#i've been giggling about this for nearly four hours

[penkura]

Father's Day Moments

Note: Sorry this so late today, I've been busy with my own stuff this weekend, but I got it done! :) This is simply Father's Day moments with a small surprise in each of them, I had a blast writing these. 💚 I know again that this day can be hard for some, so if this isn't something you're okay with reading, please feel free to skip it and read something makes you happy today. 💚💚

Ace has rarely ever thought about Father’s Day, considering his own issues with his father and all that growing up. Even after joining the Whitebeard Pirates he never thought too much of the day, only when Marco or someone else brought it that it was about that time of year. Once he has own his children, the sweet little girls you both share, he still doesn’t think about the day as being that important, it feels more for the kids then it does for the dad in his mind. You do most of the caring for your daughters anyway, even though Ace helps as much as he can when he’s not busy, you two are a team, you should use the day to rest together, right?

That’s why, after you get Rogue and Ann to give Ace the little handmade cards you helped them with (he’s not crying, you’re seeing things), Ace tries to pass the girls off to Marco and Izo for the day, having asked the two the day before if they could take the girls off the ship for the afternoon so you two could relax together. They both had agreed, you find it very odd they’re so willing to take the two when they’ve jokingly called your daughters little hell fires, Rogue and Ann are happy to go with them onto the island you’re docked at for a couple hours.

You’re still skeptical even when all Ace does is pull you into bed for a nap (just a nap, he swears when you ask if he’s got other motives). “Ace, what’s this all about? You know it’s—”

“Father’s Day, yeah, I know,” Ace buries his face in your hair and you can’t help but nearly melt in his arms, he’s so warm all the time, it feels so nice just to lay with him, “But you deserve some time off too~”

The way he nuzzles into your neck makes you giggle, wanting to say something about how you already had your day until he speaks up again.

“I wanna have another baby with you~”

That’s not a surprise to you, he’s said it several times since Ann turned four and you first brought it up, just wondering what his opinion would be and Ace promising he’d get back to you when he had decided. He finally did just about a week or two ago, right after her birthday, telling you that one more would be perfect, your family would be complete whether boy or girl.

“Yeah, that sounds good, Ace.”

It’s a few moments of silence before you hear him snoring, but it still makes you laugh softly before running your fingers through his hair while he sleeps.

“Happy Father’s Day, you dork.”

~~

Father’s Day had left a bad taste in Law’s mouth for a long time, having lost his own father and then Corazon, it first made him resent the day before it became just another day that meant time was passing by. No one to celebrate meant he could ignore it, until you came along and blessed him with your son and daughter, the two angels he watches play doctor almost every day with their stuffed animals. Eight-year-old Rosi and two-year-old Cora, both his spitting image and the brightest part of his days, apart from you obviously.

The day is quiet while your children play, Law trying to take a nap for once when he feels someone come over and put something on his chest, cracking one eye open to see Cora has her toy stethoscope while Rosi holds her up so she can reach, and it makes him smile. They’re both just darling, even if Rosi is reaching the point where he’ll say how embarrassing such statements are.

“What’s up? I need a checkup from Dr. Cora?”

She giggles and nods, while Rosi huffs a little. Cora has gotten so big, its hard for him to hold her for very long. He asks if she’s almost done, when she nods again and takes her toy off Law’s chest.

“All done!” Law ruffles her hair a bit and thanks her, as Rosi tells her they should go check her stuffed bunny now. The two hurry back to their toys, as Law tries again to nap before he feels like someone else is watching him, opening his eyes to see you leaned over giving him a smile.

“Have you gotten to rest at all?”

“No, but it’s fine,” shaking his head a bit, Law notices you seem to want to say something, and gives you a look, “You okay?”

“Mm,” nodding you look over to your children, watching them briefly as they wrap bandages around the bunny’s ears, “Just…what would you say to one more?”

Law raises an eyebrow and sees how fidgety you are by asking, wondering if you’ve already gotten an answer and you’re just double checking with him that it would be okay, or if you just suddenly have baby fever again. Either way, he doesn’t think it would be a bad thing. It would be welcomed.

“I think that would be fine…”

The way you light up and grin makes Law start to smile too, even when you begin to ramble a bit about how you haven’t felt well, which he knew already, and how you had gone and taken a pregnancy test, and well, looks like your ‘one more’ is coming sooner than expected based on the pink plus sign when you show him the test. Rosi and Cora were both planned, and while this one wasn’t, there’s an excitement in his heart that Law can’t deny at the thought of having another child with you.

Its not such a bad Father’s Day gift honestly.

~~

To be honest, Penguin never thought he’d be this lucky. He never thought he’d be lucky enough to find you, to get married and have two daughters with you, and now have the joy of bringing home your newborn son on Father’s Day, two days old and baby Sage has joined his sisters in your home, the eight-year-old and four-year-old girls both squealing over how tiny he is.

Penguin beams with pride while he watches them, Wren has gotten over her jealousy of having little siblings ever since Ivy started to get older and could play with her. When you told them the baby was a boy, they were both ecstatic to get a baby brother, and loved coming to the hospital to see and meet him.

As the two try to push each other out of the way to see him while Penguin holds Sage, you put your hands on their heads and quiet them down.

“Hey now, that’s enough. We don’t want to scare him. Don’t you two something for daddy anyway?”

Wren gasps loudly before nodding and grabbing Ivy’s hand, yelling for Penguin to wait there while they ran off to their room. He gives you a confused look while you sit beside him and start to coo at Sage.

“Babe, what’d you do?”

“I didn’t do anything. It was all them.”

When they finally come back, both are holding drawings they’d made the other day with you watching them (mostly since they were using markers). Wren had drawn your whole family as penguins while Ivy had mostly done stick figure drawings of your now family of five, both making sure to include the newest addition. They both tell Penguin ‘happy Father’s Day’ as they hand the pictures over, and he has to fight to not to cry while he hugs them close, kissing them both on the cheek multiple times and making them giggle.

“You’re both the best daughters I could’ve ever asked for!”

~~

Sanji doesn’t take a day off, what are you talking about? The man is a chef, a professional one at that, and with your twins tenth birthday just two days away, he’s busy making their birthday cakes and all the snacks and treats their friends are going to want at the party too. Even though he knows it’s Father’s Day, you know it too, your twins and second daughter have already given him the cards they’d made, he did cry and didn’t try to hide it, and he went right back to work. It might be a day for him to relax, but he doesn’t for more than those few minutes earlier in the day. He’d taken your three-month-old son Elie after you’d finished nursing him, strapping him against his chest in a baby carrier and getting to work while your baby slept against him so you could rest instead.

Honestly, it kind of made you feel bad because you’d already gotten your day, and Sanji was using his to prepare for your twins birthday party and watch your youngest son, your older three children were busying themselves with cleaning their rooms. You’ve already finished the laundry for the day and go to the kitchen to see Sanji isn’t up and cooking at the moment, instead sitting at the table and playing with your small son’s hands while talking to him while Elie looks up at him.

“I feel really blessed to have all of you, Elie. I really hope that you and your siblings know that as you grow up…” Sanji sighs a bit and places a soft kiss on Elie’s head, “I never want you to feel like I did.”

“They won’t,” you surprise Sanji by wrapping your arms around his shoulders and kissing his cheek, “You’re a wonderful father and doing so well with them, Sanji. Just from watching you with all four of our babies, they all absolutely love you.”

“My love—”

“And don’t argue with me, you know its true.”

Sanji laughs and nods, knowing he’d lose that argument in a heartbeat. You’re always so headstrong and just want him to realize that yes, he’s doing a million times better than his own father did, he’s on par with Zeff nowadays, who your kids also have come to adore as their grandfather.

You look around the kitchen a bit, asking if Sanji wants any help, before he starts listing off everything he still has to do and you just watch him. He starts to take Elie out of the baby carrier and hand him over to you as he sees the look on your face.

“Yeah, I’ll uh…sit with Elie while you cook.”

He laughs again, before kissing your forehead and giving you a smile. “That would be wonderful, my love.”

~~

You never truly know how to celebrate Father’s Day when the father of your children is Zoro. It feels like he doesn’t care about it, even when you roll your eyes at him and tell him just to tell you what he wants, before he shrugs and says he doesn’t need anything. He’s got you, Keitaro, and Kuina, and the rest of the Straw Hats, what else could he possibly want or need? There’s nothing material he needs really, unless you want to get him the expensive sake he likes but you think a liquor store owner might find it highly concerning that a seven-month pregnant woman is buying alcohol, which just made Zoro laugh at you when you brought that up.

Ah right, that’s right, it’s not just you, your two children, and the rest of the Straw Hats anymore, or won’t be in a few short weeks. The baby you actually planned this time would be joining you all soon, that’s more than enough. He definitely doesn’t need anything when he thinks about that, just that you and this baby are safe through the rest of your pregnancy and the birth. That’s all he really wants.

Maybe some of that sake still but he’ll get that another way.

His morning meditation that day is interrupted when he senses Keitaro nearby, the seven-year-old trying to sneak up and catch Zoro off guard, though it never works thanks to his observation haki. Even when your son throws his arms around him and yells “gotcha!”, Zoro just smirks a bit, keeping his eyes closed.

“I knew you were there.”

“Daaaad, you’re cheating!” Keitaro whines and pouts, trying to climb onto Zoro’s back before giving up and going around to sit in his lap. “Mama said haki is cheating!”

“That’s only cause your mom can’t sneak up on me either.” He opens his one good eye and stares down at his little clone, the boy still pouting with his arms crossed over his chest. “Where’re your mom and sister?”

“Umm, Kuina’s still asleep, and mama was awake, but said she was going to lay down cause the baby was making her sleepy again.”

“And what are you doing up so early?”

Keitaro starts to look away a bit, shyly trying not to give anything up, before leaning his head against Zoro’s chest and saying “I wanted to hang out just with you…”

When he was younger, Zoro never thought that having kids was for him. He thought they’d get in the way, that there wasn’t any reason to really have them around apart from legacy, but then you showed up and turned everything upside down. Keitaro wasn’t planned, but he’d brought so much more to both your lives than either of you expected. Your sweet Kuina was a surprise too, you swear she’s made Zoro softer in more recent years, something he tries to deny but everyone else can see it when she’s got his attention.

And your coming addition, the one that was planned, even if they hadn’t been you still would welcome this baby happily. Sometimes, Zoro still isn’t sure that fatherhood suits him, but you swear to him that he’s the best father you’ve ever seen, even better than your own, and maybe you’re right, just from how Keitaro quietly wants to spend time with his dad, just the two of them before the day really gets started. Its more apparent when Kuina convinces him to read to her, and when your unborn child kicks at his hand while he talks to them.

“All right, buddy,” Zoro sets one hand on Keitaro’s back and strokes his hair with the other, watching as he starts to fall back asleep too, not used to being up this early, “You stay with me for now then.”

Maybe he’s not so bad at this fatherhood thing after all.

[hwangism143]

𓆩♡𓆪 nicknames. 𓆩♡𓆪

maknae line.

bang chan.

when you woke up from bed, you noticed a bang chan-shaped depression right beside you. a giggle escaped your mouth as your brain recounted all the fun you had last night trying to beat chan in monoply.

yes, you had only been dating for two months, but this relationship felt real. it felt like something. you were confident in saying that you saw a future with him. you walked into the kitchen where you chan preparing breakfast. he handed you a cup of coffee, just the way you like it, with a sleepy smile.

"so, i've been thinking and," chan started, "would like it if i call you a nickname in your native language?"

you nearly choked on your coffee. "like it? chan, that is the sweetest thing ever."

he grinned at you, "good, cuz i have been doing a lot of research." he swooped down, kissing the top of your head and melting your heart along with it.

lee minho.

"i have a problem."

minho startled you, uttering those four words as soon as he stepped through the door. you were watching tv, curled up on the sofa with a blanket and dori, munching on popcorn and waiting for minho's arrival.

"what's wrong?"

"it's you." minho watched your face morph into confusion and worry and he quickly explained, "not exactly. since we're dating, i need to come up with a cute nickname for you. hyunjin said that jagiya is not cute enough."

at that, you start to laugh. "babe, does he even know why you call me jagiya? as a matter of fact, i'm curious too."

minho begins blushing, the tips of his ears turning red. "oh, um, as a nickname, it reminds me of home. and you're, well, home."

you let out a squeal and begin attacking minho with kisses and for once, he doesn't protest.

seo changbin.

"no. i will not give up."

you let out a weary sigh. "binnie, it's been hours."

changbin is sitting on a bar stool and you are sprawled across the sofa, dangling upside down. for the past two hours, you and changbin had been deciding on what terms of endearment to use on each other.

unlike changbin being extremely undecisive, you had almost immediately decided what you would call him. your bunny boy! this was probably an extremely boring way to spend your six-month anniversary to outsiders, but it was (comically) important to changbin and if it was important to him, it was important to you.

"i'm sorry for boring you, princess," he said sadly. suddenly, his eyes widened. you got up instantly, making eye contact with him, breaking out into a smile.

"that's it!"

hwang hyunjin.

you and hyunjin laid down on the mat you placed on the grass, gazing at the stars. or at least, you were gazing at the stars. hyunjin's eyes only looked at you.

"what's your favorite term of endearment?" he asked, breaking the comfortable silence you were in.

"hm," you contemplated it for a minute, "probably love. there is something just so romantic about calling someone you love, love. it's almost as if you're making it known to the world that they personify your version of love."

hyunjin nodded in agreement, "or that the exemplify the love that they have to give."

you turned to look at him. his face was drawn in concentration, clearly very focused on the topic at hand. "but," he began, "it's ambiguous, isn't it? you can call anyone love, regardless of the type of love."

you hummed at his words, turning them over in your head. "well then, what would you prefer?" you questioned him, curious to hear the thoughts in his head.

"something my-adjacent," he replied, "my love. my muse. my world."

he cupped your cheeks in his hand looking at you with stars in his eyes.

"my everything."

[cntloup]

After almost four months of working for Simon, you take a maternity leave... and your feelings for him start to bubble up

Simon bumps into you, a troubled woman whose boyfriend kicked her out after he found out she's pregnant

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9

He holds you, gently rubbing your back as your stomach heaves and you throw up your lunch. You're in your third trimester and it’s been hell for you. 

You sob onto his chest while clinging to him, from the agonizing pain in your abdomen and the unbearable nausea. 

“Shh, it’s ok, luvie. I've got you.” he coos, holding you tighter and cradling your head against his chest as you bawl your eyes out. 

Even though your mind is somewhat dazed, your heart still flutters at the nickname. 

In almost four months of working as his assistant, you slowly drifted closer and closer to each other.

But you still don't know if you'd call yourselves friends or not, it's something more, yet less than what you wish to be.

After a few minutes spent on the bathroom floor in his office, you finally calm down a bit. 

“I’m so sorry. I don’t think I can work like this.” you apologize sheepishly while looking up at him through glossy eyes, still in his arms. 

“That’s fine. You'll be on leave until you’re ready.” he says, looking back at you through hooded eyes. 

“Really? There's no problem with that?” 

“Yeah. It's ok. We'll get a substitute for now. The leave is with pay of course so no worries about money problems.” he responds and you throw your arms around him happily and hug him as well as you can with your swollen tummy, “Oh, Simon! Thank you so much.” 

“ ‘s nothin’.” he replies while hugging you back. 

“You can come stay with me, you know?” he mentions as he pulls away to look at you, your hair disheveled and your eyes puffy and red while sitting on the bathroom floor after throwing up for nearly half an hour, but oh how he still adores you... in this state... or in any state to be honest. 

“Are you sure?” you whisper, throat too hoarse to speak any louder. 

“I’m sure.” he replies sternly with a nod and you gaze into his eyes gratefully. 

“I’ll help you pack up.” he adds, taking your silence and the look you just gave him as a yes. 

“Thank you.” you say and try to get up, but fail miserably with your huge belly and utter exhaustion. 

He gets up first and helps you up, “Careful, luv.” he murmurs as you stumble a bit, wrapping his arms around your waist to keep you steady. 

He helps you gather your stuff and carefully walks you to his car to drop you off at his place, his hand finding your waist and the other one holding yours.

“Are you sure you’re gonna be fine alone?” he asks with concern as he pulls up into his driveway. 

“Yes, I'm gonna be fine for a few hours. In fact, I'm gonna take a nap.” you respond reassuringly with a smile. 

“Take care, luv.” he smiles and you wave goodbye. 

He leaves as you step inside the house and close the door. 

You lean against the door and let out a squeal and giggle like a schoolgirl. 

And you don’t even know why. Is it the hormones? Is it him? 

