt your body grow calm against him “gonna make you feel so good.” He cooed making you smile as his movements were slow enough to lull you to sleep.

The beds creaks were muffled by the sheer amount of blankets that you had over your bed and Quinn had never been more grateful about your tendencies to get cold when you slept “please Q.” You whispered like you were worried the house would have been alerted to what was going on if you spoke any louder.

His lips only response was to nip at your neck as you kept your hair in a bun “don’t be shy love.” Quinn’s smirk pressed against your skin making you feel all that more weaker as you grew weak to his touch.

Every minute of this was something Quinn wanted to soak in, using all of his self restraint to not turn the lights on as the intimacy of this moment “let the house hear how I make you feel.” For a man who was once so tired Quinn was now wide awake as his only objective was making you feel good.

Your wetness pooled his desires as his fingers sped up taking you even closer to your release making near in audible grunts and gasps leave your lips as you had one hand tugging on his hair and the other gripping at your bedsheets. Quinn’s cock grew hard pressing against your back and with each pretty sound that came from your plump lips “please don’t stop.” You begged whimpering as your body began to shake.

Tears formed in your eyes as it seemed like whatever block within your mind was coming undone with the mere movement of his fingers “I’m gon-” your eyes fluttered as you found your words getting caught in your throat.

Clothes stuck to your body as sweat formed on your body making you feel slick in places that went beyond your cunt “is this what you wanted from me when you woke me up?” Quinn kissed your neck as you knowing that this was better than any dream he had been in the middle of before you stopped it “no Q.” You called out as you felt your head growing heavy “don’t lie to me.” He warned sinking his teeth into the soft skin of your ear that was accessorised by your earrings.

Of course he knew you well, well enough to know that you were bullshitting him “just wanted to feel you.” You mewled arching your back from against him as you knew you could never fully come without Quinn’s cock inside of you.

It was like music to his ears as he began to slow his fingers “feel me?” The hockey player taunted clicking his tongue as you cried feeling over stimulated “n-n-no!” You sobbed as Quinn removed his fingers entirely from your shorts bringing them up to your lips.

A laugh left his lips “taste yourself for me.” Quinn tapped them against your lower lip making your jaw go slack listening to his requests “now you don’t go whine when I’m going to give you what you really want.” A shifting noise came from behind you making your eyebrows raise as you grew confused.

You didn’t have the chance to ask him as he pulled your flannel shorts down “don’t worry princess.” Quinn laughed as he shook his head “always gonna give you what you want.” Your questions were answered as his cock slid up your slit bringing delicate gasps from your lips once more.

He throbbed against you “Q.” You clenched around the head of his cock as he refused to let himself bottom out against your cunt “I’ll be good to you.” Quinn scoffed as his fingers pinched at your hips as your walls finally hugged his cock.

But as his hips remained still even after you adjusted to him you couldn’t help but grow confused “you feel better now?” Quinn asked yawning again as he grew sleepy.

Your clenching cunt was loosening as you too grew tired “thank you Quinny.” You smiled against your pillow “I’ll keep you like this for the evening.” His words were soft as his body melted against yours making you two some perfect statue.

A whimper fell from your lips as you thought about it “I love you.” Your words were muffled as a heavy sleep took over you making Quinn smile “love you too my sweet girl.” The hockey player cooed kissing your head once more before he too joined you in the state of slumber totally unaware of the moment the clock on your table hit midnight. Not only did it bring on the new day but it almost brought sounds of jingle bells that warmed the streets making anyone who was awake feel like they were dreaming too.

[nobody7102]

Not What He's Made For

Spoilers for Season 6, Episode 11

Pairing: Evan "Buck" Buckley x Reader

Warnings: Angst, mentions of pregnancy and lost pregnancy

A/N: First fic in a while, it had to be for my baby Buck. This was inspired by Billie

Main Master-List

________

Standing at the window watching as everyone gathers in his room. Buck swallows hard, seeing himself laying in the hospital bed hooked up to the ventilator, his jaw clenches with anger, an anger that no matter how hard he tries, he can't wake himself up.

Its as if the universe is playing some sick joke on him. He already talked to Daniel and the alternate version of Bobby, what more does the universe want him to learn?

Banging against the glass window “I’M HERE!” He yells over and over as the crew of the 118 slowly file out of the room. Leaving just three.

Maddie, Bobby, and Y/N,

He watches as they sit and make small talk, sometimes discussing things that the doctors and nurses have told them about Buck’s current status. After about an hour a nurse stops in to have Maddie look over some paperwork as his closest next of kin, being that their parents are still hours away from arriving at the hospital. Leaving just Bobby and Y/N.

If there ever where someone who hid their troubles well, it was Y/N.

Always seeming fine and calm in tense or hard situations as her fears screamed inside of her.

When Y/N joined the LAFD most of her previous houses would say thats what made Y/N such a good firefighter, but if you asked Y/N she would always say it was her fear that runs her life. 

And when Y/N joined the 118, Bobby was the only captain who could read through her facade. 

After a call where Y/N had to crawl through a collapsed building a year after she joined the 118, Bobby found her having an anxiety attack in her hospital room after the 118 had visited her after she was found in the rubble. Other time Bobby had learned to tell when Y/N was too in her head about anything.

And when Buck and Y/N had started to turn their situationship into an actual relationship Bobby helped Y/N learn how to navigate her fears when it came to seeing a fellow first responder, and he taught Buck how to help Y/N navigate her anxieties.

And slowly over time, Buck and Y/N became each other’s persons. They had been though so much together, from being almost drowned by a tusnami, being shot at, crawling out of a sinkhole, to fighting wild fires down in Texas, and now this.

A lightning strike. Something so beautiful yet as much as Y/N would normally have admired their beauty, right now she loathed the beauty of plasma.

The one shift she took off and now Buck’s life hangs in the balance.

Placing a hand on Y/N’s shoulder, Y/N turns her head away from Bobby to quickly wipe away her tears. “Comon Y/N… what’s going though your head?” Bobby prys gently.

Letting out a sigh Y/N shakes her head, finally turning to face Bobby. “Did Buck tell you we had a fight-” she correcters herself “or rather that we’ve been fighting…” 

Bobby shrugs slightly “He mention you two were bickering but he didn’t say over what” he takes a seat next to Y/N.

“...The fights… the bickering, whatever you wanna call it… its part of the reason why I asked for this shift off…” 

Bobby nodded his head as he listened “I get it, come back with a clear approach to everything after giving each other some space… what have you been fighting about if you don’t mind me asking”

“...Buck….. Buck thinks I don’t wanna be with him anyone…. That I’m getting tired of him, and I kept trying to tell him… show him that it isn’t the case” Y/N glances over to Buck.

“Okay… then what’s the other reason you asked for this shift off?” Bobby raised his brow. 

Blowing out a breath, Y/N shakes her head.

“If you let it sit, it’s gonna fester into something more. We both know that” Bobby sits back in the chair and crosses his arms, waiting for Y/N to talk.

She knows he’s right, if she avoids talking its just gonna sit in the back of her mind and eventually come back to bite her in the ass later. 

“...If I tell you this… no one else can know, you have to swear to me Bobby. No one… not Athena or Maddie or Eddie or Buck, no one.” She turns to Bobby.

“Y/N, if its serius enough you know Buck-”

“Bobby.” Y/N pleads “He can’t know” 

Bobby lets out a sigh, stuck between a rock and a hard place, he eventually nods his head “It stays between us, I promise” 

Slowly nodding her head, Y/N takes a deep breath and looks back at Buck one last time before she turns back to Bobby.

“... Buck and I have been fighting because he thinks I’m pulling away from him… this has been going on for the past week and a half” Y/N glances down to the floor as she continues “and I mean maybe I was a little bit like three days ago but it’s not for the reason’s Buck thinks” 

Starting to pick at the loose threads of her hoodie, Y/N shakes her head and blows out a breath before glancing to the doorway of Buck’s hospital room, making sure no one other than Bobby is around to hear her before she speaks.

“... a little over two weeks ago… I found out I was pregnant” Y/N sees the shock on Bobby’s face and cuts him off before he has the chance to speak “I was gonna tell you, I swear… but anytime we were on shift it was slow, we didnt end up doing anything super dangerous… and I wanted to tell Buck before I told anyone else”

Bobby’s gaze softens as he sees Y/N close her eyes and lean back in the chair as she takes a breath before continues. “If…. If I was pulling away, it’s because I was trying to figure out how to tell Buck” He sees how Y/N keeps her eyes to the floor as she talks, a tear starts to roll down her cheek before she brings her hand up to wipe it away. “Becuase its Buck. We all know he’d make a great dad, and a great dad deserves to be told in a great way… because Buck is worth taking extra steps to plan for so I ordered this little onesie and all these balloons and a cake to surprise him… and I know he would have loved it” Bobby can hear the passion in her voice before Y/N goes quiet for a moment to compose herself before she clears her thought.

“But then… four days ago I went to the ER because I was having some cramps and light spotting… I asked my doctor about and she said it was normal” Y/N shakes her head “But I could tell… something wasn’t-” Y/N stops herself, taking a moment before she swallows hard. “And… that’s when I learned that I lost the pregnancy…” She shrugs as she tries to maintain was little composer she has left.

“They don’t know what happened… in the ER they told me that things like this just happen sometimes…” Y/N’s voice tightnes she brings her hand up to cover her face for a moment as she tries to take a few deep breaths.

“So… for the last few days… yeah I was pulling away because I had all this stuff planned and I had to figure out what to do with it now because-” her voice breaks “It was all for nothing” her shoulders shake as Bobby wraps his arms around Y/N, letting her cry on his shoulder as he glances between her and Buck with pity and sadness in his eyes. 

“Y/N” He starts once she’s a bit more calmed down “This isn’t something you can hide from Buck”

Y/N just continues to shake her head “I can’t Bobby, I’ve tried-” 

“Y/N” 

“No I mean it” Y/N cuts him off her voice wavers a little bit “I have tried to tell him at every opportunity but i can’t… everytime i try i choke everytime.”

Pulling away from Bobby, Y/N sniffles and wipes her eyes before she glances to Buck “...I think it’d just make it worse, make it hurt more if I told him…” Y/N mumbles “he’s not made for sadness Bobby… Buck thrives on the happiness and joy… love and happiness and passion run his life… something like this?” she just stares at Buck laying in the hospital bed and the tears start to roll down her cheeks once more “it’s not was he’s made for…”

Staring at Y/N and Bobby, Buck bangs his fist against the glass one last time before he stops banging, his hand growing sore as he rests his head against the glass, his tears matching Y/N’s as all he can do it watch…

Hoping that this isn’t his forever.

--------

Tagging: @beachbabey @t-nd-rfoot

[mediocre-shark-tales]

Colby Brock x Reader

Summary - Colby didn't realize that another girl had been trying to pull him away from you. He fucks up big time and has to earn back your trust, earn back that unconditional love he's close to losing.

WARNINGS - angst, mentions of cheating, depressed thoughts, self hate, arguing, mentions of light violence, and swearing.

