#it was so much fun running our silly little backyard course

[fayeandknight]

Excuse the extremely diy jumps, lol. But after watching @blueboyluca go through handling options I really wanted another try at it.

But life and dog training don't always go according to plan. I only had enough make shift supplies for three jumps instead of four. So for Faye, I skipped the first jump because I couldn't make it comfortably low enough for her. I ended up going with a rear cross as it worked better for her and I in supporting off side weave entrance.

For Forte, he was really struggling with not cutting out the middle jump so I dropped the weaves and just worked on the three jumps.

While it wasn't what I set out to practice, it was nice to be able to really take the time to work through each piece and then start putting them together. I tend to feel rushed in class due to my own anxiety and the knowledge that other people are waiting for their turn. But most importantly, the dogs and I had a lot of fun.

[b0rista]

i keep seeing dad!levi on the tl and i cant stop thinking abt him as a dad😩 can i request drabble/hc/fic of levi and his s/o adopting gabi and falco🥰 no thoughts. just dad!levi brainrot go brrrrt

— ADOPTIVE FATHER! LEVI HEADCANONS + FALCO & GABI. ♡︎

AUTHOR'S NOTES: gn! reader.

never would you have ever expected to take in a pair of children as your own. better yet, never would you have ever expected him to. while you knew his soft side all too well, everyone has their limits.

gabi and falco moving in with you and levi likely just,, happened. a temporary housing for them, considering they had nowhere else to go. seeing as though imprisonment for a second time was a bit of a reach, it was a minor debate within headquarters regarding what to do with the two. through careful consideration, your lover made a decision.

what better way to supervise them than in our own home?

of course, the thought conflicted you. the enemy, living with you? sure, they were barely teenagers, but that didn't make them any less capable of murdering you in your slumber.

knowing levi, though, that would never be the case. the man was already the world’s most calculating insomniac, lord knows he’d never let either of those kids out of his sight. especially not around you. 

nevertheless, your guys’ experience living with the remaining warriors of marley would be far more different than either of you would ever think to realize. 

ACTUAL HEADCANONS BELOW: ⇩︎

to your surpise, falco’s quite literally the sweetest pre-teen to ever roam the earth. of course, you’d only assumed it was all an act. that was,, until you genuinely caught him attempting to befriend levi's horse one morning. he was outside holding a fistful of grass, holding it out to the thing as if it were some sort of a beast. eventually, you joined him, and you showed him just how to handle it. and while the boy seemed skeptical at first, you saw that glimmer in his eyes the moment the horse allowed him to pet its mane. from the window, levi only watched.

speaking of levi's horse, that thing absolutely despises gabi. you're not quite sure why, but it does. you've literally had to run out and claw her hair out from between its teeth before— she's scReaminG, you'Re screaming, even the horse is screaming.

"why does this keep happening to me?!"

"this has happened befoRe?"

whenever either of the two children curse, levi's quick to correct them. despite having quite the foul mouth himself, he doesn't hesitate whenever he has to toss out a blunt "language."

^ at first, they were bitter. with time, though, they stopped swearing.

a key moment in time that helped develop you and falco's relationship was one afternoon where he was helping you out with yard work. somehow, his little crush on gabi came up, and the two of you got to talking about it. after giving him some genuine, appropriate advice for a kid with a crush, he really did start looking at you differently.

as for levi and gabi, those two bonded over intense, hilarious training. he found her punching the air in his backyard, and decided to drop in with a few sarcastic pointers. somehow, it ended in him kicking the poor girl around like a rag doll— not violently, he never hurt her. instead, he fended off each and every attack she fired at him, leaving her absolutely exhausted. she was tired out, and he was perfectly fine. imagine gabi, laying on the ground, tired as shiT, and levi, gently nudging the toe of his boot into her side:

"you can fight, but you're messy. if you ever stand a chance at surviving this war you started, i suggest you clean up your act."

cue gabi, glaring.

"if you care so much, then help me become better."

and so he did 🥺🥺 the two bond over levi practically coaching her, and as the days merge into weeks, she grows to actually respect levi, and maybe even look up to him.

basically, while you and falco live your cottagecore lives and bond over horses and apple picking, levi and gabi beat the everliving shit out of eachother in the backyard. it's a great balance.

for the first couple of nights, eating at the dinner table with those two was disgustingly awkward. it was utter silence, nothing more. however, one night, falco dropped his fork, and when he bent down to get it, he looked underneath the table for a milliseconD— there levi was, leaned down, stArinG at him. it was both hilarious and terrifying altogether, and falco ended up screeching and knocking his head into the table, hard.

"I WAS GETTING A F O R K-"

"and? gRemlin."

it surprised all of you, hearing gabi laugh. a genuine, real laugh. eventually, that turned into a conversation. and after that, you had conversations during every dinner. the development process was cruel, but worth it.

the kids help you prepare breakfast in the morning while levi downs his fourth cup of tea at the table, and it's always cute. because of you, falco knows how to make scrambled eggs! and also because of you, gabi knows how to prank somebody using an uncooked noodle. literally, she just places a piece of it between her teeth, pretend to crack her nose, and crunch. she made falco scReAm, and levi just looked at you like 🤨 bitch, tf are u teaching her

now, this was around three months into supervising them. one night, they were sitting alongside you on the sofa, and you were reading them a story. while falco was into it, gabi thought it was silly— still, though, she listened. eventually, they passed the hell out on either side of you. you drifted off, as well. when you woke up, you'd woken up to levi, his head rested onto your lap while his knees prop him up from the floor. by the looks of it, he wanted to be included.

whenever either of them step out of line, they earn a swift flick to the forehead from levi. it's a daily thing. gabi says something stupid, flick. falco slacks off during chores, flick. one time, gabi tried flicking him back, and it just started a flick war. you were done with all three of them.

both gabi and falco love telling you about marley's technology. you'd never heard of such things, and to know that they exist? shit, the look on your face is priceless. they absolutely adore getting a reaction out of you, and they often butt heads over who gets to tell you what. when they do, cue the overly aggressive forehead flicks from levi.

while levi told you not to, you couldn't help yourself. you showed them just how cool it is to use ODM gear. of course, they lost their shit, because holy hell that looks fun. your boyfriend, of course, caught you swinging from tree to tree while the two children gawked at you, and he gave you a stern talking to. before he did, though, that motherfucker joined you in the trees. again, the kids lost it.

"loOKATTHEMFALCOLOOKLOOK-"

"i'MloOokinG-"

eventually, they just think you guys are the coolest people they've ever come across. which stirs up one heLL of an identity crisis for gabi, because,, lol aren't y'all devils or sum?

[inkandpen22]

Still Into You

Pairing: Sirius x Female!Reader 

Warnings: so much fluff 

Word Count: 1.1k

Summary: Y/N and Sirius have been dating since Fourth Year (1 year). As they lay in the courtyard after classes, they talk about their future and Sirius is deep in it. 

A/N: Lowkey based on “Still Into You” by Paramore. I was tearing up at the end a little bit lol. I just love Sirius so much the king deserved better! The fluff in this thing is astronomical. 

Masterlist

Sirius and I lay on a blanket in the courtyard of Hogwarts. After a day’s worth of classes, this is our favorite pass time. He props himself up on his elbows, tilting his head back to soak in the warmth of the sun. I lay with my head on his stomach, using it as a pillow while we continue to discuss our future. Sirius loves making plans and comparing ideas about our lives after we graduate. Sometimes during class, he’ll lean over and whisper to me that he’s just thought of a brilliant new baby name or where we could have our wedding. One time he suggested we name our kid Jamie... you guess why. I offer him my interest briefly to satisfy him, then remind him to pay attention to the professor. 

I love that Sirius gets excited about us still, it’s as though everything is new though we’ve been together for over a year now. After all this time it’s like we’re still in the ‘honeymoon stage’ as people call it. 

“Will we have pets?” He asks next, gently petting my hair.

I hum, “at least two dogs! Maybe a cat. I’ve always wanted a bunny!”

“Well you already have a dog right here so now we only need to get one,” he jokes... somewhat. 

I scoff, dismissing his silly idea, “you don’t count.” 

He huffs dramatically, acting offended as he presses a hand to his chest. “How do I not count?!”

“You’re not always a dog!” I justify, laughing at my silly boyfriend. “Plus, there’s no way I’m grooming or cleaning up after you.”

Sirius pouts, apparently he really wanted to considered one of the family pets, what a goof. I imagine Sirius in his dog form playing with our future dogs in the backyard... yeah that’s weird. 

“City or country? I’m assuming country considering you’re wanting a zoo,” he teases, poking my side. 

I roll my eyes plafully, ignoring his mockery. “I prefer the city, don’t you? It’ll make getting to work easier and it’s more lively.”

“Cities aren’t safe with young kids though,” he reasons, uncharacteristically responsible and serious. It’s cute. 

“True,” I agree, nodding slowly. “But if they’re anything like their father they’ll find trouble anywhere they are,” I poke fun, peering up at my boyfriend. 

He scrunches his nose, narrowing his eyes at me warningly with a smirk. “How many kids do you want?” He moves on. 

“Four,” I answer without a moment’s hesitation. “If I accidentally get pregnant after that then we have to have six.”

He snickers at my clear cut decision. “and why’s that?”

“Even numbers!” I explain as if the reason was obvious. “That way everyone has a partner for road trips and roller coasters.”

Sirius laughs and I feel the vibration from his stomach beneath my head. “Roller coasters? Those muggle rides that go really fast and upside down?”

“They’re so fun! I’m sure you’ll love them! We have to go to an amusement park someday,” I declare, already adding to our future plans.

“With our four-plus kids,” Sirius adds as a reminder and it makes me smile uncontrollably.

I love it when he talks that way, with such certainty about us. “What about you?” I repeat his question back, “how many do you want?”

“Doesn’t entirely matter to me,” he admits with a shrug. “I don’t have a specific number like some people,” he teases. “But I’m positive that I want kids and more than just one, so they’re not lonely.”

I roll onto my stomach to face him, “and when would we have these kids?”

“Right after we’re married!” He decides enthusiastically, laying down completely onto the blanket. 

“When would that be? I mean, do you want to wait or-”

“Well if I told you that then you’d figure out when I plan on proposing!” He states a matter-of-factly with raised brows. 

“Wait...” I stare at him in astonishment. “You already have that planned too?” This is news to me. 

“Of course,” he says so casually with a shrug. “Have since Third Year.”

“But we weren’t even dating then,” I giggle. 

“So? I had liked you for three years at that point. Since we met on the train,” he explains, reaching up and brushing strands of hair behind my ear. 

“Can you at least give me a hint?” I request, biting down on my lip. “That way I can mentally prepare.” 

“‘Mentally prepare?’ Does the idea of me proposing make you nervous?” He teases again. 

“Yes! You know surprises make me anxious!” I defended. “Then, it’s also like a ticking time bomb. I’ll be constantly wondering when it’s going to happen!”

“Okay, okay! I’ll give you a hint,” he complies, rubbing his hand gently up and down my back to calm me down. “It’ll be before we graduate.”

I leap up to sit on my knees, “so soon?!”

He hums, sitting up to be at myself as he struggles to suppress a grin. “If that’s alright with you of course.”

“I mean, yes,” I express, not necessarily lying but the thought of being engaged in the two years is kinda of daunting. “You know I want to marry you one day, but why so soon?” I ask, wondering why Sirius wants to hurry things if he’s so certain we’re going to end up together in the end. 

He cups my face, admiring me with soft eyes. “Because...” He speaks so gently it nearly sounds like a whisper. “I want to live together after we finish school and I know your parents won’t allow it unless we’re engaged or married.”

Merlin, I love this boy. I love his certainty, his confidence, his gentle side, his rough side, his words, his beautiful mind. I love everything about him, even the parts that get on my nerves. 

I laugh breathlessly, amazed and overwhelmed by what I feel for Sirius. “You really have thought of everything, haven’t you?”

“Started when we were eleven, Darling,” he grins. 

I lean forward, meeting his lips for a gentle kiss. The sensation never gets old or boring, but grows in familiarity. 

Sirius pulls back, staying inches from my face. His eyes search every aspect my face before looking into my eyes eagerly. His thumb runs across my cheek as he holds it. “I love you Y/N... so much,” he emphasizes in a whisper. 

I feel my eyes well up at his words. No matter how many times I hear those three words, it feels like the first time. “Love you too,” I manage to say without my voice shaking. 

He grins, leaning in to kiss me again. I’m so beyond lucky to be love by Sirius Black. He is my entire world and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

__________________

Masterlist

[pregnant-piggy]

Hiiii, is it ok if I ask for a Fred blurb? About being drunk with him and acting silly and talking about conspiracy theories😅

I had so much fun writing this! Just one where i could just throw every bit of logic out of the window :) sorry it took so long and I hope you like it!

Warnings: alcohol, drunkenness

Taglist:

@harry-pottery-barn @missmulti @kingalrdy @missswriter @figlia--della--luna @aspiringsloth20 @awritingtree @bi-andready-tocry @lilulo-12fanfiction @ananad1 @treestarrrrrrrr @your-hispanichufflepuff @thefandomplace @theeicedamericano @girllety @moonstarrnghtsky @swearingsolemnly @weasleydream @secretsthathauntus @amixedwitch @izzyyy-1

Needy aliens

‘Okay, now it’s your turn,’ you blurred, waving your hand at Fred who was sitting in front of you on the grass in the backyard. In between you was an empty wine bottle, the last drip falling from the neck of the bottle to the grass. You wiped the hair from your forehead and tilted your head to the side as Fred whined.

‘I don’t want to…’

‘No! You have to!’ you said solemnly. ‘You made me do it, now it is your turn.’

Groaning Fred stood up. He wiped his hands on his pants and took a few step backs. For a few seconds he stared at the darkness in the garden and then he lifted his hands over his head. With a little run-up he bent forward and put his weight on his hands, performing cartwheel fitting to a drunk person.

Cackling with laughter you fell back on the grass and knocked over the empty wineglass next to you. With a big grin Fred sat back down in front of you and he helped you get back up again. You leaned forward to him and dropped yourself on his chest, falling down with him.

Loud laughs erupted from the both of you and you bounced up and down on Fred’s chest. You dropped your head and listened to his heartbeat, closing your eyes for a second. It was silent in the backyard as the moon rose in the dark blue sky. Little twinkling stars stood proudly in the darkness.

‘I believe those twinkling stars are aliens contacting us,’ Fred mumbled and you laughed, lifting your head from his chest to look at him. His eyes were reflecting the stars from the sky and a hundred glitters stood in them.

‘What for?’ you asked, lifting one hand to play with his hair.

‘I don’t know,’ Fred said, while you twirled a lock of his hair around you finger. ‘Maybe we promised to call but never did?’

You shook your head with a snicker. ‘You’re saying they’re our hook-up?’

‘Hey, I don’t know!’ Fred shrugged, tearing his gaze from the sky to look at you. ‘You don’t think it’s a good theory?’

You leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Fred’s nose. ‘I’m sorry, baby, of course it’s aliens. But why haven’t they come to earth then?’

Fred squeezed his eyes and thought for a while. You were still playing with his hair, letting the smooth strands slide through your fingers and twirling them at the end. Fred’s face was scrunched up and you giggled at the sight of your boyfriend so concentrated.

‘Okay, how about this,’ he said, opening his eyes again. ‘They don’t want to seem needy.’

‘Needy?’

‘Yeah, needy,’ Fred said. ‘We hooked up with them, in whatever way is possible, and we said we’d call but we haven’t yet. Maybe they really like us and they’re just too shy to reach out.’

‘So you’re saying this is a call for attention? Flirting from space?’

‘Exactly!’ Fred nodded. ‘I think they should just go for it, make their move. You never know what will happen.’

‘I think you should set them up for a date,’ you smiled, patting Fred’s cheek. He looked at you and smiled back before pressing a kiss to your lips.

The aliens were forgotten for the rest of the night, but before you went inside you couldn’t help but sneak a glance at the stars and thank them all for bringing Fred into your life.

[samwrights]

Pining After You [hc]

Just some Haikyuu!! head cannons about my favorites pining after the object of their affection—you. I’m gonna limit myself to only one Seijoh 3rd year >_> instead, I’m just gonna make Makki’s super long bc love.

I might turn these into one shots. I’m planning a special series to be released for the entire month of May—let me know what you guys think!

Hanamaki;

Ya know, with my last head cannon, I had such a hard time writing for Makki and now that’s all I wanna do.

Cause THIS BOI is too easy-going, too cool, to ever be blunt and up front about his feelings for you. He can’t ruin his image by stumbling over a confession.

Definitely has been in love with you since your guys’ first year—all thanks to your laugh.

Every time he hears you, even if said laugh is occasionally broken with a gentle, genuine snort, Makki feels every single electrical pulse being sent into his nerve endings.

It was a huge part of the reason that he had started owning the class clown trope, cracking jokes with his peers and even the teachers even though that definitely was not kosher. But his almost dry, sarcastic sense of humor always seemed to be rewarded with the angelic gift that was your laughter.

But he doesn’t know how to talk to you. At all.

He tries really hard not to stare at you, or at least tries not to make it super obvious and fails considering you sit on the opposite ends of the classroom

Makki always has lunch in Mattun’s classroom just so he can freely talk about something you did in class that made him laugh or smile, even if it was something stupid like you dropped your pencil or you raised your hand to answer a question.

In your third year, Mattsun is tIRED of it all.

“Just go fucking confess your feelings, I swear to gOD, or I’ll tell her.”

“Dude no, I can’t she’s way outta my league.”

Did I mention Mattsun is over it? So over it that one day, instead of waiting for his best friend to come to his classroom for lunch, he decides to pay yours a visit.

Makki’s freaking out because the fCK was Mattsun walking over to your desk?!

“She’s coming to our tournament this weekend, so bring your A game.” Was all he said before leaving the poor wing spiker to drown in the blood rising up his neck.

You weren’t friends with anyone on the VBC, but you did actually end up at the tournament with a few friends.

Exhilarating was the only way to describe it, up until Seijoh’s loss to Karasuno.

After the team thanked the spectators for watching, you noticed all the third years crying, signifying the end of their careers.

“Thank you for inviting me to watch, Matsukawa. It was really fun.” You said politely, approaching them afterwards.

Mattsun shoves his best friend towards you, “actually, he wanted to invite you. He just didn’t know how.”

Makki.exe has stopped working. He’s too busy spluttering because he literally has no idea what to say to you now. Cool boy? Not even close.

“I’ve actually wanted to come to one of your matches for awhile. I just thought it was weird because I’m not friends with any of you.”

Oh. O H.

“Y-you could’ve asked me...”

“I was hoping you’d ask me. Why do you think I always laugh at your jokes, Hanamaki?”

“Wait, does that mean you don’t think I’m actually funny?” 💀💀💀 Rip.

“I do. You’re funny, talented, handsome, and I’ve liked you since first year.”

Makki.exe has stopped working.

Akaashi;

Akaashi has studied everything he could about you without ever having actually interacted with you.

He knew you were in Bokuto’s class, he knew your name, and that the two of you interacted often, but never outside of the classroom.

He knew that you always carried your school bag over your left shoulder, and tucked your hair behind your right ear when you felt it was in your face.

