#it looks like i recorded this on a piece of bread

[onmebackmush]

it's always “ben cook almost falling in seize the day” & never “iain young almost falling in kony”

[octopiys]

what happens if honey (reader) is home alone and theres a break in? or she's in any danger and Simon's not there haha hypothetically what happens 👁👁

ohhhh anon I love what you're thinking here

Lost and Found

Cw: panic attack, violence, blood, death (but its deserved) [not proofread]

Simon goes out of town for his job. He was lucky, he said, too have as much time off for that long while as he did.

He'd only be gone a few days.

Yeah, a few days, you can do that, right? Easy.

You had a ton of leftovers and still more food in the fridge. You should have enough dog food to keep the bowls full outside, and you can still go out in the yard.

You're not on house arrest while he's gone. You can still do whatever you want.

So for the first hour, you sat on the couch, staring at nothing while the duck slept in the box, and Scraggle settles right in your lap, yapping.

What could you do while he was gone? You were overwhelmed with possibility. What couldn't you do?

You missed him. Tears pricked your eyes, stung the waterline, you missed him.

So you do what you're good at, and cook about it.

Kinder to bury your sorrows in the stove than in the ground. What can you make?

There's fish in the freezer. You're not sure what kind it is, but it's only labeled with "price."

What the price is, you're not sure. But Simon would've told you if there was something you couldn't use, right? Maybe it's an expensive fish. Bagged in vacuum seal plastic..... yeah, it probably won't be missed.

You're frying tonight. You've got bread crumbs and oil, and a spare lemon from the fruit bowl. The sun is setting, and the first piece comes off as a test.

You try some of it, hissing at how hot it was, before making direct eye contact with Scraggle, who suddenly seems like it's never been fed in its life. You roll your eyes and slide some to the cat with a quiet warning of "It's hot!"

The cat paws at the piece of fish, before launching in a perfect vertical off the counter, yowling it's head off. It leaps off the counter, does a lap around the room, knocks a few sheets off the printer, launches back onto the counter– you can't help but watch, there was no way to stop it– takes the fish in it's mouth, and darts outside.

You stand in the kitchen, alone and in disbelief.

You look around, as if Simon could've seen that whole fiasco, before laughing softly to yourself.

(Those cameras prove interesting videos when there's a lull in the mission, or there's quiet time in the safehouse. He'll wait for you to tell him about it first. The cameras won't be mentioned.)

The fish and potatoes come off the stove, and you make yourself a plate. You set it at the table, before going to put a record on.

Simon had forgotten he had those. They were stowed away in the garage, with a bunch of old boxes that he still couldn't bare to look through yet.

He hears some old tunes playing from inside of the house, and freezes, memories jolting back to stun him.

He's stumbled into the house, using the walls to push him along, feeling weak in the legs and soft in the head, spinning out of control, until he sees you humming along in the kitchen, the soft sway of your hips to the tunes of an old song he can't remember the name of. You're tasting cookie dough from a spoon, lost in the bliss of it all. At peace. Safe.

He swallows roughly, a sting at his eyes unfamiliar, the tightness in his chest suffocating.

For the first time in years, he thinks the words: I miss my mom.

You hadn't noticed him enter then, those weeks ago, nor had you heard him leave. You sway your hips, moving rhythmically to the instrumental soundtrack as you made your way over to the table.

You were sure Barrow was asleep somewhere, and the smaller mutt with her (inseparable, they were), and Scraggle was off somewhere, recovering from its zoomies. Just you and the music to dinner, then.

By the time your dinner had finished, the dogs were out for the night. The bowls were full, and new blankets were layed out.

You decide to take a bath tonight. Simon said you could use his bathroom, and you wanted to maybe try and take full advantage of it.

When was the last time you had a proper bath? You didn't have any salts, but that's okay. There were a few candles in the cabinet in the kitchen, and your bodywash would bubble up the hot water enough.

You hum softly to yourself as you slip out of your clothes and into the warm water with a sigh. Relaxation slips into your being as the water spills over every inch of you, your hair not touching the water. Your book, the old copy of the Hobbit, finds it's way into your hands as you pick up where you left off. The music is still playing down the hall.

The pony is in the river– something breaks outside. Scraggle must've gotten on your plate, silly you for leaving it out.

The brothers go after the pony, ladden with supplies, but Kili-

The music ends abruptly.

You freeze, hairs on your arms standing straight up. Your stomach flips with sudden anxiety, despite virtually nothing happening.

Obviously, Scraggle must've unplugged the cord after hopping off the table where your plate was. Yeah, that was it.

–pony, ladden with sup–

Ice floods your veins at the realization. You were supposed to be alone in the house. Scraggle hadn't come back inside before you locked the back door.

You cover your mouth to stifle a gasp, scrambling out of the tub as quiet, and urgently, as you could. You slip back into whatever you were wearing before, it didn't matter if it had been dirty or not.

Did Simon keep weapons in the house? There were steak knives in the kitchen. The main phone line was in there, too.

Simon had an emergency phone in his night stand.

Something smashes and you jolt, tears pricking the corners of your eyes as you move to peek around the lower corner of the bathroom door.

Shadows dance along the wall and your heart skips a few beats, dancing in your throat.

Had he come to find you?

N- no, you were safe here. Simon told you, he promised you were- what was the emergency dial for this region? You didn't know, could it change? You had to find the phone, and something to defend yourself with.

You held your breath, skin damp, still practically half naked, before darting across the room to the nightstand, and pulling it open soundlessly.

Inside were a few cords, a notepad, moisturizer, and a flip phone.

Of course it was a flip phone.

You open up the contacts tab, cringing at each small beep made by the keypad, tucked in the gap between Simon's large bed and the wall.

>JP

>JM

>KG

>Work

What do you choose? Who were these contacts?

You hear someone laugh, and tears spill down your cheeks. You can't go back, you can't, he couldn't find you this soon.

The phone is dialing. You don't remember which one you picked.

It answers on the second ring. No one speaks.

"...s- simon-" Your voice wobbles out, just below a whisper. Something else breaks, and a quiet sob leaves your mouth.

"Honey? Why're you-"

Relief breaks across you at the familiar gruffness of Simon's voice. Thank God he picked up.

"Someone- someone's in the house- two people- I d- don't know what-" You stumble over your words quickly, trying to tell him everything all at once. You can't breathe. "Need- your help, please-"

"Someone's in the house?" You can hear him stand. There's a bite in his voice, like the edge of a dagger, or the cold of a glacier, immobile. "Where are you?"

"Y- Yes, Simon, please-" You hiccup, stifling another sob with a hand over your mouth. You tell him you're in between his bed and the wall.

"There's a lockbox under the bed. Can you see it?" He asks you.

You scoot a bit, and peer under the bed. It's practically spotless, the gap between the bed and the floor just large enough to squeeze in if someone needed to get under there. You locate the box.

It's on the other side, closest to the door.

"I- I see it-" You whisper.

"Get in there. There's a code-"

You'd have to put yourself between the box and the door in order to open it. They were just down the hall, how they hadn't made their way back here yet, you didn't know. Then they'd catch you, they'd catch you for sure if you left your spot right here, and drag you all the way back- they'd push you through the fields, and the miles of woods, oh god, they'd make you go back to him. They'd make you go back to-

"Honey-"

You're hyperventilating, thinking yourself into a hole. There's no way that you could see yourself getting out of here in the way you want.

"Honey!"

You snap back into it. Lockbox.

"S- Sorry- I can reach it, let me just-" You take a deep breath to steady yourself, and push yourself under the bed. You reach, and can't touch it, so you dig harder, push yourself a little more until your fingertips graze the cold metal of the box, and you tug it towards your, curling in on yourself to open the box.

You punch in the code, open the box, and–

A hand wraps around your ankle and yanks with a sick pop, pulling you out from under the bed. You scream, your phone clattering into the box. You see it close, watching in horror as the bed disappears from above you, your shoulder catching on the underside of the bed on the way out.

You immediately turn, fight or flight kicking in, and lash out, screaming. Your fingers dig into the man's throat, you can't see, before his arm rears back and strikes you across the face.

You don't remember hitting the floor.

You come to, the coarseness of the carpet scratching your back, rugburn. You twitch, blinking the bleariness out of your eyes before writhing, you're being dragged by your legs. You kick out, screaming, turning to grab the walls, or nearest piece of furniture. A book on the ground, you launch it at the head of the man, covered in a ski mask.

He yelps out, dropping you, and you scramble to your feet, head spinning, before you launch yourself back down the hallway.

There's a man in your house.

You find another man in Simon's room. He's got the box open at his feet.

You lunge at him, screaming, your mind blank with fear, or rage or- well, there are men in your house. They want to hurt you.

Who would care for your animals if you were gone?

You don't know how, but the gun is in your hands.

There's blood, and there's a lot of it, and you can't tell how much of it is yours.

There is a man, in your house.

You rise shakily to your feet, heart thudding in your ears. You turn to the doorway of Simon's room.

You make your way out of the room, a heavy limp to your step, your hips ache in the curve of your legs, a dull pain muted by adrenaline.

No one. No one will hurt your animals. No one will hurt your house.

Lucky for you, the man meets you halfway. His nose is bleeding, and you raise your gun at him.

He stops, leaning against the wall as he smiles, the blood from his nose staining his teeth.

"Cmon, Baby, you don' know what yer doin'... Jus' drop the gun. I'll help you out, Baby, cmon Baby, jus-" He coos at you, like you're helpless.

There's a yowl, and a flash of cat, and Scraggle appears from almost nowhere, sinking it's toothy mouth into the man's ankle. He shouts out, hopping up onto one foot, flinging his other wildly. Scraggle shoots up into the air, before landing on its feet, hissing erratically.

The man starts forward towards your cat.

"Why you little-"

There's another flash.

You sink to the ground, your head in a pounding agony. You can't hear anything past the ringing in your ears, the loud screech leftover by a fired gunshot in close quarters. You can't hear, can't breathe.

You're bleeding, somewhere, you don't know if you can find out the source.

Scraggle curled up in your lap, purring and licking at your hand.

Did you see, mother. Did you see how good Scraggle has done. Defended the home front, all alone, no help at all, did you see how good Scraggle has done? Praise it, praise it mother, feed it extra tonight, Scraggle deserves it, bested the beasts by itself, it did-

Your eyes drag over to the body of the man in the hall, and you do nothing about it. A kind of satisfaction fills you, like sweet rot, mossy mildew in your chest. Your hand rests on Scraggle, who was completely unharmed.

There's a slight smile on your face as the medicine kicks in, and you nestle in closer to Simon. The questions will come later, sleep is now. No one hurts your animals.

You blink, and someone's crouching in front of you, cradling your head in his hands. You hum, tired enough to not bother opening your eyes. He opens them for you, shining a bright light, and you flinch back with a whine.

He's pressing his forehead to yours the second the light disappears, mumbling something you still can't hear.

You mouth his name, or say it, you can't tell, and lean into the warmth that is Simon. Your face is wet with fresh tears, and everything hurts, fix it Simon, please-

He pulls you into his arms, Scraggle brushing up against you, purring. You can't hear it, but you can feel the vibrations of your favorite little critter, trying to do it's best to help heal you.

You're carried to your room and sat in your bed, Simon wrapping your shoulder in bandages– when did he get those?– and looking at your ankle. You're sleepy, you lean against him, seeking warmth body heat and comfort. He wraps his arms around you, and you fall under, your eyes drifting shut as you start to snooze against him.

You didn't seem to make the connection that there was more than one person helping him out, no matter how they got there so quickly.

John sticks his head into the room as you fall asleep, spotting Gaz on the floor trying to set your ankle, and Simon behind you, holding your sleeping form.

"She alright?"

"Yeah, sir. Just a bit roughed up. Where's Soap?" Simon rumbles, voice noticeably quieter.

Scraggle jumps up on the bed, nesting between you both. Blessings and healing to mother, blessing to father-

"Takin' out the trash." John responds. "Mind if we crash here for the night, once we get it all cleaned up?"

"Not in the least. There's pasta in the fridge, Cap'n."

And no one calls you Baby.

masterlist

[notthecutesttrash]

Mascara and Tears

Content: You’ve escaped him before, and this time you’ve made a life for yourself. You decide one day to go out with another man and risk him finding you.

Warnings: 18+ Dark bloodlust Gojo, kidnapping, death, blood, implied noncon, yandere stuff you know.

Word Count: 2.5k

It’s been months after the first escape attempt. 

Gojo had been on a mission and left his door barely locked, it was enough for you to devise a plan to make a run for it. 

You were caught in half an hour. 

It’s been weeks after your second. 

You managed to drug him when he least expected it, leaving you to escape as quietly as possible. 

This time, you left no trace. This time, you’d be happy.

You’ve studied him well enough to know that he was capable of finding you. But he hasn’t, so you know you’ve done a good job. Still, you find yourself terrified even in the cold nights. Occasionally you’re overcome by fear and restlessness as paranoia surges through your mind. 

You’re angrily pressing your fingers into dough before your coworker Andy pats your back and saves you from the contemplation. “Treat the dough with a little respect (Y/n), it’s your friend, not an enemy,” he jokes and you force a small chuckle. 

“Sorry, just got too into it.” 

He laughs in response and begins to knead at one of his pieces. “I get it, sometimes it’s fun to play with and throw around. You can make some pizzas, bread, or sweets. You can do anything with dough, and that’s the beauty." He’s nearly beaming at you, and you're stifling a chortle, breaking out with a “nerd.” 

“Hey!” He points accusingly and you snicker. 

When a comfy silence erupts and you’re both drawn into your work, after a few minutes, Andy clears his throat. “So, (Y/n).”

You turn to him, and there’s a small blush on his cheeks. Your heart drops a little, and you’re begging silently. Please don’t say it.

“Do you maybe want to get drinks after this shift?” 

He said it. 

Inwardly sighing, you squint your eyes as if lost in thought and he stammers. “I mean, I know you always have a busy schedule, but I just thought- I don’t know, it’d be nice to get your mind away from things for a change. You always look so tense.” 

No matter how many times he or your other coworkers would ask, you were always busy. One day your sister had to be picked up, you had to run to the hospital, or your dog needed walking. Meanwhile, in reality, you’d sit at home and cradle yourself in fear. Sure that the one moment you're caught off guard, you'd find Gojo sitting quietly in your room with the lights off, ready to take you just like the last time.

Humming in response, you agree, you are always tense. 

Maybe just one day of going out would do you good. He wasn’t bound to find you just from a chat at the bar right? There’s only so much sitting and moping around in lonely shivers that you can partake in.

Besides, if you’re actually free now, you can finally have friends. People to make you happy, to have conversations with, and to freely walk around with wherever you want. Rather than just being kept in a locked room that was no bigger than a dozen feet across. 

Maybe if he finds you again, you’d at least be happy with just having this bit of freedom. 

Shaking yourself out of the thoughts, your brows knit together angrily. You’re not going to let that happen. 

Turning to Andy, you give him a reassuring smile. “Yeah, that’d be fine.” He gasps and practically bounces in the joy that he attempts to so poorly conceal. 

He works with the dough a little less focused now as the grin stays glued to his face. “Awesome, so there’s this place around town that just opened up, heard it’s fancy though, don’t know if you want to go there.” 

You shrug. Truthfully because you never went anywhere or did anything you had a bit of spare money saved up. You didn’t mind splurging for today.

But what if Gojo finds your records? What if somehow has your bank account information? Or finds you had gone there with another man? 

“(Y/n)?” Andy calls out when you don’t answer.

“No no,  I don’t mind, sounds great. But don’t know if we’re really well equipped for that after work.” Gesturing to your clothes filled with baking powder, Andy glances to his own and shares a laugh. 

“You’re right.” A blush scatters to his face again and you’re exhaling a small sigh. 

“I guess I can pick you up after..?” He trails off expectantly, his hand brushing against his neck as he timidly averts away. If only Gojo hadn’t ever been involved, then you’d think about having a possible romance.

“Sure.” 

You press your hands into the substance for what feels like hours until your wrist feels like it’s going to fall off. And when you go home, you’re holding your breath, a stammering in your chest as you walk through the door. Your first instinct is to always immediately click the lights and when you'd notice nothing, you'll slump in great relief. 

You refuse to allow the thoughts of this kidnapper to ruin your day out. You’re free now, that’s all there is to it, and you dress yourself up real pretty to prove that. Even having the liberty to apply makeup which you’ve never done for Gojo. 

Not even if he tortured you and rubbed the bottom of your lip, declaring just how pretty you’d be if they were stained red just for him to ruin. Even if he forced you on your knees and implied just how much he’d love it if he could see the mascara rolling down your cheeks while you cried. 

This time, you were going to be beautiful to no one else's enjoyment but yourself.

Andy had been patiently waiting and when you stepped out his heart sped into his throat. You smile at him and his skin burns red. 

“Now I almost feel a little underdressed,” he mumbles awkwardly glancing down at his attire. 

“Don’t worry, you look fine. Anything’s better than the baking powder.” Sharing a giggle, you two begin walking, the clack of your heels echoing against the sidewalk.

Andy is continuously glimpsing to you, then at the ground. His bottom lip draws into his mouth. “You look.. amazing by the way,” he finally breaks the silence, and you turn to him, gleaming.  

“Thanks.”

He gazes at you too long, gawking in amazement, and you lightly poke him out of the concentration. “Relax, I’m not that good-looking.” You joke, and he instantly shakes his head. 

“That’s not true (Y/n), seriously, you are.. you’re beautiful.” 

It's been awhile since you had a genuine compliment that wasn't so creepy sounding.

You would’ve rolled your eyes at the twinkling in his orbs. But this time you’re flattered and a light pink forms.

“Thanks.. I don’t typically get pretty for events or anything… I don’t really go out in general.” 

“Why not?” He’s quick to ask, brows knitting in worry. 

You cuss beneath your breath. Too much oversharing. Not talking to a person in a while will do that to you.

“Nothing- I just don’t like to. More of an.. inside person I guess.” Your eyes avoid his peering and he breaks out into a small smile. 

“I get it, my sis is like that, introvert right?”

You nod. That wasn’t remotely the reason, but you'll let him think that.

“I’m a bit of both, you know, I like talking but not too much. Sometimes it can be draining, sometimes it can be-“

“This isn’t going to be like your rambles about dough is it?” You cut him off jokingly and he shyly averts. 

“No no- sorry.. I have a tendency to talk too much.” Andy grazes his arm awkwardly, and you feel him distance himself a little. Perhaps that was a bit mean. 

You try to ease the heaviness in the atmosphere. “I like hearing your rambling. I was just being sarcastic, don't worry. Maybe it wasn’t the best time to joke like that,” you admit, and you notice him visibly relax. 

“That’s okay.” He beams and you mimic the expression.

When you reach the bar you’re in a nice little section by yourselves, and you’re surrounded by comfortable lighting, modern decorations, leather brown chairs, and relaxed people doing their own things.

It was amazing. 

“You act like you haven’t seen people in years,” Andy chuckles as he takes a sip of his drink. 

An evident frown shifts your expresion and he notices. His hand carefully touches your wrist and you shift to him.

“Sorry, did I offend?” 

Shaking your head, you force a small smile and declare an excuse. Whether it be along the lines of “just tired,” “lost in thought,” or anything else, it was all the same. The truth was too horrid even for you to bear. Seriously, how unlucky did you have to be for that?

There was only so much you could do for yourself. You’re ecstatic you managed to escape. You have a life now. You can see all these people, revel in the laughter, maybe even fall in love and have children. Though, maybe you were getting too ahead of yourself.

You made sure not to get drunk. When you walked home that was always the scariest part of the day. Whether it be at night, or in the morning, it didn’t make too much of a difference. A dangerous fear you have is walking pass a certain tall figure with white hair.

Though he’d more likely take the scarier approach. Stealthy. Watching you from the shadows and contemplating when he’d take you. You wondered many times if this was the case already. Perhaps he is just toying with your freedom. 

Repeatedly you force away from the anxieties. You can’t think so negatively. You have a life now. It’s already been a few weeks. You bested him whether he liked it or not. You won. 

