#i will not lie i sat there staring at this in shock for like ten minutes. i love it so much i can't even begin to tell you

[rochellehassan]

the polish cover for the prince of nowhere! illustrator: Kamil Murzyn; designer: Szymon Wójciak

[queenie-official]

Part Three Of Summer Love: ‘Blurred Lines’

series masterlist celebration event camp logo

pairing: Modern!Anakin Skywalker x fem!reader

word count: 18k 😀

a/n: it’s 5:00 in the morning 💀 i’m so tired (proofread but i’m also so tired i probably missed a bunch)

“y/n?" Anakin's voice calls from beside you, his hand still outstretched in front of you as you stare down at it. he gives it a small shake waiting for you to take it.

you'd both just made it to the lodge hall, everyone else had already made it inside whilst you two had the discussion.

reality finally catching up with you as to just what this was going to entail. "you want me to hold your hand?" you ask in disbelief.

"i mean you don't have to, i just figured if we're gonna do the whole fake dating thing we might as well make it convincing." he says with a shrug, hand still waiting for you to take hold. you hadn't expected him to be so… eager?

his willingness for what's essentially going to be a public announcement to the entire camp was confusing. you'd still barely even discussed the details. how far was this to go? just hand-holding? who were you telling the lie to and who was allowed to know the truth?

your thoughts are cut off when you see his hand start to lower, you're quick to place your hand on top of his palm then. the questions pushed to the back of your mind as you’re unable to resist the chance to hold his hand.

did you come off too desperate? you started to question yourself, but the feeling of Anakin's calloused hands intertwining with yours was enough to silence any self-deprecating thoughts.

his hands were warm, and you found yourself staring at them. enjoying the way your hand looked in his. it was enough to distract you as he opened the doors tugging you gently along behind him.

slowly but surely more and more eyes were on you both as you walked to the food line. it came in waves, the whispers and points of fingers. you'd even heard a few 'i told you so's' not just from the campers but from some of your fellow counselors. which made you wonder just how far the rumor of you two dating had spread in less than a day. not that it mattered now.

Anankin's hand finally slipped from yours when he grabbed his tray, handing you one and pulling you back down from the cloud you'd felt like you were floating on. you mumbled a thanks before loading up your tray.

finally looking up and around the hall. you made direct eye contact with Padme who looked about ready to run over and tackle you to the ground in her excitement with questions. thankfully for your sake she didn't, letting you off the hook for now as you headed to your usual lunch table where a slack-jawed Kenobi and bewildered Rex sat.

as soon as you sat down you were both flooded with questions. both men's voices overlapping the other making it impossible to understand what they were saying. it's only when they both settle on the same question that you're left sitting in silence as they wait for your answer. "When did this happen!?" they'd asked, clearly already coming to the conclusion you two were now a thing.

you went to open your mouth and clear the air, with every intention of telling them the truth only to have the words die on your tongue as Anakin says "just now, on the way here" with a shrug of his shoulders.

you blink taken aback. he seemed to be doing that a lot to you within the last ten minutes since it started. it felt like a fever dream. "holy shit" Rex said in shock at Anakin's answer.

"i knew you liked her dude" he continues and you feel your head starting to spin, especially when Anakin doesn't deny it. this was way too much to process at once, but it's not like Anakin could deny it right? he'd agreed you two were a thing without a second thought.

you think back to the way he'd easily lied to Padme that first night when she'd asked what you'd been whispering about. maybe he was just a really good liar? maybe he'd explain to them the situation privately but didn't want to go into details in case he was overheard and then the ruse would be up just as quickly as it’d started. that seemed like the more logical explanation.

in that case you'd do the same, as soon as you and Padme were back at the cabin for the day you'd explain the situation to her but for now as far as anyone knew you and Anakin were officially a couple. what a day this was chalking up to be.

"i leave you two alone for five minutes and i miss everything!" Rex complains before going on a tangent about how from now on he was not being left alone with all the campers so he didn't miss anything else as important as that.

Ben remained silent, clearly taken aback and he looked unsure. like he knew something was up, Anakin was definitely going to be grilled later just as much as you probably were by Padme.

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the day blurred by fast, it hadn't even felt like you were present. truly an out-of-body experience. campers constantly coming up to you throughout different periods for confirmation on the status of your relationship- who knew kids were so interested in this stuff?

the camper most intrigued was Ahsoka, though she didn't show it at first. not asking a single question during her period with you guys in the crafts center like the other kids did, not even confronting Anakin to your knowledge.

nor did she confront you when you sat at the table together at dinner. even after Padme swarmed you with her own questions that you brushed off telling her you'd explain later.

no Ahsoka was too smart for that, she knew she wouldn't get any real information out of you that way, so she played the waiting game. looking for just the right moment to pounce, and sure enough when all the kids were either showering or brushing their teeth leaving you alone in the staff cabin room contemplating your life as Padme supervised the kids. Jasmine nowhere to be found after she'd dropped her kids off at the cabin. she made her move.

"is it true? you and Anakin are dating" the question pulled you from the hurricane that was your mind, turning towards the door where Ahsoka was walking in from.

you bit your lip unsure whether or not she should know the truth, she sat beside you on the bed narrowing her eyes; daring you to try and lie. no one ever talks about this but there is nothing more frightening than the judgment of a twelve-year-old girl. judgment that makes you cave instantly.

"no, we're just pretending." the truth comes out and you feel lighter, the room feeling just a smidge easier to breathe in. you look at Ahsoka gauging her reaction, she seemed disappointed. "we thought it'd be easier to just pretend we were rather than having to deny it constantly to everyone"

her nose wrinkles at the explanation like she'd just heard the most stupid thing ever. if she does think that she doesn't say it, just sighs instead before speaking up. "i figured, it seemed too good to be true. especially since i was the one who started the rumor" your mind went completely blank at the revelation, blinking rapidly.

she looks guilty, a small nervous smile on her face. "i know you guys said you weren't, but you just seemed so cute together! and Anakin seems to really like you- i just figured that if enough people were saying you were together you'd both realize your feelings and confess" oh this sweet mischievous child.

"i mean i've had him as my counselor two summers in a row now and i'm telling you i've never seen him act the same way he does with you with Padme. he says he likes her but i don't think he really does. i think he just found her beautiful and was infatuated with her" she continued to ramble, defending her actions and you had to give her some credit she was extremely emotionally intelligent. but way off.

sure he was a little touchy with you lately, prior to the hand-holding at lunch today. and yeah he joked around a lot but you worked at the same activity center. you were bound to be close- and as for the physical affection he just seemed like a touchy guy. he hugged and roughhoused around with Ben and Rex all the time.

he was just too nervous to do all of that with Padme is all and you don't blame him, you'd be nervous too if you were pinning after her. Padme was a gorgeous person inside and out. she was smart and independent, honestly if Anakin hadn't somehow managed to wedge his way into your mind so quickly, you probably would have had a crush on her too.

Ahsoka could see it on your face, the disbelief in her assessment. "if you and Anakin are just pretending why bother actually acting like a proper couple then?"

"hand holding hardly counts as acting like a proper couple Ahsoka" you laugh and she huffs in annoyance.

"stage one, denial" she says with a shake of her head. gods if this was how Ahsoka was acting you could already guess how Padme was going to be.

"shouldn't you be getting ready for bed?" you change the subject and Ahsoka relents, mumbling a 'we'll see who's right' under breath as she leaves.

you weren't in denial, what'd she know she was twelve for gods sake. you fall backwards on the bed with a groan. once more Padme took care of the kids getting them all to settle down for the day and giving them the usual 'you have an hour before bed' spiel.

as soon as she was done she came into the room. you could have sworn all you did was blink and she was hovering above you. "spill everything" she says excitedly and for a split second you consider keeping up the lie knowing the truth was only going to disappoint her as much as it did you.

but you couldn't willingly lie to Padme especially when you'd confessed to a literal kid not even a few minutes prior, so instead you suck up what remains of your dignity and go over everything that happened leading up to lunch.

she has her brows raised, a similar face to Ahsoka's earlier. "wow you two are doing everything except admitting you like each other aren't you" you roll your eyes, knowing this was coming.

"ive admitted it to you" she purses her lips and gives you a deadpanned look.

"yea to me not to Anakin" you groan rubbing your face with your hands in frustration.

"he doesn't like me he likes-" she cuts you off, with an exasperated sigh.

"-me i know, i know, so you've said a thousand times but what on earth has happened lately that says in any way he likes me like that anymore?" her question irks you, not because it was necessarily annoying but because it was unfortunately a valid point.

"i don't know Padme i don't pretend to understand the male mind" she shrugs with a soft fair enough and falls back beside you.

"maybe you're right, maybe he doesn't like you." she starts and you feel yourself grimace realizing just how much it was going to hurt when you called off the fake dating thing at the end of the summer. "but there's also a chance that i'm correct so stop ruling it out and acting like it's a definitive fact."

but it was, how much clearer could it be when he said so himself? you tune her out at this point tired from the day's events and even more so from the constant back and forth. you felt a sense of relief knowing you wouldn't have to fight back to anyone else about how you two weren't dating, making you realize just why Anakin had suggested it in the first place.

it was so much easier to pretend than to constantly have to deny something you two weren't. or so you had convinced yourself.

eventually, Padme let you be; heading to the top bunk to chill until lights out. you sigh truly a jumbled mess as you move to lay on your stomach, opening your phone to text Honey. whoever said in the eye of a hurricane there is quiet for just a moment was a liar- or you'd yet to reach that brief moment of respite.

'Honeeeyyyy' you send just to get your best friends attention, it was time to let every thought out of your mind and Honey was the one person you knew would listen to every single one. yes she would tell you how it is if she felt the need to but she'd always let you speak your truth first.

unfortunately for you, there was no answer not even five minutes later as you swiped back and forth from her message chat and your home screen. which could only mean two things, her phone was dead or she was busy with her family and didn't wanna come off rude by taking out her phone and messaging you. just your luck.

you sigh before typing a message anyway, deciding to just get everything off your chest now and then she can answer back later when she was free. it's not until you send '(so sorry to be putting this on you out of no where) - me and Anakin are fake dating 😀 we talked about how the campers wouldn't stop bothering us so he suggested we do it to get them to stop and i agreed 😭' that the chat was instantly opened.

a text bubble immediately appearing and sent within the blink of an eye. 'WHAAATTT!?' you couldn't help but laugh, you suppose if she'd been the one to send something like that you'd have reacted the same way.

you continued to explain the situation giving her all the details leading up to where you were now before she responds again. 'not you living out a romance trope'

'it seemed like a good idea when i agreed 😭' you type back, not that you were currently having doubts. 'it's purely platonic'

'my ass, in what world are we living in where this is going to go the strictly platonic route 🤨' fair honestly, you couldn't even entirely believe this was the reality you were living in. 'we're both aware this means he 100% likes you back right? i mean who fake dates someone when they have feelings for someone else.'

of course she said that, that is now three different people who've all separately told you this. 'maybe he's trying to make Padme jealous?' it was a sad attempt at an excuse and you both knew it. Anakin and you strictly did this to get the campers off your backs, there were no alterior motives involved.

if there were you never would of agreed to it, and even if you had it would not have the effect on Padme he'd think it would if that were the case. she harbored no feelings for him that much was clear. 'y/n, my love. i need you to be so fr with me rn girl 🙏😐'

okay maybe Ahsoka was right about you being in denial. but denial was good, denial was safe. it meant if everyone else was wrong and he didn't like you you'd have no reason to be upset when you already knew the truth. 'look i'm sure this whole thing will blow over once the gossip dials down between the campers and Anakin will call it off'

'whatever helps you sleep at night' was the last message you read from her before shutting off your phone. smooshing your face into the pillow wanting nothing more than to scream.

you look back up when you hear your phone ping a few minutes later, your heart flutters in your chest when you see it's a text from Anakin.

you decided you’re too emotionally drained to give him much attention so rather than opening your phone to respond you just unlock it and read the notification box 'Ben and Rex know the truth' you let out a sigh of relief- or maybe disappointment.

it was just like you thought earlier he just didn't want to give it away to the campers that you both were faking it. you turn your phone back off again, mind empty unsure how to feel. there's the quiet. the eye of the storm you finally made it.

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you woke up the next day without having realized you'd even fallen asleep to begin with. a small voice calling your name from beside you. when you finally open your eyes, the sunlight blinding you as it poured through the window successfully disorienting you further as you tried to recognize who was speaking to you at that moment.

"y/n" the small voice called again, this time you sat up before you opened your eyes. avoiding the bright rays of the sun as you adjusted to the room around you. once you could see properly you turn to your side seeing Mia standing at the side of the bed waiting for you to answer.

you blink a few times confused, looking up to the bunk bed across from you only to find it completely empty. your eyes fall back down to Mia. "is everything okay?" the young girl shakes her head.

"i don't know where Jasmine is" she says sounding worried. had Jasmine even come back to the cabin last night? you kept that question to yourself as you stared at the camper from Jasmine's group.

"that's okay, i'm sure she'll show up. is there something you need from her that i could help you with?" you offer trying your best to reassure her.

"she usually braids my hair for the day, Quinn said she could do it but she only knows how to do the one with three strands" you nod pulling yourself off the bed and stretching.

"i can help you, bring me your brush and hair elastic" the little girl smiles happily, skipping out of the room to go find just that. you look up to the bed above yours. Padme wasn't in bed either, not entirely strange since she always woke up before you but something felt off.

you aren't able to dwell on it as Mia comes back in the room with everything you need to do her hair. you brush her hair before doing your best to evenly part it down the middle with your fingers. working on one side and doing a fishtail braid before moving to the other. tying off the ends with the green elastics she's brought you.

Mia gives you an excited thank you before skipping off to join the rest of the kids in the other room just as Padme enters, closing the door behind her. "we have a situation" she whispers so none of the kids would overhear.

your brows crease together in concern. "what's wrong?" Padme looks over to Jasmine's bed and you feel your stomach start to swirl.

"she never came back to the cabin last night after curfew. no one's seen her this morning either. i already messaged around the camp, i even tried messaging her myself but she hasn't answered." so much for emergencies not being a common occurrence here.

"has anyone reported her missing to the directors yet?" you ask, walking over to the bed to grab your phone. when you checked the time you noticed it was almost time to head over to the lodge hall for breakfast. you press your lips together into a thin line before turning back to Padme.

"i told Ben and he messaged them. they sent a text to all the counselors to continue the day like normal for now and they'd have an announcement on what was going to happen before breakfast was over" you sigh rubbing the back of your neck with your hand.

"alright, i'm going to get dressed then and we can head out" Padme nods and leaves the room taking responsibility to talk to the kids.

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As you all walk to the lodge hall in one big group you hear the kids whispering amongst themselves about Jasmine. Padme hadn't told them the entire truth, simply saying that Jasmine wasn't with us right now and until she was back her group of kids were to come to us for help if they needed it.

it was clear they didn't believe her though and you were pretty confident that you just overheard one of the younger campers, Jason whisper to one of the older campers, Lily that he'd overheard Padme outside earlier on the phone saying to someone that Jasmine was missing.

"y/n?" you turn to the familiar voice meeting the eyes of Colton who stares up at you worriedly.

"you alright buddy?" you ask him and he shakes his head no. he mumbles a response but it was hard to hear him over the other kids. when he realizes you weren't able to make out what he said he raises his voice just a smidge more and this time you could hear him say 'i'm scared'. he seemed unsure of his words.

you give him a sympathetic smile sticking out your hand for him to take, he doesn't hesitate for once. taking it and simultaneously gluing himself to your side as you walk. poor kid was definitely worked up about this situation.

you let him stay with you even as you walk through the food line once you all get to the hall. you're internally debating whether to sit with him or have him sit with you as you stare at the table where the boys are at. thankfully he makes the decision for you. "can i sit with you guys today?" he asks shyly.

you give him a reassuring smile and nod as you both walk over to what has become your designated table. "and who's this?" Rex asks as soon as Colton sits beside you.

Anakin, who for once looked wide awake, turned to see who Rex was referring to. "hey Colton" he holds his hand out to the boy for a first bump. Colton shies away from all the attention but still shakily bumps Anakin's fist with his own.

"he wanted to sit with us today" you smile giving the little boy a gentle pat on the shoulder for encouragement as he fiddled with the hem of his shirt. he still doesn't say anything but gives a small nod of agreement before focusing on his food to eat after moving his noise-canceling headphones from his neck to over his ears as the noise from the cafeteria becomes overwhelming.

you turn towards your friends as Colton stays in his own little bubble, content to just sit beside you all. "you seem wide awake for once" you tease Anakin who rolls his eyes in faux annoyance.

"how much can he hear with those on" Rex asks through a mouthful of eggs. you scrunch up your nose in disgust fighting back the urge to gag.

"gross Rex didn't your mom teach you not to talk with your mouth full" he just shrugs unbothered before shoving a piece of bacon in his mouth as well.

"you have the manners of a billy goat you know that?" Ben quips from beside him, shaking his head like a disappointed father. to which Rex almost flips him off but catches himself when he remembers there’s a camper present.

you laugh completely caught off guard by how specific the insult was. before finally answering Rex's initial question "he can hear us just fine if that's what you're wondering"

taking a bite of your food as he nodded not saying anything else, he must have wanted to talk about the Jasmine situation just not in front of Colton. you were internally grateful for him choosing to drop it, not wanting to freak Colton out anymore than he already was.

you let your mind wander as Rex talks to you all about something funny one of his campers did the other night. it's not that you didn't want to listen to Rex just that it was much harder to focus when you had the burning curiosity about where your cabinmate had disappeared too and an unsure feeling in your stomach.

as much as Jasmine was irrefutably a bitch, she was still a living being and you hoped she was okay. the worry must have shown on your face because you suddenly felt Anakin's hand on your leg, it's a miracle you don't jump at the sudden touch. his hand rubbing soothing circles on your knee, the action hidden completely by the table.

you feel your cheeks start to burn as goosebumps spread all over your body, such a simple thing and yet you feel like you're back in high school again. it was a welcome distraction, and shockingly effective as you felt the tension in your shoulders melt away. worries fading into something else. something warm and fuzzy.

it was scary in a way, just how fast you were falling with each small action of his. god you dreaded when this would be over, can your heart even take it?

there's a call from the front of the hall. Windu, Bail, and Qui-Gon all stood in a line waiting for everyone's attention. when it's finally quiet enough for them to talk Windu steps forward.

the tall brooding man looking more stern than usual as he began to speak. "Alright everyone we have a few updates for you all, for starters i'm sure a lot of you have heard that one of the Counselors has gone missing." he walks slowly back and forth as he talks, making sure to look across everyone.

"well the good news is we've made contact with her and she is safe." there are a few relieved sighs heard around the room but for the most part everyone just remains silent or gives a shrug of their shoulders. "however we would like to take this as a reminder that you are not allowed off of campgrounds without permission especially if you are on duty. you have a responsibility to your fellow staff members and the Campers you're looking after."

he comes to a stop in the middle of the room, leaving a small pause in his speech to let his words sit in. "now i won't go into any more details but for the remainder of the day we'll be having one of the swing counselors take over for the missing counselor's kids. so please continue business as usual."

with the lecture out of the way, Qui-Gon steps up and gives a much more encouraging message, mostly just to lift up the spirits. Bail chipping in every once in a while with a joke before the three of them made the synchronized closing statement to 'have a good day'.

it all seemed to help Colton calm down at least though the question still remained of where the hell Jasmine was. "do you think you could get the details Windu was so forthcoming about?" Anakin asked somewhat sarcastically to Ben who simply shrugged.

"probably not from Windu but i'll check in with Jinn before i head to my activity center" Ben says before tossing a piece of kiwi in his mouth from the small assortment of mixed fruit on his tray, to which Anakin responds by stealing one of the cherries to eat for himself.

"i thought you don't like eating this early?" you question him with a raised brow. Anakin shrugs, biting the cherry off the stem and eating it before putting the stem in his mouth.

your brows crease together in utter confusion before he pulls the stem out of his mouth, a knot now directly in the middle of it that you can't seem to look away from as he speaks. "today’s different, i've been up way earlier than usual." you just give him a small hum turning away from him and looking down at your plate.

feeling much too hot, between his hand that still remained on your knee and how casually he knotted that cherry stem you felt dizzy. you spare a glance at Ben and Rex to see if they saw how suddenly flustered you seemed. thankfully both men were too busy conversing with each other to notice.

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it's not until lunch that you guys get an answer for what happened to Jasmine, the woman in question still not back on campgrounds. "i was going to just send a text when i found out but figured it’d be easier if i just waited till now" Ben said as everyone walked in line together. trays in hand, as you all slowly loaded up your trays with your personal food preferences.

somehow Padme and Ben got to the lodge hall at the same time you, Rex, and Anakin did, usually one of you always managed to beat the other group. the campers almost never allowing you to leave at the same time. "so what'd you find out?" you ask while grabbing one of the pre-wrapped sandwiches.

"it's…i'll tell you all when we sit down" fair the other counselors were in line with you guys and this information wasn't supposed to even be known outside of the camp directors.

"did you already tell Padme?" you ask while, nudging your head in her direction. she somehow managed to get ahead of you all by three people.

"yea, i told her before the campers even got to the zipline first period" you nodded wondering silently if that's why her mood seemed sour. she was upset earlier but it was more worry and annoyance, now she just seemed straight-up angry. Veiled very thinly by her usual calm aura.

you stick your hand into the next bin without really looking only to come out empty-handed. a frown now gracing your features as you realize they had run out of pudding cups.

you give a disappointed sigh and grab one of the jello cups in the bin next to it, you had nothing against jello other than the texture so it's not like this was a big deal you'd just gotten used to a routine and unfortunately set yourself up for disappointment when doing so. wouldn't be the first time you did that and certainly won't be the last.

you make your way out of the line to your usual table alongside the boys. and when you finally sit down you don't get much time to mope before Anakin takes the jello cup off of your tray and exchanges it with the last pudding cup his pudding cup.

"you don't want it?" you tilt your head at him and he gives a nonchalant shrug.

"i like these better anyway" bullshit, you'd never seen him grab the jello cups and you could read it on Ben's face that he didn't believe a word Anakin was saying either.

"it's fine i don't want it" you insist and he scrunches his nose up as you try to put it back on his tray, swatting your hand away before you succeed.

"what'd you find out Kenobi?" Anakin asks changing the subject before you can protest again.

"other than you being an absolute sap when you're actually into a girl you mean?" Ben teases and you want to remind him once again that you're fake dating, as if he doesn't know- but the blush on Anakin's cheeks stops you.

it's gone before you can even process whether you were imagining it or not as Anakin rolls his eyes. "Jasmine, what'd you find out about her Ben" he says before taking an annoyed bite of his sandwich.

"right, so Jinn didn't tell me the exact timeline of events but what i've got is that she snuck off sometime last night and left camp to go hang out with some friends" you chime in quickly when you remember her not being in the room the night before.

"she walked the kids to the cabin after dinner and then left me and Padme alone with them. that must have been when" Ben nods seemingly remembering that Padme had said something similar to him when he told her.

"right well turns out her and the group she was with got caught drinking and driving, half of them are underage too. they were all detained and a few of them are being faced with charges" alright well that's certainly not what you were expecting, not that you were entirely sure what to expect.

"no way! is she one of the ones facing charges?" Rex asks in just as much shock and confusion as you, Ben shakes his head no.

"but she's definitely facing repercussions here. they want to fire her" it made sense after all if parents found out they'd throw a fit, rightfully so. you'd be upset too if you found out someone who's responsible for your kid was caught drinking instead of looking after them.

"what's stopping them?" you ask and this time Ben shrugs completely unsure. it's not like the camp was understaffed in any way, there was no real reason you could think of for why they'd keep her on.

"they're probably still discussing everything with the higher-ups" Ben concludes, finally digging into his food as he lets the information sit in.

"she'll probably be fired by the end of the day, i can't see this being swept under the rug the same way last year's incident was. sure no one spoke up then but really there's no way they didn't catch wind of the situation." Rex says in between sips of water.

"well she certainly found one of the quickest routes to get out of being a camp counselor" Anakin says, still unable to handle serious moments without making jokes.

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sure enough that night after dinner you and Padme had come back to Jasmine's side of the room completely cleared out. Opal the swing counselor who took over for her all day was there instead, unpacking a bag clearly being promoted to a full-time counselor.

the first thing you'd noticed about Opal was her height. you could tell she was tall earlier from afar but seeing up close was a little jarring. she practically towered over both you and Padme, the legs of a model Padme had said and you couldn't agree more. She was stunning honestly, with curly copper red hair like fire that framed her face, and pale freckled skin.

she turned to you both with a smile on her face as she introduced herself. "hey i'm Opal" it was more so directed towards you than Padme. a small reminder that you were the only new staff member, although they didn't know each other personally they knew of each other.

"y/n" you greet, mirroring the smile on her face and extending your hand which she promptly shakes. there's a small awkward silence that follows over you three, the sound of all the kids in the room besides yours providing a comforting ambience.