Masterlist

You sat in your room, tears cascading down your face. You were currently living with Sam, Kat, and Colby in one large house. You and Katrina did have your own rooms, but they had been transformed into small office spaces where you both could do work from home or anything you needed to do without distractions around. Your office space did involve a small single person bed for the nights where you would get lost in work, or so overloaded that you would stay locked away in there. But Colby did have a key to your room and would usually carry you away to his room. That was where you normally stayed, since you two had been dating for so long. It was typical by now for any couple to be comfortable with sharing a room. So you two did.

Today had been your 25th birthday, Katrina being your closest friend had planed you a big party inviting all the friends you had made over the last few years. Seeing everyone was so great, especially Jake and Tara. Even though they were no longer together, they still were my close friends. On a scale they would sit together right below Katrina. As the night went on, I had become more and more frustrated. There was still no sign of my boyfriend, the one person I should have been guaranteed to celebrate with.

It was only 3 hours into the party when he posted on his instagram. It was him and Stan, they were hanging out together at some random bar or nightclub. I didn't pay attention that much, only that Colby was with Stas. That he forgot my birthday and had gone to a bar with another girl without telling me before hand.

Some may think that is insecure and jealous of me to expect him to tell me when he hangs out with girls. However when both of us are popular YouTubers who have fans watching and theorizing about our every move on a daily basis. Honesty about where we are and who we are with is the best way to keep our relationship happy and stable. I was already getting spam from comments trying to tel me Colby must be a cheat this time for hanging out with Stas on my birthday without me. They knew I wasn't there cause all of my friends and I had made a post about my party. Them wishing me happy birthday on different socials.

After seeing that text, I had begun overly drinking trying my best to get wasted. Jake, Tara, and Kat were keeping close eyes on me the whole time. Sometimes they tried to slow me down, or calm me down, anything that would get me to stop pushing myself. Sam had even told me that he was on my side about this whole mess up from Colby. He was trying his best to get in contact with his friend. But all of that was to no avail.

Which is why I now laid in my bed, locked away in my own room. I had stolen Colby's key to my room from him. He always kept it in the same drawer in his room. It was rare that he needed to use it so he always left it in the same place. I had thrown it onto my desk with my own key after locking the door.

It had been 1 hour since everyone told me goodbye and left back to their homes. I stared at my ceiling, the time I had spent crying had finally begun to lull me to sleep.

However when the front door opened, I could hear the footsteps of someone coming closer and closer to my room. When they tried the door handle, that is when I knew it must have been Colby. He tried knocking on the door, but I continued to ignore his attempts.

I even heard Sam talking to him. "Leave her alone Colby" He said with venom dripping from his voice. "You fucked up, and while you do owe her an apology and explanation, she had an emotional breakdown. You know what that means right? Maybe you don't since you had the audacity to forget such an important day. Well she went and got herself wasted, I was sure she would blackout or throw up in a matter of minutes after she started. So even if she was awake, she would be in no way able to talk to you." Sam finished. "But I-" Colby started but sam cut him off. "she could barely get up here by herself Colby. Jake, Tara, and Kat had to convince her in anyway possible to stop drinking and go to bed. You know what she talked about the whole time?" Sam asked. I heard another pair of footsteps come up, Katrina. She spoke finishing Sam's story for him. "She started to talk about everything she 'thinks' is wrong about herself. Don't you remember how many guys broke her heart like this Colby? You and I were her closest friends at the time. The way she came running to us back then, well that's exactly what happened tonight. She's in there probably covered in tear stains thinking the worst of herself. Until she found out where you were, she would ask us if we had heard from you yet. In a room of all her favorite people she still looked for you. She wouldn't have cared if you were just late, she just wanted to celebrate her birthday with you." I heard Katrina scoff before continuing. "And to think, she had spent a week preparing for your birthday, spending all of her time that day with you just last month. You couldn't even remember her birthday."

Sam spoke up once more. "Colby we are so disappointed in you, You better fix this, make it up to her. For now though, just go to bed and leave her alone for the night. She deserves that much from you." Colby said nothing more before walking off. Sam and Katrina also leaving to their room moments later. My body slowly gave out only a few minutes later, succumbing to the sweet release that accompanied well earned sleep.

When I woke up the next morning, my head had a dull small ache. Looking at myself in the mirror across from my bed. I saw that I looked like a mess. So I got up, changing into a pair of sweats and a random hoodie of mine. I then brushed out my hair and put it up into a messy bun. Checking myself over, I grabbed my phone and room key before heading out. I locked the door behind me, before waltzing down to the kitchen. I was in need of some water, I felt the dehydration buzzing through my system.

Turning the corner into the kitchen I saw Sam and Katrina. Across from them sat Colby and Stas. Colby looked like he slept horribly, Stas never once faltered the smile on her face. Katrina was scowling at them but gave me a sympathetic smile. Sam was the one to speak seeing me. "Hey y/n, there's some water bottles in the fridge for you. We left some medicine to help with the hangover on the counter over. The two burgers next to it are also your to help the hang over." He pointed to the counter where the meds and burgers sat. I nodded. "Thanks Sam."

Within the next two steps, Colby was already trying to get up and come over to me. "Y/n I'm so sorry-" I put my hand up towards him and he stopped mid step. "Now is not the time Brock, We will talk later, not while I'm suffering from a hangover. Especially when I have barely had any real time to process what the fuck you did last night. So sit you ass back down and continue with your conversation that I so terribly interrupted." He returned to his seat sadly, watching me with worry.

With that Stas got up coming over to me. "What is your problem y/n? he's just trying to explain himself, he deserves more respect from someone who just let their insecurity take over on some random night." I shook my head and rolled my eyes. She didn't deserve shit from me. In the next second my head was forced to the side, my left cheek slowly increasing in a hot burning sensation. The others yelling at Stas for slapping me. When I looked back at her, I watched her face fall from the angry smirk she gave me. I looked at her with the exact same blank stare I was giving her before. No reaction to her actions like she wanted.

"Actually Anastasia, I wasn't insecure about him being with you. I could care less because I know Colby has long gotten past whatever minuscule amount of adoration he held for you. The only girl he wants to be with is me. What I am upset about is that my boyfriend, forgot my birthday and instead spent the day with someone else. He could have hung out with anyone else in the world, I would still be the same way. Oh but keep trying to steal him away sweetie, maybe if you are lucky enough he may change his mind. However if you have a brain behind those eyes, then you would know to give up now and move the fuck on." I spoke to her in the same dead flat tone that my face showed.

I picked up my burgers and meds, grabbed a water bottle and walked out of the room. On the way back up to my room I could hear Kat yelling. "Stas, get the fuck out of our house. I don't want to hear from you or see you for a long time. Maybe until you know how to get your act together and move on from your hopeless love. Y/n used to be your goddman friend, how could you hurt her happiness just cause e you were crushing on her man!? Nope! Don't even try to explain yourself right now! OUT!" I smiled, I was glad to know that Kat would pick me over her without hesitation. I never wanted her to have to pick between me and Stas when the two of us fell out. But right now, it was nice to know someone had my side.

I opened the door to my separate room and went in. The door shut behind me as I sat down at my computer. After taking the meds, I began to edit some footage for a vlog I had gotten last week. Occasionally I had some bites of burger, this was how I was going to destress and calm down from that whole interaction. About 30 minutes later there was a knock at my door. "Come in." Glacing back I saw Colby open the door and peek in. "is it really okay for me to come in babe?" I sighed. I would have to get this over eventually.

"Alright, I can take a break, come in and sit." I turned around and watched him walk slowly over to my bed sitting down next to me. I looked at him and spoke first. "You have 5 minutes tops to explain yourself or whatever you wanted to tell me, then it's my turn to talk without interruption no matter what I say." He nodded and began.

"y/n, I am so sorry for what I did. I completely forgot the one day a year to celebrate you and just you. I wasn't actually planning to meet stas that day, I was actually attending a sponsorship meeting for Sam and I. She texted me asking if I had time to go to the bar with her and hang out. After that long and boring meeting I was in need of a stress relief. But this isn't my excuse or my way to push the blame of me. It is my fault for forgetting in that moment about you. I promise you that I love you and only you. Whatever it takes and no matter how long it takes, I will make it up to you. I only want to see you happy. I'm sorry." With that Colby finished what he wanted to say.

I took a breath and began my speech. "Colby I can forgive your forgetfulness but it's gonna take a lot for me to forget it. Right now I just need you to be honest with me, Do you still want to be with me or not? If you have lost the feeling we used to share then we can end it right now, it will hurt a lot less." Colby shook his head. "No! I love you please don't say otherwise." I sighed at his words. "Okay, then you better stick to you words cause I have spiraled for the last 12 hours, I didn't know if I could ever try love again had you really lost love or worse cheated. I have been through that too many times. You are literally my last hope." I felt ears brim and fall from my eyes again. Colby's expression softening more.

He held his arms open and I hesitantly fell into them. He slowly moved to lay us together on the small bed meant for one person. He pet my hair as I cried into his shirt. "I'm so sorry for making you feel this way. I really fucked up. I will make it up to you. I will show you how much I love you, how desperate I am to be with you, all the reasons I love you. I will do this till the day I die. I love you y/n" His words slowly soothed me to sleep. Cuddling with him as we both napped in each others arms.

Masterlist

[byunpum]

They caught us | Part 2 |

Pairing: Neteyam x human reader

Tags: fluff, teasing, crushes, lots of kisses. Neytiri scream, Norm and jake just existing.

Warning: light teasing, some smut 18+, the characters have 20's

AVATAR MASTERLIST |Part 1 , Part 2, Part 3 | Part 4

"Neteyam you have to stop" you try to pull him away from you, but the man was foolish. He kept kissing your neck, while moving down towards your thighs. taking it in his hands and making space for his face to be kissing the inside of it. "we can do something quick and then we go there" says neteyam, as he continues his work. You want to push him away, but he has much more strength than you. He continues on his way, until you reach your intimacy. You look up to see Neteyam put his nose on your already wet panties and inhale deeply. "mmm you always smell so good" neteyam laughs, moving the fabric of your panties to the side. Until you slammed your legs closed. " Now, stop…. I have to put on some pants" you say annoyed, as you manage to get out of his grip. It's not like you didn't want neteyam to eat you out right now, but the very thought of their mother out there waiting for them was killing you.

Neteyam got up and was watching you look for some pants. You got some sweatshirts, and you were already halfway through, when neteyam grabbed you by the waist and sat you on his lap. "ma Y/N" he's squealing in your ear. You hated that he was bigger than you sometimes, he could move you with ease. "nete…really" you feel his wet kisses on the back of your neck, and his hands under your shirt. Squeezing your breasts, placing his other hand on your waist to make you move over his lap, looking for a little friction. " you look so pretty…so pretty."

"why don't they come?" shouts neytiri, the woman was furious, it wasn't because of you. If it was about you, you were a human and neteyam was a navi. Or was it the simple fact that she had her son on a pedestal of virginity. "They sure are making up" norm tries to defuse the situation. Jake gives him a look. "Those two are making babies!!!" jake jokes a little. "WHAT????" Neytiri looks at her husband with a fulminating look. " calm down, love…look at me. They'll explain." Jake holds her by the shoulders. Jake already suspected something about you two, but said nothing.