Andy fortunately isn’t too drunk either, maybe a bit tipsy, but nothing unsafe. Man or not, having another person beside you made you feel comfortable. Even if Gojo was watching, he or any rational person isn’t likely to just snatch a person when they’re with another. It’s just too suspicious. No one can risk that. 

“Are you okay? You look scared,” Andy asks, and you fake a tug at your lips, a pouring discomfort in you. 

“I’m okay, it’s just the night can be a little creepy you know." You quickly reason.

Andy purses his lips, pondering a moment before draping his arm over your shoulder. Surprise rushes to you, a swarm of butterflies swooning at the gesture. He was warm, and his grip unlike Gojo’s was gentle. It was like you’d break if he held you any harder. 

“Don’t worry, I’m here.” He speaks with a determined but sweet tone and you giggle, leaning into his touch. 

“How sweet.” A mocking voice behind your form makes you stop dead in your tracks, eyes going wide. 

“(Y/n)?” Andy turns when you aren’t keeping up with him, and you’re frozen, still as a plank of wood. His eyes blink up at the cause, surely meeting your worst nightmare. 

You're terrified, but instinctively you whirl around, tears brewing in your eyes as you shout, “Don’t hurt him!” 

Gojo’s blue orbs are shining down at you, and he’s smiling wide.

“Oh?” He muses, raising his brow as he walks over to you. Every step he made caused you to flinch in place, and your hands were shaking as he rounded closer.

Suddenly his lips press to your ears and he whispers, “Should’ve thought about that before you ran off and made new friends.” 

Instinctively, Andy rushes to shove him away and Gojo holds out his hand, forcing him to stop in place. He grins, and you step back, fixating on those eyes you dreaded so much. “Don’t..” you plead.

Snickering, he strolls to Andy whose almost frozen, and he casually observes his features with a dark gaze. “Hm, I at least expected you to pursue someone better.” 

You open your mouth to speak, and blood splatters over you, gushing atop your pretty makeup. Your throat is unable to let out a blaring scream, instead your shaky hands move to your vision. Red. Red liquid splotched against your fingers, staining your skin. 

Gojo lets out a tired exhale, and he starts caressing your hair in the way you hate so much. The way he’d pet you without an ounce of care once he'd finish giving you a punishment or would cause you to heave out with sobs.

He's scanning you for a second until he moves and you instinctively shift back. Repeating, you step and something big crunches beneath your heel, causing you to fall back.

Finally, the scream escapes, and you’re rushing to crawl away from the horror. Blood is decorating the ground, the walls, the trash that lays around, everything, anywhere but on him. Gojo is sauntering, and there's a grin spreading his features wide.

Your desperate movement leads to no avail when your back hits a wall and Gojo eventually crouches down to you.

“Get away from me!” You shout as Gojo tugs your hair forcefully back.

His blue orbs glower at you. “Huh?” His grip tightens, and you whine from the pain searing in your scalp. “What was that?” He tugs harder and you scream.

Tears start to cascade, and you plead desperately. “Please d-don’t take me back.” The force pulling your locks lessens, and he stoically observes the scene.

You’re hiccuping through your sobs as you keep going, “P-Please… I don’t want to go back, I’ll do a-anything, p-please don’t take me there, please.” 

A grin finally breaks out as he speaks, “Now, where’s the fun in that?” He evilly snickers in a way that has you crying more. Even if you know pleading with him will do nothing, you’re desperate.

But it’ll only further amuse him.

“I don’t want t-to go." You’re whining pathetically, and he exhales a disappointed sigh as he ignores you to study the mascara falling in streams at your cheeks. 

“Man, what a waste,” he mutters to himself then presses a hand to his chin, tilting his head as he loses himself in thought.

“I’m surprised you even managed to avoid me for a whole month, I’m almost impressed.” His view is fixated on the sky as he continues. 

“Looks like the first punishment wasn’t enough. So hm, what am I going to do now?” He fakes a curiosity while a glimmer shines in his eyes. He knows, and so do you, and you’re sniveling through the choke in your throat at the thought. 

“I was gonna be all nice to you too. Even when you don’t deserve it,” he sighs. “I was gonna take you back home, have a sweet dinner date since it’s been so long, but.. since you decided to get all pretty for that guy there,” he motions to the corpse behind him, then zones in on you.

“I’ll have a bit of fun with you first.” 

You’re exploding into a fit of panicked tears, desperate begs falling from your lips. “P-Please don’t do this.” 

“Aw,” He mockingly coos, wiping a few tears from your eyes. 

“Don’t worry. You’ll love it.” 

·:*:· ★ ·:*:· ·:*:· ★ ·:*:·　 

A quick sketch for my girls out there.

[babybluebex]

looking | joseph quinn x reader

summary: joe catches you looking and rewards (punishes?) you for your efforts pairing: joseph quinn x fem!reader (rpf - don't like, don't read) tags: smut (MINORS DNI), squirting, oral (m! and f!receiving), mostly dom!joe but surprise sub!joe at the end, praise kink, no condom, creampie, cockwarming author's note: yes i have a lecture this morning. yes i am writing this at work. no i will not apologize. enjoy <3 // follow @babybluebex-writes to be notified whenever i post a new story! (also big ole thanks to @freckledjoes for making this gif for me!! thanks a bunch!)

You heard his feet on the landing of the stairs, and then gentle padding as his bare feet sounded on the carpeted hallway as he made his way to the bedroom. These nights were your favorite— Joseph had made you dinner, cheesy pasta with garlic bread, then you had watched an episode of Succession before getting ready for bed. You could tell that Joe was in a sort of mood that night, the kind of mood where he lit a candle at dinner and kissed you and put on Al Green on his record player. He had asked if you wanted to join him in the shower, but you had declined; you had work in the morning, and a randy shower didn't exactly entail an early sleep.

But then, he rounded the corner and darkened the doorway, and you gulped. He looked good; wet curls on his forehead, singlet covering his beefy build, and those underwear, clinging to every curve just right. And he didn't even seem like he knew what he was doing. Joe rubbed his hair dry on his towel as he came into the bedroom, and he went to his dresser, rooting through the top drawer for some pajama bottoms. The silence was deafening, and damning, because Joe turned to you with an amused look on his face.

"What's wrong, love?" he asked. "Cat got your tongue?" He added a dramatic pout to his plush lips, and, fuck, you just had to kiss him.

"You just look really good," you said softly. "Can't I just look at you?"

"Oh, you want to look?" Joe asked teasingly. Oh. So he was in that sort of mood. "I thought it was rude to stare."

"I'm not staring," you told him. "I'm... Appreciating. Admiring."

"Admiring, eh?" Joe laughed. "What exactly are you admiring?"

"Well..." you started, holding out your hand and tracing the shape of his body in the air. He was certified grade A beef that day, finally having regained the weight he had lost to play Eddie, and you loved his plush hips and thick thighs. "And..." You made a cupping motion with your hand, and Joe let out a sputtered laugh.

"So you're staring at my dick," Joe said, shaking his head mirthfully. "I knew I was nothing but a piece of meat to you."

"No!" you exclaimed. Even though you knew he was joking, you didn't want him to think you were doing that for even a second. "I'm just... You just... Y'know? Just admiring every part of you."

"You're drooling," Joe cajoled. He hung his towel on the back of the door and made his way to the bed, and you watched as he grew closer, finally until he was lingering right next to you, his cloth-covered dick inches from your face. God, he smelled so good, you just wanted to take him then and there.

You leaned forward and placed a kiss on his bulge, looking up at him through your eyelashes to see his reaction, and you were overjoyed to see him slowly close his eyes and take a deep breath. "You gonna suck it or what?" he asked in a low voice, and the hot pressure of need slammed inside you belly. You loved when he got like this.

You readjusted yourself in bed, sitting on your knees to reach him properly, and you tugged him forward by his hips to get him closer. Carefully, you pulled down those black briefs, and his half-hard cock spilled forward. He was thick and heavy, beautiful, and you chuckled lightly at the sight before you. "You trimmed," you giggled, and Joe peeked his eyes open.

"Is that a crime?" he asked, and you slid your hands up his thighs, lightly dragging your nails up.

"No," you said. "I just like your bush."

Joe shrugged. "I'll grow it back out," he said. His hand smoothed your hair back, gathering it all up in a loose grip before he flattened his palm against the back of your head, pulling you towards him. You put an end to your games then, taking the head of his uncut cock into your mouth, lightly sucking, just enough to give him a little bit of pressure. Joe made a quiet noise, a sort of hum of appreciation, and you took him further into your mouth. He tasted good, musky but clean, and you moaned around him as your tongue lavished the thick vein that ran along the bottom of his cock.

"That's it," Joe whispered. "What a good girl... You love sucking my cock, don't you?"

You fluttered your eyelashes at him as an answer and took him deeper, then pulled back and suckled at his head for a moment, just to get a reaction out of him. His hand gripped your hair as he moaned, and he gritted his teeth. "Fuck," he whispered. "I knew you liked what you saw."

You pulled off of him with a gasping breath, letting your hand stroke him from balls to tip. "Did you do it on purpose?" you asked.

"Do what?"

"Dress like this," you asked. "Look so goddamn delicious. You know I can hardly resist you."

"That was the plan," Joe admitted. His stomach flexed when you reached up to cup his balls, and you leaned back in, sucking him down again. You didn't usually like giving blowjobs— you hardly ever went down on past boyfriends— but there was something special about Joe that made you want to swallow down his cock every single day, no matter what. "God, you look so hot like this, darling. Love watching you like this."

You moaned softly, then broke away from him, panting to try to regain the breath that sucking him off has made you lose. Joe didn't hesitate to lean down and kiss you, holding your face as his tongue swirled in your mouth, tasting himself off of you. You scrambled backwards to lay on your back, and you tugged Joe in by his shirt, urging him to lay on top of you. He did exactly as you expected, following you and nudging your legs open as he messily kissed you, and he broke the kiss to look down at you. Panties and a t-shirt (his t-shirt), nothing else.

"Fuck," Joe whispered, and he chuckled. His eyes were stuck on your covered pussy, and he wet his lips with the tip of his tongue when he spotted the damp patch on your panties. "Is this all for me?"

"Yeah," you told him. "F'course it is."

"Jesus, I'm a spoiled man," Joe whispered, kissing you deeply again. His hands scrambled to tug down your panties and expose you to him, and his greedy eyes watched as you opened your legs for him, showing him your wet pussy. Your blood was thrumming in every vein with desire, you needed him so badly, and he flicked his eyes up to yours, those lips of his falling open gently. He kissed you once more, then leaned down to kiss your neck, nibbling softly at your skin before trailing his kisses downwards. Ever downwards he ventured, until his warm breath was fanning across your cunt, and he did not waste any time before he licked at you.

The stubble on his chin and cheeks roughed up your thighs as he ate you out like he had never learned how to do anything else. He sucked at your quivering clit and made you cry out in pleasure, his tongue danced on your hole, he even added his fingers to help open you up. By the time the knot in your belly was straining, he was sucking lewdly and shaking his head, making sure that you felt every inch of his fingers and tongue on you. It was so good, it felt so fucking amazing, and you let the knot snap and come undone. You grabbed hard at Joe's hair and almost cried as you came on his fingers; it just felt so fucking good.

"Jesus!" Joe laughed, and you panted as you looked down at him. Something wet was in his beard, and you laughed when you realized that it wasn't just your regular juices. "Good fucking girl, do that again, baby."

"I-I didn't even know I could do that," you laughed breathlessly, letting your head fall back. Joe wasted no time in pushing his fingers back into you, thrusting hard into you and making your toes curl with the sensitivity, and you yelped when the sudden knot burst again, and you were able to watch this time as you squirted quickly on Joe's face. He seemed to love it, smiling up at you and panting, and he pulled out his soaked fingers. He looked at them in awe, wet and glistening, before he touched them to his lips, licking them clean.

You leaned up and stripped off your shirt, and you reached out for him, pulling his hips between your legs again as you shoved his singlet over his head. You discarded it across the room before you kissed him again, tasting yourself on his tongue, and he didn't wait a single second before he grasped his cock and pushed inside you. You were so fucking sensitive from cumming so hard, and you grabbed hard at his shoulders as he instantly started up a pace. He was quick, thrusting messily into you and holding down your hips to keep you where he wanted you, and you hid yourself in his neck. Jesus, he was insatiable tonight; he had made you fucking squirt, and now he was fucking you so hard that you were worried you two might break the bed.

"Baby," you whispered in his ear. "Easy, honey, we have all night."

"I almost came when you squirted," Joe told you. "Fuck me, I'm so close already. Let me cum, and then we can go slower and nicer, but, right now, I need to— Fuck!"

His cock throbbed inside you as he fucked you, and you knew that he was right. He was dangerously close to his release, and you to yours, and you could have sworn that you heard him whimper when you clenched down on him, tightening around his cock.

"Please, baby," Joe whispered. "Let me cum inside you, please, fuck, I need it."

"Fuck, yeah," you breathed. "Cum inside me, please."

Joe's nails dug into the flesh of your hip, and you gasped as Joe moaned deeply, and he filled you. You could feel it inside you, so much thick cum— your poor boy really needed to cum. He moaned in your ear and panted heavily as he tried to catch his breath, and you pulled yourself from his neck to smile hazily up at him. "Was it good?" Joe asked, and you chuckled, brushing back his curls.

"Yes, my love," you told him. "So good. I didn't know I could squirt, that was interesting."

"A surprise, for sure," Joe laughed. "But it was hot. Can you do it again?"

"I don't know how I did it the first time," you chuckled. "I don't know if I can do it again."

Joe huffed out a laugh, and he leaned up on his elbows, rocking his hips into you again. Your nerves were so scorched and sensitive that you instantly let out a yelp, and Joe said, "Well, let's see."

[gavisfanta]

ICKS - GAVI

summary: part two of the ick trend with you and gavi.

warnings: none

"Okay today we're gonna do a proper challenge since someone had to ruin it." You gave Gavi a side eye while he just laughed. "So, I'd say you can start." You added and looked at your phone recording.

"Okay, so, I get the Ick, when you're hung over." He looked up from his piece of paper and your jaw dropped.

He laughed a bit as he looked at your phone, the display showing you looking at him while sitting next to eachother.

"You're so weird. How is that an ick?" You asked, you were a bit offended.

"I don't know its just you being sick." gavi answered with the same tone.

"But I love taking care of you when you're sick." you smiled and then pushed back a starnd of his hair that fell onto his forehead. "You're like a little baby then." You smiled while you said that in a high pitched voice and Gavi smiled as he kept eye contact.

"I dont know, it's such an ick seeing you sick." Gavi shrugged his shoulders and you then smiled.

"You get the ick and then you come and cuddle me until I fall asleep. Ah yes, makes sense. Anyways-" You repositioned yourself on the couch and then looked at your paper. You however felt Gavi's eyes piercing into your skin as he smiled a bit.

"I get the ick when you burn the food you were cooking." Gavi's jaw dropped as soon as you said that.

"But the last time you laughed!" He said a bit louder.

"Yeah, after I got the ick." You grinned at him while he pushed his hair back and shook his head.

"You're unbelievable." He scoffed but he still kept that small grin on his face. "I get the ick when you're yelling at me for not tying my shoelaces."

With that your jaw dropped. "Why is that an ick? It's normal to tie your shoelaces, otherwise they wouldn't be there!" You mumbled and then Gavi couldn't help but chuckle.

"You're on your knees in front kf me most of the times, you'll have some spear seconds to tie them for me." Gavi smiled and then looked back onto his piece of paper. You just tried to hide that smile that was building itself on your lips but you blushing was impossible to hide.

"Okay good, I get the ick when you ho like 'i dont know what to wear' and then I have to put you together a fit." Gavi said and then you shook your head while you smiled.

"I love your fits tho, it's so not my style but I love them." You answered while smiling at him.

"Do you think people notice?" Gavi asked while pointing to the camera.

"I don't know, ask them" You suggested but Gavi shook his head as he frowned.

"You do that" He insisted and you turned your head to the camera to speak to it. However just before you could speak you heard Gavi say something.

"I'm not that crazy to be talking to imaginary people." Gavi said in a mocking tone but still with a bit of sarcasm and you burst out laughing.

After you calmed down a bit you sat up straight and looked at the camera again. "Okay, comment or send me some dms which fit's you think were designed by Gavi." You explained and then turned to look at Gavi again.

"You know what I love about you?" You asked and obviously caught Gavi off guard.

"Babe we're filming a video of us telling eachother when we get the ick, and now you're just doing the opposite." Gavi threw his hands in the air while you burst out laughing. He just smiled at you while he shook his head.

"I can't help it," You calmed down again. "It's when you do that high pitched voice, when youre mimicking someone."

"Okay, I get the ick whe-" Gavi ignored what you said but you cut him off.

"Hey, it's my turn!" You told him and he remained silent. "I get the ick when you ignore me." You told him and he just wanted to open his mouth. "No, shush, because if I tell you to get some bread on the way home from practice and you can't answer with an okay or i will, and then get the bread anyways, that fucks my brain. Are you too important to answer my request of bread?" You asked and Gavi laughed.

"No it's just that I often don't have time while I drive." Gavi tried to talk himself out of the situation.

"And while you're in the store? Or do you go to a bread drive-in?!" You asked and Gavi shook his head.

"Okay I'm sorry for not answering you." Gavi apologized and you shook your head.

"It's okay." You smiled. "And I think that was enough for today, you wanna add something to the imaginary people?" You turned to face Gavi.

"Play the trailer."

[reidscanehand]

Just a Trifle

Remus Lupin x fem!Reader

Fluff

TW: insecurity in relationships

It’s still odd to stay the night.

You’re not quite the girlfriend, but not quite…anything else. The two of you stopped seeing other people long ago, months ago now, though it feels longer. He teases you, touches you, kisses you seemingly whenever he can, but…you’re not his girlfriend. At least he hasn’t said and you haven’t asked. And it feels silly and stupid and immature to wait for it, to even want to, or, rather, need to call him something…to make him yours, feels silly. But still.

You don’t live here, though there are pieces of you, like demarcations of your existence all over the place. A cushion the two of you purchased together that you’d meant to take back to yours, but had looked just as sweet on his couch, especially the morning after the two of you used it to prop up your head as you laid on the sofa and he laid in your lap, playing with his hair until the both of you were asleep. Or the coffee creamer in the fridge; Remus takes his coffee black, so it could only be yours. Or the toothbrush in the travel case next to his in the cabinet, purchased just for you. Even the hand soap in the bathroom - ginger mandarin, another shopping date find - served as a symbol of your presence in his life.

And now it’s Christmas. Christmas Day had been spent with your respective families only for the two of you to end up back at Rem’s. Frankly, it’s been weeks since you were home. Every time you return, your flat is like a living memory, forgotten oranges rotting in the fruit bowl on the counter, bread going stale, always cold even when it isn’t cold outside because you turn the heating off. You don’t really live there, not anymore. Most of your clothes live at Rem’s, space in his drawers opening up, seemingly if it’s own accord. It had all felt so natural…so why can’t you ask?

It’s as though he’s determined not to notice your predicament. There’s no way he can’t, though. Right? The two of you sit on the couch with the cute pillow, the tv quietly playing “It’s a Wonderful Life”. You know he’s not really watching, he’s probably asleep with your fingers running through his hair - it’s his favorite thing in the world or so he says. Suddenly he sits up and kisses your nose as he is wont to do.

“I can hear your brain moving, bun,” he whispers affectionately, as though unwilling to interrupt the film. “I know we didn’t really talk about presents, but I got you something.” He stands briefly and walks over to the cabinet he keeps coats in near the door. The top is out of both of your reach, but he tips on his toes and blindly reaches until he pulls down a small, shabbily wrapped little box.

“Just a trifle,” he assures you in his quietly formal way. You stand rather than take the gift right away.

“Good thing I got you something, too,” you laugh quietly, suddenly shy. You go into the bedroom and reach into your overnight bag, long since unpacked and taking up space in the closet. You’d hidden the gift in there, deciding to keep it for his birthday if the two of you didn’t exchange gifts.

