#if you see me staring into space it's because louis has his face buried in lestat's neck feeling the thump of his pulse MIND YOUR BUSINESS!!

[lizardkingeliot]

the best part of the writing process is not the actual writing it's thinking about the scene you get to write a couple scenes from now in which your darling lovesick vampire babes will share a hug so tender and intimate and tinged by over a century of longing and adoration you give yourself a tummy ache every time you spin it around inside your head

[bemybstar]

Saw you write nsfw including daddy/sir & humilliation kinks so if you're still up for requests...May I request smut where Louis and a carnivore!reader have that kind of relationship (with him being the dominant one ofc)? I've always thought it fit with his herbivore complex and that carnivore fetish of his 👀 can be hcs or a one shot, whatever you prefer! I ADORE your work...Thank you so much for sharing it 😭❤

A/N: Yes I am still taking requests since they are still open! Thanks so much for commenting on my writing I really appreciate it!

Pairing: Louis x fem!carnivore!reader (reader can pick the animal they want)

Warnings: Jealous Louis, dom/sub relationship, mentions of daddy kink, reader gets punished, it’s honestly just filth at this point lol.

“Louis? Do you mind helping me with this next part?” You ask politely and await his response. He was busy finalizing scripts for the drama clubs last play rehearsal, since he’s the leader it’s part of his job. “Sorry but I’m busy right now. We can practice in private later.” He says bluntly not even bothering to look you straight in the eye.

You were a member of the dance team and wanted to go over some last minute critiques for the festivals performance. You’d figured your boyfriend would be up to the task of helping you with some new dance moves but you were clearly mistaken. “But I need your advice now or else I’ll forget the entire choreography later,” you whine.

“I already told you I’m busy. Now go be a good girl and ask someone else to help you until I’m done.” He snarls finally locking eyes with you instead of his paper. “Fine!” You huff as you storm out of his office, “I will...”

You scope around the room for a potential partner, all the girls were already in groups or busy stretching after wrapping up. You sigh in defeat, there goes your chances at getting someone’s input. That was until Bill spotted you and headed your way.��

“Hey, Y/N. What’s up?” The bengal tiger asked you sounding a bit too excited. “I overheard you talking to Louis. That guy can be such an asshole, am I right?” Technically you’d be willing to defend your boyfriend and put Bill in his place, but no one knew you two were dating. So you had to play it cool and act approachable in case others got suspicious. 

“Haha, yeah I guess so,” you comment wondering how much did he actually hear of the conversation, but you push it aside as an idea pops into your head.

“Bill! Do you mind giving me your opinion on my dance number? You know, since Louis is too busy for me and all,” you pleaded with a smile. “Sure! I’d love to help you out. Where should we start?”

“Hmmm,” you think and look around until you found the perfect spot. “How about there?!” You exclaim as he follows your pointed gaze to the corner of the room. He agrees, taking your word for it as you grab him by the hand and walk over together. You place the stereo on top of the shelf and press play before taking a deep breathe.

“And one, two, three. One, two, three,” Bill’s voice echos through you as you take each step with such ease and grace, moving in sync to the rhythm. “Would you mind practicing with me for a little bit?” You ask him before stopping in place as he agrees to your offer.

His hand touches your arm as he stands behind you, raising your wrist a bit higher for dramatic effect. Your figures project on the mirror in front of you, proving just how close you two really are. His muzzle is just above your head as he instructs you on what to do next. You tilt your head to the side and lock eyes with Louis, who has been watching your every move as you intended. The whole purpose of practicing in the corner was because he had left his door wide open, he pretty much had a front row seat to this little game of yours. And he didn’t seem to like it one bit judging from his envious expression.

Bill had taken something that belonged to him and he’d be damned to let it continue any further. You let go of Bill’s hand and thank him for his partnership once the bell rang. “Bye Bill,” you wave off. “Thanks for all your help again.”

“Anytime, Y/N. Anytime,” he says waving back with a sly grin plastered on his face. You hum quietly to yourself and make your way over to Louis’s office, awaiting for what’s in store. He’s sitting across from you, pupils flaring as his eyebrows drew together in vexation. But before you ask him about his well being, he had the upper hand in stirring the conversation.

“What was all that about?” He asked. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” “Don’t play smart with me. You knew exactly what you were doing,” he scolds. “I don’t know what’s worse. Your desperate need for my attention or your attempt at toying with Bill’s feelings in order to get what you want...”

You gasp upsettingly and walk straight towards him. “They can’t be all that bad if they managed to get the job done. Just face the facts... you were jealous.”

“Excuse me?” He snaps before getting up from his seat. “You told me I had to find someone else to help me and I did just that. Maybe if you would have listened to me from the beginning, I wouldn’t have resorted to Bill in the first place!”

“And maybe if you acted like a good girl from the start, I wouldn’t have to punish you for it now!” He grimaced through gritted teeth.

“You know what happens when you disobey me, right?” He comes into contact with you, filling the space between you and him. He wraps his hand behind your hip and pulls you in close, bracing your palms against his chest from the forceful impact. Your lips are just inches away from his as he stares longingly at them, eager to give you what you crave once you answer his question.

“Y-Yes Louis,” you whisper lowly. His hand quickly races down your hip and goes straight to your ass, giving it a firm squeeze. A warning. A mistake on your end, it wasn’t the answer he had grown to expect from you. “Yes. What?”

“Yes, sir,” you whimper correcting yourself. “Mmm, that’s more like it,” he drags and mashes his lips against yours. This kiss isn’t sweet, but fueled with fire and pent-up anger. He’s fast enough to show you that he really wants you but at the same time stands his ground, proving to you that’s he’s in control. He leaves your lips and moves to your neck.

“This doesn’t... this doesn’t change the fact that I’m still mad at you for ignoring me,” you breathe raggedly, screwing your eyes shut at his mouth works wonders on your neck. He had a knack for knowing your weak spots. He then removes your shirt as you place your hands up and toss it to the side. Your bra comes off next as he unhooks it from the back and let’s it drop to the floor. You pull down your red shorts next as to get it over quicker for both of you.

“Stay still...” he orders to the sofa chair in front of you, propping your hands down on the arm rest to gain balance. He strips off his suspenders, loosens his tie, and pulls up his shirt placing it with the rest of the pile on the wooden floor. You spread your legs wide enough so he can get a better look at you, your fully exposed to him in this moment, it’s moments like this he enjoys most. The intimacy was unlike anything either of you had experienced in the past. It’s as if the roles were reversed, you were his prey and he your predator when it came to your sex life. Neither of you felt weak or overpowered because in those moments you were one in the same. Two animals in love, with the same hopes and desires of sharing that love.

“If it’s too much for you let me know,” he’s referring to your punishment as you give him a quick nod indicating you understood. “Good, now count.” He smooths over your fur before giving it a smack, automatically making you count up to your limit. “T-Ten...” you wince from the last one sinking your claws into the fabric as a reflex. By the time Louis was finished, your ass was red and stinging from soreness. “You take your punishment so well for me, baby. But I’m still not done with you yet...”

You hear the sound of a zipper coming undone and the thud of a belt dropping soon after. He takes out his cock and strokes it softly before grinding himself against your fold with his tip. He’s such a tease... you say to yourself. “If you think you really deserve this, then beg.”

“Please!” You shout a little too loudly mainly out of desperation. Your body can barley take it anymore at this point. “I want your cock buried deep inside my pussy. I want you to fuck me senseless until I’m dripping with cum. I—“

Before you can finish Louis slams himself into you, filling you up just the way you needed, the way you’ve been craving. He holds you steady from behind as a way to guide his erotic movements. Rocking into you with his hips little by little, setting up a steady pace before picking it up faster than before. You move up and down his length, getting wetter as each second passes. “F-Fuck Y/N,” he hisses as he continues to savagely thrust into you.

“D-Don’t stop...” you mewl out breathlessly. Your eyes roll back barley able to see straight, as he rams into you harder than before as each time passes. “I-I’m gonna cum, please can I cum?”

Louis grunts before giving you permission to do so. His thrusts become sloppy and messy meaning he’s on the verge of climaxing right along with you. After a couple seconds, you release with a scream of his name as he follows shortly after. His warm cum spurts inside you, filling you up to your core as his liquid pours down your thighs. You gasped as you try to catch your breathe, your eyes fluttering shut as pure exhaustion took over your body. You plop face down on the sofa cushion to regain your strength as you were too exhausted and overwhelmed to move.

Louis puts his clothes back on and excuses himself, giving you a chance to relax. He returns shortly after from the males locker room with a warm towel in hand. You moaned as he ran the smooth material along your body, slipping it between your legs to clean up the cum and sweat dripping out of you. You thank him with a kiss and begin to dress yourself back to your usual state as he waits by the doorframe.

“Now, come on. I believe I owe you a dance lesson...”

———

Tag list - (just ask to be added)

@starr60

[stop-breaking-my-heart-telltale]

[against all odds, your hand is in mine] [2/4]

Seasons change, and with each comes a different story. In a world where the dead roam around, romantic companionship seems unlikely. Yet Ericson stands, and within it are four couples who are proof that it's possible.

Summer: Clouis | sleepless nights, purple and orange skies, adventure, rooftops

Read on AO3

Notes: Hi. Have some clouis I wrote at 3 o’clock in the morning when I couldn’t sleep. Just as much hand holding and smoochin’ as the last one. 

[screenshot used is from the lovely @pi-creates​ who also helped me figure out this damn school layout... well as much as possible. the school layout is wild.]

---

Clementine used to dread night.

Before she and AJ had a stable roof over their heads, comfortable beds to sleep in, and a room to call their own. That's when night used to weigh down on them. Many sleepless nights she would lay awake in the back seat of their car with AJ curled at her side. Every little noise kept her alert, feeding into her worry.

Noisy bugs, the coo of an owl, walkers groaning in the distance, hungry animals, and sometimes dangerous people trying to survive by any means necessary- they were what occupied her mind every damn night.

What if she fell asleep and walkers surrounded the car? What if scavengers broke in and took their stuff at gunpoint? What if the place they parked wasn’t safe? What if she couldn’t get to her bag in time, or the knife from beneath the seat?

Then night would end, dawn would break, and another morning sun would rise. They would survive all over again.

Sometimes dawn was worse. She always wanted to let AJ sleep just a little longer, but couldn’t. They were back on the road with empty stomachs and never enough sleep in their systems. The same thing every damn day. She would promise AJ they would find something, that one day they would find a safe place they could call home.

She was never sure that day would come, but it did.

They were saved after a car accident that should’ve left them to the walkers, and brought to Ericson’s Boarding School for Troubled Youth.

It wasn’t easy ensuring this place as a home for herself, AJ, and the rest she’s come to love as her family, but it was worth it. Clementine doesn’t have to sleep clutching a knife in her fist anymore or lay awake wondering when they’ll find their next meal.

She doesn’t even have to worry too much about her recovery.

The loss of a leg like that? Clementine knew she wouldn’t have survived that if they were still out on the road.

Everything they went through was worth it.

While walkers still roam and there are other dangers out there, most of her other troubles were in the past. She has family to rely on now. Aasim and Louis are by her side to keep things running smoothly. AJ takes on more responsibility the older he gets. Not everything falls on her.

The only things she should think about at night now are the good things.  The fact that AJ sleeps peacefully in the bed across from her, and how Louis’ arm feels draped over her waist as he rests beside her. Sleep should be easy, and night shouldn’t be intimidating.

And yet, she lies awake with thoughts so loud and overwhelming, she’s surprised they don’t rouse the entire dorm. It doesn’t help that her leg has been bothering her with “ghost pains,” as Ruby calls it, and the dorms are sweltering from the heatwave this week, leaving the air stuffy and uncomfortable. Sweat sticks to her brow and everything is uncomfortable. No matter what position she lays in, no matter how dark it is out or how open the window is, there’s no escape from any of it.

It’s hot enough that Louis suggested he sleep in the other bunk for the night so that they didn’t smother each other. They both knew that wasn’t going to happen, but it’s sweet that he tried. They’ve shared this bed for over a year now, and even though his arm is heavy and does nothing but make her warmer, it’s harder to sleep without him there.

He even tried his best to sleep as close to the wall so he could give her more space, but no matter what, he always ends up rolling over closer to her.

With a small sigh, Clementine reaches up to feel atop the dresser beside the bed. First she grazes wood- her peg leg. Pushing that aside, she finds the water bottle she kept there. Maybe that’s what she needed. The heat always made her throat dry, and the air in here is so humid it’s nearly driving her insane.

Wrapping her fingers around Louis’ wrist, she lifts his arm to slide away as gently as she can so as to not disturb him. A quick, sharp pain shoots through her thigh, and she has to bite her lip to suppress a wince. It doesn’t linger, but damn, sometimes it’s enough to put her whole body into shock.

A soft gust hits her from the window as she sits at the edge of the bed, a small relief that goes as soon as it arrives. She hopes for more windy days. At least then the heat is bearable in the shade. When everything is still and the sun is in full bloom, there’s no escape.

Louis shifts, arm spreading out across the space she no longer laid. Something about that makes her smile. Most of his face is buried in the pillow, the rest obscured by his dreadlocks. She reaches over to brush them back. Her fingers linger after tucking them behind his ear, revealing his serene expression.

There were so many nights that Clementine slept alone in the woods. Before she got AJ back, there were nights where she was convinced she’d never sleep in another bed again.

Damn it.

These thoughts… they won’t go away.

The water is just as warm as everything else, but at least it leaves her a little less parched than before.  What she would give for some ice. Hell, at this point, she’s tempted to hobble out of Ericson, down to the river, and fling herself into the cool water. She wouldn’t even care if she scared away all the fish or got all gross and muddy.

The heat of a hand brushing her back startles her, causing water to dribble down her chin.

Louis rubs soothing circles over the thin material of her t-shirt. Staring up at her through drowsy, lidded eyes, he sighs.

All thoughts of the river are gone.

“Clem?” His voice is rough, quiet.

She smiles down at him. His hand falls to rest against her arm as she whispers back.

“I didn’t mean to wake you. Go back to sleep.”

A hum sounds from his throat, and for a moment, she thinks he’s doing as she said. But instead, Louis props himself up on an elbow to better see her through the dark.

“Your leg?” he asks, cocking his head, his brow furrowed with a concern that spreads warmth through Clementine’s chest. “Is it bothering you?”

“Only a little,” she admits with a shrug, then offers him the water bottle. “More thirsty and sweaty, if anything. Hard to get comfortable in this heat.”

Louis takes a swig of water, grimacing at the taste. “That all?”

“Mostly.”

“Bad dream?”

“Have to sleep long enough to dream.”

“Ah,” he says. Closing up the water bottle, he scoots closer to her kiss her clothed shoulder, resting his chin there. “What’cha thinkin’ about?”

“Everything, nothing,” she tries, relaxing against him. “I don’t know.”

“Wanna talk about it?”

“The everything, or the nothing?”

“Whichever.”

“Nah, I don’t want to keep you up.”

“Too late, love,” he yawns. “I’m wide awake.”

She smiles. “You sound it.”

“Mmhmm.”

Clementine rubs her heavy eyes, and her hand falls into her lap only to be grabbed by him. A bit of embarrassment washes over her knowing how sweaty her palms are, but Louis doesn’t seem to mind.

“It’s hot,” he grumbles when she doesn’t speak. “It’s bullshit.”

She really must be tired because she nearly chokes on a laugh. Her other hand presses against her mouth, and she freezes to check on AJ. He’s still fast asleep, sprawled over the bed and snoring. Louis chuckles into her shoulder.

Despite complaining about the heat, Louis presses closer to where he’s almost beside her. He watches outside the window. It’s not as dark as it was when they were laying in bed. Dawn’s coming, and that makes her sigh. Her only consolation is that even though she knows she’ll be tired all day, maybe it'll be enough to make her want to sleep when night comes once more.

Louis hums, and then pulls away so quick, she almost falls back. When he speaks her name, he’s strangely serious.

“Clementine?”

She loves the way he says her full name. She never told him that, but somehow he was able to figure it out.

“You up for a little adventure?” he asks.

She raises a questioning brow at him. “Uh, what kind of adventure?”

He’s out of bed, silently moving about as he whispers, “That’s for me to know and you to find out.” He grabs her slipper and his boots from the corner, and her makeshift peg leg from the dresser.

“Right now?”

She’s sure by “adventure” he means playing piano in the common room until morning arrives and they have to get the day started, but it’s a bit early for that. Usually, their piano lessons are in the evening time.

Louis kneels down in front of her to help secure her peg leg. She waves him away with a suppressed giggle when he tries to slide her slipper on like in that old princess cartoon. Both hands in his, he pulls her up from the bed, only to then grab her crutches. Odd.

She’s gotten better at balancing on her peg leg for short distances, only using crutches on busy days where she needs the extra support.

“You’ll need them for where we’re going,” he explains, handing them to her.

“The common room isn’t that far.”

“Who said anything about the common room?”

Before she can respond, he grabs two pillows from the top bunk above their bed and presses a finger to her lips. He nods over at AJ, who’s still fast asleep. They try to sneak out as soundlessly as possible, but that’s hard with how loud her crutches tend to be when moving. Luckily, they don’t seem to disturb the slumbering boy.

They’re hit with the refreshing morning air as soon as they step outside. Louis walks ahead of her, stretching his arms high above his head and letting out a yawn that turns into a satisfied groan. Clementine inhales as much as her lungs allow her, the scent of cool dirt and something floral an intoxicating combination.

“Y’know, I’m not much of a morning person,” Louis says. “It’s a shame.”

“Neither am I.”

They’re both notorious for sleeping in and being the last ones up. Might be due to them being night people or having troubling sleep patterns. Either way, AJ usually has to shake them awake, and even then, they end up lying in bed until they have to get a move on.

“And yet, you’re up so early.”

“Funny,” she knocks into his shoulder with a smile. “So are you.”

“Who do we think we are?”

Louis wraps an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close enough to plant a quick kiss on her temple. Together they head into the admin building, passing the common room to make the slow climb up the stairs.

“So, where exactly are we going?” she asks. “Because if it’s to play piano, we missed our turn.”

Louis winks back at her. “You’ll see.”

“You have another secret piano that I don’t know about?”

“I wish, but no.”

When he brings her through a blocked-off hallway, they have to climb over a bunch of furniture and debris. She damn near gets stuck, but Louis is able to lift her up with ease. He’s gotten good at that.  

She’s never been through this part of the school. It’s more decrepit than the main parts of the school she sees every day. From what she can tell, the rooms aren’t classrooms, but maybe they used to be offices? Who knows, most of the lettering on the plaques are falling apart.

At the end of the hall, there’s a ladder leading through a hole in the ceiling.

“Uhm…?

“I take it you’ve never been to the attic?” he asks, noting her puzzlement.

“Nope. I didn’t even know this place had one.”

“It’s pretty spooky up there. Lot’s of big spiders, maybe a couple of bats, and possibly a boogeyman. And a lot of old teacher shit,” Louis gives a disgusted shiver. “I think the headmaster kept some of his things up here, too. Been a while since I’ve snooped around.”

“You want to look through the headmaster’s things, or are we here to fight this boogeyman?”

“No, and no,” Louis smirks, and tosses his pillows up one at a time before stepping aside and motions for her to go first.

“Are you sure this thing’s stable?” she asks, wigging the ladder. Dust puffs all around it. It clearly hasn’t been used in a long time.

“No,” he replies, “but I’ll be right here to catch you if you fall.”

“And what if we both fall?”

“Then I’ll break your fall, and you’ll break my ribs.”

She rolls her eyes. “Great.”

It’s tricky climbing such a steep ladder, but he’s right behind her to keep her steady.

The musty heat of the attic hits her first, nearly making her gag. It’s not as dark as she expected, but there is something eerie about the unknown shadows of everything stored up here. It's the kind of place where your eyes play tricks on you, making you believe things are all around you, ready to pounce. She gets another whiff of something moldy and wrinkles her nose. Dirt and dust stick to her legs and shorts, and her hand brushes something sticky, like a bundle of webs. God, she hopes she doesn’t get spiders in her hair. It’s longer and curlier than it’s ever been, and she doesn’t even have her hat to protect it.

“This is…” she trails off.

“Super romantic?” Louis questions as he climbs up the ladder. She doesn’t even need to see him to know amusement's plastered all over his face.

“No. Not even a little. It’s gross.”

Louis laughs, helping her up to wipe the grime off her back.

“Not much has changed,” he says, peering around. “Except I think something died up here? Though I don’t think I need to know for sure, and that’s not why we’re here anyway.”

He leads her over to one of the double windows, the one with the least amount of breakage. Grunting, he tries to force the rusted lock to detach. She gets a good grip on the other end, and on the count of three, they pull. Once loose, the window slides up with little effort. The problem is the remaining glass. It cracks and drops to the wooden floor, shattering.

“Damn it,” Louis curses, doing his best to kick the shards out of the way. “Here, I’ll go first, just watch where you step. That’ll go right through your slipper.”

“Yeah, that’s what I need. An infection in my other foot,” she mumbles more to herself, but Louis snorts a dry laugh anyway. She hands him the pillows and her crutches before bending through the open window herself.

It leads to the balcony overlooking the entire yard. It’s much bigger than the broken balcony outside the office, the one beneath them. It’s perhaps more than twice its size. Finally, the stench of the attic is gone with the brush of the wind. Not too strong, but enough to cool the dampness of her skin. She closes her eyes, breathing it in.

“Y’know, if we told Ruby about what’s in there, she’d have a heyday tearing it apart,” says Louis.

“She’d make you help her clean it out.”

“Well, hey, let’s not get too crazy,” Louis laughs. “I think she’d rather have Aasim’s help. It can be their special project.”

“Oh yeah, I’m sure he’d love that.”

