#if the rest of the cake is gone by tomorrow i’m changing their contact names to ‘gluttinous bastard 1 and 2’

[soren-apologist]

i got a buttercream sheet cake for my graduation and in the span of 24 hours my dad and sister have already eaten 2/3s of the thing

[aressss1]

Through Fire and Ice Chapter 2

(Technoblade x Reader)

Chapter 2

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Note: I’m slowly but surely posting these here, but there are a few more chapters posted on AO3.

~~~~~~

Phil stood at the head of a long dining room table in the middle of his house, Tommy, Tubbo, Fundy and Ranboo stood to the right of the table while Wilbur, Dream, Sapnap, and George stood across from them on the other side. Phil eyed them all, before clearing his throat.

 “Techno still hasn’t come back,” Phil spoke grimly, “Whether or not there is an end to the storm, I’m going out there for him, if he’s not back by tomorrow.” Silence hung in the air. Ranboo gripped on to the chair in front of him. He had taken a liking to Techno. At times Phil could understand why, they were so similar in so many aspects.

 “I’ll go with you,” Ranboo spoke up with a waver in his voice. Phil gave him a soft smile and shook his head. Ranboos green and red eyes flicked up to Phils for a split second questioning him, before he hastily looked away. Phil heard a soft enderman sound escape from Ranboo. He was taking the news about Techno hard.

“Ranboo, I need you here,” Phil said frankly, “Techno can take care of himself. The man has the sheer willpower to keep living. I am going alone just in case the inevitable has happened and because I can cover more ground,” Phil motioned to the wings of the elytra. “This is where the rest of you come in…” Phil leaned forward his hands on the table. “I don’t think that this is a regular snowstorm.” His eyes flicked to Dream who had his arms crossed and his face covered by his mask.

 “Do you think it will ever stop?” George asked from behind Dream. Phil shook his head his eyes lowering to the pattern of wood on the dining room table.

 “Maybe?” Phil shrugged, but that was the coldest chill that Phil had ever felt. Not even the tundra felt that cold to him. “But I can’t ignore the fact that when the dragon was slain this started happening… In the middle of summer.”

 “Alright,” Dream spoke up. “You have us here, what would you have us do?” Phil thought about it for a second, his nails digging into the wood of the table.

 “We may have to go underground boys.” Phil straightened himself up, “I can build something to keep us warm underground, but first I have to find Techno.” Phil’s eyes flicked to each person in the room. “Ranboo, Tommy, and Tubbo, you will need to start a mine one big enough to hold as many people as we can,” Phil looked between Wilbur and Fundy, “I need you two to find and bring as much livestock, saplings, and seeds back to the mine” Both Wilbur and Fundy nodded. “Dream, Sapnap, and George are the rescue team for anyone out there.”

 “I can ask Antfrost, to scavenge around, maybe BBH will help him with that as well.” Sapnap offered leaning on the table toward Phil. Phil nodded.

 “We will need all hands on deck for this one boys,” Phil straightened up. “I would get started immediately. Make sure to stay warm.” With that the group nodded and scattered to do their tasks. Ranboo stayed back, his eyes trained on the floor.

 “What if Techno is gone?” He whispers. “I don’t want to forget him…” Phil’s heart ached for Ranboo.

 “He’s not, I promise Ranboo.” Phil was unsure, but it had been hours since they had departed from the desert. He had to keep Ranboo stable. “Techno and I have lived in tundra’s before, if anyone knows how to survive this mess it’s him.”

 “But this isn’t like any tundra I’ve seen Phil.” Ranboo clutched his memory book to his chest. His fingers twitching over the cover. “What if you get hurt out there too? Then you both won’t be here.” This caused Phil to put his hand on Ranboo’s shoulder.

 “I know the risks, Techno did too when he separated from us. I will find him Ranboo, and I will bring him back. That is a promise.” Ranboo kept his eyes to the ground.

 “You… Promise… Okay,” Ranboo let out a sigh. “Just know, if you don’t come back, I’m going after you too.” Phil thought about this for a second.

 “Alright… But I sure as hell am not leaving Kristin.” Phil squeezed Ranboo’s shoulder slightly. “I am coming back. I have to.” Ranboo nodded.

 “I believe you Phil.” He finally said after a second. “I’m going to go help the others with the mine now. You should rest up for tomorrow.” Ranboo waved over his shoulder and left to go find the others, leaving Phil alone with his thoughts.

 -

 You were still unconscious, Techno had wrapped you up in several blankets, because the cold was starting to get to him even with his fireplace on full blast, he couldn’t imagine how you felt. He thought you would have woken up by now, and it was starting to worry him that you weren’t waking up. He was lost in his thoughts. Resting an arm up on the mantle he watched the flames dance around the boiling cauldron of water. He had filled his bathtub for you a while ago and he was worried it would get cold at this rate.

 The rustle of the blankets could be heard, and he turned to look over his shoulder at you. You had balled up on your side. The blanket exposing your back which was still caked in blood. Your body was shaking, and he could see your eyes weakly open. He let out a sigh of relief and he turned to you, kneeling to cover your exposed back with the blankets. His fingers lightly grazed your back, touching some of the blood.

 ‘Slaughter.’

 ‘Kill her.’

 Techno flinched, withdrawing his hand from you quickly. Swallowing down the lump in his throat he made eye contact with you.

 “Who are you?” You managed to get out. When you spoke it invoked a coughing fit that made you dizzy. When you had stopped coughing you couldn’t stop shaking.

 “Technoblade,” He replied in his monotone voice acting indifferent to the fact that even the smell of your blood was causing the voices to come back. “Just Techno if you live.” You frown, not knowing whether he was joking or not.

 You gave your name as you coughed into the blanket; your lungs started burning.

 “Do you think you can manage a bath?” Techno asked. You nodded sitting yourself up. Your muscles started aching and you winced. Techno watched your every movement, you were definitely swaying a bit, you could feel it, and the movement made you dizzier and dizzier with each moment passing by.

 “I just need a moment.” You refused to ask him for help. You shut your eyes tight, hoping that would help your dizziness. Your nose was stuffed, and you had to rely on breathing through your mouth. You started to push yourself up off the ground. The blankets falling off your body, causing a shiver to run down your spine at the cold air rushing to your body. The muscles in your legs screamed at you to stop but you kept pushing through. Technoblade hovering over you as a safety net. You only got to two steps before you started falling forward. Techno dove for you wrapping his arm around your waist and pressing you to his chest.

 “You’re not getting anywhere on your own.” Techno towered over you. Watching you pout your lips out in determination. He could tell you were agreeing with him. His grip tightened on you, and he carried you to the bathroom with ease.

 ‘Look how pretty the blood looks on her skin.’

 ‘More.’

 He had to stop himself from shaking, this was proving harder to deal with than he thought.

 ‘You know you wanna.’

 The voices taunted him, and he wasn’t sure if you could see it in him. He let you grab a hold on the tub for stability.

 “Call if you need anything.” Techno was desperate to leave the room. You gave a little nod and with that he had strode out and shut the door behind him. He breathed a sigh of relief happy to be away from you. It wasn’t you but it was the situation you were in. He damned himself for not being able to control the voices.

 “I’m so weak.” He spat out, his nose wrinkling in disgust at himself. The urge to stab something was still strong and he made a move to the food he had prepared ahead of time to cook.

 ~~

 The water around you had turned to a rust color by the end of your bath, the heat was soothing, especially in the cold but it wasn’t long before the water started to run cold on you. Leaving you shaking in the water once more. You pushed up from the bathtub. Looking around, you find a towel sitting there with a change of clothes- his clothes. You sat on the edge of the bathtub drying yourself off, afraid you were going to fall. That would be awkward for both parties if you lost your strength again when you weren’t clothed. You felt your cheeks start to heat up from him catching you earlier.

 “You’re ridiculous,” You whispered while you internally screamed at yourself. You didn’t want to owe this man your life but here you were. Being in debt to someone wasn’t something you wanted to be in. You wanted to be alone, that way no one could use you. You were done with that. Or at least you thought you were. Your lungs burned and you felt another coughing fit sneak up on you. You spit up what you could in the sink. Your nose was still stuffed up, which annoyed you. The cold air rushing around your body was almost too much.

 You looked down at his clothes that he set out for you and sighed. When you put the brown pair of pants on, they were loose, and you were grateful for the belt he left for you as well. The white blouse was too big but doable. Stabilizing yourself on the wall you walked out of the bathroom to see Techno cooking steak potatoes and carrots. He motioned at a chair sitting next to the fireplace and you promptly sat down eager to get as much heat as you could. Before too long Techno had a plate of food in front of you.

 “How are you feeling?” He asked. Shrugging, you felt his eyes on you, he sighed and before you could stop him, he put the back of his hand on your forehead.

 “You’re burning up,” Techno said flatly, “Do you want me to waste all this effort on you just to have you die on me?” You felt a stab of guilt and shook your head. “You need to tell me these things.”

 “I’ll be out of here in a few days…” You looked him squarely in the eye. “I won’t be a drain on your resources for much longer.” The silence was deafening, and you both were left in a stare down.

 “That’s not really the issue here Y/N.” He kneeled so he was eye level with you. “Wasting resources is one thing, even in this… Whatever this is.” He motioned to the windows which showed the everlasting snowstorm. “I know you don’t want to die. So, let’s help each other out. I have places to be, places that are much safer than out there, you can stay there. I can’t get us there if you’re hiding things from me and making yourself even more sick.” You nodded averting his gaze.

 Stabbing your fork into a carrot, you sighed, you couldn’t taste most of the food you were eating, because your nose was stuffed. He huffed out and stood above you. Making a move to look out the window.

 “You’re acting like the snow won’t stop… Why?” Your question caused him to look over his shoulder at you. His golden eyes reaching your gaze. Before too long he was facing the window again.

 “…Just have a feeling, given the circumstances.” He didn’t want to tell you the full story, at least not now. When you didn’t question further, a wave of relief washed over him. The less you knew at this point the better. Some time had passed and the both of you had eaten. His eyes move over to the ruined blood-stained cloak.

 He bent down and picked up the clothing hastily throwing it out the front door onto his porch. Night had fallen over the world, the air still as the snowflakes were falling peacefully from the sky. The snow wasn’t too deep just yet, and there was still a part of him that hoped that the snow would stop. He had to wait and see if that was the case. He had only just stepped out of his house onto the covered porch for a second, and he couldn’t stand the cold. His thoughts were interrupted by your violent coughing. He turned to look at you. He had to find something to ease your sickness. He never got sick, and so he never needed to gather herbs that would help a sickness. That would be tomorrows job, going to the nearby village to see if the villagers were around to trade.

 He walked into the house closing the door behind him. Grabbing the blankets off the floor, he started wrapping you in them one by one. The fire wasn’t doing too much for you it seemed. He just had to watch you. Your body shivered next to him; your hair was still wet from your bath. He felt guilty for rushing you to take a bath, no wonder you were freezing. You had leaned into his touch unconsciously. Your eyes closed just a bit before your head started bobbing forward, you were fighting sleep.

 Techno sighed, picking you up and setting you on the ground closer to the fire. His bedroom was too cold to sleep in, so this was where both of you were going to sleep, until Techno figured out what to do. But there was a question looming in his mind.

 What was he going to do with you?

[jamaisjoons]

intro: her XII ⤑ knj | m

⟶ 𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦:〝 you enter namjoon’s life in the most unexpected of ways, but will you be able to stay, especially when he comes with three adorable but chaotic children, even more chaotic best friends and a bitch of an ex-wife? not to mention your own emotional baggage. 〞singe dad au.

❥ 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔: single dad!namjoon x marine vet!reader

❥ 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑒: light angst ⋆ fluff

❥ 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡: 5k

⟶ 𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠: its basically just full of fluff, like nothing but fluff, reader is kinda stressed, but mostly fluff, minor possessive/jealous namjoon at the end

➵ 𝑎/𝑛: yeetHAW SURPRISE !! I managed to finish it off while on my break at work !! so here you go !!!

⏤ thank you to my love @shadowsremedy​ for beta reading this for me !

⇥ Previous || Masterlist || Next

Eyes strained from the hours of paperwork, you sink back into your seat before exhaling deeply, and rubbing your tired eyes, your shoulders deflate wearily. Lately, work has been even more exhausting than usual: the aquarium transferring two nurse sharks to the exhibit. However, as the head veterinarian, it meant that everything falls onto you to make sure it runs smoothly: that the sharks are healthy and well looked after, that they’ll acclimatise to their new tank properly, that they won’t undergo any major stress of any kind; just general things like that. Though, the last one was easier said than done. Moving and handling of any animals would cause them stress.

Taking another deep breath, you roll your shoulders - working out the kinks in them. Once done, you look back at the huge stack of paperwork. Thick manila files are piled one on top of each other - and all of them need to be read and signed. Different though they are, whether they be health records, or the transfer document or even just general admin work make up the stack - they all have one thing in common. Every single one of them mocks you ceaselessly; the foreboding tower reminding you of the amount of work you still have to complete.

Defeated sigh escaping your lips, you decide to get back to work. After all, lamenting your workload isn’t going to deplete it. Though, before you can start looking at the next file, your phone rings from beside you. With a side glance, you sneak a peek at the contact ID, only to perk up when your boyfriend’s name flashes across the screen. Work long forgotten, you automatically move to pick it up; your finger sliding across the screen as you answer the call.

“Joonie! Hey,” you answer enthusiastically. Already, you can feel the tension in your muscles fade - the sounds of Jimin, Taehyung, and Jungkook yelling while Namjoon hushes them instantly soothing you.

“Hey babe, do you know what time you’ll be done today?” Namjoon’s deep voice echoes across the receiver.

Eyebrows furrowing, you glance at the clock that hangs above the door to your office. Seeing the time, your eyes widen. It’s already half six; you were supposed to be done half an hour go. “Oh shit-” you breathe out, “I didn’t even realise the time. I’ve still got a bunch of work to do though,” you continue, almost despondently. It’s a Friday evening, which means that you have the weekend to look forward to - but, you can’t leave until you’ve completed at least the more important paperwork.

“Ah- okay. Will you be coming over or going home?” Namjoon asks.

You hear Jungkook yelling in the background, cries of ‘No! Come over,’ echoing across your speaker. Biting your lip, you stare at the pile of paperwork. Once again, it mocks you - letting you know you can’t clock out until it’s done - no matter how much you want to go home to Namjoon and the boys.

“I- I’m not sure. I may finish really late and I don’t want to disturb you or anything,” you reply, barely trying to hide the upset in your voice.

Hearing your tired, strained tone, “Come over Angel, we’ll have a quiet night in. It’s also Yoongi-hyung’s birthday tomorrow, so we’re probably going to do something,” Namjoon says. Face crumpling, you nod - a quiet night in with your boyfriend sounds just like the stress relief that you need.

“Babe?” Namjoon calls out.

Realising that he can’t see you, “Oh! Sorry- yes, that sounds great. I’ll come over when I’m done. Do we need anything for Yoongi’s birthday?” you ask, a slight frown on your face. The stress of work had clearly gotten to you - you had no idea that it was already Yoongi’s birthday. It seems like you were just celebrating Hoseok’s birthday yesterday. Not that you’d done much - he’d just wanted a quiet dinner; which of course, was easier said than done, when half the guests were toddlers.

“Hmmm no- although, Taehyung mentioned wanting to bake Yoongi-hyung a cake. But that sounds messy, and I don’t really know how to bake so,” Namjoon replies offhandedly.

Perking up immediately, “we can do that! Please, Joon? Can we bake? Pretty please?” you practically beg. Across the phone, Namjoon pauses, before you hear a soft laugh.

“Someone’s excited. But alright, we can do that. Well, you can. We both know I’m useless in the kitchen,” Namjoon answers. Suppressing a yelp of victory, you pump your fist in the air before stilling. Cheeks searing with the heat of embarrassment, you silently thank whatever guardian angel is watching you. At least your boyfriend hadn’t seen that. “Alright, I have to go. Taehyung wants a snack and he looks like he’s about to cry,” Namjoon continues.

Laughing, “well you better go then. If Tae cries, that’ll only set Chim off too,” you respond knowingly.

“Yeah, exactly. I’ll see you at home then,” Namjoon says. Then, with a sweet goodbye, he hangs up the phone.

Placing your phone back onto your desk, you turn back to the huge stack of paperwork. Invigorated by your conversation with Namjoon, and the thought of going home to your boyfriend and his sons - not to mention the prospect of baking - you suddenly feel a renewed fire in your stomach. Hastily, you grab the next file before you begin reading it. All of a sudden, you have a reason to finish up your work.

As you’d planned, after you’d completed all the important paperwork, you’d gone home to grab your baking equipment before driving straight to your boyfriend’s home. Seeing the stress on your face late last night, Namjoon had gathered you into his arms before taking you to bed - the boys already being fast asleep by the time you had arrived. You remember Namjoon helping you change, and how attentive he’d been the entire night; however, you don’t remember falling asleep. As a matter of fact, the only thing that you do remember, is that you haven’t had such good sleep in over a week. Somehow, falling asleep in Namjoon’s arms, had melted all the stress of your hectic week and you’d woken up feeling completely refreshed.

Thus, you find yourself in Namjoon’s kitchen the next day. Namjoon sits at the kitchen counter, his laptop and various pieces of paper scattered on the surface as he tries to get some work done. Tried, being the keyword. Really, he’d given up a while back and instead, his eyes are glued to your figure as you flit about his kitchen. You’re still dressed in your pyjamas and, well, so is he. In fact, no one had really felt like getting changed, and so even his sons are still running about in last night’s clothing.

Still, his eyes rake over your figure. With your hair piled into a messy bun on the top of your head: stray flyaways flying about everywhere as you concentrate on baking Yoongi’s cake, and dressed in a pair of loose flannel bottoms and his hoodie: the large grey article of clothing hanging from your frame; you’re the epitome of comfort. Flour stains the material, and he can see little gooey strings of eggs in some spots. You’re nothing but an unkempt mess - but still, you look incredibly endearing.

Soft melodious music echoes through his speakers, your body softly swaying to the beat as you hum along to the tune and involuntarily, Namjoon finds his eyes softening at the utter ease in your figure. The sweet scent of vanilla wafts through the air, causing Namjoon’s mouth to water at the sugary, enticing smell. You’re in the middle of icing the cake - Namjoon’s eyes following your graceful movements as you cover the sponge with the creamy frosting.

Helpless under your enchantment, Namjoon decides to abandon his work: it’s not like he was getting anything done in the first place. Standing up from his seat, he crosses his kitchen and within a few moments, you feel your boyfriend behind you. Namjoon’s strong arms curl around you, his hands loosely resting on your hips. At the feel of his comforting presence, you instinctively relax further, your back moulding against his chest.

His head immediately drops down to your neck, his nose nuzzling the flesh as he presses his feathery kisses to the column of your throat. Feeling his plush lips brush over your supple flesh, “Joonie, stop that,” you giggle.

“No,” Namjoon pouts, pressing another kiss to your skin - this time just under the corner of your jaw.

Playfully batting his face - Namjoon narrowly dodging - “I’m trying to concentrate!” you reprimand, thought from the light laughter in your voice, Namjoon knows you’re not really mad. So, instead, he lets out his own teasing growl before squeezing your hips.

“So was I, but you distracted me. So, now I’m going to distract you,” he replies. You roll your eyes at his logic, but don’t say anything else. Rather, you return back to frosting your cake.

Namjoon steps a little closer to you, his arms snaking around your hips so he can hold you in his arms. You feel his large palms intertwine before resting against your lower abdomen. Softly, his body sways with yours, the two of you moving to the beat of the music. Namjoon knows he’s not the best dancer, yet, with you in his arms, he can’t help, but follow the gentle swaying of your body - the movement coming easily to him. Meanwhile, from beside the two of you, Taehyung’s little form peers over the edge of the counter, his little hands braced on the marble countertop as he pokes his head over the ledge. “What are you doing now?” he asks, his eyes following your movements curiously.

“I’m crumb coating the cake - so that none of the cake crumbs gets on the outside later on,” you reply without skipping a beat.

“Do you like baking, Noona?” Taehyung’s soft voice continues as he turns to you in intrigue. Breaking from your concentration while you run the stainless steel palette knife over the edge edges, you glance at Taehyung.

“Mhm, it’s one of my favourite things,” you reply. Taehyung nods his head, but turns back to the half iced cake. One eyebrow raising, you attempt to suppress a little giggle. “Do you want to help me, Tigger?” you ask. All of a sudden, Taehyung perks up before nodding enthusiastically.

From behind you, Namjoon uncurls his arms from your frame, only to pull one of the barstools closer before picking his son up and depositing him onto the cushion. Once he’s sure his son is safely on the stool, he turns back to you - only to be stopped when Jimin tugs at his trouser leg. Motioning to his father with grabby hands, Jimin looks at his father with wide eyes and a soft pout. Immediately, Namjoon bends over, and stepping to your side, easily lifts Jimin up into his arms.

Turning his eyes, Namjoon lets out a soft chuckle at the sight of his final child. Unbothered, Jungkook sits with his back to one of the cabinets - his eyes glued to the screen of his game and a bowl of snacks situated next to him. Unlike Jimin and Taehyung, it seems Jungkook couldn’t care less about the cake. Though, he supposes, it makes sense: since it was originally Taehyung’s idea - and Jimin always wanted to do whatever Taehyung did - and vice versa.

Namjoon turns back to you - just in time to see Taehyung reach over to grab the bowl of icing. However, in his son’s enthusiastic haste - he almost knocks into the cake. Acting on reflex, honed from years of chasing his troublemaking twins, Namjoon’s hand shoots out and steadies the cake - his fingers gripping the cake board to prevent it from toppling over.

Turning to his middle child, Namjoon looks at him with soft reprimanding eyes, “be careful, Taehyung, we don’t want to ruin ____’s hard work now, do we?” he says.

“Sorry, daddy,” Taehyung says sheepishly.

Seeing the slight pout, and the way his eyes darken, “It’s alright! We got it in time, didn’t we?” you say, winking at Taehyung while petting his hair. At your words, and realising you’re not mad at him, the sadness in Taehyung’s eyes fades away. Once he’s perked up, you angle the handle of the palette knife to Taehyung.

Eagerly, but with more restraint this time, Taehyung grabs the utensil from you. You help him dip it into the bowl of icing - then, wrapping your large hand around his, you both begin layering the frosting over the rest of the cake. With the two of you frosting the sponge, Namjoon and Jimin stand next to you both - Jimin pointing out different places that need more buttercream while Namjoon simply watches. Though, every now and then his eyes dart to the buttery icing, his mouth salivating at the mere sight of it.

Eventually, once the cake has been iced, you drop the palette knife back into the bowl before pushing it to the side. Unnoticed to you, Namjoon’s eyes follow the movement, his eyes lighting up when he notices a soft mound of the buttercream still left over. Briefly, he contemplates whether he can sneak some away from you and his sons - but that will have to come later.

Meanwhile, you cross the kitchen, and grab your bag of store-bought decorations. If you had more time, you’d consider making them yourself - but sadly, that wasn’t the case this time. Upending the bag, you scatter the boxes and packets across the counter. Immediately, Taehyung and Jimin squeal - their small pudgy hands moving to grab the different packets.

“This one!” they both shout simultaneously, holding up different packages of cake decorations. With a laugh, you nod at both of them.

Stepping back slightly, Namjoon watches as Jimin and Taehyung move in closer to you, their knees perched on the barstools as their hands and chests lean onto the counter. Taehyung’s face is a picture of concentration as he hands one of his embellishments while Jimin points out where you should put them before they swap, Jimin handing you one of his decorations and Taehyung pointing out where you should put it.

There’s no real rhyme or reason to the way the boys garnish the cake and shortly, it’s covered in a plethora of random decorations. Soon, both rainbow coloured and chocolate sprinkles clutter the top, various different embellishments, from chocolate buttons to sugar flowers, litter the cake edges sporadically; and the borders are piped in different sized peaks of soft buttercream. Namjoon knows you love to bake: you’d mentioned once in passing that you used to do it as a stress reliever during university, and he also knows that cake decorating is one of your favourite things: your Instagram feed chock-full of random pastry chefs and amateur bakers. Yet, you still listen to his sons - entertaining their chaotic creativity as you adorn the cake with a plethora of confectionary and colours.

Jungkook is the only one still not involved, by some surprise, and with a quick side glance, Namjoon sees his son’s eyes still glued to the screen of his game console, his hand reaching for his snacks every now and then. Realising both you, and all three of his sons, are otherwise preoccupied, Namjoon turns back to the bowl of icing left forgotten on the side of the counter. Instantly, his eyes light up, and with sneaking glances towards you and his sons, he licks his lips before turning back to the bowl.

Slowly, Namjoon steps away from you - moving purposely so as not to arouse your suspicions. For most of it, you barely notice him, too engrossed in your cake - however, his strange actions garner Jungkook’s attention. Putting his game down, Jungkook watches as his father sneaks across the kitchen, only to quietly pull out a spoon and dip it into icing. Slowly, Jungkook waddles to his father, eyes trained on the way Namjoon licks up the sugary cream from the spoon.

“Daddy, can I have some?” Jungkook asks as he tugs his father’s leg - trying to draw Namjoon’s attention.

“Okay, but don’t tell Noona,” Namjoon quietly whispers. Easily, he picks up his son, only to place him onto one of the seats before pushing the bowl towards him. Jungkook quickly nods - but doesn’t say anything else, instead, poking his little fingers into the frosting.

