#inspired by cruel summer

[miss-grimwood]

Summer - Bellamione

Bellatrix pulled open the old wooden gate of Hermione’s beachfront cottage, the creak of the rusted hinges breaking the silence of the night.

Three knocks on the door to alert Hermione to her presence, and then she let herself in using the spare key.

Hermione was dozing on the sofa, a thin blanket draped over her legs.

‘Granger, I’m here,’ Bellatrix whispered. Hermione startled a little, but her face relaxed into a smile when she saw her lover in the doorway.

‘C’mere.’

Bellatrix settled beside her, sitting in comfortable silence.

She’d visited Hermione every night over the summer, once darkness had set in and she wouldn’t be seen.

Tonight was different. Tonight, she was finally saying the words that had tortured her for weeks. But before she could, Hermione spoke up.

‘I go back to uni tomorrow. I won’t be back here until Christmas.’

Bellatrix’s face fell.

‘I have to go.’

‘But you only just got here,’ Hermione said, puzzled.

It was no use, Bellatrix was off like a shot, running back to the rickety old gate that had served as a barrier between her real life, and her romantic summer with Hermione.

One hand on the gate, Bellatrix turned to Hermione, her face red in her attempt to suppress her tears.

‘I came here to tell you I loved you.’ She spat.

Hermione froze. ‘Bella, I love you too,’ she replied, as if that changed everything.

‘No you don’t. You’re leaving me here alone. Fuck you, Hermione.’

Hermione pouted. One of the rare times Bellatrix had used her first name, and it was for this.

@sapphicmicrofics

[gossipandglamour]

sarah. michelle. gellar. icon

[panpraja]

The angel rolled their eyes. All hundreds of them.

[alohastyles-x]

Hi! I had a request for your cruel summer event if you don’t mind :)

Kate Bishop x fem!Reader, Wildest Dreams (like, all of it?), fluff/smut

Totally fine if you don’t want to!

“She said “let’s get out of this town, drive out from the city, away from the crowds” | “She’s so tall and handsome as hell, she’s so bad but she does it so well” | “You'll see me in hindsight Tangled up with you all night Burning it down Someday when you leave me I bet these memorie Follow you around | “Say you'll remember me Standing in a nice dress Staring at the sunset, babe Red lips and rosy cheeks Say you'll see me again Even if it's just pretend”

note: this is a part of my Cruel Summer (Marvel's Version) Project, running all summer long. "totally fine if you don't want to", nonnie how could i NOT?! I also was unaware how popular kate is for fics on here rn, so I will be hyperfixating hard thank youuuuu. Clearly I am using your ask nonnie to manifest tf out of some romance in my life that I am so lacking hahahah. anyways, I hope you enjoy bby! <3

wordcount: 1.7k

trope / pairing: kate bishop x Fem Reader , fluff&smut

warnings: smutty smut smut at the end, but like a sweet smut (still 18+ tho)

Materslist | Marvel Masterlist | Cruel Summer (Marvel's Version) Masterlist |

The full moon hung low in the sky, cascading the entire highway in a bath of moonlight. The sight was breathtaking, and Kate couldn’t decide which view she liked more- you sitting in the passenger seat, or the illuminated landscape before you two. 

It had been her idea to leave the city in the dead of night and take a drive until you found a secluded spot for just the two of you. It had come to her when she saw you leaning on the balcony talking to Clint, overlooking the city. The sun was setting, casting a glow around you. You were so pretty, she knew she had to get you by yourself. 

You were still in your attire from the charity event earlier, Kate in her sleek black suit, and you in your matching black dress. It was Kate’s favorite dress on you, as it hugged your curves in all her favorite ways. The two of you were still thriving off the energy of the charity event, unable to sleep, which is how the two of you ended up in Kate's car. 

You instantly agreed, knowing damn well you’d follow her anywhere she wanted to go- especially in that suit. The way the dark material softened her pale skin made her look incredible. A sight before your eyes. 

“Where are we even going?” You asked, a giggle following. If you knew Kate at all, you knew she had a plan. It may have been a loose one, but a plan none-the-less.

“Okay, so I remember seeing this cute little dinner a few towns over on my way back from the last mission, and I just knew I had to take you. So that’s what we're doing, were finding the diner.” Kate responded, looking to you hopeful. You stared at her, before busting out in laughter. 

“Kate! It is the middle of the night!”

“It’s open 24 hours!” Kate defended herself, laughing with you. 

“Do you remember anything else besides it being a ‘couple towns over’?” 

“I remember it was pink and blue, like a ‘50’s themed diner, and that its open 24 hours. That is about it,” Kate responded. 

“Alright, mission received, Hawkeye.” You saluted her, and turned your attention to the deserted highway. 

There was nothing but trees in either direction, making it difficult to see far off in the distance. That didn’t stop you from trying though. The nearest exit was still five miles away, so you waited patiently for the signs showing local food spots off the exit, while trying to peer through the dark woods blanketing the highway. 

Finally, a sign appeared, illuminated under some lights. 

MCDONALDS 0.2 mi 

DANS DINER o.3 mi 

“Oh, look! There’s a dinner off this exit, should we try it?” You said, hopeful. 

“Yeah, yeah lets do it!” 

As the exit approached, Kate veered off, following the sign until the Diner appeared. It was decorated in browns and gold-  clearly decorated by a man without a single interior design bone in his body. Kate grimaced as she looked it over.  The parking lot was dark, with only a single, flickering street light on the property. The diner was empty, save for the cook who stared menacingly out the windows. You swallowed a gulp, afraid he’d hear it even through the glass. 

“Definitely not this one,” she said, turning the car around. 

“Oh, thank god,” you whispered. The diner did not look the friendliest, or the cleanest for that matter. 

“There’s definitely at least one family of roaches in there,” you said, earning a laugh from Kate. 

“Oh at least, but definitely more.”

The two of you drove for another hour, pulling off at any diner you spotted. None of them were even remotely close, all decorated horribly and didn’t look the least bit appealing. The search was becoming exhausting, and you were starving by this point. You were just about to ask Kate if you could turn back, maybe stop somewhere else, but she suddenly slammed on the breaks. 

“Kate! What are you doing, you’re in the middle of the road, you can’t just stop like this!” You yelled, frantically looking behind you to make sure no cars were coming.

“I found it!” She squealed, pointing. Just ahead stood a tall sign, lit with neon that read “Callie’s Diner”. Below, sat a quaint little dinner, brightly lit with multiple guests eating there. 

“Oh my god we found it!” You smiled. Your stomach rumbled just then, as if echoing your statement. With that, Kate began driving again, veering off at the exit. 

She parked the car in the lot, and the two of you got out. It was just how Kate described it, like a time capsule from the 50’s. The booths were light blue and pink, matching the painted walls. Bright green plants sat in the corners, giving the place a lively feel to it. There was one waitress, who moved around on roller skates between the kitchen and the booths. 

“Woah, this is so cool!” You said, as the two of you settled into an empty booth. 

“Isn’t it? I knew you’d love it.” Seeing Kate enthusiastic about something she wanted to show you warmed your heart. The simple fact that she saw a place and instantly thought of you was enough to reassure any fears you may have had. 

Kate was definitely the greatest thing to ever happen to you, and the feeling was mutual. She loved the way you could light up a room with just your smile, how contagious your laugh was. The way you drummed your fingers against any surface near you when you were bored. She loved every little thing about you, and couldn’t wait to spend the rest of her life with you. 

The two of you ordered food and some milkshakes, and scarfed everything down in what should have been a record time. Driving and searching really exasperated the two of you. But no matter how tired or starving the two of you were, you couldn’t help but have fun, just enjoying being in each others company. Kate had stuck her finger in the whip cream of the milkshake, before bopping you on the nose, leaving remnants of whip cream on it. You scoffed, mocking offense, before attempting to do the same thing back. It just ended with Kate getting whip cream in her hair and on her suit- which just led to her laughing even harder. 