Clementine’s never been up here on this balcony. She always wondered how to get up here and what the purpose of it is. Why have two dormers of the slanted roof leading to an unusable balcony?

Hell, when Mitch and Aasim hung the threatening banner across the admin building for the raid, she assumed they climbed up from the outside. She had no idea the windows opened from inside the attic.

“Huh…”

Turning from the roof,  she heads to the end of the balcony. From here she can see far over their walls and through the miles of trees that are nothing more than black silhouettes against the lightening sky. It’s not the highest point overlooking the school, but it’s enough to make her a bit woozy when she looks straight down over the edge.

“Wow.”

“Pretty nice, huh?” Louis says over his shoulder. “It’s a wonder we don’t come up here anymore. The view is worth braving the attic.”

Realizing he’s not standing with her, Clementine curiously watches him throw the pillow onto the pitched roof. They slide down a little before sticking against the worn and sun-damaged tiles. She knows there isn’t anything flat on top, though. It’s an edge, so what’s he doing?

“Uh, Louis?”

“Tell me something, Clem,” he says, bracing himself against the wall of the dormer as he climbs the slope. He climbs on top of it with ease, snatching back the pillows as he asks, “When was the last time you woke up early, sat down, and enjoyed a good sunrise?”

The question isn’t what Clementine expected.  Truth be told, she’s watched the sunrise many times. All those sleepless nights that occupied her thoughts tonight, they all ended with her watching with a pit in her stomach as the sunrise brought morning.

But thinking about it now, she hasn’t watched a sunrise since…

“Well, the last sunrise I saw was when I was bitten,” she says slowly. “AJ and I walked through the woods and didn’t stop until morning, but I guess that doesn’t really count. I wasn’t sitting… and I wasn’t paying too much attention to it. I was worried about other things.”

Louis is quiet, and she can tell he’s panicking, second-guessing himself.

“I’m sorry,” he finally says. “I uh… I didn’t mean to bring that up. I forgot that you… shit.”

“No, no,” she shakes her head, moving away from the edge. “Louis, it’s okay. I know.” She sets her crutches against the other dormer and smiles. “You gonna help me up?”

Relief loosens his shoulders, and he grins back. She can still see the uncertainty lining his dark eyes, and makes a note to reassure him once she gets up there.

Locking his hand with hers, Louis helps pull her up to him. He loops an arm around her waist, and with ease, she’s sitting on top of the dormer's roof, facing him. She can see why he brought pillows. This would be painful without them. It takes them a moment of shifting and fussing with the pillows before they find a comfortable position. Facing where the sun would eventually rise, they sit close with their legs laying off the side.

They both catch their breaths, and Clementine places a hand over his that rests comfortably on her thigh.

“You good? How’s your leg?’ he asks.

“A little sore, but that’s nothing new.” She brings his wrist to her lips. “Thank you.”

He chuckles a bit, tipping his head forward as if to hide his smile. That wouldn’t do. Leaning forward, Clementine caught his lips with hers for a quick kiss, only for it to be broken when she nearly lost her balance.

“Don’t fall off!” he exclaims, clutching her waist. “If you fall, I’m gonna have to fall after you, and it’ll be embarrassing when the others find us all mangled up here.”

"Don't worry, I'll break your fall."

"Ha ha."

She follows his gaze to the sky.

It’s light blue now, almost a cool gray with wisps of burgundy clouds, and all the stars are gone. It’s peaceful, the ambiance of rustling leaves and birds chirping their morning songs soothing. The breeze even brings with it a chill that tingles through her arms.

It’s so much different up here than it was in the dorms, or even just in the yard. It’s crazy to her that not an hour ago, she was lying in her bed, uncomfortable… overwhelmed. Now, the smallest bit of glow teases behind the trees, and she can only think about how Louis’ hand in hers makes her chest swell.

It’s easier to keep those unwanted thoughts away, and she wonders if it’s silly to think that the thoughts can’t find her up this high. As if those miserable, painful memories couldn’t always find her.

Everything matters, and yet up here, so does nothing, and she’s strangely happy about that.

The radiating light blooms, warming blues into purples and oranges, light bleeding through the trees onto the grounds of Ericson. An amber cast washes over them and the dark rooftop.

It’s never looked like this before. Or if it did, she ignored it for years.

Clementine steals a glance at Louis, admiring the glow against his freckled skin. It reflects in his dark eyes. Her heart quickens. She always thought of him handsome, and he only grew more so the closer they became over the years.

But sitting here with him on the roof of the admin building, watching dawn break all the colors of the world, she could only think of him as beautiful. Not just because of his looks, or even the things he said to her tonight or any other night. It’s in the way he holds himself and who he was and who he became. It’s the way he smiles not only with his lips, but with his eyes. She trusts him. She hasn’t felt so safe in the arms of another since she was a little girl hugging her parents or entrusting her life with Lee, and that meant everything to her.

“We don’t have to talk about what’s bothering you,” Louis says suddenly. “I just want you to know that I’m here, okay?”

He’s watching her now, studying her now that he’s caught her staring.

“It doesn’t matter,” she manages, voice coming out much shakier than intended.

“Yes, it does.”

“I don’t want to think about the past.”

Louis kisses her wrist. “Okay.”

That’s more than enough reason for her to lean over and hug him, and when his arms wrap around her, she decides she wants to stay up here. She’d give up sleeping in, her worst habit, to do this again.

He kisses her slow, hand brushing the back of her neck to curl in her hair. She shivers, bringing him closer than before to deepen the kiss. They’ve done this hundreds of times before, but kissing Louis never fails to make her forget everything else, even if only for a fleeting second.

Nothing else. Just right now.

"Clementine."

This moment.

His lips on hers.

The sun. The morning air.

These feelings.

Like every day, the sun rises, and it’s another day.

[kingonafiftymetreroad]

Fic Rec Post

Hey everybody! One of my secret santas asked me what my favorite fics are so I decided to make a full blown rec post just for them. These are a little all over the place so I hope you can find something that you enjoy here! ☁️✨ 

Please make sure to read all tags and warnings before reading a fic. And don’t forget to kudos/comment!

🌙 The Finish Line (Is A Good Place For Us To Start) by LoadedGunn 122k

Louis Tomlinson, one-time Formula 1 World Champion, is looking forward to the 2013 season. He’s got Zayn in his garage and Liam in his ear, he’s got Cowell Racing backing him despite former indiscretions, he’s got experience and the best race car out there. Not to mention he’s the only racer they have, after Oliver dropped out late last year.

It hasn’t occurred to him that Oliver would have to be replaced by February. That is, until he finds himself at a party celebrating Harry Styles leaving Ferrari for Cowell. Harry hotshot Styles, who broke a record last year and is probably looking to make a big splash. Harry Styles, who is talented and somewhat intimidating. Harry Styles, who left Ferrari for reasons unknown and seems kind of lonely and harmless in person. Lonely, harmless, hot as fuck. Whatever.

The first thing Louis does is take him under his wing. From there it’s nine months of slow-burning romance, the past catching up to them, turning into the human puppy pile that is OT5 and a lot of feelings until, of course, reaching the finish line.

🌙 a promise lives within you now by sarcasticfluentry 46k

A Lord of the Rings-inspired Middle Earth AU. Louis is an Elven prince, next in line to become King of Mirkwood, and Harry is the orphaned Human boy who grows up alongside him. They fall in love, but Louis’s obligations to the throne, Harry’s mortality, and impending war threaten to tear them apart.

🌙 if you're for real and not pretend by brownheadedstranger 21k

In which Harry works in a bakery and Louis can't seem to find what he's looking for.

🌙 Into The Blue by zarah5 117k (story is locked, ao3 account required to read)

AU. In which Louis is Harry's scuba instructor and quite happy to provide the requested special treatment, pun fully intended. It can't be all that difficult to convince Harry that they're on the same page, right? Also, Niall and Liam may or may not be dating, and Zayn is surrounded by emotionally stunted idiots. He bears it with dignity.

🌙 Don't Unplug Me Or Shut Me Down by slashter 7k

Louis scowls. "He's a photography student. He works with gorgeous models and probably breaks hearts with his smile. I'm a nerd. I earn my money fixing broken crap, and for some stupid reason, I like it. He wears short skirts, I wear t-shirts, he's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers, et cetera, et cetera." Louis sighs. "I swear, the coolest thing I've ever done is wear contacts."

Basically, Louis is a self-proclaimed nerd who fixes things and Harry seems too perfect to keep breaking as many things as he does.

🌙 You Are The Blood by sarcasticfluentry 175k

A seventh-year Hogwarts AU in which Niall gets all the girls, Liam goes on a journey of self-discovery, Zayn falls in love, Harry wants something more, and Louis tries to figure out once and for all why he, a Muggleborn, was sorted into Slytherin.

🌙 this must be what all the fuss is about by youcomecrash 3k

"You're sweaty," he mumbles matter-of-factly. Louis opens his eyes and raises his head from between his arms. Harry's just staring up at him with a lazy expression and Louis kind of wants to kiss him to sleep. "That's because it's a hundred degrees in here, babe."

🌙 I Fell From the Sky For You (Like a Shooting Star) [by louserz] by waddupjordan (orphan_account) 8k (This was originally posted on tumblr by @louserz and this person had permission to post it on ao3 for the author. if the original author sees this and wants me to take this off of my rec post please DM me and I will. This fic displays elements of depression and homelessness although it is not tagged that way so please take caution in reading this. I don’t want to accidentally trigger anybody.<3)

Harry owns a bookstore, Louis is homeless, and apparently even shooting stars fall in love.

🌙 Sail Across Me by iwillpaintasongforlou 21k

Harry is a prince that is about to be forced into marriage against his will and running away to sea seems like a much better option. Louis is the captain of the infamous pirate ship The Rogue and he has a thing for helping defenseless creatures. Especially when they're as pretty as this one.

🌙 but maybe im just in love when you wake me up by theonewiththelarrystories 6k

lazy morning sex, prompted by Asher: "like a whole sleepy sunday morning vibe of waking up together and then louis pulling a sleepy harry into a warm bath and louis washing harry all over. a bit of body!worship, louis gently working conditioner into harrys curls and him practically purring. Then louis taking it slow with kisses on harrys neck and gentle touches and then fingering harry until hes whining with his head thrown back against louis’ shoulder little needy noises coming from his perfect fucking lips. and then harrys boneless and content while louis leads him back to their bed and spreads him out face down and rims the fuck out of him until hes screaming and then he fucks him gently and then they cuddle on the couch and harry wears louis’ white sweater and louis calls him ‘sweetheart.’"

🌙 strawberry milk fic by Wankerville 158k (3 parts)

This is a 3 part story. The 1st part was originally written alone and then the author added the rest. You can just read the 1st part (19k), and you’ll still be satisfied without feeling added pressured to read the whole thing. Please read all the tags and warnings for each fic beforehand!

🌙 and we live like legends now by soleilouis 16k girl!direction 

harry works at a juice bar, and louis is the cute girl that skates at the park right next door.

🌙 Through Eerie Chaos by MediaWhore 102k (story is locked, ao3 account required to read) @mediawhorefics​

For as long as anyone can remember, Old Hillsbridge Manor has always been believed to be haunted. Everyone in the village agrees and keeps a respectful, fearful, distance. New in town after a bad breakup and an internship that led to disappointment rather than a permanent job, Harry Styles figures taking pictures of the decrepit building could be a great new creative project. Or at least a much-needed distraction while he searches for a job and crashes at his parents’ new house. No one warned him about the apparitions though; about the music, the laughter, the people who flicker and vanish when you call after them, the echoes of a past that should be long gone�� Harry has never believed in spirits but even he can admit that there’s something weird going on. What starts as mere curiosity evolves into a full-blown investigation and soon enough, Harry finds himself making friends with an aristocrat from the 1920s and struggling with finding the best way to tell him that he’s dead.

The Ghost Hunter AU where Niall lives to prove ghosts are real, Zayn is a skeptical librarian and Harry gets caught up in a century-old mystery and catches feeling in the process.

🌙 jump in the deep end by istajmaal 5k 

Louis’s stomach lurches as he closes the last bit of distance, Harry’s nose settling between his arse cheeks and pushing them apart. Harry’s lips brush against the puckered skin around Louis’s hole in a kiss and Louis lets out a whine so high-pitched he barely recognizes it as coming from himself—what if I'm not clean enough, what if Harry hates it, what if Harry pushes me away—but then Harry’s long, wet tongue swoops in a circle around Louis’s rim and Louis feels like all the breath is knocked out of him. He grabs for Harry’s hand, still digging into his thigh, and squeezes over it, until Harry releases his vice grip on Louis’s thigh and laces his fingers through Louis’s.

or, Louis's arse is a sensitive subject, so Harry approaches it gently. With his tongue.

🌙 the wheel breaks the butterfly by embodied 4k girl!direction @aliensingucci​

“Out with it, Styles,” Louis groans. Harry’s suddenly regretting this whole thing, and she’s sure she’s beet red now, so she just blurts it out so fast she’s not sure if Louis even understands her right away.

“I’ve never gotten head before.”

AU. harry and louis are roommates. girls' night ends a little differently than usual.

🌙 you flower, you feast by stylinsoncity 18k

He's King of the Underworld, but don't assume Louis has it all. He could stand for some excitement in his monotonous, eternal life and maybe, even.....a soulmate.

(Despite not having a soul.)

And along came "Harry".

🌙 you change, water sea by got2ghost 4k girl!direction (ziam with side larry)

“Zayn wants me to teach her how to make a girl squirt,” Louis says, like it’s the most casual thing in the world. Liam chokes on the water she’d been swigging from her thermos, which makes Louis throw her head back and laugh. Zayn’s brows pinch together and she pats Liam gently on the shoulder, muttering, ‘you okay babes?’

🌙 The Case Of The (Definitely Not Haunted) Styles Mansion by BriaMaria 40k

“So there’s a sense of humor buried beneath all that condescension, huh?” Louis said when he’d stopped laughing.

“It’s not condescension, it’s intelligence. I understand you might not be able to recognize it yourself,” Marcel said, then slapped a hand over his mouth. “Oh god, I’m sorry.”

Louis stepped closer, his eyes on Marcel’s face. “For being an asshat?”

“For being rude,” Marcel said, from beneath his palm.

Louis shifted a half-step closer until he was at the very edge of Marcel’s personal space. It felt like he was nudging at it, asking to be let in. Marcel flushed hot for no reason.

“Lucky for you it takes quite a lot to actually insult me,” Louis said taking one step closer. Too close. Too close.

Marcel met Louis’ eyes. Those blue eyes that reminded Marcel of poetry instead of science, lyrics instead of formulas. They were so pretty he wanted to drown in them.

---

Or the Nancy Drew AU where Marcel is a man of logic, Louis is a private detective who believes in ghosts, and the Styles Mansion is definitely, absolutely, positively *not* haunted.

🌙 You are the Lyrics by TheIfInLife 4k @larryficwriter​

or, Harry wears lingerie for the first time and Louis definitely approves.

🌙 Wild at Heart Ain't Hard to Find by QuickedWeen 11k girl!direction @becomeawendybird

Louis and her best friends Niall and Liam always take an annual vacation together. This year Niall has picked Redwater Canyon, a small tourist town where everyone lives like it's the Old West. There are saloons, stagecoaches, and limited access to WiFi.

The town boasts tours, excursions, activities, and the hottest woman Louis has ever seen in the form of the local blacksmith.

🌙 Withdrawal Was the Weeping by QuickedWeen 11k girl!direction

Confined by life and society, Harry spends her Sunday afternoons walking aimlessly about the countryside as it's her only source of freedom. One Sunday she is aided by the most beautiful woman she has ever met, but not everything is as it seems. Was it a trick of the light? Was it Harry's own active imagination? There is nothing to do but try to find her again.

🌙 i must admit i thought i'd like to make you mine by disgruntledkittenface 50k @disgruntledkittenface​

Louis fell apart when her ex broke up with her and moved across the country. Just as she’s starting to move on, Zayn comes back to town for their mutual friends’ wedding – with a new girlfriend as her plus one.

Blindsided and scrambling to save face, Louis lets herself get talked into a fake relationship with her new friend Harry. Their arrangement makes Louis feel pathetic and embarrassed, but it’s only going to last a few weeks. She just has to get through the wedding – what could happen?

🌙 tempted by the fruit of another by disgruntledkittenface 3k (zayn/louis/harry)

Zayn didn’t mean to look. And she certainly didn’t mean to watch.

It’s just that Louis and Harry are the worst hosts in the world; they’re in their bedroom, clearly fucking (again), and so loud that Zayn can’t concentrate on her game of Among Us in the living room. Liam has killed her twice. Liam. So she just went down the hallway to make sure their bedroom door was at least closed.

It wasn’t.

Zayn stumbles into a world of possibility when she stays with Harry and Louis for a few weeks.

🌙 I have more favorite fics but they are not included here due to them being deleted from ao3. They’re saved in PDF form both on my laptop and my phone (I go back and read them all the time) so if you’re interested in those you’re welcome to reach out to me and ask privately and I’ll share what I can.

This turned out a lot longer than I had expected. If you read through the whole thing thank you! ✨

[indurarinks]