"is it too much to bring up the obvious elephant in the room…. or rather the lack of" Opal says while scratching the back of her neck and you can't help but snort, which leads to Padme giggling and sure enough all three of you are laughing together.

her comment broke the ice for sure, the three of you sitting on the lower bunks now just chatting- mostly shit-talking Jasmine but that helped lead to more basic getting-to-know-you questions. you're not sure when or how the topic eventually got to Anakin but you were suddenly wishing to be anywhere but in that room.

"so seriously how'd you get together? you two are seriously the cutest couple ever!" Opal's excitement for you was infectious and god did it make you feel guilty. Padme gave you a quick look, one that only the two of you would understand. the question of if you'd be telling Opal the truth or not hidden behind her amused smile.

"oh you know… it wasn't all that special- we just realized we both liked each other and" you make a clicking sound whilst intertwining your hands and Opal nods seeming to understand what you were trying to say.

"that makes sense, you know pretty much everyone was waiting for it to happen. i think some of the other counselors even had bets going" you couldn't hide the shock on your face and the way your brows shot up. sure the speculation made sense to some degree after the rumor Ahsoka started but she said it like they'd all been thinking it long before that rumor started.

"what made you guys think we were into each other? i mean besides the fact that we obviously were- since we're dating and all…" you give a strained smile feeling very much like an idiot for asking that. not to mention how terrible of a save that was, you could only hope she didn't see through that shitty recovery.

"i think how quickly you guys got close is what started it. then of course when he started showing up to breakfast for you that pretty much had everyone locked in on the fact he was into you. and we all saw how you look at him so it was no secret the feelings were mutual" oh you were going to throw up- they all saw the way you looked at him!?

here you were thinking you'd been discreet when clearly the only person who didn't notice was the very man you'd been ogling. you bite back the urge to freak out and put a smile back on your face. "oh right" you give a forced laugh, picking at the lint on your blanket.

did people really think he started going to breakfast for you? that wasn't the case at all, although now that you thought about it you never did truly question it- why had he started going to breakfast? surely it was something Padme related… but he always sits with you so maybe..

"Theo just threw up!" Quinn said slightly out of breath as she ran into the room, completely interrupting your thoughts. the three of you are all on your feet instantly, rushing into the connected room confused about how you would have missed hearing that.

Theo was stood in front of a pile of vomit shaking, his body probably still calming down from the adrenaline spike. he looked mortified the poor kid, you push past your weak stomach and go to stand next to him rubbing his back gently. "hey buddy let's go get you cleaned up okay? and then i'll walk you to the camp infirmary" Theo nods as tears begin to well in his eyes while you guide him out of the room.

you hear Padme telling all the other kids to go back to what they were doing while her and Opal clean up just as you're leaving the room and walking to the bathrooms. you help clean off his face and then his shirt which thankfully didn't get much vomit on it compared to the floor.

Theo is looking off to the side as you continue to wipe the shirt as best you can, avoiding eye contact from embarrassment. you can't help but sympathize with him, honestly throwing up in front of everyone was one of your biggest fears when you were in school. "you alright bud?" he gives a small nod.

"you don't have to be embarrassed it happens to the best of us you know" he doesn't say anything so you just give him a sympathetic smile before deciding to share an embarrassing story of your own.

"you know, one time when i was your age i really had to use the bathroom. but i hated using public restrooms." you begin, standing up and tossing the paper towel in the trash on the way out of the bathroom.

"so i held it as long as i could which apparently wasn't that long at all because i ended up peeing myself about an hour later." Theo's eyes widened, his head whipping towards yours in surprise.

"no way! at school!?" you can only nod the embarrassment still there even after all these years.

"oh yeah, worst day of my life. i thought id be made fun of for the rest of eternity after that. thankfully everyone moved on- i mean i did get teased a little but not nearly as much as id thought i would" maybe you should of left that part out, that would not ease your worries if you were him.

he doesn't seem to care though, just happy to have a less embarrassing story to compare his to. he still looks pale, his hand resting on his stomach which is still bothering him but at least he's in higher spirits.

you're about halfway to the infirmary when you hear someone call your name from behind you. when you look back you see Anakin jogging towards you, a concerned look on his face. "hey what're you doing out here this late?" your question makes his lips twitch up into a smile.

"i could ask you the same thing" he throws back and looks down to the camper beside you, when he sees how pale the kid is he gestures to continue walking. "i usually go for a walk around campgrounds before heading in for the night. Ben and Jacob can handle the kids without me" he says with a shrug as he answers your question.

"it's nice, usually quiet since pretty much everyone else is inside" he looks down to Theo again putting on a sympathetic look. "everything alright with you kid?" Theo shakes his head, giving a defeated sigh as he slumped forward.

"no i threw up in front of everyone" Anakin's brows crease in concern but he also takes one step back. you have to physically bite your tongue not to laugh.

"aw man i'm sorry that must of sucked" Theo nods and places both his hands over his stomach and mumbles 'i think i might again' and this time you take a step back as well. being vomited on by a kid is not a story you want to go home and tell Honey about.

"alright try and hold it in until we get inside the infirmary; but if you can't, run to the grass" the shaky thumbs up he gives you wasn't exactly reassuring and not even a few seconds later he's running off the trail to the grass and spilling his guts.

you turn away completely unable to handle the view without feeling queasy yourself. you can see Anakin grimace as he watches the two of you. he walks over to the kid for you clearly having a much stronger stomach as he rubs his back. "there ya go just get it all out" you hear him say from behind you followed by a mumbled "dude..what did you eat".

you turn back to them once he stops, eyes locked on Theo. he's once again shaking pretty bad from the adrenaline, you wish you had been more help right then.

"do you want me to walk him the rest of the way?" your eyes flicker up to Anakin's upon hearing his question. "i don't mind, plus it looks like he might need to throw up again" you couldn't ask that of him, this was one of your campers- well Opal's now but you'd been the one to say you'd bring him so you needed to be the one to do it.

"go back to your cabin y/n, i've got it" it wasn't a question this time, authoritative honestly. "if they send him back i'll walk him over to you guys, but i doubt it with the state he's in. they'll probably have him there for the night to watch over him."

you're about to protest and verbalize your thoughts when he speaks again, already starting to walk away with Theo in tow. "it's fine y/n relax, go before i call Padme and force her to come grab you" you huff crossing your arms and he just smiles, walking backwards now so he can look at you better.

"you're gonna fall if you keep walking like that Skywalker" you tease, somewhat hoping he does trip just to say 'i told you so' but he doesn't. just shrugs before sending you a wink and turning back around.

you feel your cheeks burn as they walk away, did that wink actually mean something or was it just friendly? there was no one else around for it to have to mean more- no one to pretend around besides Theo. that little boy was much more preoccupied with his nausea to care though.

you shake the thoughts from your head, spinning on your heel and heading back to the Naboo cabin.

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the next day proceeded relatively normal, Theo did end up having to stay in the infirmary overnight and the nurse said they were going to keep him there for the day to make sure he was truly okay before sending him back.

the only real difference was now learning to navigate your usual morning routine with a third party. don't get it twisted Opal was easy to get along with, you just weren't used to having such an active counselor working alongside you two.

it was refreshing and unusual in a good way. it made getting ready and having the kids ready at the same time a lot easier. sure Jasmine wasn't the worst at helping with the kids but honestly she did the bare minimum so to have someone going out of their way to help was definitely a welcome change.

"hey y/n?" you turn towards Opal as you all walk towards the lodge hall for breakfast. she's tying her hair back with a silk scrunchy as she speaks. "umm you're friends with Rex right?" there's a small blush growing on her pale cheeks and you can't help the smile growing on yours.

"yeah we're pretty close why?" she lets her hands fall to her side, patting the sides of her thighs as she thinks about how she wants to word her next sentence. you're instantly drawn in, standing side by side with her now.

"is he you know… seeing anyone?" she seems unsure with her question, like that wasn't the right one she wanted to ask. you smile, shaking your head no.

"you should sit at my table today, where do you usually sit?" Opal's face turns red enough to rival the color of her hair.

"oh no i can't i-" she clears her throat, wiping what you could only assume were now sweaty palms onto the jean shorts she had on. "i usually sit with my friends or well acquaintances i guess? we're close but like we never talk outside of camp."

you give a teasing smile as you enter the lodge hall, and she folds in on herself. which looked seriously awkward for a girl as tall as herself, but it was cute. "oh come on it'll be fun, you can sit next to me if it's sitting next to Rex you're worried about"

if you could take a picture of the look on her face rn you would print it out and frame it. "thanks for the offer i'm good" it was almost robotic and mixed with stutters as she spoke. you gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder, which was a bit of a feat with how tall she was but you got it in the end.

"alright but the offer will stay open" she gives you a soft 'thanks' before walking off to her friends table completely skipping the breakfast line. you were a little concerned until you saw one of the girls at her table hand her their chocolate muffin.

as soon as your tray is full you head towards your table, taking the rightful seat beside Anakin- who seems to be back to his usual display of exhaustion. "that didn't last long did it" you snort, nudging the boy with your elbow. he simply grumbles, words so slurred together you can't make out what he is attempting to say at all.

"he'll be alright" Rex said with a shrug once again talking with his mouth full, yeah you definitely couldn't see the appeal here but good for Opal.

"so Anakin says you got a sick camper?" Ben asks curious for more details, you could only guess Anakin had mentioned the situation in passing before he crashed for the night or perhaps on the way to breakfast in his hazy state.

"yea one of Jas- Opal's campers, poor kid was vomiting repeatedly. they're keeping him there till they're sure he's okay." Ben cringes suddenly wishing he hadn't asked as he looked down at his food. the oatmeal he'd chosen not feeling like the best choice he could have gone with.

"sorry…" he simply waves you off before shoving the bowl of oatmeal to the side and sticking with the bowl of mixed fruits. your eyes locked onto one of the cherries in the bowl, thinking back to what Anakin had done yesterday morning. you kinda wished he was more awake just so you could see him do it again.

you shake the thought from your head not before sparing a small glance at Anakin, he was as usual half asleep. his eyes closed as he leaned on his palm the only indication that he was awake was the lack of snores. he looked so pretty, and peaceful.

there's a small kick from under the table that pulls you back to reality, a knowing smile on Rex and Ben's face… maybe that small glance was a lot longer than you'd thought.

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"this is a terrible idea" Rex grumbles while fumbling with the threads of his friendship bracelet- or well what is supposed to be one. he still hasn't gotten the hang of it, and in his defense, you'd all decided against having the campers do it since he and Anakin couldn't figure it out during staff week.

however, Ahsoka had offhandedly mentioned wanting to make some for the friends she made at camp and you figured that since you knew how to make it everything would work out. so here you were right before all the campers arrived for the first period trying to teach both of them how to make the more simple design so that if they were asked for help they could give it.

"come on Rex it's not that hard" you continue to weave the strings in the right pattern as he watches trying desperately to figure out how you were doing it. "even Anakin's figured it out now"

this time Rex scoffs "that's because he doesn't have sausage fingers like i do" he wasn't wrong, Anakin and Rex's hands were equally as big but Rex's fingers were thick. almost to the point they looked swollen which was definitely not helping him keep hold of the strings.

"well two out of three of us can do it, that should be enough" Anakin said while tying off his bracelet the way you'd shown him. it was light blue and gold, and surprisingly as good as yours.

Rex sighs throwing his pile of knotted strings to the side. "i'm over it, you two can take care of everything today i'll just make sure all the materials are out and not being misused" he stands up heading to sit on a stool in the middle of the room before the kids arrived.

"here" you turn to Anakin who has his bracelet extended towards you.

"you're giving it to me?" he chuckles, gently grabbing your arm and pulling it towards him so he can slide the bracelet over your hand and tighten it to your wrist.

"Yeah why not, they're friendship bracelets right? it'd be weird to make them for ourselves" you look down at it on your wrist, unable to stop the smile before looking down at your own.

"mines pink and gold… i can make a different one-" he cuts you off by sticking his hand out to you.

"no i like that one go ahead" you stare at him for a moment, slightly dumbfounded as you distinctly remember him saying he hated the color pink when you'd mentioned it was one of your favorite colors.

nevertheless you oblige, sliding it over his large hand and tightening it on his wrist just like he'd down for you. you stick the hand with his bracelet out next to the one with yours and smile. "look we made them match on accident"

"alright lovebirds let's go the kids are coming in" Rex interrupts the moment between you too as groups of kids start filing in. you flush and walk over to the front of the room ready to begin the day.

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Ahsoka clocked the matching bracelets on you and Anakin's wrists immediately. she even chose to sit directly next to you at your table for once instead of Anakin's just to quiz you.

or maybe torment you was the better word "oh come on how can you still deny he likes you y/n, he made you a matching bracelet!" she whisper shouts at you and you're forever grateful that Anakin is busy helping a girl from his cabin, Chloe, who's sat on the opposite side of the room.

"they're friendship bracelets Ahsoka- Friendship is in the name. you gave me one for goodness sake" the young girl groans frustratedly at you, running her hands through her black hair. you pointedly shake your wrist in front of her, the bracelet she'd given you on display with a few from the other campers that had been given to you throughout the day.

"that's different" this time you groan frustratedly, running a hand tiredly over your face. "look i didn't just give you one, i gave Colton one, i gave Mia one, i gave Rex one and Anakin one- i even made one to give to Ben and Padme!" you stare at her with a raised brow letting out a soft 'okaaaay'.

"Anakin only made you one, he hasn't made Ben or Rex- or padme one" she put some emphasis on Padme's name that had you rolling your eyes.

"we're adults we don't make friendship bracelets for all our friends" she deadpans before looking straight at the pile of friendship bracelets at your side that you did in fact make for all of your friends. "i'm an outlier!" you defend yourself and she huffs deferred but not defeated.

"alright guys we should probably start cleaning up if we want to make it to the lodge hall for dinner first" Rex calls from where he's sat. he'd been stationed on the stool all day with self-imposed string-cutting duty. a few kids had asked him for help throughout each period only to quickly realize why he wasn't teaching them shortly after.

there was a bunch of disappointed voices as they all started complaining, which was how it'd gone all day with each period. none of the kids wanting to stop or just whining if they hadn't finished the bracelet they were working on. "yea, yea we know but if you really want we can just do this again the day after tomorrow." this only elicited more complaints, some of the kids confused on why they couldn't do it tomorrow.

"you complain now but you'll have fun tomorrow it's Canoe day" tomorrow all activities centers would be shut down for the day, and everyone in the camp would be out on the lake in groups of 2-4. it was supposed to be a fun little water day activity for everyone since you didn't have to stick with your specific periods.

the lake was closed off at a certain point with rope floaters so that no one went past it. this way the kids could go on their own canoe without staff members if they wanted. there was even a cookout and bonfire later in the evening where everyone could roast smores.

it was a camp tradition and you were excited to participate in it. "alright you guys heard Rex come on let's clean up" they don't protest as much when you're the one saying it which makes you smile and Rex complained about how 'unfair it is' and that 'they favorite you'.

you play with the bracelets in your hand while looking down at the one on your right wrist. the one Anakin gave you. would he think it was odd you put all the other bracelets the campers gave you on the opposite wrist? you'd seen him get a few bracelets from the kids as well but he hadn't put them on. which honestly was more odd than what you were doing.

"hey i've got a question for you" Anakin pulls your attention, placing his arm over your shoulder as he walks with you and everyone else to the lodge hall. he pulls you close to him, creating a small private bubble for just the two of you as he speaks. it's overwhelming in a way, his cologne wafting into your nostrils from how close you were.

"the floor is yours" you say and had he not been holding onto you, you'd have done a dramatic bow.

"you remember how i said i liked to go for walks after dinner?" you nod and he continues "well i was wondering if you wanted to join me, it could be fun" you raise a brow at him confused and unsure as to why he'd want that.

"it will really sell it for the rest of the camp that we're dating" he adds when you don't answer back immediately. right that made sense plus well you guys were proper friends now, it made sense for you both to hang out one-on-one.

"yea sure that sounds fun" he gives you a bright cheesy grin before letting his arm slip off your shoulder. his touch leaving you only briefly before he's placing his hand on the small of your back instead.

it makes your cheeks burn, you have to fight every cell in your body to not shy away. Anakin doesn't seem to notice or at the very least care, you shouldn't be surprised by that anymore though.

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you spent the entirety of dinner thinking about Anakin's hand on your back instead of paying attention to the conversation Padme and Opal were having beside you, as well as ignoring the way Ahsoka lifted Colton's headphones to whisper to him, probably about you and Anakin judging by the way she kept glancing at you throughout the conversation from directly across you.

Padme finally asks you what's going on after you've all walked back to Naboo cabin for the day. the kids all settling in and giving a warm welcome back to Theo who was no longer a sickly pale color.

"you've been out of it since you sat down with us at dinner, is everything alright?" she pulled you aside from everyone, including Opal in hopes she could get some actual answers.

"yeah i'm fine just sorta been lost in thought" daydreaming more like- she gives you a look and you just smile nervously, cheeks burning in embarrassment as she sees right through you.

she looks ready to push further but gets interrupted when your phone buzzes in your pocket. it's Anakin letting you know he was outside the cabin waiting for you. you look up meeting Padme's face, she's got a smug smile having seen the message that he sent.

"it's not what you think" you begin to defend and she just looks even more smug somehow. "no seriously Padme this is purely a platonic hang out" she throws her hands up while taking a few steps back.

"i didn't say anything" she laughs and you glare at her. there was no real malice behind it of course, you both knew that… but if looks could kill. 'your face says it all' you mumble and she sticks her tongue out at you. "go hang out with your boyfriend y/n, he's waiting" she practically sings it and you wish the floor would open up and swallow you whole.

"fake boyfriend!" you whisper shout the correction but she's already left you alone in the hallway. you let out an annoyed sigh before exiting the cabin.

Anakin's sitting on the cabin's porch fence, scrolling on his phone as he waits for you. the second he hears the door open and locks eyes with you there's an infectious smile on his face. one that has you beaming just as brightly.

"ready?" he asks, standing up and already starting to walk off. you follow along, picking up the pace so you're side by side. he leads you away from the cabins and towards one of the forest walking paths.

"i thought we weren't supposed to walk these paths at night?" your question doesn't deter him as he continues to walk, the crunch of twigs beneath your feet filling the small void of silence along with the crickets chirping.

"we aren't supposed to in the dark, but as far as i can see it's still light out" he says and points up to the sky, the sun has almost fully set. the sky a deep cool blue that's just barely bright enough with all the stars to see where you're going.

"rule breaker" you snort, and he shrugs looking up to the sky as he walks. his feet avoiding certain tree roots with practiced ease. showing just how often he'd walked the path.

"i prefer rule bender" he says while looking down towards you. "it's fine we'll walk this way for a few minutes and then we'll end up in front of the lake" he points off the pathway making you raise a brow. "trust me, i've done this a thousand times"

"what made you start doing this anyway?" you ask curiously, following closely beside him as he leads the way.

"Ben has worked here longer than me. when i started he took me out for a walk my first night for some fresh air since i was nervous" he jumps onto a boulder in front of you, pulling himself up before sticking his hand out to help you up as he speaks. "it sorta became a tradition for us each night that year, didn't last though clearly for him anyway."

once you're up on the boulder beside him he jumps down. "how come he never joins you now?" you ask from above him, he holds his hands out so he can catch you when you jump.

"we hadn't been placed in the same cabin my first year, it's much easier for one counselor to slip away instead of two of the three." you jump and he catches you with ease, gently setting you down on the ground. his arms linger for a few seconds around your waist before he lets go, making you shiver. "this way"

"do you have any traditions like that with Honey back home?" this time he asks the question, and you ponder for a moment as you both approach a clearing leading to the lake.

"nothing that involves walking at night, kind of a dangerous game to play as two women who definitely do not exercise the way we should" he laughs and you simply admire the way his eyes crinkle at the edges when he does.

"we do have movie nights every friday, we consistently have a growing list of movies we want to watch together so we pick a random one depending on our mood for the day and then make some popcorn and snuggle up on the couch." Anakin nods, kicking some small rocks into the shallow part of the lake as he listens to you.

"how do you manage every friday night?" he asks, coming to a full stop when he realizes you're not next to him anymore.

"we live together" you answer simply, while untying your shoes. he looks pretty confused before it clicks what you're doing.

"must be nice, me and Ben have thought about moving in together but we also think one of us would kill the other- i think the only thing keeping me safe now are the kids" you try to hold back a laugh but fail, Anakin just rolls his eyes continuing on back towards the campgrounds.

"it's definitely a little bit of a challenge at first, but once you figure out what works it's great." a comfortable silence falls over you two.

you keep your eyes out towards the lake, enjoying the way the stars reflect off the cold water. it's not till you turn back to Anakin that you see he's already staring at you. a soft look on his face that you can't quite read.

"we should probably head back to our cabins" he says softly, not wanting to break the silence. "busy day tomorrow" he adds voice barely above a whisper. it's strange the pull you feel towards him in this moment. it's always there but this felt different. like there was a shift in the air.

he holds his hand out and you feel your heart hammer in your chest as you take it without hesitation. and when he intertwines his fingers with yours you think you may just faint. this was different, not a sole around to see you two and yet here you both were.

"this is an interesting little relationship you and i have" he jokes and you can't help but giggle. he swings your hands beside you both as you guys walk. bright smiles that could outshine the sun on your faces. an interesting little relationship indeed.

you had to tiptoe back into the staff bedroom, everyone already asleep as you'd accidentally been out a lot longer than you'd intended. flopping onto your bed with a mix of excitement and exhaustion as you do your best to contain your giggles.

you stare up at the bottom of the top bunk, finally allowing it all to sit in. every little thing you'd done together, each thing he'd done swirling around in your head. oh you were so about to get the biggest 'i told you so's' in the morning, and you know what? you weren't even mad about it.

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"oh my gosh.. oh my gosh!? OH MY GOSH!" Padme's voice rang in your ears as she jumped up and down excitedly at the news, you decided to tell her the second she got back in the room from a shower before Opal did. you'd only just woken up, hadn't even gotten the chance to message Honey about it.

if you hadn't covered your ears you were pretty sure you might have gone deaf. "i knew it! i so knew it- i told you so didn't i" she's shaking you now, your head wobbling back and forth with each jostle.

"Padme… i love you but i think i'm going to pass out if you keep whipping me around like this" she releases your shoulders only to wrap her arms around you and deathly bear hug.

"i'm sorry i can't help it, i just knew he liked you. you two make the cutest couple!" woah, you pull back at that- couple? i mean it's not like you'd both confessed. well maybe indirectly but you definitely were not dating yet. not for real anyway… right?

"uhh Padme we're still just fake dating" she deadpans at you and the fire behind her eyes makes you think she just may start jostling you around again.

"nope i refuse to accept that as a reality." you give her a look, ready to tell her that's not how that works but she puts a finger over your mouth keeping you quiet. "i need you to think about what you just said and then think about last night again and try to tell me that you're not actually dating."

she moves her finger from your mouth and you give it a few seconds to test if she's serious. when you realize she is in fact you open your mouth once again to deny it but are promptly shut down but her finger on your mouth again a soft 'shhhhh' coming from hers.

you sigh, pulling back from her. "alright i'm not going to say it but just know i'm thinking it" she rolls her eyes completely over this game of back and forth.

"and just know i rebuke it" you stick your tongues out at each other before smiling and laughing. she leaves you alone in the room as you get changed and ready for the day. you leave yourself with just enough time to message Honey about everything that's happened.

'OMG SO YOU TWO ARE FINALLY TOGETHER FR EEEEEK!!' her message brings a smile to your face that probably mirrored hers. oh how you hate how you're gonna have to shut it down.

'not exactly… we're still just fake dating yk…' theres a long pause on Honeys end before the speech bubble appears.

'girl don't play with me rn 😐' honestly why'd you even bother, nothing you say ends up being taken seriously by anyone.

'i'm serious Honey' you're pretty sure she's fighting you in her mind rn with how quick her responses are.

'y/n i need you to tell me one time you've guessed correctly about your situation with Anakin so far and then i'll believe you' you're stuck staring at your screen in silence. racking your brain for an answer, evidently you take too long as honey follows up with 'yea, that's what i thought'

brutal honesty, not something she uses on you often but clearly she decided this was a special case. 'okay well this was nice but i have to go to breakfast now😁' You try to switch topics and end the conversation there but she brings it right back.

'subject changes don't work on me babes💋💋" alright and that's enough from Honey you snort a laugh before turning off your phone. that girl knew you too well for your own good.

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it's safe to say breakfast went differently today, not just because it was Canoe day which meant it was a more 'extravagant' breakfast- pancakes instead of eggs and French toast instead of breakfast sandwiches- but because now you and Anakin had a slightly unspoken thing going on.

one that you mutually had acknowledged last night without actually discussing it. "mooorning" Ben greets you with a mischievous glint in his eyes as you sit beside Anakin. taking a long dramatic sip of his water before sending you both a wink. Anakin wasn't paying much attention as usual.

he did however shockingly have a plate of food in front of him, and a not-so-sleepy expression on his face. you choose to ignore Ben's teasing and focus on Anakin instead with a raised brow. "like i said busy day today" he says before taking a bite of french toast.