Kate paid, and tipped the waitress, and the two of you walked back out to the car. It was still dark out, the kind of dark that is seemingly the darkest, just before the sun begins to rise. The parking lot was flooded in light from the street lamp, creating a perfect little haven out in the car. By now, the rest of the lot was empty, save for the employee cars on the side. 

“What now?” You asked Kate. 

“I have an idea,” Kate smiled sheepishly, before jumping in the backseat. You giggled, knowing exactly where her mind went. The two of you hadn’t had alone time in weeks, since Kate got sent on an extended mission across the country, 

Kate folded the seats down with some effort, as the left one always loves to get stuck, and brought you close in her arms. Her soft lips found yours with urgency as she let her hands run all over your body. Your hands made your way into her hair, tugging ever so slightly as she deepened the kiss. A moan reverberated through your body as her tongue danced with yours. 

Her hand slipped the straps of your dress off, moving to take it all the way off. A breath hitched in her throat at the lacy garments you wore underneath, anticipating this moment from the moment you got dressed earlier. 

“So beautiful,” she whispered, moving to kiss down your neck, and then your chest. Another moan escaped you as you rolled your head back, her teeth nipping gently at your skin. You moved to straddle her lap, while taking her jacket off. 

The two of you undressed each other fairly quickly,  not wanting to waste a single second. As she tugged your lacy silk underwear to the side, she slipped a finger in between the folds of you, your wet slick coating your fingers. 

“You’re so wet for me, baby,” Kate praised, as she began to rub you gently. The feeling was euphoric as she  worked around your clit, her fingers finding their way inside you. You shuddered out a gasp as she pushed another finger inside. 

“Oh god,” you moaned. 

“You feel so good,” Kate moaned back, her breath hot against your own. She pushed you down gently, moving slowly as she made her way down your chest, leaving a trail of soft kisses. Her mouth was soft against your skin, leaving a trail of heat in its wake. A blush crept up on your cheeks. No matter how many times she had seen you like this, you were always nervous. 

Sensing your nervousness, she gave your hand a squeeze, before dipping her head between your thighs. The sight itself was almost enough to send you over the edge, as she looked up at you. Her tongue worked its way around your heat, as she lapped you up- the taste of you exquisite against her tongue. 

“Oh, god Kate, that feels amazing,” you whispered, reaching out to try and grab anything to cling to. Of course, there was nothing in her car aside from supplies from past missions, so you reached down to grab her hair instead, pulling her even closer to you. She moaned against you, glancing up to see your reaction. 

“Fuck, Kate, I’m going to -” You couldn’t finish, as the familiar euphoric feeling rushed over you, your body spasming underneath the grip Ktae had on your waist. She held you down firmly, determined to let you ride your high all the way, until you were left panting and numb on her face. 

 She grinned as she moved to be above you, kissing you passionately. 

“Come back to me, baby,” she whispered, her palm resting softly on your cheek. You leaned into her touch, trying your hardest to smile. Exhaustion overcame you as you laid helplessly beneath her. She grinned, leaning down to kiss your lips once more before putting her shirt back on. 

“We will definitely be finishing this in the morning after a good night's sleep,” she said, finding your dress. She helped slip it over your shoulders, and down your body, the ghost of her fingertips sending shivers down your spine. 

[professorsparklepants]

my problem with taylor swift is that her lyrics are like, 65% good. at least half the song will be lyrically brilliant and then partway through she says something that makes your brain screech to a halt. like, "i look directly at the sun but never in the mirror" is fantastic. it would be even better if it were not directly preceded by "at teatime everybody agrees."

[auroragreenvale]

Cruel Summer - JJ Maybank

SOOOO.... I started writing this when Outerbanks season 2 came out (and I bought Lover on vinyl) and I have since fallen off the show and writing/fandom stuff in general. (also im a lesbian now and this is a straight love story lol but i still like it) BUT I wrote/made notes for this story and liked it and wanted to share it but didnt have it in me to finish. So this is the entire 20 pg google doc copy pasted for whoever might be intrigued! :)

*it WILL be full of typos... its ab the story not the writing lol

---

Based on these songs from Lover by Taylor Swift:

i think he knows

Cruel summer

Miss americana

Paper rings

Daylight

Outline

Lyric: The moon is high like your friends were the night that we first met

JJ and yn meet briefly at a bonfire 

Chapter 1

Lyric: he got that boyish look that I like in a man 

She notices jj doing jobs around figure 8

Chapter 2

Lyric: the wine is cold like the shoulder that i gave you in the street cat and mouse for a month or two or three

Chapter 2?

Lyric: he’s so obsessed with me and boy i understand (alternatively: im so obsessed with him nobody understands)

She notices jjs intrigued and plays hard to get

Chapter 2

Chapter 2.5 or 3?

Lyrics: snuck in through the garden gates every night that summer just to seal my fate

Here we see them getting close, falling for each other

Lyric: I’m drunk in the back of the car and I cried like a baby coming home from the bar said I’m fine but it wasn't true

He comes over when shes trashed and she cries cause he never kisses her (semi confession of feelings)

Lyric: i want to drive away with you i want your complications too i want your dreary mondays wrap your arms around me baby boy

She learns about his dad

Lyric: American glory Faded before me Now I'm feeling hopeless Ripped up my prom dress Running through rose thorns I saw the scoreboard And ran for my life

midsummers idk what happens

Lyric: I wounded the good and I trusted the wicked 

They fight and stop talking/seeing each other

Lyric: were so sad we paint the town blue voted most likely to run away with you

Lyric: i don’t wanna keep secrets just to keep you

Lyric: i love you ain’t that the worst thing you ever heard he looks up grinning like a devil 

epilogue: daylight (lines i’ve crossed unforgiven stormed out of every single room (ruined relationships with other kooks) ran with the wolves(jj learning to be in a real relationship) chorus

Chapter titles:

The Moon is High

That Boyish Look That I Like in a Man

The Wine is Cold (the shoulder that i gave you in the st)

Nobody Understands

Seal My Fate

Said I’m Fine But It Wasn’t True

Wrap Your Arms Around Me Baby Boy

Ripped Up My Prom Dress

I Wounded the Good and I Trusted the Wicked

We Paint the Town Blue

Just to Keep You

The Worst Thing You Ever Heard

Now That I Saw You (maybe you ran with the wolves and refused to settle down, maybe i've stormed out of every single room in this town)

---

that boyish look that i like in a man

*after they first met JJ is parked outside her house getting ready to do yard work, she is rushing out of the house putting on earrings and such as she exits.*

“Woah what’s up Cinderella late for the ball,” JJ asked, noticing your hurried pace.

“A date actually,” you retorted.

“Damn! A date? With who,” he sounded shocked. 

“Who wants to know?” You stopped to tighten the strap on your shoe. He chuckled.

“I mean what dude was able to win a date with you? What he’d do, like slay a dragon or something?” JJ laughed at his incredible ability to make jokes about your “royal status”. 

“Real fucking funny,” you started back walking swiftly down the street. Damn. The kook princess had a mouth on her. 

“You should let me take you on a date sometime,” he yelled down the street to you. He smirked. You kept walking, not even bothering to yell a response back but he knew you had heard him when he noticed the slight falter in your step. He could tell you had heard him by the change in the way you walked away. His smirk grew, tongue coming between his teeth as his eyes drank you in as you walked off. 

You walked back up the path to your house much more slowly, your shoulders slumped in defeat and your feet bare. You groaned as you approached your home, noticing JJ’s car still parked outside. You were hoping to come back to an empty house

Back so soon! Was he not the prince charming you were hoping for?

