#it a lways makes me laugh

[dnangelic]

3am i should sleep

[rush-the-stars]

any spare thoughts abt yan kaeya 👀👀👀

yan kaeya....yan kaeya is sooooo....

cw: reader is drunk/helpless, obsession, mention of stalking, mention of harm to others, mention of masturbation, a sudden pov switch lol

***

the wine is tart and heady, crushed berries, plush in your mouth. makes your head spin. makes warmth blossom swift inside you, up against your cheeks, in your chest, pooling in the core of you.

the moon hangs heavy and round, sweetened gold, in the sky above your heads. the fire snaps and bursts into the night, people singing and dancing and drinking around it, just outside the city walls. the forest sings sweetly, a balmy, autumn night, the faint taste of late summer just on the back of your tongue.

you've traded your usual attire for a looser dress, rosy, just shy of a chemise. shawls and silks adorn your hips, drape around your shoulders. a bodice of white and gold and berry red hugs your waist and in the fire, flashes like the pretty fins of a fish, a little jewel in the night. you've lost your shoes long ago, dancing freely in the brush with friend and stranger and potential lover.

the night feels young and sweet. you laugh as you're spun around and around and around. the world blends and bleeds in night-color, deep tones, flashes of flame, and icy jewels.

kaeya watches coolly as you dazzle.

he's watched the whole night, unknown to you while you dance and drink and sing out into the sky.

(watched for longer than tonight, kept close eyes on you for some time now–couldn't help it, can't stand it, sick with it–)

and his patience wanes as he watches another man grab for your waist, twirl you into another dance. he commits the face to memory. if the man disappears tomorrow, whose to say? who would know?

(if you disappeared tomorrow, whose to say? who would know? he'd take care of you, he swears.)

you don't know it, but he's growing restless, watching, unable to look away. and he's a moment away from doing something he shouldn't when you all but twirl your way into his trap.

you stumble a little, head swimming with wine, gasping as he steadies you.

"well, look what we have here..." he croons.

"captain!" you squeak, righting yourself and oh, that embarrassed, surprised look on your face makes him grin. canines flash.

"you seem to be having a good time." he comments and when you try to step away, he doesn't quite let you. won't let you go now, not that he finally has you.

but you're so malleable like this, you melt easy into where he wants you. something tremendous and horrible flashes inside kaeya, runs it's teeth along the tender parts of him, as if the beast of his desire is asking to be let out, out, out–

"i am," you say earnestly, and then, sweet as you are, you ask, "are you?"

"yes, even more so now," he hums, twirling a strand of hair around his gloved finger.

"kaeya," you admonish and the way you say his name has that beast inside him purring, growling in satisfaction, "'lways the sweettalker–"

you slur the words together, gazing up at him with wide, beautiful eyes that catch the light of flame. you flutter your lashes like ashes upon your cheeks.

he thinks about taking your jaw in his hand. he thinks about taking you away from everyone here, everyone too interested in you for your own good. burning it all down simply because they looked at you, touched you, tried to have you the way he should have you. he thinks about how you'd melt caged beneath his arms. how your throat would look with something pretty to decorate it or his hand around it.

"dance with me," he says, taking your hands, guiding you back towards the fire.

"'m not sure if i–" you shake your head a little, trying to keep up with him, "kaeya, i'm feeling dizzy."

"one dance." he says, getting his hand around the curve of your waist to pull you right up against him, "and then i'll escort you home, like the chivalrous knight i am."

he smiles when he says it, sharp, like a fox.

you go easy enough, sweet rabbit you are, into his arms, let him guide you into a sultry dance to the strings and drums playing. hands all over your waist, your sides, skimming fingers along the underside of your arm to get back to your hands.

you shy away at first and he can't help it, can't help but dig into you a little;

"aw, have i made you nervous?" he asks when he's got his hips flush up against yours. and perhaps you can feel him, perhaps–

"you're so–" you gasp, "you're not as chival-chivalrous as you claim."

he laughs, low and hot in you ear.

but you warm to him and maybe it's the wine, maybe it's just because this is where you belong; in his arms, with him.

your torso turns like waves beneath his hands, up against his own body, and he can feel you move and twist in his arms. he turns you, lets you spin, lets you nimbly dance away, only for him to chase after you. you loosen up, listen to his commands;

"wrap your arms around me."

"that's it, sweet thing."

"now turn for me."

hands on your thighs, he lifts you, spins as the people around you cheer. as you toss your head back and giggle brightly, as a laugh of his own spills out.

and he has everyone fooled, he thinks, that he just wants to dance with you. that he is their good captain, just here for a night of revelry and not for you, you, you–

one dance turns into two, turns into his hands all over you, mouth hovering over yours. turns into kaeya pouring wine into your parted lips, letting it run rivulets down your gasping throat, your heaving chest, into your bodice.

he thinks of licking it clean, following the trail down, down, down–

one dance turns into him coveting you.

it turns into him guiding you away from the revelry finally, hand at the small of your back.

"you'll take me 'ome, kaeya?" you slur, clinging desperately, stumbling enough that he finally decides to lift you clear off the ground. you yelp in surprise, but your arms come around his neck and you tuck your face into his chest.

"of course," he purrs, even as he walks, you cradled in his arms, towards his own home, and not your own. helpless thing you are, even when you fuss a little, when you realize, dazedly, that this isn't your home, but his.

and if you wake up in his bed, covered in fur blankets, perhaps in his clothes, don't think too hard about it–kaeya's a knight, right? too good? he only took care of you. you're unharmed, clean, and warm beneath his covers, so he must've only helped you to bed.

(he was good, he vows to himself; he didn't touch you, just himself, to the sight of you beneath fur and his clothes, sleeping soundly.)

if a man from the night before has gone missing, you shouldn't think all that hard about him, either. can hardly remember, anyways, can you?

all you can remember is kaeya, is that it? and the water he coaxes into your lips the following morning? how fun he was to dance with the night before?

and the look in his eyes, maybe, when he finally caught hold of you and simply wouldn't let go.

[lastofmars]

Is your muse a CUT CRUSADER or a HOODED HERO?

[imeverywoman420]

i think it's really funny how you get into arguments with random people for such stupid things like that drug post or the farenheit and celsius debate from last week 😭 girlboss honestly

I told yall i LIKE arguing for fun. Like not irl because i dont like “drama” i just like going back and forth and being funny. You gotta make yourself laugh.

Like to me its literally just laughter like i dont mean anything negative by pointing out that europeans are a little silly….. they point out “ameritards” all ze time………….. its equaality. But like love and peace on planet earth im never mad i just like getting pretend mad.

Ppl being mad in comedy is Lways so funny to me. Like you know schmidt from new girl? Or a lot of key and peele sketches like A-Aron. Getting playfully mad and hooting and hollering is funnnn

[fanfics4all]

Sun And Moon

Request: Yes / No  Could you plz write a Spencer Reid X reader soulmate tattoo AU where SP doesn't have a soulmate but the reader does and he is abusive so she goes to SP's house after a fight for help cleaning herself up and Spencer proclaims his love and tells you that she deserves better and when they kiss magic happens and now they're soulmates. It would be awesome if you would include a part when either R's ex is an unsub or R & SP confront the ex and he's like you can't leave me but then they show the tattoo @andreasworlsboring101​

Send me a request, please look here first! <3 Have a nice day/night

Spencer Reid x Fem!Reader

Word count: 2353

Warnings: Abusive relationship, cursing, mentions of a bomb, talk of murder, criminal minds stuff 

Y/N: Your Name 

Y/L/N: Your Last Name

Prompt(s): You and your soulmate have identical tattoos.

A/N: I will not be tagging anyone because of the warnings in this fic, besides the person that requested it! 

PLEASE DO NOT STEAL MY WORK, I WORK HARD ON MY FICS AND IT’S NOT COOL TO STEAL SOMEONE ELSE’S WORK! 

If you want to be on the tag list for anything (My series fics, specific character fics, or just all of them) All you have to do is send me an ask and I will add you! 

Masterlist 

(Not my photo, credit to whoever made it!)

Everyone’s born with a tattoo and you have it all your life, unless your soulmate dies. I met my soulmate while I was working at the coffee shop near my house. I was working my normal shift when Liam walked in and I noticed his tattoo, he had an anchor and steering wheel just like me. It was right on his wrist, just like mine and I stared at him in shock. 

“Hi, can I get a coffee, black?” He ordered, but I could hardly hear him. I was just staring at his wrist. 

“Hello?” He asked and I snapped back to reality. 

“I-I’m sorry, what was that?” I asked and he sighed. 

“Coffee, black.” He said and I nodded. 

“Yes, yes of course!” I said and got to work making it. I finished and handed it to him, making sure to show off my wrist to him. He stared at it for a moment and smirked at me. 

“I see why you were distracted now.” He laughed. 

“What’s your name?” He asked. 

“Y/N Y/L/N, and you?” I asked. 

“Liam, Liam Macarthur.” He said, offered me his hand. I took it and smiled at him. 

“Well can I get your number? Maybe I can take you out after your shift.” He asked and my smile grew. 

“Sounds good, I get off at six.” I said, quickly writing my number down. He took it and gave me one last smile. 

“Then I’ll see you at six.” He said and left. I sighed happily and my co-worker gave me a smirk. 

“You have to tell me all about it tomorrow.” She said and I nodded. 

“Of course!” I said. 

The day finished pretty quickly and I had my date with Liam. He was the perfect gentleman. I was so happy to have finally found my soulmate. I had to tell my best friend about it right away. The next day I begged Spencer to let me see him and luckily he was free for lunch. We met at our favorite cafe and I was so excited. I sat down and couldn’t keep the smile off my face. 

“What was so important that you couldn’t tell me over the phone?” He asked with a chuckle. 

“I found my soulmate!” I said and he looked at me shocked. 

“Really?” He asked and I nodded. 

“His name is Liam and he’s really sweet, like the perfect gentleman, we’re like perfect for each other.” I said. 

“What’s his last name?” He asked and I rolled my eyes. 

“Why? So you can do a background check on him?” I asked and he sighed. 

“I’m just looking out for you.” He said and I rolled my eyes. 

“Spence, he’s my soulmate.” I said and he shrugged. 

“Serial killers can have soulmates too.” He said and I rolled my eyes again. 

“Not everyone is a serial killer.” I pointed out and he sighed. 

“Fine, just be careful.” He said and I nodded. 

“Don’t worry about me too much Spence.” I said and he sighed. 

“I can’t help it.” He said and I smiled. 

“So what have you been up to?” 

A few months into mine and Liam’s relationship we moved in together and everything was great. But two months later Liam changed. It started with him just telling me I was stupid or worthless, or that I was alway late or a;lways messed things up. Then it grew to him yelling at me so much that I started getting scared, but he would always apologize later. Then he started making fun of me around his friends, making me become more self conscious about myself. And finally it grew to him actually hitting me. It got so bad that once he left the house I rushed to Spencer’s apartment. I desperately knocked on the door and when he opened it, his eyes widened. 

“Y/N? What happened?” He asked worriedly and let me inside. 

“I-I know it’s late and I’m sorry, but I can’t take it anymore!” I cried and Spencer held me close to him. I clung to him desperately and he rubbed my back trying to help me calm down. 

“What happened?” He asked. 

“L-Liam…” I whispered and I felt his grip on me tighten. He sat me down on his couch and got me some tissues. 

“Tell me what happened.” He said. I told him everything. About how Liam changed once we moved in together and how it just kept getting worse and worse. 

“You should have told me sooner!” He said, but he was more worried than annoyed. 

“I know…” I whispered and he sighed. 

“I’m not letting you go back to him.” He said and I bit my lip. 

“But he’s my soulmate.” I whispered, letting some more tears fall. 

“I don’t care! You deserve someone better than him! You always have.” He whispered. 

“Spence…” I whispered and we looked at each other. 

“I love you Y/N.” He said and my heart skipped a beat, something it never did with Liam. 

“I love you too.” I whispered and we both leaned in. Our lips met and a spark shot through my body. I felt my arm tingling where my tattoo was and pulled away. Suddenly my tattoo was a sun and moon, but the moon was filled in. I looked over at Spencer and he had the same one on his wrist. Did my soulmate just change? Is that even possible? 

“Whoa…” I said and he looked up at me. 

“I’ve read rumours about this possibly happening to people.” He said and my eyes widened. 

“So we’re soulmates now?” I asked and he smiled. 

“Looks like it.” He said and I smiled. I tackled him in a hug and attacked his face with kisses. 

“You’re my saviour!” I said and he chuckled. 

“I just finally admitted my feelings.” He said. I spent that night at Spencer’s and Liam never showed up, shockingly. But the next day while Spencer was getting ready for work there was banging on his door. I looked at it with fear and Spencer noticed. 

“Just stay there.” He said and I stayed put on the couch. 

“Yes?” I heard Spencer answer. 

“Where is she?” Liam asked annoyed. 

“Who?” Spencer said, playing dumb. 

“Y/N, obviously.” He said. 

“She’s not here.” Spencer lied. 

“Don’t lie to me!” He growled and I heard him push his way inside. 

“There you are, let’s go.” He said walking up to me. 

“I’m not going anywhere with you!” I said, suddenly feeling confident around him for once. 

“The fuck do you mean, let’s go!” He growled and grabbed me. 

“Let me go!” I shouted and tried to pull away from him, but he was too strong. 

“Let her go!” Spencer shouted and had his gun pointed at him. Liam dropped my arm and scoffed at him. 

“This isn’t your business, she’s my soulmate and I’m taking her home.” He said glaring at me. 

“Not anymore asshole.” I said and showed him my tattoo. 

“What the fuck?” He said and Spencer walked over and placed his arm around me. 

“She’s my soulmate now.” He said and held out his wrist. Liam’s eyes widened and then turned into a glare.

“I’ll be getting my stuff while you’re at work.” I said crossing my arms. 

“So you’re just gonna stay with this fucker?” He asked annoyed. 

“Don’t talk about him like that!” I said, narrowing my eyes. 

“She’s more than welcome here.” Spencer said and I smiled up at him. 

“Whatever, she’s just a worthless bitch anyway.” He said then left. 

“Do you really mean that?” I asked and he smiled. 

“Of course, you’re more than welcome to move in.” He said and I smiled. 

“Thank you Spence.” I said and kissed him.

Everything with Spencer has been perfect. Liam has become a distant memory and Spencer and I were flourishing. It’s been years and I felt like everything was normal again. Spencer had told the team the day Liam came over since he had to tell them why he was late. They were so happy for the both of us. 

I was at work when I got a call from Spencer. I thought it was weird since he knows I’m working and probably wouldn’t be able to answer, but I knew it had to be important for him to call me. 

“Hey Jen? Can you cover for me while I take this call?” I asked and she smiled at me. 

“Of course, go.” She said and I smiled. I walked into the back where it was quiet. 

“Hey Spence, what’s up?” I asked. 

“You’re in danger, Hotch sent two agents to bring you to the office.” He said and my breath hitched in my throat. 

“W-What?” I asked. 

“I’ll explain everything when you get here, but I just need to know you’re okay.” He said. 

“O-Okay, I’ll let Jen know.” I said. 

“I love you.” He said quietly, I’m guessing so his team didn’t hear him. 

“I love you too, I’ll see you in a bit.” I said and hung up. I walked back out and Jen looked at me worriedly. 

“What’s up?” She asked. 

“Spencer just called me and told me I’m in danger. Two agents are coming to take me to his office.” I said, still in shock. 

“In danger? What do you mean?” She asked. 

“I-I don’t know, he said he’d explain when I got there. I’m sorry, but I think I need to leave.” I said and she nodded. 

“Don’t worry about it, it’s slow today anyway. Just be safe.” She said and I nodded. Soon enough two agents came in and we were off to the office. As soon as I got to their floor Spencer was there and pulled me to him. 

“Are you alright?” He asked and I nodded. 

“I’m fine Spencer.” I said and pecked his lips. 

“Thanks guys.” He said to the agents. They nodded and went back to their jobs. 

“What’s going on?” I asked and he sighed. 

“A few days ago we got a case, someone’s been going around and killing women that look similar to you. At first we thought it was just a coincidence, but today two women were found with your old soulmate tattoo carved on their wrist…” He said and my eyes widened. 

“W-What?” I asked in complete shock. 

“I’m sorry Y/N.” He said. 

“It’s Liam, it has to be.” I said. My heart rate was increasing and I felt my breathing start to become heavy. 

“Hey, you’re safe here. I’m going to protect you.” He said hugging me. I buried my head in his chest and tried my hardest not to cry. 

“Reid, we need you.” Hotch said, coming out. He looked back and nodded. 

“Rossi said you can stay in his office. We’ll get him, I promise.” He said and kissed my head. I nodded and he took me to Rossi’s office. Spencer didn’t want me to see any of the girls that Liam had killed. I felt so guilty that these poor girls were dead because of me. I knew it wasn’t really my fault, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was responsible for all of this. If I had just stayed with Liam, maybe none of this would be happening… Don’t be stupid! If you stayed with him you’d be dead by now! 

It’s been a few hours and everyone on the team has checked in on me once in a while. I was trying so hard to keep my mind off it, but I just kept going back to how Liam was doing all of this. 

“Alright listen up! I know you’re hiding in here bitch!” I heard Liam shout into the office and my blood ran cold. 

“Don’t move!” Hotch growled. Was Liam really that stupid that he came here?

“Come any closer and this bitch dies.” He said and I peaked out the window. Liam had a girl with a bomb attached to her and he was holding the detonator. 

“Y/N! I know you’re here! Come out!” He shouted and I took a deep breath. I opened the door and pretty much everyone looked at me. Spencer was staring at me with wide eyes, but I knew what I had to do. 

“I’m right here Liam.” I said and he looked at me with a smirk. 

“Come here, now.” He said and I gulped. I made my way to him, but Spencer stopped me. I looked at him and pleaded with my eyes to let me go, but he was pleading with me to stay. Hotch placed a hand on his shoulder and nodded at me. Spencer let me go and I walked up to Liam. He shoved the girl a bit and grabbed me with his free hand. 