"yea he's been up for the last two hours shockingly, just so he'd be awake enough to want to eat" Ben says annoyed, clearly he'd been the one to have to wake him up.

"how is today's schedule going to go?" you ask not having been given the full breakdown, just the rough summary.

"well after we finish breakfast here, there's going to be free time while a few of the selected staff members help set up all the canoes and rope off the section of the lake we'll be rowing in. once they're done we're free to do whatever we want really, go in the canoes or stay on the lakefront and just chill. until the cookout in the evening followed by the bonfire and s'mores before we all have to turn in for the night- they even extend curfew for this" Rex grows restless at Ben's side the more he explains, like a child ready to be released in a candy store.

you watch him amusedly, and when Ben finally finishes Rex is quick to chirp in- "and this is my year to shine as i've been one of the selected staff members to help set up" he says proudly, puffing out his chest like a mating bird that has you snorting laughing at him.

"yea they selected him this year" you could tell there was a hidden 'and not me' behind Ben's words, but didn't push as he didn't seem too upset by it. just mildly annoyed.

"i think it's great you got selected Rex, it's the perfect chance for you to prove to them exactly why they didn't choose you any of the years prior" Anakin teases and Rex deadpans before sending him a swift kick from under the table.

you and Ben both roll your eyes at their antics. "you two are ridiculous you know" Ben chimes in and Anakin deflects with a 'what it's true'.

"well, i'm just happy because me and y/n are going to be canoeing together" Anakin says while wrapping an arm around your waist. if you had food in your mouth you probably would have choked.

you fight the urge to verbalize a 'we are?' as you take a sip from your water bottle to distract yourself from how much you enjoyed his touch.

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Anakin, Ben, Padme, and you all spent free time together. just chatting on one of the benches outside of the lodge hall, all of the kids from each cabin were playing tag in front of you all in the open grass area as the selected staff members finished setting up for the day.

it was crazy how casually Anakin had slipped into his role as your fake boyfriend but what was even crazier was just how much more he was acting like he was your actual boyfriend since last night. yeah, Honey and Padme may have had a point.

the four of you were all sitting on the bench side by side, packed together like sardines. Anakin had made it a smidge easier for all of you by having you rest one of your legs over his to make more room. his thigh's warmth against the back of yours was easy to get used to.

the big calloused hand of his that rested on top of your thigh however was a little bit harder to brush past. especially with how much you were all joking around, laughter bubbling out of your chests and each time without fail if the joke made him laugh hard enough he'd give your thigh a squeeze.

you were a flustered mess and it was so pathetically obvious, even as you tried to pretend this was all normal. laughing when the group laughed occasionally tossing in your own joke when you'd actually paid attention enough to know what was going on.

despite all of that; when the announcement was made for everyone to come down to the lakefront because they'd finished setting up, you and Anakin were the last to leave the bench. watching as all the kids ran down excited to get in the lake on the canoes the rest of the staff not far behind.

He gives your thigh a pat to get your attention, and you don't waste a second to give it to him. "ready?" it all felt to good to be true honestly but you nod nonetheless, pulling your leg off of his and standing up.

he takes your hand in his this time without asking, tugging you along behind him as you clumsily follow. he's the one to push the canoe out, the one who helps you tighten your life vest before helping you step inside and then climbing in himself. rowing you both out to the outer edge of the lake away from where everyone else was.

Anakin seemed to always be the one to take initiative, to test how far you'd let him go, and each time no matter how small of a push. you felt the pull towards him grow stronger. it was almost ridiculous, but you didn't dare try and fight it. not anymore.

"we should go out further" you blink a few times trying to figure out if he'd been talking this whole time and you'd somehow missed an entire conversation with him. he looks over to you awaiting your answer, when he sees your confusion he juts his chin towards the rope sectioning everyone off to this side of the lake.

"we can't go past the rope Ani, it's against the rules" Anakin freezes completely at your sentence and your brows crease together in concern. did he really wanna go out past the rope that bad?

"i.." he begins but trails off once more a blush growing on his cheeks as he clears his throat trying to push it down. but the way his ears shine a bright red are a dead give away and now you're trying to remember what you said that could have gotten such a reaction out of him. "right, yeah but it's only against the rules if we get caught" he finally recovers.

"i think i'd be kind of hard to miss a single canoe floating past the rope" you cross your arms and he smiles, ever the rule 'bender'.

"they're all to busy enjoying their own time to care, come on it'll be fun" he's already rowing you both to the rope before you even get to answer.

"famous last words" you grumble and he snorts, giving a quick glance behind you to check if anyone’s looking before he lifts the rope up and rows you both past it.

"yet you're doing nothing to try and stop me" he says while continuing to row you both out, slowly getting farther and farther away from everyone. he doesn't stop until you guys are slightly behind the small island that’s in the center. "see perfect"

he moves the paddles into the canoe, laying on his back so that he's looking right up at the sky. "do you do this every year too?" you ask, leaning into your palm as you watch him.

"nah but i've always wanted to" he looks over to you briefly while putting his hands behind his head for a little added cushion. your eyes briefly glancing down as his shirt rides up exposing a little bit of his midriff. "now i have a partner in crime" he jokes and you roll your eyes.

"more like someone to bring down with you" you force yourself to look up at the sky, leaning back on your hands and using the sides of the canoe as support.

"goes hand in hand really" you hum at his response, allowing a peaceful silence to wash over you both. the sound of laughter from everyone in the distance and the warm rays of the sun washing over you two made the moment feel like something out of a movie or maybe it was just the heat making you hazy.

you both sit like that for a while, basking in the sunlight before Anakin's phone vibrates in his pocket. you turn to look at him shocked he risked bringing it out onto the lake, the odds of you two falling out were low but you'd never chance it. "it's Ben, he said they're all looking for us"

"all as in everyone or all as in just our friends?" you ask suddenly panicked as he sits up, tucking his phone back in his pocket before nudging his foot against yours.

"just our friends, relax. we've been out here for thirty minutes it's no wonder they're looking for us" thirty minutes!? maybe the heat really was getting to you because it had not felt like thirty minutes.

good news you and Anakin successfully make it back on the sectioned-off side of the lake without being caught by the camp directors. bad news buckets of surprise water balloons had been brought out.

the kids were going crazy with them, completely targeting the very outnumbered staff. which you'd only realized after you'd stepped off the boat. being met with the feeling of ice-cold water splashing against your head, broken pieces of hot pink rubber falling to the ground.

the culprit, Zion, standing red-handed in front of you with another balloon rearing to go. the second it leaves his hand you run, causing Anakin to be the one hit instead. square in the middle of his back since he was busy putting up the canoe with the others.

the second the canoe is secure he's running after Zion, grabbing a water balloon from the bucket along the way. you load up with a few of your own ready to chase after him as well only to get hit by Ahsoka from your right. you switch targets instantly both of you tossing all the balloons in your hands at each other as you chase after her.

that's how the next few hours are spent until the very last water balloon is used and the sun is halfway down the horizon. the selected staff members already getting the bonfire going before everyone headed over.

the cold water that soaked your clothes mixing with the cool night breeze was lethal as your teeth chatter together. Padme and Ben had run back to the cabins to grab blankets and towels for your friend group, a few other counselors doing the same as well as some of the campers.

Rex, Anakin, Opal, and you found a spot close to the fire as you waited for their return. you did your best to hide your smile as you watched Opal finally talk to Rex for the first time, a blush on both their cheeks as they spoke.

it was adorable, but you had to stop Anakin from teasing them. it didn't take much really just a gentle smack to his arm telling him to stop and that Opal was too sweet to be teased like that.

"for the happy couple" Ben teased, chucking a soft blanket at Anakin before plopping down with Padme and handing Rex a towel. both he and Padme had changed their clothes before returning. the smart idea honestly as the fire was doing nothing with how wet your clothes were.

Anakin wraps what was definitely his blanket judging by the smell of his cologne on it, around you both after gently pulling you into his chest. arms resting around your waist as you practically sat in his lap. if you weren't bordering hypothermia you'd probably be freaking out more, currently however you were just happy to enjoy the warmth of his body.

how he was so warm when he was just as soaked as you, you had no idea. that boy was just a human furnace. "do you wanna go change?" Anakin whispers into your ear, creating a little bubble with just you two in it despite having your friends all around you.

did you want to go change? yes definitely- did you want to have to get up and move in order to do so? no, no you did not. "i'm good" he chuckles, your teeth still chattering as you speak.

"you're freezing" he argues and you simply shrug. he rolls his eyes before fully pulling you into his lap now, wrapping his arms over yours completely cocooning you. you let out a soft satisfied sigh that has him smiling against the back of your neck.

maybe you were hallucinating but you swear you felt his lips press a small kiss before he rested his chin on top of your head. "are you two gonna roast marshmallows?" Padme asks pulling your attention away from the fire. she has a smile on her face you've come to know all to well, as she waits for your answer. holding out the packet of roasting sticks for you to grab and pass to the people next to you.

"yeah thanks" Anakin says reaching out and breaking the shell of warmth as the blanket parts. as he pulls out two sticks before handing the packet to the next person it hits you; just exactly what you were doing and who you were doing it with. the irony of Padme being the one observing you two and you the one currently sitting in his lap.

you're absolutely dumbfounded, the feeling of Anakin's calm breathing against your back only makes it all the more surreal. over a hundred kids and staff gathered around a giant bonfire not even batting an eye at you two. to most of them you were actually dating so it made sense, and honestly you weren't sure how to feel about that.

this was more than just fake dating, that much was obvious even to you now. but if you weren't fake dating and you weren't actually dating, what on earth do you call whatever it is you two are doing right now? you felt your stomach twist in uncertainty the more you thought about it.

"here" Anakin holds out the stick to you, two marshmallows already on one end waiting for you to roast them. you blink a few times before taking it sticking your hand out from the blanket and holding the stick over the fire.

Anakin doesn't acknowledge your silence, probably thinking you were just enjoying the quiet. boy would he be wrong, there was no quiet to enjoy with how loud every thought in your mind screamed. curiosity clawing at you, needing to know just what to label you both as.

"you know when i was younger, my mom would take me and my stepbrother camping with Ben's family all the time." he shifted you in his hold as he extended his own roasting stick over the fire, carefully twisting it as he roasted his marshmallows. "and i still remember the first time i was finally allowed to roast my own marshmallows. i burnt them to a crisp"

"how'd you manage to do that?" you laugh and he smiles against the back of your head, continuing to twist the stick in his hand. you follow his lead twisting your own as he spoke again.

"well for starters i was like 9 and ornery." his voice was low, it rumbled in chest and against your back. "and i was so focused on trying to mess with Ben that i forgot i was even holding a marshmallow over the fire to begin with. the worse part was they all saw the marshmallow on fire and didn't say anything! not even my own mother" you bite back a laugh, poorly as he can very much tell you’re laughing at him.

"my first betrayal- she'd said it was the natural consequence for messing with Ben. she was right of course but i still got upset and threw a fit" you mumble a quiet 'bratty' under your breath and he gently pinches your side making you giggle.

quiet. all the thoughts in your head were gone as you listened to him speak, finishing roasting your marshmallows and then placing them onto the prepped graham crackers with chocolate that rested on top of your knee. the blanket half fallen off his shoulder from all the movement.

you didn't ask when he prepped the graham crackers, it wasn't important. not when you were sat in the lap of someone you'd grown so fond of, biting into s'mores simultaneously and relishing the sweet treat with a childlike fondness.

╚═*.·:·.✧ ✦✧.·:·.*═╝

the walk back to the cabins was a long one for everybody, you and Anakin lingering behind tiredly hand in hand not quite ready to let go of each other. it's not until you have to part ways to go to your separate cabins that you both acknowledge the fact you have to let go.

everyone else is inside getting ready for bed as you both stand face to face, working up the courage to say goodnight. "you have Marshmallow on your face" you reach up cradling his head with your hand as you wipe off the goo from his cheek with your thumb.

when you try to pull away his hand grabs hold of your wrist, forcing you to continue cradling his head- not that you were against it. the dark of the night was a dangerous thing you found, as it provided you with a cover the morning light didn't. a certain boldness that the sleep-ridden parts of your brain aided in. one that had him leaning down and you pushing up on your tiptoes to meet him halfway.

soft lips pressing against each other, the sugary taste of s'mores on each other's mouths making you crave more. just as you feel his tongue lick at your bottom lip you both hear the sounds of footsteps coming from behind you. pulling away quickly, flustered, very much wide awake and aware now.

Anakin clears his throat after Jacob walks past, not even paying attention as he scrolls on his phone. "i'll see you tomorrow y/n" you can't even meet his eyes, giving him a small nod ready to run back to your cabin as quick as possible.

"goodnight Ani" you say before doing just that.

╚═*.·:·.✧ ✦✧.·:·.*═╝

you crashed so quickly last night that you'd almost thought it was all just a dream when you woke up. the taste of roasted marshmallow still in the back of your throat the only thing reminding you that it was in fact reality. Holy shit. you kissed Anakin. Anakin kissed you. you both-

"are you okay? you look like you're having an existential crisis over there" you turn to Opal who's sat directly across from you, her phone forgotten in her hand probably from the moment you flung up in bed.

"uhhh- me yea i'm fine.. fine, great actually" your voice raises in pitch with each affirmation and she looks like she believes you less and less each time.

"you look a little pale y/n" you force a smile and give a nervous laugh. pulling yourself up and out of bed so quickly you stumble over your own feet almost crashing into the dresser.

"yep i'm totally cool" you repeat cool a few more times while grabbing your stuff for the day and stumbling out of the room down the hall and into the bathrooms.

as soon as you're inside one of the stalls you pull out your phone plopping onto the toilet lid. 'Honey i'm freaking tf out'

'what happened?' you bite your lip as you type out a very rush 'me and anakin kissed' but reading it back when you hit send it says 'mme ahnd anaki nkissed' thankfully it was legible enough as Honey was quick to send back a response.

'OMG!? 👀👀' you spend the next few minutes frantically typing out barely legible messages explaining what happened in between changing into your clothes for the day.

'this is the greatest day of my life and it's not even me who got kissed' not the time Honey you huff to yourself staying firmly locked in the bathroom stall away from all of your campers and probably Padme with a shit ton of questions if Opal mentioned the state you woke up in.

'what are you so freaked out about? is this not good news?' of course it was but had he even actually meant to kiss you or was it just the heat of the moment? and not to mention now you'd have to face each other and pretend like nothing was different until you got the chance to talk to each other semi-alone on the way to the activity center.

'it's just such inconvenient timing 😭😭' that was the best way you could think to put it.

'inconvenient timing? i'm sorry did you have a plan for a more convenient time in your oh so busy schedule??' you deadpan, at least her attitude was enough to calm you down.

'we beefin rn?🤨🤨' Honey liked the message and you find yourself smiling.

'yea we are let's go 💥👊💥👊' you laugh a little too loud at that, liking the message right before the door to the bathroom opens.

"y/n are you in here?" Mia's voice rang out. you turn your phone off tucking it in your back pocket, ignoring the next few buzzes as you grab your dirty clothes.

"yea i'm right here Mia, everything okay?" you ask while exiting the stall the young girl held out her hair brush and a handful of elastics.

"can you do my hair again? i wanna do bubble braids" you smile softly at her before directing her out of the bathroom with your hand on her shoulder.

"yea come on i'll do it in the other room i just need to put my stuff into my room.

╚═*.·:·.✧ ✦✧.·:·.*═╝

your able to successfully dodge most of Padme's questions on the way to breakfast. using Opal as a scapegoat by bringing up the fact she'd been chatting with Rex all night. a necessary sacrifice to keep her off your back, you'd find a way to apologize later.

right now your only focus was walking into the lodge hall and- he wasn't there. for fucks sake he wasn't there. your eyes dart over the entirety of the building in an instant. not in the breakfast line, not coming out of the bathrooms, not at the normal table, and certainly not at some other table. shit.

you skip the breakfast line entirely heading straight to where Ben and Rex are sat. "where's Anakin?" the question startles them as they both swivel in their seat turning to where you stood behind them.

"good morning y/n, how lovely it is for us your other clearly less important friends to see you on this fine day" Rex's sarcasm isn't lost on you but you brush it off giving him an 'i'm serious look'

"he didn't wanna get out of bed, it's not shocking with how early he was up yesterday and how late he stayed up but honestly you'd think after the fourth time i pulled his blankets off he'd have given in" Ben answers you relieving you of the fear he might have purposely skipped breakfast to avoid you.

you relax instantly letting out a soft 'thank the gods' before exhaustedly plopping onto the spot next to Ben. practically melting into the table, he gives you an awkward pat on the back for encouragement. "should we be concerned?" you shake your head no at his question, your forehead rubbing against the table with a weird squeak to it as you do.

"great because as much as i'd love a reason to beat up Anakin it's way to early for me to put in that amount of energy" you turn to look at Ben as he speaks, Rex agreeing with him through a mouth full of food. at least this time he keeps his mouth shut as he does it.

was this really a good outcome though? this meant realistically you wouldn't be able to discuss with Anakin until after the first period ended and that's if Rex even left you two alone.

╚═*.·:·.✧ ✦✧.·:·.*═╝

which he didn't as it turns out, because as usual, the universe loves to torment you. he'd managed to single-handedly keep you two from having even a second of alone time together. since when did Rex talk this much honestly?

not to mention the kids all had to come to you and Anakin since Rex was no help, you really regretted agreeing for the kids to get another day of working on friendship bracelets. the collections of bracelets you received growing larger, to the point you felt guilty not being able to wear them all and just took them off only keeping the one Anakin had made you on.

you could tell a few of the kids were disappointed because of this but you explained to them you'd cherish each one and just didn't want to ruin them which seemed to make them feel a little better even for the ones who didn't truly believe you.

all day it’d been like that, talking to Rex, explaining to the kids something you'd thought they'd already figured out the day prior to canoe day, reassuring them you did like the bracelet they made you even though you didn't have it on. an endless cycle making it hard to breathe when all you wanted to do was take two minutes to yourself in order to pull Anakin aside and ask what that damn kiss meant to him. what it made you.

even on the way to dinner it was never-ending chatter from the kids and Rex, and gods it was just too much. you were overstimulated, about ready to explode at the next person who came up and talked to you. forget talking to Anakin you just needed everything to stop.

"y/n" Anakin's hand on your arm pulls you to a stop, all the kids continue on pass you both along with Rex who takes lead after Anakin sends him a look. "breathe" he slides his hand down your arm and into your palm giving it a gentle squeeze.

you hadn’t realized just how much the world around you was spinning, breathing in much too fast for any oxygen to actually enter your lungs. when he notices you still unable to catch your breath he gently pulls you to his chest, giving you a hug just tight enough for the pressure to help relieve you.

he takes long exaggerated breaths in an attempt to trick your brain into copying him. it works, slowly at first, but eventually you're calm. relaxing into his hold and listening to the sound of his beating heart. it's embarrassing how fast you spiraled without realizing it, but Anakin doesn't say anything.

for once he didn't try to joke his way out of a serious moment, letting you take all the time you needed to recover. when you do finally pull away he doesn't try and ask what was wrong, he lets you find the words you want to say.

"thank you..." you start, looking up into his eyes. he doesn't look scared or concerned not at first glance. not until you really look into his eyes do you see the worry hidden behind his calm expression. putting on a brave face to keep you calm and comfortable. "i'm okay now, promise."

"what happened there?" he finally asks, your hand still in his. his thumb rubbing soothing circles over the cold skin.

"i don't know…today was just a lot" he leads you both to the nearest grass patch to sit down in. you let out a loud sigh opting to lie down instead.

Anakin lays down beside you keeping his eyes up at the stars above you. "Yeah for me too" you look over to him checking to see if he was just saying that to make you feel better. there's a genuine look of exhaustion on his face that shows he isn't.

you both fall into a somber silence and for the first time, you take initiative. your fingers tapping against his making him turn his attention down to your hand. you keep your eyes on the stars but you can see him smile faintly through your peripherals.

he turns his hand up letting you slide yours into his, the mood already feeling much lighter. "you always manage to quiet my mind" you confess, turning your head to his. your noses are so close they're almost touching. its a different kind of overwhelming, the kind with that underlying pull towards one another. the same pull you felt last night when you kissed.

"funny because you always manage to make mine louder" you snort and he laughs "what i'm serious, i've never met someone who takes up as much of my mind as you" the sincerity in his voice is what makes your breath hitch, giving him the courage to continue.

"even now i can't get my mind to stop running with thoughts and questions about you. it's kind of annoying" oh you were in love with him. would you be saying that out loud anytime soon absolutely not. way to soon, but there was no denying it in your heart. the way it swelled from his words before kicking into overdrive.

there's a long pause as you just stare into each other's eyes before you break the silence. "Ani….can you kiss me again?" he takes so long to respond you're almost sure you only asked in your head.

"i like when you call me that" he mumbled, so quietly and quickly you're barely able to catch it before his lips are on yours.

╚═*.·:·.✧ ✦✧.·:·.*═╝

Oh what a joy it was to tell Honey, Padme and Ahsoka all of this the next day. truly you were ecstatic you'd talked for the rest of dinner together, about anything and everything. eventually landing on the big 'what are we' question. to no one's surprise but your own denial's, he'd asked you out.

now having been dating for the last two weeks of camp. the dreaded day of goodbyes had finally come.

all the campers had left a few days prior leaving just the staff to help clean up and put everything away for the summer. you'd all finished the first day giving you guys the last two days to just chill and hang out together one last time.

you honestly felt like crying as Padme hugged you, neither one of you wanting to let go of the other. "i don't know how i'm going to survive this world without you" she sniffles and you can't help but laugh.

"i think i've rubbed off on you too much, you're starting to sound like me and Honey" you sniffle as well and both pull away laughing at just how emotional you were.

"save some tears for the rest of us" Rex calls from over Padme's shoulders. you flip him off and he does it right back to you before walking over and giving you a proper hug goodbye.

"i hope everything works out between you and Opal" he smiles down at you while pulling away, patting your head like some child. you have half a mind to swat him away but ultimately decide to let it slide just this once.

"alright me next" Opal says engulfing you in a bone-crushing hug "i loved hanging out with you even though it was for a short amount of time, i hope we get to hang out again soon or next summer!" you smile patting her back to let you go so you can breath enough to talk.

laughter bubbles out of you both after the wheeze that leaves your mouth. "we'll see each other again it's a promise" you finally speak. Ben walks up to you now pulling you into a hug as well.

"i am just so grateful that Anakin finally has someone else to bother all the time" he jokes and you hear Anakin gasp dramatically behind him making you snort.

"you're not off the hook Kenobi, you've just gained another person for him to help bother you." he lets out a sigh crossing his arms as he steps away from you.

"i was afraid you'd say that, i suppose i'll just have to learn to live with it." he strokes his beard pretending to truly ponder this over, and you roll your eyes before turning to Anakin.

he was looking at you like a sad puppy and you felt so incredibly guilty as if you'd be leaving him forever. which wasn't the case at all in fact you'd planned a date for saturday night. still he pulled you into a hug holding on like he was going to lose you. it was going to be weird going from seeing him every day to just a few days of the week.

it would be okay though, he would make sure of it.

╚═*.·:·.✧ ✦✧.·:·.*═╝

Bonus scene (as well as another wee times skip):

"omg i can't believe this is it!!" Honey jumped up and down beside you as you walked towards the restaurant. "i'm finally meeting her this is a dream come true"

"you know i honestly figured you'd be more excited to meet Ben" she just let out another squeal unable to verbally answer. she was excited to meet everyone for different reasons, Padme just happened to be the only person she really cared about. the bestie who helped her bestie as she put it.

the look in Honey's eyes when she laid eyes on her was definitely an i'm either going to faint or scream look. judging by the way she completely froze you guessed fainting was the higher possibility, slowly you pushed her towards the group, already sat amongst a conjoined table outside.

"y/n!" Padme cheered upon seeing you followed by an excited squeal when she saw Honey. "omg! it's good to finally see you in person!" she was out of her seat in an instant, giving you a long hug before her and Honey clung onto each other like long-lost siblings.

"you'd think she was the one introducing me" you joke before turning to the rest of the table and greeting everyone else, giving them all quick hugs before you sat down next to Anakin.

he gives you a kiss on the lips in greeting instead of a hug, putting his arm around your shoulder as you wait for the two girls still hugging to release each other and join you all.

"omg it's so weird seeing you all, i can't believe you're real" Honey snorts, plopping down on the empty seat next to Padme.

"so Opal, Rex, and Ben" she says listing off the last three members and pointing at them for confirmation- not that she needed it.

"it's an honor to meet you" Ben said sticking his hand out to which she happily, albeit shyly, shook.

"what is she famous? who greets someone like that" Anakin jokes and Ben just rolls his eyes, you smack his arm chastising him like a disobedient child to which he gives a dramatic 'ow' while rubbing his arm.

"hate to say it but i'm with Anakin that was oddly formal even for you Kenobi" Rex teases as well and Opal shrinks beside him feeling sympathy for Ben but much to shy to say anything to Rex.