Shut the fuck up JJ

Woah dude im just messing with you chill

Yeah well maybe I’m not in the mood okay (she goes up and changes and come down to the kitchen to get some food and JJ is in there getting water or something, they awkwardly move around the space and around each other still feeling the tension from a few minutes ago)

Im sorry i snapped at you earlier its just… it hasnt been a great day

Thats alright i get it… this have anything to do with your date he asks suddenly feeling a little protective

Yeah actually you scoff i dont even know why im telling you this but uh… i got stood up so thats uh… feelin pretty shitty You two stood in silence for a minute JJ not knowing what to say and you beginning to regret sharing something somewhat embarrassing with him a small smile appeared on his lips. He looked up at you, your eyes staying on the counter you leaned on

You know who would never stand you up You looked up to see him smirking knowing he was referring to his very unceremonious proposal for a date earlier. You smiled back, feeling a little bit better at his lighthearted nature. The two of you stood there, for just a moment in your kitchen, eyes locked. You felt an intensity in his soft gaze and quickly broke it, feeling overwhelmed by whatever you saw in his eyes. 

“You wouldn't take me out. Can’t be seen with somebody like me,” you mocked slightly.

“I think you wouldn’t want to be seen with somebody like me.” it wasn’t accusatory but a challenge that he sent your way as he leaned across the kitchen island, face inching closer to yours. 

“Well that complicates our plans a little doesn’t it? We don’t wanna be seen together,” you were suddenly feeling very nervous as JJ got closer to you. How was the guy mowing your parents lawn making you feel like this? You barely knew him and you sure you wouldn’t have much chance to get to know him any better. He leaned in slowly, so close that his mouth almost brushed your ear.

“We could always hang out here.” you closed your eyes and attempted a deep breath. It came out shaky. You prayed he didn’t notice. He was obviously just playing games with you. He liked having this kind of power over someone like you. Well you weren’t going to give it to him. The game was over. You backed away and looked up at him, a sudden shift in your mood. Any chance that JJ had started to break down your walls was gone and they were back up like this moment had never happened. 

“I’m good, thanks.” With that you turned around and headed back upstairs to your room. “Turn off the light when you're done.” Stunned, JJ grabbed the bottle of water he had come in for and shut off the light leaving the kitchen with newfound emotions and a lot of confusion. 

***

JJ noticed you through the glass doors that led out to your backdoor. He watched you walk around your living room for a moment, looking for something. He knew you hadn’t noticed him cleaning your family’s boat. He stood for a second, mind going blank. Without any thought or reasoning, JJ grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head. Once he stood, on your boat, shirtless, looking back at your house, his mind seemed to come back to him. What was he doing? Did he hope his toned body would get your attention? Did he want to make you regret rejecting him? Was he playing the game you had convinced yourself he was playing? JJ had no clue. He just knew you made him act strangely. Shaking his head, he threw his shirt to the side and got back to work at just the moment that you looked up, stepping out onto your back porch. You watched on, mesmerized, as JJ moved equipment and supplies around the boat. You noticed how the muscles in his arms moved, and along his sides, as he picked up something particularly heavy. You noted how his hair, slightly damp, fell in front of his face as he leaned over. You studied the rings on his fingers, the way his necklace sat so nicely against his collar bone, and his shirt and hat now sitting in a pile on the boat. He was like magic, the way he had you in this trance against your will. The way he made you so nervous and confident and confused all at once. The way he had you so distracted that when he turned around and saw you, your gaze merely shifted to the smirk now on his lips long before your thoughts moved to the reason for his expression. 

“Like what you see,” he called out to you, pulling you out of your daze. He was clearly amused or proud or both. You rolled your eyes, attempting to recover from any flusteredness you felt. 

“No…I just came out here to ask if you, you know, needed any water or anything. Wouldn’t want you passing out on my family’s dime,” you offered a fake smile. JJ hopped down from the boat and took a few steps down the pier, closer to you. 

“Well aren’t you generous.” He was grinning. He started walking slowly toward you, eyes burning into yours and you couldn't move. He stopped directly in front of you. Leaning down slightly, he brushed against your ear again and whispered, “Is that all you came out here for?” He pulled away quickly, so that he could look at you. Not only did he just like studying your features, but he liked seeing the effect he had on you. He was in awe at the thought of you melting under his touch, your heart speeding up around him like his did when he was anywhere near you. He didn’t know what any of this meant, just that it was exciting and that you were beautiful. He savored the brief moment after he pulled away that you held your eyes closed for a second longer, not realizing that his eyes were on you again. When your eyes fluttered open, you were surprised to see him staring at you and unable to understand the look on his face. You thought you hated the way JJ made you feel, but really you hated how foreign this vulnerability felt. JJ felt so openly and freely and when he looked at you, you were certain he could see everything inside you. It was terrifying and you would swear you had stopped breathing if not for the quick beat of your heart telling you that you were very much alive. In fact, you had never felt more alive as when JJ looked at you. But in this moment you just wished to be somewhere you felt a familiar sense of comfort. A yoga class at the Beach Club. Sunbathing on your balcony. Anywhere but on your dock with JJ Maybank. Suddenly, you felt his hand press against your hip, and you were there: yoga, sunbathing, anywhere. Calm. But this calm was different. You still felt a lightning storm coursing through your body but breathing became easier. You felt exposed to JJ, but still closed off to the world, safe here in your backyard. He leaned into you, wanting to eliminate the air between you. For a moment, your faces were impossibly close and your lips could almost feel his. You burned to feel his lips on your own, hoping it might be the key to understanding these new feelings, or maybe putting an end to them. But you stopped yourself, or him, placing a firm hand on his bare chest. Without a word, because you truly didn’t know what you could say, you turned and went back into your house. You couldn’t kiss JJ Maybank. Especially not out in the open like you were. You shouldn’t have even been standing so close to him. You hoped that if any onlookers had witnessed what had just happened, that your expression was one of disdain. But you knew it hadn’t been. Because you had wanted to kiss him despite everything. As if the time he was nice to you at one party when he was high meant he actually cared about you. He was playing stupid Pogue games with you, probably a bet with his friends. “Who can get a Kook to fall in love with them!” You wonder how much money he was hoping to win. You wouldn’t allow him the satisfaction. JJ burst into your house through your back doors moments after you did. What the hell he thought to himself. 

“Did I do something wrong,” he sounded mad. He didn’t know how to express his worry and confusion, his frustration at himself for possibly fucking up. 

“Do you think I’m stupid?” JJ stared back at you with wide eyes. “I’m not gonna be a part of whatever game you’re playing?”

“Dude what are you talking about?” Both of you were terrible at expressing your emotions so these explosive comments affected the other very little, as you could barely process your own thoughts. 

“You know what the fuck I’m talking about! Trying to kiss me! For whatever stupid bet!” JJ paused. His face stayed the same but he felt less like an explosion and more like the lava moving slowly, engulfing everything in its path. His brows furrowed deeper.

“You really think I would do that?” Shit. You read that all wrong and you think you might have hurt JJ’s feelings a little.

“Well why did you try to kiss me,” you asked, trying to recover.

“Because you’re hot.” He said it like it was the most obvious answer and you were an idiot for not already knowing it. For a moment you were shocked and still didn’t quite understand. Then you smirked, taking a page out of JJ’s book and attempting to shift the mood. The shame you felt from your accusation still burned but you ignored the feeling.

“You think I’m hot?”

“Yeah… I mean for a Kook you’re not too bad.” You scoffed and rolled your eyes. Could he take anything seriously? Ever be genuine. 

“You’re so fucking ridiculous,” you bit back, walking past him. He mirrored your actions, rolling his eyes too. He grabbed your hips and pulled you into him, lips immediately meeting yours forcefully. It was a collision, what you would imagine a meteor would feel like when crashing down to earth. You felt grounded with your hands on the back of JJ’s neck but electrified with hands against your waist. You couldn’t tell if it was you or him that was crashing into all the life on planet earth. All you knew was it would cause destruction and change and you couldn’t stop it. You pulled yourself away from him and took a deep breath. You turned and walked to the stairs toward your bedroom. You turned to JJ who stood rooted in the same spot, in a daze. 

“You coming?”

***

JJ’s arm reached across your body, hand moving up and down your hip as you laid on your back. He closed his eyes, face tucked into your neck. You just stared up at the ceiling, thinking. JJ placed a light kiss on your neck and felt you immediately tense. He propped himself up slightly to look at you. Whatever he was feeling earlier was gone, or at least pushed to the side, and he was back to his lighthearted self. 