Your energy somehow matched his best friend’s while simultaneously calming the owl captain like a gentle wave. You reminded Akaashi of the sun rising over the ocean.

Bokuto, oblivious to nearly everything, never realized that his best friend’s calculations went beyond analyzing the ace. One small section of his brain was dedicated to your ass.

Really, there wasn’t anything extraordinary about you, or at least that’s how you felt about yourself. But every time Akaashi swung by Bokuto’s class to walk with him to practice, his eyes were immediately drawn to you for .067 seconds before he’d look away, so as not to make you feel uncomfortable.

Once in a while, Bokuto would let small details about you slip, like how you were in the art club and that you had a showcase coming up displaying the portfolio you had built over the last three years.

He definitely didn’t ditch practice to be there for your showcase.

Showing up to the venue where the showcase was being held, he suddenly felt very under dressed seeing other third years and teachers adorning formal attire while he showed up in black jeans and a grey button up.

Wandering around the venue, Akaashi looked for you or your artwork, his breath held in his lungs when he saw the arsenal of works displayed on large black boards with your name written elegantly at the very top. Made with various mediums, he was stunned by different paintings and drawings of surreal, exquisite landscapes that could not possibly exist.

Then again, he didn’t think you were real either.

One particular painting invoked a strange emotion in him—a large, desecrated shipwreck amongst of field of bright flowers with the sun setting in the back. Titled “Crack The Sky”, the piece emanated joy and grief in one. It was almost as stunning as you were.

“This one’s my favorite.” You announced sheepishly from beside him and he realized he had never heard your voice before. The setter turned to look at you, drinking in your appearance up close for the first time. “You’re Bokuto’s friend, aren’t you? Akaashi?”

He was kinda hurt to hear you mention Bokuto for reasons unknown to himself jealous much?

“Yeah. It’s nice to meet you.” He bows slightly, remember that no matter how infatuated he was with you, you were still his senpai.

He began walking with you as you explained the creation process of your different pieces. Not that he was actually paying attention, though he’d never admit that. He just liked hearing you talk and he would definitely never admit that.

You excuse yourself as your phone rings, though you don’t walk away, allowing him to hear your end of the conversation. “Yep, he’s here. I owe you dinner. You wanna talk to him?” Akaashi cocks a brow in your direction, staring at your cellphone that you’ve now held over to him. Bokuto’s name flashed on the screen.

“Uh, hi?” The setter asked, confused.

“I made a bet with her that you would ditch practice to go to her showcase because yOu LoVe HeR.”

Aight, imma head out.

Before he could run away out of embarrassment, you grabbed his wrist though you were still on the phone with Bokuto.

“Would you like to join us for dinner? Seems kinda unfair for him to get dinner when you’re the one who made the effort to be here.”

Akaashi graciously accepts to which you respond by telling Bokuto where you would meet him for the evening.

“So you love me, huh?” 💀💀💀 If Akaashi could magically disappear, he would. Or even better, if his blush ran hot enough to melt the skin off his face, that’d be great too.

But you never let go of his wrist until now, opting to wrap an arm around his instead.

“I like you too. Why do you think Bokuto and I made a bet about you coming here, silly?”

Kenma;

Poor Kenma. The worst part of his whole situation was actually being friends with you, knowing he would never get to have you.

Why would you want him, anyway? You were more fit for someone like Kuroo—someone who was as boisterous and confident as you were. He anticipated the day you two announced your relationship and left him behind in your little trio.

Not even Kuroo knew that he was in love with you and maybe that was a mistake on his part but he could never tell his best friend that you were his entire world. It was too embarrassing for him.

It took entirely too much energy to even sort through his feelings alone, how much more exhausting would it be for him to run through every single thing he felt about you to someone else?

Like the way you would nearly skip out your home every morning when the boys came to fetch you to walk to school together.

Or the way you unabashedly asked almost too personal of questions, or questions that were just soooo left field of you were friends with a person. “Hey Kuroo, how many brushes do you think you would break if you finally decided to brush your hair after 17 years?” Was one of Kenma’s favorites.

The way you sing along to every song that plays on your iPod or even the radio, even if you didn’t know the song, you would try to sing along anyway.

Some days, Kenma would look out the window and see you practicing some form of a dance routine in your backyard. He would watch you for hours until you went inside, suddenly feeling shame for being so creepy.

Nearly every night, Kenma just wished he could turn his feelings off while simultaneously wishing you were next to him so he could hold you while he slept.

Your smile was his favorite. Seeing you smile every morning as the three of you walked to school together was what got him through his day. “Hey, hey are you guys coming to my dance competition tomorrow?” You asked in your typical, jovial lilt.

“Of course.” Was all he was able to reply, while Kuroo enthusiastically responded about their attendance.

“Great! I can’t wait to see you guys in the crowd!”

The “C” word, was almost enough to make Kenna regret his decision to come. Even more so when he was surrounded by the masses, all waiting to watch their respective dance teams. But it was for you, and he would do anything for you.

Kuroo was right beside him, a small bouquet of roses in his hand to give to you after you competed. The blood red flowers made Kenna glower and glare in secret, or as secretive as he could be. “I got these for you.” The captain says quietly, handing them over to his best friend.

“Sorry, Kuroo, I can’t say I return your feelings—“

“For you to give to her, you idiot.” 🤡🤡🤡 “I’m not that dumb, Kenma.” The setter really wanted to argue and say that he was, but your school’s dance team was up to perform so he opted to stay quiet.

Have I mentioned that Kenma loves watching you dance? There was a reason he would watch you practice in your backyard. You moved with elegance and grace that was foreign and so opposite to his own demeanor, it was no wonder he was always so captivated by you.

After you compete, there’s a bit of downtime between the other competitors and the awards ceremony, giving you the chance to hang out with your besties.

“These are for you.” The second year says quietly, handing you the bouquet with a blush dusting over his cheeks. The red rivaled that of the roses.

“Aw, thank you, Kenma!” You squeaked out before giving him a kiss on the cheek, his skin burning even hotter. Kuroo’s just over there laughing but ya know.

During the awards ceremony, you’re sitting in a circle with your team not too far from your friends while they announced that Nekoma had taken first. Everyone in the dance troupe began screaming and hugging each other, while you ran straight to your boys.

While still jumping, you were hugging Kuroo so tight, arms squeezing around his neck while sharing the joy. Which made Kenma just a little bit jealous.

Just a little.

Until you’ve settled down from your jumping before wrapping your arms his neck as well. But rather than going for a hug—

Wait what is hAPOENING

You brought your lips to his briefly before burying your face into his neck out of embarrassment because wHY you had thought that was a good idea was beyond you.

Deciding you couldn’t just keep holding onto him, because he was probably embarrassed too, you stepped away, ready to run back to your team. But Kenma didn’t let go, his arms seated securely at your hips as he stared at you.

“I-I’m sorry, I-I don’t know w-w—“

“I love you.”

Wanna see a specific character? Or a different head cannon? Want to see a whole story?

Send in requests!

[tloujm]

Part XVII: Funnel of Love

Author’s Notes: Sorry it took so long.

Genre: Fluff + Angst = this chapter

Summary: This takes place right after the last chapter. The newly engaged couple share the news with their loved ones. The wedding planning pressure is on. 

Ship: Joel x Reader

“Well, well, well. Big bro is doing it for real this time, huh.” Tommy began with a wide grin on his face. “Congratulations, Joel. I mean it. I always knew it was gonna be the two of you since the first day y’all showed up at the gates.” Joel relieved one of the watchtower guards so he could talk to Tommy about the proposal. They were both up in the small wooden shelter, rifles in hand, glancing between each other and the world beyond the gates.

“Thanks, brother.” Joel donned a bashful smirk.

“So do I get to be best man?” Tommy asked.

“Weren’t you already best man?” Joel countered.

“Yeah, but that time didn’t really count.” Tommy explained. Joel shot him a glare as a response to the dismissal of his first marriage. He knew that this time was different though, so he couldn’t blame him.

“‘Course you’re my best man.”

*****

“Joel? Miller? Of the infamous Miller brothers?” Jesse exclaimed.

“You knew we were together.” You said. Jesse was your closest friend at the settlement, therefore, he was the first person you told. You had reservations about sharing the news with him because, for a moment while you and Joel were broken up, you grew feelings for Jesse. It was something you never shared out loud or in your journal. Not sure of whether the feelings truly stemmed from Jesse himself or your emotions from Joel, you didn’t feel right giving weight to those thoughts. Despite Joel’s suggestion, you always figured Jesse’s feelings were purely platonic anyway.

“Yeah, I know. It just seems very official. I didn’t think people still did that these days.”

“He did manage to surprise me. It was very romantic. You should take some notes just in case you feel compelled to do the same with a special somebody.”

“Take notes? From Joel? Miller? I can be quite romantic on my own, thank you.” Jesse turned to you. “But listen, I’m happy for you. Whatever you need for your upcoming nuptials, let me know.”

“Thank you, I appreciate that.” You responded. It fell silent for a moment while the two of you were cleaning up the stable. 

“I bet you Joel can get you guys a senior discount on a wedding cake from the bakery.” Jesse spoke up. He broke into a fit of laughter as you dropped your broom and threw a handful of hay at him.

“He is not even that old.” You responded defensively.

“No, no. He’s just regular old.” Jesse reasoned jokingly.

“He’s young at heart!”

“(Y/N), He plays the guitar on a rocking chair and whittles for fun.”

“He does other things for fun that I can tell you right now he is not too old for.” You replied with a coy tone in your voice. 

“Alright, alright.” Jesse shook his head playfully and continued sweeping up the straw on the ground. “The jury is still out on how old he is, but I suppose we can both agree that he’s not geriatric.” He reflexively ducked when he heard you drop the broom again to pick up some more hay. 

“So I’m invited to the wedding then?” He asked seriously.

“Of course you are! You’re my best friend.” You replied.

He clears his throat. “Yeah…”

*****

“Honey, I’m home.” Joel said. The words flew out his mouth in a jovial tone. He had never said those words before. It reminded him of a husband from the 1950s coming home from a day at the office. That particular visual didn’t enthuse him, but the idea of seeing you again did. He knew that he’d never wear a suit and work in an office, but he hoped that the rest of his life consisted of coming home to you.

“My love, I’m in here.” Your voice carried from the kitchen. He quickly followed until he stopped right behind you. His arms snaked around your waist as he kissed the top of your head. “What did you do today?”

“I spent some time with Tommy.” He went to go sit down at the island.

“Oh?”

“He asked how our trip went.” He began. You turned to face him.

“You told him about us?” You asked, smiling. He nodded.

“Yeah,” He chuckled. “He asked to be my best man. Did you tell Maria?”

“Yeah, I told her after Jesse.”

“Oh good. He knows.” He began sarcastically. “I better stop catchin’ him gazing at my bride then.”

“Joel, stop. He always knew we were together. But as for Maria, she was super excited. She started talking about wedding stuff like we weren’t living in some fungal zombie infested world. It’s not like I can go dress shopping, or cake tasting or pick out venues. I mean honestly, what’s the point of a wedding?”

“You don’t wanna have a wedding?” He asked.

“I don’t know.” You shrug. “All I want is to get married to you. She was just planning it all out the second I told her and I was feeling overwhelmed.”

“She’s just excited. Take a breath then go back and talk to her. If anyone’s got the connections to throw a wedding, it’s her.”

“What was your wedding like?” You asked.

“You wanna know?” You nodded. He sighed. “It wasn’t much. We cut costs wherever we could so I wore a hand-me-down suit from my dad and Tommy wore a hand-me-down suit from me. The only thing that matched on our suits were the buteniers. It was in one of her aunt’s backyard. It was dead in the middle of summer after school let out, but the only decorations were red, green and blue Christmas tree lights that she put on the bushes. I remember her aunt tasked me and Tommy with going to get some flowers. She gave us some money, but my God, I had no idea how expensive real flowers were. I bought Sarah’s mom a bouquet from the florist while Tommy dumpster dived for some dying flowers that they had just thrown out for the rest of the wedding party.” He shrugged. “The ceremony was quick. The reception was a potluck; everyone brought a dish and their own fold out chairs. Outside of my cousin singing a song, the music was from a boombox. It was simple, but it all came together. I had my own issues with my parents and her side of the family didn’t like me much after I knocked her up, but for that one day, we all got along and it was nice.” 

“Oh. Wow. At least everyone got along.”

He chuckled. “I know it was nothing impressive. It was a shotgun wedding for a couple of teenagers. But I don’t want you to worry about how that went. What matters is now and how we want things to go for us.”

You smiled. “Our wedding can go the exact same way and I wouldn’t care so long as you’re there.”

****

“So,” Maria slammed down a stack of wedding magazines on the coffee table. “I think looking through these would be a good start.”

Maria invited you and some other women over one evening to have a girls night. She had never done this before, but she felt your impending marriage was a good excuse to have one. You didn’t have many female friends. Most were acquaintances, so none of them were as close as Maria and Wendy to you. They were there, but so were a handful of others you’ve only ever spoken to in passing.

Maria had a growing wine collection. She would trade for a bottle or two every so often. For your special occasion, she dusted off two bottles. Wendy made you a homemade pin that said “Bride to be” which she insisted you wear all night. Maria passed the magazines all around the circle you guys made on the floor.

“Maria, where did you get all of these.” You asked.

“I’ve had them all this time. While I was on a scavenging trip one day, and this was years and years ago, I saw them and grabbed them. It was impulsive. I don’t know. Me and Tommy had been together for a while and you know, naturally I started hearing wedding bells even though he never really proposed. I know it's silly to expect happiness in the middle of all this craziness, but it became normal for him and I and despite all this, he stuck by my side. I spent my whole life pre-outbreak wanting a wedding. I mean I wasn’t obsessed with it, but what girl doesn’t want a little fairytale wedding?”

“Tommy never proposed? I thought you guys were married?” Sheila spoke up in between sips.

“We’re basically married. Obviously not under law, but we committed ourselves to each other. I wanted to stop running and just build a future, even a tiny one, for us. He wanted the same. So we settled down and built this place. Well ‘settle down’ as much as we can in this type of world now. But, it was all casual. He brought it up one day while we were eating. He asked if I’d ever want a husband. He asked if it mattered to me.”

“What did you say?” Wendy asked.

“I told him, of course it mattered. At least to me. He gave me that famous Miller half smile,” Maria looked to you as to say ‘You know what I’m talking about’. “And asked if I thought he was husband material. I kinda strung him along for fun. I told him ‘As close to husband material as he can get’. He let out this little laugh and said ‘Well it’s settled then.’ and I thought to myself, I get to be someone’s wife! But not just anyone’s wife, his wife. At that point I couldn’t stop smiling. It wasn’t a proposal in the traditional sense. I guess it still counts, but we never did anything about it since. I guess we just assumed marriage from that point on. We expressed our love for each other, but never spoke the traditional vows. He never called me his fiance. As a matter of fact, the first time I heard him call me his wife to another person was when you and Joel showed up at our door.” She spoke in a roller coaster of tones, switching between enthusiastic and disappointed. “So I want you to have something special to commemorate this moment with. It’s not going to be a big, fancy wedding, but something nice nonetheless.” She said to you.

“Thank you.” You replied.

“Ohhh, look at this dress! I think this would go great with your figure, honey.” Darlene stated as she handed you the opened magazine. You admitted it was nice, but you couldn't see yourself in it. 

“That’s a bit plain, don’t you think? How about this one.” Maria handed you her magazine. The dress was exceptionally grand. It had a train and was adorned with crystals and lace.

“That’s quite the dress, Maria.” You commented, not wanting to hurt her feelings.

“But do you like it?” She asked.

“I do,” It wasn’t a whole lie. “But what’s the point in looking at dresses? I’m not gonna be wearing any of them from these magazines. I don’t own any white dresses at all. Just a white t shirt with sweat stains and holes in ‘em.”

“It doesn’t hurt to fantasize a little bit. Besides, maybe we’ll go out and find a store with something nice to wear inside.” She replied. 

“Drink up, honey, you're supposed to be happy.” Darlene said as she watched you nurse your glass.

“I am happy.” You replied with a straight face.

“Let’s play This or That and let’s pretend it was 13 years ago and the world was normal again. I’ll ask you to choose between two different things, wedding themed of course. I want you to give me an answer quickly to ensure it’s the truest answer.” Maria suggested.

“What were you doing 13 years ago?” Darlene asked you.

“Just graduated college. Didn’t even get a chance to apply my degree anywhere.”

“Oh, you were just a youngin’. Still had milk ‘hind your ears.” She playfully slapped your thigh. “And let’s see...Joel must have been how old…” She pondered seriously.

“Vanilla or chocolate?” Maria spoke up.

“What?” You asked.

“Cake. Vanilla or chocolate for your wedding cake?”

“Uh, chocolate.”

“Outdoor or indoor venue?”

“Indoor, I guess.”

“DJ or band?”

“DJ?”

“Lillies or Peonies for your bouquet?”

“I don’t think I know what peonies look like, to be honest.”

For the rest of the night, you and the other women played wedding themed games that you were sure Maria made up. They fiddled with your hair and dabbed beet juice on your lips and cheeks to appear as makeup. Despite Darlene rubbing you the wrong way, you took her advice and ‘drunk up’. Getting loose helped, but it still was all a bit overwhelming to you. Part of you wanted the fairytale like Maria said, but part of you didn’t even want it at all. While a fairytale would look nice, it would come with too many cons and then you would think ‘what was the point’. There would be too many people, and as an introvert, you weren’t prepared for that. Having to coordinate a large amount of food to feed the party, acquire a form of entertainment to keep everyone busy, ceremony rehearsals, picking loyalties when choosing between your sister in law and your good friend for made of honor and so on. Honestly none of your female friends were as close to you as Jesse, though, but you didn’t think he nor Joel would be cool with him being your main bridesmaid. 

Still buzzed, you walked into your empty house and beelined it to the bathroom. You sat at the edge of the tub, warm water running through your fingers as you watched it fill up. You grabbed your portable CD player and headphones out the drawer next to the toilet. You adjusted yourself into the inviting bath and immediately slipped your head under the surface. Being underwater was always a relaxing feeling for you so long as you knew you were in control. Your hands held onto the sides of the tub, keeping you under. You stayed there with your eyes closed until you couldn’t take it anymore. The curls of your hair laid flat against your head as you took in a large breath. As weird as it was, it helped the anxiety that you were currently harboring. The cherry on top was your music. You reached over the edge and felt for the play button before sliding the headphones over your ears. Again, you closed your eyes. You weren’t thinking about anything in particular: your patrol duty tomorrow morning, your promise to have lunch with Maria and Darlene, and sure as hell not your wedding. 

The buzz was wearing off, but the warm water took over the job and continued to relax your muscles. You were three songs into the album you were listening to when they abruptly tensed up. Your eyes popped open at the sudden splash of water that landed on your chest. It felt as though only a moment ago you were alone in the world and now sitting on the edge of the tub is Joel. He watched as you scooted up, sloshing the water around. 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to splash you that hard.” He chuckled before pointing to your CD player. “You gotta be careful with this, (Y/N), you know. Gotta have your wits about you even in a place like Jackson---”

“I know, I just wanted to unwind for a moment---” You butted in.