It’s been a while since he’s making you feel some type of way. 

You settle on the couch to take a nap, not wanting to take up his bed even though you know he wouldn’t mind. But still, it feels like an invasion of his privacy. 

You don’t get much sleep as your mind and heart are encompassed by him. 

You keep tossing and turning. For hours. Even though you’re utterly exhausted. 

Until he returns home and walks over to you, “Hey... why didn't you sleep on the bed?” he asks with furrowed eyebrows.

“Well, I didn’t really sleep at all.” you mumble as you try to get up, looking at him over the back of the couch.

“Why? You ok?” he asks with a concerned look etched on his face as he helps you sit up on the couch and he sits beside you. 

“I’m fine, Si. It's just that... the hormones are making me feel weird is all.” you ramble, not really knowing how to answer him, also using the nickname which he insisted on you using. It just makes him feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

“Do you need to go to the doctor?” he questions further, worry creeping up on him. 

“No. It's fine. I'll take some pills and try to get some sleep. Don't worry.” you try to play it cool and shrug it off.

He gently carries you to bed and brings your meds, sitting on the edge of the bed and handing them to you with a glass of water. 

“Get some rest, luv. I'll make you something to eat.” he mutters while tucking a strand of loose hair behind your ear as you lie down, eyes locked onto one another, making your heart skip a beat.

You let out a sigh and shut your eyes after he leaves, in hopes of getting even a little bit of much-needed sleep.

[the-case-book-of-fanfiction]

The Only Tally Mark

Ship: Steve Harrington x reader

Summary: The 'You Suck' tallies are getting pretty high, but there's a girl in Scoops Ahoy who knows Robin in wrong. If she can just get the courage to open her mouth, Steve's luck is about to change.

Word Count: 7,250 words

Warnings: Robin's a bit mean, she also has no filter, pining, Steve's failed flirting attempts, blatant staring/pining, implied confession, first kiss

Note: Set pre-s4 and the day Dustin comes back, before the Russian code is cracked.

☟ Continue below the fold ☟

July had only just begun in Hawkins, and you could already tell it was going to be a hot one. Less than twenty-four hours in, temperatures had already hit record-breaking highs—at least, that was according to the weatherman on the television you were sat in front of, sweating and feeling relief from the heat only when the fan beside you swiveled back toward you.

“Every July is this hot,” your father said from the kitchen, where he was drinking his second glass of water in five minutes.

“Oh, sure, but never this early,” your mother retorted. “It’s only the first, and already we’re melting out of the house.”

Sensing an irritable argument birthed from the nearly unbearable heat, you left the living room and headed up the stairs to your bedroom. You picked up the phone you’d begged your parents to let you have years ago, dialing the number of your best friend of four years: Robin Buckley, the band dweeb to your theatre kid.

It was her mom who answered the phone, several dial tones later. “Hello?”

“Hi, Mrs. Buckley—is Robin home?”

“Oh, hi, sweetie! She’s at work right now, her shift ends at seven.”

You stopped yourself from swearing. “Oh, right, I forgot. Thank you!”

“No problem, dear,” Mrs. Buckley said before hanging up.

You leaned against the wall. How could you have forgotten? Robin had been telling you about her new job in the mall—and the sailor’s uniform she had to wear. You’d seen her get ready for work once and had burst into giggles the moment she put the hat on her head.

You glanced at the digital clock next to your bed, checking the time. There was still several hours before the mall closed. You might as well visit Robin and abuse your friendship to get some free ice cream at the same time, right?

So you grabbed your wallet and shoved it in your pocket and bounded down the stairs.

"Hey, I'm going out!" you shouted to your parents.

"Where do you think you're going, young lady?" your father asked, appearing in the doorway between the living room and the kitchen.

"To the mall? Robin works there and I'm going to visit."

"Don't spend too much, dear!" your mother called.

"Sure, Mom!"

You hopped in your car and headed for the mall, following the thick cluster of traffic that always lined the streets leading to the mall, passing through the streets lined with empty, hollow shops.

~❊~

The mall was crowded, as busy as it had always been since the day it opened. You pushed your way through the crowds gathered around storefronts and display windows, trying to remember which floor Scoops Ahoy was on.

You took the escalator down to the first floor and scanned the shops surrounding you. When you spotted the sign for the ice cream store, you headed toward it, maneuvering past a group of pre-teens cackling about manipulating the store's workers into giving them free samples.

There was no one at the counter when you walked in. A majority of the tables were occupied by groups of teens. As you approached the register, you could hear faint bickering from behind the pebbled glass windows, Robin's distinct voice floating out to you.

"...do the job you're supposed to do, I've been scooping so much ice cream my hand's cramped," she was saying.

You stifled a giggle and tapped your hand lightly against the bell in front of you, wincing when it was a little louder than you had been expecting.

The swing door on the left opened with a bang, revealing the back of a boy who was gesturing at Robin, who was quite literally pushing him out the door. She disappeared before you could catch her attention, and the other attendant took up his place in front of the register.

"Ahoy, sailor! Would you like to set sail on this ocean of flavor with me? I'll be your captain, I'm Steve Harrington."

You blinked at him. "Is that company policy like the hat and the outfit?"

He stared at you. "I'm sorry, what?"

You shrugged. "I'm a friend of Robin's, she complains about the, and I quote, stupid company rules that make everyone look stupid."

He stared at you. You stared at him. Awkward silence settled between the two of you.

The introduction hadn't been necessary. You had spent most of your high school experience listening to Robin complain about Steve Harrington and his stupid perfect hair and his stupid easy charm and his stupid actual stupidity. The Steve she'd painted matched up perfectly with the kid you'd seen around in the halls, dressed in his ironed polo shirts and pleated khakis or that stupid basketball uniform and letterman jacket—and Nancy Wheeler on his arm.

You and Robin had watched his life crash and burn with malicious glee—and all the while you had tried to ignore that this was the very same boy you'd crushed on in middle school, and had been so shocked to find out had changed so much when you got to the high school, a year after he did.

Steve cleared his throat, his gaze dropping to the register, firmly away from you. "Um. What can I get you?"

"Uh..." Every ice cream flavor you had ever liked instantly disappeared from your head. It wasn't like the usual mind-blankness that came from being asked a question about your favorite anything. It was like your entire body had stopped, freezing in the pretty face of Steve Harrington, ridiculous as the uniform was. Especially with the hat, which Robin hadn't told you about.

The door swung open again. "Jesus, Steve, what's taking you so damn long?" Robin froze where she stood. A smile lit up her face. "What are you doing here?!"

You grinned. "Visiting!"

Robin hip-checked Steve out of the way. Steve glared at her while she grabbed the ice cream scoop from the pocket at his side.

"Jesus, do you have to be so brutal?" he snapped.

Clearly fighting the urge to roll her eyes, Robin turned back to Steve. "I'm sorry, would you please get out of the way so I can serve my best friend? Thanks," she said, her customer service smile plastered to her face.

Muttering under his breath, Steve pushed away from the counter, leaning on the sill of the window behind him. He crossed his arms, still staring resolutely at the floor.

Robin grinned at you. "I wasn't expecting you to—"

"Be here?" you finished. "I called your house before I realized you were working, so I thought I might as well come visit."

"Glad you did," she said. "You would not believe how much of a headache it is working with dingus over there."

You glanced over her shoulder at Steve, his pink lips forming a pissy pout. Oh, yeah. Still pretty, still a bitch.

"You didn't tell me you worked with him," you said under your breath.

Robin shrugged, shooting you a knowing smile. "Yeah, well, I knew you'd show up and find out for yourself eventually." Her eyes slid to the corners, as if she could see Steve sulking behind her. "We'll talk about him later. What ice cream do you want? On us."

You giggled. "How did I know you'd say that?"

She snorted. "Oh, so you're abusing our friendship for free ice cream?"

"Maybe," you said. "Just this once."

Robin rolled her eyes and grabbed an ice cream cone. "Here—I'll grab your favorite."

And, without you needing to remind her, she lowered the scoop into the tub of ice cream that you got every time the two of you had gotten ice cream after going to see a movie, back before the mall. You wondered how you could have forgotten, until you looked over Robin's shoulder again and found Steve looking up, lips parted and eyes fixed on you. The minute you caught his gaze, he blushed and looked away.

You took advantage of his embarrassment, admiring the pink in his cheeks and how he awkwardly licked his lips. He toyed with the watch on his wrist, crossed and uncrossed his legs. Was he nervous? An even better question—had you ever seen Steve Harrington nervous before?

While you studied Steve, Robin made a second cone of ice cream, a different flavor than yours.

Robin looked behind her. "Hey—man the counter, will you? I'm going on break."

Steve spluttered. "You just came back from break!"

"No, we just finished our lunch break. I still have my federally-required thirty minutes to take. So I'm gonna take 'em." She shoved the scoop at Steve's chest and stepped out from behind the counter.

The pair of you took an unoccupied table near the counter, in case she was needed.

"Should you be leaving him to do it by himself?" you asked, glancing back at Steve one last time.

"What, are you worried about him? He'll be fine," Robin said. She shrugged with a sigh. "He's...he's not as bad as we thought he was in high school. He's less of a douche now, at least."

"Just a dingus?" you asked with a smile.

She nodded. "He's still as stupid as we always thought."

You turned your attention away from Steve at toward your ice cream. "Why didn't you tell me he worked with you?"

She rolled her eyes. "Let's not have that conversation while he's here, okay? For your dignity's sake. I know he's far away, but he's got impressive hearing." She shrugged. "Blame it on four years of listening for gossip, I guess."

Your gaze shifted back to Steve as he raked a hand through his hair, stretching enough for his shirt to lift. Heat rushed to your cheeks and you crossed your legs. Now that he wasn't surrounded by assholes who mocked you and Robin and your friends for their own personal entertainment, it was easier to appreciate how he'd grown into himself since middle school. Taking care of himself had made him a whole new level of handsome.

Robin giggled. "Yeah—that's why we're not gonna talk about this while he's around. You still have a thing for him, don't you?"

Steve relaxed against the countertop, fixing his hair and putting the hat back on with a scowl. You cleared your throat.

"I was hoping you'd forgotten about that."

"Me? Forget about you having the most embarrassing crush on him for years? Only to get to high school and find out he'd become a dick? Never."

You groaned. "Oh, stop rubbing it in!"

A gaggle of girls walked into the store, four of them giggling and talking and rolling their eyes. Immediately, Steve stood up a little straighter and fiddled with his uniform.

Robin snorted. "Oh, watch this. He's been failing catastrophically with every girl that walks in. I keep count."

"You keep count?"

She nodded gleeful, pointing with her chin in the direction of the counter.

"Ahoy, ladies!" Steve said, leaning on the counter. His attempt to be attractive failed dismally, however, when his hand slipped off the side and he lost both his balance and his composure for a moment.

One of the girls giggled with her friend. Steve's cheeks darkened.

"I'm Steve Harrington, I'll be your captain on this ocean of flavor. What can I get you lovely ladies today?"

You glanced at Robin. "I don't see what he's doing wrong."

"That's because this is scripted," Robin whispered back.

The first girl stepped forward. "One scoop of chocolate and one of vanilla, please."

Steve tried a debonaire smile. "Oooh, classic, I like it. I'm all for vanilla myself, you know, all the time."

You winced. "Was...was that supposed to be a double entendre?"

"Yep," Robin said, popping the p with a smirk.

"I see what you mean now," you said. The girl was making a face that said she caught Steve's drift and found it rude. Steve cleared his throat and moved on, scooping ice cream into a cone and handing it to her with a mortified whisper of "here you go." His gaze flicked over to you and Robin, at which point his mortification seemed to grow.

You watched the exchange grow steadily worse. Steve stumbled over his words and tripped over his feet and dropped an empty cone twice. Customers who had already gotten ice cream became onlookers who left, one by one, as the secondhand embarrassment grew.

"God, he's hopeless," you whispered. "Whatever happened to the Steve in high school?"

"You mean the one with a new girl on his arm every week? I'd say that stopping can be blamed on one Nancy Wheeler," Robin said.

You rolled your eyes. "While they were dating, obviously. But now? One relationship shouldn't make him incapable of flirting with a girl."

Robin watched the girls leave, snickering behind their hands. A moment later, Steve groaned, wiping a hand over his face. "You know what I think his problem is?"

"What?"

"He's trying to flirt all of them into submission, not just one girl he likes out of the group."

You nodded slowly. "Sounds about right. I mean...if he flirted with me one minute and then you the next, I don't think I'd want to jump his bones, exactly."

Robin rolled her eyes. "What are you talking about? You've always wanted to jump his bones."

"That was middle school, and that was before any of us gave a shit about sex."

"Yeah, keep telling yourself that," Robin teased. "I saw how you looked at him during gym class."

You shrugged, trying to hide your face behind your hair. Robin knew your expressions better than anyone; your embarrassment was going to be obvious the minute she caught sight of you. "It's gym class! Guys don't wear shirts ninety percent of the time, they practically invite girls to stare." Your gaze slid back to Steve, who was once again staring at the floor. His cheeks were still red, and that pretty mouth of his had once again formed a pout. "Jesus, I don't think I've ever seen him so...despondent."

"He's like that at least five times a shift," Robin said. She played with a small red plastic spoon she had pulled from her pocket. "You know... You could come work here with us. Then you'd get to see Steve every day."

"Robin, you're constantly complaining about how much you hate working your, and I quote, pitiful minimum wage job."

"Yeah, but you like Steve, and eye candy makes the day go by faster."

You swatted her arm discreetly. "Don't objectify him!"

She rolled her eyes. "Hey, Steve!"

Steve looked up so quickly you swore you heard his neck crack, even with some distance between your table and the counter. "What?"

"Come convince her to work with us!"

You glared at her. "Robin, I already have a summer job!" you protested, trying to stop your heart from racing as Steve approached the two of you. You looked anywhere but him, knowing a soft smile and a well-timed flutter of his eyelashes was all it would take for Steve to convince you to do anything he asked.

Steve pulled a chair from the other table for two next to you, spinning it unnecessarily in his hand and dragging it to the edge of your table. He straddled it, leaning his arms against the backrest. Your heart climbed into your throat.

Steve's eyes met yours and every thought melted from your brain. Brown had never been such a pretty color. Although his eyes weren't just brown, they were hazel, mottled with soft greens and blues and greys. You'd never seen such beautiful eyes before, so expressive and kind and interested and attentive and—

"Tell her why she should come work with us," Robin said, breaking your focus on Steve's eyes.

You rolled your eyes. "Robin, I already have a job," you repeated. "A job I like that pays well that I can work at year-round."

Steve snorted, shaking his head absentmindedly. "Then don't come here, that's for sure. The pay is shit, the job is just as bad, and nobody likes ice cream in the winter."

Robin glared at him. "What part of convincing her do you not understand?"

Steve shrugged, ignoring her. "But, then again, you'd get to work with Robin and you might alleviate my boredom from dealing with her all the time." He jerked his head toward Robin. "You wouldn't believe how mean to me she is."

You stifled a giggle as Robin huffed. An easy grin reminiscent of the king he once as slid across Steve's face. You felt slightly giddy, knowing you had been the one to put it there.

More people walked into the store and Robin shot to her feet. "Come on, dingus. We have a job to do." She dragged him to his feet, ignoring his hiss of complaint. He shot you an apologetic shrug as she pulled him behind the register again.

While the two of them got back to work, you sat back in your booth table and finished your ice cream. Once you were done, you discreetly snuck out of the store, leaving a note for Robin at the counter promising to call her after her shift.

As you wrote the note and taped it to the register, you failed to notice Steve pause where he was scooping ice cream to watch you, or that his gaze stayed on you until you left the store and Robin had to snap him out of his reverie.

~❊~

Though it seemed utterly impossible, the next day was even hotter than the last. You lasted all of two hours at the community pool before you got tired of the screaming children and moms flirting with Billy Hargrove and you went home.

You changed out of your bathing suit, dressing more consciously than you had since the eighth grade semi-formal. You selected your jewelry carefully before hopping in your car and heading to the mall for a second time that week.

Scoops Ahoy was significantly less busy when you walked in. Robin looked half-asleep where she stood at the counter, but she brightened when you walked in.

"You just couldn't stay away, could you?" she asked, leaning on the counter with a grin.

You shrugged. "It's hot, ice cream is a solution."

She studied you for a moment. "The pool didn't solve that?"

You scoffed. "Hell no. It's full of tiny children and middle-aged moms and girls who only go so they can take up space and stare at Billy."

"And there's no Steve there, is there?" Robin teased.