"it was a normal greeting" Ben argues, feeling himself fluster under the spotlight of his friends. now that was rare, and an interesting sight to see.

"alright let's order food i’m starving" Padme pivots the conversation away from Ben's odd behavior.

the group of you all relearning how to navigate with each other along with Honey. it was easy though, everyone clicking into place like pieces of a puzzle. jokes and stories flowing from your mouths without a single awkward pause.

the warm breeze of summer blowing away with the new cool wind of fall with each passing second and shared laugh.

a/n: she’s here 😭 she’s finally here

i shall have my wattpad and ao3 up to date tmr whenever i wake up ✨

i’m going to be completely honest with you guys and say after the 2 am mark i forgot pretty much everything i previously wrote 💀 been writing purely off intuition 😀

anywhooo hope you guys enjoy fr 🫶🏼🫶🏼 you’ve been so supportive and i appreciate ever second of it!

a special thank you to @munsondjarin who is the whole reason this fic was even conjured up and @everydaydreamer who encouraged me to write it as well as let me bounce ideas off of her anytime i needed 💋💋 love you both sm

i’m not sure when the bonus smut chapter will be written or out but i shall keep you all posted and in the mean time i am finally going to write some fall fluff oneshots 🥳🥳 and also im going to be doing the rest of my august schedule

so please send in any questions you have for me surrounding the series, whether it be character info or inspiration or how i can up with certain names and so on✨

i’ll also be posting all of the cut dialogue and possible ways scenes were originally supposed to go (i took ss throughout the process before i deleted anything🙂‍↕️)

now if you excuse me i am going to pass out🥰 have a wonderful days huns Xx <3

tag list: @anakinskwkler @anakinstwinklebunny @divineani @huayan @poppysrin @bxbyysstuff @dollhobigem @skywalkercinema @corio-letit-snow @avatarobsessedgirly @kelsxxyawn @7xss @throughparisallthroughrome @humongouscatfest @rhiannonhippiegirl @akixxrafiiy @ter-luer @w0rsh1psells @bulllsseye @anitaxl @everydaydreamer

[laurentidal]

Intentions

"I know what you're up to, you know."

Cal turned and saw Mrs. Reynolds in the doorway. She'd come to visit her daughter, who had recently moved in with him. They hadn't met before yesterday morning when she'd arrived. They'd exchanged pleasantries, and the three of them had spent what he'd thought was a very nice weekend together. Ginny had just gone to bed and he was about to join her.

"I'm sorry?" he asked confused.

"This has been fun, but why don't you take a seat, Cal. I think it's time we put aside the game and speak plainly."

Having genuinely no idea what she was talking about, he agreed to sit.

"How long have you been working on this plan of yours?"

"Mrs. Reynolds I really am not sure what you're referring to."

"Oh please call me Joy. No reason to stand on ceremony now and even less reason to lie. We both know what you're really after, and I have to tell you that my daughter's inheritance is far from her grasp. I don't plan on shucking off this mortal coil anytime soon. It will be a long, long wait for you. Are you sure you're committed to the long haul?"

"I'm sorry. What inheritance, exactly?"

Joy raised an eyebrow. "The Reynolds Estate," she said simply. "When I die, Joy will be worth well over three hundred million dollars."

"WHAT?"

"Keep your voice down for God's sake. We've kept the truth from her so that she could live a normal life, but our competitors and our adversaries have always had eyes for her. People like you, Mr. Forman. It's my job to see that she'd protected."

She lifted a gold chain from between her breasts and at the end was a long sapphire teardrop.

"This is one of my more recent purchases. I've only had it about a year; hardly any sentimental value. Monetary value, however… It could be sold for nearly ten thousand dollars. It's yours if you admit to your deception and vow to give up the game."

The pendant spun gently on it's chain, catching the rays of the setting sun. It was beautiful and tempting. But Ginny was beautiful, too. And a gem would never love him the way she did.

"Consider your next move carefully, Cal. You can see this gem is worth a lot. You can see the perfection in its cut. You can see the richness of the color. Think long and hard about what your future is worth to you. Focus. Listen to my words. I'm giving you a wonderful opportunity."

Cal's eyes did indeed stay fixed on the crystal. He cursed himself in his own mind for even considering wealth over Ginny. But it was a lot of money. And the crystal was so pretty. The way it sparkled. The way it glimmered. The way…

"… it catches the light. You've been staring quietly so long it seems to me you've made up your mind, haven't you Cal. You want the gem. You can't think of anything else. It has captured you."

"Captured me…," Cal muttered weakly.

"Good. Now that your defenses are down, you will finally be honest with me. You must tell the truth, Cal."

"Yes, Mrs. Reynolds."

"Why did you pursue my daughter?"

"I think she's beautiful and fun." His voice seemed so far away, even to him. Words just tumbled out, unformed by his crystalized mind. "I love her."

"Nonsense. I told you you cannot lie. You must obey me, Cal."

"I obey, Mrs. Reynolds."

"Who are your parents, boy?"

"Stacy Forman and Gregory Forman, Mrs. Reynolds."

She paused. "You aren't related to John and Josephine Forman?"

"No, Mrs. Reynolds. I don't know anyone by those names."

Joy burst out laughing, causing the gem to wobble on it's chain. It's hold over Cal began to weaken. By the time she'd regained her composure, Cal was almost completely conscious again. He simply sat there, stunned by her revelation and her attempt to buy him off; and even more shocked by her success in entrancing him. He was almost too afraid to breath, remaining just as still as he had when he was under.

"What a fun turn of events. Of all the last names you could have had… Well in that case, Cal. I think I approve. You do seem like a lovely young man, now that I know you're not an interloper. I do have one condition, however."

She pulled off her dress, allowing her bare breasts to come into clear view.

"Ginny was making quite the assortment of sounds last night. I think you should give me the same treatment. After all, I'm going to make you very rich some day."

"Yes, Mrs. Reynolds," he answered, trying will all his might to pretend that she was still in control so that she would continue.

Thanks for reading! If you are a fan of my work, consider buying me a coffee. Any contribution is insanely appreciated. 💖

[rainisawriter]

Worth the Risk (Yuken)

Genre: Fluff, slice of life

Word Count: 4,484

Pairing: Reader x Yuken

World: High&Low

Request:

━━━━━━༻☔༺━━━━━

The bedroom was dark, the house silent as the rest of your family slept. A tiny sliver of moonlight was shining through the curtains, falling across the round clock that sat on the wall opposite the window.

You glanced at it and scowled in frustration, forcing your eyes closed once more. Only three minutes have passed since the last time you checked, though it felt as if an hour had passed. It was only three in the morning and you should be sleeping, but excitement was swatting at the sandman every time he tried to get close.

Rolling onto your side, you grabbed your phone off the bedside table and tapped the power button. A smile immediately came to your face when your eyes fell on the wallpaper.

It was a picture of you and Yuken from a few months ago, both of you smiling brightly. He had snuck his hand up behind your head at the last moment, using his fingers to make it look like you had tiny bunny ears.

The two of you lived nearly ten hours away from each other so you rarely got to see him outside of video calls. While the two of you spoke daily, it did feel hard sometimes. You missed the gentle way he held you and the subtle scent of his cologne filling your nose. You missed running your fingers through his silky hair and the feel of his plush lips against your own.

You gently rubbed your thumb over the screen, glancing at the time again. Another three minutes had passed, but you were feeling less annoyed after having seen his face. You never understood it, but he had this strange effect on you. Whenever you were sad or angry, he could flip your mood around with a single look or a few words whispered into your ear.

Seeing his face was enough because you knew that, in just a few hour’s time, you would be on the road toward Toaru city. It was going to be a long, torturous trip, but it would be worth it in the end. 

More importantly, you had decided not to tell him you were coming because you wanted to surprise him. You couldn’t wait to see his shocked expression when you appeared on his doorstep. Taking one last look at the photo, you returned the phone to the table before burying yourself under the covers.

After forcing yourself to lie still for ten minutes, you were finally able to drift off, dreaming of the man you loved so dearly.

━━━━━━༻☔༺━━━━━━

You stared out the train window with narrowed eyes, arms folded over your chest. Your finger was tapping roughly against your arm, leg bouncing up and down quickly to show off your annoyance. The scenery outside was still as the train sat, unmoving, on the tracks.

“Calm down,” chuckled your father, his eyes dancing with amusement as he peered at you over his newspaper.

“Why aren’t we moving? We’ve been sitting still for nearly twenty minutes!”

He quirked a brow before glancing at his watch. “It’s only been ten, dear.”

“Same thing!” You threw your hands up in frustration. “What do you think is going on?”

He hummed. “Perhaps a portal opened up and they’re trying to decide if it’ll take us to Hogwarts.”

“Dad, I’m serious!” You sent him an exasperated look and he chuckled.

“Calm down,” he set the newspaper onto the seat beside him before standing up. “I’ll see what I can find out.” He paused, sending you a grin. “Don’t get taken by a dementor!”

You rolled your eyes at his antics but a smile came to your lips despite the frustration you felt. You kept glancing between the window and the aisle as you waited for your father to return. About eight minutes later, he was sitting down across from you once more.

You looked at him expectantly but he just resumed reading his newspaper as if you weren’t waiting for him to speak. You narrowed your eyes at him, attempting to bore a hole into him. When you saw the corners of his lips twitch, you knew he was doing it just to annoy you. 

“Dad!”

“Hm? Yes, sweety?” He looked at you innocently yet he couldn’t hold back his shit-eating grin or the amusement dancing in his eyes.

“I swear, I’m going to pour coffee into the toaster when we get home.”

The grin immediately fell into a frown. “Not toasty! He’s old, you know!”

You rolled your eyes, giving him an exasperated look. “Sometimes I wonder which of us is the actual parent…”

He snickered. “A flink of cows were crossing the tracks so they’re trying together them out of the way.”

You blinked at him dumbly. “A flink?”

He nodded and the two of you just stared at each other.

When you realized he had no intention of explaining himself, you asked, “What the hell is a flink?”

“How do you not know?” He sent you a disappointed look, shaking his head. “A group of twelve cows is called a flink. What are they teaching you at that school?”

You scoffed in disbelief. “Unless someone plans to become a farmer, no one needs to know that information, dad. You and your useless information, I swear…”

“Hey, one day my useless information will come in handy and you’ll be grateful!”

“When? When would that ever possibly come in handy?”

“Well…” he tapped his chin in thought for a moment. “Say we get kidnapped -“

“Oh my god.”

“Right? That would be shocking.”

You sent him a deadpan look which he promptly ignored.

“Say the kidnapper is a quiz enthusiast. Maybe he was inspired by the Saw franchise. He looks over at us and says, ‘If you can answer a random question, I’ll set you free. If you fail, I’ll cut off eight limbs with a rusty hacksaw.'”

He purposefully made his voice deep and gravelly when he said this, clearly trying to imitate the ‘killer.’ This caught the attention of the woman sitting in the opposite aisle and she sent him a strange, horrified look. You returned it with an apologetic smile.

“Oi, dad, I don’t think -“

“If he asks about a group of twelve cows, I’ve just saved both of our lives.”

“He would never ask that!”

“You’re right, we live in the city so he’d be more likely to ask where the word ��squirrel’ originated from.”

“Dad -“

“It originated from the Greek words ‘skia’ and ‘oura’ which translates to Shadow Tail!” He grinned, sending you a look as if waiting for you to praise him for his knowledge.

Instead, you just exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of your nose. You could feel a headache coming on and there were still five hours to go before arriving in Toaru city. You loved your dad, but sometimes he was just too much of a headache.

After five more unwanted facts about squirrels, the train slowly started to lurch forward, the tracks squealing as it picked up speed.

“Finally,” you muttered, turning your gaze toward the window as the scenery started to pass by in a blur. 

With a satisfied nod, he picked up his newspaper and continued where he had left off, finally giving you some peace and quiet.

━━━━━━༻☔༺━━━━━━

You frowned, pulling the phone away from your ear. It was the fifth time you’ve called Yuken since arriving in the city and, each time, it went straight to voice mail. He wasn’t answering any of his text messages, either.

You had stopped by his home, as well, but his sister claimed that he hadn’t returned home from school yet. It was only five in the afternoon so this wasn’t too unusual, she claimed. He oftentimes didn’t return home until well after the sun had set.

What was unusual, though, was the fact that he was completely ghosting you. Unless he was sleeping, he always made time to answer your call or, at the very least, text you to let you know he was busy at the moment and couldn’t talk. You couldn’t remember a single time he had ignored you like this.

When the two of you first started dating, Yuken made you promise never to visit Housen without him. He claimed it was unsafe and he didn’t know what he would do if anything happened to you. Honestly, that was fine with you, but now? Now, you were considering breaking that promise.

Maybe you were just overreacting because the situation was unusual, but something felt off to you. There was a feeling that had settled in your gut upon first stepping off the train and it hadn’t gone away. You couldn’t put a name to it, though you knew it wasn’t anything positive.

The trip to Housen was uneventful, but you realized quickly why he didn’t want you to go there alone. The students were all large, beefy males with bald heads. They stared at you through narrowed eyes, watching every move you made as you slowly headed into the school. Honestly, you had to wonder if you were at the right place.

Surely Yuken would be bald, as well, if he attended this school, but you had run your fingers through his silky locks on more than one occasion and you knew it was real.

“Can I help you?”

Your head snapped to the side at the voice, seeing a tall, brown-haired male standing in the middle of the hallway. His hands were stuffed into the pockets of his grey uniform. A thick bandage was taped to his left cheek, eye bruised, a cut on his chin and his lip split. 

“Oh, um…” you shifted your weight, rubbing the back of your neck. “I’m looking for Odajima Yuken.”

Monji’s eyes narrowed at you suspiciously as he sized you up. You didn’t seem like a spy from another school and you had a different aura than the people he usually faced. He was confident in his ability to tell who was a threat and who wasn’t and he was sure that you were no threat. Even so, he wouldn’t let his guard down, as is expected of Housen’s future leader.

“Why are you looking for him?”

“He’s my boyfriend.”

Monji was caught off guard, eyes widening. Had he heard you correctly or was his concussion messing with his hearing? “E-Eh? What did you just say?”

“Yuken is my boyfriend,” you repeated with a frown, taking a worried step closer to him. “I’ve been calling him all day but he isn’t answering and I’m really worried!”

He could see the genuine concern within your eyes but he was still hooked on the claim that Yuken was your boyfriend. The taller male hadn’t mentioned anything about you nor had he dropped any hints that he was dating someone. “Can you prove it?”

“Huh?” You blinked dumbly.

“Prove that you’re dating him.”

You didn’t feel as if you needed to prove anything to this man, honestly, but your worry for Yuken was stronger and you would do anything if it meant you got to see him and know that he was okay. Tugging your phone from your pocket, you unlocked it before holding it out.

Monji took a step closer, eyes narrowed at the screen. He wasn’t sure what he was expecting and he was left completely surprised to see a picture of yourself and Yuken, embracing each other and smiling.

“Here’s your proof, now please go get him!”

“He’s not here,” frowned Monji, folding his arms over his chest. “But I’ll take you to him.”

“Where is he?”

“The hospital.”

Your eyes widened in shock, heart skipping a beat. “What? Is he okay?!”

“He will be,” he nodded, brushing past you and toward the door. “Odajima-senpai is one of our strongest members.”

With a confused frown, you started after him. Perhaps following someone you didn’t know was a bad idea yet you did so without hesitation, more concerned about your boyfriend than your own safety.

━━━━━━༻☔༺━━━━━━

Yuken sat up in bed, eating a cup of jello as he watched the tiny TV mounted against the wall. His leg was in a cast, propped up atop a stack of pillows. A white bandage was wrapped around his right arm and shoulder, a purple bruise resting against his cheek.

“It’s mine,” scowled Jinkawa as he tried to grab the chocolate pudding. “I called it first!”

Shidaken scowled, his own hand attempting to grab the pudding cup. “What, are you five? You can’t just claim something like that!”

“I just did!”

Sawamura sighed deeply. “If you’re going to argue, do it quietly. If the nurse scolds us again, she’s going to make us leave!”

Sabakan snickered from the bathroom as he looked into the mirror, fixing up his hair. “You’re yelling, too, Sawamura-kun.”

The bald male scowled at the comment, realizing Sabakan was right. What was he supposed to do, though? Those two didn’t respond to anything else. Half the time, they didn’t even respond to the yelling.

“First come, first serve,” snapped Jinkawa. “Eat the vanilla.”

“No way! The vanilla is sugar-free and tastes like ass!”

“Oh, how do you know what ass tastes like?” Sabakan quirked a brow as he stepped out of the bathroom. A smirk slid onto his lips when Shidaken’s face turned red at the implication.

“S-Shut up!”

“Stop yelling,” hissed Sawamura, glancing at the door when he heard footsteps out in the hall. “Yuken-san, say something to them.”

Yuken quirked a brow as the four boys turned to stare at him, waiting for him to speak. Honestly, he didn’t care one way or another, he just wanted to enjoy his jello in peace. Their arguing was giving him a major headache, too.

With a sigh, he placed his jello cup down and reached for the pudding. They held it tightly, making him scowl as he had to force it from their grip. Pulling the lid off, he grabbed a spoon and began to dip it out onto the empty plate sitting on the table. He created two piles on either side of the plate until the cup was empty.

“Happy now?”

The two males blinked at the plate for a moment before scowling and voicing their complaints. It was hard to understand what they were saying as they spoke over each other but they clearly weren’t happy. One thing he managed to understand was that, apparently, the piles were not even.

With a groan, his head fell back against the pillow, hand covering his eyes as the two started to argue over which pile they deserved. 

━━━━━━༻☔༺━━━━━━

As Monji approached Yuken’s room, he hesitated. He could hear the commotion inside and knew that the others had stayed with Yuken since the accident. They were a lot closer to him than Monji was so he worried about how they would take this news.

He had no doubt in his mind that Yuken kept you a secret to keep you safe and he had to wonder if he was doing the right thing by bringing you here. Perhaps he should have called ahead first to ensure that the other boys weren’t around.

You reached for the door but he held his hand up to stop you, earning a confused look.

“There’s something you need to know first…”

Your brow furrowed and you glanced nervously at the door. “How… how bad is he?”

“It’s not that, it’s just -“

There was a loud noise from inside the room, followed by the yelling of two males. With a racing heart, you pushed Monji out of the way and rushed into the room. The sound of the door slamming open caught the attention of the males inside, save for Jinkawa and Shidaken who were on the floor, wrestling.

Yuken felt the breath leave his lungs when he saw you and he tried to push himself up, wincing as pain shot through his leg. You rushed over to his side with a frown, quickly scanning his wounds.

“Don’t move,” you scolded softly, hand on his chest to stop him from getting up. 

He breathed out your name, hand resting over your own. “What are you doing here? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

“I wanted to surprise you,” you frowned. “You weren’t answering your phone and I got worried…”

“Ah, my phone…” He winced at the thought of his poor phone being drowned in the river. Sabakan had managed to find it, but despite days of sitting in rice, he had lost hope that his phone would dry out enough to be usable again. “I’m sorry for worrying you.”

You smiled softly, brushing his hair behind his ear. “I’m just glad you’re okay.” Your eyes flickered to his leg and your smile dropped a bit. “Well, mostly. What in the world happened?”

“It’s nothing, don’t worry,” he pouted. “I’m fine.”

You scoffed. “A broken leg isn’t nothing. And look at your beautiful face…” You gently brushed your thumb over the bruise.

Sawamura blinked dumbly at you, his gaze flickering to Monji and back. “Uh… who are you?”

Yuken cursed mentally when he realized that the two of you weren’t alone. Before he could speak, though, you straightened your back and introduced yourself to the bald male.

“It’s nice to meet you,” you bowed politely. 

Sawamura bowed back, brow furrowed in confusion. “How do you know, Yuken-san?”

Yuken tried to call out your name to stop you but you were quicker, responding without hesitation.

“He’s my boyfriend!”

The room went dead silent. Even Jinkawa and Shidaken finally stopped fighting, staring at you in disbelief. Yuken held back a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose because he knew what was coming.

In the blink of an eye, Jinkawa, Shikaden and Sabakan surrounded the two of you, screaming out questions that overlapped one another, making it impossible to distinguish what was being said.

You backed up against the bedside table, holding your hands up in surrender as you smiled nervously at the large men surrounding you. 

“Oi!” yelled Yuken with a scowl, grabbing Shikaden’s arm since he was the closest. “Knock it off!”

He scowled back in response. “How could you not tell us?!”

Jinkawa nodded, arms folded over his chest. “Seriously, Odajima! Not only are you dating someone, but you’re dating someone this cute and you didn’t tell us? I’m offended!”

Sabakan leaned toward you curiously, hand on his chin. “I’m curious how the two of you met. I mean, you’re clearly out of his league.”

“Hey!” Yuken’s scowl deepened at the insult. “This is why I didn’t tell you idiots.”

“How long have you been dating?” demanded Jinkawa, his dark eyes falling on you.

“Oh, um…” you glanced at your boyfriend and he sent you an apologetic look. “About a year -“

“A year?!” The three chorused loudly.

“Guys!” hissed Sawamura but it was too late.

The door was slammed open, a middle-aged woman appearing in the doorway with fire in her eyes. “That’s it! I’ve told you brats to keep it down five times and I’ve had enough! All of you, out!”

“But -” Jinkawa tried to protest but even he winced when her glare fell on him. He quickly bowed his head, muttering an apology before quickly leaving the room with the others following suit. 

Her eyes fell on you and you winced under the weight of her glare. “You, too!”

Yuken’s arm wrapped around your waist, tugging you down onto the bed beside him. His chin rested on your shoulder as he sent the nurse a pout. “If you kick everyone out, I’ll get lonely.”

She pursed her lips in thought, hands on her hips. After a tense moment of silence, she finally gave in to his request. “Fine, but if you create a ruckus like those boys, you’re out. Understand?”

You nodded quickly and when she finally left the room, you released the breath you hadn’t realized you were holding. 

Yuken chuckled softly. “She’s terrifying, right? I’ve never seen anyone put those guys into their place like that. It’s pretty amusing.”

You hummed, shifting on the bed so you could see him better. “As long as she’s taking care of you properly.”

“She’s a great nurse, don’t worry.” He leaned toward you, forehead resting against your own. “I’m sorry for worrying you, love. I should have called.”

“Don’t apologize. You getting rest and healing is more important.” You scanned his face with a frown, brushing the hair from his face. “Will you tell me what happened?”

He really didn’t want to because, truth be told, he felt embarrassed. Yuken was a strong man, a fighter who rarely lost to anyone. He took pride in his strength and his long-standing win streak and yet… the great Odajima Yuken had been bested.

By a fish.

The thought made him scowl, hand running through his hair in frustration.

“Yuken,” you stressed with a sigh. “If you’re trying to protect me, you’re a bit late.”

“Huh?” His head snapped toward you, eyes wide. “What do you mean? Were you hurt?”

“No,” you shook your head, chuckling at his reaction. His concern did bring about a warm feeling within your chest, though. “I’ve known since the day we met that you’re a delinquent.”

“How?” His brow furrowed as confusion and frustration collided within him. He had gone out of his way to ensure that you never found out about the lifestyle he had chosen only for you to tell him it had been all for naught.

“Your sister told me,” you admitted, offering him a sheepish smile. “That first week when we started to hang out with each other, she saw us on one of our dates. Before I left town, she tracked me down and told me that I needed to be careful.”

Yuken groaned, letting himself fall back against the pillow. “Damn it, nee-chan…”

You chuckled softly, hand resting on his stomach. “She was looking out for both of us. She didn’t want us to get close only for me to find out the truth the hard way and then break your heart.”

For a moment, he considered your words, his eyes finding yours. “You stayed…”

“I did. I knew the risks but… I believed the reward was worth the risk.”

“And was it?” he asked softly, his hand finding yours.

You couldn’t stop the smile that came to your lips as you leaned closer. “Yeah… it was definitely worth it.”

He grinned, propping himself up on his elbows so he could close the distance, claiming your lips. You didn’t hesitate to return it, head tilted to the side to deepen the kiss.

“Awwwwww!”

The two of you broke apart, heads snapping toward the door. Jinkawa and Shikaden were peering around the door with grins on their faces. Even the nurse was standing beside them with a warm smile on her face. When she realized she had been caught, her cheeks darkened and she cleared her throat.

“I told you boys to leave!” Her voice lacked the bite it had possessed earlier. She shooed them away, ignoring their protests.

Yuken sent you an apologetic look. “Sorry about them. They can be… a bit much.”

You chuckled. “So it seems, but they also seem nice. I’m looking forward to getting to know them.”

His eyes lit up with surprise. “You want to?”

“Your friends are my friends.” You paused for a moment before adding, “If you’re okay with that, I mean.”

“Absolutely,” he breathed, arms slipping around your waist so he could pull you against his body. “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too~ Now tell me what happened.”

He groaned, hugging you tighter. “Can’t you just forget about it?”

“Your leg is broken,” you scoffed. “Doesn’t exactly heal overnight, you know.”

“Fine, I’ll tell you,” he sighed, sending you a serious look when you sat up. “But you can’t laugh.”