So engrossed in your cake, you barely notice Jimin sneak away - leaving you and Taehyung to your devices as he joins his father and younger brother. However, after a little while longer, Taehyung disappears as well. Nonetheless, you chalk it down to getting bored and continue to finish up the last of the cake. Once it’s done, you let out a little victory cheer before looking up. However, the first thing you notice, is that Jimin, Taehyung, and Jungkook’s fingers are all in the bowl, their lips stained with the white buttercream frosting.

“What are you doing? You know that’s basically all sugar - it’s not good for you. What would Namjoon say-” you automatically begin reprimanding. However, when you spot your boyfriend next to them, looking equally guilty - plush lips wrapped around a metal spoon - you let out a little sigh and shake your head. “You know what, he won’t say anything because I have a feeling he’s the reason you’re eating plain buttercream in the first place,” you continue, looking at him pointedly.

Immediately, the three boys nod.

“Daddy said not to tell you! It’s all his fault!” Jungkook says, pointing to his father.

“Yeah! Daddy said we could,” Taehyung chimes in. Swiftly, you pull your bottom lip between your teeth and bite down on it in order to suppress your giggle.

“I saw Daddy and Jungkook eating it, so I wanted to as well,” Jimin butts in.

“Jimin! Taehyung! Jungkook!” Namjoon gasps, looking at his sons in utter betrayal. The sight of his shocked eyes causes you to splutter, and then, immediately you’re laughing.

“Oh my god, they totally ratted you out,” you snicker. Across the counter, Namjoon pouts, his sons giggling to themselves too.

“I can’t believe this. My own sons sold me out to my own girlfriend,” Namjoon teasingly laments. With another snicker, you cross the kitchen and towards him. Standing in front of him, you wind your hands around his waist and leaning on your tiptoes, you kiss the tip of his nose.

“It’s what you deserve, letting them eat plain sugar like that,” you answer, your eyes twinkling with mischief. Naturally, Namjoon’s arms wrap around you as he draws you closer to him.

Dipping his head down, he brushes his lips against yours, causing you to gasp. Reflexively, you poke your tongue out to lick your lips and a breathy moan falling from your mouth when you taste the sweetened vanilla on your lips. “It’s not funny, my love. I’m really hurt, you know. Will you kiss it better?” Namjoon asks, a roguish smile curling onto his lips. His warm breath fans across your face, your eyes fluttering as the saccharine aroma of both Namjoon and the buttercream wafts through your nose.

Breath hitching in your throat, your hands trail up his chest to curl around his neck, pulling him closer to you. “It’s a figurative hurt, where am I supposed to kiss?” you reply cheekily, your own eyes twinkling with mischief as you look up at him through the thick of your lashes.

Once again, Namjoon hums. It’s deeper this time, however - a little more sensuous. “I think I know,” he replies. Then, without giving you any time to think about it, his lips descend onto yours.

Cake box in one hand, and Jungkook holding your other, you walk into the lobby of JinHit’s building - Namjoon ushering in his twins behind you. As soon as you get in, you notice Seokjin and Hoseok standing, speaking to each other.

“Hyung!” Taehyung calls out, tugging on his father’s hand as he tries to run towards them. Immediately, Seokjin and Hoseok turn around, greeting the five of you with a wave.

“Oh wow, did you buy a cake?” Seokjin asks, peering at the white cake box in curiosity.

Immediately, “Noona baked it! Hyungie and I helped!” Jimin says proudly, a bright smile on his face.

Hoseok quirks his eyebrows, “did you now? And where was Jungkookie in all of this?” he questions, turning to the youngest.

“Playing games,” Jungkook simply shrugs, not thinking anything of it. His deadpan answer causes Hoseok and Seokjin to laugh before they nod.

“Alright, and I assume you just watched?” Seokjin chuckles while clapping Namjoon on the back.

Before he can reply, “watched? More like distracted me and then ate the rest of the icing,” you snort - once again looking at him pointedly. Namjoon’s mouth curls, his ears burning bright red as he pouts.

“Oh yeah, that makes sense,” Hoseok replies, nodding sagely, “did he try eating sugar out of the spoon again?” he continues. Both you and Seokjin snicker, Namjoon letting out a sigh of exasperation.

“Can we just go? We’re here to celebrate Yoongi’s birthday, not make fun of me,” Namjoon pouts, a slight whiny tone to his voice. Seeing the sheepishness in his eyes, you adjust the cake box in your hold before shuffling closer and kissing his jaw in comfort. Head angling down to you, Namjoon smiles softly in thanks before returning your kiss - his lips brushing against your temple.

“Gross,” Hoseok gripes playfully, causing both you and Namjoon to stick your tongues out at him.

“Alright, alright. Let’s go, Yoongi’s probably wondering where we are,” Seokjin says - playing peacemaker in Yoongi’s stead. Then, he gestures the lot of you to follow him.

Contrary to Seokjin’s words, however, Yoongi was in no way waiting for you. Walking into the meeting room upstairs, you come to an empty room - Seokjin letting out a sigh of frustration. “God damn it! I told him to meet us here. Did he forget?” Seokjin grouses, his eyebrows furrowing in exasperation.

“Knowing hyung, he’s still in his studio,” Hoseok points out. His words, however, only causes Seokjin to let out a sigh of frustration.

“Let’s just go to his studio,” he replies before ushering you out of the room. Once again, he navigates the lot of you through the various corridors of the building - before you come upon a large wooden door. A gold plaque hangs on it, the words ‘Genius Lab’ embossed in black on the metal plate.

Aggressively, Seokjin begins knocking - practically banging his fist against the door. “Yah! Min Yoongi! Did I not tell you to be in the meeting room?” he yells. Instantly, the door swings wide open, Yoongi standing in the doorway.

Quirking an eyebrow, “I was waiting - but you’re like ten minutes late - so I decided to do some work,” Yoongi replies, his face passive as usual.

“Sorry, there was a bit of traffic,” you apologise with a small bow. Yoongi opens his mouth to reply, however, before he can say anything, Namjoon’s sons are running up to him.

Jimin and Taehyung wrap their arms around each one of his legs, Jungkook standing between them and winding his own arms around Yoongi’s waist. “Yoonie hyung! Happy birthday!” they sweetly chorus at the same time. Immediately, Yoongi’s face softens, and instinctively, he pets their heads, a shy smile on his face while he nods at them.

A bright grin plastered onto his face, “Noona, Hyungie and I baked you a cake!” Jimin says proudly, causing you to shyly hold up the cake box. Yoongi’s eyes twinkle slightly before he’s stepping to the side. Taking his cue, you all quickly enter his studio.

Swiftly, you unbox the cake, and while Hoseok holds it up - you sing happy birthday. The entire time, Yoongi’s cheeks are bunched up under his eyes, his bright gummy smile on display while he bounces in place. After you’re done, and Yoongi’s cut his cake, everyone sporadically finds seats around Yoongi’s studio. Hoseok, Jimin and Taehyung sit on the floor, the younger twin in the older man’s lap as Jimin happily eats his cake beside them. Seokjin sits on the sofa, Jungkook in his father’s lap - leaving you to sit on the sofa arm besides Namjoon.

“So, are you working on anything interesting?” you ask, idly chewing on your cake while addressing Yoongi.

Nodding, “I’m actually working on a new song - do you want to hear?” Yoongi asks. Eyelids blowing wide open, you freeze in place before your jaw drops open.

“A-Are you sure?” you stutter out. Was he really offering you an exclusive sneak peek of his future track? God, sometimes you really forget that your, now, closest friends are huge musical celebrities. Sure, your own boyfriend is a famous rapper, as is Hoseok, but other than that discussion about their upcoming tour, you’ve never really gotten involved with their jobs. Namjoon rarely tended to bring it up at home, wanting to focus more on his sons and your relationship. Besides, Yoongi had always been your favourite rapper - and just the thought of getting to listen to a demo of his song has your heart racing.

“Earth to ____?” Seokjin says, waving his hand in front of your face with a playful laugh. Quickly, you bat his hand away before glaring at him with a pout, your cheeks heating from embarrassment.

“Look at her! She’s blushing like a little girl, oh my god,” Hoseok begins taunting, then he pauses. “Wait- didn’t you mention Yoongi is your favourite rapper when we first met?” he asks, a knowing smirk curling onto his face.

Features twisting into a scowl, you sneer at him, “well it’s definitely not you. You’re too mean to me,” you snidely reply, before sticking your tongue out.

Wincing jokingly, “ouch, you really wound me, ____” Hoseok dramatically sighs, clutching his heart and shaking his head.

“It’s because I’m the nicest to her,” Yoongi chimes in, nodding sagely.

“Hey! I’m nice to her,” Hoseok yells in indignation.

However, ignoring Hoseok, “Wait- Yoongi, are you sure I can listen?” you ask, remembering Yoongi’s first question.

He turns back to you before nodding and rolling his chair a little to the side. “Yeah, come on,” Yoongi beckons. Eyes lighting up with joy, you shoot off the sofa and over to him in an instant.

The moment you move, Namjoon blinks at the unexpected movement. The entire time Hoseok had teased you, he’d felt a little upset. Of course, he’d always known Yoongi is your favourite rapper - and he’d never begrudge you for it. Nonetheless, he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t just a little upset that he’s not your favourite. Gaze trained on you, Namjoon watches as Yoongi pressed one of the headphone speakers to his ear, offering the other to you, before opening up the track and clicking play.

As soon as the beat begins, your eyebrows knit together, your lips a firm line. He knows the expression well: very rarely do you bring home paperwork - both of you prefer to keep work out of your relationship - but the few times you have, he’s watched that exact same expression of concentration, your pen flitting over the papers. Every now and then, your eyes twinkle, a short gasp falling from your lips as you nod to the beat. Unable to help himself, Namjoon cannot stop the swell of jealousy, sadness and a slight twinge of possessiveness that wells up inside him.

When you shuffle a little closer to Yoongi, your ears pressed together as you share the headphones, Namjoon knows he can’t watch anymore. Quietly, he passes Jungkook over to Seokjin before shuffling out of the room. Hoseok and Seokjin look at each other, exchanging a brief knowing glance between themselves. As soon as you spot Namjoon’s movement from the corner of your eye, before you watch him softly slam the door shut, you draw away from Yoongi.

Turning to the other two, “Is he okay?” you ask, your eyebrows knotting together in concern.

“I think he’s a little jealous,” Seokjin replies softly. For a moment, you almost dismiss him, until you see the seriousness in his eyes.

“What? Why?” you ask, confusion lacing your voice.

“Just watching you and Yoongi, maybe? Like we all know there’s nothing going on, but like, yeah,” Hoseok tries explaining, rubbing the back of his head. “He’s probably a little mad too,” he continues. Seeing your face fall, Hoseok quickly shakes his head, “Not at you! At himself for feeling the way he is- he’s probably just trying to control himself and needed a breather,” he finishes. Placated by Hoseok’s words, you nod, knowing he’d never lie to you. However, his words don’t stop your heart clenching in your chest, your stomach dropping. You’d never wanted to make him feel upset - or jealous.

“I think I’ll go speak to him,” Yoongi cuts in, already getting up from his seat. Quickly, you shake your head, already shooting up to your feet.

“No!” you abruptly interject. Shuffling over to the cake, you cut a large piece of it before placing it on a paper plate. “It’s okay. I think it’d be better if I go. Watch my boys for me yeah?” you say once you're done, before shooting out of the room, not even waiting for a response.

The moment the door slams shut, the three of them turn to each other. “Do you think she noticed she used ‘my’ or…?” Seokjin asks.

With a wistful smile, “No, I don’t think she did,” Yoongi replies, shaking his head fondly.

“Well, looks like your Noona may become your mommy soon,” Hoseok chimes in as he directs his attention to the boys.

Ecstatically, Taehyung turns in Hoseok’s lap, looking at the older man in wide-eyed wonder. Standing up in his lap - Hoseok wincing when the entirety of his weight pushes down on his legs - Taehyung presses his pudgy hands against Hoseok’s cheeks before squishing them together, “Really?” the toddler asks, his voice full of excitement and hope.

Laughing, Hoseok nods his head in Taehyung’s hold, “really,” he replies. Seokjin and Yoongi nodding along to his sentiment.

a/n: this was actually supposed to have smut in it but like it got so long without it that i’ve just decided that the next chapter will be solely smut 🤡 so owo look forward to that !! whenever it comes out !!

Kofi | Masterlist

[henrycavillobsessed]

Porcelain

Characters: Henry Cavill x Anwen Evans (fictional fiance)

Summary: Henry and Anwen’s life was perfect. Until one day, one phone call, changes everything.

Words: 3,444

TW/CW: Death, car accident, description of injuries, hospital, grief. Slight mention of implied sex; some bad language. 

Notes: So here it is, my latest fanfic. It’s been a while, due to a bit of a mind block. The idea for this came to me, after being inspired by the song Porcelain by Emarosa (link below in case you’re interested). This one is different to my other fics, for one it’s not the usual Henry x reader narrative. I have created a character this time to act as his partner. Also this one is LONG (3,444 words). I have enjoyed writing a longer and more complex story and I hope you enjoy reading it. (As a warning, it’s SAD. I am not ashamed to admit I cried just writing it.)

Link to song: https://open.spotify.com/track/7rk8cH53nI8ffb5ZccjfpT?si=QMVvEmA3TK-3WuQXJanMmQ

“Oww! Shit!”

Henry looked up from the book he was reading in bed. Anwen was rubbing her forehead and looking very wounded. She’d clearly just walked into the doorframe. Again. Henry laughed out loud.

“Don’t laugh at me!” A pillow flew through the air and missed its target of Henry’s face by a considerable amount. He laughed again. 

“I can’t help it. You are so clumsy!”

Anwen climbed into bed, still massaging the sore spot on her head. She scowled at Henry. “If I remember correctly Mr Cavill, it was because of me being clumsy that meant we met for the very first time.”

“Hmm,” Henry reached over and gathered her up in his arms, leaning back against the headboard. He kissed her gently on the faint bruise that was blooming on her pale skin. “I do remember,” he said fondly. 

          It had been over five years ago now. Henry was out with his friend and colleague Simon Pegg, drinking their way through some of London’s best nightclubs. It had been a great night so far, with both men enjoying their freedom; they’d recently finished filming their latest movie and were celebrating. Henry was feeling happily tipsy, and when Simon offered to go to the bar for another round, he didn’t refuse. 

“Get some shots too!” he shouted at Simon’s back as he left their table. Simon waved a hand in response; Henry took that as a yes and smiled. He was just checking his Instagram on his phone when something- someone- crashed into him and he felt the cold wetness of a spilt drink over his shoulder and down his shirt. He looked up incredulously. A woman was stood there with an empty glass and an equally shocked expression.

“Oh, my go- I am so sorry!” she said in a very attractive Welsh accent, Henry thought. He felt his annoyance dissipate immediately. 

“Hey, don’t worry about it, accidents happen. How much have you had to drink anyway?” he asked cheekily. 

The woman’s ivory skin blushed, contrasting prettily with her ebony hair, which was cascading around her shoulders in thick waves.

“Um, I actually don’t drink,” she admitted. “I have just shown you how uncoordinated I am; I really don’t need to throw alcohol into the mix.” 

“Very wise. Hi, I’m Henry Cavill.”

“Anwen Evans, nice to meet you.” They shook hands and were making pleasant small talk when Simon returned with the drinks.

“What on earth happened to your shirt?” he asked Henry. 

“Anwen happened. Anwen, this is my friend Simon Pegg.” 

Anwen’s face lit up. “I love your movies! Hot Fuzz is just hilarious!” she said to Simon, who smiled widely and they spent the next few moments quoting lines from the film. Simon looked sideways at Henry, and saw the way he was looking at Anwen, and cleared his throat.

“Well, it’s been lovely to meet you, but I must get on. Henry, I’ll call you tomorrow,” he said, winking at his friend. Henry mouthed a silent thank you, grinning. 

After Anwen explained to her girlfriend’s that she was going to continue the night with Henry, prompting a lot of excited giggling and whispering, she sat herself down at Henry’s table. The hours flew by as they got to know each other. Anwen was an up-and-coming chef, who’d recently opened a new restaurant nearby in London. She told Henry about the restaurant’s menu, and Henry promised to try it out soon. In return, Henry told her about the films he’d been in. He was mock-outraged when Anwen admitted she’d never seen a Superman movie, let alone Man of Steel, and laughing, she promised she’d check it out soon. Conversation naturally flowed between them, Henry felt so at ease with her, and it turned out they had quite a bit in common. As Henry told Anwen about his akita Kal, Anwen told him she also had a dog, a golden retriever named Ciri.

“Ciri?” Henry had asked. “As in Ciri from The Witcher?”

“Yeah! I’m such a huge fan, I’ve read all the books, and I’ve played all the games!”

Henry laughed. “You are never going to believe who I’ve just been cast as for my next job…” Anwen’s jaw dropped to the floor when he told her. 

The night ended with Henry walking Anwen home to her nearby townhouse, and they shared their first kiss on the doorstep, swapping numbers with the promise to meet up again soon for a date.

          Now back in the present, nearly six years later, Anwen had moved into Henry’s penthouse, with Ciri who Kal adored. Both dogs were curled up at the end of the bed now, fast asleep.

In Henry’s arms, Anwen cuddled in close. “Yes, so if it wasn’t for me tripping and drenching you that night we wouldn’t be here now, so stop taking the piss!”  

“Okay, okay!” Henry laughed. “I do worry though, you know. You’re like… like porcelain. So easily broken. Be more careful, I’d hate for something to happen, for me to lose you. I love you so much, my Annie.”

“Don’t be so soft! I’m not going anywhere, not for a long time. And I’ll love you until the day I’m gone, and if I can love after, then I will then too. So shush,” Anwen replied, placing a kiss on his lips.

“Anyway, I’m not that breakable, I don’t think. Wanna test this theory?” 

Swinging her legs around Henry’s waist, Anwen straddled him and seductively removed her top. She was braless underneath. Henry whistled low, and licked his lips.

“Yes ma’am.”

          Henry and Anwen’s life continued in perfect bliss. Both had never been as happy as they were with each other. Anwen was now an established celebrity chef, having opened many more restaurants worldwide, written a few cookbooks and even been on television a couple of times. Henry’s career as an actor was skyrocketing, his role at Geralt in The Witcher making him a household name. This meant that he had to travel all around the globe for work, however this didn’t impact his and Anwen’s relationship in the slightest, as she regularly went with him, using the time to research new recipes for her business. When they had spare time, they enjoyed exotic holidays, and it was on the white powder sand of the Maldives that Henry proposed. Anwen had burst into tears and accepted immediately, and they’d spent the rest of that holiday on their private island mostly naked, enjoying each other as an engaged couple.           Their home life was refreshingly normal however. Behind closed doors, they were just Henry and Anwen, not the famous actor and the celebrity chef. They both took in turns to cook dinner, did the housework together and spent the evenings cwtched up on the sofa watching old movies. Laughter was a staple in their home, in fact they only ever rowed when England played Wales at rugby during the Six Nations. Life was indeed bliss, and it seemed nothing could burst this content bubble they were living in.

            One average day in late autumn, Anwen was sat at the kitchen table, with her laptop open in front of her and Ciri snoozing quietly at her feet. Dressed in a pair of comfy sweats and a loose off-the-shoulder jumper, her hair piled artfully messy on top of her head and holding a large cup of coffee in her hands, she was looking at wedding venues online, finally making a start on planning their special day. A huge binder was also open on the table with multiple sheets on paper sticking out of it. She’d made plenty of notes and had lots of ideas; it was now time to put them into action. Henry walked into the kitchen, looking very stylish in back jeans and a tight black t-shirt. He was holding Kal’s lead and the akita was tip-tapping on the tiles behind him, clearly very excited about going for a walk. Ciri didn’t even raise her head, happy enough to stay in with her mum and continue her nap. 

“I’m going to take Kal with me to the meeting with my manager,” he said to Anwen. “Then do you fancy meeting me after with Ciri and we’ll take them for a walk in the park?” 

“Yes, my love, sounds lush. How long will you be do you think?”

“Not sure, I’ll call you when I’m done.”

“Sounds like a plan!”

“What are you up to today?” Henry asked, walking over to Anwen and kissing her on the top of her head. “Wedding stuff?”

“Yeah, I’m gonna send off some emails now this morning and then go to this bakery and try out some wedding cake samples,” Anwen smiled.

“Well, I’m jealous! Have a great day honey, I’ll call you later. Love you!”

“Love you, bye!” she called as he walked out the front door.

          Henry’s meeting was going well. His manager had quite a few prospective roles lined up for him, and Henry was interested in the majority of them. His mind wandered to Anwen every so often; he still missed her when they were apart. As the meeting was coming to a close and Kal started getting excited again at going for another walk, Henry’s phone rang. He looked at the caller ID- withheld number. 

“Hello?”

“Is this Mr Henry Cavill? I’m a nurse here at London hospital. We have you down here as Miss Anwen Evans’s emergency contact.”

Henry paled. “Is she okay?”

“I’m afraid Miss Evans has been involved in a serious accident. We have her here at the emergency department. Can you get here straight away?”

          Henry had never moved so quickly in his entire life. After giving his manager a hurried explanation and asking him whether he’d look after Kal, he’d gotten in his car and sped through the streets of London, not caring that he was breaking the speed limit. He parked illegally, jumping out of the vehicle and sprinting into the hospital. His mind was in overdrive, all sorts of scenarios going through his head. He felt sick with fear and exertion. Flying into the emergency room, he looked around wildly, finding a nurse sat at the front desk.

“Anwen Evans? I’m here for Anwen Evans, I’m Henry Cavill,” he cried desperately. The nurse didn’t hesitate.

“Come with me.”

She explained to Henry what had happened on the way. “Anwen was crossing the road at a zebra crossing when she tripped halfway, according to witnesses. There was a speeding car, who didn’t see her. He… he ran right over her. He didn’t stop. There are police looking for the car and driver as we speak.”

The flash of anger that Henry felt was so severe that his steps faltered for a second. But then he pushed it away, to be dealt with later. All that mattered now was Anwen. 

“Mr Cavill, Anwen is in a bad way. She has a serious brain injury, and multiple body fractures. The trauma team managed to get her stable, but it’s touch-and-go. The next twenty-four hours are critical,” the nurse said gently. “Prepare yourself before you go in.”

She opened the door to the dimly lit room. The sound of machines beeping dominated the otherwise peaceful atmosphere. Henry moved closer to the bed, his mouth dry, hands shaking. His Annie was lying in the bed, connected to the machines, wires snaking out from every part of her it seemed. Her beautiful black hair was covered by thick white bandages wrapped around her head, and every part of her skin was purple and blue bruises. Her striking green eyes, usually so full of love and sparkle, were swollen shut. Henry had never seen anything so heartbreaking; tears coursed unbidden down his cheeks.

“Can I sit by her? Hold her hand?” he choked to the nurse. 

“Of course, pet.”

He pulled up a chair to her bedside and ever so gently took Anwen’s hand in his. It was reassuringly warm. He could do nothing for a moment but stroke it slowly. Worry filled every part of his being. 

“I’m here Annie. It’s your Henry. Come back to me, you can get through this,” he whispered, and then as sobs wracked through him, he added, “you said you’d love me until you’re gone and I’ll be damned if you’re going anywhere yet.” 

For the next few hours, Henry didn’t leave Anwen’s side; he didn’t let go of her hand. He held onto hope that she would get better. After all, porcelain could break yes, but it could also be fixed. And he would do anything to fix her. 

          As it approached eighteen hours since Anwen’s accident, a nurse came into the room and caught Henry fighting not to fall asleep. She softly tapped him on the shoulder.

“Mr Cavill, go and get some rest. You’re more than welcome to use the family room just next door. Freshen up, get an hour or so sleep. If anything changes, I promise I’ll come and notify you immediately.”

Henry considered this, torn between not wanting to leave Anwen’s side and the need to at least wash his face. 

“I’ll be half an hour, tops. Annie, I’ll be right back.” He put her hand down, and exited the room, rubbing his tired eyes as he went. 

He hadn’t been gone five minutes when a terrifying beeping screeched out from Anwen’s room. He ran out of the bathroom still with wet hands, his heart in his mouth. He halted in the doorway, petrified at the scene unfolding in front of him. 

A team of medics were working hard on her, the unrelenting beeping just adding to the frenzy of the situation. Anwen’s heart had stopped; someone fired up a defibrillator. The shock that went through her echoed in Henry. He just didn’t know what to do. He was vaguely aware of someone trying to lead him away but he just couldn’t move, couldn’t tear his eyes away, panic rising, threatening to overspill. His Annie, his Annie was there dying on that bed, and he couldn’t do anything but watch. And then suddenly, the most sinister sound yet. A flatline. Followed by a voice.

“We’ve lost her. Time of death, eight fifteen AM…”

Then silence.

The sound that tore its way up and out through Henry’s throat was that of a wounded animal. He screamed, the feeling pure agony.

“No! NO! There must be something you can do! My Annie! Annie…”

The doctor looked at him with sadness in his eyes. “I am so sorry, Henry. So sorry. Please, everyone, give him some space.”

The rest of his team followed him out; the nurse that had told Henry to go get some rest was crying silently. 

Henry stood rooted to the spot, in a state of absolute denial. Only a day before they’d been in their kitchen together, making plans to walk their beloved dogs, she was planning their wedding. Their wedding. Agony ripped through his chest, sobs wracked his body, his breathing erratic, his heart shattered, never to be healed again. Broken, like porcelain. 

          Henry didn’t know how he got through the funeral. He’d been to the funeral home, and dressed her in her favourite dress and shoes, and spent a long time brushing out her hair; he’d done that when she was alive, but the familiar act did nothing to ease his pain. When he got to the church, he walked down the aisle with her coffin on his shoulder, his heart heavy because he should have been watching her walk down the aisle in a white flowing dress towards him, he should be becoming her husband, not burying her. When it came to reading her eulogy, he was overcome with emotion, for the first time in his life not able to talk in public. His mother helped him down from the podium; his father continued the speech. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

At the wake, he got blind drunk. No one saw him for a week afterwards.