“I don’t mean to chastise you like you’re a child, but I just want you to be safe. What if it wasn’t me here.”

“All the doors are locked.” You reasoned.

“Still.” He gave you his famous glare for a solid moment before his eyes drifted down to your body in the water. “Room for one more?” He lifted his eyebrow.

You frowned. “I was about to get out.”

“Didn’t look like that to me, darlin’. If I’d chosen to watch you for longer, you’d still be laying there with your eyes closed.”

“How long were you watching me for?” You asked, starting to feel a mix of self consciousness and arousal.

“Doesn’t matter.” Joel’s face was rid of emotion save from his eyes. His eyes were lit up with lust despite your rejection.

“The water was getting cold. I was just waiting for the song to end before getting out.”

He lifted the same eyebrow. “Is that so?” His eyes followed your body as you stood up in the tub. He unfolded his arms and grabbed the towel on the back of the door. Holding it out, you stepped out of the tub and into the soft fabric. He slid his hands up your arms before massaging your shoulders. His hands were rough and ungentle, but you still let him continue. “Baby, tell me what’s wrong. Who hurt you? I’ll go grab Tommy’s bat and smash their kneecaps in.”

You chuckled. “While I’m sure you would,” You turned around, releasing your shoulders from his grip. “No one hurt me. I’m just...I just got some stuff on my mind.”

“Care to share?” He asked. You shrugged. “Was it something that happened at Maria’s?”

“She threw me a bridal shower.”

He sat on the toilet and pulled you down onto his lap. “That was nice of her.”

“I mean yeah, it was nice. It just...It felt forced. Women were there that I hardly knew. We were planning the wedding, imagining details I knew would never work. I feel like Maria wants this to happen more than I do and I hate that. I should want this the most. I mean I do want this,” You point between you and him. “But I just don’t know how I want to go about it. I thought seeing her again would help me make up my mind about things, but I feel just as confused and flustered.”

He kissed your shoulder. “I don’t want you to stress out over this. It’ll all work out, because the most important thing in the end is that we have each other. I promise,” He kissed your shoulder again. “Ok?” He waited for you to say it back before tapping your thigh. “Now, just because you didn’t want me to get in with you doesn’t mean I don’t want a nice, relaxing bath too. Last chance before you put your clothes on.” He pointed between you, him and the tub as if asking for you to join him. 

You smile with a shake of your head. “No, my skin is all wrinkly but I promise to only keep the towel on if you promise not to make me wait long.” You winked at him. 

[padfootagain]

A Very Rose Mistake (III)

Part 3 : How You Told Your Parents

 Here we go with a new chapter! I know that today is Golden day as the music video dropped this afternoon, but I had planned to post the chapter, so let's go anyway! It just means more Harry for today, and who can pretend like there is something like too much Harry? Certainly not me!

So here is another cute and light-hearted chapter! I hope you all like it! No warnings of any kind!

Please, tell me what you think of this new chapter!

Pairing: Harry Styles x Reader

Word Count : 3535

                                                              I

                                              Holmes Chapel, 2003

 "HAAAA!"

"HARRY SLOW DOWN!"

"I CAN'T!"

"WE'RE GONNA CRASH!"

"WE'RE GONNA CRASH!"

The next second you were disappearing into a pile of fresh snow.

You shuffled away from the sledge and out of the snow to stand on your feet again. You looked for your best friend in the messy white powder, but couldn't see him anywhere.

"Harry?" You called. "It's not funny! Come on, we need to bring it back up the hill. We need to move out of the way or Gemma is gonna crash into us!"

But you were met with silence, and started to be properly worried.

Was he hurt? He could have hit his head on something... what if he had broken one of his bones!? Your friend Daniel had broken his arm a few months before and he had spent weeks wearing this cast around his arm. It seemed very serious. What if Harry was hurt and would need one of these too?

"Harry? You're okay? Come out now, it's not funny!"

And then something coming out of the snow was grabbing your ankle, and you cried, jumping away in fear.

You would have recognized this ridiculous laugh anywhere.

"HARRY!"

He finally crawled fully out of the snow, laughing so hard he had to hold onto his painful belly.

"You scared me! It's not funny!" You protested.

"You should have seen your face!" He replied between hiccups, unable to stand for now because of how much he was still laughing. "And you shouted so loud!"

He doubled in laughter, and you noticed how his lisp was coming back as he wasn't making a conscious effort to repress it. You thought it was rather cute. And Harry's laugh was contagious. These were the only reasons why you were smiling then, because you were still mad at him for playing this trick on you.

"You're so annoying!" You shook your head, crossing your arms before your chest.

"Oh come on! Even you have to admit it was funny!" He replied, eventually calming down a little more.

"Not one bit!"

"It was. It was hilarious. Didn't know you could jump so far!"

You huffed, offended. No matter if you were still little, from the top of your nine-year-old self, you still turned away from him and pretended to refuse to acknowledge his presence.

Instead, you leaned down, as if to tie your shoes.

"Y/N... are you really mad?"

This time his tone was a little more uncertain. After all, if there was one thing that he hated, it was seeing you sad or upset. And especially so when it was because of him.

"Don't be mad! It was just a joke!" He went on, this time being the one who sounded annoyed, when in reality he was more worried than anything else.

But instead of hearing your reply, he was hit straight in the face with a snowball, while it was your turn to be laughing at him.

He chased away the snow dripping over his face with his gloved hand, a mischievous smile appearing on his features as he did so.

"Oh... are you sure you want to play it like that?" He asked, quirking up an eyebrow.

You let out a giggle, shrugging.

"You're the one who started it!"

"Alright, then!" When you saw him bending to scoop some snow in his palm, you let out a shriek and ran off towards the nearby tree where your mother and Anne were keeping an eye on all of you, chatting and trying to stay warm in the cold weather while you played.

"HAAAA! HELP ME! I'M BEING ATTACKED!" You dramatically called the parents, while Harry ran after you.

You got protection by hiding behind your mum, gripping at her long coat, making her laugh.

"Alright, alright! Calm down you two!"

While Gemma was sliding down the hill over the outskirts of Holmes Chapel, laughing on her sledge, Harry was trying to aim at you but you kept on running around the adults. Until he took his shot and hit you on the knee, the cold sensation making you cry through your laughter.

"Alright, calm down! Both of you!" Anne tried to admonish, but she was laughing as well at how silly you and Harry were.

As Gemma was joining the group pulling her sledge behind her, you and Harry were lost in an intense battle, your mothers sometimes getting caught in the crossfire.

"Gemma! Help! Team up with me!" You called while Harry was managing to grab your arm and shove some snow in the space between your scarf and neck, making you shriek.

And the older girl didn't need to be asked twice. Soon enough, both Gemma and you were chasing after Harry, who was now the one hiding behind the two mothers.

"Mum! Help! It's not even fair! They're two against one!"

"It's true that two against one is hardly fair," she agreed through her giggles.

"Then help!"

As she got caught in the crossfire again, Anne gave in and started to participate to the fight too. When she accidentally hit your mum right in the face, she also joined in. And then there were no teams, just three children and two mothers having a snowball fight and laughing too much for their stomachs.

Later that afternoon, you got home to change into dry clothes and get a warm and well-deserved hot cocoa at your place. You reckoned that the last thing you would need to make the day perfect was building a snowman, so you teamed up with Harry to build one in his backyard and make it as big as you could.

"We need eyes for him!" You noticed with horror that he was still missing those as you wrapped your scarf around the snowman's neck.

You had used a little twig for its nose, and Harry had found pebbles for its smile, but you just had the best idea.

"I know! Hold on!"

You ran off to your house and Harry patiently waited for you, placing his beanie on the snowman's head.

When you reappeared, you had two green marbles in your hand, that you planted in the snow to give your new friend eyes.

"It looks nice!" Harry agreed with a professional nod.

"Like that, he has the same eyes as you do!" You told him with a grin, and Harry wasn't sure why he was blushing, but he was.

"I like it," he nodded.

Your mother called for you, and you had to part with Harry for the rest of the holidays as you would both be travelling to see your families during the rest of the break.

"Today was so much fun!" You smiled.

"Yeah! The best!"

"I can't believe we're leaving tomorrow to go to my grandparents' for Christmas," you sighed with a sad pout.

"I'm gonna miss you."

"But you'll spend tons of time with your dad! It's gonna be great!"

Harry shrugged, clearly saddened now.

"Still gonna miss you. It's not as fun when you're not around."

You hugged him, promising to tell him everything that had happened during the holidays when you would be back.

"I'll get your scarf and your marbles once the snow has melted. No worries!" He promised, and you gave him a smile again, but this one was a little shy.

"You can keep the marbles if you want. They really do look like your eyes. Feels like they should be yours."

"You sure?"

You nodded, walking backwards towards your house, and waving at him.

"Merry Christmas, Harry!"

He waved back at you, laughing, even though he wasn't so sure why. He guessed it was just because of you.

"Merry Christmas, Y/N!"

                                                           II

                                            Loch Lomond, 2020

 Seeing your parents in the large hall, you suddenly weren't so sure if this whole ordeal was a good idea or the worst piece of madness that had ever flashed into your brain. But you were leaning towards the second option as you stepped in the room.

You took in deep breaths, and tried to calm down. One quick glance at Harry told you that he was just as nervous as you were.

For a moment though, all your fears vanished as your mother spotted you, her lips breaking in a bright grin, and she moved away from her spot by the window, abandoning the gorgeous view in favour of hugging you tight.

"I've missed you so much, my baby!" she squealed, hugging you so tight you could barely breathe, but the gesture only made you cackle, and you hugged her with the same urgency.

"It's so good to see you, mum!"

"You live way too far away! When are you coming back home?"

"After my PhD, promise."

"You'd better. Cause I'm tired of being alone dealing with your father."

"I heard that!" your father complained, and both you and your mother laughed at him, before you would break the embrace to hug your dad instead.

"Your mother is right though, we've missed you," he told you, kissing your cheek.

Your mum only then seemed to notice that Harry was standing a few steps away, unwilling to disturb your reunion.

"Harry!" she exclaimed, hugging him just as tightly as she had done you. "I didn't know you were invited to the wedding too! I mean… of course Cassie knows you, but she wanted a small venue and very few guests…"

"Uhm… No, I… I wasn't invited. I came with Y/N."

She blinked a couple of times at him, her expression blank, before realization glowed across her features.

But… not realization of what was actually happening…

"Oh, she asked you as her plus one! But why? I mean… it's just our family, you wouldn't have been alone, Y/N! There was no need to bring a friend along!"

Harry and you exchanged a glance, as you freed yourself from your father's embrace.

"No, actually… uhm… we're…" Harry began but fell silent as your father slowly turned to him.

"You're what?" your mother asked, completely lost.

"We're together," you announced as fast as your lips would allow. "He came as my boyfriend."

Harry offered your parents a bright smile.

"Together? What… what do you mean 'together'?" your mother stuttered upon her words.

"I mean that… he's my boyfriend now. Not… just a friend."

Her glance travelled back and forth between the two of you, and you were certain to have broken her brain by now.

It seemed impossible for her to process the news.

"So… you two are a couple?" your father asked, turning fully to Harry, who nodded in response.

"It's quite new," the young man explained. "We just… realized that we both wanted to try to take our relationship a step further."

"I see…"

Your father finally offered Harry his hand to shake, which your best friend hurried to take. You noticed the wince that distorted his features though, as your father crushed his fingers.

"We're going to need to have a talk, young man."

"Yes, sir."

"Dad!" you admonished, pulling him away from your frightened friend, who seemed terrified by now. "Stop it! What are you doing? It's just Harry!"

"Yes… it's Harry. Harry who used to spend entire nights in a sleeping bag in your bedroom when the two of you were children!"

He turned towards your fake boyfriend, waving a threatening finger at him.

"If you think I've forgotten about that day you closed her door when the two of you were 14…"

"No, I promise you, nothing happened!" Harry defended himself, absolutely terrified by now as he took a step back. "We… nothing happened for years, it's only been a few months, and nothing had ever happened before that. You have my word."

Your father huffed, not buying it, despite your friend's words being the truth.

"Oh come on, honey!" your mother forced her husband to calm down. "Y/N's right, it's just Harry. We know he's a respectable young man. So quit the tough act, would you?"

Your dad still mumbled something unintelligible under his breath, but your mum was shaking her head, amused.

"Ha… we knew it would happen eventually," she affectionately patted Harry's shoulder. "And if I'm being honest… it took you long enough!"

"Darling!" it was your father's turn to admonish your mother.

"What? I'm perfectly right, don't play innocent! By the way, who made the first move?"

You looked at each other… you… hadn't really discussed that…

"Well… uhm… I… did?" Harry answered with much hesitation.

"I mean, we were a little… inebriated," you started to explain, but your father quickly interrupted you, glaring at your 'boyfriend', and if a glance could have killed, Harry would have been violently murdered there and then.

"Inebriated?! What happened?!" he snapped, but Harry raised his hands in a soothing gesture.

"Nothing happened between us, don't worry. I would never do that!" he replied, a little offended that your father would think him able to do something like this. "We just… confessed things we wouldn't have discussed while sobber."

"I swear to God, son… if anything happened between you and my baby girl while she was drunk…"

"No, dad, nothing happened! Relax, would you! And even if something had happened, trust me, I would have been wholeheartedly all for it!"

"Really?" Harry asked with surprise, clearly slipping out of his acting role, and it was your turn to glower at him in response. He caught your idea quickly, but you were the one to speak first again anyway.

"Look, we just… realized that we both… wanted to take our friendship to the next level. We went on a couple of real dates, and here we are!"

"Yes, but who made the first move," your mother asked again. "Who kissed who first? Who confessed first?"

"I did," you both answered at the same time, sharing a panicked glance.

This whole thing was a disaster and was just getting worse and worse by the second…

"I mean… I… confessed first," Harry clarified, but his tone was a little too hesitant as he kept on staring at you, waiting for validation, and you gave him a small nod. "And she… she initiated the first… physical… contact…"

"Physical contact?!" your father interjected, and your friend was burying his face in his hands in embarrassment this time.

"No, I mean… she kissed me first. I meant kissing, just kissing."

"Look, dad, please, stop being like that!"

"Oh, so… now I can't take care of my daughter anymore?"

"It's Harry!" you replied. "Can't you trust him?!"

"When it comes to you, I don't trust nobody. And he's lucky we're not alone in this room," he replied between his gritted teeth, making you roll your eyes, and Harry lost all traces of colours all over his face, going as white as sheets.

"Look, you know I would never do anything to hurt Y/N…"

"Son, for your own good, you should stop talking now."

"Yes, sir."

"So… Harry made the first move, in a way," your mother considered your story.

"I guess, yeah. Why?"

Your mother beamed at you.

"Well, that means Anne owes me a 20!"

"What?"

"I was sure Harry would make the first move, but Anne has always thought that he would be too slow with his emotions and you would be the clever one to figure it all out first. So, I've just earned 20 pounds!"

"You… bet with my mum about Y/N and I getting together?" your fake-boyfriend asked in confusion.

"The bet has been on since you were both 14, sweetie!" your mother laughed, making your father roll his eyes. "It sure took both of you long enough to realize that you love each other! We've known for over a decade."

Both you and your best friend exchanged a confused look.

Were your two mothers… rooting for you… being… a couple?

"What?!" you both exclaimed at the same time.

But your mother merely let out a chuckle, pinching both your and Harry's cheeks.

"It's about time that the two of you finally come to your senses! I need to call Anne and tell her the news!"

You both stared at each other with wide eyes, panicked once more.

"No, please," Harry stopped you as your mother reached for her phone. "I… I haven't told her yet, and I'd like to be the one to tell her. I… it's important to me."

Your mum gave him a disappointed pout, but obliged nonetheless.

"Alright. But tell her I haven't forgotten about our bet and she owes me 20 pounds!"

"I will. Promise."

You were interrupted though, by your grandmother entering the hall and calling for you. And both you and Harry welcomed the chance to escape your parents.

"Gran! How are you doing?"

"I'm so happy to see you, darling," the old woman gave you a warm hug. "It's been too long."

"Me too, gran!"

"I'm relieved you could come for your cousin's wedding! I was afraid you wouldn't get a flight. Or wouldn't take the time to come."

"Of course, I came! It's Cassie's wedding!"

"You're spending too much time working…"

"Gran," you tried to interrupt her, your voice full of warning.

"You are forgetting everything else in your life. Including your love life, even though it's important!"

"Gran…"

You had barely said hello, and she was already diving in this topic.

"You know, I'm sure there will be some lovely young men at the reception…"

"Gran!"

"I'm just saying that weddings are the perfect place to meet new people."

"Well, I don't need to meet new people, because I came with my boyfriend!"

Her eyes grew round, and yet a smile formed on her lips.

And you were reminded all too well why you had asked Harry to come in the first place. Some members of your family really weren't interested in anything but your love life…

You silently asked Harry to come closer, and he approached the two of you with a shy smile.

"Hi!"

"Do you remember my friend Harry?"

She gave both of you a suspicious look.

"I do. You lived next door. Always the mischievous type!"

He chuckled, shrugging.

"I was a child, for my defence."

"So you two are together? Or you just came as a friend?"

"No, we're together," you answered, standing a little closer to him.

But she didn't seem convinced.

"If you say so…" she mumbled under her breath. "And is it anything serious?"

"Yeah, it is," Harry nodded with a smile, but again, your grandmother looked at him with eyes full of doubts.

It was hard to tell if she was unsure of your taste in men, or if she doubted that the two of you were together at all. All the same, she didn't seem so happy about the news.

She was distracted by your mother behind you, and you released a shaky breath as she walked away.

"We're not doing so good, are we?" Harry asked even if he knew the answer to his question already, in a shushed whisper that would allow no one else but you to hear his concerned words. "We haven't even talked to five people yet, and one of them doesn't seem to believe us, and another wants to murder me."

"Well, perhaps if you weren't acting so stiff around me, they would be more convinced!" you snapped back at him under your breath.

"What do you mean?"

"You're not acting like you're my boyfriend at all, Harry!"

"I am doing my best! What would you have me do?"

"Touch me? At least a little bit. I don't know, hold my hand or touch my back, or whatever."

"Well, you could do the same, babe."

You gave him a fake smile, before wrapping your arm around his waist.

"I am."

He threw a scared glance at your parents, and indeed, caught your father glowering at him, and he moved away from your touch as a consequence.

"Well, I'm sorry to be a little 'stiff' when your father looks at me like that! Besides, PDAs aren't my thing, in case you didn't know."

You rolled your eyes at him.

"My dad won't do anything, you know him. A lot of talks, but in the end, he's a teddy bear."

Harry heaved a sigh in response, and took another look at your family. They seemed lost in conversation, and judging by the glances they threw at the two of you, Harry guessed that your new relationship ought to be the main subject of gossips.

"Maybe you're right though."

He reached for your hand, and you were surprised that his gesture was slow, a little shy. His cheeks were flushed and he turned away from your family so they wouldn't notice his burning skin. You intertwined your fingers together, standing a little closer to him.

"You don't have to, if it makes you uncomfortable," you reassured him.

"No, it's… it's nice, actually."

"What is?"