the mardi gras conundrum

( 9. ) “Acheron?” Beyond mere passing curiosity, it was the urgency supporting Bonnie’s need to understand the man sitting behind the wheel of his ridiculously expensive car that scalded her tongue. He was ever evasive, enigmatic and rarely straightforward where his past was concerned. But none of it quelled her demand to search for the truth. She didn’t seek it for personal gain either, she only sought to soothe the battle-weary hearts of her hunters. During the long weeks of bonding with each one of them, Bonnie convinced herself their inner peace was too valuable to be overlooked. Neither was the sharing type yet she was determined to help them heal wounds inflicted centuries ago, in a time innocence still characterised their human lives. And only the deepest betrayal could taint it. Riding in comfortable silence, Bonnie suspected the indecipherable Dark Hunter would resort to the infamous technique called feigned indifference where he pretended not to hear her while she would be forced into accepting his choice for silence. Stoic, and his features impassive, Acheron Parthenopaeus held all the charisma in the universe with full lips pressed against one another into a thin line. His gaze seemed focused on the road but behind that wall of opacity from his shades, Bonnie couldn’t be certain. And if her senses were correct, then he was, most definitely, eyeing her with the stealth of a predator. She felt the burn of his gaze on her. “Back at the comp—“ He sighed. As if the weight of the world had been dropped on his shoulders. “You want to know.” He interrupted her train of thought. “About the... incident from earlier.” The wilderness that rolled naturally from the contained storm of his voice offered her familiar security. A balm to her soul, she would never grow weary of it. It was almost as if he could read her innermost thoughts. And though she knew Dark Hunters possessed different gifts, Acheron seemed to be the rarity to that rule. The odd one out. Kyrian once told her he was the first one to be created. And she figured that was why he shared similar abilities to those of his brethren. Perhaps Kyrian and him were even more alike than her initial evaluation, conducted on the spot, back in Sanctuary when she first met Ash. Their personalities, however, differed significatively. “I—I probably can’t imagine...” she started but her words lost their direction when Acheron steered the Porsche into a new destination. No longer on their way toward the Garden District, it wouldn’t be long until Bonnie recognised St. Louis Cemetery’s aged iron gates. The car came to a stop near its old entrance. And without another word, he vacated the cramped space to welcome the fresh air of February. At first, Bonnie didn’t dare moving. She was paralysed in fear, mostly. The waters in which she swam were dangerous and treacherous, she knew of the promise navigating through the past and what it could potentially entail for the one taking a peek, even if brief, into that old chest of memories. She sensed barely contained pain, and worlds of sorrow and unrestrained grief. Outside, Acheron sat on the hood of his car. Alone. His chin slightly raised, it was obvious his gaze was lost to the skies already painted with the light tones of dawn. The night had come fast but the sun showed signs of similar elation for its return. It was now or never, she thought. As she opened the door on her side, left the car and took a seat next to him, Bonnie registered no movement from the embodiment of enigma himself. His shoulders slumped, his gaze finally sought refuge in wide-open doorway to her soul —those forest green eyes he had gotten lost in on multiple occasions before. But Bonnie wasn’t having any of it by allowing him to hide behind the comfort of his ever present shades. Hesitantly, and watching him from beneath curtains of thick lashes, her fingers took possession of his sunglasses as she slowly stripped his eyes naked. She knew what to expect but the gasp of appreciation still escaped. Liquid mercury swam quietly in his eyes as he watched her disarming him. Bonnie was the first and only one to accomplish that since his rebirth. And while he said nothing, a furious tic thrummed visibly along his jaw. She expected the momentary peak of anxiety after the bold exposure of him. A small grin stretching her lips, Bonnie folded his sunglasses and slid them inside her jeans pocket. For the time being, she was holding them hostage. Despite her calm facade, her heart suddenly became a professional gymnast as it did flips back and forth like there was no tomorrow. “It’s okay, Ash. If you prefer to keep your story to yourself,” she interrupted their silence at last. Besides panic and desperation, she was hit with a fathomless wave of grief the likes of which the young witch had never drowned in before. The raw intensity of these emotions flooring her, she was left breathless for several heartbeats. “I just... I hate seeing the torment of your past shadowing the light in your eyes.” Staggering from the onslaught of emotions, tears prickled her eyes. “You’ve been so hurt. I can sense it. I can.” Her chest rose and fell repeatedly. “You still bleed from your wounds. The past still holds you prisoner. And I don’t even know for how long! I can’t imagine the damage that’s caused on your soul.” Disturbed, Bonnie quickly wiped away the disgraceful tears that managed to escape her defences. The gates were now wide open. Beside her, her companion chose immediate silence. Frozen by the prejudice of his past, he walked trough the wastelands of memories without realising her fingers interlocked with his as she slid her palm on top of his massive hand. An earthquake-like tremor shook the whole of him. “It’s eleven thousand years.” He stated matter-of-factly. Surprise and shock registered on her face. It couldn’t be, her meagre knowledge of history told her it wasn’t possible. Yet, the exhaustion etched on his features spoke a whole different tale. “How is tha—?” She started. “That history lesson is too long and complex for tonight.” His gaze wandered to where their fingers stood united, Bonnie’s index finger stroking his knuckles. “And Bonnie? I’m soulless. All Dark Hunters are.” Promptly rolling her eyes, she smacked him on the arm. Like a masochist, he smiled down at her. “Ow.” Acheron massaged his arm, successfully allowing them both a reprieve from the growing tension. “That ought to teach you not to smart-mouth me! You know what I meant. It may not inhabit your body, Ash, but it’s still yours. Still bleeds. I can see it, you know?” The soft, tangent urgency to secure his understanding clung to the breaths expelled. Since the moment she had been brought into their lives, Bonnie had been silently collecting data, studying and gathering every ounce of information about her warriors. Acheron and Kyrian, in particular, as both had been the ones she had spent the most time with. After careful analysis of her research, she was fairly confident Ash loathed the thought of having someone at his back. He even recoiled with the exaggerated proximity of another. With that thought in mind, and wanting to test her theory, Bonnie leaned closer. Purposely invading his personal space. Even though it was minimal and discreet, he drew back. Inside her chest, the thin walls of her beating heart cracked. The desolation mirrored in those pools of mercury laying waste to the fields of her weeping soul. ───Just how much misery has he been put through? Persisting, she tried again. “Back at the Mikaelson’s, before Klaus showed up, you…” With her insides twisting in oceans of anxiety, she lifted her gaze to his face. The urge to see him impossible to bypass. He was now peering right through her. “I know.” Serene but resigned, the direction of his gaze shifted so that he was staring at the horizon whilst pushing closed fists into the pockets of his worn-out leather coat. Soon, the first timid rays of sunshine broke free. Tearing the darkness apart. Had she been sharing this moment with Kyrian, they’d be on their phrenetic way home. As a norm, Dark Hunters were banished from sunlight, yet their leader stood as exception to that rule. Nothing about Acheron Parthenopaeus was ordinary. After several minutes spent in absolute silence, and with a defeated sigh, she rose from the hood of the car and handed him his shades, certain he had murdered the topic and buried its corpse. Her hands tied, Bonnie decided to respect his deafening silence and privacy. “Come on. Let’s face King Stubborn. I can almost hear his tirade from here.” It was her way of letting him know of her decision. “It was my nephew.” Halfway through her march to her side of the car, Bonnie froze. Her curls bounced back and forth with the abrupt movement of her head as she looked back at him. She almost doubted she heard him when he didn’t elaborate. His tone had been so low as well, as if afraid of the damage the words would deliver. Hesitantly, she approached him again. ─── Was Acheron Parthenopaeus finally allowing her to take a peek into the fortress of solitude of his soul? The sunglasses still caged between his fingers, calloused by countless battles, Bonnie found herself peering deeply into the oceans of mercury of his eyes. Saying nothing, the petite woman simply reached for his hand, securing it between her fingers as she gave him a nod of encouragement. “He was murdered while I lay in a drunken stupor in the room next door. His death and my sister’s, his mother, are on me, Bon. Their blood still stains my hands.” Without pretending she was privy to all the details of that tragic night, Bonnie shook her head vehemently. “It wasn’t your fault, Ash. You would probably be killed too if you had gone into their room… And besides, something tells me you weren’t drunk because you felt like partying. You’re not that type. You were drowning. Weren’t you?” She lowered her chin while her thumb and index finger secured his. Turning his head her way, she then forced him to look back at her. “Weren’t you?” Again, she asked. “That’s no excuse, Bonnie.” Rising from his spot on the car hood, the Dark-Hunter swiftly made his way to his side of the car. “I let them die.” With a sense of finality, he tucked himself behind the wheel of his Porsche. But Bonnie couldn’t disregard the raw vulnerability drenching his words. The agony exuding enough to rob the air inside her lungs. Enough to inject her with a weakness capable of driving her to her knees. Leaning over the passenger’s seat, Acheron opened the door to welcome her inside. And without another word, she took her place beside him. A stirring of magic began tickling her senses then, like a foreshadowing of sorts. In the cramped space, Acheron touched her arm in the midst of shifting gears as he brought the engine to life. Taken by surprise, Bonnie gasped loudly. Not by the touch itself but the sudden flashes of ancient memories taking her brain hostage, without an ounce of mercy. Lying in a pool of his own blood, Acheron Parthenopaeus struggled to rise from the slippery floor of the grand palace. Lost to his anger and bloodlust, his attacker, a male figure of pure perfection with a golden aura, sank his knife into Acheron’s heart before slicing him open up to his navel like a hunted animal being gutted by a barbarous predator. The brutality of the scene alone successfully stealing the remaining air flowing through her lungs. “You died that night, too.” She stated in a whisper, haunted by the violence still burning behind her eyelids. This time around, he didn’t elaborate. But he watched her, from the corner of his eye with a strange light reflected on his gaze. The assertiveness supporting her revelation pushing him to put his every available resource to use, he was soon faced with a growing mystery Acheron couldn’t quite figure out yet. Still petrified by the sudden revelation on both parties, the pair rode in a rather strained silence for the remaining journey. At Kyrian’s antebellum mansion’s gate, the young witch finally dared a peek at the man sitting beside her. “Ash—“, she started only to be interrupted by him. “You don’t have to apologise, Bonnie.” He paused as if weighing the impact of his following words. “I wanted you to know. For some reason.” The air of mild astonishment clung to him furiously before quietly leaving her to her own thoughts as he braved the path toward the main entrance of Kyrian’s exuberant manor with regal superiority that bled from every pore without an ounce of vanity exuded. “One day, Ash. One day, you will tell me every secret you’ve buried deep in your soul. Then, I’ll set you free.” With that whispered vow, Bonnie vacated the car to follow him and, finally, confront her latest source of woe. Their gazes locked instantly as she stepped through the door. The cold morning’s timid breeze blowing, dragged her curls behind her shoulders as her fingers made haste to shield Kyrian from the invading sunlight. Even in darkness, the ancient Prince’s blonde curls glistened like an aura of mortal divinity. Incapable of staying unaffected, her heart quickened at the sight. And though his stance prevailed rigid and unfaltering, Kyrian stood silent. Almost defeated, and at a loss for words. In return, Bonnie’s demeanour evolved through different discharges of emotions as her thoughts raced through her mind. Neither willing to break the silence of discomfort. Drowning in conflict, she entertained their staring contest for a little longer just so she gave herself the time to examine the source of all her current heartache. Convinced her stubborn Dark-Hunter had recovered from most of the damage done to him the previous night, she finally mustered the courage to reveal her intentions of returning to Mystic Falls for a few days. “You look better already. That’s a relief.” Pause. Fidgeting fingers found temporary shelter in her jacket’s pockets. Then she cleared her throat. “Ash is taking me home for a couple of days.” ─── There. It’s done. Best to just blurt it out and take them both out of this misery. Unsure he had heard it right, he sought Acheron for clarification. Or any indication of the meaning behind her words. As the sole witness to their exchange, characterised by tension and uneasiness, Ash chose not to elaborate. Leaving that pleasant task to her. “I’m gonna find Nick. There’s something I need to discuss with him.” And just like that, he vanished toward the kitchen. Betrayal spoiled Kyrian’s patrician features. As a member of the male community, he had hoped his boss would join forces with him in solidarity. To dilute the growing tension building between him and Bonnie. But no, the old bastard slipped through the cracks at the first chance. “Why?” Defeated, he couldn’t even hide his dismay. It took him several heartbeats of aching silence to finally tear it apart. In his head, Kyrian had already demanded her all the answers but none were brought into the light. Only that broken whisper seemed to matter. “You know why.” She murmured back, without wasting a heartbeat. Though Bonnie wouldn’t admit it out loud, her poor bruised heart cracked even further. Pain oozed from it like poison as it continued to pump blood unknowingly of the destruction caused. Suddenly lightheaded, and with weakened knees, she sought swift support from the nearby sofa just to avoid worlds of embarrassment. His rejection had been enough. It stung like a viper’s attack and now she bled. She just wanted to bleed alone for a couple of days before raising her chin and throwing her misfortune over her shoulders as if nothing had transpired.

Guilt-ridden, at least he had the decency of showcasing remorse by fixing his stare anywhere but her eyes. “I’m going upstairs to pack. Can you, please, tell Acheron I’ll be ready in a few minutes?” Sighing in extreme desolation, she left him alone to his thoughts. The whole packing process didn’t take her even twenty minutes, she had been taken to New Orleans against her will after all. A bittersweet smile tugged at the ends of her lips as the memory of the first encounter with Kyrian invaded her thoughts like a Trojan’s horse. She nearly laughed reminiscing on their first exchange of words and how much he had feared her even though he had been the one kidnapping her. Instead, a choked sob escaped. Life had to have a grudge against her, she pondered. All her efforts to turn things around when nothing went right could never hold the walls that sustained any form of happiness. It took her a minute of sitting on the bed that had been hers for several weeks to pull herself together. Her emotions ran haywire and she was having some trouble taking their reigns. Once certain she wouldn’t break as easily in front of him, Bonnie grabbed the bag with her clothes. But as she was leaving her room, she felt the urge to leave a memento that would remind him of her. Aware of his instant appreciation for relics, Bonnie decided to gift him with one of her grandmother’s old necklaces, a witch’s talisman. Her favourite and most powerful. Hoping he would find it after her departure, Bonnie made her way downstairs to find both Kyrian and Acheron waiting for her in a silence that felt strange, thick with tension. “I’m ready to go.” She announced bravely while focusing her attention on the straps of her bag, avoiding Kyrian’s burning gaze. Sensing the unresolved tension between them, Acheron gave Kyrian a meaningful stare with a message only privy to them both before getting up and making his exit. “I’ll wait outside for you, Bonnie. Whenever you’re ready.” Emphasising that last sentence, Ash conveyed his belief the two of them should trade some parting words before her temporary departure. In silence, she nodded and waited until Acheron was outside. “I don’t want you to go, Bonnie.” Kyrian’s delivery almost like a plea took the young witch by surprise. She had expected to be one breaking the silence. “I can’t stay and pretend nothing happen. I’m not like that, Kyrian.” The anguish in her voice becoming more solid with each word. “If I’m coming back here to fight against this enemy alongside you then I need time to put my priorities in order.” Unable to withstand the sound of heartache in her voice, her fallen Prince closed the gap between them and took her face with both hands. Admiring the beauty of her strength, Kyrian closed his eyes for a few heartbeats as he cursed his very existence. For the first time in over two thousand years of solitude and misery, his heart awakened from a long death. But they could never be, regardless of his feelings toward her. That would be a direct insult to his vow and the goddess he served. Resting his forehead on hers, temptation bit him hard as they stood on the verge of goodbye. ─── I love you, Bonnie. The words never came. Instead, he breathed in her perfume. “At least let me be the one to take you home...” With tears prickling her eyes, she attempted her escape but he wouldn’t let her. Kyrian remained frozen as if willing to extend their moment. “I can’t. If I allow it, I’ll just delay the inevitable. Better to just rip it off and hope for the best.” Inside, every wall crumbled to the ground. There was shards of glass everywhere. She was a wreck, bleeding and the ruins of what could be would become unfinished dreams. “I should go now, Kyrian.” Fighting off a sobbing session, she rubbed her eyes to dry unspent tears. After all, nothing would change even if she cried. Opposite from her, an ancient warrior stood deep in thought. Tormented by visions of a future he never meant to have or share with another, Kyrian remembered the tragedy of his human days, mostly marked by the betrayal that had murdered him. An inner voice had once convinced him he was not worthy of love but looking down at her, the infamous “what if” tormented him aggressively. Saying nothing, her Prince pressed his lips to her forehead and closed his eyes to savour the bittersweet moment as he committed into memory every piece of her. “Be safe.” The softness of his whisper practically snuffed out Bonnie’s remaining strength as her knees buckled. With a tenderness that rivalled even her grandmother’s, Kyrian caressed her face one last time as if afraid he might not see her again. He was determined to make her departure the hardest one yet. Only by Bonnie’s perseverance did she manage to break them apart. “I will.” Finally turning around to leave, their fingers crossed paths in intimate touch and his self control flew out the window. Awakening from self-inflicted slumber, Kyrian closed his fingers around hers and pulled her back, drawing her into his body by surprise. He, then, stole her breath with a searing kiss, full of longing and unspoken promises her warrior vowed not to disclose in fear of what might befall her were he to defy the goddess he served. Bewildered, Bonnie gaped at him. Giving her half a smile, he knew he had to let her go but his fingers refused the separation by caressing her face while his midnight eyes dove deep into her soul. “You shouldn’t have done this.” The words came barely above a whisper as she enforced their physical distance by taking his hands hostage. “Goodbye, Kyrian.” Barely holding on, with the grip on her emotions fading with each heartbeat, she made a hasty retreat. The front door slammed, effectively shutting another chapter of her life as the weakened walls guarding her heart crumbled. She couldn’t breathe through the onslaught of heartache and agony. ─── Was this what she was destined for? Her gut-wrenching sobs, though quiet, didn’t go unnoticed by Acheron who waited for her by his Porsche. Rather unsure on how to approach her as Bonnie’s heart bled without restraint, he took calculated steps in her direction in hopes that she would note his presence. And she finally did. “I’m ready.” The strain she put on to have her voice sound remotely even through the remains of her shattered heart reinforced Acheron’s respect for her. Perturbed by her breakdown, the ever observant but quiet Dark Hunter offered her a modicum of solace by drawing her trembling frame into his chest, surrounding her with his strength through an unusual embrace. Massive hands stroked her hair with inimitable softness. “You’re an extraordinary woman, Bonnie Bennett.” The admiration reflected on his lilt administered a sense of temporary serenity. “Just remember it is not an obligation to be strong 24/7. Sometimes we have to drown before we can return to shore.” Struggling for words, she merely nodded. “Alright, then. Shall we go?” As if pulling a rabbit out of a magician’s hat, Ash offered her his hand. “We aren’t taking your car?” She asked, perplexed. Tearing a rift in her skies of grief, Acheron Parthenopaeus conjured a disarming smile she felt particularly victimised by. “No. Not this time. Have you ever traveled through the time-space continuum, also commonly known as teleportation?” Openly gaping at him, she then glanced at his exposed palm, the tears making it a near impossible feat. A stirring of excitement unleashed a few wild butterflies in her stomach as her fingers touched Acheron’s calloused hand. “Should I be afraid? How does it work?” Like any other creature, she grew hesitant just as treaded these unknown waters. “For me, it’s like breathing. Do you trust me?” Assuming an almost defensive posture as if expecting the worst, he stared at her intently from behind his trusted sunglasses. Waves of relief rolled off of him when she nodded. “You know that I do.” His fingers had barely taken possession of hers when he dipped his head to whisper in her ear, “You can open your eyes now, Bonnie. You’re home.” She did. One glance around them confirmed his claim. In fact, he even brought them to her grandmother’s unkept porch, once again proving her his powers far exceeded those of his brethren. Apart from the light discomfort in her stomach, she felt fairly confident on her competence to teleport. “It was easier than I expected…” She mumbled as realisation gutted her. She was back. Back in Mystic Falls, her so-called cursed birthplace.

[got2ghost-archive]

happy 10th birthday to one direction here is a trans louis fic i will never finish

3 months on T. 

Louis wasn’t angry often before T. Rambunctious and always loud, loud, loud, but never quite as pissed off as he feels all the time now. T is deepening his voice and making his chin grow a few hair and chiseling his jaw, and stretching out his bones until they form new fault lines. He’s like tectonic plates underneath his skin; but he feels like a rocket, spiraling off into space, like one of the ones that don’t make it and just explode from a loose screw, a miscalculation — no survivors. 

He notices it first when he catches his mum packing away some dresses he used to have to wear for donation. She’d gotten so tearful for a second, when she thought he couldn’t see her and she’d hugged the pink, floral pattern fabric to her chest and buried her head in it and cried, like someone had died. And he got so fucking angry, seeing her like that. He wanted to march in there, rip the dress out of her hand and tear it to shreds. I’m right here and that was never me. Stop having a funeral for a daughter who was never a daughter. 

Instead, he storms out the house, down the street, takes a sharp right and up the hill until he can let out a scream that bubbles up the veins in his throat. A flock of birds startle and fly out of the trees and he watches them, unprepared for the wind catching them to and fro. He feels better, less angry. And then guilty.

He loves his mum and she had been unsurprised somehow, when he told her he was a boy. She’d been supportive and took him to his first doctor’s visits, signed the papers to get him hormones, bought his first binder. 

Something is wrong with me, he thinks, burying his face in his hands. 

He calls Stan, because Stan’s his best mate and has been since they were still wetting their nappies together and nothing has changed, even though Louis’ name is different and he’s got to stick a needle in his thigh every day. He doesn’t even wait for Stan to say hello, just blurts out, “Is something wrong with me?” Stan takes a moment. He can hear him breathing through his nostrils. “What’re you on about?” “I almost yelled at me mum, is what. Over nothing! She was putting away dresses to donate at work, me old ones, and I almost yelled at her for crying over them. I feel like— shit. I feel like a shit son. I feel like a shit person.” 

“Nah, nothing’s wrong with you. Just going through puberty again, ain’t you?” Stan says, easily enough. “Remember at Tommy’s birthday. We were fourteen or summat and I had like—” “You ate half the cake before Tommy—” “Yeah, and then tossed it all up and then shouted at you when you were trying to clean up after me, like I almost punched you, which wouldn’t of been right at the time.” “Because I was a girl?” Louis says, narrowing his eyes. “Yeah, well no, sort of, but because you were my best mate and you was just trying to help me out, you dick’ead. Anyway, puberty, innit? Just go apologize to your mum, even if you didn’t yell at her. It’ll make you feel better.”

Louis sighs. “Okay, you’re right. Can you come round for a pint, first? I’m fuckin’ starving.” “Yeah, alright. See you in a bit.”

Louis gets his favorite plate and a pint and feels better by the time he goes staggering home. 

----

1 year on T.

It hadn’t actually occurred to Louis that he might actually be gay until he’s stuck in a small cabin in the French Alps with Stan, Stan’s girlfriend Anika, her group of friends: Mark, Celine, Danny, Gemma, and Gemma’s younger brother, Harry.

He thought it might be silly to just only now be thinking about his sexuality and having a mild crisis about it when he was a 19 year old man; but then the little Stan voice in his head (not the actual Stan, who was too busy snogging his girlfriend Anika, these days) told him that he’d spent the last year a bit busy with the whole transitioning thing. It was probably normal and alright that he hadn’t come round to thinking about boys or girls, their bits mixing around with his bits. He hadn’t properly dated anyone in school, as he was too busy rebelling, cutting his hair, taping his name to his chest, and spending all of his brain power correcting people using the wrong name and the wrong pronoun.

The fire crackled on. Their ski gear piled in a wet corner. Louis wiggled his still numb toes, trying to listen to Anika’s friends tell a story and not stare at Harry, who was very fucking captivating to look at. Louis would even go as far as saying he was beautiful. He had green eyes and a ridiculous mop of curly hair, and a propensity for touching and biting his puffy, pouty, chapped lips. Louis could not stop staring at him, which he was beginning to worry was very rude. 

Harry looked up and caught his eye and Louis’ heart squeezed in his chest. He stood up, abruptly and Stan’s head whipped up with him, eyebrows raised. “Toilet,” Louis whispered to him and then skipped out of the room, heart still pounding in his chest. 

“Me too,” Harry said, and Louis wanted to cry out No! But he couldn’t, obviously. He nodded and then headed off to the bathroom upstairs, each wood floor creaking beneath his feet and drowning out the cacophony of teenage hormones downstairs.

“I didn’t actually have to use the toilet. Just wanted to get away for a bit,” Louis admitted over his shoulder. “Are you having a good time?” Harry’s surprisingly deep voice cut into his thoughts. “Huh? Yeah. Me and Stan haven’t skied up here in a few years. What about you?” “This is my first time skiing. My sister’s mad that she had to take me with her, cause mum wouldn’t let her off without me. I dunno, trying to have fun. I think I’m a bit rubbish at skiing, and then everyone here is, like, a couple. Cept for you and me, of course. Um, unless, do you have a girlfriend… back home?”

“No, I haven’t. Have… you? Or anyone you like?” Louis fished for an answer, feeling very much like he was a grade-schooler again. 

“No,” Harry said, touching his lips again. “Everyone back in Holmes Chapel is like…. heterosexual,” Harry said, keeping eye contact with Louis, who went a little warm. Harry said like a lot, like he watched a lot of American telly and would some day end up in California, being openly gay, and all. “That sounds awful,” Louis supplied helpfully and Harry broke out into a grin. 

“I joined up LGBT groups in my area, but they don’t meet very often. I just want to get out of there and be in Manchester already. I’ve heard they have a good gay scene there.” “Is that where you want to go to Uni?” Harry nodded, his curls bouncing. He swept it back and Louis briefly saw the spots along his forehead. They were very cute, but he could tell Harry was self conscious of them because he fussed his hair back in place as quickly as possible. 