          The news of Anwen’s death was plastered all over the newspapers and online. Headlines such as “HENRY CAVILL FIANCE KILLED IN TRAGIC ACCIDENT” and “CELEBRITY CHEF ANWEN EVANS DEAD AT 27” accompanied photos of the both of them. The hole in Henry’s chest got bigger each time he saw it. He threw himself into his work; being someone else for at least 12 hours a day was easier than dealing with real life. Because the grief was all consuming, terrifying, never-ending. When he got home to his cold and empty penthouse, he couldn’t escape it; Kal and Ciri looked at him sadly every night, the question in their eyes: “where is our mummy?” Henry had no answers for them. He spent each evening sat in the dark, in silence. There was no laughter, no enjoyment in life since she’d gone. 

          A few weeks later, Simon came to visit. He’d been dropping in regularly, terribly worried about his friend. Henry looked, quite frankly, awful. His hair was long and the curls unkempt, he’d let his beard grow out and he had deep purple bags under his eyes. He’d lost a lot of weight too, although he hadn’t stopped working out. Simon sat down next to Henry on his sofa, nervously voicing the question he’d come round to ask.

“Henry, it’s the awards ceremony tonight. Will you be going?”

Henry looked at him like he’d gone mad. 

“Look,” Simon continued. “You’ve been nominated for Best Actor. It’s highly likely you’re going to win. Remember how she… how Anwen was really looking forward to going.” This was true. The red dress she’d been planning to wear was still hung up on the back of the bedroom door. “If you don’t want to go for yourself, why don’t you go for her?”

Henry thought it over. He hadn’t been out, apart from work and the gym, since before the accident. The thought of going to such a high-profile event caused panic. Yet… an image of Anwen, smiling before him in that red dress suddenly entered his mind. She had been so excited; she’d even helped him write his acceptance speech in case he did in fact win Best Actor. Go for her, Simon had said…

          And that’s how, just hours later, Henry found himself back on the red carpet, surrounded by flashing lights and crazed shouting as paparazzi tried to get his attention. He posed for a few photos before hurrying inside and taking his seat. He ate the extravagant three-course meal without really tasting it, drank the wine without really feeling it. Simon sat by his side, a welcome support; a truly great friend. Then, finally, it was time for the awards to be given. 

Henry clapped and cheered as each person won their nominated categories; showing his support for his fellow actors and actresses. Seeing them so happy actually lifted his spirits for the first time since… before. Then it was time for the winner of the Best Actor award.

“And the winner is… HENRY CAVILL!”

Henry sat in shock as the cameras and spotlights panned to him. Simon was on his feet, screaming “I knew he’d do it!” and then he was helping Henry up. “Go on mate, to the stage. You won, you bloody won!” 

In a daze, he walked towards the stage, then across it, accepting his award from the host. The applause was tumultuous; it took a few moments for it to die down, and then everyone in the audience was waiting expectantly for his speech. Henry drew a blank; he had no idea what to say.

“You can do it, handsome!” a heartbreakingly familiar voice whispered in his ear. He looked to the side and his breath hitched in his throat. Anwen was stood there, a wide grin all over her face, looking devastatingly beautiful in the red dress she’d planned to wear tonight. 

“I’m right here with you. I love you.”

Tears welled and spilled from Henry’s eyes as he turned back to face the audience. 

“This award,” he started. “is for my Anwen. My Annie. I couldn’t have been the actor who deserved it without her love and encouragement. She was my everything. She still is. I owe this, my entire career, my entire life to you, my angel. I miss you more than words can describe, and I love you even more.

As he left the stage to even louder applause and cheers and flashing lights, he looked up, seeing the love of his life again, smiling, tears sparkling on her cheeks, blowing him a kiss as she faded away.

“Goodbye my Annie,” he whispered. “Goodbye.”

[ilovefandoms102]

Never let you Go

Pairing: JJ Maybank x Reader

Summary: JJ gets into a nasty fight, what happens when his memory is knocked a bit loose?

Taglist:

@jeyramarie​ @drewswannabegirl​ @sexualparkour​ @teamnick​ @jiaraendgame​ @agirlwholovescoffee​ @outerbongs​ @jaxxandcomet​ @velyssaraptor​ @baby-pogue​ @they-write-once-in-a-blue-moon​ @must-be-a-weasley-92​ @kaitieskidmore1​ @ma10427​ @ifilwtmfc​ @lasnaro​ @justcallmesams​ @judayyyw​ @lonely-kermit​ @gviosca​ @iamaunicorn4704​ @jellyfishbeansontoast​ @fernweh-fangirl​ @runway-to-my-aid​ @eb15​ @hurricane-abigail​ @tangledinsparkles​ @haley-talks-too-much​ @sunwardss​@http-cherries​ @bibliophilewednesday​ @evaporatedrosepetals @thetomatosaucee @tomatosauceagent @redosmo​ @ilikealotofpeople-younotsomuch @obx-direction-sos @mxltifandoms06 @kindahavefeelingskindaheartless @gracielou0518 @hannahhistorian92 @lemur46 @ohdangitsjay @screechinglawyer @leasly @sambucky8 @babebenhardy @poguestyleskye @joshy-obx @harryswigss @simpingforrudypankowonly

Note: I literally dreamed this the other night so I hope you guys like this!

===============================

You’d think after the three years that JJ and I have been together, everyone on the island would know by now to not mess with his girl (aka me)...

What was odd about the fight JJ had gotten himself into this time wasn’t even with a Kook, it was with a fellow Pogue. I can’t recall what even started the fight as I was too preoccupied with Pope trying to get JJ to not fight one of us. It had proven to be more difficult however as our fellow Pogue, whose name was Rat (fitting), kept shit talking to JJ, neither Pope or I could hear what he was saying though. 

We were on the beach as the boys continued to argue, their chests bumping together. I jumped to my feet from the towel I was sitting on, running towards them. 

“You think you’re tough shit don’t you Maybank?” our fellow Pogue asked.

“You don’t wanna do this with me Rat, I promise you.” JJ sneered, his chest heaving from the anger surging through him.

“What, your hoe keep you on a leash now Maybank?” Rat taunted, JJ going frigid.

“JJ!” I shouted, finally catching up to them.

“Did you just say what I think you just said?” JJ inquired, taking a step back. He flipped his hat so that it face backwards, and my blood ran cold.

He was about to beat the shit out of this guy...

“JJ no! You said no more fights!” I yelled, hoping to gain his attention. 

“Yeah JJ, no more fights.” Rat mocked in a high pitched voice.

JJ swung his fist before I could blink, his rings shining in the sun as they came across Rat’s nose. I gasped, holding my hands over my mouth. I really shouldn't be shocked from the amount of times I have had to pull JJ from fights. Pope held me back as he could see it was probably best to let him get his rage out. JJ wasn’t an easy person to talk down. Even if I stepped in front of him, he would pick me up and gently sit me behind him before his fists went back to work. 

“Come on pretty boy, is that all you got?! Your little bitch got you so strung up by your dick you can’t even throw a punch?” Rat cackled, his posse joining from behind him.

It was at that moment, I knew this had gone too far. This was about to get nasty...

JJ’s eyes flashed to a dark blue, his teeth gritting as he charged at Rat. I held on tighter to Pope as JJ and Rat went crashing into the sand, crazed worry traveling up my spine. 

I wasn’t sure how long they had been at it before Rat’s friends decided they wanted to jump in, Pope and I both springing into action. I wasn’t much of a fighter, but I had thrown a punch a time or two. The problem was, there were too many of them. As a few ganged up on JJ, two more came at Pope and I. I threw my fist out at the boy coming my way, hearing the sickening crack as my fist made contact with his nose.

I heard JJ’s grunts and shouts from behind me, my eyes wild as I turned for just a second. All I could see was Rat and his posse completely hammering down on JJ, making me more determined to stop them. I turned back to the boy, kicking him where it counts before uppercutting his jaw, and knocked him out cold. 

“Get off of him!” I screeched, jumping on Rat’s back. 

“Stupid bitch!” Rat huffed, trying to pry my fingers off of him.

Thankfully, our friend group pulled up just in time. John B flew out of the van, Kie coming to assist me. I shook my head at her, nodding my head to Pope. I got Rat down to the ground, jumping up quickly. I stomped on his hands before delivering a quick kick to where he’d feel it. 

Rat and his posse dispersed, sprinting away as we now outnumbered them. I immediately went to JJ’s side, his lips a scary blue color.

“JJ? Baby can you hear me?” I sniffled, not getting a response.

“We need to get to the hospital!” I cried, my friends aiding me as we whisked JJ to the local emergency room.

=======================================

I paced back and forth in the waiting room, nerves eating away at my bones. Everyone else had already left for the night, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep until I knew JJ was ok.

I heard a commotion coming from down the hall, a loud shout that sounded an awful lot like JJ booming through the tiny ER. I jumped to my feet, taking off down to where the noise was coming from. I was startled to see three female and two male nurses trying to manhandle JJ back to his room. His face was blood red, his teeth hissing as he griped something I couldn’t understand.

JJ’s eyes caught mine, his blue eyes rimmed red. My feet carried me towards him automatically, despite the predatory look he cast my way. The nurses shouted for me to stay away, but I came to my lovers aid anyways.

“Baby calm down, I’m here now.” I said to JJ, trying to reach out to him.

“Where is she?! You took her from me!” he seethed, his hand snatching my wrist. The nurses tried to pry his hand away, but his strength proved as he squeezed me tighter.

“JJ! You’re hurting me!” I cried out, welts forming where his rings cut into my skin.

“Let her go son, you’re not in your right mind!” a nurse spat out.

They finally wrestled him into a bed, strapping his arms down. He thrashed around, screaming my name. His eyes wild as they scanned the room, tears flowing down his cheeks. The nurses ushered me out of the room, one pulling out a needle to shove in JJ’s arm.

“What’s wrong with him?” I sobbed.

“Whatever you kids got in to, knocked his head a bit whack. Doc said he should be fine by tomorrow. Probably best for you to go home sweetheart.” one of the nurses said, chest still heaving from JJ’s outburst. They left to go back to the nurses bay, my back collided with the wall as I slid down to the floor.

I cried outside of his room for what felt like hours, my chest heaving as my cries turned into soft hiccups. My back was starting to ache, and I didn’t want to leave JJ. I took a deep breath as I reentered the room, trying to tiptoe my way to the couch. Once I was in his eyesight, I heard the soft call of my name.

“Babygirl, have you been crying?” JJ asked, his eyes barely open as sleep was overtaking him.

“Go to sleep J, I’ll be here when you wake up.” I spoke softly, glad that he was somewhat back to normal.

“Will you lay with me?” he whispered, moving one of his hands to hold it out to me.

How could I deny him?

“Yeah J, scoot over.” I smiled, kissing his cheek softly.

“What happened to your wrist?” he questioned.

I looked back into his baby blue eyes, not thinking of an excuse fast enough from the fatigue I suffered. It was like something dawned behind his eyes, realization flooding through him. A single tear fell down his cheek, his lips quivering as he stared at my bruised wrist.

“I did that. I did that to you. I remember now... I-I’m so sorry. Please don’t hate me.” he babbled, his shoulders shaking as his face dove in my chest.

“Oh JJ, I would never hate you. I know that wasn’t you. It’s ok, please don’t cry.” I soothed, gently running my fingers through his hair.

“I hurt you, fuck I can’t believe I did that. The one thing I swore I could never do, and I did it.” he sobbed, his arms circling my waist as his tears soaked into my shirt.

“JJ that wasn’t you, I know you’d never intentionally hurt me.” I murmured, kissing the top of his head.

“I thought they were going to take you away, I thought you were one of the people that were going to take you away from me.” he repeated, his body shaking as he cried against me. 

“Honey it’s ok, those fuck heads hit you hard. I tried to get to you as fast as I could.” I spoke, hugging him tighter to me. 

“I saw the punch you threw, it was hot.” he mumbled, both of us laughing. 

“You need to rest, come on let’s lay down.” I smiled. 

We shuffled around until we were both cuddled against each other, JJ’s head snuggled in my chest. My fingers trailed lightly down his back, lulling the soft snores from his lips. My eyes drooped shut, my limbs relaxing in the cold hospital bed.

============================

JJ had to get another CT scan before he could go home, so I used that time to go back home to shower and change my clothes. I scrubbed at the dried blood and sand that caked my skin, disgusted as it ran down my drain a dark rust color. 

I walked back towards where his room was, stopping short when I saw the bed was empty. I whipped my head around, looking for JJ’s blonde hair. My breath caught in my throat when I saw someone crying in the corner that looked like JJ’s dad. My heart felt like it left my body, shock flowing through my veins. I let out a heart wrenching sob, falling on my ass as I cried.

He couldn’t be gone, he was fine this morning...

What could have possibly went wrong within the two hours from when I had left?

My knees came to my chest, arms wrapping around myself as I heaved sobs. JJ, he was gone...my hotheaded, sweet, stupid, and loving partner in crime. I cried harder as the realization of what we shared together was done. My greatest love was gone, my heart shattering more. 

“Now why is my pretty girl crying?” an all too familiar voice asked.

“JJ!” I gasped, the boy coming to sit beside of me.

I threw myself in his arms, holding on to him for dear life. A deep chuckle left JJ’s lips as he caught me, forcing him back a little. He cooed gently as I cried into his shoulder, his fingers weaving into the hair at the nape of my neck. 

“I thought you were gone,” I wailed, scooting even closer so that my whole body was touching his.

“I had to go for that test baby.” he stated, pulling my head back.

“I thought...I thought that guy over there was your dad and-and that you-” I sniffled.

“Shhh, baby I’m here. I’m ok.” JJ affirmed, kissing my tear stained cheeks.

“I don’t ever want to feel like that again J, I can’t lose you.” I spoke softly, leaning the rest of the way to tenderly kiss his lips.

“You can’t get rid of me that easy,” he teased, nipping my lips playfully. I giggled at his actions, kissing his lips again.

“I love you,” I whispered.

“I love you, always.” he whispered back.

[tefanfics]

Changes

Chapter 8 (Not my gif)

That evening I sat in my new apartment. It was small but cozy. The dark gray sofa was plush enough for me. I was resting with my back against the armrest and my legs up on the sofa, my ankles crossed. My gaze was focused on my phone in my lap. It kept buzzing, the screen lighting up over and over again. Messages were pouring in and I had zero desire to answer any of them.

It was my ex. He was furious. The photo had not gone over well. He was accusing me of cheating at the tail end of our relationship. My blood was boiling but I wasn’t going to cave. He wanted a response.

Finally I just shut off my phone and left it on the coffee table. I tried to focus on whatever was playing on the TV but it was no use. Instead I decided I should just unpack. So I left the couch and grabbed one suitcase, laying it down and opening it. I started putting up what belongings I had brought with me. One suitcase was entirely clothes hygiene essentials. It didn’t take long to put those away so I decided to tackle the other one.

Inside the second one were a couple of photos, a small stuffed animal, my favorite coffee mug that was only ever used for tea and mug cakes, a few journals and far too many things that I probably should have left back at my parents house.

I began placing things, deciding what photos looked best where. My favorite photo was one of my parents, my brother and myself. We were sitting on some steps together at a popular place in my hometown. It had been taken during my senior photos so the photo was now over 8 years old. With a sad smile, I hung it up on the wall the couch was pushed against on a nail that had already been hammered into the wall.

I stepped back and admired it. “Perfect,” I murmured. I retrieved my phone and turned it on, checking the time. It was after 9. I let the phone sit as the rest of the messages poured in while I returned to my suitcase. It was almost empty. I took care of the last few belongings before shoving both of the suitcases in the coat closet and plopping down on the sofa again.

I took my phone and scanned over the messages from my ex. All I did was click into his message thread and close right back out. I wouldn’t give in. Before I went to put my phone back down, another message rolled in. This time from Taron.

Hope you’re enjoying your new place. When you’re not busy unpacking, you should send me that lovely photo from this morning.

I raised an eyebrow and smiled as I read his message.

It’s a bit small but it’ll do. It’s already feeling homey. Photo? What photo?

I watched the message deliver and dropped my phone onto the couch before standing up. I found myself in the kitchen. I had bought a few groceries to last through the weekend before I’d be able to go shopping again. I grabbed some strawberries from the fridge and rinsed them off. I got myself a small glass of wine and returned to the sofa. I turned on Friends and pulled the blanket I had placed on the back of the couch, covering my legs. The script for the movie was sitting on the coffee table, calling my name. I had read through it many times already and I had scribbled plenty of notes in it. I needed to read it again before tomorrow but I was so overwhelmed with the last day and all the messages flooding my phone. I just couldn’t bring myself to try and focus on it again. So instead I snacked for a couple of minutes before checking my phone again.

Can’t wait to see it. Yes, the photo where I got to kiss a pretty girl on the cheek.

I wasn’t sure if the was the wine or the flattery but my face was flushed again. I left the message open as my phone sat on my lap, taking another drink of wine. I had finished my strawberries and put the bowl on the coffee table before taking the phone in my hand again.

I sent the photo before adding:

Oh this one? I think I remember this. Not every day a girl gets a kiss on the cheek by a very attractive actor.

I hit send before I had the chance to talk myself out of it. I shook my head as I tossed my phone down to the other end of the couch. I looked down at my wine glass next, seeing that it was nearing empty. “Liquid courage for sure,” I said before drinking the rest of the glass. I heard the phone buzz but I tried to ignore it.

It didn’t last.

So you think I’m very attractive?

So you think I’m pretty?

I watched the typing bubble appear on my screen. I was impatient and it seemed like it was taking forever. I threw the blanket off of my legs and grabbed my glass. I returned to the kitchen and filled my glass up again, still watching the bubble on the screen. With a groan I walked through my bedroom to the bathroom. I turned on the water in the bath, letting it go warm before I put the plug in. I let the water fill the tub before I added some bubbles.

I sat my phone and wine glass where I could reach them before getting undressed and sinking into the tub. I took another drink of my wine and put the glass back down before grabbing my phone. A message was finally there.

Yes. My mates agree.

Interesting. Do you often tell your friends about girls you just met?

Only the pretty ones.

I laughed, a flattered smile playing on my lips. I sipped on my wine and turned on some music before putting my phone down, trying to relax as I soaked. I shut my eyes and listened. When the water finally grew cold, I rinsed the bubbles off my skin and got out of the bath. I dried off and found my pajamas. I took care of my wine glass, grabbed my script to set on my bed and returned to the bathroom, getting myself ready for bed. I took out my contacts and washed my face. I slid my glasses on and took my phone to the bedroom.

Once in bed, I finally allowed myself to look at my phone again. Another message from Taron was waiting for me.

When do I get to see you again?

Tomorrow, at work. My first day on set.

I pulled the script onto my lap and opened it up, grabbing the pen I had been taking notes with. I began another read through but it was incredibly hard to concentrate between the wine and Taron.

Do you have any plans for after?

Not as of right now. Why?

Try not to make any.

[poptod]

The Story of Golden Fish and Red Duck (Ahkmenrah x Reader, Ch. 4)

Ch. 1, Ch. 2, Ch. 3

Word Count: 5.7k AO3 Link:  The Story of Golden Fish and Red Duck

Day and night seemed to mesh together as confusion plagued your thoughts, twisting what you thought you knew and changing your memory. Maybe he wasn't all that bad, you convinced yourself one day, but the next you were assured of your hatred and happy he was gone. Despite how your rollercoaster of emotions might've changed hour by hour you didn't take the necklace off - even when you were confident in your resentment of the man, you couldn't deny it was well crafted, and fit your complexion rather well.

When you weren't tossing and turning over your emotions towards Ahkmen, you were wondering what the necklace said. As gorgeous as the inscriptions were they held no meaning, not to you at least - it meant nothing except a physical reminder of what you could've done different. You'd only interacted with the boy two times outside of the times you were required to, but apparently it was enough to warp your world view, something you both despised and adored him for.

Unas dealt with thoughts of his own, issues different from yours but similar in subject. From the many hours you continued to spend with him you garnered that he felt guilty, taking the blame that the whole situation had progressed the way it did, even though you both knew it truly, really was Ahkmen's fault. He was the one who'd decided to do something bad. He was the one who took the blame. He did all that to himself in order to spend time with the both of you, not that either of you could see that - you were both far too caught up in the idea of never seeing him again that the thought of him planning that purely to see you never crossed your minds.

"We're going to see him again, right?" Unas asked you, both of you enjoying your usual market trip all the while feeling very lonely, despite the fact that it had always been just the two of you. "Like, the Pharaoh can't keep him away forever."

"It's up to several things," you said, feeling like you'd rather be talking about something else as you took a bite of your honey cake. "First off, it's possible his father will forgive him and let him go outside, and all that. Besides that option, there's always when the Pharaoh dies, his eldest son will take the throne."

"Kahmuh, right?" Unas asked, receiving a nod from you.

"There's a possibility Kahmuh will forget about the whole ordeal and the ban will be lifted, but Kahmuh isn't the type to forgive and forget. He holds grudges. He still hates my sister just because she doesn't show an interest in him, which is -"

"Disgusting," Unas interrupted you, to which you easily agreed.

"Hopefully this whole thing will be solved in the next several years," you said with a sigh, picking away at your treat without any real desire to eat it.

"Years? That's going to be forever," Unas said, shaking his head at the thought.

"Well the Pharaoh isn't that old. It'll be a while till he passes away, and besides," you eyed him, lowering your voice, "saying aloud that you want the Pharaoh to die or be gone, it isn't exactly a great idea."

"I'm simply not willing to wait that long," Unas declared, sticking the rest of his sweets back in his bag, and crossing his arms. "We'll have to do something about it."

"... I'm not killing the Pharaoh," you said slowly.

"What? No, that's - that's sick," he shook his head, "I meant we're going to have to either sneak into the palace or sneak Ahkmen out."

"Which one's easier do you think?" You said, taken aback by your own readiness to commit another crime. Unas even noticed, turning to you with a furrowed brow, before looking back at the general crowd.

"I'm surprised you even want to help. Don't you hate the man?" Unas said with a laugh, the grin reaching his eyes and crinkling the edges there.

"I do! I just -" there had to be a way to say you wanted to see him again without actually saying you wanted to see him again -"I hate seeing you so upset."

Unas stared at you for a moment as you tried not to make eye contact.

"Right," he said. "I'd say getting him out would be easier. He's got a balcony, right?"

You nodded.

"Should make it easy. We could do a catapult, a thrust of some sort, something... something that would propel us into the air and to his balcony. Since it's so high up, you know."

"Right, yes it's high, but I feel that that's a bit overkill? Wouldn't a rope and a hook work just as well?"

"So you're telling me you have the strength to throw a roped hook fifty feet in the air?"

He did have a point, not that you wanted to admit it - your idea was purely based off the fact that you hated the idea of just throwing yourself into the air and hoping by lucky chance that you'd land on the tiny balcony Ahkmen had. Unas claimed to be smart, and you knew very well that he was good at mathematics, but you can't just predict a curve. Even if he did manage to do that, it sounded a foolish concept by itself.

"Maybe we could catapult the rope?" You suggested, more unsure of yourself with every word.

"Hang on, you might be onto something," he said, a vacant stare taking over his eyes as some sort of machine began to materialize in his mind. With a gasp he stood, leaving you with a pat on your shoulder in the center of the market, heading in the direction of his home.

As usual Unas was a very fast runner, and by the time you found him back at his house, sketch upon sketch, every attempt scribbled with countless notes, lay scattered at his desk and pinned to the wall. You tried to speak, the noise just barely coming out of your mouth before he was shushing you.

To your credit, you did try to stay for a good long while, sitting silently in the backdrop of his bedroom. His father was hardly ever home and his mother knew you well, so the length of your stay wasn't of any great importance. Your parents would know where to look for you, but by the time sunset came around, you were a little tired of being ignored and fully ready to head home. You told him this in a quiet voice, gently tapping his shoulder as you did.

"Alright," he said, still engrossed in his latest version, before realizing what you'd just said. He jumped from his seat as you shut the door behind you, chasing after you and finding you in the hallway. "Meet me tomorrow. It should be done then."

"Where and when?"

"Let's say midrise? And, um... just meet me here. I might need help moving this contraption," he decided, nodding as though to affirm himself.

"Are you going to name it?" You asked with a chuckle.

"Now's not the time for that. I need to - I need to get back to it," he said, not even leaving you with a good-bye as he rushed back into his room. Sighing and shaking your head, a smile crossed your face; as annoying as those phases of his life were, it was nice to see him so entertained with something.

By the next morn you were well rested (though you doubted you could say the same for Unas), and your mother had prepared a rather large breakfast for no specific occasion. Bowls of honey and dates sat on the table, surrounded by several different loaves, each one a different preparation for a different taste. Where your mother got the resolve to do things like this you hadn't a clue, but you enjoyed it anyway, and as the sun sat in the center of the sky, you thanked her and ran off towards Unas' house.

Twisting through empty and crowded streets you made your way to the front door, knocking once before his father was already opening the door. Surprised you almost jumped back, but managed to stay on your feet - the last time you saw his father must've been at least five months ago. Abasi was a very strange man from what you'd seen of him, which wasn't much at all and you shouldn't've drawn conclusions from the very few times you'd spoken with him, but he certainly was the only person you knew who could read hieroglyphs.