A smile appeared on his lips, but he didn't look at you. Instead, he watched as your aunt and uncle entered the room, bracing himself for the next introduction. His smile didn't falter though as he whispered his next words.

"Holding your hand. It's nice… holding your hand."

**************************************************************

Taglist : @emcchi​​ @fishstick-knows​​ @eldahae​​​ @just-damn-bored​​ @retrouvailessx​​ @marvelstudies2020​​ @boxofteenageideas​​@ponycake27​​​​​​​ @horsesreign​​​​​​​ @xinyourdreamsx​​​​​​ @jbluevelvet​​​​​@notkeppeki @daynigt-dreamer-stuff @fudgeflyss​​​​​ @stuckupstucky​​​​​​@snek-shit​​​​​​ @suchatinyinfinity​​​​​​@i-padfootblack-things​  @buckybsarmy @heyohheyitsgabi​​​​​​​@jigsawlover10​​​​​​ @emyyjemyy​​​​ @addictedtofictionalcharacters​​​​​​​​ @staringmoony​​​​​​​@madamrogers​​ @cronias13​​​ @stylesfics-xx​​​ @mellamolayla​​​ @mariaenchanted​

[galactic-magick]

Kiss Me: Logan x Reader

Request: Hmmm. So from the prompt list, maybe number 7 (“If you don’t kiss me right this second I swear I’ll strangle you”) with childhood best friends to lovers logan x reader? Thank you!

Summary: You have a summer party with the sides and come to terms with your feelings for Logan.

Words: 2100+                                        

Warnings: swears, some kissy kissy

Author’s Notes: I got a little carried away with this one XD This is probably the longest one shot I’ve ever written lol, hope y’all like it!

Taglist: @luluwinchester​ @nerve-ous-love​ @zarieslayer​ @amayaisokay​

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“Food’s ready everyone!” Patton calls, sliding the last burger onto the serving plate. He’s always been fantastic on the grill, and today he made pretty much everything he knows how. He made burgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, kabobs, and everything in between.

It’s been a while since you’ve had a fun gathering with the sides, so when he suggested having a summer party in the backyard you all were ecstatic. You’ve all been friends for years, but sadly life gets in the way sometimes and you don’t get to hang out as much anymore.

As much as you’re happy to see everyone there, you can’t help but be extra excited to see Logan. He’s your best friend, and has been through thick and thin. He’s always the first to check in on you and help you out whenever you need it and you truly feel like you can be yourself around him. He lifts you up yet isn’t afraid to be honest with you. He balances you out perfectly.

“Hey guys!” you wave.

“Y/N! So glad you could make it!” Patton runs over and gives you a hug.

Virgil and Janus wave back and Roman and Remus greet you as well.

“Hello,” Logan nods with a smile.

You skip to him as your grin brightens, “Hello,”

“It’s very nice to see you,”

“Of course it is,” you laugh. “It’s nice to see you too. How’ve you been?”

“Very well. Everything appears to be working smoothly. You?”

“I’ve been alright,”

If you’re not mistaken, he’s gotten even more handsome since the last time you saw him. Is that possible?

Wait, what are you thinking?

No, no, it’s fine. It’s totally normal to find your friends attractive, right? You’re sure he’d say the same about you, and it wouldn’t be weird at all.

But damn does his smile make your heart flutter, and the way his slightly grown out bangs fall around his forehead gives you an irresistible urge to touch it. As you grab your food together his hand brushes against yours just for a moment, but it sends shivers down your spine for several more. He makes you laugh whether or not he’s trying to and fascinates you with his extensive knowledge on various topics. He makes you happier than anyone on the planet.

But of course none of that really means anything, right? Never mind the fact that since seeing him today you haven’t been able to get the thought of kissing him out of your head, how badly you want to just whisk him away to the side of the house, grab his shirt and make out with him ‘til you can’t breathe.

Alright, maybe that’s not normal.

It’s not like it would ever happen anyway, you’re sure he sees you as just a friend and you’re honestly fine with that. You’d never want to lose your best friend simply because you caught feelings.

As everyone finishes up their meal, you notice Remus running to the porch and shuffling around in a trash bag.

You turn to Logan, “What’s he doing?”

“I’ve found it’s best not to wonder,” he rolls his eyes. “It’s probably nothing of importance…NO WAIT WATCH OUT!”

Before you know it, you’re completely soaked head to toe and swivel around to see Remus pointing a huge water gun directly at you.

“WATER FIGHT!!” he screeches, pulling out more guns from the bag and tossing them to everyone.

Logan got a bit wet too, but not nearly as much as you, “Oh, Y/N, I’m so sorry, allow me to grab you some towels-“

“No, no, it’s fine, it’s just water,” you glare at Remus. “Hopefully,”

“Neither the color or smell indicate that it’s not,”

You chuckle, grabbing a squirter from the ground, “Come on, help me get back at him,”

“I really shouldn’t, I would prefer to stay as dry as possible,”

“Come on,” you grab his hand and pull him up. “Please?”

He stares at you helplessly, searching for an excuse but unable to resist, “Alright,”

You smile, grabbing him another gun and racing across the yard.

Patton starts filling up some water balloons while Roman flings them around, no one can tell whose side he’s on because he’s barely hitting anything. Janus is taking advantage of his extra arms by having a super soaker in each and aiming at literally everyone. Virgil has teamed up with you and Logan and focuses everything he’s got on Remus.

“Roman I must say, your aim is absolutely preposterous,” Logan comments.

“Oh, would you like to try it? I highly doubt you could do any better,”

“Actually, yes,” he grins, taking a water balloon and throwing it directly at Remus’s face.

Everyone’s mouth falls open.

“Where’d you learn how to do that?” Roman gasps, completely baffled.

“It’s not too difficult, just a few physics calculations and some practice,”

“Can you show me?” you ask, taking another balloon and squinting your eye towards Remus.

“Of course,” he places his hands on your shoulders and straightens out your stance. You desperately hope he doesn’t notice you stiffening and holding your breath from his touch. “The key is to have your arm in line with your eyesight. Even when you pull it back, if you’re not focused the follow through won’t work,”

You nod, gulping a bit and trying not to shake.

“Okay, now try it. It’s alright if you don’t hit him immediately,” his palm stays on your back as you throw it, hitting Remus’s leg.

“I hit him!” you squeal.

“Wonderful! Now we just have to work on aiming a bit higher-“ he steps in front of you as Remus darts a balloon back in your direction. His shirt gets drenched and Remus cackles.

“Oh no, Logan-“

His expression isn’t angry surprisingly. Instead, there’s a fire in his eyes that you’ve never seen before, the face of someone genuinely having fun.

He smirks at you, the way he always does when the gears are turning in his brain.

“Patton, can I see that?” he points towards the hose he’s been using to fill the balloons. Patton nods and Logan gets to work, using all your water guns to build a big canon and positioning it towards Remus. He turns it up to the highest pressure possible and blasts him.

It doesn’t hurt him of course, and even if it did he probably wouldn’t care. He merely falls back laughing, rolling around on the ground and covering himself with dirt and grass.

“Wow,” you sigh, eyes wide.

“You did ask me to help you get back at him, did you not?”

“I most certainly did,”

“Well,” he sets everything down. “I hope I delivered,”

“You did…” your gaze is locked on him. Who knew such a silly water war could make you so much more in love with him, especially with the way his wet shirt clings to him and the droplets on his glasses-

“Are you quite alright?” Logan inquires, concerned.

“Mhmmm,”

“Who wants to make some s’mores?” Patton calls, snatching some firewood. Everyone agrees so he gets it started, wanting to give it time to turn into hot coals. He grabs some crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows from inside and some sticks.

Logan gets towels for everyone and tenderly wraps one around your shoulders. The dampness is still cold, but the sweet gesture warms you up a bit.

Would it be crazy if you told him how you’ve been feeling tonight? Would it be completely irresponsible to flirt with him a bit? It feels wrong, but it feels more right than wrong. You just know he’s the one you’re meant to be with. You can’t imagine yourself with anyone else. He’s your best friend after all, and you’re sure any future partner you could ever have would be threatened by how close you are anyway. If you simply dated each other that wouldn’t be a problem.

But you’re terrified. You can feel your heart pulsing through your fingertips as you hold the marshmallow over the coals. The hot flames make your face burn and you can’t tell the difference between your sweat and the water covering you from earlier. You grow quiet, and Logan notices.

“Is there something wrong?”

Thankfully the other sides are engaged in their own conversation, so they don’t put any attention on you.

“I’m fine, just a bit tired,” you say, pulling your marshmallow away and squishing it between your graham crackers and chocolate.

“Did I mention that you look exquisite today?”

You almost choke on your sandwich, “What?”

“And I assure you our little water detour didn’t change that,”

“Oh, um,” you wipe your mouth with a napkin. “Thank you. You look really good too,”

“I hope that’s alright for me to say, please forgive me if I’ve crossed a line,”

“No!” you shake your head a bit too hard. “I mean, it’s fine. You can say that as much as you want, if that is what you want. Of course you don’t have to,”

Shit.

A smile tugs at his lips, as if he’s actually charmed by your bumbling, “Would you care to go inside? I believe Patton has quite a few card and board games if you’re interested,”

You nod. It’s getting a bit chilly outside anyway, and maybe being alone with him will settle your nerves a bit. Your newly discovered feelings for him aside, he’s always the one person who makes you most comfortable.

He grabs the checkers and sets it up on the table next to the couch, “You can go first,”

You move your first piece and the game begins. He doesn’t hold back of course, he’s not the type to let anyone win on purpose, but he doesn’t rub it in your face either. He makes you smile the entire time and you almost forget how anxious you were before.

That is, until the game finishes and it all comes rushing back. He won, and he looks absolutely adorable. Your stomach is in knots and you just want to look at him this satisfied forever.

“Hey, Logan?”

“Yes?”

“Do you ever wonder if we’d work well in a relationship? Like a romantic one?”

“I…” he considers it, his cheeks flushing a deep pink. “I can’t say I’ve never contemplated the idea. Why do you ask?”

“I was just wondering,” you shrug it off, assuming he’ll want to move on from the topic.

“I think we would,” he says confidently, yet still not able to meet your eyes. “If I’m being completely honest, which I assure you I am, I’ve thought about it many times,”

Your heart pounds in your chest.

“You’re wonderful, Y/N. I admire everything about you. You’re everything I want and value in both a friend and a partner, and I daresay even more. If you ever wanted to escalate our relationship to a deeper level, I would oblige immediately. I truly would,”

You don’t really know what to say. He just confessed his affections for you better than you ever could’ve, and quite frankly you don’t think you could top it. It feels like your heart is beating faster and slower at the same time, the relief of knowing and the panic of what happens next. Obviously he wants you to say yes, right?

But all you can think about is how much you want his lips on yours.

You meet his gaze, “If you don’t kiss me right this second I swear I’ll strangle you,”

“I’m sorry?”

“I love you. It took me a long time to realize, but I know it now. I love you,” you release all the nervous energy. “Now please just kiss me,”

“I…I love you too,” his eyes dart around your face and his grin lights up. It’s as if he can’t take you all in not matter how hard he tries. Nothing in the universe could ever compare to you or what he feels for you.

He kisses you gently at first, resting his hand on your neck. His lips taste like chocolate from the s’mores and they’re perfectly warm.

He pulls away, “Is this okay? Is this what you want?”

“Oh my gosh yes please don’t stop,” you pull him back to you, wrapping your arms around him and kissing him harder. He becomes more self-assured as you go, running his fingers through your hair and holding your waist to bring you closer.

He apologizes when his glasses hit you, but you don’t care. All you can focus on is the fact that his body is on yours and you’re finally kissing the love of your life.

After a while you fall back on the cushions breathless. Logan props himself up on his elbows and grasps your hands, holding them to his cheeks. You smile up at him, giggling a bit.

“I can’t believe we waited so long to do this,” he says, kissing your palm.

You smirk, “Well let’s not wait to do it again,”

[pixiegrl]

Can I get "are you finishing that or....?" and/or "don't even think about it" for lashton. Thank you!

~no clue who

Hello hello! This for for @lifewasradical’s anon who has graced my inbox and who has also talked to me about lingerie luke! I thought you might enjoy some soft domestic morning fluff for the lingerie verse. Please enjoy!

on ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/29708487

Luke wakes up to the sounds of Ashton humming, running his fingers through Luke’s curls. Luke rolls over onto his side and looks up at Ashton.

“Morning,” Luke mumbles. Ashton glances down at him, smile breaking out slowly on his lips, dimples popping. In the early morning light, he looks golden, skin glowing and eyes almost honey colored. Luke curls into his side, letting Ashton scratch at his scalp, sighing contentedly.

“You’re as bad as Petunia,” Ashton teases. Luke smacks Ashton’s thigh in response.

“Killing the mood.”

Ashton laughs, leaning down to kiss Luke. Luke pushes at his shoulders sending Ashton onto his back. Luke straddles Ashton, pressing soft kisses to his lips and cheeks. Ashton laughs, gripping onto Luke’s hips and squeezing. Luke laughs, swatting at Ashton’s hands.

“Ash stop! You know I’m ticklish,” Luke shrieks with laughter, squirming under Ashton’s hands. Ashton grins mischievously, sneaking his hands below the lace of Luke’s underwear and pressing into his hip bones. Luke shrieks again, trying to push himself out of Ashton’s hold. Ashton uses it as leverage, flipping them both over so that Luke’s flat on his back, gazing up at Ashton as he hovers over him.

Ashton stops, arms braced on either side of Luke, grinning down at him. Luke reaches up, pushing a black curl out of his eyes and tugging it behind his ear. In the light, Ashton’s eyes are hazel and glowing, smile soft. Luke smiles up at him, continuing to rub his thumb over Ashton’s skin.

“Hi,” Luke whispers up at him. 

“Hi,” Ashton whispers back. He leans down, kissing Luke softly. Luke eats it up, pulling Ashton in closer, pressing their chests flush as they keep kissing. It’s lazy and easy, with no purpose behind it other than to simply kiss. 

“You’re cute in my shirts, but I’m not going to have any shirts left if you keep stealing them.”

“Who says I want you to wear shirts?” Luke teases. Even if Ashton’s shirts are too tight over Luke’s broader shoulder, he likes them. They feel well-worn and loved, soft to the touch. They make Luke feel special and cherished when he wears them. 

“Well, if we get arrested for public indecency because I’m not wearing a shirt, you can tell management why,” Ashton says. Luke giggles, arching up to steal a kiss from Ashton. They kiss for a few more moments before Ashton finally pulls away, speaking up. 

“I promised you brunch didn’t I?” He says, gazing down at Luke. Luke’s a little dazzled looking at Ashton, seeing the open adoration and love on his face. He keeps playing with Ashton’s curls lightly.

“You did! With the fancy pancake shapes! And fruit!” Luke grins. Ashton rolls his eyes a little, but his fond smile gives him away. 

“Sweet breakfast for a sweet boy,” Ashton says. He ducks down for another kiss before rolling off of Luke and out of bed. Luke sighs, flopping onto his side and staring up at Ashton. 

“Hey.” 

“Yeah?” 

“I love you,” Luke says. Ashton snorts, leaning down to kiss Luke. 

“I love you too. Now come help me in the kitchen you brat,” he says. Luke laughs as Ashton leaves the bedroom, greeting Petunia when he realizes she’s in the hallway. Luke sighs, dragging himself out of bed and pulling on the shorts he keeps by the bed, soft and gray and covered in stars. Luke shimmies them on, leaves the bedroom to find Ashton on the stairs, carrying Petunia down. 

“And you say I spoil her,” Luke teases. Ashton flips him the middle finger, but makes no move to put her down until they’ve  reached the ground floor. 

“Maybe I won’t make you pancakes now,” Ashton says. 

“You wouldn’t dare,” Luke fires back. Ashton blushes, clearly caught out by the truth in the statement. Ashton just shots Luke another middle finger, heading into the kitchen. Luke laughs, following after him. 

Ashton’s already pulling things out of the cabinets and trying to set the kitchen up. They’d watched one too many cooking videos over the weekend and decided that they wanted to make pancakes in different shapes. They’re going to attempt to make them using squirt bottles with the batter. Luke doesn’t know if it will work, but Ashton has far more confidence in it than he does. 

Ashton pulls out the pans and the pancake mix from the cabinet. Luke grabs the eggs and milk from the fridge. Ashton heats up the pan they use, putting some butter on it to make it easier to use. Ashton starts the mixing while Luke grabs their little coffee pot, getting the bag of coffee they keep in their freezer to scoop it out. 

“Ground coffee? Getting fancy there Luke,” Ashton teases as he beats the egg in the bowl. Luke shrugs. 

“Thought we deserved the change is all. We have all this coffee that we barely use. Gotta spice things up,” Luke says, wiggling his eyebrows. Ashton dissolves into giggles, swatting at Luke as he finishes mixing the batter. He pours it into the bottles as Luke heats up the water. Ashton holds a bottle out to Luke.

“Fire away.”

“You trust me?”

“No, but it’ll be fun,” Ashton says. Luke laughs, pointing his bottle at the pan and trying to spray the batter into a heart shape. It turns out lopsided and uneven edged as it starts to cook. Luke wants to be sad about it, but Ashton’s laughing, waiting till it's brown before flipping it. He takes it off the pan, puts it on the plate. Ashton tries his own heart, more like a blob than a heart. Luke giggles when Ashton huffs. 

They keep going, trying to make hearts and flowers, their initials. All the pancakes are slightly uneven, less defined edges. Ashton keeps complaining about how easy the videos made it look, how it’s clearly not. Luke keeps giggling, giving him kisses on the cheek to make him feel better. Ashton always prides himself on how well he can cook. It must be killing him.

“At least they’ll taste good,” Luke reassures him as they turn off the stove once they’ve run out of batter, making sure the coffee’s ready.

“If you say so,” Ashton mumbles.

“Hey, you made them. They’re going to be amazing. We should eat outside. It’s nice weather out there,” Luke says, squeezing Ashton’s hand, smiling at him.

They make their way outside to the deck, bringing their plates of food, fruit, and mugs of coffee to the table they have out there. Petunia trots out after them, curling up at Luke’s feet once he sits down and gazing up at him, clearly begging for food. Luke tries to ignore her, instead looking up at Ashton.

Ashton’s cut his pancake into little bites, but he hasn’t made a move to start eating them. Instead, he’s pushing the blueberries around on his plate, coating them in the maple syrup and slowly eating them. Luke eats a couple bites of his lopsided heart, relishing in the sweetness of the syrup, the fluffiness of the pancakes. Luke’s not sure why, but they’re the best pancakes he’s ever had. Could just be because Ashton made them for Luke and Luke loves everything that Ashton makes him to eat. 

“Are you finishing that or…?” Luke trails off, making to stab a piece of Ashton’s pancake when Ashton’s been silent for too long, poking at his pancake. Ashton smacks his hand, glaring. Luke smiles innocently in response, eyes wide and innocent. 

“Don’t even think about it,” he snaps, stabbing the piece and sticking it in his mouth. Luke laughs, leans over to wipe a bit of syrup from his lips. He sucks his thumb in his mouth, grunning when Ashton stares obviously at his lips. Luke blows him a little kiss, laughing when Ashton huffs, rolling his eyes.

