#i'll work on some of the requests that have been sent in sometime later tonight if i don't get busy

[uncannydevotion]

so anyways the reason i felt motivated to start writing again was bc i was just hit w a dr smiley idea tht im writing rn and i just.

i cant believe a creepypasta tht nobody ever talks abt is the one to get me back into writing for this fandom. not even liu of all ppl could get me back. just

a damn doctor w no real name or backstory is the one who does me in. idk what tht says abt me but. trust that i will b posting this oneshot on both wattpad nd quotev 🙏🙏

nd depending on the length i'll probably post it here too.

[mimisempai]

Work

Summary:

It takes no less than Lucienne, Matthew and Hob to try to make Dream understand that sometimes he has the right to leave his duty to take a rest. Will he let himself be persuaded?

Notes

Prompt : Work

I've realised that I've been writing a lot of stories where it's Dream who takes care of Hob so it's time to return the favour to the Lord of Dreams.

On AO3

Rating G - 1082 words

"Matthew."

The raven landed not far from Dream and inquired, "Boss?"

Dream sighed, "Could you go over to Hob's house and tell him that tonight I can't join him either?"

Matthew replied, "Again, boss?"

Dream grimaced and replied, "I know."

Matthew insisted, "You know, you're lucky he's accommodating, because when I came home late from work even once, my wife would make her frustration clear in such a way that I didn't want to do it again for a long time."

Dream sighed again and retorted, "Matthew, just do what I tell you, and that's it."

"Whatever you say, you're the boss..." whispered Matthew before flying off.

Dream knew that Matthew was perfectly right and that Hob was really patient. One could argue that he could be since they used to only meet every hundred years, but that was before. Before they were a couple that Dream put to the test because of his duty.

But he still had to deal with all the consequences that his imprisonment by Burgess had had on his kingdom and the world. Even if he completely trusted Lucienne and the other members of his "team", there was still a lot that was his responsibility.

But he felt that the more he did, the more he had to do.

It was a vicious circle from which he could not escape.

Lost in his work and thoughts, he gasped as two arms wrapped around his waist and a voice said softly in his ear, "May I request an audience with the Lord of Dreams?"

Dream turned as Hob stepped back to give him space then asked, puzzled, "What are you doing here?"

Hob replied as if it were a matter of course, "I came to pick up my lover to take him home."

Dream protested, "But I told you I couldn't come."

Hob replied with a small smile on his face, "Technically, you sent Matthew to tell me. Besides, you really should treat him better, he deserves better than to play carrier pigeon."

"I know... But..." Dream pointed to what he was doing, "...Hob, I really do have a lot more to do."

Hob asked softly, "Does it have to be done absolutely right now, immediately? Is the world going to descend into chaos if you put off what you're doing until later?"

Dream pressed his lips together stubbornly and turned his back on Hob.

He only noticed Lucienne's presence when Hob addressed her, "Lucienne, can whatever the Lord of Dreams is doing now wait?"

Dream sighed, exasperated, "Hob..."

Lucienne replied bluntly, "Absolutely Sir Gadling."

Dream turned and with a scowl on his face retorted, "If I understand correctly, this is an ambush?"

Hob approached and, laying his hands on Dream's shoulders, he said softly, "Let's just say this is a joint effort of people who care about you, so come home with me."

"Hob...", Dream whispered one last time but, feeling that he had lost the argument, he dropped his head on Hob's shoulder, wrapping his arms around his waist.

Lucienne sighed with relief as she walked away. It was time for someone to put some sense into the Lord of Dreams. 

"Let's go home," Hob repeated softly and then, grasping Dream's hand, he continued, "Tonight, let's pretend we're a couple of normal human beings, with normal schedules and jobs. We'll have dinner together and watch something on TV, or I'll read to you. Then I'll take you to bed and remind you why it's good that you come home a bit more often before I fall asleep. You'll protest rhetorically that you're the Lord of Dreams, that you can't put your duty second and I'll say I know that and I'll never ask you to. With that little argument, we'll go to bed together, we'll fall asleep together, though if you want to do anything other than sleep right away, I'm open to any suggestions." Hob paused to give him a not-so-subtle wink before resuming, "Tomorrow we'll wake up together, have breakfast together, and you can get back to your duty in the best of states."