“Look at what you’ve made me do, all because you’re a fucking idiot and think that dick is your soulamte.” He said, holding my arm tighter. 

“I-I’m here now Liam, you can let the girl go and I’ll go with you. Everything can go back to normal.” I said and he smirked. 

“After I teach you a lesson.” He said and shoved me away. I fell to the ground and he pulled out a gun. He pointed it right at Spencer and everything moved in slow motion. 

“No! Liam please!” I begged, but he ignored me. Luckily before he could get a shot off Hotch shot him in the head. Both the gun and detonator fell out of his hands and everything was fine. Morgan got the bomb off the girl and Spencer rushed over to me. 

“Are you okay?” He asked, checking me over. 

“My arm’s a little sore, but I’m fine.” I said and placed my hand on his cheek. 

“You should have stayed inside.” He whispered. 

“Spence, everything’s okay. We’re all safe.” I whispered and he pulled me in for a loving tight hug. When he finally pulled back I placed my lips on his and relief flooded my body. 

“Everything’s okay.” I whispered when we pulled apart. 

[sigurdjarlson]

Ladelia and Jaina 👀 (headcanons game)

I had this whole thing typed out and my phone decided to be rude as hell and just exit it ugh lmao

So, there’s been this little fic idea/scenario I’ve been playing with for a while for them. It takes place during Wrath of the Lich King.

I’ll try to summarize it. Obviously Jaina is all heartbroken over Arthas/The Lich King and Ladelia is determined to be there for her okay.

They know each other already but this is where their friendship really blossoms.

Everyone’s always planning and talking strategy but no one ever seems to ask Jaina if she’s..you know, okay.

And Jaina, Jaina who is still so kind-hearted and soft at this point in time (she only ever wanted to study.. </3) despite the shitty situation

She’s lways happy to talk to another mage, especially one who’s lived as long as Ladelia has. So, sometimes they just..talk. Eat mana buns. Mage stuff.

Sometimes they talk about Arthas, sometimes they talk about everything but Arthas.

Sometimes it’s in Dalaran but sometimes while out in the field, Ladelia asks her to take a walk with her. (If only to give her a moment to breathe and process the shit that’s happening.)

Ladelia is smitten but Jaina is of course hung up on Arthas. It might sting a little a lot but she’d rather be her friend than nothing at all. (It’s worth the pain)

So she’s accepted this.

Honestly she just wants to see Jaina smile and laugh. She loves going out of her way to get that reaction from her, (she’s rather good at it) even if only for a second before reality sinks back in. (Murdrous ex boyfriend raising the dead lmao)

And one night she’s on her usual mission of, make Jaina smile, and she spots a flower of some sort of flower (Something like one of the herbs from WOTLK maybe? Goldclover, Tiger Lily, Talandra’s Rose, maybe?) and damn it she’s going to get it for her .

Ladelia who is brilliant in many ways..doesn’t always have the best common sense. So, she thinks nothing of walking across this frozen pond (don’t worry it doesn’t break)

It’s ice. She promptly slips and falls on her ass

And Jaina, sweet thing she is, goes to help without thinking and promptly slips too.

And now they’re both fucking tumbling, slipping and laughing as they try to get their damn balance back. (It’s not working)

Falling over one another (Ladelia is blushing but thank elune it’s cold so the redness in her cheeks looks normal eh?

But Jaina is still laughing as they both slip and slide over the ice. (“Did you know there’s kind of a sport where people use specially designed..well, shoes of a sort, to skate across the ice”)

And Ladelia is listening, she always is, but her gay little heart is going to burst because..

Jaina’s fade is flushed from the cold and from laughing so hard. She’s still giggling every once in a while as she tries to get up. Her hair is all over the place. When she laughs really hard she’ll do this little snort laugh that she always tries to stop but it’s fucking cute.

She’s never looked more beautiful to Ladelia.

Then they’re just goofing like no, they don’t have skates but they’re still kinda sliding on it or trying too. Jaina is still talking about “Ice Skating” which sounds interesting, Ladelia has never heard of it before.

People do tricks and stuff apparently. Wait..

Ladelia takes her hands in hers (Jaina’s hands seem so small compared to hers but they feel so right in her hands 🧡) and is convinced she’s about to pull off something smooth as fuck.

“let me try something-“

She’s gonna do that spinny trick she was talking about. Surely it can’t be too hard- who needs ice skates.

“Don’t you dare let go of me.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it, Lady Jaina.”

And maybe they succeed a little but promptly fall on their asses again, dizzy and clumsy because it’s ice and they just have normal shoes on.

(elves are creatures of grace and mystery my ass)

When they finally decide to head back, Ladelia is like wait, because damn it she forgot this flower. This time she thankfully thinks to use the blink spell over the ice this time.

She plucks up the flower, brings it back and and tucks it behind her ear in her hair. It looks pretty. (Not as pretty as the woman she just gave it too, but it’ll due ;) )

And it’s kind of a romantic gesture but Jaina doesn’t think anything of it (oblivious much, Jaina? Lmao) just gals being pals right? So, why is she kind of blushing now? Huh that’s weird..

But when they get back to wherever, Jaina gives her hand a little squeeze and thanks her, softly and genuinely. She needed that with everything that’s going on.

She’s a good friend. :)

And Ladelia is just watching her leave all smitten.

(Ahem this is the song that inspired this. It’s very cute!

[requirings]

Eddie Whines

Sometimes, some rare moments, Richie gets to be a part of something Eddie doesn't show too often. He's always enamored when Eddie has two fingers in his mouth and makes him choke on his own spit. Or when Eddie whispers harsh words, calling him a slut, a whore, ready to be limp and easy to take Eddie in and immediately tense up the moment Eddie fills him entirely. But there are those rare times Eddie gets a bit too drunk. Either on the wine he had or on Richie's hands, maybe both. Eddie lets Richie fuck him, they don't mind either way, but Richie is fucking him and he'll start to feel it before he hears it. Their chests are pulled together and Richie feels a light rumble coming from Eddie's. A soft whine tries to come out from Eddie's mouth a second later and if Richie kisses his throat to try to coax more out of Eddie, he'll hear a languid moan come out of Eddie's breath. Richie will stop out of pure surprise but Eddie will grab him by the hair and push their foreheads together and tell Richie not to stop. Don't stop. Please. Fuck him hard enough to let him feel it in the morning, so that every time he sits down, he's reminded of how good Richie is pounding him.

But Richie slows down, because he wants to drag Eddie's whimpers out a little longer, and sure enough, Eddie lets out a small cry from his mouth. He'll pull Richie's head back just a bit to look him in the eyes and Jesus Christ, Richie is a sucker for those big expressive eyes resting under his furrowed eyebrows that scream you're hurting me. You're hurting me but I am addicted to this and I need you to know that I am fully yours to sink into and debauch. Eddie's mewling becomes more urgent and the only words out of his mouth other than those saccharine noises, only grazing Richie's lips, are "Richie" and "Please." Richie is absolutely lightheaded and has to pull out and lay down. He hears an unsatisfied groan and opens his eyes to see Eddie on top of him now, both their dicks in his hand and rubbing themselves off. Richie's still a little brain dead right now (he hasn't even come yet, pathetic) so he only notices parts of things: Eddie's chest in splotches of blush. The bit of drool falling from his chin. The drowning sounds of their lubed squelching dicks and the loud creaking of the bed frame (it's a new bed; Eddie is thrusting very hard). But his favorite sounds are still those high-pitched, hungry, and desperate sounds that come out of Eddie's mouth. Feeling too much, Richie doesn't even have enough time to warn Eddie before he comes hard enough to get some on his chin. The moan that lets out from his own mouth is similar to the ones Eddie's been making, as if to subconsciously mimic how much he desperately wanted Eddie too. it's a shame that he could only hear and see white noise when he felt Eddie come. He would've given anything to see Eddie's slack jaw and his cum splattered over Richie's own. He would've killed to hear how loud the cry coming out of Eddie's bitten-red lips was. Richie knows it must've been something not even he was meant to witness because once he finally came back online, he saw Eddie's body slumped onto his, sticky in-between, his head falling off Richie's shoulder. He's panting as if he was on one of his runs and a few dry tears on his face that Richie didn't notice when he was lightheaded (he still is, a bit). "Was I good?" Richie asks. He knows he did well but Richie has always been drunk on Eddie's attention and praise. Eddie lets out a quiet laugh. "You're always good to me, Trashmouth."

[calliecat93]

Star Trek 2009... so... very mixed.

Let’s do the good first. The cinematography is really good. It FEELS like a futuristic time period moreso than TOS, but tbf the films have the advantage of being closer to modern day and being able to match the evolved times. Still, it’s very much a movie that wanted to look good and did. The acting for most pf the cast was good and I don’t have an issue with any of the reboot cast. No Chris Pine isn’t Shatner (and that’s a good thing) nor is Zachary Quinto Leonard Nimoy. But they and the others did their jobs well and I’m glad they all did their own thing and not just copy their predecessors. Simon Pegg as Scotty I really enjoyed amd I like his new friend XD And while I’m... mixed about the direction taken if only because it makes me sad, Leonard Nimoy returning as the Spock we’ve known or so long was lovely, especially when he and Quinto!Spock meet.

Some moments were good. I actually almost teared up when Kirk’s dad died because the actors just put so much emotion into it. I can’t say that there was no effort put into this. They tried to add emotion and meaning and depth. They tried to give Kirk and Spock (and yes, Bones being even MORE of a third wheel than normal REALLY pisses me off) depth and connect the audiences to them and form that connection with each other that we’re so familiar with. I respect that. I respect the effort. I’ve seen reboots that don’t give a damn, but it didn’t feel that way to me here especially with Nimoy!Spock showing that this may be different, but the original very much still exists.

That being said... I have some big issues, especially with Kirk. This is NOT James Tibirius Kirk. This is the pop culture depiction of Kirk that the filmmakers decided was better to go with than the actual character. And no, this being an alternate timeline and him being younger than in canon is NOT a valid excuse. I got told that the death of Kirk’s dad changed the course of history... but I fail to understand how THAT caused Kirk to be an arrogant, cocky, reckless idiot. Might be because his parents NEVER came up in the show so how can any TOS fans get that point if the show never went into it? I know I joke about Kirk doing something dumb, but TOS!Kirk was a perfectly smart, optimistic, level-headed individual who yeah WOULD go against Starfleet at times, but usually did so with good reason. Hell didn’t TOS say that he was overly serious int he academy amd lightened up as he got older? How did the timeline changes change that? Anyways! It felt like they wanted this Kirk to just be a standard action hero and didn’t bother to check if it fit the characterization, or do anything to justify the change aside from ���different reality’. Like woth the Kobayashi Maru, it’s to emphasize Kirk’s cockiness here...when in WoK it emphasized Kirk’s optimism and hope. How he NEVER believed that there was a true no-win scenario. There was LWAYS a way. Don’t get me wrong, Kirk isn’t horrible and has the ability to become more like his TOS self, but first impressions are everything, and they failed here. Chris Pine was good though, I could actually picture how he played Steve Trevor in Wonder Woman fitting a Reboot Kirk pretty well but alas. Also his captaincy wasn’t earned nor is he mature enough to hold the position. It got handed to him because canon says so, and that is bullshit.

Spock was... fine. Far as characterization goes I don’t really have any issues. He’s not TOS Spock but again he shouldn’t be. It’s hard for me to find the words on how he’s different aside from being younger and seeming a little more resentful about the half-human, half-Vulcan thing, but it still works well enough. He and Sarek also seem on better terms in this continuity, and that I do like since it’s different, but consideirng the circumstances he needs that kind of solace and it allows exploration of their relationship in a more supportive light. Didn’t like Spock marooning Kirk like he did, but it does connect to his arc showing how emotional repression is affecting him, so ah well. I DO have issues with some of the directions taken though. His relationship with Uhura has no establishment nor development and comes across as being there for the sake of having a romance in there without the work. And no I’m not just saying that as a Spones/Spirk/McSpirk shipper. It WOULD have been fine if they actually WORKED ON DEVELOPING IT ON-SCREEN. And how did the timeline changes cause that when Uhura and him flirted like... once in TOS and it was one-sided on Uhura’s part anyways?! It sucks especially since I really like Reboot Uhura. I also don’t like them destroying Vulcan cause that feels like overkill on the angst, but at least they have an explanation for it. I DO however despise them killing Amanda and ESPECIALLY how they did it. Amanda is relegated tot he standard ‘pure hearted mom who we have to kill to hurt this character’ and considering how she died via a crumbling cliff just as transport started, the ‘changed timeline’ explanation is bull. Again I appreciate them trying to add more character stuff, but I very much disagree with the choices. But as far as the character himself is concerned, I was good with Spock andI did genuinely care for and feel bad for him.

Bones... oh baby you deserved so, SO much better. Characterization wise,he was the most like his TOS self. He comes across as more gruff than cranky,but that’s mainly due to Karl Urban being younger than DeForest Kelley. Otherwise he was funny, endearing, loyal to Jim, and Urban did a lovely job making the character his own but honoring his predecessor. Will also give them credit as Bones has a damn good reason to dislike Spock after he marooned Jim like he did. The film didnt give a damn about McCoy tbh, but we’ll get to that in a bit. But to put it short, I really liked Bones, but he REALLY needed more screentime which from what I can tell, isn’t gonna happen until Beyond. But as far as the character goes, I felt like they got his best though the lack of focus reason may very well be why that is. Very least I got fanon to satisfy my needs.

Now we get to my biggest criticism: The Triumvirate is non-existent here, nor does it form within the film. Again, I blame pop culture depiction as I imagine they went ‘we need Kirk and Spock to be close together and Bones is that guy who is Jim’s other best friend who has witty lines but ain’t Kirk and Spock so who cares?’. Which especially baffles me sonce the arguments Kirk and Spock have regaridng emotion? That’s MCCOY’S role. They got the Kirk and Spock relationship completely and utterly wrong. Nor do I feel like the film dod enough to form the relationship between the two. It just feels like they became friends because the plot said so, not out of genuine understanding and care. Kirk was one of, if not the first to accept Spock for who he was and respect him. That’s what made the relationship special. But their edforts to establish it here just fall flat because they made Kirk Spock’s opposite, aka McCoy’s role. McCoy is the one who challenges Spock. The one who pushes him to consider the emotional. He can be harsh, but it is a dynamic that worked. Kirk os their balance. The one who keeps the two in check and they in turn represented the two sides (mind and heart) that he (the body/soul) needed to make the proper decisions. But because of the choices made with Kirk and Bones, the balance is theown off. Spock is more or less fine but Bones loses his importance while Kirk has his character skewed to make it work. General audiences may not be able to tell, but as someone who just watched all of TOS and those films two weeks ago? I could, and it hurt the film significantly imo. Also kind of wish they emphasized that Spock ALSO needs Bones and the rest of the crew, not just Jim because emphasis on just one relationship ALWAYS annoys me, especially since again, they didn’t do well to form it here to begin with. So yeah they missed the aspect that made me love TOS, so needless to say I am displeased. I plan to do a full film review in the future so I won’t say how I’d improve it, especially since hindsight is 20/20, but yeah not happy.

Otherwise, the film is fine. Uhura, Scotty, Sulu,and Chekov are fine, the former two I especially enjoyed. The plot is fone. Nero is a boring villain but for a start, it’s okay. I didn’t like Vulcan’s destruction at alla nd what that means for Spock, but we’ll see how the other two films continue this. I don’t know how I feel about Prime Spock because it just makes me... depressed that he has to accept never going home (even if Bones and the others are dead it just feels... wrong) but I DO appreciate that they included Nimoy and he was just as fantastic as he had been all those years ago. I have so many problems with characterization and plot points, but tbf that’s from someone who just went through TOS. As far as a general audience goes, they likely won’t have that filter and some may be more of the ‘timeline changed so this stuff changed’ explanation than I, a media consumer who has seen this happen over and over again to varying degrees of success’, may be. Otherwise the film was fine. If you like action and want a blockbuster, this one is for you. But I’m in it for characterization and story and while the latter worked well enough in the general sense,t he former was severely lacking. So while it was okay and it got me excited/to laugh a few tomes, overall I didn’t care for the film. Will Into Darkness be any better? Well... from what I can tell no. But I also need to make my own judgements, so onward we go.

[levbug]

𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄— 𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢 𝐤.

#pairing ー akaashi keiji x royal! gender neutral! reader

#warnings ー royalty au! a few curses here and there. also a mentioning of being locked up, not getting fed enough, arranged marriage (its the plot do beware), marriage to men older than 50 to a younger person, death of natural causes

#wc ー 2.2k

you lay on the grass with akaashi, enjoying the view of the stars above you. it had been months since you two have done this, and you could never tell when the next time would be, so you just savoured the rare calmness you only felt when you were with the boy.

as each day passed and your arranged wedding was nearing, you and akaashi found yourselves getting busier and not having enough time to spend with each other. it broke both your hearts' that, soon, you'd be married and it wouldn't be to him.

you desperately wished to be wed to him, but you were from different worlds: you being royalty and akaashi being the prince's, your brother's, most trusted servant. it wasn't acceptable in the eyes of others.

"so what if it isn't? it's not anyone's business on who i fall in love with. let them say whatever." you had responded angrily to akaashi after he brought it up. he shook his head and held your face gently between his calloused hands.