You two peeked out the door. Neytiri wanted to kill you both, Norm was scared and Jake was…he was just there. "What were you doing?" shouts Neytiri approaching her son. " well…mom, you know what " neteyam was already getting nervous. "I know what you were doing….but" neytiri didn't know what to say. " The question here is …. how long have you been doing this?" asks norm, walking in between you. He didn't want anyone to get hurt. "mmm 6 months" you speak. "6 months!!!??" jake repeats somewhat surprised. " 6 months since we've been dating, but that would be 10 months in total" neteyam says laughing nervously.

"Ahh good thing only 10 months!!!!" Speaks jake with a sarcastic tone, while raising his hands in the air. "You know this isn't right… Y/N is a human and you are a navi. How is that possible?" neytiri is looking at you two and scolding you. You are side by side. "You have managed all these months" norm speaks. "How is it physically possible?" Jake asks and looks at Norm trying to find a sensible answer. " Well… Y/N's body is no different than a navi woman's so…" you hit neteyam, you didn't want him to be talking about how he fits and how you guys do your thing.

Neytiri was disconcerted, she was walking back and forth. I knew it was impossible to separate you two, but I just don't think like you do. "I just hope this doesn't lead to any other consequences," says neytiri. "Like a baby?" asks norm. "I don't think it's possible, but if it is… how cute they would be?" says jake, laughing a little and looking at everyone. Neytiri comes out of the lab annoyed… norm runs after her. You two stand there, looking at jake.

"I'm going to go to my room" you say as you give neteyam's hand a squeeze. Jake and neteyam stand there in silence. " sir… I can explain" neteyam tries to speak. " Son…." Jake reaches over and grabs his son by both shoulders. "You are many women's fantasy… I am proud" neteyam doesn't know what to say. "What are you talking about?" neteyam asks. "You go with your girl, I'll take care of your mother" jake pats him, and walks out of the lab. Neteyam stands there, silent. "what the hell is going on" he thinks to himself.

You were already in your room, you knew that this whole subject was going to be a topic of conversation in the whole family. Oh god, when the guys found out, because you were sure they were going to find out. Neteyam came into the room, he saw that you were sitting on the edge of the bed. "Dad, he just told me that I'm a lot of women's fantasy" you laugh at neteyam. "Well…he's kind of right" you say, as neteyam walks over to you. "Yeah? And how is that possible?" asks neteyam, positioning himself between your legs and pushing you down onto the bed. You laugh as he begins to remove your pants. "Well, big boy… let's just say you're quite the specimen" your voice was breathy, neteyam already had his hands under your panties. Tracing gentle circles to your clit, your back is arched.

Neteyam kisses that sweet spot on your neck, while he grunts, humping his hips on the bed. "Neteyam…you can" you moan, the boy grabs your jaw with his free hand. " Honey, I have to get you ready first" he speaks, as he dips a finger into your wetness. Instinctively you give him a sloppy kiss on the lips, he kisses you back. You are crying out as he slowly pumps in and out, while his thumb circles your clit. "Nete…" you moan. Neteyam pulls his fingers out and makes you suck them, for him to continue sucking them. "You see… you taste exquisite" The sight is pleasant, as he laughs, and slips his fingers back into your pussy, making you tremble from the coldness of his saliva, and tastes you again.

His hands move to your waist, and he makes a quick movement so that he is now on the bottom and now you were right on top of him, sitting on top of his growing erection. You start to grin. You start to take off your shirt, and leave it somewhere on the floor. Neteyam is touching any part of your body he can reach. "Do you want me to ride you?" you say while humping on his loincloth. Neteyam's hips rise in the air, as if seeking your touch. You reach up to his face and give him a wet kiss. Neteyam's ears were purple, you could see that he was flushed, his pupils were dilated and he was purring below you.

Knock, knock, knock, you both look towards the door. "I swear…if you don't stop I'm going to separate you two for 4 months" shouts norm on the other side of the door. You two look at each other and laugh. Neteyam ignores him and gives you another soft kiss on the lips.

p.s: This is a short part 2, but I still hope you like it. I'm so bad at writing smut, ahhhhhhh I blush myself.

Neteyam's wives: @heesoftiefreak @vviviivvivivivvivivivi @grierpilots @lucero-ksb-blog @lanadetails @inutheangel @

[sukioyakio]

I'm just thinking about choso but as yandere,in where he those type of yandere where there hides thier anger infornt of you,baiscally a two faces persona.Like imgaine you two are at some idk amunement park and like the loving insane person he is,he went to get you an drink.

As he walks back to where he left you at to see that some random ass guy is talking to you,making you smile,making you laugh,making you happy and it not him;not him being the one to make you smile,not him making you laugh like the one your doing right now with that fucking prick.

Seeing you like that never bothered him but seeing you like this in front of someone else bothered him to no end.

They shouldn’t have a chance to even be able to see you,when your HIS. He didn’t notice that he was breaking his own cup.But your is completely intact but he was this close to breaking it,as he feel the drink drip from his palms(he will always be careful with anything that he gives to you).

As very single muscle in his body tried to not go punch that fucking for touching what is his,he love you to no end. . . Hell do anything to make you his and he want you to be happy with him even as his girlfriend (wife as well).

He went over there as he tried to cover up his anger with a facade lies in beneath.But if you could’ve look closely you could’ve noticed the glint in his eyes,the obsessive he had towards you,How he looked at the random guy you were talking with.How he looked like he was about to rip apart each of his organs by his owns hands.

You sense him right to you,you immediately turn around to look at Choso with an warm smile on your face.

“Oh hello Choso how was the line I’m sorry that you had to wait for that long” you said with a nervous chuckles. You were about to say something but quickly remembered that you were taking to that guy. “Oh yea while you were you were gone I-“

You look around to see the guy you were about to introduce to choso.He was gone and he was No way to be in sight.Your brow furrowed down in confusion.

You didn’t notice it was choso doing because you were so distracted with trying to find the guy you were talking to not even noticed choso annoyed aura.He was glaring off the poor guy,and getting more possessive of wanting to keep you from anyone else that tried to have you.

He particularly moved into your personal space,with his toxicity presence.

Your sent always calm him down with his deadly thoughts.

He wouldn’t help but smile that fact that you had trust him for so long that he know that you make an adorable expression when your confused about something.

“-I was gonna say that I was talking with this guy but he seems to left.He was saying about some restaurant that he recommended to go.And I thought we should go there sometime.” You turn back around to face choso with an open smile as you see he returns with the same smile,As you glance down at his hands.

“Sure I’ll do whatever makes you happy,anyway here your drink”

“Gee,choso don’t you have anything you like to do?Like man for all the years I know you there should be an Hobbies or idk stuff you like to do,But thanks for drink choso”

You had said that as a light joke and playfully.As you hands touch his in order to get the drink,electricity shocks went down for the both of you.You smiles off as you kept walking with him.

But he wasn’t fully there,he took your words to his mind,his hobbies?He never had one,I mean he could could anything his mind desires and it could come out well (beautifully) done.Hobbies. . . Hobbies. . . Hobbies..Something he enjoys doing.He felt your presence and he realized that one of his hobbies was.

“Being with you ,spending time with you,making you happy,making you love me, only me,making you mine is my hobbies” choso muttered underneath his breath,knowing you wouldn’t hear him,as his eyes watched you walked,talked about whatever you rumbled on,you shine into his life.After he had gone to an point where he was alone,with having to take care of his family put them an roof over their head.

All it took was a simple .. “hello there”.. from anyone to had grab his attention back then,all it took from wanting to have you for himself was a smile.His heart warm in a way where he felt alive.You were addictive and the feeling was so much more addictive then anything else.

He rather have you look at him like his the most precious beautiful thing in the world. Then have someone else HAVE that.

���I’ll kill city’s,I’ll kill the world,I’ll cut down the leaf that stay in my way.

-I will make sure that there no body that will love you the way I do,because in the end I know I will kill myself if you told me too.

-you will a power of that upon me that I can’t help but get addicted to,your my drug,my blood,my heart,my reason of living and my reason of the killing I do.-

My love for you doesn’t describe the many thing I’ll do for you and continue to do for you.Because your the only one in this whole planet that matters to me.”

HOPE YOU ENJOY

✌️

QUOTE OF THE DAY -

“TIMING is everyone”

[dilemmaontwolegs]

Yessss taste of temptation is one of the best Danny fics on this app !!!!! Just for the sake of ideas, could we get some over possessive daniel leading to an argument between him and reader?

Temptation Snapshot || DR3 {3}

Warnings: 18+ only, nsfw, smut, angst F1 Masterlist Story: One || Two || Three || Four || Five Snapshots One || Two || Three || Four || Five

Daniel loved to watch his cock disappearing into your holes, any of them, all of them. He loved seeing how good you could take him, how your body would stretch to fit his thick length inside. He just wanted a reminder of that sight when he was away.

Your nails dug into Daniel’s knees as you bounced on his lap, riding him reverse cowgirl. The angle of the position blew your mind and stars danced across your vision as his cock rolled over that sweet spot that curled your toes. Daniel’s deep moan spurred you on and you palmed your breasts, pinching your pierced nipples until you were writhing with ecstasy on his lap.

“That’s it, kitten, come all over my cock,” he encouraged as he felt your walls clenching around him. “You’re so fucking tight.”

His hips bucked off the bed as you slammed down and the harsh slap of your bodies joining, reaching the deepest part of you, tipped him over the edge. Your chest was heaving as you came down from your high and small rolls of your hips kept the aftershocks coming as you felt Daniel’s cock pulsing with his release.

All too soon you were both completely spent and you climbed off him, the mess you both made running down your thighs and coating his dick that was still half hard. It was only as you turned to him, ready to crawl into his arms that you saw his phone in his hands.

“What are you doing?”

“Making a keepsake for when I’m away, kitten,” he said with a grin as he patted the space beside him. “You look so hot when you fuck me like that.”

“Delete it.” You tried to reach for the phone but he was already moving it away. “I’m serious, delete it, now, Daniel.”

“I’m not going to share it with anyone,” he assured you, and of that you had no doubt. “This pussy belongs to me, I’m the only one who gets to see it.”

“That’s not the point,” you argued, taking another shot at grabbing the phone as you heard your moans while it played. “It could get leaked!”

“You can’t even see your face, love, calm down.”

“Calm down?” you repeated as your pitch rose. “Calm down?”

“Kitty…” You were already climbing off the bed and pulling some clothes on before he could follow but when grabbed your handbag and keys he made for the door and planted himself in front of it.

“Where are you going? We can just talk about this,” he said as he tried to cup your face but you tore it from his hands.

“There’s nothing to talk about so get out of my way and let me ‘calm down’. I obviously can’t do that here.”

“It’s almost midnight, where are you going to go?”

The high you had felt minutes earlier crashed as defiance built and you crossed your arms. “Don’t talk to me like that, you’re not my father.”

“No, I’m your boyfriend, you belong to me and I deserve you know where my girlfriend is running off to in the middle of the night.”

“I’m not running anywhere, I’m just taking your advice and if you can’t accept that then maybe you shouldn’t be my boyfriend.” If you weren’t so angry you would have regretted the words instantly. It wasn’t unreasonable to ask him to delete the video.

For once Daniel had no comeback, no witty remark. He was shell shocked that you would take those claws and rake them down his chest, tearing his heart to shreds. He could only stand there frozen with the thought of losing you while you walked around him and out into the night.

The sound of the door locking snapped him from the stupor but in the silence that remained he could hear your moans coming from his phone. “Fuck!”