Dream chuckled, and even though it was a very small chuckle, Hob was happy to see that he had managed to lighten his lover's mood a little. He leaned in and kissed him lightly before taking both his hands and pulling him behind him, "Come on, let me take you home."

Dream stopped and said sheepishly, "I'm sorry Hob, I know I'm not the ideal partner. Heaven knows I'd like to... but I can't promise you an ideal, perfect home life."

Hob silenced him with another kiss and then said soothingly, "Hey, I'm not asking you Dream, I'm not angry or disappointed, you're the perfect partner, for me anyway. Never doubt it. And if I insist tonight it's not only because I selfishly want to spend a quiet evening with my lover but also and above all because I want to take care of him"

Dream replied softly, "But you know I can't promise you that it will be like this all the time."

Hob shook his head, "I am absolutely aware of that. And I'm not even asking you to. Just accept that from time to time I come to take care of you. Don't forget that you're not alone. There are a lot of people here who care about you and not because you're the lord of this kingdom."

"Okay..." Dream accepted and allowed himself to be dragged along by his lover. 

A little later, they were walking hand in hand down the pavement to Hob's flat like a normal couple walking home from work. When they entered, Dream took Hob in his arms and pulled him closer, whispering "I love you" before kissing him, showing him how grateful he was for what he did for him.

The rest of the evening and night went as Hob had planned, they ate together, Hob read while Dream rested against him, they bickered a bit, fell asleep together and indeed, as Dream walked through the castle door the next day, he felt better than ever.

As soon as he arrived, he was greeted by Lucienne and Matthew.

"Good morning my Lord."

"Hey Boss!"

Dream inclined his head towards them and said softly, "Good morning to you... and thank you."

Then he continued forward, "Well, let's get to work."

He didn't see the knowing glance exchanged between Lucienne and the raven, happy to see that their plan had worked out perfectly.

_________

Still not beta'd

Still not my native language

Still hoping you'll enjoy this story  🥰

Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝

Main post here

Dreamling Masterlist here

[hitozy]

all you who sleep tonight ‹ masterlist › he and i

𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬

Sharing a bedroom had proven to be of no bother for either parties. Iwaizumi had feared it would be a bit awkward given that they weren't romantically involved, but his worries were a bit useless, YN had made it easy and comfortable for the both of them.

Cohabitating and sharing was starting to make him feel different as well. He couldn't really put a name on it, but it started when he began to see the little things around him.

Going into the bathroom and finding his toothbrush beside yn's. Her towel hanging beside his, the shower containing his and yn's products, he accidentally tried yn's body wash and ended up liking the smell and exfoliating that he mentioned to yn if she could buy more. She had giggled but agreed, mentioning the different types that there were which ended up in both of them starting to shop together after work and school.

He found himself staring at her as she looked over the products, making sure they are the right ones. Or when she pouts for Iwaizumi to have a heart and let her buy junk food (which he always does). Or when he opens the closet door to find his clothes beside hers, the contrast of variety and color always making him smile.

Or when he wakes up earlier than his alarm, turning his head to find her beside him. His eyes travelling from her hair sprawled around her pillow, her hands clutching said pillow up to her shoulders, watching the goosebumps appearing on her skin. Eyes travelling down to always find the bedsheet pooling under her waist and he never knows why or how. He would pull the sheet up, cover you as he watches you let out a soft sigh and a content smile that never fails to make his heart flutter.

It makes him wonder if he's always felt this way, and if not, since when?

―

Jae hasn't stopped calling him.

He thought that after the discussion they had at yn's parents last week would be enough to get her off his back, but it proved to be pointless and he was beginning to think that she did not leave the house by her own assessment.

Mr. and Mrs. LN must have sent her home after listening to her horrible criticism of their daughter. Something she had done in the past and never failed to sour his mood. He didn't know what her problem was, but he knew she was lying about everything concerning you, learning it was best to ignore her comments than correct her.

It was on the third day that he felt his patience snap. She had been calling him relentlessly to the point that the coach had asked him to take the call, 'It could be an emergency.' He disregarded it as spam calls and was left alone once he placed his cell the profile in vibration, so even though it was vibrating non-stop, at least everyone else couldn't hear it.