"i know, your highness, but it's not as simple as it sounds." he kissed your forehead. you relaxed as his lips touched your skin, smiling as you heard him address you by your royal title. his silly nickname for you made you forget about your anger. akaashi was the only one who could do that to you.

the consequence of marrying a commoner seemed like nothing, but it was everything. you would lose your royal status and be forbidden to ever see your family again. it was a cruel punishment, but you were tempted to disobey the rules and do it. maybe even start your own family with akaashi and live in the town.

but every time you saw koutarou's infectious grin, or heard your father's booming laugh that couldn't help but make everyone around him chuckle as well, or caught glimpse of your mother's soft (eye colour) eyes that matched yours, you would second-guess yourself. you loved your family, but you also loved akaashi.

akaashi had convinced you to stay with your family, despite wanting nothing but to go to marry and live the rest of his life with you. he had seen how torn you were and and decided to be selfless, saying he'd be happy to just be able to see you everyday surrounded by those you loved.

koutarou knew of your situation, but there was nothing he could do. he wouldn't become king soon enough, definitely not in time for your wedding, so he couldn't change the rules or call off the marriage. he knew how much you loved akaashi, just looking at you he could tell, and it saddened him that he was helpless in this situation.

your betrothed was the king of seijoh. he was a sleazy old guy with a bad temper and horrible manners. he was at least thirty years your senior and you'd be his sixth spouse. he disgusted you to no end. he touched you inappropriately on the first night you met and when you called him out on it, he dismissed it as a good ol' joke.

he had only chosen you to be his spouse because he saw a painting of you and deemed you physically acceptable. you knew if he found out about your courtship with akaashi, he'd have you executed, as he had with his last spouse. he was globally revered and he knew it, using it to his own advantage.

"keiji?" you called to him softly. he looked down at you with his beautiful dark blue eyes, awakening the butterflies in your stomach. 'gosh, keiji, you never fail to make me feel this way.' you thought, staring back up at him, cheeks heating up under his soft yet intense stare.

"yes, love?" he said softly, voice barely above a whisper. your heart rate sped up a bit at the nickname, as it was rare for him to call you anything but your given name or 'your highness'.

"i don't want to get married to that creepy old fucktard." your sudden statement caught akaashi off-guard and he couldn't help but chuckle. he found it amusing how even if you were raised to be 'proper' and speak only the politest words, you would do the exact opposite.

"well, you don't have much of a choice. when the king says he wants you, it's you he's gonna get." akaashi said, sitting up so he could look at you. "no matter how disgusting it sounds, it's our reality."

"i know, i know...it's just surreal how someone can just choose who they want to marry and the other has no choice but to accept, because if they didn't, it would possibly result in war." you sat up as well, glaring at the ground in frustration. akaashi noticed how riled up you were getting and held your hand in his, tracing small circles on the back of it.

"you know i love you, right?" he said, his grip on your hand tightening slightly. "if i could, i'd fight that sorry excuse of a king for your hand in marriage."

smiling at his sincerity, you scooted closer to him and leaned you head on his shoulder. you felt tears well up in your eyes as you thought of all those days and sleepless nights you had spent imagining your future with the boy who sat next to you.

"i wish i could stay and keep the life i made with you." you sighed. akaashi closed his eyes and just listened to your soft voice. "it's true, i'll never be over you because i've built a future in my mind with you and now hope is gone. there's nothing left for me to do."

akaashi's eyes opened as he heard this. "that's not true. as much as i hate to think of a life without you, you don't need me. you're wonderful, bright, and young. you don't need my love to continue living. and don't bother arguing, because we both know i'm right."

tears threatened to fall from you eyes and it took everything in you to not cry. "listen, (first name), i hope you know i love you, because i really do and i can't say it enough, but with the king, you'll survive. you'll be safe with him, and i'll be content knowing you are."

the tears you had been trying to stop earlier were now falling freely from your cheeks. akaashi took you into his arms and hugged you tightly, rocking you back and forth in attempts to calm your crying.

when your sobbing had been reduced to small whimpers and sniffles, akaashi held you at arm's length to look you in the eye. "k-keiji, puh-please promise me you'll al-lways love me." you hiccuped, your puffy red eyes staring at him desperately.

"i promise. and you promise to always love me?"

"i suh-swear."

akaashi had been wrong about one thing; you were not safe with the king. it had taken years for you to return to your home because the king had forbade you from ever visiting fukurodani when he found out you and akaashi had been exchanging letters.

the old sleaze had treated you like a prisoner, only letting you out of your room when there was an event or when there were visitors and he needed eye candy.

his son, tooru, had been much kinder to you. he was a year older than you and was extremely attractive. you thought you would've fallen for him if you weren't already head over heels for akaashi.

tooru would sneak up to the tower you were locked in and bring you some food, knowing that they didn't feed you enough. you were eternally grateful for him and constantly let him know.

one day, though, tooru was earlier than he usually came and this time he was accompanied by two guards. you recognized one as iwaizumi, as he had also occasionally given you extra food, but the other one had pink hair and you weren't familiar with him.

"tooru, is everything alright?" you asked the taller male as you heard keys jingling in the cell's lock. you were sure there was no event tonight, since usually a handmaid would be the one at the door, never the prince. "did something happen?”

"i'll explain it to when you get out." his usually cheery voice was devoid of all emotion. the door swung open and you jumped back, startled. the two guards helped you stand up.

you were a bit wobbly on your feet, as you hadn't been let out in a month. the guards noticed though, and held you by your arms gently as you walked down the stairs.

a million thoughts rushed through your head as you descended down the tower. was koutarou alright? was this about your family or fukurodani? were you being sent to execution? tears welled up in your eyes at the last thought, knowing full well that the king was merciless enough to kill you for no reason.

when you had made it down the last flight of stairs, you were sat on a soft, plush couch which contrasted to the cold, hard stone floors in your tower. tooru sat in front of you with a somber expression.

"my father is dead. he died last night of natural causes." he said grimly. as much as you hated the king, he was still tooru's father and you couldn't help but sympathize with the grieving man. the king had taken so much from you, but your humanity was not one of them. "you can go back to your kingdom, now."

"tooru, i...i'm sorry about your father." he nodded, and you knew those weren't the right words to say. you couldn't grasp the idea that the king was dead and you were just stunned at the fact that you were free again. "when will your coronation be?"

"friday." he responded with not an ounce of emotion. his usually bright brown eyes were dull. you pitied the poor man and suddenly embraced him. he was surprised by this but didn't pull away. soon enough, soft sobs could be heard from him.

you had decided to stay until tooru's coronation and then head home. the brunette appreciated your thoughtfulness immensely and promised he would visit you whenever he would have the chance.

when you arrived to fukurodani, you were immediately swarmed by journalists and reporters on the docks. they asked questions about your time at seijoh and what it was like to marry an older guy like the late king. it was nerve-wracking to be surrounded by so many people after being isolated for so long and you felt your anxiety building up within you.

luckily your guards had gotten you out of their reach and now you were on your way to the palace. your home. where your family resided. where akaashi was.

keiji.

everyday for four years you had daydreamed of what your life would have been like if you had married him instead. everyday for four years you wished to see his face and hear his gentle voice. everyday for four years you longed to be in his embrace.

when you had stepped through the palace doors, you had immediately run into your brother's arms. the king had been surprised by your informal greeting, but hugged you back, as he had also missed his sibling.

one you had pulled away from koutarou's embrace, you caught sight of the familiar messy black hair and gun-metal blue eyes you had fallen in love with.

you ignored koutarou's protests as you sprinted into akaashi's arms, making the boyーer, manーgrunt from the force of impact and stumble a bit before catching himself from falling.

as a result of so many years of not getting enough human contact, you had become a touchy person, constantly hugging others or touching their hands or arms as if to remind yourself that they were real. that this wasn't some concocted reality. as if looking for comfort.

when akaashi wrapped his arms around you though, you felt a heat flood through your body. it made you feel human, after years of being treated lesser than a pet. it was like a warm blanket placed on your shoulders after jumping into a cold lake. it felt like the feeling of sipping hot cocoa near the fireplace after playing in the snow for hours.

it was like waking up from a bad dream.

akaashi felt you shaking, hearing you sob breathlessly between his arms and looked at you concernedly. but he noticed that you weren't crying because you were sad or scared, you were crying in relief.

he wondered how awful the king had treated you. it angered him that he could hurt you so much. you noticed akaashi's furrowed eyebrows and the dark look in his expressive eyes, telling him to relax because it was fine now. everything was good. you were okay. you were fine.

you were safe.

[kamenriderlogik27]

Power of Heroez: Chapter 1

   Please read the prologue if you haven’t already! :)

The early morning was slightly dark as the sun was still no where near from rising, which made it slightly difficult to see around the Sector City harbor. For Hidari Shotaro- Fuuto’s number one dectective- however, this wasn’t a problem as he was used to sneaking around and searching for clues. 

“What is this place?” Shotaro laughed to himself after hiding behind a storage crate. He was baffled by the super tight, armed security that looked like they would kill without hesitation. The whole place was packed with CCTVs and sensors of all kinds as well! 

“I did hear that they were blocking off the island to rebuild after the accident, but this...!” He shook his head and narrowed his eyes at the large ‘X’ painted on the security guards’ chest. 

“I’d rather have not seen that...” He groaned to himself. “It looks like this place is going to need some more serious investigation.” 

Without any hesitation, Shotaro activated a few Memory Gadgets and told them to look around and find whatever evidence they could. After sending them off, he started making his way past the rest of the storage crates to the hangar that was close by. He didn’t have much of a plan other than to look around and get to the targeted area as soon as he could. The only reason he was even on this island was due to an anonymous email sent to the agency. It was short and simple, with only the words “Find Professor Aida.” typed out along with the coordinates that led to Sector City’s Harbor sector. As per usual, instead of questioning the strange email, Hidari Shotaro and his partner- Philip- accepted it like any other client request. 

Now, was that a smart idea? mmm.... probably not. But that’s how it’s always been. And Shotaro wouldn’t have it any other way. He slipped through and hid behind anything that could shield him from the eyes of the security guards. The more he infiltrated, however, the more he started to see Masquerade Dopants roaming about. Which threw him for a loop since he wasn’t expecting to see them there at all. Oh well, just another reason to keep looking into this mysterious island. 

It took him around 20 or so minutes to finally get to the targeted area, but he still had a ways off before arriving at the exact location that the coordinates were located. 

“It looks like it just over there.” Shotaro observed, looking at a what seemed like a giant wall. He’s probably going to have to transform into order to pass it. But before he could go any further, a dark voice emitted from a sudden burst of blue light.   

“Just what are you doing, sniffing around here?!” it demanded, before displaying the site of a rather large man, surrounded by blue hues of light and sitting in a floating chair. 

The sudden appearance surprised the detective, as he jumped back shouting. “Whoa! What kind of monster is this?!” 

“I was wondering what was causing all this commotion.” The entity said to himself rather lazily. “And now I find that it’s nothing more than a worthless bug.” Ok. Maybe Shotaro wasn’t being as ‘covert’ as he thought.

Shotaro sighed, knowing that he had no other way of getting through this. “I really wanted to do this like a true detective. But I’m afraid you leave me no choice.” 

“C’mon partner.” Shotaro exclaimed, putting on his driver. His mind instantly connecting with a younger man who was patiently waiting back at their office. 

They didn’t even need to speak to each other know what to do next. For they both held up their respected Gaia Memories and yelled “Henshin!” before inserting them into their driver. Within seconds, Hidari Shotaro’s body was engulfed into a half black, half green body suit; a suite that everyone from Fuuto knew and dubbed the protector of Fuuto city-

Kamen Rider W.

“Shotaro.” Philip greeted while observing the huge entity in front of them. “And here I thought that I wouldn’t be needed in this case.” 

“Well, from what I’ve already witness so far,” Shotaro cracked his knuckles. “There seems to be a lot more to this than just finding a specific person.” 

Philip responded with a short “hmm... I see.” just as the entity stood up from his chair and placed his two heavy feet on the ground, ready to fight. 

“You ready, partner?” Shotaro asked. 

“Always.” Philip responded. 

“Now...” The two said together. “Time to count up your sins.” 

That’s when the entity attacked. 

The fight was short, but not because the Kamen Rider was able to overpower the entity. In fact, the battle ended with W’s defeat. Even after using a few different Gaia memories to help them out, the two-in-one Kamen Rider was over powered by a final kick of the entity’s foot, knocking them out of their transformation. The force was so strong that even the Gaia memories in Shotaro’s possession ended up spilling over the floor near by. The last thing Shotaro saw, was the entity raising his staff as a mass of blue electricity formed around it. But before he could even move to get out of the way, everything went black. 

    ----------------------------

 When Hidari Shotaro came to, he opened his eyes and found that he had been moved to what seemed like a make-shift break room. 

“Where am I...?” he asked himself. His eyes moving from the lumpy sofas, to the broken television set, and finally to the large widows overlooking the now raising sun. Despite being heavily bruised, he ignored the pain, stood up and walked over to the windows. The site before him didn’t look familiar at all, and gave him absolutely no clues as to what was going on. Thankfully, however, his question was answered within seconds.  “This is the city sector of Sector City.” a small, almost pleasant voice replied. Turning around, Shotaro saw a round, red and silver robot hovering in the air. 

��City sector?” The detective repeated, a bit in shock. “Wha... how did I get here?”  

“I deemed that an emergency transfer here was the most prudent course of action.” The robot replied, simply.  

“An emergency transfer....” Shotaro raise his brow. “Um... W-well, I guess you saved me then. Thanks.” Then, he suddenly thought about what had happened right before passing out. He patted around his waist and pockets, only to find the Denden sensor. “Ah! What about the Gaia memories!?”

“The memories were... dispersed during the transfer process.” 

“ugh.” Shotaro groaned, shaking his head. “I guess it can’t be helped since it already occurred. Anyway, who might you be?” 

 “I am Ai.” The robot introduced itself with a curt nod. “I am an artificial intelligence system designed for navigational purposes.”  “Ai, huh.” The detective took off his fedora to brush some dirt off of the top. “Well, my name is Hidari Shotaro, a private detective from the town of Fuuto. Can you tell me what has happened to this island?” 

“This island is known as Sector City.” Ai answered, somehow sounding a bit sad. “This city is know for it’s use of the mysterious energy source called ‘core energy’. In fact, the entire city is devoted to mining, researching and exploring the various uses for this energy as it is only recently discovered.

“However, due to the recent accident, the island has been closed off to the public. After that, mysterious monster began to appear all over the city. As to why this has happened, I do not know....” 

“I see.” Shotaro nodded thoughtfully. “Then, Ai, can you tell me if you know anything about a Professor Aida?” 

“Professor Aida?” Ai hummed. “The name does sound familiar. I will check my data banks for any info.” 

Not even a second later, Ai spoke again. “That name is on the guest list for an experiment, yes. But it is not on the list of evacuees.”  “hmmm... That might be a sign that Professor Aida is still somewhere on this island.” Shotaro thought to himself. “Alright, Ai. I was sent here by an anonymous source to find Professor Aida. Is it alright if I ask for your assistance?” 

“My first priority at the moment is to ensure peace on this island.” The robot responded. “May I ask for your help in that endeavor as well?” 

“Sure! I’m happy to help in anyway that I can!” Shotaro grinned, happy that he wouldn’t be alone in such an unfamiliar city. “Alrighty then. It seems that I still have my Denden sensor with me, so our first step should be to gather information.” 

“But the city is full of monsters, even just outside this building.” Ai protested. “How will we be able to go outside without being detected?” 

“You have a point there.” Shotaro agreed. If only he had his Gaia memories on hand. Then things would be a lot easi- oh! 

“Well, Hello there!” Shotaro grinned, walking past Ai. He leaned down near a window and picked something up. 

“It looks like the Joker is still in my hand after all.” He grinned, holding up holding up his found JOKER Gaia memory. “It always seems to find its way back to me in times of need.” Memories of the Kamen Rider Eternal incident rushed through his brain for a second. 

“Alright, let’s do this.” Shotaro said, holding up the memory and pushing the small button. It rang out a loud “JOKER!” as a sign of activation. 

“Henshin!” Shotaro yelled in reply before placing the memory into his driver. Unlike his shared transformation with Philip as Kamen Rider W, Kamen Rider Joker’s suit was covered form head to toe in black. Which was perfect for hiding in the shadows. 

“Let’s go.” He motioned for Ai to follow his lead as they made their way out of the building. Once they got outside, they quickly hid behind a wall and watched as an army of the same security guards from earlier, started marching down the street. “What are they?” he asked Ai, now noticing how metallic and stiff their features looked. 

“I do not know.” Ai responded. “But they’re some of the monsters that have been rapidly growing in the city.”

“It looks like the whole place is overrun by them.” Shotaro observed, his eyes never leaving the army passing by them. 

“May I ask a question?” Ai asked, curiously. 

“Sure! Go ahead!” The detective smiled, forgetting that his masked covered it. 

“What functions does the Denden Sensor posses?” Ai motioned to the Gadget hanging from his belt. 

“Well, it can basically pick up almost anything.” Shotaro started, not really sure how to explain the complex device that Philip created. “Let me tell you, with one round around the island using this, we’ll be able to solve the mystery in no time!” 

“But, with all the monster around...” Ai’s voice grew to worry. “That will be difficult. With the entire island shut down, we will have to defeat the enemy and free each sector in order to continue on.” 

“Oh really now. Hmmm....” Shotaro thought for a bit. That would make things a bit more difficult. “Well, what about the guy in charge? There has to be someone around here running the place.” 

“That would be Professor Zeus.” Ai responded. “He’s the lead researcher but has been unreachable since the accident.”  

Shotaro sighed. “Then I guess we need to find him as well. What’s he like?” 

“The workers say he is.... ‘unusual’.” Ai started to explain. “He is said to have frizzy hair, thick glasses and simply just smiles when spoken to.” 

“I see. It doesn’t seem like he’s a super strict boss.” Shotaro said thoughtfully.

“However, his achievements with Core Energy have made him a highly esteemed scientist.” 

“Two scientists go missing around the same time after a mysterious accident. Just... what is going on here?” 

Shaking his head, he unlatched the Denden sensor from his belt. “Come on. Let’s use this to help us figure out what our next step will be.       

[not-that-debonair]

Tag game! Tag someone who has brightened your day 🔅🔆🔅

I was tagged by @9lightbulbs! I love your blog, your posts make me laugh and interacting with you always makes me smile. Thank you so so much for the tag!