He raced back to the bedroom and deleted the sex tape before dialling your number, only for it to go straight to voicemail. “Baby, please call me when you get this,” he begged before hanging up and taking a heavy seat on the end of the messy bed.

The air was still thick with the scent of sex and the room warm from the nights activities, but what he normally enjoyed basking in was now suffocating. Daniel paced the room, opening the windows and balcony as his skin felt too tight. He knew he fucked up, he knew it the moment you slammed the door behind you. But he had to find you and tell you, if only you would answer your phone.

You weren’t sure Lando was going to answer or even at home when you knocked on his door for the third time. You were almost ready to give up and try Charles when you heard the deadbolt slide free and the door open an inch, a sleepy blue eye peeking through the crack.

You knew you looked terrible with puffy red eyes and hair that practically screamed you had been recently fucked and you could see the confirmation on Lando’s face when he opened the door to let you in.

“Can I stay here the night?”

He looked over your shoulder, probably expecting to see Daniel chasing after you but the street was dead quiet so he shut the door. “Everything alright?”

“No,” you admitted as your voice cracked. “I think we broke up.”

Click here for next part.

[sevcasejay1chicago]

Babysitting mishaps- Severide/Jay Halstead/ Casey

Summary: when Jay picks you up from you job that you do on your off shifts, he is concerned when you remain silent on the way home. What’s going through your mind?

Warnings: honestly, this is mental abuse so be warned, some language I think.