"Abasi, sir? Sorry for um, interrupting whatever it was you were doing, but could you read this for me quickly?" You asked, keeping your voice fast-paced; anything less would bore him. With shaking fingers you undid the knot at the back of the necklace, the cold pendant sliding down your collarbone till it came to your hands, and you handed it to him.

He looked at you strangely for a moment before taking it, doing a quick once-over. Taking very little care with it, he handed it back to you, his face still stone.

"This side says run away with me," he said, pointing to the face-up side on your palm, "and the other side says please... and your name."

"Oh..." you murmured, wondering how he could've gotten a pendant with your name on it so quickly. Before you could even hypothesize on whatever the pendant really meant, Abasi pushed you aside and left, leaving you alone with your confused thoughts.

There are better times to think about this, you told yourself, but even as you climbed the steps and crossed the hallway to Unas' room, you couldn't stop going over it. It was personalized, with such an obvious intimate message, and as you opened Unas' door, you tied the pendant back around your neck - out of sight, out of mind. Still it seemed to weigh down on you, heavy against your chest.

"Good morning!" Unas exclaimed, yanking the door open just as you set your hand on the handle. You jumped back, caught surprised by his outburst - you had expected him to still be at his desk.

"Morning, Unas," you said, breathing slow and shaking your head to calm your suddenly raised heart rate. Taking your hand he lead you to his desk, sitting you down in his seat and pushing you towards the many sketches lain about his desk, scattered and disorganized.

"That one," he pointed to one pinned to the wall with a knife, "that's what we're going to be making. I know what parts we need, I made two sheets." He then proceeded to dig through the pile of papyrus, somehow managing to pull two identical sheets out of there as if he knew where it was all along. Handing one to you he took the other, and you looked over your own.

"Unas, I don't think we're going to be able to find all this stuff," you said slowly, going over the list. Several very specific bolts, strips of tough wood, metal hook that wouldn't break, a fifty foot rope - you'd be lucky to find even one of these in the trash heaps in an entire month. At that rate, it'd be easier to just wait for the day Ahkmen would be released of his family's own volition. At the bottom of the list lay the hardest material, your eyes bulging as you read it; 5.5 feet of linen.

"I think we'll be okay," Unas said, halting when he saw your expression.

"Linen? Are you joking? It's so hard to get it’s used as fucking currency, and you want five feet of it?!" You slapped the paper back on his desk, your hand making a hard slap with the wood.

"Hear me out, okay?" He said quickly as you stood, approaching him with your hands clenched into fists. "It's so simple to make, trust me, okay? You can trust me, you've done it before, now isn't any different except.. except we're saving the love of your life from imprisonment!"

You nabbed his list from his hands, looking over it again before tossing it to the side, still holding a death glare with him.

"Let's get some things straight," you hissed, backing him up into a wall. "Number one, he's not the love of my life, I don't even like the man. Number two these are ridiculous materials, and third -"

"You're on board, aren't you?"

"Of course I am, but I'm not going to be happy about it."

Shopping list in hand and a hefty amount of gold rings with you, the two of you set off in your usual direction; the dump house. It hadn't been long since the two of you had last seen it, actually it was just yesterday you'd been there, but somehow the heaps were never familiar. The sight of them you were accustomed to, yes, but exactly what the heaps were composed of was always a mystery. Each time you came (including this time as well) it felt as though the entirety of it had been cleaned and an entirely different type of trash had been dumped there.

Immediately you set off to work, Unas taking the lower floor and you taking the upper, lists in hand as eyes scraped meticulously over the piles. Several things caught your eye, and on any other day you would've run downstairs excitedly to show Unas, but there was a mission today - a real mission, that could actually help someone, namely Ahkmen. Not you. This mission was not for you.

"Holy FUCK!" Unas shouted, surprising you out of your close inspection. You ran downstairs, your mostly empty bag clanging against your thigh as you came to stand beside Unas, wondering what in the hell could've gotten him so worked up.

"Everything alright?" You asked.

"Everything's perfect! Forget the bolts and the sticks, well - everything but two bolts, we still need those," he said, marvelling at a large, thick piece of wood in a Y shape.

"... right," you mumbled, heading back upstairs after that shock. As distant as he usually was, there were moments where he would get far too excitable, scaring you in the process.

Fortunately he didn't have another outburst of energy the rest of the morning, and by noon you'd found the bolts and nails you needed - all that remained was the linen, the hook, and rope, which the both of you knew you needed to buy. Anything else would've been too cheaply made to support what you needed, thus the two of you left in high spirits, heading in the direction of the market.

Busy, as usual - weeding your way through the crowd you came to the best blacksmith, which you could only afford due to your status. Entering the small building, the first thing you noticed was the heat; unbearable, surrounding every inch of your skin and clogging up your nose with an awful burning smell. Somehow, even with the midday sun blazing overhead, it was hotter inside. Unas even cringed a little, though wasn't deterred in the slightest. He went straight to the counter, waiting for the man to notice him, and as he did you scoped the shop out. A hook wouldn't be all too hard to find, there were many uses for them. Your only issue was you needed a specific hook.

"Hi, I'm Unas," he introduced himself to the worker, who looked him up and down, took his glove off, and shook his hand.

"Idogbe. What do you need?" He asked, his voice surprisingly soft, especially for his build, which must've been taller and stronger than anyone you'd met.

"We need a sort of hook, one that can sort of.. attach, you know?" Unas explained poorly, gesturing vaguely with his hands as Idogbe watched unamused.

"You mean a grappling hook?" He asked after letting Unas suffer under his gaze for a good two minutes.

"Yes! That'd be perfect," Unas said with a smile, turning back to you in a self-satisfied manner. You exchanged odd facial expressions with him, getting slowly weirder and harder to do, till Idogbe returned to the desk from the back room.

"This'd be a good one, withholds quite a bit of weight. Rope attach here, weapon attach here," he said, pointing to the various holes and inserts at the bottom of the hook.

"Wonderful. How much for it?"

"Let's say 90?"

You could physically see Unas' eyes bulge out of his head at the price, and for the first time you laughed at his misfortune. Drawing nearer, you kept your mouth next to his ear as you whispered.

"You handle this, wrangle the price - I'll head in the linen direction," you muttered, to which he agreed.

It wasn't hard to find a fabric store, and even less difficult to find a good price - the woman manning the store, named Kakra, was clearly new. You hated to take advantage of that, considering she was practically stuttering on every word, but there were more important things for you to do. Kakra would have to deal with a price she shouldn't have let you buy at.

Around an hour or two after noon, you reconvened at the market's center, sitting on the edge of the massive crystal water fountain. After a quick show of wares, you made a quick stop at Nizism's for food, and headed back to Unas' home. There he constructed the contraption as you sat on his bed, daydreaming about how different your life could've been. Not towards anything in particular, you were fine with how you were - just different scenarios, something to pass the time as afternoon turned to evening.

"Is it done yet?" You asked, still staring up at the ceiling, tossing a wooden ball between your hands.

"Yes, actually, which is surprising considering how many times you've asked me that," he said, a clear annoyance in his words.

"Well how else am I supposed to know when I can look over?" You asked, frowning.

"It's not a surprise, you could've looked over whenever you wanted to!"

"Really? Oh," you said, sitting up and watching him finish up. "It's usually a surprise."

He backed away from it, the large Y structure now having the two ends of the linen wrapped around each protrusion except the bottom one. It didn't look particularly special, or new, but you knew better than to say anything. In all actuality it was a very plain thing, without decoration or pizazz, but you supposed it wasn't really the time to deal with that.

"Then, we have the hook," he said, raising the hook in the air, the rope tied to it, "and there's a special weight in the hook, gives it more momentum, so we place it like this..." he set the hook in the linen, pulling the material back as it stretched, "and when you let go -" he let go, and the hook crashed into the wall with a loud clang. "There you go!'

"So the hook is supposed to go up to his balcony?"

"Yes indeed, we just need a place in which we can launch it from," Unas said with a smile, clearly happy with his little invention.

"Somewhere we won't be seen, obviously," you said, scratching your chin as you thought of the layout of the palace, the surrounding brush and hills, trying to think of somewhere you'd be hidden that would also allow you to actually be able to aim correctly.

"That's the difficult part," he said, snapping his fingers.

"That's the difficult part? Didn't you play 90 rings for the hook?"

"Yes, but it wasn't really my money, so it doesn't bother me," he said with a shrug. You hummed in acknowledgement, still thinking of where you could launch from. Then it hit you - something you'd somehow forgotten from many years ago.

When you were around three years old, that was when you were introduced to Ahkmen - at the time you were actually rather friendly with each other, for some reason. He was cute, at the time, that is. Before you really knew what status was, before you knew that stalking was a thing that you really shouldn't do, you snuck out of your house late at night, hiding in the well kempt bushes surrounding the palace. From your vantage point you could easily see Ahkmen's balcony, though you hadn't known it was his balcony at the time - you'd thought it was just a balcony he frequented. Just then your mind connected it; you realized that balcony from all those years ago was his.

"Unas," you said slowly, your eyes glazed over as genius struck you, "I know exactly where we'll set up shop."

After a quick run to your parents house to notify them you'd be staying at Unas' for the night, you began packing for the trip. Fortunately you wore mainly red and black clothes, which would be perfect for disguising yourself in the shaodws. Unas, on the other hand, wore white and brown clothes, and after noticing this, you leant him your own clothes which were a little small on him.

Half prepared to go, Unas hoisted the invention on his back, securing it with the linen. You kept the rope and hook in your bag, and the two of you snuck out his window, keeping low on the rooftops in an attempt to stay hidden. Somehow it worked, even though you were almost caught about five times. Those five times started up your heartbeat, racing in your chest as you got closer and closer to the palace, the guards becoming more numerous as you did.

Hiding away in the bushes, you watched as torchlight cast shadows on the walls, and soon guards made their round, disappearing down the side of the palace. Motioning silently to Unas, he moved forward, setting up his contraption by digging one end into the soft ground to stabilize it. Using your utmost concentration to not rustle the bush around you, you helped him set the hook in the linen, pulling it back as far as you could.

"Are you sure this is going to work? 'Cause if it doesn't, we're going to have to run like hell," you whispered to him, the linen stretched in your hands.

"We're about to see if it'll work," he answered, an answer that was not in the least comforting, but had a valid point. Taking a deep, shaky breath you pulled it back just a little more, pointing it upwards by angling down. Now on target, you closed your eyes, took another breath, and released.

"This has to be one of the most stupidest things I've done," you whispered, your eyes still clamped shut. A quiet clinking sound came from far above you, and Unas hit your shoulder, a soft gasp leaving him. Slowly you opened your eyes, following his gaze to the balcony, where a silver hook gleamed in the moonlight, safely attached to the railing and a rope dangling down from it.

"I can't believe it worked," he breathed out, still in utter shock.

"You didn't think it would work?" You hissed. "This was your idea!"

"No time for that, we need to climb now before the guards get back," he said, hiding the contraption in the bushes and rushing forward. You followed, gripping the rope tight as you climbed after him, the knots you'd previously made in the rope making the journey much easier.

"This is dumb," you muttered to yourself as anticipation plagued your anxious nerves, reminding you how badly Ahkmen would make fun of you for trying so hard to see him again.

Gripping the rope tighter you hauled yourself up, letting Unas situate himself before climbing over the railing yourself, brushing your clothes off as if they were dirty. Which, to be fair, after kneeling in the dirt for so long, they weren't exactly clean.

Inside Ahkmen's room, a single rushlight was lit at his bedside, giving the room a faint, yellow glow. Somehow undisturbed by the racket you and Unas made, Ahkmen lay sleeping in his bed, the covers strewn carelessly about his mostly-naked body, which you pointedly ignored. Unas stared without thought, only brought out of his little trance when you elbowed him.

"Don't stare," you told him. "That's weird."

"Not even half as weird as your horrible flirting tactics," he said, not bothering to look at you as he approached the bed.

"There's - okay, first off, no, and second off, this is a lot more stalker-ish than I originally anticipated," you said, careful to keep your voice down, inching forward as Unas slowly came to stand directly beside Ahkmen's bed.

Looking at you he picked up a large book which had been sitting at his bedside table, a furtive grin overtaking him as he lifted it above his head. Color draining from your face you rushed forward, knowing he was going to wake up the whole palace in the worst way possible, but before you could grab the book from him he slammed it down on the floor. A loud clang bounced around the room, startling Ahkmen awake, the silk sheets dripping down his skin like water as he sat up.

Eyes wide and panting, Ahkmen looked between the two of you, attempting to say something but nothing coming out.

"Unas!" He finally got out, his eyes still bulging in shock.

"Ahkmen!" Unas said, opening his arms with a wide smile. Laughing, Ahkmen stood from his bed, wrapping Unas up in a tight hug. Unas returned the sentiment with just as much enthusiasm, patting him on the back as they parted.

"What are you doing here?" Ahkmen said, still smiling brightly at the two of you.

"Unas missed you," you answered dully, your arms crossed as you watched the scene before you, a mild amusement clear on your face.

"Really? And you didn't?" He said, his voice low and teasing.

"No," you said.

"I don't have much time to be honest, I've got lessons in the morning and I haven't been studying," Unas said, something you didn't even know until then.

"You're taking lessons? What for?" You asked, feeling only a little betrayed that he hadn't told you, but patient for his answer.

"I'm going to be a scribe like my father," he answered, nodding his head with his hands on his hips.

"I feel you'd do better as an architect," Ahkmen said with a pat to Unas' shoulder. You hadn't thought of it before, but Unas would make a good architect - he had an eye for both design and technicality.

"Perhaps so, but a son always takes up his father's mantle."

"When I become Pharaoh, which I will," Ahkmen said, glancing to you as he wrapped an arm over Unas' shoulders, "I'll make you chief architect. How does that sound?"

"I - excellent, actually, if you were really going to become Pharaoh," Unas sputtered out, clearly flustered by both the contact and the idea of such a position belonging to him.

"Aren't you third in line for the throne?" You said with a chuckle, drawing nearer to the pair of them.

"Yes, but I am the favorite son, so I have that going for me."

"... right."

You tried to make the best of your short time with him, playing several games of Senet (Unas won each time) before you'd exhausted that, moving onto word games and other such things. Desperately you tried not to think about Unas leaving for the night, which would leave you alone with Ahkmen - the thought had crossed you that you could just leave with Unas, but Ahkmen had already brought that up and was adamant that you stayed. The idea of it alone wasn't horribly terrifying, but the remembrance that this would be the first occurrence of you spending time alone with him absolutely was. Ahkmen, sitting across from you, didn't look in the least bit anxious.

The three of you spent a good deal of time breaking into fits of laughter, and as you leaned back the cool of the pendant landed right below your neck, tensing you up and reminding you of the message he'd written. He had to have written it, you'd decided that a while ago, considering your name was on it. Fiddling with it, you engrossed yourself back into the conversation, putting the thought of that in the deepest corners of your head. You'd deal with it later.

"I think I'd best be going, now. At least now one of you can win at Senet," Unas said cheekily, winking at the two of you seated on the floor as he stood.

"Be safe, alright?" Ahkmen said quietly, smiling when Unas nodded.

"Of course. Also, I'll be picking up the launcher, you take the rope with you, got it?" He asked you, and you nodded your agreement. With that you bid your good byes, and he set off climbing down the rope, leaving you alone in the hazy light of Ahkmen's room.

"Is he always like that?" Ahkmen asked when he was assured Unas was gone.

"Like what?"

"You know, that good at playing games," he clarified.

"Ah," you said with a smile, leaning back. "Yes. Unas has always been one for puzzles and strategy games. Drives me insane, but you get used to it after a while."

"He's a little odd, but nice," he remarked, fiddling with his clothes as he avoided your eye.

An uncomfortable silence (at least for you) spanned over the next few minutes as the various games and messes you'd made were cleaned up. By the time you set the last pencil on his desk, he was sitting on his bed, legs dangling off the side as he watched you.

"You're still wearing the pendant," he noted quietly, gesturing to the necklace heavy on your skin. You looked down, fiddling with it again.

"Of course I am," you mumbled, instantly regretting the words when he perked up.

"I just - I thought you might throw it away," he said with a shrug.

"No... why would you think that?" You sat on the floor in front of you, looking up at him.

Anytime now and it'll be the perfect time to ask him about what it says, you thought, almost tensing up imagining it. Just like the one you were having, that conversation would be horribly intimate and would probably screw up your image of who he was in your mind. Again. How many times had he changed in your head?

"I don't know, probably the fifteen hundred times you've told me you hate me? Might've been that," he said, laughing bitterly, fingers digging into his mattress till the knuckles whitened.

"I don't really hate you, I just -" exasperated you looked to him, trying to find a way to say what you meant without insinuating something. He met your gaze, looking almost hopeful for your next few words, only for you to disappoint him. "I dislike you."

"Yeah, I know," he mumbled, turning so he wouldn't have to look at you anymore. "Sorry for keeping you from leaving. You can go."

"Gold fish, I -"

"No, it's fine," he said, huffing as he hid under his covers.

"You always find a way to change who I think you are," you finally said, an admittance that he'd been on your mind - you'd thought of him. "Every time I think I've wrangled down who you are, figured out what makes you tick, you change it completely. I don't know if that's a talent or a flaw. Either way... good night."

You reached up behind your neck, untying the necklace and setting at his bedside table, within his clear eyeshot. As you made for the balcony, his sheets rustled behind you. He turned you around, necklace in hand and so close to you your face was almost touching his chest. Confused, you tried to ask him what he wanted, but he just put the pendant back around your neck, tying it and smoothing it out once he'd finished.

"It's yours. You can throw it away if you want," he said, almost venomous in a way you'd only seen in his father. Sometimes you forgot he was still a prince. He was still powerful, and he could still make you do whatever he wanted to. But he didn't - he went back to bed, turned his back to you, and let you leave.

You made down the rope, unhooked it (with a little trouble), and snuck back to Unas' house, where he sat at his desk studying. At his side were three rushlights, illuminating sharp shadows across his face, the ink of his pen scratching into the papyrus.

"How'd it go?" He asked without looking up.

"Oddly. We got in a fight but this time it wasn't just a stupid fight... I think I hurt his feelings."

"What did you say this time?"

"I said I dislike him."

"Oo, wrong choice of words," he exhaled sharply, wincing when he turned to look at you, flopped hopelessly over his bed.

"This must be the first time I've actually felt bad about hurting him. A year ago I would've been rejoicing," you grumbled, slapping your hand over your eyes as though to shield you from your horrible choices.

"That's probably because you actually like him now. I mean, you aren't admitting it, but you do. I'd go so far as to say, in complete and utter honesty, that you have a little crush on him."

You sat up, almost gagging at the thought.

"You can't be serious," you laughed, almost loud enough to wake his mother, but you knew to keep quiet.

"I am. I think you're actually making a big mistake, and you need to recognize that you genuinely like him," he said, and you knew he was telling the truth - not a hint of a smile. Sighing, you fell back down on his bed, staring up at the ceiling.

"I'm so fucked."

"Your words, not mine, but precisely."

[nev3rfound]

girl back home : s.r

brief summary: being the girl Steve is waiting for, no matter how long it takes 

word count: 2.7k requested: nope, just an idea I had and went with it  warnings: none that I’m aware of

so this is pre-serum steve to captain america steve. it’s a lotta fluff, and I hope you enjoy!

* requests are open if you have any ideas, feel free to drop ‘em in my inbox or message me. *

 girl back home / home no more / building a home

You had grown up surrounded by tough men in the family, each trying to show off their weight lifting abilities whilst you sat with your face buried into a book. Initially, that was what drew you into little Steve. He didn’t try all too much to be something he wasn’t. 

The two of you had first met when you worked in the small bakery downtown. He was sent to get some fresh air along with Bucky, the complete opposite of Steve, but their differences balanced them out. 

He walked in after Bucky. You first noticed Bucky, I mean, who wouldn’t? His shoulders were rolled back as he stood tall eyeing the pastries and the girls handling them. And then behind him, you noticed a smaller figure emerge and stand beside him with a shy smile on his face. 

Smiling to them both you waited for one of them to speak up, but as Bucky opened his mouth no words followed. “What’s got you boys all tongue tied, huh?” You joked with them, and Bucky remained silent whilst Steve laughed lightly.

“Not every day our own Bucky gets silenced.” Steve spoke up, stepping in front so he was in charge of this situation, Bucky taking the back seat. “I’m Steve.” He introduced himself, still unable to make eye contact with you as he sighed loudly looking at the array of baked goods.

“And I’m Bucky, at your service, doll.” Bucky had winked, making you laugh lightly. Soon enough you learnt that was his signature move, make them laugh, give them a little bit of sugar to sweeten them up. He had it perfected to a single recipe, but Steve was flipping through the pages to find one that made sense to him. 

“What can I be getting you boys?” You questioned as Steve lifted his head, waiting for Bucky to speak up.

“What’d you recommend, doll?” Bucky asked, leaning against the counter as you rolled your eyes, causing him to push himself off of the glass and Steve chuckled to himself whilst your back was turned. 

“Well, if you’d really like my recommendation.” You started as you finally met the eyes of Steve, bright blue eyes full of hopes and dreams. “I gotta say apple tart.” Motioning down to the small selection of cakes you could see the two of them almost drooling, but Bucky lifted his head up first, patting Steve on the arm. 

“Can’t be affording it doll. Only came for some bread.” Bucky began to fiddle with the change in his hand as you turned around to prepare a loaf. 

As you finished you placed the loaf on the counter, slipping a cake into the packaging as you winked to Steve. Bucky handed the money over and picked the loaf up. “Bye boys.” You called out and Steve turned around, politely waving as he followed Bucky out of the shop, shaking his head in disbelief.

“You’d be stupid not to fall for the Bucky Barnes.” You turn your head as one of your colleagues sighs loudly, resting against the counter with big heart eyes for the brunette who just left.

Shaking your head you glance down at the missing spot of cake. “I’d be stupid to fall for him, Maria.” You laughed as you pictured the blonde walking out with a small smile etched on his face.

*

Over the course of the next few months, the two boys came in more frequently, finding small excuses to have to come in. Sometimes it was a simple matter of getting a loaf of bread. Whereas others it was needing a broom and someone who was delicate and had steady hands to help a cat in a tree. 

Either way, you didn’t mind. It allowed you three to become close friends in and outside of the bakery. 

Bucky quickly became a brotherly figure to you, always watching as he saw other guys hungrily looking at you as you would walk with him and Steve in the evenings. 

Sometimes Bucky wishes he could say something to you, just in hope of you averting your attention from both of them to Steve. It was obvious Steve was in adoration with you, but you weren’t always the type to notice subtle glances like Steves. 

On more than one occasion Bucky tried to set you two up, but you never saw it in the light they did. To you, it was an evening out with one of your closest friends. Often you’d leave the dance early because Steve was too tired or didn’t have the strength to try and dance. He would sit, watching you laughing with a stranger who’d twirl you like there was no tomorrow, wishing it was him instead.

*

As war became a more looming threat you knew what was going to happen. Bucky would sign up, and Steve would desperately try. 

“I don’t care, I want to serve my country.” Steve stated as the three of you would walk around downtown. Bucky would always sigh, running out of responses to try and talk some sense into him, but it never worked. 

“But you’re not strong enough, Steve.” Bucky retorted, leaving a heavy silence over all of us. “I mean, who’s goin’ to look after dollface here if we’re both gone?” He’d nudge you lightly and you’d roll your eyes.

“Dollface can handle herself thank you very much.” Steve always liked your wit, the quick to react attitude that didn’t give the time of day to Bucky’s antics. 

“It doesn’t matter, I’ll keep on trying.” Steve always said the same thing, over and over again. He’d keep going into different recruitment offices with a new identity in hope one of them would let him sign on. It was all he wanted, and no one would let him have a chance. 

“Steve, maybe Bucks right.” Your words trailed off as his eyes glanced over to yours, pain crossing his expression. He always thought you were on his side, but clearly not. Quickly Steve would walk off, leaving you calling his name as he shrugged his oversized coat over his small frame. 

Bucky placed his hand on your shoulder. “It’s fine, he’ll come back, Y/n.” He muttered to you and you sighed. “Come on, how about that dance you promised me before I go leaving?” 

*

It was Bucky’s last night before leaving. He had promised to take you dancing with Steve, that the three of you could have a night that you won’t go forgetting anytime soon. It was going to be the perfect goodbye, even if it wasn’t one you wanted to say.

As the three of us met outside of your house you had no idea that Steve was nervous to see you. Steve saw you nearly every single day of the week, but for some reason, he couldn’t stop himself shaking at the thought of you tonight.

“If you don’t tell her how you feel before I leave I ensure you I’ll come back and haunt your ass.” Bucky muttered to Steve as you opened your front door, wearing a new dress that made Steve struggle for breath.

“How’d I look?” You asked as you walked down the steps. Bucky smiled brightly whilst Steve remained speechless. “That good, huh? Maybe a Solider will sweep me off my feet.” You had joked, but it hurt Steve. He was never going to be the solider you’d fall for, he would always be a background character in the story of your life.

Walking in between your two best friends you felt a skip in your step as the music grew nearer surrounding the event. It was all Steve’s idea to go to the Stark exbo. He knew how much you loved the idea of new technology, even if he couldn’t fathom what it all meant. 

You fought your way towards the front, wanting to get a look at Howard Stark himself. “He’s more handsome than the papers!” You squealed to Bucky who laughed lightheartedly as a girl was wrapped around his arm. “Where’d Steve go?” You muttered as you turned around, Steve no longer stood by your side.