“On the count of three,” Remus states almost mischievously as he takes the small gift bag from you and hands you the small box. He counts and the two of you open. His is swifter, it’s in a bag after all, requiring less effort.

“Oh, thank you, doll,” he says softly, his mind clearly elsewhere even as he admires the record you’d picked out. But you can’t say anything. Because inside the tiny box is a small, thin key. Imprinted on the key is “3B”. That’s this apartment. This is a key to his apartment. You hear Rem take a deep breath, your gaze still locked on the key.

“It’s taken me too long,” he practically whispers, Jimmy Stewart’s voice still whirring from the telly a good deal louder. “And you’ve…you’ve been far too kind about it, really.”

“Not too kind,” you whisper, surprising yourself. “Never too kind for you.”

Remus smiles and pulls you to him, crushing the key between the two of you. “See? Far too good for me you are.”

“Too good to be…what exactly?” you ask, dreading the feeling of it leaving your mouth.

“To be mine,” he responds, his voice firm. “To be my girlfriend, my partner…I want you to live here. With me. As long as you’ll have me.”

You beam into his chest, your heart thundering.

“Just a trifle?” you giggle, looking up at him. He smiles down at you, pressing ever closer, eyeing your mouth.

“You know, a trifle? An ultimate token of my love an affection? A symbol of my need to have you near me forever?” he laughs as your eyes grow wide. “Whatever you want it to be.”

“I want it to be…I want it to be a step.”

“A step?” he asks, eyes flicking between your mouth and eyes, arms still holding you close.

“A step to forever,” you say, voice just as sure as his now. “That okay?”