“Scout’s honor,” you replied seriously, holding one hand up while placing the other over your heart.

He was quiet for a moment before sighing. “I was fishing with a friend of mine. It was a slow day and we barely got any bites. Then, out of nowhere, there was a heavy tug on my rod. It nearly flew into the river but I managed to catch it in time. This fish was huge, baby, and he was putting up quite the fight.”

You nodded as you listened to the story, taking note of how his eyes lit up as he recalled the memory. His hands were re-enacting it, as well, as if he could feel the rod in his hands once more.

“Todoroki-chan told me to cut the line when I was nearly pulled into the water, but I refused. I dug in my heels, determined to catch him!” He scowled at the window, eyes narrowed. “He was determined not to be caught, though, and, well…”

“Well?” You quirked a brow, waiting patiently.

A small dusting of pink came to his cheeks as he folded his arms over his chest. “I was pulled into the river…”

“You broke your leg from just falling in the river?”

“…”

“Yuken…”

“I didn’t let the rod go and the bastard dragged me through the water until I hit the large buoy… I tried to brace myself with my feet…”

“Ouch,” you winced at the thought, a frown on your lips. “Why didn’t you let go of the rod?”

“It was my favorite one… a Rodeo Ride Reviver 70XH Battle Cry with a limited edition dragon design printed on it! I barely slept for two weeks because I was trying to win it through a radio show and I finally got it! Take that, Yamisaka, you bastard.“

You stared at him for a moment, blinking slowly. When the words finally sank in, you couldn’t help but chuckle, bringing your hand to your mouth.

He frowned at you, arms folded over his chest. “You said you wouldn’t laugh… scout’s honor, remember?”

“I was never a scout,” you grinned.

He gasped dramatically, hand over his heart. “The betrayal…”

“I wasn’t laughing at you. I just didn’t realize you were so into fishing,” you explained with a smile. “You’re so cute when you’re talking about it.”

Yuken quirked a brow. “Am I not cute when I’m not talking about it?”

“Hmm…” You pretended to think about it, tapping your chin.

“Oi,” he scowled, nudging you with his uninjured leg. “That’s not something you should have to think about, ya know.”

“You’re always cute. You’re just cuter when you’re talking about your passions.”

A smile came to his lips, warmth filling him. He held his arms out and you didn’t hesitate to move closer, resting against his chest as his arms encircled you. Yuken wasn’t sure what he had done to deserve you but he was determined to never let you go.

━━━━━━༻☔༺━━━━━━

-> High&Low/Rampage Taglist: @kiraaaeon, @simpforchuchu, @star2fishmeg, @thatpoindexterpixy @manhwabtch

-> General Taglist: @asterhaze, @mrskenpachizaraki

[starssaroundmyscarssblog]

𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐔𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄, 𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋

pairing: teen!noel gallagher x fem!oc (fern gibson <3)

summary: in which noel tries not to get jealous over someone who he knows he shouldn't be worried about, and fern gets high for the first time to soothe the blow

word count: 2.92k

warnings: smoking, swearing, sexual references, mentions of past relationships with people who are now in a position of authority,

PART TWO IS HERE

noel was fucking fuming.

he tapped out the butt of his cigarette against the low pillars of the gates, grumbling and crushing it under his shoe. the bell had gone ten minutes ago, and there was still no sign of fern emerging from the brick building. noel was about to light up another and he drew a cigarette out of the packet with his teeth as his other hand reached into his jacket pocket for a lighter.

chesc and eloise emerged from around the corner, giggling behind their hands as they walked down the road to the bus stop. before they managed to cross, noel whistled out of the corner of his mouth and he beckoned the girls over when they looked up at the noise.

"have yous seen fern anywhere?"

chesc shook her head, "sorry, no. i can't remember what she had last."

he muttered again and was about to spin around on his heel to leave, thinking that waiting by her car would be a better idea. eloise pulled a crumpled piece of paper out of her pocket before he could leave, though. she adjusted her glasses onto her nose. "yeah, that's it. she's had philosophy."

"oh." noel nodded. then upon his second drag after offering it over to eloise, "ah. that does sound familiar now you say. how long d'you think she'll be?"

"anyone's guess. i'm sure they'd let you wait inside for her if you want."

he could have laughed at the notion. "nah, you're all righ'. your, er," he gestured down the road, "the bus is here if that's useful for ya."

eloise made an angry grab at his hand and pulled it closer to her mouth for one last, final drag and she exhaled slowly. "c'mon you," chesc pulled at the sleeve of her blazer, "if we don't hurry up all of the good seats'll be gone."

both girls crossed the road and chorused out "bye, noel" over their shoulders. then, just his luck as the last embers of his cigarette died out on his finger tips, fat drops of rain fell one by one from the rolling grey clouds. he dropped the butt out of mild shock and out of irritancy he hiked his shoulders up to his ears and walked through the gates.

he hadn't ever been too far into fern's school, only really up to the top of the stairs where they sometimes sat together during her lunch break in the summer term. noel pushed forwards through the open doors, sidling up to the reception desk where the receptionist was staring down rather intently at a form requesting absence during term time.

noel cleared his throat. "'ello." he said, tapping his knuckles awkwardly on the desk, "i'm looking for fern gibson. she's, er, late for her driving lesson." he hoped his lie would work.

the receptionist clicked her pen and held it from one end in her claw-like fingers, using it to push his hands away. "her last class of the day was philosophy with mr watson. however if she's not there i'm afraid i can't help you as it is technically after school hours."

"right . . . thanks?" noel remained rooted to the spot.

"will that be everything?" she asked, sighing heavily as she looked up once again from the document, expecting his to have gone.

"no, could you tell me which classroom it was? just in case she's there."

"h7, up the stairs and all the way down the corridor, take a left and then three rights. you'll see it, can't be missed."

noel's feet propelled him down the languages corridor off the main hall and away from the receptionist. he traipsed up the stairs and was beginning to feel increasingly uncomfortable in the environment. it was all polished wooden floors and high ceilings, long windows with even longer curtains and framed pictures as far as the eye could see.

he tried to imagine fern walking around between classes, sitting at desks and listening intently; it wasn't a hard task. what was tricky, though, was trying to see her walking around his catholic secondary school, sans blazer and clearly out of her depth amongst the sort of people who flocked through the blue gates every morning.

instead he could see fern perched in window sills along corridors with eloise and chesc, whispering to each other and talking about their weekend plans. at some point he hoped fern would talk about him, perhaps what film she'd forced him to watch or how nice he could actually be when he felt like the world and its mother wasn't watching him.

right at the end of the second right turn was the sports corridor, and noel's attention was dragged away from daydreaming about fern to looking at the glossy pictures secured behind hand-crafted frames. football teams were lined up next to newspaper clippings and cut outs from scoresheets at inter-school competitions.

in one about tennis, where a year eleven had won out in a city-based championship, there was a picture of a twelve year old girl running frantically across the court. noel recognised the name, lottie reid, because liam had come home one day swearing blind she was the squarest girl he'd ever met.

he complained as he kicked the football at the wall, complained as he was forced to sit at the dinner table and complete his spelling homework, and complained as he and noel were brushing their teeth much later that evening.

further along and finally in the corridor after the third right turning, were copied and framed prize-winning essays written by students. he saw something fern had written about the reformation, an essay by the girl she hated, jessica, about the harrying of the north, and something eloise had written about pride within 'othello'.

the door of h7 appeared halfway along, and noel breathed out a sigh of relief when he saw the back of fern's head through the sliver of glass. his relief was short lived however, when he noticed fern was leaning closer to talk over the desk towards a student teacher.

something in him clicked then, his beaten up leather jacket and scuffed trainers weighing heavily on his shoulders and feet in a school he shouldn't ever have been anywhere near. noel knocked on the door and regretted it as soon as he did, though fern's face breaking out into a wide smile when she turned and saw him settled an unease lurking at the back of his mind.

she walked steadily over to the door and opened it, pulling him in with a hand around his arm. "noel!" if his reluctancy wasn't obvious by his slow steps then he didn't know how he was going to tell fern, without grabbing her by the shoulders and telling it to her face, how he was increasingly uncomfortable and wanted to leave as soon as possible.

he stood near the door and cast his eyes around the room, much bigger than any class than he could remember at barlow r.c. there were desks placed two by two, covered in ink stains and spills running through the knots of wood on the surface. fern's place, in the middle of the room, was obvious. her blazer was draped over the back and she'd hooked her bag over her chair delicately.

noel looked at her looking intently at her teacher who looked vaguely familiar. fern was nodding and humming, occasionally pointing her pen at something she agreed with before writing it down at the end of her essay. he tapped his fingers against his thigh in impatience, looking at the hands of the clock inch further round the numbers, and noel wished he wouldn't ever start thinking that looking at fern was boring.

there was a slight smudge of eyeliner out of place from where she'd rubbed at it. behind her ear was a pink bruise blossoming into a deeper shade of mauve, and noel knew there was a matching one on the back of her calf. right on the tip of her chin was a dash of pen in the colour he knew eloise used. her nails drummed rhythmically on the back of her refill pad in a constant meter. fern's leg was bouncing up and down in a tell that noel knew meant she was impatient to leave.

"but i think that's everything for you there, fern, so if you get the chance to add some improvements leave it on my desk monday morning and i'll get it back to you as soon as i can."

noel nearly let out an audible sigh of relief as fern started to pack her things away into her bag. she winked at him as she pulled her blazer on and hiked the straps of her bag higher up her shoulder. "thanks, sir. sorry to keep you."

he followed fern as she walked closer to noel, wrapping her hand over his wrist in preparation to drag him out of the classroom. "no no, it's no trouble at all miss gibson. i'm here whenever you need me."

it was noel who was ready to grab fern and run then, when her teacher, who's face had just been connected to a name in his mind, left his hand on her shoulder. he hoped she wouldn't blush. a light tinge flooded from fern's nose and she cleared her throat to rush out a thank you before wrenching the door open and shutting it firmly behind her.

she looked at noel guiltily, and avoided his stern gaze by pretending to pat her pockets down for something. "don't even start i'm not in the mood for it," she said and shot off down the corridor without another look behind her.

fern marched around corners and down the large stair case. she shoved open the doors to the school with her shoulder, leaving just enough time for noel to grab them and slip out behind her. the receptionist had gone home, leaving half-completed paperwork abandoned on the desk.

it was still raining when fern reached her car, and her hand slipped from the handle when she tried too hard too quickly to open it. when noel eventually caught up with her, fern was leaning diagonally with her forehead planted against the roof of her car, bag hanging open on her shoulder.

noel gently took her car keys from her hand and opened the car for her, feeling like he was folding her up and unravelling her in the drivers seat. fern slumped forwards and lay, rather dramatically, over the steering wheel as noel sat in awkward silence. he began to shuffle through the cassette tapes he'd filled the glovebox with in an effort to distract himself from fern's theatrical display of emotion.

eventually, fern slowly fixed herself upright. "sorry," she sighed, "i didn't know he was coming back. really."

when fern pulled onto her driveway, rather quickly sending her and noel jolting sideways, she was still arguing with him. "i'm telling you, i didn't know he'd come back." she unlocked the front door and stormed up the stairs, and noel heard a crash he assumed was her school bag being thrown into a corner of her room.

"that's not what i care about, fern, and ye fucking know it." noel yelled back, hanging his jacket over the banister at the foot of the stairs. she blazed past him still in her uniform and beelined for the kitchen. noel followed her, ignoring her setting up her notebook on the breakfast bar. he stood on the other side of the counter, arms folded over his chest.

fern glared up at him, pen held so tightly her knuckles were turning white. "well then what is it you do care about, noel?"

"that you didn't tell me when he did come back. you know i can't fuckin stand him and you never even thought to pissin' tell me!" he argued back, fighting the urge to grab the essay fern had written, that was covered in his handwriting, in both hands and tear it apart.

she scoffed behind her hand. "like that would have gone well."

noel pulled his head up to look right at her. fern had her eyes cast down to where she was re-writing parts of her homework onto a blank piece of paper, chin balanced on her hand as her eyebrows raised in anticipation for his response. he could hear her smirk and when she let out a little scoff and mumbled "thought so" noel opened the french doors and stepped out onto the patio.

fern watched out of the corner of her eye as he brushed down one of the chairs from the set of patio furniture and lit up a cigarette. against her better judgement, fern stared at the flex of his vein as noel clicked his lighter a few times, tucking it into his pocket once the cigarette he held in his lips caught the flame.

she tried to look at her essay and really take in the feedback she'd gotten from mr watson, but the glint in his eye when he told fern that noel was shuffling about outside the classroom kept her mind away from school work. outside, noel reached out to tap the end of his cigarette out in the ash tray abandoned in the middle of the table, but when he noticed fern shuffle her chair slightly closer to the doors noel moved his hand to the side.

fern was out of her chair and right infront of him faster than he could blink. "do you mind not tapping it out on the actual table? there's an ash tray for a reason."

"thought you were too busy reading what hugo's written specially."

if anyone else had spoken to her like that, noel would have expected fern to flounce away with a sharp turn of her heel. instead all he did was simply hold out the cigarette to her. she put her hand out to take it from him but noel only gestured with his head for her to sit down next to him. eyeing him cautiously, fern sank into the chair and leaned closer.

noel lifted up the cigarette to her lips and fern took a long drag, exhaling heavily. "come on. i'm really sorry."

"yeah, i know."

it wasn't that noel didn't like hugo (it really was, he fucking hated the cunt), it was more the fact that fern had a thing with him before he left to become a teacher. hugo was a year older than fern and noel, and while noel didn't associate with anyone or anywhere related to st augistine's day and boarding school, it left him with an uneasy feeling of dread whenever fern or her friends would mention her old boyfriend around him.

he had trouble with saying the words 'i'm sorry' even to fern, so offering her the rest of his cigarette was the next best thing. noel watched her cheeks hollow as she took the last three drags, and patted his knee when felix came streaking around from the side of the garden shed to preen around his legs. the small cat hopped up onto noel's lap and settled there, contently purring away, until a bird landed in the middle of the garden.

felix dug his claws in and pounced, using noel as a spring board and, not looking back at the small "fuck" that sent fern's eyebrows raising into her fringe, stretched his small body out for the bird that fluttered away as quickly as it had landed.

as felix settled into the middle of the garden, stalking away into the bushes to claw his way up the trees where the birds were chirping eagerly, noel thought enough time had passed to allow him to broach the question to fern. "are you still okay to drop me off at mike's tonight?"

she hummed. "i was thinking of coming with you, actually."

"that'll be-" noel had half-risen from his chair and remained so still it was like he'd been paused. "what?"

fern looked at him, feigning confusion. "last night, you said i could come with you if i wanted to."

"ha, um, look fern i wasn't really thinking perfectly straight when i said that." she pulled the same face at him that she'd done the night before. the one she made right before she pulled him into her room after mrs gibson had let him in through the front door, and pushed him down onto the middle of her bed only for fern to get halfway through palming him through his trousers when she declared she had homework to do.

upon recollection, in his haze of fleeting pleasure, there was a slight chance that noel had let the question slip. the look in fern's eye was far too much to take even for him, and he would have given in there and then if it wasn't for the chance that one of her neighbours could look out of their window to see a pair of teenagers getting it on in her parent's garden.

if anything, noel knew he had to make up for his overreaction to fern choosing, probably for the better because he knew he could be a miserable cunt at the best of times, not to tell him about hugo watson. he sighed and led her back inside, only to ask if he could use the phone.

"fine, you can come. but none of this prissy princess bullshit, and don't smoke, eat or drink anything that i don't give directly to you."

🪩⁺˚⋆｡°✩₊🎸

[nexility-sims]

𝐍𝐎. 𝟓   ❛ 𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 ❜   |   THE DEN & NAKAWE PALACE, AUGUST 1991

❧  𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲  /  𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠  /  𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬  /  𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭.

   ❛  She’ll be here any minute.' Arnaut proffered yet another empty explanation to fill the silence. The premier granted forty-five minutes, but he had already spent fifteen giving intermittent assurances that Leonor was en route, delayed in some unpreventable way. Although known as gregarious and energetic, Premier Eladio Guillen sat across from Arnaut this entire time with a small, static smile. The anticipatory silence that dragged on seemed not to faze him. Waiting grated Arnaut’s nerves, meanwhile, as did attempting to puzzle out Guillen’s thoughts. Every minute of quiet that passed constituted some kind of failed test, he was certain. Yet, he exhausted his list of aide-approved topics within the first three minutes, and Guillen resisted his efforts to sidetrack the stillborn conversation into small talk. It could only be taken as a clear, loud message that the premier preferred to sit in total silence than humor Arnaut’s attempts. 

❧ important psa: leonor is her grandmother's granddaughter; additionally, i did not proofread much and should've so sdjfsdf if you notice anything off, no you didn't !!!

𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐝 & 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭 ↓

In fact, Leonor was due to be there any minute. She was in the parking garage of Nakawe Palace's complex, and she had arrived there just ten minutes past the appointed time. What kept her was the newspaper she’d snagged from a stand on Oceanside Avenue. It wasn’t a respectable publication, certainly not Nakawe’s paper of record, but its headline for the day caught her eye. That was rare. Even if tabloid chatter affected her subliminally, she wasn’t one to read the stories or pay much attention to the headlines. The newsstands she passed in the course of daily life were easy to ignore; someone delivered her preferred papers and magazines each morning, whether or not she planned to open them. This paper’s claim cut through the inane, sensational fabrications about her body, her love life, the silly woes with which some two-bit copywriter claimed to empathize.

It was almost certain that her having bought a copy of the day’s paper accusing her drug abuse would become tomorrow’s headline. At any rate, the shocked vendor stared. So too did other pedestrians as they passed. The speculation wrote itself. Why, after all, would she have bothered if there wasn’t something to it? Incensed, morbid curiosity wouldn’t do. There had to be a more salacious explanation; it was the one that argued her interest was somehow proof of guilt. But, the simple truth was that she had gasped at the sight of it: a grabby headline, juxtaposed photos innocuous on their own but damning in this contrived context, an authoritative quotation of concern from some anonymous acquaintance. The front page promised a full story unfurled inside, and Leonor, who had never been accused of wrongdoing in her life, became consumed with the need to know every lie printed within the pages. 

As she sat in the car, reading about how her alter-self had become obsessed with benzos and tried heroin with a hard rock band, she knew there was no recourse. The Crown wouldn’t respond. These papers could publish whatever they liked, and they weighed that freedom against the constriction of access it only sometimes engendered. Leonor’s people had been silent and inflexible since winter—a moribund policy rolled over from before, when she was an off-limits teenager regarded as inseparable from the entity of her mother. Perhaps that was why she became fair game once the mourning moratorium lifted. More likely, the press’s the dark underbelly dwellers knew the larger apparatus of the royal family saw value in any public discourse about its members. Individual reputations were less of a concern, especially when the Crown itself and more reputable papers churned out flattering, factual stories to complicate any emerging narratives. For some time, gossip and relevance went hand-in-hand. Beatriz’s vision of the monarchy was increasingly a flirtatious one, winking when provocation paid off and demurring when it didn’t. Leonor had never needed to think too hard about it. Her mother went through the grinder time and time again, but her popularity remained intact, and she hadn’t ever let on, at least to her daughter, how terrible it felt. 

It was within Leonor’s power to huddle her team and insist they at least pretend to respond. Her little household was hardly autonomous, but it didn’t need to be. Leonor complaining to her grandparents about rude tabloids would get her nowhere; a conversation among aides about public relations, on the other hand, at least created an official paper trail of bureaucratic value. Yet, that was why she found herself frustrated. This paper she held in her hands trumpeted glaring, clumsy lies. Those lies, however, didn’t need to be rooted in fact if they had been planted in a context that made them feel plausible. For the average Uspanian, the takeaway wasn’t in the details. Most people cast idle glances at the newsstands, noticing ugly candids and buzzwords, passively gleaning less of a coherent story and more of an ambient sense. Leonor’s new friends and hangouts weren’t the kind of blank slate she had been. They came with their own public associations, jumbled facts, wild fabrications. These particular details were false, and The Den remained a locked vault to the public, but it wasn’t outlandish to imagine her as part of the scene if ample photographs and videos suggested she was. 

Leonor closed the paper and laid it on the passenger seat. It sat there, folded, for just a few seconds before she snatched it up again. Quickly, angrily, she tore at it. It wouldn’t rip down the middle, so she yanked out the pages instead. They shredded into scraps as she pulled wildly with haphazard, hurried fingers. Almost as fast as the impulse struck, it ran out of steam. Leonor stopped what she was doing and, feeling satisfied but far from content, tossed the mangled paper into the backseat. 

When Leonor entered the premier’s sitting room, Arnaut watched with disbelief. She strolled in appearing unperturbed by her tardiness, and the apology she offered to Guillen as he rose to clasp her hands was simple at best. It didn’t bother him. His reception of her made his demeanor toward Arnaut earlier that afternoon seem lukewarm—unwelcoming, even. They interacted like people who were well-acquainted; Guillen’s famed charm leapt out as he kissed her cheek and made a joke about Nakawe’s drivers, and Leonor took up space in the room with ease.

Arnaut knew, in theory, he had received an upbringing not dissimilar from hers. They learned the same rules of comportment, and they learned the art of politics from the same teachers. In preparation for today, they had received the same briefs with identical preparation from the same team of aides. Yet, as Leonor settled into the sofa beside him and suggested with unimpeachable authority that they get to work, Arnaut felt the distance between them stretch to its true size. There was no substitute for experience, and there was no hiding its absence. Arnaut had been on the periphery of Uspanian public life for over a decade. Everyone remembered him as the immature, troublesome spare he had been. They viewed his life abroad as suspect. Worse, each day brought a litany of small reminders that no one much cared about who he was now or who he intended to become. 

The television summarized it well just a few nights prior. These days, Arnaut watched news broadcasts as if it were a ritual, often doing so with a pen and pad that Lorraine politely ignored. USB’s evening news hour aired interviews with passersby on the streets of Nakawe as part of its programming. One elderly woman, prompted for an opinion on the crown prince, had furrowed her brow deep and hard. ‘Well, I think he is in for the most tragedy,’ she said finally. ‘People don’t change at forty. They just don’t. I lived long enough to know. You grow up right into who you are. So, what Uspana needs, he isn’t.’

Arnaut had been so immediately agitated by despair that he leapt from the couch and began to pace, talking aloud of how easy it would be to identify the woman, to find out where she lived, to go there with a box of sweets and get on his knees and beg her to change her mind. ‘Let me prove it to you,’ he would plead, holding her frail hands. Perhaps he would cling to her feet and even  pepper the crooked toes peeking from her sandals with supplicatory kisses. ‘Give me a few good years to show you that I’m different.’ That was how he would frame it, too. She was right that it was a fool’s errand to prove he could change. What he hoped—the hopes that were, almost daily, dashed to dust—was that someone different lurked under the surface, suffocated for too long but real enough to show his face if Arnaut somehow found a way.

That way was elusive, although Arnaut knew he would never find it if he capitulated so easily. Today’s meeting felt bungled already, but he pushed himself to see Leonor’s arrival as a reset, as a reinvigoration, rather than a performance of naturality that he could never possess. He struggled to believe in his heart that the ability to rule flowed through his veins as much as hers, but it was more compelling to remind himself that he had been trained for this, too. Had he been as serious about it as she had, that deceptive distance between them would be more of a trench than a canyon. What mattered now was exactly that: he was serious now and, if the unexplained absence meant anything, perhaps even more serious than she was. 

As the conversation turned to business, Guillen let out a sigh. “Fast-tracking legislation when there’s a passing is no way to run a government,” he explained, his tone light and wry even as he regarded them both with an earnest look of condolence. 

“We’d be doubling offshore drilling in memory of Mario Esparza,” Leonor quipped. The comment prompted a laugh from Guillen, who pointed at Leonor and nodded emphatically. 

Arnaut, meanwhile, sat bemused and wearing a vacant smile. The name didn’t ring a bell. He knew enough about the politics to understand why the policy idea was ridiculous, but he wasn’t privy to the personal backstory that gave it flavor in this context. Arnaut had once believed the capital to be a slow-paced, change-resistant bastion of tradition. The monarchy was sometimes accused of being arrested by its reverence for the old ways, and the legislative assembly had its own superficial but no less real way of doing things. People were the backbone of that. Perhaps naively, Arnaut had expected to find the same names in circulation a decade later. He hadn’t accounted for the turnover, but he also hadn’t accounted for how poorly acquainted with those people—with them, with their place in politics, with their connections to others, with the culture that glued them all together—he had been. It was difficult to insert himself now, knowing he had passed up the opportunity to belong as intuitively to this world as everyone around him did. 

Having noticed Arnaut’s expression, Guillen asked, “You remember Mario, right? You’ve met Paula?”

“His wife?” Arnaut, with the urgency of panic, responded.

Leonor snorted, and Guillen raised his brows before clarifying, “His daughter. She’s filling his seat until the provincial election is held, so I assumed—”

“Forgive my uncle,” Leonor said, casting a look his way. “He’s not in the know about any of this. Good thing it’s not his job to be, huh?”