@miniaei Your posts are quite different from the others on my dash, and I appreciate the change in scene. Plus I just love the kinda mood of your posts and blog if you know what I mean.

@shiggyhands777 I find some of your posts hilarious and I enjoy seeing your reactions to the new chapters!

@st6nbones Your posts are also different from the others on my dash, and seeing your posts always brightens my day!

@heroes-in-the-dark I love your story and art, you are so talented. And I a lways love reading new updates or seeing your posts.

[vanchlo]

The Assistant / Chapter 40, “Penultimate”

Clickable Links:

- Masterlist feat. all chapters and Character Surveys

- Inspo tag

- Hecky Playlist

- Read on Wattpad

Warnings: None

Word Count: 13.9k words (just shy of 14k!!!!! hmm i wonder why... *wink*)

Song: Say You’ll Be There by Spice Girls (click to listen)

                                           SNEAKYYYYY PEEK

“Ya, Becks?” Harry responds, and I look back up to find his patient eyes on me. A smile bends his lips and I feel it fill me with courage, egging me on.

God, I’ve missed him. Those sparkly green eyes. His smile that can pull one from my own lips. His quirky jokes. God, his hugs, even if they’re not often enough. His dimpled cheeks covered with stubble that do something to me. And so does his ruffled curls that I missed seeing. I just- I missed him.

And that’s what makes the words fall from my lips.

"I tell myself I am searching for something. But more and more, it feels like I am wandering, waiting for something to happen to me, something that will change everything, something that my whole life has been leading up to."

                                - Khaled Hosseini, And the Mountains Echoed

                                                       *

If his suits weren’t going to kill me, surely the way he looked at me, and how he doted on me soon would.

He was somehow so patient with me, and God, when he would lean over me to show me something on the online database when we did research, I almost couldn’t resist him. It surely didn’t help my case when standing behind me, his hand would come over mine on the mouse to show me where to go to find newspaper articles I was looking for. At times, I thought it lingered a little longer than necessary, or that I felt a mysterious squeeze of his hand. What I was positive of, was that he could feel the clamminess of my hands and the thrashing of my heart as his warm hand showed mine the way. 

Although with conflict, I was humbled when during my first two days, he acted differently outside of his office. He had a different air to him and carried himself in a separate way, but he was still the same person when we were around other people. I think I understood it though, and I came to adopt it too - treating him as my boss and peer when others were around. It saddened me to drop the friend act, but I knew it was for the best, and that this is what I signed up for to work with him. Like he so easily can, he smoothed over the wounds with how devoted he’s been to teaching me everything and in the right way. Somehow, he always seems to know the right thing to say, and deep down, I was hoping he could teach me how to do that, too. 

Sitting at my desk, that Wednesday morning, it all still seemed surreal. It would probably feel like the last two days weren’t a dream when Harry finished his early meeting this morning with Myles, and we’d start our day. For now, research it is for me, and a big mug of coffee to wake me up. I may or may not have stayed up late gushing to Skye all about my day again, and I don’t regret it one bit. It’s safe to say that after all of these years, Skye has always been the person I always want to tell first about everything, whether it’s good or bad. Well, the other person I want to tell everything to, I can’t really do when it’s about him. 

My impatience was starting to show after an hour of being there and still not seeing him, even though he had told me yesterday he had a meeting. I wanted to tell him about this new song I heard on the drive to work that I think he’d like, and the new chocolate banana bread recipe I was hoping to try on him.

It all came rushing to the surface when I was coming back from a bathroom break and saw his door open, and his figure peeking out at me. After how many years of knowing him, and on day three of work, the mere sight of him can still send my stomach into knots. 

“Morning, Harry. How was your meeting? Eight am is pretty early for one, you look pooped,” I greet him, strolling into his office and stopping in front of the two chairs sat before his desk.

“It was fine,” he answers quietly, messy curls bent over a stapled document he pages through. I wasn’t kidding with the comment, his hair looks like he’s run a hand through it a hundred times. I wonder why. For one of the first times, his coal suit is wrinkled and so is the mauve button up beneath it. 

“I heard a George Ezra song this morning you might like, it’s called-,” I begin, wandering to the sofa where his coat is draped over the left side.

“Don’t get comfy,” he interrupts, followed by a clearing of his throat. He pulls his bottom lip in between his teeth, something he’s always done when he’s nervous. This can’t be good. “You uh, can work in yer office t’day.”

“Oh,” I respond shortly, forgetting to hide the surprise leaking through in my voice. “For the whole day?”

Words are absent from his imprisoned lips, but they’re spoken when he nods his head firmly. It doesn’t make it any better when his eyes never leave the stupid document he’s looking at, fingers again lost in his shiny brunette locks.

“Did I do something wrong, Harry?” I ask tentatively and then with a nervous laugh, willing him to finally look at me, but I can’t get him to. That realization and this nightmare of sorts in front of me sends my stomach into spirals, pulling my heart along for the ride. “I’m sorry I was five minutes late today, it won’t happen again.”

“‘s fine, love, it happens. Ya didn’t do anythin’, I jus’ have some stuff t’ do and anotha meetin’ later,” Harry answers coolly, and I’m unsure of how long I can take this avoidant eye contact game.

“Can’t I help you with it?” the words don’t even finish leaving my lips and his head is shaking adamantly. “If it’s not my fault, then why are you banishing me to my office like it is? God, Harry, could you look at me when I talk to you? You said yesterday eye contact is everything in consults, speaking with colleagues, and in the courtroom, so why can’t you give it to me?”

“Jus’ work on tha witnesses and speakin’ t’ ‘em. See what they hafta say and if tha list we made has anybody useful on it,” he instructs blindly, veering to the left and away from anything I said. “‘ll text ya what ya can do afta that.”

“Fine, but you should know that mentors are supposed to communicate, Harry, and you’re not doing a very good job at it,” I almost retort, stomping out of his office and wishing I could slam the door. The tornado inside of my mind justifies it, and so does the sad realization I have that not once did he call me ‘Becks’ back there. That never happens, and it makes me grow queasy with worry about why not.

After returning to my office, and sat again at my desk, I pour over the last two days in my mind. I try to find something I did wrong, but the last two days had been wonderful. They were something out of a dream, just like this whole entire thing. Well, up until now, that is. We had already played two games of Scrabble, one win going to each of us, and I whooped his butt on the first day in cribbage. He blew me off my feet from the beginning, and seemed to accomplish it two days in a row. 

“These are fer you. They’re yer welcome presents, I guess. ‘m sorry I forgot t’ bring ‘em yest’day, ‘m terrible,” Harry says after we bid the other a good morning, turning around with a lilac colored gift bag filled to the brim with white tissue paper. 

“Harry, please. You didn’t have to get me anything.” 

“I wanted t’, and I did,” he smiles sweetly, nodding at me to open it. The specific word he said, ‘these’, interests me, as if the whole thing didn't enough. 

“You better not make me cry again, you tend to do that with your presents,” I warn with a laugh, stepping forward and touching the feathery tissue paper. 

“Bloody hell, such a cryer, ya are,” he giggles, but when I meet his eyes they’re warm and soft. He winks at me, and I swear I melt right then and there. I already had this morning when I stepped into his office and found him in a cream blazer wearing a black floral button up he had bought when I first worked for him, from the time he called me asking what shirt to wear to some charity event. “‘s okay, I like how often ya show yer emotions. I wish I was betta at doin’ that sumtimes, but ‘m glad ya like me presents, bug.” 

“Yeah, you’re a great gift giver, and I mean it,” I remark, feeling my words tumble into nothingness when my fingers wrap around something. I know within seconds what it is, and it only gets better when I pull it out, and read my name across the front. 

“I rememba ya said once ya like reds, and I couldn’t not buy it. I dunno if ya care fer a Cabernet, tho’,” Harry titters proudly from across me, cheeks lighting with a pink fire when I meet his eyes with sparks shooting between us. 

“Thank you so much, I actually love Cabernet red wines. It’s perfect, Harry, and wow it’s named after me.”

“Good, ‘m really glad t’ hear that. Keep goin’, there’s more,” he comments, and when I raise my eyebrows at him, another happy laugh slips past his lips. “Rebecca Ann, open tha bleedin’ presents.” 

I melt again at the mention of my full name, and the humor that always tags along when he says it, as well as the intimacy of sorts that joins the ride. I’ve never liked him calling me anything other than ‘Becks’, but somehow I’m really liking him calling me by my full name lately. A little too much sometimes. 

I relent with a nod, and after setting down the bottle decorated with dark floral drawings, I dive back in. Confusion paints me in waves when my fingers wrap around a sleek box that ties my eyebrows into a knot. It relaxes when I bring it out to look at, and a giggle soon consumes my features. 

“Figured ya needed one o’ yer own fer yer office, ‘s only right,” Harry explains, dimples collapsing into his happy cheeks as he waves a hand at the brand new Scrabble game I hold in my hands. My laugh joins his to sing a duet between us, and I soon doubt all of the other times I thought I loved him, because this one trumps all the others in some funny way. “We’ll hafta sneak inn’a game t’day. Go ‘head and look at tha next one, can’t wait t’ see what ya think.” 

“Thank you,” I almost whisper, earning me a thankful nod from him as he eggs me on. 

The bag below my hands still contains more objects and has yet to sag at the bottom, tissue paper tossed to the side. Oh, Harry, you sweetheart, you. Another box greets my hand, but this one is matte and the object on top of it is as well. Finally, tears arrive in my eyes when I bring it to meet them, because I know right away what this one is too. 

“Harry,” I sigh happily, finding his grinning face across from me. 

“Open it,” he tells me, nodding at the small rectangle weighing heavy in my hands. 

I obey and with a difficult swallow, pull black the clasp of the metal rectangle that fits in my palm. For years, words I never thought I’d see, grace my eyes that refuse to work with the multitude of tears filling them. 

“I hope ya like tha purple case fer yer cards, and tha purple on ‘em. Tha box inside is more o’em, but if ya don’t care fer ‘em there’s only fifty in there. I can help ya order whateva ya want once they run out, bug,” he explains, but I’m already shaking my head as I take one out to admire it. It feels smooth and crisp beneath my fingers, and I love how velvety it is. They’re everything I love about the card I once stole of a certain somebody’s I have hidden somewhere. “I rememba ya said once how ya loved mine, and this ‘s tha same besides y’know, tha color.” 

“I love it so much, Harry, thank you. I can’t say it enough,” I barely get out between tears, brushing my thumb across the words. 

It fills my heart with such immense happiness to see my name stamped into the card, sitting beside the name of his firm. This all really is a dream come true, and so is the mere fact of him standing in front of me smiling at me like now I’m the sun that shines on him. He’ll always feel like the sun shining on me, and I never want it to end. “Can I have a hug?”

“‘Course ya can, bug,” he coos, opening his arms to welcome me home. I try to avoid his almost white blazer with my mascara streaked face. The tears only come harder when I feel his lips press a greeting to my head. “‘m so glad yer back here with me, Becks . . . There’s one mo’ present tho’, I think you’ll love that one, too.”

My surprised giggle brushes against his chest, and his thumb catches a few tears when I pull away. He goes to hand me the present hidden in his palm, and when his hand opens, a laminated badge dangles from between two fingers. 

“I can get ya a lanyard if ya want, but othawise it clips t’ sumthin’. Y’know I usually do me trouser pocket so ‘s outta sight, only really need it at tha courts and t’ get into rooms here, and there. I think yer photo turned out lovely tho’, ya look beautiful,” Harry croons as my fingers surround it, ceasing it’s dancing between his slender fingers. My name comes into view again now in formal black font, and the photo Harry took of me yesterday sits above it against the white background. “Yer lucky ya photograph well, ‘m countin’ down tha days ‘til I get a new one, and can redo my hack job.” 

“Harry,” I chuckle, the tears appearing at the surface of my words and spilling over again when my eyes glide over to him. 

Once again, his bottom lip is caught between his teeth anxiously. My heart feels very similar, caught between the both of us at the sound of his words, and that particular one he said that started with a ‘B.’ He really does know what he’s doing. 

My laugh deepens when memories accompany the present, recalling him showing me his badge yesterday when we were talking about employee badges, and one time all those years ago. He claims to hate his, thinking he took a bad picture, but I think he looks handsome as ever from two years ago, although sad. 

“You know me too well with all of this. It’s so sweet of you,” I confess, swiping a finger across my cheeks as his hand rests on my back, drawing shapes into my blazer. 

“I hope those are all happy tears, bug.” 

“They always are,” I admit quickly, trying to ignore the little lie held within my words, hoping he couldn’t know. I just wonder that if he had said it, if the same lie would be hidden between the words. The lie that doesn’t share that the slightest bit of melancholy and years of longing sit in those tears, wanting oh so much more. 

I don’t know what went wrong, and no matter how hard I try, I feel like I’m to blame. More than anything, I don’t know what I did wrong, and I’m so confused. I feel like that emotion consumes me more than the others, but certainly not the sadness. When I think about the last two days, I can’t find anything I did wrong. Everything went well and he was his usual cheery self, and so patient when teaching me the way with so many things here. 

Last night with him was one of my favorite times from the last few years with him. I said yes the second he called asking if I wanted to come over to his place to meet his niece and nephew, and to help babysit. I think it was part of the reason why I was so antsy to see him this morning, because I felt myself fall about five steps harder when he opened the door last night holding the baby. I fell about twenty more by the end of the night when we were slumped on the couch smiling at the other as we each held a sleeping kid, sparking too many wishful thoughts within my eager mind. He got it racing when words were exchanged between us about having families of our own one day, dreams piecing together in the air. 

Especially after last night, I don’t know what went wrong. Somewhere deep down, I want it to be something I did, so I can fix it. I can’t find it, though, and because of that, I know it’ll be harder to fix since I don’t know what it is. I just want to find it already, because I can’t do this all over again, not when we’re so close. Now, it feels even further away.

+

The sound of the phone settling into the cradle resounds in my ears as the pen crisply draws a check mark on the paper. With a happy sigh, I stand to my feet and admire the finished checklist decorated with Harry’s handwriting, the most I’ve seen of him in the last several hours. Now that it’s all finished, I can finally go and see him. That only took three hours, I note inwardly with annoyance while opening my office door. The first thing I do is peer down the hall to his door, and once again, I find it closed. That doesn’t stop me, and soon I hear my heels clicking down the hall. The rapid beating of my heart climbs to match it as excitement soars through my body at the chance to see him again. As if spending hours calling potential witnesses wasn’t dreary enough, it was harder without him there across the room making faces at me, carrying fun conversations on the side together, or just looking unnecessarily hot while talking on the phone. 

All that almost goes out the window when I stop in front of his door, and bite the bullet. After so many times of Harry telling me to stop knocking and just come right in, I barely tap my knuckle against the door before opening it. Like so many other things that are wrong with today, apparently this is, as well. It feels like an opposite day from a Dr. Seuss book when I see the look of horror on Harry’s face. 

“Dontcha know how t’ bloody knock?! ‘m busy here!” he retorts with a curtness to his voice. A rushed ‘sorry’ dives from my lips when my eyes jump to the professional-looking stranger sitting in front of him. “Hmmm, what d’ya want then? Can’t it wait, or no, apparently ya didn’t think it could, did ya?!” 

“It’s nothing,” I mumble to myself and only her, spinning around and stomping away from him. 

Embarrassment floods my entire body in heavy sheets as the moment glues itself to the inside of my brain. It’s not so much what he said, but how he said it that causes my eyes to fill with tears. A slew of awful things stuck to his voice, and the worst I can’t even think about. Disappointment, disgust, anger, annoyance, and so many others that you don’t have on show for your friend. They come splashing onto my cheeks when the image of his angry face flashes in front of my eyes, and all of the other times I’ve seen it, but that was years ago. He promised this time would be different, and only three days in and he’s already broken that promise by bringing the old Harry back. 

That must be a new record.

+

Appropriately enough, miserable raindrops race down the dark windows reaching above my head. I can’t remember the last time I saw it rain in January, but here it is, and it couldn’t feel more like it’s for me than it already does. It all feels like too much, and it grows to be far too much when I hear his voice. 

“I reckon I shoulda looked here first, this has always been yer spot, here at tha balcony.” 

Words escape my lips and any neural pathways between them and my mouth as his own tickle at my back. The tears replace them when the nickname he has for me flows from his lips for the first time today. He really does always know what to say, and when to say it. At this moment, I really hate that.

It’s not fair. 

It all feels wrong when all I want is for it to feel right, and it rings true when his hand touches my shoulder. I try to ignore his surprised intake of air when I shrink away from his touch. 

“Becks, please.”

“No, Harry. I love your nickname for me more than anything, but you don’t get to use it like that. You don’t get to drag it through the mud and forget it, and then use it to suck up to me. You can’t do that to me,” I growl with gritted teeth, keeping my back to him. Like so many times before, I wish this was all different, and with that thought, the tears make another return. “You didn’t even tell me you were meeting with anybody today, so how was I supposed to know you were busy?” 

“I know, Becks, ‘m so sorry. ‘m not suckin’-.”

“Yes, you are . . . I want this second chance with you to be so much more, Harry, and you promised it’d be different,” I protest in a croaky voice, wishing he couldn’t hear the tears. I wish he didn’t know about them, but I already know he can hear them. He was right, we’re open books for each other to read, and I never found out how to close myself to him. 

“Becks, I want it t’ be different too, please believe me.” 

“But you already broke that promise three days in, Harry!” I exclaim, whipping around to find his devastated face. I didn’t think he could look more upset than he already does, but at the appearance of my tears, sadness paints his face in heavy stripes suddenly. 

“It’ll be different, bug, I promise you that,” Harry pleads, emotion weighing on his eyebrows.

I really want to believe him and my gut tells me to, even the devil and angel do, but I’m afraid. I’m scared of how much it hurts me to see the tears welling in his eyes and the upsetting emotions knit into his features, all that I want to wipe away. I want to make it better for him, and I know it’ll never change. I’m so afraid of this all being for nothing in the end, and the risk I’m taking by being here. 