You rolled your eyes. "No," you admitted. "Or you."

Robin scooped your ice cream and passed it to you over the countertop. "He'll be back soon, his break ends in a minute. He went to go grab us food."

"He what?"

Robin shrugged. "Yeah, he does that a lot. I hate to say it, but he's actually a nice guy. I think we might have been wrong about him."

You grinned. "So I was right back in middle school! I told you."

Robin rolled her eyes. "Yeah, you did." She cleared her throat. "Behind you."

You heard Steve's footsteps approaching a split second before he said, "Hey, you're back! Applying?"

Turning to face him, you snorted. "Absolutely not. I'm here for ice cream and ice cream alone."

Steve frowned. "What are we, chopped liver?" he asked, gesturing between himself and Robin.

"I'm surprised you know that phrase," Robin said.

Steve made a face. "I do know some things, Robin." He turned back to you. "I told you she's mean to me."

You laughed. "She's mean to everyone sometimes, it's nothing personal."

"Yes it is, dingus," Robin said, and you remembered she had plenty of reasons aside from Steve's years mocking her and her friends to be angry with him.

You just shrugged at him when Steve looked at you for guidance. He copied your shrug and passed Robin a plastic bag that smelled heavenly.

"If I'd known you were coming to visit, I would have gotten you something," Steve said apologetically.

"Oh, it's fine," you promised. "I've got ice cream." He smiled at you, his laughter shining through. "Honestly, I'm surprised you two don't exist off of ice cream."

"We used to," Robin said.

Steve nodded. "It got pretty tiring after a week. It's like when they told us in health class that energy from sugar doesn't last very long. Or something like that."

Robin squinted at him. "You can't remember enough of high school to get to college, but you can remember health class?"

"I remembered enough to graduate," Steve mumbled, cheeks turning pink once again. You were starting to get used to Steve's embarrassment. It was as cute as he always was.

"Stay and eat with us," Robin said, turning back to you. "I'll split my fries with you. You did remember the fries, didn't you, dingus?"

"Of course I remembered the fries," Steve snorted. He dropped the Closed for lunch! sign on the counter and held the swinging door open for you. You thanked him as you walked by, aware of his eyes following you.

You sat in the seat Robin pulled out for you and finished your ice cream before stealing some of the previously offered fries.

"I think we're closing early, Robin," Steve said, glancing out the cracked window. "We've had, what, three people all day?"

"Four if you count the Radio Shack employee across the way," Robin said. "But I don't, because they get it for free."

You frowned. "Do I not count as a customer because you give me ice cream for free?"

Steve shook his head a bit too quickly. "No, you count, Robin just doesn't like the Radio Shack employees."

"Because they're rude," she complained. "They complain about everything and change their minds three times—but always after you've already started scooping, and even when you're done, they don't like it!"

"Sounds like a regular day in customer service," you said, feigning cheerfulness.

"Yeah, a shitty day," Robin said.

"Where do you work?" Steve asked. "I don't think I've ever asked."

"The record store down on Main," you said.

"You know, the one I said I had been planning on working at," Robin said. "But Scoops hired faster."

"Maybe we should switch jobs," Steve muttered.

Robin snorted. "Yeah, like that'll go over well."

"The store won't hire more people, anyway," you cut in. "It got rid of most of the staff, especially the new people, to cut costs because of the mall."

"Is there a record store in here?" Steve asked.

"No, but there is a Sam Goody and a Camelot Music in the mall. We used to have a partnership with the Sam Goody on Main, but then it closed due to the mall, and we started losing business to the one in the mall." You sighed. "I hear about it all the time. It's all the owner ever talks about these days."

Steve munched on a fry, staring at you as you spoke. His eyes were stuck firmly on you. You tried not to squirm under his intense gaze.

Robin leaned back in her chair. "One of these days, I'm gonna visit you at work instead."

You rolled your eyes. "If you ever have a day off," you said.

"Kinda hard to have a day off when we're the only two working here," Steve said.

You nodded. "The constant problem of being short staffed."

"That would be solved if you just came and worked here," Robin muttered into her wrap. You rolled your eyes again, stealing another one of her fries.

"No, Robin."

Robin harrumphed and took a bite of her sandwich more viciously than twas strictly required.

Steve faked a pout. "You just really don't like us, do you?"

"She doesn't," Robin agreed, smirking. You knew that smirk; she was going to do her best to guilt trip you—using Steve, which was perhaps the only way to guilt you into doing what she wanted.

You rolled your eyes. "It's got nothing to do with you, I promise."

"Ouch," they said in unison.

You frowned. "What are you, the same person?"

They both shrugged.

"Alright, that's just weird," you sighed. You glanced down at your watch. "How long does your lunch break last?"

"Thirty minutes. Why?" Steve asked.

You shrugged. "Wouldn't want you to get fired because I'm here distracting you."

Steve propped his head up on his hand. Stray curls of hair fell into his face. Your heart twisted in your chest. He was beautiful. How could he be so beautiful?

Robin watched as you and Steve stared at each other. You were aware of her gaze bouncing back and forth between the two of you, observing the way you were melting under his gaze, your lips parting the longer he looked at you, the barriers you'd put up slowly crumbling. Steve was no better, staring at you with open, asking eyes. He moistened his lower lip with his tongue and it took everything in you not to whimper.

Out of the corner of your eye, you saw the look on Robin's face—the look of disgust that crossed her face every time she was disgusted by public affection from straight couples. Your heart did flips at the sight of her expression.

"Would you guys stop that?" she groaned, getting up from her seat.

"Doing what?" Steve asked, still looking at you. You tore your eyes away from him and back to the half-empty container of fries.

"Making eyes at each other," she said. Steve spluttered, instantly losing the lovey look in his eyes.

"Making eyes— Robin, what are you talking about?"

You cleared your throat. "Hey, um, what's the board for?" You hoped your question would steer the conversation away from the feeling bubbling in your chest at the sight of Steve.

Steve groaned, hiding his face in his hands.

"I told you I was keeping score of Steve's failing dating life. This is my scoreboard."

You nearly choked. "You keep track of it on a whiteboard at work?!" You looked at the neatly drawn board, the 'You Rule' and 'You Suck' columns divided by a line.

"Actually, I have to put the one from yesterday on here."

Steve groaned again, cheeks burning very red. He looked like he wanted to crawl under the table and stay there.

You watched her add a line. "Robin..."

"She's right, I suck," Steve sighed. "My luck's been pretty shit recently."

"You don't suck, she's just being mean," you said. You sent her a look, shaking your head slightly. She just shrugged.

"You don't have to be nice about it," he said. "I know how bad I am at this. I haven't gotten laid in months."

"Okay, too much information, Steve," you said with a little laugh.

"Oh, so this suddenly isn't a safe place to talk about all our life troubles?" he teased.

You laughed fully. He smiled, and the room seemed to light up with the glow emanating from him.

"Get a room," Robin groaned.

Steve turned around. "I'm not flirting, Robin!"

"Yeah, right," Robin smirked. "It's just working this time."

You coughed. "I, um, I have to go."

They both turned back to you, as if they'd forgotten that you were even there.

"Shit, hang on," Steve started, but Robin cut him off.

"No, wait, I didn't mean it like that—" Robin said, realizing she'd practically told Steve you liked him.

"Yeah, right, I know, I just have, uh..." You fumbled for an excuse for a minute. "I have to go drive a friend home! I'll call you later, Robs!" You rushed out the swinging door just as the bell at the counter rang.

Steve pushed his hands through his hair. "Shit."

"Oh, no," Robin whispered. "Steve, ignore that, ignore all of that, I screwed up, I shouldn't have said anything, she's going to be so pissed. It's just that she's liked you since middle school and it's gotten worse now that you're not a douchebag—" Robin clapped a hand over her mouth.

"I won't tell her you said that," Steve said quietly. "Oh, Jesus, Robin..."

"I'm sorry—"

"Stop apologizing to me," Steve said. "If you hadn't said anything, I never would have realized."

Robin made a face. "See, that's why you suck, not because you're bad at flirting with girls. You've just been flirting with the wrong ones, because you're oblivious of the ones that actually like you."

Steve was quiet for a moment. "Yeah. Thanks for pointing that out." He peered out the window, watching you leave the mall, wiping at your eyes and pushing your hair out of your eyes.

Simultaneously, Steve and Robin whispered, "Shit."

At the counter, Erica Sinclair tapped the bell again. "Hello? I want some samples!"

They shouted, "Shut up!"

Steve slammed the glass doors shut.

~❊~

Steve unlocked his front door, stepped inside his house, and put his back to the closed door. He slid down the door with a heavy sigh.

"Jesus Christ," he muttered under his breath. All he had been able to see since you left Scoops was your stricken face, horrified and embarrassed that Robin had spilled your biggest secret. (Which Robin had told him after, in bits and pieces, while they closed up the store.)

Steve couldn't believe it. How had he never noticed? Granted, he hadn't been the most observant for, well, the majority of his life. And his middle school years had been fairly dull, unmemorable. But wouldn't have noticed if you—you, out of everyone in Hawkins Middle—had been crushing on him?

To his utter shame, the most Steve remembered of you in middle school was how you had been a good friend to him, long before any of his high school friends knew who he was, and that he'd ditched you once he got to high school. You'd helped him study a few times, too. He wasn't sure what year it was, but he knew you'd helped him pass both English and History in the same year.

He'd shared a handful of classes with you, too, when classes had been so small they'd mixed grades. Sixth grade science, when the two of you had worked on a minor chemical project together. In seventh grade, you'd had two classes together. Gym, which had been downright brutal so early in the morning, especially when the teachers split up the teams as boys against girls. He remembered you had gotten nailed in the head with a basketball once, and that he'd been asked by your teacher to take you to the nurse. Then there had been math class, where he'd sat behind you, asking you questions and begging you to explain the concepts he didn't understand—even though you didn't understand it much more than he did. Eighth grade history, where Steve had done a presentation on his grandfather's experience in the World War, and you had been the only to actually raise your hand to ask a question.

Steve got up from the door and went up to his bathroom, stripping out of his uniform to take a shower. While the water soaked his hair and skin, warming him up, Steve's mind turned back to you—not that it had ever really left you.

You had been his first crush. Well, his first real crush. You'd been pretty, even when you were young and curious and a year younger than he was. Most of his friends had said that the younger girls were cute, but embarrassing to like. So Steve hid that he liked you. It wasn't until Nancy in high school, when it became cool, that he dated anyone younger than himself.

He wished he'd said something to you then. Would it have saved him a world of hurt? Or would it just have been an even worse broken heart waiting for him?

Steve recalled the way you had looked at him earlier, your eyes practically sparkling and your lips stretching into a gorgeous, content smile. It had stopped his heart to know that he was the reason you looked so happy, that he had brought that smile to your lips and that he had made those smile lines around your eyes appear and that he had been the reason your pupils were blown wide.

Steve shut off the shower and pulled on a new pair of boxers, flopping onto his bed with a content sigh, which matched the happy smile on his face.

You liked him.

Feeling like a teenage girl, Steve rolled until he could hide an excited squeal in his pillow.

You liked him again.

Steve was certain that's what made him so giddy. You'd liked him before he'd become King Steve, before the popularity made him interesting—and you liked him again, now that he'd changed and learned and grown up. Now that he'd learned to be himself without a care in the world for anyone else's opinion.

It was like redemption, but it felt so much better than that.

A sudden feeling overwhelmed Steve.

The next time he saw you, he needed to tell you how he felt about you. He needed to make it clear that Robin's slip-up had not ruined the slow banter, the friendship the two of you had been dancing around.

Resolved, his thoughts stopped spinning. He turned off the lamp on his nightstand and shut his eyes.

Please come back tomorrow, he thought, before falling into a gentle sleep, full of dreams of romanticized meetings, confessions, and kisses.

~❊~

You avoided Scoops for several days, choosing to tough out the warm weather in the overcrowded community pool until your mortification subsided. Robin had called repeatedly to assure you Steve wasn't weirded out or annoyed or embarrassed by your crush on him. In fact, she almost made it sound as if he was pleased by it.

But you still couldn't make yourself go to Scoops Ahoy. Even the mental image of walking in and seeing Steve's face twist with some kind of disgust made your stomach twist.

But a girl could only take so much of Billy Hargrove. So, after nearly a week, you drove to the mall instead of the pool. It still took you nearly ten minutes to force yourself out of your car.

You had thought seeing Steve and Robin in their sailor uniforms had been strange, but there was a far stranger sight directly ahead of you: Robin at the counter, staring in absolute confusion, and Steve jumping with joy at the sight of the small child in the front of the store.

"Henderson!" Steve's smile was huge. The sight made you smile, albeit a bit more confused. "Henderson! He's back, he's back!"

"I'm back! You got the job!"

"I got the job!"

And then, just when you thought this strange scene could not get any weirder, Steve mimed playing a trumpet and both he and the child did a strange miming handshake, giggling all the while.

Robin leaned forward. "How many children are you friends with?"

Steve's overjoyed smile slipped from his face. He gestured to Robin with a strained look on his face, as if he were signaling See what I have to deal with?

"You mean there's more children?" you asked, walking up to them with a shy smile, almost embarrassed to make your return. Your stomach dipped as Steve turned to you, but his smile was back.

"Hey, you're back!" Steve said. "I thought we'd never see you again!"

You shrugged. "Yeah, well, I got tired of Billy flirting with me."

"Max's brother?" the child asked.

You stared at him. "I don't know who that is. Or who you are, actually."

"Oh, I'm—"

"This is Dustin," Steve interrupted. "Dustin Henderson. He's, uh, he's one of my friends." He went behind the counter and started making an ice cream sundae.

You gave Dustin your name and offered him your hand. "Pleasure to meet you."

"How do you know Steve?" Dustin asked.

At the same time, both you and Steve pointed to Robin. She waggled her fingers at him.

"I'm going on break," Steve said, handing the sundae to Dustin. "Your turn to man the counter. Come on, Dustin, my treat!"

The two of them slipped into a booth. You leaned against the countertop with a heavy sigh.

"There's like...five or six of them," Robin said. "Kids, I mean. That he's friends with."

"Jesus," you muttered. "How old are these kids?"

"Like...thirteen, maybe?"

"Oh, boy."

Robin giggled. "Looks like you gotta share your man with children now."

You choked. "He's— He's not my man, Robin!" you hissed, your entire body burning. You glanced at Steve, but he was too engrossed in whatever story Dustin was telling him.

"But that's why you're here, isn't it?" Robin asked. "You came back because you're ready to talk to him again, knowing that you like him and he likes you."

You glanced over at Steve. While you observed him, Robin slipped out from behind the counter, quietly humming to herself as she worked.

"Yeah, I mean, sure," he was saying to Dustin. "It's not really a good idea for me though, gotta keep in shape for the ladies." Was it just your imagination, or did his eye stray over toward you?

"Yeah, and how's that working out for you?" Robin teased.

"Ignore her," Steve said quickly.

"She seems cool," Dustin said.

"She's not," Steve said, even quicker. "But, uh, the girl you just met? She's cool. She's really cool." A smile tugged at your lips. You pushed it away as you looked down at the floor, completely missing Steve's lovestruck glance toward you.

Dustin, however, missed nothing, and raised his eyebrows. "Oh, really, Steve?"

Steve cleared his throat. "Anyway. So, uh, where are the other knuckleheads?"

"They ditched me yesterday," Dustin said.

"No," Steve said, his face falling. Your heart squeezed at the sight of his empathy. The Steve from high school never would have cared about a kid whose friends had abandoned him, but this Steve did.

"My first day back! Can you believe that shit?"

"Whoa, seriously?!" Steve demanded, incredulous. Your heart warmed once again.

You turned back to Robin. "In answer to your earlier question," you said under your breath, "yes, that is exactly what I'm here to do."

She giggled. "I knew it! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!" She paused. "Was Billy Hargrove really flirting with you?"

You nodded. "I guess he doesn't really care about high school social status, as long as he gets laid." You shuddered. "I've never felt more objectified in my life, and I pranced around on stage in fishnets and a bodysuit in front of the entire school last year during Chicago!"

"I'm still convinced that was our best show," Robin said.

"I'd like to know how we got the rights to it," you snorted.

"I'd like to know how we convinced Principal Higgins to let us perform it."

You snorted. "Yeah. Has anybody heard anything about next year's shows?"

"Nothing yet," Robin said.

You harrumphed, your gaze sliding back to Steve and Dustin and found them talking in hushed tones. Steve's face was fixed into an expression of embarrassed confusion.