“Stay here, doll.” Bucky whispered to you before heading out of the crowd whilst concern grew heavy in your thoughts. 

Not long after Howard Stark came on stage you left. The fascination of it all became a secondary thought to your best friend, to one of the only people in your life who cared about you like no other. 

“Lemme through!” You yelled as you tried to elbow your way out of the crowd, just seeing two figures talking across the street. 

As you had finally made your way out you ran over, panting lightly as Steve and Bucky stood arguing. “What’s all the commotion about?” You panted before turning your eyes to see the small sign. “Really, Steve?” 

“Yes, really, Y/n.” He quickly retorted, taking you off guard. “I, I’m sick of being sick and I want to serve my country, even if I die trying.” 

He walked off inside, leaving you with tears in your eyes. “I know, doll.” Bucky muttered as he brought you into a hug, walking you back away from the place and towards the dance.

Steve glanced back that night, his heart breaking as he realised he hurt you, but never had the guts to truly apologise. 

*

Months had passed since the two boys were gone. You had returned to the bakery in need of the distraction, but the sound of the door opening made your heart flutter in the hope it was one of them, that they’d come home okay. 

But it never was. You walked home alone once more, ignoring the catcalls that Bucky always shouted at whilst Steve told you a joke, making you laugh. 

Steve never failed to make you laugh, that’s probably why you cared about him the way you did, the way you still do. He knew how to make you feel like your best self without even trying. 

As you close your door you let out a heavy sigh. “Evenin’ Momma.” You called out as you walked up the stairs, trying to swallow back the tears in your eyes as she called your name desperately. 

“Y/n! Come on down, you gotta hear this!” She yelled and you rushed down the stairs no sooner than you walked up them. 

Standing in the doorway to the living room she turned up the small radio, a song ending as a news statement was announced. 

“We have breaking news that America has it’s own mascot, a public figure here to help end the war. Ladies and Gentleman, give it up for our very own Captain America.” Loud applause sounded over the small box as a tune began to play. 

Looking at your Momma she nodded for you to stay still and keep on listening. “My names Captain America and I will help win this war.” Your eyes widened as you heard the voice, it was little Stevie. 

You gasped before collapsing to the ground, continuing to listen to the radio as tears flooded your eyes. “He’s alive, Momma.” You sobbed against her as she brushed your hair, relief overwhelming you. “I knew he’d make it through.” 

*

Everyone called out as they ran past the bakery, all of them yelling about the saved soldiers. You’d seen the fliers, not believing what you were seeing and remained in denial about the entire thing. It was impossible for it to be Steve, it just couldn’t be. 

“He’s here! It’s Captain America!” Voices yelled as you untied your apron, your hands shaking at the prospect of it actually being Steve. 

Turning your head your boss simply nodded. “Go, Y/n. I can mind the shop a little while.” She smiled and you ran out, grabbing a hold of your skirt as you ran through the muddy puddles towards the large crowd. 

“When they due?” You asked one man who shrugged his shoulders. 

“Look!” A voice called before a series of cheers began. 

You fought your way forward, receiving all kinds of calls and elbows along the way, but you closed your eyes, determined to see this sight. 

“Come on, lady.” Someone shouted, but you turned around and merely glared.

“My best friend is one of them, so excuse me for caring.” You retorted and all fell silent as you faced the crowd. 

“Some things never change.” A voice joked and hesitantly you turn around. 

A small gasp escapes your lips as you see the two of them, almost unrecognisable. You stared at the men before you, no longer boys that left Brooklyn. 

Bucky had matured quickly, blood dried with dirt over most of his body, but his smirk was still evident as he smiled to you, barely able to keep still. But for once, he wanted Steve to enjoy this moment he finally could have with you. 

Steve stepped forward. A strong man in a uniform of his own. He was taller, broader, but as his eyes focused on yours you could still see Steve in there. “Hey, Y/n.” He called out and you let out a dry laugh. 

“Didn’t expect you to change that much in the space of a year Steve.” You joked before running over and jumping into his arms, something you never anticipated doing. 

He spun you around as he laughed into the crook of your neck, the familiar smell reminding him that he is in fact home. “You have no idea how much I missed you.” Placing you down he tucks a loose bit of hair behind your ear as the crowd disperses, reuniting with fellow loved ones leaving you two lost amongst those surrounding you. “I thought about you every single day, and I was stupid not to tell you sooner how much I care about you.” 

Shaking your head you place your hand in his. “I love you, Steve. I loved you when you took me dancing after Coney Island and you got tired. When you tried to stand up for me against that jerk on the street. When you constantly persisted in enlisting just to have the chance everyone else got.” 

“Does this matter?” He mutters, motioning to his new self. 

You shake your head. “It’ll take some getting used to, sure.” You laugh lightly. “But, you’re still Steve Grant Rogers, Captain America or not.” 

“Can you just kiss already? He’s all you’ve talked about on the way home.” Bucky yells and as you turn back to face Steve he leans down, finally doing what he’s dreamed of since he first stepped foot inside of the bakery all those years ago.

He tasted like war, filled with pain but longed for comfort. You tasted of the apple tart he savoured when you gave it to him, something he never forgot. 

Pulling away you struggle to let go, but as someone nears you a laugh sounds from him. “Now where’s my kiss, doll?” Bucky chuckles as he brings you into a tight hug. “Bout time you kids finally acted on those feelings of yours.” 

*

As Steve headed towards the bar he knew he might never see you again. So you gave him the closest thing to your heart. 

“Take this,” You slipped off your necklace, the one you wore since you were a child. “and then you’ll know I’m close, no matter how far away you may be.” Kissing him softly you fought back the tears in your eyes as you treasured the time with him. 

“I’ll always love you, Y/n. But I’m coming back, I promise.” Steve told you as he held your hands, but soon you slipped out of them. 

“Please don’t make promises you can’t keep, Steve.” You had muttered before he opened the front door, taking one last look at you as you whispered the three words he never tired of hearing, not knowing that they would be the last. 

*

Holding onto the necklace tightly he closed his eyes, humming as Peggy spoke through the speaker. “Steve, are you still there?” She called desperately as Steve let out a shaky breath. 

He lowered his head towards the necklace, picturing you in his mind. “I’ll be fine, Peg. I owe my girl a dance back home.” Steve chuckled as Peggy laughed lightly. 

“Got yourself a girl back home, huh Rogers?” She questioned and Steve nodded to himself, picturing you dancing around him like old times. 

“Yeah,” He muttered as the line went down and he closed his eyes. “I guess I do.” 

His grip tightened on the necklace as he heard your angelic laugh once more. Closing his eyes he felt the tears slip down his cheek as he hit the water, thinking of you back home waiting for him to return. 

“I’ll come home, Y/n.” He whispered into the necklace as the water began to rise around him. “A promise is a promise.” 

[imaginesforyourfandom]

I Didn’t Forget - Alex Morgan Imagine

Alex’s POV:

I woke up feeling myself wrapped in warmth. I turned my head and saw (Y/N)’s arms wrapped around me. I smiled and snuggled further into her. Today is a big day. My birthday! We are playing against England and that’s exciting cause I get to start the game, and I know (Y/N) is bummed because she isn’t starting. Is it bad that I am more excited to play then to celebrate my birthday? I don’t think so. The semis are super important, and England isn’t going to make it easy.

I heard our alarm go off. I turned to turn it off and smiled when (Y/N) moved to sit up. She rubbed her arms and then her face before turning to me with a small smile. She leaned in and kissed me before standing up.

“Ready to play today?” she asked as she headed for the bathroom. I nodded my head but frowned when she didn’t even mention my birthday. I was more excited for the game, but I thought she would at least mention my birthday. I sat their frowning for a few minutes when she came out of the bathroom and clapped her hands together. “Come on! You got to get up and get ready. We got breakfast in like half an hour.”

I stood up and watched her gather her clothes. She started changing as I headed into the bathroom. When I came out, she was already to go with her bag over her shoulder. She had her sunglasses on and was looking down at her phone with a giant smile.

“Hey, I am going to head down and meet Christen and JJ really quick. They want to talk about the game today. I’ll see you down there.” She gave me a kiss on the cheek and then walked out of the room. I stood there for a moment trying to decide if I was sad or pissed. I went with the latter as I got changed really quickly before heading down to breakfast.

I walked into the room and saw mostly everyone sitting around the room. I headed to my usual table where Kelley and Allie were sitting. I sat down crossing my eyes and sending daggers to (Y/N) who was talking with an excited look on her face to JJ.

“Happy Birthday Janice” Kelley said grinning at me. I did my best to smile at her, but I was still too angry with (Y/N). “What’s wrong?”

“I think she forgot my birthday.” I said not breaking my eyes away from JJ and (Y/N). “I’m still somewhat deciding if I am mad or sad.”

“I doubt she forgot your birthday.” Allie said looking up from her phone. “I think she keeps everything you do documented.”

I let out a groan when JJ whispered something to her causing her to let out a laugh. I crossed my arms in irritation before looking to my two friends. They both shook their heads and started eating breakfast. I started eating mine as well, but the irritation was causing me to lose my appetite. I looked to my side when the chair next to me was pulled out. (Y/N) sat down and smiled at me.

“I am super pumped to watch you play today!” she said taking a bite of her food. “I know you’re going to kill it”

“Thanks” I said feeling my heart soften just a little bit. See, this was the problem. All it takes is a little smile or a compliment and I immediately want to just fall in her arms. “Are you bummed that you’re not playing?”

“A little bit, but that just means that I get to watch you play and watch the other girls play. I get to be a supporter for once.” She grinned at me and put her arm around the back of my chair. “One more game and then onto the final.”

I nodded my head leaning towards her and resting my head on her shoulder. She leaned her forehead onto my head and then kissed the top of my head.

“One really big game though” Kelley said giving us a look. “Can’t count England out.”

“No of course not!” (Y/N) said looking over to Kelley. “They have been hitting form right when they should be, but so are we”

“I’m with (Y/N) on this. We have way more game changing players than England” Ash said as she looked at all of us. I smiled as Kelley and Ash started a debate with Allie trying to be the mediator.

“Look what you did” I said looking at (Y/N) who just gave me a sheepish smile. She shrugged her shoulder before giving me a kiss on the cheek. I went to open my mouth to ask her about my birthday when JJ called her name. She looked at JJ and then at her phone before nodding her head.

“I’ll see you later when we leave.” She said kissing me before running off with JJ. I watched her leave with irritation crawling back up. I threw my arms up in the air and slammed them down on the table causing Ash and Kelley to both quite down.

“Maybe she did forget?” Allie said shrugging her shoulders. I huffed in irritation glaring in the direction (Y/N) had gone in.

(Y/N) POV Switch:

“Do you think she really thinks you forgot?” JJ asked as we continued walking down the hallway to talk to Dawn and Jill really quickly.

“Honestly, I don’t know. I talked to Kelley and Allie about throwing her off, but I am unsure if they are actually going to.”

So, I was pretending to not remember Alex’s birthday. Probably a little cruel considering we have a game today, but it’s because I am planning a little party for her. We are in the middle of the World Cup, so I have limited options, but I am doing my best. I enlisted the help of JJ since I knew she wanted to do something for Crystal’s birthday.

The plan was that after the game we would come back to the hotel and then from there we would have a little party with cake and hopefully we would be celebrating getting to the final as well. I rounded the corner walking into the room where Jill and the coaching staff was set up.

“Hey coach” I said as JJ and I entered the room grinning at everyone. “I had a favor I needed to ask”

“This should be good” Dawn said giving me an amused smile. I smiled at the fitness coach causing JJ to laugh.

“Well, it is just that today is Alex’s birthday and tomorrow is Crystal’s birthday. So, we figured when we got back, we could have a little party. Nothing to crazy! Just a little celebration with some cake and maybe we could break the bubble a little and have some family and friends there?”

I said a quick prayer to myself hoping that they would agree to it.

“What kind of cake?” Jill asked us and my jaw dropped. JJ grinned at me as I stared at them.

“Red Velvet for Alex and Funfetti cake for Crystal. If that is at all possible.” JJ said upon realizing that I wasn’t going to answer still too shocked. I was expecting much more push back from her as she nodded turning towards Dawn and them who nodded.

“I expect you two will be in charge of contacting families?” I nodded my head as our coach let out a laugh. She gave me a thumbs up as JJ pulled on my arm pulling me out of the room.

“That was so much easier than expected.” JJ said as I nodded my head. I had already pulled out my phone texting Alex’s whole family. JJ was texting some of the other girls and telling them to not tell Alex or Crystal but to let their families know about the party.

“I am going to be so mad if anyone spoils it” I said as Pam texted me back telling me that they will be there. I grinned and then high fived JJ. “I got to make sure Alex’s gift is ready so I will see you later.”

She nodded as we departed. I got back to my room and made sure Alex wasn’t there. Once I was sure, I dug through my bag and fund the pendent that I had bought Alex. It was a diamond heart-shaped pendent that had our anniversary date on the back of it. She had mentioned wanting something like it a few months ago so I had made sure to have it for when we were here. I smiled at it and placed it in its hiding spot in my bag before heading out of the room.

Eventually, it was time to leave for the game. I found Alex and she had a smile on her face, but she looked a little bummed out. I came up behind her and intertwined our fingers. She turned to me and gave me a small smile, but she still looked sad. I smiled at her and pulled her into me wrapping my arm around her shoulders. I gave her a kiss on the forehead.

“Smile” I said leaning my forehead onto her head. “It’s one of my favorite things about you”

She smiled at me and I grinned leaning in and kissing her lips before pulling her along with me towards the bus. I moved to sit next to her and motioned for Allie to sit somewhere else. She gave me a glare before sitting with Kelley. Alex and I spent the bus ride talking about the game and possibly getting to the final. I found out that she was upset about me not commenting at all on her birthday from Kelley, but I know she will be so happy later when she is at the party.

When we arrived at the stadium, we quickly made our way into the locker room and got ready for warmups. Anything that had to relate to Alex’s birthday, I intentionally avoided. I did my best to avoid all the birthday signs in the crowd and continued warm-ups with the girls,

The game soon started, and I was mind blown when Christen scored her header. I was jumping up and down with Pinoe and Ash. I shook my head in disappointment when Ellen White scored. The game continued for a bit and then a ball across the field found its way to Christen who passed to Lindsay who put in perfect cross to Alex. I lost my shit completely when it went into the back of the net. I ran down the stairs and jumped up and down celebrating her goal. I laughed when she did the tea celebration  and cheered in support. When half-time came around, I found Alex in the tunnel and picked her up spinning her around.

“That was fucking incredible!” I said planting multiple kisses on my girlfriend. She laughed as I carried her to the locker room. Everyone was already there talking about the game and tactics. “What a first half!”

The second half seemed to fly by except when the pk was called. I watched the ref watch the replay and just knew that if it was taking that long that it was going to be one. I groaned when she came back and motioned for the penalty. The entire bench lost their mind when Alyssa saved the penalty.

“This game has like everything” I said as Ali subbed into the game. Ash nodded next to me as we watched the remaining minutes of the game. We started celebrating the minute the final whistle had gone. After we had the initial celebrations, we got into a huddle in the middle of the field. The moment we were done talking game, I glanced around before starting the Happy Birthday song to Alex.

She looked at me in shock as I wrapped my arms around her forcing her to sway with me as everyone sang. When we were done, I pulled her into a hug and whispered Happy Birthday to her. I kissed the side of her neck before pulling away and immediately catching up with JJ to talk about the party.

“Does she look shocked?” I asked JJ as she turned to look behind us.

“She looks giddy” I smiled as we made our way into the locker room. I found my phone and saw that mostly everything was ready for when we returned to the hotel. Everyone made their way into the locker room. We celebrated a little bit dancing to music and filming our celebrations. We then made our way to the bus I sat in my seat waiting for Alex and once again ignoring the glare from Allie. Alex got to the bus and smiled at me as she took her seat. She looked at me and then hit my arm.

“Ow” I said rubbing my arm “What was that for?”

“For making me think you forgot my birthday!” she gave me a little glare but there was a slight smile on her face.

“Oh, my love, I could never forget your birthday” I said intertwining our fingers and kissing the back of her hand. “I love you too much”

“I love you too”

“So, do you want your gift now or later?” she thought about it for a moment before replying.

“Now! Since, you made me wait all day” I chuckled reaching into my bag and pulling out her necklace. I handed the box to her.

“Happy Birthday Alex.” She opened the box and gasped slightly when she saw it. “It’s almost as beautiful as you.”

She turned to me and had tears in her eyes. She then pulled me in for a kiss to which I responded probably too eagerly.

“Can you put it on me?” I nodded taking the necklace and putting it on her. “I love it. I love you”

“I love you too.”

We got back to the hotel and made our way to our rooms to get changed. The coaches said they wanted a ‘meeting’, so we were all making our way to the room where the party was going to be. I grinned when we walked in and everyone was there. The look on Alex’s face was everything. I gave JJ a thumbs up when I saw Crystal embracing her husband. Alex immediately went for her family just as they brought out the cakes.

We went through singing happy birthday to both girls and got them to both blow out their candles. We then started celebrating and I laughed when I saw Sonnett freaking out over the funfetti cake. I saw Alex talking to one of the coaches as I was talking to Christen and congratulating her on her goal. She thanked me before saying she was going to look for Tobin. I nodded and turned just as Alex was approaching me. She didn’t stop and walked right into me pulling me in for a kiss.

“I. love. You.” She mumbled against my lips. I rested my hands on her waist and smiled into the kiss.

“I love you too.” I said pulling back as her hands cupped my face. “What is this for?”

“I know you planned this.”

“I had help.” I said giving her a smile. “Technically, Julie helped me plan this for you and Crystal.”

“It was your idea” she said giving me another kiss.

“I would do anything for you.” I said smiling softly at her. “I didn’t forget because I could never forget such an important day.”

“I don’t deserve you.”

“I say the same thing everyday” I gave her another kiss as we swayed to the music. I buried my face into her neck and sighed in content. “I wanted to show you how much I love you.”

“I love you too.” She said pulling back and leaning her forehead against mine. “So much more than you know.”

The End.

[groundzerobakugo]

not as it seems // k. bakugou

  gender in this imagine will be female. if you wish for me to create this with male or genderneutral pronouns please feel free to send a message my way! i would be happy to help!

also, i’m kinda getting like, film noir detective kinda vibes??? so imma write half of this as like, journal entries and the other half as actual scenes. i changed a few things around to allow myself better wiggle room, i hope you don’t mind! you may have just broken my writers block w this prompt!

((words or phrases with an asterisk* will have their definitions written at the end))

...

23 february // tokyo

  it’s late and the rain’s coming down hard, but i can’t sleep. i’ve been hired by local police because there’s been talk of a strange beast that lurks at night, leaving victims with little to no blood left. civilians are passing it off as animal attacks, but i have reason to suspect this is the work of a vampire. however, i haven’t seen a vampire move like this in a long time. not since nagoya five years ago, back when i was still an apprentice.   this vampire doesn’t seem to hunt often, about once every other week, never the same day. they switch it up, too, there’s no link with any victims that i’ve uncovered yet.    victim one; twenty-something male. brown eyes. blond hair. a college graduate about to take over for his father’s law firm. described as a likable and easy-going guy engaged to the daughter of another larger firm. no known motive. found in marunouchi.   victim two; forty-two female. blue eyes. dark hair. single mother with three kids. worked at a  menial convenience store as a clerk. kids have gone into government care and don’t want to talk to visitors. found in tsukiji.   victim three; thirty-six year old male. green eyes. dark hair. ex-convict, charged with third-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter. no living relatives. found in shinjuku.   victim four; a seventy-eight year old male. dark eyes. dark hair. grandfather with three grandchildren, one from each daughter. described as gentle and a humorous soul. found in roppongi.   this case is already giving me a headache. no links aside from each body found in a separate district of tokyo, no pattern found between locations. this vampire may be the smartest i’ve encountered. my only wish is to have my predecessor to help me. i’ve sent word, but with him training another potential hunter, i’m left to solve this case on my own.

  (last name, first name).

-

07 march // tokyo

  the vampire has claimed yet another victim. a twenty-two year old female; dark eyes. blond hair. a wannabe fashion blogger in harajuku. her friends said she was finishing up some side work at her job and they called authorities after victim hadn’t posted to social media in two days.   i thought i could solve this case without the help of intense magic, but with the way things are progressing, i have to use all necessary skills to save the innocent lives being slaughtered. i hate cases with so much blood, it makes me uneasy. may the gods help me solve this quickly so my eyes don’t have to see another gruesome crime scene photo for another few months.   to think something that used to be human could do such actions against something they’d once been. does vampirism isolate the mind so far that you’re okay with cutting up and draining innocent souls? it’s revolting to think about.   i will be visiting the past scenes tomorrow, do some magic canvassing, see if i can get a picture of this vampire to track him down. looks like more sleepless nights ahead.

  (last name, first name).

-

  you moved quietly down the alley, fingertips brushing against the brick walls as a low blue glow followed your touch. the glow spread throughout the alley, and you stopped just before where the body had been found. you gagged at the dried blood that caked the pavement, but you swallowed and took a deep breath.

  “in oculis de mortuus.”*

  the scene before you changed as you made contact with the dried substance, a blue glow swirling and changing the scene into a dark alley, lit faintly only by street lights and the waning moon. your stomach flipped as you felt yourself fly through the air. the first victim was thrown down the alley from the sidewalk. you cried out, the world around you turning black. though, he wasn’t dead yet, he still had a faint pulse. you were still in his last moments.

  “please, please, it wasn’t what it looked like!” you heard his voice echo, your mouth moving in time.

  “that’s what they all say,” a gravelly voice replied. you turned, vision hazy as you saw the tall silhouette of your killer.

  “no! i promise i won’t do it again, please, don’t kill me!”

  “promises, promises. you humans love to fucking lie through your teeth, calling it promises. tried that shit once, asshole didn’t last a week. now, quit fucking begging, it won’t help.”

  you screamed, feeling as through your body had been lit aflame as the vampire’s teeth entered your neck, claws digging deep into your skin.

  your legs jellied underneath you, and you collapsed onto the floor, breathing hard as the scenery returned to normal. every inch of your body ached, screamed at you, with every movement. you could feel the slight trickle of blood slip down your lip, and you wiped it away.

  as much as you wanted to go home, you couldn’t. there were four other scenes to see, four other victims’ last moments to search through.

#

 you limped your way down the street, body aching and bruises; you were covered in fresh scars, and the bloody nose had yet to stop since the third victim. the sun had long since dipped behind the horizon, the full moon illuminating your path along with the street lights. people no longer ignored you, as the blood soaking your shirt and jeans caused many to stare in horror.

  every gentle breeze felt like ice-hot fire burning your skin, and you could feel the few burns on your arms and chest ache under your shirt. you’d never encountered such horrid and painful last moments before you began your hunt for the vampire. most were emotionally calm, having been elders who made their peace, but the few painful ones were small children victims of hit-and-runs or freak accidents.

  your neighbor shot you a worried glance, eyes widening at the sight of you.

  “(last name), are you alright?” kirishima eijirou asked.

  but upon seeing the ruby red eyes, your breath hitched in your throat, and you flinched away from his touch. “sorry, kiri-kun, just... rough day at work.”

  his face showed no hurt, and instead he gave you a soft smile. “i know how that is. rest easy, if you need anything don’t hesitate to ask.”

  “thank you,” you mumbled, returning the smile, though only partially.

  he stayed in the hall just long enough to make sure you could get into your apartment, and then he gave you a wave before heading back into his own place. you two shared an odd neighborly relationship, often times only seeing one another in passing. he was some sort of detective for another district’s force, you knew that much, but as you wouldn’t want him knowing your line of work, you never asked specifics of his.

  as much as your tired limbs had wanted to just clamber into bed, you pulled up a chair at your desk and flipped open your notebook.

08 march // tokyo

  i have never experienced so much pain and regret reliving a victim’s last moments as i have today. i may have overdone it; there are so many physical wounds it feels as though i lived through each one personally. being thrown into an alley, shoved through glass, dropped from a twenty story building, slammed against a wall, twice might i add, and sliced open what feels like a million and one times. i’ll need to recover for a few days before continuing to collect evidence and tracking down the killer.   however, the pain wasn’t for nothing. i finally found a recurring pattern. it’s not much to go off of, but every victim was begging for their life and saying they’ll never do it again. what ‘it’ is, i still don’t know. perhaps this is a beast come to take revenge on a group of people who did something. though, two young adults, two middle-aged people, and an elderly person? something doesn’t add up. what would such a strange group beg for their lives for? what did they promise to never do again? in a few days, i’ll interview the ones who had family members, see if they had any contact with any other of the victims.   my predecessor has finally replied. he didn’t say much, but he said this case was chosen specifically for me; maybe there’s something in this case i’m missing, but so far it seems unsolvable. i’m missing something, and while i need another, i don’t wish for another victim to give me that needed piece to my puzzle. he sent his regards, as well as the newbie. he seems sweet, but maybe too sweet to get into this line of work.   now to make a special brew of restituo and hope i can be up and about before this vampire claims a sixth victim.

  (last name, first name).

  you closed your journal and looked out the window, into the night. you had about eight days until you calculated your vampire striking once again. eight days to solve this puzzle and save a life.

#

  you walked with a slight limp, a crutch under one arm. five days later, not even your restituo serum could heal all the wounds inflicted. there was always a price with magic; and it looked as though the fates were having you ride out your twisted ankle like a mortal to punish you for peering into so many painful last moments. it was to be expected, but you hated the limited mobility.

  it was the thirteenth of march, only a few days left until you suspected the vampire would hunt down another innocent. they knew of one thing in their miserable immortal lives: to hunt down humans and drain them of blood.