“Then show me that,” I huff with defeat drowning under my sob, wiping a hand across my cheek as I pick up my feet and leave him standing there. 

I do the thing that I hate most in the world, leaving him, and it doesn’t hurt any less this time. Perhaps surprisingly, I think that it hurts more this time to walk away from him, because I really wish I could do what it’s available, and stay.

+

It hurt again the next morning when I passed him in the halls, wishing something could be said. The ball isn’t in my court though, and even if it was, I don’t know if I’d take a hit. I’m really at a loss right now, and with only one day left until he leaves and that day also being his birthday, I hate this all the more. I didn’t think my hatred for it could grow any worse, but it does when he trickles into my office later that morning, and it wasn’t for the reason I wanted him to be there. 

“I heard from a li’l birdy yer havin’ a hard time with tha Silver Net database,” Harry says slowly, bottom lip returning to between his teeth after his dreary words meet the air. Although sad, I can hear the sincerity behind his words that he tries and fails to project, showing the true Harry behind them. I only nod and return to typing on my laptop. “Lemme help.” 

My body freezes and the denial swimming through my veins can’t find a way out as indecisiveness weighs heavily within me. It cripples me when he comes to stand behind me and to the side, and I’m unsure of how I feel about him being there. It’s either too far away, or too close. I can’t decide. I open up the database website from my bookmarks, feeling the awkwardness ensue as it loads. 

“What’re ya strugglin’ with?” he asks slowly, and I know he feels it too. The tension that sits between us and every word he speaks. 

“Searching by date,” I barely make out, suddenly aching for the times he wouldn’t hesitate to lean over me and place his hand over mine on the mouse. That time seems long gone, as do many others. 

“Alright, login first,” he instructs, and I follow, annoyed when my shaky hands mess up my typing. “Search fer sumthin’, but don’t hit enter yet . . ‘Kay, now click on that drop down arrow there. It’ll list tha otha options fer search criteria.”

I try that and with his directions, I look for the filter to search for dates, but it’s not there. 

“Well, what tha hell, did they change it in tha last week or sumthin’?” he grumbles from behind me, words finished with a sigh. “Wait, maybe ya went too far down tha page . . No, not that way- here, lemme help.”

He still doesn’t find it, and he won’t give up the mouse when I try to take it back, bumping hands ever so awkwardly. 

“Becks, ‘m not done, ‘m tryna help.”

“I’m fine, just let me do it. I can use the other database instead if I need to,” I insist firmly, avoiding his eyes over my shoulder. 

“No, ya gotta learn t’ use ‘em all ‘cuz they offa different stuff, so lemme help you.” 

“Harry, I don’t want your help!” I exclaim loudly, finally whipping around to look him in the eyes. “Yeah, it’s not so fun being snapped at, is it?” I continue with another attack sent his way, and as soon as it meets the air, I regret it. 

“I’m sorry, Harry,” I sigh adamantly, but it doesn’t work. None of this does, apparently. 

“Fo’get it,” he exhales with a wave of his hand, already walking away and out the door. A groan fills my office as he almost slams my door, and that only fuels the fire raging within me, one of anger and sadness and frustration. Because of everything that’s missing, and soon he will be too.

+

My phone lands somewhere on the sofa, but it’s the last thing I care about right now as my lungs struggle for air. Carding a hand through my hair, a shaky exhale tickles at my curls. My eyes land upon the framed diploma behind my desk as I try and fail to swallow past the lump in my throat. How ironic that it’s the first thing I see after what just happened.

“Hey, looks like we’re both gonna be late fer our meetin’ t’day,” a voice pipes up from my doorway. I make the mistake of automatically looking to who’s speaking, and even with blurry eyes, I know it’s him. “Becks, what’s tha matter? Alright?”

Shaking my head, an onslaught of tears flood my eyes as Harry stands across from me with worry tying his face into knots. With trembling lips, I clear my throat, “No,” I admit, my voice breaking before I even spoke.

Him leaving soon, and now the events of the last two days have left my heart in shambles, one that was just leaving its armor to greet him again. It breaks a little more when he crosses the room in a few large steps, but keeps a few in between us. Too many. 

“I hate it when we fight. I don’t want to fight with you,” I confess randomly, but it couldn’t speak more to the truth. 

“Hey, we’re not fightin’, bug,” he coos, finally stepping forward and crouching down to look at me at eye level. When I try to argue, he shushes me in a soft tone, thumbing away a tear that falls down my cheek. 

“Can I have a hug, Harry?” I sob, and his nod is instantaneous. With few doubts, I know that this is what I’ve needed all along. What we’ve needed, because his hugs always fix everything. 

“‘Course, Becks, ya don’t hafta ask, babe. Come on ova, me favourite lawyer,” he smiles, mirroring my movements when I get to my feet and fall into his arms. A giggle sputters from my lips at his comment, but the tears drown the sound of it as I bury my head into his chest clad in all black. “Let it all out, bug.” 

A feeling I’ve missed for longer than it’s really been falls over me. Safety, and with that comes comfort and relief. God, I really hate fighting with him, or anything that takes him away from me, I muse amongst my racing thoughts. A smile tries at my lips when he smooths back my hair and presses a kiss to my hairline, holding my head to his chest. My chest hiccups against his as I grab handfuls of his matte blazer. Relief grows buds across my body as his fingers track a course through my hair, and the other five massage circles into my back. 

“D’ya wanna talk ‘bout whateva it was that happened?”

Nodding my head into his chest, I try not to feel bad about my makeup smearing all over his black suit, but I could live here forever. I can’t handle the thought right now of pulling away when he’s holding me so close. 

“It was just my psycho parent calling for their usual guilt trip.” 

“Oh, ‘m sorry you had t’ deal with that recently as well,” he comments much to my surprise, warm words dancing over my head. 

“Your dad called you to do the same thing?” I question with raw shock coating my words, pulling away to look into his eyes, the tears starting to abate. 

“Ya, yestaday mornin’ befo’ me meetin’. That’s why I was an asshole all day, and t’ you.”

“Oh, Harry, I’m so sorry,” I confess, sniffling and his head shakes from side to side quickly with sullen eyes. 

“No, ‘m sorry, Becks. It sounds bloody stupid ‘cuz it was, but I didn’t wanna work togetha yest’day ‘cuz I didn’t wanna take my problems out on you. I still fookin’ did when I snapped at ya, and jus’ by pushin’ ya away. ‘m so sorry, bug, I didn’t mean t’ hurt you. ‘ve done that so many goddamn times ova tha years, and I can’t live with meself doin’ it anymo’. Tha shit with Amber, tha seven month phone tag, tha way I snapped at you yestaday-.”

“Harry, stop. It’s okay,” I say, barging into his sentence. Words come to life on his lips again, but I shake my head vehemently, pressing a finger to them. “It’s all in the past, I want to forget it.”

“But ‘s not ‘kay, Becks. I dunno how ‘ll make it up t’ ya, and show ya that I promise things will be different this time,” he sighs sadly, tears drowning the darkness of his green eyes. Mine had started their departure, but now, they return slowly at the sight of his. 

“You already have, right now,” I tell him, catching the first tear that falls from his left eye. “I’m sorry about what happened with your dad. Would it help to talk about it?” 

“Ya . . . he rang fer his usual guilt trip that started with makin’ me feel bad fer not talkin’ t’ him or visitin’. Worst o’ all, he finally found out that I went with anotha company than his fer tha remodel. ‘m surprised he didn’t blow a gasket, ‘cuz it sounded as if he had,” Harry retells, blowing a breath past his rose colored lips.

“It looks like we both lucked out in the psycho parent department . . I’m really sorry about that, Harry, you didn’t deserve that.” 

“I dunno, sumtimes he makes me feel like I do,” he shrugs, licking his lips. “What did yer mum have t’ guilt you ‘bout, bug?” he next asks, eyebrows sewn together with a question. 

“You didn’t deserve it, Harry, don’t listen to him . . Oh, my mum yeah, well for never telling her I was going back to uni, which was a low blow since that was years old. Then, she had to hear from my gran - bless her soul, but she talks too much - that I graduated and didn’t invite my mum, or tell her that I got my first lawyer job here, and for not talking to her too,” I share, finding that the breaths are coming to me easier, one by one. 

“‘m sorry, Becks, ‘s not right o’ her t’ treat ya that way. Ya don’t owe her bloody anythin’ and from tha sounds o’ what you’ve told me, she has herself t’ blame fer not gettin’ t’ be there.”

“Thank you, and the same goes for you too, Harry. You didn’t have to use his construction company for your remodel, and it’s completely okay that you didn’t,” I comment, waving my hand across his back as a content smile teases on his face. “I don’t know why they think they’re entitled to a relationship with us just because they’re our parent, and shitty ones at that.”

“Tell me ‘bout it, they’re fookin’ mad. Think ‘s okay t’ treat their children like shit and like it’ll help their case, bloody swear there’s sumthin’ wrong in their heads,” he tuts, shaking his own as his eyes roll into the back of his head at his sentence. His eyes return to mine soon and they hold me there as he erases the last few tears lingering on my cheeks. “Enough o’ that, are ya alright, Becks?” I answer his question with a simple nod and the beginnings of happiness tickling my lips. 

“Are we alright?” I risk slowly, realizing for the hundredth time that I could stare into his green eyes for the rest of eternity. 

“Yes, bug, we’re good now. D’ya agree? ‘m really sorry fer snappin’ at ya yest’day, and fer ignorin’ ya,” Harry says, and I quickly confirm with a soft ‘yes’. I’m rewarded with a dazzling sunshine smile that begins to warm me from the feet up. “So, what d’ya say t’ hidin’ out inn’a conference room and watchin’ FRIENDS with some chicken gnocchi soup afta we block our parents’ numbas? Reckon we need t’ start tha bloody show already t’getha.” 

“I’m sorry for snapping at you too, revenge never solves the problem. I know you were only trying to help me with the database,” I reply, receiving my answer when he squeezes my bicep affectionately. “Wait, but our team meeting, Harry. It’s to go over next week with you being gone,” I protest and his breathy laugh tickles my face. 

“Don’t worry ‘bout it. ‘s already started. ‘ll text My’ right now lettin’ him know sumthin’ came up, which ‘s true. We can meet up with him later t’ go ova what we missed,” he explains swiftly. I hold back a sigh when his arms leave me entirely to fish his phone from his pocket, eyes flitting to me. “Alright?”

“Yeah, are you?”

“Ya, ‘m good now. I got me Becks back,” he grins at me, winking before returning his wet eyes to his phone. They’re only gone for a few moments and then they’re on me again. “C’mon, Boops, let’s go get tha show set up. I think there’s a firestick in one o’ tha conference rooms on tha tv, can’t bloody rememba why tho’.”

+

I thought the next day would be easier, getting off the lift onto Seventeen, now that Harry and I had made up. Now, that we had connected even more it seemed over our shared parent trauma, and everything he said in his actions yesterday had changed things.

Regardless, it was only harder to step off the lift and to walk into my office, noticing his ajar door down the hall that all of next week will be closed. He had said yesterday while we set up FRIENDS that he’ll leave me a spare key to his office in case I need anything, like a book or something, but it still hurts. I don’t think I could convince myself to use it and go into his office, even if I did happen to need something.

My heart still aches at the sight of his door, and knowing that although it’s only nine days, I know from the last time that nine days of missing him felt like far more. I don’t even want to imagine what it will feel like this time, because I already know it will be hell. 

After dropping off my stuff in my office and clocking in, I roamed around trying to find Harry. First, he wasn’t in his office surprisingly, nor the break room, or any of the conference rooms. I almost gave up entirely until I heard his voice trailing from the copier room where Mick left from, waving a hand to somebody in there. Was it him?

I struck gold when I opened the door and found him standing in front of the copier, an ebony button up cloaking his figure dotted with bright sunflowers. Flowing mustard slacks matching the color of the flowers cascade down his legs, and my oh my, does his hair look incredible, just like the rest of him. It hangs over his forehead in satiny curls, parted in the middle, and somewhere deep down I’m begging to touch it. 

So, this is what 30 on Harry looks like, huh? It’s something else entirely, and holy shit, am I fan of 30 on him. He hasn’t heard my arrival yet, and instead, clucks his tongue as he does something on the copier. Feeling brave and sick of this whole game, I tip toe over to him and wind my arms around his waist. 

“Happy Birthday, Harry,” I announce softly, bending my body to the side to look at his surprised face as he jumps. 

“Bloody hell, Becks, ya gave me a fright, bug,” he exhales, a chuckle soon following his words. Releasing him much to my dismay, I step over to stand at his side, folding my hands in front of me. 

“It’s not a birthday without a surprise.”

“I reckon so now,” he comments, waving the handful of papers at me with that dazzling smile framed by dark stubble. “Sorry, tha copier ‘s actin’ up ‘gain, ‘spose makin’ a few copies ‘s too much t’ ask fer.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. How’s the first day of your thirtieth year going otherwise?” I pose to him, discreetly pulling at the stomach of my plum long-sleeved dress that falls to my knees. 

“Becks, don’t say it that way, yer makin’ me feel old,” he whines, sarcasm sticking to his words, but I also sense some truth there as well. 

“Stop it, you’re not old, Harry!” I laugh, and he points his narrowed eyes at me with pouting lips. I swat at his arm playfully, and finally the pout dissolves into his delicious giggle. 

“I know, Becks, ‘s jus’ hard turnin’ thirty.”

“How come?” I ask curiously, flashing back to the break room with Myles and what he said about Harry turning the big three-o. 

“Coz I thought ‘d be married with kids by now, ‘s kinda sad t’ think’.”

“You have plenty of time to still do all of that,” I insist, squeezing his arm and he shows a brief smile, punching in options on the copier’s touch screen. 

“I know, but ‘m ratha impatient, if ya didn’t notice.”

“So much for you saying that lawyers need to have patience,” I joke and he answers it with a nod, a melancholy smile sitting on his lips. 

“I thought I’d have all of that too by twenty-six, but it’ll happen one day, I know. You can’t rush life.”

“Ya, I really hope so. There’s nuthin’ mo’ that I want than t’ be a dad one day,” he muses aloud, the words tugging at my heart strings, and nudging one of the last pieces of the shell away from my heart. 

“I bet you’ll be a great dad, your kids will be lucky.”

“Ya think so?” Harry wonders aloud, returning his eyes to me once again. I find myself melting in front of him, it having happened too many times now to count. “I jus’ don’t wanna fook up like my dad did.”

“You won’t, Harry. I know it’s hard to not worry, because I feel the same way. I don’t want to be the kind of mum mine was, and sometimes it makes me not want to become a mother at all, in fear of that.”

“Hey, don’t talk that way. Tha man who gets t’ marry you one day and have a family with you ‘s tha luckiest in tha whole world, and yer kids as well. Yer too kind fer yer own good, and ya always take such good care o’ those ya love, Becks. I have a feelin’ you’ll be a wondaful motha one day,” Harry hums, the words finding their way straight to my heart, and stealing all of mine away. 

“Thank you so much,” I reply adamantly, feeling a warmth spread over my body as his sunshine dawns on me. Stepping forward, I stand a little higher to press a kiss to his prickly cheek. “You’ll find the right one and have a lovely family soon too, I’m sure. They’ll all be so lucky, Harry.” 

I almost think I see tears filling his eyes, but I’m not sure, and then within seconds I’m proven right. With his actions, he almost brings them to my eyes when his hand pulls mine into his, and his forehead meets mine for an affectionate little bump. 

“Thanks, babe. Dunno what ‘d do without ya and yer motivational speeches sumtimes,” he smiles, stealing a kiss from my forehead as he squeezes my fingers between his own gently. 

“Welcome,” I answer, missing the feeling of his head against mine, and all of the words it said. As well as how close we were to each other, and in so many ways. “Do you have any fun plans for your big day?”

“Nah, jus’ indoor rock climbin’ with Rory this aftanoon. ‘m already gettin’ ratha borin’ in me old age. I gotta save me energy fer me flight t’night.”

“You should do more to celebrate, Harry. It’s your day. You get to do whatever you want, and be whoever you want today. You call the shots,” I contend, hoping the words stick and that they don’t sound cheesy. 

“Wow, I didn’t know it was Halloween, Becks,” he jokes, eliciting a sigh from me. 

“Not what I meant,” I exhale, teasing lining my words as my hand slips from his, and my feet leave him. 

“‘m kiddin’, bug. Don’t leave,” he begs, footsteps following mine and my hand returning to his. “Yer right, tho.’”

“Wait, I’m what? I don’t think I heard you,” I hum happily, eyes lighting with a playful fire that dance over to his. 

“Rebecca Ann,” he protests, trying to hold back a smile, but it makes its way through the clouds to shine on me. 

“Harry . . . “

“Edward,” he answers softly, finishing my sentence for me. I keep finding myself being dealt with surprises, and being proven wrong, because here I am falling again. 

“Harry Edward,” I speak gently, focusing on the way each word feels coasting off of my tongue. “I like it.”

The smile bending his lips drops the dimples into his cheeks that round out as it climbs his face. It remains there for the rest of the day, gracing my eyes often, and I only wish that mine didn’t have to leave. I just wish that he could stay here with me always, wrapped up in this blissful moment; words, hands, and eye contact all intertwined with the other.

+

“What am I supposed to say? ‘Oh, hey, Harry. Let’s go to your surprise party.’ I’m the worst at lying and he knows it, so why are you making me do it?” I whine, hearing a ‘shhh’ that I shake my head at. “He can read me like a book, Myles, he’ll figure it out.” 

“You’ll be fine, Becky. Why don’t you just tell him that myself and Pete are in the west conference room wanting his opinion on something? That’s believable enough, and try to say it with as straight of a face as possible.” 