"Oh, got customers, hang on," Robin said, and served them while you moved off to the side, watching Dustin speak behind his hand. Steve just blinked at him and told him to speak up.

"I intercepted a secret Russian communication!" Dustin said, far too loudly.

The entire store went quiet. You and Robin exchanged a glance.

"Jesus, shhhh!" Steve hissed. "Yeah, okay, that's what I thought you said."

Business as normal resumed and Robin's customers headed for their own table.

You cleared your throat. "Well, I guess I should head out—"

"No, no, no, wait! What about Steve?"

"He's busy, Robs," you said, gesturing to him. Your stomach did flips at the cute, teasing little expression on his pretty face as you caught him saying American heroes. You weren't sure you wanted to know what mischief they were getting into. "I'll just...come back tomorrow."

Robin sighed. "Fine. As long as you let me play matchmaker!"

You rolled your eyes. "You've been doing that for the past, what, four years?"

"Yeah, but this time I might actually be successful!"

You shook your head with a smile. "Catch you later, Robin. Bye, Steve!" you added as you walked past.

Steve's head snapped up. He scrambled up from his seat at the booth. "Hey, wait, wait, where are you going?" He caught your arm and your eyes darted to his fingers on you. Every possible excuse was wiped from your head. "I thought you were gonna stay and...hang out for a little while."

You smiled apologetically. "Yeah, I was going to, but your friend just came back, so I figured I'd just come back another time. So you don't have to...divide your already divided attention, y'know?" You gestured back to the counter.

Though there was understanding in Steve's eyes, he still looked disappointed. "Oh...um... Would you—" He cleared his throat, his cheeks gaining a deep pink shade. "Would you maybe wanna hang out together—" He stopped again. "Would you wanna go on a date? With me? Sometime?"

You couldn't stop the smile that stretched across your face. "When?"

"Oh, you know, whenever you want? If you want to, I mean."

You stopped his rambling with a finger against his lips. His eyes widened. "I want to, Steve. I really, really want to. I always have."

He beamed. "Really?"

"Really," you promised. You patted his chest. "Even in this stupid little uniform."

He laughed. "What do you say to...two days from now? Meet me here at the end of my shift so Robin can make fun of us like always—" You laughed with him. "—and then we can go see a movie?" His thumb caressed the skin of your arm. That single touch alone sent butterflies through your stomach, not to mention the beautiful, sappy look in his eyes.

"I'd like that," you said. "I'd like that a lot."

"And, um, if you'd like, there's a little dinner about ten minutes from here with awesome milkshakes we could go to after."

You beamed. "Oh, Steve."

"Yeah?"

"You're absolutely perfect," you said to him, cupping his cheek and smoothing your fingers over his skin. He hummed happily. "Steve?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I... Do you... Can we kiss? I know it's soon, it's just... I've wanted this for a long time."

Steve beamed. He leaned in, cupping the back of your head and pulling you into him. His lips touched yours, and you swore your body crackled with electricity. A feeling similar to pins and needles, but far more pleasant, spread throughout you.

He made to pull away. You brought both your hands to his cheeks and held him to you, kissing him for all you were worth.

In the booth, Dustin's mouth dropped open. A grin spread across his face.

At the counter, Robin, who couldn't see the kiss but saw your hands slide into Steve's hair, pulled out her whiteboard and added a singular tally into the 'You Rule' column.

She glanced back at you and Steve. Steve had broken the kiss to tug you close to him, hugging you to his chest. You twisted your hand into his hair, smiling over his shoulder, your eyes closed against the rest of the world.

Robin grinned; she guessed the 'You Suck' tallies didn't matter anymore. Steve had found the one his charm worked on.

☞ ❊ ☜

Stranger Things // Steve Harrington

part 2 coming soon!

Taglist: {comment and let me know if you'd like to be added to the S.H. taglist!} @ohatropa@nix-rose@live-the-fangirl-life

[jenniferjareauwife]

Redskins

pairing: jennifer jareau x cowgirl fem reader

category: smut

warnings: fingering r receiving, overstimulation

word count: 932

summary: jj thinks you look hot in her clothes

I slipped on JJ's Redskins t-shirt over my head. She had left it on my bed from the last time she had come over. She was coming over in a few minutes and I was beyond excited to see her. I had just gotten out of the shower and ordered from the local pizza place that JJ likes down here.

When I heard a knock on the door I nearly squealed in excitement. I opened it and immediately jumped into JJ's arms. "Hey baby." She kissed all over the side of my face.

"Hi hon."

"Are you wearing my shirt?" She pulled away from the hug and scanned my body.

"Mhm you left it here and I've been using it as a pajama shirt." I smiled and looked down at myself. "Does it look good on me?" She nodded and pushed me back a bit so she could close the door.

"You look so fucking hot." I blushed, not expecting this turn.

"I ordered the pizza you like, it should be here in about half an hour."

"That should be a good amount of time to get a few orgasms out of you." She picked me up and slung me over her shoulder. I giggled as she put me down on my bed. I already wasn't wearing pants because I never wear pants when I get out of the shower. "You just relax against the bed baby." She pulled my underwear down quickly before swiping a finger through my folds.

She grabbed the bottom of her Redskins shirt and pulled it up above my breasts, sucking one nipple into her mouth. "Oh fuck." My eyes fluttered shut. I had missed this so much. Just being close to her. I hadn't expected sex to be the first thing we did once she visited again but I wasn't complaining.

She punched and twisted my other nipples, tugging it away from my chest. I let out a whine so she stopped licking and sucking on my other nipple. She looked up at me with a smile, pupils fully blown. My breath was shaky as I stared into her eyes. My stomach muscles twitched as she ran a finger down to my clit gently. She rubbed it slowly, getting it to poke out from its hood before slipping one finger inside me. "Oh fuck." My eyes shut again and I arched my back.

"Feels good?" She asked softly, kissing my breasts.

"Mhm...so good- fuck!" She eased another finger in and found my g spot. "Jayje." I moaned her name and bucked my hips up to meet her thrusts. "Fuck...JJ I'm gonna cum."

"You can cum baby. Cum all you want." I get my muscles twitch and spasm as I came undone. She fucked me through my orgasm but didn't give me time to settle down. She sped up her thrusts, feeling my walls flutter around her fingers.

"JJ...JJ it feels...feel so good." My shirt was starting to cover my breasts a bit from all my twitching and writhing so she gripped it again and pulled it up, sucking my nipple harshly into her mouth. I got catapulted over the edge again and she still didn't stop.

"How you doing baby?"

"Feels so good." My breathing was uneven as I tried to contemplate all the pleasure I was feeling. I think I started crying because she started kissing my cheeks and whispering praise in my ear.

"You're doing so good baby, you're taking my fingers so well." It felt like my whole body was shaking with pleasure and it felt so good but it was also overwhelming.

"JJ I'm gonna-" I got cut off by a moan escaping my throat. I came again but she still didn't let up. My hips bucked off the bed and I thrashes around, small sobs escaping my lips from the overstimulation. It had only been fifteen minutes but somehow she had managed to pull four orgasms from me and it didn't look like she was stopping anytime soon.

"Just breathe through it baby." I whined and felt my brain short circuit as another orgasm tore through me. Surely she was going to stop now. I felt hot tears rolling down my face. "Shh, shh baby it's ok." She was still relentless with her speed but she was more gentle with my g spot.

"Feels good...just a lot." I panted, laying down again when I felt her hand on my stomach.

"I know it's a lot sweetheart but you look so pretty like this." I whined and moaned, feeling another steady orgasm flow through my body. She had to stop now. I couldn't take anymore.

"JJ..." She pulled out, sucking her fingers clean. The doorbell rang and her eyebrows shot up.

"Guess we forgot about the pizza." I giggled and watched as she ran to the door, grabbing a 20 from her wallet on the way. "How are you feeling baby?" She asked when she came back.

"Hazy." I answered truthfully. "Felt so good though." I rested my head on her shoulder as she put the pizza on a napkin. "That was a good greeting though."

"Good. You have no idea how much I miss you when I'm away."

"You should come down here more often." I said softly, cuddling into her side as she fed me pizza. "We can ride horses around my land. It always calms me down." She looked a bit nervous.

"Ok yeah...we can do that."

"You're the best girlfriend ever." I whispered to her, kissing her jaw. "And I love you so much."

"I love you more."

[simonsrosebud]

also for my second WIP ask PLEASE brussels!!!! im not from belgium but its close enough (to the netherlands) so im really really excited about that one too!!!!

oh gosh I've only been to brussels once for 2 days so im hoping i don't do it dirty. i LOVED brussels and the netherlands!!

-

Neil realized with gut clenching clarity that Andrew would be sitting with him in each and every class that he took.

He and his mother had rules.  Don’t draw attention, don’t ask questions, don’t answer questions, and don’t- definitely don’t make friends.  Neil didn’t have any intention on befriending Andrew, but it was hard to go unnoticed when they sat beside one another for seven hours a day.

Neil had been determined for the last four years to follow his mother’s rules, but it wasn’t often that he went this unnoticed as the new kid.  His mother would never know it, but it was normal for him to be bugged by a good five different students at each new school before everyone learned to leave him alone.  If she knew that, then he’d never be allowed to go to school to all.  Neil didn’t think he could handle that isolation.

So, since he was excelling with flying under the radar, he turned to Andrew two weeks into their introduction.  “Why don’t you speak to anyone?” he asked in English.

Andrew stilled from where he was writing down notes in a mixture of two languages.  Neil didn’t know why he didn’t just pick one.  His own notes were written in French so that no one would know, at least from afar, that he was writing down aimless things instead.  Making lists, like the food they needed to buy when it was his turn, keeping track of the last time he dyed his hair, and sometimes writing “letters” as if he had someone to give them to to tell about their adventures.

Adventures, his mother called them, as if he hadn’t known exactly what this was from the day they left.  That his father was obsessive and angry, and that if they stopped he would find and kill them.

He shivered and tensed so as to not let it show.  After a moment, Andrew slowly sat back in his seat and let his gaze slowly wash over the classroom.  Their teacher, grading last night’s homework at her desk.  Students, mumbling and quietly giggling to one another in favor of doing their schoolwork for as long as they could get away with.

When his eyes landed on Neil, he raised his eyebrow.  “Do you really want to ask that?” he asked in slow, low, Dutch.  Neil wanted to roll his eyes and tell him to fuck off.  He was using the language against him because he knew- he knew that Neil was still working on it.  The exact thing he’d refuted two weeks prior.  “Let me also ask,” he started.  Neil’s heart pounded.  He looked like a deer caught in a pair of headlights.  “How many times are you going to re-wear the same five outfits?”

Neil’s free hand, sweaty and needing something to grip onto that wasn’t the pencil he was close to breaking, clenched around his knee instead.  When he didn’t answer, Andrew kept his eyes on him in uncomfortable silence.  Waiting, and waiting, for what felt like a half hour but was only three minutes, until Neil opened his mouth just as their teacher dismissed the class.

Andrew stood and slung his bag over his shoulder.  “You and I are somewhat alike, I hate to think.  No,” he said when Neil nearly cut him off.  “I don’t care.”

prev / next

[noona-clock]

Heart of the Ranch - Part 5

Genre: Cowboy!AU, Slice of Life, Fluff

Pairing: Namjoon x You (Female!Reader)

Warnings: None

Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | Words: 3,147

You and your friends, whom you had deemed the Official Marketing Team of BTS Ranch, spent most of the day doing what friend-cations were truly for: having fun together. Sure, you weren't exactly relaxing, but still! You weren't sitting in your office doing your usual accounting work, so that definitely counted for something.

You sat with Rachel as she created profiles for Namjoon (and the ranch) on multiple platforms, tagging along as she scurried around to take pictures of the house, the gorgeous scenery, and -- of course -- the owner, himself.

You hovered behind Trish at the front desk as she reimagined the website. She hadn't asked for your help, but you offered it anyway! If she could tell you to go on vacation, the least you could do was tell her how the website should look.

You exchanged ideas and giggles with Emily about what kind of content to post, and you stuck by her side as she followed Namjoon around to film a 'Day in the Life' type video. It was such a chore. I mean, watching Namjoon work outside and hearing his deep, smooth yet raspy voice explain what he was doing? Who'd want to do that?

(Just kidding -- obviously. The whole reason Emily was filming him doing this was because you both knew thousands, if not millions, of people on the internet would want to watch it!)

By the time dinner rolled around, Rachel had posted pictures and status updates on most of the profiles she'd created, Trish had nearly finished a complete overhaul of the website, and Emily had edited the footage of Namjoon into a fun, interesting video (that was also a subtle thirst trap, of course. How could it not be?).

As the four of you sat around the table, it was all you could talk about. Your plates sat largely untouched as you all scrolled and clicked through your phones in admiration.

"Hey, come on, now," Namjoon scolded as he entered the dining room carrying a basket of freshly baked rolls. "Didn't anyone ever tell you it's rude to look at your phones at the dinner table?"

"We're simply appreciating all the hard work we've done today!" Rachel rebutted, though all four of you did set your phones face-down next to your plates.

"Yeah," Emily agreed as she reached for one of the rolls after Namjoon set the basket down on the table. "The hard work we did for your ranch."

Namjoon winced and rested a hand on the back of your chair. "Okay, I deserve that. Guilt trip accomplished."

You rolled your eyes in amusement, ignoring the way your stomach jumped as your shoulder brushed against his hand.

"Let me know if you guys need anything else," he chuckled. "Dinner-wise. I think I'm done with social media for the day."

Emily quickly picked her phone back up and held it out toward him. "But wait, don't you want to see the comments on your video?"

"Absolutely not," he answered immediately, taking a few steps away from the table. "The comments are none of my business."

"But they're all positive!" she assured him.

"Can we at least reply to them?" Trish asked.

"Be my guest," Namjoon nodded. "But I've lived this long without reading comments, I can go another day or two."

He turned to leave the dining room, but before he did, he discreetly slipped a piece of paper under your placemat.

It turns out he hadn't been as discreet as he thought, though, because as soon as the door into the kitchen swung closed behind him, Rachel leaned over to you and whispered, "What does the note say?!"

Emily and Trish leaned in, too, and you slid the paper out as silently as you could. You pressed your index finger to your lips, signaling to your friends to stay quiet before reading the message out loud (but softly, of course): Meet me outside in an hour.

Emily pressed her lips together to contain a squeal, and Rachel and Trish both reached for your arm to squeeze it with excitement.

There were many positive things you could say about your lovely friends, but the one thing in the forefront of your mind right now was just how supportive they were.

Without another word, you folded the paper up into a tiny square and poked it into the pocket of your jeans.

"How many views are we at, Em?" you asked, raising your voice louder than normal to make sure Namjoon heard you were talking about social media -- not his note.

In your head, though, you were already counting down the minutes.

It hadn't quite been an hour yet, but you couldn't wait any longer. You'd freshened up after dinner, and there was only so much freshening up you could do without just changing into a whole new outfit and washing your hair, y'know? And you figured that if Namjoon wasn't out there yet, he would be soon enough, and there was plenty around the ranch to keep you occupied.

But you really weren't surprised to walk out of the front door and see Namjoon sweeping the stone path connecting the driveway and the porch.

"Are you ever not working?" you asked, immediately realizing how laughable that question was coming from you.

Namjoon paused to look up at you, and a smile flashed across his lips for a few moments -- though it was just long enough for his dimples to make an appearance. Your heart thrummed in response.

"Yes," he replied as he continued sweeping. "I don't work for about six to seven hours every night when I'm asleep."

You hopped down the porch steps, approaching him and reaching out to take the broom from him. You weren't well-versed in many of the tasks it takes to run a ranch, but you could definitely sweep.

"Six to seven doesn't cut it," you admonished as you pushed some stray dirt clods over into the lawn. "You should really be getting at least eight hours of sleep a night."

Namjoon let out a soft chuckle. You didn't realize just how close you were standing to him, but you felt the light touch of his laugh on your cheek.

"If I'm going to take rest and relaxation advice from anyone, it's not going to be you," he murmured.

Now it was your turn to pause and look up at him. You wrinkled your forehead at him and said after a moment, "You know what? You're so valid for that."

Namjoon laughed gently, reaching out and taking the broom from you, his fingers grazing over yours. "Anyway, I didn't ask you to come out here so you can do chores."

Your eyes followed him as he leaned the broom against the porch railing, and you said, "Then why did you ask me to come out here? Did you want to film another video for social media?"

You were teasing him, of course. Being out here in the twilight, just the two of you? Social media was the last thing you wanted to do.

But, unsurprisingly, you had just wanted to see his dimples.