It was clear Guillen wanted to chuckle, but he remained quiet with his lips quirked in a smile that Arnaut found somehow just as offensive. He looked away from the premier’s expression to regard Leonor with quizzical eyes. 

Apparently not finished, Leonor added, “You haven’t asked yet, but I’m going to assume Diago Tegridia has been talking to you. He’s never been a fan—especially not of the part about funding students’ studying abroad. My mother planned to massage him on it, but he won’t take any of my uncle’s calls, so—” 

Arnaut, growing nervous, laughed. “Well, I wouldn’t say that—”

“No? I suspect it’s because he offended him during a hallway chat,” Leonor said with a shrug. “Like with Paula? Similar misstep. If you don’t know who’s who and what’s what, that makes it hard to do business, doesn’t it?” 

“That’s not relevant, Leonor, is it?” Arnaut asked. From the corner of his eye, he saw Guillen sitting with the same amused, forbearing smirk on his face. “This meeting has nothing to do with Representative Tegridia, and definitely not a casual conversation we might’ve had.”

With an eyeroll, Leonor laughed, “There, see?”

Guillen nodded and offered Arnaut what was, it seemed, his best attempt at a placating smile. “I’ll admit,” he began, looking from Arnaut to Leonor, “Diago does have strong opinions, and I’ve been inclined to hear him out where he has expertise. But, alright, why don’t you walk me through the particulars again—to save time, just make the counterargument to his?” 

Leonor turned more fully to face Arnaut, her expression expectant. They stared at each other for a long moment while he assessed the challenging look in her eyes and what she wanted from him,. He remained all too aware that Guillen was staring and judging, too. More than a challenge, Arnaut saw mischief in her eyes. Leonor was unwilling to look away or say anything. The corners of her lips were curled—not altogether a smirk, perhaps something more predatory, as if she intended to bare her teeth instead of break into a smile. The more seconds passed, the more pleased she seemed. 

He turned back to Guillen with a sigh, concluding, “… I’ll let Leonor take the lead.”

TRANSCRIPT:

RENZO | Have I see you in blue? In person. LEONOR | Maybe once?

RENZO | It looks good. Black is better. Brown. White, whew. LEONOR | It’s for work. Work! I’m going to be late. Poor uncle.

RENZO | He’ll be alright? LEONOR | He’s a big boy. RENZO | Stick around a little longer? LEONOR | Nice try.

ARNAUT | She’ll be here in a minute.

GUILLEN | [Sighs] Fast-tracking legislation when there’s a passing is no way to run a government.

LEONOR | We’d be doubling offshore drilling in memory of Mario Esparza.

GUILLEN | You remember Mario, right? You’ve met Paula? ARNAUT | … His wife? [Leonor snorts] GUILLEN | His daughter. She’s filling his seat until the provincial election is held, so I assumed—

LEONOR | He’s not in the know about any of this. Good thing it’s not his job to be, huh?

LEONOR | You haven’t asked yet, but I’m going to assume Diago Tegridia has been talking to you. He’s never been a fan—especially not of the part about funding students’ studying abroad. My mother planned to massage him on it, but he won’t take any of my uncle’s calls, so— ARNAUT | Well, I wouldn’t say that—

LEONOR | No? I suspect it’s because he offended him during a hallway chat. Like with Paula? Similar misstep. If you don’t know who’s who and what’s what, that makes it hard to do business, doesn’t it? ARNAUT | That's not relevant, Leonor, is it?

ARNAUT | This meeting has nothing to do with Representative Tegridia, and definitely not a casual conversation we might’ve had. LEONOR | There, see?

GUILLEN | I'll admit, Diago does have strong opinions, and I’ve been inclined to hear him out where he has expertise. But, alright, why don’t you walk me through the particulars again—to save time, just make the counterargument to his?

ARNAUT | … I’ll let Leonor take the lead.

ARNAUT | Where are you going? We’re debriefing upstairs in five minutes. LEONOR | Clocking out early. ARNAUT | Did you let Central know? It’s a weekday. You can’t leave the premises without giving them notice. LEONOR | [Chuckles] No, you’re just not supposed to.

ARNAUT | You don’t think anyone will notice the … slacking off? Talk? LEONOR | What, are you going to tattle on me? ARNAUT | I don't have to. I’m just saying it’s a bad look. Trust me.

LEONOR | You should worry about yourself, uncle. Trust me.

[therapycat21]

His True Obsession Act One

Ultimate Masterlist KOFI Ask a question

Word Count: 1315

115 A.C

"What should we do with her?" Daemon and Rhaneyra stood in the deep forest, Rhaenyra cradling the new babe. She couldnt belive someone would just abandon the poor baby girl. She shook her head, tears filling her eyes "I don't know" she looked to Daemon with a question in her eyes, he started to shake his head, knowing exactly what she was alluding to. " Rhaenyra, we don't know who she is, where she came from, we can't just take her" he tried to reason. 

Rhaenyra wouldnt budge, shaking her head, a stony look in her eyes and cradling the shivering baby closer to her chest "we are not leaving her, I'm taking her back with us, I don't care If I need lie and tell everyone I kept her a secret" she was already feeling exhausted "we are taking her home".

Daemon stared at Rhaenyra, knowing she wouldn't budge, when she made her mind up she stuck to it, he sighed, hands on hips before nodding at her "Okay, let's get her home then."

125 A.C

10 Years Of Age

It has been ten years since Rhaenyra brought home her beloved daughter, Viserra Targaryen. Viserra was a beautiful young girl. She had pure chocolate brown hair and hazel eyes. 

She was known to be a very sweet and caring woman. She could also be fierce and stand up for the people she cared about which would include the now one-eyed prince. The families have been through a lot, especially now as the families gathered in a room, Viserra stood near her mother and watched on as Alicent was tending to Aemond who sat in a chair with his eye bleeding and gone. 

Rhaenyra held a tight grip on the young girl to stop her from running over to her dear friend. Viserra and Aemond stared at each other, not hearing the current discussion until they heard Alicent start talking. "That is insufficient" Alicent stared at Viserra's grandsire in shock and anger "Aemond has been damaged permanently my king" she tried to explain to Viserys. The king looked on in despair, not knowing where to go, siding with his beloved daughter or his wife.

Viserys sighs "I know Alicent, But I cannot restore his eye." Aliecent looks on at her husband in anger "No, because it's been taken." Everyone can see Viserys getting frustrated at his dear wife.

"What would you have me do?" his voice almost dripping in desperation for a solution. Visera stares at the conversation, her eye no longer on Aemond who keeps his eye on the young girl. "There is a debt to be paid," Alicent says, she turns to face Rhaenyra and her family. "I shall have her daughter's eye in return." Everyone looks at the queen in horror at the request.

Aemond jumps from the chair and places himself in the center of the family. "No! Viserra's done nothing wrong to me." Alicent, eyes wide with tears stares down at her maimed son. "My dear wife". Viserys touches the queen's arm, she whips towards him, voice emotional "He is your son Viserys, your blood."  Viserra watches on in horror, fearing she will be maimed like Aemond, the young children look at each other, Viserra staring in fear and Aemond with a promise he'll protect his dear friend. They break eye contact when they see Alicent rush forward to Rhaenyra, a blade held above, begging to be used against the princess.

After gaining control of the queen and Rhaenyra getting sliced on the arm Aemond walks closer to face his parents "Do not mourn me, Mother. It was a fair exchange. I may have lost an eye...but I gained a dragon." Alicents stares down at her maimed son teary-eyed, Viserys looks down at Aemond with a slight smile before dismissing everyone. As the families leave, Viserra stays in her spot, Aemond looks over at the young girl giving her a reassuring smile, not knowing this would be the last time they would be near each other in ten years.

135 A.C dragon stone

20 Years Of Age

Viserra looked on as they made their way from Dragonstone, where the family has lived the past ten years to Kingslanding where her Gransire has been ill the past ten years. Viserra could feel the nerves exiting her stomach, she hadn't been able to speak or talk to her beloved uncle Aemond for the past ten years. 

She has tried to send letters but after sending them she would come back to find a new one placed on her bed to be added to the ongoing pile of letters she wrote her uncle. Someone was intercepting her letters to him. But thankfully she had them in her belongings, wrapped in ribbon.

"Viserra, are you alright?" Viserra was broken from her thoughts by her mother caressing her arm, she gave her mother a reassuring smile, not replying as they continued their way to Kingslanding. Viserra continued to stare at the empty sky, thinking about him. He probably hasn't thought of her in years, if only she knew how wrong she was.

Aemond has never forgotten his dear niece, out of all of the children growing up, Viserra was the only one he would confide in for any and everything. After losing his eye from the brutal maiming from his nephew, his eye has healed fully, and in its place rests a citrine gem, the same color his niece would wear. 

Even though Viserra was a Targaryen she very rarely ever wore the house colors, always opting for a pastel yellow or brown. The townspeople always found that to be strange considering she was not of House Lannister. Viserra confided in Aemond years ago how she always found herself drawn to the house color. 

No one knew of the citrine gem replacing his eye underneath the eye patch he was always found to wear. Aemond has always found a way to incorporate the color into his clothing, both where you can and can't see.  Everyone however did see the bright yellow pin he wore on his black tunic, the circular yellow pin up close only contained a singular strand of blonde hair of one Viserra Targaryen. 

She gifted to him one day out of the blue when they were children, she was known to make random gifts for people, which they cherished.

Awaiting the arrival of the family, Aemond sits at the table with his family, watching as they all interact, Aegon of course drinking, and Haelana speaking in her riddles. Aemond sits stoically, emotionless as he waits to finally see his beautiful Viserra. "And hopefully Aemond has accepted the betrothal from lord borros to his daughter" The voice of his grandsire breaks him from his thoughts of Viserra, He looks to see his mother and Grandsire looking at him expectingly. 

He turns his head looking away from the pair. Alicent sighs, knowing what he is communicating, and she leans forward "Aemond, it is your duty and you are well past the age" she tries to explain,  Aemond snorts slightly "Mhm, you know exactly why I refuse to be betrothed to one of the Barros bastards." The mother and son stare at each other in despair. 

Otto Hightower looks on in confusion before turning to his daughter "What is he talking about Alicent?" Alicent looks at her father, she refuses to tell him the real reason why Aemond won't marry. She shakes her head giving him a reassuring smile "Nothing Father, Aemond is just being stubborn" She looks to Aemond "Right Aemond?".

All she got in return was a pursed look "Mhm". Aemond stands abruptly and marches out of the room, silver hair swaying behind him. Alicent stares at her son's retreating form. She always thought one of her children would betray her, she only hoped it was not him.

[clearlydiamondz]

Loyalty to Royalty

Erik!Stevens x OC

Part Six

- - - - - - - - - -  

Princess Imani was the black sheep of her family, never really fitting the female royal type. When an arranged marriage between Prince   N'Jadaka and her is set up, she tries her hardest to get away... but she just can’t.

Warning: Smut

- - - - - - - - - -  

The following morning, the sun hit through the window at just the perfect timing as the dawn light filled the room. Imani rolled over, immediately being faced with N'Jadaka in his bed. Noticing that they were both naked, a blush slowly started to creep her face.

To say how much different he was in bed versus not, it was like the sun and moon. He wouldn't dare disrespect her if she told him to go do something, there was no hesitance because there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for her. Outsiders may look within the relationship and assume that she was the one that took charge, and he listened to her.

Now, he established that when pushed to the limit, he can assert his dominance when needed. Honestly, that is what made Imani turned on by the man. One thing though, his tautness was shown in and out of bed, she didn't know if she hated it or it made her pussy wet... or both.

She grabbed her phone off of the nightstand, picking it up to see the time, it was about ten minutes till six in the morning. "Fuck." she groaned, knowing that they had a radio interview and an interview with one of the political channels. She sat up, yawning as she grabbed the covers, wrapping the white comforter over body before shaking Erik.

"It's time to wake up." she groaned. His snoring stopped but his eyes were still closed, not moving at all as he stayed damn near dead. She rolled her eyes, pushing the covers off his body, almost regretting it as he was experiencing morning wood. She couldn't help but stare at it, almost wanting to touch it but wasn't sure if he would enjoy it.

"If you gonna look at it, you might as well touch it." he groaned as she looked back at him in shock.

"I wasn't-"

"You sure you wanna sit up here and lie?" he asked peaking his eyes open, placing his hands behind his head. She kissed her teeth, trying not to make it noticeable that she was indeed intrigued by his situation downstairs. He sat up against the headboard, as he grabbed her putting him onto his lap she let out a groan, feeling his dick against her thigh.

"Jadaka, we gotta get ready.." she started to moan as he laid kisses on the side of her neck, tracing his back with his hands.

"Mhmm, I know. I can make it quick." he said, reaching between the two and rubbing her clit with his thumb. "Pretty please." he looked up at her, circling his tongue around her exposed nipple.

"Fuuck..." she closed her eyes almost giving in. "No." she jumped off of him as he raised an eyebrow at her. She chuckled angrily at herself as she turned down some more good dick, but she knew what she had to do. "You are soo.." she couldn't even finish her sentence as he smirked at how bad she was struggling. "Ugh. Just get ready." she looked on the ground for some clothes as he smiled at her struggling. Finding a T-Shirt on the ground, she put it on, cursing herself for not having any underwear. Grabbing her things, he grabbed her hand before kissing her on the lips, before he depended the kiss.

"At least lemme get a taste of that pussy before you leave." he whispered at her as she gasped. He raised an eyebrow with a smirk, as she bit her lip.

"Jadaka.." she trailed off as a warning.

"What, you gave me a taste of that sweet pussy and expect me not to want it? You keeping that pretty pussy from me?" he asked her tilting his head, smiling at her. Just like clock worth, she placed her phone on the desk. The throb that she felt in her pussy now, she needed more than just that.

She got back on the bed, sitting on his thighs as she spat on his dick and rubbed it in. "What you about to do?" he asked, intrigued by her actions. She didn't say anything, as she hovered over his dick slowly inserting herself.

"There you go, just take this dick." he moaned as she put her feet flat beside him, grabbing the head board and going to work. If all he had to do was talk nasty to her to make her give up her goodness, this was gonna be one hell of a ride.

With her being turned on by him, and him being damn near a professional freak, they would just be going at it.

The herb didn't help either... for either of them.

"Oooh.." she gasped, feeling him a lot more deeper. "Fuck, I feel you in my stomach." she moaned, gilding along him nice and slowly. She was still sensitive from the night before, as they went at it for hours.

"Freaky ass, all I gotta do is beg your lil nasty ass." he asked her as she nodded. "Answer me." he smacked each of her ass cheeks.

"Fuck yes, Jadaka! Fuck!" She went about in circular motions with her hips as she bounced, Erik looking at her in complete shock.

"There you go. Making daddy feel so fucking good." he smacked her ass again. She fell onto her knees as he laid on his back still into her. She then continued to bounce her ass on his dick, the clapping noises heard in the room as he matched her rhythm.

"Fuck you got some good pussy on you girl." he grunted smacking her ass multiple times. Sure enough, there was going to most definitely be marks on her ass with the way Erik was obsessed with it. She reached behind her as she spread her ass cheeks and pussy as Erik moaned in her ear.

"Yeahhh that's right. Spread that pussy for daddy, damn." he groaned into her ear. If only he could see what they looked like from the back.

It was almost like she read his mind, because she stopped her movements and turned around with his dick still inside. Getting back into position, with her elbows propped between his legs, she started to bounce her again. From the view alone Erik knew he was going to bust. The way her wetness coded his dick, how her pussy tugged every time she would come back up. She spread her ass cheeks for him again as he groaned.

"You like watching my pussy fuck this dick daddy.." she moaned.

"Fuuck you gonna make daddy cum.. keep fucking going." he grunted, fucking back into her.

"Ooh daddy, give me the nut please.." she moaned.

"Fuuck." he pulled out, jerking his dick as his cum spread about her ass. Grunting, she grabbed one of the towels but before she could clean herself up, Erik was standing and had her on the edge of the bed on her.

"Jadaka wait I- oohhh my Godd." she moaned as he slammed inside of her, fucking her at a fast pace. "Daddy...." she moaned out. He grabbed her hair making her look at his dick go inside of her.

"Look how pretty that pussy look taking my dick." he whispered as her eyes started to close. "Aht aht, open those fucking eyes. Lemme look at you when you cum on my dick." he said as she opened her eyes to look at him.

"Sexy fucking ass, you not going no where." he grunted. He let her hair go, as his hands found their way back to her clit. His words mixed with this pace had her squirting all over his torso. He pulled out as her legs started to shake, he picking her up and taking her to the showers.

- - - - - - - - - -  

"Welcome Prince Erik and Princess Imani." The radio hose Sean stated as she smiled at him.

"Just Imani and Erik is fine." Imani spoke up with a smile on her face.

"Ooh okay miss humble, we love to see it." his co-host Kaitlyn stated as they chuckled. They were on the Brunch's Club Podcast / Radio, one of the most famous podcasts within the black community. Everyone around the nation was tuning into the Prince and Princess first radio interview, or first interview at all here in America.

"So I just want to ask you Erik, you come from someone like a background like me. Foster kid, on the streets, doing what you have to do to survive. How has this change, damn near everything for you?" Sean asked him.

"I mean really.. it's a like a ghetto fairy tale." he said as everyone laughed. "But nah, really, it's a lot, you know. I grew up not really having anything, and then I built my businesses over the years and let them grow, now I'm here. Honestly, it's a blessing." he stated as Sean nodded.

"And Imani-" he stopped himself looking around. "Gotta make sure ain't no snipers finna blow my head off for not saying Princess." he said making her laugh.

"Nahh, they wouldn't let them in." she said as his face dropped. "I'm joking.." she stated as Kaitlyn laughed.

"Nigga really got scared."

"Y'all ain't see those ladies outside with the spears and shit? Fuck around my head may be just on the end of one. I ain't never been so scared of a bunch of women before except my mother and my wife." he said making the room laugh. "Alright alright, but how does it feel to date someone that never really grew up in this lifestyle?" he asked her.

"Honestly it feels no different with someone like him. I feel like, he already has the spirit of wanting to help people and that's one quality that I want for a king for my nation , and he is a natural leader, so he really didn't have really much to prove." she stated looking at him as he smiled at her.

"Awe y'all are so cute... so how'd did this happen." Kaitlyn asked gushing over the too.

"She ain't like me." "Oh I couldn't stand him."

They both said at the same time as the hosts looked at them in shock. "What! Oh my god!" Kaitlyn exclaimed. "I thought it was gonna be some cute sappy shit like, you tripped and he caught you and it was instant love at first sight. why didn't you like him.. I mean I am curious because-" she looked at Imani with a 'do you not see him' look making her a chuckle. She most

"It's really just he caught me at a bad time. I had just got into an argument with my dad, you know how that goes, there was just some personal stuff so when I met him, like I was already mad. He really just icked a nerve that specific day in the specific hour." she stated looking at him.

"Yeah.. had to fix that real quick." Erik smirked as she rolled her eyes.

"Oop." Kaitlyn said sipping her water looking between the two.

"Aye, y'all let's keep it PG," Sean stated with a chuckle.

"Man not like that." he smacked his teeth then laughed. "She caught herself having a lil attitude and I just.. called her out?" he said in a more question tone.

"Ooh you must've hated that." Sean smirked at.

"Don't remind me." she said flipping her dreads over her shoulder as they laughed. "But really, that was the kinda reality check I needed though, especially because I realized that we were kind of having issues that we could relate to, so I was like you know what? Let me just get to know him and stop being an asshole. It went from that, to this." she responded looking at him smiling.

"So I know back in the States, you've had past relationships with some people, how has that changed now that you are basically a part of one of the richest royal families in the world?" Sean asked Erik as he sighed.

"I have had a lot of people, try to like, hit me up about it. Some congratulating me, don't really know what I'm being congratulated on. " he said honestly. "But I most definitely had a few folks try to play clout chaser." he responded. Imani agreed at the statement, immediately thinking about Arianna.

"Yeah, like Arianna Cope? Her tweets about Imani is just so outta place it's weird." Kaitlyn responded as Imani looked at her confused.

"What tweets?" she asked as the two hosts looked at her confused.

"Girl, she been damn near sub-tweeting you everyday since y'all dropped the receipts about the editing recording." she said pulling out her phone. Imani looked at Erik confused, but he had the same look of confusion.

With how on top of things she was about anything that either had or Erik's name in the press, this was news to her. Then again, it wasn't really the pressed. Kaitlyn handed her the phone, looking at the search bar where Imani's name were to find tweets with it.

"Yeah, some of her supporters were calling you scary and shit because you wouldn't respond." Sean said leaning back in his chair.

"Oh my-" she said looking at all the tweets negatively bashing her. She handed it back, before she laughed. Even some tears escaping.

''What's funny?" Sean asked confused as the burst of laughter.

"No it's sad but it's funny at the same time because she's just arguing with herself." she said as Erik shook his head laughing while covering his face.

"So you don't care that she's talking about you?" Kaitlyn asked. Imani wiped her tears off before saying,

"Look, I don't mean this in a shady or be disrespectful towards her, but in all reality, I have a lot of more important things to worry about then engaging with her issues with me." she spoke.

"Like running an entire country." Erik said drinking out of his water bottle.

"Exactly. To be fair, I have a lot more other people, Important people may I add, that doesn't like me like rulers of other countries because of our political stance and honestly, those are the ones that I care more about if I do care at all." she stated as Sean nodded.

"Aye, that's valid." he stated. "Especially after she tried to set y'all up, the fact that's what she's mad about is instance to me." Sean replied

"And she's the only girl that I've dated who is this obsessed with us speaks more about her then it does us. Obviously, I'm not going to sit here and be lied on, putting what we have and what we are trying to build on the line. Like look at her, you think Ima mess this up?" Erik said looking her up and down with a smirk as she blushed rolling her eyes.

"Aye that's what I'm talking about."

Even though the circumstances weren't clear and through as she spoke, it surprised her honestly how far Erik's and her relationship did. She remembered how she would tell herself that this was just for the sake of her people, realizing that T'Challa was most definitely right.

You could mix pleasure with business.

- - - - - - - - - -

"Alright, last interview." Imani stated sitting at the desk looking at Erik. "Ready?" she asked him. As this was one of the more serious ones, talking about there supply change.

The host, Nathaniel Carter, hosted a republican channel on Fox News. He and his other hosts were very open around the fact that America should be the country to handle the supply chain of Vibranium, and not some random country in Africa.

Colonizers.. am I right?

"Sorry I'm a tad bit late." Nathaniel replied as Imani looked at him and smiled. "It happens to us all, it's nice to finally meet you, Mr. Carter." she said sticking her hand out for him to shake as he shook it.

"Nathaniel will do fine, Princess Imani." he stated

"Well then just Imani will do just fine." she smiled at him. He was caught by surprised by how well spoken she was, even how nice she was too. He then introduced himself to Erik with him shaking his hand.

"First thing first, thank you for your service in our military Stevens." Nathanial stated , emphasizing on the our. Erik nodded with a forced smile. "Quite the entourage you got here." Nathanial looked around to see the Dora Milije posted around the set.

"Don't mind them. Just here four our protection, kind of like the secret service." Erik stated as Nathanial sat across from them.

"We good to go?" he asked the producers as they gave him a thumbs up.

"Welcome back to another political segment where we have the next heir to the Kamado Nation, Miss Imani and Mr. Erik. " he stated as they waved at the camera.

"So I was just doing some basic research on the two of you just so I could get a view point and you two may I say have a very interesting academic record. Miss Imani you graduated top of your class at Oxford University and you Erik graduating at the top of your class at MIT. Yet, you guys are so young." he stated as Erik nodded.

"Well our thrive for education and learning subdue our age so it seems." Imani stated.

"So Erik, your new to this life style right, growing up on the streets of Oakland. What are your plans for when you rule as King?" Nathaniel asked him. Imani didn't let it show that the question was only directed towards him, but Erik being who he was answered,

"Well for us, we have been really focusing on the youth of our country, building more schools and outreach programs to enhance their learning and education." Erik stated.

"Also, we are working on some environmental plans. We have been having conversations with Wakanda's environmental specialist on cutting down CO2 emissions and hopefully help other countries also since we do have the resources." Imani stated.

"Interesting, and how about your military? There has been conversations of you guys have been building your military terrain." he asked Erik but Imani spoke up.

"Our military both navy, air force and army have had an increase that is true. This is pretty normal for our countries when there is a shift of power. Only because there has been times in countries in Africa where there has been a shift of change, European countries tended to try and interfere." she stated as Erik spoke up.

"It's just something that has been affected from the past that still is present in our present and most likely our future." Erik said as Nathaniel looked at Imani. "Our military was made out of around 5,542,000 people when King Z'Kiri the throne back in 1979." he told him.

"By the time I heir the throne, it should be up to almost 8 million. Small yes, but very mighty."

"You seem to know a lot about your countries military's." Nathanial looked at her. "It's not every day we see a princess your age so interested in their military." he finished.

"Well Nathanial, I don't have a choice. We have people that we need to protect and we also have resources that needs protection. So knowing these things are essentially important." she reminded him, he then looked at Erik.