Once it was lunch break I pulled out my phone.

53 missed calls from Jae

15 voicemails probably from Jae

27 texts from Jae

He ignored Jae's attempts in communicating with him, deleting everything in one go and focusing on a little one who had also been trying to get in touch with him a while ago.

1 missed call from mochi mochi

3 texts from mochi mochi

mochi mochi: omg sorry! I forgot that you're in training rn mochi mochi: I was calling to let you know that I'm heading to the library for school work D: mochi mochi: letting you know because you wanted to pick me up today, i'll go home later dw! have a lovely day hajime♥

His little mochi was a bit selfless sometimes. He was going to text you back, but his irritation from Jae's insistency was rubbing him wrong all over his body so he thought best to call you and let your voice sooth his nerves.

"Hajime! Good morning, is anything wrong?" Just like that, he felt his frustrations be washed away at the sound of your voice, like cold water running all over him.

"Morning mochi, I saw your text, everything all right?" Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the athletes and the coaches acting as if they weren't listening but the way their bodies were leaning towards him gave it away.

He had half a mind at telling them to mind their own business.

"Ah, well, we got a request from the film majors to help out with their project scripts and we weren't actually going to do it, since we already have enough stuff as is," he recalls the nights he would come in late, watching you giving it your all even if you finished at 3am, he was worried about your health during that time and after your breakdown, he had a reason to be worried now, "luckily we are working in large teams, sadly I'm doing the rough draft."

"Sounds rough, mochi. Anything I can do to help?"

In an almost timid manner, she asked softly "Keep me company?"

How could he reject?

―

Once he hung up, one of the senior coaches passed behind him and smack his hand on his back with a grin, "The ol' ball 'n chain, huh? You should go and buy her something to eat today, having to tolerate your ass. Now come on, we have a team to train for a win."

―

11:45 pm

He had brought her favorite food and drink to the school library, sneaking to the back to eat and not get caught by anyone there. It look familiar yet very different from the one back in California, when he would stay until early morning studying on the weekends, with you doing the same in the video call in front of him.

Now your right in front of him, physically and mentally in his presence. He had been working on some stuff from work as you continued your studies and felt relived and in peace in the comfortable silence but, it had been a while since he had finished it all and he soon found himself staring at you.

The shape of your eyes, your soft hair, your nose, your soft lips, the curve of neck, the way your shirt shaped your breasts...

He mentally slapped himself at that thought, why- why the hell is he thinking of your breasts? Since when is he thinking about it? Why-

"Ah! I didn't even notice the time, let's go Hajime... are you okay?"

"Yeah, um why?"

"Your face is all red", she came to stand in front of him, touching his forehead, "hmm, you don't have a fever... maybe you're just tired? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked you to stay for so long." Her soft cold hand felt nice against his face as she rubbed her thumb up and down his forehead.

He remembered that she used to do this when she was younger, "You have to stop doing that Hajime!," she would exclaim as she rubbed his forehead in a similar matter as now, "You'll get wrinkles too young!"

The old memory made him laugh, your expression back then mirrored to present day. "What so funny?"

He smiled and took all of your stuff from the table, taking your hand in his, "Nothing, lets just go home, mochi."

Can you hear my heart? Oh, but I can tell! We are twin starts With different births. My caring shadow ― It has your face. The voice of my soul Knows well your name.

Tell me, Can you hear my heart? Oh! how I love you, My best friend.

Twin Stars ― Clairel Estevez

taglist ! @daphnxy @zukoslosthishonor​ @i-am-a-hoe-for-shinya @mrsdoradominguez-barnes @anejuuuuoy

a/n! i beat the system so here's a chapter guys ♥ also... since i couldn't post one last week, there will be a double post this one!

[itsadamcole]

christmas lights

fem!reader x drew mcintyre

reader and Drew get into a huge fight on Christmas after reader finds out that Drew's been keeping something from her ...

word count: 1.9k+

warnings: very angsty, mentions of cheating, heavily drinking, upset!reader

— a short 4 part series ... this is based on the song “christmas lights” by coldplay. enjoy loves —

masterlist || request an imagine here

part 2 || part 3 || part 4

***

Reader walks into the house after a long day at the office. It's Christmas Day and your boss called you in for an hour long meeting that turned into an all day assignment. You tried to get out of it but being executive assistant director of the office means you have to go in for every meeting.