Honestly, you should be concerned with your obsession with Namjoon's dimples, but your teasing question had accomplished your goal -- his dimples were on full display -- and you were too enamored to care.

"No," he grinned. "I wanted to show you something."

Your eyebrows climbed up your forehead. "Is that so?"

Namjoon nodded and nodded his head toward the gazebo. "This way," he murmured.

Of course, your instincts were tugging at you to ask him where he was taking you. But something stopped you. Something else in you overtook your instincts and told you to simply follow him, to wait and see.

Maybe it was the fact that the ranch was so peaceful, especially as the sun was almost done setting. Maybe (hopefully) the peace was contagious.

As the two of you were approaching the gazebo, Namjoon slowed and said, "I figured... since you're helping me with the ranch and everything... I could help you, too."

"Help me? With what?" you asked, preparing to step into the gazebo.

But Namjoon continued walking, leading you past the gazebo out into a large grassy area.

"Help you actually have a real vacation," he explained. "Help you take a moment for yourself and just... relax."

You opened your mouth to retort that he was just as bad as you when it came to relaxing -- maybe even worse since he probably didn't even take weekends off.

"I know," he interrupted before you even said anything, though. "I don't know how to relax either, so I am being just a little selfish. I'm helping you relax and also helping myself in the process. But this is the best I could come up with, okay?"

"Okay," you chuckled, nodding once to show you understood and accepted it.

"Just up here," he murmured as he gestured up to an area of the meadow that was free from trees. You spotted what could only be a blanket laid out on the grass, and your brow furrowed slightly in confusion.

It couldn't be a picnic because you'd just eaten dinner, and there was also no picnic basket. There was nothing else, actually -- just the blanket.

"This," Namjoon began as the two of you approached the blanket. "Is the best spot in the whole ranch for stargazing."

Stargazing!

"No trees to block the view, and the animals don't come out this way --"

"So, no poop," you finished.

"Exactly."

You weren't going to lie: you were just the tiniest bit wary. Seeing as you spent the majority of your time either in your office or in your apartment, it was pretty safe to say you weren't exactly one with nature. But the fact that Namjoon had 1. come up with this plan in the first place and 2. thought to specifically mention there was no chance of encountering cow poop warmed your heart enough to give it a try.

Namjoon held his hand out to help you onto the blanket, and as you crouched down, ignoring the exhilarating feeling of his fingers grasping yours, you warned, "I am not what you would call well-versed in astronomy."

"Don't worry, I've spent enough time out here at night to know a thing or two," he assured you, letting out a quiet groan as he took the spot next to you. And once the two of you had laid down on your backs, he added, "And if there's something I don't know, there's this handy little thing called a smartphone that has all the answers."

You simply chuckled in response as you clasped your hands together on your stomach, crossing your ankles and lifting your gaze skyward.

Your breath caught in your throat. "Oh my god," you gasped. "There are so many. And they're so bright!"

"The benefit of living in the middle of nowhere," Namjoon pointed out.

After taking in as much as you could, you lifted the arm closest to Namjoon and pointed up to three stars in a row. "I know that's Orion, and that's about it," you chuckled.

"Yep," Namjoon confirmed, tilting his head ever so slightly closer to yours. "Orion the Hunter. Those three stars are his belt."

"Where's the rest of him?"

Namjoon lifted his own arm, mapping out a somewhat large circle with his finger. "Right there," he murmured. "See, that's one arm he's lifting up, and there's the other arm with his shield. And then his legs are those two stars down there."

"Ahhhh," you remarked, not wanting to admit you were completely unable to visualize what he'd just pointed out to you. "What else?"

"Well, right up above Orion is Taurus," he said, moving his hand to point out the area above where his shield supposedly was.

"That's a bull, right?" you asked. And when Namjoon hummed positively, you grinned and said "Trish always sends zodiac stuff to the group chat, so I've gotten pretty good at it over the years."

"Gemini is right on the other side there," he told you as he circled the area next to Orion's other (alleged) arm.

"The twins!"

Namjoon chuckled before moving his finger to point at a star nearby that was just a bit brighter than the others. "And that is Mercury."

Your brow furrowed, and you turned your head slightly to glance at him out of the corner of your eye. "Mercury, like the planet?"

"The very one."

You gasped in amazement. "We can see a planet?!"

"Yeah," he answered, grinning. You couldn't see him well enough right now, but you could just tell he was grinning. "We can see all of the planets in the sky, just not all at the same time."

"Wow... I knew there was a lot I didn't know about space, but how did I not know we could see the planets in the sky?"

"You live in a city, right?" Namjoon asked as he set his arm back down beside him.

You nodded and hummed positively.

"You can barely see Orion in a city," he pointed out with a shrug. "How can you know it's a planet if you can't see it?"

"Very true," you sighed. "You don't know what you don't know and all that."

As the minutes ticked by, you learned just how much you didn't know about the stars and the solar system and outer space and the universe -- and how much Namjoon did know. For someone who seemingly had no time to read or do anything but work, the guy was kind of a genius.

Your conversation eventually turned from constellations to the philosophical side of space, and while you should've been sent spinning into an existential crisis at the thought of just how remarkably, incomprehensibly vast the universe was, Namjoon was somehow able to keep you grounded here on Earth. He discussed things passionately but was still level-headed, and that helped to stop you from falling down the rabbit hole.

But then you somehow got onto the topic of current events on your own planet. Somewhat surprisingly, you found that you and Namjoon had very similar values -- not that you thought he was dumb or a bad person. Quite the opposite, actually, especially after tonight. But the two of you led very different lives. It was just very refreshing to find out you weren't as sheltered by city life as maybe you thought you were.

It seemed like Namjoon was just as surprised as you were, though.

"I'm an accountant," you reminded him. "I know finances like the back of my hand, and I understand how corporations work. Of course I don't believe in ethical billionaires."

"I won't lie, I figured you being an accountant would mean the opposite."

"Like I'm obsessed with money?" you chuckled.

"Yeah," he admitted with some guilt in his voice.

"Oh, no, you're not wrong. A lot of accountants are obsessed with money. But some of us -- the good ones -- are just obsessed with numbers and helping people."

He didn't answer immediately, so you turned your head to look at him as the two of you still laid side-by-side on the blanket.

"That... makes a lot of sense, actually. I guess I just never thought about it that way," he told you.

A grin curved your lips, and you said, "So, we're both learning new things tonight, I guess."

"I guess," he chuckled. "But, wow, did we get off-topic."

"You're so right. We were supposed to be relaxing," you grimaced.

Namjoon lifted an arm to check his watch quickly and said, "We still have a little bit of time. How about we just stargaze for two minutes in total silence and then call it a night?"

"Deal."

You yet again rested your hands on top of your stomach, crossed your ankles, and focused your gaze above you.

And you... well, you looked. You looked at the stars. You admired the beauty of the sky. You acknowledged your breathing and tried to keep it steady and deep.

And when you finally couldn't stand it any longer, you whispered, "Has it been two minutes yet?"

Out of the corner of your eye, you saw Namjoon look at his watch again.

"...It's been thirty seconds," he whispered back.

You let out a dispirited sigh, but then the corners of your mouth lifted up when you heard Namjoon laughing under his breath.

"What's so funny?" you teased.

"You can't even relax for thirty seconds!" he replied through his laughter.

"Oh, I'm glad you think it's amusing. Tell that to my blood pressure!"

Namjoon stopped laughing abruptly and lifted himself up onto one elbow. "Wait, are you okay?"

Well, actually, no. You were not okay right now because the look on Namjoon's face showed his concern clear as day -- even though it was nighttime. And that made your heart skip about five beats.

"I was joking," you assured him, hoping you'd hidden your breathlessness well enough. "I mean, we're all dying little by little each day, but that's a conversation for another stargazing session."

Namjoon laid back down and blew out an exhale. "One minute," he breathed. "One more minute, and then we can go inside."

"I make no promises, but I'll try," you answered with a smirk.

And even though it felt like it took an eternity, you did it. You were able to lay there in silence for one full minute -- it helped that you closed your eyes.

Honestly, you might have fallen asleep if Namjoon hadn't sat up and said, "Huh.... those clouds don't look friendly."

Your forehead wrinkled, and when you opened your eyes, you almost jumped when you didn't see a singular star in the sky. How had that happened so quickly?

When you sat up, as well, you also realized the wind was starting to pick up.

"Seems like a storm's coming," Namjoon murmured. "You go ahead inside, I'm going to make sure all the animals are in for the night."

Your instinct was to offer to help him, but honestly, if you spent any more time alone with him tonight... you didn't actually want to think about what might happen. Or what you might want to happen.

So, you stood and prepared to head back inside.

The only problem was, with the clouds covering the stars and the moon, it was now almost fully pitch black, and you had no idea how to get back to the house.

"Here," Namjoon murmured, his voice suddenly right next to your ear. "I'll take you back."

Before you could reply, you felt his hand circling your forearm... and then sliding down until his fingers grasped yours.

Oh great.

As Namjoon held your hand in the dark, leading you back to the house with softly mumbled directions, you were definitely thinking about what you wanted to happen.

This was not good.

(...Or was it?)

[wehaveimagineshere]

Thanks for answering my question! I ask because I wanna keep the Carlos train going lol. I'd love to read something about him and his wife (the reader) being new parents to their first kid. Like putting her to sleep or playing with her. Anything super fluffy and sweet!! Thinking of Carlos with a little baby makes all my insides go fuzzy and he's such a girl dad to me. Thaaaaaaanks!!!!

(Also I love how much attention he's been getting here >.< normally you expect a flood of Leon but not this time!)

Of course, thank you so much for asking for clarification! Omggg he's definitely a girl dad, 100%, this is such a cute ask!!

I love how much attention Carlos is getting too! He's such a sweetie and I am so happy he's getting so much love! I expected a lot of Leon too but I honestly haven't gotten a single request for him yet. Not complaining cause it means I'm getting all these Carlos prompts instead! I love it!

~*~*~

There's one thing that became blatantly obvious not long after you brought your little girl home.

Holding her head against your shoulder, her body snug against your chest, you walk toward the sound of the front door closing, Carlos' "I'm home babe!" echoing into the house.

Your little girl goes still upon hearing his voice, and you can already picture her wide brown eyes, the same hue as Carlos', darting left and right over your shoulder, trying to find the source of the sound.

"Hey hey, look at my girls," he says as you turn the corner, smile blooming across his lips as he quickly steps out of his shoes. "One, as sexy as she'll ever be," he starts, pressing a quick kiss to your lips. "The second, being the cutest thing to ever live," he continues as you flip your baby around.

Her squeal nearly blows your eardrums as she finally gets to see him. Chubby little hands outstretch, fingers doing a weird wiggle as her body does the same.

Carlos takes her gently and holds her up, her little fingers doing those wiggles on his cheekbones as she does a mix between a gurgle and a laugh. "And what have you been up to today?" Upon her giggle, he lowers her to cradle her against his chest. "Sounds like you've been taking care of mom."

"She definitely has," you say, leaning in to give your daughter a quick kiss to her forehead before turning to give your husband a kiss on the cheek. "We had a full four hour nap earlier."

"Heeyy, way to go!" He kisses the top of her head. "Do you know how hard it is to get this woman to rest?"

You roll your eyes.

"I've had to beg on my knees once, you know," he continues, ignoring your eye roll. "I only succeeded because I managed to get your mom's pants down."

"Carlos."

"What? It's how she was made."

Your baby paws at his nose, drool leaking onto his shoulder.

"Still. No kid, at any age, wants to hear stories about that with their parents."

"Look, our agreement was that I could still swear until she starts learning words. Should be more specific." Hefting her up, he offers her back to you. "Hold her for a sec?"

Her expression shifts as if in slow motion. The smile turns into a frown, little eyebrows furrowing as her tiny brain tries to understand why daddy is holding her away. When she sees your hands reaching for her, the horrible fact that she's about to be passed settles and tears burst free, her wails nearly shaking the walls.

Grabbing her quickly, you make sure to position her so her back is to your chest. Adopting the bop dance that's become second nature, you manage to shush her down to pouty sniffles.

"The moment you walk in, all she wants is you," you say with a sigh.

Sticking his jacket into the closet, Carlos throws you a grin. "She knows who's more fun."

You scoff, fighting down the smile. "Oh yeah?"

"Dad comes home, and--" He snatches her up, doing a little spin. Laughter peels from her chest. "--she knows she's going to have a good time."

"She even takes bath time so much easier when you're the one doing it."

"I'm a natural."

That smile finally breaks free and you cross your arms. "I can't really deny that," you say softly, taking in the love of your life holding his little girl like she's the most precious thing in the world.

"You did good, you know," he says back, placing your daughter back against his shoulder as he leans to kiss your cheek. "She's one heck of a cute kid." His head yanks to the side as she finds a lock of hair and tugs. "Hey, we've talked about this."

Laughing, you follow him into the living room, finding your spot next to him as he frees his hair and places her on his legs. Pressing both index fingers against her cheeks, he smiles as she blows a raspberry with his help.

You thought you'd seen every expression Carlos could make, but the way he looks at his daughter always makes your heart melt. And you don't really blame your little one, really, for loving him just as fiercely back.

[imagines--galore]

||Mind Over Matter|| Part Ten

Summary: Evelyn is Penelope Garcia’s protégé. She is a tech wiz, and knows her way around any kind of security and just like her mentor knows  how to dig deep and get into the past of anyone and has a knack for   anything with a chip in it. Including potato chips. The one thing she fails at is figuring out is the mind and how it works.

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Evelyn Richardson(OC)

Rating || Genres || Warnings: T+ Romance. Adventure. Family. Some language, blood and violence in later installments.

Previously - Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight, Part Nine,

A/N: Been a while since I uploaded this, but hey multiple chapters coming soon!

Glancing beside her once more Penelope frowned when she spotted Evelyn sitting just as she had been an hour ago. Staring listlessly ahead at the screen, her leg pulled up against her chest with her chin resting on her knee. The movie was nearly over. And the red head had yet to make a comment on the progress of it. Penelope had stayed quite on purpose. Giving the red head whatever moment she needed to talk. But with the movie almost over and her patience having run out, the blonde turned to her protégé with a concerned frown.

"Sweetums? You've been so quite tonight." Her voice seemed to break whatever trance Evelyn was in. Blue eyes blinked as she focused on her mentor. Offering the older woman a small smile she rubbed her eyes before heaving a sigh.

"Sorry. I'm just tired." Penelope knew it was more then that. Reaching for the remote she quickly paused the movie and turned towards the younger woman.

"Its been nearly a month now sweetheart. You need to start getting back in your game." Evelyn flinched at Penelope's words, her heart dropping in her chest.

A month.

A month since Sarah Jean's death.

A death she didn't deserve.

And despite her claims that she was fine, Evelyn was anything but. It was like her father's death. But this time it was worse. This time she could've done something about it. This time it could've been avoided.

"I've made my peace with it Penelope. I'll be fine." A big fat lie. And Penelope seemed to think that too. Since she shot a small text to Morgan, asking if he could talk to the red head. The blonde just wanted her hyper yet shy little protégé back. It broke her heart to see Evelyn like this. Working murders was hard enough. But befriending a person on a death sentence was even harder. Knowing they would eventually die.

                                             ————————–

"Is that it then?" Morgan asked with a satisfied and relieved smile as he observed the neatly stacked boxes at the back of Evelyn's garage. The red head nodded, closing one of the final boxes and placing them on the shelf.

"Yeah! Thanks for lending me your strength Morgan." She added with a smile, dusting her hands to get rid of whatever grime she had gathered. Morgan grinned and waved his hand.

"Nothing to it short stuff. Though I wouldn't say no to your chocolate chip cookies as a thank you." His friend giggled before nodding.

"I knew you weren't helping me out of the goodness of your heart." She called over her shoulder as she led the way through the garage door and into her kitchen where she had baked a fresh batch of said cookies just that morning. Catching sight of the filled cookie jar, Morgan rubbed his hands together, eyes alight with, what Evelyn could only describe as glee.

"Alright! Cookie heaven here I come!" He was about to reach for the lid of the jar when Evelyn smacked his wrist.

"Wash your hands!" She scolded already walking past him to get the milk from the fridge. Morgan rolled his eyes.

"Yes mother." He said in a teasing tone before walking over to the sink to quickly wash his hands.

A few minutes later the two FBI Agents were sitting around the island in the kitchen on stools, eating the cookies. Or rather Morgan was inhaling them while Evelyn was nibbling on her first one. The jar was nearly half empty.

"I gotta hand it to you Evelyn, you are officially the best baker I know." She smiled at the compliment, her cheeks reddening as they always did when she was embarrassed.