  at least, that was what your predecessor had told you. that was the first line in the vampirism textbook you read back in middle school, when he’d first taken you under his wing. that was what you remembered when a vampire had claimed your parents’ lives.

  you huffed to yourself and leaned up against a brick wall, elevating your foot slightly off the ground. 

  maybe that was why your predecessor had given you every vampire case that had filtered into the agency. you’d been hunting them since before you graduated high school; taking revenge on the single vampire that had murdered your kindhearted parents for no reason, by killing everyone you came across.

  an itch crawled across your skin, and you looked up, making eye contact with hard, crimson eyes. they stared at you from across the street, cars passing in between the collision of crimson and (eye color). you stood straight and adjusted your crutch back under your arm. he stared you up and down, only the faintest of smirks stretching across his face.

  a large bus flew down the street, and when it had passed, the man was gone.

  your brow furrowed, and you blinked. there was something familiar about that smirk, those crimson eyes. you pulled out your small notebook and jotted down the description of the man.

  tall. medium build. red eyes. light hair. wearing a black hoodie, black jeans, and black boots. handsome.

  you looked back across the street, the itch still there and the healed burns aflame once more. a haunting through crossed your mind, and you thought back to the vampire you’d seen in each final moment.

  that man had to be your vampire.

  #

16 march // tokyo

  if all of my calculations are correct, that bloodsucker's on the hunt once more. there are several districts i've yet to comb through, but i believe i've tracked its next spot in kanda. i've placed several charms throughout the district to alert me when its on the prowl, but i've got a bad feeling about tonight.   i'm going to head down to the station, see if there's been any sightings of the vampire recently, see if i can narrow his location down in the district. if not, i may have to use more magic to track down the son of a bitch, however it may prove daunting. since using the spell to see the final moments of the vampire's victims, i've yet to be able to reach my full capability again. after this is all over, i'll have to recharge myself, take a vacation some place.   it's almost dark and i have to get ready. may the fates help me tonight.

  (last name, first name).

-

  you strolled around the bustling city streets with your hands in your pockets. there was still a slight limp, but you no longer needed the help of crutches to get around. even without magical help, you still healed faster than the average human mortal--perks of being a witch. though, it still hurt to walk on.

  the temperature had dropped considerably since the sun had hidden itself away until the next day; the city lights turning on and illuminating the streets and neon signs coloring the buildings you passed with reds and blues and greens.

  if this had been a different night, one where you weren't hunting down a murderous vampire, you might have found yourself enjoying the quiet walk. you'd have brought the small camera gifted to you and taken a few scenery shots. perhaps you'd find a small ramen shop and people-watched from the window, striking up conversation with the owners. but it wasn't that kind of night. you'd have to return another day to do that.

  an itch you felt a few days before crawled across your skin once more, and you looked up. it was hard to tell in the dark, but you scanned the crowd for any sign of your suspect; tall, blond, most likely in a hoodie and jeans. but you kept walking, the itch never leaving you as you continued in the same direction.

  you moved passed business men and the odd twenty-something year old couples, none shifting their gaze your way, and to those who did, you offered a small smile and continued on with your hunt. you walked by a small ramen shop, one that smelled of fresh pork broth and sizzling chashu. nothing special about it, but there was an itch; one that made your skin feel as though you'd lit yourself aflame.

  you stopped and peered into the shop. nothing out of the ordinary stood out to you, you couldn't even see anyone who somewhat resembled your vampire. you stepped into the shop, maybe there was someone you missed.

  "irasshaimase!" someone called from the kitchen.

  you flashed them a polite smile and scanned the restaurant once again. however, while you hadn't seen the blond you were tracking, you recognized a familiar redhead sat at the bar.

  "kiri-kun?" you called out.

  the redhead looked up and looked at you. "(name)? i didn't know you came here."

  "uh, first time," you said, taking another look around. "actually kind of, well, working right now."

  "oh, nice! you on break?" he asked.

  "not really," you replied, still checking out the patrons of the shop. "uh, have you by chance seen a blond guy, decently tall, red eyes?"

  kirishima hesitated. "uh, n-no? why?"

  you turned to him. "veritatum dicere," your hand made contact with his shoulder, and you watched the blue glow travel across his skin. "i'll ask again, have you seen him?"

  "bakugou, he-he's grabbing his meal, just out back." you let go of his shoulder and watched as kirishima's face fell. "(n-name), it's not what you think."

  you gave him a sympathetic smile. "sorry, kiri-kun, but it's my job. subsisto." and with that, you hurried out the front door and slipped into the alleyway that led to the back of the ramen shop. but just as you hit the back alley, a body crashed into yours.

  a girl, no older than fifteen, stared up at you with frightened eyes. there were fresh bruises lining her uncovered shoulders, shirt torn to smithereens and one shoe missing from her feet. your blood ran cold.

  "are you alright?" you asked, gripping her by the shoulders to steady her. "who did this to you?"

  tears formed at her waterline, and she looked over her shoulder. you followed her gaze into the darkness and nodded.

  "go home, get some rest, file a police report in the morning," you said, looking into her eyes. "you'll be okay."

  she didn't reply; she only nodded and then left the alleyway, stumbling over her feet as she rushed away from the scene. that vampire would pay for his crimes.

  you looked back to the darkness, your jaw set. "fata protegas me." the glow encompassed your body and you stepped further into the alley.

  "let go of me!" a man shouted. "it wasn't what it looked like!"

  you stopped. that... that didn't sound like your vampire.

  "right," a familiar voice scoffed. "i just so fucking happened to come across what looked like a fifty year old pervert fucking raping a fifteen year old girl. now, you can either beg for your life and prolong this shit, or you can keep your shit quiet and die quickly."

  what?

  "wa-wait! don't kill me! i'll do anything!"

  you crept alongside the wall, peaking from the cover of a dumpster.

  there he was; your blond vampire in his hooded jacket. he was holding a rather large man against the wall, while said man struggled against his hold. your eyes widened. wait, what...? did... did the vampire save the human girl?

  the blond sneered at the man. "it's your kind of people that makes me glad i'm no longer fucking human. you're the scum of this shitty earth."

  no, vampires had no humanity. the moment a human's mind changed from mortal to immortal, they lost their moral compass to the fever. it was impossible for a bloodsucker to think like a human. your teachings, your experiences, your cases; you'd never encountered a killer who was able to decipher who was good and who was bad. it was all a gray area, a free for all.

  "no! no, please!" the man pleaded. "i-i'll change!"

  the blond tsked. "no. you won't. maybe you'll be better in another damn life, but this one's over."

  you cringed upon hearing the man's cries and the sound of teeth shredding skin, a faint metallic scent permeating the air. he... that vampire... saved that girl? it couldn't be.

  you stood shakily from behind the dumpster, eyes hesitantly turning to face the vampire. his teeth were embedded into the man's neck, claws deep into his chest as he drank greedily. you stepped out of the shadows, head feeling foggy as you saw the blood.

  the blond noticed you from the corner of his vision and momentarily stopped.

  “i don’t understand,” you muttered. “you had an easy target, hell, two easy targets. and you went for this one?”

  he rolled his eyes. “i don’t kill innocents.”

  “you don’t... what? but-but you’re a bloodsucker,” you argued. “vampires... vampires don’t have the rationality for that.”

  he stepped away from his victim, using the sleeve of his hoodie to wipe off some of the blood from his chin. “would you rather me a fucking mindless killer? would that make this shit better or something?”

  your eyes widened. “no! no, i... i’m just so confused. you-you’re supposed to be the monster, vampires are always the monsters.”

  his boots echoed as he walked up to you, the crimson seeming even more vibrant than you remembered. “not this time, dumbass. like i said, i don’t kill innocents.”

  you took a step back, nose wrinkling at the stench of human blood coming from his mouth. “but the others? what did they do?”

  “they were damn criminals. extortion, robbery, homicide,” the blond said. “now, if you don’t fucking mind, i was kind of in the middle of something.”

  you looked at his victim, mind spinning slightly as you remembered the final moments you witnessed, the pain you felt time and time again as you suffered firsthand at the hands of the vampire. every bone in your body felt as though it was breaking once more.

  (eye color) met with crimson, glassed over with pain. “i thought you were the worst kind of monster. how you could just end an innocent human life with so much suffering on their part. i was ready to obliterate you the moment i saw you. i thought you were a villain.”

  he scoffed. “well, i fucking ain’t. sorry to burst your damn bubble.”

  “i--”

  “bakugou!” someone shouted. “bakugou! dude, are you okay?!”

  you turned on your heel, surprised to see kirishima running up to you two.

  “i’m fine, shitty hair,” the blond, bakugou, grumbled.

  the redhead slowed in his step as he neared. “i... i thought she was going to kill you, bro.”

  you nodded. “i was, but then i realized he wasn’t who i thought.”

  bakugou scoffed. “you couldn’t kill me even if you tried. you’re a mortal.”

  “i’m a witch, actually,” you replied. “near mortal, but still strong enough to kill you and others like you.”

  kirishima’s eyes widened. “that’s why i told you where he was? why i couldn’t move after you left?”

  “you fucking what?!” bakugou growled at the redhead.

  you placed a hand on bakugou’s shoulder. “caput frigus.” the muscles under your hand relaxed into the blue glow, and bakugou’s glare lessened some. “it wasn’t his fault.”

  the blond grumbled a bit. “fine, whatever. now, if you’ll fucking excuse me, i’ve got something to finish up.” he cast another red-eyed glare your way before stomping to the bloody victim.

  “he’s not as rough if you get to know him,” kirishima said. “he can be kinda nice, when he wants to be.”

  you spared a glance at the vampire, sucking out the last few drops of blood from the victim. “i’m sure. i, uh, i should actually get going. i need to wrap up my case.”

  “are you sure? we could give you a ride?”

  “that won’t be necessary,” you replied. “but thank you.”

-

17 march // tokyo

  it turns out nothing was as it seemed. the vampire, who i thought was the villain the whole time, the monster, he was actually the savior. all those people he killed were actually criminals. still not too sure what the did, but for some reason i believed him, like i had no reason to distrust his judgement. after all, i saw him save a fifteen year old girl today from being raped.   i don’t have much time left in tokyo. all might wants me back home in a few days, which hardly leaves me anytime to explore the city as i wish. but at least i was able to wrap up the case without any innocent lives lost. i’m just thankful i was wrong for once, that a vampire had some decency left in him to target a certain group of people. though, it doesn’t excuse he was still killing human beings, i feel there should be some exception to my code.   that being said, i still need to stay sharp out there. knowing so many human beings could be so monstrous to their own kind, it makes me want to change my profession from supernatural work to entering the human justice system. perhaps be like the vampire anti-hero. bakugou. i wonder if i’ll ever see him again while i’m out hunting.   maybe someday. after all, he was kinda cute, if i do say so myself. however, until then, i still have a job to do.

  (last name, first name).

  you looked out the window, the sun just beginning to set once again. after hunting vampires for so many years, your sleeping habits adjusted to their own nightlife hours. you hadn’t seen a rising sun in quite some time.

  you stood from your desk and stretched for a moment, hearing your bones crack and pop from the movement. you padded your way into the kitchen and pulled out a noodle cup from the cupboard. it wasn’t much, but you very seldom had the time to create an actual dish.

  with the kettle on, you turned towards the living room, oblivious to the crimson eyes watching you from your patio.

  bakugou watched as you moved about your tiny apartment; his eyes were calculating, trained on every little movement you made within the space. it wasn’t long until he noticed the small limp to your left leg, or how if you stretched your arm too far your face scrunched up ever so slightly. and he didn’t miss the faint marks on your neck--the same spot he bit into with every victim, the right side, just below the jawline where it gave him perfect access to the jugular vein.

  he’d heard of witches and wizards with powerful magic, ones who took on the jobs as supernatural hunters in the modern age; hearts set on keeping humanity safe within its modern times. witches were the clean up crew of the supernatural realm. set to keep humanity blind to all they could never understand.

  he’d heard of such powerful magic that witches and wizards could relive the past moments of the dead, though not without sacrifice. he’d witnessed them give their lives just to see the past, unable to come back to their physical selves if the situation was too agonizing. and upon seeing your wounds, bakugou realized you were one of those witches.

  hesitant, but only for just a moment, he knocked on the glass door, hiding in the shadows.

  your brow furrowed upon hearing the knock. was there someone on your patio? had all might sent for someone to grab you already? was deku there to take you back home?

  you peeled back the curtain, jumping when you noticed crimson eyes staring back at you, and you slid open the door.

  “what the hell are you doing on my patio, bloodsucker?!” you hissed, mostly from the fear of finding the blond rather than someone from your home.

  his eyes narrowed. “oi, i’m the only one giving out fucking nicknames, shitty witch.”

  you glared. “i’ll ask again, what are you even doing here?”

  “that’s none of your damn business,” he replied.

  “so you just thought it would be fun to scare the shit out of me?” you asked. “how kind of you, bakugou.”

  he scoffed but was interrupted by the screaming kettle before he could reply.

  you hurried back inside and poured the boiling water into the cup, carefully setting the hot kettle back onto the stove. when you turned around, bakugou was glaring at the noodles from the entryway of your patio.

  “what? did you want one or something?” you asked, eyeing him eyeing your cup.

  he glared. “as fucking if. that shit’s disgusting.”

  “it’s all i’ve got,” you shrugged. “i can’t cook, and i don’t have money to go out and buy dinner every night.”

  “you can track down shitty vampires day in and day out and learn and memorize advanced spells and shit, but you can’t fucking cook?” the blond asked, skeptical. “fuck it. i’m gonna have to teach you then.”

  you laughed. “not too sure how you’re gonna do that in two days.”

  he looked at you. “you’re leaving tokyo?”

  “well yeah, case solved. i get to go home and begin another one,” you replied. “i travel all over japan to solve supernatural crimes, it’s my job, and while tokyo has some pretty bad ones, my predecessor is who choses them for us.”

  “oh.”

  you looked over at the blond. “i’ll probably be back someday though, maybe even this year. you could teach me then?”

  “as long as you don’t come back to kill me.”

  you laughed aloud. “then it’s official then. i come back, you teach me how to cook. deal?”

  “fucking deal,” the vampire replied.

[bluesfortheredj]

Modern Romance Pt. 16

Walking back into the house this time is even worse than the last and all I can see is where she’s been; the left over cake that she so neatly wrapped in foil to preserve it, the lounger that lay empty in the garden on which we’d been huddled on only a couple of hours ago, and glass that she’d sipped water from before leaving. Going upstairs was completely out of the question for me right now and I need something to distract me from sinking into a lovesick sadness.

“Ben!” I smile when he answers his phone.

“I’ll be right over mate,” he laughs, “I’ll bring the beer if you’ve got the snacks.”

“I’ve always got the snacks.”

“Great, see you in a bit.”

Ben arrives within the hour with the cans of beer as promised and we settle down on the sofa with the rest of the cake from earlier and stick on the television as some background noise.

“A month without seeing her then?” he asks before taking a bite of cake.

“Yeah, pretty much,” I sigh, looking at the slice on my plate but unable to take bite just yet.

I pick up a can instead and flick it open so I can take a long few gulps and Ben watches me with a knowing stare as he shakes his head from side to side.

“What is it about her?” he asks, “apart from the obvious.”

“The obvious being…?”

“That you two look and act like you’ve known each other forever.”

“I can just be myself around her,” I shrug, “I’m the person who asked her if she was listening to Queen at the tate modern, I’m not an actor, and I love how she makes me feel.”

Ben clutches his hand against his chest as he gives me a genuine look of happiness for me, and I give him a smile before taking another swig of beer. It was all true what I was saying, I was just this person who couldn’t resist talking to her, and if she’d gone through my acting history she sure as hell didn’t show it, but I truly believe she wanted to keep it exactly as it was.

“You’re making me want to find someone again,” Ben says, “sounds dreamy.”

“Too good to be true?” I question.

“But it’s not though, is it? Look at what’s happened this weekend!”

“Hmm,” I hum.

“You excited about travelling Australia?” Ben asks, changing to subject on purpose.

“Yeah, yeah I am. It’s going to be an experience I’ll never forget, I’m sure of it.”

“Good! Try and just go with the flow, you know?”

“I am, I really am. I’m trying not to fuck this up completely before it’s even started, but I’m certainly not looking forward to being unable to touch her for four weeks.”

“Oh yeah?” Ben wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.

“Not like… Keep your mind out of the gutter, man!”

“So you haven’t…?”

“No! We haven’t. Didn’t stop me from getting a hard on though, did it?”

“Did she see it?” Ben laughs.

“She fucking felt it.”

“Shit, that must have been awkward.”

“Surprisingly it wasn’t, actually.”

“Did you just ignore it?”

“Yeah, it went away eventually.”

“That’d dedication, mate. That’s love.”

“Ha! I don’t think refusing help for your boner equals love, but I know what you mean. The thing is though…”

I’m cut off by my phone ringing and I see her name on my screen when I lift it up, then Ben rolls his eyes playfully before getting up and shaking his empty can to signify getting another one. He points at me and I nod, then I slide my finger across the screen and lift the device to my ear.

“Hello you,” I smile.

“Hey. As promised, here is my ‘I got home safe’ phone call,” she says.

“Good, very good.”

“Have you, um, been up to your bedroom?”

“Not yet...”

“Ah right, okay.”

“Should I?”

“No! I mean, just wait until you need to go up there. Don’t do it because I said this. I shouldn’t have asked, I’ve ruined the surprise now,” she chuckles.

“I’ve forgotten the question already,” I laugh, “but suddenly I’m looking forward to going to bed.”

Ben comes back into the living room just as I say that sentence and gives me a disgusted look which makes me laugh, and then hit him on the leg as he passes me.

“I’ll speak to you soon, Gwilym,” she yawns, “sorry, I’m bloody exhausted!”

“Speak tomorrow,” I confirm, “hope you have a peaceful night’s sleep.”

“You too, bye!”

I find myself staring at the phone screen when I end the call, and Ben snaps me back to reality by shoving a can of beer under my nose with a smile.

“Chin up, mate!” he grins.

“Thanks for coming over, think I would have slipped into some teenage angst if you hadn’t.”

“You haven’t got time to mope, you’ve got a tour of Australia to do!”

“True,” I chuckle, “true.”

Ben stays for another couple of hours before he eventually heads home after cheering me up to a level he’s happy with, and as soon as I shut that front door, I turn on my heels and race up the stairs to my bedroom, taking a deep sigh when I see the sheets that are still creased from where we were this morning. I spot a piece of paper peeking out from underneath the pillow she used and when I retrieve it, there’s a short note on the other side. I sit down on the bed as I prepare to read her words, and my hands are shaking when I read my name at the top.

Gwilym,

I’ve never been very good at articulating how I feel, although after that story I told you yesterday you know that by now!

I laugh as I recall her words: “My family always tease me about how I’ve rarely said ‘I love you’ since 1997!”

But I just wanted to let you know how much I’ve enjoyed being in your company the past couple of days, and I would very much like to spend more time with you. You’re really something else; a rare gem that’s somehow crossed my path. Have the best time in Australia, and I hope to see you when you get back. X

I fold the note and slip it into my suitcase that stands between the wardrobe and the wall, ready to take it with me wherever I go, and I return to the bed where I lay on her side as if it would comfort me somehow, then I wonder if she’s thinking of me as much as I am of her.

-

It’s my first full day in Australia and I’ve never felt jet lag like this before; it’s a complete killer and I both look and feel like utter shit. I’ve had a bit of a change of look since the weekend, and (Y/N) was the first person I sent a photo to. The scruff on my face is now clean shaven and my hair is no longer a shaggy mess, so it’s quite a change but she seemed to like it, which was a huge relief as I don’t want to put her off straight away.

A lot has changed since we saw one another, and although we’re in regular contact, things have been strained the past couple of days; something’s going on and even though she insists she’s fine I know there’s something bubbling beneath the surface. There’s been an influx of people requesting to follow her on social media because someone did a bit of digging and realised both myself and Ben followed her around the same time he uploaded the photo of the three of us. Some people do not understand privacy obviously, so she’s been having to decline follow requests every day so far. I want to be there to reassure her – doing it through the phone just isn’t good enough right now. It feels as though I’m holding a piece of string between my thumb and forefinger, and it’s slowly being tugged away from me as her replies get shorter and the time between them increases.

I understand she’s busy with work and home life right now, but I can’t help that little voice inside my head telling me that she’s losing interest because of all the unwanted attention she’s getting right now. Our perfect little bubble that we’d formed at mine has well and truly popped, and reality is hitting me hard as I could, quite literally, not be further away from her.  This is what I was dreading with coming over here, especially with everything being so new and wanting to keep it just so all the time; a completely impossible task, I know.

I feel like I need to do something to show I’m thinking about her, that I’m serious about this, and it’s got to be something that shows how much I want her. I know what I want to do and it’s risky, but it’s my semi-public grand gesture which is what I need right now. That photograph of her laying in my bed with the sun caressing her skin has been a real comfort the past few days, and maybe... Just maybe, if I show the few people who I allow to follow my private instagram account just how amazing this woman is, and how much I miss her, then she’ll know how committed I am.

Either that, or she’ll absolutely hate me for it.

I switch accounts on my phone, making sure it’s the correct one, then find the picture and get to caption part. I feel more at ease that you can’t see her face and it keeps some anonymity on her part, plus the sheets are covering most of her, it’s only a small portion of her thigh on show – okay, enough justifying this, just fucking do it.

Australia seems lovely, but I’m missing this view…

I hit the post button and immediately lock my phone for fear of her reaction, but then again the time difference is not on my side right now, and it’ll be hours until she sees it probably. Well it’s done now, and I don’t regret it. At least not yet anyway…

@painthatiusedto @winnielinleigh @queenslandlover-93 @excellentbecca @peachllobotomy @lovemarvelousfics @lovemelikeyou1997 @readinghorn @godohammers @timeandpixiedust @lv7867 @fuckyou-imspiderman @aynsleywalker @captainxholmes @the-baby-bookworm @leah-halliwell92 @chlobo6 @tenement-funstah @rogmeddows

[glitzywisps]

Bite of the Frost Fae

Chapter Three: Coffee and Strangers

ao3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/17652593/chapters/49119698

As much as Mathias loved riding his bike places and saving energy during summer, spring, and fall, it was when winters like this made him regret his lack of license. Rubbing his arms, he bounced in place as he waited for the next bus to come. It had been snowing almost all night, but that morning was still bright. Probably due to how early the frost had come that year, meaning Mathias was also squinting against the reflection of the snow. The crunch of snow to his right led him to glance over curiously.

"Long time, no see!" Mathias joked when he saw Sigve standing there, seeming unaffected by the cold. No red cheeks or rubbing his hands for warmth. Sigve quirked an eyebrow and responded, "We saw each other yesterday."

"Heh, yesterday. Seems like forever," Mathias grinned, faltering as he remembered the odd dream. The slight tilt of his head Sigve did encouraged him to continue the conversation. "So what are your plans for today?"

"I'm going to get some coffee and then spend the day at the library." Sigve seemed to relax as he remembered how his day would go. "And how will yours be spent?"

"I was just going to buy some cleaning supplies... But hey, would you like to get coffee together? Maybe we could stop and try that lemon cake I suggested." Mathias glanced away quickly, then back to Sigve. The other seemed to think it over before smiling coyly. "I think I can tolerate that for a bit."

The bus came and they bought their passes, walking quickly and quietly to sit together, Sigve sitting by the window. Watching the passing birds sing before he turned his attention back to Mathias. "What do you do?"

"L- Like my job?"

"Yes."

"I work on trading ships! Mostly keeping track of merchandise and stuff like that. Where do you work?" He watched Sigve pause for a moment, then shrug.

"Just, traveling for people..."

"Huh?" Sigve gave him a vague shrug and looked out the window again.

"How come you aren't sailing right now?"

Mathias hummed. "I get about a week in between trips to rest, though they can be shorter depending on how long each trip is."

"So you leave next week?"

"Yeah, pretty much!"

Sigve pulled the cord and the bus slowed to a stop. Mathias got up, leading the way off, "You come here often then?"

"Ever since I came here." Sigve tipped his head in the other direction and Mathias followed his lead. The coffee shop was wedged between two larger buildings, a bit more hidden but Mathias was still surprised he had never noticed it before. The muted blue and whites seemed to differentiate it from the other brightly colored buildings and the welcoming smells should have brought in plenty of customers. Though it had many people inside, no one walking by even spared the place even a fleeting look. Sigve walked in quietly while Mathias blinked in surprise at how pleasant the doorbell's ring sounded, more used to them being annoying.

There was soft and chilling music playing in the background, he wasn't sure he recognized any of the tunes. The people inside didn't even acknowledge them entering, instead, continuing their quiet conversations and occasional giggling. It was only when Sigve and Mathias went to order that the Dane felt eyes on his back giving him shivers. The air felt tingly but the smells kept him relaxed.

"Nice to see you, Sigve," The woman at the counter said her icy gaze raking over Mathias. He nodded in response and said, "The usual, and the same for him."

Something about the exchange had Mathias tense, and he noticed a small detail. That none of the workers had a name tag. "What did you order for us?"

"Something sweet." He gestured Mathias to come sit and wait with him.

"So do you know her or..?"

"We grew up together."

"But I thought you were new here."

"I am." Mathias frowned but didn't try anymore prying. Their drinks were placed in front of them and Mathias watched in bewilderment as Sigve paid the woman in several silver coins. Not change, actual what must have been old coins.