“That’s perfect,” he replies, “perfect, my love.”

~~~

Happy Holidays xx

[meshla-cyarika]

Migraines

Pairing: Hunter x gn!reader

Word count: 805

Tags/warnings: tooth-rotting fluff, established relationship, cuddles, Crosshair being Crosshair.

Summary: Your boyfriend is back from a mission, but all his sensory input is catching up with him.

--------------------------------------------------

Fuck the Sepratists.

You've been on a week long mission with Delta Squad and have only just gotten back Coruscant. You didn't even see any action, all you had to do was sit in hiding for a week and snoop around to find out if there were Separatists on the planet. There were, but they had left long before you even arrived.

A drawn out sigh leaves your lips, as you make your way towards the mess hall. You've already showered and you're planning on taking a long nap, but you know that if you dont eat anything before then, Scorch's mother hen instincts will take over.

Once you get to the front of the que, the option of stew, or a slop that looks like it could be used to build houses stands before you. You ask for the stew, then you're about to make your way to a quieter table, when a booming voice yells out your name.

Your eyes land on the misfit band of clones known as the Bad Batch, who are sat at a small table by themselves. You instantly notice a certain sergeant's absence.

"Wrecker, I thought you lot were on Kashyyyk?" You tactfully take a seat next to Crosshair, knowing it's the spot where you're least likely to get bits of bread thrown at you by the snarky sniper.

"We were, but we crushed those clankers to dust!" Wrecker's booming laugh fills the air, while he clasps his fist in his other hand to emphasise his point.

"Is that a new record of how fast you've completed a mission?" You arch a brow and take a bite out of a piece of bantha meat.

"Hardly." Tech speaks up, not looking at his datapad for once. "Remember Felucia?" He gives you a look, referring to when they managed to take out an entire droid factory without even leaving the Marauder.

You let Tech and Wrecker break out into their own conversation, then you turn to Crosshair. "Where's Hunter?"

You're not that concerned, because you know that if anything drastic happened to the sergeant, you'd be the first to know. He is your boyfriend after all.

"Migraine." The sniper replies, seemingly too busy with picking off pieces of his bread to use as ammunition to actually look at you.

You sigh quietly and continuing eating your meal. Migraines aren't an uncommon battle for Hunter. With his enhanced senses, everything can become all too much very quickly. His migraines can vary from just a very strong headache, to throwing up and not being able to form sentences. Considering Crosshair's unbothered tone, this is one of the more mild ones.

You finish your meal quickly and stand up from the table to make your leave. "Well, not like this isn't fun, but I have more pressing matters to attend to."

"Which translates to: "don't come back to the ship, unless you want to be scarred for life"." Crosshair smirks up at you.

"Please. In his state, that might kill him." You scoff at his words.

"Urgh! Some people are trying to eat!" Wrecker complains, with a grimace set on his face.

《》《》《》《》

It's almost eery how silent and dark the Marauder is, when you step inside. Tech had mentioned something a while back about how he had managed to get rid of most of the noise pollution that the ship creates. How much they are willing to do for each other never fails to tug on your heart strings.

The light from the open door allows you to see a lump on one of the bunks at the back that you identify as Hunter. You step out of the doorway and the durasteel slides shut behind you, leaving you in darkness.

"Hunter." You call out softly, navigating your way to his bunk from memory alone. There's a grunt and a mumble of something that sounds like your name. "You need anything, cyare?" You sit on the edge of his bunk and your eyes gradually adjust to the darkness, which allows you to notice the few strands of hair in his face that you tuck back behind his ear.

"You. Just you." Hunter murmurs and you can't help the warm smile that etches it's way onto your face at his words.

"Shift over then, trooper." You give him a playful smirk.

"Rude." He huffs back, as he shimmies closer to the wall. You slide off your shoes and crawl into the narrow bunk beside him. Instantly, Hunter's arms are around your torso and he's tucking his face into the crook of your neck.

"I love you, you know that?" You absentmindedly comb your fingers through his hair and press a kiss to the crown of his head.

"Ni kar'taylir gar darasuum." He sounds like he's already half asleep, so you nestle closer to him and let your eyes drift closed...

[qkanaw]

**Batfamily Group Chat**

**Family Chat**

**Steph**: WHO. ATE. MY. SANDWICH?! 😡

**Cass**: 🍞👀

**Dick**: oh noooo not the sandwich again 😂

**Jason**: *yawn* …is this really worth a whole family chat notification?

**Tim**: WAIT THAT WAS YOURS?!?

**Steph**: TIM. WHAT. DO. YOU. MEAN.

**Damian**: It’s Drake. Of course it was him. Probably didn’t even know it wasn’t his. Idiot.

**Tim**: Okay first off, RUDE. Second off, I thought it was up for grabs! It didn’t have a name on it!!

**Bruce**: Food theft isn’t something to be taken lightly. Steph, I’ll order you another sandwich.

**Steph**: NOT THE POINT, BRUCE!

**Jason**: lol this is the best thing I’ve seen all week

**Cass**: 🍿👂

**Alfred**: Master Timothy, it is common courtesy to ask before consuming food items that do not belong to you.

**Tim**: In my defense, it was just sitting there. Unattended. Looking sad. And I was hungry.

**Damian**: “It was sitting there”—spoken like a true degenerate.

**Dick**: GUYS. Let’s solve this the Batfamily way. Steph, I’ll help you investigate who didn’t label it. We’ll gather evidence, fingerprints, witness testimonies…

**Steph**: Or I could just kill Tim.

**Duke**: Hold up, let’s not get hasty here.

**Cass**: 🔪👻😈

**Jason**: HAHA CASS GETTING IN ON THIS TOO

**Tim**: Cass, you’re supposed to be on *my* side!

**Bruce**: Can we please maintain some level of maturity here?

**Steph**: Not until justice is served. Unlike my sandwich. WHICH TIM SERVED TO HIMSELF.

**Dick**: What kind of sandwich was it, anyway? Let’s get into details. Important for evidence, you know.

**Steph**: Turkey, avocado, and the last piece of the sourdough bread.

**Tim**: Ohhh, okay, yeah. That was good.

**Steph**: TIM.

**Jason**: 😂😂😂

**Duke**: 😂😂

**Cass**: 🍖😎

**Damian**: What I find truly disturbing is how Drake continues to disappoint us all. Eating unlabeled food, not having any self-restraint, making bad life choices…

**Tim**: How is this a “bad life choice”? It was literally just a sandwich.

**Damian**: Everything you do is a bad life choice.

**Jason**: Don’t worry, Timmy, you’ll live.

**Dick**: Will he, though?

**Bruce**: If any of you decide to hurt each other over this, Alfred is not cleaning up the mess.

**Alfred**: Indeed, Master Bruce. I have cleaned up enough after all of you.

**Cass**: 👀

**Steph**: So what I’m hearing is… vengeance is allowed?

**Bruce**: No, Steph.

**Tim**: BRUCE, CONTROL YOUR CHILDREN.

**Bruce**: You’re all my children. And you’re all exhausting.

**Damian**: Some of us are more tolerable than others.

**Jason**: lol you wish, demon spawn

**Duke**: Tim, just buy her another sandwich.

**Cass**: Or make one! 👩‍🍳🧀

**Tim**: What, you think I’m gonna magically make a sandwich appear?

**Cass**: 🪄🥖

**Dick**: Cass has faith in you, Tim. You’ve got this.

**Steph**: Cass believes in you more than I do right now.

**Jason**: Hey, maybe if you guys do fight, I can record it. We’ll make it a family movie night.

**Dick**: Definitely. “Batkids Battle Over Bread: The Saga.”

**Cass**: 🍿🍿🍿

**Steph**: I WANT MY SANDWICH, NOT A FIGHT CLUB.

**Bruce**: Enough. I’ll order food for everyone. Case closed.

**Steph**: Thank you, Bruce.

**Tim**: Can we get pizza? I’m starving again.

**Damian**: Of course you are. Gluttonous fool.

**Jason**: Hey, I’m down for pizza too.

**Duke**: Same. I’ll take pepperoni.

**Dick**: Pizza for dinner it is. The family that eats together... survives Tim’s sandwich crimes together. 😜

**Cass**: 🍕❤️

[millenialfanfictionaddiction]

Being Karasuno’s Manager

🧁🍩Miss Manager loves to Bake 🍪 🍰

Karasuno featuring Seijoh x female! manager (she/her pronouns)

Warnings: pure fluff

AN: This is probably the cutest anon request ever 🥹

Let me just say this

Kageyama might be “king of the court” but YN is “Queen of Karasuno” 👸

Honestly these boys absolutely worship you

Literally, they act as if they don’t have three managers

They literally will lay down in a puddle of mud while you step on them

Will do the above 👆 for any of their three managers

But you, you my love are super special to our boys

Why you ask?

Well it’s because you provide them with nutrients to survive 😌

That’s right, your love of baking and the fine art of culinary creations only helps you out with our beloved crows

You’ve learned to cater to all their needs

Filling recipes with top tier ingredients for success

Things like fruits, nuts, and even sneaking some veggies in there

Like zucchini bread or carrot cake

Listen, even if it’s in a desert, it still counts as a fruit or veggie

I don’t want to hear “tHe SuGaR cAnCeLs It OuT”

Because like these boys need the sugar to run and jump all over the place ok 🤚🏻

You bake almost daily as a form of stress release and therapy

Please you need it with the team you manage 🙄

And you always bring in the treats for the boys!

And they ALWAYS eat them up

“These are fantastic Yn what are they called?” Hinata asks

“They are Fudgy Pumpkin Brownie bites! It’s a new recipe!” You exclaim as Kageyama and Noya go in for thirds

“You fit a whole pumpkin in here Yn?!?” Hinata : D

You 👉🏻😐

“I think she means that there is pumpkin in the recipe not one per bite,” Ennoshita explains

I never claimed they were smart Yn

Anyways, you are always there to help our precious boys fill their bellies

You are in charge of snacks for games and practice, often finding joy in everything you do

So when the prelims for the road to spring nationals start, you are busy whipping up some goodies

You bake the entire weekend before, preparing for every possible scenario

Protein muffins for in between matches

Chocolate chip cookies for after they win matches

You even prepare some of your famous Strawberry shortcake cookies just incase the boys happen to lose

Not that we think they will, don’t get me wrong but it’s always nice to be prepared

Anyways, the prelims start and Karasuno dominates

Like, did we really thinking they wouldn’t 💅

Anyways, tensions run high as the boys go into their match with Seijoh

You remember the first time they fought against Seijoh and how the loss crushed them

But fueled up on your high-protein muffins, these boys are ready to kick butt!

And kick butt they do!

They beat Seijoh and prepare to meet Shiratorizawa in the finals

After the game, you notice how upset Seijoh is after their loss

You knew this was the third years last tournament and seeing them cry hurt

You thought about if it was your boys

And with that, there was only one thing left to do

So you pulled out a piece of paper and wrote a little note and stuck it in the box of cookies

As your team was preparing to leave, you grabbed your box of Strawberry Shortcake cookies and ran over to Seijoh

Karasuno rn 👉🏻👀

“Excuse me?” You said as the entire Seijoh team turned around and looked at you

“You guys played an excellent game and you deserve these,” you said handing Seijoh your expertly wrapped cookies

Oikawa accepted, saying nothing

Please you left him speechless

Too bad Kunimi’s too sad to even record this moment 😭

You smile and wave as you run back to your team

Meanwhile, back the gym the Seijoh boys are extremely sad

“Hey what did that manager from Karasuno give you Oikawa?” Kindaichi asked as Oikawa reached for the box

He reached for it, opening it as the note slipped out

Iwa picked the note up and began reading it

It read “Thank you for playing your hardest! You deserve these. Xoxo YN, Karasuno’s Manager”

“It’s cookies,” Oikawa said as he began to pass them around and Iwa showed Oiks the note

Oikawa rn 👉🏻😐🥺😭

Please the entire Seijoh team is eating your cookies and crying Yn 😩

The next few days go by

You are in the gym taking notes when a teacher comes to get you

“Excuse me?”

“Yes,” Takeda asks

“Umm there is a team of boys at the front gate here to see Yn,” the teacher says

Karasuno 👉🏻 a team…. OF BOYS 😐😑

Tanaka and Noya 👉🏻 FOR YN?!?? 😡🤬

“Oh my ok!” You say, getting up and walking towards the gates of Karasuno

Tanaka, Noya, Kags and Hinata are ready to go

It takes the entire rest of the team to hold them back 🙄

“WHAT IF THEY KIDNAP YN??” Noya shouts

“They literally showed up at the front of school in broad daylight, like that’s gonna happen,” Suga say, rolling his eyes

“Someone has never watched dateline before,” Tanaka adds

Of course, you ignore them and head for the gates

As you approach, you see the white track suits

You 👉🏻😐😳

“Umm hi,” you say as the boys of Seijoh all look at you

“Team!” Oikawa shouts and they all scream

“THANK YOU FOR THE COOKIES YN!” while bowing

You rn 👉🏻😐😳🥹

“You are so welcome! Thank you for coming!” You say smiling and going to hug them

You hug Iwa first and boy is he stiff 😅

It’s safe to say the entire Seijoh team is now in love with you Yn 🥰

Bonus

“Omg is Oikawa crying?” Kageyama says, shoving Hinata out of the way as they watch around the corner.

“Hey watch it butthole!” Hinata shouts as he pushed Kageyama out of the way.

“I’d cry too if YN hugged me,” Noya added as Tanaka nodded.

“You guys are about to have something to cry about if you don’t get your butts back to the gym RIGHT NOW!” Daichi shouted, looming over them as the boys all turned and ran back to the gym.

[luvnami]

shinazugawa sanemi is NOT the love interest of my dream office romcom! - chapter 3 (fuck me - no, not literally!)

ɞ an | this is a buildup to the okinawa trip arc in ch4 and ch5. i promise, we'll get more juicy bits soon! i wonder what will happen when sanemi and reader are on an island all by themselves... likes/comments/rb are appreciated. do let me know what you think about the fic! find the masterlist here ɞ cw / wc | mangaka!mitsuri and manager!obanai, sanemi's manboobs, blowjob mention, mdni (18+), 1.5k+

You think you might like ‘Doki-Doki Island Escape’ a little more than what you’d rather admit. You spend your weekend flipping through the first volume of the manga, in-between folding laundry and washing dishes (one of the many banes of your existence). 

The story starts off like any other: the protagonist visits her grandparents in Okinawa for summer vacation. She dreams about the ocean views and blue skies, but meets a boy her age that shows her the island’s secret: a magical gem that grants the user a single wish. As the pair explore the island and fall in love, they try to ignore their inevitable separation at the end of summer. 

The volume ends there. You put the book down and stare at the dark sky outside your apartment window, briefly thinking about a life where you’d wake up to the sound of waves crashing against the shore. There’s no boss breathing down your neck for project proposals, no skyscrapers obscuring the light-polluted sky. You close your eyes. If you try hard enough, you can almost smell the salty sea and hear the caw of seabirds.

Nope. It’s just a dream, after all, and the reality you live in is unfortunately a lot more pathetic than an idyllic Okinawan life. 

You wake up the next morning to your third alarm, blasting from your phone as the device vibrates off your nightstand and clatters to the ground. It’s Monday and you have 15 minutes to get ready for work. You curse and jump out of bed, though your comforter tangles around your legs and you tumble onto your bedroom floor with a muffled thump. You waste an extra minute unwrapping yourself and nursing the bump on your knee. 

You race around your tiny Tokyo apartment in record time to make yourself look somewhat presentable for the office. No matter how attractive you think a beefy, handsome manager scolding you for being late would be, Shinazugawa would rather have your head on a pike (which is, contrary to popular belief, not as attractive). You thank yesterday-you for having enough sense to iron your clothes in advance. You wriggle your head through your shirt, grab your blazer and bag, and bolt out the door – though you end up having to turn back because you’ve forgotten ‘Doki-Doki Island Escape’ on your bed, and you’re meeting with the client today.

The morning rush is as unforgiving as ever. You make space for yourself on the packed train by shoving your way through, muttering ‘sorry’s that don’t sound very sorry in the first place. You look at the time on your phone. Maybe you’ll have enough time to grab breakfast at the convenience store. As the doors open and droves of people step off the train, you yelp and clutch onto a handlebar to avoid being swept off with the crowd. So much for that Okinawa dream.

You make it to the office on time and in one piece. It’s a miracle, really.

“Hey, you’re not late today!” Masachika grins. 

You pretend to swing your fist at his head. He easily dodges, laughing it off. You spend the next ten minutes scarfing down your breakfast (red bean bread and a carton of juice) as Masachika tells you what he did over the weekend: taking care of his niece, watching a movie with his partner, the new recipe for chicken nanban he tried out. Way more entertaining and productive than your own weekend. 

You don’t have the heart to tell him that you spent half the time writing a new smut fic, so you lie about preparing for today’s meeting. The doubtful face Masachika gives you makes you feel a little bad, but not enough for you to tell the truth. You really, really don’t want to elaborate on how your protagonist gets eaten out by a vampire hottie. 

At 9.30am, you head over to a meeting room with Masachika and Shinazugawa. Your clients are already seated inside. The author, Kanroji Mitsuri, is all pretty in pink. Her eyes glitter and for a moment, you’re stunned, recoiling as sparkles and flowers pop up all around her face with a lovey dovey theme song playing in the background. Her aura shines like the sun. 

“Shinazugawa! Hi!” she smiles, and you’re almost knocked out by the pureness that radiates off of her. 

It’s a stark contrast compared to her manager, Iguro Obanai. Kanroji and him are as different as night and day. He’s dressed in all black and has a face mask on, with a glare so deadly it makes you want to prostrate yourself and beg for forgiveness for breathing the same air as him. You’re not quite sure who’s more terrifying – him or Shinazugawa. The more you think about it, the more you consider resigning from your job and living as a NEET, so that you never have to interact with men who haven’t outgrown their puberty-induced rebellious phase (i.e., Shinauzawa Sanemi and Iguro Obanai who think that glowering at everyone and everything is cool. It is not. It makes them look unapproachable and like a prick, not quite quiet and mysterious and Edward from Twilight as they intend to be. Though, you’re not one to gentle-parent a man into being socially approachable, so that’s on them to figure out). 

“Shinazugawa,” Iguro mumbles, though it doubles as a greeting. “Let’s make this fast. We have a lunch appointment after this, and I hate being late.”

You take a seat with Shinazugawa opposite Kanroji and Iguro, as Masachika serves everyone tea. Thankfully, even though your boss has a temper that reckons he must’ve been born out of Satan’s asshole, he’s professional and dependable when it matters. It turns out that Shinazugawa and Iguro have worked together before. A pair of unlikely friends, though you keep that thought to yourself since you do want to live to see another day. 

The meeting goes by smoothly. Kanroji is easygoing, and agrees wholeheartedly with the idea that you propose – a large poster set-up at a train station. It’ll help passengers connect the story of the manga with a vacation destination, and reach out to a varied audience on their daily commute. You’re relieved as Kanroji gushes excitedly over it, though you try to ignore the daggers that Iguro is throwing at you with his eyes. Shinazugawa silently nods along as you speak. You’re pleasantly surprised he doesn’t interrupt you. 

The meeting ends with setting a date to see each other again in a month. You attempt to scamper off to your desk after sending Kanroji and Iguro off, but Shinazugawa calls for you and Masachika to stay back in the meeting room for a little longer. 

“We’ll make a trip to Okinawa this weekend,” he says, arms crossed over his chest (drool-worthy, strong and broad, insert another fifty adjectives here to convey the sheer delight of a man’s boobs). 

You gape. It isn’t strange for teams to conduct field research to understand the subject of their projects better, though Okinawa seems a little out of the company’s budget for you to take Shinazugawa at face value. 

“Seriously?” Masachika scratches the back of his neck, sighing. “What a waste. I took the weekend off because I have to take my parents to the hospital for a check-up. I guess it’ll just be the both of you, then.”

Wait. Wait, wait, wait. 

“Alright. I’ll see you at the airport Saturday morning,” Shinazugawa nods at you.

Cut the cameras.

You are not about to go on a two-day-one-night trip to Okinawa with your manager. Sure, the purpose of the trip is to collect research material for your project, but it doesn’t help that it’s Shinazugawa Sanemi is the one going with you (read again: SHINAZUGAWA SANEMI, HOTHEADED BOSS, KNOWS YOU WRITE FANFICTION ABOUT HIM, AND IS HOT AS FUCK).

Heaven and hell must be plotting against you, because you don’t know if you’re overcome with joy or despair. 

You hope that you’re sharing – NO! You will have separate rooms. There will be absolutely no tomfoolery. This is not a real life fanfiction fever dream come true, where there is only one bed and Okinawa will be storming all weekend so you’re forced to stay indoors with each other’s company. This is a very professional work trip, thank you very much. 

“Yeah,” you mutter under your breath. “Yeah. I can do this.”

You’re strong. You’re independent. You will not fall for the office eye candy that is Shinazugawa Sanemi. As much as you can appreciate any well-groomed and decent looking man, office relationships are a line you’ve never considered crossing. It’s dangerous yet enticing, although you’d rather spend your time worrying about your 13th month bonus than sucking someone’s dick in the office storeroom on your lunch break. 

Shinazugawa gives you a puzzled look. The more he tries to understand you, the more he realises you are simply an enigma to him. He doesn’t know why he even bothers. A vein pops out on his forehead. 

“If you’re done talking to yourself about nothing, then you can go back to your work,” he seethes. 

“Yes! I’m sorry, we’re on our way!” 

You squeak out an apology and shove Masachika out of the meeting room. 

“I can’t believe you’re abandoning me with Shinazugawa,” you sniff. 

“I know you’ve dreamt about it. Make sure to use protection, okay?”

“Shut up! It’s not like that!” 

Masachika laughs and you whack him over the head.

[jaegeraether]

Sunsets and footballers (Part 33)

Lucy Bronze x Reader (31) & Alexia Putellas x Character (5)

Masterlist (other parts here)

(Only a little piece of Alexia in here...)

((**Any theories on who Joe is, send me a DM xD**))

YFN woke around 8:30am, having a decent sleep after her long day. She’d slept the best she had done in a week, and the only explanation was the warm right-back who was now gone. It was a disappointing feeling, waking to feel her not there, yet was superseded by the feeling of peace and security that came with the conversation she’d had the night before with Lucy. Lucy. She’d be halfway to Barcelona by now. She rolled over and could still smell Lucy there as if she’d only left a few minutes ago. She must be so tired, she thought, hoping she’d be able to sleep on the plane.

She woke and had her shower, letting herself chuckle a little at Lucy’s blue toothbrush and made her way out to the kitchen to find a note from Lucy on the kitchen island.

Good morning, little one.

You have no idea how difficult it was to leave you in bed this morning.  

I ordered breakfast for you for 9am. I hope I got the timing right and they don’t wake you up.

Have a great day, please; I know I will now that I’ve seen you.

Remember: I won’t have a phone until the end of today or tomorrow… and please also remember to cancel the company car.

PS: I love you, and don't worry, you were too tired to talk in your sleep last night.

Lucy x

God, that woman. She pulled the piece of paper to her chest and held it there, unable to contain her smile. She looked at the time. It was almost 9am. Lucy knew she only slept seven or eight hours a night and had, of course, timed it perfectly.

She checked her phone and the first thing she did was respond to Joe.

Joe: Which do you like best?

Joe had sent a few links to cars.

YFN: I’m sorry, Joe. Please disregard. No need for a car. Do you have time for a phone call this morning?

Joe: Copy that. I’ll call in ten.

She went back to her other messages and emails which mainly concerned the edits that her colleagues had done. One by one, she approved them to be posted to social media. This first round had been a test for many things, one being the editing following the collection of footage at the games. She’d expected there to be some need for notes or changes, but she didn’t find any. Joe really had chosen some talented individuals.

Lumos group chat: YFN: Morning all! First round was a success! Fantastic job, everyone. The footage we’ve collected is remarkable. I’m happy for all of these to be posted today. As for the interviews, I’ve reached out for players approval and will post them once I have them.

Again, fantastic work, and a reminder to ensure we’ve sent the personal videos and photos to the players for their own use.

Our goal for next round is to post real time recordings of the game, goals and significant events.

Any suggestions, feel free to let me know!

The group chat started responding eagerly as a knock came at the front door. YFN jumped until she realised it would be breakfast. She checked through the peep hole before she collected it.

Lucy had ordered her an acai bowl, juice, and more of the banana bread she’d loved from last night. She dug in, hoping Lucy had a chance to eat before training. Her phone started buzzing and she dropped her spoon to pick it up.

“Morning, Joe.”

“YFN! Good morning, how are you after yesterday? I imagine you slept well.”

“You’re not wrong there!” She laughed. “It took a lot more out of me than I realised, Joe! But on a positive note, I think it was a success.”

“I think you’re being a bit modest there! I’ve seen everything and I’m beyond impressed. Whatever you’ve done to prepare all week was excellent, just excellent! And your interview with the Arsenal and Man City players? Brilliant. I know it was thrown at you last minute, but I really liked the way it was more of a casual conversation than asking generic questions. It really brought out the characters of the players.”

“Oh, I agree. Even if I did have time to prep questions, I still would have let them talk about what they wanted and just steer them ever so gently within the lines we wanted. I’m also a big fan of interviewing multiple players at once. They bounce off of each other well, even if they are opposite teams.”