Authors note: First, if you are in this type of situation, GET OUT (I am preaching to myself, but please get out of that situation). Second, this is not an ask, but it’s something I needed to vent out and get out, so I hope you enjoy some fluff and maybe a glimps onto my own life….

~~~~~~~~~~~

You have been a babysitter on your off shifts for years. If you hadn’t been a paramedic, you would have greatly considered being a pediatrician. Other than being a paramedic, your other life purpose is to take care of children.

You’ve had your good and your bad families. You have always tried your best to just do your job and stay out of the way, but this was the last straw. You hate driving, so you sit silently in the passenger seat of Jay’s truck.

Jay sighs as he glanced over at you once more. “Baby. Talk to me.” Jay basically begged, resting a hand on your thigh as he turns onto the road to the town house that you both share with Matt and Kelly.

You shook your head and kept your gaze plastered out of the window. You couldn’t talk now. As it was, you were barely holding it together with Jay’s gentle touch and soft voice. The second you opened your mouth, you were sure that you would burst into tears.

Jay sighed again and left his hand on your thigh as he smoothly pulled into a parking space. Jay turned off the truck and sat with you quietly. He knew better than to rush you, but he also knew to follow your lead until it was no longer beneficial to you.

Sighing, you looked at Matt and Kelly’s cars in the driveway. If you were going to talk about it, you were going to only say it one time. So, you readied yourself before you got out of the truck, squeezing Jay’s hand before hopping down and making a beeline for the front door.

The door was unlocked, so you walked straight in. Kelly was sat at the counter, watching Matt make dinner for the four of you. Normally, you would go in and help straight away, kissing both Matt and Kelly with a gentle smile. Tonight, you walked straight to the bedroom and shut the door, needing a minute to yourself while you changed into some comfy clothes, which consisted of Jay’s Army sweatshirt with Matt’s fireman shirt and Kelly’s sweats.

As soon as Jay came in, Matt and Kelly shared a look before Kelly finally spoke. “Alright, what’s going on with her?”

“I don’t know. Honest.” Jay said, holding up his hands. “She’s been quiet since I picked her up. She wouldn’t say a word the whole way home and you both know she normally gushes about whatever she did with the kids.” Jay said, coming to sit next to Kelly.

Matt turned and grabbed a beer from the fridge, setting it down in front of Jay. “She’ll either come to us when she is ready or start crying. Either way, we all need to stay calm and be rational.” Matt said, giving Jay a pointed look.

“What? You think I can’t be calm and rational?” Jay asked, taking a sip of his beer.

Kelly chuckled. “Please. You are so protective over her. I guarantee that you will be fuming and threatening to kill whoever upset her as soon as she tells us what’s wrong.” Kelly commented, tipping his bottle toward Jay as he spoke before taking a sip himself.

“Like you have room to talk.” Matt laughed, shaking his head as he turned to continue dinner.

A few minutes later, you came out of the bedroom in your comfy clothes, making a beeline for Kelly. He placed his beer down and opened his arms, taking you into his embrace as he met the eyes of your other two partners.

“Hey baby.” Kelly whispered, kissing the top of your head. “You doing okay?” Kelly lightly probed.

You grunted into him, bringing your sweatshirt covered hands between the two of you like you were trying to hide yourself in his embrace. Kelly could feel you shaking and immediately started rubbing your back to try and generate some heat.

“Jay, go grab her blanket please.” Kelly said, giving Matt a look as Jay jogged quickly into the living room and came back, wrapping you up.

Kelly lifted you into his lap and gently rocked you before deciding that the couch would be more comfortable and moved into the living room. Jay followed suit and then Matt came in, having turned off the stove and covered up dinner to finish later.

“Sweetheart. Please talk to us.” Matt said, sitting down beside Kelly.

“I-I can’t do it anymore.” You whispered, a tear slipping down your cheek. “He Al-always yells a-and cur-curses at the kids.” You shook your head, letting out a sob. “I can’t h-help them. I can’t w-watch it anymore.” You said, choking on a sob as Kelly pulled you closer into his embrace.

“Shhhh breathe baby. Just breathe.” Kelly whispered, bringing your face into his neck.

Jay was seeing red but kept his comments to himself for the time being. He knew there wasn’t anything he could do legally. He’s seen worse and those parents still kept their kids. “Baby. Has he acted this way toward you?” Jay asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

You nodded slightly into Kelly’s neck but couldn’t make yourself say anything. Matt reached over and held Jay’s hand, squeezing it and telling him to breathe with his eyes. Jay was fuming. Nobody talks to his partners like that, but you needed him right now.

“Baby. Are you planning on going back?” Matt asked, using his free hand to rub your arm.

You shook your head no again and your lovers all breathed a sigh of relief.

“Good. Good girl.” Jay praised. “He needs to figure out what he’s lost. Nobody else would deal with that behavior either.” Jay said, hoping to consul you.

“B-but the kids.” You sobbed. “He-he’s mentally d-damaging them. Developmentally.” You said, shaking as you realized that you left those kids with an emotionally unavailable father who’s only goal was to keep them alive until they turned 18, emotions be damned. You felt sick. You sat up and covered your mouth, staring wide eyed at Matt.

“Sh Sh Sh. Breathe.” Matt said, taking your face in his hands. He knew you were just panicking. “Your alright. In, 1,2,3. Out 1,2,3. Good.” Matt guided and praised you.

Jay got up to grab a wash cloth and a water as Kelly held you and Matt worked on getting you calmed down. He needed a second himself. Of course, once Jay returned, Matt and Kelly had you calmed down and reclined on Kelly’s lap. Jay wiped your face gently and then guided the water to your lips while he placed the wash cloth on the back of your neck. You would be okay eventually, and Jay may have a conversation with the dad on a later date, but nobody else needed to know that.

[anangelwhodidntfall]

I have a hurt/comfort dad!jake x daughter!reader request because I feel super angsty rn and would love comfort from jake so here goes:

Jake helping y/n through a panic attack/anxiety attack and helps her talk about the stuff she holds in

A/N: As someone who suffers from both anxiety and panic attacks, this hit home <3

Your dad was the first to notice how quiet and on edge, you had become lately, ever since he, your mom, and your twin had rescued you, Peì'll, and your siblings from Quaritch and his team. He and your mom would catch you staring off into space, lost in thought, hands shaking, and flinching when someone would touch you and it worried them, so he made a plan to talk to you. 

First, you, your girlfriend, and your siblings were nearly kidnapped and now your girlfriend's family didn't want you two to see each other anymore. You were constantly on edge worried that this Quaritch person and his team were lurking around the corner ready to strike again, so you were constantly trying to be hyper-aware of your surroundings. 

You were out for a walk trying to clear your head but the voices in your head kept getting louder and louder until you started to feel dizzy and your heart was pounding. You took a seat next to the tree softly crying as you struggled to breathe and felt your hands start to shake as the tears started to fall down your face. 

"Please stop." You said crying as the voices in your head kept going on about the different scenarios that could happen. 

Your dad had been worried when none of your siblings had seen you, so he went into the forest to see if he could find you and make sure you were okay. He heard crying which made his ears perk up as he followed it and found you sitting by a tree with your head between your legs making you worried.

"Babygirl?" He asked quietly until he noticed that you were going through a panic attack. 

"Da...ad?" You asked looking up at him as you struggled to breathe. 

"Easy, easy sweetheart. You are having a panic attack and need to calm down before you pass out." He said placing his arms on your shoulders.

"Breathe with me. Can you do that?" He asked as you nodded your head. 

Your dad took about five deep breaths which you copied feeling your breathing return to normal and your crying stopped as he rubbed a hand up and dad your back to keep your calm.

"Okay, can you tell me five things you see?" He asked. 

"I see you, some trees, some vines, some flowers, and I see the sun." You said. 

"Very good." He said giving your arm a gentle squeeze as he took a seat next to you and wrapped an arm around you.

"So what's going on baby? I can't help but notice that you've been on edge and more closed off lately.

"Ever since we were almost taken by.." You started to say but felt your heart rate quicken. 

"Easy sweetheart...take your time....your safe here with me." He said rubbing your arm as you nodded your head as you took a deep breath. 

"Ever since we were almost taken by Quaritch and his team, my anxiety has been through the roof about him coming back and hurting us, especially you. Then Peì'll's parents won't let us see other after that happened as if I knew that was going to happen...Daddy, I hate that I froze and she nearly got hurt because of me...I miss her daddy. It's just been a lot  daddy." You said leaning your head on his chest as Jake looked up to the sky with a sigh and tried to contain his tears. 

"Oh baby girl, why didn't you tell me sooner?" He asked you. 

"I was mostly scared." You said. 

"I understand that but none of that is your responsibility. I promise you that man and his team won't ever lay a hand on you or siblings or Peì'll again, I would die before that happens." He said. 

"But I don't want you to die Daddy." You said fully hugging him now as his heart swelled, you were truly a daddy's girl. 

"I know you don't but I would gladly do so if it meant you all were safe. I promise you that I will be around for a long long time." He said hugging you and placing a kiss on your forehead. 

"As for Peì'll and that situation, that isn't your fault either, it was a natural reaction back when I was a marine I did that the first time I was on the front lines. You both got out of there alive and that's all that matters, I'm sorry that her parents are blaming you because it wasn't your fault none of it was, you hear me?" He asked looking you in your eyes.

"I do. Thank you, dad." You said hugging him.

"Your welcome, next time please come talk to me so I can help you." He said as you nodded your head. 

"I'll try too. I love you, Dad." You said resting your head on his shoulder.

"I love you too sweetheart, so so much." He said pressing a kiss to your forehead as your breathing started to mellow out. 

Your dad returned to camp and hime with you sound asleep in his arms which made your mom worried and smile at the same time when she saw you two. He gently laid you down and took a seat next to you as your mom did the same. 

"She okay?" Your mom asked brushing a piece of hair out your face. 

"She will be now. She was worried about everything with Quaritch including me and it got to her." Your dad said. 

"Oh, my sweet girl. She's always been that way, especially when it concerned you." Your mom said. 

"My pericous babygirl." He said pressing a kiss to your forehead. 

[rebelwrites]

Twenty One: He’s Already Forgot About Me!

Charles Leclerc x Nova Teller (OC)

Till the wheels fall off Masterlist

Small town meets the fast lane. What happens when two souls meet? Will it end in happiness or will they both crash and burn?

As always reblogs and feedback is highly appreciated ❤️ if you want tagging in future parts let me know ❤️

The air in the house weighed heavy on my shoulders, the tears I had been holding back all morning were threatening to spill over my lash line. Today was the day I had been dreading, there was only a few hours left before Charles had to leave town. I couldn’t stay in this house any longer, I needed some space. Charles was distracted with Elenor meaning it gave me the perfect chance to slip out of the back door. I found myself wandering around the back garden until I was standing at the bottom of the ladder to the treehouse Pops built when me and Jax were kids. Over the years Pops kept everything maintained, swapping out any rotted boards so Elenor could get the same enjoyment out of it. Letting out a shaky breath I slowly started climbing the rungs until I had pulled myself into the treehouse.

Leaning against the wall I pulled the box of cigarettes out of the pocket of Charles hoodie, I had already gone through half a pack since I woke up this morning and I knew it wasn’t going to be long before I was crumpling the cardboard, reaching for a fresh carton. Placing the smoke between my lips I tried to light it but my emotions finally took over. Growling in frustration I dropped the lighter into my lap, pulling my knees up to my chest. I didn’t want to have to imagine a life without Charles but soon that was going to be my reality. The last month had been amazing, I had never felt so free and full of love and in what felt like a blink of an eye he was being ripped away from me, promises on making a long distance relationship work but that voice in my head kept telling me it wouldn’t work. His lifestyle was completely different to mine, he would constantly have women throwing themselves at him, always having that temptation dangled in front of him.

This was the reason I held back from letting myself fall for him but I had to go and listen to my stupid heart.

I couldn’t hold the tears back any longer and soon enough sobs had taken over my body. I wanted to pause time, I was so torn all I wanted to do was pack my suitcase leaving with Charles but the reality was I couldn’t leave town. Pops was getting worse and I needed to help Jax with all the interviews for the new hires we needed across all of the businesses.

“Je me demandais où tu avais disparu, Sunshine. I was wondering where you disappeared to, Sunshine.” Charles said softly, pulling himself up into the treehouse. I refused to look up at him, I couldn’t, it was too painful. “Viens ici, babygirl. Come here, babygirl.” he whispered, moving over to me, the moment he was close enough he pulled me onto his lap wrapping his arms tight around my shaking body. “It’s okay, everything is going to be okay.”

“It’s not,” I sobbed, gripping onto his hoodie, like he was going to disappear if I let go. “Je ne veux pas que tu partes. I don't want you to go.”

Charles stayed quiet, he slipped his hand underneath the hoodie letting his fingers graze across my skin, I knew what he was trying to do, he was trying to calm me down.

“I’m scared Char,” I whimpered, finally admitting my true feelings, “I’m scared you're going to forget about me the moment you go back to the fast life.” I cried, burying my face into his chest. The pain in my heart was getting too much, in a short space of time I had fallen head over heels in love with the boy from Monaco.

Charles let out a shaky breath, pressing a soft kiss to the top of my head, his fingers moved to under my chin, his movements were slow as he lifted my head up so I was now looking into his eyes. He had silent tears streaming down his cheeks, the sight of him crying made me feel even worse. “I could never forget you, Sunshine. Not in a million years.” He whispered, moving his thumb to my cheek, trying to wipe away tears but it was no use they just kept falling. “Talk to me, babygirl, what’s bothering you?”