"Would you like the extra for your..." She looked to be glaring at him over her glasses, "Friend?"

"No thank you. That's all." Sigve waved her off and she left.

"What's the extra?"

"It's just a little trick of hers." Mathias was starting to wonder what he had gotten into. This Sigve guy was so peculiar, and so was his friend. That's probably why Mathias was getting such strange dreams and bursts of memories. Or maybe he was just looking too far into things. They might just be odd people raised somewhere else with a different way of interacting, besides he enjoyed this stranger's company so far. The conversation lulled to a stop as they quietly enjoyed their drinks. Though Mathias started it up again after a few minutes.

"So what do you like to read?" Sigve answered without hesitation.

"Anything and everything... Mostly nonfiction."

"Really? I prefer fantasy- like swords and stuff with dragons and witches!" Mathias watched him curiously. Sigve smiled a bit. "I already get enough of that."

"Are you implying you're a witch?" Mathias teased, "But you're a guy."

At that Sigve rolled his eyes. "Witches work with healing herbs and spirits, anyone can be a witch."

"So you are one!" Mathias smirked.

"Maybe so." Sigve chuckled.

"I'd totally believe it!" He said, blushing when he made eye contact. "That would explain a lot actually..."

"Like what?" He raised an eyebrow. Mathias paused, thinking if he should mention the dream. Then thought he better of it because that would be weird. "How we keep running into each other! Speaking of that- can I have your phone number?"

"I don't have a phone."

"You don't..? Alright- uh-"

"How about we meet at the library tomorrow? Does noon work for you?" Sigve asked as he stood up, buttoning his coat again.

"Oh- uh, sure..? Maybe I can take you on a tour of the boardwalk after, it's better in the summer obviously but I think you'll like it-" he was cut off.

"You better dress warm then," Sigve teased lightly and before the Dane knew it he was gone. Despite having spent almost two hours with the guy, Mathias felt he barely learned anything about him. With a deep sigh, he begrudgingly got up to continue with his original plans for the day. Catching one last glimpse at the empty mug Sigve had left behind.

[raybansandcoffee]

Adventure of a Lifetime: Chapter Two

I quickly hit send on the email I'd been typing on my phone as soon as I heard the bell ring. I shut off the car, grabbed my purse and got out to go grab Ellie from the sidewalk where she knew to meet me. I slid my phone into my back pocket and pulled my sunglasses down from where they'd been resting in my hair. It wasn't long before the kids started running out. It wasn't the orderly filing I was used to. It was last day adrenaline rush running with a lot of yelling and talking added in. I remembered how the last day of school felt as a kid, I got why they were so excited. An entire summer to do whatever they wanted.

"Hey, there munchkin. How was your last day of school?" I asked as the five-year-old girl with brown hair and brown eyes who ran and jumped into my arms.

"It was fun and I'm so happy for summer!"

"I am too. We have so many exciting things to do this summer, Ellie Bellie." I squeezed her tightly before putting her back down on the ground.

"Hey Ellie, my Dad said that if it was okay with your Mom that you could come over tomorrow." The little girl was right about Ellie's height and had a smile that lit up her entire face.

"Uh...Mom, can I go to Ava's house tomorrow?" Her little eyes looked up at mine filled with hope, she'd hesitated when she spoke. This year had been extremely hard on all of us. For Ellie going through everything we had would've been tough enough but she had to start kindergarten and find friends at not only a new school but in our new town, it had been tricky for her.

"Well, I think we could do that."

"Daddy! Ellie's Mom said it was okay." Ava yelled as she had turned to look towards what I assumed was her father. He leaning against a very large black truck with a black leather jacket on and his eyes hidden behind aviator sunglasses. As his daughter spoke his face broke into a giant smile.

"Great!" he replied as he started to walk over. "Hi, I'm Jeremy, Ava's Dad." He slid his sunglasses up into his hair and it was that moment that I put everything together. Ava Renner. Dad named Jeremy. Dad with gorgeous blue eyes. Her Dad is Jeremy Fucking Renner.

"Hi, I'm Ellie's Mom, Charlotte." Saying that still seemed odd, but it was becoming a little easier every time I said it. "I have heard so much about Ava from Ellie."

"Likewise, I thought with school being out that maybe the girls could have a playdate. Staying in touch over summer is always important."

"I would love that and I know Ellie would too. Being fairly new to the city and school she's still trying to get acclimated. Ava has been great to help with that."

"She loves Ellie. What works best for both of you tomorrow? I've got a pool, it would be nice to have you both over so they can play together and we can get to know our kids' best friend's parent." I grabbed my phone from the back pocket of my jeans and pulled up my schedule.

"Well Ellie has the day open after her piano lesson at 10 but I can do that with her tonight instead of tomorrow. I can probably get our nanny to stay with her little brother."

"I didn't realize that Ellie had a little brother. How old is he?"

"Axel just celebrated his first birthday last week." I smiled remembering his face covered in frosting as he shoved his cake in his mouth.

"Axel, that's an awesome name."

"Thanks." I often struggled to accept compliments like this one. I wasn't ever really sure I'd know how to either. Axel was a great name and I loved it so much, but accepting the compliment would always be hard as I didn't pick it for him.

"Well, why don't you bring Axel along. I love kids."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah of course. The more the merrier. How about 11:00? We can feed the girls some lunch and they can have the afternoon together in the pool. And that way we don't disrupt Ellie's piano lesson, music is important."

"Piano lessons with my five-year-old are essentially me trying to get her to pay attention and her pounding her fists on the keys or refusing to play anything but chopsticks for a half hour. It's great, let me tell you." He laughed as I rolled my eyes and smiled at Ellie and Ava who were looking in the bags their teacher had sent them home with today.

"You teach her?" he asked.

"I do. I have no idea why I thought it would be a good idea but I am evidently a masochist." He laughed again, this time slightly louder and loud enough that both of the girls looked up at us. "Ellie, you, me and Axe are gonna go hang out with Ava and Jeremy tomorrow. That's gonna be fun, right?"

"Yeah!" I loved how excited she looked. Her smile was one of the things that had gotten me through the last year.

"Here, put your number in my phone and I'll text you our address and see you tomorrow." He handed his iPhone to me and here I was entering my contact information into Jeremy Renner's phone. Hawkeye from The Avengers. Sergeant William James from The Hurt Locker. William Brandt from Mission Impossible. Aaron Cross from The Bourne Ultimatum. Then there was that one time he played Jeffrey Dahmer. I was going to focus on Hawkeye rather than the others for a moment. Being a "mom" meant that there were a lot of superhero things in my house, even if they were only 1 and 5 because I was going to raise my kids right and teach them that comics and superheroes were awesome. I created a new contact and entered my information in.

First Name: Charlie

Last Name: De Luca

Nickname: Ellie's Mom

Phone: 213.555.7643

"Text me your address and we will see you there," I said as I handed the phone back to him.

"Cool. Hey, 213 area code. You're from LA?"

"Yeah, I am. We moved here about a year ago. Needed a change of pace."

"I get that. I grew up in Modesto but moved to LA after college."

"I'm the rare person originally from LA. Not living there has been a pretty life-altering experience." That was putting it really fucking mildly.

"Well, we can talk all about that tomorrow. I'll text you once we get home."

"See you tomorrow." I watched as Jeremy grabbed Ava's hand and took off across the parking lot. I looked down at Ellie. "Well look at that Ellery, you have a playdate tomorrow." I held my hand up and she high-fived me.

"I like Ava. She's really nice." Ellie and Ava had bonded fairly quickly when the school year started. She'd even gone to her birthday party a few months ago, though I'd sent her with her nanny because Axel had been running a fever and I felt horrible leaving him at home.

"She seems really nice. So does her Dad."

"He is super nice! He was really fun at her birthday party." He was easy on the eyes so I wasn't going to be too disappointed about this playdate. The last few we'd had were with moms who feared the idea of a peanut butter sandwich or gluten more than the measles and I just couldn't handle that. I wasn't exactly cut out for the whole #momlife so we'd clearly not made it long with the crunchy mom group and hadn't quite found "our people" here yet. Luckily, Ava seemed like a totally normal and reasonable kid. I walked with Ellie back to my car, helped her climb into the back passenger side seat and buckled her into her seatbelt. We took off towards home.

The drive from school to home was short but incredibly scenic, it almost made me wish we had longer to drive on streets that wound their way around Lake Tahoe and up into the mountains. Today at least we had an excuse to stop at our favorite ice cream place for a treat on the way home, which made for more time to enjoy the landscape we called home. To go from living in a condo not far from Sunset Boulevard to living in on a mountain, in a forest, with the view of the most gorgeous lake, in what felt like the middle of nowhere Nevada had been culture shock for me at first. I think I called home to my parents crying daily for the first two months. Then Ellie started kindergarten, Axel finally started sleeping through the night, I found our amazing nanny, and I got back to work. It still didn't feel like I was living my life, it felt like I'd been written into a Hallmark movie, scenic location, tragic circumstances and all, and was living the life of someone else. If I thought long and hard about it I was technically living someone else's life. I finally made it to our way too long driveway and parked in the giant garage before grabbing Ellie and her bags from the back so we could head inside.

"Hey! We're home," I called.

"We are in the family room," the voice of our nanny, Savannah, echoed through the far too giant house. I watched Ellie drop her backpack in the mudroom, kick her shoes off and bolt for where she knew Savannah and Axel would be. I slowly picked everything up, taking a few moments to myself to breathe before following her.

"Did he nap decently?" I asked as I entered the room seeing Ellie and Axel on the floor playing together.

"He did. How was your afternoon?" she asked.

"Good. It was nice to get out for a while. Thank you." I'd done some shopping and spent most of my afternoon hiding in the basement to get work done.

"Of course," she replied. Savannah was the best thing that had happened to me in the last 9 months. She is the daughter of a friend who needed a job while she took classes online after graduating from high school. Despite getting into USC with scholarships she had dealt with some issues her senior year of high school and knew she needed time to figure out just what she wanted. So I offered her a free room and a well-paying job to her and thankfully she jumped at the opportunity. Her Mom, Alex, was happy that she'd decided to take classes at a local community college this spring after a semester of online classes there. But most importantly, she wasn't running around LA aimlessly, she was working toward something. She'd decided to start focusing on early childhood education starting in fall, she said living with the kids and helping me had helped her pick her path. Alex knew I'd watch out for Savannah, give her a safe home, and steady income. She also knew that Savannah was essentially saving my life by being here to help with the kids.

"I am going to get dinner started."

"Okay, I'll watch the kids." The kitchen looked into the family room which was one of the things I loved most about this house. I could cook and still keep an eye on the kids, though at 1 and 5 it was more of a contact sport than just sitting back and watching. I dug around the kitchen pulling everything out that I'd need to make dinner. I was stirring the spaghetti sauce I'd decided on when I heard my iPhone vibrate on the counter. It was a message from an unknown sender.

Charlie huh?

Yeah, most people in my life call me Charlie. It's a force of habit. Charlotte is only used professionally or by my family if I'm in trouble. There's still some residual trauma from having Charlotte Marie De Luca screamed at me followed by a string of words in Italian I barely understood by my grandmother.

That's great!

*Pin Drop*

Thanks for that. I've now got my Apple Maps ready to go for tomorrow. Ellie is super excited.

Ava is too. She was the new girl in town once, she knows how hard it can be.

Yeah, Ellie (and I) are both grateful for Ava. The first few months of school were pretty rough.

I can imagine. Moving from LA here was an adjustment for Ava and I. The privacy is nice though.

I 100% agree about that. It's part of the reason for our move too.

Do you want me to bring anything tomorrow?

Just you, the kids, and your bathing suits.

Fantastic. My nanny is pretty excited about having the day off now. She says thank you for giving me a life. She's lucky I like her or she'd not only be out of a job but also a house.

Live-in nanny? You must be kind of a big deal.

Far from it. A friend from college's kid who wasn't ready to completely grow up but needed out of LA pretty badly. The agreement was she could live for free if she helped me watch the kids and enrolled in online classes. The classes part was her mother's requirement. The downside of having a college professor as a parent I guess.

Well, you're a good friend to take your friend's kid in.

HA! If you only knew.

Well, I've got dinner ready along with a hungry 5-year-old and teenager. We will see you tomorrow at 11.

See you then.

"Alright everyone, let's get ready for dinner." Ellie came running into the kitchen and jumped up into her chair at the island while Savannah carried Axel in and got him strapped into his high chair at the end. I served up everyone's plate making sure that Axel's dinner was ready for him as well. He was at the point where he was really enjoying eating the noodles with a little bit of sauce with his hands, usually resulting in a baby covered in spaghetti sauce. Ellie was pretty great with silverware for being 5. Thankfully Savannah was nearly a fully functional adult so I didn't have to worry about her. I did my best to eat my dinner and also make sure that Axel didn't completely cover himself and the kitchen in spaghetti sauce.

After dinner and getting the kids cleaned up it was time for a bit of snuggles before they headed to bed. They both got books, songs, and tucked in bed before I quickly started laundry. These kids loved spaghetti, their clothing did not. I picked up my phone and went to the text messages with Jeremy earlier and added him into my phone as a contact in case I needed to call tomorrow while we were on our way. After changing clothes I headed downstairs to find Savannah doing the dishes.

"You didn't have to do that," I said as I grabbed a glass of ice water for myself.

"No worries, you had a long day." She was right. It had been a long day. "Did you get your work done?"

"Not nearly enough of it but I got a start on it."

"When is your deadline?"

"Thankfully, it's flexible," I replied. "But the goal is for them to have it in three weeks."

"Well, what I heard you playing that was coming from the basement sounded beautiful."

"Thanks. It's been tougher than I thought it would be but I'm enjoying it."

"Are you headed back downstairs to work?"

"Yup. I'll get the cameras turned on downstairs to watch and see if the kids wake up. You can go to bed or go out or whatever."

"I had thought about going out but I don't know."

"Savy, go meet that boy you've been hanging out with. You're 18. Have fun. I've got everything under control with the kids. I've got them all day tomorrow. Hell if I don't see you until Friday I won't be offended."

"Are you sure?" Savannah asked. She was really a good kid.

"I'm positive. Get the fuck out of here or I'll call your Mom and tell her you need a life."

"You're gonna call her anyway," she replied laughing. She was right. I'd go downstairs and call her Mom. It was a near-nightly ritual, especially when I was in the middle of a work project. She'd listen as I talked in circles about what was going on. "I'll check-in and let you know if I'm not coming home."

"Be careful. Use a condom!" I said before heading downstairs to the basement. It was the one change I'd made on the house when we moved in. Not being in LA and having access to my studio anymore I'd converted a large part of the basement that had been a fairly large guest suite and an office into my domain. The perfect studio. It was better than the studio I put together in LA because this one I could come to any time, day or night, in my pajamas and work. "Alright, Charlie. Let's figure out what is going on in your head with this." Before I could hit playback on what I'd recorded earlier in the day the predictable FaceTime call came in on my giant iMac screen. I hit accept. "Hiiiiii!"

"Working late?" It was my best friend, Savannah's Mom, Alex.

"Of course. The tiny humans are in bed so I'm monitoring their movements on one computer while trying to figure out what the fuck I recorded earlier today."

"Anything good?" she asked. She was in her pajamas in her house in the hills with a glass of wine. This was how she called me most nights. Her husband traveled during the week from Monday morning through Thursday night. Like clockwork, every night I got to talk to her while she was relaxing after Savannah's younger brothers were in bed.

Savannah had been a happy accident during our freshman year of college. Sam and I essentially helped raise Savannah until she was in school. I lived with them until Alex was done with her master's degree. By the time she was in school for her doctorate she was married to Max, Savannah's step-dad, and I was living on my own for the first time in my life. Sam had fallen in love after college and followed her love to England. When we hit 28 she realized her love was not that lovely and she moved back to LA and in with me for a few months until she fell in love...again, got married, and started making babies. We had been the three musketeers from the moment we met at orientation at USC. They were my everything.

"I'm not sure anything is good. I'm on the struggle bus. I should've had the first draft of this score to the director and producers at least a week ago. I should be working non-stop but today was Ellery's last day of school so tomorrow I'm taking the day off to celebrate the start of summer with the babes."

"What are the plans?" Her kids had been out of school for a few weeks. They were planning a trip to come to visit for 10 days at the end of the month to come to stay with us, enjoy the mountains and see Savannah. Alex had been able to fly in to be here for Axel's first birthday while her husband and the boys went on a camping trip that she was happy to skip to help celebrate her godson, and sort of namesake, as he turned one. We were just waiting on Ellie's end of school for the full family vacation, which seemed to just keep getting stretched out because of how much snow we'd had all winter.

"Ellie's best friend Ava invited her over for a playdate. Ava's very hot, I believe very single Dad invited me and the Axe Man to come with. He evidently has a pool and since the weather is FINALLY warm here I am fully prepared to take advantage of it."

"Very hot, very single, huh?"

"Yup. So, of course, I'll somehow end up fucking it up because I just don't know how to do this shit. Nothing in my life makes any fucking sense anymore."

"You've had an incredibly tough year, Chucky. It's totally fucking reasonable for your life to not make sense. You're going to be completely fine. You're getting better and stronger every day."

"Thanks. It's just starting to get really lonely here. I know that the move was the best decision I could've made for me and the babes but it's just hard. Being alone fucking sucks. I'm so used to being one-third of the three musketeers and now I'm a lone fucking wolf and a mess."

"You only have to be a lone wolf for two more weeks."

"I am so excited about that. Though I wish you could stay for more than 10 days. You aren't teaching a class this summer. You and the boys should just move here. Max can fly into Reno on Thursday nights and you can all just live with me all summer."

"As amazing as that sounds and as much as I'd say fuck yes, I feel like all of us in one house would drive you crazier."

"You've been to this house. I swear on my fucking life that there are full days that I haven't seen your child. It's way too big."

"It will be nice when the kids get older."

"I know. I tell myself that every time they are with their grandparents and I'm here alone because Savy is 18 and has more of a life than I do."

"Well, maybe you won't screw it up with the very hot, very single Dad of Ellie's best friend or at least maybe you'll get an adult friend out of it." She shrugged her shoulders.

"Oh, I will. I 1,000% will. You know me. When have I managed to not be awkward in front of men without the assistance of alcohol."

"I don't know that I can answer that."

"See!" I took a drink of my water and leaned back in the chair I was in.

"Wait...are you drinking water?"

"Yes."

"This is supposed to be our nightly glass of wine." I rolled my eyes at her before standing up and walking out of the studio into the area just outside that was a bar. I grabbed the bottle of wine I'd opened last night and poured a glass before going back into my studio.

"This can be the only one. I sent your kid out so if something happens to the kids it's all on me."

"Is she still hanging out with that guy? What's his name? Theo?"

"She is. She told you that."

"I know but I feel like you know more about her than I do. But she's always felt comfortable talking to you about the uncomfortable shit because you changed almost as many of her diapers as I did."

"Sort of true. I think if I hadn't lived with you and Savy when she was a baby there's no way I would've remotely survived the last year."

"You would've," Sam replied. "You're one tough chick, Chuck. I've never seen you turn away from a challenge. Typically you look a challenge in the eye, wink and then kick that bitch's ass."

"The last year has been different. I'm a mess. An absolute fucking mess."

"No, you aren't. You're doing great."

"Thanks. I'd be lost without you or your kid. I'm literally only surviving because of you two."

"That's not true but I'll accept the compliment." We talked for a while longer before I needed to get back to work. I spent the night between the piano, keyboard, a guitar, and my computer trying to figure out whether I liked what I was writing. I'd done some small projects up over the last year but this was the first big project I was taking on. A full film score was always a massive undertaking for me. While it was nice to get back to work on something that gave me energy, I was also paranoid that I wasn't doing enough for the kids. I had a lot of guilt that I'd been dealing with since I started back to work and no matter how many times my friends, family or therapist told me I was doing the right thing, it just never felt right.

**********

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Thank you for giving "Adventure of a Lifetime" a chance. If you've read my writing before this is going to be a little bit different, not just because there are different characters.

Charlie has become something I really enjoy writing and I'm looking forward to diving deeper into her life, what makes her tick, and what the circumstances of the hard year were.

I hope you enjoy it and I can't wait to hear what you think.

xx. AM

[bluesaturn222]

Lucy

Co-authors: @darky01 & @almostcertainlyaemokid

Nervous, Connor took another look at his internal clock.

It had been exactly thirty five minutes and twenty seconds since Hank had left the house. He had only gone to walk Sumo, and that meant he hadn’t taken his phone. Connor’s eyes flicked to the window and back. It wasn’t like he could connect like he did with Markus or any of the other androids and anything could have happened to him in this amount of time.

What if he had been hurt?

Connor knew there was any number of reasons why Hank would be gone longer than he expected, but he couldn't help worrying. Hank had become extremely important to him over the last months, the thought of anything happening to him was unbearable.

One of his hands curled into a fist as he rose from the sofa, before straightening his tie and squaring up. He was going to look for Hank, if nothing had happened, he could at least walk with the older man. If he found him damaged - the thought of which made his thirum pump stutter - then he would do everything possible to save him.

Connor grabbed his keys and was about to leave, as he heard footsteps coming near the front door. A few moments later the door opened and Hank stepped inside. He felt immediately relieved that the other one was okay.

Hank was holding multiple bags in his arms.

Curious, the Android looked at them. He knew what was in the fridge and cupboards, and they didn’t have a need for any food at the moment. And Hank hadn’t told him he was going to go shopping, usually he took the android with him, even if just to have a laugh at him holding two very similar items and trying to find the difference.

“Hello Lieutenant.” Connor put the keys back where he had picked them up, if he was human he would have been blushing.

“I was just about to come find you.”

Hank smiled.

“Sorry, I was just getting some things. Should have told you.”

“That's quite alright. What did you buy?”, Connor asked. He couldn't help but be curious.

Hank put the bags down on the kitchen table.

“You'll see in a minute.”

Unclipping Sumo, Hank started taking out what he had bought onto one of the kitchen counters. Connor furrowed his brows and stepped behind his partner, wrapping his arms around his sides and resting his head on his back. The slight movements of Hank’s muscles as he moved were calming, plus he could hear his heartbeat from here.

“It was lonely without you, Hank.”

Hank chuckled.

“It's only been a couple minutes.”

“I hate every minute I have to spend without you.”

Connor shut his eyes and held on a little tighter to Hank’s sides.

“What if something had happened and you didn’t have your phone to contact me?”

Hank sighed.

“Stop it, Connor. I promise I'll take my phone next time.”

“Thanks for your cooperation.”

“I can't believe you still use that line.”

Connor grinned.

"Will you show me what you brought now?”

If he had bought home food, then Connor would need to scan and register them in order to figure out how best to use them. If not, then at the least he could help to put everything away in a proper place. He was proud of the change in Hank’s home that he had help create. It looked bright and lived in again, and the older man’s health had been getting better.

“Alright.”

Hank’s heartbeat spiked a little and he seemed nervous.

He pulled out some flowers out of a bag and and cake out of the other. Connor looked at them, a little confused.

“Happy birthday”, his Lieutenant said, twisting around in Connor’s hold and pecking him on the lips.

"I, uh.. wanted to get you something.”

The android blinked, peering around to see a basket of flowers in the shape of a dogs head and paws sticking out.

“I bought cake without even thinkin’ about it.” Hank chuckled and rubbed the back of his head, “Sorry, son.”

“ I - but - I don't even have a birthday.”

Hank shook his head.

“Nonsense. Everyone has a birthday. You were activated today a year so, right? So I thought it would make a good birthday date.”

Connor looked back at the cake and the flowers and smiled.

“Thank you, Hank”, he said, sincerely and pressed a kiss onto his cheek.

It was a little strange, that Connor hadn’t thought about it and Hank had remembered. Even if he couldn’t eat, he was able to appreciate the sentiment, and he would be able to sit with Hank while he did.

Unwrapping his arms to pick up the flower basket, Connor smiled at the inanimate dogs face. He had been asking for a dog of his own for a while, and it was nice to know that Hank had been listening even if he sighed and rolled his eyes sometimes.

“Does that mean -”, Connor almost didn't want to hope.

“Yes, Connor. We're getting another dog.”

Connor smiled at him, before pulling the other man into a hug.

“I will take care of the dog, but I will require help in choosing a name”, he mumbled into his ear.

Hank made a thoughtful sound.

“How about Lucy?”, he proposed after a moment.

“Hm. I like it.”

Connor grinned, moving to place the flower dog next to the tv.

“Are we adopting? If you haven’t already picked what breed, I would like to come with you and take a look myself.”

“I think I would prefer adopting. Are we going to tomorrow?”, he asked, eagerly.

Hank laughed.

“Sure.”

He pulled Connor closer and kissed him tenderly.

“I have come to the conclusion that I like birthdays, Lieutenant”, Connor said. “I will have to make yours just as special.”

He winked, grinning at the blush that ran across Hank’s cheeks and the tops of his ears. He almost couldn’t wait for tomorrow.

But first, he should really thank Hank for his present properly. Still grinning, he pulled him into the bedroom. The door fell closed with a click.

The next morning came soon and the were standing inside of the dogs kennel.

There were many different dogs, big and small and different breeds. Hank was surprised to even see a few android dogs. Eventually Connor kneeled down at one of the doors, clicking his tongue and reaching though the bars to pet the dog inside.

“Hank! This one is perfect!”

He sounded so ecstatic, Hank couldn’t help but smile and walk over, looking over the dog Connor had picked.