They eat in comfortable silence for a few moments, knocking their feet against each other under the table. The pancake hearts are lopsided and none of the shapes look like their shapes, but Luke’s never been happier. He’s eating pancakes with fruit with Ashton, sitting outside on their deck with Petunia at their feet. He’s so overwhelmingly happy, can’t stop smiling.

“Hey,” Ashton says, softly.

“Hey,” Luke replies.

“We should get married.”

“We already are silly,” Luke laughs. Ashton shakes his head.

“No, we should do our backyard wedding. We should do it soon. Like, put a date on it for Michael and Calum. We can invite Sierra and KayKay too. Make a little party of it.”

“Really?”

“I don’t want to wait any longer to be married to you. I want to call you my husband. I want to tell our friends how much I love you. I want to kiss you in front of everyone. I want to see you in your dress and dance with you in heels until your feet hurt and then I want to undress you later and see your lingerie. It’s nice weather for an outdoor wedding. I want to marry you under the sunshine and blue skies. Let’s get married,” Ashton says. Luke drops his fork, leaning over the table to take Ashton’s face in his hands and kiss him.

“Yes. Yes, god yes. I want to marry you so much. Let’s do it.”

“You already have everything don’t you?” Ashton teases, gripping onto Luke’s wrists and squeezing. Luke smiles, cheeks hurting from the force. 

“Of course. Who do you take me for?” Luke says, laughing. Ashton grins even wider, pressing another kiss to Luke’s lips. Luke goes around the table, collapsing into Ashton’s lap and snuggling into him. Luke knows they still have to finish breakfast, clean everything up, call their friends and arrange things. They still have to check if Calum’s ordained yet, set things up, plan out everything just to get married in their backyard, but for now, Luke rests his head under Ashton’s chin and sighs happily, closing his eyes. He’s happy and warm and in love. He could live like this forevermore.

[mwolf0epsilon]

Silly prompt Idea for if you feel like it: BATIM but the monsters are chill to humans but are still unnerving; Sammy doesn't care about sacrificing people and is instead constantly trying to commit theophagy, Alice just covers the ruined half of her face with a mask instead of seeking perfection but sings songs about dismembering people anyway, the projectionist is tame and comes when you 'Pspspspspsps' at him but he also plays with corpses. etc.

Summary: Sometimes Joey liked to shake things up a bit to keep Henry on his toes, but this particular loop was probably the weirdest of them all...

---

[[MORE]]

Joey Drew was a creature of positively maddening habit. He'd demonstrated this since he was but a little child, eager to run from the church service and get grass stains on his Sunday best, ready to go on imaginary adventures with his one best friend in the whole wide world. Indeed, a day could not go by where Joey and Henry didn't play pretend in the latter's backyard.

Now as an old and bitter man in a wheelchair, the same still proved to be unfortunately true, although the setting was much different. He'd drag himself out of bed every day, completed his routine, then off he went to put his "toys" and supposed best friend through the same nightmare over and over again.

Surely doing the same old charade had to grow stale even for him, right? Well... That's why once in a blue moon, Joey tried to get a little... Creative.

Henry found that he hated those times more than being a prisoner to a never-ending loop, because the unpredictable nature of Joey's creativity was truly something out of his nightmares. Such was his dilemma now.

The first sign that all was not as it should be was the fact the pedestals that allowed the Ink Machine to be turned on, were already prepared and ready to go. Items placed in their rightful positions awaiting the flick of a switch. The second sign was the apprehensive behaviour of the demon, upon Henry triggering its first appearence in this loop. It didn't jump out at him, instead merely pulled itself out of the ink with something akin to frustration.

"You too uh?" Henry felt for the wretched creature, knowing that it was as unwilling a participant in this show as he was. He also knew that it disliked when Joey shook up the plot a bit because it often ended with it finding a more painful demise.

The Ink Demon said nothing in return, but motioned for him to go with it's uneven limbs. Different or not, the path was a linear one and Henry had to go about everything as if it were a normal run... Except it was anything but. The Music Department was proof enough of that.

He fell through the floor, had the usual visions, acquired a fire axe, and was ready to find the music director creeping about as usual. Instead, the old veteran came face to face with a religious service in full swing.

Searchers and Lost Ones, gurgling and reciting along to whatever "words of god" Sammy Lawrence was currently preaching, were sitting in makeshift booths.

Several alters set up for the Ink Demon were brimming with offerings of dolls, trinkets and cans of bacon soup. So many, many, cans of bacon soup. Brought in by the members in attendance.

Henry paused, completely taken by surprise by this... Arrangement. If anyone noticed his presence, no one seemed bothered about it. If anything, Sammy glanced once at him and merely continued his sermons, giving Henry ample time to accomplish his tasks in the music department.

As he collected the abandoned pressure valve (because Jack had apparently also gone to the "Sunday service"), Henry wondered if the mad maestro would just let him leave peacefully.

When no blow came from behind, he felt pretty satisfied with the outcome. Until he had to pass by the large gathering of ink people again, that is...

The sermons had apparently come to a close, and it was about the time church goers were to perform their theophagy ritual. Henry expected them to just eat the soup as their "body and blood of god", but of course why would any sane man think that these people who followed the ramblings of a mad Prophet, would do so much as dare a glance at an offering to their Lord?

No, Henry should have honestly known better, and he came to a complete stop as he watched the once-respectable composer push a cage full of live rats, and a bowl full of ink, into the center of the room.

"Feast now brothers and sisters, for one day this flesh will allow us to regain our own physical bodies. But let us not forget our Lord's blessings. May drinking his blood infuse us with the courage we need to commit to such ritualistic prayer."

Henry didn't stick around to watch the "feasting", but the shrill screeching of rats and wet crunching of bones followed him all the way to Buddy's safehouse, where the poor cartoon wolf looked just as disgusted and horrified as him. Fur standing on end just as Henry's own skin got goosebumps.

Thoroughly disturbed by what he'd witnessed, the old cartoonist knew to be on guard for whatever came next. While the Ink Demon seemed to just linger and let them pass, Alice Angel was still a supposed threat he needed to contend with. Joey didn't do much with her, as far as petty resentment towards Susie went, so he expected a struggle. He didn't expect a cabaret show.

There, in a room fixed up to look like a stage with Butcher Gang clones working as some sort of bar staff, stood the malicious lady herself, performing with a mask fashioned from an Alice Angel cutout's head.

The left side serving to hide her deformities, while she seductively swung her hips to the beat of a song that was certainly less cartoony and more sensual. A tango of some sort, or perhaps even jazz. Henry had a bit of a tin ear, so he couldn't really tell...

She was pretty content just singing and dancing, although her words were ones that put both he and Buddy on edge.

Sweet words that romanticized death and dismemberment, because nothing spelled angelic mercy like hearing about your innards getting torn out and used in ways he dare not speak of.

At least the whiskey was nice, likely pillaged from a couple of employees's offices.

Wherever Henry went, he found no real danger. This loop was just weird. Of course before moving onto Bendyhell to see what in God's name Joey might have done to subdue Bertrum, Alice did ask him to check up on Norman.

He'd at least hoped the Projectionist was behaving as intended... Except he wasn't. Of course he wasn't. Henry nearly backed off into the lift as soon as he realized the hulking beast was playing with the remains of its dead prey, and then nearly straight up pissed himself when that blazing light fell upon him and his lupine companion.

But then the large beast did something unexpected. It lumbered slowly towards them rather than rushing them, and then gently head-butted Henry's arm, purring like a big twisted cat of some kind.

Buddy shrugged at him when he looked over with a raised brow, before the old cartoonist sighed and gave the object-headed beast a few scratches on the "chin" and left it to its... Morbid activities. Playing with its mangled food like an actual cat...

Bendyhell in contrast, was quite pleasant. Abuzz with the cheers of Lost Ones having fun with the games and rides. Bertrum looked annoyed, but entertained his guests nonetheless. Henry Eve caught sight and waved at the dancing animatronic that ran about checking in on the Lost Ones that were having a blast. Hopefully none belonged to Sammy's church, lest poor Bertrum ended up dealing with upchucked rat remains... Best not think of that.

The encounter with Allison and Tom was postponed to the giant Ink Machine itself. They were in the Ink Demon's throne room, playing card games with it. The absolute look of boredom twisting its grin into a grimace.

"You know what, I don't even care enough to ask..." He threw up his hands in surrender and simply say down with them. "What are we playing?"

"Go fish. At the best of three, then you can end this nightmare..." Allison sighed.

"Amen to that..." He took the hand the Ink Demon shuffled for him, then joined in their game, allowing Buddy to sit down besides him to doodle away in his notebook.

If Joey was going to weird him out with his freaky jokes, at least Henry would get back at him by leaving him waiting in his stuffy old apartment.

[everythingshawnmendes]

a/n: tom’s ig story with the chickens was so fucking cute, it set smt off in me. First piece of tom, don’t kill me cause it’s not shawn

summary: you’re a youtuber/actress and go shopping w ur mom and bf tom, then go home and adopt some chickens cause ur out of eggs. a lot of fluff and domestic tom ig its just that

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A post shared by Tom Holland Source (@tomhollandig) on Mar 22, 2020 at 5:08am PDT

You can’t believe how quickly that escalated. 

One second you’re on set, the next, filming has been shut down for an indeterminate time for safety.

One second you’re out for lunch, the next, you find yourself at Costco helping your mom stock up for what seems like an apocalypse. Thank God Tom was with you, or you would have truly gone mad.

“MY. GOD!” Your mom exclaimed behind the wheel as she spotted the parking lot. “People are going crazy!”

“Parking at Costco is usually hard to find, but there literally isn’t one spot available.” Tom huffed, peeking his head out the window.

“So… what do we do?” You asked your mom, resting your head on Tom’s shoulder.

She looked over at you guys from her rear-view mirror and smiled slightly.

“Can you guys go in and I text you what to get?”

“Yeah of course, Mrs Y/L/N.” Tom clapped his hands together. “We’re an old couple, Y/N and I, aren’t we, love? Go grocery shopping together all the time.”

“Shut up, Tom. Every week we go, and it’s just you sitting in my cart, begging me to push you around.” You rolled your eyes at him. “Useless child, you are.” You poked him.

“Y/N.” Your mom said sternly in a tone you knew all too well. “Be nice to your boyfriend.”

“Yeah, be nice to your boyfr-“ Tom pouted at you, but stopped mid-word because you blew a big raspberry on his cheek. “Hey, that’s not a proper kiss, give dadd-“

“Okay, we’re approaching the entrance!” You said louder than necessary, your cheeks reddening. Your mom loved Tom, but no amount of closeness between the two would ever, ever make it okay for her to know about your little daddy kink.

The two of you scrambled out of the car and your mom opened the window.

“Wait, take my card!”

“It’s okay, Mrs, I can pay, don’t worry about it.” Tom leaned forward to tell her. Your heart fluttered slightly, he was just so cute, you thought.

“Don’t be silly, Y/N take my card.”

You huffed, letting go of Tom’s hand and reaching into the car to take it.

“Just let my mom pay, babe, she’ll never get over it if you do.” You said to him as the two of you turned around. “But you’re sweeeet.” You grinned bigly at him, eyes all smiley and squinty. He smiled back at you, and gave you a quick kiss.

“Alright, love, let’s go get a cart, shall we?” He walked with you to go get a cart, giving your butt a quick little spank.

“Tom!” You said through gritted teeth and laughter as you wiggled your hips to get his hand off you. “My mom’s car is still. behind. us.”

“Can’t help myself sometimes.” He laughed.

The environment in the store was crazy. Everyone was wiping everything down with wipes, some people wore gloves and masks. Quite a few people recognized you two, but everyone was social distancing, so the best they got unfortunately were some six feet apart selfies.

“Never thought I’d get recognized at Costco, to be honest.” Tom said.

“You’re… literally… Spiderman, Tom.” You looked at him.

“You never really get used to it.” He shrugged. “‘Course you might be, with all your Youtube subscribers and-“

“Oh, stop it.” You giggled, slapping his arm. “Okay, okay, my mom is spamming my phone. Jesus Christ. 4 bags of frozen vegetables, 36 cans of V8, canned tomatoes, flour, rice, oil. She’s gone crazy.” You looked up at Tom incredulously. 

“We better get started then.” Tom rested his elbows on the cart and slowly walked alongside you.

Slowly but surely, following the crowd of anxious shoppers, you made it to the produce section. As you were picking out what kind of apples you should get, you hear Tom ask.

“Love, you want pineapple? Looks pretty good.” He called out from in front of you, holding up a pineapple.

“Yeah, thanks.” You couldn’t help but smile. You were so whipped for this boy, it annoyed you how much you smiled around him.

He carried on, weight resting on his elbows on the cart handle. You decided on the apples and went to join him, slipping your hand around his waist.

“Your ass looks cute in those sweatpants.” You grinned cheekily at him, as your hand give him a quick pet and he scoffed, putting his arm around your shoulder.

“So you can do it and I can’t? Unfair.”

He listened to you read off the list again and carefully picked out cartons of eggs, opening each box to make sure none were cracked.

“You know, I’ve never seen you behave so normally food shopping before.” You looked at him, a hand on your hip.

“We’re not just food shopping, we’re food shopping for your mum! I need to impress her with my potential future son-in-law skills.”

“Awe, I love you. You buffoon.” You said.

“Hey, don’t give me those big puppy eyes here. I love you too.” Tom said, returning to the cart and your side and kissing you swiftly on the top of your forehead.

“Our cart’s quite heavy already.” You pointed out.

“It’s okay, I got super strength.” He winked at you, earning jab on the arm. “You know, you’ve got to stop showing your affection by punching me.”

“I thought you had super strength.” You said, in a British accent.

“This woman.” He chuckled, shaking his head and running his hand through his hair. 

“Hey, my mom just texted she wants oranges. You mind getting them, we can’t turn the cart back around with all these people.”

“Sure.” Tom headed off.

A little while later, as you’re pushing your cart that weighed a ton, you find your mom. She finally found a parking spot.

“Where’s Tom?” She asked you.

“Gone to get your oranges. Hey, are 10 kilograms of flour really necessary?”

“Yes, they are. You don’t know how long we can be stuck inside after this! Now, go get applesauce, those never expire. And get one for Tom too.”

You were going to quarantine with Tom, and you found it heartwarming your mom thought of you guys, often getting double of things.

“What took you so long?” You asked Tom when he finally returned.

“They have Easter chocolate!” He grinned, holding up two bags of chocolate eggs.

“See, I’m with you for a reason.” You took both bags and the oranges as well. “Come push the cart babe, it’s actually impossible now.” You laughed.

“Chocolate!” Your mom exclaimed.

“They had dark, so got that for you Mrs.” Tom pointed.

“Kiss ass.” You teased him.

Your two-hour long Costco trip ended and after helping your mom with the groceries, you and Tom were finally back at your home unloading your own stuff.

“Babe, we don’t have any eggs.” Tom pointed out.

“Oh no.” You said, flopping down on your couch and already on the verge of falling asleep.

“What are we going to eat in the morning?” His eyebrows furrowed, then plopped right next to you.

“Cereal.” You said in a muffled voice, head buried in a pillow.

“Mhmm.” Tom answered, wrapping an arm around your waist.

The two of you woke up some time later.

“Jeez, how long we been asleep?” You rub your eyes.

“I want my eggs.” Tom mumbled.

You looked online, and it appeared most supermarkets were all out, of a lot of stuff even.

“Where else can we get eggs?”

“Chickens!”

“Tom, that… sounds kinda fun actually.”

Next thing you know, you drove to a really nearby farm to get two chickens and you’re now in the backyard making sure your fences really work.

“-and over there is Chestnut. Be free, my friend, ooh!” Tom recorded himself, as he let one fly out of his arms.

You laughed. “You hold your phone like a dad.”

“What do you mean? This is how I record myself, here is the misses right here.” He turns to get you in the shot. “She’s looking cute n’ all, in my big sweater.”

“Hi guys, we own chickens now!” 

“Hey, I’m a chicken dad!”

[bnhablessings]

Could I request a Bakugo x reader where her quirk is shapeshifting and she can turn into a wolf. They were pair to fight and he really injures her and she runs off and he feels horrible so spends hours looking for her and finds her licking her wounds still in her wolf form (you can end it, love ya!!)

I love you too, anon. I hope you enjoy this!

And I hope everyone had a good holiday! Can’t believe it’s going to be 2020 in a few days :0

Bakugou Katsuki x Female!Reader

Warnings: Bakugou’s swearing

Words: 1079

 “Ready?”

“Of fucking course I am ready,” Bakugou murmurs his glare on you.

Aizawa rolls his eyes since his question wasn’t directed towards the brat. No, it was directed to you and he continues to stare at you until you muster up your courage and nod your head, determination in your eyes.

It’s meant to be a simple fight to see how much you have improved physically without your quirk per Aizawa’s demand. Bakugou, however, has other plans. He wants to push you to do your absolute best because he has a soft spot for you, though he would never admit it. So to him, he takes this fight more serious than he usually would.

You are fast to evade all attacks and manage to get a few good hits in but… All it takes are a few good explosive punches from him for you to be seeing double. Aizawa voices a command for Bakugou to stop. He does so again this time on the verge of pulling you two apart and just as he goes to make the move to end this, Bakugou does one final hit that has you hunched over in pain.

The last hit was without his quirk thanks to Aizawa erasing it for a moment but it was the final hit that sent you into a panicked state.

Despite your best efforts, it turns out to be too soon to try and fight one of the top students in the class. It shows through the pain on your face. You can hear Aizawa and he sounds so angry and concerned but all you feel is humiliation and so much pain where you had been hit.

The adrenaline still rushes through you and you choose to flee, using your quirk against your better judgment, and turning into a wolf to get the heck out of there. You ignore your teacher calling for you and the confused look on Bakugou’s face.

Once you are entirely out of the room, Aizawa lets out an annoyed sigh as he turns to face his other student. Bakugou is silent as he waits for his teacher to scold him. He’s surprised when Aizawa instead, just ignores his entire existence for a moment.

Somehow, the silence actually makes Bakugou feel guilty.

“She’ll be fine physically. Probably will have a couple of bruises but in case you did hurt her internally, go find her and give this to her. Tell her it’s from Recovery Girl,” Aizawa says as he hands over a small bottle with a clear liquid in it.

Bakugou looks confused and he asks, “You’re not going to yell or fucking something? And you’re the damn teacher. Why don’t you go after her?”

Aizawa doesn’t say a word as he leaves. Bakugou huffs as the guilt grows from having his teacher not explain why he has to go after he did that to her. He stares at the medicine in his hand and goes in search of her.

~*~

“Screw this. It’s her own damn fault for being so fucking weak,” Bakugou grumbles as he lets the thought of giving up tempt him.

Glancing around his surroundings, Bakugou gets even more annoyed. “Who the fuck thought it was a good idea to have a mini forest behind the school? This is beneath me,” He says in a frustrated murmur.

Despite his cruel words and thoughts, his feet keep going forward in hopes of finding his classmate he has grown fond of. As he keeps going through the great backyard of U.A the sky grows dark and the small growl of his stomach indicates dinner is going to be ready soon.