“Everything.” I choked, letting my eyelids flutter closed, partly from embarrassment and partly because I couldn’t bear to see the sadness shining bright in his amazing green eyes. My insecurities were trying their hardest to break through the surface and right now they were winning the battle. The fear of being abandoned had once again reared it’s ugly head, it was a demon I had thought I had overcome but then Charles sped into my life and apparently the fear once again had a death grip on me. “I’m nothing special, even your fans see it. And I am scared that you will realize it soon enough like everyone else in my life. I don’t want to be abandoned again Charles, I don’t know if my heart could take it.”

“Nova, babygirl,” he whispered, his voice strained as he spoke. “I only have eyes for you, I don’t care about anyone else okay. You are the only one I want and nothing will ever change that. I could never forget you, you do not have to worry about me walking away from you okay, I am always going to be here, you are stuck with me now Sunshine.”

As much as I wanted to believe his words, my demons were making it extremely hard. “How can you be so sure?” I mumbled, still refusing to open my eyes, I was trying my hardest to quieten the demons in my head screaming at me.

“I wasn’t looking for anything when I met you, Nova Teller. Actually, I wasn’t planning on falling for anyone so soon,” he said softly, leaning forward resting his forehead against mine, “but then I met you, and everything changed. All of a sudden I had forgotten about how shit the season has gone, that didn’t matter, all that mattered was you,” he paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. “I didn’t realize it at first but the moment I laid eyes on you my heart was screaming ‘she’s the one’. Nova you are beautiful, smart, strong, courageous, fuck what the fans think they obvious don’t see the girl that’s in front of me.” His words caused my tears to fall harder, I had never had anyone say anything like this to me before, hell no one had ever made me feel like Charles did. “Sunshine, there will never be anyone else for me. You are the only one I want, the one I want to have a family with, the one I want to have by my side the day I win the world drivers championship,” he whispered, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Nova I love you, and I will until I take my last breath.”

My heart lurched out of my chest hearing him say those three little words. Slowly i leant back from him, letting my eyelids flutter open. The moment I saw his gorgeous eyes I felt the demons retreat back into their cages, all of a sudden it was like the sun coming out after a thunderstorm you never thought was going to end.

“Charles,” I breathed, reaching up letting my hand rest on his cheek, “I love you to, I love you so fucking much it hurts. I can’t lose you, I can’t say goodbye.”

“Ce n'est pas un adieu, Sunshine, c'est juste à plus tard. It's not goodbye, Sunshine, it's just see you later.”

The hours had passed since Charles and Pierre left for the airport, each minute that went by caused the pain I felt in my chest to worsen. He promised he would text me when he was boarding the private jet, yet all I received instead was radio silence.

No calls.

No texts.

Nothing.

All I was left with was silence.

My grip was tight around the neck of the bottle of Jack, slowly bringing it to my lips trying to ignore how bad my hands were shaking. I should have known this would have happened, I must have done something terrible in a past life to deserve this. Pulling the bottle away I took a long drag of the cigarette, I knew Pops would be pissed I was smoking inside, especially at the bar, but right now I didn’t give a shit.

“Mamacita, where you hiding?” Nero’s voice echoed around the empty bar, making me regret the decision to give him a key. My movements stilled, I didn’t want him to know where I was, I just wanted to be alone, drowning my emotions with alcohol and cigarettes. “Oh mama,” Nero sighed, causing me to look up through my lashes finding him standing at the end of the bar, a sad look consuming his face.

“I want to be alone.” I scoffed, taking a large gulp of the amber liquid, feeling the familiarity of burning in the back of my throat.

“Yea, like I’m leaving you,” he whispered, holding his hands out, “especially not like this.”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at him, don’t get me wrong I loved Nero but I wasn’t in the mood for one of his motivational talks right now.

“Whatever!” I huffed, dropping the cigarette butt into a glass of water I was using as a makeshift ashtray.

He stayed silent as he lowered himself onto the floor next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder, he didn’t speak right away letting the silence simmer between us before he finally spoke, “do you want to talk about it”

“Nope.”

“Fine, sit here, drinking yourself into oblivion, but we both know it’s not helping.” He said, with a slight shrug of his shoulders.

The only sound that could be heard in the room was the ticking of the clock on the wall behind the bar. What was the point in talking about it, it wasn’t going to bring Charles back or make him text me. Every time I checked the conversation the words ‘delivered’ were teasing me, once again reminding me he was gone. Dropping my gaze to what I currently saw as my lifeline in my grasp, I realized I had nailed a quarter of the bottle. A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I slowly screwed the cap back on before raising my arm, launching the bottle through the air watching as it collided with the wall.

The glass shattered, like my heart, the moment it made contact.

“Feel better?”

“Not really.” I laughed coldly, leaning my head back against the mini fridge. “He said he wouldn’t, he said he never could.” I screamed, letting my fingers tangle with my roots.

“Wouldn’t what, Chika?” Nero asked, placing his hands on mine, slowly pulling them away from my scalp.

“He said he wouldn’t forget me, he said he wasn’t going to abandon me like everyone else.. But I guess everything he said was a lie, he promised he would text me when he got on the plane but that was five hours ago now.” I stuttered through strangled cries. “I guess he’s already forgotten about me. Outta sight, outta mind.”

I knew I was lashing out to try and hide the anger and pain I was feeling. Just like I knew I was acting childish but the last time I felt abandoned like this was when my so-called parents chose drugs over me, so I didn’t know how else to process the feeling. I knew I shouldn’t have gotten involved with Charles Leclerc, from the day he walked into the bar I knew it would only end in heartbreak, my heartbreak.

This is what I get for opening my heart up.

Emptiness and pain.

“I told Jax this would happen but no he had to make me believe that this would work, that we could survive the distance.” I sobbed, hiding my face in my hands. “So much for soulmates.”

Nero let out a heavy sigh, adjusting his position so he was now kneeling in front of me. “Nova, both you and I know you don’t believe the words you are saying right now.” He said softly, once again taking my hands in his. “I’ve seen how that boy looks at you, there is no way he wouldn’t keep his word.”

“Well why the hell hasn’t he text me back then?” I scoffed, finally making eye contact with Nero.

“You know I don’t know the answer to that, Mama.” He whispered, brushing his thumb over the top of my hand. “But you gotta have faith, you have always jumped to the worst possible scenario, it might just be something as simple as his phone dying, his flight getting delayed or many other things but I do not believe for one moment that boy has forgotten about you.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because you are a Teller, and Teller’s are unforgettable.”

Part of me wanted to believe him but the pain was becoming unbearable, Charles' words from the treehouse earlier this morning were ringing loud and clear in my mind making matters worse. If only I had the courage to have packed my case, getting on the plane with him, then I wouldn’t have been a mess on the bar floor, trying to find the answers in the bottom of the bottle. I was so lost in my thoughts I didn’t hear the main doors of the bar opening, that was until the person spoke.

“Je n'ai pas pu prendre l'avion, Sunshine. I couldn't get on the plane, Sunshine.”

@withmyteeth @chibsytelford @stillbreathin @danzer8705 @keyweegirlie @burningcupcakefire @dragon-of-winterfell @ohthemisssery @a-distantdreamer @sgkophie @angywritesstuff @enchantedbytomandhenry @scribbuluswrites @dangerouspursepeachbear @buendiabebeta @ferrarifwendvale @theplobnrgone @charlesleclercje @queenslife @panicforspec @justme2042 @liv67 @derpinathebrave @clcspeonies @pleasantducktimetravel @raaaaabzzz @mehrmonga @sbgal @fangirl-lb @pitconfirmbutton @oslokij @tall-tanned-tattoo @bigcreatorwombatdreamer @pumpkin-spice-hate @talicat713 @band--psycho @little-diable @i-love-scott-mccall @fourthwallhateclub @theysayitscrazy @rosieposie0624 @choochoo284 @meteora-fc @beeroses @darklydeliciousdesires @the-jer-bear @extraneousred @youflickedtooharddamnit @babypink224221

[levandright]

hi hi, first of all i wanted to congratulate you on the 200 followers, you deserve them and so much more!!🫶🏻

your event is super cute and i'd love to join (for enhypen, if possible)!

i'm a rather introverted person, i'm shy around new people and i generally prefer being by myself, but once i get comfortable around someone, i'm a biiiiig yapper. my mbti is isfj if that's helpful🥹

i tend to show my love and appreciation towards others in acts of service or with quality time, however what makes me feel the most loved are simple words of affirmation (like encouragement & reassurance).

i'm a capricorn, my favorite season is definitely winter and i love spending my time reading, listening to music, or singing.

i'd say i'm a very ambitious person when it comes to things i want to achieve, but i'm also impatient and tend to get frustrated easily when something doesn't work out right away, so i spend a lot of time sulking over stuff i know i'll get right after a few more tries lol. i think my ideal type is someone who's equally ambitious but maybe a little calmer about it so we can encourage and push each other forward without creating chaos?

i hope these were helpful!

tysm for this cute event + can i be 🪐 anon? <3

FINDING YOUR MATCH...

MATCH FOUND! your match is... YANG JUNGWON

JUNGWON noticed your quiet, reserved nature when you first met and made an effort to approach you gently. he didn’t push for conversation but instead created a space where you felt comfortable enough to open up at your own pace.

JUNGWON found your chatty side absolutely endearing when you started talking more. “i didn’t know you had so much to say,” he’d tease lightly, grinning as you rolled your eyes and kept talking.

JUNGWON knows how ambitious you are and always offers words of reassurance when you’re feeling frustrated. “you’re allowed to feel stuck, but i know you’ll figure it out,” he’d say, his soft voice grounding you in moments of doubt. when you sulk after a failed attempt, he stays by your side patiently, reminding you to take a break before trying again. “you’ll get it next time. i believe in you,” he’d say, and his calm confidence in you always makes you feel a bit more braver than before.

JUNGWON loves how passionate you are about your goals, often saying, “your determination is one of the things i admire most about you.” at the same time, you inspire him with your persistence, and he makes sure to tell you how much he appreciates it.

JUNGWON naturally takes the lead in your relationship, but he does it in the softest, most thoughtful way possible. he pays attention to the little things, like when you’re feeling overwhelmed or need some time to yourself, and adapts without making a fuss.

JUNGWON is incredibly affectionate in his own quiet way. je’ll reach for your hand during walks in the snow or pull you into a hug when you’re feeling down, whispering, “i’m here for you, no matter what.” winter is your shared happy place. jungwon plans cozy winter dates like making hot chocolate, building snowmen, or simply going up for a walk in the cold crisp air. he loves seeing your eyes light up when you both watch the first snow fall.

JUNGWON loves spending time with you during during your favorite activities. whether it’s listening to music, singing together, or reading quietly in the same room, he treasures these calm, intimate moments between you.

₊˚ෆ your custom playlist

₊˚ෆ lev notes : tysm for the kind words anon <3 i don't really mind not having that much followers really haha, i feel like i wouldn't be able to handle the pressure and expectations of that many ppl x< i'm just happy to share the stories i write and hope they help ppl having a rough time (like how i feel when reading stories by other writers!!) ₊˚ෆ curious about other matches?

[chishiyasleftnut]

HII! HOW ARE YOU!?

just wonder if you can do 7 minutes in heaven? hehe (i'll be kicking my feet if you actually do it)

I'm good, thank you!! (◕ᴗ◕✿) and thank you for the request! :) I tried my best, so I hope you'll like it!

7 Minutes in Heaven

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 Warnings: Smut. Perhaps out of character Chishiya, but I tried to keep him as in character as I could. Pairing: Med-student Chishiya x Med-student Reader.

Plot: Awkward med-school!Chishiya and med-school!reader gets challenged to do Seven Minutes in Heaven at a get-together.

2546 words. 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

You and your study group were sitting in a circle on the hardwood floor of Chishiya’s apartment. It was very unlike him to not just attend a get-together but also host it. However, for some reason he agreed to lend you all his apartment as he lived the closest to campus. The regret he felt was obvious, as his movements and facial expression looked even more rigid than normally. The 5 of you were gathered to celebrate a well-ended exam period. With the floor littered with empty beer bottles and the atmosphere filled with light chatter, the topic quickly turned into high school experiences.

“Did you guys ever do truth or dare?”, the brunette girl in your group asked. All of you, except Chishiya, nodded and mumbled “yeah”. It was a pretty universal experience, after all.

“Mh, of course. I even remember doing 7-minutes-in-heaven once”, the guy opposite of you spoke through a chuckle as he remembered that night. You looked confused, tilting your head. It wasn’t a game you had ever heard about, so you decided to ask.

“What’s that?”

The guy across from you laughed before replying. “It’s a game where you pick 2 people and put them in a closet or private room for 7 minutes.” Out of the corner of your eye you saw Chishiya shift his sitting position slightly, clearly a bit uncomfortable with the idea. You couldn’t blame him: he was barely social enough to talk with someone, let alone spend 7 minutes in an inclosed space with them.

“You don’t have to do anything sexual or anything if you don’t want to”, the brunette girl explained. “You can just talk. Only cavecat is that you aren’t allowed to leave the room.”

You nodded, finally understanding the game. The girl to the right of you emptied her beer bottle before placing it inside the circle your bodies had created. “Let’s use this to decide who should go first.”

She span the bottle around until it landed on you. Of course it was a bit nerve wrecking to go first in a game you barely understood, but you took it like a champ and simply nodded. You took the bottle in your hands and spun it around. It kept spinning for what felt like ages, slowly moving from the brunette girl until it fell motionless on Chishiya. The expression that shortly flashed over his face showed pure panic, but in ordinary Chishiya fashion, he quickly made his face neutral.