Your husband wasn't very happy that you were called in. "Why couldn't this wait until tomorrow when it wasn't Christmas?" is what he said. You told him it would be an hour tops, but it's been six.

"Drew?" you call. There's no answer. You hear the water running upstairs so you assume he's in the shower.

You drop off your bag by the front door before kicking off your heels and walking upstairs to your shared bedroom with Drew.

He's showering in the master bathroom that's connected to your bedroom. You change out of your work clothes into a Santa onesie before tying up your hair and taking your makeup off.

Once changed, you crawl into bed and pull up Netflix to get a Christmas movie up.

A tradition that you and Drew have always had, no matter how late it was, is that on Christmas night, the two of you watch How The Grinch Stole Christmas and the Polar Express. The Grinch is on Netflix and you own a DVD copy of the Polar Express.

The water turns off in the bathroom and before Drew comes out, you decide to grab snacks from the kitchen. You grab some of the cookies that you and Drew made the other day, a few bags of fruit snacks, and you can't forget about the vanilla ice cream. It's both yours and Drew's favorite flavor. You grab two spoons and head up the stairs.

A voice comes from the bedroom. It's Drew's, and he sounds like he's on the phone.

"... tonight. She's home and I didn't think she'd be home. Her boss called her in and I didn't expect her back until later."

You lean against the wall outside of the room, listening in. You know you shouldn't but you're curious.

Drew's quiet for a second before he sighs. "No," he says, sounding frustrated. "I can't come over tonight. Look, I have'ta go before she finds out. I'll call ya tomorrow and maybe we can do something when she's at work."

Before I find out what? you think to yourself. What's he hiding?

Your husband hangs up the phone and plops onto the bed with a sigh.

Immediately, you walk into the room and ask, "Find out what?"

Drew looks at you and says, "Oh, Y/N. Ya scared me, love."

"Find out what?" you ask again, snacks in your arms.

A look of panic crosses Drew's face before he says, "Nothing. It's jus' a surprise fer ya."

You say, "You were gonna go over tonight to who ever's house that you were just talking to. What surprise would make you go over tonight?"

The Scottish man says, "It's a surprise fer a reason, love. It's not that big a deal. Come watch The Grinch with me."

Drew's phone goes off and you watch the screen light up with a text. You drop the snacks and snatch the phone before he can.

"Y/N!" he says, reaching for the device in your hand. "Give that back."

It's too late. You've already seen what's on the phone. It's a text from a woman you've never met before and attached is a picture of her in a red lingerie set.

Too bad you couldn't come over tonight. This is for you, Drew baby. I hope you like it. Enjoy it if that wife of yours doesn't satisfy you enough ;)

Tears well up in your eyes and you stare at Drew. "You're fucking cheating?" you almost shout at him. "Are you serious? What the hell?"

Drew jumps into defense mode and he says, "Y/N, please. It's not what it looks like."

"It's pretty clear what it looks like," you say, voice cracking. "It looks like you like to talk to other women behind my back. I can't believe you, Drew."

You chuck his phone at him and he catches it, immediately putting it down beside him. He stands up and you back away from him.

Drew says, "It's not what it looks like, Y/N. Baby, listen t'me-"

You cut him off. "I am not your fucking baby," is what you say. "Fuck you, Drew. I'm done."

"What?" Drew says, panicking. "No. Can I at least explain? Please let me explain."

Tears begin to fall down your cheeks as you say, "Explain what, Drew? That you are seeing another women behind my back? I'm sorry that I get called into work so often that I'm never here when you are. I'm sorry that you probably feel alone and upset when I get called into work. I don't know what else I can do to be around when you want me to."

Drew looks upset as he says, "Y/N, she's a friend that was helping me with a present fer ya."

You say, "By sending you almost naked pictures of herself in basically see through lingerie? That's a present for me? I call bullshit."

He says, "It's the truth! She likes t'mess with me sometimes, especially because you're not around. She thinks I'm deprived of sex, that's why she sent the flirty text. That's all."