“Fine,” I relent, stomping away and down the wall. A deep breath struggles to settle inside my body when I stop a few steps away from Harry’s door. Instantaneously, my heart calms at the sound flowing from his office, not one but rather two. 

Pushing the door open, I find him sitting back in his office chair, scrolling through a page on his iMac. Loud nineties music pours from the black JBL bluetooth speaker on a shelf, a song I somehow missed that we both love. Now, I won’t let the chance fly right past me. 

“Stop right now, thank you very much! I need somebody with a human touuuuuuuch. Hey you, alllllllways on the run, gotta slow it down baby, gotta have some funnnnnn!” I loudly sing along with him, watching his eyes lift to me, and the happiness that fills them. 

“Gotta keep it down honey, lay yer back on tha line. ‘Cause I don’t care about tha money, don’t be wastin’ my time!” he belts out in return with hands and eyes raised to the ceiling passionately. He uses his own loud and poor singing voice as well that melts into a loud laugh. “Didn’t peg ya fer a Spice Girls fan, Becks,” he comments after turning down the song that now hums in the background. 

“Oh yeah, I’ve always loved them. I had all of their CDs, I watched their movie so many times I ruined the tape, and their posters covered my walls. It was worrying at times how much I loved them,” I joke, admiring the crinkling of his eyes as happiness spreads across his face. 

“Ya sound like me sista, she was proper obsessed with ‘em. Growin’ up inna house with only girls, I got dragged into tha stuff they liked at times, but ‘m glad I did with tha Spice Girls. They have some o’ tha best songs t’ jam out t’.” With an agreeing nod, my hands settle on the crest of the left chair facing his desk. 

“Which one is your favourite?”

“Um, I dunno, I think Baby Spice. She has a wicked voice, was always funny, and so bloody cute. I mean, they all had killer voices, tho’. How ‘bout you, bug?” he answers, twirling a pen around in his fingers as we speak. 

“No way?! Mine is Baby Spice too, so it looks like I don’t have to break up with you over that, either!” I tease, watching sunshine paint his face and warm me from the center. He nods wholeheartedly and wags a finger at me with that breathy giggle tickling my ears. “I don’t really know why, I feel like a favorite thing like that always chooses you. I connected with her somehow, like I feel like I connected with my favourite Pokemon,” I laugh and a raspy confirmation falls from his lips. “Anyways, I came to tell you that Myles and Pete were asking for you. I ran into one of them out there, and they wanted your advice on something. They’re in the west conference room, I don’t know what they’re working on.”

“Ah, okay. Shall we go see what they’re up t’?” Harry says, and my nodding head answers his question. I follow him out of his office, feeling relief when I exhale, thinking I may have gotten away with it. 

At his side on our way to the conference room where all of the lawyers, Asher and a few others from I.T. wait to yell ‘surprise!’ at Harry, I fall back into a memory. I hadn’t thought about it for awhile, but suddenly, I recall the surprise party I was thrown here. It was for my going away party, and with that remembrance, my heart takes a little dive. I find it ironic that Harry organized my surprise party then, and now, I’m walking him to his surprise party I organized. The circle of life, I guess. I sure am glad this party will be a much happier occasion, or so I hope, considering Harry told Myles he didn’t want anything. A part of me worries he’ll be upset and annoyed, and will hide it in fear of disappointing Myles and I. 

Luckily, the conference rooms here aren’t made of glass walls and so none of my secrets come pouring out before they have to. When Harry opens the door casually, a loud ‘SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HARRY!’ sounds from the long room. With clenched fists in my pockets, I wait for his reaction, and am pleasantly surprised when the sunshine makes another appearance on his face. It collapses into laughter marked by reddening cheeks as he steps forward to give hugs, and I wander over to Asher. 

“Again, why are you over here talking to me?” he asks me about ten minutes later, handing me a beer after uncapping it. 

“What?” I reply, my eyes panning over to him with confusion dawning in them. 

“You should be talking to Harry, considering it was your idea to throw him a birthday party, which he looks pretty happy about.”

“It wasn’t all my idea, Ash, it was Myles’ too,” I respond, turning the bottle in my hands to look at the label when I find I actually like it. That’s a first for me enjoying beer, but maybe that’s because my dad and Robbie only ever enjoyed the shitty cheap kind that tasted like watered down piss. 

“Sure it was, I bet it wouldn’t have even happened if it weren’t for you. Wait, does he even know who he has to thank for all of this?”

“It’s not that deep, Ash, it’s just a simple birthday party,” I answer, shrugging my shoulders as I pick up my slice of pizza to take a bite from it. 

“You’re ridiculous, you know that?”

“I’m also his employee and his colleague, Ash, it’s different at work- well, outside of closed doors,” I sigh, glancing over to Harry who laughs loudly at something Mick said, a blonde girl at his side, eyeing him up. Ugh. 

“Sorry, I forgot that part, you can’t really get past that.”

“No, you can’t,” I comment softly, my brow falling in concentration as my eyes follow the girl’s tall figure, and Harry’s eyes over to her. “I hate it, it’s so hard sometimes.”

“No duh- wait, what is it exactly? I thought you lawyers were supposed to be good with your words, or something,” he teases, and I meet his eyes that all playfulness leaks out of when he sees mine. 

“That, Ash. A girl flirting with him and I can’t do anything about it. It’s so hard having to act like ‘we just work together’ outside of closed doors when he’s become my best friend all over again. A best friend who holds my hand and kisses my cheek behind closed doors,” I exhale, setting the paper plate down on the long oval table in front of us, my appetite suddenly absent. “I know I shouldn’t get so upset, but . . “

“But it’s hard when you’ve felt so strongly about somebody for years, and things are starting to happen. Am I right?”

My head shakes with a nod as I pick at the plastic label peeling on the dark beer bottle. A sorry falls from his lips softly that I don’t acknowledge, because ‘sorrys’ are never not awkward, I feel like. 

“Ask him out already, Becky, you know that you want to.”

“I know, Ash, but I couldn’t handle starting all of that when he’s going to be gone for a week. It would drive me insane missing him, even more than I know I’m already going to. I’m waiting until he gets back,” I explain, sure I don’t make any sense, but I don’t make any sense to myself sometimes, either. 

“You’re waiting a week either way, wouldn’t you rather wait a week and be a little happier after telling him how you feel?”

“I know. You’re right, and I wish you weren’t . . You know what, I’m going to go and use the bathroom before everybody starts seeing me cry,” I admit self-deprecatingly in a long exhale, the tears already pressing at the back of my eyes. 

I hate that I’m getting sad when this is supposed to be a happy time, but it gets all the harder when I remember that Harry leaves tonight for over a week. He nods, patting my arm after taking my beer before I leave the room, emotions racing through my head.

So many desires, too, that I wish I could have fulfilled already.

+

“What, you didn’t know? How the fuck didn’t you?” 

“Didn’t know what?” I question, taking a swig from my beer as I wait for his answer. His face is screwed up in disbelief for only a second and then it relaxes, still making me feel stupid for not knowing. 

“It was Becky who did all of this. Granted, I wanted to do something for you, but you never would have let me, you prick. She came to me and insisted on throwing you a party. I just bought the pizza and the beers. I already know she’ll be a wicked lawyer with that fire in her. She made the cake as well, and stayed late last night to help set up,” Myles explains, and now my facial features do a dance of their own as I stare back at him dumfoundedly. “I can’t believe you didn’t know, you bloody idiot. Even more proof she’s mad about you.”

“Fookin’ hell, ‘course it was all her, and I haven’t even said a word t’ her this whole time,” I huff, my arm dropping to my side as conflict rages through my limbs. Tearing my eyes away from Myles, my excited eyes dance across the room looking for her, but she’s nowhere to be found. “Hold this, would ya?”

“Fuck, Hare, go bloody snog her already. Reckon it’s the only thing you can do to make up for being such a bleeding idiot not knowing it was her who did all of this.”

“Shuddup already, My’,” I retort, shoving the beer into his hands as my feet pick up, electricity coursing through me. I take another cursory look around the room and again. She’s gone, but he isn’t. 

“Where’s Becks?” I hurriedly say to Asher who busies himself with his phone in the corner, two beer bottles clutched between the fingers of his other hand. His eyes flit to me and I think I’ve caught him off guard. “I reckon that’s her beer, so where’d she go?”

“To use the loo.”

I don’t manage a reply with the impatience dominating my actions, but he doesn’t let me get very far when I hear his voice again, saying my name. 

“I don’t think she can wait anymore,” is all he says and right away, I know what he means. 

“Neither can I.”

Now, it’s his turn to nod, but I hardly see it as I’m already walking out of the room. My legs hurry down the hallway, feet pounding on the tiled floor towards the break room and nearby bathrooms. Something makes me pause when I reach her office, and there I find her with her back to me in front of the floor to ceiling window. I’m reminded of how stunning she looks in that knee length, long sleeved, plum dress that threw me for a loop this morning. I realize belatedly the smile pulling my lips towards my eyes, and the butterflies fluttering in my chest as so many thoughts fill my head. 

“Ya’ve escaped on me, bug, how come?” I decide to say, taking a step into her office that’s slowly becoming hers. I catch glances of the framed pictures lining her desk, and the fun we had the other day looking at them. Seen in them are her and her dad, her and Robbie as kids and then as adults, and a similar two parter with now and then pictures of herself and Skye. I’m still waiting for the day I see myself in one of them. “Alright?”

“Yeah, of course. I could never be sad on your birthday, the day you were born,” she answers, but I don’t need to see her speak to make out the conflicting evidence in her voice. She also doesn’t hide the surprised inhale when I wind my arms around her middle from behind, and press a soft kiss to her temple. Fuck, I haven’t had something feel this right in such a long time, and yet it never feels like enough. “What are you doing? My door is wide open, and anybody could see, Harry. You’re my boss.”

“I don’t care, ‘m their boss too. I wanted t’ give you a hug. Myles jus’ told me tha party was all yer idea, that ya came t’ him and insisted on doin’ it. I had no idea, Becks, and ‘m sorry. ‘ve neva had a good surprise party ‘til now, y’know. ‘m already lovin’ it, bug, ya had all me fav’ things there - pizza, beers, a chocolate cake with bloody Power Rangers figures on it, and cute li’l party decorations,” I hum against her head where my cheek rests, watching her eyelashes flutter below me as she laughs.

“You actually like it? I was afraid that you’d hate it, you’ve never been one for surprises. Myles said you didn’t want anything like it, so I was doubting myself all up until the last second.”

“No, I love it, babe. It was so thoughtful and sweet o’ you. I didn’t want anythin’, but ya made it all so special with me fav’ things. Y’know, ‘m dyin’ t’ try yer cake,” I tell her, watching that one dimple fill her left cheek that I don’t think she even realizes she has, but damn, the things it does to me when I see it. 

It’s been a whirlwind of emotions, thoughts, and wishes ever since she walked back through the doors of the firm, and it’s like she never even left. Too often, I’m made aware of how many times the both of us left in the past, and they only make me want to never leave again. It’s the very thing I have to do tonight and I don’t know how I’m going to survive being away from her for nine days, when I had just gotten her back. 

“We should probably go back and sing you happy birthday, it’s about that time.”

Another wave of feelings hits me when she turns around in my arms, and I see the traces of spent tears in her eyes that I brush away with my thumb. My hand falls from her and finds her trembling fingers I caress with my own. It contradicts the happiness filling me, and propels me forward and towards her lips. I watch them curl into a smile that echoes in her eyes, and mirrors my own. I’m seconds away from mine touching hers when I hear a voice, and not the one I want. 

“There ya are, Hare! I know you hate having happy birthday sung to you, but let’s get it over with,” Myles jests from behind me as my eyes stare out the window, debilitating disappointment covering me in sheets. 

“Ya, be there inna sec,” I retort, a sigh finishing my words as my eyes fall to her. It’s a wonder to me how she can hide hers so well, because she just stares up at me in awe, stealing all of my frustration away in the moment. 

“Fookin’ My’,” I laugh, and her adorable one follows mine while I twirl a lock of her hair around my finger. 

“Let’s go and sing to you, birthday boy,” Becks says with a grin, but I can hear it in her voice where she thinks she can hide the sadness. I’m afraid there’s not much she can hide from me after all of this time, and I know that the same goes for me with her. “We have all the time in the world when you get back from your trip,” she comments softly with a squeeze of my hand, and I realize she’s right. Not just that, her words slowly click with me, piecing a puzzle together that’s nearly finished. A puzzle over two years in the making. A silent understanding passes between us, and finally, she reveals that she also wants to wait to start things until I’m back. Although I’m sad, I’m grateful for it too, because I wouldn’t be able to handle leaving her tonight for over a week if I had just kissed her now. I can barely handle the thought of leaving her, as it is. 

“We do, don’t we, bug?” I concur aloud and she nods as I squeeze her hand in return, my feet lifting from the ground. So does my heart, as the secret I finally found out resounds with me.

I don’t want to wait the nine days until I come back, but I know that I should. I know that we’re holding the other to it now, and it fills me with a cooling sensation of relief. After fucking over two years of waiting, I guess I can wait another nine days, even if there’s little stopping me from kissing her right now.

+

“It’s a good thing you didn’t get single candles, Becky, or else Harry here would be setting off the smoke alarms blowing those out,” Jennings comments from across me as an orange flame appears at the end of the lighter. My laugh joins those of the others in the room as the two candles, a 3 and a 0, come to life. 

Setting down the lighter, I stand back and join the crowd surrounding the table, the song beginning from our lips. ‘Happy Birthday’ fills the room as Harry stands in front of the cake with pink, dimpled cheeks and a nervous excitement coating him. A hand hides in his pockets as the other comes to cover his face until the last line. His green eyes float over to me and remain there as he leans down, large hands pressed to the table as he blows out his candles. 

“Oooo, Harry’s got a girlfriend!” several people exclaim at the sight of one lit candle remaining, those green eyes still glued to me with a sparkle inside of them. He’s really fucking testing my patience today.

I swear to God, Harry. 

A nervousness sits at the edge of my actions and words as I cut the cake and serve it, Harry soon stealing me away to the side to gush about how much he loves it. I couldn’t stop replaying the moment from my office in my head as I ate my own slice and soon disappeared to there again, worried I forgot to wrap a present or left one at home. 

“Ya keep runnin’ away from me, bug, what’s goin’ on?” Harry chirps from my doorway, sauntering into my office when I turn around, shutting the door behind him. “Ooooo, are those me presents I see? Holy shit, Becks, ya didn’t hafta get me so many o’ ‘em.”

“I wanted to. I finally get to spend your birthday with you after all these years,” I smile with a shrug of my shoulders, a nervous laugh falling from his blushing lips. 

“I knew I saved tha best fer last.”

“Sit down,” I say, picking up the Power Rangers bag I’m amazed I found at the shops.

“Bloody hell, Ms. Holte is gettin’ bossy.” I chuckle along with him as I set the bag at his feet, finding a seat on the sofa next to him. He winks at me as he pats my knee and I give in, scooting closer to leave only a few inches between us.

The smiles on the both of our faces grow with every present he unwraps, and my anxious heart relaxes. I’m not sure which he enjoyed most, the whiskey and oak candle he smelled at my house once that he loved, the multicolored guitar strap with Keith Haring art, the FRIENDS mug full of quotes in the same font, Paul McCartney’s album RAM on a pristine vinyl, the blush button up decorated with black outlines of roses, or the one I was saving for last. 

“Becks, you didn’t,” he giggles, saying that line for perhaps the third time now as I set the lidded metal pan in his hands.

“I know your first pan is already gone, so here’s another one.”

“Love, ‘m gonna get fat from all o’ these brownies,” he titters, patting the lid happily before his eyes return to mine. “Ya spoil me too much.” 

“I know,” I agree, the tears soon taking hold of my words. “But I really missed my best friend this last year, and I’m going to miss him even more when he’s gone next week,” I sigh, the tears peeking out in my voice.

“Becks,” he hums sadly, setting the pan down on the floor before pulling me into his arms. “I missed me best friend as well, too bloody much, I reckon. So much so that I don’t want t’ leave her fer tha next week,” he reveals, emotion stealing the balance from his voice. 

“Can I come with you the next time?”

“‘Course bug, ‘m sorry it didn’t work out this time. It was jus’ too short notice. I wish ya could, tho’,” he responds, his long fingers donning his many rings leaving warm circles on my back. 

My nod answers his sentence as my hands find the satiny fabric of his button up, one daring to play with a curl of his before cupping his shoulder. My tears dry up on my cheek pressed to his shoulder, but they threaten a return when he kisses the top of my head, making me wonder when the next time will be that I get another. 

“Y’know, Rore was s’posed t’ go rock climbin’ with me t’day, but he called in sick. I figure he’s prolly jus’ hungova, but ya said I get whateva I want on me birthday, so I want ya t’ come with me instead,” Harry announces, squeezing me in our hug before I look up at him. 

“I’ll have to stop home for some different clothes.”

“That’s fine, we can ride togetha in my Rover and we’ll stop by yer flat,” he explains, and I hum a happy ‘okay’ as he brushes the back of his fingers across my cheeks. “Don’t want me birthday t’ end jus’ yet, ‘m havin’ so much fun with me best friend.”

+

The blinking cursor stares back at me, and yet I can’t find the motivation to write anything. My thoughts are too immersed in the events of today. My arms around his waist, and then his around mine. My hand in his before he almost kissed me in his office, and again during the ride to and from the indoor rock climbing place. We agreed on listening to Spice Girls in the car, and during the too relatable parts in the songs ‘Say You’ll Be There’ and sometimes in ‘2 Become 1’, I felt his hand squeeze mine and I held his a little tighter at those moments, too.

I couldn’t count the number of times we laughed while tucked into those harnesses, my hands and feet slipping on the grips of the rock wall. I knew he was competitive, but holy shit, he proved me wrong this afternoon. He did it again when I thought I knew how good he looked in tight jogging sweats, but I learned about it all again from my often vantage point below him on the wall. 