Louis started to feel especially sweaty in his binder, underneath his jumper. His nipples were so fucking itchy, it was driving him absolutely crazy. He wanted to reach under and palm at them and then all he could think about was the cream he had tucked away in his bag downstairs. “How long have you known Stan?” “Since I was a baby. We grew up together.” “Oh. Are you like, jealous of them? Stan and Anika?” Louis wasn’t sure what Harry was fishing for. Was it just an innocent question or did he want to know if Louis was secretly in love with his best friend or something. “Nah,” Louis said, stretching back. “Anika’s a nice girl and she makes Stan happy. Sometimes it is annoying when I want to hang out with Stan, but I’ve got other mates too and when I’m starting up Uni this year, I’m planning on making more friends.” Harry seemed somewhat disappointed by this answer and Louis wasn’t sure what he’d said wrong. “I’m jealous of Gemma. She’s always got boyfriends. I’m seventeen now and I haven’t even properly kissed anyone since I was thirteen and that was a dare.” 

[larryfanficwriter98]

Chapter Fifteen

*Fake It Until You Make It Real*

The closer they got to the fifteenth the more Louis noticed how nervous Harry became and how stressed he seemed. Louis also noticed Harry's lawyer calling more often which seemed to only stress Harry out more. Louis did everything he could to calm me down and comfort him, but he didn't exactly know what to do or say so he didn't know if he was much help. Despite Harry reassuring him he was helping plenty. When the morning of the fifteen arrived Louis had made sure he and Freddie had been excused so they were there for Harry.

"You really didn't have to be here but I'm glad you are. I told my family not to come, but they never listen to me. They've been to each one so far." Harry said as they entered the courthouse, Harrying holding Louis' and Freddie's hands as he was between them.

"Of course, I was going to be here." Louis said gently, "we're in this together after all remember." Harry kissed his hand before he pushed open the door that led to a waiting area where Harry's family and his lawyer.

"Good morning." Anne said walking over to them and each of them tightly, "how's my baby doing?" She asked rubbing Harry's arm.

"He's been extremely nervous the past two weeks." Louis told her as he snuggled into him, "I don't think I've been much help."

"Oh, hush you've been great." Harry said kissing his temple, "have you seen Maddie yet?"

"Very briefly. We're actually about to go talk to her, me and Johnathan." Gregory said as he checked his watch, "there's absolutely no way you won't get at least scheduled visitations."

"I know I've just lost a lot of these."

"I know but this year is different."

No one mentioned why exactly this year was different and Harry for a moment felt weird about how he had found Louis. Not that he regretted it, but he just wished it were true, that they had met normally and been together for a year and were in love and getting married for the right reasons. Not he needed a husband to see his daughter. He looked over at Louis as he talked with his mother, Freddie sitting on his lap. Was it too soon to be in love? Was it too soon to actually marry him because he wanted to keep him at his side forever? Harry didn't know but he did know that his crinkly eye smile made his heart race and his sass made him laugh harder than he ever remembered laughing. He knew that Freddie had a special place in his heart just like Maddie did and he knew that he wanted to see Louis round bellied full of a child Harry had given him. He knew he wanted to wake up at three in the morning to see Louis feeding their baby either by nipple or bottle, he didn't care. He knew he wanted to see Louis covered with kids...grandkids even...maybe a few great grandkids if they were lucky enough. Harry knew he wanted to see Louis every morning for the rest of his life. Yes, here he was worried that being in love with him was too soon. He scoffed at himself and pulled himself from his thoughts noticing Louis was now standing upfront of him looking amused.

"Sorry I was lost in thought."

"I could tell. What were you thinking about?"

"How lucky I am to be able to spend every day of my life with you." Harry said honestly watching as Louis looked shocked for a split second before he grinned as he stared at him.

"Every day huh?"

"Every single one."

"Even the bad ones?"

"Especially the bad ones." Harry said leaning in to kiss him sweetly, "I'm very lucky you know."

"Well so am I and so is Freddie. He's really...grown a lot this past month and it's all because of you. So independent compared to two months ago. I hate and love it at the same time."

"You think so?"

"I know. He's very lucky to have such a great man to look up to...after me of course." Harry grinned as he looked at him a little teary eyed, "oh darling come here. Darling you are such a great man and such a wonderful dad to Maddie." Louis said gently as he pulled Harry down to hold him.

Harry wrapped his arms around his waist and buried his face into his neck holding him tightly as his shoulders shook lightly. Louis vowed to tell him every day how great of a father and man he was from now on as he rubbed his back. When they pulled away Louis wiped the left-over tears away and smiled up at him. Louis knew he should say those words, should say them for multiple reasons, but he also knew that it was too soon. It was much too soon and damn him he wouldn't tell him those words to comfort him because them Harry may not believe them. So instead, he put those words into a loving kiss that he pressed to Harry's lips, because that was the best he could do at the moment.

***

Louis sat beside Anne and held her hand with Freddie on his lap once they entered the courtroom. Louis would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous, but he was also very confident that Harry would be able to see Maddison regularly. Even if it were just every other weekend for now, he was confident Harry would be able to see her. He also knew Harry would do everything he could at work to be able to spend at much time with her when he did have her even if it meant more nightshifts. Louis would miss him at night, but he also knew that it would be worth it and a tiny sacrifice he would have to make. Harry would work nights, sleep while they were gone, then be up for after school hours before going to work before or after dinner. Well Louis assumed that's how that would work, and Louis would be okay with that, would be willingly to lose Harry at night so Harry had Maddie during the day. He'd miss him and it'd be hard, but it'd be okay.

"We are going to start with the dates Mr. Styles has asked for first which are either the twenty third, fourth, fifth, or sixth of December. Reason being he has not seen his daughter at all during the holidays for three years. Is that true Miss Carpenter?"

"Yes, because hasn't asked in advance. You see we have so many families that they each want to see Maddison and of course I want her for Christmas, so Harry just usually drops a handful of presents off at the apartment. Small things really nothing worth going over to his place with." Hannah said evenly as if it made perfect sense.

"That is because Harry keeps the bigger things at his house because he knows space is limited and he wanted to have toys for Maddison there for when she visits. I have pictures and receipts of everything he bought her for holidays and birthdays over the last three years." Gregory interjected.

"Yeah, because that's not suspicious." Hannah mumbled getting a look from her lawyer.

"Can I see those?" The judge asked. A thick file was handed over to the court officer who then handed it to the judge. The judge looked through the pictures and receipts, screenshots of text messages from him and Harry of what Harry sent over to Hannah's place for Maddison.

"And this room is a toy room correct?" The judge asked showing a picture of the playroom.

"Yes. That is the newest picture with my stepson’s- um soon to be stepson’s toys in them as well. It's why those aren't listed." Harry explained and Louis couldn't help the small smile that spread on his face hearing Harry say it so casually.

"And that is that little boy?"

"Yes Freddie. They just moved in."

"Is there a reason you didn't send the fire tablet over to Miss Carpenter's place this year like you have the previous years?"

"I felt like it was being used too much over there, so I made the decision to keep it at my place. Maddison would come over and sit on the couch playing her tablet and if I took it from her, she would throw a huge tantrum. I didn't want her obsessed with the thing, so she has it very rarely and with Freddie over now she hardly asks for it."

"Miss Carpenter any comment?"

"I gave her the tablet whenever she was bored. That's why I asked Harry to buy it so she wouldn't be bored. It entertained her."

"Why was she bored? Didn't she have toys to play with?"

"Of course, she did she just didn't want to, or she wanted me to play with her and I couldn't so to compromise I gave her the tablet."

"How old was she at this time?"

"I don't know like four?"

"She was three and four." Harry offered.

"Thank you, Mr. Styles. I am going to grant you the afternoon of the twenty third through the morning of the twenty fifth. Miss Carpenter you will see you daughter the afternoon of the twenty fifth. The twenty third Maddison will be dropped off at Mr. Styles' location at two in the afternoon. Thirty minutes late will be a penalty against you Miss Carpenter. Mr. Styles you will drop Maddison off at Miss Carpenter's location at two in the afternoon the afternoon of the twenty fifth. Thirty minutes late will be a penalty against you. That thirty-minute window is not an invitation to be late. It is me being nice considering the weather and traffic. If you do get stuck in traffic you are to record it until you get to the location. Am I clear?"

"Yes ma'am." Louis didn't need to see Harry to know he was grinning; he could hear it in his voice and could feel it on his own face. Anne squeezed his hand and he looked over saw she was already crying as quietly as she could.

"The second set of dates are January seventeenth through February fourth. "

"Absolutely not!"

"REASON being is his wedding and instead of going on a honeymoon Mr. Styles and his husband will be taking the kids on a family trip. They will leave the twenty first and will return the second and the extra few days will help her adjust to the time zone. I am granting this request and Mr. Styles will drop her off at Miss Carpenter's location at four in the afternoon on the fourth which is a Monday. If she goes to school that day, then Miss Carpenter can pick her up after school." Hannah huffed but wisely didn't say anything, "now on to visitation. What are you two thinking?"

"I think it should be up to me like it has been the last three years." Hannah said, "Harry's job is too unpredictable and changed too much to be reliable."

"While that is true and I can understand where you and the everyone from the past is coming from, I disagree with their decisions. That doesn't matter anyway, Mr. Styles now has a much more flexible hour schedule due to a number of coworkers agreeing to take his place if he needed them too. Also Mr. Styles' fiancé works at the same school your daughter attends therefore is able to take her home and drive her to school as well as be there during the hours Mr. Styles can't. Maddison has expressed great comfort and a great relation with Mr. Tomlinson so I see no reason why he can't be a guardian for her while in the care of her father's. Mr. Tomlinson has a son and has experience raising little girls from his young siblings, and Maddison talks very highly of him. By my accounts they are more than capable and responsible enough therefore Mr. Styles did you have a specific schedule you were thinking?"

"Honestly, every other weekend is fine. I just wanted to see her."

"You act like you never see her." Harry ignored her and the judge raised an eyebrow at her, "he just seen her for Halloween."

"Yes, and he was supposed to have her longer, but you changed your mind and tried to accused him of parental kidnapping. I've seen both videos, I'm not impressed. Mr. Styles will have Maddison every other week Monday to Monday starting this Monday. Monday when Maddison arrives at school, she will be in Mr. Styles' care until Monday when he or Mr. Tomlinson drops her off then she will be in Miss. Carpenter's care. Then it will repeat the only exception will be the scheduled days I've granted. Following that schedule Mr. Styles you will have your daughter the week of her birthday which falls on a Friday, so we do not need to schedule a time for you to see her. On the matter of custody Mr. Styles gets shared custody rights and Mr. Lambert is denied the adoption request again. Anything else?"

"You're just giving my daughter to him?"

"No, I'm letting a father see his daughter more than two times a year as well as during a time a major change will be happening that will affect not only his life, but hers as well." Hannah huffed but remained silent.

"My client is also asking for more child support to help support her learning disability." Hannah's lawyer said making Louis' eyes widen as he looked at them.

"Mr. Styles is paying four thousand a month in child support to Miss. Carpenter."

"Yes, but that was three years ago, he's making more money now and there's another income in the house now. Miss Carpenter is finding it hard to buy her child what they need with how little she is receiving."

"Mr. Styles I will be reducing your child support payments from four thousand to one thousand a month. Not only will you be having her half of the time now you are also paying for a tutor as well as even though it falls under Miss Carpenter's responsibility. Now is there anything else we need to discuss? No? Good. In six months, we will hold another court date and follow up on the visitation and custody arrangement. We will also discuss America and what is best for Maddison. Child Protective Services will be in and out of your homes at random. They will be looking for various things however I will not divulge that to you. They will also be at the school and will be taking with her teacher and discussing her education and what she talks about. Please stay to collect your schedules and packets. Have a good day." Louis grinned standing up and opening his arms out for Harry who immediately ran into them.

"Every other week. Lou I'm getting her every other week."

"I know Darling, and you have her for the holidays and her birthday and the wedding. See you should never doubt me I told you it would all be okay." Harry laughed as he pulled away.

"Of course, you turn this into an I'm right you’re wrong situation." Harry said though he was grinning as he cupped Louis' face before he kissed his forehead. Then he turned and hugged Anne then Gemma and Robin. They headed back to the side room while Gregory headed to a different room with Hannah's lawyer. They sat there for an hour before Gregory came back with files, one of them he handed to Harry.

"That is your schedule, the days in red are your days and the days in blue are Hannah's. The school holidays are divided equally and there is also a paper for the school to inform them whatever they tell Hannah they also must call you. So, if she's hurt, needs clothes, or needs picked up you'll get a call. It now goes Hannah, you, Louis, and then Daniel. Hannah is definitely not happy about that."

"Thank you." Harry said as he looked over the papers, "when does the child support change?"

"Next month. Two hundred and fifty will be taken out every week from your pay. So, these next two weeks you will still lose one thousand each pay, but next month it'll only be two fifty. Honestly, them asking for more even though you pay for everything was just ridiculous. No judge would have raised that four thousand for one child is insane. This was a relatively easy win for us, fighting for custody shouldn't be too hard especially since she doesn't know you want to. She won't be expecting it until they tell her lawyer closer to the court date, which is May twenty-third, I think her lawyer will be informed in March, she will probably lash out so be prepared for that and they will start to focus on Louis and Freddie. It'll get extremely messy in April."

"Thank you."

"Come on let's go out for lunch. My treat." Robin said, "we can talk about when we can take Maddie for a few hours over food."

[katsukikitten]

Flustered

A/N Daddy Kiri doesn't get a lot of love from me. So have a one shot of him

Kirishima did not often let himself succumb to desire for many reasons. One being he wanted more than just a one night stand. He was a gentleman, he wanted a family but the main reason he avoided it if he could was because he had no time to give a significant other. That was a fact he thought would be unfair to them and to a future family.

But then you walk through those double doors at the agency with FatGum, laughing. Putting the ruby haired man in a trance. Sun eater stands silently beside him, eyes dissecting the scene that unfolds.

"I've just never seen you so skinny before Onjisan." Another giggle echos in the lobby before you place a hand on Fatgum's bicep. The worry apparent as it swims in your eyes.

"I'll be fine Y/N-chan. Really." He pulls you into a tight hug, pressing you against hardened muscle that you wish were fat. His bear hugs never used to be this bruising.

"Okay uncle you'll wrinkle my outfit!" A bite to your voice and Fatgum laughs as he let's go, "I've got a large lunch coming up to your one o clock meeting. Be sure to bring your appetite."

Kirishima watches you smooth your starched white shirt and black pencil skirt, he let's his eyes travel down your frame pausing on your hips before sliding down those long powerful legs, feet donning red bottomed shoes.

"I want to be wrapped in between those." He thinks to himself before shaking his head. Realizing that he is giving into something he truly has no time for.

"Yes ma'am." Toyomitsu play salutes before spying his two favorite young heroes. Although both are well into their twenties Fatgum cannot help the pride that swells in his chest when he lays eyes on them. It swells enough that it floods onto his face as a wide smile.

"Red Riot, Suneater!" He calls from across the room, hand guiding you towards the two men.

"This is my niece, Y/N, she is new to the city. Y/N, this is Red Riot and Suneater." Fat gum introduces the three of you.

"Kirishima and Tamaki. I've heard a lot about you. So much so one would think you were my Uncles son's." A deadly cat smile plays on your lips before you bow slightly, "A pleasure to meet you. I am the new assistant for Fatgum. Should you need anything I will be just outside his office."

"I'd love to take you to dinner." Kirishima startles himself when he realizes the words that have so smoothly yet so utterly stupidly left his mouth. He scratches the back of his head with an awkward laugh, trying to keep his hands from hardening out of habit.

"So I can show you the city I mean." He looks to FatGum whose eyes are mixed with a number of emotions. Emotions like excitement, worry.

He thinks better of it, moon colored eyes slip over the young hero before he laughs.

"Great idea Ejirou!" A strong arm wraps tightly around broad shoulders, "Y/N?"

Ruby eyes glitter as they fixate on something more rare and beautiful than the Mona Lisa. Watching your well manicured hand slip hair behind your pierced ear as your plump lips curve upward in a deadly smirk.

"Pick me up at six tonight then, Eijirou." His first name sounds like a song as it leaves you, sending a hot flush to his face.

"Ah six...right." He laughs nervously again, "Wait like here at six?"

"That's your shift for the day correct? Light patrolling, you aren't on call according to my records and you seem up to date on your paper work. So yes here. At six." You sashay past him, filling his nostrils with Chanel No 5.

He stays stunned as his former mentor's grip tightens around his shoulders, Kirishima is turned towards the elevator for the meeting, solely moving by Fatgum's account.

"She's amazing isn't she?" He laughs whole heartily although his grip tightens once more causing Kirishima to wince, "I assure you though if you hurt her, you'll wish it was me you had to answer to."

He lets go of Kirishima then, wide smile back on his face as Suneater enters the small space.

"Ah Tamaki did you hear my lovely niece? She said to bring out appetites!"

Kirishima looks at the time on his phone, gulping down his worry.

Where the hell was he going to take you?

He didn't have much time to figure it out, just a few short hours to hopefully whine and dine you depsite what his gut is telling him.

That it's wrong to use this as an excuse to take her to dinner and then what?

According to his semi hard on it would be taking you home and undresssing you slowly so he can savor all of it.

He glances at FatGum and thanks Kamisama that his quirk is not to read minds. He swallows his desire whole only to choke on it as thoughts of you dance is those red bottom heels in his mind.

The day comes and goes in a blur of light conversation, blaring background noise of the city to deafening silence of his office. Eji stares at the clock waiting for 5:30 so he can at the very least take a quick shower and change into his civilian clothes.

He jogs down the steps to the locker room in the basement hoping that the outfit folded in his locker is somewhat presentable.

Nothing that neither screams date nor show boaty.

He sighs with relief when he sees his favorite pair of dark blue jeans, a black t shirt and his softened dark brown leather jacket with brown boots nestled at the foot of the locker. He reaches for his soap as he removes his face mask dropping it behind his boots, stripping himself of his pants before sauntering to the showers.

He takes longer than he'd like as he rushes back to his locker for his destined outfit. Bareback sculpted by Adonis himself, dripping warm droplets onto the shower floor as he quickly towel dries his ruby hair. Styling it with gel after he shoves on his shirt. Chewing a handful of mints with sharp teeth as he sprays himself lightly with Polo black hoping that it is something that you will like.

He rushes up the stairs two at a time as he checks his matte black watch.

5:55pm is what it reads. He stops just before the door that leads to the lobby. Catching his breath, smoothing his hair into place and pulling at the sleeves of his jacket to straighten it.

"Pull yourself together. It's not even a fucking date." He says to his reflection in the glass before opening to door that slams behind him.

Sealing his fate.

Because now that he had laid his eyes on you desire will burn into his veins until he is buried hilt deep in you.

He watches as you turn your head, looking over your shoulder to spy him. You smile when you meet his gaze, sauntering over in your casual outfit as well.

Ruby eyes are glued to your every movement as you step in those damn black heels with the red bottoms, a bouncy deep red blouse that flows gradually from your shoulders only to become tight as it snakes around your wrists. Wrapping itself around your rack revealing a bit of cleavage as you wear a droplet garnet necklace to match. The blouse is tucked into a pair of black jeans that is tastefully tight as they cling to your thick thighs, hips and ass.

CLACK

CLACK

CLACK

The sound of those heels drives him especially mad as they echo back to him in the busy lobby. All he can think about is that sound echoing back to him in the semi darkness of his room, stiletto kissing hardwood floors as you sashay to him sitting on the edge of the bed wearing nothing but red bottomed shoes.

He knows he isn't the first man your Louis Vuitton's have driven mad and he knows he will not be the last.

He just hopes he'll be the only one you wear them for.

"Earth to Red Riot?" You waved your black clawed hand across his face as he seems in a daze, giggling to yourself as you've never seen a man so obviously interested in you before.

There is something about his subconscious honesty. An innocence to it before he does come back to Earth with a sharp toothed grin and hardened eyes that has your stomach doing flips.

Although you would never dare show it. Instead you giggle as you mentally move the next game piece, knowing full well your next line would ignite a furious blush a color that even his eyes would envy.

"Come on Eijirou, we are already ten minutes into our date!" You turn on your heel, not allowing yourself the satisfaction as you walk towards the busy city street. When you do not hear foot steps behind you, you once again look over your shoulder. Sure to position yourself in a way that your ass seems extra prominent.

You see him fight to keep his eyes from your toned body that you work extremely hard to maintian. Allowing yourself, for once, to bask in a man's obvious admiration as you fight back the smile curling on your lips. Noting his blush as he bites his own. Sending something wild through your blood before you choose your words carefully. Almost hoping you will be saying them later.

"Come for me Eijirou."

[ilikebeesandflowers]

Day 8: Heartless

Suptober20

Tags: Sam POV, OFC, original MOTW, casefic

Sam looked puzzled. “Whatever this is, it’s not a werewolf,” he mused.

“I mean, it’s a textbook werewolf attack, right?” Dean seemed out-of-sorts; physically, he was here, but ever since they arrived in town, he’d had his head buried in his phone.

“But check out the chest wound.”

Dean peered at the corpse on the table. “There. Isn’t one.”

“Right? The coroner’s report clearly states that the guy had been mauled, so when she said he was heartless, I just assumed... This is something else.”

“Yep, something else,” Dean muttered.

Sam was officially past wondering about his brother’s level of disengagement and was now pushing into perturbed territory. “Listen, Dean, I don’t know what is so fascinating about your phone, but can you at least try to pay attention? This thing, whatever it is, is still out there!”

Dean jerked his head up. “Huh? Whatever.” He drifted out the door, back to the coroner’s office, Sam presumed.

Until he heard a shout. A struggle. A gruff snarling growl and higher pitched pleading.

“Dr Colby?” Sam raced to the outer offices, looking for the source of the sound. “Dean? Where are you?” He pulled up short at the door to the lobby. A woman lay panting on the floor, deep claw marks on her arms, torso, face. Just like the body now lying in the morgue.