"I doubt that Morgan." She mumbled taking a sip of her milk and setting the glass down on the counter. The older agent gave a smile finishing off his glass of milk and reaching for the carton to pour himself another one.

"Speaking of being the best, Penelope told me you've been a little distracted the past few weeks." And there it was. The one thing Evelyn had been trying to avoid. Pursing her lips she turned her attention to the crumbs on the counter, starting to gather them up by pressing the tip of her finger along the surface of the island.

"I told her I was fine. Why won't she just believe me?" Morgan shook his head at her words.

"That's the thing Evelyn. You're not fine. You gotta talk to somebody about what your're feeling. And if you don't wanna do that then you should try to put everything behind you and try to move forward." Evelyn's eyes blazed with a sudden anger as she turned to look at Morgan.

"Well what if I don't want to forget! What if I want to live with the guilt because lets face it Morgan we could've done more to save her but we didn't!" Morgan's expression didn't change one bit at the red head's outburst, he only turned his attention to her full and undivided.

"Kid, there was nothing we could've done to save her. From what I heard Sarah wanted to die. It was her final wish." Evelyn shook her head, hands clenched into tight fists.

"But she didn't deserve to die! She could be alive right now. Maybe even watching her son play the cello!" Her statement was met with a frown of disapproval from Morgan.

"That's your problem Evelyn. You focus and obsess so much over what could've been that you forget to look at what has already happened and accept it." Evelyn stared at Morgan with wide blue, terrified eyes. The agent almost felt sorry for he had said, but knew it had to be done.

"You promised." Her voice was somewhat broken. Her tone accusing. "You promised you would never profile me!" Morgan let out a frustrated sound and shook his head.

"This is not profiling Evelyn. This is pure sense." Suddenly reaching out he grasped her much smaller hands between his, looking at her almost imploringly. "Honey, you have got to start accepting that sometimes life gives us rather unexpected circumstances and we gotta make the best of 'em. We can't keep thinking of the what ifs."

Silence followed his words and Evelyn couldn't bring herself to look at Morgan, suddenly feeling ashamed of her behavior the past month. "She didn't deserve to die." Were the words that she finally spoke, finally lifting her head to meet Morgan's understanding gaze. He gave a humorless chuckle.

"Believe me. Every time we come across a case I think the exact same thing about the victim." Lifting one hand he affectionately patted the side of her cheek and gave her a small smile.

"You gonna be okay now Ginger?" The nickname forced a smile out of her, and she nodded.

"I'll be fine." Morgan accepted her response, knowing she would be alright.

"Good! Otherwise Penelope would've had my head for only upsetting you further." He shuddered at the thought, causing the younger girl to giggle.

"That would've been sad. I happen to prefer a head with my muscles." She poked the side of his shoulder, while he quickly assumed a defensive pose with his arms.

"Sorry sweetheart. My babygirl would be upset if you made a move on me." Evelyn snorted and rolled her eyes.

"Just eat your damn cookies." She grumbled, her cheeks flushing as she pushed the jar towards him. Without another word Morgan proceeded to do so.

                                             ————————–

Reid had been waiting in the driveway for quite some time now. Since Evelyn was still an agent in training, so to speak, she had to do the mundane tasks of putting away the files and whatever else they had used for cases away in boxes before placing them in the shelves. The Team tried to be as organized as they could be so that she wouldn't have to clean up their messes when it came to the files but none of them had the time since they had to write up reports and such. But Evelyn didn't mind. Morgan had once jokingly referred to her as their little sidekick. Evelyn had argued she was more of a butler like Alfred since she did take care of them. Somewhat. It was another reason she got off work a little later then the rest of them.

The young genius didn't mind waiting for his friend. He was sitting on the porch step, completely immersed in the book he had bought a week or so ago. His eyes quickly scanning over the printed script. Even if he finished the book before Evelyn arrived he had another one in his bag. The sound of a car pulling into the driveway caught his attention and he quickly got up at the sight of the woman he had been waiting for. Evelyn frowned at Reid, a little surprised to see him.

"I thought you went home?" She said, finding the key to the trunk of her car and taking out a box cradling it under her right arm as Reid came to stand next to her, having put the book away and with his hands in his pockets.

"I was waiting for you actually. I wanted to talk to you." The man responded as she shut the lid of the trunk and turned to him, still frowning in confusion. Taking her silence as an opening Reid spoke.

"I just wanted to say that you shouldn't blame yourself for what happened to Sarah Jean. It was decision. Like you told us when we were searching for Riley. You read her body language and she was never going to go back on her decision. She wanted it to happen. She wanted to die. And it only shows the amount of love she had for her son. And it also shows how strong she was as a mother and a person. Which is a rather rare characteristic because most people would've-"

He was suddenly cut short by a hand being placed over his mouth. His eyes widened slightly before he frowned at the read head, who had to reach up to place her hand there. Her lips were pulled into an amused smile, though her eyes shone with sadness but acceptance at the same time.

"Morgan already talked to me Reid. And I realize it now. There was nothing we could've done." She finally removed her hand, stepping back a little as she did.

"Oh!" A light blush came to his cheeks when he suddenly realized that he had been rambling. Pushing his hair back behind his ear he quickly nodded. "Right! Good! I just wanted to….er…."

Evelyn smiled softly at his stuttering, reaching out to gently pat his hand. "Thank you for caring Spence." She said, using his first name, which she only ever used when things were rather personal between them. A beat of silence where they both simply looked at each other. That beat seemed to stretch on and Spencer suddenly realized that her eyes were probably the most prettiest shade of blue he had ever seen. Evelyn on the other hand was finding it a little hard not to reach out and let her fingers play with his hair. The silence was broken by the sound of a car honking probably a street over. Both agents quickly shook out of their little bubble, bright blushes on their cheeks. Wanting nothing more then to rid herself of the thoughts she had just been having, thoughts she had no idea she would be capable of thinking.

"Hey! I found a few pictures that I think would be really good for your album. If you're still putting it together that is." Evelyn added in the end, her gaze hopeful as she waited for his reply, wandering if he had kept the album. The young genius nodded quickly, doing his best not to stare like he had been a few moments ago.

"Sounds good! I've actually added a few pictures in them already." He admitted, which made Evelyn grin.

"Great! Come on in then!" With that she led the way into her home, the young doctor following in after her, both parties a little surprised at the moment they had just shared.

Yet neither gave it another thought. Almost as if the moment was something they were used to. Something that happened to them unconsciously. And giving it any importance would make any moment in the future seem less significant. So they left it at that.

                                             ————————–

Tag List - @lovelyygirl8

[littlelasagne]

Hello beautiful human!! BMO is my favorite fic ever! Everything about the story is just perfect. Could you please share a little snippet of the next chapter? <3

Hi friend!

I'm so happy you've enjoyed the fic so far :) I'll be honest, I've been so busy at my new job and moving and everything, that I've barely had time this past month to work on BMO. The next chapter is nearly ready to go though, it's a heavy one about family so I keep umming and ahhing over it.

Thanks so much for the ask and continued interest! I feel a bit out of the loop with the fandom these days so it's nice to know you're there! Here's a chunk from the beginning of chap 31.

Squeezing a healthy dollop of suncream onto her hand, Hange began to smother it over her face.

“I wish you were here,” she said. “Everyone’s really sad, but we’re all happy to be together at the same time. It’s bittersweet in a way that Nani brought us all together in her death. Eurgh, it’s so hot though, I’m sweating all the time. I stink. You’d hate me right now. Oh yeah, I’d been in the house ten minutes and two aunties asked about my marriage prospects. I say aunties, I don’t even know who they are. Mum’s second-cousin, twice removed, three times married, carried over. Then, oh god, Mum explained to me that she told them about Zeke ages ago but she didn’t bother letting them know we split up so... that was fun explaining why we weren’t married yet. I didn’t really explain. I said I was putting my career first. Which is not exactly a lie either. I hate these stupid family games.”

Levi always considered it a blessing to not have nosy family poking their way into his life. If he had to pick between Erwin’s overprotective mother or Hange’s overcritical one, he would choose neither. But actually, as he listened to the hearty bustle beyond the door, he was struck by an odd longing. The thought of cousins to gossip with and meddling aunties to avoid seemed fun. At least they cared, right? He wondered if Uncle Kenny wanted to know his state of affairs. Judging by the constant barrage of emails from Cave, he did.

“Don’t forget your neck,” Levi said. Hange squeezed out more suncream, lifted her chin and rubbed the thick cream all over her willowy neck.

“It’s awkward, I haven’t really mentioned you yet because, y’know... it’s like I said, they’ll start asking all these questions and I’m not bothered about answering any of them yet. You understand, don’t you?”

“I do.”

“Maybe next time I’m here it’ll be different… Anyway, Levi... I really miss you.”

She’d been gone for just over forty-eight hours. Forty-eight hours since she had grieved all over him. Forty-eight hours since she was here in his bed, her leg wrapped around his and her lips all over his neck. He couldn’t wait to do that again. He imagined she was there with him now. Levi rolled over to face the window and see the night sky.

“It’s only been two days,” he said. Nineteen days to go.

“So? I’m allowed to miss you even if it’s only been ten seconds!” she pouted. “But thank you. For making me come here. As annoying as everyone is, we’re all connected to Nani and everyone’s set aside their feelings. We’re family after all.”

Family.

“That’s great, Hange.”

“I’ll pay you back as soon as I can, I promise.”

“It’s ok, Hange.”

She puckered her lips and brought them to phone camera. Levi’s screen turned black for a moment. She giggled. “Wish I could kiss you in real life.”

He wished it too. “Go. Don’t do anything stupid. Don’t cry too much.”

“Bye, Levi, sleep well. I’ll text you as soon as I can. I miss you.”

I love you, I love you, I love you.

“Bye, Four Eyes.” He hung up and flopped over in his bed, his eyes on the stars, feeling lonesome, languid, and just a little lacklustre.

[annaphoenix1994]

Ch.109 - The Rileys - Part 1

Previous Chapter - Masterlist 1; Masterlist 2 - Next Chapter

First of the three-part leg of Simon and Kiera's honeymoon!

Author's Note: Again, I'm so sorry for such a late update. My life has been... a rollercoaster. Since my last update, it's unfortunate to say that things did not go as planned. After my final drop off in Colorado, I was desperate to get back to Montana so when I left northern Colorado, my truck broke down close to the Wyoming border with my horse in the trailer as well as my two dogs with me being stranded in the isolated part of northern Colorado. Luckily, I was able to get in touch with my USRider insurance, which covers a tow for both my truck and trailer as well as getting me and my horse somewhere safe until I could get back on the road. The closest shop that could see my truck was in Parker, Colorado, which is south of Denver, so it put me out of my way by three hours. I spent two days in a Super 8 and when I got the call that my truck was fixed, I had to dive into my savings to get it fixed and back on the road. With no new hauls coming back to Montana, I used the rest of my money for fuel to just get home. It took me nearly four days to get home due to a massive storm that came through Kansas and into Colorado the same day I left. To add more fuel to the fire, during my time on the road, I had completely forgotten that my power bill was linked to my debit card - the same debit card that I had to use to get fuel prior to my big trip, so in short my power had been off since July 18th. So not only did I come home to no power in a massive heatwave, I came home to everything in my fridge completely rotten, including a freezer full of beef I had processed last year from my farm. I don't want to ask for help because I'm stubborn and this is my problem I've gotten myself into, but I've contemplated on opening up my tips box on Tumblr as even a dollar helps me out, but to me, having a consistent reader base and constant support goes further than any dollar will, so I'm just grateful that you all love this story as much as I do. Long story put very short, I'm having to start all over again - literally. I really enjoy writing and I think about this story every day and adding to it, but please bear with me if things look sloppy. I know you guys are eager for my updates and I want to give my audience what they want, but it's just been hard these last few weeks and I'm just trying to get back on my feet and on track. 

I love you all. Thank you very much for reading. I hope to keep updating as soon as I possibly can! - A &lt;3

Las Vegas, Nevada

"Love, I'm not joking: when we get out of this cab, I want you by my side at all times." 

"Aw, come on, babe. I won't go far," She giggled, her eyes glued to the massive structures that lined the Strip. "It'll be fun to get lost in a place like this." 

"I'm not having a runaway bride," He arched his brow. "Especially in a town like this."

"Will there be a punishment for an intense game of hide n' seek?" 

"Oh yes there will." He arched his brow.

"Hm, sounds like a rule I'd like to break..."

"Love, if I wanted to babysit, I would've brought Johnny." 

She laughed, "Bringing Johnny on our honeymoon? Having some extra thoughts there?" 

"Absolutely not." 

"Mhm... I think you are." 

"Those drinks on the plane have been teasing at you, yeah? Sounds like you're the one with additional thoughts that I should be worried about."

"No," She scoffed. "I love Johnny, but like a brother or a pet fish. I'd cry if I had to flush him down the toilet, but I definitely don't want to kiss him!" 

Simon couldn't help but laugh as he gazed out the window, seeing the hotel he had booked for two nights before their flight to Birmingham. "I'll take your word for it. We're here." 

"Where exactly are we going?" She giggled. 

"The hotel, love." 

"I know, but which one? There's thirty million in my eyesight." She exaggerated. 

"You said you wanted to go to Paris, right?" 

"I can't recall," She shrugged playfully before looking towards the Paris Las Vegas hotel. "Is that where we're going?" 

"I figured it was better than some cheap motel with complementary bed bugs and moth balls," He replied sarcastically, smirking when she playfully slapped his bicep, her eyes fixated on the many bright lights that made the Las Vegas Strip. "Besides, this place is better than Paris, France. Trust me." 

She laughed in agreement, "Oh, I know, babe. Paris in France isn't what it's cracked up to be. This is ten times better." 

"I'm glad I picked right, then," He nodded, exiting the cab once the driver had stopped at the front of the hotel, Simon offering his hand to her to help her exit the vehicle before he made his way to the trunk to grab the three duffel bags himself to keep Kiera from doing it. "Let's go check in while I still have you in my sight." 

"You should know I'm not going anywhere... yet," She giggled, swinging her purse over her shoulder. "Let me get one of those, Simon-"

"I got it." He replied sternly, letting her walk in front of him before the bellhop met him with a cart in the lobby, generously helping him set the bags down to help ease the strain from his shoulders. That lass is notorious for packing everything that can fit in this bloody thing, he huffed to himself. She's the reason I pack my own bag. He nodded graciously at the bellhop before making his way to the receptionist, keeping his new wife in his peripheral vision to reassure himself that her curiosity wasn't leading her down a path away from him, although a part of him knew she would easily become distracted. "Good evening, sir. Checking in for the evening?" 

"Yes, I made a reservation last week," He replied, pulling out his phone to show the receptionist his proof of reserve for two nights in his email's inbox. "Riley." 

She nodded, typing on her computer before the confirmation pulled up on her desktop, "Ah! There you are! Give me just one second and I'll print out this form for you to sign and your keycards. Do you have your I.D.?" 

As much as he hated showing strangers his identification card, he did it anyway after taking a long exhale to rid his mind of anxious thoughts, handing it to the receptionist and closely watching her as she keyed in his information for their records. "Alright, just sign this line here. Will you need just one or two keycards for your stay?" 

"Probably two. She'll lose it if we just have one." He said, nodding towards Kiera when she finally made her way to stand next to him at the counter after looking at the many decorations that filled the lobby. 

"I understand!" The receptionist giggled, retrieving the form he had just signed and putting it away in the file folder for their current check-ins and registering the keycards for their room. "You're all set for your stay! Just take the elevator down this hall to floor eighteen and take a right." 

"Thank you." Simon nodded, retrieving the keycards from her hand. 

"You're very welcome! Enjoy your stay! The bellhop is already in route to your room to deliver your bags!" 

He nodded, hating the fact that someone else that possession of his and Kiera's things, but he forced himself to not overreact as it was simply just a person doing their job and not someone with cruel intentions to sabotage his honeymoon. 

Simon was still going to check and be sure. 

Kiera wrapped her arm around his as he escorted them to their home-away-from home for the next two days, the pair looking around at the luxurious decorations and marble floors as they made their way to the elevator. "We're definitely a long way from home." She commented. 

"That we are, love." 

"You don't see stuff like this in Wyoming." 

"No, but Wyoming does have the Grand Tetons," He chuckled. "Which by the way, are named after big tits." 

"What? No they're not." She laughed. 

"I can assure you, that's what it means. When I was in France, I remember hearing locals talking about it - how they laughed at how many tourists travel far and wide to see The Big Tits of the U.S." 