“What you regret it already,” he joked. 

“No.” You sighed dragging your hands down your face. “It's just… This doesn’t-- this can’t leave this room.”

“Well yeah we’re not gonna fuck inside the Boat Club or something.”

“No like, no one can know about this.” You almost felt guilty saying it but you had already strayed so far from what you were taught was right, so this was the next logical step to fix things. Nothing personal. 

“Oh yeah you’re right imagine if my friends found out I was fucking a Kook!”

“Fucking,” you asked attempting to gain clarity on his intentions, “Who says this is happening again?” You hoped the look of disdain on your face was intense but you could feel it melt away as JJ rolled himself to hover over you, smirk as intense as ever. He placed a quick kiss on your cheek, then one on your neck, on your shoulder, on your chest. 

“I don’t know about you,” he placed two more kisses further down your body, sinking further under the sheets, “but I wouldn’t mind this happening again right now.” And you couldn’t say no. Not when you felt his touch on your skin, rendering your mind useless. All you could think about was how he felt against you and how you wanted to feel it forever. 

snuck through all the garden gates every night that summer just to seal my fate

Sat at your desk hunched over your laptop, working on portfolios and applications for internships, you hear a knock at your window. You turned your attention to it, deciding to check out the noise. You pulled back the curtain, curiosity turning to annoyance when you saw JJ Maybank standing on your balcony. The thought of leaving him locked out there crossed your mind but you figured it would only cause you more trouble. You slid open the door.

“JJ what are you--” he didn’t waste a second before grabbing your waist and attaching his lips to your neck, “doing here?” You tried to keep your composure as the tingling sensation erupted in your tummy. Without JJ’s hands tethering you to the ground you’d probably float away. 

“I was horny.” He missed you. And he didn’t know what to do about it. He didn’t know you but he craved your touch. He relished in the way you looked at him whether you were annoyed or entranced and he wanted to know what his feelings meant. You pushed him off of you. 

“JJ, my parents are back. You should’ve texted.”

“Okay well I’m here now.” He tried to pull you back to him. 

“You can leave,” you offered, stepping away and sitting back at your desk. You had barely a few seconds to look down at your work before you heard him settle onto your bed. You blew out a breath, exasperated. “I meant it. You can leave. Please go.” JJ pulled out his phone, ignoring you. You rolled your eyes and went back to your work. A few minutes later he spoke.

“You know, I don’t even have your number.”

“What,” you asked, not hearing him while reading something on your computer screen. 

“I couldn't’ve texted you I don’t have your number.”

“Oh,” you said, realizing.

“We’ve had sex twice and don’t even have each other’s numbers. Kinda slutty of us,” he joked. You rolled your eyes but couldn’t keep your smile from forming. 

“If I gave you my number would you leave?”

“I don't know, maybe.” He tossed you his phone with a grin on his face. You looked at the screen, his phone already open to contacts. You typed your number in and then stopped. What did you put in for your name? You couldn’t actually put your name in right? JJ couldn’t be seen texting you. But then again he probably wasn’t going to text you very much in the future… You just left it blank and looked up to where JJ had crossed over to your door, leading out to the balcony. He was looking at you. 

“Snooping through my phone,” he asked jokingly. 

“No I--,” you walked over to him, “... I didn’t know if you wanted me to put my actual name or what.” He let out an amused breath and shook his head. You held his phone out to him. Instead he grabbed your outstretched wrist and pulled you into him. He placed a kiss on your neck, letting his lips linger there for almost longer than you could handle. He brought his lips up to your ear making you lose all focus. 

“I’ll text you.” You could hear the smirk in his voice. With that he slipped away, having taken his phone back without you noticing, and walked out onto the balcony. 

***

JJ: your parents home?

YN:🙄

JJ: ???

YN: read 8:52

JJ: be there in 15

You sighed. Begrudgingly, you got up to unlock your balcony door and went back to working. Eventually you heard the door open and JJ walk in. You paid him no mind as he tossed his phone onto your bed or when he walked up behind you. He got your attention when his hands went to your shoulders and his lips to the side of your neck, but you pretended to still be focused on your work. He noticed. 

“Damn they keep you busy at Kook University. Or is this for princess school,” he joked leaning over your shoulder to more closely inspect your work. You closed your laptop slightly, not wanting him to see your work. 

“I don’t have to keep letting you come here, you know.”

“But you do anyway.” He smiled at you, eyebrows raised. You sighed, rolled your eyes, and went back to your work. 

“I have work to do JJ,” you said. You felt his presence leave you as he backed away and started to wander around your room. 

“Then why’d you unlock the door for me?”

“I always leave it unlocked,” you lied.

“Not very safe,” he said nonchalantly. “What’s this,” he added, sounding much more interested in something on your shelf than your unlocked door. You looked up to see him looking through your bookshelf.

“It’s a scrapbook…” You continued watching him, waiting to see if he would continue looking through your belongings. And he did. He grabbed the scrapbook and took it over to your bed where he plopped down, laying on his stomach. “What are you doing,” you asked when he opened the cover and began studying each page.

“Need something to do,” he shrugged.

“You could leave,” you said, getting up to take the book from him. You stopped beside your bed being slightly caught off guard at seeing the pictures. You hadn’t looked through them in a long time.

“Who is this? She’s in a lot of these.” He stayed looking through the various photos, missing your soft smile.

“My best friend.”

“I’ve never seen her.”

“Oh now you know everyone on the island?”

“No, I just think I’d probably recognize her,” he said in reference to her distinctive bright red hair which fell in messy curls in most of the pictures.

“She moved away. During highschool.”

“You still talk?” He was still thumbing through the pages of your book.

“Sometimes. Not much. Sometimes I get to see her for holidays and it's like she never left.” You smiled fondly and this time JJ looked up in time to see it. He smiled too, watching you study the pictures. He wanted to tell you how pretty he thought your smile was. He noticed he didn’t see you smile much. A really, genuine smile. Especially around him. But he was mesmerized by the slight curve of your lips and the way it made your eyes sparkle. He couldn’t tell you that though knowing it would likely freak you out and make you kick him out for real. You sat on your bed, across from JJ, eyes still glued to the photos in front of you. He looked back down at them as well, and began flipping  through the pages again. “She was actually a lot like you.” This time you looked at him as he studied your memories. 

“She poor as shit too? You got a thing for pogues?” He smirked to himself at his joke. You rolled your eyes.

“No. She was...I don’t know… wild? Spontaneous. Fun?”

“Ohh so you like us cool adventurous types,” he said looking up at you, “Is it ‘cause you’re so lame?” You feigned offence joking back with him. 

“I’m lame?” He nodded, then your open mouth switched to a smirk. “How am I am lame, I’m sleeping with a pogue?” You laughed loudly as the look on JJ’s face mirrored what yours had just been, mouth open in fake shock. “Speaking of,” you said, laughter subsiding, “isn’t that what you came here for?” He continued to laugh a little himself.

“Well now I don’t wanna since you’re being mean to me.”

“Oh my god! You called me lame!”

“Yeah well you are!”

“I am not!” You waited for his next retort with an amused smile, matching his, on your lips. His expression changed suddenly from one of amusement to one that you couldn’t place. You had never seen it before, on anyone. At least not directed to you. But anyone who had would immediately recognize his look of adoration. “What,” you asked, very aware of the shift in the room. 

“Nothing I just…nothing,” he chuckled lightly to himself, looking back down at the pictures. 

“No what is it?”

“You actually are pretty cool.” It was the most sincere you’d ever heard him say despite the casual nature of his statement. You’re certain you blushed. 

“You don’t even know me,” you said softly. 

“But I like getting to know you… I like… talking to you.” 

“Oh. Well, yeah I… I like talking to you too.” You took a deep breath. That was as emotion as you think you could handle for the night.  “Except when all you feel like doing is making jokes.”