“You’re the receptionist, right?” The woman nodded, feebly. “Who did this to you? Did you see your attackers?”

“Attacker. One attacker.” She struggled to sit upright. Sam extended a hand; she took it. Then she looked him dead in the eyes. “It was the other agent. Agent DeYoung. He went that way,” she rasped, pointing out towards the street.

He hated to leave her alone like this but what choice did he have? Either Dean was possessed or something was wearing his face. He had to catch up to him.

“I’ll send help. Promise.”

He got to the car without seeing any trace of Dean. He tried shouting for him; no answer. His phone went to voicemail. Sam checked for his location.

He stopped cold.

Dean was still in the building!

He ran back inside, suddenly aware that the once-bustling lobby was deserted. No one waiting to speak to a clerk, and no clerks either. He felt a chill, and he was fairly certain it wasn’t a cold spot. Something was very wrong here.

“Dean!” He passed the place where he’d left the coroner’s receptionist, but she was gone, not so much as a bloodstain to indicate that she’d ever been there. “Dean!” He shoved open every door in the hallway and found nothing but uninhabited offices. Like everyone had simply gone home for the day. At two in the afternoon on a very ordinary Thursday. “Dean!”

He returned to the morgue. The body was gone! Again, no trace of blood.

Sam had to stop, had to collect himself. He propped himself against an unoccupied desk and squeezed his eyes shut. What did he know? Dean was being weird, an entire office building of regular government employees had seemingly fucked off to who-knows-where, and two deeply wounded persons, one of whom was actually dead, had vanished.

The hearts.

He reached deep into his memory. Hadn’t there been some saint that had been fatally mauled by wolves, only to rise from the dead and proclaim that he’d been resurrected by God himself? Yes. He died many years later of old age, and his body was miraculously preserved as a relic. Just a few years ago, the Church had ordered a restoration of his remains, and the preservation experts performed a CT scan. Turns out, the sainted mummy had no heart. No chest wounds (his body was otherwise intact), nor could the scientists point to any intentional mummification processes to explain the absence.

Shortly thereafter, the remains were lost. Supposedly, the hospital where they ran the tests sent him off for cremation, but there was no paper trail to corroborate the story. Folks chalked it up to general ineptitude and didn’t think to follow up.

What if the mummy wasn’t dead, though? What if it had escaped and was now stalking St Louis, turning people, making them disappear.

No. Making them not care.

The monster inflicted apathy on bystanders. Then it- what? Shredded the victims? Stole their hearts out of their ribcages, without ever breaking the skin?

A thought occurred to him, and he suddenly understood what was happening.

He had to find Dean.

In the employee parking lot behind the building, Sam hit the jackpot. At least twenty drivers sitting in their cars, all engrossed in their phones or staring quietly into space, all with looks of barely simmering frustration. Among them, lounging against a dumpster (gross) was Dean. He was still unharmed! But still glued to his screen.

Sam didn’t bother to attract his attention. Somewhere, one of these zombies was actually a centuries-old mummy. Kill the sire, break the spell? He could only hope. But how to pick him out?

He spotted the receptionist in a late-model sedan, one that struck him as just a bit pricier than a municipal staffer might typically afford. She and three passengers had the same posture as everyone else in the parking lot: head down, eyes glazed, empty.

He knocked on her window, and she jumped, startled. None of the other people in the car moved a muscle. He recognized Dr Colby among them. He motioned for her to roll down the window. “Sandy, right?” He asked. “Glad to see you recovered so quickly.” She squinted up at him but said nothing. “Listen, Sandy, I wonder if you have a key to the morgue. I think I left my wallet in there.”

“How careless,” came a deep voice, spoken by her and not at all.

He tried not to grimace. He forced a smile instead. “Yeah, I’d lose my own head if it wasn’t attached. So can you let me in?”

“One moment please,” the voice rumbled. A receptionist’s words in the voice of an ancient malevolent evil.

Sam smiled again.

The receptionist unfolded herself from the car and stepped briskly to the employee entrance. She tapped a key card from the lanyard around her neck.

As the door chirped its welcome, Sam plunged a red-tinged knife into the hollow at the base of her skull. “Heartless One, I name you false saint. With the blood of an unbled victim, you die.”

The monster gave one last scream, rising suddenly to the scream of the human receptionist, Sandy, before both voices were caught on the wind and carried away. The knife slipped from the flesh as the figure crumpled. Sam’s chest heaved once. Was that enough?

“Sam?”

He turned. “Dean?”

“What’s going on? I thought we were going on a hunt. Why are we at - what, the DMV?”

Sam grabbed him up in a bear hug. The back of Dean’s neck was still bleeding where Sam had christened the blade, but he hadn’t yet noticed the injury.

“We were, we did. It was a blood wight. It infected your heart. That’s why the hearts were missing. It infects the heart with apathy, and when the flesh of the heart has been devoured, the victim becomes a blood wight in turn. They normally only create one or two offspring in a century, but this one...” He gestured at the stunned professional types, staggering away from their vehicles and blinking in the sunshine. “Hello, Dr Colby,” he said, greeting a middle-aged woman in a white coat; the woman just glared as she hurried past him.

Dean screwed up his face. “Man, either I started drinking way too early, or you did. What?”

Sam laughed, his heart feeling remarkably light. Buoyant. “I’ll catch you up on the way home. I’m driving.”

“What? Why?”

“Because I know where the Impala is, and you don’t.”

Dean scowled. He dug into his pocket for the keys and plunked them onto Sam’s open palm. “Okay, but you owe me.”

“We’ll stop for burgers before we get on the highway.”

“Don’t judge me, but I can’t even think of meat right now. I could murder a Caesar salad, though.”

Sam grinned. This kind of Dean weirdness felt very normal.

[letsyesnomaybe]

Never Gonna Wanna Let Me Go | Part 6

Zayn Malik is one of the highest paid escorts in London. He’s good at his job, he knows this. But it’s not his chosen field, it’s easy money so he can have a chance to pursue his chosen field without becoming homeless. His employer Caroline has many rules to keep him safe but Zayn only has one ‘Don’t Get Attached’. Of course, there was always going to be one, the guy who would come in to the picture and make Zayn’s easy job almost impossible.

Liam Payne. Twenty Six. Made his money by inheriting his father’s music business after he passed away. Quite well known so expect publicity. Wants a pretty face on his arm to cover the events he has to attend while in town on business. Make sure he knows if he wants extra he has to pay. You’ve got your usual expenses on your card, don’t go overboard like last time. I mean it, Malik! Your share for the weekend will go in your account on Monday when you’ve done your job.

Love you babes, stay safe, C x

Part 1, 2 ,3, 4 & 5  (also on ao3)

“I can’t, I’m sorry.” 

Those were the last words Louis had breathed before he’d walked out of the hotel room and out of Zayn’s life. He was eighteen and heartbroken and he swore from that day, he’d never let another person break him the way Louis had. 

“It’s worse than it was then,” Harry whispers to Niall, when he thinks he’s out of Zayn’s hearing. “He was heartbroken over Louis but this, it feels like it’s so much more.” 

“He’s a smart lad,” Niall would always reply. “He knows what he’s doing.” 

Harry would always sigh, as if it wasn’t the answer he wanted to pacify his worry over his best friend. He’d always come to Zayn afterwards, curl up next to where he was binge watching the walking dead or spread out on the floor of the art room, to watch him paint. 

Zayn knows he’s trying to be a good friend but now he’s not working, there’s no escape. It’s twenty four seven Harry and as much as he loves the lad, it’s a little too much of him to handle. 

It’s been four days since he left Liam at the cabin (not that he’s counting) and quit his job with Caroline. It takes Niall and Harry’s usual morning activity to push him out of the house. 

He only goes twenty minutes down the road, to their local café and tucks himself at the back with his laptop, hoping to get some graphics done that he could sell to local business for a tiny bit of income. 

But he’s barely there ten minutes when intrusive thoughts lead him down a different path than intended. 

He’s a glutton for punishment, he thinks, as he googles Louis’ name and gets greeted with thousands of articles about him and Stella because they had recently announced they were expecting a baby boy. 

Zayn slams to laptop shut when he sees a cosy photo of them in Paris where they’d travelled to the night of his championship win for a little R&R. 

He decided to head back to the flat, hoping the hour he had been out of said flat would be enough time for his friends to get done with their activities. 

The moment he steps foot back in his apartment, all he can think about is Louis, he can’t get those stupid blue eyes and curled smile out of his mind. 

Which is probably why the moment he gets to his room, he absolutely rips it apart, trying to find one particular thing. 

He finds it tucked in the very back of the draws he keeps his hoodies and he has to give it a hard tug from where it had managed to jam itself in the corners of the drawer. 

When he finally gets the little brown envelope out from inside the drawer, a polaroid falls out on to the floor. When he picks it up he’s greeted by the image of two grinning boys. Two young lads who don’t know the world yet and had no idea of the pain they were about to cause one another.

The only other thing in the envelope is a key to an apartment that Zayn had never visited.

‘I want you to have a place where you’re safe,’ Louis had said. ‘It’s yours, for whenever you’re ready.’

“Zayn?!” Harry calls out suddenly. 

Zayn shoves the key and polaroid back in the envelope and tucks them it back where it was. 

“Z?!” Harry calls again, only this time closer. 

“I’m here.” Zayn calls back. 

Harry’s head pops around Zayn’s bedroom door and he gives him curious eyes. 

“What?” Zayn asks sharply, which he instantly regrets when Harry’s lips twitch in a way they only do when he’s upset. 

“Liam’s here,” Harry tells him softly. “I said he was only allowed to see you, if you wanted him to. If not, then me and Ni will throw him out.” 

“I’d quite like to see you try and throw him out.” Zayn teases. 

“I’m stronger than you think, Malik.” Harry retorts and a big smile graces his lips, the earlier hurt easily forgotten. “So, shall I send him down?” 

Zayn nods his head but before Harry can leave, he calls after him. 

“Yes, darling?” Harry asks, the grin still gracing his lips. 

“Don’t stick around to listen, okay?” Zayn pleads. “It’s probably not going to be nice but I’m good, yeah?” 

Harry looks curious but nods his agreement before continuing out of the room. 

Zayn doesn’t know what to do with himself and he’s spends so much time fretting over if he should sit or stand that he’s still stood dumbly in the middle of the room when Liam appears in it. 

“I thought you wouldn’t see me.” Liam admits as greeting. 

Zayn shrugs and tucks his shaking his hands in to his pockets because if he’s honest, he thought he wouldn’t see Liam again, not in person anyway. 

“I’ll get straight to the point then.” Liam decides and rustles around in the back pocket of his jeans for a few seconds. 

Zayn raises his eyebrows because his curiosity is slightly peaked and if it is something painful, at least he’ll be amused when he has to call Harry back for him and Niall to attempt to throw Liam out. 

“I was packing my things and this fell out of my bag,” Liam explains and holds out the drawing Zayn had done in the hotel room. “It’s me, isn’t it?”

Zayn stares down at the crumpled paper that contains a real life drawing of a heart that he’d converted in to a home.

“I thought it was about Penny,” Liam admits. “I thought it was your way of saying that the people we loose will always have a home in our hearts. But that’s not the meaning behind it, is it?”

Zayn looks to him and then back to the drawing.

“Is it?” Liam asks a little more desperate.

“It’s whatever you want it to be.” Zayn tells him and tries to hand the drawing back.

Liam snatches it from his hand. “That’s bullshit.”

“I can’t tell you what the drawing means to you, Liam.” Zayn says with a shrug.

“I don’t care what it means to me,” Liam argues. “I want to know what it means to you. Why did you draw it?”

“I draw a lot of things that have no meaning.” Zayn replies and folds his arms.

Harry snorts loudly from the other room.

“I told you to fuck off, Styles.” Zayn shouts at him.

There’s a scramble and then a loud crash before the door to Zayn’s room opens and Niall’s head pops in.

“We’re heading out,” He informs Zayn. “If you need us then give us a ring, yeah?”

Zayn drags his fingers through his hair and nods his head.

“If Liam was going to kill him I’m sure us being here wouldn’t stop him.” Niall shouts at Harry as he must lead him out of the flat.

Liam steps towards Zayn as the sound of the front door closing echoes through the flat.

“Did you draw this because you’re trying to tell me you’re letting me in to the only place that’s yours to protect?” He asks. “The last place you’re allowed to call the shots on who comes and goes.”

Zayn stares at the crumpled paper in Liam’s hand. “It’s just a drawing.”

“I know Louis was let in and he didn’t treat it well but we’re not the same people, Zayn.” Liam tries.

“You don’t get it, do you?” Zayn scoffs.

“What don’t I get?” Liam pleads.

“He trashed the place but you still broke the windows,” Zayn replies and moves away from Liam’s touch. “You both lost your right to the key, the way you went about it doesn’t matter.”

“I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Liam tells.

‘I’m not trying to hurt you,’ Louis echoes in his head. ‘I love you, Malik, maybe not in the same way but I still want to take care of you--’

“Shut up!” Zee cries.

Liam hushes him like he’s a small child throwing a tantrum. “It’s okay, Z, you’re okay.” 

The nickname cuts Zayn deep and he takes a step back, to put space between him and Liam. 

“What did Louis tell you?” He asks, thanking the heavens above that his voice holds out and doesn’t crack. 

“He told he that he was a dickhead who really hurt you,” Liam explains. “He shouldn’t have done what he did, you didn’t deserve to be treated like that.” 

“Did he tell you that I was barely an adult when we met,” Zee starts because the anger he’s been harbouring for the past six years is finally bubbling over. “I was a kid and his manager used to pay me to fuck him because he was terrified Louis would be one of the braves ones and would come out and then he wouldn’t see as well.” 

“That’s disgusting.” Liam decides. 

“Right?” Zee agrees and then laughs but it’s not joyful, it’s pained. “We used to talk about it, after the fucking was done. We’d talk for hours about how much of a dickhead his manager was and how homophobic his chosen career path was.” 

Liam looks sad like it was something he’d already been told but Zayn’s too far gone, he’s finally letting him relive the memories he’d buried deep for so many ears. 

“Falling in love with him was so easy,” Zayn decides. “Christ, he only had to suck my dick good once and make me laugh a few times and I was gone.” 

‘I’m not gay,’ Louis’ voice echoes in his head. ‘It was like shagging a mate, there weren’t any feelings involved, I’m sorry’. 

Zayn should have known really, they never really kissed and when the sex was done they wouldn’t touch. They would share a blunt and talk about fixing the world but the conversation never really went deeper than that, they never really got to know each other past the obvious. 

He knows now, what it’s like to shag a bi guy who leans more in favour of girls. Louis could get hard for a guy, he can find men attractive but for some reason when it comes to anything more than physical, his brain won’t let him get passed it. 

He remembers being so cruel when Louis had finally ended it, he’d told him he was as bad as the people who had forced them together in the first place and the hurt expression Louis had given him following that outburst still haunts him to this day. 

But he knows now, Louis was a kid himself, he was trying to figure out himself too. It was sad that he had to use Zayn to do it but Zayn doesn’t resent him, not for that anyway. 

“Zayn?” Liam asks softly, after a silence had fallen over them for quite a long time. 

“I need you to leave,” Zayn decides because he’s about to break apart all over again and he doesn’t want Liam here for that. “Can you leave, please?” 

“That’s what you want?” Liam checks. 

Zayn nods his head but can’t lift it to meet the younger lad’s eyes. 

“Alright,” Liam agrees  “I’ve got a plane to catch anyway.” 

“You’re going to LA?” Zayn asks, finally looking up. 

Liam nods, looking hopeful. “The offer is still there for you to come with me?” 

“What as this time?” Zayn replies spitefully. “Can’t be much left on the roaster, right?” 

Liam nods, taking the hit because he must know he deserves it. “Well, it’s there if you want it, I’m sure Caroline has Amara’s number, she can book you a flight, if you change your mind.” 

“I don’t work for Caroline anymore,” Zayn informs him, though he’s not sure why he has a need for Liam to know that information. “But I won’t be needing Amara’s number so I suppose it doesn’t matter.” 

“You don’t work for Caroline anymore?” Liam asks shocked. 

Zayn shrugs.

“Why?” Liam pushes. 

Zayn shrugs again and drops his gaze to Liam’s stupid air max trainers, they’re the most recently released ones and it’s just a reminder of how much money is in this guy’s bank account. 

“Why, Z?” Liam pleads this time. 

“Because I’m done,” Zayn answers finally and looks back up to meet Liam’s eyes. “It’s my turn to call the shots over my body and life.” 

Liam steps forward tentatively. “Come to LA with me?” 

“You can’t buy me anymore, Liam.” Zayn reminds him. 

“I don’t want to,” Liam promises. “I want you come willingly, I want you to come because you want to, I want you to come because...” 

“What?” Zayn demands when the sentence trails off. 

“I think I’m in love with you,” Liam concludes. “You’re so fucking much, Zayn. You’re too much and I probably don’t deserve you but if you were willing to give me a shot I’d really hope you could fall in love with me too.” 

“It’s been one week.” Zayn says a little breathless because he wasn’t expecting love. 

“My sister always said I went in to things heart first with my head taking a long time to follow,” Liam admits and reaches up to rub at the back of his neck. “She said it what made me such a good song writer but it has led to a lot of heartbreak in my lifetime, I’ll admit.” 

Zayn lets that information sink in to his brain and realise he’d spent a lot of their time together, putting a lot of his past traumas on to this boy, all because of who had made their interaction happen. He’d never thought there would be a chance that while he was so focused on his own haunting memories, the beautiful boy he’d been spending his time with might have been returning his feelings. 

“It was her on the phone.” Liam tells him. 

“What?” Zayn asks confused. 

“It was Roo, my sister, she was who I was talking to when you overheard the conversation.” Liam explains. “She worries a lot, if I told her I was with you at the cabin, I would have got a lecture.” 

“Because you were falling in love with a prostitute?” Zayn asks because hearing that conversation had still hurt him. 

“I rang her on my way back from Scotland,” Liam continues with a sad smile. “She called me an idiot, said I had my very own pretty woman moment and I’d been the idiot who had let it go.” 

“If you’d tried to climb up out fire escape you would have probably died.” Zayn admits. “It’s not safe, at all.” 

Liam looks very confused by that response. 

“You really need to watch the damn film if you’re going to reference it, Liam.” Zayn says frustrated. 

“We could watch it on the plane to LA?” Liam suggests. “I have a meeting with Simmons but I was thinking there might be a few studios we could check out.” 

“I don’t--” 

“Want my money,” Liam finishes for him. “I know, I thought about that--the hour long flight back from Scotland was a long one, okay? I had a lot of time to plan and think.” 

Zayn nods for him to explain his idea. 

“I’ll buy a studio,” Liam starts and when he’s sure Zayn isn’t going to interrupt. “Then when your art starts making money, you can pay me rent for that studio.” 

“It’ll be at a discounted price?” Zayn guesses. 

“I could think of another form of payment.” Liam jokes, it’s a bad one considering how they met. 

Zayn frowns. 

“It was a joke,” Liam assures him. “It’ll of course be at a discounted price but I don’t even know if it’ll have to be, I’ve seen your art, Z. The kids in LA, they’re going to lap that shit up, lots of rich trust fund kids have nothing better to do than pretend they understand your art.” 

Zayn snorts. “Great, I’ll be pouring my heart and sole in to pieces for them to be hung up in rooms of rich college kids so they can stare at them to stop themselves coming to quick.” 

“If you don’t like that idea,” Liam says quickly. “We have a design team at the label, they work with artists for like album covers and posters and shit. They could really do with an artist like you, someone to think outside the box.” 

“You really have thought this over.” Zayn observes. 

Liam nods his head several times. “The minute you left the cabin, I couldn’t think of anything but how to get you back.” 

“You love me?” Zayn checks again. 

Liam nods, the smile Zayn adores taking over his face completely. “I love you.” 

“Fuck,” Zayn replies and finally closes the gap between them. “I think I love you too.” 

“You do?” Liam asks, worrying his lip between his teeth. 

Zayn reaches his hand up to tug it out. “I love you.” 

“I love you too.” Liam replies. 

Zayn’s the one who leans in and seals it with a kiss but Liam’s the one who slips a hand around his back to tug their bodies completely together, not an inch of them not touching. 

They stand like that for the longest time until Harry and Niall’s overpowering personas fill the apartment again. 

Zayn breaks the LA news to Harry softly but it’s Liam who makes the news easier for his best friend by promising to fly them both out whenever they want for however long they want. 

Harry still looks a bit reluctant but it’s one simple gesture that has an easy smile pulling at his lips and it’s Liam kissing Zayn on the cheek before he gets up to help Niall make a round of teas. The moment a happy smile pulls at Zayn’s lips, it mirrors on his best friends and like that he knows he’s got his blessing. 

[loubabykitten]

BEST FICS OF 2018

first of all… happy new year guys!!!

as promised, here are the best fics i read in 2018 (some of them were published before but i discovered them in 2018), there're not in order:

Chasing empty spaces (79k, chaptered) - 1930s au

by @domestic-harry

The year is 1934 and Harry Styles was to inherent the largest tobacco firm in the south. His parents have picked out the “perfect” girl for him to marry and he has the privilege of receiving the highest education possible. The problem was, Harry hadn’t realized he didn’t actually want any part of that future until he met a mechanic named, Louis Tomlinson.

Don't want shelter (76k, chaptered) - teacher!louis, businessman!harry

by @fullonlarrie

Louis and Harry have known each other all their lives. Friends as children, they danced around each other as teenagers, and have spent the last twenty-five years either screaming at each other or not speaking at all. Except for that one time ten years ago…

When Hurricane Nicole threatens the coast, they end up stuck together in their families' old vacation home that they begrudgingly co-own.

During the storm, and in the months after, they’re both forced to reevaluate their history and what they mean to each other.