"I can't tell if you're being serious or sarcastic," She giggled, pulling out her phone. "But I am going to look it up." 

"You do that, love," He chuckled, pressing a kiss to her temple after escorting her into the elevator. "You know, if this elevator didn't have so many cameras, I'd have you pinned to this wall." 

She blushed, "I'm surprised that's what's stopping you." 

"It is because I don't want one of those old men looking at the cameras gawking at something that's all mine. I'm selfish." He explained, wrapping his free arm around the small of her back, pinching her rear discreetly as they stood against the back wall of the elevator, smirking at how she shrieked at his gesture. 

She couldn't help the blush that stained her cheeks at his possessiveness, a warm sensation flooding between her legs as his hand continued to press protectively against the small of her back as they walked along the hallway towards their room. 

Opening the door for her, they both were amazed at the room before them. 360 square feet of pure luxury - elegant carpet, a flat-screen television hanging on the wall adjacent to the lavish king-sized bed, a marble floor to decorate the bathroom with a shower big enough for three people, a separate bathtub and an immaculate view of the Eifel Tower that stood out from the rest of the attraction markings of the Las Vegas Strip. "Oh... My God," She gasped, hesitant to take curious steps forward to look into the room. "This is amazing, Simon."

"Look around, love," He chuckled as he reached for the bags the bellhop had left on the table for them, opening up each one to ensure nothing was missing. I just don't trust anyone. "Where do you want to go first?" 

He watched as she exited the bathroom, turning off the light as she walked towards the bed, running her fingers along the sheets. "I'm fine with staying here for a while. I'm sure this was a lot of money to dish out-"

"Don't worry about the money, love," He cut her off, assuring her that he didn't want her to worry about anything financially. "You tell me what you want to do." 

She hummed, "I mean, can we hang out here for a while? It's only three o'clock." 

"I'm fine with that," He assured her with a grin. "When it gets dark, we can walk around if you'd like." 

"I'd love that, babe," She smiled, slowly approaching him and slowly wrapping her arms around his neck, standing on her toes to press a kiss to his lips while his hands instinctively rested on her hips. "Thank you for this." 

"You deserve it," He murmured. "This is only the first of many surprises." 

"Strange that you're the one throwing surprises when you don't like getting surprises," She giggled. "You're going to have to let me pay for something at least." 

"Not a chance." He shook his head, accepting another kiss from her as his hand couldn't help but slide down to grasp at her rear. 

"Come on, at least something!" 

He shrugged, "I mean, I'm willing to take another method of payment..." 

"Is that right?" She giggled. "Well, I can arrange that." 

"I was hoping so, because I'd hate to turn it over to collections." He poked, kissing her jaw as her arms wrapped around his neck, giggling at his banter. 

"Oh, I definitely don't want that!" She laughed, melting into his touch as he began to guide her back towards the bed, easing her against the mattress as he rest between her legs, caging her between his arms while his lips caged against hers. 

"We can work on a payment plan, love." He smirked against her lips. 

"Did you sneak one of your allies on the plane with you?" She asked, her hips jolting at the faint sensation of a vibration against her thigh, immediately assuming it was that small vibrator she kept in her nightstand. 

"No, I won't need that," He chuckled against her lips, using his left hand to fish his phone out of his pocket, grumbling to himself that it had been ringing in the first place. "It's that son of ours. Wonder what he's gotten himself into." 

"Are you going to answer it?" She giggled, watching him stare blankly at the screen as if he were waiting for Baler's caller I.D. to disappear. 

He shot her a quick side glance, a playful glare before his thumb slide right against the screen before pressing the phone against his ear, "Yeah?" 

"So, uh... I have a question." Baler spoke from the other end of the phone, mischief lacing his voice. 

Simon knew he was up to something.

And he didn't like it. Especially with he and Kiera being distant miles apart. 

He sighed, "What?" 

"Well, technically Soap has a question, but he was too scared to ask you-"

"Spit it out, lad." 

"So you know how Jacob has a full head of hair?" 

"You mean beautiful, thick blonde hair for a one-year-old?" He scoffed. "What about it?" 

"Well," Baler sighed. "Uncle Johnny thought it would be funny to make Jacob look like him-"

"Uncle Johnny is going to be looking like ground lamb if you're not joking," He scoffed, his mood quickly souring at Baler's words. "Send me a picture. Now." 

"What happened, babe?" Kiera asked, her brows furrowing. 

He sighed as he put the phone on speaker, "Repeat what you just said to me." 

"Hey momma," Baler chuckled out of nervousness. "Uncle Johnny gave Jacob a haircut." 

"Baler, sweetheart, you're lying through your teeth, and you know it. Johnny knows better-"

"No, he doesn't, love." Simon reminded her, arching his brow. 

"Baler, do you promise you're calling to tell us our precious baby boy received an unwanted haircut?" 

A few moments of silence pass by. 

"That's what I thought," She commented, reassuringly rubbing Simon's arm while they heard two sets of laughter on the other end of the phone. "He's just messing with you, babe." 

"He better fucking be." 

"Hey!" Baler chimed. "Mom said no cussing!"

Simon huffed in defeat, "Take the phone, please. That lad is going to make my blood pressure go up." 

"You forgot to mute me, dad!" Baler snickered. 

"Did he fall for it?" Soap chimed in from the background. 

Kiera giggled while she took the phone from Simon's hand, rolling over onto her stomach while he stood to his feet to walk across the room to pick up the room service menu, playfully tapping Kiera's rear when he sat back down on the edge of the bed, grasping her ankles and putting her feet on his lap, removing her shoes for her while his thumb gently massaged the arches of her feet while his other hand clasped the service menu. 

"Thanks for raising Simon's blood pressure, you two." Kiera giggled. 

"You two haven't been gone for an entire day and I've been itching to piss dad off," Baler snickered. "Johnny put me up to it." 

"Oh, I don't doubt he did. Jacob still has his full head of hair, right?"

"Yes, momma," Baler confirmed. "I can't say the same about Evie though..." 

Simon's head snapped towards the phone at the mention of Evie's name, "He better be bloody joking!" 

Baler and Johnny both laughed through the phone, "Perfect head of hair still, mate, we're just toying!" 

"You two don't need to be spending too much time together," Kiera giggled. "Nothing but trouble!" 

"Well, I didn't want to call with some boring conversation, momma," Baler chuckled. "Nana hasn't let them out of her sight." 

"I'm glad she hasn't." Simon commented, a breath of relief leaving his lips. 

"What've you been up to?"

"I just got home from school and am about to go take care of barn chores before I do my homework." 

"Good," She smiled. "How are Kimber and Church?" 

"Kimber is annoying. Church doesn't care about anything going on. He likes having the house to himself. Nana has been letting me stay with her so she can take me to school and so I can help her with the twins."

"I'm proud of you, baby," She smiled. "You make sure you keep up with your homework, okay?" 

"I will, momma. I miss you guys." 

"We miss you too. I'm already homesick." 

"Don't be. We've got the fort grounded here. Uncle Johnny is ready to fill in dad's shoes." 

"He has big shoes to fill." Simon commented. 

"I know. I told him that but he says he'd rather fill slippers than clown shoes." 

"Hang up on him." He replied sternly, although both Kiera and Baler both knew that he was being sarcastic. 

"Anyway, I just wanted to call and check in and make sure you two got to Vegas safe. I tried calling your phone, but it went straight to voicemail."

"Awe, thank you. You should know I'm always safe. I'm sorry, my phone died on the plane." 

"Okay, well I'm going to jump off here and finish the barn chores. I'll tell Nana to call you later."

"Okay, baby. Let me know how Sailor is!" She reminded, referring to her horse. 

"I can already tell you how he is: still a prick."

Baler's answer made Simon chuckle, "He's not wrong, love." 

She scoffed, "Whatever you say." 

"I'll talk to you guys later. I love you."

"I love you too, sweetheart." 

"I love you, dad!" He chimed, knowing Simon loved him, but he genuinely enjoyed getting under his father's skin. 

"Love you too." 

[illusionivsts]

the queue is long, stretching on and on, and littered with all sorts of pairings — the residents range from young adults canoodling with each other to middle-aged men who have gathered in groups of three or four, all boisterously laughing and joking with one another that some of them would need a hip replacement at the end of their excursion. there's a few stragglers amongst the couples, such as single, older people with a twinkle in their eye, as if they have something to prove once they step out onto the ice or pairs of girl friends in matching scarves and earmuffs. moon jihoon finds himself amongst the crowd with a sour look on his face, nose scrunched and brows knitted together as the girls in front of him nearly back into him, giggling about something or other on their phones, but the cross expression vanishes the second they whirl around, replaced with something soft, albeit ingenuine, as apologies spilling from their lips.

"don't worry about it," he says with a friendly smile, tilting his head as the girls exchange glances before huddling together and turning around, whispering to themselves a second afterwards. jihoon rolls his eyes as he turns his head and looks around him, thinking he might have to exit the queue and wait off to the side just so his patience doesn't find itself on thin ice. he really isn't what one would consider athletic, nor someone who was drawn to crowds, but he found himself here at the holiday market solely out of curiosity for what his horoscope had mentioned this morning. something or other about taking part in the festivities around him would bring him good fortune, and that a chance encounter with a leo would happen — of course, those statements were a little generic, but what had really caught his attention was where his horoscope insisted that today was the day that capricorn suns should put on their skates and enter the rink.

jihoon had thought it was an oddly specific thing to say, especially after he had just recently glanced over the flyer for the holiday market in the apartment building lobby, noting there would be an ice skating rink there, but who was he to go against the cosmos? the blond pivots his body away from the girls in front of him, mostly so he can scoff and roll his eyes out of their line of sight, given they'd been peeking at him over their shoulders since he had spoken to them — god, he wishes he could just lean in and tell them to take a picture, given it would last fucking longer. he resists the urge to sigh, and angles his head away a little more, scanning the patrons passing by, just in time to spot who he had been waiting for this whole time.

jihoon perks up at the sight of dyed hair and tanned skin, mischievous grin painting itself on his features as his hand reaches out and grasps the sleeve of the other's coat. "hey, master bruce," he calls out, tugging on insu to grab his attention before he walked past him. "i know the night is darkest right before the dawn, but you need to get your eyes checked out. you literally passed by me like three times." not a truthful statement in the least, but insu didn't need to know that. "i've been waiting for you for like an hour." another lie, given jihoon had only gotten here about ten minutes ago himself after his shift at the comic store had ended. "this the repayment i get for saving your spot in line? tardiness?" — it was still a chance encounter if one forced invited a leo out, right?

──── ✦ 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐋𝐄𝐎 . . . with / @icarusreign

[chrisstvrns]

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐔𝐒 𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄 ᯓᡣ𐭩

aurora's matt sturniolo & fangirl!reader au

warnings: use of y/n, kinda fast moving relationship, nothing super romantic just holding hands and shoulder rubbing, i think thats it? if i forgot anything please lmk! not proofread, lowercase intentional! 

word count: 1.9k

yesterday, you and matt texted for hours, and after his and his brothers show in philly, he even factimed you for nearly 4 hours before you both went to sleep. now? him and his brothers are picking you up, so you could go to their final show with them- in boston. 

the bus comes to a stop in front of your house, and the doors open. matt excitedly exits the bus, making his way to you on the front porch. you smile, standing up from your porch swing and stepping a few feet closer to him. 

“hi!!” you squeal, not wanting to seem too excited, but knowing either way it’ll be obvious

“hi y/n!” matt mutters, smiling as he wraps his arms around you. 

you do the same, hugging him. for a few seconds you stand there, taking in each others scent. he pulls away, motioning toward your suitcase. the night prior, on the phone, he told you to pack just for a ‘weekend getaway’, so thats what you did. sweatpants, hoodies, leggings, tshirts, everything. it was february, and february on the east coast got cold. 

“lemme get that f’you” 

you smile, looking as he starts rolling your suitcase toward the bus. you clutch your purse, filled with random nothings. lipgloss, wallet, airpods, digital camera- nothing important. you walk after him, waiting for him to get on the bus.

he shoves your suitcase into the under compartment with all the others, then walking over to you and motioning toward the door. 

“after you” he smiles, nodding toward the stairs

you climb up the stairs, immediately seeing chris asleep, and nick mindlessly scrolling through his phone. he looks up, smiling as he sees you. 

“hi! im nick, matt told us you were at the tour?” 

you feel a wave of nerves and awkwardness wash over you, but keep yourself together enough to respond. 

“yeah, im y/n! i was at the new york show!” 

“oh yeah, you look familiar!” 

you smile, gently nodding. just then, matt comes up behind you on the bus, placing his hand on the small of your back while he motions to the couch with his other hand. you look up at him, smiling as you go take a seat. nick slumps next to chris’ sleeping body, curled up like a baby on the couch, while matt sits next to you. as soon as youre all seated, the driver takes off down the road, heading for boston…

as soon as the drive starts, you and matt get lost in conversation, its awkward, but so nice. 

“so, y’been in new york y’whole life?” 

you gently nod, smiling. 

“born and raised!”

“thats nice, i've always loved new york. it's nice to be here and see the city.” 

you nod, understanding what he means. in the midst of your conversation, chris wakes up from his nap. 

“fuck is goin’ on, where are we?” he mutters into the pillow

“some long ass road to boston” nick mumbles in response

you look over at chris, smiling.

“y’must be y/n, right? kid matts in love with?” 

due to that comment, matt throws a pillow at his brother. 

“dude, im not ‘in love’ with her. just thought i’d invite her so we could hang out, y’know?” 

chris nods, amusingly. “‘kay…”

after fighting back a soft giggle, you find yourself lost in random conversation with all three boys about school, work, family, the whole lot. halfway through the nearly four hour car ride, nick has now been flooding your digital camera with photos of all four of you. 

“okay, wait, y/n, get close to matt!” 

matt pulls you a bit closer to him and takes the camera from nick. you stick your tongue out, holding up a peace sign while matt just smiles. he holds it up infront of the two of you, snapping a picture. he brings the camera down, and the two of you stare into each others eyes for a few seconds before chris takes the camera from his brother, snapping pictures of himself. you and matt look at the boy, giggling. 

a few minutes later, the four of you all calm down and just sit on the couches, yet again having mindless conversation. you dont even realize it, but you subconsciously rested your feet on matts lap, and he was rubbing your ankles with his thumb. you look over at him, softly smiling. the four of you mindlessly scroll through your phones for the remaining hour of the ride, matt still holding your legs on his lap. 

“y/n, can you send me those pictures on the camera?” chris mutters, still looking at his phone

“yeah, of course! i think the wire is in my suitcase so when we get to Boston ill download them!”

“thank you” chris cheekily smiles, looking up at you

you smile, going back to whatever it is that you were scrolling through on your phone. 

when you’re about 30 minutes from your destination, your phone starts buzzing like crazy. you look at whos calling you- its your best friend. the one you went to the tour with. you giggle, picking up knowing damn well your didnt tell her you were going to boston with the sturniolo triplets? and with a personal invite from matt? you place the phone to your ear, giddy with excitement and nervousness. 

“hi” you innocently say, as if nothing is different

“where the actual hell are you? why are you in massachusetts?” your best friend erupts with giggled through the phone, causing yourself to laugh.

since the two of you met, youve always trusted each other more than anyone else, so of course, you had each others live locations. in the midst of your giggling, matt looks up at you, smiling as he rubs your ankles with his hand. 

“oh, you wouldnt believe it even if i had proof.” you slyly mumble, a devious smile on your face

“y/n, why are you in massachusetts?” your best friend asks, her tone serious

“well, you remember how i put my phone number in that letter i wrote?” 

with that question, you earn a confused ‘yeah?’ in response

“i may or may not be with him right now” you whisper, careful not to sound insane to chris and nick, who luckily had their headphones on. 

and now, with that, you earn an ear piercing shriek from your friend. 

“what the fuck?! how? since when? why didnt you tell me?” she rambles, not taking a second to catch her breath

“dude, chill out. ill tell you everything later, okay? i think were getting off the bus now.”

“youre on their fucking tour bus?!?!” 

you giggle, keeping your voice low enough so you can talk in a serious tone. 

“ill call you later, okay?” 

with a final ‘oh my gosh’ from your friend, you end the call, looking up at matt. you hadnt even realized it, but he was staring at you, smiling the entire time you spoke with your friend. 

about a minute or so later, the triplets’ tour bus pulls infront of their parents house, which is where they were staying, since it was close to the venue. 

matt nudges his brothers, signaling that they were at the destination. matt looks at me, motioning for me to take his hand. i smile, standing up as i clutch his hand in mine, grabbing my purse with the other. as soon as we step off the bus, i realize it- were at his house. 