“Hey i can’t help it I’m so funny and witty!”

“Ohh yeah okay!” You were both giggling. 

“I’m serious though. I wanna know who the kook princess really is. If she’s as cool as she says. What do they have you studying at princess school?” 

“Architecture”

“Woah architecture? So you’re like building skyscrapers and shit?” You laughed. 

“Well I’m more focused on the design but I guess yeah. We haven’t gotten to the real good hands on stuff quite yet but we study all kinds of buildings and design styles. Skyscrapers included.”

“Damn. So what you gonna come back to the Outerbanks and turn it all city?”

“No I uh— I want to work with city planning teams, design buildings that work with natural elements instead of fight against them.”

“…So you’re like… Pope smart. I thought he was the smartest dude on the island but he might have some competition.” You smiled at his flattery. 

“What about you JJ. What do you wanna do?”

“I just wanna surf. All around the world. Just moving from place to place finding the best waves.” You loved how he got lost in the fantasy. 

“You know i’ve… never surfed before.”

“What?! Like never!?”

“Well I had a couple lessons as a kid but I’ve never really surfed.”

“I’m taking you surfing tomorrow,” he jumped off your bed and walked toward your balcony door, “”Bright and early too, so I’m gonna let you get some sleep. Be ready!”

“What— I— how do you know i’m not busy?” The smile on your face matched his. 

“I’m sure you’re not doing shit at 5am.” You’re eyes went wide but somehow your smile never faltered. 

“JJ what?!?” 

“See ya then!” And with that he slipped out the door. 

“said im fine but it wasn't true” 

“Thanks Topper you’re the best,” you slurred wrapping your arms around your friend. Blah blah topper drops her off at home and doesnt even go inside cause he sucks whatever okay skip

YN: come over?

JJ looked back down at his phone. Never since this thing started between the two of you had you asked him to come over. He was surprised but responded that he’d be over in 15 minutes. When he hopped in his car, he threw his phone into the passenger seat causing him to miss your next text.

YN: :)

YN: :) :)

JJ arrived at your house, pulling around to the garage, his usual routine. He grabbed his phone, brow scrunching upon seeing your texts. He can’t even remember the last time you smiled at him in real life. He smiled, amused at the thought of how you thought you were so tough and badass. It was cute. He pocketed his phone and began his short climb to your balcony. He entered your room through the door you had begun to�� leave unlocked for him. His eyes went to your desk first, almost expecting you to working, even this late on a Friday night. His eyes shifted from your empty chair to your bed, landing on you. You laid in what JJ couldn’t imagine was a comfortable position, still dressed in your party clothes and makeup, not even bothering to have pulled back the covers. He perched on the other end of your bed, the movement causing you to stir. You groaned, eyes opening more when you registered JJ in your room.

“Mornin’ sleeping beauty.” He let out a quiet laugh. Your face scrunched up in annoyance.

“You took so long to get here I got sleepyyy,” you whined, reaching your hands out to him, requesting he come closer. He scooted closer, sitting beside you. You wrapped your arms around him, pulling him into you with a sleepy grin on your face. He stopped abruptly, face hovering above yours. He could smell the alcohol.

“Are you drunk,” he asked.

“Nooooo,” you said, trying to pull him back down as he had begun to back away.

“We’re not doin’ this when you’re wasted,” he said a little more forcefully than he would have liked. You took no notice.

“I only had like a couple of drinks okay,” you slurred out. You stopped before JJ could respond, feeling suddenly sick. You rushed up and ran as quickly as you could on your unstable legs to your bathroom, leaning over the toilet and depositing the contents of your stomach into the bowl. JJ followed you in standing awkwardly at your side for a moment before kneeling down and moving your hair out of the way of your face. When you felt the sickness subside you sat back, eyes droopy and face pouting. JJ almost laughed, making your pout grow stronger.

“Shut up.”

“A couple drinks huh,” he asked amused. You sighed, giving up.

“OKay a lotta drinks. And I think I’m a little high.”

“Oh my god!” He laughed at your surprising state. You only groaned, leaning your head on your arm which rested on the toilet. “Uh do you… like need anything,” he asked.

“Some water would be good,” you said into the toilet. He got up and went down to the kitchen to grab you a glass of water. He returned to find you continuing to empty your stomach. He set the water on the counter and quickly sat down next to you. He rubbed your back until your stomach was finally empty, the way he remembered Kiara doing for him many times. You lifted your head up to look at him and his heart could’ve broken at the look in your face. 

“JJ I don’t feel good.” 

“I know, I’m sorry. Here,” he grabbed the glass of water, “this’ll help.” You took a couple of sips before setting the cup on the floor and quickly following it yourself, sliding down to lay against the cool tile. JJ had never been on this end of a drunken night out and he had no idea how he ended up having to take care of you. But he didn’t think he minded it all that much. “Come on, let’s get you to your bed.” He helps you up and leads you back to your room where you lay down, again on top of the covers. He perched on the edge again and looks down at you. He notices your eyes filled with tears. You sniffed a couple times. “Hey! Woah what’s wrong?” He placed a hand on your shoulder. 

“You won’t kiss me,” you said softly as if you were just speaking your thoughts out loud instead of answering his question. He sighs, a little frustrated but trying really hard to be gentle.

“i already told you we can’t do anything when you’re out of it like this”

“Nooo,” you whine, also frustrated, “You don’t kiss me ever!” And you suddenly start crying. You probably won’t remember most of this. Your emotions feel disconnected from you right now but they are very much yours and very much real. Your lowered inhibitions simply brought them to the surface albeit against your will. You take a deep breath. “I just want you to kiss me again. You only kissed me once and— it was so so wonderful but you won’t do it again and it makes me so sad and I just like you so much and—“

“Hey, hey shhh shh it’s okay. I’m sorry it’s okay.” He is desperately trying to calm you, not yet even able to process all that you just said. You look up at him and in that moment, with tear streaks in your makeup long ruined by hours of partying and the aftermath, he knows he would do anything for you. 

“Will you hold me?”

“Of course.” He honestly doesn’t know if he should. After everything you just drunkenly confessed to him. Everything is becoming so complicated. But how could he say no? So he scoots onto the bed and pulls you into him. You grip his shirt with something close to desperatetion and lay your head on his chest, instantly feeling calmer. JJ reaches over to turn off the lamp beside your bed and you fall asleep soon after. In the silence, JJ is finally able to think about everything you said. Think about how having you in his arms, watching the rise and fall of your chest, feeling your breath on his neck feels so right. It’s feels perfect. He wants this with you all the time. He wants to here you tell him how you feel and he wants to take care of you. JJ is hit with the shock of his realization but at the same time settles into how good it feels. How comforting it feels to care about you so much despite how fucking scary it is. He doesn’t care about anything else in this moment. Befofe closing his eyes, he reaches down to press a kiss to your head hoping that for now it is enough to let you know he feels the same. 

she wake up the next morning and tries to assess the situation and hm idk actually what i want to happen okay maybe she kinda wake him up and is like jj what are you doing here and hes like uhh you invited me over last night and shes like i did like kinda mortified cause she cant remember and shes trying to and hes like no no we didn’t do anything you just… and shes like I what and hes like you just asked if i could come help you cause you felt really bad i guess you went out last night and i guess it was fun and shes like yeah well i still feel like shit right now and lays back down on him and goes back to sleep and hes trapped under her to just think about all that has happened and her and stuff and everything omg

“Ripped up my prom dress” okay new concept for the midsummers chapter:

“Why hello your highness,” JJ said, dropping into a deep bow. You rolled your eyes but your lips still curled into a smile at his antics.

“You didn’t tell me you’d be here,” you said, surprised.

“Yeah well I am working, wasn’t too excited about that part,” he paused, “You look beautiful.” You smiled at his genuine words but then noticed the bruises forming on one side of his face and you instantly wore a look of worry.

“You’re not looking too hot thought, what happened to your face?” You wanted to reach out and touch the purple spot near his eye but your arms stayed by your sides. 