The room got filled with ‘oooh’s and the sound of clapping and laughing. Everyone but the two of you seemed excited by this. You turned your head to Chishiya, whose gaze was fixated on the bottle. “We don’t have to do anything”, you said softly to him, trying to calm his nerves. He simply nodded.

Quickly, the both of you got pulled up on your feet by the rest of your study group, and eagerly guided to Chishiya’s bedroom which you hastedly got pushed into. “We’ll start a timer and knock when the seven minutes are up”, the brunette girl giggled before closing the door. You were now alone.

Chishiya looked as if he was contemplating every single life decision leading up to this point, but he nonetheless walked over to his bed and sat down, awkwardly padding on the mattress. Understanding his gesture, you sat down next to him.

“So…”, you said slowly, unsure how to do this. Chishiya took a few more seconds before looking at you. When he spoke, you could detect the smell of beer coming from his lips.

“I’m not sure what they expect us to do”, he said bluntly. “Me neither”, you answered. This led to yet another awkward silence. You decided to break the quietness.

“What are you comfortable with doing? We can just talk, you know?”

Although you meant those words to be reassuring, they only made Chishiya furrow his brows and look away from you again. Of course you knew he wasn’t very social, but still, this would be some very long 7 minutes if it continued in this manner. After a few seconds of silence his eyes met yours again and he finally spoke.

“Let’s do something that isn’t talking.”

His words confused you, but what confused you even more was when he took your hand and gently pulled you closer to him. This was probably the last thing you imaged would happen, but you didn’t complain. Although you until now would never have admitted it, you had always had an eye for Chishiya. He was handsome, smart, and even though he severely lacked conversational skills you found his bluntness amusing.

His hands were shaking slightly as he moved a lock of your hair behind your ear. This was the first time you had ever seen Chishiya appear nervous. Even during intense exam periods, he always looked calm and collected. Perhaps it was because he was overstimulated from spontanously agreeing to host a get-together, or perhaps there was another, deeper reason for his nervousness. His eyes flickered to your lips. The action barely lasted a second, but you understood the meaning behind it. Both of your faces slowly leaned closer to one another. Although the smell of beer coming from the both of you was intense, neither of you seemed to care as your lips finally interlocked in a tight clasp.

You found his lips to be surprisingly soft despite the immediate hardness of the kiss. It felt as if this was something you both had longed after for ages, as there was a certain layer of desperation and lust already detectable in the way your lips and tongues almost danced together. He pulled you even closer, before lifting you up and placing you on his lap so you were straddling him. In this position, your hands found their ways into his blonde locks and his grasped your waist hard. Even though his grib was firm, you didn’t care. All that went through your head was the feeling of his lips, and how you could sense his already growing erection underneath his jeans.

His hands moved down to grab your ass, squeezing it and using his grip to move you just as he pleased. Controlled by him, you felt your body grinding against his - the friction of your jeans providing you both the pleasure you were seeking. You heard Chishiya groan when he broke the kiss, then felt him resting his forehead against yours. The only sounds audible in the room were heavy breathing and the sound of denim rubbing against denim. If you tried to listen, you would be able to hear your study group’s lively chatter faintly from the other side of the door, but neither of you paid that any attention. It was as if only the two of you existed.

Before long he let go of your ass and moved his attention to your shirt. At first, you felt disappointed, but this disappointment quickly got replaced with elation when you noticed what he was doing. With your help, Chishiya took off your t-shirt before admiring your upper body. He looked almost ravenous as his hands began exploring your chest, soon finding their way underneath the cups of your bra. Deciding to help him out, your hands went to your back to unhook your bra, throwing it to the floor. Chishiya’s eyes lit up even more - he now had free reign of your breasts and he made good use of that.

He leaned you backwards, making sure you felt secure despite the tilt by placing a strong hand on your upper back, and moved his face to your chest. His tongue moved over the slightly salty skin in the valley between your breasts, coating every inch of skin in a thin layer of saliva, before moving west to flick over your right nipple. You gasped, not expecting him to do so but definitely not complaining either. Noticing your reaction, he did it again, seemingly wanting nothing more than to please you.

Feeling yourself wanting more, you spoke up. Your voice was breathy and slightly shaky as you almost whispered: “I want you”. The words were simple but caused  Chishiya to immediately spring into action by maneuvering you to the center of his bed, placing your head on a pillow. In an almost frantic manner that you had never seen Chishiya act in before, he went to unbutton your jeans, quickly taking them off and throwing them to the side. Just as he did with your bra, he spent some time admiring your underwear as if they were the wrapping paper of a nicely wrapped Christmas present, before freeing you of them.

You felt the damp fabric leaving your almost dripping lips, the newfound coldness only hightening your excitement. Chishiya’s previously shaky hands were now steady as he moved your legs apart and caressed your thighs, taking in the sight of your glistening center. His fingers calmly made their ways to your center, parting your folds and feeling the wetness. He teased your entrance, causing you to whine, before moving upwards to circle your clit.

The direct stimulation made you arch your back and moan out of reflex, a reaction that seemed to please Chishiya a lot. The circles became more confident, and shortly after you felt his other fingers on your opening again. This time, however, he didn’t stick with teasing you, but instead pushed in two fingers. The feeling made your vision go blurry. The only word you could use to describe the feeling of his long digits scraping across your sensitive front wall was ecstatic. His name left your lips in a primal moan. You didn’t notice it, but Chishiya definitely did.

“You like this, y/n?”, he asked with a voice smeared thick with smugness. He knew he had you feeling amazing. You nodded, but he wasn’t satisfied with that.

“Use your words. Do you like what I’m doing to you, y/n?”, he asked again. You swallowed another moan, your hips moving against his fingers to get every ounce of length out of them.

“Yes. More.”

Your reaction made him chuckle but he complied, starting to undress himself. When he was only left in his boxers, he reached over into his bedside drawer and pulled out a condom. Although you had never thought about Chishiya’s sex life before, he didn’t seem like the type of person to get laid reguarly. However, you didn’t question the existence of condoms in his room - right now you were just happy he thought that far ahead.

Finally, he took off his boxers to reveal his hard cock, the tip shiny with pre-cum. The sight made your mouth salivate. What you wanted most in life right now was to taste his girthy length, to take his entirety in your mouth and feel the protrusion of his veins moving down your throat. You watched as Chishiya carefully rolled the condom down, while you gathered the courage to ask to taste him. But before you got the chance to voice that desire, Chishiya had already leaned back down over you and lined himself up at your entrance. 

He paused while looking at your face, waiting for a definite sign that this is what you wanted too. When you noticed that, you nodded eagerly and immediately felt his length fill you up. Your moan got caught in your throat and your eyes widened at the sensation. Due to the shock, you were completely unable to pick up the guttural moan Chishiya let out when he felt your tight walls around him. This was better than you had imagined it would be. Chishiya noticed your silence and saw your expression.

“Are you okay?”, he asked softly, wanting nothing more than to start moving his hips rhythmically against yours, but stopping himself from acting on his urges to check up on your comfort.

You were silent for a bit as you got used to his size. Finally you nodded. “Yeah, I’m good. Continue, please.”

Chishiya hesitated for a few seconds more before deciding to trust your words. He began thrusting into you with deep, long movements, making the both of you experience pure bliss. The sound of moans filled up the room, accompanied by the sound of skin repeatedly hitting skin.

Your lips met shortly before Chishiya’s mouth moved towards your neck, leaving small kisses and gentle nibbles wherever his lips went. In response, your nails began digging into his back, leaving marks and causing Chishiya to groan once more. However, he didn’t stop you, seemingly liking the roughness of your actions.

It was as if your bodies were perfectly molded to fit one another. Every single thrust sent you both deep into a fiery pleasure that neither one of you wanted to ever end. The combination of the depth and tempo made the familiar feeling of a growing tightness in your abdomen show up. What sent you over the edge was when you felt Chishiya’s hand trail downwards over your body, barely able to move due to how close you were. His fingers landed on your clit, furthering the intense pleasure you were already feeling.

One, two, three. Three circular movements with his index and middle fingers were enough for your vision to black out. You felt the coil in your core finally snapping, sending pulsating waves of pleasure through every single body part. It was due to the combination of your walls pulsating and your nails digging further into his back, that Chishiya was no longer able to hold back either. With a moan muffled by your neck, he came together with you. His thrusts got sloppy as he helped you both achieve every bit of pleasure your climaxes offered you.

The echo of skin slapping against skin and the sound of your moans got replaced by laboured and heavy breathing. Chishiya rolled off of you and now laid on his back next to you, staring at the ceiling. You were both quiet, unsure what to do do or say now. Suddenly, the awkward silence got interrupted by your study group, whom you had blissfully forgotten all about, knocking on the bedroom door.

“The 7 minutes are up!”, the brunette girl in your group giggled with a singsong voice. “Come out, come out.”

The both of you exchanged looks before you sat up. “Give us a sec!”, you said with a somewhat shaky voice, causing laughter to erupt on the other side of the door. You and Chishiya both got dressed in silence, nervous of the reaction you would receive from your classmates once you emerged from the bedroom. Nonetheless, you eventually opened the door.

It was impossible for your study group to not notice your slightly messy hair and sweaty, blushed skin. For the rest of the night, the others occasionally teased you, finding the fact that you two slept together just because you had 7 minutes alone quite amusing.

Surprisingly enough, it didn’t bother you as much as you expected. Chishiya too seemed peculiarly okay with their teasing, his demeanor lighting up slightly as the night went on. You both knew it wouldn’t be the last time you did this. Preferably, you would be fully alone the next time, though.

[cbusch]

Announcement:

Thank you for your patience! Sorry I haven’t updated the story of Charlie, Nick, and Hazel. I promise to update that story, but had an idea for a story regarding the universe. Happy Belated Thanksgiving and enjoy the story!

Not sure if this is a TW, but for any Heartstopper fans only TW is David Nelson is in this FanFiction. There is also some potential intrusive thoughts and argument scene so be prepared.

The winter wind was howling, briskly hearing the whistling of the wind and the dead branches snapping off. Her tight white shirt suffocated her arms with the fuzziness itching her skin, almost wanting to cry in between itches. Today was Thanksgiving and sure, it was the four months she last purged but she wasn’t happy. There was a fuck ton of people coming, including Grandma, Grandfathers from both families, siblings from both families, her dad’s friends, and there kids. I don’t think this was going to be a good day! Not that she didn’t love them, but all of them at once was a lot. She tried to keep her composure but masking for the whole day…it was a lot to take in. Her thoughts spun, her light brunette hair twirled with her finger when a knock came in. Her fingers transitioned from her hair to her mouth, chewing the bits of nails off of her fingers. Nick came in with a cozy light pink sweater and dark blue pants. His red hair was glistening off as he closed the door.

“Darling, how are you holding up? I know the holidays are stressful for you and today isn’t going to be easy…your dad is watching Moonlight if you…” Nick asks with Hazel pinching her sleeve, trying to calm herself down. Nick goes and sits next to her.

“Hey, we’re okay. I know you’re stressed about today, so I’ll try to give you some space however everyone is excited to see you.” Nick comforts. The tension lessened as Hazel put her hands down, rocking back and forth with her Ariel doll. Nick smiled lightly, his dimples showing. The room spinning less and less in Hazel’s mind, however her anxiety haunted her as she started pinching her left arm with her thumb and second finger. Nick saw and helped her up.

“I want to be with dad, I want to watch a movie. Please, please. I’m dressed.” Hazel begs, getting up and racing out of the room. Nick dreaded the day with how everyone would hold up. He got up and got out of the room, closing the door on his way out. He went to the master bedroom to see Charlie cuddling Hazel, watching a movie on there bed. His skinny arms holding Hazel, cooing her every now and then.

“Dad…dad, can we…we…we um, watch…watch-“ Hazel struggles with her words when Nick came over and held her hand. Charlie paused the movie and sat up, letting go of her upper body and placed his hand on her back, shaking.

“Hazel, breathe. Remember to breathe, it’s just us.” Nick reminds Hazel who is trying to take deep breaths with Charlie adjusting his body so he faces her. He held her hands, which were cold and shaking.

“Honey, you’re having a panic attack. Your dad is right, everything is okay. Your safe and its just us. Geoff taught me this when I first started seeing him, we’re going to take deep breaths, which I know you’ve been working on with Dr. Smith. We’re going to try that, okay? Follow my lead.” Charlie comforts while taking deep breaths. Hazel follows but her breaths become jagged and short.

“Shit, no!” Hazel yells with Charlie squeezing her hands tighter.

“It’s okay. Let’s try again. Charlie comforts with Hazel trying again, this time meeting Charlie’s breath. Her breaths were steady and slow. Despite Charlie wanting to stop, he kept going to keep Hazel calm.

“Your doing good love? You feeling better?” Charlie asks with Hazel nodding, stopping the deep breathing excercise. Holding her hands as he looked at her in the eyes.

“I know you struggle with phrasing words correctly. I struggle with that too. Take your time and remember to breathe, now tell us what you wanted to ask?” Charlie comforts with Hazel breathing before trying to talk again.

“Dad, can…can we watch…watch Ag…Aga…Agatha All…All…Along or…or Live action The Little Mermaid after Moonlight?” Hazel asks with her breath steady still. Charlie kissed her head and hugged her.