“I was going to mention that! It’s the first time opposition players have been interviewed after a match together, yes? I love the dynamic. As for the other footage… I want to scale this up already. Did you want to talk about extra people to cover more of the games?”

YFN could hear that Joe was excited and knew that she’d give her absolutely anything she wanted. But that’s not what this conversation was about.

“Actually, Joe, I wanted to talk to you about something else..”

“Fire away, anything you want.”

YFN explained her meeting Mark at the charity event, about the photographer with Mark at the game last night, and then how she was followed. There was a long period of silence at the other end until she sighed.

“I knew this would be an issue, I just hoped it wouldn’t happen until later on.” She admitted. “Firstly, they won’t hurt you. Think of them as paparazzi. Mark is competition of mine when it comes to business, and he uses his PIs to try and get controversial gossip to undermine my business and partnerships. Saying that, I’d really like to apologise to you for putting you in this situation. Like I said, I hoped we’d be much more established by the time they came after us.”

“That’s a relief to hear, Joe. I’m glad they’re just that and not lunatics. I’ve dealt with too many of those lately.”

“Yes, yes you have.”

YFN hesitated. There was still an unanswered question there. “Joe… what did Mark mean when he said you would bring controversy to the business if people knew you were involved?”

She knew it was a personal question, and fully expected her to respond by saying he was lying. But she didn’t, because she was Joe and she was an honest woman. YFN trusted her.

She gave another heavy sigh. “Okay… okay. I think you need to know. It’s going to be much easier to explain in person. Are you able to get on a flight to my house tonight?”

She wasn’t expecting that. She didn’t care where she lived, she would go. Half out of curiosity to meet the woman, and half for the mystery. “Of course. I can fly from London or Birmingham.”

“Okay, if you head back to Birmingham today, I’ll have my assistant send you flight details for a flight out of Birmingham tonight. You can stay with me a few days. This will be good to fully discuss our future plans together and lay bare my hand. I have to go into a meeting now, but I’ll see you tonight, YFN. Great work again!”

The call ended after their goodbyes and it just left YFN even more curious. She truly didn’t know the woman, and the next few days would certainly be interesting to say the least.

“Lucia.” The teasing voice came from behind.

Lucy turned around as Alexia wandered over to her at the stretching station.

“Why are you smiling at me like that?”

“Because I think your London trip went well, si?” Alexia held that teasing expression. She wasn’t wrong. Besides the long day and minimal sleep, she had been in the best mood she had been for days. Alexia stepped forwards and slapped her face lightly like a proud adult. “The grin is back.”

Lucy tried to get rid of it, but she just couldn’t. If anything, it got wider.

“Thank you for your help, I definitely feel a lot better.”

Alexia tilted her head, giving her a cheeky look that seemed to assume sex had made her this happy. Lucy rolled her eyes at that. They’d definitely gotten a lot closer in the past few days, having supported each other through their relationship issues. “It’s not what you think.”

Alexia’s expression said she didn’t believe her one bit. Her head stayed tilted, her expression cheeky and knowing, and her lips remained a more subtle version of the Cheshire cat.

Lucy laughed and shoved her lightly. “I promise! We just talked and sorted everything out.”

“You feel better?”

“Oh, yes. You get to meet her in six days when she comes to Barca.”

“I look forward to meeting her..”

It made Lucy happy to see Alexia smiling. “And how goes your woman?”

Her smile faltered a little. “We have training-”

“Don’t you back out now. You had a plan.”

“Si, si. But we need to train and the game is Saturday.”

“Saturday afternoon.” Lucy clarified. “So there’s no reason you can’t go on Friday night..”

Alexia thought on it for a few seconds.

“Alexia, Lucy!” Jonatan reminded, pointing to the mats.

They took the hint and began stretching themselves out, both starting with their bad knees. Lucy’s felt much better after YFN had massaged it the night before, and she swear she could have come just from the release of pressure and feel of her hands on her. If only they’d wandered further up-

She caught herself and made herself stop. She was at training. She looked at Alexia who was now rolling her calf and thinking still.

“Would you like me to come?”

Alexia turned to Lucy, surprised. They didn’t usually do things together like that unless they were in a group, but perhaps it was time for that to change.

“Okay,” she said after another few seconds of thought.

“We won’t get drunk or do anything stupid. We’ll just go and have a chat and dinner and see if she turns up.”

“She…might not.”

“And that’s more than okay. We’ll have a good little date out, regardless, yeah?”

“Okay, Lucia. But only if you tell your girlfriend so she doesn’t break her phone if she sees photos.”

Lucy gave a sheepish smile. “She’s a lot better with her emotions than I am.”

“She sounds perfect for you.”

“Are we talking about YFN?” Kiera asked as she walked over and joined in.

“Si.”

“I haven’t met her yet, but Leah says they’re pretty adorable together.”

“I’m right here.” Lucy reminded.

“I know.” Kiera said, giving a little head pat. “But it’s more fun to talk over you.”

Lucy appreciated their relationship and how there wasn’t any jealously, they truly did want the best for each other.

“Are we meeting her this weekend?”

“Who are we meeting this weekend?” Mapi asked as she and Ona joined their ever-extending stretching line. Lucy looked at Ona who seemed curious at their conversation. She hadn’t had the opportunity to talk to her yet as she had arrived late, but she would. She made sure to give her a little smile, knowing it wouldn’t make up for how distant she’d been the past few days.

“Lucy’s girlfriend.”

Ona pouted. She wasn’t unaware of her because she must have seen Lucy’s posts on Instagram, but she still couldn’t help the look of disappointment on her face.

“She’s coming this weekend?” Mapi asked, completely unaware of Ona’s feelings next to her.

“Si,” Alexia said, sharing a look with Lucy that said she’d also noted Ona’s expression. Alexia changed the topic back to their strategies and training, a smart Captain manoeuvre around the previous topic.

YFN received her flight details not long after she’d finished her breakfast. Joe was definitely efficient. She was originally worried at her late flight time, 7pm, until she realised where it was to. Edinburgh. If she’d driven, it would have taken her over eight hours, so she appreciated the flight. Realising she had time to spare, she took her time to shower and pack up before messaging a few fellow Aussies about popping by.

Caitlin: See you soon, chicken! Warning: Kyra seems eager to see you. She’s in her annoying mood.

Erin Cuthbert: All good to pop by, bring snacks and Emma will fall in love with you.

Mackenzie: See you soon, I’ll let the girls know.

Caitlin had introduced YFN to Mackenzie Arnold, Captain of West Ham and goalkeeper of both West Ham and the Matildas during their dinner, and she hadn’t had a chance to see her play during the round so she figured she’d stop by to network and become more of a regular around the players.

She stopped by Chelsea first located south west of London at Cobham as it was the closest. Erin was right, Emma did appreciate the snacks, though she had to sneak some to the players when she wasn’t looking. She had a good catch up with the players and before that, she actually had a fantastic conversation with Emma Hayes. Emma was the manager for Chelsea, notorious for being hard, yet caring for her team. She was one of the best managers in the sport and had led the team to four consecutive WSL victories. When she spoke, it was slow but so excellently worded that everybody stopped to listen, including YFN even as they were alone on the sidelines.

“What you’re doing is so important for these players.” Her accent was rich and unapologetic. “I can’t say I’ve met Joe but I’ve heard of her, and she’s going to be the best thing to happen to this sport in a long time. If she’s chosen you to lead the way, then I know you must be excellent at what you do.”

YFN took the compliment with a smile. They’d been standing on the sidelines, Emma pointing out how they trained and worked strategies and weaknesses. It was all so interesting to her, and she assumed that Emma had appreciated her interest and questions from the compliment she’d just given her.

“I appreciate that, thank you Emma. You don’t think my lack of knowledge in the sport is a weakness?”

“Nah, not at all. I think that’s one of the reasons she chose you. You bring a new perspective. I saw the interviews you did with the other teams, Arsenal, United and such. They were a breath of fresh air to be fair. I’m sick of arguing with media.”

YFN chuckled. “Are they that bad?”

“Oh, sure. And just asking stuuupid fucking questions.”

Emma yelled advice at one of the players across the pitch who put their hand up in acknowledgement.

They spoke for a bit longer, really getting into some deep-seeded issues with media, and needed improvements for the womens game when one of the assistant coaches blew the whistle. Training break. Somehow, Emma had been so inspired by their conversation that she suggested YFN talk to the girls before they had a debrief. She obliged.

YFN had met most of the girls: Millie Bright, Erin Cuthbert, Hannah Hampton, Zecira Musovic, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Fran Kirby, Jess Fleming, the list goes on. She was actually quite surprised to see that she only hadn’t met a few of them. Emma gave her a lovely introduction and YFN made herself comfortable on a stool up the front as she dove into a conversation with the group about media and how to make them more comfortable. They had a lot of suggestions, even Emma looking impressed at their eagerness. They spoke for a good half an hour before YFN wrapped it up before it turned into too much banter and ate into Emma’s time. She’d written a lot of notes down and made sure to tell them to message her or come over for a chat at a game anytime.

With that, she took her leave for West Ham over at Chadwell Heath by 11am. Mackenzie was the first to greet her as they were on their lunch break. She was much taller than YFN who had to reach to the sky just to hug her, but she bent down for her.

“I’m used to it with this one!” She’d said, pointing to Kirsty Smith, her partner. Kirsty was Scottish and they’d been dating for over two years. Mackenzie had that sarcastic, Australian sense of humour YFN missed, though she was so soft around Kirsty. It made her think of Lucy.

They let her join for lunch, introducing her to the staff and players. YFN made sure to say hello to their manager, Rehanne Skinner for Emma just as she’d requested. There were only a handful of female managers in WSL, Emma had pointed out, and they supported each other. She also mentioned that Rehanne was a great manager, which was a big compliment from her.

The West Ham team seemed a lot more relaxed than the Chelsea environment, all with their own ambitions and goals. She was introduced around, having a good chat to the team and enjoying her catch up with the young Riko Ueki again who seemed excited to see her. Her most entertaining conversation, however, was with Hawa Cissoko who was a strong French and Malian defender, and notorious for her red cards. She was very vocal about racial abuse and asked YFN to bring awareness to it when possible.

YFN loved the dynamic of the West Ham team, there was such a mix of different nationalities and personalities and she especially appreciated Mackenzie and how she took care of them like a mother bird, especially the shyer players like Riko who was introverted and still a little shy speaking English at times. After joining them for their Subway lunch, and talking around the group for just over an hour, she was off to her final stop.

Her Arsenal girls were at the end of their training day, definitely slowing down and ready for the day to end. Kyra, however, was as young and eager as ever, especially when she saw YFN. Jonas drove YFN down to the field in a golf cart, dropping her off and she barely exited the vehicle when the young midfielder landed on her back, limbs wrapped around her like a spider. YFN was only small and barely managed to stay upright.

“I was told you’re in an annoying mood.”

“That’s rude.”

YFN laughed and hugged the limbs around her. “How are you, little sis?”

“Great! Can I ask you a favour before the girls get here?” She asked into her ear, her chin resting on her shoulder.

“Sure, mate.”

“At the game this weekend…can you ask for Courtney and I to be interviewed together?”

YFN paused. She hadn’t even thought about interviews yet.

She continued. “I don’t care if it’s in a group of us.”

“I can do just you two alone..” She offered. Thinking about it, it would be good to do a young player interview, and then a similar one with older players like Kim Little and Aileen Whelan.

“Can you?!” She squeaked and dropped off of her back as Katie jabbed her in the ribs.

“Chicken!” She was enveloped by the girls.

“Ew, you smell like Chelsea mate.” Caitlin said, scrunching up her nose fakely. YFN rolled her eyes.

“Calm down, mate.”

“We’re pretty much done with trainin’ today,” Katie said as she swung an arm over her shoulder and pulled her along as they began walking back towards the building. “I spoke to Kim and the girls are all keen for a chat.”

Although she didn’t have a favourite team, it was becoming more and more difficult not to as Arsenal had a lot of her heart. The players were all so free to be themselves, and she knew a lot of that was due to Kim and Katie who were the leadership within the team. They made sure it was a safe space and everyone could not only work hard but have fun also. Her chats with the group was more like a night out at town and she had to steer the conversation back to relevance a few more times than with the other teams that day. They all got along well, yet they all also had their little clicks that overlapped a lot. Beth and Viv. Beth, Jen and Steph. Katie and Caitlin. Caitlin, Steph and Kyra. Kyra and Alessia. Alessia and Katie. Alessia and Vic. She was caught unawares by Leah also being there, though she knew she shouldn’t have been surprised. Leah was already back up and running with the team, just not training fully yet. When she saw YFN, she came over for a polite hug and a few pleasantries. YFN could see she wanted to talk about Jordan, but they were too swamped by the eager girls wanting to talk to YFN about interviews, photos and such. She gave her an apologetic smile and made her way around the group for a few hours, or to be more precise, she sat in the same spot as the girls rotated through.

By 2pm she called it, saying goodbye to the team and collecting more than a few hugs on her way out. Her favourite though was the little head taps by Steph.

YFN was loading her work bag into the car when she heard a voice behind her.

“Do you think she’d be mad if I stopped by tonight?”

She turned around to see Leah looking like she needed some advice. “Do you two not have a day to catch up organised?”

“This Friday..”

YFN understood all too well why she didn’t want to wait any longer. “Leah… talk to her. Just talk. If Friday is too far away, then ask her for something sooner.”

“I don’t want to push her. Besides, you can be mediator tonight? That will ease tension a little.”

“Ah, that’s why you’re asking me. Well… I’m not sure if she’d be mad, however I won’t be there tonight.”

“Oh! Spain already?”

“No, Lucy was here last night. Edinburgh actually.”

Leah’s eyebrows shot up. “Lucy was here last night?!”

“Just for a few hours.”

“That’s why you look so happy.” She smirked.

“Don’t do that.” She laughed. “We just had a few things to sort out, as you know.”

“All sorted?”

She nodded. “Better than ever. I’m going to Barca on Friday.”

“What time are you flying out tonight?”

“7pm?”

“Okay… okay I can wait until Friday. I don’t want to mess this up.”

YFN gave her a supportive hug. “You won’t, Leah.”

YFN’S bag was packed for a few days, the peace lily Lucy had gifted her was watered, she’d cuddled with Blu and was just sitting down to an early dinner with Jordan as there came a knock at the door. They looked at each other confused. YFN shrugged and got up. She checked through the peep hole and sighed before opening the door.

“Turns out I can’t wait until Friday…” Leah said apologetically, a bouquet of flowers in her hand.

YFN bit her lip, thinking, and then stepped to the side. She wondered what Jordan’s reaction would be. Leah stepped in slowly and YFN closed the door behind her, leading her to the dining table.

“Who was it?” Jordan asked and turned around, freezing on the spot. Her eyes widened. She hadn’t expected that. Leah stood awkwardly with the flowers and YFN wanted to disappear.

“Uh…” Jordan struggled to find words.

YFN tried to break the tension. “Do you like ravioli, Leah?”

Leah nodded. “Yeah.”

“Okay…I’ll get you a bowl.” She looked at Jordan and gestured to Leah as if to say ‘be nice’.

“They’re pretty.” Jordan said.

“They’re for you.”

Jordan stood and YFN watched as she walked over and took them from Leah, their fingers softly grazing over each other. Both reacted physically to it. “I’ll put them in water. Take a seat.”

Leah sat down as Jordan went to the kitchen to find a vase. “What’s she doing here?!”

“I don’t know.” YFN whispered back. “She said she couldn’t wait until Friday, remember?”

“What am I supposed to say?”

YFN looked at the clock. “We need to go in thirty minutes, can we just talk about football, then you two can do all the talking you want without me.”

Dinner was mainly talking about their days, and YFN’s experiences around the different clubs. It started off awkward, but definitely became a lot more casual. Like roommates having dinner. YFN didn’t realise, but Jordan appreciated her there for the awkward part. Now when she dropped her at the airport, they would have avoided most of that.

Leah helped Jordan clean up, working together at the sink to wash and dry as YFN collected her belongings for the airport. The car ride was funny, Leah in the back listening silently to Jordan telling YFN to be safe and message her if she needed anything. Jordan had been extra protective since hearing about Mark and his friend, as well as Kristie being a maniac as per usual. Leah hadn’t seen that side to Jordan much, and she listened with interest. They dropped her at the airport and YFN gave Jordan and apologetic look before she hugged her, whispering in her ear.

“She loves you, Dory. Just be patient and be honest with what you need, okay? I’m a phone call away.”

Jordan’s hug tightened, nodding into her shoulder.

“Also, if she doesn’t sleep in your bed, she’s more than welcome to sleep in mine.”

Jordan scoffed and pulled away with a grin, slapping her arm.

“What? You have needs.”

She turned to Leah and gave her a hug and Jordan jumped back into the drivers seat. “She’s just as nervous as you are, Leah. Communicate, okay?”

“Thanks, YFN. Fly safe.”

“You’re welcome. And I’ll definitely try.”

The flight was short, barely an hour, and unfortunately it was too dark to see Edinburgh as they descended through the clouds. YFN hadn’t known what to expect once she arrived, the only note in her flight details being ‘private car hire to meet at airport.’ She exited with her smaller carry-on suitcase and immediately saw the sign with her name on it. The driver looked professional in his suit and insisted on taking her luggage. He introduced himself as David and was a polite, middle-aged gentleman who guided her into the backseat of the dark Mercedes before taking his place in the driver’s seat.

“How long is the drive?”

“Just over an hour, ma’am.”

An hour?!

“Do you know Joe?”

“I do. I’ve worked with her for quite a few years now.”

“How would you describe her?”

“She’s a smart businesswoman. A great mother. A role-model. A creative genius. She’s kind and very well read.”

“Did she…tell you anything about me?”

“Oh, I know all about you, ma’am. It’s wonderful what you are doing together. My daughters are still young and love playing football. We need this exposure, so they have a better pathway and more incentive.”

He knew all about her? What they were doing?

“Do you know why I’m here?”

David paused. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Is there anything you can tell me before we get there?”

“That’s really not for me to say, ma’am. It will all make sense when we arrive.”

What was this big secret?

They spoke a little more during the drive, YFN a little tired as they passed the 9pm mark. Eventually they turned off of the bitumen road and onto a long gravel driveway. She watched as a large estate came into view, still very much lit up, the warm lights escaping through the many windows of the large stone building. If she had to describe it, she’d say it was almost gothic, though repurposed to suit an English ambiance.

David stopped at the front of the steps leading up to the entrance. He insisted that YFN go ahead, claiming he’d take her bag to her room for her.

She walked up the steps, not knowing what she was getting herself into and as she raised her hand to knock, the door swung open. A man stood there, looking just as neat and tidy as David.

“YFN, lovely to meet you. Welcome. My name is Benjamin, and I’m the estate manager. Please come in.”

YFN smiled and introduced herself, entering and found her eyes were immediately wandering, looking up down, all around at the architecture of the place. Although an old building, it had modern refurbishments and she couldn't help but appreciate it, but also wonder at its cost. Where was she? Did Joe have some sort of link to royalty? Nothing else made sense. Until it did.

“You made it.” YFN turned to the voice she’d heard several times on the phone and whatever she was expecting, it wasn’t that. Her mouth physically dropped.

It all made sense now. The company. The secrecy. The controversy. The fact that they’d never met before. Why she’d hired her, a writer, in the first place, of all people.

Holy shit. It can’t be.

[wildgeese98]

I'm sorry but at this point how can anyone honestly think "Chester" is trying to warn Sam away from the Magnus Institute? The red canary case did seen like a warning on a surface level but it was also the thing that got him looking into the institute in the first place. I think someone or something knew enough about Sam to know he would immediately start looking into the Magnus Institute if it just happened to come up on his first day working in the creepy story mines.

It also, for the record, knew enough about Gwen to send her exactly the piece of info she needed so go after Lena. And knew enough about Lena to send the exact thing that would get her to promote Gwen.

It knew Colin was the only person who knew they are being listened to. It knew enough about Colin to know that he was the one person who might know enough about the program to pose a threat. And it knew how to push his buttons to drive him to the point where he would be forced to leave.

It even seemed to know which voice would unnerve Celia the most. And possibly gave a statement connected to her background/ origins in this universe. This probably made her more open to looking into things with Sam, further egging on his search.

Something is continuing to feed Sam tidbits about the Institute. It's stringing him along and pulling him in. When he was ready to give it up, here comes "Chester" unprompted with a new Magnus institute related case. And now guess who's GOING TO THE DAMN BURNED DOWN RUINS!? these are not warnings, they are deliberate bread crumbs leading Sam exactly where someone wants him to be.

Meanwhile everyone else is being fucked with to some degree, with the exception of Alice. Although her "I do not see it" powers might make her immune.

None of this is an accident! Strings are being pulled! We just don't know why or by who. Are the Archives Boys really in the computer and trying to lead Sam to the Institute for some unknown reason? Is there perhaps some other, possibly malevolent force that's stolen their voices and memories and is using them to draw Sam in for its own unsavory purposes? Only time will tell!

All I know is, the only one trying to warn Sam about anything is Alice and he has for the most part not been listening.

[futurecorps3]

𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬

Masterlist<3

Summary: YEARNING WITH A READER HES ABLE TO TOUCH. Pairing: Kaz Brekker x fem!reader Warnings: Mentions of Kaz's touch aversion, death, slight OOC Kaz but I think only if you squint like he's a softie with Y/N and Y/N only. Let me know if I missed any!!! Word Count: 2.3K Requested: I guess? @kaldurahms-lover

A/N: The user tagged posted a general request to us Kaz fic writers. The concept follows the line of how our boy would need TOUCH from an s/o who he has known from before JorDIE died. Bestie I hope you like it and you don't mind I used fem!reader (I can change it if it IS an issue). I haven't started and I'm already excited about this piece being posted!!! Mwah hope I did justice to the concept.

˚ · • . ° .

Kaz didn't really know what it was. Maybe it was the weather, too warm for Ketterdam, or the way he was sweating under his gloves. Maybe it was how loud Nina and Jesper were being, too tipsy to care for the volume of their laughs, or how the last job had gone well even when they didn't follow the plan he traced. Maybe he just missed her.

Who was he kidding? Of course he missed her. Y/N had been gone two weeks on a little trip to Novyi Zem to pick up a shipment and get information from financial records kept in one of the properties belonging to their next target. He really tried getting his seller to deliver directly to Ketterdam, but they said it would be too much trouble. Y/N, kind as always, convinced Kaz offered to do both tasks.

And he missed her. The others could tell. The grumpy mood the bastard carried himself with had been even grumpier in the last couple of days and they all knew well what was going on, but decided against prying because he'd never admit it. They couldn't really blame him. After all, his girl was the only one who seemed to melt that inaccessible boy.

They found each other in akin situations; lost kids in a new city, all on their own and with the foolish dream of making a life with nothing but honest intentions and a kind heart. The boy could still remember those pretty watery eyes looking up at his brother with fear, fear of him being another person ready to hurt her. Instead, he made a silent promise to himself to always protect her, to never let anyone hurt her again.

Little did that boy knew he could not keep that promise, not for her, not for himself. He thought fondly at that memory, though. An image close to his heart that made him wonder that maybe he wasn't such a horrible person. Blame it on the innate capacity of kids to feel empathy towards virtually any living thing.

When Jordie died, Kaz was ruined. He felt like he had lost a part of himself, and he didn't know how to go on without his brother. He was consumed by grief and anger, early in age, and pushed Y/N far away from him. But Y/N didn't give up on him.

She knew how much he was hurting, and she refused to let him suffer alone. She was patient with him, giving him the space he needed to grieve, but also letting him know that she was there for him whenever he was ready to talk.