“Damn really? I thought I looked pretty good,” he joked, adjusting his vest. Your worried look did not waiver, pressing him to explain himself. “Ah don’t worry about it. You should see the other guy.” You still weren’t convinced but decided not to press anymore. Just then you saw Topper, heading your way. He wore a slight look of confusion, likely from seeing you standing with JJ Maybank. You quickly turned back to JJ right as Topper reached you.

“Could you please just get some champagne,” you said to JJ, your still furrowed brows aiding the believability of your falsely exasperated tone. JJ seemed caught off guard by your quick shift in tone and hesitated. 

“You heard her pogue! Champagne,” Topper said. You raised your eyebrows, urging him to go. JJ walked off slowly, eyes glued to you as Topper pulled you aside. 

“What’s up Top,”you asked, “Everything okay?” He looked upset.

“It’s Sarah. She’s been acting weird all night and now I can’t find her.”

“Um, okay I’m sure she’s fine. Let’s go find her.” The two of you searched throughout the country club eventually ending up on a porch overlooking a more secluded dock. You could make out Sarah and John B standing on the end, laughing and talking and standing really close. You knew Topper was fuming.

“God, I knew she was probably cheating on me. But with a damn pogue too!!”

“Come on Top she’s just talking to the guy that doesn’t mean she’s cheating,” you said. 

“So you’re saying she snuck off with him just to talk?”

“I mean, I don’t know why don’t you ask her?”

“No. I don’t want her to know that I know about this… Flirt with me! Make her jealous!”

“Topper I’m not—“

“Please.” You rolled your eyes knowing your friend would keep persisting. You figured it was better you help him with whatever stupid plan he had quickly concocted then to let him crash and burn on his own. Quickly, your demeanor shifted as you wrapped your arms around the back of Topper’s neck. He grabbed your hips and brought you slightly closer to him. It was weird being like this with such a good friend. What was weirder is you noticed how different it was to being with JJ. He always pulled you in as close as possible. Topper only stood close enough to be believable. JJ’s hands on your skin, even through the fabric of your clothes, felt electric. But with Topper, you didn’t feel butterflies in your stomach or the searing of his fingertips on your hips. You realized now that you had only ever felt those feelings with JJ. But you put on your best smile and pretended. You let out a loud, exaggerated laugh which prompted Topper to get into character as well. He leaned his face in slightly, with a smirk on his lips.

“Topper!” You laughed again but stopped as you heard the sound of glass breaking. You looked around, seeing a discarded serving tray, a broken glass, and spilled champagne. Looking back to the building, you saw JJ storming back to the party.You barely suppress a sigh. “Uh…Top...I’ll be right back...uhh goin’ to the restroom,” you said, not looking away from where JJ walked further away.

and not only does sarah see but jj is bringing the champagne (also hoping to talk to you some more) and he see and you look over and see his face and your face immediately changes and then you remember and turn back to topper and hes like whats up with the pogue u know him and youre like no no what and jj like storms off and u really wanna go after him so youre like i need to go to the restroom and topper is like a lil suspicious but mostly just annoyed at pgues so he goes to rafe and kelce and them and they go after jj just like they do in the actual episode and you stumble upon it before the security guard and u break it up under the guise of “guys don’t be stupid ur gonna get urselves in trouble its not worth it.” and they are still kinda riled up and the security guy comes in and he gets jj and he leaves and looks at u kinda pissed and he goes outside and you see him start acting literally insane and you kinda follow him out and go up to him a lil bit and hes like oh heyyy princess! Wheres topper? And then idk what happens lol/ um maybe shes like trying to calm him down a lil but she wont like touch him or anything cause they are around like all of figure 8 but shes like JJ please not now we can talk about this later and shes worried people are maybe catching onto things. Well then the part happens when the pogues all start to leave(rewatch this clip)  but before JJ runs out to the water Topper grabs him and is like asking him whats going on threatening him etc and ur like Top chill lets just get back to the party and so he pushed JJ to the ground and jj hits the busted up side of his face and looks hella in pain so she goes down to him and is like ohmygod are you okay and hes like  yeah your boyfriends not so tough i can handle him and he gets up and stumbles a lil but runs over to john b and you get up (stepping on and ripping your dress) and run a few steps toward them and then you see pope and kie go with them and you just watch and are like :(  (um later topper and the other guys are like asking her about jj and they are like omg are u fucking maybank? And she doesnt answer and they are like oh my god she fuckin a pogue woahahahhh!! Haha! And its like a thing they keep teasing her and like talking shit about jj which eventually leads to the big fight)

***

Um they haven't seen each other or talked in weeks “always waiting for you to be waiting below” and JJ is over doing some work on the boat or whatever and she gets home and goes out to try to talk to him and hes got headphones on and is ignoring her and eventually they talk and im gonna try really hard to remember the dialogue i came up with. Idk basically they get in a fight and hes pissed and he says something about not being her waiter anymore(like if you were hoping if i could get you some something to drink, im off the clock)  and shes like cmon jj you cant really be mad about that how did you think we were gonna act around each other in public and hes like well thats easy to say when youre the kook and shes like okay but i still dont see what the big deal is we’re just having sex theres nothing actually going on nothings changed and hes all like are you forreal and shes like yeah? but kinda confused and hes like you really believe theres nothing else going on and shes just speechless and he puts his headphones back on and grabs his stuff and storms off the boat and hes like you know what im done talking about this cause u dont even give a shit ur just trying to make urself feel better and he just leaves and you are just standing there shocked and then for a few weeks u are waiting for him to like climb up to ur window “always waiting for you to be waiting below” and idk where we go from here but theres probs a love confession (he confesses whatever feelings  and she like doesnt really say anything but probably kisses him and they probs fuck), then drama with kooks probs all the shit they keep giving her about JJ comes to a head (they dont actually know about them just like messing with them and maybe they try to beat him up) which makes her conflicted and she sides with them and is like hes just the guy that does a few jobs for my family we’ve barely even talked okay give it a rest. Well so that is why is JJ is so hurt cause he confessed his feelings and he thought she at least felt SOMEHTING cause no she didnt say anything but like you dont have sex with someone you hate after they tell you that they really care about you and he figured maybe it was just hard for her to say those things but apparently she doesn’t gie a shit about him and this literlaly makes me said thinking about it ugh poor jj **(also i need to add more of them getting to know each other and showing their relationship progress before this point like midsummer and show them starting to fall for each other) 

You looked outside your window, hearing some noise

“I wounded the good and I trusted the wicked”(second fight the main one not post midsummer)

“JJ you can’t just expect me to defend you to them. That's… that's not how we do things, you know that.”

“So you’re just gonna let ‘em beat my ass and talk shit huh? Just so they think you’re still one of ‘em!”

“I don’t see you defending me to your fucking pogue friends.”

“Oh yeah? Well I would!”

“Yeah! Right! You care just as much about your image as me! Except my image actually matters. It matters what people think of me JJ okay? It comes back on my future. On my parents and my family. Your dads already a piece of shit so who gives a fuck what you do?” 

“Don’t talk about my fucking dad okay--!”

“JJ he hits you! He’s a dick--”

“Yeah well I don’t care I don’t want you saying shit about him!”

“God JJ this is what im fuckin’ talkin’ about! This is why no one cares about you cause YOU don’t care about you!” He stopped. He stayed steady, eyes burning into you. Then in a quick motion he grabbed his things and went for the door. He spoke again, quieter now but still seething. 

“You know it's real damn funny you say that since you were spouting all that shit about likin’ me. But I guess it was all the weed and the ‘champagne’ or whatever the fuck you kooks drink huh?”

“What are you…?” Confusion was obvious on your face.

“That night. I came over and you were outta your mind. Said you liked me shoulda known it was bullshit.” You were even more confused now, trying to go back to that moment, rewind through this fight, and understand what you were feeling. You noticed tears had fallen from your eyes and you could’ve sworn JJ’s held some of his own, not yet spilling onto his cheeks.