“Good job, doll! Good job, we’re proud of you. Unfortunately, we do have to set up for the day such as start the sweet potatoes with the marshmallows for you and the green bean casserole for your grandma. You can watch it downstairs after the movie until people start coming, sound like a deal?” Charlie compromised with Hazel nodding and lying back down on the bed, along with Charlie. Nick watched the movie with them, holding Charlie’s hand. Rubbing his thumb on Charlie’s knuckles. When the movie ended, Hazel got up and left. Charlie was about to get up, Nick stopped him. Charlie looked back at Nick, who was staring at him lovingly.

“You are literally amazing, Charlie Spring! What would I do without you?” Nick softly spoke. His sultry voice that made Charlie kiss him impulsively. They began their passionate kissing. Caressing Nick’s hair with Nick pulling Charlie’s shirt off of his back. Moaning a bit, Nick let go and looked at Charlie, who continued kissing Nick on the neck.

“Charlie, Charlie. We…we have to stop now.” Nick said with Charlie stopping instantly and looking at him, nervously.

“What’s wrong? Did I do something wrong?” Charlie asks with Nick putting a hand on his arm, caressing it softly. The wind blew softly, Charlie startled, pinching his arm lightly with Nick sitting up.

“No, no, you did nothing wrong. You were great, we need to get ready. We need to get the sweet potatoes for Hazel, you know she loves that side. We also need the Green Bean Casserole, for my mom and…” Nick went through the schedule with Charlie getting up, heading towards the chair on the other side where it had his gray sweater with dark blue pants. He started changing when Nick hugged him with Charlie tensing up for a second before accepting the embrace.

“Love, I know you’re worried about today about your family, however remember you can come up here if you feel overwhelmed.” Nick comforts Charlie, rubbing his arm up and down his back. Charlie grabs his forearm, the squeeze bringing in self-stimulation but also the reminder of the scars he had from when he was a teenager. Seeing the anxiety riddled in Charlie, Nick hugs him.

“Darling, I’m…going to get started on the sweet potatoes. Warning, Agatha all along might be playing but I’ll make sure that Hazel has the volume low. Come join me when you’re ready.” Nick comforts, squeezing his arm then leaving, letting the door swiftly close. Charlie stared out the window, thinking about how stressful this day was going to be.

Downstairs, Hazel was glued to the TV, watching as Lily James’ Cinderella was talking to the prince for the first time as Nick peels away at the sweet potatoes. Glancing over, he sees Hazel pinching the end of her forearm. Despite the tightness of the shirt, she found some comfort in allowing her body to feel what she was experiencing internally. Nick worried but decided to hold back since the amount of people was going to exhaust her and didn’t want to overwhelm her more so he let it go and got back to peeling. Charlie eventually came down smiling, helping with the marshmallows and counting each one to make sure each would have equal distribution for everyone. Charlie saw Hazel pinching herself, looking at Nick.

“Should we…say something-“ Charlie whispered when the door rang. Hazel, in her own world neglected the sound that would normally pierce her ears and make her head rattle.

“Hazel, can you get the door please?” Nick asks with Hazel pinching her lower forearm. Standing up, still in her own world took the cold knob. Taking a deep breath and opening the door, seeing her aunt/biological mother Tori. Her short brown hair highlighted her black and light red outfit. She smiled softly at Hazel, who was pinching her skin. The cold air blasting in the house.

“Honey…who’s at the door?” Nick asks with Hazel pinching her skin harder this time. The itchiness became a familiar sensation that comforted her now and the soreness was coming into affect.

“He…Hello Aunt Tori. Where is Michael? Is he here?” Hazel questions softly with Tori smiling softly.

“Hey darling, can I-“ Tori starts when Michael bursts through the entrance. Carrying a green bean casserole while having a carryon bag around his body. He didn’t look particularly comfortable but he was warm. Hazel stared at the bag

“Sorry we’re late. I think we were supposed to get here to get here at-“ Michael said with Charlie taking over for Hazel.

“Come in! It’s good to see you!” Charlie excitedly stated with Hazel nodding, moving to the side so Tori and Michael could get in. Once everyone was inside, Charlie closed the door and let the warm air come back into the house. Tori and Michael step into the house, closing the door as soon as everyone was inside. Tori directly goes to Charlie and Nick, hugging while Michael goes directly to Hazel, pinching her arm more and more.

“Can I sit next to you?” Michael asks. Hazel nods with Michael sitting next to Hazel. Pinching continuing as they watch the movie. They sit in silence, Hazel’s heart is beating faster but she chose to smile through it.

“Your dads have told us a lot lately. I picked something up for you!” Michael rummages through his bag and looks through it, finally finding a big ornament. It wasn’t glass. The design was intricate with Ariel sitting on a seashell, looking at flounder. Hazel felt Ariel’s red hair.

“I saw this while in a Christmas shop, such a shame really. It was all alone and nobody wanted it. Thought you’d like it!” Michael said as he saw the Ariel doll and picked it up to examine. Hazel now picked at her a skin, rapidly.

“Coul…Could…could…” Hazel struggled, taking a deep breath before thinking what she wanted to say, but it came out rude in her mind. Michael saw this and handed it to her.

“Sorry, you can have this back. Was just observing.” Michael apologized to which Hazel took it back, softly stroking her hair.

“Thank you…for understanding and for the ornament. I appreciate it!” Hazel spoke with them continuing to watching the movie. Throughout the day more and more people came in and the TV had to change eventually to a marathon of The Great British Baking Show. Hazel was upstairs to put the Ariel ornament on her desk. Feeling the texture of Ariel’s hair one last time before flapping her hands in the comfort of her own room. A knock came in, stopping her flow. Nick’s brother David came in.

“Come on, your dads want you down. Not here doing god knows what!” David said nonchalantly. Hazel hated that her Uncle David was here, but knew she didn’t have to talk to him if she didn’t want to nor be in the same room with him. So she tried to leave, however David stopped her. Hazel’s mind raced with the confrontation, however she kept her composure by doing deep breaths

“Ex…Excuse me David. If I need to get down there, I have to leave the room first.” Hazel says, trying to remember the rules in her head about politeness and space. David stopped her, thinking hard. Scoffing as he leaned against the space.

“They said you were in a hospital because you couldn’t eat. See, I never understood why that’s a problem. It’s food, not mercury for Christ’s sakes.” David scoffed.

“That’s not up to you is it? People struggle with different…stuff.” Hazel defends, feeling her lungs start to constrict more and more.

“If you want, I have a doctor that could help you. You know, make you better than you are now.” David said. Words stinging like fire as Hazel pinched herself harder and harder at the same spot. All of the composure and rules went out the window as her brain was fumbling with what to say next.

“No, I’m not…I’m fine. I….I…just-“ Hazel starts. Her heart beating louder and louder until all she could hear was thumping. Each word David said was getting subtler and subtler. The room spinning with thoughts, noise, and lights until she could feel a gear in her head switch on.

“Can you please, please stop treating like I’m crazy! I’m not fucking crazy! Just stop with the rules. I know about the rules I’ve put on myself, that the therapist have, it drives me insane! So please just fuck off!” Hazel yelled, her voice booming across the room. David laughed haughtily.

“You’re such a bitch, all I was trying to do was help!” David snapped when Nick pushed him away.

“Enough! The hell did you say to her?!” Nick yelled and the two began having a shouting match. The vibrations shaking the house with Hazel quickly getting her shoes on and leaving the room, shoving David out of her way. She was about to hit the door when Charlie came out.

“Please don’t leave. I…we have the sweet potatoes that you-“ Charlie starts.

“Can everyone stop mentioning food! It makes me feel…feel…I can’t do this! I’m sorry, dad! You’re on your own!” Hazel yells and slams the door open, walking out. She slammed the door which made Charlie wince. Outside, it was bitterly cold and every particle of her skin wanted to go in but couldn’t face the smells, people, all of it was overwhelming. Shivering, she sat on the porch, watching the snow begin to fall. The hairs on her skin froze to each other. Shivering in her seat, Charlie came out with a heavy winter coat and a blanket.

“Hazel, you okay?” Charlie asks with Hazel shaking her head.

“I didn’t want everybody over. This…I know it’s selfish, but…I wish it was just the three of us right now.” Hazel confessed with Charlie sitting down.

“Not everyone is like David and I agree, I wish I didn’t have to invite him. However, he is here and there’s nothing I can do. Why don’t we go inside, it’s freezing out here.” Charlie said.

“I’m not hungry.” Hazel states with Charlie sighing, wrapping the blanket around her.

“You have to let us in. I understand it’s hard but people can help and want to help. I wish you weren’t like me as much.” Charlie says, shaking from the cold. Hazel looks up at Charlie. The snow is increasing the rate the flakes were coming down.

“What do you mean by saying, “wish you weren’t like me?” Hazel asks, shivering. Covering herself with the blanket as Charlie thought, picking at his nails.

“I wish you didn’t feel you have to keep secrets like I did. It’s hard, when your mind and mouth want two different things. However, in the end you just end up alone.” Charlie says with Hazel looking down, picking at a loose nail. Wincing at the pain it was giving her. The two sat in silence for a minute, watching the snow fall, flurrying out of the sky that was being carried by the wind at times. As much as the snow danced around the air, enchanting Hazel it also made her shiver more.

“Hazel, we are going in…inside now! It’s way too cold to be out here! I won’t make you eat right now, but you need to be with us!” Charlie orders, his voice shivering along with his body. Hazel looks at him and realizes her whole body was shaking, her skin freezing to the blanket. She took a breath, stood up, and followed Charlie into the house, which wafted of warm air filling with cooked turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and stuffing. Her heart pounded but was a lot calmer now as she slowly made her way to a table with her aunt Elle, Darcy, Tara, and Tao. They spoke for a while, she was able to grab some food and eat it. Halfway through the meal though, Hazel struggled. Seeing everyone finish made her insecure about the speed she was going. She promised her therapist she would try and not finishing her plate felt like she wasn’t doing enough. Making her skin crawl with intrusive thoughts, she was about to stand up when the cool air blasted her. She went to see who was there. Ivy revealed herself. Her red dress with hot pink highlights made it seem like a dream. Ivy stared directly at Hazel, smiling as she went to her.

“Hey.” Ivy whispers. Hazel stares at her, unconsciously touching her hair. Making sure she was real. She felt the tips of her hair, consciously letting go and hugged her. Ivy hugs her in return, letting the warm embrace tingle her skin.

“It’s alright love. It’s alright, I’ve here. Want to explain what’s going on upstairs?” Ivy whispers in her ear, softly. This time, Ivy felt her hair to make sure she was present and not in her own thoughts.

“Hazel, I’m here. I’m real.” Comforting as Hazel lets go. Sees David looking, Hazel’s skin crawls with Ivy giving him the third finger. Gently caressing her hair and smiling deviously. Hazel confused, stepped back.

“What are you doing? Why smile-“ Before Hazel could finish that, Ivy planted her lips on Hazel, kissing her in the middle of the hallway. The majority of the people like Darcy, Tara, Issac, James, Elle, and Tao cheer while David rolled his eyes and left. Slamming the door on his way out, Ivy released.

“Sorry, but that was satisfying! Come on, grab your plate.” Ivy says with Hazel doing what she says. They went upstairs and closed the door, sitting the fluffy white carpet. Hazel fiddled with the fork as Ivy comforts her.

“Babe, if you’re full, you’re full. You don’t-“ Ivy starts when Hazel slams down the fork, making a loud clattering sound.

“This shouldn’t be hard. I knew I would have to eat today and yet my mind is driving me to finish the damn plate, while my thoughts are telling me to start purging!” Hazel shouts, pinching her skin, attempting to calm down. Ivy sees the red mark it’s making and holds her hand.

“Everything’s okay. This shit isn’t easy, I know. Well, we know. At the place, it’s not always easy and deep down it won’t ever go away.” Ivy says with Hazel wiping away her tears, trying not to cry.

“I…I thought I was better. I was doing good. I had a plan, everything was going well and now…I don’t know what to do.” Hazel cried. Ivy hugs her, putting the plate to the side.

“I know it seems that way, but in reality you were having a lot of good days. I’ve had those days for months and today, it’s just…you had a bad day. This journey isn’t easy, we both know that.” Ivy says.

“I just thought that I was out of the deep end. But then…David…his arrogant prick self, saying that….shit. I wanted to finish the plate, I wanted to make my dads proud, my therapist proud. But I can’t, I just can’t!“ Hazel choked as Ivy hugged her again, she cried in her lap.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry!” Hazel cried, shaking with Ivy kissing her head. Near tears herself, she took a deep breath.

“You don’t have to apologize to me. Never apologize for standing up for yourself or for needing help. I love you and I’m always here for you. I promise, you’re never alone. You’re not letting anyone down, even if your thoughts scream it, you’re not. You tried to eat and it wasn’t as much as you’d hope for, but it’s still an effort. It’s a marathon, not a race.” Hazel comforted, tears coming out of her eyes. She hated seeing her girlfriend struggle like this and it wasn’t going to be easy for either of them but they knew the road of recovery first hand, so they knew how to support each other. They eventually released. Hazel was able to take a few more bites, but felt overwhelmed by the fried bits on the casserole so she stopped with Ivy supporting her. Getting up to go downstairs, she felt calm with Ivy by her side. While Hazel chatted with Darcy, Hazel went over and hugged her dads. They were taken aback, but were able to hug back.

“Thank you! I’m so thankful for you both.” Hazel expressed, smiling genuinely for the first time all day.

“You’re welcome, hey…we’re proud of you. I know it wasn’t perfect, but you kept going and we’re proud of you for that.” Nick says, kissing her on the head. Along with Charlie.

“Thank you for calling Ivy. I appreciate that.” Hazel says as she went back to the party, happy to be supported with those she loved and who loved her.

Notes: Thank you for reading have a couple of notes for what you read.

1. Will be introducing Ivy down the road, wanted to get Ivy’s representation for Hazel there and thought this was the most appropriate time to do it.

2. Know this is late since Thanksgiving is over but better late than never. Was perfecting this story and allowed me to produce the best content out there.

3. Will respond to the poll soon—promise! I have been really busy lately and haven’t gotten around to it!