Save myself (219k, chaptered) - rich!louis, student!harry

by @make-thisfeellikehome

Louis Tomlinson is a train wreck. That is a way of putting it lightly. His whole world is a vast blur of darkness and bad decisions and it doesn't matter how many times he decides he's done, he always falls back in, because darkness is tricky like that for him. Louis wants for nothing—has everything he could ever ask for really, but it's all nothing. Maybe he needs to be rescued—maybe he can't be rescued. No one knows.

Or the one where Louis is a spoiled rich kid who is ignored by his entire family, who's friends only use him as a means for drugs and no one believes he's worth any more than just that. Harry Styles is a first year university student who's just moved to Doncaster for their theatre program who just happens to get the short straw when he's partnered with Louis for Bio Lab. What could go wrong?

Lightning strikes twice (104k, chaptered) - groupie!louis, famous!harry

by @catfishau

Louis slipped his hand onto Harry’s thigh, snaking his fingers up and inwards. “I’m a big fan. You’re so talented, and I have to admit that I actually fancy you a bit.”

“Yeah?” Harry reached up to push Louis’ fringe out of his eyes. “Well, you know, I like to try and be accommodating to my fans.”

“You’re quite well known for that,” Louis whispered as he turned his head some more, their mouths an inch apart. “So I hear.”

---

Rock star Harry Styles was nineteen when he met Louis, a groupie with a huge heart that Harry couldn’t quite shake from his mind. Fate granted him a second chance at the age of sixty, his washed up and lonely existence being transformed by a widower with a bookshop.

Tell me how to feel about you (38k, chaptered) - college/university au

by @imlouisaf

Louis thought it would feel different once he got to LA. He knew it was best for him; a fresh start as far away as he could get. But when the plane touched down and he stepped out into the hot air around LAX, Louis felt exactly the same.

There's still a hole in his chest where his heart used to be; ripped away even after trying for so many years to keep it from happening. He knows it's not all his fault, not by a mile, but it doesn't stop him from blaming himself for it all going wrong.

If he'd just stayed strong, if he'd said no when he said yes, maybe everything would be different.

Or, Harry has been trying to convince Louis to date him for years, but Louis has always been wary of Harry’s fairly obvious commitment issues. Louis eventually gives him a chance, opening his heart up to the one thing he fears.

Have faith in me (183k, chaptered) - rich!harry, assistant!louis

As the son of Anne Styles, millionaire owner of one of the world's most luxurious fashion labels, Harry has spent his last seventeen years living in carefree extravagance. And now he's grown tired of it, along with the pressure from his mum to follow in her footsteps and the constant care given to him by her past assistants.

When his mum's newest assistant, Louis, moves into the guesthouse, Harry determines to be treated differently. To be treated like an adult. Except Louis is not at all what Harry was expecting...

This is a story about growing up, growing in love and having the faith to make it last.

Shake me down (208k chaptered) - college/university au, insecure!harry, protective!louis

by @agreatperhaps12

Harry's new to college, fresh out of Catholic school and conversion therapy camp, and Louis runs the campus LGBTQIA organization.

Red hands (132k, chaptered)

by @harrytum

“I’ve never told anyone,” Harry murmurs, voice so soft no one else would be able to hear, if it wasn’t just the two of them.  

“But you’ve told someone,” Louis says firmly. “And that’s not gonna fucking happen around here. You don’t speak a word of it, or someone’s going to kill you, and we can’t let that happen.”

a dystopian au in which harry, an ex-soldier who’s escaped from his government run camp, accidentally stumbles across the biggest rebel movement in the country, and louis, one of the rebellion’s mysterious leaders who appears to hate him, seems to simultaneously have an obsession with keeping him alive. or: harry is wanted for treason, niall hasn’t changed in four years, liam is always smiling, and louis is angry. like, really angry.

There are no atheists in foxholes (64k, one shot)

by @suspendrs

“Do you think we’ll ever see it again?” Harry asks after a minute. “London?”

Louis blinks, looking down. They very well could spend the rest of their lives on this island, and they’re both very aware of that. Everyone probably already thinks they’re dead, anyway. Their flats are going to be sold, and their families are going to have funerals, and life is going to go on without them. Even if they do get rescued, it’s already been days. The news of the shipwreck has definitely reached London by now. They don’t know if there’s been any effort to look for survivors, but they also don’t know how far away from the wreck they are, or how far people are going to go to look for them, or if anyone even knows that this island is here and, like, it’s very possible that they’ve already looked and stopped looking for survivors, and no one knows they’re out here-

“I don’t know,” Louis says, before he can start spiraling. “I hope so, but I don’t know.”

Or, the sea takes everything from Louis, but it gives him back more than he ever could’ve asked for.

Dance to the distortion (96k, chaptered)

by @domestic-harry

Louis accidentally breaks Harry's camera lens and in order to get it fixed, they decide to participate in a romantic couples study. The only issue is that they are not actually couple. Well that and the fact they cannot stand each other.

Lonely king (40k, chaptered) - broken!louis, indie!harry

When Louis' parents pass away in a car accident, he inherits a cottage in the woods of Scotland. He ends up spending the summer there; unraveling secrets, mending bonds and creating memories with his best friends.

For as long as i can remember (it's been december) (128k, chaptered) - lawyer!louis, chef!harry

After recovering from a severe accident that causes Harry to lose his memory of three years, he moves to London to start his life over as a star chef. Little does he know that when he falls in love with Louis at first sight, it’s not the first time they meet.

Featuring an unintentional game of hot and cold, Harry chasing memories that won’t come back, Louis burying himself in work to try and forget what he can’t forget, Liam being torn between two of his best friends, Zayn as a moral compass and Niall saving the day with good music and brutal honesty.

The road less travelled by (98k, chaptered) - Lumberjack!louis, high school principal!harry

by @freetheankles

Louis was a lumberjack happy to be living his life alone in what could qualify as Middle Of Nowhere, Canada.

Every morning, he went out into the woods, cut his logs, then came home at dusk to a scalding hot shower and a good book by the fireplace. Rinse and Repeat. He had a good life, quiet and peaceful; simple. Not a secluded one as Niall annoyingly claimed.

Louis certainly didn't need some chatty trespasser dropping into his life, his forest, his home. Invading his space, his circle of friends, touching his stuff, asking questions about his husband. His late husband.

A trespasser who wasn’t supposed to crawl under his skin, occupy his thoughts, and steal his heart from where Louis had locked it safely away, only to put it right back on Louis’ sleeve — where it once laid.

No, Louis definitely didn’t need Harry.

Saving symphony hall (124k, chaptered) - symphony hall au, omega!louis, alpha!harry

by @helloamhere

“I think I have an idea,” Louis said. Slowly, and reluctantly, but with a growing sense of the inevitable. “God damnit, I think I have a really good idea.”

“Oh christ, that's the problem-solving face,” Babs said. “Last time we saw that face, he sold a company.”

“Wait, what?” Zayn asked.

“Right place, right time,” Louis said. “Also, fuck my life,”

“What?” Zayn repeated. Niall patted his hand.

“I usually just roll with whatever Louis is about to do,” he said. “It’s better for us all.”

“That’s the attitude,” said Louis, “I’ll tell you tomorrow. Tonight, I need to do some research. Zayn, give me your number. I’m gonna save our symphony.”

Shelter as we go (75k, one shot)

by @fondleeds

Louis looks at him like his words might break him, glass about to splinter, one wrong footfall away from shattering into a million tiny pieces.

“Hey,” Harry breathes, and he knows, meeting Louis’ eyes, that his words could break him easy as anything. He almost wants Louis to bring his boot down.

-

AU. Nova Scotia, 1968.

Walk that mile (149k, chaptered) - road trip au

Harry stares at him, the line of his jaw standing out scarily. “I wanted to get the most out of this trip so I planned it carefully.” His voice is low and steady and somehow that’s worse than when he was yelling. “So far, you’ve put your sticky fingers on everything I’ve tried to do.”

“Sticky fingers?” Louis repeats, offended. “Are you saying it’s my fault you got stung by a bee? Had you been alone you would have gotten halfway to the Dotty Diner and ran the car off the road because of an allergic reaction, so don’t go blaming me.”

“Polk-A-Dot Drive In,” Harry spits before getting out of the car. He slams the door shut with a deafening reverb and Louis rolls his eyes. - A Route 66 AU where falling in love was never part of the plan.

MY TOP 5:

5. I believe him when he tells of loving me (28k, chaptered)

louis doesn't remember harry. harry takes him home.

4. Wild love (130k, chaptered)

by @daisyharry

“Good,” Julia says, clearly pleased to have them both uncomfortable and unable to look at each other. “Now, I only have one more question before you can go. What are you planning to do when this experiment ruins your friendship?”

“We said we’d stay friends no matter what,” Harry says smoothly, his chin lifting in defense.

“That was our one thing going into it,” Louis agrees. “Stay friends no matter what.”

Julia raises a perfectly manicured brow, “That’s all fine and good. But I hope you realize your emotions aren’t going to realize this is an experiment in the end. If one of you falls for the other and finds out those feelings are not reciprocated, you’re not going to be able to laugh it off as a social experiment. I’m not saying you shouldn’t do this, I’m just hoping you’ve considered all of the possible outcomes.”

- AU: Two best friends try to date each other for forty days. It's supposed to be fun until emotions make it complicated.

3. In sickness and in health (83k, chaptered) - american!harry, british!louis

by @rainbowsandlovehl

“Just make sure that you head down to the immigration office as soon as you can, alright?” James reminded them, making them look towards the man and nod in unison. “Remember Louis, you have only two weeks. So make it legal quickly so you don’t get deported.”   “I’ll be sure to remind my assistant to schedule our appointment,” Louis joked and laughed.

A loosely based The Proposal Au where Louis is to be deported in two weeks. Since he doesn't want to lose his job, he asks his assistant, Harry to marry him for a green card. If it makes them realise they're in love, oh well. There's also the fact that no one doubts their credibility.

2. Hush (41k, one shot) - high school au, quarterback!louis, feminine!harry

by @wankerville

“I don't like you like that, Harry.”

“See,” Harry starts, Louis can hear the smile in his voice, “that's where I think you're lying.”

or an au where small towns suck, louis is losing it, and harry’s just too perfect.

1. Light my morning sky (54k, one shot) - college/university au

The relatively cliché College AU in which Louis happens to be proficient in Philosophy, Ethics and keeping his distance, while Harry is in need of a tutor to salvage his grade, and never passes up on a challenge; Zayn and Liam like to gaze wantonly across at each other whilst pretending to read Austen; and Niall is the precarious bond that holds them all together.

(Expect some sappy self-indulgent scenes consisting of bed-sharing, 4 am almost-love declarations, drunk texting, and far too much time spent at the student bar for it to be an accurate depiction of uni life.)

[marcelficexchange]

Amazing Authors and Artists are working in Round Two right now!!! but ROUND 1 gave us amazing fics!! Let’s take a look and enjoy!! 🎉🎉💕💕

Hello!! The Sign-up for Round 2 is coming!!! So here are the marvellous fics of Round 1!!! Enjoy them!! See you soon!!! 

1.  The Case Of The (Definitely Not Haunted) Styles Mansion (40K) By @briannamarguerite

“So there’s a sense of humour buried beneath all that condescension, huh?” Louis said when he’d stopped laughing.

“It’s not condescension, it’s intelligence. I understand you might not be able to recognize it yourself,” Marcel said, then slapped a hand over his mouth. “Oh god, I’m sorry.”

Louis stepped closer, his eyes on Marcel’s face. “For being an asshat?”

“For being rude,” Marcel said, from beneath his palm.

Louis shifted a half-step closer until he was at the very edge of Marcel’s personal space. It felt like he was nudging at it, asking to be let in. Marcel flushed hot for no reason.

“Lucky for you it takes quite a lot to actually insult me,” Louis said taking one step closer. Too close. Too close.

Marcel met Louis’ eyes. Those blue eyes that reminded Marcel of poetry instead of science, lyrics instead of formulas. They were so pretty he wanted to drown in them.

Or the Nancy Drew AU where Marcel is a man of logic, Louis is a private detective who believes in ghosts, and the Styles Mansion is definitely, absolutely, positively *not* haunted.

2. Save The Last Dance For Me (50704 words) by @1diamondinthesun

Wealthy Marcel Styles is an avid supporter of the Royal Ballet Company. Louis Tomlinson is the new principal dancer with a humble past and a dream. When they collide, sparks fly. But is it enough to overcome their different social classes and prove that love is all you need?

3.  Little Treasure (14190 words) by bubblegumclouds 

Louis was the closed off coffee shop boy and Marcel had spent too long pining while helping him with work. When a series of clashes, misunderstandings and a lot of denials fall into their path, can Marcel handle it? Even worse, can Louis?

(Another Coffee Shop worker Louis with Marcel and an added twist of a university AU)

4.  Hold Me Tight and Don’t Let Go (18934 words) by @lululawrence

Louis’ mind was whirling and a mess of information about application deadlines and talking to his mom about options he had for next year and the failed test and how she might react when he the news. Louis was near his spot and he knew as soon as he got there he could let the tears and frustration flow, but when he turned the corner to his special space his whole body froze.

“Who’re you?” Louis bit out. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. That came out way more harsh than he was intending. “Sorry, I just-”

Louis was interrupted by the boy, previously curled in a tiny ball and crying into his knees, stumbling to his feet, saying something Louis couldn’t understand, and wiping away at the tears. He straightened his glasses, grabbed his bookbag, mumbled something a second time, and then he literally ran off.

Or the one where Louis is barely holding himself together when he meets Marcel and an unexpected friendship might be just what both of them need.

5.  An Ever-Fixed Mark (16365 words) by @larryandgaystuff

Louis has zero chance of passing Literature. At least without a tutor who knows Shakespeare well enough to recite it as if those words were his own. And he finds just that, and a lot more, in Marcel.

The course of true love never did run smooth. But is it worth it?

6.  A Study in Argyle (6285 words) by flamboyantdorks

The one where Louis decides he doesn’t want to go to college because he’s burnt out. Harry is the oddball nerd that assists him in writing his application essay.

7.  Buried Like Treasure (40200 words) by @becomeawendybird

Prince Harry Styles is very private. He chooses to keep himself out of the public eye but feels lonely and isolated while surrounded by people in his hectic royal life. When he finishes his dissertation, he decides to take a solo holiday to one of the royal family’s properties in the Swiss Alps.

Semi-retired thief Louis Tomlinson has been pulled in for one last job: steal a painting from an uninhabited mansion. Neither one of them expects a natural disaster.

8.  Nice day for a pizza wedding (12052 words) by star_k

There’s a layer of total surrealness to have your own name denied by a stranger, while said stranger has your cock in their hands.

Harry was glad he was in the sort of situation he knew exactly how that felt.

Or, a story about how Harry, 18-year-old Tumblr and photography enthusiast, ended up enjoying his birthday with the pizza boy, in a night filled with pizza, his faithful camera and the doubt of how to correct someone you were flirting with that he got Harry’s name wrong.

He only had Niall to blame.

9.  just like he already owned it (13427 words) by @thepriestthinksitsthedevil

“Because you’re in my wedding!” she exclaimed. “You need to buy a suit and get a date.”

Louis groaned. “Why do I have to have a date?”

“Because I need my pictures to be symmetrical and you need to have a date for that to happen,” Lottie explained. Louis considered for a moment, deciding that he’d ask Zayn, Liam, Niall, or Steve if they’d wanna go with him. It’d be fun, at any rate, and they all knew about Louis’ family at least a little bit so it wouldn’t be awkward. “And before you even think about bringing one of your weird friends, I expect this date to be a boy that you like. Like like.”

Or: Louis needs a date. Marcel does nothing but hangs out with his cat.

10.  Everything Comes Back To You (9491 words) by @jaerie

Louis was only seven when he found himself in a hospital bed alone and scared, confused about what was happening. When another little boy climbed into his bed to comfort him, Louis never thought that they would be meeting again later in life. He also never imagined that their roles would be reversed the second time around.

11.  Convalescent Boy (with a Heart of Gold) (7847 words) by @londonfoginacup

Just as the professor beginning to mess with his powerpoint, the door at the back of the balcony creaks open and Marcel looks back to notice Louis Tomlinson, The Louis Tomlinson, slip in and take a seat in the very back.

Marcel is starting to feel like his life is a comedy. Only yesterday was Louis Tomlinson on his floor at the library. Now he’s in his seminar. What is happening?

“Hey Mars,” Nick says, not particularly quietly as he leans over. “Isn’t that your crush?”

Marcel smacks him.

Or, the one where Marcel is a nerd who loves to learn but loves to go to theatre productions even more and may or may not have a long time crush on the lead in most of the plays, Louis Tomlinson. The same Louis Tomlinson who seems to be appearing wherever Marcel is. Funny, that.

12. Cool Cats (16172 words) by @suddenclarityharry

There’s a gorgeous boy sitting there, staring at him. His hair is longish, tucked back by a cloth headband, his eyes are a brilliant blue that makes Marcel question if he’s ever actually seen real blue before or just cheap imitations of it. And his lips, thin and pink, are just slightly open, almost as though they’re inviting Marcel’s kiss.

“Oh,” the boy breathes in surprise and the tone is enough to wake Marcel from his momentary stupor. He realizes that the boy is staring at his ears and suddenly kisses are the furthest thing from Marcel’s mind.

Marcel exhales harshly and pulls out his chair, sinking into it and crossing his arms over his chest. He lifts his chin defiantly. “Alright, let’s have it.”

“Have… what?” The boy asks wide-eyed and, fuck, even his voice is beautiful. It’s got this delightful rasp to it that makes Marcel wanna purr.

“Whatever jokes or insults you’re gonna say. Let’s just get them over with now and out of the way,” Marcel says.

The blue-eyed cutie just sits there, staring.

Or

Sometimes, Marcel can have nice things.

[fernwehbookworm]

Your Side of the Bed

The sun was shining down and the park was perfectly warm, a breeze blowing just right to keep the heat of early summer from settling. Light filtered through the tree their picnic blanket was spread under and Lena looked over from where she was propped against the trunk to see Kara’s beautiful face. Her eyes closed and arms crossed behind her head with a soft smile playing on her lips. It was all picture-perfect. Then the ground shook. A red and blue blur lands in front of the couple.

“It’s time Kara,” Supergirl says. Kara shoots to her feet next to Lena and Lena struggles to her own.

“No! Not yet!’ Kara cries.

“ It’s them or her. You can’t have both.” Lena looks to where Supergirl pointed and sees National City falling apart. Screams of the dead and dying rise along with the smoke and fire. Kara looks around with conflict on her face, she looks physically pained. Then Kara turns back to Lena, tears in her eyes.

“ I’m sorry Lee. I thought… I don’t know what I thought. That I could have a normal life. We could have a normal life.”

Before Lena can even respond, Kara reaches out to Supergirl and Supergirl stretches out her own hand. In a flash of bright light, suddenly only one woman stands before Lena, and she knows, she just knows that Kara is Supergirl. Then the hero takes off to the sky. Lena stands there staring after the hero has disappeared. Suddenly the ground rumbles a crevice opens swallowing Lena into darkness.

Lena sits up in a cold sweat. She almost reaches out to the warm body next to her to seek the familiar comfort of Kara’s arms. Then she catches the silhouette of James in the moonlight and stops her hand. Instead, Lena stands, puts on her slippers and robe and grabs her phone. She goes to the kitchen to perch on a stool and pour scotch to sooth her shaking hands. She picks up her phone and her thumb hovers over Kara’s contact before she shakes her head and scrolls down to Sam. A quick calculation and Lena is sure Sam would be up by now from visiting the London office.

“Lena? What’s wrong? Is it the dream again?” Lena chuckles at how knowing her friend is.

“Yeah. I just can’t get her out of my head. I thought… I thought we could move past this. Be friends again. But everything is still hers. His clothes are on her side of the closet, he sits in her chair. He sleeps on her side of the bed. I tried getting all new furniture but it didn’t work.”

“Maybe because it's not supposed to. Maybe because it still should be hers.” That hurts Lena right where it would do the most damage.

“We’ve been over this. We both said things that we shouldn’t have. And being together is dangerous for both of us. Because of my family, and her secret identity.”

“Then why the hell did you start dating James?”

“Because I couldn’t stay away from her. And I was seeing her less and less. And James was there and one drunken night turned to two and then I was being invited to game nights again and how could I give that up?”

“Lena, do I have to point out how wrong that is?”

“No. I just… I’m so tired. Every time I close my eyes I see her. And I wake up and he’s there but he is my only connection to her.”

“Lena, this is the only time I am going to say this. And it’s the last time I will listen to you talk about James like this. He is not my favorite person but he is still a human being. Go to Kara. Fuck your family, forget her secret, if anyone can keep it a secret it is you. You two were meant to be together. Everything between her cousin and your brother was just the universe's way of making you two meet. Now hang up and go over there.” Sam says with a tone that would rival Lena’s own mother before hanging up. Lena sits there and stares at her phone until the screen goes black.

Her kitchen clock ticks away in the background as the night grows longer. Lena is finally stirred from her stupor when the clock chimes softly, indicating three o’clock. With a start, Lena stands and follows her best friends instructions. She grabs her keys from the hook beside the door and practically runs to her car. Everything felt like it was pressing down, crushing her at the same time pushing her forward. It feels like the world is standing still and she can’t get there fast enough. But suddenly, Lena is standing outside of Kara’s door, hand poised to knock, but then the door is ripped open and a red-eyed Kara is standing in front of her. Her cheeks are red and face a little swollen. She has definitely been crying, or not sleeping, or both like Lena.

“Lena,” She says almost too softly to hear. Lena decides to just go for it and say everything.