I’ve been trying to avoid the purple clock in my office for what feels like hours, but I know it hasn’t been that long. The time had gone by faster than I thought it had when I finally look, my limbs suddenly feeling heavy when the clock reads 4:08 pm. I try to return to my work, typing up the last few sentences for the final document for his- our case. I can’t, knowing he’ll be leaving any minute now, and not knowing how I’m going to say goodbye to him. All of these times, we’ve said it, but never knew it would be the last one for a while. I almost miss that ignorance, almost. 

“Ya might break it, if ya stare at it any harder, bug.” Hastily looking to my doorway, there he is with his Northface on and messenger bag at his side. “C’mere,” he says softly, a sadness clinging to his voice and the hand he waves towards himself. 

I oblige and within moments, I let my head fall to his chest, my cheek brushing against his exposed skin and metal necklace.

“Nine days is a long time,” I mumble, my hands falling to rest at the middle of his back.

“Feels that way fer me too.”

“It’ll be okay, though,” I hum hopefully, savoring the feeling of being tucked away safely in his arms. 

“Ya, it will, won’t it?” he responds gently, one hand waving goodbyes against my back and the other cupping my head to his chest. I almost start crying again when he plants a kiss on the top of my head, his special spot. “Ya, it’ll be okay, Becks. You’ll learn loads from Myles, and ‘ll still be there blowin’ up yer phone like usual with texts and calls.”

A moment of happiness flows from my mouth at his words, and a few seconds of his giggle joins mine. 

“I’m going to really miss you,” I finally voice aloud for him to hear, but it doesn’t feel like enough for what I’m feeling. The dread, the anxiousness, the debilitating sadness, the frustration, and the anger I feel towards the world. He almost succeeds in ridding my body of their nervous trembles, but what will I do when I can’t go to him for a hug when I need to calm down or when I just want one?

“‘m gonna miss ya mo’, bug.”

“Oh, so it’s a competition now? Why of course it is with you,” I scoff, lifting my head to meet his eyes that brew a concoction of bittersweetness. 

“I guess so, Boops,” he smirks, tapping the point of my nose. For a while there, it felt like a blind competition of who was going to make the first move between us, but now, I trust we’re both planning to wait until he returns, and is back for good. When we both are. “Y’know, me case could get done early or take longa.”

“Don’t say that,” I sigh with bent eyebrows that he tries to smooth out with the pad of his thumb. 

“Sorry, bug, but ‘s tha brutal truth o’ bein’ a lawyer and that’s yer life now. It doesn’t always go how ya want it t’. I  reckon, ‘s tha truth o’ life actually.”

“Yeah, I know. I don’t like it,” I exhale, diving back into his arms for one last time, wishing I knew when the next time it would be that I get to do this again. There’s so little stopping me from getting on my tiptoes and kissing the sadness out of him. 

“I should go, me flight ‘s soon,” Harry whispers a minute later, his nose brushing against my temple. 

“Yeah, we don’t want the birthday boy to be late for his big case starting Monday,” I say with a fake smile, squeezing him one last time and then moving away to zip his coat up the rest of the way. 

“Thanks fer the best birthday ‘ve had inna long time, Becks. It meant tha world t’ me, I hope y’know,” he coos from above me, but I avoid his eyes as I tuck his necklace back into his shirt. “‘ll call ya once I land, ‘kay? ‘ll be back soon, Becks,” he murmurs against my temple, lips falling to my cheek where they press a long last kiss there. His thumb hooks under my chin and lifts my avoidant eyes to his. “‘ll miss ya mo’ than y’know.”

“Bye, Harry. I’ll see you in nine days,” I hardly manage to make out, holding onto the semisweet smile hugging his lips. I feel one last squeeze from him where my hand stays in his, and then he walks away. He chances one last look over his shoulder, and I’m positive he couldn’t miss the first tear on my cheek, because I watch the first one fall from his eyes.

+

A huff falls from lips as I rub at my eyes, a yawn soon leaving me. Walking out of my office, my eyes linger down the hall at his dark door that still isn’t any easier to look at five days later. Even after his surprise FaceTime this morning in his most adorable purple robe to drink morning coffee together, watching FRIENDS last night on FaceTime, or all of the random texting conversations we’ve been having, I miss him even worse. 

Swinging my empty water bottle around the handle on my finger, I soon find myself alone in the break room. The fridge closes with a soft clud as I set the Brita water pitcher on the counter, screwing off the top to my water bottle. 

“Don’t spill it!” somebody says from behind me, making me jump and spill the water I’m pouring into my steel water bottle. 

“Don’t do that, Harry!” I exclaim automatically, peeking back at the person who scared me. I groan and turn back to my water, but then something clicks in my head. 

Harry. 

He’s back!

“Harry!” I almost shout, turning back to him. I find a smile as bright as the sun staring back at me. “You’re back early!”

“Ya, I finished me case early and wanted t’ come say hi. I won it, Becks, we won it,” he replies happily. 

With wide eyes, I feel my lips split into a smile. Throwing my arms around his neck, I wrap him in a hug. 

“Harry, that’s wonderful! I’m so proud of you! I know how nervous you were for this case,” I hum into his warm neck. His musky cologne surrounds me as his arms do the same around my middle. 

“Thanks so much, Becks. I sure missed havin’ ya there by me side givin’ me advice and correctin’ me notes,” he rasps with a small laugh, and I feel his warm words dance across my head. 

“Well, it looks like you didn’t need it,” I tell him, pulling away to find his dimples caved into his cheeks. His pearly whites smile back at me. I squeeze his arm and smile back at him, filling with pride and happiness. 

“Ya, coz you were still there, bug. I appreciated yer calls and texts, love, and ‘course all tha times watchin’ FRIENDS togetha. It did wondas t’ take me mind off tha case.”

I’m not sure what else to do besides smile at him, but then I feel the right words come to me. Or the closest to right. “I can’t say enough how proud I am of you, and how happy I am, too. But I’m not surprised, because you’re a pretty damn great lawyer.”

A blush rises to his cheeks and he looks down all abashed. “Thanks, that means loads comin’ from you.”

“What, why would it mean a lot coming from me? I haven’t even been practicing for a month, and meanwhile you have been for years,” I ask, searching for the answer in his eyes. But when he lets me see them again, I can’t tell what it is. 

“Jus’ does, Becks . . I wanna make ya proud.” 

“Well, you’ve already done that a few times over,” I laugh heartily. He nods and sticks his hands into the pockets of his black skinny jeans. A multicolored flannel and Beatles shirt dons his upper half. Checkered Vans claim his feet, and sunglasses are caught in his hair. It’s all the epitome of comfy airport clothes. 

“What are you going to do with the rest of your days off? You still have tomorrow and Friday before you’re due back on Monday.”

“Um, I dunno. ‘ll prolly stay home and unpack. Do a bit o’cleanin’ and catch up on sleep. That bloody jet lag ‘s no joke,” he confesses, losing a hand in his air as he giggles. 

“Yeah, you seem to have a hard time with that, I’m sorry. You should try some of that Sleepy Time tea before bed, it always helps me. Or reading. Or exercising,” I blurt out, feeling like the nonsensical words will never stop. 

“Thanks, I’ll stop by tha shops and pick some up. Wasn’t that tha one I had on accident at yer place tha one time?”

“You mean the night you zonked out on my sofa at eight pm?” I chuckle and he nods with red cheeks. 

“Ya, that one. I s’pose that stuff really works.”

“Mmmhmmm,” I reply. Again, the words are bubbling up into my throat. And then the silent promise we made to the other falls back into my thoughts, as well as the one I made what feels like so long ago now. Just ask him out when he gets back then, it’d be too annoying starting to date while he’s away, Skye had said.“I uh . . .”

“Ya, Becks?” Harry responds, and I look back up to find his patient eyes on me. A smile bends his lips and I feel it fill me with courage, egging me on. 

God, I’ve missed him. Those sparkly green eyes. His smile that can pull one from my own lips. His quirky jokes. God, his hugs, even if they’re not often enough. His dimpled cheeks covered with stubble that do something to me. And so does his ruffled curls that I missed seeing. I just- I missed him.

And that’s what makes the words fall from my lips. 

“I was wondering if you’re doing anything Friday night?”

He almost says something, but there’s a creak when the door opens. My face falls when I realize it, and a confused look paints Harry’s face. Rory prances over and pats Harry on the back, before scooping him into a hug. 

Looking to the floor with a shy smile, I step away from the reunion. I grab a towel from the drawer and clean up my mess. I screw the top onto my water bottle before tossing the rag into the bin under the sink. 

“Wow, man! I can’t believe ya did it. Ya put on a great defense from what I heard from Mick’s friend,” Rory exclaims before pouring into question after question. 

I can’t hide the disappointment coating my features inside and out. I finally got the courage to ask him, and I was interrupted. And now, I don’t think I could find that courage again. 

Grabbing my water bottle, I walk over to the fridge and steal a yogurt from a shelf. The door closes with a soft click as I go to walk around them. 

“Becks, wait,” Harry says, making me stop in my tracks. Turning to find his eyes on me, I watch confusion screw up Rory’s face. 

“Rore, there was sumthin’ I needed t’ ask Becky ‘bout. I’ll catch ya aftawards, ya?” Harry turns to him and says. 

I feel my heart almost hiccup inside of my chest. And with it, I feel it start to gallop back into nervous territory. 

“Yeah sure, man. I can’t wait to hear all about it,” Rory replies, patting him on the shoulder before the door closes behind him.

And then it’s just Harry and I, again. 

“Hey, sorry ‘bout that. I haven’t seen anybody else yet, so he was surprised t’ see me,” Harry tells me. God, Harry, stop making my heart do all of these jumpy things, please. Holy shit, he basically said I’m the first person he came to see. Uh wow, that is uh-. “Becks?” Harry repeats. I blink and watch his features materialize in front of me again. 

“Yeah, sorry,” I say, shaking my head. 

“’s okay. What were ya sayin’ ‘bout Friday?” he continues, and I swear my heart just keeps jumping, making it even more harder to speak. But I have to do it. I have to try. 

“Um, I was wondering . . . . If you wanted to try out that new restaurant, Rafael’s, on 3rd? L-Like a date?” I say, forcing the words out one after the other, or else I won’t get them out. “Because I remember you said before it opened that you’d like to try it and your friend owns it and-.”

“Yes, I’d love t’, Becks. I’d love t’ go onna date with you t’ Rafael’s,” Harry interrupts, his words coming out like molasses with a syrupy sweet smile. They fill in and soothe all of the worries fighting inside of me. And immediately squash the doubts. 

With that, my heart calms down and I feel a happiness soar through my veins. One I haven’t felt in a long time. It climbs higher and higher when I take a leap and jump into his arms, hearing his breathy laugh I missed so fucking much. 

“Goddamit, Harry, I missed you so much,” I confess into his chest, my eyes falling closed as I finally feel like I can relax, and four days early at that. A chuckle rumbles through his warm chest while his familiar scent could lull me to sleep. I missed that too, his peppery vanilla cologne, and how safe I feel in his arms that hold me against him.

I can’t believe all of this, what just happened and the fact that he’s here, and back with me. He’s with me.

“Fookin’ hell, I missed ya mo’, Becks,” he reveals, words falling into my hair seconds before he surprises me with a kiss to my cheek. 

It only intensifies when I dare to look up and find those green eyes looking at me in a way I’ve never seen. Now, I finally get a feeling of what I’ve looked like this whole time. This whole time I’ve been looking at him with the beginnings of love in my eyes. 

Finally, we’re here. 

[stressedkitkatttt]

Childhood Friends

Basically you and Joel are best friends. I'm sorry if it seems rushed in some parts. I hope the smut makes up for it.

Richard/Yashua Version - Just Like Old Times (same premise, different story)

DISCLAIMER: Do NOT think it is okay to take my stories and post them somewhere else without my EXPLICIT PERMISSION. Do NOT think it is okay to take anyone else's stories and post them somewhere else without their EXPLICIT PERMISSION. Giving credit does NOT count as permission. You may reblog my stories, you may NOT repost my stories without MY PERMISSION.

Word Count: 2k

Warnings: smut, I feel that Joel could be freaky n' shit but I just can't help myself to dominate this man

~~~~~~~~

You were Joel's best friend. You both grew up together back in California and had known each other since second grade. You were his first everything - first crush, first kiss, first time and vice versa. You, along with his family, had convinced him to do La Banda and when he won a spot on CNCO; you were ecstatic to say the least. And eventually, with his work and your school schedule, you both began to talk less and less until finally you lost all contact with each other. You did watch interviews on CNCO in your free time just to see how he's doing.

During a particularly boring day, you had nothing to do and you decide to watch some CNCO interviews. During one interview about their first times, he mentions you and the first time you both kissed. You were both 15 and his family had invited you over to have dinner with them because you and Joel were so close. They constantly made jokes about how cute of a couple you two would make but neither of you were ready for a relationship. After dinner you both headed up to his room where he had initiated a wrestling match where you let him pin you down. He was blushing when he realized what position you were in. One thing led to another and your lips locked.

After you graduated, you had some free time and notice that CNCO is doing a meet and greet. You finally decide to get tickets to meet CNCO. You wanted to surprise Joel. So you flew to L.A. You book a hotel room and on the day of the meet and greet, you got nervous. You grabbed your pass, keys, purse, and phone before heading to the meet and greet. You were so nervous when you saw them through the crowd. Your heart skipped a beat when you saw Joel.

When Joel spotted you, he couldn't believe his eyes. He lights up and is so happy to finally see you again after so long. After the meet and greet, you stay behind with him and you both spend the day catching up on life. The busy day finally lands you two back at his hotel room. Things are a little awkward at first, but a comfortable silence fell over the two of you. Like old times, Joel starts a friendly wrestling match.

You win this time and pin Joel down by his shoulders. You both begin to laugh and Joel places his hands on your hips once you've both settled down. You stare into his chocolate brown eyes before your eyes dart to his lips for a moment and back. His tongue pokes out and he pulls his bottom lip between his teeth.

You lean in slowly, his neck craning to meet your lips in a passionate kiss. You move your hands from his shoulders and into his dark curls, threading your fingers through it. He leans up and wraps his arms around you, one hand landing in your hair and the other to pull you closer to him.

You take his bottom lip between your teeth and gently bite it. He moans and parts his lips. You take the opportunity to slide your tongue into his mouth, your tongue dancing with his. He pulls away first, lips swollen and red. You shove his jacket down his shoulders and he holds you steady as you begin to grind on him through his jeans. You trail kisses down his neck and find a sweet spot just below his ear. You tug his hair gently and nibble on his sweet spot - the moan he lets out is heavenly.

You pull away and take off your shirt, revealing a black lace bra that gave him a nice view of your tits. His eyes lock onto them before he looks up at you, tugging the straps. You reach behind you and unclip your bra, letting your breasts fall free. He moans and grabs them, eyes growing darker as he begins to massage and play with them. "You've grown since the last time I saw you." He leans down to take one of your nipples into his mouth.

You toss your head back, keeping him in check with one hand still buried in his hair, giving a few tugs here and there. He switches and gives attention to your other breast, kneading the one not occupied by his mouth. You let him continue for a minute before you want more than just his mouth as work. You tug on his curls and pull his head away, one hand tugging his shirt. He quickly takes it off and throws it somewhere. Your eyes trail down his toned chest

Damn.

You place your hands back on his shoulders and he lays himself flat on the bed. You wiggle your way down his body, leaving butterfly kisses down his abs and to his jeans. There's an impressive bulge and you make quick work of his belt and zipper, sliding his pants and boxers down his thighs and tossing them somewhere behind you.

His dick is standing at full salute and you wrap a warm hand around him. He jerks at the sudden contact. "And you've grown quite a bit as well, Joel." You begin to stroke him at a slow pace, feeling every ridge and vein, sometimes switching up the pace just so he doesn't get too comfortable with one. You take the precum from his tip and spread it around. His hips buck against your hand as you spread the natural lubricant. He was always a bit sensitive around his tip.

After a few more strokes you know he's more than ready when he twitches in your hand. He looks at you with hooded eyes as you move off the bed to take off your pants and underwear, throwing them in a corner. You move back onto the bed, straddling yourself back on his hips. You hover above him, swiping his tip against your soaked folds, the both of you moaning at the contact. You look down into his eyes, "Are you ready?" He nods furiously.

"Please, I need you to do something." He whines, hands sliding to your hips trying to drag you down while bucking his hips, I can't take it anymore!" You nod and lower yourself onto his length, not stopping until he was fully sheathed inside you. You both let out loud moans as your walls clench around him.

"F-fuck," you whimper, taking a moment to compose yourself. You didn't know what it was but when you had sex with Joel, it always seemed different from anyone else. He seemed to always fill you up just right, hitting your sweet spot and always had you begging for more. Once you finally catch your breath and get some sort of grip on reality, you place your hands on his abdomen and begin to roll your hips in delicious ways that has the both of you moaning and groaning like crazy. "Joel..." You trail off and clench around his length, making him reply by bucking his hips, hitting deep inside you. His hands are tight on your hips, head thrown back and whimpering your name in a sinful tone.

He bucks his hips to meet your rhythm, sending him straight into your sweet spot. You clench hard around him, nails dragging down his chest leaving red nail marks. He places his feet flat against the bed and bucks up to continue to hit your sweet spot. By now you were seeing stars with every thrust. This was by far the best sex you've had with him.

"Y/N, I'm close," Joel's voice comes out broken as he tries to keep from cumming until he knows you're on the same page. He knows you're close with how your walls clench around him but he also knows you enough to know that you aren't close enough to an orgasm as he is. He opens his eyes and wishes he didn't because seeing you ride his dick, head thrown back and breasts bouncing with each thrust; he damn near cums then and there. He wills himself to hold off until he got you to the edge with him.

Moving his hands from your hips he uses them to push himself up so he's chest to chest with you. He buries his head into your neck, biting a mark just under your jaw; one of your weaknesses. The sensation has your hips stuttering and you grab onto his curls again. Hearing his name fall from your lips and he's struggling not to spill everything he has into your pussy.

Speaking of weaknesses, an idea pops into his head. Anytime you would hook up with him back when you were younger, he would whisper Spanish phrases into your ear and it would have a certain effect on you. He didn't know much Spanish back then, but what he did know he would whisper into your ear and always had you falling apart. He knows a lot more Spanish noe and he's curious to see if it's still your greatest weakness.

He leans up to your ear to whisper dirty nothings into the ear. "Mira lo bien que me tomas. Se siente tan bien tenerte envuelto a mi alrededor otra vez. Te he echado tanto de menos bebé, no tienes ni idea..." He pairs his words with a hand traveling down to your clit and rubbing circles. "Cum for me." He wasn't expecting for you to turn and whisper into his ear.

"Te extraño también, papi." Just like magic, you both lose control. He didn't know you had studied language in school and surely didn't think hearing you speaking Spanish in his ear would be such a turn on.

Your toes curled, your eyes roll back into your skull, and you shout his name to the heavens. He buries his face into your neck, moaning loudly as he bucks his hips into you. You both collapse into the bed, panting and enjoying the post-orgasmic state. The room was silent save for heavy breathing and the pounding in your ears.

You turn to him and he meets your gaze with a hazy look in his eyes. "I've missed you a lot, Joel, more than you know..." He smiles and leans in to plant a soft kiss on your lips, parting so their only millimeters apart.

"I've missed you too, Y/N. I'm sorry I never tried to contact you, I've been so busy. Sometimes I just wish that things were back to the way they were. Before CNCO. Before La Banda. Just you and me, no worries."

You nod. "To be fair, I didn't exactly try to contact you either... Trying to balance school and work is tough."

You lean back and stare at the ceiling, unsure of what to do now. Should you leave and go back to your room? Do you stay with him? You don't have to dwell on either thought as Joel makes the decision for you. He leans into you and wraps his arms around you, pulling you into his chest, his breath fanning over your shoulder. You lean into his embrace and gently stroke his cheek. You watch as he leans into your hand and his eyes start to grow heavy before closing.

"I love you Y/N," he whispers before finally drifting to sleep. You smile and look down at him. Kissing his cheek and settling into a comfortable spot within his arms you whisper,

"I love you too, Joel."