Another growl, this time not from his stomach, alerts him and he heads to the source. His eyes are watching and stop upon seeing the wolf that had left the training room. The anger that has been bubbling in him just about bursts.

“Where the actual fuck have you been. I’ve been looking everywhere for your dumbass for hours now. Change back right now so you can take this damn medicine from Recovery Girl,” Bakugou growls out as he sits beside your wolf figure.

The continuous sound of licking bothers him immensely as he turns his body to glare at you. You’re licking where he had last hit you on your stomach. This goes on for a moment and some random growls were sent his way.

“I can’t believe I wasted my time worrying about you. I’m leaving,” Bakugou states.

Before he can stand up you stop using your quirk. You revert back and Bakugou winces upon seeing your clothing disheveled, littered with burn marks and rips, from his explosions.

“You could’ve asked Aizawa where I was. He knows this is my location,” You mumble.

Bakugou grows a vein on his forehead at the thought. That must’ve been his punishment. Wander around like an idiot for hours until he found you. He pushes the medicine into your hands and you drink it with ease.

“I’m sorry I ran off like that. I got overwhelmed. Our difference in power is too much-“

Bakugou cuts you off with his signature glare and scowls as he says, “Shut the fuck up. Obviously, you’re going to be weak if you think like that. You had a good chance I just went too hard on you on purpose.”

“Wait, why?”

“If you’re better enough to ask stupid fucking questions then let’s go.”

You glance at him and see him looking away. His cheeks are tinted red. His hands are formed into tight fists and before you can continue to question him in any way he abruptly stands up.

“C’mon dumbass, let’s head back. Dinner should be done soon.”

 Bonus scene:

“I have a bone to pick with you! Do you like making me look like a fucking moron trying to find her dumb-“ Bakugou is cut off as Aizawa’s wraps wrap around his face.

Aizawa’s face is emotionless as he speaks in a monotone voice, “I did you a favor. Now you’ll be fighting her on a weekly basis. Do what you will but don’t say I didn’t give you a chance to let your silly little crush blossom.”

The wraps drop to the ground and Bakugou lets out a puff of air from frustration and embarrassment. He has no words left to say.

“Oh. Also, you have detention with Present Mic for failing to listen to my command during training. Have fun with that.”

[andcontemplation]

I saw your pic of Winona and Helena and I was wondering if you could do a short ficlet of maybe young Joyce discussing her fling/friendzone/love with Hop with her older sister cause hell she's desperate about it

Like the sister could ask her out, give advice, tease her about it, they could talk about each other's experiences or Joyce could even ask her for advice cause she's afraid to fuck things up if it gets physical

I'm not a writer so I'm leaving all my ideas here, I'd love if you wrote this but don't worry if you're too busy or sth

Dear Anon -- I don’t normally take many fic requests because I’m such a slow writer, but this one just sprouted fully formed from my brain the moment I read your ask! It still took me a few days to get after since life got busy for me. It also turned out to be about 1400+ words so I’ve pasted below under the cut. I’ll be uploading it to Ao3 soon too when I get a chance :) I’d be happy to dedicate it to you if you feel comfortable dm-ing me your username on Ao3. Thank you for sending it along!

"Hey, you! What's wrong?"

Joyce nearly jumped out of her skin at the disembodied voice that called out from the empty bedroom -- or at least, the bedroom she thought was empty. She turned on a dime, clutching for her heart. Joyce might’ve been sixteen going on seventeen, but she was far too young for a heart attack.

"Jesus!" She gasped at the familiar figure sitting at the edge of the bed. "I didn't know you were home."

"Ma didn't tell you I was coming home for Thanksgiving?" Stella stopped unpacking the small duffle at her feet and raised an eyebrow at her sister.

Joyce sighed and leaned against the doorframe.

"Ma's not even here! She went to Chicago this morning with her new beau."

"Color me surprised," Stella deadpanned, throwing the pair of socks down on the bed in disgust. "Which one? Tom?"

Joyce shook her head.

"Randy. Tom was married."

Stella rolled her eyes and reached for another handful of clothes.

"Of course he was," she snapped. "How does she keep falling for that same old line?"

Joyce only shrugged and toed the door jamb, waiting for her sister to invite her into her room.

They hadn't seen much of each other since Stella ran off at sixteen to live with her boyfriend in Philadelphia, almost two years previous, and as the months and then the years passed by, Joyce felt more and more distant from the sister she grew up with. It was beginning to feel like eons had passed since they would spend all their days together, playing dolls and dress-up in that exact bedroom, performing plays for the neighborhood kids in the backyard or riding their bikes downtown to go try on perfume and makeup at the five and dime.

Joyce was still a little miffed at Stella for running off and leaving her behind with their mother and not taking Joyce with her when she left. It didn't seem fair that she had to stay when she was the baby -- the baby with the most responsibility -- the one who ended up making sure Ma didn't go completely off the rails, dependent on the bottle again or running off with a third husband. The resentment Joyce still carried always made her forget just how much she missed having her big sister around and how much she still needed her.

Stella looked up from her duffle bag and saw Joyce standing there, looking at her with big, red-rimmed eyes.

"Sorry Ma skipped town. I'm glad you're home," Joyce said, meaning it.

Stella's frown melted, and she dropped the clothes in a heap, patting the bed beside her.

"I am too. Now tell me what's wrong."

Joyce sighed deeply.

"Nothing. It's stupid."

"Boys?" Stella asked with a knowing grin.

Joyce sighed again, and her eyes fluttered up to the ceiling, embarrassed at the degree of stupidity she was feeling that very moment. She willed herself not to cry over him.

Stella pushed Joyce's bangs out of her eyes and off her cheeks, where they stuck to pale skin, and gave her little sister a look. But instead of imbibing confidence, it just made Joyce want to cry more.

She made a face and sucked in a breath before letting it all out.

"Karen and I saw Hop behind the bleachers with one of the cheerleaders today at lunch."

Stella's eyebrows shot up.

"Oh. Which cheerleader?"

"Chrissy Carpenter. That bottle blonde bubble-headed... bimbo!"

Joyce glared out the window and across the street at the edge of Hopper's front lawn, the only piece of his house she could see from that angle.

Stella choked back a giggle when she noticed how intensely Joyce was staring.

"Woah. That's some serious alliteration."

"Yeah, well," Joyce grumbled and shrugged. "I'm upset."

Stella went back to emptying out the rest of her bag, but not before throwing her sister a loving look.

"I can see that. But I thought you and Jimmy were just friends?"  

"We are!" Joyce finally dragged her eyes off his house and pouted at Stella before trailing off. "It's just that…"

"Oh come on," Stella said and ruffled Joyce's bangs. "You know you can tell me!"

There was another eye roll from Joyce.

"I just thought that something had changed between us this year. Maybe... Oh, I don't know anymore."

Then she clammed up.

Stella walked over to the window, took out a pack of Slims, and lit one up before opening the window a crack.

"Know what? Spit it out, sis!"

Joyce couldn't look at her older, prettier, more elegant sister, sitting there smoking at the windowsill like some french model who could have any man she wanted -- wrapped around her little finger. Joyce wished she could only look so mod and in charge.

Instead, she felt pathetic for pining after the boy across the street.

"Well," she started, flopping back on the bed, finding it easier to confess without having to worry about seeing the look of judgment cross Stella's face. "He'd been acting weird since we went camping this last summer. Then I realized by the second week of September that he was over here almost every night. At first, he said he needed help with his schoolwork because he really wanted to graduate, and since we're in all the same classes, it made sense, right? But by October, he was coming over for the dumbest reasons, and then I started to think he was gonna ask me to the homecoming dance. Like, I was so sure he was gonna do it. A few times, actually. But it was like he chickened out or something."

Stella held up a hand to pause Joyce there, even though Joyce couldn't see it.

"Waitaminute. Didn't you say on our last phone call that Lonnie Byers asked you out that night?"

"Yep, and what a date that was." Joyce rolled her head to the side and looked at her sister with a scowl.

Stella smirked, tapping the end of the cigarette out over the eaves.

"I warned you about him."

"Yeah yeah, I know: 'Lonnie Byers is scum.' But I'm pretty sure we're talking about Hop here?"

"Pardonne Moi! Please... continue."

"So, he seemed a bit distant after homecoming, but he'd still come over to study sometimes, and I'd catch him staring at me. It almost looked like he wanted to kiss me or something. And one day during gym, he told me I looked pretty when I knew for a fact I was a sweaty, frizzy mess. I guess it got in my head because I started to think, well maybe I want him to kiss me. And maybe I like him too? I was gonna tell him this weekend. I had it all planned out. But then he runs off and swaps spit with Chrissy, and now here I am, crying over a dumb boy. Stupid, stupid me."

Stella put the last bit of the cigarette out and moved back to the bed, pushing Joyce's legs out of the way.

"Not stupid," she said. "Just young and in love."

Joyce sat up on her elbows, nose turned up in protest.

"Gross. I am not!"

"You are." Stella chuckled.

Joyce frowned as she slowly realized her sister was right and succumbed to her lovesick fate.

"I am, aren't I?"

"'Fraid so, my dear."

"Cripes -- this sucks!”

"Oh, don't worry." Stella smiled. "I know just the thing to fix a broken heart! Ma might not be around but we can still have fun. What’s say we stay up late, paint our nails, eat our way through an entire tub of ice cream and I can give you some pointers for when you find yourself a real man. You'll be over that silly Hopper boy in no time."

"But what if I don't want to be over him?" Joyce whined, feeling sick for even thinking it let alone admitting it out loud. He was her best friend, since before they could walk, and those feelings had remained strictly platonic but lately, she couldn't imagine being without him, let alone sharing him with anyone else. Especially bottle blonde bubble-headed bimbos.

Stella held her hand out to Joyce and helped her sit up.

"Trust me, sis. It's for the best. Boys like Jim and Lonnie will ruin you for life. You belong with someone sweet and kind, who won't rush you before you're ready…"

Joyce scoffed.

"Boys like that don't exist!"

"Sure, they do!" Stella nodded. Then she had an idea. "Say -- isn't there a Sadie Hawkins soon?"

"Yeah, the Snowball," Joyce said, cluing in, trying not to look too excited. "You think I should ask Hop?"

"No!" Stella sighed. "I'm saying you should ask a nice boy to go with you."

"A what?"

"Think of the nicest, and well... let’s say the nerdiest guy in your class, and ask him to the Snowball. Not Lonnie or Hop! No more bad boys who play ping-pong with your heart."

"No, no way!" Joyce shook her head and dove headfirst into the pillows. "I am not asking Bob the Brain!"

Stella threw her hands up in the air.

"Fine, be miserable and alone forever then. See if I care!"

"Fine!" Joyce shouted, muffled by the pillows before dissolving into a fit of giggles as her sister beat her over the head with another frilly embroidered pillow.

"I'm glad you're home," Joyce said when she caught her breath.

"Me too, sis," Stella said. "Me too."

[remywrites5]

It's my birthday tomorrow 🙈 is there any chance you could write some jegulus/ jegulily fluff for me? Only if you feel inspired and have time, of course! I love your stories so much, they always make me smile and tear up and feel so so happy! ❤

I think I might be setting a dangerous precedent here but oh well. Hope you have an awesome birthday!! 

***

James Potter was a little surprised to see Regulus Black of all people at his son’s sixth birthday party. While Sirius was Harry’s godfather and was family, Regulus had always sort of kept his distance. Not that James blamed him all that much, but it seemed odd to pick a children’s birthday party as your first point of contact.

           “Hey Reg,” James said, approaching him. He had decided to be friendly instead of suspicious. Unless Reg did something that warranted concern, James was going to be cordial to him. “Wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

           Regulus went a bit red and scratched the back of his neck. “I, uh, Harry invited me, actually,” he said, clearly nervous.James watched the tips of Reg’s ears go pink and couldn’t help thinking it was just a bit adorable.

           “Harry did?” James asked, puzzled.

           “Yeah, I was spending time with Sirius and he was watching Harry,” Regulus explained, giving Harry a little wave. Harry was being chased by his friend, Ron, when the two of them smacked into each other and went tumbling to the floor. “He told me about his birthday party and insisted I come. I didn’t have the heart to refuse him.”

           James smiled, secretly pleased that Sirius and Regulus were getting along. He knew Sirius had been trying to mend fences for years and it was nice that Reg was receptive to his efforts. Besides, a stroppy Sirius was everyone’s problem.

           “Uncle Reg!” Harry said, rushing over and hugging Regulus’ legs. “Will you chase me?”

           “Harry, he’s only just got here,” James said, lifting his son up. “Let’s allow him to get settled, hmm?”

           James tickled Harry and Harry kicked his little legs in protest. “Is Uncle Pads here too?” his son asked, his eyes lighting with excitement. James sighed, knowing that no matter how cool he was as a dad, Uncle Sirius would always be cooler. Although he’d never admit it out loud, especially not in Sirius’ presence. 

           “Not yet,” James said, ruffling his son’s hair.

           “Probably being fashionably late,” Regulus joked, crossing his arms over his chest.

           James grinned and felt like he and Reg were sharing a joke at his best friend’s expense. Sirius was notoriously late to pretty much everything and it was nice that someone felt James’ pain on the subject.

           “James!” Lily called out from the porch door, waving her hands wildly. “I can’t find the paper plates!”

           “Do you mind?” James asked, dropping a wiggling Harry into Reg’s arms. “Duty calls!”

           “Oh, uh, no,” Regulus said after it was too late to refuse.

           “Thanks,” James said as he hurried in to help Lily find what she was looking for. He found his wife furiously searching through the grocery bags with all the party supplies in them. “Don’t worry, Lils, we’ll find it.”

           “Ugh! This place is a fucking mess. If I don’t lose my mind by the end of the night it’ll be a miracle.”

           James carded his fingers through his messy hair and began searching. Once the paper plates had been located, Lily looked a lot calmer. One crisis averted. James hugged her to him and gently rubbed her back soothingly.

           “Who’s that incredibly fit bloke holding our son?” Lily asked, looking over James’ shoulder out onto the party.

           James craned his neck to see even though he already knew the answer. “That’s Regulus, Sirius’ brother.”

           “Mmm, he’s quite good-looking, isn’t he?” Lily said, openly ogling Regulus. James laughed and kissed the top of Lily’s head.

           “Would you like to meet him?”

           “Yes please.”

           James took Lily’s hand and led her out into the backyard. They had to narrowly miss colliding with the Weasley twins who were dousing each other with water pistols.

           “Hey Reg, this is my wife, Lily,” James said, gesturing to Lily with his free hand.

           “Mummy!” Harry said, reaching out for Lily the moment she was within arm’s reach.

           Lily smiled and took Harry into her arms. “Hi my little birthday boy,” she cooed, kissing Harry on the cheek. “Are you having fun, love?”

           Harry nodded his head emphatically.

           Lily dropped his down and gave him a small shove. “Why don’t you go play with your party guests?”

           Harry looked around for a moment and then tore off towards the sprinkler where a few kids were running through it. Lily straightened back up and wiped her brow. “Jesus, it’s bloody hot, isn’t it? How did I ever give birth in this heat? My tits are sweating just standing here and they’re nowhere near the size they used to be.”

           Regulus’ eyes widened in surprise and he turned an alarming shade of red. He nearly matched Lily’s hair. James had to bite his bottom lip to keep from laughing. “I’m going to go put out some of the snacks,” James said, kissing Lily’s temple and then sliding away, giving Reg and Lily a chance to get acquainted. 

           James was in the middle of plating the cheese and crackers when Sirius and Remus entered with Teddy in tow. “Hiya Jamie!” Sirius said, throwing his arms over his best friend and giving him a big hug. “Where’s Haz? I owe the little monster about fifty birthday hugs!”

           “He’s outside enjoying the party,” James said, shoving Sirius away. It was much too hot to have Sirius hanging all over him. “Which you would know if you’d bothered to show up on time like decent people.”

           “Eh, who cares about being decent?” Sirius shrugged, popping a piece of cheese into his mouth. “Right Teddy?”

           “Right!” the three-year-old responded, giving his dad a thumbs up.

           “Go on, go play,” Remus said, ushering Teddy outside.

           “Did Reg show?” Sirius asked, noticing his brother outside. “That’s odd.”

           James glanced outside and Regulus, who was still talking with Lily. He could tell by the way he was looking at her that Reg was already smitten. It was a strong willed man indeed (or a hopelessly gay one like Sirius) who could not be swayed by the charms of Lily Evans Potter.

           “Looks like you’ve got some competition, eh Prongs,” Sirius said, elbowing his friend. “Fuck, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Reg crushing on someone before. It looks so strange. Like he’s got gas.”

           “He must have been interested in someone before now,” James reasoned, grabbing the cheese and crackers tray to bring outside. He wondered how long the cheese would even last in the blasted July heat.

           Sirius shrugged. “Thought he might have had a thing for you back at school,” he said, scratching his head. “But Reg’s always been the quiet type. He could have been shagging half the school and wouldn’t have told a soul.”

           “You two are aware that staring is very rude,” Remus said, sliding the porch door open and stepping outside.

           “That’s why I have you, Moony,” Sirius said, stepping out after his husband. “To make up for my lack of manners.”

           “There’s not enough Moonys in the world to take on that task,” James quipped, following them out and shutting the door behind them so the air conditioning didn’t go to waste.

           “No, dumbo, there’s only one Moony and he’s perfect,” Sirius said, giving Remus a quick kiss.

           Remus rolled his eyes but kissed Sirius back.

           James put the tray down on the food table and went over to join his wife. “Reg, aren’t you hot in the long sleeve shirt? Why don’t you take it off? I have some swimming trunks you could borrow.”

           Reg ducked his head down in embarrassment. “I swear, between the two of you, you’re making me feel like a schoolboy,” he said, wringing his hands together. “Are you two simply hazing the new guy or is it some kind of party game I’m not aware of?”

           Lily laughed and reached out, tugging Regulus forward. “No, silly, we’ve just decided we’re going to keep you.”

           “Keep me?” Reg repeated, glancing from James to Lily.

           “Yeah,” James said, giving Reg a reassuring grin. “In a nice way.”

           Regulus raised a skeptical eyebrow at them. “And what does being a kept man by the Potters entail?”

           Lily and James exchanged a look. “Love?” James suggested.

           “Cuddles?”

           “Sex?”

           “Pancakes?”

           “The world’s greatest six-year-old?”

           “Stop!” Regulus said, interrupting them. “Christ, are you two always like this?”

           Lily shrugged. “Pretty much.”

           Regulus tugged his fingers through his hair. “You don’t know a thing about me.”

           James smiled. “Then let us take you to dinner.”

           “When?

           “You pick the night,” Lily told him. “We’ll make it happen.”

                                                           ***

One Year Later

           “Harry, stop putting glue in your cousins hair!” Regulus scolded, picking Teddy up so he was safe from his mischievous cousin. He looked around for James or Lily or even Sirius but there was just a sea of children. He carried Teddy inside and found Sirius and Remus crowding around the chocolate fountain they’d gotten for the party. “Oi, you two, your son had glue in his hair thanks to the birthday boy.”

           Remus took Teddy off Reg’s hands. “Looks like you’re getting your second bath of the day,” he said with a heavy sigh, inspecting Teddy’s hair for the damage.