"So how do you feel that the potential queen is handling this type of information. You know, because your the only one that's been in the military between the two." Imani knew it was a jab at her intelligence, but she knew Erik would handle it.

"Honestly, I would rather have that then a queen who doesn't know nothing. A queen who doesn't know nothing and is only there to look pretty can cause more damage. I love that she is passionate about these things, because it's not like America where you have the president, and the first-lady is just there showing appearances every once in a while." Erik stated.

"In countries like ours, Queens are just as important as our Kings." Imani added

"Kings are just the male versions of Queens in Wakanda and Kambaho." Erik finished. She looked at him impressed with that statement.

"So Erik, what makes her qualified to be queen?" he asked him.

"The question really is what makes her not qualified. She has studied the history of ancient and modern war-fare, she is precise and makes every decision planned out to a T, she courageous and very smart. Honestly the true question is what makes me qualified to be King?" he chuckled as she chuckled at the last statement.

"If I can speak-" she said sitting up in her chair. "I feel like, there has been a history of royals across the globe over the past centuries that blind our sights on what is fairytale and what is truth. I know you don't mean it, but I can't help but feel like you don't think I deserve to have this authority because of what I have between my legs or the year I was born but truth be told, none of the latter matters." she stated. Nathanial squinted his eyes at her then back before saying,

"It's just some might say that you are too young to be making decisions like these. For example, the situation with vibranium?"

Bingo.. there it is.

"What about it?" Erik and her said at the same thing.

"Well for starters, vibranium from my own research is the strongest material on Earth, yet two small countries in the middle of Africa is handling. Don't you think it should be trusted with a country that has a high military performance versus that?" he asked as she shrugged.

"I mean, you answered your question. Vibranium should not be used as a weapon but it should be used for growth. Yet, we know that if vibranium makes their way into America, it would be used as such. Just like any other resource." Imani stated as Nathaniel scoffed.

"Are those spears that your guards are holding not made out of vibranium. Looks pretty deadly to me."

"Yeah well you don't really see Wakandians going around using weapons against other nations, because they won't share their resources." Erik said matter of factly.

"Look. the country of Kambaho is willing to use our resources to help countries in need. No matter the cost. But- the fact of the matter is is that we are not willing to give our most prized resource to anyone." Imani stated.

"Well also, vibranium can also be used because of it's healing properties. What you're saying is that you wouldn't give countries the chance of receiving proper health care because of the fear of violence?" he asked, Imani laughed.

"That's rich coming from America, don't you think?" she asked tilting her head. "If you care so much about the 'health' of your citizens, why charge $800 USD for insulin, something that could potentially save their life. Why are parents making go-fund me's for their child to get a tumor removed. Why is a simple ride to the hospital almost $1000 dollars? Why is it a woman have to pay $50000 dollars just to give life here?" she asked.

"Companies too have to profit to-"

"Profits when it comes to the care of our citizens don't exist. Our citizens do not have to worry about the cost of healthcare because health care is provided." Imani stated, Nathaniel quiet trying to come back with a retaliation point. He almost did, but Erik stole the words out of his mouth.

"Now it's easy for a country like us to provide care for our citizens due to the size and the resources that we do have. But in actuality, if America is the strongest country in the world, shouldn't the strongest country in the world be able to provide for their citizens?" he asked. Nathaniel knew he was loosing this debate, so he decided to take another jab but instead of at Imani, it was at Erik.

"That say a lot from someone who use to fight for our military in the black ops unit. Some might call you a trader to this country." he spat out, Erik chuckled.

"Listen, when you are a young black man in America, coming out of foster care with nothing to your name there is a possibility that your life will end up in prison or dead. Joining the military was a last result so I didn't end up either. As a black op solider who has seen some.. very traumatic things to trust and believe. I'd be a fool to decide to give the deadliest weapons to America."

- - - - - - - - - -

Just like clock work, Imani sat in the living quarters of the suit reading the results from their interview with Sean and Kaitlyn.

"Princess Imani and Prince Erik seems to be our next power couple. Literally putting the power in the statement, the two of them will become rulers of one of the most powerful countries the world has ever faced. So, you guys what are our opinions on them." she was watching one of the drama channels on one of the networks here in America.

"Honestly, I think they are so adorable. I will be honest though, they didn't really give me much royalty vibes, and that's not anything bad. They were relatable and I feel like a lot of politicians and people of higher power lack that." One of the hosts Sabrina said.

"I don't know, personally I feel like they are trying too hard to be relatable. Like I can understand Erik since he didn't come from that lifestyle, but for Imani, it seems forced you know?" Tyler stated. "But she is most definitely a cutie."

"You know what, that's understandable. But I think it's more of her being humble because we really aren't use to celebrities', especially royalty being as humble as her. " Sabrina stated as he nodded.

"She's most def humble. But can we talk about about she ate Nathanial Carter up?" Tyler laughed as Sabrina joined in. "Sis came with receipts, stats, and was very out spoken. My sis was not playing around." he snapped his fingers.

"Talking about that, she has most gotten a lot of heat from republican senators, and really just the republican party." Sabrina stated.

"Duh, of course. She spoke facts. To be honest, let's say they are willing to give America vibranium for its healing properties, we charge an arm and a leg just for the basic medication. The hell do you think they gonna do with vibranium?"

"Man turn this off." Erik stated turned off the T.V as she glared at him. "I was watching that." she said to him as she rolled her eyes.

"Stop worrying about what everybody else gotta say to us. We did good." he comforted her. She nodded before sighing. "Our last night in America... what you wanna do?" he asked her.

"Honestly, all this running around, I just want to stay in." she replied, he smirked at her.

"Of course. I can make you some dinner." he kissed her neck as she closed her eyes falling into the feeling. "Give you a massage." he gave her another kiss at the bottom of the ear. "Maybe even eat-"

"Okay N'Jadka!" she exclaimed pushing him. "Goodness gracious." she blushed as he smirked at her. The switch from how dominant she is in real life versus how submissive she is in private. He most definitely was taking advantage of this.

_____________________

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[znerac]

Come Closer

Sorry for my terrible exuses of titles LOL

Pairing: Obi-Wan Kenobi x ftm!Reader

No specific pronouns are used but if i make a part two the reader will be described as ftm

Part 2

Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, No Y/N, Cheating (Readers Bf)

Words: 2.2k

Summary: after finding Kriz with another in bed, reader finds themselves in the arms of the general they've treated many times before.

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Today so far was normal, patients were slow, and once you were off-shift you headed home. Of course, your apartment on coruscant wasn't the best, but you shared it happily with your boyfriend Kriz.

You found it odd how the door was unlocked, but brushed it off. You walk in with a happy 'im home!'. You begin to set your things on the counter, when an odd noise was heard. Of course, you thought nothing of it and called your lovers name. When you got no response, you got curious.

Walking over, your brows furrowed at the continuation of the noise, making your gut twist. Opening your guy's shared bedroom door, the pit in your gut deepened and your heart practically shattered.

The two in your bed jumped and your boyfriend started speaking, but you heard none of it. Walking out and shutting the door with tears welling up in your eyes.

You stood for a second in shock.

And then the tears started streaming.

You let out a choked sob and grabbed your bag, shuffling out just as your boyfriend came out of the bedroom.

Of course, you didn't have time to think, you were overwhelmed and disgusted. Rushing out of the building with a few held in cries.

Your mind was racing, and you didn't know where else to go but work, and so you did. You caught a cab back, and when you arrived you bumped into a few clones, apologizing profusely before you went back into your office.

It was pretty much the only place you could be alone. So you sat in your chair and held yourself, your mind going over the scene over and over. It plagued your mind, and it was too overwhelming, you nearly choked on your breath.

After about ten minutes, you heard a knock on your door. And you jumped, quickly wiping away your tears with a weak 'come in'.

The door opened, and you couldn't look up, staring down and grabbing mindlessly at a few papers, "can i help you?" you ask, thumb sliding over the documents.

"You bumped into one of my recruits, said you were upset. Is something wrong?"

You knew that voice, that voice was from a certain general who had a tendency to getting hurt. You looked up, surprised.

"General Kenobi? I- i uh it's nothing im fine, really" you lie between a smile. Obi-wan frowns, coming to sit down on the seat opposite of your desk. "You know very well i can sense that something is not right. Its better to talk about your feelings, you know. Why don't you tell me whats bothering you?" he says, asking again for you to talk. Your mouth wavers, opening and closing to speak. But you break out in a few more tears.

Obi-wan's eyebrows furrow, "Maybe i can help?" he offers, but you shake your head. "You.. Can't do anything. I just.. I" you pause to breathe. "I found Kriz.. With a girl.. When i went home" you say quietly. You watch as Obi-wan thinks, and it clicks. "Oh, I'm so sorry" he says, tone soft. You sniffle, shrugging. "Its.. Its fine. I'll get over it" you mumble, and he sits up. "But it's not fine, he broke your trust. Thats not just something you can forget." he explains, "i expect you probably don't feel like going back. I could offer you a stay in my quarters?" he offers, tilting his head to the side. You give a faint smile, "i.. I can't. I don't want to be a burden"

Obi-wans face contorts, "You're no Burden, Never" he says in an almost defensive tone. "Please, it would be be my pleasure. Besides, you deserve a break. Some peace" he excuses, standing up. "Come now, I'm not letting you be alone after such an event"

You smile faintly, appreciative of his caring demeanor. You stand up, grabbing your bag and slowly following him.

Obi-wan stays fairly quiet as you two walk, it feels tense. But somehow comforting. Although you don't really know the general all that much, you appreciate how caring he seemed to be.

Once you arrived at his quarters in the Jedi Temple, you step in a little nervously. But the clean and tidy surroundings make you just a little more at ease.

"What kind of tea do you like?" he asks, walking over to the set of counters and puts a kettle on. You follow, standing beside him. "I don't usually drink tea.. Just make anything you like and I'll drink it" you say, and Obi-wan looks over, "Ah.. Well.. I'll just make you one of my regulars. Unless you'd like something else?" he cocks a brow. You shake your head, "no, no its okay, I'll drink your uh, tea" you exuse with your hands up. He smiles, "Relax my friend, Take a seat. You could put on a holo if you'd like. Make yourself at home" he says, patting your shoulder and you nod.

You make it over to the little couch by the holo, taking in a shaky breath. Everything went by so quickly, and it felt a little unreal to even be here. You jump a little when you get a commcall on your wrist, but seeing the name your face scrunches and you quickly reject it. You end up taking off your link and setting it aside.

Obi-wan came back with two mugs, handing you one. "I sure do hope its alright, i just made it how i would usually for myself. But if you don't care for it theres always other options" he says, sitting next to you. You can't help but crack a weak smile, looking down at the drink in your palms. "Thank you"

He smiles over at you, and takes a sip from his mug. "Would you like to talk at all? Or would you prefer to just take your mind off of things?" he asks, tilting his head to the side and looking at you with those beautiful blues.

You think for a moment, looking at your transmitter before back at obi-wan. "Maybe later.. We can talk.. I just, want to relax for a little" you reply, and he gives you a nod. "Fair enough. Here, put a show on." he hands you the holopad, and you grab it. Choosing a random show you liked and throwing it up on the big screen.

You both sit quietly, until you start to talk about the show. Which, felt good. Obi-wan was a great listener. He looked over when you spoke, kept his attention on you, and replied when you asked him a question. It had been awhile since anyone actually gave you their full attention, and you were sure obi-wan could sense how thankful you were.

Eventually, you continued to drink your tea, actually finishing it too. "This was good, maybe your just great at making tea. I've never actually tasted one this good" you compliment, standing up. He furrows his brows, "well thank you, but, where are you going?" he asked, uncrossing his legs and sitting up. You pause, looking down at your mug. You thought he would want you to leave after the drink. "I don't know.. I kind of assumed you'd want me to leave after" you reply, and the other chuckles. "No such thing, I'm not sending you back there unless you choose to go. Please, Stay." he smiles, standing and taking your mug. "Here, I'll take care of this. Now why don't you go have a shower and refresh yourself, i have some clothes that could fit you." he offers.

You bite at your lip before sighing, "a shower does seem nice.." you hum, giving obi-wan a faint smile. He nods you to the refresher and you thank him before going, shedding your clothes almost instantly before hopping into the shower and relaxing against the hot water. You just let yourself stand there, soaking up all the warmth.

About five minutes into it, you hear a soft knock at the door followed with a "I'm just going to place these here, a Towel and something for you to wear" you hear obi-wan say. And you smile softly, thanking him before hearing him leave. You don't know how much longer you spend in there, but it just feels so nice you can't help but soak it up until the water starts to turn cold.

At that point, you get out and wrap yourself in the towel after drying your hair. You spend some time just standing there, going over the scenes once more. And then dry yourself off.

When you picked up the shirt obi-wan left you, you smiled a little. It was definitely his, or at least fit him. It was a plain white tee, and you slipped that on along with the gray sweats he gave you. It felt a little odd to be in another guys clothes, but you decided to savor the feeling. If your boyfriend could savor another person, you could let yourself at least wear these. You walked out, feeling a bit better and definitely more refreshed.

"Enjoy your shower?" you hear obi-wan ask, as he walks over to you from the little kitchen in the quarters. He handed you a plate with a neatly made wrap. "Oh, yeah it was.. Really nice" you say, taking the plate and thanking him for it. "Thats good to hear. Now how about you eat that, and then go take a rest. I'll be here, i just have some paperwork to do" he says, pointing to the plate. You cock a brow, "Rest? Like, sleep?" you ask. He nods. "I'm not taking your bed, obi-wan. I can rest fine on the couch"

"Nonesense. You can sleep in my bed, it's more comfortable I'd say. I'll take the couch, you need a good rest and I've had plenty." he smiles. You huff, thinking for a second. "You're not sleeping on the couch, this is your home, you can rest in the same best as me, we're both adults" you counter, and he raises a brow. "You're okay with that?" he asks, and you nod reassuringly. He gives you a final nod, "well then, please do get some rest. I still have to do some work" he says, giving your shoulder a small squeeze. "And if later when i come back, and you decide you don't want me to rest with you i fully understand" he says reassuringly before wandering off to his office.

You stand there for a second before going to sit, eating slowly and going over todays events again. It made you feel worse, but you couldn't help it. But what did help, was Obi-wan offering help and comfort. Which he seemed good at, and that made you feel a little better. Although, when you looked at your empty plate a few tears shed again. You get up to place the plate in the sink, and wander to obi-wans office. Gently pushing the door open. You watch with teary eyes as he turns his head and frowns. Then he stands, and faces you with open arms.

You don't hesitate for a second to jump into his arms and hug him. Feeling his arms wrap around you carefully, caressing your back to comfort you. You sob a couple times into his robes, leaving a small wet mark where your tears fell. But he says nothing, rubbing your back and letting you release those emotions. You spend a good couple minutes in his arms before pulling away, eyes red and puffy. And he smiles down at you, wiping the tears from your cheeks with his thumbs. "Let’s go lay, i can sense that you're tired" he suggests, and you nod. Turning and letting him follow you to his bed, and you glance at him before crawling in under the blankets. He waits a second, putting a finger up and going to grab a few clothes of his, and heading to the refresher. He comes back in just a simple sweatshirt and loose pajama pants, and asks you again if you're okay with him laying with you. Of course, you say yes and scoot aside so he can get in.

Once he gets comfortable, you wait for a second, biting your inner cheek. "Can we-"

He nods and opens his arms. And you shuffle into his arms, up against his chest with your head tucked into his neck. It’s comforting, and warm. And you feel yourself relax against him as he rests his arms around you.

Obi-wan moves his arm and suddenly you feel his hand in your hair. And you just melt, humming and leaning your head up into it. Of course he continues, and it just feels amazing.

It had been ages since anyone touched your hair, and it just felt special. Especially with how gentle obi-wan had been treating you. It was like he knew what you needed.

"Obi-wan?" you spoke up gently. He hummed in reply. "Thank you, for everything." you say in a somewhat weak tone, and he holds you just a little tighter. "Of course, Dear" he says softly.

You think for a little, feeling a buildup of emotions in your chest.

He kisses the top of your head, holding you closer, "It's going to be alright my dear, now just rest, okay?" he speaks softly, and you just nod.

Sleep was surprisingly easy to find that night.

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Thank you for reading! Reblogs are appreciated ❤️

[lovebombs4life]

been thinking a lot about emo era mike and his red hair 🥵🥵🥵🥵

sex ed - m.g.c.

requested: yes. i have like three other michael requests and im so excited to write them!!

a/n: work and school are lowkey kicking my ass!!

cw: i think yall know it’s SMUT already. high school AU!! reader and michael are both seniors in high school (both 18), a bit of rough sex

———

it was no secret that michael clifford was attractive. and it was even less of a secret that we both liked each other, but simply denied that we did.

he’d wink at me in the halls, making my stomach erupt with butterflies. any class we had together, he’d try and sit close to me, whispering to me the whole time, flirting with me.

“oh come on y/n, it’s so obvious that he likes you, there’s no way you can still be denying it!” my friend exclaimed while we sat together at lunch.

“shut up! he could hear you!” i hushed her, looking for his flaming red hair. she only smirked, knowing what i was doing.

“not only does he like you, but you like him. he flirts with you constantly dumbass, ask him out already.” she poked at me, making me turn back to her.

“i can’t do that. he’d laugh in my face.” i said, running my hands through my hair. my friend laughed, looking across the cafeteria.

“the way he’s staring at you over there doesn’t seem like he’d laugh.” she kept laughing. i turned my head around, spotting him.

he smirked at me, winking. i blushed, waving at him. he returned the gesture before i turned back around. i put my face in my hands, trying to hide my blush.

my friend rolled her eyes at me. “and you’re still gonna deny that?” she spoke, getting up as the bell rung.

my stomach did flips as i realized my next class was with michael. i walked into the health room, seeing todays topic written on the board.

my eyes widened. why did we have to talk about sex ed? we talked about it last year. i sat down in my seat, my head resting in my hands. i took a deep breath as i saw michael walk in the class.

he sat next to me, reading the board. he threw his head back, and i couldn’t help but admire him. “you’re staring, y/n.” he chuckled.

i quickly faced forward again, my cheeks turning bright red. “i’m sorry.” i said softly, embarrassed that i was looking at him for so long.

“don’t be, it’d be a lie if i said i didn’t stare at you before. hard not to.” he said, smiling at me.

i widened my eyes at him, making him laugh. “you seem so shocked. you caught me earlier, imagine how many more times it’s happened, babe.” he said. i blushed harder at the name.

“i guess i never realized.” i said, turning my head away. i could feel his presence tense up. “am- am i making you uncomfortable? i can stop, im sorry.” he said, worried he did something wrong.

i turned my head straight back to him, grabbing his hand. “no, i’m not uncomfortable. just, i don’t know, didn’t think you saw me like that.” i spoke softly.

it was his turn to blush, seeing as i grabbed his hand, squeezing it tightly. “i thought i made it obvious. i’m sorry, i know you don’t feel the same.” he said, biting his lip while looking down.

i moved my hand to his face, making him look at me. “who said i don’t feel the same?” i questioned. his face went red. he shrugged his shoulders.

before either of us could say anything else, the bell rung, signaling that class was starting. “alright, i know you’d talked about all this before, but it’s mandatory that grades ten through twelve talk about it once a year.” the teacher groaned.

michael smirked slightly, placing his hand on my thigh. i sat up straight, looking at his hand. he drew small patterns on my leg, still looking forward.

our teacher turned out the lights, playing random videos that he was assigned to play. i spaced out, not caring to watch the videos.

i only snapped back when i felt michael’s hand move farther up my thigh. i bit down on my finger, looking over at him. he glanced at me quickly, smirking when he saw my reaction to his hand trailing up.

i squeezed my thighs together, trying to focus on the videos now. i didn’t want to, but i needed something to distract myself. i gasped quietly as his hand made its way between my legs, gently rubbing over me.

every movement he made quickly stopped when the lights turned back on. i blinked my eyes, turning my head to look at him. he was staring straight forward, biting his lip.

“alright guys, i want you to talk with your table partner you’re next to. i’m assigning you a project to draw a poster of the reproductive system of both male and female parts. it will be due next monday, so i suggest working out a way to meet after school.” the teacher spoke blandly.

“wanna come to my house after school?” michael questioned, looking at me. i nodded, biting my lip as i looked at him. he smirked, giving me his number.

“meet at the main doors after our last class. i’ll give you a ride there.” he said.

“o-okay, sounds great.” i breathed out, the events of what just happened playing through my head.

———

the last few classes of the day droned on. i couldn’t sit still in my seat, thinking of what would happen at michael’s house.

i was definitely overthinking it, but i let my mind wander and race anyway. i tapped my foot, waiting for the bell to ring.

once it did, i shoved my things into my bag quickly, and hurried to the front of the school. as i made my way through the crowd, my phone buzzed.

waiting outside, sweetheart

it was michael. i blushed at the name, putting my phone away, shoving through people. i made it out the door, instantly seeing the red haired boy.

“ready?” he asked once he saw me.

“yeah, let get out of here.” i smiled, following him to his car. he lead me to a black mustang, shining as if it were brand new. i gaped at it, adoring how pretty it was.

he opened my door for me, and closing it once i got in. i giggled at the action, watching him make his way to the driver side.

“i hope you don’t mind that my parents aren’t home. they’re both at work.” he said, starting up the car.

“not at all, that’s okay.” i said. my head started spinning. i laid my head back against the car seat, shutting my eyes as i took a deep breath.

“hey, you okay? we can always go to your place if you wanted.” i shot my eyes open, shaking me head.

“no! i mean, just too many distractions.” i said, lowering my voice as i spoke. he nodded, his eyes glued to the road.

we soon pulled up to his house, parking in the driveway. he got out of the car quickly, making it to the other side to open my door. i smiled at him as he grabbed my hand, helping me out.

he shut the door, leading me inside of his house. “so you want a house tour or-” he started.

“lets cut the small talk, mikey. we both know why you brought me to your house.” i cut him off. his cheeks turned a slight shade of pink.

“so? i won’t do anything you don’t want me to.” he said, scratching the back of his neck.

i stepped closer to him, leaning to his ear. “i’ll do anything you want me to.” i whispered. that sent him over the edge.

he gripped my wrist, pulling me upstairs, into his room. he pushed me to the bed, getting on top of me. he kissed me roughly, his hands in my hair.

i slipped my tongue into his mouth, twisting it around. he groaned as i unbuckled his belt, his black skinny jeans becoming tighter from his member.

i unzipped his pants, gently tugging them down as he kissed my throat. he sucked on my skin harshly, causing me to wiggle around under him.

“need you to touch me, mikey, anything will do.” i pleaded. he bit at my skin, pulling away to peel my shirt off my body.

he sighed at the sight of my chest, grabbing at my tits. he slid his hand under my back, unclasping my bra, and throwing it to the other side of his room.

he kneaded at my breasts, sucking on my nipples. “mikey, please baby, want your cock.” i whined. he chuckled against my skin, pulling my jeans and panties down.

“such a needy girl huh?” he taunted. i nodded my head, pulling his jeans down. he stepped out of them, his boxers following quickly.

he opened his bedside drawer, grabbing out a condom, slipping it on his cock. i licked my lips, bracing myself for his length.

he pushed his tip in slowly, making me gasp. “gonna go slow at first baby, just gonna need you to be patient. wanna make sure i don’t hurt you, sweetheart.”

i nodded, feeling him push farther into me. i cried out not in pain, but pure pleasure. “i’m not even fully in yet babe.” he smirked.

he slid the rest of the way in, earning a moan from me. “michael! fuck!” i screamed as he quickly started sliding in and out of my heat.

“look so fuckin pretty for me, sweetheart. always look so pretty.” he cooed, holding on tight to my thighs as he threw his head back.

“oh my god! michael, please, need it harder!”’i cried. he slowed his pace, pushing his hips into mine harder.

i gasped as he hit my g-spot, biting down on my hand. “fuck, babe, you gonna cum? already gonna cum for me? so fuckin good for me darling.” he praised.

i could feel that he was close too, holding out until i came first. “come on good girl, cum for me.” he said, pounding his hips harder.

i writhed my head around, feeling myself cum on his cock. he moaned at the warmth, soon after meeting his orgasm.

he pulled out of me, sliding the condom off. he laid back on the bed, looking over at me as i began steadying my breath.

“well i think we both know the reproductive system pretty well now, right?”

[kpthoughts]

•T. Kaulitz x F! Reader•

-Race-

—————————————————————————

Warnings: Bad Language, Smoking, kissing

Summary: You (British) and your best friend (German) decide to for a walk and you find yourself doing something you should have done a long time ago

“Nein!” Tom laughed.

You could feel the grass on your back where the skin showed and your eyes bounced around star to star, admiring the night sky.

“What do you mean nein!” You mocked him, taking a drag of the cigarette in between your fingers.

“I mean nein! I wouldn’t wake up at two in the morning to pick you up from a party!” He shook his head, raising his hand to take the cigarette from you.

“What if Bill was with me?” You insisted.