“Wait no JJ that-- I didn’t--- I do and I didn’t mean what--”

“Yeah I’m actually not in the mood to hear it so,” he wiped the tear that had broken away from his watery eyes with a loud sniff and left before anymore threatened to fall.

“Were so sad we paint the town blue voted most likely to run away with you”

So here's what happens. Sarah and john B have just went straight into the storm they are gone peterkin is dead everything has gone to shit. JJ is basically hysterical and pope and kie are trying to be there for him but they are super fucked up too and JJ just doesnt know what to do hes just hurting. He cant go home cause his dad and he just doenst wanna be alone but he doesnt wanna be with his friends rn hes just feeling all of the emotions. He finds his way to your house without even really realizing where hes going and he gets there and goes up to her balcony of course. He leaning on the door and just kind of in a daze and he goes to pull on the door cause u used to leave it open for him and you hear it and are kinda freaked out so u go to peak behind the curtains and its fukcing jj and ur like what the hell but then u see he looks like hell so you open the door and (mention that he didnt know where else to go)(also it was raining when he got there then started storming after he came inside)

JJ sobbed into your shoulder, releasing what felt like all of the emotions he had ever felt, silently onto your collar. You held him against you gently, contrasting his hands clutching at your shirt, tethering him to the world. You stood there, in the middle of your room until your legs grew sore. You considered moving to your bed or even your floor but you were scared that if you moved, if you let go for even a second, JJ would collapse or somehow disappear. So you stayed right there supporting his shaking body. He ignored your initial questioning, seemingly unable to even speak when he had arrived. You tried again. 

“JJ please, you’re scaring me, what’s going on?” You felt yourself getting close to tears, thinking up the worst possible things that could have happened to make him so hysterical. A tear ran down your face and mixed with the wetness on your neck. He had started to calm down but your question punched him in the gut and blocked his airways. Nothing was ever fucking okay, especially not now and he didn’t think he could take it anymore. His breathing became more shallow and ragged, and he leaned into you more, not able to hold his own weight along with the weight of his shitty situation. 

“JJ--JJ,” you tried to interject as his crying got louder and he struggled to breath. You pushed him off of your shoulder, noticing how he swayed slightly, and grabbed the sides of his face. “JJ, breathe. Breathe. Please. It's okay.” You didn't know if anything would be okay but you tried to plead with him, tried to keep his eyes locked onto yours as you breathed slowly with him. Tears still streamed down his face and his body still shook and he swayed where he stood but he eventually took full normal breaths. You felt okay then, letting go of his face for mere seconds to take hold of his shoulder to lead him to sit on your bed. “Let’s sit. And maybe we can talk about it?” He pulled away and stood up suddenly when you hesitantly suggested he talk about the cause of his current hysterics. He sniffed, gaining slight composure. 

“No, I should go.” Sniff. “Should probably go check on Pope you know--”

“Wait. JJ it's storming you can't go out in this.” He walked toward the door.

“I got here just fine.” 

“JJ please. Please stay. I know you're mad at me right now but I… I’m really worried about you. Just-- stay please. You can have the guest room or my room or... whatever.” He conceded, walking over to your bed and sitting uncomfortably on the edge. You couldn’t help but notice the stark contrast of this moment to all the times you had laid with him in that bed talking about anything and everything, laughing until the early hours of the morning. You took a step toward him. “Do you want anything to eat?” He shook his head, eyes pointed toward the floor. “How bout I get you some dry clothes?” He continued staring at the floor as you floundered, trying your best to help him. You left the room after a long, lingering look at him, afraid to peel your eyes away and leave him unattended. You returned with some new clothes to find him in the same position he had been in three minutes ago. You set the clothes next to where he sat. 

“Thanks,” he said, still not looking at you. He grabbed the clothing and went to your bathroom. He reentered your bedroom to see you in a similar position to how he had sat moments ago. You shot up when you realized he had returned. 

“You don’t have to keep acting like that. There's nothing wrong with me.”

“I know but… you won't tell me what's going on I don’t know what to--” He began to make himself comfortable in your bed. That was fine, you could sleep in the guest room. You walked to the door leading to the hallway. “Um… I’ll let you get some rest.” You paused, hearing JJ let out a loud sigh, his hands coming up to cover his face. 

“Will you stay?” He didn’t want to ask that of you. Didn’t want you to know he craved your presence and the comfort it gave him. He was still mad at you . So angry and hurt and disappointed and he wanted you to know it. But he needed you right now. You were kind of all he had. 

“Sure. Of course.” You sat in your desk chair. His hands fell and he looked over at you. He let out another breath. 

“Will… can you hold me?” You didn’t say another word, you just went straight to him. He made space for you on the bed and you found your way to a comfortable position. The way his head so easily fell to your chest and your hands found their way to his hair made you both forget any awkwardness you had felt earlier. This was right. 

“I hope the clothes fit okay,” you said. “I’m sure they’re better than the wet clothes. But if you want I can try to find you something else. Or I put your stuff in the dryer. Should be done soon.” It was all you could think to talk about until JJ was ready to join the conversation but you figure it would help calm him to hear you talk about mindless things. 

“John B’s gone,” he said.

“What?”

“John B. He’s fucking gone!” You could feel his breathing start to quicken. Your hand that wasn’t in his hair rubbed circles across his back in an attempt to soothe him. JJ didn’t elaborate much on that aspect of the situation but you knew what he was talking about. It was late and you had already heard about all John B and Sarah, Sheriff Peterkin. The whole island was talking about it. “And I don’t fucking have anyone anymore! He was it! He was my family! My other fuckin’ friends have their own families. With ‘em right now in their nice cozy homes, mom and dad tellin’ ‘em it's all okay. But it's not! Cause now all I got is my fucking shitty dad! I just can’t wait to get out of this place. Can’t wait to fucking leave! All on my own.” There was a pause. 

“I’d go with you.” You don't know why you said it. You knew JJ was still mad at you and he wouldn’t care that you apparently wanted to run away with him. He'd probably rather be alone forever than leave the island with you. But you knew the words that left your mouth were incredibly true.

“What? Where?”

“Anywhere. If you left. I would go with you.”

“You wouldn’t leave this shit. You got it good here.”

“Yes I would. You always have me now JJ.” He stayed silent at your words that felt somehow like both a serious declaration of love and a nonchalant greeting to a friend. He didn’t  speak for a while and you wondered if he had fallen asleep when he moved his head slightly to look up at you.

“I’m still mad at you,” he said. You knew your confession wouldn’t forgive the way you had treated him. Wouldn’t fix everything between you after not speaking for weeks. So you told him.

“I know.” He laid his head back down on your chest, seemingly good with your response and your fingers continued to thread through his hair. It was almost dry now, almost back to its usual softness and you realized how much you missed the feeling. How much you missed him. “I’m really sorry JJ. My friends are dicks and I was being a dick and it’s not okay how I treated you. The things I said… I was so horrible. I didn’t even mean it but I still said it and I know I hurt you and… I don’t even know why I’m friends with them,” JJ smiled despite his state as he sensed your rambling about to begin. He always thought it was cute when you did that, “I mean I’m really not and you're the only person I really care about on the island so I should just dump those idiots. And I’m-- I’m just so sorry J and I missed you so much and-- I wanna make it up to you. I don’t want you to feel alone, I want you to know that you have me. Always. So whatever I have to do--” You felt him adjust slightly, getting more comfortable. You looked down in time to see him close his eyes, too tired or indifferent or still mad to respond to your little rant just yet. And that was okay. So you reached over and turned off your lamp engulfing you in a comforting darkness that blocked out the rest of the world and kept you safe in each other's arms if even for just one night. 