           “Have you two seen Lily and James?” Regulus asked, feeling completely outnumbered by the amount of children. Sometimes he wished Harry wasn’t quite so popular at school. Sometimes it was like running a bloody daycare with all of Harry’s friends around. 

           “Upstairs,” Sirius said, pointing a chocolate covered finger towards the stairs.

           Regulus batted his brother upside the head. “Get your grubby hands off the chocolate, you’re meant to use a fork with a strawberry on it, not your fingers.”

           Sirius seemed nonplussed. “It’s more fun this way.” He immediately began helping Teddy stick his fingers straight into the chocolate and then into his mouth. 

           Regulus shook his head and headed up towards the bedroom. He had just opened the door when James and Lily popped out from behind the bed. “Surprise!” they said in union.

           Regulus shook his head fondly at the two nutters he was in love with. “It’s Harry’s birthday, not mine. Why are you surprising me?”

           “It’s our anniversary!” James explained, throwing a handful of confetti.

           Regulus crossed his arms over his chest. “This is why I’ve been left alone with a gaggle of young children. So you two could hide up here?”

           “We told Sirius and Remus to help!” James insisted, brushing confetti off his shirt. He’d completely missed the impressive amount littering his hair.

           Regulus rolled his eyes. “When does Sirius ever help with anything?”

           Lily walked over and put her arms around Reg, giving him a soft kiss. “We just wanted you to know we love you.”

           Regulus blushed and squeezed her tightly. “I know that.”

           “We should get downstairs,” James said, joining them.

           “You’re a mess,” Regulus said, brushing the confetti out of James’ hair. “You two didn’t have to take time out of the party to do this for me.”

           “We wanted to,” Lily said, beaming up at him. “It was important.”

           Regulus bit his bottom lip to try and stop the smile threatening to break out onto his face. “Still going to keep me?” he joked, wondering how it was possible to feel this overwhelming amount of love and not go absolutely insane. Maybe it was why the two people he’d chosen to fall in love with were absolutely bonkers.

           “Oh you’ll never be rid of us now,” James said, kissing Reg on the cheek.

           “Never,” Lily agreed, kissing his other cheek.

           Regulus knew if anyone was crazy enough to keep a promise like that, it was Lily and James Potter.

[unofficialkfamtranscripts]

King Falls AM - Episode Thirteen: Crop Circle Jerk

View on Google Docs Summary: November 1, 2015 - An emergency at Libbydale Farms has Deputy Troy and King Falls AM on high alert. Mysterious lights? Check. Crop Circles? Check. Intergalactic Gang War? Stay tuned to 660 on the AM Dial to find out.

[podcast intro music]

[S&B show intro]

Ben Good evening! You’re listening to King Falls AM – that’s 660 on the radio dial.

Sammy Folks, we are jumping right into it tonight. We got Deputy Troy on the line, live from Libbydale Farms. Hey, Troy, can you hear us alright?

Troy Loud and clear, Sammy. Heard you real fine, too, Ben.

Ben [muttered] Suck an egg.

Sammy Okay. So, Troy. Tell the listeners what you just told us right before we went on air.

Troy Ladies and gents, in all my years— and I mean all of ‘em— I ain’t never seen anything like this! Not even comparatively close to what I’m lookin’ at right this instant. [faint sounds of police radio in bg]

Ben POINT. GET TO IT.

Troy Gosh darnit, Ben. I’m trying to sell the magnitude of what I’m feastin’ my eyes on!

Ben Who even knew you could see Libbydale Farms from so far out in the Kiss Ass Sea aboard the SS Backstabber.

Troy You know G-D well I’m not on a ship nor would it be called the SS Backstabber if I were. Don’t be so damn sore, Ben! Everybody knows I’m sorry! Plus- [kinda shyly] I reckon my ship be called the- USS Super Badass.

Sammy *pointedly clears throat* Troy. Ben. Let’s put our differences aside and let’s get to the matter at hand. So, Troy, you’re live at—?

Ben & Troy Libbydale Farms…

Troy & Ben I’m trying to talk!

Sammy GUYS!

Troy A-a-as I was sayin. I’m out here at the farm and out past the barns just hours ago, Old Man Libbydale called us in, and acres upon acres, boys, have been De.Stroyed out here.

Ben [accusingly] Where were yoouu, earlier this evening, Troy?

Troy Using my keen detective skills and ninja-like mental agility, I can see you’re trying to place me at the scene of the crime, little buddy. However Ol’ Troy was sawin’ logs next to the Mrs. before. my. shift.

Ben While crimes are being committed? *scoffs* Typical.

Troy Now that’s a low blow just be—

[shouting over each other] Ben NO! NO! Troy —low my pistol belt— Ben YOUU— N— TROOYY!— Troy — Ben come on— Ben — T— OHH Troy — this ain’t about the farm— Ben [mocking] OHH YEAHHH- OHHH YOU’RE SOOO— Troy — and you know— Ben —GOOD AT FIGHTING—

Sammy GUYS! GUYS! [“break it up kids”/dad-voice] I understand there’s renewed intensity between you two, but Ben, as co-host of this show and a respected journalist— put it away. Troy, you’re the first friend of the Sammy & Ben Show and a deputy sheriff. You guys don’t have to be best buddies, but let’s please report- on the news story- at hand.

Troy Couldn’t have said it better myself, Sammy.

Ben [hissed] Jesus.

Sammy So, Troy. Old Man Libbydale called you out— Acres of his lands destroyed. How so?

Troy Y’all ain’t gonna believe it, but you know I always shoot you straight… Two words: Crop. Circles.

Sammy [incredulous] Crop circles?

Troy It’s like a live action Led Zeppelin album cover as far as the eye can see! Big ones, little ones. The craziest damn designs you ever could imagine.

Ben Troy, I assume you and the rest of Gunderson’s thugs— I-mean-”deputies”— inspected the circles, and the surrounding areas, for man-made tools? There have been stories that men with boards tied to ropes can replicate what people believe crop circles to look like. Bending the crops at the right angles, etcetera… did you find—

Troy Didn’t find anything, Ben. Not a board… not a footprint… nothin’ but hunched over crops.

Ben So you think—?

Troy Oh, there isn’t a doubt in my mind it’s from the UFOs or those lights. I mean, whichever you wanna call it. No man made these! And in just a few hours to boot!

Sammy Okay. So, has this ever happened here before, Ben?

Ben No! Nor abductions! Not even lights being so close to town. The past few months- have been a hotbed for extraterrestrial activity— it would seem.

Sammy “It would seem”? So you aren’t certain?

Ben *scoff/laugh* I only said “it would seem” so you wouldn’t get all defensive about it.

Sammy Okay, alright. Well, as much as I hate to say it, I definitely feel there’s a lot more than meets the eye here in Kings Falls.

Ben I’m not one to say “I told you so”… But I DID tell you so!

Troy Just so everybody out there knows: Libbydale Farms is private property. So, unless you’re doing the dairy farm tour in mornin’, this is not an attraction for looky-loos. There is an official investigation still ongoin’ here. Plus, don’t nobody need another person gettin’ snatched up by the Martians either.

Ben *smug snort* Martians are from Mars, Troy. They aren’t representative of all extraterrestrials?.

Troy [defensive] Whatever— Ben Nye the Science Guy. I’m headin’ out to the field again. I might not be smart as Ben about the aliens and such, but I can definitely sniff out a spot where the Williams boys will come lookin’ for Mischief and Mayhem. [click]

[dial tone]

Sammy Deputy Troy, folks. Now, I didn’t realize you and Troy were still so angry at one another, Ben. You can’t let that hostility clou—

Ben THANKS, DAD! — We’re just gonna take a break to hear from one of our fine sponsors. Maybe Sammy here can talk to me about the birds and the bees after we get back.

Sammy [quietly] Maybe…

[disquieting, melancholic piano music]

Soft, disquieting voice What if what you thought wasn’t really what you thought you thought? … Ever think of that? … Here at the Institute of Science, we can help you become what you’ve always wanted to become… A better you, for a better mankind! Call us today for a free brochure and a C-meter reading. That’s “C” as in “cat.” … We’re coming King Falls… Be well! … And be ready.

[piano fades out]

[S&B theme]

Sammy You’re listening to King Falls AM and we are opening up the phone lines to you. 424-279-3858.

Ben We’ll be talking about the apparent crop circle- situation at Libbydale Farms. As well as if any of you out there have had any experience with this phenomenon.

Sammy So give us a call or tweet us @kingfallsam. So, you’ve heard our story, now let’s hear yours.

Ben Line 3.

Sammy Good evening, you’re live with Sammy and Ben.

Cynthia Good evening? For who? Certainly not King Falls!

Sammy Hi, Cynthia. How ‘bout you tell us how you really feel tonight.

Cynthia Weellll, to be honessst, I’m a little rattled over these gang signs the aliens are leaving on our turf. Literally.

Ben Cynthia— there is no way to tell if those circles are- angry orrr happy! even. They’re *huff/laugh* just symbols.

Cynthia So’s a swastika, Ben Arnold. Get your head out of your tuchus!

Sammy Okay, obviously, we aren’t trying to raise alarms here, Cynthia. It’s just, uh— it’s an interesting story. Especially here in our backyard. Would you not agree? Uh, you know, it’s not every day you can see this kind of handiwork – man-made or otherwise.

Cynthia You two sound sooo happy. We’re getting tagged in an intergalactic war and all of us in the Falls are sitting around at ground zero.

Ben I- don’t think that’s fair t—

Cynthia That’s the problem! You just. don’t. think! It’s all Tim Jenson’s fault, I just know it. We didn’t have any flying saucer, land-tattooing bedlam before he chased those lights.

Ben He didn’t “chase” anything! He was driving from work and called to report on a breaking news story.

Cynthia Watch your tone, Ben. I’ll buy one of those rabid, disease-ridden sugar flyers and toss it in Lake Hatchenhaw. just to spite you!

Sammy Goodnight, Cynthia.

Ben Sugar glider. And- they are. illegal.

Cynthia So are illegal aliens, but you’re just getting ready to throw ‘em a parade! I can’t! I just can’t! [click]

[dial tone]

Sammy Heh, alright, uh… Line 12, you’re live on King Falls AM.

Emily Hi, Sammy! Hi, Ben!

Ben Emily! I–I didn’t realize you were back in town!

Emily I just got back. I was listening on the way in! My mom and I actually drove by the farm and saw all the commotion over there. Police; reporters— big lawn-mower thingies…

Ben Lawn mowers?

Sammy Uh, y’ know, if you don’t mind me asking, Emily, why were you out of town?

Emily Oh, I flew out to Buford, Wyoming,[1] for the annual small town librarian expo! And I had my mom pick me up from the airport since— Ben was on the air.

Sammy Wow. So you guys are in the taking and picking up from the airport stage of yourrr—

Ben Friendship. Is that the- word- you’re- searching for, Sammy?

Sammy [kinda smug] Thaaat was exactly the one, Ben.

Emily *soft laugh* You guys are so silly. But I just wanted to say “hi” and tell Ben I’m back home now!— Oh! And starting next week, I’ve got a whole bunch of fun activities I learned from the expo to start doing at the library! Hopefully we can get some of the scared kids back now.

Ben I’ll call you later, Emily.

Emily Goodnight, Ben! Night, Sammy!

[click, dial tone]

Sammy Emily Potter, ladies and gents. King Falls Librarian and Ben’s… Friend.

Ben [shyly] Yeah-yeah… Lucky Line 1, you’re on King Falls AM.

Greg Hey, guys! It’s Greg Frickard!

Sammy Hi, Greg! You know, we appreciate you running the ads on the show, sir. It’s so nice to meet youuu… uh, over the phone, of course.

Greg Thanks, Sammy! I— think— we’ve- talked before, and uh, glad to run the spot! Me and Granny Frickard love the show! You should hop on down to the Froggery and we’ll hook ya up!

Sammy I might have to take you up on that offer, Greg!

Greg We’d love to have you! You too, Ben…

Ben Greg, you’re a lifelong King Falls resident… w-we’ve been talking about the crop circles out at –

Greg Oh I know. I’ve been listening, but— I was actually calling about- sssomething else— if that’s okay.

Sammy Uh, yyyeah. Sure thing, Greg. What’s on your mind?

Greg Well, I heard Ben and Miss Potter a second ago and they made a— declaration of friendship? Is that correct?

Sammy Oh! U-uh. Is- this about Emily?

Ben [suspicious] Did you- call before, when Emily was in the studio, Greg?

Greg Uh, noo… *nervous laugh* that must have beeeen… somebody else. But is that true, Ben? Are you and Miss Potter just friends?

Ben [terse] Good friends. *tsk* Close. Friends… Real close.

Greg Huhhh! … Well th- okay! That’s all I needed to know! Thanks a million, buddy.

Sammy Hey— Greg. You didn’t have a comment orr—

Greg Oh, no, no! I j— *chuckles* I don’t know the first thing about crop circles and— what-have-you. Uhh, it’s real interesting and all! but- Miss Potter’s lovely voice just… [sighing dreamily] speaks to me. I always just assumed that Ben and Emily were… “bf” and “gf” respectively, *laughs* but… if that’s not the case, thennn…

Sammy Ben? You okay?

Ben I don’t like putting our— personal lives out there in the public eye…

Greg Well, gee, Ben, I’m— only asking because ifff you’re into friendship with the lovely Miss Potter, and— I’m afraid, uhhh, I might just have to be into courtship. *chuckle* Granny wants to see me married before going into the great By-and-By—

Ben Bye-bye to you too! Greg. Looks like we lost line—

Greg I’m still here, pals! Now about that thing—

Ben [click, dial tone] Line 7, you’re on King Falls AM?

Sammy Did you just hang up onnn—

Ben I would never. LINE 7.

Herschel I’d like to place a complaint, rrright this instant.

Sammy Herschel?

Ben Is everything okay, Mr. Baumgartner?

Herschel Would I call into you nincompoops if everything was hunky-dory?

Ben I guess not… No.

Sammy So, what seems to be the issue, Herschel?

Herschel All this yackin’ about G-D UFOs and crop circles, for starters. Makes my damn d[bleep]k itch.

Sammy Sir! This is—

Herschel Did you call me to tell me what to think, comrade? Or did I call you to talk about an issue?

Sammy Please continue, Mr. Baumgartner…

Herschel Thank you. So, I’m out on the lake tonight— got up brright and early, so I could make sure I got my special spot.

Ben “Got up early”? It’s— just now a little past 2…

Herschel You the sleep police?! Ya little bastard… I thought not.

Ben Sorry, Herschel.

Herschel So I’m trollin, out on the… well. That parts Top Secret, boys. But I’m trollin, so I don’t scare the bigguns away, and those g[bleep]ddamn sons of b[bleep]chin’ rainbow lights start blowin’ through the sky. Looked like Joseph’s Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat[2] was fightin’ that big Jap lizard!

Sammy Godzilla? Please don’t use derogatory wor—

Herschel McCarthy[3] would’a skinned your ass alive, you Red[4] sack ‘a sh[bleep]t! Can I tell my story?!

Sammy Of course, I’m just asking you not to—

Ben [quickly] I’m on the button. Sammy. Heh. Herschel’s gonna Herschel!

Sammy Okay. So, you saw the lights tonight…

Herschel Saw ‘em? Hell. They scared the literal piss out of me. Got a trickle down my Carhartts[5] look like the state of Florida. I’m out here naked as a jaybird! Not a fish in sight.

Ben I’m sorry, did you just reference a musical, Mr. Baumgartner?

Herschel Oh, just ‘cause I like some colorful metaphors, means I can’t be refined, Ben?!

Ben I wasn’t— I didn’t– im-imply— I’m-I’m just saying—

Herschel [softly, for Herschel] Ol’ Mrs. Baumgartner, (god rest your sexy soul, Edna), used to love those hippy-dippy singing plays. And I’d do anything to keep in those pants, fellas.

Sammy Oh, god.

Ben Awww. [pleading] Can we get back to the lights?

Herschel That Edna. Oh, lemme tell ya… Oh! Uh, yeah– the damn lights! Yeah, so, I saw ‘em. What the hell else am I supposed to tell ya about it?!

Sammy Well, you were calling to complain about them, I’m sure.

Herschel That’s right! I’d like to report that no-good drunkard! Cecil Sheffield! Called that cumbersome ass-wart damn near 15 times to come bring me a pair of skivvies to no avail! Avoiding my calls and his duties as the co-winner of this damn boat!

Ben It’s— so late, Mr. Baumgartner. I’m-I’m sure he’s sleeping now.

Herschel You would take up with him!

Sammy W-well, Ben’s just sayin’ that he isn’t avoiding you so much as he’s, you know— probably asleep.

Herschel Sleeping one off! Soggy son of a b[bleep]h. He knows if I ring the special line, it’s a damn emergency.

Ben So, you guys have made up?

Herschel Made up my ass! If he’s gonna be “co”-anything with Herschel F. Baumgartner, that tally-whacker’s gonna have to keep up his end of the bargain.

Sammy To be at your beck and call in case you… soil yourself…

Herschel Don’t be crass!

Ben So, you guys are actually sharing the boat? That’s awesome! I figured you only—

Herschel I ain’t sharin a damn thing with that son of a b[bleep]h! Stop stirrin’ the pot or I’ll make what Charlie did to John McCain look like foreplay, Ben Arnold!

Sammy So, to the point. You’re calling to complain about Cecil because he’s sleeping through your time of need?

Ben But! He is corroborating seeing the lights, Sammy! That’s a big deal.

Herschel Just have an intern or something bring me some britches and stop fiddle fu[bleep]ing fuss! 32 long! I’ll be at Begley’s. He’s probably peering out his window lookin for a damn show… I don’t like beige! [click]

[dial tone]

Sammy You’re on King Falls AM with Sammy and Ben.

Riley Please hold the line for Mayor Grisham.

Sammy This again?

Ben *groans*

Sammy You know, I wonder, do you wake him when we say special keywords, or…?

Riley Mayor? You’re on with Sammy and Ben.

Grisham Sammy. Ben. I hate to rain on your little topic of discussion tonight, but let’s shut it down. It’d be much appreciated.

Ben What??

Sammy The always-fair, Mayor Grisham, folks. Remember this come election time next year.

Grisham Do you think that a public servant should have to call the local “Tom & Joe Chucklehut Show” to ask them not to jeopardize a police investigation?

Sammy Do you ever call Channel 13 and tell them what to report and how? We are a topical late night talk show, Grisham.

Grisham Mayor.

Sammy I didn’t vote for you.

Grisham Fair enough. I don’t expect you to respect anything but your own pathetic grab for ratings. Now, regarding Channel 13—

Ben Sorry, Mayor. Obviously, Sammy is flustered. He wouldn’t have used such a bad example if he was thinking straight—

Grisham The answer to your question, Sammy, is no. I wouldn’t call in and tell a reputable news agency how to do their job. BUT, amazingly enough, I continue to have to ask you to stop your rhetoric— seemingly once a month or so. Interesting, don’t you think?

Ben You do realize the only people that watch Channel 13 are drunks that can’t find the remote and animals left alone with the TV on, right?

Grisham Whatever helps you sleep better, Ben. I can tell you for a fact that, right now, Storm Sanders is probably not working a “local yokel” interview and digging up the muck. He’s reporting on city ordinance 29.44371.