“I can’t do it anymore. I can’t pretend that I don’t need you. I know we both said things that we can’t take back, and honestly, I am still so hurt that you lied to me for the entire year we were together, but I can move past that. I will move past that If you just tell me you still love me and we can do this again.”

“Lena...I... What? What are you saying? What about James?”

Lena laughs through the tears she doesn't remember shedding.

“James? He isn’t you. I tried so hard to move on. To just be friends with you but then we weren’t friends. The only time I saw you was when Snapper would send you for interviews and even then you would barely ask twenty questions before leaving. And then James was there one night at the bar. And then again another night, and before I knew it I was being invited to game night again and you were there, you were smiling. God, I would sell everything just to see that smile. So I stayed with James because I am an idiot who's only excuse for not being with you was trying to protect the ‘Girl of Steel’ from my family. The same family who already knows who you are and has also tried to kill me multiple times. Kara, I can’t sleep. I haven't slept in months because he’s on your side of the bed. He is getting dinner dates and the presents that I want to be giving you. No matter what I do, it’s all still yours; the sectional of the couch where we would watch movies, the closet space, my fucking heart. It’s all yours. I know your sister probably hates me but…”

Lena’s thought is cut off as Kara yanks her forward by her robe. Kara’s lips are rough and chapped but just as sweet as Lena remembers. She’s in the apartment that had started to feel like home two years ago. Hands are wandering over clothes and layers are being shed. Kara’s lips are on Lena’s throat and it all feels like a dream.

“I am so sorry I pushed you away. I used your brother against you, I used your name against you and it is the one thing I said I would never do. I just thought it would be better to be alone because I’ve seen the heartache Kal has gone through with Louis and I didn’t want that to be you.” Kara says as she picks Lena up and carries her to the bed.

“All I ever do is think of you though. I had to leave those interviews or else I would have just taken you on that desk.” The mental image of that causes Lena to gasp.

“At least at game nights you were with James so I couldn’t do anything rash.”

James? Fuck...James. Lena thinks. Kara drops her on the bed

“Kara wait.” And bless Kara's Kryptonian reflexes because she immediately pulls away, giving Lena the room she needs to think clearly.

“Kara I'm still with James. He's at my apartment in my bed, God, I can't do this to him. He doesn't deserve it.”

“He's… in your bed?” Kara takes another step back.

“We haven't had sex in weeks, Kara. I just can't sleep alone, the nightmares are worse then.”

Kara sits down next to Lena and laces their fingers together.

“Your still having nightmares? Same ones?”

“Yes. And a new one featuring you. It's like the day I found out about you. I mean a little distorted because it's a dream. But when you had to go save those people and didn't have time to lie to me. And then my brother's men kidnapped me while you were gone. It ends after you fly off but I always wake up.” Kara squeezes Lena's hand.

“Lena? Will you stay here tonight? Just to sleep. It's late and I don't like the idea of you leaving right now. Then we can talk more in the morning.”

“I would like that.”

They lay down in a position that is all too familiar but also all too foreign. Kara wraps her arms securely around Lena and places a soft kiss on them. Back of her head. Lena sinks into the warm embrace and lets' sleep find her more quickly than it has in over a year.

Lena wakes to sunshine streaming in and warmth wrapped around her. Kara's perfume faintly filling her nostrils. It feels so safe and Lena has woken up actually refreshed. Lena is relaxing back into the bed when her phone rings in the robe she discarded on the floor. She disentangles herself from Kara who stirs and blinks sleepily at her. Lena fumbles with the cloth until she frees the phone and sees James’ contact photo. With a sigh, she plasters on a fake smile in hopes of having her voice sound cheerier.

“James! Hi.”

“Lena? Is everything okay? You were gone when I woke up.” Kara hears James’ voice and scowls.

“I just had an emergency to deal with. I'm fine. Listen, can I meet you for lunch? I need to talk to you about something.”

“Yeah sure, there was something I needed to talk to you about too. The usual place?”

“Yes. One o'clock.”

“I'll see you then, Lena.”

“Bye, James.”

Lena sighs and hangs up. She crawls back into bed and into Kara's waiting arms.

“Does this mean…”

“Yes, I'm going to break up with him. I was stupid to even date him in the first place. It was only so I could be near you and I realize how cruel that was and how selfish it was.”

“Is it selfish that I'm kind of glad you did? I got to see you  more because I didn't know how to invite you as a friend anymore.”

“We are a mess aren't we?” Lena buries her nose into Kara's neck.

“Yeah, but we can clean this mess up, together.”

“Together.”

“El Mayarah. It's my family's motto. It means stronger together.”

“Really? I didn't know. I guess I didn't stick around long enough to learn about Krypton.”

“Would you want to.”.

Lena's eyes light up at the prospect of learning something new.

“More than anything.”

Lena spent another hour listening to Kara talk about her home before returning to her apartment to change for her lunch with James. She was nervous for sure. She didn't even like this man as more than a friend’s friend but breaking up with someone was not something she did. She usually disappeared to a new city or into work until they gave up. She sat at the outside cafe table of the sub-par bistro she convened James she loved so they wouldn't go anywhere that held memories of Kara.

“Hey,” James says. Ducking down to kiss her cheek. Lena struggles not to cringe away. He sits across from her and takes a drink of the water Lena had already order for him.

“Hey, James. Thanks for meeting me.”

“Of course Lena.”

“Look I'm just going to come right out and say this because I'm not good at this. I don't think we should see each other anymore. I know we shouldn't see each other anymore.”

James sits there, mouth slightly open, shock clear on his face. Then he laughs. It's just as shocking for Lena.

“I'm sorry.” He manages as he catches his breath.

“I’m sorry. I came here to tell you I'm moving back to Metropolis. I was going to break up with you too. Lucy wants to try again and this time the other woman I'm interested in clearly is in love with someone else.” Now it's Lena's turn to be shocked.

“How long have you known.”

“Since the first night. You told me, but I kept thinking that maybe since you kept coming around you would learn to love me. But every time I saw you with Kara I knew you would never love anyone else.”

“I'm sorry James. I used you and you didn't deserve it.”

“And I knew I was being used but I went with it. You have nothing to apologize for. I hope that you and Kara can work this out between you two. Goodbye Lena.”

Lena watches as he stands and walks away, hailing a taxi halfway down the block. That went better than I could ever imagine. Lena is interrupted by the waiter coming back for her order. She throws a twenty on the table for the man's troubles and leaves, heading straight back to Kara's apartment. She knocks and is pulled in almost immediately. A blonde mass is all she sees before lips are on hers and Kara is tugging off her jacket. She feels Kara everywhere and she’s desperate for it.

“Over?” Kara manages.

“Over,” Lena confirms. Kara easily picks Lena up and Lena wraps her arms and legs around her. Lena feels a rush of wind and then she is flat on her back on Kara’s bed. Superspeed, Lena thinks. Kara is kissing down her throat and Lena tangles her fingers in Kara’s hair.

“Shouldn’t we talk about this?” Lena asks breathlessly.

“Do you want to be with me?”

“Yes.”

“Then we can work out the details later.”

A sharp chirp comes from Kara’s phone, she groans and drops her head onto Lena’s chest.

“Supergirl emergency?”

“Yes,” Kara mumbles into Lena’s breasts. Lena laughs.

“Well go on then.”

With much grumbling, Kara climbs off Lena and super speeds into her suit. She pauses back at the foot of the bed, looking at Lena with apprehension.

“You will still be here when I get back?”

“I am not going anywhere, Kara Zor-El. Just come back to me.”

Kara smiles and is gone in a blink of an eye. Lena settles back onto Kara’s side of the bed and everything is starting to feel right again.

[heyyyharry]

5,954 Miles

(from the Flatmate!Harry Series)

…in which Harry flies to Japan, and Y/N adjusts to her new life without a flatmate.

Warning: fluff and a little bit of angst, and probably a bunch of mistakes because I got distracted while finishing this up.

Don’t trust me when I tell you when I’m going to update because it’s always so random like I told you it would take two more days until the new update but here it is *shrugs*

.

When they first moved into the flat, Y/N wished everyday that Harry wouldn’t come home so she could have the whole place to herself. She enjoyed being alone and silence made her feel at ease. But day after day, she grew used to having him around. 

She didn’t have to eat dinner alone, if she’d had a bad day she would have someone to complain to, he shared the housework with her and took care of her when she was sick. That hasn’t changed after they started dating, he is still her best friend. 

Now Y/N is standing with his friends at the airport, watching them saying their goodbyes to him, and her whole chest feels so vacant knowing once he’s gone through those terminal doors, she’ll come back to an empty flat.

“Bring us presents when you get back, yeah?”

“Of course, Liam.” Harry tells his friend and the rest join in to share one last group hug. 

“You’ve got to check out that pub in Tokyo I told you about! It’s sick!”

Harry laughs in response to Louis’ suggestion and promises that he will definitely pay that place a visit. Trix almost tackles Harry to the ground when she wraps her arms around his neck, telling him she wishes he could stay, but Layla is quick to grab the emotional girl by the arm and pull her away.

“Get your shit together, Trix, he’s not going to war.”

“Layla, can you please be nice to everyone while I’m away?” Harry smiles at Layla, and surprisingly, she does the same. She rarely puts on a genuine smile unless she’s making fun of someone so this is a huge progress, Harry supposes.

“I’ll try. And I’ll miss you, Styles,” she tells him, and this time she really means it.

Niall steps in next and shares a long hug with his best friend. Harry thinks out of the bunch he’s going to miss Niall most.

“Look after Y/N for me?” Harry whispers so only the two of them can hear, and Niall doesn’t hesitate to reply that Harry can always count on him.

“How about we go over there guys, give the couple some space?” Niall suggests as he pulls away from his best friend. He doesn’t need the others to agree, just pushing them aside on his own so Y/N can get closer to Harry, who’s smiling warmly at her.

“Hey angel,” he murmurs, and normally she would response to his nickname with a vibrant smile, but the look on her face right now pains his heart.

“Gosh I’m gonna miss your unnecessary flirting.” She breathes while cupping his face between her palms.

The couple stare at each other in silence. They’re simply trying to memorize as much of each other as they can, before he gets on the plane that’s gonna take him 5,954 miles across the Earth, away from her.

“I wish you could come with me,” he says softly, grabbing her wrists and pulling her hands to his chest. “Fuck, now I don’t want to go.”

“You are going! I didn’t buy you a new blanket to keep you warm on the plane for you to be a pussy.” She rolls her eyes and leans in for a peck on the lips, but he holds the back of her head and pulls her in for a real kiss this time. Though they spent most of yesterday tangled up between the sheets, he still cannot get enough of her.

When they pull away, almost breathless, foreheads resting against each other’s, he whispers under his breath, “I have something for you.”

Harry pulls away as he lets go of her hand. His next move is what Y/N would never expect — he takes off the silver ring he’s always worn on his pinky, then slides it on her ring finger. 

“Should’ve given this to you at your brother’s wedding but I was slightly drunk and I forgot.” Het lets out a nervous laugh. “I got it when I was sixteen and I’ve never taken it off because I believe it brings me good luck.”

“Then why are you giving it to me?” Y/N furrows her eyebrows but Harry stops her before she can pull the ring off.

“Keep it,” he says. “It’s my promise to you.”

“I know you’ll come back, you don’t have to promise me anything.”

“Not just me coming back, but—” he takes a deep breath then lets it out “—but a promise of a future together as well.”

“Harry—”

“I know...I...I know it doesn’t seem sincere to be saying this when I’m going to fly almost 6,000 miles away from you.” His voice nearly breaks and so does her heart. 

“But...you mean so much to me, much more than you think...So I want you to keep this ring as a promise that I will come back, and it will be just you and me again nothing has to change. Hopefully, in the future...I can replace this ring with a better one.”

Y/N is at a loss for words, it takes her a second or two to part her lips, but before she can say anything, Niall approaches them and tells Harry he must leave or else he’ll miss the flight.

“I’ll call you when I arrive in Tokyo!” he tells her quickly then presses his lips to her forehead, mumbling “I love you” one last time before picking up his bags and suitcases to go.

“I love you too...” Y/N says to herself as she watches Harry hurrying his feet, walking further and further away. 

When he reaches the terminal doors, she hopes he won’t turn around to look at her. She’s told him not to because she won’t be able to handle it, but Harry always knows how to push her buttons. He reaches those doors, stops and turns around. Then, he smiles. 

And that is all it takes for Y/N to break into tears.

...

“Do you think this makes me look fat?” asks Layla as she looks at her reflection in the full-length mirror with an uncertain look. 

Y/N titles her head to the left a little bit, sticking out her bottom lip then tells the girl, “No, I think you look alright.”

“Alright means average!” Layla sighs and tosses the dress to the shop employee, Y/N quickly apologizes for Layla’s action then follows her to another aisle.

“Did Harry tell you to take me shopping?” Y/N questions while checking the tag on a dress she finds cute. She doesn’t mind if Harry told Layla to hang out with her though, she does need some distractions right now, even if jt means spending time with Layla.

“Nope, I saw you crying so I thought I should take you with me.”

“Aww, really?”

“Jesus, don’t be smug about it.” Layla scoffs as she takes out another dress and puts it in front of her. “I think this one looks nice.”

“Layla, I think it’s lovely that you wanted me to come along. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome I guess.” This is the very first time Y/N has heard this girl say those words, which is incredibly shocking. She’s actually being nice and not for something beneficial for her! “I just...I also don’t want to be alone right now.”

“What do you mean?” Y/N furrows her eyebrows. “You’ve got a bunch of friends.”

“There are certain things I cannot tell them alright?” Layla turns around to face Y/N. “If I talk to the boys about this they’ll tell each other, and I’ve got no girl friend.”

“What about Trix?”

“Trix is a lovely girl but she’s dumb.” Layla rolls her eyes, sighing. “Don’t tell her I said that though.”

“Layla you call Trix dumb to her face all the time!”

“I meant, don’t tell her I called her lovely!”

“Oh...okay...” Y/N widens her eyes but she shrugs it off and goes ahead to ask Layla what is it that she cannot tell the others.

“If I can’t tell my friends, why would I tell you?” Layla snorts and intends to keep on walking, but somehow she hesitates. It seems like she’s trying to make up her mind about something, it takes her a second or two before turning back to Y/N and taking a deep breath.

“I have feelings for Niall.”

“What?”

“Don’t tell anyone!” Layla lowers her voice and looks around in a sneaky way as she grabs Y/N by the wrist, pulling the girl to the back of the store where no one pays attention to them.

“I don’t see the problem, Layla, aren’t you and Niall flirting all the time?” Y/N giggles. To be honest, it’s quite amusing to see Layla like this, normally she acts like a cold-hearted bitch who cares about nothing but herself, this is the first time Y/N’s seen Layla so afraid.

“I wouldn’t call that flirting, it’s just me yelling at him and him apologizing...” Layla buries her face into her palm and exhales deeply. “I’m not good at handling my feelings.”

“It’s okay, Harry used to be like that.”

“Harry was different! He’s always been soft, a soft baby trying to act tough, I’m not like that! I didn’t care about anyone or anything but myself.”

“Wow, did you just really say that?” Y/N questions but Layla ignores her.

“But Niall told me about this girl he’s been seeing the other day and...and...I was scared that I would lose Niall.”

“Oh wow.” Y/N takes a deep breath as she adjusts her jacket to keep calm. Layla having feelings for Niall is one thing, but her actually confiding in Y/N is something extremely alarming.

“I know we’re not friends, but you’re the only one who can help me right now.”

To Y/N’s surprise, Layla grabs her hand and brings it to her chest, looking at her with puppy dog eyes begging for help. “I’ll be nice to you if you teach me to be like you.”

“Layla.” Y/N chuckles and withdraws her hand back to her side. “You don’t need to be like me, because Niall’s nothing like Harry. That’s not how it works.”

“Boys seem to like nice girls.” Layla shrugs, looking pretty hopeless. Y/N cannot recognize her anymore, she’s actually being insecure about herself! That’s another first!

“Maybe you can start by being nice to him? I’m not sure what type of girls Niall’s into but I don’t think he enjoys you calling him names all the time.”

“Okay, got it, be nice to Niall. Anything else?”

“How about we go somewhere we can sit and talk?”

Layla doesn’t think twice, she says yes right away then grabs Y/N by the hand and pulls her to the exit. When they get to the doors, suddenly she pauses then turns around, furrowing her eyebrows at Y/N. For a second, Y/N thinks the old Layla is back.

“I forgot,” she says with a worrying face. “Thank you for helping me.”

“You’re welcome, Layla,” Y/N replies with a smile, and for the first time, Layla smiles back.

...

Harry arrives in Tokyo at around 5AM, the jet-lag makes him exhausted. After texting his girlfriend to let her know he’s safely landed, he calls a taxi and gives the driver the address to the building he’s staying so he can take him there.

Tokyo is beautiful, and different and exciting, but he misses London already. It should be night over there now. And if he was home, Y/N and him would probably be studying together or watching a movie or having sex or just cuddling in bed because one of them has had a bad day. Now he’s all alone, thinking about how one year ago he told her he couldn’t wait to travel somewhere far away and leave everything behind. He didn’t know then that one day she would become his everything.

The taxi pulls over and Harry gets out as the driver helps him take his luggage out of the car.

“Arigatou,” he tells the middle-aged man and receives a smile in return. He doesn’t actually know Japanese. He’s only learnt to say thank you and also ‘Konnichiwa’ which means ‘Hello’, so maybe he’ll ask Gemma to teach him something else because she’s lived here for over a year.

The taxi drives away. Harry picks up his suitcases and bags and enters the building. After receiving his keys, he waits for the lift to arrive, when suddenly, a stranger appears out of nowhere and bumps right into him, knocking both of them a few steps backward. She looks so terrified when he says sorry.

“Are you alright?” he asks, not sure if the Japanese girl understands but she just grabs his collars and pulls his head down.

Then to his surprise, she kisses him on the lips!

Harry pulls away immediately, staring at the girl with widened eyes. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?!”

She lets him go, not answering his questions then turns around as if searching for someone.

“Miss, I don’t know who you are but you can’t just kiss random people—”

“Hana.”

“Sorry?”

“My name’s Hana.” She smiles at him, trying to catch her breath and offers him her hand to shake. “Nice to meet you.”

This girl must be crazy, Harry thinks to himself then refuses her friendly gesture. “I’m sorry but I’m in a hurry.”

“Hey, wait, I’m sorry about the kiss, I—” The girl stops him as he’s about to enter the lift which just arrived. “I had no other choice. There’s a guy who kept following me around, I told him I had a boyfriend but he didn’t believe me so I freaked out and—”

“And you forced yourself on a fucking stranger?!” Harry furrows his eyebrows but he’s got no time for drama, he’s already exhausted. “I really have to go. You are forgiven.”

He walks into the lift, but the girl follows him as well. Harry decides to ignore her and reaches out to press the button with number eighteen. Hana is just standing there, smiling at him.

“Well, which floor are you on?” he asks in annoyance and the girl gives him a shrug.

“Also eighteen.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

“We’ve only known each other for like five minutes but you’ve cursed like five times,” she comments with a chuckle.

Her attitude kind of reminds him of Y/N somehow, but Harry quickly gets rid of that thought because his girl would be fuming if she found out he associated her with a girl who just kissed him without his permission.

“I don’t think I should be polite to someone who sexually assaulted me.”

“It was just a kiss.”

Okay, Harry takes it back, she’s nothing like Y/N. His Y/N would not say something like that, and certainly would not go around kissing strangers! Harry sighed into his palm, closing his eyes for two seconds. What a terrible beginning for his six months in this foreign city!

“What’s your name?”

“You’re asking me?” Harry points to himself, which makes her laugh.

“Yeah, you’re the only one here, aren’t you?”

“And why would I want to tell you my name?”

“Aren’t we going to be neighbors?”

“What?” Harry stares at her with his mouth agape. 

Hana crosses her arms then tells him everyone knows everything around here, and if he wants to fit in he needs to stop acting surprised all the time.

“But you’re not from here either, aren’t you?” he asks when the lift stops and they both walk out one by one.

“What gives it away?”

“Your accent.”

“I’d lived in NYC my whole life before moving back here for university, my grandma got sick,” she tells him then walks ahead to show him the way.

His flat is at the very end of the hall and her door is right in front of his. Great, he was so happy that he got to live with no flatmate, now he’s stuck with this crazy girl as his neighbor.

With a smile on her face, Hana watches Harry being all grumpy because he can’t open the lock on the door.

“What the fuck is wrong with this key?!

“Here, let me help you.” 

Hana pushes Harry aside as she yanks the key away from his hand, then just casually opens the door with so little effort.

“Why are you giving me that look?” she chuckles at his expression, “there’s still a lot you need to learn if you’re gonna stay here for long.”

Harry stays quiet as he watches her walk over to her door and unlocks it as well. Before entering her flat, she turns around and gives him one last smile.

“I’m here if you need any help, Harry.” 

Harry stands in the hallway, gawking at nothing for a long moment until it occurs to him — he didn’t tell her his name.

...

“Wow, your new place looks nice!” Y/N rests her chin on her knuckles as she smiles at her boyfriend in the laptop screen. 

“Are you in my room.”

“Yes, this is my room now that you’re not here.” Y/N swings her arms in the air and spins herself around on his swivel chair, making him laugh.

“Now that you remind me, my room is bigger than yours. I remember us doing rock, paper, scissor to decide who would get that room when we first moved in.”

“I hated you for winning!” She puckers her forehead and pretends to look grumpy but he just thinks she’s adorable. On the other note, Y/N thinks Harry looks so hot even with the terrible video quality, especially with his weary eyes and messy hair.

“Baby you look so good,” she tells him. “I wish I could kiss your beautiful face but I can’t.”