A part of you wants to believe him, but you don't.

"Bullshit," you say. "I'm tired of being treated like this, Drew. I'm a second choice when it comes to you. I'm always second after that title or I'm always second after Sheamus. I'm always second, and now I'm second to her."

Drew shakes his head and says, "Ya have never been a second choice t'me, love."

"I always am!" you yell. "It's been like this for months. Since you've won that title, you push me aside like nothing and worry more about that belt than you do me! I threw myself into work, got a promotion, and now I'm never home because of my job."

Your husband says, "Ya are saying ya're a second choice t'me when ya are the one that's never home. I don't know why ya'd be surprised if I actually cheated."

That hits you, hard. Like a punch to the gut.

"That's my damn job," you say. "That's how I make a living. When I married you, I had to get used to you never being home. Now when it's your turn to getting used to me never being home, and instead you go out and cheat on me just to have company."

Something snaps inside Drew and he says, "Fine, yes, I cheated, but she doesn't mean anything t'me like you do."

The truth has finally come out, and it hurts worse than you thought. Maybe it wouldn't have hurt as much if he didn't try to hide it from you.

You stare at the man who claimed he loved you and you say, "I can't believe you. The whole time you're away with WWE and I stayed loyal to you but when it comes to me, when I'm five minutes away for my job instead of across the country, you can't stay loyal to me."

Drew says, "Yer never here!"

"That doesn't give you an excuse to put your dick in someone else!" you shout back.

The two of you stare down each other before Drew says, "I never slept with her. It was a few kisses and a few dinners. I could never do that t'ya."

Before you can stop it, you say, "I hate you."

Drew looks down and nods, accepting that this is happening.

It's quiet between the two of you before Drew says, "I'll go stay with, uh, Sheamus and give ya some space. Ya can come talk t’me when ya're ready."

You watch as he packs a bag.

"You did this to yourself," you say. "I hope you know that."

Drew says, "I know that, and I'm sorry."

Part of you doesn't want him to go but you can't stand to look at him. So you don't stop him from walking out the door.

***

Drew's POV

She didn't believe me. She never would have believed me, no matter how much I tried to explain to her that Diane was just a friend. Diane does love to tease me about sex because she knows Y/N is never around.

I've never slept with her, I've never kissed her, but I have taken her out to dinner as a thank you for helping me with this gift. It was a gift. Was because it's not anymore since she probably doesn't want anything from me anymore.

Tears run down my face as I drive. Not to Sheamus' place that he shares with Cesaro, but to the bar.

I need to feel numb. So when I get there, I order the strongest drink they have. I chug it down and ask for another one.

It doesn't take me long to get drunk. I can usually hold my alcohol but tonight, I just let go and I don't bother pacing myself like I usually would.

My cell starts to ring and I answer it before noticing who it is. "Hello?" I say, accent thick and voice slurred.

"Drew, buddy," Sheamus says on the other line. "Where ya at? Y/N called to see if ya were here but ya're not so where are ya?"

Y/N called. Of course she called. Even when she hates me she has to check to make sure I'm okay.

I glance around the bar and I say, "I am at a bar. I can't find a name but I'm very drunk since my wife thinks I cheated on her."

Sheamus asks, "Diane?"

I sigh and say, "Yeah. She decided to tease me again about not getting laid and sent me a picture of her in Y/N'a present t'mess with me."

The line is quiet before Sheamus asks, "Does Y/N know this?"

"She never believed me when I told her," I say, my voice cracking slightly. "So I might have told her that I actually cheated when I didn't."

Sheamus says, "Drew McIntyre, I know ya didn't tell ya wife that ya cheated on her because that's what she wanted to hear."

I shout into the phone, "She didn't believe me when I was telling her the truth so I thought that it might be easier just to rebuild the relationship from scratch and let her build her trust again."

It's quiet before Sheamus says, "I'm coming t'get ya and ya're staying with me and Cesaro."

"Whatever," I say, hanging up the phone.

My mind wanders to Y/N and how much I actually hurt her by saying how I cheated when I didn't.

What a situation I've put myself in. I don't know how to get out of it.