Ben Storm is knee deep in a barrel of backyard bathtub hooch during commercial breaks.

Sammy So, Mayor. What is this ordinance? Ya know, since we aren’t reporting the news to your liking, give us a glimpse into what works for you.

Grisham The add-on to the local YMCA? The new menu over at Rose’s! I’m not paid a handsome salary to do your job.

Sammy Oh, right! I forget you think you can dictate what we report on, for free.

Ben Sammy… they’re destroying the crop circles! That’s the ordinance!

Grisham There’s hope for you yet, Ben. Don’t go down with this ship. I’ll put a good word in for you elsewhere.

Sammy You son of a b[bleep]h! You’re destroying the crop circles?! That could be the only thing that brings Tim Jenson home!

Grisham Don’t bring Tim Jenson into this! The city is paying Libbydale Farms a fair share for their remaining crops! But it is in the public’s best interest to mow down this batch of mischief accordingly! Especially after this broadcast.

Sammy *derisive scoff/laugh* You are despicable.

Grisham These affairs aren’t your business to ramble on about… Do the weather! Talk about traffic! I mean, I filled those potholes! Stop making trouble!

Sammy Freedom of the Press. When your assistant isn’t typing out our every word, maybe have her look it up and tell you all about it.

Grisham I can’t wait to hear about it! And here’s a little phrase for you to look up too! OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE.

Sammy Uh-huh.

Grisham Do you think using your connections to officers of the law to report on “breaking news” is fine and dandy, Stevens?? *sniffs* You are perverting the course of this case. Things— especially ongoing issues— aren’t meant to be talked about until all the facts are out there! And you— *sniffs* IDIOTS are playing on the scene, reporting with your bagel-eating buddy! who happens to be a cop.

Ben *scoffs* ‘s not my buddy.

Sammy BEN.

Ben I’m not throwing you under the bus, Sammy. I just hate Troy.

Grisham So, the moral of the story would be, gents… some things require couth. Some things require kid gloves when handling. And most things don’t need to be aired in the public for ratings and entertainment. A perfect example being how, I’m sure Sheriff Gunderson will handle Deputy Krieghauser on his own, for calling into this joke of a show with police business constantly. Doubt you’ll see that done during a press conference.

Ben Uh… is that… really necessary, sir?

Grisham This show is a breeding ground for incompetence, and you’re now dragging your pals down with you. Straighten Up and Fly Right.

Sammy Troy doesn’t need to be punished for you to make your point, Grisham.

Grisham Out Of My Hands… I’ve already had Riley send my opinions on it over to the good sheriff! Now again, I ask you: pick a different topic of discussion. Maybe one that won’t lead to the continued pain and misery for all those around you. Night night, fellas! [click]

[dial tone]

Sammy [quickly] I’m gonna call Troy.

Ben Umm, uh *nervous stuttering* W-we’ll be back after this— King Falls. We’ll- we’ll take some- calls about uhh… *helpless scoff* I guess we’ll- see…

[KFAM outro]

[CREDITS]

References

[1] Buford, Wyoming - “America’s Smallest Town”, Buford is mostly just a convenience store/gas station. The population was 1-2 from ~1995 until it was completely abandoned in 2017.

[2] Joseph’s Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a musical comedy with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The story is based on the "coat of many colors" story of Joseph from the Bible's Book of Genesis.

[3] McCarthy - Joseph Raymond McCarthy was a Republican U.S. Senator from 1947 until his death in 1957. Beginning in 1950, McCarthy became the most visible public face of the “Red Scare”, a period in the United States in which Cold War tensions fueled fears of widespread Communist subversion. He is known for alleging that numerous Communists and Soviet spies and sympathizers had infiltrated the United States federal government, universities, film industry, and elsewhere.

[4] Red - Communist

[5] Carhartts - Carhartt, Inc., is a U.S.-based apparel company founded in 1889. Carhartt is known for its work clothes, such as jackets, coats, overalls, coveralls, vests, shirts, jeans, dungarees, fire-resistant clothing and hunting clothing.

[emeraldwaves]

Title: Start of Something New Chapter 3 Pairing:  Todomomo, side Kamijirou Rating: T Word Count:  3,157 Summary: Momo is thrilled to be spending her winter break on her family ski vacation. Even though she’s anxious about graduating in the spring, she’ll have time to relax, enjoy the slopes and hang out with her best friend. Shouto is not thrilled to be stuck with his father for the entirety of his winter break. It’s anything but a vacation. Even with his siblings there, everything reminds him of his past and he just wants to get back to finishing school and moving on. When the two continuously run into each other at the lodge, both of them realize their vacations aren’t going to be what either of them expected. Read on AO3 Thanks to @liziscribbles for reading this ahead, full fic under the cut!

"Be ready by 7 PM sharp, or you will not be eating tonight!" Natsuo stepped out of the bathroom, holding his finger on his upper lip in a poor attempt to mimic their father's awful mustache. He also pushed his voice deeper and stomped across the bedroom floor.

Shouto could only raise his eyebrow at his brother, the tiniest smirk pulling across his lips.

"I hope you're ready to eat, Shouto," he laughed, standing up straight.

"Mmm... I am," he said, pushing himself off of the comfortable bed. When would he be able to sleep in it, he wondered. "I hope Father never sees that horrible impression, though."

"Pfft, I thought it was pretty spot on," Natsuo said, grabbing his jacket.

"I'll ask Fuyumi what she thinks," Shouto snorted, tucking the hotel room key into his pocket as they stepped out of the room.

"No, ugh, don't do that! You know she'll think it's stupid," he muttered.

Shouto shrugged. His sister normally had a much better sense of humor than he did. "She'll probably laugh."

"Maybe..." Natsuo narrowed his eyes as they headed for the elevator.

The lodge owned two restaurants. One was located on the first floor at the other end of the hallway, and the second was located about three quarters of the way up the mountain. They had to ride a gondola to get to it, but the view was apparently incredible. Their father chose this for their first dining place.

Natsuo and Shouto made their way down the hall, heading towards the loading deck for the gondola. Shouto was surprisingly hungry, even after spending most of the car ride feeling nauseous. The tea did help settle his stomach, so he was grateful for that.

"You really should've gotten that girl's number," Natsuo teased. He placed his hands behind his neck, casually strolling through the front hallway.

Shouto paled. The last thing he needed was Natsuo blabbing his big mouth about Yaoyorozu in front of his sister and his father. "Enough, Natsuo..." he growled, slamming his feet down against the wooden stairs.

"Oh ho ho~ ShoSho," he smirked, rushing to walk beside him. "Did I touch a nerve?" He purred playfully, gently poking at the back of Shouto's neck. Shouto was quick to swat him away.

"No," he said flatly. He glanced to the side, not wanting to look at his brother. "Please stop."

"Why!? She was cute! And we're gonna be here for the whole break! A budding teenage romance begins!" he said, swiping his hand through the air as if he was painting some sort of ridiculous picture.

Shouto rolled his eyes. "I don't want Father asking any questions," he said, stepping up to the line.

Rocking back and forth on his feet, Natsuo let out a long sigh. "How boring. What's he going do-"

"You don't get to say that me, Natsuo," Shouto hissed, glaring at his brother. "You know how Father gets with me about 'distractions'"

Natsuo pursed his lips. "I'm just saying! You're already accepted into the university you wanted, so if you wanna have a little fun with a girl, there's nothing wrong with that."

"You try saying that to him then," Shouto muttered under his breath.

"Alright, alright, I'll stop," Natsuo sighed. "Look lil' bro, I'm on your side. I want you to have fun! I'm sure you want to, too. Let's... try and enjoy this trip even if it is awkward."

They began to load up the gondola and Shouto slid in after Natsuo, sitting across from him in the small cabin. He didn't really have anything to say to his brother. The trip was already awkward, and even if he wanted to see Yaoyorozu again... when would he have time? His father had already planned out most of the trip; dinners, brunches, skiing, not to mention the free time Fuyumi wanted to use for skating.

Even so, a small part of him still wished to see her again. Her smile lit up the entire cafe and made the lodge feel warmer, like a distant, crackling fire. There was a tug in the corner of his heart to learn more about her. So far he knew she most likely enjoyed skiing and tea. She had a nice smile and soothing voice, but... those weren't exactly qualities he could use to learn more about her personality. In fact, he had very little information and desired to discover more.

He let out a soft huff, his breath fogging up the plastic, slightly scratched up window of the gondola. It was useless to think about her. The likelihood of running into her again was small. Though, he thought that the first time, too...

No. It wasn't worth it to think about something that would never come to be. Once this trip was over he would return to his life of studying and Yaoyorozu would go back to wherever she came from and do whatever it is she did. Even if Shouto wanted to know what it was she normally did, he knew it was useless to get caught up in a stupid fairy tale.

He watched the slopes slowly pass by them underneath the gondola. The snow glistened in the lights from the lift, the sparkles hitting his eyes.

 "Shouto! Do you want to play outside?"

His mother's voice echoed gently in his ear.

 "It's our little secret. We won't tell your Father, okay?"

Her laughter sounded like sleigh bells, jingling cheerfully as they'd tumble into the snow together. She'd dress him in his small winter clothes and they'd sneak into the backyard, rolling around in the white, frozen powder.

The snow pressed against his red cheeks, melting on his hot skin. He cupped a small snowball against his tiny glove and flicked his tongue out to let the snow dissolve, shaking his head with a giggle.

 "You shouldn't eat the snow, silly boy!"

He mother always playfully scolded him, never harshly, never cruelly; nothing like his father.

"Shouto!"

"Huh?"

Natsuo's voice cut through his daydream and Shouto blinked, staring at his smiling brother. "Turn around! You gotta see the view!"

He pressed his hand against the edge of the seat and slowly turned around. "Ah..." he muttered, looking out over the glistening snow. At the bottom of the hill, it was easy to see the lights from the lodge, illuminating the basin. Across the way, even with the darkness of night he could see the lights from small houses, lining the base of the mountain directly across from the ski resort.

"I bet it's even nicer during the day!" Natsuo chuckled.

"Yeah..." Shouto muttered, but all he could think was his mother would've absolutely loved it.

The gondola pulled into the stop and both Shouto and Natsuo exited the car. Immediately, Shouto tugged his scarf tighter around his neck, hoping to block some of the wind.

"6:59. We've got one minute!" Natsuo said, scurrying towards the front of the restaurant.

By the time they both entered and found where Fuyumi and their Father was seated, Shouto could tell the man was already displeased. His large arms were folded over his chest and Fuyumi kept her eyes down, staring at the menu.

"You're late."

Natsuo held up his watch. "7:04! That's practically on time!" He grabbed his chair and plopped down with a sigh, unzipping his coat.

As Shouto began to pull out the chair, Enji turned to glare at him. "Shouto." Sucking in a sharp breath of air, Shouto froze, tightening his grip around the back of his chair. "Please tell your brother what being on time is."

Shouto bit his lip, glancing towards Natsuo, who kept his head tilted to the side, his eyebrow quirked up slightly. "..." he sighed inwardly, pulling the chair out the rest of the way. "If we arrived at 6:55 PM we would've been on time." He took his seat and scooted the chair in.

"Exactly."

"We're all here now," Natsuo shrugged. "That's all that matters."

"It's rude to keep your family waiting. Isn't that right, Shouto?"

How many times had his father yelled at him for this very thing, when he was late to his extra lessons? How many times had his father scolded him for not being early and more eager to learn?

"Yes, Father," he said.

"Good. Now choose something to eat so we can enjoy this view," Enji boomed.

Shouto picked up his menu, but took a brief moment to peer out the window. His father had, of course, requested a table directly by the window for an optimal view, and he took the seat which was able to peer out over everything easiest. Trees lined the edge of the slope and Shouto's eyes took a moment to follow one of the gondola's down. He could see the lights from lodge clearer from here, and the beautiful trees covered in snow and fairy lights. Even from this distance, the whole thing seemed to sparkle.

He pulled his eyes away and looked around the room. It was a rustic looking restaurant, with deer antlers lining the walls. It appeared to be a large cabin, but was converted into a fancy restaurant for an interesting dining experience. It was something their father would love and from the slight intrigue Shouto could see in his eyes, he could only assume his father was happy.

He glanced across the room at the fireplace in the corner and paused when he saw her; Yaoyorozu sitting with who he assumed to be her parents. He almost didn't recognize her at first, as her dark hair was pulled down, draping over her shoulders. A small smile graced her face, but it seemed forced, compared to the one he'd witnessed in the cafe. The fire glistened against her pale cheeks, and her eyes looked sad.

She turned her head, her dark eyes meeting his. From this distance he could've been mistaken, but it seemed as if her cheeks flushed and she quickly glanced away, tucking her hair behind her ear in what appeared to be a nervous habit. She flicked her eyes back towards him and waved.

Shouto couldn't help the small smile which pulled across his cheeks, nodding his head once in her direction. She was... cute; endearing and he couldn't believe he was seeing her again.

"Shouto!" Enji's voice pulled him from the moment and he glanced back down at the menu. "Pick what you're eating. I want to be ready when the food comes over."

Glancing back towards her table, Yaoyorozu had already turned around and Shouto sighed, focusing on the menu in front of him. "Yes, Father," he muttered.

He was starting to think this wouldn't be the last time he saw Yaoyorozu either.

~~

Momo's face had never felt so hot and it had nothing to do with the fire crackling next to their table.

Todoroki sat down with his brother and his... parents? Or maybe the young woman was his sister? She looked far too young to be his mother. Either way, he was sitting with his family and she couldn't take her eyes off of them, even if it did have her facing a strange direction away from her own parents.

Their eyes met then; his dual-colored eyes catching hers from across the room.

And Momo waved.

Waved.

Smart! Genius! Not awkward at all! She wiggled her fingers awkwardly in his direction, and he simply nodded, and immediately turned away from her.

Of course! Because she was awkward and made a complete fool of herself because she waved. She should've stuck with a smile! They were at a classy restaurant! Who just... waved like that?!

She wanted to bury her face in her sleeve more than anything, but she also didn't want to listen to her mother scold her for putting her head down on the table.

"Do you know that family, Momo?" her mother asked.

Right. Of course her parents would notice her wave. A smile really would have been far more subtle! Now, she had to explain herself! If Kyouka was here, she would surely be laughing. Not that she had any room to laugh, after how awkward she was earlier with Kaminari at the cafe.

"Hm?" she responded, blinking far too many times than necessary.

"You waved?"

"Oh! Yes. The boy with the... hair," she began, gesturing to her own hair as if she were parting it down the middle. "I met him this afternoon at the cafe. His name is Todoroki, he seems kind."

"I see," he mother hummed softly, cutting into the fish in front of her.

"Eat your food before it gets cold sweetheart," her father said, gesturing to the warm plate of chicken in front of her.

Admittedly, this was one of her favorite restaurants. The food was always delicious, as if someone cooked it especially for her. The atmosphere was warm and cozy, like a continuation of the lodge but higher on the mountain, and the view was absolutely to die for. It overlooked the slopes, and they could easily see down to the lodge where basin was illuminated by lights. During the day, it was fun to watch the river rushing by down there as well, though it was harder to see at night. From where they sat now, it was a little hard to see anything. However, it wouldn't be the last night they chose to eat here; towards the end of the trip her father always made reservations for one of the tables by the window.

"Right, sorry Father," she said with a soft giggle. She took a bite of the chicken and wondered how Todoroki was liking the food. There was no way he wouldn't be impressed by the delicious taste of the meat, cooked to absolute perfection. Well, if he liked meat of course.

Despite Kyouka teasing her about her potentially newfound 'crush', Momo refused to admit the possibility at all, even if she was certain she had never seen a boy so handsome. She barely knew the boy, after all.

Yet, something prickled under her skin. A desire to learn more about the mysterious boy. He liked tea, and that was good enough for Momo. Maybe if they both had free time they could talk over a cup during the vacation.

"You mean like a date?" She could already hear Kyouka's voice echoing in her head. But no, it would be casual! A way for her to get to know him! Maybe clear her head of him, since she found herself thinking about him while she got ready for dinner. She hadn't even been here twenty-four hours and already he was monopolizing her thoughts.

She glanced in his direction, noticing his nose was buried in the menu. He did seem very caught up in his family. It would probably be difficult for him to find time to do anything.

She gently moved the mashed potatoes around on her plate. It wasn't like she had anyway of contacting him either. She couldn't very well waltz over to his table and ask him when he was free!

"Momo?"

She lifted her head immediately when her father addressed her. "Hm?!"

"We were discussing your university?"

"O-Oh!" she said, trying her best not to falter. Was this really the time to be discussing her future? She supposed it wasn't good for her to be so distracted by a stranger, but the last thing she wanted to talk about was school.

Not that she didn't adore learning! But right now she could only feel her anxiety creeping under her skin the more she thought about university.

"Your mother and I are very proud of you!" he smiled knowingly. "Getting accepted early to one of the top schools is not an easy task."

"No," her mother said, "it certainly isn't!"

"Thank you," she smiled, taking a sip of her water. She wasn't sure why her parents were bringing this up right now. She already knew how proud they were of her.

"Have you given any more thought to your course study?"

"A-Ah!" she breathed out, the question hitting her like a ton of large bricks. "I was considering something in the sciences... chemistry, perhaps."

"I see," her mother hummed, taking a small sip of wine. Was she upset? Did that not please her? Maybe she was hoping Momo would study something more... ladylike? Maybe literature? Was that ladylike? Her mother tended to be more old-fashioned.

Her heart throbbed faster in her chest as she opened her mouth to speak again. "I know it would be a great deal of work, but I'm prepared to take on the challenge!" She clenched her hands into fists against her legs. She wasn't certain it was what she wanted to do, or if it was even the correct choice. Deciding what she wanted to do for the rest of her adult life was incredibly daunting.

"Of course," he mother said. "I have complete faith you could do whatever you put your mind to. I would hate to see you run into any distractions." Her mother's gaze flicked towards Todoroki's table and Momo felt her heart drop. She barely even spoke to the boy and yet already her parents viewed him as a distraction?

The fire next to them suddenly felt much hotter and she wished she could pull her hair back up into a ponytail. Against her neck, her hair felt sweaty and hot.

Though they never truly pressured her, Momo knew her parents expected the best from her. They spent their money to give her an amazing education, and the least she could do was give them amazing grades. Above all else, she wanted to make them proud.

"No," she shook her head quickly. "Nothing will distract me."

"Good," her mother said.

"Indeed, any science would be a difficult subject to tackle, but you are a very intelligent young woman. I know you will succeed," her father continued, placing his utensils down after swallowing his final bite of his steak.

"Of course," she said, her voice almost getting trapped in her throat.

She pursed her lips and flicked her eyes over to Todoroki's table, where their food was finally being delivered.

As much as she wanted to see and speak to Todoroki again, perhaps it would be for the best if she avoided him or the rest of the trip. She didn't wish to give her parents the wrong idea.

Nothing could've come of it, anyway. She didn't have any sort of crush on him, and the most that would've happened was a conversation or two, and then they would both go their separate ways.

Trying to talk to him again would only be a waste of time, even if deep down the thought of labeling it as such made her heart ache.