“Why would you and Bill be at a party without me? You hate going places with out me!” He teased.

“One, I can go places without you! Two, I don’t really like you to be honest!” You joked, taking the cig back.

“Oh is that so?” He propped himself up on his palms while you stayed on your back with your hands under your head.

“Yes that is so!” You nodded smugly.

“So I’m not named #1 babe in your contacts?” He looked down at you.

“You’re named wanker but sure!” You shrugged.

“Don’t you lie! I’ve seen your phone blödmann!” He rolled his eyes.

“Fine but that doesn’t mean you’re my friend!” You shrugged.

“My heart!” He faked sobbed, holding his hand on his chest.

“Shut up!” You hit the back of his shoulder with your palm.

He then dropped the cigarette butt on the floor and hit it with his palm. He winced and muttered some curse word in German.

“What did you think would happen?!” You giggled, mirroring the position he was in.

“I wasn’t thinking!” He ran his other thumb over the small red mark from the heat.

“Oi Tom! Guess what?” You started, standing up slowly.

“What?” His eyes moved from his palm and fixed carefully on you.

“I’ll race you to the hotel!” You smirked, starting to run.

“NEIN! Y/N!” He called, running after you, “That’s not fair!!”

You ran through the field, being careful not to twist your ankle as for some reason you can’t run to save your life. You then felt a tug on your shirt before falling down with your friend on top of you.

You both rolled over each other down the hill until you hit the bottom. Your head was on his chest and his arms were around your waist, hugging you tight.

“Dickhead!” You hit his chest and kneeled so you were over the top of him and sat on his lap.

He stayed led down as he stared into your eyes. You grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him up. He laughed at you before he started to flatten your hair.

“You’re an idiot!” You scoffed, keeping a grip on his shirt.

“Eh what can you do?” He said cockily, staring deep into your eyes again.

There was a slight tension between you two. His head started to tilt, leaning towards you. Instinctively you followed him. Your lips then pressed against each other, his hand moved down to your back and you finally let go of his shirt, placing you hand flat on his chest.

Once the realisation hit you five seconds later you pulled away, licking your lips with shock in your face. He had the same expression as you but his eyes kept glancing back and forth to your lips and then your eyes.

Tom being Tom he couldn’t resist pulling you in for another one. This time it was more passionate, his hands balanced on your hips with his thumbs rubbing back and forth on your waist. You moved your hands so they were pushing the back of his neck to you.

Your lips moved in sync for at least ten seconds before you pulled away.

“Tom?” You whispered, placing your forehead against his.

“Yeah?” He replied softly.

“I’m gonna beat you to that hotel!” You stood up and started to run again.

“I hate you!” He called, coming after you.

“Why’d ya kiss me then?” You giggled.

—————————————————————————

Master/Request Page

[mythica0]

A Blast

🎂:ROTTMNT

🧁:Leo

🍫:Donnie

Summary: Leo gets a lee mood, but refuses to let himself indulge, and is grumpy as a result. Donnie figures out a way to help his twin.

A/N: a little self-indulgent something-something to get me back in the flow of writing! This takes place post-movie so some spoiler warning!

TW:Swearing, minor angst and self-depricaty thoughts.

A Blast

Leo was in a lee mood.

Something completely normal for him, and yet he was actively hating himself for it.

‘Ugh, I wanna be tickled so bad!’ His thoughts echoed, quickly followed by a stern,

‘No, Leo, it’s silly stuff like this that got your family hurt.’

Usually, these moods of his would make him giggly and a tad bit obnoxious. However, he was suppressing those behaviors. He would not let himself be immature. Not when it caused so much damage.

He bottled up everything he was feeling towards said lee mood. Which resulted in a very grumpy Leo.

Whenever someone asked about it(usually Mikey), he would brush them off, tell them he was fine and move on with life.

Donnie wasn’t having any of it.

He noticed how Leo had brushed off Mikey’s concern several times now, even though all of them knew something was up.

Donnie was going to get to the bottom of this situation.

That evening, the soft shell went up to his twin.

“Nardo?” He raised his eyebrow in question.

“Uh… yeah?”

“What’s up with you? And don’t you dare say nothing because we both know thats a lie.”

Leo tried to object before Donnie cut him off.

“Ah-ah! I know what you’re about to say, and just because I can’t lie dosent mean I don’t know when someone else is lying.”

Leo saw his dead-pan expression and decided ‘I guess I just won’t talk then. Cause I am not touching that with a ten-foot pole.’

Donnie waited and stared at his brother for a moment, quickly realizing the slider wasn’t going to talk.

“Fine then,” he started, a dangerous look and tone. “I will make you talk.”

The smart one then tackled Leo to the ground, quickly starting his attack.

Donnie nearly got whiplash from how quickly Leo’s demeanor changed from ‘grumpy and stubborn’ to nearly elated.

He was even more shocked when, despite how happy his twin looked, he still protested profusely.

Leo, on the other hand, was conflicted.

He shouldn’t be letting himself have this, it’s immature, it could cause problems. He could cause problems.

But he also was finally being tickled! And it was fun. ‘Why is it so much fun?’

Donnie could see the conflicted thoughts running through Leo’s head. He didn’t know exactly why his twin was conflicted, but he could see it all over the sliders face.

Donnie slowed to a halt, hoping to get Leo to talk about his feelings like a normal person.

As Donnie stopped, Leo accidentally let a small noise of disappointment escape him.

Donnie lifted an eyebrow at the noise. “What was that?”

“Uhuh… would yohou believe mehe if I sahaid nothing?”

“Absolutely not.”

Leo just smiled nervously and didn’t respond.

Donnie sat in silence for a moment, putting two and two together in his head.

“You…You didn’t want me to stop, did you? This is what was making you grumpy. Because you were suppressing a lee mood.”

Leo looked anywhere that wasn’t his twin .

“Well, well, well. Looks like someone is literally asking for round two. In his head at least.”

Donnie just smirked at Leo’s nervous yet giddy anticipation. “Lucky for you, I’m willing to comply.”

Then the soft shell waisted no time starting right back up again, scribbling behind Leo’s knees.

Leo instantly started laughing. He was so happy to be in this position. He was still a little conflicted, but his pure joy at finally getting what he wanted set that off to the back burner.

Donnie idly wondered why Leo felt the need to suppress it in the first place as he continued. That was a discussion for later though. For now, he was just gonna let his twin brother laugh and not hide behind a mask.

When the purple-lover started squeezing Leo’s thighs, the slider quickly fell into gleeful cackles.

It was unbearably fun, debilitating in the best possible way. His thoughts melted into the backround and he just finally let himself go.

He let himself have fun and be immature, probably for the first time since the invasion.

Eventually, Leo couldn’t breathe properly anymore and tapped Donnie to let him know he was done.

Donnie got the slider a glass of water as he recovered.

“Soooo~, did you have fun?” The soft shell smirked.

Leo just sighed out a giggle and nodded, letting himself be honest about it.

“A complete and utter blast.”

———THE END————————————————

[127luvr]

Hi, can I request a fanfic with yangyang in which male reader and him are hiding their relationship from the other members but theyre really bad at it. like really. theyre kissing and cuddling whenever they think no one is watching, but there is always at least one person watching. and when they find out the others all know theyre so shocked.

Dream launch

Liu Yangyang x Male Reader

You and Yangyang learn the hard way how impossible it was to find privacy while being idols. More specifically—idols who were dating each other. Whether it was in the waiting rooms of Music Bank or Inkigayo, it seemed that everywhere you went, you were being watched.

You tried the Wayv dorms for a few weeks. Lounging around in Yangyang’s clothes and being overly affectionate with one another when you thought no one was around. Ten was the first member to spot the two of you sharing lazy kisses—he had walked out of his room for the first time in hours thinking he was home alone. He had managed to quietly grab a snack without attracting attention before settling himself by the table and scrolling endlessly on his phone. It wasn’t until the other members showed up when you and Yangyang finally found each other on opposite ends of the couch staring blankly at the tv. Ten had shared a knowing look with Kun.

Next were the 127 dorms. While neither of you were in the unit—Taeyong and the rest had welcomed you with open arms whenever you came around to hang out. Because their schedules were all over the place, you figured you and Yangyang could be couple-y without bothering anyone.

“It’s so quiet, it’s a little eerie. I miss the pets.” You smiled at Yangyang, moving a piece of hair out of his eye. He blushed a little—still not quite used to such an intimate move while out in the open. “You think they hide cameras in here?”

From the other side of the dorm, Haechan scoffed. Quickly realizing his mistake, he ducked, knowing the two of you wouldn’t be able to spot him from the couch no matter how hard you tried. That didn’t stop you from looking towards that direction—where the sound originally came from. Yangyang held you tighter, visibly spooked.

“That was weird. I guess they weren’t lying when they said that the 127 dorms are haunted.” You laughed a little to lighten the mood, basking in Yangyang’s warmth as long as you could.

You knew you couldn’t bother trying the Dream dorm, knowing that Mark and Haechan would find it suspicious that the two of you were hopping around from dorm to dorm. They were too perceptive for their own good. So—finally you tried the dorms with Sungchan and Shotaro. Realistically, it was the better option out of all of the dorms. They were busy with Nct Universe and preparing their debut with the rest of the rookies.

Yangyang pulled you into his lap, trying to get comfortable as the two of you sat on the floor. Usually on your rare days off the two of you enjoyed doing nothing but talking and catching up with the occasional display of affection. This time, you were trying your hardest to complete a puzzle on the floor. All the pieces were scattered—some several feet away from you from when you threw them out of frustration.

“Baby, there’s no way this is that difficult to you. Just find the corner pieces.” You couldn’t help but pout at Yangyang’s teasing. You tried freeing yourself from his grasp, but he was persistent. “Come on~ you know I love you no matter how much you suck at puzzles.”

“Ahem.” Sungchan had decided he had seen enough of the two of you being affectionate. He wiped off the fond smile, offering a poker face instead. Yangyang wasted no time in pushing you off of him in panic. Trying to look as normal as possible as he fiddled with the puzzle pieces near him. “Hi guys.”

You shoot a glare towards Yangyang, rubbing the arm you landed on when he pushed you. “Hi Sungchan… how long have you been standing there?”

“Oh I just got here.” Sungchan mentally applauded himself for being able to lie so smoothly. “Have fun with that, I think we’re missing a few pieces.” Yangyang let out a breath of relief when Sungchan turned to leave, wiping his forehead cartoonishly.

“That was close.”

It was one of those rare occasions where SM had planted all of the Nct members together in one room. You couldn’t help but look across the room towards Yangyang, admiring his wide smile and nose crinkle from afar. You wanted nothing but to just go up to him and hold his hand. Not that that kind of affection was rare in this group—in fact it was welcomed. You had never met another group that was so open to giving each other hugs and kisses on the cheek all the time. But you were afraid that you were going to slip up and just kiss him out of familiarity.

You pushed the feeling of longing away, tuning into whatever the staff were saying instead as a distraction.

When they finally departed to leave you all to your shenanigans you all dispersed. Finding members you were familiar with wasn’t hard. You enjoyed talking and spending time with them but all you wanted to do was talk to your lover.

You nodded along to whatever Jungwoo was saying, staring behind him towards the blonde that kept catching your eye. Jungwoo turned to see what was keeping you preoccupied, a smile tugging at his lips as he saw what it was.

“Go to your boyfriend.” You felt the blood drain from your face. How did he know. “What you think we all don’t know?” He put a hand on your shoulder, as if it were a silent apology. “Show of hands—” all eyes were on you and Jungwoo. You couldn’t help but feel small. “Who knows about (Y/n)-ah and Yangyang?”

The only two people not raising their hands were you and Yangyang. Shock was evident on your face as you turned to look at him again.

“You guys are so bad at hiding I thought it was common knowledge—”

“I thought they knew I was in the room with them when they started with their PDA—”

“It’s almost like they’re in their own world honestly, there isn’t one member that hasn’t been through their cuddling or kissing.” The comments felt never-ending, but you couldn’t help but feel a little relieved. You didn’t have to keep the not-so-secret-secret anymore.

[lilveeblog]

Promise pt2

Read part one here !!

Mentions of violence and hospitals

Cute af fluff tbh

They were in a private room at the hospital and JJ was causing a huge fuss.

“Jay, please,” Emily begged as the girl pulled at the wires repeatedly. She had ripped her bandages off twice already, no matter how much Emily tried to stop her. She fought with the nurses, with the team and she didn’t dare let anyone near her. She fell asleep in Emily’s arms on the way to the hospital to be checked over but as soon as she woke up, she was a menace. They hooked her up to an IV after taking her blood. She’d been hostage for ten hours, she wasn’t exactly okay. She wouldn’t eat and her body was so full of cuts and bruises, it was weak. She had a large bandage around her torso to help her back which had become infected from the barn and her foot was strapped up since she’d sprained her ankle too. Emily had tried everything she could think of to get her to calm down but because JJ wouldn’t let her near her, it made it harder.

She wouldn’t stop crying or screaming. She pulled at her hair and it came out in chunks, she scratched at her skin, making it bleed and she just wanted all the noise in her head to stop. She didn’t want to remember the smell of the barn or the feeling of his hands on her.

“No! Stop making noise!” She screeched and picked up her phone before launching it at the heart monitor which had been beeping and whirring.

“JJ!” Emily gasped, rising to her feet. A nurse came in, shocked at the commotion. The machine was cracked and JJ was just staring at it then turned to glare at Emily. “I know you’re stressed, sweetheart. I know you’re upset and tired but you can’t do this baby,” she whispered softly. JJ just huffed.

“You left,” she sobbed at Emily.

“I didn’t baby. I was trying so hard to find you.” Emily replied.

“I was alone,” she cried more.

“I know,” Emily whispered. She sat beside her on the bed.

“It’s all your fault!” JJ screamed, kicking at the covers, causing Emily to get up. “All your fucking fault!” Emily let the abuse be thrown at her, knowing JJ needed to get it out of her system.

“Agent Jareau, you’re bleeding through your bandages again, we need to change them. We’re going to have to get you a new monitor as well. Do you understand that this behaviour inside the hospital is not accepted and if you proceed to be violent with the nurses and doctors we will sedate you?” the head doctor said, coming through the doors.

“I don’t need sedating!” JJ cried out, throwing up her arms.

“JJ, please calm down,” Emily sighed.

“Why? Why so you don’t have to fucking deal with me anymore?” JJ screamed, sitting up, despite the pain she was in.

“Agent, you need to lie back,” the nurse said but JJ ignored her.

“So you can just let me be hurt over and over again like you just did! Emily, I needed you so bad and you weren’t there!” JJ cried. EMily’s heart broke seeing the hot tears streaming down her girl’s face. The rest of the team were outside and Emily knew they could hear her. Emily knew there was nothing she could say which would rationalise JJ’s thoughts.

“I understand you’re angry at me Jay, I do,” Emily said softly, walking closer to her. “But you need to calm down. You’re only hurting yourself more.”

“Agent, we really need to sort you out, you’re bleeding a load,” the nurse said, moving closer to JJ but JJ flipped. Suddenly, the wires were out of her arms, hanging from the machines. The machines grew louder. JJ threw herself out of the bed- pushing over the metal tray and letting the things crash against the floor. She launched at Emily, leaning on one foot and then, she fell limp as the doctor injected her with the sedative.

“I’m sorry,” Emily said as they got JJ situated back into the bed, now unconscious.

“It’s okay, we understand,” the doctor reassured her. “She’s not the first difficult patient.”

An hour later, JJ began to stir. They had cleaned her up, replaced the broken equipment and got her more comfortable. Upon request from Emily, Garcia had brought some of her favourite food whilst Tara fetched her little stuff.

“Do you think she’ll be okay?” Garcia asked as JJ’s little fist reached up to rub her eyes.

“I hope so,” Emily replied, moving to sit beside her girl. JJ’s eyes flittered open to reveal bloodshot and tired ones and she looked around the room rapidly.

“Hey my love,” Emily muttered, running her thumb across the girl’s hot cheek. JJ didn’t respond, only blinked softly at her mama and Emily sent her a small smile. “How are you feeling baby?” She held up 10 fingers, JJ knowing their little code. She put Emily’s fourth finger down, telling her mama she was tired and then she put her fifth down, telling her mama she was sad.

“That’s okay. It’s okay to be sad,” Emily whispered back. “Would you like a cuddle?” Jj nodded her head, moving over so Emily could squeeze in beside her. Emily smiled widely, she was glad her baby was more accepting now. Although obviously smaller and now nonverbal, it’d be a lot easier to manage her.

Emily laid back with JJ’s head on her chest. Tara joined the pair, sitting on the end of the bed and spoke softly to JJ about what she wanted to watch on her iPad. JJ obviously only responded with grunts and shakes of the head but Tara didn’t mind that, feeling content that her girl was finally content. Finally, Garcia came over with JJ’s favourite teddy and her blanket. JJ grabbed them and cuddled them close to her chest, rubbing the soft corner of the blanket on her face.

“What do you say to Penny?” Emily encouraged, hooking some of JJ’s hair behind her ear. JJ signed a quick thank you before snuggling back into her mama. Now, she had her mama, paci, shows, blanket and teddy - she would be content for the rest of the night. And tomorrow, she’d be able to go home.

The next day, Emily and JJ were heading home. JJ hadn’t spoken to her all morning, or since last night at the hospital even. Emily wasn’t quite sure what to do with her. She was small and quiet and clingy but not clingy to the point of whiny. If Emily wasn’t there, she was just anxious but she hadn’t really made a noise other than the odd grumble or whine in pain. If Emily was there, she did her little grabby hands and she clung to her but as soon as Em put her down, she let her without doing anything. Her fists were all bruised up, as were her face and whole body really. It hurt Emily to see her like this but she knew she’d be okay. She knew her girl would get through it.

“Would you like to go to bed?” Emily asked JJ softly as they entered the house but JJ shook her head. She still hadn’t let go of her blanket, teddy or paci so plodded into the house with them. She headed for the stairs, and Emily just let her go where she needed.

She watched as JJ let herself into her nursery and then went to see what she was doing. JJ was laying under her canopy, curled up with all of her teddies, pillows, and blankets and her eyes were closed. She’d wrapped it all around herself and sighed softly. For the first time in two days, Emily saw her girl looking completely relaxed. Not wanting to disturb her too much, she put on her nightlight before closing her blind. JJ watched her softly walk around her bedroom and then grab a book. Emily snuggled up behind JJ, wrapping her arm around her stomach and she kissed her head gently. She opened the book and began to read. JJ sighed peacefully, feeling a lot better now at home and she buried her head in her mama’s neck as her mama read her favourite storybook.

[concealeddarkness13]

WHG 20 Prompt 7 - Triel

Content warning for mentions of abuse. This one’s a lot shorter! I’ll just be writing the interview. Tagging: @ratracechronicler, @maple-writes, @pen-of-roses, @drabbleitout, @grailfish, @forthesanityofsome, and @pied-piper-of-hamlet!

I walked out onto the stage after Chess had been hurt, and good thing Ashont was still there! I was wearing this lovely dark purple evening gown with a long coat and a wide hat, and I hadn’t gotten this because I threatened the stylist, surely not!

I snagged Ashont’s arm before he could slink off the stage, and I grinned wider when I saw how bruised his damn face was already. I sat him down and took Caesar’s chair before Caesar could sit down. I hooked a foot on Ashont’s chair and pulled him closer so he couldn’t run before I could grab him again. And he was dazed enough to not say anything about it.

Caesar stared at me with wide eyes, and I grinned and ignored him to look out at the audience. “I hope this has been a good night, dear audience, because I have a treat for you! Instead of learning about me—I must be very boring, alas—you can learn about dear Ashont over here! Such an exclusive interview! You don’t want to miss it, do you?” When Caesar tried to take his seat back, I just shoved him to the side, and the audience laughed.

The audience cheered an answer to my question, and Ashont looked over at me with real fear in his eyes. Not so confident now that one of the brats from the districts could fight back without the Peacekeepers beating her within an inch of her life, now was he? I smirked at him and tapped his nose, causing him to flinch. “No worries, dear Ashont. I would never lie about you. So, let’s start with an easy one. How many tributes have you sponsored in the Games?”

He tried to smile, knowing he couldn’t convince the audience otherwise to stop this. “Why, about ten.”

“And how many of them have won?”

He looked out at the audience, who was dead silent by the way, and swallowed hard. “None of them.”

“And how many have magically reappeared for one year before they mysteriously disappeared before the next Games?”

He blinked and looked over at me, not saying anything. I leaned forward and smiled wider. “Please answer the question. Or maybe you’d like to answer how many of them were victims of the prosthetics experiments?”

He smirked, as if this would help him and not me. “All of them, of course. They deserve this treatment.” The audience cheered, of course.

I rested my chin on my fist. “Yes, but you’re Ashont. The loose Snow advisor! You always seem to have a new woman at your hip for every party! And not all of them were from the experiments. Or from the districts. You seem to have sway with the Gamemakers, getting them to take tributes illegally from the Games. But what about the other women? They never seem to have a name.”

I paused, letting the silence hang for a bit. “Have you heard of Allanah Vaca? She disappeared two years ago from the Capitol. An up and coming socialite, super promising.” I looked out at the audience. “I have evidence that Ashont has been dealing with Peacekeepers, having them kidnap young women from the districts to use and then dispose of!” I swung my head back to Ashont. “But you became a little too greedy, eh? I have proof that you had Peacekeepers kidnap Allanah for your pleasure, and that you had her killed after you were done with her!” I grinned at the audience, who was staring, dead silent. “Tune in after the Games for the shocking evidence! Should you trust Ashont around anyone? Or should he be locked up for kidnapping a daughter of the Capitol? Please be assured that no matter what happens in the Games, the information will be released!” I grinned and stood up, bowing at the audience. “See you then!” I winked and left to stunned silence.

I checked on Chess that night, but she was already sleeping, so I left her to it, and I went back to my room to banter with Nesri and Shine as we all stayed up to make sure the plans were perfect.

[outofthiisworld]

[🧪💜] It had been a month.

A month since they fell from the stars. A month since they crash landed into the wild woods of Nowhere. A month since they holed themselves up in this forgotten farmhouse.

Though the snow had begun to melt, a winter ache gnawed at Doc’s bones, and a shiver ran down his spine. The chill crept past worn walls as the wooden floorboard settled with a creak underneath each step up the stairs, to what would be her room.

Doc tried to open the door. A whole month, and still he forgets that arm is gone (it, too— somehow ached). He turned the knob with his only remaining hand and the door groaned in protest; all the wood of this home worn by time.

It had been a month and still, GHOST-713 slept on the floor, bundled up in a blanket. The bed untouched.

The old man tutted at the sight and her eyes widened at the sound. WILD AND FRENZIED BY INSTINCT— THE ROOM PULSED ALIVE UNDER STATIC SHOCKS OF ECTOPLASM.

The intruder remained still, as statuesque as possible while she slowly but surely regained her senses. Not an intruder. The Ectoplasmic charge in the room dissipated under a fizzle. Not them. The surrounding furniture fell back down to the floorboards with a thud.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.” Doc whispered. She smiled back at him with a yawn and before long, her eyelids slipped closed once more. That was, until he called out again, but now much closer.

“You know … it’d be comfier on the bed.” Though the old man’s cadence was soft— she flinched. Blinked. Stared ahead at the bed. Tentative and wide-eyed but with brows knitted.

“It’ll be okay. I promise.” He bit his lip as to not laugh, but Doc made his way over to the mattress, carefully and cautiously, so to not spook her. She watched ever so curious while he sat on the bed. Doc then patted the space beside him.

“C’mon, I’ll stay right here next to you.”

It’d take time. To undo the ten years of ATLAS. Perhaps they never could. Not really, not completely. Joseph … no, he couldn’t be Joseph anymore. He’d have to figure something out and soon.

‘She was safe now,’ he chastised himself. That was all that mattered (he repeated it in his mind like a mantra).

Despite everything: his chest swelled as he watched who was once GHOST-713 inch slowly forward. Her eyes locked onto the bed. Her breath still yet hands trembled with sparks of Ectoplasm— as if she expected something to happen.

Nothing had. Even when she pressed her hand against the edge of the mattress … nothing happened. Until finally, she laid down alongside him.

The bed was broken. Coils and springs snapped, indents morphed into the mattress and it was lumpy as all could be.

It was the softest thing she ever felt. He was too exhausted to complain (though his back will say different in the morning).

“See? Much better.” Doc yawned as he felt the ghost beside him relax, though felt her eyes on him all the same. When he peeped an eye open, he caught her staring at his arm. The missing one, which was still bandaged up— but the veins underneath still scarred by a familiar purple.

“It’s nothing to worry about. I wouldn’t have made it out alive without you, and I feel better than ever. I promise.” A half-lie they both knew, but it had to count for something. “Say … have you come up with a name yet?”

GHOST-713 shook her head.

“Eh, it’s alright … how bout we workshop it together after breakfast tomorrow, yeah?” Doc pecked the top of her head before he ruffled up her hair and she giggled! “Let’s get some shut-eye for now, okay?”

“Nightie-night.”

“Nightie-night, sweetie.”