One day, as they were walking through the streets of Ketterdam, Kaz finally opened up to Y/N. He told her everything he had been feeling since Jordie died, the anger, the guilt, and most importantly, the emptiness. And as he spoke, Y/N listened, never judging him, but always offering a kind word or a gentle touch. A touch that did not bother him in the slightest.

Her hands didn't make him feel sick like the ones from officers in the Stadwatch. He realized that he could bear it, and even better, savor it. As they sat in that alley all those years ago, sharing a piece of bread and a dream of a better life, Kaz knew that he had found something special in Y/N. He had found someone who understood him, who accepted him for who he was, and who believed in him even when he didn't believe in himself.

And he knew that he would never let her go. No matter what challenges they faced in the future, no matter how dark the world around them became, Kaz would always have Y/N by his side, just as she had always had his. Together, they would face anything that came their way, because that was what they had always done. They were lost kids in a new city, but they had found each other, and that was all that mattered.

With time, he saw Y/N under a new light. Kaz admired the girl for her capacity to take the best out of situations while remaining conscious of how awful things could get. Her tenderness and bliss seemed to come from a bottomless pit, while his had run dry a long time ago.

It's okay, she had enough to spare for the both of them. Feelings developed, conflict ensued, and after three years of the perilous path of love, they became official. Kaz wouldn't have it any other way and Saint's know Y/N wouldn't either. They loved each other like only two young kids in love could; raw, endlessly.

And that's why Y/N's letter saying she needed more time to collect information had the barrel's bastard all sulky. He needed her embrace, and he needed it now. The more he thought about it, the less probable it seemed for him to be able to hold on a few more days.

"You okay, boss?"

Now, Jesper knew the answer to his question, and he knew why Brekker wasn't doing okay, but he was no expert on how to handle these types of situations, and it seemed like the right thing to ask. As far as Kaz goes, well, he had no idea when the zemeni boy had left his place next to Nina to walk all the way to him. He was too busy thinking about her, as he had been for the past two weeks.

No response came from him. Then a sigh from Jesper. "She'll be back soon, she's okay, Kaz. Turn that terrifying frown into the normal one, you're scaring the piggeons more than we want to". The frustration he felt seemed almost unreasonable; he gave her the job knowing exactly the implications it entailed, so why was he so needy? There was patience in any action of his, but he couldn't control how much he wanted a kiss from his lover at the moment.

To some, it might be cute. To him, it was thoroughly infuriating. "Get a hold of yourself. She'll be back soon, no need to get all mad about something that only time will fix", he thought to himself over and over again in that hot afternoon as he laid on a white blowy blouse in his room trying to go to sleep so time would somehow be faster since burying himself in paperwork and plotting hadn't worked.

With a deep sigh, Kaz closed his eyes and let out a slow breath. He knew that he had to get a grip on himself and not let his emotions get the best of him. Y/N would be back soon enough, and until then, he would have to be patient and wait for her return. And so, he lay there, trying to calm his racing thoughts and steady his beating heart, until finally, he drifted off to sleep.

˚ · • . ° .

First thing he heard was a soft hum. A too familiar song coming from a sweet voice in the bathroom. Was he so out of control he was now dreaming of Y/N returning? What love does to a man... The sun prickling his skin felt too real, the sweat on his bare hands ran freshly, tickling him ever so slightly.

He sat up quickly, his heart pounding with excitement. Had she returned early from her trip? He got out of bed and walked towards the door carefully, his bare footsteps echoing delicately on the wooden floor. As he opened the door a bit wider, he saw her standing in front of the mirror. Y/N's eyes met his, hers sparkling with a well-known happiness.

"Hi" she dared to say. Saints! She had no idea what an agony it had been without her, right? Kaz felt his heart skip a beat at the sight of her. She looked radiant, with her hair tousled and her cheeks flushed from the heat outside. A long walk from the docks, surely. Had he been awake and aware of her early return, he would've walked her back to the Slat with an umbrella to shield both of them from the suffocating light.

"Hello" he mumbled, still a little dazed from sleep. Y/N smiled and stepped closer to him. "I missed you," she said simply, reaching out to take his hand. Kaz felt a surge of emotion wash over him, and he knew in that moment that she had missed him just as much. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against him as he breathed in the scent of her hair. It was the same from before she left, just a little saltier.

For a moment, they just stood there, wrapped up in each other, savoring the feeling of being together once more.

Finally, Y/N pulled back and looked up at him, a soft smile on her lips. "I brought you something," she said, pulling away and shuffling through her bag before humming contently, pulling and holding out a small box.

Kaz took the package and opened it to reveal a delicate silver necklace, with a tiny crow charm dangling from it. He looked up at her, surprised and touched by the gesture. "Y-you don't have to wear it-" "It's beautiful," he said softly, handing it over to her as she carefully placed it around his neck with a content smile.

They both knew it would remain hidden under the various layers of clothing he wore on cooler days (or even the hotter ones such as this), but knowing it was there was enough.

"Looks pretty" Y/N beamed, tracing her fingers down his half-exposed chest and pulling him in for a hug from the waist. "I missed you so much," he confessed, feeling the commotion inside of him finally subside under her touch. "I missed you too much, never let me go away for that long again... no matter how stubborn I get".

Kaz felt his mouth turn up in a grin, almost letting out a giggle. "Never," He looked down at her briefly and found her looking at him already, pressing a kiss to her forehead, "don't think I could bear it".

As the heat of the afternoon persisted, Kaz and Y/N found themselves seeking refuge in the relative coolness of Kaz's bedroom. They lay on the bed together, cuddled up over the white sheets, with Kaz's arm wrapped tightly around Y/N's waist. Despite the warmth of the day, Kaz felt a chill run through him at the touch of Y/N's skin against his.

As they lay there, Kaz felt a sense of peace wash over him. He had spent so much of his life chasing after money and power, but now, in this moment, he realized that his number one priority was something much simpler: the warmth and love of the person he cared about most in the world.

Y/N shifted slightly in his arms, and Kaz tightened his grip on her. He could feel her breathing softly against his chest, and he knew that he would never tire of this feeling.

"I've been more... difficult than usual. Even Matthias got alarmed," he murmured, his voice low and husky laced with amusement. Y/N looked up at him, giggling, her eyes filled with love. "It's okay," she said softly. "I missed you too."

Kaz smiled, feeling a sense of contentment that he had never experienced before. He knew that his life would always be filled with danger and uncertainty, but as long as he had Y/N by his side, he knew that he would be able to face anything. Just like when they were kids.

They lay there for a long time, just holding each other, lost in their own thoughts. And as the afternoon turned to evening, they drifted off to sleep, safe and content in each other's arms.

˚ · • . ° .

Hi! Thank you so much for reading, hope you enjoyed:)

Remember, the best way to support writer’s works on here is by REBLOGGING WITH TAGS. I’d very much appreciate it if you did!

Thanks again, stranger. Hope you have a nice day<3

NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO REPOST AS THEIR OWN/TRANSLATE/OR COPY MY WORK IN ANY PLATFORM OR SPACE WITHOUT MY EXPLICIT CONSENT.

[irafuwas]

I went to bed last night fearful of poor Silver learning firsthand that his father wasn’t always the kindhearted and fun loving man that he so admires and adores, that he used to look at humans with apprehension and distrust, that he’d treat people like they were worth less than the scum stuck to the bottom of his boots. But now, I do want him to see all of these things. Because I want it to dawn upon him, finally, for the first time in his short 17 years of life, that he is the reason his father is the person he is today. That every facet and every feature, every perfect aspect of his father’s design that he worships, that he wishes he could trace his fingers over whisper-soft and record into the lines of his own skin, they were all sculpted and carved and molded by him.

Silver it was your love – your love as a baby, as a child, as the young man you’re rapidly growing into - that nearly drowned your father, and every time he broke through the surface and opened his mouth to gasp for air you dragged him back down again. The waves of your love, at times more tender than a mourning dove‘s call, at times fiercer than a thousand storms, sloughed off his skin and tore apart everything that was and would never again be “Lilia Vanrouge”. And at last, when the pale body of your father emerged from those waters and he collapsed onto the achingly warm shores that had all his life been just out of his reach, he had been reborn into something and someone entirely new. He was transformed.

On golden mornings, when you still lay asleep in the small cot next to his, your father would slip into town and pick up fresh bread from the baker for you. He’d choose the kind that would crinkle like the autumn leaves under your careful steps when he split the loaf in half. The sound always made you smile.

When your father had left for town on one of those mornings, he’d still believed in the notion that all the light in the world and that everything good and warm and safe came from the yellow sphere that hung in the sky far above. But when he came back, as you ran out to greet him and you came crashing through the wheat fields near your home and you laughed your iridescent laugh with bits and pieces of flaxen leaves clinging to your lunar hair, your father finally glimpsed the great truth that Nature had been obscuring from him all his life.

[roseharpermaxwell]

RWRB FirstPrince Coffee Shop AU Recs

Coffee shops, restaurants, bars, delis, cheese shops - you'll find those recs here. Give the author some love if you find something you like!

5:25am, coffee shop by cricketnationrise. T, 800 words. A quiet, but emphatic “fuck me” catches Henry’s attention, but it’s the thump, slide, and contact of a heavy book with his foot that pulls him completely out of his novel. He glances down to see some sort of textbook and stoops to pick it up, fingers brushing with a strange spark as someone else reaches for it at the same time. Henry glances up to find the single most attractive man he’s ever seen.

talk by @smc-27, @dumbpeachjuice. E, 1.1k. Henry records himself for an audio erotica app.

Alex finds it. And listens.

All the Lonely Starbucks Lovers by @kiwiana-writes. E, 1.5k.

“That floor doesn’t look like it’s very comfortable on your knees, is all.” Henry leans forward, scooping out a piece of brownie that got under the counter, somehow. “I wouldn’t worry about that—my knees are quite used to it, I assure you.” A ringing silence follows this pronouncement, during which Henry focuses very hard on opening a trap door directly into hell with the power of his mind.

Or, five times Henry puts his foot in his mouth in front of his customer crush, and one time he puts his dick in his customer crush's mouth instead doesn't.

The wind in our free-flowing sails (and the liquor in our cocktails) by @kiwiana-writes. E, 1.8k. Henry is a speakeasy bartender, and Alex is the surface for body shots. Then they fuck about it. That's the fic.

black coffee and cinnamon rolls by viciouslyqueer. T, 2.1k. Alex walks into the coffee shop asking for a coffee and cinnamon roll. Henry tells him they don't have cinnamon rolls.

That doesn't stop Alex from coming back, though.

Make it Good by @smc-27. T, 3.7k. TurkeyOnRye is so hot Alex almost dies every time the guy walks in. Same thing every Tuesday. Turkey on rye, bag of chips, and a sparkling water.

“The usual?” Alex asks. TurkeyOnRye smiles at him, nods. “How’s your Tuesday?”

He gets the bread, he reaches for the knife, he tries not to cut his fucking hand off watching TurkeyOnRye push his hair back.

you're all that i need by @rmd-writes. M, 3.9k. “Alex.” Henry leans against the wall behind the counter with his arms folded, wearing a pale blue cable knit sweater with the sleeves pushed up and navy chinos. Alex wishes he wouldn’t because it only emphasises his forearms.

He crosses his own arms in response. “Henry.”

“Are you actually looking for a book?” Henry asks with a sigh. “Or are you just wasting my staff’s time?”

“That staff member is my sister.”

“I’m well aware,” Henry says drily. “Doesn’t change the fact that you’re probably wasting her time. Which book are you looking for?”

“Oh.” Alex grimaces slightly. “I’m not actually–” He exhales. “Hunter is in the coffee shop, so I got the fuck out.” 

ask a guy his name first by @coffeecatsme. T, 5.2k. British accent. Blue eyes. Alex doesn’t know how he’s supposed to handle any of that without an ounce of caffeine in his blood.

He gulps. “Name?”

“Henry.”

Alex’s shaky hands make the name look like Hanri, with a heart instead of a dot for the i. He drops a bag of Earl Grey in the cup, filling it halfway with coffee before he realizes his mistake.

The second cup, the name Hanriey scribbled on the side, makes its way to the counter.

Or, 10 times Alex "misspells" Henry's name and 2 times Henry does it. 

Stop, caffeinate, and listen by @clottedcreamfudge. M, 5.3k. The second Alex walked into Henry's coffee shop wearing a shirt that said 'fuck the patriarchy' - which is, he presumes, someone else's, due to the fact that it's a little small on him - he resigned himself to falling completely and hopelessly in love. Alex - jewel-bright and caustic, cinnamon coffee and curls that Henry wants to tangle his fingers in - is quite clearly straight, and Henry's foolish heart doesn't seem to care much for the limitations this puts on their interactions. He's lost, irrevocably, and Alex hasn't the faintest clue.

I Hear It (When I Look at You) by @affectionatelyrs. M, 5.6k. “Anyway,” the man—Alex, a glance at his nametag suggests—continues. “What can I do you for?”

Absolutely anything, Henry thinks. Preferably that thing you mentioned you’ve been practicing with your tongue to start.

Instead, Henry says, “I’d like…the tea,” which isn’t actually much better.

Alex smiles, a patient curve to his lips. Henry shouldn’t have allowed it to dismantle him one bit, given that the next thing he says is, “Do you want it hot?”

So hot, sweetheart. I bet you like it like that, want my breath right up against your—

“Do I want it— What?”

Or, The last thing Henry expects while ordering tea is to come face to face with the man whose dirty voicemail has fueled his fantasies for weeks

Will You Brie Mine? by @cha-melodius. T, 5.7k. Today, as Henry tells him all about the Manchego, Alex tries his best to listen and not fixate on the mole next to the corner of Henry’s mouth or the way his shoulders strain the seams of his white uniform shirt. It’s not a particularly easy task for him, in all honesty.

“Would you care for a sample?” Henry asks, as if Alex has ever said no to him.

“I’d love one,” Alex tells him instead of saying I’d like to sample you.

(Or, Henry sells cheese and Alex is somehow his best customer. It's not really about the cheese.)

One Order of Alex, Please by gaytriforce. T, 6k. Alex is just trying to reach his dreams of being a politician by putting himself through school on a lacrosse scholarship and the lackluster pay from his shitty barista job- but the job does have one upside: his favorite regular, a shy, beautiful, British stranger named Henry.

Bea's Bakes by ronans. NR, 7.2k. Well, here goes nothing, he thinks to himself. It’s the first time he’s had Alex alone in a while so now’s his chance. And if it all goes tits up he could maybe move to Paris and begin a career as a reclusive novelist like he’d always dreamed.

‘I hope I’m not reading this wrong, Alex, but would I be able to get your number?’

He can literally hear Alex’s breath catch as he stares at Henry like a deer in headlights. Scratch moving away forever, Henry may just cringe himself to death.

‘Was I that obvious?’

Or, Henry works in his sister's London bakery when the arrival of the Claremont-Diaz-Hollerans shakes things up in a way he wasn't expecting.

something good can work by arcticmaggie. T, 7.4k. Henry absolutely loves people watching. To catch others as they’re completely immersed in their own lives and their inner workings of relationships and struggles and accomplishments.

And today.

Henry feels a cramp settle into his hand as he’s already finishing his second page in 15 minutes after lifting his head and immediately settling his eyes upon the most beautiful man he’s ever seen.

or

Writer!Henry spends his afternoons people watching in a cafe to find inspiration for his writing.

Trials and Tribulations by @hillerskas. NR, 8.9k. ‘Shit.’ Alex looks up. There’s an unbelievably attractive man dripping rain all over the floor and holding a steaming mug of something right next to his table. Alex deduces that he’d come here to hide from the rain, bought himself a drink and only then realised that there were no empty tables to sit at. Cue Alex’s saviour complex.

Or, 5 times Alex’s favourite fic author’s notes don’t make sense and 1 time they absolutely do.

Have One (On Me) by @myheartalivewrites. E, 10k. "Henry moves on to help other patrons, and Alex tries not to stare. He’s beautiful, and graceful as he reaches around for glasses and bottles, and then he picks up a cocktail shaker and Alex has to look away as he sets his biceps to work again, shaking it. It’s distracting."

Alex goes to Shaan’s bar regularly. It’s almost a second home to him. But one day, there’s a new bartender working the bar. He’s hot and Alex is into it except… the guy’s wearing a wedding ring.

i know a place by @indomitable-love. M, 10k. The low light of the bar makes it easy to relax. There's a soft hum of chatter and a steady beat to the music that isn't overwhelming. It's easy; smooth dark wood and strings of multi-coloured lights with posters of pieces of history on the walls – pictures from Stonewall, Harvey Milk sitting on the top of a car riding through San Francisco; a poster of Bowie sits one wall next to Freddie Mercury against exposed brick. It’s comforting, safe. 

He doesn't even realise that the brightly dressed bartender has disappeared and been replaced by someone else until he looks back again to see a small woman with black hair in a plaid shirt. Behind her, the blonde guy, who is no longer looking down at his notebook, but looking right across the bar, at Alex.

wherein Alex is early to meet Nora at a bar that he does not realise is a gay bar and he starts to realise some things.

like snow on the beach (you want me) by coffeecatsme. T, 11k. That’s the thing about The Magical Brew. It only appears to those in need, to those who lift their heads from their work, to those who need just a little bit of magic to turn their lives around. The gate is rusty, the lawn overgrown from disuse, but to the one in need, it looks, perhaps, like the most magical place in the world. Alex wouldn’t exchange that for foot traffic and a few more coins in his pocket.

It’s the promise of helping out those in need that keeps The Magical Brew alive. Yet Alex still couldn’t have predicted just how much his life would change simply from a dimpled smile and blue eyes that brighten only in his presence.

Or, 5 times Alex offers a little magical help to Henry, and 1 time he doesn't have to.

and we danced by rizcriz. T, 15k. And we danced

Out there on that empty hardwood floor

The chairs up and the lights turned way down low

The music played, we held each other close

And we danced

or, Alex and Henry meet in a bar.

Take Your Time by @hgejfmw-hgejhsf. E, 15k. “I have an idea,” Nora pipes up, the siblings turning their collective attention on her as a shower of rainbow glitter drifts to the ground at her feet. “How about you find someone to spend the evening with? Just pick someone who draws you in, whether it’s vibes or looks or whatever, and ask them to be your date tonight.”

“I don’t need a date,” Alex retorts.

“No, but you want one, don’t you? You’re always complaining about being our third wheel. So go find a fourth and make it a whole car,” Nora teases, squeezing Alex’s cheek. He swats her hand away and throws up his middle finger. “I’m not asking you to pick out wedding rings. Just find a hot stranger in a mask to grind on for the night.” OR

Law student Alex Claremont-Diaz is dragged to a local up and coming gay bar to celebrate the New Year with his sister and best friend, where he meets the standoffish owner Henry Fox and asks him to spend a no strings attached evening with him.

Catalyst of Change by @uglygreenjacket. E, 17k. Alexander Gabriel Claremont-Diaz is American through and through, so how he found himself going to graduate school in Scotland and working in a coffee shop is still a little beyond his understanding.

And Prince Henry? Well, that's another thing entirely.

When Alex is outed in his last year of college, he packs up his life and tries his best to leave the trauma behind. It's all going fine until he collides, quite literally, with a future he never imagined.

Call Me By My Name by clottedcreamfudge. E, 24k. The fucked up thing is that this isn’t the kind of world where you can ‘not believe’ in soulmates; they’re a scientific fact. There have been studies, there’s a science dedicated to it - Alignment Science, which is just about the biggest heap of bullshit Alex has ever heard - and it is literally just how the world works.

Nobody has been able to adequately explain to him, however, how you end up with your soulmate’s name in your subconscious when you’re born, or why this is the way you have to get it out.

Alex doesn't believe in soulmates, and Henry doesn't believe in the likelihood of finding his. Enter: coffee shops. 

Bite Your Tongue on Purpose by Woodsarelovely. M, 32k. “Hey, man. Can I get a black coffee to go?”

“Er…” he says – a faintly bewildered expression on his face. “Yes, I imagine so.”

Turns out the guy is also British, which is like, whatever. Alex gives him one of his best smiles. “Great, thanks.”

Hot Barista glances vaguely around himself, then back to Alex. He looks simultaneously surprised and uncertain, like some kind of aggressively handsome time-traveller who’s been unexpectedly yeeted into a different century. After a beat, he says – “From me?”

“Uh yeah. You’re working here, right?”

“Well... yes?”

Alex tries very hard not to sigh.

Great. Looks like he’s dealing with one of those people who are so attractive, they’ve never had the need to develop any kind of personality beyond that of a Tupperware container of room-temperature potato salad.

Alex absolutely does not have time for whatever this shit is.

Five times Henry serves Alex coffee and one time Alex serves Henry.

Strap in, folks. It's a coffee shop AU ...Kind of. 

Notes in Orion by crownedpagesoflove. T, 34k. Alex goes to London to escape his own problems and falls in love with a handsome man with sad blue eyes.

coffee shop boyfriends series by @strwbrryfox. M, 35k. in which alex just really wants to be friends with his new co-worker, henry, who seemingly can’t stand him. things aren’t looking good for him after a couple of attempts to rectify the situation lead to him making a complete fool out of himself and, by extension, henry. but it’s fine because alex plans on turning all of it around when he pulls henry’s name for their staff secret santa. or the obliviouspining!alex x coffee shop x christmas x secret santa au that no one asked for.

I Get Drunk on Jealousy by aforgottennymph. E, 43k.

Something is crackling in the air, and as oblivious as Henry can be, there’s no mistaking the closeness of Alex to him, the dark look in his eyes that are piercing through his very being. Or maybe he’s just insanely drunk. Because in what other universe would his insanely gorgeous co-worker be looking at him with bedroom eyes, one hand gripping his forearm tightly enough to keep him in place, but not enough to bruise. “I think,” Alex says slowly, as though giving Henry a chance to protest, “that we should fuck.” “Excuse me?”

Henry dislikes doing things that he doesn’t excel at, this includes but is not limited to; baking, interior decorating and acting normal around drop-dead gorgeous men who have eyes he can practically dive into and drown in.

Unfortunately for Henry, his new job involves all three.

But Alex is straight, clearly, given how he flirts with every woman that comes through the door, which is fine.

Two can play at this game.

The Best Bar in the World by @pridepages. T, 76k. If someone had asked Alex to picture a gay bar, he probably would have imagined flashing rainbow lights, pounding club music, and a sticky dive floor coated in spilled beer and vodka. The last thing he would have thought of was this...

As Alex drank in the sight, his companion drew back heavy curtains, allowing sunlight to pour in from the quiet courtyard outside. The man turned back with a smile at the look of awe on Alex's face. "Welcome to Wilde's...I'm Henry, and it's a pleasure to meet you at last."

The same day Alex Claremont-Diaz is dumped by his boyfriend, he discover's Wilde's: the best bar in the world.

Or

The one in which Henry Fox owns a bar and falls for one of his regulars.

I only tag an author once per post, but I'm still figuring out firstprince author handles. If you see one I may not know or find a broken link, please give me a heads up!

Master List of RWRB FirstPrince Recs

Master List of Recommendations

[ficthots]

Envision

A/N: Here is the Josh piece that has been in the works for awhile. Thank you everyone for being patient. Don’t imagine what it would be like to move in with him and see your future together as you trapeze around the new house with one another. Don’t do that. Angst, smut, fluff, the kitchen sink. As always I hope you guys enjoy and let me know what you think!

Warnings: SMUT. 18+ only. DNI if you are under 18. Mentions of losing a family member.

Word Count: 10.4k+

If there was ever any advice one could offer it would be to carefully select the time of year you decide to move. Picking the middle of August during one of the hottest years on record was not precise planning. Instead of a comfortable and easy move, sweat was dripping from every crevice and soaking through any and all clothing. Hair was matted to necks and foreheads, you and your partner were flush from the still rising temperatures despite getting an early morning start, and everyone was on their way to assist with the endeavor. 

In the meantime, you peered around the empty space that had echoes bouncing off the walls and floors. Taking in what was going to be the most special place you would ever call home. The first place that you were going to share with another being that wasn't your annoying brother or parents. A wondrous and peaceful existence was on the horizon. 