“Thank you.” Harry chuckles then furrows his eyebrows a little bit when he catches a glimpse of her cleavage. “Put some clothes on woman, I can’t concentrate!”

“I have clothes on!”

“That tank top is almost see-through little missy, and I’m too tired for another wank in the shower!”

Y/N giggles as her boyfriend pretends to covers his eyes then peeks through the gap between his fingers with a cheeky smile on his face. They talk a bit more about Harry’s flight and Y/N’s assignments, when suddenly she brings up a topic that he can definitely relate.

“Something really weird happened to me today.”

“Same here!” he exclaims, rolling his eyes when he thinks about his crazy neighbor. “But you go first.”

“Okay, you may not believe this, but I spent the entire day with Layla.”

Harry’s eyes go wide as he asks her immediately, “are you hurt?!”

“No!” She giggles while shaking her head. “She was really nice to me, I had so much fun but it was weird still.”

“Wow, do you know the reason?” “I do, but I can’t tell ya, it’s a secret between Layla and I.”

It does come as a shock to Harry that his girlfriend can get along with someone like his friend Layla, but seeing the radiance on her face makes him feel at ease. The last time Y/N thought she found herself a new girl friend, that girl only used her to get to Harry. So now it’s good for him to know she’s hanging out with another girl and having fun while doing so, even when that girl is Layla. 

“So how’s Tokyo? Loving it so far?” she asks and he shakes his head no, pouting a little bit into the webcam.

“The bed doesn’t smell like you, I can’t stand it.”

“Aww baby.” She frowns, fingers reaching out to touch his face on her screen, wishing she could feel him instead of the hard surface. “But I’m glad you don’t have a flatmate. I’d be so upset if there was another Olivia trying to make a move on you again.”

Harry’s whole body stiffens when he hears those words and thinks about the incident in the lobby with his crazy Japanese neighbor. Though he didn’t sign up to be kissed, he still can’t tell her about what happened. Like she said, she’d be so upset and he doesn’t want to worry her some more.

“Wait, something weird also happened to you right? What was it?”

“Oh, I ran into a lady with a weird haircut, that’s all.”

The feelings sink in when they leave their conversation for silence to take over. They hold a gaze for a little while, then Y/N is the first to speak, “why did you walk away before I could say anything else?”

“When?”

“At the airport.”

“Oh, that...” He scratches the back of his head. “I was afraid.”

“Of?”

“Of whatever you were going to say to me. It doesn’t matter what it is because it would’ve made me want to drop everything to stay in London with you.”

“Aww baby...”

“But do you love the ring?”

She smiles at him. “I do. I loved your heartfelt speech as well.”

“Thanks, I practiced it over and over again in front of a mirror,” he tells her proudly. The smug on his face makes her heart flutter and her stomach tingling in a good way. Well, as long as she has his ring on her finger, she’s going to pretend he’s physically here by her side.

“So you start your new job tomorrow?”

“Today actually, it’s already 7AM here. I’ll have to be at the office at 1PM.” He presses his lips into a smile and pinches the bridge of his nose. He hasn’t slept in twelve hours or so and now his head is starting to hurt.

“Get some rest baby, we’ll talk another time. I think I should go to bed as well.”

“Okay, love you lots and lots!” Harry throws both hands in the air and leans over to kiss the webcam, which cracks her up. 

“I love you too! See you soon!” she says, waving goodbye before exiting the video chat. When Harry disappears from her laptop screen, the uplifting atmosphere in her room leaves with him. 

Y/N closes her laptop, turns off the light and climbs into Harry’s bed, under the sheets that smell just like him. She stares at his ring on her finger for a little while before holding it to where her heart stays and squeezing her eyes shut. 

Six months won’t be too long, the voice inside her head tells herself, he’ll come back to you really soon. 

Nevertheless, it doesn’t take more than five minutes until the tears start streaming down her face.

On the other side of the world, Harry closes his laptop and rises from the sofa. He misses Y/N terribly so all he wants is to go to bed then fall asleep in the blanket she got him. But he has a feeling he’s not getting some rest anytime soon when someone rings on his doorbell. Harry has to drag his heavy feet to the door, only to regret once it’s opened.

“Hey, new co-worker!” Hana, now in a different outfit, cheers when she sees his face. “I hope you’re ready for your city tour.”

[alliooup]

Clementine & Louis – After the Fire

sooo this has prooobably already been done, but i’m a basic bitch so here: a drabble that takes place following the events in S4E3 if you romance Louis but save violet. clementine tries to apologize to louis for everything that happened to him. she finds him at the piano. welcome to angst city, i’m your mayor. also i stan criticism and feedback sooo yep. here she is.

She waited, hand poised so her fingers barely grazed the metal handle of the door. Clementine had faced countless dangers, countless threats, countless losses, but none of them made her feel quite like this. In the past, there was finality, in some morbid degree at least. Her guilt over Lee would remain latched to her for the rest of her life, probably even beyond it if Tenn was really onto anything with his pictures, his places after death, but she wouldn’t ever face him with that regret hanging on her shoulders.

It hurt.

It all hurt.

This was just another kind of hurting, a new breed to file away amongst the others she’d become acquainted with during her short life. Only this time, she’d have to face it.

The gold handle was scuffed, cloudy from lack of polishing, stained by ash from the fires left behind when Lilly tried to haul them all away. She felt like she’d been punched in the chest. Her hand fell away from the doorknob.

How was she even supposed to begin? Even attempting to explain why she did what she did felt like an insult. She’d saved Violet. She’d saved Violet and let them take him. At the time she thought it was the best choice. Violet was tactical, better than Louis in a fight. Clementine thought saving Violet would be her best chance at saving everyone, at saving him.

And look what it had gotten him.

AJ had said Louis would forgive her if she tried to ‘atone,’ it. Clementine bit the inside of her cheek. She’d smiled at the time, weakly, but couldn’t bring herself to say anything in return. She didn’t want to worry him, but she could tell he was concerned for her. He tried to cheer her up with the smallest things, anything really. It could be a ladybug crawling on a spear of grass or a new picture scrawled out with colored pencils.

Clementine had talked to Violet about it one night. She was the only person Clementine felt like she could really speak to about it, but even then, everything just managed to come out in fragments. She just never seemed to be able to find the right words. Staring up at the stars, Clementine had asked, “could you have forgiven me? If…” She trailed off, silence pooling in the void of night that filled the space between them.

Violet was quiet, dirt crackling beneath her palms as she shifted her weight.

“Honestly,” Violet began, her voice soft, eyes hitched on the stars above. Clementine could see her sadness reflected in them, the same sadness that sat in the hollow of her own chest like a heavy rock. “I don’t know.”

Clementine wondered what she was even doing there, standing in the doorway like she even had a right to speak to him, to apologize, to try and make it right. She could never bring back what he’d lost, what had been taken of him because of her.

She may as well have been holding the knife that carved the tongue from his mouth.

Her fingers squeezed into her hand, nails burning in little half crescents on her palm. She could do it for Louis. He deserved more than this, so, so much more. But this was all she had, all she could offer. What he did with it…that would be his choice. She would accept that. She had to.

Sucking in a deep breath, she pushed open the door. She remembered a time where even a crack in that doorway would send music flooding into the open hallway. Now there was only silence.

The door creaked on its hinges as Clementine entered the room.

Louis sat alone at the piano bench with slumped shoulders and arms hanging limply at his sides. He stared at the keys, lips slightly parted. The blood had been washed from his face by the time she’d made it back to the school after the fight on Lilly’s boat. He’d thrown his arms around her then, the words that would have tumbled from his mouth contorted in the gargled yelps and cries as he clutched her to his chest, his face buried in her shoulder.

They’d hovered around each other since then, like two planets locked in orbit together, but they’d never spoken about it. Not since Clementine had been thrown in his cell and she first saw what had been done to him.

He almost looked normal with the golden light splashed across his face, at least, if you didn’t know him. He would have been smiling before. He smiled so much back then.

Louis looked up at her, mouth opening out of habit and a flicker of noise echoing at the back of his throat before he clamped his lips shut and looked away from her, brow knit as he turned back to look at the keys.

Clementine’s eyes dampened, but she blinked her tears away before they could even begin to fill her eyes. She approached him, pausing just beside the piano bench. “Can I join you?” She asked, words coming out so much more tightly than she imagined them.

Louis’ head twitched down in response as he scooted to make more room for her on the bench, but he didn’t look up at her as she slowly sank down beside him.

The wooden bench wheezed beneath her as she sat. The sound of it was agonizing in the overwhelming quiet of the room, in the silence between them. Her knees were pressed together, hands resting in her lap as she left a sliver of space between them. She didn’t want to push him too far too quickly. She didn’t want to put him in that position. Even if he’d hugged her before, that had been different. It was…intense. Neither knew what had happened to the other, if they’d even survived, if they’d been captured again. She’d understand if things weren’t…the same anymore. If they never could be again, even if the thought of it left her heart twisted in knots and a lump balling in her throat.

Her eyes drifted from Louis to the piano. She couldn’t believe that it had survived after everything. In the yellow light, she could see the initials she’d carved, her pathetic and lumpy excuse for a heart.

It became so hard to breathe, lungs seeming to shrivel inside her. Her arm twitched to reach out and touch it, to run her fingers over those coarse ridges -as if that would pull them back to before, back to when she could stop this from ever happening to him at all- but it was only for an instant. More of an instinct than an act.

But Louis had noticed. While her eyes had been pinned to the carving, his eyes had been pinned to her, shifting only to see where her eyes fell.

The knit in his brow softened. Tentative fingers crept across the seat of the bench, seeking her out, pausing only when his fingertips brushed hers.

Breath hitching, Clementine turned to look at him and was met with desperate eyes, eyes that ached with a thousand things to say but no means to communicate. His jaw looked so tight, like it had been wound tightly with the wire cord of a trap.

“Louis,” she breathed, voice wavering. “I’m just… I’m so sorry-”

He cut in with a guttural sound, jerking his hand away with a thrash of his arm. Frustration twisted in his features, lips pulling into a grimace as he slammed his hand down on the keys with a shrill bang.

Clementine flinched back in shock, watching in horror as Louis’ face shifted from anger and frustration, fingers pushing through his locks as he squeezed his eyes shut. He pressed his lips together but didn’t open his eyes. A single teardrop brimmed at his lashes, catching the light for an instant before dripping down the edge of his cheek.

Louis, Clementine thought, loosing a single, ragged breath. Tears pushed at her eyes, but this time she didn’t hold them back. She let them fall. She ached to reach for him, but her bones felt as though they had been filled with lead, unable to budge them from her sides. So she looked down at her hands, splotched with dirt. Pain swelled in her chest and she pressed her eyes closed in response, teeth pinching down on her bottom lip.

The air was punctured by the sound of the piano, familiar notes he’d played for her before. The music was gentle yet it raked across her heart.

Oh my darling, oh my darling, oh my darling Clementine,

Clementine rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand, clearing her vision as it began to blur with tears. Louis looked back at her, his own cheeks wet and eyes shining as his bottom lip wavered.

Clementine offered him a faint smile, but it soon melted beneath the swell of grief that roiled in her chest, grief, and love for him. She knew he felt it too, it echoed in each chord of the piano, she could read it in his eyes.

Clementine let her forehead fall on his shoulder, her fist balling in the leather sleeve of his jacket. Her shoulders began to shake as she tugged on the sleeve. No words.

The music stopped, seat creaking as Louis twisted towards Clementine and enfolded her in his arms. She could feel his tears dripping onto her skin, rolling down her own cheeks, but he held onto her all the same, his grip so tight it pushed the air from her lungs.

And in the golden light, they felt warmth.

[yellowsugarwords]

Walking Dead Game FanFiction - “Like Siblings”

Title: Like Siblings Characters: Louis, Violet, Clementine, AJ, Tenn, Marlon Summary: Louis and Violet go through the average day of annoying the daylights out of one another. But, as the day goes on, prove that they have a bond with one another. That they, together, are family. Author's Note: I love the brotp stuff between these two my HEART Requested By: Anonymous support me with ko-fi ♡ ---------♥️♥️♥️----------

“Fight me.”

“You think I won’t?”

Louis scoffed. “I know you won’t. You’d never lay a precious finger on me.”

Violet snorted. “Do you even know me?”

“Some days it’s debatable if he knows anyone around here,” Clementine claimed, riffling through the book she’d snagged from the library. Finding where she’d last stopped reading and cracking open the spine, she leaned back and sighed through her nose. “The other day he told Mitch to ‘take it outside’ if he wasn’t happy with a decision he made.”

“Ah,” Violet hummed, crossing her arms, turning back to her temporary foe. “So you have a death wish. That’s why you’re messing with me.”

Louis smirked, and the smugness from their argument — the one he thought he was winning — continued to seep through. The two often taunted one another in such ways, even if they both knew that often — ie: every day — they fought each other. “No, I just like teasing the people who I know won’t touch me.” He shrugged. “You care about me too much. You’d never fight me.”

Violet smirked. Louis, eyes closed in the midst of gleaming about his strength, didn’t notice.

In a matter of seconds, Violet had him pinned to the floor — a position Louis wailed in as he tried to wriggle his way out.

The front doors of Ericson creaked, but neither of the two squabbling noticed. They were too preoccupied trying to pin the other onto the ground, forcing them to yell ‘uncle.’ Marlon raised a brow, making his way to Clem’s side and setting himself down beside her. “What’s that all about?”

Violet accidentally busted open Louis’ lip due to their wrestling match on the lawn. The one Tenn and AJ had scurried to come see, and the one Clementine had urgently waved them away from. The last thing she wanted was them mimicking the two most energetic and boundary-less teens on the lot.

At dinner that night, Louis groaned and pushed away his plate.

Spotting a few morsels abandoned in his bowl, relatively untouched, Violet smirked and slithered in from across the table. “Can I steal that?”

“No, I’m giving it to Marlon.” Louis said, brushing his fingers over his busted lip.

Violet’s jaw dropped. The pop sound from the separation of her lips caught Louis’ attention. “Why can’t I get it?”

Louis scrunched his nose. “Because Marlon always sacrifices things for us and I wanna give something back?”

Violet raised a brow.

“He’s helping my out with my chore schedule and I owe him one.”

Violet scoffed, the air escaping from her nose as she leaned further back. She sat there, contemplating what to say, and her lips fell. “I see how it is.” She hesitated, letting the both of them well in the silence. “You’re closer with Marlon.”

“What?”

Violet shoved herself up from the table, shooting an intense, deep-seated glare Louis’ way. She hesitated before speaking, rolling her tongue over her dry lips, trying to find the words to toss his way. “Whatever, Louis. If you wanna be all buddy-buddy with Marlon instead of me, fine.”

Louis blinked, watching as she dragged herself around the table, her gaze not leaving his. The rigidness of her body never changed. “Vi, what are you talking about?”

“Save it, Louis.”

He scoffed. “Are you actually mad?” He hesitated, not hearing a response. “You can’t be serious.”

Violet approached him, setting her hands on her hips. Her stare squinted and her glare deepening. They both knew that this time around, the silence was heavier. “You’re right.”

Louis blinked then squinted, trying to read her like a book. Before he could respond or react, Violet snatched the bowl from the table and bolted for the other end of Ericson’s lot, cackling the entire way. Louis blinked, his mind trying to catch up, before he scoffed and shuffled to his feet. “Wait! Vi!”

“Ha!” She scoffed at his call, hearing his voice stumble as he darted after her. “Better catch me if you want your precious Marlon to get it.”

“Ugh, Vi! Come on!”

Clementine learned when the two eventually stumbled back that Violet had not eaten Marlon’s meal. As per usual, she was teasing Louis for the fun of it. “We’ll laugh about it when we get older.” She’d always say. Louis would always roll his eyes, but they both knew she was right.

A few hours later, Louis was messing around in the music room, fiddling with his piano. It was routine these days. When everything was said and done, Louis would tinker around on the piano, maybe spend some time goofing off with Clem and AJ, and then would head to bed.

So, Violet knew exactly where to find him.

In the midst of him playing, Violet peeked in. As suspected, his eyes were closed, letting the music carry him and guide his fingers opposed to his mind directing them. Under that cover, Violet crept in.

Before he had a chance to open his eyes and spot her, Violet slithered forward, smacked the keys on the left half of the instrument, and made a break for the exit.

Louis jumped, the sound slashing him from his creative zone. His frazzled mind catching up with reality, he turned to spot the blonde in the door frame. “Vi!”

“Pretty song,” she said, a smirk forming the giggle that bubbled through.

Louis didn’t wait a moment before he bolted forward after her. In only a minute, he had body-tackled her to Ericson’s hallway floor.

Louis was never worried about roughing around when it came to Violet. He body tackled her, and she punched him more times in a day than either of them could count. They never cared, despite the fact they were constantly littered in bruises.

With his arms locked around her stomach, feeling it bubble with laughter beneath him, Louis knew that Violet was fine.

And he laughed too.

Later that night, when Violet was getting ready to head up for her watchtower shift, Louis stood behind her and cleared his throat.

She turned, raising an eyebrow while staring him down. He was acting weird. Different. Normally if he had something to say to her he would just say it. Why was he staring at her? Why was he silent? “What?” She finally let escape, letting go of the ladder and dismounting her foot.

Louis shrugged, kicking a foot into the dirt. “It’s my watchtower shift too.”

Violet paused, waiting to spot any trace of sarcasm. There was none. “Marlon doesn’t schedule two people at the same time.”

“This time he did.”

Violet blinked, staring him down. Louis didn’t flinch. Over time, Violet came to learn that that was the thing she hated most about Louis — his keen ability to lie without getting caught. He was way too good at it. Scary good. “Louis, what are you--”

“Vi, just go up the ladder. Trust me, alright?” Violet stared at him, as if asking him to question what he was asking of her. He sighed, his shoulders flopping. “Just go.”

She went. Really, she did trust him — more than anyone at Ericson next to Clementine — she just liked teasing him. It was fun to see it work, and their back-and-forth when it didn’t always made her laugh.

Pausing at the top, arms crossed, Violet waited for Louis to flop himself onto their observation deck. Once he did, her shoulders jostled with a scoff. “So? Why did you want to come up here?”

Louis pulled himself to his feet, brushing the dirt off his shirt and jacket before speaking. “What, I can’t just hang out with you? It is my shift too.”

Violet blinked but didn’t flinch.

Louis shrugged, holding his shoulders in their upright position for a beat longer than normal. The move was subtle, but it showed Violet that he was being genuine. “That's it.” He said, loosening them.

“Why?” Violet said. Her arms flopped to her side as she made her way deeper into the platform. She leaned against the back railing — the squeaky flap of wood — and let her arms return to their folded state. “Are you sure you’re not here to apologize for tackling me earlier?”

Louis snorted. “Positive. You deserved it.”

Violet smirked. She totally did, but she’d never confess it. Definitely never to Louis.

“I just wanted to hang out,” he said, plopping himself on the slab of railing beside her. Not close enough to invade her personal space, but close enough.

Violet exhaled through her nose. “You never wanna do that.”

“That’s why I want to start,” he said, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “We’re always joking around and hanging out with the rest of the group. Never one-on-one.”

Violet’s smirk, the playful exterior Louis always gave her, fell. The mask dissipated, and instead he was left to see her — the serious her. The real her. “Do we need to?” She asked.

“No,” Louis said, his smile also long gone. His stare wasn’t facing her. His gaze was outcast over the forest, doing what the two of them were actually supposed to be doing. “But you mean a lot to me. And I like hanging out one-on-one with people that mean a lot to me.”

“But why?” She asked, pushing herself off the railing, staring at Louis directly and fully.

His gaze snapped and attached to hers. It didn't hold serious for long. Laying his eyes on her, Louis could help but smile. “Because then I can tell you that you mean a lot to me. I can’t do that in front of the others.”

She blinked, the phrase taking her aback. Her lips parted, but gently this time. It was wildly unlike how they snapped open at dinner. It made Louis fall deeper into his smile. He realized just how many ways he could surprise her. He Realized how many emotions he could invoke by saying the simplest things, and how much power he had over something as fragile as her emotions.

It only reminded him of how badly he never wanted anyone else to have that power over her. People were cruel, and in their world more than ever. Violet had been through too much pain to have someone willingly inflict more on her. If he could have power over her emotions, he wanted to treat them kindly. Like glass.

She knew she had the same power over him. They were equals, and they had always seen each other as such. Maybe that was why their chemistry matched so well — because their sibling comradery never felt unbalanced. They were always transparent and level.

Louis chuckled, Violet’s look of awe fading as her brain snapped her back to reality. “Wanna sit?” Louis questioned, gesturing to the dusty, wooden floor.

Violet glanced at the ground and then at Louis, still reeling in what he had said. “So, you’re really staying for my entire shift?”

Louis smirked and shrugged. “Well, yeah. It’s our shift now.”

Violet leaned her back against the railing again. “So, what are we gonna do?” She asked, sliding herself to the floor.

Louis plopped himself down, more aggressive than how Violet had eased herself. “Just talk. Hang out.”

“Without physically assaulting each other?”

“If possible.”

Violet snorted. “We’ll see about that.”

Louis wanted to know her deeper. More than just as a friend with a sibling rivalry — the one where they wrestled on the lawn and smacked each other upside the head when they said something stupid. That rivalry where they spoke silently through eyebrows across the dinner table.

He wanted them to have something more. Something elaborative. Something that was actively acknowledging just how much joy they brought to the other’s life.

“This is why you gave Marlon you food at dinner, right?” Violet asked, the words sent off into the forest.

She could hear Louis chuckle, finishing it off with a whimsical sigh. “Yeah, you got me.”

All she could do was smile. Louis had a habit for making her do that. ---------♥️♥️♥️----------