~~~~~~~

@papichriscnco @cracraforfandoms

[gricencchos]

“Seteth, it’s good to see you.” Rhys joined Seteth at the edge of the dance floor. “Ah, you got a ring and card too. I thought I could’ve been mistaken for a student- but we are meant to participate.” He smiled, eyes bright. “And to dance too, you know. Chaperones and holy men we may be, but it is no sin to relax a little. People like us in the crowd might result in... more scrupulous behavior.”

Ethereal Ball | 2021

It was a must to watch over the dances. The students had the freedom to dance whatever way they found most enjoyable, but there were still some limits as to what was acceptable and what was crossing the line.

Seteth had never been one for dancing, not even when his late wife still walked through these lands. Always too stiff and too unsure with his moves, he found himself better off in the corner writing or training with the lance with a fellow sibling.

But even with the task of making sure no couples end up standing too close during a dance, he could still appreciate the movements' flow, the students' glee, the music, the laughs. It didn't seem like it, but the sight pleased him very much so.

He turned his head to face the fellow priest. "Rhys." A nod in acknowledgement. "It is great to see you as well. Initially I expected this dynamic to be applied to the students and faculty only, but it seems that even us have to participate." He eyed the ring given to him. "Would you like me to stamp your card? Since we are both here and having to play along."

Green eyebrows rose ever so slightly. "Dance has never been my forte, so I would rather not get involved." Unless if it were for Flayn. Or perhaps a kind request from Rhea.

     "You are correct, Rhys. However I-" What was a less damaging way to say that he wasn't really the party guy? "-fare better away from the focus points. Besides, I must keep watch to ensure safety and order. Young nobles such as these..." Cannot be trusted. "...always find a way, whether you are in the crowd or not."

     "But that aside, I hope that you are enjoying the evening as well."

[captain-clarice-newheart]

All in the Family || Barbossa & Newheart

@captbarbossa

The Scottish Lowlands: a place both foreign and home to the woman. Clarice closed her eyes and inhaled the chilled air that smelt of long grass and musk that lingered off the moors that littered the vast landscape. When she opened her eyes she could see the village in the distance that she once called her own. The woman never thought she would return but when she got word her brothers had wished to return home and help their fellow clans, Clarice knew she had to stop by. So many years had passed she wondered if they would recognize their younger half sibling.

“Hector,” the Scotswoman called out, looking over her shoulder and watching him follow the path behind her. “The village is just’ o’er the hill.” Her eyes followed him until he caught up, a smirk upon her marred features. She turned to face him, bringing her form close to his before straightening out his jacket and belts. “Are yeh certain ta be meetin’ my family?” A pause followed by a small sigh. “Well…what is left o’ it. Meh bràthairs.”

Another pause before her smile returned. “Yeh are goin’ ta love em’ or despise em’, mo ghràdh. No’thin in between.” At that she let out a rather hearty laugh before hooking her arm with his, starting their journey to the village that had grown quite a bit since she was there last. As they walked up and into the town, Clarice was giving short stories of her childhood; where she fell out of a tree trying to scare her brothers, where she learned to use a bow and arrow with her uncle, the spot where a boy named Cal tried to kiss her and she broke his jaw and three ribs. Her stories stopped short when a horse and carriage came down the path, causing the redhead to quickly get off the trail and put Hector between the horse and her as it passed.

 “Dinnae trust those creatures…”

 Once it was gone she continued on the path with her lover en tow, both of them taking in the village before them. Well, there were certainly more pubs this time around. “Aw, there,” she pointed to an old tavern with plenty of noise emitting from it. “Always found em’ in there. It is a start.” Clarice did well to ignore the looks the two pirates were receiving from the locals; pirates weren’t often seen in Drumfries, considering they had to sail up the River Nith. However, she did catch sight of a few elders who were eyeing her, trying to figure out if that was the young Newhart girl they had seen so many years ago. 

The younger woman could already feel Hector’s apprehension and it only amused her. She chuckled when they reached the entrance, hearing a lively crowd inside. Clarice stopped Hector, bringing her lips to his in a kiss, whispering a small thank you for not wearing the wig and the British hat. “Yeh know how Scots feel aboot ta British.”

 When the two entered it felt misplaced. A thought of a domestic life came to her mind, making her wonder what her life would have been like if her father had not become a sailor and her mother had not died. Would she follow in her mother’s footsteps? Stay at home, take care of the kids, and care for her husband? She did not care for such a thought. Emerald eyes scanned the patrons but did not see the familiar faces of her brothers. She proceeded to find the bartender, asking him if he knew the two men. His ears perked and he was suddenly intrigued with the redhead speaking Gaelic to him. Clarice chuckled and gave a nod when he asked if they were kin. The bartender rounded the counter rather quickly and brought her into a solid hug. Clarice cleared her throat and gave the man light tap on his back; she wasn’t much of a hugger with strangers.

“We’ve heard stories of yeh, lass! Go en su’prise em in ta back!”

  With Hector behind her she made her way to the back room, slowly entering in without knocking. Her eyes brightened when she caught sight of the two heads facing her; backs turned to the two pirates.

 “Look at those two ugly blokes, takin’ up all the finest Scotch.��

The two men slowly turned around to see who would dare come in on their private card game only to insult them. It took a moment but the first one stood up quickly and shouted a childhood nickname she had not heard in decades.

“Lang may yer lum reek! Our wee sister!”

It was then the other rose with some difficulty, standing a good 6’7” and 255 of pure stocky muscle. Pure unintelligible Gaelic came from his mouth as he rushed on over to the slender pirate. Her 5’11” stature appeared small compared to her twin brothers. More Gaelic gibberish was being spewed as he easily picked up his sister, giving her a tight squeeze.

 “Seamus! Dinnae break me, lad!” She laughed as he put her down; apologizing while running a large hand through messy red locks that matched hers in color. The other twin laughed and gave her a big hug too before taking a step back to size her up. “I suppose yeh grew a few inches, wee sis.” Clarice merely shook her head with a smirk. “The scars,” he motioned to her face, “Yeh tryin’ ta look like Da?”

“Thank ye, Sean.” She ignored the other statement. “I see yeh grew out n’ not up.” The three laughed together for some time before Seamus slowly noticed a man standing behind his sister, looking entirely out of place and nothing like a Scotsman.

“Cò an duine grànda seo?” The bulkier of the twins remarked with a sneer upon his face.

“Now, now Seamus…dinnae use ugly words ta describe a man.” Both brothers glowered past her, staring at Hector with intent to maim. Clarice put a hand on each of their rather sturdy chests, preventing them from taking a step further. “Mo bhràithrean… this be Captain Hector Barbossa.”

“A…friend?” Sean questioned with some confusion.

“Yes…but also my husband. Mo ghaol.” Clarice then took a step away from her brothers and moved to the side. Seamus went off in Gaelic, asking her when the hell did she get married and why would she marry a man like…this? Clarice had to listen hard before shutting him up with a hand in the air.

“Sean…Seamus… the weddin’ was simple. Yeh know I would hae invited both ye’ if I was able.” She then went into Gaelic so Hector could not understand what she was saying. Once she was done she looked to her lover and gave an apologetic smirk accompanied with a small head nod.

“Hector, my brothers Sean and Seamus. As yeh can see, Seamus is missin’ an eye. That is how yeh can tell the two apart.”

The twins didn’t move but rather stared at the pirate, waiting for him to make a move.

[svu-ncis-criminalminds]

Anytime

Request : Can you write about Sonny being suuuperrr drunk and he’s just so giggly and cute and you have to take care of him

Thanks for the request! I always feel like I don’t write drunk that well but I hope you enjoy this ☺️

You couldn’t remember the last time you had a night to yourself, without worrying about being up early the next morning. You weren’t even on call, no commitments besides the one you had made to your sofa before you left for work that morning. And that’s where you’ve been since you got home. Pajamas : on. The show you’ve been meaning to binge watch : on. Honestly, you couldn’t have asked for a better Saturday night.

You were laying on your sofa, coffee table still covered in the take out you had for dinner, not quite dozing but also not fully awake or paying attention. You felt your phone vibrate in your cocoon of blankets and you patted around looking for it. It went off again, indicating a second text and you sat up slightly, pulling your blankets to the side. You heard you phone clatter to the ground at the other end of the couch. Once free from your blankets it began to vibrate again, this time it was a call.

Who was calling you this late? It shouldn’t be work related, you weren’t on call. You grabbed your phone from the floor and looked at the caller ID. Sonny Carisi. Your brow furrowed and you hit the answer button before placing the phone to your ear.

“Sonny?” You asked, a tinge of worry in your voice.

“Y/N!” He responded happily, “I tried to text you but you didn’t answer so I was worried so I called you. How are you?” He asked, his words spilling out of his mouth in a rush. You could hear the hum of other voices and music in the background.

“I’m fine, Sonny. Where are you?” you asked, trying not to laugh and pausing your TV so you could try and hear him better.

“Me?” He asked and you smiled, rolling your eyes fondly.

“No, the other Sonny Carisi who just called me a quarter past midnight.” He was silent for a second and you thought maybe he had hung up.

“You have another Sonny?” He asked, and you laughed shaking your head incredulously.

“No, I don’t. I don’t have another Sonny,  just you.” You assured him and he let out a relieved sigh. “Why did you call me?” You asked, trying to get him back on track.

“Oh! Right. Do you want to come to the bar I’m at?” He asked hopefully and you rubbed your face glancing at the time again.

“It’s late, Sonny. Who are you at the bar with?”

“I came out with my Fordham friends. But they’re going home. And I don’t want to go home, I want to see you.” You smiled softly to yourself and untangled yourself from the blankets on your sofa.

“Your friends are leaving?” You asked, slipping on a pair of shoes and grabbing your coat, keys, and wallet.

“Yeah.” He sounded disappointed briefly before lighting up again, “But someone said I should call you! So I did!” You let yourself out of your apartment and took the elevator down to the ground level before stepping out into the cold New York night.

“Call me?” You asked, “Why’s that?” You swiftly walked down the street to where your car was parked, getting in quickly and turning the heat on.

“Because I told them alllll about you. And how nice and pretty and funny you are. And they said, ‘Call Y/N’ because I said I wish you were here.” You felt your cheeks heating up at Sonny’s words and decided it was time to get off the phone before he continue to say things he might regret saying.

“Alright Sonny, What bar are you at? I’m going to come pick you up, okay?”

“Okay!” Sonny gave you the name of the bar and rambled for another moment about why it’s a nice bar and how he and his law school friends always go here. You eventually got him to hang up and pulled the directions up on your phone before pulling out of your parking spot. It was less than a fifteen minute drive from your apartment to the bar Sonny was currently at. When you were turning onto the street you sent him a quick text.

I’m pulling up now your phone immediately vibrated as he texted you back.

☺️❤️ OK! You pulled up to the bar and pulled over to the sidewalk, laughing as your partner lumbered over to the car with a giant grin nearly cracking his face in half. He stopped at the driver window and you rolled it down.

“Are you going to come inside??” He asked and you shook your head nodding to the passenger side.

“I’m in my pajamas, Sonny, I’m just picking you up. Come on, get in.” Sonny’s face lit up again and he practically jogged his way around your car before haphazardly tossing himself into the empty passenger seat. “Buckle up,” you reminded him, and waited patiently for him to get himself situated and buckled before you pulled away from the sidewalk again.

“Are you coming to my house?” Sonny asked, curiously, “Or are we going to your house?” You thought for a moment before smiling and giving him a shrug.

“Where would you like to go?” You responded. Sonny considered his options before leaning back in his seat.

“I want to go to your apartment.” He decided and you smiled and nodded your head, not wanting to question why he rather go to yours then be in his own space.

“My apartment it is.”

Getting Sonny into your apartment building and then up into your apartment felt similar to herding cats. He stopped twice outside to try and show you something funny on his phone and then once again when you got inside so he could tell you a new fact he had learned about elevators earlier that day. When you finally got to your apartment door you fished out your key and put it in the lock.

“Sorry it’s not tidy, I didn’t anticipate guests this evening.” You admitted and Sonny immediately waved your apology off.

“I’m not a guest!” He announced and you laughed, opening your door and ushering him inside, “I’m- I’m your partner, you don’t gotta impress me, Y/N.” He assured and you smiled in return.

“Well, then make yourself at home.” You pointed to the sofa that was still set up with all the blankets that you had pulled off your bed. Sonny smirked and approached the sofa before collapsing down. He leaned forward and began to try and clean up the take out containers on the coffee table. You came over with a glass of water and swatted his hand.

“Stop cleaning,” You chastized and Sonny smiled letting his hands drop into his lap. You took one of his hands and wrapped it around the glass. “Drink” you ordered and Sonny used his free hand to salute you cheekily.

“Yes ma’am.” You laughed and grabbed the dishes from the table and brought them into the kitchen.

“Have you eaten?” You asked, “Do you want tylenol or something?”

“I’m fine,” Sonny assured, picking up your TV remote and turning on some random program. You smiled and got yourself a drink before walking back over to the sofa. Sonny was half wrapped in your blankets, a drunken blush covering his cheeks. His feet, still clad in work shoes were resting on the edge of your coffee table, and he still had his jacket on. You smiled fondly at the man and felt your own cheeks blush slightly when he looked away from the TV and up at you. “Sit with me?” He requested and you nearly melted. 

“Let’s get you comfy first, hm?” You suggested, putting your water down on the table next to Sonny’s. “Shoes off,” you ordered, helping him kick the shoes off and placing them to the side. When you looked back at Sonny’s face he was staring at you.

“Hm?” you questioned raising an eyebrow. Sonny gave you a crooked grin and tilted his head slightly.

“You’ve got a really very lovely face, ya’ know?” Sonny informed you and you laughed it off with a slight blush before grestring to his jacket.

“Take your coat off, stay a while.” You teased him and he rolled his eyes at you before sitting forward with a smirk.

“Help?” He asked, and something about how charmingly pathetic he looked melted your heart. You rolled your eyes in return and helped him push the jacket off his shoulders. Once his arms were free of the jacket Sonny responded by wrapping them around your shoulder and pulling you in for a hug. “Thank you for coming to get me, Y/N.” He muttered into your shoulder. You were surprised momentarily but recovered and easily returned the hug, rubbing a circle on his upper back and patting. You broke the hug and sunk back into the sofa next to your partner.

“How was the bar?” You asked and Sonny smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

“It was fun. It would have been nicer if you came.” He informed you nudging your shoulder with his own.

“Well maybe you should have invited me sometime before midnight, hm?” You teased him, flushing again at his words. Sonny was a flirty drunk apparently. At least he was tonight..

“You’d come?” He asked excited. You pretended to think about it for a minute before humming and shrugging.

“I don’t know. I think I already spend too much time around lawyers.” Sonny huffed and shook his head.

“You know I go to law school right?” He asked and you laughed.

“Oh, is that what you do at Fordham?” Sonny pouted again and crossed his arms.

“I thought you liked lawyers.” He muttered and you snorted. “Don’t laugh!” He defended, “It’s hard work!” You laughed harder at that.

“Sonny, I know.” You assured him, “I’m teasing you. I know you go to law school, I know you’re gonna be a lawyer.” Sonny nudged you again but kept his arms crossed over his chest.

“But do you not like lawyers?” He pressed.

“Not most,” You admitted and Sonny’s face dropped. It was your turn to nudge the man offering him a comforting smile, “But I like you, and you getting a degree isn’t gonna change that. You know that.” Sonny’s lips quirked up.

“I do?”

“Well you better, there’s not many drunks I’d go pick up and let sleep on my couch on my only night off.” Sonny had the mind to look sheepish before leaning himself on your shoulder.

“Thank you.” You smiled down at the detective and resisted the urge to place a kiss on his forehead.

“Any time.”