It was one of the android dogs, his fur looked a little weird - small patches of white were shining through - but it still felt soft under Hank's hands. One of the white spots had grey letters underneath - it’s serial and model number Hank assumed - and he hummed, scratching them. “An AJR, huh?”

Shrugging, Hank looked over to Connor’s face.

"This the one then?”

Connor looked at the dog, a content smile on his face.

“Yes. This is the one.”

“Alright, kid.”

Pulling his hand back, he held out his hand for Connor to hold as he got up.

“Let’s go get someone to hand Lucy over, yeah?”

He turned, his other hand pushing into his pocket to find his wallet. He walked a few steps forward before he felt a tug, and turning his head he saw Connor, head down, tears in his eyes.

“Thank you, Lieutenant. I have had a very good first birthday.”

“I'm glad. I hope I'll can make your next birthdays good as well.”

Connor smiled.

“As long as I'm spending them with you, they will be perfect.”

[egg690]

I Thought You Said That You Knew How to Bake?!

Word Count: 2051

A/N: Hey guys! Guess who’s back in time for spooky season?! I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted something like this, but I finally got some inspiration and decided to whip this up. As always, if you have any criticism for me, please send it in. Also, I’m taking requests, so send those in, too! Lastly, the reader and Peter are 18/19 in this fic. Enjoy!

*** Checking my phone for the millionth time that night, I saw the exact same response I had every other time, which was absolutely nothing. You see, I had planned a date with my boyfriend, Peter, and yet again our plans had fallen through due to his never-ending duties as Spiderman. He told me that he would let me know how his latest mission had gone as soon as he could, but not a word had been heard from him within the three and a half hours that he had been gone.

Soon enough, I decided that I couldn’t just sit and wait for him to come back, he would do that when he could. I needed to find something to do to take my mind off of him being gone. After some internal debate, I ended up calling my older sister, Olivia, to see what she was up to.

“Hello?” I heard her familiar voice pick up after three rings. She sounded tired, to say the least.

“Hey! Just calling to check in. How’s everything going?” I asked, happy to be talking to her again. It was hard to find time to catch up ever since she had her daughter, Mia. Don’t get me wrong, I love Mia to the moon and back (she is my niece, after all), but kids were time consuming, so these moments were rare. I flopped down onto the red pull-out sofa that resided in my living room, hanging my legs over the side.

“Oh, things are fine. I’ve been up all night trying to figure out how to make these freakin’ pies for Mia’s fall bake sale tomorrow, but I can’t stop messing it up. I’ve literally tried doing this about a dozen times with no successes.” She replied, and I could already hear the frustration in her voice. I pulled my phone away from my ear to check the time. It was already 2:14AM. It was a lot later than I thought it was.

“I’ll tell you what.” I began, coming up with an idea that would help my sister and give me something to do. “I’m waiting up for someone and looking for something to do. I can bake those pies for you and you can get some sleep. Plus, I’m pretty sure I have most, if not all, of the ingredients at my apartment already.”

“Oh no, you don’t have to do that. I’ve got it handled.” She denied, perking up a bit.

“Olive, dude, I insist. I’m good at baking, and can have this done in a couple of hours. I’ll be sure to drop them off before you take Mia to school. Please?” I pushed, wanting her to say yes.

“Alright, alright, you can do it. I owe you one.” She surrendered. “I do need those by 7:00 tomorrow morning, though.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I teased, saluting her, even though I knew nobody could see.

We said our goodbyes and I hung up the phone, springing up off of the couch. I made my way into the kitchen, googling what I would need to do this, and it appeared that I had everything that I needed.

Except the sugar. Of course.

I had forgotten that I had lended it to my neighbor, Ellen, and she had never given it back. I wasn’t about to ask for it back, as it was still 2:00AM, and I wasn’t going to wake up an elderly woman, as she was in her late seventies, early eighties, just to ask for my sugar back. I just decided to walk to the nearest corner store, as it was only a few blocks from my apartment complex. Plus, I like nighttime walks, especially during this time of year. New York was crowded, yes, but it was gorgeous this time of year.

I exited my apartment building, and I immediately felt the autumn breeze blowing softly against my face. It was a welcomed change from the sweltering summer heat. My black heeled boots were loud as they hit the concrete sidewalk, but aside from the chirping crickets, it was the only sound to be heard for miles, so I didn’t mind. It was relaxing, really. The only lights around were the street lights scattered around the area, illuminated the path.

A smile crept onto my face when I looked at the trees. One of my favorite parts of autumn was seeing the changes in nature. In this case, it was the leaves that were turning a yellow-orange and falling onto the ground, some being swept away by the wind, and some staying where they were.

I walked for a few more minutes, before reaching the corner store. It had a homey feeling to it, probably since I had been going there since middle school. It was run by an older man, his name was Kenny, who used to be a father figure to me and Olivia and good friends with my mother. Speaking of, even though we only lived about ten minutes away from each other, I hadn’t seen my mom since I moved out to attend college. I tried contacting her for a while, but after she refused to answer time and time again, I gave up. I guess our relationship wasn’t as good as I had once thought it to be.

But that’s besides the point. I made my way to the back of the store, to where most of the baking supplies were kept. I grabbed a bag of sugar and made my way to Kenny, who was working the cash register.

I set the sugar on the counter before greeting him fondly. “Hey, Kenny! It’s been a while. How are you doing?”

“I’ve been doing good, darling. How about you? It’s awful late for you to be out doing some shopping.” He replied, sounding curious. “Also, that’ll be $2.99.”

“Mia has got a bake sale tomorrow and I offered to bake the pies she needs, since Olivia was having trouble with it.” I explained, pulling the cash out of my pocket and handing it to Kenny.

“Gotcha.” He nodded, handing me a bag with the sugar in it. “You have a good night, alright? And call me if you need anything.”

“I will. Have a good night, Ken.” I smiled, walking out of the shop and making my way home.

I entered my apartment, kicking my shoes off to the side and making my way into the kitchen. I was pulling the ingredients out of my cabinet when I heard three sharp knocks against my window making me jump, dropping the wrapped stick of butter. I yelped out of fright and I whipped around to see Peter, clinging onto the window of my apartment, sending me a wave.

I sighed in relief upon seeing that it was just him. “Goddamnit, Peter. I swear, that boy is going to be the death of me.” I mumbled before opening the window to let him in.

“Hey, (Y/N).” Peter greeted, taking his mask off and kissing me, which I gladly returned, cupping his cheek.

“Hey, you. I’m pretty sure you left a spare outfit over here the last time you stayed over. They’re in my room, if you want to get out of that suit.” I offered, smiling brightly at him.

He thanked me, beginning to walk to my room, but stopping in his tracks to face me. “Look, (Y/N), I’m really sorry we had to cancel again. But, Mr. Stark called me, and he had a lead on that guy who was dealing whatever was left of his old weapons.”

“Pete, I get it. You’re a superhero and have other commitments to handle. If saving lives takes priority over us going out for a date, trust me, I’ll understand. Now, go get your ass out of that suit and come help me with this.” I replied.

“With what?” He asked, an eyebrow raising in curiosity.

“You’ll just have to wait and see, won’t you?” I teased, grinning at him before picking up the previously forgotten stick of butter off of the cold kitchen tile. “Thank God it was still wrapped.” I mumbled to myself, laughing quietly.

After a few minutes, I had everything out on the counter and Peter reentered the kitchen wearing his baggy, grey sweatshirt and a pair of black sweatpants, and his hair was messy, sticking up in various places.

“Now that I’m changed, will you please tell me what you need help with?” He whined, obviously plagued with the need to fulfill his curiosity as to what he needed to do.

“Well,” I began, reaching up and tucking his soft, brown lock back into place. “I called Olivia about an hour ago and Mia has her fall bake sale tomorrow. I offered to help her out by baking a couple of pies for them to take to Mia’s school tomorrow morning. And it just so appears that I need an assistant. You up for the challenge?” I asked, moving my hands down onto his hips.

“Yes, Chef (Y/N), I am. I’ve been told I’m pretty good at baking, so I’m pretty sure we’ve got this in the bag.” He agreed, looking at my laptop, which was currently residing on the counter with the recipes pulled up. “Okay, so the first step is to add the flour and the salt.”

“Oh, I’ve got the flour right…” I trailed off looking for the unopened bag of flour. “here!” I tried opening the bag, but I wasn’t able to. It was as if it was superglued together. Weird. “Hey babe, I can’t get this bag open. Can you?” I asked, holding it out to him.

“Oh yeah, of course.” He took the bag from me and he pulled the edges apart with all his might, apparently forgetting that he had super strength. As a result, the bag tore open, exploding all over him and my kitchen.

I began to cackle at the scene before me. My boyfriend looked like he was caked in snow, his mouth gaping open in shock as to what he’d just done. “Oh my God!” I cried in between laughs. “I thought you said you were good at baking?!” I teased.

He didn’t respond, although a devilish grin filled his features as he stood up and walked towards me. “Come on, (Y/N), can I please have a hug?” He asked, feigning innocence.

“Peter Benjamin Parker, I swear, if you get any of that flour on me, you will be sleeping on that couch for the rest of your days.” I threatened, backing away from him. Before I knew it, he began chasing me through the apartment. Eventually though, I was cornered. There’s only so far you can run in a one-bedroom apartment, after all. Peter took this opportunity to pick me up and pull me to him, covering me with flour, as I struggled to escape his grasp.

“Damn it, Peter.” I grumbled, playfully. “Now not only are we covered in flour, but so is my entire apartment. I hope you enjoy sleeping on that couch.”

“Okay, so maybe I’m not so good at baking, but I will vacuum your apartment if you don’t banish me to the couch. Do we have a deal?” He offered, still carrying me.

“Fine, I suppose that will work.” I grinned, ignoring his hand, instead pulling him in for a kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck to deepen this kiss, even though I knew I was just getting more flour on my clothes. Eventually, I pulled away, getting back onto the ground. “But first, you are taking a shower, mister. I don’t need more flour in this damn apartment.”

“Yeah, maybe that’s a good idea.” He agreed, making his way to my bathroom, although stopping in the doorway. “What about you? Don’t you want to join me? I mean, you are also covered in flour.” He offered, shooting me a seductive look.

“Not this time, Spidey. Thankfully, most of it is on my clothes, so I’ll be okay if I change. Maybe next time.” I winked at him before turning back to my bedroom, to hurry up and get changed. I still had a bunch of pies to make for a five year old, after all.

[lexinthelibraryofdreams]

One love story to go, please

Imagine: “Cullen owns and manages a bookstore in Haven. It’s pretty quiet but he has some interesting customers. The dwarf who comes in to promote his own books, the stoic army officer who loves reading those same books, a man with a fantastic moustache who always asks for the strangest books and complains about Cullen's state of dress, a girl who brings him cookies and her homemade honey, and a variety of others. But Cullen is lonely - could one of his usuals open the book on his heart?”

Words: 3191

A/N: So, I’m not dead.

I wrote this for the DA prompt exchange summer FILL-A-THON by @dapromptexchange

Got longer than expected but hey, nothing new there. Don’t know if I put in some more game-based fics from time to time, we’ll see.

Also, I do have some WIPs laying around, just lack the motivation to finish them. If you’d like to request a character or ship, don’t be afraid to message me (as my ask box doesn’t seem to be working and I have zero clue how to fix it)

Also, would you like me to put together a masterlist or something?

Warnings: implied sexual content (nothing heavy or graphic, just want to be sure)

The store was quiet. The few customers that were there were in their own world, so Cullen turned to the book he had always ready behind the counter. He sat down and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. Somewhere in the back of the store, Varric was writing on his trusty typewriter Bianca, that he always brought into the store when he was there to write. Cullen didn’t mind, the dwarf usually was a pleasant customer and either came here to write or to promote his own books. 

He reached over, taking one of the cookies from a tray that Sera had left. The elven girl was a rather eccentric personality but she was always kind to him, often bringing cookies and her homemade honey. Some of his other regulars were also here at the moment.

There was Dorian, the charming Tevinter with the interesting moustache who had a fable for historic books and fashion. He never failed to miss an opportunity to criticize Cullen’s clothing.

Cassandra Pentaghast, a police Sergeant who secretly loved Varric’s books though she’d never admit it. Cullen had to admit, that he never had thought that the woman with an impressive abundance of middle names could blush like a school girl.

At last there were Leliana and Josephine, who always came in together. He was still trying to figure out if the two women were simply friends or something more.

An hour before closing time, when everyone except Varric was gone, the doorbell chimed and he automatically said, “Welcome. How can I help you?” before his breath caught in is throat. He hadn’t seen the woman anywhere in Haven before, he would have noticed her. Her bright red hair was pulled up in a loose bun, stray strands framing her face. She had more freckles than he could count and a tiny part immediately wondered if they extended further down than what he was able to see. She looked at him, green eyes reflecting the light from his desk lamp and smile at him warmly. “Yes, actually, I wanted to ask if you had any music sheets. I know, this probably isn’t the most wanted item around here, but I have asked around town and I can’t find anything anywhere,” she explained and he swallowed, forcing himself out of his stupor with shaking his head.

“Unfortunately, I don’t sell those, I’m sorry.” He watched her smile fall and she sighed, brushing a few strands behind her hair. “Alright. Still, thank you for your help,” she responded and turned towards the door. In a split second, he made a decision and spoke up before his brain caught on. “Wait. Maybe I can still help. What do you need exactly?”  She looked back at him with a questioning look and then shrugged slightly. “Piano sheets, whatever I can get my hands on, actually. I had piano lessons years ago but I didn’t keep any of the sheets from back then and now that I want to start playing again, I can’t find anything around here.” He nodded slightly. “I just remembered that I might have some old sheets at home. If it isn’t urgent, you can come back tomorrow and I can get them for you,” he offered and her expression lit up immediately.

“Really?” she asked and he nodded. “That would be amazing. Thank you! I’m Victoria, by the way. Victoria Trevelyan.” She offered him her hand and he shook it. “Cullen Rutherford,” he replied and she eyed him up quickly. “Nice to meet you. Well then, see you tomorrow.” He watched her leave, eyes glued to her red hair until she vanished from sight. A chuckle caught his attention and he turned towards Varric who stood between two shelves, looking smug. “What?” Cullen asked and the dwarf grinned. “You’re blushing. See you tomorrow, Curly,” he replied and left the man alone in his store.

Each time the door opened, his heart rate started speeding up but it never was her. He was almost giving up hope, when the door opened again late that afternoon and he caught a glimpse of bright red. He smiled when he spotted her and she returned it. “Hi. Sorry, I’m only coming in now but, you know, moving is stressful,” she said and he furrowed his brows. “Oh, so you’re leaving Haven?” She shook her head. “No, actually my brother and I just moved here because of a job.” He felt a hint of relief before he pulled out the sheets from the drawer he had kept them in. “Here are the sheets, as promised,” he said and offered them to her. She accepted them and started skipping through them. “Perfect!” she finally exclaimed. “What do I owe you?”

Cullen shook his head. “Nothing. I’m actually glad to have found someone who has a use for them,” he replied and hesitated before taking the leap and added, “Actually, how about we have coffee together some time? As a little thank you? And I could show you around town.” She seemed to think about it for a second and he started to regret it when she said, “Tomorrow during lunch break?” A smile crept onto his face and he nodded. “Yeah, sure.” Victoria smiled as well and shoved the sheets into her bag. “Great. I’ll be here at twelve. See you then,” she said, waving goodbye and leaving.

He leaned against the counter, only now fully realizing what had just happened. When he looked up, Varric gave him a silent thumbs up and then returned back to writing.

He was just closing down his shop for lunch, which he usually spent at his workplace, when something red reflected in the glass door. He turned with a smile and was greeted with one of her own. “I always took you for a super punctual person,” she said with a crooked grin and shoved her hands into her pockets to shield them from the biting wind. It was barely winter but that didn’t matter in Haven due to its elevated position. “He only smiled and she asked, “So, where are we going?” He offered her his arm and she linked their arms with a warm smile. “The Herald’s Rest. It’s a nice little coffee shop down at the market place. I’m sure you passed it a couple of times already.” She nodded and hummed. Once they arrived, he opened the door for her, causing her to drop a curtsy and they entered laughing. The smell of coffee and cake surrounded them immediately as they sat down at a table. She shrugged off her coat and neatly draped it over the back of her chair before looking around. “It looks really nice in here,” she commented and he hummed quietly.

Once they ordered, she interlaced her hands and looked at him. “Alright, tell me about you. You from around here?” He shook his head slightly. “I’m from Honnleath but I moved here a couple of years ago. Where are you from? I can’t really place your accent,” he admitted and she grinned. “Ostwick, born and grown up until my brother and I decided to try our luck somewhere else.” She shrugged slightly and thanked the waitress when her cup of hot chocolate was put down before her. “We’re both teachers and we found out about the shortage around here and decided to come to Haven.” He nodded thoughtfully, carefully taking a sip from his coffee.

“What brought you here?” she asked before taking some of the cream onto as spoon and licking it off. He shrugged slightly. “Personal matters,” was the vague answer but she seemed to understand he didn’t want to talk, so she changed the subject.

They spent way longer than just the lunch break together, with Cullen showing her around town and introducing her to some of the residents. They shortly stopped at the police station, where he greeted Cassandra and the Bull’s Chargers, who made up the main part of the department. They stopped by “Madame de Fer’s” perfumery to introduce Vivienne and met Sera on the way back to the shop. Victoria kept always friendly and open and he often found himself smiling dreamily at her. Her cheeks were flushed by the wind when they stopped in front of his door and she smiled at him. “Thanks for the coffee and the tour, Cullen. I’d love to do that again sometime. See you around,” she said, quickly pecked his cheek and then left. He looked after her, frozen in his place, his cheek seemingly burning from the contact. A teasing voice broke him out of his stupor. “Okay, now I’m sure she’s into you. Still, would you mind letting me inside?” a very grumpy looking Varric asked and gestured towards the door.

A couple of days later he found a package in front of the shop when arriving in the morning. He took it inside and opened it carefully, finding books and a letter.

You mentioned that you also accept second-hand books, I thought I’d rather give them away than let them collect dust on my shelf. :) Victoria

His fingers traced the clean lines. “Damn, I don’t think I ever saw someone that love-struck,” Varric commented with a grin. Where the hell did he come from? The dwarf eyed him and then pointed at the letter. “There are a phone number and a winky face on the back,” he added before heading towards the back into the shop. He was right and Cullen’s felt a strange hope inside him.

You: Thanks for the books! Some of them are actually pretty expensive or rather rare, are you sure you just want to give them away?

You: I’ts Cullen, by the way.

Victoria: I figured :)

Victoria: And yeah, I don’t mind. Didn’t even know they were valuable. Take it as a thank you for the tour the other day.

You: Okay, if you insist...

Victoria: I insist. Hey, I started to work this week, so I do have only limited breaks now, so would you mind if I text you later? My next lesson starts soon

You: Sure, no problem :)

She only responded with a thumbs up emoji and he sighed quietly. If he had to be honest, he had never expected to fall this hard and fast but he did. And he felt good. Good enough that the dwarf’s comment didn’t even bother him anymore. “Maker, and I thought my writing was cheesy.”

Over the next weeks, they texted each other regularly and kept each other updated about their respective lives. Cullen was just going through some book donations on a Friday when his phone chimed. He smiled, when he read her name on his lock screen.

Victoria: Hey, my brother somehow got a reservation in that super fancy restaurant, you know, Pavus’ Fine Dining. And he asked if I wanted to bring someone, so I’m asking if you’re interested

He thought about it for a moment before he started typing.

You: I don’t think I own fitting clothes for that.

She answered with a laughing smiley before sending another response.

Victoria: Don’t worry, I think a nice shirt and is enough. So you’re coming?

You: I’d love to.

Victoria: Great, tonight at seven thirty. See you then.

“Now it’s getting interesting,” Varric commented from behind, causing Cullen to flinch. “Maker, Varric! How do you always know what is going on?” Cullen asked but the dwarf only smirked and waved goodbye before leaving. Cullen shook his head and returned to his previous work, though his mind kept drifting off.

Apparently, Victoria’s brother, whom she introduced as Darren, had gotten his reservation by extensively flirting with the head chef and owner of the restaurant, Dorian. He greeted Cullen cheerfully before announcing that their meal would be on the house and that he wished them a nice evening. He looked over at Victoria who looked stunning. She wore an ivory colored dress with a lace covered bodice and a two layered high-waisted skirt that fit snug to her body. Her hair was pulled into a bun safe for some loose curls. She also wore some simple jewelry and pumps.

Darren was definitely her brother, or rather twin, which he found out during the evening. His hair was just as fiery red and neatly styled as his sister’s. He sported an uncountable amount of freckles and – instead of her emerald green – grey-ish brown eyes. He was dressed in an expensive looking blue suit that made Cullen feel severely underdressed. He had chosen a simple blue button down and a grey blazer. Despite Victoria assuring him that he looked good, he felt insecure.

Warming up to her brother was just as easy as was warming up to her. Despite the obvious difference in wealth, neither of them did anything to belittle him, so he grew more comfortable over the course of the dinner. They laughed together, Dorian often coming around to ask if everything was alright and to heavily flirt with Darren. Somewhere during the evening, the Tevinter asked Victoria to accompany him – “See, your brother told me about your talent,” – and led her to the grand piano. Cullen threw a questioning look at Darren who only grinned knowingly and gestured to wait.

When Dorian started to play, she started to slightly swing her hips to the notes, before gripping the microphone in front of her and starting to sing. Her voice didn’t waver despite the many glasses of wine and her eyes locked onto the blond man. The music was rather slow and he only recognized it as Toxic when she reached the refrain – or rather a vintage version of it. Her lips curled into a smile, when she caught his cheeks heating up.

“With the taste of your lips, I’m on a ride. You’re toxic, I’m slipping under”

He shivered slightly as she drew out the words to the music, the never ceasing sway of her hips drawing him in closer.

“I’m addicted to you, don’t you know that you’re toxic.”

She bit her lip and winked at him and he leaned back, feeling his face burning. It felt as if her voice surrounded him and encased him like a hypnotizing cloud. He didn’t even notice the cheeky grin on her brother’s face.

When they shortly after left the restaurant, he caught a glimpse of a familiar face but blamed it on the drinks he had. There was no way Varric was there too.

Her lips were hot on his, her hands eagerly working on the buttons of his shirt. She tasted like honey and wine and he felt lightheaded whenever their lips were locked, though that might have been the combination of alcohol and a lack of oxygen. His hands fumbled with the pins keeping her hair in place until her locks came cascading down her shoulders. She broke the kiss to shove his shirt off his shoulders and he looked into her eyes. Her pupils were dilated, her cheeks flushes and her lips red.

A single doubt crossed his mind, reminding him that this was completely out of character for him and that he would regret it later but it vanished into thin air when her cool fingers trailed across his hot skin. She gently took his hand with a grin and guided it towards the zipper on the back of her dress. He pulled it down and she shrugged it off, revealing pale skin and – as he had secretly hoped – even more freckles. She pulled him back into a kiss and guided him towards the bed, climbing onto his lap and roaming her hands across his back. They spent the night exploring each other’s bodies and getting to know the other in a completely different way.

Cullen awoke to the sun shining into his face and covered his eyes with his forearm. He must have forgotten to close the blinds when he came home last night. That he in fact wasn’t home at all only came back into his mind, when someone moved next to him with a sleepy sigh. He opened his eyes and groaned quietly at the throbbing sensation. Sure, it wasn’t a fully fleshed-out hangover but he had definitely drunk more than he was used to, and the headache reminded him of it. When he turned, he saw bright red hair and pale skin with golden freckles. His cheeks heated up at the memories of last night.

Careful not to wake her, he sat up and looked around the room. His heart sunk immediately. Everything in her room looked expensive and it again reminded him of the gap between them. Sure, she never confirmed it, but there was no denying she was wealthy. Now, there was a high chance that this was only a one-time thing for her while he was sitting there, completely and utterly in love. Despite arguing against it, he got his phone out of the pockets of his trousers that were discarded next to the bed and opened the internet browser. When he typed in her family name, his heart stuttered.

The Trevelyans are one of the four main noble houses of Ostwick and founders of “The Inquisition”, a well-equipped and widely known securtiy company.

Maker, why hadn’t he researched something before He read about the estimated wealth and swallowed hardly but a movement caught his attention. He turned to see her awake, trying to his phone display but he could see she already seen his research. She looked up at his face. “Is this what you worry about, Cullen?” The way his name rolled off her tongue made his heat flutter but he tried to ignore it. “Knowing that you’re well out of my league?  Yes, that is kind of important,” he said quietly and she shook her head, sending her locks flying. “Maker, Cullen, do you really think I care about that? My family already has enough money, I don’t need any more. What I want is someone I can trust and love, regardless of ‘social statuses’. And I thought I found that person with you. But maybe that was foolish.”

Seeing how it hurt her, he realized how ridiculous his conclusions had been. She had always shown generous and never talked about anything related to money. He gently took her hand and she looked back up at him. “I’m sorry,” he said, “I... I think I panicked. I’ve never been in a situation like this. I didn’t intend to hurt you.” Her expression softened and she reached up, smoothing his hair back. “So, you’re willing to try this with me? No matter what others might or might not think?” He nodded and she smiled, pulling him into a kiss. And when he embraced her, he felt like belonged for the first time. She was new and exciting and it had drawn him in quicker that he could have ever hoped for.

When he opened his shop up on Monday, a note was taped to the door that made him smile involuntarily.

Curly, Put a ring on it. V.T.

P.S.: I expect to be invited.

Also, I can only recommend you look up Postmodern Jukebox on YouTube