“oh, matt, i dont want intrude!” 

“nah, y’not intruding.” he gives me a sweet smile, and i tilt my head as i look at him

“really, i dont want to. i can get a hotel!” 

“y/n, y’not gettin’ a hotel. seriously. you can stay in my room, ill stay on the couch, yeah?” 

“matt, s’your house, m’not letting you sleep on the couch, i-”

“no, m’not arguing with you on this. take my room, please.” 

he looks at you with a sweet smile, his eyes sparkling and you know he means what hes saying. 

“are y’sure?” 

“positive.” 

you smile, about to speak again when the two of you get distracted by his two brothers struggling to get the suitcases out of the under compartment of the bus. chris hands you your suitcase, and once you all have your respective cases you head up to the front door. youre all greeted by marylou, their mother. she lets the four of you in the house, opening her arms for her boys. 

“hi momma!” chris squeals, wrapping his arms around his ‘momma’. 

you smile, understanding the love that the boys have for their mother. nick was next, clutching to his mom for a few seconds before mumbling a soft “hi mom”. 

matt was third, hugging his mom while his brothers moved the suitcases to the side. 

“mom, this is y/n!” 

“aw, hello y/n! youre very pretty!”

“thank you, mrs. sturniolo! so are you, its very nice to meet you!” 

“you as well, matt told me so much about you already! you slipped a little extra note into his letter?” marylou smiles, causing you and matt to both get flustered

“mom!” matt groans, rubbing his eyes

“oh, matt, im just teasing! make yourselves at home, dad is at the store getting chips and cereal and whatever, and justin said he cant make it today, but he’ll be here tomorrow!” 

you nod along with the triplets, smiling. you and the boys sit in the living room chatting with marylou, when you notice a small pup jumping onto nicks lap. nick cuddles him, massaging his neck before looking up at you. you smile at the pup, always having a love for dogs. 

“trev, say hi to y/n!” 

you smile, sweetly waving at trevor and introducing yourself as if he could understand. trevor makes his way over to you, climbing ontop of the couch and resting in your lap. you hold him, gently petting him as you and the boys continue to make small talk with marylou. after a few more minutes on the couch, matt stands, making his way over to you. he comes up next to you, rubbing your shoulder as marylou excuses herself to start making dinner. 

“i’ll, uh, i can show you my room now? since you’ll be staying there?” he smiles

you look up at him, not believing this is real. 

“matt, seriously, dont give up your room for me. please. i can stay on the couch, or get a hotel!” 

he simply shakes his head, picking up your arm so you can fully stand up. 

“nope, ill stay on the couch. you’re a guest, you’re not sleeping on the couch, ‘kay?” 

you murmur a soft ‘okay’ as he guides you up the stairs to his room, a huge smile plastered across your face. 

once you get up to his room, he motions for you to sit on the bed, a cheeky smile on his face.

“make y’self at home, okay? ill let you get settled in, give you some space?” 

you smile, secretly not wanting him to leave, but knowing it’d be weird if you were glued at the hip of a boy you barely even knew. he starts leaving the room, but before he can fully shut the door behind him, you gently call out for him. 

“matt?” 

“hm?” he turns around, looking you dead in the eyes.

“thank you. this is really nice.” you softly speak, your lips curling into a sweet smile, looking back into his icy blue eyes. 

he gently nods, smiling back at you. 

“of course. s’nice to be around someone new, and, y’know, i love interacting with fans. this is different, though. this is alot better.” 

the two of you stay staring each other in the eyes, smiles on both of your faces before he finally excuses himself to the downstairs. 

a/n: this prob sucks im sorry😭

likes and reblogs are always greatly appreciated! ੈ✩‧₊˚

to be added to my taglist, comment on this post!

- aurora ᡣ𐭩

tags:

@lvrsturniolo | @marrykisskilled | @mattscoquette | @emely9274 | @wh0remikasas

find parts of this au here!

[wobblyjellyfish]

so for some reason all i’ve been able to think about for the past few hours is this: 

what if we had “bad blood”

but it was with krytus singing it about zemerik

[sortagaysortahigh]

congrats on 4.5k!! can i please request “that’s the sixth time you’ve complimented me today.” with steve?

THANK YOU RACHEL BABY, also @r0s3mm sent me a request with the same number, so im combining them :))

Join The Sleepover

Y/n loved seeing Steve blush, she couldn't help it. Sure they were friends-but she hadn't known him nearly as long as Robin-the two meeting a few months ago when Keith hired her but they'd instantly clicked.

Maybe it was the way she saw right through his terrible flirting, or the way that she poked fun at him for it, he had no idea but he really liked Y/n. She was a breath of fresh air, she was similar to Robin but also very different, maybe that's why Robin and Y/n often joined forces to make fun of Steve's flirting attempts with customers-even recreating the 'you rule | you suck' board-leaving it to sit in the breakroom. Thus far he was tied, four and four, and according to Robin it was a vast improvement from their time at Scoops Ahoy.

Today she'd been complimenting him, or brushing her hand against his, just to see the way his cheeks would get that rosy tint, and his brows would raise while he tried to figure out what to say in response. He'd be so flustered and it was always cute, she discovered that she had that effect on him a few weeks ago when she'd told him he smelled really good, which in turn led to him blushing and rambling off about his new cologne.

She started today's compliments this morning when she arrived for her shift, holding a bag of donuts for the three of them alongside a cardboard cupholder containing Robin's iced coffee, her sweet tea, and his usual coffee. She traced her eyes along his figure and tilted her head slightly "you look different today harrington, i think its your hair-it looks soft, i like it" he simply nodded his head, muttering a thank you while trying to stop himself from word vomiting.

Then when she was restocking the new releases section with him she'd leaned closer to him for a few seconds to place a tape on the shelf below him, followed by "you smell good stevie" which led to him blushing at her close proximity and compliment. It wasn't even half an hour later that the computer froze and she didn't know what to do-so he helped her figure it out and re-input the returns, which she replied with "thanks Stevie, y'know you're really smart and helpful".

Once the clock hit two she squealed, grabbing Steve's keys from him and practically racing to his car, excitedly unlocking the passenger side as Robin locked the door, flipping the sign to 'closed' and making sure the 'be back in an hour' sign was up as well, so the three could go grab food. When he got into the car he stared at her, his hand out-so she placed the keys in his hand, brushing her fingers against his palms, then her brows knit together "your hands are really soft"

Before he could start mumbling random words Robin got into the car and slammed the door so hard that he turned back to look at her "seriously Buckley!?" Y/n giggled at that, not before spotting something in his hair above his ear, so she mindlessly reached over and pulled it away "your hair is softer today, I knew I wasn't crazy" his eyes widening as he stared at Robin-the familiar blush overtaking his features.

After lunch the three of them were back to work, this time she was jokingly complimenting him, he was bent over, digging through the bottom of the desk looking for something, and she couldn't help but giggle after she said "nice ass Harrington, those jeans really do it for you" it's safe to say he hit his head on the top of the desk.

That was the reason she was currently sitting across from him in the break room, making sure he was icing his head with a random ice pack from the back of the freezer. "Are you positive you're okay Steve? you hit the counter really hard" he groaned, running a hand over his face "for the tenth time, I'm gonna be fine, maybe get a bump or something-but it wasn't that bad. Trust me I've been hit harder"

She furrowed her brows "Steve you're too pretty to be getting your ass kicked by inanimate objects or people" he groaned, the familiar heat back in his cheeks as he glanced at her. "You do realize that’s the sixth time you’ve complimented me today right?" she shrugged "is that a problem? does pretty boy harrington not like being complimented?"

"N-no that's not it-jesus-Robin told me to tell you like last month but I never did because I always get nervous-and you make me nervous-like really really nervous cause I'm into you, and when you compliment me it makes me all flustered and even more nervous and-" she cut him off by leaning over the table and placing a gentle kiss to his lips, a hand on his jaw-then he kissed her back.

She moved away, a smile on her face "I know it makes you nervous-that's why I do it Stevie"

[readyforthegarden]

maybe “if there’s nothing going on there, you don’t mind if i ask her out, do you?” and “you're still hung up on your ex.” with Jake 👀

Oh this one was fun to write! It got a little long, I'm sorry about that!

“Man, she is stunning.” Jake’s jaw clenched at Sam’s compliment of you. His little brother had peered over his shoulder as he was looking at your latest Instagram update, letting out a low whistle. You were posed leaning against a brick half-wall outside your favorite brunch spot, wearing the pastel blue sundress that made near nightly appearances in Jake’s fantasies. “How do you know her, again?”

“We were friends in college.” Jake muttered, double tapping the photo and locking his phone screen. It was only a few moments later his phone buzzed in his hand.

‘Hey! Can’t wait for your show tonight. Thanks again for inviting me!’

“Oh she’s coming tonight?” Sam grinned.

“Yeah, Josh and I invited a few people since we’re close to home.” Jake could see the wheels turning in his little brothers head as smirk tugged the corner of his lips.

"Nice." Sam nodded, beginning to walk away. "Can't wait to meet her." Jake inwardly groaned. Even he had to admit, Sam had a charm about him that made girls melt at his attentions, and the fact that he got the genetics that made him tower over nearly everyone didn't help facts. Jake sighed, typing back a quick message to you and sliding his phone back into his pocket and starting to get ready for that nights show.

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

Before the show, the small group of friends that the twins had invited trickled in to the venue, and Jake couldn't help the excited flutter in his stomach when he got your text that you'd arrived. He hurried out of the green room, flashing his pass at the guard as he went outside. You were standing, talking to one of the security guards outside, laughing at something as Jake approached.

"Hey, she's with me." Jake showed the guard his pass. You grinned at Jake as the guard let you through the gate.

"Jakey!" you greeted, wrapping your arms around his shoulders in a hug. Jake wrapped his around your waist, tugging you in as close as he could. You still smelled just how he remembered, the light and sweet floral scent of your perfume filling his nostrils, easing his nerves a bit. "God, I've missed you! How are you? You know, other than being a super cool mysterious rockstar?"

"Aw come on," Jake laughed as he regretfully pulled away from you. "I'm not that mysterious." your laugh rang out again, like music to his ears. "I've been good. Tour can kick my ass sometimes, but it's a dream come true. How've you been?"

"Really good!" you went on to tell him all about the project you were working on for the marketing job you had as he escorted you into the building. As the two of you entered the green room, Josh's voice rang out.

"Mon chou!" Josh moved through the small gathering and wrapped you in a hug.

"Josh speaks French?" Sam had sidled over to Jake, spotting you and him enter.

"Je parle un peu français." Josh shrugged once he let you go.

"We were in a French class together for half a semester." you giggled. "Mon chou is supposed to mean 'my sweet', but translates to 'my cabbage' in english. Josh thought it was funny to call me cabbage for a full year."

"That's Josh," Sam chuckled. "Lame joke central. Hi, I'm Sam."

"I thought so." you took his outstretched hand. "It's nice to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you."

"All bad, I hope." Sam wiggled his eyebrows and you blushed, make Jake grit his teeth.

"Mostly bad." you nodded.

"Hey, we've got some drinks over here, would you like something?" Sam asked, moving between the three of you and wrapping his arm around your shoulder. "I make a killer marg."

"O-Oh, sure." you smiled as he led you away, peeking over your shoulder at Jake before Sam spoke again, taking your attention again.

"Well, I give him four hours before they're all over each other." Josh mused, glancing at his twin. Jake glared at him and Josh shrugged. "Hey, Sam's not chicken shit, he wants to make a move, he'll make one."

"I'm not chicken shit either, asshole." Jake muttered. He watched as Sam told you a story as he mixed your cocktail, grinning and making hand gestures. You were sucked into his little brothers personality already. Josh was right. It was only so long before he'd find you pressed against a wall under Sam, just like all his other conquests.

During the show, Jake noticed Sam peacocking in front of you. Of course, it drove the fans in the crowd wild as he took of his suit jacket, running a hand through his hair. He'd occasionally glance over to you, shooting you a wink and smirk. Jake couldn't bear to look and see your reactions, putting his frustration into his music, playing harder than he ever had.

"You guys were awesome!" you cheered as they made their way backstage after finishing the show. "Oh my gosh, I was near tears there, it's everything you talked about in school, Jake! I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks." Jake gave her a big smile, not being able to let his annoyance with his brother's flirting overcome the high from the crowd. "I'm glad you were able to make it."

"Jake, really." you gushed. "You're living your dream, I'm so happy for you." Jake blushed as you took his hand and squeezed it.

"How'd you like the show?" Sam sauntered over, pushing his hair back from his face.

"I was just telling Jake, you guys are amazing." you smiled. Jake squeezed your hand back. "Truly, how you guys come up with your music...it's great."

"Well, I'll tell you how I came up with this one part in-" Sam tried to put his arm around your shoulders when you crinkled your nose, holding up both your hands in front of you.

"Oh, no offense, you're incredibly sweaty." you chuckled. Jake smirked. "And I have to run to the restroom. I'll meet you guys in the green room." you walked away in search of the bathrooms and Jake smiled at your backside.

"If there’s nothing going on there, you don’t mind if i ask her out, do you?” Sam whispered to Jake as they headed towards the green room. "I think she's digging my vibe. I'd like to dig her-Ow!"

"Respect her." Jake growled at his little brother, smacking his shoulder.

"So I can ask her out?" Sam asked again. Jake sighed. "I'm taking that as a yes. Cross your fingers for me!"

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

The after party in the hotel suite was loud and crowded, and Jake stood on his tip toes to try and find you. Just as he had predicted earlier, you were leaning against the wall, Sam standing closely in front of you, almost casual as one of his hands supported his weight next to your head. He was pulling all the moves out tonight, and it seemed like you were buying it, hook line and sinker. After a few moments, Jake saw Sam's head dip down like he was about to kiss you, and Jake stormed out of the room, out to the balcony for some fresh air.

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

"So, you're still hung up on your ex?" Sam pouted. You nodded and tried to look put out.

"I'm sorry, Sam." you patted his upper arm. "You seem really sweet, and you're incredibly charming. But it wouldn't be fair to you, when I'm thinking of someone else. I couldn't use you like that."

"I understand." Sam nodded, pressing a chaste kiss to your cheek. "But if you ever do want to use me, you have my number."

"Yeah, I'll let you know." you chuckled. You watched as Jake barreled through the party, and you furrowed your brows, watching him head outside. "I'll be right back."

~~~~~~~~~~~

Surprisingly, Jake was the only one out here, and as he pulled a cigarette from the pack in his jacket pocket, placing it between his lips while patting himself for his lighter to no avail. Suddenly, a flame was in front of him. Jake leaned forward and lit his cigarette before straightening, glancing at the fire holder.

"What do you want?" Jake huffed before taking a drag.

"You looked upset, so I came out here to check on you." you shrugged. "Everything okay?"

"I'm fine." Jake deadpanned. "I'm sure Sam is missing you right now."

"Oh I'm sure he is." you mused, placing your hands on the metal railing of the balcony, looking out at the city. "I had to tell him a lie to get him to leave me alone."

"You what?"

"Yeah. Told him I was still hung up on my ex." you nodded. "That seemed to pour some water on his fire."

"Yeah, that'll do it." Jake mused. It was silent between the two of you for a bit, and then you spoke up.

"Well, it might not have been a total lie." you sighed. "I'm still hung up on this one guy..."

"Oh?" Jake felt his throat tighten a bit. The last thing he wanted, after watching his little brother flirt with you all day was you talk about another guy.

"Yeah, we went on two dates in college." you continued. "He played guitar, was really sweet, but for some reason we never went out again...then he got his band with his brothers and their friend and I didn't see him for a while."

"Wait, what?" Jake dropped his cigarette, and you both watched it tumble to the ground below you.

"Yeah, Jake." you rolled your eyes. "I've always had a thing for you. After you didn't ask me out again, I thought you just wanted to be friends."

"God." Jake shook his head. "I tried to be romantic and write you a letter, asking you out again. Did Josh never give it to you?" you shook your head. "Fucking hell, Josh."

"So...." you bit your lip. "I know you're a big rockstar now, but what do you think? Maybe we could have a make-up date?" Jake grinned, coming close to you and putting his hands on your waist.

"I would love that." he said, leaning down and pressing a tender kiss to your lips. "What are you doing two and a half months from now?" you squinted, pretending to run through a list in your head, muttering fake to-do list things.

"Mm, I think I'm free." you and Jake laughed. "But how about breakfast tomorrow?"

"Sounds amazing." you hopped up on your tiptoes, kissing Jake again. "By the way, remind me to beat the crap outta Josh."