***

You woke slowly. There was little light in your room, the storm having not passed completely and covering the morning sun you were used to. You looked down to the weight you felt on your chest to see JJ and remembered last night. You closed your eyes and wrapped yourself closer around him, hoping to shield him and allow him a few more moments before he’d have to face the world, and face you. you couldn’t bear the thought of jj You fell back to sleep quickly and the next time you opened your eyes, you were face to face with JJ who was now awake. He looked sad, but much more calm. You studied his face but did not move, unsure how to go about the situation. To your surprise, JJ grabbed your hand.

“I miss you,” he said quietly looking down at your clasped hands.

“I’m right here.” You couldn't help the small smile of amusement at his words and the confusion they brought you.

“Well I missed you. And…I don’t wanna, like keep missing you. I don’t wanna go.”

“You don’t have to,” you rushed to say, “You can stay here as long as you want.” He didn’t respond. “JJ I know I really fucked up and I know you might not forgive me right now but I’m really really sorry that I didn’t defend you and that I said all that shit. I’m gonna do everything I can to fix this okay? ‘Cuz I wanna be with you. Like really be with you. And I don’t care about anyone and what they think I just care about you JJ. A lot. You… you make me really happy.” He raised your intertwined hands and began to leave kisses inside your palm and along your wrist. His brows were scrunched together and it looked as if he might cry. He continued to kiss up your arm, to your shoulder, and then to your neck where he left his face buried. You heard him sniff. 

“Yeah well you’ve got a lot of fixing to do,” he began, “Like you’re probably gonna have to buy my weed for like a year or something.” You laughed despite yourself but pushed him away slightly.

“JJ stop, I'm being serious.” He laughed slightly too.

“Yeah I am too.”

“Weed will make you forgive me,” you asked uncertainly.

“Yeah probably.”

“Then deal.”

next end of summer she has to go back to school and shes like come with me and hes like im not going to ur fucking fancy expensive college and shes like u could get a job. i have an apartment and you have money saved up for the last year so you can help pay rent so you don't like like free loader. but hes like what if we like start hating each other again or get in a bunch of fights and shes liek we’ll just have to take the chance. 

[fiolect]

Cruel Summer x Wolfstar

part.1

[toddandersonn]

Taylor didn't sue Olivia, I'm begging you all to let go of that conspiracy theory

[dykehayleywilliams]

* charted on the billboard hot 100 ** what even is genre lol *** released after september 2013

[adenei]

Maroon

Second and Final Submission for the Debut/Midnights Era of @cruelsummer-ficfest !!

Song: Maroon

Album: Midnights

Ship: Romione

Summary: DH Missing Moment/Slight Canon Divergence. In the darkest days of the mission, Hermione must find a way to move forward, to keep fighting. Ron is gone, but she finds solace in his memories and the smell of his sweater to help her get through the sleepless nights.

And I wake with your memory over me

That's a real fucking legacy to leave

—-

Of all the colors Ron Weasley brought to her life, it’s the reds that stand out the most.

His hair, of course, and the Gryffindor scarlet that dominated so much of their wardrobes over the past six years. The dark pink that starts at his ears and spreads from there when he’s even the least bit embarrassed. The awful burgundy dress robes he wore to the Yule Ball. 

Then there’s the metaphorical reds of anger and affection that she feels for him, sometimes simultaneously. Pretty much always simultaneously since the night he left.

But it’s one particularly technicolor night that haunts her now that he’s gone, leaving nothing behind but a warm woolen jumper and a hole in her heart.

Harry had already gone to bed, so it was just the two of them, alone in the drawing room of Grimmauld Place playing an ill-advised drinking game with a cheap bottle of Muggle wine that Seamus had gotten from Merlin-knew-where, that had somehow made it home in Ron’s trunk and then somehow into the beaded bag Hermione had packed for the mission. 

There were any number of more productive things they could have been doing instead, but planning for the Ministry break-in had stalled, and Hermione wanted to think about something else for a night. Anything else. And Ron had suggested a game.

They were sitting on the floor—neither of them could quite articulate how that had happened either, though Hermione suspected the rosé—and she had plopped her feet into his lap about three drinks ago, when she was already about three drinks beyond caring how the gesture would be perceived.

Ron’s thumb had managed to find the one sliver of skin that was exposed on Hermione’s ankle between the top of her socks and the bottom of her leggings, and the rhythmic caress as he pondered his next challenge had lit every nerve ending in her body on fire.

“Okay, would you rather…have detention with Snape every day for a month, or spend every Christmas with Filch for the next five years?” Hermione shook her head and emptied her glass, an obnoxious crystal goblet with the Black family crest that they’d pulled out of a cupboard for the occasion, and Ron laughed at her response. “You can’t just drink on every question.”

“Sure I can,” Hermione argued. “It’s right there in the rules.”

“You and your damn rules.”

Ron took a swig straight from the bottle before reaching over to give Hermione a refill. He poured until the frosty pink liquid sloshed over the rim of Hermione’s cup and splashed onto her t-shirt. “Shit, I’m sorry.” Ron made a quick grab for his wand and aimed it at the wet spot, but paused as he took her in. “Is that my shirt?”

Hermione smirked. “I stole it from you in fifth year, and you’ve just now noticed?” The golden yellow Gryffindor Quidditch shirt couldn’t have fit him for more than a week after he got it, as fast as he was growing that year, and she’d had no qualms about taking it from his trunk.

“Is this a habit you have, then?” Ron asked with a laugh as he siphoned up the wine with his wand. “Stealing my clothes?”

“Maybe. Is that a problem?”

Their eyes locked and the teasing mood faded as Hermione realized just how close they were. She caught the flicker of Ron’s gaze to her lips just an instant before he leaned in and kissed her.

There had been no extravagant declarations of love, no other outward displays of affection before or since. Only an understanding that had developed over the months since Ron’s poisoning that their feelings were reciprocated, and that said feelings would have to wait until after the mission. But what good was constant mortal peril if it didn’t challenge them to be young and dumb and reckless just once?

Their lips met in a frenzy and their hands roamed as if they wanted to devour each other while they had the chance. Instinct told her this would be their only opportunity to be like this, at least for a while.

If only she had known how true that would turn out to be.

Hermione tosses over in her bunk, unable to sleep despite her constant state of exhaustion. She lights her wand and looks down at the burgundy splotch on her shirt, the only physical reminder she has of that night. She would almost think she had dreamed it, if not for a stubborn wine stain that they had been too preoccupied to treat in the moment.

There are spells she could use to get rid of it, even now, but at this point, she cherishes the color, and what it reminds her of. A shiver travels down her spine, and she plucks Ron’s jumper from the end of the bed where she tossed it earlier, pulling it on for the meager comfort it provides in his absence. The whole world’s been black and white without him.

Well, black and white and maroon.

[earthtooz]

REO MIKAGE HAS INFILTRATED THE MIND AGAIN.

[calmmyfears]

to live for the hope of it all

[rini-descartes]

And when Taylor Swift said "I'm always waiting for you just to cut to the bone. Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes. And if I bleed, you'll be the last to know."

[your-friendly-neighbourh00d-fag]

hi

[askinkiskarma]

saw this & started to cry. so if im suffering, i can’t be alone 🤧

You’re not gonna stop until i weeep!!!

Also i see your edit and i raise you this and this

[cruelsummer-ficfest]

How do you feel about HP/Crossovers? Asking or a friend... LOL. Love this fest by the way!

Hey!

We've had a few questions like this over the past few weeks and we've answered them all privately, but because there have been a few, we thought it was probably a good time to publish our answer so everyone can be on the same page. We are so so glad that folks want to participate in our fest (seriously. our stats page? i'm crying), but for the time being, we'd prefer only HP ships and/or characters, as this fest was originally designed and pitched as a "Taylor Swift x HP Fic Fest".

If we end up opening things up further in the future, you and anyone else who wants to do a HP crossover ship will absolutely be welcome to submit them, but in the meantime—and especially because we're midway through this year's fest—we'd ask that folks stick solely to HP ships/characters.

If we continue to run this fest in the future, we'll do our best to make our position on this topic clearer in the rules/FAQs on our pinned post so no one is caught off guard or disappointed, but we hope this answer helps in the interim!