—

tags: @drewmcintyrekoccsrocbwdgfan

[whaleofatjme1920]

Hello Elsie !

How are you doing at this beautiful night ?Oh and one thing when do you think request are going to be open again ?

-Brig

Hi, it's 1:16 in the afternoon here, but I imagine a beautiful night for you in your part of the world. Night is so serene. I'm alright, finishing some legit work, and then will start posting stuff here but it's self indulgent bc,,,,, yeah sometimes I love myself. Other than that, my bathroom is getting closer and closer to being done and let me tell you how much my dad and I adore Greg. He's like my favorite human being rn.

I'll,,,,, maybe I'll open them tonight?? but me getting them done might take a hot minute or so. i still have to write chapter 3 for my EJ book.

Someone sent in a Jacob Frye request and I'm keeping it because I don't get AC requests at all. But yeah, I'd say later tonight around 8pm USA central.

How have you been??

[wackpainterkid]

I felt like jokingly messaging "coffee shop au!" but I'll be nice, a serious drabble request, Liv gathers the whole gang to surprise them with a first listen to her album (if she's signed or goes indie you can decide)

a/n: Okay this prompt was sent in ages upon ages ago and I’m like half convinced there isn’t even an audience for it anymore but I needed to make myself a bit happier in these troubled times and it’s actually the one year anniversary of my first skam nl fic (this one) and it’s Monday so I’m back again! I hope you’re all doing well ♥

rating: T

1500 words

ephemeral feelings

“Welcome everyone! I’m so happy you all could come. Before we start, let me just give a tiny introduction because you’re probably wondering why you are all here.”

Because they all are; each and every one of Liv’s friends accepted her quite frankly vague invitation and is now bunched up in Hotel Overvecht’s living room, watching her with curious and expectant eyes. She has to admit that her heart is beating faster than it probably ever has, that the stress is rushing through her veins.

“You’ve probably all noticed that I’ve been very busy lately and that I have not been as present as I usually am. Well, the reason for my absence is that I’ve been working on an EP and it required a lot of work because I wanted it to be perfect. But I finished it and I invited all of you here tonight to listen to it. This is the first time I let anyone hear the whole thing and I wanted you guys to be the first because your opinion means the world to me.”

What if they hate it, what if they don’t recognize her or think that being signed to a label has changed her too much. And who cares if her producers and her label love it, if her friends don’t. Their opinion means everything. Which is why she has not told any of them about her project, in fear of failing, in fear of the pressure becoming too much. She didn’t want to go through what she did with her dad, where making music became a burden, lost its essence and its allure.

Liv wanted to make this record only because she wanted it. And she had and it had become something she is so proud of.

Her friends clap and cheer in response and while they hadn’t known about the existence of this project two minutes ago, they have now gone into full supporting mode.

“I’m so excited!” Isa exclaims with a wide grin.

“You guys have got to be honest about what you think of it, okay?” Liv says, stepping over Janna’s legs, avoiding Esra’s fingers, heading towards her stereo with her most prized possession in an unmarked box between her ever so slightly shaking hands.

“We will, don’t worry,” Ralph replies, nestled between Lucas and Bennie.

“I’m sure we’ll love it, Liv.” Engel smiles at her and her other friends all nod in acquiescence.

“I hope you will,” she says quietly, brushing a stray curl behind her ear.

“Does it have a title yet?” Esra asks, just when Liv is about to start the CD.

“Oh, it does!” She turns around to face her audience. “It’s called Ephemeral Feelings and it has six songs.” 

Liv takes a deep breath and presses play. 

It’s out of her hands right now. 

There’s a vacant spot left on the couch, right next to Noah–who probably has something to do with that– and she settles there. He intertwines their fingers and winks at her, a silent reassurance that it will turn out alright.

He is the only one who knew in advance why she organized this evening; the only one who had heard bits and pieces of her songs here and there; those times when she got a sudden burst of inspiration and had to record a voice note before it disappeared again, before the hum became silent again, before the words lost their coherence. However, he hasn’t heard the full thing either.

Some of her nerves dissipate as she feels his pulse against her skin; she lets it guide her, steady her. He’s good at that, calming her down, sometimes even without being aware.

The EP is six songs. 