His arms snaked around your waist, head resting on your shoulder, arms already sticky from the heat. “You don’t want to back out on me yet do you?” Your laughter mingled with his as he landed his lips on your cheek, facial hair tickling your skin. “Not yet. Maybe sooner if we don’t get the air conditioner running within the next few minutes,” he peeled himself off of you in search of the little box, hustling like his actual relationship with you depended on it.

As it rumbled to life a smile took over your features, seeing him standing across the space from you, leaning against what was now your own kitchen counter. Making your way towards him, you took in the large space, not used to having this much room, especially for only the two of you. 

The only noise that flitted through the room was the ac unit and when his hands found home on your hips, pulling you towards him, he looked around the kitchen. “I know you’re itching to host a dinner party in this space aren’t you?” 

Pulling your lip in between your teeth, you nodded with a shrug. “Amongst other things I want to do in here.” His eyebrows shot up, a smirk tugging at his plump lips, closing the distance as you wrapped your arms around his neck, fingers tangling in his locks. 

A surprised squeal left your lips as Josh poked your sides. Your lips were still hanging on his, arms wrapped securely around his neck as you laughed into him. His lips took the escape and attached to your neck as you attempted to move away from him.

“I hope you two haven’t been doing all of that while making our food,” Jake popped a piece of bread into his mouth as he finished talking, Jita lightly smacking his arm as she did. “Oh stop it, they’re adorable!” Your face warmed at their words, Josh moving to hug you from behind, a chaste kiss landing on your shoulder blade. 

Pointing to the salad bowls he needed to move to the dining table while you grabbed the remaining sides, your smile was positively glowing. Laughter was flowing in the house, candlelight moved on the walls showcasing all the different shadows of your guests animatedly moving about the space as they went to take their non assigned seats that they instinctively gravitated towards anyways. 

No one hesitated to start grabbing the food as it was placed down, knowing how the process worked after doing it so many times. “Sam, you are such a liar!” You shouted as you sipped from your glass, setting it down on the table as he eyed you, tilting his head as he did.

“Are you going to look me in the eye and say that you didn’t hit my car door on the pole in the parking garage?” Putting your fork down on your plate, your hands flew up, pointing at him. “I’m not saying that didn’t happen, but why it happened is where you’re lying!” He scoffed, stuffing his mouth with a bite of pot roast.

Shaking his head, he continued on. “I am telling the truth. You weren’t paying attention, let the door fly open, and now it’s scratched,” your jaw fell open, eyes widening as everyone laughed, talking over each other to try and get to the bottom of this.

Danny shrugged, leaning back in his chair. “I’m siding with the hostess. Sam you always leave out the details,” you smirked as Danny spoke, looking back towards the boy. “Thank you, Danny! That’s why you’re my favorite,” his cheeks pinkened at your words, Josh slamming his hands on the table and putting himself directly in your sight.

“Honey, I am right here!” Your hand came up, going to his cheek and pushing him back into his chair, not letting your eyes leave his sibling. “Yeah yeah, I know what I said.” His shocked look never left his face, pointing at the tallest brother. “Get out of my house you son of a bitch!” 

Laughter riddled everyone, using your napkin to wipe the tears from your eyes as Josh continued shouting obscenities at Danny, the latter going toe to toe with him. “Sammy! The only reason the door fucking flew open like you swear happened, which did not by the way, was because you literally fell getting out of your goddamn car, screamed bloody murder on the way down, and I thought you were dying!”

His cheeks burned crimson, tucking his long hair behind his ears, the red hue matching the bright red of his cheeks. Just like his brother, you thought to yourself. Sam mumbled the rest of the night, stabbing his food. Shooting you dirty looks as you continued conversation with the rest of the entourage. 

These were your favorite nights. When everyone was together, laughing so hard and often that your stomachs ached. Not only from the infectious giggles, but from the tremendous food. It was a tradition that you loved and that your partner was grateful for. Filling your home with wonderful memories was how it was supposed to be. How you loved it to be.

Of course, not only happy moments had been seen by these walls. 

Your hand rubbed his back as sobs wracked his body, trembling as he let out the emotions that were running through his mind. His own hands held his tear soaked face, trying to calm down and catch his breath, your free hand rubbing soothing circles on his wrist. 

“I feel so fucking stupid being this upset about it,” his words were cracked and small as his red and swollen lips moved. You shook your head as his hands dropped, turning to face you. “Baby, it’s not stupid. You have every right to be upset.” He nodded, eyes closing, happy that you were letting him feel and emote what he needed to.

Earlier that week he had gotten on a group Facetime with his parents and siblings, being told that they had decided to sell the family home. That it was time for them to move to something smaller, more manageable as they got older. The home that he had grown up in, that was the home base for everyone during the holidays, that he had dreamed of one day taking his own kids to. 

It was like permanently losing those memories and hopes for the future. Literally altering his hopes and dreams right before his eyes. He even kicked around the idea with his brothers about them all going in and buying it together. To keep it in the family. Use it as a vacation property. Something, anything, just to keep it. 

What they didn’t expect was for the home to be bought within seventy-two hours of being on the market. His parents had accepted right away of course, the offer far above asking price with a quick escrow. 

Josh had stormed into the house just an hour earlier, furious that they had sold it without letting them get a chance to even get an offer put together. What had been serious anger and resentment towards his parents had turned into immense sadness and grief. He had broken down so quickly you weren’t entirely sure when the switch had flipped, but you grabbed him, following him as he wandered the house. 

Sam and Jake had called him not too long after, themselves feeling the same turmoil that their oldest brother was going through too. Your partner left you in the kitchen alone, wanting a moment to speak with his siblings. You went to your pantry, grabbing the ingredients stocked for moments just like this. Just in case. 

By the time he had returned you were running the special treat through the powdered sugar, offering him a sincere smile as he saw what you had made for him. “Look, I know technically you’re not supposed to eat sugar and dairy and yada yada, but-” he didn’t let you finish, hands moving to cup your cheeks and bring you towards him, salty lips meeting yours. 

When he pulled back his forehead rested against yours, grabbing one of the rum balls off the cookie sheet and popping it into his mouth with a moan. His arms wrapped around your neck, crushing you to him despite your pleas of letting you go because of your messy hands, but it was to no avail.

He needed you and you were glad to be there and help him in any way you could. Even if it meant feeding him literally everything he wasn't supposed to be consuming. 

Assuring him that you were going to be there. Always.

There were a few things that had been consumed in one way or another that should not have been, especially in the kitchen. Like how your loving partner had you spread out on the kitchen island, bare back against the cool tile, devouring you like a starved man. 

To be fair, you had been apart for longer than normal, Josh having been on tour without you for weeks and when he first set sight of you standing in the kitchen, he couldn’t wait a second longer. 

It happened in a blur. Within the blink of an eye, your panties were stuffed in his back pocket, your fingers were linked together at your sides, and Josh’s tongue was in your entrance, lapping at you, bringing you as close to the edge as possible. 

Your moans were echoing off the walls, choking in your throat with every new movement he did. Changing from using his tongue to enter you, sucking your clit between his teeth and rolling it in his mouth, prying his hands from yours and alternating between rubbing fast circles on your nub and thrusting multiple fingers in you, all he wanted was for you to release on him. 

He was deprived of your sweet taste for far too long and he ached, longed, and craved the taste of you on him again. Your back arching off the countertop, eyes alternating between squeezing shut, the pleasure almost too much at once to handle, and forcing open to see the lewd sight below your waist. 

When his darkened eyes connected with yours, hooded with pure lust, not a single word uttered between you two, your head fell back, jaw hanging open, not a peep coming from you as you fell over the edge. Bright, hot, warmth shooting from your head to your curled toes. Body rigid as it contracted. 

Catching your breath, Josh met you as you sat up, the juices of your release glistening on his lips and chin, it was almost enough to send you spiraling again. His hand held the back of your neck as you sat up straight, connecting you in an exhausted kiss. 

“God, I missed you, stardust. C’mon, we need to get to the room now. I need to be in you, yeah?” You nodded, hopping off the counter and following him in a tangled meshed heap towards your room. 

“Jake, Danny, that bed frame is for the main bedroom! It’s down the hall and the last door on the right,” they both nodded at your pointing and started heading down that way as you unpacked boxes in the kitchen. 

When you heard a loud crashing noise from down the hallway they had just headed in, you dropped the utensils in your hands and quickly made your way towards them at the same time Josh appeared from one of the other rooms, having the same idea as you. 

“What broke?” You both asked in unison, standing in the doorway frantically trying to look around and see if anything had shattered. Jake’s hand came up, pushing stray hair strands from his face, skin flushed from the heat. “Now what makes you think it was us and not mom and dad in the bathroom?” 

You narrowed your eyes at him as Josh walked in, pushing him to the side as you saw what had broken. Jake’s smashed phone screen laid on the floor, the bed frame resting soundly on top of it. Your hand came over your chest, a large smile taking over your features as a large breath of relief flew from you. 

“Oh thank god, I thought it was one of our things. Be more careful, dumb dumb,” he pushed past you, mumbling curses under his breath as Danny’s giggles flowed behind him, trailing to go get more boxes. 

Your arms crossed over your chest as you watched Josh quietly move around the large room, not speaking any words to you at all. “What’re you scheming about now?” He seemingly jumped, almost forgetting that you were there entirely until a large grin broke across his face. 

Leaning to the side to see that his parents had left the ensuite and watching as his grin broke into a mind numbing smile, you wanted to know what had him so giddy. “Josh, what’re you thinking about?” Your laughter mixed with each word that left your mouth. He waved you over to stand with him in the center of the room.

His hands came up, making a frame where the boys had dropped the bed frame, closing one eye and tilting his head. “I just don’t know if that spot is the best place for our bed,” your brows scrunched together, tilting your head to match his to try and see whatever he was envisioning. 

“I mean is the lighting really the best right there? If we move it over towards the other side of the room we get more natural light there,” your head swiveled to see what he was thinking, still not fully understanding what he was so conflicted about. Truly, the bed looked great where it was. 

An exasperated sigh left his mouth, turning to face you with his hands on his hips, cheeks flushed and sweaty hair plastered to his face. “I want this film to be a work of art and in order for that to happen I need the best lighting possible,” his words were muttered out, mainly to himself more than anything, but your confusion only ran deeper.

“What film, baby? Are you guys doing a music thingy here or something?” His eyes went wild as his head whipped to you, a crazy look on his features at you. “What are you talking about, stardust?” Your hands flopped around, landing at your sides as you stared at him. “What are you talking about?” 

His gaze fell back to the bed, pointing at it as he did. “Our sex tape,” you rolled your eyes, turning around and walking out of the room as he called out after you, yelling that he needed your input for this. 

It didn’t happen often. Hardly anymore at all. That was the entire point of getting on this horrid medicine. To stop the ridiculously long, painful, and unmanageable menstrual cycles. The birth control had been your saving grace for the six years you had the implant, but when the clock dinged at the three year mark and it was time to get it replaced, the first week was hell.

Knowing to save your vacation, sick, PTO, anything you could to ensure you could stay home and rest was always the game plan. Josh was incredibly attentive this time around since he was home. The first time this had happened whilst you two were together he was gone on tour and could only help from afar. 

Heat packs, pain relief medicine, every period product that ever existed, food, whatever you needed he was there for. It was day four, the peak of the shit storm, and he was worried immensely. 

Not being able to keep down any solid food, not being able to sleep because of the unbearable cramping, constantly on the verge of tears from being so exhausted, hungry, and irritable. You were practically bed ridden, getting up every hour to change and clean up and only with his aid. 

Laying on your stomach, applying pressure with the heat pack was doing little to help relieve any sort of discomfort and pain, but when Josh entered your shared room, a tray with a cup of soup and a glass of water, his heart ached.

Seeing you in this kind of pain that he had no control or power to take away from you drove him mad. He slowly approached you, setting the tray on your nightstand table, moving to crouch next to the bed, coming eye level with you.

Your eyes were rimmed with tears, your nose stuffy from the tears that had already been shed, eyes slipping shut as his hand moved stray hair from your forehead, cupping your cheek, thumb sweeping across the soft skin. “How are you feeling, stardust?”

Josh’s voice was soft, one of the quietest tones you had ever heard him speak to you. The pulsing migraine was dwindling as the lights had long since been turned off, but the pain of everything else was nearly too much to bear. A constant stream of hot tears trickled down the tip of your nose, Josh’s thumb swiping at the stray wanderers. 

All you could do in response to his question was shake your head, eyes squeezing shut as more tears escaped through the cracks of your lids. Leaning forward, his plush, soft lips danced across your forehead, a heavy sigh accompanying his motion.

He despised this. Not being able to help you. Heal you. Soothe you. Your head rested on your arms, bent to cradle yourself whilst in this position, flinching as another sharp pain assaulted your lower stomach. 

Your lover refused to accept that there was nothing he could do to aid you. He jumped from his crouched position, making his way into the ensuite and moving towards the large soaker tub. Using every bath product you owned, he concocted the best bath he could. 

As the warm water continued to fill the tub, he came back to you, a soothing hand resting on your lower back, lips cresting the shell of your ear. “How about we go take a bath together, my love?” 

Your eyes shot open, showcasing the bloodshot, shining irises he adored gazing at, sensing your hesitancy about the notion. Sitting up slightly, your bottom lip pouted. “Joshy, I’m not gonna have you sit in the bath with me when I’m bleeding like I am. That’s gross,” Josh helped you sit up, still crouching between your legs, taking your hands in his, thumbs rubbing deep circles on the backs of them.

“Stardust, there is no part of you that is disgusting to me. It’s going to make you feel better. I read this article that a warm bath and a small abdominal massage can help alleviate some cramps. They said it’s best if a partner does it and I want to do this for you because it might be the thing that works. It’s one of the only things we haven’t tried. C’mon,” he stood, taking you with him into the steam filled room, shutting the door behind you to trap the humid air in the space.

Josh carefully undressed you as you held onto the counter, cowering over as another cramp hit you, shaky breaths fighting to escape you. His hand enclosed around yours, encouraging you to step into the tub. He followed suit immediately after you settled, his warm skin brushing against your bare back, arms coming to enclose around you and have you relax against him.

Trusting him to make this pain and discomfort go away. You weren’t sure how he did this. Managed to make you feel beautiful and wanted even when you felt like you were at your lowest. Where you felt safe and secure in his grasp as you felt like you were at your weakest. It was everything to you.

To Josh it wasn’t enough. Until he somehow figured out how to permanently take away all chance and possibility of you being even remotely uncomfortable it wouldn’t be enough for him. 

With your head back against his shoulder, eyes shut, savoring the warm relief, the sensation of his hands traveling the expanse of your dampened skin brought an immense sense of comfort in a time when nothing else could. 

His hands moved lower, leaving your arms alone, goosebumps left in the wake of his fingertips, a searing memory that he had left his mark there on you. Normally, you would have greatly opposed him getting anywhere near your stomach, embarrassment burning at you at just the mere idea of it, but not tonight.

Tonight, he was full of tender love and care, wanting to ensure you were going to feel better by any means necessary. Josh never gave a second thought to your fears of his wandering hands, knowing your boundaries and never disrespecting them. He felt a growing sense of admiration for you, letting him assist you like this, in an area you normally would have fought desperately for him to ignore. 

Even after all of the years spent with each other, there was always progress to be made and he saw you displaying that tonight. A new sense of trust being built in him. He adored you for it. Somehow fell more in love with you for allowing him to take care of you. 

The gentle pressure he applied to your abdomen at first, kneading at the skin, applying light force to soothe the tense muscles that were constantly constricting in pain. Your head lolled to one side, tucking your face into the crevice of his neck, nose brushing his pulse point, feeling the light vibration of his throat as he lightly hummed to an imaginary tone. 

It was the first time in a week you had felt true comfort and peace, your body’s screams silencing in that moment as he worked your lower abdomen. Cramps coming to a screeching halt, sharp pain dissipating before your eyes, sleep coming to take you in its grasp. 

Losing all sense of time, relishing in the temporary relief, you had never felt so loved. Knowing he was willing to climb into a now lukewarm bath, sit in what you could only describe as your own filth, just to give you any feeling of relaxation, letting your body take a momentary break. His love wrapped around you like a warm and secure blanket, weighing on your tired limbs to fully give in to him. 

When Josh felt wet markings on his skin, he was worried that he had only hurt you further, but when your hand came up to cup his smooth cheek, turning his head towards where you laid on him, connecting your lips in a tender greeting, he knew you were thanking him.

For what he was entirely unsure of. He thought this was his job, his duty, his responsibility. To make you safe and comfortable. He was also aware that you had never experienced care like this before and that it was still relatively new to you despite all he had done. 

And he was okay with that.

Laying in that tub, his forehead pressed against yours, both eyes closed, you both were welcoming the energy that radiated from both of you. Accepting it, savoring it, learning from it. Loving him.

Josh was always thinking about energy and the universe's messages. It was why meditation played such a large role in his life and why if he was ever going through struggles, something was bothering him, or if he simply felt the need to reconnect with himself and the world, he was meditating.

Did he always pick the perfect times to do this? Not always. Choosing a random Sunday at home, he was sat on your bedroom floor, the natural light filtering in through the gauzy curtains and bathing him in its gentle rays, incense burning on both nightstands, he was at peace.

When your partner had disappeared for over an hour, you weren’t sure where he had snuck off to. Freshly baked cookies were now cooling on the baking rack, grabbing one and tiptoeing around the house to see if you could locate him to give him a small treat, you called out to him as you saw your bedroom door slightly ajar.

“Joshy! Baby, I made cookies. I tried out a new recipe for you since you’re on a sugar detox right now-” you immediately stopped talking as you pushed the door open, seeing him sitting crossed-legged on the floor, eyes shut, but a tiny smile playing at his lips at the sound of your voice echoing through the house.

Your voice shrank down to a whisper, crouching in front of him, palm out with the cookie sitting in the middle. “Sorry, bug. I didn’t know you were meditating. Here, I’m going to leave it right here, okay?” You could tell he was trying to remain in his zone, only offering a brief nod as you placed it on his knee, placing a chaste kiss to his cheek and slinking back out of the room.

He fought the large grin that was going to take over his entire face as he peeked an eye open, watching you rush out of the room to leave him to his quiet. Refocusing, he took in a large breath, inhaling now the scent of the cookie that sat on his leg. 

Within just a few minutes of you leaving the room, he heard the door reopen, hearing you whisper shout to him as you walked past him, the smell of your perfume and sickly sweet scent of baking following you washed over him. “Ignore me, sorry, I just need to grab the laundry.”

Josh felt his lips quirking up, hearing you thump around in the closet and bathroom. Your head popped out alongside the doorframe, clearing your throat to signal you were going to speak again. “Baby, do you need anything washed? Nevermind, I’ll just wash what’s in the hamper. If you need anything else, you can just give it to me later.”

Knowing you were speaking more to yourself than to him, again, he nodded at you. He heard the door lightly shut behind you, hearing your footsteps pound down the hall towards the laundry room. 

Centering himself was proving to be more difficult than he wanted or hoped. Unable to find the balance he needed to continue with his hopes of today’s session in a timely manner, he heard the door open again. 

A small sigh and chuckle left his throat as you came trodding into the room once again. “I’m too tired to go grocery shopping today, so I’m just gonna order the groceries for delivery. What do you need my love?” 

Abandoning any desire to actually get anywhere with meditation today, his arms reached out, enclosing you in his grasp, pulling you down with him in a screaming giggling mess as he tickled your sides, attacking your face and neck with his lips.

“You are so damn distracting today, you know that?” His words came out between laughs and the small pecks he placed over the bare expanse of your face and throat. As you two continued giggling, he snatched the phone from your hands, going to order whatever groceries he was going to need for the week, pulling you with him to sit in between his legs. 

Josh checked his phone again, noticing the time and how close it was getting to your work dinner. He had been fully dressed for over an hour, leaning against the bed waiting for you to get dressed to leave in a timely manner.

“Stardust, we’re cutting it real close. You almost ready?” As he said that, his head snapped up to catch your figure rushing out of the restroom, two dresses in hand. “Which one?” His eyes went wide, seeing you only in the slip, silently panicking that you two were going to be late.

“They’re both beautiful, honey. Whichever you’ll be comfortable in,” checking the time again on his phone as you turned and faced the mirror, you switched between holding the two in front of your figure. Sighing exasperatedly, you faced him again.

“Maybe I should try both on to see, yeah?” He sucked his lips in between his teeth, forcing a smile onto his face as he nodded at you. “Sure, baby, yeah.” Josh’s hand ran across his jaw as he stood there waiting. 

When you came into the room wearing the first one, his face lit up, nodding enthusiastically. “That’s it! It’s beautiful!” Your head tilted as you eyed yourself in the mirror. “ So, I tried on one of the others, but I feel like it was too plain. I grabbed a different one, I just wasn’t sure about the other two. You don’t think it’s too booby?” Honestly, all he had been looking at was your cleavage, but he just needed you out of the house. 

The dress looked identical to the two you had held before, but he shrugged, nodding in agreement with you. “Oh yeah, I think you’re right.” Turning on your heel, you rushed back to the closet, stepping back out and when he saw the hideous dress on, he immediately shook his head. 

With another two dresses tried on, the next on your figure, skirt twirling around you as you spun in front of the mirror, he chuckled as you asked his opinion. “Trick question. Same dress!” Your eyes narrowed at him. “Thin ice,” turning around to grab another one, he sighed, head tilting back. 

His leg was bouncing uncontrollably, continuously checking his phone for the time. Four dresses later, he noticed you had put on one of the original two you had held up. “Okay, I think this is it. It’s one of the first ones I showed you,” he nodded his head, head cocked as he stared you down. 

“You mean the first one that you said was too plain? That one?” You nodded, eyes piercing his, clearly uncertain about your decision. “Okay, stardust. You look gorgeous in it, it’s the right pick,” he gave you a large grin, sucking in a heavy breath as he did. Your nervous smile took over your features, relaxing his own anxiety as you did.

You checked your phone, a small smirk crossing your painted lips, slowly approaching the boy. “You know, we still have a few minutes before we need to be out the door,” your hand moved down and cupped him through his dress pants.

He was already hardening, just at the thought. Despite every nerve in his body yelling that it was going to make you two unbearably late, he couldn’t bring himself to care. 

Josh turned you, leaning you over the edge of your bed. Lifting the skirt of your dress up, bunching it around your hips, he wasted no time undoing his belt and freeing himself. 