21 minutes and 56 seconds. 

Lyrics she’d poured her heart out for, she’d dug so deep to retrieve, melodies that had been the soundtrack of her life for so long without being uttered, without being whole. And now they were. Now they were being listened to by her loved ones. 

The stereo whirrs and the disk comes to a halt. 21 minutes and 56 seconds have passed.

And it’s quiet.

Painfully quiet.

So quiet you could hear a pin drop.

No “Well done, Liv!” No “Song two was my favorite.”

Nothing.

They must hate it. Fuck. 

Fear inhabits her and she doesn’t dare to look around and see the disappointment on everyone’s face. She keeps her eyes trained on her lap. 

“There’s something I don’t get,” Janna breaks the silence and Liv braces herself for the rest of her sentence.

“Why do you have to be so fucking talented?”

“I know, right?” Ralph concurs.

And it’s like a spell is lifted.

Because everyone starts talking at once.

“Does anyone else have the urge to cry right now?” Isa asks and both Micha and Jayden raise their hand.

“Hey, but this is definitely worthy of a Grammy,” Esra tells the room.

Liv gets overwhelmed by the response and by the utter positivity that her friends send her.

Engel requests Liv’s attention. “Could we listen again?” she asks with a hopeful look.

“Yeah, can we?” other voices join in.

“Umm, sure.”

So Liv restarts the disk. And her friends are as excited as the first time, some of them sitting with their eyes closed, some slightly leaning forward, as if they want to hear even better.

“Hey Liv, what’s that song called?”

“It’s called And Away We Go,” she replies.

Noah’s eyes settle on her and she returns his look with a promise of a conversation, not now but later. She knows that’s what he’d prefer either way. He hasn’t said anything yet but Liv knows he’s reserving it for when they’re alone. 

What follows the EP ending for a second time is an evening of praise, of compliments left and right and while the night could not have gone any better, the minute everyone is gone, that she closes the door behind them, Liv finally feels like she can breathe again.

It’s just her right now.

Well, her and Noah, who is waiting on the couch until she returns. 

She catches him inspecting the record’s unmarked box before subtly laying it back on the coffee table as she enters. As always, they’re drawn to each other, sitting as close as they were sitting before, as if the couch was still packed with other people. Noah softly kisses her and asks, “How are you feeling?”

She thinks about it for a second and then answers truthfully, “I kinda wanna cry. For various reasons,” she adds.

Noah chuckles. “I know how big of a deal this was. You did great, Liv. Like, “I agree with what everyone was saying and then some” great.”

A smile appears on Liv’s face. “Thanks.”

“And Away We Go was my favorite one, how did you come up with that original title?”

Liv rolls her eyes before laughing. Of course he would gloat.

“Funny story actually,” she recounts, “It’s from this random note I got from this random dude and he thought he was a poet or something. I don’t know, I thought it sounded good.”

“It does,” he agrees. “It’s pretty incredible to see all of those tiny bits and lyrics from the last few months come together and to finally understand the bigger picture.” His eyes land on the box again and Liv lifts a corner of her mouth.

She is lucky to have him, to be with someone who understands her. And not just as a person, not just her walls and her moods, but on a deeper level. On the level of an artist, of a creator, of someone that can get consumed by an idea buzzing in the back of their mind and won’t relent until it’s realized. He’s like that as well.

Liv places her and on his shoulder causing him to look up at her. “Speaking of pictures, it’s quite convenient that you’ve got this whole artist thing going on because, as you’ve probably noticed, I don’t have a cover yet.”

“That’s going to cost you, Ms. Reijners,” he retorts without even batting eye. He starts counting on his fingers. “First plagiarism, now customized art. I see your fame is already rising to your head.”

“Oh, you’re asking for it, Mr. Boom” Liv grabs a pillow from the couch and hits him with it. It doesn’t take long for him to retaliate. He pounces, heading straight for her waist and lifting her up and she bursts out in laughter. 

Noah carries Liv from the living room to her bedroom, drops her on her bed and kisses her deeply.

“That’s a yes to my business proposition, I presume?” she asks

He hums against her skin.

“Good. You know what they say: teamwork makes the dream work.”

“Liv, shut up.”

And she no choice but to comply.