Your head turned to see his swollen, leaking tip rub against your dripping slit. A hiss escaping his lips as he pushed a flat palm between your shoulder blades, forcing you further down on the mattress.

When he sheathed himself inside you in one single thrust, a guttural moan ripped from your throat. His eyes slipped shut, head falling back with his mouth slightly ajar. Your warmth welcomed him and pulsated around him, begging him to move. 

Setting a quick pace as soon as he started thrusting, the sound of skin hitting skin echoed in the room. Your back arched lightly, letting him hit deep inside of you, feeling him brush against your walls, the sensitivity growing with each meeting.

Tears formed in the corners of your eyes that you forced away, knowing that you were going to have absolutely no time to redo your makeup if it got ruined during this. Your body jerked with the force of him slamming into you.

Knowing he was approaching his peak, his thrusts grew harder and sloppier, forcing you over the edge with an exasperated whimper. His light moans grew louder and deeper the closer he came to his climax and when it crashed into him, his entire body shook, a shiver running down his spine as he spilled into you.

Both of your chests heaved as you attempted to catch your breath. When he pulled out of you, you nearly begged him to stay inside, the sting of his absence from you sending an ache between your thighs. 

“How about we forget the dinner and you just stay here and do that again?” You spoke out between panted breaths . He laughed, lightly smacking your ass as he used the towel from your earlier shower to wipe you clean. 

When you stood up, adjusting your dress, you pouted up at him, pushing your bottom lip out. “If you’re good, I’ll top myself when we get home, okay?”

You perked at that notion immediately. Slipping your shoes on, you checked your phone, a small groan falling from your lips as you rushed out of the room.

“Josh, we’re going to be so late! Why didn’t you tell me what time it was?” 

All four boys carried the heavy antique wooden desk down the hall, being shouted at the entire journey to be careful of the walls whilst they all screamed at each other because, according to them, someone was lying about how much weight they were carrying.

“God, fuck this thing! This weighs a fucking ton!” Sam was screaming, everyone's faces contorted in extreme exertion as they tried to move as quickly as they were physically able to while trying to carry your desk to the office. 

You were bouncing around in nerves, watching as they tried to move gingerly, but you wanted to direct them more than you already were. “Shut up, Sam. That was my graduation present from my dad! Be careful with it,” you had never seen him look like he wanted to harm you more than in that moment. 

When they reached the room, they all dropped their corners, heaving as you ran it, giddy and jumping on top of it, cupping Josh’s face with your hands, planting a huge kiss on him. “Look at that, I left you breathless,” you laughed out while he shrugged, hands going to his hips. 

“Yes my darling girl, you did, not the nine hundred pound desk you just had us carry in from a hundred yards away,” your head fell back, a cackle escaping your throat. They all filed out, faces beat red, the group's hair up and out of the way, but you grabbed Josh’s hand before he could leave.

You sat in the extravagant desk chair you had purchased when you had gotten your dream job out of school, kicking your feet up on the desk, pretending to smoke a cigar, shooting him an expectant look with your eyebrows raised. “Whatca think? Do I look like I could purchase the world?” 

Crossing his arms over his chest, the tank top he was wearing allowing you to gawk at his bare arms as they flexed unintentionally. “You do. You look like an evil villain,” you nodded, a smile taking over your face as he said that. 

“Perfect. That’s exactly what I was going for.”

You were sitting at the desk in your office, staring at the computer screen that stared back at you. Searing anger was piercing through you. All of that work. All the extra hours. All you had been bending over backwards to do had been for nothing.

It had been thrilling when you were first told by your boss. The senior editor for your department at the publishing company you worked for was going to be coming available. Just do a little more, push a little harder, go above and beyond and it's yours. 

Fucking liars. 

Months of going the extra mile for your arrogant boss, being berated and belittled, too many late nights spent at this exact desk, sobbing because of the exhaustion that settled in your bones, begging you to rest. It terrified Josh at times, seeing you working like you did. He knew it wasn’t healthy by any means. You assured Josh that it was worth it. If you could get this promotion you wouldn’t have to deal with any of that again. 

Playing by your own rules. Being the boss. 

Today at work they gave you the decision. Saying that while they appreciated the hard work you had been putting in, they had decided to hire out. Someone else was better suited to the position they said. You left work early, not able to sit and deal with the insurmountable rage filling you.

You almost quit. Almost. 

Since you had gotten home that morning, you had just been sitting at your desk, staring into the void, trying to deal with the emotions you were feeling. Not wanting to deal with the reality of it yet. Having to tell Josh.

You hadn’t even noticed that the sun had gone down and how late it actually was. When your office door flew open, an excited and jumpy boy entered your space, your eyes reluctantly fell to him.

He approached you, tilting your head back, placing a chaste kiss that you weren’t even able to return to him before he started talking at lightning speed. “Baby, I have some fantastic news. Our last album did even better than the one before that and they’re sending us on tour again. Another stadium tour all over the world. We broke fucking records with it. God, I’m so fucking happy. All those late night studio sessions, slaving over the damn music. We get to perform for everyone again,” his eyes hadn’t even looked up to you, instead remaining glued to his screen as he plopped down in one of the plush chairs across the desk from you. Would have been able to tell immediately that something was wrong.

Had he just looked up.

You weren’t sure why what he was saying and how he was acting was affecting you this way, but you felt your throat get tight, tears welling up in your eyes, burning them as you tried to blink them away. “What?” Was all you were able to choke out, Josh not even noticing the tone in which you had spoken in.

“Yeah, it’s great isn’t it? We’ll get to go to Europe again. We can finally try that one place you wanted to go to that had that hot chocolate with the-” you stood so quickly from where you had been seated the chair fell over behind you, finally getting his attention to you for the first time since he had been home. 

His head snapped back, confusion etched across his soft features at the absolute fury that was plastered to yours. Your hand was shaking, pointing at the door as you seethed out to him, jaw trembling as you did. “Get the fuck out,” his eyes widened at your words that were spoken in such a bristling tone, goosebumps erupted over his skin.

“What? Baby-” you cut him off as he stood, reaching for you, but you grabbed the book on your desk and threw it in his direction, screaming at him that he needed to get out. Josh held his hands out in front of him as he ducked from the flying leather bound book, a wild expression on his face, never having seen you like this before. 

Your chest was heaving, refusing to turn around and look at him, eyes squeezed shut as you shook uncontrollably. Your name softly fell from his lips, unsure how to proceed. “What the hell is going on? What happened? What did I do? Is it about the tour?”

He didn’t make any advances toward you, rooted to his spot. He watched as you whirled around, the anger still prevalent in your eyes. “Yes! Of course it’s about the fucking tour! You know why it’s so fucking unfair? Huh? Do you?” He shook his head, not wanting to speak over you as you shouted into the quiet room.

“Because you’ve already done it! You have already fucking made it to the top! I work like a goddamn slave for months. Months. And I get told that it isn’t enough! That-that, my hardest fucking efforts were for nothing!” His gaze softened immediately. 

His voice was barely above a whisper as the realization of what happened today dawned on him. “You didn’t get the promotion,” you hardly heard him, continuing with your screaming rant. “I spent countless hours obsessing over that work. Taking on the work of three, three, people! I didn’t sleep! I missed my moms birthday for fucks sake!” Hot tears trailed down your cheeks, choking on your words, a bitter laugh bubbling up. 

Josh tried to move towards you, but you held a hand up to him. “No, no! It’s not fucking fair. Everything is happening for you and not for me! I play by the rules. I do it right. I do exactly as they say and it’s still not enough. It’s not fair!” Your sobs wracked your body, crumpling to the floor as you heaved. 

When he attempted to come to you again, you moved away from him, telling him he needed to get out. It wasn’t right to be upset with him. It had nothing to do with him, really. Just hearing that they were getting to go on tour again and reap the rewards of another job well done had tipped the scales. 

At some point you had moved back into your chair, resting your head on the cold wood and crying to yourself silently before finally falling asleep. You jumped when you felt a hand land on your back softly, jerking you from sleep. Josh crouched down as you calmed down, taking your hands in his.

Your face crumpled as you saw his large eyes carefully observing you. “I’m so sorry,” you whispered out, your bottom lip shaking. He didn’t respond, only landing one hand to the back of your head, cradling it as you fell into his embrace. His arms wrapped securely around you, dotting kisses to the crown of your head as you fell apart again.

When you tried to speak, removing your face from the crook of his neck, he shook his head, pushing you back. “I know, stardust, I know.” Josh held you like that for god knows how long, letting you calm down before gently standing you both up and leading you to your room.

Knowing it was time for you to rest. You could deal with the rest tomorrow. 

Giggles flew from both of your mouths as you blindly let Josh lead you down the hall. He claimed he had a surprise for you, but that he needed to blindfold you for the full effect. He always had a flair for the dramatic. 

He stood behind you, speaking into your ear, lips ghosting over the shell as your smile beamed, thrilled to see what he had been doing for the last month. You heard the door open in front of you, Josh gently nudging you inside before he ripped the cover off your eyes.

As they adjusted to the new light, a gasp fell from you. Your hand came up to cover your mouth. Eyeing the transformed space, you were in awe. What had once been your shared office was now a combination of an office space and your dream library. 

The dark wood built in shelves that covered three of the four walls had ornate details on them, your expansive book collection taking up some of the new sheving, your desks facing each other from opposite sides of the room. You couldn’t move, wanting to take it all in from where you were.

You turned, throwing yourself into his embrace and wrapping your arms around his neck. His laugh rumbled against your chest as you peeled away from him, starting to move around the room. “Do you like it?” You only nodded, rendered speechless from the insane amount of planning and work he must’ve done to get this completed.

“Josh, I don’t-I don’t even know what to say. Thank you,” your fingers traced over some of the carvings in the wood, turning your attention to him, tears sitting on your lashes as his breathtaking smile greeted you.

His head fell, arms clasped behind his back, cheeks a bright pink as his bashful side made its appearance. This was the side of Josh that you adored. The one that went out of his way to do things like this for you, but when showered in praise about it, he couldn’t handle it. Doing it simply out of the kindness of his heart and the simple joy that filled him when he saw your excitement. 

He would do it a million times over just to see you smile.

But of course, he couldn’t let you have a nice moment like this, eyes darting up to you and shrugging. “I’ve always had a professor student fantasy and this is the exact replica of it in my mind,” your smile fell, tears stopping as you slapped his chest, a stone cold, serious look on your face.

“Way to ruin it, Josh. Seriously, what the hell?” Your false facade cracked as you started cackling with him, letting him take your hand and show you all the details that had gone into the making of the room.

Your eyes were focused on the side of his face, seeing how animated he became as he grew more excited about whatever topic he was discussing. Truly, you had never seen a more beautiful being than him. Grateful didn’t even begin to cover what you felt for him.

His head turned to you, taking his lips in between his teeth, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “What?” You leaned into his side, inhaling deeply. “Nothing. I just love you is all,” his cheeks burned at your words, kissing your forehead before continuing on again.

“Where are we putting the couch?” Your hands went to your hips, turning around in the living room to view all of the empty walls. Karen spoke up, pointing to the far wall. “Well, tv has to go there, so I’m assuming there, right?” She pointed to the opposite side. 

You nodded, turning to look at the boys who were simply awaiting orders, beaming at them. “Yes, there please.” Turning your attention back to your original task, you sighed. The box you had just opened had the contents of your gallery wall in it, gnawing on your lip as you tried to eye the space of where it could go.

The first frame you grabbed a smile breaking across your face. Wiping the sweat beading on your forehead, you jumped at Karen’s voice. “You know, that’s one of my favorite pictures of you two?”

Holding it out further to get a better look at it, you sighed contently, nodding in agreement. “It’s a great one. Especially for Sam having taken it,” you both erupted in a fit of laughter as the thudding of the guys arrival in the room tore you both out of the space you had been in.

Josh grinned at you both, approaching you two. “What’s so funny?” You handed him the frame, seeing his brows furrow. “What?” You shook your head, arms crossing over your chest. “No, we were just saying it’s a great picture of us. Especially since the challenged boy over there took it,” his head perked up at the mention of himself.

He crossed the room, ripping the frame from his older brother's hands, smiling at it. “Oh yeah, that’s right. As payment for this wonderful capture of you two, I suggest you allow me to aid in unpacking boxes instead of moving heavy furniture inside,” Josh took the frame back, pushing it into your hands, eyes still on his sibling.

“Nope. Back outside, we’re almost done, let’s go,” he groaned, allowing Josh to push him through the door. You rolled your eyes, sighing with a smile as you looked back at the picture in your hands. 

“One more. Please, the most beautiful light of my life, just one more?” He had the camera over his eye, focusing the lens as your hand reluctantly dropped, letting him take another picture, refusing to smile. He groaned, removing the camera, pouting at you.

“C’mon, one more smile for me? You know we’re going to look back on these photos one day when we’re old and wrinkly and reminisce about our great European trek together all those years ago.” You didn’t budge, not buying into his sappy tale. It was a million degrees outside, not a single building had air conditioning, and you couldn’t get any ice in your drinks anywhere.

His brother came over to you both, taking the camera from Josh, pointing at you. “Go with her. I’ll get a good one of you two,” he eagerly came over to you, wrapping his arms around you from behind, resting his head on your shoulder, tangling your fingers together over your midsection. 

“You know, I’ve been wanting to take you back to the hotel and just absolutely destroy you for wearing that dress, right?” Sam was still fiddling with the camera as Josh stood behind you, whispering into your ear, a smile still plastered on his face for the camera. “That’s why I wore it. You know that every time the breeze lightly picks up it brushes against my tits and I know you can see my nipples,” he groaned, tightening his hold on your hand. “I haven’t worn a bra in days. Panties either. Too hot, you know?” 

Sam cursed under his breath, staring at the screen on the camera, obviously having fucked it up in some way, but you didn’t mind, enjoying this little back and forth with Josh. “You’re a fucking tease, you know that?” Your head turned, batting your lashes at him as you nodded. 

“Oh I know, daddy. I can feel how hard you are right now. Must be so uncomfortable. ‘M so sorry,” his eyes darkened at your words, jaw setting as he leaned into your neck, before attacking your sides with the tips of his fingers.

Your jaw fell open, a screaming laugh escaped your lips as he laughed with you at the exact moment Sam finally got the camera back on and snapped the picture of you two. “Got it!” He shouted triumphantly, handing the camera back to his brother as Josh rolled his eyes, still laughing with you.

“You’re a fucking genius, Sam.” When you went to walk away, Josh held you firmly to him. “Don’t move for a second,” your brows contorted, realizing in a moment's notice why you couldn’t move, Josh’s cheeks burning from the warm weather and his clear arousal. 

Kissing his cheek, you laughed, uttering an apology as he narrowed his eyes at you. “I know you’re not sorry, you little minx,” you both erupted in a fit of giggles, able to move a minute later. 

Ten, nine, eight

The countdown was happening so fast, your eyes were darting around the room for your partner, seeing everyone else pair up as it drew closer.

Seven, six, five

You couldn’t see his mop of curls anywhere. Your smile fell, thinking you were going to miss your New Year's kiss. 

Four, three, two

Sighing, your head dropped, not knowing where he was or where he could have gone. This was going to be the first time since you two had been together that you were going to miss the New Year’s kiss. 

One

As everyone cheered, confetti flew onto your living room floor, you felt arms grab you, dipping you back as his lips landed on yours. You nearly screamed into his mouth before realizing who it was. 

As he stood you back up, laughing, you were not as amused, trying to fight the urge to smile at him. “You’re a jerk. You almost missed it!” He waved you off, wrapping an arm around your waist and dragging you closer to him. “Never, baby, never.” 

Letting him kiss you again, you pulled back when you felt a pair of glasses slide onto your eyes. You turned and saw Danny with a huge smile. “It’s the New Year, need the glasses!” He had a horn hanging from his lips, mumbling out as he put some on Josh, too, clearly plastered beyond belief. 

Josh kissed you lightly, speaking against your lips as he did. “Happy New Year, stardust. This is our year, okay? I feel the energy of it already,” you nodded, pulling him back to you, sealing that fate together.

Knock out, drag out fights were not normal with you two. In fact, there had only ever been one other you two had experienced. Sure, little spats here and there were normal, you were only human, but arguments that escalated into freeze outs were not.

It had been four days since either of you had said a word to each other. You had only looked in his direction once in those last four days, he probably hadn’t even done that. The two days before that, the only words issued to one another were jabs at the other.

Honestly, you couldn’t even remember what it was about, but you knew you were right. When Josh got upset, his logic went out the window, taking everything personally. It drove you mad. He tried to twist everything you said to him. 

In his mind, you were outright attacking him. The more you spoke, the further the divide grew between you. Harsh words that you really didn’t mean had been said anyways, not caring about the after effects of them. Both of you had said things you were going to regret, but in that heated moment, it didn’t matter. Four days of not speaking was a record. You both were on edge from work, he and his siblings spending late hours at the studio recording their album, you pulling all nighters to meet deadlines, the stress was too much. 

Staying away from each other was the right call. 

He was sat at the soundboard, beyond pissed at how he had sung some of the verses of this song, hearing it play into the room. He actually cringed, shaking his head and getting up to go back into the booth, exhaustion evident on everyone's faces. These continuous late night sessions were wearing on everyone, too many in a row not cohesive for creativity. 

Nearing two in the morning, it was the goal to finish this single song tonight. By any means necessary, it just had to be done.

As he got ready to begin, Jake’s voice echoed through the booth. “Hey, she’s calling you,” Josh shot daggers at his brother for interrupting him for that. He absolutely was in no mood to speak to you at this moment. “Silence it and put it on do not disturb,” Jake gave him a thumbs up, doing as he said. 

As the music began playing in his ears, only getting a minute or so in, it stopped again. He wanted to break the glass. “She hit send anyways on the message, has called you multiple times, and now she’s calling all of our phones. Take five and call her please so we can just finish this sometime tonight,” Jake’s irritated tone rang through the room.

Josh stormed out of the booth, grabbing his phone as they all watched him. “I’m not taking a break, we need to get this done. Just hold on,” he saw the multiple missed calls on his phone and his siblings phones and only grew more irritated.

When it only rang once, he didn’t let you talk, immediately starting. “If I do not answer, do not call anyone else-” his voice was cut off by your wails, sobs being screamed out into the phone.

His brothers eyes all widened, hearing it through the phone speaker, heads snapping in the direction of Josh. At some point as he tried to get you to tell him what was happening, his stomach sank, the worst feeling he had ever experienced worming its way into his body. He wanted to vomit.

When he hung up, he stood still, not knowing what he needed to be doing in that exact moment. When it all clicked, he frantically grabbed his coat and keys, patting his pockets to ensure he had his belongings. “What the hell happened? Is she okay?” Sam finally asked, seeing the panicked reaction of him. Josh shook his head, harshly rubbing at his eyes. 

“Her dad died.” 

A hushed silence fell across the room, their jaws hung slack at his words. Everyone had met your dad on multiple occasions, loving how funny and happy go-lucky of a person he was. His wedding toast to you two had everyone bursting at the seams from laughter before having the crowd on the verge of tears. He warmed any room he entered, leaving a great impression on everyone he had ever encountered. Truly, the funniest and one of the greatest people he had ever met. 

Danny jumped up, pulling him into a crushing hug. “Go, go now. You call us if you need anything.” Josh wiped at his eyes, running out of the building to his car. All he could think about the entire drive home was how he wasn’t there. The one time you needed him the most he wasn’t fucking there.

It was a promise you two had made to one another. To always be there despite whatever may happen. That was how it had to be. And he wasn’t there.

He had no idea what you two had been fighting about. Something about car registration that had just spiraled out of control. His ego too fragile to suck it up and just apologize, now speeding home to be there for you when he should’ve been there all along. 

As he pulled into the driveway, he barely turned his car off before sprinting into the house. Breathing heavily, his frantic eyes fell on your weeping figure sitting in the middle of the floor. He didn’t hesitate, throwing himself on you, crushing you to him.

His hand smoothed the top of your hair down, rocking you as you howled. “I’m here, stardust, I’m here.” It was all he said as he held you, trying his hardest to console you, and it was all you needed to hear.

That he was there. That he was going to be there. No matter what. 

He tried to sneak out of the bedroom without waking you, almost too excited to wait for your alarm to go off, wanting to wake you instead. Holding off, he slinked out of the room seeing that all of his preparation from the night before was still holding up.

Balloons sat on the ceiling, not a spare inch of space visible. Multiple flower vases scattered the open counter space. A few presents wrapped and waiting for you on the coffee table. Your favorite playlist he had curated for you playing lowly from the speakers. 

You were a creature of habit and familiarity. All of your favorite things came from what you knew. 

Your favorite food of all time was not the best cut of steak that you had ever been served in Japan, but instead a hash brown omelette Josh had made one weekend when you two were about to leave from a cabin trip and he needed to use the groceries in the fridge. Your favorite coffee wasn’t from the cafe in Colombia, but the mocha he made for you with the cheapest coffee beans he had purchased from Trader Joe’s on a whim. Your favorite flowers weren’t the ones you picked from the tulip fields in The Netherlands, but the four dollar bundle you would get from the farmers market every week. 

It was what he loved about you. That your favorite things in the entire world were what you could have any regular day, but that they came from your regularites. It was the idea that Josh had spent the time to make you breakfast and concoct the perfect coffee for you. That the cheap bouquet you got reminded you of the ordinary Saturday’s you got to spend with him. 

When you came trodding out of the bedroom and your eyes set upon the smattering of decorations, your eyes widened. “Josh?” He came from the kitchen a second after, your coffee in hand, omelette in the other, a large kiss landing on your cheek as he walked by. “Happy birthday, stardust.”

His arms wrapped around you, holding you close to him as he inhaled the warm tones of your perfume that always lingered on you despite not having sprayed it recently. The warmth that radiated from you and transferred to him that signaled you were there. That you would always be there. 

It was what you knew. It was what you were grateful for. It was what you looked forward to each and every day. 

The house had gone quiet as everyone left. Leaving you and Josh alone in your home for the first time. Seeing what progress had been made today, but all of the work that still needed to be done. Choosing to ignore all of that, peering around at all of the rooms. 

Envisioning what memories were going to be happening here, within these walls. All of the love, heartache, laughter, and tears that these rooms would see. 

But it would all be okay. Because you were going to be there with Josh. And he was going to be there with you.

He leaned against the wall, arms crossed as he eyed you, a tired smile across his lips. “You ready, baby?” You matched his expression, crossing the room and engulfing yourself in his grasp, leaning your head against him with a nod. 

“Always.”